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[StillMill Profile]

[Pommah Profile]

Okay folks, this is why you stick with this website - real analysis not recycled sportscenter sputum.

To me the main point of this analysis is that the majority of the Steelers' investments - high draft picks, where you get amazing bang-for-the buck - has been in the D. Rightfully so, as defense wins championships, which is what the Steelers are about, not high-flying offensive crowd-pleasing offensive point production.

For what we have "spent" for out D - at the expensive of say, the Offensive Line - dammit, we should have a top D. Take a look at what Bellichick has produced with nobodies - and then look at all the high draft picks coming their way. I think they've done a better job of it, running the balance of talent under salary cap restrictions.

So it's not that Dick isn't good - he is - but is he really doing any better than what he should be? We will certainly find out in the next two weeks (or one week).

[rifraff Profile]

Ok, above average, lets see how he fares vs the Pats. Supposedly, he's implemented tighter coverage since then, thats a start. Hit those little fukers and Brady often. Risk a couple of personals. Throw em off that quick throw scheme.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

all right then mill - who do you want as Defensive coordinator. You complain about meaningless stats but 2 SBs and another 1st round by from a 12-4 team with Lebeau as coordinator is the only stat you need to know.

from your article "Again, Dick is a good, solid, competent DC:. THen what the fuck are you writing the article for. be happpyt about our good, solid, competent DC and shut the fuck up

[Still Diesel Profile]

Mill that was a great read but I have a question for you. There was an article written recently (by a fan I can't for the life of me supply the link) that basically states Dick has finally made an adjustment to his philosophy after the NE game. Basically it states Dick's philosophy is to stop the run and defend the long pass. Make the offense go on long marches where they will eventually give up a sack, throw a pick or an incompletion on 3rd down.

When you are not facing a great QB this is a very sound philosophy. The problem is when you throw in a HOF caliber QB this theory goes to hell. The will dink and dunk you to oblivion. Obviously, after the NE game we didn't face anyone of the Brees/Brady caliber but the writer compares the passing defense's performance against Colt McCoy, Flacco and Palmer the 1st and 2nd time and the Steelers did much better the 2nd time around.

The point is this: Supposedly Dick the last 7 games is playing more press coverage and throwing LB's (like Timmons) in shorter passing lanes. Basically, Dick is going against his philosophy and risking the long ball by defending the short passing game. This (and the fact we faced an JV Carolina team) is supposedly why the Steelers went from 29th against the pass to 12th.

You watch more tape than any fan I know so I will ask you this. Is this just meaningless banter or are we doing a better job against the short to moderate passing game?? If so it gives me hope in a rematch against the Pats.

[m1k3 Profile]

I agree with the others in that you made some good points. However, it is disingenuous at best to use the Garrard run as an example and to not even mention the 2 holds that weren't called on the play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB7jbqP-NPk

[mikeyg Profile]

Mill - you are getting DUMBER as you get OLDER

[Rushmore Profile]

Mill:

So you'd complain about getting a million dollars all in one-dollar bills as opposed to 100-dollar bills?

-Rushmore

[stillcello Profile]

LeBeau is probably just a bit overrated becuase of his history in coaching with the zone defense, etc...

However, I think the only way to fully evaluate LeBeau is against other DCs and how they have performed with what personnel they have. This, of course, would take a great deal of time and analysis.

First of all, let's forget the Patriots/Belichick.... I think most people would agree that in the past 10 years, Belichick has done amazing things with what appears to be average defensive talent. In my opinion, he is the gold standard. And even the best out there throw up a dog also... ..giving up 28 to the jets early in the season? How about that loss to Cleveland? and almost losing to Green Bay. Yes, Belichick has a bunch of rookies, but he's not mistake proof either. Also, your defense is always going to fare better when you have a virtually mistake-proof MVP QB...

Now if you take all other coordinators out there, let's try and pick one you'd rather have then Lebeau and why.... then you get compare their performances and you can even lower the grading for that other DC if you want if they do have the talent that Lebeau has.

My suspicion is if you did all that, you'd probably come up with, at most, 2-3 names at most that you would deem 'better' that Lebeau. I also suspect that if you gave each DC the "Mill Treament" that we see in this article, it would be shite-laden with gaffes, blunders, dim-wittedness, and whatever other adverbs you could think up.

To me, I don't expect perfection or even anything close to it....The Steeler's D has not been the reason for any of our failures this year (other than the pat game, where it appears to me we got thoroughly outcoached).... the Offense on the other hand ; )

[napnewman Profile]

I can't remember when Mill started ragging on LeBeau, but I do remember the D blowing 5 games last year. I can't stand to see the D go into the soft prevent. It is as annoying as when the O decides that a 10 point lead is suffucient and shuts down the passing game.

To his credit, Mill admits that LeBeau is a competent DC.

