Steelers 2015 Defense Has Bullies

In a matter of hours from now the 2015 Steelers open the season in Foxborough, Mass. for a Thursday night visit to Gillete Stadium to match up against the New England Patriots.  The Steelers defense will have their hands full as Patriots QB Tom Brady has suspension overturned by NY judge and is allowed to return to the field as a full participant in NFL competition.

Heyward a disruptive force in the Steelers defense - image may be subject to copyright.
 

Steelers fans everywhere welcome the first regular season meeting of the 2015 season as the preseason has been slowly painful to watch for several reasons.  First, the Steelers 2015 preseason was extended due to playing in the Hall of Fame Game.  Watching five games that do not count can get tiresome and increase anticipation.  While five exhibition games provides more opportunities to watch the Black and Gold in actual contests, the "slow and painful" comes into play when said contests results in a 1-4 preseason record.

As we all know, a 20% preseason win ratio translates to absolutely nil in regards to the regular season standings and success rate of the team.  What contributed to the losses, however, was lingering torture for any long time Steeler fan who thrives in the identity of the Black and Gold being impossible to move the ball on.  The preseason was filled with subpar offensive athletes picking apart the Steelers defense with a duo of attacks; pounding the ball on the ground turning 1st and 10s into 2nd and shorts, or aerial assaults with the ball finding its way into the hands of non-contested receivers.  When I say "non-contested" I mean not a black and gold uniform in sight.  Needless to say, watching two and half quarters or more (as was the case for the game in Buffalo, NY) per game almost became nauseating.

With the preseason now concluded, rosters down to a league-mandated 53 hats, and Week 1 of the 2015 NFL Season currently underway, Steelers fans aren't the most confident in what we've witnessed, defensively.  Considering what is on tape from the five weeks prior, and taking into account that they face Tom Brady and the current reigning Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots, it is hard to display confidence in a defensive unit that was carved up like Thanksgiving Day turkey under new coordinator Keith Butler.

Well I'm here to put your nervousness to rest, and to inform uneasy fans with that what we've seen in the preseason is not a forecast of things to come for the 2015 Steel Curtain.  The defense now states its case and presents its findings:

Evidence 1 - There were zero snaps in the preseason where all eleven defensive starters were on the field together.  I repeat, zero.  Some have asked is this cause for concern.  While a valid question, and an answer in the affirmative can state its case, I'd beg to differ.  This is actually why our nerves should be settled.  Why?  It indicates that we, at no point, saw what will translate into the Steelers defense during the majority of the snaps of the regular season.  So the defense we witnessed get marched down the field time and time again is not what will be on the field verses Tom Brady.

Evidence 2 - Aside from one series against Green Bay starters which included Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers were aligned in basic packages and formations, which included very little stunts and/or exotic blitzes and coverages.  There was one blitz called for Shamarko Thomas to get his execution on tape, which I might add, turned out to be successful and a display of his quickness and toughness.

Base coverages are called more for the emphasis of getting game plays on tape to study player execution of assignments.  They are not designed to put pressure on opposing offenses.  Understand this;  Keith Butler is very aware that there is currently no game tape on his defensive schemes and game plan.  He understands that this seemingly irrelevant fact can play to his advantage.  Knowing this was not worth sacrificing for the sake of picking up a preseason victory.  As it stands right now, the Patriots have no tape to gameplan against the Steelers defense.  Advantage?  Steelers.

Evidence 3 - Let's examine that one (1) series in preseason Game 3 hosting Aaron Rodgers and what is expected to be an explosive Green Bay offense.  This is a series that, while not all starters were on the field for the Steelers' D, Butler did exercise the freedom of calling in some plays designed to put some pressure on the Green Bay offense.  The series followed a perfect punt by Jordan Berry which dropped inside the five yard line and was downed at the Green Bay one yard line by Antwon Blake, which is where the Packers started their second offensive series.

On 1st and 10, the Packers ran the ball off-tackle which was quickly covered and stuffed by Bud Dupree for no gain.  On 2nd and 10, Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt backed up the center and guards into the pocket forcing a hurried throw by Rodgers, which fell incomplete in front of a WR covered by Boykin.  It was on the subsequent 3rd and 10 where we witnessed what will most likely resemble a Steelers defense under Butler.

Personnel?  Blake joined all four starters in the secondary (Mitchell, Thomas, Gay, Allen).  Shazier was joined in the linebacking corps by Spence, Dupree, and Harrison.  Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt anchored the defense (both starters) at defensive tackle.

