Bye, Bye “Fast” Willie, “Smackdown” Ryan & “Ironman” Townsand.

In honor of what is very likely their last few hours as Steelers (officially), a YouTube retrospective on Fast Willie Parker, Deshea Townsend and Ryan Clark.

“Fast” Willie Paker: Below is a six-minute clip highlighting nearly every big run he had with the Steelers. The music is a bit melodramatic, but worth it for the payoff at the end. Despite a number of terrific seasons, Parker was never quite the answer the Steelers (and many fans) sought in the post-Bettis backfield.

That said, Willie Parker is one of my all-time favorite personal stories from the modern Steelers era. A guy that couldn’t quite put it together in college and got a break because of the keen eye of Dan Rooney Jr., and went on to peel off the longest run froom scrimmage in Super Bowl history. Willie Parker is the true definition of the maxim that ‘luck is the intersection of hard work and timing.’

“Ironman” Deshea Townsend: If you’ve ever seen him in street clothes, you’d be puzzled as to how Townsend ever cracked a lineup – short, lean, no shoulders to speak of – but it’s a testament to his speed, coverage skills, field smarts and versatility. He could play just about any spot in the Steelers backfield and was deadly in their nickel and dime packages, as evidenced below during his pick six against the Cowboys in 2008 — a play that Ed Bouchette named to his Top 10 plays of the decade.

Here is the FOX broadcast of that play:

And this is an fun vid shot by a fan in the stands that captures Renegade on the scoreboard, and then Deshea’s pick six:

“Smackdown” Ryan Clark: Another undrafted free-agent who made it with the Redskins, he came in after Chris Hope left the Steelers following Super Bowl 40 and delivered consistently solid play, was rarely out of position and delivered some of the most brutal hits in recent Steelers history.

A devout Christian, he was a also a total ham who loved to interact with fans during training camp. Clark’s hit on Willis McGahee in the 2008 AFC Championship game is tied for the most violent hit I’ve ever personally seen a Steeler lay in a game. Apparently, no less an authority than James Farrior agrees. Check it out:

Clark also laid out Wes Welker in memorable fashion earlier that same season. The play drew a penalty, and the Patriots and their fans whined like babies about, even though the NFL apologized to Clark and said no flag should’ve been thrown.

Share your thoughts and favorite moments of these three Super Bowl Steelers in the comments.

The Fall of Troy

By Jeffrey Burton

This was not the season we hoped for our Steelers. There are some good things that happened. We ended on a three game win streak, but this was not been our season of steely resolve. 

Moving forward:

There are many reasons this happened:

Things that could have been avoided:

The Worst Offensive Line in the History of Football

Maybe an exaggeration, but not that much of one.  This line sucked last year and should have been shored up in the off-season. No major moves were made. Offensive Line Coach Larry Zierlien and special team’s coordinator Bob Ligashesky have lost their jobs. I wish I could say I was sorry to hear it.

The lousy Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, I hear disturbing rumors will be retained, more on him in a second.

The Cleveland Browns one of the worst pass rush teams in the league, ignored our non o-line and delivered 8, count them, eight sacks on Ben. Eight sacks, 8 sacks! Ocho sackos!  Imagine people looking at someone in a bar jumping up and down yelling at the top of their lungs, making Hitler-like gestures, “EIGHT SACKS! 8 M-EFFING SACKS! HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN! Over and over again and them concurring, “Oh yes good sir, how could that M-EFFING happen?”

This has been shear insanity and would be criminal if it happened off the football field. The Coaches, the General Manager, the Rooney’s and the entire Steeler Organization would all be found guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit violent abuse in the real world.

I don’t care if Ben defends his linemen; plenty of abused people defend their abuser. It has affected his play and he has admitted it publicly now.  The Steeler Organization is supposed to help Ben be safe. They have failed beyond any failure I have ever seen in my long relationship with this team.

They actually out did there sack totals of last year with 50. Only Green Bay allowed more with 51. Oh and 77 hits on the QB. Maybe the Steelers accountant should take over the coaching duties; at least he\she would understand the meaning of protecting your investment.

I’m sick of writing about this. Please make it go away.

Non-existent Running Game:

I know that Rashard got to have a 1,000 plus yard season, but we never run when we should and we do not run enough. This terrible pass offensive line is average or a little above average in run blocking. They should have tried to make it work.

Rearranging Deck Chairs:

Arians should have been fired during the 5 game losing streak. He is so predictable it is ridiculous. If he brings in a sub the ball goes to that person on the first play. He has no concept of using someone as a decoy. If it wasn’t for Ben’s incredible play we wouldn’t have done anywhere near to as well as we did. Not that is was all that good.  Firing Zierlien without firing Arians is like returning your soup as the Hindenburgh docks because it’s too cold.

Things that Couldn’t be Avoided.

