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Who Do We Think We Are?

 

I was called out last week for stating that the Steelers are no worse off after their loss to KC as they were after their loss to Cincinnati. The main point of the post was not that the Steelers hadn’t blown a HUGE opportunity to get back in the race for the AFC North Title or sew up a wild card berth but that the Steelers are who they are.

Star-divide

 

Currently the Steelers are an under performing group of under achievers. They give away points with their defense on the sideline with the regularity of a Metamucil user. The once vaunted “Championship Caliber” defense of 2008 gives up third down conversions at an alarming 40% clip and regularly disappears in the 4th quarter. The QB mistakes go for touchdowns not just change in ball possession. The offensive game plan is to put the QB in the no-huddle and wait for the “big play.” The coverage units are embarrassing and in the same league as once was the University Of Pittsburgh. (Funny how the ST coordinator is one in the same) Punts and kickoffs are regularly returned in huge chunks of yardage. Tackles are few and far between. The Steelers in the post KC loss reality are still chasing a wild card spot as they were after the second loss against Cincinnati. The Steelers are who they are.

 

 

Sunday night in Baltimore is not “make it or break it” for the season but we are getting there. If Baltimore treats Ben Roethlisberger as they did in the 2006 game it could be a break it game for Benny’s career and future mental abilities. Don’t kid yourselves. Suggs or no Suggs, Murderin’ Ray and his band of fired up psychopath defenders will be hard charging at Benny’s skull. It is never more imperative for the offensive line to step up and protect their leader from harm than now. If the Steelers can get a performance of the year from this group of 5 I like the Steelers chances on Sunday night at Baltimore to change their personality and who I think they are. If they don’t I fear for Ben Roethlisberger’s health.

 

 

I love the run game and am a HUGE proponent of it. That said the Steelers have very rarely been able to run on this Baltimore defense. It is for that reason that while I want the Steelers to continue (or begin to BA!) to pound the rock on the ground, the Steelers chances of coming up with a W are squarely on the abilities of the offensive line, the shoulders of the defense and the right arm of one Ben Roethlisberger. Like the games last year it is up to Ben to find some time to get the ball to his wide outs Ward, Holmes and Wallace and look for the big play. It is important if the Steelers receiver finds himself alone in the end zone that he catches the ball. It is also very important that the Steelers protect the football like it was their last meal, which it could be if they don’t protect their QB. But, so far the Steelers are who they are.

 

 

In the end the Steelers have made their road to the 2009 playoffs much harder than it needed to be. This game on Sunday in Baltimore has been an L on many of our schedules since it came out. Being that the KC game and at least one Cincinnati game were W’s this L is not cast in stone. With an L the Steelers will be 6-5 and farther back in their wild card chase with the division title a pipe dream. But, protect the ball and protect Ben and stop Flacco on 3rd downs then this game could come down to the wire. The last few years the BrownRavens have been forced to come to Pittsburgh for a nationally televised evening game and been handed their heads in Pittsburgh. Baltimore lobbied the league office to move that game to Baltimore this year. The league has obliged. The BrownRavens will be seething and ready. Their fans will be loud and intimidating. Are the Steelers ready for prime time? We will see if the Steelers are ready to turn the page and garner a new personality for 2009. Like the Bear game in the 2005 snow, this is a great chance for the Steelers to stop being who they are and begin to be who they want to be.

 

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WOW! Ben Out?

I published this and when I returned to the main page where sn0wballz and acrollet had posted that Jay Glazier says Ben is out.

With that new news, it is even more important for the defense, special teams and O line to step up. We will HAVE to have some kind of a run game. Maybe the personality change is from a pass happy squad to a running team?

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 28, 2009 11:58 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

I don't mind being pass-happy

as long as the passes are completions and result in TD’s! Doesn’t matter what route you take (on the ground or in the air) as long as you arrive at your destination.

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Nov 28, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I'm scared of flying

I’ll take the ground

Bring a towel to the game. Black or gold or yellow. If you don't have one buy one, If you can't buy one, dye one!!!

by SoCalSteelerFan on Nov 28, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Chicken.

Let them wait at the bus depot and arrive at the airport. It’s good to keep ’em guessing. Keeps things interesting.

When the tailgate drops, the BS stops. Shut up and play!

by 1BlkGldFan on Nov 28, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

While I think they will need to run the ball I would love to see;

  • a Dixon play action pass against a defense stacked against the run to start the game
  • a couple gadgets utilizing the talents of Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, Mewelde Moore or even Stephan Logan.
  • a competent game plan against a great but short handed defense

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 28, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

+ 1

- Logan

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 28, 2009 11:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

the run game..

