Clark Judge on Pats/Steelers

[Fencer]

Peek at the Week: Protection in your pocket? Key in N.E. - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Judge picks the Steelers over the Pats. His theory is that the Pats don't have a pass rush, the Steelers do, Ben R. is a better QB than Cassell anyway, and one can't run on the Steelers.

It makes one wonder why the teams are only one game apart in the standings -- but he ascribes a lot of importance to pass-rushing LBs, and hence to the absence of Thomas.

 

[BelichickFan]

I would pick the Steelers too, until we can stop the pass and show that Cassel is for real against a top five calibur defense we are nothing but a big, fat question mark. I hope you are all ripping me for that in 48 hours but if I had to put money on it, it wouldn't be on the Patriots.

 

[ALP]

Peek at the Week: Protection in your pocket? Key in N.E. - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Judge picks the Steelers over the Pats. His theory is that the Pats don't have a pass rush, the Steelers do, Ben R. is a better QB than Cassell anyway, and one can't run on the Steelers.

It makes one wonder why the teams are only one game apart in the standings -- but he ascribes a lot of importance to pass-rushing LBs, and hence to the absence of Thomas.

but the steelers can ran on us?

Big ben better then cassel? debatable...defenetely not lately

the pass rush is the only difference, but then again, we can protect better then the steelers can

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Our protection and Cassel's ability to get rid of the ball or scramble have improved. Although both teams have given up 35 sacks this season, they are not equal.

In the last 5 games, the Pats have given up 9 sacks, average of less than 2 per game. That is also, about 25% of the season total of sacks. Definitely improving. For the first 7 games, the Pats gave up 26 sacks, or 3 per game.

The Steelers on the other hand over the past 5 games have given up 16 sacks. That is about 46% of their season total of sacks. They are continuing to give up sacks at about the same rate all season, 3 per game.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I think we can beat the Steelers, but he makes very good points. We have gotten obliterated on defense the past 2 weeks since AD went down, and the Steelers pass attack is nothing to sneeze at.

This will be a big test for Cassel and the Oline.

 

[Sicilian]

but the steelers can ran on us?

It'll be a lot tougher without Parker, but our 4.0 ypc allowed is good for 15th in the league. We're not getting gashed like the 2006 Colts (regular season), but the run defense has been somewhat inconsistent I feel.

 

[PatsFan2]

Good Offensive Tackle play is key tomorrow...Matt Light have played Great all season. It's Kaczur i am worried about...i think Kaczur's play at RT is going to be key to our success Tomorrow, especially in the passing game.

 

[Pats726]

I think we can beat the Steelers, but he makes very good points. We have gotten obliterated on defense the past 2 weeks since AD went down, and the Steelers pass attack is nothing to sneeze at.

This will be a big test for Cassel and the Oline.

I would not say obliterated...I think that is an overstatement..they were lacking on third downs...but they did stop teh Fins a number of times..same with the Jets..obliterated would mean a lot worse. Does teh D need help?? yes.. in time.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Our protection and Cassel's ability to get rid of the ball or scramble have improved. Although both teams have given up 35 sacks this season, they are not equal.

The Steelers gave up 9 sacks in week 3 vs Philadelphia as Jim Johnson designed a defense to confuse Big Ben who didn't know which way to turn and had no time to make his progressions. If the Pats mimic the Eagle strategy from that day, they should be able to have the same success, especially if Parker is out and they become one dimensional...

 

[Rob0729]

I don't know. I like the Pats' chances against the Steelers. The Steelers' went two or three weeks without an offensive TD prior the Bengals game. The Steelers aren't a team likely to exploit the Pats' pass defense. If the Pats can mount an offense, I think they win and possibly handily.

The Pats have been successful neutralizing the Steelers' pass rush in the past by spreading out the offense and doing a lot of short passing. I expect a lot of the same tomorrow.

 

[denverpatsfan]

If the Pats D cannot get pressure on Ben then the game is over. The secondary will not be able to cover their receivers. D line play is the key to this game. Hopefully Seymour is ready to go.

