Pittsburgh Steelers 14, Chicago Bears 17: Post Game Quick React
by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Sep 20, 2009 8:14 PM EDT
62 comments
More from me about the particulars of Pittsburgh's disappointing 14-17 loss to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field later, but to start a few thoughts from me about the defending champion's first loss of the 2009 season.
The loss was, in a word, disappointing. Disappointing for several reasons, the first one being obviously that they left at least 6 points on the board in the 4th quarter with missed field goal attempts by the usually money Jeff Reed. It was also disappointing because they played so well in the 1st quarter. Big Ben hit eight or nine straight completions early on. He was on target distributing the ball to Hines, Santonio and Heath. A bootleg toss to Matt Speath on 4th and 1 from the goal line capped Pittsburgh's opening drive and it appeared as if the Steelers were going to run away from the Bears early on.
Wasn't meant to be. Kudos to Jay Cutler and the Bears offense for not panicking, sticking to their game plan of striking in the short and intermediate passing game, picking on the weak links on Pittsburgh's defense - Tyrone Carter and William Gay namely - and then doing just enough on defense to disrupt Big Ben and the Steelers for the remainder of the game.
Losses like this one have a way of bringing out the Chicken Little fans. Those who are ready to lament every last miscue. I even read one fan write that he was ready to turn in all his Steelers memorabilia because of the way the team was playing. Yikes.
What we really saw is how this team is not really championship caliber on defense without the services of Troy Polamalu. Tyrone Carter deserves credit for playing hard and making a few plays. He's done just that for a number of years now and it's safe to say that the Steelers wouldn't have had all the success they've had without his contributions in a reserve role. But he's no Polamalu and that was apparent today. I've also written on numerous occasions that William Gay might not look quite as glossy and ready for the bigtime without Polamalu getting his back.
Despite missing our most important defensive player and despite being on the road in a game that was oh so important to the Bears, Pittsburgh still had Chicago on the ropes. They let one slip away and cost themselves a precious road victory. It happens. There were enough positive developments from the game to keep me far, far away from the ledge. The main reason, quite frankly, is we have Ben Roethlisberger on our team. He continues to play outstanding football. He's making better choices with the ball, still competing his guts out and looks utterly comfortable with what we're trying to do offensively.
Winning in the NFL is about finishing though. Finishing plays, drives, and ultimately games. We've seen time and time again that this squad isn't going to blow teams out, so chances are the team will soon again be in a dogfight that comes down to field position, 3rd down efficiency on both sides of the ball and steady kicking.
More soon.
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firsrt!
"My cat's breath smells like cat food!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by SteelFever on Sep 20, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ravens are in
firsrt!place!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does the season end now?
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Sep 20, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Na
But I am going to live it up while we have it.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I would to.
When I say who dey, you say we dey.
Follow me @Sn0w13allz
by sn0wballz on Sep 20, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still <3 you guys.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good win for you guys MaLoR
But how you feeling bowt the defense? A couple good picks, but Rivers shredded you for the most part
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Steeler_ on Sep 20, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The front 7 played very, very well.
I am extremely upset with the secondary though. The Chargers have biggggggg WR against our smaller CB’s, and it showed it was a huge mismatch. Reed played way too much man coverage and that allowed for more one on ones. Rivers put the ball in the right place all day. He is a very good QB and they are a great team. I don’t care what the defense is, Sproles is nearly impossible to stop. Yes, you guys did it last year in the playoffs, but the weather and all that slowed him down.
If he is in a dome or they are at home, that man is incredible. But hey, I’ll take the win.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Steelers won a lot of games for years with a defense that knew when to shut it down, you could move the ball but you didn’t score.
We didn’t have an offense like Baltimore this year.
If the playoffs started today Baltimore would be my pick to win it all. Face it, the Steelers look like a playoff team, the Ravens look like a contender. I hope we can knock them off, but at this point they look better than us.
What are your thoughts on Reed Malor, he doesn’t look good right now.
by Phantaskippy on Sep 21, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was not happy with the secondary overall yesterday
Reed mostly. We used him in Man Coverage way too much, and he is not a one-on-one type safety. He needs to be playing zone at all times. Half of Rivers’ deep balls were lobs that the 6’4" WR were going to always catch over our 5’1)" CB’s. Fabian and Foxworth were right on their man every play, but they just could not simply jump up as high as Jackson and Floyd could.
