polamalubeast
09-24-2010, 08:26 AM
PITTSBURGH - The Steelers have faced a pair of talented young quarterbacks in Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Tennessee's Vince Young over the past two weeks and left both licking their wounds following those games.
Ryan and Young, both Pro Bowl players, combined to complete 34 of 54 passes for 318 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions in losing to the Steelers. Young didn't even make it out of the third quarter, getting pulled in favor of veteran Kerry Collins.
Up next for the Steelers is Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman, a second-year quarterback with just 12 career starts.
The Steelers (2-0) travel to Tampa Bay (2-0) Sunday in a meeting between two of the eight remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL.
"They aren't like any other defense we have seen," said Freeman, who led the Buccaneers to wins in four of their past five games, no small feat for a team that won just three games last year.
"They do a great job of mixing it up, getting pressure on the quarterback and forcing turnovers. We realize that it is going to be a big challenge, but we are not really changing anything. Obviously, there are game plans we are changing, but we are sticking to our core principals, keeping the ball secure and just taking what they give us."
Thus far, the Steelers haven't given opposing teams much.
Pittsburgh is tied with Miami for the fewest points allowed (20) through two weeks. The Steelers have given up just one touchdown, that coming in the final minute against the Titans after they switched to a prevent defense to protect a 19-3 lead.
read more
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/localsports/9-24-Steelers-defensive-work
Ryan and Young, both Pro Bowl players, combined to complete 34 of 54 passes for 318 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions in losing to the Steelers. Young didn't even make it out of the third quarter, getting pulled in favor of veteran Kerry Collins.
Up next for the Steelers is Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman, a second-year quarterback with just 12 career starts.
The Steelers (2-0) travel to Tampa Bay (2-0) Sunday in a meeting between two of the eight remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL.
"They aren't like any other defense we have seen," said Freeman, who led the Buccaneers to wins in four of their past five games, no small feat for a team that won just three games last year.
"They do a great job of mixing it up, getting pressure on the quarterback and forcing turnovers. We realize that it is going to be a big challenge, but we are not really changing anything. Obviously, there are game plans we are changing, but we are sticking to our core principals, keeping the ball secure and just taking what they give us."
Thus far, the Steelers haven't given opposing teams much.
Pittsburgh is tied with Miami for the fewest points allowed (20) through two weeks. The Steelers have given up just one touchdown, that coming in the final minute against the Titans after they switched to a prevent defense to protect a 19-3 lead.
read more
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/localsports/9-24-Steelers-defensive-work