Things I`ve not seen talked about...

I came across this article in the Tribune, and it mentioned a few things I haven`t seen talked about on this board..

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/7001013-74/steelers-roethlisberger-huddle#axzz3GvBSYC00

Don`t let the title fool you...

The lack of the no huddle, was the least surprising thing it referenced...

The most surprising to me, was that the Colts have held their opponents to converting only 3 of their last 41 3d down attempts!!!

That doesn`t bode well for us..

We live on converting third downs, and die when we don`t.(IMHO)...

It didn`t break down stats, so I am HOPING, their opponents just converted on 1st or 2nd down most of the time, and didn`t HAVE to convert many thirds...

That sounds unlikeley, tho...

From Ben`s quote about their DB`s playing press man coverage, it sounds like we will have to burn them, man to man, to convert, and he doesn`t sound very confident about that happening...

And I thought all I had to worry about, was if our D could pressure Luck, and stop him from carving us up...

Also, I don`t watch much college ball, so, I didn`t realize Decastro, and Luck played together...

They pretty much had a mutual love fest, with their quotes in this article...

As for the no huddle,

I was surprised to hear Ben say they have more options in it for Bell, than they have used so far, and he could be even MORE of a weapon than he`s already been, when they go to that...

And at the end, it talks about injuries/ wh practiced...

I was surprised to see that Ike`s practicing already, even in a limited fashion, after breakin his arm a few weeks ago.

Shazier was also practicing, but that didn`t surprise me as much...

They were already teasing us with him POSSIBLY, playin Monday night...

And they said Shamarko was practicing in a limited capacity, for what that`s worth...

Haven`t seen any of these topics on the main board yet...

Thoughts?

GO STEELERS!!!

 

colts fan here that 3 of the last 41 third down attempts thing is impressive but not sustainable. Plus our rookie center has questionable snaps at times

 

Welcome to the board. Even if the stat is not sustainable it is still impressive that your team has accomplished so much thus far.

I'm hoping our team proves it isn't sustainable, though. Even if the Steelers are the only team to do so.

 

Or a repeat of 05, when we're mangled by the Colts in the regular season and then use that to suss out how to beat them in the play offs en route to the Superbowl.

Hey, I can hope!

Welcome to the board, rpgczar - will you be checking in for the game thread? Good to have some alternative perspectives.

 

Yeah... if we can just get Blount or Bell to cough up the ball at the goal line and get Ben to make an Immaculate Trip (hmm... does not have quite the right ring to it) we should be golden

 

Colt's man coverage: AB will toast a CB in man coverage unless there is dedicated safety help. Bryant roasted the Texans DB for that TD pass from Ben. I think the team will be okay with man coverage. If the O-Line holds a nice pocket (which they have been pretty frequently, lately), Bell runs well, Haley dials up PA, and Ben lets the ball fly quickly, then we should see plenty of passes down field. A lot of "if"s there, but most of them are doable.

Front 7 getting to Luck: I haven't watched the Colts much, this season. I would imagine they have a solid O-Line. But I like what I've been seeing from the Steelers front 7. I think they will at least be able to put some pressure on Luck. Hopefully, they will hit/sack him a few times early in the game to keep him second guessing. This is a key factor to winning.

The no-huddle. I like it used to keep the opposing defense off-balance. Also, Ben seems to just have fun with it. But the HC/OC combo should still execute a larger, overall plan than only incorporates some of the no-huddle. Maybe more no-huddle in the second half of the game versus the Texans would have allowed the offense to score. I'm not sure. But the offense needs to be ready to drive to the end zone from their own 20... regularly.