Steel Curtain Rising

Keith Butler to the Colts?

2012-01-30T14:33:00.004-02:00

Steelers Linebackers coach Keith Butler is not a man driven by impulse. He passed on the chance at the defensive coordinator’s headset in Pittsburgh West. He also had a shot in 2009 to join Tony Soprano’s staff in Miami. Again he said no.

At the time the word was that Butler had been tapped as Dick LeBeau’s heir apparent, and seemed content to wait his turn in Pittsburgh. And Ed Bouchette reported in the Post-Gazette that Butler has a handsake agreement that he'll get the job when LeBeau retires.

Butler’s patience, however, may have worn out as reports indicate that he will follow Bruce Arians to join Chuck Pagano’s staff in Indianapolis. Butler confirmed that he will interview for the position, and makes no secret about his desire to coach as a defensive coordinator, however Bouchette reported that Bulter insisted that a move to the Colts is not a "done deal."

The move marks the second significant shift in Mike Tomlin’s coaching staff, following Arian’s departure and it is likely the their will be more turnover, as Randy Fitchner and Sean Kugler are the top candidates fill the offensive coordinator slot which of course means that Tomlin would need to fill their positions as well.

Rumors that Jim Cadwell, who coached with Tomlin in Tampa, might be taking the Steelers offensive coordinator job have turned out to be false, as it was announced that the Ravens had named Cadwell as their quaterbacks coach.

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Watch Tower: Conspiracy Theories on Hines Ward, Kordell Stewart, and Russ Grimm

2012-01-16T00:32:00.003-02:00

The Watch Tower was quiet during much of 2011. Rest assured lack of time and not lack of motive explains the absence. Unfortunately the long layoff means a lot will go uncovered, but those are the breaks. The media has given us plenty to chew over, and the Watch Tower first shines its light on the Hines Ward situation.

Having It Out for Hines?

Steelers Nation knew the day would at some point, and the juncture was reached in 2011 when Hines Ward lost his starting job. It was a sobering moment to be sure, but one that came with a captivating back story.

Writing on PG Plus, Ed Bouchette was the first to note Ward's demotion, commenting on Ward’s lack of play at Cincinnati, and discounting Mike Tomlin’s denial that Ward had dropped on the depth chart, reminding readers that Tomlin had spun the same line about Randel El a year earlier.

A few days later, Bouchette wrote an impassioned post on PG Plus strongly criticizing the Steelers coaches for not having the decency to inform Ward of his benching prior to the fact. Bouchette continued the full court press with the Ward story throughout the season, although he did appear to shift his tone when it suited him, observing on November 16th that:

It's not wrong that he lost his starting status or has been dropped to No. 4 or even No. 5 on the depth chart. But someone owed him at least a heads-up that it was going to happen and maybe even an explanation as to why. [Emphasis added.]

The “Dean” of the Steelers press corps is pretty consistent here. However, writing on December 21st, Bouchette, discussing Ward’s quest to get break the 1,000 catch mark, flatly changed his tone charging “They're not even giving him the chance.” It would appear that Bouchette, it was in fact wrong that Ward was now the 4th or 5th wide receiver.

It only took Bouchette another sentence, however, to drop a bigger bomb shell when he asserted:

It seems to me, someone has it out for him.

Going from not giving a player his due to actively trying to keep him from breaking milestones is a huge leap, and one which Bouchette made without offering any type of reporting or indirect reporting to support such a bold assertion.

The season’s final two games made it quite clear in fact, that the Steelers were going to try to do everything to give Hines Ward is 1000 catches, in fact if memory serve, Mike Tomlin even went into the finale having informed the TV broadcast team that this was his intention.

Bouchette’s bravado looked quite foolish, at this point.

Dale Lolley to the Rescue

However, in his post season write up, veteran Washington Observer scribe Dale Lolley scooped the competition with this:

There are some on the coaching staff who don't want Ward back. In fact, one member of the staff didn't want him back in 2010.

Lolley then went on to explain that management put its foot down and insisted that Ward be welcomed back, and predicted (as did Bouchette) that they will do so again in 2012.

This is a tremendous piece of reporting by Lolley (why he put this in his blog and not his paper is mind boggleing). If Lolley’s right, and there is every reason to suspect he is, someone on the Steelers coaching staff really does not like Hines Ward, because Number 86 caught 95 catches in 2009.

The said coach is also more than a little stupid, because Ward followed that up with 59 catch effort in 2010, scored a key touchdown in the playoffs vs. the Ravens, and would have been the Super Bowl MVP had the Steelers defeated the Packers.

Dale Lolley of course didn’t divulge who that coach is – he couldn’t lest he lose every friend he has in the locker room, but in responding to a reader’s comments he did offer that:

As for the coach who wanted to cut him, let's just say it was somebody who had some say in those things, but not the final say.

If nothing else, Lolley is, most likely, telling his readers that Mike Tomlin is not the one who has it out with Ward. That would leave the other offensive coaches. It wasn’t Scotty Montgomery, who joined the staff as wide out’s coach in the spring of 2010 ,and likely would have no standing to make such a bold claim.

Randy Fichtner is also an unlikely candidate, if for no other reason than one of the enduring images from the horrid loss at Cleveland in 2009 was Fichtner comforting Ward on the sidelines. So I guess that leaves us with Bruce Arians, although that’s only a guess….

Bouchette Beats a Dead Slash

During the 2011 off season season the Watch Tower took exception with Ed Boucette’s insistence that Bill Cowher showed too little patience with Kordell Stewart (click here to read.)

Bouchette, apparently couldn’t let it go. But while the first case was a clash of opinions, Bouchette followed up with some statements that were flat out wrong.

Comparing Kordell Stewart to Tim Tebow, Bouchette offered this:

He [Kordell] would start the next five seasons at quarterback, off and on, even though Cowher and his offensive coordinators did everything they could to find someone else, such as that big walruss Kent Graham, a Kevin Gilbride favorite. [Emphasis added.]

Just how does Bouchette conclude that Cowher and his coaches “did everything they could to find someone else…?” Reality fails that statement. After his awful 1998 season, the Steelers, with Cowher’s assent, gave Kordell a new, lucrative long-term, contract.

In the 1999 draft the Steelers made attempt to move up to take one of the five quarterbacks taken before their first round pick. Kordell’s 1999 season was worse than his 1998 season, yet the Steelers passed on the chance to take Chad Pennington during the 2000 NFL draft.

And after a strong, but not spectacular 2000 season, the Steelers again opted to allow Drew Breees and Quincy Carter to remain on the board, taking Casey Hampton and Kendrell Bell instead during the 2001 NFL draft.

Ed Bouchette is entitled to his opinions about how the Steelers coaches mishandeled Kordell Stewart – he’s right to a certain extent and he's got plenty of facts on his side – but he’s not entitled to ignore basic facts that happen to be inconvenient to his argument.

Did the Steelers Snub Russ Grimm?

Now that the Watch Tower has thrown Bouchette under a bus over Kordell Stewart, let’s give the man credit for some truly excellent reporting.

As most Steelers fans know, there was initially some confusion over who would succeed Bill Cowher, with conflicting reports that the job had been offered to Russ Grimm and Mike Tomlin.

Art Rooney II explained afterwards that he had gotten as far as discussing prelimary contract numbers with Grimm, but insists that no offer had been extended.

And that’s where the story stood for four years.

Russ Grimm was portrayed in the press as disappointed at not getting the job, but said all of the right things leading up to the Steelers game vs. Arizona in 2007 and again repeated all of the right things before Super Bowl XLIII.

However, prior to this year’s Cardinals game, Bouchette added something that was potentially explosive to the mix:

He [Russ Grimm] believes he was told by Art Rooney that the job was his after Bill Cowher quit. He even had a part to celebrate. Later, he was told that it wasn't a done deal and then that Mike Tomlin was hired. Bitter doesn't describe it. He is the Cardinals line coach and assistant head coach, just as he was in Pittsburgh.

Still pretty innocuous stuff, although the news of Grimm having held a party and his bitterness (in contrast to public statements) are new news.

Later on, responding to a fan’s question, Bouchette dived deeper:

Grimm believed all along the job was his because, in my opinion, they led him to believe it. Now it comes down to specifics. Those close to Grimm say Art Rooney told him "Congratulations, you are the new Steelers coach" and Grimm and his friends and family celebrated. However, the Rooneys insist that he was never told that and what he was told he misinterpreted.

The “’Congratulations’” quote amounts to an impressive, and unprecedented piece of reporting. Clearly it Bouchette’s sources are 3rd and 4th hand, but he takes the story farther than it’s ever been and in doing so he delivered the goods that make PG Plus worth the 17 Argentine pesos it costs monthly to subscribe.

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Mularkey the Latest Bill Cowher Disciple to Rebound

2012-01-14T23:11:00.003-02:00

Bill Cowher's coaching tree is neither as prosperous or successful as Bill Walsh's, but give them credit for one thing: It is resilient.

Dom Capers was Cowher's first assistant to break into the NFL's head coaching ranks when he left after the 1994 season to coach for the Carolina Panthers. Capers started with a bang in Charlotte, bringing the expansion Panthers to the NFC Championship in just his second season. But alas a back to back bad seasons in 1997 and 1998 fallout with Kerry Collins cost Capers his job in.

Capers, however got another shot with the Houston Texas when they joined the league in 2002 where Capers coached until 2005.

Chain Gailey was Jerry Jones surprise choice to lead the Dallas Cowboys after the Barry Switzer meltdown. Despite leading the Cowboys to two playoff seasons Jones unceremoniously gave Gailey the boot after the 1998 season.

Gailey bounced around at a couple of jobs, and was back in the NFL as the Buffalo Bills head coach in 2010 where he’ll get at least one more shot after 4-12 and 6-10 seasons.

Jim Haslett coached the New Orleans Saints from the 2000 to 2005 season, and found himself as the interm head coach of the St. Louis Rams 2 games into the 2008 season.

Mike Mularkey left Pittsburgh after 2003 to become the Buffalo Bills head coach. Mularkey exceeded expectations in his first year but resigned after a disappointing second season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars named Mularkey this week their head coach.

If nothing else, this proves that that coaching under Bill Cowher if nothing else seem to guarantee you two shots at a head coaching gig.

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Hines Ward Denies Retirement Rumors, Max Starks, Casey Hampton Tear ACL's, Brent Kiesel Also Might Need Surgery

2012-01-10T10:00:00.003-02:00

No one within the Steelers organization would ever say “yes” to this question in front of a camera or tape recorder, but “Did the Steelers get lucky by losing to Denver?”

That’s a germane question. At his post-season press conference yesterday Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Max Starks and Casey Hampton suffered ACL tears during the Broncos game while Brett Keisel suffered a very serious groin injury that may require surgery.

Losing both Hampton and Kesiel during the 4th quarter left the Steelers with three healthy defensive lineman in uniform. Al Woods was the only other defensive lineman on their active roster.

The “Standard May Be the Standard” but such a principle requires having available bodies to put it into practice.

Hines Ward Denies Retirement Rumors

Communicating through his Facebook page, Hines Ward flatly denied any rumors that he is preparing to retire. As reported by Behind the Steel Curtain Ward’s statement read like this:

I'm also getting lots of questions about retirement so let me set the record straight: I have no plans on retiring right now. I want to win another Superbowl. I don't know where the media is getting this info from but rest assured that when I decide to retire, you'll hear it from ME first. – HINES

For sentimental reasons Steel Curtain Rising certainly hopes that Ward finishes his career as a Steeler and not as an Arizona Cardinal.

There are mixed reports as to whether the decision will entirely be up to him. If Ward does want to return for another year in Pittsburgh, he will most certainly need to renegotiate down to the veteran minimum.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Broncos

2012-01-10T09:47:00.002-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who sees that their star pupil gave it all, but just couldn’t get it together when it counted, so goes the Steelers report card for their Wild Card loss to the Denver Broncos.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger stepped up and made some conragous plays during a game where the offensive line protection was shaky at best. He nonetheless threw a costly interception that fed the Broncos momentum when the Steelers could ill-afford it (and should have had at least one other pick.) He also got lucky with a blown call on a botched lateral. For some unknown reason, Roethlisberger’s timing with Mike Wallace has been off in the second part of the season, and that as much as anything else hurt. Grade: C

Running Back
Isaac Redman was a senseation. This man has a motor that simply does not quit, and he more than lived up to the standard set by Merril Hoge in this same city back in 1989. Redman had to carry the load all by himself, and he was more than up to the task, running for 121 yards on just 17 carries. Ball protection, however, is becoming an issue with Mr. Redzone. Grade: A

Wide Receivers
Emmanuel Sanders justified the coaches wisdom in making sure he was healthy for the playoffs. Antonio Brown likewise looked sharp in his catches. Heath Miller was Mr. Dependable as usual. Jerico Cocherty was great on the TD catch but dropped another ball. Mike Wallace was largely a non-factor, and failed to control the ball on what could have been a game-changing 50 yard completion. Hines Ward had a couple of drops and no catches in what might have been his final game. Grade: B-

Offensive Line
Another week, another injury to the offensive line. This time it was Max Starks who fell with Jonathan Scott stepping in to take his place. The line blocked well for Redman, but Ben Roethlisberger suffered repeated sacks when the team was trying to run its two minute drill at the end of both halves. And Doug Legursky’s errant snap was another costly, untimely mistake. This unit had its moments and weathered some adversity, but ultimately the Steelers needed more. Grade: C-

Defensive Line
The Steelers lost Casey Hampton and Brett Kiesel early in the game, leaving them with just three healthy lineman. Ziggy Hood, Steve McLendon and Cameron Heyward did an excellent job of containing the Denver running game, but contributed next to nothing in the pass rush. Given the set of cirumstances they were forced to work with, this unit did OK. Grade: B-

Linebackers
LaMarr Woodley was not a pass rushing force but came up with a key fumble recovery, and Lawrence Timmons was second on the time in tackles with one tackle for a loss. And the unit did well in containing the run. But James Harrison was not a factor in the pass rush, and seemed bewildered as to how to read Tebow’s options. James Farrior was not much of a factor. The bottom line is the Steelers needed much, much more from this unit, and that was not to be found. Grade: D.

Secondary
Let’s give them this, Ryan Clark was out, Keenan Lewis was playing on a bad hamstring, and Cortez Allen was out. Even if you take all of these mitigating factors into account, the until still had a nightmare performance unlike anything that has been seen in decades. Ike Taylor topped off his career year with the worst game of his career. William Gay did play well, but where were the safeties on the Tebow’s multiple 40 plus throws? Whether by coaching, cockiness or happenstance, the DB’s were attempting to be ball hawks when they should have been focusing on limiting yards after the catch. Grade: F

Special Teams
Shaun Sushiam was 3-3 including a 45 yarder that hooked at just the right moment. Justin Kapionos boomed off punts with authority and the Denver return units never made any noise. That said, hats off to Denver’s kickers, as Antonio Brown didn’t get a chance to attempt any returns. The Steelers had a lot of weaknesses on display in Denver, but specials teams was not one of them. Grade: B

Coaching
The logic behind Dick LeBeau and Mike Tomlin's decision to force Tebow to beat the Steelers throwing is understandable, but his failure to adjust as Tebow’s 40 yard plus throws is not. Where was the pass pressure? Why was Tebow able to consistently draw blood with his option plays? The Steelers wracked up 400 yards but only 23 points, under performing on the road yet again. Over all, the Steelers did not appear to be focused or well prepared, although their persistence in the face of injury was impressive. Grade: D

Unsung Hero
Had the Steelers won the game Ben Roethlisberger, Isaac Redman, or perhaps even Shaun Suisham would have gotten the game ball. But this young man led the Steelers receiving crops, and did it and impressive way, reminding everyone of why he, and not Antonio Brown was the player coaches were touting for greatness heading into 2011, and for that Emmanuel Sanders is Unsung Hero for the Steelers Wild Card game.

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Tebow Sears Steelers in OT, Broncos Win Wild Card 29-23

2012-01-09T19:37:00.004-02:00

In the run up to the Steelers Wild Card game vs. the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium, I invoked the ’89 Steelers, offering that with the odds against Pittsburgh getting to the Super Bowl, this was their chance to claim redemption for the ’89 playoff loss.

Unfortunately, it was underdog Tim Tebow who captured the mojo of the 1989 Steelers, as he and Demaryius Thomas sent the Steelers 2011 season to a crashing halt, and ending that was eerily similar to another Steelers team from that era.

By any measure, the Steelers loss to Denver counts as a tremendous upset and a huge let down, but in a sense loss served as a microcosm for the Steelers 2011 season.

Yes, We Have Seen This Movie Before

When the NFL’s number one pass defense limits the NFL’s worst passer to 10 lowly completions you’d generally concluded that things are playing out as they “should.”

The problem is that with those ten lowly pass Tim Tebow torched Ike Taylor and the Steelers secondary for 310 yards. During the entire season, which included games against the like of Tom Brady and Joe Flacco, the Steelers only gave up 2 completions for longer than 40 yards.

Tim Tebow more than surpassed that total in the second quarter alone.

For as shocking as that may be this kind of turnaround has its precedent in Steelers history. The 1990 Steelers finished number one in defense overall and number one vs. the pass. During the season they allowed a league-low nine touchdown passes.

The problem was that they gave up three of those in a final, must win game at the hands of Cody Carlson, a journeyman back up who was subbing for Warren Moon. (Carlson, in fact finished 22-29 on the night.)

Ending the Way We Started

The reasons for Carlson’s success are of course different from the reasons why Tebow was so successful.

Carlson faced a young defense, led by the likes of Lloyd, Lake and Woodson, who’d been carrying a slightly better than .500 team who simply got caught by the law of averages.

The reasons for the Steelers failure vs. Tebow are far more damming, unfortunately.

Mike Tomlin’s rational behind “the standard is the standard” is that the fact that someone is in the NFL to begin with means that they’re already in the top one half of the one percent of the world’s football playing population. Therefore, the expectation is that everyone in that talent pool is capable of winning football.

The Steelers have embraced that credo when it comes to their own personnel, but made the deadly sin of forgetting it when it comes to others. We perhaps saw glimpses of that vs. the Colts, Jaguars and Chiefs, but that reality was painfully obvious at Mile High.

The Steelers stacked the line and dared Tebow to throw on him and Tebow made him play. As my friend and colleague Neal Coolong of Behind the Steel Curtain writes:

Taylor's failures were not technique, they were with overconfidence. And frankly, every Steelers defender can be accused of that today. They didn't respect the Broncos offense, and were going for the interception on every pass.

I'm ok with it. Why? Because I was saying all week they can gamble and force turnovers. They gambled and they lost.

Before the game week Brett Keisel said that Dick LeBeau and company were not doing anything special to prepare for Tebow which I took to be pregame boiler plate misinformation. Its obvious now that Keisel was telling the truth.

In September an unprepared and overconfident Steelers team opened the season by traveling to Baltimore and got its asses handed to it. The sad fact is that the Steelers pass defense closed the season in the same fashion.

Overcoming Injuries

The Standard is the Standard. True enough. The Steelers failed to take advantage of the chances they had to win this game. But let’s also keep in mind that the Steelers opened the game without:

Rashard Mendenhall, their number one running back
Maukice Pouncey, their Pro Bowl Center
Ryan Clark, their leading tackler
Cortez Allen, a stand out rookie cornerback

Ben Roethlisberger played on an injured ankle, Keenan Lewis on a bum hamstring, and during the first quarter the Steelers lost Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel, and during the course of the game Max Starks would also fall injured.

LaMarr Woodley was playing, but did not seem to be himself and had to be spelled by Jason Worilds.

In the face of such adversity the Pittsburgh Steelers withstood a withering attack on their secondary, found themselves litteraly short of bodies on the defesnive line, yet fought back valiantly.

Isaac Redman played a phenomenal game, living every bit up the standard for Steelers running backs at Mile High that Merril Hoge set in 1989
Emmanuel Sanders also let it be known that Antonio Brown isn’t the team’s only up and coming stud receiver.
Ben Roethlisberger led three scoring drives, including one of his patented game-tying fourth quarter touchdown specials
Ryan Mundy, who must share of the blame for the secondary’s breakdown, forced the fumble that made the game tying touchdown possible.

While the 2011 Steelers had better luck than some other teams with injuries, all season long they’ve had to shift men in, out and around the line up. Rarely has a week gone by where the Steelers didn’t need to shift one offensive lineman out of one position and into another.

And so it was vs. the Broncos. No, the Steelers didn’t get the job done, but that in no way diminishes the valor of their efforts.

“Great teams don’t need to be great all of the time, just when they need to be.” – John Facenda, NFL Films commentary on Super Bowl XIV

The 1979 Los Angeles Rams gave the 1979 Steelers a very strong run for their money in Super Bowl XIV. But as John Facenda explained in leading up to John Stallworth’s go ahead 4th quarter touchdown catch, the Steelers made plays when it counted.

In a similar vein, the 2008 Super Bowl Champion Steelers played their very best football when it was all on the line time and time again during their season.

In contrast, their 2011 successors did just the opposite – they came up short at the wrong times, whether it was the final drive vs. Baltimore or keeping Roethlisberger in the game in San Francisco (and arguably vs. Cleveland) instead of making sure he was healthy to start the playoffs.

And so it was vs. the Broncos.

The Steelers succeeded in neutralizing Denver’s running attack but lost badly by gambling in the secondary. Offensively the Steelers had some great individual performances, but couldn’t quite get the job done.

The 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers had all of the elements of greatness at their disposal, but ultimately couldn’t put the pieces together when it mattered.

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Maurkice Pouncey Out, Kirby Wilson Injured in Fire

2012-01-06T23:44:00.003-02:00

Art Rooney II has got to be asking himself, “What next?”

With each passing day the news out of the South Side gets worse. First Ben Roethlisberger revealed that he suffered a set back vs. Cleveland. Then Maurkice Pouncey showed up on the injury report. Then word came that Pouncey was out for the playoff game vs. Denver.

Both those men are relatively lucky. The Post-Gazette reported that Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson was burned badly when his town home caught fire last night.

The burns are reported to be moderate to severe, but not life threatening. He is reportedly under the care of UMCP-Mercy Hospital.

Steelers Running Game Reeling

This is just the latest blow that the Steelers running game has suffered, dating back to training camp. First rookie Barron Batch, who’d been the star of camp, tore his ACL at St. Vincents.

For the first three quarters of the regular season the position remained stable for the Steelers. Then Jonathan Dwyer injured himself in the Cincinnati game went on injured reserve. Then Mewelde Moore sprained an MCL vs. San Francisco.

Rashard Mendenhall appeared to be coming on strong as the Steelers were entering the stretch run, only to tear his ACL in the season finale vs. Cleveland.

Now they must rely on Isaac Redman to lead them, and Redman must do it without guidance from Wilson, the man whom he credits from helping him grow from being a practice squad wonder to a legitimate NFL running back.

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Injuries Limit Roethlisberger, Pouncey

2012-01-06T09:22:00.002-02:00

“He has a high ankle sprain.”

Injury news of course gets much worse, but high ankle sprains appear almost to be a class into themselves. They’re not career threatening, nor (does it appear, yours truly has no medical expertise) does their long-term impact appear to be cumulative.

Nonetheless, high ankle sprains linger and linger.

As a fan it has always seemed that when a player suffers the dreaded “high ankle sprain” he’s effected by it for the rest of the year.

