The pass rush

[Coach]

Last year I was a bit surprised at the Steelers ability to pressure QB's and our sack total.

Entering the 2016 season, its a concern. Heyward is hurting, and likely out for the opener. He could be more injured than we realize. Dupree is out for a while. Harrison is a warrior, but he's 38 years old. These three players are arguably our best pass rushers. Well--Maybe Dupree isn't but you get the picture.

The healthy players are Tuitt, Hargrave ( our hope ), Jones, Moats, and Chickillo. That's our primary pass rush, excluding ILB, and DB blitzes.

With a young secondary in transition with several young players, a good pass rush is a must. Sorry, I don't see it. The Offense is going to need to score lots of points, and possibly control the time of possession, keeping the defense off the field until the young DB's and our primary pass rushers get healthy.

Butler is caught in a dangerous catch 22. Can he really afford to blitz often with our DB's? Or does he play off and get nickel and dimed a bit, perhaps ripped for a big play if a DB misses a tackle?

If you can't rush the passer, you better be able to cover. If you can't cover, you'd better be able to rush the passer.

Entering the 2016 season, The Steelers defense can do neither.

 

[slashsteel]

Tuit and Hargrave can get after it.

Moats looks improved in this area, we will see come game time.

JJ is in a contract year we might see a improvement.

Harrison can still get after it.

Perhaps not a top 5 pass rush, but they look capable for being adequate.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Given that the Steelers will be in the nickel most of the time, I am interested to see how they use their personnel as the season progresses. Tuitt, Hargrave and Heyward all can get after the quarterback. Too bad Dupree is hurt because that could have been a pretty nice front four.

 

[Litos]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Timmons blitzing ocasionally

 

[Spike]

If anybody thinks we are generating a pass rush with these guys on the DL they are smoking crack. just hope they don't get bowled over up the gut on every run play.

Blitzes and LB stunts have been our pass rush for years.

 

[slashsteel]

If anybody thinks we are generating a pass rush with these guys on the DL they are smoking crack. just hope they don't get bowled over up the gut on every run play.

Blitzes and LB stunts have been our pass rush for years.

Tuitt and Heyward led the team last year with 7 and 6.5 statistically.

With a improved Tuitt I could see 10 sacks on the season. I think that is generating a pass rush.

Little left on the crack pipe desire a hit?

 

[Punxsutawney]

Tuit and Hargrave can get after it.

Moats looks improved in this area, we will see come game time.

JJ is in a contract year we might see a improvement.

Harrison can still get after it.

Perhaps not a top 5 pass rush, but they look capable for being adequate.

The problem is that with the issues in the secondary, they need more than just adequate from the pass rush.

The injuries to both Heyward and Dupree are big concerns, as they're probably the two most physically talented pass rushers the Steelers have. We know Dupree is probably out for a couple months, and I'm skeptical about Heyward's injury not being something that will negatively affect his play for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, Tuitt takes his game to the next level and Harrison has more left in the tank than we expect.

 

[jra166]

Chickillo is going to get his chance ahead of schedule... and if he can seize it, we may get more production out of Chick, than Dupree and Jones combined. That may seem ludicrous, but looking at last years numbers, it's not far fetched. Heck, I expect Moats to get more production than Jones and Dupree combined in 2015.

 

[slashsteel]

The problem is that with the issues in the secondary, they need more than just adequate from the pass rush.

The injuries to both Heyward and Dupree are big concerns, as they're probably the two most physically talented pass rushers the Steelers have. We know Dupree is probably out for a couple months, and I'm skeptical about Heyward's injury not being something that will negatively affect his play for the foreseeable future.

Hopefully, Tuitt takes his game to the next level and Harrison has more left in the tank than we expect.

Perhaps, but they were damn close last year and we can debate the parts are there for improvement this year provided they stay healthy.

Dupree factor's in this way of thinking. But at least he can return and isn't out for the year.

Hargrave/Burns/Tuitt/Davis: These four can either help the team rise or level off toward the end.

I think this years draft class will be counted on producing a little more than in the past.

We'll see.

 

[Litos]

Chickillo is going to get his chance ahead of schedule... and if he can seize it, we may get more production out of Chick, than Dupree and Jones combined. That may seem ludicrous, but looking at last years numbers, it's not far fetched. Heck, I expect Moats to get more production than Jones and Dupree combined in 2015.

I don't get why you are so down on Dupree, the kid showed he can become a very good OLB

 

[Punxsutawney]

Tuitt and Heyward led the team last year with 7 and 6.5 statistically.

With a improved Tuitt I could see 10 sacks on the season. I think that is generating a pass rush.

Little left on the crack pipe desire a hit?

Tuitt benefitted a lot from playing right next to a healthy Heyward in the nickel defense last season. With Heyward inactive/limited, Tuitt is going to get a lot more attention from opposing offenses.

We'll see if he can handle it.

