A Tough Spot

How strangely ironic that the Steelers' loss to the greatly improved Cincy Bengals on Sunday came on a weekend sandwiched directly between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Were our beloved Black and Gold simply masquerading as NFL powerhouses in victories over Minnesota and Denver, now waiting to be roasted and carved like turkeys by the quality AFC teams, or was Sunday's debacle just a case of a good team disguised as a mediocre team?

On a beautiful afternoon in which the Steelers celebrated Veterans Day by recognizing local heroes, the team looked like anything but the Band of Brothers that Ben Roethlisberger used as his rally cry catch phrase last season. (all apologies to all you Dick Winters fans).

At 6-3 and virtually 2 games behind the peeking Bungles, and now minus the service again of All World defender, Troy Polamalu, our boys in black find themselves in an awkwardly precarious predicament. A spot, however, they are somewhat accustomed to. We only need to turn the clocks back to 2005, when the team was banged up, struggling, and stagnant at 7-5, staring down the potential of a long off season. The response was an epic 7 game winning streak and a Superbowl victory. All this in a season in which the division was fittingly won by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a strange and possibly ironic footnote, this winning streak started just after a home loss to the Bengals, in a game that included a Cincy kick return for a TD.

Is that in the cards this year? Surely the team needs to win at least 5 of the final 7 contests to even sniff the playoffs, and probably more like 6 or 7 (with help) to resume their usual post as AFC North champs. Can this happen? Yes. Will this happen? Maybe. As Chris Berman often states in his annoying voice, "that's why they play the games." Anything can happen on any Sunday in the modern NFL. The Bengals can easily lose a few games. Somehow, I think that this Sunday in Oakland might be an upset special. Perhaps today's signing of lightning rod Larry Johnson will prove to be a mistake by Cincy, one that causes division in the clubhouse. Who knows...

As coach Tomlin maintains, we can only worry about ourselves. Now, more than ever this team needs leadership and heroics from Big Ben. Steeler Nation knows all too well that he is one of the few guys in this league capable of such a daunting task. The writers and readers of this column continually clamor for Ben's inclusion in the 'elite' talks. It's now his time to prove that he is truly worthy of the membership, and not just another guy wearing a mask.

I'll await the barrage of comments...

Mid Term Grades

For the third time in three seasons Mike Tomlin and the Steelers find themselves at 6-2 at mid season. In keeping the tradition of virtually every sports news outlet, PittsburghFan is once again prepared to issue mid term grades for our Black and Gold. Helping out this year with the grading will be our very own MP and JD McNugent. Away we go...

OFFENSE:
Quarterback:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: B+
MP: "Ben continues to grow as one of the elite."

Running Backs:
Briwatt: B
MP: B+
JD: B
Briwatt: "Rashard Mendenhall responded very well to Tomlin's challenge. Mewelde Moore proving again to be a versatile and important role to the offense. Can Willie make one more dash as a Steeler..."

WR/TE's:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: A
MP: "Addition of #17 makes them dangerous."
JD: "Ward and Holmes have been unstoppable while Miller has been clutch. Wallace now puts them over the top."

Offensive Line:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: B+
Briwatt: "Unheralded group that may be unjustly critiqued for last season's shortcomings. Consider that Ben holds the ball to ridiculous lengths at times before judging this crew on sack totals. Since Week 2 the run blocking has been up to the high standards set for a Black and Gold line."

DEFENSE:
Defensive Line:
Briwatt: B+
MP: B
JD: B
MP: "Given the injuries (Smith, Kirshke), perhaps this rating might be higher."

Linebackers:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: A
Briwatt:"After a sluggish start, this elite group is once again the heart and soul of the Steelers defense. Expect more from Woodley in the second half. Fox adds depth."
JD: "Harrison is a stud, Farrior is a tackling machine...now let's get Timmons healthy."

Defensive Backs:
Briwatt: C+
MP: B-
JD: A
Briwatt:"Potentially the Achilles heel. Loss of McFadden compromises depth. A healthy Polamalu makes up for a lot, however."

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kickers/Punters:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B
JD: C
MP: "Still thinking about Chicago."

Return Units:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B-
JD: C
MP: "The big return against us still feels like it could happen at any moment."

COACHING:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B+
JD: A
JD: "In his third season, head coach Mike Tomlin has done a great job of forgetting he just won the superbowl. He has a five game winning streak after a 1-2 start. He has his team focused and on point like never before."

