Getting to Big Ben easier said than done...
It sounds so fundamental and elementary---get to the opposing QB before he can get to you...
But with Big Ben Roethlisberger, it's easier said than done...
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is listed at 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds but appears to weigh more than 260. He probably is bigger than Eagles defensive ends Trent Cole (6-3, 270 pounds) and Jason Babin (6-3, 267) and other members of the defense that will try to sack him.
"Arm tackles are not going to get it done," Cole said. "Grabbing one leg or something won't work, or trying to sack him with one arm. Most quarterbacks, you probably can do that, but with him you can't."
Roethlisberger also is off to the best start of his nine-year career. He enters the game ranked second in the NFL with a 109.2 quarterback efficiency rating. Only Atlanta's Matt Ryan (112.1) is higher.
Roethlisberger also has done a good job of protecting the football. Through three games, the 30-year-old has completed 82-of-120 passes (68.3 percent) for 904 yards and eight touchdowns against just one interception. Only Ryan (69.2 completion percentage) has been more accurate, and of the quarterbacks who have attempted at least 120 passes, Minnesota's Christian Ponder is the only who has yet to throw an interception.
"He does a lot of things well, but the one thing he does a great job with is that he extends plays," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He's very strong in the pocket, and he has mobility. He always keeps his eyes down the field. If you have that one quality that is a little different than some of the other quarterbacks, he keeps every play alive. As a secondary player, you better continue to cover your player until the play is history and it's over, or he's going to make you pay for it."
Roethlisberger hasn't been untouchable this season. A porous offensive line has surrendered nine sacks. But that total would be even higher if not for his size, strength and awareness.
If one of his receivers isn't immediately open, he has no qualms about waiting until someone breaks free, even if it means absorbing an extra hit or two.
"I have no intention of trying to extend a play; it just happens that way," Roethlisberger said in a phone interview. "It comes from not ever wanting to quit. I hate to quit on a play or on my team. I don't want to give up a sack and I'm always going to fight for extra yards. Sometimes it can demoralize a defense when you fight through a sack or you extend a play and pick up a first down. That's tough on a defense. But it's just never wanting to quit."
"Getting him down is not going to be easy," Eagles rookie linebacker Mychal Kendricks said. "That's a big dude."
The Steelers have something else going for them this week — the return of a couple of All-Pro defenders, safety Troy Polamalu and outside linebacker James Harrison, sidelined by a strained calf and sprained knee, respectively. Polamalu, in particular, shines in a system that allows him the freedom to rush the passer.
"He's a heck of a player," Reid said of Polamalu. "You're talking about a Pro Bowl player. You have to know where he's at. Harrison, you have to know where he is at. Those are two good football players."
Said Brent Celek: "Those guys are playmakers. Polamalu is all over the field and you've got to be ready for him to come from anywhere on any play. And Harrison is obviously an amazing pass rusher. So, to have those two guys back …"
Welp, it's good to have a healthy respect for your opponent. Keeps you grounded and within your own game plan...
"It's going to be a tough matchup against Pittsburgh this week,'' Vick said. "It's always a tough matchup any time you play them on the road. Their record at home is outstanding. But that's what it's all about, two good teams clashing head to head and we just have to find a way to come out on top."
A big step in that direction would be to find a way to block those blitzing defensive backs you know are coming after Vick, or make them pay for their gamble. More than anything, the Eagles realize the Steelers are going to come out swinging and they have to be ready to swing back.
"I just know it's going to be a physical game, it's going to be a battle,'' Celek said. "We've got to be ready to go, be ready to whoop it up."
Yeah, the Steelers are going to show blitz and bring it a lot against Vick. That's just defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's way of saying "Hi---Welcome to Pittsburgh!"... Plus, LeBeau basically taught the Cardinals' new DC Ray Horton everything he knows about blitz pressure during the 7 years Horton was the Steelers' defensive backs coach---and we saw what the Cardinals' defense did against the Eagles a couple of weeeks ago. LeBeau took notes, no doubt, and he'll be be sending corners as well as linebackers and safeties, not only through the A-gap but also through and around the tackles...
"When something works, as it did with the Cardinals blitzing us, teams are going to keep trying it against you,'' Eagles tight end Celek said. "If they don't, if would be kind of foolish. You always have to be ready for things that other teams did against you and were successful with."
