Steelers End 2008 Regular Season With Scare, Resounding Win Over Punchless Browns
by Blitzburgh on Dec 28, 2008 7:53 PM EST
61 comments
Congratulations to the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers. The 31-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns was the first shutout of the year for the Steelers defense, while the offense ran for 176 yards on the ground, the highest total of the year since Week 1 against Houston. A few bullet points on this one:
* The big news of course is the concussion sustained by Ben Roethlisberger near the end of the first half. I presume that Ben was going to play just one half of football Sunday, so it's extremely unfortunate that he made it 90-95% of the way through his alloted playing time before getting sandwiched by two Browns pass rushers. Roethlisberger was carried off the field in a stretcher, but no neck or spinal cord injuries were sustained. The decision to strap him down was merely precautionary, and for now, it appears that Ben will be back in time to play at Heinz Field in the Divisional Round.
* I'll be writing about this more, but ugh, let's just hope Ben is either a 100% green light or a clear no-go two Sundays from now. The worst would be him rushing back because of the high stakes of the moment, only to cost his team a potential victory with groggy decision making. It's too early to speculate, but this will most certainly be the $1 million dollar question surrounding the team over the course of the next two weeks.
* Willie Parker recorded his 4th 100+ yard game of the season, and just his first since Week 9 against San Diego. Parker finished with 116 yards on 23 carries and 1 TD - a 34 yard scamper that was the team's longest rushing play all year. Sad in a way, but it was good to see Parker run with a bit more authority and burst. If you have read Jim Wexell's latest book, you'd know it's unwise to give up on Willie Parker. His whole football career has been a struggle, and he's just found ways to persevere and deliver time and time again. I sure hope he has one more magical string of games in him in the playoffs.
* I hate to say it, but even on a day when we did lots of things right, I'm still miffed at our run:pass ratio. On the day we ran the ball 35 times, while passing it 27 times. Mind you, 2 of those rushes were kneel downs by Dennis Dixon at the end of the game as well. There were plays to be had in the passing game, no doubt, but on a day when we were averaging 5 yards per rush, it's hard to comprehend why exactly we weren't grinding away more in the running game. Bruce Arians may just be married to the passing game.
* Congratulations to Hines Ward! #86 recorded 6 catches for 70 yards. He finished the regular season with 81 catches, pushing his career receptions total to 800 - already tops in Steelers history. Ward's 70 yards also pushed him over the 1,000 yard plateau for the 5th time in his illustrious career. I had no doubt that Tomlin was going to play Ward and make sure he got over that statistical barrier. Congratulations to Hines for an outstanding season. We are absolutely going to need some of his big game mojo if we're going to put up enough points to make a serious run in January.
* So much for Bruce Gradkowski giving his team the best chance at winning. Gradkowski finished with a QB rating of 1.0. In his defense though..actually, no, never mind. It's impossible to defend Gradkowski today but I will say that even the legends of the game would have had a hard time QB'ing that team to victory under similar circumstances.
* Tyrone Carter with 2 INTs, including 1 for a TD. We may be in trouble if Carter is forced to start for whatever reason, but for the amount of money he makes (very little), Carter continues to carry his weight as a veteran reserve on this team.
* I was impressed with Bryant McFadden's play today. He seemed more eager to seek out contact than in his previous outings. That bodes well for us in the playoffs, particularly if we face a team like Indy that is scary in the passing game. As much as I like William Gay, I think I may be leaning towards datruth4life's assesment that the team should try to re-up the talented young CB.
* 0 sacks allowed by the offensive line. Hard to dismiss that stat, but we were playing the Browns, and Big Ben did get his bell rung several times in the pocket while he was still in there. Nevertheless, a very solid game for the offensive line heading into the playoffs.
* Great day by the special teams. Mitch Berger had a great game, 4 punts averaging 46 yards per kick. Joshua Cribbs was held completely in check in both the kickoff and punt return games; and Jeff Reed made his lone FG attempt as well as all 4 XP attempts. That's sound stuff, and we'll likely need that type of performance when we next play against one of the league's better teams.
* The Browns have now lost 11 straight to Pittsburgh.
* If he were to be fired, Romeo Crennel would go down as the only coach in Cleveland history not to have beaten the Steelers during his tenure. Ouch.
