A Tale

Of Two Seasons.

It’s over, coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb. How frustrating. Sunday was like a wake. Where was the enthusiasm we are used to? A win and we would sweep the division, no small feat, now that’s something to play for. Again the defense was weak, forget that Polamalu was not in the game, they just stunk up the house. The hapless Ravens ran and passed at will. Something is very wrong. Is it the players or the coaching? Are the players and LeBeau at odds with each other? What's Up! Inquiring minds want to know!

I do think that it was a good move on Tomlin’s part to rest Ben, Hines and Polamalu. Nobody expected the Raiders to beat the Chargers. Batch played well but it is now obvious that with Willie out the offence is in big trouble. Davenport only had 27 yards and we have no one on the roaster who can bring some speed at the ends. Forget the fourth quarter mini comeback, the Ravens defense went into my favorite, the dime package, rushing only three. That insured some points. Arians has his work cut out for him this week as he prepares for another round with the Jags. Time to get creative, but I’m not counting on it.

So as you settle in Saturday night don’t be expecting too much. I know I’m not, if the Steelers win I will be the most surprised person on the planet.

Happy New Year everyone!!
Go Steelers!!!

OUCH!

When is a win not a win? When you lose the number one running back in the NFL! Big Loss heading into the playoffs. This should cause Tomlin to rethink his game plans, I hope. Even Gumball (by the way the worst broadcast crew on TV) and company commented all night on how many times Ben has been sacked this year.

41 to 24 looks impressive on the box score, but remember it’s the Rams. They should not have scored at all. Some low percentage catches and some creative scrambling accounting for all the points on offence. Two sacks, the first since the beginning of the month, a fluke interception and some dropped passes just barley held the Rams to 24. Watching the defense is like watching water run through a sieve. I couldn’t help wondering if there are problems on defense we aren’t aware off. Two weeks in a row now the defense has been beat with draw plays on third and long it makes me wonder! I still don’t like the defensive play calling but maybe, just maybe, the play calling is being dictated by some unknown situation.

I will say it now, 10 and 5 for Coach Tomlin’s first year is impressive. Big Ben showed he belongs in the NFL and should quiet the broadcasters who thought he was a one year wonder. I just don’t see the current scheme carrying the Steelers very far into the playoffs and now with Parker on the sideline the chances of a Super Bowl look dim.

But first we need to deal with the hapless Ravens. Hay, they lost to Miami! We should clean their clock. Some how though you just know the Steelers will make it nail biting and nerve racking!

GO STEELERS!!

What away

What away

to ruin a great season. What is going on, this team looks bad, terrible, ugly, disgusting. Not one sack in at least three games, maybe four, letting Jacksonville walk all over them gaining 421 total yards. At this rate we are going to be lucky if we are a wild card. Now I’m sorry to repeat my self, but, THE COACHING SUCKS! Both the defensive and offensive Coaching! No blitzes, no play action, cover two’s, empty back fields leaving Ben to fend for him self. Do not, Do not, blame the offensive line. How long do you think they can protect Ben with more people to block than blockers. With 2 minutes to go, where was the leagues #1 rusher, why on the sidelines. Sure lets the defense know what’s coming. With him in the game the defense has to stay honest. He might run, he might block, he might even be able to catch a pass coming out of the back field, but no lets keep #1 on the sideline and the back field empty. THIS IS SOOOOO FRUSTRATING!! Mike Tomlin and company better WAKE UP!! And with only two games left they better WAKE UP FAST!! It would be different if we did not know that during the first five games blitzes and play action work and work well. Did someone steal the Friggin play book or what? WAKE UP TOMLIN.

Now what a way to finish up the year, two road games, needing the Colts to lose their last two. Now the good news is its St Louis and Baltimore. Cake wakes both! Ha, Ha. First we have to play with only four days rest. No give away there. Then on to Baltimore, we beat up on them bad but that was when we still had the play book and they even lost to Miami, should be easy but with the way the coaching is going, we’ll be lucky to win one of the two.

Till next week, GO STEELERS!!

Totally

Out Coached! There is nothing else to say. Belichick out coached Cowher over his tenure and is now starting in on Tomlin. Belichick just has our number!

