heels, sox & steelers
I figured the AFCD game would be a Colts blow out after Peezy's guarantee
Joey said that the Colts were sissies, a claim which hasd some basis in fact and which he and his friends were able to demonstrate on the field.
A-Bomb talked about the quality of the Cincinnati receivers as being better than the Patriots'. But he has nothing to back that up and has never played against them himself. He is setting himslef up to have to say "Man, I didn't know what the hell I was talkin' about."
So, I was asked in the previous thread:
Ilanin, given how the Steelers have played on the road this year (Ari, NYJ, Den) do you really want this team to have to go to Indy?
I think what we have here is the Curse of 370. Namely, when the Steelers have to travel more than 370 miles (Google Maps says it's 378 from Heinz Field to the Meadowlands), they lose. (Yes, I know what this means for this weekend. D'oh).
The RCA Dome is only 362 miles from Heinz Field, so we're fine.
Nothing on AOL Fanhouse yet about the Guarantee yet? I was hopeing to be entertained by the reactions of the comment crew over there.
Jason R,
JJ had something up yesterday afternoon (too lazy to look for link), and Larry Brown just posted Rodney Harrison's "hey, look at me, I'm suddenly humble!" response.
Ilanin, fair enough.
Re: A-bomb
That nickname is a keeper.
I'm with Frarior...when I heard what he said, I groaned. I may have said a bad word too...
And in news of Joey Porter, http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07...0/839699-
66.stm
Did anyone catch Inside the NFL last night? James Harrison was interviewed/Mic'd during the Steeler/Bengal highlights.
The Pats had yesterday off...
http://www.projo.com/patriots/
co...14.2c26047.html
The AP version has Potsie laughing about it. Seems like a "ah, now I know what questions I'll have to answer for the next few days" kind of thing:
“He better keep his mouth shut,” Farrior said, although he was laughing and was not angry. “Oh well, I guess we’ve got to go deal with that.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/0...r=1&
oref=slogin
I'm not putting my money where my keyboard is on this, but I could see the Pats being relieved with a loss. The season, at 19 games and about 5 months, is a long time to be constantly under a microscope and needing to be perfect. As SteelerBill's linked story suggests, they have had two physical games and are a bit tired. I think it would actually improve the Pats chances of winning the Super Bowl if they lost this week.
It's very funny that the Times writes "N.F.L." instead of "NFL" like everyone else.
I'm glad that FWP is ditching the rubber sleeves, with a boy overruling the Bus. If you have other suggestions, bring a little kid with you...
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/
0...id=steelers.xml
Peter King is running five reasons the Steelers will win. David Fleming has thirty-three.
I must say, I don't care for any of this. It's almost promoting the Patriots as underdogs.
Yep, Israel, you beat me to the punch: we're gonna lose since PK picked the upset:
http://www.fannation.com/peter_k...allenge/
pickoff
Who's the undergo for this game?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/p...06&
sportCat=nfl
Peter Kind is so weird. Am I the only one that thinks this?
Before the game, Donovan McNabb sidles up to Andy Reid. "Hey Big Man," McNabb says. "One favor: Could you get Umenyiora and Tuck blocked today?" Reid smiles. "I'm on it," he says. He'd better be.
That's just bizarre.
Middle East TV on satellite from Cyprus is showing the game this week. I have to figure out a way to bribe my wife to give me the TV, instead of her using it to tape other stuff.
Four out of six on Sportsline too, but that may be against the spread. http://sportsline.com/nfl/featur...rs/expert/
picks
NE fans respond...
http://boards.boston.com/n/pfx/f...riots&
tid=14114
The 33 reasons article, are you kidding me with some of these? When in #17 he mntions the greatest school, Miami University - do you think he knows it's Miami of Ohio? No. 7, Kevin Greene? What does he have to do with the game? The Heinz field Jumbo Tron DJ? I'm only half way through the article but I'm sure there's more. But I do like number 16... how true.
Ok, after re-reading some of them - that was pretty good.
First of all, Peter King is borderline retarded. He and all of ESPN are in some weird competition to see who can mis-report the most scoops this year.
Second of all, of COURSE everyone is picking the Steelers -- everyone wants to be the person who "called" the end o the streak. This is such safe stuff: if you call it now, you get to talk about calling it for the next month. If you are wrong, it gets totally forgotten.
In my head, someone's going to run a website called, "Remember When" that tracks ALL the preseason and week-to-week predictions the major "prognosticators" (Salisbury, I'm looking at you) make and how bad their picks constantly are. I'd like someone to start with Wojchiehowski's (sic) ridiculous 100 predictions about the upcoming season.
Mike...that's a great idea for a website. I've actually thought about doing that in the past, and I may well get around to it one of these days.
Thank you all, it's going to the mortgage payment.
Parker needs to explode for 210.
From the Sporting News:
"Someone named Anthony Smith, who apparently plays for the Steelers, has decided it would be a good idea to tell a member of the media that Pittsburgh is going to beat New England on Sunday."
