Scouting report
By TIMES STAFF
Published December 3, 2006
THE BASICS: What's wrong with the Steelers? That question has been asked a time or two this season. This week, the defending Super Bowl champs are coming off perhaps their worst loss in a year that has seen plenty of defeat.
So, where to begin? On offense, QB Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 19 interceptions in 10 games. He threw just nine interceptions in 12 games last season. As a result, the Steelers are a league-worst minus-12 in turnover margin.
Protection issues have also handcuffed Roethlisberger. He was sacked nine times last week in a shutout loss to Baltimore - the second time Pittsburgh has been shut out this season.
It won't be any easier for the offense to overcome its ineffectiveness this week. Leading receiver Hines Ward will miss this game and possibly more with a knee injury.
On defense, the Steelers present another unique challenge for the Bucs: they are the second straight Tampa Bay opponent to utilize a 3-4 defensive front. And, like Dallas, the Steelers are good at it. They allow 3.6 yards per rushing attempt and rank sixth in the NFL in sacks (29).
The linebacking lineup of Joey Porter and Clark Haggans on the outside and James Farrior and Larry Foote on the inside are the heart of this defense. They can disguise coverages and blitzes well from the 3-4 alignment, which will make things hard on Bucs rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
In the secondary, the Steelers will be missing All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu, who will be sidelined by injury for the first time in his career because of a sprained knee ligament.
INJURIES: Bucs - Questionable: S Will Allen (ankle), cornerback Juran Bolden (shin), RB Michael Pittman (hamstring/ shoulder), LB Shelton Quarles (knee/ankle), TE Alex Smith (ankle), DT Ellis Wyms (ankle).
Steelers - Out: WR Hines Ward (knee), S Troy Polamalu (knee), WR Willie Reid (foot); Probable: LB Clark Haggans (hip), LB James Harrison (ankle), C Jeff Hartings (knee), WR Sean Morey (toe), LB Joey Porter (elbow), QB Ben Roethlisberger (chest), CB Ike Taylor (concussion).
BUC BEATER: Linebacker Joey Porter has been a nemesis of the Bucs in his two games against Tampa Bay. In his first, a 2001 victory, Porter recorded a team-high four sacks and made seven tackles and five quarterback pressures. That performance earned him AFC defensive player of the week honors. In the teams' 2002 meeting, Porter recorded four tackles to go along with a sack and a pass deflection.
SERIES: Pittsburgh leads 6-1. Tampa Bay's only victory came in a 16-3 victory in 1998 at Tampa. The last meeting between the teams came in 2002 when the Bucs lost 17-7. Bucs coach Jon Gruden is 0-2 against Steelers coach Bill Cowher. Gruden met the Steelers once as coach of the Raiders before losing with the Bucs in 2002. This will be the Bucs' first visit to Pittsburgh since 1983.
KEEP IN MIND: The Bucs are 0-5 on the road this season. With just three road games remaining, they are in danger of going winless on the road for the first time since 1991. Tampa Bay was 3-13 that season under coach Richard Williamson. The Steelers are 3-2 this season at Heinz Field.
DE Greg Spires vs. RT Max Starks
The Bucs should do their best to exploit the right side of the Pittsburgh offensive line. That's where the Ravens found most of their success last week when they tallied nine sacks against the Steelers. Defensive players lined up across from Starks and right guard Kendall Simmons accounted for 5 1/2 sacks.
TE Anthony Becht vs. OLB Clark Haggans
Haggans leads the Steelers with 5 1/2 sacks, but what makes this matchup particularly tough is the difficulty Becht will have with recognition. Determining whether Haggans intends to rush the quarterback or drop into coverage will require a little guesswork and a little veteran savvy.
WR Joey Galloway vs. strong safety
With Troy Polamalu out with a sprained knee, coach Jon Gruden likely will find a way to get his speedy receiver isolated on the backup safety - either Mike Logan or Tyrone Carter. Polamalu, an All-Pro, has a team-high three interceptions and leads the Steelers in tackles for loss.
STEPHEN F. HOLDER, Times staff writer