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When: Sun. 10/30
1:05 pm ET
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Televised: Sun. 10/30
1:05 pm ET (DirecTV Sunday Ticket Ch. 711)
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Satellite Radio: Sun. 10/30
1:05 pm ET (SIRIUS Radio - Ch. 139)
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Setup
Overview
Steelers' Last Game
Meet the
Steelers
Cardinals Roster
Steelers vs. Cardinals Matchups
Setup:
Two weeks ago (before the Bye) and after reeling from
4 straight
gut-wrenching losses, the entire Cardinal team fell apart in
Minnesota, falling behind 28 - 0 before the 1Q was even over.
Question of the moment is: Will the Cardinals suck it up and turn
their season around? Or will they continue to descend into the
abyss. Meanwhile, the Steelers haven't been exactly setting the
world on fire (and have displayed a range of performances ranging
fron (a) getting blown out by the Ravens, blowing out the Seahawks
and Tennessee and (c) winning couple of close ones and losing a
close one en route to a 4 & 2 record. They got blown out by
Baltimore in Week 1 but shut out Seattle 24 - 0 in Week 2 , beat
Indy by a FG in Week 3, lost to Houston by by a TD in Week 4,
clobbered Tennesssee 38 - 17 in Week 5 and eked out a win over the
Jags a week ago, 17 - 13. Based on their records, personnel
and their level of play, you can only conclude that the Cardinals
have their work cut out for them.
Overview
I'm working with Pro Football Focus (PFF)
rating numbers. Any
postitive rating of more than +2.0 is pretty good. Anything less
than a minus-2.0 rating is not-so-hot. Anything more than plus or
minus 1.0 is enough of a departure from average to be worth
noting.
Steelers
Last Game
They built up an early lead and played
old fashioned, close-to-the-vest AFC North smashmouth football en
route to a 17 to 13 over Jacksonville. A strong running
game, a stifling defense and timely sacks punctuated by an
occasional long-gainer (both in the air and on the ground) helped
determine the outcome. The only thing that kept the score
relatively low and close were the number of penalties picked up by
the Steelers.
Game summary:
First Quarter
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Jax started on their own 20 and pecked
their way to the Steeler 42 (with no gain over 11 yards). But
Woodley's sack of Gabbert stalled the drive and they punted to
the Steeler 13. A mixture of runs and short passes set up a 32
yard catch and run by Sanders and, 2 plays later, an 8-yard
Mendenhall TD run. Steelers 7 - Jags 0.
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Jags returned the KO to their own 31 but
went 3 & out (set up by another sack of Gabbert; this time by
Keisel. Steelers moved from their own 28 to the Jaguar
40 as the quarter ended. 1st Quarter Score: Steelers 7
- Jags 0.
Second Quarter
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Three plays later, Roethlisberger hit
Wallace for a 28-yard TD. Steelers 14 - Jags 0.
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Jacksonville started from their own 28 and
went 3 & out. Steelers returned the punt to their own 28. A
68-yard burst up the middle by Mendhall (with a face mask
penalty tacked on) got the Steelers to the Jag 2, where they
were unable to put it in and settled for a 21 yard Suisham
field goal. Steelers 17 - Jags 0.
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Starting from their own 25, Gabbert
managed to lead his team in 6 plays (aided by two Steeler
defensive penalties) to the Steeler 24-yard line, but another
Woodley Sack (this time for minus-4) forced a 46-yard Jag
field goal. Steelers 17 - Jags 3.
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A 48-yard
completion from Roethlisberger to Wallace moved the Steelers
to the Jag 31, but a couple of Steeler penalties stalled the
drive and Suisham's 46-yard attempt was wide left. Jags took
over on their own 36 with 4:05 to go. But Farrior's sack
of Gabbert made the Jags go 3 & out. Steelers managed to move
from their own 12 to their own 35 before punting. Jags started
from their own 22 and went 3 & out. Pittsburgh ran out the
clock. Halftime Score -
Steelers 17 - Jags 3.