The first time their receivers go over the middle, their going to know who "apparently" plays safety for the Steelers all too well.
I just saw the clip, and he was very matter of fact about it. I'm thinking he knocks someone out.
Wex quoted Ty-Ty as saying that when he played with Moss in Minny, everybody knew he hated to get hit. So guess who's gettin' hit Sunday?
This is sort of reminding me of the time Greg Lloyd told the media he was going to KO Dan Marino before a Monday night Dolphins game. At least that's how I remember it. BTW that Avoid Llyod sign that used to hang in Three Rivers is my favorite sign of all time.
I heard stories that Bill Cowher used to call Greg Lloyd the night before games pretending to be a member of the opposing team taunting him.
Can you guys believe it's only Thursday? I'm so fired up for this game I wish it was at 4:15 today! To get my mind off the game, here is a random question for everyone (brought forth by Heinz Field having the best DJ): I'm sure we all have been in some major form of competition, be it a sporting event or other. Does music have an effect on how you play? What kind, or more specifically, if you had to pick 5 songs what would they be?
Jason, you must specify that "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" doesn't count.
Speaking of good trash talking, and even though nobody will care, but i've been covering California University of PA's football team all season for the Herald-Standard, and they're playing in the Semifinals this weekend (Saturday 11 A.M. At Cal, if anybody wants to go).
Anyway, during a conference call this week, their best player on defense decided to get some trash talk of his own in:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.c...id=468632&
rfi=6
Adam, is "Dave Stofcheck" your pen name? Or is that your real name and "Adam Gretz" the pen name?
No, no Take me out to the Ballgame, but for those who have been to Heinz, Styx - Renegade (a good start) is played there as much as Take me out is played over at PNC Park.
I play in a competitive Volleyball league on Thursday nights. During my 20 minute drive to the courts, if I don't hear something with a fast beat I just don't play the same. Some of my favorites:
Tantric - Breakdown
ACDC - Hells Bells
Breaking Benjamins - Breath
Jay-Z/Linkin Park - Numb
And something that totally doesn't fit, anything Def Leppard gets me fired up for some reason.
Strange mix I know.
By the way - as a disclaimer, I am not the same Jason who posts on Ryan's Blog on AOL.
This article on Ben's week leading up to games is pretty informative and good. Give it a read.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/
f...lisberger_N.htm
Re:Patriots game
I don't think we match up well with them at all, especially with their D-line which is massive and talented. Thats a big mismatch and a key one for our offensive game plan.
Something Madden said about us not having a dominant player on D (I think he made Polamalu the exception) really struck a chord with me. I am a huge Aaron Smith fan but not sure if dominating would be a good modifier for him. He`s super solid, unspectacular and a great run stopper. Hamp is having a down year, IMHO (I think he is getting too fat as well) and Keisel hasn't been the wild card the Steeler hype said he would be.Match that up against the most efficient pass blocking O-line unit and I think its another Patriots edge.
This is all just a layman's opinion so take it with a grain of salt. I don't see them bringing the heat for 4 quarters like they will need to do.
The offense will sputter against a NE D that will dominate the line of scrimmage so the D will be on the field a lot. This will prove fatal for their prospects.
I am going with the Steelers losing this game by a substantial margin. On the order of 38-17.
Why I am making a prediction is a mystery, I just don`t usually even think about football like a tout.
To me, the Ravens have the kind of bruising approach that we no longer play.
(hint: the last time I did this kind of thing they beat the Pats and the Eagles back to back...)
I didn't write that article. I write under my real name.
A-Bomb? Or A-OK?
Frankly, Tony Smith's yakking doesn't bother me too much. In fact, it's a tad refreshing. I mean, don't you get tired of the guys acting all meek and humble and stuff when the subject of the almighty Patriots rears its head?
And who knows? Maybe he's right.
Sure, beating the Patriots will be the toughest task the Steelers have faced this season, and they haven't often been convincing when faced against strong obstacles.
I don't think the line can protect Rothlisberger. And I don't think the running game is "violent" enough to get the Patriots' defense tripping over itself.
Yet, I do think Ben can move the ball with lots of quick slants and outs. I think there's room for him to throw the ball between the linebackers and secondary. I think their linebackers and secondary (except for Asante Samuel) are very overrated, too. Miller should have a field day, if he isn't spending all his time trying to block.
And Ben, if your receiver isn't ready or open, please just throw the ball out of bounds.
The biggest problem for the Steelers' defense will be cracking that iron triangle created by the Patriots' center and guards. That's what allows Brady the time and space to step up and make his reads. The Steelers' edge rushes can be explosive and dramatic, but Brady can easily avoid them. Maroney can run, too. And what do you bet Faulk will be on the receiving end of a lot of hot reads?
Nevertheless, even if Tony Smith can't back up his guarantee of a win, he can guarantee that the Steelers secondary will hit the Patriots' receiving corps hard hard hard. (By the way, whether he's right or wrong, we may have the makings of a leader here.)
Make them pay every time they touch the ball. Get their receivers thinking too much about getting hit. Something good will happen.
Randy wins Post of the Day.
Concerning Jason R's question ... well, I haven't had the occasion to listen to music to get pumped up in some time. During my four years in DC, I loved my iPod because it gave me a chance to escape my commute with some sweet, relaxin' sounds.
In college, a few guys in my fraternity, without fail, would play Danzig's "Mother" at every party. On repeat. Yeah, the chicks really dig that.
I am also in a pool league. Not exactly something to get pumped up to, but I always seem to shoot much better when the bar we're playing against has a good jukebox. One team in our league is the same way as your frat, only their song is "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor". When we are at their bar it is not uncommon to hear that song 6 or 7 times in a night. Perhaps why this is why they are one of the few all male teams.
I'm not sure if this is worth thinking about or not, but I do have a sense that our defense is BADLY overrated (and softer than I've seen in years). I just ran through the offenses we've played and here they are, according to rank:
Cleveland -- 6
Cincinnati -- 7
Denver -- 8 (Loss)
Seattle -- 11
Arizona -- 16 (Loss)
Baltimore -- 23
New York J -- 28 (Loss!)
Miami -- 29
Buffalo -- 31
SFF -- 32
A LOT of teams at the bottom, which might add to the conflation of our numbers. That, coupled with the fact that I don't feel like we've been getting much pressure lately (i'm pretty sure numbers don't bear that out, I just feel it) has me REALLY worried about the Patriots scoring all over our asses.
This is a smart gamble for Anthony Smith. If he's right, he's immediately relevant and a leader on the team. If he's wrong, then we lose to the best team in football like everyone said and most people will forget about it after a week or two. If he makes a big play or two and the Steelers win, he's becomes an instant legend and a permanent starter. I hate this, but in a way it's smart.
Mike, on the plus side, we're 5-1 in games against teams in the top half!
Sure the Pats are going to score, this is a historically great offense the Steelers are facing. According to FO, the best since the 2004 Colts. We need to keep pace, and if Holmes is able to go, we can do it.
I hope Mahan eats his Wheaties this week.
Mike,
Cleveland and Cincy twice means the average offense we face is ranked 14.5, or slightly above average.
Looking at Football Outsiders stats, the average offense we've played is 0.55% below average after adjusting for opponents' defenses. FO ranks our defense as best in the league, at 24.1% above average. The 2nd best team is closer to the 10th best team than to us.
As far as pass rush goes, we've got 33 sacks, good for a tie for 4th in the league. We're 2nd in FO's adjusted sack rate (ASR), which calculates how you compare to other teams in terms of getting sacks, adjusting for down, distance, and game situation. We;re closer to #1 than #3, and #3 is closer to #5 than us.
I agree with you that it hasn't always felt like we do a good job on pass rush (probably because we've actually allowed more sacks than we've gotten, and our offensive ASR is worst in the league and worse than our defensive ASR is good). It seems like our D can always be counted on to fold with the game on the line. Nevertheless, its not just the traditional media points & yards stats that say we're the best defense in the league.
Keeping in mind of course that the reason that some of those teams rank where they do on offense has a lot to do with the fact that they played our defense.
Also....the Titans defense currently ranks 3rd (DVOA) The Bengals put up 34 points on them. The very same Bengal team managed 10 points versus the Steelers and Carson Palmer had his worst completion percentage day of his career!
Personally I take offense (I'll get this one A Smith) that people assume that the Pats are going to score - which completely discounts our defense....Chris Collinsworth and his pals may be in awe of this team, but hey the Steelers get paid to play too, and will show up on Sunday...
I was at the game when we beat the Pats to end their streak, and the pregame music was Metallica's "Enter Sandman."
Here's hoping Tomlin downloads that to everyone's iPods during the trip to NE.
My favorite pregame music otherwise is:
The aforementioned tune
AC/DC's "Thunderstruck"
The Alan Parson's Project's "Sirius"
And, of course, who can forget this classic?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=naaU8YHvoGc
The Steelers have given up the fewest points in the NFL. And we all agree that the punt and kick coverage has been atrocious. So the D must be pretty good.
This D shares strengths with past Steelers teams in being physical, stopping the run and pressuring the QB. And it leads the league in fewest passing yards allowed, despite often playing with a lead. A key area of improvement has been giving up very few big passing plays. This corrects something which has killed us in the past. I still get nauseated thinking about losses in the AFCCG against the Chargers and Pats with long pass plays being crucial.
I have a theory why I've been surprised by how good our defensive stats are. There have been games like last week in which the D gave up a long drive early that makes the D look weak and has made me nervous. But the D then completely dominated the rest of the game.
Cincy, with all their weapons, had exactly 2 drives of more than 30 yards. After their first drive, Cincy scored exactly 3 points, despite FWP treating the ball like a greased pig.
Polamalu is out for the game.
