Steelers Passing game Better, Running game Weaker.

[MastR_EvaluatoR]

First off, let me say I am a long time lurker at this board.. I was at a steelers board, heard some news , and decided to join this board with you misfits. heh

With that said, steeler fans are saying their running game looks horrid. Duce Staley has become fat, Parker looks much slower, and their line isn't run blocking well at all.. They are saying they are missing Jerome Bettis' leadership for the running game and it is showing..

I understand it's preseason but I think there is some truth to some of what Steeler fans are mentioning.. On the flipside of that, the Steeler passing game looks better at this point than in any of the last 15+ years they are saying.. Didn't they draft Santonio Holmes in the first round ?

This could be a problem for us as I believe we are a very good run defense with this d-line and not as good defensively against the pass .. Our secondary will be in for a test because Rothlisberger is a very accurate QB who doesn't make mistakes.. I know it's early, but I am jacked for this opening day matchup as I believe a win vs the Super Bowl champs Sept 7th can bring confidence that can carry over for a couple of years.

Your thoughts ?

 

[SF Dolfan]

I think their line will be ok by the time we play. That team was built to run the ball and I anticipate them being successful again this year, even if it may not be quite up to the previous standard.

As for their backs, sure Bus was a leader, but he was no star at that stage in his career. He was bigger than he had been, and not quite the same player imo. I think Verron Haynes now is easliy as good a short yardage runner as Jerome was last year. I also think it was clear that Parker was a eoverall back than the bus. He likely would've scored on 90% of the plays Jerome did if given the opportunity. I love Duce, and he has heart, but he may be done. I think anything they get from him will be gravy. He's got experience and savvy, but I don't think anyone could expect him to carry the load for an extended time at this stage.

The WR's are probably upgraded, but they did lose Randall-El who made some things happen. I could see Ben continuing to grow and throwing the ball a bit more. Miller may really come on too at TE. They should be more well-rounded.

How does it afffect us? Honestly, probably not alot. We look pretty stout up front and will probably stop the run against most. Teams will have to beat us through the air and I expect we give up a play or 2 here and there. But overall, you have to have some strengths and weaknesses and I think our secondary will do fine. Our d is bulit to stop the run and pressure the passer. If we accomplish that, our secondary should be just fine. Its not Madison and Surtain, but the Patriots never had corners like that and seemed to be pretty successful.

 

[HybridPHIN 23]

man if they had plaxico and randel el still that would be something

 

[ojmcduffy]

okay you guys have to realize we got noew parts in the secondary and saban defense is a tough one to learn. Everyone is pushing the panic button because we got burned bad against jax, but we need time to gelk, anbd i dont think coach saban is gonna show to many p[ages from his playbook in the preseason

 

[Atila]

no one is pushing the panic button, we all know our secondary will eventually get better, we are on the brink of greatness, but AT THIS POINT our secondary is our weakness (though i will admit not as big as some people make it out to be).

 

[ZThomas54]

i think you guys are underestimating bettis' impact on the steelers. i wholeheartedly disagree w/ the poster that said parker would've scored on 90% of the plays bettis did, i unfortunately live in steeler country and got to see every one of bettis' td's on tv and 190 lb "fast" willie parker would've been lucky to score on 40% of em. bettis' leadership is irreplaceable on that team, from what i hear locally bettis was by far the team leader there, i heard ben's a dick and everyone else is just quiet on that offense. i also hear that hines is a dick too and is very ****y. if the offensive line struggles hold true willie parker will be terrible. if i ever saw a RB as the product of an O-Line willie parker is it (the jury's still out on larry johnson this year as far as i'm concerned lets see how he does w/ out two prestigious o-lineman and arguable the best fullback in the league). the steelers running game will be nothing to fear with our run D. another thing i observed from watching the steelers is that steeler fans hold their breaths when ben throws the ball deep. he is NOT an accurate deep passer and that is our weakness. if we can defend heath miller i don't think there is any way the steelers can beat us w/out us beating ourselves. last year we were prone to making costly turnovers at the end of games and the steelers D is certainly capable of forcing those. also i will add that santonio holmes has been dropping a lot of passes in TC. i think the phins have a great chance at beating the steelers opening night, it should be an intense, low scoring game. (assuming culpepper and chambers don't go off like i hope they do :D

 

[vadin]

isnt santonio holmes in jail or something...

