WEEK 8: BELATED REVIEW OF THE STEELERS-PATRIOTS GAME

Hallelujah! I though it would never happen, particularly since what it ultimate took was the Steelers' coaching staff to take a different approach to beat the patriots. It was some sweet revenge over last season's fiasco when I traveled to Pittsburgh to see Brady pick them apart. The good stuff first...

1. I can't believe Ariens finally did what I (and probably thousands of others) felt was necessary to beat the Pats on offense. Pass, pass, pass...  And a little run. And they didn't go deep AT ALL. I think they were trying it out on the Cardinals to some extent the week before. In fact, that may be the way that can beat ANYBODY. Wait until next year when they have Baron Batch (yeah, remember him) to catch passes out of the backfield!

2. The same for the defense. I hate to criticize Dick LeBeau but until Sunday he never came up with the defensive game plan that could stop Brady. Again, he took the path I suggested DURING last season's game... And it worked! This is how you stop the Brady-Welker connection and it also points out the fact that, if Wes Welker is your top receiver, you really don't have a "top" receiver. All you have is a group of guys who can catch the ball when Brady has room to throw his timing passes.

3. The team was obviously well prepared and intent on getting the Brady monkey off their backs. Obvious standouts were Woodley and Brown as well as the O-Line (despite giving up five sacks) and Ben (despite the sacks and the interception).

4. You've gotta feel for Maurkice Pouncey. He had to take on Vince Wilfork and now has to face Haloti Ngata in successive weeks.


THE NOT SO GOOD STUFF


1. I wasn't as impressed with the score based on the stats differential (2-1 time-of-possession, 2-1 total yards, 6 drives of 10+ plays, etc.). It just goes to show you how hard it is to beat Brady.


2. Red Zone failures continue to plague the Steelers. I mostly blame this on play calling (Ariens) and not execution. The TD-to-Field goal ratio must be improved, starting Sunday against the Ravens.


3. Steelers top three tacklers against Pats were DB's. That is NOT a good sign for the defense particularly since the Patriots only threw 35 times.


4. Taking a sack to throw an interception: New strategy to keep the Patriots in the game? Ben, Ben, Ben. Learn to throw the ball away. Some QBs are quite successful employing this technique (Brady, Brees, Rodgers, et al), particularly to avoid sacks and stay healthy. We KNOW you can extend plays and make something out of nothing. But against some teams it's better not to give up momentum by doing so and inevitably taking sacks. Plus, we'd like to see you play a couple more season.

I'M BAAACK!

Geez! After weeks of trying to get back into my blog... Passwords! I missed commenting on some really good stuff.

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!

WEEK 3: STEELERS - COLTS

              

  

This could be an interesting game for the Steelers. I say "could" because Kerry Collins has been effective against them before. However, that was with the Tennessee Titans. This week the Indianapolis Colts are not even yesteryear's Titans. In Week 1 they were crushed by the Houston Texans, a team I have been picking to do well for at least the last three seasons, and in Week 2 they lost to none other than the Cleveland Browns AT HOME. This year I think the Texans ARE legitimately good (the Steelers have to play at Houston next week) and the Browns are improving. 

Collins passed for just under 200 yards in each game but is 27th is passer rating at 71.4. Their primary runner, Joseph Addai, rushed for only 39 yards against the Texans and could manage only 64 yards against Cleveland. The Texan's defense is above average but the jury is still out concerning the quality of Cleveland's.

Ben Roethlisberger is passing for just under 290 yards per game but his rating is only 79.4 due to 3 interceptions, all against the Ravens in the Week 1 debacle; to go with 2 lost fumbles. There hasn't been much talk this week about Ben's knee injury so I'm assuming no news is good news.

The big stat is the Steelers are still looking for their first takeaway having given up a total of 7 this year already, all against the Ravens. Last season, the Steelers were second in the AFC in takeaways with 35; something that has got to change if they want to at least win their division. I think this week Troy Polamalu will provide at least one after having dropped a sure "pick-six" last week.

Unfortunaely for the Colts their woes will continue as their defense is just not strong enough to handle the WR speed the Steelers showed against Seattle. A similar game plan is indicted against the Colts as was used against Seattle with a mix of more no-huddle offense. 


The defense should get at least two takeaways which will be enough to overcome the Colts. The Steeler D probably won't pitch a shutout this week but should get close to one as a big win is needed prior to travelling to Houston next week in what could be a siginificant turning point in the Texans season. The only thing that may make is close is the knowledge that another loss would essentially end the Colts hopes for 2011.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 27 COLTS 7

GAME 2 Steelers- Seahawks

This game went pretty much as I expected. I picked the spread 24 but not the final score although the shutout was probably better for defensive morale. Besides this is probably one of the worst teams in the NFL.


The hit on Roethlisberger precipitated by blog to change some of the NFL rules (see September 19) and I hope it woke up the right side of the line. I'm sure Tomlin took the opportunity to say something about it at halftime. Although he returned for the second half (with only one offensive TD) we'll see how he progresses during the week.

The score could have been much worse as the Steelers failed to score from within the five once, Troy dropped a certain pick-six and Suisham missed at the open end of the field which was predictable based on the difference in the kickoff distances between the two ends of the field.


Didn't here James Harrison's name called much, again. Troy got into it a little (see above) and Jame Farrior was again replaced by Larry Foote. There was also a lot of substitution on the D-Line throughout the game. But a shutout is a shutout nonetheless.

  

Slant and crossing patterns were effective as Wallace, Brown and Sanders all looked good. Hines made a nifty catch at the sideline on a perfect throw from Ben.They pulled out one gadget play and Sanders hit Ward perfectly.

Mendenhall and Redman both rand effectively although I think Redman should be used more inside the 5 yard line. And the O-Line looked pretty good, especially compared to last week.

  

Tomlin wasted a challenge on the stop near the goal line. He could use the challenge more and definitely more EFFECTIVELY. Who's spotting the plays for him upstairs anyway? THEY sure could improve.


Based on missed offensive opportunities, lack of significant plays by some players and the opponent

OVERALL RATING: OFFENSE B- / DEFENSE B 

NFL RULES CHANGES -- PROTECTING QBs AND D-LINEMEN

After watching games this past week the following rules changes are in order. But first I have to say: Goodell, cut the crap and start protecting ALL players! Ready?

1. NO "chop" blocking of D-Lineman PERIOD! That could even go as far as no blocking below the waist at the line of scrimmage.

[No images of chop blocks available. I wonder why not?]

2. NO arms around the QBs head/neck when tackling him in the pocket. Vick took a good shot like this last night. Roethlisberger gets it all the time (probably the LEAST protected QB in the league just because he's "big" and can "take it."

3. Here's the big one--A "Match Penalty" (automatic ejection) for hitting the QB below the knees in the pocket. NO EXCEPTIONS; WITH a hefty fine starting at $100,000 if the QB isn't injured; plus SUSPENSION if he is. If the Steelers are being "forced" to play differently (well they WERE the poster children for head hits, weren't they?) then EVERYBODY ELSE needs to play differently as well and save the most vulnerable, and usually least replaceable, member of the team, the QB.

4. The "Offsetting Penalties" rule(s) need to be changed. If penalties are "differentiated" by "severity" with the amount of yardage penalized, then they should be also "differentiated" instead of "offset." E.g., with say a defensive offside penalty and an offensive holding penalty are committed on the same play the holding penalty should be enforced instead of "offset."  There are distinctions made but not across the board.  Change it. I'm tired of seeing plays that produce "no result."

I rest my case.

WEEK 2: SEATTLE

Potentially the Steelers could not have asked for an easier home opener. Seattle was 7-9 last season, being the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record, and they even managed to defeat the Saints in Game 1 of the playoffs. However, they won in a division that could arguably have been the worst in NFL history last season (the four teams won a TOTAL of 25 games between them). 


THEN the Seahawks cast off their formerly All-Pro QB, in favor of the NOT All-Pro QB Tarvaris Jackson, AND traded their best linebacker. What is going on in the wet northwest? Foggy thinking? 


Last week they gave up two returns for TDs to a player the Dolphins bailed on. 


Further, they have to travel for a 1 PM ET game which is 10 AM PT. West coast teams have not done well historically travelling to the east coast for an early game. Plus the Steelers were totally embarrassed by the Ravens last week and that is probably NOT going to happen again.

PREDICTION: STEELERS 34 - SEAHAWKS10

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing. -- Vince Lombardi 

WEEK 1 "AGREE TO DISAGREE"

My answers to the questions posed in this week's "Agree to Disagree."


