While i prepped for the “Mile-High Match-up” in Denver and watched some tape of the Broncos offensive line, i came away with the feeling that the Denver Broncos OT Ryan Clady would not be able to block James Harrison consistently mano-y-mano in passing situations last weekend.
After hanging 9 quarterback pelts on the wall in 11 games, in a season which James Harrison has overcome 2 lower back surgeries, a broken face and fines and suspension, I believed Harrison ready to ride rough-shod over the Clady. I really thought James might have one of them “James Harrison-like” days. Didn’t happen.
Again Denver suprised. They did what the Steelers thought they wouldn’t do. They did a lot of 2 man routes. The Broncos kept 8 men in to block. They “Double-chipped” with their backs and TE’s for only the second time i’ve ever seen that happen, St. Louis being the first.
Double chipping tells you one thing. That the coaching staff has no confidence in their pass-pro match-ups and so they will double-team those (Harrison, Woodley) they deemed to be of sufficient concern.
Which makes it extremely hard to get after a quarterback after getting nailed by a guy who’s looking to upend you, and only after dealing with the first guy, then you get a shot at your main antagonist, that being the OT if you’re Harrison.
All this means is that the rest of the pass rushers weren’t winning their one-on-one rush situations. Somewhere in the 8 men kept in by the Broncos blocking on 4 or 5-pass rushers, somebody has only 1 body between him and Tebow. And that person wasn’t winning.
“You got to know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em, Know when to walk away and know when to run.”
The lyrics to the Kenny Rogers song “The Gambler” of so many years ago should be the anthem that loops endlessly in the gourd of Steelers running back Isaac Redman this week as the [...]
Continue Reading →There are four guys that have a chance to play this weekend after sitting out last week versus the Rams. Maurkice Pouncey, Ben Roethlisberger, Lamar Woodley and Manny Sanders.
If i had a choice to select just one of those guys that i thought was indispensible this weekend it would have to be Maurkice Pouncey. [...]
Continue Reading →Drew Brees had himself a fine night in the “Big Easy” on Monday Night Football. Drew blew away Dan Marino’s 27-year old single season passing yards record with a 4-touchdown, 307 yard effort in a 45-16 rout of the Atlanta Falcons. An effort which, shall we say, ruffled a few “feathers” in the post-game Falcons [...]
Continue Reading →Would you have pulled Ben out of the fire when it was a three-score game in’Frisco? This was the question posed to me while on air and a subject worthy of some thought and discussion.
My answer is a simple no.
Not if he (Ben) didn’t want out. I understand the argument for pulling [...]
Continue Reading →In and out of the huddle is a term i heard from Steelers head coach Chuck Noll time and again. Increase the tempo, pick up the pace or just flat out “Move it!” are other short quips i’ve heard used to describe the importance of getting with it in-between plays.
Why is that so important? [...]
Continue Reading →After viewing the James Harrison hit on Colt McCoy in live time from the sidelines, the first thought i had was “Here we go again.” And i’m convinced that i’m right. James will hear from the Commish, no doubt and to no one’s suprise.
What really bothers me is that there is talk of a [...]
Continue Reading →Okay, let’s get it out there first of all. Suh was wrong when he kicked Evan Dietrich-Smith of the Packers after getting tangled up with him on the ground. No problem. And he didn’t help himself by trying to explain his actions away after the game as merely losing his balance. That was ridiculous. if [...]
Continue Reading →The Steelers made a change today. In keeping with Mike Tomlin’s “No sacred cows” theme, and the fact that “The standard is the standard,” Doug Legursky steps up to the left guard spot in place of Chris Kemoeatu.
Big Juicy says he’s well, that the knee is no problem but i beg to differ. [...]
Continue Reading →A coup’la few years ago Steelers cornerback William Gay had a rough ride. After taking over for Bryant McFadden who departed for Arizona, William became the starter and quickly learned the ups and downs of being a “1-16″ guy (starter throughout the season).
Part of the difficulty of starter-dom is the fact of NFL [...]
Continue Reading →The addition of Jerrich Cotchery this past off-season was looked upon as an insurance move to replace the aging Antwaan Randle El. A hamstring injury shelved Jerricho for the first three games. While Hines Ward tweaked an ankle and got doinked in the second go-round with Baltimore, Jerricho did what he needed to do. He [...]
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