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fordfixer
12-23-2010, 03:24 AM
Head to head: Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen vs. Steelers LB James Farrior
Thursday, December 23, 2010
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10357/1112773-66.stm

Since becoming the starting quarterback for the National Football League's worst team, rookie Jimmy Clausen has thrown seven interceptions in 243 attempts, averages just 5.4 yards per attempt and has the league's lowest passer rating (59.1). What's more, he has only 13 completions of 20 yards or longer, fewest in the NFL.

Now for the really bad news?

He has to face the Steelers after a loss.

Clausen, a second-round draft choice from Notre Dame, threw his first two touchdown passes of the season in Carolina's 19-12 victory Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals -- his first victory in the NFL. It was a modest but positive step for a player who had already thrown two interceptions for touchdowns in his previous seven starts.

But, tonight at Heinz Field, he will have to face a Steelers rush defense that, despite being the best in the league, is feeling slightly embarrassed and more than just a little honked off after the way it performed against the New York Jets.

That might not be good news for a rookie quarterback who has been able to lean on his running game to help him through his development.

"I like to think that way, but you never know what's going to happen," said inside linebacker James Farrior.

"I know they have two good running backs and the quarterback is young, and they're going to try to not put too much on his plate. It sounds good for us, but we still got to go out and execute."

The Steelers have been able to bounce back from each of their previous three defeats this season, beating the next opponent by a combined score of 90-34. But, in one of those instances where they were facing a rookie quarterback after a loss, Colt McCoy of the Cleveland Browns looked more like a seasoned veteran than a player making his first start in the NFL, passing for 281 yards and a touchdown.

Clausen likely will need a similar performance against the Steelers.

The Panthers have averaged 152 yards rushing in their past six games, mainly relying on Jonathan Stewart (460 yards in his past four games) as the workhorse. But it will be the Steelers' intent to shut down the run and force a rookie quarterback to solve Dick LeBeau's defense to beat them.

"Everyone knows that comes first and foremost for us -- shutting down the run and making teams one-dimensional where we can do our blitzes," said defensive end Brett Keisel. "These running backs are good. This offensive line is good. If we're as good as we say we are, we need to go out and prove it."

The Steelers don't think they did that in their 22-17 loss to the Jets, even though no back gained more than 49 yards and the longest run against them was 11 yards.

The Jets finished with 106 yards rushing on 27 attempts, which, against the Steelers, seemed like 250 yards. It was the most rushing yards allowed by the Steelers this season and 43 yards more than their league-leading average.

Forget running backs gaining 100 yards against the Steelers, something only one player (Baltimore's Ray Rice) has done in the past 48 games. Only two teams have rushed for more than 100 yards against them this season.

"That's a big challenge for our defense; that's what we love to try to stop," Farrior said.

A closer look at the game within the game


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fordfixer
12-23-2010, 03:25 AM
Game 15 matchup: Steelers vs. Panthers
Thursday, December 23, 2010
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10357/1112774-66.stm

Game plan:

When Panthers have the ball: Despite season-ending injuries to RT Jeff Otah, LG Travelle Wharton and RB DeAngelo Williams, they have averaged 152 yards rushing in the past six games. The load has been split by Jonathan Stewart (668 yards) and Mike Goodson (435), though Stewart is the featured back. They face the NFL's No. 1 rush defense that has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in the past 48 regular-season games. The Steelers allowed a season-high 106 yards to the Jets, but they didn't allow a run longer than 11 yards. They have allowed just one run of 20 yards or longer this season, fewest in the NFL. Rookie QB Jimmy Clausen threw his first two touchdown passes against the Cardinals, but has had difficulty getting the ball to WR Steve Smith, who has a team-high 43 catches but only two touchdowns.