Reed was definitely out of position a good amount of times. I am not worried though. This defense is still top 3 in the league, just needs to get some things straight. Imagine how good we can be when we are as dominant as you and I both know they can be. With an offense capable of putting up 30 on anyone, watch out.
And I dare anyone in this country to tell me that Flacco does not do anything to win games for you. That’s two in a row for us. I dare anyone to say it and mean it.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 21, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think a lot of Steelers fans got upset with the constant comparisons of Ben and Flacco. We have a bit of a complex about the lack of respect Ben gets, but I think that has largely changed.
Of course it’s good for ratings and hits and what-not to diss Ben, cause all the Steelers fans show up.
Flacco is a good QB at this stage, which is pretty sweet considering how young he is. If his improvement so far this season holds up it’s a scary thing. Even if he isn’t mr. clutch like Ben, scoring points in good numbers and having a clutch defense wins championships too.
I’m not saying Flacco sucks in the clutch, but he isn’t Ben, who I would put up with Elway in drives to win or tie. Ben isn’t as consistent the rest of the game though.
by Phantaskippy on Sep 22, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats to you Malor
you should enjoy it!
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert
by LongTimeSteelersFan on Sep 20, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks brotha. Ugly game and I am not happy with our secondary today. But I will take it. Keep fighting.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not happy with our game today either, but we will improve.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert
by LongTimeSteelersFan on Sep 20, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its like a popsicle on a hot day
You only have it for a short time, so you better eat the hell out of it while it is still there. Its not going to last long.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Sep 20, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least
MaLoR has class about his gloating…
"My cat's breath smells like cat food!"
-Ralph Wiggum
by SteelFever on Sep 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well, most the time…….dont give him too much credit, it will go to his head.
by shleeve on Sep 20, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean, of course its great to see you guys lose, and I’ll let it be in about 15 minutes, but just got back from watching the Ravens and still have the blood pumping hard. Getting it out now and wont bother you guys for a while. I know I would effing hate if you guys flooded our blog with us having Rivers go ape shit on us and us losing with you guys at 2-0.
Still early. Keep fighting.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Sep 20, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plenty of season left and this smack talking is going to get more and more interesting as the weeks go by. I love seeing the Ravens lose but I don’t really think much of it unless it’s US that beat them….
But all the talking stops come NOVEMBER 29th and DECEMBER 27th…… Another two days in Smashmouth paradise….
Who ride? WE RIDE!
by Peezie on Sep 21, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad Kharma
Two things were missing, both of which could normally be expected and either would have insured a win.
1) No positive splash plays or turnovers by either the D or the O
2) Two misses by Skippy.
Odds are very slim that this would be repeated.
Bad kharma, let’s just move one.
by bigmaq on Sep 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i really think the weather killed us more than anything
thats the only possible reason I can believe effected Reed’s kicking.
Also, once it started raining Bens throws started sailing and WRs started dropping (Holmes).
Kudos to the Bears however, for not being affected by it as much as we were.
by shleeve on Sep 20, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i saw that we will lose one more game tops without troy, and that game going to either the vikings or the chargers. And that i’ll give another loss to the ravens cause we usually split it with them, and if we seal the playoffs we loose the last game cause we bench our starters, so if everything pans out as it should i see us going anywere between 11- 5 and 13-3.. but crazier shit has happened so oyu never know
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Sep 20, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This year and last year...
I saw someone on the game board say that last year the steelers got crushed much worse by the Eagles and look out that worked out.
This game was just a lousy loss due to the fact that they HAD this game. But in the end, Troy will back, the team will win….and it’ll be all about how things fall in to place in December.
The beat goes on.
