Ravens "dirty" blocking

[steelnavy]

Is this going to be a factor again for Steeler defensive linemen? Is this something the Ravens only did in the first game, or is it the normal style of their offensive line? If they are pushing the "dirty" line, do the Steeers repond in kind?

Understanding that this is a "legal" block (which makes no sense whatsoever given the new safety conscious climate) per NFL rules, is this something that the Ravens specifically singled out Hampton for and will probably do again? If so, how do the Steelers deal with it? And how much of a factor was it in opening holes last time?

Would appreciate any knowledgable fan providing their 2 cents.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

I think the Ravens caught us by surprise with it the last time.

we should be much better prepared for it this game...

[feltdizz]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

we are ready for it this time. I think it caught Hampton by surprise in the first game and Smitty was also getting pancaked.

Baltimore has regressed so much since that first game I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them 35-7.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

No o-lineman is dirtier than Chris Kemoeatu. If Baltimore goes after Hampton's knees again, Kemo may put Mount Cody in the wheelchair before the end of the game.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

First Steelers offensive play from scrimmage: Pitch to the right...Pouncey stands up Ngata and Kemo drives right into Ngata's knee as hard as he can.

Second Steelers offensive play from scrimmage: Pitch to the right and Starks engages with Suggs as Kemo drives right into Suggs knee as hard as he can.

Third Steelers offensive play from scrimmage: Ben in shotgun hits Brown for a first down....

And then we spread the dirty birds out and don't look back.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Steelers' Tomlin clears the air

Coach addresses Ravens' use of cut blocks, other subjects

By Edward Lee
November 3, 2011


In the aftermath of a 35-7 loss to the Ravens on Sept. 11, several Pittsburgh Steelers players vowed to remember several questionable acts of behavior committed by the Ravens.

During his conference call with Baltimore media Wednesday, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin addressed some of those complaints.

On the topic of whether the club still objected to the Ravens’ use of cut blocks, Tomlin said, “The Steelers have never had an issue with that. Maybe it was some individuals that were misinformed and stated otherwise, but as an organization and football team, we’ve never had an issue with the techniques that they utilized in that game.”

On whether the Ravens’ decision to have Sam Koch score a two-point conversion to make the score, 29-7, in the third quarter was insulting, Tomlin said, “I was not perturbed one iota about the two-point conversion. I was perturbed about how we played.”

Finally, on whether quarterback Joe Flacco throwing into the end zone late in the fourth quarter was an example of the Ravens trying to run up the score on Pittsburgh, Tomlin said, “Absolutely not. It’s our job to keep the score down, buddy.”

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-steelers-tomlin-clears-the-air-20111102,0,4526215.story"]http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/rave ... 6215.story[/url]

[Sugar]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Baltimore has regressed so much since that first game I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them 35-7.

Um, OK. This surprises me a little. As I've posted elsewhere, they seemed to shake off whatever funk they were in last week in the second half. We go life and death with these guys when we're basically healthy. Does it bode well for us that our Defensive signal caller and two top playmaking LB's are our for the game?

It's not that we can't win. We sure can. With the circumstances being what they are, I just don't expect it.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

I don't think we will fool around against these guys trying to establish the run this time. We need to spread them out and unload the ball quick like last week.

[birtikidis]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Baltimore has regressed so much since that first game I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them 35-7.

Um, OK. This surprises me a little. As I've posted elsewhere, they seemed to shake off whatever funk they were in last week in the second half. We go life and death with these guys when we're basically healthy. Does it bode well for us that our Defensive signal caller and two top playmaking LB's are our for the game?

It's not that we can't win. We sure can. With the circumstances being what they are, I just don't expect it.

I'm not concerned with how they played in the second half against the cardinals. They're inconsistency is well documented. If anything I think the cardinals played out of their minds in the first half. Teams they should crush, like Tennessee, Jacksonville and Arizona all showed that Baltimore isn't as great as the talking heads would make you think.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Baltimore has regressed so much since that first game I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them 35-7.

