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06-26-2010, 01:16 AM
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/410254-10-things-the-steelers-can-do-on-offense-to-alleviate-roethlisbergers#page/11
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Ways To Help Compensate Big Ben's Absence
by Chris G. Correspondent Written on June 23, 2010 Like (2)
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Start Pouncey
As one of the most sacked quarterbacks year in and out, Roethlisberger brings much of this on himself by holding onto the ball too long looking to make a big play. He can get away with it because there is no other quarterback in the league who is as good at throwing the ball after contact with a defender.
Considering this, the Steelers offensive line still needs to be upgraded, both for pass protection and run blocking.
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh’s first round selection, is a highly touted center from Florida who is expected to develop into an excellent starter. That development will have to start this year.
Arguably the Steelers two weakest spots on the line are center and right guard; two areas where Pouncey will compete to start.
Given the responsibilities of making calls at the line, the Steelers coaching staff believes that Pouncey will be better served to start out at right guard, where there is less pressure.
Pouncey’s presence will cause an instant improvement on the line.
With his size and physical style of play, Pouncey should be able to hold his own in one-on-one match-ups. He has a high football IQ so he should also be able to step in and understand the blocking schemes.
The upgraded line should provide Leftwich with more time to throw without scrambling as well as open holes for the ground game.
Commit to the Run
There will be no player or coach this season under more scrutiny than offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
It is a well-known fact that Pittsburgh wants to re-establish the running game, which doesn’t necessarily match with Arians’ philosophy.
Without Roethlisberger, Arians does not have much of a choice. It is essential that the Steelers not only re-establish their ground game, but commit to the run during the season, even if it is not successful at first.
On too many occasions last season, after early failures while trying to run the ball, Arians abandoned it in favor of having Roethlisberger sling the ball all over the field.
This luxury will not be there this season. While a good quarterback, Leftwich is not a player who should be throwing the ball 30 times over the course of a game.
Instead, the Steelers need to go to the throwback style of Bill Cowher, where the team can effectively run the ball 30-40 times over the course of the game.
The Steelers have a young, star in the making running back with Rashard Mendenhall and have some young depth behind him in Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, as well as veteran Mewelde Moore.
A commitment to the run would have a two-fold impact for the Steelers. First, it alleviates the pressure on Leftwich to be the sole playmaker on offense. More importantly, an effective ground game would give the attacking Steelers defense time to rest so they can maintain their high level of play for a full four quarters, something that they were not able to achieve last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10 Ways To Help Compensate Big Ben's Absence
by Chris G. Correspondent Written on June 23, 2010 Like (2)
Share Share ThisShare This Article0diggsdiggYahoo! Buzz StumbleUpon Fark Email PrintPrevious Next
Start Pouncey
As one of the most sacked quarterbacks year in and out, Roethlisberger brings much of this on himself by holding onto the ball too long looking to make a big play. He can get away with it because there is no other quarterback in the league who is as good at throwing the ball after contact with a defender.
Considering this, the Steelers offensive line still needs to be upgraded, both for pass protection and run blocking.
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh’s first round selection, is a highly touted center from Florida who is expected to develop into an excellent starter. That development will have to start this year.
Arguably the Steelers two weakest spots on the line are center and right guard; two areas where Pouncey will compete to start.
Given the responsibilities of making calls at the line, the Steelers coaching staff believes that Pouncey will be better served to start out at right guard, where there is less pressure.
Pouncey’s presence will cause an instant improvement on the line.
With his size and physical style of play, Pouncey should be able to hold his own in one-on-one match-ups. He has a high football IQ so he should also be able to step in and understand the blocking schemes.
The upgraded line should provide Leftwich with more time to throw without scrambling as well as open holes for the ground game.
Commit to the Run
There will be no player or coach this season under more scrutiny than offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
It is a well-known fact that Pittsburgh wants to re-establish the running game, which doesn’t necessarily match with Arians’ philosophy.
Without Roethlisberger, Arians does not have much of a choice. It is essential that the Steelers not only re-establish their ground game, but commit to the run during the season, even if it is not successful at first.
On too many occasions last season, after early failures while trying to run the ball, Arians abandoned it in favor of having Roethlisberger sling the ball all over the field.
This luxury will not be there this season. While a good quarterback, Leftwich is not a player who should be throwing the ball 30 times over the course of a game.
Instead, the Steelers need to go to the throwback style of Bill Cowher, where the team can effectively run the ball 30-40 times over the course of the game.
The Steelers have a young, star in the making running back with Rashard Mendenhall and have some young depth behind him in Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, as well as veteran Mewelde Moore.
A commitment to the run would have a two-fold impact for the Steelers. First, it alleviates the pressure on Leftwich to be the sole playmaker on offense. More importantly, an effective ground game would give the attacking Steelers defense time to rest so they can maintain their high level of play for a full four quarters, something that they were not able to achieve last season.