Oops, Polamalu was out for today's practice and his status in uncertain for the game.
QOTD: Which Steeler win was the biggest upset that you saw?
I say the Mark Malone-led team that beat the Elway-led Broncos in the 1984 AFCD round.
I'm trying to pull myself away from all this Patriot talk - but of course it's tough....
I love the fact that the Pittsburgh media even predicts defeat....I love it.
"And Ben, if your receiver isn't ready or open, please just throw the ball out of bounds."
Yes, yes, yes! and Amen.
I have nearly had a coronary yelling about this against the better teams. He can get by against the lesser D's but the Patsies will make you pay if you do something boneheaded (See Feeley & Boller 4th Q throws).
No doubt Willie absolutely must run with abandon if we are to throw it effectively and control the clock. And true Mahan and Simmons better be ready to play real football. Maybe we put Starks at guard if Simmons stinks it up?! He has been getting eaten alive most of the year.
The D is tough, but they play hard and don't do well if they are on the field too long (See Jets/Broncos).
I too want this thing on tonight. The suspense/hype is killing me. I hope we kick the living crap out of them then dance on their logo (which will not happen, but it sounds nice, doesn't it?). I wonder how they'd like that.
QOTD - Either the 2005 playoff win vs. Indy (which was the only game I can remeber, before this week, that I simply believed the Steelers incapable of winning), or the '89 playoff game against the Oilers (which I was really too young and too uninterested to pay much attention to - I just remember the Gary Anderson winning field goal).
Re: Starks at OG
Starks is 6-8 337. WAY too big to play OG. If his magic improvement at OT is for real, and not just because the Heinz Field turf is so mucked up that he can handle speed rushers on it, then we could, possibly, move Colon inside to guard. He's 6-3, 315, which is basically the same size as Simmons. Starks, though, is way too big to ever get the kind of leverage interior OL need.
Regarding the pass rush, I'm (very slowly) putting an article about it together for FO, or possibly PFP at the rate it's currently progressing.
One thing I have noticed while charting who's rushing, though, is that Miami, against whom we registered one sack, were in max protect the whole freaking time. So basically what happens is we rush four or five, they block with seven, and unsuprisingly the four recievers don't get open against our six or seven in coverage, and the ball is thrown away (or the WR gets jacked up).
This is less spectacular than registering huge numbers of sacks but equally effective.
Interesting or blasphemy?
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/
...ill_cowher.html
Both, but I don't think he's going this year.
I also don't think he'll go someplace like Baltimore. If Cowher steps back and re-assesses, he'll realize how much easier his life was when he had a quarterback who could play (vs. a great defense, great running game, etc.).
Baltimore in its current form is way too much like Pittsburgh from 1992 to 2004.5.
QOTD
Definitely the 2005 playoff game at Indianapolis. After they blew out the Steelers in the regular season, I figured the Steelers were doomed.
And put me down also for the 1989 playoff game vs the Oilers, Rod Woodson was a beast in that game. Remember, the Steelers were very close in winning their next playoff game at Denver that year, Merril Hoge played his best game ever and only a botched snap stopped the Bubby Brister train. That was a great year to be a fan!
Farrior is dreaming if he thinks that the Pats won't pay attention to this. This was quite a large headline in todays Worcester Telegram and Gazette, I can only imagine what it read like in the Boston Globe.
God I hate Massachusetts....
Jeebus you boys are stoked.
It's only Thursday.
Where shall I ship the meds this weekend?
Sarah, you have no idea.
In terms of upsets, Kordell's amazing regular season game against the Broncosand the Pats game in Ben's first year are both great memories for me. I find my posts a little long-winded, so I'll only talk about the second one.
The game was, as you'll recall, on Halloween. With little kids, we TiVo-ed the game and watched it after the kids were in bed. Our son was dressed as Ben, who had only played a few games (my wife and I thought it would be funny to have 14 letters on the back of a toddler). When our neighbors in NYC saw his costume, they said things like, "Oh, you are having a good game" and we had to quiet them. We had a whole afternoon of excitement build up and watching the game was not a trick but... well, you get the idea...
QOTD --
Agree that the aforementioned Colts and Oilers games were probably my top 2, but there is a third:
November 15th, 1993: Steelers 23, Bills 0.
If you recall, the Bills had just trounced us in the divisional round (at home) of the '92 playoffs the previous year on their way to their third straight Super Bowl. The Bills were 7-1, the Steelers 5-3.
Utter dominance from Pittsburgh. I remember Boo Bell laying out Don Beebe on a sideline pattern late in the game.
I doubt we were big underdogs on paper, but mentally, everyone thought the Bills were the big kids on the block and no one knew the Steelers would make the playoffs six years in a row to start the Cowher era.
Monday night game too. Very cool for an 11-year-old. First one I was allowed to stay up to watch, I think.
Boys as long as we're reminiscing....I remember the first COlts game in the SuperBowl season, and Ryan's headline afterwards..
Anywbody?