The Cleveland win puts them one game back and also one more back with the tie breaker. That really puts some pressure on as the Jaguars come to town next Sunday. The Jag’s need a win to keep pace for a wild card bid and their playing some good football right now. The Steelers inability to score points is a big concern.

Lets face it the Steelers have always made it interesting and this December is no different.

Go Steelers!!

It’s always

Fun when you beat a divisional rival. Last night was no exception. However it was not pretty. Four turnovers and you should lose, I don’t know how we didn’t. The bungles marched up and down the field all night but just could not put it in the end zone. With 249 total yards, just 36 yards fewer then the Steelers, they should have scored more. We won’t go far in the playoffs playing like that. A pleasant surprise was bring back some play action and throws to the tight ends. With Davenport out (sure hope he’s ok) Willie was in on more 3rd and short plays and was very effective! Hope Tomlin learned something. The defense only had one sack and blitzed very sparingly. What’s Up with that! I Just Don’t Get It!! Raining hard, wet and sloppy field and cold, you have to put pressure on the QB with conditions like that. I know we have some injuries, but we still have some great players on the field, Let them PLAY!

Now we have to get down too it! With New England next week, Jacksonville the next week we could end up 9 and 5 in a hurry playing like we’ve been playing! But like my sister Beth said, “You said you’d be happy if the Steelers finished 8 and 8”. And I am, its just hard to watch now that we know what they are capable of. One break, New England will be coming off a Monday Night game and working with a short week. Everyone seams to be saying that New England is going 16 and 0, lets rain all over their parade!!GO STEELERS!!!

I know, I know

A win is a win. But first, I do not know who is responsible, the Steelers or Allegheny County, but they should be fined by the NFL and the crucified by the fans of Pittsburgh, the turf at Heinz field is an embarrassment. Not just last night, but since it opened. And now to have it showcased on national TV, how embarrassing for the “City of Champions”! Who was the rocket scientist who came up with the idea of laying more sod on top of bad sod just hours before an NFL game.

Now for the game. It was amazing that there were only 3 total turnovers the whole game. With the rain and field I would have thought there would have been 10 or better. As bad as the field was footing really did not appear to be a problem on either side of the ball. That said the game was a real yawn. Up and down the field between the twenties all night. The only thing that kept me awake was that it was Pittsburgh playing. The comment was made that if the goal line was the twenty, it would still be 0 – 0.

I think it is important to remember that the players do not call the plays. The coaches do! On every third and short or fourth and short, THE COACHES took out one of the top running backs in the NFL and either left the backfield empty or put in Davenport. Now I like Davenport but he is no Willie! He is perfect when we are running well and Willie needs a rest or as a blocking back. Third and short and no Willie, I just don’t get it!! And what about play action? It worked so well the first five games, with passes to tight ends or to the back coming out of the backfield. Now it’s gone, I just don’t get it! And Big Ben is getting sacked more and more with each game, five last night, I just don’t get it, I JUST DON”T GET IT!

Now another easy mark, the Bungles and on Sunday Night, a great chance to shine for the Steelers and for Heinz field, I don’t know what the spread is but I’m betting the Steelers won’t cover and neither will the field.

The honeymoon

is over. This was the worst coached game I have ever seen. Tomlin and staff are a bunch of wimps. They should all be fired tomorrow. An 1 and 8 team dominated us, no way. The play calling was so predictable. The defense so predictable. Even I could tell what was coming. We are supposed to have the number 1 defense and offence, Ye right. 2 minutes to go and we give up 70 yards in less then a minute. Great coaching Mike. I am beside myself. Tomlin and staff suck!! Great players, terrible COACHES!! I give up!! I am way too old to survive BAD COACHING! We have the players we just don’t have the COACHING. If the coaches don’t take responsibility for this loss they are cowards. Two sacks all day, and a young inexperienced quarterback on the field. If I was coaching he would not have been able to breathe, (2 sacks all day) instead the Steelers coaches with terrible play calling put Ben in situations were he could not breathe. I don’t even want to get into situations, the COACHES let us down today. Rushing three, no play action and the most uninteresting play calling with three minutes to go I have ever seen!! Mike,You and your staff SUCK!! You have great players and you don’t know how to take advantage of them!! I can’t even believe the Jets were in this game at all. I hope we lose the rest of our games so I can play golf on Sunday and not die of a frustration heart attack. TOMLIN YOU AND YOU STAFF SUCK, who’s paying you off to keep the Brown’s close!!

