Game Thread - PIT @ CLE (1 Viewer)

[3C's]

nice play but a hold on nate

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Parker has 24 carries and over 100 yards. Yeah he didn't find the endzone but that's ok for stats.

 

[raor]

So I drafterd FWP over Addai based on the word out of Pittsburgh that Parker would be in on 3rd down. From what I can tell on gamecast, the closet pooper was in on every 3rd down. What I can't tell is if Davenport was in on 3rd for any of the first 2 (albeit short) drives? Did Parker get more rest because of the lead? Was Parker taken out on 3rd due to dropped passes/fumbles/poor performance? Or was the Davenport in on 3rd from the get go?

Any help would be appreciated here, thanks!

 

[Memphis Foundry]

William Gay just seems to always be in the right place at the right time.

 

[Memphis Foundry]

Sepulveda with the nice dead ball kick to the 5.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

So I drafterd FWP over Addai based on the word out of Pittsburgh that Parker would be in on 3rd down. From what I can tell on gamecast, the closet pooper was in on every 3rd down. What I can't tell is if Davenport was in on 3rd for any of the first 2 (albeit short) drives? Did Parker get more rest because of the lead? Was Parker taken out on 3rd due to dropped passes/fumbles/poor performance? Or was the Davenport in on 3rd from the get go? Any help would be appreciated here, thanks!

He has about 25 carries in the game. What more do you want?

 

[BGP]

And the Browns have to play next weekend whether they want to or not.

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

Nice trap game that.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Pittsburgh 31 - Cleveland 8Cries for Brady Quinn start early in the second quarter.

Well, I was off a little. Thought the Browns would go for 2 on their only TD and didn't anticipate the extra FG.Also, the Brady chants started in the first, not second Q.

 

[Tecumseh]

Checking in to take my medicine.

That game was an embarassment.

 

[Steeler]

I'm tired of the Steeler writers who say they don't understand the A. Rossum signing. The guy made no mistakes today and I didn't feel like I had to hold my breath on every punt return for fear of a fumble. He was an excellent signing IMO.

I don't think we really know how good the Steelers are because the Browns looked so bad.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The Steelers OL has taken several steps back in pass protection from just a couple years ago, and as they try to address that by shuffling players, their run blocking may suffer. The Steelers defense is in transition now as well. Joey Porter was a force early this decade but his production dropped off last year and now he's playing for the Dolphins. They will be hard pressed to replace his production. LB Timmons would replace Porter's production but he fell behind in camp and this weekend probably isn't his day. The Browns don't have much of an answer for the DL woes, but the OL has been injected with a lot of talent.

I think the Steelers OL may stink this year, the Browns DL may stink this year, and the Steelers DL and Browns OL may be decent. It might be a wash when it is all said and done.

The bottom line is that this is a HUGE rivalry game, and unless one team is vastly superior to the other, the emotions and the familiarity between the two clubs can lead to anything happening. Forget what happened in 2004, 2005, or 2006. This is 2007, and the Steelers have enough question marks now to put this in doubt.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07204/803737-66.stm

This year's offense is a Big Ben production

Monday, July 23, 2007

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

There was more to those 23 interceptions than just bad throws by the quarterback last season. The pass protection broke down more often and the Steelers played from behind more often. Roethlisberger threw 469 passes last season, fourth most in club history and 75 percent more than the 268 he attempted in 2005. Obviously, there were more opportunities for interceptions and sacks and he was sacked twice as often last season (46) than the Super Bowl year (23).

"Our protection unit -- backs, line and receivers running hots -- that's a three-pronged attack when your quarterback's getting sacked," Arians said.

"The sacks can't be attributed strictly to the offensive line because so many times a receiver might have missed a hot while the line blocked all the guys. Or the quarterback might have missed it, or a running back might have missed a block. So, it's a three-pronged attack when you're talking about sacks."

Arians praised the blocking for the running game last season. Willie Parker rushed for 1,494 yards, third-most in team history. But Arians acknowledged that the offensive line overall did not play up to expectations.

"No, we were not as good as a group as the year before," Arians said.

He and others will try to fix that starting tomorrow when competition begins for three open jobs along that line. For all the changes done to the playbook, the Steelers will need better play from their line for Roethlisberger to write a better ending to things this season.

Its important to point out that this just isn't the same Steeler team. They had a ton of problems on the OL a year ago. Ben got killed back there. And thy did nothing to address this beyond trying to reshuffle some players around. Even against the Browns poor defense last year, he only threw 3 TDs to 3 INTs in two games. I'd be looking for a game similar to the last meeting, a 24-20 Steelers win in Cleveland in week 11 of 2006. I expect a close game with a lot of emotion.

Good prediction. In other news, a broken A/C unit in the visitors locker room reportedly caused a couple of the Steelers to finally break a sweat.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Cleveland Fans: Get those bottles ready

I've got an empty Firestone bottle ready to heave at 3C's.

Get 6 bottles of delicious local brew ready to FedEx to me.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

So I drafterd FWP over Addai based on the word out of Pittsburgh that Parker would be in on 3rd down. From what I can tell on gamecast, the closet pooper was in on every 3rd down. What I can't tell is if Davenport was in on 3rd for any of the first 2 (albeit short) drives? Did Parker get more rest because of the lead? Was Parker taken out on 3rd due to dropped passes/fumbles/poor performance? Or was the Davenport in on 3rd from the get go? Any help would be appreciated here, thanks!

Tomlin has said Parker probably will see the field for longer portions of the game as the season progresses. He doesnt think he is in that kind of shape right now. Also, he has said it would be a flow of the game type thing. With the way Davenport played today though, who knows.

 

[GamerBoy61]

Ouch

 

[Hammered Finz]

 

[analog_hiss]

And the Browns have to play next weekend whether they want to or not.

Translation:

The Browns continue to suck.

 

[The Jerk]

Checking in to take my medicine. That game was an embarassment.

It isn't even worth trying to insult the Browns or their fans. No words can be as offensive as their performance.

 

[BGP]

Pittsburgh 31 - Cleveland 8Cries for Brady Quinn start early in the second quarter.

Well, I was off a little. Thought the Browns would go for 2 on their only TD and didn't anticipate the extra FG.Also, the Brady chants started in the first, not second Q.

Nice work.

 

[McBokonon]

I couldn't help but notice that Romeo had that Art Shell thing going. Just stood there, arms crossed, occasionally scratched his chin...but not much more. There was one moment when the ref was over there talking to him, and I swear I could see the ref's lips mouth the words, "Romeo, you have to say something. C'mon, you're holding up the game. Can you hear me? Romeo?"

 

[Tom Servo]

Actually, I was closer.

35Clowns 7

 

[wadegarrett]

Embarassing.

 

[analog_hiss]

The best thing out of this game, fantasy wise, is what we learned:

Start everyone when they face the Browns...because the Browns suck.

 

[Godsbrother]

I wish I could say the Steelers looked great but the Browns are clearly a very bad team that was not ready to play today. Unfortuntely for the Browns, the schedule does not get any easier. Unless he gets his team on track real quick, Romeo wil be the first coach fired this season.

I thought the Steelers played well but there is certainly room for improvement. I can't wait for the home opener next week -- I'll be in my seat in sect 108!

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Actually, I was closer.

35Clowns 7

Yeah, Yeah...but you made your prediction after me and just modified to a more traditional score.

 

[Tom Servo]

Actually, I was closer.

35Clowns 7

Yeah, Yeah...but you made your prediction after me and just modified to a more traditional score.

 

[Peak]

Embarassing.

 

[Franknbeans]

Interesting stat for today's game.When the Steelers change coaches, they always lose their first game @ ClevelandJoe Bach - 1952 - lost @ Browns 28-29 in week 8.Walt Kiesling - 1954 - lost @ Browns 7-42 in week 12.Raymond Parker - 1957 - lost @ Browns 0-24 in week 7.Mike Nixon - 1965 - lost @ Browns 19-24 in week 4.Bill Austin - 1966 - lost @ Browns 10-41 in week 5.Chuck Noll - 1969 - lost @ Browns 31-42 in week 5.Bill Cowher - 1992 - lost @ Browns 9-17 in week 6.Mike Tomlin - 2007 - won @ Browns 34-7 in week 1.

