ORLANDO, Fla. -- Though the Steelers still list themselves as a base 3-4 defensive team, that has changed greatly over the past decade.
Fans and media get caught up in the discussions about whether the Steelers should switch the defensive alignment they have played for more than three decades, but the coaching staff doesn't concern itself with that. In fact, Mike Tomlin reiterated his stance Tuesday that the base defense isn't really that important.
With the Steelers playing their base defense less than ever before, Tomlin is looking for players who have versatility on their resumes.
"Base defense doesn't exist anymore," Tomlin said at the NFL meetings here. "We play it in the high 20s, 26, 27 percent of the time. It's about sub-package ball. The linebacker position is important in a 3-4, no doubt. But all of us are not running a base defense much any more. That's just the reality of it."
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