Steelers' Aaron Smith Was Furious With Dick LeBeau When Ike Taylor Blew Coverage In 2005

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hundreds of stories of toe-tap catches, lightning-fast runs, and punishing tackles. While everyone has their favorite play, some are so loved that they could be on the Mount Rushmore of Exceptional Steelers Plays. When you mention them, the fan you are talking to lights up and immediately begins getting excited, recalling it along with you. One of those plays is the time running back Jerome Bettis absolutely demolished Chicago Bears linebacker, Brian Urlacher. 

That game played in the snow at Heinz Field in December 2005, is famous for that play and for being a stop on the road to the Super Bowl that capped Bettis' Hall of Fame career. However, if you asked legendary Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau about that game, he recalls a different story, his favorite story about defensive end, Aaron Smith. 

In his new book, Legendary, LeBeau shares tales from his six decades in football, including the two stints he did with the Steelers. During that run to the Super Bowl in 2005, LeBeau utilized his famous blitzes with his powerhouse defense. He said the fire-zone blitz was the one he loved to use most. It required the defensive linemen, who usually go for the quarterback or occupy the opponent's offensive line, instead having to slide off and take an offensive player leaving the backfield. He said Smith was a little nervous about it, talking on the sideline before he called the play.     

"He said, 'Now what if this guy just takes off at the snap and he don't give a d**n who's blitzing or not?' I said, 'Well, you just take off with him.' He looked at me, and I said, "Look, don't worry. Ike is trapping in behind you, and if he's running away from you, Ike will be sitting right back there to get him.'"

So LeBeau called his zone blitz, which was meant to have Ike Taylor trapping for Smith. That meant that they were showing man-to-man coverage, but playing a short zone. Smith peeled away as he was supposed to, and Bears running back, Thomas Jones, caught the pass. He got away from Smith, and Taylor missed picking him up. That allowed Jones to pick up about 20 yards on the play. 

Smith was understandably upset, said LeBeau, but mainly because Jones appeared to beat Smith in the foot race, which wasn't exactly the case. LeBeau said he knew immediately that he needed to calm Smith down. 

"Before I had a chance to get to Smith after he came off the field, he stomped over to me and said, 'You told me Ike was going to be there! You told me I wouldn't be alone!' He was so mad I didn't know what he was going to do, but he was coming right for me. I said, 'Well, he'll be there next time when we run it again. Just relax.' He was upset with the ol' coach."

LeBeau loved that about Smith, the fire in his belly. His competitiveness gave him an edge not every player had. He had chosen to play football, and nothing would stop him.

Smith wasn't the biggest and strongest coming out of college. He was a fourth-round selection who outperformed his selection point. According to LeBeau, he dieted and trained, working as hard as he could to become one of the best in the game. The national media never appreciated him enough; he only went to one Pro Bowl. But he was a major contributor in Pittsburgh, winning two Super Bowls. 

Steelers' Aaron Smith Felt The Same Way

LeBeau may have admired Smith's work ethic and commitment to winning, but that admiration went both ways. LeBeau made a difference in his players' lives, and the introduction to his book is a testament to that. 

Smith said that LeBeau is just different from anyone else you meet. He appreciates that he doesn't care about fame or money; he just wants to be the best version of himself that he can be. That pushes players to be the best versions of themselves for Smith. 

What stood out the most to you about LeBeau's defenses? Click to comment below.

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