Happy 12-12-12

What are the Steelers Thinking

Did you see who is starting for the Steelers at quarterback today.  Ben Roethlisberger will be the starting quarterback today.  What are the Steelers thinking?  Byron Leftwich played so well until he was injured on the Steelers first touchdown drive in the first Baltimore game.  Charlie Batch was a field general in the second game against the Ravens.  He brought the Steelers back and brought a win against the Ravens in Baltimore, a feat that nearly noone thought could be done with the 3rd string quarterback.  But that was the good.  The bad is that he lost to the Browns in Cleveland.  Even with his interceptions he probably played well enough to bring home a win in that game, but to add to his interceptions, none of the running backs could hold onto the ball.  The result of the game was predictable.  8 turnovers 99.99999999% of the time results in a loss.  The funny thing is the Steelers could have easily won that game.  So, Batch is entirely capable of winning as the starting quarterback in a game against the hapless Chargers on Hines Field.  On the other side you have the longtime Steelers quarterback that holds most of the Steelers passing records.  The only problem with Big Ben is that he was injured 4 weeks ago and had an injury that reportedly could have been life threatening. 

So, the quandary Coach Tomlin faced this week was whether to start Big Ben or not.  The first question he faced is, is he healthy enough to play.  Ben has been practicing and on Wednesday went through a full practice session.  Then how would he feel after a full day of practice?  Supposedly he was feeling fine and ready to go.  So, Coach, your franchise quarterback has a "life threatening" injury four weeks ago.  Do you start him today against a team that Charlie Batch should be able to dispose of fairly easily.  Of course NOT.

Well, that life threatening injury apparently is not so life threatening anymore, otherwise this would be a no brainer.  The difference between Ben and Charlie is that Ben will bring an A game performance every week, give or take a questionable interception here and there.  As we saw against the Browns and the Ravens you are not sure what you're going to get with Charlie.  Make no mistake, I am a big CB fan.  He will not give you the same play as Ben though.  Ben is younger, stronger, and a proven winner in big games.  Charlie is a reliable backup that has proven he will come through in big games here and there.  There is no doubt about his toughness. If you have any doubt see the two hits he took in the fourth quarter against the Ravens and that doubt will be instantly erased.  Ben is the easy choice.  He has been cleared by the doctors to play and the decision has been made.  He will be the starter this week.  What were the Steelers thinking?  They were thinking they had an MVP calibre quarterback that was ready to go.  We will see if he is in shape or not.  If he looks like he did against San Francisco last year, it might not be a bad idea to take him out and put in that old guy that seemed to shake off the rust of inactivity in the Cleveland game and perform like an ageless vet in the Baltimore game.  We will see.

I'm guessing Ben will be ready for the Chargers. 
Steelers 20-10

Steelers vs Chargers

Steelers Fans are Everywhere

8 TOs

1 TO is bad enough and enough to disrupt most teams gameplans. No, I'm not talking about Terrel Owens, I'm talking about turnovers. There's something fishy in Denmark when none of The Steelers running backs can hang onto the ball. Did the Browns check the USC waiver wire for ex-grad assistant managers who like to take liberties with the game balls. Take the 3 CB picks out of the equation and that's about 3 more fumbles than can reasonably be expected. You got yours today Cleveland but if payback is not H e double toothpicks in Pittsburgh, this team needs to do some serious soul searching. By the way anybody want a former first rounder who's name starts with M that couldn't find a hole in the offensive line if his life depended on it and who has reverted back to his rookie fumbling ways. Enough ranting. It is not something I do on the Steelers, but even the Browns can beat a team that turns the ball over 8 times.

Which Running Back Do The Steelers Choose?

I have a problem.  I like to drive around every day and I have 3 cars.  One’s a Cadillac Escalade, the others are a Jeep Cherokee and a Dodge Durango.  They’re all big vehicles and very reliable, occasionally they will have problems that need to be repaired, but for the most part reliable.  So, back to my problem.  I never can decide which one I want to drive.  I’ve had the Cadillac for a while.  It is a nice vehicle.  It’s flashy, fast, and handles quite well.  It recently had some problems with its suspension system, but after some repairs and breaking it back in, it seems to be running close to how it was before the problem.  Since I’ve had it for a while, it’s flashy, and has a history of performing well, I’m inclined to hop in it.  The thing is while it was in the shop I’ve been driving the other two vehicles and I’ve got accustomed to their performance and how they handle and they are doing a nice job for me.  The Jeep is a little rougher than the Cadillac but it handles surprisingly well.  If there is an opening in traffic it will take off with any hesitation, but if it needs to move a little to the right or left and accelerate, I know I can depend on it after driving it in the absence of my Cadillac.  The Durango, I have found is great for getting those 10 feet the others couldn’t.  It won’t get stuck and just plows straight ahead.  But it also has endurance.

You know, come to think of it I don’t really have a problem.  This is a luxury.  There are 3 dependable vehicles in the garage and if nothing else I’ll just pick the one that is running best at the time.

