The Steelers played in Miami and pulled out a win, 23-22. Now I didn't see the game, living in Cleveland I got stuck watching the Browns and didn't go out. So my recap is coming from things I have seen on highlight shows and read on the internet.
The Good:
1. Mike Wallace might be faster than any defensive back in the league. He is quite the deep threat, averaging 25.3 yards a catch with four touchdowns. Look for him to be a big play guy all season, because Ben Roethlisberger can throw it deep. He opens up the underneath routes for Hines Ward, Heath Miller, and Antwaan Randle El.
2. Hines Ward is clutch. He will make the tough catches in traffic. You wouldn't realize that he's 34 years old the way he plays with reckless abandon.
3. Ben Roethlisberger completed 70% of his passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. He had a QB rating of 132. So for the most part, the rust is off.
The Bad:
1. The offense couldn't punch it in often and had to settle for field goals. Mendenhall couldn't get it going, but it couldn't have helped that Flozell Adams was lost during the game. The game wouldn't have come down to a late FG and a controversial Roethlisberger goal line fumble if the Steelers could just punch it in.
2. The defense didn't play badly. They held Miami to five field goals and just one touchdown. But Polamalu and Harrison let up on a couple plays that before last week's increased penalties they would have made big hits on. Hopefully Dick LeBeau and the other defensive coaches emphasize being physical and making hits, as long as those hits aren't intentional to the head/neck area. We cannot have these two playing timid.
The Ugly:
1. Injuries.
LaMarr Woodley injured his hamstring. From what I heard, he will be back next week and is just fine, nothing to worry about.
Right tackle Flozell Adams hurt his ankle. I have not heard anything about his injury, so until I get word I will assume it's nothing major and he will be starting Sunday in New Orleans.
Now for the devastating injury. Aaron Smith is lost for the season with a torn triceps. This is the third time in four years that he has been put on injured reserve. The one year he wasn't lost for the season? It was 2oo8, and we won the Super Bowl that season.
There is the chance this could have been his last game in the Black and Gold. He is 34 years old and he could possibly decide to retire at the end of the season, or even be cut. I hope that if he doesn't retire he accepts a backup role, because I don't feel that he can make it through an entire season playing starter's snaps.
It is now time for Ziggy Hood, our 2009 first round draft pick, to step up and be the player we believe he can be. He has been very good in practice and had a very good preseason. He's been groomed for this role. This is also the exact reason we drafted him, to eventually replace Smith and to be a backup if he were to become injured again.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Preview Week 7: Steelers (4-1) @ Dolphins (3-2)
[Note: I apologize for not having this up Friday night, my internet was out when I got home from work.]
This week the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Miami, the place where Ben Roethlisberger made his first ever career start.
This Dolphins team has lost both of their home games and won all their road games. So the trend bodes well for the Steelers chances of moving to 5-1. But this isn't a bad Miami team. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is one of the better tailback tandems in the NFL. Chad Henne has a big arm, and he has a big target in Brandon Marshall at wide receiver.
The defense isn't bad, but it isn't anything too special either. Cameron Wake is a beast at outside linebacker with six sacks on the season so far. Karlos Dansby is one of the best inside linebackers in the league. Channing Crowder talks a lot, but he is a decent inside linebacker.
Ben Roethlisberger knocked the rust off last week versus the Cleveland Browns. If he played that well sort of rusty, then this Dolphins defense is in for a rough afternoon. Between the running game with Rashard Mendenhall and Big Ben throwing the ball, the offense should do well.
The defense is pissed off. James Harrison is pissed off. LaMarr Woodley is pissed off. Ryan Clark is pissed off. I don't think the Steelers are going to play timid on defense after the NFL has threatened suspensions for helmet-to-helmet and "vicious" hits. These guys will still hit hard and play fast. I don't think Mike Tomlin will want it any other way.
