Tag Archives: Ben Roethlisberger

KEYS TO BEATING THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS THIS WEEK

Posted: Oct 7, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 26 Comments

1) STOP THE RUN – If you can halt the Steelers ground attack and force them to be one dimensional, their offensive line does not pass block well and you can get to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for sacks and potential turnovers. However, that pressure must come from the outside, forcing “Big Ben” to stay in the pocket so he can’t get to the edges, extending the play to throw downfield for long gains and scores. But all this starts by keeping Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount bottled up. This is easier said than done, especially since the Browns rank 30th out of 32 teams against the run this season, giving up 152.5 yards per game and the Steelers are 7th in the league in rushing at 137.2 yards per game.

2) DOUBLE TEAM ANTONIO BROWN – Give Joe Haden help in covering Brown. Bring a safety over and take your chances with one-on-one coverage elsewhere. In other words, make a receiver not named Antonio Brown beat you. No one has emerged to become that true, viable, second receiver threat yet for Pittsburgh. In fact, Brown is the only Steelers WR to reach the end zone this season.

Joe Haden Mini Camp 2014

3) BALANCE ON OFFENSE – Against Tennessee the Browns ran the ball 36 times and threw it 37 times. A similar game plan this week would be beneficial against a Steelers defense that is at best, AVERAGE. At times Pittsburgh has had trouble stopping the run and with the Browns strength being their offensive line and three capable running backs led by Ben Tate, using the run to set up the pass with play action, could result in chunks of yards on the ground, and then big scoring plays through the air against a very poor Steelers secondary. But when that big play is there, they must hit on it, score touchdowns and not have to settle for field goals because of missed opportunities.

4) SPECIAL TEAMS NEED TO BE SPECIAL – The Browns must contain Antonio Brown on punt returns. No more long returns and karate kicks to the face of Spencer Lanning. The Browns must win the field position battle and make sure that whoever is returning punts and kicks doesn’t turn the ball over. The Browns were very lucky last week that a penalty against the Titans nullified a fumbled punt return by Travis Benjamin. Also snaps, extra points and field goals all must be handled flawlessly by snapper, holder and kicker, so no kicks are missed and points are left on the field.

Antonio Brown Kicks Spencer Lanning In The Face

5) MAKE THE STEELERS LINEBACKERS COVER – In Dick Lebeau’s defensive scheme, he expects to get sacks or pressure on the quarterback from his linebackers. In the past that was no problem because Pittsburgh had Pro Bowl caliber linebackers. These Steelers linebackers are not that good. They’re having trouble getting to the quarterback and they have trouble covering tight ends and running backs on wheel routes out of the backfield. So make them cover and keep them off of Brian Hoyer, and the “Blitzburgh” defense is very susceptible to the big play and yielding points.

6) START AND FINISH STRONG – The Browns can ill afford to spot Pittsburgh a huge lead again because this time Pittsburgh may not take their foot off the gas like they did last time. Getting an early lead would be great for the team’s confidence and might put doubt in the minds of some of the young Steelers players, but at a minimum, keep the game even or close going into the fourth quarter and see if Brian Hoyer can work some more late game magic and help the “Kardiac Kids 2.0” come away with an important home, divisional win against their arch rivals.

Brian Hoyer TD Signal vs Ravens

PODCAST – INSTANT ANALYSIS – STEELERS 30 BROWNS 27

Posted: Sep 7, 2014 by . Filed under Audio, Feature Articles, Podcasts | 28 Comments

The Browns put up a great fight in thesecond half in Pittsburgh but came up short in a week #1 loss to the Steelers, here’s my breakdown of what went down in the “Steel City”.

Shaun Suisham GW Filed Goal vs Browns 9-7-14

POSITION BREAKDOWN – BROWNS AT STEELERS – RUNNING BACKS

Posted: Sep 6, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 28 Comments

Both teams now feel they have a feature back. The Steelers with Le’Veon Bell, last year’s second round pick out of Michigan State and the Browns with free agent signee Ben Tate who comes over from the Texans.

Bell and his back-up Legarrette Blount, are lucky to be playing because both are facing marijuana possession charges, and Bell also has a possible DUI charge to deal with. The Steelers, who could have suspended one or both, have decided to wait for due process to play out, thus allowing both running backs to play in the opener. Another reason the Steelers are probably letting both play is because the only other running back they have on the roster is rookie 3rd round pick Dri Archer from Kent State.

