Blowing off some Steam

by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 15, 2008 7:42 PM EDT Comment 17 comments

Nice and vital win Sunday but I need to get a few things off my chest.

First off, and I know I've covered this before, but why isn't Limas Sweed even dressed for games? This is really irking me. With all due respect to the organization, I gotta really hate this decision. I understand the whole "He's a rookie, take it slow thing" and I know the coaching staff knows better than I do, but is Sweed really that bad that you won't even let him suit up? Is the guy that the Front Office considered to be a top 25 pick in the draft really that incompetent? I mean I'm not saying he should be thrown to every three downs, but come on. You don't have to run him in more than 10 plays of a game. AT THE VERY LEAST, let him go out there and run a route to draw coverage. It would be a huge bonus to Ben if he could go up top in the Red Zone every now and again. Let the guy get a taste of the NFL for Pete's sake. I know he had a pretty crappy pre-season, but there's been worse. May I also point out that he'll be 24 before the end of the regular season? Another reason Baker shouldn't be in front. The only possible explanation for that is to push Sweed to win that job, but I think that push shouldn't have to go more than a few games before it becomes a shove and then a full out mugging. PUT HIM IN THE GAME COACH.

Two, does anyone realize how biased the Michaels/Madden duo was toward the Browns last night? Madden wasn't that bad, even giving props to several of our players here and there (plus he was a big part in the Steelers Raiders Rivalry back in the 70s) but Mr. Michaels is a joke. Going back to Superbowl XL, an NBC broadcast, old Al never gets excited over the Steelers EVER. Just one example when Hines Ward and Randle El connected on that trick TD he was as stoic and boring as if it were incomplete. He was no different last night. When there would be a nice play or score by the Steelers he hardly reacted. Meanwhile when the Browns would get a 5 yard gain he'd act as if they had struck a major blow to the system. AND I KNOW he can get really excited, he called the 1980 miracle upset over Soviet Russia in Lake Placid. He was screaming and yelling like a nut job like your supposed to react. I think the guy just genuinely does not like the Steelers.

Finally, those refs were pansies. The call on Woodley was a joke, meanwhile Shaun Rogers, blatantly roughed up Big Ben well after he threw the ball (the replay was shown 4 times on NBC, and not once did Madden or Michaels say a word). Sorry Blitz but I completely disagree with you. That hit was as blatant as you can get. Rogers lowered his shoulder right into him and it was pretty easy to tell that the ball was long gone. But hey that's Steelers Browns football. And I guess "Big (emphasis on Big) Baby" was a tad frustrated after getting knocked on his ass all night by Kemo. I will give him credit though he played rough and tough, blue collar football, but still made a dirty hit.

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I understand the frustration...

in seeing a talented 2nd rounder not dressing, but our offense is humming along fine without him. When Sweed is ready, they’ll play him, but I don’t want him out there until he is ready. Lets not forget the FO took Timmons last year and he didn’t contribute anything more than on special teams. Troy as well his rookie year. Be patient and trust that our coaches/FO know what they are doing with him. He will eventually be a big part of our offense, but it’ll take time, and i think it may not be until next year.

Regarding Micheals, I have always felt that he was pompous and never really enjoyed his game call. At least not in recent memory. But i feel they came across as more biased against the Browns. In fact, i seem to remember Michaels referring to them as the Brownies. I am not saying they were for Pittsburgh, but I got the impression they were more condescending towards Cleveland (kwoog can offer his perspective).

As far as the Woodly penalty and Roger’s non call: to me, both of the plays should be non calls. Its football. These were not malicious, dirty, late or cheap shots. Just two defenders being physical and making their presence felt by the QB. They blew it on the Woodley play, but got the Rogers one right.

by _ET_ on Sep 15, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can understand that

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 15, 2008 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't really mean to pile on.

Like I said, I can understand the frustration. All that said, it feels great to be 2-0. Keep it going Steelers!!

by _ET_ on Sep 15, 2008 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea no problem

I open to any comments so please let me know what ya think.

To the tune of the classic children's song "This Old Man" (the part with nick nack patty whack)

Big Snack, Silverback, take the Dawg Pound's Bone, the Black and Gold sent the Brownies crying home.

by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 15, 2008 9:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

announcers

I think you’re way off here. I agree Michaels is as interesting as watcing grass grow, but Madden was gushing over the Steelers and the offensive line. He correctly stated that Ben is a penultamate ‘gamer’ (very true), and he acknowledged that the o-line looks MUCH better than people expected, even directly stating that it’s not a weakness of this team. There’s only so excited a telecast can be during a 10-6 slugfest.

by Blitzburgh on Sep 15, 2008 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did Madden really call him a penultimate gamer…if so I think that is a bit of an insult…who is the ultimate gamer?

by Rougue_Behaviorist on Sep 17, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sweed

I agree completely. Im all for bringing our rookies along slowly but damn. Slowly to me means not starting but still getting in there once in a while. Sweed should at least be in uniform. Yeah we are clicking and dont really need him right now but i think its important to get him some experience for next year.

by SteelerDomination on Sep 16, 2008 12:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I expect to see Sweed dressing for games within the next couple of weeks...

granted I would rather have Keisle dress, but now that the spot is open I wouldn’t be surprised if Sweed gets it. Now that I think of it, Sweed has the disadvantage of not playing special teams, but with Fox dinged up, again, I wouldn’t be surprised if that spot fell his way.

by Rougue_Behaviorist on Sep 17, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure that spot will be taken by Roye. Since, you know, we need to replace a DE and everything. If Sweed dresses, someone still has to sit.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Sep 17, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was under the impression that Roye dressed this past week

but I fully admit that I could be wrong. Did he dress game 1? Your point about the D-line is well taken though, that is why I started speculating on Foxes status for the game. If he is healthy, you certainly dress him for ST, but if not…?

by Rougue_Behaviorist on Sep 17, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe he was inactive weeks 1 and 2.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Sep 17, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Limas

From various reports, Sweed has lacked confidence. Maybe its best to bring him on after the excitement of the season’s opening is over. I’ll look for him to play some in the next couple games.

Heck, bring him in on a running play at least!

by betelgeuse on Sep 16, 2008 1:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Confidence Smoncidence

this guy (sweed) is getting paid millions to sit and watch.. If ya gonna pay him you gotta play him,, are we nurturing the next “VINCE YOUNG” , I think not or hope not..

Anyway if we are so worried about pumping up these young players that we spend millions of dollars on, it just dont make sense to me..

In college they walk around like they own the world, but once they get to the NFL “coddle” them.. As not to damage them, emotionally,, WTF

GO STEELERS -

by BigDaddyTat2boy on Sep 16, 2008 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You are lacking in the historical perspective here. Talented wide receivers do not have the stuff right out of college. That has been born out time and again on the field. The number of first rounders, even, who succeed their rookie year in the pros is ridiculously small. Out of the 60+ rookie wideouts since 2000, only 3 (3!) have caught more than 60 balls their rookie season. Dwayne Bowe, Michael Clayton and Andre Johnson. Limas is not Andre Johnson.

Give the kid time. They aren’t giving up on him, they’re bringing him along. We need the 4 guys on the field who can do the pro things that you expect from a veteran receiver: downfield blocking, crisp route running, being able to think on the fly when a play breaks down. Limas hasn’t shown he can do any of that, even neglecting his stone hands in the preseason.

He’s not going to get a lot of play this year. That’s ok. We have other receivers who are good, too. We need him to come out and be excellent next year.

Guns don't kill people. Lamar Woodley kills people.

by BostonWahoo on Sep 16, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs