Thoughts On Pittsburgh's 24-17 Preseason Win Over the New York Giants
by Michael Bean on Aug 23, 2010 5:47 AM EDT
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PrintIt was a pleasure watching the six-time Super Bowl champions in action for the first time this preseason on Saturday night. The Steelers 24-17 win over the New York Giants was of course their second of four preseason games, but as I had previously mentioned, I was unable to watch their first outing against the Detroit Lions a week previously due to travel constraints. Though there were a few things that left me concerned, I generally walked away feeling very good about where this team stands personnel wise.
Here were some of my impressions from the evening. Ten to be exact. (And in no particular order, mind you.)
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Ben Roethlisberger looked pretty darn good for his first outing since Week 17 of last week. Yes he threw an interception on his second series of the game; and yes, that interception was a lame duck of a throw that was reminiscent of poor decisions made earlier in his career. But all things considered, Roethlisberger looked quite sharp. His consecutive completions on his third drive when facing a 2nd and 27 from the Giants 39 yard line were a thing of beauty. Roethlisberger deftly found Heath Miller for 12 yards on 2nd down on a play that he and Miller seem so capable of pulling off no matter the circumstance. Then on 3rd and 15, Roethlisberger really proved to me that he's still one of the top 5 QBs in the league when he threw a laser to Antwaan Randle El for 18 yards and a 1st down. It's unfortunate that Big Ben will be out for the first four games of the season. But in a way, it may just a blessing in disguise that he was given this punishment despite not being convicted or even arrested for any wrongdoing. He's that special of a quarterback on the field. Maybe this kick in the pants will be just what the doctor ordered in terms of him realizing his full potential.
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Speaking of Antwaan Randle El...I've written it and said it several times this offseason - sure, he may not offer much upside at this point in his career in terms of posting a Pro Bowl caliber season statistically, but he's still going to catch 35-50 important passes this year. And he certainly isn't afraid of the spotlight or big moment.
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Very impressed by what I saw from Lawrence Timmons on Saturday night. People have been a bit hard on him, and perhaps a touch of it is understandable. But the crazy thing is that Timmons is still just 24 years old. By comparison, LaMarr Woodley will turn 26 in November. That's a bigger deal than most seem to realize. As I've watched the discussions unfold all offseason about Woodley's contract situation, I've yet to see one person mention that Woodley simply may not age that well. He's a total beast right now; but does he have that same insanely mesomorphic body type as a guy like James Harrison or Joey Porter? I'm not sure he does quite frankly. I think Woodley's best years - at least in a 3-4 defense - are in this next 3-5 years. And Pittsburgh, in my estimation, is wise to know that it's not worth overpaying for a guy who may be laterally challenged down the road when some other team is going to shell out beaucoup bucks for him when he hits the open market.
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I think Antonio Brown is on the inside track to dethroning Stefan Logan as the primary return guy for the Steelers. Brown looked really fluid fielding punts, and he on several occasions was quite close to breaking off a big return. I hate to be so hard of Logan, but I've never felt he deserved a roster spot. The guy, to his immense credit, balled when it came time to make decisions about the roster last summer. Those return touchdowns made it awfully hard to pass him up last summer. This year, I think Tomlin knows he must allocate his resources more wisely. Unless Brown trips up bigtime next game, or conversely, unless Logan has a monster game, I think the Stefan Logan era in Pittsburgh is over. In a way I'd be saddened by that because the man is a true warrior that deserves the utmost admiration for finding a way to make an NFL team. That said, the Steelers are six-time SB champs and they don't just willy nilly hand out roster spots for slightly above average specialists that contribute little else.
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Ship out Flozell Adams. Let Jonathan Scott or Tony Hills play. Adams may be more experienced, but he's looked pretty suspect thus far. Neither Adams or either of the Scotts would likely fare much worse. I'm all for giving new blood a shot. Adams missed multiple assignments on Saturday night.
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Even though Troy Polamalu missed several tackles, I still loved seeing him out there flying around. I know you did too. Please, please, football gods - let the man stay healthy this year.
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If there was one significant negative from the game it would have to be the red zone play calling. Being that it's just the preseason, I'll reserve judgment and hope that Bruce Arians is holding onto some of his chips until the curtains drop for real.
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Dennis Dixon....Byron Leftwich....Dennis Dixon....Byron Leftwich. You all should know where I stand by now, but man, give Lefty some credit for that 68 yard bomb to Mike Wallace in the 2nd quarter. Beautiful strike by him to the speedster Wallace. I still feel like Leftwich can come in at anytime and respond, so why not give Dixon the shot to start knowing that Lefty's got his back no matter what? But if Leftwich is named the starter, I'm going to get my Towel out and wave it passionately and in full support of him and what he's done and meant for this team since being exposed to what real football culture's like in Pittsburgh back in 2008. Clubhouse gold if nothing else.
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I heart Jeff Reed. But does anyone else find his little kick routine at least somewhat ridiculous. The scripted steps and what not? I love it actually and am a whole-sale believer in routine, but man, what a character. On a more practical note, I hope that Tomlin is willing to give Sepulveda a chance to handle some of the kickoff duties this year now that it's clear his knee is more than healthy enough to handle the extra work. Meanwhile, continuing being money with your kicks Mr. Reed and you'll find yourself back in Pittsburgh for a few more seasons.
- What did I miss? Or said differently since I'm sure I didn't touch upon everything, what were some of the other big things you perhaps took away from Saturday night's game?
Happy Monday friends. Be blessed.
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p.s.
I wasn’t thrilled about the play of the O Line. Still need work there. But the player I noticed that underperformed most noticeably was Adams.
