Behind the Steel Curtain - Steelers smacked in the face by Raiders: All postgame news and updatesA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2013-10-29T18:00:09-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/48016192013-10-29T18:00:09-04:002013-10-29T18:00:09-04:00Suisham can't kick six-point field goals
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<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers place kicker Shaun Suisham has to share in the blame for Sunday's 21-18 loss in Oakland after missing two makeable field goals. However, Suisham has been the most consistent scoring weapon for a Pittsburgh offense that has struggled mightily to score points, dating back to the start of the 2012 season. </p> <p>I often imagine what it must be like in a losing football team's locker room after the placekicker misses a last second field goal. If that locker room includes an angry linebacker such as Jack Lambert, <span>Greg Lloyd</span> or <span>James Harrison</span>, I can picture that kicker really being given the business as he repeatedly gets dunked in a hot tub.</p>
<p>Football history is filled with big, tough football players telling tales of the times they put it all on the line, sacrificing their blood, sweat, tears and the solidity of their bones, trying to win a game, only to lose after some shrimpy little kicker choked with everything on the line.</p>
<p>This past Sunday, in the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> 21-18 loss in Oakland, many big, tough football players could directly blame kicker <span>Shaun Suisham</span> for the loss. After all, Pittsburgh lost by three, and Suisham missed field goals of 32 and 34 yards away. To quote head coach Mike Tomlin in the <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/10/27/Oakland-take-14-0-lead-on-Steelers-after-one-quarter/stories/20131027008" target="_blank">post-game press conference</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We lost by three. We missed two very makeable field goals<a target="_blank" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2013/10/27/Oakland-take-14-0-lead-on-Steelers-after-one-quarter/stories/20131027008">.</a>"</p>
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<p>Forget the two picks by <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span>, the drops by <span>Antonio Brown</span>, the blocked punt, and the 93 yard touchdown run by <span>Terrelle Pryor</span> on the first play from scrimmage. If you really wanted to blame Suisham for Sunday's loss, you would be justified.</p>
<p>To Tomlin's credit, he did go on to state that there were many reasons why Pittsburgh lost to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a>:</p>
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<p>"There were many instances you can point to that would have put us in position to win this game, not just in the field goal area."</p>
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<p>But again, Suisham has to share in the blame. While his misses didn't come at the end of the game, if he had made even one of those kicks, the outcome may have been different.</p>
<p>However, Suisham certainly deserved a mulligan or two for what he's done for his team over the past season and a half.</p>
<p>And that brings me back to those big, tough football players who love to get on the kicker when he loses a football game. I wonder if any of them go up to him and shake his hand when he carries the team for weeks at a time.</p>
<p>The reason I ask is because the Steelers have scored a measly 125 points in seven games, and Suisham, all 205 pounds of him, has contributed 45 of those points via field goals, alone.</p>
<p>Would Pittsburgh (2-5) even have a victory to speak of in 2013 if it wasn't for the eight combined field goals that Suisham contributed in the victories over the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jets</a> and <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ravens</a>?</p>
<p>Suisham was on a massive roll over the previous 22 games, prior to Sunday's misses in Oakland. He made 42 of 45 field goals since the start of the 2012 season, and the only one he missed from inside 50 yards came after a bad snap. Place kickers are just like any other football player, they're imperfect, and it was just a matter of time before Suisham missed a field goal; it just so happened to be in a game in-which Pittsburgh lost by three points.</p>
<p>Instead of relying on a place-kicker to carry the scoring for a third consecutive week, another touchdown or two by the offense would have helped the Steelers cause on Sunday. But, unlike Suisham, the offense has been anything but reliable in 2013. Through seven weeks, the Steelers have scored 11 touchdowns--<span>Peyton Manning</span> threw seven touchdown passes in Week 1--and they've only scored one touchdown in five of the seven games they've played this season.</p>
<p>During Suisham's run of excellence that started in Week 1 of 2012, the Steelers have only scored 30 points in a game once. This season, Pittsburgh has scored less than 20 points five times.</p>
<p>You can blame Suisham for Sunday's loss if you want, but the NFL places a higher point-value on touchdowns for a reason.</p>
<p>If some of those big, tough football players that play for the Steelers don't want a kicker deciding the game, they need to start leaving some of their blood, sweat and tears in the end zone more often.</p>