[Jeemie Profile]

If you're going to go on a rant, research your facts.

The Titans only had 46 yards rushing...a whopping 2.1 YPC.

The Steelers' D only surrendered 13 points to the Jets...7 were scored on a KO return.

That's just two errors spotted in a quick 5-minute scan.

[tourosteelersfan Profile]

There's a great deal of substance to this post, Mill, interpreted from your always critical perspective. I don't have a problem with you expecting something close to perfection; it's just a standard that's going to be rarely met.
Here is what I think about your analysis: the Steelers have invested heavily in linebackers at a time when the rules have favored passing more than ever. That means our relatively weak secondary is a bigger liability than ever. To Dick L's credit, after the Pats game, I think he more or less gave up on coverage in favor of bringing more rushers and trying more blitzes. It seems to have worked, though the loss to the Jets still rankles a bit (to be fair, the defense only gave up 13 points although Sanchez - who is very mediocre and is the reason the Jets won't be able to catch the Pats if and when New England takes the lead - moved the ball pretty effectively in the second half). The risk with bringing more rushers is vulnerability to a steady series of short passes and the occasional long bomb. I still don't buy the Flacco hype, so my guess is that Dick L and the Steelers will employ the same strategy on Saturday.
Another point: The Steelers did not force any turnovers in two losses (Pats and Jets). This season, the Steelers were pretty effective in forcing turnovers - to be fair, Mill, you should credit the defense for forcing turnovers in the the Baltimore win and the second Bengals win. (I agree with you that the defense should be taken to task for the fortuitous Miami and Buffalo wins.)
Finally, as someone who anticipated the playing the Colts and spent too much time thinking about the Pats, it's one game at a time the rest of the way. The Steelers are rested and should be ready and I think outplayed the Ravens in the two head-to-head games this year. On the other hand, Baltimore seems to have its act together and has momentum from crushing the Chiefs. This will be another three-point game. Shaun Suisham better be ready.

[StillMill Profile]

(Pommah)Okay folks, this is why you stick with this website - real analysis not recycled sportscenter sputum.

well stated, Pom !

- For all the assertions about "tighter coverage", there was some late in the season. Of course, facing Jimmy Clausen and company, what did Dick have to lose ??

- The Garrard run had ONE possible instance of holding. Still, the hole was LARGE enough to drive a '57 Chevy thru it, and the Jags needed only 2 yards. Where was the LB fill ? Where was a spy ? Where was ANYTHING ?

- Creemie, I've fixed the typos. The analysis still stands on its own merit, and the facade of the Great Dick is still exposed.


Let's see what the great almighty deified Lord of defense can do on Saturday.

[Pommah Profile]

It's great to see a real point-counterpoint type debate on this site again.

To me the salary cap era is about personnel selection and management. The Steelers have been among the best teams at this. Which means, what DC wouldn't drool at the thought of having Pola, Ike, Harrison, Timmons, Smith, Keisel to work with? Even guys at the end of their careers like Casey and Farrior have stepped up their game, it seems like, this season. We've "invested" in the D at the expense of the O-line. We've put a lot into our linebacking corps, they better be good, we could sure use another top coverage guy right now! So we debate, is it Dick, or is it the players? No way to know for sure, which is why the argument.

We'll know if the purported adjustments work in one week or two. Goddam I hope they work! If we beat the ratbirds and then the gaytriots I would vote this to be the best Steelers Super Bowl run ever. Assuming we beat the Packers in the finale of course.

A quick note - Pats fans are already planning their super bowl victory parties, just like in '07. How quickly they forget. In the years between '01 and '07, they went from being grateful, appreciative fans to arrogant pricks expecting the Lombardi just to be issued to them. They've had to eat some humble pie but already forget how it tastes. I've had to eat a lot of shit living in New England as a Steelers fan, gawd how I would love the Stillers to beat them in an AFC championship game!

[Ed Burns Profile]

I like the analysis. I think it's accurate too. I'd also like to add: http://www.stillers.com/articles/2591.aspx

Mill, that article, along with the current article sums it up for me.

I believe there's been some adjustments made to the Defense. Ike Taylor's been playing more to his strengths lately by playing more press coverage, and shadowing the opponents top Receiver. I'm also glad that the Stillers aren't just rushing 3, and dropping 8 all the time when they have big leads. I think even Dick woke up, and realized that softee D pissed away the '09 Season. Dick's a competent D Coordinator, but I don't think he always takes advantage of what the Defense can do. Taking L.T. off the field on 3rd Down in some situations is still lunacy if you ask me. We'll see if the adjustments work on Saturday. I like the fact that what I see is a bit more aggressive Defense out there... I'd just like to see more of it. I'd also like to see Worilds get more work, but I'll save that topic, for another time.

