Steelers 2012: Defense is No. 1, but numbers can lie

Steelers 2012: Defense is No. 1, but numbers can lie

September 5, 2012 11:34 pm
By Mike Bires


When it comes to finding ways to improve on defense, James Harrison is in the minority. “Weren’t we No. 1 in defense last year?” asked the All-Pro linebacker. “How do you get better than that?” It’s true that the Steelers ranked first in the NFL in total defense last season. But that statistic is misleading.

Harrison aside, most of his fellow defenders don’t believe they were at their best when it mattered most.

Too often they did not play the relentless, menacing, ball-hawking defense they’ve played in the past. To return to that is their goal this season.

“I just think overall that we played bad defense last year … up front and in the back,” linebacker LaMarr Woodley said.

“He’s right with his assessment,” said strong safety Troy Polamalu about Woodley’s comment.

The Steelers played well at times. They shut out two opponents (Seattle and St. Louis). In four games, they held opponents to less than 10 points (Kansas City, Cincinnati and Cleveland twice). They ranked No. 1 in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.

But in their three most important games, the defense fizzled.

Read More: http://www.timesonline.com/sports/st...4ee0a459e.html

Part of the problem with the defense can be attributed to Arians and the offense. In 8 games last season, the offense had the lead and the ball with less than 5 minutes left in the game. And in ALL 8 games the offense failed to score more points or run out the clock. In all 8 games, including the second Ravens game, the offense gave the ball back to the other team with a chance to win the game on its final drive. The Steelers defense stopped the other teams in 7 of those 8 games.

Putting pressure on the defense is an Arians trademark. Think back to when he was OC of the Browns and we faced them in the playoffs in 2003. The Browns were up 17 points late in the third quarter. The Browns offense failed to score more points or kill the clock and kept giving the ball back to the Steelers. And the Steelers came back and won the game. After the game, Arians blamed coach Butch Davis and the Browns defense for losing the game. But how can he blame the defense when his offense kept giving the ball back to the Steelers?

So I agree that our defense didn't step up when it needed to in three of the most important games. But the offense needs to help out a little more and not put pressure on the defense and expect it to constantly win games. With Arians gone, this should improve.