The Demise of Blitzburgh

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blu
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The Demise of Blitzburgh

Post by blu » Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:19 pm

With Ingram, Highsmith & of course, TJ (sorry STD) looking so good, does that mean blitzing will be seen much less in the Black & Gold. Probably good news & what may have helped wreck Buffalo's week of offensive planning on how to beat the Steelers.



Kodiak
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Post by Kodiak » Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:23 pm

blu wrote:
Sun Sep 12, 2021 10:19 pm
With Ingram, Highsmith & of course, TJ (sorry STD) looking so good, does that mean blitzing will be seen much less in the Black & Gold. Probably good news & what may have helped wreck Buffalo's week of offensive planning on how to beat the Steelers.
If they're smart (they aren't), they'd blitz selectively to big advantages.

But I think I'd be disappointed if Watt/Ingram/Highsmith don't combine for 30+ sacks.
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sinceiwas4
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Post by sinceiwas4 » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:05 am

Tomlin has said repeatably since being here he wants a 4 man rush that creates pressure as an anchir for his version of the tampa 2/steel curtain defense. he may finally have it.

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El Kabong
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Post by El Kabong » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:07 am

It is definitely ideal to have four guys who can wreak havoc on offenses and be able to drop seven.
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Roeth2Rudolph
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Post by Roeth2Rudolph » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:09 am

Once Tuitt gets back that will be one hell of a front four.

sinceiwas4
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Post by sinceiwas4 » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:15 am

and with lots of rotation depth too. could be a great 4 man rush..always a good thing for coverage

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Post by sinceiwas4 » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:17 am

which isnt to say the blitz should disappear just be more of a frosting on the cake ofc it's only 1 week but yeah could be fun

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Post by Kodiak » Mon Sep 13, 2021 3:29 am

And don't know about Highsmith or Ingram, but Watt can drop into coverage. So you might have 3 rushing, but could be 5. The 4th or 5th rusher could come from ILB, the DB or Safety.

Tuitt will also help shore up the run defense. You can't stop everything, but we did give up some rushing today. And it might have been a very different day if Allen is sharp and his receivers don't drop 3-4 of those passes.
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Ice
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Post by Ice » Mon Sep 13, 2021 11:15 am

Watt was all over the field yesterday, mostly I'd guess for the purpose of spying Allen, while Highsmith and Ingram were rushing from the traditional OLB positions. Nice flexibility to have, and yeah, barring injuries, this should be a lot of fun to watch this season.
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Post by Steeler Owl » Mon Sep 13, 2021 12:29 pm

Didnt Blitzburgh originate when Greene and Lloyd first teamed up, basically playing the same position as Watt, Ingram, Highsmith etc.?

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Post by sinceiwas4 » Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:02 pm

yes, but with 3 down lineman on a 34 base bringing 5 as often as not in rush..yesterday we had 2 down lineman most of the time

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franco32
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Post by franco32 » Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:22 pm

I can't recall a game in recent history with LESS blitzing than the Buffalo game. They were only bringing 3 and 4 the whole game.

What do I think? I LOVED it. Butler's overuse of the blitz these past few years has driven me crazy...especially on key 3rd downs and in the red zone. Don't get me started on the TELEGRAPHED slot CB blitzes. It's left people open for easy pitches and catches in the middle of the field. If we can rush 4 and get that kind of pressure...then DO IT!

To me, an OL has to prove they can block your front 4. If they can't, then punish them with that. Of course that doesn't mean we should never blitz...but do it more selectively.

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Post by Kodiak » Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:38 pm

Steeler Owl wrote:
Mon Sep 13, 2021 12:29 pm
Didnt Blitzburgh originate when Greene and Lloyd first teamed up, basically playing the same position as Watt, Ingram, Highsmith etc.?
I can't quite place the timing of events in my head.

The story I remember reading, is they were struggling on defense with about 5-6 games left and Rod Woodson (and maybe one other defensive leader) went to Cowher and asked "turn us loose".

