Dick LeBeau - Still Awesome After All These Years...

"This really is a great day to be alive. I love you, Pittsburgh. You're never going to get rid of me now."

There's nothing I can say about Dick LeBeau that could even begin to describe his greatness. He is the Godfather of the zone blitz. He is the crusher of opposing offense's dreams. And he's also the most recent recipient of the Dapper Dan Lifetime Achievement Award, before he's even retired.

Congratulations, Richard. We all love you here at OFTOT. I just haven't thought of an award to immortalize you with yet. But I'm working on it.

In the meantime, I've got photoshops...

Happy Friday, kids.

Spring Break, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

The Feel Good Stories of Super Bowl XLIII...

Man, you know what I haven't heard enough about? Kurt Warner's career. I mean, did you realize that he's come from Supermarket stock boy to Super Bowl winning QB? Did you know he once played in NFL Europe?

And the Arena League? And the only reason he ended up becoming a starter was because Trent Green went down with one of his 10,896 career injuries?

...YES! OF COURSE YOU DID!

Because anytime Kurt Warner does so much as take a dump, the media feels the need to hit you over the head with his heartwarming, Hollywood, underdog tale. Thanks, guys. I think we get it. Blah blah blah rags to riches, who gives a shit? Great story, that's fantastic. Kurt Warner, you're my hero. Now can we be done with it or what? Tone it down there, hoss. At some point, you realize that he's not a QB in NFL Europe or the Arena League, or a Supermarket stock boy anymore, right? He's how many years into the league, now? Why even talk about it at this point?

ESPN compared Ben to Donovan McNabb last night...

FAILblog.

I'm officially not watching any more coverage of this game until Sunday.

BUT, it did give me a good idea for this morning's idiocy. Equip post title reading skills and you'll figure out the premise pretty quick. If not, you might wanna start wearing a helmet. Just a suggestion.

I mean, obviously we all know Warner's tale. But who else has an inspiring tale to tell that we don't even know about and what might that tale be? Or like, what would be an inspiring tale for participants in this game should they win OR lose? Don't worry, you don't have to answer those. I've got you covered.

Max Starks Overcomes Useless Transition Tag and Arbitrary Benching to Start In His Second Super Bowl...

[Note to self: watermark this later.]
Seriously, transition tag? Are you in or are you out, Colbert? What's the deal. And relegating Starks, a starter in Super Bowl XL, to the bench? Them's fightin' words. Max Starks has a chip on his shoulder and he's gonna show you, Tomlin. You messed with the wrong hombre. He gon' pancake some Cardinal ass on Sunday, boy. You know it!

Mike Tomlin Conquers His Fear of Gatorade

By now it's been well publicized that Head Swinging Dick, Mike Tomlin was less than enthused about the Gatorade bath he got two Sundays ago. He was scared like a little girl! Well I hear that since then, Tomlin's been working with a shrink and a trainer in order to build up enough confidence to face the Gatorade tidal wave like a man, should the opportunity present itself. Balls out, Mike. Godspeed!

Larry Zierling Losing His Unhealthy Porn Habit In Favor of Tampa's 43 Strip Clubs

[COTTER NOTE - By now, you've probably realized that this is a picture of Ian Ziering. That's because there are no known photographs of Larry Zierling on Google Image Search. I think he may be the only person on this Earth who can actually make that claim...moving on]
Hey, who needs free internet porn when you're surrounded by establishments chock full of fanciful women who will take their tops off and perform gyratious movements in close proximity to your body for a reasonable price? Plus, all that competition. I mean, market forces, dude. That oughta plunge the price of a lap dance straight through the floor. They're probably giving out handjobs at the door at this point. See, kids, Econ isn't just for future wet blankets. Stay in school.

Nate Washington Mans Up

On second thought, maybe we won't see that...Grow a pair, Nate. You're arguably the fastest receiver on the team and you're riding on the back of a golf cart? QFA, dude.

Santonio Puts Down The Pipe

Another well publicized event this past season was Santonio Holmes' arrest on minor drug charges. It seems he was smoking a spliff in the wrong place at the wrong time. Happens to the best of us. But ol' Sansmokio wouldn't let it get him down. He persevered and persevered, and finally, just in time for the big game, he's cleaner than a Disney Ice Show (not that I'd know one way or another)...

