Why are the Steelers so bad against the spread offense? (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

For all of the Steelers great defense over the last 10 years, let's face it, they're not very good against the spread attack. Time after time they seemed to get picked apart. The latest example was this year's game against New England, where Tom Brady seemed to have no problem at all moving the ball down the field with ease. Now the Steelers face that other great spread attack, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

I don't pretend to be an Xs and Os guy but I'm hoping that some of you who read this are. I would like to know why the Steeler 3-4 defense struggles so much against the spread. I want to know how best to play against it, and if we can expect **** LeBeau to come up with something that he hasn't before. And what is the best way to defend against a QB as seemingly talented and in the zone as Aaron Rodgers has looked throughout the playoffs. All opinions welcome.

 

[Fensalk]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.

I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.

If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

 

[timschochet]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

Good response. So is the solution to rush extra guys less often and play more dime defenses, the way the Jets did against New England?

 

[Fensalk]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

Good response. So is the solution to rush extra guys less often and play more dime defenses, the way the Jets did against New England?

Give me Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams circa 2000 clogging up the running lanes and freeing up my DEs to pressure the QB, plus some hall of fame LBs roaming around and some quality DBs and I can reliably stop the Patriots without blitzing, sure. Realistically, the better plan is just to outscore the Patriots if you can. Short answer is Brady is too good to blitz. You'll need to get pressure with your base to reliably beat him. Otherwise, outscore the Patriots.

 

[smackdaddies]

learn Cover 2?

Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

 

[Choke]

learn Cover 2?Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

Mike Tomlin says "Hi".

 

[Go Pack]

I expect or at least hope to see the Packers in lots of 4 wide sets with quick passes to beat the Steelers pass rush. I think the Packers will have no success running on the Steelers and the short passing game is the way they move the ball. I exoect them to find some matchups they like and keep exploiting them like they did in Atlanta. Should be a great chess match between these offenses and defenses.

 

[smackdaddies]

learn Cover 2?Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

Mike Tomlin says "Hi".

Generally cover 2 (or tampa 2) is played out of a 4-3, so Mike would have to switch that too

 

[Choke]

learn Cover 2?Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

Mike Tomlin says "Hi".

Generally cover 2 (or tampa 2) is played out of a 4-3, so Mike would have to switch that too

Im just saying the concept and the coverages are fully understood in the Steeler meeting rooms.In fact, in that last game against the Pats, the Steelers were in a total vanilla stance the whole night -- which I though had lots of 4 rush and cover 2 looks. They got killed in it.

 

[Steelfan7]

learn Cover 2?Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

Mike Tomlin says "Hi".

Generally cover 2 (or tampa 2) is played out of a 4-3, so Mike would have to switch that too

Cover 2 is the type of pass coverage so what does that have to do with how many down lineman are in the formation? Cover 2 is played out of 3-4 or 4-3. Doesn't matter which one.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings.

Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB.

Throw throw then throw again

 

[smackdaddies]

learn Cover 2?Cover 2 always seems to give Rodgers trouble, all the more so if you have a strong d line rush. Which, btw, is chicago.

Mike Tomlin says "Hi".

Generally cover 2 (or tampa 2) is played out of a 4-3, so Mike would have to switch that too

Cover 2 is the type of pass coverage so what does that have to do with how many down lineman are in the formation? Cover 2 is played out of 3-4 or 4-3. Doesn't matter which one.

in the tampa 2 the middle lb drops to the middle zone and your 2 other play coverage also. It is a 4-3 defense related because your counting on your 4 down linemen to provide sufficient run defense, which you cant get with 3 d linemen. I don't know a single 3-4 that plays Tampa 2. But I may be wrong.

 

[12punch]

For all of the Steelers great defense over the last 10 years, let's face it, they're not very good against the spread attack. Time after time they seemed to get picked apart. The latest example was this year's game against New England, where Tom Brady seemed to have no problem at all moving the ball down the field with ease. Now the Steelers face that other great spread attack, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

I don't pretend to be an Xs and Os guy but I'm hoping that some of you who read this are. I would like to know why the Steeler 3-4 defense struggles so much against the spread. I want to know how best to play against it, and if we can expect **** LeBeau to come up with something that he hasn't before. And what is the best way to defend against a QB as seemingly talented and in the zone as Aaron Rodgers has looked throughout the playoffs. All opinions welcome.

