by Jayden Matthews
The free agency circus has started and, as expected one, the free agency signing period has Steelers Nation at each other’s throats. Mike Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins yesterday as expected and got the big contract he wanted: five years, $65 million with $30 guaranteed. Congrats to you Mikey, hope it all works out for you. I am not going to be bitter towards Wallace that is not my style, never has been, but I will be honest.
The reason Steelers fans are tearing at each other is there are some that believe this will cripple the Steelers offense. There are some who feel that this was a good move by the front office to let him go. But I have even also been seeing that others hope the Steelers "stink" this season because of letting Wallace go to free agency. Time will tell on that whether it was a good move or not so good of a move.
The reason a lot of fans are up in arms was the way Wallace and his agent handled the whole situation going into last season. He wasn’t the first and will surely not be the last. Then the ones that wanted Wallace to stay are up in arms because Antonio Brown was signed. I have been seeing this was a bad move. Well, is it actually? I've seen that Brown wasn’t as productive as Wallace was last season and had more drops and missed passes than Wallace. Did he? Well the numbers say otherwise.
Per ESPN.com stats:
Mike Wallace: 64 receptions to 119 targets, 836 yards, eight touchdowns, 53.8% reception percentage, averaged 13.1 yards per catch, 33 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing one).
Antonio Brown: 66 receptions to 105 targets, 787 yards, five touchdowns, 62.8% reception percentage, averaged 11.9 yards, 43 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing one).
Just for good measure, I will throw in the production of Emmanuel Sanders who will move up from the 3rd wide receiver spot to the 2nd spot. Some people have said that he was a waste too. But, again, his numbers say otherwise:
Emmanuel Sanders: 44 catches to 74 targets, 626 yards, one touchdown, 59.5% reception percentage, averaged 14.2 yards per catch, 31 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing both).
Notice that Sanders had only two fewer first down receptions while playing many fewer snaps and getting many fewer touches. Pretty good I would say for a third-string wideout/slot man. Wouldn't you say so?
What I am seeing here and what a lot of fans do not want to see, outside of three more TDs and a few more yards, is that Brown was just as consistent. So, that is why I cannot understand: is all the Brown hate because Wallace wanted to leave? This was his choice. They say that Brown got Wallace’s contract, but that is not the case, either. The same contract that was offered to Wallace and he chose to play his tender out and test the free agency waters. It paid off for him, and the Steelers knew they needed to keep at least one of them. They couldn't let both of them walk, could they?
I will be the first to admit that Wallace did stretch the field, as he is the owner of 19 TDs for 30 or more yards, the most of any NFL wideout since 2009. That is very impressive. Brown has been just as clutch, though. Though he may not have as many TDs Wallace, he has come up with play-after-play when they were needed. It’s funny how some forget the "boombox catch" that sent the Ravens packing in 2010 playoffs. Remember that? I bet you won’t admit it, though.
The only issue that I had with Wallace was that he did not fight for the ball. That is one thing that all receivers should do. That is something I have seen Brown do on several occasions. Yes, with the loss of Wallace, Brown will now draw the double coverages. This will be again the tale of the tape as to whether his contract was a mistake or not. If he proves that he wasn’t the wrong one to sign, will the negative Nancy’s or Ned’s admit they were wrong? I doubt it.
Last season, none of the wide receivers had anything to brag about. They were neither prolific nor overly consistent. They all had their issues with missed opportunities, fumbles and dropped passes. The only consistent receiver the Steelers had was Heath Miller, who will miss games this season. That, to me, is truly something to worry about, not the hub-bub that has been going on the past couple of days.
I know this post will offend some but, like others, I am entitled to my opinion. I feel that it wasn’t a mistake to sign Brown. I think it is too early to make that call. Just like it is too soon to say whether the Steelers made a mistake not signing Wallace (not that they had the money this offseason to do it in the first place). He may go to Miami and light it up, we don’t know yet. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Brown may go on a roll themselves and start lighting it up. Again, time will tell.
Just giving my honest opinion on why I don’t think it will hurt us as bad as some think, and we didn’t make as big of a mistake as some want to think in signing Brown. But again they are entitled to their opinion and I respect that, as I hope they respect mine. I know they say speed can’t be taught, but I also know it can be replaced.
With the signings from the Steelers Front office, they are quietly showing that they are making the necessary moves to get this team back on track. Do I think we will be a contender? Probably not, but I think we are headed in the right the direction.
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TIDBITS: Buck linebacker Larry Foote was signed to a three-year contract Tuesday. The complete terms weren't disclosed, but he will receive $2.5 million as a signing bonus. This makes sense considering he won't see the completion of this contract. But it needed to happen in order to get someone in to be groomed for the position before his departure.
Plaxico Burress was re-signed by the Steelers on Tuesday to a one-year veteran minimum deal, which should be approximately $940,000 for a player of his tenure.
The Steelers restructured the contract of LaMarr Woodley on Tuesday to save $5 million in Salary Cap space. If It Ain't Steel suggested before that the Steelers may wait to restructure after seeing whether he came back in shape or not. Though they go ahead and restructure, they still only did so for less than what could have. Keep an eye on this one...this will be a proving year for him.
In addition to Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall signed a one-year deal with (who else?) the Arizona Cardinals for $2.5 million.
Steelers officially release offensive lineman Willie Colon. It is a June 1st designated cut, so the $5.5 million saved won't take affect until then. However, it brings with it a dead money hit of $4.9 million in 2014, and his salary will be split over the next two seasons. The Hofstra product was a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. In three of his seven years he was on the injured-reserve list.
The Steelers signed free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski Wednesday morning to a three-year deal, terms undisclosed. Gradkowski, who beat the Steelers 27-24 in 2009 while with the Oakland Raiders, has a career 6-14 record. The 30-year-old QB will likely be the backup going forward with Uncle Charlie Batch playing third-string if he is indeed brought back.
The Steelers signed tight end/H-back/fullback David Johnson to a one-year deal. With Heath Miller being surely PUP listed for the first six games, DJ will likely return to TE allowing Will Johnson to be left at fullback.
Dan Connor, former inside linebacker of the Dallas Cowboys, visited the Steelers. Indianapolis Colts free agent inside linebacker Moise Fokou will also visit the Steelers this week. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, the 27-year old Fokou had 43 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble last season. Bringing in a second inside linebacker this week is an indication of lack of complete faith in the LBs behind Foote and Lawrence Timmons, as well as a desire to get younger at the Buck position.
Exclusive Rights free agent DeMarcus Van Dyke signed his tender on Tuesday. ERFAs have no choice but to sign their tenders or they simply won't play at all, for anyone else, that season. The ERFA tender this season is $550,000.
Showing posts with label Willie Colon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Willie Colon. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Steelers Sign Dwyer and Foster, Addresses Tender and Need
Adam Schefter tweeted this Monday night, but I don't know if I'd refer to it as an upset. Some Pittsburgh Steelers fans might, but the Pittsburgh Steelers running back, who was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Tuesday, avoided any such issues and signed his one-year tender Monday night. Instead of being all about money like Mike Wallace, he decided to listen to Antonio Brown and prove he can be a team player. Well, that and he wasn't going to have many options. Realistically, the Steelers were probably his best option.
Dwyer took part in 13 games last season and made six starts along. He carried the ball 156 times for 623 yards and two touchdowns.
He wasn't the only signing of the day as Ramon Foster agreed Tuesday to a three-year contract with the Steelers. Foster, a better run blocker than pass blocker, could've become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, but was cajoled into staying. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though it can probably be assumed that it's for around $6-7 million. Maybe $550,000-$700,000 this year with $2 million signing bonus.
This most likely spells doom for Willie Colon whose Salary Cap hit is $1.2 million. If they wait until June 1 they save roughly $5 million. The Steelers could designate Colon a June 1st cut now so that he could sign somewhere else, but no Cap advantage is gained.
David Todd of ESPN 970 tweeted from his personal Twitter (@DavidMTodd) account a salient point shortly after the news came through regarding the matter of waiting: "KEY POINT: #Steelers have created cap room. If put June 1 designation on Colon, pushes $4M of dead money into '14. Can't see that happening."
Neither can I. I'd be surprised if Colon isn't cut tomorrow. If the Steelers do release him now, that and the James Harrison release, subtracting these signings, should create about $4 million in Cap space.
Will the free agent tenders affect what further may be done? Like, for instance, the possible signing of free agent running back Steven Jackson. No, it won't because THEY WON'T SIGN HIM.
Jackson is on the wrong side of 30, he'll want a longer multi-year deal than the Steelers are prepared to give, and he'll want much more than they'll be able to offer. So don't ask.
Here, though, is a recap of the Steelers' restricted free agents:
RB Jonathan Dwyer: Original round - now signed
P Jeremy Kapinos: No tender
NT Steve McLendon: Right of first refusal (no compensation, which is surprising)
RB Isaac Redman: Right of first refusal (no compensation)
LB Stevenson Sylvester: No tender - letting him dangle and test free agency
WR Emmanuel Sanders: Original round (third round - mainly because foot issues slowed progress, will need to prove himself)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Will Steelers New Offensive Line Coach Be A Prayer Answered?
After Sean Kugler left to be the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Texas-El Paso, Pittsburgh Steelers fans prayed for an offensive line coach with experience and pedigree. Appropriately, those prayers were answered by someone used to playing that role. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3ykWbu2Gl0
On Tuesday the Steelers announced that Jack Bicknell, jr. had been hired to fill that vacancy. - http://tinyurl.com/az9umb7
He played for his father, head coach Jack Bicknell, Sr., at Boston College from 1981-1985. Bicknell played center during Doug Flutie's 1984 Heisman Trophy season and snapped the ball to him for the famous last-second "Hail Flutie" pass that beat the Miami Hurricanes.
Bicknell was the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 before they cleaned house at season's end. From 2009-2011 he was assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants.
The Chiefs had a very good zone-blocking offensive line, as opposed to the Steelers' man-to-man and pulling styles, that enabled Jamaal Charles to finish the season with 1,509 yards. And as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin accurately said, "the proof is in the pudding."
"They played the AFC North, and they ran the ball very well against all the teams in the AFC North," said Tomlin. "They ran the ball effectively against us when Jamaal Charles had a 100-yard game. That was attractive to me. The plan they were able to put together, the success they were able to have vs. some people we are going to see quite a bit was a selling feature." - http://tinyurl.com/aufdjnt
Those games against the AFC North that Tomlin spoke of included 142 rushing yards against the Steelers, 214 yards against the Baltimore Ravens, 180 yards against the Cleveland Browns and 113 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite Bob Labriola writing that success for the Steelers lies more 'in teaching than in a zone scheme', the young group of Mike Adams, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert and Kelvin Beachum ("Big Money?") should have their athleticism highlighted. - http://tinyurl.com/age3xvy
On the other hand, the veterans are an uncertainty, especially with contracts and injuries causing a state of flux.
Max Starks' status is uncertain as he may look to free agency to get all that he can in one last multi-year contract. Willie Colon, who ended the season on the Injured Reserve again, will cost $6.45 million against the Steelers' salary cap in 2013 if nothing is done with his contract.
Though the easy answer would be to cut him, Ramon Foster is sure to explore free agency as well, and that might force them to keep Colon on for insurance if nothing else. - http://tinyurl.com/a6a3adn
What of the quarterback and running backs? Though he doesn't oversee them directly, what his line does, or doesn't do, naturally affects their play.
For No. 7, it's easy: keep the franchise upright. 'Nuff said.
As for the running backs, the Steelers don't exactly have the caliber of backs that Bicknell had in New York, nor do they have near the quality of running back that he had in Charles. Especially not with Rashard Mendenhall's future in Pittsburgh not looking too bright. - http://tinyurl.com/azaq4lz
Mendenhall has a lot of talent and speed, but he fumbled, per Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, "11 times in 1,006 career touches." That's one fumble every 91.45 touches (rushes and receptions), or one every 3-4 games.
As we wrote recently, Isaac Redman has lost five fumbles in three years. Yet, he believes he can be a feature running back. He recently said in an interview that he believes he "had a big game against" the New York Giants, but that he "just never got the opportunity to be the every-down back after that." - http://www.nj.com/south-jersey-sports/index.ssf/2013/01/paulsboro_native_isaac_redman.html
Neither Steelers president Art Rooney II nor general manager Kevin Colbert spoke highly at all about any of the running backs on the roster, Mendenhall, Redman or Jonathan Dwyer. With Redman and Dwyer both being restricted free agents, therefore, expect both to be tendered at the lower level. Also expect them to have someone pushing them in Training Camp.
What Bicknell has in front of him is no small task. With the injuries suffered by the Steelers the last three years, especially on the OLine, any sort of stability and forward momentum would be welcomed. In fact, it'd be like a prayer being answered.
He played for his father, head coach Jack Bicknell, Sr., at Boston College from 1981-1985. Bicknell played center during Doug Flutie's 1984 Heisman Trophy season and snapped the ball to him for the famous last-second "Hail Flutie" pass that beat the Miami Hurricanes.
Bicknell was the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 before they cleaned house at season's end. From 2009-2011 he was assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants.
The Chiefs had a very good zone-blocking offensive line, as opposed to the Steelers' man-to-man and pulling styles, that enabled Jamaal Charles to finish the season with 1,509 yards. And as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin accurately said, "the proof is in the pudding."