Bell racked up over 1,200 yards rushing and receiving last season in Pittsburgh while Blount accumulated over 700 yard rushing in New England. The two combined for 15 touchdowns last season. So Pittsburgh has its starter and a solid back-up, plus a rookie with 4.2 speed in Archer that offensive coordinator Todd Haley and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can use. That’s a pretty good trio.

The Browns were led in rushing last year by Willis McGahee, but he only gained 377 yards and reached the endzone just twice. The Browns as a team only rushed for a total of 4 TD’s all of last season. So new G.M. Ray Farmer signed Ben Tate to be his feature back and then drafted Terrance West in the third round out of Towson to be his back-up. The third stringer is undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell. Tate gained almost 800 yards playing for the injured Arian Foster last year in Houston and scored 4 touchdowns in 14 games. Now he gets his chance to be the Browns every down back running behind the better of the two offensive lines in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.  He must hold on to the football and stay healthy for this free agent signing to be a success, something that Tate has had problems with in his career.

Even with the lessor of the two O-Line’s, I like the Steelers running backs better because they’ve got two healthy starters and a speedster to mix in as a change of pace.

RUNNING BACKS  ADVANTAGE – PITTSBURGH

POSITION BREAKDOWN – BROWNS AT STEELERS – QUARTERBACK

Posted: Sep 4, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 28 Comments

This was the easiest breakdown to evaluate with these two teams.

In Ben Roethislisberger, you’ve got a 2-time Super Bowl winning quarterback who’s as healthy as he’s been in years. He also has admitted to working out more this off season to come into this year in the best shape of his career. Plus he owns the Browns, posting a 17-1 lifetime record against them.

Brian Hoyer In Game Close Up

The Browns send out a career back-up in Brian Hoyer who’s coming off ACL surgery, and maybe some playing time for a first round rookie in Johnny Manziel. Hoyer and “Johnny Football” looked average at best in the preseason, and they’re running a new offense that both are not 100% comfortable with. They’re only hope is to have Ben Tate have a big game on the ground so they can use some play action passes to maybe make a big play.

 

For the Steelers, even if “Big Ben’s” O-Line struggles, he’s used to that and knows how to handle it. He will adjust, mix in the hurry up offense to keep the Browns defense off balance and find a way to make plays with his arm and his feet.

Enough said on this QB comparison.

 

QUARTERBACK ADVANTAGE – STEELERS

 

POSITION BREAKDOWN – BROWNS AT STEELERS WIDE RECEIVERS and TIGHT ENDS

Posted: Sep 3, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 30 Comments

The wide receivers are the worst in the league without Josh Gordon, who is suspended for the entire season. This is the biggest problem on the Browns roster.

At tight end Jordan Cameron has put up some nice numbers, but can he stay healthy for a full season and will he be able to shake the double teams that will be coming his way with Gordon out of the line up?

This is the one area where Ray Farmer has failed miserably so far as G.M. of the Browns. He chose not to select a receiver in any round of a deep wide receiver draft. Instead he tried to fill it through free agency with the signings of Andrew Hawkins (12 catches – 0 TD’s last year), Miles Austin (24 catches – 0 TD’s last year) and Nate Burleson who did score a touchdown last season, but he was cut. The rest of the receiving core is made up of LaRon Byrd, Marlon Moore, Jonathan Krause, Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin who all failed to reach the end zone last season or didn’t even play in the league. That is why this unit will be ranked 32nd out of 32 teams in the National Football League!

The Steelers do have a big time receiver in Antonio Brown, but after that, they have some question marks as well. In the last three years Pittsburgh has lost Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery to retirement or free agency. Brown will still put up some big numbers, but will he get any help from second year wide out Markus Wheaten, rookie Martavis Bryant and free agent pick-ups Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey?

The one compliment to Antonio Brown for Ben Roethlisberger will be a healthy Heath Miller at tight end. His combination of blocking, moving the chains on third down and being a favorite target of “Big Ben’s” in the redzone will help the Steelers passing attack immensely.

Because of Antonio Brown, veterans Moore and Bey and the potential of Wheaton and Bryant, along with Roethislisberger’s ability to create and make big plays and having his security blanket in Miller healthy, the Steelers passing game should be fairly potent at times this season.

