The Steelers defense looked like the 08 version for three quarters on Sunday holding the Bengals offense to just a miss of a field goal. Problem was, they didn’t play a full 60 minutes. We all know by now what took place in the fourth and final disaster of a quarter for the Steelers defense, but just in case you forgot, here’s the gory details.
Two Bengals drives – 22 plays, 156 yards, two touchdowns to in the end win the game 23-20. Take into consideration before that the Steelers D held Cincy to 38 plays, 119 yards, and four of their first seven series the Bengals were three-and-out. So it wasn’t hard to believe that when the Steelers entered the fourth quarter up 20-9, the game felt well in hand.
But in the end, it wasn’t.
And where does that blame lie? Yes, the team is without star safety Troy Polamalu, but the Steelers have always prided themselves on not making excuses. They have some players on defense playing not 100 percent, but again, no excuses. So what is happening, and why has this team allowed two huge drives to lose their last two games?
“We as a defense love to be out on the field at the end of games with games in our hand,” linebacker Lamarr Woodley (1 tackle) said. “We’ve been allowing teams to come down and put points on the board, we’re the type of team that when the games on the line we get the job done, and the last two weeks we haven’t been doing it.”
James Farrior, who couldn’t bring down Brian Leonard on a 4th-and-10 play on that last drive that took place the play before the winning touchdown, stated in the locker room that it’s not mental, but physical mistakes – things like missing tackles and not doing the little things. So will this unit, a unit that was so good a season ago, be able to get itself right?
That’s the million dollar question, and one that can start to be answered this Sunday night when the team hosts the Chargers at home, a team they beat twice last season on their way to the Super Bowl. “It’s still early, but as a player when you have a game and you don’t come away with the game you tend to you start looking at yourself, and like ‘what’s going on’, we need to find answers,” Tyrone Carter said. “We take pride in our defense, but we are not finding ways to make plays to get off the football field, that’s the main thing.”
There has been little in the turnover department, and while the Steelers had a pair of sacks, they simply are not coming at big times, like the last drives vs the Bears and Bengals. Sure there’s time to get things right, but to say that the players know that the time to get going is now is a clear understatement. They can start making those things right Sunday vs the Chargers.
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mark
September 29, 2009 at 10:36 am
The defense has played too passive. Okay, I’m no coordinator but I have not seen the aggression in the secondary. What I mean is, No CB or safety is jumping any routes and the LB’s are not in position to stop the underneath junk. I think that its time to see if our front 3 can start generating some pressure without the LB’s doing the work. Schematically that might not make sense but letting Harrison. Woodley and Timmons drop into coverage more might just take away some of that underneath passing that is letting Offenses sustain drives. I think Aaron Smith and Kiesel can do this. I also think its time to let Ziggy in on the action. Just let him come off the end. He was drafted to apply pressure. Hampton no longer gets the double team, but offenses are protecting their QB with quick slants and comebacks. Our CB are playing far off to not give up the big one over the top, but the pass rush isnt their so the WR is catching the ball with 5-7 yards to spare.The Steelers always say they like to make offenses 1-dimensional by taking away the run. Well they are doing that but its that 1-dimension that is torturing them! Adjustments have to be made. Now is not the time for stubbornness.
mark
September 29, 2009 at 10:40 am
One more thing. I understand Troy is not there. He is missed, no doubt. But with the current Steeler defense on the field doesnt it remind some of the Tim Lewis defenses of 2002 or so? Everyone catching passes underneath, playing passive and keeping the ball in front. Ike Taylor should be smothering his WR and Gay should be playing a bit closer to his. If the defense is afraid of exposing Gay or the lack of speed in the secondary, then its time for new people! This Steeler team should not have to score 26+ to win games (although 26 would be nice)
DrGeorge
September 29, 2009 at 10:56 am
Scrapping the “prevent” zone defense is a good place to start. With cornerbacks ten yards off the line of scrimmage, the opposing offenses have routinely gained 10-15 yards at a clip against our version of the “prevent,” placing unnecessary stress on the LBs and the secondary. More than any other factor, this strategic error enabled Cincy to overcome our 20-3 lead. So, eliminate the strategic (coaching) errors first as a quick fix. Then address the talent issues on the O-line as needed. I detailed our flaws on defense at length yesterday. The newspapers and blogs are full of it too. Tomlin understands the challenge. Now we’ll see if he and LeBeau can earn their keep before San Deigo comes to town.
mark
September 29, 2009 at 11:31 am
DrGeorge, I saw a second ago that Harris’ column in the tribune was seconding our assessment of the defense! I guess us armchair coaches are pretty in tune huh? Anyway, I do have faith in the staff to make the adjustments but its the execution I worry about. I am not buying the aging defense theory either. There are too many in-there-prime players like Taylor, Harrison, Woodley, Timmons and Clark to think that its age. Hampton/Hoke, Farrior and Smith all play at a high level too. Its the lack of aggression and passive play that is hurting. Play to WIN!!! Go out there and make plays do not wait for luck. As far as the offense is concerned, I think this is the week they put up some TD’s. Its a matter of putting up enough points these days!
