Steeler "D" in trouble!!

[Andymisiu]

Everyone is thinking offense in the draft, I've got news..

The trade mark Steeler Defense is a question mark at the beginning of the 2008 Season IMO. There’s a lot of question marks going into the next season and I hope the right people step up!! lets go down the list.

Defensive Line:

Brett Keisel- we need to find someone else to play in his position, just not good enough.
Travis Kirschke- a week backup IMO.
Nick Eason- depth? Rather have depth with potential than him.
Casey Hampton- Awesome Steeler and one of my favs but is starting to decline.
Chris Hoke- I like him too…. But he’s older than Hampton!
Ryan Mcbean- Is it just me… or does he have down syndrome? Schools still out.
Scott Paxson- I can’t say I really know anything about this guy, that can’t be good.
Aaron Smith- Awesome!! But he’s no spring chicken.

So this is our defensive line at present!! And I think it’s pathetic!! It’s an old and slowing defensive line with zero in the form of depth. We are in serious trouble on the defensive line.

Linebackers:

Marquis Cooper- Who?
James Farrior- Still has some in the tank but not much.
Larry Foote- He’s just average in my book.
Keyaron Fox- really is just a special teams player, adds depth but not much else.
Andre Frazier- can we give him back to the Bengals?
Arnold Harrison- I like him but don’t really have an opinion.
James Harrison- You the man!! Awesome year!! Hope he can make it a second!!
Lawrence Timmons- I like him, should be fine, but needs to make a big jump in 2008.
LaMarr Woodley- Love him!! Thought he would make an immediate impact!!! And will continue in 2008!! The next great Steeler LB!!

Defensive Backs:

Tyrone Carter- He’s just ok IMO and is getting up in age.
Anthony Smith- can you say “toast”
Ryan Clark- I like him a lot and think he’s great but…. Can he rebound from injury?
William Gay- Great! Has a lot of upswing, should push for starting job one day.
Mike Lorello- ummm…. What? I have no idea.
Anthony Madison- nothing special here.
Grant Mason- does anyone have an idea? Who?
Bryant McFadden- I like him but will he be a Steeler in 2009?
Troy Polamalu- AWESOME!!!!!!!
Ike Taylor- I like Ike!! He’s steady and good and should stay for awhile!!
Deshea Townsend- going, going, gone!! He’s old and done.

So!! This is what we have…. An old, aging, and slow defensive line. A linebacking core that is depending on the development of Woodley and Timmons to step in and make big contributions and they better!!! It’s a thin and aging group and all hope hangs on these two guys shoulders. Our defensive backfield is aging, and average. We have some guys who could step up into big roles… but will they? We need someone to beat out Townsend or we’re in trouble and Clark better be 100% after the injury.

I think we could be in for a long season with the schedule we have. I hope I’m wrong!! But we need to pay attention to this defense. Did I miss anything?

What do you think?

[Sphinx9780]

I def think that if we go def then we should go line before secondary, our lbs are fine, special teams is a big must, we do have a lot of access baggage that doesnt need to be there like lorello, guy will never play a down.

[BermudaSteel]

I think you just ordered me a round of "Guinness"!!!

But for real though, your assessment is pretty correct...the D does need some attention; but, it's in transition and I do believe the next year's draft will focus on just that.

[Spike]

WE don't need no stinking defense.......... as long as we score 30 a game.

The Steelers are a finesse passing team now - get over it.

[BillvinCowbert]

Everyone is thinking offense in the draft, I've got news..

Is your news that DL, DB, and LB are now considered offense? Because pretty much everyone thinks we need to upgrade there.

[Andymisiu]

WE don't need no stinking defense.......... as long as we score 30 a game.

The Steelers are a finesse passing team now - get over it.

finesse passing team? we don't need any defense? yea, that's worked for so many teams in the past. Colts, didn't win until they got a "D", Patriots... oohh! good finesse passing team, but..... where was the "D"? can you name anyone else? Bengals?

The day the Steelers stop worrying about defense and call themselves a finesse passing team is the day I wear my jersey inside out until they get it right again.

Tomlin is hardnosed and understands that defense and a strong running game wins games.

I think your off base.

[Andymisiu]

Is your news that DL, DB, and LB are now considered offense? Because pretty much everyone thinks we need to upgrade there.

Actually I think the news is........ we're in trouble all accross the board. I really think we're in trouble. We have a lot of area's to address and it might take us a few years to get things back in order.

[Spike]

Oh Noes! - we're DOOMED! - and it isn't even April yet.

