Note:

 

For the most part, this article was put together in the days preceding that incident early on 30 August that left Joey Porter bleeding on the asphalt outside some Denver sports bar.� Due to time constraints, or out of some urge to memorialize the occasion, I�m going to leave the original text intact, simply summarizing at the close such adjustments as are available now, and the likely consequences thereof.

 

It is only right to acknowledge that Joey does have a wife and 3 children; happily, it appears now that Mr. and Mrs. Porter�s progeny will come of age with benefit of their father�s love and guidance.� That is too infrequently so, as we know, one person died in this incident and five were wounded.� In too many locales within this nation, that�s about par.�� Once, we the people once did some work so that, among other things, domestic tranquility might be insured.� Despite that, it is entirely possible today to draw some dozen (or more) Baghdad-sized circles on a map of our nation within which the death toll for US citizens far exceeds that found in, say, greater Iraq.�

 

We have a keen sense of that which motivates the average Saddam-loyalist or Al Qeada operative, be it an appetite for untrammeled power, or a world view lowering within the limits proscribed at Madras no-Tech so requiring that outlanders be eliminated from the sacred sands, or simply a certain seat in Paradise with some 72 hotties attending, each somehow remaining virginal thru-out all Eternity.� Less certain is what motivates the average domestic terrorist, and let us be clear, even if this is an everyday occurrence, it does define an act of terror.� Above all, this is absolutely apparent: we are one people divided and, either we do the work of reconciliation, or we die in common, inside outward.� For philosophy, we could do worse than Walt Kelly who�s Pogo had it: �we have met the enemy and he is us.�� Now, to the task at hand:

 

2003 Steelers unit-by-unit: Defense.

 

Beginning with a scheme glossary�

 

	OKIE	Heavy Nickel	Nickel, 3 CB	Porter Dime	3 Down Dime	Remarks
RB/FB, 2 WR, 1 TE	*					Steeler base figures to be strong against this run; however, since the coverage scheme will remain Cover 3, underneath routes will remain open.�
RB/FB, 1 WR, 2 TE	*					Farrior will be the primary TE �coverage backer but the Steelers� 2nd TE coverage option not known.
RB/FB, 3 WR		*	*			Smallish DE make the nickel susceptible to a powerful FB/RB tandem, especially if that RB can get on the edge.
RB, 2 TE, 2 WR		*	*			Smallish DE make the nickel susceptible to a TE tandem and a RB who can get on the edge; Steelers� 2nd TE cover option not known.
RB, 4 Wide			*	* 4 WR		Steelers must rely on the differential between Polamalu and Flowers for any improvement here.
Empty Set					*	3-down could provide optimal pressure if Zo develops so both Porter and Bell can play off the LOS.
Explanation	Base 3-4	KVO out, 3rd S in	KVO out, 3rd CB in	6th DB in for Farrior.	3-2-6, per� �Postscript, April �03.�

 

�and turning to the Unit Analysis:

 

DB:� The Steeler pass defense tumbled to #20 overall last season or, to put it in a harsher light, the Steeler pass defense got shredded early, flopped to the bottom and stayed there for most of the season before dominating performances against the hapless attacks of Houston, Carolina and Tampa Bay buoyed them to something just south of mediocre.� The numbers don�t lie; opponents got off 48 more passes in 2002 than in 2001 but the PS responded with (1) fewer pick/PD.� Considering Joey Porter had 4 INT and 9 PD, those overall stats don�t fully convey the decline in the secondary�s play.�

 

Regardless, we can say that had the pass-d aggregate played even to the highly average level of the 2001 group, they�d have summed 128 INT/PD, not 116, or made just about 1 more play per game.� Well, 1 play in 3 of every 4 games really which is to say the PS would have had no chance against the Pats or Raiders, although thwarting any of the Falcons five 3^rd �and-really-long conversions should have been well within reasonable expectation.� Anyway:

 

