Do the Steelers need a new DC and defensive system?

[polamalubeast]

Number look good in the regular season but against elite competition and in the playoffs they stuggle big time just to be competitive

And we all know that the Steelers have given up 30 points or more in the playoffs in each of the last 5 games (30 PPG is higher than the highest scoring team in the NFL this season) and when we play against elite offense, it is often ugly

They need major changes on this side of the ball.I would be very happy if they have a new DC outside of the organization too

[86WARD]

A. Competition is much better in playoffs.
B. The whole team struggles in playoffs.

I think they need a new defensive philosophy as far as pass coverage goes. It just seems (and maybe it’s rampant around the NFL and just notice it more with the Steelers) that they lose way too many matchups when it comes to the pass game and there’s a big lack of communication. I get that you may have a LB on a receiver but when your “worst coverage LB (Robert Spillane) is matched up on JaMar Chase”…things aren’t working correctly…

Not sure they need a new DC, because the defense is solid at times but I think they definitely need to assess what’s happening in these personnel matchups and either get the proper personnel or put a different scheme out there.

[SteeleReign]

Let's not forget that with our historically bad offense, our defense is on the field a LOT more than they should be.

Not making excuses, but with the injuries and lack of depth, the starting core was getting worn out, game after game. Those extra minutes add up, and by seasons end they're baked. Pretty sure I read that the Steelers have the leagues oldest defense.

Can anyone find a stat that shows average time a defense is on the field/game, ranked?

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[86WARD]

Steelers average time of possession is 29:28. The best time of possession was by Cleveland at 32:29. The worst was Seattle at 26:38.

[DesertSteel]

With all due respect to Alex, all that matters in those numbers is what’s happened the past couple of years — that’s ONE playoff game. Passer ratings from 6-7 years ago are meaningless.

[Mojouw]

A. Competition is much better in playoffs.
B. The whole team struggles in playoffs.

I think they need a new defensive philosophy as far as pass coverage goes. It just seems (and maybe it’s rampant around the NFL and just notice it more with the Steelers) that they lose way too many matchups when it comes to the pass game and there’s a big lack of communication. I get that you may have a LB on a receiver but when your “worst coverage LB (Robert Spillane) is matched up on JaMar Chase”…things aren’t working correctly…

Not sure they need a new DC, because the defense is solid at times but I think they definitely need to assess what’s happening in these personnel matchups and either get the proper personnel or put a different scheme out there.

I think they’re trapped running the scheme they have the players for.

Look at ILB at CB. They’ve been desperate to get better at those spots because their lack of playoff caliber talent at those spots has been killing them.

Roberts, Porter, and Holcomb have and will help.

Imagine if they find another CB that can play man coverage against most WRs? How much better might the whole thing look?

[86WARD]

I think they’re trapped running the scheme they have the players for.

Look at ILB at CB. They’ve been desperate to get better at those spots because their lack of playoff caliber talent at those spots has been killing them.

Roberts, Porter, and Holcomb have and will help.

Imagine if they find another CB that can play man coverage against most WRs? How much better might the whole thing look?

And that’s perfectly fine but they have to get the players that make that system work completely. Maybe it’s a process but even at full strength at times, it was not working. Tomlin has always done a great job through the adversity of injuries and that’s where a lot of the problem comes…especially at ILB. It’s just been a turnstile of injuries…but maybe it’s time to get a Safety/ILB tweeter type to have around the bench in case injuries occur…or maybe they do?

[oneforthetoe]

I go back to coach LeBeau's Hall of Fame speech - the part where he talked about what a genius he was when he had Rod Woodson and Greg Lloyd and others, and then how he was dumb until he became a genius again with Troy, Peezy and the other great defensive players on that team. Austin is no LeBeau. And would not be completely against bringing in new blood to bring new ideas the D. However, put another good to corner on the opposite side of Porter, add some d' line help and a middle linebacker who can cover TE's and he will look like a brilliant coordinator suddenly.