<p>Finally, going back to Week 1 of 2012, Shaun Suisham has tallied 173 points. The dozens of other Steelers who have been eligible to score points in that same time frame have contributed with 288 points.</p>
<p>That's a lot of weight to put on the shoulders of a shrimpy little kicker.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/29/5041914/suisham-cant-kick-six-point-field-goalsAnthony Defeo2013-10-29T08:00:17-04:002013-10-29T08:00:17-04:00Tarver fined, apologizes for flipping off official
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The flag was eventually picked up but not before Tarver dropped several expletives and the most universally well-known hand gesture was made. He'll drop an undisclosed amount of cash as well. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> defensive coordinator Jason Tarver is coming off what was perhaps his team's best performance this season.</p>
<p>It will come at a price, so to speak.</p>
<p>Tarver was expressing his disagreement with officials over a flag thrown on cornerback <span>Mike Jenkins</span> in the Raiders' 21-18 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> in Week 8.</p>
<p>He can expect a fine from the league, but it's not what he said as much as it's how he said it.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1885127/ku-xlarge.gif"><img alt="Ku-xlarge_medium" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1885127/ku-xlarge.gif"></a></p>
<p>via <a style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;" href="http://deadspin.com/raiders-dc-jason-tarver-flippin-birds-flingin-fuck-1453133995">Deadspin</a></p>
<p>Tarver has since apologized, and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000271461/article/raiders-dc-jason-tarver-sorry-for-flipping-off-officials" target="_blank">reportedly has already been fined by the league.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000271461/article/raiders-dc-jason-tarver-sorry-for-flipping-off-officials" target="_blank"></a>Tarver's Lt. Cmdr. Jo Ann Galloway's "strenuously object" strategy appeared to have worked, the officials picked up the flag (even if a defenseless receiver was hit by a defensive player, which, according to the rules, should be flagged...just saying).</p>
<p>Raiders fans have to be pleased, though. Tarver shelled out cash from his own pocket to prevent a penalty, in a roundabout way. It's a victimless crime, in the end.</p>
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<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5039552/steelers-raiders-david-decastro-grades-nfl-week-8">Gilbert, Keisel given top PFF grades in loss to Raiders</a></li>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/29/5041750/raiders-jason-tarver-apologizes-for-flicking-off-officialNeal Coolong2013-10-29T07:56:39-04:002013-10-29T07:56:39-04:00Keisel will stress need to get off to better start
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ihbX4OxqyASu7lw1QVeHvWcZrV8=/0x550:2850x2450/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21969947/184407142.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mitchell Leff</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers defensive end and captain Brett Keisel will ensure his team is aware of the need to start much sharper than it did in a 21-18 loss to Oakland in Week 8.</p> <p>Call <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> defensive end <span>Brett Keisel</span> The Sheriff.</p>
<p>While no Steelers player or coach (or fan) can be pleased with the way they started in their 21-18 loss to Oakland in Week 8, looking ahead, what's important is how they'll start games in the future.</p>
<p>Keisel was so put off by it - the Steelers allowed a 93-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, went three-and-out twice on offense and had a punt blocked, leading to another touchdown - <a href="http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Prisutas-Further-Review/19f1eef2-5fe9-4d96-9fea-29844bc3b93d" target="_blank">he plans to say something about it.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Prisutas-Further-Review/19f1eef2-5fe9-4d96-9fea-29844bc3b93d" target="_blank"></a>Not that he'd have to say much. Few would be wise to argue with the particularly large veteran who happens to have two <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> rings.</p>
<p>Everyone may understand the need to start a bit more sharply than they did in losses to Oakland and Chicago in particular. Bringing it up in the locker room and instilling the sense of urgency is the duty of the leadership of the team. The fact Keisel even says in the media it's something that needs to be addressed shows that urgency.</p>
<p>If it wasn't said Monday, it will be said Wednesday (players have Tuesdays off, and do not meet as a group). And hopefully Thursday. Friday seems like a good day to mention it as well. Travelling Tuesday, it would make good conversation on the plane ride to Boston. And 15 minutes before kickoff, it'd be wise to make sure everyone knows the importance of it.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/29/5041778/steelers-brett-keisel-comments-raiders-week-8Neal Coolong2013-10-29T07:30:05-04:002013-10-29T07:30:05-04:00Bell: 'They out-executed us'
