Chapter 579: Throwing oneself into a trap
Different from the endless pressure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the pressure created by the Kansas Chiefs defensive team was precise and targeted at the two core players Roethlisberger and Brown. The entire layout and tactics were completely different. different.
Zhu Zhu: Me, me, me, me! My defense is loose here, pass the ball towards me.
However.
The premise of everything is that Roethlisberger can see Zhu Zhu.
Roethlisberger was very embarrassed and useless. The Kansas Chiefs defensive front only used three people to rush the pass and created the effect of a big wave hitting the embankment.
Point forward Williams is like a magic needle in the sea, creating fierce pressure from the middle. He can contain two offensive forwards by himself. If you don't pay attention, you can hear the sound of the dam breaking.
Defensive end Bailey was quite decent, silently forming a confrontation. It was more of a containment than a pressure, and no movement could be seen.
The defensive end Jones showed a strong desire to break through, and he could feel the pressure from him breaking through the air almost every time he kicked off the ball.
Stalemate, containment, oppression.
Unfortunately, there were only three people on the defensive front and could not break through the blockade, so no raid was ever launched.
Therefore, the pressure is always there, and it feels as if the pocket is full of cracks and may collapse at any time, but it will not collapse again for a while.
This precarious state is like a high-altitude rope.
At the same time, we need to worry about Jones, who will suddenly exert his strength at any time; we also need to worry about Houston, who is ready to make a move, and will make a surprise attack at no time.
Roethlisberger, who was in it, entered a state of fear. The grass and trees were full of soldiers, the wind was trembling, and his passing vision was severely oppressed.
In the bustling chaos, Roethlisberger almost instinctively looked for Brown, his most reliable and trustworthy target. Even if the accuracy of the passing parabola and the passing point were slightly inferior, Brown could always rely on his personal ability. Complete the ball and keep pushing forward.
Zhu Zhu?
Can't see. Literally, into a blind spot.
However.
Brown was also in trouble.
Cornerback Fowler, who just transferred this season, seems to be holding his breath and preparing to prove himself.
Kendall Fowler, a player waiting to prove himself.
In fact, he was a rookie in 2016, only entering the league one year earlier than Levi; at that time, he was also a high-spirited super rookie in college, going from a five-star high school student to the second-best cornerback among the freshmen of the same class, and was considered to be One of the most promising superstars back then, he missed the rookie training camp due to injury, causing his draft stock to plummet.
From being a predicted first-round pick, he slipped until the third round before being picked up by the Washington Redskins.
In the first grade, injuries occurred again, and the season was intermittent. The aura of genius disappeared, and the league soon stopped paying attention to him.
As a sophomore, he performed well. He was the team's third cornerback and also served as the top nickelback.
What is a nickelback?
To put it simply, it can be understood as the fifth defensive second line. The responsibilities are between the cornerbacks and safety guards. They are often listed in the central hinterland and are responsible for guarding the actions of wide receivers and running backs in the short passing area.
This can give full play to Fowler's advantages of burst and speed, and complete coverage in the short passing area as soon as possible.
However, strength and size are his disadvantages. He is 196 pounds (89 kilograms) and less than six feet (180 centimeters). In the trend of more and more big-horned cornerbacks in the league, such a traditional mobile cornerback's space is completely suppressed.
Therefore, Fowler has never had a highlight moment, no Pro Bowl, no first/second team All-American, no honors of any kind; when the Kansas Chiefs traded Smith to the Washington Redskins and selected Fowler as a bargaining chip, one can imagine the controversy. .
Fowler tried to prove that Veach and Reid were right.
In the season opener, when he learned that he was facing Brown, Fowler became even more motivated and showed his will to die, not wanting to betray the coach's trust. After all, it is not a wise choice for a small cornerback to play against a large wide receiver.
However, the great thing about Reid and Sutton is that they do not ask Fowler to stop Brown, but ask Fowler to stick to Brown and continue to cause harassment; once Brown becomes the target of the pass, Fowler only needs to briefly entangle him. Brown, the safeties and the linebackers will immediately come to help.
This is Fowler's strength——
Like flies.
As a result, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense was in deep trouble.
Wasn't Tomlin prepared?
Of course there is.
The preparations have been underway since the preseason. This is the first offense of the season opener, and the Pittsburgh Steelers naturally have their own pre-game arrangements.
Moreover, they have a heavy responsibility on their shoulders. They need to show a strong stance and prove to the league and Bell——
The team is tough on Bell, not out of anger, but because they sincerely believe in their own judgment and choices.
First, Tomlin knows his team.
Secondly, Tomlin carefully studied the Kansas Chiefs' defense, including preseason tactical adjustments.
So, Tomlin tried to surprise and lead the passing attack.
In the eyes of others, the fundamental reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers refused to compromise with Bell was that Tomlin believed that the strength of the team's ground attack came from tactics, not Bell's personal ability; therefore, even if a running back was replaced, their ground advancement could still be achieved. Open up the situation.
This is why after Bell announced his absence from the regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers immediately announced James Conner as the starting running back for the season.
Momentum battle.
Naturally, the Pittsburgh Steelers should have some tricks up their sleeves on the ground.
But Tomlin didn't.
Tomlin has been in the league for more than ten years, how could he fall into the trap of conflict of emotions?
Even if he needs to prove himself, the subject of proof is "the offense can be turned around without Bell", not "the ground attack can be turned around without Bell". The pattern needs to be enlarged.
Tomlin has studied the Kansas Chiefs' defense and continues to put out smoke bombs while the real offense revolves around passing the ball.
Not only does Roethlisberger and Brown rely on the connection, but the running routes of other wide receivers are also enriched. Because Roethlisberger's bulky body and passing choices have been controversial all year round, people often forget that Roethlisberger's His passing ability is also at the top of the league.
Perhaps, the short pass is a little inaccurate, but the ability of medium and long passes has always been Roethlisberger's strength.
However...but...
Tomlin prepared to kill Reed by surprise, but ended up hitting the muzzle of the gun. His offensive tactics were completely restricted by the Kansas Chiefs.
Originally, the Pittsburgh Steelers were under impact and pressure because of the smooth offense of the Kansas Chiefs in the opening game. Now their own offensive tactics have slipped into the opponent's box. Even veterans like Tomlin were suddenly confused.
After scraping and stumbling to get two first downs, the Pittsburgh Steelers struck out for the first time in the game.
No chance at all.
Zhu Zhu:? ? ? That's it? I didn't even touch the ball and this offense was over? ……Grass.
(End of chapter)