Offense Showing?  Packers have four receivers wide, two to each side, including the TE split two yards off of the strong side tackle.  Rodgers is in shotgun joined by RB.  From what is being shown, there are six (6) offensive players in pass protection (5 linemen and 1 RB).

How it plays out?  Spence is covering the split TE, which we will find out is a decoy and the TE is picked up by Shazier.  What Rodgers is viewing as a four-man rush, with a potential of five, will turn out to be a six man rush.  So you have a six-man rush against a six-man pass-pro.  We already know the play resulted in a sack safety credited to James Harrison, who did beat his man.  Watching the video, below, we learn why Harrison and three others ended up on top of Aaron Rodgers in his own endzone.

The result of the play is Deebo, Dupree, Spence and Tuitt all wind up on the quarterback and with the first two being credited for incredible play.  The unsung hero here who did not receive any credit, let alone, accolades for the play is Cam Heyward.  The video is stopped at what allowed this play to result in a sack.  It is a case of Cam Heyward's brute disruptiveness, with a little help from Stephon Tuitt, and a mere case of simple math.  Heyward is lined up as a 5-technique tackle, but his long and quick first step with low, angled shoulders allows him to shoot the A-gap before the center and guard can get to their first pass-pro step.  Heyward's first step requires a double-team from the center and guard, but his threat in the backfield early quickly requires attention from the other guard.  Tuitt stunts behind Heyward from 2-technique, which draws in the offensive tackle on the strong-side (opposite side of where Heyward was).  The weak-side guard working on Heyward tries to stop Tuitt on his stunt.  You now have the interior offensive linemen all working on one guy...Heyward.  The strong side tackle moves in to account for the gap created by the same side guard assisting on Heyward.

Let's do the math; one defender taking on three linemen.  There are five rushers remaining against three in pass protection.  Of the remaining three, one is out of position because Heyward is having his way with the interior linemen, one is taking on Deebo one-on-one (I think we know who wins), and the third is a running back taking on Sean Spence.  This leaves two rushers (Dupree and Tuitt) to go QB head-hunting.  While both ended up on the pile, Dupree did not make initial contact for the sack, staying home to spy Rodgers, respecting his mobility.  Spence effortlessly backed Eddie Lacy up into Aaron Rodgers, clogging up the throwing lanes.  Deebo mercilessly left the tackle out of his shoes, laying a spine-numbing hit on Rodgers to result in a sack safety.  The genius of it all (credit to Butler) is that Shazier could have rushed the QB and there still would have been adequate coverage down field.

Conclusion - If there is any question around the effectiveness using the preseason as a barometer, it is whether or not the Steelers can stuff the run on first downs.  With Heyward, McClendon, and Tuitt leading the charge, and if Timmons is back healthy enough to be who he is, and Shazier showing up around the ball like a dog playing fetch, I think the Steelers defense has what it takes to stuff the run.  If that can happen, I think you'll see Brady taking on a multitude of black and gold jerseys on many occasions, or throwing the ball away to avoid what Harrison is still capable of.  After tonight, however, Butler will need to stay in the lab concocting a mix of attacks and pressures to keep opposing offenses guessing.  The defense will show up in 2015.  There aren't any concerns of what the Steelers are capable of in that department.  Quite frankly, I am more concerned to see how we get out of these first four weeks without what I project will be our most threatening offensive weapon in 2015, Martavis Bryant.  And can D'Angelo Williams hold up taking the majority of the snaps four straight weeks in a row?  Nevertheless, I'm anxious to find out and excited for kickoff in a few hours.  Worried about our defense?  I am not!

Carolina Panthers at Steelers (2015 Preseason Game 4): Halftime Updates

As the 2015 NFL Preseason draws to a close and players state cases for themselves to make a 53-man roster across the league, the Steelers play host to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday evening.  Here are some closing game halftime notes for the Steelers, as they trail the Panthers 17-0.

• Defense continues the trend from Buffalo Bills preseason game 3 (fourth preseason game for the Steelers) of giving up big plays on the first series.  Must avoid starting slow and work on tackling at the point of contact.
• Allow me to repeat... POOR TACKLING by the Steelers defense.
• Secondary can't catch, from the starters on down the chart.  Another dropped would-be INT.
• So far, Josh Harris will not make it beyond the 75-man roster this year.
• Mitchell Van Dyke is a liability and will get somebody hurt in the NFL.
• Carolina did not throw the ball on their second offensive series for eight (8) straight plays.  The Steelers defense could not stop the run.  Carolina is more physical at the line of scrimmage.  The first pass was a screen play, which netted 16 yards.  Sean Spence missed a tackle in the back field.
• Vince Williams is the only Steelers defender who remembers how to tackle.
• Steelers just look ill-prepared, again, tonight.
• Dan Smith appears to have coached-up special teams, as the Steelers looked solid in the "teams game" as Coach Tomlin so eloquently phrases it.
• Dri Archer must stop calling fair-catches on punt returns when he has at least a 10-yard head start on the covering team.  He must feel a false sense of roster security.
• Is Dick Lebeau laughing, in his Titans coaches polo?