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BlEmY270_OHyeVyDNEA4x6R_4ig=/0x122:4000x2789/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21968195/20131027_sal_bs4_248.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite having seen everything on film, the Steelers were beaten savagely by Oakland's defense in the run game. It begs the question of what will happen if the Steelers see everything the Patriots will do in their upcoming Week 9 game.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> rookie running back <span>Le'Veon Bell</span> is quickly learning the "here today, gone tomorrow" nature of the NFL.</p>
<p>More like praised and lauded today, buried under a pile of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> tomorrow.</p>
<p>Bell was the bell of the ball after his 93-yard performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>, but Oakland quickly showed times have changed - 93 yards against the Ravens isn't what it used to be, and running against the Raiders isn't easy. Bell's 24 yards on 13 carries shows evidence behind that statement.</p>
<p>Bell's own words paint the reality behind that 1.8 yards per carry performance.</p>
<p>"Everything they did we saw on film," Bell told <a target="_blank" href="http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4957939-74/story#ixzz2j6kD9D00">Tribune-Review reporter Ray Fittipaldo.</a> "They didn't sell out defensively. We got out-executed, that's all."</p>
<p>It certainly is all. Getting beat on plays is one thing, getting thoroughly manhandled over four quarters, as well as the continued insistence to make that running game work is another. Keep in mind, Bell had one long carry of eight yards, meaning, outside of that earth-scorching mover, he had 12 carries for 16 yards.</p>
<p>Yet, the Steelers had seen everything on film before the game. According to Mike Tomlin's post-game press conference, the Steelers talked often about Terrelle Pryor's ability to run and the zone read option. That didn't prevent <span>LaMarr Woodley</span> from turning his shoulders inside, all but waving a neon sign that read "RUN THIS WAY, TERRELLE!"</p>
<p>Run he did, going 93 yards - or the amount of Bell's heroic game against Baltimore the previous week - on the game's first play.</p>
<p>So much for your running game, Pittsburgh. Pryor, a quarterback who completed 10 passes did enough to win a game based on the first one of that game. Pryor, the quarterback who proved the dysfunction of ESPN's QBR metrics by going 10-for-19 for 88 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, yet, logged a QBR of 96.2, which was the fourth-highest in the league last week, and seventh-highest in the NFL this season.</p>
<p>Out-executed puts it mildly. Unprepared seems more appropriate. It seems they lost before the ball was snapped, as well as after it.</p>
<p>Preparation for New England in Week 9 is underway from a schematic standpoint now, and film is being watched. It almost seems like hope should rest they do not see certain things New England plans to do. If a team can see what a team is going to do, then encounter it in a game and still be dominated, it doesn't seem to matter what they watch.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/29/5041736/steelers-running-game-fantasy-football-week-9-leveon-bell-statusNeal Coolong2013-10-28T16:11:53-04:002013-10-28T16:11:53-04:00Gilbert, Keisel earn top PFF marks
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dinQUOaKgFdwJFLhk-q7WNpe0O4=/0x576:4000x3243/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21939009/marcusgilbert_m_usatsi_7456652.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>David DeCastro is now the third-ranked offensive guard in the NFL, according to the play evaluation web site.</p> <p>For whatever issues the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> offensive line may have had in the past, or will have in the future, it wasn't on the right side in the Steelers' 21-18 loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> in Week 8.</p>
<p>Right tackle <span>Marcus Gilbert</span> <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641774&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fdata%2Fgstats.php%3Ftab%3Dby_week%26season%3D2013%26gameid%3D2857%26teamid%3D23%26stats%3Dd%26playerid%3D&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.behindthesteelcurtain.com%2F2013%2F10%2F28%2F5039552%2Fsteelers-raiders-david-decastro-grades-nfl-week-8" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">received a +3.2 grade,</a> while right guard <span>David DeCastro</span> nothced a +2.9 on the day, despite an ankle injury that limited him to about 61 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps (44 of 72).</p>
<p>It was the highest mark Gilbert received in his three-year career.</p>
<p>DeCastro's performance moved him to third in the NFL, behind Philadelphia's Evan Mathis (+25.1) and <span>Louis Vasquez</span> (+13.7). He's nearly four points ahead of fourth-place <span>Daryn Colledge</span> of Arizona (+7.9).</p>
<p><span>Brett Keisel</span> was the Steelers' highest scorer, earning a +4.5, the highest the defensive end has had since a +4.9 last year against Kansas City.</p>
<p>Linebacker Vince Williams (-1.9) was the low man on defense, with <span>Jason Worilds</span> (-1.2) being the other player in the red range (below -0.9). <span>Troy Polamalu</span> had a +2.0 and <span>Cortez Allen</span> was at +1.3.</p>
