Don’t Cut Angry. That’s what I tell myself – don’t cut angry. But fuck that – I’m pissed. A week ago I spelled out exactly what The Seahags were going to do. For the first three quarters I thought to myself, wow WTF am I watching here. Then when they needed to turn the Pats over they did exactly what I said. They went to cover SIX – and Drake pissed all over himself. He got bored, he got greedy and he did it at the worst moments of that game. When they went to cover six. Guess what the Steelers are working on this week? They ran cover six close to twenty five percent of the snaps they faced in week one vs the Falcons.
Here are my monster keys to beating the Steelers
You’re going to hate me
Establish the run early. Steelers DC Patrick Graham likes to depend on his front four. They are begging you to run and you have to get it done this week. Yes, I know – it’s boring, Murph – well relax. The game plan wasn’t bad, the execution was. Stevenson and company ran for a mere 62 yards last week, 59 of those came after contact. Get your feet moving people, you have to win it in the trench, to be successful you need that push.
Play Action to Gold
Drake went 7-8 for 67 yards and a TD while using play action week one, we are going to see a very similar defense on Sunday. Play action worked. It’s not always sexy but it moves the chains. And since Sexy is laid up for six weeks, you have to mine gold where you can. Once Josh gets the Steelers to bite, use delayed releases out of the backfield and hit the flats. Can I get a wheel route this week Josh?
The Rhythm of the Night
Get it out quick, get it out in rhythm. Use motion and spread the field. Force the linebackers into coverage against Henry, Reardon and hopefully Henderson. This could be a big seam game. this could be a big TE week Lets keep Clazzy Clare happy, and for christ sake can we use Tanner Arkin? One more wham block attempt by Reardon, I may have a stroke.
The Weeklies
Win the turnover Battle – minus three? That sound you heard were my eyes rolling across the floor. Get out there and create turnovers, I need balls punched out, I need corners squeezing footbalsl that hit their hands. Yes – I’m looking at you Mr Gonzalez.
Limit the Laundry – the first half was spectacular, the second half “Not so good Bob”. All seven flags the Patriots drew were tossed in the second half.
Own the Late Downs – yes it is important to not play behind the sticks but 5-16 on third down is pathetic. Sure you were 2-2 on fourth, but hey. Get it done on third please – I need more than 50%.
Own the Red Zone – the play action to Reardon for six was nice-, you only got there twice and we all know what happened the second trip. Make them settle .
How to Stop Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers
Shut down the outside zone runs McCarthy loves – this should get them out of play action and force Discount Double Choke to throw the ball. Cloud the middle of the field (back to creating turnovers) this is a single high safety game. That means Gonzo on Metcalf and mixing the coverages with the rest of the crew. Disrupt the timing of these Steelers receivers at the line and get them out of their own rhythm. It’s all timing based with this crew. We should feast.
Elder Abuse
Do not allow Discount Double Choke a moment of peace, he cant escape, he can’t avoid he can’t change a game throwing deep, what he can do is pick you apart of you give him the time. i want him walking on his elbows and looking for his fake wife in the crowd for a rubdown by halftime.
Thats it my rabid readers – I should have been much happier cutting these keys. But 0-1 after a very winnable week one against a banged up secondary and a back up QB has me cutting with a plasma torch. As always you can follow / give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207s