All of the Injuries on Defense:

I’m quite happy of our beloved Steelers ability to hang together with all the injuries they’ve had on defense. Arron Smith, Travis Kirschke, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Clark, William Gay (I know Haters, hate away. He’s starting in his second season in an extremely difficult position), and the hugest of the huge, Troy Polamalu. There was no finger pointing for any loses. This is a testament to Defensive Team Captain James Farrior and more importantly Dick LeBeau. If we have all these guys on the field for the season we are most certainly in the playoffs and well seeded.

Jeff Reed is definitely on drugs, probably weed:

When you are all toked up in a game it must be like, “Dude why are these guys running so fast? Where are the HoHo’s? Why do they want me to hit this guy? He didn’t do anything to me other than run my lousy kick-off back for a touchdown. I wonder if RealTurf has RealGrass in it. Hey guys, anyone wanna’ try? What? You want me to kick this thing through those yellow sticks? I’m totally baked man.”

Or maybe he’s on Crack, or Crystal Meth, I don’t know.

We should be looking for another kicker in the off-season. Let him commit totally to the bender that he will wake up from someday and say “WTF?”

I don’t know maybe that one could have been avoided.

The Good Things!

Mike Wallace has made the conversion from incisive TV journalist and interviewer to a NFL Star on Rise. I can’t wait to see where he is at next season.

Rashard Spindenhall has emerged as an incredibly gifted featured back. He has skills on the outside and inside I didn’t know he had and can catch out of the backfield.

Ziggy Hood; His play stepped up as he got more time.

Aaron Smith and Troy will be back and boy do we need them.

Most of our Super Bowl team will be back. Yeah we are getting a little old on defense, but hopefully we get some new blood via free agency and the draft. Our guys still have plenty left in the tank.

Observations and Questions:

Daniel Sepulveda is the best player we have on defensive special teams. He is not only one of the best Punters in the league he is one of the best special team’s tacklers. One of the many differences between Reed and Sepulveda is that Daniel is a football player and not a stoner.

Casey Hampton and Willie Parker are all but gone. Hampton was never a favorite of Tomlin, who dislikes his work ethic. Wait, what work ethic? Willie has had a season to rest and wants to vie for a starting job somewhere. Hey Mister Tomlin, Chester Taylor is a free agent next year couldn’t we use another veteran back that can run between the tackles and catch out of the backfield?

Let’s bring up Isaac “Redzone” Redman. Couldn’t we have used some help in the Redzone this year?

Stefan Logan was responsible for the most yardage on the team for a ground player this year, 1746 total return yards. Could we get him on the field more, please?

I would rather have Big Ben and Heath than any other QB\TE combo. The Pro Bowl voters must be smoking whatever Jeff Reed is.  I voted for them.

2010 Draft Sneak Preview

I can’t spill all of my Little Big Board now; I need something to write about in the off-season. (Or a girlfriend, or both, maybe a Stillers Girl. Did you know the Steelers have the most female fans? Second is the Cowboys, there’s no accounting for taste, but Texas girls are hot. So are Steelers girls, but I now digress.)

Round One – LG Mike Lupati, Idaho, The Samoan American is a dominating LG that is great in pass protection and the pulling and trapping that has been the staple of the Steelers for years. Since Faneca left we haven’t been the same. It is time to return to Steelers Football with a great air game as well.

Round Two – NT Dan Williams, Tennessee, Hampton is gone, Chris Hoke can step in and give time to Williams so he can develop into a starter for his second season.

Round Three – RT Kyle Calloway, Iowa, and this guy could be tremendously athletic at RT and allow Willie Colon to move inside to his natural RG position where his lack of vision would not be so much of a detriment. So this is a two for one pick. Oh, Kyle was pulled over for driving a moped intoxicated. I’m sure this is only against the law in Iowa, along with cow tipping.

Round Four – S Nate Allen, South Florida, I don’t know if he’ll still be available so I have T.J. Ward of Oregon as a back-up pick. I think the Steelers are crazy if they let Ryan Clark walk, but I’ve seen it time after time.

Round Five – DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State, we need to build on our great but aging line. Alex could be a very good fit for the 3-4.

Round Six – S Kyle McCarthy, Notre Dame or LB Joe Pawelek, Baylor, two classic overachievers that could be good late round finds for the Steelers.

Round Seven – WR\QB\P\H-B\PKH Kerry Meier, Kansas, most of the Mocks have him as undrafted. I say use the last pick on the Jayhawk Slash. We could be adding a guy that would actually know that you shouldn’t throw a long pass across field into double coverage even though the Genius Bruce Arians designed the play for you (Santonio). This guy has a great attitude and hands of Velcro.  And he’s from Pitsburgh. Yeah, I spelled that right, Pitsburgh, Kansas. I think we should give him the opportunity to get the extra ‘T’.

