The Steelers used to get terrorized by mobile quarterbacks when their defense began the transition from its elite era in the late 2000s/early 2010s. Plays like Tim Tebow dodging linebackers at will and Terrelle Pryor scoring on a 93-yard run became symbols over the years of the problems the defense had containing younger and more athletic quarterbacks.
Keith Butler has sought to eliminate that problem, but saw a small increase in rushing yards allowed to quarterbacks in 2018. Here's why that number is going to go down in 2019:
When Ryan Shazier was peaking for the Steelers between 2016 and 2017, Butler knew he had the field commanding presence in the middle of his defense with the athleticism to cover ground on any quarterback. In 2016 the Steelers were the fourth-best defense against quarterbacks on the run, allowing only 117 yards.
That number shot up to 200 yards allowed in 2018, and the team didn't have to face Lamar Jackson as a starter, and only Baker Mayfield once. Both will most likely face the Steelers twice in 2019 and are not shy to use their legs, so it's important the Steelers do improve their ability to contain faster quarterbacks.
Not all rushing plays will add up to 93-yard touchdowns, but they can hurt defenses and extend drives without having to read schemes or make risky throws. Part of the problem that developed in 2018 was the lack of a lurking presence in the middle of the defense. Having to rely on Jon Bostic, Vince Williams and L.J. Fort for that job led to more mismatches.
Here's Mayfield converting a third-and-5 situation with a 9-yard run. Butler and the defense confused a lot of his reads with solid coverage and mixing of schemes, but when they only rushed with four, a lack of a darting player around the line left Mayfield comfortable enough to scramble and save the play:
When the Steelers' defense was at its best, it crushed mobile quarterbacks with good contain and fast tacklers. In 2008 they allowed 65 rushing yards to quarterbacks, second best in the NFL at the time.
The key to being able to contain the quarterback is a combination of fundamental edge play and athletic defenders lined up in the box who can recover from assignments and hunt down scrambling speedsters. When the Steelers had the personnel package to stop quarterbacks in 2018, they pulled it off.
Watch how Mike Hilton flies to the right spot to stop Jackson on a designed QB option run. Jackson is fast enough to beat Sean Davis, but Hilton makes up for that by being quick to his spot, breaking down into a solid defensive stance and wrapping up Jackson's legs:
Butler has the schematics to lock scrambling quarterbacks down, but he needed the personnel. That's another big reason for Steelers fans to get excited about the additions of Mark Barron and Devin Bush, because both are players who can run between multiple gaps and plug up spaces quarterbacks thought were open.
A perfect example of that kind of speed from Bush came on this fourth down stop against Indiana in 2018. The play was a reverse that got around the edge of the defense, but Bush kept up with the play from the middle of the field and ended the drive:
Expect the younger and faster quarterbacks of the league to not have a good time running against the Steelers in 2019. Their first test will be against Russell Wilson and his Seahawks in Week 2.
MORE CARTER’S CLASSROOM
July 5: Steelers needs more Conner-Nix
July 3: Bush's learning curve vs. big blockers
July 2: Ben’s mobility a red zone boost
July 1: Why Haden’s still vital
