The Season

Is over. 10 and 6, a division title, not a bad start for a first year coach. Plus Coach Tomlin seemed to fit right in in Pittsburgh. Ben had his best year yet, even with being sacked a gazillon times and Parker would have been the NFL’s rushing leader if he hadn’t broken his leg. I’d say that was a good season. Good enough to lift expectations for next year. Based on how beat up the Steelers are I’m almost relieved that the season is over. Having to go to New England with Davenport returning kick offs is an ugly thought.

That said lets talk about the worst three plays called in the NFL this season. Up by one point with three minutes to go what do you run? NOT two runs of right tackle and a QB Sweep left!! What in the hell was that!! All you need is one first down and you win. And don’t tell me you wanted Jacksonville to use up their time out. Bull, Bull and more Bull!! It doesn’t help if there is still 2:50 on the clock!! I don’t think Tomlin wanted to go to New England either. Why has he abandon what has work all year long. Stupid, Stupid and more Stupid. During the first series Madden started out by saying “It’s now obvious that the Steelers are using the short pass to replace the running game.” And we scored. During the second quarter Madden said “The Steelers have no game plan.” It was that obvious that Tomlin had abandoned what was working. Now I know defenses adjust but it worked again later in the game. Again, I JUST DON”T GET IT!! Now in all fairness, Ben was just not sharp Saturday night. He made some untimely throws and missed some easy throws. But over all he had a great night, he can’t be held responsible for the loss, HE DOESN”T CALL THE PLAYS!!

The defense really step up Saturday night. And what do you know, they ran the run blitz almost all night. They stuffed the run and all but eliminated Taylor and Jones – Drew. In fact Garrard was the leading rusher for Jacksonville. Now we gave up a couple of long plays but that is expected when running the run blitz. Shutting down the run and 4 sacks (the most in a long time) kept us in the game. Garrard’s late run was the only real break down, and as Grandpap Tom said to me right after that play, (Yes, he was awake) “There were at least two holds on that play” and he was right. Officiating was pretty bad all night.

But it was the boring play calling and only scoring 3 points in the second and third quarters that lost the game. I called Grandpap Tom at the end of the third quarter and told him I just can’t stand it anymore am I going to bed. Now you know it has to be bad for me to go to bed during a Steelers game. Only the quick score to start the fourth quarter kept me up. My reward, the Dumbest 3 plays called in the NFL this season. I am MAD! I don’t mind saying it, I am MAD! And I’m still MAD on Monday morning.

Till next season

GUM