There's a new sheriff in town

 

[Godsbrother]

The Browns OL did not have a good day but when they did give the QB time Frye and Anderson's throws were often behind the receivers, over their heads, or in the ground. They just plain stunk out the joint.

If I am Romeo I start Quinn next week. If I am going to lose my job I'm at least going down playing the best players.

 

[Tecumseh]

The Browns OL did not have a good day but when they did give the QB time Frye and Anderson's throws were often behind the receivers, over their heads, or in the ground. They just plain stunk out the joint.If I am Romeo I start Quinn next week. If I am going to lose my job I'm at least going down playing the best players.

I disagree that the O-Line failed. Overall, I was happy with their performance. Unfortunately, 5 seconds in the pocket was not enough for Charlie, as he stood there doing his taxes, rather than throwing the ball.Out of the 6 sacks, I'd pin 4 of them on the QB not getting rid of the ball.

 

[Godsbrother]

The Browns OL did not have a good day but when they did give the QB time Frye and Anderson's throws were often behind the receivers, over their heads, or in the ground. They just plain stunk out the joint.If I am Romeo I start Quinn next week. If I am going to lose my job I'm at least going down playing the best players.

I disagree that the O-Line failed. Overall, I was happy with their performance. Unfortunately, 5 seconds in the pocket was not enough for Charlie, as he stood there doing his taxes, rather than throwing the ball.Out of the 6 sacks, I'd pin 4 of them on the QB not getting rid of the ball.

You can blame it on the QBs if you like but any time you give up 6 sacks and you average 2.9 yds/carry on the ground your o-line did not play well.

 

[Tecumseh]

The Browns OL did not have a good day but when they did give the QB time Frye and Anderson's throws were often behind the receivers, over their heads, or in the ground. They just plain stunk out the joint.If I am Romeo I start Quinn next week. If I am going to lose my job I'm at least going down playing the best players.

I disagree that the O-Line failed. Overall, I was happy with their performance. Unfortunately, 5 seconds in the pocket was not enough for Charlie, as he stood there doing his taxes, rather than throwing the ball.Out of the 6 sacks, I'd pin 4 of them on the QB not getting rid of the ball.

You can blame it on the QBs if you like but any time you give up 6 sacks and you average 2.9 yds/carry on the ground your o-line did not play well.

Then 'splain why Charlie was sacked 5 times, and Anderson only once. Same O-line, different result. And that 2.9 per carry came from a pretty small sample size (14 carries by the RB's). How often is it said that you pound the ball consistently to wear down the d-line? CLE didn't come close to attempting a consistent rushing attack, because they fell behind so early due to...wait for it...QB play!ETA: Those 5 sacks on Fry came on 16 drop backs. The one sack on Anderson came on 29 drop backs.

 

[Godsbrother]

The Browns OL did not have a good day but when they did give the QB time Frye and Anderson's throws were often behind the receivers, over their heads, or in the ground. They just plain stunk out the joint.If I am Romeo I start Quinn next week. If I am going to lose my job I'm at least going down playing the best players.

I disagree that the O-Line failed. Overall, I was happy with their performance. Unfortunately, 5 seconds in the pocket was not enough for Charlie, as he stood there doing his taxes, rather than throwing the ball.Out of the 6 sacks, I'd pin 4 of them on the QB not getting rid of the ball.

You can blame it on the QBs if you like but any time you give up 6 sacks and you average 2.9 yds/carry on the ground your o-line did not play well.

Then 'splain why Charlie was sacked 5 times, and Anderson only once. Same O-line, different result. And that 2.9 per carry came from a pretty small sample size (14 carries by the RB's). How often is it said that you pound the ball consistently to wear down the d-line? CLE didn't come close to attempting a consistent rushing attack, because they fell behind so early due to...wait for it...QB play!ETA: Those 5 sacks on Fry came on 16 drop backs. The one sack on Anderson came on 29 drop backs.

I am not saying you are entirely wrong but the Steelers were playing more zone and not blitzing as much when they had the huge lead. The dynamics of the game had changed.