Grading The O-Line: Simmons Is Struggling

Each 1 week I go back again and rewatch the Steelers game to have a visual element at which offensive linemen starred and who left Willie Parker and Ben Roethlisberger on their back. You can see the reviews from throughout the time period here.

Quick Summary
If you watched the game, you know this one wasn't pretty. The Broncos brought safeties up to make an effort to force the Steelers to throw to beat them. Pittsburgh was in a placement to acquire some yardage by method of the air, however the Broncos were also in a placement to acquire an enormous amount of pressure. the majority of the Steelers problems arrived up the middle, though Marvel Smith also experienced his worst game of the twelve weeks as Elvis Dumervil proved as well fast for him at times. But Ben Roethlisberger also caused some problems by his tendency to sustain on toward the ball for as well prolonged while looking for an enormous play. a few of the plays that looked like bad blocking were really a situation of Roethlisberger holding onto the ball for 4 seconds or more.
Sacks
The Steelers gave up 4 sacks on Sunday, which equalled their worst standard performance of the season. There is recognised getting a worrisome tendency developing. Pittsburgh permitted 4 sacks in the earliest 3 game titles of the season, but 11 sacks during the past 3 games. between the sacks could possibly be blamed on wonderful protection and Ben Roethlisberger's choice to sustain on toward the ball. Kendall Simmons' dude obtained 100 % free for the sack, but thinking about that that was a complete 4 seconds perfect after the snap, it's difficult to blame him for that sack. Simmons experienced one more sack that he obviously deserved as Alvin McKinley slipped within him to wrap up Roethlisberger. one more sack arrived when Dumervil split between Marvel Smith and Alan Faneca, it's difficult to know if Smith was designed to hand Dumervil away to Faneca or not, so with no understanding the assignments for sure, I counted it getting a half sack for every individual of them. Dumervil also beat Smith over a price rush for just about any sack. So the last totals from Sunday are Marvel Smith (1 1/2 sacks), Simmons (1 sack), coverage/Ben (1 sack) and Faneca (1/2 sack).

Under Pressure
The sacks weren't the worst trouble for the Steelers linemen as Roethlisberger's escapability kept the Broncos from picking up 3 or 4 extra sacks. furthermore toward the 4 sacks, Roethlisberger was pressured/hurried on nine of his 35 attempts. Simmons was obviously the greatest trouble as he was charged with providing up 4 pressures furthermore toward the sack he allowed. Simmons problems revolved around his inability to consistently lock up his man. on the snap, Sam Adams and Alvin McKinley would use their arms to battle away Simmons attempts to grab and sustain on (legally). By preserving Simmons from obtaining a superb grip, the defensive tackle would then grab Simmons and use his arms to rip 100 % free by sliding to Simmons' inside. within of half a 2nd they will be considered a step past Simmons and on their way toward the quarterback. Even when Simmons do get his arms on his man, he struggled with leverage--on Roethlisberger's 2nd interception Simmons lost his center of harmony and was driven straight back again into Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger was unable to step into his throw as a final result of the actuality of the pressure, which aided lead to an inaccurate throw that was picked off. No Steelers lineman was blameless as every individual other linemen gave up one hurry while Matt Spaeth, who is occasionally overmatched on blocking assignments, also gave up a hurry.

On The Run
There is recognised getting a entire large amount of issues about why the Steelers didn't run more, however the reality is that the Steelers run game struggled for just about any great deal of the day. Simmons also experienced trouble on his run assignments, however the Broncos also made the Steelers duty extra challenging by bringing up defensive backs to merely provide extra men compared to Steelers could block. The rushing assault was extremely an awesome deal a mixture of huge plays and terrible plays. Parker experienced 3 carries of 15 yards or extra (with runs of 15, 24 and 27 yards), but he experienced only 27 yards on his other 18 carries and he was stuffed for one yard or much less on extra than half (11) of his carries.