Cincinnati v. Steelers:The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Normally we utilize a very standard template ~ good stuff, bad stuff, ugly stuff ~ but for this game we are turning the whole thing upside down; and would like to begin by highlighting a portion of Mike Tomlin's post game press conference:

The Ugly

1. Question: It seemed like the punting was a problem tonight . . .
   
   Mike Tomlin: It was horrible.
   
   Question: Will you look at that situation?
   
   Mike Tomlin: We'll address it.
   
   Now we would like to repeat a portion of our post game analysis from last week:
   
   "Paul Ernster has to go.
   
   Four kicks, a 31.0 yard average, and a net of 30.8 yards. His average is tied for lowest so far this weekend (with only the Monday evening game remaining), and his net is the second lowest (Indianapolis punter Hunter Smith had a single punt with a net of 16 yards). He has done a good job holding for field goals, but his fourth quarter, 20-yard punt from the Chargers' 38 yard line was horrific."
   
   Thursday evening's performance makes that look spectacular:
   
   4 kicks, 28.4 yard average, 28.4 yard net.
   
   We checked the position list for punters at NFL.com, and there are any number of players available, including Zac Atterberry who had a good training camp with Chicago.


2. Having tall receivers may be something that Ben Roethlisberger wanted, but if Limas Sweed cannot ge away from a punted football then please keep him on the bench. Obviously that play could have been disastrous, and would have been if they had been playing a team with a better offense.


3. Ben Roethlisberger completed 17 of his 30 passes, and we believe that receivers dropped fourteen of those incomplete passes. For the second game in-a-row Nate Washington dropped a ball that hit him square in the hands. Santonio Holmes, after having his jersey grabbed by a defender, had the ball hit him in the chest before he dropped the pass. Hines Ward and (the usually reliable) Heath Miller each dropped at least one pass. The next five opponents have a combined record of 32-18 (a winning percentage of .640), and missed opportunities like that simply will not do.

The Bad

1. Why is it that the Steelers' offense will not take a knee when they should? After dodging a bullet following the Limas Sweed miscue Bruce Arians called a pass play? What good could have possibly come from that? Feel free to run out the clock, and head to the locker room next time.


2. Despite a good performance we want to remind Mewelde Moore that, with time running out in the game and the Steelers in possession of the ball, it is preferable that he remains in-bounds. This is not the first time a Pittsburgh running back has done that this season (as we pointed out following the game against Cleveland), and we would like to think that running back coach Kirby Wilson is delivering the same message.


3. We love the defense but Ryan Clark had what (we hope) was his worst game as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Missed tackles, poor coverage ~ he has had a Pro Bowl caliber season until now. We are sure (*fingers crossed*) he will bounce back.

The Good
(This may end up reading like the "All Redemption" team)

1. We have openly questioned Troy Polamalu. His physical ailments, we argued, were talking a toll that few others were willing to acknowledge.
   
   We stand corrected.
   
   Whether defending the run by launching his body like a missile into running backs, or tackling receivers in the open field, or picking off another pass he is back, and a force to be reckoned with.


2. A quick tip of the hat to Aaron Smith for his three deflected passes. Always one of our favorites, he continues to amaze us with his versatility


3. We have been unrelenting in our criticism of the play calling of Bruce Arians, but Thursday evening he showed us how good he can be. Sure we would like to see 100% running, but 37 rushes and 30 passes is a good mix; and more importantly the Steelers seemed more willing to stay with the run when it was working (we recall only one drive in which a relatively effective running play was followed by two unsuccessful passing plays, and a punt). Despite meager first half numbers the Steelers stayed with the run, and wore down the undermanned Bengals defense. Additionally, the short passing plays worked well, which leads us to item #2.


4. He has been roundly criticized, and some called for his benching, but Thursday night Ben Roethlisberger looked very good. With time to throw and receivers getting open he had a passer rating of 94.2 ~ his second highest such rating in his last five games (last Sunday's game was his highest in that stretch ~ 96.4). We especially liked the short passes to receivers in space who were then able to make big plays. We believe that that approach ~ i.e. get the ball to playmakers and turn them loose ~ is what good quarterbacks do. Making perfect, downfield passes should be the exception not the rule. Which leads us to item #3.


5. Yes, we criticized the receivers, but we also recognize that when they were able to hold onto the football (his second quarter catch, a completion that went for 27 yards, in which he grabbed the back end of the football was spectacular) they made things happen.


6. Last, but not least, a big shout out to the offensive line! Yes, the Bengals have a pass rush that is largely ineffectual, and yes the Cincinnati defensive line was horribly depleted, but the Steelers controlled the offensive line throughout. We were especially pleased with a play in the fourth quarter.
   
