Apparently the Steelers don't practice tackling

[smash_n_dash]

and so far this year they look horrible at it.

 

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Tomlin-4-things-you-must-know-vs-Panthers/e91bf64e-0ac4-41ce-8344-264e41483147

 

From the video:

“I think the more that you play, the more you are in positions on footballs and you are approaching the ball inside out, you learn to maintain that consistency, or you learn to chew up the free grass associated with a guy who has to cover great distances. All of those things can be done in a practice setting without actually tackling, and we have been emphasizing that. We’ll continue and we’ll expect the tackling to improve because of it.

“It’s just about improving on a day to day basis and some fundamental things individually and collectively.”

 

 

And from on of the comments on the page:

If you listen to "Pittsburgh Live" w/ Wolfley & Labs, the female reporter/host mentioned that Mike Mitchell even said that this was the 1st time he has seen a lack of tackling in mini camps & practices.

 

 

So I hope that they continue to have a horrible defense that can't tackle or stop the run.  We might have a game where DLo or Stew gets a 100+yd day.

 

 

Also, looks like they're RT Marcus Gilbert is hated by their fanbase and Tomlin said he's not in danger of losing his job even though he's given up 4 sacks this year. I'm sure this has been mentioned, though, in other threads.

[cookinbrak]

Inability to tackle+Stewie breaking tackles= Oh Lawd.

[Carolina Cajun]

Inability to tackle+Stewie breaking tackles= Oh Lawd.

 

Poor Tackling+Bad Run Blocking = Stopped force vs Easily movable object

[PanthersAlv]

Well, if that's truly the case, then, No excuses!

[SauceBoss]

Poor Tackling+Bad Run Blocking = Stopped force vs Easily movable object

You stole this from that fat steeler bloggers twitter.

[Snake]

I was really surprised at how well DET tackled. If you do not have good tackling its game over with a team like us. Your offence might get one or two chances to be on the field.

[Mr. Scot]

Seriously?

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

You don't practice something, and surprise, your team does it badly in games. Shocking

The Steelers don't usually fire head coaches, but given the direction the team's been going, I'm starting to wonder if they'll make an exception for Tomlin.

[Kyle82]

Looks like it may be a fun day for Double Trouble and Tolbert.

[caatfan]

At the NFL level you can either tackle or you can't. If your team ain't tackling well, more teaching ain't gonna help. Attitude and effort can be improved, but you don't forget how to tackle, and if you play D and aren't good at it, you shouldn't be in the league.

[Mr. Scot]

At the NFL level you can either tackle or you can't. If your team ain't tackling well, more teaching ain't gonna help. Attitude and effort can be improved, but you don't forget how to tackle, and if you play D and aren't good at it, you shouldn't be in the league.

Would you also suggest they not practice blocking or passing, because the same logic would apply.

Anything you don't practice regularly, you get rusty at, even if you've been doing it a while.

That, plus lack of contact can make players soft.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

We don't actually do something in practice, but we expect it to improve the more we actually do it in games....

....my head hurts.

[caatfan]

Would you also suggest they not practice blocking or passing, because the same logic would apply.

Anything you don't practice regularly, you get rusty at, even if you've been doing it a while.

That, plus lack of contact can make players soft.

Sorry, when it comes to tackling, I don't agree that more practice is the issue when it comes to pros, at least as far as getting better at it. Either you're not good at it or your head's not in the game.

[carolina-chuck]

Now we know why that defense has been so bad the last few years.

[Mr. Scot]

Sorry, when it comes to tackling, I don't agree that more practice is the issue when it comes to pros, at least as far as getting better at it. Either you're not good at it or your head's not in the game.

 

Cant agree.

 

Contact is something you have to get used to.  I know when I went back for my first practice after seven months off, the first time I hit someone was jarring.  After a while though, you get used to it again.

 

Pro players have said the same thing, and it doesn't take that long.