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Steelers’ 3-4 defense? Players make the scheme
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: January 27th, 2006 02:30 AM
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/5487045p-4948144c.html
KIRKLAND – The NFC champion Seattle Seahawks are hearing plenty about the 3-4 defense they’ll face in Super Bowl XL.
That’s because few NFL teams have run the 3-4 with more success than the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
While most teams prefer 4-3 defenses with four linemen and three linebackers, the Steelers and reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots have breathed life into the 3-4. The scheme can confuse quarterbacks and offensive linemen because the fourth linebacker allows for more creative pass-rush tactics.
“It’s a big factor because you don’t play against it every week,” offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said Thursday. “At the same time, we have played against it some.”
Two years ago, the Seahawks amassed 426 yards and five touchdown passes against Baltimore’s highly regarded 3-4 scheme.
Earlier this season, Seattle exploited the Houston Texans’ version of the 3-4 for a franchise-record 320 yards rushing.
A week later, the Dallas Cowboys’ 3-4 defense held Seattle to 289 total yards and a season-low 13 points.
Differences in personnel explain the divergent results.
Houston simply wasn’t very talented.
The 2003 Ravens featured a strong defensive front seven led by All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. Baltimore sacked Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck six times that day.
But without top-notch cornerbacks, the Ravens had trouble covering when their pass rush failed. That allowed receiver Darrell Jackson to catch seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
When Dallas visited Qwest Field three months ago, the Cowboys featured a strong front seven and two outstanding cover corners in Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry. The Seahawks lacked the offensive personnel to challenge them because Jackson and fellow starting receiver Bobby Engram missed the game with injuries.
Jackson (knee) and Engram (hip) have missed practices this week, but both are expected to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. Jackson has 15 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns in playoff victories against Washington and Carolina.
The Steelers are strong along the defensive line, but outside linebacker Joey Porter and strong safety Troy Polamalu are their most accomplished players on defense.
“The biggest thing is they are good players,” Haskell said of the Steelers defense. “They are strong men up front. They are fast linebackers. And No. 43 (Polamalu) is obviously a hell of a player.
“That is the difference: the people playing it more than the actual 3-4 front.”
MIKE SANDO; The News Tribune
Published: January 27th, 2006 02:30 AM
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/5487045p-4948144c.html
KIRKLAND – The NFC champion Seattle Seahawks are hearing plenty about the 3-4 defense they’ll face in Super Bowl XL.
That’s because few NFL teams have run the 3-4 with more success than the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
While most teams prefer 4-3 defenses with four linemen and three linebackers, the Steelers and reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots have breathed life into the 3-4. The scheme can confuse quarterbacks and offensive linemen because the fourth linebacker allows for more creative pass-rush tactics.
“It’s a big factor because you don’t play against it every week,” offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said Thursday. “At the same time, we have played against it some.”
Two years ago, the Seahawks amassed 426 yards and five touchdown passes against Baltimore’s highly regarded 3-4 scheme.
Earlier this season, Seattle exploited the Houston Texans’ version of the 3-4 for a franchise-record 320 yards rushing.
A week later, the Dallas Cowboys’ 3-4 defense held Seattle to 289 total yards and a season-low 13 points.
Differences in personnel explain the divergent results.
Houston simply wasn’t very talented.
The 2003 Ravens featured a strong defensive front seven led by All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis. Baltimore sacked Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck six times that day.
But without top-notch cornerbacks, the Ravens had trouble covering when their pass rush failed. That allowed receiver Darrell Jackson to catch seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
When Dallas visited Qwest Field three months ago, the Cowboys featured a strong front seven and two outstanding cover corners in Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry. The Seahawks lacked the offensive personnel to challenge them because Jackson and fellow starting receiver Bobby Engram missed the game with injuries.
Jackson (knee) and Engram (hip) have missed practices this week, but both are expected to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. Jackson has 15 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns in playoff victories against Washington and Carolina.
The Steelers are strong along the defensive line, but outside linebacker Joey Porter and strong safety Troy Polamalu are their most accomplished players on defense.
“The biggest thing is they are good players,” Haskell said of the Steelers defense. “They are strong men up front. They are fast linebackers. And No. 43 (Polamalu) is obviously a hell of a player.
“That is the difference: the people playing it more than the actual 3-4 front.”