Bill Cowher soft, Steelers film study, Worilds’ confidence

Are you ready for some Monday Night Football? Week 7 in the NFL has come and while the Steelers are preparing to face the Houston Texans at home on Monday night we’re busy looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Wednesday, Oct. 15^th.

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Bill Cowher says Steelers defense is soft

The comments Mike Tomlin was asked about in his Tuesday presser from former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward sure are getting around fast. As Conor Orr of Around the NFL points out, Bill Cowher made the comments after the Steelers 31-10 loss to the Browns on Sunday. Cowher prefaced his statement by saying that he “never thought he would say these words”. Hines Ward then followed on NBC’s Football Night in America, for the 2 ½ minutes a week Bob Costas has him speak by saying that it’s panic time for the Steelers.

"“They’re very close to hitting that panic button. The defense looks soft. Guys are just able to run the ball up and down the field. I look at their personnel; they can’t cover anybody in the secondary. Offensively, I thought I’d never say it, but the Steelers are a finesse offense right now. I don’t even know who these guys are.” – Hines Ward"

It’s the misdirection that gets you

ESPN Steelers reporter Scott Brown took a look at the Steelers film from the Browns loss because he’s clearly a masochist and discovered that the biggest issue needing the most immediate attention was the defense’s propensity to be fooled easily by misdirection plays. Even after getting burned by Browns TE Jordan Cameron on a misdirection play in Week 1 that resulted in a 47-yard completion, the Steelers were once (or twice) sucked into play action and left Cameron open for a 45-yarder that led to a touchdown on the following play and then a 51-yard touchdown reception. The Steelers need to accept that Houston will definitely try to fool them with the same kinds of plays on Monday night.

Worilds of talent

Teresa Varley explains that the Steelers defense, while obviously frustrated and disappointed following their butt-kicking in Cleveland, are still confident that they have what it takes to turn it around. Linebacker Jason Worilds thinks that it was just a matter of those big plays we were just talking about taking them down and if they can eliminate those, they’ll be a lot better.

"“One play here or there we can’t afford to have. We have been giving up those plays. It’s about alleviating those plays. Two big plays that put them in scoring position or led to putting points on the board, it’s a different game. The talent is here. That is not a question. It’s more so about everybody being accountable and consistent. I think for one reason or another we’ll have a lapse and those lapses will get you beat.” – Jason Worilds"

Not being that talented will get you beat as well, Jason. Perhaps there is a question of talent on this defense.