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Steelers Redux–Game 13: Steelers fed BIG piece of humble pie by superior Patriots
It was the end of the first half, and the Steelers were down 17-13. Pittsburgh controlled the ball for much of the half, and other than a big strike to Randy Moss, over a burned Anthony Smith, the Steelers did everything they needed to do to win the game. Pittsburgh would get the ball leading off the second half, and with a good drive, would establish the game in the Steelers’ favor.
Little did we know, New England had us exactly where they wanted us.
Pittsburgh came out, and after a long run by Willie Parker, looked like the game was about to turn into the Steelers direction. Unfortunately, that was the last play that had the Steelers in the ballgame. After a Steelers’ punt, New England took control of the game. Tom Brady lateralled to Randy Moss, who lateralled it back to Tom Brady, who then lofted a 56-yard TD to Jabar Gaffney over the outstretched hands of one Anthony Smith…roasted again.
New England was making a statement, and it was on the field, and not in the locker room. They weren’t finished making statements, and that’s where the problems come into play.
New England completely abandoned the run, as they always tend to do against Dick LeBeau’s defense. Brady dared the Steelers to blitz, then methodically seemed to pick them apart. You don’t believe that they abandoned the run? They ran the ball 9 times all day, for a grand total of 22 yards. Brady threw the ball 46 times, completing 32 of them for 399 yards. There’s just no excuse for that if you are Dick LeBeau, Mike Tomlin, and the Steelers.
If you read my earlier post today, you’ll note that I made mention of Pittsburgh’s linebackers, and how they would be able to handle the undercurrent passes that Brady seems to go for with his slot guys like wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Ben Watson. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It seemed as though the Steelers had this bottled up in the first half, but for as well as they covered the short passes in the first half, is as bad as they covered the short passes in the second half. Welker, who was held receptionless in the first half, had all nine of his receptions in the second half, and it seemed like Brady could find an open receiver short whenever he wanted. Of course, you can certainly blame the long strikes for opening up the underneath.
Offensively, Pittsburgh did everything that they needed to do to establish the run in the first half. Roethlisberger was effective, and Willie Parker was able to get driving runs off tackle at will. Pittsburgh controlled the ball for much of the first half, but were immediately put on their heels in the second, and never again regained their footing. Pittsburgh failed to make a big play, and failed to keep their defense off the field when it had the chance. They still ran the ball effectively, rolling out 181 yards against New England’s defense. Willie Parker had 124 yards rushing, and had his way throughout the whole game. Roethlisberger had an okay game as well, completing 19 of 32 passes for 187 yards.
Still, the Steelers just lacked IT in the second half. The game WAS close through one half, and you have to wonder what would have happend had they put some points on the board on their first drive, that stalled mid-field. You have to wonder what would have happened had Pittsburgh had Troy Polamalu roaming in the secondary. You have to wonder whether Anthony Smith learned his lesson.
I’m frustrated at this offense, that got extremely reactionary once they were down. There was just no freakin’ chemistry. Ben and the boys had a chance to grab this game by it’s nether-region in the second half, and they didn’t. Former Steeler Mike Vrabel seemed to be on a mission today as well. New England had him roaving a bit, and he found himself in the Steeler backfield a lot. The Steelers really didn’t have an answer for him all night long. Pittsburgh also couldn’t find Heath Miller, who could have eaten up the Patriots underneath. Other than a couple of inconsequential passes, he was a forgotten man. Hines Ward didn’t really make a play that counted. Santonio Holmes wasn’t really all that effective, and disappeared for big chunks of the game with the sprained ankle. There was questionable play calling for sure. Still, the focus has to go to the Steelers’ defense.
