The NFL’s worst nightmare is now coming to fruition.
When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell punished the New England Patriots early in the 2007 season for spying with video cameras on the New York Jets during the opening game of the regular season, he hoped the problem would go away.
It hasn’t.
In fact, it’s growing exponentially.
Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Friday that Goodell confirmed to him during a special meeting about the Patriots’ spying that the team filmed coaches of the Pittsburgh Steelers on four occasions, presumable using those stolen signals against them. Included in those instances are two AFC Championship games.
The Patriots upset the Steelers in the AFC Championship in 2001 and again in 2004 en route to two of the three Super Bowl victories they’ve had this decade.
“I think Steelers fans have a lot to be concerned about this and I'm one of them,” Specter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, adding that “maybe Steelers ownership should think about it a little.”
They should, but even if the Steelers’ ownership is privately outraged by this, they won’t take it public.
The Rooney family, if anything, has shown great loyalty to the NFL over and over again throughout the years. Dan Rooney is not Al Davis, to be sure.
Rooney realizes that a scandal involving the integrity of the league such as this can serve no purpose other than to give the league – and by extension, the Steelers – a black eye.
And the rest of the ownership in the league knows it as well. That’s why there wasn’t a greater outcry when the “Spygate” story originally broke, at least not from the powers that be in the NFL.
The NFL doesn’t want this scandal to turn into what steroids and performance-enhancing drugs have been to Major League Baseball. The league doesn’t want its owners and coaches hauled in front of a grand jury to air its dirty laundry.
So go ahead, be angry that the Steelers, Broncos, Colts – pick a team, the Patriots likely spied on them all – were perhaps cheated out of a championship.
But the NFL owners don’t want this to go any farther and they hold enough pull – for better or worse – with the rest of Specter’s cohorts in the government to likely stop this thing from getting that far.
But much like an entire generation of baseball players are now tainted by the steroid scandal, so too are the Patriots’ championships in the 2000s.
New England fans can scream about it all they want, but nothing the team has done in this decade now matters. They’ll try to call it sour grapes or whining, but nobody’s talking about taking those championships away.
The Patriots won them. They just didn’t do so fair and square.
And the only thing worse than that would be to win the first 18 games of a season and then lose in the Super Bowl. Oh wait, that already happened.
22 comments:
Dan Rooney should show that he has balls - Like Art (Who canned that Cowher loser - pity 8 seasons too late) And investigate this further.
We were robbed in at least 1 AFCC title game it seems.
Dan seems to care more about his image in the NFL than wanting a 'super power' Steelers football team.
Get tough Dan - or piss off and let Art take over.
Art is ruthless - Dan Rooney's title as 'head honcho' has been poor in winning Superbowls.
A somewhat lucky win, and having a coach who still can't win the big one. Big Ben and the players won in spite of Cowher - Cowher to me is still a loser and always will be. Tell me how a coach who has sole rights on 3-4 OLBS (DE's) for a decade can't win a superbowl. Running with 11 men in the box don't work in playoffs. Thanks Bettis! (most overrated Steeler ever - is fat Jerome)
Hopefully Art cans people's asses quickly if they aren't performing. Coaches and players alike.
You listening Larry Foote and Brett Keisel. Both are poor in stopping the run.
Keisel in a turnstile at RDE He ain't no 2 gapper; and Foote talks too much. Timmons is quicker and has more cunte than Foote.
Dan Rooney and Cowher will go down in Steeler folklore as LOSERS. Dick Lebeau is becoming one of the 2 aforementioned losers. 1 more year dick and its Tomlin's team outright.
Lebeau has 1 SB victory in 50 yrs playing and coaching. It says alot that stat. A leader and innovative player / coach should have at least 6 in that time frame, even if the side he represents is poor in certain areas.
I am on to Dick Lebeau and his 'overrated' defenses.
Throw Slants, sideways, WR screens, Bubble screens and you will always beat Lebeau. His defense is based on a QB throwing the ball downfield - if they don't Dick Lebeau's defense is toast.
From the likes of the NYT article today, it looks like they might be downplaying it because they were involved in the cover-up.
If it turns out to be true that Dan Rooney--the boss of our favorite team--knew from Goodell that the Steelers were being taped multiple times and he advised Goodell to cover it up, who exactly IS on our side as Steeler fans? As Steeler fans that demand that our favorite team's games be played fairly. Not the Rooneys, that's for sure.
Now, if it turns out that Goodell almost fully misled Rooney about the content of the tapes, then that's a different story.
But more and more, I don't see how the latter can be true. The evidence is made public that the Steelers were taped multiple times over the past 6 years, and the Rooneys release a press statement saying "no big deal."
I'll follow the story until all the evidence presents itself, but if at the end of the day it's true that Rooney is so unconcerned about the desire for Steelers fans to have their favorite team compete on an even playing field, and if the other owners in the league are also in cahoots and therefore unconcerned about the desire for their fans to see their favorite teams compete on an even playing field, then I think I may just give up on watching the NFL completely.
keona said... "then I think I may just give up on watching the NFL completely."
From your post I would say that you don't watch the NFL 'completely' now.
What exactly is Dan Rooney supposed to do about this after the fact. Should we get all those players and coaches together again seven or eight years after the fact and replay those games?
Come on.
Rooney could publicly support Specter's investigation, as well as demand stiffer penalties for the Patriots depending on what the investigation uncovers. Of course, he would never do this for the reasons you've outlined above.
There are legions of Steeler fans who are incensed at the thought of the Patriots possibly illegally costing the Steelers victories and/or championships. They would love to see Rooney publicly stick up for his loyal customers instead of protecting his own selfish interests.
But then again, perhaps Rooney is doing what's best for Steeler fans by helping sweep this under the carpet, to ensure that the NFL doesn't go down in flames and take the Steelers with it.
Many of the Steelers said after the 2001 AFC Championship loss that the Patriots defenders were calling out their offensive plays before the snap. This would indicate New England taped the offense, yet the NFL has only acknowledged that the Patriots taped an opposing team's defensive signals. Does this spying go much deeper than the NFL will admit?
And Arlen Specter should be holding hearings how to get out of Iraq rather than wasting time with Spygate.
Dan Rooney should show his balls - not flaps now
Dan Rooney should show that he has balls - Like Art (Who canned that
Cowher loser - pity 8 seasons too late) And investigate this further.
We were robbed in at least 1 AFCC title game it seems.
Dan seems to care more about his image in the NFL than wanting a
'super power' Steelers football team.
Get tough Dan - or piss off and let Art take over.
Art is ruthless - Dan Rooney's title as 'head honcho' has been poor in
winning Superbowls.
A somewhat lucky win, and having a coach who still can't win the big
one. Big Ben and the players won in spite of Cowher - Cowher to me is
still a loser and always will be. Tell me how a coach who has sole
rights on 3-4 OLBS (DE's) for a decade can't win a superbowl. Running
with 11 men in the box don't work in playoffs. Thanks Bettis! (most
overrated Steeler ever - is fat Jerome)
Hopefully Art cans people's asses quickly if they aren't performing.
Coaches and players alike.
You listening Larry Foote and Brett Keisel. Both are poor in stopping the run.
Keisel in a turnstile at RDE He ain't no 2 gapper; and Foote talks too
much. Timmons is quicker and has more cunte than Foote.
Dan Rooney and Cowher will go down in Steeler folklore as LOSERS. Dick
Lebeau is becoming one of the 2 aforementioned losers. 1 more year
dick and its Tomlin's team outright.
Lebeau has 1 SB victory in 50 yrs playing and coaching. It says alot
that stat. A leader and innovative player / coach should have at least
6 in that time frame, even if the side he represents is poor in
certain areas.
I am on to Dick Lebeau and his 'overrated' defenses.
Throw Slants, sideways, WR screens, Bubble screens and you will always
beat Lebeau. His defense is based on a QB throwing the ball downfield
- if they don't Dick Lebeau's defense is toast.
From the likes of the NYT article today, it looks like they might be
downplaying it because they were involved in the cover-up.
If it turns out to be true that Dan Rooney--the boss of our favorite
team--knew from Goodell that the Steelers were being taped multiple
times and he advised Goodell to cover it up, who exactly IS on our
side as Steeler fans? As Steeler fans that demand that our favorite
team's games be played fairly. Not the Rooneys, that's for sure.
Now, if it turns out that Goodell almost fully misled Rooney about the
content of the tapes, then that's a different story.
But more and more, I don't see how the latter can be true. The
evidence is made public that the Steelers were taped multiple times
over the past 6 years, and the Rooneys release a press statement
saying "no big deal."
I'll follow the story until all the evidence presents itself, but if
at the end of the day it's true that Rooney is so unconcerned about
the desire for Steelers fans to have their favorite team compete on an
even playing field, and if the other owners in the league are also in
cahoots and therefore unconcerned about the desire for their fans to
see their favorite teams compete on an even playing field, then I
think I may just give up on watching the NFL completely.
It is not that I dislike Lebeau, Cowher, Bettis,
It is not that I dislike Lebeau and Cowher but they have not produced results. Cowher / Lebeau (Here and at Bungals) have had the sole rights to 3-4 OLB's (DE's) for about 8 yrs. 1 Title.
Lebeau cannot beat a spread offense. FACT. Lebeau beats teams QB's who throw vertically, a QB who throws sideways, and backwards he cannot stop.
He couldn't beat Montana and now Brady as these QB's do not throw 'vertically'.
Cowher coached in a division which stunk for years, and a conference that also was putrid. 1 Superbowl. Loser.
How people can rationalise losing 4 AFCC at home is delusional.
Bettis nearly gave the game away vs Colts in 05 which summed up his career. Thanks Ben. Against cheats in another AFCC at home (Thanks loser Bill and Jerome) 11 carries 4 yards. A big time player is Bettis. Yeah. Loser. Bettis / Lebeau / Cowher / Dan Rooney = Losers of the highest standard possible.
It can be said Tomlin's 1 ring for the Buccs = Lebeau's career already - from the standpoint of Rings. Lebeau was a specialist coach for years as Tomlin had been.
This franchise and its 3-4 Defense needs urgent help, if you read my other diary entries I know how to build teams. For 3-4 or 4-3 defenses. And yes I have been a scout and have coached at a high level.
The 3-4 in PITTSburgh has produced 1 'lucky' Ring. Hasselback had no trouble in dissecting it; and if Roeth does not run it (he didn't get in) on 3rd down = 3 points. If Hope had not got that call in the endzone (no foul on that play) = 11 saved points for the Seahawks.
We won by 10. 11-10 = 1.
Steelers lose to Seattle in the Superbowl by 1 point. You get it?
In a 3-4 defense you need excellent corners - as most 3-4 teams are exclusively 'cover 3'. Antoine Cason (read my mock draft diary for improvement)
Cowher and Lebeau's (himself a CB) inability to find CB's who can play Zone has stopped us from winning more SB's.
Cowher's inability to find a QB in his early years sum up his coaching standpoint. Trade up and get one. You give up 1,2,3,4 picks to get a future franchise QB don't you?
The thing that somes up Cowher was He did not want Big Ben. He wanted Phillip Rivers (Terrible throwing action no power) and Dante Hall or Shaun Andrews as the pick 11 in Ben's draft year.
Cowher will never understand how to win big games, as well as QB play (Players won in spite of him in 05) and Lebeau and Cowher respectively will not understand how to draft Corner's who play well in Lebeau's (Stop vertical attack only) defense.
If you are climbing the ladder in your workplace, will an employer give you 16 yrs (in Cowher's tenure) and (50 in Lebeau's tenure as coach player) to reach the pinnacle of your profession.
If they do let me know where you work!
As for Arians
Yeah Ben has his best year, feels free calls plays Arians is terrible. (Looking up on last poster - eyes).
Arians plays more of the spread offense - Yes he may dislike running like some other 'losing' coaches over the years but he has 'nutured Manning and is on with Big Ben'.
Arians was a Northcutt (drop - he never drops balls - bullshit) from beating us with the Browns - the lowly Browns at this point.
Holcombe threw for 400 yds on a 'slice and dice - spread the Steelers out scheme on offense.
Tomlin, Arians are the two best coaches we have.
Arians will be successful here if Ben learns to throw the ball away, and stop holding the ball for sooooooooooo long.
Big Ben thinks he has 10 seconds to throw on some plays, Ben; quick release hit the open man.
Big Ben and not Arians 'Offense' cost us a rematch (where I fancied us very much) against the Pats in the 2nd week of the playoffs.
If people on here think Ben did not 'lose' that game for us - I am afraid you (ain't got no idea) about Football.
The NFL is easy.
On offense if the opponent is 3-4 you pass spread em out.
On offense if the opponent is 4-3 you run
On Offense if your opponent is 46 - spread em out pass Delayed runs.
On Defense if your opponent is a pass team - 4-3 /4-3 cover 2
On Defense if your opponent is a run happy team - 3-4.
Easy ain't it?
Some old articles I have written. Schemes mostly!
Taylor, Cason, BMAC, Gay, Pol, Smith, Clark sounds good doesn't it.
Cason is a ballhawk. He actually catches the ball - and if given space = 6.
The NFL is now a passing league. If you don't stop the pass you are finished.
Think about the first JAGS game. They had 39 mins of possession. 250 yds on the ground and won by 7.
Brady has 50 pass attempts throws for 400 yds we get smashed.
You need to stop the pass more than the run in todays NFL. Cowher never really understood that.
I like the 3-3-5 defense. On running downs
LDE = Smith
RDE = Hoke
NT = Hampton
ROLB Foote
MLB = Farrior
LOLB = Harrison
On passing downs:
LDE = Woodley
RDE = Keisel
NT / DT = Smith / McBean
ROLB Timmons
MLB Farrior
LOLB Harrison
The 3 corners will be Ike, Cason (hopefully) and BMAC / Deshea.
Mix and match personnel for different schemes opposition use.
The 3-3-5 can stop the run. Using different personnel.
You can bring POL up to the line of scrimmage or play him deep. You can play him as an OLB near the line of scrimmage.
Hopefully Tomlebeau creats this packages - as all our CB's can tackle - it is very effective.
Another Defense??
Tomlin and Lebeau should play cover 2 and blitz 5 guys everydown with 2 deep. What 5 and what 2 play deep?
Tomlin's 3-4 zoneblitz cover 2
Cover 3 is used when you have 4 wideouts who can play deep. Cover 3 is used when you score points.
When you play cover 3 at the start of games there is 1 player free for Brady to complete short passes. Make Brady beat you deep / with Maroney.
4 wides = cover 3
3 and less = cover 2.
Tomlin has improved our Corners - especially Ike Taylor + all defense formations especially their abilities in a 3-4 defense.
Watching the Jags game again (doh) Ike Taylor has improved. I think he is a top (5) corner in the league. Great bump and run corner now.
Tomlin will assist our charge as in a 3-4 you need great corners. He has one. Imagine a Revis too. (Doh).
I hope BMAC can play bump and run too. If he can play like Taylor we are set here.
Draft: RDE (3-4 D) Keisel is not strong enough - he fell down on Garrayd's run on 4th down. Not strong enough.
Big WR on the left side.
Oline LT and C.
We are not far away.
Hampton is our only Dlineman who plays 2 gap, even though Hampton probably plays 1 gap more than 50% of the time + Our Ends in a 1 gap means:
That We are playing the 3-4 like a 4-3 with all of our Dlineman playing 1 gap. Tomlin like Wade Phillips / Ted Cottrell play a 1 gap 3-4 defense where the ends penetrate more.
Keisel and Smith had poor seasons - really - when they had a right to get after the quarterback and got no sacks really.
The only teams who play a true 3-4 2 gap front are the JETS and Patriots.
As the Pats have huge D lineman they can play the 2 gap front:
The Jets should play a 1 gap 3-4 with their roster.
Keisel is not strong enough to shed one blocker - comparing him to a 2 gap 3-4 End is stupid.
Tomlin plays the 3-4 1 gap scheme. It is like a 4-3 really. With only Hampton not being a 1 gapper all the time. Even then Hampton has the scheme called for him to rush the quarterback more than 50% of the time.
Keisel and and our back up ends are putrid - considering that they had the chance under Tomlin to get after the quarterback in our 3-4 base 1 gap scheme.
Hence the ' quote' we need big quick men' on Lines from Tomlin in his last presser. = DE's will be different here next year.
Tomlin plays the 3-4 like a 4-3 where Hampton only plays the 2 gap / and even then Hampton tries to get after the quarterback as well.
In Chuck Noll's first draft as the Steelers' coach, the team picked Joe Greene on the first round. Greene was the foundation for the program Noll built to turn the Steelers from lovable losers into a team that won four Super Bowls during a six-season span of the 1970s. Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
In Bill Cowher's first draft as the Steelers' coach, the team picked Leon Searcy, Levon Kirkland and Joel Steed on the first day. Searcy replaced Tunch Ilkin as the starting right tackle in his second season; Kirkland played in two Pro Bowls and was a two-time team MVP; and Steed was voted to one Pro Bowl. All three were starters for the team when the Steelers faced Dallas in Super Bowl XXX.
Mike Tomlin's first draft as the Steelers coach starts today. History certainly has set the bar high.
"I do (have some butterflies)," Tomlin admitted about participating in his first NFL Draft as a head coach. "I like that feeling though. I have gotten that feeling a lot of ways, regarding a lot of things the last few months. The draft is one of them. You love those challenges and have to look forward to embracing them."
For a team such as the Steelers that sees the draft as its primary method of acquiring talent, every one is both a challenge and an opportunity. This draft's challenge comes in replenishing a roster that is dangerously thin in more than a couple of areas, with the opportunity being that if the Steelers can add some quality players over the weekend they still have the core of the roster intact that helped them win Super Bowl XL.
The Steelers go into the weekend with nine picks - one in each of the seven rounds plus compensatory choices in the fourth and fifth. That's as many picks as they've had in any of the seven previous drafts under Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert, and making trades down in a round to accumulate even more choices is not out of the question.
The most common spot for trading down is the first round, where the Steelers currently have the 15th overall selection. During Colbert's time here, the Steelers have traded down in the first round once - in 2001 when the team picked Casey Hampton - and traded up twice - in 2003 when the team picked Troy Polamalu and in 2006 when it chose Santonio Holmes.
"We are picking No. 15 as everybody knows," said Colbert. "As we always do, we will call all of the teams and touch base as far as trading up or trading down. It's less likely that we are going to go up from the 15th position, because it is very expensive to get up in that top echelon.