 

[ALP]

Good Offensive Tackle play is key tomorrow...Matt Light have played Great all season. It's Kaczur i am worried about...i think Kaczur's play at RT is going to be key to our success Tomorrow, especially in the passing game.

i agree with taht, but it is also a good note to say taht for the second half of the games we played so far, kaczur has been playing lights out...maybe the best of our o-linemen....

i see ppl coming after matt from the left, from lights side all the time, and his escape is always to the right, where kazcur blocks....he hasnt allowed anyone NEAR matt for a while...if he keeps this up for the rest of the season, the man deserves the pro bowl

 

[PatsFan2]

I don't know. I like the Pats' chances against the Steelers. The Steelers' went two or three weeks without an offensive TD prior the Bengals game. The Steelers aren't a team likely to exploit the Pats' pass defense. If the Pats can mount an offense, I think they win and possibly handily.
The Pats have been successful neutralizing the Steelers' pass rush in the past by spreading out the offense and doing a lot of short passing. I expect a lot of the same tomorrow.

You want to bet on that statement tomorrow? knowing how our Scheme love to play CB's Ten yards off WR's i wouldn't rule out Pittsburgh going against the grain so to speak. If we can make weak armed Chad Pennington look like Joe Montana...what do you think we would make Strong Armed Big Ben look like? Pittsburgh have guys who can do damage in the passing game ie...Hines Ward - Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington. Throw in RB Mewelde Moore who is a threat in the passing game and TE *Heath Miller* who is having a sub par year watch him wake up tomorrow Pittsburgh should have something here. Our Defense just cannot generate a Pass Rush which leaves our CB's in limbo. We are a middle of the pack Defense which is not saying much...we are giving up an average of 215yds against the pass and 100 against the rush. Thats Balance to any opposing Offense. We need AD back to generate a consistent rush which would take pressure off our CB's. Until them i have lost all hope in our D that 3rd and 15 against the Jets was very telling. That said long live our Offense!

 

[Two Eight]

He wonders how the Pats can withstand the Steelers "flurry of blitzes" and states the Steelers have combined for "22.5 sacks and countless quarterback pressures"

Then about the Pats he says "But Big Ben catches a break with the Pats' defense because: 1) There is no Adalius Thomas, and 2) they have trouble getting to the quarterback. They have 21 sacks all season."

 

[Deus Irae]

He wonders how the Pats can withstand the Steelers "flurry of blitzes" and states the Steelers have combined for "22.5 sacks and countless quarterback pressures"

Then about the Pats he says "But Big Ben catches a break with the Pats' defense because: 1) There is no Adalius Thomas, and 2) they have trouble getting to the quarterback. They have 21 sacks all season."

Harrison and Woodley alone have the 22.5 sacks. The Sheilas, as a team, are 3rd in the NFL with 37.

 

[billdog3484]

im not saying they will not get to Cassel, but Judge's analysis of the pats pass protection is wrong. most of those sacks came earlier in the season when Cassel was a different player

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Allowing sacks has not been a problem for a while now. The Patriots have that under control, and Cassell is now very good at avoiding sacks. If Pitt is able to bring pressure, we'll be able to manage that by leaving people in to block. Not worried about our offense in general, we're going to score at least 27 tomorrow.

It's up to the D to play better.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Allowing sacks has not been a problem for a while now. The Patriots have that under control, and Cassell is now very good at avoiding sacks. If Pitt is able to bring pressure, we'll be able to manage that by leaving people in to block. Not worried about our offense in general, we're going to score at least 27 tomorrow.

It's up to the D to play better.

Agree! Our D is what is worrying me. Given that BigBen isn't shy about running and is difficult to be brought down, I fear that they will score a lot. Hope our offense scores more and we end up with a nice W.

 

[PatsDeb]

Peek at the Week: Protection in your pocket? Key in N.E. - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

Judge picks the Steelers over the Pats. His theory is that the Pats don't have a pass rush, the Steelers do, Ben R. is a better QB than Cassell anyway, and one can't run on the Steelers.

It makes one wonder why the teams are only one game apart in the standings -- but he ascribes a lot of importance to pass-rushing LBs, and hence to the absence of Thomas.

I read that article too. The thing is, the Steelers always present as a team with a great pass rush that can't be run on, until they play the Pats, that is. This will be a tough game, but Miami usually presents more problems than Pittsburgh, of late, and we fared pretty well against the Fins.

 

[WhiZa]

Allowing sacks has not been a problem for a while now. The Patriots have that under control, and Cassell is now very good at avoiding sacks. If Pitt is able to bring pressure, we'll be able to manage that by leaving people in to block. Not worried about our offense in general, we're going to score at least 27 tomorrow.

It's up to the D to play better.

It's true. Jets and Dolphins both are good pass rushing team, and Cassel still threw for 400 yds each game. On top of that Miami and NY are both top 10 in run D.

I think it will be a close game. If the pats can stop the run, and pick off a pass or too we should be in good shape.