Thought it was '92 in Cowher's first year. But my memory was they went like 4-2 down that stretch to finish 9-7, but that pattern doesn't fit any of those years. Closest fit looks like 1994. Greene came over in '93.
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El Kabong
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Post by El Kabong » Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:17 am

Steeler Owl wrote:
Mon Sep 13, 2021 12:29 pm
Didnt Blitzburgh originate when Greene and Lloyd first teamed up, basically playing the same position as Watt, Ingram, Highsmith etc.?
Yes, and it also comes from the Steelers introducing the NFL to the Zone Blitz which had blitzers coming from everywhere including the beer line.
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Post by zeke5123 » Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:42 am

franco32 wrote:
Mon Sep 13, 2021 9:22 pm
I can't recall a game in recent history with LESS blitzing than the Buffalo game. They were only bringing 3 and 4 the whole game.

What do I think? I LOVED it. Butler's overuse of the blitz these past few years has driven me crazy...especially on key 3rd downs and in the red zone. Don't get me started on the TELEGRAPHED slot CB blitzes. It's left people open for easy pitches and catches in the middle of the field. If we can rush 4 and get that kind of pressure...then DO IT!

To me, an OL has to prove they can block your front 4. If they can't, then punish them with that. Of course that doesn't mean we should never blitz...but do it more selectively.
Amen! The problem with heavy blitzing is that the ball can always move faster than the blitzer. But if you can play pass coverage with 7 and get home with 4, the QB has to hold the ball just a little while longer or make more aggressive throws. With a ball hawk like Minkah…I like those odds. Of course bringing a disguised blitz every now and again can catch a QB off guard and lead to a sack.

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Post by Ice » Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:50 am

Some of the delayed and control blitzes used played a definite role in keeping Allen uncomfortable and largely in the pocket, which is how and where you want him.
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Post by Steeler Owl » Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:44 am

After the Steelers registered 55 sacks in 94 Myron Cope coined the term Blitzburgh. Fact.

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Post by Jobu » Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:01 pm

Ice wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:50 am
Some of the delayed and control blitzes used played a definite role in keeping Allen uncomfortable and largely in the pocket, which is how and where you want him.
Apparently, the Steelers blitzed just twice at Buffalo.

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2021 ... eelers-fdl
In Sunday's 23-16 season-opening win over the Bills, however, the Steelers checked their blitz at the door. According to NFL NextGen stats, the Steelers blitzed just twice on 54 pass attempts by Buffalo.
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DP39
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Post by DP39 » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:17 pm

On how much and when they blitz this year, my guess is the first factor will be the less mobile the QB the more they will blitz. I very stout OL with a less then mobile QB and you'll probably see the most blitzing. The second factor will be QB IQ, imo. The easier we can fool the opposing QB with D schemes/coverages the more we'll blitz.

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Post by Roeth2Rudolph » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:42 pm

Jobu wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:01 pm
Ice wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:50 am
Some of the delayed and control blitzes used played a definite role in keeping Allen uncomfortable and largely in the pocket, which is how and where you want him.
Apparently, the Steelers blitzed just twice at Buffalo.

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2021 ... eelers-fdl
In Sunday's 23-16 season-opening win over the Bills, however, the Steelers checked their blitz at the door. According to NFL NextGen stats, the Steelers blitzed just twice on 54 pass attempts by Buffalo.
I believe it.

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SteelerDayTrader
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Post by SteelerDayTrader » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:47 pm

I think Ingram is gonna be a key factor this year
Colts Draft 2024
1 Terrion Arnold DB
2 T’Vondre Sweat DL
3 Isaac Guerendo RB/WR
4 Tykee Smith DB
5 Ainias Smith WR/RB
6 KT Leveston OL
7 Ulumoo Ale DL/OL

Gorilla Warfare

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Ice
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Post by Ice » Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:51 pm

SteelerDayTrader wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:47 pm
I think Ingram is gonna be a key factor this year
The ability to use Watt as a spy on an Allen, Jackson, Mahomes, etc., while still collapsing the pocket with Highsmith and Ingram 👍👍👍
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Post by Deebo » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:09 pm

SteelerDayTrader wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:47 pm
I think Ingram is gonna be a key factor this year
I wish we had 2 Ingrams: guys you can put in on passing downs and you know they'll get pressure. They really need to spell Watt this year.

