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Week 16 matchup

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

Heap is big and fast with great hands. He creates one-on-one matchup problems for most defenses. But Polamalu has both the size and speed to match up well with Heap.

When these teams met in Week 2, Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller looked for Heap, his favorite target, when Baltimore needed a big completion. In the first two drives of the game, Boller threw to Heap in critical third-down situations and got first downs.

Heap will be isolated on Polamalu when the Ravens shift to a "Y Open" formation and Heap is lined up as a wide receiver opposite two other wide receivers. Polamalu has the athleticism to handle Heap but is more of a run stopper than a coverage safety, so look for the Ravens to use this formation with some frequency. Heap can serve as an excellent decoy by removing Polamalu from the run-support box with a vertical release, allowing the Ravens to do what they like to do most--run the ball.

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In passing situations, the Steelers will give each of their safeties half the field to oversee, and that's when Heap will get the chance to run some skinny post patterns down the middle. Look for Polamalu to collide with Heap as the ball arrives. In his second year, Polamalu already is one of the best tackling safeties in the league.

Polamalu will blitz on occasion but first must convince Boller he has Heap in coverage. If Boller can see the blitz, Heap will be the hot receiver, and the only way to stop the blitz will be to throw to Heap. Advantage: Heap.

Week 16 matchup

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

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