It's Scheme, not Talent.

[Edman]

The Zone Defense just doesn't work anymore. The League has caught up to it.

We shut down the Jets pretty good the week before. In that same game you remember Sanchez looking quite like Palmer and Manning on his opening drives. Suddenly he couldn't do jack worth a crap and he looked like Mark Sanchez. Know why? Because the Steelers were smart enough to realize that hey, our Soft Cushion Zone D isn't working, and maybe we'd better start playing aggressive.

New York didn't score again.

The Problem with the Defense is the ego of one guy by the name of Richard Lebeau. Whenever we trotted out the Classic Zone Defense this season, it was picked apart. But on the occasion where we put that crap to rest, the Defense was solid. Even going back to last season, when we put that Zone D away, the Defense played at a new level. Palmer had it too damn easy. It was basically pitch and catch. The Defense didn't put in any effort to challenge the dude or his receivers at all.

Tom Brady constantly made a mockery of the Zone Defense. We played him more aggressively last season, we shut him down.

This "Sit back in a cushion and hope we fool the QB" crap doesn't fly anymore. It's failed all three times we tried it. It has to go. This Defense isn't going to get it's mojo back by trotting out ***** 5-10 yard cushions.

[SteeleReign]

Originally Posted by Edman

The Zone Defense just doesn't work anymore. The League has caught up to it.

We shut down the Jets pretty good the week before. In that same game you remember Sanchez looking quite like Palmer and Manning on his opening drives. Suddenly he couldn't do jack worth a crap and he looked like Mark Sanchez. Know why? Because the Steelers were smart enough to realize that hey, our Soft Cushion Zone D isn't working, and maybe we'd better start playing aggressive.

New York didn't score again.

The Problem with the Defense is the ego of one guy by the name of Richard Lebeau. Whenever we trotted out the Classic Zone Defense this season, it was picked apart. But on the occasion where we put that crap to rest, the Defense was solid. Even going back to last season, when we put that Zone D crap to bed, the Defense played at a new level. Palmer had it too damn easy. It was basically pitch and catch. The Defense didn't put in any effort to challenge the dude or his recievers at all.

Tom Brady constantly made a mockery of the Zone Defense. We played him more aggressively last season, we shut him down.

This "Sit back in a cushion and hope we fool the QB" crap doesn't fly anymore. It's failed all three times we tried it. It has to go.

I don't care if it's man or zone, if you pressure the QB and stop the run, you win more than you lose. We don't have the personnel to get to the QB consistently.

[casteeler]

Ahhhhhh and those Giant Eagle bag boys the Steelers have employed as CBs don't deserve blame?

[Edman]

Originally Posted by SteeleReign

I don't care if it's man or zone, if you pressure the QB and stop the run, you win more than you lose. We don't have the personnel to get to the QB consistently.

The Front 7 put plenty of pressure on Palmer today. The problem is that Raider recievers were constantly running free and he was getting rid of the ball quickly. I can't count the number of times today I saw a Raider catch the ball with no Defender within a few yards of him.

That has been the chief weakness of the Zone Defense, in the past we could get away with it because of Troy and the Front 7. But the Elite QB's could pick it apart, now with no Troy and no top-tier pass rush, it's exposed, but we had plenty of success running an Aggressive D and not bullshit cushions.

[SteeleReign]

Originally Posted by casteeler

Ahhhhhh and those Giant Eagle bag boys the Steelers have employed as CBs don't deserve blame?

Sure they do. But, how many star CBs have been on this team since Rod Woodson? Our pass rush has always allowed the talent in our secondary to be less than top-notch. Clearly, the issue is absolutely no pressure whatsoever.

The friggin Raiders could have thrown Ken Stabler out there today and won.

[SteeleReign]

Originally Posted by Edman

The Front 7 put plenty of pressure on Palmer today. The problem is that Raider recievers were constantly running free and he was getting rid of the ball quickly. I can't count the number of times today I saw a Raider catch the ball with no Defender within a few yards of him.

That has been the chief weakness of the Zone Defense, in the past we could get away with it because of Troy and the Front 7. But the Elite QB's could pick it apart, now with no Troy and no top-tier pass rush, it's exposed, but we had plenty of success running an Aggressive D and not bullshit cushions.

We'll have to agree to disagree in regards to pressure today. I'd also suggest that we may be playing so much zone because our DBs can't cover m2m all day, and without a pass rush, that's what they'd have to do.

[Edman]

Originally Posted by SteeleReign

We'll have to agree to disagree in regards to pressure today. I'd also suggest that we may be playing so much zone because our DBs can't cover m2m all day, and without a pass rush, that's what they'd have to do.

So you agree the Steelers should keep going what they're doing when it clearly isn't working, but not do what brought them success.

You could put Rod Woodson in his prime back there and he wouldn't be as effective by having him standing yards off of his receiver.

[casteeler]

Originally Posted by SteeleReign

Sure they do. But, how many star CBs have been on this team since Rod Woodson? Our pass rush has always allowed the talent in our secondary to be less than top-notch. Clearly, the issue is absolutely no pressure whatsoever.

The friggin Raiders could have thrown Ken Stabler out there today and won.

The issue is and has been for a couple of years now that the Steelers refuse to address their CB situation." less than top notch" is being kind

[GoFor7]

We all hear about how "complex" LeBeau's schemes are and that it may take a few years for newly drafted players to come through in his system. When you look throughout the NFL, other team's rookies are able to come in, and while they may not be world-beaters, they make some type of impact. Does anyone feel it's time for LeBeau to simplify things for the younger players?

[OX1947]

No pressure on the Qb. No big plays, no turnovers. That has been the theme the last year and 3 games. Those 3 qualities are what makes the Steelers defense over the last half century. Oh, and stopping the run too. So 4. Now, lets see, why do we suck now? Harrison out? Ok. Troy out? Ok. Clark was out in both Denver games? Ok. But I just watched all the "best" defenses so far this season get torched all game long. Is it any coincidence that since this mother ****ing commissioner has destroyed football the last 2+ years, that the Steelers have sucked in the one area, EVEN BEFORE THE 70's, had always been good at? I say no.

I swear on my life, if it werent for the Steelers, I would NEVER watch the NFL as long as that mother ****ing piece of shit is commissioner. He has destroyed football, continues to destroy it and will eventually be the seed that ends the NFL as we knew it. These ****ing owners need to do something. Go ask Belichick how he feels? How bout John Fox? When the hell has John Fox ever done what he did this week? He is one of the most mild mannered coaches in the league. Bottom line is, until this ****er is out as commissioner, this league is in major trouble. The Rooney's made sure he got the throne, they need to now go talk to jerry jones, Kraft and all those rich old ****ers and get this ****er out NOW.

I will watch the Steelers forever, but i will NEVER spend one dime on any NFL apparel until that ****er is gone.