More Steelers Super Bowl Ruminations

by Michael Bean on Feb 9, 2011 1:15 AM EST

I can't bring myself to stop thinking and writing about the Pittsburgh Steeleres 31-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. It's been more than 48 hours since the final second ticked off the clock in the final game of the 2010 NFL season, but as I've stated more than once since then, there's really no rush to start our offseason discussions just yet. With the labor situation looming ominously on the horizon, we may not have actual games to discuss until deep into next fall. So indulge me and let's go over a few more things from Sunday's Super Bowl, lesser talking points that might have gotten glossed over in our initial postgame reactions to the Steelers' futile attempt at bringing home Lombardi No. 7.

Antwaan Randle El -- Had the Steelers somehow managed to overcome the 18 point deficit they faced at one point in the first half and win, one guy who definitely would have gotten some love for his important contributions was Antwaaan Randle El. The former fan favorite finished with just two catches for 50 yards, but both went for first down yardage. The second reception was a 37 yarder on the first play of the Steelers final drive of the first half. Trailing 21-3, the Steelers absolutely had to get points before halftime since Green Bay would be getting the ball first after halftime. Randle El's 37 yarder was the catalyst for the imperative scoring march, a drive that began at the Pittsburgh 23 with only 2:18 left before half.

Jeremy Kapinos -- A nice game for the former Packers castoff. Kapinos had three punts on the evening for an average of 51 yards per punt. His most important kick came in the third quarter with the Steelers trailing 21-17. Mike Tomlin had just made the not-so-wise decision to send Shaun Suisham out for a 52 yard field goal on the Steelers previous offensive possession. After the miss, the Packers got the ball in great field position at their own 43. A 17 yarder to Jordy Nelson put the Packers at the Steelers 40 yard line before Green Bay stalled and were forced to punt. Still, the Steelers were backed up inside their own 15 yard line after the punt. The Steelers went three and out and were forced to punt with about 1 minute left in the third from their own 21 yard line. Kapinos boomed a 54 yard punt that was downed by the Steelers punt coverage team. Tack on a 15 yard penalty on Green Bay and the Packers suddenly were backed up at their own 13 yard line. An incredible flip in field position thanks to Kapinos' outstanding punt and Tramon Williams bone headed penalty. Anyway, Kapinos may not be in Pittsburgh next year, but after finishing the '09 season as the worst punter in the league statistically, he'll definitely have future opportunities to win a job somewhere in 2011.

LaMarr Woodley -- Woodley extended his streak of recording at least one sack in every postseason game he's played in, but for the most part, he was rendered ineffective. The Steelers absolutely had to have big games from either Woodley or James Harrison, and ideally both. But neither had much of an impact on the game despite both finishing with one sack. I've said it numerous times here on BTSC and I'll say it once more: I think we've seen the last of LaMarr Woodley in a Steelers uniform. Perhaps he'll be franchised for one year depending on what the new rules might be regarding franchise tags under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Woodley in the black and gold for the prime years of his career. I just think he'll be too expensive to retain considering his age and how big of a name he is nationally. We'll see. It's going to be one of the more interesting sub-plots to this offseason.

Ryan Clark/Troy Polamalu -- Credit Aaron Rodgers for delivering perfectly timed and high-velocity throws all evening. Doing so rendered the Steelers safety tandem impotent for the evening. Neither Clark nor Polamalu was able to make a game-changing play all evening, and when you're down 18 points, it's pretty damn hard to come back without at least one turnover. What can you say though? Clark and Polamalu have both had great years as the last line of defense in the Steelers secondary. Unfortunately neither was able to do much to compensate for the advantage the Packers passing attack had over the Steelers cornerbacks.

Bryant McFadden -- Look, the Steelers definitely will be looking to bolster their depth and talent at cornerback, but I don't think it's fair to knock B-Mac for Sunday's loss. William Gay, sure. But McFadden did his best considering he suffered a painful hip injury early on in the contest. Knowing the stakes and how thin the Steelers were at CB, McFadden valiantly played through the pain, but for a guy that doesn't possess top shelf speed for his position, it was a lot to ask to have him keep up with the precise and speedy Packers aerial assault. McFadden may not be in the long term future of the Steelers, but he's definitely going to be an important contributor on next year's team. He's not tremendously expensive and even if the Steelers do use a high draft pick on a corner, it's likely that McFadden will still be viewed as an important asset next year before the reins are potentially handed over to a new, young, stud corner. I was proud of McFadden's play this year for the most part, and I think his presence is a big reason why the Steelers' secondary improved statistically so much this year compared to last.

