Defense came to play today

[CoolieMan]

holding the rats to a field goal after the alleged pick at the 18....giving up only 9 points, 4 sacks, a fumble recovery and 2 ints...not a bad outing

take away the meaningless passing yards on the last drive and that one long 50 yard run and the stats would be impressive.....

with Bell seeming to round into shape, this was a huge win for the Steelers

 

[GMC]

The arrow is definitely pointing up.

 

[MTC]

Yeah the D has been pretty good of late.
I think Haden opened up a lot more and Butler trusting his playcalling more.

Dupree and Watt were solid on the outside, Shazier was hitting everything today and a nice int.
Hilton is playing energetic as well. It's been awhile since the D has had so many impactful players like today

 

[Litos]

with so much talent but such lack of experience there will be games like the Bears one but when they roll they'll beat the **** out of many Os

 

[MTC]

with so much talent but such lack of experience there will be games like the Bears one but when they roll they'll beat the **** out of many Os

I think the "lack of experience" will mature as the season progresses.
The guys need games like this to bolster their confidence

 

[Litos]

I think the "lack of experience" will mature as the season progresses.
The guys need games like this to bolster their confidence

yes of course, the FO and Tomlin are shaping up a lot of talent on D, very good scouting and training

 

[SteelerFan448]

The defense is playing better, but these long runs are becoming a problem. Years ago, opponents wouldn't get a big run throughout the entire season, now they're picking up 2-3 per game. Regardless, you have to be happy with how this unit is progressing.

 

[CoolieMan]

The defense is playing better, but these long runs are becoming a problem. Years ago, opponents wouldn't get a big run throughout the entire season, now they're picking up 2-3 per game. Regardless, you have to be happy with how this unit is progressing.

gotta agree that the big plays in the running game are a concern, but would think it could be correctable

our buddy wallace also helped out with a huge drop behind the secondary...

 

[Stryker]

Dupree needs to be mindful of the play in the backfield. That 50 yd run never happens, if he has the vision of what's going on around him. Fix that, and this D is an elite D.

 

[Coryea]

Wallace had a bid drop, and perriman is wide open for what should've been a TD making the game 19-13.

Still getting gashed too much, but hard to say anything negative they stepped up big today when they needed to.

Tuitt and Heyward together, wow, Hargrave needs to get some more snaps. Those two catches over the middle by Watson, Shazier had perfect coverage. That guy made some great read on both picks

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[stillwright]

Wallace had a bid drop, and perriman is wide open for what should've been a TD making the game 19-13.

Still getting gashed too much, but hard to say anything negative they stepped up big today when they needed to.

Tuitt and Heyward together, wow, Hargrave needs to get some more snaps. Those two catches over the middle by Watson, Shazier had perfect coverage. That guy made some great read on both picks

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Yeah I don't know. Ben missed a couple of guys also that could have been easy TD's. You can't really play that what if game really. Can you?

 

[slashsteel]

Wallace had a bid drop, and perriman is wide open for what should've been a TD making the game 19-13.

Still getting gashed too much, but hard to say anything negative they stepped up big today when they needed to.

Tuitt and Heyward together, wow, Hargrave needs to get some more snaps. Those two catches over the middle by Watson, Shazier had perfect coverage. That guy made some great read on both picks

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And Martavis was wide open what would have been a TD as well. Game had a lot of possible flip flop moments.

As far as the pass D, you know how this league is structured. You can only base them on how they statistically rank. And right now they are only behind Jags in passing yards given up.4th in total points given up. I do realize they have yet to be Rogers,Brady, etc. tested. But a solid start regardless. I know the pressure on QBs have helped their cause as well. But that is two fold. If they are covering better, then it is making QBs hold the ball longer too.

 

[slashsteel]

Oh and while I have touched on stats the run D is 10th in yards given up. They will have to improve on that as the season goes on.

 

[Coach]

Dupree needs to be mindful of the play in the backfield. That 50 yd run never happens, if he has the vision of what's going on around him. Fix that, and this D is an elite D.

Dupree is an amazing athlete with quite a bust, but in terms of football IQ, still a work in progress and might never be very aware.

