Steelers News: How to fix the nagging communications issues plaguing the defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with disappointment for the second week in a row after the Kansas City Chiefs came into Heinz Field and dismantled the home team. Heading into Week 3 Black Jon Bostic Jersey , the team must slowly turn its attention away from the embarrassing loss and solely focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week-3, prime-time matchup. Something I did last season and I’m going to start again is the Black-and-Gold Links article. This is an article where I take stories from quality news sources across the Internet, and add them here for your viewing pleasure. I won’t be posting the entire articles, but I’ll link each story and author so that you can read the full article. Today we focus on the glaring need for the Steelers’ defense to fix the communication issues which seem to be surrounding Keith Butler’s unit, and we look at how these issues might be rectified.Let’s get to the news:Steelers attempt to address communication issues on defenseBy: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewReceivers running wide open down the field — not just once, but on multiple occasions.Confused players sprinting onto the field, getting into alignment just before the ball was snapped. Other times, a similar frantic run was stopped as an annoyed teammate shooed him back to the sideline.Communication issues, by the defensive coordinator’s own admission, not just among the secondary but within the front seven as well.To put it bluntly: It wasn’t just the final score that was ugly for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in last week’s 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.It’s difficult to pin down a worst moment for coordinator Keith Butler’s crew last Sunday. But when half of the defense was running one scheme and another half was in a different set during a first-quarter snap deep in Steelers territory, the result was an easy Travis Kelce 19-yard touchdown.“We have a quarterback on the (defense), and we always have to play what he is playing Youth Cameron Heyward Jersey ,” Butler said. “Even if he is wrong, we all have to be wrong. We all have to be ‘wrong,’ and we will be right if we do that.“I know that doesn’t make sense to y’all, but it makes sense to our guys.”Steelers fans watching some of the carnage might think the defensive calls weren’t making sense.The defense was facing one of the NFL’s better offenses in the Chiefs, and its issues ranged well beyond communication. But the players and coaches on the unit themselves acknowledged confusion was a significant factor in allowing three times as many touchdowns (six) as punts (two) during Kansas City’s 11 meaningful drives.It’s an issue that must be addressed by Monday when the Steelers face a Tampa Bay team that leads the league in total yards (482.5) and passing yards (405.0) per game and is second in scoring at 37.5.“Everybody needs to be talking, linebackers and safeties, making sure the linebackers and the D-linemen hear it,” cornerback Joe Haden said. “So it’s just echoing the calls. I think that’s about it (to fix the issues).”Kevin Gorman: Steelers star Antonio Brown wants to win, but business isn’t boomingBy: Kevin Gorman, Pittsburgh Tribune-ReviewAntonio Brown is accountable for his actions and took full responsibility for causing distractions for the Pittsburgh Steelers, even if he mostly blamed it on the media for magnifying his life under a microscope.The All-Pro wide receiver spoke publicly Thursday at Steelers headquarters for the first time since his “trade me” tweet, explaining his emotions are tied directly to being in the business of winning.And business is anything but booming.So, as Brown tells it Youth Le'Veon Bell Jersey , the heated sideline exchanges between Brown and assistant coaches Randy Fichtner and Darryl Drake in the 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday was merely a misunderstanding.Simply, the Steelers were losing, and Brown wants to win.“We haven’t won a game yet. For me, as a Steeler, that’s unacceptable,” Brown said. “I’m not on the sideline begging for the ball or making statements like you guys make. I’m (angry). We’re losing. We (stink).”If you were expecting a public apology, you’ve got the wrong guy.Brown did offer a mea culpa for forcing his teammates to answer questions about his tweet, which he called “a stupid remark online.” But he was otherwise defiant, a trait one teammate called “that dog in him” that carried Brown from sixth-round draft pick to NFL superstardom.