TXBRONC
11-03-2009, 09:46 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13698387
Analysis: Roethlisberger will be tough test for Broncos' defense to pass
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 11/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Sometimes it isn't the best choice, kind of like the difference between hitting your thumb with a hammer or slamming it in the car door.
Either way, it's painful.
But ask defensive coordinators in the NFL about what is more difficult to defend — a scrambling quarterback looking to run his way out of trouble or one who will stand in the pocket until the last second, who is able to slide here and step there to avoid all of the traffic that is only inches away from him at times — and you almost certainly get the same answer.
It's the guy who will stand in, keep his eyes down the field and let it fly.
Baltimore's Joe Flacco was that guy Sunday against the Broncos, and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger will be that guy Monday night in Denver.
A scrambler, unless he has next-level running skills as Michael Vick once did, or Donovan McNabb did early in his career, or Hall of Famer Steve Young had, can be hemmed in and contained by a disciplined pass rush willing to sacrifice the chance at some sacks for the greater good.
The guy who will stand in has to be taken to the ground or he will make a play at some point. Because NFL secondaries, with the rules book stacked against them these days, simply cannot hold coverage that long.
"(Flacco) is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take the hit," Broncos safety Brian Dawkins said. "He's big, he's strong. We knew we were going to have to climb the tree and get his arms and get him down."
Roethlisberger, however, is the next step, because he will stand in the pocket, move around and keep his eyes up, looking for a receiver. But he can also throw on the move, and he is adept at it.
That means to flush Roethlisberger out of the pocket will not necessarily make him bail out on a play like some pocket passers may do. He might run, move and throw it behind the defenders moving up to tackle him.
That's difficult to deal with, because the defense has to be disciplined enough not to let him escape, yet aggressive enough to get a chance to get him down in the first place.
Not many have succeeded — even Minnesota, which leads the NFL in sacks with 31.
Roethlisberger has thrown eight touchdown passes to go with two interceptions in his last four starts for the Steelers, including wins over San Diego and the Vikings.
He has been sacked 13 times in those four games, yet still made the defense pay.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Analysis: Roethlisberger will be tough test for Broncos' defense to pass
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 11/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Sometimes it isn't the best choice, kind of like the difference between hitting your thumb with a hammer or slamming it in the car door.
Either way, it's painful.
But ask defensive coordinators in the NFL about what is more difficult to defend — a scrambling quarterback looking to run his way out of trouble or one who will stand in the pocket until the last second, who is able to slide here and step there to avoid all of the traffic that is only inches away from him at times — and you almost certainly get the same answer.
It's the guy who will stand in, keep his eyes down the field and let it fly.
Baltimore's Joe Flacco was that guy Sunday against the Broncos, and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger will be that guy Monday night in Denver.
A scrambler, unless he has next-level running skills as Michael Vick once did, or Donovan McNabb did early in his career, or Hall of Famer Steve Young had, can be hemmed in and contained by a disciplined pass rush willing to sacrifice the chance at some sacks for the greater good.
The guy who will stand in has to be taken to the ground or he will make a play at some point. Because NFL secondaries, with the rules book stacked against them these days, simply cannot hold coverage that long.
"(Flacco) is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take the hit," Broncos safety Brian Dawkins said. "He's big, he's strong. We knew we were going to have to climb the tree and get his arms and get him down."
Roethlisberger, however, is the next step, because he will stand in the pocket, move around and keep his eyes up, looking for a receiver. But he can also throw on the move, and he is adept at it.
That means to flush Roethlisberger out of the pocket will not necessarily make him bail out on a play like some pocket passers may do. He might run, move and throw it behind the defenders moving up to tackle him.
That's difficult to deal with, because the defense has to be disciplined enough not to let him escape, yet aggressive enough to get a chance to get him down in the first place.
Not many have succeeded — even Minnesota, which leads the NFL in sacks with 31.
Roethlisberger has thrown eight touchdown passes to go with two interceptions in his last four starts for the Steelers, including wins over San Diego and the Vikings.
He has been sacked 13 times in those four games, yet still made the defense pay.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com