Kovacevic: Steelers could use line change

[zulater]

Maybe the worst way to evaluate any 3-4 defense is to cite the statistics of the three down linemen. Their primary job is to block the blockers, to clear lanes for the linebackers. Counting up the sacks and hurries of the big men up front is terribly unfair.
So, hey, let’s start there.
We’ll get to fair and rational evaluation in a bit. I promise.
In the Steelers’ 34-31 loss 10 days ago at Oakland, Ziggy Hood lined up for 53 snaps at defensive end. On exactly 52 of those, he failed to get within radar range of the Raiders’ stationary target of a QB, Carson Palmer.
No sacks, no hits and one official "hurry," according to film study done by the Steelers’ coaches.
That wouldn’t be a big deal if isolated, but no one else got to Palmer, either. The Steelers had one sack by LaMarr Woodley and nine hurries on Oakland’s 35 passing plays. Brett Keisel and Larry Foote had three hurries each, Chris Carter one.
The three-game total of 21 hurries puts the Steelers on pace to finish the season with 112. They had 141 last year, 169 the previous year.
No matter how you slice up the roles, that’s terrible.
And it had better change soon.


Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/2699577-74/steelers-hampton-hood-hurries-mclendon-heyward-keisel-oakland-defensive-front#ixzz28E6P3RhT
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

[zulater]

We fuss over blown coverage or missed tackles in the secondary — hey, let’s blame Ryan Mundy, a safety, for whiffing on Darren McFadden’s 64-yard touchdown run — but the hard truth for the Steelers is this: In these three games, the starting defensive line of Hood, Keisel and nose tackle Casey Hampton has produced zero sacks, six hurries and zero tackles for losses.
That last figure isn’t limited to QBs. It’s for anyone carrying a football.
What’s the problem?
Debating the predictability of Dick LeBeau’s schemes, no matter how valid, is pointless. There won’t be a change, certainly not to the base 3-4 philosophy.
But why not at least to the usage of players?
Defensive line might be the deepest position on the roster other than wide receiver, but it doesn’t matter if Tomlin and LeBeau don’t take advantage.
Check out the season snap counts to date:
Hood: 152
Keisel: 134
Hampton: 77
Cam Heyward: 38
Steve McLendon: 31
Al Woods: 11
Notice anything amiss?


Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/2699577-74/steelers-hampton-hood-hurries-mclendon-heyward-keisel-oakland-defensive-front#ixzz28E6uQLrL
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

[Steeldude]

Remember the days of Seals, Steed and Buckner? Who says the DL cannot sacks or provide pressure? Lebeau isn't aggressive. He sits backs an hopes for a mistake. How has that been working out?

[suitanim]

We cannot have it both ways. You can't have a 3-4 based on the 3 DL occupying blockers in order to funnel plays back to the LB's and DB's AND also ask the DL to make plays, tackles for loss and sacks.

That being said, we probably should be utilizing McClendon and Heyward more. Can't hurt at this point.

[GodfatherofSoul]

Remember the days of Seals, Steed and Buckner? Who says the DL cannot sacks or provide pressure? Lebeau isn't aggressive. He sits backs an hopes for a mistake. How has that been working out?

I think we're sitting back to protect our weak secondary.

[suitanim]

I think we're sitting back to protect our weak secondary.

Our secondary is only as strong as it's weakest link...which right now is Ryan freaking Mundy.

When we have both Troy and Clark healthy and together, it will free the whole defense up a bit.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Heyward and McClendon should both be playing more.

[Chidi29]

Yeah.....we're not sitting back. That's the made up, fall back kind of crap that people just always use when being critical of LeBeau.

For example, on Oakland's final drive, we sent two safety blitzes and rushed 5/6 on the majority of those plays with the corners up on the receiver, usually showing a single high safety look.

So no...it's not being passive that is killing us.

[steelreserve]

Yeah.....we're not sitting back. That's the made up, fall back kind of crap that people just always use when being critical of LeBeau.

For example, on Oakland's final drive, we sent two safety blitzes and rushed 5/6 on the majority of those plays with the corners up on the receiver, usually showing a single high safety look.

So no...it's not being passive that is killing us.

Well, we sure aren't getting any pressure. So we're not being passive, we're being ineffective. Makes no difference as far as winning the fricking game.

[Craic]

Well, we sure aren't getting any pressure. So we're not being passive, we're being ineffective. Makes no difference as far as winning the fricking game.
No, but it does make a big difference as to assessing the problem.

[Chidi29]

No, but it does make a big difference as to assessing the problem.

This. Assessing blame doesn't work when people just decide to generalize issues and have a scapegoat "Cranky old LeBeau and his zone defense!"

[Steelman]

I gotta agree with the writer. We run a 3-4, so it's not expected to have Hood and Keisel channel Justin Tuck and Osi U running around the ends for sacks, BUT, the line's been getting NO push, especially in the middle. (i.e., Hampton)

Even if Harrison and Troy come back healthy, we still need a solid effort from our bigs to set up everything else and begin making stops and forcing turnovers.

[ALLD]

I thought he was talking about the Offensive line...

[oneforthetoe]

Yeah.....we're not sitting back. That's the made up, fall back kind of crap that people just always use when being critical of LeBeau.

For example, on Oakland's final drive, we sent two safety blitzes and rushed 5/6 on the majority of those plays with the corners up on the receiver, usually showing a single high safety look.

So no...it's not being passive that is killing us.


Quoted for the truth of the matter asserted.

I'd like to add that if, IIRC, Palmer killed us on at least one of those safety blitzes.

[steel striker]

It's pretty clear we need more pressure from the guys up front because in each of the two losses to me that was the difference.