2011 3rd Round pick Curtis Brown. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As a bonus though,  I thought that I would take the time to discuss which needs I believe that the Steelers must find a way to fill during this offseason.  But first, here is the Combine Workout Schedule:

February 23rd

(Tight Ends, Offensive Linemen, Specialists)

February 24th

(Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers)

February 25th

(Defensive Linemen, Linebackers)

February 26th

(Defensive Backs)

But enough about the Workout schedule.  I’m sure that some of you are interested in reading which positional areas the Steelers most need to upgrade this offseason are:

“PLEASE STOP IT!”

Granted, it would one incredible story if Pittsburgh decided to “nut up” and began to reel off “W’s” into January and February.  Unfortunately, unlike the teams I alluded to above, the 2012 Steelers will fail to accomplish anything during postseason play because of their shortcomings in two extremely important areas of the game: Creating a consistent pass rush, and recording ample amounts of Takeaways.

I. The Importance of a Consistent Pass Rush

If there is one thing that any Defense must be able to do when they face the best Quarterbacks in the Conference in postseason play, they must be able to collapse the pocket and take the signal-caller down with consistency.   It is not rocket-science ladies and gentlemen, if opposing signal-callers of playoff caliber teams are allowed to stand like statues and step into throws and up into the pocket without the fear of getting their “bells’ rung,” a Defense has little to no chance of success.  Don’t believe me?  Check out how the ’97 Broncos, the ’00 Ravens, the ’05 Steelers, the ’07 & ’11 Giants, and the ’10 Packers did:

’97 Broncos

Although the ‘97 Broncos will always be known as the team John Elway won the first of his two rings on, many forget how underrated their Defense was, especially their Defensive Line.  A 4-3 team built to pressure the Quarterback with their guys in the trenches, the Broncos had quite the beastly Linemen on their roster during the 1997 season.  Defensive Ends Neil Smith and Alfred Williams both logged 8.5 Sacks apiece, while the stout Maa Tanuvasa also registered 8.5 Sacks too from his Defensive Tackle spot.  With contributions from Keith Traylor (2.0), Rookie Trevor Pryce, and veteran Mike Lodish (1.0) as well, the Broncos brought the heat upon their opposition during 1997 and finished the regular season ranked 10th in the League in Sacks (43.0).  The Sack parade however carried over into January too as Denver’s Defense put up 11.0 Sacks during their 4 postseason games on their way to a Super Bowl title.

’00 Ravens

While the Ravens’ Defense did not necessarily possess many “Sack Masters,” (35.0 Sacks ranked shockingly 22nd in the League that season), they still had a number of players who could get to the Quarterback.  Defensive Ends Rob Burnett (10.5) and Michael McCrary (6.5) did a solid job of providing heat off of the edge with Linebacker Peter Boulware (7.0) that year.  Although their Total Sacks ranking amongst N.F.L. teams that season appears a bit pedestrian, Baltimore’s Defense only amped up the pressure when the postseason started as they recorded 14.0 Sacks, and only allowed 16 total points as a unit during their 4 game playoff run.

’05 Steelers

I do not need to go into too much detail to describe how adept the 2005 Steelers were at getting to the Quarterback, but for the sake of remembering the “good times,” I will refresh everybody’s memories.  Of course Pittsburgh’s Outside Linebackers’ were the Sack Masters’ that season as Joey Porter (10.5), Clark Haggans (9.0), and backup James Harrison (3.0) all terrorized the opposition that season.  The Steelers also received significant contributions from their Defensive Ends as Kimo von Oelhoffen (3.5), Aaron Smith (2.0), and backup Brett Keisel (3.0) all did their best to collapse the pocket in passing situations to boot.  Pittsburgh even received terrific efforts from their Defensive Backs as Troy Polamalu (3.0) and Deshea Townsend (3.0) showed how good they were when they were allowed to blitz.  Pittsburgh’s Defense was relentless with their pocket collapse during the postseason as they Sacked Peyton Manning 5.0 times in Indianapolis and recorded 15.0 Sacks during their 4 game run.