 

[slashsteel]

Chickillo is going to get his chance ahead of schedule... and if he can seize it, we may get more production out of Chick, than Dupree and Jones combined. That may seem ludicrous, but looking at last years numbers, it's not far fetched. Heck, I expect Moats to get more production than Jones and Dupree combined in 2015.

perhaps a stretch here

 

[SteelerFan448]

If anybody thinks we are generating a pass rush with these guys on the DL they are smoking crack. just hope they don't get bowled over up the gut on every run play.

I guess that includes Keith Butler who used his defensive ends to get to the quarterback last year and then drafted/will start a nose tackle best known for generating a pass rush.

 

[SteelerFan448]

perhaps a stretch here

That's only 55 tackles and 6.0 sacks.

 

[slashsteel]

That's only 55 tackles and 6.0 sacks.

I just think Moats will continue on a rotation. If we want to factor Dupree being out to injury....maybe.

JJ is in a contract year, I think Moats and his statistics will end similar.

 

[jra166]

I don't get why you are so down on Dupree, the kid showed he can become a very good OLB

Not down on Dupree, but he has yet to put together a solid season from start to finish. Not his fault as this is only his second year, but he still has to show it and prove it. Just like Tuitt did last year. Tuit had flashed in 2014, like Bud, and last year he put together a solid year. Now we know what we have. Unfort with Bud being injured through most of the pre-season and the first few weeks of the season, he is starting off his second year at a disadvantage.

I have high hopes for Bud, but for all intensive purposes. He is still an unknown. I don't need to remind anyone of Kendrell Bell....

 

[jra166]

That's only 55 tackles and 6.0 sacks.

That bad huh? I actually was giving them a little more credit... Come on Chick and Moats!

 

[slashsteel]

Not down on Dupree, but he has yet to put together a solid season from start to finish. Not his fault as this is only his second year, but he still has to show it and prove it. Just like Tuitt did last year. Tuit had flashed in 2014, like Bud, and last year he put together a solid year. Now we know what we have. Unfort with Bud being injured through most of the pre-season and the first few weeks of the season, he is starting off his second year at a disadvantage.

I have high hopes for Bud, but for all intensive purposes. He is still an unknown. I don't need to remind anyone of Kendrell Bell....

Bell had lingering ankle issues I believe. A groin/sports hernia type injury isn't career threatening. Just ask Heath.

 

[Spike]

Tuitt and Heyward led the team last year with 7 and 6.5 statistically.

With a improved Tuitt I could see 10 sacks on the season. I think that is generating a pass rush.

Cam isn't playing this week, is he?

One game at a time

Stat projections are for losers

 

[slashsteel]

Cam isn't playing this week, is he?

One game at a time

Stat projections are for losers

It is unreasonable to project Tuitt will be improved with how solid his preseason has been?

Those stat projections show what recent area of the team produced and the D-line was on top.

You are allowed to be wrong Spike.

 

[Spike]

You are allowed to be wrong Spike.

Just the facts, ma'am

I won't waste much spit talking about the 30th ranked pass defense in the league.

What pass rush was that again?


I laugh at all the defense threads - none of them matter. It will ALL come down to Ben and his offense being able to steamroll over teams, just hope the defense doesn't **** the bed too often.

 

[slashsteel]

Just the facts, ma'am

I won't waste much spit talking about the 30th ranked pass defense in the league.

What pass rush was that again? ......


I laugh at all the defense threads - none of them matter. It will ALL come down to Ben and his offense being able to steamroll over teams, just hope the defense doesn't **** the bed too often.

they were 19th in sacks... that 30th ranking had more to do with piss poor secondary coverage...

obviously both areas need improvement.....

but defense still matters and will need improvement to get where the team and fans want to go.

 

[Spike]

Of course our secondary is the weakest link, we all know that, I hope.

I just want our O-line to stay healthy and intact to keep Ben safe. He is the reason we will win.

Whatever the D can do to stay off the field is gravy.

 

[Stryker]

Not down on Dupree, but he has yet to put together a solid season from start to finish. Not his fault as this is only his second year, but he still has to show it and prove it. Just like Tuitt did last year. Tuit had flashed in 2014, like Bud, and last year he put together a solid year. Now we know what we have. Unfort with Bud being injured through most of the pre-season and the first few weeks of the season, he is starting off his second year at a disadvantage.

I have high hopes for Bud, but for all intensive purposes. He is still an unknown. I don't need to remind anyone of Kendrell Bell....

No real comparison. Bell started all year and was the Rookie DPOY. Dupree was a rotational player that stopped being productive in October.

From what I've seen in the preseason, Moats may be our best pass rushing option at OLB. It looks like he's improved his moves this offseason. Perhaps coach Porter is honing his potential?

 

[TDX27]

Moats did have 2.5 sacks in limited play during the preseason to lead the team. Let's hope that continues.