Summary:
You know, I was putting together an article on why fans should not worry about the Steelers defense after the Bills game.  The write-up pointed to three key facts.  The first point being that the defense will probably perform closer to what we saw in the Green Bay game.  The second point being that Cam Heyward will be the difference maker on defense, with help from Lawrence Timmons, assuming his return is somewhere on the horizon.  The final point is irrelevant, at this point.  After witnessing two straight weeks of flat performances, being out done physically, outmatched at the line of scrimmage, and quite frankly, outclassed all around, there is becoming a small sense of concern around this 2015 Steelers football team.

Someone will be quick to say, it's the preseason and it doesn't count.  That argument has some merit, as it is the preseason and the games do not contribute to team standings in regards to the playoffs.  However, the concern is not around the scoreboard.  The concern is around the coaching and team preparation.  It is indicated by poor, poor performances put on by those below the first line on the depth chart.  Look at it like this: we are playing second and third string players on the opponents' team.  The difference between execution of the opponents' lesser players and our own is night and day.  It is this observation that pushes me to raise the question: if our second and third string players are not competitive, and they are what makes up the Steelers scout teams which the first string players practice against, how well prepared are our first teamers if this is the competition facing them on practice days?

Another area of concern is, some of these players the Steelers have been putting on the field to compete for jobs this season are the Steelers back-up players.  Allow me to repeat -- they are the BACK-UP!  Aside from Ben and the offensive line, no player gets 100% snaps on game day.  Two, if one of the starters goes down (as the trend has been so far in 2015), these second and third teamers are the guys who are stepping in to play starters of the Patriots, the Seahawks, the Broncos, the Cardinals, the Chargers, etc.  Do I need to mention that it will be for official standings?

In closing, Mike Tomlin needs to shake things up.  Cut some of those players who think their roster spot is secure.  Show the rest of the team this is the big leagues.  And for goodness sakes, get Ian Wild on the line!  This guy at least shows up on game day with enthusiasm and a willingness to play tackle football.  Trust me, we are not going to miss a Mitchell Van Dyke.  Tomlin, this is on you coach!

Steelers Will Have New Leaders in 2015

Image Courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With the Periscope™ broadcast now expired, a follow-up to support the "Bold Steelers Predictions for 2015" entry is due.  The other night, I installed the twitter creation and found it to be a great tool to discuss Steelers topics with fellow fans, writers, and sports enthusiasts.  During the first broadcast, topics such as who to watch out for in the preseason home game against Green Bay, thoughts on Mike Tomlin and the job he's done thus far, and interesting undrafted rookies who have made a name for themselves, were discussed with inquisitive followers chiming in.

In addition to the topics listed above, I made a bold prediction that I am sticking by, whether it manifest itself or not.  Come the end of the 2015 season, I will own up to the gamble, accepting stark criticism if I'm wrong or welcoming lofty praise if it turns out my prediction was accurate.  I'm not one to turn away from any statements I've made, or tries to explain my way out of them.  For instance, go back far enough on my twitter timeline and you will see that prior to the 2014 training camp I went out on a limb to predict Sean Spence will snatch the gift of a starting inside linebacker job from rookie Ryan Shazier.  Now, whether or not that prediction can be considered bold is up for debate, seeing as though Shazier was a rookie for the 2014 season, albeit a first round pick.  It was still enough of a risk to stand as a risky statement given that Sean Spence had yet to see any time on the playing field in regular season prior to the 2014 preseason.  Remember?  Spence had suffered injuries in his rookie and sophomore campaigns that were severe enough to threaten his career.  Many thought his future as an NFL football player was history.  Coach Tomlin, however, had not given up on the prospect out of Miami.  Then linebackers coach Keith Butler was not so optimistic, stating that he didn't think the speedy draftee would ever play again.

Enough for the look back into past predictions.  Are you ready for my bold prediction for the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers season?  Here goes:

Wide receiver Martavis Bryant (Tay) will end the season with more receiving yards than stud wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Mark it down where you heard it, first.  I would include that he will finish with more touchdowns in addition to receiving yards, but somehow I think that will be expected given the deep threat that Bryant presents.  The possibility of Tay coming down with more yards than Tone is 100% dependent upon injuries to either player.  Any significant injuries to Brown and I will void my prediction as there is no risk, there.  Any significant injury to Tay leads to the obvious.