OVERALL:
At 6-2, this team is on pace to equal last season's 12-4 mark. That may be where the comparisons end. This team has a whole new look and feel, with an offense emerging and transforming alongside of it's blue chip quarterback. The team is just starting to play at the level it's capable of playing, on both of the ball. The special teams are still shaky, despite the return of punting phenom Daniel Sepulveda. All in all, this team is exactly where Coach Tomlin wants it to be...in the hunt and "on the rise".
GRADE: A-

Mile High Massacre

TO: All NFL Teams
FROM: The Pittsburgh Steelers Football Club
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Destroy, Maim, and Embarrass
DATE: Now

Serve the notice again. For the second time in two games the Pittsburgh Steelers reminded the entire world of just who the reigning Superbowl champs are. Last night's notice came at the expense of a very good (although somewhat overvalued) Denver squad, in probably the hardest NFL road venue. In what was clearly the best overall effort of the season, the Steelers pulverized a 6-1, 1st place team in front of their faithful fans,...well, let me clarify that: in front of the 70% of the house that was not wearing Black and Gold.

In keeping with my mid term grades posting (due out later this week), I'll kick it back to the classroom and say that a few lessons were learned last night:

1) The continual studio debate of Big Ben's 'elite' status is getting really old. Ron Jaworski's pre-game comparisons between the Large One and nerdy Kyle Orton should have provoked extreme nausea in any knowledgeable fan. 2) The Broncos are clearly not a Superbowl contender. It will only be a few more weeks until the vast majority of Orange Crush Nation begins to vilify the front office and their new head coach for pissing off the bratty Jay Cutler and forcing the trade for the someday journeyman Orton. Didn't the long tenure of John Elway show the mile high morons that blue chip QB's just don't grow on trees? 3) A healthy Troy Polamalu makes this Steeler defense lethal once again. 4) The only thing fast about Willie Parker these days is how fast he has plummeted off the radar screen. Rashard Mendenhall's talent and Melwelde Moore's unique ability to not fumble have transformed FWP into a memory.

With Sunday's showdown with the greatly improved Cincy Bungles, the Steelers will once again be under the spotlight of the big stage. Emergence with a victory would leave the team at 7-2 and alone atop the AFC North. The plot thickens.

GAME BALLS:

Bruce Arians/Dick Lebeau. Hats off to both coordinators for dialing up the right game plan on both sides of the ball, and more importantly, not abandoning these plans when things weren't going so well early.

Troy Polamalu. The iconic 80's hair metal band, Cinderella, once crooned "Don't Know What You Got (till it's Gone)", and truer words were never spoken. It took me six+ years to finally understand the overall impact that #43 plays in this defense. If he ain't 100% now, he's darn close, which is a great thing for Steeler fans and not such a great thing for AFC quarterbacks.

Steeler Nation. It's one thing when you see thousands of Terrible Towels swirling in Detroit or Cleveland, but it's clearly a whole new matter when a rock solid fan base like Denver gets audibly overpowered by visiting fans on Monday Night Football. The panoramic camera shot that ESPN took in the waning moments last night, showing just joyous Steeler fans and empty seats, should have brought a little pride to every citizen of Steeler Nation. Well done.

Send me your comments and game balls...

Defending the Fortress

Just moments after All Pro linebacker James Harrison impaled the legendary gunslinger, Brett Favre, into the Heinz Field sod to close out an amazing game, I received the welcoming buzz of a text message from my great friend, Jason W. Knox.

"...great defense...all of Wisconsin is grateful...", read J Bone's text, as he and the lovely missus watched the game with extreme anxiety from the latter's family homestead in quaint Burlington, Wisconsin. Truly this game had special meaning for football fans in both the Three Rivers and the Great Lakes regions. In reality, Sunday's epic struggle between the defending World Champion Steelers and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings was the entertainment in households and bars across the country. Forget the NFL's globalizing attempts at selling American football to the Brits in Wembley, on this given Sunday America was tuned into the War on the North Shore, as the black and gold clad kinsmen resisted a siege by the marauding Vikings, led by the greatest general the gridiron would ever know. This matchup suggested a classic battle from the moment it was imprinted on the schedule. And what a battle it was...

For six weeks, Steeler Nation clamoured for the return of "Steeler Football". Ok, when I use this term today, I'm not harping on about the grind it out run game. I'm talking about that big defense that staunchly and brazenly rises to the occasion when the trenches are about to be overrun and changes destiny with that huge play. The "Renegade Defense", as MP has been coveting for six weeks. We got it yesterday, as our defenders resurrected the never-say-die mantra that propelled the 2008 season into the history books.

For those that tuned into to this one in front of a plasma or cashed in the kid's college fund for Stubhub ransom, you saw a dandy. Perhaps it wasn't the Captain Comeback vs. Big Ben gunfight that was originally billed, but this game reminded us all of why we love American football.

For the Steelers, this game may be the one that gets circled in the yearbook. To pull out a gut check victory against an elite team just before the sanctuary of the bye week was big. Actually, it was huge. To escape the first seven games at 5-2, knowing that you are banged up, and not quite playing your best football is energizing at the least. Hopefully, now the bye will bring some health and focus to a team that Coach Tomlin reminds us is on the rise.

GAME BALLS:

Max Starks - You'll be hearing this from numerous sources today. Starks' neutralization of sackmaster Jared Allen reminded us that Mount Max has the skills and power to match up with any great pass rusher. Now, if only his intensity could match his skills...

The Aaron Smith Replacement Committee - Hats off to the trio of Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason, and Ziggy Hood for stepping it up against the world's greatest running back, aka, Adrian Peterson. Images of Fred Taylor gashing the Smith-less run defense probably encroached into a few brains this week, but the DE by committee was outstanding in keeping the workhorse in the paddock.

Mike Wallace/Santonio Holmes - Wallace had the numbers today (and a most impressive endzone flip), but bear in mind that Holmes drew the coverages that allowed Wallace to get the space. Let's not forget Holmes' human highlight film catch and run that was negated soon after by Rashard Mendenhall's carefree redzone blunder.

James Farrior/James Harrison - Neither of the 30's something LBs scored the TDs, but these vets brought fire and fury all day, harassing both Favre and Peterson, and most importantly, reminded everyone in the house who the bully on the block still is. It's almost safe to say that Harrison, with seven sacks in four games, is back to his 2008 form.

#4 - Ok, chide me with comments. As a 40's something guy myself, I spend about eight hours a week in the gym and I now buy herbal supplements to counteract erectile slothfulness. At 40, Favre is still breaking down blitzes and leading his team down the field. At 40, he's doing what some QB's will only remember doing by the time they hit 35, and what most QBs will have only dreamt of doing. I'm not afraid to tip the cap. He still has it. Of course, thanks to guys like Harrison, he can spend a little extra time in the hot tub this week, wondering why he still chooses to do it.

He's Back !

Don't say that you don't have Carey Davis to kick around anymore, when now you do have Carey Davis to kick around. In a move of band aid fashion, the Steelers re-signed the lackluster fullback to rejoin an already depleted backfield stable.

One can only wonder how much longer until the team places yet another call to the incomparable Najeh Davenport.

clearly a joyous reunion

Gut Check Time

Sorry about another long lay off! I figured I needed to get a post up to let those of us who have not already thrust ourselves off the Clemente Bridge have an opportunity to sound off on the team's sluggish start. Ok, so 1-2? Tomlin's first stint at sub .500. The team's first 2 loss September since the dreaded 2006 season. Complete disarray. Complete disaster. Write off the season. Tune in to the Bucs' epic drive for 63 wins.

Not quite yet. So the Black and Gold are little more Black than Gold these days. Let's break it down before we get ourselves into a total funk.

• 2 losses - 2 road losses to decent teams.
• Both losses in winnable games, in fact, both games basically decided in the waning moments.
• If Limas Sweed holds that ball in the end zone, or if Ben manages one more first down on the next drive, the bungle in the jungle probably goes down as a win.
• Should Jeff Reed not push BOTH 4th quarter FGA's, the game in the Windy City is probably also a win.
• Most importantly, if the world renowned defense makes a stop in both contests, when it really mattered, the team is sitting at 3-0.

So, why the funk? Is this Superbowl hangover? Not really. These are not cases of ill prepared defending champs getting socked in the face by eager underdogs. These losses are simply the result of a team desperately missing their superstar playmaker, and just not quite finishing out drives and defensive stands.

