The Raven most feared by Steelers’ Defense

I wonder if you caught the sound byte from Mike Tomlin’s press conference in Pittsburgh yesterday when he was aked, “Who on the Ravens offense gives you the greatest problem to defend?” in preparation for Saturday’s big AFC North showdown at Heinz Field.

I was amazed at Tomlin’s answer, and his candor in answering the question.  Usually a head coach will say, “I can’t really address that…” or “everyone on the Ravens offense must be accounted for…” or a similarly neutral, noncommittal response.

But Tomlin dove right in, and his answer may surprise you. Joe Flacco? Ray Rice? Anquan Boldin? Derrick Mason?

No, Tomlin said, the guy that concerns him most is tight end Todd Heap…

Veteran Todd Heap, 6-5, 250, 10th year out of Arizona State, and with 10 catches for over 100 yards last week against the Chiefs, is the guy Mike Tomlin says represents the greatest offensive challenge for the Steelers.

That’s an astounding compliment by the Steelers organization on behalf of Heap (unless Tomlin is engaging in some gamesmanship to misdirect the Ravens game plan—which I doubt, since Tomlin is usually a straight shooter with his comments to the press.) Apparently Heap’s underneath routes and his downfield blocking create some tough matchup problems for Steelers personnel.

The Steelers have had some trouble defending tight ends, since their system is built more around the pass rush and run-stop, and their strong safety, Troy Polamalu, plays such a hybrid role— part defensive back, part linebacker, part pass rusher— that it would upset the Steelers overall defensive system if he were assigned solely to spy on Heap.

Heap will be used as a quick outlet for Joe Flacco to nullify the Steelers pass rush, and together they will look to turn short completions into long gains.
Polamalu and 4th-year linebacker Lawrence Timmons will probably have to take turns defending against Heap’s receiving threat. They are the most athletic defenders for the Steelers and will need their combined closing speed and physical tackling technique to prevent big gains by Heap. Probably the most complete linebacker (pass coverage, pass rush, stopping the run) on the Steelers unit is big LaMar Woodley (6-2, 265, 4th year, Michigan)…but to assign Woodley to Heap would disrupt everything else the Steelers are trying to do to keep Flacco and Ray Rice in check.

And, as Tomlin pointed out in his press conference remarks, Heap gives the Ravens offense an extra dimension when he splits out wide. That’s the “X-factor”  threat of Todd Heap— he can run a deep route and absolutely confound a defensive secondary coverage when a game is on the line.  At Heap’s size and age, and with the pounding he takes after a typical 10-yard reception, and knowing the history of back problems and neck “stingers” he has endured, it is an amazing sight to experience when Heap takes off on one of those patented “Galloping Ghost”  sideline patterns…and  breaks a game wide open.

Does Tomlin have something special in store for Heap this time around? I think the Ravens feel Tomlin will throw some different formation looks at Joe Flacco in order to influence Joe to check away from Heap’s side of the line, maybe overload Heap’s side, forcing Joe to go more to Ray Rice on those short out patterns and screens.  I think the Steelers feel more comfortable in their ability to swarm to Ray Rice on the side than their ability to stop Heap in the middle or on crossing routes.

But as long as Heap’s back and legs hold up, sooner or later in a close game, the Steelers will have to account for Heap as a receiver with more of a man-to-man coverage commitment.  And that’s when things could open up for Flacco’s other receivers downfield.  If you give Flacco enough time and protection, Joe will eventually find the other guy that’s open because Heap took away some extra coverage. That’s the Heap factor…a team-play concept that even the Steelers are compelled to admire.

Other big matchups in this game:
Ravens OT Michael Oher vs. Steelers OLB James Harrison: Despite playing left tackle for the first time in hіѕ NFL career, Oher has fared reasonably well, and continues to get better. Oher is hυgе, strong and qυісk…but a little banged up. Hіѕ first step needs to be explosive, and he will need that quickness against Harrison, who is always a potential sack waiting to happen. Harrison is qυісk but commanding, and can change direction quickly. Hе′ll give Oher problems. Edge: Steelers.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Steelers SS Troy Polamalu: Flacco has struggled against the Steelers, especially when they play two-deep coverage. Thе key to beating Pittsburgh’s defense is locating and accounting for Polamalu before the snap. Thе problem, though, is that Polamalu could line up anywhere. Hе could be on the left or on the rіght. Hе could be 20 yards off the line of scrimmage, in the box or at the line of scrimmage.  Edge: Steelers.

Ravens DTs Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata vs. Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey: Pouncey is a rookie from Florida and has handled the starting job well. Bυt he’s going to be pounded and stunted by two athletic tackles in Ngata and Gregg, who are coming off a huge outing last week. If the Ravens can control Pouncey, they will control the Steelers running game from tackle to tackle, and that will hυrt Pittsburgh’s chances of winning significantly. Edge: Ravens.

More matchup previews to come before gameday…