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Brooks: Steelers' D the new Steel Curtain?
Published: Dec 13, 2019 at 11:54 am
Updated: Dec 13, 2019 at 02:00 pm
Bucky Brooks
NFL.com Analyst
Every turnover created by the Steelers' defense | Week 14
Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. The topics of this edition include:
-- Evaluating Heisman Trophy favorite and potential No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow.
-- Why Aaron Jones -- not Aaron Rodgers -- is the key to Green Bay's title hunt.
-- How Sean McVay and Co. revitalized the Rams' offense.
But first, a look at the steely defense fueling a surprising playoff push ...
* * * * *
If you're a longtime Steelers fan who can recall the teams of the 1970s, you might be experiencing a case of deja vu when watching the 2019 version of Pittsburgh's defense. Sparked by an athletic core of defenders with disruptive games and nasty dispositions, the Steelers are playing the kind of ball that evokes memories of the Steel Curtain units led by "Mean" Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Donnie Shell and Mel Blount.
Although I'm not ready to anoint the present-day Steelers defense as the foundation of a budding dynasty like we saw in the '70s, there's no denying the pieces are in place for Mike Tomlin's troops to flex their muscles on opponents. This is a unit with five-star players at every level. Their individual and collective dominance pops when studying the All-22 Coaches Film.
Mic'd Up: Mike Tomlin is fired up on sidelines | Week 14
For instance, Cameron Heyward and Javon Hargrave have combined for 12 sacks while anchoring a defensive line that's stuffing the run and harassing quarterbacks at every turn. Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt have quietly become the most disruptive pass-rushing tandem in the league. Dupree has set career highs in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (13) and forced fumbles (4) while teaming with Watt to rack up 22 combined sacks. Watt's 12.5 sacks are tied for fourth-most in the league, and his 29 QB hits place him in a tie for the league lead.
Rookie linebacker Devin Bush is the team's leading tackler with 88 stops (second-most of any rookie defender). The former Michigan standout has added more speed, athleticism and sizzle to the middle of the defense, providing a spark that's been missing since Ryan Shazier suffered his unfortunate injury in 2017.
In the secondary, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden have become an elite ballhawking duo, utilizing instincts, awareness and ball skills to swipe errant passes. While Haden has been viewed as a top-tier defender at times during his 10 NFL seasons, he has been reborn in the Steelers' scheme. The veteran is back to performing like a CB1 on the island, exhibiting timely playmaking ability in the team's straightforward zone-blitz scheme. Fitzpatrick has emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, settling in as the team's center fielder following a trade from the Miami Dolphins after Week 2. The second-year pro has eight takeaways. He is the NFL's only player with five interceptions and more than 45 tackles. That's outstanding production for someone who didn't participate in training camp with his current squad and is still mastering the nuances of the playbook.
With so many guys playing at a high level, it's not surprising the Steelers lead the NFL in sacks (48) and takeaways (33). In fact, they're on the verge of becoming the second team since the 1970 merger to lead the NFL outright in both categories. The last team to accomplish the feat? The 1974 Steelers, who capped the season off with a Super Bowl IX victory, the first of their six Super Bowl wins.
Based on the aforementioned metrics, this version of Pittsburgh's defense is on par with one of the legendary units of the 1970s. Think about that. While it remains to be seen if any of the current Steelers will eventually wear gold jackets, the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely and opponents are discovering the challenge of facing a disruptive and dynamic unit.
Since Week 3 -- when Fitzpatrick made his Steelers debut -- the unit is allowing just 16.5 points and 189.7 pass yards per game while racking up 43 sacks (tied for the most) and 18 interceptions (the most) during that span. Additionally, Pittsburgh has held opposing quarterbacks to a 71.5 passer rating (second-lowest) over that stretch.
Breaking down the All-22 tape, the most impressive aspect of this defense has been its ability to create turnovers. The Steelers have been able to produce takeaways through persistent pressure and savvy coverage. With the front line capable of creating disruption while utilizing traditional four-man rushes, the constant harassment of the quarterback leads to errant throws from the pocket. That sets up defensive backs to tally interceptions on deflections and overthrows. It helps that Pittsburgh is playing a ton of zone coverage, which allows players in the back seven to keep their eyes on the quarterback. The Steelers have excelled at taking the ball away on deep passes (5 INTs, tied for first in the NFL) while also shutting down the seams (10 INTs on throws up the seams, second-most) and 10-plus yard pass attempts (11 INTs, third-most), per Next Gen Stats. Those numbers are complemented by outstanding production on tight-window throws (6 INTs, tied for second-most) and attempts in which Pittsburgh applied pressure (5 INTs, tied for second-most).
