SB Nation Pittsburgh - Patriots Vs. Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger Wins AFC Offensive Player Of The Weekhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-11-03T14:09:09-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22782232011-11-03T14:09:09-04:002011-11-03T14:09:09-04:00Ryan Clark Fined: NFL Docks Steelers Safety $10,000 For Rob Gronkowski Hit
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<p>The NFL has fined Steelers safety <span>Ryan Clark</span> $10,000 for a late, helmet-to-helmet hit he put on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> tight end <span>Rob Gronkowski</span> last Sunday, Oct. 30. Pittsburgh won, 25-17, and claimed the AFC North lead. As Behind the Steel Curtain <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/11/3/2535675/ryan-clark-fined-nothing-for-chris-kemoeatu" target="blank">points out</a>, the fine brings Pittsburgh's total for the season to an astounding $142,500 through eight games.</p>
<p>The news isn't all bad for Pittsburgh, however. Offensive lineman <span>Chris Kemoeatu</span> did not receive a fine for the illegal hands to the face penalty he drew against the Patriots. BtSC's Neal Coolong takes issue with the NFL's inconsistent enforcement of fines when it pertains to personal fouls, as in Kemoeatu's case. Coolong explains:</p>
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<p>It seems strange a hands-to-the-face penalty - which carries with it a charge of 15 yards in the game - merits a post-game fine as well. However, if it merited a $10,000 fine in Week 7, why isn't the same player called for it in Week 7 fined for doing it again in Week 8?</p>
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<p>The NFL is as big a headache for its fans as it is for its players. Fortunately, the fans don't have to pay the fines as well.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/11/3/2535777/ryan-clark-fine-nfl-hit-rob-gronkowskiEvan Dunlap2011-11-03T10:08:58-04:002011-11-03T10:08:58-04:00LaMarr Woodley Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Month
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<p>LaMarr Woodley didn't make it all the way through the Steelers last game against the Patriots, but he did enough during the month of October to earn the AFC Defensive Player of the Month award, <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_765354.html">according to Scott Brown of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</a>.</p>
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<p>Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Month after recording 7.5 sacks in October. Woodley became the first player in Steelers history to register multiple sacks in four consecutive games. The fifth-year veteran also had 25 tackles and an interception in helping the Steelers to a 4-1 record in October.</p>
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<p>Woodley started off the season somewhat slowly, but he really came on in October to show why he was given that big contract extension with the team earlier this year. Unfortunately, he injured his hamstring in that game against the Patriots and will be out this week against the Baltimore Ravens, at the very least.</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/11/3/2535174/lamarr-woodley-afc-defensive-player-of-the-monthJordan Ruby2011-11-02T10:05:54-04:002011-11-02T10:05:54-04:00Ben Roethlisberger Awarded AFC Offensive Player Of The Week
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<p>Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2011/11/2/2532490/Ben-Roethlisberger-AFC-player-of-the-week-8-2011">awarded</a> the <span class="caps">AFC</span> Offensive Player Of The Week for his performance in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. It is the second time this year Roethlisberger has received the award.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger’s strong game was one of many he’s had recently.</p>
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<p>Roethlisberger has 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in his past four games – all wins – as the Steelers currently have the best record in the <span class="caps">AFC</span> (6-2) after a questionable 2-2 start.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger has been the catalyst of the resurgence. With injuries stacking up on the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers offense has become more of a formidable unit than it started off, and has put together some impressive performances.</p>
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<p>Roethlisberger threw for 365 yards against the Patriots, with two touchdowns and one interception. Four players – Heath Miller, Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown – had at least 67 yards receiving.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/11/2/2532589/ben-roethlisberger-afc-offensive-player-of-the-week-steelersCharlie Wilmoth2011-11-01T13:23:48-04:002011-11-01T13:23:48-04:00LaMarr Woodley Injury: 'Don't Count Me Out Yet,' Says Steelers Linebacker
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> linebacker <span>LaMarr Woodley</span>, who sacked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> quarterback <span>Tom Brady</span> twice Sunday afternoon in the Steelers' 25-17 victory, is suffering from a hamstring injury which may keep him out of action until after the team's bye week, which is Nov. 20. But Woodley is confident he'll be able to return soon.</p>
