Brett Keisel Cuts Beard For Charity, Will Steelers Cut Him?

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel has been cut.

Sort of.

In what has become an annual thing, teammates, coaches and local celebrities took part Wednesday night in shaving Keisel in the “Shear Da Beard” event. - stele.rs/1eXWR8g

What has also now become an annual event is the Steelers having to cut aging players, especially from the defensive side of the ball where several starters qualify for the NFL's version of the AARP card - four starters on defense were over the age of 30, including three in the secondary.

That age, though, finally took its heaviest toll during the 2013 season. The Steelers saw their worst defensive performance (14th in points allowed, 13th in yards allowed and 27th in turnovers forced) in over a decade.

The Steelers are moving in the right direction regarding this, however, having shaved two years off the average age of the defense over the last two seasons.

That's where Keisel comes in. Cutting ties with him, as well as at least a couple of others this offseason, would move the team further in that direction. But that's something for which Keisel isn't quite ready.

“I feel like I can still play," Kesiel said back on December 25 just before the end of the season. "We will see what happens. I try not to think about it too much because I am still here and still part of the team and still fighting with these guys. When the time comes, I will sit down with my family and decide what is best.” - http://tinyurl.com/k8m29uh 

That time is coming rapidly now. Keisel's contract will expire at 4 p.m. on March 12 and, if he is asked to come back for a 13th season, he'll be 36 years old in September. He holds out hope in his heart, but his head is tells him something else.

“I know it's a business,” Keisel said. .... "(But) I bleed black and gold. Everybody knows that. I am a Yinzer, and I love this city and plan on raising my family here.”

“I think I’ve got a couple [years] left in me,” Keisel recently told Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo. “I feel great and still feel like I can play. We’ll see what happens.”

That's all well and good, but the Steelers made a similar mistake when holding on to Aaron Smith too long a few years ago. Injuries took over and ended his career before he actually hung up his cleats. Keeping him on the roster, partially due to sentimentally and partially due to a lack of a viable replacement behind him, hamstrung the team.

Keisel has seen his playing time diminish because of injuries lately as well. It may not be as bad of a situation as it was with Smith, but a similar such move can't be repeated.

If he does return, though, he’ll certainly make far less than the $2.825 million he earned in 2013. Also, though he has been big for the Steelers in the past, sentiment can't be allowed to sway thinking again.

While If It Ain't Steel leans toward bringing him back for the veteran minimum, $940,000 for someone of his tenure, and to have him play Mentor to the team's version of Telemachus, we realize that the timing for both parties is an issue.

Is an old dog ready, willing and/or able to be taught a new trick in another team's system? Juxtapose the Steelers in that question regarding being able to move on with the lot they have.

The Steelers are in a slightly better situation this time around on the defensive line in that both Steve McLendon and Cameron Heyward are playing better or are simply better players than what was behind Smith. Also, Al Woods stepped up and showed that he could be the new Chris Hoke - if not more.

Questions still remain with the D-Line as well, though. Should Ziggy Hood be released or signed for minimum as backup nose tackle/defensive end? Do the Steelers draft a nose tackle or let Hebron Fangupo step into that role? A player the coaching staff is high on, actually.

Regardless, those questions can be addressed as we move further into the offseason. Decisions regarding the newly shorn Brett Keisel begin March 12 as to whether or not we'll have the shear delight of No. 99 kicking the follicle out opposing linemen for one more year.

Latest Steelers Defensive Debacle May Beg For LeBeau's Job

"They handled us and they handled us well."  - head coach Mike Tomlin after the Pittsburgh Steelers' 55-31 loss to the New England Patriots.

Where do we begin?

The Steelers walked into Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The Patriots ceremoniously cut that thread, dropping the once mighty Steelers to a lowly 2-6. It's almost too difficult breaking down this loss. Like Steelers announcer Bill Hillgrove said after the game, "Too many stats."

It's for that very reason that we're going to leave the majority of the actual breakdown to Bob Labriola so that we can focus on a broader problem. - http://tinyurl.com/p95fuqm

Something one scribe wrote in his article following the game was that the Steelers had "one of the top pass defenses statistically heading into the game." Well, it is Mark Twain who is credited with the quote,"There are three types of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics."

The poor performance we saw in last Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Oakland Raiders prove some numbers don't lie, though. Meaning, in that case, the numbers of missed sacks, missed tackles and the many missed assignments.

In retrospect, that was a virtuoso performance compared to what the Steelers defense tried to pass off as professional against the Patriots.

Jason Worilds had pity sacks (pun intended) and LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons and Vince Williams got pressure only a few times, but none of it was enough. The Steelers did actually have several pressures, as helped by defensive ends Brett Keisel and Cam Heyward, but too few led to sacks managing only three for the game.

To say that their current effort simply isn't enough is an understatement. For a point of reference, the Kansas City Chiefs not only lead the NFL in sacks (36) and forced turnover (23) through nine games, but also in wins. In fact, their 9-0 record is, in large part, due to those sacks and turnovers.

That used to be the Steelers forte: a rock-hard, fearsome defense that punished quarterbacks and teams in general. They led the league or were top three in the league in sacks six times in the 10 years from 2001-2010:
2001 .................. 55
2002 .................. 50
2003 .................. 35
2004 .................. 41
2005 .................. 47
2006 .................. 39
2007 .................. 36
2008 .................. 51
2009 .................. 47
2010 .................. 48

That's the crux of this article, though. The defense isn't feared as it has been, nor does it cause the chaotic confusion it once did. A confusion that is supposed to be the driving force behind the 3-4 scheme defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau uses.

Last season, Raiders' quarterback made reference to the Steelers doing pretty much what they had done "six, seven years ago." Sunday against the Patriots, the Steelers had to blitz regularly just to get the amount of pressure alluded to earlier. And it may simply be time to make one very hard decision.

It may be time for Dick LeBeau to retire and allow new blood in at defensive coordinator.

Look, it hurts to even write that. LeBeau is tremendously respected and is one of the best all time at what he does. Few have achieved more in football than Dick LeBeau, as a player, as a coach and as a man. Who doesn't love Coach Dad?

Still, the evidence has been there over the last few years and it's a subject that needs to be addressed now.  The word "predictable" has now been used entirely too often in connection with Lebeau and his schemes. And while execution always trumps predictability, there is too much evidence to be ignored.

Let's look at Super Bowl 45 an example, where the Green Bay Packers exploited the Steelers  secondary all game. It could have been worse, also, as the Packers receivers dropped several balls, including a few that would have been big gains.

What was most bothersome, though, was after the Steelers had stormed back and made it a 28-25 ball game with just over seven minutes left, the defense gave up a huge clock killing field goal drive. The Steelers didn't get the ball back till the 2:07 mark. The defense just couldn't get off the field.

Just like they couldn't Sunday against the Patriots. And there have simply been too many situations where the defense does not show up when needed most, especially late in games.

Now with this last example being presented, it is clear that changes must be made. LeBeau had seemingly shown the ability to change his attack given the circumstances, as he did in the last New England Patriots game in 2011. Yet, his game plan was horrible, reverting back to previous years' performances.

Too much base defense, not enough bump coverage, barely any effective "quarters" coverage and great liabilities in Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. All of this allowing quarterback Tom Brady, held to 118 passing yards the week before, to pass for 432 yards. His 151.4 QBR was nearly perfect.

The Patriots put up 610 yards total - 98 more yards than a LeBeau-coached or any Steelers' defense has ever allowed. The 55 points were the most ever allowed, also, by any Steelers' defense, with the previous high being 54 points set twice - in 1941 to the Packers and in 1985 to the San Diego Chargers.

"Probably as disappointed as I have been," Tomlin said after the game, "especially under the circumstances of how we were able to fight back there at the beginning of the second half. I am angry. We are capable and better than that. We've got to be better than that. We weren't, so we are going to fix it." - http://tinyurl.com/kkscnsy

The defense couldn't stop the pass, made rookie receivers look like seasoned veterans and, worst of all, they couldn't stop the run - they surrendered almost 200 yards on the ground. Worst of all, the last rushing touchdown scored by the Patriots was just the bully being bullied as LeGarrette Blount powered out of the arms of Ziggy Hood to score.

"For a long time here we've been tough because we've played great defense here", Keisel said. "We need to get back to that."

They were unprepared, outmatched and outclassed. In neither scheme nor adjustments were the Steelers successful. Like Clark said, the Patriots "were able to run it when they wanted to run it, which is an 11-man job, and they were also able to pass it when they wanted to pass it, which is an 11-man job....We were beat by a much better team."

That isn't merely a player-execution problem when it's as consistent as it has been for the Steelers. Like Tomlin said, they need to fix it. Well, there's a lot to fix.

