Does it make sense to blitz the Steelers

[XenoMorph]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

I spent some time watching Steelers games when they weren't on the same time as the Bengals.

One thing I noticed is the mismatch of blitzing a DB on Ben (safety, corner)From the get go it is a size miss match and unless it is a direct shot, which is not high %. When that happens you play into the Steelers game plan

I can't help but think back to the Tampa 2 during theor SB run, which relied on a dominant front and limiting down field opportunities and keeping everything in front of you that the Bengals can do this.

The reality is there. We are healthy on the D front, Steelers are banged up and the DB's are playing smart football

One thing is true. To beat the cover 2 is running. What do the MB experts think?

Even with 7 Defenders In coverage you cant expect them to cover for more than about 5 seconds.

Id say use the front 4 mostly and rotate who that 5th guy is coming in from different angles all game long.

[3wt]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

I spent some time watching Steelers games when they weren't on the same time as the Bengals.

One thing I noticed is the mismatch of blitzing a DB on Ben (safety, corner)From the get go it is a size miss match and unless it is a direct shot, which is not high %. When that happens you play into the Steelers game plan

I can't help but think back to the Tampa 2 during theor SB run, which relied on a dominant front and limiting down field opportunities and keeping everything in front of you that the Bengals can do this.

The reality is there. We are healthy on the D front, Steelers are banged up and the DB's are playing smart football

One thing is true. To beat the cover 2 is running. What do the MB experts think?

I'm not any kind of expert, but I think that blitzing should be rare and delayed - by LBs who have the size to bring him down.

Their O-line has been hurt - though DeCastro is back and looks to be playing pretty well. I think our D-linemen will eventually wear the Steelers down. The key to beating them is to keep Ben contained and his receivers covered.

The sacks will come eventually. You have to play disciplined in the front 7. If we do it will take away the TE and RB and force Ben to throw down field. He'll end up throwing a lot of balls away - and the hope is that will force a lof of 3 and outs.

One poster noted that Ben struggles more in the pocket than outside. If we contain him and stay disciplined in the middle it should both keep a lid on Ben and maintain gap integrity for the run.

Make Ben beat himself. Only blitz him when he does not expect it. A run blitz may stuff the run or get to the QB. But it has to be under control or either of them will split the gap for a big gain.

[UCMehayward]

Originally Posted by EatonFan

The Steelers o-line hold their blocks better than most teams as they know Ben holds the ball longer than most QB's. Therefore, I'm a fan of the delayed blitz moreso than against any other team. Bring that 5th guy a little later than usual and they can come in free to hit Ben. The big mistake that a lot of blitzers make is they come full bore and Ben sidesteps. The blitzer needs to pull up a little and just grab hold while the rest of the D-line takes him down with him.

Ben is great at sidestepping and making something out of nothing. He becomes quite average when he has someone draped on him and stays in the pocket.

OMG! Why havent the coaches around the league been able to get this in players heads! I scream at the top of my lungs every time i see a blitzer come full speed at Ben. HE'S NOT VICK! He isnt that quick, you dont have to run full speed to catch him. You just have to bring him down! my god! its so simple! And whats funny is Ben knows this too. He baits blitzers into it i swear!

[Derrick]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

I spent some time watching Steelers games when they weren't on the same time as the Bengals.

One thing I noticed is the mismatch of blitzing a DB on Ben (safety, corner)From the get go it is a size miss match and unless it is a direct shot, which is not high %. When that happens you play into the Steelers game plan

I can't help but think back to the Tampa 2 during theor SB run, which relied on a dominant front and limiting down field opportunities and keeping everything in front of you that the Bengals can do this.

The reality is there. We are healthy on the D front, Steelers are banged up and the DB's are playing smart football

One thing is true. To beat the cover 2 is running. What do the MB experts think?

I want Zimmer to show the defense how to get Ben on the ground.

[Interceptor]

You guys should stop with the rape jokes and such on Ben. This is a sport. We are a civilized people. I feel bad for Ben. I feel so bad for him that the entire Bengals defense should give Ben several big group hugs when he's on the field.

[eliminate08]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

As of now - no. Just have someone shadow Ben. The front four are doing a tremendous job penetrating and controlling the line by themselves. But it would not hurt to mix it up just a little.

Originally Posted by Fan_in_Kettering

Blitzing someone like Ben Roethlisberger is not like scheming against, say, Carson Palmer. Ben might be the most mobile "traditional" quarterback in the league right now. Guys like Colin Kaepernick are in a whole 'nother category. To bring Ben down, a defense has to give him nowhere to escape. Time and time again, we see a front four close in on Ben and he squirts right between them all and runs for ten yards straight up the middle of the field. The way to guard against this is to park a linebacker right there as Ben drops back to pass and, after the defensive linemen collapse the pocket, the linebacker has to stay in front of Ben while closing in on him from the front. This prevents him from passing and he has nowhere to run.

These guys know whats up.

[thompson19osu]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

I spent some time watching Steelers games when they weren't on the same time as the Bengals.

One thing I noticed is the mismatch of blitzing a DB on Ben (safety, corner)From the get go it is a size miss match and unless it is a direct shot, which is not high %. When that happens you play into the Steelers game plan

I can't help but think back to the Tampa 2 during theor SB run, which relied on a dominant front and limiting down field opportunities and keeping everything in front of you that the Bengals can do this.

The reality is there. We are healthy on the D front, Steelers are banged up and the DB's are playing smart football

One thing is true. To beat the cover 2 is running. What do the MB experts think?

Well we did see that you can't just bring a 3 man pass rush. Ben danced around FOREVER when Dallas rushed 3 and it nearly cost them the game.

[bengaljunky86]

i think we are going to have to change our schemes up a couple times in this game...i wouldnt just blitz blitz blitz id be aggressive on a few series and conservative on others just to mix it up and see whats working best going into the 4th quarter...im more worried about the O than the Defense honestly...we need to score TDs when giving the oppertunity rather than having to settle for FGs...and we been saying it all year whos going to step up as the #2 wr? i think marvin jones could have a big day but hes just been so so thus far imo

lets just hope we pull it together sunday and walk away with a win

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by bengaljunky86

i think we are going to have to change our schemes up a couple times in this game...i wouldnt just blitz blitz blitz id be aggressive on a few series and conservative on others just to mix it up and see whats working best going into the 4th quarter...im more worried about the O than the Defense honestly...we need to score TDs when giving the oppertunity rather than having to settle for FGs...and we been saying it all year whos going to step up as the #2 wr? i think marvin jones could have a big day but hes just been so so thus far imo

lets just hope we pull it together sunday and walk away with a win

This.

[bonesaw]

Originally Posted by NC Bengal Mike

If they aren't teachable how can they be taught in Akido?

Hah! Maybe he meant only the great Steven Seagal could teach it

[mallorian69]

Originally Posted by UCMehayward

OMG! Why havent the coaches around the league been able to get this in players heads! I scream at the top of my lungs every time i see a blitzer come full speed at Ben. HE'S NOT VICK! He isnt that quick, you dont have to run full speed to catch him. You just have to bring him down! my god! its so simple! And whats funny is Ben knows this too. He baits blitzers into it i swear!

everyone knows big jen is a master baiter