Steelers Lab

Yinzers,

Today we finish up your lab assignment from last week. Here is where we left off:
Incubation of 1g Ben Roethlisberger at Heinz Field
This Sunday, your cultured Ben Roethlisberger will be introduced into the Cleveland Browns. So, what can we expect to happen in solution? Analysis:

The Cleveland Browns
Enough said? The Brownies are 1-4 to begin their 2010 campaign and are still having quarterback troubles. In the off-season, they picked up Seneca Wallace from the Minnesota Favres and Jake Delhomme from the ailing Carolina Panthers, who are now setting all their hopes in Jimmy Clausen (bad idea). On top of that, the Cleve-Brownies used their third round pick to get Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. Whats the problem? Seneca Wallace is injured after a mediocre start and Jake Delhomme is also injured from relieving Seneca Wallace. Therefore, Colt McCoy will be making his NFL debut against the Steel Curtain this weekend. Good luck, kid. But it is not all bad for the rookie. As many Steeler fans will never forget, the Browns beat the Steelers last year for the first time in recent American history. They did it mostly on special teams and relying on the sneaky Joshua Cribbs. Cribbs will again be the key to the Browns' success against the Steelers. The more they get Cribbs involved in the game, the less the Steelers will be worrying about Colt McCoy throwing the ball to other receivers such as tight end Ben Watson, who leads the team in receptions. The Browns also have a pretty nifty running back in Peyton Hillis. When the focus is on Cribbs, Hillis is capable of gashing defenses for huge chunks of yardage. The key for Cleveland offensively will be ensuring the protection of Colt McCoy and the focus shifting between Joshua Cribbs and Peyton Hillis.

On defense, the Browns have been less than stellar. Rookie strong safety T.J. Ward leads the team in tackles, nearly double the second place holder. What does that say? Either this guy is coming up and making big stops at the line (not so likely), or the Browns are letting a lot of plays get to the second and third level of the defense (pretty likely). They are 24th in the league against the run, letting up over 100 yards per game and 18th against the pass, letting up over 220 yards per game. With Ben Roethlisberger back in the Steelers' lineup and Rashard Mendenhall healthy, the Browns' defense will have to play flawless to keep the Steelers' offense off the field. The Browns only have 10 total sacks as a team, with outside linebackers Scott Fujita (2.5) and Marcus Benard (3.5) leading the team. These two will have to take advantage of Roethlisberger's tendency to extend plays if they want to be successful on third down. As John Facenda always said, "Get the man, get the quarterback."

The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are coming off a 3-1 stint without the central cog in their offense. Yes, we are all bitter that our one loss came to the Baltimore Rat Birds, but if you would have told me before the season that the Steelers were going 3-1 without Ben Roethlisberger, I would have laughed in your face. The biggest thing for the Steelers' offense this week will be reclamation of Ben Roethlisberger into the scheme. Without Ben, the Steelers are a stellar 7th in rushing, averaging over 130 yards per game, but dead last in passing at 136 yards per game. This was to be expected, however. Not that Charlie and Dennis are incapable of passing, it's just they aren't Ben Roethlisberger. Therefore, Bruce Ariens will most likely stick to his "iso-iso-screen" mantra this week so Ben gets his chemistry back with all his receivers. Personally, I hope they give the play calling over to Roethlisberger so we can see some shots down the field. The Steelers have to get back to a balanced football team this week. They already proved that they can run the ball, it's now time to open up the passing game a little bit to take some of the guys out of the box for Rashard Mendenhall.

The Steelers defense has been on top of their game this year. The Steel Curtain comes into this game the 4th overall defense, being #1 against the run (62 yards per game) and 20th against the pass (220 yards per game) and giving up just 11 points per game. Surprisingly, the Steel Curtain has just 11 sacks this season. Most of this is due to opponents' fear of getting sacked, so opponents are running more quick-hit style pass plays. If the Steelers' defense is as successful at stopping the run this week against the Cleve-Brownies, they will force a lot of long, third down situations, thus forcing Colt McCoy into deep drops. This is where the damage has to be done by the Curtain. The Browns have only given up 7 sacks this year, but it is mostly due to the legs of Seneca Wallace and the quick-hitting passing game. The Steelers have to get to McCoy early and often and rattle the rookie if they want to get this game put away fast.

Game time is 1:00pm from Heinz Field. The Steelers are 14 point favorites and the over/under is 37.5. The game will be on the usual CBS and KDKA with Bill Hillgrove, Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley broadcasting on the radio.

Here we go,
B Brog