* Man, I really hope we're starting to see a trend materialize with regards to Heath Miller's involvement in the offense. Big #83 had 5 catches for 55 yards, giving him 13 in the past two weeks, and 26 over the course of the past 6 weeks. I like our chances infestimaly better if Miller gets 5+ catches per game in the playoffs.
* Poor Cleveland. They set the NFL record for offensive utility by surpassing the 1974 Chicago Bear's streak of 22 quarters without an offensive touchdown. They will conclude the 2008 season having not scored on offense in 6 game's worth of quarters. Unreal. I guess it doesn't help when your offense only manages only 102 yards passing in the final two games. The lone bright spot I suppose is Jamal Lewis eclipsed the 1,000 yard plateau with his 94 yard rushing performance.
* To conclude, with their stifling of the Browns on Sunday, the Steelers defense wrapped up the Passing Yards Per/Game category; the 3 sacks today pushed the team total to 51, good for 2nd in the league, and the 2 Ty Carter INTs gave the Steelers an even 20 for the year, easily good for top ten in the league. The shutout also secures the top Points Per Game Allowed mark in the league for Pittsburgh at just under 14 points per game, more than 1/2 point per game better than the runner-up Tennessee Titans. Awesome stuff!
* Much more on a whole bunch of subjects as we ramp the coverage back up to full throttle in anticipation of the 2008 NFL Playoffs. Who else is extremely excited for the drama of a 12 team single elimination tournament pitting the best teams and athletes in the world in a battle for the elusive Lombardi Trophy? I sure am.
Go Steelers!
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Healthy or ...
not, some serious thinking and debate should occur re: starting BL in the playoffs. BL’s presence on the field appeared to bring with it a total team calmness that put the game away. Passes were crisp and on the money. His run wasn’t pretty but his decision to do so was laser fast. BL at QB could actually create a situation where the offense generates a lead for the defense to protect.
by tenthmtnman on Dec 28, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Here we go.
Bench BB. Put in BL. Yeah, let’s hitch our wagon to him. Good idea.
by Jonny B. on Dec 29, 2008 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you, ...
it is a good idea that bears consideration. It need not be controversial. BR has struggled throughout the season and for the grace of the defense, the Steelers are positioned in the playoffs. Having observed every other playoff team that will be left standing after the first round, it is apparent the Steelers can’t face them with an offense that seems lethargic, hesitant and seemingly full of self-doubt. Those characteristics were instantly gone when BL took the field in relief yesterday. Granted, it was against the Browns, but the “identity” of the team was remarkably improved. That is why those responsible [and on the inside] should take some time to determine if there is something to it. That is why they get paid the big bucks and that is one reason why teams have backups; a backup isn’t signed only for disaster preparedness.
Of course, controversy on the part of fans is background noise and mature professionals in the locker room know how to appropriately deal with this stuff.
by tenthmtnman on Dec 29, 2008 7:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There's a reason...
… Lefty wasn’t starting somewhere else at the start of the season.
Take a look at is history for injuries. Then look at how much space he requires in order to make those throws. With our (lack of) pass protection, Lefty’s long strides would put his legs in frequent jeopardy. Plus, his bullet-style delivery of the ball puts it in a “deflectable” trajectory.
He’s not a bad back-up QB. In fact, I may like him a wee bit more than I like Batch. (And I do like Batch). But he’s not a starter. A well-coached team will find many ways to defeat him. I know you’re not talking about making a full-time switch weeks before the playoffs, but if our opponents found out we were going to play Lefty, they’d be prepared for him.
by Varmint on Dec 29, 2008 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those of you who can remember my posts throughout the season would be very surprised to hear me say this, but I actually agree that some thought needs to be given to Ben taking a rest and putting in Lefty.
I don’t think it should or will happen, but I think we need to think about it. Ben is not able to play well this season when he is banged up. We cannot afford a bomb out day from him.
I don’t think you can argue that our team is not set up for a QB like Ben this year. With the O-line a mess and a poor running game we cannot afford a QB who is forcing throws and ALWAYS trying to make something happen. Arians has refused or is unable to take the offense and format it in a way that suits our personel. Byron seems to be a better fit.
