Film Room: Sopoaga and Franklin

This week’s Film Room spotlight is on the Niners' twin titans in the middle, nose tackles Aubrayo Franklin and Isaac Sopoaga. Franklin missed the entire preseason with a sprained knee suffered in training camp. In the absence of his major competition, Sopoaga took the opportunity to show how far he’s come in learning his position.

On film, Franklin looks like he weighs about 20 pounds more than Sopoaga, but the big Samoan looks an inch or two taller and far more athletic. I don’t recall either having their name mentioned even once in the telecast, but that’s usually not a big deal for a nose tackle, as their work is not often very flashy. Rather, their job is primarily to occupy blockers — the more, the better.

So how did they hold up against the Steelers vaunted offensive line? Read on and find out:

The first thing I notice while reviewing the game is this: As they fade out into the commercial, the network plays a rock tune with highlight images of Roethlisberger and the subtitle, “BIG BEN UP NEXT”.

*1st Half, 1st Series

1st and 10 PIT16: Parker runs left for 13 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is engaged by the RG Simmons after the C Mahan swims past and goes to block a linebacker. Aubrayo knocks the Simmons on his butt, but Parker sidesteps and runs into the secondary.

1st and 10 PIT29: Roethlisberger is sacked for -4 yards, and FUMBLES. SF recovers.
Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin shoves C Mahan back a yard and drifts left, but it’s a play-fake. OLB Navies swoops in, knocks the ball out of Roethlisberger’s hands and recovers it (DE Young was right there as well).

*2nd Series

1st and 10 PIT25: Roethlisberger throws short middle to Parker for 9 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin bull-rushes the RG Simmons about 7 yards into the backfield, then gets blocked in the back (arguably the side) just as he closes within a yard of Roethlisberger, who evades and dumps the ball off to Parker (tackled by Douglas after 9). No penalty.

2nd and 1 PIT34: Parker runs up the middle for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is double teamed by the C Mahan and RG Simmons. He holds his ground, but is only able to get one arm on Parker who runs past.

1st and 10 PIT39: Parker runs up the middle for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is engaged by the RG while the C swim-moves past him (again), and goes out to block LB Willis. Parker runs over the hole between the C and LG.

2nd and 5 PIT 44: Parker runs outside right for 1 yard.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is blocked by the C, but manages to drift left and clog up the hole (along with BY).

Parker tries to bounce the run outside and Willis drags him down by the jersey.

3rd and 4 PIT 45: Roethlisberger throws deep middle incomplete.
Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel

(neither Franklin or Sopoaga were in on this play)

*3rd Series

1st and 10 PIT9: Roethlisberger throws short left to Miller for 15 yards.
Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin, singled up against the C Mahan, pushes about a yard into the backfield before Roethlisberger gets the pass off.

Willis comes on a blitz and clocks the RG Simmons pretty good (he seemed to be the weak link on the Steelers line in the first half).

1st and 10 PIT24: Parker runs left for -3 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin drifts right and is engaged by the RG, but the play is over pretty fast because DE Douglas explodes off the ball, through the LT Smith’s block, and makes the tackle.

2nd and 13 PIT21: Parker runs left for 8 yards.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel

Franklin stunts toward the LG Faneca and Sopoaga goes behind him toward the RG Simmons. Simmons follows Franklin and sends him sprawling with a shove from the side (he lands right at Parker’s feet).

Banta-Cain spins past the LT's block and loses contain on Parker who says “thank you very much” and speeds through the hole.

Weirdness – ILB Smith jumps on C Mahan’s back and gets carried a couple yards on this play.

*4th Series

1st and 10 PIT20: WR Wilson runs right then back left for no gain.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga holds his ground and shoves the C back about a yard, then drifts toward the RT Colon (which is the direction Wilson is running).

Willis flies in and cuts Wilson off on the right side of the field, but gets cut-blocked by the FB Davis. Willis pops up and still has time to make the tackle, but then he gets blocked by TE Miller, sheds him, and gets blocked by the FB again. As Wilson comes back across the field, CB Clements flies into the frame and makes an amazing open field tackle.

2nd and 10 PIT20: Parker runs right for 23 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga holds up at the point of attack and clogs up the middle.

DE Young hits Parker in the backfield, but doesn’t wrap up. Parker escapes and bounces the run outside, making OLB’s Banta-Cain and Navies look silly trying to keep up. In Banta-Cain’s defense, he was fighting off TE Miller’s block at the time.

1st and 10 PIT43: RB Davenport runs up the middle for 1 yard.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga holds the point of attack and forces Davenport to redirect outside where he’s swarmed by defenders.