 

WIDE RECEIVER and TIGHT ENDS ADVANTAGE – STEELERS

POSITION BREAKDOWN: CLEVELAND BROWNS vs PITTSBURGH STEELERS – OFFENSIVE LINE

Posted: Sep 1, 2014 by . Filed under Blog Posts, Feature Articles | 29 Comments

I would take the Browns offensive line over the Steelers offensive line 10 times out of 10. Joe Thomas is the best of the bunch on both teams. He and fellow first round pick Alex Mack have lived up to their potential from when they were drafted and then some. Rookie Joel Bitonio will make some mistakes, but sandwiched between two pro bowlers will help cover up some of those mistakes. John Greco is average at right guard, but again playing next to Mack will help him. The weak spot on the Browns is right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, but Kyle Shanahan should be able to help him out thanks to the fact they kept a true fullback in Ray Agnew.

Brian Hoyer Drop Back Throw

Cleveland’s O-Line should be solid in the new zone blocking scheme and allow Ben Tate to run the ball at a four yards per carry average or better. The Steelers have shown in the preseason to be very vulnerable against the run up the middle. Also expect a short, quick passing game in which Bryan Hoyer gets the ball out of his hands quickly to allow the receivers and backs to gain yards after the catch. This should help keep the sack numbers down against Dick Lebeau’s zone blitzing scheme Hoyer and maybe Johnny Manziel will see on Sunday. The Browns depth isn’t great, in fact it’s average at best, but the starters should be solid. If those starters can help create holes for Tate to run through and keep Hoyer from getting hit and sacked, the Browns offense will be effective against a Steelers defense that is both inexperienced and old at the same time. Plus if the Steelers can’t generate a pass rush, it makes their secondary very beatable, even with the horrible wide receivers the Browns have.

The Steelers offensive line has been one of their biggest weaknesses the last two seasons and a huge reason why they’ve been (8-8) over that span and failed to make the playoffs. They’ve used four first or second round picks on the O-Line over the last five years and so far only one has proved to be worth it, Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey. He’s their best lineman, but he has had trouble staying healthy, missing 19 games in his first four years in the NFL. Pouncey is healthy to start this season, and he will need to stay healthy to anchor an average at best line, that is expected to keep the Steelers most valuable player Ben Roethlisberger upright and healthy. If “Big Ben’s” time on the field is cut short due to injury, the entire Steelers offense will fall apart.

So if I’m Mike Pettine and Jim O’Neil on Sunday in Pittsburgh I’d be dialing up blitzes and sending as much pressure as you can at the likes of tackles Kelvin Beachum (LT) and Marcus Gilbert (RT) and inside against guards David DeCastro and Ramon Foster. Pressure on Roethlisberger is the one way for the Browns to have a chance to win this game in week one. Ben is known to try and make something out of nothing, or to hold on to the ball to long, so that’s where Barkevious Mingo and Paul Kruger and Donte Whitner have to create turnovers and make impactful, game changing plays and there’s a good chance against this line in week one that it could happen.

OFFENSIVE LINE ADVANTAGE  – BROWNS

Browns Lose To The Steelers Yet Again!

Posted: Nov 24, 2013 by . Filed under Feature Articles | 27 Comments

The Browns had a golden opportunity at home to beat a very bad Steelers team and improve their playoff positioning in the division and the wild card, instead they let that chance literally slip through their fingers. With three fumbles, dropped passes, five sacks given up, a “Pick 6” and their best player getting beat for a long touchdown pass, the Browns lost to Pittsburgh for the 25th time in the last 30 games. The Final – 27-11.

The game was lost in the final 2:41 of the first half when Steelers wide out Antonio Brown beat Joe Haden for a 41 yard touchdown pass to give Pittsburgh a 10-3 lead. On the Browns next possession, Chris Ogbonnaya was hit by Troy Polamalu fumbled and that led to a Pittsburgh field goal right before the end of the 2nd quarter and a 13-3 Steelers halftime lead.

After a Jason Campbell fumble in the 3rd quarter (he had to leave the game with a head injury), Ben Roethlisberger increased the Steelers lead to 20-3 when he hooked up with Emmauel Sanders on a 4 yard TD pass to put the nail in the coffin for Pittsbrugh. Brandon Weeden poured gasoline on the Steelers fire, throwing a “Pick 6” to William Gay in the 4th quarter. That was the Browns 4th turnover of the game. Pittsburgh did not commit a single turnover.

