Fall Is Time For Steelers LaMarr Woodley to Rise

Ahh...Fall is here. Smell the autumn leaves burn, feel its heat as the lazy smoke from it rises up over the West Virginia mountain top...and see LaMarr Woodley finally start to show up in football games.

Woodley, for whatever reason, is a notoriously slow starter to this point in his career. We're seeing it again this season as he only has two sacks, one of which was a miscue where it could easily have been Larry Foote who got to Carson Palmer.

Granted, Woodley has been chipped and double-teamed with the absence of James Harrison on the other side. But he should be doing more to warrant the major money thrown his way by the Rooneys.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler also believes he can do/be more.

“Wood has to decide if he wants to be a great player,” Butler said, via Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review back in August. “When he decides that, he is going to be a bear.”

The numbers seem to prove that to be a fair assessment when you break it down. Look at how each year as a starter has gone.
2008:

First 4 games - 3.5 sacks

Last 12 games - 8 sacks

2009:

First 4 games- 0 sacks

Last 12 games- 13.5 sacks

2010:

First 4 games - 2 sacks

Last 12 games - 8 sacks

2011:

First 4 games - 1.5 sacks

Next 4 games before injury - 7.5 sacks

Not counting this year or his non-starting rookie season (4 sacks), Woodley has seven sacks in the season's first four games during his career as a starter (16 total). That is less than a half of a sack per game. In the final 12 games of the season in his career as a starter, which totals 41 because of games missed due to injury, he has 37 sacks. That is almost a full sack per game. In other words, his production doubles.

Why can't we see that all the time? And that doesn't even include his playoff numbers.

While I personally am a firm believer that the way you end a matter is better than how you start it, Woodley needs to find a way to put up greater numbers before the autumnal equinox.

Like Lance Williams of SteelCurtainRadio.com is fond of saying: "The young guys have to become the guys." With the exception of Lawrence Timmons, with no one is that more true than Woodley.

Especially now that James Harrison is obviously in the twilight of his career, and if this defense stays in a base 3-4 alignment, Woodley has to do more to be a disruptive force.

Harrison's return may help to get a head start, though, on that run that Woodley routinely makes. It isn't the fifth game, but it is the fifth week and the presence alone of the Silverback could bolster Woodley and the defense.

Linebacker Chris Carter, who has inadequately filled in via a dual threat with Jason Worilds, said of the Harrison effect: "When he steps on the field he's the man. We respect that around here. He runs the show when he's there"

As a matter of fact Deebo's return means that Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles will mark the first time since last year's opener that the Steelers will have their projected starting defense on the field at the same time. And the Silverback has guaranteed that he will be present.

Per ESPN's Josina Anderson, @JosinaAnderson on Twitter: "James Harrison in the locker room just now: 'Yeah, definitely, I'll be ready for Sunday.'"

That's good news considering the Steelers need this game and will also want to maintain a trend. They don't often lose to NFC teams, winning 26 out of the last 32 against NFC opponents, including their last seven games at Heinz Field. Another trend the Steelers want to maintain is winning after a bye week. They have only lost once after a bye with Mike Tomlin as head coach.

Having Deebo back on the field, even if it is no more than about 30 snaps, will help bring balance back to the front seven. Because without him the Steelers have started slowly also.

Woodley recognizes this: "The last two games we lost, we didn't make the [opposing offense] one-dimensional."

Well, it's time for him to do his part and rise up now that Fall is here.

~

TIDBITS: ESPN's "Tools For Victory": Wide Receivers - http://tinyurl.com/9mwm7x9

ESPN's Playbook: Eagles vs. Steelers - http://tinyurl.com/9mruchg

Antonio Brown "disses" Brandon Boykin. - http://tinyurl.com/986ecso

Brandon Boykin responds to Antonio Brown's 'candy bar' comment. - http://tinyurl.com/996c94k

David DeCastro (knee) on the mend...and getting his teammates snacks. - http://t.co/wGl5iQp4

Return Of Key Steelers Players Important But Unknown Element vs. Eagles

"The most elementary and valuable statement in science, the beginning of wisdom, is 'I do not know.'" - ScientificQuotes.com

The post from the Pittsburgh Steelers official Twitter site Thursday said that Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison all practiced fully. Add to that Stevenson Sylvester who will return to play this Sunday and, again, it's all hands on deck.

The fact that these players is back is one thing. They're potential effectiveness is quite another. Thus the quote above. While we love getting our stars back, we still don't know what we'll exactly get from them.

In a recent article we asked if James Harrison had maybe played his last down. Seeing that Harrison practiced two days in a row is very encouraging. His practicing Monday and coach Mike Tomlin saying that he worked out heavily last week is nothing short of surprising.

This is a situation where we love being wrong. Even so, as alluded to above, the question is how effective he'll be. How many snaps or series will he see? We're still talking about a man who didn't participate in any OTAs, minicamps or Training Camp. It will be interesting to see his snap count and how many series he'll see on the whole.

