Mebane's game has sadly diminished to almost nothing the last couple of years. Earlier in his career, Bane had a couple of seasons with nearly 60 tackles. Last year, Williams (3 sacks) and McDaniel combined for 80 tackles, while Mebane had only 20...granted, Mebane played in only 9 games. This year, Rubin is probably playing up to the standards set by Williams and McDaniel last year, but he's not setting the world on fire either. Hill shows a lot of upside...if he could just stay healthy. Mebane on the other hand has missed only one game this year, and at his current pace, will be lucky to make 20 tackles and one sack. Can you imagine what the Hawks D-Line would have been like this year with a DT like Aaron Donald? Donald is on pace to surpass 70 tackles and 11 sacks. Having that kind of production from the middle of the line would make Bennett and Avril even more productive.
I think that the Hawks lack of production on the inside of the D-Line is causing all of the other issues on the defense. Even the run D is affected negatively. I don't place much of the blame for the Steelers' 480 passing yards on our secondary. Roethlisberger had an unbelievable amount of time to make those laser throws. Avril and Bennett had a decent enough game, but Big Ben was able to step up in the pocket on most plays without any pressure. Our inside guys weren't able to collapse the pocket.
Our offense is now ranked #8 in the NFL in both yards and points...that's been a steady improvement the last few years. The O-Line is not as bad as people make it out to be...it's improved immensely since Week 1. But it's been our D that took us to the last 2 SB's, and this year's D will clearly NOT take us to SB50. Our D lost the game in the 4th quarter to all 4 playoff teams we've faced this year...not a good sign for making it deep into the playoffs this year.
We are only a couple of really good DT's and one CB away from having the #1 D again. I say leave the O-Line alone. I say keep a few of the guys we're losing this coming offseason, stay out of the FA market except maybe one DT, don't trade away any of our high picks, and draft some good kids...O-Line, inside D-Line, CB's.
I think that the Hawks lack of production on the inside of the D-Line is causing all of the other issues on the defense. Even the run D is affected negatively. I don't place much of the blame for the Steelers' 480 passing yards on our secondary. Roethlisberger had an unbelievable amount of time to make those laser throws. Avril and Bennett had a decent enough game, but Big Ben was able to step up in the pocket on most plays without any pressure. Our inside guys weren't able to collapse the pocket.
Our offense is now ranked #8 in the NFL in both yards and points...that's been a steady improvement the last few years. The O-Line is not as bad as people make it out to be...it's improved immensely since Week 1. But it's been our D that took us to the last 2 SB's, and this year's D will clearly NOT take us to SB50. Our D lost the game in the 4th quarter to all 4 playoff teams we've faced this year...not a good sign for making it deep into the playoffs this year.
We are only a couple of really good DT's and one CB away from having the #1 D again. I say leave the O-Line alone. I say keep a few of the guys we're losing this coming offseason, stay out of the FA market except maybe one DT, don't trade away any of our high picks, and draft some good kids...O-Line, inside D-Line, CB's.