1
LeBeau didn't school his players to defend specific areas. They did cover a receiver coming into...
LeBeau didn't school his players to defend specific areas. They did cover a receiver coming into their space, but they had to know which one it was before it happened. And they needed to know what route was coming, then try to break it up. As the defender moved to the ball, he had to take what LeBeau called the "intercept angle."
We want to trick them with a guy they're not figuring on coming, or somebody who shows up in a place you'd never expect him to be. That's the concept in a nutshell: You hold them by the nose, then sneak around and kick them in the tail— just like General Patton used to say."
Link to ESPN.Com article
— Excerpt from Jon Jaworski's book, found here at ESPN.Com
Just some good insights into the defensive mind of the Steelers, Dick LeBeau.
I agree with Craig. If there is a way to beat the Steelers, it's by spreading them out. Running short short but complicated routes. The offensive line is going to be confused and will give up pressure. Freeman has to look for running lanes.
I read somewhere that LeBeau's philosphy is to create the "illusion" of pressure without necessarily always bringing extra guys. Williams / Graham have to be keeping their eyes open and taking the outside guy on blitz pickups. This gives Freeman options. Should be a fun chess match.
