Who do you stop?

[AZCB34]

Bettis?
Burress?
Ward?

I am having a very hard time understanding how PIT has such a bad record with these players. Obviously it goes right back to Maddox but jeez, this is a pretty talented team. The Cards are in for a real dogfight.

 

[Dback Jon]

Originally posted by AZCB34
Bettis?
Burress?
Ward?

I am having a very hard time understanding how PIT has such a bad record with these players. Obviously it goes right back to Maddox but jeez, this is a pretty talented team. The Cards are in for a real dogfight.

The Bus is not what he used to be - Shipp is a far better back these days.

WRs aren't a threat when the QB is not doing to well - Maddox looks he may have been a 1 year wonder.

Ward is the biggest threat, though.

 

[AZCB34]

Re: Re: Who do you stop?

Originally posted by Dback Jon
The Bus is not what he used to be - Shipp is a far better back these days.

WRs aren't a threat when the QB is not doing to well - Maddox looks he may have been a 1 year wonder.

Ward is the biggest threat, though.

I think Burress is the wild card though. He is the real homerun hitter on the team. Shipp may be better than the Bus now but I wouldn't call it decidedly so...not yet at least.

Maddox is a joke. Think maybe PIT knew what they were doing not overpaying his ass like he was whining about?

 

[CardinalChris]

Cut off the head, and the monster disappears....

Stop Maddox... Hit him... make him scared.....then hit him again.

 

[WizardOfAz]

From what I've read, the O-Line seems to be struggling as well.

 

[SECTION 11]

On Sunday, you stop their holder on field goals. Antwan Randle El. That's a trick play waiting to happen.

 

[Stout]

The best way? Okay, I'll break it down like this...

The Bus shouldn't be hard to stop. He still has some in the tank but his O-line is shredded this season. I say focus on the pass with a good set of blitz packages, but have a solid run defense prepared in case he does get started. That way, we have flexibility.

In the pass, the main focus should be on Ward. Plex is the big, deep threat, but Ward is what truly makes them special. He makes the everywhere plays, and is who Maddox relies on in third and fourth and short plays. Roll the coverage his way when you can.

This might get you burned by Plex, but I don't think it should, and here's why: He loses his concentration easily. Let Wilson lay him out just once, and he'll be rattled. Ward, on the other hand, will jump back up and ask for more. Plex won't give up, per se, but he'll be wary from then on.

So, not a perfect plan, but that's what I'd do.

 

[mulpwr]

Originally posted by AZCB34
Bettis?
Burress?
Ward?

I am having a very hard time understanding how PIT has such a bad record with these players. Obviously it goes right back to Maddox but jeez, this is a pretty talented team. The Cards are in for a real dogfight.

Ward is someone that is hard to stop. He plays as physical as any player in the NFL and has hands that catch just about everything. He thrives for contact. Plaxico has had his ups and downs this year,dropping balls but expect him to try to get away with a few offensive pass interferances. Last week he made the comment that he was tired of being grabbed all the time. So Last week, WR Plaxico Burress said he was open all game but only caught one pass for 6 yards. Yesterday, he caught five for 75 yards, his most productive day since the second game of the season. However, Burress and Maddox complained that officials are not calling other teams for interfering against the Steelers' receivers. "It's ridiculous," Burress said. "I asked coach Cowher, 'What's the rule?' because I don't know. I'm just not getting the calls. And if I am not getting the calls, then I am just going to start pushing guys to get open. I would rather push a guy and go catch the football and let them make a judgment call instead of trying to make a clean play.Expect David Barrett and Plaxico to be in a dogfight. They both know each other very well since they played against each other in college.

 

[JeffGollin]

I just did the matchups.

Steelers have had to use duct tape on their O-line. Faneca (an all pro guard) had to be moved outside to LT. Marvel Smith will be out for one more week.

This means that both Bettis and Zereoue are averaging in the low 3's in yards per carry, and the Steelers have given up an average of 3 sacks per game.

Their secondary has not been living up to expectations. I always liked Alexander when he was a Cardinal, but he's no Roy Williams. Washington was benched because he missed the tackle on the play that set up the loss last week. Logan is OK I guess. I believe Chad Scott was the guy we probably should have drafted instead of Tommy Knight. Big physical corner, but apparently not playing to expectations this year.

I'm not saying they're not dangerous (because they are). But problems on the O-line and secondary are the most apparent reasons why they're 3 & 5 this year.

 

[Russ Smith]

Originally posted by AZCB34
Bettis?
Burress?
Ward?

I am having a very hard time understanding how PIT has such a bad record with these players. Obviously it goes right back to Maddox but jeez, this is a pretty talented team. The Cards are in for a real dogfight.

I'm just waiting for some smart a$$ to pull out my posts from the offseason when I identified Pittsburgh as the best team in the AFC!

Injuries and To's, they are scary one of these days they're going to sort things out, I just hope it's not this week.

 

[mulpwr]

Originally posted by JeffGollin
I just did the matchups.

Steelers have had to use duct tape on their O-line. Faneca (an all pro guard) had to be moved outside to LT. Marvel Smith will be out for one more week.

This means that both Bettis and Zereoue are averaging in the low 3's in yards per carry, and the Steelers have given up an average of 3 sacks per game.

Their secondary has not been living up to expectations. I always liked Alexander when he was a Cardinal, but he's no Roy Williams. Washington was benched because he missed the tackle on the play that set up the loss last week. Logan is OK I guess. I believe Chad Scott was the guy we probably should have drafted instead of Tommy Knight. Big physical corner, but apparently not playing to expectations this year.

I'm not saying they're not dangerous (because they are). But problems on the O-line and secondary are the most apparent reasons why they're 3 & 5 this year.

Yep our 1st round pick last RG Simmons was diagnosed with diabetes in training camp and has been fighting that all year. Our Center Jeff Hartings has chronic knee problems that will probally force him to retire next year. LT Marvel Smith has been out most of the year with a pinched nerve in his shoulder...he can't lift his arm very high. Thats why All Pro LG Alan Faneca moved to Left Tackle. The guy can do it all. Then our RT is as bad as it gets in Oliver Ross.


With poor pass praction and horrible run blocking,our running backs can't get any big runs. Bettis can fall forward for a couple of yards lol. Amos tries to dance like Barry Sanders..as if.

Alexander is on the downside of his career and has lost a lot of his speed. So his range is very limited. To bad our Coach can't see that. SS Mike Logan is very solid in coverage and blitzing. Scott has played well at times but has had to cover the inadequencies of the secondary. CB Deshea Townsend getting his first start this year concerns me since his run support and tackling isn't stellar. He does have playmaking ability,so we are hoping for some pass breakups and interceptions. He had several in key games near the end of last season. Being 5 foot 9 and 180ish doesn't make me feel better either. Watch our rookie CB Ike Taylor...at 4.2 speed and incredible athletic ability is FINALLY getting a chance to play in passing situations. Anyone that ran down Dante Hall gets props to me. The kid can flat out play.