Who cares about next week, we only get more of the same, BAD COACHING!

What a Weekend

I now sit some where in South Carolina just about five hours from Arlington Ridge, my second black russian by my side, reflecting on the weekend past. And what a great weekend it was! An opportunity to celebrate family and share what is being called the best game of the weekend. (Although I did not see the game that way.) Kristen and Steve’s wedding, what an afair, seeing my Sisters Pat and Beth along with my Brother – In – Law Stoney, an extra surprise, and then the whole Strauss family. OH, what a weekend it was. A little tired and dare I say, just a little hung over we gathered to see the Steelers take on the Browns. The whole family minus, but understandly so, Kristen and Steve, crawled in to the party room with visions of TD’s and power defense dancing in our eyes. Then we were thrown into soberness! The room came alive, the Steelers were acting like they were with us at the wedding and like us just as hung over. The Browns took advantage dominating the first half. The room was quite, so quite that Ashley took a nap. But a short nap it would be as the second half was a different story. Sorry Ashley!

Now since most everyone was witness to my ranting there is no use in venting again, but boy I would love to. The box score does not tell the story. With only a total 169 yards and only 40 of those on the ground the question is how in the HELL did the Browns score 28 points! Sloppy, Sloppy, Sloppy defense and special teams. A game we should have lost. On ESPN tonight the question was did Pittsburgh win or did Cleveland lose the game. Thank god the browns have no defense. You make the call. We can not win a Supper Bowl like that. Enough said!

Now it’s the 1 and 8 Jets, easy weekend, right. Bet me!!

To Kristen and Steve: Aloha!!

Hope everyone had a safe trip home.

Now That’s

The way to play defense!
What a show the defense put on and on national TV! 6 sacks and 1 interception! Holding the Ravens to just 104 total yards. James Harrison was unbelievable! If we play defense like that against the Patriots and Colts Brady and Manning will be peeing their pants.

Now lets talk offence. I just don’t get the play calling. It now appears like teams are committing to stopping the run. Only 90 total rushing yards last night. Willie held to just 42 yards. With 8 in the box teams can blitz or stuff the run. What do you do, well I’ll tell you, you don’t empty the backfield and you don’t keep running off tackle! Four of the TD’s last night took great catches. With those catches we only have 10 points. The play calling has to change!! The Steelers only called 4 play action plays all night, each for a nice gain. When will they learn! Arians better wake up. Teams are stacking the line and like last night Big Ben will not last the season with out some creative play calling.

Still, IT WAS FUN TO WATCH!!

Next it’s the day after and the family all together for the team who thinks they can, lets show them they can’t!!

Go Steelers!!

Losing A Big Game

Coach Tomlin, I hope you were watching Sunday as the Colts caved in. After dominating the game for three quarters they went cover two in the 4th quarter and let Brady pick them apart. The way to beat the good teams (even the announcers said it) is to keep the great QB’s guessing and back on their heels. The cover two sucks!! We have Brady and Manning in December, they can be beat by a great defense like Pittsburgh’s, if you let them play!

GO STEELERS!!

This is getting

Very Borrrrrring! So, here we go!

You will not survive in the NFL letting teams move up and down the field. The Steelers were lucky Sunday against a third rate team at best. I don’t understand what Tomlin is thinking. In the first five games only three TD’s. Denver alone did that then the Bungles, though only getting one TD and two FG, had 300 total yards for the day and if they were a better team would have won the game. Not one sack all day. Not one! What are they doing? It is now obvious that the offence is not going to score bunches of point’s week in and week out, so defense better step up. If Tomlin keeps this up my prediction of an 8 and 8 season will become a reality.

