Preseason Opener Indicates Big Change In Steelers’ Defense

[polamalubeast]

We are just going through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opening win over the New York Giants. As we’ve done for years now, we chart the Steelers’ offense and defense. I do the latter charting and found something very interesting from Friday’s game.

Here’s the short of it: On 32 of 53 snaps versus 11 personnel (3 WR sets) the Steelers remained in their base 3-4 defense. That’s something the defense hasn’t done to that degree under Keith Butler.

In 2015, the Steelers’ regular season defense remained in base versus “passing personnel” (mostly 11 personnel) just 2.6% of the time. There was a small bump last year to 6.4%. And in Game One against the Giants, that number showed a crazy spike up to 60.4%.

That wasn’t just after the starters left. In fact, the opposite. The stats skewed a bit at the end with the Giants in their hurry-up offense and the Steelers stayed in nickel. When the game was early/close, and the starters in, base was the dominant package.

But last year’s minor uptick did seem to indicate a change. And Friday, Butler may have knocked that door down against the Giants. I don’t expect the Steelers to actually play base that often all the time but it’s an idea that makes sense. For three reasons


read more

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/08...medium=twitter

[RunNGun]

I think them staying in their base with 3 WR sets is due to having LBs that can cover this year opposed to last. Watt is already way better in dropping than Harrison or Jones from last year. Could result in a lot more sacks this year if we can stay in our base against 11 personnel. Really excited to see all of our backers on the field at once. That's a lot speed and athleticism. Can't wait!

[polamalubeast]

[Edman]

Jarvis Jones is addition by subtraction.

People denote T.J Watt's performance Sunday as just "gimme" and "dong" sacks. I wish Jarvis would get "gimme" sacks like that even on his best day.

[teegre]

People denote T.J Watt's performance Sunday as just "gimme" and "dong" sacks. I wish Jarvis would get "gimme" sacks like that even on his best day.

If you are referring to that other thread, I hope that you know that we're joking (making fun of a certain website).

The Giants' LT (Flowers) tried to use Watt's overaggressiveness against him, by leading Watt upfield. Watt smartly kept his eyes on the QB, and broke inside for a sack. That is not a dong sack*.

*(unless you habitually refer to James Farrior as "Taunto: the winged God of linebacking)

[fansince'76]

If you are referring to that other thread, I hope that you know that we're joking (making fun of a certain website).

Just remembered that "Dan Rooney" clown from SF who thought Still Mill (the inventor of the "Dong sack") was a "great writer."

[teegre]

Just remembered that "Dan Rooney" clown from SF who thought Still Mill (the inventor of the "Dong sack") was a "great writer."

I'm convinced that it was indeed Mill, trolling us in order to bump up his clicks over at his site.

[polamalubeast]

[teegre]

As good as Artie Burns & Sean Davis are, Javon Hargrave might be the best player from the '16 draft.

[polamalubeast]

As good as Artie Burns & Sean Davis are, Javon Hargrave might be the best player from the '16 draft.

This is for this reason that steelers could be in defense base formation more often this year.

He needs to be on the field as often as possible.

An 3-3-5 would be also an good idea against the 3 wide formation.

[teegre]

This is for this reason that steelers could be in defense base formation more often this year.

He needs to be on the field as often as possible.

An 3-3-5 would be also an good idea against the 3 wide formation.

Goid point.

Or... play Hargrave some at DE (in a 2-4-5)

[43Hitman]

If you are referring to that other thread, I hope that you know that we're joking (making fun of a certain website).

The Giants' LT (Flowers) tried to use Watt's overaggressiveness against him, by leading Watt upfield. Watt smartly kept his eyes on the QB, and broke inside for a sack. That is not a dong sack*.

*(unless you habitually refer to James Farrior as "Taunto: the winged God of linebacking)

Hahahahahahaha!

[BlackAndGold]

Keeping that d-line group off the field will be hard to do.

No way they'll treat Hargrave like a regular ol NT that sees the field about 20% of the time, guy is going to be a flat out monster.

- - - Updated - - -

As good as Artie Burns & Sean Davis are, Javon Hargrave might be the best player from the '16 draft.

That's kinda scary. (depending on how high you, or someone thinks of the other two.)

[Edman]

If you are referring to that other thread, I hope that you know that we're joking (making fun of a certain website).

The Giants' LT (Flowers) tried to use Watt's overaggressiveness against him, by leading Watt upfield. Watt smartly kept his eyes on the QB, and broke inside for a sack. That is not a dong sack*.

*(unless you habitually refer to James Farrior as "Taunto: the winged God of linebacking)

I know you guys were joking around. Stillers.com is a joke. That's where the term "dong sack" came from.

[polamalubeast]

I was also joked in the gamethread for the dong sacks

It's true that his 2 sacks were not very impressive, but Watt put one pressure at every 7 snap, which is really excellent.

[86WARD]

It was the first preseason game with a lot of young players. Not sure I would go to that degree that the Steelers are going base defense that often until we see it a couple more times and in Week One of Real Games...

As for Watts sacks, both were very impressive. The first one he was able to get off his block to make the sack, the second he didn't fall into the tap of rushing up field and being taken advantage of. He read the play and made the tackle. Anyone who says they were gimmes isn't really watching the whole game.

[Mojouw]

As good as Artie Burns & Sean Davis are, Javon Hargrave might be the best player from the '16 draft.

Wasn't that supposed to be Vernon Butler and Jackson III? I seem to remember that I was intended to be distraught and angry when the Ateelers weren't able to get those guys.

All seriousness, Hargrave is gonna be a monster.