Ben Roethlisberger -- I wrote about Big Ben's performance on Sunday night after the loss, basically saying that I didn't think it was fair for him to bear the brunt of the blame for the loss. One final thing though. We've grown so accustomed to Roethlisberger playing through pain that perhaps we've unrealistically come to expect that he'll deliver good, if not great, performances each and every time out. For as often as Big Ben has been hit, it's pretty damn remarkable that he's been able to play at such a consistently high level for the last few years. As for his performance in Super Bowl XLV, it's of course been acknowledged that Roethlisberger's performance was probably affected by the pain he was dealing with in his foot. But after thinking about it more, I'm even more impressed by his performance, and certainly more forgiving of his shortcomings, when I think about how hard it must be to deliver accurate throws when dealing with such pain in his foot. In order to throw the ball with solid mechanics, a quarterback has to have his legs underneath him. Of course, at this level you've got to be able to make all the throws under duress -- be it side armed throws, off balance throws, passes from your back foot, etc. But when you can't set your feet underneath you without feeling a boatload of pain, it's awfully tough to deliver accurate strikes on a consistent basis. I think that's why we saw Roethlisberger be less accurate than we're accustomed to. And I think it's unfair for him to be criticized too extensively when realizing how his mechanics were altered as a result of the pain he was dealing with in his lower body.

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Word.

This was my first Superbowl loss as I only started watching this game in 2005. I wasn’t sure how it would effect me, and although I would have rather seen the outcome different, I am left more encouraged than discouraged.

As many fans have echoed across the Interweb we aren’t a flash in the pan, this didn’t have the same ‘dire’ feeling as perhaps 2005. That due to Jerome’s last year and much was placed on sending him out on top. This showed us where we need to focus on fixing.

Coming back from 18 under to within 3 was a huge momentum shift, and victory makes perfection, but lets not forget the huge stalls and 3 and outs by Green Bay. Rodgers was getting all kinds of flustered. We were getting to him. This was one of those scenarios where one solitary play would have made the difference. Bottom line we didn’t give it away to Green Bay, their fans knowing what kind of team the Pittsburgh Steelers are had to sweat it out.

One last thing, our positive attitude is a great deterrent to trolls, they had nothing to hang over our heads. They came in sniffed around and saw we were alright and they bounced like bitches. I made a snarky comment about MaLorRa’s mom and his response was something like ‘You are SO mad, I LOVE IT!!!’ and I was left feeling a little sorry for him, it was a stretch, and embarrassing. Because he did actually get depressed after the Ravens loss, he was dejected. Maybe shit looks bleak in Baltimore but I know more great things are in store for The Steelers.

I pledge allegiance to the Terrible Towel and the only team in America, and to the franchise for which it stands, one nation under Rooney, indivisible, with the ability to crush you all.

"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton

by TVsCHACHI on Feb 9, 2011 3:31 AM EST reply actions

Amen Brother!

Over here in Germany alot people who aren’t even football fans came over to me and started chanting packers I just laughed and walked away shaking my head. People are so stupid and they just don’t get it. I tell them all that the Steelers played a bad game and that we still could have won so I see nothing but a bright future for our team.

Pain is temporary pride is forever

by Heartofsteel on Feb 9, 2011 6:28 AM EST up reply actions

Yep

I am in Germany also, and that is the reason I decided to forego the community experience of watching the Super Bowl. In my small town, there might be one or two other Steelers fans, then quite a few Packers fans for some reason, and the rest ready to root against whichever side seems to display the most passion… curious.

"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."

-- so says Rex Ryan.

by sctx109 on Feb 9, 2011 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

In re Ben

I agree with the talk about playing through pain and injuries, and think that if we don’t want to start seeing a lot more sub par games from Ben we’d better address the O line in the draft. The O line played way above their talent level in the Super Bowl, as far as I can tell. Yes, we are getting back Colon and Starks, at least if Colon gets a contract, but we have got to address the right guard situation. If Ben keeps taking hits like he has been, his career is going to be a lot shorter than it should be. Of course, Ben needs to deal with his part of that and work some more on quick throws. But I don’t think he can continue to take this level of punishment and be consistently effective..