Go Stillers!

So you want to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers? Welcome to hell Mike Tomlin!

Crazy title I know but the meaning reigns true. I have been reading other blogs and Steelers news across the net today and the one theme I am finding after the Pittsburgh Steelers colossal collapes the last four weeks is that Mike Tomlin should be fired, that the team that has been one of the best the last 20 years should just panic and go against what makes them so great. Yup the view of a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Don’t get me wrong but I am a diehard myself. I have some crazy views of my own, so when I say what I am about too I mean it with true passion for my team. “Shut the hell up!!!”

I am so tired of Steelers fans who call Ben Roethlisberger the best thing since fried chicken one week then call for Charlie Batch the next. I am tired of my fellow friends in Steelers country calling Mike Tomlin a god after he wins the Super Bowl then turning on him when he has a few bad games. Just in case you don’t know, Players play. Coaches coach. Tomlin can not go out on the field and make a play for the defense when they are choking away the lead late in the game.

So I say blamn the players, blamn the system, blamn the bad bounce but whoever you blamn be sure it is for the right reasons. Mike Tomlin did not allow the Raiders to score 21 points in the 4th quarter, the defense did. Big Ben did not allow it either, the defense did. Want something real to blamn? Then blamn the greed of the players as well.

What do I mean by that, blamn them for needing more money then they can ever spend and forcing the team to allow solid players like Bryant Mcfadden to be let go due to the salary cap crunch. Blamn them for William Gay laying an egg all season long. I can assure you if Tomlin had his way McFadden would still be on the team and our secondary would be much better for it. When you constantly rely on 3rd or 5th rounders to start at cornerback because your paying backups more money then they are worth, then you can’t blamn the coach.

Also those who wish Bill Cohwer was back in the fold, you can blamn him just as much for leaving the team with little to no depth on the defensive side of the ball. Tomlin inherited this team and can not replenish the depth over night. The age of our defenders is too blamn as well. Maybe it is time to spend a couple of bucks in free agency on some young talent as well. I am not saying go for broke, that does not work, but keep the guys you have unless you know you have a solid player to replace them with. I am sure a better DB could have been found via free agency then William Gay as well.

With that said I regress and will list the things I feel are the real cause of the state of the Steelers. Some will agree and some will call me crazy but thats what makes blogging so much fun.

1. Age of the Defense: As much as I love the Steelers and guys like James Farrior, Deshea Townsand, Casey Hampton and others, their age is catching up to them. The result is the fourth quarter let downs as they are tired and worn down by then.

2. Football is a game of inches and the Steelers seem to be one to many inches behind on some plays. The are not getting the luck or bounch of the ball their way. A few examples are Ryan Mundy getting beat for the game winning touchdown. He was just inches from blocking the pass. Joe Bennett dropping the interception that could have ended the drive. Just inches away. Missed sacks as Gradkowski got away one too many times. there is a fine line between winning and losing and this season the Steelers have not got the same breaks they got last year. They have been just inches away from them.

3. Injuries: Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Chris K, etc… The Steelers do not have the depth to overcome some of their best players being hurt. Just like verse the ravens with Dennis Dixon being inches away from the win, he made some mistakes Big Ben may not have made. The loss of Polamalu is huge as well. The entire defensive scheme is wateredown with him out. He is the only playmaker who creates turnovers and that hurts a ton when he is out of the game.

4. Bruce Arians: As much as he and Ben get along it won’t be easy to replace him. Ben’s 100 million dollar contract gives him some pull I am sure. Though keeping Arians is a mistake. He is too simple of a play caller and has zero creativity. Every run he calls the entire world screams run and I am sure the defense does too. His passes are the same routes over and over. The same formations, nothing changes week to week. He is also too aggressive sometimes calling bombs when he only needs 5 yards to move the chains, etc…

I will use two plays as examples of the faults of BA. Against the Chiefs in OT on 3rd and 5 BA calls a toss run play to Mewelde Moore. It gets stuffed for a loss. I understand Batch was hurt and at the time the fans did not know this, but Willie Parker should get the outside, speed type runs, not Moore. Why not if you know batch is hurt and can’t throw, why not put in Dixon, let him run the toss? I garuntee he had a better chance of getting it then Moore. That theme can be talked about all day so lets move on.

The next play I will use as an example of Arian’s stupidity is in the Ravens game, again 3rd and 5 on the 50 yard line in OT. You have a 3rd string QB in the game who has next to no game experience. You know the Ravens are running zone to confuse him and you call a slant? The worst possible play verse a zone defense. On top of that your QB has 4.5 speed and already had a 24 yard touchdown run and a 31 yard scamper called back on a hold and the best play you can come up with is a slant?