’10 Packers

Two years ago, Green Bay’s Defense led by Coordinator Dom Capers benefited greatly from their relentless pass rush over the course of the season.  The Packers ranked 2nd in the League in total Sacks (47.0) as Clay Matthews (13.5) led the team and emerged as a complete force off of the edge.  Green Bay also received significant contributions from their Defensive Line as both Cullen Jenkins (7.0) and B.J. Raji (6.5) stepped up big for the unit.  Capers’ Defense put up 11.0 Sacks during their tear through the postseason, and I don’t think I need to bring up Super Bowl XLV, do I?  Remember that Pick-6 Big Ben threw to Nick Collins?  I do, because Ramon Foster was beaten on that play when the pocket collapsed at the Goal Line and Roethlisberger was forced to throw an errant pass.

PIttsburgh’s Defense will likely prevent them from going deep into the postseason. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

’07 & ’11 Giants

The ‘07 and ‘11 Giants were absolutely stacked on the Defensive Line, and used their pocket-collapsing awesomeness to keep their playoff hopes alive all season long.  In 2007, New York led the League in Sacks with 53.0 as their Defensive End rotation of Osi Umenyiora (13.0), Justin Tuck (10.0), and Michael Strahan (9.0) made life hell for opposing Offensive Tackles, and Defensive Tackle Fred Robbins chipped in with 5.5 Sacks of his own.  The crowning moment of the season for New York’s pass rush of course came in Super Bowl XLII as they Sacked Tom Brady 5 times are were instrumental in New York’s 4 game run to glory.

Last season, New York was able to consistently deliver pressure all season from a strong rotation along their Defensive Line.  Defensive End Jason Pierre-Paul led the team with 16.5 Sacks, while Umenyiora (9.0), Tuck (5.0), Dave Tollefson (5.0), Chris Canty (4.0), and Defensive Tackle Linval Joseph chipped in also.  The Giants finished Tied for 3rd in the League with 48.0 total Sacks, and registered 11.0 Sacks during their 4 playoff games as they once again shut down Tom Brady and New England’s high-powered Offense on the game’s biggest stage.

’12 Steelers

Unlike the teams I listed above, the 2012 Steelers do not know the meaning of the word “pressure” or the phrase “pocket collapse.”  I will admit that it is not necessarily the Defense’s fault, especially since James Harrison has been hobbled for most of the season, LaMarr Woodley is injured yet again and will probably contribute nothing down the stretch as he is likely out of shape, and backups Jason Worilds and Chris Carter have been either inconsistent (Worilds), or non-existent and injured (Carter).  So far this year though, the Steelers rank 22nd in the League in Sacks (26.0), and their lack of a pass rush has caused their subpar Secondary filled with underperforming veterans, injured players, and inexperienced youngsters to be carved to pieces numerous times by the likes of Carson Palmer, an elderly Matt Hasselbeck, Philip Rivers, etc..

Green is already one of the best Wide Receivers in professional football. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

As it stands now, the Steelers are staring a 2-4 start dead in the face and must take on the rival Bengals in a crucial Sunday Night Football matchup tomorrow.  To have any sort of legitimate shot of winning this game though, the Steelers’ beleaguered Defense must find some ways to contain Green and the Bengals’ Offense.  Unfortunately for Pittsburgh’s Defense, Green’s skill-set and overall logic will make the upcoming task a close to impossible one.

Green’s Incredible 21 Game Start

It is typically the norm for most Rookie Wide Receivers to struggle early on in their careers’.  Whether the issues are with adjusting to the physicality and talent level of their competition, and/or just fine tuning their overall skills in general, even the most talented and highly touted of Rookie pass-catchers have their struggles.  A.J. Green is an exception to the previously mentioned norm.

After he burst on the N.F.L. scene last year as a Rookie, Green has continued his stellar production in 2012 (43 Catches (T-3rd), 628 Yards (League-Leader), 6 TD’s (T-2nd)).  Over his first 21 games dating back to last year, Green has amassed an amazing 108 Catches for 1,685 Yards and caught 13 Touchdowns.  What is even more impressive is the fact that last month’s A.F.C. Player of the Month is on pace this year to shatter his solid numbers from last season (65 Catches, 1,057 Yards, 7 TD’s).  If Green continues to produce at his current 2012 level, he is set to challenge franchise season Receiving records with a stat line of 115 Catches (Record), 1,675 Yards (Record), and 16 TD’s (Carl Pickens’ 17 is Record) this season.

