Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

April 14, 2009
By Donald Starver

This is part 2 in a series.  If you haven’t read part 1, click here.

In Part 1 of this series, we talked about the offensive tackle position.  In this installment, we will be looking at the guard position.

The guards are the two players who play on either side of the center.  The guard on the center’s left is the left guard.  The guard on the center’s right is the right guard (insert deodorant joke here).

Unlike the offensive tackle position, where the right tackle and left tackle have somewhat different jobs, the role of the right and left guards are essentially the same.

The guards have two primary responsibilities.  When the offense is running a pass play, the guard’s job is to create an impenetrable wall against the charging defensive tackle or linebacker.  The guard must be able to stand his ground despite the best efforts of the defense to get at the quarterback.  Not only must the guard be strong, but he also has to be somewhat mobile to prevent defensive linemen from going around him, rather than through him.

When the team is running the ball, the guard’s job is to push back the defenders in order to create a hole for the running back to go through.  While not always true, we often find that the best run blockers are a bit smaller and faster than the best pass blockers.  This is particularly true for teams that run a lot of traps and sweeps.  Chuck Noll’s Steelers were famous for running trap plays in which mobile guards often had to move in order to block a defender who was far from his starting position at the snap.

However, teams that utilize primarily a “power running game” will prefer bigger, stronger guards, rather than the smaller, quicker guards used in trapping offenses or West Coast offenses.

Guards may be valued less than any other offensive position.  In many draft years, no guards are selected in the first round.  This doesn’t seem to prevent teams from finding quality players.  Unlike the left tackle position, quality starters at the guard position are often drafted in the 4th-7th rounds.

The Steelers can use an upgrade at both guard positions.  Left guard Chris Kemoeatu is massive, but doesn’t tend to play with a mean streak.  Moreover, he is prone to making mental errors.

Darnell Stapleton played admirably at the right guard position.  He was unexpectedly called upon when Kendall Simmons went down with an injury, and he did better than most fans expected him to.  However, he is not likely to be mistaken for Alan Faneca or Steve Hutchinson.

The class of 2009 is not a very strong class for guards.  However, there are a few players worth noting.

Offensive guards:

Duke Robinson (6’5″, 335 lbs.), Oklahoma.  A huge road grader who will excel in the running game.  May lack the lateral mobility to handle elite interior linemen.

Herman Johnson (6’8″, 382 lbs.), LSU.  A mammoth offensive lineman who will be bigger than just about anyone he plays against.  He has big hands and good arm strength.  However, his massive size does lead to some coordination issues.  Some scouts have talked about moving him to tackle, but I don’t believe he has the lateral quickness for the position.

Kraig Urbik (6’5″, 323 lbs.), Wisconsin.  Urbik is a versatile player who has played both tackle and guard in college.  He is probably best suited to play guard at the next level, but scouts will take note of his ability to play multiple positions.

Andrew Levitre (6’2″, 306 lbs.), Oregon State.  A left tackle in college, Levitre will switch to guard in the NFL.  Has all the attributes needed to make the switch.  Struggled at the Senior Bowl.  Needs to get stronger.

Trevor Canfield (6’4″, 311 lbs.), Cincinnati.  Had a great junior year, but failed to impress as a senior.  It’s unclear which player will show up at the next level.

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April 12, 2009
By Donald Starver

Special thanks to reader Keith, who suggested that I follow up the series “The 3-4 and the Steelers draft” with a similar series on the Steelers’ offense.  I don’t know if I will have enough time to finish this series before the draft, but I am going to give it a try.

I almost called this series “Arians’ offense and the Steelers’ draft”.  But after thinking about it, I realized that I couldn’t write a series with that title.  Using that title would imply that I actually understand Bruce Arians’ offense.  But the truth is that I don’t.

I’ve watched Bruce Arians’ work as Steelers 0ffensive coordinator for 2 years now, and I still am not quite sure what he is trying to do.  His offense is definitely not a traditional Steelers power running game.    The Steelers have struggled to get the tough yards, particularly on the ground.  The Steelers ranked in the bottom third of the league in rushing yards, so I’m not sure if they have much of a rushing attack, “power” or otherwise.

