Penalties have essentially been between 5 and 6 a game since the dawn of time or at least 2003 --
https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/sta...ate=2004-02-02
A few years they spike to around 7 and a few years they dip to around 4 in both the Cowher and Tomlin eras, but they hover between 5 and 6 per game.
Also, having a crappy plan or a plan that did not work out (Bostic + Draft Pick + Burnett = 3 safety scheme/Dimebacker replacement for Shazier) is not the same as having no plan. The two are very different. Additionally, few were predicting that NONE of the 1st tier ILBs would be available at the Steelers pick. I realize that in hindsight, Darius Leonard looks like the obvious answer, but if Edmunds was viewed as a 'reach' in the 1st, I shudder to think about the response would've had the Steelers taken Leonard in the first. Considering that the Colts taking him in the 2nd was considered a reach and more than a few places howled in derision at the pick. And yes, I am aware that many were a massive fan of Leonard and accurately predicted that he would be an impact NFL player. But it was a reasonable gamble that Leonard would be there at the Steelers 2nd pick.
Going in to 2019 some observers thought DB would be a strength of the team, including more than a few on this board. Sutton, Allen, and Burns were all viewed as players that could take big steps forward. Many thought Sensabaugh wouldn't make the roster. The rookies were talked about in exciting terms, even Marcus Allen. Additionally, Burnett was viewed as a massive upgrade and several reputable outlets thought he was one of the best FA signings across the league. After all, Burnett had just finished two seasons (where when healthy--the key issue) he was a jack of all trades playmaker in the secondary for the Packers. So there was a dedicated effort through FA, the draft, and internal development to create competition and improved play in the secondary. Let's not forget that the Steelers made sure Joe Haden never took another visit last year.
Again, I don't agree with every move the team made and there is plenty of room for criticism. But the constant 20/20 hindsight nature of the postings are more than a bit frustrating. If the seemingly random changes to the defensive coaching staff do not lead to significant changes in approach in 2019, I'm out on this entire staff. I fail to understand how the same staff that came up with Patriots and Falcons game plans also rolled out the Chargers and Chiefs game plans. If whoever came up with and implemented the good game plan is now in charge of doing the same moving forward, maybe we stop seeing so many inexplicable defensive alignments. The frustrating thing is that, as fans, we simply don't have enough facts to understand why the defensive approach is seemingly so Jekyll and Hyde.
But to just keep leveling hyperbolic charge after charge that flies in the face of facts and are almost entirely based on looking back with perfect knowledge is not interesting.