<p>Mike Adams filled in for a stretch at left tackle when Beachum moved inside, and put up a +1.2 overall, his best grade this season, in 39 snaps. But the rest of the offense failed to score better than +1.0, with <span>David Paulson</span> (-1.9), <span>Kelvin Beachum</span> (-2.8), <span>Heath Miller</span> (-1.5), <span>Le'Veon Bell</span> (-1.1), <span>Guy Whimper</span> (-2.5) and <span>Felix Jones</span> (-1.2) hitting the red.</p>
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<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5038540/steelers-timeout-oakland-week-8-nfl">Ben was looking for a flag before timeout</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037896/steelers-raiders-mike-tomlin-job-history-nfl-week-9">Tomlin's history lesson ends in S.O.S.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5030914/velasco-decastro-leading-steelers-offensive-line">DeCastro injury could hinder teamwork development among offensive line</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037620/steelers-punter-zoltan-mesko-statistics-evaluation-release-roster-depth-chart">Steelers need to evaluate punting position</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037592/terrelle-pryor-run-record-quarterback-length-steelers-week-8-nfl">Major containment issues on Pryor's record-setting run</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037560/steelers-injury-report-david-decastro-guy-whimper-scheduled-for-mris?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers injury report: David DeCastro, Guy Whimper scheduled for MRIs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5036182/winners-and-losers-in-steelers-week-8-loss-to-raiders?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Winners and Losers in Steelers Week 8 loss to Raiders</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035976/steelers-raiders-nfl-week-8-final-score-highlights-recap?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers vs. Raiders final score: Pittsburgh dominated in three phases by Oakland in 21-18 loss</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035956/david-decastro-injury-steelers-out-of-linemen-as-right-guard-hurts?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">David DeCastro injury: Steelers out of linemen as right guard hurts ankle in third quarter</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5039552/steelers-raiders-david-decastro-grades-nfl-week-8Neal Coolong2013-10-28T15:07:41-04:002013-10-28T15:07:41-04:00The margin for error too great for the Steelers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/RB17Q3fM-NOlaGWN_55lmjcLzLs=/6x0:3992x2657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21933205/20131027_sal__ax5_181.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A winnable game slips away because Pittsburgh couldn't overcome the sum of their mistakes.</p> <p>"Booooo! Boooo!"</p>
<p>There are moments when I am particularly proud of being a Steelers fan. At halftime of Sunday's game with the Raiders was one of those moments.</p>
<p>I didn't completely pick up on it at first. I was caught up in that private little hell that I go to when the team is in that one step forward, two steps back mode they get in when they play outfits like the Raiders. So it took some time for the booing to nip the edges of my consciousness, and even then I wasn't sure what or why he was booing. Let me start with a little scene setting.</p>
<p>I'm at the Alley Cat in Alexandria, Va., with the DC Steel City Mafia. I'm sitting with PaVaSteeler and his friend Steve because in our infinite wisdom we thought repeating what we did last week would be good luck. So much for that theory. It did not start out well. I was late because of DC area traffic. When I get there the game's not on due to 'technical difficulties'. Michele who is attending for the second time ever (Last week against the Ravens was the first time) says that she got a message on her phone that someone named Terrelle Pryor just ran from Oakland to San Francisco on the first play of the game. Was that a good thing? "Uh, no," I reply. She wasn't sure who Pryor played for, and with all the roster moves going on I couldn't blame her. And I was no longer upset that I had missed the first few moments of the game. No need witnessing that crap.</p>
<p>Now, back to the boo bird. I emerge from the fog wondering who's booing and why. The place is packed with Steelers fans but there are two other games on display as well. The Redskins are engaged with the Broncos in a game that was far more competitive than anyone imagined, and the Bengals were curb stomping the Jets. So the guy continues to boo but also elaborates; "Fire Tomlin!" A little over the top, but basically boilerplate disgruntlement. We were all a little frustrated at that point, right? "Fire LeBeau!" Oh...this guy's just an asshole. And then he proceeds to prove my point. I don't see him at first until PaVa helpfully points towards him sitting at the table right next to ours (that's how out of it I was). At halftime he comes over to our table and begins ranting Bill Cowher style, minus the spit thank God. And then he starts waving around a pair of tickets to Heinz Field (lower level he says), and how much of a waste it is to have them. We're just sitting there looking at him and all I can think is why would you bring tickets to Heinz Field to the Alley Cat? And, if you don't want them....I've yet to see a game at Heinz. I'll be happy to go watch them lose, especially on the lower level. And then he leaves.</p>