Note: This play was nullified by an illegal formation penalty.

1st and 15 PIT38: Parker runs left for 2 yards.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel (Line: Banta-Cain/Young/Franklin/Sopoaga)

Sopoaga runs outside the LT and gets taken out of the play.

Franklin drifts right and clogs up the hole, forcing Parker right into the arms of ILB Smith who makes a nice solo tackle.

2nd and 13 PIT40: Roethlisberger throws incomplete left.
Formation: 3-2-6 Dime

Neither Franklin or Sopoaga were in on this play, I just wanted to point it out because it started out looking like a 4-1-6, but DE/LB Moore backed off the line while SS M. Lewis and FS Roman came on the blitz. Moore gave TE Miller a nice pop within the 5 yard hit-zone and stayed on him in man coverage.

Note: This play was nullified by the questionable illegal contact penalty on CB Clements. Roethlisberger raised his arms and complained, then started nodding and clapping when he saw the flag. This inspired in me undying hatred.

1st and 10 PIT45: Roethlisberger throws middle to Miller for 10 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga fights for hand-position with the C Mahan and goes nowhere. Actually, it looks like they’re playing patty-cake.

This play seemed to be Willis’ fault, as Miller went uncovered and it looked like Willis realized it was his job and turned to give chase.

3rd and 1 SF26: Davenport runs up the middle for 3 yards.
Formation: 4-4-3

Franklin is pancaked by the C Mahan and LG Faneca.

Sopoaga gets 2 yards into the backfield against LT Smith, but he’s walled out of the play by the entire left side of the line.

1st and 10 SF23: Parker runs right for 3 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin holds his ground against the C’s block, extends his arms to create space, and then drifts toward the play.

Banta-Cain makes a nice tackle, fighting through TE Miller’s block.

2nd and 7 SF20: Parker runs left for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin holds his ground against the C and an initial shove from LG Faneca, then fights through the blocks and trips up Parker.

3rd and 2 SF15: Direct snap to WR Ward for 6 yards.

(Neither Franklin or Sopoaga in on this play)

1st and goal SF8: Roethlisberger throws short right to FB Davis for -1 yard.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin fights against blocks from C Mahan and RG Simmons, disengages, and flows down the line toward the play.

Clements flies in to make the tackle before anyone else gets close. Great play.

2nd and goal SF9: Roethlisberger throws short right to TE Tuman, TOUCHDOWN.
Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin, blocked by the RG Simmons, pushes about 2 yards into the backfield and raises his arms as the ball is thrown, but it’s too little too late (Roethlisberger throws from about 7 yards in the backfield).

*2nd Half, 1st Series

1st and 10 PIT20: Parker runs left for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin gets a good push on the C Mahan and moves down the line toward the LT Smith, clogging up the hole and forcing Parker outside where DE/DT Douglas makes the tackle. Parker gets 5 yards after a generous spot.

2nd and 5 PIT25: Roethlisberger scrambles to the right for 18 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is double-teamed by C Mahan and RG Simmons. He pushes them about a yard and a half back, then redirects toward LT Smith just as Roethlisberger runs through the hole where the RT was.

Watching OLB Banta-Cain give chase on this play is painful due to the lack of effort. DE Young also missed an ankle-tackle which would have held the play to a gain of 5. D. Smith, covering RB Parker (matchup nightmare here), shed RB Parker’s block and chased Roethlisberger out of bounds.

1st and 10 PIT43: Parker runs left for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin moves toward the LT and clogs up the running lane, forcing Parker to cut the run downfield before he’d have liked to.

DE Young and ILB Willis make the tackle. This is the kind of play injured OLB Lawson blows up in the backfield from behind all the time. Banta-Cain was unblocked on the backside of the play, but pretty much jogged in pursuit.

2nd and 5 PIT48: Parker runs right for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is blocked out of the play by the Center. RB Parker runs over RT Colon for another chunk of yardage.

1st and 10 SF47: Davenport runs left for -2 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga, pushing toward the LT Smith, tosses RG Simmons aside like a ragdoll but then trips over TE Tuman.

Tuman, incidentally, was ragdolled himself by DE Marques Douglas who knifed into the backfield to bring Davenport down for a 2 yard loss. Great effort by Douglas.

On this play, ILB Smith tried to take LG Faneca head-on. He lost.

2nd and 12 SF50: Parker runs left for 2 yards.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel (Line: Young/Franklin/Sopoaga/Banta-Cain)

Sopoaga pushes C Mahan about 5 yards into the backfield, taking himself out of the play.

