View topic - Heath & McF

[Teegre Profile]

Heath Miller & Bryant McFadden did not play the last time around against San Diego.

For weeks & months, we as fans had been begging for Ben to throw the ball to Heath...
...and Arians apparently listened, because against the Titans, Ben hit his safety valve for 8 catches for 69 yards.

Gay played as well as McF would have (when Gay started seven weeks ago).
But, what is important is that when Gay started, the 3rd CB was Anthony Madison. Now, with McF starting, Gay is the the 3rd CB...who is a ton better than Madison.
Similarly, Deshea Townsend was out for the previous game against SD. Thus, the 4th CB was Fernando Bryant....which was essentially akin to not having a 4th CB at all.

In other words...
FIRST GAME: Ike, Gay, Madison, & Fernando
THIS GAME: Ike, McF, Gay, & Deshea.

In summation, Heath adds a safety valve for SD's pass-rush...and/or at least one more third-down conversion in the game.
And, Gay (instead of Madison) essentially takes SD's 3rd WR out of the game.

[Teegre Profile]

I guess my point is...
All week I have been hearing about how San Diego's defense has"changed since the last time they played Pittsburgh."
But, nowhere have I heard any member of the media mention that the Steelers were without McFadden (& Miller).

[sarka196 Profile]

I agree completely. Minus the penalties the last game would not have been close. And, as you pointed out, that was with Fernando Bryant playing and no Heath or BMac. Speath and Gay both filled in nicely and had good games, but I think Heath could have a huge game tomorrow. The Steelers are much healthier this time than the last time.

[Hagerstown Steelman Profile]

Good ananlysis. Plus the game experience Gay got in the games McFadden were out also boosted his confidence. Gives us the equivalent of 4 starting corners.

I think Miller will be a plus. However, remember that Speath a 6 or 7 catches against SD. So we burned them with the TE and should do it again with Miller back.

[Teegre Profile]

Good ananlysis. Plus the game experience Gay got in the games McFadden were out also boosted his confidence. Gives us the equivalent of 4 starting corners.

I think Miller will be a plus. However, remember that Speath a 6 or 7 catches against SD. So we burned them with the TE and should do it again with Miller back.

1) Great point about Gay's experience.

2) SD's defense has been burned ALL year by the TE: Tony Scheffler...Tony Gonzalez...heck, even Dante Rosario!!!
And, since Spaeth did indeed have 6-7 catches...and Heath is even betterer than Spaeth....Heath should have 7-8 receptions & a TD.