And fixing it starts from the top of the defensive pyramid down.

~

TIDBITS: Injury report: CB Ike Taylor (concussion), ILB Vince Williams (concussion) RT Marcus Gilbert (ankle)

"I got rolled up on my bad ankle, but I'll be fine." ~ Gilbert

Tomlin Shakes Up Steelers Lineup, Makes Good On Promise

Updated 10/9/13
 
The Victor Hugo-novel based Broadway musical "Les Miserables" has a song of lamentation called "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables." It is sung by the character Marius who is mourning his friends who are no longer with him.

Seeing the photo posted by Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette reminded me of that scene in the play. Because, since death is often colloquially equated with dying, there empty chairs associated with empty microphones at head coach Mike Tomlin's press conference. It was more sparsely attended than your typical meeting of Congress. 

A lifeless 0-4 start will do that.

In light of said start, after the loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Tomlin promised that there would be changes. 

"We'll continue to work and get better as long as I see belief and effort and continued improvement in detail because that's what's going to change the outcome of these games," Tomlin said. "Those who don't, they won't be a part of it, whoever it may be. It's just that simple."

True to his word, players were benched. 

The elephant in the room was Mike Adams at left tackle. Atrocious would aptly describe his play in the last two games. Yes, like Tomlin alluded to, Jared Allen is Jared Allen. But when the Steelers last played the Vikings in 2009, when Allen had 14.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and in contention for the Defensive Player of the Year award, Max Starks held him to all of two tackles and zero sacks.

Adams allowed Allen to get 2.5 sacks and four tackles. After awhile, he looked as if he was a part of the backfield. And he would've been pulled had Ramon Foster not gotten hurt, forcing Swiss Army Lineman Kelvin Beachum to fill in at guard. Instead, he got chip help from David Johnson. The worst part, though, is that when Adams got that help, he couldn't even recognize who he should be blocking. 

That said, Tomlin says he isn't giving up on Adams and that he "absolutely" sees potential in him. It is just that how he responds to his benching will go along way in defining him as a player. 

“The most important thing is not maybe what has happened to him to this point, it’s how he responds to it and moves forward,” Tomlin said. “I think it’s going to have the opportunity to define him and his career. There are a lot of solid professional players that have been through ups and downs, the emotions and so forth, and the guys that that show staying power and the guys that respond to it appropriately. That roll their sleeves up and go to work – solid, steady players, even within our organization.”

Therefore, after being speculated upon last week, it is now confirmed that Kelvin Beachum is the starter at left tackle going forward, with newly acquired Levi Brown backing him up. Adams is now third string. 

More promotions and demotions surrounded the defense, as rookie Vince Williams is now listed as the starting Buck Inside Linebacker. He was sharing the role with Kion Wilson.

Though he missed a key initial tackle on the long touchdown run by Adrian Peterson against the Vikings, overall the coaches "feel he’s earned it."

If It Ain't Steel wrote two articles over the last year questioning how long Ziggy Hood would remain the starter while playing the way he had been. That has now been answered in Cameron Heyward being promoted to starter. 

"He...will play more, and deservedly so," said Tomlin when asked Tuesday if Heyward had moved ahead of Hood in the base defense. "I think he's been really solid, not taking anything away from Ziggy [Hood], obliviously, both guys will continue to play, we just want Cam to play more than he's been playing and in order to ensure that, we are going to put him in the starting lineup." - http://tinyurl.com/mmfvtu3

Heyward has nine pressures, second behind Brett Keisel's 13, has batted down two passes, has two tackles and one quarterback hit in approximately one half of the plays (114) as Hood. 

Another move was that of Isaiah Green, after again clearing waivers, being added to the practice squad and Devin Smith being released from it. 

As for the rest of the presser, and aside from the usual minutiae where he makes the opponent sound 14-2 even if they're 2-14, he made valid points about Muhammed Wilkerson and rookie quarterback Geno Smith being players to watch on Sunday at the New York Jets. 

Wilkerson is a force who had five tackles, one forced fumble, one quarterback sack and even more quarterback pressures Monday night. 

Per Pro Football Focus, through four games Geno Smith led the NFL in deep completions (with a target of 20 yards or more) with 12 (Ben Roethlisberger was tied for second with 11).

The Steelers travel to the Meadowlands to take on the 3-2 Jets at MetLife Stadium in a bit of rematch of the AFC Championship game from three years ago. Though their roles are reversed this season, traditionally, the Steelers have had the edge. They are 18-4 all-time against the Jets, including a 9-3 road record.

UPDATE: the Steelers have re-signed inside linebacker Stevenson Sylvester and have released Kion Wilson.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Sylvester was cut by the team on Aug. 25. He is a former Steelers fifth-round draft pick fro the 2010 NFL draft out of Utah. In three seasons for the Steelers, he recorded 22 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Wilson had started games two and three for the Steelers before being replaced by rookie Vince Williams. 

The Steelers also worked out tight ends Ryan Otten and Chase Clement.

~

TIDBITS: Injury Report - Safety Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith (hip) is questionable to start the week, per Tomlin. Guard Ramon Foster (pectoral) practiced partially capacity on Monday with his left pectoral strain. His availability is crucial. Linebacker Kion Wilson (hamstring) also practiced partially Monday. He is questionable for the week. Wide receiver Markus Wheaton (finger) was ruled out for the Sunday game by Tomlin after having surgery.

~

NFL may compel teams to participate in "Hard Knocks" if none volunteer. If Steelers don't make playoffs, we may see them as next year's team.

The 5 Key Players To Returning Dominance To Steelers Defense

The late Al Davis famously once said about his defense, "Don’t adjust. Just dominate."

The 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers were once again tops in total defense, in yards per game and in passing yards. They were the No. 2 rushing defense, including being top three in allowing fewest runs of 20 yards or more (and even one of those was a fake punt). The problem was that they neither 'dominated,' nor did they get to the quarterback enough.

To help quantify the 'lack of dominance factor' and how numbers can be deceiving, consider this: the Steelers defense, when compared to the rest of the NFL's top five defenses, faced the fewest scrimmage plays with only 951. That's 70 fewer, essentially equivalent to a full game, than the team with the most in the top five, the Denver Broncos, at 1,021. Conversely, though, the Steelers allowed more points per game (1.5 more) than any defense in the top five at 19.6 PPG.

The defense didn't take the ball away enough, either, though. Only 20 turnovers were recorded, which was the eighth fewest in the NFL. That included only 10 interceptions. To put that in perspective, according to Steelers Digest, the Steelers picked an historic-low nine passes in the 11-game 1940 season. Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount himself had 11 in the 1975 season alone. Get the picture?

If the Steelers truly expect to get back into the playoffs next season, those are the two things that have to be reversed. Like the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Dejan Kovacevic recently wrote, "let's face this, too: The NFL's No. 1-ranked defense could be better, mathematically daunting as that sounds....And if you ask me, nothing will mean more to the Steelers than resetting some snarl to that defense, than regaining their intimidating identity." - http://tinyurl.com/l2uyw5l

To that end, there are five defensive players who are key to this and to potential success of the team:

1) STEVE MCLENDON - While some may argue that the most important aspect of the 3-4 defense is being able to get the outside linebackers to pressure the quarterback, we contend that it is a nose tackle who is as hard to move as Excalibur. Therefore, the core of a successful Steelers defense is its defensive line with Steve McLendon being the cornerstone. The Steelers expect to use him in at least 60% of the snaps this season, but McLendon expects even more.

“I am going towards greatness and there is only one way to get there," said the 6'4", 320-pound McLendon, "through hard work and dedication....It's all about discipline." - http://tinyurl.com/n9xvm8j

McLendon is backing up those words by working hard to fill the gargantuan shoes of Casey Hampton who had held down the position since 2001. But even Hampton has given him his stamp of approval, at one point calling McLendon a "beast" and saying he is ready to take the position as his own.

2) ZIGGY HOOD - In a defensive scheme where the linemen are asked to play a two-gap style in which they engage the guard or tackle and keep blockers off the linebackers, Ziggy Hood has not exactly been stellar. He hasn't been a washout, either, though. In fact, he has suited up for every game since being drafted, made 39 starts, including 30 in a row, is the strongest player on the team and is very durable.

The problem is that, with all his strength, Hood plays with more finesse than power. Add to that, he has erratic technique and footwork. He may need to use his strength to develop a bull-rush move to overpower tackles. Nevertheless, both are things that he is working on. And rightly so, because the clock is ticking. - http://tinyurl.com/meokwww

Hood won't just be playing for a big contract next season, but a contract, period. To that end, Hood is once again also working with Outer Limits Athletic Performance in Pittsburgh. He has been working on multi-directional training for practical use on the field. Because jumping 50" from a seated position is very impressive, but...when would he need to do that during a game? - http://youtu.be/P_Iz40cqCJE

3) LAMARR WOODLEY - Anonymous teammates criticized LaMarr Woodley's weight and work ethic earlier this offseason. His response?