 

[Litos]

Dupree is an amazing athlete with quite a bust, but in terms of football IQ, still a work in progress and might never be very aware.

head too small?

seriously, Dupree though a vet already is only 24 years old, awareness and experience will be gained and he will be a force at still an early age

 

[slashsteel]

head too small?

seriously, Dupree though a vet already is only 24 years old, awareness and experience will be gained and he will be a force at still an early age

plus on that play he did try to get off that block but was a step slow... And if you look at it close it was a questionable no call hold.

 

[Litos]

plus on that play he did try to get off that block but was a step slow... And if you look at it close it was a questionable no call hold.

the play call probably had him crashing that side, he should have had containment behind him. We will have to ask Butler

 

[ark steel]

Our D is significantly better D with Tuitt and Watt in over Alualu and Chick. Both are competent back ups. Having to use both of them at the same time hurts, though.

 

[antdrewjosh]

As i said in the other thread Williams and Davis were taken out by one block. They should of been there when Collins cut back inside

 

[Steeltime]

As i said in the other thread Williams and Davis were taken out by one block. They should of been there when Collins cut back inside

This. Dupree pushed the tackle deep into the backfield and forced the play back inside, which is a significant part of "sealing the edge." I agree that Dupress was a bit too deep when he did so, however. But the reason why we want that OLB to seal the edge and force running backs inside is that the pursuit should be there to wallop him.

Neither ILB was there, no S, so he had room to scamper.

 

[slashsteel]

This. Dupree pushed the tackle deep into the backfield and forced the play back inside, which is a significant part of "sealing the edge." I agree that Dupress was a bit too deep when he did so, however. But the reason why we want that OLB to seal the edge and force running backs inside is that the pursuit should be there to wallop him.

Neither ILB was there, no S, so he had room to scamper.

I don't know if it is because he was fresher but I touched on Williams in another thread. His game this year isn't equal to last year's appearances IMO. Guess that energy level can be not up to par when you are in their game in and game out as comparison. Or it could simply mean he is a better backup. Which is probably closer to the truth.

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[steelhurt]

holding the rats to a field goal after the alleged pick at the 18....giving up only 9 points, 4 sacks, a fumble recovery and 2 ints...not a bad outing

take away the meaningless passing yards on the last drive and that one long 50 yard run and the stats would be impressive.....

with Bell seeming to round into shape, this was a huge win for the Steelers

They look good Coolie and should only continue to improve. I like this Mike Hilton, a pleasant surprise and Coach’s favorite player, Sean Davis has been a beast. Dupree and the kid, TJ bringing the heat, with Shazier all over the field. Cam and Tuitt off the edge and the grave digger in the middle. Young group that will only get better.


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[Coryea]

Yeah I don't know. Ben missed a couple of guys also that could have been easy TD's. You can't really play that what if game really. Can you?

No, I'm just pointing out that there were still a couple break downs, just not picking.

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[chipped ham]

They look good Coolie and should only continue to improve. I like this Mike Hilton, a pleasant surprise and Coach’s favorite player, Sean Davis has been a beast. Dupree and the kid, TJ bringing the heat, with Shazier all over the field. Cam and Tuitt off the edge and the grave digger in the middle. Young group that will only get better.


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I love the front three. Heyward, Hargrave, and Tuitt have been taking some olineman to school this year. I mean it seems that each and every play, one of those, if not all three, are already 1-2 yards in the backfield. Shazier was lights out yesterday, but overall, I think the linebackers need to do a better job of filling. That they haven't been able to consistently is the biggest culprit of this supposed "weak" rush defense the last couple weeks, and why we've seen some big chunks given up. I've been rather disappointed with Williams this year. His knack was supposed to be a "thumper," and he really hasn't shown that physical presence just yet. And man, Hilton deserves credit. He's given up some catches so far, but he's always, always, right there on his man to make the tackle. Also, gotta love his ability to blitz, but I think Butler is sending him waaaaaay too much.

 

[Slaine]

Was it me or were we blitzing on almost every play? It looked ultra-aggressive (though I missed the first quarter).