I understand Ben, Troy and Hines didn't play today and they are three of our best players, but week after week, I am more and more upset by our defensive showing. When a 3rd string running back tears us apart like Mr. Ross did today, you have to wonder if it's our players, our player's psyche or our schemes? With the above players dinged and Aaron Smith, Marvel Smith and Willie Parker gone for the year, I really don't know how we will compete with Jacksonville next weekend. I can hear Jack Del Rio firing his troops up right now. If Musa Smith and company can hurt us - what will Fred Taylor and Jones-Drew do to us? If a rookie quarterback can drive the ball on us, what will the more seasoned Garrard do with even better receivers? If our coach is calling timeouts at 2:04 will he crack in his first playoff game? Should he have tried a second onside kick? Should he have challenged the catch in the endzone of the kickoff? He has not shown a keen ability yet at managing the "game time" decisions. I'm more than a little worried. I think we could have bounced Cleveland or Tennessee on talent alone. Jacksonville could very well come into our house as a slight favorite. I'm not giving up or turning negative - I'm speaking the truth. I'm worried. I think if you're not worried, your NFL IQ might not be as high as you think it is. I'm putting our chances of winning this game at 51%. Also, that 51% is based on Ben, Troy and Hines all playing. Some other thoughts:
I was looking for one bright spot today...one! I'm not sure I saw one. If I missed it, please fill me in. I guess you could say we covered kicks ok today.
I think Willie Reid will not make the team next year. With Rossum hurt, this was his time to get pissed off and show Steeler Nation why he was drafted so high. Well, you see how well that worked out. If he can't be a decent #5 receiver and we're forced to make Cedric Wilson field punts, cut him. Apparently we can add him to the list of good college receivers who can't play in the NFL.
Ike Taylor continues to aggravate me with his inability to catch.
Najeh Davenport looks like a different runner every week. He may be the most inconsistent player on the team. If he's not - who is? I have laid down the gauntlet.
Willie Colon and Keamoeatu are going to rack up a ton of penalties next year. Bank on it. I like a Steeler with a bad disposition, not one that has to push and shove every time they don't like the way they are handled.
I'm done complaining, more to follow this week.
2 comments:
Defense? What defense? You mean that 11-man Chinese fire drill that results in Silverback smacking the shit out of somebody once every 2 dozen snaps or so??
No need to question the Dog's NFL IQ, he is REAL worried about this coming weekend.
I don't disagree with anything you wrote. I guess we'll see if Big Ben can carry us into New England or if we suffer yet another Heinz Field playoff disaster.
I'll have my 75th Anniversary Big Daddy Lipscomb jersey on Saturday, it's all the magic I can give them.
Our defense sucks. Period. I walked away from the TV in disgust more than once yesterday. I could understand if we were playing New England, Indy, or even the Jags who have a great running game, but Baltimore? This was a 4-11 team on a 9-game losing streak and had a rookie in his 2nd ever start at QB, not to mention their best RB out. No excuses for the way the Steelers defense performed yesterday. None. They just can't stop ANYBODY at this point.
Someone on TV (Edmund?) said it all changed with the Jets loss this year. I agree. I think our team started questioning themselves after that loss and have never recovered. I am at least happy the Steelers will not have to play Cleveland in the playoffs because the Browns would've won and I couldn't have lived with that all off-season. Doubt we'd even be able to beat Tennesee. Really most of our team stinks right now except for Ben. We have no running game, no o-line, no pass rush, can't stop the run, no turnovers from our defensive backfield, and our special teams on both sides are beyond horrendous. Honestly I feel we'd get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs no matter who we play. I know I sound pessimistic but I couldn't find a single bright spot yesterday either. I hope I'm wrong but it's gonna take a miracle for us to even get past Jacksonville.
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