“It doesn’t bother me at all. They’re coming at the wrong person when they try coming at me. I don’t listen to nothing,” Woodley said.

To ask Woodley, it wasn't his weight at all, rather his injuries (hamstring and ankle) that kept him from performing. Injuries, in particular his ankle, which he says are healing fine.

But, while Woodley may be distancing himself from the anonymous pyroclastic comments for now, he will need a strong year to make them go away completely. He began process by training in Arizona at Performance Enhancement Professionals at the urging of his teammate Ryan Clark, who has himself been training there for years. Woodley won't say how much he weighs, but his position coach, Keith Butler, approves.

"Whatever he did, it appears to be right," Butler said. "The biggest thing is we've got to (do is) keep him on the field....He's working on it."

On the field and upright...save when he is laying on top of QBs. Sacks are important, but not just sacks alone, it's also when you get them. You have to put teams in bad down-and-distances early (1st & 2nd downs) consistently to get sacks. Those sacks then lead to mistakes and turnovers. Speaking of which...

4) CORTEZ ALLEN - "I think I've shown an ability to make plays in the defensive system," Cortez Allen said.

Ya think???

Tez Allen was a turnover machine at right cornerback when he replaced the injured Ike Taylor late last year. In the final two games, Tez had two interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, making him a breakout player to watch next season. - http://tinyurl.com/nxwfxhp

That kind of play from him is going to be paramount to a Steelers defense that simply hasn't been getting turnovers like they had in the past. Especially with a still very capable but aging Taylor on the other side. He and the other youth in the Steelers defensive backfield know this all too well, though, as the coaches had them working on it feverishly at OTAs and minicamp.

"We're working on it everyday, doing more ball drills, more emphasis on attacking the ball so we can do better in that category," Tez said.

5) TROY POLAMALU - The Tasmanian Devil. The Flyin' Hawaiian. The Elder Statesman. For several years now Troy Polamalu has been the face, well, maybe the hair, of the Steelers organization. When he is healthy and his body is in perfect union with his instincts, he has no equal.

So often over the years, where he went is where the Steelers defense went. We could easily throw out the stats that show the win-loss record when he isn't available, the statistical drop-off that occurs when he isn't in the lineup, etc... But we've already done that several times. The bottom line is that a healthy Polamalu means a greater chance at W's for the Steelers.

In order to assure he is healthy and can help generate those W's, he added a new physical therapist aimed at working out the scar tissue in his often-injured calf, the one that caused him so much trouble in the 2012 season. He feels good now, but he wants that to continue. - http://tinyurl.com/mj9wfgf

We're coming upon the twilight of Polamalu's career and it won't be long before he takes his Head & Shoulders and gets the follicle outta Dodge. But if one more healthy season can be squeezed out of out beloved Polamalu, he just might help take the Steelers somewhere they haven't been lately - January.

~

TIDBITS: There are two whom we felt, for one reason or another, reasons which we will illuminate, didn't quite fit into this particular mold. Those receive honorable mention, and they are:

Cameron Heyward - As the third-year defensive end continues progressing, many feel he is doing so more slowly than he should. Heyward had similar stats to fellow DE Ziggy Hood in getting 1.5 sacks and five QB hurries - but he did it in 1/3 the snaps (only 267). So while Hood will be playing for a contract, Heyward will still be trying to establish for the first time that he is an every-down player. That said, and as Ralph Paulk of the Trib points out, Heyward "finds himself in the unenviable position of being labeled a bust if he doesn't improve on the rather pedestrian numbers he put up the past two seasons." - http://tinyurl.com/mm2r2pc

Lawrence Timmons - For the exact opposite reasons, Timmons is among the honorable mentions: he's a straight up BEAST. Arguably among the top three inside linebackers in the NFL. We expect him to wreak havoc. So he has to there regardless. Whether he was in coverage, stuffing the run or rushing the QB, "Juan" is coming off a very strong season of 106 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions. Timmons is poised to become a cornerstone of the team and, as just as the team expects, he expects to be a "game-changer." - http://tinyurl.com/lvmfvbd

Several Things To Take From 2nd Steelers OTA Session

Aside from the emergence of Roethlisberger-Haley 2013, what else did the second set of OTAs bring to light? Let's go over a few story lines that caught the attention of If It Ain't Steel.

Third-year man Marcus Gilbert seems to be penciled in as the left tackle and second-year man Mike Adams as the right tackle. Big Ben is going to face constant pressure from the edge because teams will be testing those young tackles. And he knows this.

Regarding the topic, he said of Gilbert playing left tackle: "I told him, 'I'm going to stay on you and I'm gonna push you, because I know what you're capable of.'"

Head coach Mike Tomlin has said that "both of those young men are capable of playing both spots," so expect Adams at some point to get snaps on the left side. Though, it should be remembered that he seemed better on the right once he settled down and got comfortable overall.

The Steelers absolutely will be switching to the zone-blocking scheme in 2013 with new offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. The linemen seem to be falling right in line with it also.

“We did it at Stanford, and we were a big gap team like the Steelers are,” right guard David DeCastro said. “We’ve got the guys to do it. It just takes practice like anything else. We’ll be good.”

"Especially with us this year trying to go to the outside zone scheme with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think we got the offensive line to do it this year and we really plan on attacking it at these OTAs," said Pouncey. "I think it’s easy for me and especially the older guys we got,” Pouncey said. “We all are trying to win out here and going 8-8 last year sticks on us really, really hard. I think it brings a lot of good things to the offensive line and I think we need it.”

While Ramon Foster isn’t a Pro Bowl run blocker, he still is very solid and has very good and clean technique. Foster controls his man, turns him and generally creates holes for the running back. Ramon Foster is a big, strong and only wants to get better so as to adapt to the zone-blocking scheme.

"I am really fit, I changed a lot of stuff around. My body fat is a whole lot better. I’m running better. I’ve been stressing to become more athletic. I don’t want to be a weak link of any type on this offensive line."

As an addendum, rookie running back Le’Veon Bell's college team, Michigan State, ran the ZBS in college. Bell rushed for 33 touchdowns in 40 career games and averaged 4.7 yards per carry in 2012. Bicknell comes from a Kansas City Chiefs team that averaged 4.8 yards a carry in 2012.

Robert Golden is stepping in at safety and is showing himself to being accepting of the position. Something his teammates have recognized.

"He’s a guy who jumps off the film talent-wise, speed-wise," fellow safety Ryan Clark said. "What Rob has to do is show the jump as far as knowledge, dependability, durability. That’s how the game works. When you draft a guy, you want to see him play, so Rob has to show them that he belongs out there.”

Golden's play in OTAs is reflecting that acclimation, though he rightly remains cautious in his assessment of his abilities.

“I felt as a rookie that I played very well," Golden stated. We ran a lot of similar things at Arizona, just different terminology, so I was able to pick up the playbook very well. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and executing the plays and knowing what to do and be able to make plays.” - http://pit.scout.com/2/1295452.html

The real question is whether or not Robert is The Golden Child or merely pyrite. (I'll have many more of these throughout the year.)

Though the oldest starter on the defensive line, defensive end Brett Keisel was also the best. But with third-year DE Cameron Heyward chomping at the bit, his playing time might drop off, but his leadership ability won't.

Then there is the emergence of DE Al Woods whom the team gave him second-team reps at nose tackle. If this surprises you because you expected Hebron Fangupo or Alameda Ta'amu to be the backup to NT Steve McLendon. This leaves Fangupo and Ta'amu battling each other for the backup NT position, but also battling Woods.

As for Ziggy Hood, the Steelers are working with him on his technique. We wrote last offseason about Hood's inadequacies (http://tinyurl.com/mgbx2cy), now the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly concedes that there are still times "when Hood resembles a rookie still trying to grasp the basics of transitioning to a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL." - http://tinyurl.com/kvu9mrl

There are definitely other plots and subplots that could be found around minicamp, such as Jarvis Jones' taking some first team snaps, Cortez Allen's transition to starter, William Gay getting snaps at safety (no surprise), LaRod Stephens-Howling bringing a change-up to the Steelers backfield and fullback Will Johnson making strides to to expand his worth.

But the main things to be taken from round two are the emphasis on competition, on not forgetting the sting of an 8-8 season and on coming together as a solid unit.

