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| Carson Palmer SHREDDED the Steelers D w/ the No Huddle Passing Attack |
Trick me once, that could be considered a mistake. Trick me twice, and you could be looking at a trend. That is what I see what I watch the Steelers defense against a no-huddle attack. For the second time in 3 games, the Steelers defense needed what it needed to do in the first half against a standard, huddle oriented group. However, for the second time in 3 games, the Steelers defense has been absolutely shredded by a no huddle attack in the second half. Most Steelers fans wrote the first loss to the Broncos off to rust and the fact that Peyton Manning was the QB for the Broncos. I wonder what those fans are thinking today after a below average WR core dismantled the once vaulted Steelers Defense.
Sure, some can say injuries play a role in this mess, but can you really blame all of that on the fact that two starters weren't in the lineup?! C'mon Man! I said in previous posts that this Steelers D is not going to be as dominant as in years past, especially against the run. However, I didn't see THIS coming. Some would say the bye week couldn't come at a worse time. The Steelers now have to "chew on this" (as Mike Tomlin said) for two weeks before they can get this taste out of their mouths. I look at it a little differently. The Steelers defense will hopefully get one or two of the 3 members of their injured list back (Polamalu and Sylvester) for the next game in Week 5 vs the Eagles at home. In a perfect world all 3 would be back and ready to play, but Troy and James are showing their age and their bodies inability to heal as fast as it once did.
Stevenson Sylvester should be a BIG help coming back as he can spell the aging Larry Foote at ILB as well as perform his duties as a stud on special teams. We all know what James Harrison brings to the table, and hopefully Lamarr Woodley and the rest of the defense will benefit as well as the Steelers pass rush was non-existent yesterday vs the Raiders. Troy is the key to the ignition. His ability to make plays and cover ground vs the run and the pass is what makes everyone else around him better. These 3 additions could be the trick to getting back on track.
The bye week could be coming at the perfect time for the Black n' Gold, but Dick Lebeau has been around the block a few times in his career. I would only hope that he will have a full plan in place to defend the no huddle offense, because the Steelers are going to see it until they prove they can stop it. Look for Michael Vick and the speedy Eagles' offense to be licking their lips to go to Heinz Field and face the strainer of a defense that some call the SteelCurtain. More like the ShowerCurtain. With the offense being as explosive as its been in the early portion of this young season, its the defense that needs to catch up to make this a complete team that is capable of contending...until that happens, the Steelers could be in Big Trouble.
Very disappointing. If your offense puts up 31 points, you should win the game. Besides the two fumbles lost, and the inability to keep the ball late in the 4th quarter, I thought the offense played great. Let's hope we can get back some of these guys healthy during the bye week and get back at it against Philly.
ReplyDeleteI think those 3 players do make a difference; their presence creates a chain reaction- offenses won't be able to doubleteam Woodley if they have to account for Harrison (even an aging Harrison). A roaming Troy in the secondary can cause the opposing QB to hesitate just a second or two longer which can result in more sacks, hurried throws, etc.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that they do make a difference in the opposition's offense strategy as well as how they account for those players. However, I try to stay realistic as a fan and realize that the problems that are occuring on the defensive side of the ball are disheartening and might NOT be fixed by Harrison, Troy, and Sylvester returning to the lineup. For the sake of the Steelers, I hope you are right and all is right w/ the Steelers D after the bye and when they are all healthy!
- Jeff