Nice flying Ben trick today! Glad to see Mendenall get a big run in there too. And please dont call him Mendy. Mendy is a diner that Jerry Seinfeld ate at…not a RB!!! ;-D
by Ragnar808 on Sep 20, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Call him
Mend because he is supposed to “mend” the running game
by Steel in FL on Sep 20, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Viewing in Seattle
“Blitz” – Where did you catch he game?
by bigmaq on Sep 20, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
got sunday ticket again this year
Down to watch a game with some folks here though some week(s)
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
by Michael Bean (Blitz) on Sep 20, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how bout that line!
and the running game!
and mendy showing something
yeah, it’s a loss, a game that should have been a W.
But looking out at the season and the next slate of games, I feel better about the team, the oline and the running game, in particular than after the titan game- or after some of the losses last season.
When you look at the other contenders in the AFC, the Steelers are still the top dog to beat.
by vherub on Sep 20, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i am alittle worried about the pass rush though.. this is very uncharacteristic
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Sep 20, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would not be
Cutler was only taking 3 steps drops the entire day. They did the dink and dunk bull crap that the Titans beat us with last year. The Blitz did not have time to get there because the ball left Cutlers had very quickly.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Sep 20, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It wasn't all bad
The running game showed signs of improvement. In compliance to Ragnar808 request, Delicious had a nice run.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert
by LongTimeSteelersFan on Sep 20, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The hole in the secondary was crippling
Good for them to attack our weakness.
The line was it’s usual self, dominated on one play while dominating on the next.
by ryebr3ad on Sep 20, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tough Loss
It was a tough way to lose a game, but on the bright side, we can compete without Troy. The D was good enough to win the game. Without Troy the D isn’t otherworldly good, but still good. Plus, I can’t see Holmes dropping this many passes in a game again, nor can I see Reed missing this many critical FGs again.
If we can take one from either CIN or SD I’ll feel fortunate. Having DET next might mean we can let Troy take his time to recover.
by 13thieves on Sep 20, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta question the decision to throw deep on that 3rd and 2
The focus should have been get first downs keep possession and grind out the clock.
We had the game after Ben gritted out a first down the series before with a sneak. A first down instead of going deep to Holmes would have probably given us the game. Even if the next series would have been a 3 and out and a missed FG. Picking up the first down there would have been huge.
Perhaps it would have taken 1 minute or so off the clock (even if we don’t get another first down). It would have pushed the Bears back further if they got the ball back.
I think this loss stings because I feel like we lost due to strategy as much as the missed FGs.
by Yellowhorse on Sep 20, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You know what they say about hindsight...
Everybody has one, and they all stink.
by Hines Ward on Sep 20, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're mixing your metaphors
Hindsight is 20 20.
Opinions are like assholes.
by worldtrip on Sep 20, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figured if there was one person here who’d understand that joke, it would be you. Good to see ya, world.
by Hines Ward on Sep 20, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I second the motion......
Trusting the long play in the end zone to Holmes, who already shown was affected by weatther and not grinding it out instead to get the 1st was bad strategy…..having got the 1st down we could have controlled the rest of that game….got closer in field goal range…our defense was letting Cutler get by too…hopefully Steelers will improve…But as usual, where we could dominate we choose to keep fans questioning and hanging on the edge of their seats…..Ben also stayed put in the pocket which I don’t understand…..not like him to just stay put and he did…..God, I just hate having these questions….I don’t just want them to eek out a win every game, I want them to just get the friggin job done and put away these teams.
by Cray Morrison on Sep 20, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts
Good side:
*Our passing game looked great one more time.
*Another solid game by ST, specially Sepulveda. It seems like the ST is the most consistent unit at this point.
*We made one or two holes! Who knows, maybe next time we will have 4!
Thats about it…
Bad side:
*Our D is a sort of question mark right now. We do have amazing athletes out there, and its obvious Polamalu absense is significant, BUT still it seems very ackward to me how easy some teams can drive over us in critical times. Jay Cutler had a feast over us tonight with a bunch of crappy WRs. Personally I think the problem has more to do with the playcalling then the absense of Troy. Our D looks very predictable lately and our pass rush doesnt really work that much. Even if we pressure the QB, he will have constantly easy targets all over the mid space. We are playing brutal, but dumb at D imo!!
*I dont care if Mendenhall had a huge run or Willie had 2 +10’s , our running is still bad..
*Ike Taylor had what? 3 stupid penalties on him? And missed an easy pick at one time. Thumb down to u. Actually the whole secondary was awfull, Carter was manhandled..
*So now its official, we dont have a FB, great pre season move BRUCE!
*We are one dimensional as fuck in O and now in D. Predictable predictable predictable!!
*In the preseason I wrote that I thought we would have a bad year from Jeff Reed, well, there u have guys, the guy is probably partiing too muchh, to much alcohol and bad nights for the freak. He is done.
As I said before, we surely play agressive and stuff, but other teams know how to play against us now, they did their offseason homework and we didnt do ours, now its the time to be creative again …
by setherian on Sep 20, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
PLUS
- I also dont like how we are using our rookies, Why not play Ziggy more for example?? We are collecting loads of mishandlings with rookies in my opinion in the Tomlin era, we might collect lots of busts (Davis, Hills, Spaeth,..) if we dont get smarter with those kids and the loss of Ra’shon Harris still doesnt get out of my mind ..
STUBBORN STUBBORN STUBBORN
by setherian on Sep 20, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont care if Mendenhall had a huge run or Willie had 2 +10’s , our running is still bad.
we had 99 total yard from our 3 rb’s. the lowest avg carry for any of the running backs was 3.4 yards, which is good. we also had 4 run’s for 10+ yards and another 1 for 20+ yards. how was that bad?
i do agree that our pass defense without polamalu has been lacking. and reed should’ve made those field goals, but let’s remember we won last week because tennessee couldn’t kick on our crappy turf.
things will work out. still another 14 games left in the season
by t1mmy10 on Sep 20, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
could've caught the TD pass, could've made the kicks, could've stuffed the TD route
Didn’t happen today. Seemed like it all slipped away too easily. That “defend every blade of grass” intensity not really there. Maybe a little complacency just expecting the magic to happen.
Hope there is a lesson there.
by euwolfie on Sep 20, 2009 9:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just a slow start, we’ll get it going. That said Tomlin didn’t look happy about the game.
by Phantaskippy on Sep 21, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sigh
When Mendenhall had that long run, i really felt the game was in our total control
Missing the firstt FG changed the game, it gave the Bears confidence and a new leaf after they wouldve been in a really rough spot had the kick been good
Still, time to eat that humble pie, now we know how Tennessee felt after two misses cost them the game last week. At least the loss is out the way, so we can look forward
Bleeding Black and Gold.....forever
by Steeler_ on Sep 20, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
let one slip away
While I lament the loss;especially wo Troys services and still having the chance to steal one! The 2 things that stick out; the o-line has definitely improved as a unit when pass blocking, we are much more comfortable throwing the ball rather than running.And secondly; why not go for the first down instead of kicking after Reed had missed the first one from essentially the same spot??Happy to see Mendy finally get on track,the oline started wearing Chicagos’ d down a bit, but we couldnt convert.Also like Logan,he will pay dividends in the division.
by wmd3 on Sep 20, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
like that the O-line improved
I saw 2 illegal procedure calls, and they were against the Bears, not us.
The running game got started today.
Our pass defense was weakened without Troy, who is expected to return for the last 2/3 of the season.
We lost a game to a NFC opponent, that has little to do with our playoff chances.
In my opinion, the good, greatly outweighs the bad.
"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert
by LongTimeSteelersFan on Sep 20, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Though it's the first loss, U ready for DaTruth?
A few quicks, and they aren’t all bad:
— First of all, if you are a football purist, you had to love this game. Soldier Field, 2 franchise QBs, 2 D’s leaving it on the field, a lot of speed on both sides of the ball, 2 storied franchise. God has to be a football fan.
— Got to give Chicago its props. I don’t know if the more violent team won today, but the team that made the fewest mistakes and the most field goal kicks did. That was the same Cutler that beat the Steelers in Denver as a rookie.
— There was a Mendelicious sighting as well as some glimpses of a running game. Anytime you average 4.8 yards per carry, that should be enough to win with. Would have liked to have seen a little more of Mendy. For those who watched the national broadcast, Phil Simms said he believes Mendy will have to be the RB to take over the short yardage role. It’s there for him to take because both M. Moore and FWP are short-yardage guys.