With all that said, Ben knows how to win Games, when he is healthy he wins games and is, and will continue to be worth that contract that he signed. Leftwitch has look VERY good in his few reps, but the reality is that Byron Leftwitch was picked up off the scrub line for a reason. (Unless he is a Doug Flutie, or Kurt Warner type of story).
I agree with Blitz though, if Ben is not 100% we need to REALLY think about that lefty guy.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by drinkyourmilkshake on Dec 29, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to bash Lord Byron,
but a few relevant career stats:
Comp % BB 62.4% BL 58.6%
QB Rating BB 89.4 BL 80.3
Career Record BB 51-20 (.718) BL 24-22 (.522)
As a starter, Byron makes a good back up. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong next year when he undoubtedly will get a chance somewhere. He has done everything we have asked him to do as a back up. If, god forbid, BB does go down again in the playoffs, he is a nice insurance poilicy to have.
by Jonny B. on Dec 30, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course on the flip side,
BB did not perform so well the last time he sustained a concussion in ’06 against Atlanta. Cowher let him come back the next week and we lost to the lowly Raiders. The Raiders finished 2-14 that year, there other win coming against the 5-11 Cardinals. BB looked terrible that day. He threw four picks and two were returned for a TD. We still only loss 20-13.
At the end of the regular season we needed just one more win to qualifyfor the playoffs. At 9-7 we would have been the #6 seed for the second year in a row and who knows? If batch was in that game, we would have won easily.
But that was then, and this is now. He has two weeks to get healthy, not one, but in ’06 the next week against the Broncos we lost again 31-20. BB had three more picks.
by Jonny B. on Jan 2, 2009 1:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
great write up blitz.
Man it feels good to blow out the Browns. I love to see it. The day was almost a totally perfect football day with the Patsies getting eliminated and the Cowboys getting flat out embarrassed by the Iggles today. Only thing that would have made it sweeter is the Ravens getting knocked out, and that couldn’t have happened with New England winning. Oh well. Oline did do a great job today, although like you said, Ben did get knocked around some. But he made some good choices with really only one bad throw, the Int. If he hits it, Miller is in for the TD… Wait, am I thinking of the right play? Anyway, decent day all around against a weak opponent.
Oh, and the ‘serious thinking’ about starting leftwich? Are you kidding me? Do you really believe that if Ben is healthy, that it would be wise to go into a playoff game, after a bye no less, allowing a qb controversy? How foolish can you be? Thankfully, Tomlin is not that stupid. Like it or not, if BB is cleared by docs, he is your starting quarterback come this January. Its best if you get used to it now.
by steelerark on Dec 28, 2008 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, they should ...
seriously think it through and see if there is something to it. They have the films; they’ve been talking to the two QBs all year and they know how the Steelers players will react. The Steelers did not show any negative response, angst or unsurity when BL entered the game; like I said, the whole team seemd to pick up. I’ve watched every game and from my view, BL has played very well in his few opportunities. His reactions to stress has been better and his passes when not under duress have been better. I’m not foolish and I’m not stupid, but I do know that sitting at home watching the playoffs continue is not the time for the Steelers brass to sit down and “what if … .” Remember, I said sit down and “seriously consider it;” that doesn’t mean immediately walk into the locker room and announce a change.
By the way, are you foolish enough to state that BR will be healthy? He hasn’t been healthy most of the year, if not all of it.
by tenthmtnman on Dec 29, 2008 7:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bring the play-offs
No way that BL will be starting for this team……….unless Ben’s concussion is much worse than currently being reported. And it isn’t even worth considering either.
Looks to me like the Colts will be coming to town. That in itself is scary, but there are no cream-puffs in the AFC. Their total lack of a running game and our outstanding D is a great match-up for us. Ben had his worst game against the Colts, that won’t be repeated. We practically handed them the regular season game, so hopefully we can drill them this time around.
The key, as always, will be keeping Manning off the field and under pressure when he’s on it. Hopefully Arians can dial up the dink and dunk well enough to eat some clock……I do think the Colts can be run on.
Anyway – that’s my thoughts….I don’t see the Chargers giving the Colts too much trouble, but if they do squeak it out, I guess we’ll have to beat the Ravens for the third time this year, because there’s no way Miami makes it out of that game.
