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Steelers still can't solve third-down problems
That was linebacker Jason Gildon's response in the wake of the Steelers' latest display of defensive ineptitude on third downs in Sunday's 31-23 loss at Tennessee.
"We're doing a lot of different things this year than we did last year; I'm just going to leave it at that," Gildon said. "We definitely have to get better on third down. That goes from the players' standpoint, as well as the plays that are being called. I don't want to stand here and criticize anyone because that's not the type of player I am. But if there's definitely a problem, I think it's going to take everyone involved to solve it."
The Steelers showed up at The Coliseum allowing conversions on 46.6 percent of opponents' third-down opportunities through nine games, the 30th-worst figure in the NFL. That number ballooned to 63 percent against the Titans, who converted 12 times in 19 tries.
"It baffles me," strong safety Lee Flowers said. "It's the same people from last year. Actually, we've gotten better with (linebacker) Joey (Porter) in the middle. I don't know what it is.
"It's almost to the point where we're scared to get a team in third-and-9 right now."
"I think we finished damn near at the top of the league last year," said safety Mike Logan, a member of the six-defensive backs "dime" defense the Steelers regularly employ in obvious passing situations. "We basically have the same people."
The Steelers limited opponents to a 34.3 percent conversion rate on third downs a year ago, and that was with Earl Holmes or Mike Jones lining up as the lone linebacker in the "dime."
They moved Porter into the "dime" linebackers spot this season and intended to play linebacker Kendrell Bell — a spectator by design on third downs a year ago — into the rush-end position Porter vacated. The sprained ankle Bell suffered in training camp prevented that from happening early in the season. And the Steelers have been reluctant to use Bell as a three-down player since his return because of the success linebacker Clark Haggans has enjoyed (he's second among Steelers in sacks with six behind Porter's seven) as a replacement for Bell in the "dime."
"If you put (Bell) out there, who are you going to take off?" Gildon said. "It's just one of those deals."
Logan gave way to rookie Chris Hope early in the second half after Logan's hamstring injury acted up. But no matter the down and distance or the Steelers' personnel package, the Titans thrived.
Running back Eddie George rumbled for 11 yards on third-and-9 from the Tennessee 9-yard line midway through the second quarter. That kept alive what became a 12-play, 92-yard drive for a touchdown and a 14-7 Tennessee lead, as did a 12-yard scramble by quarterback Steve McNair on third-and-11 from the Tennessee 47.
Late in the third quarter, McNair found wide receiver Justin McCareins behind cornerback Chad Scott for 55 yards on third-and-9 from the Tennessee 40. That set up the touchdown that gave the Titans a commanding 28-7 lead.
Porter held wide receiver Kevin Dyson on a third-and-5 to give the Titans an automatic first down.
Logan flew past McNair on a blitz, which led to a 17-yard completion to wide receiver Derrick Mason that converted a third-and-7.
And so it went.
The Steelers never sacked McNair, who attempted 33 passes and scrambled on a number of other occasions.
Gildon, who has 31/2 sacks this season after amassing 251/2 in 2000 and 2001, wouldn't campaign for more opportunities to rush the passer, but he knows something has to change.
"From a pass rusher, you never can rush the passer enough, but, at the same time, I'm here to help my team win and whatever it takes, that's what I'm going to do," Gildon said. "I just feel there's no reason for us to have this type of lull or letdown on third down considering the type of players we have out there."
"Myself, I had some tackles that I normally don't miss," Porter said. "It's a mix of everything, missed tackles, not playing as hard as we need to play. Until we fix that third-down problem, our defense is going to stay mediocre."