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)
Adams
While I am also disappointed in Adams’s play, I hope he’s not released yet. I’d rather see Scott or Foster promoted to the first team. Two things could happen. One, someone else steps up and claims the starting spot. Or, Adams learns that the Steelers do not give away starting spots and he earns the first string position.
by Steeler Fan in Saudi on Aug 23, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
o-line very shaky
dixon is a better starter for us because of his agility if lefty starts we will easily lead the league in sacks
What I think we're all missing is that the two most glaring weaknesses aren't improving yet
And that would be a first string offensive line that was second rate last year and lost its best player to injury. Sure, we’re all discovering that Pouncey has superhuman powers, but the others lack push and skill. The second teamers look better than the first, but they are playing against backups. Certainly there will be changes before opening day, but for now the OL that takes the field at the start of the game is way, way below average.
Second, I saw nothing (other than Joe Burnett’s INT) to give me any confidence that last year’s poor play at CB has improved.
I’m as thrilled as anyone at the play of Redman, Pouncey, Sanders, and half a dozen others, but if you can’t plug last year’s holes, you’re in trouble. And I haven’t seen them plugged yet.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Second, I saw nothing (other than Joe Burnett’s INT) to give me any confidence that last year’s poor play at CB has improved.
I do not agree with that at all. Keenan Lewis has looked great so far this preseason. Additonally, I think Butler and Burnett have looked pretty good as well. I think it is kind of a bit off to judge the secondary completely in this game considering Dumb Dumb Ike got kicked out of the game within the first 2 minutes, which caused everyone to take a step up in WRs.
Anyway, I would say the first D played probably the first quarter before the started rotating different players in. In that time they played 3 series and gave up 28 yards (9 came on an underneath route on 3rd and 20) on 3/7 passing with a sack. If that is poor CB play, I would like to see what you think is good.
Outside of that, Bomar only completed 50% of his passes for a measly 167 yards, 0TDs and a INT (54.5 QB Rating). I will take that any day.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Do you think we can always trick our opponents to play their third string QB
or in the case of Cleveland first string
by steelerstyle on Aug 23, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Well if Palmer gets injured that is basically a 3rd string QB and Cleveland. That’s 4 games right there.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Bomar is a rookie out of Sam Houston Institute of Technology....
…I like the acronym better than Sam Houston State…and he was still driving down the field and moving his team. A fifth rounder whose best hope is to be a game day EQB.
The starting OL showed me absolutely nothing against Detroit, and was slightly better against the Giants. The second teamers (with Pouncey) were quicker, stronger, more alert, and worked better as a unit, but that was against lesser competition.
Bmac was supposed to make a big difference but he hasn’t impressed at all, and that’s putting it kindly. Some of the other back-ups (like Madison, who’s really an ST guy) have looked awful.
I am NOT saying this team won’t be ready on opening day. I am just saying it ain’t soup yet. And it’s far from soup, because last year’s missing ingredients are still missing from the boiling pot. This is a work in progress, folks, and there’s still a lot of work to do.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Not sure how the OL has anything to do with our CB situation, but okay?
BMac is a good #2 CB. He is NOT a #1 CB which he was forced to play on Saturday after Ike got ejected. BMac is good at keeping his WR in front of him and making open field tackles. He is not a shut out guy. He stepped into shoes he could not fill this past weekend.
Madison is probably 6th on our DB depth chart? Ike, BMac, Lewis, Gay, Burnett, Madison. Hell, I might even put Butler above him with how he has looked.
The fact is look at the CB situation last year. We had Ike as our #1 and Gay as our #2. Behind them we had a crafty but very slowed down Deshea. And then after that we had 2 rookies (one who had a back injury the whole year) and an AWFUL player named Keiwan Ratliff.
Now look at it this year. We have Ike at #1. BMac is an improvement over Gay at #2 (to what extent can be argued, but you would have a hard time telling me it is not an improvement). At #3 we have Keenan who has been stellar. Behind him we have Gay who plays well in the nickle, Burnett who has looked much more comfortable than last year, and a rookie who is much more capable than Ratliff ever was. Oh yeah, and we have Troy behind them, not slow and out of position Tyrone Carter. And, Will Allen is a huge step above Carter if, god forbid, Troy does go down.
How has that CB situation not gotten better?
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions
My first post was that last year's two weaknesses still look weak on the field...
And those were DB (I mentioned CB) and OL….
Certainly the corners look better on paper and on the practice field. But this post was about what we’ve seen in game action, specifically the Giants game.
No question we’re looking better at Safety with the improvements and return to action by Troy, but the corners didn’t look good against the Giants. Remember, BMAC gave up a long completion and they gave up 17 points against an EQB.
Johnny, we’re talking past each other. You’re talking roster – and I agree with you they look much better on paper. I’m talking game action, and they didn’t impress me at all Saturday night.
Of course, LeBeau handed the Giants a giant scoop of vanilla defense and we should take that into consideration. As I said, it’s a work in progress, but it ain’t soup yet. And we haven’t see anything from the DB’s or starting OL – ON THE FIELD DURING A GAME – that even remotely looks like – or tastes like – soup.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
The starting defense
Gave up 28 yards passing in a quarter before they started swapping players. Also, that was without our best CB. I’ll take that any day.
Keenan Lewis looked great against the Giants. He always seems to be in the hip pocket of his WR and has a knack for breaking up plays. That was game action. Burnett showed me the same to a bit of a lesser extent. Butler probably won’t see the field if he makes the team, but he has shown a lot of upside at the position.
BMac didn’t look great, but I remind you again, he is NOT a #1 CB and was filling in for Ike. He is not going to win that battle unfortunately.
Points in preseason games are kind of meaningless. Especially, when 14 of those points come in the fourth quarter where the team on the field is all sorts of miss-matched with plenty of rookies who do not know the defense well.
Why do you keep avoiding talk about Lewis or Burnett? They have shown to be very good on the field during a game.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I mentioned Burnett in my first post....specifically referencing his INT...
…and I will agree with you that Lewis has looked better than last year.
I think Will Allen will pay dividends, and we will really start seeing that next week.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Good exchange guys
I’m a bit worried about our secondary but I think Homer J. really hit it when he wrote this:
LeBeau handed the Giants a giant scoop of vanilla defense
Once we see them play within the system and with a game plan, we’ll be able to see just how much improvement, if any, this squad displays over last year’s.
Oline is what’s really scary. It does take more time for protections to be installed, so let’s be patient, but the talent level is just underwhelming. We seem to have the unusual problem of having two number two units. Still, I think Starks will be OK, Kemo should be better in his assignments (his major shortfall IMO) and we can probably expect Pouncey to be solid. The right side, however, is not going to scare anyone but us!
Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"
If the long reception is the one I am thinking of,
BMac was with the WR, the receiver made an incredible play that saved an INT
Things can always be worse....
Well
You obviously haven’t done your research have you. Hope this doesn’t come off wrong. But if you paid any attention to college football you know that Bomar was the QB at Oklahoma and was keeping Sam Bradford on the bench there. Why? Because he was better than Bradford, at least at the time to the coaches. He got kicked off the team because he took a job that wasn’t sanctioned by the NCAA.
So this wasn’t some chump who just didn’t have the talent to make it at a big program, this is someone who has all the tools to be an elite QB one day if he gets his head right and would have been a first round pick if he hadn’t have gotten kicked out of school. Plus everything Johnny_S said. :)
Just trying to provide information.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 23, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Did not know that
Interesting
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
He was actually the #1 High School QB...
His senior year, via Scouts.com and Rivals.com. They compared him to John Elway.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The Giants announcers mentioned a lot of that on their broadcast....
…which was picked up on the NFL cable channel.
High school superstars are a dime a dozen. I think Palko and Bostick were supposed to be the greatest things to ever come down the pike coming out of high school.
Bomar was a hotshot coming into Norman, but he screwed up and ended up playing in Dogpatch. The same scouts who picked Small College Unibrow Flacco in round one let Bomar slide to round five, IIRC. It’s entirely possible that the Giants got the best bargain this side of Tom Brady. But he’s the clipboard boy this year unless Manning and Sorgi can’t play.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
Flacco
situation was completely different than Bomar.
Can’t compare the two, Flacco was in a higher profile program that won the NCAA FCS championship.
Bomar wasn’t.
Flacco had to switch teams because the coach didn’t feel he was good enough to start.
That wasn’t the case of Bomar.
Like I said, he has all the tools of being an elite QB. I didn’t say he wasn’t, but don’t be surprised if you see him catch on with another team. No way he is going to make way with the Giants.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 23, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
We touched on that a little during the game Saturday night.
Bradford is playing with Bomar’s contract. To your point, and despite the NCAA issue with working, he made a go of it at Sam Houston State (or whatever), and here he is playing prime time in the NFL. Says a lot about his talent, that after everything, he’s still at the big show. And you’re right that he’ll be on someone’s roster this year…..
Flacco and and now Devlin both went to Delaware because they couldn’t crack the starting line-ups at the D1 schools they enrolled in (Pitt and Penn St), so while these two voluntarily did the switch, Bomar broke a rule.
Right
While Bomar < Eli right now, Bomar isn’t some scrub they picked up just to be the 3rd string QB, he has real potential and showed it Saturday night.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 23, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, if you have that talent, no matter where you go,
they’ll find you. Once you get there, then you have to show your stuff week in and week out. Bomar, to me, is worth grabbing (not for the Steelers) if you’re a team with questions.
May take longer since he didn’t face the high level of competition in college, but there’s something there in the right situation.
o line, ug
Looked like the whole line was on roller skates. I am very discouraged. I know the giants have a good d line, but……..
@Homer J: I hear what you’re saying about the OL. It isn’t vastly improved. Nevertheless, adding Pouncey is a step in the right direction, and keep in mind that we won SB43 with a pretty weak offensive line.
I totally disagree about your comment on CBs. K-Lewis looks like the most improved player since last year, and Burnett also looks like he’s ready for prime time. With B-Mac starting opposite Ike, I think that we are pretty solid at cornerback.
grain of salt
O-Line paly good..
At times yes, did u not notice all the penetration the giant D-Line had in our backfield on the run game?
A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
1st team looked a lil better
That first quarter against the Lions was a disgrace. Moving in the right direction
"I wore my purple camo to the practice, but they wouldn’t let me into the autograph zone. No clue why."- Mr MaLoR
by kick him in the head on Aug 23, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Its a process...
hopefully they will get it together when the games actually count
Things can always be worse....
This is exactly what I thought. I thought we ran the ball pretty well, particularly up the middle; moreover, I thought our pass blocking was relatively good. The Giants have a above average d-line and I thought our boys held there own. I get the impression that criticizing the offensive line is becoming a bit reflexive
by Rougue_Behaviorist on Aug 23, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Did you read any of her posts last year?
Every single one of them was complaining about the o-line.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Why, was I wrong?
A man is innocent untill proven guilty...Even if it's Ben Roethlisberger!
'I rather have a German division in front of me than a French division behind me'..General George Patton
by nycsteelerfan on Aug 23, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Opinions cannot, by definition, be wrong
But seriously, how many times do you really need to ram your opinion down everybody’s throat?
It’s extremely annoying to have to read the same thing over and over again, even from different people.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Well we had an awful oline for the last three years
Is for Tomlin to prove he is doing something about it. I honestly hope they are doing everything there is to get a better offense oline, but what i saw on Saturday was like the last 3 years a miserable oline that couldnt help the team to run or protect the QB
I would say Kugler is the first step in the right direction for Tomlin
All of the OL seem to like him a lot more and are going out of their way to say so.
Here’s hoping…
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone watched a different game
As usual, not much time, but it’s interesting to note different people’s reactions to different elements. I don’t know what game all the Brown backers (ha) were watching; the main ability he showed on KR was a finely honed sense of tripping. Granted, Brown is young and has looked great as a WR, so he’s probably on the team. But Logan offers something special at KR that Brown has yet to demonstrate. Is it worth a roster spot for an extra 10 yards every possession? Who knows?
So given that ability to contribute on offense is a factor in making the team, why hasn’t Logan gotten a single touch at RB yet, as far as I can tell? Either he’s a strong candidate already solely based on his KO returns, or he hasn’t impressed enough at RB in camp to get a chance ahead of the guys we know will be getting cut (Wright, etc.).
Other thoughts:
- Kick coverage… [sigh]…
- Adams is a problem, but so is Essex, who was getting owned out there…
- I know pre-season doesn’t matter, but much teeth-gnashing was had at the failures to score in the RZ, and even more at the first-team defense letting a 3rd string QB march down the field for a TD on them…
- Leftwich looked awkward on the first series, but much much better afterward…
- MeMo will be remembered for the bizarre play call on 3rd and goal (and if you must try it, not going to throw in a blocking fullback? Not even this once?), but he looked great on that drive, with a 20+ yard run and some clutch blocking for Lefty….
- Don’t go nuts with the praise in the 2nd half for players dominating a random collection of soon-to-be cut Giants, but Dixon/Redman/Allen looked good again…
by TheSpatulaMessiah on Aug 23, 2010 8:18 AM EDT reply actions
Except for one pass
Leftwich looked awful
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Hmm
Lefty had a nice 12 yard connection with Wallace prior to the bomb. He also had that nice 15 yard pass down the middle to Randle El to make it 1st and Goal at the end of the 2nd.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
he also wasted a timeout at the end of the half
and thus blew a chance to get more points. im not sure why more people arent upset about this if that were to happen in the regular season he would probably be benched immediately.
by steel.curtain.number2 on Aug 23, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not mad because it is the preseason, it doesn’t matter, it was a bit of an experiment on his/their part, which I am totally cool with, and because of the fact that trying it in a doesn’t count, who gives a rats ass preseason game the likelihood that it will happen again in the regular season is practically nil.
We probably would be more upset if this were the regular season. It was stupid playcalling, i agree.
Things can always be worse....
And the rest of his passes were incomplete
and, as steel2 says below, he completely mismanaged the end of the half.
I see a comment from Trip in response to which I say “Practice? We talking about practice?” The way you practice is the way you play the games so, if he screwed up royally at the end of a half with a bunch of 2nd and 3rd stringers in there, I am very curious to see how badly it would have gone in a regular season game.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
If you don't give someone a chance, they can never succeed
Lefty had the best QB rating of all three QBs and was the first QB to ever hit Wallace in full stride.
Sure, that T.O. was a bone head move, but it was the terrible play calling by BA that resulted in the Steelers not scoring before half.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
?
Lefty was 50%, Dixon went 7/8 for 82 yards. How does Lady Byron have a better rating than DD?
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Touchdown
QB Rating involves comp%, yards, TDs, and INTs
Lefty 3/6 95yds 1TD, 0INT, QB Rating = 135.4
Dixon 7/8, 82yds, 0, 0, QB Rating = 109.4
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Guh.
It’s redonkulous how a 68 yard TD pass can fornicate statistics.
Dixon played a better, smarter game, and gets boned in the ratings system…
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
I don’t think its absurd that a really good pass that gives your team 6 points should boost your QB Rating. See Dixon last game. Except his QB rating was boosted by an insanely good run by Brown.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I know what boosted DD's #'s last week
I’m pretty sure I said (almost) the same thing.
Maybe it’s my blind hate of an absolutely immobile QB that’s skewing my opinion. Well, Immobile unless Pouncey is clearing the road for him, anyway.
I would hate any motionless QB, not just Lady Byron.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
You aren't the only one around here
Who hates Lefty.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 24, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the fact that he's one dimensional
Out of an empty set, the D knows for a certain fact, that it is going to be a pass. With DD, they can’t just cheat back and wait for the pass.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Peyton Manning is one dimensional
By those standards.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 24, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but Pey-Pey also has a lightning quick release
And exactly how often do you see Indy line up with an empty backfield?
Apples and oranges, because Pey-Pey is also extremely accurate (most of the time), AND they have one of the best O-lines in the league (maybe?).
He’s never had to run because Indy put the tools around him to succeed being “one-dimensional”.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Also, who's gonna do the "Ask a Steelers Fan"
over on the Mile High Report?
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
I would wait til tomorrow
News goes by fast on that site. You post it too early and it might be gone well before the game.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 24, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, was just over there
Man, one of the recommended fanposts has 70 recs…
I was just wondering if you wanted to do it, or I should. Doesn’t matter to me, just offering someone else the chance. :)
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
This:
If you don’t give someone a chance, they can never succeed
Precisely was Dixon needs to start. Leftwich has been in the league 8 years already and hasn’t succeeded. Give the kid the ball.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not saying Dixon shouldn't be given a shot
But writing off Leftwich completely because of 3 incompletions is not fair to him. He played a good game. He really settled in after his first series.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I am most certainly not writing him off due to 3 incompletions
I am writing him off based upon an 8 year body of work.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
How many of those were for this team?
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not sure if that is a good argument for my point or yours?
He essentially got chased out of 2 places. Why would that better prepare him to Quarterback a team with annual SB aspirations?
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
My point
Is that, first of all, TB sucks. That should never be used as a legitimate argument against him. And he wasn’t “chased off”. I recall a lot of TB fans on their blog being miffed that he was allowed to leave so easily.
With Jax he went 24-20, which is not terrible. I wonder how many back up QBs with more than 16 games experience have a winning record. If there was more time in the day I would look into it.
His one ‘real’ game he played for the Steelers he led us to victory.
We are not going to have someone come in and fill in for Ben with no drop off. It’s not going to happen. Sure, Dixon has things that Lefty doesn’t, but the opposite is also true. Dixon does not go through his reads efficiently and he is shaky in deeper routes (something we need with Wallace).
I’m a fan of Dixon, but I am still a bit reluctant to denote him the heir to the throne just yet.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My point
You know what you have with Leftwich. You don’t know exactly what you have yet with Dixon. It’s time to let the kid play. If he falls on his face, fine, bring Leftwich back in. If not, well, you may just have your backup QB and or potential trade bait down the road. What do you have to lose?
And please stop with the Leftwich led them to victory. He played a HALF in the Skins game. They were winning when he came in and the Defense was absolutely toying with the Redskins. Yes, he played well but YOU could have gone in and held down the fort for that game the way the D was playing that day.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
We know what we have
Which is essentially an average QB with a .500 record on his belt. I think the majority of people on this blog would agree that this team can survive if they come out of the suspension games 2-2. I have a good feeling Lefty could get us there. If Dixon falls flat on his face we could end up looking up out of a deep hole. What we have to lose is the chance of Ben having any possibility of leading this team into the POs before he even takes a snap.
They were winning 10-6 (that is not a huge margin with a full half to play) and Ben played sub par that game. Lefty went 7/10 for 129 and a TD (12.9 avg compared to Ben’s 2.9) against the 7th ranked pass defense. Those are exactly the same type of numbers we are heralding Dixon with. Anyway, he led the team down to score the FWP TD with a 50 yard pass to Nate to put them in RZ and then another strike to put them at the 1. That defense still gave up the vast majority of the yards in the second half (about 160 of Washington’s 220 that day). Lefty was the reason they won that game.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant to add
I am a component of Lefty getting the start and Dixon getting a series or snap here or there.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
And I'll add
The Steelers beat the Redskins 23-6 that day. IIRC the skins had to FGs in the first quarter and then nothing! DEFENSE!! DEFENSE!! DEFENSE!!
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Without Lefty’s drive the score would have been 10-6 and Washington had a drive that went to the 1 in the 4th. They went for it on 4th and one cause they needed to make up the score. A 10-9 game would have looked a lot different. Actually, the Redskins got in the redzone 2 times in the 4th and turned it over on downs both times because they had to go for the TD do to Lefty leading that one drive.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually not true
Lefty had led another drive for a TD before that Skins drive
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
That was one game
Two years ago. Against WASH, who was leading their division at the time, but turned out to be a bit of a fluke. This time Leftwich will have to face BAL, TEN, ATL, and the likes. Much tougher, and he’s being asked to do more than just win one game for us. What happened then, has no bearing at all on what has to happen this year.
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
Truth. And what Dixon has done against 3rd string rookie vanilla Ds has no bearing against the likes of BAL, TEN, and ATL’s defenses.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
True
Which is why I’m still so torn on this subject. Personally I would like to see Dixon in there to start, and if he doesn’t pan out, then Byron can come in and (hopefully) do better. But I suppose that is a vice-versa kind of situation.
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
I guess the answer is
to start Leftwich and work in some “wildcat” packages for Dixon. Sounds like that’s the coaching staff’s plan anyway.
"If we weren't all crazy we'd all go insane" - Jimmy Buffett
And if elephant's had wings they'd fly
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
You can use all the quips you want
But the numbers show that Lefty played a damn good game. A nearly perfect QB rating, just like Dixon the other day.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
By the way
I love you man
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
And I never said Lefty didn't have a good game
I said the Steelers would have won that day either way because of the D.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have said
you were a proponent but what do I know.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 24, 2010 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 24, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
We essentially have a QB
who would still be on the street looking for a job if Ben didn’t get suspended. If Dixon falls flat on his face we are looking at an 0-1 hole. Not too deep, right?. Then your boy Leftwich can come in, save the day and go 2-1 then the Steelers are fine, right? Then you can tell me I told you so and buy me a beer. So what do you have to lose? How the hell will you know how your Corvette handles if you never take it out of the damn garage?
We will have to agree to disagree on the skins game. The D is reason the Steelers won that day.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree that he would still be on the streets. A team like Cinci could really use him.
I think the two games we can win are Atlanta and TB. If we come out and lose one of those on a test, who knows. I’m not for leaving our season up to fate.
If circumstances were better I’d like to give Dixon chances with the first team in preseason, but Ben needs them. Bad circumstance.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
lord byron is a gamer and does whatever it takes to win, and i have his body of work at marshall for that. even if he never got to play another snap in the nfl again, byron would lay it all on the line just to help the team win as many as these first four games as he can.
