Pregame Zone Blitz: Steelers Take On Brady, Patriots In AFC Showdown

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 12:37 PM EDT in Steelers Pregame Coverage

Now it's real.

This isn't the Cardinals or the pre-MNF Beatdown Jaguars. This is the Patriots. This is the Steelers kryptonite. Long-time tormentor Tom Brady brings his multi-faceted offense to Heinz Field looking for a whole lotta mo' whippings, like he did last year.

The Steelers counter with a better secondary than they've had in years, a mega-hot QB and a huge, history-built chip on their shoulders from several Patriots touchdowns and wins over the years.

PZB's got some cool stats, some fiery rhetoric and plenty of reason to ignore work and get your pregame started Friday afternoon.

Opponent Web Sites/Forums

It's hard to disagree, the Patriots have made themselves at home at Heinz Field.

Pats Pulpit writer Richard Hill provides some excellent analysis on Steelers WR Mike Wallace

Alec Shane of Pats Pulpit seems genuinely afraid of the Steelers.

Last Game

That Other Offensive Line (TOOL), you know, the one the Steelers put out there about every other game or so? That was the one out there against Arizona.

Of course, guys like Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett wreck the best laid plans. He's done it before against the Steelers, and a lot of other teams. Fortunately, the Steelers have QB Ben Roethlisberger's escapability - a non-word that Ben has coined in games where TOOL shows up.

The Patriots defensive line is similar to TOOL. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it appears catatonic. It's not certain what will happen if the Steelers' TOOL and the Patriots' TOOL were to do battle, but maybe that's what will happen Sunday.

Some of the key plays in Pittsburgh's 34-20 win came from guys who didn't have the ball, or involved on the tackle. WR Hines Ward chucked off OLB Clark Haggans, who then could not get a jam on TE Heath Miller. Ward also drew the cornerback to the middle of the field, leaving Miller wide open for the touchdown.

It's the small things that win football games. The Patriots, though, are as smart as it comes defensively. Don't let rankings fool you, they concede yards for minutes in the second half of games where they have a big lead - which is many of their wins. The Cardinals played a sloppy, lifeless football game, and the Steelers got the big win. It'd be dumb to expect that from the Patriots, a team that thrives on whipping Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.

Us Against The World

How utterly ridiculous is it that James Harrison makes a football act and gets fined $75,000, and Richard Seymour, despite whatever happened to provoke him, slugs a player on national TV in full view of the cameras and knocks him to the ground -- and gets fined $25,000. Weak. Very weak.

Peter King

Pittsburgh vs. New England is a statement that both excites Steelers fans and induces heartburn. The Patriots ARE the world. With still plenty of capital to burn off three Super Bowls in the 2000s, Brady is still the golden boy of the NFL. He's saying all the right things this week, talking about how good the Steelers are, and how tough it is to play at Heinz Field.

If you believe he's being genuine about that, I've got some Oceanside property in Utah I'd like to sell you.

Dating back to the Spygate allegations, the elimination of all evidence suggesting the Patriots were stealing signals from the Steelers during their 2004 AFC Championship victory won't ever sit well in SteelerNation. But the Patriots, with Brady, have pounded the Steelers since then.

Just as Joe Flacco can't beat Ben Roethlisberger, Roethlisberger can't beat Brady. It's time to fix that.

Opponent Spotlight: QB Tom Brady

Who else?

This is the part where writers insert about 200 words of hyperbole talking about Brady's accomplishments, his place in history, his performances against Pittsburgh. PZB shies away from hyperbole (snicker), but will instead discuss where Brady's success against Pittsburgh comes from.

At the head of one of the most dynamic offenses the NFL has seen, Brady doesn't call plays as much as he calls first-look formations. With the versatility the Patriots have - they can line up in a double-TE formation, and audible to an empty-back 5-receiver set - Brady simply takes what the defense is giving him. The Steelers typically play conservatively, knowing if Brady gets the defensive personnel he wants, he'll go no-huddle and continue gashing the Steelers everywhere on the field.

The difference last year to this year is the Steelers' ability to play much deeper into their sub-packages. Their nickel defense is much stronger than last year's, and the twist of moving CB William Gay to the deep safety position usually held by SS Troy Polamalu gives them an advantage in the short middle of the field.

Brady will pay attention to that, and do something teams don't typically try to do against the Steelers - throw the ball deep. Early and often, Brady will stretch the Steelers secondary wide and deep, aiming to utilize his TEs underneath when the Steelers get pinned back into their Cover 3 defense.