[domthebomb228]

Our D-line in a few years is looking bleak... we're gonna have to hit a few drafts out of the park if we want this group to remain competitive in coming years. I'm not quite sure I understand how the re-signings of Kirschke and Eason help us much either. I mean, it's one thing to stock up on experienced veteran who provides solid, yet not spectacular play. I can understand re-signing one of these guys (Kirschke maybe), but both? They are both below average backups. For God's sake, Nick Eason is the Barrett Brooks of defensive lineman. I don't see how having "depth" pays off if your experienced backups get blown off the line play after play after play. In this case, I really don't think experience is as valuable as our front office is making it out to be. IMO, we'd be just as well off with a rookie and McBean back there. At least they have some form of potential.

[t-bone]

contrary to common belief, they sky is not falling.

which team runs 22 all-pro's out on D every week?

that's right kids.......none of them.

our starters do not suck....we could use some D-Line depth, yes....but if your top 3 aren't on the field, you're in trouble anyway.....Anthony Smith was looking good 'til he got toasted by Brady and the media went all sharkfest with his guarantee (which was blown way out of proportion, imo)......17 other safeties got toasted by Brady....he'll be okay....if Woodley proves out, we still have 3 potential All-Pro LB's....we could use new blood at CB, but the 4 we have that get the most PT are ok, or better than ok...

if Woodley, Kiesel and Smith step it up a notch (and Ike learns to catch) we have a good to better D.

and if Timmons and Fox can make a tackle or two on ST's that the scrubs missed last year, we're instantly better on that count.

and if they don't....10-6, division winners?

okay.


all teams have turnover, and all teams have problems filling in talent at roster slots 47 to 53

the sky is not falling.

[Superman]

I think you need to use more exclamation points to get your point across. 3 just doesn't effectively portray your emotions!!!!!!!!

[Vader]

Re-signing Kirschke and Eason made our D worse IMHO. I'd rather get 2 cheap undrafted rookie FA. If anybody saw them play last year I wouldn't have offered them a contract to be a waterboy.

However, I regress. The D should get some attention in this draft. Maybe a DB or DL. You can't built everything in one draft. That's why they shouldn't lock onto a OL this year in round 1. Take someone with talent not just a hole plugger. The gifted player will make others around him better.

[Coryea]

Don't forget, Farrior is what 33 years old, we have no one behind him and I'd say his position is pretty important, and I think this may be the final year of his contract, I doubt he's back after 2008.

[t-bone]

Don't forget, Farrior is what 33 years old, we have no one behind him and I'd say his position is pretty important, and I think this may be the final year of his contract, I doubt he's back after 2008.

even at 33, he was one of the best at his position in the NFL.....he's got one more high level season in him, no reason to expect he doesn't either.....Farrior is bad-ass.....we just take him for granted.

[Coryea]

even at 33, he was one of the best at his position in the NFL.....he's got one more high level season in him, no reason to expect he doesn't either.....Farrior is bad-ass.....we just take him for granted.

He's been slipping every year, and is non-existent in coverage. Like I said, this will probably be his last year, we need someone to take over for him, unless we plan on signing a vet after the season, it's unrealistic to expect a rookie to step right into that position.

[Superman]

Don't forget, Farrior is what 33 years old, we have no one behind him and I'd say his position is pretty important, and I think this may be the final year of his contract, I doubt he's back after 2008.
which could be why they brought in Mayo for a look-see

[Coryea]

which could be why they brought in Mayo for a look-see

Yep, I agree, I think this is one position alot of people are over-looking as a need for us in the upcoming draft.

[t-bone]

Farrior is not "non existent" in coverage, T, sorry.

[Coryea]

Farrior is not "non existent" in coverage, T, sorry.

Yeah he is, he's not good in coverage anymore.

[t-bone]

still pissed he got beat by J-D by a fingertip on one play, I see...

Farrior is the least of our worries.

[t-bone]

Recent Career Tackles Sacks Interceptions Misc
Year Team G Solo Ast Total Sack YdsL Int Yds IntTD DefTD FFum PD Sfty
2005 Pittsburgh 14 76 45 121 2.0 20 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
2006 Pittsburgh 16 85 43 128 4.0 29 1 1 0 0 2 6 0
2007 Pittsburgh 16 66 30 96 6.5 46 1 0 0 0 2 8 0
Career Totals (Full) 168 719 298 1017 21.0 164 10 207 1 1 15 53 0


Last updated through games completed on Feb 10, 2008


8 passes defenced is not mediocre for an ILB, TC.....

[60 MINUTES]

James F is on the down hill swing and it showed last year. He is good but will not be a big time player for this team again. Our D is getting older yes but with one good DL draft pick this year and not to many injuries we are fine this year. We have no depth is the problem but our starters are still pretty solid. We will need our number one pick of last year to take over this year or else we will see the affects of not drafting well.

When you build through the draft and you are getting old you really can't afford to miss on high picks. if you do then it will show. If Timmons and Woodley " ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE " and we get a stud up front on DL with either the 1st or second round pick this year then we will be looking alot better for 2008.


The answer to this post is simple though and its one that everyone already knows. We need to get a stud DL somewhere in this draft, To go along with the O line everyone knows we need.

[Far51]

Farrior could play 2 more years but as a situational starter at best, still good vs the run just not good in coverage.
He's been pretty injury free so extending him couldn't hurt until we have someone that can play the mac ILB spot, I doubt Wallace can.

-Kiesiel is decent a bit overpaid but our run D wasn't bad with him at RDE just he got stone walled every time blitzing from any spot.

-Mcbean probebly best as a gap DT, may be ok as a 34 DE, just think he would do better inside.
-Hoke a 2 gap good back up, Big Casey not a lot left in the tank, stays until the switch to the 4-3, he carries a 3.8 mill cap amt.Burgh sports guys changed their format may be cut next spring if are 4-3.
- A Harrison, Fox strictly ST's
- Wallace garbage
- Paxson a 4-3 guy not big enough to play NT, agile DT best as a 3 gap camp body for 3rd year now
- Lorello piece of crap
- Carter utter shit really hope Smith has a sensational mini camp and Clark recoveres well and both mske this clown look even worse then his and he is cut.
- Mason camp Body
- Madison some potential to be a dime CB and ST.

[Spike]

We just spent $102 million on a franchise QB.

You draft the best O-linemen you can find to protect your investment.
Add another playmaker on offense whenever you get the chance...

We got sweet titties, Holmes and Ward and Miller...another top rank WR would be a plus.

I wanna see a shotgun roll-out, 4 & 5 wide every 1st down. Run Run pass is dead and gone.

Worry about the rest later....the D is good enough this year.
Aaron Smith is a god....but another DL would help there too.

(OK, another CB would help too - Steelers were dead last in the league with 11 int's last year - mainly because Ike has hands of stone, he is what he is)

9-7 will win the division this year - I perdict.

[Balls&YourWord]

If they stay healthy, the Steelers defense should be even better than it was last season, especially with the removal of two weak links in Haggans and Foote being replaced by Woodley and Timmons respectively.

[Punxsutawney]

As others have mentioned, for as long as Hampton and Aaron Smith stay healthy, the d-line will be good enough in 2008, but upgrades are definitely needed for 2009 and beyond. Hampton, in his 7th season in 2007, started to show signs of wear and tear. If I am not mistaking, the Steelers got 6-7 years out of Joel Steed before he started to rapidly decline. In this draft or the next draft, the Steelers need to find their NT of the future as well as a stud DE.

If Woodley emerges as we all think he will and if the defense avoids multiple key injuries which it was unable to do last season, than I think the defense will be pretty good.

I think Haggans was the weakest line on the defense last season. The LOLB is suppose to be the primary pass rusher in the 3-4 defense and he sucked HARD. A big season from The Wood in 2008 would provide a huge upgrade for the entire defense.

[K from Cal]

if only we could be like the Cleveland Browns!

[smithessmokin]

Our D-line in a few years is looking bleak... we're gonna have to hit a few drafts out of the park if we want this group to remain competitive in coming years. I'm not quite sure I understand how the re-signings of Kirschke and Eason help us much either. I mean, it's one thing to stock up on experienced veteran who provides solid, yet not spectacular play. I can understand re-signing one of these guys (Kirschke maybe), but both? They are both below average backups. For God's sake, Nick Eason is the Barrett Brooks of defensive lineman. I don't see how having "depth" pays off if your experienced backups get blown off the line play after play after play. In this case, I really don't think experience is as valuable as our front office is making it out to be. IMO, we'd be just as well off with a rookie and McBean back there. At least they have some form of potential.

this draft is very talented at DL. dre moore and kendall langford are both guys that we can get respectively in rounds 2 and 3. that would put youth and talent on the old DL. we could even go quentin groves in the first round. those three picks right there would improve our defense greatly.

the we go after jeremy zuttah and james blair in the 4th and 5th. then, we grab a WR in the sixth like adrain arrington. he is big, tall, and decently fast.

[Spike]

<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->
if only we could be like the Cleveland Browns

WE have a real QB - the Browns have shit.

Next.

[stevew]

Harrison will be 30 in a couple weeks, he's not much younger than the "no spring chicken" Smith, the Aging Hoke, or the "declining" hampton.

[FistfullofRings]

I wouldn't mind the Steelers drafting a CB in round 1 but I disagree about Ike, Two years into his big contract he has yet to earn it. Unless he steps up his game this season I think the Steelers will have to consider cutting their losses with him next year.

