BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- Is Len Pasquarelli Serious Edition?
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 27, 2009 1:37 PM EDT
Email
PrintGood Afternoon BTSC, I wanted to thank you for your patience during the slow part of the off season and let you know that our fearless leader Blitzburgh is putting the final touches on this book project and should be back and contributing on a much more regular basis in the coming weeks. -DYM (frank)
IX-I mentioned yesterday that I would follow up with why Len Pasquarelli thought the Patriots and seven other teams were better than the Steelers going into 2009. The only reasoning he gives is so insane that I am having a hard time typing it. He seriously believes that the Patriots' defense that was ranked 10th last season is better than the Steelers defense who has been ranked number one the last two seasons. Also, check out the BTSC Twitter Feed for more debate.
X- After seven exceptional seasons under the leadership of Tony Dungy the Indianapolis Colts have new leadership not only at the head coaching position but also at both offensive and defensive coordinator positions. It has been a tumultuous offseason for the Colts with long time Colt staples like Dungy, Marvin Harrison, and Tom Moore all moving on, and now the face of the franchise Payton Manning is complaining about the lack of communication from the front office. Am I the only one who sees the Colts possibly looking at a losing season for the first time since 2001?
XIII- The Steelers 2008 draft class is looking good in OTA's according to Dale Lolley with Rashard Mendenhall running with confidence that was not apparent last season. Both of our first two draft picks from the 08' draft are being reported by multiple sources to look ready and eager to make an impact on the Steelers this season. Also, Lolley mentions that the Steelers lined up a few times in a 4-3 formation during OTA's.
XIV- Everyone knows A.Q. Shipley is more than excited to be playing for the Steelers, since it is his hometown team, but he's also excited because Pittsburgh is a team who may have a roster spot available for a back-up center. Last season the back-up center was starting guard, Darnell Stapleton. On Shipley, General Manager, Kevin Colbert stated:
"You're going to hear that he's short and his arms are only 29 inches, but once we figure out a way to measure a heart, then we'll be on to something."
XL- Congrats to the Pittsburgh Penguins on another dominating performance by beating the Carolina Hurricanes last night and advancing to the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season. Check out Mondessi's house to see video and pictures of former Steeler Coach Bill Cowher turning over to the dark side. I echo the sentiments of Christmas Ape over at DC Steeler Nation "Go ahead and coach the Browns. You're done, chinny."
XLIII- Deshea Townsend will be holding the Pay It Forward Foundation Health Fair and Football Camp at the Greentree Sportsplex in Pittsburgh. The camp will teach second through twelfth graders some football fundamentals as well as leadership skills. For additional information on the camp check out the WXPI website for contact details.
45 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
ugh
I’m just SICK of Pasquerelli already. I wrote a post about it on my site. You can see my attitude there, because I don’t want to type it again quite frankly.
As for the Chin. Yeah, go to Cleveland. Was it just me, or did he look like the biggest ass out there rinking that bell? I loved him, don’t get me wrong, but that broke my heart.
And I have an even bigger crush on Coach T, because not only is a he a great coach, but he’s smokin’ hot too. living up to girl reputation with that comment, I know, eff it
Hey, while we’re on Foundation type stuff….Farrior’s Foundation events will be held in Richmond, VA June 12-14. If I can get them to give me more deets, I will post them…
Great 6-pack DYMS.
PS – I am tired. I can’t take another late night bball game tonight.
Really, I can’t…
Steelergurl
I will not be up watching the Lakers
I have little interest in that series, I just don’t find Kobe entertaining to watch.
If the Cav’s do end up losing this series (like it appears they will) perhaps it will be the breaking point where Cleveland finally realizes they need to get Lebron somebody else that can shoot the ball.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 27, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't stand Kobe
doesnt’ matter where or who he plays, i wont ever like him.
Yes, bron needs back up, for sure.
I actually hope it’s a Nuggs/Magic final just to spite thing.