With the exception of Patriots on Dec 9th and the Colts on Dec 30th, we have a cake walk of a remaining schedule. With teams like the Jets, Dolphins, Rams, Browns, Jaguars, and two shots at the Ravens.

We get a break next Sunday playing the Ravens at home. But they are coming off a bye week and a loss to the Bills the week before. We know that they always play the Steelers tough. McNair is a walking wounded and should be easy to get to but will pick you apart if you let him sit in the pocket all day. So come on Tomlin let the defense play!! It’s an opportunity for the Steelers to redeem themselves on a nationally televised Sunday night. We’ll see!

I was

Speechless! What was that? There just was no game plan Sunday night. I mean none. No offensive game plan, No defensive game plan. I just sat there in total shock!

Denver was committed to stopping the run, even so Willie had 21 carries for 93 yards. With eight in the box just use play action no big deal, right, wrong! Empty back field most of the night, Ben running for his life. How frustrating! Twice we ran play action and threw back to Willie for nice gains, why not do that all night long till they start dropping their linebackers then run it right at them. I just don’t get it!!

On the defensive side only 2 sacks all night. Cutler had all day to throw the ball. All season long we have been bringing the heat and only allowed 3 TD’s. Sunday night alone we allowed 3. What was that? I just don’t get it!!

All week long the talk was that the Steelers were as good as the Colts and Patriots, guess we showed them!

Now its on to the Bungles, we better shape up!

Steelers' Taylor gets top defensive honors

Steelers' Taylor gets top defensive honors
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, who had a key interception and four passes defensed against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, was named today the NFL defensive player of the week.

Taylor had five tackles against the Seahawks, but his interception near the goalline at the end of the first half helped the Steelers post their first-ever shutout at Heinz Field.

Voting for the award is done by fans on NFL.com.

On the side line!

Sidelined with flu like symptoms, high fever, a need to be close to some porcelain, and the dreaded don’t dive while taking this medication I was held to the old easy chair this Sunday. So I would love it if some who saw the game would post some observations.

I did keep track of the play by play on my PC @ NFL.Com. If you have not tried them to keep track of a game of interest but not available in your area it really is pretty slick but not perfect. So just two comments; first, we won shutting out the Sea Birds! Second, we came out in the second half and held the ball for over 10 minutes and scored a TD, then held the Sea Birds to just 4 plays, one being a punt, then held the ball for the rest of the quarter, WOW!

Only down side I saw was again giving up a ton of yards late in the first half! Just burns me up and when you all ready have a fever it almost kills ya.

Next weekend is our bye week, giving me time to recover, and some of Steelers to recover as well for our Sunday night trip to the mountains and our next victim the bucking broncos.

Go Steelers!!

What Was That

You have a game plan that wins three weeks in a row, so what do you do in week 4, why total abandon it of course. Explain that to me! Very disappointed! No play action, no tight end involvement, Passing twice as much as running, shot gun with empty back field on a lot of first downs, result one TD, (Don’t count the one late in Q4) now explain that to me! Like I said last week with that kind of production you lose to most teams in the NFL, and we did this week, to a team we should have beat up on.

Again the defense looked great. They only recorded two sacks but had Warner running around all day. They should have had 8 to ten sacks, Warner was like trying to catch a chicken in a barn yard. They also were very sharp against the run holding Edgerrin James to just 77 yards and allowed no points until midway through Q3. I think they just thought the game was boring and wanted to see something happen!

Now before I go flying of the handle too much, remember I did say I would be happy if this year we go 8 and 8. So I will end now and look forward to the migration of them little Sea Birds to the Burg.

Go STEELERS!!

Total Domination

The TV Gods were with me this weekend, the Steelers game was broadcast here in Raleigh on Fox. How sweet. With a big bowl of popcorn and a tequila sunrise by my side I settled in for a great afternoon of Steelers Dominancy. I was not disappointed!

