Mike Tomlin Suspends Mendenhall, Makes Statement

Fans throughout Steelers Nation questioned the team's commitment to winning in the wake of the shocking defeat to the Chargers.

Mike Tomlin has asked similar questions, but unlike the rest of the fan base, he's acted upon it.

Late on Tuesday word spread that the Steelers have suspended 2008 first round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall for "Conduct detrimental to the team." Specifically, Mendenhall did not show up at Heinz Field after he'd been told earlier in the week that he would not dress for the Chargers game.

Two fumbles and a poor performance vs. the Cleveland Browns led to Mendenhall's demotion to third string. Mendenhall said all of the right things and was visible on the sidelines of the Steelers victory over Baltimore.

But now Mendenhall's actions have spoken far louder than any words he might have uttered. Rashard Mendenhall had an obligation to be with his teammates for the Chargers game. First, he needed to show he is a "hand in the pile" type player, second he needed to offer support and advice to his fellow rushers.

But it goes beyond that. Even though Mendenhall had been told he would not dress for the game, there is a chance the Steelers might have needed him. Guys can and do get hurt in warm ups. That's how Bubby Brister earned his first start back in 1986. Jerome Bettis showed up for the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game vs. Baltimore expecting to play, but the pain killing shot made his entire leg numb.

These things happen. Who knows? Had something like that happened, Mendenhall could dressed, gotten into the game, and won his starting job back. But he wasn't there for his team.

The chances of Mendenhall is a free agent resigning with the Steelers were slim to begin with. Now its fairly safe to say that he will not be a Pittsburgh Steeler in 2013.

Mike Tomlin made a statement in benching Mendenhall two weeks ago. Perhaps it might have been a little harsh, considering that neither Jonathan Dwyer nor Issac Redman had done much better in the debacle vs. Cleveland.

• But it was the right move then. 

Suspending Mendenhall now is even more right. This type of nonchalance contributed mightily to the loss vs. San Diego, and sending someone home without pay sends a strong signal that it will not be tolerated.

Willie Colon Out, DeCastro to Start

One first round pick begins exiting stage left, another steps into the spotlight. As Ivan Cole of Behind the Steel Curtain (full disclosure, I also write at BTSC) pointed out at the time, Willie Colon's pancaking of Vontaze Burfick during the Bengals game marked a turning point for the Steelers offensive line and its running game. From that moment the Steelers offensive line began to consistently win battles up front.

Unfortunately, Colon got injured in the loss to the Ravens, and the line has not been the same since, particularly the run blocking.

Colon started the San Diego game, but could not finish. Mike Tomlin confirmed that he'll have surgery this week. How he responds will determine whether or not he heads to IR for the third straight year.

In Colon's absence, the Steelers solution has been to start Doug Legursky at center and move Maurkice Pouncey to guard. That worked well in the victory over the Ravens. Not so much vs. the Chargers. But as Colon will be out for a while, to say the least, Mike Tomlin has discarded the band aid approach, and instead is starting rookie first round draft pick David DeCastro.

DeCastro was of course injured in preseason, and made his return to the active roster a few weeks ago. But he's only played special teams thus far.

Ramon Foster will shift over to left guard and DeCastro will start at right guard.

Its yet another incarnation of the Steelers offensive line in what has been an almost three year, non-stop musical chairs expirement.

The Steelers will need more from their offensive line if they're to prevail vs. Dallas.

Hopefully David DeCastro can bring it for them.

Allen and Lewis Injured Too....

It never rains but it pours. As in monsoon.

Both Keenan Lewis and Cortez Allen suffered hip flexors vs. the Cowboys. Lewis is expected to play but Allen is doubtful. That means that Curtis Brown, who did not play well last week, might start and that Josh Victoria and David Van Dyke will also likely see time in the secondary.

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San Diego Pone en el Congelador a los Steelers en su Camino a la Postemporada

Durante la jornada de ayer, en Heinz Field, por la 14° semana de la temporada, los Pittsburgh Steelers sufrieron una costosa derrota ante los San Diego Chargers, por 34 a 24, alcanzando una mediocre marca de 7 - 6. 