<p>Here's the part that made me proud. A guy sitting at the bar leans over and says "Steelers fans don't boo their team." While a bit of an exaggeration in the absolute sense, it was a situational truth. No one was feeling this guy despite the fact that we were down 21-3 at that time. The ranter had been sitting at the same table as Karen prompting PaVa to ask whether she was with him. Now I don't know Karen very well, but felt confident enough to suggest that what we were seeing from her was not agreement, but an advanced case of stoicism. That, in fact, she was probably trying to figure out what she had done to offend certain higher powers that she would end up seated next to that clown. But back the game.</p>
<p>I made a bold assertion right before the half that I thought the Steelers would come back to win the game. Steve agreed with me. It didn't turn out that way for a number of reasons, but chief among them was that we had not anticipated the unexpected and unwanted return of Redskins Shaun.</p>
<p>At least a year earlier, maybe more, I had shared my concerns with PaVa and any number of DC area Steelers fans about Shaun Suisham. There was a reason they ran him out of DC; you just saw it. We wondered if and when that part of him would show up. But he played so well last season and was perfect thus far in 2013. Maybe that part of him had been successfully slain. Then, like that scene out of the movie Alien when everyone is settling down to a nice dinner, Redskins Shaun bursts out of Suisham's chest and just takes over. The horror. Its at this point I'd like to share with the community some interesting (at least to me) insight about our friend PaVaSteeler. You might be tempted to think that, based upon the tough love nature of some of his writing, after those misses he would have come down on Suisham like a ton of bricks. Instead he was the very personification of compassion. He took umbrage at those long, lingering pornographic shots of Suisham sitting on the bench, suffering in his own private hell. I thought I was sitting with Steeler Fever.</p>
<p>But as easy as it would be to put that particular gorilla on Suisham's back (those two missed field goals would have been the difference between victory and defeat) the loss was more of a team effort. Let's begin by saying that as bad as Suisham was, he wasn't the worst kicker out there for the Steelers. That would be Zoltan Mesko. Then there was Roethlisberger doing his Good Ben/Bad Ben thing. Antonio Brown reprising certain elements of his performance from last year in this same venue. Heath Miller continued the uncharacteristic trend of being somewhat butterfingered. None of these things in and of themselves doomed the Steelers. The Raiders didn't come close to scoring a point after halftime. The fatal wound that these events caused cumulatively was in a loss of time.</p>
<p>And speaking of reviving memories of last year, lets talk injuries to the offensive line. First of all I take full responsibility for this aspect of the game. It happens every time I make the mistake of saying in the Checkdown that we got off easy with injuries the previous week. During halftime Barry joked that maybe I should suit up. A few minutes later I was thinking somebody should. That was when Guy Whimper was lying face down on the turf. Just goes to show you how quickly some things can change. Two weeks ago if that had happened someone surely would have popped the cork on some Champagne. While I didn't see anyone burst into tears, the reaction was respectfully sober. Of course it didn't help that Whimper was in there because Ramon Foster has suffered a concussion, and then DeCastro got hurt. As a result we got to check out Cody Wallace, and Beachum would have to move inside to guard, and Mike Adams was pressed into to service as something other than an oversized tight end. Whatever the sins of the O line, if you lose two starters and a reserve to injury a performance downgrade should be expected. So maybe we lighten up on them.</p>
<p>Periodically, PaVa would ask what I was thinking. I never knew how to respond. I think the term "thinking" threw me. I and others have been saying that this team didn't have much of a margin for errors. That's what was on display yesterday. It wasn't so much that I was thinking while I was watching, as it was I felt myself trying to will the team through certain situations without making mistakes. So many players performed so well throughout and I can't think of anyone who performed badly the entire time. Lost in the disappointment of the loss were some fine performances by Troy Polamalu, Cam Heyward, Lawrence Timmons, William Gay, Le'Veon Bell, Brett Keisel and Jerricho Cotchery. Also soon to be forgotten were some fine individual moments from Emmanuel Sanders, Brown, Ben, Cortez Allen, Heath, Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark and others. They force three turnovers, but they made more mistakes of their own than this team at this time can overcome.</p>
<p>Sarah, who stayed in the Reston to watch the game texted me throughout the second half, saying in essence 'This looks bad'. It was frustrating to watch. Pittsburgh kept cutting themselves and then eventually bled to death.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5038376/the-margin-of-error-was-too-great-for-the-steelersIvan Cole (RickVa)2013-10-28T12:13:49-04:002013-10-28T12:13:49-04:00Breaking down the timeout