DrGeorge
September 29, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Mark, you’re right on again. Did you see the Hines Ward comment in the Post-Gazette? It was in line with our thinking as well. The problems are obvious, and I don’t think we’re being negative when we analyze and discuss the obvious. We’re both concerned, loyal fans. The offense has been playing well enough to win, and if McDonald is inserted into the rotation instead of Sweed, we should see results. I agree age is no excuse for the defensive slump of the last two games, but it is a factor for the front 3 linemen if they are left out on the field too long. I don’t see in our defensive front a strong pass rusher, a stud like Unguleye (Bears) or Orakpo (Skins)or Ngata (Ravens) to balance the outside rush and prevent O-lines from double-teaming Harrison and Woodley. Almost all good defenses have at least one. Without a dominating presence in the defensive front, LeBeau is going to have to blitz LBs to pressure the QB; play more man-to-man coverage to negate the dink-and-dunk passing attack teams use to blunt the blitz; and substitute more often to spell the older D-linemen. We can become respectable on defense, but the D isn’t going to carry the team any more. The offense must step up, as you noted.
George H
September 29, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Mark and Dr.George you are both right when it comes to the defense. We need to start generating turnovers, Yea we sorely miss Troy, but were the D-Line push. Get Ziggy in there and let himrun his motor and see what can happen, that is why we drafted him. On the other hand, we wouldnt be having this critical of a discussion about the defense if a few more offensive plays went ourway. No excuse, Sweed cant hold the ball and looks like hes lost. That still doesnt negate the fact that were not putting points up in the Red Zone, or atleast within the 35. Wheres Sanantonio? Is it me or is he having a mental breakdown not being able to catch the ball. Only 13 points at the half for the way our offense was rolling is a joke. Yeah theres a lot of problems on D, but the offense needs to finish drives. I understand were not gonna put up Colts or Saints numbers, but Im starting to think its a reach to even get 24. Im confident the Offense will start getting it all together, but were not going to win the Supebowl again if the Steelers arent rolling on all cylinders.
George H
September 29, 2009 at 9:53 pm
oh and if you like the Pirates heres a good blog that Ive been enjoying for a while now.
http://www.NewBucs.com They talk about every aspect of whats wrong with the team, Personel and behind the scenes, as well as our minor leaguers.
mark
September 30, 2009 at 8:29 am
Hi George H. George, I agree that the offense should be putting up 24+ per week. This team has too many weapons to only be scoring in the teens. Miller and Spaeth are weapons, Ward still moves the chains and Wallace and Holmes are BIG play guys. Yes, we are a passing team now, but Big Ben only has 3 Td’s passing?? With these weapons?? He should have 2 a game!The idea of HAVING to score more is now scary. But I have to say, this is why the Ravens are putting up points. The defenses on both teams is now lacking. Not that they are not tough, but they will not do what they did last year. They will both be top 10, maybe top 5 in the league once both get it together.
Tony H
September 30, 2009 at 11:25 am
Granted Ben should have more tds but we are also dropping touchdowns in the endzone
Tony H
September 30, 2009 at 11:27 am
Lately it appears that we are converting back to Cowher ball, which is playing not to lose with a lead.
DrGeorge
October 1, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Fellows, you are all right about the offense having the talent to put up more points, but the problem is not primarily with Ben and the receivers. The lack of a credible running attack makes us one dimensional and much easier to defend, since the defense knows we have to pass and plays accordingly. The return of Davis should help the blocking, and S. Diego is without their own run-stopper. It’s an opportunity for our offense to play up to expectations and run the ball effectively when needed, not just between the 20s. The offense is going to have to carry the team this year until LeBeau can figure out (a) how to put more pressure on the opposing QB, and (b)an alternative to the marshmallow ‘prevent’ zone defense that gives up ground faster than the French Army.