"They played the AFC North, and they ran the ball very well against all the teams in the AFC North," said Tomlin. "They ran the ball effectively against us when Jamaal Charles had a 100-yard game. That was attractive to me. The plan they were able to put together, the success they were able to have vs. some people we are going to see quite a bit was a selling feature." - http://tinyurl.com/aufdjnt
Those games against the AFC North that Tomlin spoke of included 142 rushing yards against the Steelers, 214 yards against the Baltimore Ravens, 180 yards against the Cleveland Browns and 113 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite Bob Labriola writing that success for the Steelers lies more 'in teaching than in a zone scheme', the young group of Mike Adams, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert and Kelvin Beachum ("Big Money?") should have their athleticism highlighted. - http://tinyurl.com/age3xvy
On the other hand, the veterans are an uncertainty, especially with contracts and injuries causing a state of flux.
Max Starks' status is uncertain as he may look to free agency to get all that he can in one last multi-year contract. Willie Colon, who ended the season on the Injured Reserve again, will cost $6.45 million against the Steelers' salary cap in 2013 if nothing is done with his contract.
Though the easy answer would be to cut him, Ramon Foster is sure to explore free agency as well, and that might force them to keep Colon on for insurance if nothing else. - http://tinyurl.com/a6a3adn
What of the quarterback and running backs? Though he doesn't oversee them directly, what his line does, or doesn't do, naturally affects their play.
For No. 7, it's easy: keep the franchise upright. 'Nuff said.
As for the running backs, the Steelers don't exactly have the caliber of backs that Bicknell had in New York, nor do they have near the quality of running back that he had in Charles. Especially not with Rashard Mendenhall's future in Pittsburgh not looking too bright. - http://tinyurl.com/azaq4lz
Mendenhall has a lot of talent and speed, but he fumbled, per Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, "11 times in 1,006 career touches." That's one fumble every 91.45 touches (rushes and receptions), or one every 3-4 games.
As we wrote recently, Isaac Redman has lost five fumbles in three years. Yet, he believes he can be a feature running back. He recently said in an interview that he believes he "had a big game against" the New York Giants, but that he "just never got the opportunity to be the every-down back after that." - http://www.nj.com/south-jersey-sports/index.ssf/2013/01/paulsboro_native_isaac_redman.html
Neither Steelers president Art Rooney II nor general manager Kevin Colbert spoke highly at all about any of the running backs on the roster, Mendenhall, Redman or Jonathan Dwyer. With Redman and Dwyer both being restricted free agents, therefore, expect both to be tendered at the lower level. Also expect them to have someone pushing them in Training Camp.
What Bicknell has in front of him is no small task. With the injuries suffered by the Steelers the last three years, especially on the OLine, any sort of stability and forward momentum would be welcomed. In fact, it'd be like a prayer being answered.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Do Kevin Colbert's Comments Give Insight Into Steelers Draft Plans?
Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert met with a handful of writers last Wednesday and spoke candidly about the 2012 team. He provided a very honest assessment of where the fault lies for the team's overall performance and lack of success, changes coming to the roster and draft problems that saw two players, Alameda Ta'amu and Chris Rainey, get into trouble with the Law.
"I know Art (Rooney II) used the term 'frustrated.' I'm going with 'disappointed.' I'm disappointed in myself, that those 61 (players) were 8-8. Like I said, I'm at the head of the class." - http://tinyurl.com/aypcbrt
As all good leaders should do, Colbert rightly accepted responsibility. "The buck stops here," as a former U.S. president once made his motto. That doesn't mean, though, that's where it starts. We all know what rolls downhill, and in this case it rolls right down onto the field of play.
In further comments, Colbert made it sound as though change is coming to the roster. In fact, he wasn't even subtle about it. The draft, and possibly free agency, will affect major change for next season. The "best available player" will come in many forms this April 25-27.
"We won't close the door on any position in any round. We can't....Once we get into free agency and the draft, I don't see any position that's off limits," Colbert stated.
"When you're 12-4 and a playoff team, sometimes you get mesmerized by your success and you get a little reluctant to change...If we don't change 8-8, if we don't change the roster that produced 8-8," he also said, "we'd be silly to expect a better result if we have the same group of guys. We're not married to any of these guys."
How did Albert Einstein define "insanity?"
But, before we address any players or positions that he mentioned or that have a greater chance of getting special attention, let us be clear about one thing: despite what Colbert said about not ruling out drafting "any position in any round," It won't be a quarterback on the first two days of the draft. Ok? We clear? Good, let's move on now.
Regarding the Salary Cap dilemma, Jim Wexell of steelcityinsider.net said that their Cap-ologist Ian Whetstone, whom we've used as a source several times before, said the Steelers being $12 million over the Cap is doable.
By 'cutting James Harrison they'd save $5.1 million,' and "a Ben {Roethlisberger} restructure could save $7.2M max. {Lawrence} Timmons another target at $5.4M max."
"Cutting {Willie} Colon," he said further, "would save only $1.2M. Don't see any other realistic possibilities (aside from aforementioned Harrison)....But need the cap cuts {and to be Rule of 51 compliant} by March 12. If you keep Colon past March 12, you may as well keep him another year."
He finished his mini Twitter dissertation by saying the "team could restructure {LaMarr} Woodley for max savings of $6.2M. I'm optimistic, but that's risky." (brackets ours)
Since Colbert said that they don't have "too many franchise players" and that compliance "will include terminations, possible extensions and reconstructions," any or all of that is feasible.
Earlier this month, we talked specifically about the need to fill defensive holes early in the 2013 NFL Draft. Not the entire draft, not the first two days...just early. With Harrison's contract ripe for 'termination,' as mentioned above, an outside linebacker is a great possibility.
One whom we've mentioned before and whom Mel Kiper even has the Steelers taking in his 2013 NFL mock draft is BYU's Ziggy Ansah. Is he a defensive end or an outside linebacker? As his position coach said, he's both. Behind The Steel Curtain says it's the former, we say it's either. The link provided includes a video to help you decide. - http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/1/16/3883850/mel-kiper-2013-nfl-mock-draft-steelers-ezekiel-ansah
But, let's say, because of Rashard Mendenhall ("Any time a player doesn't show up for a game, that's unacceptable"), Mike Wallace (franchise tag: "Very doubtful") and Chris Rainey ("lost the trust of the organization" http://tinyurl.com/backbnk) all having character issues of some sort, might they look only toward choir boys? Um...no. - http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Trying-to-meet-both-standards/4bda2c71-f51e-48f9-b70b-4015797490f3
Since the aforementioned players are very likely all leaving the team this offseason, the "best available player" may be on offense - of questionable background or not. That said, is a wide receiver or multi-skilled player like West Virginia's Tavon Austin, a possibility? Scoring is essential in today's NFL, and Austin can help generate it.
Listed at 5'9", 175 lbs., with a 4.38/40 and nicknamed Tavon "Awesome," he was WVU's electric star of That 70's Show. Austin lined up at wide receiver, in the slot, as a returner and as a running back and "shows a surprising amount of patience, even as an inside runner."
Such a player could stretch the field or do any and all of the things Rainey should have done. But, don't take our word for it, read the brilliantly detailed breakdown of him and his best collegiate game by rotoworld.com: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/42156/321/tavon-awesome
"Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position," Colbert said of the Steelers' second-worst rushing offense since 1978. "That group of players didn't produce the way we anticipated they would."
Was that actually the running backs or was it issues, injury-related and otherwise, with the offensive line? Let's assume it was the running backs as a whole. If so, neither Jonathan Dwyer nor Isaac Redman should feel too secure about starting in 2013: Dwyer's vision and decision making keep him from being a true No. 1 back, and Redman has lost five fumbles in three years. - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/steelers-sunday-spotlight-running-back-help-wanted-671249/
If it was more a product of the continued offensive line issues, there is no shortage of guard prospects in this draft, as there are 73 underclassmen who've declared themselves eligible for the draft. - http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/19/nfl-draft-early-entries/
The guards of note include Jonathan Cooper of North Carolina, Alabama’s Barrett Jones or Chance Warmack. Warmack is a viable option at the 17th pick. - http://tinyurl.com/bmkdtkw
Regardless, in looking over what is in front on the Steelers, the Salary Cap issues that affect decisions, the age on defense and the vacancies needing filled on offense, their needs are simply their needs.
So, while the interview with Colbert didn't give direct insight into what the Steelers will do in the upcoming draft, rest assured that the "best available player" will come in many forms in this April's NFL Draft.
~
TIDBITS: Points off turnovers were the difference in six of the eight losses. Much bigger problem than the fan-driven tension between Big Ben and Todd Haley. He says a lot of that was "anticipation." He liked offense in 1st half of the season. - http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Takeaway-total-is-trending-down/eee51537-2fcc-41ff-8641-28b097bf105a
~
Omar Khan, one of the finalists for Jets' GM job, was eventually passed over. According to Colbert, "He's earned it. We think he's ready." Fortunately, he's still here. (That sound you hear is a collective sigh from Steeler Nation.)
~
Despite no minority coaches hired this offseason, Rooney says the "Rooney Rule" is still 'workable with some tweaking.' - http://tinyurl.com/ag549xv
Yet, one source says the proposed coordinator expansion wouldn't apply to new head coaches: http://tinyurl.com/a4mfnq7
Friday, January 18, 2013
Art Rooney II: The State Of The Steelers, pt. 3: Injuries
With all due respect to every sideshow, Atlantic City, and downtown Las Vegas "magician" ever, the real magic words still are "please" and "thank you."
Last Wednesday, when Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II held his postseason 'State of the Steelers' address he pointed out several areas of contention that led to the team's failure in 2012. The last article surrounded the many turnovers - those on offense and the lack of those on defense. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/01/art-rooney-ii-state-of-steelers-pt-2.html
The final article deals with the part of the interview which arguably 'frustrates' and confounds the Steelers organization and its fans the most, that of its rash of injuries: "We have to look at everything we're doing," Rooney II said, "and we will look at everything we're doing, from the training and conditioning side of things, from a practice side of things and see if there are things we can do to get better." - http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Team-to-investigate-rash-of-injuries/7a52fef7-d231-4726-99f1-624c12207ae0
Please and thank you.
As Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest noted in the article on Steelers.com, the Steelers were a M.A.S.H. unit again this season: "Troy Polamalu missed nine games. Rashard Mendenhall missed seven. Marcus Gilbert missed 11. Mike Adams missed six. Ben Roethlisberger missed three, as did Antonio Brown. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley were on the field together for only nine games."
"David Johnson," Labriola continued, "went on the injured reserve list before the start of the regular season, and No. 1 pick David DeCastro didn't come off that list until the regular season was 13 games old." As a matter of fact, Steelers players missed over 100 games due to injury, with 11 players ending the season on the Injured Reserve list.
The Steelers offensive line alone started seven different line combinations. They started nine different offensive line combinations in 2011. Now with guard Willie Colon hurt again and Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky and Max Starks all being unrestricted free agents, major questions once surround the depth of the OLine and how this will affect offseason moves. Even prompting some to say that it needs to happen sooner rather than later. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1476681-pittsburgh-steelers-why-they-must-use-the-draft-to-fix-the-offensive-line
The player on the Oline that many are pointing at is Colon. Considering his injury history, it may just be time to cut ties and continue the Kelvin Beachum experiment. Cutting Colon outright will save $1.2 million and it is something the Steelers need to think about doing. If he had stayed healthy/healthier this season, he might have received the benefit of the doubt. Now there's just just plain doubt. - http://steelblitz.com/kelvin-beachum-could-be-steelers-left-guard-in-2013-and-beyond/2455/2013/01/14
According to team GM Kevin Colbert, the Steelers, per one study taken, had fewer injuries that some playoff teams had. "We were not the only team that had injuries. Teams that had more had better results." He said the amount of injuries "really wasn't unique to us."
That's the problem. Yes, injuries happen - they're an unavoidable part of the game - but it's the recent consistency of them and how the Steelers have reacted to them that is of concern. We've already touched on the fact that the OLine has been especially ravaged and what may be expected to happen, but there was more of what seemed to be a lack of mental toughness.
How often was the 'standard not the standard?' Wasn't the 'next man up' seemingly sometimes absent when roll was called? As was said, all teams face injuries. How they react, as individuals and as a team, speaks volumes. And, as much as Steelers fans may not like reading this, the team that tends to speak the loudest in this regard is the New England Patriots.
In a league where a team's hopes crash and burn because of one key injury, the Patriots' version of the "next man up" continues to produce winning results year after year. Patriots insider Tom E. Curran talks about that quality here: http://www.csnne.com/football-new-england-patriots/patriots-talk/Curran-on-Patriots-mental-toughness-defe?blockID=805607
There has to be a mental toughness to go far. It takes time to develop, but that's where the veterans who have been through the tough days help to pass it on to the younger players. It must become contagious, permeate the entirety of the team. It's something that was missing with the Steelers this season.
As former Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith once said in an interview, there's a difference between playing "hurt" and playing "injured." Playing hurt is something players often do. Like he said, players can be dinged up in some fashion from week two on. Playing injured, however, in the most cases, is detrimental to the team and usually only serves to worsen the injury.
