"If they can get pressure on Warner"

[D-Dogg]

Who has heard enough of this already? It seems to be the strategy de jour to attack us. Hasn't Kurt already proven that he has a lightning fast release? That we are giving him juuuuust enough time to find one of his overwhelmingly, and seemingly endless, talented group of recievers?

"Getting to Kurt" isn't going to be a winning strategy, especially with the focus now squarely on Fitz. He's got Boldin (who, oh yeah, him...fastest to 500 catches ever and breaks tackles like they are kids on a flag football squad), and Breaston (1000 yards as the third WR) and Edge (underrated catching balls) and Arrington (speed) and Hightower (we ran a screen play to win the NFC title, are you serious?) and tight ends who may not be able to block but can catch very well (and in the case of Pope, can false start with the best of them).

No..."getting to Kurt" actually plays directly into our hands.

We won't run as well as we want to against the Steelers, but we will run it, and will get 2-3 yards, enough to open up that middle and the short pass outs we love to run.

Getting to Ben? NOW THAT IS A SUBJECT!!! Ben is one of the most-hit QBs in the league. We will be all over him, but we need to stay home on the little passes...but he won't get those bailout 5 seconds and a dumpoff for 70 yards he loves to earn his bread and butter on.

But getting to Kurt? Please...please try. He will be in 15 yard penalty territory when you hit him, while one of our weapons has the ball moving upfield.

Yeah, get some pressure on Kurt. Please. We will eat that alive. I don't think Dick is that dumb to focus his defense on hitting Kurt. He'll disguise and drop, which may lead to some mistakes by Warner...but pressure isn't a problem. Not at all.

 

[Shogun]

I agree. With that said, what else do you expect them to say? They can't just say we're going to bend over and take it. While you can shake Warner a bit when you get great rush up the middle, that only breaks through so much. How he handles the zone blitz will be interesting.

 

[Zeno]

Not to mention Kurt's passer rating is actually better when he is blitzed...he led the NFL in passer rating facing the blitz.

 

[Zeno]

Getting to Ben? NOW THAT IS A SUBJECT!!! Ben is one of the most-hit QBs in the league. We will be all over him, but we need to stay home on the little passes...but he won't get those bailout 5 seconds and a dumpoff for 70 yards he loves to earn his bread and butter on.

I read somewhere where Dockett mentioned not so much hitting Ben but going after his throwing arm...not trying to injure him but making it so he can't complete his throwing motion. I think thats the best strategy, if you can get to him go after the ball and his arm, if he can't follow through on his passes they'll be off target and float (as is the case with any NFL QB).

 

[BACH]

Pressure did work in the 3rd for the Eagles.

That was the only slight flaw in Haley's gamplan IMO. We had succes with a copule of draws on the opening drives, which forced the DEs to stay honest. When the Eagles' DE went in pure pass-rush mode in the 3rd, Haley should have hit them with draws again.

 

[EatSteel]

More on the Steeler pass rush...

Everyone talks about Harrison and Woodley as pass rushers, but the player on the Steelers D who is a little under the radar is Lawrence Timmons. When he rushes, he seems to "get there" quicker than most. You see him on third down a little more.

The Steelers also seemed to get more coverage sacks this year than last year. Much of it has to do with a healthy Polamolu (injured a lot last year), a healthy Ryan Clark (on IR second half last year), and an Ike Taylor who really shut down some talented receivers this year (but he can't catch worth a darn). I doubt this will happen as much with Fitz and Q, but it's another factor in putting hits on Warner.

Brett Keisel doesn't get many sacks, but he's tall and any pass that's knocked down at the line is likely to have been knocked down by his big paw (sorry for the Dan Dierdorf line).

The biggest difference between the defense last year and this year may indeed be a healthy Aaron Smith, who does everything well and is the key to stopping the run so the rest of the pass coverage can do its thing when called upon.

 

[joeshmo]

Not sure why they keep saying the whole pressure thing either. What they should be saying is getting good hits on Warner. It isnt the pressure that hurts Warner its when you get in 2-3 good shots on him. Its why the Eagles who while were getting pressure werent getting any shots on Warner and why they decided to thrown in a couple of fineable late hits on him to do it. But the late hits dont actually hurt him its only the ones in the pockett, he just gets angry with the late hits.

 

[Steeler SChuck]

Not sure why they keep saying the whole pressure thing either. What they should be saying is getting good hits on Warner. It isnt the pressure that hurts Warner its when you get in 2-3 good shots on him. Its why the Eagles who while were getting pressure werent getting any shots on Warner and why they decided to thrown in a couple of fineable late hits on him to do it. But the late hits dont actually hurt him its only the ones in the pockett, he just gets angry with the late hits.