Match-ups
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Dolphins Secondary: Last week Ben threw three touchdowns and one interception as he knocked the rust off. The interception he threw into an area where there wasn't a single Steelers receiver. Hopefully this week he throws another three touchdowns.
Mike Wallace vs. Vontae Davis: Mike Wallace might not be the #1 receiver, but I expect to see Davis covering him. You really have to put your fastest corner on him, because he will just run by many defensive backs.
Rashard Mendenhall vs. Karlos Dansby: Mendenhall has shown that he was well worth the first round pick the Steelers' spent on him. Mendenhall is 6th in the NFL with 495 yards. Dansby is a pretty good run stuffer. Mendenhall is going to have to run hard and tough to get his yards on inside runs.
James Harrison vs. Jake Long: Harrison is coming into this game VERY pissed off. He's going to take his anger out on Jake Long. Long is one of the best left tackles in football, James Harrison is a former Defensive Player of the Year and is one of the best pass rushers in football. I would take a pissed off James Harrison over any offensive tackle in the league.
Ike Taylor vs. Brandon Marshall: Marshall is a big, physical receiver who goes up and gets jump balls....he is also great getting yards after the catch. Ike Taylor can play a physical game and has shut down some of the best receivers in the NFL. This will be a battle, and if we can get a pass rush on Chad Henne it will make Taylor's job that much easier.
Troy Polamalu vs. All Offensive Skill Players: Polamalu is the player that changes a game. Chad Henne has to account for him before every snap. He stuffs the run. He rushes the passer. He plays zone. He plays man-to-man. He jumps over the pile and sacks the quarterback. Heck, if you put him in on offense he would probably score a touchdown on his first touch.
Chad Henne vs. Steelers Pass Rush: Harrison is going to want to hit Henne hard, like I said....he is pissed off. LaMarr Woodley played with Henne at Michigan and couldn't sack him in practice, you know Woodley wants to hit Henne (even though they are friends). Polamalu can come in on a blitz out of nowhere. Timmons is a very good blitzer. The defensive line also gets pressure. Henne has shown that when pressured he will make mistakes. Look for that this week.
Lawrence Timmons/James Farrior vs. Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams: The Steelers haven't allowed a back to run for more than 64 yards on them this season. Brown and Williams are one of the better RB duos in the league. So there are fresh legs in the backfield often. There is also the fact that both of the Dolphins' backs are effective in the "wildcat" offense. I expect the Steelers' inside linebackers to win this battle. Timmons is fourth in the NFL with 59 tackles, look for him to rack up even more.
Prediction
Steelers 34 - Dolphins 13
This week the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Miami, the place where Ben Roethlisberger made his first ever career start.
This Dolphins team has lost both of their home games and won all their road games. So the trend bodes well for the Steelers chances of moving to 5-1. But this isn't a bad Miami team. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams is one of the better tailback tandems in the NFL. Chad Henne has a big arm, and he has a big target in Brandon Marshall at wide receiver.
The defense isn't bad, but it isn't anything too special either. Cameron Wake is a beast at outside linebacker with six sacks on the season so far. Karlos Dansby is one of the best inside linebackers in the league. Channing Crowder talks a lot, but he is a decent inside linebacker.
Ben Roethlisberger knocked the rust off last week versus the Cleveland Browns. If he played that well sort of rusty, then this Dolphins defense is in for a rough afternoon. Between the running game with Rashard Mendenhall and Big Ben throwing the ball, the offense should do well.
The defense is pissed off. James Harrison is pissed off. LaMarr Woodley is pissed off. Ryan Clark is pissed off. I don't think the Steelers are going to play timid on defense after the NFL has threatened suspensions for helmet-to-helmet and "vicious" hits. These guys will still hit hard and play fast. I don't think Mike Tomlin will want it any other way.
Match-ups
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Dolphins Secondary: Last week Ben threw three touchdowns and one interception as he knocked the rust off. The interception he threw into an area where there wasn't a single Steelers receiver. Hopefully this week he throws another three touchdowns.