Polamalu shouldn't be as much of a concern as he saw all of those offseason camps and has seen game action. From all that has been reported, he seems good to go. Coach Dick LeBeau says, though, that neither of them may "play the whole game." - http://tinyurl.com/8pj7fo3

As for Mendenhall, running backs coach Kirby Wilson has already said that it isn't as if Mendy will get 55 snaps Sunday, but said that they would like him to get "a significant amount of work." - http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Mendenhall-believes-he-will-play-Sunday/ff96d32a-cfa8-40d2-9314-ed8c4b09fc0f

That makes since. Since it sounds like he's ready, he should get the work. His balance and vision will be welcome. As long as he just hits the hole, that is. And providing there are any.

With the offense in mind, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that an array of 11-personnel packages may be used to spread the Eagles defense out. The Steelers will want to get one-on-one coverage against the Eagles dangerous bump-and-run cornerback tandem of Nnamdi Asomogha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with Pro Bowl wide receivers Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace.

Though Asomugha has not been quite the ballhawk so far that he was for years with the Oakland Raiders, rookie cornerback Brandon Boykin and veteran Brandon Hughes have helped make up for it. Hughes has been more than effective filling in for Asomugha when he has been sidelined, and Boykin has been impressive in the slot. Emmanuel Sanders could see a lot of him. Read Neal Coolong, and follow him (@NealCoolong) on Twitter, of Behind The Steel Curtain break that probability down beautifully. - http://tinyurl.com/8tega7h

So spreading them out to give the wide receivers room to hit their routes and hot reads will be important. The use of the tight end and the running backs out of the backfield will also be important as the Eagles will press the edges with the Wide 9 formation they use. A defensive front that almost dares you to run it up the middle. They shave the edges as good as anyone with Jason Babin and Trent Cole and look to apply constant pressure. They can be run on, though.

"They're pretty much trying to sack the quarterback, they're not really worried about the run," said Isaac Redman regarding the Eagles defense. "They're not built to stop the run."

Defensive end Cam Heyward spoke on their defensive formation also. "They rotate like nine guys on their D-line. We don't have as many guys, but I'd like to think our line gets the job done."

The Steelers run game has been insultingly bad this season, so don't expect them to run it up the gut 30 times against them. They must attack the middle enough, though, to slow down the Eagles excellent pass rush. They must get effective yards, not necessarily a lot of yards. Having Mendy back can aid in that, but we still expect a balance of carries between the backs.

To that end, Jonathan Dwyer, on the possible running back rotation, said: "We're going to do what works at the time. If (someone) has a hot hand, we'll keep going with the hot hand."

The Eagles defense has allowed 91.5 yards per game rushing and 3.81 yards per carry. Something to which the Steelers should look to attain. The way things have gone this season, though, if the Steelers offense would attain those numbers sunday, I'll go back to bed assuming that I was asleep and still dreaming anyway. But, I digress...

If Mendy does make it to the field Sunday, it should help the running game, but it will by no means be a panacea. Like Max Starks said regarding the run game, "It just takes a rhythm and a tempo. You look at certain games, you try and take advantage of other team's weaknesses."

Still, Jonathan Dwyer looks forward to the return of Mendenhall. "He's a great player. He's a Pro Bowl caliber running back and he got drafted in the first round for a reason. He just adds more athleticism and talent to the group. It makes us more talented, more special, and more dangerous."

Even so, the key is still Ben Roethlisberger. The nine-year pro is playing some of the best ball of his career early in the season. Big Ben is second in the NFL in passer rating, second in fewest interceptions, fourth in touchdown passes, fifth in yards per game, fifth in completion percentage and is tops on third down with a 146.8 passer rating. Per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, he's 28 of 37 for 374 yards and five touchdowns. Dwyer sums it up succinctly.

"Ben's on fire right now...so you can't take away the fire from the guy with the hot hand."

Steelers offensive line has to protect Big Ben against that Wide 9 attack. If they can hold their blocks just a hair's breadth longer, especially Marcus Gilbert, Big Ben can connect with his receivers. Even if the Eagles do get pressure, Big Ben is showing himself to be adroit at completing the short pass, the dump off, to his running backs and tight end Heath Miller, a top red-zone target. - http://t.co/wFiak9Mx

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley has been pleased with his production but knows there is still work to do. He said he doesn't "care whether we throw it 50 and run it 10," he just wants the production. - http://tinyurl.com/9n9zgyp

Stevenson Sylvester is a key special teams player and looks to make his season debut against the Eagles to help the special teams unit. His return will be a welcome sight.

Special teams hasn't exactly been stellar on defending kickoffs so far through three games. Steelers kick coverage has been pathetic allowing a 33.2 yard average, which is 31st in the league.

All-in-all, the return of such key players is a definite bonus for the Steelers this weekend. How much they'll be able to contribute is another consideration. If Harrison can look like Deebo, if Polamalu can look like The Tasmanian Devil and if Mendenhall can look like...Mendy, then we should see the Steelers come away with a close, needed victory.

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.