...Right, that or he'll admit that he sold drugs as a kid. Same diff.

And now, onto the picture show...

I think they caught Farrior going to take a dump. I recommend the handicapped stall, man.


Hines Ward sat out of practice. Yeah, sure looks like it? Are those Chuck Taylors he's wearing?


If you're looking for your contribution to these playoffs, you're going to need a bigger lens, Matt.


I thought we told the pilot to take off without him. Our position has been compromised. Abort.


Why even bother?


Who wears short shorts? Kurt Warner wears short shorts. I hope he used some Nair.


Ladies, take note.

Oh, and if Washington, DC could listen up for a second...

It's p-O-l-a-m-a-l-u, 'tards. Read a book. Amateurs, dude.

Seriously, I'm giving "Jeff Reed drunk" the official gold medal...

I get more traffic from people Googling that phrase than any other phrase. Like I said on Twitter last week, Jeff - wherever you are, keep drinking. Thumbs up.

Also, Dick Lebeau has committed to yet another year as Godfather of La Cosa Nostra-Zone-Blitz...

Two things we need to remember here. #1 - As Waynes World 2 put it, Dick Lebeau cannot be killed by conventional weapons. And #2 - You're going to have to pry that clipboard from his cold, lifeless hands, because that man is going to die on the sidelines. Huge stones on that guy.

Alright, enough joking. Too much joking going on around here, not enough tough analysis. I haven't been studying my game film. Can someone get me Ben's completion %age from the last time we faced the Cardinals? Can someone PLEASE GET ME BEN'S COMPLETION %AGE FROM THE LAST TIME WE FACED THE CARDINALS??? Always Mickey Mousing around (credit - Aaron Polak, my Drafting Contracts professor). No, but on a serious note, my big concern right now is the Steelers taking the Cards lightly...



Domski is forbidden to weigh in on this conversation, because quite frankly, I'm sick of his shit. But for the record, if he was allowed, he'd probably say something like "Kurt Warner is going to expose Ike Taylor" or something equally douchey. Moral of this story = While drinking usually destroys brain cells, in Domski's case, NOT drinking has destroyed brain cells.

Oh right, and today marks Day #1 this week on which I haven't been asked to promote any YouTube videos....wait...just got a new email, let me open this...I take it back. Maybe tomorrow.

You guys starting to worry at all? I've got this feeling in my stomach today. Could just be gas. But I'm pretty sure it's neurosis slowly burning a hole in the wall of my stomach. Sunday cannot come soon enough.

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Wow, that's an interesting Defensive strategy. So the Ravens are trying to create turnovers, are they? What a novel and shocking approach to the game of football. Certainly they are innovators in purveying this kind of thinking. Oh, that Rex Ryan - what a genius!

I mean, Dick LeBeau would never come up with anything like this. Rex Ryan and the Ravens are clearly a cut above. Well, at least according to Michael David Smith of the Fanhouse (among others).

That misguided logic aside, the Ravens D is looking pretty nasty, even without half of their starting secondary (or is it 3/4?). The unfortunate truth is, they're right on our tails. And, in fact, as takeaways go, they've got three more than us (20 fumble recoveries and 3 INTs to our 13 fumble recoveries and 7 INTs).

So I guess they're not so much LOOKING to take the football away as they actually HAVE BEEN taking the ball away.

Damn, I really wanted to shit on the Ravens today, not realize how hot on our tail they are. Eh, screw it. Ray Lewis is a murderer, Terrell Suggs' gums appear to be eating his teeth, Bart Scott's nickname is the weakest, and the Steelers pretty much OWN Ed Reed.

/FIXED!

Feel free to let these links take away your attention from doing actual work (not for too long, of course)...

Now, that's how you smack that ass [PSaMP]

Charles is one talented pug, and he's in the holiday spirit [Superhero.]

