5 Burning Questions Steelers vs. Broncos Wild Card Edition

1. It’s going to be kind of hard for them to retire a receiver’s number since there are five or six receivers on a roster and a few tight ends. Most are required to wear a number in the 80’s. I suppose they could pull it off.

2. Only player to ever accumulate 1000 receiving yards and 1000 return yards. Pretty good.

3. It’s one of those things where if the medical personnel are wrong, there probably is no turning back. As much as it pains me to say, Tomlin is probably doing the right thing.

4. It would make a great story.

5. Lamarr Woodley must resume his production before the injury, and number 7 must do the same.

6. Tebow is more of a bull than an elusive runner. I think he’ll be a little easier to contain.

1 Yes
2 No. He is the Most Improved Player but not our MVP. BB holds that spot
3 Yes, it is the right choice
4 NOOOOO
5 Isaac Redman and Lamarr Woodley
6 Simply play disciplined Steeler defense

1. Why not? Super Bowl MVP and record breaker.
2. Absolutely. Brown impacts not only one phase but two phases of the game.
3. There’s more to life than football. I know how hard it is to sit out, but Ryan Clark the man is first and foremost. Even with doctors “plan” in hand I like playing it safe. The doctors couldn’t straight up give approval they had to devise a “plan”.
4. No, I don’t want to see Ward getting banged up. I don’t think the pounding would be good for his health. College is one thing, NFL in your latter years….another
5. On offense, Wallace. On defense Farrior. The reason I picked them is a solid game by both IS the difference. Not to say they aren’t delivering.
6. They will have to be disciplined and make sure tackles.

1. No…not unless they stop passing out 82, 88, 26 and 47 also….these numbers are from Steelers already in the H.O.F

2.Yes…Brown has play with a high motor every chance he has stepped on the field. His tackle on the fake punt attempt verses the Rams was what made me feel he deserved it.

3.Yes..it’s just a game…I think Ryan’s family appreciates this decision.

4. No….play empty backfield and sub quick hit passes for the running game. This is not college and Hines is not built for the pounding of an NFL tailback. His age don’t help matters either.

5.Whole offense (score more points) and Mcfadden on defense…we need you to play like you should of started all year.

6.Spy all game long…Tebow and his passing game is not a threat. IMO

1. No I don’t. If 88 and 82 can be re-issued then 86 can.

2. Lets see, the man became the first person ever to gain a 1,000 yards in receiving and 1000 return yards. Whenever you become the first person ever to do something in the NFL its either exceptionally good enough to be recognized as the MVP or exceptionally bad enough to get cut. This was the former, no problems with the award because honestly if brown didn’t step up our offense stalls in many cases. His third down catches was clutch and when the defense has taken away the Mike Wallace Fast (deep) ball – Brown came through with a catch on the sidelines or over the middle. I hope Sanders stay healthy during the playoffs so we can see the trio back together doing damage.

3. Tomlin did the right thing, if there was any added risk for Clark you had to side on the side of caution. This is a mans life and Tomlin has shown that he cares more about Clark than a playoff victory. Thats the kind of stuff that make players run through walls for you. Trust me other players were watching to see what would be done too.

4. Nope. Go with what you have and if you run out of running backs go to a mostly shot gun formation and using the passing game like the running game. Heck let Dixon come in and do a couple QB draws. If he comes in now the starting QB can come back so there is no harm done.

5. Troy. I think Troy has to be amazing all-pro for us to make it. I’m talking several picks, deflecting passes, getting sacks, stopping running backs in the back field, and creating turnovers. Also Ben needs to show why, on the playoff stage, we all consider him an elite QB, I’m talking 70%+ completion percentage, 300+ yards passing per game, and 2+ passing TDs per game and no turnovers. I think this playoffs needs to be a showcase for Troy and Ben for the Hall of Fame, they have to carry this team to greatness of getting 3 Super Bowls.

6. Much of the same although S. Wallace scramble is different from T. Tebow scramble. Tebow is more power where Wallace is more agility, Wallace is more dangerous to this defense. They can handle Tebow’s power run, he isn’t slow but he isn’t as shifty either.

1. I’s like to see it, but its pretty hard to “retire” alot of WRs numbers. Swann’s and Stallworth’s 88 and 82 were already re-issued. But Ward deserves the unofficial honor.

2. Yes he deserves it. The only other players that I think might deserve it would be Brett Keisel or Ben Roethlisberger.

3. No, you don’t mess with a man’s life for just a game. Just wish they could be more prepared.

4. Whats Willie Parker doing these days? Right now the RB line up looks like Redman, Clay, and Spann with Moore likely out.