"Trading down could be an option for us. We already have nine draft picks because we picked up an extra fourth and fifth as compensatory picks, but this is probably a good draft where more picks midway through is a good thing because there are a lot of good players who are going to be available in those three, four round areas. That could be interesting to us."
Another point of interest for the Steelers is that it seems as though the bulk of the guys being talked about at the top of the first round play offense, which is good for a team looking for help on defense. The more teams among the top 14 that pick offense give the Steelers a better chance at the top players on defense. Getting the consensus best player at a position, as the Steelers did in 2003 when they chose Polamalu and again in 2005 when they picked tight end Heath Miller, usually is a solid recipe for success.
"If you look back on our draft history, or at least since I have been involved with it," said Colbert, "we have always alternated offense-defense (with the No. 1 pick) until the last three years, when we have picked offense each time. It doesn't mean you will take a defensive player this year, but it does mean that you probably got a little older on defense from a depth standpoint than you would like to be."
The situation Colbert describes seems to be most acute at linebacker and defensive line. At each of those areas, the starters are proven players, but the depth, with the exception of Chris Hoke at nose tackle, is not what it needs to be for a team hoping to make another run at a championship.
"Defensively, I think (the talent) is good at all levels," said Colbert. "I think that's something that is interesting to us because we could use help at any level of our defense -- not necessarily coming in and starting right away, but if we can add depth at any point at any level of our defense, we will be helping our team."
As for the actual process of picking players, things aren't likely to change much. When Commissioner Roger Goodell kicks things off around noon today, the Steelers will have all of the players on their draft board ranked, and they will have gone through a number of mock draft scenarios to prepare themselves for any eventuality.
The Steelers pick is always a consensus, and even though Tomlin is a rookie when it comes to the role he'll be playing this weekend he did prepare himself for this day when he was an assistant coach.
"I received great advice as a young coach. I approached it very similar to how I approach it now," said Tomlin. "As a position coach, I studied everybody in the draft. We had an open door policy in Tampa in terms of the coaches being able to be part of the process whether your position was being discussed or not. I took advantage of that. I am a personnel enthusiast by nature. I think if you want to excel in this business, you better have an interest in personnel. Mentally, I have been through the process before, probably not officially, but it is not unlike what I have done in the past."
And while the cliché of "picking the best player available" was something that began with Noll in 1969, it's still what the Steelers believe in today. They'll be picking players to make their team better, instead of looking for specific guys to fit a particular scheme.
"Talent does defy scheme," said Tomlin. "The great ones, they can play regardless of what the specific Xs and Os are. In today's NFL, the lines are really starting to get a little blurry, specifically when you start talking about the 3-4 versus the 4-3. The issue now is whether it is a one-gap front or a two-gap front. There are some 3-4 teams that are a one-gap front and there are some 3-4 teams that are a two-gap front. The 3-4 teams that are a one-gap front play very similar to the 4-3 teams. It is becoming gray, and I think football players are football players, and guys who can make plays will make plays."
We play more 1 gap now!
Keisel was an absolute disgrace when he was able to get after it compared to playing a 2 gap containment role.
The RESULT yesterday was inspired by THE GHOSTS OF THE LOSER BILL COWHER himself: Why we lost against the Jags in Wildcard round:
It is real simple: DICK LEBEAU AND
Again we started to run the ball when we did not need to. We moved it perfectly down the field on the first drive by passing. When we started to run - we got into 2 and 3rd and longs. Defenses know it is a pass = Int's.
We need an Oline who pass blocks. Simple. 62 / 38 pass to run ratio. It is far too easy to stop the run. We need 3-4 new starters on OLINE. PASS BLOCKERS ONLY.
Lebeau - is overrated. Retire him. We need to employ Rob RYAN - not REX. Rob was the OUTSIDE linebackers coach in 2 of NEW England's SUPERBOWLS.
These players are finished in PITTSburgh:
Haggans, Faneca, Starks, Carter, M. Smith, Keisel, Foote, Farrior, Townsend. All overrated or too old / slow.
Mike Tomlin and Bruce Arians must be given credit. The players left are still 'Loser Bill Cowher' players. Weed em out. Get Tomlin's imprimatur on this side.
Arians has the right idea of how the NFL is moving; the pass. However do not run it for the sake of it. No need. Only gets you in trouble.
When you spread out the opponents Defense - 3 / 4 wides it is much easier for the QB to know who is blitzing.
Mike Tomlin is a winner. I like him - he must be given credit for entering and giving Cowher's staff one last shot. They had it and ruined it. THIS IS NOW SOLELY MIKE TOMLIN'S JOB.
Woodley, Timmons are going to be beauties. Trust me on that.
Poor Sep - The Punter had to actually save the ST's by punting short. THE SPECIAL TEAMS COACH MUST BE FIRED. SPECIAL TEAMS IS NOT HARD. THIS STILL HAD COWHER'S GHOSTS ON IT.
Cowher left Tomlin with no Oline depth and no Dline depth. Football is played in the trenches.
I would seriously think about trading BIG ben.
IF you could get Trent Edwards + 1 and 2 pick for Ben I would do it in a heart beat.
Do not give BIG BEN - BIG MONEY. WASTE. SPEND ON FREE AGENTS AND OLINE IF NECESSARY - NOT BIG BEN.
THE 3-4 IS FINISHED. OUR 3-4 TEAM ARE OLD AND WORN OUT. FOOTE, HAGGANS, FARRIOR, KEISEL ARE APPAULING Carter / Smith.
I am proud of Tomlin and if you give him 'his team' he will excel. If you give Mike 15+ yrs in the Job - he comes home with more than 1 Lombardi trophy.
4-3 Cover 2 is the way to go. YOU NEED TO STOP THE PASS - AND YOU DO IT BY SIMPLY RUSHING 4 PLAYERS. NO MORE NO LESS.
RDE = draft
UT = McBean / keisel / aaron Smith
NT = Hampton / draft
LDE = Woodley / Keisel/
ROLB = Timmons
MLB = draft
LOLB = Harrison
CB 1 = Taylor
CB 2 = BMAC
SS = POL
FS = draft pick. NEED A COVERAGE FS SAFETY / SURE TACKLER. QUICK 4-3 / 4.4 SPEED.
Draft =
RDE (either for 3-4 / 4-3 cover 2)
OL
MLB
FS
OL
UT / DT
WR - BIG.
Must spend coin on OLINE and WR's in FREE AGENCY.
Tomlin, Arians, Oline have copped it. Why not the 'wizard' Lebeau.
He has players falling for playaction when sides don't pass and gameplanning is poor.
In consecutive weeks we have been slaughtered through the air and this week on the ground.
This bloke gets away scot free.
I have been on to this phony for years.
50 years coaching / playing for 1 SB. Says it all really.
Dick Lebeau should be in the Hall of Shame not hall of fame.
Lebeau talks about Hall of Fame snub.
Leblow SHOULD not be with team in 08. He is overrated and useless. He is 72 yrs old, he ** the bed, he pisses his pants and ** his pants in video review - And he often forgets his name, forgets where his clipboard is at times, And finally - forgets where Heinz field is. Often late.
In consecutive weeks and previewing plays to run against Jags and Pats he 'asked Tomlin to tie up his shoes' as he had forgotten how.
Tomlin's response was 'Dick your being a ** - now blow yourself you silly old cunte'.
Lebeau spoke recently with a host of Steeler representatives about his being overlooked in the NFL's hall of Fame.
Dick was actually given the title - but had forgotten how to get to Canton -Ohio. Dick was born there.
I was happy he did not attend:
He should be in the Hall of Shame. To make the HOF you actually have to be half decent.
Dick is useless - like a virgin working in a brothel. Overrated - out of his depth.
ANYONE FOR TAMPA 2 ?... EFEECTIVELY A 4 MAN RUSH BY DLINE AND A COVER 3 BEHIND IT.
FARRIOR TO ALMOST GO AS FAR BACK AS SAFTEIES ON PASS PLAY. COVERING MIDDLE FIELD.
I THINK TOMLIN MUST PLAY HIS TAMPA 2 AGAINST THE Pats** NEXT TIME AROUND...
WOODLEY LDE / HARRISON / KEISEL RDE. TIMMONS ROLB / FOOTE / HAGGANS LOLB. FARRIOR / TIMMONS MLB.
PROBABLY NEED A RDE IN DRAFT TO MAKE IT WORK.
LEBEAU'S 5 MAN BLITZ (ZONE IS USELESS) AGAINST A QUICK THROWER.
AS YOU SEE A 4 MAN RUSH WAS MAINTAINABLE BY OUR D'S LOFTY STANDARDS.
YOU DON'T BEAT THE CHEATS BY RUSHING MORE THAN 4 - YOU REALLY DON'T. ARE YOU LISTENING LE STINK?
TOMLIN COULD CONVERT OUR BASE 3-4 TO TAMPA 2 without subbing
A base 3-4 D has the 2 middle backers on the SAME level as each other...
All you would have to do is place the middle backer (2) just say FOOTE / TIMMONS 3-5 YARDS CLOSER to the safeties. FARRIOR ON OUR RIGHT SIDE STAYS THE SAME.
When he reads / knows it is pass he drops back the the safeties level... (TAMPA 2)
If he reads run / and it is a run (Anthony Smith ) he tackles the ball carrier.
WHY HASN'T TOMLIN AND LEBEAU DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
IT IS IN ESSENCE THE TAMPA 2 DEFENSE - However it would be better against the run.
