ESPN Insider: AFC North Holes

[VaDave]

I hear ya and could be wrong. Sure hope so because we are going to need this kid to play big.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by VaDave

In our defense, as the DL goes, so does our LBs. When the DL is doing it's job our LBs look a whole lot better. I'm not exaclty convinced our DL was that great last year, especially against zone blocking systems.

As for Spence, he's 6'1" and runs a 4.6. Tall TEs like Gronk and Pita will not only have a speed advantage, but also a major height advantage. I'll agree Foote was lacking is pass coverage, as that's never been his strong suit, and he hasn't improved with age for sure.

Spence is looking more like a David Little/ Sam Mills ILB clone

The Jonathan Vilma comparison is the natural. The projection by some that we should draft Arthur Brown from Kansas St is one that I find funny. Basically, the same height, size and tools as Spence. Why draft Brown this year if Spence is already on the roster??

[VaDave]

Well for one, he's got this problem with having 90% his knee rebuilt and may not be ready to go when the season starts.... other than that..

I'd forgotton about Vilma, but remember Little and Mills quit well......neither of those two were much of a liability

[Steelers5895]

anyone still want to beat their chest and claim we had the #1 defense?

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

anyone still want to beat their chest and claim we had the #1 defense?

we did have high rankings on the defensive side of the ball this season. not sure what your point is

[steelfury02]

again - the rankings are great - and, I got pretty sick to hear Ike Taylor on NFL Access highlighting that fact (as did Ryan Clark) - and, while that's great you don't give up a lot of yards on the ground or through the air - you also didn't get to the QB or steal the ball. That has to change.

How any of them could look at 8-8 and say "but, looky at this" is beyond me. Notice how we haven't heard a peep out of anyone on the O side of the ball.

Hmmm, wonder why?

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by steelfury02

again - the rankings are great - and, I got pretty sick to hear Ike Taylor on NFL Access highlighting that fact (as did Ryan Clark) - and, while that's great you don't give up a lot of yards on the ground or through the air - you also didn't get to the QB or steal the ball. That has to change.

How any of them could look at 8-8 and say "but, looky at this" is beyond me. Notice how we haven't heard a peep out of anyone on the O side of the ball.

Hmmm, wonder why?

well, after all is said and done the defense gets paid to keep the other team from scoring. We're not going to be able to keep all teams at 0, but if the D ends up 6th in the league in scoring then they've been pretty successful. Does that make an 8-8 season ok? no. But do the players need something to be proud of? yes they are human.

I'll always remember Kevin Greene after we lost to Dallas talking about the D holding Emmit to some 20 yards. I'm sure he would have rather won, but he was proud of the way they played. Same thing with Ike and Clark, they had an 8-8 season but they can still take some things away to be proud of.

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by harrison'samonster

well, after all is said and done the defense gets paid to keep the other team from scoring. We're not going to be able to keep all teams at 0, but if the D ends up 6th in the league in scoring then they've been pretty successful. Does that make an 8-8 season ok? no. But do the players need something to be proud of? yes they are human.

I'll always remember Kevin Greene after we lost to Dallas talking about the D holding Emmit to some 20 yards. I'm sure he would have rather won, but he was proud of the way they played. Same thing with Ike and Clark, they had an 8-8 season but they can still take some things away to be proud of.

I remember that Kevin Green comment - good points - for me though, I am anxious to see some havoc again to put us over the top

So yea, there's that whole other side of the ball that I've deemed more responsible

[zcoop]

Originally Posted by harrison'samonster

well, after all is said and done the defense gets paid to keep the other team from scoring. We're not going to be able to keep all teams at 0, but if the D ends up 6th in the league in scoring then they've been pretty successful. Does that make an 8-8 season ok? no. But do the players need something to be proud of? yes they are human.

I'll always remember Kevin Greene after we lost to Dallas talking about the D holding Emmit to some 20 yards. I'm sure he would have rather won, but he was proud of the way they played. Same thing with Ike and Clark, they had an 8-8 season but they can still take some things away to be proud of.

You're right, the D played pretty well this season, our O sucked. It is their job to score points and not turn the ball over, they failed. Anyone who doesn't acknowled this is not worth arguing with.

[steelfury02]

Originally Posted by zcoop

You're right, the D played pretty well this season, our O sucked. It is their job to score points and not turn the ball over, they failed. Anyone who doesn't acknowled this is not worth arguing with.

little pissy today aren't we?

I'll assume the comment was directed at me since you've replied to some of my other remarks today

If you read my posts like you say you do - you'll remember I've called out the offense plenty of times, in fact its probably a 10 to 1 type ratio over how many types I've griped about the D.

They were great again - and, especially with all the injuries. My hopes are that they find their turnover magic again because I don't see the O living up to their potential based on what I've witnessed - under achieving season after under achieving season,l regardless of who is at O-coordinator