The Steelers’ don’t run a power passing attack.  Ben Roethlisberger ranked 14th in the league in passing yards, and had almost 2,000 fewer passing yards than league leader Drew Brees. 

They don’t run a classic West Coast offense.  In fact, I struggle to place Bruce Arians’ offense into any particular category.  The most accurate description that I can give it is probably the “gain as few yards as possible and then depend of the defense” offense.

To be fair, Bruce Arians’ offense did win the Super Bowl, so I guess I have no right to question him.  But still……

With that in mind, I plan to look at the offensive positions generically, rather than specifically in the context of the Steelers’ offense (since I don’t understand it).  I hope the readers won’t mind that approach.

I’ll start with the area of greatest need on the Steelers offense, the offensive line.  Specifically, I will start with the most important position on the offensive line; the offensive tackle.

To illustrate just how important offensive tackles are, we need look no further than the 2008 draft.  The first overall pick in 2008 was an offensive tackle, Jake Long.  In addition to Long, 7 other offensive tackles were taken in the first round; more than any other position.  Contrarily, no centers or guards were taken in the first round, nor were there any wide receivers selected.

Offensive tackles are usually the biggest linemen on the team.  They are also typically the most athletic.  Left tackles are valued more highly than right tackles, since most quarterbacks are right-handed, and many of the top pass rushers in the league (e.g. DeMarcus Ware, Joey Porter, James Harrison, etc.) play on the right side of the defense.  The left tackle must protect the quarterback’s blind side. 

Because of the greater importance of the position, left tackles are typically drafted earlier than right tackles, and they are paid significantly more.

Left tackles must have the speed and agility to handle speed rushers coming off the edge.  They must also have the strength and base to anchor against bull rushers. 

Contrarily, the right tackle doesn’t need to be quite as fast as the left tackle.  Instead, right tackles must have tremendous leg strength to get an effective push in the running game.  They need to be an “earth mover” who can successfully push back their defensive opponent.  Most running backs are right handed and prefer to run to the right side, so having a mauler in front of them is important to the success of the running game.

Long arms are considered a highly desirable trait for an offensive tackle.  This allows them to extend into defenders.  Extension is important for two reasons.  First, it allows them to get their hands on the defender from farther away, thus controlling the defender and preventing them from gaining momentum.  Secondly, long arms allow the offensive tackle to protect a wider area.  So an offensive tackle with short arms is going to be down-graded by scouts, regardless of how massive he may be.

Looking at this year’s draft class, there are a number of good offensive tackles available.  Most projection have at least 4 offensive tackles being taken in the first round.

Offensive Tackles:

Eugene Monroe (6’5″, 311 lbs.), Virginia.  Monroe is equally adept at run blocking and pass protection.  He uses excellent technique, and is extremely consistent.

Andre Smith (6’5″, 340 lbs.), Alabama.  A hugely talented player with great size.  In college, he was always a man among boys, so he didn’t develop great technique.  He will have to do so at the next level.  Smith’s decision making and mental attitude have raised some questions.

Jason Smith (6’4″, 305 lbs.), Baylor.  A converted tight end who probably won’t be ready to start on day one.  However, he has great athleticism, and should prove to be a good investment for a team that is willing to put in the development time.

Michael Oher (6’5″, 309 lbs.), Mississippi.  Probably the biggest risk among the top-rated offensive tackle.  He had 3 different position coaches in 4 years, and will need coaching at the next level.  He won the Outland Trophy in 2008.

Eben Britton (6’6″, 310 lbs.), Arizona.  Not a great athlete, and he can be beaten by edge rushers.  However, he is a scrappy player who has good size and solid technique.  He will get the job done, although he may not look good doing so. 