"Ass, Meet Hand"
Anyway, we all know what happened in Game Two of that particular series.
So I'm a little more sanguine about this first game vs. Pats.
This isn't the one I want.
I'm setting the over/under on backbreaking picks Ben throws at the goal line at 1.5
The romantic in me wants the Steelers to win this one, but I can't help but remember not only the Colts in 2005 (right on Sarah), but the 1990 Giants - 49ers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
199...Francisco_49ers
Scroll to week 13. But who won the rematch? Belichick.
Wow I daydream alot.
JB: That was a great upset. I remember crying on the inside when the Broncos whooped us the next week.
The Pittsburgh Media would do all of us a big favor by getting those microphones out of the locker room. I'm a little concerned that we are talking too much...
"Guaranteeing victory, we're going to hit Moss etc...."
Tell you what, our D better step up or run the risk of getting laughed at.
> This was quite a large headline in todays Worcester Telegram and Gazette, I can only imagine what it read like in the Boston Globe.
Well, Dan Shaughnessy covers it today (link below), but he's an irrelevant a-hole so I don't really count that. I have to say that from my perspective (reading the Globe, listening to a small bit of talk radio, watching the local news) that the team and fan reaction to Anthony Smith's comments has been pleasantly restrained, as opposed to similar instances in the past (Joey Porter, Vanderjagt). I think that's because the Patriots are still big favorites and can't play the no-respect card, and aren't going to be too much bothered by some tiny mosquito buzzing around their heads. Seriously, even if the Patriots blow the Steelers off the field, there's not all that much chest-beating to be had in the big picture-- that's one good thing about being an underdog. I think Patriots fans are more concerned about the sudden chinks in the armor of The Greatest Team Ever, and how they'll hold up the rest of the way.
I'll be at the game Sunday (SRO unfortunately), and can make my own guarantee that I will receive a personal beatdown, win or lose...
http://www.boston.com/sports/foo..._speaks_louder/
Very interesting comments by Jason Whitlock this morning on FoxSports.com:
"3. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin is having a good rookie year, but he needs a signature moment to begin the process of erasing Bill Cowher's shadow.
Tomlin needs to knock off the Patriots this week. The Steelers are 9-3 and Tomlin's best victory is a pounding of the Seattle Seahawks. Yeah, Pittsburgh has beaten the Cleveland Browns twice. So what?
There's nothing wrong with being a good caretaker. Tomlin deserves credit for maintaining Cowher's momentum. That's fine. Beating the Patriots would help stamp Tomlin as legitimate.
Steelers 31, Patriots 23."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/sto...l/story/
7533748
> In college, a few guys in my fraternity, without fail, would play Danzig's "Mother" at every party. On repeat. Yeah, the chicks really dig that.
"Mother" was Keith Foulke's bullpen entrance song. Just thought you'd like to know (or be reminded of) that, Ryan.
Oh by the way...Adam Schein of FoxSports.com and Sirius NFL Radio has picked the Steelers in his Upset Special.
For the record - he picked the Cards, Broncos and Seahawks to beat the Steelers this year as part of his Upset Special picks....
Also just heard that Michael Wilbon of PTI Fame WAS going to pick the Steelers until A Bomb made his predition - which I agree is a bit ridiculous. Way to back up your pick there Michael.
> Starks is 6-8 337. WAY too big to play OG.
Is this just in the Steelers' traditional pulling/trapping running game, or in general even with a zone-blocking approach? The Cowboys moved man-mountain and bust OT Leonard Davis (6'6", 365) to OG and the move has been deemed a success so far. Not that I necessarily believe that Starks has this kind of innate talent...
Or, if I do recall correctly, Tomlin is 5-0 in the division... I think a rookie year of going 6-0 in your own division is pretty significant... or maybe a playoff win? How many rookie coaches have 1 or more playoff wins? Any way to research that stat?
> Starks is 6-8 337. WAY too big to play OG.
Glenn,
I agree with you. Starks might be too big is some circumstances, but if your playing a straight hat-on-hat running game, nothing too tricky, he might prove to be awesome at guard.
And given that Simmons is blowing serious chunks, game after game, why not give it a shot?
Fan Trapped - I said the same thing to some co-workers yesterday. A-Bomb is unknown around the league. But if we win Sunday imagine what this is going to do to his leadership role, his name, but even better, his contract when it comes time. I'm not sure how many years he signed for, but he'll be remembered around the league if we win Sunday. Definitly a well taken gamble.
> Definitly a well taken gamble.
Maybe personally, but it's still selfish from a team perspective. It's been my impression that as opposed to Cowher (anything goes, woof it up boys, just come to play), Tomlin isn't too interested in this kind of nonsense. We'll see. I think it's an overrated issue, but a minor distraction, more to the player who spoke out than anyone else. Anthony Smith just put some pressure on himself, and hopefully he's the type who responds to that self-motivation.
