View topic - Praise for OLine faint indeed

[McLovin Profile]

For those of you thrilled by the emergence of Darnell Stapleton and the fact that the OL as a unit did not allow a sack to the Bengals on Sunday, know this fact: The Bengals defense has only recorded 5 sacks all year. McLovin would say that's hardly a respectable defense and a number that will contribute to Marvin Lewis' firing at the end of the season. The test comes this week with Justin Tuck and the NY Giants. Steve Spagnola will be a hot candidate to be a head coach next year based on his defenses dominant Super Bowl performance and his ability to generate Eagle-type pressure despite the injury to Umenyora and the retirement of Strahan. Lets see how well Stapleton and the OL handle a minimum of 5-6 pass rushers on every play along with the Jailbreak blitzes that Spagnola's mentor Jim Johnson came with a few weeks back. If the OL and Arians have a respectable game against the Giants then there is reason for hope. McLovin usually an optomist so at least the line didn't play bad against the worst pass rush the in the NFL.

[Homer J Profile]

McLovin is right, indeed.

Protecting Benji against the onrushing Cincy Bungles was only slightly more difficult than protecting him from the fearsome pass rush of the girls of Mt Alvernia Academy over in Millvale. Those gals blitz a lot, and their fingernails can rake across an offensive lineman's face.

The Giants will provide much more of a test....and they're be blitzing from odd angles....so not only will the O-Line have to step up its game against better competition....but Nate (especially), Hines, Holmes, and the TE's must be ready to adjust their patterns so that Ben can find the hot read. Too damn many times this year, he's ended up on his ass because somebody didn't adjust in time...or he didn't look for them. It's NOT all on the line, as bad as they were early on.

At least with Moore in the backfield, they can effectively use the short pass to the running back, something that Arians was never able to do effectively with Parker. And that will help alleviate some of the pressure.

[McLovin Profile]

McLovin is right, indeed.

At least with Moore in the backfield, they can effectively use the short pass to the running back, something that Arians was never able to do effectively with Parker. And that will help alleviate some of the pressure.

McLovin is no Bill Walsh but he agrees with the premise that Arians would have been wise to run some draws and screens against that Eagle pass rush something that are strengths of MeMo. This game will be a redemption game of sorts for Arians. Giants run same system as Eagles with similar talent. Another key to the game is going to be the Steelers getting an early lead in this contest. If the Giants get a big lead which is possible with McFadden out and possibly Troy then Ben is going to need time to throw to keep us in the game. Here's hoping Willie and MeMo have strong games and keep Ben's need to throw to a minimum.

[Scalaid6 Profile]

Mclovin is starting to gain my respect as a football mind. The guy knows what hes talking about. The line will be fine, the key (AGAIN) quick read and get the ball out fast. I disagree, I watched the Eagles game again last night and Arians called 8 screens and draws in the 1st half alone. The execution was just horrible. 3 screens were to Hines/Holmes, why they do that I have no clue. Hines is not elusive, neither is Santonio. I think Nate would be the best option at wr for a screen. Mewelde is showing his worth and its obvious what he brings so I dont even need to address that.

[Jeemie Profile]

Mclovin is starting to gain my respect as a football mind. The guy knows what hes talking about. The line will be fine, the key (AGAIN) quick read and get the ball out fast. I disagree, I watched the Eagles game again last night and Arians called 8 screens and draws in the 1st half alone. The execution was just horrible. 3 screens were to Hines/Holmes, why they do that I have no clue. Hines is not elusive, neither is Santonio. I think Nate would be the best option at wr for a screen. Mewelde is showing his worth and its obvious what he brings so I dont even need to address that.

WR screen is not effective against the blitz/rush as it takes too long to develop.

REAL screen passes are needed- but those seem to be something we have not been able to execute properly for at least three years now.

Agree, though, that Nate would be the best option for the WR screen.

Oh- and one more thing- I know the bunch is because our WRs need the bumch to help get separation, but if I see bunch formations a lot in the Giants game, I believe I shall throw my TV out the window.

Bunch formations against a team that rushes as effectively as the Giants are an invitation to get Ben carried off the field on a stretcher.

[anthonyc20 Profile]

Hopefully this play will continue and free us up to take a D-Lineman or defensive back in the first round of the draft next year.