Fate would have it unfortunately that 2011 be the year that both Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey would offer “high ankle sprains.”

Both suffered them during the Thursday night game vs. Cleveland. Pouncey hasn’t played since, and after missing practice on Thursday might not play vs. Denver.

Ben Roethlisberger of course played in the next game vs. San Francisco, and in Steel Curtain Rising’s analysis, Roethlisberger had no business finishing that game after it became clear that injuries had drastically reduced his effectiveness.

At his weekly press conference Mike Tomlin said that Ben was fine, having suffered no further setbacks as a result of playing in the second victory vs. Cleveland.

Ben Roethlisberger told a different story, claiming that he had in fact hurt himself in the third quarter, and he missed practice on Wednesday but was back at it on Thursday.

Roethlisberger is some what of a drama queen when it comes to injuries, but Ed Bouchette noted on PG Plus that Roethlisberger looked hobbled in the locker room on Sunday after the game and he is expected to play.

The 2011 Steelers have over come a lot in terms of injuries, but suffice to say this is not the kind of news you want to read if your team’s about to play its first road playoff game in six years.

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Steelers to Put Mendenhall on Injured Reserve, Anthony Madison Returns

2012-01-03T00:24:00.002-02:00

Today’s news confirmed the worst for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Rashard Mendenhall, as Ed Bouchette reports on PG Plus, as are numerous other sources reporting, the Mendenhall did in fact tear his ACL.

That leaves the team with 3 running backs heading into the playoffs, in the form of Isaac Redman, John Clay, and Mewelde Moore.

Mendenhall is not the only injury the Steelers suffered in defeating the Browns. They lost cornerbacks Keenan Lewis to a hamstring injury and Cortez Allen to a separated shoulder injury. While neither injury is expected to be season-ending, their availability for the playoff game in Denver has to be in doubt.

Factor in the fact that Ryan Clark will likely be unavailable to play, and the Steelers are mighty thin at defensive back for their first road playoff game since visiting Denver for the 2005 AFC Championship.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Browns at Cleveland Stadium

2012-01-02T23:30:00.003-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who just watched his star pupil do exactly what he needed to close out the semester, heading into final exams, so comes the Steelers report card for their victory over the Browns.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger looked shaky early, missing key targets on several occasions. Roethlisberger was under orders to avoid “John Wayne” like heroics, which he did. But on a day when wind gusts of up to 50 miles an hour made throwing the ball a challenge, Ben Roethlisberger delivered enough to convert 50% of his team’s third downs, and lead his team to the games only touchdown. Ben will need to improve in the playoffs, but he did a very good job vs. the Browns. Grade: B

Running Backs
Rashard Mendenhall had 38 yards on 8 carries and looked to be in route to another great game when he was felled by a season-ending ACL tear. Isaac Redman stepped in and did a masterful job, barreling his way to just under 100 yards, although his two fumbles could have put the team in behind had the defense not been so stout. John Clay ran well on his 6 carries which is a welcome sign given the injury to Mendenhall. Grade: B

Wide Receivers
There looked to be some miscues between Ben and his receivers, but the bottom line is that his unit did enough to make plays. One week after questioning whether Antonio Brown deserved the MVP award, Brown showed his value by making highlight-reel worthy catches which have become a staple of his game. Hines Ward got five catches bringing him to 1000 yards receiving, a tremendous accomplishment that sets him in elite company. Grade: B

Offensive Line
Another week, another offensive line configuration for the Steelers. Maurkice Pouncey returned to action, helping anchor the line, and Trai Essex showed off why his versatility makes him such an asset to the team. Marcus Gilbert also returned to the starting line up, and the fact that he was in position to make a grab at the ball after Redman’s fumble is the mark of impressive hustle. Ben Roethlsiberger was only sacked 2 and the running backs averaged 4.5 yards a carry. The line was doing a lot right. Grade: B+

Defensive Line
The record will reflect that Peyton Hillis did get some long runs to make up his 30 yards. However, more often than not, there was no where to run. The Steelers defensive line did an outstanding job of collapsing the pocket and containing Hillis. Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel both had batted down passes and Keisel forced a fumble. Casey Hampton had one tackle for a loss. Grade: B+

Linebackers
James Harrison failed to register a sack, but there were plenty of times that Seneca Wallace had to have felt his footsteps. James Farrior provided solid coverage in the middle and Jason Worilds, well, he didn’t make any critical mistakes. But Lawrence Timmons was all over the field, making tackles, defensing passes, tackling men in the backfiled and sacking the quarterback. The linebackers put in a solid effort, but they did let Seneca Wallace get away from them one too many times, something which they cannot allow Tim Tebow to do. Grade: B-

Secondary
This unit has turned itself around in a way that nobody had a right to predict. The Steelers defensive backs are playing crisp football with confidence. There was simply no way that Seneca Wallace was going to beat them. Every one of the starters made plays, whether it was Ryan Clark getting a sack, Ike Taylor and William Gay batting down balls, or Tory Polamalu knocking away balls, tackling guys in the backfield, or picking off Seneca Wallace. Grade: A

Special Teams
Shaun Suisham missed a long field goal that got caught in the wind, but he made good on his two other attempts. Antonio Brown provided solid, if not spectacular kick returns. Justin Kapinos boomed off four excellent punts. The real story of this game is the coverage units. Joshua Cribbs is a return man capable of hurting you badly, as Steelers fans know all too well. Yet Cribbs was a non-factor in a game where one big return could have been a huge difference maker. Grade: B+

Coaching
Mike Tomlin made the right move in starting Ben Roethlisberger. If Ben’s shakiness early in the game is any indicator, he needed to get his rhythm back and it was far better for him to do that vs. Cleveland than in the first quarter of a playoff game in Denver. Bruce Arians still needs to figure out a way to have his units do better in the Red Zone, but beyond that he devised a game plan to exploit Cleveland’s weaknesses. Dick LeBeau’s troops likewise made their coach look proud. Grade: B+

Unsung Hero
Two weeks ago he turned in a performance which led to legitimate questions about whether the Steelers had erred in resigning him before the season’s start. Vs. the Browns he was a force, getting an early sack, knocking away several balls, and making a key tackle on the final drive that kept his man in bounds with the clock ticking away. It was those kinds of little, but important plays that allowed the Steelers to leave Cleveland victoriously and for that reason Lawrence Timmons is the Unsung Hero for the game.

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Steelers Show Strong vs. Browns, Despite 13-9 Score

2012-01-02T16:50:00.003-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a weak road team in 2011. Going into the final game, Steel Curtain Rising suggested that contest at Cleveland Stadium would serve as a dress rehearsal for what would likely be a series of tests on the road to a shot at Lombardi Number 7.

In effect, the question was “Is it time to count style points?”

Well, the opponent was the 4-11 Browns, and the outcome was 13-9 with the losing team having at shot at an upset in the game final moments. How do you evaluate the Steelers performance in this dress rehearsal? Given that Baltimore took care of business in Cincinnati, is the glass proverbial half full or half empty?

For Steel Curtain Rising, the glass is half full, the reasons for which we explain below.

Steelers vs. the Browns, Football As It Should Be

Credit, (once again) Tim Gleason of Behind the Steel Curtain. In his capacity as Steeler historian, the author of From Black to Gold has done his part to educate the younger members of Steelers Nation on the nature of the Steelers Browns rivalry.

Gleason’s contention is, that for all of its greatness, the Steelers-Ravens rivalry is more about the two biggest dogs on the block fighting for the same bone. I am not sure if I agree completely with Gleason on this front. I have likewise found it difficult to raise my anti-Cleveland ire ever since Art Modell ripped the heart out of his community by moving his team to Baltimore in 1995.
But Gleason was certainly right on one thing, the Browns take this rivalry seriously, and they proved it on the field.

The game at Cleveland Stadium had everything you could want in a classic AFC North match up. Hard hits, players leaving with injuries, timely turnovers, fierce bone-chilling winds, and to top it all off, snow. These Browns had nothing to play for, but neither team left anything on the field.

A 13-9 win over a 4-12 might not seem to be the ideal dress rehearsal for a Lombardi run, until you consider the context laid out above.

Over Coming Adversity

Ben Roethlisberger was played hurt. LaMarr Woodley was out and in the course of the game the Steelers lost Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen, and worse yet, Rashard Mendenhall.

That’s a lot to overcome, but the Steelers did want they needed to do to win the game and, if you look beyond the scoreboard, they did it in impressive fashion:

A week after gouging the Ravens for 112, Peyton Hillis was ineffective vs. the Steelers defense gaining only 30 yards
Isaac Redman fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, but Cleveland got zero points off of it
Losing the turnover battle (again) the Steelers won the turnover war by converting Polamalu’s pick into gold in the form of the game’s only touchdown
Ben Roethlisberger looked shaky for much of the first half, but was sharp enough to drive the team 70 yards to get Pittsburgh on the board

Meanwhile, on a day when the wind made airing the ball out dicely proposition, the Steelers running backs put up 161 yards rushing, and Ben Roethlisberger managed to connect with nine different receivers.

Strong Secondary

One of the many amazing stories of the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers is the turnaround of its secondary.

The defensive backs ended 2009 as a shell-shocked unit who had let two games bounce off of their hands. Led by the return of Troy Polamalu, the unit bounced back in 2010, but ultimately Aaron Rogers exposed weaknesses that were so great, that they became to be seen as lethal liabilities during the 2011 off season.

The Steelers, it seemed, had doomed themselves by not trading up to get a top defensive back in the draft, instead "settling" for Cameron Heyward.

No, the Steelers didn’t get a top corner in the draft, but the did something which might have had more impact – they brought back Carnell Lake to coach their secondary.

13 months ago as the Steelers departed the field in Arlington, Texas, William Gay was considered to be a back up nickel back at best and Keenan Lewis a failed project. Under Carnell Lake's guidance, both men have grown into being confident, compotent members of the NFL's number 1 pass defense.

Seneca Wallace had to throw in the same wind as Ben Roethlisberger. Wallace isn’t the quarterback that Roethlisberger is, but also wasn’t hurt. Wallace did however, have the misfortune to throw against the Steelers secondary.

The Steelers defense was all over the Browns receivers, knocking away balls, taking away easy check down routes, and throttling guys after the catch.

Troy Polamalu made the defining play of the game with his interception in the third quarter.

The Steelers had just tied the game, after consuming much of the clock, and Polamalu’s pick snuffed out Cleveland’s chance to match Pittsburgh blow for blow.

After that it only took Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, and ultimately Isaac Redman to find the end zone.

The Steeler did leave plenty to find fault with in the Browns game – they lost the turnover battle and struggled to score in the Red Zone.

But even if we accept that from Polamalu’s interception onwards, one thing was clear:

The Steelers were going to, and did make whatever plays were necessary to win.

That’s not a bad formula to take into the playoffs.

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Steelers Defeat Browns, Mendenhall Feared Lost

2012-01-02T02:12:00.005-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers closed out there 2011 regular season with a workman like 13-9victory over their historic rivals, the Cleveland Browns.

The victory, however, counts as bittersweet by any measure. The Cincinnati Bengals were unable to upset the Baltimore Ravens, meaning that the Ravens win the AFC North on the strength of tie breakers.

And, perhaps worse yet, the Steelers fear that Rashard Mendenhall has suffered a torn ACL, meaning his season will end.

The torn ACL suggestion was reported by ESPN at 10:23 Eastern Time. The Tribune Review did not report the ACL tear, in a report filed by Scott Brown at 8:23 Eastern time, but they did confirm that the Steelers fear Mendenhall is lost for the post-season.

Check back tomorrow for a Steel Curtain Rising's full-game analysis.

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Antonio Brown Wins Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 MVP Award

2011-12-31T15:14:00.003-02:00

In what amounts to a minor shock, the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers have elected Antonio Brown as its 2011 MVP. Brown won the award despite not starting until mid-November, and not even leading the team in key receiving categories.

Brown, however, is reputed to be one of the hardest working members on the team, and has shown himself to be an incredible talent during the course of 2011. Brown is learning how to get himself open on key downs, moves well after the catch, and has some of the best hands this team has ever seen.

So congratulations to Antonio Brown.

With that said however, it is hard to argue that Brown really deserved the award, although perhaps its easy to understand how it came to him.

The 2011 Steelers are a team in flux. Veterans like Aaron Smith, Chris Hoke, Bryant McFadden, and yes, Hines Ward, are waning, and younger players are coming to the forefront.

2010 Steelers MVP Troy Polamalu has had a fabulous year, but has played much of the year at the line of scrimmage, and hasn’t had the interceptions of a year ago.
Mike Wallace started the year off gang busters, but saw his production dip on the second half.
Both James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley have raised hell in opponents back fields, but both men have missed large portions of the season to injury.

The only player that really stands out is Ben Roethlisberger, whose play has been consistent throughout the year, and has shown incredible toughness in playing with injuries that would fell a lesser soul. Roethlisberger won the Steelers MVP award in 2009, and in Steel Curtain Rising's view, deserved it this year.

My guess is that the voting was spilt pretty evenly, with Brown having the fortue to come out on top.

Marcus Gilbert, James Farrior Also Honored

Second round pick Marcus Gilbert, who stepped in to start after Willie Colon’s season ended because of an injury suffered in the Debacle at Baltimore, won the 2011 Rookie of the Year Award. (Now, someone tell me, when did they stop calling it the PNC Bank Joe Greene Rookie of the Year Award? Dropping the corporate sponsorship is one thing, but Joe Greene is Joe Greene).

While Gilbert is not the only rookie to contribute – Cameron Heyward has played well as well as Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown, but Gilbert has been the most consistent.

The Pittsburgh press Corps also named James Farrior as the 2011 “Chief Award” winner, given to the member of the Steelers locker room who is most cooperative with the media.

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Steelers Current Plight No Justification for Changing NFL Playoff Format

2011-12-31T15:05:00.004-02:00

The conversation took place on New Years Eve 1997. Ironically, it was in Cincinnati, in Clifton, on a balcony overlooking towards the city’s downtown area. The participants were myself and a good friend named Greg, and two innocent bystanders, Dave and Melanie who had zero interest in the topic at hand.

The topic was the NFL playoffs. The 1997 the Pittsburgh Steelers had secured the second seed and a first round bye in the playoffs.

The Denver Broncos had also secured a playoff berth, but as a Wild Card, by virtue of twin losses to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Steelers were 11-5, the Broncos 12-5. My friend Greg, a Columbus native was a football fan without strong rooting loyalty. I can’t pretend to remember his exact words, but they went something like this:

I am not sure who I am going to back this year. I mean, I like the Steelers, I like Kordell Stewart, I love Bill Cowher, but I can’t shake the fact that they’ve got a first round bye that they don’t deserve.

My retort was, of course they deserve it – they’re division champions. Greg fired back, calling into question the NFL’s playoff format, going so far as to say that if the Steelers were to win the Super Bowl that year, their victory would be tainted, because they got an unjust advantage over a team with a better record.

So the argument ensued, with my friend Greg even accusing me of, what in Spanish we would say is “Double Discourso” which is to say, hypocrisy as he insisted, “Come on, you know that if the situation was reverse, and the Steelers were a wild card with a better record than a division champion, you’d be agreeing with me.”

No, I wouldn’t, I stood firm.

Well, 1997 was a long time ago (makes one feel less old to throw out the year than to calculate the number of years).

And, barring a major upset in the Queen City, the Steelers will find themselves in the very same place – having to go on the road against a division winner who has a worse record than they do.

Divisonal Play Should Mean Something

While this fact is unfortunate, especially given the Steelers tremendous difficulties on the road, I nonetheless stand pat behind the NFL’s current playoff format.

My argument then and now is simply this: If you’re going to have divisional play, division titles should mean something. In addition to fostering natural rivalries and helping the league forge an indentity, divisional play provides an excellent crucible for classifying teams.

A home playoff game is a big deal not only to the team in question, but to the community. This is particularly true for small and mid-sized markets, where a home playoff game can mean millions of more dollars for local merchants, restaurants, and hotels.

In a competitive sense, home field does provide an advantage, but not an overwhelming advantage. As there are times when a team struggles at one point during the season, gets its act together enough to qualify for a Wild Card and makes a successful run as the ’05 Steelers, ’10 Packers and ’97 Broncos did.

The two top dogs in the AFC North are the Steelers and the Ravens. Both teams are similar, both in terms of talent, style and, this year, on the field performance. Both the Steelers and the Ravens have been strong home teams, but weak road teams.

It is fitting then than the right to host a home playoff game will fall to the team that performs the best in its final game on the road.

Hopefully, although perhaps not likely, that will be the Steelers. If not, so be it, the Steelers had their shots at locking up the division without neededing help and they fell short. Everyone in the organization is well aware of that, and the NFL should not be asked to alter its playoff format as a consequence.

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Browns Game at Cleveland Stadium Gives Steelers Dress Rehearsal for Playoffs

2011-12-30T01:07:00.003-02:00

NFL Week 17 finds Steelers Nation not focusing on Cleveland Stadium, where the Black and Gold will conclude their season, but 250 miles or so down I-71 at Paul Brown Stadium.

The reason of course is that the Cincinnati Bengals need to win to qualify for the playoffs, and to do so they conveniently need to vanquish the Baltimore Ravens, who if they lose can cede the AFC North Division championship to the Steelers.

…If the Steelers win at Cleveland, of course.

Steel Curtain Rising is certainly not looking past the Browns, a team who just two years ago gave Pittsburgh the most bitter upset of the Mike Tomlin era on the shores of Lake Eire.

But the Steelers should beat the Browns and probably will. (And if they don’t, they richly deserve whatever early playoff exit awaits them.) Given that, how the Steelers win might be just as important.

Time to Count Style Points...?

“We don’t add style points.” Mike Tomlin’s right. All of the Steelers wins and losses hold equal value. For tie breaking purposes the Debacle in Baltimore might as well have been an overtime loss decided by a safety scored with one second remaining.

True as that is, the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers have a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde quality to them. At home they’re legitimate Super Bowl contenders. On the road they’re more like a team lucky to be at .500.

The 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers at Home

Record: 7-1
Avg. Points Scored: 25
Avg. Points Allowed: 10
Turnovers: 8
Sacks: 28

The 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers on the Road

Record: 4-3
Avg. Points Scored: 15
Avg. Points Allowed: 20
Turovers: 18
Sacks: 5

Certainly, those road numbers are a little skewed by the opener vs. Baltimore which alone counts for 40% of the turnovers. But the Steelers wins vs. the Colts and Chiefs were far like escapes than “victories.” Even the win vs. Arizona got to be a lot closer than it should have been. The Steelers pass rush on the road is a mere shadow of its Heinz Field presence.

And even in the best-case scenario, at shot at Lombardi Number Seven is going to require the Steelers to win once on the road, and quite probably 3 games. And the quarterbacks in question won’t have last names like Painter and Plako, but rather names like Palmer, Flacco and Brady.

The Steelers are sixteen games into the 2011 NFL season and they still find themselves unable to play their best ball while on the road.

Coaches are fond of saying that a team starts a new season when the playoffs begin. For the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers to make good on that old coaching proverb, they must they must excel in the final road contest of their old one.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Rams

2011-12-29T09:32:00.004-02:00

My 8th Grade World Stuides teacher Mr. Baker used to have what he called “Gimmies” meaning, I give you the assignment, you do it, and you get an ‘A.’ More often than giving ‘A’s’ Mr. Baker gave us “This was a gimme, and you blew it” brow beatings. The Steelers game the Rams amounted to the NFL’s equivalent of a “Gimmie” and the Steelers took full advantage. Here goes the Steelers Report Card for their Christmas Eve shut out of the Rams; as always no other report cards have been consulted.

Quarterback
Charlie Batch got his first start in well over a year, and did respectably. He evaded pressure, directed three touchdown drives, and hit 7 receivers. His interception was not “his fault,” but then he also had a couple of other near interceptions. While Batch was certainly “above the line” the Steelers 1-7 third down conversion rate brings his grade down. Grade: B

Running Backs
Rashard Mendenhall had a career game. Even if you take out his 52 yard run he still had a respectable 3.7 yard per carry average, and he was fabulous on his 35 yard catch and run. Isaac Redman ran hard on his 8 carries, and John Clay hit pay dirt on his first NFL carry. Grade: A

Wide Receivers
Mike Wallace gave a plesant reminder of why he’s one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers. Hines Ward had four grabs as did Antiono Brown who also turned what looked to be a broken reverse/pass option play into a nice 8 yard run. Health Miller and David Johnson also got into the act. This group did well, but like Batch, they must bear some responsibility for the poor third down conversion rate. Grade: B

Offensive Line
Raise your hand if you held your breath when Doug Legursky got hurt. In spite of yet another line up change, the offensive line did well, with Jonathan Scott subbing for Marcus Gilbert, and Chris Kemoeatu returning to the starting line up without drawing attention to himself. Through it all, the pass protection remained solid and the run blocking crisp. Grade: A-

Defensive Line
Ziggy Hood had a nice stat sheet, but had difficulty in run support. Brett Kiesel had two defensed passes. Cameron Heyward got playing time on key downs. The unit did well, but their grade must nonetheless reflect Steve Jackson’s 100 yard rushing performance. Grade: B-

Linebackers
James Harrison was a beast, wreaking havoc in the backfield. Lawrence Timmons also made his presence known, while James Farrior and Larry Foote held up well on the inside. Jason Worilds, however was largely invisible during the game and his run support ability must improve. Still, Harrison and Timmons ability to make impact play save this unit from getting a minus attached to its letter. Grade: B

Secondary
St. Louis signal caller Kellen Clemens was 37.5% pass on the day. In addition to shutting down the Ram’s passing attack, Troy Polamalu, William Gay, registered tackles for losses, while also defending passes. Keenan Lewis also had a key pass defense. An excellent outing for the Steelers secondary. Grade: A

Special Teams
Shaun Suisham nailed a 49 yard field goal when the score was only 10-0, and did well on kickoffs. Justin Kapinos boomed the ball off for a 47 yard punting average, and Antonio Brown made good on his lone kick return by bringing the ball back 30 yards. The coverage units were solid. The Steelers didn’t need any fireworks from their special teams, but got quality play all around, including a fake punt which could have given St. Louis the momentum needed to make a game of it. Grade: B+

Coaching
This game went as scripted, and credit for that in large part goes to the coaches. The Steelers were playing without a number of key starters and injuries took their toll during the game, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the score board. St. Louis success at rushing the ball is the lone eye brow raiser here, but all in all Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff did a very good job. Grade: B+

Unsung Hero
Third round picks are supposed to develop into starters in today’s NFL. And the Steelers certainly had that in mind when they picked this young man. Unfortuantely, the said individual, despite multiple shots, has never been able to nail down a starting job. And maybe that’s for the best, because in his fighting to justify a roster spot year in and year out, this gentleman quietly enabled himself to bring another asset to the table – versatility.

Trai Essex will never be a stud offensive lineman in the NFL, but he’s grown into a player who can, has and does step into any of the five offensive line positions at a moment’s notice, and that versatility was on display yet again this past Sunday, and for that Trai Essex is the Unsung Hero for the Steelers victory over the St. Louis Rams.

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Reflections on the Steelers Win Over St. Louis

2011-12-27T22:16:00.002-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a checkered history playing on Christmas Eve.

In 1994, they lost a seemingly meaningless game to a San Diego Chargers team that would inflict one of the worst playoff losses in franchise history just a few weeks later.