5. Offense Roethlisberger and the OL. defense Polamalu, we need him in both run and pass support and to cause more splash plays.

6. Wallace is a much better passer than Tebow, and maybe just as good of an athlete. If we can contain Tebow in the pocket we will win. Just don’t allow him to make plays and get in a rhythm in the passing game.

im predicting 32-6…Steelers…
Best safety, and amazing linebacking group are killers for Tebow…

Good gracious this is ridiculous.

1) YES! What better way to honor an offensive player who embodied the defensive reputation of the Pittsburgh Steelers to such an extent, that the league had to make a rule protecting defensive players from him? Not to mention being one of only 8 men in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions. The organization should honor him, especially since it will be difficult for him to reach Canton, because “there are already too many Steelers” there.

2) I find it extremely insulting that the media, especially local Pittsburgh media and Steeler fans, have the audacity to question the decision of the Steeler players themselves, who the team wants to honor as MVP. Its their reward to give, its their decision, and we should learn to appreciate it , not act as if we (fans and media) know well enough what goes on inside the locker room to make such a determination.

3) Absolutely. A man’s life, and quality of life, is not worth the risk of a single game. Has not Ryan Clark given enough of his body for the team, not to mention his leadership and dedication? Tomlin said it best: “…I wouldn’t allow my son to play, under these circumstances, how could I let Clark?” (paraphrased from interview).

4) No. I’d rather see D. Johnson, W. Saunders, or even Timmons; each of them have more mass and strength.

5) Defense – Worilds, offense – Offensive Guards.

6) – Put Troy on Tebow as “Spy”. While it normally can’t be done every play, in this case force Tebow to become passer.

1. Absolutely. He’s been the face of this franchise for almost a decade and really embodies Steeler football, put 86 on the shelf.

2. Big Ben is this team’s MVP. I really think that the Monday night game in SF took the MVP award away from him.

3. Yes; it’s absolutely foolish and morally wrong to put a player’s life at risk for a football game.

4. Not at all, we all know how slow Hines is.

5. I’m going to cheat here a bit, I think that the offensive line needs to step up as a whole in order for the Steelers to be successful not only in Denver but throughout the playoffs. On defense, I’d like to see something out of 92, he’s been pretty quiet since returning from the suspension.

6. Don’t miss tackles!

1. No. Sorry, it will be just like the HOF.

4. Redman is all we need. I would think people on this site would know this by now.

5. No doubt, Law Dawg (Lawrence Timmons). We need him to be a elite TE covering, block shedding, RB in the backfield blowing up’n, havoc causing war machine that we’ve heard for years that he has the potential to be. He showed flashes of that last week. Time to step up on the big stage and join the likes of Harrison and Troy as a truly dominant force.

6. Stay gap disciplined. Like the great wise Warren Sapp said, Tebow can only hurt unprepared, undisciplined defenses.

1. Does #86 deserve to be retired?

Yes. Plain and simple. While many people feel he is probably the most dirtiest receiver to play the game, there is no mistake what he has done for that organization. He has been a superior player and athlete. Without Hines, seasons might have gone a bit different.

2. Should Antonio Brown receive the Steelers MVP for this season?

I can’t answer this one, as I haven’t watched enough of you guys.

3. Should the Steelers play Ryan Clark in Denver if a medical plan in place?

No. Not because I’m a Denver fan either. No human life is worth the risk of a ball game.

4. If an injury occurs in the backfield, should they consider playing Hines at tailback?

I would. Ward loves to hit, he loves contact, he has strong hands and knows how to juke. Stick him in!

5. Name one player on each side of the ball that will help Pitts. win the Lombardi this season

Big Ben. He sucks with a bum ankle from what I’ve seen. The other, Ryan Clark (if you beat Denver).

6. How to Stop Tebow

Set the edge but don’t over penetrate, maintain your gaps, don’t pursue until you see separation from the running back and quarterback to determine who has the ball. Flush him out to his right if need be. Sure you’ll give up some yards to McGahee or Ball, but you won’t allow him to scramble and get huge gains. Cover Thomas and Decker well!

1. Does #86 deserve to be retired?

Love the guy, but if our other HOF players don’t have a retired number then they shouldn’t start now.

2. Should Antonio Brown receive the Steelers MVP for this season?

Great season, but the team without Brown has a chance for a title. Without Roethlisberger we can’t win the title.

3. Should the Steelers play Ryan Clark in Denver if a medical plan in place?

No way is a game worth risking a mans life. If they risked it and he died, then I don’t see the organization recovering from that. I know I’d have a hard time living with it if I were Tomlin.

4. If an injury occurs in the backfield, should they consider playing Hines at tailback?
James Harrison at RB. He may make mistakes, but he’d show up in the hole with attitude.

