AZ_Steeler
11-27-2007, 11:55 AM
Link... (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07331/837063-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml)
GERRY DULAC grades the Steelers' effort in a 3-0 victory against Dolphins last night at Heinz Field. The report is broken down into offensive, defensive positions and coaching.
Quarterback: C+
Ben Roethlisberger's numbers look presentable but he was unable to generate much offense, especially when his first eight drives ended in Dolphins territory. But he had 15 consecutive completions to finish 18 of 21 with 165 yards passing and produced the winning drive when it mattered, hitting Hines Ward for a key 21-yard gain along the way.
Running backs: B-
Willie Parker went over 1,000 yards rushing for the third year in a row, but he had to do it the hard way in poor field conditions. Najeh Davenport committed a costly holding penalty trying to pass protect on third down, wiping out a long pass to Ward to the Miami 28. And he was stopped twice in short-yardage situations when the Steelers needed 1 yard for a first down.
Receivers: B-
Hines Ward became a feature target with Santonio Holmes sidelined, catching five passes in the second half and also having two other first-down catches wiped out by penalty. Cedrick Wilson contributed three catches, his most in six games. But TE Heath Miller did not have a catch and his offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a first down. He also had a holding penalty that negated Parker's 9-yard run to the Miami 10 in the final minutes.
Offensive line: C
The soggy field was probably to blame for a lack of movement up front as the Steelers rushed for only 84 yards. But, for the third game in a row, Roethlisberger was under pressure by a team not known for sacking the quarterback. He was sacked five times, four on third down. Max Starks did a nice job at left tackle as a late replacement for injured Marvel Smith (back), especially facing DE Jason Taylor.
Defensive line: B
The Dolphins had 20 yards rushing on 14 carries in the first half and finished with 49 yards, mainly because they had problems controlling NT Casey Hampton. DE Aaron Smith had a big sack in the third quarter and Brett Keisel had one in the fourth, pinning the Dolphins at their 8. He also batted a pass at the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers: A
The Steelers did not get a sack in the first half, but James Farrior was among the linebackers who hurried QB John Beck into poor throws. Farrior also forced a fumble, that was recovered by Lawrence Timmons, and finished with 11 tackles. Larry Foote had two tackles for losses in the first half and combined with Farrior for a half-sack on fourth down at the Steelers' 31. James Harrison had a sack and forced fumble on fourth down at the Steelers' 30.
Secondary: C+
The defensive backs did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them in the first half, but Beck converted a lot of third-down passes in the second half, including third-and-13 to the Steelers' 24. Tyrone Carter was solid filling in for injured Troy Polamalu and finished with 11 tackles. But he gave up a 20-yard completion on third down to the Steelers' 42 in the fourth quarter.
Special teams: B
Allen Rossum had his second-longest punt return of the season, going 33 yards to the Miami 47 in the second quarter. Daniel Sepulveda dropped a 47-yard punt out of bounds at the Dolphins' 6 in the third quarter. And Max Starks blocked a 38-yard field-goal attempt, even though the play didn't count because of a delay penalty. After badly missing a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter, Jeff Reed kicked a 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds left.
Coaching: C
Probably the smartest thing the Steelers did was not beat themselves because of the playing conditions. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did a good job mixing coverages and ordering up blitzes to pressure Beck, who was making his second start. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians tried to keep the ball in the middle of the field. But too many missed opportunities in Miami territory.
GERRY DULAC grades the Steelers' effort in a 3-0 victory against Dolphins last night at Heinz Field. The report is broken down into offensive, defensive positions and coaching.
Quarterback: C+
Ben Roethlisberger's numbers look presentable but he was unable to generate much offense, especially when his first eight drives ended in Dolphins territory. But he had 15 consecutive completions to finish 18 of 21 with 165 yards passing and produced the winning drive when it mattered, hitting Hines Ward for a key 21-yard gain along the way.
Running backs: B-
Willie Parker went over 1,000 yards rushing for the third year in a row, but he had to do it the hard way in poor field conditions. Najeh Davenport committed a costly holding penalty trying to pass protect on third down, wiping out a long pass to Ward to the Miami 28. And he was stopped twice in short-yardage situations when the Steelers needed 1 yard for a first down.
Receivers: B-
Hines Ward became a feature target with Santonio Holmes sidelined, catching five passes in the second half and also having two other first-down catches wiped out by penalty. Cedrick Wilson contributed three catches, his most in six games. But TE Heath Miller did not have a catch and his offensive pass interference penalty wiped out a first down. He also had a holding penalty that negated Parker's 9-yard run to the Miami 10 in the final minutes.
Offensive line: C
The soggy field was probably to blame for a lack of movement up front as the Steelers rushed for only 84 yards. But, for the third game in a row, Roethlisberger was under pressure by a team not known for sacking the quarterback. He was sacked five times, four on third down. Max Starks did a nice job at left tackle as a late replacement for injured Marvel Smith (back), especially facing DE Jason Taylor.
Defensive line: B
The Dolphins had 20 yards rushing on 14 carries in the first half and finished with 49 yards, mainly because they had problems controlling NT Casey Hampton. DE Aaron Smith had a big sack in the third quarter and Brett Keisel had one in the fourth, pinning the Dolphins at their 8. He also batted a pass at the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers: A
The Steelers did not get a sack in the first half, but James Farrior was among the linebackers who hurried QB John Beck into poor throws. Farrior also forced a fumble, that was recovered by Lawrence Timmons, and finished with 11 tackles. Larry Foote had two tackles for losses in the first half and combined with Farrior for a half-sack on fourth down at the Steelers' 31. James Harrison had a sack and forced fumble on fourth down at the Steelers' 30.
Secondary: C+
The defensive backs did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them in the first half, but Beck converted a lot of third-down passes in the second half, including third-and-13 to the Steelers' 24. Tyrone Carter was solid filling in for injured Troy Polamalu and finished with 11 tackles. But he gave up a 20-yard completion on third down to the Steelers' 42 in the fourth quarter.
Special teams: B
Allen Rossum had his second-longest punt return of the season, going 33 yards to the Miami 47 in the second quarter. Daniel Sepulveda dropped a 47-yard punt out of bounds at the Dolphins' 6 in the third quarter. And Max Starks blocked a 38-yard field-goal attempt, even though the play didn't count because of a delay penalty. After badly missing a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter, Jeff Reed kicked a 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds left.
Coaching: C
Probably the smartest thing the Steelers did was not beat themselves because of the playing conditions. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did a good job mixing coverages and ordering up blitzes to pressure Beck, who was making his second start. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians tried to keep the ball in the middle of the field. But too many missed opportunities in Miami territory.