Godsbrother
Footballguy
great line!
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***OFFICIAL*** Steelers 2011 Thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter AhrnCityPahnder
- Start date
The_Man
Footballguy
I have seldom seen a bigger bag of quit than the crap dressed in Cleveland uniforms I saw play the Ravens yesterday. As a Baltimore fan, I really want the Steelers to fall a game behind in the playoff race, but it ain't happening this week. The Ravens hit the Browns in the mouth and the Browns started counting the minutes until the end of the game.
I count exactly two players on Cleveland's entire team that could start for either Pittsburgh or Baltimore - Joe Haden and Joe Thomas. Plus Cribbs at KR.
Short week, playing in front of an energized national crowd -- the Browns will pack it in early. For the record, I also think the Steelers match up very well vs. the 49ers. Stuff the run and Alex Smith gets happy feet. I think the Steelers really are going to win out to finish 13-3, so the Ravens can't afford a slip if they finally hope to have a home playoff game. Can you imagine being 13-3 and not winning a division? That has to be unprecedented in the NFL.
I count exactly two players on Cleveland's entire team that could start for either Pittsburgh or Baltimore - Joe Haden and Joe Thomas. Plus Cribbs at KR.
Short week, playing in front of an energized national crowd -- the Browns will pack it in early. For the record, I also think the Steelers match up very well vs. the 49ers. Stuff the run and Alex Smith gets happy feet. I think the Steelers really are going to win out to finish 13-3, so the Ravens can't afford a slip if they finally hope to have a home playoff game. Can you imagine being 13-3 and not winning a division? That has to be unprecedented in the NFL.
The Jerk
Footballguy
The 1999 Titans can. They were wild cards at 13-3 to the 14-2 Jaguars. However, that was in a three-division AFC. If it happens this year, it will be the first time since the Texans arrived and the current divisions were established.
The_Man
Footballguy
Good call - though as you point out, back in the three-division days, the #4 seed still hosted a home Wild Card game. The Titans went that route to Super Bowl in 99, as did the 12-4 Wild Card Ravens (behind the 13-3 Titans).I love betting on the #5 seed in the playoffs in the new format. Very often you end up with a team that might be the second best in the entire conference playing against a very mediocre #4 seed that took advantage of a weak division. Last year, the 12-4 Ravens crushed a mediocre AFC West champion KC team. Of course, last year also had the #4 Seahawks beating New Orleans, so it's not foolproof.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Id take D'Qwell Jackson in a second, as well as Greg Little to a lesser degree. Hillis would be a nice FB. After that, youre probably right.Also, not worried about CLE at all, even moreso because its a nationally televised game. No way we lose to the Brownholes in a game like this.
Steel Dillo
Footballguy
Baron Batch posted a video of himself running on his blog. Said he's 80-90% healed now & expects to start cutting soon.
I hope this kid can make a full comeback. You have to love his spirit.
I hope this kid can make a full comeback. You have to love his spirit.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Obviously I feel pretty good about the game but the Steelers will play down to the level of their competition on occasion. I doubt they lose to the Browns at home on a nationally televised game on a short week but stranger things have happened. Never count your chickens before they hatch...
The Hank
Footballguy
The Chiefs game this year was great example of this... although Arrowhead is a tough place to play regardless of KC's record.
ThaPenguin
Footballguy
And the Indy game.
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The_Man
Footballguy
On the road in a nationally televised game (as the Ravens can say about their inexplicable loss at Jacksonville) is a lot tougher than at home when a short week gets even shorter for your opponent because of travel.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Definitely done for the year and most likely his career is over. He would make a great coach at some level if he goes that route...
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
Any decent backups left at NT, or is that a TOP priority in the draft? Was (unrealisticly) hoping they would make a play for Ngata but probably never got a return phone call if we made one, and would have cost too much anyways. Supposedly a couple good prospects in this year's draft. Would we have to spend a 1st to land one? Seems the 3-4 players (and especially 3-4 linemen) are no longer at a discount and may now be coming close to the premium that 4-3 ends are. Might it be time for Pitt to switch to a 4-3? Farrior and Harrison are almost used up.