	2001	2002
# Passes thrown by opposition (TPT)	525	573
# Passes defended by Steelers	101	�97
# INT	�16	�19
Total �hands on a pass� (HOP)	117	116
%� HOP/TPT	22% (0.2228)	20% (0.2024)
% Sacks (sacks/TPT + sacks)	9.5% (55/580)	8% (50/623)

 

It�s worth noting that Tampa Bay, # 1 against the pass last season, had an HOP/TPT index of about 28%, something around 1.33 better than the Steeler figure.� In this vector, the Steeler unit has been average, at best, for a couple of years and, in point of fact, the 2000 numbers were about the same as those shown above.� That is, what they�ve done is what they did; however, it must be acknowledged that personnel may conflate scheme (or vice versa) as, over those three years, neither has varied much.� Leaving the players for a moment, consider:

 

• In their base, the Steelers are a zone team because they are a blitzing team.� Pressure-wise, Porter and Gildon achieved pretty much the same numbers in each of the past 3 years.� Smith�s sack figures were up a bit in 2001 but the difference maker that season was Kendrell Bell.� Bell played off the LOS exclusively then which is to say, if he came, he was blitzing.� So, in the base defense, the SS has been in the box to cover up the spots vacated by blitzers while the other DB have played Cover 3.� In general, that has been the dime mode too.

 

• On average, 4-3 OLB are set wider than 3-4 OLB, which is to say that, on average, 4-3 OLB are in a better position to defeat any wide run game.� Therefore, the Steeler OKIE has put a premium on CB with the size to give run support.� More often than not, your big DB will have some agility issues; we�ve seen that as the Steeler CB have struggled, especially against smaller, quicker WR.

 

In sum, you�ve got an scheme/personnel dyad ill equipped to deal with the underneath or horizontal routes that drive the West Coast type offense.�� Tim Lewis was caught short last season in both aspects but, from all reports, now has added (2) nickels and an additional dime pack to his package repertoire.� Considering those:�

 

• In their preferred heavy nickel, the Steelers could play some Cover 2 and still have (1) safety in the box.� Structurally, this should provide better match-ups in the underneath pass game since, in Cover 2, the CB can come up and press at the LOS.� That�s all good although whether the nickel can stand up against, say, 3WR and a powerful RB/FB tandem remains to be seen.�

 

• Although most teams use their 3^rd CB in their nickel, we�ve seen little of any 3 CB set in this pre-season.� That is because the Steelers expect more of Troy Polamalu than Deshea Townsend.�� However, it�s absolutely clear that Townsend is a better cover player than, say, Brent Alexander.� Against West Coast style attacks, the Steelers may be best served with a nickel consisting of Washington and Townsend in press coverage, Polamalu and Scott in Cover 2 and Logan in the box.� Contrasting with the heavy nickel, this substitutes Scott for Alex in the deep zones and DT for Scott up on the LOS.� This would put the two swiftest of the Steelers� top 6 DB in the area where maximum range is required; on the downside, neither Washington nor Townsend are especially stout in run support and, considering that the nickel DE will be OLB, that is something of an issue.

 

• Coach Lewis has said that the dime will be the set of choice against 4-WR even though, last season, the Steeler dime was consistently shredded.� Two changes in personnel (Polamalu for Flowers and Bell for Haggans) may correct that; however, Bell has no history on the LOS and his stature doesn�t suggest any high likelihood for success there.� If the Steelers cannot generate pressure out their dime line then what we�ll see is what we�ve seen.

 

• In Postscript, published on-site just after the draft last spring, I�d proposed a 3-down dime.� This set may be best employed against an empty backfield and non-agile QB (say, against the Pats).� At the time that article was posted, I�d proposed Porter and Bell in the middle, daring to dream that either Keisel or Zo could contribute as DE.� If that is not so, then the next option is to move Porter back to RDE, retain Farrior as a dime ILB (as he is in the nickel and as he is no worse than #2 among coverage LB here) alongside Kendrell Bell.� This scheme is modeled on the T-Bay 3 down although that group has included Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp at DE with the 34$M-man, Anthony McFarland, on the nose.� That championship 3-down featured a trio of actual D-linemen but here any 3-down would field just one; so, exposure against the run is a problem here but, unless or until their young DE develop, the PS has what they have.

