om - NFL - Take 2: Patriots vs. Steelers Friday, October 29, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Patriots and Steelers. Now they're back with a
second look.
New England will try to neutralize Pittsburgh's pass rush in two very
different ways. The first will be to run some multiple-receiver sets out
of a shotgun formation. The Steelers' secondary has been weakened by
injuries and it lacks the depth to match up. Lining QB Tom Brady up in the
shotgun allows him to locate favorable single-coverage matchups and get
rid of the ball quickly.
In addition, spreading the field forces Pittsburgh's outside linebackers
to line up wider and it will take them longer to get to Brady as a result.
The second way the Patriots will try to beat the Steelers' pass rush is
running some max-protect schemes that release two or three receivers
downfield. Brady will either throw the ball to where only his receiver can
run under it or throw it away if nothing is available, but he should get
enough time to deliver the ball if the play is there.
Pittsburgh's Dick LeBeau and New England's Romeo Crennel are two of the
better defensive coordinators in the league. Much has been made about
Crennel's versatility, and he will try to keep Steelers QB Ben
Roethlisberger off balance, but look for a few wrinkles from LeBeau as
well. He has had two weeks to prepare, unlike Crennel, and is trying to
overcome some key injuries. New England must expect the unexpected and
make the necessary adjustments, which will be easier said than done with
this game in Pittsburgh.
Patriots RB Kevin Faulk is more than capable of lining up at
receiver, and there are few linebackers capable of staying with him in man
coverage. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis takes advantage Faulk's
versatility by occasionally lining him at fullback and then motioning him
out to receiver. If the Steelers try to cover Faulk with a linebacker, he
should be able to get open quickly and is dangerous after the catch. A
receiver on the opposite side of the field or a tight end should face man
coverage if Pittsburgh uses a corner or safety to cover him.
New England LILB Dan Klecko is out with a knee injury and his versatility
will be missed. The Patriots like to use Klecko as a lead blocker in
short-yardage situations and they can line him up at tight end when they
go to their max-protect schemes. With him out of the lineup, RDE Richard
Seymour and LOLB Mike Vrabel could play bigger roles on offense. Seymour
has plenty of experience lining up at fullback and Vrabel could see some
time at tight end, where he has lined up occasionally. It doesn't help
that FB Patrick Pass, who is more of a finesse blocker than a physical
isolation blocker, is listed as doubtful with a thigh injury.
The Steelers' corners must tackle well this week. With Deion Branch out
and Troy Brown unlikely to play, WR David Givens and David Patten will get
the start once again. Givens runs with excellent power and Patten does a
great job of using the stiff arm to prevent tacklers from getting to his
legs, so Weis likes running quick-hitting screens to them. Two keys for
CBs Deshea Townsend and Willie Williams will be using the sideline as
another defender and wrapping up, even if it's high, so the pursuit has
time to get to the play.
The Patriots' first priority will be to stop the run, and it will
make them vulnerable to the vertical passing attack, so look for
Roethlisberger to take some chances. Roethlisberger should look for WR
Plaxico Burress working against CB Asante Samue,l who is expected to start
in place of the injured Tyrone Poole once again. Burress' combination of
size and speed will give Samuel, who generally lines up at nickel back,
some problems. Crennel will counter by moving CB Ty Law over to cover
Burress or giving Samuel safety help over the top if Burress beats Samuel
deep early.
New England RB Corey Dillon is a patient runner who allows his blocks to
develop, and that will put Pittsburgh's outside linebackers in a bind when
New England pulls the front-side guard. OLBs Joey Porter and Clark Haggans
must stay square to the line of scrimmage and the block. If they shoot
inside or outside Dillon will just make a cut in the opposite direction
and explode upfield. The problem is stacking blockers up the point of
attack will force Porter and Haggans to make the tackle three-to-four
yards downfield rather than at the line of scrimmage.
Brady possesses rare pocket presence and his receivers help him out by
staying on the move when the Patriots get close to the goal line. As a
result, the Steelers' linebackers and secondary must stay in coverage
until Brady crosses the line of scrimmage. It also means that Pittsburgh's
defensive line must keep Brady contained and prevent him from scrambling
for the touchdown.
Both teams have quality talent and depth at running back, but Steelers FB
Dan Kreider gives Pittsburgh the powerful lead blocker New England lacks
right now. Kreider's ability to create seams for the backs allowed the
Steelers to barely edge the Patriots out for the Scouts Inc. Advantage at
running back.
Roethlisberger's four starts have given him valuable experience and he
appears to be getting better with every game. However, they have also
given the Patriots' coaching staff an opportunity to break down his
tendencies and they will try to exploit any weaknesses. In addition,
Roethlisberger struggled in relief of Tommy Maddox in the Baltimore game
earlier this year and he hasn't faced a three-man front since. It will be
interesting to see if New England's 3-4 defense gives him problems.
Special Teams
Heinz Field is one of the most difficult places in which to kick, but
Patriots PK Adam Vinatieri, who has missed just one field goal attempt
thus far, has plenty of experience kicking in poor weather. Expect him to
adjust to the winds and make the most of his opportunities to put points
on the board.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Steelers 20
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Patriots and Steelers. Now they're back with a
second look.