Although the box score might not reflect it we did dominate. Total net yard 350 to 289, but most of that 289 came late in the 4th quarter when we gave up an easy touchdown. Only the second touchdown given up in three games. It just rubs me raw to see us give up all those yards late in the first half or late in the game when we have had total control the rest of the time. In the 3rd quarter the Steelers held SF to just one possession and 3 points, now if that’s not domination I don’t know what is. If it were not for the outstanding play in the first half of SF Number 22 Nate Clements the score at half time would have been 28 to 6. He was all over the place and saved two touchdowns. I’d say he was the only bright spot for SF all day. Only two sacks on the day for the Steelers. But again that does not tell the whole story, the Steelers front four kept Smith on his heals and harrying his throws all day and what about their big back Frank Gore, just 14 carries for 39 yards, now if that is not domination I don’t know what is.

The offence sure could have produced a little more. Just two TD’s and 3 FG’s. With that kind of production you lose to most teams in the NFL. You can’t count on TD’s from special teams and the defense every week. For the most part the play calling has been creative. In the past the Steelers would throw on first, run on second then take out the RB and throw on third downs. Now defenses never know what to expect, by my count (if the tequila didn’t mess up my counting to bad) it was just about 50/50 on first downs and almost the same on third down. Case in point, with less then one minute to go in the 3rd Quarter we had a third and 7, guess who was still in the game, Willie! What play did we run, Willie student body left for 3 yards. On the surface looks like a dumb play but sure tells the rest of the league something. Plus, plenty of play action and passes to tight ends. Yup, another TD to a tight end in week three, sure is a new era! Not to mention how happy it makes GUM!

First time since Cowher’s first season that the Steelers have won the first three. Way to go Coach Tomlin.

Speaking of Cowher, you may have noticed I have made no mention of Bill Cowher on CBS. (Maybe you haven’t) Well I have had to go out to watch the games and was not able to catch him. I’m not bored enough to record it and sit through a pre game show after all the action has taken place. With the TV gods on my side I sat riveted to CBS at noon and I was impressed. I think Bill did an upstanding job with good logic, concise analysis and a very good delivery. He does Pittsburgh proud. Watch out Madden!

Now it’s of to the desert and the little red birds. Their 0 and 2 on the road and 1-0 at home. GO STEELERS!!

Buffalo Girls

Wow, Total domination again! Only disappointment was lots of show in the first half but very little results, not to take anything away from Reed but we will have to keep our eyes on the red zone production the rest of the year. Not a lot of creativity with the play calling in the red zone. How about those tight ends, 4 more catches and one TD. Several third down conversions using play action with Willie, should have used it in the red zone. Willie had a great day with 23 carries for 126 yards and a TD, seems like what we saw in pre-season was not the real game plan, no empty back field, no, no huddle, and my personal favorite, very little cover two. Pretty smart Coach Tomlin. With 34 pass attempts and Willie’s 23 carries I would say that’s a good balance of pass and run, now I never thought I would be saying that this year.

Speaking of the lack of cover two, 4 sacks and held the Bills to just one first down in the first half and only 3 points all day. TOTAL DOMINATION! The defense has been a thing of beauty to watch for the first two games. Can’t add much more to that, just unbelievable.

Coach Tomlin just may become my all time favorite all time Steelers coach. (Hush, Now)

Next it’s the surprising 2-0 49’ers, but based on highlights I’ve seen, if we continue with the same game plan we should dominate for the third strait week. GO STEELERS!

What a Start

This morning Steelers fan all over the world are walking around Stuttering. Ta Ta… Tight End. It a new word for Steelers fans. 5 catches 2 TD’s. Now that’s a big change for the Black and Gold. Also something new; PLAY ACTION!! Now that’s even better. At least 3 and maybe as many as 5, the Hooter ladies kept getting in the way, so I might have missed a few. Yes I watched the game at the Hooter’s in Lakeland Florida with Ed Hafferly. It just doesn’t get any better. Congratulations Coach Tomlin!! What a great way to start off the new era. The offence kept the Browns guessing all afternoon. The line held them to just one sack and had them backing up all day. Overall it had to be one of the best offensive displays I can remember. Ed and I kept looking at ourselves like we were in the twilight zone.