If you think about it in the simplest terms ---- woodley and harrison are playing to their strength when they're attacking the QB on a downhill rush. The spread tends to get them out of that and force them into coverage, which is not really where you want them.

There was an article about lebeau tweaking the d after that pats game if I can dig it up.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/...to-championship

 

[SteelerMurf]

The Steelers can drop anyone into coverage, so I don't think the throwing lanes will be as open as we have seen Rodgers these last 2 games.

Brady owns the Steelers, there is just no other way to put it. So what I am saying is, it's not so much the spread but the QB.

 

[Choke]

For all of the Steelers great defense over the last 10 years, let's face it, they're not very good against the spread attack. Time after time they seemed to get picked apart. The latest example was this year's game against New England, where Tom Brady seemed to have no problem at all moving the ball down the field with ease. Now the Steelers face that other great spread attack, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.I don't pretend to be an Xs and Os guy but I'm hoping that some of you who read this are. I would like to know why the Steeler 3-4 defense struggles so much against the spread. I want to know how best to play against it, and if we can expect **** LeBeau to come up with something that he hasn't before. And what is the best way to defend against a QB as seemingly talented and in the zone as Aaron Rodgers has looked throughout the playoffs. All opinions welcome.

If you think about it in the simplest terms ---- woodley and harrison are playing to their strength when they're attacking the QB on a downhill rush. The spread tends to get them out of that and force them into coverage, which is not really where you want them. There was an article about lebeau tweaking the d after that pats game if I can dig it up.

I hope that the Steelers will "steal" a page from Ryan and the Jets and allow the LBs to crush some of the WRs off the line-of-scrimmage at times.

 

[smackdaddies]

Good Cover 2 Write Up (Thanks FGB!)

 

[smackdaddies]

The Steelers can drop anyone into coverage, so I don't think the throwing lanes will be as open as we have seen Rodgers these last 2 games.

Brady owns the Steelers, there is just no other way to put it. So what I am saying is, it's not so much the spread but the QB.

mmm, while true, you can drop anyone into coverage, there does tend to be differing skill levels. Not everyone has BJ Raji's mad skills.And its not just Brady that has the Steelers number. A number of teams have passed on them this year

 

[Sabertooth]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

I think you nail it here. It is who they are and also apparently a weakness Pittsburgh has (I wasn't aware they had any). They will throw a ton. Running is basically surrendering a down pretty much.

 

[Choke]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

I think you nail it here. It is who they are and also apparently a weakness Pittsburgh has (I wasn't aware they had any). They will throw a ton. Running is basically surrendering a down pretty much.

The one thing that this does do in favor of Pittsburgh... is it usually lets 'em dictate the clock.

 

[Steelfan7]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

 

[Kirby]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

That's how I play them in Madden. 4 WRs keep their best players off the field.

 

[Sinrman]

With as strong as the Steelers are against the run, and as poorly as the Pack runs it, the play action fake won't fool many people. I know the Pack will

TRY to run the ball with Starks, but they will look silly and Rodgers will have a long night methinks.

 

[Sabertooth]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

Like Brady played into LeBeau's hands?

 

[Steeler]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

Like Brady played into LeBeau's hands?

NE ran for 104 yards against the Steelers, and I doubt GB will have anywhere near that much rushing yardage in the Super Bowl. So I'm not sure that NE game is a good comparison.

 

[Choke]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

Like Brady played into LeBeau's hands?

Wait... are the Steelers playing New England?

 

[Sabertooth]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

Like Brady played into LeBeau's hands?

NE ran for 104 yards against the Steelers, and I doubt GB will have anywhere near that much rushing yardage in the Super Bowl. So I'm not sure that NE game is a good comparison.

Starks played pretty well against the best the NFC had to offer, averaging 23 carries and 88 yards the past three weeks. I realize Pittsburgh is better than Chicago, but for reference Starks did hang 22 carries and 74 yards on the Bears. As a team Green Bay hung about 120 on them, which is roughly 50 yards more than Chicago had allowed this season on average. So we might see some balance. But make no mistake, for Green Bay this game comes down to Rodgers and the Packers wideouts. I expect Jordy Nelson and James Jones to have pretty big roles.

 

[Sabertooth]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

Like Brady played into LeBeau's hands?

Wait... are the Steelers playing New England?

They probably wish they were. New England's defense isn't nearly as good as Green Bay's.