QOTD - A few memorable wins, although not HUGE upsets. Beating NE and Philly back to back was awesome. Beating Cincy in the first round of the playoffs (The Kimo meet Carson game) was in fact a pretty big win. But two of the most satisfying wins were beating Cincy to end the regular season last year and ending their playoff hopes, and of course the Baltimore Kordell to Bobby Shaw game. Looking back, I'm so glad to be a Steelers fan!
Most disappointing game anyone? How about the make the kick (fireworks) - timeout was called - miss the kick - roughing the kicker (give the guy an oscar) - make the kick - Tennassee game.
I don't recall that the 1989 PIT @HOU playoff game was that big an upset; that was a wildcard game between two 9-7 teams. It was an exciting game, and I was ecstatic with the OT result, but I don't recall going into it thinking that the Steelers couldn't or even likely wouldn't win.
Aside from 2005 PIT @IND, I second that the 1984 PIT @DEN playoff game was damned improbable. But for us oldtimers, the one that finally got us over the hump was the 1974 team basically dismantling the Raiders in the AFCCG, in Oakland, no bitching about the weather or the field permitted. That team was a fair underdog going into the game, if not in reality, with history yet to record itself.
Jason R
Remember the kicker after the game said he was acting. That loss sucked balls.
Glennw
I think you are right, but that whole year it felt like the Steelers were underdogs. They lost their season opener at home 51-0 and then got killed the next game also. The fact that they were even in the playoffs felt like a miracle. And then that 50 yard kick by Gary Anderson to win it, pretty much made me a Steelers fan for life. I was 11 years old and hadn't experienced too much Steelers winning at that point. Also I remember the SI article that came out that week titled "Steelers of Tough Mettle"
Glen, agreed - selfish to say the least. But it did it got his name in the media and here's to hopeing everybody knows who Anthony Smith is after this game.
Cols, speaking of the Tenn loss, and memorable SI issues, for some reason this one always stuck out in my head. I'm not a subscriber of SI, rarely buy them, but as it turns out, my grandmother bought this issue for me in 97 and I still have it.
On the Cover:
Vinny Testaverde, Ravens
Jeff Blake, Bengals
Steve McNair, Oilers
Mark Brunell, Jaguars
Kordell Stewart, Steelers
http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_onl.../1997/
0901.html
I've been thinking more about how to attack the Pats. The speed and age of their LBs is one of their biggest weaknesses. Since their DL is better than our OL, we can't just run it at them. So this seems to be the game to get FWP in different situations, such as pitches and swing runs, screen passes and passes in the flat, and even lining him up as a slot receiver. In other words, use the LDT 2006 playbook. Hines and Heath should be able to attack the middle, too.
When we are on D, the approach used against the Bengals seems to apply: smack around their WRs. I remember more hitting guys after the throw than jamming at the line, but either seems useful. Add in getting some pressure in Brady's face from the safeties and Farrior / Foote. And expect screens to Faulk.
I still think winning in Foxboro is a stretch, but my confidence is rising...
Ryan - That Charles Barkley golf swing has people coming to my desk to see what I'm laughing about!
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2...olf-swing/
#cont
If we want to attack the Pats LBs, we throw passes to Heath and Spaeth all day. It worked for AJ Feeley...
Three of the worst losses I've ever witnessed, and they might have happened in the SAME season:
1. Tim Couch beat us at home 16-15
2. We lost to Philly at home after leading 24-14 with 2 minutes to play. They scored a TD, recovered an onside kick (which they touched before 10 yds), kicked a FG to tie, and kicked a FG in OT.
3. We lost at Cincy (sounds strange, right?) on the fake spike play by Neil O'Donnell.
Here's the only thing I can say for sure about the game:
I'll be pretty loaded afterwards, either way.
>> So this seems to be the game to get FWP in different situations, such as pitches and swing runs, screen passes and passes in the flat, and even lining him up as a slot receiver.
Easy,
I agree. If Tomlin tries to force a "violent running game" against the Pats, he (and we) will be sorely disappointed by the results. The Steelers are not longer built that way, I regret to admit. Instead of the power run, we need to play the "power pass" by getting the ball into the hands of Parker, Miller, and maybe Davenport and Spaeth. The Steelers' O has to go into this game ready to throw early and often.
If it works, if you have their overblown linebacking corp trying to play in space, then hand the ball to Willie and hope he can crack open a big gainer or two.
Still, it will take a mistake-free game by the Steelers to win this, and the odds of that happening are zero-to-none. This is not a team that doesn't like to trip over itself at least once a game.
Forget Tony Smith's bravado. The real downside of his remarks (and Tyrone Carter's later comment about Moss' softness) is that the refs will be quick to toss the flag at anything the Steelers might do that's excessive. (Can't you just see that yellow flag on the ground around the six yard line, first and goal, Patriots?)
Although you might think that the officials will realize that they're under a microscope at this point, the Ravens' bitching about favoritism towards the Patriots having softened them up. At least subconsciously. Oh, what the hell, I'm begging...
