Week 4: AGREE TO DISAGREE

My comments on this week's Steeler's Hompage edition of "Agree to Disagree":


1. Red zone (touchdown) percentage is the most important stat in the NFL. DISAGREE. Scoring percentage is the most important statistic; getting the points when you have the opportunity.




2. The high number of turnovers by the Steelers is more of a concern that the low number of turnovers. AGREE. Defensive takeaways are often the result of chance and not a result of good defensive play. Offensive turnovers are almost ALWAYS the result of poor offensive play. Therefore, turnovers are more indicative of the play of your team.




3. A 2-2 record after four games would be problematic. AGREE. In this case, if the Steelers play their game they won't lose. I they lose  they won't have played their game and then, YES, it will be a problem.




4. The Texans are the best team the Steelers will have played so far this season. DISAGREE. I think the Baltimore Ravens are still the best team the Steelers have played. If not, the score in Houston could be 70-0; which I'm sure it won't be.

PREDICTION: Texans 24 STEELERS 23

STEELERS WEEK 3: WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

1. INJURIES: Scott LT, Gilbert (shoulder) RT if healthy. Essex in place of Scott otherwise. Legursky (shoulder) and Scott (ankle) questionable. Keomoatu, Pouncey, and Foster rounding out the starters with Jamon Meridith and Chris Scott as subs.

2. Kiesel should be held out for the long haul and forget about this week or even next.

3. Arnez Battle may be out so it appears we may finally get a look at Jericcho Cotchery. The offense will need him as they are going to have to produce through the air based on their lackluster performances in the running game thus far.(see below).

4. While discussing the passing offense, more quick passes (slants, crossing patterns, etc.) al la the Seattle game, are what is in order to slow down the pass rush. (See above.) Man do we miss Baron Batch!

5. The Steelers' turnover margin of -9 is dead last in the league. Baltimore, Detroit and SF all led with +6. The Steelers' are LAST in takeaways with 1 (one). Ten turnovers by the offense is tied with the likes of 0-3 KC for the league high. The only other team without an interception after three games is Denver.

STEELERS-COLTS AFTERMATH: INITIAL THOUGHTS

1. Can anyone suggest there is a worse Offensive Coordinator in the NFL than Bruce Arians? What NFL OC has more to work with and accomplishes less?


2. With receivers like Ward, Miller, Wallace, Sanders and Brown why bring in SAUNDERS and actually THROW to him ON A CRITICAL 3rd DOWN PLAY?!?


3. Could the Steelers' O-Line injury woes be Ben's fault? GET RID OF THE DAMN BALL! YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRY TO SCORE A TOUCHDOWN ON EVERY PLAY! If you're too stupid to save yourself from injury think of those poor schmucks in front of you who have to block for 6, 7, 8, 9 seconds when people are coming from all angles for Christ's sake! [I think I said the same things last season.] 


4. Oh, did I say anything about how much Arians STINKS?!?


5. TOMLIN: Learn how to use the red flag! Last week you threw it when it was clearly a useless ploy at the goal line. On the Colts tying drive you should have used the challenge (you had two left) on the first down near mid-field. There is no way in hell they made it. Oh, I guess you KNEW you were going to need those extra seconds at the end of the game that another play at that time would have run down. If so, BS, you just don't know what the hell you're doing.


6. The Steelers have played the Colts in the past where Freeney and Mathis were not even a factor. So WHAT UP?!? 


7. Trying to run out the clock and set up for the winning field goal the Steelers actually ran the ball well RIGHT UP OVER CENTER. Why not try that earlier?


8. Slants, crossing patterns, and Miller straight upfield were open ALL NIGHT! Sure it's "fun" to throw the ball 40, 50 yards downfield but WHY if you don't have to?


9. COMPLIMENT: Ben actually executed the best QB sneak of his career in the first half. Try to remember what you did, dummy!


Those are the easy ones. More when I calm down to about a 12 out of 10!