"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man. I try to look critically at the mistakes that I make and try to learn from them, like our team does." - Mike Tomlin

by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 9, 2011 8:12 AM EST reply actions

Two Steelers that surprised me in SB XLV

Randle El and Jon Scott. I thought Antwaan coming in unexpectedly for Sanders was very effective when called upon, a real credit to his approach to the game. And I thought Jon Scott at left tackle played his best game as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

I agree with many others that the O-line needs help in draft and free agency, and we do need to keep adding young, quick players to our defense.

Gerela's Gorillas are here for the show
and so is Franco's Army
It's been many years in coming
just watch that Steeler machinery humming!

by GoldMetalDefense on Feb 9, 2011 8:30 AM EST reply actions

I Agree

Both of them came to play. Starks had better have his game working next year. I see a LOT of promise in Jonathon Scott – I did not feel that way earlier. I believe that the turning moment was when he was pulled for a few plays in one game earlier in the year. That seemed to wake him up. ARE really came through on several clutch plays during the season and in the SB. I thought he was washed up. I may have jumped the gun. Kemo might be in danger of getting more bench time if we can get Mike Pouncey. Kemo made a lot of dumb decisions this past year and got too many unnecessary penalties. Wouldn’t mind picking up a quality CB in FA and hope that Crezdon Butler is ready for the big time Anyway – I see us as definitely capable of winning it all next year.

by Allen F on Feb 9, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

yes

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Feb 9, 2011 9:06 AM EST reply actions

receivers

First of all, this is a great site—I’ve been reading it for a long time, and have finally got around to posting.

I agree with the Randle El love, but I’m still very frustrated with how the passing game performed overall, especially in those final (and awful) two minutes. I know Sanders was hurt (which was a huge loss), but if you were like me you were thinking that with Woodson out we could finally open things up. Well, the running game sure looked good until the fumble—kudos to Legursky!—but I was punching couch pillows every time I saw one of the following: 1) Ben misses a receiver= this happened too often, especially on that bomb to Wallace that would have given us the lead for the first time; 2) Ben would throw a screen or hitch, usually to Wallace, who would get 2 YAC despite Woodson’s absence; 3) after good protection from the line, Ben would STILL not find an open receiver.

So what gives? The Packer DBs were without Woodson, so I think blame has to be put on the receivers and Ben. Think about that horrible sequence in the 3rd quarter after having the ball 1st down on the Packer 29: 1) Ben has pass tipped by Matthews; 2) Heath catches a pass for a three yard loss; 3) Ben COVERAGE-sacked by Zombo; 4) Missed 52-yard FG. That’s not our line’s fault. That’s not Mendy’s fault. That’s not the defense’s fault. That’s on our receivers and Ben.

My final point: on that last drive, with victory the same 88 yards away as in SB 43, the biggest difference was no ‘Tone. Say what you want about the Rooneys always making the right choices, and that Sanders probably would have made some difference (especially given Randle El’s confusion over where to line up on one play during the final drive), but didn’t you feel a pain in your gut when you knew we had no Santonio Holmes to get separation for 25-yard passes in the heart of the D? I love Wallace, but don’t you think Ben would have loved to have Santonio out there zipping around and fighting for the ball on 4th down?

Sigh. Next year, Steeler fans!

by lakerschamps on Feb 9, 2011 9:43 AM EST reply actions

Thought about Santonio, too

I think we win the Super Bowl with win Santonio, but due to chemstry issues, etc., we probably would never have made the Super Bowl with him, so there you go.

"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."

-- so says Rex Ryan.

by sctx109 on Feb 9, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, that's a good point

I know that keeping Santonio would have drawn heat from the media, but I thought we had great chemistry since the rookies would have know their place, and Wallace and Tone seemed to play great together in ’09.

I just couldn’t get over how our receivers failed to get open so often. Randle El is a step slower now (though he had two huge catches), but where was Heath? And where was Brown? And why wasn’t Wallace getting open more often with Woodson out of the game? Did Ben not look for Hines enough? I was just shocked because I was certain that if we lost the game it would be because our line wouldn’t be able to hold without Pouncey—yet the line did its job well overall (aside from the fatal pick-six in the first half).

