The Pittsburgh Steelers were last against the run on defense in 2021 and they have occasionally struggled during the 2022 campaign. As a whole, they have vastly improved and are seventh according to NFL.com in the league overall against the rush. However, in two big games against the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, the run defense failed to get a big stop when it was absolutely necessary costing the Steelers an opportunity to win the game with a last-minute drive.
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post Gazette (AP)
Steelers' Brian Flores' Attack
Last week, the Steelers visited the suddenly resurgent Carolina Panthers, who had climbed to within one game of the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers but in the topsy-turvy NFL, they had the exact same record as the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Panthers had relied on unique formations and heavily leaned on a powerful rushing attack. After the previous week's Ravens debacle, few if any gave Pittsburgh a chance to win the game.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin received substantial credit for putting the Steelers in pads during preparation for last week’s matchup and it appeared to put the defense exactly where you would want them against a run-first team, in a foul mood. The Steelers made another adjustment that has not gotten nearly as much fanfare this week. They employed an extra defensive lineman, in a four-man front.
Nov 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau have a conversation during the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game 23-10 / Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins under Brian Flores primarily played 3-4 defenses but they both had 4-3 formations in the defensive playbook to confuse defenses. The Steelers aren’t likely to stop playing the 3-4 anytime soon but they are no longer playing Dick LeBeau’s version of Blitzburgh either. Adjusting on obvious running downs by sliding in rookie DE Marvin Leal and Tyson Alualu as defensive tackles had an obvious benefit in the run game.
This is the first time this season that you could see Flores' fingerprints on a game plan, and it went mostly unnoticed by fans and the media. People have been clamoring for evidence that Flores is transforming the defense, and the reactions have ranged from apathy that Tomlin won’t let him change anything, to outrage that he has not transformed Devin Bush into a first-team All-Pro player.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins reacts against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Flores is a linebackers coach that probably should have more input on the Steelers' game plan, but he works under Terryl Austin and Tomlin. Tomlin was supposed to give up defensive play-calling duties but there is little evidence of that happening this season. Flores rose to become a moderately successful head coach and a wildly successful defensive coordinator that had a reputation for being a “squeaky wheel”. Demonstrating he is a good soldier is every bit as important to his NFL future as continuing to collect paychecks.
The Miami ownership may have done him dirty but perception is reality. He is suing the league and until that is concluded, no one outside of Pittsburgh is going to give him a job. It would be interesting to see if he became available prior to the Steelers promoting Austin if he would have gotten the defensive coordinator job. Tomlin has a nasty habit of putting coordinators into positions that are essential yes men who don’t run complicated schemes.
Steelers defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin looks on and points at one of the team's practices. | Photo Credit: Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Matt Canada and Austin are very vanilla coordinators and Flores would be the equivalent of throwing a tin roof sundae into the mix. The Steelers will likely have the first crack at retaining Flores during the offseason, but his experience is wasted as a linebackers coach. If Austin and Tomlin have turned to Flores for scheme advice and it seems they did last week, it could be a sign that the Steelers' defense is ready to make another leap in the offseason.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you want to see the Steelers utilize more complicated schemes from Brian Flores? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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