Third Quarter
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Steelers returned the Kickoff to their own
25 and stayed mostly on the ground before punting from the Jax
45. Jags took over on their own 20. They ran Jones-Drew 3
times in a row and ran off 17 plays before Gabbert hit Hill
from the 18 for a TD. The score narrows. Steelers 17 -
Jags 10.
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Pittsburgh moved from their own 20
to their own 35 as the quarter ended. 3rd Quarter
Score: Steelers 17 - Jags 10.
Fourth Quarter
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Pittsburgh sputtered and punted. Jags got
the ball back on their own 17 but went 3 & out. Steelers
fair-caught the punt at their own 33. A penalty and a sack
forced them to go 3 & out. Jags also went 3 & out and punted
from their own 30. Another sack of Roethlisberger forced Pitts
to into another 3 & out.
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7:13 left. Jags started from their own 48
and moved to the Pittsburgh 25 where the drive stalled and
they settled for a 45-yard Scobee FG. Jags are within 4.
Steelers 17 - Jags 13.
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4:17 left. Steelers ate up all but 1:01 as
they moved from 20 to their own 37 before punting. Jags took
over on their own 23 but were unable to get past tthe Pitt 48
as the gun sounded,. Final Score:
Steelers 17 - Jags 13.
Meet
the Steelers
On paper, the Vikings are a lot better than 0 & 4. We're not sure
what's caused the wheels to come off the wagon, but then again,
the Cardinals are following a similar hard-to-fathom pattern.
Quarterbacks
07 Roethlisberger, Ben QB 6-5 241 29 8 Miami (Ohio)
Snaps: 398. Pluses: Overall: +12.6.
Passing: +10.5. Rushing: +2.5. Minuses: None.
16 Batch, Charlie QB 6-2 216 36 14 Eastern Michigan
Snaps: 2. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
10 Dixon, Dennis QB 6-3 209 26 4 Oregon
Snaps: Pluses: Minuses:
Evaluation
Roethlisberger's two most endearing qualities are (1)
he makes big plays at big moments and (2) prospective sackers
bounce off him (& then he invariably turns those into big plays.
Batch is a seasoned veteran. Dixon is an athletic #3.
Running Backs
34 Mendenhall, Rashard
RB 5-10 225 24 4 Illinois
Snaps: 144. Pluses: None. Minuses:
Overall: -1.4. Rush: -1.2.
33 Redman, Isaac RB 6-0 230 26 3 Bowie State
Snaps: 135. Pluses: Overall; +5.4. Rush: +4.0. Minuses: None.
21 Moore, Mewelde RB 5-11 209 29 8 Tulane
Snaps: 42. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
27 Dwyer,
Jonathan RB 5-11 229 22 2 Georgia Tech
Snaps: 21. Pluses: None,. Minuses: None.
Evaluation
PMendenhall has shaken
off early injuries and has emerged as a steady 100+ yard force. He
had a 66-yarder up the middle last week so you know he can hit
home runs. Redman is a capable backup. Moore is experienced and
terrific catching out of the backfield.
Wide Receivers
86
Ward, Hines WR 6-0 205 35 14 Georgia
Snaps: 334. Pluses: Overall: +21.1. Minuses: None.
84 Brown,
Antonio WR 5-10 186 23 2 Central Michigan
Snaps: 182. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -1.1. Penalty: -1.4
89 Cotchery, Jerricho
WR 6-0 203 29 8 North Carolina State
Snaps: 7. Pluses: None,. Minuses: None.
17 Wallace, Mike WR 6-0 199 25 3 Mississippi
Snaps: 330. Pluses: Overall: +10.0. Rec.+10.6. Minuses: None.
88 Sanders, Emmanuel WR 5-11 180 24 2 SMU
Snaps: 158. Pluses: Overall: +2.2. Rec: +1.6. Minuses: None.
