Romo the Roach: Tony's Extra-sensory Skills Could Decide the Steelers Game
by Rafael Vela on Dec 2, 2008 11:31 PM CST
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PrintMany insects have cerci, a pair of antenna-like appendages that extend from their lower bodies. Roaches use them like a second set of eyes; the cerci can detect minute changes in air currents, like those caused by human boots slamming towards them. The roach can gauge the direction of the gust and quickly dash in the opposite direction. It's why they're so hard to kill, even when one manages to sneak up behind them.
NFL defensive linemen probably feel that Tony Romo is part roach, with cerci extending from his shoulder blades. Though the Cowboys have had an injury-prone offensive line this year, that has broken down far more often than his lines from '06 and '07, Romo has only been bagged eight times in his nine starts. He has an uncanny ability to sense backslide pressure and slide away from it.
That extra-sensory skill could be the deciding factor in Sunday's Cowboys-Steelers game. The teams boast the two best rushes in the game. Pittsburgh tops the sack charts with 42 while Dallas has 40. Both run base 3-4 schemes. Both have exceptional pass rushing outside linebackers. Both make extensive use of 2-4-5 "Chaos" packages, where two down linemen are backed by a quartet of linebackers who float up and down the line of scrimmage before setting their rush lames just prior to the snap.
In short, both teams look to put extreme pressure on the opposing QB. The game will likely be won by the team which can better protect its signal caller. The numbers strongly suggest that team will be Dallas:
Sacks allowed
- PIttsburgh -- 36, 3.0 per game;
- Dallas -- 18, 1.5 per game;
Sacks taken by Starting QB:
- Ben Roethlisberger -- 12 starts, 33 sacks, 2.75/game;
- Tony Romo -- 9 starts, 8 sacks, 0.89/game;
Roethlisberger has been sacked three times as often as Romo this year. To give you some context, Brad Johnson was sacked 8 times in his three Cowboys starts, a 2.67/game rate. (Brooks Bollinger has the other two, from his Giants-game cameo.)
Brad Johnson was a slightly more slippery target than Ben Roethlisberger. Now, that's a bit of a cheap shot: Roethisberger is a far more able QB, with an infinitely stronger arm than Johnson. But when it comes to mobility and elusiveness, they're the same guy.
Nor can Roethlisberger claim to be a better football custodian than Romo. He has 15 total turnovers -- 12 picks and 3 lost fumbles, a 1.25/game turnover rate. Romo has eight picks and four lost fumbles, for a 1.33/game rate. We Cowboys fans get on him for his bobbles, but he's no worse than his rival this week.
All other rush conditions being about the same, Romo's slippery-ness could buy him the time for those one or two game-changing, big plays. The Steelers rush is excellent, but they're chasing a cockroach this weekend. The Cowboys blitzers are chasing Bernie Kosar's son.
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Wonderful Article
I was thinking that myself earlier Raf.
I’ve been MIA here lately, and its taking me time to get used to reading your stuff here, but its still topnotch.
I also would say that Pittsburg doesn’t possess nearly the threat at tightend that some of the other teams Dallas has faced this year. While I think Heath Miller is good, he’s not a huge vertical threat like Carlson or Davis is.
That will indeed be a key
And so also will be TAKING a sack if it’s coming and not throwing the ball up for grabs as he’s getting hit-especially, pleeeeese Tony, not in the Red Zone!
He’s got to just get it into his mind that they’ll probably get him a few times and take the loss.
I think Pitt. might be coming over the right side, to test Holland and see if Flozell is back to his old self or still looking slow (or dealing with a hurt hand, whatever the problem was).
I disagree on Miller
I’ve seen Pittsburgh four times this year. Miller is the best overall TE in the AFC. They use him exactly the way Dallas uses Witten. They don’t throw to him as often, but I think he’ll have a big game Sunday. He’s their one big weapon the Cowboys can’t account for.
correct
recently miller has been used to block and help our run game though. he is arguably one of the best TE’s in the game right now as he can also stretch the field like Witten.
by Bleed-Black&Gold on Dec 3, 2008 12:12 AM CST up reply actions
Nobody in the league is like Witten...
by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 3, 2008 7:32 AM CST up reply actions
whatever, i really don’t care. just trying to explain how valuable he is.
by Bleed-Black&Gold on Dec 3, 2008 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
So we are living in Joe's Apt now?