[Leo Profile]

It's great to see a real point-counterpoint type debate on this site again.

To me the salary cap era is about personnel selection and management. The Steelers have been among the best teams at this. Which means, what DC wouldn't drool at the thought of having Pola, Ike, Harrison, Timmons, Smith, Keisel to work with? Even guys at the end of their careers like Casey and Farrior have stepped up their game, it seems like, this season. We've "invested" in the D at the expense of the O-line. We've put a lot into our linebacking corps, they better be good, we could sure use another top coverage guy right now! So we debate, is it Dick, or is it the players? No way to know for sure, which is why the argument.

We'll know if the purported adjustments work in one week or two. Goddam I hope they work! If we beat the ratbirds and then the gaytriots I would vote this to be the best Steelers Super Bowl run ever. Assuming we beat the Packers in the finale of course.

A quick note - Pats fans are already planning their super bowl victory parties, just like in '07. How quickly they forget. In the years between '01 and '07, they went from being grateful, appreciative fans to arrogant pricks expecting the Lombardi just to be issued to them. They've had to eat some humble pie but already forget how it tastes. I've had to eat a lot of shit living in New England as a Steelers fan, gawd how I would love the Stillers to beat them in an AFC championship game!

Pommah, don't eat too much -- you still hold the trump card: 6 > 3

[Bomberman Profile]

Players play, coaches coach. There isn't another DC in the league that I'd rather have on the Stiller team. Period.

[stillgoingstrong Profile]

Mill that was a great read but I have a question for you. There was an article written recently (by a fan I can't for the life of me supply the link) that basically states Dick has finally made an adjustment to his philosophy after the NE game. Basically it states Dick's philosophy is to stop the run and defend the long pass. Make the offense go on long marches where they will eventually give up a sack, throw a pick or an incompletion on 3rd down.

When you are not facing a great QB this is a very sound philosophy. The problem is when you throw in a HOF caliber QB this theory goes to hell. The will dink and dunk you to oblivion. Obviously, after the NE game we didn't face anyone of the Brees/Brady caliber but the writer compares the passing defense's performance against Colt McCoy, Flacco and Palmer the 1st and 2nd time and the Steelers did much better the 2nd time around.

The point is this: Supposedly Dick the last 7 games is playing more press coverage and throwing LB's (like Timmons) in shorter passing lanes. Basically, Dick is going against his philosophy and risking the long ball by defending the short passing game. This (and the fact we faced an JV Carolina team) is supposedly why the Steelers went from 29th against the pass to 12th.

You watch more tape than any fan I know so I will ask you this. Is this just meaningless banter or are we doing a better job against the short to moderate passing game?? If so it gives me hope in a rematch against the Pats.

I have the article, but no link sorry it was emailed to me. That article is what REAL analysis looks like. Not a 3 page menstruation and chest pounding dribbel that I just read. Seriously, if you think he is competent, and a good DC why all the chest pounding. To me it just screams of jealousy. Wahhhhh

Heres a real article full of real analysis by a fan

The Day Dick LeBeau Turned the Steelers' Secondary into Championship Caliber
Dick LeBeau does not like to get embarrassed, especially on prime time television, but that is exactly what happened on November 14. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots shredded LeBeau's defense like Mexican cheese. LeBeau remembered all too vividly the previous time the Steelers played against Brady. The Patriots came out with a megaphone and yelled to him that they were not going to run the ball and were still going to carve him up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Even with that declaration of being one dimensional, Brady had a field day while the Patriots ran the ball exactly once per quarter.

It is well known that LeBeau runs a deceptive zone blitz defense that prides itself on taking away the run and either applying pressure on the opposing quarterback or, as Lebeau smirkishly admits, falsely giving the "perception of pressure." Another component of LeBeau's scheme is to take away the big play and make the opponent work hard by dinking and dunking a long way to reach success. The theory is that along the way the offense will make a mistake, get sacked or throw an incomplete pass on third down.

There is a price to be paid with this scheme, and that is, you give up the short possession pass. There are two problems with this cost. First, a Hall of Fame quarterback is LeBeau's kryptonite, proven time and time again. Second, the Steelers have an aging defense. Snack, Keisel, Hokey, Ivan, Troy, Deebo, Potsie and Clark are no spring chickens. Keeping them on the field for lengthy periods of time chasing all the dinks and dunks is not a recipe for success over the course of 60 minutes. LeBeau saw that first-hand two weeks prior to the New England game when Drew Brees owned the second half of the Saints game in another Steelers' loss.

