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After 4 games in, our best 11 on defense.

Coach

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1A ) Shazier. He's leading the team by a mile in tackles, and also leads the team in passes defended with 4. A 3 down playmaker, his pass coverage skills, and speed are unmatched at middle linebacker. As long as we keep DL player's out of his grill, Shazier's going to impress. Not to jinx him, but his china doll days might be a thing of the past.

1B ) Heyward. The team Captain could be the best Steelers defensive lineman since the early 1980's. Heyward is tied for the lead on the team in sacks, and 4th in total tackles, which is a bit rare for a Defensive lineman.

3 ) Watt. Watt has only played 2 full games and missed 1 1/2 games due to a minor injury, but the rookie has he been productive vs the run or pass. 2 sacks, 3 passes defended, and an interception.

4 ) Burns. Burns hasn't given up much and when the ball comes his way, has broken up 3 passes in 4 games. I think QB's are a little hesitant to test him, and that's a very high compliment to any cornerback.

5 ) Haden. Like Burns, you don't hear his name often, and that's because he's offering good coverage. Haden is an upgrade over Cockrell, allowing the pass rushers and safeties to become more aggressive. He has 1 sack and 2 passes broken up.

6 ) Dupree. Dupree isn't the most constant player, but he can be spectacular at times. And mild injury has limited him. At times Dupree looks like he was shot out of a cannon. If he was only more consistent;

7 ) Hargrave. Hargrave is a good interior rush man but has not made any tackles vs the run. But he fits the modern NFL and is a three down player.

8 ) Mitchell. He has been steady and broken up 2 passes. He seems more composed this season.

9 ) Williams. Second on the team in tackles, with a sack. Not bad. I just wish he had more speed and offered more versatility.

10 ) Davis. Davis has a lot of tackles, but that is partly because he's a safety tackling pass catchers past the line of scrimmage near his assigned zone coverage, My issues with Davis he has but one pass defended. By contrast, 6 other players have more and 4 others have 1. A few more plays on the ball and he'll rate higher.

11 ) Tuitt. Injuries, not the ability is why he rates this low. Tuitt had a muscle tear and I do not think he close to 100%. When Healthy he's a top 3-6 type of defender on this very talented defense.
 
After last game, Tuitt is back in the top 5.

That and I didn't see Williams knock down 3 passes. The Davis hate is strong with you Coach ;)

Mitchell will be my least favorite player, until he makes a play that wins us a game. I'm still waiting...
 
After last game, Tuitt is back in the top 5.

That and I didn't see Williams knock down 3 passes. The Davis hate is strong with you Coach ;)

Mitchell will be my least favorite player, until he makes a play that wins us a game. I'm still waiting...

Davis played a pretty good game on a bad ankle. Props to him for not only playing but playing well.
 
Take Mitchell of the list completely and add Hilton in his spot. I honestly think the defense is better with Wilcox than with Mitchell.
 
Take Mitchell of the list completely and add Hilton in his spot. I honestly think the defense is better with Wilcox than with Mitchell.

The list is only for the starters, but I agree with you. Hilton is impressing. Probably good enough for 7th to 8th if I rated non-starters

Wilcox over Mithcell? I still prefer Mithcell, but Wilcox is a nice upgrade as we lacked a good 3rd safety.
 
The list is only for the starters, but I agree with you. Hilton is impressing. Probably good enough for 7th to 8th if I rated non-starters

Wilcox over Mithcell? I still prefer Mithcell, but Wilcox is a nice upgrade as we lacked a good 3rd safety.

We can do a package D that we normally play and have Hilton on the field for Williams...
 
Nice to have a defensive unit where there is not a true weak link, thus the greatly improved D which is always only as strong as its weakest link. Our depth is much better too with Alualu as the rotational player on the DL and Hilton as the nickel and Wilcox as 3rd safety. Wish we had a bit better depth at LB, but I can't complain when our 3 top subs could start on other teams. We're about 15-16 deep on D though...and it's showing.

HERE WE GO STEELERS!!!
 
Williams gets my vote. The run D isn't where it needs to be yet. And WIlliams is a borderline starter / backup type. Not to mention he is weak against the pass. For me easily the weakest link.

On that list Watt is a little high, and Tuitt is way too low.
 
My biggest worry right now with our D is at ILB. I am seeing too much of Fort in on 3rd downs. If Williams is so bad on 3rd downs, that we have to basically have a practice squad player in there, we are in trouble. Why not Dirty Red? He is listed as the back up for Williams. My guess is if we don't pick up someone in FA, we will be drafting ILB in the first 2 rounds next year and signing Shazier as soon as the season is over.

I also still see way too much with 2 DL in the game. We are the only team doing that.
 
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