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Strategies to Break Steelers Slump

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By: Bill Washinski SteelerNation.com The Pittsburgh Steelers season is hardly over. They are still strongly sitting at 11-2 and a Monday Night Football win from clinching the AFC North Division Championship. They have been crushed by a lot of injuries in a short period of time (which was largely a result of a schedule disruption) […]

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Tomlin sent Ebron and DJ a message against the Bills not sure if sitting them further helps a struggling offense. If Ben is going to sit back not sure if bringing a FB in helps. They can occasionally try it just not on third down please.
Steeler Nation said:
By: Bill Washinski SteelerNation.com The Pittsburgh Steelers season is hardly over. They are still strongly sitting at 11-2 and a Monday Night Football win from clinching the AFC North Division Championship. They have been crushed by a lot of injuries in a short period of time (which was largely a result of a schedule disruption) […]

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
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Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Let Ben call the plays.
 
Interesting take for the defensive front. While they do go to a "four" man front, it is done by bringing an LB to the LOS (usually the OLB). That isn't a classic 43 look for gap/contain responsibility surface though. The problem, as you point out, is there is no replacement for Dupree. Highsmith is the next man up but he is raw. I would be hesitant about trying to plug one of our DE's (more DT's in other systems) into that role though. I'd have to give some more thought to gap and contain responsibilities, but I think that might be a bit too much of a disruption at this point of the season. But what do I know - just my $0.02.

One thing I want to see more of (and I know this I am not alone given the calls here), is more intermediate passes. I saw a quote from OC recently about the short passes and not always needing to go 30+ yards. My first thought was why not 7-15 yard passes? Our WR's are getting open behind the LB's as they LB's are keeping the zone coverage tight to the line. That is a product of the short passes. Hit a tight end on a 10 yard seam route or a WR cross a couple of times and the LB's will have to loose up the middle zones.
 
Hoot said:
Interesting take for the defensive front. While they do go to a "four" man front, it is done by bringing an LB to the LOS (usually the OLB). That isn't a classic 43 look for gap/contain responsibility surface though. The problem, as you point out, is there is no replacement for Dupree. Highsmith is the next man up but he is raw. I would be hesitant about trying to plug one of our DE's (more DT's in other systems) into that role though. I'd have to give some more thought to gap and contain responsibilities, but I think that might be a bit too much of a disruption at this point of the season. But what do I know - just my $0.02.

One thing I want to see more of (and I know this I am not alone given the calls here), is more intermediate passes. I saw a quote from OC recently about the short passes and not always needing to go 30+ yards. My first thought was why not 7-15 yard passes? Our WR's are getting open behind the LB's as they LB's are keeping the zone coverage tight to the line. That is a product of the short passes. Hit a tight end on a 10 yard seam route or a WR cross a couple of times and the LB's will have to loose up the middle zones.
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In previous years, Heyward lined up at DE.

I’m not suggesting a full time move. But when you watch our 4 man front, Dupree/Watt were pass rushers or basically stand up DE. Out of that set — give a different look. Heyward is good enough to adjust down stretch.

Especially missing 2 LBs, Highsmith can help out where we are thin there. He could be a threat to blitz and who better to try it a few times than struggling Bengals?

The mindset is to help our LBs as much as Pass Rush. With any luck, we just need to do it for 2 games.


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FSF said:
In previous years, Heyward lined up at DE.

I’m not suggesting a full time move. But when you watch our 4 man front, Dupree/Watt were pass rushers or basically stand up DE. Out of that set — give a different look. Heyward is good enough to adjust down stretch.

Especially missing 2 LBs, Highsmith can help out where we are thin there. He could be a threat to blitz and who better to try it a few times than struggling Bengals?

The mindset is to help our LBs as much as Pass Rush. With any luck, we just need to do it for 2 games.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
Click to expand...

I don't recall Heyward going to a more pure DE. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, just that I don't have detailed recollection. I remember them going to that 2 man front last year and it was soft as pudding in the middle. They tried to game Bud from the edge over to the middle with that. Maybe that isn't what you are thinking. I htink they are healthy enough on the inside to move Cam out (was just a few games ago Buggs and Mondo were manning inside). Do you think Heyward can handle run contain with a fast back to his side? I think you would need someone else to play that force role. He isn't going to run something down from behind on play away, but then if he just holds the reverse/cutback that is fine. Again, would have to think about personel and gaps a bit more, but I like the creative thinking in general. Goodness knows we need a spark.