In 1995 the Steelers, playing basically their second team, went toe-to-toe vs. the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau and came within a dropped pass of winning.

The Steelers took care of business against the Rams in fine fashion. Be very clear on one point – shutting out another NFL team is not to be taken lightly.

Yes, the Rams have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. But the Steelers did what they were supposed to – dominate the scoreboard.

This group of Pittsburgh Steelers certainly has a couple of games and, specifically one drive, that they would like to have back. They’ve won ugly at times. But they’ve avoided dropping a game to a manifestly inferior team, which is the mark of a winner.

Steve Jackson of course did gain 100 yards, and I’ll point you to Neal Coolong’s analysis of that breakdown over at Behind the Steel Curtain.

But if the lapse in the run defense is nothing to ignore, nor is it worth tying yourself up in knots over – Steve Jackson is a phenomenal rusher who has had the misfortune to be trapped on some mediocre teams.

With an eye towards the playoffs, several postives stood out:

James Harrison makes this defense so much better

Yours truly is of course not the first to say this (the forementioned Neal Coolong did just that), but there is no denying it. Harrison was a force as aways, despite getting held, and his presence as much as anything else contributed to forcing St. Louis to lay eggs in its Christmas stockings.

Mike Wallace got back to doing what he does.

Earlier in the week Ed Bouchette had chronicled on PG Plus how this season had broken down neatly in two halves for Wallace, one spectacular, the other pedestrian.

Wallace was back to spectacular Saturday vs. St. Louis. He only had 4 catches, but one of those was for 46 yards, and it iced the game.

Doing it against the Rams is one thing and doing it against New England, Oakland, and Baltimore in the post season is another. But if Sunday was a sign of the way Wallace is trending, then the Steelers can go places in the playoffs

Rashard Mendenhall ran like a stud.

When Mendenhall is hot, he’s among the top 6 or 7 rushers in the league. When he’s not its difficult to distinguish him from the rest.

Mendenhall simply tore it up on Sunday, both as a rusher and as a receiver, notching gains of both 35 and 52 yards. It was one of Mendenhall’s career performances, and if Mendenhall is similarly motivated in the playoffs, the Steelers will have a shot at the mountain top.

Charlie Batch played well

Charlie Batch did a lot of good things against St. Louis. His only interception was not his fault. He managed the game well, and took advantage of the weapons at his disposal. On the negative side, and perhaps this is why the coaches stubbornly kept Ben in vs. San Francisco, the Steelers were woeful on third down.

Welcome to the NFL, John Clay

Clay, according to Neal Coolong, looked bad in practice, but tearing 10 yards through the middle of the defense to score a touchdown on your first NFL touch is a good way tos start….

Alert - Lawrence Timmons sighting

Lawrence Timmons played well, at least in the pass pressure game, leading the team for in tackles, making two tackles for losses and registering a sack and two more QB hits. Timmons is most certainly one of the players the Steelers need to see more from in the playoffs, adding more zing to the bounce back.

Of course, unless the Steelers can learn to play better on the road, a lesson they must learn very quickly, few will remember any of the stats and trends to come out of the St. Louis game, but you can’t ask for much more than 27-0 victory on Christmas Eve performance.

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Steelers Shut Out Rams 27-0

2011-12-24T19:17:00.003-02:00

The Steelers closed out their home games with a resounding win over the St. Louis Rams. Like many, I had to watch the game while doing preparing for Christmas.

What else can we say, good game for the defnese, good game for Charlie Batch, good game for Mike Wallace, good game for Lawrence Timmons.

Steel Curtain Rising will be back in a few days with a complete analysis.

Until then, Merry Christmas everyone!

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Steelers Report Card vs. 49ers

2011-12-21T09:38:00.004-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher whose sorely disappointed that his star pupil squandered term paper that he needed to give him a much needed cushion heading into final exams, so goes the Steelers report card for going splat against the 49ers. As always, no other grades have been consulted.

Quarterback
What were Ben Roethlisberger’s final numbers? Who knows. They are unimportant. The important stat that sticks out is 4 turnovers and 3 sacks. Ben Roethlisberger was playing with an injury that left him unable to deliver the deep ball, unable to evade pressure, and inaccurate much of the rest of the time. Does he deserve credit for sucking it up under such trying circumstances? Yes, and that’s what prevents his grade from being an out right failure. Grade: D

Running Backs
Rashard Mendenhall only ran for 64 yards, but he did that in just 15 carries against the NFL’s number one rushing defense. Its not his fault that the team chose to run merely 18 times on the night when their quarterback was hurting. Issac Redman seems to have played better than ESPN’s statistics note, but number don’t like. Mewelde Moore had a nice 21 yard run before he got hurt. Grade: B

Wide Receivers
Health Miller was the best player in this unit, although he should have caught the ball that ended up being Ben’s second pick – yes the ball was high. Jericho Cotchery did well late in the game. Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown also played well on a difficult night. Still, if the Steelers got good play out of their receivers, they needed exceptional play. Grade: B-

Offensive Line
The offensive line missed Maurkice Pouncey out there, but nonetheless played well. They did get called for several penalties in the second half, but those were largely academic. The unit actually gave Ben Roethlisberger decent time to throw, but Roethlisberger was unable to take advantage. Likewise, Mendenhall had room to run, but line wasn’t controlling the line of scrimmage with the kind of conviction that was necessary to control this kind of game. Grade: C+

Defensive Line
The San Francisco’s rushers didn’t dominate, but did do enough to keep drives moving. The defensive line did seem to get some pressure on Alex Smith early on, but that pressure was neither consistent nor effective down the stretch. Still, this unit gets credit for forcing two field goals early in the game. Grade: B-

Linebackers
Lawrence Timmons got burned repeatedly and looked nothing like the dominating player he appeared to be growing into during the first half of 2010. LaMarr Woodley was not effective. Jason Worilds was a non-factor. James Farrior got beaten badly when the Steelers could least afford it. The Steelers had no sacks and one QB knock down against a quarterback that will let you beat him if you apply enough pressure. Grade: D+

Secondary
The effort of the secondary was inconsistent. Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark made key tackle after key tackle, and the Steelers kept San Francisco to 4-13 on third down conversions. Still, things could have been better had Alex Smith not missed some wide open receivers. All in all, however, the secondary’s performance was above the line. Grade: B

Special Teams
Keenan Lewis forced what should have been a potentially game changing fumble. Lawrence Timmons got called on a penalty that ultimately made the score 20-3 instead of 16 to 3. Suisham was 1-1 on long kicks – about the best you can expect. Antonio Brown made a few mistakes but put in a solid game. Special teams could have given the Steelers a spark, but it is hard to find fault with their performance. Grade: B-

Coaching
Mike Tomlin coached the worst game of his professional life. Starting Ben Roethlisberger was a good move, keeping him in the game cost the Steelers a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs. Keeping him in the game was inexcusable. With Bruce Arians you have a mixed bag – throwing 44 times against the NFL’s number 1 defense is understandable, throwing 44 times with a wounded quarterback is not. Grade: F

Unsung Hero
To paraphrase Gerry Dulac’s words, there were lots of chances for someone from the Steelers defense to be a hero against the 49ers, yet that hero never materialized.

Nonetheless, on a night when the offense was struggling as bad as it has in recent memory, the defense kept the Steelers in the game deep into the fourth quarter. Absent “splash” plays, that only happens if guys are making quick, smart plays on a down-by-down basis. One man did that through the whole game, registering two tackles for losses and defensing two passes. For his consistent, productive play, Ryan Clark is Steel Curtain Rising's unsung hero of the 49ers game.

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Steelers Go SPLAT in San Francisco, Squander Opportunity

2011-12-20T15:24:00.002-02:00

As coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin has steadfastly deflected credit for his player’s accomplishments. “Coaches simply put players in position to make plays” is one variation of Tomlin’s oft repeated mantra.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a golden opportunity to leap ahead of Baltimore and New England by beating the San Francisco 49ers.

Taking advantage of that opportunity involved many factors, but none bigger than the decision to play Ben Roethlisberger or not.

Tomlin mishandled that decision.

“Mishandled,” is generous, Mike Tomlin perhaps made his worst decision in almost 5 years as the Steelers head coach.

Meet Ben Roethlisberger, The Mortal

Ben Roethlisberger is the toughest quarterback in the NFL. Ben’s toughness is both physical and mental. Ben’s ability to excel in the face of injury is legendary, from the Jacksonville game in 2008 all the way to his performance on Thursday night two weeks ago, is legendary.

Ben Roethlisberger is one of the great gamers in league history. And if the medical staff cleared him to play, and if the coaches thought he’d shown enough in practice, then Mike Tomlin made the right decision in start him.

It is one thing decide start a wounded quarterback, it is another thing to stubbornly stick to that decision.

And in Yoda speak, stubborn stick Mike Tomlin did.

Yes, the Steelers moved the ball well against the 49ers. But the Ben Roethlisberger interceptions killed the first two drives, which offered promise. That alone should have jolted Tomlin towards considering a switch.

The end of the first half should have clarified the need to switch. Down only by 6, the Steelers had a chance to get on the board.

But Ben Roethlisberger was too injured to run the hurry up offense.

During the second half there were numerous times when Ben attempted to evade passers in the way that only he can do, and nearly all of those times he either took a sack, threw the ball away, or couldn’t deliver it to his receivers.

The Steelers have one of the deepest quarterbacking bull pens in the NFL. (No, they do not have the Joe Montana-Steve Young tag team that the 49ers had in the late ‘80’s, but then again, who does?)

But Charlie Batch is 4-2 as a starter and Dennis Dixon is 2-1 as a starter. Why not play one?

If Charlie Batch shouldn’t have started the second half for the Steelers (and he should have) then he certainly should have gone in the game as soon as the 49ers went up 13 to 3 late in the third quarter, making the game a two-score contest.

The Steelers needed to get on the board twice. Shaun Suisham is a crap shoot, and Roethlisberger wasn’t leading any quick strike offense. Yet, Tomlin stuck with Roethlisberger.

Almost on queue, the next series played out like this:

Ben Roethlisberger took the Steelers from their 20 to the San Fran 30, where they ran once for no gain, threw two incompletion, and Suisham missed a 48 yarder
The defense, responded, forcing a 49ers 3 and out

By this point the 4th quarter had begun with Roethlisberger still under center.

After moving the Steelers from the 8 to the 28, Ben Roethlisberger suffered a strip-sack.

That gave the ball to San Fran at the 17 and 6 plays and, get this -- a leaping penalty on Lawrence Timmons – later, they went up 20-3.

Scoring 17 points in 9 minutes in the 4th quarter on the road in the NFL is difficult but possible. But it is pure fantasy when your quarterback can’t throw beyond 15 yards and takes 30 seconds to get down field after a gain of more than 10 yards.

Yet Tomlin refused to put in Charlie Batch, which only served to subject Ben Roethlisberger to even more punishment.

A Word About the Steelers Defense

The Steelers defense has played better. Lawrence Timmons confirmed himself as 2011’s tremendous disappointment. LaMarr Woodley was inconsistent and ineffective. The Steelers needed something special from its defense, and did not get it from Troy Polamalu or any of the emerging players in the secondary.

But the defense only allowed 20 points against a San Francisco offense that benefited from 4 turnovers and started drives at its 27, 38, 47 and 47 yard lines in addition to starting two others at Pittsburgh’s 45 and 17 yard lines.

A “splash” play or two from Pittsburgh’s defense could have been a difference maker, and none was forthcoming. Considering the load they were asked to carry, coming down too hard on the defense is unfair.

Just Down or Down and Out?

The Steelers squandered a tremendous opportunity against San Francisco. Players take their cue from their leaders, and Ben’s slow, wounded and ineffective performance set the tone for the rest of the troops.

The 49ers game had a make or break feel to it.

The question now is this loss devastating enough to take the wind out of the Steelers sails?

The answer lies with Mike Tomlin. His stubborn refusal to switch quarterbacks cost his team a chance to dramatically alter the AFC playoff calculus in their favor.

With Pittsburgh back to facing Wild Card status, Tomlin’s challenge is to find a way to coax road wins out of a team that plays far better at home.

In meeting that challenge Mike Tomlin must prove to be more flexibile than he was Monday night vs. the 49ers.

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Tomlin Chokes on Roethlisberger Decision, Steelers Lose to 49ers

2011-12-20T03:34:00.007-02:00

It's 3:00 am here in Buenos Aires. Thank God for the use or lose vacation day I am taking on Tuesday. We'll have more in the morning here is my quick take, and it ain't pretty:

Steel Curtain Rising is a Mike Tomlin fan. Steel Curtain Rising is on record saying it is tantamount to a crime that he's never gotten serious consideration for NFL coach of the year. Beyond that, Steel Curtain Rising:

Likes Mike Tomlin’s refusal to coach scared
Admires Tomlin's aggressiveness
Defends his audacity, be it the decision to go for 2 in '07 or the on-sides kick vs. Green Bay in '09

But Mike Tomlin perhaps saw his worst night of coaching vs. the San Francisco 49ers. Ben Roethlisberger wanted to play, and Tomlin wanted to play him. That's easy to understand. Tomlin decided to give it a shot. No argument here. When things got rough, Mike Tomlin refused to give into knee-jerk reactions. All well and good.

If one concedes that Ben showed enough to be given a chance to make a go of it, one can also argue about when Ben Roethlisberger should have been taken out.

But there is no disputing "IF" Ben Roethlisberger should have been taken out.

The Steelers have invested heavily, if in terms of decision making if not acutal money and salary cap space, in quarterbacking bull pen. Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon are there for a reason.

In fact, Charlie Batch is 4-2 in relief of Ben, having won against some long odds.

By the middle of the third quarter the game was still quite winnable for Pittsburgh, it was clear that Ben Roethlisberger did not give them their best chance to win.

As the second half wore on the need for a miracle became more and more apparent, and it was more and more apparent that Ben was not going to deliver that miracle. Worse yet, with no need to fear the run the 49ers brought a heavy pass rush, and Ben absorbed more and more punishment -- how his ankle cannot be worse after tonight is beyond me.

Mike Tomlin is an excellent coach who inspires his men, commands their respects, and knows how to win football games.

But on this night Tomlin had a key decision to make, and he made the wrong decision.

Standing behind your man is one thing, being constant as the North Star is another, and Mike Tomlin's obstinacy very well may have cost the Steelers the AFC North.

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Steelers at Make Or Break vs. 49er's?

2011-12-19T22:58:00.003-02:00

If you haven't read Neal Coolong's article on Behind the Steel Curtain the Steeler-49er's match up yet, go do so now.

His point is that the Ravens loss to the Chargers means nothing if the Steelers do not win.

He's right. Now is the time when the true contenders seperate themselves from the Pack.

While it might be going out on a limb to say that tonights game is make or break for the Steelers, the blunt truth of the matter winning this game, and taking care of business in the next to weeks, makes it infintely more plausable that the Steelers can successfully trek the road that ends in Lombardi Number Seven.

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Steelers Make Playoffs, Shot at AFC North Championship Open...

2011-12-19T09:15:00.004-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers qualified for the NFL's 2011 playoffs by virtue of the Tennessee Titans loss to the Colts. But that was not the only early Christmas present that the Steelers got.

The San Diego Chargers defeat of the Baltimore Ravens gives the Steelers a shot at the AFC North Championship.

While that is a welcome development, it also sharpens Mike Tomlin's dilemma -- Does he start Ben Roethlisberger and give his team a better shot at beating the San Francisco 49ers, or does he rest Roethlisberger to ensure that he's at full health for the playoffs?

During game days, Mike Tomlin rarely coaches scared, and he is already on record as saying that the Steelers are optimistic that Roethlisberger will play.

Regardless, the Steelers have their work cut out for them as the rejuvenated San Francisco 49ers are playing at home with their own fish to fry -- a shot at a first round bye in the NFC playoffs.

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers History

2011-12-17T21:22:00.006-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers represented the Gold Standard for excellence in the 1970’s and the 49ers dominated the 1980’s. Time of course robbed history for a definitive match up between Titans of separate decades.

Nonetheless, the two franchises have played some memorable games, which we recount here. Click on the links below to relive a specific game, or simply scroll down to read them all.

1984, Chuck Noll & Mark Malone vs. Bill Walsh & Joe Montana I
1987, Chuck Noll & Mark Malone vs. Bill Walsh & Joe Montana II
1990, Rod Woodson vs. Jerry Rice I/YES, Kickoffs ARE Live Balls, Mr. Foster
1993, Rod Woodson vs. Jerry Rice II
1996, You Can’t Spot the 49ers 16 Points
1999, The Solar Flare, Before a TOTAL Eclipse
2003, Tommy Gun Misfires
2007, Make that 3-0 for Mike Tomlin...

Chuck Noll & Mark Malone vs. Bill Walsh & Joe Montana I"
Steelers 20, 49ers 17; October 14, 1984, Candlestick Park

Is there a more celebrated Steelers victory of the 1980’s? Who can say, but no matter what, this game nearly tops the list. The year was 1984, and the 49ers were steamrolling the league. In fact, were it not for one game, the 49ers would have been perfect.

This would be the first time that the duo of Chuck Noll and Mark Malone would square off against Bill Walsh and Joe Montana, and this game shows you why we play games instead of leaving the contest to Madden-like computer simulations. The Steelers matched San Fran with tough defense with smart ball control to keep the 49ers off balance the entire day, and in the process added the lone blemish to the 49ers would-be perfect season.

For more on this game see One Sunday in October and #12 in the Steelers Greatest Non-Super Bowl Wins in History on Behind the Steel Curtain. Also see the Steel Curtain Rising's Chuck Noll vs. Bill Walsh series.

Chuck Noll & Mark Malone vs. Bill Walsh & Joe Montana II
Steelers 30, 49ers 17; September 13th, 1987, Three Rivers Stadium

Joe Montana finished the 1987 season with a 102.1 passer rating. Mark Malone finished the 1987 season with a 46.6 passer rating. And although Montana did outplay Malone on this fateful day, it wasn’t enough.

Rookie cornerback Delton Hall, linebacker Mike Merriweather, and veteran cornerback Dwayne Woodruff all picked off Montana’s passes. Delton Hall, who won the Steelers rookie of the year award only to fade, opened the game with a 50 yard fumble return to put the Steelers up by 7. Mark Malone only completed 9 of 33 passes, but one of those was for a touchdown to tight end Preston Gothard (who?). Ernest Jackson, Walter Abercrombie, Frank Pollard, Harry Newsome teamed to rush for 184 yards and a rookie named Merril Hoge caught his first NFL pass for 27 yards.

With this win, Chuck Noll passed his mentor (and Walsh's mentor) Paul Brown on the NFL's all time win list

Rod Woodson vs. Jerry Rice I/YES, Kickoffs ARE Live Balls, Mr. Foster
49ers 27, Steelers 7; October 21st, 1990, Candlestick Park

The 49ers entered the game at 6-0 looking every bit the team en route to a 3 peat, while Pittsburgh entered with a 3-3 record, looking every bit like the team suffering from a hangover following the Steelers storybook 1989 season.

Joe Montana was on fire that year, but the Steelers came with a secret weapon – the NFL’s number one defense that had only given up 3 touchdown passes in 6 games. The Steelers felt they could win this game, if only they could avoid mistakes….

…And mistakes the Steelers made. Although Rod Woodson and Thomas Everett intercepted Montana twice, Joe Walton’s offense failed to capitalize. Barry Foster ‘forgot’ that uncaught kickoffs are live balls, setting up an easy San Fran TD, and a Charles Haley strip sack of Bubby Brister set up another. A 49er’s interception would stop any chance of a Pittsburgh comeback.

In their first face off, Rod Woodson held Jerry Rice to 3 catches for just 31 yards.

Rod Woodson vs. Jerry Rice II
49ers 24, Pittsburgh 13; September 5th, 1993, Three Rivers Stadium

After taking the league by storm in 1992, the NFL scheduled what was to be one of their marquee match ups of opening day by pitting the Steelers vs. the 49ers on opening day at Three Rivers Stadium. With Neil O’Donnell on the sidelines with tendonitis during the first half the 49ers built up a 17-3 lead.

Neil O’Donnell came off the bench to get Pittsburgh back in the game narrowing the score to 17-13, before Steve Young connected with Brent Jones for a touchdown, making the Steelers regret that Chuck Noll cut tight end whose sin was to be a better pass catcher than run blocker.

In his second match up with Rice, Rod Woodson held him to just 78 yards, but 2 of Rice's 8 catches were for touchdowns…

You Can’t Spot the 49ers 16 Points (and Expect to Win)
49ers 25, Steelers 15; December 15th, 1996, Three Rivers Stadium

It was a tricky time for the Steelers. Already with 10 wins and the division title in the bag, a first round playoff bye remained in their grasp…

…But Mike Tomzack was faltering as the team’s starter, and injuries had ravaged the team all season. The Steelers gave up a quick touchdown, and then a safety to spot the 49ers 9 points. If memory serves, another turnover set up the 49ers next score, putting the Steelers in the hole 16-0.

The Steelers rebounded scoring 15 with touchdowns from Jerome Bettis and Kordell Stewart. But it was not enough as the 49ers also scored a Terrell Owens touchdown and kicked a field goal.

In their final match up, Rod Woodson again held Jerry Rice under 100 yards, although Rice did score a touchdown with one of his 8 catches.

Solar Flare, Before a Total Eclipse
Steelers 27, 49ers 6; November 7, 1999, Candlestick Park

After watching the 49ers both beat them 3 straight times and beat them to one for the thumb this was supposed to be the one that Steelers fans had been waiting for. And on paper it was. The Steelers jumped to a 17-3 first half lead on the strength of Jerome Bettis and Hines Ward touchdowns and a field goal. The Steelers dominated the score board winning the game 27-3.

After a 2-3 start, the Steelers had now won 3 straight to improve to 5-3. All looked well but… the 49ers Charlie Garner rushed for 166 yards. The following week Kordell Stewart’s fumbled snap led to the upset at the hands of the expansion Browns.

The ensuring quarterback controversy would dominate the news, but the failing defense, as Joel Steed’s knees gave way, was one of the under reported stories of the Steelers 1999 meltdown.

Tommy Gun Misfires
49ers 30, Steelers 27; November 17, 2003, Candlestick Park

Tommy Maddox had been the 2003 version of Tebowmania having gone from out of football, to the XFL, to resurrecting the Steelers 2002 season. Alas, 2003 was not as kind to Maddox, as the Steelers pass defense struggled, injuries decimated the offensive line, and Cover 2 defenses frustrated Maddox. The ’03 Steelers had gone 2-1 before losing five straight. By the time they were 2-6 they mounted the “win a game, lose a game” see-saw.

Unfortunately, the Steelers trip to San Francisco came on the downside of that see-saw. San Francisco opened a 14-0 lead at the end of the first half, and the Steelers feigned making go at it by scoring the first touchdown in the second half, but the 49ers would score 20 unanswered points until Tommy Maddox hooked up with Randel El for a final, face saving touchdown.

Make that 3-0 for Mike Tomlin...
Steelers 37, 49ers 15; September 23, 2007, Heinz Field

Just two weeks earlier Steelers Nation had no idea about what to make of Mike Tomlin, the man who leapfrogged Russ Grimm to succeed Bill Cowher. By the time the 49ers arrived at Heinz Field, Tomlin was already 2 and 0 and notched his third win at San Francisco’s expense.