Cheers to the Steel! Great season – especially given the grusome schedule we were faced with.
by SteelerNorth on Dec 28, 2008 8:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i dunno man
I like your thoughts generally, but I wouldnt dismiss Miami’s chances. They’ve won 9 of 10 and with the way their offense has evolved, I think they may have more success running the ball than they did the last time the teams met earlier in the regular season. I think Baltimore is a slight favorite, but I would not be shocked if Miami won that game.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 28, 2008 8:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You said it, there’s no easy road to a lombardi this year. The teams in the AFC (esp 1,2,5,6) are friggin tough, and the NFC has some teams I really don’t want to see in february (eagles).
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you're right
I’d like to face the Dolphins in the play-offs. That would be our best match-up. Pittsburgh won’t get out-Pittsburghed by them.
by SteelerNorth on Dec 28, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hehe
yeah, maybe im just projecting my HOPES rather than rational logic. But not really; I do think Miami can win this game with a much more veteran QB. If he can avoid any turnovers, I really like their chances. A 44 yard INT return for a TD by Suggs helped seal the deal when they played earlier in the year. They’re a much different team now though. I’ve really been impressed by how diverse their offensive packages are. It really is interesting.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 28, 2008 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
All true…..Baltimore just looks tough right now. Flacco had about 300 yards today. I agree about Miami though. They run a lot of good stuff and have very smart receivers. Their slot guy – Best – reminds me a bit of Welker. Well coached team, no doubt.
by SteelerNorth on Dec 28, 2008 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was lookin forward to this shutout
first off first post here had to join the best blog in steeler nation, stuck here in northern va but lots of black and gold around here. I agree with you blitz on the miami VS raven there, and I think we would have the best shot against them other than if SD can pull off the nex two wins and we get them. instead of baltimore if they win. As balt. really scares me as it is so hard to beat a team 3x’s in one season as we saw what happened last year with ny and the cryboy’s.
by sidster69 on Dec 28, 2008 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
welcome!
Thanks for the words. No better time to jump on in. Can’t wait for two Sundays from now.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 28, 2008 9:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally
I would rather face the Colts than the Ravens in the playoffs, so the seeding worked out in my opinion. It is really hard to beat a team twice in this league let alone 3. Plus i would rather face a potent offense than an amazing defense. I like our chances against Manning in Pitt. They have no running game, and we are superb against the pass. Never know, we could end up facing the Chargers which would be fine by me.
As far as Ben goes, i dont think there is any doubt that he will be ready to go. That hit really did`t look that bad. The precautionary stretcher made that look way more dramatic. Two weeks is more than enough time to come back from a mild concussion. I wish Ben would learn when to give up on a play, tuck the ball and just go down. We go through hell every week with this guy. I say that but when he scrambles around and does something great i am all about it.
by SteelerDomination on Dec 29, 2008 12:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
My brutha from another mutha
I would rather face the Colts than the Ravens in the playoffs, so the seeding worked out in my opinion.
Amen
It is really hard to beat a team twice in this league let alone 3.
Truth. I figure if we played the Ravens a hundred times, we’d beat them for 2 out of every 3. Trouble is, we’ve already beaten them for the 2.
Plus i would rather face a potent offense than an amazing defense.
Amen, again. We’ve got enough defense to handle any offense that comes to town. However, our offense doesn’t stack up well against the best defenses. A team that can keep us below 14-17 points can beat us. On average, our defense allows roughly 14 points. We are going up against “average” teams.
I like our chances against Manning in Pitt. They have no running game, and we are superb against the pass.
They beat us fair and square in the last game, but they did get very lucky with tipped passes and gifts from Ben. We can take away their strength and leave them with little offensive capability.
by Varmint on Dec 29, 2008 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't discount the Chargers
They pretty much shellacked those “threatful” Broncos. And Indy has often struggled with San Diego, which has a more well-rounded offense. And Rivera taking over their defense was a brilliant move. The Chargers fortuitous turn of events this year remind me of our most recent Super Bowl year.
That said, I’m with Ben — I’d rather see a team we haven’t played yet this season, so I’ll be rooting for Miami.
by TURFgeek on Dec 29, 2008 2:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Willie colon is no longer good for just a false start a game, he’s good for a holding call on a TD. Is that twice now, or three times?