81 Battle, Arnaz WR 6-1 208 31 9 Notre Dame
Snaps: 4. Pluses: None. Minuses: None,
Evaluation
Wallace has emerged as a very dangerous big
play long-ball threat. Ward can run great routes, get open, catch
and block. As much as we all loved Q, Ward kind of represented the
gold standard we all expected Boldin to attain.
Tight
Ends
83 Miller, Heath TE
6-5 256 28 7 Virginia
Snaps: 375. Pluses: Overall: +2.0. Run Block: +2.0. Penalty:+1.7.
Minuses: None.
85 Johnson, David TE/FB 6-2 260 24 3 Arkansas State
Snaps: 181. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
82 Saunders, Weslye TE
6-5 270 22 R South Carolina
Snaps: 81. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
Evaluation
Miller is excellent; standing out especially
as a run blocker.
Offensive Line
72
Scott, Jonathan LT 6-6 318 28 5 Texas
Snaps: 313. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -16.3. Pass Bl: -6.7.
Run Bl: -6.5. Penalty: 3.1.
78
Starks, Max T 6-8 345 29 8 Florida
Snaps: 129. Pluses: Overall: +2.9. Run Bl: +2.3.Minuses:
69 Meredith, Jamon OT 6-5 304 25 3 South CarolinaSnaps:
0. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
68 Kemoeatu,
Chris LG 6-3 344 28 7 Utah
Snaps: 199. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -6.1. Pass Bl: -3.5.
Run Bl: -3.5.
73 Foster, Ramon T 6-6 325 25 3 Tennessee
Snaps: 281. Pluses: Overall: +1.9. Run Bl: +2.2. Penalty: +1.3.
Minuses: Pass Bl: -1.6.
53
Pouncey, Maurkice C/G 6-4 304 22 2 Florida
Snaps: 394. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -5.6. Pass Block:
-2.3. Run Block: -2.0. Penalty: -1.3.
79 Essex,
Trai G 6-5 324 28 7 Northwestern
Snaps: 149. Pluses: None. Minuses: -7.0. Pass Bl: -7.0.
64 Legursky, Doug RG/C 6-1 315 25 3 Marshall
Snaps: 272. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -1.8. Run Bl: -2.7.
77 Gilbert, Marcus RT 6-6 330 23 R Florida
Snaps: 203. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -1.5. Pass Bl: -1.9.
Evaluation
:
They evidently help implement the Steeler
power running game flawlessly, but weak PFF ratings overall don't
support this
Defensive Line
91 Smith, Aaron LDE 6-5
298 35 13 Northern Colorado
Snaps: 175. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -5.6. Run D: -2.9.
Pass Rush: -2.8.
96 Hood, Ziggy DE 6-3 300 24 3
Missouri
Snaps: 275. Pluses: Pen: +1.3. Minuses: Overall: -5.7. Run
Def: -3.5. Pass Rush: -3.5
98
Hampton, Casey NT 6-1 325 34 11 Texas
Snaps: 134. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
76 Hoke, Chris NT 6-2 305 35 10 Brigham Young
Snaps: 61. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
90 McLendon, Steve DT 6-4 280 25 2 Troy
Snaps: 51. Pluses: Overall: +2.5. Run Def: +1.2. Pass Rush: +1.1.
Minuses: None.
99 Keisel, Brett RDE 6-5 285 33
10 Brigham Young
Snaps: 198. Pluses: Overall: +7.7. Run Def: +1.1. Pass Rush: +4.7.
Minuses: None.
97 Heyward, Cameron DE 6-5 288
22 R Ohio State
Snaps: 73. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
Evaluation
:
If you want to be an old school power running-based
team, you'd bettere be physical up front and the Steelers appear
to have the horses to do just that.
Linebacker
56 Woodley, LaMarr LOLB 6-2 265 26 5 Michigan
Snaps: 367. Pluses: Run Def: +4.3. Minuses: Pass Cov: -2.4. Pen:
-1.4.
