LeBeau Tunes out Defense's Many Doubters

LeBeau tunes out defense's many doubters
By Ron Cook / Pittsburgh post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/r...s/201409060215

There is panic in the streets. Many Steelers fans think the season is doomed before it even starts today against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field. For maybe the only time in recent franchise history, they have no faith in the defense. They believe the team's only chance is Ben Roethlisberger and his offense putting up 40 points a game.
"Really?" disbelieving Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau asked late last week.
Really, coach.
They're saying your defense is going to stink.
"That's life in the NFL," LeBeau said, shrugging. "I don't pay any attention to it."
LeBeau didn't seem the least bit concerned about the gloom and doom. He certainly doesn't share it. He won't even concede that turning this defense into a winning unit is among the greatest challenges of his Hall of Fame career. "You have to understand I've been around the sun a few times. Let's just say if you mention Vince Lombardi to me, I know who he is. I've been through some pretty dismal seasons. I don't think this is going to be one. I think this defense has a chance to be pretty good."
LeBeau turns 77 Tuesday. This is his 43rd season as an NFL coach.
"We have speed," LeBeau said when asked why the naysayers are wrong. "Speed is important. It was important when I played. We've got athleticism."
There are plenty of new faces on the defense. Cam Thomas at defensive end. Mike Mitchell at free safety. Linebacker Ryan Shazier will be the first rookie to start the first game for LeBeau in LeBeau's second run here as defensive coordinator. Rookie defensive end Stephon Tuitt will play often in the sub-packages.
"These rookies, I don't mind starting," LeBeau said. "They're ready to play. Are they finished products? No. But they're good football players."
LeBeau is expecting big things from outside linebackers Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones. That was good to hear because the two are critically important to the defense. "Jarvis started to come on last season about the same time Jason did," LeBeau said. "They both were a big part of our [second-half] turnaround."
Let's assume LeBeau is right about Worilds and Jones. A better pass rush will help what looks to be a shaky secondary. In many games, sacks and quarterback hurries led to fumbles and interceptions. The Steelers also can't give up the big plays they did last season and this preseason. "We had some guys run the wrong way," LeBeau said.
So how do you correct that?
"You practice your [fanny] off," LeBeau said.
The best thing the defense has going for it today is the Browns are the opposition. The Browns have a good offensive line led Alex Mack, a two-time Pro Bowl center, and Joe Thomas, maybe the NFL's best left tackle. They brought in free-agent back Ben Tate and figure to try to hurt the Steelers with their running game. A lot of teams did that last season. But the Browns pass offense is weak. Star receiver Josh Gordon is suspended for the season. Quarterback Brian Hoyer is mediocre, although LeBeau made it seem like he's Peyton Manning. The Browns might have to turn to first-round pick Johnny Manziel, which would be doing the Steelers a favor. He can't read defenses. All he can do is run. "He'll take off whether it's a designed play or not," LeBeau said. "He'll be gone in a minute."
Don't be surprised if Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons knocks Manziel into next week.
Shame on the defense if it allows Hoyer and Manziel to win the game.
The competition will get much tougher, beginning with Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens Thursday night in Baltimore. LeBeau said he is eager for the challenge of the season. He said it is "exciting" to work with a new, younger group of players.
"My goal is to bring this defense along and have it operate at the highest possible level of efficiency. With that as the stated goal, you're going to fail at times. The question is how good can you be? We want to be competitive every week."
I'm predicting the Steelers will go 10-6 -- maybe even 11-5 -- and win the AFC North. But that's based on Roethlisberger and the offense, which figures to be no-huddle about 50 percent of the time. It will be a lot easier to feel good about the team's chances if LeBeau's defense can live up to his expectations. His players worship him. They often have said they feel as if they let him down when they make a bad play. They have to know this could be his final season. Playing well for him should be extra motivation, not that he ever would play that card.
"It's a big year for all of us," LeBeau said. "We didn't make the playoffs the last two seasons. We understand that's not good enough. For Pittsburgh people, the playoffs are on the schedule. That's as it should be."
The old coach grinned before speaking for his defense.
"We don't want to disappoint anyone."