Why not call a bootleg, roll him out with Heath Miller and Hines Ward out front. (I have seen such plays ran by Big Ben so don’t tell me they don’t have it in the playbook.) Give Dixon the option to pass or run. Use his strengths not set him up for failure with a play call a vetern would have trouble running. I could go on all day but you guys are smart and get the point.

5. Hunger: I don’t care who you are you are not as hungery after a big meal as you are first thing in the morning and the Steelers need to win is not as much as it was before winning the Super Bowl. This leads to players taking plays off and not having a sense of urgency in games. Thus leading to fourth quarter meltdowns.

Ok enough of listing the problems, lets move on to how to fix the problems. Be warned though, I do not feel these problems can or will be fixed overnight. So going into panic mode will not help nor is it gonna get the Steelers into the play offs. Below is my list of fixes so to say and almost everyone will have to wait until the off season.

1. Eveluate the entire team and decide who needs benched. Start with William Gay. It worked with Mendenhall and will show the team nobody is untouchable and everyone is accountable. If your not producing then you don’t play. That simple. Give the young guys a head start on next season and who knows maybe one will suprise, step up and make that play we have been missing late in games. Let Joe Bennett start at CB oppisite of Ike Taylor. He can’t do any worse then Gay has. He showed great instincts in the few plays he did get on the field after Gay got hurt. Maybe a few young guys is what the defense needs to create a spark.

2. Fire Bruce Arians. Then find a solid OC that is both creative and fits the Steelers talents. Bring back Gailey or Malurky if thats what it takes. This will have to wait until the off season but it is something that MUST be done if the Steelers are to return to form next season.

3. Smack Big Ben around until he learns to throw the ball away or check down to the safety valve. I love Ben and feel he is one of the best in the league so a few treaks in his game can only make him better. Too many times have I noticed a HB wide open that could have gained yards when Ben decides to throw it long and it does not connect. I love Bens killer instinct but checking down now and then will lead to more substained drives and keep the defense off the field and rested for when we really need them late in the game.

4. It is time to draft a true number 1 cornerback. The Steelers made the move to get Troy Polamalu and they need to do it again to get a real shutdown CB, one that can create turnovers. They could of had D. Revis with a trade or two a few years back and it is time to do what it takes in the next draft to get our own Revis. My number one priority in the draft is cornerback. Depending on 5th rounders does not cut it any more.

5. Find James Farriors future replacement in this years draft. They missed their chance last year when they passed on Rey Maualuga for Ziggy Hood, a mistake in my opinion as I am still not sold on Hood. I am Farriors biggest fan, I love the guy but he only has a year or two left and already is showing signs he can no longer cover TE’s  and HB’s in the passing game.

6. Fire the offensive line and special teams coaches. We have some solid talent on the OL but too many times they have been confused with who to block and that goes back to coaching more then lack of talent. Same goes with special teams. Where is the wedge? Where is the creativity?

7. Sign Ryan Clark and Casey Hampton. I love Hoke but he is no Hampton, if you can’t sign Big Snack then franchise him and trade his ass for a solid draft pick. No use letting his talents get away for free. After you handle those two, hand Jeff Reed his walking papers. He is a decent FG kicker but his kick offs are way too short and he is a pussy when it comes to making tackles. If you keep him then let the punter kick off. He would get better distance and not be afraid to get dirty making a tackle.

8. John Stallworth is now part owner of the team so use his talents to help Limas Sweed get to were his talents should be. Sweed has too much talent to allow it to be wasted. Find a way to get him were he needs to be. I love Holmes and Wallace, but we need another big redzone target and Ward will not play forever. So instead of just cutting your loses and wasting another much needed draft pick on yet another big WR that don’t make the cut, do what is needed to get Sweed on the field and making plays next year.

Well thats all I can think of right now guys. I hope you enjoyed this post and will take the time to post your comments. Tell us what you think the Steelers need to do to get back on track. Tell us we are a bunch of idiots, its ok we can take it. Tell us anything you wish but don’t give up hope. The season is not over yet and anything is possible. The road won’t be easy but it is not completly blocked. Thanks again for reading this guys.

Injuries catch up to Steelers in loss to the Ravens

Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Chris Kemoeatu, four starters out. Not to mention Charlie “Ouch” Batch injured again. What does that leave? Third String quarterback Dennis Dixon leading the charge and a few other backups doing what they can to help versus one of the leagues best defense’s.

Granted the team played well, but moral victories do not get you into the play-offs. They only create controversy, such as Hines Ward questioning Big Ben’s manhood. Not cool by the way.

Dixon played well the first half of the game, he did everything that was asked of him and did not make any key mistakes. The problem was his inexperience in the second half was not hidden by Bruce Arians play calling. The calls in OT were not ones to help Dixon succeed. They were ones that set him up for failure.

What I mean by that is Dixon had trouble reading zones, thats to be expected in your first NFL start, but Arians did not call plays to offset those issues or use Dixon’s strengths to the teams advantage. In the first half wide reciever screens, worked well. So did play action. The second half, specially in OT we saw neither. Even on 3rd and shorts. Why not is the question? Also why not more bootlegs, roll him out with the option to run?

Bruce Arians just does not get it. His play calling is not helping the team, nor will it ever. He called the same exact run 15-20 times. I mean Ward spent so much time in motion just to tip off the Ravens that it was a run, then he did running pass routes. No wonder he looked pissed late in the game. When you take away Wards smile, you take away victories as well.

The defense played great for most of the game, but James Farrior, as good as he is, hurt them when covering the HB in the passing game. Maybe it is time to let Lawrence Timmons handle that aspect. He is younger and faster. Let Farrior do what he does best, stop the run and clog up run lanes. Willie Gay did not help much either. Nor did Ike Taylor’s penalties.

I realize the draft is a long ways away but it is time to start scouting cornerbacks, safeties and a future replacement for Farrior at MLB. Not to mention decide weither to sign Casey Hampton and Ryan Clark. I say sign them both, the team has too many other needs to add those to the list. Maybe it is time to add some talent via free agency as well. I am not saying break the bank, but a decent body or two would offset what you can’t get in the draft.

With the loss many fans have already jumped the gun and are in panic mode but remember 2005 and have faith is my motto. It is never too late to put together a great late season run that sets you up for a play-off run. The time to start is now though, a loss to the Raiders next week and the season is over.

I predict the Steelers turn it around though. Both Ben and Troy should return next week, that will help a ton.  A late season run is on the horizon and the Steelers should be able to run the table and get into the play-offs as the 5 seed, maybe 4, if the Bungals faulter. They have the Chargers and Vikings still.

I also see potential in Dennis Dixon, maybe not as a Steeler but he will start for someone down the road. If he can continue to grow he will make some nice trade bait near the end of his contract. Why not franny tag Willie Parkers and trade him as well? I don’t care if you only get a 4th rounder out of him. It is better then getting nothing.

The season is not over. Sure the road ahead is not an easy one, but also not one we have not traveled before. Here we go Pittsburgh. Get r’ done.

Dennis Dixon could start when Steelers face the Ravens

Ok after taking the week off while being too upset at the Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs to write about the game it is time to put that one behind us and get ready for the Ratbirds. The problem is that loss to the Chiefs is still lingering as news out of Pittsburgh is that Ben Roethlisberger, who suffered a concussion in the loss, won’t be playing this week. Add that to the loss of Charlie Batch with a broken wrist and the Steelers are down to third string quarterback Dennis Dixon.

Before we panic here in Steelers country though lets take a deep breath and remember that Dixon was a great college QB. He was on track to be the Heismen Trophy winner, leading his team to the national title and being a sure fire first round draft pick before blowing out his knee and finishing out the remainder of his collgate career on the bench.

Fast forward to week 12 of the 2009 NFL season and Dixon is now the man, the leader of the Steelers offense. With the news that Big Ben is a scratch, Dixon must now step in and help the Steelers get their season back on track. As coach Mike Tomlin would say, there are no back up players on the Steelers roster, only starters in waiting. To that comment I agree 100%. Dennis Dixon is not a back up, he is awaiting his chance to play. That chance is now and win or lose his being the starter is no excuss.

The Steelers will need some help from the defense and special teams though. This is Dixon’s first NFL start and he is playing one of the best defense’s in the league and the Baltimore Ravens will be looking to give him an education in blitzing. Dixon will see a ton of looks from the Ratbirs and they will try to confuse him. So the rest of the team will need to step up their game so he does not need to win the game on his own, just not lose it.

The running backs will need to follow Cedric Benson’s example and gain a 100+ yards. The wide recievers will need to get open quick, the game plan will need to be one that plays to Dixons strengths and the defense will need to keep the score low and the Steelers out front on the score board.

If the rest of the team plays their part then Dixon can concentrate on being a QB and allowing his instincts to lead his way. He won’t need to feel the entire game is on his back. The positive though, is the Ratbirds have been practicing for Roethlisberger all week, not the dynamic of a true running QB that Dixon adds to the mix.

The ideal game plan would be to run until the HB’s can’t run no more and limit Dixons pass attempt as much as possible. The reality is the Ratbirds are a great run stopping team and the Steelers usually do not run well against them. So Dixon will need to hit the pass attemps he is given and not make any mistakes to help his team win. Some quick hitting passes and rolling Dixon out could go a long way to slowing down the ravens pass rush as well.

In the end, win or lose though we must not blamn Dixon. He is a young QB who will get his feet wet versus one of the best defense’s in the league. The fact he is a very talented young QB ready to show everyone in the NFL what he can do will also be helpful. Dennis Dixon will need some help though and if the rest of the team plays well and the plays that Bruce Arians calls are in his favor, I fully expect him to play well.