The Fall And Rise Of The Black Quarterback: Past, Present And Future

I'd heard the descriptions and the arguments for Jerrod Johnson going into the Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Training Camp: his mobility, his size (6' 5" 250lbs.), that he is a great athlete, that he set a Big 12 record for throwing 242 consecutive passes without an interception and that he was a Heisman candidate who got sidetracked by an injury.

There was one thing, though, I hadn't heard about him: he is Black.

Part of that is my fault for not being better aware. Not that I have to mention this, but most of your quarterbacks throughout college and pro history have looked like dollar bills. Still, it made me think: not once had I heard about him being a Black quarterback. Is that a step forward?

The more I thought about it the more it made me curious about the overall perception of the Black QB and even if the term needs to be used anymore. In August of last year, my partner wrote an article called "The NFL, The Rooneys and Racism." In it he wrote, "...and we won't even touch on the 'Blacks can't play quarterback' nonsense." - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/nfl-rooneys-and-racism.html

Well, I think it's time to touch on it.

(Aside: In that article, my partner mistakenly wrote that the Pittsburgh Steelers' Lowell Perry became the first Black coach in the NFL in 1957. It was actually Fritz Pollard in 1921, which we'll actually cover briefly coming up.)

In all sports there was a time when the Black race was excluded in one way or another. Gradually, whether via governmental legislation, a change in social climate, common sense or the almighty dollar, that would eventually go away. But in no other sport has there been the type resistance to the playing of a position.

Whether it was the pitcher or the shortstop in baseball or the point guard in basketball, there hasn't been the same kind of impedance to the Black man playing quarterback. Most kickers and punters out there are white, but you never hear about the plight of the Black kicker/punter.

Why? The main reason was that it's the glamour position and because of a belief in a lack of the needed intelligence to play the position. To that I say hogwash! Have you seen who the POTUS is? No matter your political beliefs, you have to be mighty doggone smart to be the president. (Even when your last name is Bush.)

Are there certain factors that may contribute to the Black QB having less success? Yes. They're institutional, societal, and scientific (as well as somewhat environmental. None of them, though, are completely valid. At least not as an argument for saying the Black man can't be ultimately successful at the highest level. Let's look at the history of it and from this point going forward.

The Past ~

The first Black QB on record in the NFL was Fritz Pollard who was mentioned earlier. He was also a halfback who became player/head coach, or co-head coach, also the first in NFL history, depending on the source you quote. Ours are BlackAthlete.net, The Coffin Corner and Ezine Articles. Here's part one to a detailed history on the subject, some of which was used in the research for our "racism" article, that I encourage you to continue to examine: http://tinyurl.com/9jtr7hp

Due to racial attitudes and institution restrictions of the time, not many Black players were allowed to fully exploit their abilities. Pollard was a star in Track and football at Brown University, even becoming the first Black man to play in the Rose Bowl. - http://tinyurl.com/8hssdmh

Pollard would be the last starting QB pro football would see until 1968 when the Denver Broncos of the AFL put Marlin Briscoe under center. And it would be almost 50 years before the NFL would see another Black signal caller.

James Harris of the Buffalo Bills got the opportunity to start an NFL game, albeit an inauspicious one, as a rookie in 1969. It was the Los Angeles Rams, though, who presented the NFL with the first Black QB to start a playoff game in 1974: James Harris.

Still, though, with there being five decades separating having the chance to prove their abilities, stereotypes and stigmas became entrenched in the minds of many that it was too cerebral of a position for the Black man to succeed.

There were, and continually so for a long time thereafter, general managers and owners and, to some degree, coaches who believed whites were better quarterbacks. Engrained institutional and societal reasons were at play. There certainly are very specific traits and/or qualities needed to play the position at the highest level: Leadership, being able to make quick decisions, pocket presence, confidence, intelligence, throwing accuracy, etc... For the longest time the image of the "golden boy" was insidiously pervasive.

Do white QBs perform better in these areas than Black QBs. One could argue that perhaps. If you wanted to take it there, you could cite the historical difference in SAT scores between white and Black students if you wanted to claim a lack of intelligence. A gap that's narrowing, by the way.

The problem with that, though, is you'd be ignoring a greater societal issue. For centuries the Black race was conditioned to believe just that. That they were less intelligent and not as able to shoulder such weights. When something is beaten into you, literally and figuratively, for so long, you start to believe it. You're also saying that Blacks aren't smart enough to be leaders.

Duke Professor Ashleigh Shelby Rosette went further in explaining this paradox. She said that "the stereotype that Black athletes are not intellectually equal to their white counterparts clashes with typical positive leadership characteristics. Yet people are motivated to view successfull leaders in a positive light. To reconcile this contradiction, Black quarterbacks are viewed as great athletes instead of great leaders when their teams win. But when they lose, people focus on their lack of leadership instead of their athleticism; Black quarterbacks are seen as bad leaders, not bad athletes." - http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/news_events/releases/quarterbacks-leadership/#.UF5yG7e9Kc0

In fact, for over half of the life of the NFL, the Black player was directly or indirectly told he wasn't smart enough to lead. Really?

