Some of my takes on the defense

[darthseinfeld]

The main players are still the same. Micah, osa, diggs bland. You go the way of your highest paid guys/star players. Unless Murray, sanborn,elam,mazi,liafau turn into a star player nothing will change because the stars are weak/soft and fold when things get tough

You're not wrong, but Ill agrue about Micah. Dallas has had no real threat on the line outside him. SF was always going to be able to neutralize him, not only because they rolled protectiona, but they also have the best LT in the NFL. The problem in those games weren't Parsons, its that nobody stepped up when they rolled protection. Parsons issues in the playoffs are the same as TJ Watts, and their playoff production is practically identical

I don't think you will see Diggs in another playoff game for Dallas

 

[RS12]

The defense still looks like it is built to play from ahead to me. The question is how often will that happen? When it doesnt in recent times, they have a nasty habit of collapsing.

 

[darthseinfeld]

The defense still looks like it is built to play from ahead to me. The question is how often will that happen? When it doesnt in recent times, they have a nasty habit of collapsing.

You're not wrong. Offensively we are better than we were a year ago, so that could get us to the playoffs. We were never going to be a real contender this year. It was always going to be two years before we could even consider that as a possibility

 

[stilltheguru]

You're not wrong, but Ill agrue about Micah. Dallas has had no real threat on the line outside him. SF was always going to be able to neutralize him, not only because they rolled protectiona, but they also have the best LT in the NFL. The problem in those games weren't Parsons, its that nobody stepped up when they rolled protection. Parsons issues in the playoffs are the same as TJ Watts, and their playoff production is practically identical

I don't think you will see Diggs in another playoff game for Dallas

stats need to be in context. Watt is a tough player who doesn't fold when things get tough like micah.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/t...s-highest-graded-steelers-in-loss-to-bengals/

That's just 1 game. I'd be willing to be tj played at a high level every playoff game regardless of raw sack numbers. I'd also be willing to bet micahs grades in the postseason aren't matching up to his regular season grades. I don't care enough to buy a subscription though. I also don't buy trent getting help for micah

 

[darthseinfeld]

stats need to be in context. Watt is a tough player who doesn't fold when things get tough like micah.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/t...s-highest-graded-steelers-in-loss-to-bengals/

That's just 1 game. I'd be willing to be tj played at a high level every playoff game regardless of raw sack numbers. I'd also be willing to bet micahs grades in the postseason aren't matching up to his regular season grades. I don't care enough to buy a subscription though. I also don't buy trent getting help for micah

TJ Watt in the playoffs Vs. Regular season


2017: 68.6/70.4
2020: 75.6/91.6
2021 76.5/89.5
2024: 51.5/92.2

Micah in the playoffs Vs. Regular season

2021: 68.0/ 89.0
2022: 85.3/ 91.6 (Bucs game? Cant find post season game logs on PFf)
2023: 62.1/ 92.7

 

[Cowboyny]

- I think Marshawn Kneeland has a chance to be a real contributor this year. They our line is built, we need guys that can be high level run defenders. Kneeland can be that. I can see him getting 500-600 snaps even if he pass rush menu isn't there yet

- Linebacker is pretty dire to me. They have role players, never have beens, might could becomes, and we dont even knows. We have no bankable starters at a position key to this scheme. Our best hope is big growth from Liufau and that they are right on James. Im not taking any hopium on Murray. He has been terrible with two different teams

- Im much more optimistic on Mazi Smith than most. I dont think he will ever live up to being a 1st round pick. However if he continues his improvement over the 2nd half of the season, I think he could be a strong run defender this year. If that happens it would be a major boon. And I think it will

- CB is a great concern of mine. Consider right now we basically have an injured rookie penciled in as our #2 CB. A #3 CB plays about 70% of the snaps. Our likely options look like a 1st round bust who has gotten worse every year, and a 5th round pick from last year who struggled mightily. I really hope Mukuamu and Thomas are considered for that slot role

- Im not that concerned with S. We should have a very good pass rush and I think the S's could benefit in coverage. I dont think we have an adequate SS to replace Wilson, but I do think Thomas or even Mukuamu could replace Hooker. I dont even think Wilson or Hooker need to be replaced. I think they are just kind of mid at this point. However with a strong pass rush, I think thats workable. I dont see Bell as a real option

-I think a rotation of Turner/Kneeland at LE will be just as good as a healthy DLaw.
-In my opinion, Mazi cannot be trusted to play at a high level and we need to go out and find a legitimate starter like Reader.
-Sanborn is our Kendricks this offseason, will help with the scheme transition and be a solid starter. My biggest worry is Murray in the positional group, he is a healthier version of Jaylon Smith, struggles with reading/reacting quickly enough and is more of a guesser.
-Not too concerned about corner at least at this time. Elam should be fine as a short-term starter on the outside, biggest question is who mans the nickel position? Based on my research, I think one of our safeties fit what Eberflus wants at the position.
-I disagree about the safety position, think Wilson is a bad fit for this scheme and see Hooker as a low end starter.

