Belichick recognizes Roethlisberger's Big Play Ability

[Steve102]

Belichick rolls out all the typical "it is what it is" answers in today's press conference call. Big Ben "does what he does", and all that typical Belichickian type answers. Check out what he said here.

 

[jmt57]

I think one of the difficulties in preparing to play Roethlisberger is that he is not a typical NFL quarterback. Get pressure on him and force him to roll out and he seems to often do better there than when he has time in the pocket. Cover his receivers and he doesn't care; he holds onto the ball to a fault - though that does result in some unnecessary sacks. Hit him, knock him down and it's no big deal. It's almost as if opposing defenses are better off letting him sit in the pocket - and think - then getting pressure on him where his instincts take over.

Of course somebody will probably come up with some stats to prove me completely wrong, but it does seem as if preparing for Roethlisberger does offer atypical challenges for a DC.

 

[Steve102]

I think one of the difficulties in preparing to play Roethlisberger is that he is not a typical NFL quarterback. Get pressure on him and force him to roll out and he seems to often do better there than when he has time in the pocket. Cover his receivers and he doesn't care; he holds onto the ball to a fault - though that does result in some unnecessary sacks. Hit him, knock him down and it's no big deal. It's almost as if opposing defenses are better off letting him sit in the pocket - and think - then getting pressure on him where his instincts take over.

Of course somebody will probably come up with some stats to prove me completely wrong, but it does seem as if preparing for Roethlisberger does offer atypical challenges for a DC.

I would rush three guys and makes sure everyone is covered. Granted, Roethlisberger is better than Joe Flacco, and won't get confused as easily. But i agree, I don' see trying to hit him and pressure him into a mistake.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I think one of the difficulties in preparing to play Roethlisberger is that he is not a typical NFL quarterback. Get pressure on him and force him to roll out and he seems to often do better there than when he has time in the pocket. Cover his receivers and he doesn't care; he holds onto the ball to a fault - though that does result in some unnecessary sacks. Hit him, knock him down and it's no big deal. It's almost as if opposing defenses are better off letting him sit in the pocket - and think - then getting pressure on him where his instincts take over.

Of course somebody will probably come up with some stats to prove me completely wrong, but it does seem as if preparing for Roethlisberger does offer atypical challenges for a DC.

I wonder about that too. I haven't had a chance to dig for stats yet, too early in the morning. I do recall seeing some stats where his passer rating was even higher when a defensive player had contacted him but not taken him down.

But my own personal observations are that he makes some huge plays out of nothing when the pocket collapses and he's left on his own. It's like how Brady created that huge pass to Tate out of nothing, and it was a key to the win, except Roethlisberger seems to do that way more than any other QB I've seen.

Sitting in the pocket, he can make some throws, but it doesn't seem like the big back-breaking type of big plays he makes when he's running for his life. The longer a play goes on, the more defenders lose their discipline and corners lose track of their guys, and he can keep plays alive long enough to take advantage of that.

 

[Mack Herron]

"Pass rush" is a euphemism for our defense. Just drop everyone into coverage and let Chung (if he plays) find the ball. Somebody has to make some plays back there.

 

[blackglass3]

You guys are hitting the nail right on the head. When Ben starts running is when the big plays happen. Rush 3, drop 6, and use some combo of Mayo/Spikes/Guyton as a QB Spy in case he tries to rush with it.

 

[Rob0729]

Belichick usually defends Roethlisburger well. Roethlisburger likes to roll out to his right and usually Belichick sends someone to block his routes to the right and force him to stay in the pocket. I remember in 2007 Vrabel almost single handily won the game vs. the Steelers because he constantly took away Roethlisburger's scrambling option.

Roethlisburger is actually not a great QB in the pocket. You take away his scrambling lanes and he is very beatable.

 

[Sicilian]

"Pass rush" is a euphemism for our defense.

 

[Steve102]

You guys are hitting the nail right on the head. When Ben starts running is when the big plays happen. Rush 3, drop 6, and use some combo of Mayo/Spikes/Guyton as a QB Spy in case he tries to rush with it.

I'd like to see Cunningham somehow have that job, he's faster than Spikes. I know the other guys are in the middle, and therefore the job of spy falls to a MLB. I'm just saying I have some concerns about Spikes ability to chase anyone down. McCoy looked like a deer evading a predator last weekend with Spikes chasing him.

 

[JFK]

I'd like to see Cunningham somehow have that job, he's faster than Spikes. I know the other guys are in the middle, and therefore the job of spy falls to a MLB. I'm just saying I have some concerns about Spikes ability to chase anyone down. McCoy looked like a deer evading a predator last weekend with Spikes chasing him.

I totally agree. Spikes has DL speed

 

[alamo]

The frustrating thing watching him is how he'll be stopped and wrapped up but still get the pass off. Seems to me the defense needs to be instructed to alter their normal approach and go for his arm more quickly, aiming for a forced fumble or an inaccurate throw.

I do wonder if someday he'll get tackled wrong when trying to stay up to get the throw off and will get a knee bent backwards. If I was a Steeler fan I'd cringe every time I saw such a play developing. But avoiding injuries is an ability some QBs have more than others and so far he's been good at it.

 

[Patriots2001]

Some of Ben's best moves are off the field

 

[blackglass3]

I'd like to see Cunningham somehow have that job, he's faster than Spikes. I know the other guys are in the middle, and therefore the job of spy falls to a MLB. I'm just saying I have some concerns about Spikes ability to chase anyone down. McCoy looked like a deer evading a predator last weekend with Spikes chasing him.

Agree, which was why I thought Guyton would be a good fit. However, Cunningham and Mayo would be interesting and make more sense.

I agree about Spikes. I guess that is where his slow 40 time gets exposed.

 

[The Boston Patriot]

Some of Ben's best moves are off the field

 

[Steve102]

Why do I see Will Ferrell? "Maa! Meatloaf!!" :woohoo: Do you s'pose Big Ben crashes weddings too?