lamberts-lost-tooth
11-11-2008, 12:40 PM
Will Steelers stay conservative with QB?
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Steelers devised what appeared to be a sound offensive game plan against the Indianapolis Colts.
"We had a game plan where we were going to take what they gave us," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We were able to convert third downs checking the ball down to (running back) Mewelde Moore and (tight end) Matt Spaeth. That is how you play when you play the Colts."
There was, however, a slight problem with that plan.
It limited what quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did best last season. It kept him rooted in the pocket and forced him to take fewer chances.
Roethlisberger went 30-of-42 for 284 yards, with no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 60.0 passer rating Sunday.
"When you play the Colts, they are going to build an umbrella defense, and they are going to invite you to throw the short ones," Tomlin said. "They are going to bank on you being impatient and try to test them vertically. When you do that, you get sacked, and you throw picks."
The 2007 version of Roethlisberger tossed nearly three times as many touchdowns as interceptions (32-11). But that gunslinger, whose sterling play convinced ownership to award him a $102 million contract, was nowhere to be found during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Colts.
That player was replaced by the 2006/2008 model -- the hesitant passer not at his best because of injuries who attempted to make difficult plays that his body wouldn't allow him to pull off.
Sunday's strategy was similar to the one that worked so well during Roethlisberger's first two seasons under former coach Bill Cowher and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. It was a system that kept Roethlisberger's freelancing to a minimum.
Roethlisberger welcomed the opportunity to become more involved in the game-planning and play-calling with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
But that doesn't mean Roethlisberger wasn't effective under the old system. Now, he just has more control over the offense..
During Roethlisberger's first two seasons, the previous system culminated with a victory in Super Bowl XL. The quarterback averaged 17 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions per season, completed 64.5 percent of his passes and had a 98.4 passer rating.
Nine games into the 2008 season, Roethlisberger is the No. 20 ranked quarterback in the league. He has 10 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions, while completing 60.0 percent of his passes, with a career-low 76.1 passer rating.
If Roethlisberger starts next Sunday's game against San Diego at Heinz Field, despite injuries to his throwing shoulder and thumb, will the coaching staff follow the same conservative game plan utilized against the Colts? Or will Roethlisberger return to having the freedom to make plays on his own?
That's the burning $102 million question.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_597817.html
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Steelers devised what appeared to be a sound offensive game plan against the Indianapolis Colts.
"We had a game plan where we were going to take what they gave us," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We were able to convert third downs checking the ball down to (running back) Mewelde Moore and (tight end) Matt Spaeth. That is how you play when you play the Colts."
There was, however, a slight problem with that plan.
It limited what quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did best last season. It kept him rooted in the pocket and forced him to take fewer chances.
Roethlisberger went 30-of-42 for 284 yards, with no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 60.0 passer rating Sunday.
"When you play the Colts, they are going to build an umbrella defense, and they are going to invite you to throw the short ones," Tomlin said. "They are going to bank on you being impatient and try to test them vertically. When you do that, you get sacked, and you throw picks."
The 2007 version of Roethlisberger tossed nearly three times as many touchdowns as interceptions (32-11). But that gunslinger, whose sterling play convinced ownership to award him a $102 million contract, was nowhere to be found during Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Colts.
That player was replaced by the 2006/2008 model -- the hesitant passer not at his best because of injuries who attempted to make difficult plays that his body wouldn't allow him to pull off.
Sunday's strategy was similar to the one that worked so well during Roethlisberger's first two seasons under former coach Bill Cowher and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. It was a system that kept Roethlisberger's freelancing to a minimum.
Roethlisberger welcomed the opportunity to become more involved in the game-planning and play-calling with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
But that doesn't mean Roethlisberger wasn't effective under the old system. Now, he just has more control over the offense..
During Roethlisberger's first two seasons, the previous system culminated with a victory in Super Bowl XL. The quarterback averaged 17 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions per season, completed 64.5 percent of his passes and had a 98.4 passer rating.
Nine games into the 2008 season, Roethlisberger is the No. 20 ranked quarterback in the league. He has 10 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions, while completing 60.0 percent of his passes, with a career-low 76.1 passer rating.
If Roethlisberger starts next Sunday's game against San Diego at Heinz Field, despite injuries to his throwing shoulder and thumb, will the coaching staff follow the same conservative game plan utilized against the Colts? Or will Roethlisberger return to having the freedom to make plays on his own?
That's the burning $102 million question.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_597817.html