#1 against the pass?

[V DUB]

Did i hear that right??? Not sure about y'all, but that's incredibly refreshing to hear, & that's with a loss where we got shit punted to the tune of an ass load of points to not so much.

We just destroyed the league's best offense. If my count is right, they were under 10 yards at the half....defense is only going to get stronger with assignments, while the offense works through warts.

Count me as optimistic.

[daikyu]

The thing I like most is that Smith only had success after he scrambled. The Steelers did a great job of collapsing the pocket today.

[Suwanee88]

I wish they would demote M Mitchell and promote Wilcox.

[steelsmitty]

It's a bit misleading

Kizer
Keenum
Glennon
Flacco
Bortles
Smith

Today was the first real test at QB and he was missing a few targets. I still think this is the best the secondary's been in quite sometime. If the defense as a whole can play more disciplined (looking at you shazier) the sky is the limit

[Legacy User]

I hate to be "that guy", but...

rookie DeShone Kizer
backup Case Keenum
backup Mike Glennon
Joe Flacco
Blake Bortles

not exactly a murderer's row of talent there. That said, we rebounded magnificently and shut down a red hot team offensively.

[Legacy User]

exactly...and teams shredded us running the ball.. no need to pass..and we never had much of a lead for teams to play catch up vs our prevent ! racking up pass yards.. stats are deceiving..that said I do like the pressure I'm seeing.

[Stosh-67]

Yes. Not best of QBs...
But.
Many more passes getting defended.
Many more Contested passes than last few years.

Burns batted down a few.
Shaz a few.
Davis huge breakup.



Lineman / Olbs batting down a pass or two a game is big too.
Cam. Tuit and Watt all have a knack for it.

[V DUB]

The pressure is nice, I'm seeing a ton of contested catches & near miss int's as well.

As far as QB's faced, there's 1 truley elite guy on our schedule. And that team is very beatable.

[Stosh-67]

Combination of few things too.
More pressure from front 7
From the three in the middle.

Hoping they learned from over using Cam and Tuit and can keep them fresh.
Tyson and Walton nice rotation of subs.

Same for OLBs... And rotation.
Looked like Chick got some play time along with James.

Dupree needs to turn up the engines.

[Legacy User]

Stats dont always hold water

Heres what I know

The D looked alot better tackling
The O ran the ball much better
The Steelers got lucky when they had to

Most years those 3 things done consistently ....win a Lombardi

[zeke5123]

I think people are making too much re QBs. Our CBs have been dominate attacking WR. There hasn't been much separation. Haden is playing like a borderline No 1. Burns is a No 1. Hilton is playing like a legit corner. The quality of QB doesn't impact the quality of coverage.

[franco32]

There are lots of reasons for it. Burns and Davis are a year older. Haden and Hilton are huge additions right now. Watt and the DL are getting pressure. Shazier has been good in coverage. VW has been surprising.

It bodes well.

[zeke5123]

I do think they aren't No 1 in passing in terms of talent. But top 5 against passing? Sure. And with a healthy Tuitt + adding in Harrison ... I think it is a top 5 defense. Offense needs to start attacking like they did in the first half. Can get to be the best team in the NFL from a talent perspective.

[RemoAZ]

I'm sure being 28th against the run plays into the opposing team's game plan.

[V DUB]

Looking forward to it balancing out into a top 5-10 unit.

These guys will be dominant by the end of the year.

If the Offense gets out going....if...


.

[Smashmouth21]

Everyone mentioning the QBs faced thus far, that's exactly what all the talking heads said before the game today. So much for the vaunted Chiefs juggernaut offense. Could not pass. And, more importantly, could not run.

[bradshaw2ben]

I hate to be "that guy", but...

rookie DeShone Kizer
backup Case Keenum
backup Mike Glennon
Joe Flacco
Blake Bortles

not exactly a murderer's row of talent there. That said, we rebounded magnificently and shut down a red hot team offensively.

Before today, the Steelers were the 3rd ranked Football Outsiders pass D-- and that is adjusted for strength of schedule (the steelers were downgraded to 3rd with the 27th ranked strength of offensive opponent.)

Well, Chiefs were #1 on O, so this performance is going to vault the Steelers to the top pass D spot-- ending up at #2 overall defense is a possibility, too. Huge performance today.

[R_S]

I'm sure being 28th against the run plays into the opposing team's game plan.

historically, if your team gets consistently gashed in the run game, you will have artificially bloated ranking in pass defense. That's part of it, but this is the best overall secondary the Steelers have had since possibly the steel curtain if you think about it.

[jebrick]

vs the Chiefs, the Steelers played a lot more zone which helps them vs the run. They went back to some zone blitzes to generate more pressure. I am impressed with the amount of pressure they are getting. Dupree is getting pressure but not finishing. He needs to take a more direct line at some point ( see Deebo).

[Thrillsseeker]

It's a bit misleading

Kizer
Keenum
Glennon
Flacco
Bortles
Smith

Today was the first real test at QB and he was missing a few targets. I still think this is the best the secondary's been in quite sometime. If the defense as a whole can play more disciplined (looking at you shazier) the sky is the limit

So there are 10 more games on the regular season schedule: Facing Stafford and Brady in two of them. Are there any more worthy (by you) QB's left other than that?

