Line keeping Big Ben clean
PITTSBURGH – In the first nine games this season, Ben Roethlisberger was getting hit more often than a Zach Duke fastball.
And Roethlisberger wasn’t going to be around long the rate he was going.
But after being sacked 35 times in his first 338 pass attempts, Roethlisberger has been sacked only once in the last 79 attempts. Not coincidentally, the Steelers (5-6) have won their last two games in convincing fashion, including a 27-11 victory Sunday over Cleveland.
“That’s a great defense,” said Roethlisberger after the Steelers did not allow a sack to the Browns.
“Our guys did a great job of giving me time to throw the ball.”
The Steelers’ improved pass protection has come while running a no-huddle offense. But the no-huddle used Sunday was far different than what the Steelers did in their 37-27 win over Detroit Nov. 17.
With the Browns playing tight coverage on Pittsburgh’s receivers, and the weather cold and windy, the Steelers ran the ball on six of their first eight plays in the no-huddle. Running back Le’Veon Bell finished with 80 yards on 23 carries, his second-most productive game.
“The game plan, because of the weather and not knowing what was going to happen, and them being a really good defense, was to come in and run the ball, even in the no-huddle,” said Roethlisberger.
The Steelers’ offensive line has heard enough about Roethlisberger being under constant attack.
“We’ve been improving as a line throughout the course of this season. I’m just so proud of these guys,” said right tackle Marcus Gilbert. “Ben was getting hit so much. We can’t afford anything to happen to him. We have to keep him clean so he can make the necessary throws. We’re just doing a better job and getting better.”
Roethlisberger was hit only twice by the Browns, but even that is considered too many times.
“Ben’s a good quarterback when he’s standing,” guard Ramon Foster said. “I think we left some plays out there when he got hit.
“We’ve got to take that approach each week. We can’t be good one week and then not the next. Our goal is to keep going.”
Next is a crucial game Thursday night at Baltimore (5-6). The Steelers defeated the Ravens, 19-16, Oct. 20 at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger was sacked three times in that game and hit four other times. The Ravens have 34 sacks.
“We didn’t’ give up any sacks (Sunday), but we gave up some hits,” Foster said. “Baltimore is going to be on top of that. We’ve got to clean some of that up. We’ve got to go on the road and be a lot better.”
According to Gilbert, the no-huddle can help accomplish that.
“It helps us wear the defense down,” Gilbert said. “It’s just about (the line) manning up, getting better and doing our job.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said nose tackle Steve McLendon (sprained ankle) will not play Thursday. Al Woods and Ziggy Hood could rotate at the position. … Defensive end Brett Keisel (foot) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (calf) each missed the last two games but might play against Baltimore. … Cornerback Curtis Brown suffered a torn ACL in the second half against Cleveland and is out for the season. … Safety Shamarko Thomas (ankle), out for the past three weeks, could return against the Ravens. … This will be the first time in NFL history that a team played a Sunday road game followed by a another road game four days later.