SB Nation User Blog: R.Clemente

The Dick Lebeau Effect on Ben Roethlisberger

R.Clemente — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:00:25 -0000

There are obviously many reasons why Ben Roethlisberger has transformed into one of the league's best and most clutch quarterbacks. He is incredibly physically gifted, with great arm strength, vision, movement, and a fantastic 6th sense of when to get out of the pocket and play "backyard football." He has a great mind for the game -- maybe not the football smarts of Peyton Manning, but Ben knows where everyone should be at all times and is doing an increasingly better job of dissecting defenses. He is the absolute and undisputed best quarterback at improvising a play when things break down. He is a great teammate and an emerging locker room leader. He is good with media coverage, and is excellent at deflecting praise onto his teammates when they deserve it.

More than anyone, Ben himself is responsible for his climb to the top echelon of NFL quarterback rankings. Not only relying on his wonderful physical gifts, the man has been a tireless worker in the Steel City -- to the point where teammates have been concerned with him overworking his body in the gym. He has spent countless hours in the film room, helped design playbooks, and spent a lot of extra time with his receivers. But he has had some help along the way. Most notably, he was drafted to a team that was a solid mix of talent, both young and veteran. A team with a dedicated fanbase, solid and stoic ownership, and a coaching staff that knew how to breed winners. He also had a series of excellent coaches who have helped him on his journey to the top. Terry Hoeppner, his recently deceased former college coach at Miami (Ohio), was best friends with Big Ben and essential to his meteoric rise. Bill Cowher, Ken Wisenhunt, and Russ Grimm gave him guidance and taught him the position in the NFL, and how his role works around his teammates'. Ken Anderson, his current quarterback coach and former Bengals star, has helped propel Ben onto another level of performance. And, finally, Mike Tomlin has done an excellent job relating to his star quarterback and placing him in a position to succeed.

But I would argue that Dick Lebeau has been as influential to Ben's success as anyone outside of Ben himself.

Here are the reasons:

Dick Lebeau, as we all know very well, is the mastermind behind the zone blitz. This is a defense that, when designed well, executed well, and provided with the right personnel, is one of the most difficult defense to try to beat (as displayed by the Steelers D '08-'09). And Dick Lebeau has done just that. He has built a nearly perfect defense, one that is incredibly physical, fast, smart, and, above all, complicated. A defense where every man knows his job and performs it just as Coach Lebeau wants. A defense that is utterly selfless yet totally ruthless. This provides the best possible scenario for Ben and his offensive teammates in practices. If Ben can move the ball on the league's best defense, you better damned be sure he can move it on the Bengals, Browns, and the like. And while it's no secret that no one is allowed to actually hit Ben in practice, the fact that he gets repeated chances to read, calculate, and practice against this complicated of a defense can only pay massive dividends on gameday. Not only has this assisted Ben's development in recent seasons, but it surely payed off during his rookie campaign. The same logic applies: if rookie Ben can scan and analyze the Dick Lebeau zone blitz defense, he can do the very same against much less complicated defenses on Sundays. Ben's 15 consecutive wins during his rookie season speak for themselves. As do his two Superbowl wins.

Lebeau's effect stretches beyond just his defenders. As stated above, when Ben practices against an elite defense, it can only improve his game. The same can be said for Ben's receivers, running backs, tight ends, and offensive linemen. But it doesn't stop there. Lebeau makes the offensive coaches better, too. Larry Zierlen has to teach their players how to block an impossible-to-stop defensive line and linebacking corps. Kirby Wilson has to teach his backs how to run against a defense that thrives on stopping the run. Randy Fichtner (and co-coach Hines Ward) need to come up with better and more efficient ways for the wide receivers to get open, and do it before Big Ben gets clocked. And what better mind to bounce offensive strategies off of, if you're Bruce Arians, than Dick Lebeau? All this translates to better coaches, making better players around Ben, and more wins on Sundays.

Lebeau brings two other important capabilities to the table. He has the ability to get the best out of his players and he is always changing his strategies and shifting his ideas. When a coordinator (and his fellow defensive coaches) manage to bring the very best out in his players (think late-rounders Aaron Smith, Brett Kiesel, William Gay, etc.), that does two things for your team: it allows players to stick around longer (limits the "Revolving Door" that some franchises have become -- credit to Kevin Colbert as well for an excellent draft record) and it also does wonders for team unity, as players get to know each other over longer periods of time. However, since he is always changing his strategy, it prevents these longer tenured players from becoming static in their growth. He is constantly challenging his players and forces every player to become a thinker, on both sides of the ball. All these things can easily be translated for a better environment for a franchise quarterback to train, practice, and play. Simply put, the legacy of Ben Roethlisberger is built on far more that just his ability to throw the ball.

