Rotating Defensive Line

[lightningrod]

Here’s the deal: The Steelers just like many teams out there (including the Giants in the Super Bowl), rotate their defensive line. To do this you need some backups that can play.

The Offensive Line is never rotated. The backups at OL are just there in case a starter gets injured and cannot play.

Same thing with the Linebackers (they are never rotated).

Backup Secondary play in dime and nickel packages.

Backup WRs play in the 5 WR sets.

RBs, you can rotate them a bit, like in a 3rd down back.

The Defensive Line is rotated throughout the game. The Steelers need some capable backups at defensive line.

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Training Camp Preview

The D-Line is a bigger question mark then the O-Line. The Steelers have absolutely no depth on the Ends. Aaron Smith is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. How important he is to the Steelers became evident last season. Casey Hampton is still a solid player but he is nowhere near the player he use to be. Brett Keisel is the most overrated player on the team. I don't know why the local media is so high on him. Keisel had two sacks last season and in reality he's a backup at best who plays well when he comes in for spot duty. He doesn't perform well enough to be a everydown starter but the Steelers are stuck with him. We already know what to expect from Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason. Two players to keep an eye on are Ryan McBean and undrafted rookie Kyle Clement. McBean could be a sleeper in camp who moves up the depth chart.


continued... (with talk of linebackers and safeties)

[steelcitysfinestXL]

Brett Keisel is the most overrated player on the team. I don't know why the local media is so high on him. Keisel had two sacks last season and in reality he's a backup at best who plays well when he comes in for spot duty. He doesn't perform well enough to be a everydown starter but the Steelers are stuck with him.

Im not quite sold on Diesel as a fulltime starter either... But you do have to take into account: The last 2 guys to play behind him( and Kimo)were probowlers, while niether Kimo or Brett was a "star" player. They both do a good job of swallowing up tackles to let the backers take the glory! Guys like Aaron and Justin Smith are freaks of nature at the 3-4 end position! Be thankful Aaron is on the otherside and dont expect Brett to be able to live up to that. Until we have the liberty of drafting/Aquiring a yong stud DE, Diesel is NOT that bad of a player!

[BlitzburghRockCity]

Same thing with the Linebackers (they are never rotated).

They do rotate LB's in and out during the game depending on the situation but not near as much as the DL of course. Normally you don't need to because the different styles of defense don't always call for the standard 4 LB's to be out there so they can usually remain relatively fresh in the 2nd half. The lineman though, we most definitely need some serious help on the ends depth wise. I have no problems with Hoke backing up Casey; they are both stoudt NT's..but Kirschke and McBean need to step up their game big time. You are going to have a drop off when a guy like Arron smith goes out, it's just inevitable he's one of the best in the business no question but still you'd like to see his replacement atleast be able to hold his own some of the time. This is an area that next year needs to be priority one in the draft, no question.