Why is the Steelers Defense playing so much better than ours?

**mamaluke** · 11-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Here is one thing I can not figure out. We are still playing the same scheme defense (Tampa-2)that Mike Tomlin put in place. Yet if you look a the Steelers defense, where Tomlin is still executing the same defense, the Steelers pass defense is ranked I believe 3rd in the AFC and 2nd or 3rd in total defense. What is up with that, is it a matter of personnel? Man it is sickening watching this defense get shredded apart week after week. Tomorrow is going to be a real test as it looks like Winfield is out. It will be a real test for the rookie McCauley. Personally I do not see anything special with Griffin but him being an average player so far. The key, in my opinion is also that our pass rush at times (lots of times) is non-existent and our blitzing schemes are attrocious as it seems like our guys start from 5 yards back and seem to run right into a blocker or get knocked aside with no problem. You can't expect the secondary to cover guys for more than 6 seconds because of a terrible pass rush. I am thinking that Sharper is getting pretty pissed off and frustrated with the current scheme and wants a little more flexibility to make some plays. I am really starting to wonder about our personnel as it seems the Steelers have it all figured out already and are doing something we are not. Maybe I am missing something? Any advice would sure be appreciated.

**tb04512** · 11-03-2007, 08:37 PM

the steelers didnt change their defensive scheme

**jdvike** · 11-03-2007, 08:39 PM

I'm not making excuses for the poor showing of our defense,but you are compairing apples to oranges here......3-4 vs 4-3.

Tomlin has not interfered in Dick L's defense....if it aint broke dont fix it.

**mamaluke** · 11-03-2007, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the update. I could have sworn Tomlin was going with the Tampa 2. I think it is about time we did something along the same lines as Pitt.

**ultravikingfan** · 11-03-2007, 09:29 PM

One of the biggest worries when Tomlin got the job was that he would change the Steelers D to a Tampa 2.
He did not.
He said if it works the way it is then they will leave it.

We do not have the players or the mentality the Steelers do.

**PurplePowerPunch** · 11-03-2007, 09:40 PM

Because they run the 3-4 Defense. That's y

**ultravikingfan** · 11-03-2007, 10:38 PM

"PurplePowerPunch" wrote:

Because they run the 3-4 Defense. That's y

A lot of teams do and they still are not successful.

**MNgriff** · 11-03-2007, 10:44 PM

I can see why the confusion would arise with such a prominent tampa 2 prodigy, but no Tomlin knew that the personal were not of the tampa 2 nature so he stuck to a scheme that his players could excel in..... unlike some coaches which will not be named in this thread...

**tgorsegner** · 11-03-2007, 10:55 PM

perhaps because unlike us, they have a head coach who knows what he is doing

**Mr Anderson** · 11-03-2007, 11:06 PM

I honestly believe we have more talent on our defense than the steelers do.

I think the 3-4 has an advantage in the passing game simply because they have more people covering the field.

And let us not forget that teams are extremely unbalanced against us; teams average over 40 attempts per game against us. 7.6 yards per pass is due to the cushions our corners offer and the big holes we leave in the zone on intermediate routes, teams really take advantage of that.

We need our corners to be physical, which they definitely all can, and get a consistent pass rush and possibly have our safeties play a bit shallower of a zone to prevent those intermediate routes and big holes from opening up.

I'm no coach or defensive guru, but I think this should work to help shut down the pass game.