Defense could use few more turnovers
PITTSBURGH – In terms of roster continuity, turnover is considered a bad thing in the NFL.
On defense, not producing turnovers is usually considered a death knell.
After forcing only 15 turnovers last season, the Steelers are on a similar pace this year, having forced eight turnovers in their first eight games. The Steelers know they need to improve that number if they hope to avoid an early end to their season.
“It’s something we need to work on,” admitted cornerback Ike Taylor, who was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week Wednesday after recording Pittsburgh’s lone interception Sunday in a 24-20 victory over the New York Giants.
“It helps the team out. It gives the offense opportunities to make plays. That’s something we can definitely work on; that’s something we will continue to work on.”
The Steelers (5-3) might get plenty of opportunities for takeaways Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs (1-7).
Kansas City leads the NFL with an astounding 29 turnovers – 10 more than any other team – and is minus-20 in turnover ratio.
Those 29 turnovers have also been costly, leading to 97 points against the Chiefs.
At the root of the problem has been their play at quarterback. Matt Cassel has thrown 11 interceptions and lost seven fumbles, forcing head coach Romeo Crennel to pull him from the starting lineup after a 9-6 loss to the Ravens. But backup Brady Quinn hasn’t been much better, throwing three interceptions before being injured two weeks ago in a loss at Oakland.
Cassel will get the start this week against the Steelers.
“In the NFL, it comes down simply to turnovers, penalties and big plays,” said Cassel. “We have to do a better job of protecting the football and that will help us immediately.”
For the Steelers, who lead the NFL in total defense (262.6 yards per game) and pass defense (174.0), forcing more turnovers would be a bonus.
They are not looking at the Chiefs, however, any differently than any other team, despite Kansas City’s propensity for turnovers.
“Every game is a chance,” said cornerback Keenan Lewis, who has a team-high 15 pass breakups but no interceptions.
“We’ve got to start turning those pass breakups into interceptions and get our offense the ball. It’s going to come in time. … We’re starting to put the pieces where we need them. The defensive line is starting to get to the quarterback faster. The linebackers are playing out of control. It helps us on the back. The quarterbacks don’t want to get hit, and they’re just throwing the ball. When that happens, there are opportunities in the secondary.”
That was certainly the case against the Giants, when pressure on quarterback Eli Manning forced a poor throw that Taylor intercepted, setting up a second-quarter touchdown. But Taylor also dropped another sure interception in the end zone – though safety Ryan Clark was penalized for an illegal hit on the play that would have nullified the turnover.
“If I catch that, maybe they don’t call the illegal hit,” Taylor said.
Perhaps. But the Giants scored a touchdown moments later, turning what could have been an empty trip into the red zone into seven points.
Taylor took some grief from teammates about the missed opportunity during film study, but the Steelers know they can’t allow those kind of chances to slip away.
“We get a lot of laughs. You’ve got to catch the ball,” said Lewis. “That’s why we work on our hands after practice. It’s a joking matter, but it’s a serious thing as well. We can’t let those opportunities slip away because they scored on that drive. We make those plays, that’s points off the board. We’ve got to keep working on that.”
The Steelers have won 14 consecutive home games on Monday nights. … With wide receiver Antonio Brown likely out of the lineup, the Steelers signed former Penn State and Rochester High School wide receiver Derek Moye to their practice squad and released tight end/fullback Jamie McCoy. … Several players said they expect wide receiver David Gilreath to be activated from the practice squad if Brown is unable to play.