Pittsburgh Steelers path to the AFCN title

It has already begun. The naysayers are all over the Pittsburgh Steelers calling it the end of times, while the cinderella hoppers are predicting the Cincinati Bengals to soon rule the world. One sweep in 10 years and the Bengals are now the team to beat in the AFC. The problem is, they are the Bengals and there is still a bunch of football left to play.

Granted the Bengals are a much improved team and they have swept both the Ratbirds and Steelers in the same season for the first time in team history. They are playing lights out on the defensive side of the ball and very safe when on offense. Change the uni’s and you have the Pittsburgh Steelers. So good for the Bengals and Oucho Stinko, but before we hand them the Lombardi Trophy, they need to prove they can do it when it really counts. In the play-offs!

So with what essentially is a two game lead on the Steelers and only seven games left to play the questions has to be, can the Bengals continue what they started or will the Steelers chase them down for the division crown? To answer that question we will need to analyze the remaining schedule for both teams and find out who has the clearest path to the AFCN title.

Bengals 7-2

Remaining Scedule:

@ Oakland – W

Up next for Cincinnati is a trip to Oakland to face the down trodden Raiders and unless Oakland brings the same passion as they did verse the Eagles earlier in the season this game should be an easy win for the Bengals, even if Cedric Benson is sidelined after being injured in Pittsburgh.

vs. Cleveland – W

Though Cleveland played the Bengals very close earlier in the season they won’t be as competitive this time around. The Browns are in meltdown mode and that won’t change when they see the Bengals in two weeks.

vs. Detriot – W

This game could be a trap for the Bengals. After back to back wins that thier practice squad could have handled they will face yet another team they should beat easily. The problem is the Lions won’t go down without a fight. This game will be closer then many think but in the end the Bengals should win it.

@ Minnesota – L

This is the game that will be the tell tale of the Bengals season. If they can win it, then the division is theirs, if not then they will allow the Steelers to sneak back into the race. Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson verse a stout Bengals defense should be an interesting match up. The problem is the real Bengals will show their ugly face in this one and sell out thier cinderalle status. I look for the Vikings to walk away with an easy win here.

@ San Diego – L

Phillip Rivers verse Carson Palmer, most seasons this game would be an offensive showdown between two of the leagues best gunslingers. The problem is the Bengals will be shell shocked from the loss to the Vikings the week before and will try to let Cedric Benson carry them to victory. That strategy will back fire and they won’t be able to score enough points to keep up with the Chargers as they trade field goals for tuchdowns and lose by 10 or more.

vs. Kansas City – W

Back in the comfort of the jungel the Bengals will face the Chiefs in a must win game if they wish to win the division title. No pressure here, this game is as straight as it gets and their will be no excuss if they blow it, which they wont. Look for the Bengals to win big as the Chiefs have thoughts of the off season in mind.

@ New York Jets – L

Will the real Ravens defense please stand up? Yes, but they are now in New York. The Jets will be chasing a wild card and will need to win this game to get into the play offs. This game may even be called the battle of USC as Palmer faces fellow alumni Matt Sanchez, but the outcome will be determined by the defense and not the one in the stripped uni’s. Look for the Jets to win on a late field goal and make it into the play offs.

Bengals final record 11-5

 

Steelers 6-3

Remaining Scedule:

@ Kansas City – W

The Chiefs record does not show it but they are a better team then many give them credit for. The problem is they will be facing a pissed off Pittsburgh Steelers team that knows they beat themselves the week before. Ben Roethlisberger is not known for back to back bad games and this one will be one of his best on the season. Three to four touchdowns passes on the day won’t be out of the question as the Steelers win this one with ease.

@ Ravens – W

Could this be the revenge game Baltimore is seeking? The Steelers beat them three times last season, including the one that killed their Super Bowl hopes. So the Ratbirds will play with passion as not only will they want some redemption, they will need to win to have a chance to get into the play offs. So much for high hopes and emotion though as the Steelers will find a way to win late and once again prove they are the bullies of the north.

vs. Raiders – W

So easy, like stealing candy from a baby. Thats what most fans will be thinking when this game rolls around. One problem, an even worse version of this team beat the Steelers a few years back for the upset of the season. So nothing is garunteed or should be taken for granted. Another problem, it will be too easy as history won’t repeat itself and the Steelers will dominate on every front while winning this game big.