There are some positives that can be taken out these first three games. First, the passing game looks to be shaping into something that could be downright lethal as the season progresses. Rookie Mike Wallace looks to be the playmaker he was drafted to be. Hines Ward looks like, well, like Hines Ward usually looks. After taking away a few picks, The Large One looks to be in mid season form already. The highly scrutinized offensive line seems to be giving Ben the time to do his thing, and it actually looks interested in opening an occasional hole for a tailback to squeeze through. With that, the running game is gaining some ground, no pun intended, and once Mr. Mendenhall can finally find a way of staying on the field, it could provide that elusive 'balance' that offensive coordinators always talk about. The trick now is finding the offensive identity. When I say this, I mean getting that overall rhythm and knowing when to be a passing team and when to be a running team. One must assume that Bruce 'Air' Arians shoulders the bulk of that mission.

The offense is filling up the stat sheet, but not the scoreboard, and last time I checked, the scoreboard counts a little more. I truly believe that these bugs will get worked out, as well as I believe that the defense will figure out a way to strengthen the garrison as it awaits the triumphant return of #43.

Panic? Not yet. Let's give these champs one more night. If a smack down gets laid on the San Diego Lightning Bolts, and the record gets shored up at 2-2, I think that sigh of relief can be exhaled. If Sunday Night produces L number 3, then I'd say it's time for that panic button.

Open to your always colorful thoughts...

No Country for Old Men...Really?

30 is the new 20, at least in Pittsburgh. With yesterday's 11th hour contract extension to defensive end Brett Keisel, the Steelers have now locked up their fourth 30+ greybeard longterm over the last two off seasons.

Clearly, the statement is obvious: with Big Ben coming into his prime years, the front office is purely committed to maintaining the integrity of the current roster over the next several seasons, with the expectations of a few more Lombardi Trophies displayed in the Great Hall by, let's say, 2013.

This logic is somewhat of a reversal of old Steeler thinkology, with the previous mentality placing focus on acquiring and developing young, undervalued talent, grooming these players to be starters in their mid to late 20's, and then eventually replacing them with new youth once they hit their 30's. The previous strategy is excellent for maintaining a consistently competitive product. Consider that the Steelers have only experienced 3 losing seasons since 1992, while qualifying for the post season 12 times during the same period, and you would agree that the crop rotation strategy employed by the Cowhers and the Donahoes of the past has yielded good fruit.

This philosophy is why the team rarely used the franchise player tag or sought after high profile free agents. It's also the reason for that old tired argument of how the Steelers let all their 'good' players leave via free agency. The logic was simple: why overpay for a high mileage vehicle when the system will produce a low priced, low mileage vehicle ready to fill that spot in the driveway? The Rooneys, contrary to the not so humble opinion of the throngs of armchair GM's throughout Steeler Nation, are not cheap. They are, however, smart with their money, and above all else, employers of smart guys who understand how to work the NFL salary cap.

Remember names like O'Donnell, Lake, Thigpen, Kirkland, and Gildon? These were all guys that the Steelers let get away as they approached senior status, with considerable ire from Steeler Nation in most of these cases. How many Pro Bowl seasons did this group collectively yield in their post Black and Gold years? The number is ridiculously low.

So why the change in course? Perhaps it all started with Jerome Bettis, and his re-structuring to finish out his career in Pittsburgh. Perhaps it was Hines Ward's highly publicized tantrums in 2005. I think it has a lot to do with #7, and the belief that when he's on your team, and healthy, your team will always have the potential to win a Superbowl. Like I stated earlier, I think the front office boys truly believe that Ben and his core group is so strong that it's worth risking the future developmental piece for a chance at some more hardware.

With that comes my final point. This new philosophy does not come without a price tag attached to it. The downside to retaining so many longbeards is lack of locker room space for the young guys. We've all heard about how the team's recent drafts are busts once you factor out 1st rounders and undrafted free agents. Are these drafts really busts, or is the problem that the team has little or no room for the picks? A guy like Bruce Davis is a classic example. A second year OLB (3rd round pick) out of UCLA. The guy simply can't get on the field due to depth at that position. Should he get cut this year, it'll go down as another bust. I guess this is the plight of the sapling in the rain forest.

Time will only tell how the new philosophy will stand up. For today, I praise the team for retaining one my favorite players and one of the core pieces in a great defense.