Ben also didn’t look quite right. Accuracy off, and every time he scrambled it seemed his passed were 3-5 yarders or incomplete, though he did have some excellent runs. I just wish he had nailed that rainbow to Wallace…

by lakerschamps on Feb 9, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

I hear you about Tone

But I think we wouldn’t have had Sanders if we kept Tone. Or was it Brown- I forget who that 5th round pick ended up getting us. (involved Bmac coming back as well) But yeah, we just didn’t have enough experience at WR- Ben needs more time to work with the youngmoney crew. They were raw, but potentially 3 of the best WR’s in the league are all on this team.

I think keeping Smith on the active roster instead of IR was a mistake as well- we needed more depth.

I also (and this is just me, please flame away) think the steelers were already making victory plans a week before the game started. I didn’t get a sense of preparedness, hunger, etc. After they bear the jets, they seemed to go into cruise control. Too much BS about beards, hair and distractions, piano bars, they just seemed to be having too much fun the week of the superbowl.

One last thing, while it sucks not winning, you have to feel for the green bay fans- its like the 2005 SB for us- the long drought is over for them. We are perhaps still ‘full’ from our last two SB wins. :/ I’ll never thin experience is key again- if anything, the team that hasn’t been there is more likely to be hungrier for the win than the team that gets there relatively often.

brought to you by Carl Jr's.

by SteelersVT on Feb 9, 2011 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

Losing Santonio Holmes hurt us

I never completely understood how talented he is – how does he get so open?! i just remembr that Sbowl drive n he was just on fire.

He n Ben also had good on-field chemistry. From a pure football talent perspective, he would’ve made a difference thru out the season n especially during crunch pressure times.

by Singapore_fan on Feb 9, 2011 10:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

But..on the topic of bright futures

Maybe we forget because Santonio Holmes was ridiculous good his last couple seasons with us, but his first couple years were pretty bad and spotty—lots and lots of fumbles…we were calling him Fumbolio Holmes—in contrast, look at what an impact these young guys have had in their first and second seasons. If they develop like Holmes did we are in fantastic shape at WR going into the future.

by megsy127 on Feb 9, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

we got Brown with the 6th rounder we got along with BMac from Arizona which we got in exchange for the 5th rounder we got in exchange for Tone

by tkired on Feb 9, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

in re Santonio,

don’t forget that he also has drops at critical points – he had dropped a pass immediately before the winning catch. Just another could have would have should have question. Ben manned up to his share of the blame. While it would be quite unfair to put the whole loss on him, he was part of the equation, as was Wallace not fighting for the intercepted ball, a Steeler not picking up the Mendenhall fumble, (and Mendy not protecting the ball in the first place, although I admit the deck was stacked against him,) the defensive backfield letting too much go by them, and so on. The O line, which did the best job with seemingly the least to work with, made some errors as well, including Kemo getting blown up and leading to the badly thrown ball that was the first interception. Even if all other factors were equal, I’m not at all convinced that Santonio would have made the difference between a W and an L on Sunday. But mainly, no one will ever know.

by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 9, 2011 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

Wallace is not Holmes yet . . .

I think what the playoff games showed was that although Wallace is good, he is not Holmes . . . yet. It seems to me that Holmes could step up at times. He was SO GOOD in the 2008 playoffs. But Wallace can still be shut down when teams concentrate on him. In addition, although Wallace may be faster, Holmes is shiftier. Wallace has great straight-line speed but he can be tackled much easier. Holmes was so dang elusive. Sometimes he was so shifty it was kind of like he was tackling himself because he was moving around so much. Wallace needs to learn that shiftiness, if it can be learned.

I think that last drive showed a combo of our WR’s youth and a vet who did not get a ton of playing time in the second half of the year. Wallace and Brown are out there and they are totally capable WR’s. But they are still young and they were playing in the Super Bowl. I think the combo of youth and big game jitters showed on the last drive. In addition, how does ARE get lined up in the wrong place on that final drive? Probably because he has not played a ton in the two minute offense this whole season.