In other words, unlike "oh Canada," his schemes are not inept. They might not be "genius" level, but they will be successful with the right players.

[Born2Steel]

And that’s perfectly fine but they have to get the players that make that system work completely. Maybe it’s a process but even at full strength at times, it was not working. Tomlin has always done a great job through the adversity of injuries and that’s where a lot of the problem comes…especially at ILB. It’s just been a turnstile of injuries…but maybe it’s time to get a Safety/ILB tweeter type to have around the bench in case injuries occur…or maybe they do?

I think that guy was Neal this season. And he ended up on IR. Before him it was Marcus Allen.

[tube517]

The 2019 defense was the best defense of the post Troy era. The one season that Ben gets hurt.

D Line Cam Hargave Tuitt ...backup Alualu
OLB Watt Dupree
ILB Bush Bince
CB Haden Nelson
Slot CB Hilton and Sutton
SS Edmunds
FS Minkah


Need to get to that level


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[polamalubeast]

The 2019 defense was the best defense of the post T

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I agree

[DesertSteel]

Is it the Xs and the Os or the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s? My guess is mostly the latter.

- - - Updated - - -

People talk about how great the Browns defense was this year. What a farce! They were giving up 30 points a game on the road. A great defense doesn’t do that.

[polamalubeast]

Is it the Xs and the Os or the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s? My guess is mostly the latter.

- - - Updated - - -

People talk about how great the Browns defense was this year. What a farce! They were giving up 30 points a game on the road. A great defense doesn’t do that.

I agree for the Browns....Among the teams left in the playoffs,the chiefs,ravens and 49ers have the best defense left in the playoffs....The Bills would been in this list if they would been more healthy right now

[DesertSteel]

I agree for the Browns....Among the teams left in the playoffs,the chiefs,ravens and 49ers have the best defense left in the playoffs....The Bills would been in this list if they would been more healthy right now

There's no question in my mind that with Watt back, if the Steelers had a franchise QB, they'd be right in the mix with everyone of those teams.

[polamalubeast]

There's no question in my mind that with Watt back, if the Steelers had a franchise QB, they'd be right in the mix with everyone of those teams.

True...The steelers would not be perfect but franchise QB can overcome the weaknesses you can have in a team...They also need to play better defense in the playoffs!

[86WARD]

I think that guy was Neal this season. And he ended up on IR. Before him it was Marcus Allen.

Could be. I forgot about Allen.

All this speculation and posting that we are doing may already be in place with the coaching staff but maybe injuries and whatever has derailed that a bit…

[86WARD]

The 2019 defense was the best defense of the post Troy era. The one season that Ben gets hurt.

D Line Cam Hargave Tuitt ...backup Alualu
OLB Watt Dupree
ILB Bush Bince
CB Haden Nelson
Slot CB Hilton and Sutton
SS Edmunds
FS Minkah


Need to get to that level


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No doubt…

[Steeler-in-west]

We’re 1-10 without TJ Watt, that’s not good

[pczach]

We’re 1-10 without TJ Watt, that’s not good

Now 1-11.

They rely on him so much and he creates opportunities for so many other players.

[Mojouw]

Wonder what the record was without Aaron Smith? Troy Polamalu?

I suspect it was better because those guys weren’t shackled to the worst offense. But I remember things kinda going awry whenever they were hurt.

[Steeler-in-west]

Now 1-11.

They rely on him so much and he creates opportunities for so many other players.

too much, in addition to the bad record, I wonder what our sack, QB pressure rate without him is, or what the opponents passing yard are, there must be a stark difference. That’s on the coordinator in not being able to find more of a balance in the defensive performance

[86WARD]

Wonder what the record was without Aaron Smith? Troy Polamalu?

I suspect it was better because those guys weren’t shackled to the worst offense. But I remember things kinda going awry whenever they were hurt.

