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Steelers sub freely on defensive line
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_587184.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 87184.html[/url]
The Steelers played six defensive linemen Sunday, and coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the team will substitute somewhat liberally along their defensive line through the first month of the season. "You worry about September football and the first opportunity to play four quarters," Tomlin said after the Steelers beat the Texans, 38-17. "We took that precaution, and we came in with the mindset that we were going to play those guys, and they did a nice job." Nick Eason had his best game as a Steeler as the reserve defensive end got credited for half a sack as well as a tackle for a loss. Eason, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent prior to last season, also had four tackles.
Right outside linebacker James Harrison had his way with Texans rookie left tackle Duane Brown in the Steelers' season opener. Getting to the quarterback Sunday night when the Steelers visit the Browns in Cleveland won't be nearly as easy. Joe Thomas protects quarterback Derek Anderson's blind side, and the 6-foot-6, 305-pound left tackle did a good enough job of it last year that he became just the fourth rookie offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl. "He's good at keeping you off the edge," said Harrison, who had three sacks against the Texans. "Even if you do get around on the edge he manages to get another hand on you to push you past the quarterback so he can step up."
Digits
28 -- Games, including the playoffs, in which Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating has exceeded 100.
37 -- Games Terry Bradshaw had in which his passer rating exceeded 100 (passer rating rule was implemented in 1973).
Scott Brown can be reached at [email="sbrown@tribweb.com"]sbrown@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-481-5432.
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_587184.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 87184.html[/url]
The Steelers played six defensive linemen Sunday, and coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the team will substitute somewhat liberally along their defensive line through the first month of the season. "You worry about September football and the first opportunity to play four quarters," Tomlin said after the Steelers beat the Texans, 38-17. "We took that precaution, and we came in with the mindset that we were going to play those guys, and they did a nice job." Nick Eason had his best game as a Steeler as the reserve defensive end got credited for half a sack as well as a tackle for a loss. Eason, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent prior to last season, also had four tackles.
Right outside linebacker James Harrison had his way with Texans rookie left tackle Duane Brown in the Steelers' season opener. Getting to the quarterback Sunday night when the Steelers visit the Browns in Cleveland won't be nearly as easy. Joe Thomas protects quarterback Derek Anderson's blind side, and the 6-foot-6, 305-pound left tackle did a good enough job of it last year that he became just the fourth rookie offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl. "He's good at keeping you off the edge," said Harrison, who had three sacks against the Texans. "Even if you do get around on the edge he manages to get another hand on you to push you past the quarterback so he can step up."
Digits
28 -- Games, including the playoffs, in which Ben Roethlisberger's passer rating has exceeded 100.
37 -- Games Terry Bradshaw had in which his passer rating exceeded 100 (passer rating rule was implemented in 1973).
Scott Brown can be reached at [email="sbrown@tribweb.com"]sbrown@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-481-5432.
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