The Defense was just as impressive holding the Browns to just 221 of total offense and registering 6 sacks. Not two shabby! Now not to disappoint any one, the first defensive series in the second half was just horrid. Resulting in the only points for the Browns. Rushing three the whole series giving up the bulk of their passing yards for the day right there. I can only hope that Coach Tomlin wanted to see what would happen if he used it in a real game. In all fairness Anderson and the Browns did not look like an NFL team Sunday. It could be a long year for Cleveland fans. And that’s a Good thing!!

Now it’s off to dance with Buffalo, I don’t know about you but I’ll be having some wings! Who knows this may end up being a very short blog if I don't have anything to complain about! Here hoping!

Go Steelers!!

Davis replaces Kreider as #1 fullback. Yikes.

Hi all - first post of many (hopefully) from one of the Cleveland Strausses.

I'm not sure what to think of this:

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said yesterday that Davis, who has never played in an NFL game, will be the starter when the Steelers open their regular season Sunday in Cleveland. What's more, it's possible Kreider might be deactivated against the Browns, a decision that will be made by coach Mike Tomlin.

This, with our already shaky offensive line as a result of Hartings retiring - along with three unproven players put into starting roles - has me worried. Willie Parker has stated publicly that he would rather have Kreider in front of him, but I guess we'll see if Tomlin's grand plan will hold water starting this Sunday. Cary Davis was quite impressive in the preseason matchups, so hopefully that'll translate into positive things for the Steelers this year.

It’s Over

Pre-Season is history. Let the games begin. Thursday night’s win against Carolina was as suspected a real sleeper, but a win. The Steelers were held to only 141 yards of total offence while giving up 289 yards, it was very sloppy game. But Tomlin sure got to look at a lot of players who will not survive the weekend. An interception for a touchdown in the last two minutes was the only touchdown in the game. Reed did get a lot of practice going 4 for 4. If Carolina had not turned the ball over 6 times they win. It was a game to look at staff only but does helps make the pre-season look good. A lot remains to be seen as we head to Cleveland for week one. The offensive line, overall game plan and the defensive strategy will make for a real interesting season. Again I believe for his first season Tomlin should be happy ending 8 and 8. (by the way thats my prediction) So hold on to your hats, here we go, a new era begins in just over a week. GO STEELERS!!

Only the first half

Counts in pre-season.

And a pretty impressive first half it was. Ben was 13 for 25 and 247 yards. Only blemish was a bad interception in the first quarter. Never should have thrown the ball. Looked like a rookie mistake. Parker was looking good even with his fumble in the red zone. He got to carry the ball 10 times for 32 yards. Not great but ok for pre-season. Still looking like we are going to be throwing a lot more this season. The biggest highlight was how well the offensive line looked. Total reversal from the previous games. Again the defense looks great. Only giving up 3 points holding McNabb to just 60 yards passing. Enough said for now on the defense.

I’m not expecting much on Thursday night against Carolina, it’s the last pre-season game and why take any chances. Then what an opener, October 9th, Steelers vs. Browns in Cleveland, now that’s a way to start the season.

Tiger Woods - A big disappointment

Tiger Woods in my humble opinion is the greatest golfer to play the game. My only criticism has been his disregard for the fans. This week he announced he would not play in the first round of the FedEx Cup, the Barclays. He previously said he would play in all four rounds. I believe this is further evidence for his total disregard for the fans and the PGA. This is the first year for the PGA to try and hold a national playoff and has been hyped all year long. It is a great idea and it will however take a few years to tweak the format. I would like to suggest the first tweak, if you don’t play in all four events you should be disqualified from the rest of the playoffs. Tiger may be a great golfer, however, again in my humble opinion, he will never be remember as one of the greatest people to play the game.

Sorry to digress, just had to get it off my chest.
Sunday 8 PM on national TV Steelers vs. Eagles. Almost as important as a regular season game. Should tell us a lot.

I Know

I know, it’s only preseason! And a win, but it sure was not pretty. Ben was running for his life the whole first half. That’s not good. In fact he was the leading rusher in the first half with 17 yards. That’s not good! Parker only had 4 yards on 4 carries. I’m beginning to wonder if he is really healthy, but maybe the real problem is the offensive line. By now they should be looking a lot better. It makes no difference who the quarterback or running backs are if you don’t have the horses up front. Looking more and more like they need to be spending more time in the weight room. Could be the offensive line is going to be our down fall this year.