Linebacker Akeem Jordan (strained hamstring) will not play against the Steelers. Jamar Chaney will make his second straight start at weakside linebacker. ... Safety Colt Anderson (hyperxtended knee), guard/tackle King Dunlap (strained hamstring) and defensive tackle Derek Landri (knee inflammation) are questionable. Anderson and Landri are expected to play. Demetress Bell likely will start at left tackle in place of Dunlap again. ... Wide receiver Riley Cooper (broken collarbone) might make his season debut.
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FOOTBALL FOOD TIME !
CHUNK CHICKEN SALAD ON SUB ROLL !!!!!!!!!!
WIFF BACON< LETTUCE< CUCUMBERS< AND CHEDDAR CHEESE !!!!!!!!!!
wiff potater chips.
I need to attend to my bung,......which may take upwards of 55 minutes.
HOpe I can make kickoff.
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Polk inactive... Pion active... Would love to see him get in and catch a screen or two
I've got the 9'ers in the KOH2.
I have STD's from Bro, Spliff, EagNut, Bri, Harry, Phemur, Abe, Briveheart, Palm and Bean.
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BC,...the purest,.simplest criteria for a trap game,..is when a team is favored,..and they were caught looking ahead,..wiff their pants down. Other stuff can be added on,..to furher enhance "trapitude". You wiffme,..guvna',...in these things I have to do?...................GK.
I was thinking about chicks suk, it's only a couple of hours to the game, for some reason, the entire family that is here except yours truly is planning on sight seeing Calgary??? How can that be a good thing? Why can't they go alone, surely they have enough cars and drivers. Since I got away from the the plans of yesterday. Not sure how to get away from this.
The Keystone battle is a coupla hours from kickoff, expect another rough game like the Baltimore game
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One good thing about winning three games by a total of 4 points...I doubt our guys will be "complacent"
@briview @Birdcrazy Trap game = Cacks at LSU...now THAT could be a trap game...big time.....
@briview @Birdcrazy for a game to be a trap game youse had to have had to roll somebody in your previous games....I ain't seen nothing remotely close to us rolling anybody to this point...
@briview @Birdcrazy soooo the other games we won by one or two points were what?? giveme games??...trap game...I don't think so.....
All the hype about the Stillers getting back some of the old men on their defense..HA!...so what??
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@Birdcrazy Them getting Palooomalooo back,...is good,....for them.
It doesn't mean they instill fear, as we've beaten them wiff Troy P and James H in the lineup before.........but lets be real: They are better WITH them, than WIFFOUT them.....who's WIFFME on that one ?!?!?
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Soooo howsabout dem Dawgs..HAHAHAHAHAHA..ran over by a chicken....they're still cleaning up dog poop in William Brice stadium..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..
Ok..yea...Big Ben is hard to bring down...so's I'm imploring our guys to use the BC approach to sacking this guy...grab aholt of him and get someone to drop a helmet into his nut sack...he'll go down....guranteed...
The Stillers ,.wiff pent up emotion and angers,.will come out smokin',..wiff rage,..like rats just released from their cages. Withstand that,..and our Iggles will compete,...to the end of time on EARF,.as we know it. Time to wag the dag,.................GK. Kenny,..perk up!,..there is only one Suicide Pool,.left,..WIP,..and yur GK,..is the champ here,..which is his custom. Suk it up,..and move on. A contract is still out on you,..and Rushdie,..is interested. Carry on,..boozer!
@briview They can. One up to Alberta to fulfil the contract. At least it will cost them some money. The damn pla e is expensive
Alright game day is upon us. Now to try and figure out how I can watch this game from this place. Better wake up my in law and see
Just read back and saw that Blas wants to trade everyone for Geno Smith???? Ain't no guarantees with these college QBs, there have been a few who have looked awesome only to flame out. Not Saying he will flame out, just that it will be criminal not to see what we have in Foles first. He is in the ideal back up position. Has done well enough to buy time from the fanhood who at least about half will happily turn over the team to him right now.....I know that's not saying much......he also has MM and Reid to learn from. The guy for me will be readier than a lot of these college folks next season. Also when do we cash in? Always looking to trade away our picks.....if anything,I would assume this rookie class has taught us to hold on to our picks......Cox, Hendrick, Curry, Foles, Boykins right off the bat
