DON'T BLAME LeBEAU!!
by LeBeau Fan on Dec 8, 2009 4:08 PM EST
Email
Printo The STEELERS have had 231 points scored against them in 12 games in 2009. Of these, 28 points resulted from K/O runbacks and 28 from runbacks of interceptions. Meanwhile, the DEFENSE has SCORED 21 points. This leaves a "net" allowed by the DEFENSE of 154 points in 12 games, for an average of 12.8 PPG. Using the same analysis, during the 16 game 2008 season, that number was 13.1 PPG, virtually identical, despite the loss this year of Polamalu for a significant number of games. The defensive calls, for the most part, have been correct. Execution & lack of key players has been the problem. (Granted, the secondary needs work!) What REALLY needs work, though, is the Special Teams, which is the worst in the AFC measured by the average yards per K/O runback (25.5 yds per runback). Even worse, these yards are being added on to what is usually a woefully short kickoff by Reed. Not to mention the unwilingness of the OC to use a "hurry-up" several times per game, despite Ben's skill with that strategy! Don't start blaming LeBeau! In fact, get behind his Hall of Fame Election!! VISIT WWW.COACH2CANTON.COM to show your support!
14 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think there’s a difference in thinking that the D has been weak in late game situations (which seems undeniable) and passing coverage more generally and thinking that Dick Lebeau is undeserving of the HOF or a bad DC. The D has shown considerable weakness in certain situation aspects that have been crucial this season. And Coach Dad is greatly deserving of HOF honors BOTH as a player and as a DC.
If we just want to average seasonal numbers out, we should cut Arians some more slack since the O has been much more productive vs. their numbers last year. The rushing game is respectable, Ben is having a very good season, Hines and Tone are getting ready to ratchet up 1000 yards plus each, we’ve put up more than our fair share of mid-20 point games.
However, we all know when watching the games that Arians is horrendous at situational football – how many times have we collectively groaned when he went to a shotgun formation with an empty backfield on 3rd and 3 when Mendy had been killing them all day? And then we see Ben get sacked, knocked out of field goal range, and a punt – simply based upon Arians not thinking through the particular strategic situation.
In other words, numbers by themselves don’t tell the tale of the 2009-2010 Pittsburgh Steelers. The numbers tell us we have an above average and sometimes dominant offense – but they fail to convert on so many scoring possibilities. The numbers suggest that we have an elite D – but they fail to make late game stops (sometimes multiple stops) .
Looking at the numbers we should be a better team this year. But if you’re watching the games you can simply see that we aren’t.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 8, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions
Agree with everything Bluegrass...
Except the line about the number saying we have an elite defense. Of course, this all comes down to our interpretations of what an elite defense is, but that’s a whole other topic.
'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin
by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 8, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
You’re right. I was just going by the overall rank of the D at the moment (5th) and especially the overall rank of the run D (1st). If you look at those numbers you would presume we have an elite D, or at least it seems to me.
by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 8, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Blame Canada!
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
South Park
Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"
by John Stephens on Dec 9, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
We all love LeBeau
but there is no way he should escape at least part of the blame for the Steelers’ poor performance. Numbers are deceptive. If you ran them for just the first 3 quarters, this defense would probably rank with some of the all-time greats. But that last quarter . . . well do I really need to say anything more? OK, just one thing — I read that the Raiders’ offense had scored ten TDs total in its first 11 games. And then 3 against the Steelers D in the 4th Q alone! I get that a big part of this is lack of execution. And it would help if a DB — any of them! — could catch a ball once in a while. But the coach must also take responsibility. By all means, LeBeau should be in the HOF. But let’s not let our love for the man blind us to his subpar performance over the past several games.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 8, 2009 10:50 PM EST reply actions
that's a pretty good point about the pts/gm i didnt think about
i’ve been one of the critics of lebeau over the past few days and have had an issue with a lot of “stats” used to back up the defense. but this one is legit.
after hearing some of the insider info come out after this sunday, it seems like a lot of the “bad” defensive calls were poorly executed on the field leading to missed assignments. so i’ve certainly had to eat some of my words
BUT i stand by my stance that LeBeau needs to bring a big blitz on occasion in those 4th quarter 2 min drill defense situations when protecting our lead. what he has been doing in those situations has not been working all year, yet he’s tried little else. i dont blame LeBeau completely for our loss or our recent struggles, but he has played a role (however minor).
well we have had a terrible d with troy out most of the time
"That’s been our story all year. We’ve got a team that doesn’t blink in the face of adversity. It’s never going to be pretty or perfect, if you will, but they’ve got a great deal of belief in one another. They’ve got a great deal of resolve, and it was put on display. Our defense gets a lot of recognition for what they’re capable of, and rightfully so, but what you saw from our quarterback and our offense at the end of that football game is what they’ve provided for us all year. When we’ve needed it the most, they’ve done it and done it big. That’s a rerun for us."
Mike Tomlin, before superbowl 43
LeBeau
He didn’t suddenly get stupid after all these decades of coaching and playing in the NFL. Players must be accountable and he calls plays accordingly. If our DBs are playing well…he will blitz like crazy. If they aren’t he will mix things up a bit more to fool the O and help the DBs.
Players in position to make plays
I’d go back and watch to be sure if I could stand it. But as I remember on all but 1 big play in the 4th quarter someone was in position to make a play and failed.
Burnett perfect position, Ike/Sweed hands.
Ike just push the guy out of bounds on the duck on the sideline or knock it down, don’t try to catch it. Four other D backs on the same play. If anyone of them just timed a hit for when the ball got there the guy catches it out of bounds.
Mundy on the last TD just drifted up about a yard and a half from being in perfect position to tip the ball out of bound.
Mundy’s unessesary roughness call, sucked, the guy dropped the ball and squatted right into the hit. If he makes the catch Mundy’s hit would have been on the ball and I think likely would have dislogded it. Also who ever was behind the reciever made the play. So both guys where in position.
On all the plays listed the front 7 made Gardawkii have to move and gave him no short pass so he had to go long. A sack or two would have helped, but forcing one duck and 3 or 4 throws into coverage deep is a pretty good job by the front 7.
Players need to make plays.
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.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."
Art Rooney Jr.
"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