Mike Wallace vs. Vontae Davis: Mike Wallace might not be the #1 receiver, but I expect to see Davis covering him. You really have to put your fastest corner on him, because he will just run by many defensive backs.
Rashard Mendenhall vs. Karlos Dansby: Mendenhall has shown that he was well worth the first round pick the Steelers' spent on him. Mendenhall is 6th in the NFL with 495 yards. Dansby is a pretty good run stuffer. Mendenhall is going to have to run hard and tough to get his yards on inside runs.
James Harrison vs. Jake Long: Harrison is coming into this game VERY pissed off. He's going to take his anger out on Jake Long. Long is one of the best left tackles in football, James Harrison is a former Defensive Player of the Year and is one of the best pass rushers in football. I would take a pissed off James Harrison over any offensive tackle in the league.
Ike Taylor vs. Brandon Marshall: Marshall is a big, physical receiver who goes up and gets jump balls....he is also great getting yards after the catch. Ike Taylor can play a physical game and has shut down some of the best receivers in the NFL. This will be a battle, and if we can get a pass rush on Chad Henne it will make Taylor's job that much easier.
Troy Polamalu vs. All Offensive Skill Players: Polamalu is the player that changes a game. Chad Henne has to account for him before every snap. He stuffs the run. He rushes the passer. He plays zone. He plays man-to-man. He jumps over the pile and sacks the quarterback. Heck, if you put him in on offense he would probably score a touchdown on his first touch.
Chad Henne vs. Steelers Pass Rush: Harrison is going to want to hit Henne hard, like I said....he is pissed off. LaMarr Woodley played with Henne at Michigan and couldn't sack him in practice, you know Woodley wants to hit Henne (even though they are friends). Polamalu can come in on a blitz out of nowhere. Timmons is a very good blitzer. The defensive line also gets pressure. Henne has shown that when pressured he will make mistakes. Look for that this week.
Lawrence Timmons/James Farrior vs. Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams: The Steelers haven't allowed a back to run for more than 64 yards on them this season. Brown and Williams are one of the better RB duos in the league. So there are fresh legs in the backfield often. There is also the fact that both of the Dolphins' backs are effective in the "wildcat" offense. I expect the Steelers' inside linebackers to win this battle. Timmons is fourth in the NFL with 59 tackles, look for him to rack up even more.
Prediction
Steelers 34 - Dolphins 13
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Too violent?
Sunday was quite a day for huge hits. Multiple players were knocked out of games, and the Eagles Desean Jackson might miss next week with a "severe concussion" in which he had memory loss. The Steelers' James Harrison knocked two Browns players out of the game Sunday.
James Harrison was fined $75K today for his hit on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaqiou, and for being a "repeat offender". That's a lot of jack. Dunta Robinson of the Falcons and Brandon Marriweather of the Patriots were both fined $50K. Harrison and his agent are going to appeal the fine, and rightfully so, he shouldn't be fined more than the others. His hit wasn't even the worst of the hits over the weekend!
Now the NFL is threatening to suspend players for helmet/shoulder/forearm-to-head/neck hits and "devastating" hits.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't like the helmet-to-helmet shots. But not ever single helmet-to-helmet hit is flagrant and an offense that deserves a suspension. If a player knows a hit is coming and lowers his head, he is opening himself up to once of these hits.
Football is a game of violent physics. Players are so fast, big, and strong. It's like the unstoppable force versus the immovable object, something has to give when the collision happens. Players move their bodies to avoid contact, and in doing so they put themselves in position for what could end up being a worse injury than at first. Also, when hit, the body can move and then helmets collide. In real-time, it often looks like an initial helmet-to-helmet hit. But in slow motion, you see that it's not. As a player is hit, his body will naturally move in a direction, the whiplash effect, and the head will go forward and hit the other player. Also, the brain rattles after hits where helmets don't collide or the head strikes the ground hard (like Jay Cutler's concussion versus the Giants).
