The Pittsburgh Steelers had been speculated to have a protection that was prime of the league this 12 months. Whereas they’ve performed to that degree at instances, the final three weeks have been disastrous. They allowed 27 factors twice and 29 to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Accidents have contributed to the protection’s poor play, however a much bigger problem is repeated communication breakdowns. The Steelers have allowed receivers to run wide-open with no defender close by. When it’s not a receiver operating previous, it’s tight ends like Travis Kelce working his means over the center and no one choosing him up.
Pittsburgh has had communication points in years previous, however it has by no means been this unhealthy. Steelers beat author Ray Fittipaldo joined WMBS 590’s Sportsline with George Von Benko and provided up the concept LB Patrick Queen, who wears the inexperienced dot, is central to the communication disaster.
“You heard early within the season, new man calling the pictures in the midst of the protection, there have been gonna be some sensible issues,” mentioned Fittipaldo. “And there have been. However the truth that Patrick is the hub of communication in the midst of the protection, and there’s all these points now with that. I feel it speaks to perhaps one thing that’s happening there. Perhaps the coaches, George, perhaps they only need to simplify issues.”
Patrick Queen was Pittsburgh’s star free agent signing, and he has performed properly this 12 months. However Fittipaldo makes an excellent level that these communication points can’t be ignored. Positive, the Steelers had some points final 12 months, too, once they had been going by means of an harm disaster at linebacker, however it wasn’t this unhealthy. It particularly shouldn’t have been this unhealthy with Patrick Queen calling the performs all 12 months.
Provided that we will’t be within the Steelers assembly rooms, we most likely gained’t know if the communication points fall on Queen or others. What we do know is that this can’t occur within the playoffs. These communication points need to be sorted out. Whether or not that be taking the participant who’s messing up his assignments off the sphere or simplifying the calls, one thing needs to be accomplished.
Communication points might be acceptable early within the 12 months, however for this to occur on the finish of the season is unacceptable. Each coaching camp, we hear gamers preach the significance of communication. However the staff is in Week 18 and nonetheless attempting to make things better. If the problem is Patrick Queen, the Steelers could need to take the inexperienced dot away from him and simply let him chase the ball.