Thanks fantastic
i don’t deny that he is an effort guy. But, someone please remind me what his “gamer” traits have garnered as far as Ws & Ls in this league?
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
24-25
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
much obliged
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
dixon is 0-1. dixon might have been set back by a blown out knee in college, but lord byron gave his body to marshall by playing with two shattered ankles he never got back. he gave all he had in jacksonville for a mostly mediocre team under mediocre management and no talent around him on offense.
he left his potential to live up to his 7th overall draft position on the field at marshall and in jacksonville and him leading us to 3-1 in route to superbowl 7 will be the last he can give to the world of pro football. respect.
All of what you said is true...
And respect is deserved for it. But…
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't mean to leave a cliff hanger there...
He did have some talent around him in Jacksonville. He had Fred Taylor ripping of 1000 yard seasons, he had Jimmy Smith , clearly towards the end, but still getting close to 1000 yards a year.
Then, when they brought in the dynamic offensive player in Jones Drew, he got hurt and lost the job.
“No talent” wasn’t totally accurate. Not enough for sure.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
i’ll change my opinion to not enough talent. fred taylor and jimmy smith were good, but then they started drafting absolute busts. the o line was never very good either
This is true...
To their credit, they did at least try to get more talent around him. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones come to mind… But yeah, for the most part, you’re dead on.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 24, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
RE: Brown and his kick returns
I thought he look much better on punts than on kickoffs, and what I liked was (particularly in the punt return phase) was that he caught the ball and went straight ahead, full speed. That is why I think it (appeared?) he went down so easy, he had his weight out in front of him because he was running forward as opposed to skipping side to side. Look, I like Logan and I root/rooted for the guy, but for all his preseason glory last year, he wasn’t that great of a returner for us during the season. That is not to say he was bad – he certainly was an upgrade of Davenport/Russell – but he is not worth a roster spot if it means we risk losing one of intriguing rookie prospects. At least that’s my take on it.
and he seemed to catch the ball out of the air
on the run EFFORTLESSLY!! Everybody else looks like they are getting ready to filed a meteorite every time the ball comes down out of the air. Say goodbye to Logan. sniff
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I was writing a post yesterday
But I got halfway though it and realized the second half was kind of a blur and I didn’t have time to rewatch. So here are the notes I did write:
- Ike Taylor is a moron. I am not surprised at a second year player getting into a fight, but a 7 year veteran entering a contract year? I have heard Tomlin was PO’ed and I hope he makes it a very difficult week for “Face Me” Ike.
- Flozell Adams looked good for maybe the first 3 snaps and than looked like a swinging door again after that. My patients is wearing thin with the Hotel and that is bad news for him because I have been more lenient than most Steelers fans.
- Big Ben was Big Ben. He held onto the ball longer than he should and made plays and took sacks. He threw one pick when he under threw Wallace (surprise, surprise), but the line completely broke down on the play and Ben could not step into the throw.
- Byron Leftwich started off slow, but caught fire after his first series. His second series should have also resulted in a score, but there was poor clock management and play calling once in the redzone.
- Speaking of play calling, Bruce Arians was in his mid-season form last night. The first series was plugging and chugging, until he called a reverse to Antwaan Randle El that went for a 13 yard loss. Call it bad blocking if you want, but I do not understand running that play with speedsters like Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown on the roster. Then on an ‘& Goal’ to go he calls a fade to Hines Ward that did not work and then on the next ‘& Goal’ he does the same thing to the other side to Randle El. So two fades to two short guys, and no looks to Heath Miller.
- Daniel Sepulveda was taking kickoffs and they were not tremendously better than Jeff Reed’s. They were about just as short, but seemed to have a little bit more air time. He is still booming punts though.
- Mike Wallace appears to have taken the transition to #1 CBs very well. We have seen several deep balls thrown to him this year and he had the defender beat by two strides at least. Also, he has seen been open on a couple of intermediate routes.
- Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu have been rather quiet. Its only preseason, but I wish we could see one of them make a splashh play to ease my nerves.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
Is troy injury shy?
I havent seen the game but it is easy to understand how he could be injury shy.
BA and red zone. Makes me sick. Not figuratively but actual physically sick.
by steelerstyle on Aug 23, 2010 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions
He was flying around the field as always
He did miss a few tackles, but it is the preseason.
Arians' first few series were really nice...
Well thought out, with lots of motion, and deception with pass and play actions BUT…
Just as you said, when things got difficult, he went right into his comfort zone… pass, pass, pass.
And the drive died in the redzone. I shake my head.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions
re: 6
Sepulveda possibly saved at TD by pushing the return man out too
"I wore my purple camo to the practice, but they wouldn’t let me into the autograph zone. No clue why."- Mr MaLoR
by kick him in the head on Aug 23, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Good point. I’m glad to see Sepulveda healthy
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
And how did the Zebras miss that anyway.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
exactly
I thought the same thing. There’s a flag on almost every punt/kick return, yet somehow they miss a blatant hold right at the ball?
I'm betting the stripes were too stunned that the wittle Kicker
didn’t end up flying backwards onto his rear to notice any hold. Must have replayed that tackle a half a dozen times.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
For those who think a kicker/punter can't be a "real" football player...
I offer Daniel Sepulveda. For that reason alone, I would like to see him kicking the ball off. Special teams will work better with 11 players.
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
special teams ace
I’d like to see a kickoff guy that can put it out the back of the endzone almost ever go. If the steelers don’t have that guy, I agree that sepulveda should take all the kickoffs. It’s not a statistic in the strict sense, but he has to be one of the best in the league at tackling at that position.
