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.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