Too funny, if an Iggle fan called Romo a “cock a roach” (think Tony Montana’s accent) the fight would be on. Raf again you conjur up a visual that will get me through the rest of the work week.
I watched the Steelers dismantle the Pats O line and it was a scary sight to behold. They came from left, right, and middle seemingly at will in the second half. It could have been my over protective instinct for our playoff hopes survival, but their blitz seemed much fiercer than ours. The QB hits were vicious and our sacks are more often than not a tuck the QB in manuever.
I was remembering the Cowboy / Steeler superbowl when we were a finesse team and they — in Coach Landry’s words — mugged our receivers on every play. At least with TO JW, and RW their DBs intimidation technique (which worked very well on one Randy boy last week) should fail. Downfield we can match muscle against muscle and beat them with speed.
Here is to three big receivers refusing to be intimidated and running free in the secondary all afternoon. SALUTE!
It's Too Bad Miles Austin is Out
He gives Dallas that extra gear. Three WRs all 6’2" and 215 or bigger who can run. Oh well.
martellus
Good thing Tellus always seeems to be open.. He isn’t the big time threat, but he gets open..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
He really moves well
I think he could be special when he learns as much as Witten or TO about setting up DBs in his patterns. Witten was masterful on Thanksgiving on one play.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
YouTube
Someone has posted the entire Super Bowl 13-commercials and all.
I’m watching part 20-
Dallas is down 35-17, but Staubach is leading them on a comeback!
Larry
No matter how many times you watch it,
the final is always the same.
What I love is guys are making incredible plays all over the field, in the SB,
and what do they do? Get up and jog back to the huddle. Sometimes even show a little respect for the other team with a quick fist bump!
No showboating, acrobatics, fist pumps, celebrating. Playing like men instead of little boys.
Boy, Preston Pearson sure had no love for his old team………
Let me just say
I really enjoy reading your posts Rafael. Also, I have personally defeated many cerci in my days. I hope the Cowboys do the same Sunday.
I don't know now if
I like roaches more or Tony less. You’ve provided some disturbing images, Raf…
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
my mind is not processing well anymore
roaches = bad
romo = good
and is thinking about roaches reminding anyone else of the scene from MIB where Will Smith starts stompin’ roaches to get the alien’s attention?
I commented. You're welcome.
another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report
by bulldog jeeper on Dec 3, 2008 5:43 AM CST up reply actions
Roaches are dirty.
They’re also survivors. Almost impossible to kill…
Change in attitude
Raf, for the next 5 days (in some strange way) I will be pullin’ for the roaches of the world. Excellent post!
i highly recommend
we find a way to incorporate BFG Mud Terrain tire treads with our cleats. it’s the only way Romo will be able to slide away from the backside pressure he senses.
I commented. You're welcome.
another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report
No matter what happens on Sunday...
Somebody please hand Brian Stewart a legal pad and plenty of pens so he can TAKE NOTES on how to run a defense. Pitt has a HOF D-Coordinator and I would love love LOVE to have a 3-4 like there’s…
by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 3, 2008 7:35 AM CST reply actions
I hope Brian Stewart continues to be a glorified water boy
It’s pretty clear he doesn’t play much of a part anymore and that’s good. If he can learn something that’s good too. He deserves another shot (somewhere).
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 3, 2008 7:54 AM CST up reply actions
The roach analogy is bad Rafael
I like to think of Romo as a Jedi Master the way he can sense pressure and escape the rush. Romo is pure magic like a Jedi Knight, and there is nothing magical about cockroaches.
Regarding Roethlisberger, you’re off base Rafael. If there is a qb in the NFL that can escape pressure and move around the pocket comparable to Romo, its Big Ben.
The reason he has been getting sacked so much is that he has been holding the ball too long and their OL totally sucks, but Ben definitely is mobile, to say that he is a Brad Johnson and Bernie Kosar clone is ridiculous.
