AFC NORTH Steelers' pass defense improves

The statistical comparisons from this season to last are striking.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- They didn't bring in new cornerbacks or their defensive coordinator. They didn't dump their base 3-4 defense or design some cutting-edge scheme never before seen in the NFL.
That doesn't mean that there haven't been radical changes in a much-improved Pittsburgh Steelers' defense -- changes reflected in the latest league statistics.
Through Sunday's games, the Steelers were No. 1 in the AFC in total defense, No. 3 in the league and, most significantly, No. 1 overall against the pass.
One year later
Could this possibly be the same defense that looked so befuddled by the no-huddle offense a year ago? The defense that finished in the bottom third in pass defense and allowed more than 300 yards passing in each of their final three games?
Yes it is. Then again, no it isn't.
"The main thing is," cornerback Dewayne Washington explained Monday, "we're keeping teams out of the end zone pretty frequently."
The statistical comparisons from this season to last are striking. After three games last season, Steelers opponents had passed for 771 yards; this season, they've thrown for 392 yards. The total yardage is way down, too, from 1,052 yards a year ago to 695 yards this season.
"We're starting to get that feel on defense -- everyone's having fun, we're going out and having fun and making plays, and that's the key to success defensively," linebacker Jason Gildon said Monday.
Not that everything is perfect; the Steelers are No. 18 in run defense after being No. 1 the previous two seasons. Priest Holmes' three touchdown runs and special teams deficiencies were largely responsible for a 41-20 loss to Kansas City last week.
But, following an off-season that saw their secondary and their defensive design come under considerable scrutiny from outside and within, the Steelers' pass coverage has improved measurably.
"I understand that last year we didn't make some plays, and obviously it got highlighted, but I think, pretty much for the most part, we've been handling our business," Washington said.
Getting job done
Washington said there was a sense of urgency among the defensive starters to upgrade their play. The Steelers' current cast, which has largely stayed the same for three seasons, will soon begin to change as contracts expire and younger players are brought in.
"It's a do-or-die year for us," he said.
The changes that were made were largely schematic, and came about after a 2002 season that saw offenses repeatedly exploit weaknesses in the Steelers' dime defense.
Last season, the cornerbacks played further off the receivers than they do now, with the idea of cutting down on long passes. However, that allowed receivers to turn short catches into long yardage if they shed coverage near the line of scrimmage.
"It's a matter of keeping it simple so everyone can go out and play fast," Gildon said. "I know we have a lot of things on paper we can do. It's a matter of putting it in week by week, and being comfortable with it and executing it."