The RG, Simmons, tries mightily to move Franklin out of the play, but fails.

Franklin and Young effectively broke this play, forcing Parker left when the run was obviously designed to go right. Willis actually missed a tackle on this play. That’s sort of like seeing Jerry Rice drop a pass. Banta-Cain showed better effort on this play, chasing Parker down alongside CB W. Harris.

3rd and 10 SF48: Roethlisberger throws left to TE Miller for 31 yards.

Formation: 3-2-6 Dime

Neither Franklin or Sopoaga were in on this play, but I wanted to point it out. FS Roman comes on a blitz and should have a sack, but he’s obviously blocked in the back by the Center. In fact, it’s obvious it’s kind of ridiculous. Bryant Young also has a shot, but the RT trips him. He promptly falls on Roman’s ankle (Roman was limping afterward).

The refs miss the two penalties in the backfield but manage to call an illegal contact penalty on CB Hudson, which is declined. Afterward, the announcers talk about how the Steelers should throw the ball at Roman to take advantage of the injury.

1st and 10 SF17: Roethlisberger throws incomplete right to Miller.
Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga, though he’s double-teamed by the C and RG, pushes about 4 yards into the backfield anyway.

The play is initially called a catch. Coach Nolan challenges the play and wins, as Miller’s foot landed out of bounds.

2nd and 10 SF17: Roethlisberger throws incomplete short middle.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga is blocked by the C who holds him off with help from LG Faneca.

This is the play where Willis bodyslams WR Hines Ward. Roman crushes him on the very next play, and I bet Mark was still angry about the block in the back robbing him of the sack.

3nd and 10 SF17: Roethlisberger throws incomplete short middle.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel

(Neither Sopoaga nor Franklin were in on this play)

*2nd Series

1st and 10 PIT19: Roethlisberger throws short left to FB Davis for 10 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin goes nowhere, as he’s blocked by C Mahan with some help from RG Simmons.

1st and 10 PIT29: Parker runs left for 1 yard.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin gets blocked by the C, but stands him up and shoves him toward LT Smith and into the hole. Parker has nowhere to go.

2nd and 9 PIT30: Parker runs right for 3 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin holds his ground against a doubleteam from the C and RG.

DE Young does a great job fighting off the RT Colon and TE Miller, who gets tossed to the ground. OLB Navies also held his ground well, allowing ILB Smith to make the tackle.

3rd and 6 PIT27: Roethlisberger throws short right to Holmes for 15 yards.

(Neither Franklin nor Sopoaga in on this play)

1st and 10 PIT42: Roethlisberger throws right sideline to Holmes for 22 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin reads run on the play-action and pretty much goes nowhere on this play.

Banta-Cain misses an easy sack by trying to arm-tackle Roethlisberger instead of wrapping up. In Tully’s defense, he was shoved in the back by LG Alan Faneca, who he beat on the play.

1st and 10 SF36: Parker runs up the middle for 2 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga demonstrates perfect technique on this play, standing up the C, finding the RB Parker, then tossing the C aside and making the tackle.

2nd and 7 SF34: Roethlisberger throws incomplete short right.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga splits a double-team (the RG and C), slices into the backfield, and Roethlisberger proceeds to slip out of the tackle and throw the ball away.

Fields was also nearby, but he was held by the back of his shoulder pads by RT Colon behind him at the end of the play, and then he got blocked in the back by the Center.

This was obviously intentional grounding, but it went uncalled. Not only was there no receiver in the vicinity of the throw, Roethlisberger wasn’t even close to being out of the pocket. The RT lined up on the right hash mark, and Ben was easily a yard or two left of it when he threw. All the announcers (Moose, Goose, and the other guy) were surprised it wasn’t called.

3rd and 7 SF34: Parker runs left for r yards.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel.

Neither Sopoaga or Franklin were in on this play. I just wanted to go over it because it was probably a fumble. When Parker was tackled, he landed on Marques Douglas and his knees and elbows appeared off the ground when the ball came out. It was hard to tell from the angle they showed, but it looked close enough that it shouldn’t have been whistled dead.

*3rd Series

Note: Haralson came in for Navies at OLB on this series.

1st and 10 PIT20: Parker runs over RT for 13 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4.

Sopoaga stands the C up but doesn’t go far.

Seems like everyone gets blocked on this play, and Parker makes a nice cut to get downfield. Banta-Cain’s jersey is grabbed a little, but overall it's just a good play by the Steelers.

1st and 10 PIT34: Roethlisberger throws short right to FB Davis for -1 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga holds the point, then runs down the line toward the RT and beyond toward the FB. Willis makes the initial hit, but Sopoaga runs over and gets in on the action as well.