Also, what is a "devastating" hit, other than helmet-to-helmet? A hit that breaks someone's ribs? A hit that breaks a guys sternum? Breaks a player's pelvis? Shreds his knee to the point he has to retire? If the players have to drastically change the way they hit, this will be the effects. Most players would rather suffer a concussion rather than these other injuries that will keep them out of the game for multiple weeks, if not for sure end their careers.
Also, what about the offensive players that lead with their head? Are they going to be penalized and suspended when they hit a guy helmet-to-helmet or spear them? Roger Goodell cannot have it both ways. If the same penalties are not enforced on the offense, then saying this change is for the safety of the players is complete BS.
Football is like boxing in it's violence. The boxing ring is the only place that you can punch somebody like that and not go to jail. A football field is the only place you can lay the licks that get laid and not go to jail. When a boxer steps into the ring, he knows the risks that come with the sport. When a football player steps onto the field of play, he knows the inherent risks that come with playing the violent game of football. Nobody is holding a gun to any players' head and forcing them to play. If they don't want to play because they are afraid of getting hurt, then they can walk away from the game.
In the end, if Roger Goodell gets his way, we will no longer have the National Football League. We will have the National Flag Football League. We need people who played in Goodell's ear urging him to stop wussifying the league.
And finally, if the NFL wants to get rid of these hits, then they need to stop using them on their promotions for the NFL. That is just hypocrisy at it's finest.
James Harrison was fined $75K today for his hit on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaqiou, and for being a "repeat offender". That's a lot of jack. Dunta Robinson of the Falcons and Brandon Marriweather of the Patriots were both fined $50K. Harrison and his agent are going to appeal the fine, and rightfully so, he shouldn't be fined more than the others. His hit wasn't even the worst of the hits over the weekend!
Now the NFL is threatening to suspend players for helmet/shoulder/forearm-to-head/neck hits and "devastating" hits.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't like the helmet-to-helmet shots. But not ever single helmet-to-helmet hit is flagrant and an offense that deserves a suspension. If a player knows a hit is coming and lowers his head, he is opening himself up to once of these hits.
Football is a game of violent physics. Players are so fast, big, and strong. It's like the unstoppable force versus the immovable object, something has to give when the collision happens. Players move their bodies to avoid contact, and in doing so they put themselves in position for what could end up being a worse injury than at first. Also, when hit, the body can move and then helmets collide. In real-time, it often looks like an initial helmet-to-helmet hit. But in slow motion, you see that it's not. As a player is hit, his body will naturally move in a direction, the whiplash effect, and the head will go forward and hit the other player. Also, the brain rattles after hits where helmets don't collide or the head strikes the ground hard (like Jay Cutler's concussion versus the Giants).
Also, what is a "devastating" hit, other than helmet-to-helmet? A hit that breaks someone's ribs? A hit that breaks a guys sternum? Breaks a player's pelvis? Shreds his knee to the point he has to retire? If the players have to drastically change the way they hit, this will be the effects. Most players would rather suffer a concussion rather than these other injuries that will keep them out of the game for multiple weeks, if not for sure end their careers.
Also, what about the offensive players that lead with their head? Are they going to be penalized and suspended when they hit a guy helmet-to-helmet or spear them? Roger Goodell cannot have it both ways. If the same penalties are not enforced on the offense, then saying this change is for the safety of the players is complete BS.
Football is like boxing in it's violence. The boxing ring is the only place that you can punch somebody like that and not go to jail. A football field is the only place you can lay the licks that get laid and not go to jail. When a boxer steps into the ring, he knows the risks that come with the sport. When a football player steps onto the field of play, he knows the inherent risks that come with playing the violent game of football. Nobody is holding a gun to any players' head and forcing them to play. If they don't want to play because they are afraid of getting hurt, then they can walk away from the game.
