Defense Paving Way For Steelers
Filed Under Shower Curtain | Posted on November 9, 2008
The numbers are so impressive, they invite comparisons with great Steelers defenses from the past: first in the NFL in total defense, first in pass defense and third in rushing defense.
If the Steelers finish with the league’s top-ranked defense for the second year in a row, it will be the first time that has occurred since the Minnesota Vikings in 1988 and 1989.
Eight games into the 2008 season, the Steelers’ defense is enjoying one of the best seasons in franchise history.
“We know this is a special group of guys,” said defensive end Brett Keisel, who will make his 38th career start today against the Indianapolis Colts at Heinz Field.
While it’s almost blasphemy to compare this year’s defense with some of the dominating performances turned in by the famed Steel Curtain teams of the 1970s, facts are facts.
This year’s defense is on pace to establish the second-lowest output — 234.1 yards per game in franchise history. Only the 1974 unit allowed fewer at 219.6 yards per game.
In a league that emphasizes passing more than in previous decades, the Steelers own the NFL’s No. 1 defensive ranking this season, yielding 164.0 yards per game. However, that falls short of the averages from five Steelers defenses that played three decades ago.
Defensive end Aaron Smith, who has been a starter since 2000, has played on three Steelers teams that have been ranked No. 1 in total defense: 2001, 2004 and 2007. Three of his teams have led the league in run defense: 2001, 2002 and 2004.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been on a group that’s played this well for a stretch like this,” said Smith, who leads Steelers defensive linemen in tackles this season.
Asked for a nickname to describe his defense along the lines of the Steel Curtain, the Cowboys’ Doomsday Defense or the Dolphins’ Killer B’s, Farrior refused to take the bait.
“They have a good system for the guys that they have,” he said. “They take advantage of what they do well. It’s probably similar to us here on offense, where you have a system that’s been in place for a long time. You can draft certain guys who fit those roles. You can tailor it to unique guys that you have. Every year, they do a different thing with it, and it seems to get better.”
The Steelers have improved their numbers from a year ago, when they led the league in total defense for the first time since 2004. They are giving up 32.3 fewer yards than they did last season. They also have unleashed a superior pass rush, with a league-high 32 sacks in eight games after finishing with only 36 in 16 games last season.
“How you rush the quarterback in November and December is what they remember,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Not a bad body of work at the turn, but we need to heat up at the apropriate time. I think the great rush men and the great rush units define themselves late in the season and in the playoffs.”
According to cornerback Ike Taylor, there is still plenty of work to be done.
Tags: aaron smith, blasphemy, brett keisel, defensive linemen, dolphins, doomsday defense, eight games, franchise history, heinz field, indianapolis colts, minnesota vikings, nickname, ranked defense, special group, start today, steel curtain, steelers defense, tackles, three decadesRelated posts
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