It’s a huge impact that translates into actual points prevented.
If Sepulveda
is only getting the same distance as Reed we are still ahead as he is getting more loft, at least it seemed that way, which gives the cover team more time to get downfield (upfield?).
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 24, 2010 1:23 AM EDT up reply actions
call me crazy
but i was actually not upset at all that ike left the game. its not like he really needs the preseason games and it gave some of the other corners some extra playing time. granted BMac got burned but more reps for our younger guys is never a bad thing
by steel.curtain.number2 on Aug 23, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m upset with his behavior.
It’s nice to see the younger guys get more reps, but I don’t want a Steeler veteran acting like an child.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with both of you....
PO’d at Ike for being stupid and putting attitude ahead of team.
Happy that the other guys got more reps.
I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson
The bad part was.
Punching a guy, repeatadly, who was wearing a helmet and sholder pads on and about the head and face.
Rookie move.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
#3
Ben was rushed because the Hotel got beat. Still a bad decision to throw, but I think that’s why it went where it did. Lefty had good protection and remained in the pocket as Wallace broke free on their hookup.
"Who is Joe Namath? This is a guy who, if he played in the league today, I'd probably just go hit him late and see what he did, just for the hell of it. Joe Namath can go to hell; he can kiss my ass." - Greg Lloyd, after NBC commentator Joe Namath accused Lloyd of playing dirty.
by count'em_six on Aug 23, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Also
Has there been any word on Keenan’s concussion? I imagine he has to sit out next game.
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
More than likely he will sit out next game...
No news as of yet on the Post-Gazette or on the Tribune sites concerning his status.
This may be a chance to see C. Butler get a shot at some quality time at CB.
Troy Polamalu on Mike and Mike...
This morning in about two/ three minutes. Late heads up… but still.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
Do they podcast their show?
Or put up snippets on their website?
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Just beat me to it...
Thanks.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
TY
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Also
Another Caption contest on the Beatdown. Go make some funny ones:
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2010/8/22/1636955/create-a-caption-17#comments
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
Question...
If I have some game notes (essentially every play actually), which are fairly thorough but may be boring to some, should I post those?
I’ve taken notes on games for a while, and now with DVR I’ve gotten into play by play notes. Any interest?
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 23, 2010 11:08 AM EDT reply actions
I'd love to read it
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 23, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Post it as a fanpsot or something
"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"
by John Stephens on Aug 23, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sorry. But you think Lamarr will have no tire left on the tread in only 5 years?
PAY DA MAN!
"'Shady I don't understand your flow,' understand my flow?
Bitch I flow like Troy Polamalu's hair boy
don't you dare try to follow or compare boy"
by SoCalSteelerFan on Aug 23, 2010 12:30 PM EDT reply actions
tread on the tire Sorry it’s been a long weekend.
"'Shady I don't understand your flow,' understand my flow?
Bitch I flow like Troy Polamalu's hair boy
don't you dare try to follow or compare boy"
by SoCalSteelerFan on Aug 23, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry to sound like a broken record...
….but where is it mentioned that Ben will only be suspended for 4 games? Or are you guys safely assuming Colonel Goodell’s final decision on this blog?
"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).
Yeah, it seems to get safely assumed.
Supposed to be announced before the last week of the pre season. Really just holding my breath at this point to be honest.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).
It's not Flozell Adams...
…it’s Slowzell ‘Ole’ Adams. I’ve seen high school players block better than that.
Reed
I like Jeff too.
I think it’s hilarious that he licks his fingers before every kick.
R.I.P. Mad Dog
by DwightWhite's Missing Tooth on Aug 23, 2010 12:36 PM EDT reply actions
I hated Bruce Arians play calling
I didnt saw a comitment to run the ball, i saw the same offense the last couple of years, this year without Ben for some games, Tomlin and Arians promises changes but they continue to stubborns on the pass game.
Did you see the run-pass ratio?
It was highly skewed to the run.
by Chicago Steeler on Aug 24, 2010 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
41/23 run/pass plays ran Saturday
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
He still does
kill drives with inane playcalling, an end around to ARE?
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 24, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the most accurate gripe against Arians...
His situational play calling is terrible at times.
I bet a fun thing would be to go way back in time to where there was going to be an eclipse and tell the cave men, "If I have come to destroy you, may the sun be blotted out from the sky." Just then the eclipse would start, and they'd probably try to kill you or something, but then you could explain about the rotation of the moon and all, and everyone would get a good laugh.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Aug 24, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats why
the redzone scoring offense is so bad. Whats the point in getting the ball to the 20 if you can’t score when you get there.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 24, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That may have been a designed pass play.
Did The Whiz take his playbook when he left, or was that property of the Steelers?
I’d love to find out, because there was more jiggery-pokery in the redzone in there than I’ve ever seen. Take away Arians’ playbook in the RZ and make him use Whizs’ old one.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
I believe
it went with him to Az. Saw them play last night, loved the Whiz’s offense.
Steelers football is supposed to be 60 mins, recently it's been 45. The additional 15 are currently under construction.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 24, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
can't have it both ways
People hate on him for lack of creativity but then hate on him when the gadget plays fail. If the Oline blocks that it might have been excellent and better to try it in the preseason than the regular season.
Now QB sweeps on 3rd and 6? I’m against that.
by Chicago Steeler on Aug 24, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Mendy
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but although he did not fumble this time, Mendenhall is still carrying the ball like a loaf of bread! I just don’t get how talented guys can’t get fundamentals like that into their heads!