In my opinion, Green scares me more than any other Bengals pass catcher I have seen on the Bengals franchise with his awesome combination of size (6’4″ 207 lbs.), speed, and hands.  He is a more imposing and developing into a better deep threat than Pickens and my childhood pass-catching hero (#6 of the SDSU Aztecs) Darnay Scott from the 1990′s, and is far-and-away more talented and productive than Ocho-Psycho or T.J. Houshmandzadeh over the 2000′s.  If Green continues to gel with his Quarterback, and Cincinnati’s other pass-catching options become consistent threats around him, he has all the tools to really develop into a special player.  Yet as talented as Green is, and as much as I already fear what he can do against the Steelers, he could really be primed for a ridiculously awesome night because of how dreadful his upcoming competition has played over the course of this season

Pittsburgh’s Porous Secondary, and Is There Anything The Defense Can Do?

First of all, I hope somebody called the “Waahm-Bulance” and ordered some Large “Curly Cries” for Steelers Cornerback Ike Taylor.  Heck, I hope somebody introduced him to some important stats he chose to overlook when he blasted the media recently.  I probably would have stopped (rightfully) criticizing the Defense for all of their faults and deficiencies this season, because honestly, I can only rip on the same issues they refuse to fix so many times before I get bored and ultimately frustrated.

Yet after his little radio show tantrum against subversive and ill-informed media types, Ike just bought himself and the rest of the under-performers on Defense an unlimited supply of healthy criticism from this blogger until they actually decide to “nut-up” against some of their supposedly inferior foes.  Unfortunately for Taylor and his fellow Defensive Backs, tomorrow night’s matchup might not be the most ideal situation for them to excel after how poorly they have played this year.

On the season, Taylor has been flagged for numerous penalties (including 3 last week), and was most recently abused by the stone-handed yet still talented Kenny Britt last Thursday night in Nashville.  As poorly as he has played over the last six games (includes dumpster-fire Wild Card game), Taylor is without a doubt the most experienced, as well as most talented Cornerback on Pittsburgh’s roster.  This is bad news for the Steelers, because Green is likely the most talented pass-catcher the team will face all season, and has the size, speed, and physical nature to give the Cornerbacks fits on the back-end.

Green’s presence alone will force the Steelers to key on him and likely give Taylor over the top Safety help for most of the night, although Taylor apparently is not expecting or asking for it.  If the Safety help does indeed occur, which it should for Taylor’s sake, other Bengals like Jermaine Gresham or Andrew Hawkins can find acres of open space to work with and attack Pittsburgh’s Secondary.  If the Steelers Defense is to do anything besides actually cover Green and his pass-catching friends to stop Cincinnati’s passing attack, they will need to have a fine collective performance from their pass-rushers as they attempt to put pressure on Dalton in obvious passing situations.

Sadly, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the pass rush from the Outside making an appearance though.  Think about it: An overweight LaMarr Woodley on a bum hamstring?  James Harrison still a bit hobbled?  Then mix in the likely strategy involving zero creative Defensive Back blitzes courtesy of Coordinator Dick LeBeau.  Plus, I am sure that the 5-Techniques (Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Brett Keisel: 2.0 Sacks combined) will continue to underwhelm in terms of their pocket collapse.  Unless the players/schemes I mentioned before can find a way to excel, or Jason Worilds can establish himself as a consistent threat off the edge, hungry Rookie Adrian Robinson is actually allowed to play a Defensive snap or two and attack the Quarterback in passing situations, and Brandon Johnson wants to exact some revenge on his former team, the Bengals make-shift (17.0 Sacks on the season) Offensive Line could cruise to a decent night.

Pittsburgh’s pass-rush however might find some success blitzing Cincinnati if they decide to attack the interior of Cincinnati’s Offensive Line tomorrow.  Remember readers, the Bengals are missing their starting Center Kyle Cook, and some well-timed A-Gap blitzes courtesy of Lawrence Timmons or even Johnson could give Cook, Rookie Right Guard Kevin Zeitler, and 1st Year starter Clint Boling at Left Guard some issues if they are disguised/executed properly and quickly.  The interior blitzes could be something to watch for fans, and might be an X-Factor to help this Defense stay in the game, force mistakes, rattle Dalton, prevent him from finding his pass-catchers like Green, and give the Steelers a fighting chance.

Final Thoughts

After what Kenny Britt did to Taylor and the Secondary, Green might enjoy a career night under the lights at Paul Brown Stadium tomorrow night.  If Dalton is not looking in Green’s direction all night long and BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Cedric Peerman are not tearing things up on the ground, I will assume Jay Gruden drew his game-plan up in crayon or studied extensively at the “Bruce Arians Academy for “Offensive” Coordinators.”  The matchup between Green and any of Pittsburgh’s Defensive Backs (whether it is in Man or finding holes in the soft Zone) is too obvious not to exploit, and could make this an ugly game to watch throughout the night for us Steelers fans.