Winning is a mindset - 10% is physical and 90% is mental. Which also means knowing when your offseason regimen may not be working. Like as brought out in part two of this series, Woodley has been offered to work with Ike Taylor's trainer Tom Shaw since Woodley's offseason routine...aww, who are we kidding? What offseason routine?
Another who may consider adjusting his offseason regimen to aid in durability throughout the season is Polamalu. Especially because of his wonderful reckless abandon, he has seen fewer field time the last few seasons.
The website pittsburghjedi.com (Pitts Burgh-Jedi on Facebook and @Pittsburgh_Jedi on Twitter) offered up an assessment on Polamalu's offseason ritual.
"I think a lot of [Polamalu's] getting hurt is because he's not training using the same standards as everyone else," they surmised. "He does holistic-style training with no weights at all. As a younger, more resilient man, he could get by [with] doing that. At 30 years old, 10 years in the league, and 10 years full of big hits and collisions, it seems logical to say his sort of wear-and-tear calls for something additional. He's still huge, but with gravity-based training that depends on using your body-weight as resistance, it means there's a ceiling you can hit with your training."
People are training harder than him using weights and he's not holding up against their hits....maybe it's time to use some more health science and not so much of these alternative, natural methods," they continued. "A half-baked theory, but knowing the correlation of proper training and risk of injury, it holds some water, if not a lot of it."
It just might. But, whether because of training, conditioning, mental toughness, offseason regimens or even because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, there has to be a reason or conglomerate of reasons to why the Steelers have been snake bitten the last few seasons.
"I would like to see us have some of that [CBA] loosened up a little bit, but that's not something completely in our control," Rooney II pointed out.
Regardless, as he said, "people are always coming up with new ideas on how to train, and so we'll look at all of that."
Please and thank you.
Last Wednesday, when Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II held his postseason 'State of the Steelers' address he pointed out several areas of contention that led to the team's failure in 2012. The last article surrounded the many turnovers - those on offense and the lack of those on defense. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/01/art-rooney-ii-state-of-steelers-pt-2.html
The final article deals with the part of the interview which arguably 'frustrates' and confounds the Steelers organization and its fans the most, that of its rash of injuries: "We have to look at everything we're doing," Rooney II said, "and we will look at everything we're doing, from the training and conditioning side of things, from a practice side of things and see if there are things we can do to get better." - http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Team-to-investigate-rash-of-injuries/7a52fef7-d231-4726-99f1-624c12207ae0
Please and thank you.
As Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest noted in the article on Steelers.com, the Steelers were a M.A.S.H. unit again this season: "Troy Polamalu missed nine games. Rashard Mendenhall missed seven. Marcus Gilbert missed 11. Mike Adams missed six. Ben Roethlisberger missed three, as did Antonio Brown. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley were on the field together for only nine games."
"David Johnson," Labriola continued, "went on the injured reserve list before the start of the regular season, and No. 1 pick David DeCastro didn't come off that list until the regular season was 13 games old." As a matter of fact, Steelers players missed over 100 games due to injury, with 11 players ending the season on the Injured Reserve list.
The Steelers offensive line alone started seven different line combinations. They started nine different offensive line combinations in 2011. Now with guard Willie Colon hurt again and Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky and Max Starks all being unrestricted free agents, major questions once surround the depth of the OLine and how this will affect offseason moves. Even prompting some to say that it needs to happen sooner rather than later. - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1476681-pittsburgh-steelers-why-they-must-use-the-draft-to-fix-the-offensive-line
The player on the Oline that many are pointing at is Colon. Considering his injury history, it may just be time to cut ties and continue the Kelvin Beachum experiment. Cutting Colon outright will save $1.2 million and it is something the Steelers need to think about doing. If he had stayed healthy/healthier this season, he might have received the benefit of the doubt. Now there's just just plain doubt. - http://steelblitz.com/kelvin-beachum-could-be-steelers-left-guard-in-2013-and-beyond/2455/2013/01/14
According to team GM Kevin Colbert, the Steelers, per one study taken, had fewer injuries that some playoff teams had. "We were not the only team that had injuries. Teams that had more had better results." He said the amount of injuries "really wasn't unique to us."
That's the problem. Yes, injuries happen - they're an unavoidable part of the game - but it's the recent consistency of them and how the Steelers have reacted to them that is of concern. We've already touched on the fact that the OLine has been especially ravaged and what may be expected to happen, but there was more of what seemed to be a lack of mental toughness.
How often was the 'standard not the standard?' Wasn't the 'next man up' seemingly sometimes absent when roll was called? As was said, all teams face injuries. How they react, as individuals and as a team, speaks volumes. And, as much as Steelers fans may not like reading this, the team that tends to speak the loudest in this regard is the New England Patriots.
In a league where a team's hopes crash and burn because of one key injury, the Patriots' version of the "next man up" continues to produce winning results year after year. Patriots insider Tom E. Curran talks about that quality here: http://www.csnne.com/football-new-england-patriots/patriots-talk/Curran-on-Patriots-mental-toughness-defe?blockID=805607
There has to be a mental toughness to go far. It takes time to develop, but that's where the veterans who have been through the tough days help to pass it on to the younger players. It must become contagious, permeate the entirety of the team. It's something that was missing with the Steelers this season.
As former Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins defensive end Bruce Smith once said in an interview, there's a difference between playing "hurt" and playing "injured." Playing hurt is something players often do. Like he said, players can be dinged up in some fashion from week two on. Playing injured, however, in the most cases, is detrimental to the team and usually only serves to worsen the injury.
Winning is a mindset - 10% is physical and 90% is mental. Which also means knowing when your offseason regimen may not be working. Like as brought out in part two of this series, Woodley has been offered to work with Ike Taylor's trainer Tom Shaw since Woodley's offseason routine...aww, who are we kidding? What offseason routine?
Another who may consider adjusting his offseason regimen to aid in durability throughout the season is Polamalu. Especially because of his wonderful reckless abandon, he has seen fewer field time the last few seasons.
The website pittsburghjedi.com (Pitts Burgh-Jedi on Facebook and @Pittsburgh_Jedi on Twitter) offered up an assessment on Polamalu's offseason ritual.
"I think a lot of [Polamalu's] getting hurt is because he's not training using the same standards as everyone else," they surmised. "He does holistic-style training with no weights at all. As a younger, more resilient man, he could get by [with] doing that. At 30 years old, 10 years in the league, and 10 years full of big hits and collisions, it seems logical to say his sort of wear-and-tear calls for something additional. He's still huge, but with gravity-based training that depends on using your body-weight as resistance, it means there's a ceiling you can hit with your training."
People are training harder than him using weights and he's not holding up against their hits....maybe it's time to use some more health science and not so much of these alternative, natural methods," they continued. "A half-baked theory, but knowing the correlation of proper training and risk of injury, it holds some water, if not a lot of it."
It just might. But, whether because of training, conditioning, mental toughness, offseason regimens or even because of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, there has to be a reason or conglomerate of reasons to why the Steelers have been snake bitten the last few seasons.
"I would like to see us have some of that [CBA] loosened up a little bit, but that's not something completely in our control," Rooney II pointed out.
Regardless, as he said, "people are always coming up with new ideas on how to train, and so we'll look at all of that."
Please and thank you.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tomlin Misses On Two Opportunities To Explain Two; Mendenhall Suspended
"First rule of coaching: Never admit you made the wrong call." - Ed Bouchette
Second rule of coaching: "NEVER admit you made the wrong call!"
That's the path that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is taking, anyway, as he went 0-for-2 in two-point conversion excuses. At the post-game press conference Sunday, Tomlin said he wanted to save plays for later (in game or in season). Weak, but at least he was consistent.
Tomlin compounded that error Tuesday by saying he thought they had a better chance to "sneak back" into the game by not scoring the two-point conversion. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/12/11/colon-out-after-having-surgery/
???
BUZZ!!! Aww...sorry. The correct answer was, "We got it wrong." Thanks for playing, though.
Tomlin should have just said, "I messed up by not going for two." But, evidently, he must have thought he could "sneak back" into the game since the Chargers were up by so many points that they wouldn't bother looking at the scoreboard.
Tomlin got this wrong. Period. Going for two and succeeding gets you to 16 points down with 6:07 remaining. Six minutes is a lot of time.
Teams have come back many times in the fourth quarter under similar circumstances. In 1985, the Minnesota Vikings were down 23-0 in the fourth to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings won 28-23.
Want a more recent example? These very same San Diego Chargers blew a 24-point lead earlier this year.
To further the thought, if they had gone for two after the last two touchdowns and had been successful each time, it could have been an 8-point game which would have permitted an onside kick chance with 0:58 remaining.
Later, Tomlin admitted his failure to go for two was because "it was bleak at that point.''
Um...ok. If it was so "bleak" why keep Big Ben (SC joint) and Troy (calf/achilles) in the game? Essentially, mixed signals being sent by a coach who comes off tersely and with an H.N.I.C. demeanor more often than some would like.
Tomlin also again used his "We don't live in our fears, we live in our hopes" line. As Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review said, "If Tomlin doesn't live in his fears, why is he afraid to admit that he made a mistake by not going for 2?" Touché.
Further than that, Tomlin agreed with Keisel, among others, that the Steelers 'possibly weren't ready' Sunday. He doesn't mind players speaking "the truth," he said. Fine, but that's something they should own.
As Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest accurately stated on "Talking Steelers Football" on Monday, "these are professionals." This isn't college football, they shouldn't need to be rah, rah, sis boom bah'd or 'Gippered' into having an "urgency" about playing on Sunday. - http://tinyurl.com/beshdxa
That said, it's something that Tomlin needs to own as well. As was pointed out by Bob Smizik in his blog in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, losing "to bad teams is a direct reflection on coach Mike Tomlin, though he hardly is the only person who must take blame. A five-loss team, which the Steelers were, should have entered the game against San Diego yesterday with a greater sense or urgency." - http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog
Now, before the Tomlin detractors who love to say "Bring back Cowher!" jump on their soap boxes and try to use this as ammunition for the "fire Tomlin" canon, please remember a couple of things.
You say Tomlin is only 'winning with Cowher's players?' Well, Cowher won initially with Noll's players too. There are subtle differences, but that's the basic truth. In fact, every new coach initially wins or loses with the former coach's players. The key lies in what the new coach does once his or her players start filtering into the team.
With that in mind, what did Cowher do once the players Chuck Noll had drafted retire or move on to other teams? He had two losing seasons, ('98 & '99) and three consecutive seasons of nine or fewer wins.
Plus, Cowher was constantly being outcoached in the big games, specifically the AFC Championship games. So, don't tweak any neck muscles looking behind, the past isn't always as good as you remember.
All-in-all, though, Tomlin hasn't exactly had the best year. Can he salvage it to some degree? Yes. Three wins would help, though a mea culpa on Tuesday would have been a nice start. But, that isn't all.
His in-game management skills are lacking and this has been evident for a couple of years now. Granted, half the coaches in the NFL mismanage their timeouts, challenges and whatnot, it's just that one would expect there to be an appreciable increase in success in these areas.
His game planning for specific teams, though usually solid, has been up and down this year. In part, that is because the "next man up" has more often this season been an inexperienced player.
When that happens, it is ultimately on his shoulders to make the necessary adjustments to put that player in the best position possible. That isn't always the case, and there needs to be more consistency in that.
Of course, at least he was consistent on Tuesday...
~
"Understand Rashard Mendenhall tried to "sneak" back into game Sunday disguised as a 2-point conversion. Tomlin didn't go for it. #steelers" - Alan Robinson (@arobinson_Trib on Twitter) of Trib Total Media
Thank you for the segue, Mr. Namesake.
Tuesday, Mendenhall was suspended for one game for "conduct detrimental to the team." As Ed Bouchette reported, Mendy did not show up for the Chargers game after being told he would not dress. Mendy will lose $41,176 for missing one game, one week of his $700,000 salary.
Baron Batch was activated from the practice squad.
Need any fresher ink on that ticket Mendenhall signed for his way out of town this offseason?
It wasn't all bad, though. Mendy did have 3,309 total rushing yards and 29 touchdowns from 2009-2011, despite not being used as much by Bruce Arians as he could have been.
But, Mendy thinks he's still in the Steelers plans: http://tinyurl.com/9w8tbhj
~
TIDBITS: Tomlin confirmed that left guard Willie Colon underwent knee surgery Monday and will miss several games; rookie David DeCastro is healthy enough to play and will likely to start at right guard with Ramon Foster moving to the left guard spot; and Mike Adams out again.
Ike Taylor is out again, there is good news: http://tinyurl.com/bb49mlf
Byron Leftwich and LaMarr Woodley should be back on practice field. Cortez Allen and Keenan Lewis both limited early in week. No setbacks with Troy Polamalu.
~
Curtis Brown allowed six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Five of those six were on 3rd downs and they all resulted in 1st downs.
Cortez Allen allowed six receptions for 86 yards on Sunday. Three of those six catches were on 3rd downs and all three resulted in 1st downs also.
Get well soon, Ike, these youngins need your presence and tutelage.
~
Bad, bad trend for the Steelers: http://tinyurl.com/aromvwb
Second rule of coaching: "NEVER admit you made the wrong call!"
Tomlin compounded that error Tuesday by saying he thought they had a better chance to "sneak back" into the game by not scoring the two-point conversion. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/12/11/colon-out-after-having-surgery/
???