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 8:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
two shoutouts unmentioned
-McFadden on the blitz creamed gradowski and the ball is intercepted by carter.
-Gay comes screaming from behind carter on the INT return and helps Woodley level the last remaining obstacle. This man is going to be a very good steeler.
Not a shoutout, but Kemo played a nice game run blocking when I was paying attention, and that’s outside of his body slam on Lefty’s TD run. As a note to him: It’s very hard to pull someone by the elbows into the endzone. Good to see him return to form, at least for a game.
Thanks for running out of the I- a few times brucey!
Hard to say much about the corners, gradowski kept grounding the ball. When there’s less than 10 completions in a game, that’s a good thing.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 8:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure everyone remembers troy batting the ball out and the ruling being called a dead ball? Was that anthony smith returning it for the “TD”?
He looked awfully sharp. I think they should give him a look instead of Holmes next year in the punt returning role. He made good decisions and was fast, and more importantly is not a starter.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 8:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ugh…glad this season is over with. A little note on the offensive TD scoring drought for us; not that it’s any less embarrassing.
Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.
by ChrisPokorny on Dec 29, 2008 11:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
It was painful to watch yesterday, you had to feel sorry for the players trying to just get through the game. Best of luck to your team next year to finish #2 behind the steelers.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ben will be fine
He overstates injuries all the time. I personally think he’s a drama queen and likes the attention that injuries bring, whether they are real or imagined.
A freakin bruise is NOT an injury, Ben.
Do NOT take this as me saying that Ben is not tough. I think he is tough, but I also think he likes to remind everyone of how tough he is. Hence the theatrics yesterday and his eventual triumphant return two weeks from now.
That said, he is light years better than Leftwich. I remember a lot of people used to clamor for Tommy Maddox too. Where is that guy now? The grass ain’t always greener, people. You guys must be the same ones that ran Bradshaw out of town.
by JHolmes on Dec 29, 2008 11:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
There is no credible
excuse for BB to have stepped on the field yesterday. Given his value to our team, the O line’s inability to protect him this year, his propensity to hold on to the ball too long and the Brownie’s lack of any motivation in the game other than to maybe take out our QB, BB should have been the emergency qb. Tomlin says BB lobbied to play. So what? We have a starter quality backup who should have gotten most of the reps and a promising 3rd who should have gotten the rest of them. BB didn’t need “the practice” as I’ve read in many comments the past two days. He is beaten up and needs the three weeks to heal. He will have plenty of practices to ward off the rust. It’s just too easy to get seriously injured in an NFL game. Troy and Willie should not have played either. Both have missed alot of crucial games in their careers due to injury. Tomlin better hope BB’s scrambled brain is game ready in two weeks or this issue is going to resurface and no matter how he tries to spin it, it will look like a stupid decision to have played BB.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There is no way you’ll win this argument. And there’s no way someone on the other side will convince you.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not trying to win
any argument. Just my opinion which I suspect is shared by a majority of the steeler nation.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s more evenly split than you’d imagine.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe blitzburgh could post a poll?
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is
a good topic for friendly debate within the our family of Steeler fans. I’ve given my reasons for not playing BB. I’d love to hear your sensible reasons for playing him.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’ll let someone else chime in. I’ve already read about and commented on this issue on other boards, and it is boring me to tears.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
obviously not bored enough
to have “chimed in” to this post.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
could it be
that you really don’t have any reasons that are based on common sense?
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, not wanting to waste my time with something I’ve already discussed ad nauseum for the last two weeks has nothing to do with my decision. Basically I have no reasoning and am just trying to dodge getting intellectually squashed by your arguments.
I’ll quote some people from another board that state their case. There’s a whole argument back and forth and some factual errors in both sides, but I’ve seen people arguing this forever and both sides have their points.
"Your critique of Tomlin is asinine. Was it the worst coaching move ever for Belichick to play Brady in a meaningless game last year? How about Dungy playing Manning today when they have a WC game next week? Didn’t Eli Manning play a whole game despite being the #1 seed? We all know how Ben plays after a long layoff, shitty. Look at 2004 and 2007. He sat the last game of the year and was out of sync and shaky the 1st half of both playoff games. Tomlin made the right call to get his QB reps and get the offense on track. "
“If Tomlin sat Ben today, and he was rusty in the first playoff game just as he was in the other 2 times when he sat before the playoffs you would be calling for Tomlin’s head….”