I think it was just a bad combo of things happening in that last drive. But, all in all, Holmes being out there instead of say . . . .Randle El . . . would have increased the Steelers chances of getting down the field.

by VegasSteelerfanatic on Feb 11, 2011 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

yes

ARE also got the 2-point conversion in the middle of the 4th to make it a 3 point game.

I’d add props for the Big Legursky.

Yes, we are accustomed to Ben doing his thing, regardless of a broken foot or which direction his nose is pointed. But, he did it pretty damn well in the Ravens and Jets games. Maybe the knee hyperextension or whatever it was was the back breaking straw.

I’m struck with your article, Micael and the above comments. ARE played more because Manny got hurt. Kapinos played because Sepulveda was hurt. Polamalu was hurt. BMAC was hurt. Ben was hurt. Colon, Starks, Pounce, on and on. Must have been around 20 starters, Pack and Steelers together who were either not playing or playing injured. Yeah, its part of the game. Does anyone think it has become too much a part of the game? That the commish and the owners want an 18-game season will just make this much worse, whether the pre-season games are reduced or the rosters are increased. That they want to because the fans want it is political crap; just isn’t true. Saying they need it because they will lose money is to say the least highly suspect, especially as they won’t open their books. Pisses me off. Worse, it is bad for the game, and it is enraging to think that the commish’s main objective is to do what is best for the game. Should we take a cue from the Egyptians? Seriously, what can we fans do?

by NCSteeler on Feb 9, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

It really sounds

as if the owners are dropping the 18-game thing. I wonder if it wasn’t a red herring all along, to give the owners a cheap ‘concession’. At any rate, if they look at actual numbers, there is no way they can claim that this is what the majority of the fans want.

by Rebecca Rollett on Feb 9, 2011 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

18 season game

maybe you don’t watch all the superbowl pregame shows, but when dan rooney was asked about the 18 game season, he told the reporter they can take the 18 game season and stick it up their %$#&^^@!!!! we need more owners with this attitude, art rooney would have been proud!!!

mike porter

by ihmike on Feb 10, 2011 9:11 AM EST up reply actions

We would be ok next if nothing changed

by Singapore_fan on Feb 9, 2011 10:14 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Although we have areas of need, i don’t think they r glaring (even o-line n secondary). Every yr the ball bounces differently, injuries take their toll, etc. There have been numerous articles (King, Simmons) about the statistical relevance of the playoff teams churning (difficulty repeating).

We jus didn’t execute as well as GB in this game. They sustained 3 key injuries n had nearly 10 perfect passes dropped – thats why we didnt get blown out. Their tackling was also very sharp. They just looked more prepared, more focused (kinda like us vs. Jets)

For whatever reason, our usually awesome dudes (Ben, Harrison, Pola, Timmons, Woodley) didnt execute, or were neutralized. Maybe we were over-confident.

Our team strategy, coaches, and talent are there – we just need to execute even better when an opponent is also exceptionally sharp.

by Singapore_fan on Feb 9, 2011 10:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

If anything else, maybe the Steeler fans have shown other fans how to lose and not complain about it.

As for your points: I was surprised at how fast Randle El looked on Sunday. Granted, it was only that one play, but I didn’t realize he had that much speed anymore.

If Woodley leaves, that would be a blow, but the team has had to deal with key losses at various positions during this Super Bowl run and they always seem to make the right move. They lost Burress and signed Cedric Wilson who wasn’t a major player for them, but was a key contributor to their Super Bowl XL run. After Super Bowl XL, they lost Randle El to free agency and immediately upgraded by drafting Holmes who went on to have one of the best postseasons in team history when he helped them win Super Bowl XLIII. And they also lost safety Chris Hope after XL and signed Ryan Clark who has been one of their key defenders in their more recent Super Bowl years.

I have confidence that even if Woodley leaves, they’ll fill the void, and it might not pay off immediately, but it could pay off down the road. That’s what the Steelers do.

As for as Roethlisberger’s injuries, I sprained my foot playing recreational volleyball in the Fall and for many weeks and months, it hurt me even when I performed the most routine tasks, I can’t imagine trying to play in the biggest game against the best athletes in the world with a broken foot.

A lot of key contributors were banged up, and again, it’s just amazing that they had the ball with a chance to win the World title in their last offensive series of the season.

by Anthony Defeo on Feb 9, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions

Always felt an indoor game against Green Bay was a bad matchup...

