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.