“sitting week 17 in 2004, he came back against the NYJ and went 17/30 – 2 INT – 1 TD in a game where he threw a pick 6 in the playoffs. Then came back the following week with another 3 INT performance and another pick 6. and only 14 completions in a drubbing to NE in the AFCCG
Or should we fast forward to 2005 regular season when he went out for a couple of games with midseason knee surgery and came back to get whooped by the Colts 26-7 and threw for 133 yds and 2 INT’s after this team had just won 4/5. Followed that up with another 3 INT loss the Bengals the following week.
or even last year when he didnt play week 17 and came back with 3 INT’s in the first half alone of the playoff game, including another pick 6
So sporto, in the 4 games following the only 3 week layoffs of his career he has 10 INT’s. And in the postseasons after resting week 17, he has 8 INT’s”
Credit to Iron_City and SteelPerch.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just saw this reply
wow. I hope you’ve been practicing the anger management techniques from your classes since the above post. While you calm down, I’ll reiterate my points. I don’t care what BB’s numbers were after 3 week layoffs in 2004 and 2007. He is more experienced now. His numbers that you’ve quoted through bulging red eyes are very similar to his numbers from alot of his games this year. That is because his line did a poor job of protecting him and he played most of the season HURT. He didn’t need more game reps. He needs to heal. He’s not going to be sitting on his ass for 3 weeks. He will be getting daily practice reps. What he would have missed were the head bouncing off the frozen turf reps. The risk of Injury to BB was too great. I’m a Mike Tomlin fan. I think he is a good general for our team. I just don’t agree with his decision to play BB. Hopefully by now your blood pressure has lowered and you are no longer sweating profusely. You really should spend a little less time on all the boards so you can get out of your mom’s basement a little more.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m the calmest guy you’ll ever meet – I think it comes from all of those nice candles my mom burns.
by steelguy99 on Dec 30, 2008 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good of you to throw in some personal digs by the way. It always classes up the arguments.
by steelguy99 on Dec 30, 2008 9:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You're right.
Our offense was clearly firing on all cylinders. I’m sure BB would have been able to just turn the switch back on after a 3 week layoff.
by Jonny B. on Dec 29, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
our offense
hasn’t fired on all cylinders in any game this season. "What is indisputable is that BB has been hit far too many times resulting in a number of injuries. The season is played for one reason. To reach the playoffs and hopefully a superbowl. We accomplished the primary goal before the Cleveland game. The risk of injury to BB outweighed the possibility that by playing, our offense might magically have found it’s groove. Face the fact. If we go anywhere in the playoffs, it will be on the backs of our defense and BB is our best chance for being effective on offense.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like I posted elsewhere
It’s a matter of hindsight and bad luck.
Nothing to do now, but look forward.
by Jonny B. on Dec 29, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you there
Even though we seem to be in the playoffs most years, it’s still exciting to be getting ready for the postseason.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 2:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For sure,
It’s easy to take being in the playoffs for granted, since we are almost always in. I, for one, intend to take these two weeks as an opportunity to parade around my Stiller colors and appreciate foootball in January and I’ll pray for football in February.
by Jonny B. on Dec 29, 2008 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent plan.
Enjoy it while you can.
Go Steelers.
by JHolmes on Dec 29, 2008 2:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Off topic
This has nothing to do with the current discussion, but I absolutely disagree with this particular sentiment.
The season is played for one reason. To reach the playoffs and hopefully a superbowl.
The superbowl is for bragging rights, contract negotiations, and a shiny thing that millionaires place on shelves to impress their millionaire buddies. The season is the reason the teams play. I’d rather be a team like the 07 Patriots and go for a perfect season and no superbowl, than a crappy team that gets lucky in a few late games. A season of good play is 17 weeks of football joy. The post season is just icing on the cake.