 

[finfan54]

i think you guys are underestimating bettis' impact on the steelers. i wholeheartedly disagree w/ the poster that said parker would've scored on 90% of the plays bettis did, i unfortunately live in steeler country and got to see every one of bettis' td's on tv and 190 lb "fast" willie parker would've been lucky to score on 40% of em. bettis' leadership is irreplaceable on that team, from what i hear locally bettis was by far the team leader there, i heard ben's a dick and everyone else is just quiet on that offense. i also hear that hines is a dick too and is very ****y. if the offensive line struggles hold true willie parker will be terrible. if i ever saw a RB as the product of an O-Line willie parker is it (the jury's still out on larry johnson this year as far as i'm concerned lets see how he does w/ out two prestigious o-lineman and arguable the best fullback in the league). the steelers running game will be nothing to fear with our run D. another thing i observed from watching the steelers is that steeler fans hold their breaths when ben throws the ball deep. he is NOT an accurate deep passer and that is our weakness. if we can defend heath miller i don't think there is any way the steelers can beat us w/out us beating ourselves. last year we were prone to making costly turnovers at the end of games and the steelers D is certainly capable of forcing those. also i will add that santonio holmes has been dropping a lot of passes in TC. i think the phins have a great chance at beating the steelers opening night, it should be an intense, low scoring game. (assuming culpepper and chambers don't go off like i hope they do :D

I do believe the Steelers will be good, just not as good as last year. Bettis being gone will speak volumes as you say. The Oline has some good ones but I envision a team with less "tradition" in that regard. Another piece I hear is affecting their defense is the DT Von Olenhaufer being gone or whatever his name is. He was a big part of their success and I believe this is a problem for them. One advantage we surely have over the Pittsburgh Steelers is the DL all the way. I think the bike accident is a sign of Pittsburghs fall back this year. Rothlisberger has the lowest QB rating ever in a super bowl I believe. That flea flicker crap wont work against us.

 

[PhinsRock]

I think this thread is a plot by Steelers fans, trying to lure us into being lackadaisical about their running game. Then when we play them, wham! Really good running game!

On a more serious note, I don't think adding Santonio Holmes is going to raise their passing game for at least a half-season or longer. Everyone knows first year WR's rarely ever contribute much, so much to learn about playing in the NFL.

Don't let your guard down about their running game Coach Saban! It's a Steelers fan plot!

 

[FinFan 61]

Our D is built on the the line and pressure. This imo is what Saban is using as the glue to give the secondary time to gel. We'll be fine, the big emphasis is on the offense, if they control the ball our D will be a whole lot more effective!

 

[PhinGeneral]

First off, let me say I am a long time lurker at this board.. I was at a steelers board, heard some news , and decided to join this board with you misfits. heh

With that said, steeler fans are saying their running game looks horrid. Duce Staley has become fat, Parker looks much slower, and their line isn't run blocking well at all.. They are saying they are missing Jerome Bettis' leadership for the running game and it is showing..

I understand it's preseason but I think there is some truth to some of what Steeler fans are mentioning.. On the flipside of that, the Steeler passing game looks better at this point than in any of the last 15+ years they are saying.. Didn't they draft Santonio Holmes in the first round ?

This could be a problem for us as I believe we are a very good run defense with this d-line and not as good defensively against the pass .. Our secondary will be in for a test because Rothlisberger is a very accurate QB who doesn't make mistakes.. I know it's early, but I am jacked for this opening day matchup as I believe a win vs the Super Bowl champs Sept 7th can bring confidence that can carry over for a couple of years.

Your thoughts ?

I've thought since the schedule came out that Pittsburgh will attack our secondary. They started to throw a lot more with Roethlisberger healthy at playoff time last year, and the state of our secondary right now only furthers my conviction. For the most part I think we'll be ready, but it wouldn't surprise me if Pitt does hit a few big gainers.

