Post Game observations Pit vs Ten
by Bonek on Sep 11, 2009 12:24 AM EDT
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1) This was another come from behind victory for Big Ben. Guys, this is a true franchise QB. The guy never quits. Never gets nervous. Plays tough, hard and physical football. He was an MVP of this game. I remember Kordell and Maddox times... when the game got heated they failed big time, but never this guy. Truly beautiful game from Big Ben.
2) Hope Troy's and Woodley's injuries are not serious. But those two played lights out, especially Troy. What a magnificent interception. And the penalty against him was "a no penalty".
3) Ike and Gay needs to focus on game not on their celebrations after tackles. On Tennnessee TD drive, after celebrating his tackle "Face me Ike" style, Ike got burned for a big gain, while at the same time, Ryan Clark couldn't finish his tackle and Kenny Brit got 57 yards on the play.
4) Keyaron Fox was in the heat of the battle and around the ball every snap! The guy can play.
5) A note to Tomlin: Activate Redzone Redman. And please make M.Moore as our 1st or 2nd running back. When he plays, our screens are more effective.
6) Rushing statistics: Pittsburgh gained a total of 36 yards on 23 carries.
7) A note to Arians: Taking into account our crappy O-line, from now on run West coast offense. WE CANNOT RUN, MAN! Instead of establishing pass with the run do it vice versa. Establish run with passing game!
8) Thanks to K.Collins for losing OT coin toss.
9) Our guys bailed out Hines Ward just like they did Bettis in Indy. Hats off to them.
10) When was the last time 2 of the Steelers WRs gained 100 yards both in the same game? Our Superbowl MVPs Ward and Holmes got 103 and 131 yards this game.
11) It was a shame we tosses hail mary at the end of the 1st half. Ben doesn't need these Int-s for his resume.
12) Defense and Special teams were two Monsters out there today. Blocked field goal and consistent punting for special teams. Great play by defense even though our offense was 3 and out most of the game. And the defense played without Timmons, Troy and Woodley in the second half.
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Who is our ‘Official Short Yardage’ Running Back?
Willie Parker?
Same problem as last year.
We need to do something about this !!!
Is there any way to get Redman on the Roster ?
Horrible run play calling. Running Mewelde Moore on those 3rd and shorts when we have Tank and Mendy sitting there?
Mendy even showed a couple good moves during the game.
I’ll never understand why we insist on shoving Parker up the middle against vicious defenses when he is better on the edge. And why we insist on running Mewelde on those 3rd and shorts when we should just sneak it.
Running game
Collier from the Post Gazette sounded bummed over the running game. I know I posted the poll re: how many yards we won’t make on the ground when we’re facing short yardage situations against the Ravens. I didn’t realize the Titans would stuff us too. On the other hand, all the Redmans in the world can’t make yardage if they O-line specializes in ‘look out’ blocks. It’s a shame, really, because Parker deserves much better and who knows what Mendenhall really offers? Great win in the face of adversity. Horrible run blocking.
Btw, is it just me (I probably don’t understand the subtle skills of modern football), but do the Steelers employ an intentionally passibe run blocking system (I think it’s called zone blocking)? I ask because I noticed that no one really fires out to ‘block’ the defenders in an attempt to create a hole. Instead, they seem to stand up and expect the defenders to come to them. Possibly the idea is to let the defenders commit themselves and then push them however the want to go…letting the back then find and exploit the hole. If so, it doesn’t work. Just wondered…
I have no idea. I’m not a pro coach. I would like to know, though.
by lightningrod on Sep 11, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Zone vs. Gap
You are correct that the Steelers mainly employ a zone scheme. The scheme calls for the o-line to drop step and let the D commit then engage and let the back find a hole. A Gap style is when the line creates a predetermined hole (or gap) and the back hits it. Two teams that run a fair amount of Gap schemes are the Panthers and the Pats. They also runs some zone schemes as well but favor a more aggressive blocking scheme.
Personally I can’t stand the Zone scheme. While in the NFL you need to be multiple and have it in your playbook, it is too passive in my opinion to be your “main” scheme. To be fair Denver use to run a reach-zone scheme that was effective but different than the one Arians and Zierlien run.
Overall Tomlin’s staff has done a great job, but this is one area that shows no sign of improvement. As a long time High School line coach I was so disappointed that they have not changed some of their thinking from last year in this department.
by Steelers fan in Boston on Sep 11, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks SF in B
Thank you for explaining this point. I never developed beyond being a high school level tight end (please, no snickers from the perverts among us;<), so it always confused me why this offensive seems to consistently get overwhelmed by agressive defenses when it comes to grinding out yardage.
Since you obviously know the game, please answer another quesion. Is the zone blocking scheme the reason the backs line up soooo deep in the backfield. (They line up so far back that I propose calling FWP our “wayback.”) It makes sense, I guess, if the back needs to let the hole develop and find it. But this only works if the O-line can sustain their blocks. Plus it gives the safeties time to plug the non-existent hole.
Does anyone here recall Pitt vs Penn State in 1976? Dorsett lined up deep just like FWP. Penn State loaded the box and stuffed him throughout the first half. At halftime, Majors and Sherril moved Dorsett to fullback, a scant two yards behind Matt Cavaneau. He ran wild the second half – popping through holes before they could close – and the Panthers went on to win the national championship.
Final question, given the level of talent the team has at O-line, is this the best they can do against quality opponents, or might a change of O-line tactics improve their performance?
Parker
Willie Parker ran like a little scared girl last night…he had holes and couldn’t find them and didn’t run hard. I think the way our line blocks on running plays we have to get Redman on the active roster, he has the best vision of any RBs.
Mike Wallace
Looks like he won the 3rd receiver battle. Surprising! Limas didnt even record a catch. Wallace looks like a Santonio Holmes clone
My Thoughtages
As I predicted, Tennessee used nothing but dink and dunk all game. Their only deep attempt, an INT to the great demi-god Troy Polamalu (bless his knee).
The run game sucked, again, as expected.
To me the game would have been easier if Ben was in rhythm early. He missed an open Mike Wallace who could have turned the corner and had a TD, and overthrew an open Holmes for his first pick. His second shouldnt count as a desperate heave.
But when Ben is feeling it, we’re good. And we saw this after a little time. He got comfortable and picked them apart all 2nd half.
And what was with Lebeaus coverage on the left side near the end of the 1st half? They ran the same coverage on the TD play that got the Titans close in the first place. Taylor in the Flat, safety middle. Sucked ass, and paid no attention to the sideline, the area that matters in a 2 minute drill.
But anyway fun game to watch and quite exciting. Gotta love Stefan Logan’s returns, constantly making something out of nothing, and a blocked kick by Ageless Wonder Aaron Smith
And further on the defense…
Ike didnt get burned. Notice he never even tried to chase him. he was clearly covering that middle-flat zone to prevent some quick out to the sideline. I think the safety should have covered it deep and didn’t respond in time. I dont know exactly why we didnt just man up on him, and send a LB out into the flat, but we called that defense on two plays, and it killed us on two plays.
Ike did nothing wrong and neither did gay. Our DBs played great all game I thought.
As to the Hail Mary, do you really think Tomlin cares at all about Ben’s stats?
Yes Redman, yawn. How about we activate Dermonti Dawson in his prime and Alan Faneca in his, then frank the tank could run out of the single back successfully. heck I could pick up two yards on third and 1 following those guys.
Would Redman have taken on that wall of Titans on third and 1 and somehow picked up a yard? No. He wouldn’t have. If you want a short yardage game cut your best skill position players and pay big time lineman, it’s what Cowher did. Notice how long it took for him to win a Super Bowl. great WR’s, great QB, Great Defense can overcome a crappy line, but a great line hurts two of those with the money you need to invest. The great O-Line Kordel had didn’t help him complete passes.
just got back from the game
Tired, im not in midseason form.(lol) dont know how it looked on tv guys but all i can say is we are very lucky to escape w a W. hope troys ok , and we got 10 days to prepare for the Bears at a lucky 1-0 ill take it
is Perenialness a word? cuz if so, thats what the stillers got. perenialness
My favorite part of the game
was the 4th quarter drive that ended in a field goal..Ben did his thing and drove down the field, then Arians got involved and killed the drive…..let them get fresh legs on the field and called 2 conswcutive runs…….WTF mate?!?!?
I don't know if this has been said already
And the defense played without Timmons, Troy and Woodley in the second half.
But Woodley did play the second half start to finish.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Sep 11, 2009 6:34 AM EDT reply actions
Still impressive though
Without Timmons and Troy. Although you could tell a clear difference in the Titans productivity directly after Troy went out (ie a touchdown on the next Titans drive). They settled in well after that though.
by John Stephens on Sep 11, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Very True
I’m praying that once Polamalu returns he’s close to the same level he was in the first half tonight.