When Steelers have the ball: Ben Roethlisberger has thrown only one interception in the past five games, but he also has just two TD passes in the past four. The Panthers rank 12th in total defense in the NFL and have been aggressive in pass coverage, intercepting 17 passes -- eighth most in the NFL -- led by S Charles Godfrey (5). Their biggest concern will be WR Mike Wallace, who has 23 catches for 256 yards in the past three game. The Panthers will try to get pressure with DE Charles Johnson (91???2 sacks). RB Rashard Mendenhall had his first 100-yard rushing game at home since the season opener against the Falcons and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt against the Jets. Mendenhall has 10 runs of 20 yards or longer -- only three backs have more -- and will be facing a team that allows an average of 126.2 ypg. Jon Beason has been moved back to middle linebacker after spending the first eight games at weakside LB. He leads the team with 138 tackles.
Keep an eye on

LT Jordan Gross ... The eighth overall pick in the 2003 draft, he was a first--team All-Pro in 2008. He will be matched against OLB James Harrison, who leads the Steelers with 10 sacks -- fifth among linebackers in the AFC. Harrison does not have a sack in the past three games. The Panthers have allowed 43 sacks, second most in the NFL. The Steelers are tied for third in the league with 40.
Intangibles

The Panthers are 0-2 all time in Pittsburgh but haven't played a regular-season game at Heinz Field since a 30-14 loss in 2002. They are the only team in the NFL that doesn't have a road victory (0-6) and lead the league in worst point differential (minus-167). They conclude the season at Atlanta Jan. 2. ??? The Steelers had their four-game winning streak ended by the Jets Sunday. They have the NFL's best home record since 1970 (226-88-1) and are 57-21-1 at Heinz Field, but they are 4-3 at home this season.
Keys to victory
To win, the Panthers must ...

1. Jimmy holes for Stewart. It will be a wonderful life for Clausen if the Panthers' run game can keep the pressure off him.

2. Get some early gifts. The Panthers will need to rely on their ability to intercept passes against Roethlisberger, who has been careful to minimize mistakes.

3. Have zero deficit. They are winless on the road (0-6), winless in the division (0-5) and winless against AFC teams (0-3).
To win, the Steelers must ...

1. Bounce back. They have been able to do that following a loss every time this season, outscoring the next opponent by an average score of 30-11.

2. Remember there's no place like home for the holidays. The motivation to get a first-round bye has to be tantamount ... and prevalent.

3. Have the 'O' come to Emmanuel. Sanders is becoming a reliable target after being targeted 13 times and catching seven passes against the Jets.
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com.


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fordfixer
12-23-2010, 03:30 AM
Breaking down Steelers vs. Panthers
By Mark Kaboly, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, December 23, 2010
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 14982.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_714982.html)

3 reasons why the steelers will win

1) Rashard Mendenhall — Mendenhall averaged 5.9 yards per carry against the Jets. The Panthers are allowing 126 yards rushing per game, which is 23rd in the league and good for Mendenhall.

2) Casey Hampton — The only offense the Panthers have is their running game with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson. Hampton can go a long way of stuffing especially in the middle of the line where the Panthers like to run.

3) Jimmy Clausen — The Steelers' defense tends to make veteran quarterbacks look lost. You can imagine what Dick LeBeau has in store for a rookie such as Clausen. Clausen has two touchdowns in his eight starts.

3 REASONS WHY THE STEELERS WILL LOSE

1) Old Steelers — Eight of the 11 starters on defense for the Steelers are over 30 and a lot of them are injured. Four days in between games will affect the Steelers more than the Panthers.

2) Jon Beason/James Anderson — The linebackers are the heart and soul of Carolina's defense. Beason has 138 tackles and Anderson 132. The two combined can disrupt any offense.

3) Turnovers/special teams — At 2-12, the Panthers need to force turnovers and win the special teams battle in a big way to have any chance against the Steelers.

NJ-STEELER
12-23-2010, 03:45 AM
ever notice how a lot of the times these articles predict doomm and gloom for the young QB, they come in and play well.

sanchez, fitzpatrick, gradkowshi, the dolphins QB last year and this year, flacco over the last 2 years

i wish they would take that into account and STFU already