It's hard to say he won't be successful. That's what Brady is. A pass rush is next to impossible against the Patriots due to five quality pass protectors and a lightning fast release from Brady.

Knowing that, the key for the Steelers will be to wrap up after the completion. If Brady is going to complete 80 percent of his passes, Pittsburgh cannot allow yards after the catch. If they can tackle, they can slow the Patriots down. If they can't, well, we all saw what happened last year.

Steelers Spotlight: QB Ben Roethlisberger

This game is going to be decided by the offenses. Both teams have great offensive personnel, and the match-ups favor the offenses of both teams. This is a center-stage game for Roethlisberger, and he loves the spotlight.

The Patriots don't want to have to sit in nickel all game, but the extra work Roethlisberger had with his receivers this week was aimed to force the Patriots to do exactly that. The Steelers success in this game will depend on Roethlisberger's ability to keep the chains moving, and force Brady's offense to spend large chunks of time on the cold benches at Heinz Field.

The Patriots linebackers are solid all around, but they can be exploited in delay passing routes across the middle. Roethlisberger needs to recognize that, and be patient with his throws. This obviously requires at least decent pass protection, but the clock in Ben's head has to be going off after 2.5 seconds. Get rid of it then, or get out of the pocket.

He makes his plays off-schedule, meaning, when everything has broken down. So in a way, inviting a little chaos into the backfield benefits the passing offense. He's had a lot of that, especially in the second half, in the last two games. It wouldn't be surprising if the Patriots dropped seven into coverage, and just tried to get pressure with the line, but Roethlisberger can still make plays if he buys himself time.

He can match Brady yard-for-yard, and if he remains patient, he'll lead the Steelers to points.

I See You

I see you, Antonio Brown. We've all seen plenty of you this week (you got the first down in the Play of the Week highlighted earlier this week), but one play stood out from perhaps the best all-around performance of your career.

You snared an errant Roethlisberger pass on third down to extend a drive at a critical point in the game. If you don't move the chains in that spot, the Steelers are punting, up three, to a team that would have seized all momentum. In a game where the running game just wasn't working, those kinds of plays were paramount to closing off an opponent.

This says nothing of the fact it was a highlight-reel worthy catch, whether it was on first down in a 20-0 game. Shows a lot of confidence in responding to the now-clicheed question, "what can Brown do for you?"

He can return kicks, punts and make one-handed drive-extending drives. That's what.

Key Stats

There are only three players in history with more touchdown receptions of 40+ yards than Mike Wallace's 13 - Jerry Rice (15), Bob Hayes (17) and Randy Moss (20).
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have 117 wins together, tied for the most all time wins by a quarterback and coach (Dan Marino and Don Shula).
The Steelers are 5-0 in games when Mike Wallace scores a touchdown. They are 0-2 when he does not.

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Comments

86

I was at the game last year, and when Hines got popped in the noggin (Chung or Merriweather iirc) and sidelined the mood in the stadium was palpable and furious. It was fanned by the Belichek challenge on the completion that (rightly) overturned it to an incomplete pass, but we all watched the replay over and over during the review and grew incensed at the helmet to helmet no-call. And to that point the Steelers had played so lifelessly, certainly, we all seemed to feel, this outrage would spark some energy…

Given last year’s primetime shellacking and that hit on Hines, I just can’t see any way that we don’t see a very energized and motivated Black and Gold this year. Whether that translates to execution is something else, we shall see. But emotion is a pretty good start.

by thedonger on Oct 28, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

That also ended Ward’s consecutive games with a reception streak. His injury hurt but not as much as TImmons soon after, forcing Gay to be mismatched against a 6’6" TE who caught all 3 of Brady’s TDs.

by malaki on Oct 30, 2011 4:48 AM EDT up reply actions

That final stat is telling

I actually feel pretty confident this week though, not sure why, I just feel like we are going to impose our will this week. I also think there is a good chance Wallace breaks the 40+yard record this year – gonna happen.

