Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin disses his own defense

In the something you don't see every day column, we have a head coach openly admitting that his defense isn't that great. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin came right out and said that his defense isn't very good, but that they are trying.

Mike Tomlin, on #Steelers D thru two days of camp: "I'm not trying to convince myself that they're good, but they're working."

— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) July 27, 2015

Typically, you hear head coaches either ignore the question about a unit that isn't up to par or use 'coach speak' to dodge the question with some type of saying like "if they can put in the work, they'll get there." So hearing a head coach criticize his defense so openly, it could be the truth or it could be a ploy to get them to perform better.

With an offense that is hell bent on putting up 30-points a game, the Steelers' defense won't have to work too hard to win games. However, if the Steelers can't put up those types of points consistently, the Steelers could be in for one heck of a meltdown if you listen to Tomlin.

The Ravens will hopefully be able to capitalize on a softer Steeler defense with their offensive additions this offseason. Players like Maxx Williams, and Breshad Perriman could get a unique introduction into the Ravens/Steelers matchup that has been rated as one of the best in the NFL, by putting on a whooping. I wouldn't guarantee it, but if the defense really is that shaky and the Ravens' offense is ready to roll like we think it could be, the Ravens could own the division this year with a sweep of the Steelers.

The Steelers were mediocre in 2014, ranking 18th overall in yards allowed per game while being downright poor with 368 points allowed for the 15th worst team in the league. In 2013, the Steelers weren't any better, having given up 370 points during the regular season. The last time that the Steelers represented a top 10 defense was in 2012 when they ranked 6th in points allowed with 314. Having draft picks fail to produce on the defensive side of the ball mixed with injuries and having to cut players for salary cap reasons have handicapped the defense too much over recent years.

If the Steelers continue their ways, they could end up giving up close to 400 points in a season, which would be 25 points per game. With the Ravens looking to be better offensively, I'd take them to score more much like they did during the postseason when they lost to the Ravens 30-17.