Steelers Defense: Now Is The Time To Simplify
The Steelers former defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau, was often referred to as The Master. His complex schemes used to confuse the opposing offense and make those coordinators weep.
His schemes used to make members of Steeler Nation like myself weep too.
Not for their beauty, but because I firmly believed his defensive schemes kept the defense from being explosive even during its time of transition from old to young(er). Jarvis Jones is noted to have said that it took him nearly his entire two years as a Steeler to learn the defense in a way that he is playing the position naturally rather than having to constantly think about what to do and where to be in any given situation.
Jones is no dummy either. His learning and performance curve – size and injury issues aside – is a testament to the glacial speed at which the DLB defense progressed with new talent and held so dearly onto the grey beards.
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The time has come for that to change with installment of new defensive coordinator
Keith Butler. It’s unclear what Butler will do with this defense whether he sticks with the 3-4 (more than likely) or changes the bast to a 4-3 (it’s possible). Tomlin will more than likely have some input on the matter since he was a DC himself prior to becoming the head coach of the Steelers seven years ago.
One thing is certain – the defense needs to simplify so that the playmakers can be on the field.
It’s a statement that has been echoed by columnists like Dejan Kovacevic. I agree whole heartedly.
That means pushing through the youth movement – the players who are athletic and make plays for their athleticism and technique, not because they have mastered a playbook more complicated than a bill drawn up in congress.
If Shmarko Thomas can chase down a kick returner consistently on special teams, and I mean boy does he ever pursue, then he should be on the field pursuing running backs making it to the second level or receivers who make catches over the middle. Use the speed and tackling talents of that young man. A playmaker.
If Stephon Tuitt can move laterally along a defensive front and crash into enough players to close up lanes and disrupt the outside run, then he should be on the field at every given opportunity. The pass rush will come, and he’s shown that he can get behind the offensive line. He’s a playmaker.
If Daniel McCullers can bull rush a center three yards backwards (and he has), then McCullers should be on that field almost every single down that his huge frame and legs will allow him. The defense proved over and over again that if they can disrupt the pocket quickly enough, they can effectively breakdown a play from any significant gains. McCullers is a playmaker. A raw playmaker, but can still make things happen.
If Ryan Shazier has such blazing speed to pursue to stay with a TE in pass coverage, then by golly he needs to be out there. Of course, injury sidelined Shazier for a good chunk of the season. When healthy, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be out there every down. He’s a playmaker.
Sean Spence, Antwon Blake, Brice McCain.
If you ask me, and I’m sure you aren’t, I would want those playmakers – those young and gifted athletes – out on the field 10 times out of 10 over the veteran options currently on the depth chart.
I can’t go along with the argument that if a young player is out of position because they didn’t know where they needed to be, then they shouldn’t be out there. I would counter that with how are you any better with a veteran who knows where to be but can’t physically make the play? The results are the same if not worse, and the team isn’t improving or moving forward.
The time is now for these guys to get significant playing time. That all starts with Butler making the defense simpler and allowing these playmakers to be on the field and use their athletic talents to make plays.