What stands out when looking at the stat sheet is that role players made all of the splash plays for the Steelers that day. Allen Rosseum got his 15 minutes of fame as a Steeler with a 98 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Jerame Tuman caught the only touchdown pass, and Najeh Davenport ran for 39 yard touchdown, while Bryant McFadden had a 50 yard pick six.

On defense the story was a little different, as then starter Bryant McFadden had a 50 yard pick six and veteran James Farrior and rookie LaMarr Woodley both sacked Alex Smith.

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Roger Goodell Suspends James Harrison

2011-12-14T01:38:00.007-02:00

"Justice is blind."

It is a principle that has guided western jurisprudence for millennia. “All men are bad judges in their own cases” wrote James Madison in Federalist Number 10. Madison was right of course. When deciding between what is just and what is unjust it is near impossible to divorce oneself from self-interest.

So we insulate judges from the political process. We try people with anonymous juries. Parties are represented in courts by professional advocates with a limited personal stake in the outcome. The system of blind justice, while imperfect, has served western civilization well.

Unfortunately, Roger Goodell's suspension of James Harrison confirms that blind justice exists not in the NFL.

Over the last several years evidence has mounted on the disastrous, long-term impact that concussions and repeated head trauma can have an NFL player. The NFL took note, encouraged players to keep a watchful eye on their teammates, put posters up in locker rooms, and prohibited players from returning to games after suffering concussions.

But on the field things continued as normal. That is, until October 6, 2010. The big news that weekend was not the return of Ben Roethlisberger, but two hits by James Harrison.

Those hits led NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to implement an arbitrary policy aimed at cracking down on hard hits, particularly hits to the head.

And he made James Harrison his whipping boy, fining him a record $125,000 dollars. The record reflects that the first several fines that James Harrison drew did not even warrant flags on the field.

Harrison did himself no favors, admitting that while he never sought to injure a fellow player, he did seek to inflict pain. There’s a fine line between the two, particularly when you’re talking about 250-300 pound men running at each other at full speed.

Whether Harrison knew it or not he was throwing the gauntlet down to the NFL, and Roger Goodell and his lackey Ray Anderson were only too happy to pick it up. The James Harrison fine fest began.

The Steelers stood by James Harrison. Art Rooney II was clear that he had no problem with protecting against helmet-to-helmet hits: Rooney's quibble was with the way the league was changing the rules in mid-season.

Rooney was right of course. He also might have added that Goodell’s enforcement of his 2010 seat-of-the-pants helmet-to-helmet hit policy was arbitrary. Referees started throwing flags for love taps on quarterbacks, at the request of the Tom Brady and Peyton Mannings of the league and, on the flip side, fines started being awarded for plays that no one even thought warranted a flag.

Clarified Rules, Fuzzy Enforcement

The NFL did clarify his rules and procedures aimed at of minimizing head trauma. This is completely the right thing to do, as head trauma could do to the NFL what an incoherent Muhammad Ali did for pro boxing.

Nonetheless, enforcement has been spotty.

In 2011 the NFL has issued ticky tacky fines, reasonable and justified ones, but turned a blind eye to other helmet-to-helmet hits, such as the one James Harrison suffered in Houston. (Interestingly enough, no You Tube video of that hit seems to be available – could it be that the NFL PR people don’t want people to know that all helmet-to-helmet hits are equal, but some helmet-to-helmet hits are more equal...?)

Precedent Breaking Suspension

James Harrison, for all his bravado, has altered his style of play this season, and going into the Browns game he had not been flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

In suspending Harrison, the NFL cited his past history dating back to 2009, and clarified that players had been informed they were not entering 2011 with a clean slate.

Yet, as Neal Coolong of Behind the Steel Curtain documented, several other players with a past history have been guilty of far more blatant violations of the helmet-to-helmet hits. Worse yet, players like Richard Seymour continue to punch people out post whistle hits, and continue to draw smaller fines than ones levied for actions taken in the heat of a game.

The Harrison suspension is without precedent.

The last NFL player to be suspended* for a pre-whistle illegal tackle on a quaterback was Charles Martin. Look at the video for yourself (available as of 12/13/11 – not sure how long before the NFL’s lawyers force YouTube to take this down).

A couple of things stand out:

Jim McMahon had clearly released the ball before being hit
Charles Martin knew McMahon had thrown the ball
McMahon had his back to the rusher
Martin not only had time to stop, but adjusted his momentum to deliver a late hit

For this Martin got suspended two games.

Now, look at James Harrison’s offense (video available as of 12/13/11):

Let's make a few points

Colt McCoy had clearly tucked the ball and was running
McCoy was facing Harrison
Harrison began his tackle while McCoy was still a runner
McCoy tossed the ball away at the last moment

No one can argue that Harrison did not lead with the helmet. But that is legal against an open field runner (whether it should be is different question).

You can say that Harrison should have adjusted his strike zone, given that when it comes to quarterbacks, the burden of proof is on the defender. Ok, but unlike Martin, can you reasonably say that Harrison had time to alter his actions when it was clear that McCoy was going to throw the ball?

Regardless, there is no way anyone can argue that Harrison’s act was anywhere near as malicious as Charles Martin’s was 25 years ago.

Eye on Harrison’s Explosion

James Harrison doesn’t say much, but when he does speak, words explode from his mouth. This past off season Harrison took NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to task in an interview with Paul Solotaroff.

Later, the Solotaroff confirmed that Harrison was merely saying on the record what scores of other NFL players were too timid to publicly.

Harrison’s comments went public while the lockout was on, and Roger Goodell could do little to act, and when the lockout ended, Goodell issued no punishment.

One wonders why?

Is it too much to surmise that Goodell simply sat quiet and bided his time until James Harrison gave him an excuse to get even?

There’s no way to prove that of course, but it would be equally hard to disprove the fact that, far from being blind, in the NFL justice is guided by the selective gaze of Goodell’s eye.

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From Black to Gold: A Pittsburgh Steelers Transformation

2011-12-12T00:17:00.006-02:00

From Black to Gold

The title feigns simplicity. At a glance one quickly concludes that Tim Gleason’s 260 page volume simply covers everything Steelers, from Black to Gold.

But From Black to Gold tells a more profound story, lending its title deeper significance.

Perhaps it’s appropriate then that I read the book on a trip to Uruguay that included a day in Piriapolis, the city founded by Francisco Piria the New World’s most famous Alchemist.

Why you ask?

Because medieval Alchemists sought to turn lead into gold.

While Gleason never mentions Alchemy, he might as well have, because one of the most remarkable transformations in sports history – the metamorphosis of the Pittsburgh Steelers from a 40 year perennial loser into North America’s most prestigious professional sports franchise is From Black to Gold’s tale.

He Knows Enough to Write a Book…

How often do we hear, “So-and-So knows enough to write a book…”? Perhaps no one ever told Gleason that, but he separated himself from the pack by having the guts to go out and self-publish his own book on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I first found Gleason’s work, under the pseudonym of Mary Rose, on Behind the Steel Curtain, one of the net’s best, if not simply the best fan-based Steelers sites (full disclosure, I am an occasional contributor to BTSC.)

Mary Rose first caught my attention with a retelling of the Rocky Blier story that was at once fresh and engaging. Since then he’s told and retold many stories of Steelers Nation in prose that always captivates.

If you seek an example look no futher than his article on the Immaculate Reception. All of us know the story, but the hair on everyone’s neck will stand straight up by the time you’re done with Gleason’s rendition.

The quality of Gleason’s writing in From Black to Gold is perhaps a smidge bit below the standard he sets for himself at Behind the Steel Curtain, but he did not alter his style explaining, “I only know how to write one way, so whatever and wherever I write, it’s pretty much the same style,” although he does concede that “There is a difference in the way you write based upon the subject matter.”

All of which simply means that prose of From Black to Gold is good or very good, and it is certainly well above the watered-down mushy middle schoolesque writing that plagues too many sports books.

Pittsburgh’s Story. The Steelers Story. Our Story.

The Pittsburgh Steelers count themselves as one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, anchored by a wide-spread and fiercely loyal fan base. Steelers Nation faces no shortage of reading material. A simple search for “Steelers Books” on Amazon.com brings back 468 results.

Storytellers have spun and re-spun the yarns that comprise the Steelers 79 years countless times.

Gleason follows in step, telling stories of World War II’s Stegals, Johnny Unitas getting cut, Jack Lambert’s confrontation with Chuck Noll over a short-lived health-food kick one summer at St. Vincents, and the all-important inclusion of Bill Nunn Sr. into the Steelers scouting department.

What then, sets From Black to Gold apart?

From Black to Gold stands apart from other Steelers literature because Tim Gleason narrates it with his own voice.

The first rule they teach in Journalism 101 is “Never Make Yourself Part of the Story.” Tim Gleason breaks this rule with relish throughout From Black to Gold.

Into each of the Steelers well-trod stories, Gleason weaves tales from his life, and that of his family. Don’t be fooled. Not all of these anecdotes end happily. In fact, one of the Steelers greatest moments, perhaps the franchise’s pivotal play, happened just two weeks after his family suffered a terrible tragedy.

But if you’re reading this, you’ll understand how that lends Gleason’s narrative both depth and authenticity. The Steelers hold great importance for all of us, and key moments in Steelers history not only remind us of our Beloved Black and Gold’s glories or failures but also serve as touchstones for remembering personal aspects of our lives that happened to coincide with events on the gridiron.

For example, Gleason shares how watching the late John Henry Johnson upset the mighty 1964 Cleveland Browns served as a key bonding moment between him and his father.

A generation later, he tells of how his daughter Mary Rose grew into a natural affinity for the Steelers, and he relives how watching the Steelers shocking upset of the Colts in the 2005 playoffs served as an important bonding moment between him and his daughter.

Such stories bring back my own memories, such as my 79 year old Argentine father-in-law staying up late in solidarity to watch Super Bowl XL, his first American football game. As nice as that was, it paled to the richness of enjoying the glory of Super Bowl XLIII in Buenos Aires with my Argentine wife. Likewise, the back injury my wife suffered while in Brazil during Super Bowl XLV left me with no need to be reminded that “it was just a football game.”

Fresh Insights Gleamed from Old Stories

From Black to Gold goes beyond simply repackaging the Steelers experience from Gleason’s view point. Very few will fail to learn something new while reading it.

Do you know why players like Len Dawson and Earle (Greasy) Neal get listed (in lower case letters) as part of the Steelers Hall of Fame contingent while Bobby Layne of Detroit Lions glory joins Joe Greene-John Stallworth et. al. in all upper case letters?

For decades I’d seen this in Steelers Media guides, and figured that some over zealous Steelers PR guy pulled a fast one by in claiming Layne was one of their own. Alas I was wrong, and I learned why reading Gleason’s book.

People under 40, such me, likely grew up needing to be convinced that the Steelers were atrocious during their first 4 decades. Could things have been different? Gleason convincingly making the case for a baker’s dozen of could have, would have, should have been history changers in a poignant chapter titled “If Only They Had Stayed.”

Everyone knows the story of Myron Cope’s Terrible Towel, and how proceeds of it sales benefit a home for the developmentally disabled in Western Pennsylvania. All of us have our superstitions about both how to use this talisman for greatest effect, as well as excusing it in the face of inconvenient truths.

But do you know why opposing players might really want to think twice about abusing the Terrible Towel? Gleason spins a yarn of players who’ve abused the golden towel at their own peril – the record is so consistent that it’s hard to write these off as mere coincidence.

Believe it or not, men whose names were not Noll, Cowher or Tomlin did once coach the Steelers. Gleason goes to the trouble of rating the seven of them who lasted more than a season – the only such rating I know of in existence.

Gleason devotes a chapter to stories on how he acquired a memorabilia/autograph collection that would be the envy of any Steelers fan. He’s got two Steelers helmets, one Black, one Gold, adorned by autographs of everyone from a member of the Steelers first squad in 1933 to players who started in Super Bowl XLV.

A Personal Primer on the Pittsburgh Steelers

From Black to Gold exemplifies the fact that you can tell a complete and compelling story in just a few words. Gleason begins his tale by recounting his meeting with Ray Kemp, the first African American NFL player and a member of the inaugural 1933 Pittsburgh Pirates squad, and then Gleason takes the reader through to the end of the first decade of the 21st century.

If Gleason’s book is complete, it is not all-inclusive. It contains very little on the Steelers of the ‘80’s, a period about which I was hoping to learn more.

Likewise material from the 1990’s is surprisingly thin, especially when one considers this was a decade where Pittsburgh returned to contender status. This represents a deliberate decision by Gleason as he explains “but I didn’t want to give equal time just to give equal time. There really was no correlation between the team being good and the amount of ink I used.”

Those who cut their teeth as Steelers fans during the Cowher-power inspired renaissance of the 1990’s will likely quibble that Gleason did not rank the Alfred Papuni AFC Championship loss more prominently on his list of playoff heart breaks.

While Gleason empathizes to some degree, he reminds us that the ’95 49ers team won the Super Bowl that year explaining: “For some reason, knowing that San Francisco would be the next opponent, that loss didn’t hurt as much as some others.”

While From Black to Gold is many ways a first-person story told by Gleason, he meticously researched the book admitting “My memory gets distorted with time. It was amazing how many things were a bit different than what I remembered.”

Beyond his own research, Gleason shares that he sent a manuscript to be vetted by the man he calls Mr. Steeler aka Dick Hoak, and was impressed that the only error Hoak found in 80,000 words was the fact it was in Palm Springs, and not in San Diego, that Frank Sinatra enjoyed his induction into Franco’s Italian Army.

A number of good Steelers history books have hit the market over the past few years. Dan Rooney’s self-titled autobiography and Art Rooney Jr. Ruanaidh provide an excellent inside view. The Ones Who Hit the Hardest by Chad Millman and Shawn Coyne tells many of same Steelers stories from the ground up.

From Black to Gold covers much of the same ground, but does in a way that allows it to serve as an almost personalized primer on Pittsburgh Steelers history, making it must read for every serious Steelers fan.

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James Harrison to Be Suspended?

2011-12-11T16:51:00.003-02:00

Neal Coolong of Behind the Steel Curtain is sharing a report from ESPN that the NFL is considering a "1 to 2 game suspension" for James Harrison's helmet-to-helmet hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

You can see a replay of the hit itself.

The fact that Harrison made helmet-to-helmet contact is inarguable.

McCoy of course had been running with the ball tucked, and then tossed it out at the last moment. NFL rules stat, however, that in those situations the burden is on the defender, not the quarterback.

Ealier, Bob Smizik of the Post-Gazette cited a Mike Florio article that at least in principle argued merits that Harrison might be innocent. Later, Smizik cited another Florio article that indicated the NFL was indeed planning to punish Harrison.

That Harrison would get a stiff fine from the NFL seems to be an accepted fact, but the ESPN report is the first to suggest that a suspension is in the works.

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Seeing Ourselves in this Pittsburgh Dad Video

2011-12-11T14:26:00.003-02:00

The secret behind the success of the ground-breaking show All in the Family wasn't simply in the fact that the show dared to go where others hand not gone, but rather that it played on cultural sterotypes so well that the audience got a chance to laugh at itself.

I won't put this video up on the same plane as All in the Family, but I have no doubt that if you're reading this, you'll get a chance to see a little of yourself.

Enjoy.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Browns at Heinz Field

2011-12-09T23:46:00.011-02:00

The Steelers Thrusday Night matchup was not shown here in Buenos Aires, so we'd like to thank Tony Defeo for doing this week's report card. You can read Tony's work regularly on Behind the Steel Curtain.

Quarterbacks
What more can be said about Ben Roethlisberger? Just when we all thought he couldn't enhance his reputation as one of the toughest players in the league, he outdoes himself by returning to play in the second half after leaving late in the first half with a very serious ankle injury. I thought Roethlisberger played a great game, and if not for the injury and many miscues by his teammates, may have had an even more impressive night than his line of 16/21 for 280, two touchdown passes and an interception. Grade: A-

Receivers
Antonio Brown and Company were making it look like it was going to be an easy game of Pitch and Catch between them and Roethlisberger over the better part of the first two drives to start the game. But then two reliable veterans--Hines Ward and Heath Miller--fumbled the football away on successive trips inside the red zone and it seemed to take the zip out of the passing game at that point, and it was a while before things got back on track. All-in-all, though, a solid performance by the receivers as a whole. Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace haven't connected on a deep ball in a while, but I believe Wallace's presence is the best thing to happen to the development of the other young receivers. Brown had 5 catches for 151 yards and salted things away with his 79 yard touchdown catch and run with under three minutes left. Grade: B.

Running Backs
On paper, the running backs did OK if not great last night against the league's 31st ranked rush defense -- Mendenhall, Redman and Moore rushed for a combined 126 yards on 26 carries--but there were those four stuffs of Mendenhall from inside the two yard line early in the 4th quarter. Mendenhall is normally a pretty decent goal line back, but he was running too straight up and down during that critical sequence of plays. It's hard to say what may have happened if Mendenhall would have had some early cracks at the goal line, but thanks to those red zone turnovers, we never got to find out. Grade: C

Offensive line
The running game averaged 4.6 yards a carry, and Roethlisberger was only sacked one unfortunate costly time--and it was a coverage sack--but the group didn't get a great push on the infamous goal line failure (not all the blame was on Mendenhall's straight up style), and those penalties, man, they were drive killers. Marcus Gilbert had two false start penalties, and Chris Kemoeatu was a real buzz kill with two holding penalties and a hands to the face infraction. Just when it looked like the coaching staff had finally had enough of Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey suffered a high ankle sprain, and now, it looks like the staff may have to deal with Kemo's undisciplined style for at least a couple of games. Grade: D+

Defensive Line
The Browns had some success rushing in the first half (mostly on a 28 yard draw play on 3rd and 20), but things settled down in the second half, and Cleveland really couldn't get much going on offense. I thought Cam Heyward played a solid game while filling in for an injured Ziggy Hood. Bottom line, the Browns only rushed for 98 yards, and the defense had two pretty impressive stands at the beginning and the end of the game, so things couldn't have been too bad up front. Grade: B.

Linebackers
There was the good: Larry Foote and James Farrior combined to stop Peyton Hills on 4th and goal on Cleveland's first drive of the game, and Jason Worilds recorded two sacks while filling in for Lamarr Woodley. There was the bad: Lawrence Timmons looked very outclassed while covering Browns' tight end Evan Moore on his 33 yard catch on the first drive of the game. And then there was the ugly: James Harrison and James Farrior were both flagged for personal fouls committed on Colt McCoy. There was enough good stuff to outweigh the bad, but I'd hate to think what the results may have been with a more experienced quarterback. Grade: C+

Secondary
Troy Polamalu recorded his first interception of the year, and for the second time in the last four games, William Gay made a crucial interception when he picked off McCoy in the end zone. I can't ignore the fact that the NFL Network pointed out Polamalu gambling and being out of position a couple of times, but you have to take the good with the bad with number 43, and I never got the sense that McCoy was ever fully capable of exploiting the unit. Grade: B

Special Teams
Nothing to write home about, and maybe that's a good thing. The Steelers were unable to return a punt the entire game, mainly due to Cleveland's punter doing a great job of angling his kicks deep and out of bounds, but Joshua Cribbs was barely heard from all night, and to me, that's the most important part. Grade: C

Coaching
Didn't notice any real coaching errors, and when your franchise quarterback is hobbled, your Pro Bowl center is out with a high ankle sprain, and your young defensive end must leave the game with a groin injury, sometimes you just have to survive and get out of dodge with a win. I didn't even have a problem with Tomlin going for it on 4th down early in the 4th quarter. I know the Steelers didn't make it, but I wasn't too worried about the Browns mounting any kind of serious offense from their own one yard line. Grade: C+

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Steelers-Browns Game Not Shown in Buenos Aires...

2011-12-08T22:42:00.002-02:00

As expected, neither Direct TV, nor ESPN, nor FOX are showing the Steelers-Browns game in Buenos Aires.

Domestically the game is being shown by the NFL Network. The NFL's quest to forced cable providers to carry the NFL Network makes their strategy of making a number of games exclusively avaiable on the NFL Network quite logical.

But what sense does it make outside the United States?

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Chris Hoke, Jonathan Dwyer Go On IR

2011-12-08T22:39:00.001-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers made two roster moves today in advance of their Thursday night game vs. the Browns, one expected, the other a surprise.

As expected, the Steelers placed reserve nose tackle Chris Hoke on injured reserve, ending his season and perhaps his career. Hoke suffered a stinger ealier in the year, and has not played since.

The other moved was to place reserve running back Jonathan Dwyer on IR, ending his season as well. Dwyer was injured in the Steelers victory over Cincinnati, and the move comes as a surprise.

To take their roster spots, the Steelers activated linebacker Mortty Ivy and safety Damon Cromartie-Smith. Those moves leave the Steelers with three lone running backs on their roster, Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, and Mewelde Moore.

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Steelers Report Card vs the Bengals at Heinz Field

2011-12-06T00:44:00.003-02:00

Steelers Report Card vs. Bengals at Heinz Field

A report card from the grade book of a teacher who really wonders (and hopes) that his pupils can go from slacking off to hitting their stride in the very week that they enter the home strech. Here goes the Steelers report card for their victory over the Bengals. As always, no other reports were consulted.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger was not perfect against the Bengals, and the Steelers 2 for 11 on third downs shows it. But Ben played smarter, made the throws he needed to make, particularly in the Red Zone. He also avoid what was had disturbingly begun to look at as his “obligatory dumb interception.” All and all a solid performance. Grade: B+

Running Backs
Bruce Arians reportedly challenged his rushers, “You want to run more, run the ball better.” Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman listened. Both men accounted for nearly all of the yards in the Steelers first two trips to the Red Zone, both men broke tackles and ripped off long runs. Mewelde Moore ripped off 13 yard carry in his lone touch and Jonathan Dwyer showed a lot of hustle. Last time around against the Bengals the Steelers averaged 3.5 yards per carry. This time it was up to 4.1. I’ll take that improvement any day. Grade: A

Offensive Line
Three weeks ago at Paul Brown Stadium, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 5 times, and as usual that number would have been much higher had it not been for his fancy footwork. At Heinz Field that number dropped to 2. While that number is impressive, the Steelers offensive line did something against Cincinnati it had not done all year, including their stand-out performance against Baltimore, they imposed their will. Grade: A

Defensive Line
Since the season opener vs. Baltimore Troy Polamalu has played up front, almost functioning as a linebacker. His role there has been run support as much as anything else. Troy played deep safety vs. the Bengals, and the run game suffered not at all. Casey Hampton, Brett Kiesel and Ziggy Hood did an good job of collapsing the pocket and assisted with pressure on Andy Dalton. Grade: B+

Linebackers
Don’t look now, but Lawrence Timmons led the team in tackles. James Harrison was a one man wreching crew. He’ll rightly get recognized for his 3 sacks, but he also was laying out the wood all over the field. James Farrior provided soild play in the center, and Jason Worilds did a fine job in LaMarr Woodley’s absence. Grade: A-

Secondary
The secondary got caught badly in the Bengals first drive, but attoned for it by keeping Dalton’s completion percentage below 45% and picking off his replacement. Ike Taylor had an interception for the second consecutive game – perhaps a carreer first. Ryan Clark led the team in tackles, and almost had another pick and 3 defensed passes. Polamalu also defensed a pass. Grade: B+

Special Teams
After slipping for the last three weeks, Al Everest’s men transformed themselves into a special teams strike force to the likes that the Steelers have rarely seen. A blocked field goal, a forced and recovered fumble on a kickoff return, and punt return for a TD. Any of the three has a potential to be a momentum changer and the Steelers special teams brought in all of the above. Grade: A

Coaching
You can talk all you want about nuances of game plans, personnel shifts, offensive versatility and game day adjustments. The difference in this game had little to do with the X’s and O’s. The Cincinnati Bengals started the day playing like a team that thought it was completing for a playoff spot. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the game playing like a team that knew it was positioning itself for a hard-fought chance at competing for a championship. And that difference starts with Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff. Grade: A

Unsung Hero
Countless Steelers earned themselves highlight reel honors vs. the Bengals. Kudos to them. But there was something different, and something thus far this season that was unique about these Steelers, and it was clearly apparent in the way the Steelers finished their first two touchdown drives. Attitude. Controlling the line of scrimmage is as much about mind-set as it as about physicality.

