Steelers Must Overcome Deficiencies Monday Night vs. Bengals

It is a bit of Pittsburgh Steelers lore that when newly hired head coach Chuck Noll addressed his team for the first time back in 1969, he told them he would be watching tapes of their play and would get back to them as to why they were mired in losing. What was the answer he was said to have given them? 

"Most of you just can't play football."

Fast forward to 2013 and we could be seeing a bit of déjà vu. - http://tinyurl.com/onyrkn2

At the close of the 2012 season, If It Ain't Steel posted several articles exploring the problems facing the Steelers as a football team and an organization. Problems that have seemed to transfer right on into 2013. 

Just one game into the season and the Steelers lose their Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, starting Buck linebacker Larry Foote and change-up running back LaRod Stephens-Howling. A bleak beginning to say the least. 

Now the Steelers have the daunting task of not only facing a division foe, but facing them with one further depleted their ranks. One who also has inside knowledge of the team. 

When the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, they will face former All-Pro linebacker and teammate James Harrison. Harrison and the Steelers were unable to come to a contractual agreement, causing the Silverback to eventually take less to sign with the Bengals. 

Now Harrison will be doing all he can to pay back the Steelers and help his new team get on the winning track. What are the ways in which he can help and can the Bengals win? 

Head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference that the team was one or two “explosive” plays away from possibly winning the game. This is actually fairly true. But, it is difficult to do so when your "explosive" play guys are minimal to begin with, and too few of those types of plays are called the entire game.

The Steelers do have some talent, they aren't bereft of it as the team was in 1969, and can perform when they execute. Unfortunately, the key word there is "when."

Over the last nine games the Steelers are -10 in turnover ratio, have allowed 24 sacks and have not had a player run for more than 56 yards in a single game. So the first order of business is the OFFENSIVE LINE.

The acquisition of Fernando Velasco would seem to aid the Steelers in that department as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review stated recently from his Twitter (@MarkKaboly_Trib) account, "I haven't heard a bad word about #Steelers center Fernando Velasco yet. Makes me wonder why the Titans cut him?"

One man's (or team's) trash...

Once the OLine decides it wants to block, it is then on the RUNNING BACKS the Steelers do have to actually grind out some yards. As offensive coordinator Todd Haley said, "We need Isaac (Redman) to bounce back and play a better game."

Whomever is the primary ball carrier, he needs to put forth an above-his-pay-grade effort because 32 yards simply won't cut it against Harrison, Michael Johnson (4.5 sacks in last five games against Steelers) and the man who may have been the defensive player of the year were it not for J.J. Watt, Geno Atkins (three sacks and a forced fumble last season vs. Steelers). 

If they're able to weather that storm, then they still must TAKE CARE OF THE BALL. As Tomlin brought out at his presser, cornerback Leon Hall intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger and returned it 17 yards to score the Bengals lone touchdown in their second matchup last season. 

"We can't turn the football over and expect to win," Haley said. Protecting the football has to be a priority for anybody touching it." - http://tinyurl.com/nztj4tu

The defensive side of the equation is slightly different. Though the offense largely dictates whether or not the Steelers will win, the defense has to still be able to check the Bengals two-tight end sets, wide receiver A.J. Green and the Bengals. 

"They have two really talented guys there," Dick LeBeau said. "I would rather have three real good tight ends and no A.J. Green. I'll put it that way. It gives them a good combination."

But, A.J. Green they do have, and he torched the Steelers with 10 catches for 116 yards in their last meeting with Ike Taylor sidelined. This time Cortez Allen will be the one sidelined, so the intrepid Taylor will be needed to follow Green all night. It will also assure that Shamarko Thomas will be seen in the Nickel and possibly Robert Golden as well for a Big Nickel 4-Safety look.

Getting to quarterback Andy Dalton is imperative. Containing BenJarvus Green-Ellis is also very important. Slow the running game and force them to be one-dimensional. If the defense can do that, it will go a long way toward securing a victory. 

After all, despite the overall inept play last week, the Steelers still gave up only 229 yards of total offense in Week 1 - the third fewest in the entire NFL. Plus, Big Ben is 13-5 all-time against the Bengals. Not to mention that the Steelers are 40-23 all-time on Monday night and Tomlin is 7-1 himself. 