But i already told you that…sooooo…
skipping off to meeting now
Steelergurl
Why spite Lebron though?
He is probably one of the most likeable faces in all of major sports. Not a mean bone in the kid’s body.
by John Stephens on May 27, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Lebron
But they are down in the series….so now it’s likely gonna be a Nuggs/magic.
I want to see Lebron spank some Kobe ass…but….
If it ain’t Lebron, I damn sure don’t want it to be Kobe in the finals.
Steelergurl
Linebackers?
Pasquerelli doesn’t seem to know about them. I understand his focus on the linemen. It’s an important part of a defense. But his whole argument focuses on linemen and, to a lesser degree, corners. What about linebackers and safeties, Len?
by Varmint on May 27, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Everyone knows
that LBs aren’t that important in a 3-4. Sheesh.
Len Pastabelly is a joke, always has been always will be. Pats* are good – no doubt, and better than last year. But lets compare schedules while we are comparing the teams. Pats* had a ridiculously easy schedule last year – AFC west – puhlease and NFC west – double puhlease. And then the rest of the AFC least. Complete joke. And was it that elite OL that got owned by our inferior D last year in the rain? pretty sure it was.
Varmint I really love that lots of people think just like PastWhatShet, Why?
They had told us that story back in 2004/07, what was the answer?, T Steelers rules, does they have LB´s, as good as Woodley I don´t think so but if it is the case, they just can´t argüe with Debo & Timmons, and almost anybody else, so if somebody goes beyond the 1º line WE have a very good edge over them. Does t wr of t Belly(fullof)shet try 2 go 2 inner routes they will remember the Biggest hit of last season could be around on any pass. I also feel that they had taken galloway, taylor & springs (Idon´t know why I feel that, but that´s t case) to not let US 2 have a hand over them, so they do not wait until the draft, if WE keep changing schemes, in front of “t best helped QB in football” (tuck rule/tape help & tape burn help/stolen players “legacy”), he will not be able to read a thing, remember last brady´rats game also we can put a DL playing tandems of 3 plays and rotate them 2 make t burden of time take their piece of t game, play t 1º series w/charges of 5 or 6, and force them 2 play short reading plays, 2 welcome back that brady 2 t league, maybe WE have ejected or penalized Sweed because “Ward rule” on making an deffensive play coming from an offensive player, also we play 60 minutes of beatting, and last but not t least they first have 2 go through their schedule that will be t 1º step before any comparation and contrast if they do t same as WE had done, then start taking, before WE welcome those adjectives that make Tomlin´s lines a stronger point that it were before t draft,
“WE DON´T HAVE NOTHING, I WANT YOU ALL EAGER TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.” IMHO.
O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.
by YeOldeMexFan on May 28, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions
wow...
That’s just plain silly. Len you should be ashamed of that sparse logic. If you want to say the pats offense will be so good it doesn’t matter about defense, fine. But to claim their defense will be better just because they have a good d-line and Belicheat? Silly.
by Chicago Steeler on May 27, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions
Len
“He who fails to do the math is doomed to talk nonsense.”
Len should acquaint himself with some of the stats posted by Lebeau’s defense last year before arguing that there is even a comparison between the two squads. While the Steelers will definitely have their hands full with a NE offense at full strength—which could make the hot SB Cards look easy in comparison—there is no way you can put the NE D in the same category as Pittsburgh’s on the basis of past performance. Did someone in Pittsburgh piss this guy off? He appears agitated and partial in his analysis of the two team’s respective strengths.
I usually like Len’s writing. But that debate is pretty ridiculous. He starts with the assertion that somehow the Pats DL is better than the Steelers’ and it gets worse from there. I could see making the statement that the Patriots may be better than the Steelers in 2009, I wouldn’t agree with it, but you can make that argument. But Pasquarelli makes an even worse argument; That the Pats defense is better than the Steelers’ which was a historically great defense last year.
It’s BS designed to get us talking and linking to the article.