54 Carter, Chris LB 6-1 248 22 R Fresno
State
Snaps: Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
51 Farrior,
James LILB 6-2 243 36 15 Virginia
Snaps: Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -3.9. Run Def: -4.2.
55 Sylvester, Stevenson ILB 6-2 231 23 2 Utah
Snaps: Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
94
Timmons, Lawrence RLB 6-1 234 25 5 Florida State
Snaps: 375. Pluses: Pass Cov: +3.2. Minuses: Overall: -3.5. Run
Def: -1.6. Pass Rush: -5.7.
50 Foote, Larry
LB 6-1 239 31 10 Michigan
Snaps: 146. Pluses: Pass Rush: +1.4. Minuses: Overall: -3.4. Run
Def: -3.5. Pass Cov: -1.5.
92
Harrison, James ROLB 6-0 242 33 8 Kent State
Snaps: 221. Pluses: Overall: +14.7. Run Def: +6.8. Pass Rush:
+6.4. Pass Cov: +1.1. Minuses: None.
93 Worilds,
Jason OLB 6-2 262 23 2 Virginia Tech
Snaps: 17. Pluses: Minuses:
Evaluation
Check out Dick LeBeau's OLB configuration - 2 big guys (Woodley at
265 lbs and Harrison at 242 lbs) surrounding somewhat smaller ILBs
in Farrior and Timmons. All of these guys can get after the QB.
Secondary
20 McFadden, Bryant LCB 6-0 190 29 7 Florida
State
Snaps: 53. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
23 Lewis, Keenan
CB 6-0 208 25 3 Oregon State
Snaps: 154. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -1.9. Pass Cov: -1.6.
31 Brown, Curtis DB 6-0 185 23 R Texas
Snaps: 0. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
25 Clark, Ryan FS 5-11 205 32 10 Louisiana State
Snaps: 378. Pluses: None. Minuses: Overall: -1.4.
29 Mundy, Ryan FS 6-1 209 26 3 West Virginia
Snaps: 81. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
43 Polamalu, Troy SS 5-10 207 30 9 USC
Snaps: 369. Pluses: Overall: +10.2. Run Def: +1.5. Pass Rush:
+3.8. Pass Cov: +5.8. Minuses: None.
26 Allen, Will S 6-1 200 29 8 Ohio State
Snaps: Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
24 Taylor, Ike RCB
6-2 195 31 9 Louisiana-Lafayette
Snaps: 374. Pluses: Overall: +1.8. Run Def: +1.6. Pass Cov: +1.4.
Minuses: None.
22 Gay, William CB 5-10 190 26 5
Louisville
Snaps: 340. Pluses: Penalty: +1.4. Minuses: Pass Cov: -2.6.
28 Allen, Cortez DB 6-1 196 22 R The Citadel
Snaps: 3. Pluses: None. Minuses: None.
Evaluation:
The presence of "Superman" (Polamalu) may be the only thing that
keeps this unit from being consideredthe major Achilles.Heel of
the Pittsburgh defense.
Special Teams
06 Suisham,
Shaun K 6-0 200 29 7 Bowling Green State
09 Sepulveda, Daniel
P/H 6-3 230 27 4 Baylor
60 Warren, Greg LS 6-3 252 30 7 North
Carolina
84 Brown, Antonio KR/PR/WR 5-10
186 23 2 Central Michigan
Evaluation:
Suisham and Sepulveda are superb at what they do. I don't know
much about Brown.
Coaches
Mike Tomlin Head Coach
Bruce Arians Offensive Coordinator
Dick LeBeau Defensive Coordinator
Al
Everest Special Teams Coordinator
Evaluation:
FTomlin's been around long enough to have put his stamp on the
personality of this team, which to me is: a physically and
mentally tough "old school" squad that plays things fairly close
to its vest and uses this to take a few opportunistic big play
shots during the course of any game. LeBeau is the master of the
zone blitz. Everest was a Cardinal ST coach back in the day.