It may sound like a reach to refer to history to find solace in the season so far, but there may not be much else to grasp onto. Much depends on the OLine growing up fast. Then we would see the offensive restraints lessened and the offense opened up. 

But this is more than a one-game fix, and the Steelers have many deficiencies to overcome. A Bengals win, therefore, is certainly in the realm of possibility. 

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TIDBITS: Steelers injury report: CAllen, LBell, HMiller are out; Curtis Brown (illness) is doubtful.

Bengals injury report: CB Ghee, G Pollack are out; S Miles is doubtful; T Whitworth is questionable.

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Jerricho Cotchery needs 5 receptions to reach 400 for his career and 10 receiving yards for 5,000 yards.

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LaMarr Woodley has 53 career sacks. He needs one more to pass Greg Lloyd (53.5) for seventh-most sacks for a Steeler.

Steelers' Inept Play Ruins Anniversary Ceremony, Playoff Hopes in 13-10 Loss

What's an antonym for "immaculate?" Dirty? Filthy? Foul? Tainted? Unclean? Unsterile? Well, pick one, because they all fit the Pittsburgh Steelers overall performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in a 13-10 loss. Here are the highlights from the game: http://tinyurl.com/d4noqw9

That's it. After that, then the opening kick, it got really ugly.

For Ben Roethlisberger and the offense, it was an utterly pathetic showing. Granted, Big Ben was 'almost dead' five weeks ago...how much did that affect his arm strength? That can't be quantified accurately, but he wasn't the Ben we know for more than a handful of plays.

As Big Ben accurately stated, "We should be (going to the playoffs) if it wasn't for me." - http://tinyurl.com/cqrn7hj

As Dejan Kovacevic, sports columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, tweeted on his official Twitter (@Dejan_Kovacevic) account, and with which we agree: "I love Ben, always have and have always defended him...BUT he should take a lot of the blame...not all, but A LOT." - http://tinyurl.com/cjg5y4a

Was he actually still ailing? Let's hope it's nothing else. Regardless, Big Ben deserves the brunt of the blame for the last two losses. Ben just hasn't been Ben since coming back from his injury and the difference is staggeringly obvious.

BIG BEN pre-injury:

209 - 316 passes
66.1% completion
17 TD passes
4 interceptions
QB Rating of over 100.0 and 121.1 on 3rd down with the team just under 50% on 3rd.
3 game-winning drives.

BIG BEN post-injury:

60 - 110 passes
54.5% completion
6 TD passes
4 interceptions (half of season total)
QB Rating in the 80.0's (58.6 on Sunday) and the team converting only 2 of 14 3rd downs.
3 blown chances at comebacks or game-winning drives.

The offense as a whole wet the bed and wasted a nearly brilliant defensive performance in which Cortez Allen, the Steelers Digest Player of the Week, had two interceptions and a forced fumble, the Steelers first multi-interception game in over a year (their first since Cleveland last December).

It was also a game in which the defense recorded six sacks, their most in one game all season, and where an unusually animated Troy Polamalu had his first sack since September of 2011 in a 24-0 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

But their performance couldn't offset the inept play of the offense. An offense that had actually been the ones carrying the defense in recent weeks. And as has been the case too many times this season, one wasn't enough. - http://tinyurl.com/br2thgt

The offense had far too few bright moments, Sunday and all season, and turned it over far too many times. That's a failure for both the players and the coaching staff.

No, the coaches don't throw interceptions, fumble or drop passes, but they are ultimately responsible for repetitive problems and continued insanity (insanity: doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result).

One dropped pass is a mistake, two fumbles is a pattern, and three interceptions is a habit. Or, in this case, a problem. A problem If It Ain't Steel said was needed to be avoided in our pre-game article. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/12/for-steelers-playoffs-begin-sunday.html

The players, for the little good it meant, recognized it also. "I'm not surprised at all," said running back Isaac Redman. "Turnovers at key moments of games have just crushed us all year long."

(Getty Images)
The final crushing blow was dealt once again by quarterback Big Ben who threw two interceptions in the game, the first being returned for a touchdown. For the second straight game, Big Ben threw a costly interception that led to a loss when Reggie Nelson picked him off with 14 seconds remaining and the score tied.

