Secondary a primary concern | Pack’s passing attack may cause problems » Pro

Pro

Discussion

December 20, 2009

Secondary a primary concern | Pack’s passing attack may cause problems

BY JIM WEXELL The Tribune-Democrat Sun Dec 20, 2009, 12:11 AM EST

PITTSBURGH — Ryan Clark either knows something the rest of us don’t know, or he’s made a miscalculation not seen in these parts since Anthony Smith incorrectly sized up the Pittsburgh Steelers’ chances in New England two years ago.

Clark ripped into the media and fans last week for their criticisms of the Steelers’ secondary, the unit he heads up as the free safety.

Whether the problems had been correctly identified or not, Clark should realize there are many problems in the Steelers’ secondary, and they are great.

The Steelers’ secondary, playing behind the league’s No. 2 pass rush, is largely responsible for the following fourth-quarter defensive statistics (courtesy of SteelersDepot.com):

n 27th passer rating

n 28th passing yards per attempt

n 30th first downs

n 31st passing yards

n 31st touchdown passes

And the Green Bay Packers’ ninth-ranked passing attack exceeds that of the Cleveland Browns (32nd), Oakland Raiders (31st), Baltimore Ravens (15th), Kansas City Chiefs (27th) and Cincinnati Bengals (23rd).

The 6-7 Steelers lost to those teams in their current five-game skid, while the 9-4 Packers come to Heinz Field on a five-game winning streak. They’re led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has the NFL’s fourth-best passer rating at 102.5.

The key to the Packers’ surge from the depths of 4-4, following a loss to Tampa Bay, has been an offensive line that’s been intact the past four games – its only such stretch all season.

In wins over the Chicago Bears, Ravens, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, the Packers allowed only seven sacks, a noticeable improvement for a team that still leads the NFL with 48 sacks allowed.

The Steelers have 39 sacks this season, only two behind the league-leading Minnesota Vikings. So the return to health of left tackle Chad Clifton and right tackle Mark Tauscher will help the Packers in what the stat sheet says should be a mismatch.

Rodgers, with help from his line, could turn that mismatch around by exploiting the Steelers’ secondary, which hasn’t faced as productive a receiving duo as Donald Driver (58-887-6) and Greg Jennings (56-855-3) since October. Second-year tight end Jermichael Finley (39-488-3) is another receiving threat. The Packers also have a 1,000-yard rusher in Ryan Grant and the league’s second-ranked defense.

The Steelers enter today’s 4:15 p.m. contest needing to sweep their remaining three games, while hoping for collapses from a half dozen teams that are either ahead or tied in the AFC wild-card race.

Most of the players aren’t even looking at the numbers.

“It’s about finishing strong,” said right tackle Willie Colon. “You work your butt off in the offseason, and maybe you don’t have a chance for the playoffs, but you don’t quit. We’ve got to be able to understand that. We’ve got to have pride, and we have to have fight.”

Does Colon believe the team quit in losses to the dreadful Browns and Raiders the past two weeks?

“I don’t think it’s an effort thing at all,” he said. “We’re not used to losing at all around here, and sometimes you try so hard to win you kind of lose focus on the basics and some of the fundamentals. I think that’s what it is. I don’t think anybody’s giving up. I think we’re playing a little uptight, to tell you the truth.”

Perhaps the Steelers will regain their underdog mentality today and turn the tables on the Packers, who only need to win one of their remaining three games to clinch a playoff berth. And perhaps Clark can turn the boos that are certain to greet him back into cheers by the end of the game.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Pro

Jordan Staal expected to return to Pens’ lineup today
Jordan Staal’s left knee is fine. His face, however, could use some work.
The Pittsburgh Penguins center plans to play today against Winnipeg in his first game since injuring the knee in a loss to the New York Rangers on Jan. 6.
The road back has gone smoothly enough until Staal started practicing with his teammates this week.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Ex-Pirate Ludwick signs with Reds
The Reds have made a couple moves to improve their depth, finalizing a $2.5 million, one-year contract with outfielder Ryan Ludwick and a minor league deal with left-handed starter Jeff Francis.

February 10, 2012
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Michigan board gives go-ahead on Winter Classic
The University of Michigan Board of Regents on Wednesday authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL that would allow the league to hold next year’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.

February 8, 2012
Pens fall to Habs in shootout
Tomas Plekanec scored on Montreal’s eighth attempt in the shootout to lead the Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Steelers make it official: Haley’s their man
The Steelers have named Todd Haley their new offensive coordinator.

February 7, 2012
Steelers press release on Todd Haley
PITTSBURGH ― The Pittsburgh Steelers have named Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, it was announced today.

February 7, 2012
Johnstown Generals announce 2012 schedule
The Johnstown Generals will open their second season on the road at Cincinnati on March 3 but will play just three of their 10 remaining games away from Cambria County War Memorial according to a league schedule posted on the United Indoor Football League’s website at uiflfootball.com.

February 6, 2012
Crosby practices with Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby practiced Monday but said he is no closer to returning from a concussion and neck injury that have sidelined him for most of the season.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Report: Haley will be Steelers’ next O-coordinator
The Steelers will hire former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley to be their offensive coordinator, according to an ESPN report.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
More Pro Headlines

Pro

Search Results

Discussion

Secondary a primary concern | Pack’s passing attack may cause problems

Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed state budget for fiscal year 2012-13?

Contact Us