shutdown
10-04-2011, 01:57 PM
Worth reading: http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/10/04/re-focused-steelers-texans-week-4/
Pittsburgh – Three Performances of Note
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1. Helpless in the pocket
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As if he hadn’t had enough trouble with Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts’ defense last week, Ben Roethlisberger was without his starting left tackle on Sunday against the Texans and was left exposed against another aggressive pass rushing defense. None of his offensive linemen graded positively in this game and, as a unit, they surrendered four sacks, a hit, and 15 pressures. It looked at times like Roethlisberger could protect himself better than his offensive line could. On one sack surrendered by Marcus Gilbert at 6:09 in the fourth quarter, it took Mario Williams longer to take down Roethlisberger than it did for him to tear past Gilbert into the backfield. As has become so typical, this Steelers’ offensive line was beaten inside, outside, and often simply manhandled. Ben Roethlisberger can “look after himself” but there comes a time where this line simply needs to step up and look like they belong in the NFL. They looked completely outmatched against the Texans and didn’t give Roethlisberger a chance.
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2. Trouble in the middle
.
There are certain things you can always rely on; death, taxes and a strong game from whoever steps on the field at inside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the Texans, this game was like finding that rebate on your tax return as, for whatever reason, the Steelers’ trio of ILBs simply didn’t show up to play. James Farrior (-3.8) continued his disappointing start to the season, registering his worst regular season game since Week 12 2009. Lawrence Timmons (-1.4 in run D) registered his second straight week as a negatively graded run defender – again showing poor angles in run defense and generally not looking like the athlete he showed himself to be last season while chasing down plays and beating blocks. To compound that, Larry Foote (-1.8) provided little relief off of the bench. The fact that the Steelers’ re-jigged defensive line isn’t clicking just yet won’t be helping matters but these sorts of performances from the ILB group are completely atypical and will be a concern to Dick LeBeau and the Pittsburgh defensive staff.
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3. Lack of Pressure
.
James Harrison faced Duane Brown in Brown’s first career game back in 2008 at Heinz Field and in Brown’s own words leading up to the game, Harrison “abused” him. Three years later the tables were turned, by not only Brown but the entire Texans’ offensive line as they used their dominance in the running game to wear down and nullify the aggressive Steelers’ pass rush. When Harrison went out due to injury Jason Worlids couldn’t pick up the slack. Back in that 2008 game, the Steelers registered six sacks, two hits and 12 pressures. This time around they managed only one hit and eight pressures. I believe that’s what you call raising your game.
Pittsburgh – Three Performances of Note
.
1. Helpless in the pocket
.
As if he hadn’t had enough trouble with Dwight Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts’ defense last week, Ben Roethlisberger was without his starting left tackle on Sunday against the Texans and was left exposed against another aggressive pass rushing defense. None of his offensive linemen graded positively in this game and, as a unit, they surrendered four sacks, a hit, and 15 pressures. It looked at times like Roethlisberger could protect himself better than his offensive line could. On one sack surrendered by Marcus Gilbert at 6:09 in the fourth quarter, it took Mario Williams longer to take down Roethlisberger than it did for him to tear past Gilbert into the backfield. As has become so typical, this Steelers’ offensive line was beaten inside, outside, and often simply manhandled. Ben Roethlisberger can “look after himself” but there comes a time where this line simply needs to step up and look like they belong in the NFL. They looked completely outmatched against the Texans and didn’t give Roethlisberger a chance.
.
2. Trouble in the middle
.
There are certain things you can always rely on; death, taxes and a strong game from whoever steps on the field at inside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the Texans, this game was like finding that rebate on your tax return as, for whatever reason, the Steelers’ trio of ILBs simply didn’t show up to play. James Farrior (-3.8) continued his disappointing start to the season, registering his worst regular season game since Week 12 2009. Lawrence Timmons (-1.4 in run D) registered his second straight week as a negatively graded run defender – again showing poor angles in run defense and generally not looking like the athlete he showed himself to be last season while chasing down plays and beating blocks. To compound that, Larry Foote (-1.8) provided little relief off of the bench. The fact that the Steelers’ re-jigged defensive line isn’t clicking just yet won’t be helping matters but these sorts of performances from the ILB group are completely atypical and will be a concern to Dick LeBeau and the Pittsburgh defensive staff.
.
3. Lack of Pressure
.
James Harrison faced Duane Brown in Brown’s first career game back in 2008 at Heinz Field and in Brown’s own words leading up to the game, Harrison “abused” him. Three years later the tables were turned, by not only Brown but the entire Texans’ offensive line as they used their dominance in the running game to wear down and nullify the aggressive Steelers’ pass rush. When Harrison went out due to injury Jason Worlids couldn’t pick up the slack. Back in that 2008 game, the Steelers registered six sacks, two hits and 12 pressures. This time around they managed only one hit and eight pressures. I believe that’s what you call raising your game.