5. Name one player on each side of the ball that will help Pitts. win the Lombardi this season

Big Ben. Ike Taylor

6. How to Stop Tebow
Get off the bus. Then hit him hard every time they run the option, regardless if he has the ball or not (just not you Harrison because they’d suspend you for life).

1) NO less your goning to add 88 and 82
2) without question
3) not even a question….he sits
4) no
5) Wallace – # 2 CB
6) formula’s established -outside contain and pressure…press man coverage….game over
I’ll past on the extra credit…… lol

1. This is a great question b/c I think we’re in the middle of an era where several players will force the same question. Ben will eventually for sure, Troy certainly will. I’d even consider Bettis, but then again I always had a fondness for the big man with sweet feet. Other guys like Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith should get some consideration even though they probably won’t b/c of the positions they play. Oh yea back to the original question, YES, but not b/c he was ever a truly great player amongst his WR peers. My yes is because he is the definition of Steeler football.

2. Sure, his contributions as a WR and PR have been invaluable.

3. MT puts his guys health and well being above the game, I bet that plays extrememly well in the room.

4. Meh, if we’re gonna run some kind of gimmick, let’s give the ball to James Harrison. Or better yet, why not line up #92 at QB and see if he could draw a penalty for roughing the passer. How hard would he had to get hit for Goodell to levy a fine for hitting his poster child….hehe

5. On offense, we need Mike Wallace to take the top of the defense. If he can stretch the field, it makes it easier on everyone. On defense, give me a healthy and playoff dominant Lamar Woodley.

6. Just do what lesser defenses have done to him the past three weeks. It’s not rocket science to stop Tebow anymore, the game plan is out. Just execute it.

Hampton (and McLendon) have got to collapse the middle. Make the Trip- op one legged so to speak. Farrior and Timmons must take the pitch man and punish him every time they run that set. Tebow is a big guy and plays hard but if he wants to run that college s..t make his a.. pay for it.

I want to say Redman on O but Starks and Gilbert will have their hands full with Miller and Dumerville. Both have to bring it to keep Ben upright and healthy. If they play well we should win this and helps Ben with one more week of healing for the Shit Birds or Tomgina GO STEELERS!!!!!

Offense: Max Starks
Defense: Keenan Lewis

Fairly obvious, hobbled Ben = needs solid protection from his blind side, and outside of Denver, every team we are going to play plans on throwing the ball … a lot.

1) No but not because Hines doesn’t deserve it. There just have been too many great Steelers and not enough numbers to start retiring everyone who is deserving.
2) I didn’t but his teammates did and that speaks volumes.
3) Tomlin right. Clark’s doctor wrong. The game is dangerous enough without taking foolish risks.
4)I would put Harrison in at RB before Hines. Who would dare tackle him?
5) BB and Hampton
6) I am not worried about Tebow’s running. I don’t expect him to get 100 yards or a TD.

1. No, not unless you start retiring numbers of other Steeler greats. And once you start doing that, there will be very few numbers left to be had
2. Yes, but it also could’ve gone to Ben
3. Yes, it’s the right choice. Not worth the risk vs. Tebow
4. I think you only do that in a worst case scenario
5. Offense: Redman/Ben Defense: Woodley

1. Sure, why not…but you are going to have to add, at least, 43 and 7 to that list someday.

2. The most “valuable” player wears #43.

3. Yeah…he almost died in 2007…he has a wife and kids (I think)…it would be idiotic for him to risk that just for a game.

4. Hell no.

5. Issac Redman, James Harrison

6. Play tight man-to-man on the WR’s/TE’s, have Timmons or Polamalu spy him at all times, force him to roll to his right.

No. Not unless others already in the HOF are retired, as well as Jerome Bettis, a sure-fire HOF’er. Hines and Jerome are on the exact same tier, although JB has better stats/rankings.

1. Yep.

2. I think AB was a great choice. This kid is the real thing great hands, great speed. He will see plenty more Pro Bowls. However, we cannot win against anyone, except the weakest of teams without Ben.

3. This is not even a real question in the Steeler Nation. God bless us, every one!

4. Well, if you don’t want unproven rookies carrying the rock, somebody’s got to do it. I would try it if Mr. Redman goes down.

5. Ben must get it to Wallace and AB down the field. You cannot beat Baltimore or NE without a strong vertical passing game. You may not beat Denver without it either, but I fail to see how Denver scores more than 10 – 13 pts, barring turnovers. On defense, I go with Harrison. 92 need to terrorize Tebow. I think it may be different when we play the Ratbirds and the Rats’ Asses — I think Willie Gay needs to continue his fine play.

6. Contain, then hit HARD.