Am I the only one who thinks NE’s DL is incredibly overrated? Despite making the majority of the money on defense and being comprised of 3 first round picks, their DL hasn’t given them an above average rush defense since 2005. Are their LB’s just that bad or is their DL just average?
charity standing orders
Their DL is pretty good. Wilfork is a beast on running downs. Seymour and Warren are both solid (big) guys with a pretty good push. Keeping in mind that the Pats* play a different scheme, I wouldn’t trade Aa Smith for either of them, but they could nudge Kiesel out of his starting slot.
The Pats have difficulties with their linebackers.
Bruschi is their answer to Larry Foote. He’s terrific against the run, but does almost nothing for pass protection. Unlike Foote, he doesn’t have many starts left in him. (Too bad, I like Bruschi.)
They just lost Vrabel on the outside and I have no idea who will replace him. They’ve got a random assortment of players that are okay, but aren’t quite starter quality. At least, not unless they’ve made significant progress since last year. They’ve tried to grab guys like Jason Taylor, but last I checked they hadn’t scored anyone I know.
Junior Seau has 19 year in the game. 19.
The bright spot in their LB corps is Jerod Mayo. He was rookie of the year at ILB. Many of my friends are Pats* fans and they compare him with Farrior, claiming Mayo’s got good field instincts. I honestly can’t say either way as I didn’t follow the Pats* closely this past year.
Belichick has a knack for getting good value from older players. He’s good at developing situational play. But I think he relied on his older players for one too many seasons. They got holes on the outside and it showed last year. The Pats were ranked 26th in 3rd down defense. Teams can get around them.
Seriously?
I can somewhat take the Steelers as being the 2nd best team in the NFL. I don’t agree with it, but I am well aware of the New England Patriots lovefest that takes place at all major sports websites. However, what I don’t understand is the Steelers, the Super Bowl Champions, being ranked 9th in the entire league after losing only three major playmakers to arguably more talented players. That discrepancy was something Pasquerelli never even attempted to explain. I could be wrong but I remember the Ravens being ranked five spots ahead of the Steelers. His arguments, particularly his relative praise of Ben Roethlisberger and the defense, simply do not add up.
4-3
Did anyone else catch Lolley’s comment about Rashon Harris and Ziggy lining up in a 4-3 defense in the article that Milkshake posted?
I thought that might get some conversation going here….
I’m not all that surprised. And it’s been talked about (as a possibility) in the past.
I figure Snack is getting older and Hoke is no spring chicken, either. We might use a 4-3 for downs when the big men need a break. If Timmons is as fast as people seem to think, he could make a good solo MLB. Personally, I don’t mind coach Dad looking at all the options. The 4-3 would be one more look we could use to confuse.
Underpromise, Overperform
7th Heaven, BABY!
Even when they went 16-0...
There defense was NOT that good. They just scored so many damn points it didn’t matter how many they held the opponent too. That finally bit them in the ass when they ran into a defense that shut them down.
And I honestly, don’t think their defense has gotten better I think at best it got a little worse.
Oh and Payton? Its Peyton, right?
Len alert-
We all know that if Len is talking about your team he is either covering your star’s misguided social life (see bengals) or he is talking out of his ass about something to be controversial. I really look at him as a poor mans skip bayless what a joke.
Have you ever seen Mike Tomlin and Omar Epps in the same place at the same time?
by cleveland sucks on May 27, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions
Since when...
is Ty Warrent dominant? Don’t get me wrong, as a former Ag, I love the guy. But did he really call him one of the few game-changing 3-4 DEs?
They definitely have a good line and 2 good LBs…but what else? That’s only 5/11 spots on the field. I guess Meriweather is alright. But Leigh Bodden, Ellis Hobbs, and Shawn Springs are your answers at CB?
Look, the Pats are going to be very good, but its not b/c they will have an overpower D like the Steelers did last year. It will be because they can score a ton of points, and their D will bend but not break and has a handful of guys that can make big plays.