Por supuesto el equipo desilusionó a toda la Nación Steeler debido a que el regreso del QB titular Ben Roethlisberger despertaba grandes expectativas, luego de cuatro semanas tras una lesión en su hombro derecho.  La cosecha durante la ausencia de Big Ben fue de 1-2 de manera que se esperaba continuar una racha ganadora luego del emotivo (e inesperado?) triunfo de la semana anterior en Baltimore. 

Nada de eso ocurrió y si de algo pueden hacer gala los Steelers es de inconsistencia.
Sin embargo, por primera vez en esta temporada, este aficionado quedó con la impresión de que San Diego ganó el cotejo y no fue Pittsburgh quien se disparó la bala en su propio pie.
No se debe perder de vista que son dos los equipos que salen al campo y que si bien los locales mostraron falencias y cometieron errores, es el desempeño sobresaliente de los visitantes lo que explica, en mayor parte, el marcador. 

Los Chargers salieron decididos a cortar la racha negativa de 0-14 en la historia versus los Steelers en temporada regular.
Fueron muchos los elementos en los que fundamentaron su victoria

• Controlaron las líneas de golpeo, tanto a la ofensiva como en la defensiva. La primera consiguió fundamentalmente dar protección a Philip Rivers para facilitar el juego aéreo. La línea defensiva y los linebackers cerraron las brechas y tan solo permitieron 38! yds a los corredores Acereros (prácticamente solo a Jonathan Dwyer). Las otras 31 de las 69 yardas totales por tierra fueron de BB tratando de escapar del acoso impuesto por las frecuentes cargas enviadas desde San Diego. Es claro que cuando San Diego se alejó en el marcador y restaba por jugar un cuarto y medio, el equipo local comenzó a lanzar, prescindiendo del juego terrestre. Lo cierto es que, aún con un marcador más accesible para los Acereros, NO hubo ofensiva terrestre. Con respecto al juego aéreo de Pittsburgh, apremiaron casi constantemente a BB forzándolo a salir del bolsillo de protección (No hubo más capturas de mariscal porque, señores, estamos hablando de Big Ben). Además los profundos tenían bajo vigilancia al equipo de receptores locales hecho que también contribuía a que la posesión de la pelota por parte del QB se prolongara demasiado tiempo.

• San Diego comenzó el partido con un promedio de 39% de terceros downs convertidos. En el juego de ayer esa cifra trepó al 55% (12 de 22). Y qué creen? De esos 12 terceros downs convertidos, 11 fueron por pases de Philip Rivers.

• Control de la posición dentro del campo de juego. Durante el 2° y 3° cuarto, gracias a la combinación de buenos punts, de una sólida tarea defensiva y una intercepción , 5 de las trece marchas de los Chargers se iniciaron dentro del campo de juego de los Steelers resultando en 17 puntos en el marcador. De la manera contraria, los Steelers cruzaron al campo rival recién faltando 40 segundos para finalizar el 2° cuarto.

Por último, los Chargers hicieron las jugadas que los Steelers no.
Así de sencillo.

