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Steelers Take Control With Opening Drive of 2nd Half

Because the posts have been and will continue to come fast and furious, I'm going to include links to previous ones in each post, so that one can jump around between them at ease.

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

Let's take a look at some pictures from the Pittsburgh Steelers 13 play 77 yard drive to start the 2nd half. It featured 7 runs for 23 yards and 6 passes for 54 yards. Because this was one of the few drives actually where the running game wasn't clicking on all cylinders, the Steelers found themselves needing to convert 3 3rd downs of at least 7 yards.

They converted all three.

1) 3-7-PIT41 (12:13) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to S.Holmes to SD 49 for 10 yards (Q.Jammer).

2) 3-11-50 (10:37) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to N.Washington to SD 32 for 18 yards (P.Oliver).

3) 3-8-SD30 (8:33) (Shotgun) B.Roethlisberger pass short right to H.Miller to SD 12 for 18 yards (C.Gordon).

It all started with pass protection - from everybody, RBs, TEs, and OL alike.

Let's take a look at how it happened:

 

PLAY 1

Firstpocketpic_medium

You'll notice Moore is lined up on one side prior to the snap before recognizing the corner blitz from the other side and heading that way to meet Cason before he got in Ben's line of sight. . Let's take a look from a different angle:

Pocket5_medium
You'll notice above that C Justin Hartwig takes care of two Chargers pass rushers above. The first being the guy lined up across from him, the second being the stunting LB, who's trying to find an open lane in the middle of the offensive line. By the way, these stunts up the middle are all the rage in the league right, so congrats to the Steelers for being ready.

Pocket_medium

Part of why Moore was so easily able to recognize where he should be is the amazing pocket created by the rest of the lineman in front of him, most notably by Max Starks who is suffocating his man in the above frame. More on this play, and two more after the jump.

Star-divide

 

Pocket2_medium

I highlight the game clock above - notice that three second have passed (a loooong time in the first place) and Ben still has no one near him really.

PLAY 2:

Playtwo1_medium

Playtwo2_medium

All day to throw, with each and every lineman putting their hat on somebody. Ben has a huge pocket to sit in and survey the field from.

Playtwo3_medium

This time Ben has 4 seconds to unload the ball. Notice the great mechanics too. When Ben steps into his throws with time it's usually lights out for a defense. It sure was, look at this window Ben fits the ball into around 4 Chargers defenders - all because he had time to survey the field and step into a strong throw that's essentially unstoppable.

Ptwo3_medium

PLAY THREE:

All about Mewelde here.

Mooreblock_medium

Mooreblock1_medium

Moore_medium

Mooregood_medium

Ben's internal clock was perfectly calibrated yesterday. He had a bit less time on this play even though Moore had been doing a great job standing up the Chargers pass rusher. Still, Ben made up his mind and unleashed it while he still could.

A third straight successful third down and we were inside the red zone ready to take firm control of the game.

Previous Breakdowns:

Fake Punt Attempt
Santonio Holmes' Punt Return
Woodley's Thunderous Sack
Willie Colon - The Mauler
1st Half Review
2nd Half Review
Celebration Thread

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Yea that drive was incredible!

Used up 8 minutes of the clock and still got a TD! Wow, that is the kind of drives you want when you play the style of football that you guys and my Ravens play. Gotta tell you it straight, there is no other way I would want this to be right now. Third time facing each other on the year, but its the post season now, and everything that happened in the regular season is irrelevant.

I hate you guys, you hate me, that is the rivalry we have. But from this year, I have come to have some respect for what you guys have done. I have to respect a team that can play the full 60 minutes of football against my team. Cant wait for Sunday guys, it is going to be a battle for the ages.

Again, no other way I would want it and good luck to you all.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 12, 2009 3:59 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

im so stoked too

believe me i want to just beat a war drum and start chanting ‘bring on baltimore.’

but alas, its just monday and that would get old fast.

we’ll get there though. soon :)

by Blitzburgh on Jan 12, 2009 4:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey blitz

where are you getting the stills of game video and how are you editing them. They are great! I impressed, just like the o-line, you are taking it to a brand new level during the playoffs!

by SteelerBuddha on Jan 12, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah thanks buddy...its been fun..

Im going thru NFL.com videos and paintakingly rewinding, fast forwarding..pausing…looking for best shots possible then snap shotting them and throwing them in Paint. There are better ways of course but im not going to bust out Final Cut or some sophisticated editing software for this. not yet at least. thought it turned out allright.

by Blitzburgh on Jan 12, 2009 6:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it turned out great

its cool to see it this way. i am amazed at the time you are able to put into this. seriously. as a bigtime steeler fan, let me just say thank you. you have made my sunday night and monday much more enjoyable (and far less productive).

...die trying
http://www.agentorangerecords.blogspot.com

by agentorange on Jan 12, 2009 7:21 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

im tired as shucks right now. appreciate the words after a day like today. was pretty ridiculous.

believe it or not, was actually doing gainful employment during this but it was definitely piss poor work :)

might not see as much from blitz tomorrow..hehe. but yesterdays game was SOO much FUN! Had to today! worth it.

got some fun stuff for later in the week (wednesday earliest).

by Blitzburgh on Jan 12, 2009 7:24 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

awesome feature!

Blitz, I wish the L.A. Times and ESPN were this analytical, instead of feeding us the cliched crap that constitutes sports journalism these days. “The Steelers came out and dominated because they wanted it more…” Yeah, whatever.

Your photo analysis looks ike a crazy amount of work, but it paid off.

by TURFgeek on Jan 13, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

thanks man

worked out pretty well. going to try to do one of the last baltimore game.

by Blitzburgh on Jan 13, 2009 11:58 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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