Fritz Pollard, mentioned earlier, was a Brown University graduate, was a head coach in the NFL and pursued a career in business and was a successful entrepreneur after retiring from the league...and I'm supposed to believe a man like that can't read a defense?

Like I said, when you're told something long enough, you start to believe it. Case in point: Mike Howell.

In 1988, legendary Grambling St. coach Eddie Robinson told Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press a story regarding his quarterback. He said that Howell told him that he wanted reps in the secondary because "I'm not going into the NFL as a Black quarterback." - http://mitchalbom.com/d/journalism/554/eddie-robinson-sees-dream-come-alive

That isn't just a one-sided thing, either. Football coaches, especially at the high school level, teach from what they know: tradition and experience. Their leadings have an affect, not only on the players they coach, but also on the magazines and websites that promote those players/prospects. Want proof? Look at the difference between the Top 15 "pro style" QBs and the Top 15 "dual threat" QBs for 2012 according to Rivals.com:

The Present ~

One could make the argument that there are many more Black athletes with premiere quickness and explosiveness, thus their dominating the the "skill" positions. Scientists report that Blacks have more fast twitch muscle fibers than whites and a more favorable center of gravity. Most sports favor athletes with quickness and explosiveness. Blacks, therefore, dominate most (American) sports.

Does this mean, though, that a Black athlete can't succeed as quarterback at the highest level? Not at all.

Even though there were QBs who did use their atheticism to their advantage and had a ran first, pass second mentality, Randall Cunningham, Kordell Stewart and Michael Vick as examples, there were also those who were and are "pro style" passers, Warren Moon, the late Steve McNair (known as "Air McNair" in college, though he did use his athleticism more in the NFL to advance his team to the Super Bowl) and Doug Williams (the first and only Black QB to win a Super Bowl).

Black males have been always been praised for their physical prowess and other endowments, while their white counterparts have been acknowledged for their intellect and work ethic. Perfect examples are Vince Young and Tim Tebow. Virtually the same quarterback in many ways, one has simply received more accolades than the other. Maybe it's like what Jamie Foxx said in "Any Given Sunday" after all: http://youtu.be/n9BD0BXIKU8

Still, Black QBs have flourished once given adequate chance. Period. The fact that Blacks weren't even allowed to regularly play the position until well into the 1980s can't be ignored. If you had a fifty year head start, you'd be behind the curve too. Will that be used as an excuse? No! Which leads us to...

The Future ~

Nothing you could tell me could make me believe the Black man doesn't have the intelligence or capacity to lead. I see it in the one who sits in the Oval Office. Even though they don't start, I see it with my beloved Steelers in the backups entrusted to step in if Ben Roethlisberger cannot-one of whom, Charlie Batch, will assuredly coach one day. And I see it every weekend in the future of NFL QBs across the country. The likes of Washington's Keith Price, Clemson's Tajh Boyd and my West Virginia Mountaineers' very own Geno Smith.

Washington quarterback Keith Price is easily the second best QB in the Pac-12. Last season he passed for 3,063 yards with 33 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. This season he's already led his Huskies to a win over No. 8 Stanford.

The ACC is filled with talented QBs and Clemson's Tajh Boyd is the best of them all. Last year he threw for 3,828 yards with 33 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and has a chance to improve on those numbers this year with talented weapons at his disposal. A 4,000 yard and 35 touchdown season is a strong possibility for Boyd.

Lastly, Geno Smith. He was spectacular in all facets of the game in 2011. He had 4,385 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He has tremendous poise and pocket presence. He's the undisputed leader of the team and might have more weapons on offense than anybody in the country. Especially if he can lead the Mountaineers to 10 or 11 wins, Geno is a legitimate Heisman contender. - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8440471

If so, he'd be in good company. The last two Heisman Trophy winners and three of the last six have been Black QBs: Troy Smith (2006), Cam Newton ('10) and Robert Griffin III ('11). Though, Smith hasn't panned out, the future is very bright for both Newton and RGIII.

Those aren't the only ones, either. The landscape of the quarterback position is evolving to include a QB who can run AND has a pocket presence that allows him to know when to stay that extra nanosecond to deliver an accurate pass. And the college ranks are full of such players-both white and Black. Though still not immensely predicated on those fast twitch muscle fibers to make an immediate physical decision, the ability to do so has always been an asset. If you don't believe me ask Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw and Steve Young-they could run and had a few Super Bowls between them too.

As I asked in the beginning of this piece, have we taken a step forward? Yes, I'd say so. Do we still have a ways to go before articles like this are pointless? Yes, we do. There are aspects of this subject that could be debated over many more articles. The bottom line for me is to simply get to a point where we call the Black QB by just what this article alluded to at the outset: a quarterback.

Could James Harrison Have Played His Last Down?