Cardinal Roster
PFFW hadn't provided updated Week 4
stats as we post this preview, which means the rating info will be
"one week stale."
QB - 4 Kolb, 19 Skelton, 02 Bartel
Kolb (Overall Rating of +4.6 and Passer
Rating of 5.5) started off the season performing as though he had more than met his coaches'
expectations; but his production has tailed off of late - most
probably because he's being undermined by inferior offensive line
play. He's deadly in the short game when he gets his rhythm early
and is adept at play action fakes, rollouts and waggles; however
I've noticed of late that he is not connecting with receivers when
throwing on the run (possibly due to the lack of communication
with his receivers or their inability to break off their route and
get free).
Skelton has
a world of athletic talent and just needs more work, but his
development has been hampered by a high ankle sprain. Surprise of
preseason was Bartel (who proved extremely accurate and
shares Kolb's poise in the pocket.
Some concern about Bartel's tendency to lose
concentration and make one or two major miscues per game that
costs his team points or field position.
RB - 26, Wells,
36
Stephens-Howling (KR/PR),
29 C Taylor, 46 A. Smith
Wells seems to be emerging as the dominant
big breakaway back everyone expected him to be when he was
drafted. But his struggles in the passing game (a minus-3.4 rating
which contributes to his minus-2.4 overall rating) has hurt us
offensively. He does have a +3.0 rating as a rusher. Backup RB
Alfonso Smith has a+1.1. Chester Taylor hasn't been around enough
to make much of an impact.
FB - 35 Sherman
A rookie who was good enough to win a roster
battle over Mau'ia. Main role figures to be as lead blocker, but
Kolb and Bartel like to spread the ball around, and they did
complete 2 passes to him vs. the Gints.
WR -
85 Doucet , 12
Roberts, 17 Stuckey,
WR -11 Fitzgerald, 14 S Williams,
89 Sampson
Overall production is lower than
it should be (possibly due to problems experienced by Kolb as the
result of our O-line's ability to protect him (See how everything
is interrelated)?
Fitz has an overall rating of +5.8 (+4.3
as a receiver). But Roberts (minus-5.4 as a receiver, minus-2.4 as
a run blocker and minus-8.0 overall and Stuckey (minus-2.2 as a
receiver/minus-2.1 overall) has dragged down the overall
production of the unit. Doucet, however (+1.5 as a receiver) is
beginning to emerge as Fitz's #2.
TE - 86
Heap,
87 King,
84 Housler, 81
Dray
Totally revamped position. Heap is one of
the best all-around TE's in football. He enjoys a + 4.8 overall
rating/+4.2 as a run blocker. Former Panther King
- brought in primarily for his run blocking is rated +1.5 overall
and 2.7 as a receiver. His only apparent deficiency is as a pass
blocker (minus-1.9). Housler has sub 4.6 speed, great hands
and can stretch the field but has only been in for 47 snaps. Cards liked Dray enough to cut Spach
and still go with 4 TE's on their Final 53 roster.
LT- 75 L Brown, 73 Bridges
LG-
71 Colledge,
OC- 63Sendlein
RG-
70 Hadnot (C), 76
Lutui
RT
72 Keith,
74 Batiste
This unit is killing us. We've got
huge problems at tackle - Check out these overall ratings: L
Brown: minus-20.8; Colledge: minus-4.2; Sendlein: +0.2; Hadnot:
+11.9; Keith: Minus-11.9; Bridges: minus-5.1. Of our five starting
linemen, only Hadnot has good numbers.
Brown (-17.4),
Colledge (-4.7) and Keith (-9.4) are butt-awful as pass blockers.
Brown (-3.0), Keith (-2.9) and Bridges (-3.2) are just "fairly
bad" as run blockers. Call it what you will (poor communication,
lack of jelling or whatever). Poor O-line play is dragging down
the rest of the team.
DE - 93 Campbell,
98
Eason
NT -
92 D Williams, 79 Carter
DT - 90 Dockett,
91 Holliday
Campbell is solid across the board with the
exception of stopping the run. He leads the team in tackles.
