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Steelers Film Room: Dick LeBeau’s Blitzes Against The Colts

By Alex Kozora

Posted on October 31, 2014 at 12:44 pm

By Alex Kozora

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense was arguably its most aggressive last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Defensively, Dick LeBeau got back to some core blitz concepts to create chaos along the Colts’ offensive line. We’ll look at some of those specific examples.

Statistically, the numbers show LeBeau being as aggressive as he’s been all year. The Steelers sent six rushers eight times against the Colts. Coming into the year, they had only done that 11 times.

The Steelers blitzed on 41.4% of passes Sunday. Coming into the year, they blitzed just 24.5% of the time. Don’t think those blitzes came late in the game either. The Steelers became passive in the fourth quarter in an effort to avoid giving up big plays. Blitzed just twice on 12 throws in the 4^th quarter.

Statistically, the Steelers sent pressure but schematically, how did it work? Six examples below.

3^rd and 3, 13:03 2^nd. Aggressive look, rolling Mike Mitchell up near the LOS. The inside linebackers “sugar” the “A” gaps. Cover 1 in the secondary, man-free.

On the snap, Lawrence Timmons shoots the weak A in an attempt to occupy the left guard and running back. Brett Keisel slants down to the C gap. Delaying until after that twist, Vince Williams rushes over the top and shoots the weakside B.

It’s actually picked up well by the Colts but it doesn’t take away from the concept. Forces offenses to be clean in their protections and communicate well across the board. One failure and there will be pressure. Stresses the QB/C to identify protection schemes and the line/running back to pick them up effectively.

1^st anf 10, 12:23 2^nd. One of LeBeau’s favorite blitzes. Slant Jason Worilds, Stephon Tuitt, and Cam Thomas one gap over. To the defense’s left side, away from the slant, LeBeau brings Timmons and Brice McCain off the edge.

Because the right guard is following Worilds, the right tackle is in a lose-lose. He can either take the ‘backer and leave the corner or take the corner and leave the ‘backer. He should be choosing Timmons since he’s the inside threat but screws up and takes McCain. Timmons gets pressure on Andrew Luck.

3^rd and 7, 7:53 2^nd. Not overly complex. All about simple slants. Great way to generate pressure with only five rushers.

Specifically, the interior three players: Cam Heyward, Brett Keisel, and Vince Williams. Heyward slants outside to hold the right guard. Williams shoots into the center and left guard through the weak A gap. Brett Keisel loops over the top to shoot the strong A gap.

Because Keisel is standing up pre-snap, it’s quicker for him to loop. The center recognizes and tries to pass off the stunt but isn’t quick enough laterally to push off, reach the midpoint, and get in front of Keisel.

And because Heyward is slanting outside – by design, make no mistake – Keisel has plenty of room to work with to squeeze past. Again, results in pressure.

3^rd and 12, 3:48 2^nd. Another aggressive pre-snap look. Colts basically max protect, keeping the RB and TE in to block.

Steelers again sugar the A gaps, bringing both. Mike Mitchell is sent off the defense’s right side.

For a split second, both the back and tight end believe they both have responsibility to pick up Mitchell. Poor communication. With James Harrison dropping into coverage, the left tackle also works to Mitchell. Meaning, three Colts are looking to picking up one defender. Nice win for the Steelers’ defense.

Coby Fleener does get his eyes back to pick up Vince Williams a moment later but by that point, Williams has won inside. Fleener can’t get square to him and Williams gets pressure.

1^st and 10, 9:23 3^rd. The Steelers blitz Troy Polamalu off the right side, slanting Keisel and Harrison down a gap. Tackle picks up Troy, guard picks up Keisel, leaving Harrison free to rush with only the back to stop him. Mismatch here.