Steelers Scouting Report: Quarterback’s Return Might Not Be So ‘Ben’eficial For Steelers

One of the biggest stories around the NFL this off season was the four game suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His suspension, originally six games, was reduced to four by league representatives, and now Roethlisberger will be returning in week six against the Browns. Seeing that the Steel City’s team was rather successful in his absence, common sense would depict that the Steelers will be on, or at a new level once they get their main gunslinger back.

But things may not be that simple. Pittsburgh went 3-1 without him, now they will need to re-adjust to him.

The Steelers, lead by head coach Mike Tomlin, wanted to get out to a fast start by being physical, like normal, and running the ball behind their young, but improving offense live, and feeding the ball to Rashard Mendenhall. It proved to be a good game plan, as back up veteran Charlie Batch stepped in and got Pittsburgh wins versus three of four opponents. They established a rhythm during those four games, and got comfortable in it.

However, when Ben plays for the first time this year, the entire offense will need to regulate to a different style of game. Roethlisberger can do a number of things that Batch and Byron Leftwich can not. Ben has perhaps the best pump fake in the league; it can be an invaluable tool to puzzle defensive backs, but it can work the opposite way around. He is also more mobile, and has a stronger arm. The receiver will be catching passes with more zip on them, and will have to create space for themselves when Ben runs on broken pass plays. Ben likes to be in total control of the offense, whereas Charlie Batch just goes with the plays that are called and goes to work.

Forget about the Steeler’s defense, we already know what they can do. Troy Polumalu, James Harrison, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and company anchor a defense that doesn’t struggle against anything and has no weakness. An offense such as the Browns that could potentially be lead by rookie Colt McCoy, making his would be first start of the year on top of that, wouldn’t stand a chance.

But on offense, the Steelers have some work to do in practice. Ben Roethlisberger has some old friends to catch up with; mainly, Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Rashard Mendenhall, and Mike Wallace. Even in years past, Roethlisberger may not have had the same kind of relationship with his targets as say Peyton Manning with Marvin Harrison, but this season, Ben does not have one key element in his tool box; one key element that seemed to be there for him whenever the Steelers needed to pull a rabbit out of their helmets for a close win.

Big Ben is missing one key weapon in his arsenal that ended up winning the Steelers SuperBowl XLIII over the Arizona Cardinals. A guy by the name of Santonio Holmes. He too is coming off of a suspension and will make his 2010 season debut as a member of the New York Jets.

But Roethlisberger and the Steelers have more then enough toys to compete with anyone in the league. Despite the Raven’s 4-1 start, the Steelers, with what they’ve got right now, may still be the team to beat in the AFC North; potentially the team to beat in the NFL.

Steelers Scouting Report: Quarterback’s Return Might Not Be So ‘Ben’eficial For Steelers

One of the biggest stories around the NFL this off season was the four game suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. His suspension, originally six games, was reduced to four by league representatives, and now Roethlisberger will be returning in week six against the Browns. Seeing that the Steel City’s team was rather successful in his absence, common sense would depict that the Steelers will be on, or at a new level once they get their main gunslinger back.

But things may not be that simple. Pittsburgh went 3-1 without him, now they will need to re-adjust to him.

The Steelers, lead by head coach Mike Tomlin, wanted to get out to a fast start by being physical, like normal, and running the ball behind their young, but improving offense live, and feeding the ball to Rashard Mendenhall. It proved to be a good game plan, as back up veteran Charlie Batch stepped in and got Pittsburgh wins versus three of four opponents. They established a rhythm during those four games, and got comfortable in it.

However, when Ben plays for the first time this year, the entire offense will need to regulate to a different style of game. Roethlisberger can do a number of things that Batch and Byron Leftwich can not. Ben has perhaps the best pump fake in the league; it can be an invaluable tool to puzzle defensive backs, but it can work the opposite way around. He is also more mobile, and has a stronger arm. The receiver will be catching passes with more zip on them, and will have to create space for themselves when Ben runs on broken pass plays. Ben likes to be in total control of the offense, whereas Charlie Batch just goes with the plays that are called and goes to work.

Forget about the Steeler’s defense, we already know what they can do. Troy Polumalu, James Harrison, Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith and company anchor a defense that doesn’t struggle against anything and has no weakness. An offense such as the Browns that could potentially be lead by rookie Colt McCoy, making his would be first start of the year on top of that, wouldn’t stand a chance.