ThaPenguin
Footballguy
Woodley doubtful 
I can't imagine him playing on a short week against the Browns with such a big game coming up the following week.Woodley doubtful
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
we've all but locked up a postseason appearance at this point. There's no point at all to play him until he's healthy.I can't imagine him playing on a short week against the Browns with such a big game coming up the following week.Woodley doubtful
Class Dismissed
Footballguy
Is this the type of victory that will pull a team together for a Super Bowl run, or will the injuries take their toll making this game the teams high water mark of the season?
Last nights injuries
Ben - High Ankle Sprain
Pouncey- High Ankle Sprain
Hood- Groin
Troy- Hamstring
Debo= Suspension? (He's the leagues public enemy #1 and poster boy for Goodells new NFL, I'm not going to be surprised if they sit him for a game to make their point)
All To go along with Woodley's Hammy.
That's 6 players that includes 2 future HOF'ers, 5 of the 6 players who have made the Pro Bowl, 4 of the 6 are first round draft picks, all on the injury/suspension list in December.
Last nights injuries
Ben - High Ankle Sprain
Pouncey- High Ankle Sprain
Hood- Groin
Troy- Hamstring
Debo= Suspension? (He's the leagues public enemy #1 and poster boy for Goodells new NFL, I'm not going to be surprised if they sit him for a game to make their point)
All To go along with Woodley's Hammy.
That's 6 players that includes 2 future HOF'ers, 5 of the 6 players who have made the Pro Bowl, 4 of the 6 are first round draft picks, all on the injury/suspension list in December.
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Godsbrother
Footballguy
Most obvious observation of the season: Chris Kemoeatu is awful.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
He wasn't that bad a couple of years ago, his play has really deteriorated. I think it's time to bid him adieu.
belljr
Footballguy
I thought he held up well last night.
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
He is servicable, but replacable as well. I'd much rather see Pouncey stay healthy so Legursky could man the LG spot. Kemo is a mauler in the run game but seemingly only on runs to the right when he gets to pull, but gets lazy feet when pass protecting or running in behind him and just seems to be a hold waiting to happen. I see replacing Farrior and having Harrison's and Hampton's replacements on hand as more important needs, but would put another top OG as a bigger need than another RB.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
belljr
Footballguy
:whoosh:
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
He sure held something. That's indisputable. "Well?" Dunno about that. Even with the holds he still managed to get Roeth whacked a couple times.
Three penalties in, like, a quarter and a half from him? Add that onto his well documented mental lapses and you get...He's terribad and likely toast come 2012(I think it'll save the team a couple million to let him walk next year. If that's accurate, sayonara, Chris).
The Hank
Footballguy
Its a shame that Chris Kemoeatu has such mental lapses all the time, because I think he is one of the best pulling guards in the NFL.But that doesnt mean squat when on your other plays you are making bonehead mistakes.
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The_Man
Footballguy
I knew the Steelers are a passing team, but now I really "know" it in a way I didn't get before. After seeing Baltimore gash Cleveland for 300 yards on the ground, I thought Pittsburgh would grind out the running game vs. a beat-up Browns team on a short week. But they were absolutely unable to do it -- even with Ben on one leg, they still had to throw all the time to move the ball.
That was a great, gritty performance by Roethlisberger. Since the Steelers really seem unable to mount an effective ground game, it's going to hurt them all the more if Ben's output is affected by his injury. That guy is a Scary Monster Freak of Nature. I think about him throwing Suggs off of him in the playoffs last year to avoid a sack and get rid of the ball. I think about him playing almost an entire game after Ngata smashes the nose off his face. I think about him playing a half last night on one foot. And winning all those games. He is an unbelievable competitor.
Hopefully John Harbaugh has some time in the week ahead to call little brother Jim and offer him whatever insight he can about beating the Steelers. I still think the Ravens are going to lose to either San Diego or Cincy and so need the Steelers to drop a game to avoid a fourth straight year of being a road Wild Card team in the playoffs.