I still hold out hope that this will be the week that Pittsburgh’s Defense turns things around, and the Secondary finally shows signs of improvement.  The optimist in me will say that this current 10-day rest period has helped the Defense reflect, re-group, and hungry to make the necessary adjustments.  The “Negative-Nancy” pessimist in me says that  with Green and his presence looming, Sunday night might not be the most comfortable of situations for the Steelers Defense.

I hope the optimist in me is right.

Readers:  Will the Steelers contain Green?  If so, how?  And to what extent?  Or, will Green have a big day?  If so, how big?  Franchise-record big?  League-record big?  Should Ike Taylor continue to start?  Seriously, share your thoughts on tomorrow’s game below, and post your predictions and why you feel a certain way.

Stats Courtesy of: Team Rankings.com, ESPN.com,

• Once highly-touted/high-Round draft selections under-performing or not receiving ample opportunities to produce
• Backups not receiving chances to start or extra playing time over ineffective and “penalty-machine” veterans
• Stalwart & Hall of Fame veterans unfortunately showing their age and fragility
• Newer yet nevertheless experienced starters showing hardly any signs of development or improvement
• Injury-prone/Under-performing players sitting on “salary-cap constricting” contracts

(Home Fun for Readers: Go to the “Comments” section to try and match specific Defensive players to the specific categories.)

So what should the Steelers do about their problems on the Defensive side of the ball?  Well, I am certainly no General Manager, but after I watched what the Green Bay Packers did in last April’s Draft, I feel like the Steelers should follow a similar course of action to at least provide some help to their struggling Defense before the current situation gets any worse in the future.

Green Bay & The 2012 Draft

The 2011 Packers’ Defense was not as awful as many people made them out to be, although “elite” was definitely not a word which should have described them.  Last season, the Packers gave up the most Total Yards per Game in the League in 2011 (411.6), the Most Pass Yards per Game (299.8), but the team lived and died with the Turnover.  Luckily for them, more often than not, the Turnover ratio worked out in their favor (+24 ratio in 2011), and their porous Defense was given some leeway because Aaron Rodgers and the Offense had such an incredible year.  Unfortunately for Green Bay and Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers, when the Defense was unable to force Turnovers, and their inability to rush the passer plus inconsistencies in the Secondary reared their ugly heads’, all their worst fears came true.  The Defense’s weaknesses were a huge reason why the 15-1 Packers were unable to repeat as Super Bowl champions, and it was quite obvious to anyone which watched them last year that some improvements on the Defensive side of the ball were needed.

To their credit, G.M. Ted Thompson and the rest of Green Bay’s Front Office & Coaching Staff saw how badly their Defense needed help, and were proactive about having their issues fixed.  So when April rolled around, the Packers’ brass did not dawdle and ignore the task at hand.  Green Bay used their first 6 Selections to pick the best Defensive players available which would fit their scheme, and most of all, spent the picks on players which could bolster their beleaguered unit in the short, and long terms.  And this season, five of the Packers’ first six Defensive selections have seen some playing time and contributed nicely to the tune of:

Nick Perry OLB (1st Round): 6 Games, 5 Starts: 18 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 1 PD

Jerel Worthy DT/DE (2nd Round): 6 Games, 2 Starts: 9 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks

Casey Hayward CB (2nd Round): 6 Games as Nickel/Dime: 14 Tackles, 3 INT’s, 6 PD’s

Mike Daniels DT/DE (4th Round): 4 Games as backup: 3 Tackles, 1.0 Sack

Jerron McMillian S (5th Round): 6 Games as backup: 7 Tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD’s

While nothing absolutely out-of-this-world, the Packers have received some solid contributions from their 2012 Rookie class.  The Defense as a whole has upped their games, and should be commended for their efforts.  Yet to say that these Rookies have not had an impact would be a disservice to what they have accomplished so far in their short professional careers’.  Worthy and even Daniels each have as many/more Sacks than Ziggy Hood (1.0), Brett Keisel (0), and Chris Carter (0) combined.  In addition, Hayward as well as McMillian both have recorded more Interceptions than any Steelers’ Cornerback on the roster (0 combined from the entire group)!