@ Cleveland – W

The Brownies are the leagues worst team and lack everything it takes to be a quality one. They have no offense, no defense and no respect for their coach. Worst of all, they may have already gave up on the season as the players just look to get it over with. Though the Stains played it close the last time around, that won’t be the case in this one as Rashard Mendenhall will lead the Steelers to an easy win.

vs. Packers – L

I have a bad feeling about this game and it shows in my prediction for the outcome. This is one the Steelers should win but injuries could catch up to them as the Packers offense finds a way to pass on the Steelers and pull out an improbable win.

vs. Ravens – W

Here we go again, I can already hear it as Ray Lewis trys to fire up his team for one last chance at some respect when facing the Steelers. The problem is, the Steelers have lost all respect for this defense and Big Ben will light them up for a ton of yards and a couple TD’s as Pittsburgh sails to an easy win.

@ Miami

Whoot, some fun in the sun. The Steelers will be looking to get sun tans and wins all on the same day. Miami on the other hand will be planning a kitty cat sneak attack. One problem, Pittsburghs defense is too good to get beat by the Wildcat and Chad Henne is not ready to beat them on his own, nor does he have the weapons to help him do so. The Steelers will turn a slow start into a rush to a victory as Mendenhall and company win their final tune up for the play offs.

Steelers final record 12-4 and division champions once again.

So before the NFL media band wagon gets all of the Steelers fans down by talking up the Bengals, remember one thing, cinderalla can have all the attention but in the end, the big bad wolf will get his dinner. What I mean by that is not only will the Steelers win the division they will also be the team to smash the glass slipper as they get their revenge when it counts, in the play offs.

Question of the Week – Fire Arians?

In this edition of question of the week we will look at the Steelers offense and try to make an eductated decision on the future of Bruce Arians as the OC in the Burgh. Is he or is he not the right man for the job?

In our estimation here at Pittsburgh Blitz the Steelers are an offense who has yet to establish their true identity under Arians. They seem to want to be the Patriots and use all the weapons in the passing game but still be able to run the rock in the process. The problem is not in the passing game but when they do run it.

When Arians does call a run play it is predictable or not set up for success from the start. What I mean by that is the lack of blockers on the field, mainly the lack of a fullback leading the way. Several of the Steelers run plays also consist of one key aspect that tips off the defense before they even snap the ball. That aspect is Hines Ward going into motion. Specifically when his motion stops right next to the tight end and he sets up a yard back. When I see that, I scream “It’s a run” and I garuntee the defense does too. The problem is they use that play more often then not when running.

So is it Arians time to go? Is it time to put the FB back into the mix or is it time to add some new plays to the offense that don’t tip the defense off that it is a run before the Steelers even snap the ball?

I would love to hear what everyone else thinks so please leave a comment and tell us what is on your mind concerning the Pittsburgh Steelers and the offense.

Steelers – Bengals Preview

A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this season put the Cincinnati Bengals on the national radar as legitimate playoff contenders. Another victory over the defending Super Bowl champs will put them in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North for the first time in four years.

The Bengals look to sweep the regular-season series over the Steelers for the first time in more than a decade when they visit Heinz Field on Sunday.

Cincinnati has won six of seven, including a 23-20 upset of Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 on a touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds remaining. The Steelers haven’t lost since their visit to Cincinnati, and are tied with the Bengals for the division lead with 6-2 records.

While a Bengals win this weekend would give them a sweep of the season series for the first time since 1998, and put them in control of the North, Palmer tried to keep this matchup in perspective.

“It’s a game,” he said. “We’re not going to look too far ahead of who’s on the schedule, who’s left, worry about playoff implications, worry about home-field advantage. We don’t need to be thinking about any of those things. … They’re in a must-win situation. We feel we’re in a must-win situation.”

Pittsburgh has regrouped by winning five in a row since that loss – aided by the return of Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who missed the earlier matchup with the Bengals due to a knee injury. The Steelers are 4-0 this season with Polamalu, including a 28-10 win at Denver on Monday night in which he intercepted his third pass.

“To me he’s one of the best players in the game, and when you add that guy you’re only going to get better,” Palmer said.

Palmer and the Bengals are looking to improve to 5-0 against division rivals after beating Baltimore 17-7 last Sunday. Palmer threw for 224 yards and one touchdown while Cedric Benson recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 117 yards and a score on 21 carries.

The defense, meanwhile, gave up a season-low 215 yards total offense.

“Today was a statement game,” said receiver Chad Ochocinco, who caught five passes for 66 yards in his fourth straight game with at least five receptions. “I want every game to be a statement game.”

Benson is making a loud statement that he’s become one of the game’s top running backs. After rushing for 747 yards and two touchdowns last season, Benson is one of only two backs – along with Tennessee’s Chris Johnson – to average more than 100 yards per game in 2009. Benson has scored in each of the last four games, averaging 117.5 yards in that span.

“We used to be an air-it-out, explosive offense, and when you play in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore and Cincinnati, you get to those December games and you can’t throw the ball 40 times,” Palmer said. “You have to be able to run the ball. We are at a good point now.”