That year that Aaron Smith went out, the run defense went in the toilet…

[Mojouw]

That year that Aaron Smith went out, the run defense went in the toilet…

I know. It was astonishing how bad it got.

[Voice of Reason]

Let's not forget that with our historically bad offense, our defense is on the field a LOT more than they should be.

The offense played a part in that, but the defense had a helluva time all year getting off the field on 3rd downs.

[tube517]

Wonder what the record was without Aaron Smith? Troy Polamalu?

I suspect it was better because those guys weren’t shackled to the worst offense. But I remember things kinda going awry whenever they were hurt.

09 season no Aaron and no Troy for most of the season. They missed the playoffs and the defense could not hold leads and lost 5 in a row at one point

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[El-Gonzo Jackson]

They need to continue to get younger and have solid draft picks that contribute. They have problems on all 3 levels and health was an issue too.

D line- Heyward getting old, Leal didnt contribute, Loudermilik isnt a starter.
ILB- honestly one of the lower tier groups in the NFL
CB- Pat Pete showed he is older and slower, JPJ a rising start if he can stop getting penalties, then not much depth with Wallace, Pierre, (injured Cory Trice)

The defense is fine, but they need some better players and play at a higher level. They dont fly to the ball and tackle well like the top defenses in the NFL, so maybe its culture of practice, maybe its just mediocre athletes.

[tube517]

They need to continue to get younger and have solid draft picks that contribute. They have problems on all 3 levels and health was an issue too.

D line- Heyward getting old, Leal didnt contribute, Loudermilik isnt a starter.
ILB- honestly one of the lower tier groups in the NFL
CB- Pat Pete showed he is older and slower, JPJ a rising start if he can stop getting penalties, then not much depth with Wallace, Pierre, (injured Cory Trice)

The defense is fine, but they need some better players and play at a higher level. They dont fly to the ball and tackle well like the top defenses in the NFL, so maybe its culture of practice, maybe its just mediocre athletes.

Leal got demoted and didn't even dress in the final weeks of the season. I wonder how he got into the doghouse.

Omar will have to work some magic to get another Benton in the draft or a younger free agent.



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[oneforthetoe]

They need to continue to get younger and have solid draft picks that contribute. They have problems on all 3 levels and health was an issue too.

D line- Heyward getting old, Leal didnt contribute, Loudermilik isnt a starter.
ILB- honestly one of the lower tier groups in the NFL
CB- Pat Pete showed he is older and slower, JPJ a rising start if he can stop getting penalties, then not much depth with Wallace, Pierre, (injured Cory Trice)

The defense is fine, but they need some better players and play at a higher level. They dont fly to the ball and tackle well like the top defenses in the NFL, so maybe its culture of practice, maybe its just mediocre athletes.

I agree with this. I do think there is some talent at the ILB position if they could maintain some semblance of health. Leastwise, I think there are some decent players at stopping the run. They really need that all elusive middle linebacker who is good in coverage. I just think that skill, at that position around the league, is going the way of the dodo bird.

Question for me at ILB is do you try and bring back Kwon? I always figured he was a one-year option. However, with the Achillies injury maybe he doesn't get many offers.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Leal got demoted and didn't even dress in the final weeks of the season. I wonder how he got into the doghouse.

Omar will have to work some magic to get another Benton in the draft or a younger free agent.



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Leal was always a tweener from 4-3 DE or 3-4DE. Hyped highschool and college player that didnt always put on tape what was expected. His scouting report was that he was more of a pass rusher, than run stopper but not consistent in effort. I think he is practicing himself out of a roster spot.

Benton wasnt magic. He was impressive at Senior Bowl week with his quickness and while tabbed as primarily a run stopper he showed a club-rip move that beat a lot of interior linemen. Tomlin was 6 ft away from the D line drills and could see it all at Mobile. Have to just find that guy at DE again in the 2nd hopefully.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Dulac: Steelers Expected To Retain Teryl Austin As DC, Confirms Contract Expired

Jan 23, 2024

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/01/du...medium=twitter