“If you obtained guys like Jalen Ramsey and [Darius] Slay, and JPJ [Joey Porter Jr.], man, we are able to match up and play man-to-man versus anybody.”
That’s what Mike Tomlin touted in July. On paper, his confidence was comprehensible. Pittsburgh purchased huge on the secondary, hoping to finish the protection and match up in a pass-happy world, particularly within the division.
That plan has failed. Pittsburgh is just not manning up in opposition to anybody. They’re getting crushed by everybody.
The numbers present it.
Our Clayton Eckert provided Pittsburgh’s knowledge in opposition to man protection this season, together with the unit and particular person outcomes. As a collective, they’re below-average throughout the board.
Class
Outcomes
Rank
Makes an attempt
103
T-4th
Comp %
59.2%
18th
YPA
8.2
twenty second
QB Ranking In opposition to
101.9
twenty second
EPA/Play
.08
T-Sixteenth
If something, these numbers really feel “beneficiant” and are definitely trending within the flawed route. Dealing with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the Steelers might slip even additional. All whereas being focused a excessive quantity of occasions. Which implies Pittsburgh is trying to play loads of man protection (to not point out the protection is just at all times on the sphere, greater than some other crew in soccer) and are struggling in opposition to it.
Individually, issues are predictably unhealthy. Listed here are the top-five leaders in defensive again targets in opposition to man protection.
Participant (Targets)
YPA
QB Ranking In opposition to
EPA
Darius Slay (18)
9.9
117.6
0.48
Jalen Ramsey (16)
12.6
158.3
1.03
Joey Porter Jr. (14)
5.5
66.7
.03
Brandin Echols (11)
8.9
99.8
0.49
Chuck Clark (5)
13.6
158.3
1.34
Ramsey and Clark are averaging excellent passer scores in man protection. Each are permitting an EPA of greater than 1, an especially excessive quantity, and no less than 12 yards per try. Slay is just marginally higher, whereas Echols has additionally struggled. Porter is the one brilliant spot, however this chart doesn’t absolutely bear in mind his penalties, too. Nonetheless, the attention check and metrics present Porter has been the most effective cornerback Pittsburgh’s had, even when it’s a low bar to clear.
Nothing Pittsburgh is doing is working—man, zone, stress, specialty coverages—that a lot is clear. However the concept of what the Steelers constructed their offseason round, enjoying man protection and all the advantages behind it (extra comfy blitzing, extra time for the frenzy to get him, giving quarterbacks no straightforward home windows), has gone up in smoke. Pittsburgh can’t play man protection, and Tomlin’s summer season bravado seems silly.