Dick Lebeau has also been a stabilizing figure during the Cowher-to-Tomlin transition. While many coaches stayed on staff for the new Tomlin regime, the Steelers lost three massive figures in Cowher, Wisenhunt, and Grimm, with the latter two leaving for the Arizona "Steelers West" Cardinals. Though Bruce Arians, the former Wide Receivers Coach, was promoted to Offensive Coordinator, he (as we have all discussed thoroughly) has been learning on the job. With the Dick Hoak's retirement, and a brand new head coach with little to no ties to the organization, Dick Lebeau became an even more important figure in keeping a positive atmosphere and team unity on the Southside practice facility, something that can not be overstated for a player who is quarterbacking a team looking to make deep playoff runs every season. The Jay Cutler Fiasco in Denver is a prime example of what can happen to a franchise quarterback when an awkward transition to a new coaching staff happens. Finally, from his last unsuccessful stint as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, Big Ben (and all of us fans) can take comfort in that he won't be leaving to be a head coach for another team, despite his once-in-a-generation defensive mind.

While Dick Lebeau is 71 years old (young?), he is still mentally and physically potent enough to continue to coach in the NFL. He has stated repeatedly that the thought of retirement has yet to really cross his mind, and those words have been music to the collective ears of Steeler Nation. The way things have been going, they should be for Big Ben Roethlisberger, too.

All opinions are that of the writer. Sources for facts taken from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, ESPN.com, Wikipedia.org. Pictures are from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Bleacher Report, MySpace.com.

Lamar Woodley on Philip Rivers

R.Clemente — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:50:28 -0000

I found this through Lamar's website. It was from an interview he did for a magazine called Urban Ink.

The link is through his site:http://www.lamarrwoodley56.com/

Anyway, the question from the interview goes as follows:

Urban Ink: Out of all the quarterbacks you sacked in the playoffs, which gave you the most satisfaction?

Lamar Woodley: I'm going to say Philip Rivers. The first time I sacked him, I got up and did my little celebration. He started talking trash and saying, "Get back in the huddle" and woofin'. So I told myself that the next time he'd pay the price. The next time I got him, I took him on what I call the "rollercoaster." He met the ground and I stood over him. When he got up he was a little woozy. On the next play he threw the ball away before I could get him again. After I hit him that time he couldn't say anything and I didn't have to celebrate. I just wanted to look in his eyes and let him know that Number 56 put him in the dirt. Two weeks later I got fined $15,000 for that hit, and that definitely hurt me in the pocket.

The hit can be seen here at youtube. The quality is poor, but wait till the end where the jumbotron replay is shown.

Pittsburgh Pep Rally

R.Clemente — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:03:26 -0000

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will host another rally Friday in advance of the Steelers playoff game against Baltimore on Sunday.

The "Roast the Ravens" rally is set for noon in the courtyard of the County Courthouse on Grant Street, Downtown.

A rally was also held there Friday before the Steelers defeated San Diego in the first playoff round.

For the upcoming rally, live music is planned and complimentary wings and coffee will be available.

Officials are asking everyone, whether attending the rally or not, to wear black and gold that day.

Rally-goers are also asked to take a nonperishable food item, which will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

So if any travelers or locals are around on Friday, be sure to come! I'll be there, slightly tipsy, wearing my all-yellow Steelers outfit. I wonder if a pint of Crown Royal counts as a nonperishable food item?

Current Players' Playoff Experience

R.Clemente — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:06:55 -0000

Here is the list of current Steelers players and their playoff experience. I only included active players for this season as well. Kendall Simmons and Marvel Smith would have added some experience, but they are both on IR, so no go.