At the end of the day, this game exposed the Steelers secondary a bit. You have to understand a couple of things. To win the AFC, you have to beat the Patriots, and to beat the Patriots, two things have to happen. You have to get consistent pressure on Tom Brady, and you have to cover the receivers. I don’t care if their secondary can cover the rest of the NFL, it’s pretty apparent that they can’t cover the one team they need to beat to get to the Super Bowl. Troy Polamalu or not, this team has a long way to go before they can compete with the Patriots. Instead of playing a bit up on these guys, and belting them in the mouth, they played back, and let them roll with the underneath stuff. There was a bit of pressure, but nothing consistent. You have to clog the middle, and stop Brady from stepping up. They didn’t, and Brady did. James Harrison, Clark Haggans, James Farrior and Larry Foote…yoohoo…did you know there was a game today? I couldn’t tell.
Pittsburgh has a long way to go before they can guarantee much of anything.
Who is that Anthony Smith guy again? Yo Bill, I’m pretty sure you’ve played against plenty better than him as well.
You could say that about the Steelers as well.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, December 9th, 2007 at 10:46 pm and is filed under James Harrison, Troy Polamalu, James Farrior, Anthony Smith, Mike Vrabel, Larry Foote, Clark Haggans, Dick LeBeau, Steelers, Mike Tomlin, Tom Brady, Randy Moss, New England Patriots, Wes Welker, Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes, Bill Belichick, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh.
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47 Responses to “Steelers Redux–Game 13: Steelers fed BIG piece of humble pie by superior Patriots”
December 9th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
What was the difference in this afternoon’s game? Pittsburgh is a good team that yet to fully improve upon last year’s deficiencies. New England by contrast is quite simply the best. When the Patriots were on an offensive roll throughout the second half- the Steelers couldn’t sustain drives. How do you expect to beat the league’s most hated (albeit most successful) organization if you can’t keep pace with them? Is it my imagination but did our beloved Black And Gold have the right idea but would only execute intermittently?
P.S.
Could Anthony Smith please keep his mouth shut from here on in?
December 9th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
well…we cannot settle for FGs. Need touchdowns in the Red Zone against the Patriots. AND, Anthony Smith definitely learned a hard lesson today at the expense of everyone else. However, if we should meet them again in the playoffs, I really believe it is better that we got whipped today so they we bring their Greatest Emotion and Motivation to a potential Playoff Game against the Patriots..
They are good and they know it….seem unbeatable and they may just be unbeatable this year.They are setting a new standard, i.e. they have raised the bar like Tiger Woods has done in golf and it may be up to the rest of the league to get alot better very very fast OR…the next few years of football and football history are going to be painful to bear for those of us that absolutely HATE the Patriots..
December 9th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Stop me if you haven’t heard this before but we got beat deep again and that put the game out of reach. It Steeler Twighlight Zone time and yes, the Patriots time and again (including today) beat us with the big, deep play.
This is not new news. Pick the year and whenever the game counted (exception regular season 2004 but that was corrected by the Patriots in the AFC Championship game of 04 when Brady hit Branch for 60 yards and they won the game) and the Steelers gave up the big pass play deep to the Patriots.
What secondary coach, defensive coordinator, or heck, head coach when interviewed for the job (and I love Tomlin) does not come into prep and say “Belichick has our number fellas (Mr. Rooney), and they are going to go deep on us so don’t go for the play action or the pump fake, lest we once again make Belichick look like he has our number.”
The play calling was awful. 3rd and goal at the one and we throw a fade to a hurt Holmes and run Hines parallel to the goal line? How about two plays straight up the gut to get one yard behind Alan? Then it is 31-20 and we are least have a shot.
Ben’s audible was awful coming out of the second half and after the sack and the short pass, it was over. All that being said, hire me, Mr. Rooney and I will never let Brady beat us deep….like he has for years…
December 10th, 2007 at 1:20 am
“New England had us exactly where they wanted us”
“We got beat deep again and that put the game out of reach.”
“Then it is 31-20 and we at least have a shot”
“I will never let Brady beat us deep”
“If we should meet them again in the playoffs, I really believe it is better that we got whipped today so they we bring their Greatest Emotion and Motivation to a potential Playoff Game against the Patriots.”
