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Phantom's Keys for Stillers-Pats

September 08, 2002 by Steel Phantom

Phantom's Dark Keys for Stillers-Pats

Phantom's Keys for Stillers-Pats

 

Here are (3) or so keys for Monday's game:

1.  Cowher gets 'em ready for Monday Night.  Cowher has constantly failed to get 'em ready for openers.  Push, I guess.

2.  Last year, the Steelers had few glaring weaknesses on defense.  In fact, they had just (1) that being an utter inability to cover TE/H-backs.  God knows, neither safety did the job; in '01, said coverage duties normally fell to (1) of the primary rushers (Gildon, Bell, Porter), usually Joey.  Even when this was not a coverage mismatch, offenses gained an advantage by reducing the Stillers pass rush.

In '02, Farrior may get the nod, at least in the base.  That's a good thing; Farrior is no rush guy but he is, or should be, athletic enough to cover.  We'll see: the Pats brought in (2) FA TE and drafted Graham in the 1st.  This troika effectively replaces their '01 duo of Rutledge and Wiggins.  Since Brady can't throw out of his own shadow, I figure the Pats to use multi-TE, single back sets often.  We'll see how the B&G responds.   

3.  The Steelers won't be able to run the ball.  Seymour vs. Ross, advantage NE.  However, the Steelers can, and should, take advantage of O. Smith whether with Spike on the flag or Randle-El underneath when Jones/Milloy/Green have to help Otis over the top.  I hope to see Mularkey flood Smith's side often.

That's some trio the Pats have at safety.  Milloy, T. Jones and Victor Green are all better than any safety the Stillers have.  We saw Milloy/Jones value last Jan. whether here or in NO; the Pats so-called heavy nickel (with Green, (3) safeties) will be worth study.  Bad match against multi-WR packs but death on the run.  

As for the Stillers at the safety spot; well (as predicted) Chris Hope just stinks. One of my 3rd round safeties, Coy Wire has beaten out x-Ram Billy Jenkins to start at SS in Buffalo.  On the downside, my other guy (Dante Wesley) is out with a hernia.  So it goes...

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