Doug Legursky rejoined the Steelers starting lineup last week, but was quickly tapped to play center. It would be unfair to the others to credit Legursky with sole resposiblity for the line’s improvement, but Legursky was the indepdent variable in this equation, and he’s one of those players who may be short on stature, but is long in the heart. His scrappiness was on display vs. the Bengals, and for that Doug Legursky is the Unsung Hero of the Steelers victory over the Bengals.

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Steelers Bludgeon Bengals, 35-7

2011-12-05T00:13:00.004-02:00

NFL Divisions are like animal packs. By nature, teams vie against each other to determine who claims a spot atop the pecking order.

For a decade, the two top dogs in the AFC North have been the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Cincinnati Bengals have never earned a place in the conversation. Early playoff exits after their ’05 and ’09 division crowns merely confirmed Cincinnati ambitious underdogs.

After photo-finish losses to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Bengals coach Marv Lewis suggested his rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green were about to effect a change in the pecking order.

But whenever a perennial underling challenges the Alpha Male and realizes he has the upper hand, he has to make a gut check that determines whether he’s really ready to be the top dog or not.

Against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field the Bengals faced their gut check on their very first drive at the Steelers nine yard line. Unfortunately for Queen City faithful, when that moment arrived, the Bengals flinched.

It was one flinch too many allow against a Steelers team unhappy to be on the outside looking in at the AFC North Alpha Male slot....

The Flinch

The Bengals started the game with the look of a team that had every intention of challenging for AFC North supremacy. They forced a quick Pittsburgh three and out and then proceeded to march into the Red Zone on the strength of the longest pass play allowed by the Steelers this season.

They drove all the way to the Steelers 4 and appeared to draw blood with a beautifully executed touchdown pass. Cincinnat nullified its score with a penalty.

The issue is never really whether a team takes points of off the board with a penalty, but how well they bounce back.

Cincinnati followed with another pass attempt, this one too high, forcing them to settle for a field goal.

Cincinnati appeared to make good on its field goal attempt, but wait, they took too long in getting it off.

Again, the issue is never really whether a team takes points of off the board with a penalty, but how well they bounce back.

Cameron Heyward was there when Cincinnati lied up to kick again, and instead of Cincinnati bouncing back, Heyward bounced the ball off his hands blocking the field goal. The would-be contender flinched, and the Steelers took advantage by knocking them silly.

Arians' Chameleon Ariseth....

Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer posses one of the finest defensive minds in the game. In the 2009 match up at Heinz Field he not only gave Ben Roethlisberger fits, but almost seemed to issue a template for shutting him down.

Zimmer frustrated the Steelers offense early and often in the first quarter.

But the Steelers responded with a dynamism on offense that heretofore they had only hinted at, and their first scoring drive provides a perfect example. In nine plays:

Isaac Redman pounded the ball for gains of 7 and 9 yards (plus a couple of shorter ones)
Ben Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for a short 5 yard gain
Weslye Saunders posted a medium gain of 14 yards
And Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for 45 yards, the longest gain of the season

And as if to make a statement that all of his aerial weapons hadn’t relegated the Steelers to the status of a “finesse” offense, Bruce Arians called four straight runs in the Red Zone, resulting in Mendenhall’s 3 yard touchdown scamper.

After forcing a quick three and out by Cincinnati, Mike Wallace drew a pass interference call which brought the Steelers into the red zone again and again the Steelers pounded it in, as Mendenhall rushed for 20 yards on 3 carries to put the Steelers up by 14.

Long ago, Mike Tomlin disavowed any a desire to have a “running” or a “passing” offense, but rather an offense that transformed itself into what it needed to be given the circumstances. The Steelers have flashed this ability before, but against Cincinnati, the men in Black and Gold to a first step towards making that goal a reality.

Cincinnati’s Wiley E. Coyote Moment

The Steelers of course, failed to shut out the Bengals. Down 21 to zip, Andy Dalton put together a ten play touchdown drive, getting Cincinnati on the board with less than 4 minutes in the half. Zimmer’s defense quickly forced the Steelers to punt.

Could the Bengals get on the board again and make a game of it?

Naw, this was nothing more than their Wiley E. Coyote moment – Pittsburgh already pushed Cincinnati off of the cliff, the Bengals just hadn’t stopped to look down.

The Steelers defense forced them to look down on the next drive and for good measure Antonio Brown gave them a downward push with his 60 yard punt return.

The Stat sheet says the two teams played for 30 more minutes - Steel Curtain Rising says the game ended here.

Late Season Stride?

The victory over the Bengals gives the Steelers a 8-3 record, tying them for best in the AFC. But that’s window dressing. The Ravens of course beat the Cleveland Browns and hold the decisive tiebreaker over Pittsburgh.

The Bengals started the day playing like a contender. In rebuffing them the Steelers gave them the familiar appearance of the division doormat that they used to be.

That’s ironic, because the Steelers' AFC North hopes require Cincinnati to regain its contender form and smartly enough to beat the Ravens on the final week of the season.

But the Steelers can’t control that. Their focus now must solely be on playing their "Best Football."

Because if the execution and focus that Pittsburgh displayed at Heinz Field vs. the Bengals is any indication, the Steelers "Best Football" can carry them to Lombardi Number Seven, regardless of how the AFC North race finishes.

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Roethlisberger, Pouncy “Limited” in Practice

2011-12-01T22:33:00.001-02:00

Muarkice Pouncey was “limited in practice” today and has reportedly lost 12 pounds due to the illness which took him from the Kansas City game.

Ben Roethlisberger began practice as normal, but did not finish, apparently aggravating his thumb injury.

Wide Receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Arnaz Battle also missed practice. Both of these facts should mean that Hines Ward suits up, although the special teams has sorely missed Battle’s absence.

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The Steelers Report Card vs. the Chiefs

2011-11-30T00:48:00.005-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who watched the Steelers escape from Arrowhead and issues a report card replete with the stinking feeling that his star students are coasting when they should be putting the pedal to the metal. Here goes the Steelers report card for their Escape from Arrowhead.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger’s performance on the touchdown pass was something to behold – how many other quarterbacks can make that play? And can you imagine Brady/Rodgers/Brees throwing a block to save a botched reverse the way he did? Those positive must be weighed against an ugly, costly interception, piss poor third down conversion rate, and a costly miscue with the punt team. Grade: C+

Running Backs
When the Steelers running backs had holes, they hit them and made things happen. When they didn’t, they were stuck. The group did not get much help from its offensive line, but they made up for it with their performance on check downs. That said, Mewelde Moore’s fumble drops the grade for the whole group. Grade: B-

Wide Receivers
Another great game by Antonio Brown. The rest of the receiving corps however did not distinguish itself, although it was certainly nice to see Hines Ward come down with one of the team’s 3 third down conversions. Mike Wallace dropped a touchdown and appears to have problems with double coverage deep. Health Miller had a nice catch but also at least one drop. Give the Kansas City secondary credit, but this team needed more plays form its receivers than it got, Weslye Saunders outstanding TD not withstanding. Grade: C+

Offensive Line
Steel Curtain Rising commented on the fact that a stealer performance by the offensive line vs. the Ravens was wasted. Since then the group has played as if it were wasted. Another sub-par performance from the line. Roethlisberger’s fancy footwork saved innumerable sacks he had no protection. Holding penalties either put the Steelers in into holes or nullified positive gains. Run blocking was “inconsistent” to say the least. Line play has steadily improved since Max Starks return. It has steadily slid since the Raven’s game. Sean Kugler must reverse this trend. Grade: C-

Defensive Line
The Chief’s game plan was going to be simple: Run and dare the Steelers to stop them. The Chiefs pounded the ball 34 times yet failed to crack the century mark. The stat sheet might say that Casey Hampton only had one tackle – but he was a force. Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward and Steve McLendon all got into the action. Brett Keisel also recovered another fumble. Grade: B+

Linebackers
Jason Worlids got his first NFL sack and seemed to applying pressure registering 4 QB hits. James Harrison did well in run coverage, but failed to be a force in the pass rush. Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior also played well in run coverage. All those are good things, but the Steelers needed more pressure on Plako than they got. Grade: B.

Secondary
Troy Polamalu must learn to be smarter about making tackles. ESPN is already questioning whether he should consider retirement. Ryan Mundy was all over the field leading the team in tackles and recording an interception. Ike Taylor got an interception and had his hands on another. Keenan Lewis also joined the club.

The fact the Plako moved the ball effectively during his final drive is reason to frown. However, the fact the Chief’s final drive meant anything says a lot more about the Steelers offensive impotence than it does the secondary. For the second straight game, the Steelers secondary made a pick to stop a last-gasp drive. Grade: A-

Special Teams
Emmanuel Sanders averaged 25 yards and change returning kicks last year. Against KC it was closer to 18. KC also got some punt return yardage. Holding penalties forced the offense to start with its back to the end zone on a night when it needed help from specials teams, not hindrance. The Chiefs also telegraphed, then converted a fake punt. All of these negatives are partially modified by Shaun Suisham’s making a 49 yarder that no one in Steelers Nation figured he could make. His difference making kick brings an otherwise dismal grade up to respectability. Grade: B-

Coaching
Two penalties for 12 men on the field. A botched 4th down conversion opportunity with a wasted time out to boot. The Kansas City rush defense looking like the 85 Bears for portions of the game. Holding penalties, false start penalties. You name it, the Steelers were out of sorts whereas the Chiefs played with the passion, if not always the execution, of a team contending for the top spot in the AFC. Dick LeBeau’s unit did him proud, but Mike Tomlin, Bruce Arians, and Al Everest have all had far better “days at the office.” Grade: D

Unsung Hero
The quality and quantity of the depth chart at corner was the raging concern of Steelers Nation during the 2011 season. Nary a word was uttered with respect to the depth at safety behind Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark. And perhaps their was good reason for it. All season long the Steelers number 3 safety has quietly assumed a role as the defenses unofficial 12th starter. The starting role became official vs. the Chiefs, and Ryan Mundy distinguished himself smartly, and for that he wins the Steelers Unsung Hero award.

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Steelers Escape Arrowhead with 13-9 Victory

2011-11-28T17:42:00.002-02:00

Two years ago it was against Kansas City that the Steelers late-season meltdown became official. If you’ve blotted it out of your memory, here’s a refresher:

Give up the opening kickoff for a TD,
Sacrifice scoring opportunities with turnovers that KC turns into points,
Squander numerous chances to put the game away

Ultimately the Steelers committed the cardinal sin of a would-be contender giving an inferior team a Reason the Believe and allowing them to transform that into an upset.

Fortunately, this time the outcome was different, but if this latest trip to Arrowhead didn’t signal another melt down, if this is any indication of how the Steelers play on the road, Steelers Nation had better double down on the Rosary Beads praying for Baltimore to slip.

Hail to Haley and Yes, Tyler Plako

Saying that “aside from four turnovers, the quarterback played really well” is kind of like saying “aside from everything else, Mrs. Lincoln enjoyed the play.” Plako did play poorly.

But in spite of that Plako maintained his poise, and watching him in the huddle at barking out orders at the line of scrimmage, he gave every impression of a quarterback who was still leading his team.

Todd Haley also deserves cudos. Michael Bean of Behind the Steel Curtain is right to call out Haley (and Plako) for their poor clock management at the end, but that error aside, Haley coached a good game.

From the very outset, the Chiefs looked like a team that it believed in itself, and played as if it had a chance to win. 4-6 teams don’t do that too often, and Haley gets the credit.

But Haley’s cudos go beyond the old “well, they played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm” hat on the head.

The Chiefs played aggressive, opportunistic defense. They dominated on third downs, making the Steelers offense look amateur. Say what you want, but the Kansas City Chiefs were in the game until the final gun, and they can thank their defense for that.

An Offensive Pittsburgh Performance

What was that? The Steelers offense is supposed to be developing into an elite NFL unit, won with an All Pro Quarterback with an arsenal that he couldn’t have dream of even a few short years ago.

Instead, the offense Steelers looked as lost and baffled as they have since the days of Joe Walton. That may sound harsh, but the Steelers converted all of 3 of 11 third downs. Worse the offense turned the ball over twice in scoring situations.

ESPN’s stat sheet says that the Steelers only committed 6 penalties between the offense and defense. Numbers don’t lie nor does that obscure the fact that holding and false start calls either nullified important gains or regularly put the Steelers offense in the hole.

Sloppy does not even begin to define the Steelers performance when the had the ball against Kansas City – offensive is the only apt term.

Strutting Instead of Sputtering

Two years ago the “shaky” was the word to describe the Steelers secondary that walked into Arrowhead Stadium.

The unit had had its ups and downs, but clearly wasn’t the same without Troy Polamalu, whom they’d lost the week before in a home loss to Cincinnati. A shell-shocked Steelers secondary left Arrowhead that afternoon, a shadow of its former self.

My what a difference two years makes.

The Steelers defense wasn’t flawless in Kansas City. The Chiefs converted a few too many third downs for my tastes, and they failed to get consistent pressure on Plako.

But those were minor blemishes on an otherwise outstanding, mostly Polamaluless, performance.

Everyone knew the Chiefs were going to run the ball. The only question was, would the Steelers be able to stop them?

Kansas City did have some success on the ground with their top three rushers ripping off 9 and 8 yard runs. But the Chiefs pounded it 34 times yet could not break the century mark. Those long runs were off set by the sight of Casey Hampton and company pancaking numerous rushes at the line of scrimmage.

The real stars of the game were of course the Steelers secondary. Yes, the Chiefs receivers made some nice catches, Yes, this was Tyler Plako throwing the ball and not Joe Flacco let alone Tom Brady.

But the once-turnover starved Steelers secondary came away with three picks. In short, Ike Taylor, Keenan Lewis, and Ryan Mundy did what they were supposed to do – come up with big plays against an inferior opponent.

And ultimately that was the difference in this ball game.

Steelers Must Bring Their ‘A’ Game Every Week Now

Five games await the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are capable of beating everyone of these opponents. By the same token, if the Steelers come out with a performance like they did vs. the Chiefs, everyone of these opponents is capable of beating them.

The AFC North crown is probably out of reach for the Steelers, but with the Bengals breathing down their neck, a Wild Card is no certainty.

The lesson from Kansas City is clear: The Steelers must bring their ‘A’ Game every week, against every opponent.

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Steelers Escape with Win Over Chiefs

2011-11-28T03:00:00.003-02:00

What was that?

Ok, a win is indeed a win. And they don't add style points.

But if this is any indication of how the Steelers are going to play on the road, Steelers Nation had better double down on the Roseary Beads in hopes that the Ravens stumble - big time.

Not a bad game by the defense. Hats off to the secondary who came up with three picks w/o their fearless leader, but the Steelers offense largely looked lost....

....Its 2:00 am here in Buenos Aires, and although tomorrow is a holiday here, yours truly is quite tired. Come back for more Monday morning quarterbacking on the said day.

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Doug Legursky Starts, Kemoeatu Benched

2011-11-25T09:58:00.002-02:00

Its been said that Mike Tomlin is a mix of Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll.

Noll, for all his well earned reputation as a demanding, hard-driving coach, could be an old softy when it came to benching or cutting his veterans. (See the Dwaine Board story that Ed Bouchette trots out each and every time the Steelers cut a young defender).

Cowher, on the other hand, could sometimes be callous. Levon Kirkland’s departure was common knowledge to many in the Steelers organization long before it happened, and Kirkland himself discovered the news from Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette.

On this front, Tomlin it appears is indeed a mix of the two. During the 2009 mid-season meltdown Tomlin promised/threatened all important roster changes.

Steel Curtain Rising even reflected on how this meant so much more than would were it to occur in an organization like the Washington Redskins.

Then his changes amounted to playing Joe Burnette a few extra snaps in an awful loss at the Mistake by the Lake.

Two years later, Tomlin is taking a decidely different approach. He's not mentioning much about personnel changes to the press, but he certainly isn't shy about making them.

Heads are Rolling

Bryant McFadden started the year at corner, went out due to injury, and now plays special teams. Chris Hoke played quite well in relief of Casey Hampton until he too got hurt. Enter Steve McLendon, and Hoke no longer dresses.

And of course, as we know, Hines Ward now finds himself deep inside the Steelers depth chart.

After starting the year as a glaring liability, the return of Max Starks and a break in the constant stream of injuries, the offensive line has seen some stability and some improvement.

However, stability alone is not what interests Mike Tomlin. Tomlin apparently isn’t satisfied with the line’s over all play, and has made another change, as Doug Legursky returns from injury and claims Chris Kemoeatu’s left guard spot as a consequence.

Legursky started the season at right guard and struggled at times (as did every member of the unit.) But injuries forced him into the left guard spot and he played well.

Kemoeatu’s play has always been inconsistent, and his penchant for idiotic penalties has hurt the team on a number of occaisions.

Mike Tomlin has apparently seen enough. He’s dead serious about trying to put together another Super Bowl run, and he’s showing he’s not afraid to upset the apple cart, ruffle a few feathers, or relegate the offensive line’s highest paid player to the bench in his quest to bring home Lombardi Number Seven.

Good for him.

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Steelers Nation Can Give Thanks for Antonio Brown

2011-11-25T00:40:00.004-02:00

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday in the US that cuts across all races, colors and creeds. Here at Steel Curtain Rising we initiated a Thanksgiving Day tradition two years ago, singling out something that Steeler Nation had to be thankful for.

In 2009, two games into their 5 game mid-season melt down, we recognized the development of Rashard Mendenhall and praised him for his hustle

In 2010, it was the arrival of Emmanuel Sanders, Maurkice Pouncy, and special team coach Al Everest (although ironically special teams performance dropped off shortly there after.)

Here in 2011, Steel Curtain Rising recognizes Antonio Brown.

Long before the world became enamored with the whole Suck For Luck phenomenon it was common to hear friends and foes alike whine about the perils of poor draft position.

Nonsense.

Good players are there to be had in every round.

Antonio Brown offers proof. Drafted in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL draft out of Central Michigan, Antonio Brown had a promising rookie year, complete with the team’s first kickoff TD since 2007:

and an incredible side of the helmet catch in the playoffs vs. Baltimore.

Those plays were tremendous, but fortunately they were simply a warm up act.

Antonio Brown simply improves with each game and exhibits an almost uncanny pass catching ability that could easily grow to surpass that of any other Steelers wide receiver in history.

The Steelers are a small, but important part of our lives. I both trust and hope that all of you reading this have far more important blessings to be thankful for and share in with friends and family on this special day.

Yet as Steelers fans, the development of Antonio Brown is one thing we can all be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Georgia Bulldog in Winter: Hines Ward's Career Winds Down

2011-11-22T00:41:00.005-02:00

Hines Ward, Super Bowl XL MVP, 14 year veteran, future Hall of Famer, and the most decorated wide receiver in Steelers history caught one pass in the Steelers recent victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

That fact in-and-of-itself, is not remarkable. Ward’s production has been down this year, and his missed some time due to injury.

But against the Bengals he missed time for another reason – the coaches chose to play not only Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown ahead of him, but also Jericho Crotchety. However, Ward had injured his ankle earlier in the year and suffered concussion like symptoms vs. the Ravens the week before.

During the Bengals game most fans figured that coaches were merely protecting Ward against further injury.

That, however, was not the case.

After the game Ward confirmed that he was fine, and could have played a full game. He also revealed that neither Mike Tomlin nor Bruce Arians had discussed his demotion with him before or after the game.

Beating the “Not For Long” System

Longevity is a virtue, and a rarity in the NFL.

The average career is less the four years. You can safely assume that anyone who makes it past the four year mark either has some semblance of serviceable skills and/or has simply avoided injury.

80% of life might be just showing up for most mortals, but it does not work that way in the NFL. The NFL is a young man’s game whose motto is "what have you done for me lately." If you can’t cut the mustard, or if the coaches see a younger man who can do it as well as you and has a greater upside and/or can do it for less of a salary cap hit, you’re history.

In a similar vein one successful season in the NFL, be it as a role player or as a starter, means next to nothing. Think about it:

How long did the Tommy Gun phenomenon last?
Gary Russell scored the first TD of Super Bowl XLIII and seemed to have found his niche as a short-yardage specialist – where is he now?
In 2001, a rookie sensation at inside linebacker promised to make people forget Levon Kirkand; today everyone struggles to remember Kendrell Bell
No one would ever confuse Darnell Stapleton with Alan Fanaca, but he did start for a Super Bowl team and that was his last game in the NFL

And that is one of the things that make Hines Ward so special. He’s been a Steeler for 14 years and for 12 of those he’s been the go-to guy when Pittsburgh had to have a completion.

During Ward’s tenure three 1st round picks came, and three 1st round picks went. Ward remained. Ward delivered.

Ward epitomized Steelers Football. Work hard in practice. Dive into film study. Hit hard. Team first. Gut it out when the game is on the line.

Georgia Bull Dog in Winter

Steelers Nation knew the day would come. It was inevitable. It happens to everyone.

Sometimes injuries grind players down (see Aaron Smith.) Sometimes players “get old fast” (see Willie Parker.) Sometimes a once consistent performer will lose “it” without age or injury as an apparent factor (see Levon Kirkland.)

The fortunate ones age gracefully.

Ward falls into this category, although it doesn’t make his decline any easier to swallow.

You could see this coming last year. Wards number were down a little, but he was still making clutch catches.

Ward’s production in 2011 has been down more so, and while he’s had a few drops, he’s still make catches that counted.

But the truth is the Steelers best two wide receivers now are Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Emmanuel Sanders isn’t far behind. Jericho Crotchety’s injury has healed and made the most of his opportunity.

Someone has to be the odd man out, and that sadly someone is Hines Ward.

Ward, as prideful of a player as you can find, has to be hit hard by this. But he’s handled his demotion by following his own example putting the team first.

Where Ward’s Wrong

Hines Ward has gone on the record as saying that the Steelers owe him nothing. These are no idle words from a player within striking distance of Hall of Fame assuring milestones in receptions, yards receiving, and touchdowns.

As said above, that’s simply Ward being Ward.

Ward is both right and wrong. Right in that Mike Tomlin owes it to Hines to do all he can to get him a third Super Bowl ring, even if that means benching him.

But Hines is wrong and the Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette is right that Ward deserves more.

If Ward’s demotion is to be permanent and not simply a product week-by-week game planning, then the Steelers coaches owed it to Ward to break the news to him face to face.

As a franchise, the Pittsburgh Steelers yield to no one when it comes to great players.

