View topic - Key Match ups for today's game

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Diferent takes from different analyst.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_586915.html?source=rss&feed=9

The matchup: Texans' defensive lline vs. Steelers' offensive line
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 7, 2008

THE TEXANS' DEFENSIVE LINE: Houston has invested mightily up front, acquiring DT Travis Johnson on the first round in 2005, DE Mario Williams with the first-overall pick in 2006 and DT Amobi Okoye with a first-round selection in 2007. DE Anthony Weaver came over as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore in 2006. Williams (14) and Okoye (5.5) accounted for 19.5 of the Texans' 31 sacks and 23 of Houston's 46 quarterback pressures in 2007 (15 for Williams, eight for Okoye).

Williams has played of late like a first-overall pick, according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and is especially effective running off of "T-E games (tackle-end stunts)." Although it's a four-man front, Johnson normally operates as a nose over the center. It has been the Texans' habit to move Williams around, creating recognition issues as well as match-up problems for opponents.

THE STEELERS' OFFENSIVE LINE: After allowing 47 regular-season sacks a season ago, the Steelers let G Alan Faneca go to the Jets via free agency. Fourth-year pro Chris Kemoeatu enters a season as a starter for the first time, having assumed Faneca's LG spot. And Justin Hartwig, a free-agent pickup from Carolina, has taken over at C for Sean Mahan, a free-agent addition in 2007 who was traded to Tampa Bay last week. OT Marvel Smith, RG Kendall Simmons and RT Willie Colon are holdovers from 2007. OT Max Starks signed a one-year tender worth almost $7 million to stay with the Steelers but remains a backup.


The Steelers believe they'll have fewer issues because with Faneca gone their terminology and approach is more "universal," as opposed to some doing things Faneca's way and others doing them new offensive line coach Larry Zierlein's way, an inconsistency of approach that plagued the Steelers throughout last season.

THE MATCHUP: The Texans are smaller and quicker, relatively speaking, up front, which helps explain their apparent ambivalence to tipping off many of their stunts (the Texans are quick enough to make plays despite tipping their hand). Johnson (6-6, 303), in particular, is smaller but quicker and more athletic than the average NT. He plays with speed more than he plays a power game.

The Texans' defensive linemen will play their pass-rush games on obvious passing downs, when they feel as if a change-of-pace is in order and on short-yardage plays, especially in the red zone (when getting burned on a blitz can change the scoreboard).

The Steelers' recognition, communication and execution will be tested, and that might be a bit much a bit too soon for a newly-assembled group that didn't play together much in the preseason. QB Ben Roethlisberger had better get on his horse. EDGE: TEXANS

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/09/06/sports/steelers/doc48c359b8e7e1d018192853.txt

Week 1: Key Matchups

By Mike Bires
Times Sports Staff
Published: Sunday, September 7, 2008 12:57 AM EDT
MARIO WILLIAMS vs. MARVEL SMITH

When you pay your franchise quarterback $102 million over eight years, you better protect him. So keeping Ben Roethlisberger clean is a job for the entire Steelers’ offensive line. Today, though, it’s left tackle Marvel Smith who’s under the most pressure. For most of the day, Smith will line up across Texans defensive end Mario Williams.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, Williams was called “a beast” last week by Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. He’s a huge, powerful man of 6-foot-7 and 291 pounds with exceptional speed and quickness. Last year, Williams tied for third in the NFL with 14 sacks.

Williams occasionally switches to the left side of the Texans’ defensive formation, so at times Steelers right tackle Willie Colon will have to block him. But most of the time, it’s Smith who’ll take on that responsibility, at times with the help of a double team from a tight end or running back.

ANDRE JOHNSON vs. IKE TAYLOR

On the depth chart, Taylor is listed as the left cornerback. But as the Steelers’ best cover corner, he often shadows another team’s most dangerous wide receiver regardless of which side of the field he lines up. That may be the case today against Johnson, a former University of Miami (Fla.) star taken by the Texans with the third overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Johnson is clearly the Texans’ best offensive weapon. Even though he missed seven games last year due to a knee injury, he still caught 60 passes for 851 yards and eight TDs.

At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, he’s a huge wide receiver. That’s why Taylor (6-2, 195), the most physical of the Steelers’ corners, might lock into Johnson today wherever he goes.

ANDRE DAVIS vs. KICK COVERAGE

While it might be an exaggeration to call the Steelers’ kick coverage teams a disgrace last year, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.

Remember Steve Breaston’s 73-yard punt return for a touchdown that gave Arizona the lead for good in an upset over the Steelers?

Remember Joshua Cribbs returning kickoffs for 90 and 100 yards in the same game last year for Cleveland ?