Washington’s only touchdown in the game was in the first quarter. A 7 yard pass with the defense in the cover-two, rushing only three, I know your going to get sick of hearing it, but, THAT DEFENSE SUCKS! (See Picture. Notice all the white jerseys just standing around) If you can’t defend 7 yards with it, you need to stop using it! There were 4 offensive linemen standing around doing nothing on the play. Even I could complete a 7 yard pass if I had all day to throw it. If we keep it up this may become the weekly Cover-Two Sucks blog. The one bright spot, the defense held Washington to only 43 net rushing yards. That’s only 26 more yards then Ben had in the first half.


I think next week against the Eagles will probably be the most important pre-season game this year and should give us a good look at what to expect for the rest of the season.

It’s only preseason!

Keep telling yourself that and all looks good. A little credit to Tomlin, he is looking at a lot of players. 15 passes to 12 receivers and 7 backs for 28 rushes. Pretty balanced night all around. Ben only played 2 series and only had a total of 9 offensive plays, completed 2 passes for 14 yards and gave the ball away once on a fumbled as a result of one of the 5 sacks for the evening. On the fumble Ben was left alone in the backfield and the offensive line gave up the sack, if we are going to empty the backfield on passes we better run shorter routes. This trend can’t continue! Yet an other new look for Ben, no huddle. Again it looks like Tomlin is going to try and open things up, I think it’s a good thing and should keep defenses back on their heals most of the year. Ben was the only QB to run the no huddle. Again Batch looked in mid-season form and I think we are lucky to have such a quality back-up. Over all not a bad offensive outing for the pre-season.

Defense, Defense. Still looking strong. Favre was only 2 for 7 and only for 7 yards. The Pack was held scoreless in the first quarter and only allowed 3 points in the second. Some sound defense. In pre-season only the first half counts, then its let look at everybody. Only one sack, have to do better! Can’t get to the QB only rushing 3, something Tomlin did a lot of in this game. Overall for the second game a good outing. Sacks remain a concern on both sides of the ball, but we will have to wait and see. Less then a month till the season opener, sweet, sweet. I may have to up my expectations! Ya, right!

New Mascot

From http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07220/807819-66.stm:

The Steelers will announce the name of the team's new mascot today at Saint Vincent College, following afternoon practice.

In a press release, the team said Steelers President Art Rooney II will participate in the announcement at the Steelers Experience, the team's interactive theme park located next to the training camp practice fields.

The announcement is one of the many activities scheduled as part of the Steelers' 75th Season Celebration.

The Steelers' afternoon practice is scheduled to run from 2:55 to 5 p.m.

Any ideas?

Carey Davis

I was impressed by Carey during the Saints preseason opener.

"RB Carey Davis further solidified his bid to make the team with his performance against the Saints, rushing for 63 yards with the aid of a 55-yard run in the fourth quarter. Davis has done it all in his first two weeks -- run, catch and block -- and the coaches like what they see. He will get more playing time against the Green Bay Packers Saturday night at Heinz Field." - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07219/807581-360.stm

More details on him: http://news.steelers.com/team/player/71064.

Here we GO!

