What is the deal with Ziggy

[OX1947]

The job of a defensive lineman in the Steelers 3-4 is to open lanes for linebackers. You dont hear aaron smith's name or Big Snack's name too much during a course of a game because they do their jobs to help guys like timmons and farrior get tackles. Also, when you have smith, snack and keisel as starters, kinda hard to make your mark when you sub for 10-12 plays thorughout the game....

[zulater]

Originally Posted by OX1947

The job of a defensive lineman in the Steelers 3-4 is to open lanes for linebackers. You dont hear aaron smith's name or Big Snack's name too much during a course of a game because they do their jobs to help guys like timmons and farrior get tackles. Also, when you have smith, snack and keisel as starters, kinda hard to make your mark when you sub for 10-12 players thorughout the game....

Yep, that's what it comes down to, if the LB's are making plays you can be pretty damn sure the DL is doing their job up front. The Steelers dominate the LOS as evidenced by the fact we're the hardest defense in the league to run against. Ziggy is being rotated in and probably playing close to 40% of the defensive snaps, if he wasn't pulling his weight the defense couldn't be where it is today.

Don't get me wrong i think Ziggy is only scratching the surface of his full potential, give him another year and I think it will be readily evident to all that he's a player. But for now he's just an anonymous grunt tying up blocks to free up the linebackers, and I'll bet LeBeau is pleased as punch as to where he's at now.

[BengalDestroyer]

I disagree with all of those who think he's a bust. Way too soon to determine... As mentioned already, kind of hard to stand out in a defense with pro bowl DLs and a defense whose LBs are the (pro bowl) stars. Next year will be his year, watch.

Also Pittsburgh handles young players well, they seem to know exactly when they're ready. Examples - Wallace, Redman, Mendy, Pouncy....some players develop faster, some are disciplined in the process for mistakes the coaches know they shouldn't make, and all are given shots to prove themselves. When they're truly ready (rookie year, or third year, etc.), and the coaches know best, is when they shine, Ziggy will get there.

Another good point I read is that Ziggy backs Smith, and Eason backs Keisel. (I too have noticed that)

[Slanted August]

Originally Posted by OX1947

The job of a defensive lineman in the Steelers 3-4 is to open lanes for linebackers. You dont hear aaron smith's name or Big Snack's name too much during a course of a game because they do their jobs to help guys like timmons and farrior get tackles. Also, when you have smith, snack and keisel as starters, kinda hard to make your mark when you sub for 10-12 plays thorughout the game....

Excellent Post....Amen

[JEFF4i]

I'd like to see him more, however...

If someone truly thinks Timmons is a bust, they need to quit football watching, being a fan, and go crochet.

[sharkweek]

the armchair idiocy is strong in this thread

[Acerinox]

I think it is indicative that Ziggy's advocates are saying things like:
"You can't see what D-Linemen do"
"If the defense is succeeding, then he must be doing his job"
"He doesn't have enough snaps to shine"
and so forth. These are self-fulfilling arguments and you could say them about anyone, no matter how they performed!

Let me spell out my main concerns about Ziggy.
- There's no doubt he's a ball player. We've seen he's a ball-hawk, of sorts, and has the capacity to really wreck a passing down and do some damage if he penetrates to the second level.
- But outside of some impressive pre-season work, where he always seems to be on the verge of a breakout, he doesn't appear to have the anchor to hold his own on the line. It's too late in his development for him to be rocked off the ball so often, and like I say, I see him thrown around a bit too. Don't you?
- Where is this guy's run defense? You say you don't hear Hampton or Smith's name much, but if you watch the line you sure see them. They plug the gaps like monsters among children. Those downhill runs I hate so much when the opposition RB doesn't even break his stride going through the line? Those are Ziggy's gaps.

I think we all understand that it's hard to shine when studs like Smith and Keisel are ahead of you. You still need to get it done when you see the field. And don't give me this stuff about Ziggy being Aaron's backup. If he's such a natural left end, where were his props last season?

[pete74]

Originally Posted by Acerinox

I think it is indicative that Ziggy's advocates are saying things like:
"You can't see what D-Linemen do"
"If the defense is succeeding, then he must be doing his job"
"He doesn't have enough snaps to shine"
and so forth. These are self-fulfilling arguments and you could say them about anyone, no matter how they performed!

Let me spell out my main concerns about Ziggy.
- There's no doubt he's a ball player. We've seen he's a ball-hawk, of sorts, and has the capacity to really wreck a passing down and do some damage if he penetrates to the second level.
- But outside of some impressive pre-season work, where he always seems to be on the verge of a breakout, he doesn't appear to have the anchor to hold his own on the line. It's too late in his development for him to be rocked off the ball so often, and like I say, I see him thrown around a bit too. Don't you?
- Where is this guy's run defense? You say you don't hear Hampton or Smith's name much, but if you watch the line you sure see them. They plug the gaps like monsters among children. Those downhill runs I hate so much when the opposition RB doesn't even break his stride going through the line? Those are Ziggy's gaps.

I think we all understand that it's hard to shine when studs like Smith and Keisel are ahead of you. You still need to get it done when you see the field. And don't give me this stuff about Ziggy being Aaron's backup. If he's such a natural left end, where were his props last season?

i have to agree with you here. im really shocked that Eason may get the start over Ziggy. he obviously hasnt developed the way the steelers have hoped he would when they drafted him in the 1st round. hopefully he picks it up

[Merchant]

wasn't he a D-Tackle in college? that could be another reason why it's taking long to develop since he needs to adjust to being a 3-4 end

[PhantomJB93]

It's weird how all we heard out of camp was what an unstoppable beast he was amd how he was primed for a breakout year, and as soon as the reg season started news around him got so quiet and Nick Eason is above him on the depth chart...