Steelers' Nickle D is a 4-3 ....
With Woodley and J. Harrison on the ends, 2 DT’s in the middle, Farrior and Timmons on the inside with Troy in the box as the 7th defender, that is a 4-3 that morphs to a 4-2-5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N7WBfcdlBo
“We don’t want to see anybody injured, now hurt is a different story. I don’t mind hurting somebody.”
Guess who?
Great montage
Great quote. His delivery is hysterical.
by SteelerBuddha on May 27, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
As for the Patriots
I think a lot of their success has to do with intimidation. Think about it. They have a lot of talented guys on their roster and a lot of players around the league in my opinion really get starstruck by the “awesomeness” of Tom Brady. Don’t get me wrong. I think he’s a great player and Belichick is a solid head coach, but teams just seem to admit defeat before the ball is even kicked off. Players just gush over how good the Patriots are when they lose. The Giants, in my opinion, were really the only team in 08 that didn’t subscribe to that mentality. They just hit ‘em and hit ’em some more ’til they finally broke. That’s how you beat the Patriots—by realizing that they are really no better than any other good team in the league and I think the Steelers under Mike Tomlin are primed to do that.
Had anybody of us remember t game versus t birdrats?
They lost ´cause their coaches. & they beat them all that game, IMHO I think that WE in this year are pretty darn harder beatters than those ratbirds, & I also agree that as somebody told before I feel they´re kind of soft.
O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.
by YeOldeMexFan on May 28, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
4-3? Sure, just not as a base defense...
We already use defensive schemes that include the 4-3. Obvious passing situations and 3 and long plays (nickel packages, dime, gimmick plays). That’s why I thought Ziggy Hood was a good pickup, he can pass rush as an interior defensive linemen, allowing our backers to drop back into coverage. It just adds more diversity to our already diverse defense.
As for Pasquerelli…I think he’s just trying to pick the 6 teams that will rebound after a poor ‘08 showing. Will most of his high rated teams be in the playoffs next year? Probably. If you look at in that aspect, his assessment of power rankings may be accurate. I’d be cool with the 6th seed in the AFC playoff race for ’09. This is the age where homefield advantage in the playoffs means next to nothing. His picking the New England defense over the Pittsburgh defense for his reasoning, however, baffles me as well.
I’m anxious to see what Ryan Mundy and Tony Hills are going to do in camp this year. Its their time to prove themsevles, as we have no depth at FS or L-OT. Roy Lewis is another intriguing prospect. I look forward to seeing these guys step it up or get the pink slip. Go Steelers!
i hope (for len’s sake) he was doing some sort of drug when he ranked the steelers 9th in his power rankings. otherwise he should be committed.
and cowher’s act was a slap in the face to pittsburgh. even though he’s been at other games sounding the siren, he has to realize the only reason why he was invited then is cuz he was impt to pittsburgh.
Len's arguement.
Have you seen the D-line stats, NE is obviously better. I love Belichick, he’s like the hottest thing ever. Don’t get me wrong, Dick LeBeau is a looker too, but Belichick is freaking hot man. Did you know Tom Brady is so awesome he plays defense from the sideline, he just stares at other QB’s and they suddenly realize they don’t date supermodels, and lose.
So four reasons the NE defense is better.
1. D-line stats
2. Belichick crush.
3. Tom Brady dates super models.
4. The offensive line is like the defensive line on offense, and that makes the defense better.
They love Ship, he’s a great kid. It could just be me, but that doesn’t mention anything about on the field, of course it’s OTA’s and line play probably isn’t being highly judged.
Let Cowher go, he was great for us, but now he’s home and he cheers for Carolina. He still will always respect the Steelers, look how passionate he got in the playoffs. He still cares about the Steelers, he doesn’t have to love the Pens.
Sure he can score goals, but can he cook?
by Phantaskippy on May 27, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
People lick the Pats shphincter like there is no tomorrow
This irritates me. Not so much cause we got snubbed but more because we are now back on our hands and knees slobbering all over the Patriots and Asshole Hoody’s army.
