You are the weakest link:DEFENSE

[Born2Steel]

Who is the weak spot of our projected defensive starters? A recent article put Dupree as our weakest starter on defense. I disagree with that opinion but some of you may agree. VW taking over for Timmons leaves some nervous about our starting ILBs. Can Burns and/or Cockrell play with more consistency? What about the weekly scapegoat Mitchell? Gay is still projected to start at the slot CB position.

Thoughts....

[Mojouw]

Dime back. Every time Golden or Dangerfield were forced into heavy coverage responsibilities, the defense got burned.

[st33lersguy]

Starter: Mitchell, inconsistent, better suited as strong safety. Burned too often. Including backups it's Dangerfield and Golden. Those two get burned everytime they are on the field

[Born2Steel]

I'll agree that safety is currently our weakest position group, but is Mitchel or Davis the weakest starter? In sub packages, I can completely understand Golden being considered the weakest on the field. But what about Burns? He was highly inconsistent at best. He did show some flashes and played well at stretches, but he made some costly mistakes as well. Looking at Dupree's pass rush. Has he achieved 10 sacks for his career yet? 2 seasons under his belt. These are young players, and improving hopefully, but are they currently stronger starters than MM? I don't think it's just that easy.

[BurghBoy412]

I vote Cockrell.

[steelreserve]

Hard to tell, we have so many new faces at DB that hopefully one of them can step into that void.

I'd say ILB, simply because we have almost zero depth and constant injuries there. The starters are good, but if Shazier isn't out for at least four games with a nagging injury and semi-effective for another couple, then I don't know this team.

[Born2Steel]

Hard to tell, we have so many new faces at DB that hopefully one of them can step into that void.

I'd say ILB, simply because we have almost zero depth and constant injuries there. The starters are good, but if Shazier isn't out for at least four games with a nagging injury and semi-effective for another couple, then I don't know this team.

So Shazier is the weakest link as a starter then, from the viewpoint of, not if, but when, he misses playing time? I can see that line of logic as well. He did stay pretty healthy last season though. Hopefully he can make that 2 seasons in a row.

[Dwinsgames]

Mike Mitchell come on down .... but your going to have to race Willie Gay to get the award ...since Mitchell is faster as long as he doesn't stop to thump his chest he should win this one

[Psycho Ward 86]

I vote Cockrell.

coming off a season where he allowed 2 TD's all year including the playoffs?

Mitchell gets exposed without a dominating front 7

[Steeldude]

Probably Dupree.

[ALLD]

Low sack production.

[BurghBoy412]

coming off a season where he allowed 2 TD's all year including the playoffs?

Mitchell gets exposed without a dominating front 7
That is a good stat no argument. But zero INT's on the year is not a good stat. I can't find it but I remember him getting beat on a lot of 3rd down conversions as well.

[86WARD]

Vince Williams.

[Steel Peon]

This play pretty much illustrates how I feel about Mike "Out of Posizzle" Mitchell:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EdyuPIJa2c

Sure, Burns was also burned, but he's a rookie earning 1/20th of what Mitchell is making, who should be more than capable of tackling twinkle toes Wallace. Under Mitchell's current contract, he'll keep his position of team boat anchor for years to come.

[BurghBoy412]

This play pretty much illustrates how I feel about Mike "Out of Posizzle" Mitchell:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EdyuPIJa2c

Sure, Burns was also burned, but he's a rookie earning 1/20th of what Mitchell is making, who should be more than capable of tackling twinkle toes Wallace. Under Mitchell's current contract, he'll keep his position of team boat anchor for years to come.
At least Mitchell has been durable.

[Steel Peon]

At least Mitchell has been durable.

I could make a wise-crack about how not tackling people helps you avoid injuries, but that wouldn't be fair considering he frequently plays injured. https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2016/6/1/11827878/steelers-safety-mike-mitchells-laundry-list-of-injuries-speaks I also seem to remember that Tomlin almost benched him once, but I can't find any articles about that, so that'll just be another Mandela Effect moment for me. The point is though, you are correct, he never misses games.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Vince Williams. I know you been very out spoken do not like. Vince will prove you wrong and others see this besides me!

[86WARD]

I know you been very out spoken do not like. Vince will prove you wrong and others see this besides me!

I hope so. It would make me very happy...

[steelreserve]

So Shazier is the weakest link as a starter then, from the viewpoint of, not if, but when, he misses playing time? I can see that line of logic as well. He did stay pretty healthy last season though. Hopefully he can make that 2 seasons in a row.

Yeah, not just him, but I really can't remember a season in which one or both of our inside LBs hasn't been beaten up for a good stretch of the year. It just seems like it comes with the territory. Usually we have a third guy who is at least decent and can step in when needed. This year we don't. Unless maybe Moats can fill that role? I know he's played both inside and outside in the past.

DB is probably the "weaker" position in theory, but it's really hard to say how that will turn out. So many variables, lots of potential but not yet realized. So I guess I'm crossing my fingers that it will break our way. Really only one and a half guys out of about four need to do that for it to be a positive.

[Born2Steel]

Yeah, not just him, but I really can't remember a season in which one or both of our inside LBs hasn't been beaten up for a good stretch of the year. It just seems like it comes with the territory. Usually we have a third guy who is at least decent and can step in when needed. This year we don't. Unless maybe Moats can fill that role? I know he's played both inside and outside in the past.

DB is probably the "weaker" position in theory, but it's really hard to say how that will turn out. So many variables, lots of potential but not yet realized. So I guess I'm crossing my fingers that it will break our way. Really only one and a half guys out of about four need to do that for it to be a positive.

There really are many question marks on this defense. Maybe not so much with the starters, but depth is unknown and a bit scary. Hopefully our offense can put it in a higher gear now and make opponents more one dimensional to keep pace. That is my hope. That will help our defense better hide it's weaknesses. Plus, allow for younger guys to get quality snaps and acclimate to the NFL. I'm really excited to add in Watt and Sutton as well.

[Mojouw]

One thing that clip shows is that ArtiebBurns is fast!


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[Six Rings]

Dime back. Every time Golden or Dangerfield were forced into heavy coverage responsibilities, the defense got burned.

Say no more! But the coaches playing this soft zone stuff vs the better QB is formula for losing. Attack or you die via 1,000 paper cuts. By playing tighter, you might force a mistake.