James, Michael, Dave, Barry:
“I”? “We”? “Us”? Fellas, you ARE aware that you don’t actually play for the Steelers, right? That you didn’t participate in the game today, and the notion that you are part of the team is a pathetic illusion? And that actual NFL players perform at an level that’s so far beyond your own athletic abilities that it’s pretty silly for you to write as if they are peers of yours?
December 10th, 2007 at 1:24 am
I see it this way… we simply made to many mistakes to stay in that game, too many missed oppertunities period.
Also, did anyone else notice the Steelers came in the second half and seemed like they lost much of their intensity form the first half?
3 times inside the 20, resulting in 6 points…?
Getting sucked into a run fake by the Pats…? Let the rest of the team handle that the DBs should have stayed with the WRs… Besides the line was pass blocking.. the safties are supposed to read the line for a key!
All in all, the 2 deep passes were a result of Smith being a young player, hopefully they learn and grow from this.
Keep in mind, our SB season we got spanked by Indy during the season, only to come back and lay it on them in the playoffs.
I came away from this feeling, we are not there yet, but man, we are not that far off, we will just have to wait and see how things turn out.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:40 am
One question needs to be asked to and answered by the Steeler braintrust…
Why are you having your Safeties play the run at all on a team that hands the ball off 9 times a game..
a handoff on a draw play by the Pats is a win for any Defense
December 10th, 2007 at 4:10 am
As much as I hate to admit it (don’t we all), the Patriots are playing unbelieveably this season (either because of their shady past dealing with their cheating or otherwise), and I was quite dissappointed that Steelers didn’t step up their game the second half! It’s ok…we’ll make up for it soon enough
December 10th, 2007 at 5:47 am
What about the interference in the back of the end zone that should have been called during Pittsburgh’s last attemp at the goal. It seems to me that during every Patriot game the officials never throw flags on them during intense plays, are they biased or on the payroll. I have faithfully seen that the Patriots have been helped many times by the officials during many identical intense plays that have gone the wrong way since 2001. They can make history all they want, but I know that their is no substance to the Patriots even though they fool alot of us. It’s just a matter of time.
December 10th, 2007 at 7:51 am
I must admit that there were 1. Late hit out of bounds, 2. Delay of game, 3. Offsides and one other I can’t recall that the Steelers made without being flagged. Officials didn’t beat them this trip.
I will say that when you sit and really think about it, NE should have bet our second string D. Although Troy is only one back, his accounts for 3 strategic areas.
1. A safety that can be faked and still recover - Two NE TD’s that would not have taken place
2. Vision which whould not allow the 3rd TD. The other was not on Smith.
3. Ability to quickly disrupt the backfield.
I’m not angry only because I know with a healthy Troy the D is solid and I also found out how valuable Homes realy is… I didn’t know he was as valuable as he is. When Homes is on point he opens up the office and both, Homes and Ward are able to exploit.
I’m O.k… You should be also.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Discipline is the key against the Patriots. If you’re not as disciplined as they are, you’re going to struggle. The Steelers lost their heads in the second half yesterday, giving away penalties and starting fights. Sure, New England joined in, but they did so with a smile on their faces, certain in the knowledge that the Steelers had lost their composure. The Patriots never lost theirs.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Are you people out of your minds to think that the black and gold has a chance to hang with the Patriots?? Even with a healthy Troy the Pat’s will eat up that defense…. Just like they have to everyone else this whole season. Then you have the conspiracy theorists… the refs aren’t making calls against the Patriots….. are you kidding me…this season there have been more bad calls against the Patriots than I have ever seen. Even yesterday…. I think it was a pass to Randy Moss over the middle…. He got mugged…. No flag… even the announcers couldn’t believe there wasn’t a passing interference called. During the course of a game and a season there calls that go for and against a team. That’s the way it goes.
BOTTOM LINE —The Patriots are the best team in football and will win it all……and this might possibly be the greatest team of all time…. You may not like the Patriots as an organization, but they are far superior to any other team out there!!
