So many topics, so little time. This is COMPLETELY in no particular order (I'm not even going to re-write any of it) and please excuse the multiple words in EMPHASIS as I'm PISSED!
I was there. It was borderline EMBARRASSING. There were about three NE fans in our section and I HATED listening to them gloat. See more about HATE below.
This was absolutely THE WORST defensive "performance" I've ever seen from this defense. I can't even call it an "effort."
Per Troy Polamalu (who's name, including Harrison's, I do not even remember their names being called at any point in the game, see below about Brady and Belichick): "Oh no, it's very humbling." Do ya think?!?
From Bob Labriola, "It was lifeless, it was flat..." At the very least!
I positively hate them both but Brady is one of the top five greatest QBs OF ALL TIME (I think it really pissed him off that he was taken so low in the draft) and Belichick is a GENIUS. That's all there is to it. There, I said it. Yes me. How the hell else can they be 7-2 with their personnel? Wes Welker is their ONLY receiver who could start on ANY other NFL team... period! Belichick develops the plan and Brady executes. Not even General Patton was so adept at pin-pointing weaknesses of opponents.
Brady can throw to ANYONE who can get open and catch; "worst" receiver or "best."
You think we hate THEM, Brady and Belichick HATE, HATE, HATE the Steelers. They think the Super Bowl is their birthright and if it takes kicking the Steelers asses to do it, they will take on the task with of all their being. That's what we saw in this game.
Rookie receivers, rookie receivers, rookie receivers. Sanders and the Big "R" looked like they had never even SEEN each other a football field before. Sanders has also cost them a couple of TDs in previous games by being in the wrong location on the field; too close to the intended receiver. Most notably in the New Orleans game (pass to Ward down the sideline).
In MY opinion the game was determined by the first play from scrimmage. I was TERRIBLY disappointed that the Steelers did not, at least, show some aggressiveness by starting out with a pass. It was obvious the Patriots anticipated a run as well as they made a WHOLESALE personnel change for the next down. Almost the entire game the Steelers ran at the Patriots run defense and threw against their pass defense (see below). Aside: I'm beginning to think Tomlin is in the same mold as both Noll and Cowher, and not in the best way. NONE of the three was a capable FIELD coach. They were great in preparation, motivation, etc., but none of the three could consistently make significant enough adjustments during the game, or even at halftime, to turn the balance in their teams' favor.
Further, when was the last time any of us ever yelled, "Great call!" in response to a Steelers offensive play? Arians, are you listening?
Does Roethlisberger EVER know who he's going to throw to when he comes out of the huddle? When Brady throws a 12-yard out pattern to Welker the ball is gone even before Welker makes his cut and it's right on the mark. YOU know that HE knows where the ball is going when they break the huddle.
Ben, stop trying to score a TD on EVERY FREAKING PLAY! Get rid of the ball and stop taking sacks. From Mike Prisuta: "If the ball never gets out of the pocket it doesn't matter what play has been called." I also, as the game progressed, I had the distinct feeling the passing plays were being drawn on the ground in the huddle. "You go out, you go up, you go over the middle and I'll find you. Oh, the rest of you guys block. On two, break!"
What was the defensive game plan? Let Brady do whatever he wants as long as you don't get beat DEEP?!? He might not beat you deep consistently, although he can, but he will positively KILL you with the short pass for as long as you are willing to give it to him.
Further, If you're not going to blitz or cannot blitz effectively, take the fourth linebacker out, go with the nickel and man-to-man to take away the short passes and FORCE him to throw long. Just tell me HOW the hell could that have been any worse?!?
I'm increasingly becoming convinced that the only defense that can effectively work against New England is a 4-3 NOT a 3-4. Just think about the teams that have beaten them trough the years most notably in SB XLII.
From the stands I didn't see Brady yelling on the sidelines but I'm not sure what exactly he had to yell about. The Patriots had complete control of the game from the start, even at 10-3 at the half. Agreed? BUT, this is FOOTBALL not EVERYONE MAKE HAPPY 101. A little screaming and kicking of ass on the sideline is, at times, REQUIRED and I love it when the QB takes charge and does it! Did you see anyone talking back to him? No. This is an emotional SPORT (not game). You NEED emotion to prevail. It is, most of all, a battle of WILLS! Who the hell ever won a battle of wills without emotion?
Dropped passes in the end zone when the game is 10-0?!? At this point receivers HAVE TO, HAVE TO, HAVE TO make the catch! HAVE TO! The is PRO football, not high school or college. These guys get paid to PERFORM not just to show up.
Take the "hat" away from Randle El and give it to Brown. All El contributes is fair catching punts inside the 10. Both Brown and Sanders can do THAT and El isn't contributing anything to the offense. He's dropped at least 7 passes this season, and that's unacceptable. At least Brown adds another deep threat to the offense. Oh, thee are only three people on the Steelers roster who you can rely on being able to catch the ball: Ward, Miller, and Polamalu. This has been bothering me ALL SEASON LONG.
Thanks to Cleveland for stirring up both New Orleans AND New England just before they played the Steelers. I'm sure it wasn't "intentional" as the site of orange helmets coming out on the field does not strike fear in ANYONE, but...
My offensive strategy: Do what the defense doesn't think you'll do. Defense: Pick on the weakest link, particularly in the passing game, UNTIL THEY STOP YOU FROM DOING IT! What do ya think, huh? THE STEELERS DO NOT DO THIS... EVER! Might give a try, then?
I should go into this in more detail but frankly I'm worn out but, you CANNOT beat New England with makeshift offensive AND defensive lines.
Again, from Mike Prisuta, "I don't know if they'll ever beat Tom Brady." Me either (see HATE above).
P.S. Thanks to the guys who sat beside me. I really enjoyed thoughtfully analyzing the game. It was either that or jump out of the upper deck.
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