Men like Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack's Ham and Lambert, Ernie Stautner, Andy Russell, Rockey Harris, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Rod Woodson, Dermonti Dawson, Greg Lloyd and Jerome Bettis were legends who litterally helped make the game what is today.

In 14 years, Hines Ward has earned his place as a peer among this elite group.

If the Steelers were to opt to chisel their own version of Mt. Rushmore into the face of Mount Washington or on rock faces that under hang the bluffs of Duquesne we’d all have a hard time which four players belonged.

You’d have an even more difficult time arguing that Ward did not belong.

Hines Ward is at least owed a quick sit down with Mike Tomlin or Bruce Arians over his new found role with the team.

Ward Waiting to Hear His Number Called

Accustomed to starting since 1999, Hines Ward now must wait for his number to be called. Who knows when or how often that will be?

But one thing is certain. When the coaches call number 86, Hines Ward will be ready. And Hines Ward will deliver.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium

2011-11-15T01:08:00.003-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who is pleased to see his star pupil has moved to the head of the class, here goes the Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card for their victory over the Bengals. No other grades have been consulted.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger was flawless on the Steelers three touchdown drives, and his lone interception was decidedly not his fault. With that said, he had at least one other "should have been an interception" took too many sacks, and was not terribly effective on third down. Ben's performance was "above the line" but the Steelers need more from him over the next six games. Grade: B

Running Backs
Look at the stat sheet. Rashard Mendenhall only ran for 44 yards with a seemingly pathetic 2.8 average. And Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore were only a little better. And stats can be misleading. Mendenhall punched in not one, but two touchdowns and both were examples of power rushing par excellence. Redman also ground out a key 11 yard carry on the go ahead touchdown drive. All three running backs blocked well. Grade: B

Wide Receivers
Hines Ward apparently has slipped to the 4th receiver position a bittersweet reality made palatable by the emergency of Antonio Brown. Antonio Brown’s development is taking on phenomenal proportions. This guy simply catches EVERYTHING. Mike Wallace again showed he’s now one-note Johnny. And, after 6-7 weeks of functioning as little more than a paper weight Jericho Cotchery is emerging as a weapon. Wesleye Saunders came through with a big play. Grade: A

Offensive Line
It seems like individual units are prone to let downs. After turning in its best performance of the season against the Ravens, if not perhaps several seasons, the offensive line slumped badly. Credit Cincinnati wearing down the line with their constant defensive line rotation because as the game wore on, the Steelers offensive line began to lose the battle at the line of scrimmage more consistently and the run and pass blocking suffered accordingly. Grade: C-

Defensive Line
Cincinnati might not have piled up a lot of yards, but they ran the ball effectively, particularly Bernard Scott. The Steelers likewise got little or no pressure on Andy Dalton. That’s not completely the fault of the defensive line, but the responsibility starts with them. Grade: C

Linebackers
James Harrison wasn’t much of a factor, although he was blatantly held for most of the day. Jason Worlids got a lot of time looking a lot more like the next Carlos Emmons than the next Woodley. James Farrior was back in action and looked OK. Lawrence Timmons defense a pass and came down with a difficult interception. Grade: B-

Secondary
William Gay had a whale of a game with defensed passes, 5 tackles, and an interception. Ike Taylor, Keenan Lewis, Cotez Allen, and Curtis Brown all made plays. AJ Greens touchdown catch in double coverage vs. Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark was ugly, and the inability of either play to attempt a play drops the grade for this group. But Troy Polamalu was a force in run support registering two tackles for losses and limiting several others to short gains. Grade: B

Special Teams
On the plus side, both Justin Kapinos and Shaun Suisham kicked well. However, Antonio Brown was average in the return game and Cincinnati got some daylight on both its punt and kick returns. Last year at about mid-season the quality of the Steelers covrage units began to slip. Let’s hope this isn’t the beginning of a repeat performance. Grade: B-

Coaching
Prepping your team to ride the roller coaster that is the NFL season is an under aperciated talent. The Steelers loss against the Ravens could have been brutally deflating, but Mike Tomlin kept that from happening. Likewise, as Zimmer’s defense began to wear down the Steelers offense, Bruce Arians made adjustments. They may not have scored a lot in the second half, but they burned up a lot of lock. Dick LeBeau can now notch another victory over a rookie quarterback on his belt. Grade: B

Unsung Hero
The only highlight reels that this player is going to get this week are for a botched play that allowed the Bengals to cut had been a 14-0 lead to 14-10. And while you never want to see such plays, Heath Miller more than made up for it with other plays. His 18 yard catch set up the Steelers second touchdown and then he paved the way for Mendenhall to make it into the end zone. He also made the key block on Mendehall’s go ahead touchdown, and for that Heath Miller is the Steelers Unsung Hero of the week.

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Steelers Defeat Bengals, (Momentarily) Recapture AFC North Lead

2011-11-13T22:44:00.006-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers bookended their biggest regular season victory in recent memory with a heart breaking last minute loss to their division rivals. How would the men in Black and Gold react?

The Steelers match up vs. the Cincinnati Bengals promised to reveal a lot about this team. And in beating the Cincinnati Bengals 24-17 at Paul Brown Stadium, Pittsburgh gave Steelers Nation a lot of lessons.

When Focused…

The Bengals won the toss but the Steelers defense forced a quick 3 and out and the offense seized the opportunity as Ben Roethlisberger directed Mike Wallace, Heath Miller, and Jericho Cotchery on a near picture perfect 8 play touchdown drive.

The Steelers secondary again shut out Andy Dalton’s for another second consecutive three and out.

It only took Ben Roethlisberger 8 plays to bring his team down to the two yard line, and one play later Rashard Mendenhall rammed it in to bring the score to 14-0.

The first quarter had not yet finished and the Steelers had a 14-0 lead….

Lesson Number 1:

When this group of Pittsburgh Steelers focuses with singleness of purpose, very few football teams can stop them.

A Future Force to Be Reckoned With?

Down 14-0 in the fourth quarter during the Shula or Coslet era generally often meant that the Bengals would simply mail it in.

But Marv Lewis is not David Shula nor is he Bruce Coslet. And Andy Dalton is no Akili Smith or David Klingler.

Without batting an eye this rookie took his team to the Steelers 36. From there he stole a page from Ben Roethlisberger-Mike Wallace script, he threw the ball deep and dared the Steelers to stop him.

Both Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark were on the coverage and in perfect position. And while you can quibble about the fact that neither man took a solid shot at the ball, the fact is that Dalton placed the ball perfectly, and Green’s catch was flawless.

Just like that Cincinnati was on the board with 7 and back in the game.

Mike Zimmer and the Bengals defense began the second half by giving the Steelers a taste of their own medicine, forcing a three and out of their own.

Andy Dalton took over at his 33 and with a poise of an experienced veteran, he methodically marched Cincinnati down to the Steelers 1, and tied up the score.

Not even 5 minutes in the first half had elapsed, and the Bengals had tied what was once a 14-0 game.

Lesson Number 2

Its way to early to proclaim Andy Dalton’s “arrival,” but this kid’s poise and pocket presence today suggests that he will be a force the Steelers must reckon with in the future.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Against the New England Patriots, the Steelers defensive backs perhaps performed better than any Steelers secondary had in a generation.

The followed by laying a gigantic egg against Baltimore.

This week it was the offensive line’s turn on the Merry Go Round.

The offensive line was one of the Steelers unequivocal bright spots vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Instead of simply not being a weakness, it was a team strength.

Alas, against the Bengals the Steelers offensive line regressed. To be certain a couple of those sacks that Ben took were his fault, but this until got beaten up front too many times, and sacks derailed too many drives.

Lesson Number 3:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have steadily improved after a shaky first four weeks, but they still have work to do.

Roethlisberger, Steelers Resilient

While the Bengals have had their success against the Steelers, as recently as 2009, Cincinnati has long served as the AFC North’s punching bag.

Sometimes the puncher freezes when the punchee begins hitting back. Mike Tomlin, however, made sure his men avoided that trap.

Immediately after Andy Dalton’s stunning touchdown, Health Miller, normally Mr. Reliable, bobbled a catch which give Cincinnati an interception. Just two years ago a similarly uncharacteristic error by Health Miller gave Kansas City a pick six signaling an upset in the making.

The Bengals had the ball at the Steelers 41, and Dalton was licking his chops. The Steelers defense stopped them cold at the 26, forcing Cincinnati to settle for 3.

Ben Roethlisberger and the offense showed their own resiliency by answering the Bengal’s game tying score.

The Steelers defense hung tough from there on out, intercepting Andy Dalton twice during the fourth quarter, including William Gay’s perfectly timed defense of a slant pattern.

The Steelers offense converted two first downs and then it was time for that oh so wonderful sight of Troy Polamalu standing 10 yards behind Ben.

Lesson Number 4

This group of Steelers will take their knocks but will respond by coming out fighting.

“The Question Sometimes Isn’t How You Deal With Failure, Its How You Deal With Success.” – Mike Tomlin, on the day he became Steelers head coach

The Steelers have made it to their bye week with a 7-3 record that few would have predicted following the week one Debacle in Baltimore. They’ve gotten knocked down a few times, but each time they’ve bounced back.

That ability is important, but it is equally important that they keep their foot on the gas pedal. Although the Baltimore Ravens stumbled today vs. Seattle, they can reclaim the AFC North lead while the Steelers remain idle.

The victory over the Bengals' final lesson of the day is that while the bye week might give the Steelers some much needed rest, it is no time to let up.

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Comparing Steelers Report Cards vs. the Ravens

2011-11-11T23:50:00.003-02:00

Regular readers are familiar with Steel Curtain Rising’s Report Card series, inaugurated in 2009. The genesis of the Report Card was simple and similar to the genesis of much of the rest of the material on this site: Looking at the stuff that the pros do and thinking, “Hey, I can do this.”

An additional reason is that keeping post game summaries to a reasonable length often times means neglecting to recognize individual accomplishments or tendencies.

I thought it would be interesting compare Steel Curtain Rising’s grades to that of Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette and Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest.

The first thing the jumps out is that the only area of agreement is with regard to the secondary.

Beyond that there’s a lot of variation.

It is no surprise that Steel Curtain Rising stands out on the quarterback rating. Ben Roethlisberger won lavish praise for his play against the Ravens, and his ability to bring them back from behind is commendable.

But he had a really shaky first half and his turnover came back to haunt the Steelers badly. Those two factors as much as anything else put the Steelers “below the line.”

Both Labriola and Dulac seemed hesitant to give out a good grade to the offensive line, to that I can only say: The Steelers offensive line neutralized a defensive front that has terrorized the Steelers backfield of late, “What more did you want them to do?”

In reading Dulac and Labriola’s commentaries, its also clear that perhaps I rated the linebackers a little too highly – although I thought that the outstanding performances by James Harrison and Larry Foote needed recognition. Still, the linebackers do deserve to carry some blame for Flacco’s superhuman 3rd down performance.

Ditto on the Special Teams. In truth, Baltimore had more success with its return game then I had given them credit for, and the special teams grade could be lower.

Labriola, who works at the Steelers complex on the South Side, never grades the coaches (surprise, surprise) and Dulac was a little less demanding than I.

The only other minor surprise is Dulac’s low grades for the running backs and wide receivers, as he commented on the fact that they were not used more in the game. I agree completely that the Steelers would have done well to have run more, but that is the fault of the coaches, and not the players themselves.

Time permitting, Steel Curtain Rising will do more report card comparisons in the future.

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Steelers Sign Al Woods, Cut Monte Ivy

2011-11-10T22:16:00.002-02:00

Mike Tomlin sees something he likes in Al Woods.

Woods was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft but was cut before opening day.

The Steelers wasted little time in signing him to the practice squad where he stayed until Tampa Bay signed Woods to their active roster in November 2010. Woods caught on with Seattle, and even had the privilege of getting clipped by Doug Legursky in the Steelers shut out victory over the Seahawks earlier this year.

With only three healthy defensive ends, the Steelers claimed Woods off of waivers from Seattle, and cut Monte Ivy to make room for him on the roster.

The move likely indicates that the linebacking corps is returning to health, as Ivy had been activated from the practice squad to provide depth there.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Ravens at Heinz Field

2011-11-08T23:55:00.003-02:00

From the Grade Books of a teacher who has been reminding his students that in the NFL you don't get graded on improvement or effort but solely on results. Thus comes the Steelers report card for their second loss of the year to Baltimore. As always, no other Steelers reports cards have been consulted.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger was spectacular on the Steelers two touchdown drives, his final TD pass being a play that few other NFL quarterbacks can make. As good as that was, the Steelers needed more from Roethlisberger, especially in the first half. The Steelers were a respectable 7-12 on third down conversions but respectable wasn’t enough. Ben's interception likely cost the team at least three points and facilitated to a 10 point swing, and the miscommunication between him and Mewelde Moore put Baltimore back in the game. Grade: D

Running Backs
Statistically Rashard Mendenhall had the best day that a Steelers back has had against the Ravens in a long, long time. The fact that he didn't get more carries isn't his fault. However, Isaac Redman didn't do much with his carries, and as mentioned the Moore-Roethlisberger miscommunication was costly, which does drop the grade for this group. Grade: B-

Wide Receivers
The wideouts have had better days, and Antonio Brown's pass catching ability is approaching scary. Mike Wallace made a great play in the end zone. Health Miller was Mr. Reliable as ever. Jerricho Cotchery looked good in his first extended action of the year. David Johnson had one good catch, then dropped at a most inopportune time. Grade: B

Offensive Line
Was this the same unit that provided little more resistance than road kill during the Debacle in Baltimore in week one? It sure did not look like the same until as Ben Roethlisberger had ample time and the running game even had decent holes for most of the night. A little in the way of "road grading" would have been helpful on the Steelers final possession, but that does little to tarnish a fine offensive line performance. Grade: A-

Defensive Line
Who said Ray Rice could run on the Steelers at will? The Steelers defensive line contained the Ravens rushing attack and again, looked like a compeletely different unit than the one who appeared in week one. One knock against them is that with so many injuries to the line backing corps, more pressure from the line would ahve been useful. Grade: B

Linebacker
James Harrison wasted little time in establishing himself as a disruptive force. Larry Foote also looked good for another week, although he missed a chance to end the Raven's winning TD drive. Jason Worilds, Lawrence Timmons, and Stevenson Sylvester however were invisible on a night when just a little more pressure on Flacco might have made the difference in crucial passing situations. Grade: B

Secondary
Was this the same until that just one week ago not only forced Tom Brady, Wes Welker, and Deon Branch to genuflect at the statue of Art Rooney Sr. but made them like it? Certainly could have fooled me.

The Steelers corners looked clueless and committed drive sustaining penalties on two of the Raven's three touchdown drives. Ryan Clark had another personal foul penalty. Troy Polamalu stopped Ravens rushers in their tracks any number of times, although perhaps using him deep would have been wiser. One week after looking all-world, the Steelers secondary appeared to be every bit of a liability that many feared they would be during the off season Grade: F

Special Teams
We can absolve this unit of blame for the delay of game penalty. Suisham made his two field goal attempts although the second did not lend a lot of confidence in his ability to make a third. Justin Kapinos punting was mediocre. The Ravens did OK in kick return yardage. Grade: B-

Coaching
Hats off to Sean Kugler for coaching his unit to a 180 degree turnaround from week one. Similarly, Dick LeBeau, Johnny Mitchell and Keith Butler’s plan to neutralize Ray Rice worked. But the secondary played similar schemes to what they had played vs. New England and was awful. Likewise, save for the fourth quarter, the offense was ineffective in a game where even a field goal would have made a difference.

When the Steelers found themselves at 4th and 5 Mike Tomlin committed the ultimate sin a coach can commit in those cirumstances - he vacilated. The Ravens came ready to play and kept their composure for 60 minutes. The Steelers did not. That’s on the coaches. Grade: F

Unsung Hero
When a “skill” player plays well, everyone knows about it. Then there are those whose best work often goes unnoticed. The Ravens swept the Steelers twice this year for the first time since 2006. But they did it in spite of the fact that the second time around Steelers offensive line had its best performance of the year, and that’s why that unit is the Unsung Hero for the Ravens game.

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Steelers Choke, Ravens Fly to 23-20 Victory

2011-11-08T01:01:00.003-02:00

When the Steelers last faced off against the Ravens, they waltzed into Baltimore with the swagger of defending AFC Champions and got their clocks cleaned by a Raven's team that had a superior game plan, executed it better, was more physical, and quite frankly wanted it more.

The Baltimore Ravens saw a different Pittsburgh Steelers team Sunday night at Heinz Field, but the end result was equally damming.

Against the Baltimore Ravens the Pittsburgh Steelers did a lot of good things and offered a lot to like, but they committed the ultimate sin for a team fancying itself as a contender - they consistently failed to make plays when they needed to.

In colloquial terms, the Steelers choked.

The Flip Side of "Not Adding Style Points"

Mike Tomlin loves saying: "we don't add style points." This Tomlinism generally follows an ugly win. His point is that it matters little if you throttle the Titans or hold on for dear life against Jacksonville or Indianapolis because collectively they all increase your sum in the "W" column by 3.

The same logic applies to losses. As Steel Curtain Rising has said before,

Unlike high school algebra, the NFL awards no partial credit for "showing your work."

Against the Ravens the Steelers showed the tremendous strides they'd made since the Debacle in Baltimore:

The Steelers offensive line played its best game of the season, neutralizing Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata
Rashard Mendenhall ran as well against the Ravens as any Steelers back has run in memory
The Steelers rendered Ray Rice and the Ravens rushing attack an essential non-factor game's final outcome
James Harrison played with the passion of a animal in heat

Each of these represents an exponential improvement from the Steelers first outing and, had the final score remained 20-16 each would have been an impressive accomplishment.

Alas, all went for naught and these efforts were wasted.

Big Ben, Taking Some Flacco….

ESPN America Latina’s pre-game show focused on the quarterback duel. For those of you who missed it (or wouldn't have been able to understand), the summary was simple:

Ben Roethlisberger is reaching the prime of his career and worthy of elite status
Joe Flacco is struggling to show he even merits consideration in the conversation

After thoroughly outclassing Tom Brady, the NFL Gold Standard at quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger got a classic schooling in quarterbacking essentials from Joe Flacco Sunday night.

“Quarterbacking essentials” is the operative phrase here, because Flacco was hardly flawless against the Steelers. He struggled in the red zone and first and second down Flacco looked every bit the journeyman his critics have tried to make him out to be.

But Joe Flacco delivered when it mattered, his play defined quarterbacking excellence on third down and again during the two minute drill.

Roethlisberger conversely struggled to convert third downs for much of the night. In the first half alone he had three near-interceptions, and his third quarter pick ended a drive that most likely would have resulted in at least a field goal.

Instead, it sparked a Raven’s touchdown.

That’s a ten point swing in a game decided by 3. If Ben is even aware of Terrell Suggs he renders the Ravens last minute heroics meaningless.

“What They’re Really Asking Is, Why Don’t You Win?” – Chuck Noll

During the depths of the 1989 Steelers 92-10 start, Chuck Noll answered away Pete Axehelm’s “Has the game passed you by?” question by explaining “Questions like that are similar to ‘why don’t you throw to the tight end, why don’t you use the shot gun?’ what they’re really asking is ‘Why don’t you win?’”

The Steelers didn’t win, so here come the questions.

When the Raven’s needed 12 yards, Flacco found a receiver that was 12 yards deep. When they needed six, he threw it six.

Joe Flacco, Cam Cameron and the Baltimore receivers deserve full credit for this.

Why, however, did the same coaches and players who just seven days earlier smothered a superior passing attack, fail to execute on any sort of adjustment?

The same goes for the offensive staff. Rashard Mendenhall looked pretty damm sharp against the Ravens yet only got 13 carries.

Why not at least attempt to lean on the running game more while Roethlisberger was struggling?

Their recent winning streak notwithstanding, the Steelers have committed some avoidable penalties of late. It was only a question of if and not when it was going to cost them, therefore….

How in the hell do you allow a delay of game penalty to push you out of field goal range in when defending a 4 point lead closing in on the two minute warning?

Once Again, NFL = Not For Long

Just seven days ago pundits began declaring the Steelers as “the team to beat in the AFC.”

Today tie breakers place them at third in the AFC North. Instead of poll position for an first round bye the Steelers will likely need help to make the playoffs unless they run the table.

Mike Tomlin has started every season at 6-2. Save for his rookie campaign, 6-2 has always led to 6-3. Tomlin railed the team week nine losses against in '08 to Indianapolis and in '10 New England into Super Bowl appearances.

The ’09 loss to Cincinnati started a five game losing streak.

Tomlin has done a good job of taming the emotional roller coaster that forms part of any NFL season.

He’d better be able to do so again because the Steelers have left themselves with little margin for error.

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Ravens Defeat Steelers, 23-20

2011-11-07T03:05:00.002-02:00

Hats off to the Baltimore Ravens for being better than the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight. While they certainly didn't dominate like they did in week 1, they made the plays when they had to.

Interestingly enough, what had been the Steelers strengths during their now ended winning streak. Ben Roethlisberger was wild and inaccurate early on, and their secondary suffered a series of major breakdowns.

Its now 2:10 am here in Buenos Aires, and work looms tomorrow morning. Check back tomorrow evening for Steel Curtain Rising's full analysis.

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Steelers Place Daniel Sepulveda on Injured Reserve (Again)

2011-11-05T21:34:00.003-02:00

Nine weeks into the 2011 season, the NFL has been a pretty predictable place.

Somethings, however, you can still count on.

One of those is the Pittsburgh Steelers placing Daniel Sepulveda on injured reserve. Sepulveda, who'd been having a good year, again tore his ACL. Steelers Digest annouced the move on Twitter, indicating that Sepulveda had injured the ligament in his plant leg during practice.

To replace him, the Steelers signed Jermey Kapinos, whom the Steelers signed in 2010 after Sepulveda was injured in the December game against the Ravens.

Sepulveda also spent the 2008 season on the injured reserve list.

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Steelers Patriots Poll Shout Out

2011-11-02T09:27:00.003-02:00

“For those who believe, we’ll have practice here on Tuesday.” – Chuck Noll

Those were apparently Chuck Noll’s words to the team after the 1989 Steelers closed out their final game with a win against Tampa Bay. The ’89 Steelers entered the weekened needing a win and a lot of help to qualify for the playoffs.

They got most of it that Sunday afternoon, but still needed the Benglas to loose that Monday Night. Mike Browns boys complied and the rest is history.

Events, starting this Sunday against the Ravens, of course will reveal whether the Steelers win over the Patriots was historic or just a radar blip.

But that doesn’t mean that those who believed do not deserve a loud and clear shout out.

Few were predicting that the Steelers would puncture the Patriots, few except Steel Curtain Rising’s regular readers, as the poll below reveals (apologies for the blurry screen shot):

As you can see, a solid majority backed the Steelers over the Patriots. I honestly knew this game was going to be different but can claim no bragging rights because I didn’t back that up in print.