That was a great, gritty performance by Roethlisberger. Since the Steelers really seem unable to mount an effective ground game, it's going to hurt them all the more if Ben's output is affected by his injury. That guy is a Scary Monster Freak of Nature. I think about him throwing Suggs off of him in the playoffs last year to avoid a sack and get rid of the ball. I think about him playing almost an entire game after Ngata smashes the nose off his face. I think about him playing a half last night on one foot. And winning all those games. He is an unbelievable competitor.
Hopefully John Harbaugh has some time in the week ahead to call little brother Jim and offer him whatever insight he can about beating the Steelers. I still think the Ravens are going to lose to either San Diego or Cincy and so need the Steelers to drop a game to avoid a fourth straight year of being a road Wild Card team in the playoffs.
First, they averaged more than 5 yards per carry. Second, that was without Pouncey in there.
The_Man
Footballguy
I thought the failed goal line sequence was telling.But I'm also talking about the first half. On the first drive, Mendenhall had one carry, plus Wallace had the 21-yard reverse, which to me is more of a trick play than establishing a running game. Second drive, two carries - the second one is an awesome 9-yard run by Redman down to the CLE 20. But instead of continuing to pound the rock, on second and 1, the next play is the catch that Ward fumbled. Next play, after the Cleveland turnover, first down at the 15, pass that Miller fumbles.When you've had 3 runs on your first four possessions, that's a passing team, not a running team. That's all I'm saying -- and I'm hardly the first to say it, but watching the game last night made me truly understand.'Drunken Cowboy said:
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
1st posts of the morning... still hadn't finished a cup of coffee.'belljr said::whoosh:'Cookiemonster said:
I was a bit surprised they didn't use more Redman last night. Mendy is certainly more explosive, but he wouldn't even lower his shoulder pads much on the goal line plays, let alone any others. He was too easy to take down, and Cleveland didn't look like they wanted any part of Redman. Curious if Baron comes back healthy that Mendy is gone soon.BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
He was out of his walking boot today at practice. Ben, however, was still in his.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
You have that backwards. Baltimore is a 2.5 pt favorite, the Steelers are 2.5 point dogs.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
How am I supposed to hate you when you're rational, respectful, and have one of the best avatars ever?
The_Man
Footballguy
Sorry, GB. Maybe get some booze into me and put me behind the keyboard during a Ravens-Steelers playoff game. I've never re-read all the stuff I posted in the game thread during last year's playoff game, but I think it was not my finest moment
As noted before, Uruk-Hai, Roadkill and I all like talking with Steelers fans (well, most of them anyway). We all like the Ravens but don't wear the purple glasses that a lot of people around here do. And ever since Harbaugh replaced Billick, I feel like the Ravens-Steelers rivalry has moved out of the WWE realm with smack talk (I still don't feel good about Goose telling Ravens fans to beat up Steelers fans in the bathroom) and just been settled on the field in some incredible games.I'm already looking forward to seeing whichever team doesn't win the AFC North go into Denver in the Wild Card game and shut Tebow down -- just hope the Steelers are the ones who get that opportunity
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
It was telling, but probably not for the reason that you're probably trying to put a finer point on here. At least not to me.That playcalling for that sequence was, quite simply, some of the most awful I've seen Bruce Arians utilize in his time in Pittsburgh. That was a "gonna prove I wear big boy pants" gimmick on his part, by, basically, calling the same. Exact. Play. Four. Straight. Times. Inexplicably poor coaching/gamecalling there.
It was also, admittedly, inexplicably bad execution on the players' parts too, when after the first two plays Gocong came in uncontested to blow it up and on the third attempt(again...of pretty much the same play) still not a single Steeler got a hand on him. There's not remotely an excuse for that.
I agree with you in general: The Steelers are certainly a pass first team. Even when they've shown that they CAN run the ball in certain games this year the have pretty much chosen NOT to. When put into clear running situations they haven't been able to mount much of a push for a couple seasons now. Their OL just isn't that great at blocking for the run anymore. Particularly the tackles.