"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

I predicted we'd win by 10 or more

I know that we have the capability IF we play smart. We definitely have the offensive weapons. I know I don’t have too many people who feel the same way. But, I just feel that this will be our “breakout game”. If our DL keep up the constant pressure on Brady, it will not be like last year.

by Allen F on Oct 28, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Feeling good, too

My sense is that it’s about tempo—something less tangible than time of possession. The Steelers can beat a lot of teams and still not be “in control” of the game for more than two quarters (see 2011 playoffs). They can’t do that with NE. This is gonna require the Steelers to do what they intend, and I surely think they have it in ’em.

by the_proph on Oct 29, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

You are right about tempo

I think that Ben needs to run the “no huddle” most of the time and throw quick “middle and short range passes” to his TE’s and WR’s. He can opt for the bomb when the defense is ripe for it. I think that this can eliminate holds and unnecessary dumb penalties by Kemo. We need to also avoid holds and blocking in the back on kickoffs and punts to avoid starting too deep in our own territory. Our line will not look bad if they do not have to hold their blocks for more than a few seconds.

by Allen F on Oct 29, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Interview with Jim Wexell

Hey Neal, Check out my Interview

STEEL CURTAIN RADIO #159: JIM WEXELL TALKS PATS VS STEELERS
http://traffic.libsyn.com/wtcb/SCR_159.mp3

by bigswa on Oct 28, 2011 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

Good call on The Chronic

And I agree completely, like I wrote above, we aren’t gonna stop their offense. We’ve got to score with them, and protect the ball.

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED TO THROW THE BALL

and cover the Pats receivers

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you sure?

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Oct 28, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm pretty sure we will probably only manage 50% of the equation.

But I think we can actually win a shoot out with these guys IF we can slow them down just a little and get a turnover this game.

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Thanks for the kind words Neal

by bigswa on Oct 28, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still pissed about the eat Brady spiked that football last year. I hope we knock Piss outta him. I’m jacked dawgs!!

by Steelchamps !! on Oct 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

LOL - Nice spirit!!

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

And if he does it again

Let’s hope someone is there to spike him on his head!

by SteelerHokie90 on Oct 29, 2011 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

think

this one is on ben and the o-line. If they play patient and smart we can stay with the pats. But if they give up multiple turnovers then forget it. Which Ben shows up the one from the Baltimore game or the one from the Arizona game will determine the outcome.

by SteelerBuddha on Oct 28, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm with you, but I would take it farther -

we need the Ben from the AZ game and the Troy from the Eagles (preseason) game.

"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 28, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This Year vs. Last Year...

Hey, all I’ve got to say is that the past is the past & I’m glad the Steelers players view previous losses to the Pats as old news (unlike most Steelers fans & just about every analyst).

No excuses for last year, but this year’s team is very different and much improved (let that sink in, the 2011 Steelers are much improved over the 2010 AFC Champion Steelers).

Think about our roster for last year’s game:

- Weaker O-line (hard to believe, but true): No Starks, No Kemo, & Pouncey got hurt during the game
- Weaker D-Line: No Keisel, No A. Smith (and of course, no Heyward or McClendon)
- Much weaker receiving corps: No A. Brown & Ward got knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Our wide receivers in the 2010 were: Wallace, Randle El, a rookie Saunders, and Arnez Battle.
- Weaker secondary: McFadden was starting at corner & Polamalu injured his achilles during the game (affecting his play for the rest of the year)
- Weaker special teams: Reed was missing 26-yarders & Will Allen didn’t play

For good measure throw in the fact that Timmons got hurt and didn’t finish the game.

Even with Harrison & Hoke out, I like our chances with this line-up. Time will tell, but throw in the fact that the Pats have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and we’re in MUCH better position than we were on 11/14/10.

by Hopper on Oct 28, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Good breakdown, and I agree about where we stand and think Ben is primed for action but their pass D isn't quite as bad as it is made out to be

Everyone is throwing almost exclusively on them and is skewing the stats big time – can we throw on them? Yes we can, but they aren’t as terrible as the stats would have you believe.

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Skewing the yardage, yes...

But that’s why you look at percentage stats. The Pat’s defense has the 4th worst completion rate in the league at 65.5%. Just because teams pass a lot against you doesn’t mean they should complete a lot of passes against you. But are they just allowing underneath routes, keeping everything in front of them to avoid giving up the big play? Not so much, it’s true that they’ve only given up two completions over 40 yards, but they’ve also given up a league worst 37 completions over 20 yards, just over 6 per game. The Pat’s 8.5 yds/att (tied with the Colts for worst in the league) is a product of both a high completion percentage and a tendency to give up plenty of intermediate length completions. We have to give them a little bit of a pass because deeps that are behind don’t just throw a lot, they throw deep/intermediate a lot. The fact remains, though, that this squad’s statistically poor performance isn’t just an artifact of typically playing with a lead.

