Ah, September. The air starts getting crisp. Bugs start to die off. Football returns. And the Steelers look like crap...
Not a good start to the season. Execution was sloppy. Coaching was questionable. And the Pats made it look like they scheduled their cupcake team for the first game of the season. Zero resistance. Everything worked on the NE side of the field.
I will note, the Steelers have shifted defensive strategies, and have a lot of fast, new players. They just went up against the best in week 1, and the Steelers were fooled by the more prepared team.
Want to know why the Pats are so good? It's not cheating, it's fundamentals, and they know what they can get away with.
Man press coverage, they know their receivers can cross and block with impunity at the LOS, and they do that.
New O linemen every year, yet no pressure. They keep their hands inside and hold the jersey internally, so it isn't as noticeable.
Same on the defensive side. DBs will grab, but never reach. Bump but never block, and best of all, they watch the receivers, not the QB.
LBs and DLs watch the blockers, not the RB.
Plus they know the Steelers are a young team and prone to over pursuit, so trick plays are successful, and play action looks like a trick play.
I will also add, if you're having trouble getting to the QB play after play, then magically no one is blocking you: It's a screen.
All that aside, championships are not won in September, and Tomlin has shown throughout his career, that September is his worst month. If this group of young defenders can start playing together, watching the players and not the RB/QB, and forcing the play, they will be a better team this season.
And like most Septembers with Tomlin, this will be one I do not want to remember...
Not a good start to the season. Execution was sloppy. Coaching was questionable. And the Pats made it look like they scheduled their cupcake team for the first game of the season. Zero resistance. Everything worked on the NE side of the field.
I will note, the Steelers have shifted defensive strategies, and have a lot of fast, new players. They just went up against the best in week 1, and the Steelers were fooled by the more prepared team.
Want to know why the Pats are so good? It's not cheating, it's fundamentals, and they know what they can get away with.
Man press coverage, they know their receivers can cross and block with impunity at the LOS, and they do that.
New O linemen every year, yet no pressure. They keep their hands inside and hold the jersey internally, so it isn't as noticeable.
Same on the defensive side. DBs will grab, but never reach. Bump but never block, and best of all, they watch the receivers, not the QB.
LBs and DLs watch the blockers, not the RB.
Plus they know the Steelers are a young team and prone to over pursuit, so trick plays are successful, and play action looks like a trick play.
I will also add, if you're having trouble getting to the QB play after play, then magically no one is blocking you: It's a screen.
All that aside, championships are not won in September, and Tomlin has shown throughout his career, that September is his worst month. If this group of young defenders can start playing together, watching the players and not the RB/QB, and forcing the play, they will be a better team this season.
And like most Septembers with Tomlin, this will be one I do not want to remember...