Both of these teams aren’t very good but the difference was at the quarterback position. The Steelers have one, and the Browns don’t.  “Big Ben” improved to 16-1 lifetime against the Browns by getting rid of the football quickly, throwing underneath the Browns defense forcing linebackers and safeties to do something they can’t, cover.  Jason Campbell showed you why he was a free agent and why he really is nothing more than a back-up QB.

So Pittsburgh improves to (5-6) on the year and even though they’re a bad football team, they are still in the AFC Wild Card race. The Browns record dropped to (4-7) this season and are trending more towards another very high draft pick.. In a losing cause, Josh Gordon set single game records for the Browns with 14 catches for 237 yards and scored Cleveland’s only touchdown.  Next up for the Browns, the Jaguars at home next Sunday at 1pm.

10 Reasons Why The Browns Should Beat The Steelers Sunday in Cleveland

Posted: Nov 22, 2013 by . Filed under Feature Articles | 28 Comments

Steelers Can’t Run – Pittsburgh is 30th out of 32 teams in the NFL in running the football. Rookie 2nd round pick Le’Veon Bell is only averaging only 3.1 yards per carry. The Browns defense, ranked 8th against the run this year, should be able to stop the Steelers ground attack and make Pittsburgh a one dimensional on offense.

Pressure Big Ben – The Browns D-Line should dominate a very poor Steelers O-Line and be able to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and gets some sacks and force Big Ben into a few turnovers. Roethlisberger already has thrown 10 picks and fumbled 5 times this season. Plus if anybody can shut down Antonio Brown it’s Joe Haden, forcing other receivers to make big plays. Heath Miller could be the one guy who really hurts the Browns on Sunday, because Cleveland’s linebackers don’t cover well. But you can double up on him if you have to.

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 - Cleveland Browns 10

Photo/ CBSPittsburgh.com

Horton’s Familiarity – Ray Horton’s 7 years with the Steelers as an assistant coach should come in handy. His knowledge of Big Ben and the Steelers offense and as well as Dick Lebeau’s defense, should help the coaches and players be better prepared for the Black and Gold on both sides of the ball.

Run, Run, Run – If there was ever a game where the Browns should be able to run the ball, it’s this game against the Steelers who are ranked 26th in the NFL in run defense. If the Browns can establish some type of running game, it will allow Jason Campbell to use play action to his advantage, and suck up the linebackers and safeties of the Steelers and connect on some big plays down the field to Josh Gordon and Jordan Cameron.

Road Woes – The Steelers are a totally different team on the road this year than they are at home. Pittsburgh is just (1-4) away from Heinz Field and giving up 27.2ppg on the road.

Banged Up – With S-Shamarko Thomas out and DE-Brett Keisel and LB-LaMarr Woodley both questionable due to injury, along with other season ending injuries to key players, the Steelers are hurting big time and their backups are not very good!

Who’s Calling The Plays? – Will Mike Tomlin insist that offensive coordinator Todd Haley call the plays, or will Tomlin let Ben Roethlisberger go more no-huddle and call the plays? The Steelers have proved to be more effective on offense this year when they go hurry up and Big Ben is in control. If Haley is in charge, advantage Browns.

Value The Football – The Steelers are a (-8) in the give- away/take-away stat. The Browns aren’t real good either at (-3), but if they can get Jason Campbell to protect the ball and manage the game and win the field position battle, that would go a long way in helping the Browns beat the Steelers for just the 6th time in 30 tries since the Browns came back to the NFL in 1999.

Lack Of Focusness (Jim Thome term) – While this is supposed to be one of the most hated rivalries in the NFL, it has lost it’s luster in recent years because of the Steelers total domination of the Browns. At one point Pittsburgh won 12 straight. The Steelers real rival these days is Baltimore and they play the Ravens on Thanksgiving night. So it’s very possible the Steelers could be looking ahead to that game more than they are focusing on this game.

Mother Nature – With the projected high temperature being 27 degrees on Sunday and with the chance of snow and winds at around 20mph, the weather in my opinion would favor the Browns in this game just like it did back in 2009. In subzero temperatures in that game the Browns sacked Ben Roethlisberger 8 times in route to a 13-6 win at Cleveland Browns Stadium as running back Chris Jennings scored the game’s only touchdown on a 10 yard run in the 2nd quarter.

 

My Prediction –     Browns 16     Steelers 13