We at If It Ain't Steel this summer wrote that this may be James Harrison's final year. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/07/is-this-james-harrisons-final-year.html

Doing so caused a stir among some Steelers fans. Evidently, they couldn't or didn't want to believe that one of their favorites soon may not be available. That his knee and/or back problems or monetary issues would bring a quicker departure for the Silverback. Here's an example of an exchange I had with one in particular after posting the piece:

JF: nope not gonna happen
July 25 at 1:59pm via mobile · Like

Jason Antonio Robinson So, if his back (or knee) just isn't healthy enough and his salary could be used elsewhere, especially knowing the Steelers history in such matters, you think they'd keep him anyway.
July 25 at 2:02pm via mobile · Like · 1

JF:yeap yeap or just retire like peezy did
July 25 at 2:07pm via mobile · Like

Jason Antonio Robinson Ok. Then, in reply I'd like to say: Alan Faneca, Mike Webster, L.C. Greenwood, Levon Kirkland, Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, Greg Lloyd, Aaron Smith and Hines Ward
July 25 at 2:13pm via mobile · Like

JF: and when they all left they wasnt as good as when they were when they were all steelers case and point at least all of them retired as steelers
July 25 at 2:17pm via mobile · Like

Jason Antonio Robinson That isn't the point, nor is it true. Faneca was still very good, I believe he went to a Pro Bowl. Porter had a career high in sacks after he left. Kirkland went to a pretty good defense in Seattle. Not all retired as Steelers either. The point is simply that his health and/or salary issues could cause a release next year. I'm optimistic, but I also know it's a possibility. Didn't say probability, I said possibility. I'm not the only who has said so either
July 25 at 2:27pm via mobile · Like

JF: well u and whoever thinks r not real fan if yinz think like that and all did retire as steelers meaning they will always be known as a part of the steelers and most of there best years were in a steeler uniform

"Not real fan(s)?" Ok. Nonetheless, it has now become evident to everyone that what was written in the article was on point regarding Deebo's situation. All accept for the timeframe.

Harrison's "health and/or salary issues could" not only "cause a release next year," but the knee problem specifically may cause him to miss the rest of this year...or more. Lance Williams of Steel Curtain Radio suggested as much in his most recent podcast. - http://steelcurtainradio.com/?p=283

We wrote once before of how important Harrison is not only to the terrorizing of quarterbacks, but especially to the run defense.

The Steelers going into the bye week are near the bottom of the NFL in sacks (5 total) and are surrendering 101 yards per game on the ground (4.32 yards per carry). Can one man really mean that much to a defense?

The evidence seems to suggest "yes."

Now, the lack of a healthy Troy Polamalu obviously also factors into a faltering defense. The loss of a Silverback, though, means a weak core. Teams are able concentrate on stopping the left side because the right has been all but absent. The experiment of a Jason Worilds and Chris Carter tag team isn't working.

Why, some have asked, didn't this get addressed sooner, though? Why didn't the coaches do something? Why didn't they cut him? Why didn't they PUP list him?

Firstly, there was no way the Steelers were going to just cut Harrison at the start of the season. Not only would there have been the injury liability to hinder that, but he has a base salary this season of over $5.5 million and he carries a cap charge of over $9 million. So, that wasn't going to happen. Fans tend to forget the business side of things and it can affect either keeping or releasing a player.

Plus, I doubt anyone, including Harrison, even knew just how bad this all was until recently. Was there a possibility? Maybe. Possible, though, not probable. Considering he was taken off of Active PUP so late in Training Camp/preseason, we'd suggested that he may not be back until after the bye. Surely the coaches and trainers felt the same.

Could Deebo return at some point this season, though, say in time for the playoffs, and still be Deebo? Like I said in the above exchange, I'm optimistic that he can do so. A 75% of James Harrison is better than 100% of whomever else on the defense. He's 34 and not responding well to his injuries, though. Thus definitely making this latest setback very disconcerting.

One thing that has been suggested is Harrison's being put on the Injured Reserve list and agreeing to a pay cut for next year. If so, it would have to be a significant reduction, he's due over $6 million next season. I suppose that it's possible, but it depends on Harrison and whether he thinks he can come back and play again at a high level.

If he comes back at all.

~

TIDBITS: Weslye Saunders had a four-game, not four-week suspension after all. - http://t.co/PFWQvS28

As Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggest, he will help the rushing offense once he does since he's a better blocker than Leonard Pope. But, who isn't? - http://t.co/wKlWu3VI

How massive was the Steelers collapse in the fourth quarter Sunday to the Raiders? Oakland had lost 48 straight games when trailing by 10+ points entering the fourth quarter.

The last two times the Steelers started 1-2 were in 2009 and 2006 - they missed the playoffs each time. Coincidently, those seasons also included losses to the Oakland Raiders. (Gawd, I hate them...)

Darren McFadden's 64-yard touchdown run was the longest the Steelers defense had allowed in six years. The Broncos' Javon Walker had a 72-yard TD run in 2006.

Decline of the Steelers Defense: Is Dick LeBeau to Blame or the Personnel?

