This defense must be fixed

[Coach]

I’d start with the coaches. Tomlin, Butler and Porter. One may go. I’d broom all three, but we know what the problem is, at least on the player side

It took Tomlin a season to figure out that Fort is better than Bostic. Maybe it will take captain bug eyes two seasons to figure out Thomas can play?

Plan A. The draft

Vince Williams is over paid, slow with outdated skills. Bud Dupree is average with poor awareness and effort. Watt is a top nfl player who needs a better dance partner.

A three down middle linebacker with speed who can cover and tackle is the primary need in the draft and the Steelers should be able to get a good one in round one or two.

In the secondary our safeties as a unit are below average. Edmunds looked petty bad yesterday. It was like a rookie debut except it was his 16th game. Davis is a messy tackler with poor ball skills. He needs to be replaced as a starter. Our prized free agent Morgan Burnett was a bust. He’s too injury prone and slow. I’m fine with picking a speedy safety with ball skills in round 1-3.

Which brings me to DL. We have 2 very good ones and a solid player. Hargrave had his best season. He’s not a threat to make the pro bowl, but give the man his due. Heyward and Tuitt did not have their best seasons, but remain very good players. This unit could use a stronger DT/NT vs the run and a better bull rusher to collapse the pocket. Being that this is a DT heavy draft finding that guy can happen in rounds two or three. The Steelers need one more good DL player for the nickel.


Plan B. Free agency. The Steelers have a lot of cap space and can buy upgrades. Either one elite level player or two good ones.


Plan C. Trade for Ramsey. Offer our 1st and 3rd and use our 2 round pick on an inside linebacker. This move can make it rain turnovers but it would also fill up our cap space. If a first and 3rd can get us Ramsey I say do it. Our second corner is more like a 3rd who playing because Burns is a mess.




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[BLITZ]

Heyward had a pretty damn good year.

 

[Drink IRON City]

A 1st and a 3rd and you get one of the BEST CBS in the league but you also get a mouth that doesn't quit. Under any other coach that might be OK but this coach has a tendency to feed into that mouth. Could our coaching keep the player somewhat in line??????





Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

A 1st and a 3rd and you get one of the BEST CBS in the league but you also get a mouth that doesn't quit. Under any other coach that might be OK but this coach has a tendency to feed into that mouth. Could our coaching keep the player somewhat in line??????





Salute the nation

Teams avoid Haden. With Ramsey they could not. A team weakness on defense is we can’t get turnovers. With Ramsey in the mix, the Steelers will get their share.


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[diver]

I think the problem on defense starts up front. I feel that Heyward and Tuitt play average football overall for their salaries. Hargrave isn't a nose. It's almost funny how clueless and bad Dupree is. When you look at the defense overall, outside of Watt, it kinda feels like a daunting task to make this a good unit.

It's funny though, I absolutely hate the offense. I find them harder to watch then the defense. Can anyone explain to me why with the lack of tackling they are allowed to do in the NFL that teams don't run the ball more? I'm not asking them to go back to the days of Franco and Rocky when they threw it 12 times a game, but this nonsense we have to watch is just stupid.

 

[slashsteel]

First they need to can Butler and get rid of the scheme. Let Porter and the not so special teams coach go with him. Assuming Rooney won't cut the head off the snake. FS and CB and ILBer needs upgrading. FS and CB you can do in free agency. ILBer you can find a speedy pass coverage capable option in round 1 or 2. A speed WR is needed. You can bring one on and draft one. And then show Hunter the door. In 1 or 2 you can bring in Gilbert's replacement and compete him with the rest of the Ts on the roster. Draft a RB three or round four. And let Ridley go. The CB and FS they don't have to break the bank but they need to be active early enough to not have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Bring in someone to help Tomlin like was mentioned in other threads. This will help the team reach the playoff. Not sure if good in game decisions can be made to go all the way and win it. But perhaps if Tomlin gets out of his own way the new DC and Fitch can do the guiding.

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[Punxsutawney]

A 1st and a 3rd and you get one of the BEST CBS in the league but you also get a mouth that doesn't quit. Under any other coach that might be OK but this coach has a tendency to feed into that mouth. Could our coaching keep the player somewhat in line??????





Salute the nation

The other issue with Ramsey is money.

There's speculation that he's looking for Khalil Mack/Aaron Donald money and is prepared to hold out in 2019 until a team is willing to give it to him, which is why the Jaguars are open to trading him.

