Old-school approach returns with Jaguars

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, December 16, 2007



JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 9: Fred Taylor #28 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for a touchdown in a game against the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 9, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars beat the Panthers 37-6. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Last Sunday, the Steelers' No. 1-ranked defense ran up against a pass-happy attack it just couldn't stop.

Today, the Steelers will encounter an offense that intends to run right at them, which is just the way the Steelers like it.

The Jacksonville Jaguars run the ball well, so it's not as if the Steelers' defense is in for a much-needed breather.

But after watching New England run the ball eight times on purpose in a 21-point pasting of the Steelers, one that included the Patriots attempting to pass on 27 of 29 second-half snaps, anything is preferable to being spread out and carved up again in what amounts to a never-ending 7-on-7 drill.

The NFL may be a copy-cat league, but Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio has his own ideas about the way the game ought to be played.
It's not that Del Rio is anti-pass; he's just much more of a run/stop the run traditionalist at heart.

"You do what you think you can do with your guys to win the game," Del Rio said. "(New England) happens to have a very talented quarterback that they trusted to get the ball in his hands.

"We believe in the running game, in blocking and tackling, in doing some of the fundamentals that you need to do well to win. The Steelers and Jaguars both pride themselves on being able to run it and being able to stop the run. We know it's going to be a physical confrontation."

The Patriots are undefeated, on the verge of shattering a couple of historic records and appear destined to win their fourth Super Bowl in seven seasons, so there can be no questioning their approach.

Still, for fans of blocking and tackling, it won't get much better than Steelers-Jags.

The two teams that will collide today at Heinz Field are among seven in the NFL that rank in the top 10 in rushing and rushing defense.

The Jaguars are second in rushing and fifth in rush defense.

The Steelers are third in rushing and second in rush defense.

That being the case, perhaps the Steelers' throwback uniforms would have been more appropriate this week.

Both teams are also led by quarterbacks enjoying breakout campaigns and boasting passer ratings of over 100.

But even with Ben Roethlisberger and David Garrard performing as well as they have, the Steelers and Jaguars rank 1 and 3 in rushing attempts in the NFL (437 for the Steelers, 429 for the Jaguars).

"I don't know that it's a dying philosophy," Del Rio said. "Certainly, there have been numerous rules changes and emphasis-points made that encourage the passing game.

"Balance, in our case, is something we strive to have. We believe that we can throw it and we believe that we can run it and we're looking to do both. I know the Steelers are the same way."

That should provide a refreshing dose of two things last Sunday's game at New England lacked -- contrast and contact.

Enjoy it while it lasts.


Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.