Steelers Offensive Line Answers The Bell Against Jaguars

by Blitzburgh on Oct 6, 2008 1:30 AM EDT Comment 16 comments

If we're going to bang on players of our favorite sports franchise when they have shortcomings, we must lift them up with cheers of admiration and praise when they come to compete and perform at a high level. This is still a work in progress, no doubt, but after improving demonstrably last week against Baltimore, the Steelers' offensive line turned in their best performance since Week 1 against Houston.

The Good:

In the first half, Ben had ALL day to throw the ball for the most part. He took advantage, throwing for nearly 250 yards in the first two quarters. Had we not thrown that pick-6, we might have found ourselves up even more at halftime. We were really clicking to start the game. Darnell Stapleton played well in his first start, Justin Hartiwg probably had his finest game as a Steeler, Chris K was neither noticably good nor bad, and Marvel Smith was fairly solid until he got injured.

The Bad:

We did surrender three sacks and Big Ben likely kept that number from being higher with his heroics late in the game, so there are still some concerns, particularly when you remember that the Jags only had 5 sacks entering the game. However, at least one of those sacks that I can remember distinctly was on Ben. He had every chance in the world to throw it over the head of his WR out bounds and just held onto it. We all know we don't have a world class line, but if they can perform like they did tonight against a hungry Jags team at home, we have to feel good about them and our chances as a team. This line won't give you mammoth running lanes or all day to throw, at least not consistently, but it can give you just enough if you have an offensive scheme that accounts for that reality. I thought Arians did a great job, finally, calling quicker developing plays.

The Ugly:

Trai Essex sure struggled in place of Marvel Smith. And this wasn't Willie Colon's finest game, even if it wasn't his worst. Multiple false starts and holding penalties disrupted the flow of the offense at times. I am so ecstatic and proud of the job we did eeking out tough yards in the running game, but almost none of them came up the gut. We still are having problems winning the point of attack in the A and B gaps.

********************

Still, it's time to lose all the excessive derogatory commentary about the play of the line. At least until they deserve such frustration from the peanut gallery once more. The last two weeks have been much, MUCH better. It's not easy to throw up 250 yards in the air in one half in this league...on the road. We did, and it started with the time we gave Big Ben (as well as better play calling, which we'll get to). We'll see what Marvel Smith's deal is, but it's a safe guess to think that he'll be fine after this much needed BYE week.

This is our offensive line thread.

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Comments

Breathe in and out Blitz

I agree, the line did perform admirably (finally, they did their job).

I agree, at least 1 (if not more) of those sacks were directly on Ben. Maybe he likes the feeling of multiple 280+ lb men crushing him. I do not like to watch it though and it causes me to throw an 8 yr old type tantrum every time he refuses to either chuck it out of bounds or tuck it, gain a few yards and then slide.

I agree that BA finally “scripted” some decent plays to start the game. The first half was amazing on the offensive side of the ball (save the pick).

HOWEVER, it seemed that once again, we didnt prepare at halftime to make any adjustments. The third quarter was right out of “same old Arians playcalling 101.” The Jags coaching staff made key adjustments and the next thing you know, they are right back in it.

We righted the ship on the final drive, but it shouldnt have been this close. I believe someone on this post predicted that our OC performance this week would be enough for him to keep his job through the bye week but then we would have another meltdown later in the season. So far, the first half of that sage prediction seems to be tracking. Let’s hope the second part is not.

A couple other random thoughts.
- Our OLBs are F@*KIN AMAZING
- Has anyone contacted the FBI to look for Max Starks? Last reports were that he disappeared shortly after stealing $7M from a business on the South Side.
- McFadden will not be moved out of the starting lineup barring injury
- Evidently the ST development plan is a multi year deal. This year the coverage teams have benefited, I guess the return teams are next year. BTW, Santonio, once you catch the punt, it is LEGAL to start moving forward. Thanks.
- Finally, if there is a bigger IDIOT blowhard charicature of themselves than John Madden, I have never heard of them. One word…wow!

