• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

Steelers 38 at Falcons 41 (F) OT

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Falcons' Vick poses a difficult challenge for Steelers' defense
Because he is a bigger threat as a runner than a passer
Wednesday, October 18, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bill Cowher never has opened a news conference saying anything remotely negative about the Steelers' opponent. Perhaps not in Joe Paterno's league for praising his next foe, Cowher still could work for FTD each Tuesday because he delivers so many bouquets.

He even called the Atlanta Falcons "twice as dangerous" this week because they lost to the New York Giants Sunday to fall to 3-2. If so, imagine how dangerous the 0-5 Raiders will be the following Sunday for the Steelers.

It does not mean Cowher's words aren't often true, and yesterday he could not contain himself when he talked about Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, someone he hopes his defense can contain Sunday in Atlanta.

Vick is unique, dangerous, very unique, special, a challenge, a big challenge and a quarterback with an unbelievably strong arm, according to Cowher. Never mind that he also is a quarterback with an inaccurate arm, completing barely 50 percent of his passes, or that his 66.0 passer rating looks good only to those who saw Ben Roethlisberger in his first three games this season.

What makes Vick unique from other NFL quarterbacks is not his passing, it's his ability to run. There, he has no peer at the position -- perhaps in NFL history. Vick has 401 yards rushing after five games, 33 fewer than Willie Parker. His average of 8.7 yards per carry dwarfs his 5.78 yards per pass completion.

"Certainly, this whole offense is very unique because of what Michael presents back there," Cowher said yesterday.

Bobby Douglass holds the NFL rushing record for quarterbacks with 968 yards with the Chicago Bears in 1972. Vick could break that by Atlanta's 12th game. Of the top 13 games rushing by a quarterback in NFL history, Vick owns six, including No. 1 with 173 and No. 3 with 141. He has twice rushed for more than 100 yards this season.

"When you play a player like this, it's different certainly than what we've faced the last couple of weeks," Cowher said. "There are scrambling quarterbacks, but then Michael takes that to another level."

Cowher and his Steelers saw that in person Nov. 10, 2002, at Heinz Field. The Steelers led the Falcons 34-17, but the Falcons scored 17 points behind Vick in the final 7:44 to tie the score. Vick scored the tying touchdown by running 11 yards with 44 seconds left. The game ended in a tie when, on the final play of overtime, Plaxico Burress caught a 50-yard desperation pass that came up a yard short of the end zone.

Despite blowing a lead of more than 10 points for only the second time in 103 games in his career at that point, Cowher said he was happy to settle for the tie because of Vick.

"We did a good job in the first half, but, in the second half, he ran around and made some plays,'' Cowher said. "I remember when it ended, getting out of there with a tie at the time, I felt pretty good about it."

That's the kind of fear Vick can put into coaches and their defenses. They're not used to his kind of play at quarterback. This year, Atlanta coach Jim Mora has used him on the run more than ever, prompting Cowher to think about going back to college to learn how to stop him.

"It seems like they've gone to almost a college playbook for him to make some of these plays,'' Cowher groaned. "They've got the old option draw back in. You see it in college all the time.

"I should call some college coaches up about defending that thing. You're talking about the team that's clearly ahead of everyone and setting records rushing the football.

"He's part of that. And it's not like he's the only one. You're talking about Warrick Dunn. It's like he's found the fountain of youth. He's running hard and fast."

The Steelers must defend Vick differently than they would, say, Philip Rivers. Defenses have gotten to him for 18 sacks, but blitzing him on every down is not the answer.

"You're not going to make a living doing it," Cowher said. "But you don't want to sit back because you're going to need to have some guys fill some lanes. I think you've got to be able to pick and choose and just keep him off balance as much as possible."

If Vick looks as if he's taking off to run, it also may be deceiving.

"In the secondary, you have to be careful you don't come out of your coverage too quickly because he has an unbelievably strong arm,'' Cowher said. "He'll scramble to run, but, at the same time, you cannot drop coverage. Up front, you have to come under control.

