Key Ravens Vs. Steelers Matchups

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='johnsonrick' timestamp='1294955334' post='603119']
Here are a couple of ideas I have had: in a short yardage situation you put in Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis as your backs, also Joe seems to have a problem seeing defenders coming at him from the back so how about some kind of audible code that the offense can use to let him know where the defender is coming from or which way he should go to avoid the defender. Just a thought.
[/quote]

Ngata and Ray as the backs will not be happening.

The :audible code" idea sounds great in theory but against a team that disguises blitzes as much as the Steelers, it could backfire horribly. The o-line and backs and tight ends that are in pass protection just need to be on the same page and Joe has to be more aware in the pocket.

[cursona pirate]

Flacco vs 43

[The King]

Haloti Ngata vs. Maurkice Pouncey. Both were named to the Pro Bowl this season, with Pouncey proving himself to be a beast of a center in his rookie year. Ngata is possibly the single best defensive player in the league can help create pressure on Roethlisberger by collapsing the pocket from the center, and his ability to hold up at the point of attack when the Steelers run inside (which shouldn't be often) will be crucial. If Ngata gets going and forces them to double or triple him instead of relying on just Pouncey, he gives Suggs more room to run.

Suggs vs. Jonathon Scott/Flozell Adams. Suggs will match up on both tackles and neither one is a match for him. The guy has been a beast in the playoffs every year for the Ravens and showed up huge against the Steelers in Week 13. He needs to keep Big Ben on the ground.

[Gtown Purple]

I'll agree with others and say that our o-line vs the pressure is going to be the key. We won the first game because we got the protection right. We lost the second because we got the protection wrong. We'll have Heap and Mcclain for this matchup which will set us up better for pass protection, over the middle passing, and the run game. Ed Dickson simply couldn't hold up in his blocking assignments and dropped a key pass that Heap makes routinely. Our running game was non existent due to not having Mcclain.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Gtown Purple' timestamp='1294972884' post='603428']
I'll agree with others and say that our o-line vs the pressure is going to be the key. We won the first game because we got the protection right. We lost the second because we got the protection wrong. We'll have Heap and Mcclain for this matchup which will set us up better for pass protection, over the middle passing, and the run game. Ed Dickson simply couldn't hold up in his blocking assignments and dropped a key pass that Heap makes routinely. [b]Our running game was non existent due to not having Mcclain.[/b]
[/quote]

Let's give the Steelers credit; they were by far the best run defense in the league this season. Still, McClain presence should help a bit.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294955820' post='603134']
Ngata and Ray as the backs will not be happening.

The :audible code" idea sounds great in theory but against a team that disguises blitzes as much as the Steelers, it could backfire horribly. The o-line and backs and tight ends that are in pass protection just need to be on the same page and Joe has to be more aware in the pocket.
[/quote]
Someone needs to alert Flacco to when Polamalu is sniffing around the edge, for whatever reason either Flacco doesnt see him, or assumes his line will pick it up for him. Either way everytime Polamalu has come on a blitz, whether it be run or pass off the edge, hes made a play.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1294982206' post='603510']
Someone needs to alert Flacco to when Polamalu is sniffing around the edge, for whatever reason either Flacco doesnt see him, or assumes his line will pick it up for him. Either way everytime Polamalu has come on a blitz, whether it be run or pass off the edge, hes made a play.
[/quote]

He didn't on this play.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rISOdUdpTk[/media]

Still, you're right, Joe needs to be aware when Troy is near the line. Looking back at the prime time game here, what made Polamalu's strip even more frustrating and bewildering was that he had lined up in the same position earlier in the game and dropped McGahee for a loss after he got the hand-off.

To me, it goes back to Cam not allowing Joe to make changes on certain plays.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1294982206' post='603510']
Someone needs to alert Flacco to when Polamalu is sniffing around the edge, for whatever reason either Flacco doesnt see him, or assumes his line will pick it up for him. Either way everytime Polamalu has come on a blitz, whether it be run or pass off the edge, hes made a play.
[/quote]

Agreed, in fact a few of his plays were when they put in McGahee, he just attacked because he knew it was a run, he's stuffed McGahee in the backfield a few times. Cam should try a deep ball on the first play Willis is in to throw them off guard. A screen would be a good call as well for first play with Willis.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294982746' post='603518']
He didn't on this play.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rISOdUdpTk[/media]
[/quote]
He brings inside pressure though doesnt he? Runs a little stunt with Timmons.