Two more thoughts worth noting, the Pat’s do have a very respectable 8 INT’s, led by Kyle Arrington’s 4. This is probably influenced by desperation passing late in the game by losing opponents, but it shows they know what to do with errant passes. On a more positive note, the Pat’s mysteriously decided to release Leigh Bodden. With Ras-I Dowling doubtful for this week’s game, that leaves them VERY thin in the secondary.

by Steelgator on Oct 28, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Bodden & Dowling

Yeah, saw that they cut Bodden today. Another really odd but classic Belichick move that I just don’t get. Heard Dowling might play, but he’s a rookie coming off an injury who’s missed a ton of games aready. Are we really supposed to believe that he’s a better option over Bodden?

It reeks of Belichick trying to prove to the world that it’s all about his coaching and not the players on his team (with the very big exception of Brady, of course). I really don’t know what to think of it, but I gotta believe that our chances of winning this game are better this year than in years past.

I don’t think we need a dozen sacks to win, but I think (okay, “hope”) that we’ll see a lot more pressure on Brady than we have in the past. Besides having Keisel back, we usually get 3-4 sacks a year from our corners & safeties. Would love nothing more than seeing Ryan Clark come flying in unblocked on a safety blitz. I realize how unlikely it is that the Steelers pull someone out of coverage against Brady in order to blitz, but that’s the genius of it! Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?

by Hopper on Oct 28, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Dowling

Yes. I am surprised he fell so far in the draft, and one of the reasons the Patriots pass-D has been sub-par this season has been that he’s injured.

Not saying he’s great, but he’s gonna be good, and in a year, the rest of the league will know who he is.

I would LOVE to see Clark flatten Brady. Pound for pound, that dude hits as hard as anyone in the league. I would also be fine if it was Timmons.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Oct 28, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I qnt 11 sacks

1 for each starter on the D

by thefirst3peat on Oct 29, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

as for the Pats defense, they are not the worst- in the last few weeks.

Don’t think for a minute that they won’t give us some problems. It seemed they just needed a few games to get in the right shape. I think the first 4, 6 games for pats will not be par for the season for them, defensively speaking.

by SteelersVT on Oct 28, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I read

that their stats in the last few weeks before the bye were way better than their stats at the beginning of the season, and that those early stats are dragging their numbers down, much like the stats from the Bmore game have made some of our stats look worse than is really justified.

by Rebecca Rollett on Oct 28, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

That Buffalo game

Dented their stats pretty bad. They play well defensively overall. They did very well against Dallas (I watched that and the Buffalo game), and Dallas has one of the best offenses in the game.

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I checked

In the Pats’ last 3 games

Romo completed 65.9% of his passes for 7.7 yds/att
on the season he’s completed 64.1% for 8.0 yds/att

Sanchez completed 61.5% of his passes for 6.4 yds/att
on the season he’s completed 55.8% for 6.7 yds/att (I know, he’s a stud)

Campbell completed 64.1% of his passes for 8.8 yds/att
on the season he’s completed 60.6% for 7.1 yds/att

So it looks like their pass defense of late has been pretty close to average.

by Steelgator on Oct 28, 2011 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Reality Check

A 5-2 record so far does not really tell much. Are the Steelers really better than last year. The soft schedule so far is not a good indicator.
Ravens (4-2) lost
Texans (4-3) lost
Titans (3-3) win
Seattle (2-4) win
Jags (2-5) win
Arizona (1-5) win
Colts (0-7) win
The Steelers have beaten one team with a 500 record. The Pats have many weakness on defense but they are 5-1. They have beaten more successful teams than the Steelers have beaten. Yes, the Steelers will score against the Pats but the Steelers have not faced a team this year with a good running game and countless weapons through the air. This game will be a good gauge on the Steelers team as a whole. Can the Steelers beat a team playing over 500? We’ll find out Sunday.

by PVS53 on Oct 28, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

for exception of the Jets and Cowboys all the defenses you played so far had a lower defensive DVOA rankings with the exception of rush defense (which will get some help with Hampton back).

Steelers also had better offensive DVOA rankings than most of the Patriots opponents as well

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.

"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison

by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Oct 28, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Who did you see boasting about our record?