As I watched last April’s Draft unfold, I could not help but give a “golf-clap” to the Packers and what they did.  At the time, and now even more so, I must say that their overall strategy was downright awesome.  To Thompson & Co., I am sure their strategy to draft as much talent as they did on Defense made perfect sense.  Not only did it allow the organization bring hungry Rookies into the fold with loads of talent, the organization in turn lets the players already on the roster know that their performances at the respective stages in their careers’ was simply not up to par.  With the influx of talent, the veterans and roster bubble guys which came off bad seasons were forced to step their collective games’ up to stick and improve with the rest of the unit.

Will these Green Bay Rookies have their own respective “growing pains’” for the time being, and mess up from time to time?  Of course they will, and I am sure that some like McMillian, Daniels, and 5th Round selection Terrell Manning (Linebacker) will have to wait their turns’ more than Perry, Worthy, and Hayward will in terms of them getting to play a significant amount more than they are now.  And hey, the Packers’ Defensive issues are not fixed by any means.  They blew an 18 point lead against the Colts on the road, and did not look so hot in Week 1 versus the 49ers.

Nevertheless, I have been more or less impressed with Capers and the rest of his staff for trusting these players, as well as their confidence to allow them to develop “on the fly” as opposed to rotting on the bench before they are forced to make difficult decisions once the players step out on the field for their first “real” Defensive experiences in Years 2-4.  In spite of their issues, this Packers unit has already stymied the likes of Jay Cutler, held their own against the Texans’ and enough against the Saints’ potent Offenses, and were a blown call away from a victory (only 7 points allowed until the “unpleasantness”) at Century Link Field in Seattle.  Unlike the Steelers, at least the Packers’ Defense has taken significant strides this season, and there seems to be improvement on the horizon unlike the possible “dumpster fire” about to take place in Pittsburgh unless swift action is taken or improvements are made.

Colbert & Tomlin would be wise to draft heavily on the Defensive side of the ball next April. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Final Thoughts

My ultimate hope is that if a load of young and talented Defensive players are drafted by Colbert & Co. next April, they are at least given the “green-light” to play if they are talented enough to do so.  As it stands, the Steelers’ Defense needs significant help at each and every position.  Some positions need more help than others, but either a new starter or significant and effective depth is needed at all 11 positions added to it.  At least to me, what has gone on over the season’s first 6 Weeks is nothing short of just cause for some of Pittsburgh’s Defensive starters to either A) lose their jobs, or B) have their jobs put in jeopardy by an influx of young and more capable talent next April with increased competition either right now or in Training Camp next August.

As far as the 2013 Draft goes, I am not saying that the Steelers should completely abandon other possible needs by drafting solely on Defense.  If a big “6’3”+” Wide Receiver or Every-Down Running Back are available at a valued spot, then by all means I understand the logic behind those selections.  Yet if this team is to get any better, especially during Ben Roethlisberger’s “prime” years, a Defensive-heavy Draft Class like the Packers’ most recent one could be just what the Steelers need to help themselves improve.  I mean, it can’t hurt to add more talent and attempt to upgrade what we’ve seen so far if it continues throughout the season, can it “Steeler Nation?”

Bonus

Defensive Stats:

(I remind you that the stat of 5th in Total Yards per Game Allowed is basically moot when the Offense ranks 2nd in Average Time of Possession, 34:16 per Game)

Mind you, these numbers below have been compiled against the Broncos, Jets, Raiders, Eagles, and Titans:

Points Per Game Allowed: T17th (23.0)

3rd Down % Against: 31st (49.2%, 29 for 59)

Opposing QB Rating: 21st (93.8)

Total Sacks: T20th (11.0)

Sacks per Game: 19th (2.2)

Rush Yards per Carry Allowed: 21st (4.1)

Pass Touchdowns Allowed: T19th (9)

Points per Play Allowed: 22nd (.401)

Red Zone Scoring Attempts per Game: 19th (3.4)

4th Quarter Points per Game Allowed: 27th (9.4) (Note: 2009 Defense gave up an average of 9.4 PPG in 4th Quarter)

Stats Courtesy of: Team Rankings.com and ESPN.com

The Defense made Carson Palmer look like a master of the game. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The Oakland Debacle

Quarterback Carson Palmer had himself quite the efficient afternoon, and went 24 for 34 for 209 Yards with 3 Touchdowns through the air!  That’s correct folks, 3 pass Touchdowns for Carson Palmer!  And because the pressure was absolutely non-existent/hardly designed to help, Palmer was dropped only once during the entire game on a coverage Sack by LaMarr Woodley.  Carson had all day to complete passes, and looked completely at ease every time he settled himself in the pocket.  Heck, the only mistake the guy really made was when his Wide Receiver fell down on a route, and caused Ryan Clark to Intercept a cake-easy pass on the opening drive.