Contributing writer, Larry Sayre

I know that some will be curious at first about the title and theme of an article about the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL in 2011.

It's true, though. There are noticeable chinks in the armor of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. There were signs of rust in the Steel Curtain that could be seen as far back as 2008, but definite corrosion had set in starting in 2010.

I know the arguments: the 2008, 2010 and 2011 teams were all 12-4 and had the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 1 ranked defenses. Two of those were Super Bowl teams, including a Super Bowl winner. Though they lost in the first game of last season's playoffs, it can be argued that the loss of five starters to injury or ailment, not to mention a hobbled quarterback, were key reasons for that loss.

Mark Twain is credited with the quote: "There are three types of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics. And those stats have lied, to some degree, with the Steelers defense of late.

The poor performance we saw in Sunday's loss to the Oakland Raiders prove some numbers don't lie, though. Meaning the numbers of missed sacks, missed tackles and the many missed assignments. The defensive players talked about some of these after the game. -http://tinyurl.com/d9op85h

Ryan Clark said the lack of performance "wasn't from a lack of trying." LaMarr Woodley admitted that they got pressure a few times, but that it wasn't enough. The Steelers did actually have nine pressures, along with Woodley's sack, against the Raiders, with Foote and Keisel leading the way with three each. Like Woodley said, though, it wasn't enough.

It isn't enough when the Seattle Seahawks recorded nine sacks, not pressures, sacks, against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. In fact, the Seahawks had more sacks in the first half of that game than the Steelers have in three full games this season (8-5).

That used to be the Steelers forte: a rock-hard, fearsome defense that punished quarterbacks, and teams in general, when they faced the Men of Steel. 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: the defense isn't feared as it has been even in the recent past, nor does it cause the chaotic confusion it once did. A confusion that is the driving force behind the 3-4 scheme defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau uses. Raiders wide receiver Derek Hagan even said the Steelers were doing pretty much the "same thing they did six, seven years ago..." Carson Palmer all but said as much as well. - http://t.co/lxs2hxI9

This begs the question then: Is it execution of the personnel, quality of personnel or is it just time for a change in coordinators?

Look, it hurts to even ask the third part of that question, let alone write an article on it. 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, it's a subject that needs to be addressed based on what has been seen in the three games this season, on how last season ended and on how certain trends have developed. The word "predictable" has now even been used in connection with Lebeau and his schemes. - http://tinyurl.com/bpepgoz

First of all, be honest, did you see any real adjustments on Sunday to what Palmer and the Raiders offense were doing in the second half?

Considering the defense hadn't gotten any significant pressure from a four-man front before, was there any sense in rushing only four on third-and-10 late in the game?

We've questioned Lawrence Timmons' play in previous articles and ask now if there was any logic to what he was doing all day. We didn't see any creative ways to get a pass rush off the right side from Chris Carter or Jason Worilds. (I checked the tape, they were actually there.) Nor did we see much of anything from the middle, such as the crossfire blitz we suggested in the Raiders preview blog. Did you?

There is other evidence. Let's go back a ways, though, in order to see the genesis of it more clearly.

Everyone remembers the same big plays from Super Bowl 43: James Harrison's Super Bowl record 100-yard interception return and the 82-yard (really 92) drive that ended with the Immaculate Reception II. If you also remember, it was Woodley's strip sack that ended SB 43 and saved the game after a near collapse that started late in the second half after a 20-7 lead.

There were signs even in that game, though, of the issues regarding LeBeau's tendencies.

To be as succinct as possible regarding the game, Arizona had about 15 yards of total offense after the first quarter. They had about 127 yards of offense in the second, most of which came on one drive. They had about a 142 yards in total offense in the first half, 91 came on one drive. Only seven points were given up in the first half. The defense had done an outstanding job to that point.

The 11:30 mark of the 4th is when it went downhill fast. If I remember correctly that is when we started to drop the safeties back, giving a much bigger cushion. Troy Polamalu was rolling over into coverage on Larry Fitzgerald. Polamalu's playing deeper allowed Fitzgerald to get open underneath. It allowed the Cardinals to get momentum and confidence.

That was evidenced by the go ahead touchdown to Fitzgerald when both safeties were very deep. This is an example of what can be bothersome with LeBeau.

The Steelers had been executing a great game plan. Why call off the dogs? Why change what was working? It almost cost the Steelers a Lombardi.

We don't look at the 2009 season itself as an indictment considering that the special teams unit surrendered so many returns that influenced games that year. Nonetheless, the bend-but-don't-break defensive philosophy LeBeau tends to employ late in games, the calling off of the dogs mentality, often comes too quickly. It allows the other team's offense to gain confidence and get into a groove.

It was still seen enough times in '09 to mention it, nonetheless, the Chiefs and Raiders games to name a couple. Though, many times they had been playing very well up to that point, LeBeau started playing passive in those situations which resulted in losses. They basically played to protect a lead, not to plunge the dagger deeper and win.

Super Bowl 45 is obviously on the list of example, but was a little different. It wasn't so much a collapse as it was the Green Bay Packers just exploiting a weak secondary all game. Most Steelers fans knew that would be an issue and it was. It could have been worse, actually. 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. Like they couldn't Sunday against the Raiders.

Two straight Steelers' Super Bowls where the defense does not show up late in the fourth quarter when needed most.

Especially now with this last example being presented, was this completely a coaching/scheme issue? Could it be instead a personnel or execution problem? After all, LeBeau has shown the ability to change his attack given the circumstances, as was evidenced in the New England Patriots game last year in 2011. And no one is going to present an argument convincing enough to make believable that LeBeau suddenly forgot how to run a defense.

So we don't think LeBeau necessarily needs to be replaced. He simply needs to get out of this comfort zone, especially at the end of ballgames. His defense was No. 1 in total defense/yards per game at 282.1, in passing yards at 180.4, in passing yards per attempt at 5.6 and in points per game at 15.1. Excellent!

That leads us to the execution of the schemes by the players on the whole.

Without a healthy James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley together most of the year, though, the pass rush was hindered. As has been seen, it hindered the secondary tremendously. Consistent pressure leads to creating more turnovers. Two things the Steelers have severely lacked of late.

Such players as Keenan Lewis and Cortez Allen seemed to emerge. Tez was a big part of the success in the aforementioned Patriots game. He locked down on their tight ends, Gronkowski specifically. Ike Taylor had a very good year as well.

They haven't been stellar this year, though. The Steelers haven't had a true lockdown cornerback since Rod Woodson, nor as elite a corner/safety combination since Woodson and Carnell Lake. All due respect to Ike, he is NOT an elite cornerback. And the youth of Lewis, Tez and Curtis Brown have yet to truly distinguish themselves and give Steeler Nation that warm and fuzzy feeling.

The pass defense is something that can be helped with the return of a healthy Polamalu. Helped, not fixed. - http://t.co/sdwtrKcx

Neither have the youth in the linebacking corps. Worilds, Carter and, to a lesser degree, Stevenson Sylvester haven't yet emerged as a replacement for the aging James Harrison and the retired James Farrior. A linebacking corps that was responsible for allowing 99.8 rushing yards per game last season (only No. 8 last season) and 4.0 yards per attempt (No. 9 last season).

This season has been no different. In some ways it's actually worse. Though, we may see Sylvester after the bye against the Philadelphia Eagles, we won't see Harrison. - http://t.co/sa00Iahz

Certain cognoscenti even have suggested or surmised that Harrison might even be put on IR. Either way, we shouldn't see him before the Tennessee Titans game. That way he'd have a built-in bye week to see if the knee will have been able to respond after actual game time.

If either of two of the last four NFL Defensive Players of the Year returns the defense will be helped. Again though, helped, not fixed. It needs more. To quote Lance Williams of Steel Curtain Radio, the young guys have to become the guys.

The Steelers historically have always been great against the run. Not lately, though. They need help at inside linebacker also. This is where the loss of one of those young guys, Sean Spence, to IR really hurts. Hurts more than the loss of guard David DeCastro. A lot more. Spence was the draft pick who was brought in to be the hybrid linebacker, the one who could rush, tackle as well as cover tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. Not immediately, but as the season went along he was expected to contribute.

Pointedly, there are two obvious differences from years past to now that smack directly at those linebackers: (1) they are giving away pre-snap reads on blitzes, as alluded to in the Carson Palmer article by Mark Kaboly. And (2) they don't seem to audible out of defensive alignments or assignments as in the past. Like we've written several times this season already, they're caught out of position too often.

Sylvester will be back soon and should help in this area. Spence won't. It hurts a lot more.

Lastly, if it is the players, are they simply not of the caliber that Steeler Nation is used to seeing? Kevin Colbert is known for having a keen eye for talent, but no one is perfect. It's at least feasible that the majority of this crop of talent is that in name only.

If that is the case, it might behoove LeBeau and company to borrow from Art Rooney II and "tweak" things some. Maybe try some defensive changes that suit the personnel. Persuade LeBeau to use more 4-3 (Woodley did play defensive end at Michigan after all) or 4-2-5 alignments. It isn't as if the 3-4 doesn't work, as the Arizona Cardinals under former Steelers assistant Ray Horton, use it quite effectively. They have the players for it, though.

As an extra element to consider regarding the 3-4, the Chicago Bears are the absolute last team to never have used it in some form. With so many teams using it part-time or as their base defense, the element of surprise or at least unfamiliararity is gone. For a deeper look at it, please review an article we wrote on it last year. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/10/3-4-vs-4-3-defense-is-it-time-for.html

That being the case, use Steve McLendon to attack more - Hampton clearly isn't getting it done as it is. Use Cameron Heyward more as well to help spell Brett Keisel and to get more comfortable with the defense and more experience in it. The standard is supposed to be the standard, right?

