Will Steelers defense play even less 3-4 defense this year?

New defensive additions could equate to even less base defense for the Steelers

Could the new additions to the Steelers defense equate to them playing even less 3-4 defense this year?

By cliff harris is still a punk!
May 10, 2018
The Pittsburgh Steelers are nothing if not consistent. They have been principally owned by the Rooney family since 1933. They have had three head coaches since 1969. And they have been running a base 3-4 defense since 1982. One need look no further than the franchise’s six shiny Lombardi trophies to understand that this consistency has served them well. Still, as Bob Dylan once sang, “The times they are a-changing.” When it comes to defense in Pittsburgh, Dylan’s refrain rings true.

As many around BTSC and elsewhere have observed, the term “base” is antiquated due to the league-wide trend towards sub packages and personnel groupings. Offenses rarely align in 21 personnel sets anymore in which a traditional fullback and tight end are on the field together. Instead, they are employing three, four and even five wide receiver packages to take advantage of rules changes that make it a felony to touch a receiver or to violate a quarterback’s personal space. In response, defenses are choosing to match these packages with Nickel and Dime groupings that get an extra defensive back or two on the field. Thus, the Steelers are in their base so infrequently that defensive coordinator Keith Butler told The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly in 2016 that the 3-4 was “almost obsolete.”

This raises an important question. If the Steelers base is “almost obsolete,” what will they actually be playing? If our defensive acquisitions in free agency and the draft are any indication, it seems likely we should expect a heavy dose of both 3-3-5 (Nickel) and 2-3-6 (Dime) looks in 2018. This article breaks down these schemes and how the Steelers might use them.

to read rest of article:

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/5/10/17336290/new-defensive-additions-could-equate-to-even-less-base-defense-for-the-steelers-3-4-nfl-scheme

imo the way I see this off season and draft the hybrid sub package 2 down linemen / 4-3 defense will be their base defense they pick up in the box S Burnett drafted in the box S Edmunds and Allen to protect them with the 2 down linemen and 2 stand up DEs. this is a up date version of the 70s Steelers defensive front when they had an athletic front 4 the difference is the 3 LB's are in the box Safeties playing the LB roles. in this defense they have 7 DB's on the field enough meat to stop the run but all three LB's can drop into coverage. with Watt on the field they could be a hybrid 3-4 defense with 8 DB's. this defense is about less sub packages to keep up with opposing offenses trying to put them on their heels the only time for a sub package is when opposing offense bring in their in their beef on short yardage plays then Bostic comes in as the MLB'er with more beef up front.

Simplify the defense is what I'm getting at.

The keyword in this article is "ahead of the curve"

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/Edmunds-displays-his-versatility/af24ec9e-0608-412c-8d80-ffb0cb06aa97

Defense exploring options

Mike Prisuta
STEELERS.COM

The commencing of OTAs included the unveiling of a potential new approach to stopping the run.

The Steelers have traditionally favored a four-man front in their sub-package defense in passing situations, with the outside linebackers lining up as defensive ends and defensive ends Heyward and Tuitt moving inside to defensive tackle positions.

The 4-3 look in the base alignment Dupree detailed following OTA No. 1 is an apparent response to the run-defense issues the Steelers experienced after losing inside linebacker Ryan Shazier last December in Cincinnati.

The nuance includes Dupree switching from the left side to the right more often than in previous seasons.

to read rest of article:

https://www.steelers.com/news/defense-exploring-options

Steelers may use more 4-3 looks to improve run defense in 2018

The Steelers are not happy with the way their defense played down the stretch in 2017. Here’s one way they may look to address it in 2018.

By 58Steel and cliff harris is still a punk! Jun 4, 2018

The mandate this offseason has been made clear. Sean Davis said the defense can’t be “out-physicaled.” T.J. Watt called the run defense “unacceptable.” Art Rooney II said they were “soft.”

Although they finished the 2017 season ranked 10th in rushing yards allowed, the Steelers were 28th in yards per carry. What truly is concerning is how the run defense performed over the last six games (including the playoff loss to Jacksonville), after losing Ryan Shazier to injury. The 133.5 yards per game allowed during that stretch would have the Steelers ranked 31st in the NFL, while their 5.1 yards per carry would rank dead last.

to read rest of article:

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/6/4/17408350/steelers-may-use-more-4-3-looks-to-improve-run-defense-in-2018-keith-butler-mike-tomlin-nfl-news

when Shazier god love him went down the defensive communications went with him.

We have the play callers now. Burnett for one. We need sure tacklers. I don't expect to see many 3-4 sets this year period. I also think if our safeties/corners prove they can cover and stop the run effectively we'll see more like a 4-4 (Heyward,Tuitt,Watt,and Dupree)front with a safety taking Shazier's place in the middle. I won't be surprised if that guy is Markus Allen.

solardave wrote:

We have the play callers now. Burnett for one. We need sure tacklers. I don't expect to see many 3-4 sets this year period. I also think if our safeties/corners prove they can cover and stop the run effectively we'll see more like a 4-4 (Heyward,Tuitt,Watt,and Dupree)front with a safety taking Shazier's place in the middle. I won't be surprised if that guy is Markus Allen.

bingo with strong safeties playing OLBers.

Not exactly a confidence inspiring interview about the state of the defense.

http://triblive.com/sports/columnists/timbenz/breakfastwithbenz/13757355-74/tim-benz-steelers-still-havent-found-what-theyre-looking-for-at-free

jak341 wrote:

Not exactly a confidence inspiring interview about the state of the defense.

http://triblive.com/sports/columnists/timbenz/breakfastwithbenz/13757355-74/tim-benz-steelers-still-havent-found-what-theyre-looking-for-at-free

They're still figuring things out. Sean Davis will be just fine in that role. He's more suited to play FS than SS. Burnett will complement him well. I think Burnett/Davis will be a much more productive and effective tandem than Davis/Mitchell.