For the first time since 2002 the Steelers will start the season at 0-2, after dropping a 20-10 contest to division rivals at Paul Brown Stadium.
20-10 seems like a manageable score, but the truth is that makes it look closer than it was. Ben Roethlisberger played a poor game. He was under heavy pressure all night (when hasn't that been the case) and even when he had time to throw his passes were long and or high.
For the second straight week the Steelers failed to establish any semblance of a running game, and its defense was held without a turnover, and without a sack.
Its going to be a long season Steelers Nation. Steel Curtain Rising will hang in for the duration, but it is 1:24 here in Buenos Aires, and work beckons tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for more!
Thanks for visiting. Click here to check out the rest of Steel Curtain Rising. Or... Follow @SteelCurtainRis
Monday, 16 September 2013
James Harrison's Contribution to the Steelers Linebacker Legacy
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a franchise that yields nothing to any other NFL franchise when it comes to linebacking.
In 1970’s, Andy Russell and Hall of Famers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert set the standard. Since then, notable Steelers linebackers have fallen into two categories.
The Steelers Linebacker Legacy
Steelers Nation does not accept linebackers who merely play “above the line.” Steelers Nation demands excellence for its linebackers.
The Steelers Media Guide used to run a page on the teams “Linebacker Legacy.” From 1969 to 1987 the Steelers sent at least one linebacker to the Pro Bowl. The steak ended with Mike Merriweather in ’87, but began anew in 1991 with Greg Lloyd, ended in 1998 with Levon Kirkland, only to begin again in 2001 with Jason Gildon continuing with James Harrison into 2010.
With such a time-honored tradition at linebacker, one may ask, what must a linebacker do to add to the tradition instead of simply living up to it?
To contribute to Steelers Linebacker Legacy, a linebacker must:
James Harrison Redefines “Nasty”
The Relentlessness of James Harrison
Striking Fear into Opposing Quarterbacks
Stepping It Up When Times Get Tough
James Harrison - Ball Hawk
Silverback Leading by Example
Super Bowl XLIII James Harrison, Game Changer
James Harrison Redefines “Nasty”
His predecessor Greg Lloyd wore t-shirts exclaiming “I wasn’t hired for my disposition.”
Joey Porter, his immediate predecessor, stirred up the pot once getting throw out of a game for pre game brawling and would follow opponents to the team bus. (Incidentally, Porter’s ejection at Cleveland led to Harrison’s first start we he registered 6 tackles and a sack.)
But Harrison’s signature “Nasty” came on Christmas Eve in 2005 and needs no words to describe it:
Back to Top
The Relentlessness of James Harrison
Roger Goodell and Ray Anderson disciplined James Harrison as if Harrison thought he played by his own set of rules. In 2010 they had the decency to go public with their feud.
But prior Harrison had been fighting a Cold War with the officials, whereby the referees willfully looked the other way as opposing offensive lineman held Harrison, wrestled with Harrison and at times even horse collared him to the ground with nary a flag being thrown.
Silverback accomplished that feat despite essentially playing with one arm in late 2009, two herniated disks in 2010 and recovery from back surgery and then an orbital bone fracture in 2011.
Back to Top
Striking Fear into Opposing Quarterbacks
Steve McNair was a Steelers slayer during his time in Tennessee and with Baltimore. But he had the misfortune to start the Steelers 75th Anniversary game which James Harrison chose as his moment to explode onto the national scene.
On that night, Harrison:
Steve McNair had owned the Steelers during his time in Tennessee and Baltimore. But he’d never had to start opposite James Harrison until that night.
It would seem that Silverback made a lasting impression.
Back to Top
Stepping It Up When Times Get Tough
The glow of Super Bowl XLIII masks the fact that the 2008 Steelers were maddingly inconsistent on offense. Their late November game vs. San Diego provides a perfect example, as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards, Hines Ward caught for 100 yards, and Willie Parker ran for 115.
But the only points the Steelers scored were off of Jeff Reed’s leg and one defensive score.
Oh, and if the Steelers backs were far enough to the wall, the penalty differential was 13-2 in San Diego’s favor that day.
Back to Top
James Harrison - Ball Hawk
Sacking the quarterback is great. Sacking the quarterback and stripping the ball is even better. James Harrison had a knack for doing both. At times it seemed like he had a Tomahawk instead of a forearm and the numbers back this up.
This simple comparison highlights James Harrison’s uniqueness.
In 22% of his games, James Harrison caused the opponent to cough up the ball. Of the other Cowher-Tomin era outside linebackers, only Greg Lloyd had better with a “games with forced fumble” percentage.
While outside linebackers are usually measured by sacks, the forced fumble is an equal and often times greater measure, as the chart indicates.
Of all the linebackers ranked, only Clark Haggans "overperforms" whereas LaMarr Woodley perhaps under performs. Otherwise you have a pretty fair ranking of the Steelers outside linebackers during the Cowher-Tomlin era.
Back to Top
Silverback Leading by Example
Joey Porter antagonized the opposition. Greg Lloyd demanded excellence of his teammates both on and off the field. James Farrior acted the quarterback of the defense and led in the locker room.
Needless to say Jacksonville enjoyed no more long kickoff returns.
Back to Top
Super Bowl XLIII James Harrison, Game Changer
Super Bowl XLIII will be remember for many things. Lombardi Number Six. Ben Roethlisberger authored the most incredible come from behind drive in Super Bowl history.
But what made that drive relevant came at the end of the first half, as Arizona was looking to score a touchdown with time expiring, when James Harrison made a read and decided to do a little free lancing. Here, one more time, is what happened:
Dick LeBeau calls James Harrison’s 100 yard touchdown run the best defensive play he has ever seen. What a game changer it was.
Back to Top
Silverback Finishes Outside of Steelers Nation, But Legacy Remains Untarnished
Sadly, James Harrison will not finish his career in the Black and Gold. Salary cap considerations and pride did not allow it.
But that changes nothing. His contribution to the Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Legacy will always remain intact.
Thanks for visiting. Click here to check out the rest of Steel Curtain Rising. Or... Follow @SteelCurtainRis
In 1970’s, Andy Russell and Hall of Famers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert set the standard. Since then, notable Steelers linebackers have fallen into two categories.
- Those who have upheld the standard, and those who added their own legacy to it.
The Steelers Linebacker Legacy
Steelers Nation does not accept linebackers who merely play “above the line.” Steelers Nation demands excellence for its linebackers.
The Steelers Media Guide used to run a page on the teams “Linebacker Legacy.” From 1969 to 1987 the Steelers sent at least one linebacker to the Pro Bowl. The steak ended with Mike Merriweather in ’87, but began anew in 1991 with Greg Lloyd, ended in 1998 with Levon Kirkland, only to begin again in 2001 with Jason Gildon continuing with James Harrison into 2010.
With such a time-honored tradition at linebacker, one may ask, what must a linebacker do to add to the tradition instead of simply living up to it?
To contribute to Steelers Linebacker Legacy, a linebacker must:
- Have a nasty streak
- Be relentless
- Strike fear into the hearts of quarterbacks
- Step up when times get tough
- Secure turnovers
- Inspire his teammates
- Make game-changing plays
James Harrison Redefines “Nasty”
The Relentlessness of James Harrison
Striking Fear into Opposing Quarterbacks
Stepping It Up When Times Get Tough
James Harrison - Ball Hawk
Silverback Leading by Example
Super Bowl XLIII James Harrison, Game Changer
James Harrison Redefines “Nasty”
His predecessor Greg Lloyd wore t-shirts exclaiming “I wasn’t hired for my disposition.”
Joey Porter, his immediate predecessor, stirred up the pot once getting throw out of a game for pre game brawling and would follow opponents to the team bus. (Incidentally, Porter’s ejection at Cleveland led to Harrison’s first start we he registered 6 tackles and a sack.)