[Hallmarky]

The first thing they need to do is figure out if they are going to play 4-3 or 3-4 after Lebeau is gone. At 70, you can't expect him to coach for too much longer. If we are going to change to a 4-3, we are even thinner at DL than we expect. That may call for more attention to DL. We don't need to address LBs this draft as much as DBs. We have to think of Deshea's age, and no one seems to be stepping up in that postion. Hopefully Gay will because B Mac is not doing the job. We are hurting at safety because if Ryan cannot make it back, our back up safeties are below average, and Smith has to step it up this year. I believe Woodley, Timmons and Harrison are going to keep the Steeler LBs traditon going. Farrior has at least one more year in him, and we can address ILB in next year's draft. Harriosn may be up in years based on age, but he doesn't have the wear and tear because he hasn't played as long as most LBs his age.

[SteelerFan448]

When healthy, our defense is very solid, but we could add youth and depth to the DL, LB, and FS positions. OL is still the highest priority.

[Crime Fighter]

OL is high priority and that's OK because this defense, as a unit, is one of the best in the business.

Yes, we are getting long in the tooth, but we still can play well.

[Vader]

OL is high priority and that's OK because this defense, as a unit, is one of the best in the business.

Yes, we are getting long in the tooth, but we still can play well.

If you just go by stats then our O was on of the best in the business last year. Willie and Ben had great years. The defense is one play away from being terrible (Smith going down). And I don't mean bad, I mean Charles Barkley terrrrible. Without Smith they can't stop anybody from doing anything. We DL help badly.

[Man-O-Steel]

With Townsend every year I figure he is done for age reasons, yet every year he seems to play pretty solid and I am not too sure that we have a good enough corner to take his place yet. With Casey Hamptions age and decline in play, I would attribute more of that on the loss of smith. jut my 2 cents. personally I feel we still need more offencive help first

[General Manager]

Until we start to draft 1 gap DL we will never see the type of penetration that teams with a 4-3 defense get. Our lineman are 2 gap and basically never get a rush. Most of our pressure comes off the edge as everyone knows. There is not a 2 gap player that grades out to be a low first round pick. With that said our first pick will be Gosder Cherilus. Take it to the bank.

[ekeicher16]

I definately agree with the fact that our defense does have some issues and that attention is needed especially along the DL. The only thing is that the draft lacks two-gap DL that will be available where we draft at 23. Going LB in the first again is illogical, but if one of the top DBs are still on the board that would be a good way to go. It seams only smart to draft offense early on because thats where the value is. Dre Moore, Red Bryant, or a guy like Brandon Floweres would be great in the second. We eventually will have to draft a premier pass-rushing DE when we make the transition, but while we still play the 3-4, use Hampton and Smith for the rest of their careers. So defense definately is a concern, but value is still there in the mid to late rounds.

[Andymisiu]

After reading your posts and thinking this over this is the way to go.

I think the best way to address the problems is to grab a temporary fix at WR to get us to next years draft. Ward, Holmes, & Miller are the weapons of this team through the air. Washington, and Reid, mixed with another FA vet or late round draft pick will be fine to fight it out for the 3rd and 4th spot.

We need to grab the best talent available to us in the first round at DL, OL, or DB.. I don’t care which one. Then we go from there in the following rounds addressing OL, DL, and CB.

We can pick up a late round WR, or LB as projects.

Then in 2009 draft we can go after a weapon at the WR position and still bolster the OL, DL, and maybe a DB again. We could even grab another RB to compliment Parker.

We’ll be competitive in 2008, but we’ll be back in shape completely in 2009 and 2010. I really think we could win it again in one of those years.

[jpele]

WE have a real QB - the Browns have shit.

Next.

Having one of the best Olines in the league, its a good thing they don't have a QB.

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

...Arnold Harrison - I like him but don’t really have an opinion...

No comprende...

[t-bone]

No comprende...

it's a riddle...

[Andymisiu]

No comprende...

I think it's just the name. I think he's interesting but don't really have an educated opinion on his skills.

[slashsteel]

I remember one training camp A. Harrison was making plays sideline to sideline. I think he still has potential. I think a injury set him back. I look forward to seeing him play come Latrobe.

[SteelerScott]

3 letters: L-o-S:
we've got to improve ourselves there 1st (that includes depth).

-Protect BIGmoneyBEN & provide room for FWP, and our Offense will be sufficient this year.
-DLine/LB pressure is a priority, get to the QB. LeBeau's style is to dictate, not to be dictated.

[Super Heathen]

3 letters: L-o-S:
we've got to improve ourselves there 1st (that includes depth).

-Protect BIGmoneyBEN & provide room for FWP, and our Offense will be sufficient this year.
-DLine/LB pressure is a priority, get to the QB. LeBeau's style is to dictate, not to be dictated.

That's the answer right there. If you're getting taken to the woodshed at the l.o.s. then you might as well forget all plans to be a better team.

Inside to out is the way to build a champion.