Steelers Pre-Draft Visits And Defensive Prospect Brandon Williams Profile

With the Pittsburgh Steelers continuing to host pre-draft visitors through Thursday, one thing has become very clear: they will be focusing on defense in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The age of their defense has come into question before, but now it is a front-and-center topic. There were eight starters last season, including both safeties Troy Polamalu and Will Allen, who have at least eight years experience, with the average age of the starters being 30.55 years old. What's worse is that one of the young starters, cornerback Keenan Lewis, left for New Orleans.

The players brought in for pre-draft visits, like the Pro Day visits the Steelers made, were defensive heavy and were:

OLB John Simon (3rd round prospect) - Ohio State;
RB Christine Michael (4th rd pros.) - Texas A&M;
ILB Vince Williams (7th rd pros.) - Florida State;
OLB Jarvis Jones (1st rd pros.) - Georgia;
OLB Jamie Collins (2-3 rd pros.) - Southern Mississippi;
OLB Khaseem Greene (2-3 rd pros.) - Rutgers;
SS Jonathan Meeks (7-FA rd pros.) - Clemson;
S Phillip Thomas (2-3 rd pros.) - Fresno State;
ILB Michael Mauti (5th rd pros.) - Penn State;
OLB Malliciah Goodman (4th rd pros.) - Clemson;
WR Josh Boyce (2-3 rd pros.) - Texas Christian;
RB Johnathan Franklin (2nd rd pros.) - UCLA;
SS Shamarko Thomas (3rd rd pros.) - Syracuse;
CB Will Davis (5th rd pros.) - Utah State;
G Nic Embernate (6-7 rd pros.) - San Diego State;
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (3rd rd pros.) - Connecticut;
CB Xavier Rhodes (1st rd pros.) - FSU;
and LB Sio Moore (4th rd pros.) - Connecticut.

While the NFL of today undoubtedly favors the offense and is still a quarterback-driven league, it doesn’t mean that it will add up to a championship. With the New England Patriots’ 28-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 AFC Championship game, the team with the third-highest point total in NFL history (557) wasn’t in the Super Bowl. That means, per profootballguru.com, "seven times in league annals a team has scored at least 540 points and none of them have walked away with an NFL title."

Defense, even in commissioner Roger Goodell's vision of an Arena-league scoring NFL, still matters. Even if it's merely by forcing massive turnovers in a bend-but-don't-break defense, it still translates.



As far as any other possible pre-draft visits or potential defensive draft picks, keep an out for Brandon Williams of Missouri Southern State. The 6'1", 333-pound nose tackle/defensive tackle was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American who pressed an impressive 38 reps on the 225-pound bench with a 29 ½-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine. His power notwithstanding, he is surprisingly quick for a big man and has good balance.

Per Scott Bischoff of Bleacher Report (I know, I know...), "Williams had an incredible senior season. He had 68 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles and a safety. Williams plays as a nose tackle, but is versatile enough to play any position from a 0-technique (lined up directly over the center), to a 5-technique (lined up on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle)." - http://tinyurl.com/d9janen

Bischoff also mentioned his ability to one- and two-gap against the run, and to push the pocket up the middle on a consistent basis against the pass - something a good 3-4 nose tackle should do. But, as was mentioned, he can slide out to the end in the 3-4 alignment as well. Considering the age of Brett Keisel, the inconsistent play of Ziggy Hood and the unknown commodity in Alameda Ta'amu, drafting someone who can challenge and even potentially contribute on that defensive line would be advantageous.

Missouri Southern also held a pro day for Williams. The standout defensive tackle was looked at by scouts of the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Saints, Ravens, Seattle Seahawks and most importantly the Steelers.

His stock is on the rise and could be found in round three...right where the Steelers just may find themselves with an extra pick if they decide not to match the New England Patriots' offer sheet that was signed by wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Something his quarterback doesn't want to see happen. - http://tinyurl.com/d7mlnbe

Hopefully, the Steelers decide to retain Manny, but they should ONLY do so if they think they can get an extension done with him by preseason.

In summation of the pre-draft visits, NFL teams are allowed 30 and the Steelers have had 18 confirmed. There are two others unconfirmed and more to be determined - at least three of which are supposedly defensive players also.

The 2012 Steelers - All The King's Horses..., pt. 2: Defense

They had a great fall...
It was week six against the Tennessee Titans game, and an eight-minute stretch in the fourth quarter played out as a microcosm of Pittsburgh Steelers' season on defense:

A crossfire blitz that couldn't get to quarterback Matt Hasselbeck...
A dropped interception by cornerback Keenan Lewis that could have ended the touchdown-tying drive...
And minutes later on the next drive, James Harrison is beaten on a shallow-cross drag route by tight end Jared Cook for 25 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.

A macrocosm analysis of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2012 roster and season reveals more missed plays than playmakers, more wallowing in the shallow end than big splash plays and ultimately more questions than answers.

The 2012 Steelers defense was ranked No. 1 again, but, similar to 2011, it was a bit misleading. It was a very good defense to be sure, but it lacked the playmakers, youthful savagery and dominance of recent years.

Playmakers:
As mentioned in a previous post, for the second straight year, the Steelers defense hobbled their way to the quarterback, taking down the opposing passer only 37 times.

As Lance Williams of Steel Curtain Radio further explains, "the real issue is not just sacks alone, it's when you get sacks. I've learned that you have to put teams in bad down-and-distances consistently to get sacks. That means you have to play good defense on first down. Look at the Steelers sack woes over the years, third and long was the killer."

Very accurate. Also, along with the lack of pressure, they paralleled that by only forcing 20 turnovers, with their 10 interceptions being a tie for the second fewest in the team's 80-year history, and that just does not cut it.

As points of comparison, the Cincinnati Bengals' defense was ranked sixth in 2012 and had 46 sacks and recorded 26 turnovers. They made the playoffs. The Baltimore Ravens, AFC North winners and AFC Champions, forced 33 turnovers. The need for playmakers who'll bring about the much-needed splash and explosive plays is obvious.

Two of the Steelers playmakers usually responsible for those types of plays spoke after the season ended about their absence.

“That‘s what was hard for me - I wasn't healthy all year....What‘s nice about it is I‘ll go into the offseason on the rise and continue to get better, get in better shape and be more prepared for next year," Troy Polamalu said.

“It took a little while to get my knee back to where it needed to be, and it‘s still not there,” Harrison said. “But now I‘ll have the time to rehab it properly and get it back to 100 percent and get back to training the way I‘m used to training.” - http://tinyurl.com/bj4snca

While it's good to know that Polamalu and Harrison are healthier and set for a productive offseason, next season isn't assured. Their comments, though, are reflective of other problems the Steelers defense had this season.

The Rusty Curtain:
Polamalu, who turns 32 in April, missed nine games in 2012 with a calf injury. Harrison, who had knee surgery last summer after being hindered by back problems prior to that, turns 35 in May. Those aren't the only ones, either.

Nose tackle Casey Hampton will be 36 at the start of next season, Brett Keisel will be 35, and Larry Foote, Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor will be 33.

The Steelers defensive is now in a state of flux and it isn't known who will stay and who will seek greener (monetarily speaking) pastures. The first element of that to consider is the defensive line, which is, or at least should be, the core of any defense. And as Alan Robinson of Trib Total Media pointed out, with a 3-4 defensive alignment, that's especially so. - http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3246072-74/season-steelers-hampton#axzz2J7P3BOTy

As Robinson made clear, the Steelers "use their defensive line to clog the middle, slow the run and create rush lanes for their outside linebackers," but age and inconsistent play from all of the front seven prevented that from happening and from delivering results when absolutely needing it.

As alluded to earlier, the defensive line will undergo a transition this offseason. Hampton most likely leaves and Steve McLendon would replace him. We've made enough noise regarding McLendon this season - from draft day all throughout the season. Whether in actual blog articles or in Twitter and Facebook posts, we've called for McLendon to take a big bite out of Big Snack's playing time. So we'll allow SteelBlitz.com make the case for him this time: http://steelblitz.com/steelers-a-case-for-steve-mclendon-to-start-in-2013/2471/2013/01/17

If Keisel stays, he could probably have another strong season at right end, but what of his successor? Cameron Heyward, as Robinson showed in his article, looks ready to step in once Da Beard gets the follicle outta town. But Ziggy Hood, on the other hand, is an 'enigma.' He just has not lived up to the expectations that come with being a No. 1 draft pick. Yes, he's strong, but not consistent. We spoke specifically about this before the season, but received the same lackluster results. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/04/ziggy-hood-is-it-all-good-in-hood.html

To draw from the Robinson piece again, though Heyward's and Hood's stats were similar, Hood "was on the field for more than three times as many snaps (833) as Heyward (267). In fact, "Hood was, by far, the league’s worst-rated pass-rushing defensive end."