Pittsburgh is coming off a short week following the victory in Denver, where the Steelers scored the game’s final 21 points after trailing 10-7 in the third quarter. Ben Roethlisberger threw three TD passes, two of them to Hines Ward.

Strong defense made Roethlisberger’s heroics possible. The Steelers picked off Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton three times – two of the interceptions by safety Tyrone Carter.

“We have guys that are designed to be great,” coach Mike Tomlin said of his defensive unit, which has forced nine turnovers in three games since Polamalu’s return. “They play hard every time they come out, regardless of their opponent or story line if you will. Those guys are committed to being great every time they step in the stadium.”

The Steelers defense will be seeking redemption for its last performance against the Bengals. They failed to record a takeaway in that contest, and allowed 100 rushing yards for one of only two times this season.

Pittsburgh had won the previous five games in the series against Cincinnati, including a 27-10 home victory last season.

Steelers don’t appear interested in Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t saying if the team has any interest in Larry Johnson, the former Penn State running back who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Still, the Steelers’ answer appears to be the same as it was in 2003: Johnson isn’t in their plans.

Johnson, who has long wanted to play in Pittsburgh, was cut Monday after being suspended by Kansas City for the second time in a year. The Steelers have long stayed away from signing troubled players, and they appear to be set at running back with starter Rashard Mendenhall and backup Willie Parker.

“I don’t discuss free agents,” Tomlin said Tuesday, only a few hours after the Steelers returned from their 28-10 victory in Denver on Monday night. “That opens Pandora’s box.

“I tend to focus on the guys that are in our locker room.”

Tomlin made similar comments when quarterback Michael Vick was on the market last summer. The Steelers had no interest in Vick.

The Chiefs cut Johnson – who was 75 yards short of breaking the team rushing record – two weeks after he posted a gay slur on Twitter, insulted fans and questioned the competence of coach Todd Haley. Haley’s father, Dick, once was a Steelers executive.

Johnson was benched for three consecutive games last season for violating team rules and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him a fourth game for violating the league’s player-conduct policy.

Johnson believed he was going to be drafted by Pittsburgh in 2003, but the Steelers traded with Kansas City to move up in the first round and take safety Troy Polamalu. Kansas City chose Johnson with the pick that was to have been Pittsburgh’s, with the running back clearly upset he didn’t go to the Steelers.

Johnson was an all-state running back at State College (Pa.) High, which is located 225 kilometres from Pittsburgh. He stayed at home to play for Penn State, where he gained 2,087 yards in 2002.

Steelers back up Safety, Tyrone Carter, Joins Mile High Club

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

DENVER — Not much has come easy for the Steelers during their tour as reigning Super Bowl champions.

They nonetheless arrived at the midway point of the season with a five-game winning streak in tow.

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns and the Steelers’ defense scored more TDs than it gave up Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 76,108 at Invesco Field.

As a result, the Steelers won a regular-season game in Denver for the first time since 1990. Their resounding 28-10 victory also set up a showdown with the Bengals on Sunday at Heinz Field with sole possession of first place in the AFC North on the line.

The Steelers (6-2) got to this point in large part because the defense scored the first touchdown of the game and shut down the Broncos in the second half when the outcome still hung in the balance.

Free safety Tyrone Carter returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to get the Steelers on the scoreboard. Strong safety Troy Polamalu helped put the Broncos (6-2) away by intercepting Kyle Orton deep in Steelers’ territory in the fourth quarter.

That set up Roethlisberger’s 25-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Mike Wallace on a third-and-10 play with just over seven minutes left in the game. It allowed the Steelers to open up an 11-point lead.

That touchdown pass proved to be one of the biggest plays in the second half. The Steelers also got several big runs by Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for 130 of his game-high 155 yards after halftime.

“I think everybody helped contribute, it wasn’t just one guy” said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who caught a pair of touchdown passes. “Right now, we’re just playing with a lot of confidence.”

The Broncos outgained the Steelers by more than 100 yards in the first half. Denver, however, trailed at halftime because of Carter’s big play.

Down by four points at the start of the third quarter, the Broncos wasted little time in stopping a promising Steelers drive — and answering Carter’s big defensive play.

Kenny Peterson forced a fumble when he sacked Roethlisberger from the blind side. Robert Ayers scooped up the loose ball and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown.

The Broncos didn’t hold the lead for long, as Roethlisberger needed a little more than two minutes to drive the Steelers 80 yards for a touchdown.

The Steelers were driving for another score near the end of the quarter, but Andre Goodman intercepted Roethlisberger in the end zone.

It was Roethlisberger’s only incompletion in the third quarter.

The Broncos never seriously threatened following the turnover because of the stifling Steelers’ defense, which allowed only one first down in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a good win for us, but I’m not satisfied,” said Roethlisberger, who threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “I think, offensively, we’ve got a long way to go. We have to keep searching for the ceiling.”

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