One other week, one other defensive efficiency marred by miscommunications, resulting in massive performs.
This time, it was the Dallas Cowboys who carved up the Pittsburgh Steelers’ extremely paid protection, doing so by benefiting from plenty of communication points within the secondary.
These communication points had star security Minkah Fitzpatrick pissed off after the Steelers’ 20-17 loss, although he mentioned that they’re straightforward fixes. However after having those self same points in Week 4 in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts, issues weren’t fastened for Sunday Evening Soccer in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
Showing on the Black & Gold Zone postgame present on WPXI, former NFL GM Doug Whaley mentioned the Steelers must simplify issues to permit their proficient protection to simply play.
“Let’s get that protection simply again to fundamentals. There shouldn’t be any communication points. Let’s eliminate the Xs and Os and simply say, ‘Our Jimmys and Joes are higher than your Jimmys and Joes,’” Whaley mentioned, in keeping with video by way of WPXI. “Go on the market, play base and simply have them get after the quarterback, get after the runner, make splash performs. That’s what you pay them to do. That what the expertise is ready there for.
“Don’t fear about making an attempt to out-scheme them. Simply outplay them.”
Contemplating the quantity of expertise the Steelers have on the defensive facet of the soccer, together with the items that they added this offseason, suggesting that they simply return to the fundamentals and let guys play easy soccer isn’t precisely a very good signal.
Nevertheless it’s the correct take from Whaley. It’s nonetheless very early within the season, however communication points, particularly for a protection that has a brand new green-dot defender in Patrick Queen, could be very regarding. It’s not only a one-off, both.
It looks as if communication points occur yr after yr with the Steelers’ protection. It was a significant emphasis final season and there have been points. It was an emphasis this season, too, and there are points.
Miscommunications are going to occur, particularly with a bunch of shifting components and being in a loud surroundings. However on the charge they’re occurring for the Steelers, it’s reasonably alarming and raises questions concerning the scheme, the communication from the sideline to the gamers on the sector, and the challenges inside these calls to get that out to each participant and be on the identical web page earlier than the snap.
Simplifying issues and simply letting guys match up and play may do properly for this protection, permitting them to chop out all the additional stuff pre-snap and simply get again to enjoying quick and free, permitting their abilities to take over.
That’s actually not one thing you wish to hear a couple of extremely paid protection, however that’s the place the Steelers may be proper now. Time to regulate.