In Romo we Trust
yea but
Jedi’s aren’t even real dood..
But I agree Ben is a little more mobile than given credit for here. Not only that but he’s hard to bring down. Those arm tackle sacks we seem to like so much won’t be nearly enough to take down Big Ben. He’ll blow right through that crap.
Cowboy fans underestimate Roethlisberger
at our own risk. He is excellent, or at least he was his first two seasons. But let’s be real – he seems to be slipping a bit. This year he’s barely averaging 7 yards an attempt, has one more TD (13) than interceptions (12), and continues to be sacked at a prodigious rate (once every nine times he drops back).
Now, all that being true, Roethlisberger can still come up with a huge game at any time. Although he has had four games with a rating under 60 or below (1-3 in those games), he also has 6 games 90.0 or above (6-0 in those contests).
Just blitz Big Ben. Make him feel like he went through a car windshield, except this time he’ll have a helmet on.
the reason he's been average
is because his right shoulder has popped out a few times and has been playing in pain all season. I believe thats why he isn’t as effective as he was last season.
In Romo we Trust
well, Romo's skills don't seem real either
Just look at the play where he made a first down on a ball snapped over his head against the Rams last year, that play didn’t seem unreal to you?
In Romo we Trust
IF he were a jedi
His name would be Toh-Nee Roomou
Just having fun.
Yeah, when he's on, he has an ability to slide in the pocket
But holding the ball too long and a crappy o-line result in sacks and turnover. Three sacks a game are three sacks a game.
And Johnson and Kosar were good QBs in their day. Immobile, but good.
Wade Phillips I am certain has watched three games this week, with the common denominator of pressure:
Eagles vs. Big Ben and Byron Leftwich — 9 sacks, Beat Roethlisberger to a pulp. Knocked him out of the game;
Giants vs. Big Ben — 5 sacks, 3 Ints.;
Chargers vs. Big Ben — 4 sacks, 11 points allowed.
Dallas will be blitzing the second they step off the bus.
technically 4 interceptions in the giants game.
just like to point out that if you watch the giants game at least 3 of those interceptions were not because of pressure, one was an amazing play where the LB of the giants made a diving catch and Ben didn’t see him. second interception was on a caught pass by nate washington but he was hit and basically laterals it into a giant defender’s lap. 3rd one was on a 4th down i believe when we should have kicked a fg but he does get pressured and threw a pick. the last int was on a hail mary attempt.
only one was because of pressure. but because they blitzed so much we did get 2 big pass plays. one was called back though on a penalty.
by Bleed-Black&Gold on Dec 3, 2008 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
I think we'll see 2 TE sets a lot
With Bennett and Witten chipping the OLBs. Particularly on 1st and 2nd downs. We all know Flo and Columbo struggle with fast pass rushers. Chipping like this will defnitely help them out a good bit.
I think we’ll come out passing in those sets and see how the defense counters.
good point
I think we will see a lot of 2 TE sets.. I think every player lining up in that formation has advantage..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
Great Post
People complain about Romo, but Ben takes more chances then Romo..
I think this is the game we come away with multiple ints..
"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"
Ben does hold on to the ball WAY too long...
I have huge respect for him because of the abuse he takes and his toughness, but the guy takes alot of unneccesary abuse.
I think Dallas matches up really well against Pittsburg, not saying that they’ll win, but they match up well.
Once again I have to wonder why a Steelers fan is going out of their way to read and post on Dallas themed blogs.
Every team has their version of a super homer, we have Terry.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Witten's Great
Other TEs can have great games. Don’t be surprized when Big Ben finds Miller down the seem. It’s not like the Boys SS/FS play has been anything special. Maybe you think Brady James can run with Miller?
If not it'll be Henry
out of deperation.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
I watched the Steelers dismantle the Pats O line and it was a scary sight to behold
I watched Marion Barber run over the Redskins D for the entire 4th period. Bringing pressure is great, provided they get to the QB before he gets to TO, Roy Williams, Witten … Trying to stop a crazed RB behind a massive O line is a much different story. I like the Boys O against the Steeler D much better than the Steeler O against the Boys D.
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