How to beat the Ravens Defense; A page from the Patriots

[Dee Dub]

The Ravens LB’s are very good at getting the proper depth in zone coverage but sometimes it is a little too much. I’ve watched a lot of tape on their defense (as most Steelers fans have beings that we have played them so much). Ive seen Tom Brady have a ton of success against them and he does it by attacking underneath that LB depth. The Pats run a lot of slants, rubs, bubble screens, crossing patterns verses the Ravens and usually have no problem with it. Wallace could be used in two ways to attack this. Have him periodically line up in the slot. This will cause the Ravens to move a corner over him. That means a LB is going to move out over the flanker with a safety over the top. Or they bring the safety up over the flanker. Any case there is a mismatch somewhere. Wallace can also be split out wide which will surely generate over the top help. In this case he is probably best used as a decoy to clear out the underneath. If he runs a seam or a post that is going have those ILB’s dropping deep into their zones. The underneath is the key to attacking them. Steelers have to be patient and keep running it all day until the Ravens change. When they do they surely will abandon the double on Wallace. Then Bang!!! Hit’em with the deep one. Or you will see Ray Lewis start to cheat a little and not have enough depth and that is where Heath Miller can exploit the middle seam. This short to mid passing attack can work just as effectively as running the ball too.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: How to beat the Ravens Defense; A page from the Patriots

Ive seen Tom Brady have a ton of success against them and he does it by attacking underneath that LB depth. The Pats run a lot of slants, rubs, bubble screens, crossing patterns verses the Ravens and usually have no problem with it.

Perfect timing for the Steelers who have been doing this quite effectively as the season has been closing out. Not against D's of this level, but it is nice that we have had success with it lately.

On a similar note, it has been mentioned several times on the board about the adjustments that have been made to the offense in the last part of the season. But when did these changes begin?

I believe that a big part of this happened after our week 10 loss to NE. And why? Because of the injury to Hines.

I was one who often complained about the gratuitous screen within the first two drives to HW. Whether they said so or not, extending the streak was a priority for this offense. We all knew that it was coming every game and it seemed like the only short pass / screen that we ever ran.

Suddenly after the injury and the end of the streak we opened things up to all of our receivers. The injury forced Sanders into more action. The end of the streak meant that our speed receivers are getting those screen passes. The rapports between Ben and Wallace and Sanders was able to blossom.

Since then Ben and Wallace developed the kind of relationship that led to the "nod" play against the Panthers that resulted in a 43 yard quick pass and run.

Since then Sanders has become our third down specialist. His role and confidence have increased dramatically. Something that may have taken longer without being forced into greater responsibility due to the Ward injury.

Looking forward, if we do go deep into the playoffs, and our offense takes on their share of the load, we may look back to the Ward injury as the turning point.

[Shawn]

Re: How to beat the Ravens Defense; A page from the Patriots

Good post. I would like to see alot of Sanders in this Ravens game. I suspect after stopping the run the first priority of the Ravens will be to stop Wallace. That should leave big days for both Sanders, Ward when playing slot and Miller. But, personally I like the thought of a linebacker trying to cover Sanders.

[Dee Dub]

Re: How to beat the Ravens Defense; A page from the Patriots

[quote=steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Ive seen Tom Brady have a ton of success against them and he does it by attacking underneath that LB depth. The Pats run a lot of slants, rubs, bubble screens, crossing patterns verses the Ravens and usually have no problem with it.

Perfect timing for the Steelers who have been doing this quite effectively as the season has been closing out. Not against D's of this level, but it is nice that we have had success with it lately.

On a similar note, it has been mentioned several times on the board about the adjustments that have been made to the offense in the last part of the season. But when did these changes begin?

I believe that a big part of this happened after our week 10 loss to NE. And why? Because of the injury to Hines.

I was one who often complained about the gratuitous screen within the first two drives to HW. Whether they said so or not, extending the streak was a priority for this offense. We all knew that it was coming every game and it seemed like the only short pass / screen that we ever ran.

Suddenly after the injury and the end of the streak we opened things up to all of our receivers. The injury forced Sanders into more action. The end of the streak meant that our speed receivers are getting those screen passes. The rapports between Ben and Wallace and Sanders was able to blossom.

Since then Ben and Wallace developed the kind of relationship that led to the "nod" play against the Panthers that resulted in a 43 yard quick pass and run.

Since then Sanders has become our third down specialist. His role and confidence have increased dramatically. Something that may have taken longer without being forced into greater responsibility due to the Ward injury.

Looking forward, if we do go deep into the playoffs, and our offense takes on their share of the load, we may look back to the Ward injury as the turning point.[/quote:3fippb5y]

Good points SFITO!!