'Old and Slow' Steelers Defense is Also the League's Best

by Neal Coolong on Jan 2, 2012 2:00 PM EST

What was that about the Steelers defense again? They're too old, right?

The aged Steelers defense, with some youth infusion, finished the 2011 season with the league's best scoring defense, allowing just 14.2 points per game.

That's down from their league-best 14.5 points a game surrendered last year, when they were all a year younger.

The Steelers allowed just eight points a game over their last six contests (5-1), and their opponents only scored three touchdowns in that span - two from San Francisco in a Week 15 loss and one from Cincinnati in a Week 13 win.

And all of this was done with two of their best players, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, only playing three full games together, none of them over the last six weeks.

Bizarrely, it's also being done with just 14 takeaways, which ties New Orleans for the lowest mark in the NFL. The Saints allow 21.3 points a game, 13th best in the league.

Pittsburgh's -8 takeaway rate is the second-lowest among playoff teams, just in front of Denver's -11.

The Steelers didn't take the ball away, they just simply didn't allow teams to score. Unlike Steelers teams of the past, however, it was done mostly by their pass defense. They allowed just 5.6 yards a pass, the lowest in the NFL, and their 71.3 passer rating against is the third-lowest in the league.

In-season injuries and replacements forced several younger players into key roles. NT Steve McLendon and DE Ziggy Hood because mainstays on the defensive line due to injuries to Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. Jason Worilds saw extensive playing time in the absence of Harrison and Woodley, and ILB Lawrence Timmons was moved to the outside for an extended period of time. CBs William Gay and Keenan Lewis moved ahead of Bryant McFadden as the season progressed as well.

With all the injuries and constant shifts in personnel, it's remarkable the Steelers were able to keep their opponents out of the end zone as often as they did. They allowed less than 10 first downs a game, and and only 34 plays of 20 yards or more.

Heading into the playoffs, and with a first round game against offensively-challenged Denver, the Steelers look to have both Harrison and Woodley playing again, and that could be a critical factor this post-season.

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Agree that the D had a great season despite missing some key players.

I’m not too sure about Woodley’s condition though. I guess we’ll find out in Denver if he’s able to run at full speed. But our backup LBs have gotten plenty of playing time.

by Billy52 on Jan 2, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions

I say sit Woodley in Denver.

Worilds should be able to hold his own against the terrible Broncos.

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Jan 2, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Wourilds had some good pressure in the

Cleveland game. He looked faster than he has in the past.

hhhheaaattttthhhhh!
"You have to under promise and over deliver." Mike Tomlin

by ekl on Jan 2, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

AGREE

he actually played his first GOOD game as a steeler…seems hes better suited for the weak side…

by OR69faithfull on Jan 2, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

This is a week when run support is key

I would rather have Woodley back if he can make it. Worilds has come on but run support isn’t his forte yet.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 2, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

This

Woodley, if healthy, is a major deterrent to opposing running games, thereby forcing them directly into the teeth of the defense.

I like this team’s pass defense against Tebow; he’s not a very good passer.

Total side note: Does Timmons look out of shape to anyone else?

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Jan 3, 2012 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I would sit Woodley too

That Denver O doesn’t look to be too much trouble

by LAL32 on Jan 3, 2012 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

Just imagine how history

would have reflected this defense had WE BEEN SIMPLY “BAD” at forcing turnovers instead of “The worst TO-forcing unit that any of us has ever seen in our entire lifetimes.”

by HandsofSweed on Jan 2, 2012 2:17 PM EST reply actions

Old and slow.

Old and slow. Let’s think about that for a bit. Who said it? Some old and slow former player who is, no doubt, sorry he said it. Kinda puts a dent in his “analyist” credentials.

Where is Geico when he needs them?

My heros have always been Steelers...

by wozzle on Jan 2, 2012 2:20 PM EST reply actions

Sapp still stands by what he said.

He said it again on some show the other day. However, now he says something like when I said it, they were old and slow. He was dead wrong though.

hhhheaaattttthhhhh!
"You have to under promise and over deliver." Mike Tomlin

by ekl on Jan 2, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Really remarkable

To me, this defense was relatively boring, but impenetrable. There were a few shaky moments but overall this year’s brand of D was suffocating and oppressive.