The Bengals (9-6) then only needed a 21-yard completion to A.J. Green to set up the game-winning field goal. This is the first time since 1981-82 that the Bengals have reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons. - http://tinyurl.com/d6jbnk7

Though he also threw a touchdown pass when he and wide receiver Antonio Brown made it rain on Adam "Pacman" Jones for a 60-yard score, the Steelers (7-8) lost for the fifth time in six games. This will be the first season since 2006 that the Steelers will enter the regular season finale with no chance of making the playoffs.

According to Steelers left tackle Max Starks, though, they'll be ready: "There won't be any quitting going into next week," he said after the game.

Next week will be it for this season, however. Time to start taking a serious look at everything and everyone. Injuries decimated this team from virtually day one, yes. But there were obvious inherent problems that need addressing.

"We have to do a better job as players of playing," said Steelers linebacker James Harrison, "and a better job as coaches of coaching."

One thing they have to absolutely do better is block. Finding a number one running back would help and they had injuries at all positions but one. But the offensive line was never completely consistent in its blocking and got progressively worse as the season went along.

In fact, we warned how bad it could get with defensive tackle Geno Atkins in town. It was expected that Ramon Foster would see him, instead he lines up over rookie David DeCastro most of the day. Atkins feasted on the youngling, having 2.5 sacks for a total of 13 this season.

The problems that need to be addressed will be discussed at length in future articles, as we have a long offseason to address them. All that is left is to salvage the season and avoid being the first losing year since 2003.

It won't take an immaculate performance against fellow cellar dwellers, the Cleveland Browns, just one that isn't the same inept showing seen lately. The standard should be a higher one.

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TIDBITS: In Mike Tomlin's post-game press conference, he announced that Baron Batch broke his arm and that Heath Miller suffered a PCL and MCL injury. Injured reserve for both for a certainty.

Curtis Brown (Achilles), Mike Wallace (hamstring), and center Maurkice Pouncey (knee-MCL) all dinged up, but status unknown. - http://tinyurl.com/c3qbr5f

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After his suspension, Rashard Mendenhall returns to have 11 carries for 50 yards. He returns to the scene of the crime (sort of) next week against the Browns. - http://sulia.com/channel/pittsburgh-steelers/f/c554e1aa-a4c2-431e-97b1-9ae34aa3b64b/

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Steelers 2013 opponents now set following loss to Bengals: http://sulia.com/channel/pittsburgh/f/90c0e581-dcbf-4d7a-869f-964a6142aa34/

The Steelers Remind Bengals That "We Dey", Win 24-17

It was far from perfect, but we'll take it.

For the first time this season the Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to hold on to a fourth-quarter lead and win their first road game. Overcoming penalties, turnovers, and an overall sloppy start, the Steelers (3-3) moved to within 1.5 games of the division-leading Baltimore Ravens (5-2) who were smashed by the Houston Texans.

The Steelers were plagued early by too many penalties and dropped passes. Big punt return after big punt return by Antonio Brown was negated by flags in what has become a running joke on punt returns. So many yards are left on the field and great starting field positions are surrendered because of needless penalties.

There was also the slew of dropped passes. Mike Wallace was dropping pass after pass and Baron Batch had nothing in front of him but weeds as he had the chance to put the Steelers up early.

Complete whiff. The Steelers looked discombobulated early and Steeler Nation was worried.

The Steelers quarterback wasn't, though. Not even after having the team's two turnovers. Ben Roethlisberger pressed on and finished 27-of-37 for 278 yards and a touchdown. - http://tinyurl.com/9phaefr

Those numbers could have been a lot better, but they were still enough as Antonio Brown and Heath Miller, the Steelers Digest Player of the Week, were there whenever Big Ben needed them. Big Ben's instincts and their reliability allowed the Steelers to again be great on third down, going 10-16 on the night.

It was something that Big Ben's head coach, Mike Tomlin, has come to expect of him.

"I hope that never leaves him," Tomlin said, speaking of that instinct. "We just want to tighten up some things around him."

One thing that was definitely 'tightened up' was expected the running game. If It Ain't Steel said in the blog that preceded the game that certain things were necessary, one of which being having enough of a running game to pull the linebackers up and make them respect the run.

Mission accomplished.