If the D line plays 2 gap (WHICH WE DO MOST TIMES) and Harrison IS THE BACKER COMING AFTER THE QB Foote / Timmons plays deeper than the normal MLB 2 does in a base 3-4.
It will stop the INTERMEDIATE ball - safeties do not charge until the ball is over the line of scrimmage AND in a back's hand...
ANTHONY SMITH - FALLS FOR PLAYACTION WHEN Pats** RUN IT 8 TIMES... STAY DEEP. SAFETIES WILL STAY DEEP ALL GAME.
AN EASY WAY TO STOP PASSING SIDES... AND YOU HAVE BACKERS AND D / LINE ON THE FIELD SO NO-ONE WILL RUN ON US.
AS THE DLINE'S JOB IS TO TIE UP BLOCKERS ANYWAY THE BACKER WHO BLITZES SHOULD COME BASICALLY FREE.
EASY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WE HAD SUNDAY.
TIMMONS WOULD EXCEL AT THIS SPOT. QUICK / CAN CATCH AND CAN HIT AND STOMP ON BACKS RUNNING THE BALL.
So...
As per normal up front
but MLB'S LINE UP LIKE THIS
Timmons / FOOTE = third level
Farrior. = 2nd level
DLINE. (FIRST LEVEL)
MLB 2 (TIMMONS / FOOTE) 3-5 yards further back of their normal spot at MLB2 (CLOSER TO SAFETIES) FROM FARRIOR.
WITH HAMPTON INSIDE THE RUN UP THE MIDDLE IS AVOIDED ANYWAY.
Simple yet effective.
And oh so easy.
TAMPA 2 MADE EASY. WITHOUT SUBSTITUTING PLAYERS AND THE LIKE... GREAT AGAINST THE NO HUDDLE.
KEY IS TO ONLY RUSH 4 PEOPLE. GENERALLY D / LINE AND ONE BACKER.
ANY ZONE BLITZES (KEIESEL / SMITH) DROPPING IN TO COVERAGE HAS TO HAVE A SIMILAR RESULT. WHERE SOMEONE COVERS THE MIDDLE PART OF THE FIELD A LITTLE MORE THAN USUAL... 6 - 12 YARDS SHOULD DO IT.
Instead of a 25 yard completion it may go for 6-8. BIG DIFFERENCE.
SO IF YOU ARE PLAYING A RUN - ORIENTATED TEAM - BALTILESS - NORMAL 3-4 BASE. MIDDLE BACKERS ON SAME LEVEL.
IF YOU ARE PLAYING COLTS AND Pats** - PASSING TEAMS - DROP THE MLB2 - Foote and Timmons further back - 5-6 yards. It is effectively the Tampa 2 (ending up the same level as safeties) = cover 3.
However with better run stoppers on the field than a normal Tampa 2, SIDES WILL NOT POWER RUN US like you can do to the colts.
The D / line. Keisel / Smith / McBean could rush just a little more. With the knowledge a run will be supported by Timmons - further back. And a pass will have a cover 2, plus Timmons playing that Tampa 2 'Mike' linebacker role. EFFECTIVELY COVER 3 And or covering the Slot reciever / or third wide out - at a deeper level. E.G WELKER.
IT WORKS. AND IT CONFUSES QB'S NO END.
Am I correct in saying... That Samuel is not a cover corner
That Asante Samuel is not a cover corner.
Asante Samuel is completely a system cornerback. His role is to play deep zone on the right hand side of the field.
The * Pats** - effectively have a cover 3 on everyplay.
Samuel - deep zone, the SS and FS all play a 3 deep zone.
If Harrison comes up to stop the run or play on the Tight end then...
Samuel and Hobbs will play deep zone with the free safety (Wilson , Gay). Effectively a cover 3 deep.
If you notice Samuel really does not care if you catch a 6-8 yard pass on him - the system (BELICHEAT) only asks him to play deep zone. YOU OFTEN SEE HIM CHEATING - JUMPING A ROUTE AS HE IS DEEPER THAN THE WIDE OUT HE IS GUARDING and can make a play on the ball.
Surely comebacks, outs and in routes should be played against him.
Am I correct or wrong on this fact.
Why can't Ike Taylor play the same way... he is just as quick, and a 8 yard completion is better than a 40 yarder.
Simple yet effective.
Why don't sides play 3 WR'S ON THE RIGHT AND MAKE SAMUEL HARRISON AND THE LOLB ACCOUNTABLE.
Obviously the way the Pats** defend, they cover deep and the sidelines.
THE MIDDLE IS ENTIRELY OPEN.
MILLER AND SPAETH SHOULD HAVE SHREDDED THEM - IF THEY WERE THROWN THE BALL LAST SUNDAY.
Bookmark this post. Lawrence Timmons will be the best backer
If lined up like this he will be the greatest sack leader of all time.
FS deep. Clark / Smith gets wr3.
Pol = wr 4 (lined up with backers 2nd level. With 1st middle linbacker.
Foote = 5th wr = back. 3rd level just behind 2nd level a little more to his right.
Bmac= 2 Wr.
Ike = wr 1.
Timmons, Woodley, Smith, Haggans, Hampton, Farrior / Foote blitz everydown. Timmons plays just a little wider at ROLB. If a TE is not moved there it is SMITH and Timmons VS LT.
The Corners play 7-8 yards of wide recievers.
You get 7-8 sacks everygame. The quarterback is taken out everygame.
It is the Steelers equivalent of the chuck and duck. But as we have Hampton and Farrior inside no-one runs inisde. As the CB's are 7-8 yards off WR's they stop the outside runs. As Timmons is wider at ROLB no side runs to the left of the line. Accordingly Foote Farrior Woodley and Haggans can line up a little wider in their positions to stop the run to the right.
A great Defense. If the quarterback does get a long one off it gives you time to Carson him = out of the game for good.
Can I be Defensive coordinator. You know you love it.
This is how to get Woodley and Timmons more gametime
On first Down:
RDE - Woodley
NT - Hampton (2 gap scheme) As per normal.
LDE - Haggans
ROLB - Harrison
LOLB - Foote
MLB 1 - Farrior
MLB 2 - Timmons (IN SPACE) until gets more strength.
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
On second down: replace linebacker with defensive back. Replace Hampton with Smith. (Now nickel)
RDE - Woodley
NT - Smith (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.
LDE - Haggans
LOLB - Harrison
MLB 1 - Farrior
MLB 2 - Timmons
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
CB 3 - Townsend
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
On third down: replace another linebacker with defensive back. Replace Smith with Kiesel. (Now Dime) Farrior gets benched for Timmons.
RDE - Woodley
NT - Keisel (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.
LDE - Haggans
LOLB - Harrison (Floater) Goes wherever their D line is weak. Blitz or cover area of field.
MLB 1 - Timmons
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
CB 3 - Townsend
CB 4 - Smith / Clark
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
This will allow more playmakers on the field. The plan is to play FS and SS deep in a cover 2 scheme. They will clean up the run game.
All corners when they are on the field will cover the WR (everywhere they go - NO ZONE). They get support over the top from the safeties.
With only 1 Dlineman (really) on the line at times it will give Lebeau more ability to Zone blitz the backers and now (Linebackers) at the end spot.
Imagine Haggans and Woodley 'having a zone' the 'other designated blitzers' would have a field day. I love DE's who can cover as well.
You will cover everything and only send 2 or maybe 3 , 4 guys at once. NO MORE.
As we have more speed on the field we will clean up the short passing game. With Hampton / (Smith and Kiesel) on the nose (Keisel on 3rd downs or long yardage situations) we will stop the inside runs. Runs to the outside will be impossible.
Keisel and Smith and even Hampton can drop back into coverage at stages. And Smith and Keisel could QB spy and even run with running backs knowing we have 2 safeties deep.
The Zone blitz here would be amazing. Every guy could drop or rush making the other team having to max protect. Then you can send 2 maybe 3 guys and the rest are covered. And still pressure.
P.S this will work in most situations but would be near on impossible for a team to come back from 1 or more scores down.
The reality with the COLTS and Pats** not having a 'stud' running back we could limit the passing yards and probably give the back 3 - 3.5 yards a carry.
This scheme makes the running back beat you. They don't against us.
This is great for the cap. Linebackers are less than DE / DT.
I don't know why teams pay over the odds for a DT / DE when they are one dimensional. They don't cover and are shocking against the run.
This would keep the Pats** / COLTS to 21 to 24 points. Approx 200 yards passing. 85 - 110 on the ground. BECAUSE OF LE STINK
Can we score that against them? YES.
Against the Pats** / COLTS we must run the football. A.v 3.8 / 4.0 yards a carry. Don't let Belicheat start nickles and Dimes. Pats** LIKE TO SCORE FIRST. IF WE DO WE CAN WIN THIS FOOTBALL MATCH.
Is Mike Tomlin an X's and O's coach, or more like Cowher - motivator and no-more.
Please tell me it is the former.
WE DO THESE THINGS WE BEAT THE CHEATRIOTS.
That's why LEBLOW failed for me as he had the sole rights of DE's - OLB's for more than 10 years. No other side played the 3-4 for long periods. He should have 3 SB rings. Cowher never realised the Nickel and Dime Defense - be it the 3-3-5 the 2-4-5 1-4-6 can slow down teams.
That's how Belichick defeated the Giants and Rams. If I was coach against the Pats*** (Not regular game - don't give it away) but in the playoffs I would use the 2-4-5 and the 1-4-6 often. At times rush just 3 out of the 2-4-5. Using the LDE on the Tightend. Playing a cover 3. FARRIOR COVERING MIDDLE / WELKER's dumpoffs and bubble screens. MAKE THE BACK BEAT YOU WHICH RARELY EVER DOES TO PITTSBURGH.
WELKER MAKES THE Pats** GO. YOU MUST HIT HIM,HIT HIM,HIT HIM, SIMILAR TO BELICHICK DID TO MARSHALL FAULK. (Martz and Levy should have run more) but the Pats** can't against us even if we are in our nickels as we play the run well. I THOUGHT BELICHICK WOULD HAVE CALLED DILLON AS THEY NEED A BACK WHO THREATENS A D. MARONEY DOES NOT AT THIS STAGE. So you can sell out on the pass.
We can Belichick Belichick against the Pats**. Keep possession (use Najeh) more as a power runner against the 3-4 D.
We would need the ball 34 - 36 mins to win it. We can and will I believe come playoffs.
Why? Don't let em get behind you, and smash the WR's all day. Moss is soft, Welker avoids body contact, Stallworth = yuk.
You need to establish the run game, thats how you beat Belichick's teams. Might refer to Mike Shanahan's PLANS against him. = Good success. MUST USE NAJEH MORE. I think Mahan with Kreider's chop blocks can go ok against Wilfork - opening up the middle.
You pick on Hobbs and Bruschi and Seau in the passing game. Miller and Speath will have big games. Need to run it 40 times to win. Pick your spots. When going deep don't go to Eugene Wilson's side. 40 times = 130 - 150 yards will be enough.
Adalius Thomas is a liability in the run game and does not play like a 270 linebacker.
Believe me its do-able and we will win it. IN the cold FOXBORO. MOSS = LIABILITY.
Belichick and Brady are ego's. Loves throwing the ball - both of them. Maroney can't be trusted to carry the load. FUMBLES:
you don't think they would just run Maroney against that D? Did Faulk? Thurman Thomas? Not enough.
Brady's ego will not allow a back to run it 35 times - Corey Dillon is not there anymore. THIS IS BIG TOM BRADY'S TEAM. BEAT EGOMANIAC QB'S BY MAKING THE BACK BEAT YOU. He can't help himself, with 8 in coverage and using different zone blizes - rushing 3-4 he will get flustered. (SAN DIEGO GAME LAST YEAR)
NEW ENGLAND'S CANT AND WON'T BEAT US if they need a back to do it for them.
Will: Moss, Stallworth and Welker like not being thrown the ball. NO.
NOW... i have stated this a while back. WE WILL WIN THIS GAME.
PARKER MUST catch balls out of the back field. Atleast 7-8 catches. Belichick does not respect HB's who can run and catch. Fact.
The Slot NB should be Townsend / Timmons. Covering Welker all game.
The Pats** RG and RT are poor. Sub in Haggans / Woodley / Timmons even Keisel at LOLB all game.
The two most underrated / important players to the Pats** O are Welker and Watson.
All Pats** WR's are scared. HIT HIT HIT ALL GAME. ENSURE THEY DON'T GET BEHIND YOU.
ON O SPREAD THE Pats** OUT. 3 WR'S 1 TE 1 HB. Make sure you keep Seau and Brushi on coverage. Throw to Parker alot. Make em miss. Throw short / run long.
we win this 24 - 16.
CORRECTION: WITH KREIDER OUT IT MAY BE DAVIS, OR SPREAD EM OUT WITH NO FULLBACK AT ALL.
Willie's catching and YAC and not running is key in this game.
To beat a 3-4 D you need a POWER BACK to break through the 3 D man line and 2 OLB's who obviously are not as strong as Olineman, or should not be. Willie is not a POWERBACK unfortunately. = Davenport.
In this game make Moroney beat you. He won't. Sell out on the pass.
Anyone notice Belicheat's face when the rats only rushed 3 guys. To me it signified you never rush just 3 against the Pats**. BELICHICK'S FACE AND BODY LANGUAGE GAVE THAT AWAY.
I thought when a side is close to your goal line you blitz more as there is less area to cover. It appears Ryan stuffed up. Did opposite to this.
Blitz when side is near goalline / or within 30 yards. Play Coverage at your end of the field?
Rashean Mathis is the best corner in the game. But if we....
Rashean Mathis is the best corner in the game. But if we could get Asomosaga (s.p) from raiders (free agent) next season I wouldn't be complaining. Imagine a true Shutdown corner with Our D. Unstoppable I'll tell ya.
Blueprint To Beat LeBeau Written In 2002 / base 3-4 to Tampa 2 in a flash.
Brett Keisel was quoted after the Steeler game saying that the defense was "surprised that the Pats* threw the ball as much as they did" and that they expected them to mix run and pass. Huh??? Are you kidding me? Keisel also went on to say that "the gameplan we had coming into the game needs to be thrown into the trash" and that the Steelers weren't prepared for what the Pats** did on offense.
Brett Keisel was quoted after the Steeler game saying that the defense was "surprised that the Pats** threw the ball as much as they did" and that they expected them to mix run and pass. Huh??? Are you kidding me? Keisel also went on to say that "the gameplan we had coming into the game needs to be thrown into the trash" and that the Steelers weren't prepared for what the Pats** did on offense. uuuummm yeah. Understatement of the year. But how can this be? Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Your good buddy, Dagger is here to take you back in time with a quick history lesson. Let's hope this look into the past doesn't dig up any old ghosts or fall into the hands of any more Offensive Coordinators.
Alrighty....let's start off with the basics. The Steelers have lost 6 of the last 7 to New England. Wondering why? Well, the Pats** do what many teams in the NFL are unwilling to do....when they face the Steelers they toss aside conventional wisdom, they often abandon the run, and the attack the Steelers greatest weakness (their pass D). Sure our DLs and LBs are fantastic in the run game. Yes our LBs can blitz and pressure the QB in this complicated defensive scheme, but NO....this defense was not built to stop the spread offense. The spread offense is the Dick LeBeau 3-4 defense's Kryptonite.
When the Pats** come out in a 5WR formation at their own one yard line, I think that tells you that they have spotted a weakness in the Steelers defense and they're hell bent on exploiting it. Screw the running game. Who cares how many times you run the ball? Who says you have to be balanced on offense? If your strength just so happens to be your opponent's weakness, then you'd be silly not to attack it.
I hate the Pats** but I LOVE the way they spit in the face of the old-timer "run-run-pass" offensive logic. One week their opponents dictate that they must rely on a passing attack, the next week they give the ball to Maroney all game, the next week Maroney gets 2 carries, etc....I just admire their aggressive nature. (But I hate them) I hope you understand. I guess I respect the fact that they PLAY TO WIN THE GAME by any and all means necessary. There are so many coaches and teams in the NFL that are so ultra-conservative that they almost handicap their own offense. The Steelers sit nearly $10 Million dollars below the NFL salary cap. This past offseason, the Pats** acquired Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Adalius Thomas, Stallworth, and others. Again, being aggressive and "going for it." You have to respect that. They build from within just like us, they draft well and all that good stuff, but they compliment their homegrown talent with good acquisitions. While the Pats** are out acquiring Pro Bowl talent, the Steelers are playing it nice and conservative....picking up Sean Mahan and Cedric Wilson.
To quote myself and a widely-used NHL saying "Safe Is Death" and the Pats** never, ever, ever play safe.
The Blueprint
The Pats** invented the offensive blueprint to beat the Steelers way back in week 1 of the 2002 season. Before we get into specifics, let me describe a defense and you tell me how you think you should/could attack it.
OK....so you tell me. How do you attack this defense? Run, Run, Pass? A balanced offense? Play-action? Smashmouth? No. You spread them out and attack in the air.
Week 1 2002-- New England opens up the season vs Pittsburgh and Brady goes 29/43 for 294 yards and 3 TDs. Steelers lose.
very important note here is that in Week 2 of the 2002 season, the Oakland Raiders and Rich Gannon COPY the Pats* gameplan and come out throwing. Gannon goes 43/64 for 403 yards and 1 TD. Wow. Steelers lose.
Brady/Bledsoe go 22/39 for 217 yards and 1TD. Steelers lose AFC Championship game.
Brady goes 29/43 for 294 yards and 3TDs. Steelers lose.
Brady goes 25/43 for 271 yards and 2TD. Steelers Win.
Brady goes 14/21 for 207 yards and 2TD. Steelers lose AFC Championship game.
Brady goes 31/41 for 372 yards 0TD. Steelers lose.
Brady goes 32/46 for 399 yards and 4TD. Steelers lose.
TOTALS:
The Pats** have completed 66% of their passes against the Steelers since 2001. The Pats** have only had a "ton" of offensive weapons at WR for one of those games. It's not the personnel, it's the scheme and gameplan that kills the Steelers. This 3-4 scheme CANNOT and WILL NOT beat the Pats** as currently constructed. The Arizona Cardinals beat the Steelers this year using 4WR and 5WR sets. The Raiders used the blueprint in 2002 and attempted 64 passes in one game against our D! Let's thank the football gods that so many teams "play not to lose" and play so tight offensively. Let's also be thankful that some teams can't find 5 bodies skilled enough to split all of them out wide and use these formations against us.