   Facing 3-and-10, Ben Roethlisberger dropped back to throw and was immediately pressured, and hit by a Bengals' defensive lineman. Mr. Roethlisberger escaped, and as he did Darnell Stapleton was there to drive that defensive lineman to the ground. That play enabled Mr. Roethlisberger to escpae to his left, and throw a 14-yard completion to Limas Sweed.
   
   We loved the determination and the refusal to quit on the play that Mr. Stapleton displayed. It really was indicative of how all the O-linemen performed Thursday; and gives us hope for the remainder of the season.

San Diego v. Steelers: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

We're not certain what is most noteworthy about this game ~ that the Steelers were victorious, they were victorious in the first ever 11-10 game in NFL history (so say CBS, with help from the Elias Sports Bureau we assume), or what we assume were huge sums of money that changed hands when Troy Polamalu scored a touchdown on the final play of the game; only to see all that money handed back over on the basis of an incorrect illegal forward pass call that ended the game. In our effort to decide we look at what went well, what was not so good, and what was downright horrible.

The Good

1. Big Dan the 'Burgh Man sent along a text message during the first half which said "Thank God for Dick LeBeau." Beautiful in its simplicity, yet comprehensive in capturing just how much the Steelers are depending upon their defense this season to be competitive. Philip Rivers' 43.6 passer rating was his worst such number this season (the previous low was 58.8 versus Oakland), and LaDanian Tomlinson's 57 yards rushing was his fourth worst total this season, and the team's 66 net rushing yards was their second lowest this season (the lowest is 60 yards versus Miami). Moreover, their 50 offensive plays was the third lowest total in a game this season, and their 4.3 yards per offensive play was the second lowest total this season (the lowest was 4.1 yards per play versus Miami).
   
   If this was the first time this season the Steelers' defense had done something like this we might only discuss player performance, but the season-long excellence of the defensive unit is certainly the result of leadership from their ageless leader, Dick LeBeau.


2. If James Harrison is not the defensive player of the year we simply do not understand the criteria for the award. Often double-teamed (and occasionally held, despite the lack of a call from the officials) he still managed to collect two tackles and two assists.
   
   And forced a fumble.
   
   And assisted on the tackle that resulted in a safety.
   
   And came up with a key interception that kept the Chargers off the scoreboard late in the first half (and there is no need to ask, given the final score, just how big a play that turned out to be).
   
   The intensity, bordering on rage, that he exhibited early in his career has been harnessed for good (i.e. if you are a fan of the Steelers) and he is following up a very good 2007 season with a Pro Bowl 2008.


3. During our recent visit to Pittsburgh Big Dan the 'Burgh Man and I spent a great deal of time going through the Steelers' media guide, and while doing so we discovered that Jack Lambert, arguably the greatest linebacker to play in the National Football League, waited until the end of his third full season to go to his first Pro Bowl.
   
   We mention this just so that you understand that we understand the full weight of this next statement: Second year linebacker LaMarr Woodley has earned a spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team. Sure, the Steelers' defense played reasonably well last week against Indianapolis (i.e. well enough to win); but as good as they are without him, the defense is even better with him in the lineup. He pressured the quarterback, he was in on the safety with James Harrison, and his ability to drop into coverage (e.g. the deflected pass intended for Vincy Jackson) makes him supremely valuable.


4. The defense was terrific, but there were also some good performances on the offensive side of the ball as well, but we were especially impressed by the hard running (i.e. aggressive, downhill running) of Gary Russell and Willie Parker. Tunch Ilkin mentioned it on the Steelers' radio broadcast ~ the Pittsburgh running attack is just different with a healthy Willie Parker in the lineup. We also thought Mr. Russell's contributions, especially in short yardage situations were very significant (e.g. third quarter, 3-and-1, six yard gain; third quarter, 3-and-1, four yard gain).

The Bad

1. So let's review:
   • 24 first downs
   • 410 net yards
   • 36:31 time of possession
   • +3 in turnovers
   • 8 points ?!?
   
   Five of the Steelers' nine offensive possessions terminated inside San Diego's 35 yard line, but all the offense ended up with was nine points. Execution is obviously a part of the problem, but we also have issues with the play calling.
   
   For example, on the Steelers' first offensive possession they worked their way from their own 41 yard line on a 4-yard run by Willie Parker and a 17-yard pass completion to Hines Ward (that put them at the Chargers' 38 yard line). At that point Bruce Arians called three consecutive pass plays ~ an incompletion, a sack, and a 13-yard completion on 3-and-18. That resulted in an ugly, 51-yard, missed field goal from Jeff Reed.
   