 

Turning to the secondary personnel:

 

Turnover differential is a key to victory; last season those teams who were +2 in takeaways in any given game won at about 90%.� CB is, or should be, a playmaker�s position but, in point of fact, we haven�t seen that here for sometime.� Last season, Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington combined for just 5 INT; add NCB Deshea Townsend and the top 3 CB had (8).� That�s not nearly good enough; while Scott is solid in most aspects, Washington has lost a step (or more) and, apparently, lost all ability to tackle in the open field too.� We saw that in the brief overtime segment of the Tennessee playoff and we�ve seen it in every pre-season game this summer.� The soft cushion Steeler CB provide assures plenty of completions underneath; that compels crisp, sure tackling and, if Washington has lost that capacity, he�s of no conceivable value to this team.� Broadly, Townsend is lost in space but pretty effective in press coverage; as noted previously, the Steelers� best option, especially against West Coast mode attacks, may be with DT at the LOS in a 3 CB nickel.

 

Brent Alexander has been the QB for the DB corps for several seasons now; he said to be �like a coach on the field� but, while this moniker isn�t intended to convey the notion of a 45-year-old waddling about the gridded greensward, that image is inescapable.� To Alex�s credit, he has shown good tackling ability in pre-season; on the downside, his dry spell as to picks and PD continues.� It is a matter of record that, back in 2000, the secondary solidified when Alex replaced the woeful duo of Davis/Shields.� Still, time moves on and considering that the other projected starters are veterans (Washington is entering his 10^th season, Scott and Logan their 7^th), Alex�s continuing presence is inexplicable.� Scott, Logan and Washington have been in the system long enough to find their way; if the Steelers had re-built their secondary through 2 prior drafts (as did San Diego for example) then some veteran presence might be required, but here, that is not so.�

 

Len Pasquarelli had it last year that, of Steve McNair�s 28 completions in the Titan PO, 19 were to the middle of the field.� Sure, Flowers had some culpability but Alex was in the game too.� McNair and Kelly Holcombe combined for over 700 yards in 2 PO games; of 80+ passes those men got off, the PS safety tandem defended zero.� If Alexander lacks the speed to cover the middle-3^rd then he certainly must lack the speed to play Cover 2.� This means that, so long as Alex is at FS, the CB generally will be backed off the line in Cover 3; that is the minimum period over which the PS base will be defenseless against the West Coast mode.�

 

Mike Logan is the best athlete among the returning safeties and, from we�ve what we�ve seen, the best playmaker too.� However, we�ve seen too little of Mike and that figures to be true this year as well.� Logan is injury-prone; he was down for significant portions of two of four seasons in Jacksonville and hampered in one of two here.� That�s four of six; off that, Mike has, say, a 67% shot at getting through the season.� Factor that he is about 9 months removed from knee surgery and, probably, that 67 goes south.� Look, Willis McGahee had surgery at the same time as Logan but no one expects him to play this year.� Sure, McGahee�s work was far more extensive but the fact remains: knee ops aren�t typically a 9-month heal and Logan hasn�t been especially durable.��

 

If Logan goes down, Troy Polamalu will be the starter, ready or not.� Unquestionably a great athlete and a high try guy, this player has what it takes to be a difference-maker for a unit that desperately needs one.� The Trojan Torpedo has the speed and agility of a CB and so figures to get plenty of slot coverage duty.� That speed will serve him well in Cover2 and, off his rep for big hits, he certainly can play in the box.� On the downside, due to his height, he�ll be overmatched against TE and, maybe, he�s an overly conscientious character too.� Or something of that sort as, in pre-season action, he certainly spent more time reading than reacting and, as a result, might be described as 3^rd impact-wise among D-side rookies (behind Ike and Zo) in those games.� Still, Polamalu should be pretty good by the close of the season; whether he�ll help early against KC, the Cleveland 4-wide, Denver or the once-greatest-show-on-turf certainly is open to question.