New England will try to neutralize Pittsburgh's pass rush in two very
different ways. The first will be to run some multiple-receiver sets out
of a shotgun formation. The Steelers' secondary has been weakened by
injuries and it lacks the depth to match up. Lining QB Tom Brady up in the
shotgun allows him to locate favorable single-coverage matchups and get
rid of the ball quickly.
In addition, spreading the field forces Pittsburgh's outside linebackers
to line up wider and it will take them longer to get to Brady as a result.
The second way the Patriots will try to beat the Steelers' pass rush is
running some max-protect schemes that release two or three receivers
downfield. Brady will either throw the ball to where only his receiver can
run under it or throw it away if nothing is available, but he should get
enough time to deliver the ball if the play is there.
Pittsburgh's Dick LeBeau and New England's Romeo Crennel are two of the
better defensive coordinators in the league. Much has been made about
Crennel's versatility, and he will try to keep Steelers QB Ben
Roethlisberger off balance, but look for a few wrinkles from LeBeau as
well. He has had two weeks to prepare, unlike Crennel, and is trying to
overcome some key injuries. New England must expect the unexpected and
make the necessary adjustments, which will be easier said than done with
this game in Pittsburgh.
Patriots RB Kevin Faulk is more than capable of lining up at
receiver, and there are few linebackers capable of staying with him in man
coverage. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis takes advantage Faulk's
versatility by occasionally lining him at fullback and then motioning him
out to receiver. If the Steelers try to cover Faulk with a linebacker, he
should be able to get open quickly and is dangerous after the catch. A
receiver on the opposite side of the field or a tight end should face man
coverage if Pittsburgh uses a corner or safety to cover him.
New England LILB Dan Klecko is out with a knee injury and his versatility
will be missed. The Patriots like to use Klecko as a lead blocker in
short-yardage situations and they can line him up at tight end when they
go to their max-protect schemes. With him out of the lineup, RDE Richard
Seymour and LOLB Mike Vrabel could play bigger roles on offense. Seymour
has plenty of experience lining up at fullback and Vrabel could see some
time at tight end, where he has lined up occasionally. It doesn't help
that FB Patrick Pass, who is more of a finesse blocker than a physical
isolation blocker, is listed as doubtful with a thigh injury.
The Steelers' corners must tackle well this week. With Deion Branch out
and Troy Brown unlikely to play, WR David Givens and David Patten will get
the start once again. Givens runs with excellent power and Patten does a
great job of using the stiff arm to prevent tacklers from getting to his
legs, so Weis likes running quick-hitting screens to them. Two keys for
CBs Deshea Townsend and Willie Williams will be using the sideline as
another defender and wrapping up, even if it's high, so the pursuit has
time to get to the play.
The Patriots' first priority will be to stop the run, and it will
make them vulnerable to the vertical passing attack, so look for
Roethlisberger to take some chances. Roethlisberger should look for WR
Plaxico Burress working against CB Asante Samue,l who is expected to start
in place of the injured Tyrone Poole once again. Burress' combination of
size and speed will give Samuel, who generally lines up at nickel back,
some problems. Crennel will counter by moving CB Ty Law over to cover
Burress or giving Samuel safety help over the top if Burress beats Samuel
deep early.
New England RB Corey Dillon is a patient runner who allows his blocks to
develop, and that will put Pittsburgh's outside linebackers in a bind when
New England pulls the front-side guard. OLBs Joey Porter and Clark Haggans
must stay square to the line of scrimmage and the block. If they shoot
inside or outside Dillon will just make a cut in the opposite direction
and explode upfield. The problem is stacking blockers up the point of
attack will force Porter and Haggans to make the tackle three-to-four
yards downfield rather than at the line of scrimmage.
Brady possesses rare pocket presence and his receivers help him out by
staying on the move when the Patriots get close to the goal line. As a
result, the Steelers' linebackers and secondary must stay in coverage
until Brady crosses the line of scrimmage. It also means that Pittsburgh's
defensive line must keep Brady contained and prevent him from scrambling
for the touchdown.
Both teams have quality talent and depth at running back, but Steelers FB
Dan Kreider gives Pittsburgh the powerful lead blocker New England lacks
right now. Kreider's ability to create seams for the backs allowed the
Steelers to barely edge the Patriots out for the Scouts Inc. Advantage at
running back.
Roethlisberger's four starts have given him valuable experience and he
appears to be getting better with every game. However, they have also
given the Patriots' coaching staff an opportunity to break down his
tendencies and they will try to exploit any weaknesses. In addition,
Roethlisberger struggled in relief of Tommy Maddox in the Baltimore game
earlier this year and he hasn't faced a three-man front since. It will be
interesting to see if New England's 3-4 defense gives him problems.
Special Teams
Heinz Field is one of the most difficult places in which to kick, but
Patriots PK Adam Vinatieri, who has missed just one field goal attempt
thus far, has plenty of experience kicking in poor weather. Expect him to
adjust to the winds and make the most of his opportunities to put points
on the board.
Prediction: Patriots 27, Steelers 20