With the prediction being out there, now, with no retraction possible, let's clarify a few things.  Does this indicate that I believe Martavis will be the better receiver out of the two?  That is an absolutely not!  What I do believe is that Tone will pose so much of a threat, whether it be intermediate, across the middle, or beating coverage deep, it will attract a great amount of attention from opposing defensive coordinators that it will make Bryant feel as though he is facing Pop Warner secondaries.  Bryant and Wheaton will both partake of the buffet, this year, while Brown will have to work a little harder for his contributions to the offense -- which will be significant, however.

Allow me to follow that up with another bold prophecy for the other side of the ball:

At only 20 to 25 snaps per game, James Harrison will lead the Steelers defense in sacks in 2015.

Again, this is barring a healthy Deebo who is able to contribute for more than 75% of the season.  Yes!  I'm saying that even if Harrison misses a quarter of the season that he will still lead this group of youngsters in getting to the quarterback.  The only other defender I see threatening the fruition of this prediction is Cam Heyward, who tied with Jason Worilds to lead the team with 7.5 sacks in 2014.  Without OTAs and a training camp under his belt, Harrison was next in line with 5.5 sacks.  Arthur Moats was the only other player to come close to Deebo, specifically out of the OLBs room, closing the season with 4.0 sacks.

While Moats appears to be playing with some tenacity and toughness this preseason, I don't think he has the repertoire of moves that Harrison sports.  Deebo's dip under the outside hip of the tackle is about the most dangerous I've seen since the Greene/Lloyd duo.  Have I even mentioned his strength?  All I have to say is, opposing teams better put a seasoned veteran at the left tackle position.  Deebo throws around 300lb rookies like rag dolls with his bullrush.  Unless Shamarko becomes a sack specialist this season from the safety position (which we witnessed a glimpse of against Green Bay), there just isn't anyone, including Jarvis Jones and Moats, who will threaten Harrison's impact in the pass rush.

What are your bold predictions for the Pittsburgh Steelers 2015 campaign?  Yes, we all know we will be representing the AFC in Super Bowl L.  Share your performance predictions in the comments.

Injury to Tuitt Could Call For Reemergence of 'Da Beard'

Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers 24 to 19 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Sunday afternoon's 2015 NFL Preseason Week 2 outing has played second fiddle to said contest's injury report full of starters and key players.  Unfortunate and untimely injuries to two pro bowlers have filled the headlines and sports channel tickers since yesterday's game.  One player who is key to the Steelers' revamped and rejuvenated defense who also suffered an injury yesterday has been overshadowed by the injuries to Jordy Nelson and Maurkice Pouncey.  However, the ankle injury incurred by Stephon Tuitt could prove just as costly and just as significant.

Prior to the early injury, Tuitt's disruptive play on the field played a major factor in the Steelers getting pressure on Green Bay QBs, including a sack/safety of one Aaron Rodgers.  Tuitt, alongside Cameran Heyward, got a major push on the pass protection, causing a collapse of the pocket, and forced his blocker into the pocket enough to get a hand in on Rodgers who was brought down by James Harrison, Sean Spence, and Bud Dupree.  He was also seen stuffing the gaps and getting his hands on Eddie Lacy early in the series. 

Considering the key contributor Stephon has become to this Steelers defense, looking outside the current stable of DTs might be necessary.  Could this call for the reemergence of #99, who has retired in the offseason?   Keisel's locker has been cleaned out, for sure, during this go round of offseason activities and training camp, but I did notice that #99 has not been assigned to any of the 90 players on the current roster, thus far. 

Knowing the organization is seeking to get younger at every position on the defensive side of the ball might answer this inquiry as a strong nay.  However, taking into account that Da Beard was still disruptive in his 2014 campaign might spawn a phone call from Mr. Colbert's office to see what the avid hunter and fisher off the field is up to.  Looking at his film from one year ago, and being a fan of the player, it wouldn't be such a bad idea.  The DT/DE position is looking pretty thin for however long Tuitt may be out nursing his injury.  So, why should the Steelers consider bringing back the burly vet?  Well, why not?

UPDATE:
Here is an article which may make a strong case for the Steelers moving in another direction, or putting their trust in a young guy like L.T. Walton.  To my understanding, a torn triceps injury requires a significant amount of time to heal.  Couple that with Keisel's age, and whether he has had access to the Steelers medical staff or not, and the chances of him returning to don the 99 decrease rapidly.  You can't blame a fan for dreaming, however!

Share your thoughts, below!