LeBeau the key to Steelers impressive defence in 2010-11 NFL season
Players inevitably develop a bond with their coaches. That is true for every sport and for every game, but the bond is stronger with coaches who are better and prove to be mentors. Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator, d**k LeBeau, is arguably the best coach
you are likely to find in the National Football League (NFL). The Hall of Famer commands respect and he gets it.
LeBeau joined the Steelers in 1992 and stayed with the franchise until 1996 before moving to Cincinnati. He rejoined the Packers in 2004 and continues to serve as the defensive coordinator of the toughest defence in the league. Over the years the Steelers
have been consistently one of the best defensive sides. Their defence is ranked third on average in the NFL. Of course the players on the field who are making that tackles and stopping the passes deserve their due share of credit for Pittsburgh’s impressive
performances, but it wouldn’t have been possible without LeBeau.
“He's like a father figure to everybody,” cornerback Ike Taylor said. “You won't find another guy who is coach LeBeau.” Taylor is right. After 34 years of coaching experience in the NFL, there really is no one like LeBeau. He created many of the defensive
tactics that others struggle to teach their teams. Somehow, still LeBeau manages to stay humble and doesn’t let his success or his team’s reverence for him go to his head.
Steelers Linebacker James Farrior said, “He's the best defensive coach. I've ever been around.” Coming from Farrior, a veteran of 14 NFL seasons and one of the best defensive players in the league, those words carry weight.
The Steelers have been wildly successful with LeBeau on board. Pittsburgh has won their division eight times while LeBeau led the defence. The Steelers went on the win American Football Conference Championships three times. The first conference championship
for the Steelers with LeBeau came in 1995.
He then got the Steelers to their second conference championship a year after he returned to Pittsburgh in 2005. Three years later the Steelers won the conference championship again in the 2008-09 season. The Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl in 2005
and in 2008, and are once again looking like strong contenders.
The Steelers are one game away from being the AFC Champions again. On Sunday, Pittsburgh will host the New York Jets at Heinz field. The winner goes to the Cowboy’s Stadium for the Super Bowl.
The 2010-11 season has been dominated by defence. The four remaining teams in the playoffs have above average offences, but very strong defences. The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th ranked defences are still in the playoffs,
while teams like the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons who thrived on offence, have been knocked out. Pittsburgh has the strongest defence and is the favourite to win the conference championship.
The team recognises and appreciates LeBeau’s contribution in making them the best. On many occasions the Steelers have paid tribute to LeBeau. “I've said consistently they're the best PR department I've gotten,” LeBeau said. He added that efforts by the
Steelers got him inducted to the Hall of Fame. “It was great. It's very humbling to be honest with you.”
However, respect for LeBeau goes beyond the players. Head Coach Mike Tomlin said that LeBeau was “arguably the best in the world at what he does.” He added that LeBeau’s experience means that there is nothing in the NFL that he hasn’t dealt with before.
No matter what an offence might try, LeBeau has an answer for it.
The Steelers lead the league with the highest number of sacks and the lowest number of rushing yards allowed. Their conference championship opponents, the New York Jets, rushed for more yards than any other team against the Steelers. LeBeau has been busy
reviewing the last game between the Jets and the Steelers, trying to come up with an answer for the Jets on Sunday.
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