The amount of swaggin' is directly correlated to Steeler wins
by CarlWeathersMustache on Dec 4, 2009 4:04 PM EST
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A lot has been made about Troy's absence, and rightfully so. However, it seems that the defense's success (and, thus, the team's) over the past five years has the largest correlation with the play of Swaggin' Ike Taylor. Ike is asked to do just as much as Troy in LeBeau's defense. He is isolated all game on an opposing team's number one. The only help Ike receives is occasional deep help (although this year, Clark hasn't been offering much help).
No one will forget the way Taylor played during the incredible run to the '05 championship. He shut down everyone and everything during the season ending winning streak and the playoffs. Result: SB win.
Next year: Ike struggles. So much so, that he is benched after a particularly bad performance against the Broncos' Javon Walker. Result: no playoffs.
Following year: Ike looks more like his '05 self. Playing at a very high level, but maybe not quite the level he played during that magical '05 run. Result: division champs, early playoff exit.
'Last year: Again, Ike is lights out. All season, Ike shuts down opposing teams' number one threat, without exception ( two long plays against all season: fluke tipped pass to Reggie Wayne and playoff catch by Vincent Jackson, who was absolutely blanketed by Ike). Ike was the second best CB in the league last year, despite what stat geeks concerned about INTs would have you believe. Result: SB win.
This year: Ike is streaky. Some games he looks like his old self, some games he looks lost (Ravens). No telling how he will play from week to week. The only constants are his bad hands. Result: streaky Steelers team (5 straight wins, three straight losses).
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interesting thought
I’m a huge Ike Taylor fan and I think that he’s more significant than most people realize. You touched upon this thought, but I want to emphasize that his performance, especially when being measured statistically, is just as strongly an indication of how the rest of the defense is performing.
I think William Gay might have something to do with our secondary woes too
Along with Troy.
by StoneColdSteel on Dec 4, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Have to agree
Will Gay makes good tackles and makes a few nice plays, but he lacks a bit of recognition. He keeps the receiver in front of him which is good, but too far in front that they almost always make the catch.
He doesnt read routes too well, but at least he has good closing and tackling, otherwise we could be in danger more often
However, i will say i think the experience this season has been invaluable to him, he is the weaker link in the secondary, but not exactly a major liability
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Michael Hewitt on Dec 4, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
William Gay no Swagger
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
You're thinking of Jeff Reed
"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach
If Troy is there
then Clark is free (saftey) lancing more and helping Ike a little more than he can afford this year because he’s helping Carter. Really same goes for Gay. So Gay and Ike’s assignments are tougher than last year.
So Clark is helping the SS instead of the CD’s and they don’t look as good as last year.
Oh wait, the LB’s are getting less pressure because the DL is not eating up as many blockers because Smith is gone and Clark and the LB’s are helping in the middle of the field because they don’t have a healthy Troy. I think if we mix in a little injured Timmons and Smith #1 backup on the DL into that mix you have a recipie for the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers D.
Reads a little cranky, but that’s not the intent.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made produdt that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
CB Play Atrocious this Year
While there has been a lot of adversity on the D this year — e.g. absence of Troy, injuries on the DL, LBs not playing to last year’s (incredibly high) standard — IMO the poor play of the CBs has been the biggest problem. The occasional flashes of brilliance by Ike have been more than overshadowed by the loose coverage, poor tackling and countless dropped INTs. It’s been noted elsewhere, but how do we get to game 12 with NO INTs by our CBs?! We are almost back to where we were a few years ago, when Deshea was starting. I think the CBs, and the secondary in general, are the weakest link on the team this year, arguably even more responsible for our losses than the awful ST. Think how many games we lost late in the 4th Q or in OT with the opposing QB driving the length of the field.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 4, 2009 7:31 PM EST reply actions
Interceptions are not the measure of a CB
The two best CBs in the league last year were Ike Taylor and Nnamdi Asomugha (who both are having subpar seasons). Between the two of them they had 2 interceptions. When you are truly playing “shutdown” corner you will not get many interceptions because you are not thrown at often.