You however, my beloved readers, were less shy about declaring your faith. Kudos to you.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Patriots

2011-11-01T01:05:00.004-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who has agnonized as his student slammed his head up against a wall time and time again, only to finally achieve success. Thus comes the Steelers report card for their 25-17 puncturing of the Patriots. As always, no other report cards were consulted prior to this posting.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger threw 50 passes completed 36 of them for 365 yards and two touchdowns. Moreover 39 of those 50 passes were underneath, and Roethlisberger completed 79.5 percent of them according to ESPN and with Roethlisberger guiding them, the Steelers offense converted 10 of 16 first downs with a monster 39:22 time of possession. And the beauty of it is, Roethlisbeger knows he can still improve. Grade: A-

Running Backs
So the Steelers dominated time of possession by almost a two to one margin and 3 running backs totaled 21 carries? Yes, this might be a sign of things to come. But that will be OK if Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore produce continue to deliver when they get their chances. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers
Every member of the Steelers receiving corps (save for Weslye Saunders) not only caught balls, but did their part make catches that counted. This unit kept the chains moving and dominated New England’s secondary. Young Money has yet to master the shoe string catch and there were some communication miscues. Like Roethlisberger, this group can still improve and that’s the beauty of the situation. Grade: A-

Offensive Line
Heavens sake, what a difference a year makes. Last year against the Patriots seemed to collapse the left side of the Steelers offensive line at will. The offensive line gave Roethlisberger time for most of the day, and the sacks were largely Ben’s fault. The line also opened up holes for the rushers. The line could have played better in the Steelers final offensive series as well at the goal line. Grade: B+

Defensive Line
If the Steelers had developed a fundamental weakness against the run, Billy Belinick would have exploited it. As it was the Patriots totaled 53 yards rushing. Tom Brady didn’t face a ton of pressure, but he didn’t have anywhere near the time he did last year. Brett Keisel is playing like a man possessed. Grade: A-

Linebackers
Out go James Harrison, James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley, and in come Larry Foote, Stevenson Sylvester, and Chris Carter…. LaMarr Woodley had a dominating performance until a hamstring fell him. Larry Foote did his part to pick up the slack in the middle and was second on the team in tackles. Timmons also looked “OK.” Sylvester didn’t play much and Cater did about as well as you could expect given the circumstances. Grade: B+

Secondary
My, my, my, is this the maligned unit that left Super Bowl XLV with its tail between its legs? Ike Taylor totally shut down Wes Welker, Deon Branch failed to a factor and the Steelers secondary played some aggressive press man-to-man converge to send New England’s aerial game crashing down to earth. Pittsburgh has not seen such quality secondary play the man who is not coaching them, Carnell Lake, was playing in the early 1990's with Rod Woodson and Darren Perry. Coincidence? Don't bet on it... Grade: A+

Special Teams
Shawn Sushiam’s out of bounds kick off, idiotic rule aside, could have been lethal were it not for the defense. Nonetheless his field goals gave the Steelers their margin, however the fact that he missed his fourth kick and that the coaches didn’t feel confident enough to let him kick when trying to run out the clock is a little disquieting. Grade: B-

Coaching
Who was the resident genius at Heinz Field? Bruce Arians rolled out one of the best game plans he has ever produced in Pittsburgh and his players executed it almost to a T. And you can’t say enough of about the way the Dick LeBeau's defense smothered what had been the NFL’s best offense. Mike Tomlin brought it all together by getting the team to forget about “righting history” and focus on “writing history.” Grade: A+

Unsung Hero Award
The Steelers victory over the Patriots may go down as the day that the passing game established itself is the dominant modus operandi of the Steelers offense. But that should not short change the quality contributions made by the running backs. The Steelers ran economically against New England, but they it well when they needed to, and for that Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, and Isaac Redman are the Steelers Unsung Heroes of the Patriots game.

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Steelers Puncture Patriots 25-17

2011-10-31T01:32:00.003-02:00

“Many of our guys were not a part of this history when it started, because you are talking about 2001 and 2004. So, it's not similar in that way.” – Mike Tomlin, prior to the Patriots game

Mike Tomlin majored in history at William and Mary. The day he was hired the claimed the credential of being a “football historian.”

Mike Tomlin’s study of the history of football has served him well but, ironically, the most important lesson he has learned is that sometimes it pays to forget the past.

If the New England Patriots deserve the title of the NFL’s most important team in the last decade, and they do, then it is a fair statement that the Steelers have been their whipping boy.

You know the drill, the Steelers are 6-1 vs. the Tom Brady led Patriots. The NFL keeps no style points, but the Patriots have stung the Steelers on special teams, sizzled their secondary, and pushed them around physically on both sides of scrimmage.

Mike Tomlin and his staff devised a game plan par excellence, but his biggest coup was getting his players to exorcise the demons from their Patriot's past before taking the field.

Roethlisberger, Young Money Take Flight

Steelers Nation knew this could be special. Thus far in 2011, fans have seen flashes, steps forward and sputters back ward, glorious long TD’s couple with frustrating downfield misfires.

Against the New England Patriots the Pittsburgh Steelers offense made a major statement.

Ben Roethlisberger and Young Money can play with anyone.

Yes, Baltimore and Cincinnati and perhaps 12 other AFC teams have better pass defenses. But 7 games into the NFL season the New England Patriots have been the class of the AFC.

All of those bombs to Mike Wallace and clutch catches by Antonio Brown count for nothing if the Steelers offense fails to deliver against New England.

New England won the toss and elected to defer.

Think Bill Belinick might wish he had that one back?

In one drive Ben Roethlisberger threw 8 passes, connecting on 6 as the Steelers scored a touchdown on their opening drive. But they did more than simply take the lead, the Steelers offense established control of the game in a way that they have probably not done since the 2005 divisional playoff against the Colts.

Ben Roethlisberger has always played second fiddle Manning-Brady-Rodgers-Brees-Rivers et. al. But at Heinz Field vs. the Patriots, Ben Roethlisberger was the best quarterback on the field.

Ben hit every receiver he could have hit with the exception of Weselye Saunders. Roethlisberger kept the Patriots off balance mixing short passes with long ones, but most importantly he delivered on target.

More importantly, he receivers came up with play after play keeping the chains moving, and keeping the ball out of Tom Brady’s hands.

As Ben Roethlisberger himself said after the game, the Steelers offense was not perfect. There were some mistakes and ugly miscommunications.

Translation: This unit can and will get better. Let the rest of the NFL take note.

Steelers Secondary Shifts into Primary Focus

The word from the press was that the Steelers defensive coaches had more or less resigned themselves to Brady’s excellence. Brady was going to do his damage the word was, the key was simply to limit that damage.

Fortunately, Carnell Lake declined to fill his defensive backs in on that part of the plan.

Following Super Bowl XLV any Steelers fan who could register a pulse knew that the team’s strength lay in its front seven and that, barring an upgrade at corner, the Steelers would win in 2011 in spite of its secondary and certainly not because of it.

Then a funny thing happened. Seven games into the season, the Steelers were leading the NFL in pass defense.

“Oh, but just wait until they get challenged by a real quarterback,” the retort rang.

Sunday brought the NFL’s very best quarterback and arguably its best receiver in the form of Tom Brady and Wes Welker.

At the end of the day the Steelers secondary was the unit left standing. It is hard to say enough good things about the performance put in by the Pittsburgh’s defensive backfield.

These players confronted the AFC’s if not the NFL’s most potent passing attack and refused to flinch. If you’re looking for a telling statistic, look no further than the fact the Steelers held both Welker and Deon Branch under 40 yards.

Everyone expected the Steelers offense to put points on the board, and the did that. NO ONE expected the Steelers defense to hold Brady and company to just 17 points and only 3 out of 13 third down conversions.

Timely Plays in a Timely Fashion

All of the accolades on defense however do not go the secondary.

The Patriots rushing attack was a non-factor all game – credit the defensive line and linebackers. New England’s famous tight ends led the team in receiving, but they were no where near the dominating force that they had been in spanking Pittsburgh suffered one year ago – credit the Steelers linebackers in large part.

All of that was necessary for the Steelers to win but, in itself, not sufficient.

The key to stopping Tom Brady is to get in his face. LaMarr Woodley help derail two New England drives with sacks on third downs, and Brett Kiesel’s strip-sack snuffed out any chance that Brady would do what he does best – transform defeat into victory.

In Position to Turn a Page?

The Steelers defeated New England because they refused to let the ghosts of Patriot’s past haunt them. In doing the evolution of their offense took a major step forward, and they played some of the best pass defense Pittsburgh has seen since the days of Lake, Woodson, and Perry.

But just as sins committed in past defeats do not bind Pittsburgh in the present, the real significance of the victory over the Patriots will be told in the Steelers ability to consolidate it next week against the Ravens.

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Stevenson Sylvester to Start, Farrior to Sit Out?

2011-10-29T19:49:00.003-02:00

Corbin Bryant’s stint on the Steelers 53 man active roster did not last long. Promoted from the practice squad last week when the Steelers put Aaron Smith on IR, this week Bryant finds himself the odd man out.

The Steelers Digest reported today via Twitter that the Steelers waived Bryant today and promoted Monte Ivy from their practice squad.

This move at least raises the possibility that James Farrior, who was “limited” in practice this week, will not start which would also signal the first start of Stevenson Sylvester, whom the Steelers took in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.

It is also possible that the Steelers plan to start Farrior but are also hedging their bets.

With Bryant gone from the roster, Steelers fans should also expect to see Casey Hampton return to the line up.

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Steelers Should Hacka to Beat Patriots

2011-10-27T21:31:00.002-02:00

We all know of the Steelers tortured history vs. the New England Patriots.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have beaten the duo of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick precisely once.

You’d better believe that first Bill Cowher and then Mike Tomlin, along with their respective staffs, have logged some major over time watching tape strategizing, and other wise scratching the earth trying to find a way to beat Brady.

Fortunately the newly crowned World Cup Rugby Champion New Zealand All Blacks might have just provided a solution. Prior to each match, the All Blacks, in homage to New Zealand’s Maori heritage, perform the Hacka, a Maori war dance.

Perhaps its time for the Steelers to emulate their example. Watch for yourselves and decide:

…Back to Reality

Of course there is little, no zero, chance of this happening, but it would be awesome.

Imagine a bearded Brett Keisel calling the cadence, with Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Casey Hampton, and Maurkice Pouncey throwing down the gauntlet to Brady and Welker in such primal fashion….

…Nope, its not going to happen, but would it ever be a sight to see.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Cardinals

2011-10-24T23:45:00.002-02:00

From the grade book of a teacher who wonders whether his student is really gifted or is simply a big fish in a small pond. For another week that remains an academic question, next week is another subject however. Here is the Steelers Report Card for the victory over Arizona. No other grades have been consulted.

Quarterback:
Ben Roethlisberger had one of his better days of the season. He distributed the ball well, made things happen with his feet, and used his release valves when warranted. He did have a couple of "almost" interceptions and still must improve delivery on deep balls. Grade: A-

Running Backs:
Don't let the stats fool you. Rashard Mendenhall has little room to run, and made something out of nothing on occasions. This group did not put up pretty numbers, but Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore's ability to run the ball late in the game allowed the Steelers to asphyxiate any Arizona comeback hope. Grade: B

Wide Receivers:
This was a banner day for the entire Steelers receiving corps. not only in terms of quantity of catches but also quality of catches. Mike Wallace is quickly establishing himself as one of the game's most dangerous receivers while Antonio Brown's ball catching ability continues to impress. Health Miller, Manny Sanders, and Hines Ward also made key catches. Grade: A+

Offensive Line:
Another week and other offensive line configuration. This week's O-Line provided good protection for Ben early on but couldn't run block. Later, things reversed, Ben found himself on the run while the Steelers rushed the ball better later in the game. Overall an above the line but still inconsistent performance from the offensive line. Grade: C

Defensive Line:
Already down to their third nose tackle, the Steelers got an emotional jolt with Aaron Smith went on IR. Arizona has run the ball fairly well this year, and while their rushers did get some double digit runs, the Steelers contained them well. The line, however, will need to get more pressure on Tom Brady next week. Grade: B

Linebackers:
Lawrence Timmons made an appearance as his pressure forced Kevin Kolb into an early interception. LaMarr Woodley had another monster game acting as a one man wrecking crew. James Farrior also made his presence known, although Larry Foote had a subpar afternoon. Grade: B+

Secondary:
The secondary of the NFL’s number one pass defense had a hot and cold day. Ike Taylor managed to contain Larry Fitgerald well enough but committed some drive-sustaining penalties. The secondary also benefited from some woefully inaccurate passes from Kevin Kolb. This unit needs to play better against the Patriots. Grade: C+

Special Teams:
Where is Antonio Brown playing better, as a return man or as a receiver? Perhaps more importantly, the coverage units were excellent against Arizona as they have been all season. Shawn Suisham made three field goals in a range that he’d been having difficulty with. Grade: A

Coaching:
Arizona would figure to have an edge, given that they’ve got 5 coaches and 4 former Steelers under their employ. No such edge was apparent after the whistle blew. Mike Tomlin had his men focused and Bruce Arians and Dick Lebeau came in with good game plans that their units executed. Grade: B+

Unsung Hero Award
The Steelers offense scored three touchdowns and the defense contributed a safety. The final score was 32-20. Take away field goals of 41, 42 and 39 and Arizona is in more than a position to win the game in the fourth quarter.

The Steelers watched makable kicks go astray this year, but that did not happen against Arizona, and that provided the Steelers with their comfort zone which is why Shawn Suisham is Steel Curtain Rising’s Unsung Hero for the Cardinals game.

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Steelers Atomize Arizona 32-20

2011-10-24T01:28:00.003-02:00

Pittsburgh vs. Pittsburgh West. Three years ago these two teams met in The Big Dance, but few hyped this game as some sort of Super Bowl rematch.

No, the question wasn’t whether the Steelers could replicate their past success against Arizona, but rather whether they could avoid a repeat of a movie that has already been played too many times only seven games into the 2011 season.

Starting Out as Scripted

When the Steelers haven’t been falling flat on their faces, as they did in the Debacle in Baltimore or the Thrashing in Texas their script has been as simple as it has been maddening:

Start fast and build up a solid lead vs. an inferior opponent
Allow the said inferior opponent into the game penalties, errors, turnovers and inopportune sacks
Hold on for dear life as the clock ticks towards zero

Against the Cardinals the Steelers began in familiar form, albeit with the wrinkle that they, gasp, secured a turnover which the offense promptly turned into 7 points.

The Steelers defense held up its end of the bargain forcing three straight punts.

Midway through the second quarter, Steelers Nation was treated to another familiar sight:

If Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace deep for 6 is a familiar, and pleasant, sight what came next was equally familiar but all too unpleasant.

Arizona got the ball back and almost on cue the Steelers defense started to commit penalties that helped the Cardinals get into scoring range, and ultimately score inside the two minute warning.

Sure Steelers managed to make some lemonade out of lemons with their last minute field goal, but that fact that those points were more due to Arizona’s own penalties than the Steelers own efforts lent to the feeling that the Steelers had only set themselves up for a second half stumble.

Arizona Shines in Act II

Both Pittsburgh’s and Arizona’s first possessions in the second half only lasted 6 plays – and that was a problem. After converting a third down the Steelers were forced to punt.

Arizona looked much sharper, rebounding from a LaMarr Woodley sack by catching the Steelers defense flat footed for a screen pass that they converted into 73 yard touchdown.

Suddenly, what was once a two-touchdown lead was now a meager three points. Once again it seemed, the Steelers were letting an inferior team guided by an inexperienced quarterback threaten to upset them.

Act III

Classic Greek drama has the protagonist finish Act I on a high note, find himself in dire straights in Act II, only to rebound to triumph in Act III.

If there is an appropriate word to describe the Steelers in Act III this season, “survival” is far more fitting than “triumph.”

However, against the Cardinals, the Steelers broke the template by answering Arizona’s score in decisive fashion.

On the ensuring drive, Ben Roethlisberger hit Health Miller, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown for gains of 21, 17, 13, and 20 yards to bring the team to the goal line, where Roethlisberger fired a bullet to Emmanuel Sanders to lengthen the lead to 10.

LaMarr Woodley took over from there, forcing an intentional grounding call on Kevin Klob, tacking on two more points to the lead.

The Steelers still refused to lift their foot from the gas pedal. Up to that point the men in Black and Gold had been unable to run the ball, but Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall led a drive 55 yard drive the ended in a field goal and more importantly, burned 7:12 off of the clock.

After a three and out by Arizona they did it again, running the score up to 32 to 14.

Arizona did bounce back to mount a respectable 71 yard drive that theoretically gave them a chance to get back into the game. Ken Whisenhunt gambled that his defense would get him the ball back.

Ben Roethlisberger made his old mentor pay.

Credit Isaac Redman and Mewelde Moore for some impressive runs on the Steelers final drives, but on three obvious running situations Ben Roethlisberger threw the ball converting each of those for first downs. The Steelers executed perfectly on that drive, allowing them to finish by taking a knee.

The Steelers Varsity Schedule Begins

Steel Curtain Rising took a cautionary tone following the Steelers victory over the Jaguars, but concluded that what troubled the Steelers was a set of loose ends to be tied up rather than a set of fundamental flaws.

The Steelers were far from perfect against Arizona where they:

struggled to run the ball consistently,
gave up too many sacks,
were sloppy in the secondary

But they looked sharper in the passing game, didn’t suffer a special teams snafu and, most importantly, they put their opponent away.

The Pittsburgh Steelers must consolidate those gains quickly, because next week brings Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to Heinz Field. If the Pittsburgh Steelers history against the Patriots suggests anything, it is that the men in Black and Gold will need every edge they can muster.

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Aaron Smith Goes on IR; Steelers Activte Corbin Bryant

2011-10-22T17:44:00.004-02:00

During training camp this summer All-Pro Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith made it clear he was not one to go gently into this good night. When asked about retirement plans he was very open with the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette:

No, I don't think I'll know. They'll have to tell me. My personality is I feel I can do anything. I've always felt anything is possible; you can always turn things around. I'm kind of an optimist. Maybe, it's denial to a point. It would be hard for me to admit it to myself.

"Someone would have to say, 'Hey, Aaron, you're not doing this, you're not doing that. You need to hang it up or something.'

One must wonder if just such a conversation has already taken place on the South Side between Smith and the Steelers braintrust as the Ed Bouchette is reporting that the Steelers have ended Smith's season by placing him on injured reserve.

To take his place on the roster, the Steelers have activated practice squad player Corbin Bryant, who joined the team as an unrestricted free agent who played so well in camp that some observers doubted the Steelers would be able to "sneak him on to the practice squad."

From No Where to Starter

Aaron Smith joined the Steelers in 1999 as part of Tom Donahoe's final draft class as a fourth round pick out of North Colorado.

Smith drew the ire of fans by staging a mini-hold out during his rookie training camp, and only played six games as a rookie recording all of one tackle.

But it was during the 2000 summer at Latrobe that Smith exploded out of no where to establish himself as a starter. He started opening day in 2000, missed the following week, and then returned on week 3 vs. the Tennessee Titans. From there Smith started every game for the next seven seasons until injuries caused him to miss a game in the middle of the 2007 season.

During that time Smith established himself as one of the best, if not the best 3-4 ends in the league. 3-4 defensive ends don't normally pile up pretty statistics, but during 2004 Smith registered 8 sacks 3 forced fumbles in 2004. Not concidentally the 2004 Steelers won 15 straight games that year.

Injuries Take Their Toll

During Mike Tomlin's rookie campaign the Steelers lead the NFL in defense overall, but by the end of the year they'd lost much of their edge, finishing the year at number one due to the tremendous advantage they'd built up earlier in the year.

Some naysayers even claimed the unit had "gone soft" in allowing the Jaguars to run over them in late December. The simpler truth was that the Steelers defense wasn't the same without Aaron Smith.

In 2008 and the Steelers led the NFL in defense and came within a hair of setting a number of all-time defensive records on their way to Super Bowl XLIII. Again, there's no coincidence that this happened with Aaron Smith back as a full-time starter in peak form.

However, against Detroit in 2009 Aaron Smith torn his rotator cuff and quickly went on injured reserve. He was back again in 2010, but this time after six games he tore his triceps. Although Aaron Smith did not go on IR, he never played another down.

Smith returned in 2011 - many thought the Steelers might part ways with him, but did not look the same. Smith injured his foot during the Thrashing in Texas, and missed both the Titans and Jaguar's games.

The End of the Line?

Little information circulated about Aaron Smith's injury and prior to today no press reports indicated that it was potentially season-ending.

It is possible that Smith's injury worsened but it is just as probable that the Steelers have concluded that Smith can no longer help the team.

With Chris Hoke and Casey Hampton both declared out for the game vs. The Cardinals the Steelers needed to activate someone from their practice squad, which also meant someone on the roster needed to go.

If the Steelers thought Smith could still contribute in 2011, it is unlikely that they'd have ended his season. And, sadly, it is even more likely that this spells the end of Aaron Smith's career.

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Has the NFL Neutered the Steelers?

2011-10-20T23:37:00.008-02:00

Prologue -December 7th, 2005

In just 3 weeks Pittsburgh has fallen from 7-2 to 7-5. Crucial losses to AFC contenders Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati rob the Steelers of their swagger. The final game ends egregiously, with Chad Johnson taunting the Heinz Field faithful by wiping his cleats with a stolen Terrible Towel.

The morning after the Post-Gazette speculates as to whether Jerome Bettis was second guessing his decision not to retire and, worse yet, fans learn that the Steelers could run the table yet fail to make the playoffs.

That Wednesday morning the Steelers return to the South Side to a surprise. Bill Cowher announces a practice in full pads. Long time veterans cannot remember a full pads practice this late in the season. But order it he does, and the Steelers go on an 8 game winning streak that ends on the podium in Detroit at Super Bowl XL....

Does This Impact the Steelers?

Ask Mike Tomlin how this affects the Steelers and he’d likely dismiss any impact, pleading lack of concern, as long as the rules apply to everyone….

Sounds like common sense, but the Steelers, more than many teams, have established a foundation in being physical.

The new CBA between the owners and the NFLPA stipulates that during the 17-week regular season, teams are only permitted a maximum of 14 padded practices. Moreover, coaches can practice in pads 11 times during the first 11 weeks with a single two-padded practice permitted once during that span.

During the final six weeks of the season, only 3 padded practices are permitted.

Those are the restrictions. How might they be impacting the Steelers?

Neal Coolong, of Behind the Steel Curtain (full disclosure, I also write for BTWC) offered this assessment in a personal email following the Trashing in Texas.

The direction of this game is becoming an absolute joke. We are [explicative] year because we cannot practice with pads on, and our defenders are so freaked out about getting fined every game they aren't hitting. Add that with the lack of practice time on the things, you know, you DO IN THE GAME YOU'RE PLAYING, you have a weak team that [sic] supposed to be physical.

In other words, they've Steeler-proofed the NFL.

Look at that screen play [vs. the Texans] on third and long in a must-stop situation for Pittsburgh's defense. Polamalu doesn't want to hit Foster the way he's supposed to be hit, because that involves the helmet and could lead him to a penalty, or another fine. Instead, he literally jumps on top of him and lets gravity do the rest.

Pittsburgh is facing a running concept they hadn't seen much of, and they can't practice in pads to truly replicate what it feels like in the trenches when guys are cutting you. Because of that, every team is doing it to them, and they can't keep up.... Their practice time in pads has been reduced 200 percent, and the physical defenses (Pittsburgh, Jets, and yes, the Patriots).

Our offensive line is in the same position. When will you get to know a person better, when you spend a day with them or when you exchange instant messages? Not being in pads and hitting their opponents during the week hinders their ability to learn each other's tendencies and work together on their weaknesses. They could last year, which is why they kind of held up despite all the injuries. Same amount of injuries, most of the same guys, completely different results.

