Allgemeines » Ryan Switzer has been something of a revelation as a

return man for the Pittsburgh Steelers since arriving via trade before the start of the season Youth Bud Dupree Jersey , but he had fans out of their seats for all the wrong reasons on Sunday afternoon with a catastrophic error midway through the third quarter.With Pittsburgh set up to receive a free kick after recording a safety, confusion between Switzer and Roosevelt Nix led to a huge mistake that saw the Browns recover the ball at the Steelers 25-yard line.Seemingly believing the ball would be ruled dead if not returned by one of their teammates, both Nix and Switzer failed to make an attempt to dive on the live football when it had gone over the heads and the Browns pounced on it. While it would be incorrect to say Cleveland could have advanced the ball any further, they were still set up for a short drive that would end in a touchdown.Speaking to Chris Adamski of TribLive after the game, Switzer confirmed he really did not know the rules that governed free kicks and actually thought it would still be Pittsburgh’s ball, just as it appeared he did.If Switzer was open to acknowledging his mistake, Nix was far less willing to discuss it with reporters in light of another victory. Doubling down later on fans who dared to call him out for the play via Twitter.Against a more credible opponent http://www.steelersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jesse-james-jersey , a mistake of this magnitude could have cost them the win and the Steelers can considered themselves lucky they were only playing the Browns. Clearly, many on the team needed a lesson about the rules surrounding free kicks and they all got one in the harshest way possible. If it prevents it from happening again, it will have been worth it.As understandable as it is to criticize the players for not knowing the rules, it would be fair to say that special teams coach Danny Smith deserve his share of blame for the play too. It is his job to have his players prepared for every eventually. A free kick after a safety is hardly unheard of, even if it is only the second one the Steelers have returned all season. The first quarter of the Steelers’ 2018 season was dreadful, terrible and nauseating at best. Thankfully the second quarter yielded a perfect record to top the 1-2-1 start. So as I am tasked to break out the red pen and evaluate the season’s second quarter, I no longer do it from the ledge.As I’ve stated all along Terrell Edmunds Jersey , I’m not a football coach or a teacher, but I play one in blogs and podcasts. Each week of the 2018 exhibition and regular season, I’ve graded the efforts of the Black-and-Gold via “the eye test”. Grading games is an extremely difficult and somewhat thankless task. While the coaches’ grades, of course, are what count the most, the media and fans can’t help but evaluate as well. So you, the reader Authentic James Conner Jersey , get to vote as well. You even get to grade the grader in the comments section.So let’s take a look at BTSC’s perceptions of the defense for the 2018 season’s second quarter:DefenseIn the first quarter of the 2018 season, the Steelers’ defense was ranked 30th in the league in total yards allowed (421 ypg) and 26th with a 29-points per game (ppg) average through four contests. This unit was 29th against the pass (304.75 pypg) and tied for 22nd against the run (115.8 rypg). It was one ofthe worst starts on defense ever in the Steel City.Now at the season’s halfway point, vast improvement has been observed. the Steelers’ defense is currently ranked 12th in the league in total yards allowed (347.9 ypg), aided by giving up only 275.3 ypg in games 5-8. Keith Butler’s crew is 15th by allowing a 23.5 ppg average and a mere 18.5 ppg through the last four contests. The pass defense is ranked 21st against the pass (257.6 pypg) and 6th against the run (90.3 rypg). The incredible improvement occurred due to only allowing opposing passers 210.5 pypg and enemy runners 64.75 rypg on average over the last four games.The scheme was terrible and outdated. Myself and many in Steeler Nation were calling for a new coordinator and Mike Tomlin excusing himself from coaching the defense as well. But the results have been absolutely astounding.The defensive line was subpar with a lack of pressure up front is giving quarterbacks plenty of time to pick apart the secondary. The defensive line of Cam Heyward, Javon Hargrave, Stephon Tuitt and a subbing Tyson Alualu and Dan McCullers has rebounded. Especially Tuitt, who went from zero to three sacks in the last three games. Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesThe middle of the field can still be a feeding frenzy for QBs and TEs. Although Ryan Shazier’s absence is glaring still...Jon Bostic Youth JuJu Smith-Schuster Jersey , Vince Williams and L.J. Fort are patrolling much better and playing more solid ball.The OLBs of T.J. Watt (7 sacks) and Alvin “Bud” Dupree (3.5 sacks) have 10.5 sacks combined. Watt has been solid, but gets his sacks in clumps. Bud still overruns quarterbacks, but has been coming along very well in the last four games.Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY SportsThe secondary is no longer an absolute mess, but it’s still untidy. The guys who have help shore up this unit are CB Joe Haden, Mike Hilton and S Sean Davis. These guys have performed the best for Tom Bradley’s unit and are the reason for the sudden resurgence. Morgan Burnett’s absence has led to more Terrell Edmunds, who has struggled as a rookie, but is improving every week. Burnett is back and his presence should strengthen the secondary. Coty Sensabaugh and Cam Sutton have been overmatched on the corners http://www.steelersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-joe-haden-jersey , but both are improving, especially the new starter Sensabaugh. Artie Burns has regressed to the point, I worry for his employment. The secondary has only four interceptions all season and that needs to be remedied. Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty ImagesDefensive Valedictorian: Joe Haden and Mike HiltonOverall Offense Grade: B- Custom Miami Dolphins Jerseys