 

Chris Hope showed good hitting ability in limited duty last season.� That�s no surprise, Hope is phenomenally strong for a DB and, no doubt, the Steelers used that benchmark when they selected him as the next Lee Flowers.� The thing is, as the game passed Flowers by, so Hope may be mismatched for the realities of today�s NFL.� This player has yet to flash any coverage instinct; his agility drills don�t encourage the idea that he will develop coverage skills.� If he does so develop, the Steelers will have a very strong safety tandem future-ward; more likely though, Scott will move over to pair with Polamalu at safety and Hope will be a swing guy for a year or too and then ship out, so tracing the career trajectory of, say, Boo Bell.

 

Physically, Ike Taylor has it all; his size, speed, strength and leaping ability meet or exceed 1^st round standards (say, Andre Woolfolk).� Taylor is a big-time hitter (ref: Tyrone Calico, Hank Poteat) and, from all reports, he is a hard worker and good character guy.� In past seasons, the Steeler secondary certainly has not overmatched many receiver corps; when, or if, Taylor and Polamalu move in, that could change.�

 

For this season, we can expect to see Ike on ST; already we�ve seen him excel in pre-season return duty.� It�s doubtful that he�ll play much defense even in the packages but IMO the staff would be well advised to consider this.� Their instruction to Ike could be simple like: �see the player, run with the player.�� Among all Steeler DB, Taylor has the best shot against a big fast WR, say, TO, Koren Robinson or even Kelly Washington.� As we all know, Ike had about 10 games at CB in college; if he actually gets action early then, by the Rams tilt, he will have doubled that amount.� Let�s see about that learning curve especially as, if he sits, he rots and, for sure, the Steelers look to need a new starter, or two, at CB for 2004.

 

Chidi Iwuoma is a nice ST player but that�s it.� Pound for pound and inch for inch, Iwuoma is a fine football player but he�s really too small to factor much, even in package defense.� We saw that in pre-season when Chidi was the coverage guy on 2 of 6 scoring passes by all opponents; overmatched then as when his EZ interference penalty against the Eagles set up a 3^rd pass TD, Chidi is a high try guy but no #4 CB..

 

Outlook:� The Steelers added considerable speed via the draft with Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor. If you consider that Lee Flowers was a 4.78 guy when he came out in �95, that is to say, in his prime Flowers ran just a centi-click behind Brett Keisel, you�ve got to conclude that the Steeler pass-d will get better, sometime.� However, Taylor isn�t likely to be on the field in the near term and, at least in front, Polamalu is a package player.�� That is, 3 of 4 from the base group return; of those, 2 are Contract 3 players, which is to say, 2 are on the way down.� 5 of the top 6 from last season�s abused dime group are back too; there was no real difference-maker in that set one year ago and, until Polamalu (and/or Taylor) settles in, that will be true this season too.� Simply put, given the speed and hitting ability Polamalu and Taylor are said to possess, the future looks good for this unit; however, given that 50% of the starters must be considered on the way down, the 2003 edition figures as no better, and easily may be worse, than that fielded in 2002.

�

Lost:���������������� Lee Flowers, Hank Poteat.

Gained:������������ Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor.

 

 

LB:� No statistic better illustrates the Steelers� D-side struggles last season than the decline in TFL from 2001 to 2002 produced by the LB corp.� TFL are defined here as sacks + stuffs.� Note: these are regular season only; Porter, Bell and Farrior increased their TFL haul in post-season, though neither Gildon nor Haggans kept pace.