Pressure with good downfield coverage. We can cover Fitz and Boldin while getting pressure on Warner without blitzing.

 

[Vermont Maverick]

Bring it on

 

[JeffGollin]

It's all about execution...

Kurt has been known to self-destruct when the pass-rush pressure gets to him.

But, if they try it and it doesn't, he'll have a field day; and the Steelers would be well-advised to go to Plan B.

We won't know how this will pan out until we play the game.

That said - four things the Cardinals can do in an attempt to offset the expected pressure off the edges from Woodley and Harrison -

1. Run the ball often enough (even if we don't gain many yards)

2. Occupy (and tire out) Woodley and Harrison by attacking the edge with toss plays, screens and passes into the flat.

3. Make sure the O-line is up to speed on its blocking assignments - especially in adjusting and handing off blocking responsibilities to handle blitzes and stunts.

4. Kurt's "inner voice" has to tell him at critical points when under pressure: "Two hands on the football!" and "Throw the dang ball away!"

 

[joeshmo]

Pressure with good downfield coverage. We can cover Fitz and Boldin while getting pressure on Warner without blitzing.

Once again pressure makes Warner better. His QB rating is better with pressure in his face. Pressure doesnt rattle Warner, the only way to rattle him is to get in good hard shots on him.

Also you cant cover Fitz. Not a DB crew in the league can cover Fitz right now.

 

[WildBB]

Kurt has been known to self-destruct when the pass-rush pressure gets to him.

But, if they try it and it doesn't, he'll have a field day; and the Steelers would be well-advised to go to Plan B.

We won't know how this will pan out until we play the game.

That said - four things the Cardinals can do in an attempt to offset the expected pressure off the edges from Woodley and Harrison -

1. Run the ball often enough (even if we don't gain many yards)

2. Occupy (and tire out) Woodley and Harrison by attacking the edge with toss plays, screens and passes into the flat.

3. Make sure the O-line is up to speed on its blocking assignments - especially in adjusting and handing off blocking responsibilities to handle blitzes and stunts.

4. Kurt's "inner voice" has to tell him at critical points when under pressure: "Two hands on the football!" and "Throw the dang ball away!"

I agree with everything you said, it is about execution. Don't force it. Take whats there. Every co-ordinator will say the same. Take some shots. If it isn't there, throw it away. Kurt has been steady doing so thus far. By all means don't panic, stay on script, give Edge/Tim H./JJ their shots. Yup.

 

[Russ Smith]

Pressure did work in the 3rd for the Eagles.

That was the only slight flaw in Haley's gamplan IMO. We had succes with a copule of draws on the opening drives, which forced the DEs to stay honest. When the Eagles' DE went in pure pass-rush mode in the 3rd, Haley should have hit them with draws again.

To me the key was Kurt was behind C and the Eagles were able to pressure him while he was in his drop. Kurt's got a very slow drop, and he doesn't change directions well so if you get quick pressure while he's dropping, he falls apart a bit.

On the last drive he was still behind C quite a bit but for whatever reason there was less pressure and he was able to get into his drops and get his feet set and when he has that, he's damn near unstoppable.

 

[CardLogic]

Pressure with good downfield coverage. We can cover Fitz and Boldin while getting pressure on Warner without blitzing.

No team in the NFL has been able to cover Fitz and Boldin. But sure it's no problem for the Steelers!

Here are Fitz's numbers the last time the Cardinals played the Steelers:
Receptions 10
Yards 120

That was without Boldin even in the game.

That was with Bryant Johnson instead of Steve Breaston, whom has made every Cardinals fan say, "BJ who?"


It's usless debating with you, Steeler SChmuck, because your not even grounded in reality.

 

[ajcardfan]

Pressure with good downfield coverage. We can cover Fitz and Boldin while getting pressure on Warner without blitzing.

Fitz and Boldin routinely make plays while covered. Besides, Warner spreads the ball around more than anyone. If someone is open, he'll throw to them.

 

[football karma]

I hate analysis like that for a couple reasons:

1. Its pretty much a generic analysis that could be applied to 75% of football games -- a first cousin to the 100% generic analysis of "whoever wins the turnover battle will win!".

2. It has become tiresome to hear it week after week here -- some variation of: "Fitz and Boldin wont matter when Warner is on his back, Ha!"

 

[Mags87]

No team in the NFL has been able to cover Fitz and Boldin. But sure it's no problem for the Steelers!

Here are Fitz's numbers the last time the Cardinals played the Steelers:
Receptions 10
Yards 120

That was without Boldin even in the game.