BUZZ!!! Aww...sorry. The correct answer was, "We got it wrong." Thanks for playing, though.
Tomlin should have just said, "I messed up by not going for two." But, evidently, he must have thought he could "sneak back" into the game since the Chargers were up by so many points that they wouldn't bother looking at the scoreboard.
Tomlin got this wrong. Period. Going for two and succeeding gets you to 16 points down with 6:07 remaining. Six minutes is a lot of time.
Teams have come back many times in the fourth quarter under similar circumstances. In 1985, the Minnesota Vikings were down 23-0 in the fourth to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings won 28-23.
Want a more recent example? These very same San Diego Chargers blew a 24-point lead earlier this year.
To further the thought, if they had gone for two after the last two touchdowns and had been successful each time, it could have been an 8-point game which would have permitted an onside kick chance with 0:58 remaining.
Later, Tomlin admitted his failure to go for two was because "it was bleak at that point.''
Um...ok. If it was so "bleak" why keep Big Ben (SC joint) and Troy (calf/achilles) in the game? Essentially, mixed signals being sent by a coach who comes off tersely and with an H.N.I.C. demeanor more often than some would like.
Tomlin also again used his "We don't live in our fears, we live in our hopes" line. As Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review said, "If Tomlin doesn't live in his fears, why is he afraid to admit that he made a mistake by not going for 2?" Touché.
Further than that, Tomlin agreed with Keisel, among others, that the Steelers 'possibly weren't ready' Sunday. He doesn't mind players speaking "the truth," he said. Fine, but that's something they should own.
As Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest accurately stated on "Talking Steelers Football" on Monday, "these are professionals." This isn't college football, they shouldn't need to be rah, rah, sis boom bah'd or 'Gippered' into having an "urgency" about playing on Sunday. - http://tinyurl.com/beshdxa
That said, it's something that Tomlin needs to own as well. As was pointed out by Bob Smizik in his blog in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, losing "to bad teams is a direct reflection on coach Mike Tomlin, though he hardly is the only person who must take blame. A five-loss team, which the Steelers were, should have entered the game against San Diego yesterday with a greater sense or urgency." - http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog
Now, before the Tomlin detractors who love to say "Bring back Cowher!" jump on their soap boxes and try to use this as ammunition for the "fire Tomlin" canon, please remember a couple of things.
You say Tomlin is only 'winning with Cowher's players?' Well, Cowher won initially with Noll's players too. There are subtle differences, but that's the basic truth. In fact, every new coach initially wins or loses with the former coach's players. The key lies in what the new coach does once his or her players start filtering into the team.
With that in mind, what did Cowher do once the players Chuck Noll had drafted retire or move on to other teams? He had two losing seasons, ('98 & '99) and three consecutive seasons of nine or fewer wins.
Plus, Cowher was constantly being outcoached in the big games, specifically the AFC Championship games. So, don't tweak any neck muscles looking behind, the past isn't always as good as you remember.
All-in-all, though, Tomlin hasn't exactly had the best year. Can he salvage it to some degree? Yes. Three wins would help, though a mea culpa on Tuesday would have been a nice start. But, that isn't all.
His in-game management skills are lacking and this has been evident for a couple of years now. Granted, half the coaches in the NFL mismanage their timeouts, challenges and whatnot, it's just that one would expect there to be an appreciable increase in success in these areas.
His game planning for specific teams, though usually solid, has been up and down this year. In part, that is because the "next man up" has more often this season been an inexperienced player.
When that happens, it is ultimately on his shoulders to make the necessary adjustments to put that player in the best position possible. That isn't always the case, and there needs to be more consistency in that.
Of course, at least he was consistent on Tuesday...
~
"Understand Rashard Mendenhall tried to "sneak" back into game Sunday disguised as a 2-point conversion. Tomlin didn't go for it. #steelers" - Alan Robinson (@arobinson_Trib on Twitter) of Trib Total Media
Tuesday, Mendenhall was suspended for one game for "conduct detrimental to the team." As Ed Bouchette reported, Mendy did not show up for the Chargers game after being told he would not dress. Mendy will lose $41,176 for missing one game, one week of his $700,000 salary.
Baron Batch was activated from the practice squad.
Need any fresher ink on that ticket Mendenhall signed for his way out of town this offseason?
It wasn't all bad, though. Mendy did have 3,309 total rushing yards and 29 touchdowns from 2009-2011, despite not being used as much by Bruce Arians as he could have been.
But, Mendy thinks he's still in the Steelers plans: http://tinyurl.com/9w8tbhj
~
TIDBITS: Tomlin confirmed that left guard Willie Colon underwent knee surgery Monday and will miss several games; rookie David DeCastro is healthy enough to play and will likely to start at right guard with Ramon Foster moving to the left guard spot; and Mike Adams out again.
Ike Taylor is out again, there is good news: http://tinyurl.com/bb49mlf
Byron Leftwich and LaMarr Woodley should be back on practice field. Cortez Allen and Keenan Lewis both limited early in week. No setbacks with Troy Polamalu.
~
Curtis Brown allowed six receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Five of those six were on 3rd downs and they all resulted in 1st downs.
Cortez Allen allowed six receptions for 86 yards on Sunday. Three of those six catches were on 3rd downs and all three resulted in 1st downs also.
Get well soon, Ike, these youngins need your presence and tutelage.
~
Bad, bad trend for the Steelers: http://tinyurl.com/aromvwb
Friday, November 30, 2012
Steelers Look To Get Even With Ravens At Baltimore
It's official: Steelers' Roethlisberger ruled out: http://tinyurl.com/cdnea9c
Now that that is out of the way...
The Pittsburgh Steelers invade M&T Bank Stadium to play the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are healing from some of their injuries, but will be without their offensive leader, Ben Roethlisberger.
The Ravens haven't lost at home this season. They're perfect there in their last 15 regular season games in fact. Their last loss in the friendly confines? December 5, 2010 to the Steelers. However, that was with Big Ben. The Steelers are 0-5 against Baltimore and have lost the last three overall.
We had a feeling Big Ben wouldn't play this week, and were fairly sure that Antonio Brown and Troy Polamalu would. The Steelers' question mark this week is with left guard Willie Colon.
Per Steelers beat and Beaver County Times writer Mike Bires: "Left guard Willie Colon practiced. Unless he has any setbacks from today's workout, he'll play in Baltimore. We'll see how he feels tomorrow."
If Colon plays, then no major shuffling will have to occur on the offensive line. If he doesn't play, then Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will play left guard, and backup Doug Legursky will fill in at center. As was brought out in the previous article, Pouncey last played guard in his freshman year at Florida.
As for who actually is starting on the offensive line this week, all eyes are on Kelvin Beachum. It also sets up the eight things that must take place if the Steelers expect to leave with another win in Baltimore.
THE RIGHT STUFF?
Beachum, the Steelers seventh-round draft pick out of SMU, will have his hand full Sunday as he will see quite a bit of Paul Kruger, the Ravens outside linebacker. Kruger gave fellow Steelers rookie Mike Adams all he could handle in the game at Heinz Field. In that game Kruger had two sacks and three quarterback hits.
To his credit, in the two games he's been in this season, Beachum hasn't allowed a sack and has only allowed one quarterback hit. As we mentioned in the last article, though, Beachum has had two holding penalties against him in his 27 total snaps.
One of those was last week against the Browns, when he was flagged for holding on Jabaal Sheard, negating a big pass completion from quarterback Charlie Batch to Heath Miller.
Such plays are the very lost or 'hidden yardage' plays that the coaches have talked about in the past. Such mental errors can end up being very costly, and Beachum needs to be able hold down that side without actually holding.
We've said before that to get him help the Steelers could employ some 12-personnel and use the fullback (as in 21-personnel) to chip block. Lance Williams of Steel Curtain Radio breaks this down even further here: http://steelcurtainradio.com/?p=350
RUN. THE. BALL.
Allow me to let you in on (not) a secret: the Ravens have trouble stopping the run. They're 21st in the NFL against the run, allowing over 128 yards per game and four yards per carry. They've gotten better over the last four games in how many yards have been allowed, but are worse in the average yards per carry.
The Steelers ran the ball 27 times for 134 yards (5.0 YPC) in their first meeting, with newly instituted starter Jonathan Dwyer rushing the ball for 55 yards on 12 carries.
As we'd alluded to before, the Steelers needed to get away from the running back-by-committee thing and settle on one runner so that he could get into a rhythm with the offensive line. Dwyer now has the opportunity to do so. Plus, there are three other healthy backs behind him. A strong dose of smash mouth to tire out the Ravens defense and to give them fewer opportunities to score will be crucial. - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8695446&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
THIRD'S A CHARM
Third down has been atrocious since Big Ben went down. This must change. One way to do it is to be more effective on first downs.
Ideally, you want to gain your yardage on approximately a 50/40/10 percentage clip. Charlie Batch only has a 48% completion rate on 3rd down with the Steelers. So, the fewer yards he has to convert, the better.
As many third and shorts (four yards or less) as possible will help to extend drives and keep the Ravens defense on the field.
HALE(Y) TO THE CHIEF
Todd Haley HAS to stop being so conservative.
What was a strong and consistent winning unit has become inept. Haley's comfort level with Big Ben has become an albatross around the neck of the offense. His play calling has just been bad since Big Ben has been out.
Uncle Charlie's comfort level with the offense matters too, but Haley needs to revert back to what he had them doing when No. 7 was in there: pass on first down, more short and medium passes, run the ball to set up the play action. Get creative with it, also, now that Antonio Brown is back. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/11/29/coordindators-corner-haley-lebeau/
HE WHO THINKS BY THE INCH AND TALKS BY THE YARD WILL GET KICKED BY THE FOOTE.
The NFL is a game of inches and Ray Rice gained a first down by only one on a controversial 4th and 29 play against the San Diego Chargers. That was a microcosm of what Rice is capable of as a running back and offensive player. Larry Foote, James Harrison and the rest of the unit of linebackers must stop Rice once again. - http://tinyurl.com/bm7ombs
Not much else needs to said on this. Faithful readers to this blog know that we preach gap control. Maintaining gap containment on Rice keeps the Steelers solidly in this game. Period.
TROY
"I think it means a lot, getting leadership and stability out there again....Let's face it, when you can have him on the field it's a plus for us." Defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau on Troy Polamalu.
There have been comments made that Troy shouldn't be brought back in, that the defense is playing well together and they shouldn't mess with that.
Stop it. Just...just stop.
As LeBeau said, "He makes plays only he can make." Will Allen has been playing well, yes. But, it's absolutely ludicrous and asinine to suggest to keep one of the (still) best defenders in the game on the bench if he is available.
Continuity that Allen has developed over five or six games pales in comparison to the Ryan Clark has with Troy over the LAST FEW YEARS. They have nearly a telepathic relationship together and, even if Troy does only play on a limited basis, it will be good to see the hair back. - http://tinyurl.com/br46346
MAKE A BIG SPLASH
John Steigerwald tweeted from his personal Twitter (@Steigerworld) account that, "Since 1978 when the Steelers win the turnover battle, they are 229-31."
When the Steelers sack Joe Flacco four times or more, they are 4-2 against the Ravens.
Getting splash plays on defense, turnovers and sacks, is essential for the Steelers. That can't be stressed enough. There can be no, NO, hangover from last week's disgusting display. NONE.
"TIME IS THE FIRE IN WHICH WE BURN."
If you've ever had an actual or cyber conversation with me, you've probably heard me criticize Mike Tomlin for his questionable timeout and game management. There are several examples of it over the last few years, including the last time the two teams met.
He used two timeouts at non-crucial points in the game which eliminates the ability to stop the clock when needed.
The forced fumble by Foote against the Browns was missed by the officials. But because the Steelers had no timeouts left, they couldn't challenge. It may not have led to a comeback win, but it doesn't matter because they didn't even have the ability to challenge it. (Which is one of the worst rules in the game, by the way. They have all this technology that can show definitively that it was a fumble, but they can't do anything about it??? *spread cheeks, remove head*)
If the Steelers can do most of those things, they might actually be able to pull off a hard-fought and close victory in Baltimore. Might.
~
TIDBITS: Practice/Injury Report - Steelers: DNP: Mike Adams (out), Willie Colon (questionable), LaMarr Woodley (out), Casey Hampton (probable), Byron Leftwich (out); LIMITED: Ben Roethlisberger and Cotchery (out); FULL: Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu and Max Starks.
Ravens: CB Jimmy Smith (sports hernia surgery) is OUT; TE Ed Dickson (knee) is DOUBTFUL; LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle/foot/thumbs), CB Chris Johnson (hamstring), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh/knee) are QUESTIONABLE.
~
Ray Rice on Steelers and Terrible Towel-gate via CBSSports.com:
On Ravens maybe surpassing Steelers: "I wouldnt call it a tide turn. I don't think the tide will change until we win our Super Bowls. Any time you are trying to get where the top dog of the division, is you are going to build a team around how to beat those guys. You have to be a team that can compete with the Steelers. I think we've done that over the past few years, done pretty well at it.
"This rivalry has never been soft. I don't buy into the whole thing that you shouldn't be cool after the game. We went to war with each other. We're hitting each other like car crashes, so why not embrace the moment after? 'Hey, man, what's goin on? I wish you well. And stay healthy.' When the game is over, you aren't going to go around and hate a person just because he was a Pittsburgh Steeler."