Outside linebackers Harrison and LaMarr Woodley combined for only 10 sacks this season - at least half of what they normally provide. Injury issues slowed one and injury and weight issues slowed the other for much of the season. As a result, the Steelers failed to generate a consistent pass rush.

Lawrence Timmons and Foote stepped up their play and had good-to-very-good seasons. Timmons had 106 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions (one for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles. Four of those sacks and one of the forced fumbles, though, came in the last two games.

Foote led the team in tackles with 113 and had four sacks and two forced fumbles. Both failed, however, to be consistent throughout the entirety of the season.

As for the secondary, it was the strength of the defense, being No. 1 against the pass. Few interceptions were still a concern, though, and the late-season absence of Ike Taylor hurt them. They do have youth in their ranks and should continue to get better.

However, the safeties are a different story. Clark had 102 tackles and was again a reliable player. But age is age, and he and Polamalu are elder statesmen in this league. Will Allen stepped up and played adequately, but Ryan Mundy is the only other safety with any experience. Change must come.

That said, with no viable or proven backups beyond the players cited, the Kevin Colbert must find the youth and talent necessary to be the immovable objects and depth the Steelers sorely need.

Dominance:
To help quantify the lack of dominance factor and how numbers can be deceiving, consider this: the Steelers defense, when compared to the rest of the NFL's top five defenses, faced the fewest scrimmage plays with only 951. That's 70 fewer than the team with the most in the top five, the Denver Broncos, at 1,021.

Conversely, though, the Steelers allowed more points per game (1.5 more) than any defense in the top five at 19.6 PPG. It had been suggested by some this season, including If It Ain't Steel, that the Steelers defense was aided by the third down conversion proficiency and time of possession by the offense, especially in the first two-thirds of the season. This seemingly is evidence to that possibly being true.

Consider this also: Remember the goal-line stand in the 2008 game against the New York Giants? Big running back Brandon Jacobs was stymied for no gain and the Giants had to settle for a field goal. A truly strong defensive line and defense in general provided a stop when needed. It's the type of play head coach Mike Tomlin means when he refers to "situational football."

Was their any consistent feeling or belief that this defense had the ability to duplicate that this season?

We've mentioned players who could help provide the playmaking ability, youth and savagery needed to get back to where they once were. Ziggy Ansah is on the short list of such players. There are others who might fill in at needed positions via free agency, like a Rey Maualuga or a Darrelle Revis. Not to mention the players the Steelers will get back from Injured Reserve, as in inside linebacker Sean Spence.

But this no quick fix. It may not even be a one-season turnaround. There are more questions than answers, to say the least. Questions that one can only hope is answered adequately enough to allow all the king's men to put the Steelers back together in time for a playoff-certain 2013 campaign.

Latest Meltdown Exposes Steelers Many Flaws

After letting Thursday night's loss sink in a little bit, I realize two things: by no means should the Steelers have allowed it to happen, and we all should've seen it coming.

On Thursday Night Football the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Tennessee Titans by a score of 26-23, following yet another late-game collapse. One thing was made very apparent. That being that the 2012 version of the Steelers just aren't very good.

For the fourth time this season, they allowed a team to come back on them, and for the third time, they lost. They've also allowed 47 points through five games in the fourth-quarter after allowing all of 68 in the combined first three quarters. This abomination of a defense has taken the blame for it. - http://tinyurl.com/8tvjc99

Speaking on this moth-eaten steel curtain, ESPN analyst and former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl quarterback Ron Jaworski was on PTI last week and offered up his assessment.

"I watched the game last week against Philadelphia, and I did not see the dominant interior defensive line. And when you play that 3-4 defense, those guys down in the trenches, that 3-gap on that tackle, that nose head-up on the center, they must make plays," Jaws said.

"I didn't see Casey Hampton being very active," he continued. "I didn't see Keisel making plays. I didn't see Hood making plays....You need that defensive line to have impact for the Steelers. I haven't seen it yet. I'm not going to throw the age card out there just yet, but maybe it's creeping up."

Fine, the Polish Rifleman won't, but we will. As we've said and quoted from Steel Curtain Radio before, the young guys have to become the guys. The jury is still out on Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward needs to see the field more and we've sung Steve McLendon's often. He absolutely needs to be used more. Much more.

But, other, more distressing problems are now evident also.

We at If It Ain't Steel recently suggested a lack of conditioning, which was denied by head coach Mike Tomlin. While the jury is still out on that issue, two other problems are painfully obvious: a lack of leadership and a lack of mental discipline/toughness.

As to the mental discipline and/or mental toughness aspect, veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote was all too willing to express his feelings on the matter.

"We’re not strong mentally,” Foote told 93.7 The Fan. “We don’t look like a championship team right now. Everybody here’s been knocked down, everybody’s had doors shut in their face, everybody’s gotten beat.”

Foote, who has never endured a losing season as a starter in a Steelers uniform, went on. "You can't have mental breakdowns. That's what gets you beat in this league. That's what happened to us in the fourth quarter. But it's only five games. We're 2-3 but our goals are still reachable. So, 10 games from now when we get this thing corrected, who's going to remember the first five games? So, we're going to see what we're made of."

What they're made of, indeed. Can Ike Taylor stop getting worked like a part-time job? Is he able to focus enough to stop the penalties? Is Hood even able improve on his stat line of zeros across the board? Is Lawrence Timmons able put a string of games together?

Because this is systemic and therefore goes beyond just dealing with the absence of an elite defensive player or two. Especially considering one of those players will be absent a little longer.

Mike Prisuta of WDVE Radio said during the pregame radio show of the Titans game that he'd heard that Troy Polamalu is expected to miss four weeks of action after re-injuring his right calf against the Eagles. That's three more weeks. In other words, after Halloween.

Trick or treat.

So, with Polamalu sidelined for that much longer, the Steelers are minus a player of sound mental character and strength, but also minus a leader on the field. Which brings us to the other obvious problem: a lack of leadership.

If It Ain't Steel said in the offseason that leadership can't necessarily be found in the draft. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/03/finding-leadership-in-draft-no-easy.html

Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly sees and has said the same thing regarding the lack of leaders on this team. - http://t.co/z4hHKpgz

A shortage of vocal leaders means that men you'd expect to step up and rein in players like Ike Taylor and work with Mike Wallace on his hands aren't doing so. Because this reflects on Ryan Clark, Brett Keisel and, yes, even Ben Roethlisberger. They MUST take Foote's cue and speak up. Remember when Joey Porter called out everyone, including Big Ben?

Speaking of Big Ben, he's the only reason the Steelers have the two wins they do. Can you imagine how bad the Steelers would be if Big Ben, the Steelers Digest Player of the Week and all-time Steelers passing leader, wasn't there? I don't even want to imagine it.

Regarding leadership again, that must extend beyond the field and into the locker room. From respected players as well as coaches.

From the standpoint of the coaches, that can simply mean putting players in the best positions possible to win. They didn't do that against the Titans.

Though we disagree with some of the points he attempts to make, Dejan Kovacevic calls out the coaches brilliantly in the article he wrote Friday regarding the ills of the confusing passivity of the coaches' play calling. - http://tinyurl.com/8hmm88w

Despite these three major problems, there are correctible measures that can be taken to salvage the season. - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8495698&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The question, however, is, "Will they?"

As Alan Robinson, staff writer for Trib Total Media, wrote: "They can’t rush the passer. [Defense] They can’t hold a lead. [Mental Discipline/Toughness] And when it’s over, another apparent victory now lost, they can’t find a reason for it." [Leadership]

Those are a lot of flaws to overcome that few will admit that they, that we, should've seen coming.

Steelers Defense Must "Execute" Against Eagles

"If everybody does their jobs correctly stays in their gaps, we get all 11 hats to the ball, then it should be a good game for us." - Ziggy Hood

Those words Ziggy uttered weren't about Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles specifically, nonetheless they fit this Sunday's game ever so adequately. With the mercurial Vick and the shifty LeSean McCoy coming to town it truly is all (11 men's) hands on deck.

We talk gap control a lot on If It Ain't Steel and it applies this Sunday especially. Lack of technique and gap control are essential whenever a defense steps onto the field, but even more so with a "shady" running back and a dual threat quarterback like Vick.

The defense as a whole knows this all too well: the last time a quarterback ran for 50 or more yards on the Steelers was back in 2002. The quarterback then? Michael Vick. The Steelers Mike Tomlin, in praising the Eagles in his weekly press conference on Tuesday, talked about whether they will use a spy on Vick. - http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Mike_Tomlin_Press_Conference_102/10cd163f-a07b-4544-8048-077e6aaa361f

So they will absolutely look to keep Vick in pocket. "We have to play straight up football. He can easily get away from a sack or two," said Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor said. "He's known for using his legs but we all know how strong his arm is. It's a double threat with Vick."

