ESPN Insider: AFC North Holes

[Steelers5895]

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.

its also the job of the defense to KEEP and HOLD leads the sucky offense as you call it, gave them.

hey we are #1 in yards..woo hoo, who cares we blew 5 leads.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

its also the job of the defense to KEEP and HOLD leads the sucky offense as you call it, gave them.

hey we are #1 in yards..woo hoo, who cares we blew 5 leads.

Fact is we lost those games as a team. The players care about our rankings on D, and a lot of fans including myself care about it. You don't, very good.

[Steelers5895]

Originally Posted by harrison'samonster

Fact is we lost those games as a team. The players care about our rankings on D, and a lot of fans including myself care about it. You don't, very good.

Explain how in those last drives where a top defense should hold the leads a team loss? The team was in a position to win. The defense holds half the time we make the playoffs.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

Explain how in those last drives where a top defense should hold the leads a team loss? The team was in a position to win. The defense holds half the time we make the playoffs.

HAHA, you're defense hating is exhausting. That's all it is. If the offense scores more than thirteen against the Bengals we make the playoffs. So what?

[Steelers5895]

Originally Posted by harrison'samonster

HAHA, you're defense hating is exhausting. That's all it is. If the offense scores more than thirteen against the Bengals we make the playoffs. So what?

I don't hate the defense I just realize its an overrated outdated defense.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

I don't hate the defense I just realize its an overrated outdated defense.

ok, I'll take your word for it. But I can understand you saying it's overrated based on the fact that it wasn't dominating this season. But saying that it's not a #1 defense is problematic. The fact is it isn't a #1 D. It was #1 against yards, and # 6 against scoring.

But coming out and saying that we lost 5 of our 8 games because of the D, and we would have been in the playoffs if they were better is a little over the edge...

[BlacksburgSteeler13]

Look, both sides of the football had some awful games. The defense against Denver, Oakland, and Tennessee, and the offense in the first game against Cleveland, Baltimore, and the second game against Cincinnati. Ben threw game-losing picks against Denver, Dallas, and Cincinnati. Both sides of the ball were awful in the San Diego debacle. Instead of arguing which side of the ball deserves more blame for missing the playoffs, why don't we acknowledge that both sides of the ball need to improve for 2013? The defense needs to improve its pass rush, its ability to force turnovers, and its ability to hold leads. The offense needs to improve the running game, consistency, offensive line, and stop committing inopportune turnovers. I am confident both sides of the ball will improve in 2013, but that might just be because I am a delusional, overly-optimistic Steelers fan.

[SteelersCanada]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

I don't hate the defense I just realize its an overrated outdated defense.

The 3-4 Zone Blitz isn't outdated or overrated. We lost Polamalu (again) and Harrison during the season and still was number one in total defense and pass defense.

Now, the only thing outdated about Dick's ideology is the 'attack the catch' mentality he's maintained. We have a great defense when it's healthy and gelled. The offense had 8 turnovers against Cleveland and we only lost by 7 points which is telling in and of itself. The defense played lights out the second half of the year and, if we had Ben healthy and ready to go, we would've been a force to be reckoned with.

No one is arguing that they were underachieving the first half of the season - they were. But, to say they're overrated and the scheme itself is outdated is a mistake. You don't finish number one and two against the pass and run, respectively, if your defense is overrated.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

Explain how in those last drives where a top defense should hold the leads a team loss? The team was in a position to win. The defense holds half the time we make the playoffs.

just curious, but which 5 games are you talking about exactly?

[teegre]

In both the Oakland and the Tennessee games, the offense had a chance to seal the game up by converting a short third down. In both instances, BB missed an open Heath Miller. If those two catches are made, the defense never sees the field (because, the offense kneels & kills the clock).

It is a perfect example of the offense AND defense both being culpable for a loss.

Bad teams point to the other unit (i.e. offense blames defense), but on this team, both sides took responsibility (which is what good teams do).