But Harrison’s signature “Nasty” came on Christmas Eve in 2005 and needs no words to describe it:
Back to Top
The Relentlessness of James Harrison
Roger Goodell and Ray Anderson disciplined James Harrison as if Harrison thought he played by his own set of rules. In 2010 they had the decency to go public with their feud.
But prior Harrison had been fighting a Cold War with the officials, whereby the referees willfully looked the other way as opposing offensive lineman held Harrison, wrestled with Harrison and at times even horse collared him to the ground with nary a flag being thrown.
- That never stopped Harrison, in fact it barely slowed him down as sacked opposing quarterbacks 16 times in 2008 when he was NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Silverback accomplished that feat despite essentially playing with one arm in late 2009, two herniated disks in 2010 and recovery from back surgery and then an orbital bone fracture in 2011.
Back to Top
Striking Fear into Opposing Quarterbacks
Steve McNair was a Steelers slayer during his time in Tennessee and with Baltimore. But he had the misfortune to start the Steelers 75th Anniversary game which James Harrison chose as his moment to explode onto the national scene.
On that night, Harrison:
- Sacked McNair 3 times and got a piece of another McNair pass
- Intercepted a McNair pass and returned it for 20 yards
- Defensed 1 pass
- Forced 2 forced fumbles and recovered another fumble
- Finished the game with 9 total tackles
Steve McNair had owned the Steelers during his time in Tennessee and Baltimore. But he’d never had to start opposite James Harrison until that night.
It would seem that Silverback made a lasting impression.
Back to Top
Stepping It Up When Times Get Tough
The glow of Super Bowl XLIII masks the fact that the 2008 Steelers were maddingly inconsistent on offense. Their late November game vs. San Diego provides a perfect example, as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 300 yards, Hines Ward caught for 100 yards, and Willie Parker ran for 115.
But the only points the Steelers scored were off of Jeff Reed’s leg and one defensive score.
- And as if you had any doubt, that defensive score was made possible by a James Harrison strip sack in the end zone.
Oh, and if the Steelers backs were far enough to the wall, the penalty differential was 13-2 in San Diego’s favor that day.
Back to Top
James Harrison - Ball Hawk
Sacking the quarterback is great. Sacking the quarterback and stripping the ball is even better. James Harrison had a knack for doing both. At times it seemed like he had a Tomahawk instead of a forearm and the numbers back this up.
 |
| Forced fumbles were a James Harrison specialty |
This simple comparison highlights James Harrison’s uniqueness.
In 22% of his games, James Harrison caused the opponent to cough up the ball. Of the other Cowher-Tomin era outside linebackers, only Greg Lloyd had better with a “games with forced fumble” percentage.
While outside linebackers are usually measured by sacks, the forced fumble is an equal and often times greater measure, as the chart indicates.
Of all the linebackers ranked, only Clark Haggans "overperforms" whereas LaMarr Woodley perhaps under performs. Otherwise you have a pretty fair ranking of the Steelers outside linebackers during the Cowher-Tomlin era.
Back to Top
Silverback Leading by Example
Joey Porter antagonized the opposition. Greg Lloyd demanded excellence of his teammates both on and off the field. James Farrior acted the quarterback of the defense and led in the locker room.
- Some players, quiet by their nature, lead by example.
Needless to say Jacksonville enjoyed no more long kickoff returns.
Back to Top
Super Bowl XLIII James Harrison, Game Changer
Super Bowl XLIII will be remember for many things. Lombardi Number Six. Ben Roethlisberger authored the most incredible come from behind drive in Super Bowl history.
But what made that drive relevant came at the end of the first half, as Arizona was looking to score a touchdown with time expiring, when James Harrison made a read and decided to do a little free lancing. Here, one more time, is what happened:
Dick LeBeau calls James Harrison’s 100 yard touchdown run the best defensive play he has ever seen. What a game changer it was.
Back to Top
Silverback Finishes Outside of Steelers Nation, But Legacy Remains Untarnished
Sadly, James Harrison will not finish his career in the Black and Gold. Salary cap considerations and pride did not allow it.
But that changes nothing. His contribution to the Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Legacy will always remain intact.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Watch Tower: James Harrison Slights Ben Roethlisberger, Profaning the Terrible Towel and More...
The Steelers took to the field vs. the Titans looking to answer a lot of questions. Suffice to say, Steelers Nation didn’t get the answer it wanted. But that led to a lot of interesting stories for the Watch Tower to shine its light upon but ironically the biggest story had to do with the week to come.
Silverback Scales Big Ben?
For as big as the Steelers loss to the Titans was, perhaps even bigger news is the impending match up with the Bengals which of course bring James Harrison up against his former team.
At least that’s the line that Ralph Paulk, Scott Brown, and Ray Fittipaldo held to in their stories based on the weekly conference call with opposition players (Ray Fittipaldo in fact parlayed the interview into two stories.)
There was one rather glaring exception, and it was only reported by free lance reporter Jim Wexell. Harrison had no ill words for the Steelers, but he did slight their most prominent player, Ben Roethlisberger.
As reported by Wexell Harrison had this to say on his Steel City Insider site:
One can only speculate as to why this angle of the story was completely ignored by rest of the Steelers press crops. An easy conclusion is that they succumbed to pressure from the Steelers PR office. But that makes little sense upon further examination, as Wexell himself is a correspondent for Steelers Digest.
Either way, Wexell deserves credit for reporting on something that his colleagues ignored.
Steelers Supposed to Suck, Yet Still “Underachievers”
Few pundits preseason pundits picked the Steelers to do anything, but few were as strident as SI’s Don Banks. In his annual prediction column, Banks was merciless when it came to the Steelers, predicting a last in the AFC North finish.
That made his Tuesday column all the more interesting, when he labeled the Steelers as one of the top “underachievers” of the NFL’s opening weekend.
Profaning the Terrible Towel
The Post-Gazette’s Dan Gigler brought a very important story to light in his Blog and Gold column, when he informed his readers that the Steelers are desecrating the Terrible Towel with logos from other teams.
Lolley-Le'von Axis...r
Veteran Observer-Reporter journalist Dale Lolley did a little bit of his own Watch Towerism this week by calling out the rest of the press crops over the handling of the Le’Veon Bell injury.
Le’Veon Bell of course is the Steelers 2nd round draft pick who was all but anointed as the next Franco Harris/Jerome Bettis on the strength of a strong training camp, only to fall prey to a lisfranc injury in camp.
This fact was reported widely in August, although the severity of the story quickly diminished as it became clear that Bell didn’t have a lisfranc tear, unlike Matt Spaeth.
Bell himself had told reporters that he might return by week two, but that story got cold water thrown on it. Regarding the press’ handling of this pattern of events Lolley observed:
Lolley also offered some level headed thinking both immediately after the Titans game and on the Monday afterwards.
Wallace Watch Starts
In the 1990’s the Pittsburgh Steelers “enjoyed” an annual tradition of off season free agent exoduses. Perhaps none were as intently watched as Mike Wallace’s decision to bolt to Miami for a cool 13 million per year.
As many fans know, Wallace’s Dolphins beat the Cleveland Browns, but Wallace was limited to one catch for 15 yards. Dan Gigler shared a Miami Herald article which painted a picture of a deeply disgusted Wallace who had to be consoled by the team’s general manager no less.
For their part, Behind the Steel Curtain also offered its own piece, comparing Wallace to Keyshawn "Will You Just Give me the Damm Ball" Johnson.
Thanks for visiting. To read more analysis of the media that cover the Steelers, click here to read more from Steel Curtain Rising's Watch Tower.
Silverback Scales Big Ben?
For as big as the Steelers loss to the Titans was, perhaps even bigger news is the impending match up with the Bengals which of course bring James Harrison up against his former team.
- In both the Steelers and Bengals locker room both factions studiously avoided providing (almost) any bulletin board material.
At least that’s the line that Ralph Paulk, Scott Brown, and Ray Fittipaldo held to in their stories based on the weekly conference call with opposition players (Ray Fittipaldo in fact parlayed the interview into two stories.)