Marion Barber doubtful for Sunday [Dallas Morning News]

And while we're at it, Ryan Clark would welcome a shot at TO. God, I hope this happens [Dallas Morning News]

Big Ben on Romo - "I don't mean this to sound rude: He is asking for it. Dating the high profile, doing all the stuff he wants to do. That's the life he chooses to live off the football field. That's his choice and that's why. It's what he chooses to do." [Post-Gazette]

#1 current NFL feud - Hines Ward vs. Bart Scott. I'm ok with that [Yahoo! Sports]

Steelers getting healthy at the right time? I'm not sure I'm totally confident that they're all healthy, but ok [Associated Press]

Understatement of the year [Post-Gazette]

Add a Steelers belt buckle to my holiday wish list! [MJD]

"Sid The Kid's Putting on A Show" [SI.com]

Santonio Holmes gets busted for weed and gets promptly suspended by the Steelers. Sean Ellis gets busted for weed, speeding, being a dick and failing to produce a valid insurance card, and he plays the next day, while the Jets conceal the news for a solid week. Jesus [Sports Crackle Pop]

You may have seen Baby Mangino...Well, here's baby JoePa! [Deadspin]

Lastly, sweet hat, Wade Philips. I've worn so many better hats than that hat. In fact, Tec and I both wore three hats each on last week's [Unnamed] Steelers Pregame Show that were better than that hat...

The Godfather [featuring Dick LeBeau]...

Dick LeBeau a.k.a The Defensive Guru a.k.a Mr. 3-4 a.k.a Captain Blitz a.k.a Da Ice Truck Killa!

It seems LeBeau is up to his old tricks again. Creating nasty blitz formations, and adding wrinkles week by week to confuse opponents.

In an article from Monday's Post-Gazette, Ed Bouchette details the latest on the Godfather of blitz. Bouchette's main premise, and rightfully so, was - the defense must pressure the QB. In discussing this, Bouchette relates that both Brett Keisel and James Harrison are going to be moved around the formation more this year in order to confuse the opponent's offense, and create more pressure on the quarterback.

This got me thinking.....Keisel is a defensive end...so, where would the Steelers move him in the defense? He is definitely not going to play nose tackle. He could play either right or left defensive end. But does this mean LeBeau and Head Coach Mike Tomlin are putting their giant brains together to sprinkle in some more 4-3 defensive schemes? Maybe make the defense more of a hybrid style, where the base could be either the 3-4 OR the 4-3?

I trust in anything Dick "The Godfather" LeBeau creates. Either way the Steelers defense is going to be fun to watch again this year.

What do you guys think? Do you prefer a 3-4 or a 4-3? How do you feel about the prospect of moving Keisel around? And really, how old is Dick LeBeau?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Main Objective: Defense Needs to Pressure The QB [Post-Gazette]

The Steelers Defense Will Make You Bleed...

Recently, I read and reported that this 2007 Steelers defense has given up less points through 5 games than both the 1975 and 1978 Super Bowl winning Steel Curtain defenses. If you didn't read it - 47 points in 5 games vs. 48 and 51 points for the dynasty squads respectively. Of course, as Steeler fans, we all kind of expect dominating defense, and when we're anything less than oppressive, we all have a good cry about it.

So it's not surprising that NOW, all anyone wants to talk about is how spotless our defensive performance has been. When I sat down to post last night, I took a look around the interwebs to get some inspiration, and everywhere I looked I found articles about the DEFENSE. And not just all about the same aspects of the defense, but at least a few distinct facets that intrigued me.

Anyways, I'm just gonna throw these out one by one and give you a [relatively] quick commentary for each (because let's face it, I'd hate to stretch you on a Monday).

Let the fun begin:

#1 ~ Post-Gazette - "Defense '07 -- Shades of steel, shades of history"
As if the name doesn't say it all, this Ed Bouchette gem was my main inspiration for this post. It highlights the stat mentioned above, and adds some other awe-inspiring numbers. Check it --

1. The Steelers lead the NFL in fewest points allowed per game (9.4)
2. They have also allowed the fewest yards per game (235.6) and fewest yards per play (4.2)
3. They have allowed no pass completion longer than 38 yards and only 4 of 25 yards or longer
4. They are tied for 1st in team sacks, with 17
5. They have allowed no touchdowns in the first half of games, only the two field goals by the 49ers

Pretty, pretty good I'd say. Still, at the risk of sounding like a black cloud, we have yet to play a team anyone thinks is a contender. Particularly, after watching the Seahawks last night against the previously underwhelming Saints, I'm not so convinced that it was predominantly our Defensive acumen that won that game. That offense looked pretty terrible for most of that game, and the Saints defense isn't exactly top notch. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.