Sorry. Rant mode off.
by Varmint on Dec 29, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It would be interesting
to see a poll of players and coaches on that sentiment. You honestly think fans are satisfied with good seasons and poor post seasons? Ask the Cowboys fans. Do you think the Patriots fans are happy with an 11-5 season and missing the playoffs? Actually that’s probably not a good analogy since 11-5 is much more than they expected after losing Brady. It’s all about the ring for the players and bragging rights for the fans.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't care
If I wanted to be a braggart, I’d have been a Pats fan for the last half dozen seasons. For me, it’s about good football.
by Varmint on Dec 29, 2008 5:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry
I really think you’re alone on this one. Doubt if you can find anyone who would agree with your angle on post season vs regular season. That’s okay though. You’re allowed your opinion.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will say this, if given options:
1) Have 20 0 win seasons in a row, followed by a superbowl
2) Have 20 winning seasons in a row, but fail to get a SB ring (almost like the 80s/90s)
As a fan, I would have to go with option 2. I’d rather watch my team turn in great performances year after year over the course of my lifetime than watch them brown-it-up every year and waste 3 hours of my life every sunday.
Fortunately, we don’t have to choose, but if you were to put it to me that way, I’d go with option 2.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty extreme example
and I can’t think of a team in my lifetime who has had that type of record but I would have to go with option 2 as well. The steelers of the 80’s didn’t have winning seasons. We were mired in mediocrity for an entire decade because we had a coach who had fallen behind the game and we didn’t have a franchise qb. In the 90’s, we at least made it to the superbowl and were making it to the post season under Cowher. I live in Minnesota. The Vikings have had winning seasons since the superbowl losses in the 70’s however the fans are chronically unhappy with their team because they rarely have made it to the post season since then.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m just saying that SBs aren’t ALL that matters, and an extreme example is the best way to illustrate that.
You’re right, the 90s were a much better decade than the 80s, but there were a lot of good seasons in the 80s.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
must have been too many brain cells ago for me. I can only remember being frustrated in the 80’s. May also have been spoiled from performances in the 70’s. High expectations, like now.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In '84
I think we squeaked into the playoffs, Then, somehow we pulled up an upset against Denver, barely beating them. By the AFCC there was nothing left in the tank and Marino scorched us. Final score was 45-28 and it wasn’t even that close.
by Jonny B. on Dec 29, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wow
did you look that up or do you remember the game that well 24 yrs ago? It is, for some reason, easier to remember the beat downs than our spectacular victories. The Eagles game will be burned into my memory for years. Their current play reminds me of us in 2005. At the risk of getting ahead of myself, I’d like to see them in the SB and exact some revenge.
by qwikdoc on Dec 29, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was strictly qualifying good as in winning seasons (going with option 2 above), which there were a few of.
They were pretty averse to finishing first in their division.
by steelguy99 on Dec 29, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Sorry
I really think you’re alone on this one. Doubt if you can find anyone who would agree with your angle on post season vs regular season.
Possibly, but the way I feel about the SB is just an extension of how many fans feel about football. It’s just that the SB is soooo over-hyped, fans have never bothered to think about it. The point Steelguy99 made in his post is only a part of it.
Which would you rather watch: our SB win against the Seahawks (where we played 90% mediocre or worse football) or the recent win over the Pats (where we looked dominant)? More to the point, I think I’d rather watch this season’s game against the Giants. Sure, we lost that match-up, but both teams played pretty good football most of that game. That game had me excited, not groaning.
Me? I’m a fan of good football. I like close games where both teams play well. Most fans will agree with that. Many fans will also tell you that superbowls are often lame-ass games where one teams blows the other out the door. For all the hype it projects, most fans can point to a half dozen regular season games that are better than the average SB.
That’s why I’m not willing to sacrifice the meat and potatoes of the sport with the only gain being a slightly improved shot at winning the gravy. If there was no reason to play Big Ben, FWP, Troy, Hones, and the other starters in this recent Browns game, then why did they play against the Titans? Shouldn’t we have quit a full game ago? Then the team could have had 4 weeks to rest, eat bon bons, catch up on their soaps, and read these posts.
by Varmint on Dec 30, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Totally agree. It sure is nice to get both as Steelers fans, but faced with the choice, I’m 100% with ya on this one.
by Blitzburgh on Dec 31, 2008 6:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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