I hate em and they stank!
The Chin
He did look amazingly goofy cranking that horn. however, he should not be hated because hes a Hurricanes fan. I mean, he lives in Raleigh and hockey is pretty big around there so I’d assume it wouldn’t be that hard to become a fan of that team. He still likes the fans just not as much as the team which is currently surrounded by, its understandable.
hockey in Raleigh
I live in Raleigh and lemme just point out that hockey is NOT big really at all, just when the hurricanes do good and get into the playoffs. Even when they won the stanley cup it was kind of big but nothing compared to like Pittsburgh, Detroit or Boston. As for cowher, i don’t see the problem with him choosing his home team hurricanes, personally i am still a penguins fan even though i am from NC but there should be nothing wrong with him liking the hurricanes, its a diff sport and its not like he has to be a fan of everything Pittsburgh
by Bleed-Black&Gold on May 31, 2009 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I just gotta say...
..these debates are silly!
As far as I’m concerned, the Steelers are number one until the season begins and we get to see what each team has in store for the next year—-by showing it ON THE FIELD. No one is playing games…so all we have is LAST YEAR, and that team is the Super Bowl Champion Steelers!!
Brady could blow that knee up before the season gets going!! Hopefully the Steelers get a taste of the Patriots in the playoffs. Maybe Wesley will get CLOCKED again!!! BLAM!!!
Len Pasqurelli gives us bullentin board material, thanks
Hey we should all send Len P a THANK YOU CARD, I"m hoping, guessing, expecting someone to place his comments on the bulletin board somewhere inside the Steelers locker room or @ St. Vincents. Obviously “we” don’t need much to wanna repeat or match last seasons stats, but this is just gasoline on the fire baby….I hope we get to play NE in the AFC championship game, @ Heinz Field, that is if Brady’s leg holds up and they even make the playoffs…. we’ll see,
Mario Lopez
Okay so he says his reasons why Patriots are #1
But i dont see him justify why we are 9th?
And boy is it funny that he thinks the Pats Defense is better than ours xD
Bleeding Black and Gold since 1989 baby, Blitzburgh is back, time for a repeat!
He didnt justify ANYTHING
He basically said “the pats defense is good enough” and claimed that every member of their D-line can take over a game.
Last I checked when was the last time Vince “Will you hand me a fork” wilfork took a pic 100 yards for a TD in the super bowl? Or when was the last time Ty Warren got considered for an award?
That D-line is good but its not amazing.
And to basically say that their team is better because of 3 members of a defense that allowed a ton of passing TD’s is beyond me.
First off I am on your side on this one...
Picking the Pats is a sad joke. But in fairness…
Casey Hampton didn’t go 100 yards for a TD either, that was Harrison. Which I know you know, just sayin’.
And as good as Aaron Smith is, he’s never been up for those awards either.
But I agree, Len’s reasoning is moronic.
by NYSteelersFan4 on May 28, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
For the record, I’d pay a thousand dollars to see Casey run 100 yards down the field.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
i’m pretty sure he works for cheeseburgers, not cash
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 28, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
If you want to attract him, wear this costume next time you see him...
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 28, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Casey would want more meat on that burger
Bleeding Black and Gold since 1989 baby, Blitzburgh is back, time for a repeat!
by Michael Hewitt on Jun 1, 2009 3:41 AM EDT up reply actions
For those who still r a little hot about that, c these 2 articles of the blecher report, like fresh water
The 1º is who WE r & t 2º is what WE can do in t next future if they reach that point, & ask 4 that xtra effort of those older players.
& T last but not t least,
I THINK WE WILL BE PICKING AGAIN LAST THIS NEXT SEASON.
Read this:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/185801-steel-curtain-defense-continues-under-tomlin-lebeau
&
O sales tickets,...and let D rest a little, and D Win Championships.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."
Art Rooney Jr.
"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