   On their second possession they moved the ball 69 yards, 33 of which was on the ground, but on a critical 2nd-and-4 at the San Diego four yard line a pass play was called and Ben Roethlisberger was sacked.
   
   On their first possession of the third quarter the Steelers moved from their own 23 yard line to the Chargers' 28 yard line (49 net yards), gaining 26 yards on the ground on five carries. Yet, with a 1-and-10 at that point, they called three consecutive passing plays (completing the first one for five yards, and the other two were incomplete) and had to settle for another field goal.
   
   We understand the need for a balanced offense, however we also believe in forcing an opponent to stop you before going to something else. On a day when the running game was closer to being a ground attack it seems that Mr. Arians more interested in balance than simply going with what was working.


2. We sing the praises of the defense often, but allowing San Diego to go 78 yards in the fourth quarter . . . u-n-a-c-c-e-p-t-a-b-l-e.

The Ugly

1. Paul Ernster has to go.
   
   Four kicks, a 31.0 yard average, and a net of 30.8 yards. His average is tied for lowest so far this weekend (with only the Monday evening game remaining), and his net is the second lowest (Indianapolis punter Hunter Smith had a single punt with a net of 16 yards). He has done a good job holding for field goals, but his fourth quarter, 20-yard punt from the Chargers' 38 yard line was horrific.


2. 13 penalties, 115 yards.
   
   Yes, we thought the pass interference call against Ike Taylor (that set up San Diego's touchdown) was ridiculous (if that is pass interference then the rule needs to be changed), and referee Scott Green has already admitted his error on Troy Polamalu's fumble recovery for a touchdown; but our real problem is with the sloppy, sloppy play the Steelers turned in.
   
   Nearly a quarter of the Steelers' penalties were called on wide receivers (three on Hines Ward, one on Santonio Holmes), and two more were called on tight ends (one each on Matt Spaeth and Sean McHugh). In fact, only two penalties were called on offensive linemen (one on Willie Colon and one on Darnell Stapleton) and neither was for holding.
   
   All of this was nearly the undoing of the Steelers, and it is a testament to the good play of the offensive line and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that they were able to overcome it all.

Indianapolis @ Steelers: The Good,the Bad, & the Ugly

For us, being at the stadium to see the game usually makes it easier to absorb a loss (however unpalatable they might be). Certainly there have been exceptions (e.g. the drive home following the loss to San Diego in the 1994 AFC Championship game was interminable), but it usually helps.

And then there was Sunday's game against the Colts. Proximity to the game (rather than going to our seats in section 539 we stood on the rail in the end zone) has clouded our judgment significantly. But we will give objectivity a try and see how it all turns out.

The Good

1. For all the frustration that Steelers fans may feel the team's defense performed capably. Peyton Manning had his third lowest net passing total of the season (228 yards), the two sacks the defense recorded is the most that any team has recorded against the Colts (a total that three other teams recorded versus Indianapolis), and the Colts had their season-low in total net yards (290). It is undeniably true that the Colts had a short-field to work on a couple times, thereby artificially limiting the Colts' yardage (i.e. the Colts had a 25-yard drive for a touchdown, and a second drive of 32-yards for a touchdown) but the defense certainly played well enough to win.


2. Related to that is the performance of James Harrison: 8 tackles, 3 assists, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, and 2 quarterback hits. Whatever else happened in that game Mr. Harrison delivered an outstanding performance.


3. The difference between greatness and being good is making the great plays ~ on Sunday Ike Taylor was good, not great. For most of the game he was responsible for covering the Colts' best receiver, Reggie Wayne, and though Mr. Wayne had a very good day (6 catches, 114 yards, 1 touchdown) our very subjective judgment is that Mr. Taylor was in a position to make plays (i.e. he covered well). That he did not make some of those plays is why Mr. Taylor is not considered an upper echelon cornerback.

The Bad

1. Where do we begin?
   
   Not where you may have expected.
   
   One of the great advantages in being at the game was the opportunity to see the Pittsburgh wide receivers being physically dominated by the Colts' secondary. We acknowledge that we are no experts (and those who read regularly will second that) but there was very little separation between the Steelers' receivers and the Colts' players responsible for covering them. Watching the game from where we did (the picture above gives you a perspective) revealed to us what we have suspected for some time ~ that Ben Roethlisberger's issues are not all of his own making.