Not to be outdone, Darren McFadden had himself a nice day (18 Carries for 113 Yards 1 TD) too, and his performance was highlighted by his 64 Yard completely untouched Touchdown scamper.  While 113 Yards is not an enormous number, had McFadden been given 25 Carries, it is likely he would have gone over 175 Yards because he averaged over 6.0 YPC every time he was handed the ball during the game and gashed the Steelers all afternoon long.

Worst of all though, Palmer found significant amounts of success when he targeted the likes of Denarius Moore, Rod Streater, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Derek Hagan, Marcel Reece, and Brandon Myers!  Instead of making an attempt to cover/scheme to neutralize these guys, all I saw were Defensive Backs flailing, committing penalties, and being completely outmatched for much of the game against these “Pro Bowl” pass catchers.  The only thing that made watching that group’s success worse was the fact that the Raiders’ pass-catchers only played better and left the Steelers’ Defensive Backs in the dust when the game was on the line.

And as we all witnessed readers, the ultimate bed-wetting moments were the ones saved for the 4th Quarter.  Over the final 15 minutes, the “blue-print” to beating Pittsburgh’s Defense was executed by Oakland, and the moment Pittsburgh had to give the ball back to the Raiders via Punt, I knew the game finished.  Yet how much did Palmer and the Raiders stick it to the Steelers in the 4th Quarter?  Well, as we all remember after the Raiders were down by 10 points when the final frame started, Oakland managed to score points on every single possession.  Palmer and his Offense executed the “blue-print for success” as they marched up and down the field with relative ease, converted 3rd Down after 3rd Down with no pressure, and breezed to easy drives of 11 plays for 80 Yards, 9 Plays for 50 Yards, and 9 Plays for 49 Yards!  And just like in the Denver game, Oakland was not even forced to PUNT ONCE in the 4th Quarter, let alone in the entire 2nd Half!

There is no way an Offense like Oakland’s should be allowed to score 34 points in close to 24:00 minutes of total possession against the supposedly “dominant” and “confusing” Steeler Defense.  I mean, had the Steelers’ rapidly calcifying and completely over-matched unit been forced to stay on the field for 35+ minutes, then yes, I could understand if they had struggled mightily.  But between the Offense’s extended drives (over 36:00 TOP), and the time it took for the medical staff to assess both of Oakland’s Wide Receiver injuries, Pittsburgh’s Defense had more than enough time to regroup, catch their breath, make adjustments, and most importantly, make one, single, stop when the chips were down.

And do not even get me started on the strategy where the Steelers decide that 3-4 pass rushers are adequate when protecting a slim lead at the end of a game (let alone during the first three Quarters).  This strategy has proven time and again to be an unwarranted risk, as even mediocre Quarterbacks have sliced and diced them up and down the field as Pittsburgh’s struggling Corners have been at their mercy.  What should have been a coming out party for the pass rush was an utter disappointment.  And that was even when the Raiders’ less than experienced/talented Offensive Line was without Khalif Barnes, their starting Right Tackle.  But true to form, the pass-rush was yet again a figment of our imaginations as strategic errors and poor execution by Woodley, Chris Carter, and Jason Worilds allowed Palmer to look like Jim Plunkett for a significant amount of the afternoon.

Instead of ramping up the pressure, designing schemes to increase pocket collapse, or at least attempts to get in the faces of the pass-catchers late in the game, the Defense folded like cheap origami once again.  Palmer was allowed sit in the backfield untouched as he surgically picked them apart like all effective Quarterbacks have done in the past and will continue to do in the present: he utilized the short, quick, and efficient passing game.  I mean, if the Steelers and Dick LeBeau want instructions on what to do in those types of situations, they should just take a gander at what Baltimore did on Sunday night during New England’s final Offensive possession.

