Nothing to get defensive about...
 

I'm going to go ahead and sound off and say we back up our #1 defense last year again this year. One condition...We won't be #1 on stats again though. Why? I do think we will be more effective on Offense this year which will lead to more Defensive snaps = more defensive stats. Simple. I will say we are top 3 though. Why? Cause Hampton will be back. Hoke was solid, very solid, but he doesn't get a constatnt double team. Also, our secondary is looking better which will lead to fewer conversions for opposing teams on 3 and 17 or 22 or whatever happened to us last year on those days. The wildcard factor for me is our game times. Almost half our games will have either a primetime slot, or a primetime team so we will be amped with a chip on our shoulder. Lets hear what you think...

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

The way our definse is, there's reason to think we cant duplicate last year.. its basically the same personnel, and the young players have gottena chance to be in lebeau's scheme for awhile now, so they'll be more comfortable. we play attacking, aggressive, tough defense, and that in itself helps creates turnovers and short field for our offense to work with.

Obviously anything can happen, but given what happened last year, and all the success that we had in previous years under lebeau in the past, we'll defiantely be a top 3 defense and it wouldnt surprise me at all to us ranked #1 overall again. Our ability to stop the run automatically makes us a top defense to begin with, and with our young aggressive secondary, the sky is limit!

Welcome back casey !!

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

Agreed! The downside is Kimo, and Williams are another year older. But the plus sides are , Larry Foote is a starter from day one, last year he was always waiting for Bell to get healthy. Troy is a year more experienced, he hopefully is learning not to read the qbs pumpfakes so much. Hampton should be healthy, Aaron Smith will be hot again this year. If our defense is able to turn McFadden , Ike or Coc into starting shut down corners, we will be improved. And if we can find a way to get Harrison on the field more. We will be No. 1

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

I'd really like to see us get a healthy Ty Law and make him a safety. I think with the type of D we play having 2 good safeties helps more than a shut down corner.

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

Steelerfan...I couldn't agree more....but unfortunately I don't see us getting Law. I think he would be a great addition...I just don't see us really spending the kind of money he wants...but I pray that I wrong!!! :hope:

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

Once his foot is healed and he can workout we will get a better read on him. I'm hoping that maybe he'll take a lot less money to be near his family and to play for a team that has a good chance of winning.

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

Yah, I was thinking that he would want to be close to home and because of his injury would consider taking less money...but from what I seem to be hearing (and you know how rumors are) he really is not that willing to sign for less money. It might come down to him having to though, and if we can get him for a good price...I say sign him...(not that the Steelers care what I think, but still) :bouncy:

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

We do have some talented young db`s maybe McFadden will start. Ike Taylor has size and speed he could be a Safety. and Coc as the nickel??? Probably Not huh?

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

I like the way our D is shaping up.

Coke and Townsend will be the starting CB's,Willie & McFadden will share the nickel and dime duties.

Polamalu will be beasting this year,I can't wait to see his play this year.

Hope will play well.

Porter,Farrior,Foote,and Haggans-now there is a LB fearsome-foursome.

Smith,Hampton (the best NT in the NFL),and Kimo on the DL.

Yeah...this is a defense to fear.We're gonna tear it up on defense!

Re: Nothing to get defensive about...
 

It's not our D line or LB's that worry me. We got torched a few times against the Pats and that is something that has haunted us for a few years now. I like Townsend and Willie (he's getting old) and Troy. What we need is a veteran who can play well and help teach the younger guys for a year. Like Law if he is healthy and doesn't want a fortune.
We haven't had a really good core in the secondary since we had Woodson, Lake, Perry and Willie. The group we have now is starting to look good though.