The Steelers were missing quite a few key players today. That said, they did not look like a playoff team even giving them that excuse. They basically let Denver have their way with them.
And the new Steeler's offensive coordinator will become very hated very quickly is my prediction. Calls for his head will begin, well now, and only grow.
I just hope people aren't blaming Ben all week. He was mega clutch all game. Their corner jumped a route... something our corners don't have the slightest clue how to do. It was a good play by a guy who came up big for them tonight.
Our defense needs to completely change or else we have zero chance. It's just too easy to pass all over them. Tonight.. it was easy to run as well.
edit: Also agree w/ JF about the Haley-hate. It's going to come down quickly here. What's up with all the delay hand offs on runs w/ a hurt/piss-poor OLine? What the hell is that all about? How does that make sense?
The thing is, what are the odds we actually get an "heir" to Troy? The part of our defensive playbook that is actually successful only works if you have someone that can play like he does. You could put the two best "normal" safeties in the league in our secondary and I think our defense would get smoked.
Troy is a one-of-a-kind safety and whoever takes the job after him can't and won't be him...but we still need a guy who can at least attempt to play the position.
And I agree on the Ben stuff...he generally played a good game. He missed that pass that would have made the game 7-0, but he also correctly read about 6 corner jumps during the game...unfortunately he didn't read that last one, but that was more of a good defensive game than a bad offensive play. Ben is going to absorb an unfair amount of criticism until he retires though, his off-field persona just rubs too many people the wrong way that he makes an easy scapegoat...Haley as well.
__________________
“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
The Steelers were missing quite a few key players today. That said, they did not look like a playoff team even giving them that excuse. They basically let Denver have their way with them.
We aren't a playoff team without both Troy and Clark in. The defense will probably look completely different with Clark back just by letting Troy play like Troy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaded-Fan
And the new Steeler's offensive coordinator will become very hated very quickly is my prediction. Calls for his head will begin, well now, and only grow.
After the first few drives, I think he did what he should do: trust the game to Ben's arm.
Troy is a one-of-a-kind safety and whoever takes the job after him can't and won't be him...but we still need a guy who can at least attempt to play the position.
right. we definitely do need a replacement. My concern is the rest of the defense will be completely exposed when that happens no matter how good our new safety is.
right. we definitely do need a replacement. My concern is the rest of the defense will be completely exposed when that happens no matter how good our new safety is.
Even with Troy in, when his duties change we're getting exposed. It's a systemic issue that definitely needs to be addressed.
I'm guessing Troy and LeBeau will be retiring around the same time (2 seasons from now at the latest), so the issue of replacing a player with the skillset of Troy will be a little moot since I imagine the new coordinator, likely Butler, may take the chance to re-imagine the defensive scheme a bit. I'm pretty sure Tomlin's background is entirely in the 4-3 and it won't shock me to see a complete philosophical switch, which makes sense considering a lot of the mainstays are at the end of the line (Keisel, Harrison, Troy, Hampton, etc.)
You know the season has started poorly when you're discussing the future of the defense after one game.
FWIW, but this is coming from someone who loathes "Stiller Nation", lapped up every single word in the Dead Spin article, and almost (almost) roots for them to lose just to hear the yinzers cry all week:
I didn't think they looked that bad. I'm kind of over their defense (their cover skills are meh, they're a little old, etc) and they did get carved up, but look who carved them up. Yeah they could've played the run better but again, look who's playing QB. It's a tough game to call defensively. On the other side of the coin Denver's defense is definitely above average. I'm not exactly thrilled with the offense but there was plenty there to believe it will improve and be better against teams that aren't quite as good defensively.
They got beat by a better team and the Steelers didn't look like a Super Bowl contender, but it's week 1. Also if anyone expected Manning to be anything but completely ready to roll they're idiots. He's a preparation nut, hates to lose, incredibly smart, and maybe the most physically gifted passer in history. There wasn't going to be any rust to knock off.
I'm guessing Troy and LeBeau will be retiring around the same time (2 seasons from now at the latest), so the issue of replacing a player with the skillset of Troy will be a little moot since I imagine the new coordinator, likely Butler, may take the chance to re-imagine the defensive scheme a bit. I'm pretty sure Tomlin's background is entirely in the 4-3 and it won't shock me to see a complete philosophical switch, which makes sense considering a lot of the mainstays are at the end of the line (Keisel, Harrison, Troy, Hampton, etc.)
You know the season has started poorly when you're discussing the future of the defense after one game.
I was worried about the future of the defense all last year too. And every time Polamalu is hurt.
I'm guessing Troy and LeBeau will be retiring around the same time (2 seasons from now at the latest), so the issue of replacing a player with the skillset of Troy will be a little moot since I imagine the new coordinator, likely Butler, may take the chance to re-imagine the defensive scheme a bit. I'm pretty sure Tomlin's background is entirely in the 4-3 and it won't shock me to see a complete philosophical switch, which makes sense considering a lot of the mainstays are at the end of the line (Keisel, Harrison, Troy, Hampton, etc.)