Bills vs. Steelers preview | Week 15
From a schematic standpoint, the defense's approach mimics the tactics from legendary teams of the past. Remember, Hall of Fa coach Tony Dungy learned what eventually became known as the Tampa 2 from his time as a safety for the Steelers in the 1970s and he passed down the zone-based scheme to Tomlin, who was an assistant on Dungy's staff with the Buccaneers in 2001.
This season, the Steelers have used more four-man rush tactics with stunts and twists backed by a zone-coverage concept. The heavy utilization of zone enables the defense to keep seven sets of eyes on the ball and reduces the offense's chances of a big play when defenders are in sync.
When I talked to Tomlin at a youth football camp during the offseason, he gave me a tutorial on playing solid zone coverage from a defensive back's perspective and emphasized the importance of jams, re-routes and proper vision. When I study the Steelers' defensive backs, I can see the attention to detail on these fundamentals and it's reflected in the secondary's performance this season.
Moreover, I can see Tomlin's fingerprints all over the defense when I look at how its performing and the sequence of the play calls. Part of the success of the Tampa 2 philosophy stems from being able to defend the run without stacking the box with eight-man fronts. The Steelers have stacked the box (eight or more defenders) at the lowest rate in the NFL (2.9% of opponents' rush attempts) while surrendering only 3.8 yards per carry (fourth-lowest in the league), per NGS.
Tomlin's system is working, with the Steelers holding each of their last three opponents to fewer than 20 points and the team reeling off seven wins in its last eight games. There were plenty of skeptics when Pittsburgh lost Ben Roethlisberger to a season-ending injury in Week 2 and gave up a first-round pick for Fitzpatrick a day later, but instead of fading away, the Steelers are in the thick of the playoff hunt heading into their Sunday night meeting with the Buffalo Bills. The resurgence was made possible by Tomlin's ability to construct a defense in the image of the great Pittsburgh teams of the past.
***
Impressive numbers from a squad that doesn't have a big name like Bosa, Mack or Donald. If we get into the playoffs we have the D to go all the way, just need Duck to make enough plays to put the points on the board
Published: Dec 13, 2019 at 11:54 am
Updated: Dec 13, 2019 at 02:00 pm
Bucky Brooks
NFL.com Analyst
Every turnover created by the Steelers' defense | Week 14
Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. The topics of this edition include:
-- Evaluating Heisman Trophy favorite and potential No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow.
-- Why Aaron Jones -- not Aaron Rodgers -- is the key to Green Bay's title hunt.
-- How Sean McVay and Co. revitalized the Rams' offense.
But first, a look at the steely defense fueling a surprising playoff push ...
* * * * *
If you're a longtime Steelers fan who can recall the teams of the 1970s, you might be experiencing a case of deja vu when watching the 2019 version of Pittsburgh's defense. Sparked by an athletic core of defenders with disruptive games and nasty dispositions, the Steelers are playing the kind of ball that evokes memories of the Steel Curtain units led by "Mean" Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Donnie Shell and Mel Blount.
Although I'm not ready to anoint the present-day Steelers defense as the foundation of a budding dynasty like we saw in the '70s, there's no denying the pieces are in place for Mike Tomlin's troops to flex their muscles on opponents. This is a unit with five-star players at every level. Their individual and collective dominance pops when studying the All-22 Coaches Film.
Mic'd Up: Mike Tomlin is fired up on sidelines | Week 14
For instance, Cameron Heyward and Javon Hargrave have combined for 12 sacks while anchoring a defensive line that's stuffing the run and harassing quarterbacks at every turn. Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt have quietly become the most disruptive pass-rushing tandem in the league. Dupree has set career highs in sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (13) and forced fumbles (4) while teaming with Watt to rack up 22 combined sacks. Watt's 12.5 sacks are tied for fourth-most in the league, and his 29 QB hits place him in a tie for the league lead.
Rookie linebacker Devin Bush is the team's leading tackler with 88 stops (second-most of any rookie defender). The former Michigan standout has added more speed, athleticism and sizzle to the middle of the defense, providing a spark that's been missing since Ryan Shazier suffered his unfortunate injury in 2017.