IS Ok, but remember, if you are a run first team, its hard to score points in a hurry, especially if are losing the game..

by nycsteelerfan on Nov 28, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

We are who we thought we were?

For some reason your title got me thinking Dennis Green.

Personally I think the team knows full well its not a run first team anymore. The fans aren’t used to that quite yet, but the fans dont determine our scheme, the coaches do.

And they should stick to that pass over run tactic against a B-whore team that has a horrible pass defense on its corners, and has lost a lot of ground over where it was last year.

We still somehow have the #1 D, so I expect them to keep us in the game, even with Dixon.

by Mechem on Nov 28, 2009 11:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Deep Purple

One of my favorite old school Rock N Roll bands. Ritchie Blackmore is one of the best axe men EVER. With the game against the Purple BrownRavens, and the post that we are who we are in my head I had to quote Blackmore.

I’m with your philosophy Mechem. Grab a cut and a steak from Aiello’s and hope BA has a competent game plan utilizing all of our strengths against all of the Ratbird weaknesses. That includes throwing the ball. Best to do it when not expected…like the first play of the game?

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 29, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

“Who Do We Think We Are?”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Do_We_Think_We_Are

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 29, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

WE ARE WHO WE THOUGHT WE ARE!!

dix gonna tear sum shxts up!

Ron Paul was Right.

by Steelchamps !! on Nov 28, 2009 11:42 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

We are who we are!!!!

Damn right, we are who we are. Not who we should be or want to be so we are able to get to where we want to go. Stupid post. The steelers were always the steelers. On the ground or in the air. Schemes, game plan, etc may change but inside we Are Always the Steelers. Dixion will be fine as well as everyone that bleeds black n gold. We are the only team that played in a superbowl in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 02. thats four decades of pure domination. Thats who We Are Bone head. We are the no finger pointing solid organization of total domination with the class equate to a team worthy of being loved by or hated by others. The true definition of a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. To all, a happy holiday season from the SteelerNation.

by pistonsteelers on Nov 29, 2009 2:08 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thank you for such a thoughtful and eloquent response to my post. Based on your response you would have been better served to avoid the stupidity (in your opinion) Out in life remember your lines poor aimless soul; “plastic or paper?”

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 29, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I am who you thought we was

Wait what, i R confused

Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever

by Steeler_ on Nov 29, 2009 2:46 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

You make a lot of interesting points, backed by numbers and logic. However, nearly everything seems to revolve around Big Ben. In his absence, I’d love to see how you would’ve written your thoughts had you known he wouldn’t play today.

by macho piccho on Nov 29, 2009 11:55 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Thanks macho. Without Ben it is a whole different enchilada. We still are who we are. It’s just that now we don’t have our leader and play maker on offense.
I really think it is going to take a special effort from all 3 phases if we are to compete today. Everyone must step up and do their jobs plus a little extra. They are going to have to protect their little brother Dix and help him taste success.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Nov 29, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

THIS ONE IS ON THE COACHING STAFF

HEY TOMLIN!! HEY ARIANS!!! YOU EVER HEARD OF A QUARTERBACK KEEPER, QUARTERBACK DRAW, NAKED BOOTLEG, I MEAN MY GOD WE GOT A FREAKING TOUCHDOWN EARLIER IN THE GAME. GIVE ME A BREAK, GET RID OF PASS HAPPY ARIANS

by BadChad on Nov 29, 2009 11:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

At least Bruce Arians can find the caps lock key. I hear some people have a problem doing that.

by Phantaskippy on Nov 30, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Another three point loss..........................

which was worse? Fourth quarter defense or overtime play calling? Poor Dennis, avoided the big error all night, then got bit.

by grapes on Nov 30, 2009 12:06 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

We were who we thought we were!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 9:57 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Wonder if LeBeau dropped his pants in the locker room?

"We just have to play better as a whole team." James Harrison

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 30, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

And showed his first name?

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

No, like Mike Singletary.

"We just have to play better as a whole team." James Harrison

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 30, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I know I just could resist

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

could not I mean

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Does he have a tat?

"We just have to play better as a whole team." James Harrison

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 30, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Don't know

tatoo or puddy tat?

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 30, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Da plane boss, da plane!

"We just have to play better as a whole team." James Harrison

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Nov 30, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs


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