Pittsburgh Sports Buzz

WHO GETS CREDIT
This is a new feature also, because after the first win this year, I hadn't come up with it. But, after the two previous editions of WHO'S FAULT IS IT, WHO DESERVES CREDIT is a welcome sight. As the title states it's WHO DESERVES CREDIT, not WHO'S FAULT IS IT. So, I won't put blame for bad plays on anyone in this article. You know who you are, Mr. Logan. Sorry, it slipped.

So….
Quarterback
Should Ben get credit for the W? Ben played extremely well, as shown by his QB rating in the 130s. I am very biased when it comes to Ben because of the quality of quarterbacks that came before him. I will have an article coming up on the subject of Ben and the Quarterbacks that preceded him in the near future in the A.B. era (After Bradshaw). But the main ingredient I would want in a QB is accuracy. Ben has many other attributes that have made him a Super Bowl winner twice but he rarely is off target, and that was true last Sunday. His leadership and stellar play continued, and he also got a little help elsewhere. See below.

Offensive Line
Should the Big Boys on the line get credit for this one? Well, there were holes for the running backs to run through and there was time for the Quarterback to throw. There were a few sacks, but chalk those up to Ben holding onto the ball looking for a play to develop. Chris K. was totally blowing up the Chargers and I doubt I was the only one holding my breath when he went out for a play at the end of the game. I like Doug Legursky lining up as the Fullback too on Rashard's TD run. They should try that more often.

Running Backs
Was it the Running Backs who should get the credit? Finally, I think we may have seen the beginning of Rashard Mendenhall's career in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, as many times it happens, it took the injury to Willie Parker's toe to make it happen. Mendenhall scored 2 TDs and ran with a mission, maybe due to the message the coach sent last week, maybe just because he got the chance to get significant carries. But, he took advantage of this opportunity. He managed to score a running TD with Doug Legursky and the rest of the line clearing the way for him and he scored on passing TD. He had a few blocks protecting Ben that flat out knocked two players senseless and above all he racked up some big yardage and helped to run down the clock at the end of the game. Mewelde Moore did his Ben impression with a option pass to Heath in the end zone and provided his usual consistent play.

Wide Receivers
Was it the Wide Receivers? The ageless one is having a pro bowl year so far with another 100 yard game. Santonio was mostly silent but picked up some first downs and caught what was thrown to him. Mike Wallace had a big catch early. Heath Miller is on pace for some monster numbers, record numbers for Steelers Tight Ends, and had 2 TD catches. Can't ask for any more than that.

Defensive Line
These guys held LT to some puny numbers, and kept the pressure on Phillip Rivers for most of the game. Just what they're supposed to do in this defense.

Linebackers
The pressure from these guys isn't what it was last year, but that could be because of the absence of a player in the defensive backfield. I still think this is a cycle and there will be a game soon where they will rack up 7 or 8 sacks and hopefully cause an avalanche of sacks. Also, other teams probably realized from last year that they better get the ball out fast or JH will tomahawk the ball out of the opposing QB's hands. James caused a fumble at the end of the game to reduce tension in the Steeler Nation. While the Linebackers haven't had the sacks they did last year, they are still the best group in the league.

Defensive Backs
This group played well in the first half and part of the 3rd quarter, but then San Diego started to find a way to get the ball to Antonio Gates. The Steelers couldn't keep that from happening and the race was on to see who could outscore the other team. Maybe one more game to be safe without Troy.

Special Teams
Won't blame Stefan for having the ball taken away from him and starting the San Diego scoring spree in this section. Kick protection continued to be a strength and Jeff Reed kicked a long one to secure a 2 score lead at the end.

Coaching
The game plan seemed to be to keep the ball away and keep Antonio Gates from getting the ball. That worked for most of the game and enabled them to build a 28 point lead and discover they have a first round draft choice that has some talent. Lebeau needs his Hall of Fame Safety back so he can let the Linebackers loose or find some other way to get the heat on.

The credit…
for this win goes to Ben and Rashard. Ben had plenty of time to throw and found the open guys and Rashard provided the rest of the ball control game picking up big chunks of yardage and scoring a running and receiving TD, the running one from short yardage at the goal line. Keep it up Rashard, I'd like to see more.