Pittsburgh Steelers
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NFL Team Column Matt Pawlikowski 2009 Draft Review |
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1)
Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Site: INVESCO Field at Mile High (76,125) • Denver, Col.
TV Coverage: ESPN (locally WTAE-TV, channel 4)
RADIO: WDVE
When it comes to the Denver Broncos and the Steelers, there is no love lost between the two teams.
They played to the first overtime tie in NFL history. They have met six times in the post-season splitting the series and overall the Broncos, who have won the last two regular season match ups own a 13-6-1 slate against the Steelers.
Although in separate divisions, it is a rivalry game no if and or buts.
" It's important for us to win this game and keep the momentum going," Steeler safety Troy Polamalu said.
The Broncos are 6-1 on the year under first year coach Josh McDaniels who has them playing like his former team the New England Patriots.
"When you look at Denver and what they’re capable of doing or how they do what it is that they do, they’re very efficient offensively," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. " I think it starts at the quarterback position with Kyle Orton. This guy doesn’t throw interceptions. He’s thrown one this year, he doesn’t get sacked, he’s only been sacked 11 times."
Asked about Orton, who came to Denver in essence for Jay Cutler, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels called him smart.
"He is a player that is very cerebral, very bright, understands defense, can learn quickly, which is important in our system," McDaniels said. " He is accurate with the football and all of those things are good positive traits for a good quarterback to have."
Tomlin, who has always preached an believed a football game is won in the trenches, said Orton's stats this year starts with the Broncos offensive line.
"They’re a very athletic group. Their left tackle, a young guy, [Ryan] Clady, is one of the best in the world. Ben Hamilton is a good player,' Tomlin said. "They have some top-quality linemen who are athletic people, who get after it and hustle, are pretty good at spacing the screen game, really good in the misdirection passing game. They do a lot of things well, and they’re built to do what it is that they’re good at."
Polamalu agrees with his coach that they are a talented group of players, but says when it comes to playing a team like the Broncos, the Steeler have a chip on their shoulders because they want to play better than the opposing defense."
"I think when you prepare for a team like this, it is like playing a division team," Polamalu said. " It’s always defense challenging defense. It’s an important goal in every game for us: As a defense, we always want to outplay the other defense, but its really true in this game."
The Broncos are ranked No. 1 in total defense and have allowed the fewest points (96); the Steelers are ranked No. 1 against the run and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 consecutive games, counting playoffs.
But the fact they are ranked No. 1 in an aspect the Steelers pride themselves in, is something Tomlin has drilled in players heads all week and it seems to have lit a fire under them.
Tomlin also added this about the Broncos.
"They choose to attack people how they choose to attack people," Tomlin said. " They spread the ball around, I think efficiency is their motto. The stats bear that out. They don’t turn the ball over, they don’t get sacked, they’re playing great defense, there’s a formula for winning. And one that they’ve won quite a bit with."
Steelers-Broncos Connections: Several Steelers have ties to
the Broncos and the Denver area. Steelers with connections to the Broncos include tight ends coach James Daniel, who got his first NFL experience through the NFL’s Fellowship Program with Denver in 1992.
Steelers with connections to Colorado include DE Travis Kirschke, who is from Highland, Colo
Notes:The Steelers are 11-1 in primetime regularseason
games under third-year head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 4-0 all-time on Monday Night Football. The Steelers have won 11 straight games in primetime under Tomlin. Pittsburgh is 2-0 this year in primetime games and is scheduled to play a total of five primetime games this season
(Week 4 vs. San Diego, Week 9 at Denver, Week 12 at Baltimore)
Pittsburgh Steelers Travel to Soldier Field
The Steelers haven't had much luck when they have played in Soldier Field over the years. Because of that history, Steeler coach Mike Tomlin had this to say.
“We have a big challenge for us as a football team this week, the first opportunity to go into a hostile environment and play a very good football team in the Chicago Bears,” Tomlin said “They are rock solid across the board, and we excited about getting better this week and going to face those challenges.”
Interestingly, while the Steelers will be without Troy Polamalu, who is a key cog in the play of the defensive unit, the Bears will be without their heart and soul on defense, Brian Urlacher who broke his wrist on Sunday night against the Packers and is out for the year.
The Steelers have had success without Polamalu in the lineup over the years, while the Bears have had problems when their stud player is sidelined. Tomlin doesn't expect things to change even without Urlacher on the field.
“Injuries are a part of football, I'm sure they’d prefer to play with Urlacher, they are going to have to find ways to be successful without him,” Tomlin said. “Similarly we'd prefer to play with Troy, we are going to have to find ways to play without him, but that is the story of the National Football League, I'm sure they will uphold the standard like we intend to.”