In the end, if Roger Goodell gets his way, we will no longer have the National Football League. We will have the National Flag Football League. We need people who played in Goodell's ear urging him to stop wussifying the league.
And finally, if the NFL wants to get rid of these hits, then they need to stop using them on their promotions for the NFL. That is just hypocrisy at it's finest.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Week Six
This is my recap of the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-5) game on October 17, 2010.
The Good:
1. The return of Big Ben. Wow, our offense sure does look different with a legitimate franchise quarterback under center. With Ben in there, the other team's defense has to respect the pass. His arm makes use of Wallace's speed. Heath Miller becomes a weapon again. Ben was a bit rusty at first, but it didn't take him long to knock it off. Three TD passes.....this is going to be a great rest of the season.
2. The balanced play calling by Bruce Arians. Last year Ben Roethlisberger set the Steelers' record for single season passing yards. But we missed the playoffs going 9-7 and finishing third in the AFC North. The Steelers promised a return of a strong run game this season and yesterday was the first true test. We all knew it was going to be a heavy dose of Mendenhall in games 1-4 because of Ben's suspension. But yesterday he ran the ball over 25 times, sticking with it. Maybe Arians has finally learned that run plays are good calls too.
3. Tenacious D. James Harrison is now "The Hitman". He took out Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaqiou with vicious hits. Colt McCoy was sacked five times and threw two interceptions (with one TD in garbage time). A running back hasn't gained even 50 yards against this defense yet this year. There were doubts after last season's late-game breakdowns. This year, the defense is showing that it's not too old, too slow, or too soft.
4. No sacks. Last year in Cleveland, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked eight times. The Browns upgraded their defense with Chris Gocong, Scott Fujita, Sheldon Brown, TJ Ward, and Joe Haden. But none of them could sack Roethlisberger. The line picked up blitzes and blocked their assignments. Also, Big Ben threw the ball away a few times, something he hasn't done much of the last few years....leading to many of his sacks.
The bad:
1. Big hits. James Harrison knocked out Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaqiou with vicious hits. Now depending on your loyalties and your view of how the game should be played, they were either hard, good hits or they were dirty and just plain wrong. Well, stuff happens. Guys get hurt. It's football, not curling. These players know the dangers of playing, if they don't want to take the chance of getting hurt, then they need to find a new job.
The ugly:
1. Prevent defense. Why the hell are we going to a prevent defense? I hate the prevent defense because all it does is prevent you from winning the game. The defense should stick to what has worked all game. When you fall back into a prevent defense you don't allow the 40+ yard plays, but you allow the 15-25 yard plays that allow the other team to get into scoring range. The goal should always be three-and out.
The Good:
1. The return of Big Ben. Wow, our offense sure does look different with a legitimate franchise quarterback under center. With Ben in there, the other team's defense has to respect the pass. His arm makes use of Wallace's speed. Heath Miller becomes a weapon again. Ben was a bit rusty at first, but it didn't take him long to knock it off. Three TD passes.....this is going to be a great rest of the season.
2. The balanced play calling by Bruce Arians. Last year Ben Roethlisberger set the Steelers' record for single season passing yards. But we missed the playoffs going 9-7 and finishing third in the AFC North. The Steelers promised a return of a strong run game this season and yesterday was the first true test. We all knew it was going to be a heavy dose of Mendenhall in games 1-4 because of Ben's suspension. But yesterday he ran the ball over 25 times, sticking with it. Maybe Arians has finally learned that run plays are good calls too.
3. Tenacious D. James Harrison is now "The Hitman". He took out Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaqiou with vicious hits. Colt McCoy was sacked five times and threw two interceptions (with one TD in garbage time). A running back hasn't gained even 50 yards against this defense yet this year. There were doubts after last season's late-game breakdowns. This year, the defense is showing that it's not too old, too slow, or too soft.
