If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have success this season as a defensive unit, they are going to need significant improvement stopping the run.
After being perennially in the top three in the league in terms of run defense for years, last year’s unit plummeted to 21st, and gave up a whopping 115.6 yards a game. It was the first time since the 2003 season that the Steelers had given up more than 100 yards on the ground per game in a season.
To put into proper perspective, since 2004, or nine NFL seasons, the Steelers were in the top three in rushing defense eight times, and their cumulative average in yards allowed over that span was a paltry 85.4 yards per game. Clearly that dominating run defense helped the Steelers thrive, and it was a key to the zone blitz schemes implemented by Dick LeBeau being so effective.
So what changed last season? It starts with the defensive line.
Unfortunately, the days of Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel forming the ultimate front line combination in the 3-4 scheme are over. Though this trio rarely got the notoriety or enough credit for their contributions, it was their ability to control the line of scrimmage that helped the Steelers be arguably the most dominant defense in the NFL for the better part of a decade.
This was especially the case against the run, where the Steelers could rely heavily on this trio to handle the line of scrimmage. One could argue that the loss of Hampton was as critical as any. “Big Snack” was able to clog the middle and take on multiple blockers, allowing others free reign against opponents running attack.
Steve McClendon has been given the daunting task of replacing Hampton and the results have been mixed. To be fair, McClendon is probably better suited to play defensive end, but the Steelers have continued to ask him to play at the nose.
Though McClendon has put on additional weight, and it reportedly up to 330 pounds, his ability to hold that point of attack is very much in question. As we saw last year too many times, opponents’ interior linemen were able to control the point, creating a real issue for the rush D.
Rookie Daniel McCullers is not ready yet, and will likely need a year to develop. That might leave the Steelers painfully thin at nose tackle, though acquisition of free agent Cam Thomas from San Diego, who has experience playing nose, will be another option.
It’s fair to say that one side of the defensive end position should be fine. Cameron Heyward looks ready to continue developing into the next outstanding 3-4 end for the Steelers. We were spoiled by the quiet consistency of Smith, and have now been reminded how critical he really was to stopping the run.
If Heyward can take the next step in his fourth season, that spot should be in good shape. Rookie Stephon Tuitt looks to have a bright future, but how many rookies have grasped the Steelers defensive schemes well enough to play big roles, let alone thrive? For now he is listed as Heyward’s backup, but look for Tuitt to get some playing time along the way.
The other end is where there seems to be question marks. Thomas has been listed as the starter, but one has to wonder how long that will last, and if Thomas will eventually end up playing more nose tackle to spell McClendon at times. No matter where he plays, Thomas needs to be play at a high level, that’s what he was signed to do.
Keisel was brought back for his 13th season after signing late in training camp. One has to wonder if the Steelers fan favorite has anything left in the tank. Injuries have dogged Keisel the past few seasons, and whether or not he can stay healthy at 35 is big question mark.
If healthy, it seems the Steelers could do worse than Keisel, even if it is as a part time player. He certainly knows the defense and should add leadership and a respected voice on defense with a lot of young/new players.
Look for the Steelers to utilize five of the six DL on the roster early and often. McCullers will probably not play much, but everyone else will certainly be asked to play roles. If the Steelers are going to be successful defensively, the Steelers defensive line will have to take a big step forward, and get back to being one of the best rush defenses in the NFL.
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