The Pittsburgh Steelers are familiar with quarterbacks capable of extending the play. Facing Ben Roethlisberger in practice every day for 11 years will do that to you. But #7 isn’t winning any foot races.
Colin Kaepernick, on the other hand, could. And the Steelers’ defense is well aware.
James Harrison spoke to needing to be conscious of rush lane integrity in containing Kaepernick.
“You never rush conservatively. You just rush in your lanes. Stay lane-conscious, don’t take any unnecessary risks and if you do make sure somebody’s covering you, that’s it,” he told Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com.
Cam Heyward spoke in the same manner.
“You don’t want to get pushed back past the quarterback because then it opens up another gap. We really have to be sound.”
Last year, Kaepernick rushed for 639 yards with an average of 6.1 yards per carry. He rushed seven times for 41 yards in Week One. You could argue he’s a bigger threat with his legs than his arms and we’ve seen athletic quarterbacks burn the team in the past. Try to repress the imagery of Terrelle Pryor running 90 yards two years ago.
