Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will see a Ravens-like defense from Colts on short week
PITTSBURGH 鈥� The Steelers will face the Indianapolis Colts on a short week, but it isn鈥檛 taking much time for the players to become well-versed on their defense.
Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ted Monachino was hired in the off-season after spending the past six years as a linebackers coach with the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts already ran an attacking 3-4 scheme before Monachino鈥檚 arrival, and he鈥檚 since implemented several Ravens-based concepts.
鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a lot of Baltimore looks,鈥� Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday morning.
But for as much as the Colts defense resembles Baltimore in tendencies, it lacks in production. The Ravens are second in the league in total defense, but the Colts are 30th, giving up a league-worst 284 passing yards-per-game. Roethlisberger has torched Indianapolis over the last two seasons, finishing with a combined 886 yards, 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions in two lopsided wins. He refused to take comfort in the past performances, however.
鈥淭hose are in the years past,鈥� Roethlisberger said. 鈥淭his is a different football team. We鈥檙e a different football team. We鈥檙e going to their place in a hostile environment. Short week. There鈥檚 a lot of challenges involved this week.鈥�
The Steelers are operating on a short week, but that both games are on the road makes matters more difficult. After beginning preparation for the Colts on Monday morning, the Steelers will board the team charter for Indianapolis about 48 hours later.
鈥�(We鈥檙e doing) everything we can,鈥� Roethlisberger said. 鈥淓specially both of them being on the road, it can be a challenge incorporating a lot of game-planning into basically one or two days. It can be very tricky.鈥