But on offense, the Steelers have some work to do in practice. Ben Roethlisberger has some old friends to catch up with; mainly, Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Rashard Mendenhall, and Mike Wallace. Even in years past, Roethlisberger may not have had the same kind of relationship with his targets as say Peyton Manning with Marvin Harrison, but this season, Ben does not have one key element in his tool box; one key element that seemed to be there for him whenever the Steelers needed to pull a rabbit out of their helmets for a close win.

Big Ben is missing one key weapon in his arsenal that ended up winning the Steelers SuperBowl XLIII over the Arizona Cardinals. A guy by the name of Santonio Holmes. He too is coming off of a suspension and will make his 2010 season debut as a member of the New York Jets.

But Roethlisberger and the Steelers have more then enough toys to compete with anyone in the league. Despite the Raven’s 4-1 start, the Steelers, with what they’ve got right now, may still be the team to beat in the AFC North; potentially the team to beat in the NFL.

Report: Colt McCoy Told He Will Start Against Pittsburgh

According to a tweet by Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com, the Scout.com site for the Texas Longhorns, QB Colt McCoy will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday:

My sources confirm former #Longhorns QB Colt McCoy has been told his first NFL start will come this week for Cleveland against Pittsburgh.

As reported yesterday, the Browns also signed QB Brett Ratliff as a backup with Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace both hurt.

Seneca Wallace Has High-Ankle Sprain, Will Undergo 'Aggressive' Rehab

The situation has gone from bad to worse for the Cleveland Browns quarterbacks. Seneca Wallace, who has started the last four games for the injured Jake Delhomme, was injured in the first half of yesterday’s 20-10 loss to the Falcons.

Wallace was diagnosed with a similar injury to Delhomme, though he says he is going to do whatever it takes to play.

As for Delhomme, he required pain-killers just to be the backup yesterday, and ended up re-injuring the ankle. It is looking like Delhomme will be unavailable for another ‘extended period’.

That leaves rookie Colt McCoy to be the starting quarterback when the Browns travel to Pittsburgh this Sunday. The team also signed Brett Ratliff to back up McCoy should he need to start.

Jake Delhomme Has New Ankle Sprain

For some, the idea that there are two parts to the ankle might be foreign. The fact that Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme now has injuries to both, well, down-right ludicrous. NFL Sources are saying that Delhomme now has a ‘low-ankle’ sprain to go along with the ‘high-ankle’ sprain he suffered during Week 1 against the Bucs.

Delhomme entered yesterdays loss to the Falcons late in the 2nd quarter after Seneca Wallace was injured. Simply-put, he wasn’t very good and the Browns struggled to move the ball after Wallace left.

The injures to Wallace and Delhomme could mean rookie QB Colt McCoy gets an opportunity this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, though that cannot be an option the Browns really want to use.

Falcons 20 - Browns 10 -- What We Learned

How quickly things change. Last week the Browns we riding high after knocking off the defending AFC North champions. Seven short days later, Browns look clueless and blow another halftime lead.

I wrote it last week, and today only cemented my view. Jake Delhomme shouldn’t be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. Hell, he shouldn’t be the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Gladiators. Today’s loss wasn’t all on Delhomme’s shoulders, but he deserves a sizeable chunk. If someone figures out what the hell Jake was trying to do when he forced goal line pass into Cribbs, even though he was tripled covered, please inform me. I get that Delhomme is supposed to be a leader, but he can do that with a clipboard in his hands.

I can’t believe its true, and hope I never type this again, but Joe Thomas struggled. But let’s not forget that John Abraham is a Pro Bowl level player and has close to 100 career sacks. With that said, it is so odd to see Joe Thomas not handle his man every play. Thomas wasn’t alone though, the entire offensive line struggled today. I am willing to write it off as a bad week, but they can’t play like that and hope to have a chance next Sunday in Pittsburgh. I know Thomas will bounce back, hopefully everyone else will as well.

It looked like Peyton Hillis was really hurt. Just as an outside observer, it looked like Hillis may have aggravated his injury on his amazing TD catch. After that, he seemed like he was hobbling after every play. I hope I am wrong but I fear that running him out there on a bad leg is something that could hurt him, and the Browns, in the long run. Why was James Davis a gameday inactive? The coaches knew that Hillis was injured coming into the game, so we decide that having only two healthy tailbacks was a wise move? Someone needs to explain that.