December 10th, 2007 at 10:11 am
I was upset that the Steelers did not use Matt Spaeth nor Heath Miller. They are red zone targets that would put up points. We needed better production. The best defense is a good offense. Today’s game proved it. I am hoping that the Steeler coaches are looking to the playoffs and not to this game.
I now have a strong dislike for Boston sports. I am going to support the Yankees, and every team that plays against the Patriots. Does anyone have a copy of Superbowl XX?
December 10th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Many of us who follow our teams use the terms “we, us, etc”. Whether you write for the site or you live and die with your teams, its something thats done.
So what is pretty silly is to bring about such a point during a serious discussion about a game in which it doesn’t take Albert Einstein to know none of the many, many writers here on this site use those terms do not play for the professional teams we write about.
Real classy.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Wow. Any of us Steeler fans that once thought we could beat the PATS were all given a taste of reality yesterday. Whether Anthony (freakin’ idiot) Smith opened his mouth or not, the Steelers still get beat by the same plays every single time … year after year on defense… IT IS CALLED PLAY ACTION, and lack of special teams play. Let’s just look at few past expamples that I am sure none of us fans will soon forget:
1994 AFC Championship Game… SanDeigo throws a “deep” pass to an unknown TE for the difference in the game.
1997 AFC Championship Game… Denver beats us with a deep pass to Rod Smith.
2001 AFC Championship Game… NE Scores 2-TDs on special teams (punt rtn and blocked fg rtn).
2004 AFC Championship Game… NE Scores at will with deep passes including a 60-yd strike to Branch.
Yesterday was no different than any losses this season in my opinion…. look at the Jets game…remember the flea-flicker? Bottom line is the Steelers give up way too many deep passes mostly set up by play action. You can almost predict when it is going to happen.
I love the Steelers till I die… but these are the simple facts about them… they are suspect on defense regardless of what their “ranking” is every year. This team is no different. The defense is awesome but beatable by ANY team. The Offense is a whole other story in itself though.
One more thing to note… many of Steeler fans talk about the possiblity of facing the PATS again in the playoffs??? What are you thinking? The JAGS are next week and I for one see them as more of a direct threat to the Steelers playoff postioning (and hopes) than any other team. Fred Taylor regularly gains 100-yds against the Steelers historically and he is playing very good this season. Plus, the Jags have a very good defense. Steeler Fans should prepare for a GUT-CHECK next Sunday. I hope the Steelers show up for this one and execute on all facets of the game, because this will be a tough match-up. I am worried.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
When you run an aggressive defense, you will get beat deep. It is a trade off. The questions I have are:
1) Aaron Smith-did he play? No mention was made of him all day by the idiot announcers.
2) Anthony Smith- a guarrantee can’t start with “IF”, which is what his statement was. But no one remembers that. I like what he said, and shouldn’t fault him for that.
3) Why was Foote covering Welker? Too much sppeed for an LB to cover. And you wonder why 6 straight passes went to him in the 3rd qtr? Put a CB on the guy adn run a 3-3 front, to force them to run the ball.
4) What happened to the screen pass? It is the staple to beat NE. I think we ran 2 or 3 the first half and then panicked.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Here’s the truth about the steelers, whom I love. Lets start with Willie Parker he’s a good back but when you’re in 3rd and short you can’t give him the ball because he can’t pound between the tackles, but without him you’re not even in the game. Next the offensive play calling is horrible. Next this steeler team lack discpline, too many Penalties unlike a cowhard Team. Next no special team play at all. How about this throw to your tight end like the Cowboys do. Last but not least a overrated defense couldn’t stop Arizona when it needed to couldn’t stop the Jets when they need to couldn’t stop Denver barleygot by Cleveland and battled with Miami and don’t give me that wheather crap it’s the Dolphins, who’s to say that if Ricky williams stays in the it’s a different story. I love the steelers but this team does not fool me. Hey fellas quit listening to the Media. This team will barley make the playoff and that’s it.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Is it just me or every time an opposing QB passes deep we, the Steeler fan, hold our breath and squint our eyes? The one comment about the 04 season is spot on. How about the ‘94 season - when it was the Chargers.