0 Playoff Games

LB Patrick Bailey

OT Jason Capizzi

LB Bruce Davis

QB Dennis Dixon

T Tony Hills

DT Scott Paxon

LS Jared Retkofsky

WR Limas Sweed

1 Playoff Games

RT Willie Colon (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

DE Nick Eason (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

LB Kerayon Fox (All with Kansas City Chiefs)

DB William Gay (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

WR Santonio Holmes (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

QB Byron Leftwich (All with Jacksonville Jaguars)

DB Anthony Madison (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

FB Sean McHugh (All with Green Bay Packers)

T Jeremy Parquet (All with St. Louis Rams)

RB Gary Russel (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

TE Matt Spaeth (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

G Darnell Stapleton (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

LB Lawrence Timmons (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

LB Lamar Woodley (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

2 Playoff Games

DB Fernando Byrant (All with Jacksonville Jaguars)

FS Ryan Clark (2 with Washington Redskins, DNP in 2007 Steelers playoff game)

RB Mewelde Moore (All with Minnesota Vikings)

3 Playoff Games

FB Carey Davis (2 with Atlanta Falcons, 1 with Pittsburgh Steelers)

4 Playoff Games

LB Andre Frazier (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

C Justin Hartwig (All with Tennessee Titans)

5 Playoff Games

T Trai Essex (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

G Chris Kemoeatu (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

CB Bryant McFadden (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

TE Heath Miller (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

DE Orepheus Roye (1 with Cleveland Browns, 4 with Pittsburgh Steelers)

WR Nate Washington (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

7 Playoff Games

RB Willie Parker (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

SS Troy Polamalu (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

QB Ben Roethlisberger (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

T Max Starks (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

CB Ike Taylor (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

9 Playoff Games

P Mitch Berger (All with Minnesota Vikings)

SS Tyrone Carter (2 with Minnesota Vikings, 7 with Pittsburgh Steelers)

LB Larry Foote (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

LB James Harrison (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

NT Chris Hoke (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

DE Brett Kiesel (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

DE Travis Kirschke (2 with Detroit Lions, 7 with Pittsburgh Steelers)

K Jeff Reed (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

11 Playoff Games

NT Casey Hampton (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

DE Aaron Smith (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

CB Deshea Townsend (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

WR Hines Ward (All with Pittsburgh Steelers)

12 Playoff Games

LB James Farrior (3 with New York Jets, 9 with Pittsburgh Steelers)

Several things of note:
Not every player actually played in all those playoff games, but they did dress and were considered active. I’m not sure this entirely matters, though. It’s probably very important for young players to get to see a playoff game and experience the atmosphere and intensity of the event. I’m sure it’s better to actually play, but just being there is next best. DT Scott Paxon is the only player who has no playoff experience who is not a rookie. Our 2003/2004 draft classes are boss, with several stars still here with tons of playoff experience.

26 players have 4+ playoff games under their belts, with 18 having atleast 1 game, and only 8 players having none. The average number of playoff games per player is 4.3 games! This is unbelievable. This has got to be the most playoff-experienced team in the NFL. Also most players have some experience playing for the Steelers in the playoff, which comes with massive pressure from fans' expectations and a demand of excellency from the franchise itself. Something else of note: The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in 11 playoff games in the past 7 seasons (not including this season, yet) and they have won 7 and lost 4. Unbelievable. Can you imagine the joy of, say, a Detriot Lions fan if his franchise has those stats. I love the consistency of this franchise. They really do things the right way. Finally, James Farrior is a beast, ‘nuff said.

Pro Bowl Voting

R.Clemente — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:37:48 -0000

A great way to recognize our players' efforts (especially our defense) is to get out there a vote. We all did our civic duty (except maybe HighSchoolSteeler as he's probably too young) recently when we did our presidential voting. Let's vote on something that really matters -- getting our Steelers some nationwide recognition. You could claim that this is a bane to the teams' future success, as Pro Bowl players demand higher salaries, but I'd rather have a team full of Pro Bowlers than a team like the Lions...

The voting ends EARLY THIS NEXT WEEK, so get it done. This latest round has been my 21st time voting this year.

http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot

Chad Johnson is deactivated.

R.Clemente — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:37:21 -0000

Just read it on ESPN. Some kinds of unreported rules violation. This should definitely help out second-time starter William Gay. Instead of having to cover Housh the whole game, now Ike Taylor gets to statistically eliminate him from the game.

On a side note, I just landed a last-minute ticket to the game. The Steelers are 3-0 at the only other games I have been able to attend. Not that we need another good luck charm for this game, just thought it couldn't hurt..