"You aren't going to catch me out there burning the (Terrible Towel) or doing anything to disrespect their organization. I am a respectful guy. When my child gets older, I will get to show her. She will ask, 'Daddy, who is that?' I will say, 'It's the Pittsburgh Steelers.'"
Respect.
Now that that is out of the way...
The Pittsburgh Steelers invade M&T Bank Stadium to play the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are healing from some of their injuries, but will be without their offensive leader, Ben Roethlisberger.
The Ravens haven't lost at home this season. They're perfect there in their last 15 regular season games in fact. Their last loss in the friendly confines? December 5, 2010 to the Steelers. However, that was with Big Ben. The Steelers are 0-5 against Baltimore and have lost the last three overall.
We had a feeling Big Ben wouldn't play this week, and were fairly sure that Antonio Brown and Troy Polamalu would. The Steelers' question mark this week is with left guard Willie Colon.
Per Steelers beat and Beaver County Times writer Mike Bires: "Left guard Willie Colon practiced. Unless he has any setbacks from today's workout, he'll play in Baltimore. We'll see how he feels tomorrow."
If Colon plays, then no major shuffling will have to occur on the offensive line. If he doesn't play, then Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will play left guard, and backup Doug Legursky will fill in at center. As was brought out in the previous article, Pouncey last played guard in his freshman year at Florida.
As for who actually is starting on the offensive line this week, all eyes are on Kelvin Beachum. It also sets up the eight things that must take place if the Steelers expect to leave with another win in Baltimore.
THE RIGHT STUFF?
Beachum, the Steelers seventh-round draft pick out of SMU, will have his hand full Sunday as he will see quite a bit of Paul Kruger, the Ravens outside linebacker. Kruger gave fellow Steelers rookie Mike Adams all he could handle in the game at Heinz Field. In that game Kruger had two sacks and three quarterback hits.
To his credit, in the two games he's been in this season, Beachum hasn't allowed a sack and has only allowed one quarterback hit. As we mentioned in the last article, though, Beachum has had two holding penalties against him in his 27 total snaps.
One of those was last week against the Browns, when he was flagged for holding on Jabaal Sheard, negating a big pass completion from quarterback Charlie Batch to Heath Miller.
Such plays are the very lost or 'hidden yardage' plays that the coaches have talked about in the past. Such mental errors can end up being very costly, and Beachum needs to be able hold down that side without actually holding.
We've said before that to get him help the Steelers could employ some 12-personnel and use the fullback (as in 21-personnel) to chip block. Lance Williams of Steel Curtain Radio breaks this down even further here: http://steelcurtainradio.com/?p=350
RUN. THE. BALL.
Allow me to let you in on (not) a secret: the Ravens have trouble stopping the run. They're 21st in the NFL against the run, allowing over 128 yards per game and four yards per carry. They've gotten better over the last four games in how many yards have been allowed, but are worse in the average yards per carry.
The Steelers ran the ball 27 times for 134 yards (5.0 YPC) in their first meeting, with newly instituted starter Jonathan Dwyer rushing the ball for 55 yards on 12 carries.
As we'd alluded to before, the Steelers needed to get away from the running back-by-committee thing and settle on one runner so that he could get into a rhythm with the offensive line. Dwyer now has the opportunity to do so. Plus, there are three other healthy backs behind him. A strong dose of smash mouth to tire out the Ravens defense and to give them fewer opportunities to score will be crucial. - http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8695446&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
THIRD'S A CHARM
Third down has been atrocious since Big Ben went down. This must change. One way to do it is to be more effective on first downs.
Ideally, you want to gain your yardage on approximately a 50/40/10 percentage clip. Charlie Batch only has a 48% completion rate on 3rd down with the Steelers. So, the fewer yards he has to convert, the better.
As many third and shorts (four yards or less) as possible will help to extend drives and keep the Ravens defense on the field.
HALE(Y) TO THE CHIEF
Todd Haley HAS to stop being so conservative.
What was a strong and consistent winning unit has become inept. Haley's comfort level with Big Ben has become an albatross around the neck of the offense. His play calling has just been bad since Big Ben has been out.
Uncle Charlie's comfort level with the offense matters too, but Haley needs to revert back to what he had them doing when No. 7 was in there: pass on first down, more short and medium passes, run the ball to set up the play action. Get creative with it, also, now that Antonio Brown is back. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/11/29/coordindators-corner-haley-lebeau/
HE WHO THINKS BY THE INCH AND TALKS BY THE YARD WILL GET KICKED BY THE FOOTE.
The NFL is a game of inches and Ray Rice gained a first down by only one on a controversial 4th and 29 play against the San Diego Chargers. That was a microcosm of what Rice is capable of as a running back and offensive player. Larry Foote, James Harrison and the rest of the unit of linebackers must stop Rice once again. - http://tinyurl.com/bm7ombs
Not much else needs to said on this. Faithful readers to this blog know that we preach gap control. Maintaining gap containment on Rice keeps the Steelers solidly in this game. Period.
TROY
There have been comments made that Troy shouldn't be brought back in, that the defense is playing well together and they shouldn't mess with that.
Stop it. Just...just stop.
As LeBeau said, "He makes plays only he can make." Will Allen has been playing well, yes. But, it's absolutely ludicrous and asinine to suggest to keep one of the (still) best defenders in the game on the bench if he is available.
Continuity that Allen has developed over five or six games pales in comparison to the Ryan Clark has with Troy over the LAST FEW YEARS. They have nearly a telepathic relationship together and, even if Troy does only play on a limited basis, it will be good to see the hair back. - http://tinyurl.com/br46346
MAKE A BIG SPLASH
John Steigerwald tweeted from his personal Twitter (@Steigerworld) account that, "Since 1978 when the Steelers win the turnover battle, they are 229-31."
When the Steelers sack Joe Flacco four times or more, they are 4-2 against the Ravens.
Getting splash plays on defense, turnovers and sacks, is essential for the Steelers. That can't be stressed enough. There can be no, NO, hangover from last week's disgusting display. NONE.
"TIME IS THE FIRE IN WHICH WE BURN."
If you've ever had an actual or cyber conversation with me, you've probably heard me criticize Mike Tomlin for his questionable timeout and game management. There are several examples of it over the last few years, including the last time the two teams met.
He used two timeouts at non-crucial points in the game which eliminates the ability to stop the clock when needed.
The forced fumble by Foote against the Browns was missed by the officials. But because the Steelers had no timeouts left, they couldn't challenge. It may not have led to a comeback win, but it doesn't matter because they didn't even have the ability to challenge it. (Which is one of the worst rules in the game, by the way. They have all this technology that can show definitively that it was a fumble, but they can't do anything about it??? *spread cheeks, remove head*)
If the Steelers can do most of those things, they might actually be able to pull off a hard-fought and close victory in Baltimore. Might.
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TIDBITS: Practice/Injury Report - Steelers: DNP: Mike Adams (out), Willie Colon (questionable), LaMarr Woodley (out), Casey Hampton (probable), Byron Leftwich (out); LIMITED: Ben Roethlisberger and Cotchery (out); FULL: Antonio Brown, Troy Polamalu and Max Starks.
Ravens: CB Jimmy Smith (sports hernia surgery) is OUT; TE Ed Dickson (knee) is DOUBTFUL; LB Dannell Ellerbe (ankle/foot/thumbs), CB Chris Johnson (hamstring), DE Pernell McPhee (thigh/knee) are QUESTIONABLE.
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Ray Rice on Steelers and Terrible Towel-gate via CBSSports.com:
On Ravens maybe surpassing Steelers: "I wouldnt call it a tide turn. I don't think the tide will change until we win our Super Bowls. Any time you are trying to get where the top dog of the division, is you are going to build a team around how to beat those guys. You have to be a team that can compete with the Steelers. I think we've done that over the past few years, done pretty well at it.
"This rivalry has never been soft. I don't buy into the whole thing that you shouldn't be cool after the game. We went to war with each other. We're hitting each other like car crashes, so why not embrace the moment after? 'Hey, man, what's goin on? I wish you well. And stay healthy.' When the game is over, you aren't going to go around and hate a person just because he was a Pittsburgh Steeler."
"You aren't going to catch me out there burning the (Terrible Towel) or doing anything to disrespect their organization. I am a respectful guy. When my child gets older, I will get to show her. She will ask, 'Daddy, who is that?' I will say, 'It's the Pittsburgh Steelers.'"
Respect.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Steelers Ben Roethlisberger Injured, Overshadows Victory
"The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one more such victory would utterly undo him. For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him...." - Plutarch
Do you know what a Pyrrhic victory is? A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost that the heavy toll negates any sense of gain or profit.
Both Ben Roethlisberger and Ryan Clark, the Steelers offensive and defensive MVPs in the first half of the season, went down with injuries in the Steelers 16-13 overtime win on Monday Night Football.
Ryan Clark seems to have a concussion. He may miss the Ravens game next Sunday night. Big Ben may be more serious.
Big Ben left the game in the third quarter after being sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defenders Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. He was taken to the locker room and then to hospital for further evaluation.
Adam Schefter tweeted from his Twitter (@AdamSchefter) account that the "Steelers officials have not been told anything about Ben Roethlisberger having a separated shoulder. They have been told it is sprained."
"Ben Roethlisberger at hospital. Maybe shoulder will turn out to be separated. But all Steelers have been told so far is it is sprained."
Tomlin confirmed that Big Ben left the stadium and was evaluated at a nearby hospital, but didn't speculate on Big Ben until more is known. He said he doesn't "live in the hypothetical world." He simply said they did enough to win. - http://tinyurl.com/a2ucy7f
There is no official word at present, however there is speculation that Big Ben suffered a shoulder sprain. No word as to what grade it is or whether it's an acromioclavicular joint sprain or sternoclavicular sprain.
Cliff notes version is that in Grades I or II sprains, the injury is treated with what we in the industry (I've revealed in previous blogs that I studied and worked in E.M.S. and Massage Therapy) PRICE: Pressure, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin amongst others) are used. This is a two to three week situation.
If it's a Grade III sprain, where major tearing of the connective tissue is involved, surgery may be required. But, either way, IF this is the situation, no Big Ben for the Ravens games. - http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8625787/ben-roethlisberger-pittsburgh-steelers-leaves-game-injury
With Big Ben missing most of the second half with a right shoulder injury, overtime was needed and Lawrence Timmons’ interception on the second play of the 5th period set up Shaun Suisham’s 23-yard field goal to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13 in overtime over on Monday night.
In danger of losing to a team that hadn’t led in regulation all season, receiving their first lead Monday night, the Steelers were able to pull out the victory. A victory that many, including yours truly, said should've been easy.
“We made it hard on ourselves,” linebacker Larry Foote said. “We never make it easy.”
Though, again, the Steelers haven't yet revealed the severity of Big Ben's injury or how long he'll be out. The players are naturally concerned over their leader. Some didn't at all hold back their feelings on the matter.
“It scares you,” said offensive lineman Willie Colon. “Hopefully it’s not as bad as they’re saying.” - http://tinyurl.com/as7w7oy
Hopefully, Willie. Hopefully.
Without Big Ben, the Steelers turned to Byron Leftwich for their fourth straight victory.
Leftwich hadn't played in almost two years. It showed as he was very rusty at first, before hitting Emmanuel Sanders on a 31-yard pass that set up one of Sushi's three field goals.
Whether or not Big Ben had played the entire game, the Steelers didn't look ready for this game from the beginning. It isn't unusual for the defense this season to start slowly, but the offense usually generates early points.
Steelers offensive players said all week that they wanted to win this one for Haley. They did. Barely.
The normally on-point Steelers quarterback was just average in the first half. He was just 9-18 for 84 yards and a touchdown when he left the game.
The defense picked it up and kept the Chiefs scoreless most of the second half after being gashed early on the ground, but the offense never did come around.
Jamaal Charles put the Chiefs up, 7-0, with a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and an Isaac Redman fumble gave the ball back to the Chiefs at the Steelers’ 10-yard line, but they weren’t able to punch it in and had to settle for a 22-yard Ryan Succop field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
A Sushi field goal gave the Steelers three points before Mike Wallace made a circus catch off of a Roethlisberger seven-yard pass in the end zone to even the game at 10-10 late in the second quarter. Wallace somehow kept the ball off the turf by holding it between his knees and securing it before rolling out of bounds.
Many of the details of the second half are all a blur for most Steelers fans as the only thing that really matters is that the Steelers mid-season defensive MVP and franchise quarterback are down and their status is uncertain at present.
If the injuries end up being relatively minor, we'll look back at a game that should have been won by a lot more than three points.
If the injuries are as feared, the victory could be a meaningless one. A Pyrrhic victory.
Do you know what a Pyrrhic victory is? A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost that the heavy toll negates any sense of gain or profit.
Ryan Clark seems to have a concussion. He may miss the Ravens game next Sunday night. Big Ben may be more serious.
Big Ben left the game in the third quarter after being sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defenders Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. He was taken to the locker room and then to hospital for further evaluation.
Adam Schefter tweeted from his Twitter (@AdamSchefter) account that the "Steelers officials have not been told anything about Ben Roethlisberger having a separated shoulder. They have been told it is sprained."
"Ben Roethlisberger at hospital. Maybe shoulder will turn out to be separated. But all Steelers have been told so far is it is sprained."