According to the PPG - it looks as if Troy will be out on Sunday:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...1/839989-
66.stm
One more reason to like Tom Jackson...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/
no...ndaycountdown07
ESPN's Worst Guarantees Ever:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/p...arantees/
071206
No Steelers game on in Colorado because the Broncos play at the same time. To the bar and tasty pitchers of ice cold beer.
Polamalu actually got rolled into on the same injured knee in practice? Dammit...
I'll need some help with math here folks.
I was listening to ESPN Radio on which they are advertising Mike Ditka's weekly chat with Mike and Mike - during said commercial they are discussing Overtime in the NFL (with me so far?)...
Ditka states that 26% of the time the team that wins the coin toss scores first and wins the game. Ok, got it. BUT doesn't that mean that 74% of the time they LOSE????
He is arguing for changing the NFL Overtime rules. I'm not attempting to change the subject but do believe that Da Coach provided an arugment FOR the current rules....
Whew...I feel better now.
Prediction time....
23-13 Steelers
I like the Steelers 64-0......
SteelerBill - I'm not sure, but he may mean score on the opening drive... Which means 26% of the time the other team never gets a single chance. That may not mean that 74% of the time they lose, as they may get another chance later in OT and still win. Again, I'm not sure, but that 26% number seems much more likely to be a score on the opening drive.
Not to beat a horse, but Smith is bad ass.
He said in the course of the interview "...that slot receiver, what's his name, Walker? He likes to go over the middle. I'll put a stop to that."
In Texas they say it ain't bragging if you can do it. I hope he brings it.
I saw a stat at the start of OT in the SF-ARI game that said that the team that gets the ball 1st wins 53% of the time.
The 26% does sound like % of teams that score on the 1st drive.
Oh, my prediction is 27-24 us.
Gentlemen...I give you Anthony Smith:
http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/
7...40A659CEC4C8CB6
My realistic prediction is 24-13 Pats (lately I've become better at being a logical fan). However, I think we have as good a chance as anyone at beating the Patriots. Nothing would make me happier than Anthony Smith backing it up and knocking a few Pats out of the game (no injuring them. just a minor type deal that keeps them out for the rest of the game). People that are calling the Patriots the best ever are, quite simply, full of it. As Aaron Shatz (aka the only Patriots fan I respect) put it, the mark of a good team is not pulling out close wins, but hammering the teams you should. Granted, the Pats did the former for much of the year. But winning on a Feeley hiccup one week, and a referee-induced breakdown by a joke of a Ravens team the next is not impressive. Yet people use those two games as "proof" of how good the patriots are. The Patriots have played two truly good teams this year: The Colts and the Cowboys. They trailed late in both games before finally pulling it out.
As with all of us - this game has consumed me. I've vowed to A Bomb anyone wearing Blue/Silver/Red tomorrow at my niece's 7th birthday party...
Oh, and ESPN has a prediction:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/
in...ameId=271209017
I'm not usually a fan of Slate on Sports, but this is pretty accurate: "How To Beat the Patriots" http://www.slate.com/id/2179501/fr/rss/
Gentlemen, I give you, the Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. New England Patriots drinking game.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/
0...=MOSTEMAILEDBOX
Also, if you have ESPNU (and who doesn't?) i'd suggest you turn on at 11 A.M. and check out Cal U vs. Valdosta State in the D-2 Semi-finals. It's actually pretty crazy down here, as far as D-2 football goes.
So I had this dream last night. The opening drive ended when A-Bomb popped Randy Moss and Ike picked the ball out of the air. A-Bomb himself had two interceptions and James Harrison had one, to go with six sacks and an indeterminate number of forced fumbles. Ben's line was 24-24-293-6-0 and Parker ran for 160, before coming out for Najeh in the fourth quarter. Final score 51-3.
Coach at the post game interview:
"This was not a perfect game and we will identify the problems when we look at the tape. This game was a great win, but it means nothing more than any other win. It does not guarantee a Super Bowl in February or a win against the Patriots in January or even a division championship. It only guarantees that we will win at least ten games and will have a big target on our backs the next three weeks. It also guarantees that James Harrison goes to Hawaii."
(OK, I didn't dream that last remark, just made it up.)
TJ Houshmansooode.
Come on baby, light em' up Steelers.
A little distraction from Steelers-Pats... Todd McShay's mock draft has the Steelers taking the kid from The Blind Side. Since it is behind the pay wall, I here's the pick:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/d...todd&
id=3144001
28. Pittsburgh Steelers
Current record: 9-3
Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OL, WR, S
Projected pick: Michael Oher*, OT, Mississippi
The Steelers should use this picks to upgrade their offensive line. Oher is reportedly on the fence in regards to staying in school or turning pro. Should he leave early, Oher has all the physical tools a team looks for in a potential starting left tackle. He comes with some baggage, though, and his technique still needs polishing.
Isn't Oher the guy that there was a very long article about last year someplace? I forget what it was all about, but there was some kind of inspirational message.