Jonathan Dwyer and Chris Rainey made Steelers fans nostalgic as they ran the ball down the Bengals throat. Dwyer had 17 rushes for 122 yards and Chris Rainey darted up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown, which was the go ahead score. Dwyer then sealed it on the next series with a big gain on third-and-six. It was victory formation time. - http://tinyurl.com/9w5fw9f

Two other issues that we said were needed for a victory were to confuse and hit Andy Dalton so that he'd throw interceptions and/or to be ineffective. Also so that A.J. Green would have fewer chances. Ike Taylor would have his hands full all night, it was thought.

Dalton was pressured. Dalton was confused. Dalton was picked. Dalton was ineffective. Green had one catch. Again, mission accomplished. - http://tinyurl.com/9llvdmx

In all, the Steelers were able to overcome issues that had been plaguing them. They found a running game. They were able to hold a fourth quarter lead also.

Most importantly, however, they were able to remind the Bengals once again that "We Dey!": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeQEjaoAma8

Bengals Game Is "Must Win" For Steelers; Woodson Talks Defense

"This is a crazy season. Everybody has a couple of losses this early. We just have to pick it up and make some plays." - Mike Wallace

From your lips to God's ears.

It has been a crazy season so far. Just crazy enough to keep the playoff hopes of a 2-3 Pittsburgh Steelers squad alive. A squad that has yet to win a road game, meaning that those hopes can be elevated or dashed depending on the outcome Sunday at the Cincinnati Bengals.

So many things are needed Sunday night to overcome the team's road woes and to take advantage of there being only two AFC teams with a winning record through six weeks. And there things in all three phases of the game that need attention if the Steelers are to have a chance to win.

ALOHA, MAUALUGA:

Most all of the Bengals pressure and sacks this season have come from the front four of their defense. Those being defensive ends Michael Johnson (6'7" 270lbs) and Carlos Dunlap (6'6" 280lbs), and defensive tackles Geno Atkins (6'1" 300lbs) and Domata Peko (6'3" 307lbs).

They are all formidable and have the majority of the Bengals 20 sacks, with Atkins (six) and Johnson (five) leading the charge with 11 sacks between them...the exact number of sacks of the entire Steelers defense.

That being the case, the Steelers should look to keep middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, who isn't exactly off to a great start this season, closer to the box by running up the middle again on offense.

Being able to utilize an effective (not great, just effective) middle-run game will help keep Maualuga and the rest of the linebackers out of Cover-2 and it will keep them honest. That, then will also help to keep excess pressure from that defensive line off of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. In doing so, the Steelers might also look to employ some 12-personnel packages to help Max Starks and especially Mike Adams who'll have their hands full on the edges.

Exposing them down the seam can be accomplished as can getting Heath Miller singled up. I also like Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace against their defensive backs all day. When they're in the Nickel, Pacman Jones could have his power pellets gobbled up very easily by Emmanuel Sanders.

It all hinges, though, on being able to make the Bengals respect the running of Jonathan Dwyer, of whom Rashard Mendenhall said, "he's ready," and Baron Batch.

I said that they need to run it effectively up the middle, yes, but not on first down. They're running on first down has been less than stellar this season. Passing more on first downs would not only help against the Bengals, but also against whomever they play until Mendy is back and completely healthy.

One last thing to consider is that the Steelers have addressed the issue of dressing eight offensive linemen Sunday night.

If Pouncey, who's listed as questionable, dresses and John Malecki is activated from the practice squad and dresses, there are your eight. We'll know by Saturday. The O-Line, as well as the rest if the offense, was addressed by offensive coordinator Todd Haley on Thursday. - http://tinyurl.com/9r33wwb

UPDATE: Right after the Steelers got a two-week roster exemption for the suspension of rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu, which will last past Ta'amu's Oct. 24 hearing, the Steelers signed G Jacques McClendon, a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 out of Tennessee by Colts, to the practice squad. They signed defensive end Corbin Bryant to roster and released tight end Jamie McCoy.

Now, just days later due to the Pouncey injury, the Steelers posted to their official Twitter sight that they've promoted center/guard John Malecki to the active roster and subsequently release Corbin Bryant. (Ed Bouchette surmises that it means Pouncey is likely out.) http://t.co/0l2DY3dJ

TREAT GINGER LIKE GILLIGAN:

Who's the best quarterback in the state of Ohio? Ben Roethlisberger. He's 14-2 in Ohio (Bengals and Browns) completing over 63% of his passes, while throwing 21 TDs with a 93.8 passer rating.