2. We are officially beating a dead horse ~ the offensive line was terrible. The 55 yards rushing was the second lowest total gained against the Indianapolis defense this season (Green Bay gained 51 yards), and as a result the Steelers' offense became extremely one dimensional; and nothing was more galling than watching their offense struggle in vein to gain a yard at the goal line (at the end zone where we were standing). Moreover, Ben Roethlisberger was sacked twice and hit at least three other times.
   
   Another horrible performance.


3. We pay special attention to special teams, and Paul Ernster's performance yesterday (despite doing well in his role on extra points and a field goal) was less than impressive. His net punting average (37.7) was the sixth worst (out of nine games) this season.

The Ugly

1. Ben Roethlisberger's interception at the end of the first half was a poor decision that defies description or explanation. From our vantage point in the stadium there was no way that pass was going to be completed. We have not read any of Mr. Roethlisberger's post-game comments, and frankly we do not really care what he has to say ~ bad decision.


2. Related to that first item is the fact that Bruce Arians called a passing play (an out pattern no less) with less than ninety seconds left in the half. The Steelers had the lead with time running out in the half. If the Steelers had called a running play what is the worst that would have happened? They punt (yes, the punter had not done especially well), and the Colts get the ball around the Pittsburgh 40 yard line ~ ten yards farther back than they actually did ~ with less time remaining on the clock (as it was the Colts had 1:18 left when they took possession). There is a time to be aggressive, and a time to play it smart. We are not sure Bruce Arians knows the difference.


3. Losing is horrible, we know that. But those Steelers fans who think Ben Roethlisberger should be benched need to relax. He is mid-way through his fifth season, and we believe that he will develop into a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. However, growing pains are a part of that process and all fans of the Black & Gold (not the most patient group, we know) should keep that in mind.

Indianapolis v. Steelers: The Matchups

With Ben Roethlisberger highly questionable for Sunday it is anyone's guess as to how the offense will perform. However, despite marked improvement in recent games, the Indianapolis run defense is still rather porous (in the first four games they gave up an average of 188.5 rushing yards per game, in their four most recent games they have given up an averageof 99 yards).

On special teams Mitch Berger is out ~ two punters and a long-snapper lost in the same season to injury? ~ and Paul Ernster has been signed.

Indianapolis Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Indianapolis offense 22nd (313.4) v. Steelers defense 1st (234.1)

Average net rushing yards per game: Indianapolis offense 32nd (70.1) v. Steelers defense 3rd (70.1)

Average net passing yards per game: Indianapolis offense 8th (243.3) v. Steelers defense 1st (164.0)

Average points per game: Indianapolis offense 23rd (20.9) v. Steelers defense 2nd (14.5)

Steelers Offense v. Indianapolis Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 25th (283.1) v. Indianapolis defense 15th (324.6)

Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 20th (101.8) v. Indianapolis defense 25th (143.6)

Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 24th (181.4) v. Indianapolis defense 3rd (181.0)

Average points per game: Steelers offense: 15th (22.3) v. Indianapolis defense 21st (22.1)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Indianapolis 25th (6.7) v. Steelers 30th (5.3)

Average yards allowed per punt return: Indianapolis 15th (9.0) v. Steelers 2nd (5.0)

Average yards per kick return: Indianapolis 23rd (21.5) v. Steelers 30th (20.0)

Average yards allowed per kick return: Indianapolis 19th (23.0) v. Steelers 6th (20.7)

Net yardage punting average: Indianapolis 30th (39.9) v. Steelers 9th (38.1)

Opponent net yardage punting average: Indianapolis 29th (40.3) v. Steelers 31st (41.5)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Indianapolis 9th (+2) v. Steelers 18th (+1)

Time of possession: Indianapolis 29th (26:33) v. Steelers 20th (29:42)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Indianapolis 1st (77.3%) v. Steelers 3rd (71.43%)

Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Indianapolis 6th (39.29%) v. Steelers 1st (30.43%)

Sacks allowed: Indianapolis 3rd (9) v. Steelers 30th (29)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Peyton Manning, 9th (83.3) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 10th (79.6)
Ben Roethlisberger is questionable for the game, Byron Leftwich does not officially have a passer rating at this time ~ 14 passes are required

AFC Leading rushers: Joseph Addai, 21st (248 yards) v. Willie Parker, 3rd (333 yards)

AFC Leading receivers: Reggie Wayne, 7th (43 catches, 586 yards, 13.6 per catch, 4 touchdowns) v. Hines Ward, 18th (34 catches, 445 yards, 13.1 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns)

AFC sack leaders: Robert Mathis, 17th (5.0 sacks each) v. James Harrison, 2nd (10.0)
Note: LaMarr Woodley is fifth in the AFC in sacks with 9.5

Steelers v. Vikings: The Good, the Bad & the (Really) Ugly

After watching the Steelers and Vikings muddle through their preseason tilt Saturday evening there is only one thing that need be said.