Yes, there was an article in SI on him. He had little parental supervision, dirt poor, and a family in Memphis took him in and got him into a good school (got his grades up), then into Ole Miss. I understand from those who know him, he's a good kid, and yet has some "Willie Colon" in him when he's on the field.
Someone wake me when the damn game starts. Carter and Smith are going to be foaming at the mouth by game time.
Please Ike, catch the ball.
I'm pretty much sick of keys to the game, at this point in time. Each key seems to be:
Do (x) better than the Patriots do (x).
No shit. Surprise insight I didn't know about until this week:
1. It's important to control Randy Moss.
2. The Patriots LB's are kinda old.
3. The Patriots like to throw.
4. Sometimes teams run the ball well on them (not always).
5. You have to score a lot of points, because apparently they run up the score (or don't, depending)
6. If you make a lot of mistakes, and they don't make a lot of mistakes, it is going to be hard to win.
7. This one time, the Patriots cheated and they are either angry about being called on it or they don't think that much about it.
8. Apparently, there's some streak that either weighs heavily on them, or doesn't weigh heavily on them, depending.
Dear people on tv,
There MIGHT be a reason you are neither an NFL coach, nor being called by NFL coaches, to figure out how to beat the Patriots.
Re: Oher, yep. He's the guy in The Blind Side. There was basically a condensed version of the book in an NYT article last year that was posted on FO. Interesting story, supposedly a remarkable talent.
Oher reminds me way too much of Jamain Stephens.
Unless we can make Willie Colon into a guard, what we really need is interior line help. Simmons and Mahan are the biggest holes, and we're about to lose Faneca. Marvel and Colon have been pretty solid this year, all-in-all. We'll need a new tackle to replace Marvel in a couple of years, but the need right now is at C and G.
I agree. I think interior linemen would help more with the running game than a tackle would, and it's hard to imagine that the pass blocking could be even worse, so that would probably also improve.
Question: What's everyone's impression of Faneca this year? Is he going to go to a pro bowl on name alone? Has he lost it? Is he still the dominating lineman of old?
Jesse,
He'e been good to very good, but not probowl worthy. Most of his games this year he's been hovering around even or plus 1 or 2 in the Fanhouse O-line grades. I still wish the Steelers could resign him, just not for a bazillion dollars.
I agree. I think interior linemen would help more with the running game than a tackle would, and it's hard to imagine that the pass blocking could be even worse, so that would probably also improve.
Question: What's everyone's impression of Faneca this year? Is he going to go to a pro bowl on name alone? Has he lost it? Is he still the dominating lineman of old?
Not quite sure how I had a double post 16 minutes after the original. Sorry.
Just found this. Hilarious.
Interior line help is certainly a need. However, if a first round caliber T is available the steelers need to draft him. They should do that simply because good tackles don't exist after the first round/day. A good guard, and especially center, can be found a lot deeper in the draft. I can't believe were talking draft but I'd also wouldn't mind one of the small, quick RBs that teams have been finding and making KRs.
My 5-month too early draft wish list:
1st: T
2nd: G
3rd: G
4th: C
5th: KR
6th: ST
Fair enough.
Re: KR, I'm starting to think that there's an alternative to the Devin Hester-type blinding speed guys. More along the lines of Maurive JD for Jax, or even Najeh. A little faster than Davenport, perhaps, but the small pinball type guys seem to get the job done really well.
Michael Lewis' book the Blindside about Michael Oher is a must read for any football fan. Having said that - I can only think about the Patriots.....
I text messaged back and forth with my buddy Boston Rob, who is so nervous about the game tomorrow that is considering going to church in the morning...and yes, he's a Pats fan.
....and for the record, I will not be able to sleep tonight. And will be setting out my gameday clothes shortly....
Big game men, and so I give you the glory years, for inspiration.
1974: http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008b16d
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008b139
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008b1c7
1975: http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d801413a7
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008b103
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008b0dc
1978: http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008ccd1
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008cd47
1979: http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008cc97
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008cf68
http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d8008cc34
2005: http://www.nfl.com/videos?
videoI...9000d5d80180eef
Interior line help is certainly a need. However, if a first round caliber T is available the steelers need to draft him.
You think there will be one at 32? (or even 27?)
The Weather forecast for tomorrow, gentlemen:
http://www.weather.com/weather/
l...rom=search_city
Weather seems a non-factor, Bill.
The following is from the Middle East TV (satellite from Cyprus) website:
Hey NFL fans we want to hear from you!!!
YOU MAKE THE CALL FOR WEEK 15!!!!
For the early game, would you like to see the undefeated Patriots vs The NY Jets
Or
Would you rather see the two potential playoff powerhouse teams, Jaguars vs the Steelers.
Let us know by e-mail at comments@metv.org
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!!!!!!!
I told them about the A-Bomb guarantee. They must not have heard.
I will not be able to watch today's game. I hope I am extremely disappointed tonight that I didn't see it and not saying I was better off not watching it.
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