LeBeau believes the Steelers could have won the Super Bowl.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau says he believes his team could have won Super Bowl XLVII, but for suffering injuries at the wrong time.
LeBeau told the Pittsburgh Tribute-Review that the only real difference between the Steelers and eventual winners Baltimore Ravens was their injury issues.
Pittsburgh experienced a disappointing season despite statistically having the best defense for the second straight season, having gone 8-8 they missed out on the play-offs entirely for just the second time in the last six years.
Yet LeBeau says injuries are to blame: “Do I feel we could have done the same thing they did? I do.
“They got the right people back at the right time, and we continued to have more injuries, it seemed like. Many times that decides it.”
Going through the injury list, and LeBeau is backed up in his assessment by the number of absentees. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Rashard Mendenhall, linebacker James Harrison and safety Troy Polamalu all sat out numerous games during the season.
A healthy Reothlisberger would certainly have made a difference according to LeBeau, while the head-to-head record further suggests he has a point as the Steelers split two games with the Ravens last season.
In light of his claims, many have retorted with the fact that that is the nature of the NFL. While the Steelers suffered with their injury problems, the Ravens came to the fore in the play-offs and delivered against the odds.
It will now be up to LeBeau and offensive coordinator Todd Haley amongst others to help resolve the current problems and come back stronger in the new season.
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