For about 15 years the “Blitzburgh” defense has been prone to big pass plays. You would think over this time the situation would be corrected. Especially since “blitz” and “sack” never show up in the same sentence.
In ‘95 LeBeu’s schemes worked better when Greene and Lloyd were able to apply pressure and get sacks! This year, it doesn’t work because Smith, Hampton, and Keisel can’t get sacks.
I thought hiring Tomlin - a defensive guy - would help. It hasn’t. Number one against the pass? Please.
Three suggestions:
1. Goodbye Dick. Great legend, the author of the zone D. but time to go. Good for the first year transition, but adios now.
2. LaMar Woodley. Get healthy.
3. Free Agency. For once, bring in a shut down corner and get some help back there. Dre Bley (sp?) is having a big year - could have had him.
I feel like I, too, live in the Twilight Zone. Or groundhog day. Every game is the same - play calling, deficiencies, bad special teams.
We all hate the Pats - but they are a case study in how to improve from one year to the next and work to get better and fill voids. Say what you will about them, like Anthony Smith did.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Funny isn’t it… about Welker. He is probably faster than any defender we have… Larry Foote is quick, but no match for the 175lb Welker. Unless he smashes him before the ball comes. Defensive schemes were not very good yesterday…. I love LeBeau, but he got outcoached yesterday by a master schemer…Bellicheat. Oh well, let’s see what happens this weak against JAGS.
GO STEELERS!
December 10th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Better tell Anthony Smith to stay home if you guys are lucky enough to meet them in the AFC Championship game (in Foxboro)!
December 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hey Bill Belichick, you wrote;
“I”? “We”? “Us”? Fellas, you ARE aware that you don’t actually play for the Steelers, right? That you didn’t participate in the game today, and the notion that you are part of the team is a pathetic illusion? And that actual NFL players perform at an level that’s so far beyond your own athletic abilities that it’s pretty silly for you to write as if they are peers of yours?
That is a fan commenting on his team. A team he loves , and something that has become a part of him. What a condescending asshole you are. I’ll be the only reason you watch the NFL is to see the male cheerleaders.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
As a Pats fan, it’s nice to see mainly good football talk/debate here from knowledgeable fans. No spygate comments, no blaming the refs etc. Much better than those yahoos in Indy. What a bunch of whiners and complainers. Keep it up, we’ll see you again and who knows…always tough to beat a team twice.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
The “woe is me” syndrome is upon Steeler fans once again after the first “playoff” atmosphere game of the Mike Tomlin era. Fear not Steeler Nation. Remember the past Cowher era. It’s not who wins first, it’s who wins last! Yesterday’s game leaked several keys to defeating the Patriots in the playoffs; just like a Monday night debacle in Indianapolis did a few years ago. Dick LeBeau will most certainly incorporate new blitz packages with designs never seen before in January. Disguises based on the regular season will likely baffle Brady in game 2. Troy Polamalu is a better actor than his replacement, and it is much more plausible that he can end up in pass coverage after sneaking up to the line of scrimmage.
The special teams errors must be corrected and soon; however, don’t forget a few key special teams players Lamaar Woodley and Andre Frazier were missing yesterday.
The offense will be just fine too. They just have to be “who we thought they were” when they enter the red zone. Power straight ahead runs with Najeh Davenport with a sprinkling of play action passes to Matt Spaeth and Heath Miller, all of which was conspicuously absent yesterday.
Don’t expect to see many surprises this week against the Jagoffs. I am coming up from Florida to correct this past week’s wrong (just as I did for the Seattle game after the disaster in the Desert). This week’s game will be very hard hitting on both sides and the Steeler run defense will be tested. There are debts to be paid this coming week, and I look for the Steelers to win and the Browns to lose, meaning clinching the division and a home playoff game during the first week of the playoffs. Ahhh, nothing like playoff football in Pittsburgh in January … don’t forget the plastic bags for your boots so no toes get amputated.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
“Better tell Anthony Smith to stay home if you guys are lucky enough to meet them in the AFC Championship game (in Foxboro)!”
