Steelers' Ligashesky Doing Some Special Work

The typical saying around the sport of football goes something like, "Offense gets the glory, but defense wins championships." 

Well if that's the case, Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coach Bob Ligashesky must feel pretty slighted. 

After the Steelers hoisted the Lombardi trophy following one of the most thrilling Super Bowls in recent memory, the focus was on head coach Mike Tomlin's grit, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' high-powered offense, and defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau's top-rated defense. 

But while Arians' offense gets the "glory" and Lebeau's defense played a huge part in winning Super Bowl XLIII, Ligashesky's relatively unnoticed successes throughout the season helped the Steelers get there. 

Two years ago, in Ligashesky's first season with the Steelers, the kickoff and punt defense ranked in the middle of the pack, at Nos. 14 and 16 respectively.

Well, with a just a year under his belt, Ligashesky took an average special teams unit and turned them into the envy of the NFL, finishing No. 1 in AFC in both categories. 

While Lebeau's defense gets well-deserved attention for suffocating opponents, Ligashesky deserves a huge pat on the back in helping the defense turn into the league's best. Instead of opposing offenses starting near midfield or in Steelers' territory, they were pinned deep in their own zone, allowing Lebeau to be extremely aggressive in his play calling. 

Ligashesky's unit had opponents earning an average start at the 26.4-yard line.

Having opponents start near their 20-yard line instead of their 40-yard line does wonders for the points against statistic. 

Ligashesky will look to amp up his special teams next year, not on the defensive side of the ball, but on the offensive. Third-round pick Mike Wallace and fifth-round pick Joe Burnett possess some flashy return abilities the Steelers have been lacking in recent years. 

He will also have some top-notch talent returning. Steelers rookie of the year Patrick Bailey will continue to be a force after finishing the year with 12 tackles on special teams.

But as training camp nears, the focus will once again be heaped upon what new defenses Lebeau is creating and what new plays the offense will run, and Ligashesky will continue doing his unnoticed, but special work.