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Over the past couple meetings between the Steelers and Ravens, Cam Cameron offensive coordinator of the Ravens, has often run a Max Protect approach to counter the Steelers Blitz. And to a degree he has had some success with this. He has essentially at times had more blockers than Steeler pass rushers. There is a flip side to this coin. When they block with 7 or 8 this means they only have 2 or 3 receivers in the pattern. Because Flacco has had time in the pocket this has allowed one of those 2 or 3 receivers to get open regardless of whether or not the Steelers have had 6 or 7 in their secondary. In the NFL if you give a QB 7 seconds to throw, somebody eventually is going to get open.
If you go back to the winning TD that Flacco threw to Houshmanzadeh the Ravens were in a Max Protect while the Steelers rushed 5 (7 blocking 5). Todd Heap and one of their RB’s stayed in the backfield and picked up the blitz. I strongly believe that in order to counter this effectively, the Steelers need to bring more than 5 rushers after Flacco when they see Todd Heap lined up in the backfield. 6 or 7 rushers will force Flacco to get rid of the ball sooner than he wants to. This is better in my opinion than letting him wait over 7 seconds in the pocket for someone to get open.
If you go back to the winning TD that Flacco threw to Houshmanzadeh the Ravens were in a Max Protect while the Steelers rushed 5 (7 blocking 5). Todd Heap and one of their RB’s stayed in the backfield and picked up the blitz. I strongly believe that in order to counter this effectively, the Steelers need to bring more than 5 rushers after Flacco when they see Todd Heap lined up in the backfield. 6 or 7 rushers will force Flacco to get rid of the ball sooner than he wants to. This is better in my opinion than letting him wait over 7 seconds in the pocket for someone to get open.
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