Tomlin confirmed that Big Ben left the stadium and was evaluated at a nearby hospital, but didn't speculate on Big Ben until more is known. He said he doesn't "live in the hypothetical world." He simply said they did enough to win. - http://tinyurl.com/a2ucy7f
There is no official word at present, however there is speculation that Big Ben suffered a shoulder sprain. No word as to what grade it is or whether it's an acromioclavicular joint sprain or sternoclavicular sprain.
Cliff notes version is that in Grades I or II sprains, the injury is treated with what we in the industry (I've revealed in previous blogs that I studied and worked in E.M.S. and Massage Therapy) PRICE: Pressure, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Anti-inflammatories, or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Motrin amongst others) are used. This is a two to three week situation.
If it's a Grade III sprain, where major tearing of the connective tissue is involved, surgery may be required. But, either way, IF this is the situation, no Big Ben for the Ravens games. - http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8625787/ben-roethlisberger-pittsburgh-steelers-leaves-game-injury
With Big Ben missing most of the second half with a right shoulder injury, overtime was needed and Lawrence Timmons’ interception on the second play of the 5th period set up Shaun Suisham’s 23-yard field goal to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13 in overtime over on Monday night.
In danger of losing to a team that hadn’t led in regulation all season, receiving their first lead Monday night, the Steelers were able to pull out the victory. A victory that many, including yours truly, said should've been easy.
“We made it hard on ourselves,” linebacker Larry Foote said. “We never make it easy.”
Though, again, the Steelers haven't yet revealed the severity of Big Ben's injury or how long he'll be out. The players are naturally concerned over their leader. Some didn't at all hold back their feelings on the matter.
“It scares you,” said offensive lineman Willie Colon. “Hopefully it’s not as bad as they’re saying.” - http://tinyurl.com/as7w7oy
Hopefully, Willie. Hopefully.
Without Big Ben, the Steelers turned to Byron Leftwich for their fourth straight victory.
Leftwich hadn't played in almost two years. It showed as he was very rusty at first, before hitting Emmanuel Sanders on a 31-yard pass that set up one of Sushi's three field goals.
Whether or not Big Ben had played the entire game, the Steelers didn't look ready for this game from the beginning. It isn't unusual for the defense this season to start slowly, but the offense usually generates early points.
Steelers offensive players said all week that they wanted to win this one for Haley. They did. Barely.
The normally on-point Steelers quarterback was just average in the first half. He was just 9-18 for 84 yards and a touchdown when he left the game.
The defense picked it up and kept the Chiefs scoreless most of the second half after being gashed early on the ground, but the offense never did come around.
Jamaal Charles put the Chiefs up, 7-0, with a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and an Isaac Redman fumble gave the ball back to the Chiefs at the Steelers’ 10-yard line, but they weren’t able to punch it in and had to settle for a 22-yard Ryan Succop field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
A Sushi field goal gave the Steelers three points before Mike Wallace made a circus catch off of a Roethlisberger seven-yard pass in the end zone to even the game at 10-10 late in the second quarter. Wallace somehow kept the ball off the turf by holding it between his knees and securing it before rolling out of bounds.
Many of the details of the second half are all a blur for most Steelers fans as the only thing that really matters is that the Steelers mid-season defensive MVP and franchise quarterback are down and their status is uncertain at present.
If the injuries end up being relatively minor, we'll look back at a game that should have been won by a lot more than three points.
If the injuries are as feared, the victory could be a meaningless one. A Pyrrhic victory.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Steelers Face "Otherworldly" Test Against Redskins And RGIII
Only one rookie quarterback has ever beaten a LeBeau-run Steelers defense: Troy Smith in 2007.
Only one quarterback has ever run for 100-plus yards against the Steelers: Jack Concannon of the Philadelphia Eagles 56 years ago in 1966.
RGIII could do both this Sunday.
Last week when we posted the post-game blog of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals game, we briefly commended the play-calling. Todd Haley and Dick LeBeau ran circles around the Zimmer/Gruden connection. Coaching was a big part of that win.
Both need once again to have very specific game plans. Game plans where LeBeau unleashes Timmons on the line of scrimmage, especially with the absence of Troy Polamalu, to contain the phenomenon known as Robert Griffin III.
Expect a lot of base defense, Cover-1 and Cover-3 to keep a lot in front of them. All the while, it isn't as if they can just sit back and be passive against RGIII. They still must be aggressive and get after him.
Per Mike Tomlin at his weekly press conference on tuesday, the Redskins run an option attack that is are designed quarterback runs. Tomlin pointed out rightly that RGIII's runs in college were mostly on broken plays. - http://tinyurl.com/8gs8yjt
As Tomlin said, RGIII is "writing his own script" right now, and the Washington Redskins are doing a nice job of playing to his strengths.
The Redskins running game with the plucky Alfred Morris and their "new age triple-option" or "East Coast", as some of their players have called it, with RGIII changes slightly each week and presents a unique challenge.
Casey Hampton agrees.
"I was just tellin someone...if I was an (offense) coach, (the Redskins zone-blocking scheme) is what I would run."
He said further that there's "no question" the Redskins are the best running team the Steelers have faced. "Downhill runners," he called them. He said that the Redskins build their success off of the running game and play-action.
Absolute truisms. And while it isn't a true read option that they run, everything they do is designed, they play to RGIII's strengths. All on the Steelers defense agree, and his play has been described as "otherworldly": http://t.co/irupoFT2
Per Mark Kaboly on his personal Twitter (@MarkKaboly_Trib) account: "Watching this RGIII cat. Here's a bold statement ... Steelers gonna have a heck of a time stopping this read/option. HECK OF A TIME!!"
Really? A quarterback with veteran accuracy, the moves of a halfback and the speed of a wide receiver...we hadn't noticed.
ASIDE - We need to address a side point that gets on my last, exposed, raw nerve: Are bloggers and the media in general so racist, prejudiced, closed-minded or just so addle-brained that they can only compare quarterbacks who happen to be Black to other quarterbacks who happen to be Black?
Unless he was really high yella, Concannon mentioned at the outset was not a Black quarterback. Yet, go back and look at his stats, he was a running quarterback.
We bring it up again, not to castigate any one particular person(s), but because many did just that all week. One Steelers website, in rebutting an article by Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette, inserted a poll asking readers to compare RGIII to a list of four running quarterbacks...not one was of a Caucasian persuasion.
We wrote about this in a recent article and brought out some salient points and brought up non-Black quarterback names who were known also as fleet-of-foot athletes, such as Bobby Douglas, Roger Staubach, Steve Young and John Elway among MANY others. Some of whom are in the league now. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-plight-of-black-quarterback-past.html
*puts soapbox away*
Considering RGIII's unique skill set, quick release, accuracy (70% completion), instincts-beyond-his-years and grace under fire, LeBeau needs to make sure his defense is prepared, tackles the catch and is PATIENT. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/10/25/coordinators-corner-haley-lebeau/
Todd Haley has the easier job Sunday. Not that this would create bulletin board-type material, but the Redskins defense is not very g...well, it's really bad.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has called the offense "dink and dunk," and, though he says he loves it, he still wants to go downfield more. - http://tinyurl.com/9sy8d6c
He'll have his chance against the Redskins. They are anywhere from 27th to dead last in the NFL in yards allowed and completion percentage given up in the deep right, deep middle and deep left. They're ranked 28th in points and 29th as a unit overall. - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/gene-collier/redskins-secondary-springs-leaks-658991/#ixzz2AJbtExJ2
If Big Ben doesn't salivate too much and is patient enough to let it all unfold and come to him, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace should feast gametime Sunday. - http://t.co/n5rMJPwM
I had a chance to interview Wallace regarding what he expects Sunday, but he dropped my recorder breaking it which disallowed me to bring you that piece. Maybe next time...
By the way, those who love to vilify Haley and his offense, shouldn't do so. Last season through six games, the Steelers passing game produced 18 splash/explosive plays and averaged 19.9 points. Through six games this season, they've produced 28 such plays and are averaging 23.3 points.
Regarding the running game now, Jonathan "Cold-187" Dwyer will be your starter again. (I called him "Cold-187 because of where he was drafted and his running style. Look it up. But, stop the "Baby Bus", "Short Bus", etc...crap. There was only one Bus!)
The Steelers' longest run last year was the 76-yard burst by Dwyer. Their longest run this year is Dwyer's 32-yarder last week in Cincinnati. When Dwyer was first drafted I called it a steal. Though it didn't exactly turn out quite that way, he has overcome adversity to become an important part of the Steelers offense. - http://t.co/Y5jC4wMO
As a bit of feel good point of interest, Redskins linebacker London Fletcher was listed as going full Friday so expect him to keep his 231-game streak alive Sunday.
As the leader of that defense, Fletcher will be needed as Dwyer has been talking about the thrill of getting his first career home start Sunday, and Redman says he might also play after practicing again on Friday.
Just as the Steelers want to stop, or at least contain, their run/run option game, they'll look to do the same after watching Dwyer's 122-yard performance and watching Willie Colon VIOLENT play last Sunday night.
Make no mistake, though, Haley's offense will have to put up enough points to keep ahead of the otherworldly dangerous RGIII. If they can do that, the Steelers should come away with an exciting 60 minutes of a closely fought win.
TIDBITS: Redskins-Steelers preview: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-previews/0ap2000000085253/Preview-Washington-Redskins-vs-Pittsburgh-Steelers
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Last week, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey said that the foot/ankle injury to right tackle Marcus Gilbert may keep him out as for as many as six weeks
Gilbert retorted via his Twitter account: "I will not be out for 2 months, ill back really really soon!"
We'll see. When he does return, he may find himself the swing tackle if Mike Adams continues his improving play. Stay tuned.
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Thanks for the bad mojo, Labs.
Here's our take on them: http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2012/04/throw-away-throwbacks-steelers-release.html
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Tomlin says penalties on special teams are disturbing and threatened to stop the "grievous offenders" *CoughDeMarcusVanDykeCough* from continually committing the offenses.
Asked how you to stop guys from committing penalties on returns, Tomlin said: "You can take the helmet off them and make them watch."
Loud and clear.
~
Practice Report: FRIDAY - Marcus Gilbert, Brandon Johnson, Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polamalu all sat out practice. Will Allen, Chriss Carter, Jonathan Dwyer, Maurkice Pouncey and Jason Worilds all participated fully.
Gilbert, Troy, Mendenhall, Johnson out for Sunday. Redman is questionable and everyone else is probable.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Debating The "It Is Time For Troy Polamalu To Retire" Talk; Ta'amu Latest, Penalties and Trai Essex
Updated 10/15/2012
They're calling for the head (and shoulders) of Troy Polamalu.
There has been a lot of talk on this subject recently from Steelers fans, NFL fans and media alike. Many have begun to manifest a similar prevailing mentality, that being that 'Troy is injured all the time and it isn't worth the effort to keep him around anymore'.
And now, since he's missed more games with his latest calf injury, I'd be inclined to agree.
I also believe the sky is falling, the moon landing was shot on a Hollywood soundstage and that police don't know who killed Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
Look, talk that Troy is better off retiring and/or that he isn't worth the "headache" to the Steelers anymore should just stop. Has Troy missed playing time lately? Yes. But, is that reason to send him to the glue factory? Have the Steelers been better without him?
If It Ain't Steel wrote two articles last year that went into this very subject. They emphasized that Troy hadn't truly missed a lot of games in his nine years, not counting the 2009 season, and what his absence meant for the Steelers. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/ed-reed-or-troy-polamalu-who-is-better.html http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-peter-king-for-your-obituary.html
Not wanting to be accused of choosing stats to fit an argument, if you're looking to focus on the period of time including and since 2009 in which he was sidelined for 11 games, Troy's missed 16 contests. The Steelers are 7-9 (counting the Titans loss) in those games, with more coming. And in '09 specifically, the Steelers were 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Though special teams were a problem that year, it was painfully obvious that the defense suffered in his absence.
Expanding his worth to encompass the 24 total games missed, the Steelers are barely .500 with none having been playoff games. His value simply should not be underestimated.
Arguments have been made that surround Troy's offseason conditioning program with Marv Marinovich, suggesting that a possible change in his training methods is in order. Maybe even in trainers.
Ike Taylor, who never gets hurt...except in games this season when he gets beaten like he burned Ike Turner's dinner, has wanted Troy to train with him down in Florida a couple of times. The trainer, Tom Shaw of SPARQ Training, has trained athletes like Ike, Ray Lewis (who is now out for the rest of the season with a torn triceps injury) and James Farrior among others. Players who have played at a high level at much later ages than normal at their positions.
It is true that Troy has had calf and lower leg issues for a few years now. So, it's a thought.
Nonetheless, despite the missed time, Troy has been the Steelers anchor on defense when he has been available. We are still talking, after all, about a seven-time Pro Bowler, including 2011, five-time All-Pro, also including 2011, and the 2010 AP/NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The same man who was confusing Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage in Denver opening night.
As for his departure, Troy is the type to do so on his own terms. It won't be because he feels pressure from naysayers who'd love to see his luscious locks walking away for the last time.
Nor should Steelers fans delude themselves into thinking he isn't needed.
Draft his successor, yes. Draft his replacement, no.
~
TIDBITS - Everyone has heard by now of the senseless and wreckless crime committed by Steelers fourth-round draft pick, nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu.