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Sep 11, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone cares about the second INT
Throw it in the end zone. That’s why we have a couple tall receivers and a QB with a big arm. You don’t play the game to pad your resume; you play the game to win. Besides, one W pads the resume more than 5 TDs. Remember, the winners get to write the history books.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Sep 11, 2009 8:01 AM EDT reply actions
The only thing I care about the INT
Is now I have to listen to know-nothing-fans who did not watch the game still say Ben is not a good QB because he had two picks. It gets infuriating.
by John Stephens on Sep 11, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
screw em
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
It was a good win, now on to next week
Some folks on this board (not necessarily on this thread) need to take a deep breath. We just beat the team with the best record in the NFL from last year. They have arguably the best DL in the league. They had something to prove coming off their playoff loss (they dominated Baltimore except on the scoreboard) and were fired up.
So no, we couldn’t run. Our OL didn’t open up those holes. But we still racked up 357 yards of total offense against a defense that gave up less than 300 per game last year. We won even though we lost the turnover battle. We won missing one of our best defensive players for the entire 2nd half. Our OL didn’t do squat in the running game but played ok in pass blocking. Two of the four sacks they gave up were entirely Ben’s fault and you could argue a 3rd was also Ben’s.
When it came right down to it…when the teams were eyeball to eyeball in the 4th quarter…it was TN that blinked. That, more than anything else, is what I’d take away from this game. Simply put, the Steelers did it when it counted. This is what the team couldn’t do the year after our last Super Bowl win (when we went 8-8).
There’s plenty of room for improvement. We need to run the ball much better, but the only “D” we’ll face this year that’s comparable to the one we just played is in Baltimore. We need to tweak our defense in Troy’s absence but I have no doubt LeBeau will do that. We need to protect the ball better. So on and so forth. But don’t worry too much about it. Enjoy the victory over a tough, tough TN squad and know your Steelers are one more win closer to returning to the Super Bowl.
by Blackadar on Sep 11, 2009 8:33 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Amen
People are going nuts about us nothing able to run, especially on 3rd and short. Relax. It is week 1 and we played one hell of a defense.
by John Stephens on Sep 11, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree
This is a repeat of last year and teams that can’t run consistently will expose our QB to injury quick. We need a running game to produce even though the defense knows it’s coming. However, I do agree that we don’t run against a 8 or 9 man front. Nobody can succeed.
I see Ramon Foster getting a look at RG, which has been a weakness and all it takes is one weakness on the line to cause a break down. Essex was getting shoved into the backfield consistently.
Amen brother
Since when are we all pessimists. There was far more good than bad from this game. Tennessee DL is great, if we cant run against teams like Cleveland and Detroit, then maybe the alarm bells will ring
I gotta say, props to Tennessee. They were certainly better than i was giving them credit for before the game
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Michael Hewitt on Sep 11, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
When was the last time 2 of the Steelers WRs gained 100 yards both in the same game?
If I remember correctly, it happened in Ben’s first year of his career, 2004. In a 33-30 win over the Giants in week 15. Randle El had 5 recs for 149 and Ward had 9 recs for 130. Just kidding, I looked it up.
They also came close last year against he Titans. Ward had 109 and Holmes had 93.
I can see our running plays a mile away
The OL did have some troubles (Kematou fell down, Trai Essex stop moving his feet and was giving up loss yards and sacks).
However, our playing calling (Arians/Ben) tips off the defense all night long on what we are doing. Plus they are stacking 8 or 9 in the box and daring us to throw.
Just like 2006 playoffs, Ben should come out with a spread WR’s and passing on 1st down. Get them out of the 8 and 9 man front. Run draws and the bread and butter play is giving us nothing.
RB’s… Willie Parker and Mendenhall look very tentative running and undecisive. Willie had the potential to bust 2 large runs and took the wrong angle.
Where for art thou “Redman” give the dude a change… Can’t hurt we had 39 on 23 carries.
when opposing safeties
are making tackles at and behind the line (and those safeties are not Troy) then they knew the play was coming too. More play action, more variety, keep the safeties and LB’s honest.
Check this guys post out
This is the Steeler.com message board. Read the post by “tbalas”.
http://mboard.steelers.com/fanzone/mboard/news/83764
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
OL should improve
Pass blocking is a lot simpler and, given the slightly revamped unit, it’ll take some time to coordinate their blocking schemes. They looked like they were still in preseason mode. I don’t expect a huge improvement but they should be good enough to create a few holes now and then.
Few people think Redman is the second coming of Bettis, but the guy has shown he’s good at getting 4 or 5 yards when there’s little or no push by the OL. He did this consistently in college and also in the preseason. He deserves a shot; maybe not right away—but soon. Then, if he can’t cut it, at least we’ll know we didn’t miss the boat.
I hate it when they do that!
Giving up another cheap TD right at the end of the first half. Make it stop!!
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