Ramsey could be a real difference maker for any team, just like Mack has been for the Bears, but also like the situation with Mack, it will have to be a trade and sign situation, as Ramsey would not play for the new team until he gets a new contract.

The Steelers do not roll that way, though Ramsey would be the kind of player that could put the Steelers over the top.

Ramsey and Haden on the corners, with Watt coming off the edge. Combined with the offense, it be hard for even Tomlin to **** that up.

 

[Chicoman]

First of all the Steelers need to fire Keith Butler. This guy is a terrible DC and they should hire Marvin Lewis if he's fired in Cincy. As for players they should cut ties with Vince Williams and give Matthew Thomas a chance at ILB. He certainly has the speed and quickness. Pressing needs for the Steelers on Defense are ROLB......as Bud Dupree is a complete BUST! Your right TJ needs a better dance partner! They also need a big play, shutdown CB. They also need another BIG DL to help keep those guys fresh in that rotation. I hope the Steelers resign Haden as he's a very good CB and if somehow our Steelers could land Jalen Ramsey that combined with Haden would be a HUGE upgrade for our Defense.

 

[Punxsutawney]

It's funny though, I absolutely hate the offense. I find them harder to watch then the defense. Can anyone explain to me why with the lack of tackling they are allowed to do in the NFL that teams don't run the ball more? .

It's a big reason why the Ravens are having such success. Teams just aren't equipped from a scheme and personnel standpoint to handle that type offense right now.

 

[Punxsutawney]

First of all the Steelers need to fire Keith Butler. This guy is a terrible DC and they should hire Marvin Lewis if he's fired in Cincy. As for players they should cut ties with Vince Williams and give Matthew Thomas a chance at ILB. He certainly has the speed and quickness. Pressing needs for the Steelers on Defense are ROLB......as Bud Dupree is a complete BUST! Your right TJ needs a better dance partner! They also need a big play, shutdown CB. They also need another BIG DL to help keep those guys fresh in that rotation. I hope the Steelers resign Haden as he's a very good CB and if somehow our Steelers could land Jalen Ramsey that combined with Haden would be a HUGE upgrade for our Defense.

Haden is signed thru next season.

 

[Superman]

Butler and Peezy need to be gone. Yesterday.

Maybe even Bradley.

Shades is going nowhere.

is "trade for Ramsey" the new "trade Bell to Cleveland"? Appears so. Keep in mind that Ramsey is going to want not only a Brinks truck backed up, but also the truck and bank it came from. And he'll likely want even more in 2-3 years. We can do without that.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

look at me!x

 

[Drink IRON City]

Butler and Peezy need to be gone. Yesterday.

Maybe even Bradley.

Shades is going nowhere.

is "trade for Ramsey" the new "trade Bell to Cleveland"? Appears so. Keep in mind that Ramsey is going to want not only a Brinks truck backed up, but also the truck and bank it came from. And he'll likely want even more in 2-3 years. We can do without that.

How about that Peterson kid from Arizona?????? Maybe a better bet / cost / fit?????



ALSO our "D" finished 6th overall so I doubt Bustler is gone. ST & Porter should go as a MUST.





Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

Haden is signed thru next season.

Yes, he is. Giving a 3rd contract to Haden ( who will be 30 in April ) will be risky. Even more of a reason to get Ramsey, as he's very young, and not be forced to pay an older vet.


The season has ended, and there has been no release on the frustration. Its actually still building. I feel like I did in the mid to late 1980's, with 9-7 ( or in our case 9-6-1 ) not being good enough, except I know we have more talent than that.


I suppose my frustration will end after the Super Bowl, and for the love of dogs and cats, please let it be anyone but New England.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Plan C. Trade for Ramsey. Offer our 1st and 3rd and use our 2 round pick on an inside linebacker. This move can make it rain turnovers but it would also fill up our cap space. If a first and 3rd can get us Ramsey I say do it. Our second corner is more like a 3rd who playing because Burns is a mess.

Hey dumbass,
Hines already schooled you this week on this very thing you keep repeating. But the mantra is the mantra. Seek help.

 

[Coach]

Hey dumbass,
Hines already schooled you this week on this very thing you keep repeating. But the mantra is the mantra. Seek help.

New year dude, get help. I already proved the Steelers have enough cap space to bring in Ramsey. I suggest you learn how to use the over the cap site. The speculation part of the question is our 1st and 3rd enough to get Jacksonville to trade him? That is debatable.