The Steelers have had 6 or 7 years to come up with a gameplan to beat the Pats** and their 5WR spread offense and they simply can't do it. If we see this team again (this year, next year, the year after), then we must come up with a completely different scheme. I don't care if you drop 10 guys into coverage. I don't care if you only have one DL on the field, I don't care if you have 1 LB on the field. Make the Pats** run the ball. They WANT to pass on you, take away the thing they want to do and make them play to your strength. We'd have a better chance stopping their offense if you put the ball in Maroney's hands and take it away from Brady.
WHAT IS WORSE...
Actually, the Bengals invented this method of beating the Steelers and LeBeau's defense in 2001...when the team was coached by...wait for it...
DICK LEBEAU!
This defense is best known as a run-stuffing defense that plays with 4 LBs, gets 0 pressure from the DL. This team has had below average CBs for an entire decade, has "run stopping safeties...not coverage or speedy safeties" and loves to blitz.
TOMLIN COULD CONVERT OUR BASE 3-4 TO TAMPA 2 without subbing [/color]
A base 3-4 D has the 2 middle backers on the SAME level as each other...
All you would have to do is place the middle backer (2) just say FOOTE / TIMMONS 3-5 YARDS CLOSER to the safeties. FARRIOR ON OUR RIGHT SIDE STAYS THE SAME.
When he reads / knows it is pass he drops back the the safeties level... (TAMPA 2)
If he reads run / and it is a run (Anthony Smith ) he tackles the ball carrier.
WHY HASN'T TOMLIN AND LEBEAU DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
IT IS IN ESSENCE THE TAMPA 2 DEFENSE - However it would be better against the run.
If the D line plays 2 gap (WHICH WE DO MOST TIMES) and Harrison IS THE BACKER COMING AFTER THE QB Foote / Timmons plays deeper than the normal MLB 2 does in a base 3-4.
It will stop the INTERMEDIATE ball - safeties do not charge until the ball is over the line of scrimmage AND in a back's hand...
ANTHONY SMITH - FALLS FOR PLAYACTION WHEN Pats** RUN IT 8 TIMES... STAY DEEP. SAFETIES WILL STAY DEEP ALL GAME.
AN EASY WAY TO STOP PASSING SIDES... AND YOU HAVE BACKERS AND D / LINE ON THE FIELD SO NO-ONE WILL RUN ON US.
AS THE DLINE'S JOB IS TO TIE UP BLOCKERS ANYWAY THE BACKER WHO BLITZES SHOULD COME BASICALLY FREE.
EASY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WE HAD SUNDAY.
TIMMONS WOULD EXCEL AT THIS SPOT. QUICK / CAN CATCH AND CAN HIT AND STOMP ON BACKS RUNNING THE BALL.
So...
As per normal up front
but MLB'S LINE UP LIKE THIS
Timmons / FOOTE = third level
Farrior. = 2nd level
DLINE. (FIRST LEVEL)
MLB 2 (TIMMONS / FOOTE) 3-5 yards further back of their normal spot at MLB2 (CLOSER TO SAFETIES) FROM FARRIOR.
WITH HAMPTON INSIDE THE RUN UP THE MIDDLE IS AVOIDED ANYWAY.
Simple yet effective.
And oh so easy.
TAMPA 2 MADE EASY. WITHOUT SUBSTITUTING PLAYERS AND THE LIKE... GREAT AGAINST THE NO HUDDLE.
KEY IS TO ONLY RUSH 4 PEOPLE. GENERALLY D / LINE AND ONE BACKER.
ANY ZONE BLITZES (KEIESEL / SMITH) DROPPING IN TO COVERAGE HAS TO HAVE A SIMILAR RESULT. WHERE SOMEONE COVERS THE MIDDLE PART OF THE FIELD A LITTLE MORE THAN USUAL... 6 - 12 YARDS SHOULD DO IT.
Instead of a 25 yard completion it may go for 6-8. BIG DIFFERENCE.
SO IF YOU ARE PLAYING A RUN - ORIENTATED TEAM - BALTILESS - NORMAL 3-4 BASE. MIDDLE BACKERS ON SAME LEVEL.
IF YOU ARE PLAYING COLTS AND Pats** - PASSING TEAMS - DROP THE MLB2 - Foote and Timmons further back - 5-6 yards. It is effectively the Tampa 2 (ending up the same level as safeties) = cover 3.
However with better run stoppers on the field than a normal Tampa 2, SIDES WILL NOT POWER RUN US like you can do to the colts.
The D / line. Keisel / Smith / McBean could rush just a little more. With the knowledge a run will be supported by Timmons - further back. And a pass will have a cover 2, plus Timmons playing that Tampa 2 'Mike' linebacker role. EFFECTIVELY COVER 3 And or covering the Slot reciever / or third wide out - at a deeper level. E.G WELKER.
IT WORKS. AND IT CONFUSES QB'S NO END.
The NFL is so easy.
On offense if the opponent is 3-4 you pass spread em out.
On offense if the opponent is 4-3 you run
On Offense if your opponent is 46 - spread em out pass Delayed runs.
On Defense if your opponent is a pass team - 4-3 cover 2
On Defense if your opponent is a run happy team - 3-4.
This is why I dislike Lebeau - c'mon give it to me..........
The Bengals are taking this retro-cool thing to a completely new level. Their coach is Bruce Coslet, a onetime Cincinnati tight end and offensive coordinator. The backup quarterback is Boomer Esiason, returning for a second tour with Cincinnati, which he guided to Super Bowl XXIII. The offensive coordinator is Ken Anderson, a former Bengals quarterback who in 1981 took the team to its first Super Bowl. The defensive line coach is Tim Krumrie, who played noseguard for Cincinnati from 1983 to 1994. And the defensive coordinator is Dick LeBeau, a native of nearby London, Ohio, and from 1984 to '91 the Bengals' defensive coordinator.
LeBeau is the architect of the wildly popular zone-blitz defense. He spent the last five seasons teaching it to the Steelers but apparently couldn't say no to the Bengals' 1997 Reunion Tour. "It's great to be back," said LeBeau, who played cornerback at Ohio State and for the Lions. "This is kind of a dream come true for me." In fact, most of the team is just now waking from the nightmarish regime of former coach Dave Shula, who went 19-52 in 4 1/2 years with Cincinnati. Shula, now the executive vice president of the chain of steak houses owned by his father, Don, was replaced by Coslet after the first seven games of last season. Then, when the Bengals won seven of their last nine, many players wondered out loud just how good the team would have been if Coslet had been there from the beginning. Now they will find out.
"It's great to be back," said LeBeau, who played cornerback at Ohio State and for the Lions. "This is kind of a dream come true for me."
GREAT PLEASE LEAVE AGAIN. GO NOW!!
Quarterback Jeff Blake certainly improved under Coslet. In his final nine games, Blake, a Pro Bowl starter in 1995, averaged 249 yards passing and threw 16 TDs. He skipped his family's vacation during the off-season to lift weights and work on his throwing skills; he should blossom further under the guidance of his backup, Esiason. Blake was a third-string QB with the Jets in 1994 when Esiason was the team's starter. Neither has a problem with a role reversal, though. "There's no hidden agenda or motive on my side," says the veteran Esiason. "Jeff is going to let me retire to greener pastures without having to take hits."
One player the team desperately wants to see revert to his old form is third-year back Ki-Jana Carter. The No. 1 pick in the 1995 draft, Carter signed a seven-year, $19.2 million contract, promptly injured his knee in a preseason game and sat out his entire rookie season. He scored eight TDs over the final nine weeks in 1996 but reported to the team's first 1997 minicamp "big, slow and soft," according to trainer Paul Sparling, before trimming down to 220 pounds.
Adding to the Bengals' explosiveness is one of the AFC's best receivers, Carl Pickens, whose 100 receptions ranked third in the league last season. He should become the team's alltime leading receiver this fall. "There is no next level for Carl," says Coslet. "He's one of the top three receivers in the NFL. Would I trade him for Michael Irvin? No. Would I trade him for Jerry Rice now? No."
Coslet would probably like to trade a few of his defensive players, though. The Bengals' defense has long been suspect--it ranked 25th in the NFL in 1996. Things don't look much more promising for this year. Left end John Copeland couldn't bench-press 275 pounds even once at a recent minicamp, and linebacker James Francis decided to skip 13 weeks of workouts in Cincinnati during the off-season, thus forfeiting a $250,000 incentive.
Such a lack of conditioning is a problem, considering that LeBeau's aggressive 3-4 defense requires speed, cunning and discipline. But a few Bengals defenders may have the tools to make things work. Linebacker Rico McDonald, who led the team at minicamp with 40 bench presses of 225 pounds, will flourish in the zone blitz. First-round pick Reinard Wilson, who played end at Florida State, will switch to linebacker in the 3-4, and tackle Dan Wilkinson (he had a team-high 6 1/2 sacks in 1996) will move over to end. Inside linebacker Steve Tovar led the team in tackles last season with 94--he has fully recovered from surgery to repair a late-season knee injury--and Ashley Ambrose (eight interceptions in 1996) was the first Bengals cornerback to make the Pro Bowl since 1988, the year the team made its last trip to the Super Bowl.
Now, that's exactly the kind of retro vibe Cincy is hoping to replay this season.
--by David Fleming
Disgraceful Richard.
1 Superbowl as a player or coach... a little overrated? Like Cowher had some good teams?
HOW ABOUT BUMP AND RUN?