William Beatty (6’6″, 291 lbs.), Connecticut.  Outstanding athlete who has questionable toughness.  Doesn’t play with passion.  Didn’t play against the best talent.  May be taken in the first round, but it will be more due to potential than to actual performance. 

The Steelers’ can use an upgrade on both sides of the offensive line.  Willie Colon, in particular may be vulnerable to rookie competition.  He has the longest tenure at his position on the Steelers starting offensive line, yet he continues to fail to impress.  Max Starks played surprisingly well last year, but the Steelers still don’t seem to be convinced that he is their long-term solution at left tackle.

Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith, and Jason Smith will be long gone before the Steelers make their first pick.  However, it is likely that Eben Britton and/or William Beatty will be available when the Steelers select at #32.

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Steelers Today has been participating in a mock draft among bloggers. 31 picks have been made, and the Steelers are on the clock.

To see all of the players who have been drafted so far, click here.

Many of the players that fans want the Steelers to take like Tyson Jackson and Alex Mack are already off the board. So, who do you think the Steelers should select of the players who are still left?

I have to make my selection by tomorrow morning, so let me know what you think.

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March 23, 2009
By Donald Starver

In part 1 of this series, we did a primer on the 3-4 defense.  We talked about the unique characteristics of the 3-4, and how it impacts the type of players the Steelers select in the draft.  In this installment, we’re going to take a look at the most important position on any 3-4 defense; the nose tackle.

The nose tackle is the central figure in any 3-4 defense, and is one of the most difficult positions to find.  There just aren’t many athletes that have the unique characteristics needed to play nose tackle.

Nose tackle is probably the most physically demanding position in football.  His primary responsibility is to control the “A” gaps.  Those are the two openings between the center and the guards.  The nose tackle must hold his ground and not allow himself to be pushed back into the linebackers.   If the nose tackle is unable to do this, his team will be susceptible to running plays.

The nose tackle must be prepared to face a double-team on every single play.  This means the nose tackle must have tremendous stamina and endurance.  Taking on two offensive linemen who both may weigh over 300 lbs. is no easy task.  To do it for a full 60 minutes requires excellent conditioning, despite carrying around tremendous bulk.

This is one of the reasons why Mike Tomlin was so hard on Casey Hampton during the Steelers’ 2008 training camp.  Tomlin knew that Hampton could not afford to be out of shape.  The concern was not his weight, since the extra weight might actually prove helpful at nose tackle.  Rather, the concern was with Hampton’s endurance.  There is a very thin line between being an immovable, athletic nose tackle, and being a fat, out-of-shape slob.

That’s one of the reasons that NFL teams don’t simply import 600 lb. sumo wrestlers and plug them in as nose tackles.  While those guys may have the necessary girth, they don’t have the other attributes needed to play nose tackle.

The nose tackle must have tremendous size, powerful arms and legs, excellent stamina, durability, mental toughness, lateral quickness, solid technique, and an ability to generate maximum leverage.  In addition to all of this, the nose tackle must also have a unique mental profile.  He has to be completely selfless.  He must understand that while he will have to perform a more physically demanding task than any other player on his team, he will seldom be recognized for his work.  His best efforts will rarely show up in the statistics.  Moreover, the linebackers will receive all of the glory, even though the nose tackle actually does the heavy lifting.

3-4 nose tackles don’t have to be as fast as 4-3 defensive tackles, since they are not tasked with generating a pass rush like 4-3 tackles are.  In the 3-4, that responsibility fall to the linebackers.

The ideal nose tackle will be proficient at reading and reacting to offensive plays.  He must be able to quickly diagnose a play and know where the ball is going.  He must have quick lateral movement to fill either “A” gap before the runner can get through it.

The standard for nose tackles was probably set by Ted Washington.  At 6’5″, 365 lbs., Washington was an immovable man-mountain.  One AFC personnel director said that Washington “was huge, had long arms, and you couldn’t budge him.  He could hold off a 320 lb. lineman with one hand and make the tackle with the other”.