Highlights

• 1er QRT 3er y 10. Dos infracciones consecutivas por off side (10 yardas) permitieron a San Diego mantener viva la marcha que les permitió abrir el marcador.
• 2do QRT Philip Rivers pasó largo a la izquierda a Danario Alexander , quien luego de amagar una frenada dejó embarazosamente fuera de juego al esquinero Curtis Brown anotando un TD
• También en el 2° QTR 4to y 1 en la yarda 47 de Pittsburgh. Mike Tomlin decidió ir por el 1er down, por tierra con Isaac Redman con una línea ofensiva para abrir camino que claramente no estaba funcionando. Resultado de la historia? Turn over of downs en propio campo...
• El 3er cuarto arrancó con una demoledora marcha de San Diego para TD: 83 yds, 17 jugadas, 6 primeros downs (que incluyó una corrida de Ronnie Brown para 17 yds en 3er y 13 hasta PIT 12) y 9:32 descontado al reloj
• En la primera jugada de la marcha siguiente, Big Ben lanzó un pase hacia atrás, la pelota golpea la espalda de un liniero e ingresa en la zonas de anotación, Antonio Brown falla en recuperarla y queda finalmente en manos de Quentin Jammer: segundo TD para San Diego en 12 segundos. Marcador 27 a 3. Ya era mucha diferencia...
• La marcha siguiente de los Steelers fue de anotación de TD. Wallace atrapó un pase de 40 yardas (Mike Wallace es otro jugador si está Ben Roethlisberger en el campo de juego. Sus números fueron: 7 recepciones para 112 yardas y 2 TD)
• Pero en la marcha siguiente, BB lanza una intercepción mientras era apremiado en la propia yarda 12. Dos jugadas más tarde Philip Rivers lanzó un pase de TD para Danario Alexander
• Los Steelers responderían con 2 marchas anotadoras más (un segundo TD de Wallace y otro de Antonio Brown) pero el daño ya estaba hecho.

La irregularidad de los Steelers ha sido la regla durante toda la temporada.
Ya ha comenzado el mes de diciembre y en esta recta final donde se decide el futuro y se pone en juego el trabajo de toda la temporada.
Por delante quedan 3 juegos, de los cuales 2 son en casa ante rivales divisionales. Uno de ellos, los Bengals, con serias aspiraciones a quedarse con el lugar de los Steelers durante el mes de enero.
Son tres partidos vitales para Pittsburgh. No se puede entregar ningún partido más.

Para los Pittsburgh Steelers la postemporada ya comenzó.

                                                                El Dr. de Acero

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Steelers Report Card vs. Chargers @ Heinz Field

Taken from the grade book of a teacher who, as a second semester junior, decided to blow off studying for his open book, open note final in Crime the Individual and Society and bombed it accordingly. The feeling here is that the Steelers took the same approach to the Chargers game and their report card reflects it. As a caveat, no other grades were consulted prior to this posting.

Quarterback
Of all the units quarterback is one that offered something redeeming. Which is not to say Ben Roethlisberger played well. He was rusty early on and finished 5-13 on third down conversions – and that includes garbage time. So Ben must bear some responsibility. However, he didn’t have help from his running game, his receivers, or his offensive line. In spite of that, he did his part moving around to buy time and leaving the pocket and rushing. It wasn’t enough.  Grade:  C-

Running Backs
Jonathan Dwyer outran Roethlisberger by one yard, and most of his carries came on a 14 yard scamper. Outside of that he got nothing. Isaac Redman had 2 carries for zero yards. Chris Rainey had some one garbage time carry. Arguably the running backs should have gotten more carries, but they indisputably were ineffective in the carries that they had.  Grade:  F

Wide Receivers
Mike Wallace looked great. The problem was he didn’t start playing until garbage time, save for the final drive of the first half. Before that he dropped an almost certain touchdown. Antonio Brown had a drop, as did Jerricho Cotchery and even Heath Miller dropped a touchdown pass. Plaxico Burress made a difficult catch in triple coverage. The Steelers needed plays like that. They didn’t get them. Grade: F

Offensive Line
The Steelers offensive line started to click in Cincinnati when Willie Colon settled in at guard. Colon’s been hurt or out recently and line play has suffered. But the Standard is the Standard, and all of the Steelers offensive lineman were “below the line” in both their run blocking and their pass blocking. If they could get it done, at least against the Raven’s pass rush, then why was Ben running for his live vs. the Chargers? This unit failed to get it done. Grade:  F

Defensive Line
Vs. the Steelers San Diego was playing offensive lineman who’d spent the previous Sunday watching games while drinking beer with their buddies. And while San Diego only rushed for 2.6 yards, the Steelers defensive line did not dominate this group by any definition. Ziggy Hood did fairly well early on, and Brett Keisel chased Philip Rivers around but the Steelers needed more, and didn’t get it.  Grade:  D

