First Offensive Play Call

[Pariah]

Shipp off the left tackle for 4 yards.

 

[Jttsaz]

Play Action bomb to Gilmore to back those safeties out of the box...They finally connect on a big one!

 

[JeffGollin]

Hodgins on a quick-hitter

 

[bratwurst]

Play action pass to FJ on a 15 yard square in route

 

[40yearfan]

First play of the game Pirates win toss

Dexter Jackson interception and return for a TD.

 

[Cheesebeef]

up the middle - gain of one yard - it's been working for the last two weeks.

 

[football karma]

Come out in the wishbone --

Blake Options to Anderson for an 8 yard loss

Wishbone is scrapped

 

[mulpwr]

If i was the Cards,i would test CB Deshea Townsend and throw a bomb his way.

 

[TigToad]

deep to Gilmore

Deep to Gilmore. About 2 yards overthrown, when he was wide open.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think one of the keys against a 3-4 is throwing screens, especially this year. The NFL is really calling a ton of defensive holding calls on linemen and LB's who grab the OL's, they never used to call it on "non skill" guys but a lot of teams complained because it screws up screen passes. I've seen it called over and over this year on screens.

One of the key lessons in a 3-4 is the 3 linemen are supposed to grab and hold up blockers freeing up the 4 LB's to make plays. Ask Dom Capers he'll tell you point blank the new focus on that is hurting his defense in Houston.

Get a team penetrating to try and bust up your run game, throw in a few screens(TE, WR and RB) where they over pursue or get defensive holding calls, and it can really open things up.

So far I haven't seen a lot of screens out of us and I thin Shipp does it very well so it could be a big factor in the game.

I think one of the fun matchups to watch will be Kendall against Casey Hampton, a throwback NG who I just loved in college. Hampton isn't going to get a lot of sacks, or dance like Sapp, he's just a really good football player. We're going to have to work to block him all game.

 

[bratwurst]

I doubt the Steelers will throw a blitz on us on our first offensive play, especially if they are thinking we are going to run shipp on our first play from scrimmage. So I don't think a screen would be a good call? Maybe if it is second and long for a second play...

 

[SECTION 11]

"Tommy Maddox's pass incomplete. Intended for Hines Ward. David Barret on the coverage. Second down and ten, Pittsburgh."

 

[WizardOfAz]

Originally posted by bratwurst
Play action pass to FJ on a 15 yard square in route

Beat me to it!

 

[az1965]

Everyone will be expecting Shipp to get the call in the first play, need to do a play action and throw a deep one to BJ (assuming he will start).

 

[DieHardCardFan]

I say we go deep on the first play!! 3 wide outs Boldin runs the slant which will pull the double coverage and Johnson and Gilmore streak the sidelines. Have Freddie break 10 yards out for a dump off if it is not there for any of the other 3. This will scare the hell out of them. They are nervous playing Blake because of the deep ball and they know we are going to run alot. Who knows maybe he hooks up for a 75 yard TD!!!!

 

[bratwurst]

Everything thinks they will be looking to run shipp, so we should throw long instead. But you don't need to hit a bomb on the first play, besides, they may be looking for that just because of everyone's logic to go for the huge play to catch them "off guard".

I think a simple play action pass with a medium length route over the middle is the best way to go.

 

[CardinalChris]

Play action baby!!! Jones rippin that seam and showing the rookie his vertical speed!!!

 

[SweetD]

Re: First play of the game Pirates win toss

Originally posted by 40yearfan
Dexter Jackson interception and return for a TD.

I didn't know we were playing against a Baseball team? Man did our odds change?

 

[AZCB34]

Sprint draw...stifled for a loss of 4 yards...followed up by a highlight reel grab and run for TD by Jones on the next play. Jones is pelted with Iron City bottles in the end zone.

 

[earthsci]

QB sneak. Blake runs 79 yards, when he is tackled at the 1. The Steelers hold. McGinnis, realizing that field position is key decides to punt. Player punts it into the end zone where the Steelers don't return it. That gives us our 1 point. We win 1 - 0.

 

[JeffGollin]

I think one of the keys against a 3-4 is throwing screens, especially this year.
Russ - Educate me.

The Steelers have 4 very agile, mobile LB's in their system.

Logically - wouldn't they tend to blow up stuff on the perimeter - particularly screens?