Remember the 33-yard punt return by Leon Washington that put the New York Jets in position to kick a winning field goal in an upset of the Steelers?

Remember the 96- yards kickoff return by Maurice Jones-Drew that set up a touchdown in Jacksonville’s wild-card win over the Steelers?

Today, the Steelers must stop Davis from impacting the game with a long return. That’s a tough challenge. Last year, Davis returned three kickoffs for TDs and ranked second in the NFL at 30.3 yards per return.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08251/910096-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml

Game 1 Matchup: Steelers vs. Texans
Gerry Dulac breaks down the 2008 season opener
Sunday, September 07, 2008
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Diana / Post-GazetteWillie Parker, who was leading the NFL in rushing when his leg was broken in December, returns today.Game plan
When the Steelers have the ball: RB Willie Parker is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, but he is also coming off a fractured fibula. He will get some help this season from rookie No. 1 Rashard Mendenhall, who might see his playing time limited because of three fumbles in the preseason. G Chris Kemoeatu, who replaces Alan Faneca, has actually been one of the standouts in training camp. It will be his job on some counter plays to take out Pro Bowl MLB DeMeco Ryans. The loss of CB Dunta Robinson, who is on the physically unable to perform list, will help QB Ben Roethlisberger attack the secondary.

When the Texans have the ball: QB Matt Schaub enters his second season as the starter and he welcomes back two key starters who missed a lot of 2007 with injuries -- former Pro Bowl RB Ahman Green and WR Andre Johnson, who had 851 receiving yards and eight TDs despite missing the final seven games. Schaub started only 11 games because of injuries, but he completed 66.4 percent of his passes (192 of 289) for 2,241 yards and nine TDs. Johnson will stretch the secondary and force FS Ryan Clark to protect the deep middle. Rookie No. 1 Duane Brown will start at left tackle and his first assignment is Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison.


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Data
Game: Houston Texans at Steelers.

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Heinz Field.

TV: KDKA.

Radio: WDVE-FM (102.5), WBGG-AM (970)

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Keep an eye on ...
Steelers defense: One of the reasons for the late-season collapse of the Steelers defense was the unit's inability to force mistakes and get off the field on third down. There has been an increased emphasis to change that trend this season after the Steelers managed a league-low 11 interceptions in '07. The Texans, meantime, want to reduce the number of giveaways this season after committing at least one turnover in every game last season. The offense did not have a turnover in the preseason.

Intangibles
The Steelers have the league's toughest schedule, with eight playoff teams and three of the four finalists for the Super Bowl, but they don't face an '07 playoff team until Week 5 in Jacksonville. So it is imperative they get off to a good start. The opposite is true for the Texans, who face '07 playoff teams in four of their first five games. The Steelers have won their past five season openers.

Keys to victory
To win, the Texans must ...

1. Not let Schaub be mobbed. He is an efficient passer who will be getting his first look at a Dick LeBeau defense.

2. Be fine with the line. With three No. 1 picks on the D-line, the Texans need to pressure Roethlisberger to protect an inadequate secondary.

3. Have Andre be a giant. After allowing three kick returns of 90 yards or longer last season, the Steelers will be tested right away by Andre Davis.

To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Not let Ahman see green. The rush defense needs to show its late-season struggles in 2007 were an aberration.

2. Blunt the stunts. Texans are not a blitzing defense, but they run stunts with their linemen -- something that can create confusion on an O-line.

3. Watch their feet. In an attempt to improve their run game, Texans hired offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, known for teaching cut-block techniques.

[The Fan Of STEEL Profile]

The only way the Texans can score in this game will be to throw to Andre Johnson, over and over and over again. They will not get anywhere running the ball against us. Our special teams coverage is still a big question mark and could be a weak spot for us once again. I still see the Steelers winning this game and our offense getting off to a fast start.

Steelers 30
Texans 17

[indysteel Profile]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Texans won a game here with something likely a total of three first downs and 40 or so total yards. That's right kids.

Obviously, two different teams at that time and now......but I did watch that game and I'm still amazed that we found a way to lose.

Not sure ---- three passes returned for TDs? Or two interceptions for TD and the obligatory ST gaffe (?). Not sure --- either way, it was ugly.

[Nel Profile]

The Texans D could also score on turnovers, this is what bother me a little bit.

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

The Texans D could also score on turnovers

3 points. Steelers D = Pass.

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Texans won a game here with something likely a total of three first downs and 40 or so total yards.

This was a COMPLETE different team (specifically the offense) than today's Stillers. That unit was led by none other than Mr. Tommy Maddox. Let's not forget the man-handling that was given to them in THEIR house back in '05. It's hard for me to forget. I was there.

Hard to relate this meeting with that one.

Remember... The Stains HAVE beat us in the playoffs.

Here's to football!