By now you might have figured that I’m really talking about the Steelers running back situation.  The title might have been the first clue.  If I really had those 3 vehicles, though,  I’d be broke from trying to fill up the gas tank on them. 

Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley have a situation that could only be described as a luxury. 

Rashard Mendenhall, after a false start earlier this season and a trip to the inactive list, gets closer and closer to being healthy.  This week it looks like he may even be back in the starting lineup.  He is the Cadillac of the bunch.  When the Steelers drafted him, he had the size, speed, and elusiveness of a quality running back.  He has had 1,000 yard seasons,  he is big enough he can run straight ahead and break tackles running through the line or using his agility to sidestep tackles, and he is fast enough that he can get to the edge faster than most defensive players and get yards down the sideline.

Isaac Redman was supposed to be the next one up this season because of Mendenhall’s knee injury.  He has gradually gained confidence over the last few seasons backing up Mendenhall.  He is a straight ahead running back that specializes in short yardage, but those short gains have produced some big numbers in the few games he’s played this year.  He has the highest rushing yards total in a game this season, 147.   He also surprised many and had a 100 yard receiving game this year also.  Unfortunately, he left that game early or who knows how many yards he would have piled up.

Jonathan Dwyer caused more than a few people to compare him to Jerome Bettis, starting because of injuries to the other two guys.  That is no small accomplishment.  Dwyer found himself in the “dog house” with Tomlin because he showed up to training camp in his two previous years, out of shape.  This year he showed up ready to go and whether it was because he was in shape or finally getting to show his stuff in gameday situations he did just that and ripped off 107 and 122 yards against the Redskins and Bengals.  Back to back 100 yard games hadn’t been achieved by a Steelers running back since the first two weeks of 2008.

Saying all that, The Pittsburgh Sports Buzz expects to see Rashard Mendenhall start today, but who would the Pittsburgh Sports Buzz start if Mike Tomlin took the day off and handed over the reins for today’s game?  The Pittsburgh Sports Buzz would put Jonathan Dwyer in the starting lineup and add some small doses of Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman in.  The only benefit I see to Mendenhall over Dwyer is that he can “break the long one” according to the experts.  The only problem is he doesn’t do it.  We’ve been waiting for him to consistently do this since he was drafted and he doesn’t.  Granted his offensive line has been horrible since he’s been in the Burgh, but I just don’t think he has it in him.  Dwyer brings back the runner that can break through the line and get long runs, maybe not the home runs but he piles up the doubles. 

Some stats for you stats geeks out there.

Yards per rush

Mendenhall

2012 – 3.9

2011 – 4.1

2010 – 3.9

2009 – 4.6

2007 – 3.1

Redman

2012 – 3.5

2011 – 4.4

2010 – 4.8

Dwyer

2012 – 4.6

2011 – 7.7

2010 – 3.1           

Oh, by the way I didn’t even mention the Ferrari, the Steelers just acquired in the draft,  Chris Rainey.