Consequently, don't be surprised if we run the ball more than usual in an attempt to eat up time and give them less chance for a big play. I predict we might play this one a bit close to the vest, which (win or lose) will probably have half this board calling for Mularky's head the next day.

 

[SF Dolfan]

i think you guys are underestimating bettis' impact on the steelers. i wholeheartedly disagree w/ the poster that said parker would've scored on 90% of the plays bettis did, i unfortunately live in steeler country and got to see every one of bettis' td's on tv and 190 lb "fast" willie parker would've been lucky to score on 40% of em. bettis' leadership is irreplaceable on that team, from what i hear locally bettis was by far the team leader there, i heard ben's a dick and everyone else is just quiet on that offense. i also hear that hines is a dick too and is very ****y. if the offensive line struggles hold true willie parker will be terrible. if i ever saw a RB as the product of an O-Line willie parker is it (the jury's still out on larry johnson this year as far as i'm concerned lets see how he does w/ out two prestigious o-lineman and arguable the best fullback in the league). the steelers running game will be nothing to fear with our run D. another thing i observed from watching the steelers is that steeler fans hold their breaths when ben throws the ball deep. he is NOT an accurate deep passer and that is our weakness. if we can defend heath miller i don't think there is any way the steelers can beat us w/out us beating ourselves. last year we were prone to making costly turnovers at the end of games and the steelers D is certainly capable of forcing those. also i will add that santonio holmes has been dropping a lot of passes in TC. i think the phins have a great chance at beating the steelers opening night, it should be an intense, low scoring game. (assuming culpepper and chambers don't go off like i hope they do :D

In terms of pure talent as a runner, I honestly dont think theyll miss bus all that much. Sure, Willie is a product of the system, but bus was as much a product of the system as any of the backs towards the end. He had gaping holes on 50% + of his td's. I do believe he was a leader and will be missed sorely in that regard, but I think that affects the entire o and perhaps team, moreso than the running attack specifically.

Also, I'm originally from PA and still spend a good deal of timem there. Most people I know love Hines. Maybe the holdout hurt him somewhat but that guy has been a consumate pro for many many years. He seems pretty highly regarded by fans, players and the organization imo.

I agree that we are built to stop the run and the pitt ground game doesnt scare me nearly as much as it would have, say, 2 seasons ago. I think we can handle pretty much anyone. Miller will be a key. I also think containing parker as a reciever out of the back field will be critical.

 

[Hasane]

Santonio Holmes is a rookie

Hines Ward and Heath Miller are there only real receiving options

And rothelisberger isn't exactly peyton manning.

 

[finfan54]

Our D is built on the the line and pressure. This imo is what Saban is using as the glue to give the secondary time to gel. We'll be fine, the big emphasis is on the offense, if they control the ball our D will be a whole lot more effective!

definitely, the offense has been controlling the ball nicely it seems and our 3rd down conversion is pretty good. It would be better if the Oline didnt get penalties. If we continue to see that Thursday when we gameplan then I think this offense will make the D better for sure. Give big daddy his blows.

 

[finfan54]

I've thought since the schedule came out that Pittsburgh will attack our secondary. They started to throw a lot more with Roethlisberger healthy at playoff time last year, and the state of our secondary right now only furthers my conviction. For the most part I think we'll be ready, but it wouldn't surprise me if Pitt does hit a few big gainers.

Consequently, don't be surprised if we run the ball more than usual in an attempt to eat up time and give them less chance for a big play. I predict we might play this one a bit close to the vest, which (win or lose) will probably have half this board calling for Mularky's head the next day.

Well, I know Saban already has plans for Pittsburgh. We have two coaches that understand that teams history very well. We are learning a 3-4 and playing different schemes. We are a second half team. You can bet we are planning on swithching some things up and playing it close to the vest but with ball control and high percentage passes in the first half. The only thing that would screw that up is penalties. And we all know the refs will favor Pitt on that night.