10-16-2018, 03:28 PM
Long ago when we had far less talented d-linemen rotating in, they had a lot more luck pressuring Roethlisberger. Geno and Carlos were young, Geathers was old, and guys like Rucker and Fanene were rotating in.
I recall Zimmer saying that he liked to utilize a "mush rush" against Ben rather than all out conventional pursuit from the d-line. In this concept, the d-line pushed, but also held their positions around the pocket. This made it a lot harder for Ben to scramble away untouched right after one of our d-linemen got an "almost sack". Eventually, if it worked, the pocket closed around the quarterback and he had fewer options when it came to scrambling. We beat them twice in 2009 using this technique.
Ben is fatter, older, and slower than ever. That said, he's still a master of the sidestep and thrives when scrambling. He did it to us all day Sunday. One move outside and he's free and clear for 3 seconds, scanning the field and taking his time. Meanwhile our d-line is caught in a scrum of bodies well out of reach or cause for concern. If you over pursue him and fail, you're done. This team should know this by now.
I recall Zimmer saying that he liked to utilize a "mush rush" against Ben rather than all out conventional pursuit from the d-line. In this concept, the d-line pushed, but also held their positions around the pocket. This made it a lot harder for Ben to scramble away untouched right after one of our d-linemen got an "almost sack". Eventually, if it worked, the pocket closed around the quarterback and he had fewer options when it came to scrambling. We beat them twice in 2009 using this technique.
Ben is fatter, older, and slower than ever. That said, he's still a master of the sidestep and thrives when scrambling. He did it to us all day Sunday. One move outside and he's free and clear for 3 seconds, scanning the field and taking his time. Meanwhile our d-line is caught in a scrum of bodies well out of reach or cause for concern. If you over pursue him and fail, you're done. This team should know this by now.