 

Player	2001		2002
	Sacks	Stuffs	Sacks	Stuffs
Earl Holmes	2.0	14.5	Not applicable	Not applicable
Jason Gildon	12.0	4.5	9.0	0.5
Joey Porter	9.0	8.5	9.0	1.5
Clark Haggans	None	None	6.5	None
Kendrell Bell	9.0	12.5	4.0	5.5
James Farrior	Not applicable	Not applicable	0.0	10.0
Total	32.0	40.0	28.5	17.5

 

As stated in the D-side Overview:� �Job #1 is to diagnosis and treat the cause of the TFL decline cited above; that is, the D-staff has to develop a means to return their playmakers to positions from which they can make plays.� Too often this year, we saw opponents dictating the terms of engagement; the stuff decline cited above fully reflects that fact.�

 

So developed the nickel packages that figure to be the Steelers� base or co-base set.� The LB corps contains the Steeler playmakers and, beyond doubt, Coach Lewis� scheme tweaks had less to do with his secondary personnel than with getting his Front 7 difference-makers in position to do just that.�� Turning to the personnel:

 

Joey Porter:� There may be no D-side player in the NFL who is more heavily tasked than is Joey.� When used (effectively) as a DE in both the base and nickel, Porter must contend with LOT (who out-weigh him by up to 90#), whether to turn in the run or to rush the passer.� In that respect, his role doesn�t vary from Gildon�s but considering that Porter is also the best pass defender among Steeler LB, that comparison ends abruptly.� For example, Porter can be mixing it up with Jon Ogden on one play and jumping with Todd Heap on the next.� Quite a range�

 

It�s worth noting that in Chicago, Rosey Colvin was on the LOS on 3^rd down only (presumably, that will be true in NE too) and, that in T-Bay, Derrick Brooks gets D-Line protection vs. the run and is rarely called on to rush the passer.� The rap on Porter has been that he�s been inconsistent, or dominant early and dormant late.� Well, that�s no wonder; Porter is a superior LB in all aspects; off the line, or in a 4-3, he�d be free of many an overmatch snap (especially in the run game) but, until the OKIE dies here, we�ll see him soldier on as a lightweight DE part-time and, accordingly, we�ll see him fall off late in more LB-related tasks.

 

James Farrior:� The #2 coverage backer on the team, Farrior figures to have primary TE-coverage responsibility in both the base and nickel packages.� If he�s up to that, the Steelers will be much stronger in that area but if not, not.� It is not clear that Farrior can deal with TE but it is absolutely clear that he is the least prolific pass rusher of the 4 starting LB and that the Steelers cannot continue to put their best pass rushers in coverage.� Against the run, Farrior is an excellent chase player but less stout at the POA than is the ILB prototype.

 

Jason Gildon:� Three-time Pro Bowl player who is, essentially, a rush DE; Gildon�s deficiencies in space attenuate the deception that the OKIE might otherwise offer.� On the plus side, he has been durable and (plus or minus) figures to be on the field for every snap in the base and in every package this season.

 

Kendrell Bell:� Should excel again in the base and, now, the nickel where he is to be lined up off the LOS.� However, his short stature and limited reach do not suggest that he�ll get much done as a dime RDE.� Bell has flashed in coverage but little more; still, it�ll be interesting to see whether he�s more effective in his nickel or dime roles.� My guess is the nickel and that�ll tell us what we need to know about the future of the 34.� IMO, staff time spent imagining Bell as a dime DE could have been far better utilized coaching this player in coverage aspects of LB play.