Cant post links so please trust my accuracy on this. its from NFL.com

Minnesota managed to cover Boldin and Fitz pretty well this year
Fitz had 5 receptions for 52 yards (23yd long) and Boldin was 6 receptions for 34 yards (11yd long). that was with Warner throwing it 45 times that game as well. id take those numbers against the Cards any day. i think that Minnesota was the team you played with the most similar D to the Steelers all year. I.E. you dont run on them. now, im not saying that the Cards are gonna throw 40+ times this game, but you saying that no team has covered both Fitz and Bolden in a game is not true.

Edit: aslo note that Warner was only sacked 3 times that game

 

[slanidrac16]

I think the biggest key to this game is just how well our receivers read the zone blitz and when they are the hot receiver.
I've seen some film on the Steelers showing a 7 man front. When the ball is snapped they rush 5 guys ALL from the left side and drop 2 on the right into coverage.
The receivers and backs need to recognize this and their responsibilities as Warners out.

 

[jaguarpaw81]

Once again pressure makes Warner better. His QB rating is better with pressure in his face. Pressure doesnt rattle Warner, the only way to rattle him is to get in good hard shots on him.

Also you cant cover Fitz. Not a DB crew in the league can cover Fitz right now.

No team in the NFL has been able to cover Fitz and Boldin. But sure it's no problem for the Steelers!

Here are Fitz's numbers the last time the Cardinals played the Steelers:
Receptions 10
Yards 120

That was without Boldin even in the game.

That was with Bryant Johnson instead of Steve Breaston, whom has made every Cardinals fan say BJ who?


It's usless debating with you, Steeler SChmuck, because your not even grounded in reality.

Dont you guys dare doubt a Steeler fan. They have the greatest football team ever and they are he best most knowledgable fans of any team in the world. Who needs facts or refrences, when you can just say stuff and it must be right?

 

[Mags87]

Dont you guys dare doubt a Steeler fan. They have the greatest football team ever and they are he best most knowledgable fans of any team in the world. Who needs facts or refrences, when you can just say stuff and it must be right?

did you read my post? facts and references, both that were relevant

 

[TJ]

did you read my post? facts and references, both that were relevant

Wow, one game determines the fate of our entire existence. You have to consider that the game in question was the week after we clinched the division. The team unfortunately checked out until the playoffs. In that game, we still had one receiver (Urban) who went for 80+ yards and a TD. Fitz and Boldin can either play as lethal weapons or as decoys. Its up to the Steelers to pick its poison.

 

[Mags87]

Wow, one game determines the fate of our entire existence. You have to consider that the game in question was the week after we clinched the division. The team unfortunately checked out until the playoffs. In that game, we still had one receiver (Urban) who went for 80+ yards and a TD. Fitz and Boldin can either play as lethal weapons or as decoys. Its up to the Steelers to pick its poison.

i didnt say that this was the defining game of the Cards. a poster said that no team in the league has covered both Boldin and Fitz. Minnesota did that. the next post was a guy throwing a blanket statement on Steelers fans that they never post facts and assume we have the best team in football. well, i posted facts differing from a blanket statement made. saying no one can cover those two is pretty ignorant if you ask me, especially since its been done before. i have respect for em, but i think they can be contained

 

[jaguarpaw81]

did you read my post? facts and references, both that were relevant

Sorry, I wasn't referring to you. I do however, after having visited a few Steeler's boards have a newfound hate for anythiing wearing Gold and Black.

 

[jefftheshark]

Cant post links so please trust my accuracy on this. its from NFL.com

Minnesota managed to cover Boldin and Fitz pretty well this year
Fitz had 5 receptions for 52 yards (23yd long) and Boldin was 6 receptions for 34 yards (11yd long). that was with Warner throwing it 45 times that game as well. id take those numbers against the Cards any day. i think that Minnesota was the team you played with the most similar D to the Steelers all year. I.E. you dont run on them. now, im not saying that the Cards are gonna throw 40+ times this game, but you saying that no team has covered both Fitz and Bolden in a game is not true.

Edit: aslo note that Warner was only sacked 3 times that game

You might want to pick a game that we were actually trying to win.

Ask anyone who was actually at the Minnesota game and they'd tell you the same thing, every Cardinal who appeared in that game was far more interested in not getting hurt than they were in trying to win the game.

I can only pray that the Steelers are watching the game film from that game to see how to game plan against us.

JTS

Oh - I just saw that TJ posted the same thing 30 minutes ago. Sorry.

 

[Mags87]

You might want to pick a game that we were actually trying to win.

Ask anyone who was actually at the Minnesota game and they'd tell you the same thing, every Cardinal who appeared in that game was far more interested in not getting hurt than they were in trying to win the game.

I can only pray that the Steelers are watching the game film from that game to see how to game plan against us.

JTS

Oh - I just saw that TJ posted the same thing 30 minutes ago. Sorry.

i highly doubt that the goal of that game wasnt to win it. thats what the goal of the game is. if Arizona wins that, they have a chance at a higher seed.