Defense looks improved

Before anyone laughs, yes I know we still give up some big plays here and there, but one of the biggest improvements this season so far has definitely been the pass rush. Currently we're #4 in the league in sacks, and seem to do a much better job at getting to the QB.

Run defense is the most concerning, as it seems most of the big plays we're giving up is on the ground, we need to get more consistent in that department. Tuitt is a beast and that could be a huge reason why Butler is allowing the D-linemen to rush the QB now. I would like to see more improvement at OLB, I haven't looked at individual numbers, but I'm willing to bet our sack leaders are Tuitt and Heyward.

Secondary hasn't actually been the train wreck they were expected to be, but partially that might be due to the pass rush. I'm wondering why Boykin hasn't been given much playtime, he was one of our best in the preseason imo. I originally thought it was because he didn't know the system yet, but Cockrell came in after him and is already playing a lot, so idk?

In any case we have a young squad that's sometimes prone to allowing a big play here and there, but the arrow on our defense is trending upwards imo.

And Shazier looks like he can be a star in this league, but the guy needs to stay healthy.

I agree-- I am very happy with what I've seen from the defense thus far this year, I didn't expect us to be playing with that angry edge. The run defense needs some improvement, but overall the biggest difference between this year and last is the attitude the guys are playing with. Finally we are playing with a sense of urgency and we are playing defense with an offensive edge, instead of sitting back on our heels and just trying to contain.

I'm excited to see this group really gel together over the next 12 weeks. Shazier, Tuitt, Dupree, I think we've built a great group of guys here and now that they are playing together cohesively as a unit and applying pressure as a unit, they are only going to get better and better.

Agree wholeheartedly with all of the analysis above.

All of the examples cited for improvement have been visible.

Defense against the run (up the middle) worries me the most right now which sounds weird considering our secondary.

I have to agree. Losing Ben, there seems to be shift in which side of the ball is playing better and I'd say it's defense. Nobody thought it would come down to this, many thought we'd be getting eaten alive.

Sitting at 20 points for an entire 30 minutes of play was bad. You can only ask one side of the field to do so much and IMO the defense is doing their part minus some boneheaded gaffes.

Cockrell has actually played quite well. I think he's the reason Boykin hasn't seen much in the way of playing time.

I concur though, this defense has been playing quite well and should receive a boost with Shazier and Mccullers returning this weekend.

**With Shazier hopefully returning this weekend...

Jarvis Jones is playing like a pro bowler the last couple of weeks.

I have my own personal issues with PFF, but I found this little tidbit interesting.

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM NFL WEEK 5

CHASE HOWELL

10. No one has played better than Cameron Heyward over the last two weeks.
While Monday Night Football brought us plenty of storylines (Michael Vick’s poor play, then really high finish, Le’Veon Bell’s game-winning rush, the return of Antonio Gates, etc.), it would be a crime not to mention the outstanding play of Steelers’ defensive end Cameron Heyward. Heyward earned a league-high grade of +9.8 in Week 5, on the heels of a +7.5 grade against Baltimore in Week 4.

Against the Chargers, Heyward posted 11 total QB pressures (two hits, nine hurries), giving him the best pass-rush grade for a defensive end (+6.6).

Heyward, a 2011 first-round pick out of Ohio State, now ranks only behind Houston’s J.J. Watt for the top 3-4 DE spot.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/10/13/10-things-you-need-to-know-from-nfl-week-5/

-- Second best 3-4 DE behind only JJ Watt.

SteelersCanada wrote:

I have my own personal issues with PFF, but I found this little tidbit interesting.

10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM NFL WEEK 5

CHASE HOWELL

10. No one has played better than Cameron Heyward over the last two weeks.
While Monday Night Football brought us plenty of storylines (Michael Vick’s poor play, then really high finish, Le’Veon Bell’s game-winning rush, the return of Antonio Gates, etc.), it would be a crime not to mention the outstanding play of Steelers’ defensive end Cameron Heyward. Heyward earned a league-high grade of +9.8 in Week 5, on the heels of a +7.5 grade against Baltimore in Week 4.

Against the Chargers, Heyward posted 11 total QB pressures (two hits, nine hurries), giving him the best pass-rush grade for a defensive end (+6.6).

Heyward, a 2011 first-round pick out of Ohio State, now ranks only behind Houston’s J.J. Watt for the top 3-4 DE spot.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/10/13/10-things-you-need-to-know-from-nfl-week-5/

-- Second best 3-4 DE behind only JJ Watt.

Gruden bragged on him all night too.

I'm glad turnovers are back

Quote :

-- Second best 3-4 DE behind only JJ Watt.

he would be 2nd best of all time behind only mean joe greene if brett keisel hadnt stunted his growth...

Not going to quote that big ass pic, but I love the fact that the Bus is Pro Bowling and still repping the Black and Gold.

tony hipchest wrote:

Quote :

-- Second best 3-4 DE behind only JJ Watt.

he would be 2nd best of all time behind only mean joe greene if brett keisel hadnt stunted his growth...

So Tomlin's players only get stunted by Cowher's players?

Another impressive outing by the defense, if they can stay this consistent I think we have a defense good enough to be championship caliber.

Pass rush was in palmer's face all day, we contained the #1 rushing offense, and the secondary played well.

Anybody have news on Mitchell and Cockrell?

They are getting better every week and against some strong offenses that can put up points.

They look legit. I've liked what I've seen from them in every game except NE.

ImmaculateGreenePolamalu wrote:

They look legit. I've liked what I've seen from them in every game except NE.

For sure. We still give up yardage but I'll take points allowed over yardage any day. As bad as the NE game looked, our defense was the only ones to hold them under 30 so far.

I do think next time we face the Pats*** it'll look a lot different

ImmaculateGreenePolamalu wrote:

They look legit. I've liked what I've seen from them in every game except NE.

Steelers held NE to their lowest point total thus far this season and 9 points below their AVG.

All things considered, it was a great game.

Yeah you guys are right about the NE game. I like our chances in a possible rematch in January.

To think I'm actually considering using the Steelers D in fantasy for the first time since 2007-2008

Steelcitian wrote:

To think I'm actually considering using the Steelers D in fantasy for the first time since 2007-2008

LOL a friend of mine (a Ratbirds fan) just picked up our D off of waivers...

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

Steelcitian wrote:

To think I'm actually considering using the Steelers D in fantasy for the first time since 2007-2008

LOL a friend of mine (a Ratbirds fan) just picked up our D off of waivers...

How is that possible?  

FrancoLambert wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

Steelcitian wrote:

To think I'm actually considering using the Steelers D in fantasy for the first time since 2007-2008

LOL a friend of mine (a Ratbirds fan) just picked up our D off of waivers...

How is that possible?  

Supposedly in FF they're a top 5 defense. They've been getting sacks / turnovers and are one of the top defenses in points allowed

so far the Steelers' pass defense ranks 22nd in passer rating, 25th in yards per attempt and 27th in yards per game...

Fire Arians wrote:

FrancoLambert wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

Steelcitian wrote:

To think I'm actually considering using the Steelers D in fantasy for the first time since 2007-2008

LOL a friend of mine (a Ratbirds fan) just picked up our D off of waivers...

How is that possible?  

Supposedly in FF they're a top 5 defense. They've been getting sacks / turnovers and are one of the top defenses in points allowed

They're available again in my league. I've thought about picking them up but I don't want to get too homer. I've already got Ben, and Brown on my team. Besides I have the Broncos D which has been the best in Fantasy Football if I'm not mistaken, and my backup is the Bills. The Bills D hasn't been as good as projected, but they get a lot of turnovers and sacks so they still put up decent points every week.