The Browns defense played well. It may not look like it in the papers tomorrow, but they only gave up 13 points to a team that has a Pro Bowl QB, RB, WR and TE. Give me that every single week. Marcus Benard again got to the quarterback for a sack and Fujita had another strip sack. If I had to pick out one thing on defense that bothers me, it would be our gaps in passing coverage. There times today that Roddy White was left WIDE open. How an opposing teams most dangerous wideout can be left alone is mind boggling to me.

Next week is a huge game for the Browns. If they can get into Pittsburgh and leave with a win, it would put us at 2-4, but 2-1 in our division. Don’t forget, it was the win over the Steelers last season that catapulted the Browns to their 4-0 finish. If the Browns again somehow lose, they will be 1-5 and circling the drain. I don’t think it is hyperbole to say that next week’s game in Pittsburgh could be the make or break point for this season. Hopefully we have a quarterback under center that we can trust.

Browns Offense Completely Missing In Loss To Falcons

Matt Ryan threw for 187 yards and a go-ahead touchdown, while Kroy Biermann returned an interception for a score late in the fourth quarter to seal Atlanta's 20-10 victory over Cleveland.

Ryan completed 16-of-28 passes, including a 45-yard touchdown to Roddy White, to help the Falcons (4-1) win their fourth consecutive game. It is Atlanta's longest winning streak since 2004.

White finished with five receptions for 101 yards, while Michael Turner added 140 yards on 19 carries as the Falcons got their first win over the Browns since 1993.

Seneca Wallace started as Cleveland's quarterback for a fourth consecutive game in place of Jake Delhomme, but left late in the first half after suffering a right leg injury.

Delhomme finished the game under center and completed 13-of-23 passes for 97 yards with two interceptions. Wallace was 11-of-15 for 139 yards and a touchdown for the Browns (1-4), who were coming off last week's win over Cincinnati.

Late in the first quarter, Atlanta embarked on a long drive and, thanks to an unnecessary roughness penalty, had a 1st-and-goal at the seven. However, on the first play of the second quarter, Ryan's third-down pass fell incomplete and Matt Bryant kicked a 24-yard field goal.

Joshua Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 34 yards to set Cleveland up at its own 44-yard line. The Browns moved quickly down the field, as Wallace completed a 14-yard pass to Mohamed Massaquoi before finding Chansi Stuckey for 18.

Then, on third down from the 19, Wallace threw a short pass to Peyton Hillis on the left side. Hillis stopped the ball with his left hand before catching it as it dropped, and got into the end zone for a 7-3 edge.

Bryant kicked a 30-yarder on the Falcons' next drive, though had a 30-yard try blocked by T.J. Ward later in the half. Cleveland got the ball once more but suffered an injury blow.

Wallace was sacked by John Abraham, who fell on Wallace's right leg as he made the tackle. Wallace hopped off the field on his left leg to be examined, and Delhomme entered for the final few snaps before Cleveland took a 7-6 lead into the break.

Ryan fumbled the ball upon being sacked early in the third quarter, and Kenyon Coleman recovered to set the Browns up at the Atlanta 24.

Cribbs completed a 10-yard pass to fullback Lawrence Vickers on the second play of the drive to give the Browns a 1st-and-goal at the seven. Hillis got the Browns to the two for third down, but couldn't control the handoff on the next play. Fortunately for Cleveland, he recovered and Phil Dawson kicked a 19-yarder.

The field goal was the 234th of Dawson's career, matching Hall of Famer Lou Groza's franchise record.

But the Falcons responded with the go-ahead score. They advanced to the Cleveland 45 when White ran a deep route and got past Sheldon Brown. Ryan hit White with a perfect pass in the end zone as Atlanta grabbed a 13-10 edge with 7:57 left in the third quarter.

After a series of punts, the Browns started a drive at their own 20 with a little over nine minutes remaining. They converted two third downs and faced another at the 47 when Biermann, a defensive end, managed to catch the ball in the backfield. He ran 41 yards into the end zone to push Atlanta's lead to 10 with 4:01 on the clock, and Stephen Nicholas intercepted Delhomme on the Browns' next drive to further secure the outcome.

Hillis finished with 10 carries for 28 yards as well as four receptions for 49 yards, and played through a thigh injury...Abraham recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss...The Browns still lead the all-time series, 10-3. Sunday's game was the teams' first matchup since 2006.

Jake Delhomme In The Game After Injury To Seneca Wallace

Browns QB Seneca Wallace went down with an apparent ankle injury, leading to the return of QB Jake Delhomme. Delhomme returned for the final two plays of the 2nd quarter, then came out for the 3rd Quarter.