 

As for the reserves, well, Clark Haggans attracted little interest last winter over his RFA tour; IMO, Haggans is just a guy; however, it is fair to say that he filled in acceptably for Jason Gildon in his Dallas pre-start.� Alonzo Jackson is the Steelers best, maybe sole, hope as a DE in any 3 down dime; we saw flashes against Dallas when he lined up at rush RDE but, for sure, he figures to make little impact as an OLB this season.� Clint Kriewaldt is a step up from John Fiala on ST but can hardly be regarded as exceptional, even as a backup at ILB.�� Larry Foote has shown little sign of developing beyond his rookie season, and that�s not good; IMO, James Harrison should be schooled in-board since, at 6-0 (or less), he has no chance to make an impact as an OKIE DE.�

 

Outlook:� While the FO added 2 players to this unit, it remains true that there is very little depth behind the top 4.�� Jackson�s future is far forward in the base but, if he can contribute as a package rusher, the Steelers should be improved in that aspect.� Within this unit, it must be acknowledged that Joey Porter is the MVP; if Porter goes down, it will take at least 2 to replace him (Haggans in the base and Farrior as dime ILB) and maybe 3 (add Zo as nickel rush RDE).

 

Certainly, this is the team�s elite corps and Coach Lewis will deserve credit if he�s developed schemes for keeping his elite effectively in the game.� However the odds are long on that as, in air-NFL, D-linemen and D-backs are the primary defenders.� A year ago, in the bye week after NE and the Raiders, it was apparent that whatever fix Mr. Lewis created, would be against-the-league-wide grain.� As it turned out then, there then was no fix at all.� Now, well, we�ll see; in some sense, we now wait for last year, and what might have been.

 

Lost:� �������������� John Fiala, Justin Kurpeikis.

Gained: �� �������� Clint Kriewaldt, Alonzo Jackson

 

 

D-line:� Drafting Hampton in 2001 and moving KVO out to RDE, the Steelers re-constituted their Blitzburgh Front 3.� We know the results; the 2001 group was #1 against the run and #1 overall.� Arguably, that unit�s success was the template on which Ray Rhodes built the Bronco 4-3 front, circa �02 when Lionel Dalton moved in at DT with Chester McGlockton as Trevor Pryce moved out to DE.� This gave the Broncos 3 @ 300# across the front; with a swift trio of LB and even with Kavika Pittman in as a Gildon-surrogate, the Denver defense was very stout against the run.

 

So, as was true here in 2002, few teams tried to run the ball and, as was true here, Denver floundered on their soft pass defense and execrable 3^rd down packages.� The difference between the Broncos and Steelers last season had nothing to do with 3-4 or 4-3.� It had everything to do with the fact that the PS could, for the most part, protect their QB while Denver could not.� So, the Steelers went a couple rounds in the playoffs while the Broncos sat at home.�

 

Denver bounced Dalton and McGlockton last winter, Rhodes too for that matter.� Now, the Equines figure as all-rush, no beef upfront; we�ll see how that works out but I wouldn�t bet the house on that scheme.� Here, the PS retained their personnel and their D-head too, entrusting him to cobble up some set of packages congruent with today�s air show.� Probably then, we can figure more of the same with respect to the base; that is, stout run-d and little pass pressure.� As for the packages, well, the D-line figures in only a limited role there as, 3 down or 4, we�ll see the OLB at DE with some set of D-linemen in-board.�

 

It could be argued that this edition�s 4-down nick-pack recapitulates that mode perfected by the Ravens in their 2000 title run, that being the jumbo DT tandem.� This may be so inside but on the edges, not; RDE Mike McCrary was in the 270# range and LDE Rob Burnett at or just above 280#.� In contrast, Porter is listed at 248# and figures to get lighter as the season goes on; the other OLB are around 250-255.� Smaller than the Ravens, hell this PS unit is smaller than those (projected) Eagle starters, Kalu and Burgess who, weighing in the mid-260s, are considered less than optimally beefy.�

 

As constituted, the Steelers have no rush DE at all; that could change if Zo Jackson develops but if not, we can expect to see the entire OLB corps again wear down as the season wears on.� The root cause of this deficiency reverts to the D-line personnel here.� The Steeler base schema requires 3 DT type players; occasionally, one (like Ray Seals) will be a solid rush threat but, for the most part, no go.� This has everything to do with the OKIE mode that is one aspect, but only one, of the 3-4.� At root, the OKIE is a 5-2 with 3 DT and 2 DE; the latter here played by OLB.� Originally, this was a run defense (perfected by Bud Wilkerson at OU) and just for reference, the personnel involved look a good bit like the Denver set outlined above.