While Polamalu said he would not need surgery yesterday, Tomlin confirmed this and also provided an update on Lawrence Timmons, who has been nursing a high ankle injury.
“Troy's knee injury will not require surgery, it’s really a week to week thing as we progress from here on out” Tomlin said. “Then of course the only other injury of note is Lawrence Timmons and we are hoping he is able to get some work here and pushing towards game readiness as we move throughout the week.”
One thing that was noticeably absent from the opener against the Titans was the rush attack, which tallied a miserable 36 yards, not exactly Steeler football.
“We have to get better in that area as a football team for one reason and one reason only, that increases our chances of winning,” Tomlin said. “That is what we are about, putting ourselves in a position to win. We acknowledge that we continue along those lines from a run game standpoint that it helps us in that regard.”
Although he did not make excuses for the play of Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, Tomlin did offer an explanation as to why it is hard to get the running game going in the early season.
“I believe particularly with September football, people make a commitment to stopping the run,” Tomlin said. "Its easier to make the commitment in September when everyone feels good and you have all the horses in the stable. I think over the course of the long haul you see who is good at it week in and week out.”
So what do the Steelers need to do to beat the Bears in a stadium that over the years has been unkind to the black and gold? Tomlin as usual was political with his assessment and praised the Bears coaching staff in doing so.
“We are just going to play our game and look at what they are providing us schematically,” Tomlin said. “A lot of those guys grew up in the same football school that I grew up in, talking about their coaches over there, Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli and others. They are going to ask those guys to play to standard as well. So they are going to play well, we just have to be prepared to play better.”
To sum up the Steelers play against the Bills, one word comes to mind - stellar.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed no ill effects from his injury and posted a 103.5 rating. Hines Ward looked in mid-season form, and the starting defense for a third consecutive game failed to be scored upon.
The Good:
Rashard Mendenhall - Technically this is his rookie season, call it a red-shirt year. Although he had a fumble, he showed the reason the Steelers used its first pick on him. He showed explosiveness and also that he was capable of catching the ball.
"We wanted to emphasize the run tonight," Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. " Even when I got in the no-huddle I called out a run. It was good Rashard (Mendenhall) did a good job."
James Farrior - It’s the pre-season and already Farrior is in mid season form. He led the starters in tackles with four. Had a sack for a five yard loss, and his interception- a piece of beauty that ended in six.
" Coach gave me some good matchups tonight, and I took advantage of them," Farrior said. "The interception was being in the right place at the right time."
Stefen Logan - He did nothing to hurt his chances of making the roster and Tomlin did not disagree with that.
"He has earned the right to continue to be watched," Tomlin said. "I think he has our attention. We will take him down to Charlotte and see what he has down there."
His first punt return went five yards, he fielded the ball clean and he showed some moves. He used his head on the fair catches, something he wasn’t used to making in Canada and had a nice 27 yard return. Now that we know he can field punts and kickoffs, how about some play at the slot or in the backfield.
"We’ll see how it goes," Logan said. "I don’t know what direction they want to go in. Hopefully a good direction and I’ll be on the team."
Tackle Willie Colon - The line usually doesn't get much credit, but for a second consecutive week Colon looked good on the line. To be blunt the entire line played well. Colon said after the game they have a little chip on their shoulder because of the criticism they took last year, but also told the Examiner that the unit has had a year to jell.
Limas Sweed – He took the No. 2 slot in replace of Santonio Holmes and looked as if he were still taking catching passes from Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Sharp was the best way to describe his play and he looks now to be the lock for the No. 3 slot vacated when Nate Washington left via free-agency. Sweed caught four of the five passes that came his way. Said Mike Tomlin, ‘We put a lot of pressure on those second year guys.”
First unit offense - Three of four on first downs in the first quarter. 11:26 in possession. Then they follow it up by going 3 for 5 on third downs and 10:51 in the second. Not a bad night.
James Harrison – His tackle on Dominic Rhodes was vintage in the second quarter. His play in the first half was right where he left off last season.
Keyaron Fox – Special teams ace once again looked good as an inside backer. While nothing is written in stone, he more than likely knocked Bruce Davis off the roster.
Piotr Czech - Yes he missed a field goal, but his kickoffs were booming, and he did get the team three points off his foot. He's either practice squad bound or auditioning for another team unless Jeff Reed's foot can't heal properly.
THE BAD:
To the fans eye, it was a perfect evening. The Black and Gold dominated the Bills. Offense looked great, defense pitched a shutout, and special teams did a nice job of pinning the Bills deep. So what could have been wrong. We'll let Steeler coach Mike Tomlin dictate that.