#2 ~ Tribune-Review - "Cover-2 helps Steelers' defense flourish"
As this article points out, if you thought you saw more Cover 2 on the field against Seattle, you weren't crazy. It seems that Tomlin and LeBeau dialed up the Cover 2 more last week to quell the Seattle west coast passing attack. Guess that worked. But what's more interesting is that Ike Taylor seems to think we always played a Cover 2. As he puts it -

"We always ran it...I guess ya'll looking at Coach Tomlin as a Cover-2 guy. But (defensive coordinator Dick) LeBeau always ran a little bit of Cover-2."

The other astute observation this article makes is that - while we played more Cover 2, we still stopped the run. Even without Casey Hampton, and with all that speed on the field to prevent the big pass play, we were able to contain Shaun Alexander to an anemic 25 yards rushing. Now, once they got down a couple scores they had to abandon the run, and as I mentioned above, it was the Seahawks, so I'm not entirely convinced this was a good test of our big game abilities. Nonetheless, it's good to know that we can incorporate elements of different styles of defense to combat different offenses each week.

#3 ~ Post-Gazette - "LeBeau's linebackers keep opposing QBs guessing"
While the name suggests an egalitarian discussion of our linebacking corps, this article is really about James Farrior. Sure, we've got a bunch of noteworthy guys in that category, but the one who's throwing his weight around most is the 32 year old, 11 year vet, Farrior. As the article points out, Farrior's team leading 4 sacks have come via rushing the QB from the outside, despite that he's an ILB. It also notes that of the league's sack leaders, the only interior linebackers are Farrior and the Bear's freak of nature, Brian Urlacher. This successful outside rush is best summed up by an envious Clark Haggans, who said -

"He's very lucky because he's running free off the edge and everybody else gets murdered running up in the line...He kind of creeps around the side. He's the clean-up guy. Wherever there's a little gap or a hole he needs to fill, he does it."

And that's the point - he does it. Farrior has been more than I think any of us would have expected, and his success rushing the QB just makes opposing offenses more weary of him, opening opportunities for the other 10 guys that could be blitzing on any down.

#4 ~ Observer-Reporter - "Age not slowing Steelers' Farrior "
James Farrior is a star this week. Bet he didn't think at this point in the season he'd be getting so much love. Or maybe he did. Who knows. Either way, this article again highlights the Super-Steeler, but in a different light. The excellent article, written by Steeler beat writer Dale Lolley, shows the leadership Farrior brings to the team. Since there's no Peezy around anymore to stir things up before games, Farrior has taken over the role of Defensive leader. But as Lolley points out, Farrior's style is disparately different from Porter's (obviously). Farrior lets his play do the talking, and when he addresses the team, he "speaks from the heart." Sort of jabbing at Porter (and why not, he's such an easy target these days...an overpaid easy target at that), Farrior says of his pre-game speech:

"It's nothing special. I'm not asking anybody to ride with me or anything like that. I'm just speaking from the heart."

Whatever he's doing, it seems to be working. It's nice to know that the guy leading this team spiritually is a guy who also leads by example. We can only hope his leadership continues to have the positive effect it has had during the 1st five weeks, for the rest of this season.

Phew, wow, still with me? Good.

Bottom line = The Steelers defense has been great, and the prospect of watching them against teams like Cincinnati, Baltimore, Denver and New England, while a bit daunting, is exciting. These games will prove to be the true test of how strong this group is. If they're able to get it done against the AFC power houses they would presumably face should they make the playoffs, then perhaps I will feel 100% comfortable saying this is one of the best defensive units I've ever seen. But hey, what do I know, I just blog this shit.

They Call Him The Wanderer...

Well, that's not entirely true. I think the technical term used was "Rover."

Anyways, for those of you who don't scan the Post-Gazette Steeler coverage regularly (and shame on you if you don't), it seems that Defensive mastermind Dick LeBeau has devised a new and improved role for Brett Keisel.

Due to the lack of effective pass rush last year, Keisel's first as starting right end, LeBeau thought the defense needed some retooling, including converting Keisel into the "Troy Polamalu" of the front 7.