Linebackers
Lawrence Timmons played well, especially early on. However Jason Worilds was invisible, James Harrison failed to be a factor as did Larry Foote. This group more than the lineman must shoulder blame for the lack of pressure on Rivers and San Diego’s almost automatic ability to convert third and shorts. Where have the forced fumbles been? Grade:  F

Secondary
Against the Ravens, Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown looked ready for prime time. Against the Chargers, ready for the practice squad Brown looked. Allen also took a step back. Troy Polamalu made some good tackles at the line of scrimmage, but a potential interception was botch by a collision with Allen. Keenan Lewis made some plays, but the truth is that Philip Rivers owned the Steelers on third down having converted more than the last several opponents combined. Unacceptable.  Grade:  F

Special Teams
Shaun Suisham made a 49 yarder. Drew Bulter punted well after a poor first punt. But the Steelers started inside their own 15 seven times. That’s not all on the special teams, but they could have provided a spark, but they didn’t and when it seemed like they were about to, you guessed it, it got called back on a penalty. Likewise the special teams got caught asleep at the switch on a fake punt at a point when the offense must might have been able to get the Steelers into the game. Inexcusable.  Grade:  F

Coaching
Norv Turner is terrible head coach but an excellent offensive and it would be interesting to see his life time record vs. Dick LeBeau. During the first half LeBeau held his own, but Turner out foxed him, calling just the right play on third down time and time again. On a day when his player executed so poorly, its difficult to assess Todd Haley’s performance, other than to say it wasn’t good enough.

But the spotlight is and should remain on Mike Tomlin. The day he was hired, he declared that a true measure of a team isn’t how it handles failure but how it handles success. In the locker room after the game, the Steelers player all but said they’d overlooked San Diego. Yes, professionals shouldn’t “need to be motivated, but it’s the head coaches job to get his team mentally prepared to play, and the Steelers were anything but prepared. Grade:  F

Unsung Hero
Naming any kind of award winner here is a challenge. The Chargers opening possession of the second half really complicated things for the Steelers, but Steelers return unit Rainey stood ready to answer that with a 29 yard kick return, that while it wouldn’t have been a game breaker, could have set the tone for the Steelers in the second half. Instead it got called back, but that doesn’t negate Chris Rainey’s effort or attitude, and for that he is the Unsung Hero of the week.

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Chargers Shock Steelers 34-24

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered NFL week 14 riding high. The Steelers weren’t “supposed” to beat Ravens, and that victory was to propel them into the playoffs – and dare Steelers Nation dream, beyond.

The San Diego Chargers, in contrast, began the day at 4-8 after a week where word leaked head coach Norv Turner was to get the ax.

The Steelers were playing at home, and Ben Roethlisberger was back. As Mr. Baker, my old 8th grade World Studies teacher would say, it was a gimmie.

And the Steelers blew it.

2012 Pittsburgh Steelers Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Act, Coming to a City Near You

My, what a difference one week makes.

Against Baltimore, the Pittsburgh Steelers played hungry, focused, inspired football. They didn’t dominate, but they hung in against the odds, overcame adversity, and made the plays necessary to win in the fourth quarter.

They had the look of a team, in the words of Dale Lolley, that could be “dangerous in the playoffs.”

Coming into a hostile environment, one in which the franchise had never prevailed in 14 regular season attempts, the San Diego Chargers:

• Dominated the line of scrimmage while on defense
• Converted third downs
• Protected Philip Rivers with a make-shift offensive line assembled at the last minute with street free agents
• Got in Ben Roethlisberger’s face
• Won the time of possession battle
• Went 2-2 in the Red Zone
• Executed a fake punt flawlessly just when Pittsburgh threatened to make a game of it
• Forced turnovers and converted them into touchdowns
• Neutralized the Steelers return game
• Prevented the Steelers from converting third downs

And to the annoyance of Steelers Nation, all of this happened to a never ending serenade of praise from Charger’s Cheerleader-in-Chief Phil Simms.