Love that these teams field sub par QB's and give our D a hand getting good reps because come play off time, maybe they'll be even better. I could give a rats ass how lines up across form our D. I care about what they've put on tape. A win is a win and I'll take a W no matter how we get it. I hope we beat the Packers in a few weeks, minus Rogers and I will not care one bit that Rogers isn't in the game!

[Havoc]

On Steelers post game radio yesterday I think they talked about Butler unleashing the DL to rush the passer more. I think they also mentioned because of that, it leaves some gaps in the DL in the run game.

I am thrilled with the idea of unleashing the DL to rush the passer.

I didn't get to hear too much of that conversation, but I'm pretty sure that is something they discussed.

[Legacy User]

On Steelers post game radio yesterday I think they talked about Butler unleashing the DL to rush the passer more. I think they also mentioned because of that, it leaves some gaps in the DL in the run game.

I am thrilled with the idea of unleashing the DL to rush the passer.

I didn't get to hear too much of that conversation, but I'm pretty sure that is something they discussed.

Makes sense. The DL are getting up field more and that could cause more gaps in run D.

I know people say jags but outside of the bears no team has really been that successful running. That is the bears clearly game planned around their run game and had the right backs to execute it.

I think this D is for real. Upgrades all over. Front 7 getting more pressure, secondary much steadier. They’ll have some ugly moments like chiefs td with the burns miss coverage and tackle. But overall it’s a good unit.

[KCSteeler]

I wish they would demote M Mitchell and promote Wilcox.

This.

I fucking HATE Mike Mitchell. Him wearing the black and gold is a complete joke.

[Legacy User]

I hate to be "that guy", but...

rookie DeShone Kizer
backup Case Keenum
backup Mike Glennon
Joe Flacco
Blake Bortles

not exactly a murderer's row of talent there. That said, we rebounded magnificently and shut down a red hot team offensively.

Before today, the Steelers were the 3rd ranked Football Outsiders pass D-- and that is adjusted for strength of schedule (the steelers were downgraded to 3rd with the 27th ranked strength of offensive opponent.)

Well, Chiefs were #1 on O, so this performance is going to vault the Steelers to the top pass D spot-- ending up at #2 overall defense is a possibility, too. Huge performance today.

agreed thoroughly, and when you have 40 (edit - 36) minutes TOP, that helps relieve the pressure against the run on defense and we shut down the #1 RB so far this season. Outstanding performance indeed.

[K_C_]

I like Dupree more than most, but does he REALLY only have one pass rushing move?

The giant wide loop around the tackle praying the QB takes a very deep drop?

Is this the fucking only thing he can do?

[955876]

I’ve been patient with Dupree because he’s shown some flashes and is still developing.

With that being said, I’ve been trying to focus on him more and it seems his motor is stuck in idle at times.

I don’t think he gives intense effort down in and down out.

Thus far he’s underwhelming and not producing.

[franco32]

I like Dupree more than most, but does he REALLY only have one pass rushing move?

The giant wide loop around the tackle praying the QB takes a very deep drop?

Is this the fucking only thing he can do?

Um, yes. That's it. He's an athlete playing football. I've seen very very little progress on hand fighting, technique, or any sort of counter moves on the pass rush. The wide loop he takes is his only real move. Now, it wouldn't be so bad if he actually was able to lean and dip his shoulder around the corner. But, he really can't.

Our #1 pick had one tackle yesterday. Last week, he has zero tackles and an assist. One tackle and one assist in 2 weeks. I'm really trying not to hate Dupree, but it's getting hard. Now, there were a few plays where he maintained the edge and played the run well yesterday, so I want to be objective here. But he is a far far cry from the dynamic playmaking force that everyone expected coming out as a #1 pick.

Imagine how good this D could be if Dupree actually stepped up his game. I'm not holding my breath though.

[franco32]

I’ve been patient with Dupree because he’s shown some flashes and is still developing.

With that being said, I’ve been trying to focus on him more and it seems his motor is stuck in idle at times.

I don’t think he gives intense effort down in and down out.

Thus far he’s underwhelming and not producing.

I saw that on film when he was at Kentucky. That's why I wanted no part of him despite his great combine numbers. I wanted Shane Ray. Dupree is an athlete but I don't see the motor and desire to get better there. With his speed and size, he should be DECIMATING NFL right tackles. After all, they are the weaker pass protectors of the line (usually). Instead he plays pattycakes or does a loop around the RT tackle that is wider than a turn at the Daytona Speedway. It's pathetic at times.

I will give him this. He's not bad versus the run and if we can scheme him to be unblocked, he can make some plays. Otherwise, he sucks.

[Kodiak]

Wasn't Harrison taking reps in camp and preseason at Dupree's spot?

Remember, there's a "plan" for James Harrison

[Kodiak]

I think people are making too much re QBs. Our CBs have been dominate attacking WR. There hasn't been much separation. Haden is playing like a borderline No 1. Burns is a No 1. Hilton is playing like a legit corner. The quality of QB doesn't impact the quality of coverage.

Not to mention - how many years have we been making JAGs look like Pro Bowlers?