Pittsburgh Steelers implementing new cover package

The Pittsburgh Steelers are determined to improve their pass defense this season, and their latest formation may be the solution they’ve been searching for.

It’s no secret the Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of defensive backs. For the first time in the last 20-plus years, there are more secondary players than they know what to do with. So, they found a formation that utilizes as many as possible.

The package is called the “dollar,” according to Trib Live reporter, Chris Adamski. The package uses two defensive linemen, two outside linebackers and seven defensive backs. As you could image, it’s used to force the offense to run on situations where passing is inevitably a must.

According to Adamski, the team was using the package “regularly” during practice. Marcus Allen and Cameron Sutton were playing close to the line of scrimmage as somewhat of extended outside linebackers. The other three safeties and two cornerbacks were spread throughout the secondary.

Pittsburgh is looking to use the package in situations like second and third and long. They must have faith their defense can force the opponent into long-yardage situations early in the drive. The amount of times they’re using this scheme in practice suggests they’re expecting a lot of drives where the offense has to make a pass play to save a drive.

So far, Adamski’s only negative about the package is communication. James Harrison said earlier this summer that communication on defense was the biggest problem last season. Well, right now not much has changed according to the reporter.

This could be caused by the amount of players currently missing. Sean Davis, Morgan Burnett and Artie Burns are not on the field right now, meaning it’s a group of young guys running the show. As they get back to play, we’ll get a better indication of how smoothly it runs and where everyone will line up.