I point that out right here because of one of the things that defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau spoke of in the Coordinators Corner link provided. The fact that Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, as both LeBeau and James Harrison said, he's "accurate....can make every throw out there."

He can, though, can be confused and caused to force passes - he has thrown nine interceptions already this season. Causing the Bengals to become one-dimensional is paramount Sunday.

When Dalton throws over 35 passes and the running attempts drop, the Bengals have lost. Accept for the opening night Ravens game, when their running attempts are high, they've won. The difference in the Baltimore game was that they were in it until the Ed Reed pick six. Then the Bengals had to pass more which opened the floodgates.

Confusing him has not only led to nine interceptions this season, but also to 17 sacks. Throw in that Benjarvus Green-Ellis has also put the ball on the ground three times, forcing will be very important. Not to mention that those turnovers and sacks keeps the cornerbacks from being beaten too often.

The principal part of that equation is of course A.J. Green. Green will catch anything thrown anywhere in his radar. He is at least top three in absolutely every viable NFL wide receiver category. He's the real deal and Ike Taylor, despite his protestations otherwise, will need help over the top. If not, it will be a very long day.

As we've already written, the Steelers defense ranks 31st in 3rd down conversions allowed, but that might be balanced by the Bengals being last in the league at converting 3rd downs. Sort of the resistible force meets the moveable object.

So, that highlights Ike's and Harrison's candid statements this week, with Ike's being a touch more skewed, about the defense needing to step up make themselves accountable. That will be extremely necessary Sunday night. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/10/james-harrison-and-ike-taylor-talk.html

SPECIAL ED TEAMS:

Somewhere Al Everest is smiling...

In kickoff coverage, the Steelers rank 25th in the NFL with opponents starting at the 23-yard line on average. Stopping someone for a change would be a great help.

They themselves rank 16th, with an average start at the 21.6 yard-line. Chris Rainey's return average of 27.0 is tied for 12th.

Drew Butler has a net punting average of 37.3 which ranks 28th in the NFL and has suffered a blocked punt. But, the Steelers won a Super Bowl with Mitch Berger, so I won't kill Butler just yet.

Antonio Brown has had a couple of great returns called back, and so only ranks 17th in the league with an 8.0 average. Stop the penalties and he could turn that around in no time.

Putting this all together would be the recipe for finally getting into the win column on the road. According to the site http://makenflplayoffs.com/, the Steelers have a 27.2% chance of making the playoffs as of right now, meaning that losing again would be the beginning of the end. That makes this a must win game for the Steelers.

So, if they are able to bring all of this fruition, I could still see a higher scoring game. If the Steelers win, it'd be a 31-27 type of game.

TIDBITS: Speaking of the Ike Taylor vs. A.J. Green duel as I was earlier, Steelers legend Rod Woodson was on 93.7 The Fan last week and, among other things, had some advice for Ike on how he could help himself to rectify his problems this season by simply getting "back to basics." (Yo, Swag, he's one of the best all-time and is a Hall of Famer. I'd listen.) - http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/10/17/hall-of-famer-rod-woodson-examines-steelers-defensive-issues/

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Steelers Injury Report: Mendenhall, Redman, Carter, Gilbert, Troy all ruled out for Sunday. Pouncey is questionable. Johnson and Timmons are probable.

Bengals injury report: RB Leonard doubtful; WR Binns & CB Kirkpatrick questionable; WR Hawkins, LB Muckelroy, DT Still and G Zeitler all probable.

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If you think illegal steroids and HGH don't exist in the NFL, you're very naiv...aw, hell, you're just stupid. The Steelers aren't any better or worse regarding these things than anyone else. It's something that exists in the NFL. Period. I'll let you make any further decisions on your own: http://tinyurl.com/9f3xzzm

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Hines is a grown and single man and can do whatever...and whomever...he wants. Plus, the guy who tried this was just dumb. - http://tinyurl.com/976xv4s

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On the flip side...a feel good story of Chris Rainey and the Pounceys: "Football gave me a family." - http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49476108

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Curtain closing on Pittsburgh Steelers? - http://tinyurl.com/8tdbq8m

ESPN Video: Countdown Daily Prediction: Steelers-Bengals - http://tinyurl.com/9kledy7