mesaSteeler
12-10-2009, 06:31 AM
Players standing up for coordinator LeBeau
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_657040.html#
By Mark Kaboly
Daily News Sports Editor
Thursday, December 10, 2009
If you are one of the many who have come to the conclusion that 72-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is the root of all the problems experienced by the once-dominant Steelers defense, veteran team captain James Farrior has a message for you.
"Those are people who really don't know football, don't really know our defense ...," he said.
LeBeau has come under scrutiny lately after his once impenetrable defense has blown five fourth-quarter leads that led to losses.
That criticism was ratcheted up this past week after his defense permitted an Oakland offense that had scored 10 touchdowns all season, to put up three in a matter of eight minutes last week, including the game-winner in the final seconds.
"Last year, they were praising him as the best defensive coordinator ever," defensive tackle Chris Hoke said. "Now, we are not making the plays at the end of the game, and all of a sudden, coach LeBeau is losing a step. That is totally ridiculous. Coach LeBeau still is very much with it."
Safety Troy Polamalu could be a big reason why LeBeau has come under scrutiny.
The Steelers are 4-1 in games the All-Pro has started. Polamalu hasn't been on the field for any of the late-game collapses.
Polamalu labels the blame being place on LeBeau, the oldest coach in the NFL, as fans just being fickle.
"I always think about Presidents and policies," Polamalu said. "I always think there must be a lot more that he knows about the situation than I know. That is definitely the case here."
LeBeau has enjoyed unparalleled success with the Steelers.
In his seven years spread over two stints as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, his unit has finished in the top five in total defense six times, including the top spot three times.
And he has basically done it with the same core group of people.
Half of the 25 defensive players currently on the roster never have played under a different defensive coordinator than LeBeau. Only eight have played for a different coordinator while with the Steelers.
That has made some, if not all, loyal to LeBeau.
Some of his players wore a replica of LeBeau's No. 44 Detroit Lions jersey before a New Year's Day game in 2006 and again before the Hall of Fame Game two years ago in Canton, Ohio.
"He is one of a kind," safety Tyrone Carter said. "He is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. I don't think anybody can second guess what he has done. As players, we still believe in him. It is up to us to execute."
The players feel it is as simple as making plays and executing what LeBeau calls to turn things around.
"We are the ones out there who have to make plays," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "Regardless of what they want to say about coach LeBeau, it still comes down to the players on the field making plays."
Despite the turmoil, the Steelers still are one of the top defenses in the league. They rank fifth in total defense, but that pales in comparison to the defense from a year ago, when they came within 4 rushing yards per game allowed of being No. 1 across the board.
There has been some changeover from that team.
Polamalu has missed seven games, Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Smith was lost for the year after Week 5 and cornerback Bryant McFadden signed with Arizona in the offseason.
Still, the team has total confidence in LeBeau.
"You don't do this as long as he has because you are not good at it," safety Ryan Clark said. "We need to play better. It's not his fault. It's not his fault at all."
Polamalu added: "I don't think anybody knows the game as much as coach LeBeau. I don't know if anybody knows the game three-quarters as much as coach LeBeau."
Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664-9161.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_657040.html#
By Mark Kaboly
Daily News Sports Editor
Thursday, December 10, 2009
If you are one of the many who have come to the conclusion that 72-year-old defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is the root of all the problems experienced by the once-dominant Steelers defense, veteran team captain James Farrior has a message for you.
"Those are people who really don't know football, don't really know our defense ...," he said.
LeBeau has come under scrutiny lately after his once impenetrable defense has blown five fourth-quarter leads that led to losses.
That criticism was ratcheted up this past week after his defense permitted an Oakland offense that had scored 10 touchdowns all season, to put up three in a matter of eight minutes last week, including the game-winner in the final seconds.
"Last year, they were praising him as the best defensive coordinator ever," defensive tackle Chris Hoke said. "Now, we are not making the plays at the end of the game, and all of a sudden, coach LeBeau is losing a step. That is totally ridiculous. Coach LeBeau still is very much with it."
Safety Troy Polamalu could be a big reason why LeBeau has come under scrutiny.
The Steelers are 4-1 in games the All-Pro has started. Polamalu hasn't been on the field for any of the late-game collapses.
Polamalu labels the blame being place on LeBeau, the oldest coach in the NFL, as fans just being fickle.
"I always think about Presidents and policies," Polamalu said. "I always think there must be a lot more that he knows about the situation than I know. That is definitely the case here."
LeBeau has enjoyed unparalleled success with the Steelers.
In his seven years spread over two stints as the Steelers' defensive coordinator, his unit has finished in the top five in total defense six times, including the top spot three times.
And he has basically done it with the same core group of people.
Half of the 25 defensive players currently on the roster never have played under a different defensive coordinator than LeBeau. Only eight have played for a different coordinator while with the Steelers.
That has made some, if not all, loyal to LeBeau.
Some of his players wore a replica of LeBeau's No. 44 Detroit Lions jersey before a New Year's Day game in 2006 and again before the Hall of Fame Game two years ago in Canton, Ohio.
"He is one of a kind," safety Tyrone Carter said. "He is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league. I don't think anybody can second guess what he has done. As players, we still believe in him. It is up to us to execute."
The players feel it is as simple as making plays and executing what LeBeau calls to turn things around.
"We are the ones out there who have to make plays," cornerback Ike Taylor said. "Regardless of what they want to say about coach LeBeau, it still comes down to the players on the field making plays."
Despite the turmoil, the Steelers still are one of the top defenses in the league. They rank fifth in total defense, but that pales in comparison to the defense from a year ago, when they came within 4 rushing yards per game allowed of being No. 1 across the board.
There has been some changeover from that team.
Polamalu has missed seven games, Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Smith was lost for the year after Week 5 and cornerback Bryant McFadden signed with Arizona in the offseason.
Still, the team has total confidence in LeBeau.
"You don't do this as long as he has because you are not good at it," safety Ryan Clark said. "We need to play better. It's not his fault. It's not his fault at all."
Polamalu added: "I don't think anybody knows the game as much as coach LeBeau. I don't know if anybody knows the game three-quarters as much as coach LeBeau."
Mark Kaboly can be reached at mkaboly@dailynewsemail.com or 412-664-9161.