Current notable 3-4 nose tackles include the Steelers’ own Casey Hampton (6’1″, 325 lbs.), the Chargers’ Jamal Williams (6’2″, 348 lbs.), the Browns’ Shaun Rogers (6’4″, 350 lbs.), and the Ravens’ Haloti Ngata (6’4″, 345 lbs.).  Hampton is smaller than the others, but his low center of gravity and powerful legs allow him to generate tremendous leverage.

As a side note, you may have noticed that the AFC North is filled with big, powerful nose tackles.  This is why Sean Mahan was not a viable center for the Steelers.  He just wasn’t big enough to handle the huge nose tackles that he had to face in the AFC North.

The thing that makes it even harder to find a potential 3-4 nose tackle is that most colleges play a 4-3 defense.  Few college players have experience holding the point of attack.  Instead, most college tackles are asked to penetrate gaps and provide a pass rush.  They are skilled in moving forward, and are seldom asked to stand firm.

In the 2009 draft, there are only a handful of potential NFL nose tackles.  Two of them play for Boston College.

Boston College’s B.J. Raji is the top defensive tackle in the entire draft.  At 6’2″ and 334 lbs., he is viewed as a good candidate for either a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme.  Raji dominated linemen at the Senior Bowl.  At Senior Bowl practices, he dominated highly rated offensive linemen Alex Mack and Max Unger.

Raji’s Boston College teammate, Ron Brace, is also viewed as a potential 3-4 nose tackle.  Brace is 6’3″ and 329 lbs.  However, because he played next to Raji, Brace never had to face double-teams.  It is unclear how well he will handle the double team.  Moreover, Brace had recurring back injuries in 2008.  That is not a good sign for someone his size.

Sammie Lee Hill of Division II Stillman (Alabama) College is considered another nose tackle prospect.  Hill is 6’4″ and 328 lbs.  However, the caliber of competition that he played against raises questions as to whether Hill can hold his ground against NFL linemen.

Michigan’s Terrance Taylor (6’0″, 308) was once viewed as a decent nose tackle candidate.  However, Taylor struggled in the East-West Shrine Game.  That raised questions in some scouts’ minds.  Additionally, Taylors’ conditioning has been questioned.

As we said earlier, top tier nose tackle candidates are rare.  Three of the four candidates mentioned above have significant question marks, and only Raji is viewed as a “sure thing”. Raji will probably be drafted in the top 10 picks, and will not be a candidate for the Steelers.

To read the other installments in this series, click below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

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March 22, 2009
By Donald Starver

As the NFL draft approaches, coaches and general managers are busy evaluating potential draftees.  However, players’ college statistics, physical attributes, and combine performances can’t be looked at in a vacuum.  Defensive players in particular, must be evaluated within the context of the specific defensive scheme that the drafting team will utilize.

For example, a particular player may be viewed as too heavy and too slow to play defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense, but might be perfectly suited to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.

Before we look at how the Steelers’ 3-4 defense impacts their requirements at each specific position, we first need to define the two key defensive front alignments in the NFL, the 4-3 and the 3-4.

The first number refers to the number of defensive linemen, and the second number refers to the number of linebackers.  So a 4-3 defense would utilize a 4-man front with 3 linebackers behind them.  Contrarily, a 3-4 defense utilizes a 3-man front with 4 linebackers behind them.

In a 4-3 defense, the pass rush is generated by the defensive linemen.  The linemen are tasked with penetrating the offensive line, getting to the ball carrier, or sacking the quarterback.  The defensive ends, in particular, must be able to apply pressure to the quarterback.  Examples of 4-3 defensive ends include the the Houston Texans’ Mario Williams, and the Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers.

The linebackers in a 4-3 defense primarily provide run support, and match up against the tight end.  While their role is important, the linebackers in a 4-3 front tend to play a secondary role to the defensive ends and defensive tackles.

In a 3-4 defense, the emphasis is on the linebackers.  The primary role of the defensive linemen is to occupy the blockers to free up the linebackers to make plays.  The pass rush in a 3-4 defense is generated by the outside linebackers.  Examples of 3-4 outside linebackers include the Steelers’ LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, and the Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarcus Ware.