HOW ABOUT COVER 3?
1-4-6
2-3-6
3-3-5
2-4-5
0-5-6
DO THESE ON DIFFERENT STAGES IN THE GAME - DIFFERENT DRIVES.
THE 3-4 BASE D AGAINST 5 WIDE OUTS IS LEBEAU'S SPECIALTY.
ANYTHING DIFFERENT.
THE WORST THING IS I KNOW MORE THAN BELICHICK.
LEBEAU'S IS PATHETIC AND SERIOUSLY WE WERE LUCKY TO WIN THE THE SB IN 05... WE WERE HELPED BY THE REFS NO DOUBT.
[size=9]TIME TO GO RICHARD... PATHETIC 8 YARD CUSHIONS = BUBBLE SCREENS, SLANTS.
TIME TO GO 4-3 COVER 2 / 3. TOMLIN'S SCHEME.
TAMPA 2. QUICK PLAYERS ON THE FIELD.
LEBEAU'S ZONE D IS THE THING OF THE PAST...
THE FUTURE OF THE NFL = THE PASS.
WHAT DO THE STEELERS DO ... RUN IT... IT'S LIKE IT IS BUILT IN THE CITY OR SOMETHING / PSYCHE.
TOMLIN NEEDS TO STOP THE RUBBISH.
WHAT HAS POUNDING THE ROCK GOT US?
1 SB (LUCKY) IN 16 YRS.
DON'T TELL ME THE STEEL CURTAIN POUNDED THE ROCK. THEY USED A 56 / 44 PASS TO RUN RATIO.
YOU MORONS ARE AS BAD AS LEBEAU AND COWHER... WITH THIS RUNNING THE BALL RUBBISH AND PLAYING A 3-4 BASE AGAINST 4 AND 5 RECIEVERS.
ITS YESTERDAY'S NEWS LIKE THIS SITE...
RUBBISH.
LEBEAU IS A LIABILITY OF THIS TEAM JUST LIKE COWHER WAS.
TIME FOR CHANGE... HOW MUCH GAMEPLANNING CAN A 72 YR OLD MAN DO ANYWAY. HE stuff HIS PANTS AND PISSES THE BED AT HOME... HOW CAN HE STUDY TAPE?
MORONS...
1 Superbowl as a player or coach... a little overrated? Like Cowher had some good teams?
HOW ABOUT BUMP AND RUN?
HOW ABOUT COVER 3?
1-4-6
2-3-6
3-3-5
2-4-5
0-5-6
DO THESE ON DIFFERENT STAGES IN THE GAME - DIFFERENT DRIVES.
THE 3-4 BASE D AGAINST 5 WIDE OUTS IS LEBEAU'S SPECIALTY.
ANYTHING DIFFERENT.
THE WORST THING IS I KNOW MORE THAN BELICHICK. Even when he cheats. *
LEBEAU'S IS PATHETIC AND SERIOUSLY WE WERE LUCK TO WIN THE THE SB IN 05... WE WERE HELPED BY THE REFS NO DOUBT.
TIME TO GO RICHARD... PATHETIC 8 YARD CUSHIONS = BUBBLE SCREENS, SLANTS.
TIME TO GO 4-3 COVER 2 / 3. TOMLIN'S SCHEME.
TAMPA 2. QUICK PLAYERS ON THE FIELD.
LEBEAU'S ZONE D IS THE THING OF THE PAST...
THE FUTURE OF THE NFL = THE PASS.
WHAT DO THE STEELERS DO ... RUN IT... IT'S LIKE BUILT IN THE CITY / PSYCHE.
TOMLIN NEEDS TO STOP THE RUBBISH.
WHAT HAS POUNDING THE ROCK GOT US?
1 SB (LUCKY) IN 40 YRS as a player or coach?
So again Why does Dick Lebeau not get scrutinised like other coaches?
Age? What.
Tell me experts.
Frame-by-Frame: Spread Offense vs Steeler Defense
I have been down on our defensive secondary for a few years. At no time are their weaknesses exposed more than when the Steelers face a spread offense. If every team had a veteran QB with one or two very good WRs and some average ones thrown into the mix to take up space, then we might see this every week. It completely neutralizes the Steelers blitz package and takes our LBs off their game. Against a 3WR Colt offense, the Steelers can still blitz Peyton Manning and give him problems. Against the Bengals and their 3WR and 4WR sets, we manage to get to Palmer at times, but their WRs are good enough to get open quickly (especially Houshmandzadeh and Henry.....when being covered by Deshea Townsend). Against the Patriots and Tom Brady, their 4WR and 5WR formations really give us problems. We can look forward to Wes Welker matched up against CB Townsend and GOING OFF on us for about 160 yards.
---------
Let's look at Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals (minus Pro Bowl WR Anquan Boldin) spread the field and pick up some easy yardage.
On this drive, Warner goes 6-for-7 on a 70 yard drive that lasts 3:43
Play 1:
Here we see a 5WR formation with Edge lined up in the slot. Notice the huge cushion that each WR is getting. Arizona has 5 OL. If 6 Steelers rush the passer here (DL and LBs), then a quick slant would pick up big yardage. If ZERO LBS rush, then Warner has all day and night to find somebody eventually work themselves free against the Steelers DBs (who are not all that great man-to-man). No doubt Kurt Warner sees Edge lined up against a LB and WR Urban (who later snags a TD pass) with the same matchup.
The ball is snapped and Farrior and Haggans are bringing pressure. Warner is looking left and finds Fitzgerald open as he clears the LB in front of him. If he had been looking right (top of your screen), then he could have thrown the ball to either inside WR for a nice 8 yard gain. Also important is to note that the Steelers blitz here, but because they HAVE TO cover the 5WRs on the field, they can only bring 5 men to pressure the QB. Arizona has 5 OL in to block, so no worries for Kurt...he hits Fitzgerald for 9 yards on 1st down.
Play 2:
Same exact formation. This time it's 2nd and 1, and Arizona is still in a 5WR formation. This time, the Steelers bring 4 men and drop everyone else into coverage. At the line of scrimmage, the Cardinals have 5 vs 4, so no real chance for a sack or for pressuring the QB. On the last play, we saw MLB Farrior blitz. This time, he drops back into zone coverage. If you have a veteran QB and decent WRs, then you can pull these plays off with relative ease. Cardinal scrub WR settles into the zone for an easy 6 yard catch.
So that is 15 yards on 2 plays. Arizona made it look like a 7-on-7 drill. They created mismatches, they dictated to the defense, and picked up yardage. When our defense is spread like this and our DBs are in coverage and our LBs are dropping into zone, the whole BLITZBURGH STEELERS and SMASHMOUTH FOOTBALL stuff goes right out the window. This has been the absolute best way to attack our defense for about 4 years running. I'm surprised more teams don't do this to us, but like I said, you need a good QB to pull this off. Let's hope the rest of the league continues to try to run the ball against us and tries to have a good mix of run vs pass. We eat offenses like that for breakfast.
In case you were wondering...the last time we played Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck threw the ball 49 times. Take a look at their play chart in the Super Bowl and tell me that they didn't spot a weakness in the Steelers secondary. Check this out:
Drive 1: 7 plays, 5 passes.
Drive 2: 7 plays, 6 passes.
Drive 3: 7 plays, 4 passes
The score was tied at this point...they weren't playing catch up. They had 2 weeks to prepare a gameplan and they thought the best way to attack our team was through the air.
To go back a bit further, in the 2004 AFC Championship game, Tom Brady and the Patriots threw the ball 11 times on their first 16 plays while jumping out to a 24-3 lead at halftime. I know this is an old stat, but when teams have a while to prepare for us in big games, they seem to go right after our secondary.
This is how to get Woodley and Timmons more REPS...
On first Down:
RDE - Keisel
NT - Hampton (2 gap scheme) As per normal.
LDE - Woodley
ROLB - Foote
LOLB - Harrison
MLB 1 - Farrior
MLB 2 - Timmons (IN SPACE) until gets more strength.
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
On second down: replace linebacker with defensive back. Replace Hampton with Smith. (Now nickel)
RDE - Woodley
NT - Smith (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.
LDE - Haggans
LOLB - Harrison
MLB 1 - Farrior
MLB 2 - Timmons
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
CB 3 - Townsend
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
On third down: replace another linebacker with defensive back. Replace Smith with Kiesel. (Now Dime) Farrior gets benched for Timmons.
RDE - Woodley
NT - Keisel (More Bull rushing / Stunting / Blitzing than Hampton.
LDE - Haggans
LOLB - Harrison (Floater) Goes wherever their D line is weak. Blitz or cover area of field.
MLB 1 - Timmons
CB 1 - Taylor
CB 2 - BMac
CB 3 - Townsend
CB 4 - Smith / Clark
FS - Clark / Smith
SS - Pol
This will allow more playmakers on the field. The plan is to play FS and SS deep in a cover 2 scheme. They will clean up the run game.
All corners when they are on the field will cover the WR (everywhere they go - NO ZONE). They get support over the top from the safeties.
With only 1 Dlineman (really) on the line at times it will give Lebeau more ability to Zone blitz the backers and now (Linebackers) at the end spot.
Imagine Haggans and Woodley 'having a zone' the 'other designated blitzers' would have a field day. I love DE's who can cover as well.
You will cover everything and only send 2 or maybe 3 , 4 guys at once. NO MORE.