“You guys make assumptions about my emotions. You don’t know me at all,” Brown said. “Everyone in this locker room knows what I stand for, knows what I’m about.”Steelers might just benefit from Antonio Brown’s defianceBy: Jeremy Fowler, ESPNOn the offensive, an unapologetic and defiant Antonio Brown replaced his signature ear-to-ear smile with tense http://www.authenticspittsburghsteelers.com/cheap-vince-williams-jersey , sometimes combative words.His Thursday session with the media was an extension of frustrations he expressed about the media back in the spring, offering a hint of contrition about his turbulent 72 hours -- mainly, his “trade me” tweet that he called a “stupid remark” and a distraction for his Pittsburgh Steelers.Brown is on edge, and has been for a while. He’s hot. And it’s still hard to believe what’s real, like what did Steelers coach Mike Tomlin really know about Brown’s Monday absence before it happened?But Brown’s broad message -- being “pissed off” the team’s not winning -- resonates in the Steelers’ locker room as just the edge this team needs after an 0-1-1 start.”That’s what you want the team to be thinking -- to be pissed off,” running back Stevan Ridley said.Brown and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner are cool, with Fichtner calling the sideline exchange a nonissue. And teammates expect Brown to go off on Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Coming off Brown’s previous two controversies -- the Facebook Live broadcast in the locker room during the playoff two years ago and the flipped Gatorade cooler early last season -- Brown produced a combined 17 catches for 234 yards in the following games. In the Jacksonville game, Brown got 19 targets, or 25 percent of the Steelers’ offense.Guard Ramon Foster acknowledges Brown was rattled Sunday but dominates when the focus stays intact.”It’s more mental than anything,” Foster said of Brown’s game. “The physical part is just what he does. The mental part is when his mind is made up, that’s what makes him great. He’s not a weak guy. He’s a guy who understands and laughs at this stuff because he knows the end of this is going to be something great for him. I look forward to him bouncing up big time.” The only consistent aspect of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 have been their inconsistencies, but maybe this trend is starting to change.After an opening week tie with the Cleveland Browns, followed by a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Black Javon Hargrave Jersey , the Steelers had shown it all — amazing offense, head-scratching play calling and shoddy defense, among others.Needless to say, the Steelers experienced a precipitous drop in the weekly NFL Power Rankings because of their poor play which resulted in a 0-1-1 record heading into Week 3. However, a 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football had the Steelers on the rise. Right on cue, the next week they suffered a 26-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Pittsburgh roller coaster was again on the decline.Have no fear Steelers fans, a dominant performance in Week 5 vs. the Atlanta Falcons in followed by a big win over the Cincinnati Bengals has the team continuing on their upward trend. Or as Mike Tomlin would say, “The arrow is pointing up.” Throw in their most recent win, a Week 8 win over the Browns, and it is safe to say it looks like the Steelers have turned the proverbial corner.So, where do they rank in the latest Power Rankings?We all realize these power rankings mean nothing, but they’re great for conversation and debate. This week Black Artie Burns Jersey , the Steelers saw themselves claw their way back into the Top 10, but some are still hesitant in the black-and-gold.Coming off their Week 8 win, the Steelers will be looking to continue their winning ways as they prepare for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8, and a win would certainly resurrect their rankings status.Check out the rankings, and let us know what you think in the comment section below!ESPN1. Los Angeles Rams2. Kansas City Chiefs3. New Orleans Saints4. New England Patriots5. Los Angeles Chargers6. Carolina Panthers7. Pittsburgh Steelers“The Steelers have been spooked into dropping the football too often. Pittsburgh’s offense has 11 fumbles through seven games, including five for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and three for running back James Conner. The offense recorded 15 fumbles all of last season. Though many of the fumbles were recovered, coach Mike Tomlin values ball security above nearly all else.”8. Minnesota Vikings9. Philadelphia Eagles10. Baltimore RavensUSA Today1. Los Angeles Rams2. New Orleans Saints3. New England Patriots4. Kansas City Chiefs5. Los Angeles Chargers6. Pittsburgh Steelers“Treat — there are few things more fun right now than watching TE Vance McDonald consistently go Mark Bavaro on opposing defenders.”7. Washington Redskins8. Carolina Panthers9. Minnesota Vikings10. Philadelphia EaglesSB Nation1. Los Angeles Rams2. New England Patriots3. Kansas City Chiefs4. New Orleans Saints5. Los Angeles Chargers6. Pittsburgh Steelers7. Carolina Panthers8. Chicago Bears9. Washington Redskins10. Philadelphia EaglesNBC Sports1. Los Angeles Rams2. New Orleans Saints 3. Kansas City Chiefs4. New England Patriots5. Pittsburgh Steelers“Why they’re here: Who needs Le’Veon Bell? James Connor has had three straight games over over 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. This team is a contender, with Bell or not.”6. Los Angeles Chargers7. Minnesota Vikings8. Washington Redskins9. Carolina Panthers10. 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