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Aussie_steeler
05-15-2011, 05:13 AM
I have been a member of this community since day one and prior. During that time there has been an ongoing debate by many over their favourite running backs and their preferred running philosophy for our Pittsburgh Steelers.

The majority of this board will always default to smashmouth football and the Jerome Bettis style running backs. However there is the opposing side that defer to the Fast Willie Parker days of hand the ball and a cloud of dust.

ESPN's John Clayton today posted an article that when examined in depth eludes really to the real impact that the Pittsburgh running game and brutally dominant defence has had on the NFL landscape today. Without really knowing Clayton has highlighted the Pittsburgh game plan that is so copied today in the NFL.

His article may actually reference the drafting process of the Detriot Lions over the past two years, but in reality he is referring to the Steeler Ripple Effect on the NFL.

Keen to see your perspectives, From a Steeler viewpoint, after reading this article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6539561



"There's a lot of different things that happen in our division," Schwartz told Lions reporters after the draft. "We see a 4-3 team like the Chicago Bears (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/chi/chicago-bears). We see a 3-4 team like the Green Bay Packers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/gb/green-bay-packers).

"That's a different style of running back. You play 3-4 teams that are two-gapping, you need a big back who can run through some arm tackles. You want to get guys matched up on different teams, you need guys who can match up and beat linebackers and people that want to play man and trick coverage up for a certain player."




Accepting that some 3-4 conversions have failed, it's hard to pull up leaguewide trend stats. Everyone knows how hard it is to run against the Steelers' and Ravens' 3-4 schemes. In Cleveland, though, two head coaches lost their jobs trying to establish a run-stopping 3-4. Mike Nolan couldn't consistently stop the run in San Francisco using a 3-4. The Jets struggled until Rex Ryan took over. Denver's switch turned out to be a failure, too.


in reference to the Fast Willie Parker thread..............heres the real answer why not to bring him back



Likewise, the Steelers got at least 1,200 yards from Willie Parker (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5880), 5-10 and 212 pounds, each year from 2005 to '07, but he wasn't as effective breaking arm tackles. That forced the Steelers away from their normal, run-dominated offense.

A bigger Rashard Mendenhall (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11257) has helped re-establish the Steelers' running attack when they want to feature it. Fellow AFC North team Cincinnati would be lost if it didn't re-sign 5-11, 227-pound Cedric Benson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8419), who, like Mendenhall, can break arm tackles.


What is your take on this??

Pristas
05-15-2011, 07:56 AM
I always hated watching Willie go down after first contact. I loved watching guys like Hodge, Bettis and now Mendy break through arm tackles. I'd trade Mendy for Willie (in their primes) any day of the week. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Redman comes along this year. That kid can take a beating. Does anyone remember training camp last year, when he was the only one to get into the endzone when they ran goaline?

On the 3-4 and 4-3, if you don't have the right line, the linebackers aren't going to be much help. Pittsburgh and Baltimore learned how to effectively stop the rush or delay it with three men. That gives the linebackers the opportunity to work their magic.

tube517
05-15-2011, 08:22 AM
Been saying this since 2006. FFWP is not a primary back. He is best utilized as a change of pace back. Similar to how they used Erric Pegram in the 90's. (Except Willie got gradually worse as a receiver). If Redman and Dwyer can help take the load off Mendy, that would help.