The point is that they need to either be more flexible with their schemes, LeBeau's defense is very complex as it is, draft better players or execute better. The first among those would seem to be execution. - http://tinyurl.com/9g33t72

All things considered, the Steelers defense isn't doomed for the doldrums of the NFL anytime soon. The issues they have are not truly problems yet, especially with two, possibly three, players coming back in the next few weeks. They will, though, be forced to find some way to at most instill that fear once again or at least slow down their opponents when it counts most. Neither of which they have been able to do in a long time.

Steelers Lose Again To Raiders Amidst Turnovers And Penalties

Submitted for your approval...

What started out so good ended so badly. It was 2006 all over again.

The first play of the game between the long-time rivals Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders resulted in a Raiders turnover as free safety Ryan Clark with the interception. It was looking good.

The Steelers went for for it on 4th-and-1 from the Raiders' 27 and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger moved the chains by throwing to wide receiver Mike Wallace for 19 yards. Then, for the third straight game, tight end Heath Miller scores the Steelers first touchdown. He was wide open for a 5-yard touchdown throw from Big Ben.

The Beaver County Times Mike Bires tweeted from his personal Twitter account that, "When I asked Roethlisberger about Heath Miller on Wednesday, he said 'We want to get him to the Pro Bowl.'" It was looking very good.

Then it became clear that the Black Hole would become more like the Twilight Zone.

In three plays the Raiders tied it up in an improbable way. Darren McFadden broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run. It was improbable because the Steelers rarely give up yards on the ground in such a manner. Improbable also because McFadden had rushed for only 54 yards in the Raiders first two games.

The Raiders sealed off the backside linebacker and it was up to the safety. Brett Keisel should've spiked inside. Lawrence Timmons had a terrible first read, Casey Hampton made a horrible effort, and Ryan Mundy lost his socks on McFadden's shoulder shake...just terrible defense on that touchdown run.

It has become an all-too-common situation now with the Steelers defense. They're either caught out of place, they don't play their gaps and they can't get stops when needed. Whether it's scheme, alignment, coaching, players or a combination of all of the above, the defense is offensive.

Want proof? In the last 10 road games the Steelers defense has recorded all of 10 sacks. The Steelers are 5-5 in those games. The vaunted Blitzburgh has been Splits-burgh.

Want more proof? Historically the Steelers don't allow 100-yard rushers. From 2005 to 2010, six years that included three Super Bowl appearances, the Steelers defense allowed four such games by running backs. They've allowed four in the last 19 games going back to week one of 2011.

Plain and simple, the defense, or lack thereof, is a concern. - http://tinyurl.com/9ush4xd

Back to the game specifically, an amazing 73-yard punt return for a touchdown by Antonio Brown was nullified by two flags on the Steelers on the play. TD negated. Game changed.

The Steelers were flagged 10 times for 81 yards with only three flags being called on the Raiders. No excuses being made this week either. The penalties were mostly correct. The refereeing was horrendous around the league yet again, so there's no point in dwelling on the referees.

You can't win playing such poor defense and stopping your own drives with penalties. Those were only two parts of the triad of problems causing the Steelers loss today. The third made this eerily similar to the last trip to the Twilight Zone...er uh...Black Hole.

Turnovers plagued the Steelers again in this trip to Oakland. In 2006 there were four interceptions by Big Ben Roethlisberger, two of which returned for touchdowns. One of 24 yards by Nnamdi Asomugha in the first quarter and the backbreaker being of 100 yards by Chris Carr in the fourth quarter.

Sunday the turnovers were by all but Big Ben. Antonio Brown had two of them, one of which he miraculously recovered for a touchdown. The other wasn't and led to Raiders points. Jonathan Dwyer coughed up the other fumble that wasn't recovered by the offense. Turnovers lead to points that ultimately lost it for the Steelers.

"We expect more and better from ourselves," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "We turned the ball over. We can't do that..." - http://tinyurl.com/9az2pfm

He also mentioned special teams. Tomlin fired former special teams coach Al Everest right before the season. Amos Jones was promoted.

More first downs then and now, more turnovers then and now, more yards then and now...oh, and more penalties then and now.

How can a team that allowed Mike Wallace to be so wide open be the same team that played playoff defense down the stretch?

Spreading the wealth again by Big Ben, who was the Steelers Digest Player of the Week, was the only bright spot in the game, as he connected with 10 different receivers again. He went 36-49 for 384 with four (maybe 3) TDs.

This wasn't on the implementation of the offense at all. Yes, it was questionable and even stagnant at times, but it's still a work in progress. That work in progress scored 31 points and could've (read: should've) scored more.

This was about lack of execution/penalty miscues on offense and poor play on defense. A defense that has secondary and pass rush issues. Issues that won't be solved with the return of Troy Polamalu and James Harrison respectively, either. They are issues that have been on the horizon for some time.

Still, it's early enough in the year where we don't think there's reason to panic. We predicted a 10-6 season anyway and still believe that's possible. Games will be won that should've been lost and games will be lost (ahem) that should be won.

Most importantly, none of the rest of them will be played in the Twilight Zone.