 

[darthseinfeld]

-I think a rotation of Turner/Kneeland at LE will be just as good as a healthy DLaw.
-In my opinion, Mazi cannot be trusted to play at a high level and we need to go out and find a legitimate starter like Reader.
-Sanborn is our Kendricks this offseason, will help with the scheme transition and be a solid starter. My biggest worry is Murray in the positional group, he is a healthier version of Jaylon Smith, struggles with reading/reacting quickly enough and is more of a guesser.
-Not too concerned about corner at least at this time. Elam should be fine as a short-term starter on the outside, biggest question is who mans the nickel position? Based on my research, I think one of our safeties fit what Eberflus wants at the position.
-I disagree about the safety position, think Wilson is a bad fit for this scheme and see Hooker as a low end starter.

Turner is one of the NFL's worsr run defenders. I honestly hope he doesn't make the final roster

Sanborn I think will be a good role player, but he is also limited. Definitely not Kendricks class as a LB

 

[stilltheguru]

TJ Watt in the playoffs Vs. Regular season


2017: 68.6/70.4
2020: 75.6/91.6
2021 76.5/89.5
2024: 51.5/92.2

Micah in the playoffs Vs. Regular season

2021: 68.0/ 89.0
2022: 85.3/ 91.6 (Bucs game? Cant find post season game logs on PFf)
2023: 62.1/ 92.7

Ok I was wrong for the most part. Tj doesn't play up to his standard in the playoffs either. Even though micshs bucs game was against a team that was ready to go home. But I'll take my L regarding TJ.

 

[Cowboyny]

Turner is one of the NFL's worsr run defenders. I honestly hope he doesn't make the final roster

Sanborn I think will be a good role player, but he is also limited. Definitely not Kendricks class as a LB

Last year, many were comparing Turner's physical traits to Kneeland around the league. He has disappointed, but his biggest issue has been more about his lack of availability. He certainly can win a rotational spot and has some versatility to his game.

Sanborn does have strong instincts and has the ability to play any of the linebacker positions. He reminds me of Hitchens. Solid starter that will do his job.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Ok I was wrong for the most part. Tj doesn't play up to his standard in the playoffs either. Even though micshs bucs game was against a team that was ready to go home. But I'll take my L regarding TJ.

I would wager if you where looking through data, you would probably find that most players dont. In the playoffs you are likely playing top tier players, so if you have any grading system (PFF or otherwise), you'd probably find grades being 10 points or so lower than regular season.

Maybe when I got some to kill, Ill take All Pro players and compare their grades Regular season Vs. Playoffs

 

[CowboyFrog]

I would wager if you where looking through data, you would probably find that most players dont. In the playoffs you are likely playing top tier players, so if you have any grading system (PFF or otherwise), you'd probably find grades being 10 points or so lower than regular season.

Maybe when I got some to kill, Ill take All Pro players and compare their grades Regular season Vs. Playoffs

that makes alot of sense, i bet your right.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Last year, many were comparing Turner's physical traits to Kneeland around the league. He has disappointed, but his biggest issue has been more about his lack of availability. He certainly can win a rotational spot and has some versatility to his game.

Sanborn does have strong instincts and has the ability to play any of the linebacker positions. He reminds me of Hitchens. Solid starter that will do his job.

Outside of availability he just hasnt been a good run defender. Last season he graded out 201st our of 211 DE in run defense. He has been a much better pass rusher than a run defender

 

[Chasing6]

dline still sucks which permeates thru everything else

100%. That is why our LB's are always injured in my opinion.

 

[KJJ]

If the DL doesn’t get a lot better and more physical we’re going to continue to get manhandled. We’re soft!

 

[CowboyFrog]

If the DL doesn’t get a lot better and more physical we’re going to continue to get manhandled. We’re soft!

100% and the FO bet on Mazi taking huge steps forward...to me thats a longshot, but we will see.

 

[Cowboyny]

Outside of availability he just hasnt been a good run defender. Last season he graded out 201st our of 211 DE in run defense. He has been a much better pass rusher than a run defender

We could say the same thing about Thomas as well. Our new staff sees qualities in them that they believe are good fits for the scheme.

 

[KJJ]

100% and the FO bet on Mazi taking huge steps forward...to me thats a longshot, but we will see.

If they’re counting on Mazi to add some physicality upfront we’re in trouble.

 

[Pola_pe_a]

100% and the FO bet on Mazi taking huge steps forward...to me thats a longshot, but we will see.

Jay Toia is taking Mazi's job. Better get off, better anchor, better hand usage.

 

[darthseinfeld]

We could say the same thing about Thomas as well. Our new staff sees qualities in them that they believe are good fits for the scheme.

They are pretty the same player really

 

[visionary]

We have 280 lb DTs abd 250lb DEs, thats a recipe for disaster late in the year

I fully expect this defense to be good sept-oct and drop off in nov-dec as they wear down