 

There are other 3-4 modes: in years past, we�ve seen teams like the Buffalo Bills run an effective 3-4 with 2 big tackles (say, Washington and Pat Williams) freeing 1 superior rush DE (Bruce Smith or Marcellus Wiley).� This dual jumbo mode looks a lot like the Raven 2000 4-3 so, again, it�s not so much 3-4 or 4-3 but OKIE or no.� In 2002, following the Steelers� 2001 success, several teams installed 3-4 systems.� Those included: Atlanta, Baltimore and, if only part-time, New England.� However, not all 3-4s are created equal; using sacks as an indicator of overall pressure on the pass (since, generally, pressure stats are poorly compiled), consider:

 

	Total sacks	By D-line	By LB	By DB	D-line %
Pittsburgh	50	16	28.5	5.5	32%
Atlanta	47	31	14	2	66%
New England	34	14	16.5	3.5	41%
Baltimore	33	14.5	13.5	5	44%

 

The Steeler D-line had the 2^nd high total but the differential between 2 and 3 or 4 vs. 2 and 1 is miniscule.� This is reflected in the percentage factor where the PS D-line unit is far up the track.� Originally, the 3-4 was designed to counter the horizontal pass game, doing so by dropping LB into coverage.� That�ll work if your LB aren�t the primary pass rushers but, as we saw last season, if not, not.��� Unless or until the PS develops some legit rushers outside the OLB corps, or dumps the OKIE mode entirely, what we�ll see is exactly what we�ve seen.�

 

Turning to the personnel:

 

Casey Hampton is as good as it gets at NT.� Earlier regarded as a run-stuffer only, Hampton did flash some ability to collapse the pocket late last season, collecting his 2 sacks over the Steelers� final 3 games.� In large measure, this is because Coach Lewis finally decided to keep Hampton on the field in borderline run/pass situations.� This season, we�ll see Hampton doing that duty again, within the nickel packs expressly designed for those occasions.� If there is any difference between this year and last in the performance of the package lines, Hampton�s play will be causal.� That�s good but the fact that the roster has no viable alternative behind Casey is not.� The duties at NT are as rigorous as at any position; the Steelers� absolute lack of rotational capability here is a big problem.

 

Many have stated that Aaron Smith�s play fell off last season but that is absurd.� Smith had 14 TFL in 2002; that is identical to his 2001 total.� Sure, there was a drop-off in sacks, from 8 to 5.5 but, you know, stuffs do count.�� Smith had 70 tackles, for a 3-4 DE, that�s an impressive total.� Still more so, he had 59 solos; only Joey Porter and Chad Scott had more.� That is correct; Smith had more solo stops than 3 of 4 starting DB and 3 of 4 starting LB.� What a bum.� Any decrement in Smith�s sack totals had far more to do with the Steelers� lack of another convincing pocket-punching presence up front than any decline in this man�s play.

 

KVO is a warhorse; by his attitude, versatility and performance, he is exactly the kind of veteran presence any contending team needs.� That said, at this point in his career, he is best cast as a rotation player but, unfortunately, the Steelers have little talent to in-fill at his spot.� Beyond doubt, he�ll give his best effort but, beyond doubt, he�ll be getting his blows when the nickel pack is on; there�s just no one else the roster who can do the job in the base.

 

Rodney Bailey is a pretty decent rush down DT but has yet to demonstrate any run-stopping ability.� That he is the 3^rd 3-4 DE on this team certainly is a cause for concern.� The Steelers are thin upfront as, behind Bailey, there is no one at all.���

 

Kendrick Clancy does not now, nor has he ever, fit the Steeler 3-4.� Conceivably, he may contribute as a rush DT but considering that he has rung up only 20T with 0 sacks in 3 years, that�s not likely.� Almost certainly, Clancy will be let go following this season; why that inevitability has been delayed is entirely opaque to me.

