Arguably no one in the Broncos’ locker room knows the Pittsburgh Steelers — as presently constructed — better than Ryan McBean.
After all, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive lineman spent his first two seasons in the NFL (2007-08 and 2008-09) on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. So he got a first-hand look at the defending Super Bowl Champions last season.
Well-versed in Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme, McBean said he has been able to share a few notes about Dick LeBeau’s unit with his offensive counterparts. But he has plenty of confidence that the offense will be ready for the challenge at hand.
“I try to share my part, give my part,” McBean said. “But these guys, they come here to work. All they’ve got to do is just watch tape and it shows for itself.”
While the offense has been focused on game planning for Pittsburgh’s physical defensive unit, McBean and his defenisve teammates have been busy this week preparing for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ hardnosed offensive attack.
From rushing Roethlisberger for two years — whether it be during training camp or in-season practice sessions — McBean knows the challenges Roethlisberger presents for a defensive front. His agility and strength make him one of the most difficult quarterbacks in the league to take down, according to McBean.
McBean said it is imperative that that the defensive unit keeps Roethlisberger in the pocket, as he is known for doing plenty of damage once he gets outside of the tight end box. Some say Roethlisberger is more susceptible to sacks because he is known for holding the ball for an extended period of time.
But McBean knows recording a sack on Roethlisberger is easier said than done.
“Roethlisberger, he shakes off a lot of guys, a lot of tackles,” he said. “When we get there, we’ve got to not just wrap him up. We’ve got to gang-wrap him up. We’ve got to bring him down because numerous times, guys think they have him and he just shakes them off and continues out of the pocket. We’ve just got to gang pack him and bring him down.”
While some players may try downplaying going up against their former team, McBean admitted than taking on the Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 9 means something extra to him. He made his NFL debut in Pittsburgh’s 2007 regular season finale at Baltimore.
“Those are the guys, they drafted me,” McBean said. “They gave me an opportunity to be where I am today. It will be great for me to go back and see some of my old teammates and try to beat some of my old teammates.”
Three Broncos did not participate in Thursday’s practice session — Josh Barrett (hamstring), Ryan Harris (toe) and Ryan McBean (knee). David Bruton (groin) and Jack Williams (illness) were limited participants.
For the Steelers, DE Travis Kirschke (calf) and LB Lawrence Timmons (ankle) did not partcipate in Thursday’s practice session.
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Here are some pictures from the onset of Thursday afternoon’s practice session:
Tags: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan McBean, Week 9
I don’t like Monday night games, to me Sunday is NFL day and when we don’t play there is like a huge void, like it all doesn’t matter that day, I find it even hard to watch another game. That said, with Pittsburgh on a bye week, this is the best time to be on Monday night, giving us that extra day to kind of even things out a bit on the time off.
38yrfan, apologies accepted, we all do stupid things, but you manned up and apologized for it. I bet you go on the San Francisco examiner website and you’ll find plenty of ways to vent your frustration. LOL.
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?
I’m serious on this. I live in Illinois. I know so far away from the great state of Colorado! I would love to have 2 boxes of the Breakfast Blitz cereal with Miles on them.
My 6 year old son Jadyn would love it and yes the other is for my office.
I tried calling the stores and shopping on line but the stores won’t ship them to me and I can’t get the delivery. Apparently the 1300 miles is a bit much for them LOL!
Just wondering if anyone had any ideas!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
HEY GRAY! HELP A BROTHER OUT! lol DON’T YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO GO SHOPPING?
I’LL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND….:)
GO GET EM’ BOYS
Baylino,
I know I read the same thing last night before I went to bed and thought…”you know, i’m not going to even address this because it’ll get ugly”
with that said my friend, here’s my picks for the game.
Denver 20
Pittsburg 17
I believe we’ll get most of the production from the ground game. Especially from the left side. I think Clady will match up well with the rookie DE and create some holes for Buck and Moreno.
GO GET EM’ BOYS
broncfalls, King Soopers and Safeway in Colorado is it, if they will not ship it, maybe you can get someone here from Colorado to ship it to you, can’t help you, I’m in Austin, land of Cowboy and Texans cereals. LOL. They don’t want their children here to grow up to be fillies, that’s how they refer to the Broncos, hahaha.
23-13
Broncos 23-13
I’v just been sittin back listening to everybody argue over why we lost.It was a total team loss,but I think we’ll bounce back.We need to pressure big Ben or put his big but on the ground a few times.lol.GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!!!
24-20
Baylin I know what you mean about the Monday night games,makes it hard to watch the other games on Sunday.Especially hard to watch’em talk about the other teams and scores and stats.lol..Can’t wait till Monday Night Baby.GO BRONCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I seen on NFL network last night that Hines Ward was voted the dirtiest player in the NFL,anybody else see that??
He’ll be dirty alright when Champ wallers him on the ground a few times .lol
I’ll cheer for the NYG on sunday! That game is worth 1/2 game for us. There’s always a team to cheer.
Go Broncooos!