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c-RCU6Lt2Jc7hsJviKfXwKsn7Gg=/0x53:4000x2720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21924237/20131027_sal__bs4_135.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Breaking down the events surrounding the timeout Roethlisberger burned late in the game reveals a string of errors and poor decisions - none of which fairly can shoulder blame for the loss. </p> <p>Many things went wrong in the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>' 21-18 loss to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a>. One mistake leads to a series of other situations and consequences because of it.</p>
<p>Steelers quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> is taking the brunt of that criticism, mostly centered around his decision to call timeout with the playclock winding down with 1:43 remaining in the game.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger had just completed a pass to running back <span>Le'Veon Bell</span>, who was tackled out of bounds. Roethlisberger told the media, including Steelers.com reporter Mike Prisuta, <a target="new" href="http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Prisutas-Further-Review/19f1eef2-5fe9-4d96-9fea-29844bc3b93d">Roethlisberger's attention was with two officials,</a> who were discussing whether Oakland had horse collar-tackled Bell.</p>
<p>According to Prisuta, Roethlisberger said " “I ran over there because the ref was grabbing for his flag for a horse-collar call on Le’Veon, and then he didn’t (make the call). The ref asked (another official), ‘Was there a horse collar?’ They were kind of discussing it, and I guess they decided not to call it. By the time we got back to the huddle, you look up and there’s three seconds (on the play clock) by the time we break the huddle.”</p>
<p>One event led to a series of others, none of which worked in favor of the Steelers.</p>
<p>It appears, upon replay, there was suitable cause for a flag; Bell was taken down in a manner that has drawn a flag for a horse collar tackle in the past, in my opinion. Roethlisberger probably spent too much time waiting for the flag, but at the same time, the officials gave him legitimate reason to think a flag would be thrown.</p>
<p>Because Roethlisberger did not get back to the huddle in time to smoothly call the play and get set, he called time out. He could have taken a five-yard penalty, something he spoke after the game as if he was aware of the choice he had.</p>
<p>“You either take 5 yards (for delay of game) or you take the timeout,” Roethlisberger said, as quoted by Prisuta. “I know timeouts are valuable but I thought 5 yards were, too, so I had to burn it.”</p>
<p>The Steelers eventually scored on the drive, as well as converted for two points. The onside kick they attempted was easily recovered by the Raiders, leaving the Steelers with two timeouts.</p>
<p>As the Steelers defense had throughout the second half - the Raiders rushed for eight yards through the third and fourth quarters - stopped them on three straight runs, but without that last timeout, the Raiders bled the clock down to 15 seconds after the kick. Antonio Brown's punt return actually lost yards, leading to a pass straight down the middle of the field to <span>Emmanuel Sanders</span> - who seemed to try to break four tackles before remembering it's likely the last play of the game. He proceeded to attempt to fumble the ball forward, but to no avail.</p>
<p>Timeout or otherwise, Roethlisberger appears defensive in his comments, but the issue here isn't the timeout; it's the time spent with the officials, who appeared to have talked themselves out of a flag for a horse collar tackle. Roethlisberger's presence in the conversation did not help the team, but his actions after that - calling the timeout - seems less important.</p>
<p>Weighing five yards against a timeout is a granular approach to hindsight-is-20/20. The fact is neither result were likely to have helped the team. At that point, though, the Steelers still needed to score, get the 2-point conversion and then recover the onside kick.</p>
<p>If Roethlisberger's mismanagement of the clock is a significant issue, so is Shaun Suisham's onside kick that appeared to travel as if attracted by magnet to the Raiders' hands team. So was Brown's punt return attempt that lost as many yards as seconds off the clock.</p>
<p>When the rubber meets the road, it was a string of very unlikely events, and the undoing was the fact the team simply didn't do enough through the first 58:17 to be in a strong position to win.</p>