You know the season has started poorly when you're discussing the future of the defense after one game.
I would actually like for them to go to 4-3 actually in a year or so.
__________________ "I don't know what the stronger emotion would be, the joy of winning or the pain of losing"-Sidney Crosby.
I can see the 4-3 coming into things when the changing of the guard really does happen (which I agree will come when Troy and LeBeau retire, which wouldn't surprise me if it happened on the same day)...which would be weird to see.
Tomlin's background is the Tampa 2.
It wouldn't be too hard to transition our young personnel into it and I honestly believe that it's a big reason why we haven't drafted an heir to Hampton yet (4th rounders don't count as heirs).
I'm not opposed to trying new variations of defense right now. The new NFL is too quick for just blitzing and loading up into a zone scheme. Average WRs torch the living daylights out of us.
I'd say do whatever it takes. But a philosophy has to change.
I can see the 4-3 coming into things when the changing of the guard really does happen (which I agree will come when Troy and LeBeau retire, which wouldn't surprise me if it happened on the same day)...which would be weird to see.
Tomlin's background is the Tampa 2.
It wouldn't be too hard to transition our young personnel into it and I honestly believe that it's a big reason why we haven't drafted an heir to Hampton yet (4th rounders don't count as heirs).
Hood seems more natural as a 4-3 DT than 3-4 DE as well. Problem is that we'd have to get all new defensive ends...again...and we'd still be well short in the linebacker department. Timmons isn't a 4-3 MLB (though I think he could make the transition) and Woodley isn't a 4-3 OLB (I can't see him as a 4-3 OLB and I think a significant portion of his worth goes out the window if changed back to 4-3 DE).
What happened to Redman? He used to just run straight up-and-down without the wiggle-waggle BS that every Steelers RB has done since Parker, but now after he got the starting job he is scared to run right up the gut and just stands there and tries to juke for two seconds. There is a reason we gave this guy the nickname "Redzone Redman", and it wasn't because he could juke around 3 guys. It was because he wasn't afraid to run straight up the middle for about 5 or 6 yards every single play that he was in. Now, with the style of play that he used tonight, he'll be lucky if he gets more than 3 yards every play.
As for the rest of the game, Roethlisberger and the WR's were a big bright spot (until the pick), but the inability to cover short, 7 to 8 yard passes over the middle killed us just like it kills us every single game. LeBeau needs to understand that this isn't 2008, these are old guys who can't get to the QB as fast as they used to and can't escape from pass protection or even run protection as well.
Since I'm going on with this rant, how about drafting a cornerback earlier than the ****ing third round? Ike is a decent 1st string guy but it's not a good sign if you got Keenan ****ing Lewis on the other side. I liked what the Steelers did in this draft, don't get me wrong, but how much of an impact has Ziggy Hood or Cameron Heyward made on this team so far? This defense will make or break this season for the Steelers. We need the corners to play decently in the final minutes, Troy to stop running around everywhere and cover the deep threat, linebackers to cover the middle of the field, and at least 3 sacks a game. If we can get that done consistently and Roethlisberger and the receivers put up another offensive performance like tonight, PIT can contend for a title. If we see games like tonight, they might not even make the playoffs.
****.
Spot on. In this day and age you need talent in the secondary. We have Troy and a bunch of projects
And we've spent two #1's on guys with great pedigree (what top round guys are) to take up 2 blockers
An area we've been successful at with later round guys. I don't get it
Like I said last night, I know we're all pissed about the loss, and there is no excuses for the loss, but the Steelers expect Mendenhall and Clark back next week and I'm thinking Harrison is close to returning.
Last season, the Steelers got their ***** handed to them on opening day by the Ravens, and they went on to a 12-4 record, they have 15 games left, maybe this game is a wake up call for the whole team including the coaching staff.
I really can't understand some of the Steelers hate this morning.
We're missing an all-pro linebacker, starting free safety, and our best running back... pretty much our entire o-line is injured. It's tough to overcome some of those losses.
I really can't understand some of the Steelers hate this morning.
We're missing an all-pro linebacker, starting free safety, and our best running back... pretty much our entire o-line is injured. It's tough to overcome some of those losses.
I'm not hating at all.
Mike Adams played great coming in for Gilbert, other than the last two plays where the entire line gave up.
Haley offense looked stupid. I liked how they played all conservative early then got 1st and goal on the 4 and threw a bunch of fancy passes LOL. Also, Ben spiking the ball with 35 seconds left and a timeout on first and goal was LOL. Then the next play they throw a fade to Wallace LOL, why not do that on 1st down instead of spiking?
Defense was bad. WTF is up with Timmons? he is invisible for over a year now. Woodley needs to step it up too
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