- Time to go back to the lab for Dick Lebeau. The Cardinals, Titans and Bears have shown how to attack the Steelers 3-4 - dink and dunk’em to death and do anything to spread the field to minimize the times for Woodley and Deebo to pin their ears back. Lebeau has to devise something to shore up that flat area and TE down the seam.
— The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins. Well, Troy P.’s covers up a multitude of defensive mistakes. The Bears isolated T. Carter on 2 plays at the goal-line and both went for touchdowns. I believe Troy P. would have broke up both of them with his anticipation and explosion. I wonder if D. LeBeau would consider starting R. Mundy to try and get more speed on the field in the starting D. Carter can be protected a little more in the nickel than he can in the base 3-4.
— Big Play Willie Gay might have to give Ryan Clark back his towel unless he starts playing better pass D and stop giving receivers such a large cushion. The Steelers let a rookie WR from a Division 3 school give them a lot of problems today. That shouldn’t happen with this D, should it?
— You’ve got to give Chicago tackles C. Williams and Orlando Pace credit. They pitched a shutout on Deebo and L. Woodley. Yep, that’ll get your team a win at home.
— This one play showed what type of QB Big Ben is. Third down and 5, late 4th Q, and your team is marching for a drive to put the game away. Big Ben drops back, no one is open, takes off, is hit 3 yards from the 1st down, drags the LB who has a hold of one of his legs, and just gets enough for the first down. Fellow Steelers fan, you have a franchise-QB that knows what it takes to win championships and is not only capable but WILLING to do what it takes for the hardware (and I think most of you already knew that).
— Santonio, if you want to be the man, you got to make that catch in the endzone in the 4th Q to put that game away. You just got to. Here’s hoping he learns from that.
— 2 missed field goals. A TD drop in the endzone that would’ve put the game away. 1 sack by your D, and your 2 best pass rushers put a doughnut in the sack column. And still the Bears needed to kick a field goal with 20 seconds left to win the game. Not bad, but as your beloved coach would say, “not good enough for a W.”
— Nice to know special teams is looking like it’ll be an asset this year (minus the two misses by Reed, 2 BIG misses). Sepulvada is punting at a Pro Bowl level. Coverage teams had one breakdown, but a flag erased that. S. Logan fumbled on that final play for the Steelers, but you can’t fault the guy for trying to make a play (yes, still go to squeeze that pigskin, though). I think Half-Pint is going to take 3 to the house this year before it’s over with.
— It sucks that the Ravens won. It sucks even more to know that they put 30 points on the board again. Hopefully Troy will be back and be the Troy of old when we visit the Ravens later this year.
— All in all, I’m not too disappointed in this loss. Chicago pretty much played a perfect game at home to get this W. On the other hand, we had 2 turnovers, 2 missed field goals, 1 sack of the opposing QB and gave up a ton of 3rd down conversions to the other team. Still, the Steelers lost on a field goal with 21 seconds left in the game. Nothing to hang your head about, but just not good enough to win on the road.
— Time to go back to the Lab, as our beloved coach would say. Still, gotta think that Carson Palmer will be licking his chops to take his shots at no. 23 and no. 22 next week. Be blessed All!
by datruth4life on Sep 20, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Well said...
I wish I could have said it that well myself. Thanks!
Erik
by ekl on Sep 20, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
— This one play showed what type of QB Big Ben is. Third down and 5, late 4th Q, and your team is marching for a drive to put the game away. Big Ben drops back, no one is open, takes off, is hit 3 yards from the 1st down, drags the LB who has a hold of one of his legs, and just gets enough for the first down. Fellow Steelers fan, you have a franchise-QB that knows what it takes to win championships and is not only capable but WILLING to do what it takes for the hardware (and I think most of you already knew that).
If memory serves Matt Cassell injured his leg this preseason exactly in this fashion.
by Bonek on Sep 21, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Mendenhall broke his shoulder running up the middle
Does that mean we should not do it anymore? I don’t get the point of your post.
" I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Salty Browns Fan.
by Johnny_S on Sep 21, 2009 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sometimes you win the Super Bowl, sometimes you blow out your knee.