There was one rather glaring exception, and it was only reported by free lance reporter Jim Wexell. Harrison had no ill words for the Steelers, but he did slight their most prominent player, Ben Roethlisberger.
As reported by Wexell Harrison had this to say on his Steel City Insider site:
Harrison did punch one Steeler in the gut. "They had a rough one," Harrison said of the Steelers' last game. "They lost their best offensive player they had in Maurkice Pouncey."To his credit, Wexell made no attempt to blow the quote out of proportion, but did remind readers of how Harrison ripped into Roethlisberger in his infamous Men’s Journal interview in July 2011.
- Regardless, Harrison’s comment offers real news value.
One can only speculate as to why this angle of the story was completely ignored by rest of the Steelers press crops. An easy conclusion is that they succumbed to pressure from the Steelers PR office. But that makes little sense upon further examination, as Wexell himself is a correspondent for Steelers Digest.
Either way, Wexell deserves credit for reporting on something that his colleagues ignored.
Steelers Supposed to Suck, Yet Still “Underachievers”
Few pundits preseason pundits picked the Steelers to do anything, but few were as strident as SI’s Don Banks. In his annual prediction column, Banks was merciless when it came to the Steelers, predicting a last in the AFC North finish.
That made his Tuesday column all the more interesting, when he labeled the Steelers as one of the top “underachievers” of the NFL’s opening weekend.
- So if the Steelers are really supposed to be bad, then how can they be “underachievers?”
- Banks’ post-Titans critique also had its flaws.
- Lest accusation of homerism should let fly, both Ben Roethlisberger’s short term health and longevity are very much in danger.
Profaning the Terrible Towel
The Post-Gazette’s Dan Gigler brought a very important story to light in his Blog and Gold column, when he informed his readers that the Steelers are desecrating the Terrible Towel with logos from other teams.
- That’s right, you can now get your Terrible Towel with Steelers and Titans or Jaguars logos printed on it.
Lolley-Le'von Axis...r
Veteran Observer-Reporter journalist Dale Lolley did a little bit of his own Watch Towerism this week by calling out the rest of the press crops over the handling of the Le’Veon Bell injury.
Le’Veon Bell of course is the Steelers 2nd round draft pick who was all but anointed as the next Franco Harris/Jerome Bettis on the strength of a strong training camp, only to fall prey to a lisfranc injury in camp.
This fact was reported widely in August, although the severity of the story quickly diminished as it became clear that Bell didn’t have a lisfranc tear, unlike Matt Spaeth.
Bell himself had told reporters that he might return by week two, but that story got cold water thrown on it. Regarding the press’ handling of this pattern of events Lolley observed:
From the beginning, I reported that Bell had a Lisfranc injury. And, despite what some were reporting, Mike Tomlin never said Bell didn't have a Lisfranc injury.Kudos to Lolley for his effort to keep a story in context and to hold his friends and colleagues accountable, albeit without naming them.
He only said Bell didn't have a Lisfranc tear like the one Matt Spaeth did and that they were hoping he would recover without surgery.
The initial estimates on his recovery - not from the Steelers, but by reporters - was six to eight weeks.
So now, a story is written saying Bell will be out another month. That would put him right in line with the six to eight weeks that was being reported from the beginning of this thing.
Lolley also offered some level headed thinking both immediately after the Titans game and on the Monday afterwards.
Wallace Watch Starts
In the 1990’s the Pittsburgh Steelers “enjoyed” an annual tradition of off season free agent exoduses. Perhaps none were as intently watched as Mike Wallace’s decision to bolt to Miami for a cool 13 million per year.
- The Steelers made it very clear, very early they were not going to pay Wallace that kind of cash.
As many fans know, Wallace’s Dolphins beat the Cleveland Browns, but Wallace was limited to one catch for 15 yards. Dan Gigler shared a Miami Herald article which painted a picture of a deeply disgusted Wallace who had to be consoled by the team’s general manager no less.
For their part, Behind the Steel Curtain also offered its own piece, comparing Wallace to Keyshawn "Will You Just Give me the Damm Ball" Johnson.
Thanks for visiting. To read more analysis of the media that cover the Steelers, click here to read more from Steel Curtain Rising's Watch Tower.
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Fernando Velasco - From NFL "Street" Free Agent to Steelers Starting Center
Note to future NFL “street” free agent offensive lineman, should the Pittsburgh Steelers contact you about joining the team in mid-season, you stand a strong chance of starting that next Sunday.
The Steelers set the precedent in 2011 with Max Starks, and now they follow it with Fernando Velasco per Gerry Dulac’s tweet:
The Steelers of course reached out to Velasco within 24 hours of Maurkice Pouncey’s ACL/MCL tear suffered vs. the Titans. Pro Football Focus rated Velasco as the 11th best center in 2012, but The Turk nonetheless darkened his door on cut down day.
Velasco’s experience with zone blocking attracted the Steelers, and Behind the Steel Curtain’s Steel34D film review confirmed Velaco’s ability in a zone blocking scheme, (a review which includes some success at Casey Hampton’s expense.)
Word that Velasco will start frees Kelvin Beachum to return to his role as primary backup across the offensive line and of course the new hat he wears, blocking tight end.
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The Steelers set the precedent in 2011 with Max Starks, and now they follow it with Fernando Velasco per Gerry Dulac’s tweet:
New C Fernando Velasco will start in Cincy. Isaac Redman: “I’ve never seen anyone come in and look as comfortable in the offense so quick."The Steelers waived Max Starks in July of 2011 following the NFL lockout after his weight had reportedly ballooned up to near 400 lbs. After Willie Colon tore his triceps during the Debacle in Baltimore the Steelers turned away offers from Flozell Adams and instead opted to start then rookie Marcus Gilbert.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 13, 2013
- In 2011, the team desperately wanted to turn a new page on its offensive line.
The Steelers of course reached out to Velasco within 24 hours of Maurkice Pouncey’s ACL/MCL tear suffered vs. the Titans. Pro Football Focus rated Velasco as the 11th best center in 2012, but The Turk nonetheless darkened his door on cut down day.
Velasco’s experience with zone blocking attracted the Steelers, and Behind the Steel Curtain’s Steel34D film review confirmed Velaco’s ability in a zone blocking scheme, (a review which includes some success at Casey Hampton’s expense.)
Word that Velasco will start frees Kelvin Beachum to return to his role as primary backup across the offensive line and of course the new hat he wears, blocking tight end.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Jarvis Jones Gives Steelers Nation A Sight for Sore Eyes - No. 95 Making Splash Plays Again
Sometimes error can lead to great fortune. Going into the 2013 NFL Draft, draft nicks knocked Jarvis Jones because he was a little slow.
Gil Brandt, architect of the Dallas Doomesday Dynasty of the 1970’s didn’t consider Jones a first round talent explaining, "I think he's one of those guys that when you're rushing the passer, he's going to almost get there, but not quite."
The Steelers made their own evaluations of Jones, and perhaps that included the knowledge that a minor injury tainted Jones combine time and they selected Jarvis Jones in the first round.
Shortly after joining the Steelers Jones upped the ante, by choosing 95 for his jersey number. While 95 doesn’t hold hallowed status in Steelers lore the way 12 (Terry Bradshaw), 32 (Franco Harris), 47 (Mel Blount), 58 (Jack Lambert), 59 (Jack Ham), and 75 (Joe Greene) do, it is the number worn by Greg Lloyd and therefore commands respect.
But for ten years Greg Lloyd executed exactly that type of decisive playmaking to breath legend into Number 95.
Jones still has long way to go to live up to the standard set by his fellow Georgian.
Thanks for visiting. Click here to check out the rest of Steel Curtain Rising. Or... Follow @SteelCurtainRis
Gil Brandt, architect of the Dallas Doomesday Dynasty of the 1970’s didn’t consider Jones a first round talent explaining, "I think he's one of those guys that when you're rushing the passer, he's going to almost get there, but not quite."
The Steelers made their own evaluations of Jones, and perhaps that included the knowledge that a minor injury tainted Jones combine time and they selected Jarvis Jones in the first round.
