How do you stop Ben's playmaking?

[Nighthawk_Steelers]

Ok, thought I'd kick off a discussion thread here for you guys. I'd like to know how you guys plan on stopping Big Ben. The man doesn't put up great stats, but he can extend a play and make something out of nothing - or as he likes to call it "playing backyard football". He seems to be pretty healthy and scrambling well... How do you think you should attack him?

 

[CtCardinals78]

Ok, thought I'd kick off a discussion thread here for you guys. I'd like to know how you guys plan on stopping Big Ben. The man doesn't put up great stats, but he can extend a play and make something out of nothing - or as he likes to call it "playing backyard football". He seems to be pretty healthy and scrambling well... How do you think you should attack him?

He has a huge arm which is worrisome. Adub is a great SS but coverage isn't his strong suit. I think it's key for the Cards to stop Parker early to neutralize the playaction with the big pass which is where I see trouble for the Cards D. If they can stop Parker I think the front seven could make life uncomfortable for Ben. Should be fun..

 

[TheHopToad]

Maybe we should ask Willie McGinest...

 

[conraddobler]

I got a feeling Whiz will have some input into something like that.

 

[green machine]

Probably the same way they worried about McNabb.

 

[SuperSpck]

I think Whisenhunt and Grimm know a lot about Big Ben.

Enough to fear what he can do, but they probably know his short comings too.
In Whis' first year the Cards played the Steelers and Ben had a pretty special game.
His most memorable turnover was from a INT by Wilson on a ill-advised pass to Heath. Even when the down and distance seemed impossible Ben converted, keeping the play alive with his legs and a big arm.

I think the Cards can get the ball from Ben a time or two, but I don't think that'll be the game by any means.

I'd bet the defense will play a modified version of the one they just played against McNabb. Keep him (in this case Ben) in the pocket and make him throw into coverage.

The question is, which defensive front will the Cards use?
They didn't fear the Eagle rushing game so there were a lot of 3 down-line sets.

The Steelers can run though, so you'll probably see heavier 4 man sets (ex. Smith/Watson/Robinson/Dockett) with the ends tasked on keeping Ben inside and taking up blockers vs the rush.

I wonder if Ben faces the zone blitz often? I know his D plays one, but scout D usually plays a mock of that week's opponents...

Dropping Docket/Berry/Okeafor into coverage from a 3-point may mess with his mind.

The defense needs to be ready to play to the whistle though, because some of Ben's plays will be a lot longer then 5-6 seconds.

 

[Buckybird]

Bring the gas!!! The Steelers Oline allows alot of hits to the QB. Blitz, blitz and blitz some more.

 

[krispydude]

get an old lady to turn left in front of him.

 

[Gaddabout]

Ok, thought I'd kick off a discussion thread here for you guys. I'd like to know how you guys plan on stopping Big Ben. The man doesn't put up great stats, but he can extend a play and make something out of nothing - or as he likes to call it "playing backyard football". He seems to be pretty healthy and scrambling well... How do you think you should attack him?

A week of Whis talking about how he was so important to Ben's development should be enough to get Ben's mind off the game plan. Ben might even launch into a tizzy during regular interviews. Ben will then throw three interceptions in the first quarter trying to force the issue.

That's my game plan. What's yours?

FYI, in general, the more you let Ben play "backyard football," the looser he becomes managing the game. That's when things break down for the Steelers' offense. For every big play he makes, coaches have to reign him in that much more.

 

[Bert]

get an old lady to turn left in front of him.

lol, I was going to say; With a Buick?

Or was it a Cadillac?

 

[ajcardfan]

I know how you stop the Cardinals. All you have to do is cover Fitz and pressure Warner because we can't run the ball.

There's no way we can stop your ground game or Big Ben. We're doomed.

 

[Ryanwb]

Roethlisberger is basically god like. The man has two sandwiches named after him, we can't even get What-a-burger to name a sandwich after Warner. It's pathetic

 

[Nighthawk_Steelers]

A week of Whis talking about how he was so important to Ben's development should be enough to get Ben's mind off the game plan. Ben might even launch into a tizzy during regular interviews. Ben will then throw three interceptions in the first quarter trying to force the issue.

That's my game plan. What's yours?

FYI, in general, the more you let Ben play "backyard football," the looser he becomes managing the game. That's when things break down for the Steelers' offense. For every big play he makes, coaches have to reign him in that much more.

Everyone has some pretty good ideas to discuss, but I think you'll find a lot of us actually prefer the game in Ben's hands as opposed to our OC calling plays. Ben has been under quite a bit of pressure each week, and yes sometimes he does get caught with his pants down and throws a few INT's but he's actually been pretty patient in the playoffs. I can see him throwing one INT possibly.

 

[82CardsGrad]

This is where O needs to post his: "Meet my little friend" video clip of A-Dub taking out Trent Edwards!

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Can Ben get rattled? We know Kurt can't, but can Ben? Keep in mind I mean get to him without the use of late hits.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Let him throw it to us.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Let him throw it to us.

Or force the fumble? Both are good!

 

[Nighthawk_Steelers]

Can Ben get rattled? We know Kurt can't, but can Ben? Keep in mind I mean get to him without the use of late hits.

I don't think Ben can get rattled, after the Ravens, Titans, Patriots, Cowboys, Colts, Eagles, Giants, Redskins blitz attacks I think he'll feel pretty comfortable out there (especially when you don't have Ratbirds and Eagles taking cheap shots after the whistle)

 

[az1965]

Ok, thought I'd kick off a discussion thread here for you guys. I'd like to know how you guys plan on stopping Big Ben. The man doesn't put up great stats, but he can extend a play and make something out of nothing - or as he likes to call it "playing backyard football". He seems to be pretty healthy and scrambling well... How do you think you should attack him?

Like we did last year...

 

[IAWarnerFan]

Like we did last year...

:lastyear:

 

[Gaddabout]

Everyone has some pretty good ideas to discuss, but I think you'll find a lot of us actually prefer the game in Ben's hands as opposed to our OC calling plays. Ben has been under quite a bit of pressure each week, and yes sometimes he does get caught with his pants down and throws a few INT's but he's actually been pretty patient in the playoffs. I can see him throwing one INT possibly.

I was being silly of course, but it was funny to see Whis get in Ben's head through the media when Pitt came here last year -- and it seemed to work.

Probably not something that will work twice. I admit that.

 

[perivolaki]

Probably the same way they worried about McNabb.

Boy you got that right. I'm still worried about McNabb and the game was Sunday. I can't even think about Big Ben yet.

 

[RonF]

The Cards defense needs to stop the Steelers running game and play the receivers close. We led the league in takeaways and need to continue causing fumbles and interceptions. The Steelers will have problems covering all of our receivers and people coming out of the backfield. However, but if the Steelers can sustain a pass rush on Kurt throughout the game it will negate a lot of our offense. but that goes for both teams. Should be a great game.