#1 Defense By Smoke & Mirrors

[GoFor7]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

I'll repeat what's becoming my mantra on this forum: Stats aren't everything, and they can be deceiving... but not at the end of the season, and certainly not after eight seasons. When Dick Lebeau has consistently fielded top-3 defenses for almost a decade and people still question his unit's statistical ranking, then it's just some perverse masochism on the part of Steeler fans.

Well, after a loss at Denver in the Wild Card round last year against the supposed number 1 ranked defense, more fans are likely to question a #1 ranking the next time around. And while I'm repeating what I guess is my mantra about the lack of turnovers produced, there may be some fear that this defense could be like last year's all over again.

[ricardisimo]

If anything, the offense has been under-performing, as was the case last week. But it doesn't matter, because after losses Steeler fans start questioning Lebeau, his age, his unit's ranking, the lack of this or that...

[GoFor7]

Originally Posted by ricardisimo

If anything, the offense has been under-performing, as was the case last week. But it doesn't matter, because after losses Steeler fans start questioning Lebeau, his age, his unit's ranking, the lack of this or that...

When a defense (or special teams) hardly gives it's offense a short field (especially on a night when it really needed it), that offense probably won't rank as highly in scoring. This is why I keep bringing up the lack of turnovers. Many of you seem to tip-toe around that particular issue.

If the offense has to march 80 yards down the field all the time, do you expect them to be higher in scoring than 17th?

[ricardisimo]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

When a defense (or special teams) hardly gives it's offense a short field (especially on a night when it really needed it), that offense probably won't rank as highly in scoring. This is why I keep bringing up the lack of turnovers. Many of you seem to tip-toe around that particular issue.

If the offense has to march 80 yards down the field all the time, do you expect them to be higher in scoring than 17th?

An offense with Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller, Maurkice Pouncey, Rashard Mendenhall and other studs should do better than 17th in scoring, yes. Absolutely. That's not controversial, it's fact.

[Rick5895]

What does this defense have to do?? Yes there is a lack of turnovers by the D. But where the hell is our return game? Same ol same ol on here, lose a game blame the D. IN todays NFL if the offense can't muster more than 13 stinking points at home even with Byron at QB then the loss is squarely on the O. With a helping from the ST.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

When a defense (or special teams) hardly gives it's offense a short field (especially on a night when it really needed it), that offense probably won't rank as highly in scoring. This is why I keep bringing up the lack of turnovers. Many of you seem to tip-toe around that particular issue.

If the offense has to march 80 yards down the field all the time, do you expect them to be higher in scoring than 17th?

I partly agree with what your saying about turnovers. But I think it's more important to win the turnover ratio and get good field position than to worry about getting lots of turnovers. In this case I'd blame the offense more than the D.

Due to turnovers (giving and taking) or bad special teams this team has trouble winning the field position battle (again, I'd blame the offense more than the D). In this day of big yard, big pass football, I don't think the Defense can be asked to consistently give the offense a short field.

[teegre]

Originally Posted by GoFor7

When a defense (or special teams) hardly gives it's offense a short field (especially on a night when it really needed it), that offense probably won't rank as highly in scoring. This is why I keep bringing up the lack of turnovers. Many of you seem to tip-toe around that particular issue.

If the offense has to march 80 yards down the field all the time, do you expect them to be higher in scoring than 17th?

The defense gave up 3 points!!!

And you're blaming the defense!?! Come on, man.

[Note: 7 points came from ST. 3 points came of a Wallace fumble in the red-zone.]

[steeltheone]

If you really look at the personnel on this Defense one by one, it is not that great ( injuries hurt ) Lebeau should be Defensive Coach of the year!

[teegre]

Originally Posted by steeltheone

If you really look at the personnel on this Defense one by one, it is not that great ( injuries hurt ) Lebeau should be Defensive Coach of the year!

I agree. He has no playmakers... it is just rock-solid "team" defense.

[jtbsteeler]

I expect this defense to hit another gear in the next three weeks.