 

[Tanner9919]

For all of the Steelers great defense over the last 10 years, let's face it, they're not very good against the spread attack. Time after time they seemed to get picked apart. The latest example was this year's game against New England, where Tom Brady seemed to have no problem at all moving the ball down the field with ease. Now the Steelers face that other great spread attack, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

I don't pretend to be an Xs and Os guy but I'm hoping that some of you who read this are. I would like to know why the Steeler 3-4 defense struggles so much against the spread. I want to know how best to play against it, and if we can expect **** LeBeau to come up with something that he hasn't before. And what is the best way to defend against a QB as seemingly talented and in the zone as Aaron Rodgers has looked throughout the playoffs. All opinions welcome.

If you think about it in the simplest terms ---- woodley and harrison are playing to their strength when they're attacking the QB on a downhill rush. The spread tends to get them out of that and force them into coverage, which is not really where you want them.

There was an article about lebeau tweaking the d after that pats game if I can dig it up.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/...to-championship

good stuff!but the problem is that good QB's eat the Steelers' lunch..

Warner did well in the SB, he threw for over 300 yards against the Steelers, Brees beat them this season, throwing for 300+ and winning 20-10.

Brady owns them.

Flacco had success passing against them in the first game..

with the D-line's speed, Jets had success running draws and delayed handoffs

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

 

[Choke]

Wait... are the Steelers playing New England?

They probably wish they were.

You aren't being serious, are you?

 

[Choke]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

 

[Sabertooth]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

 

[Choke]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

Are you guys all fishing?Santonio Holmes is every bit as good as anyone on those 3 lists if not better.Rice wouldnt start? Boldin couldnt put Driver and Jones on the bench?

 

[Sabertooth]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

Are you guys all fishing?Santonio Holmes is every bit as good as anyone on those 3 lists if not better.Rice wouldnt start? Boldin couldnt put Driver and Jones on the bench?

You don't read so good do you? I said wideouts. Holmes is not as good as Jennings or Driver. And no, Boldin could not put Driver on the bench.

 

[Choke]

Holmes is not as good as Jennings or Driver. And no, Boldin could not put Driver on the bench.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

lol umm, what?

 

[Godsbrother]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

The reason the Steelers defense struggles against spread offenses with QBs that make fast decisions is that they normally bring pressure from the outside linebackers and that takes a little more time to get to the QB. Unfortunately the Steelers typically play their DBs off of the line which leaves them vulnerable to short, quick passes. The way to "fix" it is to play your DBs closer to the receivers and/or bring pressure up the middle.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

imo If green bay wants to win, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are on the field for every offensive snap with Driver n Jennings. Cant run on Pitt and neither will GB. Throw throw then throw again

This will play right into LeBeau's hands. GB won't get many yards rushing, but they must try to run to setup play action.

I think most of GBs running yards will come from rodgers

 

[Sabertooth]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

lol umm, what?

What part don't you understand.

 

[Sabertooth]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

The reason the Steelers defense struggles against spread offenses with QBs that make fast decisions is that they normally bring pressure from the outside linebackers and that takes a little more time to get to the QB. Unfortunately the Steelers typically play their DBs off of the line which leaves them vulnerable to short, quick passes. The way to "fix" it is to play your DBs closer to the receivers and/or bring pressure up the middle.

Tough to do though when Rodgers is such a threat to burn you deep. Pick your poison type of scenario.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

lol umm, what?

What part don't you understand.

actually its the QB that doomed the Ravens and to a lesser exent the Jets.Rodgers>>>>>>Flacco & dirty sanchez. the weapons are about even IMO at the WR/TE spot. GB is lacking at RB compared to NYJ and Balt

 

[Carolina Hustler]

and we're not even talking about Jennings/Driver/Jones/Jordy Nelson..

Boldin, Mason, Heap, Rice.Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Tomlinson.

Point? None of these wideouts would start for Green Bay.

lol umm, what?

What part don't you understand.

James Jones and Jordy Nelson do not trump all the WR's on that list.. The suggestion is laughable.. I take Boldin, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Mason or Heap over Nelson.. Probably over Jones as well... Don't be a Homer..

 

[Franknbeans]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

The reason the Steelers defense struggles against spread offenses with QBs that make fast decisions is that they normally bring pressure from the outside linebackers and that takes a little more time to get to the QB. Unfortunately the Steelers typically play their DBs off of the line which leaves them vulnerable to short, quick passes. The way to "fix" it is to play your DBs closer to the receivers and/or bring pressure up the middle.