"You can do your job, and sometimes he's going to make plays. The biggest thing is to minimize the big plays that he makes and stay patient and hopefully somewhere along the line we'll make some big plays."
Click to expand...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06291/730908-66.stm
 
Upvote 0
Falcons try flattery with Steelers

By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 19, 2006


By the time Steelers coach Bill Cowher finished talking about Michael Vick at his news conference, you figured the Atlanta Falcons quarterback could find a cure for cancer, if not walk on water.
Apparently, Falcons coach Jim Mora holds Steelers safety Troy Polamalu in a similar regard.

"If you like defensive football, you love watching that guy play," Mora said Wednesday. "He is inspiring. He really is, even for an opposing coach who has to go against him."

Kansas City coach Herm Edwards may have a different view, but that is only because Polamalu proved to be his usual disruptive -- and ultimately dominant -- self in the Steelers' 45-7 win over the Chiefs last Sunday.

Polamalu had nine solo tackles and an interception and short-circuited the Chiefs' offense enough times that he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

It is the second time in his career that Polamalu has won the award.

"It means a lot to me," said Polamalu, who had 10 total tackles against the Chiefs and also successfully defended three passes. "That says a lot about our team."

It also says a lot about how much better Polamalu's right shoulder is feeling.

A succession of hits in the season opener left Polamalu with multiple injuries.

None was serious enough to sideline him for any games, but they did appear to affect Polamalu's mind-set of throwing his body all over the field -- and into any pile.

Against the Chiefs, however, Polamalu played with the reckless abandon that has become his hallmark, and the Steelers' defense turned in its best performance of the season.

Both could in part be attributed to Polamalu's shoulder feeling as good as it has in a long time -- perhaps since the season opener against Miami.

"Yeah, that's all part of it," Polamalu said. "There's an infinite amount of factors that go into it, and that's definitely part of it."

When asked if his shoulder is 100 percent, Polamalu said, "It's good enough."

The fourth-year pro is that and much more at his position, according to Mora.

The third-year coach gave Polamalu the ultimate compliment when he compared him with another hard-hitting safety who played his college ball at Southern Cal: Ronnie Lott.

"I was watching film the last two days and kept thinking about Ronnie as I watched Troy," Mora said.

Lott is generally considered the standard bearer at his position, which explains why Polamalu all but blushed when told what Mora said.

"Honestly, it's an honor, especially from an established head coach," Polamalu said. "But I couldn't disagree with him more, knowing the game and knowing what it takes to be a great safety. It's truly humbling but far from true."

One thing Polamalu can't argue is his importance to the Steelers, especially this week.

The Falcons have the top-ranked rushing offense in the NFL, and Polamalu will be counted on to help contain Vick.

"You don't even have to watch him on video," Vick said. "You can watch him in the games they play on television and just see what type of player he is."

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.
Click to expand...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_475651.html
 
Upvote 0
Vick complains about ATL offense
Michael Vick, QB ATL

News: In an interview with Cris Carter on HBO's Inside the NFL, Falcons QB Michael Vick expressed his disappointment with the offense and wished he could throw to more talented receivers. Whan asked about the offense, Vick said, "You've got to throw the ball sometimes. You can't just line up and run the ball every time on first and second down. Teams key in on that and they have coaches, too. We're going to have to throw it more ... Coach (Jim Mora) is going have to trust in me to get it done and I'm up to the challenge to get it done." Vick also wondered aloud what it would be like to throw to Chad Johnson, Randy Moss or Marvin Harrison.

Analysis: Usually talk like this leads to dissension in the locker room and throughout the team (remember Daunte Culpepper last offseason?). Vick isn't a reliable starter this week anyway since he's playing the Steelers, and they're strong against the run. Look very hard for another option before settling on Vick in Week 7.
 
Upvote 0
BuckNutty;638834; said:
Vick isn't a reliable starter this week anyway since he's playing the Steelers, and they're strong against the run. Look very hard for another option before settling on Vick in Week 7.
Click to expand...
This is my favorite part. Imagine the guy who wrote this gets paid for this type of stuff.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top