View topic - Steelers are not an elite run defense

[Steel Holiday Profile]

I, as well as many other fans, have stated that these are no longer Bill Cowher's Steelers. Good, but that also means just that! Our team is 11-4 and I am so proud to have the coach that we do. I wouldn't trade him for anyone right now. The Pittsburgh Steelers look as good on defense as any team I can recall in football over the last 12 years. I think that is in large part to Mike Tomlin. What we as fans have failed to realize though IMO is that Tomlin has a different philosophy than Cowher's stuff the run. Tomlin is looking to contain the pass. The trade off for that is the Steelers are no longer an elite run defense. They are a good run defense, but they are better suited to stop the pass. I thought that we would blow out the Titans, really. They have no receivers and a journeyman Qb. They have a great rushing attack, but nobody runs on the Steelers, right? Wrong. The last two weeks have seen the Steelers start out strong in the first half, but get beaten for some good gains in the second half on the ground. Leron McClain was picking up 4&5 yards a pop. Smash and Dash both had critical runs that opened up the offensive play book, and that in turn put pressure on the defense to respect the run. I know this must be heresy and to some, but a large part of why these last 3 games have been so nip&tuck is the opposing teams ability to move the ball on the ground. Any elite running team we have to face in the playoffs is dangerous. Maybe we are sitting pretty right where we are at w/#2 seed. Please, if you have evidence otherwise showing this unit to be elite vs top opposing running attacks do share.

[StainlessStill Profile]

Opponents starting running backs: (Most Yardage)

1. Steve Slaton/Houston- 13 attempts, 43 yards.
2. Jamal Lewis/Cleveland- 19 attempts, 38 yards.
3. Correll Buckhalter/Philadelphia- 10 attempts, 43 yards; Brian Westbrook- 5 attempts, 12 yds.
4. Le'Ron McClain/ Baltimore- 16 attempts, 63 yards. McGahee- 13 attempts, 42 yards.
5. Fred Taylor/ Jacksonville- 10 attempts, 19 yards.
6. BYE
7. Cedric Benson/ Cincinnati- 14 attempts, 52 yards.
8. BRANDON JACOBS/ N.Y.G- 18 attempts, 47 yards. Derrik Ward 13 attempts, 37 yards.
9. CLINTON PORTIS/ Washington. 13 attempts, 51 yards.
10. Joseph Addai/ Indianapolis. 12 attempts, 34 yards.
11. LaDanian Tomlinson/ San Diego. 18 attempts, 57 yards.
12. Cedric Benson/Cincinnati. 16 attempts, 35 yards.
13. Kevin Faulk/ New England. 6 attempts, 73 yards.
14. Tashard Choice/ Dallas. 23 attempts, 88 yards.
15. Le'Ron McClain/ Baltimore. 23 attempts, 87 yards.
16. Chris Johnson/ Tennessee. 16 attempts, 69 yards. Lendale White- 15 attempts, 48 yards.
17. Jamal Lewis/ Cleveland./ Week 17. Yet to be determined.

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

I would have also highlighted Fred Taylor.

Seems he has ALWAYS had Pittsburgh's number.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Opponents starting running backs: (Most Yardage)

1. Steve Slaton/Houston- 13 attempts, 43 yards.
2. Jamal Lewis/Cleveland- 19 attempts, 38 yards.
3. Correll Buckhalter/Philadelphia- 10 attempts, 43 yards; Brian Westbrook- 5 attempts, 12 yds.
4. Le'Ron McClain/ Baltimore- 16 attempts, 63 yards. McGahee- 13 attempts, 42 yards.
5. Fred Taylor/ Jacksonville- 10 attempts, 19 yards.
6. BYE
7. Cedric Benson/ Cincinnati- 14 attempts, 52 yards.
8. BRANDON JACOBS/ N.Y.G- 18 attempts, 47 yards. Derrik Ward 13 attempts, 37 yards.
9. CLINTON PORTIS/ Washington. 13 attempts, 51 yards.
10. Joseph Addai/ Indianapolis. 12 attempts, 34 yards.
11. LaDanian Tomlinson/ San Diego. 18 attempts, 57 yards.
12. Cedric Benson/Cincinnati. 16 attempts, 35 yards.
13. Kevin Faulk/ New England. 6 attempts, 73 yards.
14. Tashard Choice/ Dallas. 23 attempts, 88 yards.
15. Le'Ron McClain/ Baltimore. 23 attempts, 87 yards.
16. Chris Johnson/ Tennessee. 16 attempts, 69 yards. Lendale White- 15 attempts, 48 yards.
17. Jamal Lewis/ Cleveland./ Week 17. Yet to be determined.

That is some nice work. I notice the highlighted guys. Obviously the elite players. I certainly concede Jacobs. He is a bad dude. Portis is a great runner also. We did hit him hard, in fact we pretty much derailed his season by knocking him out of that game. I'll concede that as well. Despite the fact that LT has gone on record saying SD is no longer a running team, I'll concede him also b/c he has such an impressive track record and is always dangerous.

14. Tashard Choice/ Dallas. 23 attempts, 88 yards.
15. Le'Ron McClain/ Baltimore. 23 attempts, 87 yards.
16. Chris Johnson/ Tennessee. 16 attempts, 69 yards. Lendale White- 15 attempts, 48 yards.

This is what concerns me. These guys have beef up front and we missed some tackles in these games. Dallas, Baltimore, and Tennessee have road grader offensive lines and these teams don't seem to mind taking what is there early. Choice was picking up a solid 3 every carry it seemed like and falling forward when he did. He happens to be a very good runner and stupid Dallas fans don't realize that anyone with talent can run behind their hosses...if we just had Felix (off topic kind of).
McClain was gashing us for 4,5,6 yards on carries. Doesn't sound like much, but for Baltimore's ball control offense those gains dictate that the entire playbook is still in play. That is important for a rookie Qb. Limiting those gains could have forced 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 4 or even 3rd and 5. Those two or three yards change both teams approach to the next play call.
The Titans also had success on the ground. Particularly in spots where it seemed obvious they were running. The stats may dictate less than 4ypc, but they seemed to fall forward a little to often in spots where we(sorry woodson) needed to keep them from gaining additional yardage. Maybe it shouldn't matter that those guys got 1 more yard a few times, but I remember Steeler D's that would make you pay for that yard. I don't think this one does, and I think opposing teams are seeing that. Pittsburgh's inside backers are light, both don't look to be over 230lbs. I've even seen reports that they are 220lbs. Guys that size aren't going to punish a RB and wear him down toward the end of games. In fact, if the opposition has two guys running, more than likely it will be the Steelers who are getting worn down.
One point I wasn't able to include in the OP was that I think the Steelers run D should for the most part hold at home, but facing an elite rushing team outside Heinz Field gives me concerns. A truly elite run defense can stop any teams attack anywhere.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Guys what other run D would you prefer in the NFL?

I believe we are still second to Minnesota. The only reason that is the case is they have a limited pass rush.

One reason a Dallas and Baltimore had a decent rushing day is due to our offense. If our offense could put a few points on the board these teams would be forced to pass more in the second half and their run game would go away.

I agree it is painful to watch our team lose and any yards are too much. We expect/demand perfection on defense and this should always be the case in the Burgh. However, we are a lot better off then we were at the end of last year.

Maybe it is wishful thinking but I see this game as a big motivator for Tomlin and the team. Hopefully, that is the case.