Nobody said our record should cause NE any concern. Nor does having a soft schedule make you a bad team. The narrow loss to Houston was a disappointment, but as NE fans can testify, anything can happen against division rivals (especially in week 1 without the benefit of a full offseason). Neither is it signficant that the Steelers haven’t blown out weaker opponents because we have a defense that doesn’t require us to pile up the points.

by Steelgator on Oct 28, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I know how to beat Brady.

by Riddlah. on Oct 28, 2011 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Ewwwww. & Owwwwww.

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

The old "helmet to the knee" defense

Goodell would try to relegate us to the CFL if we knock Brady out for the season.

by TomlinsPuffyJacket on Oct 28, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He’d have hit men sent out to “deal” with whoever hurt Brady.

by Riddlah. on Oct 28, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

We’d counter with Harrison. He doesn’t need two eyes to kick four kinds of crap out of any mere hitman…

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Brady

Even the announcers have gotten into it. There was one game this year when someone came close to coming in contact with Brady and the announcer screamed “he almost hit Brady”. I kid you not. He couldn’t have been more alarmed if the guy had slapped his (the announcer’s) own mother. It was totally ridiculous. Then you see Brady almost demanding a late hit any time someone touches him. I don’t want to see anyones career ended by an injury, but I would love to see our guys make Brady “gunshy” fom being hit hard constantly. I almost look for a flag everytime someone touches him.

by Allen F on Oct 29, 2011 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

it doesn't always require touching him

to get that little bitch to cry

i’ve seen him jump up and down (literally, no exaggeration) screaming and crying for a flag, because a defensive player was blocked, and in the process of being knocked over, rolled twice, still 3 feet away.

i’m sure you’re not surprised to know his bitching worked..he got the flag…no contact at all…but he got it
that kinda stuff is why i might have a hard time watching the game tomorrow
i’m almost positive b.s calls will be in full force for the brady hype machine

on top of that Simms is calling the game. I saw a stat somewhere that the Steelers are like 5-20 in games Simms calls

This message will self destruct

by FrankWyt on Oct 29, 2011 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That's just below the belt...

It worked, though. We whipped the Patriots that year =)

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

What the Steelers still need to prove.

Although we know that the Steeler offense is loaded with talent and the potential to score, this hasn’t always translated into actual points on the scoreboard. So when you note that this will be an offensive battle, it’s actually a matchup between a very consistent offense and a fairly inconsistent offense. We’ve got to do something to change our approach because it’s pretty unlikely that we outscore the Pats in a high-scoring shootout. (Not that I wouldn’t love to see it happen though.)

by Billy52 on Oct 28, 2011 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

The next two games

If the Steelers win or lose depends on Ben.

"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).

by Han on Oct 28, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Purty much

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 28, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Neal Coolong on Oct 28, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's Go Steelers-

Take it to their ass. We owe them…

by crosby87 on Oct 28, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

How we will win

Ben has to play smart, and he’s been doing that this year a lot more. Take what you can get. Threaten em, but don’t get greedy. If Ben does that, we’ll do great.

To me it’s about tempo. We need to score first, I don’t wanna kickoff this week (we’ve done it a lot lately). Set the tempo of the game, extend drives, and keep Brady watching and pouting.

If they score early we have to play to their tempo and their tempo is quite different from ours. We have to dictate the speed of the game to how WE like it, and then force the Pats to play out of their comfort zone.

by Mechem on Oct 28, 2011 6:40 PM EDT reply actions

Patience is key

The dude gets greedy, particularly in the second half with a lead. He needs to fix it, or Tomlin needs to fix it for him, via Arians.

Agree with Neil: I think what the offense needs to do is not throw the short safety blanket pass to Ward this game; throw it to Antonio Spiderman Brown, and let him use his agility and burst to exploit the middle of the field the way Tone used to do. Only on fast-forward.

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Oct 28, 2011 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

so i take it you're ok

lol i’ve been looking for a comment from you for awhile after i heard about the earthquake down there

This message will self destruct

by FrankWyt on Oct 28, 2011 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Good observation, Neal

Moving Gay to deep safety in Nickel D was a good move. I think I read where Cortez moved past BMac on the depth chart. This could be the best defensive backfield we’ve had against Brady.

by Yount on Oct 29, 2011 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

There are only three players in history with more touchdown receptions of 40+ yards than Mike Wallace’s 13 – Jerry Rice (15), Bob Hayes (17) and Randy Moss (20).

Wallace is going to shatter that record.

by malaki on Oct 30, 2011 4:52 AM EDT reply actions