83-Steelers-43
08-26-2006, 11:54 AM
Performance of defense a mixed bag
By Joe Rutter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 26, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time during the preseason, the Steelers' first-team defense didn't give up an early touchdown.
And it did show improvement on third-down situations.
Still, the results weren't completely satisfactory for the starters Friday night in the Steelers' 16-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
There was the matter of three first-half drives that allowed field goals. And the play of the secondary featured two early drops by Ike Taylor and a 61-yard touchdown pass that sailed over Ricardo Colclough.
"We showed some improvement on defense, and we did a better job on third downs, but we dropped some interceptions," coach Bill Cowher said after watching his team drop to 0-3 on the exhibition season. "We had opportunities to get some turnovers that got away from us."
The first-team defense played much of the first half, when the Eagles built a 9-7 lead.
Although the Steelers didn't yield a touchdown in the first 30 minutes, they did allow quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and Koy Detmer to complete 13 of 19 passes for 124 yards.
Unlike, the previous two games, much of that damage didn't come on third down. Against Arizona and Minnesota, the first-team defense allowed 10 of 13 third-down conversions. That included a touchdown by the Cardinals on their first possession and a touchdown by the Vikings on their second.
The Eagles, however, converted one of five third downs against the first team, and they didn't find the end zone until Colclough's blown assignment in the third quarter that resulted in Greg Lewis' deep score.
With Deshea Townsend shelved by a thumb injury, Colclough got the start at right cornerback ahead of Bryant McFadden. Colclough and McFadden alternated after every two series.
In the second quarter, Colclough appeared to make a coverage mistake when McNabb hooked up with Lewis for a 30-yard catch. This led to David Akers' 49-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead for the Eagles.
The damage was more severe in the third quarter when Lewis blew past Colclough for a score that put the Eagles in front, 16-7.
"I was waiting on a particular route, and the receiver got behind me," Colclough said.
Cowher wasn't quite as diplomatic.
"He got beat," he said. "That was on him -- all the way."
Colclough, though, wasn't the only Steelers cornerback to struggle.
Taylor continued to be plagued by the drops that defined his first season as a starter. In the first quarter, he had two interceptions go through his fingers, including one apparent pick that was ruled a an incompletion after an instant-replay reversal.
"He made two good breaks," Cowher said. "I'd like to see him come down with those balls. Larry (Foote) dropped one out there, too. Those are the type of breaks you have to make."
It was reminiscent of Taylor's play last season when he was reliable in providing coverage but still had only one interception in the regular season.
The Eagles were facing second-and-13 from the Steelers' 32 when McNabb looked for Reggie Brown about 10 yards downfield. At the last instant, Taylor stepped in front of Brown and plucked the ball out of the air. As he fell to the ground, Taylor lost control of the ball, but regained it as he rolled over.
Officials quickly ruled an interception. After a television timeout -- and numerous replays on the scoreboards -- Eagles coach Andy Reid challenged the call and successfully had it reversed.
"Near is overrated," Taylor said. "Close isn't good enough. I should have come up with those plays."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_467856.html
By Joe Rutter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 26, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time during the preseason, the Steelers' first-team defense didn't give up an early touchdown.
And it did show improvement on third-down situations.
Still, the results weren't completely satisfactory for the starters Friday night in the Steelers' 16-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
There was the matter of three first-half drives that allowed field goals. And the play of the secondary featured two early drops by Ike Taylor and a 61-yard touchdown pass that sailed over Ricardo Colclough.
"We showed some improvement on defense, and we did a better job on third downs, but we dropped some interceptions," coach Bill Cowher said after watching his team drop to 0-3 on the exhibition season. "We had opportunities to get some turnovers that got away from us."
The first-team defense played much of the first half, when the Eagles built a 9-7 lead.
Although the Steelers didn't yield a touchdown in the first 30 minutes, they did allow quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and Koy Detmer to complete 13 of 19 passes for 124 yards.
Unlike, the previous two games, much of that damage didn't come on third down. Against Arizona and Minnesota, the first-team defense allowed 10 of 13 third-down conversions. That included a touchdown by the Cardinals on their first possession and a touchdown by the Vikings on their second.
The Eagles, however, converted one of five third downs against the first team, and they didn't find the end zone until Colclough's blown assignment in the third quarter that resulted in Greg Lewis' deep score.
With Deshea Townsend shelved by a thumb injury, Colclough got the start at right cornerback ahead of Bryant McFadden. Colclough and McFadden alternated after every two series.
In the second quarter, Colclough appeared to make a coverage mistake when McNabb hooked up with Lewis for a 30-yard catch. This led to David Akers' 49-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead for the Eagles.
The damage was more severe in the third quarter when Lewis blew past Colclough for a score that put the Eagles in front, 16-7.
"I was waiting on a particular route, and the receiver got behind me," Colclough said.
Cowher wasn't quite as diplomatic.
"He got beat," he said. "That was on him -- all the way."
Colclough, though, wasn't the only Steelers cornerback to struggle.
Taylor continued to be plagued by the drops that defined his first season as a starter. In the first quarter, he had two interceptions go through his fingers, including one apparent pick that was ruled a an incompletion after an instant-replay reversal.
"He made two good breaks," Cowher said. "I'd like to see him come down with those balls. Larry (Foote) dropped one out there, too. Those are the type of breaks you have to make."
It was reminiscent of Taylor's play last season when he was reliable in providing coverage but still had only one interception in the regular season.
The Eagles were facing second-and-13 from the Steelers' 32 when McNabb looked for Reggie Brown about 10 yards downfield. At the last instant, Taylor stepped in front of Brown and plucked the ball out of the air. As he fell to the ground, Taylor lost control of the ball, but regained it as he rolled over.
Officials quickly ruled an interception. After a television timeout -- and numerous replays on the scoreboards -- Eagles coach Andy Reid challenged the call and successfully had it reversed.
"Near is overrated," Taylor said. "Close isn't good enough. I should have come up with those plays."
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_467856.html