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Post by SteelerDayTrader » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:39 pm

Deebo wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:09 pm
SteelerDayTrader wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:47 pm
I think Ingram is gonna be a key factor this year
I wish we had 2 Ingrams: guys you can put in on passing downs and you know they'll get pressure. They really need to spell Watt this year.
Yep
Colts Draft 2024
1 Terrion Arnold DB
2 T’Vondre Sweat DL
3 Isaac Guerendo RB/WR
4 Tykee Smith DB
5 Ainias Smith WR/RB
6 KT Leveston OL
7 Ulumoo Ale DL/OL

Gorilla Warfare

🦍🦍🦍🏈🏈🦍🦍🦍🦍🏈🏈🏈🦍🦍🦍🦍🦍

Quixotic
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Post by Quixotic » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:46 pm

A solid 4-man rush can make a lot of things go well. Like, is the arrival of Sutton a product of busting up their OL with 4?

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Roeth2Rudolph
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Post by Roeth2Rudolph » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:54 pm

Yeah, something tells me they're not going to use Watt to shadow any mobile QB's lol...

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DP39
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Post by DP39 » Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:57 pm

Quixotic wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:46 pm
A solid 4-man rush can make a lot of things go well. Like, is the arrival of Sutton a product of busting up their OL with 4?
Could be, I like to think it has more to do with having more football IQ in DB area of the field. With Fitz, Sutton and now Norwood in there they raise the IQ quite a bit -- even with Edmunds still being a negative factor. Sutton seemed to be able to trust his eyes and IQ much more this past game as opposed to last year. Having guys you can trust (like Troy had with Ryan) around you can help you tremendously -- especially if you're already a really heady player yourself.

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Post by Quixotic » Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:00 pm

DP39 wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:57 pm
Quixotic wrote:
Tue Sep 14, 2021 8:46 pm
A solid 4-man rush can make a lot of things go well. Like, is the arrival of Sutton a product of busting up their OL with 4?
Could be, I like to think it has more to do with having more football IQ in DB area of the field. With Fitz, Sutton and now Norwood in there they raise the IQ quite a bit -- even with Edmunds still being a negative factor. Sutton seemed to be able to trust his eyes and IQ much more this past game as opposed to last year. Having guys you can trust (like Troy had with Ryan) around you can help you tremendously -- especially if you're already a really heady player yourself.
Maybe. Fitz single-handedly raised the performance when he arrived. Dude is off-the-chart football smart. I read an analysis that indicated that he immediately improved everyone’s play, just by being so smart about reading tells. Very hard to fool him twice. So, teams would try something early, have it work, then put it in their pocket for later. When they tried it later, Fitz would read it and either get the pick, defense the pass, or just mess up the route, so it was a harmless incomplete. This guy pointed out about a dozen examples of this in Fitz’s first year.

Still, a strong rush (even without sacks) with seven back certainly makes the DB jobs easier. Sutton looked all pro on Sunday. Maybe a light came on.

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Stallworth16
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Post by Stallworth16 » Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:55 pm

Having the best front four in the league with a killer third Edge in Ingram is going to be a difference maker all season.

The blitz is not needed but the blitz packages are still there. And with nobody expecting the blitz it can still be deployed at anytime, for a surprise twist.

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Post by Stosh-67 » Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:53 pm

Key to rushing only 4 and dropping 7, again goes back to limiting the snap counts, and a good rotation.

Those Giants teams that beat the Pats, always had a good rotation, especially the Dline.

Cam, Tuit and Tyson need to stay in the 55-65% range....which means Davis, Buggs and Wormley need to get 15-20-25 snaps.
This is also achieved by brining in packages most of the time; only two down linemen often, helps the Dline rotation.

A good Watt, Ingram and Highsmith rotation.
And as much of a bull Ingram was on Sunday, he is 32, had some injureis the last two years, hence,
He needs to see the fewest snaps of the three.

Getting that 4th OLB a handful of snaps, Jamir Jones. We are talking 3-4-6 snaps a game, early on,
saving the trio a few snaps for 4th quarter.

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