4. No sacks. Last year in Cleveland, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked eight times. The Browns upgraded their defense with Chris Gocong, Scott Fujita, Sheldon Brown, TJ Ward, and Joe Haden. But none of them could sack Roethlisberger. The line picked up blitzes and blocked their assignments. Also, Big Ben threw the ball away a few times, something he hasn't done much of the last few years....leading to many of his sacks.
The bad:
1. Big hits. James Harrison knocked out Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaqiou with vicious hits. Now depending on your loyalties and your view of how the game should be played, they were either hard, good hits or they were dirty and just plain wrong. Well, stuff happens. Guys get hurt. It's football, not curling. These players know the dangers of playing, if they don't want to take the chance of getting hurt, then they need to find a new job.
The ugly:
1. Prevent defense. Why the hell are we going to a prevent defense? I hate the prevent defense because all it does is prevent you from winning the game. The defense should stick to what has worked all game. When you fall back into a prevent defense you don't allow the 40+ yard plays, but you allow the 15-25 yard plays that allow the other team to get into scoring range. The goal should always be three-and out.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) v. Cleveland Browns (1-3)
This week the Cleveland Browns travel to Pittsburgh, PA to take on the Steelers.
The Browns are likely going to be starting third round rookie draft pick Colt McCoy at quarterback with Jake Delholme and Seneca Wallace out with ankle injuries. After the game, we should all have a moment of silence for what was once McCoy's pro football career, because this Steelers defense is going to tear him apart.
The offensive line was supposed to be a strength for the Browns, but they weren't able to protect Delholme and Wallace also got walloped last week against the Falcons. If they couldn't protect two vested NFL veterans, Colt McCoy is in for a rude awakening. Welcome to the NFL rookie!
The Steelers have one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFL. It's going to be like throwing a lamb into a lions den. Colt McCoy is going to see things that he hasn't seen before. He will have no idea who is rushing, who will be dropping into coverage. If he makes it through the game without injury, he may not want to play again. This defense will break him mentally, if it doesn't break him physically.
Lawrence Timmons is quietly having a monster season. Troy Polamalu is going to be the Defensive Player of the Year. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are beasts at outside linebacker. Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Kiesel......yeah, you aren't going to run on them.
And then you have the Steelers offense. This is Ben Roethlisberger's first game back from a four game suspension. He's not going to be as rusty as people think. This is the same offense that the Steelers had last year. He has chemistry with Ward, Wallace, Miller, Mendenhall, etc. It's going to force defenses to play honest and defend the pass. Mendy is going to have room to run, and that's going to give Big Ben the play action pass game.
Steelers 45 - Browns 0
The Browns are likely going to be starting third round rookie draft pick Colt McCoy at quarterback with Jake Delholme and Seneca Wallace out with ankle injuries. After the game, we should all have a moment of silence for what was once McCoy's pro football career, because this Steelers defense is going to tear him apart.
The offensive line was supposed to be a strength for the Browns, but they weren't able to protect Delholme and Wallace also got walloped last week against the Falcons. If they couldn't protect two vested NFL veterans, Colt McCoy is in for a rude awakening. Welcome to the NFL rookie!
The Steelers have one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFL. It's going to be like throwing a lamb into a lions den. Colt McCoy is going to see things that he hasn't seen before. He will have no idea who is rushing, who will be dropping into coverage. If he makes it through the game without injury, he may not want to play again. This defense will break him mentally, if it doesn't break him physically.
Lawrence Timmons is quietly having a monster season. Troy Polamalu is going to be the Defensive Player of the Year. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are beasts at outside linebacker. Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Brett Kiesel......yeah, you aren't going to run on them.
And then you have the Steelers offense. This is Ben Roethlisberger's first game back from a four game suspension. He's not going to be as rusty as people think. This is the same offense that the Steelers had last year. He has chemistry with Ward, Wallace, Miller, Mendenhall, etc. It's going to force defenses to play honest and defend the pass. Mendy is going to have room to run, and that's going to give Big Ben the play action pass game.
Steelers 45 - Browns 0
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