Nose tackle Steve McLendon agrees. He told Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette that Vick isn't like the old Vick.

"That's the thing, he's trying to be the quarterback he's not, and I hope he keeps being that quarterback," McLendon said. "We want him to sit in the pocket. As long as he's sitting in the pocket, we have a good chance to get to him and hit him. If we can hit him, get him frustrated a couple of times, we're going to be successful."

Speaking of Steve McLendon, why isn't Lebeau playing him more? He sacked Vick with one hand in the preseason, in fact he was starting to look as if he would supplant Casey Hampton as starter. At the very least he looked as if he would prove true Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell. He told reporters at the NFL Draft to 'hold their opinion' of McLendon, intimating that they shouldn't assume that fourth round draft pick Alameda Ta'amu would be Little Snack. - http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Press-Conference---4th-Round---John-Mitchell/dc844660-5de3-4e54-a6c1-2dffad6f1922

Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu also realizes that "any time you can get any pressure on anybody, which is always our goal, I think you have more success." It won't be easy, but having Polamalu back on the field would help.

Polamalu and James Harrison both practiced Monday and Wednesday, which is good sign for the Steelers defense. Like Ike Taylor said, "You're talking about two defensive league MVPs. Enough said." Let's see if they are back out there Thursday before getting too excited, though. Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence and three times is a trend.

Of the possible return of Harrison and Polamalu, safety Ryan Clark also said: "It gives you two players you have to scheme for offensively, two players coach (Dick) Lebeau can use extensively."

But he also made a telling statement when he said, "I think it's more pressure, honestly....No more excuses."

If Polamalu does return to the lineup after missing two games due to a calf injury, it will be the first time this season the defense will have played with both starting safeties in the lineup. Ryan Clark having, of course, to sit out the season opener in Denver due to his Sickle Cell trait. Having both allows the defense more freedoms and will help bolster the run defense. - http://tinyurl.com/8t74bax

Speaking of which, LeSean McCoy is probably the best running back the Steelers will face this year and they need to contain him for a chance to win. Limiting the number of splash/explosive plays by him as well as their wide receivers, Desean Jackson and Jeremy Macklin, and tight end, Brent Celek, is imperative.

The defensive players know that it's mainly on them also. As we discussed in a recent article, the players must execute on defense. As we said, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau didn't suddenly forget how to coach. If there is "predictable" aspect to the scheme's, fine, mix the scheme's up more and bring more (crossfire) blitz packages. The main impetus, still remains with the players themselves to do better.

Almost to a man the players ate admitting this as well. LaMarr Woodley admitted to it last week and Polamalu even says he's been asked about Steelers "predictable" defense since he came into the league. According to him, they're 'not predictable when they execute.'

Larry Foote was just as forthright when asked about the defensive struggles saying that they simply 'have to execute.' - http://tinyurl.com/9sddlyg

All 11 men must be on the same page in order to do that. We haven't seen it much this so far this season. That needs to change quickly to get the season back on track.

Steelers Defensive Ends Star in Transformers 4

The core of every NFL team is it's offensive and defensive lines. No exception. If your core isn't strong, your team will suffer. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Still, both lines for the Steelers have needed a transformation in order to be that necessary solid core. We know of the offensive line's recent history, but I'm going to focus here on a defensive line that gave up an unheard of 100 yards per game (99.8 ypg to be exact).  

Though, much has been written about the inconsistency, injuries and age of the Steelers defensive line, those issues are seemingly being transformed right in front of our eyes.

And if the ends on that defensive line were to star in a movie, the obvious title would be "Transformers 4."

OPTIMUS PRIME: Brett Keisel, with Casey Hampton being on the PUP list to start the season due to an injury suffered in January's playoff game against the Broncos, is the elder statesman and unquestioned leader of the defensive line. The 33-year old Keisel, who suffered a severe groin injury in the same playoff game, was able to avoid offseason surgery and appears to be ready for his 11th year.

Keisel was interviewed by Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider a couple of weeks ago and credited Steelers strength and conditioning coach Garrett Giemont for helping him rehab and that he feels ready to get back out on the field. Keisel told Wexell that his age is not a factor and that he feels like he has gotten better as he has gotten older. He also said he is not concerned at all about his ability to be able to go out and perform. Without Aaron Smith on the other side anymore, his performance will be important.

IRONHIDE: Ziggy Hood has seemingly had a fire lit underneath him and looks to be the big bruiser expected from the beginning. I blogged a few days ago about a weighted vest he's been wearing at the OTAs, but more information has come out since then about his offseason regimen. He has taken up training with Outer Limits Sports and has truly transformed his body.

A tweet to Jim Wexell from Outer Limits tells the story: “@outerlim: @jimwexell Ziggy Hood's transformation 2012. Photos taken 29 days apart.  Bodyfat:18% (from 24%) Wt: 305 lb to 307 lb. http://t.co/6WARqvCn "

It was also noted that Ziggy lost 18 lbs. of fat and gained 20 lbs. of muscle. The photo attached shows how he's transformed his body already, and this is just phase one. I look forward to seeing the next phase(s). There are video clips of his workouts on the site also. Give them a look at http://www.outerlim.com/

As I've written before, strength is one thing but his gap and technique deficiency is another. Much is expected this year from him as he has another level to go before being the dominant presence that Aaron Smith was.

RATCHET: Cameron Heyward will have to wait before making his first NFL start, especially if the transformation Ziggy is making translates to the practice/playing field. That's not to say, though, that Heyward won't get a lot of snaps in his second season and be the main reason Keisel stays healthy all season.

Heyward was asked on 93.7 The Fan last week just how comfortable he is now and how much of a jump he expects to make this upcoming season. Heyward replied, "Oh, I feel a lot more comfortable. My confidence has rose, just because I feel comfortable in the defense and I'm expecting a better result. You know, I'm going into this season with high hopes and just get out there and prove myself and just go from there."

That comfort level may just allow him to get several snaps at both end positions in 2012, spelling Keisel, as well as Ziggy, throughout the season. Keisel even said himself last week that he will probably need to be spelled more this year. Keisel said in his interview on 105 The X last week, "He's got to be ready be to go. He's got to be the guy that's versatile, that can play all three positions - knows all the nickel and dime - he's got to be that guy you know. I'm getting older. I'm going to need a few spells during the game. He's got be that guy that can come in and be reliable and be accountable."

Heyward says he's ready, though: "I haven't even worried about that, I'm just trying to get better out here. I'll let my play show it off and continue to improve." He also said how important the OTA sessions are to him this year, "I think it's vital for me to take-in the playbook a lot more and learn from my mistakes and take time to shine up and oil up and learn my technique and get better at it."

Well said, Heyward. Though, I prefer not to even picture the "oil up" part. Leave that to your lady. (Is her name "Arcee", by chance? I digress...)

BUMBLEBEE: Steve McLendon has played defensive end before as well, but will be mainly responsible for anchoring the line. A protector of sorts.

McLendon's solid weight gain (from about 290 lbs when signed in 2009, to 305 lbs at the start of last year and to a reported 325 lbs now) and work ethic have caused the Steelers to have enough confidence in him that he will be the starting nose tackle Week 1.

"Everybody wants to discard McLendon. Let me tell you this, hold your opinion until the season is over," Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell said at April's NFL Draft. "I'm just saying keep your opinion until after the season, [then] you make the decision."

Undrafted out of Troy in 2009, the 6'4" McLendon spent his first season on the Steelers' practice squad before appearing in 21 games over the past two seasons. He has 15 tackles and one sack in fewer than 200 total plays.

McLendon pinpointed his opportunity to earn a starting job: "That comes from trust," McLendon said. "That trust comes from doing everything right. You are not going to be perfect, but [Coach John Mitchell] saw that I came in day in and day out with my lunch pail and I was ready to work. Coach Mitch knows that I know my stuff."

The coaches know all their "stuff." They know who their players are and of what those players are capable. Despite so many in the media saying their age and injuries are a reason to overlook them, the coaches know that there's more than meets the eye.

OTAs Give Us Ingredients, Not The Recipe.

When I was teaching Massage Therapy back in another life, I focused on one modality in particular-Deep Tissue. By that I mean real Deep Tissue, not just deeper pressure like you may get at a local spa. Dr. Ida P. Rolf was a biochemist who invented Structural Integration, or "Rolfing", a form of bodywork that reorganizes the connective tissues, called fascia, that permeate the entire body. I taught Deep Tissue based on this modality and one of the things I stressed to my students was that I was giving them the "ingredients, not the recipe." They would have everything brought completely into focus at the next level at The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.