Shortly after joining the Steelers Jones upped the ante, by choosing 95 for his jersey number. While 95 doesn’t hold hallowed status in Steelers lore the way 12 (Terry Bradshaw), 32 (Franco Harris), 47 (Mel Blount), 58 (Jack Lambert), 59 (Jack Ham), and 75 (Joe Greene) do, it is the number worn by Greg Lloyd and therefore commands respect.
- Some of the players donning number 95 recently haven’t lived up to the standard (think Alonzo Jackson).
- You call that, Steelers Nation, hitting with authority.
But for ten years Greg Lloyd executed exactly that type of decisive playmaking to breath legend into Number 95.
Jones still has long way to go to live up to the standard set by his fellow Georgian.
- But his booming tackle of Chris Johnson amounted to a very strong step.
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Steelers Salary Cap Scheme Goes Up in Smoke
"The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry."
Don’t look now Steelers Nation, the wounds from the touturing suffered at the hands of the Titans are still smarting, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may have already dimmed their prospects for 2014.
That’s right, the impact of the injures the Steelers suffered vs. the Titans may reach into 2014 and beyond. And this has nothing to do with Larry Foote, Maurkice Pouncey and LaRod Stephens Howling’s prospects for recovery.
Each of those moves robbed the team of depth on a Steelers 2013 roster that was thin to begin with. But those injuries, along with Shaun Suisham’s pulled hamstring, forced Kevin Colbert to scramble for replace them with Jonathan Dwyer, Shayne Graham, and Fernando Velasco.
The Steelers routinely leave themselves some salary cap space to do some in-season roster shuffling, but when you need to sign three veterans it isn’t quite so simple, as Ed Bouchette’s tweet shows:
In addition, they made no moves to extend the contracts of any of their impending free agents. Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders are due for their second contract, and both probably could have been signed for less this past summer. Ryan Clark and Brett Keisel likewise are in their contract years.
Alas, the Steelers can’t seem to catch a break.
Thanks for visiting. Click here to check out the rest of Steel Curtain Rising. Or... Follow @SteelCurtainRis
Don’t look now Steelers Nation, the wounds from the touturing suffered at the hands of the Titans are still smarting, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may have already dimmed their prospects for 2014.
That’s right, the impact of the injures the Steelers suffered vs. the Titans may reach into 2014 and beyond. And this has nothing to do with Larry Foote, Maurkice Pouncey and LaRod Stephens Howling’s prospects for recovery.
Each of those moves robbed the team of depth on a Steelers 2013 roster that was thin to begin with. But those injuries, along with Shaun Suisham’s pulled hamstring, forced Kevin Colbert to scramble for replace them with Jonathan Dwyer, Shayne Graham, and Fernando Velasco.
The Steelers routinely leave themselves some salary cap space to do some in-season roster shuffling, but when you need to sign three veterans it isn’t quite so simple, as Ed Bouchette’s tweet shows:
#Steelers convetr little over $3 M from Heath Miller's 2013 salary into bonus, which counts half this year, half next. Salary now $1,974,500Normally restructuring a contract here and there isn’t a problem. But contract restructuring has become standard operating procedure on the South Side.
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 11, 2013
- What the Steelers once mocked, they now embrace.
In addition, they made no moves to extend the contracts of any of their impending free agents. Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders are due for their second contract, and both probably could have been signed for less this past summer. Ryan Clark and Brett Keisel likewise are in their contract years.
- But the Steelers offered no contract extensions this summer at St. Vincients
- But another part of it is salary cap driven.
- This cap consciousness is one potential explanation for the front office coaching split over Jonathan Dwyer
Alas, the Steelers can’t seem to catch a break.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Steelers Report Card vs. the Titans
Taken from the grade book of a teacher who didn't know whether to interpret the silence of his newly arrived pupils as a sign of genius or something far different, here is the Pittsburgh Steelers report card for the torturing they endured at the hands of the Titans. Please note, no other report cards were consulted prior to this posting.
Quarterback
The Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger is a class act. He's got the fate of the franchise on his back and that self-same organization essentially hung him out to dry by providing a tackle doubling as a tight end as his only back up at center. Roethlisberger was under duress all day, yet managed to remain poised and refrained from pointing fingers publicly. He also moved the team smartly down giving them at least a theoretical chance to win the game at the end, which is a credit to his spirit of his professionalism and competitiveness. His play wasn't perfect, and his grade much reflect that. But he is certainly not to blame for the loss. Grade: B-
Running Backs
Vs. the Titans Steelers Nation saw what had to have been one of the worst rushing efforts in franchise history. Even in the pass happy NFL, 33 yards does not cut it. Early on Isaac Redman looked very much like a back who hadn't carried the ball in a month. LaRod Stephens-Howling played a little better, but tore and ACL for his troubles. While they might not be "at fault," players must be graded on "what they put on tape" and the performance and production of a both men was simply unacceptable. Grade: F
Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders dropped what looked liked could have been an opening score. He atoned for that to lead the Steelers in catches, but still suffered from other drops. Antonio Brown also looked good. Jerricho Cotchery simply did what was asked of him. Still, given the chaos in front of them, this unit needed to do something special, something extraordinary and they didn't. Grade: C
Tight Ends
David Johnson didn't do much more than catch a pass and clearly did not help improve the run blocking. David Paulson was invisible. Kelvin Beachum started the game here but was quickly shifted to center..... Again, perhaps not "their fault" but his group was not an asset on the field Sunday. Grade: D
Offensive Line
David DeCastro now holds the dubious honor of maintaining the Steelers offensive lines "tradition" of injuring your fellow teammates. Marcus Gilbert struggled, and the entire line looked lost without Maurkice Pouncey. Again, this might not be "their fault" but their production was simply unacceptable. Grade: F
Defensive Line
On paper, this group had a fine afternoon, holding Chris Johnson to 2.8 yards per carry and the Titans to 2.7 yards per carry. And that just goes to show you how statistics deceive. The Titans in fact, rammed the ball down the middle of the Steelers defense. They may not have done it eloquently, but they did do it effectively. Steve McLendon, Brett Keisel, and Ziggy Hood made plenty of tackles, but didn’t get much penetration. Grade: C-
Linebackers
There was the good, the bad, and the injuries. LaMarr Woodley registered the game’s only sack and was the backfield consistently. Rookie Jarvis Jones made a show stopping behind the line of scrimmage tackle of Johnson. The sight of 95 making splash plays for the Steelers was hair raising. Larry Foote led the unit in tackles, but Tennessee appeared to be targeting him in the running game. Lawrence Timmons, while not playing poorly, needs to be heard more than scene. Jason Worilds was sadly invisible. Grade: B-
Secondary
Cortez Allen’s reign as starting cornerback lasted less than a half. William Gay played a very strong game in replacement of Allen. Ike Taylor’s name was not called much, which is good for a corner. Ryan Clark went out of the game twice with injuries, but was back in after a play. No wonder he led the team in tackles. Troy Polamalu showed flashes of his old self, although should have been more attentive on a possible fumble recovery. Overall, a solid performance from the oldest unit on the field. Grade: B
Special Teams
Yes there were the dumb penalties. No, there was no spark from the return game. But in spite of that, this until was succeeding in not making themselves a glaring liability for 3 and a half quarters. Then Zoltan Mesko followed with a 39 yard punt (not terrible, but he was kicking from the 5) which Houston returned for 27 yards, giving Tennessee 1st and 10 at the Steelers 17. The Steelers are settling into a very dangerous “special teams mishap of the game” rut. This must stop. Grade: F
Coaching
Mike Tomlin does not coach scared. Sometimes that philosophy has its consequences, and your number two tight end going to play center was one of them. Tomlin failed to refocus his team after was clearly a deflating injury. Todd Haley likewise could not get into any sort of a groove with his play calling. Dick LeBeau’s unit did better, but the success of the Titans running up the middle will be noted in the AFC North and parts elsewhere. Danny Smith was supposed to revitalize the special teams. Steelers Nation continues to wait. Grade: F
Unsung Hero Award
When times get tough teams look to an unselfish player who simply steps up to make plays. They might be game changing, they might simply convert a third down, or they might simply involve doing what was asked of them. Such characteristics made Hines Ward one of the NFL’s best kept secrets until 2001 or so. Jerricho Cotchery is on the other end of his career, he only made four catches but he came up with them when the Steelers needed him to, and for that he is Steel Curtain Rising’s Unsung Hero of the Titans game.
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Quarterback
The Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger is a class act. He's got the fate of the franchise on his back and that self-same organization essentially hung him out to dry by providing a tackle doubling as a tight end as his only back up at center. Roethlisberger was under duress all day, yet managed to remain poised and refrained from pointing fingers publicly. He also moved the team smartly down giving them at least a theoretical chance to win the game at the end, which is a credit to his spirit of his professionalism and competitiveness. His play wasn't perfect, and his grade much reflect that. But he is certainly not to blame for the loss. Grade: B-
Running Backs
Vs. the Titans Steelers Nation saw what had to have been one of the worst rushing efforts in franchise history. Even in the pass happy NFL, 33 yards does not cut it. Early on Isaac Redman looked very much like a back who hadn't carried the ball in a month. LaRod Stephens-Howling played a little better, but tore and ACL for his troubles. While they might not be "at fault," players must be graded on "what they put on tape" and the performance and production of a both men was simply unacceptable. Grade: F
Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders dropped what looked liked could have been an opening score. He atoned for that to lead the Steelers in catches, but still suffered from other drops. Antonio Brown also looked good. Jerricho Cotchery simply did what was asked of him. Still, given the chaos in front of them, this unit needed to do something special, something extraordinary and they didn't. Grade: C
Tight Ends
David Johnson didn't do much more than catch a pass and clearly did not help improve the run blocking. David Paulson was invisible. Kelvin Beachum started the game here but was quickly shifted to center..... Again, perhaps not "their fault" but his group was not an asset on the field Sunday. Grade: D
Offensive Line
David DeCastro now holds the dubious honor of maintaining the Steelers offensive lines "tradition" of injuring your fellow teammates. Marcus Gilbert struggled, and the entire line looked lost without Maurkice Pouncey. Again, this might not be "their fault" but their production was simply unacceptable. Grade: F
Defensive Line
On paper, this group had a fine afternoon, holding Chris Johnson to 2.8 yards per carry and the Titans to 2.7 yards per carry. And that just goes to show you how statistics deceive. The Titans in fact, rammed the ball down the middle of the Steelers defense. They may not have done it eloquently, but they did do it effectively. Steve McLendon, Brett Keisel, and Ziggy Hood made plenty of tackles, but didn’t get much penetration. Grade: C-
Linebackers
There was the good, the bad, and the injuries. LaMarr Woodley registered the game’s only sack and was the backfield consistently. Rookie Jarvis Jones made a show stopping behind the line of scrimmage tackle of Johnson. The sight of 95 making splash plays for the Steelers was hair raising. Larry Foote led the unit in tackles, but Tennessee appeared to be targeting him in the running game. Lawrence Timmons, while not playing poorly, needs to be heard more than scene. Jason Worilds was sadly invisible. Grade: B-
Secondary
Cortez Allen’s reign as starting cornerback lasted less than a half. William Gay played a very strong game in replacement of Allen. Ike Taylor’s name was not called much, which is good for a corner. Ryan Clark went out of the game twice with injuries, but was back in after a play. No wonder he led the team in tackles. Troy Polamalu showed flashes of his old self, although should have been more attentive on a possible fumble recovery. Overall, a solid performance from the oldest unit on the field. Grade: B
Special Teams
Yes there were the dumb penalties. No, there was no spark from the return game. But in spite of that, this until was succeeding in not making themselves a glaring liability for 3 and a half quarters. Then Zoltan Mesko followed with a 39 yard punt (not terrible, but he was kicking from the 5) which Houston returned for 27 yards, giving Tennessee 1st and 10 at the Steelers 17. The Steelers are settling into a very dangerous “special teams mishap of the game” rut. This must stop. Grade: F
Coaching
Mike Tomlin does not coach scared. Sometimes that philosophy has its consequences, and your number two tight end going to play center was one of them. Tomlin failed to refocus his team after was clearly a deflating injury. Todd Haley likewise could not get into any sort of a groove with his play calling. Dick LeBeau’s unit did better, but the success of the Titans running up the middle will be noted in the AFC North and parts elsewhere. Danny Smith was supposed to revitalize the special teams. Steelers Nation continues to wait. Grade: F
Unsung Hero Award
When times get tough teams look to an unselfish player who simply steps up to make plays. They might be game changing, they might simply convert a third down, or they might simply involve doing what was asked of them. Such characteristics made Hines Ward one of the NFL’s best kept secrets until 2001 or so. Jerricho Cotchery is on the other end of his career, he only made four catches but he came up with them when the Steelers needed him to, and for that he is Steel Curtain Rising’s Unsung Hero of the Titans game.
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Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Can't Get Enough of Tennessee? Steelers Sign Former Titans Center Fernando Velasco
Note to aspiring NFL centers. If you're looking to for a shot at the mantle of Ray Mansfield, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson, and Jeff Hartings and you don't get drafted by the Steelers, you should try to first latch on with the Tennessee Titans.
One of Mike Tomlin's more unsuccessful personnel moves was to bring Sean Mahan to the Steelers from Tampa. After that experiment failed, the Steelers looked to free agent center Jeff Hartwig who'd cut his teeth in Tennessee.
Now the same cycle is repeating itself. The experiment with Kelvin Beachum at center may last one merciful game as the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran center Fernando Velasco.
Long time free lance reporter Jim Wexell described Velasco in these terms:
Steelers Continue to Shuffle Roster
The shuffling of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 roster in the wake of their disastrous loss to the Titans also continued in other areas, as Jonathan Dwyer returned to the team and kicker Shayne Graham also came on board due to Shawn Suisham's hamstring injury.
Maurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote, and LaRod Stephens-Howling officially went on season-ending injured reserve.
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One of Mike Tomlin's more unsuccessful personnel moves was to bring Sean Mahan to the Steelers from Tampa. After that experiment failed, the Steelers looked to free agent center Jeff Hartwig who'd cut his teeth in Tennessee.
Now the same cycle is repeating itself. The experiment with Kelvin Beachum at center may last one merciful game as the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran center Fernando Velasco.
Long time free lance reporter Jim Wexell described Velasco in these terms:
I watched new Steelers OL Fernando Velasco this preseason and am surprised he was available. Strong, some mobility. Quality pick-up.It is not know if Velasco will start Sunday vs. the Bengals but, unlike Kelvin Beachum, he'll at least have game experience at center. One thing is certain, regardless of whether Velasco starts or not, he won't spend his week in practice as the team's number 2 tight end...
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) September 9, 2013
Steelers Continue to Shuffle Roster
The shuffling of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 roster in the wake of their disastrous loss to the Titans also continued in other areas, as Jonathan Dwyer returned to the team and kicker Shayne Graham also came on board due to Shawn Suisham's hamstring injury.
Maurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote, and LaRod Stephens-Howling officially went on season-ending injured reserve.
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Monday, 9 September 2013
In Through the Out Door - Jonathan Dwyer Returns; Steelers Sign Kicker Shayne Graham
The biggest surprise for the Steelers on cut down day was the decision to cut Jonathan Dwyer. While the move had been rumored for some time, Dwyer was at once their only healthy experienced back.
Dwyer, however, doesn’t seem to be taking his waiver personally, per his Twitter account:
Another Shayne to Give the Steelers a Kicking Edge?
The Steelers loss vs. the Titans was really costly for the Steelers. When the game ended, fans didn’t know the half of it. After the game it was revealed that Larry Foote should torn a biceps and will miss the season.
And the poor kick that resulted in the Steelers safety? Well, Shaun Suisham injured his hamstring in pre game warm ups. To occupy pregame kicking duties and to take Foote’s spot on the roster, the Steelers have signed kicker Shayne Graham.
Graham is a veteran kicker who has kicked in the NFL since 2001 for the Bills, Panthers, Bengals, Patriots, Giants, Dolphins, Ravens and Texans.
…You’ve got to love a punter that gets fined for fighting!
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- And in the eyes of at least one reporter, the decision to waive Dwyer was made under protest from "the coaches.
Dwyer, however, doesn’t seem to be taking his waiver personally, per his Twitter account:
Glad to be back home #steelernationDwyer will rejoin Isaac Redman and Felix Jones, adding to the irony of the situation. Dwyer's propensity to fumble made him expendable yet it was Redman who coughed up the ball twice, while Jones did not see a single carry.
— Jonathan Dwyer (@JDwyer27) September 9, 2013
Another Shayne to Give the Steelers a Kicking Edge?
The Steelers loss vs. the Titans was really costly for the Steelers. When the game ended, fans didn’t know the half of it. After the game it was revealed that Larry Foote should torn a biceps and will miss the season.
And the poor kick that resulted in the Steelers safety? Well, Shaun Suisham injured his hamstring in pre game warm ups. To occupy pregame kicking duties and to take Foote’s spot on the roster, the Steelers have signed kicker Shayne Graham.
Graham is a veteran kicker who has kicked in the NFL since 2001 for the Bills, Panthers, Bengals, Patriots, Giants, Dolphins, Ravens and Texans.
- The Steelers have had good luck with replacement kickers named “Shayne.”
…You’ve got to love a punter that gets fined for fighting!
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El Fracaso en Heinz Field - Titans 16, Steelers 9
Semana 1 - Tennessee Titans 16 - Pittsburgh Steelers 9
Hola, amigos hispanoparlantes.
Nos reencontramos en Steel Curtain Rising en español para una nueva temporada de football americano.
Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina, los saluda el Dr. de Acero.
Una Derrota sin Atenuantes en el Debut de Temporada
En el domingo de apertura de la temporada los Acereros cayeron estrepitosamente ante el modesto equipo de Tennessee por 16 a 9
Luego del embarazoso safety, que será recordada como la anotación más rápida en toda la historia de la NFL, obsequio de los equipos especiales de los Titans, lo mucho o poco que pudo ser la ofensiva acerera en este partido y tal vez en toda la temporada, duró menos de cuatro minutos de juego. De hecho hasta allí se vió a B. Roethlisberger bien protegido, lanzando en un gran nivel y completando pases largos en 3eras oportunidades.
Fue entonces que comenzaron las desventuras para los locales: en la misma serie ofensiva (y primera) David DeCastro cayó sobre la pierna del centro Maurkice Pouncey provocando una grave lesión que tal vez lo deje fuera por gran parte sino todo lo que resta de la temporada, y poco más adelante, Isaac Redman suelta el ovoide dentro de las 5 yardas de Tennessee derivando en touchback en un momento en que los Steelers estaban para llevarse 7 puntos de esa marcha.
Uno se vé tentado a pensar que la lesión de Pouncey explica sin más el pobre desempeño de la ofensiva en adelante. Pero, lógicamente no es así. O no debería explicarlo todo.
Las Razones de la Derrota
Las Lesiones
Otra vez la sala de enfermería de Pittsburgh volvió a llenarse con jugadores importantes como Larry Foote, Cortez Allen y LaRod Stephens-Howling. La lesión de Foote y la citada lesión de Pouncey requerirán de cirugía y un largo tiempo de recuperación.
Se deben sumar las bajas de LeVeon Bell y de Heath Miller. Sin dudas, la ausencia de Miller afecta al staff ofensivo tanto por la posibilidad de pase que Miller siempre ofrece al QB pero también porque es un TE con una gran capacidad de bloqueo, tal vez el mejor bloqueador entre los TEs de la Liga.
La Defensa Contra la Carrera
Los Titans carecen de un prolífico juego aéreo debido a lo mediocre que es su QB Jake Locker, por lo que recién luego de la intersección de A. Verner, el Entrenador Jefe Mike Munchak se volcó al juego terrestre poniendo en evidencia que la defensiva acerera no estuvo tan efectiva como en los viejos tiempos permitiendo 112 yardas, que si bien no parece gran cosa, la ausencia de ofensiva local, lo poco se transformó en mucho.
Un párrafo aparte merecen dos jugadas defensivas, para mi gusto lo mejor que tuvo para mostrar el equipo de los Steelers: La “presentación en sociedad” del rookie LB Jarvis Jones con un tackle expectorante, detrás de la línea de golpeo y la captura de mariscal de Troy Polamalu, por encima de la línea, coincidiendo con el centrado del ovoide, al borde de la infracción.
Falta de Obtención de Turnovers
Este ya es un déficit del que veníamos hablando la temporada pasada. Otro juego más sin recuperar ni tan siquiera un balón.
La Ausencia de la Ofensiva
Tras dos cuartos, los Steelers se llevaron al vestuario: 8 yds por tierra, un jugador fundamental en la ofensiva (por liderazgo y por destreza) lesionado, y 2 turnovers -el citado fumble y una INT que Big Ben lanzó bajo presión y que derivó en un TD de Battle- que significaron 14 puntos (los 7 que se escaparon tras el ovoide suelto más los 7 que convirtió Tennessee)
La ofensiva no salió a la cancha. Cuando tu ofensiva terrestre promedia 2.1 yardas por acarreo (¡32 yds totales!), tu primer corredor deja caer 2 veces el balón, tu QB es atrapado, acuciado y tumbado una enorme cantidad de veces es porque tu línea ofensiva y tu equipo de corredores no están haciendo su trabajo. El único esbozo de ofensiva en serio, se parió sobre el final del partido cuando ya era demasiado tarde con el TD de Jerrhico Cotchery
La Falta de Juego Terrestre
Isaac Redman: 8 intentos para nueve yardas (el acarreo mas largo de 8 yardas quiere decir que en los otros 7 intentos restantes movió el ovoide 1 yarda), 2 fumbles -1 recuperado-
LaRod Stephens-Howling: 6 intentos para 19 yardas
Antonio Brown: 1 intento para 4 yardas.
Esta ha sido una tarde preocupante (no digamos desastrosa porque esto es football y porque la temporada recién comienza).
Sin embargo ya ronda en la cabeza de toda la Nación Steeler el fantasma de las lesiones que ha diezmado como la peste la plantilla de los Steelers en temporadas pasadas.
El próximo domingo enfrentamos, en un duelo divisional a los Bengals de Cincinnati.
Así como están planteadas las cosas, se ve que será una larga noche...
El Dr. de Acero
Hola, amigos hispanoparlantes.
Nos reencontramos en Steel Curtain Rising en español para una nueva temporada de football americano.
Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina, los saluda el Dr. de Acero.
Una Derrota sin Atenuantes en el Debut de Temporada
En el domingo de apertura de la temporada los Acereros cayeron estrepitosamente ante el modesto equipo de Tennessee por 16 a 9
- Que decir de este juego? Lamentablemente no hay mucho...
Luego del embarazoso safety, que será recordada como la anotación más rápida en toda la historia de la NFL, obsequio de los equipos especiales de los Titans, lo mucho o poco que pudo ser la ofensiva acerera en este partido y tal vez en toda la temporada, duró menos de cuatro minutos de juego. De hecho hasta allí se vió a B. Roethlisberger bien protegido, lanzando en un gran nivel y completando pases largos en 3eras oportunidades.
Fue entonces que comenzaron las desventuras para los locales: en la misma serie ofensiva (y primera) David DeCastro cayó sobre la pierna del centro Maurkice Pouncey provocando una grave lesión que tal vez lo deje fuera por gran parte sino todo lo que resta de la temporada, y poco más adelante, Isaac Redman suelta el ovoide dentro de las 5 yardas de Tennessee derivando en touchback en un momento en que los Steelers estaban para llevarse 7 puntos de esa marcha.
Uno se vé tentado a pensar que la lesión de Pouncey explica sin más el pobre desempeño de la ofensiva en adelante. Pero, lógicamente no es así. O no debería explicarlo todo.
Las Razones de la Derrota
Las Lesiones
Otra vez la sala de enfermería de Pittsburgh volvió a llenarse con jugadores importantes como Larry Foote, Cortez Allen y LaRod Stephens-Howling. La lesión de Foote y la citada lesión de Pouncey requerirán de cirugía y un largo tiempo de recuperación.
Se deben sumar las bajas de LeVeon Bell y de Heath Miller. Sin dudas, la ausencia de Miller afecta al staff ofensivo tanto por la posibilidad de pase que Miller siempre ofrece al QB pero también porque es un TE con una gran capacidad de bloqueo, tal vez el mejor bloqueador entre los TEs de la Liga.
La Defensa Contra la Carrera
Los Titans carecen de un prolífico juego aéreo debido a lo mediocre que es su QB Jake Locker, por lo que recién luego de la intersección de A. Verner, el Entrenador Jefe Mike Munchak se volcó al juego terrestre poniendo en evidencia que la defensiva acerera no estuvo tan efectiva como en los viejos tiempos permitiendo 112 yardas, que si bien no parece gran cosa, la ausencia de ofensiva local, lo poco se transformó en mucho.
Un párrafo aparte merecen dos jugadas defensivas, para mi gusto lo mejor que tuvo para mostrar el equipo de los Steelers: La “presentación en sociedad” del rookie LB Jarvis Jones con un tackle expectorante, detrás de la línea de golpeo y la captura de mariscal de Troy Polamalu, por encima de la línea, coincidiendo con el centrado del ovoide, al borde de la infracción.
Falta de Obtención de Turnovers
Este ya es un déficit del que veníamos hablando la temporada pasada. Otro juego más sin recuperar ni tan siquiera un balón.
La Ausencia de la Ofensiva
Tras dos cuartos, los Steelers se llevaron al vestuario: 8 yds por tierra, un jugador fundamental en la ofensiva (por liderazgo y por destreza) lesionado, y 2 turnovers -el citado fumble y una INT que Big Ben lanzó bajo presión y que derivó en un TD de Battle- que significaron 14 puntos (los 7 que se escaparon tras el ovoide suelto más los 7 que convirtió Tennessee)
La ofensiva no salió a la cancha. Cuando tu ofensiva terrestre promedia 2.1 yardas por acarreo (¡32 yds totales!), tu primer corredor deja caer 2 veces el balón, tu QB es atrapado, acuciado y tumbado una enorme cantidad de veces es porque tu línea ofensiva y tu equipo de corredores no están haciendo su trabajo. El único esbozo de ofensiva en serio, se parió sobre el final del partido cuando ya era demasiado tarde con el TD de Jerrhico Cotchery
La Falta de Juego Terrestre
Isaac Redman: 8 intentos para nueve yardas (el acarreo mas largo de 8 yardas quiere decir que en los otros 7 intentos restantes movió el ovoide 1 yarda), 2 fumbles -1 recuperado-
LaRod Stephens-Howling: 6 intentos para 19 yardas
Antonio Brown: 1 intento para 4 yardas.
- Eso es todo. Para cualquier equipo, pero con más razón para los Pittsburgh Steelers, eso es vergonzoso.
Esta ha sido una tarde preocupante (no digamos desastrosa porque esto es football y porque la temporada recién comienza).
Sin embargo ya ronda en la cabeza de toda la Nación Steeler el fantasma de las lesiones que ha diezmado como la peste la plantilla de los Steelers en temporadas pasadas.
El próximo domingo enfrentamos, en un duelo divisional a los Bengals de Cincinnati.
Así como están planteadas las cosas, se ve que será una larga noche...
El Dr. de Acero
Muchas gracias por vistarnos. Para leer mas sobre los Pittsburgh Steelers en español, clicquen acá.
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Steelers Roll "Snake Eyes," Come up Short in 16-9 Loss to Titans
As the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers took to the field against the Tennessee Titans they did so as a squad looking to answer many questions, questions whose response typically began with “ifs.”
Steel Curtain Rising whole heartedly agrees with the Steelers reigning field general, but would add one additional “well enough” as in “We didn’t plan well enough.”
Steelers Roll Snake Eyes, End Up Snake Bitten
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labrolia previewed the season observing “The Steelers will be doing a Nik Wallenda imitation this season – working on the high wire without a net….” In fact, the Nik Wallenda metaphor is one he used multiple times in preseason.
And on the Steelers first drive the offense gave Steelers Nation a glimpse of the best of what they could have reasonably hopped to see from a unit starting its third tight end, second string running back with a young offensive line learning a new blocking scheme.
Its dangerous to extrapolate too many “could haves” based on the first 8 plays of a football season, but Ben Roethlisberger was sharp and Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown showed that they could make a few plays.
Of course nestled into that 8 play series was a disaster of, shall we say, titanic proportions – Maurkice Pouncey went down, tearing his MCL and ACL.
The Steelers worst nightmare had come true, the rock upon which Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert had constructed their offensive line rebuilding project had crumbled.
If you subtract the 75 yards the Steelers consumed on their garage time touchdown drive, the team had 120 total yards of offense.
There really are no hidden gems, moral victories, or silver linings. The offense was atrocious.
Steelers Defense Above the Line, But….
Normally when you hold a team to 16 points in the NFL, you have a good shot at winning. When you hold them to 13 (as the Steelers defense very well might have had it not been for a 27 yard punt return after a bad punt) you stand a very good shot at winning.
The Problem with Calculated Risks? Sometimes They Go Wrong
So disaster struck on the offensive line, and the Steelers did not have the personnel to compensate. The Steelers shoved Willie Colon out the door and let veterans such as Max Starks and Doug Legursky leave without so much as a token effort to keep them.
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- If the investment in the offensive line pays off…
- If the injury gods would grant them a hiatus from their wrath
- If they can incorporate 22 new players alongside a group of playoff tested veterans
Steel Curtain Rising whole heartedly agrees with the Steelers reigning field general, but would add one additional “well enough” as in “We didn’t plan well enough.”
Steelers Roll Snake Eyes, End Up Snake Bitten
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labrolia previewed the season observing “The Steelers will be doing a Nik Wallenda imitation this season – working on the high wire without a net….” In fact, the Nik Wallenda metaphor is one he used multiple times in preseason.
- If the high wire metaphor is apt, then Steelers Nation got to see the football equivalent of an offense falling off that wire.
And on the Steelers first drive the offense gave Steelers Nation a glimpse of the best of what they could have reasonably hopped to see from a unit starting its third tight end, second string running back with a young offensive line learning a new blocking scheme.
- It wasn’t spectacular, the running game struggled, but the Steelers moved the ball in into scoring position in workman like fashion.
Its dangerous to extrapolate too many “could haves” based on the first 8 plays of a football season, but Ben Roethlisberger was sharp and Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown showed that they could make a few plays.
Of course nestled into that 8 play series was a disaster of, shall we say, titanic proportions – Maurkice Pouncey went down, tearing his MCL and ACL.
The Steelers worst nightmare had come true, the rock upon which Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert had constructed their offensive line rebuilding project had crumbled.
- After that nothing else went right for the Steelers offense. Literally nothing.
- …OK, technically that wasn’t garbage time, but did anyone really think the Steelers were going to recover the on-sides kick and score?
If you subtract the 75 yards the Steelers consumed on their garage time touchdown drive, the team had 120 total yards of offense.
There really are no hidden gems, moral victories, or silver linings. The offense was atrocious.
Steelers Defense Above the Line, But….
Normally when you hold a team to 16 points in the NFL, you have a good shot at winning. When you hold them to 13 (as the Steelers defense very well might have had it not been for a 27 yard punt return after a bad punt) you stand a very good shot at winning.
- So judged purely by numbers, the Steelers defense played well vs. the Titans, especially when you consider Tennessee was working with short fields.
- And for the unteethen time since 2010, the Steelers defense failed to secure a turnover.
The Problem with Calculated Risks? Sometimes They Go Wrong
So disaster struck on the offensive line, and the Steelers did not have the personnel to compensate. The Steelers shoved Willie Colon out the door and let veterans such as Max Starks and Doug Legursky leave without so much as a token effort to keep them.
- Is it fair to say the Steelers didn’t “prepare well enough?”
- They gave it there best shot and hoped for the best.
Could John Malecki and Marshall McFadden Return to the Steelers?
The sting of the Steelers 16-9 opening day loss to the Tennessee Titans is not yet 24 hours old, and the news continues to get worse.
That also means the Steelers will need to replace them. Quickly. Where to turn? There are a number of possibilities.
One of the surprise cuts that the Steelers made was of John Malecki, who started one game for the Steelers and served as a back up. The Steelers cut him in favor of Cody Wallace, who didn’t even dress vs. the Titans. Malecki didn’t get picked up, and the Steelers will likely bring him back.
Larry Foote’s injury also creates another vacancy at linebacker. One candidate is Marshall McFadden, who was another surprise cut. McFadden landed on the Raiders practice squad, but the Steelers can sign him with the provision that he stays on the active roster for 3 games (which shouldn’t be a problem.)
The Steelers also need to make a move a running back.
Another potential move the Steelers could make would involved Max Starks. That depends on what they wish to do at center.
Kelvin Beachum had been serving as an emergency tight end and as the team’s top back up at tackle, guard and center. If he is to continue to start in front of Ben Roethlisberger at center, the Steelers will need to add depth, and Starks is currently without a job (although his experience in San Diego was terrible.)
Either way, the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 Roster is about to get reconfigured again.
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- Maurkice Pouncey is out for the year with a torn MCL and ACL
- Larry Foote has a torn biceps and will likely miss the year
- LaRod Stephens-Howling, if rumor is confirmed, also has a torn ACL
That also means the Steelers will need to replace them. Quickly. Where to turn? There are a number of possibilities.
One of the surprise cuts that the Steelers made was of John Malecki, who started one game for the Steelers and served as a back up. The Steelers cut him in favor of Cody Wallace, who didn’t even dress vs. the Titans. Malecki didn’t get picked up, and the Steelers will likely bring him back.
Larry Foote’s injury also creates another vacancy at linebacker. One candidate is Marshall McFadden, who was another surprise cut. McFadden landed on the Raiders practice squad, but the Steelers can sign him with the provision that he stays on the active roster for 3 games (which shouldn’t be a problem.)
The Steelers also need to make a move a running back.
- Could Jonathan Dwyer return?
Another potential move the Steelers could make would involved Max Starks. That depends on what they wish to do at center.
Kelvin Beachum had been serving as an emergency tight end and as the team’s top back up at tackle, guard and center. If he is to continue to start in front of Ben Roethlisberger at center, the Steelers will need to add depth, and Starks is currently without a job (although his experience in San Diego was terrible.)
Either way, the Pittsburgh Steelers 2013 Roster is about to get reconfigured again.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Steelers to Begin Answering Questions on Peril, Potential vs. Titans
At 1:00 pm the Pittsburgh Steelers will open the 2013 regular season vs. the Tennessee Titans. And it is at that moment that the Steelers Nation will begin to get answers to some of the many questions that face their beloved franchise.
Who is right?
Take the Steelers running back stable. Not happy with mediocre results in 2013, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin all but whipped the slate clean. Rashard Mendenhall is in Pittsburgh West aka Arizona. Chris Rainey, Baron Batch, and Jonathan Dwyer are filing for unemployement insurance.
Only Isaac Redman remains. Le’Veon Bell was to offer hope, but his NFL career amounts to four carries. Could Felix Jones realize that this is his last shot at NFL glory?
At wide receiver the Steelers situation is much the same.
Mike Wallace’s speed will be missed. But his lack of maturity and “me” focus will not. On paper Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are more complete receivers.
But are they complete enough to make up for the loss of Heath Miller?
Lynch Pin on Offense – The Line
When “the Steelers have done it before they can do it again” emotions fade, any rational analysis will hold that the Steelers receivers and running backs will face learning curve.
As Steel Curtain Rising (and others) have repeatedly observed, the Steelers Brain Trust has invested heavily in changing that.
Ben Roethlisberger’s, the receivers, and running backs have played a lot of winning football in 2008, 2010, and 2011 behind offensive lines that were playing musical chairs.
Word on Defense, it Isn’t Quite Polamalu or Bust, But…
The Steelers defense had its soul ripped out when James Harrison opted to walk over accepting a pay cut. But the heart of this defense is Troy Polamalu. As Tim Gleason aka Mary Rose of Behind the Steel Curtain has pointed out, Polamalu is like an expensive European sports car. When not in the shop, he is the ultimate football player.
Polamalu’s ability has almost taken on mythic proportions in Steeles Nation and perhaps those comparisons are simply exaggerations.
ESPN’s Scott Brown has calculated that the Steelers defense allows on average 5 fewer points when Polamalu is healthy.
And there are others. Can Danny Smith transform the special teams into something that is not a glaring liability? What of the depth, the younger players that played so poorly in the preseason?
In a very short time Steelers Nation will begin getting some answers.
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- No one knows what to make of the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who is right?
- The truth is no one really knows.
Take the Steelers running back stable. Not happy with mediocre results in 2013, Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin all but whipped the slate clean. Rashard Mendenhall is in Pittsburgh West aka Arizona. Chris Rainey, Baron Batch, and Jonathan Dwyer are filing for unemployement insurance.
Only Isaac Redman remains. Le’Veon Bell was to offer hope, but his NFL career amounts to four carries. Could Felix Jones realize that this is his last shot at NFL glory?
At wide receiver the Steelers situation is much the same.
Mike Wallace’s speed will be missed. But his lack of maturity and “me” focus will not. On paper Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are more complete receivers.
But are they complete enough to make up for the loss of Heath Miller?
Lynch Pin on Offense – The Line
When “the Steelers have done it before they can do it again” emotions fade, any rational analysis will hold that the Steelers receivers and running backs will face learning curve.
- But there’s a big X Factor at work, and that is the Steelers offensive line.
As Steel Curtain Rising (and others) have repeatedly observed, the Steelers Brain Trust has invested heavily in changing that.
- Now is the time for the Steelers investment in the offensive line to begin paying dividends.
Ben Roethlisberger’s, the receivers, and running backs have played a lot of winning football in 2008, 2010, and 2011 behind offensive lines that were playing musical chairs.
- If the line’s personnel can stabilize and those men can stay healthy, and even begin to play to their pedigrees, then they can cover up for some growing pains in the skill positions.
Word on Defense, it Isn’t Quite Polamalu or Bust, But…
The Steelers defense had its soul ripped out when James Harrison opted to walk over accepting a pay cut. But the heart of this defense is Troy Polamalu. As Tim Gleason aka Mary Rose of Behind the Steel Curtain has pointed out, Polamalu is like an expensive European sports car. When not in the shop, he is the ultimate football player.
Polamalu’s ability has almost taken on mythic proportions in Steeles Nation and perhaps those comparisons are simply exaggerations.
ESPN’s Scott Brown has calculated that the Steelers defense allows on average 5 fewer points when Polamalu is healthy.
- It’s a good bet that the defense is stingier yet when Polamalu is healthy.
- Can the Steelers make up for Harrisons and Casey Hampton’s run stuffing ability
- Will LaMarr Woodley return to his explosive self?
- Are either Ziggy Hood and/or Cameron Heyward going to have a break out year?
And there are others. Can Danny Smith transform the special teams into something that is not a glaring liability? What of the depth, the younger players that played so poorly in the preseason?
In a very short time Steelers Nation will begin getting some answers.