Besides that, it was all Steelers…

Breaking Down the Chargers Victory Over the Steelers

…Seriously, there’s not a lot of deep X’s and O’s analysis to be made here. The Chargers dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in all three phases of the game.

Don’t let the final score fool you. Antonio Brown’s touchdown pass was pure garbage time glory. Ditto Mike Wallace’s 11 yard touchdown. Forget the arguments about going for 2. Does anyone really think that mattered?

To the extent that a technical analysis does matter, here goes.

During the first half Roethlisberger and the rest of the Steelers offense was rusty. And while the Chargers were controlling the clock, the Steelers defense did a good job of containing them.

Being down at home 13 to 0 to a team that has lost 5 games in the second half is nothing to fear. And Mike Tomlin deserves credit coaching aggressively with the ball at the ten,  50 seconds to play and one time out remaining.

Ben Roethlisberger, Emmanuel Sanders, Mike Wallace, and Shuan Suisham vindicated The Steelers vindicated Tomlin.

Such a bold move surly indicated the Steelers were going to make second half adjustments and reclaim the victory that was theirs. Right?

• But that was not to be.

The Chargers opened the second half cemented control of the game with a 17 play, 75 yard drive where they converted 5 third downs and consumed 9 minutes of clock.

The Steelers now needed to score 17 points in just over a quarter.

Chris Rainey answered with a 29 yard return...

• ...but of course it got called back thanks to a Cameron Heyward penalty.

The Chargers then put the cherry on top when Roethlisberger bounced a fumble off of David Paulson with San Diego recovering in the end zone.

• Please, save the arguments about the call. It WAS a forward pass. So what?

If San Diego isn’t getting good penetration and/or Roethlsiberger is more on target, they have no good fortune to capitalize on.

All other analysis of the second half beyond that is academic. Yes, Pittsburgh did stab a couple of times at competing, but they either self destructed and/or San Diego diffused them all.

Still Searching for Identity or Are the Steelers Simply Inconsistent?

The 2012 Steelers were a team still finding itself, even though its early December… …Their seventh win [vs. the Ravens] gets them closer to a spot in the post-season, and how they handled the week leading up to this game then how they performed in it, revealed their identity. – Bob Labriola, editor, Steelers Digest, following the victory over the Ravens

How the San Diego beat Pittsburgh is far less important than what it means. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a better team than the Chargers.

• And that’s the problem. 

Only two of the Steelers losses have come to playoff bound teams. In contrast, 5 of their 7 wins have come at the expense teams still vying for the post season.

• Bill Cowher used to say that a team’s identity forms during the season’s first 4-6 weeks.

But let’s humor Labriola, who explained in between the ellipsis points that the Steelers identity forging process was delayed by the uncanny string of injuries they suffered. Fair enough.

Victory over Baltimore appeared to clarify the 2012 Steelers identity. Now San Diego muddled that identity. Again.

Three weeks remain in this NFL season. And if deep into December time remains for an NFL team to define itself, then the Pittsburgh Steelers had better settle on an identity fast.

Because right now they look like a team with a lot of talent that simply cannot find a way to execute consistently.

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BTSC Reports Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler to Accept UTEP Coaching Job

Behind the Steel Curtain is reporting, citing the Twitter feed of Asher Wildman, that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler will leave the Pittsburgh Steelers to accept the head coaching job of the University of Texas El Paso Miners (full disclosure, I also write occasionally for BTSC.)

Kugler played for the UTEP minors and began his coaching career at Boise State.

Asher Wildman is the sports anchor of KVIA 7 a local station in El Paso and broke the news late in the evening of December 7th. As of 11:00 am Eastern time December 8th, neither the Post-Gazette nor ESPN are confirming the news.

Steelers Pay Price of Success?

The Steelers hired Sean Kugler after the Buffalo Bills fired him following the 2009 season. While the Bills had indeed given up a tremendous number of sacks that season, Kugler had managed an offensive line that was ravaged by injuries.

The experience served him well in Pittsburgh, because in Pittsburgh Kugler had regularly had to shuffle offensive lineman in and out of position due to a constant cycle of injuries. Kugler has managed the situations well, and has played a role in the development of high draft picks Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert, and Mike Adams.

Moreover, it is under Kulger that the Steelers offensive line, once a road grading unit the NFL defenses feared, has regained at least some its ability to dominate at the line of scrimmage.

Assuming the news is in fact confirmed, that will signal that Kugler's success with the Steelers has not gone unnoticed. Losing Kugler would be a blow to Pittsburgh, but Mike Tomlin has repeatedly said he will not stand in the way of any assistant coach who wants to climb the career ladder.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Ravens @ M&T Stadium

Taken from the grade book of a teach who has just seen yet again live out the all important lesson of believing in themselves, here is the Steelers report card for their upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. As a caveat, no other Steeler report cards were consulted prior to this posting.

Quarterback
Yes, Charlie Batch overthrew Mike Wallace in the end zone. Yes, he threw to Ed Reed in the end zone. Yes, his missed other throws that could have helped the team. But the stat sheet doesn’t detail Batch’s block on Dwyer’s touchdown. It camouflages the 8-8 performance after the interception. It fails to reveal the poise and focus that let him lead the Steelers to 10 4th quarter points. Steel Curtain Rising’s report card grades on performance and results. While Batch’s numbers might not have been excellent, the results were. Grade: A-

Running Backs
Measured purely by the stats, the Steelers running backs had a weak day. But if numbers don’t lie, they sometimes disguise the truth. Against the Ravens the Pittsburgh Steelers running backs ran the ball when they needed to. Jonathan Dwyer’s 16 yard TD confirmed that Pittsburgh was playing to win. Isaac Redman’s 24 yard run was equally impressive and helped set the tone for the 4th quarter. Grade:  B+

Wide Receivers
Yes, Mike Wallace dropped one he should have caught. Yes, Emmanuel Sanders fumble was costly and could have been lethal. But Sander’s atoned by making a key catch to set up the tying touchdown. And Wallace was Mr. dependable on the final drive. Under appreciated in all of this is Heath Miller who made clutch catch after clutch catch, and whose touchdown was a testament to will and focus. Antonio Brown also played well.  Grade:  B+

Offensive Line
Another game, another starting front five for the Steelers, continuing a now three year theme. In run blocking the Steelers did not dominate the Ravens as they might have, but no one can fault their protection of Charlie Batch, who had time to throw all day. Maurkice Pouncey also played well as an out of position center. And how many coaches wouldn’t like to have a player with Doug Legursky’s versatility?  Grade:  B

Defensive Line
Ziggy Hood led the team in tackles, registered a sack, several tackles for a loss, and was spot on in the fumble recovery. He was the only member of the unit that stood out, and the Ravens did have success running the ball at times, although Flacco also found himself facing many third and long. Brett Keisel had 3 tackles. This unit had a solid night, but must bear some blame for Ray Rice’s TD.  Grade:  B

Linebackers
Larry Foote was all over the field making tackles on both sides of the line of scrimmage, sacking Flacco and pressuring him into bad throws. Jason Worilds had a quiet game, but did his part as did Lawrence Timmons. But the real star of the unit was number 92. As Mike Tomlin said after a hard-fought, close victory over the Bengals in 2010, “James makes plays, and he makes them in a timely fashion.” The Ed Reed interception should have doomed the Steelers, but Harrison’s strip sack shifted momentum right back to the Steelers.  Grade:  A-

Secondary
Joe Flacco tried to go deep to Tory Smith early in the game, and Ike Taylor broke it up. Then he left for the game. So Cam Cameron thought he might feast on sophomore cornerback Cortez Allen. Guess again, Cam. Allen was excellent in his first “start” breaking up 3 passes and given the Ravens no quarter. Keenan Lewis had another strong game. Ryan Clark pulled down an easy interception. And Troy Polamalu was back, blitzing early and then covering deep. Flacco did have one 31 yard pass, but overall failed multiple times going deep on a day when the Ravens were 3-11 on third downs. Grade:  A

Special Teams
Jacoby Jones did have one long one, but overall was a non-factor. Antonio Brown tried to return some punts he probably should not have, but did not hurt the team. But Chris Rainey had an under appreciated role in victory, as his 42 yard kickoff return set up the Steelers second field goal, allowing them to go into the half just 7 down. Drew Butler had a so-so day punting. 46, 41, and 42 – those were the distances of Shaun Suisham’s field goals, all of which were necessary all of which came outdoors in December, on a wet field, including the one to win the game with 3 seconds remaining.  Grade: B+

Coaching
The Ravens and Joe Flacco and the offense have been red hot at home. Yet Dick LeBeau kept him under 50% passing by playing to his weaknesses. Todd Haley devised a solid game plan to exploit Batch’s talents. While his attempt to go deep did not bear fruit, there’s no criticism here for taking shots down the field. But the real kudos here go to Mike Tomlin. The Steelers sorely lacked focus in their 8 turnover game to the Browns, and Tomlin shook up his roster. He and Haley also deserve credit for moving their Pro Bowl Center out of position. Pittsburgh won because they wanted it more, but all of that “want it” only mattered because the Steelers were focused, confident, and ready to persevere thanks to Tomlin. Grade:  A

Unsung Hero
Paul Kruger is playing extremely well this year, and if the Ravens defense is having an off year, it’s still better than many. Being asked to start your first NFL game going on the road to a team that has beaten you three times and shows now quarter is not easy. But this rookie 7th round draft pick embraced this challenge and lived up to Mike Tomlin’s “Standard” by delivering a winning performance for 60 minutes, and for Kelvin Beachum is the Unsung Hero of the Steelers-Ravens game.

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Pittsburgh Steelers derrotan en su casa a los Baltimore Ravens por 23 a 20

Band of Brothers

En la tarde de hoy no voy a hablar del juego en sí. O al menos no en esta primera parte de mi crónica. Voy a escribir desde la emoción deportiva y con el debido permiso del lector, voy a comenzar nuestro encuentro semanal siendo autorreferencial.

Voy a escribir acerca de la extraña relación que me une a los Pittsburgh Steelers. Una relación que mi amigo Keith, creador de Steel Curtain Rising, no alcanza a comprender y que no deja de sorprenderlo.

Porque ayer sucedió algo.

Algo que para mí, como hincha, fue importante, en términos del juego, claro.
¿Cómo es que uno llega a hacerse hincha de los Steelers? (el término “hincha” aquí, en Argentina, se utiliza para referirse a los fanáticos) 

Yo creo que lo que hace que un deporte tenga fanáticos, que apasione, es que el deporte tiene capacidad de emocionar. El deporte permite a cada uno de nosotros, simples mortales, identificarnos con una gesta épica, nos permite participar de ella, aunque estemos sentados frente a una pantalla, a miles de kilómetros de distancia y que uno se sienta parte de una comunidad de fanáticos determinada, aunque como es mi caso, jamás haya pisado la ciudad de Pittsburgh.

En el deporte quedan legitimadas las batallas. Es una “guerra” socialmente aceptada, sublimada. 

• Yo no tengo raíces en el fútbol americano.
• No heredé identidad con este juego.
• No hablé jamás con mi abuelo acerca de un equipo.
• Nunca me contó historias acerca de este deporte.
• Mi padre nunca me llevó al estadio a ver al club de sus amores.

Es curioso, pero me siento más fanático de los Steelers que de Boca Juniors (podríamos decir que represento el fracaso de la transmisión paterna y vertical del amor a un club).
Un día decidí adoptar mi identidad Acerera, ser parte de la Nación Steeler. Nunca supe por qué. Solo sucedió.

Y me propuse criarla. Lo mío estaba impulsado al principio por la voluntad. Desde entonces colecciono hechos, pido “prestado” recuerdos, fotos. Atesoro nombres de jugadores que para mi eran sólo eso. Nombres. Jerome Bettis. Neil O'Donnell, Lynn Swann, Terry Bradshaw, Bill Cowher, Franco Harris. 

Nombres que luego procuro llenar con significado. Unirlos a jugadas, a anécdotas, a estadísticas, a proezas, a “Recepciones Inmaculadas”. A tardes de gloria en lugares que me son extraños.
Me transformé en espectador de football americano en los tempranos '90. 
Soy un Steeler desde los años 1992 ó 1993, cuando iniciaba la Era Cowher.

¿Pero por qué traer a colación toda esta historia?
Porque ayer se escribió otra página heroica en la historia de los Steelers. Y no creo estar exagerando.
No.
Hay que reflexionar acerca del contexto en el que se desarrolló el partido.

Un equipo, el de los Steelers, que 7 dias atrás se había ocupado de aniquilarse entregando 8 veces el balón jugando con el tercer Mariscal de campo y cuyo plantel completo de corredores cometió fumbles. Dos semanas atrás, frente al mismo rival de ayer y obligado a jugar con QB suplente y lesionado dejó escapar una alcanzable victoria en casa.Tenía jugadores lesionados en todas las líneas. 

Y lo más importante, lo dijo anoche, luego del partido el propio Charlie Batch: “Nadie fuera del vestidor, pensaba que podríamos lograrlo”.
Hace una semana, Charlie Batch trataba de encontrar explicaciones en el césped circundante a las bancas del estadio a orillas del Lago Erie, sentado solo. Sin más compañía que sus propios reproches: después de tanta espera estaba pulverizando la oportunidad de honrar el puesto de QB titular en su equipo.

Habría siete días para reconstruir y reparar las cosas.

Como había sucedido antes del primer encuentro contra los Ravens se presentaba el obstáculo para desafiar el carácter del equipo. En aquella oportunidad había sido la lesión de Ben Roethlisberger. En esta otra, la implosión del equipo que los llevó a la derrota frente a los modestos Cleveland Browns.

El Coach Mike Tomlin & co. retocó la plantilla de jugadores, refaccionó la línea ofensiva, recuperó a Troy Polamalu y a Antonio Brown. Desafió el caracter de Mike Wallace “degradándolo” a la categoría de co-starter. Pero por sobre todas las cosas mantuvo el espíritu del vestidor. 

Y el equipo fue resiliente.

Y Charlie Batch también lo fue.

Quiero señalar tres momentos del partido que no sé si quedarán en la historia de los Steelers pero seguro que sí quedarán en mi historia con los Steelers.

• Tercer cuarto. 11:14 por jugar en el reloj. Jonathan Dwyer corre rumbo al touchdown precedido por el propio Batch quien realizó un bloqueo clave para anotar, mostrando una concentración superior y una entrega encomiable. Sentí que para él y hacia sus compañeros, hacia  los entrenadores y para los fans del equipo, esa jugada tenía un sentido de reparación.

• Cuarto Cuarto y casi 11 min por jugar. La jugada del partido. El "viejo" James Harrison capturó a Joe Flacco provocando un fumble.

• Final del partido. Línea de banda. Un enorme Ben Roethlisberger contiene toda la emoción de un sollozante Charlie Batch. La escena se prolonga por unos minutos. Otros jugadores también se unen a ese abrazo de alivio. De redención.

Como espectador participé de esa gesta redentora. Fui testigo.
Ví llorar a dos hombres abrazados. Ví cómo uno de ellos, el más viejo, expiaba sus culpas en el hombro del más jóven. (tal vez se sintió como el depositario de toda la culpa. Tal vez más de la que le cupo)
Tal vez fue el parto de otro Nuevo Equipo.
Tal vez fue solo un partido más ganado que no lleve a ningun lado. El tiempo lo dirá.
A mí me gusta pensar que fue el nacimiento de algo. Algo grande.
Al fin y al cabo para eso está el deporte. Para hacernos creer que podemos más allá de las posibilidades. Para ser inspirador.
Siento que de este modo construyo mi identidad de Steeler.

                                                                   El Dr. de Acero

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