No further status was available for Wallace.

BREAKING: Seneca Wallace To Start Again Ahead of Jake Delhomme

According to the Browns twitter feed, QB Seneca Wallace will make his fourth straight start today when the team faces the Atlanta Falcons:

The #Browns will start Seneca Wallace at QB against the Falcons. Delhomme is the second quarterback.

This is very surprising news, since Delhomme took a lot of reps with the first team this week and was assumed to be starting.

Peyton Hillis Rests Friday; Expected To Play Against Atlanta, While Delhomme Is Still Questionable

According to this report, Browns' running back Peyton Hillis did not practice on Friday, but is expected to play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at the Stadium.

Browns' head coach Eric Mangini is not worried. He said Hillis was just getting some extra rest and is still expected to play Sunday.

Meanwhile, the story with quarterback Jake Delhomme is not so clear. Delhomme, who is still recovering from a high-ankle sprain, has missed three weeks and is still limited in practice.

"He's much further ahead than where we were last week," Mangini said of Delhomme. "He'll get a little more work today. In my mind it comes down to how he feels tomorrow."

Peyton Hillis Added To Injury Report

Browns RB Peyton Hillis was limited in practice today, being listed on the injury report with a thigh injury. More will be known about Hillis’ status for Sunday’s game against the Falcons tomorrow.

Falcons Scouting Report: After Vick Experience, They Are On The Rise As One Of NFL’s Elite Teams

They have been a thorn in the side of the Super Bowl Champion Saints.

Once Michael Vick left Atlanta after the whole dog fighting incident, things were looking gloom for the Atlanta Falcons. They were on the brink of mediocrity, and needed to build the team from the bottom up. Starting with the head coach, and ending from everything from their quarterback, to their third stringers.

So their reformation began when they hired head coach Mike Smith. After going with Jim Mora Jr. and Dan Reeves, two long tenured head coaches, the Falcons needed to go in a different direction and get a coach with some spark while being disciplined. He was previously the defensive coordinator for the then dominant defense of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who fans remember having Marcus Stroud, John Henderson, Mike Peterson, and Rashaen Mathis.

 Their decision to hire Smith paid dividends immediately. He was given by the Associated Press the NFL Coach of the Year Award in his first season at the helm of the Falcon’s franchise.

 The next step in the franchise’s rebuttal from the bottom was to find a franchise quarterback. They found one, needless to say, in Boston College’s Matt Ryan. His style is to lead, not be the offense. He is a quarterback’s quarterback (sort of like when someone says a "pitchers pitcher") and with short, low risk, accurately thrown bullet passes, he manages the team and is a leader on the field. He has firm grasp of his offense now that he is in his third NFL season. He has gained the respect of his teammates that has no doubt helped in his success. He is also a member of an elite group that includes being the first rookie quarterback to start all 16 regular-season games and make the playoffs; which he fulfilled the same year as the Raven’s Joe Flacco.

 Once the coach and the quarterback were put together, they needed a running game. The Falcons offensive line was very underappreciated when Vick was tenured with the team; they just needed a feature back. For a while, they went with the combined efforts of Warrick Dunn, and T.J. Duckett, but neither stepped up on big play situations. Both were also balanced, but didn’t excel in one particular aspect of running the ball.

 They found what they were looking for in former understudy of Ladainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner. The risk was well worth it, considering Turner had never endured a 300 carry season in his career. The Northern Illinois recruit is making only $1,007,280 this year (according to yahoo! Sports) which is enough to be considered one of the best bargain players around.

 Matt Ryan and coach Mike Smith are the main reason for the turnaround in Georgia. Also making contributions are tight end Tony Gonzalez, defensive end John Abraham, and drafted wideout Roddy White. The Falcons have already beaten the Super Bowl raining champs, the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome, and will look to oppose the Saints and win the NFC South Division Title come January.

 This coach and quarterback duo could be tenured as long as, say Donovan McNabb with Andy Reid, or Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy, or Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

 Regardless, the Falcons will be a challenge for anyone, let alone the 1-3 Browns. Despite Eric Mangini’s teams’ grit, they might not have the talent to oppose the dirty birds.

Browns Welcome Falcons To Cleveland, Look For Winning Streak

The Browns, coming off their first win of the 2010 season, a 23-20 triumph over Cincinnati, remain at home to face the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns Stadium (1 p.m. on FOX).

Atlanta is coming off a close win of its own, beating the San Francisco 49ers on a last-second field goal, 16-14.