The OTAs are similar to this. They give us those niceties of insight as to what to expect from the team's direction with the new offense and from individual players. Being that it's "football in shorts" as Tomlin and other coaches say, it isn't remotely the recipe that will constitute the complete offensive and/or defensive body of work, but merely the various ingredients that will eventually come into focus in training camp and, of course, the season.

The various Steelers beat writers and Pittsburgh columnists allow us to have a glimpse of that insight as they report to us what they're seeing.

Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest told us Tuesday that "John Clay looks like he has a nice burst running the ball." I threw out the possibility about two weeks ago that we could see a possible roster spot for Clay if he were to live up to what was projected based on his play at Wisconsin. If he continues to show that "nice burst", he'll provide a nice dilemma for the Steelers coaching staff. They could be looking at a real "problem" with Rashard Mendenhall (who reportedly is looking good and rehabbing well), Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, Baron Batch, Chris Rainey, John Clay AND the implementation of a fullback. There will most likely only be four running back/fullback spots, so there essentially is already a log jam. Might we see Chris Rainey listed a wide receiver to make room? Check back in August for that answer.

Speaking of wide receivers, Labriola told us that "No. 88 (Emmanuel Sanders) looks fast, has been catching everything and making it look easy." Again, it's football in shorts, but any time that Manny has on the field is valuable time. He had feet (surgeries) and knee issues last year that kept him from flourishing like I had expected him to do. He has a very high ceiling, world class speed (4.41 in the 40) and, with the retirement of Hines Ward, is the best blocking receiver the Steelers have. He's also a polished route runner, which is an advantage he has over Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. I'm personally pulling heavily for Manny-he has the tools to be a No. 1 receiver.

Labs gave us "One more: Ziggy Hood wears a weighted vest under his practice jersey every day." I've blogged before about Ziggy and his gap and technique limitations, but I'm only slightly less concerned about his core strength, being that he's been moved out of position before. Like Casey Hampton alluded to once when asked about Ziggy's being the strongest on the team, there is a difference between weight room strength and "grown man strength." That may have shown itself on the field in that the first season in which Ziggy was alone at the position, the Steelers defense gave up 99.8 yards per carry. So, I'm in favor of the weighted vest if it helps him in any way. The on-the-field practice and gameplay, though, are still the best ways to get that "grown man strength."

Dejan Kovacevic, sports columnist with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, had some interesting if not encouraging comments about certain players too. Kovacevic stresses the need for playmakers on defense, the scary type that the Steelers have acquired of late on offense. In line with that he said that Curtis Brown looks really good and even spoke specifically of a particularly sensational athletic play during an OTA session. He also talked about former West Virginia Mountaineer Mortty Ivy, calling him a "ballhawk" and saying that even near the goal line he just "has a nose for the football." Ivy, who was mainly on the practice squad last year, simply needs the opportunity to show those skills more definitively. Kovacevic's description, though, of Brown and Ivy is exactly what is needed on defense: players who are young, athletic and, especially, hungry.

Both James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley are being reported as looking very healthy. Harrison looks good and doesn't seem to be hampered by the back problems that hindered him all of last year. Woodley is spoken of as running "full sprint." Their presence is going to be sorely needed to bring back the splash plays that the Steelers defense was missing last year. Turnovers, sacks and getting the ball back on a short field were simply missing last year, and the aggressive play that those two bring is directly tied to that.

Another player who affects that is Lawrence Timmons. Kovacevic again provides some insight as he had a chance to talk to "Juan". Kovacevic wrote, "Timmons just told me he's aiming for "12 to 14" sacks this year. If that sounds high for a guy who had two last year, consider a) he bounces back and forth between inside and outside all year because of injuries to others and b) the man actually predicted 18 for last year. "I'm being a little more careful," he said with a grin."

Very true. Timmons was moved around a lot because of the aforementioned injuries last year. He needs to stay put so he can prove that he truly is one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL like the coaches say he is and like I personally believe he can be.

Oh, evidently Chris Rainey is fast.

Speaking of the OTAs from a different angle, Ed Bouchette reported Wednesday that Mike Adams, David DeCastro and Alameda Ta'amu "can attend once their course ends, not necessarily when the semester ends. So, it now appears that all three will be here for the June 12-14 minicamp, at the least, and Adams actually could be here sometime next week." This is good news because, considering Adams and DeCastro are being looked at as potential starters, they need as much time and as many reps as they can get.

DeCastro might be under contract at that point too, because the Patriots signed Chandler Jones, the last unsigned draft pick left in front of DeCastro, last week. I expect the deal should get done soon.

Ryan Clark: "There were a lot of scenarios we talked about how we could lose that game.Tim Tebow throwing for 300 yards wasn't one of them." It wasn't for me either.

One last thing. With the release, and possible soon-to-come retirement, of James Farrior the Steelers lost more than just a player, they lost a leader. As I wrote in a blog a couple of months ago, leadership can't be drafted, nor can one just assume a player's replacement can take on that mantle. It will most likely take a few players to take on various aspects of that role. Think of it this way: when Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent retired, he held all major NFL receiving records, including: most receptions in a career (819), most receiving yards in a career (13,089), and most touchdown receptions (100). He also held a then-record streak of 177 consecutive regular-season games with a reception. Point: it took four different men to break the records held by one man. We should look at Farrior and his record of leadership the same way.

Ziggy Hood: Is It All Good In The Hood?

We know more about sports than ever before. We have analysts who break down camera angles that capture every aspect of a player's performance. We have so much access anymore to games, game film and mindless stats that we can become much more educated than ever before. Average fans, even ones who never played a single down at any level are infinitely more knowledgeable than the average fan just 25 years ago.

Yet, with all that we have at our disposal, we still can't effectively measure a player's frangibility, will, determination or heart. And because of that a 6'3" 235 lb. linebacker built like he was forged out of stone and who can run a 4.5 40 yard dash can be outplayed by one who is 6'4" 250 lbs, is built like he eats at Coldstone creamery and runs a 4.98 in the 40.

That being said, something has become somewhat evident and should be brought into the light: it's time for Ziggy Hood to prove that he is the future at left defensive end or the Steelers need to consider moving on.

Bold statement, I know. But hear me out.

Evander "Ziggy" Hood was drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Missouri. He was drafted to be groomed as Aaron Smith's replacement and ended up having to do so sooner than expected as injuries marred the end of Smith's career.

But, to this point, Ziggy has only been the successor to Smith, not truly his replacement.

Smith was a rock at left defensive end for the Steelers for the better part of 12 years. He was the immovable object who thwarted opponents' supposed irresistible forces at running back, accumulating 453 tackles. He even rushed the quarterback on occasion, garnering 44 over his career. For his efforts Smith was named to Sports Illustrated's 2000s All-Decade Team.

Typically, though, the defensive end in a 3-4 scheme isn't going to have gaudy stats as generally it's his job to clear a path for the linebackers. Numbers nonetheless are a gauge. That said, if you go by the numbers, Ziggy's 31 tackles last year to go along with 1.5 sacks in his 14 starts, would seem to be on par with Smith's average numbers.

Both players were college standouts as well, with Smith being Northern Colorado's all-time sacks leader and Ziggy, despite constant double-team coverage, collected 10 sacks, 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 16 quarterback pressures his last two seasons. - http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/584340

Ziggy played different positions along the line in college, but was mainly at end in Missouri's 4-3 scheme. The Steelers thought Ziggy could play two-gap at the NFL level, but they may have been wrong. Ziggy actually seems best suited as a 2- or 3-technique, one-gap player.

For those unfamiliar with those terms, the "gaps" are the spaces in between the center and guards, guards and tackle(s) and finally tackle(s) and tight end. The A, B, C and potentially D gaps. What "technique" boils down to is the physical location where the players line up before the snap in relation to an opposing player. The most basic technique is 0- technique where the nose tackle lines up directly across from the center. In the 1- technique, the player is lined up over the center’s outside shoulder and in the 2- technique, over the guard’s inside shoulder and so on and so forth. I’m just keeping it basic, folks.

Now, in his defense, Ziggy does that well. The problem is that having a 3-4 defensive end who is only one-gap, 2- or 3-technique sound puts excess pressure on your outside linebackers.

As opposed to in that of the 4-3 defense, the outside linebacker in the 3-4 is used more in rushing the quarterback and, because of more gap control responsibilities, there are typically fewer stunts run out of the 3-4. So, much of the onus is on the outside linebacker.

Still, the outside linebacker is going to benefit from a defensive end who is able to occupy the blockers.

It isn't as if Ziggy can't improve, of course, in fact he has shown signs of improvement, but some things he can't truly change. Like his build.

Aaron Smith and even Brett Keisel are both built similarly, solid cores with long arms, whereas Ziggy is comparatively larger chested with shorter arms. He's also heavier, reportedly having reached 310 rock-hard pounds, than the aforementioned Smith (298 lbs) and Keisel (285 lbs). It's pure speculation, of course, that his build (wingspan) and mass & density affect his agility and overall, but it may be something worth tracking.