In short summation, Ta'amu had a blood-alcohol level of 0.196 percent, more than twice the legal limit. He ended up leading police on a chase that resulted in his sport utility vehicle hitting several cars and was then arrested about 2:30 a.m. Sunday after a scuffle in which an officer punched him twice and was handcuffed with two sets of cuffs. Ta’amu posted $25,000 bail and was released.
I won't speculate on what the Steelers will do, regardless of Ta'amu's apologizing to his team. The Steelers, though, may have no choice as to what to do. With being booked on 15 counts, five of which were felony charges, the next time he sees the football field could be with the Gridiron Gang lined up next to his new cellmate girlfriend, Bubba. - http://tinyurl.com/9vkbxpl
~
With the Steelers most likely without the services of right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who was in a boot Monday per Mike Prisuta of WDVE, and center Maurkice Pouncey, sprained MCL, could Trai Essex be on his way back to the South Side?
Essex was released by the Indianapolis Colts in September and could be a consideration for the Steelers to help shore up the offensive line. With Doug Legursky playing center in Pouncey's stead, they have no real backup. Practice Squad center John Malecki is an option also. Head coach Mike Tomlin is sure to address it at his weekly press conference.
~
Before the Titans game, the Steelers had piled up more penalty yards, 346, than rushing yards, 318. They also averaged more than nine penalties a game. Guard Willie Colon Cancer recognizes his part as he led all offensive linemen with eight penalties going into the Thursday's game.
"I'm making it an easy job for those refs. I've gotta do a better job of putting my hands inside, playing a lil better technique."
He isn't the only one.
Ike Taylor leads NFL defensive backs in penalties also. Per Mark Kaboly, "including the two in the first half of the Titans game, Ike Taylor leads all defensive backs with six penalties called on him (1 of those were declined)."
That is beyond disturbing.
They're calling for the head (and shoulders) of Troy Polamalu.
And now, since he's missed more games with his latest calf injury, I'd be inclined to agree.
I also believe the sky is falling, the moon landing was shot on a Hollywood soundstage and that police don't know who killed Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G.
Look, talk that Troy is better off retiring and/or that he isn't worth the "headache" to the Steelers anymore should just stop. Has Troy missed playing time lately? Yes. But, is that reason to send him to the glue factory? Have the Steelers been better without him?
If It Ain't Steel wrote two articles last year that went into this very subject. They emphasized that Troy hadn't truly missed a lot of games in his nine years, not counting the 2009 season, and what his absence meant for the Steelers. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/ed-reed-or-troy-polamalu-who-is-better.html http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2011/08/to-peter-king-for-your-obituary.html
Not wanting to be accused of choosing stats to fit an argument, if you're looking to focus on the period of time including and since 2009 in which he was sidelined for 11 games, Troy's missed 16 contests. The Steelers are 7-9 (counting the Titans loss) in those games, with more coming. And in '09 specifically, the Steelers were 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Though special teams were a problem that year, it was painfully obvious that the defense suffered in his absence.
Expanding his worth to encompass the 24 total games missed, the Steelers are barely .500 with none having been playoff games. His value simply should not be underestimated.
Arguments have been made that surround Troy's offseason conditioning program with Marv Marinovich, suggesting that a possible change in his training methods is in order. Maybe even in trainers.
Ike Taylor, who never gets hurt...except in games this season when he gets beaten like he burned Ike Turner's dinner, has wanted Troy to train with him down in Florida a couple of times. The trainer, Tom Shaw of SPARQ Training, has trained athletes like Ike, Ray Lewis (who is now out for the rest of the season with a torn triceps injury) and James Farrior among others. Players who have played at a high level at much later ages than normal at their positions.
It is true that Troy has had calf and lower leg issues for a few years now. So, it's a thought.
Nonetheless, despite the missed time, Troy has been the Steelers anchor on defense when he has been available. We are still talking, after all, about a seven-time Pro Bowler, including 2011, five-time All-Pro, also including 2011, and the 2010 AP/NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The same man who was confusing Peyton Manning at the line of scrimmage in Denver opening night.
As for his departure, Troy is the type to do so on his own terms. It won't be because he feels pressure from naysayers who'd love to see his luscious locks walking away for the last time.
Nor should Steelers fans delude themselves into thinking he isn't needed.
Draft his successor, yes. Draft his replacement, no.
~
TIDBITS - Everyone has heard by now of the senseless and wreckless crime committed by Steelers fourth-round draft pick, nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu.
In short summation, Ta'amu had a blood-alcohol level of 0.196 percent, more than twice the legal limit. He ended up leading police on a chase that resulted in his sport utility vehicle hitting several cars and was then arrested about 2:30 a.m. Sunday after a scuffle in which an officer punched him twice and was handcuffed with two sets of cuffs. Ta’amu posted $25,000 bail and was released.
I won't speculate on what the Steelers will do, regardless of Ta'amu's apologizing to his team. The Steelers, though, may have no choice as to what to do. With being booked on 15 counts, five of which were felony charges, the next time he sees the football field could be with the Gridiron Gang lined up next to his new cellmate girlfriend, Bubba. - http://tinyurl.com/9vkbxpl
~
With the Steelers most likely without the services of right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who was in a boot Monday per Mike Prisuta of WDVE, and center Maurkice Pouncey, sprained MCL, could Trai Essex be on his way back to the South Side?
Essex was released by the Indianapolis Colts in September and could be a consideration for the Steelers to help shore up the offensive line. With Doug Legursky playing center in Pouncey's stead, they have no real backup. Practice Squad center John Malecki is an option also. Head coach Mike Tomlin is sure to address it at his weekly press conference.
~
Before the Titans game, the Steelers had piled up more penalty yards, 346, than rushing yards, 318. They also averaged more than nine penalties a game. Guard Willie Colon Cancer recognizes his part as he led all offensive linemen with eight penalties going into the Thursday's game.
"I'm making it an easy job for those refs. I've gotta do a better job of putting my hands inside, playing a lil better technique."
He isn't the only one.
Ike Taylor leads NFL defensive backs in penalties also. Per Mark Kaboly, "including the two in the first half of the Titans game, Ike Taylor leads all defensive backs with six penalties called on him (1 of those were declined)."
That is beyond disturbing.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Polamalu And Woodley Won't Play vs. Titans, Will Saunders?
At Mike Tomlin's weekly press conference, held Monday this week because of the Thursday night game, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach addressed the team looking forward and backward. As is the usual, injuries are a big part of the equation. - http://tinyurl.com/8udgkjb
As we know, Troy Polamalu re-inujured his right calf and is out this week. Tomlin was more optimistic on LaMarr Woodley saying he was "probably" out for the Tennessee Titans game with a "mild" hamstring injury. However, considering what happened last year, it would probably be best if he didn't play Thursday.
He pointed out that James Harrison had a "little swelling on knee," and that there was nothing negative regarding Rashard Mendenhall. All-in-all, he said that "from and injury standpoint, we came out of the game with some bumps and bruises."
Tomlin did address what he called a "subpar performance in some instances." He described the penalties that the Steelers are committing as some "guys working hard but not working smart." He says he "won't tolerate" self inflicted wounds, aka, penalties.
The pre-snap penalties can not be tolerated, true. He did, though, somewhat excuse the holding calls. He praised an offensive line that protected their quarterback.
"I think our offensive line did a good job protecting Ben (Roethlisberger), we were not sacked in the game"
Case in point in this is Willie Colon Cancer-he was flagged four times Sunday (though one was highly questionable). In total, Colon has been flagged eight times this season already, with six being false starts and two being for holding.
False start? Pre-snap and unacceptable. Holding? In-game and, well...Sunday was the first time since the October 17, 2010 Cleveland Browns game that Big Ben hasn't been sacked. One can only assume that Steeler Nation can tolerate those penalties much more easily.
We're used to Tomlin in his weekly pressers making a 2-14 team sound playoffs bound, but he had an interesting take on things Monday. He said that the Titans are "obviously off to a slow start" and that it makes them "dangerous."
He gave some praise to Titans running back Chris Johnson, but CJ2K is only averaging only about 42 yards per game (YPG). There are lots of problems in Tennessee, but many creatures are most dangerous when wounded.
What Mike Tomlin won't tell you, though, is that the Titans are allowing 36.2 points per game (PPG) most in NFL through five games since the 1954 Washington Redskins, per CBSSports.com.
"If we're going to be team we want to be," Tomlin said, "we need to win on the road." Tomlin was asked about the losing four of their last five road games (they're actually 5-6 on the road in last two seasons with some rather unimpressive wins) but he only wanted to focus on this year he said.
Well, here's something else Tomlin probably won't tell you: again per CBSSports.com, the Steelers have lost 14 of the past 22 games in Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones.
Once road warriors, now roadkill. Tennessee just might be the road trip needed to turn the tide, especially with a mini-bye right after.
The highlight of the presser? Tomlin getting asked about the hit by Ryan Clark: "Please, Ed (Bouchette)...Next question."
~
The Steelers are facing a difficult decision when they bring Weslye Saunders back this week. They have a roster exemption snd may not bring him back until Friday. that said, when they do they'll have to make a decision between their tight ends. Leonard Pope has a guaranteed veteran salary of about $575,000. They haven't actually spent the money already, because Cap dollars are not actual cash. At least as far as the way bean counters see it.
Regardless the decision, it's difficult. If they move David Paulson to the practice squad, they have to pay Saunders and cut a P.S. player. Cut Pope and pay Saunders, the cost is about $400,000. An 'overall difference of about $169,000', per Jim Wexell.
But, Sunday may have been an unofficial "goodbye" to Pope. Didn't see field on Sunday and, therefore, he may be gone after Thursday's game. Makes more sense to go with youth and upside anyway.
~
Per Messieurs Neal Coolong and Lance Williams, Behind The Steel Curtain and Steel Curtain Radio respectively, Michael Vick's first 10 dropbacks Sunday included seven hits and five knockdowns. Vick was getting hit every three and a half drop backs.
So, why did James Harrison pull up on a sure shot on Vick?
"I let up on Michael Vick so I wouldn't get fined." - http://t.co/Rpz4fKtJ
Thanks, Roger Goodell. You have what you wanted: players playing tentatively. Thank goodness it wasn't a game-changing play. If it had been, you'd be more than hung in effigy.
He pointed out that James Harrison had a "little swelling on knee," and that there was nothing negative regarding Rashard Mendenhall. All-in-all, he said that "from and injury standpoint, we came out of the game with some bumps and bruises."
Tomlin did address what he called a "subpar performance in some instances." He described the penalties that the Steelers are committing as some "guys working hard but not working smart." He says he "won't tolerate" self inflicted wounds, aka, penalties.
The pre-snap penalties can not be tolerated, true. He did, though, somewhat excuse the holding calls. He praised an offensive line that protected their quarterback.
"I think our offensive line did a good job protecting Ben (Roethlisberger), we were not sacked in the game"
Case in point in this is Willie Colon Cancer-he was flagged four times Sunday (though one was highly questionable). In total, Colon has been flagged eight times this season already, with six being false starts and two being for holding.
False start? Pre-snap and unacceptable. Holding? In-game and, well...Sunday was the first time since the October 17, 2010 Cleveland Browns game that Big Ben hasn't been sacked. One can only assume that Steeler Nation can tolerate those penalties much more easily.
We're used to Tomlin in his weekly pressers making a 2-14 team sound playoffs bound, but he had an interesting take on things Monday. He said that the Titans are "obviously off to a slow start" and that it makes them "dangerous."
He gave some praise to Titans running back Chris Johnson, but CJ2K is only averaging only about 42 yards per game (YPG). There are lots of problems in Tennessee, but many creatures are most dangerous when wounded.
What Mike Tomlin won't tell you, though, is that the Titans are allowing 36.2 points per game (PPG) most in NFL through five games since the 1954 Washington Redskins, per CBSSports.com.
"If we're going to be team we want to be," Tomlin said, "we need to win on the road." Tomlin was asked about the losing four of their last five road games (they're actually 5-6 on the road in last two seasons with some rather unimpressive wins) but he only wanted to focus on this year he said.
Well, here's something else Tomlin probably won't tell you: again per CBSSports.com, the Steelers have lost 14 of the past 22 games in Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones.
Once road warriors, now roadkill. Tennessee just might be the road trip needed to turn the tide, especially with a mini-bye right after.
The highlight of the presser? Tomlin getting asked about the hit by Ryan Clark: "Please, Ed (Bouchette)...Next question."
~
The Steelers are facing a difficult decision when they bring Weslye Saunders back this week. They have a roster exemption snd may not bring him back until Friday. that said, when they do they'll have to make a decision between their tight ends. Leonard Pope has a guaranteed veteran salary of about $575,000. They haven't actually spent the money already, because Cap dollars are not actual cash. At least as far as the way bean counters see it.
Regardless the decision, it's difficult. If they move David Paulson to the practice squad, they have to pay Saunders and cut a P.S. player. Cut Pope and pay Saunders, the cost is about $400,000. An 'overall difference of about $169,000', per Jim Wexell.
But, Sunday may have been an unofficial "goodbye" to Pope. Didn't see field on Sunday and, therefore, he may be gone after Thursday's game. Makes more sense to go with youth and upside anyway.