Yet the Steelers still came within 7 points of winning the Superbowl. Yes, some players didnt play as well as expected and others rose to the occasion. The start felt just like the Ravens, with giving up an offensive score followed immediately by a weird defensive turnover/score. Steelers were on their back heels early. I really felt when we closed the gap and the momentum was all in our favor, that we were going to win it. But i think we have to stop navel-gazing…Green Bay really never buckled under the pressure. I thought our experience and momentum would result in a win similar to the Ravens game. But the Packers were very impressive. They made the plays they had to make. We were THAT close. I feel very optimistic the Steelers will be in the hunt to the end next year. The O-Line will be better (and they were good throughout the year, despite what the pundits said). If the team is healthier, they are definitely battle tested. Tomlin will keep them hungry. Some savvy drafting and hopefully a couple of free agents can fill some holes. Plus, I sure hope they sign Woodley. I’d like to think a decent contract PLUS his knowledge of the D and his desire to win will keep him in Pittsburgh. Congrats to the Steelers…I can’t wait until next year.

Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.

by L-Ray on Feb 9, 2011 10:41 AM EST reply actions

50 Sense

I said in another post that I thought the most consistent performers on offense were the veterans. El, Ward & Mewelde Moore were top shelf on Sunday. Thought Ben should have used Ward more on the last drive. A WR screen would have picked up the first down.

Hope you’re wrong about Woodley. While I see Worilds as a potential starter, Woodley is All Pro and in big games comes up pretty big. While he didn’t dominate on Sunday, he had a sack and should have gotten a couple hold calls that weren’t called. Agree that Kapinos will be punting somewhere in 2011.

B Mac was pretty banged up and gave his best. Still he is less than 2008 and aging. We will need 20 next year. Even if we get a CB at #31 or #62 he will need some seasoning. With Gay a FA, B Mac is important and look for the Steelers to get a young CB early.

Ben; injury or not the big guy did not play a Championship Caliber game. I am glad he is our QB but the Steelers got killed in the QB comparison. Ben valiantly brought us back from the hole he helped dig and Mendy provided a dagger in the vein with the fumble but Ben’s mediocre play throughout was integral in the L.

Re some comments above, Gold Medal is spot on giving props to Jon Scott. He will be a valuable back up next year in case of injury. And to lakerschamps; love your moniker! And I agree on Holmes. He was greatly missed on that last drive after you compare him to Wallace and how he was not able to get separation at any point during those last 3 throws. Still have no issue getting rid of him for his behavior but he was missed on that last drive.

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Feb 9, 2011 10:52 AM EST reply actions

Was Antonio Brown playing that last series?

After making the decisive catch in the last 2 playoff games, I didn’t see him on that drive. Was he there and I didn’t notice him in the excitement? 3 passes to Wallace seemed to put all our eggs in one basket. I agree with the overall theme of the comments, GB was focused and mostly error-free. Tip of the hat to them. Go Steelers!

by steelerbobinga on Feb 9, 2011 11:27 AM EST reply actions

In my eyes, Roethlisberger's accuracy wasn't as much of a liability...

…as his decision-making.

During the Collins pick, instead of pump-faking right and drawing the safety away from single coverage on the outside, he tried to pump-fake the corner (typically difficult, unless the corner is part of a deep zone himself and you’re also trying to get him to budge), basically telegraphing the pass down the left side.

On his second pick, he stared down his receiver the whole way and tried to squeeze the ball in on the shallow route. I don’t know if he just didn’t see Jarrett Bush or what – and I understand that picks happen to the best of quarterbacks – but that was the kind of turnover that just had me jumping up and down and screaming.

I guess I just don’t get how it’s not fair for Roethlisberger to shoulder most of the blame. (He’s said he thinks that should be so in his post-game comments.) Surely if he had led the team on a last-minute game-winning drive, we’d be giving Roethlisberger most of the credit – for bouncing back after two picks, etc, etc. Sure, it’s a team sport and Pittsburgh could’ve been better in other phases of the games, but that’s the nature of the quarterback position and it speaks to its importance over all other positions: you get more blame for others in a loss, and more credit in a win.

by pwilmoth84 on Feb 9, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

Oh - and a quick, shameless plug!

