Try NFL Sport Channel Seach:
Selected searches:
NFL Football Players Draft Injuries Rookies Season Superbowl
Items by
Steelers Casting New Ideas in Hopes of Same Results
Published: May 28, 2009
No Comments
One word comes to mind when describing the typical Pittsburgh Steelers offseason: boring.
The 2009 draft came and went, the typical low-key free agents were signed, and the coaches who led the Steelers to Super Bowl glory are still in their same spot.
However, that doesn’t mean that the men of steel won’t change.
Whether it is on offense or defense, the Steelers can look toward training camp with an eye on not only solidifying what has worked so well, but also on new techniques that will enhance the Super Bowl champions.
On defense, the arrival of first-round draft pick Evander “Ziggy” Hood could add a whole new scheme to defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau’s defense.
Hood, who played defensive tackle at the University of Missouri, has reportedly been playing that position in a 4-3 defense at offseason team activities (OTAs).
A full switch to the 4-3 isn’t likely, nor even close to a reality after the Steelers dominated offenses with their staple 3-4 defense, but a hybrid defense is possible.
Lebeau is known to mix things up and throwing in a couple of plays that are based out of a 4-3 defense is not out of the question.
Adding to possible variations on defense was the release of inside linebacker Larry Foote. Speedy Lawrence Timmons will replace Foote, allowing Lebeau to let safety Troy Polamalu roam even more since Timmons can cover opposing tight ends.
The changes on offense will focus around the running game.
Running back Willie Parker will start, but the Steelers hope to get a full season of last year’s first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall.
Adding to the one-two punch of Parker and Mendenhall, fifth-round pick Frank “The Tank” Summers provide an added punch on goal-line and short-yardage situations, assuming he makes it out of training camp.
Last year, the Steelers were able to muscle their way to a sixth Super Bowl championship.
This year, new techniques and formations will be attempted in hopes of capturing a seventh title.
Steelers’ Ligashesky Doing Some Special Work
Published: May 25, 2009
No Comments
The typical saying around the sport of football goes something like, “Offense gets the glory, but defense wins championships.”
Well if that’s the case, Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coach Bob Ligashesky must feel pretty slighted.
After the Steelers hoisted the Lombardi trophy following one of the most thrilling Super Bowls in recent memory, the focus was on head coach Mike Tomlin’s grit, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ high-powered offense, and defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau’s top-rated defense.
But while Arians’ offense gets the “glory” and Lebeau’s defense played a huge part in winning Super Bowl XLIII, Ligashesky’s relatively unnoticed successes throughout the season helped the Steelers get there.
Two years ago, in Ligashesky’s first season with the Steelers, the kickoff and punt defense ranked in the middle of the pack, at Nos. 14 and 16 respectively.
Well, with a just a year under his belt, Ligashesky took an average special teams unit and turned them into the envy of the NFL, finishing No. 1 in AFC in both categories.
While Lebeau’s defense gets well-deserved attention for suffocating opponents, Ligashesky deserves a huge pat on the back in helping the defense turn into the league’s best. Instead of opposing offenses starting near midfield or in Steelers’ territory, they were pinned deep in their own zone, allowing Lebeau to be extremely aggressive in his play calling.
Ligashesky’s unit had opponents earning an average start at the 26.4-yard line.
Having opponents start near their 20-yard line instead of their 40-yard line does wonders for the points against statistic.
Ligashesky will look to amp up his special teams next year, not on the defensive side of the ball, but on the offensive. Third-round pick Mike Wallace and fifth-round pick Joe Burnett possess some flashy return abilities the Steelers have been lacking in recent years.
He will also have some top-notch talent returning. Steelers rookie of the year Patrick Bailey will continue to be a force after finishing the year with 12 tackles on special teams.
But as training camp nears, the focus will once again be heaped upon what new defenses Lebeau is creating and what new plays the offense will run, and Ligashesky will continue doing his unnoticed, but special work.