Eeewwwwwwww!

An an ugly game and an ugly win, here are a few observations for your consideration.

The Good

1. Larry Foote wasn't seriously injured. After watching him go down and taking in the "dramatic" shots provided by CBS (not to get off on a rant here, but is there any commentator more hateable than Dan Dierdorf?) it was a huge relief to see him hop up and trot off the field. Injuries have been a big part of this preseason for the Steelers, fortunately this one wasn't something catastrophic.


2. Rashard Mendenhall is going to make more than a few teams regret not selecting him while they had the chance. He showed great speed, and more importantly a terrific ability to run between the tackles. The stats (79 yards on 15 carries) do not adequately express the energy he infused into what was otherwise a moribund offense.


3. Willie Reid's performance was encouraging and showed just how much this young man is capable of as a receiver. We've been pretty critical of Mr. Reid, and like nearly everyone we believe that this is a make-or-break preseason for him. Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians gave Mr. Reid ample opportunity to showcase his receiving skills (he ended up as the Steelers' leading receiver ~ 5 catches, 55 yards) and, though he was unable to elevate above defensive back Marcus McCauley on a jump ball play (third quarter, first-and-10) and was whistled for an illegal formation penalty, he acquitted himself well.


4. Obviously the field goal team was terrific ~ and that is no small accomplishment considering that the battle for the punting position on the Steelers' roster between Mitch Berger and Paul Ernster may come down to which of those men works best with Jeff Reed and Greg Warren (though Mr. Berger did not punt at all Saturday night). Mr. Reed's 4-for-4 performance was the only bright spot in an otherwise miserable evening offensively.

The Bad

The starting offense was horrible ~ a shocking revelation we know, but it's true. A few pertinent facts to support this claim:

• Minnesota's starting defensive front seven limited the Steelers' starting offense to a first half performance of 76 net yards on 33 plays (2.303 yards per play).


• In the first half Willie Parker carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards.


• The Steelers' starting offense was 1-for-7 on third down conversions.


• In the passing game Ben Roethlisberger was hounded on nearly every play that required more than a three step drop.

Certainly the offensive line deserves its share of the blame, however when it comes to passing the ball Ben Roethlisberger needs to get rid of the ball more quickly. This has been a criticism of ours since Mr. Roethlisberger ascended to the starting QB position, and he just doesn't seem to understand that dumping the ball off is preferable to getting hit. Additionally, running backs need to be able to pass block and if Mewelde Moore is going to be the featured back in third-and-long situations he had better pass block more effectively than he did Saturday.

The Ugly

1. Rashard Mendenhall achieves a rare "Good, Bad, Ugly" double dip. Two lost fumbles is a thousand too many.


2. Limas Sweed improved his vision by heading over to the ophthalmologist and being fitted for contact lenses. Who does one go to in order to improve the gripping ability of one's hands? It got so bad that Byron Leftwich could be seen expressing his frustration to the rookie wide out.


3. Who does Byron Leftwich think he is to be yelling at anyone? Out of the league until the Steelers rescued him from oblivion, from our perspective it seems as though he would do well to be a tad bit more encouraging ~ i.e. a team leader. While we understand that he is striving for a long-term place on the Steelers' roster, Mr. Leftwich should remember that it's only preseason and everyone is trying to improve.

It wasn't much to look at, but if we thought Saturday night's game was ugly just wait until this Thursday when the benches will be emptied against Carolina.

More Punter Information

A recent item in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette does not exactly inspire confidence in the current incumbent for the Steelers' punting job. Additionally, there have been reports that the team would prefer to find a punter who can also handle kickoffs and (of course) holding for extra points and field goals.

In our posting on potential replacements for Daniel Sepulveda one of the players highlighted was Zac Atterberry. After an email conversation with a person familiar with Mr. Atterberry's experience we can now also tell you that he has "4 years+ of holding for Field Goals" and also had occasion to kick field goals "from time to time" though his abilities in the area of kickoffs "need work."

According to this same person Mr. Atterberry is thoroughly enjoying Bears' training camp; however with two veterans solidly ensconced in both the punting and kicking positions (i.e. Brad Maynard and and Robbie Gould) there is a chance that Mr. Atterberry may be available once cutdown day rolls around (8/26/08). While the Steelers might well prefer to get someone to camp sooner to compete with Paul Ernster it seems that the punting situation may remain unsettled even as the regular season begins.