If I recall correctly, one of the announcers mentioned breifly last week that the Steelers defensive linemen were encouraged to get their hands up early and often to knock down the quick slant routes the Jets were likely to employ. Woodley almost intercepted a pass anticipating that route at the goal line.

 

[sho nuff]

James Jones and Jordy Nelson do not trump all the WR's on that list.. The suggestion is laughable.. I take Boldin, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Mason or Heap over Nelson.. Probably over Jones as well... Don't be a Homer..

I agree about Boldin and Holmes. But I wouldn't take Edwards or Keller or Cotchery or Mason or Heap over Nelson or Jones right now.

 

[Sabertooth]

James Jones and Jordy Nelson do not trump all the WR's on that list.. The suggestion is laughable.. I take Boldin, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Mason or Heap over Nelson.. Probably over Jones as well...

Don't be a Homer..

Who suggested that? I said they couldn't start for Green Bay. None of those guys coming into Green Bay this season would have forced Driver to the bench. Not with the chemistry he has with Rodgers and his leadership.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

James Jones and Jordy Nelson do not trump all the WR's on that list.. The suggestion is laughable.. I take Boldin, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Mason or Heap over Nelson.. Probably over Jones as well...

Don't be a Homer..

Who suggested that? I said they couldn't start for Green Bay. None of those guys coming into Green Bay this season would have forced Driver to the bench. Not with the chemistry he has with Rodgers and his leadership.

Based purely on talent, If you dump all those guys together, the top 3 would be Jennings, Holmes, Boldin...

 

[Godsbrother]

No defense is perfect. You have to accept that you'll have some weakness. The Steelers weakness is not so much against the spread attack but against a QB who makes good decisions with the football quickly. There are few QBs who can do that consistently. Brady and Rodgers are two such QBs. So if you have to have a weakness, that's not a bad one to pick. The Steelers just kept running into Brady and losing in the playoffs, and now they didn't have to face Brady in the playoffs and then run into Rodgers in the Super Bowl, so it'll be a challenge. Bad luck I suppose.I think the Steelers rush 5 about half the time. So someone is usually open. That's the zone blitz. If you can make a quick read and hit the open guy fast, you can just carve that up. Its not a common skill for a QB to have. Many QBs lock onto one guy and can struggle to make progressions. Next thing they know a Steeler LB is on top of them and they are running for their life.If you run the spread offense with Derek Anderson at QB, the Steelers will just laugh at you.

The reason the Steelers defense struggles against spread offenses with QBs that make fast decisions is that they normally bring pressure from the outside linebackers and that takes a little more time to get to the QB. Unfortunately the Steelers typically play their DBs off of the line which leaves them vulnerable to short, quick passes. The way to "fix" it is to play your DBs closer to the receivers and/or bring pressure up the middle.

Tough to do though when Rodgers is such a threat to burn you deep. Pick your poison type of scenario.

Agreed but if he goes deep then he risks getting sacked. Look I respect Aaron Rodgers and the Packers receivers but the Steelers defense isn't chopped liver either. It should be a tough matchup for both.

 

[Sabertooth]

James Jones and Jordy Nelson do not trump all the WR's on that list.. The suggestion is laughable.. I take Boldin, Holmes, Edwards, Keller, Cotchery, Mason or Heap over Nelson.. Probably over Jones as well...

Don't be a Homer..

Who suggested that? I said they couldn't start for Green Bay. None of those guys coming into Green Bay this season would have forced Driver to the bench. Not with the chemistry he has with Rodgers and his leadership.

Based purely on talent, If you dump all those guys together, the top 3 would be Jennings, Holmes, Boldin...

Probably. But that isn't what I was saying. Driver is one of the top leaders in the locker room for Green Bay.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

the weakness of the Steelers secondary is being greatly exaggerated here.

 

[CrossEyed]

the weakness of the Steelers secondary is being greatly exaggerated here.

I agree. The only spread offense they have had significant trouble with consistently is New England. And I'm thinking Brady's play in those games has a lot more to do with it than anything else.

 

[Sabertooth]

the weakness of the Steelers secondary is being greatly exaggerated here.

I agree. The only spread offense they have had significant trouble with consistently is New England. And I'm thinking Brady's play in those games has a lot more to do with it than anything else.

Rodgers has been red hot. Historically hot in fact. Thus the comparison.