I think it is an overarching comment on the role of chance or fate in the world, the same things that bring you victory can cause defeat, like Ben holding the ball too long or diving head first for a first down, great if it works, bad if it fails or you get hurt.
by Phantaskippy on Sep 21, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scarey
It will be a nightmare for opposing teams if we can ever get our crap together and quit making so many mistakes. I said the same thing last week. Ten played an almost perfect game I thought and still lost to us despite our poor overall performance.(excepting BB’s obviously). It was more of the same today the only diff is that the ball didn’t bounce our way this time. If we can fix a few more things and finish some drives watch out!
by BlkNGold on Sep 20, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great post, Truth!
I think that once we get Troy back and healthy, we’re going to be a major problem for opponents. Jeff Reed missed two field goals which is highly uncharacteristic of him but shoulda, coulda, woulda, we took an L today. I don’t believe the better team won but the team that made the fewest mistakes (i.e. leaving points on the field) did. But like we always say, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Plenty of time to get ourselves together so on that note, HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!
A little off topic…. But for all the Ravens fans to be reveling in the fact that we lost and they beat the Chargers, when was the last time they beat us in a MEANINGFUL game? The late season victory in 07, we rested our starters because we had the playoff spot and division both locked up.
Who ride? WE RIDE!
by Peezie on Sep 21, 2009 1:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Red Flag
Did anyone else notice that a huge late game 20+ yard Chicago completion to Olsen was in fact incompletion? The guy dropped the ball to the ground before establishing possession.
Can anyone rewatch that scene please?
by Bonek on Sep 21, 2009 2:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was yelling at the TV
I saw it. Waited for red flag. The TV replay came late, just before next snap. Maybe whoever is assigned to watch those things didn’t have time.
by euwolfie on Sep 21, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aren't we supposed to have the best LB crew around?
After watching the first 2 games, I think there’s some concern with one aspect of this defense. Tight ends and running backs are killing the Steelers in the passing game. In 2 games, the D has given up 23 receptions for 196 yards to tight ends and running backs. Particularly with Timmons back on the field, I’m shocked that anything could have exploited this unit so badly.
by pghnorthside on Sep 21, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
troy polamalu's value
the Steelers secondary is average at best, it greatly benefits from having a great linebacking corp that gets to the quarterback, if for some reason the linebackers are not at their best, the secondary suffers. this is one big reason why they need Troy Polamalu’s help, having him can temporarily mask the other defensive back’s weak coverage skills, which was exposed against the bears
by waldoshot on Sep 21, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Olsen beat K. Fox for big catch; K. Ratliff to SS against Bungles?
Guys, I think this game showed a big difference between K. Fox and a healthy Lawrence Timmons. That big catch that Olsen had in the 4th Q came when K. Fox didn’t stay with Olsen, peaked into the backfield, Olsen tweaked his pattern and Jay Cutler hit him for a big gain. In fact, Olsen was pretty much running free all day. I love K. Fox and believe he’ll be their heir apparent to J. Farrior, but he isn’t as good in coverage as Timmons.
Now, I think Ty Carter’s thigh injury should be a good excuse for Dick Lebeau to start someone else in his place this week against the Bengal. I’m pushing to give CB/S K. Ratliff the start at strong safety. Ratliff would add speed, playmaking ability and would be like having a 3rd corner in your base 3-4 D. Mundy is a consideration, but Ratliff has started games before and has made plays in big games.
Anyone else think this team should consider giving K. Ratliff the start against the Bungles this week?
by datruth4life on Sep 21, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought the same about Fox when the play happened. Not so sure after review. I wonder if Olsen just exploited a seam where the LB was supposed to pass him off to the secondary.
No idea about Ratliff.
by Varmint on Sep 21, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only problem with starting Ratliff is experience. Sure, he’s started at CB, but has he ever played SS? Mundy, while inexperienced in terms of field time in the NFL, is a SS, and has played the position more than Ratliff. But, I think at this point Coach Dad’s going to have to try one of them.
breathe in deep feel your heart beat, just to know that life's worth livin'. feel your feet on the earth, better love it while it's still here spinnin'.
by NoCal-SteelCity on Sep 21, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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