[McLovin Profile]

Ah a fellow draft enthusiast. McLovin agrees that need areas will be DL and possibly DB if McFadden departs as a FA. The potential problem as McLovin sees it is what if this line as currently assembled continues to mesh and play pretty good football as a few posters have implied it will. Regrettably, due to free agency that line could again need to be reconstructed. Marvel, Kemo, Essex, and Starks can all walk next year. That could leave LT and LG totally unmanned for next season. Can't focus on DL or DB if that were to happen. To McLovin, Hartwig is a 2 year band-aid tops until it is determined if Stapleton can play center or one of the talented centers like Alex Mack are in fact drafted by the Steelers. So enjoy the improved OL play while you can because the Steelers and Larry Porn might have to start from scratch next year. Hopefully, this off season Mr. Colbert can re-sign a couple of our own or be looking to take advantage of a potential non-cap year and actually fill need positions with a quality FA or 2 freeing him to take the BPA regardless of position come draft day.

[Hi5Steeler Profile]

mclovin is scalaid. not that it matters...but please dont talk to yourself. thanks and have a nice day.

[Scalaid6 Profile]

I know I know. I'm a troll, a Cowboy fan, a Bengals fan, a ratbird fan and of course I'm Mclovin.

[anthonyc20 Profile]

As one of the first members on the original stillers.com message boards, I remember when there was actually full of quality discussion among geniuine steeler fans. Those were the days! Then we had to go out and win a super bowl

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Nice post by McLovin.
Let's stay on subject here.

I want to believe the o-line is improving, but it was the bengals.
They aren't capable of doing what the eagles did, especially after Hines knocked out their best defensive player.
The Giants, however, are - so we will find out this week how improved the line is.
(and also whether Ben has learned about releasing the ball a little earlier)

[Scalaid6 Profile]

In regards to the bunch formation. The NFL is a copy cat league and you will find that MANY teams run this formation. Its design is to cause a traffic jam, therefore freeing up receivers by semi picking the dbs. I agree it gets old but its effective as many teams run it.

[Steeledge Profile]

In regards to the bunch formation...its effective as many teams run it.

Just because many teams run it doesn't make it "effective", especially not in every situation.
It's only as effective as the defense will allow by their inability to defend it - kind of like the "Wildcat".
A strong pass rush, overloaded to the weak-side, can cripple it every time, especially if the O-Line struggles in pass-pro.
Does that sound familiar?

I don't know that the Giants will be devastated by the "bunch" formation, since their pass rush is one of the best in the league, and our OL isn't...

We can try it, sure, but as soon as it's discovered that it's not working, we better be prepared to adjust the game plan away from it and have something else ready that WILL be effective to call instead.

We've all seen games where Arians' creativity in adjusting a game plan ain't for shit.
Given the apparent performance improvements of the last two games, however, I'm "cautiously optimistic" and leaning toward giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Keep in mind that it was the Jags and the Bengals, though, and the true test is yet to come.

I won't be completely sold that Arians has figured out how to make those needed adjustments until after he's had the chance to prove it Sunday.

...Oh, and that goes doubly for the empty backfield, shotgun, long-developing pass plays too. If we get stuck in the rut of constantly trying to run these two formations against a defense like the Jints', Big Ben is likely to get killed.

[Scalaid6 Profile]

Bunch formation is NOTHING like the wildcat. Maybe three teams run the wildkat. Yet EVERY teams runs bunches. Next time you watch ANY game, please view the evidence. Why would EVERY team run it if its no good? Who cares what you fools think about Arians? Put YOU in as the steelers O -Coordinator and you'd be lost in the sauce. How creative could you be? NOT VERY. Bottom line is the Steelers are winning and making you idiots look stupid. Mullarky and Whisenhunt got Head jobs in the postion that Arians holds. Not to mention, Dick Lebeau, Jim Haslett and Dom Capers on D. Also one was the head coach of the Sooners. I GUARANTEE you called EACH of them idiots, morons ETC but at the end of the day, they are still employed in the league, whereas youve yet to be employed by anyone. You need to sit back and do what you do best (Sit on your *ss, eat chips and work that thumb on the remote)

[Scalaid6 Profile]

For the record we will blow the Giants out. They arent all that. Pressure rattles Eli and if Dick brings it, we will have success. Their Lbs are slow, only ONE good DB (#23). We will blow them out (by21 or more) WATCH.