Ramsey's cap number in 2019 is $7,429,863

The Steelers cap space in 2019 is: $28,646,319

The Steelers cap space in 2020 is $92,472,887


Ya think we can't trade from him or lack the cap space? Peterson may also available, and if he is, that will help make it a buyers market.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

New year.. Same dumbass posts. Same groundhog day mantras. You forgot the "we need to trade Bell ASAP" posts.

you got schooled about Ramsey. And here you are.

 

[slashsteel]

Ramsey probably isn't a option. But they should poke the bear anyways. Get a feel for what he wants.Regardless of who the go after the theme better not be bottom barrel free agents. Or the same exact convo will be taking place next year.

 

[Punxsutawney]

New year dude, get help. I already proved the Steelers have enough cap space to bring in Ramsey. I suggest you learn how to use the over the cap site. The speculation part of the question is our 1st and 3rd enough to get Jacksonville to trade him? That is debatable.


Ramsey's cap number in 2019 is $7,429,863

The Steelers cap space in 2019 is: $28,646,319

The Steelers cap space in 2020 is $92,472,887


Ya think we can't trade from him or lack the cap space? Peterson may also available, and if he is, that will help make it a buyers market.

Ramsey probably isn't playing another down until gets a new contract, whether it is with the Jaguars or another team via trade. The Steelers are just not going to pay a defender QB-type money which is essentially what Mack and Donald recently got and what Ramsey will command.


Peterson is a more realistic scenario, as he likely would not be demanding a huge contract post-trade and is probably more focused on a ring at this point in his career. I do not think he's quite as good as Ramsey, but would still be a huge upgrade for the Steelers.

 

[slashsteel]

Ramsey probably isn't playing another down until gets a new contract, whether it is with the Jaguars or another team via trade. The Steelers are just not going to pay a defender QB-type money which is essentially what Mack and Donald recently got and what Ramsey will command.


Peterson is a more realistic scenario, as he likely would not be demanding a huge contract post-trade and is probably more focused on a ring at this point in his career. I do not think he's quite as good as Ramsey, but would still be a huge upgrade for the Steelers.

And that is what this team needs, obvious upgrades.

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[thesteelcity]

this team got lucky with Haden. Right place, right time and he wanted to come here. They are not trading picks away to sign a huge ticket player like Ramsey. They stay the coarse, draft and pick up mid to lower tier FAs to fill holes. After they re-sign some of their own, they will go shopping for stop gaps. One may be a good name, but not holding my breath. They will have the cash to make some some splashes, but it will be more in the lines of Bostic and Burnett. My optimism level is not high right now.

 

[Coryea]

Hargrave will never get his due because he barely plays.

Like I've said in other posts, our Dline is by far our best unit on D, but instead of maximizing on their talent as a group, we run a pathetic soft 2DL scheme and that forces us to use more LBs our weakest slowest unit on D, just idiotic to me

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[Vader]

Does anybody really think bringing in a diva, all about me CB to the team is a good move? Really?

 

[SteelerFan448]

Coaching really stands out with the defense because they've done a poor job acquiring talent. Too many underachieving high draft picks and the free-agent signings haven't been impact players. Watt is the only impact player on the defensive side. You have some pretty good pieces with Heyward, Hargrave, Tuitt, and Haden. That's about it. There are six guys on this defense that are replaceable, and I'm including Edmunds in this group. I'll eat my words if I'm wrong, but after watching his rookie season, I didn't see anything that showed me he'd be a playmaker at the position. Maybe with elite talent around him he can stand out, but otherwise, he looks like just a guy. We have the same with Sean Davis. The ILBs are borderline starters and Dupree is going to make WAY too much money next year for what he brings to the table. Based on some of his interviews, I think the guy thinks very highly of himself as well.

 

[mdk2]

Coaching really stands out with the defense because they've done a poor job acquiring talent. Too many underachieving high draft picks and the free-agent signings haven't been impact players. Watt is the only impact player on the defensive side. You have some pretty good pieces with Heyward, Hargrave, Tuitt, and Haden. That's about it. There are six guys on this defense that are replaceable, and I'm including Edmunds in this group. I'll eat my words if I'm wrong, but after watching his rookie season, I didn't see anything that showed me he'd be a playmaker at the position. Maybe with elite talent around him he can stand out, but otherwise, he looks like just a guy. We have the same with Sean Davis. The ILBs are borderline starters and Dupree is going to make WAY too much money next year for what he brings to the table. Based on some of his interviews, I think the guy thinks very highly of himself as well.

Just wait.. come training camp, the defense is going to come up with some of the most bad *** endzone poses to do after they accidentally fall on a loose football.