Yes, we are woefully thin at LB. Loosing both Bush and Dupree was bad but tossing RS in as well and it is just salt in open wounds. My hope is to get through Cincy, take the AFCN title, and start doing some work in pratice to deal with the losses as well as start to rest a few key vets.

Speakkng - have you heard when RS is due back? I haven't seen it but I have been a bit busy lately.
 
Throw more intermediate passes. I said it in another thread, start this game with Ben throwing 3 balls 20+ yards in the air no matter the result (hopefully not a turnover). Pick Ben's 3 favorite plays of that variety and start the game that way. It will open up the underneath throws and the running game, especially if he can connect on at least 2 of the passes. And, it will put that on film for other teams to see so they don't stack the box. And, get and keep Claypool as part of the game plan. Throw it to him, especially deep.. No one can cover him. If the ball is on the money, he will catch it or get PI.
 
Hoot said:
I don't recall Heyward going to a more pure DE. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, just that I don't have detailed recollection. I remember them going to that 2 man front last year and it was soft as pudding in the middle. They tried to game Bud from the edge over to the middle with that. Maybe that isn't what you are thinking. I htink they are healthy enough on the inside to move Cam out (was just a few games ago Buggs and Mondo were manning inside). Do you think Heyward can handle run contain with a fast back to his side? I think you would need someone else to play that force role. He isn't going to run something down from behind on play away, but then if he just holds the reverse/cutback that is fine. Again, would have to think about personel and gaps a bit more, but I like the creative thinking in general. Goodness knows we need a spark.

Yes, we are woefully thin at LB. Loosing both Bush and Dupree was bad but tossing RS in as well and it is just salt in open wounds. My hope is to get through Cincy, take the AFCN title, and start doing some work in pratice to deal with the losses as well as start to rest a few key vets.

Speakkng - have you heard when RS is due back? I haven't seen it but I have been a bit busy lately.
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I am thinking the playoffs.. IR will have you out three weeks so that takes you to the clowns game.
 
Hoot said:
I don't recall Heyward going to a more pure DE. Doesn't mean it didn't happen, just that I don't have detailed recollection. I remember them going to that 2 man front last year and it was soft as pudding in the middle. They tried to game Bud from the edge over to the middle with that. Maybe that isn't what you are thinking. I htink they are healthy enough on the inside to move Cam out (was just a few games ago Buggs and Mondo were manning inside). Do you think Heyward can handle run contain with a fast back to his side? I think you would need someone else to play that force role. He isn't going to run something down from behind on play away, but then if he just holds the reverse/cutback that is fine. Again, would have to think about personel and gaps a bit more, but I like the creative thinking in general. Goodness knows we need a spark.

Yes, we are woefully thin at LB. Loosing both Bush and Dupree was bad but tossing RS in as well and it is just salt in open wounds. My hope is to get through Cincy, take the AFCN title, and start doing some work in pratice to deal with the losses as well as start to rest a few key vets.

Speakkng - have you heard when RS is due back? I haven't seen it but I have been a bit busy lately.
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The Steelers have utilized the 4-man front when teams go to 3 WR sets, something that is more common in the game today, hence it's more of a pass defense. It's also why Alamalu has played less than half the snaps that Tuitt and Heyward have. The only reason you might not notice is Watt/Dupree are standing up and not in a stance -- but their responsibilities in that formation were not different from that of a DE.

This shift would strengthen the edge rusher, which Heyward is extremely capable of doing. Alamalu is not going to bring great pressure -- he never has been a great pass rusher since he was drafted to be one 10th overall by Jacksonville in 2010. But he can be a big man who can flip and help provide confusion with blocking assignments. We got used to the Watt/Dupree combo being so effective, that we were able to bring pressure so effectively without disguising it, teams just couldn't stop it.

This is NOT some full time change. It's a wrinkle to make teams prepare and look gain confusion. Highsmith is slated to start at OLB next year and really, always has been. But this is for a final 3 game run to ensure we get at least 2 wins in the bank.

Also, we play a lot of Cover-3. In a traditional Cover-3 -- the OLBs are responsible for recognizing they may have to shift into coverage based on what they read. Just think about Harrison's 100-yard return in Super Bowl 43 for example. When we have gone 4 man up front with OLBs, Watt/Dupree have not dropped into coverage this year a lot and certainly not out of a 4 man front.

Highsmith might even prove effective in coverage in middle zone, who knows? But key here is disguising what we're doing more often as Cover-3 is the easiest coverage for QB to read -- so throwing extra wrinkles in it can't hurt, especially when QB has more time to throw as they aren't facing 2 unblockable edge rushers.