In the secondary, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden have become an elite ballhawking duo, utilizing instincts, awareness and ball skills to swipe errant passes. While Haden has been viewed as a top-tier defender at times during his 10 NFL seasons, he has been reborn in the Steelers' scheme. The veteran is back to performing like a CB1 on the island, exhibiting timely playmaking ability in the team's straightforward zone-blitz scheme. Fitzpatrick has emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, settling in as the team's center fielder following a trade from the Miami Dolphins after Week 2. The second-year pro has eight takeaways. He is the NFL's only player with five interceptions and more than 45 tackles. That's outstanding production for someone who didn't participate in training camp with his current squad and is still mastering the nuances of the playbook.
With so many guys playing at a high level, it's not surprising the Steelers lead the NFL in sacks (48) and takeaways (33). In fact, they're on the verge of becoming the second team since the 1970 merger to lead the NFL outright in both categories. The last team to accomplish the feat? The 1974 Steelers, who capped the season off with a Super Bowl IX victory, the first of their six Super Bowl wins.
Based on the aforementioned metrics, this version of Pittsburgh's defense is on par with one of the legendary units of the 1970s. Think about that. While it remains to be seen if any of the current Steelers will eventually wear gold jackets, the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely and opponents are discovering the challenge of facing a disruptive and dynamic unit.
Since Week 3 -- when Fitzpatrick made his Steelers debut -- the unit is allowing just 16.5 points and 189.7 pass yards per game while racking up 43 sacks (tied for the most) and 18 interceptions (the most) during that span. Additionally, Pittsburgh has held opposing quarterbacks to a 71.5 passer rating (second-lowest) over that stretch.
Breaking down the All-22 tape, the most impressive aspect of this defense has been its ability to create turnovers. The Steelers have been able to produce takeaways through persistent pressure and savvy coverage. With the front line capable of creating disruption while utilizing traditional four-man rushes, the constant harassment of the quarterback leads to errant throws from the pocket. That sets up defensive backs to tally interceptions on deflections and overthrows. It helps that Pittsburgh is playing a ton of zone coverage, which allows players in the back seven to keep their eyes on the quarterback. The Steelers have excelled at taking the ball away on deep passes (5 INTs, tied for first in the NFL) while also shutting down the seams (10 INTs on throws up the seams, second-most) and 10-plus yard pass attempts (11 INTs, third-most), per Next Gen Stats. Those numbers are complemented by outstanding production on tight-window throws (6 INTs, tied for second-most) and attempts in which Pittsburgh applied pressure (5 INTs, tied for second-most).
Bills vs. Steelers preview | Week 15
From a schematic standpoint, the defense's approach mimics the tactics from legendary teams of the past. Remember, Hall of Fa coach Tony Dungy learned what eventually became known as the Tampa 2 from his time as a safety for the Steelers in the 1970s and he passed down the zone-based scheme to Tomlin, who was an assistant on Dungy's staff with the Buccaneers in 2001.
This season, the Steelers have used more four-man rush tactics with stunts and twists backed by a zone-coverage concept. The heavy utilization of zone enables the defense to keep seven sets of eyes on the ball and reduces the offense's chances of a big play when defenders are in sync.
When I talked to Tomlin at a youth football camp during the offseason, he gave me a tutorial on playing solid zone coverage from a defensive back's perspective and emphasized the importance of jams, re-routes and proper vision. When I study the Steelers' defensive backs, I can see the attention to detail on these fundamentals and it's reflected in the secondary's performance this season.
Moreover, I can see Tomlin's fingerprints all over the defense when I look at how its performing and the sequence of the play calls. Part of the success of the Tampa 2 philosophy stems from being able to defend the run without stacking the box with eight-man fronts. The Steelers have stacked the box (eight or more defenders) at the lowest rate in the NFL (2.9% of opponents' rush attempts) while surrendering only 3.8 yards per carry (fourth-lowest in the league), per NGS.
Tomlin's system is working, with the Steelers holding each of their last three opponents to fewer than 20 points and the team reeling off seven wins in its last eight games. There were plenty of skeptics when Pittsburgh lost Ben Roethlisberger to a season-ending injury in Week 2 and gave up a first-round pick for Fitzpatrick a day later, but instead of fading away, the Steelers are in the thick of the playoff hunt heading into their Sunday night meeting with the Buffalo Bills. The resurgence was made possible by Tomlin's ability to construct a defense in the image of the great Pittsburgh teams of the past.
***
Impressive numbers from a squad that doesn't have a big name like Bosa, Mack or Donald. If we get into the playoffs we have the D to go all the way, just need Duck to make enough plays to put the points on the board