~
Per Messieurs Neal Coolong and Lance Williams, Behind The Steel Curtain and Steel Curtain Radio respectively, Michael Vick's first 10 dropbacks Sunday included seven hits and five knockdowns. Vick was getting hit every three and a half drop backs.
So, why did James Harrison pull up on a sure shot on Vick?
"I let up on Michael Vick so I wouldn't get fined." - http://t.co/Rpz4fKtJ
Thanks, Roger Goodell. You have what you wanted: players playing tentatively. Thank goodness it wasn't a game-changing play. If it had been, you'd be more than hung in effigy.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Rashard Mendenhall's Return Keys Steelers 16-14 Victory
I said in a recent blog regarding the Battle for the Keystone State that if the Steelers ran for what the Eagles defense was giving up on average, 91 yards per game at 3.8 yards per carry (YPC), that I'd go back to bed thinking that I was dreaming.
Now that I'm awake again, did I miss anything significant? (Congrats, Drew Brees on number 48.)
The running game, boosted by the return of starter Rashard Mendenhall, ran the ball for a total of 136 yards on 31 carries, an average of 4.38 YPC.
Welcome back, Mendy! He ran the ball 14 times for 81 yards himself and said he felt good about his performance and the win. - http://tinyurl.com/8bfmsyx http://tinyurl.com/9ztk7fj
In the previously mentioned blog post, I'd said that the Steelers could exploit the middle of the Eagles Wide 9 line. I said "don't expect them to run it up the gut 30 times," but that "they must attack the middle."
According to ESPN's statistics Twitter feed, @ESPNStatsInfo, the "Steelers ran for 99 yards inside the tackles in Rashard Mendenhall's return."
You're welcome.
In the game, Mendy gained 101 total yards from scrimmage. More importantly, he made defenders miss and ran hard throughout the game. Mendy picked up a lot of yardage that wasn't initially there.
When it can down to it, however, Big Ben Roethlisberger overcame a 1st-and-20 start to drive the Steelers down field, setting up the game-winning field goal by Shaun Suisham with three seconds left. - http://tinyurl.com/9jcbgnr
It ended up being a tight game after a 10-0 halftime lead for the Steelers as they and the Philadelphia Eagles took all 60 minutes to figure out who'd get the chicken dinner.
With this win, the Steelers are now 100-60-1 all time against the NFC. They've also won 27 out of the last 33 vs NFC, including eight straight at Heinz Field. They are only 27-46-3 with this win, though, against the Eagles during the regular season, including 18-18-1 at home.
It almost didn't happen, however, because the Steelers seemingly went to sleep for a while in the second half. The defense allowed the Eagles to run 28 plays in the second half - 25 of them being for scoring drives. It continues a trend of letting teams back into games late.
The Eagles drove, despite what one may think of the officiating, right over the Steelers to take a 14-13 lead. The Steelers took over after that touchdown with 6:33 remaining and used every second to take a 16-14 lead and victory with Suisham putting a cap on the 14-play, 64-yard drive. - http://tinyurl.com/8uvz6ow http://tinyurl.com/8oxqnpb
The 4th quarter comeback led by Big Ben was the 21st of his career. He was 21-37 for 207 yards and no touchdowns, no interceptions and suffered no sacks. It was also the 27th game-winning drive orchestrated by the two-time Super Bowl winner. - http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Ben-Roethlisberger-Post-game---vs-Eagles/9d1a639e-07a8-46bf-a2e4-2c28d86c0319
It was only the 2nd game-winning drive in last 21 games, though, for the nine-year veteran. But a win is a win, and the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recognizes that they weren't as sharp as they could've been coming off of the bye. - http://tinyurl.com/8epalrc
Neither side of the ball was completely sharp on Sunday. The Steelers yet again hurt themselves with penalties. They saw so much yellow laundry that it looked like fans were throwing their Terrible Towels on the field.
They were flagged nine times in all, with Willie Colon Cancer hitting a grand slam as he saw four of them. Two more were personal fouls where their safeties were flagged for illegal hits.
Probably the biggest news of the game, though, was the injuries sustained by the defense. Troy Polamalu re-injured his calf and linebacker LaMarr Woodley tweaked his hamstring. Both left the game and did not return.
With the Steelers having a short week, it is doubtful that they will be on active status as the week progresses toward Thursday's game.
Despite those losses they still played a fairly good defensive game. Actually executing the game plan meant they weren't hurt by big plays. DeSean Jackson had one big catch of 24 yards and Brandon Boykins had one big punt return of 25 yards.
They also kept Michael Vick contained. They confused, pressured and hit him all day, resulting in two lost 2 fumbles. Part of which being aided by the return of James Harrison, who was supposed to split time with fellow linebacker Chris Carter.
That didn't happen as Deebo amazingly played almost every down.
The Steelers put the Silverback in positions that allowed him to be effective. He was used on X-stunts, in coverage, on blitzes...they moved him around to make people have to be accountable for him. He alone had three hits and the Steelers had three sacks all told to go along with the turnovers.
Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers Digest Player of the Week, was all over the field also. He had 10 tackles, three QB pressures, one QB hit and one forced fumble.
The defense had its questionable moments, but as a whole got back to Steelers football. LeSean McCoy was just a shadow of his normal self as he was held to only 53 yards on the day, averaging only 3.3 YPC.
Instead it was Mendy, not Shady, who led his team to victory on Sunday.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Steelers Training Camp - Back To Basics
"Every year [the defense is old] it's said about the Pittsburgh Steelers and every year we're playing in Super Bowls or making a run in the playoffs."
That statement was made by the Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley on one of the first days of Training Camp. It was in response to being asked about yet more "the defense is old" comments in the national media.
"You gotta be able to kind of let people across the field from you know that you got teeth too, and that you're willing to bite."
Guard Willie Colon uttered those words not long after Woodley's remarks. It had to do with the various media comments of the Steelers offensive line having to go through different combinations yet again.
In other words, the national media is starting to piss the big guys off.
There is a mentality that has pervaded Training Camp so far: get back to basic, physical Steeler football! In three days of padded practices there have been four fights. Both offense and defense are looking to smack the other in the mouth and neither is willing to give any ground.
Rookies have dominated veterans and vets have schooled the rooks. Woodley and Steve McLendon have driven blockers into the backfield. Colon and rookie David DeCastro have mauled pass rushers. It has been physical and even nasty from the moment the pads were donned. And the players like it just fine.
"A physical offense is typically a good offense. So, it's a good start," said Steelers tight end Heath Miller. Not only is it a good start, but it's a good chance for certain players to provide an answer to national media yet again.
As said by Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "My camp phenom through three padded practices is Steve McLendon. The guy is virtually unblockable right now." The backup Steelers nose tackle had his weight and ability questioned by Pro Football Talk recently, so McLendon is on a mission to impress.
He's succeeding.
As Steelers veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton pointed out, "Everybody thinks McLendon is a small dude. He is a big, strong guy. He can be dominant." It didn't end there.
"Steve McClendon is a lot bigger than the 280 lbs they have him listed at on the roster," said former Steelers lineman and current WDVE reporter Craig Wolfley. "He told me that he weighed 325. A very impressive 325 I might add. And he ran well on the run test..." - http://t.co/oQrBcRK7
Others are also attempting to make their presence felt as roster spots are up for grabs. Like undrafted outside linebacker Adrian Robinson whom Wolfley also mentioned and about whom we've written about in previous blogs. Overall, though, it's the mentality of the offense and defense as whole units to be aggressive and dominant. Both want to establish a presence and impose its will on opponents.
To that end, Steelers new offensive coordinator Todd Haley says that he will be starting each practice with run-play drills. "Really, the passes are just to keep the defense honest. I think it's just the way I think myself and our staff believes you have to play football." - http://t.co/NqcoXXG2
He went further saying, "We want to be a team that can, most importantly, run it when it has to run it and throw it when it has to throw it. That's the name of the game offensively, being able to get the yards you need to get on the ground when the defense knows you're running." - http://t.co/vnDbV97S
Haley is still, though, enamored with the Steelers wide receiver corps...minus one: "Across the board we've got a lot of good young guys that have a very versatile skill set."
The defense is echoing that mindset, per CBS Sports' Rapid Reports correspondents (@CBSSportsNFLPIT on Twitter). They said that "player after player, defensive coach after defensive coach, has told anyone who would listen how much the defense needs to improve this year."
It truly says something about an organization that wants to make amends for a defense that was so bad that it ranked No. 1 in the NFL in points and total yards allowed. The Steelers mindset, though, dictates that their pride should be hurt over two embarrassing losses to the Ravens and a historic loss to the Broncos in the playoffs. The Steelers' rich history of defense cries out for retribution.
Like the blast furnace of a Pittsburgh steel mill, a fire has been lit in the pits of the stomachs of Steelers players up and down the roster. Be it the national media, bitter losses or pride, the Steelers are taking a very physical approach to Training Camp. Simply put, they're getting back to basics.
~
TIDBITS: Keenan Lewis has looked good early on in the cornerback competition with Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown. Lewis tweaked his shoulder, but seemed to be fine.
Emmanuel Sanders was a full participant in practice Tuesday. Reportedly looked good and showed the great hands and route running ability we expect from him.
Marcus Gilbert got fingers/hand stuck in Cameron Heyward's mask during linemen drills. Didn't seem too bad.
Steelers signed wide receiver Paul Cox from Mississippi Valley St., per Bob Labriola. He'll wear No. 81. Waived was tackle Bridger Buche.
That statement was made by the Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley on one of the first days of Training Camp. It was in response to being asked about yet more "the defense is old" comments in the national media.
"You gotta be able to kind of let people across the field from you know that you got teeth too, and that you're willing to bite."
Guard Willie Colon uttered those words not long after Woodley's remarks. It had to do with the various media comments of the Steelers offensive line having to go through different combinations yet again.
In other words, the national media is starting to piss the big guys off.
There is a mentality that has pervaded Training Camp so far: get back to basic, physical Steeler football! In three days of padded practices there have been four fights. Both offense and defense are looking to smack the other in the mouth and neither is willing to give any ground.
Rookies have dominated veterans and vets have schooled the rooks. Woodley and Steve McLendon have driven blockers into the backfield. Colon and rookie David DeCastro have mauled pass rushers. It has been physical and even nasty from the moment the pads were donned. And the players like it just fine.
"A physical offense is typically a good offense. So, it's a good start," said Steelers tight end Heath Miller. Not only is it a good start, but it's a good chance for certain players to provide an answer to national media yet again.
As said by Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "My camp phenom through three padded practices is Steve McLendon. The guy is virtually unblockable right now." The backup Steelers nose tackle had his weight and ability questioned by Pro Football Talk recently, so McLendon is on a mission to impress.
He's succeeding.
As Steelers veteran nose tackle Casey Hampton pointed out, "Everybody thinks McLendon is a small dude. He is a big, strong guy. He can be dominant." It didn't end there.
"Steve McClendon is a lot bigger than the 280 lbs they have him listed at on the roster," said former Steelers lineman and current WDVE reporter Craig Wolfley. "He told me that he weighed 325. A very impressive 325 I might add. And he ran well on the run test..." - http://t.co/oQrBcRK7
Others are also attempting to make their presence felt as roster spots are up for grabs. Like undrafted outside linebacker Adrian Robinson whom Wolfley also mentioned and about whom we've written about in previous blogs. Overall, though, it's the mentality of the offense and defense as whole units to be aggressive and dominant. Both want to establish a presence and impose its will on opponents.
To that end, Steelers new offensive coordinator Todd Haley says that he will be starting each practice with run-play drills. "Really, the passes are just to keep the defense honest. I think it's just the way I think myself and our staff believes you have to play football." - http://t.co/NqcoXXG2
He went further saying, "We want to be a team that can, most importantly, run it when it has to run it and throw it when it has to throw it. That's the name of the game offensively, being able to get the yards you need to get on the ground when the defense knows you're running." - http://t.co/vnDbV97S
Haley is still, though, enamored with the Steelers wide receiver corps...minus one: "Across the board we've got a lot of good young guys that have a very versatile skill set."
The defense is echoing that mindset, per CBS Sports' Rapid Reports correspondents (@CBSSportsNFLPIT on Twitter). They said that "player after player, defensive coach after defensive coach, has told anyone who would listen how much the defense needs to improve this year."
It truly says something about an organization that wants to make amends for a defense that was so bad that it ranked No. 1 in the NFL in points and total yards allowed. The Steelers mindset, though, dictates that their pride should be hurt over two embarrassing losses to the Ravens and a historic loss to the Broncos in the playoffs. The Steelers' rich history of defense cries out for retribution.
Like the blast furnace of a Pittsburgh steel mill, a fire has been lit in the pits of the stomachs of Steelers players up and down the roster. Be it the national media, bitter losses or pride, the Steelers are taking a very physical approach to Training Camp. Simply put, they're getting back to basics.
~
TIDBITS: Keenan Lewis has looked good early on in the cornerback competition with Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown. Lewis tweaked his shoulder, but seemed to be fine.
Emmanuel Sanders was a full participant in practice Tuesday. Reportedly looked good and showed the great hands and route running ability we expect from him.
Marcus Gilbert got fingers/hand stuck in Cameron Heyward's mask during linemen drills. Didn't seem too bad.
Steelers signed wide receiver Paul Cox from Mississippi Valley St., per Bob Labriola. He'll wear No. 81. Waived was tackle Bridger Buche.
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