I have to re-watch that play
I was laughing my ass off watching it develop. I am still flabbergasted that he actually not only somehow managed to escape the collapsing pocket but then scampered 10 or so yards down field. Good thing he slid when he did. He would have had his head taken off otherwise.
"Successful destination is the pinnacle, make no mistake, but the fun is in the journey." - Tim Gleason
by chewiesteeler on Aug 23, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
He got sprung because Pouncey cleared the road for him.
Maurkice led the way, and if anyone else would have been downfield helping Pouncey block, that would have been a huge gain.
Just one more person (Redman, maybe?) and that would have been a spectacular “scramble”.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Poor Giants D
I guarantee you they’re spending this entire week taking hell for giving up a long first down to Byron on the ground.
Dubbed "The Scramble"
I loved when it showed the sidelines and everyone was laughing their asses off. Same thing happened a couple years ago, when Byron took off, even Tomlin was laughing.
Opinions
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty:
1. Who starts Week 1?
2. What’s our record heading into the bye week?
Thoughts…….?
1. Batch
2.4-0
"I wore my purple camo to the practice, but they wouldn’t let me into the autograph zone. No clue why."- Mr MaLoR
by kick him in the head on Aug 24, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
HA!
Batch is made of balsa wood. Even were he to survive until the ratbirds game, they would kill him.
As opposing quarterbacks crouched under center, Lambert pumped his legs up and down, thumping the turf like a war drum. He mouthed threats to opposing running backs that would make even the most hardened Catholic nun weep for humanity. He fulfilled those threats with coldblooded suplex tackles. He may or may not have chain-smoked at halftime, depending on who you ask.
For sixty minutes each Sunday, Jack Lambert was a demon.
Preseason
I am tired of hearing how bad the DB’s look and how we look as a team. First of all there is no game planning in the preseason . They pretty much just line up and play football, there is no film study there is no preparing for no one. The Coaches are evaluating talent and that is it. The Defense has the same personnel that won the Superbowl that shutdown the best trio of receivers in the league. We don’t need shutdown corners because of our pass rush.On offense the O-line needs time to gel as a unit they are not use to playing together as a unit. The only weakness I see is the O-line but that is what everyone said right before we won the last Superbowl. Lets go for #7
I got a kick out of watching Sepulveda make a tackle on a return. That’s rare enough for kickers/punters, but he also managed to beat a blocker to do it.
Dixon hasn’t earned the starting role, nor will he until he gets playing time in the first quarter. It will be a shame if he doesn’t get a chance because he’s playing near perfect ball against the other teams’ practice squads.
RoboPunter's a former Linebacker
I would hope he could beat a blocker and make a tackle!
One of my favourite non Steeler (sort of) plays was the Aussie Rules Punter for the Chargers (Darren Bennett??) absolutely laying out Andre Hastings on a return back in the 90s.
by KiwiSteelerFan on Aug 23, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I was going to say something along those lines
The plus of having Sepulveda on Kickoffs is an added tackler. I’m not saying Reed can’t tackle…..well…..Let’s just say Sepulveda is a better tackler. Like Kiwi said he was a linebacker at Baylor.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
My thoughts
Offensive Line. Missed the 1st quarter and didn’t see Adams play, but generally I haven’t been impressed. Maybe he’s not putting out much in preseason. He really doesn’t have anything to prove, especially to us. On the other hand, he hasn’t been part of too many SB winners either. I know its been pretty knee jerk to suggest that Tony Hills just doesn’t have it, but so far I like what I’ve seen this preseason. Pouncey is the Truth. I don’t think we give up on Hartwig at this time, but Pouncey should be the starter at Center. I think Kugler was a good move and we’ll see the dividends after a few more weeks.
Quarterback. I’m a Dixon guy, and have been encouraged by his performance the last two weeks, but the proof will still be how he does with the ones against the other guys’ ones. Leftwich’s TD pass to Wallace was big, precisely because it was a pass that I’m not sure that Dixon can make, and too often Ben doesn’t make. Generally speaking Tomlin has a very good hand to play with this group and doesn’t have many bad plays. Charlie Batch deserves better though.
Let me say this about Bruce Arians. I loved that three back set they showed in the 3rd quarter. I also am impressed with the general package of plays they have given Dixon. They wouldn’t want to show too much before the games start, nonetheless what they have flashed is encouraging.
Speed. From Troy and Timmons to Brown and Logan to Dixon and Wallace to Sylvester to Sanders, this team is thick with speed. And as the old saying goes, speed kills.
Randle El, Battle, Wil Allen, Fox, Foote, Legursky, Eason, Hood, Johnson. All of these guys are providing high quality, first unit efforts in support roles. This is shaping up to be the deepest Steelers team I have ever seen. Some players with talent and high upside are going to find themselves on the street, buried on the practice squad or on the bench with limited playing time. Look at the situation with the defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, wider receivers, running backs and, of course, quarterback. Don’t let this early season fumbling and bumbling fool you. By October this will be as solid a football team as you’ll ever want to see provided we remain lucky with injury issues.
Running backs. Yes, yes, I know it was not against the Giants’ best, but lets give credit where it is due. The legend of Isaac Redman continues to grow. Vincent and Wright certainly looked like they both belonged.
We have yet to see Worilds and Dwyer at their best. I’m looking forward to Wil Allen and or Mundy running with the ones in place of Ryan Clark this week in Denver. To those who are concerned about the performance of the defense and the DBs in particular, I would simply say that we reserve our critques until week one against Atlanta.
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Aug 24, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions
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