It’s hard to remember the last time we started an NFL season in which we weren’t talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ communication on the defensive side of the ball needing to get better. It was probably the last time James Farrior was the mouthpiece of the unit. Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu were still here. Guys who’ve played together for a long time.
While a lot of fingers are being pointed at Keith Butler, the successor to Dick LeBeau at defensive coordinator, for many of the shortcomings that have been evident in this department over the course of the last several years—and he certainly owns some of the blame—a lot of it is on the field, as well.