"It’s still August football out there in some ways. We had a pre-snap penalty on offense, delay of game, false start," Tomlin said. " We had a pre-snap penalty on defense. We put the ball on the ground, I like the way we’re moving it. I see some good things, but still see some things were the Steelers are still beating the Steelers."
2009 NFL Draft Analysis
1st Round – Pick 32 = DT/DE Evander “Ziggy” Hood ~ 6’3” 300
College - Missouri
Ziggy Hood was one of my favorite players from the 2009 Senior Bowl and I have felt that he would fit as a 3-4 defensive end better than any other position. He is stout against the run and has good pass rush moves and is more athletic than given credit for. I addressed the Steelers defensive line as a need that had to be addressed due to the age of the group. Every starter is over 30, so Hood will have his chance to start in a year. He may even take snaps away from RE Brett Kiesel this season.
3rd Round – Pick 79 (from Denver) = OG Kraig Urbik ~ 6’5” 328
College - Wisconsin
Urbik was another guy I loved during the Senior Bowl week. Urbik is a very big, very strong guard who played tackle in college. He lacks great lateral quickness but makes up for it with his excellent technique. He is a smash you in the mouth, blue collar blocker who will fit very nicely in black and gold. This pick also addresses the team’s biggest need which was their offensive line. Expect Urbik to compete for a starting spot and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was the team’s starting right guard come week one.
3rd Round – Pick 84 (from Denver through Chicago) = WR Mike Wallace ~ 6’0” 199
College - Ole Miss
Once again here is another guy I was lucky to watch all week long at the Senior Bowl. Wallace will come in to replace WR Nate Washington who departed for Tennessee. Wallace is a legit deep threat with outstanding speed & jumping ability (4.33 in the 40 & a 40 inch vertical). He will battle with WR Limas Sweed for playing time as the #3 receiver.
3rd Round – Pick 96 = CB Keenan Lewis ~ 6’0” 208
College - Oregon State
Lewis made 48 starts in his college career and is known for his press man coverage. He has elite size and could fit in very nicely with Pittsburgh’s zone scheme. Lewis is another guy who was at the Senior Bowl. Cornerback was another need for the Steelers who lost starting CB Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals. Lewis will come in and battle CB’s Deshea Townsend and CB William Gay for the #2 spot.
5th Round – Pick 168 = CB Joe Burnett ~ 5’9” 192
College – Central Florida
Burnett was a great pick by Pittsburgh because of how well he fits into their scheme. He is at his best in a zone scheme because of his lack of top end speed (4.57 in the 40). What he lacks in straight line speed, he more than makes up for with his vision, instincts, strength, and hands. He is a very good kick returner because of these attributes, and can also go up and get the ball at its high point (35.5 inch vertical). He is in the mold of current CB Deshea Townsend and could eventually take his place on the roster.
5th Round – Pick 169 = RB/FB Frank Summers ~ 5’9” 241
College - UNLV
Summers is a guy Pittsburgh drafted to be a short yardage player who will get the tough yards, especially in the red zone. He has the reputation of being very hard to tackle, and also displayed very good hands in private workouts. He was used as a fullback part time in college but prefers to play tailback. Pittsburgh I’m sure will try and convert him to more of a full-time fullback role, but if not, just give him the ball in short yardage situations.
6th Round – Pick 205 = DT Ra’Shon Harris ~ 6’4” 298
College - Oregon
Once again the Steelers go for depth along their defensive line. Talk about the rich getting richer. Harris only started one year in college which could be cause for concern. What he brings to the team is the ability to take on the double team which is what he was known for in college. Playing in the 3-4, this is one of the most important factors in being a successful defensive lineman so the pick makes a lot of sense.
7th Round – Pick 226 (from Bucs) = C A.Q. Shipley ~ 6’1” 304
College – Penn State
Shipley lacks ideal size for the position but had a stellar career at Penn State. As a senior he received the Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation’s top center. Shipley also was a first-team All-American. Shipley is a fierce competitor who plays the game the right way. He was durable during his career and a leader. He also is very strong (33 reps of 225). He has the benefit of not having to start right away, so a few years down the line the Steelers could have a new starter at center.
7th Round – Pick 241 = TE David Johnson ~ 6’2” 260
College – Arkansas State
The Steelers will most likely try Johnson out at fullback because of his very good blocking skills. Johnson could be an H-back for the Steelers and even play a little tight end as well. He has soft hands and could backup multiple positions. This is a very solid pick for the 7th round, especially considering Johnson’s versatility.
Overall Grade - B+