Neal's logic flows flawlessly and he makes quite a compelling argument. But as Yoda might say “Reality not always does coherent logic add up to.” Aristotle argued that if you drop two objects the heavier one will fall to earth first. It made so much sense that no one thought to challenge him until Gallieo tested it from the Tower of Pisa and discovered Aristotle was wrong….

Neal was hardly the first fellow member of the blogging community to comment about the dramatic reduction of physical contact in NFL practices, so I thought it best to bounce his observations off of someone who has been watching the Steelers practice for decades. In his weekly PG Plus chat of two weeks ago this was how Gerry Dulac responded:

Clearly Dulac doesn’t think new rules on contact in practice are an issue. I don’t want to wade too much into a shadow debate between a friend and a serious journalist whom I respect. At this point Steel Curtain Rising will lay both issues out and comment that this is a story that will continue to develop.

The issue of how teams coach their players to avoid helmet-to-helmet hits is another issue.

The ironic thing about this is that after the Texans game Mike Tomlin reportedly ordered is two-pad practice and the Steelers rebounded with their best and most physical game of the year by far vs. the Titans.

Epilogue

The issue of the lack of contact was discussed on CBS both before and after the game. The exact flow of the conversation escapes memory, but Bill Cowher clearly said that were he still coaching, he’d want an extra padded practice in his back pocket.

One can imagine he would, if for no other reason than his famous full-pads December practice that sparked his Super Bowl run wouldn’t be possible in 2011.

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Chuck Noll vs. Jerry Glanville Revisited

2011-10-19T00:28:00.003-02:00

Bill Cowher won the affection of Steelers Nation because the fist-pumping, Chin Out, spit in your face coach acted out what every fan felt.

Chuck Noll personified stoicism. Noll neither ranted nor raved, didn’t high five, and rarely raised his voice. His glare, however, could melt iron.

The news of the NFL this week was of course the post-game handshake fracas between Jim (don’t call him John) Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz.

Nice little bit of three-penny theater no doubt, but seriously, is this the best you can do guys?

Back in the old AFC Central, head coaches knew how to call one another out.

On December 20th 1987 the Steelers traveled to the Houston Astrodome in a must-win game vs. the Oilers. The Steelers of course lost that day 24-16.

But that’s not what angered Chuck Noll. Oilers head coach Jerry Glanville was new the league, and made little pretension about being one of the league’s bad boys.

Glanville, it was accused, not only encouraged his men to hit hard, but to attempt to injure. After the game, Noll let him know what he thought about it (need to wait 20 seconds):

It took a lot to get a rise out of Chuck Noll, but Jerry Glanville did it. It’s hard to know what he said, but one can almost discern “go after your as_.”

The Post-Gazette ran an AP article at the time which reported that Noll said such “tactics “will come back to haunt you. I’m serious.’” The Post-Gazette as reorted that Noll had also apparently issued a challenge via Oilers cornerback Steve Brown to go toe-to-toe with Glanville on the slide lines.

The Chuck Noll – Jerry Glanville feud would rage on for three more seasons, with Glanville’s Oiler’s delivering some bitter beatings at Three Rivers Stadium in ’88 and ’89, and Noll striking back with stunning upsets in 1988 and of course in the 1989 Steelers Divisional Playoff victory over the Oilers at the Astrodome which cost Glanville his job.

It Harbaugh vs. Schwarts made for good television, no doubt.

But those guys were amateurs.

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Steelers Report Card vs. the Jaguars

2011-10-17T23:43:00.003-02:00

From the Grade Book of a teacher who can't help but think his students start strong then slack off. Here is the Steelers Report Card for their Juke with Jacksonville. As always, remember that no other grades were consulted prior to this posting.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger started the game on fire, torching the Jaguars for 181 yards in just 11 throws in the first half.... He then proceeded to complete 1 pass out of 5 for 19 yards for the rest of the day. Some of is likely the play calling, but Ben bears the brunt of the responsibility. Grade: C-

Running Back
Give Rashard Mendenhall this. When he's on, he is on. He was on against the Jaguars, running for 100 yards with just under 12 minutes left in the third quarter. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Grade: A

Wide Receivers
Like their quarterback, they started out strong and finished with a whimper. Its hard to tell who is more at “fault” for some of the later mis-fires, but while most of the burden appears to fall on Ben, some of those balls could have been caught. Grade: B-

Offensive Line
Another game another offensive line configuration and yes, another in-game injury. But the line played well, opened holes and blocked for Mendenhall and gave Ben good time. With that said, Roethlisberger was sacked on third down in three straight series in the 4th quarter. While those sacks have more to do with Roethlisberger and his receivers, the line does bear some responsibility. Grade: B-

Defensive Line
Maurice Jones-Drew ran well, especially after Chris Hoke went out of the game. But the defensive line got excellent pressure on the quarterback and had plenty of tackles for losses. To quote that old addage from ESPN's NFL PrimeTime, "They didn't stop Jones-Drew, but they did contain him." Grade: B

Linebackers
James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley continue to deliver comeuppance to everyone who questioned them during the first four games. The unit go pressure on the quarterback and did well in run-containment for the most part. Where is Lawrence Timmons? Grade: B

Secondary
Ike Taylor gave up his first touchdown pass and it wasn't even close. Jacksonville’s passing numbers didn't look pretty for most of the day, but a big part of that was that he kept missing open receivers. Troy Polamalu had a big game as always. Where are the turnovers? Grade: B-

Special Teams
This was by far the worst outing for the Steelers special teams in 2011. Pittsburgh got no spark from its return game. The attempted reverse looked clumsy and yielded nothing. Discretion is the better part of valor, and so is knowing when to go for a blocked punt and when not to. The roughing the kicker call gave Jacksonville life, marking yet another failed opportuinty to put them away. Ditto Daniel Sepulveda's 20 yard punt. And we had anothe missed field goal....
Grade: D

Coaching
The Steelers started out strong but things went downhill as soon as the coaching staff abandoned the 3 step drops. Dabbling with a return to 7 step drops is fine, but why Bruce Arians and Mike Tomlin insist on sticking with that when it wasn't working befuddles. Defensively the Steelers played well, but several special teams decisions were head scratchers. Grade: C-

Unsung Hero
Larry Foote left Pittsburgh with a lot of noise in 2009, returned in 2010 to great fanfare, and then has largely been forgotten. Larry Foote might not have made splash plays that his counterparts LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior made, but he was there plugging up the middle and helping the defense contain Maurice Jones-Drew, and for that Larry Foote is Steel Curtain Risings Unsung Hero of the Jacksonville game.

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Steelers Juke by Jacksonville 17-13

2011-10-17T00:47:00.005-02:00

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars once stood as bitter rivals, a rivalry which continued after Jacksonville left to form the AFC South as the AFC Central transformed itself into the AFC North.

Even into the Tomlin era, the Steelers and Jaguars played several intense games, including a bitter playoff loss at Heinz Field and a dramatic October show down that set the tone for the Steelers 2008 Super Bowl season.

The question facing the Steelers today is whether Pittsburgh’s sputtering 17-13 victory over the Jaguars set a tone for the rest of 2011 or merely reflected much of what Steelers Nation has seen six weeks into the season.

Following a Familiar Tune….

Mike Tomlin’s allegedly hung up on Jacksonville press over their insistence on questioning him about the Jaguar’s January ’08 playoff victory. The fact that the hang up was the big “news” leading up to the game shows just how far this Jaguars franchise has fallen.

And to that end, the game’s first 20 minutes or so went exactly as it was scripted:

The aging, yet still relevant Super Bowl contender dominating a franchise who'd lost its way and was led by a rookie quarterback.

During much of the first half the Steelers performed like clock work on both sides of the ball.

Rashard Mendenhall ripped off enough runs to top 100 yards before the end of the first half
Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace torched Jacksonville catches of 25 and 48 yards
The Steelers defense sacked hapless Bruce Gabbert four times in the first half

The Pittsburgh Steelers played flawless football for the game’s first 20 minutes.

Just as they had done vs. the Colts, the Steelers gave every indication that they were going to rout an inferior opponent. And just as their AFC South brethren had done, the Jaguars turned the tables and gave the Steelers a run for their money.

Seven Step Sputter

The Steelers non-existent pass blocking, particularly on the ends, is what allowed the Colts back into the game.

Fortunately, against the Jaguars Pittsburgh’s offensive line provides no such scapegoat. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 3 times on third down during the 4th quarter, which is troubling.

But the Steelers offensive line kept Roethlisberger clean enough that those 4th quarter sacks should only be statistical anomalies. You can trace the fact that they weren’t anomalies directly back to the fact that after the game’s first 20 minutes, the Steelers offense got away from what had made it so successful in the first place.

The Steelers opened the game following the same template that had led it to success against the Titans: running the ball and calling short, three step drop passing plays.

Either because he was nursing a lead or because Jacksonville wasn’t mounting much of a pass rush, Bruce Arians got away from and started calling plays using Ben's normal seven step drop, and as a consequence Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers never seemed to recover their rhythm.

The Steelers continued to run the ball well, as Mike Tomlin acknowledged, the Steelers “were in some manageable third downs” but they couldn’t convert.

Given how thoroughly the Steelers had dominated the Jaguars in the early going, it is easy to understand why Arians loosened the reins on Roethlisberger. Big Ben fired deep four times but failed to connect with Saunders, Brown or Wallace.

Complete any one of those passes, the Steelers go up by another touchdown and we write a different story

But as misfires mounted, the offensive staff should have gone back to what worked so well in the early going. They never did and Jacksonville consequently hung around till the final gun.

As Rush Defense Goes, So Goes the Steelers Defense

The good news is that the Steelers extended their no streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher by one game.

The bad news is that Maurice Jones-Drew ran for 99 yards.

The Jacksonville Jaguars certainly did not “impose their will” on the Steelers, but they ran consistently enough to take pressure off of their quarterback.

It might be a tad bit unfair to heap too much on one of eleven, but Chris Hoke went out with a stinger during the second quarter, and Steve McLendon took his place for the rest of the game and that’s when Jacksonville’s running game found its rhythm.

Nonetheless, down to its third nose tackle, the defense was forced to carry the offense during the second half and did they did enough to win, with Troy Polamalu making a key stop on third down and Brett Kiesel making a key sack on the Jaguars final drive.

“I think the jury is still out on us. I don’t run away from that. As a matter of fact, I encourage it.” – Mike Tomlin, following the Jacksonville game

Bill Cowher used to preach a team “finds its identity” during the season’s first six weeks.

Mike Tomlin has echoed similar sentiments before, but he clearly isn’t ready to buy into that line of thinking at this juncture. That’s justified given the Steelers performance against Jacksonville.

The Steelers do have issues they must address, but after the Jacksonville game, those needs appear much more as loose ends as opposed to glaring needs.

Playing the schedule game is of course a no-no, but it would behoove the Steelers to tie those loose ends next week against Arizona before New England comes to town…

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Hines Ward Will Not Play After 2013

2011-10-14T01:45:00.004-02:00

No one can play for ever, not even Hines Ward. While Ward is not ready to retire, he also confirmed on the Jim Rhome show that he will not play beyond his current contract, which expires in 2013.

Should Ward decide to play out the last two years of his contract, the Steelers may face a tough decision. Speculation is that salary cap considerations will either force the team to part with many of its veterans in 2012 or at least get them to accept greatly reduced salaries.

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Steelers Report Card vs. Titans

2011-10-10T22:09:00.003-02:00

From a teacher who suspects his pupils got a stern talking to after receiving their mid-semester report. Here goes the Steelers report card for their Tumbling of the Titans. As always, no other grades have been consulted.

Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger’s first two passes were off, and the interception before the half seemed foolish. But beyond that, Roethlisberger was damm near perfect, throwing five touchdown passes for the second time in his careeer. Moreover, he adjusted his game, and got the ball out smartly. Grade: A-

Running Back
Overall rushing averages might fail to impress, but Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer did something that had yet to be done in the first four games – make the Steelers running game relevant. And that made a huge difference as Ben Roethlisberger used play-action to perfection. Grade: B+

Wide Receivers
Seven different receivers caught balls, and all of them made plays, from Hines Ward and Heath Miller returning to their roles as Mr. Dependable I and Mr. Dependable II, to Antonio Brown’s catch which set up the first TD, to Mike Wallace burning Tennessee deep after he burned them underneath. Against the Titans, Steelers Nation glimpsed what Pittsburgh’s offense could be with a compotent running game and decent pocket protection. Grade: A

Offensive Line
Who says that you can’t sign quality left tackles off of the street? Turthfully, it is possible to give Max Starks too much credit for the line’s rebound, as Pouncey played markedtly better and Foster looks to settle back into a starting role. But Starks did make a difference on any number of plays. The line opened up holes for the runners and give Ben what he needs, time. Grade: B+

Defensive Line
Cameron Heyward got his first NFL sack, Ziggy Hood got part of another, Brett Kiesel batted a pass that got intercepted and Chris Hoke had two tackles for losses. Outside of one quality 21 yard run, Chris Johnson was not a factor. The Steelers defensive line played head and shoulders over what it had done before, and that allowed other things to click for the defense. Grade: B+

Linebackers
James Farrior played as if he took all of those “over the hill” comments personally. His career may be winding down, but Farrior seems determined to go out with a bang. LaMarr Woodley atoned for his past misdeed with 3 splash plays. Lawrence Timmons also had a tackle for a loss and a pass defense. Grade: B+

Secondary
Statistically Matt Hasselbeck didn’t have a bad day, but he also did not move his team effectively until garbage time rolled around. Still, there were a few miscues that lead to the late touchdown and the defense needs to guard against those. Grade: B

Special Teams
The successful fake punt and another moster game by the return team are nice. A blocked field goal and the failure to recover an on-sides kick are not so nice. While its gone unnoticed because of everything else and because of some dumb penalties, the Steelers special teams breakdowns are happening with alarming familiarity. The breakdowns must stop. Grade: C-

Coaching
Mike Tomlin said after the Texans game that their was nothing that ailed the Steelers that couldn’t be solved with a little better blocking and better tackling, and he was one to something. Really, it looked like a different team out there between the improved run defense, improved offensive line, and flawless play calling by Bruce Arians on offense. Grade: A

Unsung Hero
This award could go to a lot of different guys. With young studs blossoming into super stars around him we have not seen a lot of him, but with 7 catches 2 touchdowns and a number of key third down conversions, Hines Ward is Steel Curtain Rising’s Unsung Hero of the Titans game.

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The Standard Is the Standard: Steelers Tumble Titans 38-17

2011-10-09T23:37:00.005-02:00

Four games into the 2011 season found Steelers Nation a wash in clichés. “Old and Slow.” “Sieve-Like Offensive Line.” “Lost Their Edge.” “Walking Wounded.”

The glory of a cliché is in the truth it conveys. Late in the 4th quarter Greg Gumble reported that Ben Roethlisberger confided in him the dread and panic projected onto the team by media and fans was absent in the Steelers locker room.

After watching the Steelers 37-17 thumping of the Tennessee Titans it is easy to understand. And you can trace the reason why back to another time-honored Tomlin cliché: The Standard Is the Standard.

The translation of “The Standard” is simple: Injuries are no excuse. Play above the line. Play winning football.

In a league whose season is routinely and, correctly, described as a “battle of attrition” those are bold words. How are injuries not the deciding factor let alone an excuse? Against the Titans, the Steelers showed just why “Injuries are no excuse.”

Turning an Important Corner

After the Trashing in Texas, the Tribune-Review’s Dejan Kovacevic was alarmed by the Steelers lack of urgency and challenged Mike Tomlin’s diagnosis that the Steelers could cure what ailed them with better blocking and tackling.

Mike Tomlin was on to something.

The Titans began the game by following the blueprint left by their successors in Houston. A 21 yard run by Chris Johnson sparked a 67 yard, 6:46 min drive with the Titans reaching Steelers 4.

At that point LaMarr Woodley took matters into his own hands, blowing by a blocker and sacking Matt Hassellbeck for a 5 yard loss. Troy Polamalu struck next limiting Chris Johnson to a 1 yard gain.

The Titans would have to settle for a field goal, and the Pittsburgh Steelers had turned an important corner – they’d maintained The Standard controlled the game from there on.

Improvising, Adapting, and Overcoming on Offense

Going into a game with an ailing quarterback, your 5th offensive line configuration in as many weeks (and that doesn’t even touch the intra-game reshuffling), and your lead running back out, you’d have to figure that things would be different on offense.

And that’s not such a bad thing.

Between injuries and ineffectiveness, the Steelers have failed to establish any kind of offensive rhythm in 2011 thus far. Against the Titans, the Steelers offense marched to the cadence of a new drummer.

Isaac Redman led the way. 49 yards might fail to impress, but this kid can play.

Redman didn’t simply run the ball, he took the point of attack to the defenders. For traditionalists like yours truly Redman’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th efforts were a sight for sore eyes.

Jonathan Dwyer also impressed. His 76 yard scamper was a thing of beauty, and while he did make some mistakes, he also showed that he can combined speed with power.

Hats off to Bruce Arians and the rest of the offensive staff for calling one of their best games ever.

Whether it was the return of Max Starks, improved play by Pouncey, or the simple fact that this line had enough, the pass protection was far, far better than it had been all season.

Nonetheless, Arains stuck to his game plan, which mixed short, quick developing pass plays, straight ahead, between the tackles rushing, aided by timely misdirection. The Steelers netted 18 yards on reverses and executed play-action to perfection.

This only works if the running game keeps the Titans honest and if the receivers come down with catches on third downs, which they did. The offense maintained The Standard to the tune of 38 points.

The Adults Are Alright

When you have the NFL’s oldest defense and play poorly, pundits point to the Age Issue. When that same unit plays well, the team benefits from its "maturity."

Against the Titans the Steelers defense didn’t looked aged, they looked experienced.

Need proof?

James Farrior led the team in tackles.
Chris Hoke recorded two tackles for losses.

How did Chris Johnson fair after the opening drive?

The Steelers defense limited him to all of 30 yards.

The Steelers defense didn’t play a perfect game, but they responded whenever again whenever the Titans threatened to return to the game. The Titans post on-side kick recovery lasted all of one play, as the Steelers recorded their first interception of the season.

What Makes the Standard "The Standard"

Admit it. In 2007 when the Steelers were giving up games in the 4th quarter and Tyrone Carter and Anthony Smith were getting torched in Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark’s absence Mike Tomlin’s credo of “Injuries are no excuse” sounded pretty hollow.

“The Standard is the Standard” is no motivational aimed at getting the uninjured to step up. In Steelers Digest last year Tomlin explained merely playing in the NFL puts a player in the top 0.5% of the population of football players. The difference in talent from starter to back up is miniscule by comparison.

In other words, Tomlin means what he says.

But Tomlin relies on his players to put deed behind his word. They did it against Jacksonville in 2008; they did it down in Tennessee last year, and they did it again against the Titans.

In Week 5 the winning football is once again the standard of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Al Daivs, Steelers Nemesis, 1929-2011

2011-10-08T19:40:00.003-02:00

Al Davis, long time Steelers nemesis, has passed away at age 82, as the Oakland Raiders have announced and numerous sources have confirmed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed their share of rivalries during their 79 years of existence, from their historic rivalry with the Browns, from rivalries in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s with the Oilers and Bengals, to the inter-conference rivalry with the Cowboys, and of course their current rivalry with the Bengals.

But with the Raiders it was different. Certainly the Steelers other rivalries have had their heros and vilians. But no one, not even someone as arrogant as Brian Billick or as obnixous as Jerry Glanville could personify the entire rivalry.

With the Raiders, it was different. Different because it was personal at its core, and it all came down to Al Davis. Davis didn’t like Pittsburgh, didn’t like the Steelers and make no secret about it.

In his book, My Steeler Odyssey, Andy Russell talks about how when he got drafted by the Chargers of the AFL and the Steelers of the NFL, Al Davis attempted to entice him not by selling him on the Chargers, but rather by bad mouthing the Steelers organization and the city of Pittsburgh.

From the Immaculate Reception to the Criminal Element

The 1970’s gave Al Davis the perfect opportunity to channel his hatred of the Black and Gold onto the field – to the delight of NFL Fans every where.

It was against Al Davis’ Raiders that Franco Harris made the greatest play in NFL, if not sports, history, the Immaculate Reception. In a single play, the fortunes of a franchise changed.

Five more times the Steelers and Raiders would meet in titanic clashes in the playoffs during the 1970’s. The Steelers would get the better of their West Coast rivals 3 times.

Davis simply refused to accept the Steelers were in fact the better team, never tiring of making excuses, questioning the legitimacy of the Immaculate Reception, or complaining that the Steelers have iced down the field prior to the 1975 AFC Championship game.

It was during that game that Lynn Swann suffered such a tremendous illegal hit at the hands of George Atkinson that Chuck Noll labeled him part of the NFL’s “Criminal Element.”

At Al Davis’ prodding, George Atkinson sued Chuck Noll for libel. Although Davis recruited rising political star Willie Brown to try the case, the California jury exonerated Chuck Noll. Still, the case was tried in the summer, disrupting the Steelers training camp and the rest of their season.

Al Davis may have won the battle, but he lost the war. The Steelers closed the decade with 4 Super Bowls to the Raiders 1.

Al Davis and The Rooneys

Al Davis relationship with the Rooneys saw its ups and downs. Art Rooney Sr. went out of his way to comfort Davis when his wife Carol suffered a stroke. Davis was sure to send flowers to Dan Rooney after a car accident in 1980.

Yet Dan Rooney fought Al Davis tooth and nail as Davis thumbed his nose at the league, not to mention the fans in Oakland, in establish the awful precedent that allows NFL to abandon their fans in search of a new home.

Davis, publicly and falsely castigated Rooney for “…flagrantly cheating on the salary cap” in 2001, to which Dan Rooney defend himself by calling Davis a “lying creep.” (Quotes as reported by Jim O'Brien in Art Rooney.)

In the end, it appears that Rooney remained true to his Catholic faith and made his peace with Davis, saying good things about him in his autobiography Dan Rooney, but reminding readers that “Al is Al,” and upon learning of Davis’ death, Rooney issued the following statement:

Al Davis was a good man and we were friendly rivals. He was a football man and did a lot for the game of football. I had a lot of respect for him and he will be missed throughout the entire NFL.

How much the rest of the NFL will “miss” Al Davis is an open question. But neither the NFL nor the Steelers-Raiders rivalry will ever be the same.

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Casey Hampton, Chris Kemoeatu, Aaron Smith Out for Titans Game

2011-10-08T01:33:00.002-02:00

Perhaps reporters should conserve ink (and pixels) by reporting on who is playing for the Steelers vs. the Titans.

Because the injury list is horrendously long.

James Harrison is of course out with an orbital fracture. So is Aaron Smith. Chris Kemoeatu is out. So is Casey Hampton.

Rashard Mendenhall is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury. Hamstrings generally do not heal quickly, and a hamstring would seem to be a bigger issue for a running back than say, a lineman (which isn’t to say it would be insignificant for the lineman.) Don't expect Mendenhall to play.

Ben Roethlisberger is going to suit up using his special protective boot.

Chris Scott Returns, via Practice Squad

The Steelers 2010 5th round draft pick Chris Scott was a roster casualty in the wake of Max Starks return. This was a shame, because the Steelers need to develop young lineman.

Scott returned to the Steelers today, via the Practice Squad. Welcome back Chris.

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