He is Miami's problem now

Darren Rovell retweeted a thought that former Steeler Mike Wallace shared regarding Monday's announcement from Jason Collins that he (i.e. Mr. Collins) is gay:

Plenty of hate still out there RT @wallace17_dakid "All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH.”
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) April 29, 2013

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Steelers 2012: The Final Numbers

We enjoy providing statistical data regarding the Steelers, relative to their opponents, each week. And, in keeping with the tradition of the "Weekly Matchups," we now provide a final look at how Pittsburgh ranked in some of the statistical areas we believe are most significant.

Steelers' Offense
Average total yards per game: 21st, 332.8

Average net rushing yards per game: 26th, 96.1

Average net passing yards per game: 14th, 236.7

Average points per game per game: 22nd, 21.0

Steelers' Defense
Opponent total yards per game: 1st, 275.8

Opponent net rushing yards per game: 2nd, 90.6

Opponent net passing yards per game: 1st, 185.2

Opponent average points per game: 6th, 19.6

Steelers' Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: 28th, 7.3

Average yards per kick return: 9th, 25.3

Net yardage punting average: 25th, 37.5

Field goal percentage: 7th, 28/31 (90.3%)

Special Teams Defense
Average yards per punt return: 23rd, 10.2

Average yards per kick return: 17th, 24.0

Net yardage punting average: 23rd, 40.0

Field goal percentage: 19th, 28/33 (84.8%)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: 24th (-10)

Time of possession: 2nd, 32:07
,br> Red Zone touchdown efficiency: 14th, (55.1%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): 14th, (52.45)

Sacks allowed: 18th, (37 -- league average for the season was 36.5)

Some individual numbers
AFC passer rating: Ben Roethlisberger, 3rd (97.0, 449 pass attempts, 284 completions, 26 TDs, 8 INTs).

AFC leading rushers: Jonathan Dwyer, 15th (623 yards, 156 rushing attempts, 4.0 yards per carry, 2 TDs).

AFC leading receivers (receptions):

Heath Miller, 11th (71 catches, 816 yards, 11.5 yards per catch, 8 TDs).

Antonio Brown, 12th (66 catches, 787 yards, 11.9 yards per catch, 5 TDs).

Mike Wallace, 15th (64 catches, 836 yards, 13.1 yards per catch, 8 TDs).

San Diego vs. Steelers: The good, the bad, & the ugly

We know what you are saying: It was all ugly, wasn't it?

It was ugly enough that we stopped watching the game after the fourth quarter interception of Ben Roethlisberger's pass by San Diego linebacker Bront Bird (there was yard work to do, and it seemed like a good release for all the frustration). But there is value in finding the good amongst the hideous, and that is what this week's effort is -- looking for a diamond (however small) in the rough.

The Good

We warned you it might be like this: Our introduction to the weekly matchups went like this:

One might look at the Chargers' horrible record (4-8) and be tempted to take this week's Steelers opponent lightly. But this Chargers team is so much better than their record, or statistics, indicate that it promises to be a long, tough battle at Heinz Field on Sunday. Indeed, the Chargers are 0-3 against the AFC North this season, but the losses were by a combined 11 points (with seven of that coming last week versus Cincinnati), and in their road games this season the Chargers are 2-4, but have only been outscored by a combined 8 points (114-122).

So, take us more seriously from now on, won't you?

First half defense: We admit that we are reaching here, but given the ineptitude of the Steelers' offense it is amazing that the score was only 13-3. Moreover, the Chargers ran an incredible 41 plays in the first half but only gained 143 yards (a 3.49 yards per play average). Top all of that off with the fact that the average starting position for the Chargers' eight first half possessions was their own 45-yard line, and you have to tip your cap to Pittsburgh's defense for keeping it close.