2nd and 11 PIT33: Parker runs outside right for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga holds his ground then follows the flow of the play toward the RT then the sideline and makes an assist on the tackle.

Banta-Cain should have made the stop in the backfield for a loss, but Parker slipped the arm-tackle.

3rd and 6 PIT 38: Roethlisberger throws middle to Holmes for 18 yards (Spencer covering).

Formation: Who knows (Line: Douglas/Fields, many LBs standing up)

1st and 10 SF 44: Parker runs outside right for 5 yards.

Formation: Base 3-4

Franklin is blocked out of the play by the RG.

Keith Lewis gets his first non-special teams tackle on the season, bringing Parker down in the open field. Lewis looks very excited to finally see the field.

2nd and 6 SF39: Parker runs over RG for a gain of 4.

Formation: 4-4-3

Interesting formation on this one. The DB’s are M. Lewis, K. Lewis, and Clements. The LB’s are Smith, Willis, Navies, and Banta-Cain. The down linemen are Young, Franklin, Sopoaga, and Franklin. Banta-Cain is lined up outside Young’s shoulder standing up.

Franklin gets blasted off the ball by the C and the LG Faneca.

Sopoaga, blocked by LT Smith, is too far away to be a factor in the play.

Willie Parker gains an extra 2 yards at the end of this play by falling on a Niner (Douglas, I think) and rolling forward before hitting the ground. After that, Parker stands up and beats his chest like he's King Kong or something.

3rd and 2 SF35: Roethlisberger throws sideline right to Miller for 17 yards.

Formation: 4-4-3

Franklin collapses the pocket about 4 yards, but it doesn’t matter much because Roethlisberger is in the shotgun.

Sopoaga gets forced outside by the RG.

Young was held and then shoved from behind after getting past his man. No call.

1st and 10 SF18: Parker runs outside left for 1 yard.

Formation: 4-4-3

Sopoaga and Franklin are walled out of the play by LT Smith and LG Faneca.

K.Lewis and N. Clements combine for this tackle. A great effort by both.

Willis went one-on-one with Faneca and held up just fine. In fact, he spun off the block and headed back for the ball carrier and would have made the tackle if Clements or Lewis hadn’t. Faneca ended the play flat on his belly.

2nd and 9 SF17: Roethlisberger throws incomplete short left.

Formation: 4-4-3 (Sopoaga shifts to LDE, with Franklin at LDT)

Neither Sopoaga or Franklin go far, as this was a quick strike for the endzone.

3rd and 9 SF17: Roethlisberger throws incomplete short right.

Formation: 4-2-5 Nickel

(Neither Franklin or Sopoaga are in on this play)

*4th Series, following onside kick

1st and 10 SF46: Davenport runs outside right for 5 yards.

Formation: 4-4-3

Franklin gets blown off the ball by the C and RG Faneca on this play.

Sopoaga stands his man up (LT Smith) and drifts toward the ball, but the play is to the other side of the field.

2nd and 5 SF41: Davenport runs over RT for 2 yards.

Formation: 4-4-3

Franklin stands his man up and flows toward the RT, clogging up the middle nicely.

Sopoaga is pushed back 2 yards by the doubleteam of Faneca and the LT.

Marques Douglas takes a hilarious flying leap onto the pile at the end of this play.

3rd and 3 SF39: Davenport runs over LT for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Formation: Base 3-4

Sopoaga stands C Mahan up, then sheds the block, but only gets one arm on Davenport who runs through the gap where LT Smith and LG Faneca have manhandled Marques Douglas.

Banta-Cain bites on the fake end-around and doesn’t recover in time to get close enough for the tackle. M. Lewis misses a shoestring tackle. W. Harris goes for the strip instead of the tackle, and the Dump Truck scores.

In The End ...

Upon close review, I felt that Sopoaga clearly had a better game than Franklin, but that Douglas had a monster game and played the best of the defensive linemen. Sopoaga always seems like the strongest man on the field. Several plays per game I see him throw blockers aside like they were children. It's hard not to see that and get excited about his future.

Franklin is huge out there, but other than his size there isn't anything about his game I can really point to and say is excellent. Neither gets off the ball lightning quick down after down, but Franklin seems the slower of the two. I don't intend to start a controversy, but it does seem that Sopoaga is a bit beyond Franklin at this point.

Next week's Film Room spotlight is yet to be determined, but some people have suggested Heitmann and Smiley. If there are any players in particular whose snaps you would like to see analyzed like this, please post their names in the comments.