As we have more speed on the field we will clean up the short passing game. With Hampton / (Smith and Kiesel) on the nose (Keisel on 3rd downs or long yardage situations) we will stop the inside runs. Runs to the outside will be impossible.
Keisel and Smith and even Hampton can drop back into coverage at stages. And Smith and Keisel could QB spy and even run with running backs knowing we have 2 safeties deep.
The Zone blitz here would be amazing. Every guy could drop or rush making the other team having to max protect. Then you can send 2 maybe 3 guys and the rest are covered. And still pressure.
The more backers the better. Sub-em in, Sub-em out. Keep - em - fresh. Our backers can play DE.
P.S this will work in most situations but would be near on impossible for a team to come back from 1 or more scores down.
The reality with the COLTS and PATS not having a 'stud' running back we could limit the passing yards and probably give the back 3 - 3.5 yards a carry.
This scheme makes the running back beat you. They don't against us.
This is great for the cap. Linebackers are less than DE / DT.
I don't know why teams pay over the odds for a DT / DE when they are one dimensional. They don't cover and are shocking against the run.
This would keep the PATS / COLTS to 21 to 24 points. Approx 200 yards passing. 85 - 110 on the ground.
Can we score that against them? YES.
Against the PATS / COLTS we must run the football. A.v 3.8 / 4.0 yards a carry. Don't let Belicheat start nickles and Dimes. PATS LIKE TO SCORE FIRST. IF WE DO WE CAN WIN THIS FOOTBALL MATCH.
We can do what the patriots did to the rams this season. Keep everything in front of us and let SMITH POL, TAYLOR BMAC, TYRONE CARTER MAKE THEIR HEADS SWIVEL AROUND.
I LIKE THE MATCH UP OF POL AND SMITH VS MOSS AND STALLWORTH IN A COLLISION GAME. LIKEWISE THE COLTS TANDEM OF WIDEOUTS.
We could get to be in a 3-4 Look (Timmons to get WR 3 ) a 2-4-5, a 3-3-5, 1-5-5 and Other Nickel and Dime packages more easily as I believe the no huddle will be used by a lot of teams down the stretch.
When we are in our base 3-4 look Timmons will take care of WR 3 or the Slot reciever. Timmons vs Welker?
Timmons gives you the opportunity to play him as a QB spy as well. Re McNair / Scrambling QB'S.
We must play Nickel and Dime packages all game against the Pats, Colts.
Against Ravens and Titans you stop the run. With all our backers on the field there will be no where to run.
The more backers the better. Sub-em in, Sub-em out. Keep - em - fresh. Our backers can play DE.
My Final NFL Draft 08 (Mock) It improves us.
It staggers me why NFL clubs / Steelers do not comply with the following.
A right handed quarterback will predominatly throw to the right side of the field. So in a 3-4 Defense your LDE / LCB / LOLB must be able to stop the run (with the normal TE with the RT) and play in space well.
LDE if not sacking the quarterback must jump to bat balls down - When was the last time you saw Aaron Smith bat one down?
The left side of the field against the Right handed QB is the most important part of Defense.
So you need a LDE to have a good vertical jump, to bat down balls, you need a LOLB with ability in space and a good vertical jump and a great LCB who can play in a deep zone (Cover 3) in a 3-4 which is Lebeau's defense.
I want Antoine Cason in the draft - a ballhawk who may not be quick 4.45 Forty - but like Asante Samuel can play off somewhat. If a QB throws a dump he can anticipate = 6. LCB. Is Woodley good in space? If not play him at ROLB (The blindside. Can our new draft picks on the Dline vertical jump to bat down balls if not sacking the quarterback?
The right side of the field is not nearly as important as the Left - but you still need players to fit the scheme.
I would play zone on the Left of the field to confuse, and as it is harder for a Right handed QB to throw to his left - I would play bump and run to his left (Our right of the field). Taylor and BMAC are good at BUMP and Run. Timmons MLB 2 this year can get the slot to the right of the field on occasions - Press coverage.
I think we need a ballhawking FS too. To play centre field - or to come up to the the line of scrimmage to get the Slot reciever on the Right side of the field.
Easy to get these players yeah? It should be with the analysis and scouting reports we get today.
Ideally Carriker is going to be a superb player, wish we traded up last year = LDE.
Starks is the best LDE - with a vertical jump in the FA's = LDE.
Corey Williams would play RDE in my scheme - not the vertical jump but quicker / acceleration to beat LT's so Woodley / Harrison come free.
A New 3-4 DLINE? / Base Defense
RDE - Corey Williams
NT - Hampton / Issac Sopoaga V good vertical leap to bat balls directed to middle field.
LDE - Randy Starks
ROLB - Woodley - Blindside
MLB 1 (Sharing duties) If run = Farrior / If pass = Foote.
MLB2 = Timmons
LOLB Harrison stronger / better in Vertical leap / space than Woodley?
LCB = Antoine Cason
RCB = Taylor
FS = Ballhawk?
SS POL.
The Draft: If we sign players aforementioned DEF: Williams / Starks / Sopoaga. OFF: Smiley (49's Guard)
May need to release Wilson / some other hacks to find funds = worth it.
Cason / Talib - need a ballhawk LCB as explained earlier
Brandon Albert LT / LG
Jordy Nelson Big WR - KR / PR
Phillip Wheeler / MLB - rotate Farrior / Foote / Wheeler in set schemes.
Duane Brown / John Sullivan OT / OC
Jamie Silva More FS - has good hands (Probably not quick enough) - This bloke is the best special teams player I have ever seen. + Keisel = better special teams already. Captain of the special teams will be Silva in 2 yrs.
If the players are gone - go for the next best player in that position.
I want.
CB
LT / LG
Big WR / KR / PR
MLB for 3-4 / 4-3
OT / OC
Special Team's ACE.
Players who come cheap (FA's) can assist us these are:
Marcus Demps(CB/S) and Donnell Washington (LDE / DT): Washington is still young, has a good vertical leap = LDE.
Substitute Williams RDE, Washington LDE, (Keisel = bad VL = RDE) Smith Now a better RDE,( I am against Justin Smith now (He would be a ROLB) here, Hampton, Hoke, McBean RDE (Poor VL) on the DLINE, according to other teams SETS on Offense.
Even Woodley can play LDE in some passing downs in a 3-3-5 Defense.
I love a player for the JAGS named Senseborough (Or something similar in spelling) He would be the ballhawking FS I am after.
We get these parts = SB in 08.
Thanks for reading.
Dude, I think you need help.
I can't believe somebody in the league hasn't hired you already. It's so simple.
I can't believe you are a sports writer. And a terrible one at that!
It losers like you that don't ask the hard questions as to why we have been putrid for 25 yrs.
1 lucky superbowl.
Get real - your insider comments are useless. You know nothing about any game - yet you come across as a know it all moron.
Grow a brain. Without me here no-one would reply to your stupid sidelines rant.
I hope you don't get paid for the rubbish you publish - it is childlike.
Get a real job. Write proper articles.
Give us something Dale.
Pathetic, know it all smartarse.
No-one reads or buys your published materials.
LOSER.
That's unbelievable.
You stink!
Its so simple.
What I write in your Sidelines rants is worth more than any petty crap article you write Dale.
You should pay me to keep this 'filth' rant page running.
When you read my stuff, you actually learn something; it has substance.
Unlike your fluff articles. Rubbish.
You are the Bill Cowher of Journalism.
A Loser.
Its so simple.
Seriously, I think you need medical attention.
These blogs should be limited to 100 words or less.
10 division titles, 11 playoff appearances, six AFC title games and a Super Bowl victory in the past 16 years. If that's the definition of a putrid organization, then what are the Browns?
Dang! Keona needs a life. Seriously dude, go outside and do something physical. You appear to have alot of free time. Alot.
Wow. Someone actually said Mr. Rooney needs to "show that he has balls." His statement showed that, like most in the Steelers organization, he was demonstrating something called "class." Something that the former football gods, the Pats, seem to be missing. And for as much as Cowher was pitted by keona as a "loser," I can never imagine him walking off the field before time ran out after a SB loss and refuse to shake the winning coach's hand. Even if Eli joked that he might have been "trying to beat traffic."
But please continue posting here, Keona, you bring a lot of entertainment to this blog!
The mediocrity you people accept; amazes me.
We should have 7-8 Superbowls - maybe never to be overtaken.
But let Cowher, Lebeau, Bettis, and Dan Rooney off the hook at your peril.
The fish rots at the head... And Dan Rooney must hand over to Art immediately.
Art said to Cowher - 'time for a 5th' and it happened.
Hopefully Art pushes Dan aside, so Dan can work closley with his close mates Belichick and the Commish.
Seven or eight Super Bowls. Yeah, they're easy to win. That's why there are five or six teams out there that have won that many. Oh wait. There aren't.
I guess that's because they haven't been smart enough to hire you.
I have been involved in an NFL program muppet. I know the inside workings.
4 AFCC games at home, I will give Chin 2.
2 more superbowl victories stupid.
Is that hard to understand?
What makes you think the Steelers would have won any of those Super Bowls in which they lost in the AFC title game?
They would have been dogs against SF in 1994, Green Bay in 1997 and St. Louis in 2001. They would have been slight favorites against Philly in 2004, slight because they would have been starting a rookie QB.
LOL, why hasn't any team hired Keona yet? I guess none of them wants to win the Super Bowl every single year.
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