Former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke has had time to digest Sunday’s embarrassing performance from Pittsburgh and he has some thoughts, especially on the defensive line.
Hoke called out inside linebacker Cole Holcomb specifically.
“Holcomb struggled in the pass game and he really struggled in the run game,” said Hoke.
He also called out the defense as a whole.
“I don’t know if this defense is serious about stopping the run,” said Hoke. “the linebackers, at time they didn’t know where they fit, at times they weren’t able to get off blocks, they were behind blocks, they didn’t fight pressure.”
Hoke says that is exactly what he saw on the film and it looks like the defense doesn’t want to be physical.
He also pointed out the many mistakes the defense made that led to a 65-yard touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers ran the ball down the Steelers throat. McCaffrey ran for 152 yards. The team ran for 188.
Hoke says they aren’t playing to stop the run and need to improve technique.
“You can’t stop the run plying with your shoulders and getting twisted up, you’ve got to play with hand extension, get off blocks, play down the line, playing square these guys are turned, they’re running horizontally to the line of scrimmage and when you do that you get held, you can’t make plays,” said Hoke.
Listen to the whole conversation with the two-time Super Bowl champion above.