In this new defensive scheme, dubbed the "99", according to LeBeau (via the Post-Gazette)- Keisel is "...just technically a roving linebacker...He's moving around, depending on where we put him and tell him where to end up. He won't always be just rushing as he is as a defensive lineman. We think he can cause some offenses some problems."

A+ on this one. LeBeau continues to innovate and throw out some of the nastiest defenses the world has ever seen (at least on paper).

Though I gotta say, maybe if we could just get an effective rush out of our base 3-4, we might not have this problem. Oh well, hope it works cause I love the thinking.

Plus I'm really digging the Keisel "mountain man" beard...dude, where can I get one of those?

Cheers and Happy Wednesday!

Just so you know...

I'm not dead...just had to take a few days off from writing. I was on vacation down in Gator country last week and since I've been back, actual work has amassed that I have to tackle before I can wax philosophical about all the latest Steeler news (which ironically there has been a decent amount of).

But the good news is, I will be at the draft on Saturday and plan on trying to keep things up to date as the news unfolds. Of course, you could probably just watch it on TV, but what would be the fun in that?

Here's some links in case you crave light reading -

• Big Ben and Cowher's Star Crossed Relationship...
• Post-Gazette Guru Ed Bouchette's Steeler Draft Assessment ie- how we can win more than 8 games next year and who will help us win them...
• Tomlin Will Reach Out to (and hopefully touch) Alan Faneca regarding his absence from team activities...
• John Clayton's Take on Alan "Just Call me Diva" Faneca's "Message"...
• Coincidentally, Matt Williamson's Column from the 17th, discussing how the Cardinals need O-line help...like the subtle hint there? Thought you would...
Post-Gazette Columnist Bob Smizik's Best Grinch Impression...
• Ravens Re-Sign Rex Ryan for two more years...in other news, he's still no Dick LeBeau!

That's all for now...hopefully my head will surface once or twice more this week and I can spend some quality time with my thoughts on these stories and all the latest Steeler news.

Cheers and enjoy the links (for now)!

PS - no more chili for Max Starks...maybe we should use Campbell's Chunky as a motivator...?

Music to My Ears...

I am happy to report, via AOL's NFL Blog (Post-Gazette, Tribune-Review, etc.), that the Steelers will be sticking with the 3-4 for at least one more year (and hopefully more).

Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach, there has been a lot of speculation about whether or not the team would morph into the 4-3 (Tampa Cover 2) that Tomlin employed in Minnesota and in theory favors over the 3-4.

The first big move to keep the 3-4 came when Tomlin retained Dick LeBeau as Defensive Coordinator (a much heralded move as well). Nonetheless, glad to see we have confirmation that Tomlin subscribes to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.

A man after my own heart.

Cheers Mike!

Sincerely,
Christopher S. Cotter, Steeler Fan Extraodinaire and Blip on the Steeler Blogosphere

Are the Steelers Making the Right Decisions this Offseason??

I think it's a fair question. After reading about personnel moves, major and minor alike in Cleveland and Baltimore, I really got to thinking this morning.

The fact is, we have a brand new, 32-year old coach in Mike Tomlin who has never been a head coach in the NFL. Not only that, but we seem to be trusting him with too much too quickly. This may be the result of Cowher's success when placed in a similar situation in 1992. However, maybe it's possible that with the departure of the great Bill Cowher, the Steelers organization and Steeler fans alike want Mike Tomlin to be something great right out of the gate. Believe me, I'm not saying he won't be. But here's what worries me:

Tomlin prefers a 4-3 (Tampa Cover 2) defensive scheme. Contrastingly, the Steelers have quite successfully run a 3-4 for a while now. The good news is, Tomlin kept 3-4 proponent and guru Dick LeBeau as Defensive Coorinator. The potential bad news is there is talk now, with Joey Porter gone, of drafting a Defensive End such as Jarvis Moss and moving into a 4-3. And look, I'm not saying the 4-3 wouldn't be a success in Pittsburgh, but coming off a Super Bowl win just a two years ago, I hardly want to see the Steelers changing too quickly at the risk of sacricing their competitive edge.

Perhaps this is just one isolated issue, and there isn't as much change as I think there is, but I guess my question is - are the Steelers trusting Mike Tomlin with too much too quickly or is all this appropriate?