Considering his size and significant strength, the theory of him playing full-time at nose tackle has been brought up by many. I even tossed the idea around at one time. Let me address that here and now: Ziggy has no shot as nose tackle.

For emergencies and possibly specific sub-packages, maybe he could play the nose tackle position. It would only, though, be in those situations, not for an entire season. Ziggy did take snaps at that NT last season, but he'd be out of his comfort zone with such a complete position shift.

Ziggy did handle the double teams when he lined up at defensive end last year -- he can definitely stuff the run. What's disconcerting is that he brings little to the table as an interior rusher on passing downs. Improvements are being made, but they're slow-moving.

In brief, this article started off speaking of analysis of players and often how their seemingly minute aberrations can translate into big differences in quality on the field.

Then the comparison was made between Ziggy and Aaron Smith. Is the juxtaposition unfair? Maybe. Is Ziggy as good as Smith? No.

Unfair or not, Smith is the benchmark. He is the standard by which whomever was to succeed him would be measured. And as Ziggy has heard many times before, "the standard is the standard."

Translating "Tomlin Speak" From The NFL Meetings

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took questions Tuesday morning at the NFL Meetings in Florida for first time since the day after playoff loss. After hearing the mini-Tomlin Tuesday, I realized some of it needed translating for the Tomlin-Speak impaired. So, I did so below regarding the key points for any who need it.

I'll start off with some good news regarding running backs coach Kirby Wilson, who was badly burned in a December house fire: "Progress is good. He's attacking the rehabilitation. We are excited about getting him back at some point." Great to know! We're pulling for you, Kirby!

On to a hotly debated topic since it all first was announced, Tomlin reiterated what Art Rooney II had said recently, that, though he owns the team and can do what he wants to do, Rooney did not order him to fire Bruce Arians. Tomlin also said he and no one else hired new offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

"He did not. I hired Todd Haley as well, which is your next question....I thought that it was time for change."

Uh-huh...and Col. Nathan R. Jessup didn't order the Code Red.

Speaking of change, Tomlin expects some discomfort for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in transition to a new offense, which will include new nomenclature without necessarily any new blocking schemes, and coordinator, but also said, "I'm not worried...I don't anticipate any issues. I anticipate both guys getting along great.''

(Translation: They're both arrogant and used to success, so they'll butt heads, but my advice is "Get over it, get used to it and get me another Ring!")

Tomlin said he doesn't expect the contrast to affect Mike Wallace, assuming he stays with the Steelers. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it...IF we come to it.''

(Translation: He'll adapt mainly because he's tired of me calling him "One-Trick Pony.")

Tomlin is obviously concerned about Emmanuel Sanders' ability to stay healthy and on the field, though. A point which I've touched on in this blog before. Tomlin said bluntly: "You can't anticipate it's going to stop", but he did say Sanders is on track to good recovery.

(Translation: We have no idea if Sanders will even make it through another season with us.)

He also said the same could be said about Willie Colon.

(Really, coach? One game in two years? Nah, he'll be fine. He should be rested by now, right?)

Coach went on to say that he likes the running back situation behind Mendenhall, but that if there is any further need in that department it will come in free agency or the draft. (Is there a third option?) He even hinted at using a fullback: "We're open to that. That will be determined by what we're able to acquire."

(I know for a fact that half of my readers just fainted at the word "fullback.")

On how, as Art Rooney II called it, Ben must "tweak" his game, Tomlin said Big Ben must "evolve", and that "Ben is Ben." He doesn't think Big Ben's ability to move has been adversely affected.

(Translation: Ben is one of the toughest SOBs I've ever come across. I could probably Nancy Kerrigan his leg and he'd just say "Rub some dirt on it and tape it up, I'm goin' back in." He just has take one or two fewer "Oh, gawd, he's dead!" hits a season and he'll play another eight years.)

The Steelers staff last week brought in prospects Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams, Cincinnati defensive lineman Derek Wolfe and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton of Florida International.

(Translation: ~ regarding the wide receiver brought in ~ We have no idea if Sanders will even make it through another season with us.)

It was also stated that Casey Hampton could very well open the season on the PUP list, so Scott McLendon and, as I've also mentioned in this blog, Ziggy Hood are possibilities at nose tackle. Of course, this doesn't include what draft pick may possibly be thrown into the mix.

Finally, Tomlin also updated the offseason schedule when he said that OTA practices, down from 14 to 10 by the new CBA, will not start until May 22 and will go through June 14, then they break until training camp in Latrobe.

There you have it, the key points translated for you from Tomlin-Speak into English. I hope that helped answer any questions you had regarding the always crystal-clear Mike Tomlin.

A Look At Dont'a Hightower And Dontari Poe At The 2012 NFL Combine

As we get deeper into the beefcake beauty contest known as the 2012 NFL Combine, Ken Laird and Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review continue to provide great coverage and interviews.

The covering of various topics and players with Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert was a previous consideration, which I'll touch on again, and now there is also the highlighting of some players who may be in the Steelers crosshairs.

When Colbert was asked about nose tackle Casey Hampton's and the ACL recovery. He simply said: "It's a different position [than RB], so you don't have to worry about speed." Basically meaning the Steelers do want to keep him for next year and believe he can recover and should be ready for most of season.

This is definitely true. As long as he agrees to a restructure, (and there is incentive to do this before June 1st per a previous blog write-up of mine) I can only see the Steelers wanting to keep Hampton. I thought he was still fairly solid last year. Plus, there isn't much else at nose tackle besides McLendon.

As a side point, the subject of moving to Hood to nose tackle eventually to solve such issues in the future. According to Mark Kaboly, also of the Trib and @MarkKaboly_Trib on Twitter, there's little-to-no chance of moving Hood to NT. Regarding the subject he tweeted, "All he will play there is sub packages, but not base." The more I think about it, the more I agree. Let's just let him be the next Aaron Smith, those are big enough shoes to fill.

Colbert was also spoke on Pouncey and his offseason ankle surgery by saying, "The reports we got and the last time we saw him he was progressing just fine."

That's good news. Pouncey was still maturing physically when he was drafted, so healing and settling 'into his body', as it were, is potentially a very good thing. He could be the next in a very long line of Super Bowl winning and Hall of Fame Steelers centers that spans some 48 years.

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Ken Laird, @Ken_Laird on his Twitter account, told us that Day 4 of the Combine featured 59 defensive linemen and 33 linebackers chatting with media. Included was Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe, @bigpoe74 on Twitter, a possible Steelers first round pick at nose tackle.

Dontari Poe, according to Scott Brown, said Casey Hampton is one of his favorite players. At 6' 4" and 346 lbs, Poe would be one of mine if the Steelers do draft him.

Dontari Poe said that "he's aggressive, one of the more aggressive defensive tackles this league has ever seen, that's what I admire most."

Poe also said, "I've always followed him. Being one of the best as he is, I've followed him for a long time."

Brown, @ScottBrown_Trib on Twitter said Poe is a big into lifting, and that it looks like it. Brown said it didn't look like he had a lot of flab on him, but also that Poe has not gone through any of the interview process yet.

For more on Poe, read the article from the Post Gazette Blog: Prospect Watch: Dontari Poe http://t.co/rrIqPTV1

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Scott Brown said that the Steelers have scheduled an interview with Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower. He has, in fact, already talked with LB coach Keith Butler.

Some very encouraging words were heard from Ken Laird regarding Hightower when he tweeted, "Ok, I'm pretty much sold. Alabama LB Dont'a Hightower very impressive in his chat with the media. #steelers 1st Rd pick? Hightower or Poe?" So far, it seems we can't go wrong.

Regarding the then upcoming meeting, Hightower said, "Talked to a couple of [Steelers] scouts since I've been here. They're interested in me, looking forward to talking to coach Tomlin."

Scott Brown said that Hightower is hoping to run a 4.6 in 40-yard dash Monday. Speed may be one of few questions teams have about Hightower. He had major reconstructive knee surgery in 2009, but he said he's "as fast as I've ever felt." He's at 265 lbs though, and is trying to get to 255 lbs.

Among the linebackers Hightower said he listed as the guys he looks up to in the NFL were, "Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley." Not bad company.

Regarding the meeting the Dont'a Hightower with the Steelers, read this article: http://t.co/rVpHrwR3

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On a personal note:
I had a known Mendenhall hater, based on the injury situation, ask me, "Is there any chance the Steelers cut Mendenhall?" I responded, "No, absolutely not. Can't any time soon anyway because of the injury, so he will be back next year. Deal with it and get over it." It was fun dashing his dreams...