Pittsburgh Steelers: Unacceptable to give Dick LeBeau a free pass
By Matt Shetler
Throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2-6 start to the season, blame has been tossed around to almost everyone imaginable.
Fans have been screaming for the jobs of head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley for weeks. But while finger-pointing has been running rampant, one guy who should have the finger pointed at him appears free from blame.
Nov 25, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator
Dick LeBeauyells on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
That would be defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
As bad as the Steelers offense had been at times this season to make fans want to call for Haley’s job, LeBeau’s defense has been just as bad at times, if not worse.
Yet no one seems to be calling for the head of LeBeau.
Sure LeBeau is a legend in terms of being a great defensive coordinator, but even the time on top for legends comes to a quick end one day. That time could be approaching for LeBeau.
The NFL is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league and LeBeau hasn’t produced much lately.
For two years his defense hasn’t been able to get to the quarterback, hasn’t been able to generate turnovers and hasn’t been able to get off the field on third down. In addition, opposing offensive coordinators have figured out LeBeau’s scheme and have had success against him on a regular basis.
I’m a believer in lack of talent at every position playing a major factor in the Steelers’ decline, but again, if it’s acceptable for Tomlin and Haley to come under fire, it should be the same for LeBeau.
Just because he has been great in the past doesn’t mean he should get a free pass now.
When Mike Tomlin was asked about his confidence in LeBeau at Tuesday’s press conference, his response was, “Because he’s Dick LeBeau. Does that answer your question?”
That won’t cut it and is an unacceptable response from Tomlin or anyone else. LeBeau’s fantastic career should be appreciated, but the bottom line is that his unit has simply not gotten the job done for almost two years now.
If every other coach should be held accountable, so should LeBeau. There’s plenty of blame to go across the board for the Steelers last two seasons.
It’s time that LeBeau received his share of that.