While there are exceptions to this rule, in general, the defensive linemen in a 3-4 are bigger than the defensive linemen in a 4-3.  This is because each defensive lineman in a 3-4 should ideally be able to occupy more than one offensive lineman.

The outside linebackers in a 3-4 are also bigger than the OLBs in a 4-3.  This is necessary to allow them to take on offensive tackles. Many 3-4 OLBs were defensive ends in college.

The NFL is a copycat league, so many teams are moving to a 3-4 front due to the success of teams like the Steelers, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, and San Diego Chargers.  However, neither system is inherently “better”.  They are just different.

I often hear fans say, “I wish the Steelers would switch to a 4-3″.  This makes no sense to me.  As I mentioned earlier, neither system is better than the other.  There are plenty of teams that do quite well using a 4-3 defense.  The key is the team’s personnel.  If a team tries to implement a 3-4 defense without a dominant nose tackle, they are destined to fail.  Similarly, a 4-3 team that doesn’t have DE’s who can pressure the quarterback will not have much success.

The Steelers’ current roster lends itself to the 3-4.  They don’t have the personnel to run a 4-3 consistently.  In particular, they lack the defensive ends to provide pressure off the edge that the 4-3 requires.  They’d also need to draft a different type of tackle than Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke in order to run a 4-3 consistently.

The Steelers’ famous “Steel Curtain” defense was a 4-3 defensive front.  In fact, the Steelers played a 4-3 until 1983, the season after L.C. Greenwood and Mean Joe Greene retired.

The Steelers have used the 3-4 as their base since that time.  At one point in the mid-90′s, the Steelers were the only NFL team still utilizing a 3-4 defense.  This made it easy for them to get the “tweeners” that typically are converted to linebackers in a 3-4 system, and the oversized nose tackles the 3-4 demands.  However, with many more teams now playing the 3-4, the competition for college talent is much more intense.

Even within the 3-4 alignment, there are many different ways to execute the defense.  There are two primary versions of the 3-4 in the NFL.  The first has its origins with Bill Parcells and the New York Giants.  Parcells utilized Hall-of-Fame outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor in his 3-4 system, and led his Giants to the Super Bowl championship in 1986.  One of Parcells’ assistant coaches was Bill Belichick, who took Parcells’ system to New England.  Belichick disciples Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini spread his system to other NFL teams.

The second version of the 3-4 was developed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  While the Steelers have used a 3-4 front since 1983, the current version was really developed in 1992 by Bill Cowher and his assistants, Dom Capers and Dick LeBeau.  Dick LeBeau has tweaked the system significantly since that time, but his system’s origins are clear.

The primary difference between the two systems is where the front 3 line up.  The Parcells-Belichick system is a two gap system which requires their front 3 to line up directly in front of an offensive lineman and control the gap on both sides of that offensive lineman.  Since they have to control 2 gaps, that system is referred to as a “two-gap” system.  The Steelers version is primarily a “one-gap” system.  The Steelers’ linemen play slightly to the side of their blockers, rather than directly in front of them.  They are responsible for controlling only one gap, while the linebacker behind them is responsible for the other gap.

“With the guys we have right now, when you play two-gap you tie them down”, said Steelers’ defensive line coach John Mitchell.  “Aaron Smith can run.  Brett Keisel can run.  Casey does a good job running.  We have good inside linebackers who can cover ground.  We can get away with a line playing one gap”.

Because of the differences in how they execute the 3-4, the Steelers and Patriots will look for slightly different characteristics in their draftees, even though both teams play a 3-4 defense.

In the upcoming installments of this series, we will look at each position within the Steelers’ 3-4 defense to see how that position is utilized, and who the Steelers might consider to fill that role.  First up, in Part 2 of this series is the most important position on any 3-4 defense; the nose tackle.

To read the other installments in this series, click below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

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