Docket has no negatives but his main strength is as a pass rusher.
Both Calais and DDock have good pass coverage ratings; mainly
because of their skill at batting down passes. Williams' strength
is primarily as a run-stopper, but he tires quickly and only plays
1/3 to 1/4 the snaps played by Campbell and Dockett . His backups
(Carter and Eason) have negative ratings vs. the run). Holliday
has been a godsend - especially as an inside pass rusher.
WLB - 55 Porter,
50 Schofield
ILB
51
Lenon,
52 Bradley
ILB-
558 D Washington,
56 Walker,
SLB
-
53
Haggans, 94 Acho
This unit has pretty good ratings overall.
Lenon, Haggans, Washington and Schofield all have overall ratings
in the positive-range. But at least statisticly, Porter has been a
disaster (Overall Rating: minus-9.5; +1.0 vs.the run; minus-7.4 as
a pass rusher and minus-1.6 in pass coverage and minus-1.5 in
coverage. (& minus-1.5 in being penalized).
Haggans
(+5.4) is our best pass rusher followed by Washington (+3.0) and
Schofield (+2.4). Walker and Acho are both minus-1.1 vs, the run.
Lenon and Washington follow Campbell in most
tackles. Haggans blows away the rest of the team in QB Pressures
with 15 (Lenon is second with 6).
Buzz is that we should begin to see more and
more of Schofield (& possibly Acho) and less of Porter (who tends
to wear down late in games).
RCB -
21 Peterson,
31
Marshall
LCB-
20 Jefferson,
27 Adams,
32 Lindsay
SS- 24 Wilson,
41 Abdullah,
40
Tillman
FS- 25 Rhodes,
49
Rash Johnson,
37 Celestine
Jefferson is the surprise leader of the secondary with an overall
rating of +5.1 followed by A-Dub with +3.6. Everyone else is in
the minus category overall. Key point of weakness is at the corner
position opposite Jefferson where rookie Patrick Peterson
(minus-5.0 overall) is repeatedly being taken to school. How
quickly this unit comes together to play well as a unit will
depend on how quickly Peterson comes along.
The Cardinals will be challenged at FS where Kerry Rhodes has been
sidelined by surgery. It will be up to Rashad Johnson and newly
signed Celestine to step up and fill the void left by Rhodes. As
run defenders, Jefferson (+3.6) and Wilson (+4.1) have been
holding down the fort.
K-04
Feely
P- 09 Zastudil
H -
09
Zastudil
LS-
82 Leach
KR -
37Stephens-Howling, 20 Jefferson
PR -
21
Peterson
The usually solid Feely
has been a bit inconsistent. Zastudil (who had mediocre numbers a
s apunter) has been in and out due to injury. Peterson and the
Howler are both serious home run threats.
Steelers vs. Cardinals Matchups
Pittsburgh Passing Attack
vs. Cardinal
Pass Defense
Roethlisberger to Ward, Wallace and Miller (with Mendenhall
out of the backfield) will present a challenge to the somewhat
inexperienced and porous Cardinal secondary. Wallace is the
burner. Cardinal DB's have been notorious for letting guys beat
them deep. But the Steelers do have a glaring weakness at
virtually every position along their offensive line - especially
on Roethlisberger's blind side. In terms of overall effectiveness,
the Steelers have a +15.0 rating (compared to 7.0 for the
Cardinals.
Steelers throw 59% of their passes inside the
hash marks and throw outside 22% to their right and 19% to their
left. They're most effective throwing up the middle between 10 and
19 yards. They're more effective throwing deep to their left and
less effective throwing deep to their right. For standard of
comparison, they're more effective than the Cardinals throwing to
backs and receivers behind the line of scrimmage.