After the most recent Brady debacle, the Steelers did some soul-searching and reconfirmed their goals. Winning 10 games against poor-to-good quarterbacks is not one of them. Bringing home Lombardi is the only goal. Therefore, adjustments needed to be made. LeBeau did not change his zone blitz, or pressure/perception of pressure designs. What subtly changed after November 14 were coverage designs. Steelers' cornerbacks now play much closer to the line of scrimmage. Linebackers are now helping much more with short passing lanes. Ryan Clark will often pinch closer also to take away the middle zone, leaving the vulnerability of the long pass.

The results have been interesting to say the least. The Steelers currently rank 12th in the NFL in pass defense, yielding 214 yards per game. This may seem pedestrian, but consider that A) teams cannot run on the Steelers and therefore pass, and B) good quarterbacks have no need to run anyway. Thus, the Steelers have been thrown upon 593 times - only three NFL teams have defended more passes. Ranking 12th in yardage allowed is commendable when you rank 29th in passes defended. Moreover, Pittsburgh ranks first in the league in yards per attempted pass, just 6.3. Not too shabby for a defensive backfield that has been riddled with criticism.

But let's take a closer look at the numbers. Up through the New England game, the Steelers gave up 252 passing yards per game. That number would rank them 29th in the league if it were to continue through today. However, since the Patriots calamity, when LeBeau tightened the screws, the Steelers have given up 169 yards per game, a huge statistical difference. That number would rank them first in the league. The difference between pre and post November 14 is first or 29th; thus they end in the middle at #12.

This is no statistical anomaly based on variances of opposition. The Steelers played all three Division rivals both before and after November 14. The Cincinnati Bengals passed for 218 yards under the "softer" LeBeau and just 156 in the post-New England game. Cleveland threw for 258 yards the first time and only 209 the second time (Many against the second team when the Browns were throwing on every play). Baltimore amassed 250 yards in game one and 226 yards in the sequel. The quarterbacks were the same in all three pairings.

Steelers Passing Yards Allowed Per Game

Pre Nov. 14 Post Nov. 14
Baltimore 250 226
Cincinnati 218 156
Cleveland 258 209
Season Totals 2270 1182
Average 252 169



While the price to be paid is the vulnerability to the home run ball, the Steelers have enjoyed significant time-of-possession advantages since November 14, a factor that has benefited the team's defensive gray-beards immensely. Joe Flacco completed passes of 61 and 67 yards in their second matchup, but those two completions accounted for 57 percent of Baltimore's total passing yardage. By minimizing the dinks and dunks, Pittsburgh had commanding control of possession time by nearly 10 minutes. In the first Baltimore game, the Ravens actually led in time-of-possession, perhaps causing a tiring defense to allow the game-winning drive in the last minute. In the second meeting, having been on the field six fewer minutes, the Steelers' defense rose to the occasion and made the play that won the game.

Since LeBeau took his pass defense into the shop on November 15, the Steelers have won the time-of-possession battle in every game. In the first nine games, the Steelers actually trailed in possession time, averaging 30.1 minutes to 30.2 minutes. Post-Brady, the Steelers have changed that number drastically. Pittsburgh has held the ball an average of 35.1 minutes per game, while the opponents have had possession just 26.1 MPG. Adding four and a half more minutes of possession time is a double victory, since opponents get four and a half fewer minutes, creating a nine-minute spread.

Steelers Time Of Possession (Minutes)
Pre Nov. 14 Post Nov. 14
Baltimore 29 34
Cincinnati 29 35
Cleveland 32 33
Season Totals 271 246
Average 30.1 35.1



Indeed, there has been a major change regarding the positioning of Pittsburgh's defensive backfield. It is not always evident from the television cameras, but I have been to all the home games (and one road game) and the difference is clear and fun to watch. November 14 will be remembered as the day that the Steelers lost the battle and won the war.

[stillgoingstrong Profile]

A horseshit scheme from a coach that sucks horse cock. ....right along with some of the dimmer dim bulbs here.

To summarize, yes, Dick is a good DC.

Oh the hypocrisy...

[m1k3 Profile]

- The Garrard run had ONE possible instance of holding. Still, the hole was LARGE enough to drive a '57 Chevy thru it, and the Jags needed only 2 yards. Where was the LB fill ? Where was a spy ? Where was ANYTHING ?

Mill, I love your passion for Stillers football, but you're flat wrong on this one.

The tape doesn't lie:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

While coming around the end, Pola was clearly held (this is the hold that most people talk about when referring to this play). It was the common arm-around-the-neck / clothesline hold.

Also, if you look at the center of the frame, you'll see the hole Garrard ran through. Look to the left and you'll see the reason the hole existed. Harrison's lower body can be seen heading stage right, while his upper torso is leaning left.... because he's being held. If you look closely, you can even see the OL's hand around the back of Harrison's left shoulder (which is what he's using to control Harrison's torso).

If Pola wasn't held, this play probably would've ended in a negative yardage sack.

If Harrison wasn't held, this play probably would've resulted in a 0-1 yard gain.