<h4>More from Behind the Steel Curtain:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037578/steelers-raiders-nfl-week-8-recap-postgame-quotes-stats-highlights-news-updates-injuries?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers smacked in the face by Raiders: All postgame news and updates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037896/steelers-raiders-mike-tomlin-job-history-nfl-week-9">Tomlin's history lesson ends in S.O.S.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5030914/velasco-decastro-leading-steelers-offensive-line">DeCastro injury could hinder teamwork development among offensive line</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037620/steelers-punter-zoltan-mesko-statistics-evaluation-release-roster-depth-chart">Steelers need to evaluate punting position</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037592/terrelle-pryor-run-record-quarterback-length-steelers-week-8-nfl">Major containment issues on Pryor's record-setting run</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037560/steelers-injury-report-david-decastro-guy-whimper-scheduled-for-mris?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers injury report: David DeCastro, Guy Whimper scheduled for MRIs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5036182/winners-and-losers-in-steelers-week-8-loss-to-raiders?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Winners and Losers in Steelers Week 8 loss to Raiders</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035976/steelers-raiders-nfl-week-8-final-score-highlights-recap?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers vs. Raiders final score: Pittsburgh dominated in three phases by Oakland in 21-18 loss</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035956/david-decastro-injury-steelers-out-of-linemen-as-right-guard-hurts?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">David DeCastro injury: Steelers out of linemen as right guard hurts ankle in third quarter</a></li>
</ul>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5038540/steelers-timeout-oakland-week-8-nflNeal Coolong2013-10-28T10:34:03-04:002013-10-28T10:34:03-04:00Tomlin’s History Lesson ends in Same Old Steelers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ACxveW-gl1Hii36j7Bhqrv-Mhv8=/15x0:3984x2646/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21915215/186054531.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In an effort to keep the players focused on the game after their heady two game winning streak, Coach Tomlin regaled the Steelers with historic tales of the Raiders Steelers rivalry. The results however were reminiscent of an even older time in Steelers history; back in the losing decades of 50’s and 60’s they were know as SOS: Same old Steelers, a throwback that sadly seems to be making a comeback.</p> <p>The Steelers arrived in Oakland to face a Raiders team that was 0-10 coming off its bye week; that’s ten years worth of failing to capitalize on a week's worth of rest and practice.</p>
<p>By contrast, the Steelers this year came off their Week 5 bye with a modicum of energy and proficiency and managed to defeat the New York Jets for their first win of the season, and then followed that up with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens that had Steeler Nation (and apparently the players themselves) suddenly confident in the team’s performance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yet once again, for the fourth time in Ben Roethlisberger’s career, the Steelers failed to win in Oakland; he is winless his entire career against the Raiders on the west coast.<span> </span>Despite the Raiders’ "game after bye week" record for the past decade, despite the Raiders not having two of its starting offensive linemen active for this game, Roethlisberger could only manage a 70.1 passer rating this game with a game plan that showed an equal but opposite amount of inspiration and originality as the play calling did against the Ravens.<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On defense, the Steelers were unable to exploit the Raiders offensive line, only notching two sacks for a measly 6 yards.<span> </span>By contrast, the Kansas City Chiefs sacked Raiders QB Terrell Pryor 10 times in one game.<span> </span>Ten times; that’s how many sacks the Steelers have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for the entire season.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Raiders scored 21 points in the first half while the SOS (Same old Steelers) managed only 3.<span> </span>Five punts, including a blocked one that led to the Raiders second touchdown, and one field goal out of two attempts; that was the sum total of the Steelers offensive output, despite the exciting bedtime stories Tomlin told his players about the exploits of Bradshaw, Harris, Stallworth and Swan.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was quite evident that, at least offensively, the Steelers’ success the past two weeks was the exception, not the norm.<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On defense, the Steelers gave up 182 yards rushing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in just the first half.<span> </span></i>Even if you take an extra hit of kool-aid and disavow the Raiders 93 yard touchdown run by QB Terrelle Pryor to start the game as a fluke, the Steelers still allowed 89 yards rushing in just one half of a game, including two rushing touchdowns.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Granted, the Raiders only managed 15 yards on 15 carries and three completions on six attempts for 26 yards in the second half, but really, what more did they need to do?<span> </span>They started the final half leading by 18 points and with no reason to believe the Steelers offense could do much better against their top 10 rated defense; and they were right.