LeBeau Working Up New Tricks

Four years ago, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau figured out how to move Troy Polamalu around to create all kinds of confusion--the result was an amazing run through the playoffs on the way to a Super Bowl victory. Two years ago, LeBeau tinkered with the Steelers defense by working up a pass defense with one down lineman and defensive end Brett Keisel wandering all around to cause mass chaos. The result was the league's top ranked defense for total yardage allowed.

Last year LeBeau drew up overload blitzes with James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley lined up on the same side and nickel packages that allowed Lawrence Timmons, Harrison and Woodley to come from anywhere and everywhere. It turned into one of the best defenses of all time (first in total defense, passing defense and scoring nd second in rushing defense).
And now we find out that LeBeau is crafting some new wrinkles for the 2009 season. According to linebacker James Farrior, the Steelers are adding the playbook again.

"He is constantly thinking of ways we can do better," said Keisel. "We put in a whole new package today that the wizard came up with last night. He was making some potion and somehow these X's and O's came up and it worked really well today so I am sure it's something we will use."

It's hard to know exactly what direction LeBeau will go now--maybe he'll figure out a way to get Polamalu less plays as a decoy and more unblocked shots at the quarterback or maybe Ziggy Hood will give LeBeau a new toy to play with. But whatever it is, Steelers fans have to be thrilled to see that their 70-year-old defensive coordinator has decided to come back for another run at the Super Bowl.