Don’t forget to mention Heyward. He played very well in his PT and honestly looks as good as Hood if not better. The two of them as they mature and gain experience will be an epic D-line. Now we just have to find the heir apparent to Big Snack.

Oh and Snack’s engulfing of that goal line play last week was epic. I just love how like 3-4 times a year he anihilates an O line.

by Mechem on Jan 2, 2012 2:21 PM EST reply actions

Oh and Snack’s engulfing of that goal line play last week was epic. I just love how like 3-4 times a year he anihilates an O line.

Most of the time, he’s like a crush zone on a modern car. But there are plays like that one where he goes on a tear. And it’s beautiful.

by Varmint on Jan 2, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

I just wish I knew...

How to make him do that all the time?! Does he need Tacklin Fuel? Visualize and attack, Big Snack!

by Mechem on Jan 2, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Allen was good too and improved as the year went on.

I think he is the most amazing because he was raw coming out of school, didn’t get to attend any mini-camps and missed most of the pre-season with an injury. I hope he isn’t hurt too badly and can play in the divisional round game (if we make it).

hhhheaaattttthhhhh!
"You have to under promise and over deliver." Mike Tomlin

by ekl on Jan 2, 2012 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

We will need him against NE

especially with Brown out.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 2, 2012 10:44 PM EST up reply actions

This

And all of this was done with two of their best players, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, only playing three full games together, none of them over the last six weeks.

Imagine a playoff game with both playing together…mmmmm!

Gerela's Gorillas are here for the show
and so is Franco's Army
It's been many years in coming
just watch that Steeler machinery humming!

by GoldMetalDefense on Jan 2, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions

That's really been what this defense has missed

Having Wood and Harrison both putting on the pressure creates more sack/fumbles and more panic passes that get picked off.

by Steelgator on Jan 3, 2012 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

The amazing Denver Tebow led offense should shred you then...

Maya: "What are your first impressions of Denver?"
Mozgov: "I must break you..."

by margabelle on Jan 2, 2012 2:30 PM EST reply actions

He may not complete many passes

But he’ll try hard to, harder than anyone has ever tried anything.

Seriously, this whole Tebow thing is a joke. All I hear is that he’ll succeed because he’ll just outwork everybody, or that he’s just a winner. I guarantee you he doesn’t and never will outwork a Peyton Manning or a Brady. Plus they can actually throw the ball accurately, which kinda helps.

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Jan 2, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

I plan to waste another 3 1/2 hours of my life that I'll never get back

just on the off 1 % chance we might beat you. It would be good comedy…

Outside of a fluky turnoverpalooza on the Steelers’ part, how are the Broncs supposed to win this game?

Maya: "What are your first impressions of Denver?"
Mozgov: "I must break you..."

by margabelle on Jan 2, 2012 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

with good defense and running?

This is the problem with the Flacco hate, people don’t really know who he is as a person. - Mr. Malor. Crazy Raven fan/possible stalker.

It smells like seven layers....that beaver eats Taco Bell.

by FrankWyt on Jan 2, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

It may work

We are almost out of running backs. Troy may end up having to play two ways.

anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 2, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

Nah

He’s a bit small, and better in the open field than between the tackles.

Let Timmons or Harrison carry the ball- surprisingly fast sledgehammers. It would be pretty epic.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Jan 3, 2012 2:34 AM EST up reply actions

Poison the food

Works every time :)

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Jan 2, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

That's

exactly what I’m thinking. It will be a close game if Pittsburgh is -2 or worse in turnover differential. Otherwise, I just cannot see how Denver can beat them.

by pistil_stamen on Jan 2, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

Nice to see a visitor ....

Hope your boys perform well… been a bit of a drought, and a whirl wind of player movement in recent years… 1 good thing ( though a bit late) you got ride of that coach who single handedly dismanteld your team….
FYI- go back to the hot chick on the horse… lol

by OR69faithfull on Jan 2, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

Certainly a pessimistic view...