A new dawn, a new season and a new era. It seems like I’ve been waiting forever. As most of you know I have not been a Cowher fan for many a season. I like him as a person, but not as a coach. So now it is with an open heart that I look forward to a new era. Mike Tomlin will captain this era and has a lot of tradition to uphold. As an assistant coach under Dungy at Tampa Bay he learned the old Cover 2 defense first used by his new team in the 70’s. Bet you didn’t know Dungy stole the defense. This was a cause for some concern on my part at his hiring. Still is, he used it a lot on Sunday against the Saints. If the cover 2 is to work well you have to bring some heat or you will get picked to death. The Steelers of the 70’s had a front 4 (The Steel Curtain) who could bring heat, not so sure the Steelers of the new era can do that running a three/four cover 2. Let’s not forget that Sunday was pre-season. Although a win is a win and the Steelers looked great even with water logged eyes. Ben only played one series, yet he looked composed and ready to play. Diving the team to a touchdown set up with a perfect 54 yard pass to Cedrick Wilson. Wilson looked in mid-season form all night. Batch played a great game as did St. Pierre. The big offensive difference is it looks like our new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is going to concentrate more on passing then running. He showed a lot of four wide-outs and no back. This resulted in a few sacks and is a new concern for me. Great teams can pound the ball. We’ll see. I have to admit that over all the entire offensive line look tough, the sackes were more cover sackes then a break down. For the first time in a long time I like the way the defensive backs look. They were all over the field and on the backs of the receivers all night. It’s hard to name anyone as a lot of players were being used. I’ll get more specific as the season unfolds. Over all for a pre-season game we look great and as a side note the post-gazette reported that Tomlin is the first Pittsburgh coach to win his first pre-season game in 42 years, a great start!
One more note from the post-gazette, Joey Porter needs knee surgery and will probably miss at least two weeks.
To anyone that asked I have said that this year is a toss-up. If the Steelers win eight games it will be a good season. Anything else a real plus! Your comments.
Next game: August 11 vs Green Bay

The weekend of a LIFETIME!!

Before posting the game review let me first set the scene. I arrived at Tom & Sue’s early on Saturday August 3rd for a dream weekend of PGA Golf at Firestone Country Club and then FOOTBALL at the Football Hall of Fame. (Steelers vs Saints) Tom had arranged for tickets to the game, a pre-game tailgate party and admission to the Hall of Fame. It just can’t get any better then that, right? But yes it does, Regis drove up from North Augusta with CJ, Martin and Chace now that really tops of the weekend. Because of the potential of bad weather on Sunday the PGA decided to change the starting times so as to avoid the weather and finish on Sunday. Tiger put on a real show Sunday coming from second place and winning by 8 strokes and was the only player to finish under par and he became the first PGA professional to win the same tournament 3 times in a row and to win it three times in a row twice. What a thrill to be there!! Now the PGA decision should have given us a clue as to what would be going on Sunday night, but no not us. Three veteran sport fans and three young fans leave Tom’s Sunday at 5:30 PM decked out in our best Steelers garb for the tailgate party and a night of Steelers mania with absolutely no fowl weather gear. Who said “with age comes wisdom”? Mark, Anna-Katrin and Sue would join us later, because Mark worked Sunday Morning 12 to 6 AM and wanted to rest his bones after the golf tournament. Just as we parked in someone’s backyard about a half mile from the Hall of Fame it started to rain. And rain it did and rain and rain. We were soaked. Mark’s need for a little rest was really a smart move. Fortunately the tailgate party was under a big tent, a chance to dry out a little. By the way, Sue would later describe the tailgate party as; “Now I know what it feels like to be in a refugee camp”. After the refugee camp we tool the kids to the Hall of Fame to view the special Steelers exhibit, this is the 75th anniversary season for the Steelers. The Hall of Fame has some really great Steelers stuff displayed in 10 year increments, along with a display of the 5 Super Bowl Trophies. It just keeps getting better. Now for a short walk to Fawcett Stadium and the game. (Short, if it’s not pouring and you don’t have a four year old walking with you!) Rain coming down in buckets! Now understand at best Fawcett Stadium is a glorified high school stadium. In normal circumstances it is a great stadium to watch a NFL game, but not in the rain and especially with no fowl weather gear. My Steelers sweatshirt had to weigh an extra 50 pounds. After walking up to our seats, on the 40 yard line, ROW PP, I’m thinking, “You’re Way To Old To Be This DUMB!” The game was delayed a bit and then just as the Saints kicked-off the rain came to an end, how great is that, my greatest Steelers memory, Thanks Tom!!

Steelers07review

Taking lee’s suggestion I’m am going to try and do a game review after every game. I invite any comments you may have. Since this a new era for the Steelers I am going to try and cut them some slack this year, but we will have to wait and see. Because of Tom’s generosity I was fortunate and honored to be at the Hall Of Fame game on Sunday the 5th of August. How great is it to be able to say you attended the first game of the new era. I will be posting my review within the next couple of days as I just got back and need to catch up on needed rest after a wild weekend.