Steelers Notes: Yards matter

By Mike Bires

PITTSBURGH – It appears that Dick LeBeau’s defense will once again lead the NFL in fewest yards allowed. If the Steelers hold that position over the final two weeks of the season, they’ll be No. 1 in total defense for the fifth time in nine years.

Besides its No. 1 overall ranking, the Steelers are also first against the pass, fourth against the run and eighth in fewest points allowed.

But is this defense truly a great defense?

After all, it ranks 27th in the league with only 13 turnovers. It’s tied for 29th with only seven interceptions. And it’s tied for 23rd with only 27 sacks.

In other words, there have been very few splash plays on defense.

“You can talk about a lot of statistics. But I think leading the league in fewest yards yielded is an important one,” said LeBeau, the 75-year-old defensive coordinator. “That’s the one I would choose to talk about. Also points yielded.

“There are plenty of areas we need to get better in. Do we need more interceptions? Sure. We need more turnovers. But every week we’re trying to keep our football team in the game. We’re trying to keep the score in a manageable position.”

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/steelers/steelers-notes-yards-matter/article_ee5a0a98-4b2b-11e2-95b1-001a4bcf6878.html

the turnovers are down not much pressure on the opposing QBs. but this is still a pretty sold defense.

intersting seeing how this defense changes in the next couple of years because the players from defenses from the past will be gone and will be all Tomlin players. LeBeau might be gone. When LeBeau leaves does the Steelers defense switch to a 4-3 defense?