Spillane is on IR at least till week 17. So cannot count on his return during a crucial Division winning/Playoff seeding stretch.
 
FSF said:
The Steelers have utilized the 4-man front when teams go to 3 WR sets, something that is more common in the game today, hence it's more of a pass defense. It's also why Alamalu has played less than half the snaps that Tuitt and Heyward have. The only reason you might not notice is Watt/Dupree are standing up and not in a stance -- but their responsibilities in that formation were not different from that of a DE.

This shift would strengthen the edge rusher, which Heyward is extremely capable of doing. Alamalu is not going to bring great pressure -- he never has been a great pass rusher since he was drafted to be one 10th overall by Jacksonville in 2010. But he can be a big man who can flip and help provide confusion with blocking assignments. We got used to the Watt/Dupree combo being so effective, that we were able to bring pressure so effectively without disguising it, teams just couldn't stop it.

This is NOT some full time change. It's a wrinkle to make teams prepare and look gain confusion. Highsmith is slated to start at OLB next year and really, always has been. But this is for a final 3 game run to ensure we get at least 2 wins in the bank.

Also, we play a lot of Cover-3. In a traditional Cover-3 -- the OLBs are responsible for recognizing they may have to shift into coverage based on what they read. Just think about Harrison's 100-yard return in Super Bowl 43 for example. When we have gone 4 man up front with OLBs, Watt/Dupree have not dropped into coverage this year a lot and certainly not out of a 4 man front.

Highsmith might even prove effective in coverage in middle zone, who knows? But key here is disguising what we're doing more often as Cover-3 is the easiest coverage for QB to read -- so throwing extra wrinkles in it can't hurt, especially when QB has more time to throw as they aren't facing 2 unblockable edge rushers.

Spillane is on IR at least till week 17. So cannot count on his return during a crucial Division winning/Playoff seeding stretch.
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I see it which was my point. We create a four man front by bringing the OLB up to the LoS. Yes, he is usually standing although early in the season I did see TJ with his hand in the dirt a handful of times. But, I hear you. Like I said, I love the creative thinking. I believe Cam might struggle to contain the outside runs...i.e., run force. I see him much more of an "anchor" for the C-gap in that scheme then you have Avery/Williamson perhaps play run force. Maybe not need to turn them back inside, but rather spill the play to the boundry. By then, CB and S help should be there on the sweep.

you are right, alualu isn't going to bring great pressure. The question, i guess, is the gain you get from Cam on the edge outweight the loss you get from Cam inside a bit more. I do like the thinking - were I coach of the Steelers and had a few free moments in practice, I might toss it out there to see what happens.

I knew RS would be at least 3. I just didn't know if it was more. I guess it if were, they would have gone season ending IR and tried to bring someone up from PS.
 
I think its time to call in an exorcist...(not for office use, or home office for that matter....

 
Take the short quick passing game and get ride of it. You've got 11 defenders all within 5 yds of the Line of Scrimmage....Defenses just smashing our WR's at the snap of the ball and our offense is completely one dimensional.
 
I would just rest everyone we possibly can, reload for the playoffs, and hope for the best. I dont see us playing out of this funk. If anything I see it getting worse and we can not afford anymore injuries. The D is beat up and tired and we keep losing MLBs. I just dont see any point in wearing guys down further. We are not getting the #1 seed and winning the division would look good on paper, but that is about it. IMO rust would be a non-issue because it is almost impossible for the O to be more stagnant.
 
Ron Burgundy said:
Then we'd be passing more than we already are.
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Or Ben would call plays he can make. He's late on the deep ball. It floats allowing the defender to catch up or et in to position to break up the pass.

His arm looks cooked. When was the last time you saw a 10+ yard out where the ball beat the defender to a spot?
 
The Steelers need a heavy run presence right now. The passing game isn’t working. They need second and third and manageable. It wasn’t a coincidence the team was able to do more in the second half when Snell started to run well. They don’t have a QB who can make every throw anymore and they don’t have a receiver who can make every contested catch.
 
If they are not going to rest people i would come out and just run run run. I don't care if they start with 15 running plays in a row.
 
Put in as many backups as possible and let the starters heal up for a playoff run.
 
Fire Finkner and let Canada call the plays. What do we have to lose? I'm just tired of watching this crappy offense every week - especially the 3 yard passes on 3rd and long.
 
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