Got 5? ... We do! Check the RINGS!!!

by warftr5 on Oct 6, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

League Leaders in sacks:

1. John Abraham (ATL) – 7
2. James Harrison (PIT) – 6.5
3. LaMarr Woodley (PIT) – 5.5
Joey Porter (MIA) – 5.5

I guess we just know OLB’s. DeMarcus Ware, Albert Hayneworth, Aaron Kampman, and Patrick Kearney are not up to snuff.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 6, 2008 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sick

Thatd be so badass if both Wood and Harrison broke the sack record!

by Blitzburgh on Oct 6, 2008 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

porter

Hehe. Nice to see him doing well again.

by Blitzburgh on Oct 6, 2008 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw even Haggans had 1.5 sacks yesterday, although I’m sure they were of the unblocked variety.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 6, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look at the complete list

Look at the Tkl numbers for the sack guys – especially the solo tackles. Harrison is a monster – sorry beast doesn’t do him justice anymore. We can call Woodley a beast now.

by 703Steeler on Oct 6, 2008 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who loves the 5-yd out route?

All together now:

We do! We do1One!!!

Man I thought the playcalling was a a 180 degree turn from where we’ve been the last couple of weeks and it was 100% for the better. The is still plenty of room for improvement, but flare passes to Moore out of the backfield, quick out routes to Hines and Nate, those are things that you wouldn’t have even thought were in the playbook based on the first 4 games.

Congrats to Bruce Arians for not sucking so bad!

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Oct 6, 2008 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mixed reaction on O-line. . .

Agreed that they seem to be getting gradually better since the Eagles debacle, and certainly the continually mounting injuries (luckily in Marvel’s case, only cramps) doesn’t help, but the bottom line is that regardless of BigBen’s propensity to extend plays, he is still getting hit too much. . . period.

BIG PROBLEM I SAW THIS WEEK- The pressure that got to Ben in max protect situations! The O’s worst quarter was obviously the 3rd, where they had multiple 3-and-outs and a couple of long third down situations (if I remember correctly). There were a couple of times where I saw only 3 routes being ran, meaning we had 7 back to block 4 (definitely only a 4-man rush on one of the 3rd down sacks) and they still got to Ben! 7-on-4 should be all day to throw, no matter what.

That being said, this team is 4-1 going into a badly needed bye week. . .despite the Brownies being more of a pushover than initially anticipated, this has to at least meet most expectations.

by The IC Lion on Oct 6, 2008 10:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OL

Played a little better but still giving up way to many free shots at the QB. Thought Stapleton was a stud after 1 preseason game 2 years ago. There was a reason they kept an undrafted FA on the roster after getting hurt in his first preseason game last year. My buddy stated that “Stapleton looked better last night than Simmons ever did.” Hartwig continues to improve.
I think the Jax pass rush was slowed early because of the quick slant to Holmes early in the game. Jax had to watch that play the rest of the night. Nice that BA reads the blogs and we taught him something after the Philly debacle.
Worried about Marvel. We really need him. Any update on his injury? It looked like possibly his back gave way.
The new slogan around the 50 compound is “Cologne, you stink!”

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Oct 6, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marvel was just cramping

That’s what they said during the coverage and all the post-game stuff I’ve seen so far. Hopefully nothing to worry about there

by The IC Lion on Oct 6, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quick Slant

Amen to that. Santonio looked like Jerry Rice for about 3 seconds.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Oct 6, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Line looked better but.....

we have to remember that was a Jax team that, although physical, is not the same team up front that they have been the last few years. This defense is not the Jax defense we are used to seeing. They have injuries and free agent losses on a once very proud D-line. That being said, the line did do a much improved job, especially opening running lanes. I wouldn’t give them an A but maybe a B-.

by woody71 on Oct 6, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, we know the line is not going to be great this year. I’ll take holding their own against a decent defense.

Ben took a lot of shots that weren’t sacks though, all of which were uncalled personal fouls.

by steelguy99 on Oct 6, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there aren't that many lines out there

with great, consistent pass protection

the big test for this unit (on both sides of the ball) will be the october 26th match with the giants

by vherub on Oct 6, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

O-Line and the Run

Steelers should trade for Larry Johnson. He would compliment a healthy Willie Parker very nicely and could help relieve the offensive line with effective rushing. Plus, he would add to the Pennsylvania Pride: Johnson grew up in State College and was outstanding at Penn State, and should now help carry the Steelers to the Super Bowl.

by Funkmeiser on Oct 6, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs