Well, like an aging player's career, everything comes to an end. In a world that is increasing with speed and information, this guy seemed to get slower and slower, like a lumbering linebacker. So it's time to let her go. I am going to leave it here because there is some great historical stuff here, and good images.
My love for the Steelers has not diminished. If any thing it has grown stronger over the years. And my understanding of the game has grown deeper. With that I would like to invite anyone who reads this to follow me on twitter, where my thoughts and opinions will be more instantaneous. @ALSteelerFan. Hope to see you as my follower.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
TITANIC WIN
How hard can you complain when your team is 2-0? Not very. There were some great plays, but this team isn’t up to full speed yet. And that might be the exciting part.
Special Teams looked more like Special Forces versus the ‘Special’ Teams reputation of last year after a the opening kick-off was returned for a TD. The kicking team also forced one of Tennessee’s seven turnovers. Pittsburgh’s average starting position (not including turnovers) was their own 37. On the other hand, Tennessee started on average at the 31. A significant contribution by this unit.
The defense. Another set that had a good turnout today. The biggest statement about this unit: seven turnovers. Granted the offense didn’t put up a lot of points off those turnovers. However, the turnovers did two key things: prevented a Tennessee score on those drives and got the defense in a position to rest during the hottest game the Steelers have ever played.
The second biggest statement: Chris Johnson had 16 attempts, 34 yards, 2.1 yards per carry and zero TDs. This is a player that hurts defenses, and the Steelers shut him down. Those two statements tell nearly the whole story behind this Steeler win.
I want to recognize some individuals as well right here. Timmons: great hits, great tackles, forced fumble. Woodley: great hits, forced fumble, and a pick to boot. Harrison: forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and two sacks. He was horribly mismatched against Chris Johnson when CJ was in pass-protection. And Troy: Interception, tackle, 2 sacks including the play of the week and what could be one of the top plays of the season. It was definitely a ‘good hair day!’
I also want to retract the criticism of the defense from last week. After watching the game through a thiord time (it's what I do)O...I noticed a pattern. It's not quite Prevent Defense, but the Steelers were always positioned between the receiver and the end zone. The final result was the key. 0 TDs.
Speaking of 0's..... Tampa Bay this week? 2 Undefeated teams this week? Someone has to win, and someone has to lose. This week is the 1 game the critics were all saying we were going to win. let's reviosit this post game.
Special Teams looked more like Special Forces versus the ‘Special’ Teams reputation of last year after a the opening kick-off was returned for a TD. The kicking team also forced one of Tennessee’s seven turnovers. Pittsburgh’s average starting position (not including turnovers) was their own 37. On the other hand, Tennessee started on average at the 31. A significant contribution by this unit.
The defense. Another set that had a good turnout today. The biggest statement about this unit: seven turnovers. Granted the offense didn’t put up a lot of points off those turnovers. However, the turnovers did two key things: prevented a Tennessee score on those drives and got the defense in a position to rest during the hottest game the Steelers have ever played.
The second biggest statement: Chris Johnson had 16 attempts, 34 yards, 2.1 yards per carry and zero TDs. This is a player that hurts defenses, and the Steelers shut him down. Those two statements tell nearly the whole story behind this Steeler win.
I want to recognize some individuals as well right here. Timmons: great hits, great tackles, forced fumble. Woodley: great hits, forced fumble, and a pick to boot. Harrison: forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and two sacks. He was horribly mismatched against Chris Johnson when CJ was in pass-protection. And Troy: Interception, tackle, 2 sacks including the play of the week and what could be one of the top plays of the season. It was definitely a ‘good hair day!’
I also want to retract the criticism of the defense from last week. After watching the game through a thiord time (it's what I do)O...I noticed a pattern. It's not quite Prevent Defense, but the Steelers were always positioned between the receiver and the end zone. The final result was the key. 0 TDs.
Speaking of 0's..... Tampa Bay this week? 2 Undefeated teams this week? Someone has to win, and someone has to lose. This week is the 1 game the critics were all saying we were going to win. let's reviosit this post game.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
FALCONS DOWNED
This was a great football effort. A lot of things worked. In the end, the Steelers put together the win.
I am going to start with the best, most consistent effort. The defense. Pittsburgh’s defense did everything they were asked to and then some. The Steelers defense allowed on average 21.8 yards per Atlanta possession.. The Falcons crossed the fifty on 46% of their drives. They reached the Red Zone only once. The deepest the Falcons got was the Steelers 5 yard line. There was the beautifully orchestrated Polamalu interception. OT? Forget about it. One of the Steelers Defense’s best stands of the day. He one criticism comes as the soft coverage against the screen. It’s what the screen is designed to do. The Steelers Defense seemed to react slowly to its use. Overall, a big game for Big D.
Moving right along we’ll go to that menagerie of talent and expectations I call Special Teams. On the kicking/punting side, the Falcons average offensive starting position was the Pittsburgh 26. Atlanta’s average punt return was 10 yards. The Falcons’ average kick return was 20 yards. The deepest the Steelers pinned the Falcons was the Atlanta 9 yard line. And it came at the biggest time. The Overtime kickoff. On the receiving side, the Steelers only averaged 3.5 return yards punts, but picked up 23 yards on kick offs. Most importantly, no special teams touchdowns allowed by the Steelers. A good job by this problematic unit..
The Offensive unit. Well, what can I say? They didn’t look pretty, but they got the job done. I seriously believe Dixon lacks the arm strength needed to meet the down filed throws that were necessary. He has to learn to throw over the defense, because he can’t throw through it. But he had some good plays as well. All in all, a W is still a W in my book.
I am going to start with the best, most consistent effort. The defense. Pittsburgh’s defense did everything they were asked to and then some. The Steelers defense allowed on average 21.8 yards per Atlanta possession.. The Falcons crossed the fifty on 46% of their drives. They reached the Red Zone only once. The deepest the Falcons got was the Steelers 5 yard line. There was the beautifully orchestrated Polamalu interception. OT? Forget about it. One of the Steelers Defense’s best stands of the day. He one criticism comes as the soft coverage against the screen. It’s what the screen is designed to do. The Steelers Defense seemed to react slowly to its use. Overall, a big game for Big D.
Moving right along we’ll go to that menagerie of talent and expectations I call Special Teams. On the kicking/punting side, the Falcons average offensive starting position was the Pittsburgh 26. Atlanta’s average punt return was 10 yards. The Falcons’ average kick return was 20 yards. The deepest the Steelers pinned the Falcons was the Atlanta 9 yard line. And it came at the biggest time. The Overtime kickoff. On the receiving side, the Steelers only averaged 3.5 return yards punts, but picked up 23 yards on kick offs. Most importantly, no special teams touchdowns allowed by the Steelers. A good job by this problematic unit..
The Offensive unit. Well, what can I say? They didn’t look pretty, but they got the job done. I seriously believe Dixon lacks the arm strength needed to meet the down filed throws that were necessary. He has to learn to throw over the defense, because he can’t throw through it. But he had some good plays as well. All in all, a W is still a W in my book.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
HERE WE GO
OK. So I have been silent this Summer. The reality is that I wanted to sit back and enter the season refocused and ready. And here we are.
The starting QB decision was made after an injury to Byron in preseason. Oh well. So what is a suspension entail? Ben is not allowed to attend functions were the Steelers represent the team or the NFL. He is not allowed to go to the practice facility. He is not allowed to attend the games (even as a spectator). He is not allowed to talk to any coach or other team mate. There is a rumor he is not allowed to wear anything with the Steelers logo. HARSH. It's only 4 games. I am not going to go into the ire that I feel that Vince Young's conduct, similar in nature, and with more significant legal issues, has not warranted the attention or disciplinary action.
Rules changes. Overtime? Whatever. You can skew stats to support anything you want. We'll see how that plays out. The Umpire's positioning? Crazy. I understand the need for safety, but you can't introduce a new element into a QB's complex routine at the start of a play. The NFL has a minor fix in place with the penalty subject to a warning.
HOTLANTA. Home Opener. Pittsburgh holds the record for consecutive week 1 wins at 7. I think we have a good shot at 8. The Steelers need to keep the Falcons off balance with a solid mix of run and pass. Dixon may be just the thing we need behind an O line that has not had a great rep for protection.
By this time tomorrow we'll be hours away from a winning or losing record. HERE WE GO!
The starting QB decision was made after an injury to Byron in preseason. Oh well. So what is a suspension entail? Ben is not allowed to attend functions were the Steelers represent the team or the NFL. He is not allowed to go to the practice facility. He is not allowed to attend the games (even as a spectator). He is not allowed to talk to any coach or other team mate. There is a rumor he is not allowed to wear anything with the Steelers logo. HARSH. It's only 4 games. I am not going to go into the ire that I feel that Vince Young's conduct, similar in nature, and with more significant legal issues, has not warranted the attention or disciplinary action.
Rules changes. Overtime? Whatever. You can skew stats to support anything you want. We'll see how that plays out. The Umpire's positioning? Crazy. I understand the need for safety, but you can't introduce a new element into a QB's complex routine at the start of a play. The NFL has a minor fix in place with the penalty subject to a warning.
HOTLANTA. Home Opener. Pittsburgh holds the record for consecutive week 1 wins at 7. I think we have a good shot at 8. The Steelers need to keep the Falcons off balance with a solid mix of run and pass. Dixon may be just the thing we need behind an O line that has not had a great rep for protection.
By this time tomorrow we'll be hours away from a winning or losing record. HERE WE GO!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
2010 RUNION TOUR IN THE MAKING
First of all, I want to express condolences to the Cowher family on Kaye's passing. As a coach who coached two Steelers Superbowl team, Bill Cowher will always be part of the Steeler family. Our thoughts are with you and your family, Coach.
OK. Now on to business. So it looks like Big Ben stays a Steeler after all. OK. The big question is.....who is playing the first 4-6 games. My answer might surprise you. It's not the best QB, but the one that will require the least amount of adjustment from the offense. You can't use a QB that may get you a few wins if it takes 6 losses to adjust back to your starting QB. The trade-off isn't worth it. Ben is the starting QB. There is too much invested to put him on the bench as a back-up for the season, so let's not entertain that thought.
Camp is in full swing. And we are about 3 weeks away from our first look.
On another positive note...Dick ill be entering The Hall next week in a ceremony for the 2010 class. And it only took him 50 years in the NFL to do it. See you next week.
GNW
OK. Now on to business. So it looks like Big Ben stays a Steeler after all. OK. The big question is.....who is playing the first 4-6 games. My answer might surprise you. It's not the best QB, but the one that will require the least amount of adjustment from the offense. You can't use a QB that may get you a few wins if it takes 6 losses to adjust back to your starting QB. The trade-off isn't worth it. Ben is the starting QB. There is too much invested to put him on the bench as a back-up for the season, so let's not entertain that thought.
Camp is in full swing. And we are about 3 weeks away from our first look.
On another positive note...Dick ill be entering The Hall next week in a ceremony for the 2010 class. And it only took him 50 years in the NFL to do it. See you next week.
GNW
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2010 MAPPED OUT
For the last three days I have been talking 'Roethlisberger Trade'. No kidding. Picking up Byron Leftwich on Tuesday solidified my belief. The 6 game suspension levied by the league today might put a little bit of a damper on that. Let's start off with what won't happen. He won't be traded to an AFCN team. We don't want to play him twice a season. He probably won't be traded to an AFC team. We don't want the door to a superbowl to be slammed by our former QB. Most likely candidates? St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle. St. Louis has already said no. The 4-6 game suspension reduces his stock, but the draft has a funny way of doing things to teams.
Santonio Holmes trade? Good riddance. Violate league substance policy multiple times? Buh-Bye. The Rooneys won't have you, the Steelers don't need you, and the Steeler Nation won't miss you. Plain and simple.
No Willie Parker? Well those wheels have been coming loose for a while now. The team has shifted to a more balanced attack offensively, and we have no shortage of running game in Mendenhal, Moore, and the others.
Now the biggie: Schedule 2010. I want to break this down into chunks:
SECTION 1:
Falcons, @ Titans, @ Buccaneers, Ravens Not the ideal start. The good thing is we start at home. The Falcons are always a team in the hunt. I'm glad to be home for this one. Last year's Titans got it turned around in the end, and could be a force to be reckoned with. Especially for a Steelers on the road under the leadership of. Continuing to Tampa Bay lightens the schedule a bit for a team that will need it by then. And then home to the Ravens. A real rough start to the season. Probably a 3-1 start, maybe 2-2. We then go in to the Bye. Typical. We seem to have a bye earlier than later.
SECTION 2:
Browns, @ Dolphins, @ Saints, @ Bengals Well, I would be inclined to be dissapointed to come off the bye into the Browns. But Then a rough road trip follows, so it's a blessing in disguise. And the bye might be necessary after hosting the Ravens, the Steelers most physical of opponents. A road trip to Dolphins, Saints, and Bengals may feel like the highway to hell. The Dolphins will be a strong contestant this year, then the defending champions. This could be a statement game. Ben would be off his max suspension, and a win against the Saints on National TV could be a huge reminder of who we are. And then there's the Bengals. This relationship is all jealousy and no respect. With the Ravens, there is respect for their physical attributes. A win here would be nice. Again, probably 3-1 or 2-2 through this set.
SECTION 3:
Patriots, Raiders, @ Bills, @ Ravens And here is where we pick up momentum. The Patriots are getting old. They are not the juggernauts they once were. Never-the-less, it is nice to face them at home. The Bills? If we are playing good, forget about it. And Ravens round two. We are a late team who should be at full stride at this point. This one goes either way. 4-0 or 3-1.
