Why
the Stillers Defense is Good, but not Great…
In the two years under Mike Tomlin, the local and national media has
fawned over the defense and Coach LeBeau.
The defense was rated # 1 in 2007 and is on pace for the same
designation this year.
So, how is it possible to hypothesize that the Stiller’s defense is not
great? It is simple - great defenses
rise to the occasion when they are needed most.
As you can see from the list below, the Stillers defense has crumbled
when needed to close out close games.
Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach, the defense has allowed
opposing offenses to win the game late in the fourth quarter six
times in twenty seven regular season games.
This past week against San
Diego, the defense was bailed out by the offense or
the number would have been seven. Quarterbacks
are praised for the game winning drives in the fourth quarter. Defenses should be scrutinized for giving up
these drives which the Stillers have done many times in the past two years.
The past two weeks are prime examples.
Take Indianapolis,
for example. While I admit, the defense
was put in a bad position with the turnovers, they did
not rise to the occasion and hold the Colts to a FG. Had they done that on either half ending
drive, the game would probably have gone to OT, or best case scenario, we would
have been driving for the winning FG at the end of the game instead of a
touchdown.
This past week against San
Diego is another prime example. At the start of the fourth quarter, the
Stiller’s were leading 8-7 and the defense responded by allowing a 78 yard
drive that consumed 7:34 of clock. Were
it not for the offense driving for the winning FG, this game would have been a
complete fiasco.
What is the reason – scheme, over confidence, lack of conditioning? I do not know. Let’s just hope the coaches
read Stillers.com and realize this problem and find a way to correct it.
2008
(3 times in 10 games)
10/26/2008 NY
Giants Loss - 21-14
1.
4Q – Game tied, allowed 53 yard touchdown drive with 6:44 to
play
11/9/2008 Indianapolis Loss
- 24-20
1.
2Q – Winning 17-7, allowed 30 yard touchdown drive with 1:24
to play
2.
4Q – Winning 21-17, allowed 32 yard touchdown drive with
4:44 to play
11/16/2008 San Diego Win - 11-10
1.
4Q – Winning 8-7, allowed 78 yard touchdown drive with 14:15
to play that took 7:34. The offense
bailed them out by driving for a winning field goal.
2007
(4 times in 17 games)
10/21/2007 Denver Loss
– 31-28
1.
4Q – Game Tied 28-28, allowed 49 yard drive for FG with 1:10
to play
11/18/2007 NY
Jets Loss – 19-16
OT
1.
4Q – Winning 16-13, allowed 76 yard FG drive to tie game
with 2:23 to play
12/16/2007 Jacksonville Loss – 29-22
1.
4Q – Tied 22-22, allowed 73 yard TD drive with 5:41 to play
1/5/2007 Jacksonville (Playoffs) Loss – 31-29
1.
4Q – Winning 29-28, allowed 49 yard FG drive with 2:38 to
play