The visuals:
This play was one of several during the Titans game in which Ben Roethlisberger had time, a clean pocket, and clear passing lanes in Week 1. For all the bluster about what the line was unable to do, Ben completed about 75% of his passes and threw for 363 yards. Two receivers had 100 yard games. Check out this video for the feature on NFL.com outlining this very thing.
Here is the link. Big Ben in the Pocket.
The Titans didn’t blitz often because they thought they’d be able to get pass rush pressure from their front 4. As seen in Part I, the Titans were able to get pressure early by blitzing. When they stopped blitzing, Roethlisberger threw the ball all over the field. What the Steelers had trouble doing was running the ball, and beating the Back 7 defenders for scores.
After Week 1, the jury is still out about whether or not this line can defend against 5 or 6 pass rushers. We do know that they can defend against four – even when that line includes elite pass rushers like Jevon Kearse and Kyle Vanden Bosch.
Also, check out this very cool conversation with the Steelers o-line.
Sirius Bark by Temple3 