SECTION 4:
Bengals, Jets, Panthers, @ Browns Into the final stretch we host the Bungles. Even if they are having a good year, we got the HFA when we need it most. Could be a pivotal game in the division. Jets with Holmes and Tomlinson? Again we got them on home turf, and at a good time of the year. The Panthers will be good for a win. And then we head to Cleveland to end it all. A divisional game at the end is great for any tie-breakers necessary. I would prefer to host this one, but oh well. 4-0 or 3-1.
We have a plethora of AM games again, so it's back to Beer for breakfast. 1 afternoon game, and a lot of prime time love.
Santonio Holmes trade? Good riddance. Violate league substance policy multiple times? Buh-Bye. The Rooneys won't have you, the Steelers don't need you, and the Steeler Nation won't miss you. Plain and simple.
No Willie Parker? Well those wheels have been coming loose for a while now. The team has shifted to a more balanced attack offensively, and we have no shortage of running game in Mendenhal, Moore, and the others.
Now the biggie: Schedule 2010. I want to break this down into chunks:
SECTION 1:
Falcons, @ Titans, @ Buccaneers, Ravens Not the ideal start. The good thing is we start at home. The Falcons are always a team in the hunt. I'm glad to be home for this one. Last year's Titans got it turned around in the end, and could be a force to be reckoned with. Especially for a Steelers on the road under the leadership of
SECTION 2:
Browns, @ Dolphins, @ Saints, @ Bengals Well, I would be inclined to be dissapointed to come off the bye into the Browns. But Then a rough road trip follows, so it's a blessing in disguise. And the bye might be necessary after hosting the Ravens, the Steelers most physical of opponents. A road trip to Dolphins, Saints, and Bengals may feel like the highway to hell. The Dolphins will be a strong contestant this year, then the defending champions. This could be a statement game. Ben would be off his max suspension, and a win against the Saints on National TV could be a huge reminder of who we are. And then there's the Bengals. This relationship is all jealousy and no respect. With the Ravens, there is respect for their physical attributes. A win here would be nice. Again, probably 3-1 or 2-2 through this set.
SECTION 3:
Patriots, Raiders, @ Bills, @ Ravens And here is where we pick up momentum. The Patriots are getting old. They are not the juggernauts they once were. Never-the-less, it is nice to face them at home. The Bills? If we are playing good, forget about it. And Ravens round two. We are a late team who should be at full stride at this point. This one goes either way. 4-0 or 3-1.
SECTION 4:
Bengals, Jets, Panthers, @ Browns Into the final stretch we host the Bungles. Even if they are having a good year, we got the HFA when we need it most. Could be a pivotal game in the division. Jets with Holmes and Tomlinson? Again we got them on home turf, and at a good time of the year. The Panthers will be good for a win. And then we head to Cleveland to end it all. A divisional game at the end is great for any tie-breakers necessary. I would prefer to host this one, but oh well. 4-0 or 3-1.
We have a plethora of AM games again, so it's back to Beer for breakfast. 1 afternoon game, and a lot of prime time love.
Friday, April 2, 2010
LIAR LIAR
A few weeks back, a co-worker asked me about the Steelers in Free Agency. I laughed in his face. The Steelers don't do Free Agency. They are built from the daft. I went on to back up my statements with the 2005 and 2008 rosters. Each were 95% + signed/drafted players. And then I was turned into a Liar. Willy Allen, Arnaze Battle, Charlie Batch, Johnathon Scott, Ryan Clark, Larry Foote, and (drum roll please) Antwaan Randle El have all left the the Steelers front office with contracts in hand. This makes up 12% of a 55 man roster. A lot more than the 5% of the '05 and '08 champion teams. We'll see.
The Roethlisberger case seems to be getting better. The Holmes case is all but old news. And that's all I got to say about that.
The Draft? Oh yeah. A Thursday night, Friday Night, and Saturday event? What happened to sitting in front of the TV all Saturday waiting for nothing to happen? Oh well. When I am commissioner of the NFL....
Rules change for OT? Like it. I think it forces the players to play. Especially with kickers hitting those uprights from farther away now. If the D can't stop a TD...then I'm sorry, you don't deserve to win. If the O can't get down field, then you don't deserve to win.
OK. See you back here after the draft.
GNW
The Roethlisberger case seems to be getting better. The Holmes case is all but old news. And that's all I got to say about that.
The Draft? Oh yeah. A Thursday night, Friday Night, and Saturday event? What happened to sitting in front of the TV all Saturday waiting for nothing to happen? Oh well. When I am commissioner of the NFL....
Rules change for OT? Like it. I think it forces the players to play. Especially with kickers hitting those uprights from farther away now. If the D can't stop a TD...then I'm sorry, you don't deserve to win. If the O can't get down field, then you don't deserve to win.
OK. See you back here after the draft.
GNW
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