1. Are the Steelers too old and too slow?  Yes, too old; too slow, maybe. Just remember what happened when Chuck Noll hung on to players too long.

2. Should a rookie or vet replace Willie Colon at RT?  The Steelers need to develop new O-Line talent so I'm going along with the choice of Marcus Gilbert.

3. Should changes be made other than that required by the Colon injury?  I can't think of any that would result in instant improvement. So, no.

4. Is it imperative to beat Seattle soundly?  Not "imperative" but it would be nice to see so we, the fans, can regain some confidence in this group. Mine took a REAL bad hit last week so I also needed to include this photo as a morale booster.

LET'S PLAY "WHO'S NEXT"?

So far:

Baron Batch--I appeared that the Steelers were going to be able to add a shifty, fast, good-hands receiving back to their offense until batch went down the first week of practice. What will HIS status be next year?

Brian Leftwitch--The Number 3 QB goes down n the next-to-last preseason game. Will he return next season of will the team consider him to fragile? At lest it's not his trowing arm.

Willie Colon--After missing last season with a torn Achilles can he be relied upon to return to form next season?

So far all the problems are on offense. Who's next?

Jame Harrison--He's definitely not in game shape. Will he be before getting injured?

Troy Polamalu--Will he hold up at 100% for the entire season or is he even at 100% now.

Aaron Smith: Can he last out the season for the first time in three years?

Or perhaps another offense lineman, Maurkice Pouncey--He re-injured his ankle in the second pre-season game. Will THAT hold up for the remainder of the season?

BLACK SUNDAY

"You gotta take your hat off and hand it to them," As Hines Ward has been prone to say. This time the Ravens took the Steelers' heads off and handed them to THEM.


Overconfidence? Why wouldn't there have been? Going into the game EVERYONE talked of the Ravens starting line ups as if they were a hodge-podge of walking wounded and who-dats? 


What didn't help was the Steelers brought more turnovers with them than the neighborhood bakery. They tackled like the opening day of training camp--probably worse. The only guy to run for more than 100 yards against their defense in the past three or four years did it again; with ease. And could have had more.


This time there were no blitzes by Troy Polamalu  resulting in stripped balls from Joe Flacco. There were no knock-out hits by Ryan Clark. There were no passes through into the ground at  the feet of wide open tight ends when a completion could be a tie at the end of a closely-contested game. There were no second half collapses by Baltimore after taking a 21-7 lead into halftime. There were no Ben Roethlisberger comebacks in the offing. There were no big stops on short yardage situations--OK there was one. 


The Ravens pretty much handled the Steelers in every way except winning the opening coin toss. Their coach even did a "raise-the-roof" to the Baltimore crowd.


Take a photo from yesterday's game and frame it a a good old butt-whippping that everyone except the Ravens thought would have been the other way around.

College Uniforms 2011

I like most of the Nike college uniforms;

except for the Maryland fiasco (which is actually and Under Armour design).

I understand the concept (the Maryland State Flag) but both patterns together? Unfortunately, I can't even say they're better than what I consider the worst uniform in major college football.

I can't wait until Joe Pa is finally gone as then they might upgrade. Perhaps he'll retire when a student trainer knocks him down in the locker room.

Steelers: Week 0

1. Ike Taylor--No problem with his playing with broken thumb. How much worse can is "pass" catching (interceptions) be. Perhaps they should break his other thumb. Larry Wilson once intercepted three passes against the Steelers with casts on BOTH hands.

2. James Harrison--As far as I'm concerned he's not ready to play at 100%. He'll need plenty of rest, particularly against the Ravens.

3. Maurkice Pouncey--Should be able to play but hoping he stays healthy. Losses of Baron Batch and Brian Leftwich are enough for the whole season for me.

4. Rashard Mendenhal--It appears that Redman and Dwyer may have what it takes to spell Mendenhall sufficiently for him to stay healthy.

5. Steelers WRs--Cotchery looks like a good addition but I'm hoping Sanders is fully healed and Brown continues his impressive preseason play.

6. Roethlisberger--Looked amazing in preseason. Here's hoping he gets better protection once the games count so he doesn't wind up looking like this again come January.

Game 1 Prediction: Steelers 27 Ravens 21