fordfixer
09-07-2008, 12:44 AM
Steelers' offensive line
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 7, 2008
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 86915.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_586915.html)
THE TEXANS' DEFENSIVE LINE: Houston has invested mightily up front, acquiring DT Travis Johnson on the first round in 2005, DE Mario Williams with the first-overall pick in 2006 and DT Amobi Okoye with a first-round selection in 2007. DE Anthony Weaver came over as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore in 2006. Williams (14) and Okoye (5.5) accounted for 19.5 of the Texans' 31 sacks and 23 of Houston's 46 quarterback pressures in 2007 (15 for Williams, eight for Okoye).
Williams has played of late like a first-overall pick, according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and is especially effective running off of "T-E games (tackle-end stunts)." Although it's a four-man front, Johnson normally operates as a nose over the center. It has been the Texans' habit to move Williams around, creating recognition issues as well as match-up problems for opponents.
THE STEELERS' OFFENSIVE LINE: After allowing 47 regular-season sacks a season ago, the Steelers let G Alan Faneca go to the Jets via free agency. Fourth-year pro Chris Kemoeatu enters a season as a starter for the first time, having assumed Faneca's LG spot. And Justin Hartwig, a free-agent pickup from Carolina, has taken over at C for Sean Mahan, a free-agent addition in 2007 who was traded to Tampa Bay last week. OT Marvel Smith, RG Kendall Simmons and RT Willie Colon are holdovers from 2007. OT Max Starks signed a one-year tender worth almost $7 million to stay with the Steelers but remains a backup.
The Steelers believe they'll have fewer issues because with Faneca gone their terminology and approach is more "universal," as opposed to some doing things Faneca's way and others doing them new offensive line coach Larry Zierlein's way, an inconsistency of approach that plagued the Steelers throughout last season.
THE MATCHUP: The Texans are smaller and quicker, relatively speaking, up front, which helps explain their apparent ambivalence to tipping off many of their stunts (the Texans are quick enough to make plays despite tipping their hand). Johnson (6-6, 303), in particular, is smaller but quicker and more athletic than the average NT. He plays with speed more than he plays a power game.
The Texans' defensive linemen will play their pass-rush games on obvious passing downs, when they feel as if a change-of-pace is in order and on short-yardage plays, especially in the red zone (when getting burned on a blitz can change the scoreboard).
The Steelers' recognition, communication and execution will be tested, and that might be a bit much a bit too soon for a newly-assembled group that didn't play together much in the preseason. QB Ben Roethlisberger had better get on his horse. EDGE: TEXANS
Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 7, 2008
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 86915.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_586915.html)
THE TEXANS' DEFENSIVE LINE: Houston has invested mightily up front, acquiring DT Travis Johnson on the first round in 2005, DE Mario Williams with the first-overall pick in 2006 and DT Amobi Okoye with a first-round selection in 2007. DE Anthony Weaver came over as an unrestricted free agent from Baltimore in 2006. Williams (14) and Okoye (5.5) accounted for 19.5 of the Texans' 31 sacks and 23 of Houston's 46 quarterback pressures in 2007 (15 for Williams, eight for Okoye).
Williams has played of late like a first-overall pick, according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, and is especially effective running off of "T-E games (tackle-end stunts)." Although it's a four-man front, Johnson normally operates as a nose over the center. It has been the Texans' habit to move Williams around, creating recognition issues as well as match-up problems for opponents.
THE STEELERS' OFFENSIVE LINE: After allowing 47 regular-season sacks a season ago, the Steelers let G Alan Faneca go to the Jets via free agency. Fourth-year pro Chris Kemoeatu enters a season as a starter for the first time, having assumed Faneca's LG spot. And Justin Hartwig, a free-agent pickup from Carolina, has taken over at C for Sean Mahan, a free-agent addition in 2007 who was traded to Tampa Bay last week. OT Marvel Smith, RG Kendall Simmons and RT Willie Colon are holdovers from 2007. OT Max Starks signed a one-year tender worth almost $7 million to stay with the Steelers but remains a backup.
The Steelers believe they'll have fewer issues because with Faneca gone their terminology and approach is more "universal," as opposed to some doing things Faneca's way and others doing them new offensive line coach Larry Zierlein's way, an inconsistency of approach that plagued the Steelers throughout last season.
THE MATCHUP: The Texans are smaller and quicker, relatively speaking, up front, which helps explain their apparent ambivalence to tipping off many of their stunts (the Texans are quick enough to make plays despite tipping their hand). Johnson (6-6, 303), in particular, is smaller but quicker and more athletic than the average NT. He plays with speed more than he plays a power game.
The Texans' defensive linemen will play their pass-rush games on obvious passing downs, when they feel as if a change-of-pace is in order and on short-yardage plays, especially in the red zone (when getting burned on a blitz can change the scoreboard).
The Steelers' recognition, communication and execution will be tested, and that might be a bit much a bit too soon for a newly-assembled group that didn't play together much in the preseason. QB Ben Roethlisberger had better get on his horse. EDGE: TEXANS
Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.