Just wrote a feature for SB Nation Pittsburgh on what I thought the Steelers did well, if you want to check it out.

(You’ll see that I actually think Woodley was pretty productive, even though he only got to Rodgers once.)

by pwilmoth84 on Feb 9, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

A few Steelers stepped up and surprised ...

Personally, I was most surprised by the play of our OL. Ben was only sacked once, and that was a coverage sack. He got the pressure early in the game that caused the interception, but other than that, the OL played a heck of a game. Those 3 turnovers and not creating any on our own just killed us.

BMac has had better seasons for the Steelers, but he is still an upgrade over William Gay as a starter. BMac’s best position in this D might be a nickel back. With the way the NFL is now these days, and particularly the way the Steelers have to be since teams can’t run the ball on them, this team is going to need 6 good CBs. They have to come out of this draft with 2 quality CB’s that can run. I really like Crezdon Butler and I think he will push to start opposite Ike next year. I have no faith in Keenan Lewis at all, but here’s hoping that the light does go on for him next year. It’s still not a good sign when you’ve been active on special teams most of the year but you still haven’t made any tackles. Still, Ike, Butler, and a healthy McFadden isn’t a bad 1-3.

I would feel worse if the Steelers had brought their A game and loss. However, the Packers are clearly the better team and played that way when it counted. Still, it sucks to have had a chance to get no. 7 and then put a piss poor performance like that on the field.

by datruth4life2.0 on Feb 9, 2011 2:15 PM EST reply actions

Agree on Woodley and Ben

For whatever reason, Woodley played this year as though he expects to be moving on. He certainly wasn’t very effective in the SB. As for Ben, the foot definitely was a factor that affected his accuracy. I was surprised that Ben wore a face shield in the SB. There has to be some effect on your vision when you wear one of those shields. Getting hit so much during his career, and getting no protection from the refs, has taken its toll. I hope the coaches will work with Ben to get him out of the “bionic man” role. I’d hate to see his career cut short.

by Billy52 on Feb 9, 2011 8:12 PM EST reply actions

big ben

really come on,why cant you just admit that greenbay was just plain better,instead of making excuses about how “big ben’s” feet were hurting.

by vato 69 on Feb 9, 2011 10:07 PM EST reply actions

the dude has a broken foot on his plant foot

you can’t push off the same way you always do, which means you have to use your arm more, which cause you to lose arm strength, which causes under throws and overthrows because his mechanics are thrown off.

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." Martin Luther King Jr.
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Feb 9, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

A GB fan I take it? Ben has a BROKEN BONE and a bum knee, and a shoe that is 1.5 larger in size than his normal shoe is. Any questions?

One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.

by samliam on Feb 10, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

excuses?

Don’t think I was excusing anything. Merely commenting on the fat that he faecd tough odds when trying to match the high level of execution of Green Bay. But I don’t think you have the attention span to come back and have a discussion, so this is probably a waste of my time.

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 on Feb 10, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

A point about Ben and his HOF chances now

Maybe Ben’s performance was not as terrible as Ben has made it out to be, but I think it does make his chances of getting into the Half of Fame slimmer. As I was telling a friend of mind a few days ago, since Ben is never going to have the stats to get into the Hall, he has to do it with his performances in big games. And, that was not a HOF performance on Sunday.

In 3 Super Bowls, he has now only performed well in one. And, some will say, he cost the Steelers the victory in this Super Bowl. Plus, his play in the Jets game was not stellar, either. This will all be taken into account when his time comes. Granted, he has some years to make up for it. But, with all the talk of him getting into the HOF before Super Bowl XLV, that talk is going to cool off considerably now. He took a big step backwards. Granted, if the Steelers win, then it is a different story most likely. Yes, his playoff record is excellent. Yes, he has won two Super Bowls. Yes, he has had some pretty good playoff games. But, his performances in Super Bowl 40 and 45 are going to be black marks on his credentials. If he is supposed to be a “big game” QB, his “quality performance play” percentage has to be better than 1 out of 3 Super Bowls.

To get in now, he has to win another Super Bowl AND he has to play well, very well. Just winning another or two or three and play like he did in Super Bowl 40 is not going to cut it.

by VegasSteelerfanatic on Feb 10, 2011 8:36 PM EST reply actions