Steelers/NFL
Big Ben Torches Saints ‘D’
The comfort level Ben Roethlisberger has in running the Steelers offense is going to be a nightmare for mediocre and bad defenses.
Good luck to them.
The New Orleans Saints have a really bad defense and Roethlisberger chewed them up in playing just 19 snaps. Producing a 15 play, 74 yard opening scoring drive, Roethlisberger was flawless in running the no-huddle for 14 plays.
The Steelers offense looked to be in mid-season form. 17 of the 19 plays saw Roethlisberger throwing the ball in going 12 of 17 for 148 yards and 2 Touchdowns.
“It was a good night for us,” Mike Tomlin said. “It was good to get Ben some action and AB and Le’Veon and D-Will. It was a good collective effort that was needed.
Among the Positive Developments:
Tight end Jesse James who caught a 5 yard TD pass on the opening drive, showed a good ability to find the soft spots in the Saints defense for Roethlisberger on check downs, an encouraging sign for the Steelers going into Week 1.
As expected the Steelers three receiver sets consisted of Antonio Brown – Markus Wheaton – Eli Rogers.
It’s been clear in practices Rogers has gained the trust of Roethlisberger as the Steelers top slot receiver.
Todd Haley has called Rogers a Wayne Cherbet type and it’s not a stretch to expect Rogers to get 6-8 targets a game during the regular season.
Roethlisberger targeted Rogers four times on the two series he was behind center.
Following an incomplete pass down the left sideline where Rogers never got his eyes on the football, Roethlisberger came right back to Rogers on the next play for a first down in the middle of the field.
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The Steelers have lost the big play ability of Bryant but offensive coaches believe Roger’s potential in the slot on underneath routes, will open even more things up for Antonio Brown.
Speaking of Antonio Brown, his agent Drew Rosenhaus was in New Orleans and met with the Steelers in person for a second straight week as the two sides work on a new renegotiated contract.
All Brown did in two series was haul in 4 catches for 87 yards, including a 57 yard TD pass.
PAY THE MAN
WR Sammie Coates saw no snaps with Ben Roethlisberger. Coates did finish with 2 receptions for 66 yards and had a catch of 58 yards. He doesn’t have the trust of the coaches and Roethlisberger to see steady playing time early in the season. What he’s going to be more of is a specialist in running Go routes. Most see him going into the season as the No. 5 than No. 4.
Even Landry Jones got into the action in torching the Saints defense. Jones for one game looked like a capable backup in making a lot of big throws. Jones was 19/22 for 206 yards and 1 TD.
Steelers QB’s Roethlisberger and Jones combined to go 31/39.
Maybe the Saints are just that bad.
The Steelers first team defense was attacking holes quickly and shut the Saints on their first two series. The most encouraging sign with Jarvis Jones.
On the Saints first series, Jones provided pressure on Brees leading to an incomplete pass on third down. On the next Saints series, Jones provided another QB Hurry leading to a holding call on the Saints.
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