The big talk going into last night’s game was how the Titans would fare without Albert Haynesworth applying pressure up the middle/plugging massive running lanes. It appears that Tennessee really didn’t miss him much. From SI’s Don Banks:
No Haynesworth, No Problem?
One thought kept cycling through my mind watching the Titans defense in this one: Who needs Albert Haynesworth? Tennessee’s defensive front got steady pressure on Roethlisberger, even without Haynesworth at defensive tackle, or without resorting to a bunch of blitzes. The Titans dropped Roethlisberger those four times for minus-42 yards, with five different linemen totaling at least a half sack: Jason Jones, Tony Brown, and Jevon Kearse all had one sack, while Jacob Ford and William Hayes split a sack.And the Titans run defense lost nothing of its dominating ways without Big Albert in the lineup. Pittsburgh’s running game was anemic, finishing with just 36 yards on 23 attempts (1.6 average), with Willie Parker’s 19 yards on 13 carries leading the way. Only one of the Steelers’ 19 first downs came on the ground, an astounding number for a team that used to live and die with its rushing game.
If you’re just looking at the numbers, the Titans line was great without Haynesworth. But when it mattered -- the final drive of the fourth, which should’ve been the game-winner had Hines not fumbled, and the overtime drive -- the d-line was non-existent. They were unable to apply any pressure.
Clearly, they were gassed, which probably wouldn’t have been any different had Haynesworth been there. He gets tired, too. So, perhaps throwing in a blitz or two would’ve been beneficial:
I still can’t understand how they don’t either blitz, press the receivers, or both in overtime. And don’t come at me with the crap excuse that blitzing Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t work. How did giving him all day to do that stupid pump fake work out for you? Combine that with giving his receivers a 10 yard cushion, and you have the recipe for not seeing the ball in overtime.
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