Edit- I guess its not true inside pressure as its off Ohers shoulder, but hes still not the complete outside edge rush on this play. Hopefully Heap has that kind of impact Saturday as he did on that play.

[XxSizzleXx]

ahhh that's baloney ER, you see 43 up on the line you have to do something like shifting the line, especially on pass plays. That's the reason that TD happened, because Heap came over from the opposite side to block him.

Heap is our X factor Saturday.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1294982885' post='603520']
He brings inside pressure though doesnt he? Runs a little stunt with Timmons.


Edit- I guess its not true inside pressure as its off Ohers shoulder, but hes still not the complete outside edge rush on this play. Hopefully Heap has that kind of impact Saturday as he did on that play.
[/quote]

It wasn't real outside pressure, I just wanted an excuse to post that video.

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1294983003' post='603522']
ahhh that's baloney ER, you see 43 up on the line you have to do something like shifting the line, especially on pass plays. That's the reason that TD happened, because Heap came over from the opposite side to block him.

Heap is our X factor Saturday.
[/quote]

How is it baloney? Joe himself has said he can't make changes at the line on certain plays. I could be wrong but I doubt Flacco pointed out either Polamalu or Timmons on that play. He trusted Heap and/or Rice to pick them up if they came; the same way he trusted Oher to pick up Troy on the play he was stripped here in Baltimore.

I agree Todd will be the Ravens' x-factor on offense Saturday.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294983882' post='603529']
It wasn't real outside pressure, I just wanted an excuse to post that video.
[/quote]
lol excuse granted and approved

[Ravensdiciple96]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1294938155' post='602837']
Please explain to me how Ben is Joe's monkey. I am under the impression that Joe and Ben don't play against each other. Is it not the defense's monkey?
[/quote]

[i]<Deleted>
[/i]
It's just like how Steve Young lived in Montanas shadow for years in San Francisco, and once he won that super bowl he finally stepped out that shadow.

Now when was the last time Joe and Ben faced off together on the same field and Joe won? Don't worry I'll wait!!
Slice and dice it all you want and nit pick it to hell, but plain and simple if Joe can't beat Pittsburgh with Ben playing, that is a monkey on his back. Now please by all means justify and nit pick it all you want, I could care less what the defense has to do, every other thing you hear in the press on TV or the radio is Flacco has never beat Pittsburgh with Ben playing! So why aren't they talking your defense comment? Because they obviously see the writing on the wall as well. Not a whole lot to that.

[SHRock]

Todd Heap vs Lawrence Timmons
Ravens Secondary vs Mike Wallace/Emmanuel Sanders

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

Todd Heap vs. anybody. He pulled his hammy on the first play of the last game and took away a very valuable asset to our offense. A heathy Todd heap not only poses a matchup threat in the passing game, but a formidable blocker on the run. Pittsburgh will have to account for him on every play, but respect him as a decoy on others. Go Todd, this is your time to shine!!

[berad]

[quote name='Ravensdiciple96' timestamp='1294991025' post='603559']
It's just like how Steve Young lived in Montanas shadow for years in San Francisco, and once he won that super bowl he finally stepped out that shadow.
[/quote]

That's a terrible comparison. By that logic, Joe would be living in Unitas' shadow - not Roethlisbergers'. Some would still say that Young is in Montana's immense shadow.

[quote name='Ravensdiciple96' timestamp='1294991025' post='603559']
Now when was the last time Joe and Ben faced off together on the same field and Joe won? Don't worry I'll wait!!
Slice and dice it all you want and nit pick it to hell, but plain and simple if Joe can't beat Pittsburgh with Ben playing, that is a monkey on his back. Now please by all means justify and nit pick it all you want, I could care less what the defense has to do, every other thing you hear in the press on TV or the radio is Flacco has never beat Pittsburgh with Ben playing! So why aren't they talking your defense comment? Because they obviously see the writing on the wall as well. Not a whole lot to that.
[/quote]

She's right, it's the defenses' issue, not Flaccos'... Joe Flacco may be the quarterback, the most important player, but he is not the one whiffing on sacks, missing open-field tackles, and/or letting receivers run free over the middle. The defense plays Roethlisberger, not Flacco.

And using the talking heads of the media as the end-all-be-all of your argument? Dawg. They're just taking the simple, uninspired, and short-sighted way out and looking at only the quarterbacks.