 

Chris Hoke is entering his 3^rd season on the roster; to this date, Hoke�s career numbers make Clancy look like Mean Joe Greene.� Presumably, Hoke is #4 at DE; that�s not good; it�s tough to imagine why (following the Keisel report), the Steelers kept this player in preference to Jabari Issa.� Now, Lorenzo Bromell has been cut by the Vikes and Joe Saleve�a by the Ravens; neither could be described as dominators and either (or both) may be through but, for sure, they�ve each done more than Hoke.� It�s a hard fact but true; the 2003 Steelers should be looking at other teams� cast-offs, here and elsewhere on the roster.

 

Outlook:� There is no one behind Hampton and no one behind Smith.� The Steelers enter the season with 6 D-linemen; on form, only 4 could be described as contributors and, of those, one is the oldest player on the team.� This is catastrophe in waiting.

 

Lost:���������������� (Brett Keisel) will spend the season on IR presumably plumping up to play the 3-4 in 2004.

Gained:������������ None.

 

Practice Squad:

 

�        David Upchurch:� A D-lineman who showed good combativeness in pre-season action.� Very strong, figures as a NT type, however, will have to pack some tonnage to be of any use there.

 

�        SS Russell Stuvaints:� At 6-0, 195# has the frame to play but needs a little beef.� Was a LB at Youngstown State where he was a solid but by no means dominating player.� Seen mostly in ST coverage in pre-season games where he flashed high try but didn�t get much done.�

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Summary:

 

Essentially, the Steeler base must be regarded as just one of a number of situational packages. We�ve read that Coach Lewis intends to field those on a down and distance basis.� That�s standard ops; however, this does presume that opponents will act predictably.� If that is not so, if, say, opponents pass on run downs and run on pass downs then:

 

�        We�ll see if the base is any better defending the West Coast mode; certainly, we can expect a downward trajectory in the performance of 2 of 4 starters in the secondary.� There�s your Contract 3.

 

�        Last season, the dime package was susceptible to the run.� Except as Casey Hampton may remain, the Front 4 nickel scheme is unaltered from the preceding Front 4 dime scheme.� We�ll see whether this package holds up, especially against such opposing personnel as was outlined in the opening table.

 

As for the on-field consequences attending Joey Porter�s absence:

 

�        Clark Haggans will play in the base.� Clark looked pretty good in pre-season; however, his open field ability is far more in the Gildon-mode than in the Porter-mode.� This is a step down.

 

�        James Farrior will be the dime-backer. �Farrior is a quality player but there is nothing to suggest that he�ll bring the rush threat Porter manifested from the inside spot.� As to his coverage ability, well, that�s unknown; for sure, he�ll have to be exceptional to match the impact Porter produced last season, especially in the early going.� More than likely, this will prove to be another step down.

 

�        Alonzo Jackson may factor as a package rusher, if only to give Haggans or Gildon a breather.� Jackson had 2 sacks in pre-season and that�s good; he got both against Torrin Tucker, formerly of the Cowboys.� That is correct; Tucker met the Turk as Dallas cut to 53 on Sunday.

 

�        Quite obviously, depth is a considerable factor.� To verify this, one only has to wonder at who may be the dime backer behind Farrior.�

 

Outlook:�

 

The hog is in the tunnel and the train is coming on.� In the Colbert Era, drafts have been strong at the top and as strong as may be expected at the bottom.� For the most part though, the middle has been a wasteland; consequently, there�s little developing talent in back of the starters.� Add to that, a considerable outlay for Contract 3 players each of whom, in all possible fairness, certainly did under-perform last season and, well, there�s little enough cash for mid-level FA vets.� On this side of the ball, there�s talent in the starting group but little depth; more than likely, that absence will be keenly felt this season. �

 

 

 

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