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Steelers had what in other circumstances (say, with a lead maybe?) would have been a game controlling 9 minute drive to open the third quarter (down by 18 points remember) that culminated in the Steelers being on the Raiders 15 yard line with a fresh set of downs and then the following:<span> </span>First down: LeVeon Bell up the middle for a loss of 6 yards; Second down: Bell up the middle for 6 yards; Third down: incomplete pass to Antonio Brown; Fourth down: Shaun Suisham misses is second field goal, this time from 32 yards.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sixty yards travelled in nine minutes while behind by 18 points and the Steelers called nine running plays out of the 15 executed on this one drive. For the first half the Steelers managed a whopping eight yards on seven carries (1.1 yard per attempt for those scoring at home), and they start the third quarter down by three scores by running the ball 60 percent of the time?<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since the Raiders are seen as the "anti-everything" as compared to the rest of the league, did Steelers OC Todd Haley think they’d go into the locker room at half time and make adjustments <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to get worse</i> at stopping the Steelers running game in the second half?<span> </span>The Steelers ran the ball 19 times the entire game; only 28 percent of their entire offensive output was the run.<span> </span>Yet nearly half of those came in their first possession of the third quarter down by three scores.<span> </span>Was Haley trying to teach a new type of math to go along with Tomlin’s history lessons; use more time to less effect to score more points than the opponent?<span> </span>Coming into the game Roethlisberger had a 90.7 passer rating and with the team struggling to do much of anything on offense the ball is being taken out of his hands?<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yea, Bell may be the savior to the Steelers’ running game, but saviors don’t show up overnight, and rarely are they found without a supporting cast; the Steelers’ offensive line was anything but supporting, having given up five sacks for the game and having lost Foster, DeCastro and Whimper at various points throughout the game.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally though, to continue the high school analogy, isn’t it time punter Zoltan Mesko is given detention for his repeated "junior varsity" punts?<span> </span>If Dwyer can get detention in the "dog house" repeatedly and extensively for not performing, how long of a leash does Mesko get before it’s yanked?<span> </span>Granted, he had a couple of long punts late in the game, but he only averaged 35 yards for the entire game.<span> </span>In addition, he muffed the snap on a punt in the first quarter which gave the Raiders time to penetrate and partially block it, which led to their second touchdown of the game.<span> </span>And to add insult to injury, it is quite possible that Mesko contributed to the two field goals Suisham missed, as both times he placed and held the ball for Suisham to kick it was leaning at a severe slant to the side Suisham went wide.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead of reminiscing about the times he watched Pryor in high school, maybe Tomlin should reminisce about Drew Butler’s punting performance for the Steelers in the past and give the guy a call; he can’t be much less consistent than the JV punter currently on the roster, and the repeated poor punting this season certainly should be considered grounds for expulsion.</p>
<h4>More from Behind the Steel Curtain:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037578/steelers-raiders-nfl-week-8-recap-postgame-quotes-stats-highlights-news-updates-injuries?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers smacked in the face by Raiders: All postgame news and updates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5030914/velasco-decastro-leading-steelers-offensive-line">DeCastro injury could hinder teamwork development among offensive line</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037620/steelers-punter-zoltan-mesko-statistics-evaluation-release-roster-depth-chart">Steelers need to evaluate punting position</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037592/terrelle-pryor-run-record-quarterback-length-steelers-week-8-nfl">Major containment issues on Pryor's record-setting run</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037560/steelers-injury-report-david-decastro-guy-whimper-scheduled-for-mris?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers injury report: David DeCastro, Guy Whimper scheduled for MRIs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5036182/winners-and-losers-in-steelers-week-8-loss-to-raiders?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Winners and Losers in Steelers Week 8 loss to Raiders</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035976/steelers-raiders-nfl-week-8-final-score-highlights-recap?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Steelers vs. Raiders final score: Pittsburgh dominated in three phases by Oakland in 21-18 loss</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/27/5035956/david-decastro-injury-steelers-out-of-linemen-as-right-guard-hurts?utm_source=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">David DeCastro injury: Steelers out of linemen as right guard hurts ankle in third quarter</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/28/5037896/steelers-raiders-mike-tomlin-job-history-nfl-week-9PaVaSteeler