Then you better leave Rodney Harrison at home also!!! I am sure that he has had his bad games as well. While you’re at it tell Brady not to show because I’m sure he’s thrown interceptions in the past. Don’t be foolish. I hope Anthony Smith learned his lesson and he will be better off in the future because of the last game.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Let’s not be delusional -
Hey Paul - love your optimism and enthusiasm - but c’mon…”baffle Brady?” Troy Palamawho has been missing all year and the secondary and special teams plain stink. Nothing is going to change between now and the end of the year.
As I said before, Steelers did nothing to neutralize the Pats this offseason, while the Pats did - they brought in Thomas of the Ravens to get to Ben.
The Steelers will dominate again in a couple years but should not be surprised at this years efforts - it is crucial to identify your biggest opponent and make moves to counter. They didn’t.
And that’s the biggest disappointment (and delusion) of all.
Yes, I’m a big, big fan.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
A few thoughts:
The Pats are beatable, they are great and likely to win it all but honestly in the 2nd quarter I thought the Steelers had them. The momentum and play was going the Steelers way.
Still:
1. The secondary outside of the bombs wasn’t as terrible as the stat line. Of course the bombs count though.
2. The linebackers where just bad. They have to generate more of a rush and over the last 4 games or so simply are generating no sacks. Next season I would expect Woodley and Timmons to improve our pass rush on the ends.
Haggans should be a backup and move Harrison inside or put Woodley there with Foote going to the bench. That is then a potential atomic bomb of a linebacker corp. Lots of speed and power.
3. The Pats where vulnerable underneath for Miller and we just went away from it.
There is hope there but my gameplan wouldn’t change much on offense or defense past more inside blitzes.
Troy P would help but in truth the Steelers LB’s need to get faster on the rush.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I can’t believe what a bunch of whinebags you Steeler fans are! The Superior Patriots showed how the Steelers are no match for the Pats and what it means to shut up off the field and to put up on the field. Also even though every team did what the Patriots did in trying to get an edge including your beloved Steelers, how do you explain the onslaught since the Jet game? The Pats have been under a microscope to any sort of edge they could of had is since been null and void. So stop your whining and give it up to the greatest team of all-time and yes that includes your Steeler team of the 70’s!
December 10th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
SteelersFan in Bears County:
How soon you forget. The same exact feeling of helplessness bestowed on the Steelers after Peyton Manning dismantled them in the regular season before Super Bowl XL. The key to the blitz schemes designed by Dick LeBeau is deception (as is the case with every other NFL Defensive Coordinator). This is what makes Troy Polamalu so valuable. He is quick enough to move from point A to point B without revealing where he is going to end up. If a QB has to focus on Polamalu it slows his read time and reaction time, giving the linebackers and defensive line a little more time to attack the pocket.
The key to beating the Patriots is to “punch them in the mouth”. Although I saw one hit on Randy Moss, I did not see any on Brady. I can assure you based on their past both players are mere shells of themselves if they are getting hit hard at least 5 times in a game.
To the Patriots credit, nobody has been able to get to Brady with such effectiveness. The Patriots have a very experienced line that has played together for a while.
I assure you the next time the Steelers play the Patriots (which will be in the AFC Championship), there will be less consistent all-out pressure. Rather, Moss, Stallworth and Welker will be belted at the line to slow their patterns and linebackers will be in the throwing lanes. The pressure will be more from overloads on one side with linebackers and delayed corner blitzes.
Admittedly, I could be wrong, but I really believe yesterdays ass-whipping was a blessing in disguise.
December 10th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
all this belly akin , it is stupid , the Patriots played back yard football or better yet flag football but the defense is allowed to tackle. This Game came down to 2PLAYS ! that Anthony Smith played them like a highschool saftie, what the hell was he doing reacting to any Fake buy Brady….? has anyone notice they do not win games by running the football , the patriots once again out coached and found weak keys in the steelers defesne and took full advatage of them and Dick Le baues , Mike Tomlin
Guys the Patriots have a couple of play makers and that is IT!!
Brady and his coaches take the stupid mistakes that team do and they rub it in there faces ,
the steelers did not loose the game in the trenches or was flat out out played they were out schemed , the Patritots are takeing the NFL and makeing Arena Football out of it thanks to the rules of the game that allow reciver to use their hand but defenders cant.
The steelers just can not play their kind of game offensivley or defensive , the pats really are not as good as they appear , what they are good at is passing the football and that is it , other than that they are just an average team , I have to take someone this season is going to stop their passing attack just enough for them to lose , in the play-offs
December 10th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
“I”? “We”? “Our”? “Us”? Hey Bill… Everytime “I”.. so much as buy a Steelers tie clip or “We”…purchase game tickets. “Our”… beloved team gets to play another game with that precious Steeler sticker on their helmet. So… give “Us”… a break!
December 10th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
maybe the steelers should hire the pats oline coach,maybe he can teach them to pass block.I would do what ever i can to bring moss to us,it would weaken them and strengthen us.I would hire a DC who knows how to punch receivers in the mouth,i mean how many years are you going to get beat by the same bullshit,just fucking rediculious,you didn’t see ravens and eagles game,fire dick lebeau same shit every year.GET MOSS U FUCKING IDIOTS,DO SOMETHING TO STRENGTHEN YOUR TEAM IMMEDIATLEY,FUCK THE DRAFT.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
yesterdays ass whipping was another laugh for the Brady bunch , but I agree with you , they must hit and knock the shit out of Brady and a few of his recivers .
would Jack Lambert stand to let skinny Tom Brady run his trap like he did sunday, Hell no the Big men need to stop being little men and start flooring cocky mouth players like the thugs at wide outs and smart asses at quarterback.
I go back to the rule changes , this is what has tammed the big strong men and reduced them to allow the skinny finess teams to controll the game we once loved , you X generation can not understand , I seen all the steelers past superbowl teams , the old Okland Raiders , old Vikings , Rams those were teams that would never let a Quarter back stay in the game and beat them.
NOW we have Tom Brady and Randy Moss intimidateing the hell out of defenses, what the hell is going on , Steelers player if your reading its time to kick some ass to these Quaterbacks and not let 1 man make fools you guys.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I would bench foote,replacehim wit harrison,put clark on the bench,i mean he aint done shit all year anyway and put the rookies in that way we’ll have more speed on the field,atleast woodley sacks somebody when he’s in there.(PS GET MOSS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY)If the rooneys don’t want to pay sell the team to someone who does.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Move Deshea Townsend to Safety, BMAC at Corner, bench Anthony Smith, Troy is Healthy, realistic goal line plays by the offense and never settle for a Field Goal, and we win this game hands down. Its that easy guys.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
this OC IS A MORAN TO DON’T HE KNOW BENS MOBILE RUN A BOOTLEG ONCE AND A WHILE IN GOALINE SITUATIONS
December 10th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
I agree….why did they not bootleg with option to pass..
December 10th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I’ll sum it up thus far; out-schemed, out schemed, out schemed. There are real problems concerning the Steeler coaching. Don’t forget that Mike Shanahan received coach of the week - on our backs. Not convinced? When is the last time you saw a Steeler team behave the way it did during and before a game. Here’s how I see it: The players essentially haven’t changed, but the head coach has. Cohwer was in-your-face, Tomlin is anything but. Let’s face it, Cowher was a master at motivating blue collar teams. The Tomlin jury is still out.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
All I’m reading is defense this, defense that. To blame the defense only is very short sighted. The game was lost due to the crapping offense. The Steelers are very capable of putting up more tham 31 points on the Patriots. (BAL put up 24; CLE put up 28) well maybe not. 3rd and goal from the one: they pass then try some crazy run. What ever happened to pounding the ball down the opponents throats!
next series: Steelers drive from their own 20 into NE redzone - result: 1st and 10 at NE 19 : SACK and 3 incompletions.
last series: started with 1:51 left - 3 straight runs; not even an attempt to throw. They accepted the loss. LOSERS!
Blame the defense all you want. I’m blaming the offense
ARIANS MUST GO!
December 10th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
DAVE I GUESS THERE NOT SMART ENOUGH.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
PHIL COWHER WAS IN YOUR FACE,BUT REMEMBER HE WAS 2 AND 4 AT HOME IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES I’M GLAD HE’S GONE
December 10th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
ok…Paul, you handle the offense, i will handle the defense, DEAL???
December 10th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
when are you kids goin to shut up with blame game , steelers are not that bad , they were with out 2 starters in the secondary, & santonio holmes is hurt lost tuman for the yr. the thing that killed them was the flea flicker and play action fake to Moss.
Take those 2 plays out and who knows what happens , those kind of plays are easy to fix , some one has to tell the steelers secondary to never let any one get pass them , if you played football at any level that is a golden rule , no exceptions , that is why they are called safeties , they are their in case some one breaks through and steaks down the feild like moss did and his job is to run with him. but smith was playing run when he should have been playing pass.
how simple can it get steelers lost because 1 man beat 1 man Brady beat smith with the use of Moss.
player are taught in highschool to never… peak in the back feild as Smith did 2 time thats why he got burned plain and simple.
do you think Belchek new the steelers safties had bad habbits of bitting on fakes and freelanceing , you bet he did.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
JC, injured players are no reason to lose, everyone has them.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Hello, the blizt does not work when you show blizt and your corners play twelve yards off the ball. Brady is smart enough to drop back and quickly release the ball five yards down field on first down, second down, third down and first down, second down, and so on and so on. If you allow the receiver to run under coverage, no blizt package can get to a quarterback fast enough. That’s basic football.
Offensively, Big Ben needs to get rid of the ball faster. He needs to take a lesson from Brady, get rid of the ball quickly and hit your receivers in stride. Have you guys noticed that nearly every Steeler reciever catches the ball falling to the ground with their backs to the goal line?
Realistically, we could loose the remaining three games. The Jags and much more phyical than we are. The Rams make me think back to the Jets, Arizona, Denver and the aweful Dolphins. And finally, the Ravens will pick up from the second half of their first game with the Steelers. They truly have a score to settle.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Tommy B,I appreciate your respect for the Steeler fans writing this site.The majority of Patriot fans always talk about every other team and their fans with no respect or class.Most would go out of their way to insult and gloat,and you showed maturity.Other Pats fans can learn something from you,even though they probably won’t.Merry Christmas,man.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Keep LOOKING AHEAD for a Pat’s rematch boyz!!
Apparently your Saftey is, he never did shut it and he’s STILL flapping his JAWS!!
December 11th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Every team has injuries that would make the game different. The Pats lost Colvin for a season and d he would have made a huge difference in that Monday Baltimore game. Complaining about injuries is weak.\
Oh and I hope everyone knows that you have the Colts to thank for the new rules that keep defenders from actually defending.
December 11th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Steelers fan in Dallas got it right, why the hell would you repeatedly give their recievers a ten-twelve yard cushion and not get saftey help on the underneath crossing routes? The Pats seriously gave us the finger when they started lining up in 4-5 reciever spreads on 1st down and didn’t even pretend to run the ball. Just like saying “you can’t stop the pass, so why the hell whould we run?”
Also, as far as the rest of the season goes, we’ll still make the playoffs at 12-4 and will probably see the Patriots again before its all over. However, we need to get our act together quickly. Those were a couple of serious mental errors by Smith. He’d better learn from it real quick, cause everybody’s gonna want to make plays in his direction, starting with Jacksonville next week. Also, we’ll miss Aaron Smith if he’s done for the year. Bad breaks, but we’ve been in worse shape before.
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