In Ike’s case, he wouldn’t catch them anyway. Nnamdi has been one of the best CBs for years now but only made his first Pro Bowl last year because he was seldom thrown at and seldom had INTs.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Dec 4, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
True
but I don’t buy the comparison of Ike to Asomugha. Obviously, Steeler opponents are throwing to Gay’s side more than Taylor’s. But I don’t think that anyone is AVOIDING throwing the ball to Ike’s side, like they do with Asomugha. And I bet that if Asomugha gets his hands on the ball he catches it. Ike will never be considered among the best in the league as long as he has hands of stone. I also wonder how much his excellent play last year was buttressed by having a world class safety behind him.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 5, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions
Not a bad thesis
However, let me just say I think his benching in 06 was one of Cowher’s worst decisions ever. Not even halfway through the year IIRC and he’s sitting on the sidelines. Yes, everybody has a bad game or two, maybe 3. But you dont bench your best CB even if he blows a game horribly. You make IN GAME adjustments to help.
However, its also about support. In 05, Townsend was strong in support, and even B-Mac was a rookie and made a couple key plays down the stretch (colts game anyone?). In 06, B-Mac hadnt really settled in yet. He picked up in 07/08 progressively, and In his best year, we had a super bowl.
So to me its about having as complete a secondary unit as possible. In 2007 we had no Samoan Jesus, and in 2006 he missed a few games.
McFadden's............................
plays on second and third down before the final field goal try in the Colts game were as big as any plays the entire 05 season. He was a rookie and they were clutch but are seldom remembered because of all the other giant plays in that game.
As far as Ike goes, his fourth quarter interception against the Seahawks in #40 is also commonly overlooked. It prevented Seatle from taking the lead.
no doubt McFadden played large in that colt game. perhaps the greatest playoff game in my lifetime.
Ron Paul was Right.
by Steelchamps !! on Dec 5, 2009 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
So the answer is Old Spice?
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Mcfadden was coming on
There is no fear of the secondary. Can’t underestimate the effect Troy has on a game.
Ike has been a good corner for years, and sometimes he plays at a shutdown corner level. Let us not believe however that this guy is among the very best. He’s never been a top 5 corner in my opinion, but maybe a second 5 a couple of times. Those instances had Troy back there patrolling. Coincidence? I think not.
Finally, the defection of Mcfadden was costly. We should have given that guy the money, or thought about trying to lure someone like Bodden in here. Pats got him at min salary, correct? He’s had a good year over there. Steelers took a chance that William Gay was ready to start, and he simply hasn’t been. Replacing him should be a priority next year.
13 years and no playoff wins for the Dallas Cowboys... SWEET!
Disagree about Gay
A guy plays well in spot duty (and a couple of starts) at the most difficult defensive position. Then, in his first year as a starter he makes lots of mistakes, shows a few flashes, but is inconsistent. How is that a surprise? Note that McFadden is not exactly setting the world on fire for Arizona. While I suspect he has more upside potential than WG, the costs vs. benefits for keeping him didn’t add up. I’m far from satisfied with Gay’s play, but I think it’s WAY to early to give up on him. You may recall that Deshea struggled badly in his first few opportunities as a starter. A few years of experience and he settled into being a solid, although not spectacular, CB. Rather than give up on Gay, I say sure, look for defensive backs in the draft. And, let’s see if Lewis and Burnett can beat WG out for his starting spot. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see WG develop into a solid CB as soon as next season. Also agree with those who write that Troy’s absence impacts the entire secondary. (Maybe now that the league has discovered that Ryan Clark can’t cover anyone deep, they’ll be picking on WG less?)
Admittedly, maybe I’m just feeling for the guy because I just read in Steelers Digest how his Mom was murdered when he was 8 years old…
I'd be Happy if He Could stand up
I counted AT LEAST 3 plays today where Gay fell down. He was picked on all day — BY ONE OF THE WORST OFFENSES IN THE NFL!!!
Would love to hear the up-side of Gay’s play today. Anybody???
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 6, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
at least we can't blame him for the final td!
I was in denial about this defense the whole year. On that last drive there was zero pressure on the qb, that combined with the awful secondary play made that guy look like Marino or Elway.
I had a terrible feeling when they went for that 53 yard FG.
My terrible feeling started in the 3rd Q
I thought, “Wait a minute, I’ve SEEN this movie before. I know how it’s going to end.” After they lost the lead, I just KNEW the Steelers would come back. And I KNEW that they would somehow find a way to blow it yet again. My head was in my hands from around mid way through the 3rd Q. I couldn’t even bring myself to cheer after the Hines TD because i just had a real bad feeling that they would yet again find a way to lose.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 6, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
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