I’d give Pittsburgh the advantage, but Denver’s not a terrible team. It’ll be competitive.

Follow me on Twitter

by Neal Coolong on Jan 2, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

just tell him: avoid Harrison

I don´t want he will be suspended for hitting that bum

by Ben Balesverger on Jan 2, 2012 2:55 PM EST reply actions

Any word on Cortez Allen?

And Keenan Lewis? I know Allen has a dislocated shoulder, but what about Lewis? I dread the thought of seeing that much of Bmac in a game ever again. He looked a little lost at times against the Clowns.

"I've been trying to justify you, in the end i will just defy you" Dream Theater

by OhioYinzer on Jan 2, 2012 4:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions

havent heard aa word........but we need his tallent for the divisonal round-SB if we get there.

by OR69faithfull on Jan 2, 2012 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

I saw somewhere(could be Pitt Post Gazette website) that Lewis has a hamstring injury...

I’m really worried…I can’t imagine us having Bmac Madison together, and no Clark as well…Our secondary’s beat up…

by stoco40 on Jan 3, 2012 9:07 AM EST up reply actions

According to Adam Schefter, Mendenhall is out for the season

by fedfan64 on Jan 2, 2012 4:18 PM EST reply actions

Oh well

Redman, Clay and (hopefully) Moore will do fine as long as they hold onto the ball.

by pistil_stamen on Jan 2, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

With a torn ACL I think.

"If you havin' dragon problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 arrows but my knee took one."

by Riddlah. on Jan 2, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

The turnover difference is actually -13. 4th lowest in the NFL & worst among playoff teams.

I’ve seen the -8 several places today and finally found a source of the wrong number. ESPN’s stat page http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/givetake/league/afc does not have correct values for interceptions by the defense (11), interceptions by the offense (15) or fumbles lost (13).

The NFL stat page shows it correctly in the last column:
I apologize for the long link
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&offensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=TURNOVER_RATIO&tabSeq=2&season=2011&role=TM&Submit=Go&archive=false&conference=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=null&qualified=true

"Sick Puppy is ultimately as unforgiving as nature's order... There is no redemption or apology." - wikipedia

by Sick Puppy on Jan 2, 2012 4:25 PM EST reply actions

i am not overly worried about the turnover diff

when you have -7 on your first game of the year and the D only comes up with a hand full the first have of the season its hard to get the number back on the plus side, well unless you have your own +7 game.

"Chuck Norris CAN divide by zero"

by elirock83 on Jan 3, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

Its Official Mendy's gone for the season.....

by OR69faithfull on Jan 2, 2012 4:38 PM EST reply actions

GO DUCKSSSSS

QUACKKKKKKKKKK

by OR69faithfull on Jan 2, 2012 4:49 PM EST reply actions

The pronouncement that the Steelers d was too old reminds me of when TJ said Belichick had lost the Pays after waiving Lawyer Milloy.

Foolishness based on one result.

"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant

by The Herndon Kid on Jan 2, 2012 4:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Hey Sap!

Put that in your pipe and smoke it! I can just see his eyes now. All bugging out of his head at the thought of our defense being even stronger than last year.

"Hey number 16! I'm coming to kill you and there ain't nothing he can do about it!" -James Harrison to Matt Cassel on his LT during the 08' beating of the Pats.

by SoCalSteelerFan on Jan 2, 2012 5:12 PM EST via Android app reply actions

1st in points, 1st in yards, 28th in takeaway/giveaway ratio.

by LAL32 on Jan 3, 2012 1:17 AM EST reply actions

Never seen a Steeler player have his named misspelled so much

Than WORILDS.

Other than Famous Amos, which I can partially understand….is WORILDS so tough? After all this time, is Roethlisberger really so tough? :)

Not sure why I had to post it…but it’s embarrassing knowing others come on our board, and we can’t spell.

I'll be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from May, 2011 to Sept., 2011, to raise money for charity. For more info, please visit: http://thf2.wordpress.com

by Fifty-Eight on Jan 3, 2012 6:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions