https://articles.pennlive.com/steelers/index.ssf/2017/11/steelers_pads_tackling_bengals.amp
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers wore pads during practice on Thursday afternoon, and their missed tackles during the 31-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers might be part of the reason why.
The tackling issues didn't start on Sunday, but they were pronounced and contributed to the Packers' scoring on 39-, 55-, and 54-yard touchdown passes.
"We have missed too many tackles," said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "If you saw today practice, those guys were working on it quite a bit and we'll continue to work on it and try to get better at it."
"It just gives us a more realistic opportunity to work on our tackling," cornerback Coty Sensabaugh said of practicing in pads. "I thought it was good for us. Guys kind of got after it, so I think it will help us this week."
6 Steelers key to Pittsburgh beating the Bengals
NFL teams are limited to 11 padded practice for the first 11 weeks of the season. In the final six weeks, teams are allowed to hold just three padded practices.
"It's hard to practice tackling when you don't do it," Sensabaugh said. "It would be like practicing catching a football and not actually catching a football. It just gives you a more realistic look at it. I thought it was good for all of us as a whole."
The physical practice also coincides with Bengals week, which likely isn't a coincidence. Sensabaugh said "everybody knows what this rivalry is."
"It's going to be hard-hitting, it's going to be a lot of trash talking," Sensabaugh said. "It's going to be a lot of competition. We're looking forward to it."
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers wore pads during practice on Thursday afternoon, and their missed tackles during the 31-28 victory over the Green Bay Packers might be part of the reason why.
The tackling issues didn't start on Sunday, but they were pronounced and contributed to the Packers' scoring on 39-, 55-, and 54-yard touchdown passes.
"We have missed too many tackles," said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "If you saw today practice, those guys were working on it quite a bit and we'll continue to work on it and try to get better at it."
"It just gives us a more realistic opportunity to work on our tackling," cornerback Coty Sensabaugh said of practicing in pads. "I thought it was good for us. Guys kind of got after it, so I think it will help us this week."
6 Steelers key to Pittsburgh beating the Bengals
NFL teams are limited to 11 padded practice for the first 11 weeks of the season. In the final six weeks, teams are allowed to hold just three padded practices.
"It's hard to practice tackling when you don't do it," Sensabaugh said. "It would be like practicing catching a football and not actually catching a football. It just gives you a more realistic look at it. I thought it was good for all of us as a whole."
The physical practice also coincides with Bengals week, which likely isn't a coincidence. Sensabaugh said "everybody knows what this rivalry is."
"It's going to be hard-hitting, it's going to be a lot of trash talking," Sensabaugh said. "It's going to be a lot of competition. We're looking forward to it."