Even though they had struggled at times that evening, the Ravens did not sit back and wait for Tom Brady and his Offense to efficiently and easily win the game when it mattered most.  Instead, they designed blitzes, got in his face, and did so with more than 4 pass rushers.  And that was Tom Brady, not Carson Palmer.  Sure Carson is a veteran player with an effective skill-set at this point in his career, but the guy is certainly not a future Hall of Famer or the caliber of passer like Tom Brady is!  And worst/best of all, Baltimore “sacked up” and played hard and physical despite some of the questionable penalties called against them on New England’s final drive.  Unlike the Steelers, the Ravens dug deep and answered the proverbial “bell” against a much tougher opponent than the Raiders.

Thus, with the game on the line, Baltimore’s Defense went to a solid strategy to ruffle Brady’s feathers a bit, and succeeded as they got the ball back for their Offense.  Where Baltimore succeeded though, Pittsburgh failed this past weekend, and the Steelers will continue to fail until the necessary steps are taken to make improvements on that side of the ball.  LeBeau, his “complex” schemes, and the talent (or lackthereof) on this Defense have been exposed for all of the world to see, and Quarterbacks with only mediocre skill-sets and marginal talent will continue to have that “blue-print to beat the Steelers” for however long it takes until changes are made to stop them.

Final Thoughts

Do not get me wrong, the two fumbles by Dwyer and Brown hurt this team on Sunday.  If you want to cry over the supposedly “bad calls” made by the replacement refs then be my guest.  But guess what?  The questionable calls went both ways, and it was a sloppy day had by all.  So to single out the refs as the reason the Steelers lost is short-sighted and ridiculous.  Plus, to not credit Oakland for actually finishing the game is simply poor sportsmanship, and fails to give at least some credit to the winning team.

And hey, if you the readers want to espouse the same “James Harrison and Troy Polamalu absent” rhetoric as to why the team lost, or the Defense has issues in general, then you’re more than welcome to do it.  But Polamalu was on the field in Denver for the Week 1 Loss as well as numerous other meltdowns, and he has also been much more injury-prone in recent years.  Furthermore, I am just not sure what a player like Harrison still has left in the tank from a pass rushing perspective.  But come on, would a 34-year old former Pro Bowler with a bad back and knee issues really make a significant difference on a Defense which only sends up to 4 guys at the Quarterback on a consistent basis?  While their impact might help somewhat, they are definitely not the dominant “plug & play” Defensive cure-alls they were five years ago.

At this point, my condolences go out to the Offense for the rest of this season, and likely for the next three to five years.  Now, Big Ben, the improved Offensive Line, and Boss Todd will be forced to put up at least 30 points per week to stay competitive with most of the teams left on their schedule and in the coming seasons.  I honestly dread what will happen when “Ginger Spice” and his Offensive weapons like A.J. Green come to town.  And that’s Cincinnati!  How the Steelers will be able to contend with the better and/or more athletic signal-callers like Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Joe Flacco, Michael Vick, etc.. will be even tougher.  Worst of all, Baltimore actually has a lethal Offense at their disposal, and who knows how high they will try to run the score up to in both meetings down the road to completely rub salt in the Steelers’ wounds at home and on the road.

Because I am tried of being negative, I will close this post by reiterating what I said two weeks ago: significant changes must be made throughout the course of this season on Defense, and even more must be made when the regular season ends.  There is no justifiable way that Pittsburgh’s Offense should have to go out and score 30+ every game just to stay competitive on a weekly basis.  And there is no way they should make going for it on 4th and 1 inside their own 30 a habit so they can come to the Defense’s rescue after they have been shellacked throughout the entire game.

Whether the changes come from LeBeau retiring, putting Tomlin on notice, cutting the veteran dead-weight on the Defensive side of the ball which eat up a majority of the team’s payroll, reprimanding the newly over-paid and under-performing players supposedly in their “primes’” on Defense, simply using their entire 2013 Draft on Defensive players like the Packers and Patriots did this past April, or using some combination I mentioned, I do not care.  I just hope that our fanbase is ready to witness a 6-10/7-9 season, because these Defensive struggles will continue to happen if changes are not made on that side of the football.

Now it’s time to share your thoughts readers: Are you finally coming around to see the light about this Defense?  Or are you firmly entrenched in the “Blind Defensive Love” Camp?  If changes need to be made on Defense, what are they?  Defensive Line?  Linebackers? Defensive Backs?  Or would some significant “Roster Tetris” and a complete restructuring of the Defense and the Defensive Strategy over the next few years do the trick?  How many Wins will this team earn in 2012?  Will it be 6, 7, more, or less?

Stats Courtesy of: Pro Football Reference.com