James Harrison vs Seattle
James Harrison has never been one to hold back. The Steelers defense for all but one week of the 2011 season has been downright awful, and it is starting to sound like the Warren Sapp’s of the world maybe are right – it’s a defense that looks old.
They are missing tackles, not getting turnovers (how about one in four games) and are not sacking the QB (none against Matt Schaub Sunday in Houston). Harrison spoke his mind after the loss to the Texans, and here’s some of his comments.
“Every man needs to do his job, take care of his responsibilities,” Harrison said Sunday. “It’s not the scheme, it’s not other BS; it’s each man doing his job, and, right now, every man is not doing his job, period.”
Exactly right James, and as a former defensive player of the year, it needs to start with you and Troy Polamalu. You guys need to step it up, and need to make plays. Making one huge play against the Colts isn’t enough, and if you don’t make plays this week, the Titans are going to send you to 2-3.
“People are getting beat. You have to come out there and work the man who’s in front of you, and we’re not doing that right now.”
And why is that? It may be the biggest question, and if each player doesn’t figure out how to start beating the guy in front of them, it’s going to be a long season.
“Each man needs to nut up, look at himself and get in there and take care of his responsibilities. Each play is 11 individuals; if one person doesn’t get the job done, it looks bad for the whole squad.”
Hmmm….sounds like a little finger pointing there. Maybe at fellow LB LaMarr Woodley, who over ran Arian Foster on the game-clinching TD run in the fourth quarter? Then again, you could find blame for just about every player at one point or another for a missed tackle or allowing a big play.
“Worried? No,” he said. “Concerned? Yeah. We have to get things shored up. Whether that’s changing this and changing that, I don’t know, but we have to get something done because it’s not working so far. I haven’t seen it like this, maybe a preseason game here and there, but not like this the way it’s going right now.”
Amen, couldn’t have said it better myself. Keep playing like you are, and you’ll find yourself 2-3 after Sunday.
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DrGeorge
October 4, 2011 at 10:21 am
Matt, I agree with your views. As I wrote yesterday, the collapse of the defense, particularly the line, is more crucial to the team’s success than the O-line’s inconsistency. The O-line has talent and will improve with experience as they work together.
By contrast, the D-line may not have the talent. Woodley was over-aggressive and did overrun Foster on the decisive running play in the fourth quarter. Here’s why. The Texans had successfully run the ball against us all afternoon between the tackles. On that very play, Foster was supposed to go between the tackles. Woodley and Polamolu were trying to compensate for the weakness of our line when they overplayed to the inside and got beat outside on the cutback.
The Texans O-line is one of the best in the NFL, according to Dan Dierdorf, and they proved it by pushing Hoke and Hampton around all afternoon. Hood and Heyward did not impress either; they must improve their technique and get rid of blockers quicker. But our LBs cannot leave their own lanes open, in an effort to compensate for the weak play of the line. Each player must do his own job, as J. Harrison said, and let LeBeau figure out how to fix the D-line issues.
On a happier note, we should commend LeBeau for the improved pass coverage, especially on the underneath routes. Gay and Lewis have made a noticeable difference in coverage this year. We came within a hair of intercepting Schaub several times, which might have turned the game in our favor. We still have trouble covering TEs with our linebackers, but even that is getting better, thanks to the greater speed of Foote and the stellar play of Timmons.
When the D begins to play with its former intensity and gets its swagger back, the play of the D will improve. Harrison’s comments are intended to prick the pride of his teammates and bring back the swagger.
Jay
October 4, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Doc, on that play you mentioned, Woodley took a wide, lazy route as if he was anticipating play action, he was not overly pursuant, just did not hold contain! That’s what Troy was mad at, had Woodley held tighter to the line with his contain responsibility, he would’ve forced Foster closer back toward the tackle and directly at Troy. Troy’s angle was fine. I don’t feel that there is talent on the o-line. I don’t see it. Youth and talent are not synonymous.
DrGeorge
October 6, 2011 at 9:10 am
Jay, if you and Tony were at the game, perhaps the play looked different than it did on TV. In reviewing the tape, Woodley has moved well inside (for whatever reason), and Foster beat him to the outside. It looked like Woodley over-pursued by a step or two. Dan Dierdorf at the time said Polamalu’s angle on Foster was too flat, which is why he was late and missed the tackle. On the next series, Polamalu played like a demon, suggesting that he was displeased with himself for missing the tackle.
reese
October 4, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Flat-out the steeler’s are truly a year away from some serious rebuilding,they made it be known of the players that will anchor the team doing this rebuilding faze,this is something mike tomlin haven’t had to do,and this faze will,I repeat will make or break him,the organization needs to become aggresive in the draft,meaning getting who they want and stop settling for who they can get,they lost out on revis who was literally one slot away from being a steeler,they lost out on the raven corner from this past draft that was a few slots away that could have been a steelers,polly isn’t playing up to his strenght because of the weakness that surrounds him,harrison is downplaying is back surgery I really believe that has a affect,ilk taylor is playing top notch steelers football,and as far as the offensive line goes I would rather have a old offensive line then a old defensive line what’s going on on both sides explains why.
DrGeorge
October 6, 2011 at 9:15 am
Reese, I agree with you for the most part. However, the Steelers will also have to shore up the D-line in the draft. I don’t think they can get enough quality O-line and D-line replacements through the draft. They are going to have to make trades or sign free agents to fill all the holes. Two years ago, I mentioned the aging of the D on here and got criticized for not being positive enough. But if Tomlin had begun replacing the aging veterans then, he wouldn’t have the problems facing him today. Not a rap on Tomlin for being loyal too long. Cowher and Noll did the same thing. It’s hard to part company with the talent that got you to the top. But the wear and tear of pro football takes its toll on even the best.
Jay
October 6, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Yes, finally someone else mentions the need to sign free agent(s)!!!!!