I'll allow that part of the lack of sustained rush success is probably Arians lack of imagination in calling run plays too. He seemingly has two in the playbook: Offtackle right and dive left.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
He was getting blown up on those GL carries of Mendy.
belljr
Footballguy
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Injuries are piling up this time of year. Looks like Patrick Willis is out for tomorrow night and their left tackle Joe Staley has yet to pass a neuro test from a concussion.
The Steelers, even hobbled as they are, have the talent to win this game. They just need to execute.
The Steelers, even hobbled as they are, have the talent to win this game. They just need to execute.
Cookiemonster
Footballguy
I have thought Worilds has been horrible, and is so out of position on every play that he doesn't have a chance to make the tackle. I am one that hopes Timmons goes back to Harrison's spot, as that was when Woodley began getting to the QB, and after Harrison came back healthy. Woodley only seems to be effective if there is a pass rusher on the opposite side too, and Timmons has been as out of position at MLB as Worilds has been at OLB.I think the 9ers squeak this one out, unless Ariens comes out of his shell a little bit. 20-17 SF. Hoping for a big special teams play from Pitt to make that 20-24.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
The Steelers are one good half of Chargers football away from controlling their own destiny for the #1 seed in the AFC.
And considering the last two games are against the Rams and Browns, I've gotta think that if the Chargers win tonight, Ben takes a shot and does whatever he needs to do to get out there tomorrow night.
And considering the last two games are against the Rams and Browns, I've gotta think that if the Chargers win tonight, Ben takes a shot and does whatever he needs to do to get out there tomorrow night.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Agreed. If the Chargers pull this off (and it looks good right now), gotta believe Ben will be out there. I am wondering if Essex will get the start instead of Kemo. On defense I think Worilds plays in Harrison's OLB spot. Personally I thought Worilds has been plaing pretty well of late.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Hmm...going into this year, I wasnt sure about what we had in Worilds and if he was on the road to becoming a bust, but I think he has been solid yet unspectacular filling in this year and getting better as the year has gone on. He hasnt piled up the stats/sacks, but he has consistently pressured the QB most weeks and has been making some nice sideline to sideline tackles here and there.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Looks like Ben is a go, which was seemingly a foregone conclusion after last night's game....Its funny how on ESPN's bottomline, they keep saying Ben is Q but is expected to play, Pouncey out, but no updates on SF's injuries....I wouldnt mind knowing what Willis and whoever else is hurt for them are expected to do tonight.
Also, GO CHARGERS GO!!!
Also, GO CHARGERS GO!!!
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
willis inactiveThe San Francisco 49ers have declared WR Braylon Edwards, DL Ian Williams, OT Mike Person, FB Moran Norris, LB Patrick Willis, QB Scott Tolzien, CB Tramaine Brock inactive for Week 15.Looks like Ben is a go, which was seemingly a foregone conclusion after last night's game....Its funny how on ESPN's bottomline, they keep saying Ben is Q but is expected to play, Pouncey out, but no updates on SF's injuries....I wouldnt mind knowing what Willis and whoever else is hurt for them are expected to do tonight.
Also, GO CHARGERS GO!!!
CrossEyed
Footballguy
The_Man
Footballguy
Just wanted to revisit this again - last night with Ben on one leg, in a game that was within a TD for much of the night, the Steelers ran 18 times and threw 44. They are a virtual aerial circus. To me, their entire team is predicated on having Roethlisberger be that gunslinging QB - I would sit him for the next two weeks, if needed, to get him as healthy as possible for the playoffs.With him healthy, in this year's AFC, they have every chance of taking the #5 seed route to the Super Bowl. Without him playing at full capacity, they could be one-and-done, even at home.Any word on Mewelde Moore? I tried to watch on replay and it seemed he went down without contact, which always makes you worry about an ACL.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Kind of hard to rely on the run when youre going against the hands down #1 rush defense in the league.
The Jerk
Footballguy
Somewhat true. But at one point in the second half, the Steelers RBs had a combined 18 rushes for 84 yards. I think it was after the series that ended in the Steelers only points of the night, but I could be wrong.And it's not like the Steelers were behind multiple scores from the first quarter on.
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