Can the New York Jets Bring Ben Roethlisberger Down?

by John B on Dec 16, 2010 8:06 PM EST

The offensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers has seen better days. The club has used five starting combinations on the offensive line. Starting right tackle Willie Colon will not see the field this year. Starting left tackle Max Starks is also on injured reserve. Jonathan Scott, the new starting left tackle, is on his third team in a five year career for a reason. He was last seen on Buffalo's patchwork line last season.

The results have not been pretty in pass protection. The Steelers have allowed 7 sacks, 4 hits, and 8 pressures in the last two weeks alone. Pass blocking is not their forte. This is a group that seems susceptible to New York's blitzes, particularly overloads with Scott on one side and Flozell Adams, vulnerable to speedy athletic guys, on the other.

The question is whether the Jets can be effective and neutralizing Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is a unique player. He uses his 6'5" 241 pound frame to bounce off hits and keep plays alive. Santonio Holmes has said more than once his former offense was a lot like schoolyard football with Roethlisberger's ability to keep plays alive. A sprained foot has forced him to play with a special shoe the past few weeks. His mobility has been lessened, but he's still no statue. It's unclear how much the injury will still affect him Sunday.

They do not keep stats on things like this, but I have been alarmed this year by the number of times a Jet has gotten into the defensive backfield and either whiffed on the quarterback completely or allowed the quarterback to get away. Roethlisberger isn't a huge scrambling threat, but his ability to keep big plays alive in the passing game might be more dangerous. His ability does come with a drawback, though. Because he is so adept at bouncing off guys, he will hold onto the ball longer than most quarterbacks instead of throw it away and take some really bad sacks, relying too much on his ability. The ability of Gang Green to finish him off will be very, very important.

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Basically, any guy not named Terrell Suggs is going to have problems bringing Roethlisberger down alone. But I am cautiously optimistic that the Jets can do to Pittsburgh what they did to Miami, as far as defense goes. The only concerns I have for this game are on the offensive side of the ball.

by SioneBAAOOOHA on Dec 16, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions

no need to bring him down. just do an Osi

tackle his throwing arm,a strip is as good as a sack.

I may not be the most noble of men but in a town of lepers, im the one with the most fingers.

by Troy O on Dec 16, 2010 9:13 PM EST reply actions

Can they bring Ben down?

No, not many can bring Ben down. The only thing that brings Ben down, is the ladies. Heres to hoping Jenn Sterger gets hired as a game host in Pittsburgh this week.

Should you choose to test my resolve in this matter, you will be facing a finality beyond your comprehension, and you will not be counting days, or months, or years, but milleniums in a place with no doors.

by YankeesJets on Dec 16, 2010 10:17 PM EST reply actions

this is concerning.

I’m actually more concerned about out corners than our safeties this week. Call me crazy but I think our supposed safety woes may have been a blessing in disguise. Don’t look now but that group is now more athletic and rangey and is better able to cover. Also rex is forced to call less exotic blitzes, which have hurt a lot more than they’ve helped this season.

Revis’ hammy is a worry. Ben’s ability to lengthen plays means revis will have to open his stride for longer periods and stop and start a lot more often. None of which is a good thing for a bad hammy on a cold day in pittsburgh.

Also don’t trust cro’s ability to maintain concentration for longer periods than normal. And I really don’t like the idea of cro getting banged around by hines all day.

by Crackback on Dec 16, 2010 10:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Just get him into a club

The rest will take care of itself.

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Dec 17, 2010 12:30 AM EST reply actions

Gholston gets a sack!

(315) SF Giants and NY Jets
Giants baseball: TORTURE
...and the home of the... JETS!

by GiantsfaninNY55 on Dec 17, 2010 12:37 AM EST reply actions

Ben's foot

I am fairly certain his foot is broken, not sprained.

"I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them."

"Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes."

Tommy Douglas

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Dec 17, 2010 4:13 PM EST reply actions

should be close

Will probably be a close, low scoring game. Steelers will likely get one big play TD ; likely 60 minutes (Mike Wallace);& one defensive TD and 3 field goals (so 23 points). The huge question in this game is Sanchez’ confidence. Lebeau will definitely throw some differnet looks at him- he’s a master at messing up young QBs. For the Jets to win Sanchez will probably have to have his best game of this season.

6 and counting

by michaelbro8 on Dec 17, 2010 7:19 PM EST reply actions