<p>Tuesday afternoon, the five-year veteran posted a video message on Tout. "Everybody counting me out," Woodley said, lying on a table in the Steelers' training room. "Don't count me out yet. Big game on Sunday." The video is embedded below:</p>
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<p>Pittsburgh will face the AFC North rival <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> this Sunday, Nov. 6, in a battle for division supremacy. At 6-2, the Steelers have a slight edge on the 5-2 Ravens for the AFC North lead, but that'd change if they were to lose.</p>
<p>Woodley has started each of Pittsburgh's eight games this season. He's tallied nine sacks, which ranks him No. 3 in the NFL.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/11/1/2530347/lamarr-woodley-injury-update-hamstring-tout-videoEvan Dunlap2011-11-01T09:04:50-04:002011-11-01T09:04:50-04:00Steelers Vs. Patriots: LaMarr Woodley May Be Out 'A While' With Hamstring Injury
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<p>LaMarr Woodley was in the middle of terrorizing the Patriots on Sunday when he had to leave the game with what appeared to be a pretty serious injury. With one of their pass-rushing bookends (James Harrison) already out of the lineup, Woodley's presence is so important for the team moving forward. Unfortunately, it looks like Woodley may miss an extended period of time with a hamstring injury.</p>
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<p><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/gerrydulac"><img src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1587494293/image_normal.jpg"></a><b><a href="http://twitter.com/gerrydulac">@gerrydulac</a></b><br>Gerry Dulac</span></span> LaMarr Woodley's hamstring injury is "not good," team source says. Could be out a while. <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23steelers">#steelers</a><br><span class="embedly_timestamp"><a title="Tue Nov 01 12:45:03 +0000 2011" href="http://twitter.com/gerrydulac/status/131351044075696130">Nov 01</a> via <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/download/iphone" rel="nofollow">Twitter for iPhone</a></span><span class="tweet-actions"><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=131351044075696130" class="favorite-action" title="Favorite"><span><b>Favorite</b></span></a><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=131351044075696130" class="retweet-action" title="Retweet"><span><b>Retweet</b></span></a><a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=131351044075696130" class="reply-action" title="Reply"><span><b>Reply<br></b></span></a></span></p>
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<p>After starting off the season kind of slow, Woodley was starting to live up to his contract and dominate opponents on a regular basis. His absence is going to be very problematic for the Steelers defense going forward.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/11/1/2529428/steelers-vs-patriots-lamarr-woodley-injury-hamstringJordan Ruby2011-10-31T17:08:14-04:002011-10-31T17:08:14-04:00Steelers Injury Update: James Farrior Could Miss Next Month With Calf Injury
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<p>Steeler Nation is rightfully euphoric today following the Steelers 25-17 win over the hated New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon. The Steelers finally figured out how to slow down Tom Brady and the Pats’ offense, and Ben Roethlisberger & Co. had their way with New England’s for the better part of 60 minutes in route to their fourth consecutive win.</p>
<p>Not all is joyous though in Steeler Country. On Monday, Ed Bouchette reported that LaMarr Woodley might miss the Steelers’ Week 9 rematch with the Baltimore Ravens and that J<a href="http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/112896-ed-woodley-likely-out-but-harrison-may-return" target="new">ames Farrior could miss up to a month</a> recovering from a torn calf muscle that sidelined him on Sunday. As Bouchette notes, if James Harrison is not ready to return for the Ravens game, the Steelers starting quartet of linebackers would look nothing like what it did in Week 1 to start the season:</p>
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<p>Introducing your possible starting group of linebackers vs. Baltimore next Sunday night, from left to right: Chris Carter, Stevenson Sylvester, Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons. Not one of them either in the lineup or in the position they were supposed to be in the lineup.</p>
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<p>For more Steelers news and analysis, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com">Behind the Steel Curtain</a>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/31/2527955/steelers-injury-update-james-farrior-calf-lamarr-woodley-hamstringMichael Bean2011-10-31T12:41:53-04:002011-10-31T12:41:53-04:00Patriots Vs. Steelers: Offensive Linemen Pittsburgh's Unsung Heroes In Huge Victory Over New England