The Bad

Hey Mike Tomlin, enough gambling, ok?: We understand the second quarter decision to go for it on fourth-and one at the Steelers' 47-yard line. It should have been a gimme'; but between this and the fake field goal attempt earlier this season . . . well, let's just say that we'd like to see the conservative Mike Tomlin re-emerge. The inability to get that one yard, and San Diego's ability to drive for a field goal ended up being a bigger deal than may have been apparent at the time.

Mike Wallace: We are tired of watching games in which Mr. Wallace follows up a costly penalty with a dropped pass. There is no way for us to know if this season long funk is the result of his holdout or some other issue entirely, but at this moment all we can say to him is don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'.

The Ugly

The Steelers' Offense: The final game statistics make everything look much more palatable, but during the first half -- when the game was still winnable -- the Steelers' offense had eight possessions, six of which that ended with punts, one that ended on downs, and one that ended with a field goal. Stated another way, on the field goal drive in the first half the Steelers' offense gained 59 yards. On the other seven possessions the offense gained a total of 64 yards. Or, stated still another way, the Steelers' ten longest plays from scrimmage combined for a net of 212 yards (an average of 21.2 yards per play). Their other 51 offensive plays combined for 128 net yards (an average of 2.5 per play).

Second half defense: Down by ten to begin the second half the Steelers defense was immediately sliced and diced for a 78-yard, 9:32 touchdown drive by San Diego. The Steelers' offense was horrible, but after putting up a good fight in the first half it seems the defense had nothing left to give.

Steelers @ Denver: Halftime quick hits

Mike Wallace's halftime line:  1 catch, 2 penalties; preseason means nothing.

Antonio Brown: He is earning his contract extension already, and the one Mike Wallace wanted.

Did Casey Hampton already retire and not tell anyone?  Any time Denver has wanted to go up the middle they have done so with one offensive lineman.

On 3rd-and13 at the end of the first half Denver doesn't blitz off of Mike Adams' side of the line?  Uh, no wonder Jack Del Rio got fired in Jacksonville.

Steelers @ San Francisco: Random thoughts

de·ba·cle
noun
\dē-bä-kəl, di-, -ba-; ÷de-bə-kəl\

Definition of Debacle:
1: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river
2: a violent disruption (as of an army) : rout
3a : a great disaster b : a complete failure : fiasco

1. As a fan I want to know everything about my teams; and while I surely know more than most it must also be acknowledged (right at the top) that I do not know as much as I would like.  Having said that, the defensive game plan versus the 49ers ~ specifically the big cushions afforded their receivers ~ is a puzzlement.  Following the victory versus New England much was made of how effective the press coverage was in throwing off the timing between Tom Brady and his receivers.  So, why then, didn't the Steelers use the same approach against a west coast offense that is predicated on timing patterns?  From my perch on the couch it seemed that the Steelers took a much more passive defensive approach than in recent games, and it did not seem to serve them well.

2. Mike Wallace needs to bulk-up.  Since the first month of the season opponent defenses have taken to not only double teaming Mr. Wallace but also playing him more physically at the line of scrimmage; and the approach seems to be working.  In the first four games of the regular season Mr. Wallace averaged 6.25 catches per game for an average of 108.5 yards per game (25 catches, 434 yards).  In the ten games since he has averaged 4.2 catches per game for an average of 64.6 yards (42 catches, 646 yards).  Antonio Brown has certainly benefited from the increased attention Mr. Wallace has received; but if the Steelers are to do an serious damage in the playoffs (i.e. return to the Super Bowl) then Mike Wallace needs to recapture his earlier form.

3. We all respect players who play hurt; but when they hurt the team by doing so then they do the team no favors.  It easy to understand why Ben Roethlisberger dragged his gimpy ankle onto the field Monday night ~ what with the Steelers having been presented an opportunity to vault to the #1 seed in the AFC ~ but he was horrible.  If Charlie Batch is incapable of besting that performance ~ and the suggestion here is that he should start the next two games ~ then one has to wonder why he (or Dennis Dixon) is on the roster.