Key to putting pressure on Roethlisberger will
be to wrap up and sustain tackles (i.e. don't bounce off him) and
protect outside contain and other Big Ben escape hatches. Cards
have been traditionally vulnerable to deep passes to the left (a
Steeler strong point) so Petersonand the FS had better keep on
their toes. Both
coaching staffs know one another well and we should witness an
Arians vs. Horton chess match.
Pittsburgh Running Attack vs.
Cardinal Run Defense
The run game
is a Steeler strength. The Cards have proved they can stop the run
(when they want to) but have been inconsistent from game to game
and below-average overall. Cards have to apply "Gore Rules" to
Mendenhall (who broke one up the middle for 66-yards last week).
Steelers ran 42% of their plays off right
tackle/around end. (compared to 17% off left tackle/around end).
They ran 28% of their pl;ays inside the guards. Stands to reason,
therefore, that Pittsburgh posted a gaudy 9.5 yards per carry off
RT and 3.9 around RE (compared to 1.9 YPC around left end. 2.4 and
0.7 YPC middle-left and middle-right).)
The left side of our Front Seven (especially
Campbell, Williams, Haggans and Lenon - with an assist from
Dockett, Washington and A-Dub had better fasten their chin-straps.
Cardinal Passing Attack
vs.
Pittsburgh Pass Defense
Kolb started off on-plan/on-time but seems to have fallen off the
track in his most recent games. His struggles may have more to do
with poor pass protection than Kolb himself, but he'll have to
play better if we're to right the ship. Opposing teams have had
some success isolating Fitzgerald and making Roberts, Stuckey and
Doucet beat them. So far, Roberts and Stuckey have been
struggling, but Doucet is beginning to emerge as our #2 guy.
Cardinal TE's are emerging as a safety-net for Kolb, but we're not
getting similar production in the receiving game from Beanie Wells
(who has a negative rating of -3.4 as a receiver). LSH (& we
expect Taylor more and more) usually are used in passing
situations.
55% of Cardinal passes are inside the hash
marks, with most of them from 0 to 19 yards. They throw to their
right 28% of the time (compared to 19% to the left). The Cards
struggle a bit throwing behind the line of scrimmage. They do best
throwing outside the hash marks. When going deep, we do a bit
better throwing to our right.
With the exception of the high-impact Polamalu,
Pittsburgh's secondary is suspect and (if we can protect Kolb)
vulnerable. But our O-line's ability to stave off Woodley,
Harrison, Farrior and Keisel will be key (and a real challenge).
Cardinal Running Attack
vs.
Pittsburgh Run Defense
Beanie is beginning to look like a steady 100+ yard ground gainer.
It will be interesting to see if Beanie retains his mojo and the
O-line sustains its run-blocking momentum after the Bye Week.
Cards run inside the guards 43.5% of the time.
We (try to) run outside LE 20% of the time compared to 13% running
around RE. We're most effective running up the middle inside LG
averaging 8.1 yards a pop. We're weakest running off RT (2.7 YPC)
but average well over 3.2 YPC everywhere else.
The left side of the Steeler D-line has been
surprisingly soft vs. the run. Steeler OLB's (Woodley and
Harrison) rate strong vs. the run. Their inside LB's are both
rated in the negative; suggesting that we may want to pound Beanie
inside the tackles rather than repeatedly test the Pittsburgh
outside perimeter.
Special Teams
Suisham and Sepulvida look more reliable than have Feely and
Zastidl in the kicking and punting game. I don't know anything
about Antonio Brown, but I do know Peterson and LSH are capable of
breaking something long at any time.
Coaching
Lots of "incest." Tomlin brings youth and street creds to the
head coaching position. LeBeau is the grand-master of the Steeler
defense (Horton's main influence). Arians succeeded Wiz as the
Steeler offensive brain.
Final Word
On paper, the Steelers are better than the Cards, but they've had
their struggles in a couple of games. Cardinals are desperate.
This game in a real sense figures to represent a measuring stick
and gut-check of the team's resiliency. I'd really like to see
what the Cards will look like when everyone brings their "A" Game
and continues to bring it for an entire 60-minutes.
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