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<p>Despite allowing five sacks, the Steelers offensive line put together perhaps its best game of the season.</p> <p>In the wake of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>' <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/25/2514182/steelers-vs-patriots-ben-roethlisberger-tom-brady">dominant 25-17 victory</a> over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, we've already discussed quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger's</span> <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/31/2526153/patriots-vs-steelers-score-antonio-brown-emmanuel-sanders-mike-wallace-roethlisberger-heath-miller">share-the-wealth approach</a> to dissecting the New England defense, as well as Pittsburgh's <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/31/2525360/patriots-vs-steelers-score-tom-brady-lamarr-woodley-wes-welker-aaron-hernandez">long-overdue switch to man coverage</a>—a tactic that flustered <span>Tom Brady</span>, <span>Wes Welker</span>, and the rest of the Patriots passing attack.</p>
<p>But now it's time to sing the praises of Pittsburgh's offensive line, an oft-maligned unit that I called <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/2/2464367/steelers-vs-texans-score-ben-roethlisberger-rashard-mendenhall-mario-williams">the worst in football</a> just a few weeks ago. I still stand by that diagnosis, and I definitely expect Pittsburgh to spend a first- or second-round pick on some kind of offensive lineman in next year's draft—but the Steelers have really coached this unit up and managed to post some respectable offensive numbers, in spite of their marginal talent up front.</p>
<p>The Patriots tilt was the first game this season where the unit started the same five guys up front as the previous week, which obviously speaks to the rash of injuries that has plagued the offensive line. If you look at the box score, you'll see the five New England sacks and assume that the Pittsburgh blockers had a pretty average game by their standards—that is, a bad one.</p>
<p>But the pass protection Roethlisberger enjoyed was actually pretty incredible the whole game. New England has been lacking an intimidating pass rush for a few seasons now (and that weakness has perhaps been exacerbated by their switch to a 4-3 scheme), but for the most part, Roethlisberger had clean, crisp pockets to step up into, despite getting dropped a handful of times. Most of these sacks were a result of him holding onto longer than any quarterback should. (That's not a knock on Roethlisberger, who played out of his mind yesterday; he was just doing what he always does, for better or for worse.)</p>
<p>So give credit to the quarterback and the pass-catchers who shredded their opposition, as well as the defense that held Brady to under 200 yards, which essentially never happens.</p>
<p>But remember that Pittsburgh's game plan of basically out-Patriotsing the Patriots—controlling the clock with short timing routes from multiple-receiver sets and posting a 5:2 pass-to-run ratio—was only possible because the big boys up front were up to the task of keeping Roethlisberger upright and looking downfield.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/31/2527107/patriots-vs-steelers-score-ben-roethlisberger-tom-brady-wes-welkeritaintmeeverifso2011-10-31T00:08:52-04:002011-10-31T00:08:52-04:00Patriots Vs. Steelers: Pittsburgh Defense Finally Outsmarts Tom Brady
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<p>Tight man coverage is the kryptonite to Tom Brady's Superman.</p> <p>For nearly a decade, New England quarterback <span>Tom Brady</span> has owned the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> so thoroughly that you might mistake him for a Rooney. In countless matchups, the three-time Super Bowl winner has made swiss cheese out of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone blitz scheme, finding open men sitting in holes in coverage and avoiding the PIttsburgh pass rush by getting the ball out early.</p>
<p>But this Sunday, LeBeau finally beat Tom Brady. The centurion defensive guru made the switch to man coverage, opting to play Brady's receivers tight and disrupt their timing at the line of scrimmage, particularly on short routes. (After all, tight end <span>Aaron Hernandez</span> is probably the closet thing New England has to a true deep threat.) </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> used this strategy effectively last season, as did the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a> in their Super Bowl upset over Brady and company. Honestly, it's shocking that it took LeBeau this long to catch on, when you think about it. Pittsburgh's coverage people limited Brady to a minuscule 5.7 yards per attempt and bottled up the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Patriots</a>' aerial weapons, most notably <span>Wes Welker</span>, who was on pace to set an NFL record for receiving, averaging more than 130 yards per game going into Sunday's game, but managed just six receptions for 39 yards.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh's defensive coaching staff and players should hold their heads high and remember what worked this Sunday. Despite <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-around-the-league/09000d5d8237a969/Can-Brady-do-it-again">Brady's (alleged) arrogance (video)</a> when it comes to lining up against the Steelers defense, he's a mere mortal, just like the rest of us. Line up in man coverage, hit him a few times—thanks, <span>LaMarr Woodley</span>!—and you can beat Brady.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/10/31/2525360/patriots-vs-steelers-score-tom-brady-lamarr-woodley-wes-welker-aaron-hernandezitaintmeeverifso