Um, OK. This surprises me a little. As I've posted elsewhere, they seemed to shake off whatever funk they were in last week in the second half. We go life and death with these guys when we're basically healthy. Does it bode well for us that our Defensive signal caller and two top playmaking LB's are our for the game?

It's not that we can't win. We sure can. With the circumstances being what they are, I just don't expect it.

AZ isn't that good and they are even worse when on the road. You can have funk all over you and still beat AZ...

I'm not worried at all... I didn't expect to beat the Pats but I definitely expect us to beat the Ravens every time we play them. The 35-7 game was a fluke... you will see a different ball game with our young legs out there instead of our geezers.

We played so bad in that first game it gave Baltimore a false identity as some stud team. Flacco is struggling and Baltimore has been in a few nail biters with below average teams.

The last 2 Baltimore wins who was burned at CB? McFadden. In the 35 to 7 rout who was abused on our DL? Hampton and Smitty. Smitty is gone and Hampton is rotating. Who was smashed on the OL? Legursky? Isn't he out? Our OL is much better now than in week one. Is Ward still out? Not to sound rude but I hope so... our WR core is going to abuse them this time around.

Missing Woodley will hurt the pass rush but I think our DB's are playing so much better it won't matter. Baltimore is pretty much playing a different Steeler team and I think it won't be as close as some believe.

[Sugar]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Nobody seemed to be worried about the Ravens in game 1 either.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Nobody seemed to be worried about the Ravens in game 1 either.

The Steelers came out looking like a JV flag football team...

It's not like the Ravens kept the intensity up all season and they have been sliding ever since they beat us.

[phillyesq]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

I haven't had as much time to post and follow the news lately, but hopefully Hoke is able to play. He seems to deal with the cut-blocking type teams better than Hampton because of his style.

And if the Ravens insist on cut blocking again, I hope the Steelers respond in kind and have Kemo put his helmet into Ngata's bruised thigh a few times.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

I haven't had as much time to post and follow the news lately, but hopefully Hoke is able to play. He seems to deal with the cut-blocking type teams better than Hampton because of his style.

And if the Ravens insist on cut blocking again, I hope the Steelers respond in kind and have Kemo put his helmet into Ngata's bruised thigh a few times.

I agree... Hoke and McClendon are more agile than Hampton.

I think this is another game the offense has to win. In week one it seemed like we never had the ball more than a minute... probably due to the 8 TO's.

[steelnavy]

Re: Ravens "dirty" blocking

Baltimore has regressed so much since that first game I wouldn't be surprised if we beat them 35-7.

Um, OK. This surprises me a little. As I've posted elsewhere, they seemed to shake off whatever funk they were in last week in the second half. We go life and death with these guys when we're basically healthy. Does it bode well for us that our Defensive signal caller and two top playmaking LB's are our for the game?

It's not that we can't win. We sure can. With the circumstances being what they are, I just don't expect it.

AZ isn't that good and they are even worse when on the road. You can have funk all over you and still beat AZ...

I'm not worried at all... I didn't expect to beat the Pats but I definitely expect us to beat the Ravens every time we play them. The 35-7 game was a fluke... you will see a different ball game with our young legs out there instead of our geezers.

We played so bad in that first game it gave Baltimore a false identity as some stud team. Flacco is struggling and Baltimore has been in a few nail biters with below average teams.

The last 2 Baltimore wins who was burned at CB? McFadden. In the 35 to 7 rout who was abused on our DL? Hampton and Smitty. Smitty is gone and Hampton is rotating. Who was smashed on the OL? Legursky? Isn't he out? Our OL is much better now than in week one. Is Ward still out? Not to sound rude but I hope so... our WR core is going to abuse them this time around.

Missing Woodley will hurt the pass rush but I think our DB's are playing so much better it won't matter. Baltimore is pretty much playing a different Steeler team and I think it won't be as close as some believe.

Feltdizz, (as much as it pains me to say this) those are excellent points