2012 Steelers vs Ravens I

Steelers Power Rankings 11-15-12

Last	Current		Uniform
Week	Rank	Player	Number	Position
1	1	Ben Roethlisberger	7	QB
The most important player on the fieldsidelines.  If the backups can't manage to win, number one might fall in the rankings, until then number 7 is still number 1.
2	2	Max Starks	78	T
With long release Starks will need to hold blocks longer and better run blocking will be essential.
3	3	Heath Miller	83	TE
Safety valve for backup QBs and extra blocking.
4	4	Ike Taylor	24	CB
Held Cassel to 154 yards passing.
5	5	Maurkice Pouncey	53	C/G
Needs to lead the line in pass defense and run blocking.
6	6	LaMarr Woodley	56	LB
Playmaker on defense needs to make more.
7	7	Antonio Brown	84	WR
Passing game didn't operate nearly as efficiently without him.
8	8	Jonathan Dwyer	27	RB
Nice 17 yarder, but stats not as impressive as previous 2 starts.  Still nice 1-2 punch with Redman that could be successful in wearing down defenses.
9	9	James Harrison	92	LB
No other viable option at OLB.  Need a little of that MVP.
52	10	Byron Leftwich	4	QB
Status rising depending on how long Ben is out.
53	11	Charlie Batch	16	QB
If Leftwich can't take care of business Tomlin might turn to CB.
11	12	Ryan Clark	25	FS
Ryan is a big reason for why the Steelers have improved against the run.  Can he stop the concussions?
10	13	Casey Hampton	98	NT
Noone is running up the middle.
18	14	Lawrence Timmons	94	LB
Saved game once again.  Has become a bigger playmaker than Harrison this year.
12	15	Willie Colon	74	T
Cursing the officials, come on.  Those 2 penalties hurt the Steelers and gave the Chiefs a chip shot.
16	16	Isaac Redman	33	RB
Running game takes on added importance in Ben's absence.  Got to take care of the ball.
17	17	Shaun Suisham	6	K
Need every point possible.
13	18	Keenan Lewis	23	CB
Continues great season.  Will be challenged by the Ravens
14	19	Emmanuel Sanders	88	WR
Presence of AB helped him create separation.  In his absence he needs to create it himself. Need more than 2 catches.
15	20	Mike Wallace	17	WR
What is going on with the drops.  The TD was amazing though.  Would have been easier if he caught the one a few plays before.
19	21	Brett Keisel	99	DE
Two sacks.  At least someone is getting them.
20	22	Mike Adams	76	OT
Need great blocking without Ben in game.
21	23	Larry Foote	50	LB
Foote is a constant.  Always reliable.
24	24	Will Allen	26	S
Quality backup.  Stock rising without Troy.
22	25	Troy Polamalu	43	SS
Secondary holds up, waiting for healthy return. Importance dwindles as he doesn't play.  Not ready yet.  Could use his help on defense.
23	26	Ramon Foster	73	G
Quiet, but running yards speak volumes.
30	27	Will Johnson	46	FB
Crushing blocking.
25	28	Chris Rainey	22	RB
Where are the big plays?
27	29	Curtis Brown	31	DB
Didn't notice any plays this week.
28	30	Marcus Gilbert	77	T
Looks like a change of sides may be in future if Adams keeps growing in position.
29	31	Leonard Pope	45	TE
No Pope sitings this week.
31	32	David Paulson	81	TE
Targeted a few times.
32	33	Drew Butler	9	P
No news is good news.
33	34	Jerricho Cotchery	89	WR
Wallace's dropsies seem to be catching.  He's no 4 for a reason.
26	35	Ziggy Hood	96	DE
Left side of defense was run over.
34	36	Ryan Mundy	29	FS
Will Allen has locked up the backup job for Troy and been valuable
35	37	Baron Batch	20	RB
Quiet
36	38	Cameron Heyward	97	DE
Waiting for a splash play.
37	39	Jason Worilds	93	LB
Average.  Won't find field without injury.
38	40	Rashard Mendenhall	34	RB
Inconsistent. Can he improve the running game?
39	41	Doug Legursky	64	G
Is there when needed.
40	42	Steve McLendon	90	DT
Getting valuable learning time, will be ready when needed.
41	43	Cortez Allen	28	CB
Solid play
42	44	Greg Warren	60	LS
No news is good news.
43	45	Robert Golden	21	S
Waiting for opportunity
45	46	Stevenson Sylvester	55	LB
Still healing
46	47	Adrian Robinson	57	LB
Harrison and Woodley healthy.
47	48	John Malecki	62	OG
Waiting for opportunity
48	49	DeMarcus Van Dyke	30	CB
No siting this week.
49	50	Al Woods	65	DE
Didn't fare any better than Ziggy stopping the run.
50	51	Kelvin Beachum	68	OG
Waiting for opportunity
51	52	Brandon Johnson	91	LB
Waiting for opportunity
		Injured List
		Chris Carter	54	LB
		Sean Spence	51	LB
		David DeCastro	66	OG
		Practice Squad
		Jacques McClendon		OL
		Toney Clemons	11	WR
		David Gilreath	18	WR
		Josh Victorian	35	DB
		Marshall McFadden	40	LB
		Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith	42	S
		Ryan Lee	69	C/G

A Familiar Steelers Formula

Once upon a time a football team hired a young coach to serve as the leader of and produce championships for a hardnosed football team.  This coach along with a dedicated owner and general manager worked together beautifully and found talent throughout the draft.  This coach was a motivator and became a winner with this organization.  He had dominating linebackers, a defensive line that was stingy against the run, defensive backs that were stingy against the pass, a dominant quarterback, and a stable of running backs and receivers that would make any team jealous. 

That coach of course was Chuck Noll.  Who else would I be talking about?  Chuck had THE team.  Four Lombardi Trophies.  He had an amazing owner that was loved by everyone in Pittsburgh; he had a GM that found talent like it grew on trees.  He had Lambert, Ham, Greene, Greenwood, Blount, Shell, Bradshaw, Swann, Stallworth, Harris, Bleier and on and on.  A team like that is a once in a lifetime thing, right?

You know, come to think of it, there are some similarities with that team to the current team.  Not saying this team is as good as that team, but they are starting to play pretty well.  Let’s take a look at this and see what we come up with.

Coach - Mike Tomlin, young impressive coach, will reach 60 wins faster than Bill Cowher: Check

Owner -  Dan Rooney and Art Rooney, son and grandson of Art Rooney: Check, check

GM - Kevin Colbert:  3 Super Bowl appearances under his direction, finds talent like it grows on trees: Check

Dominating Linebackers - in LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison: check

Stingy D-Line -  held Giants to 68 yards rushing Sunday.  That guy at nose tackle is an ageless wonder stopping  up the middle:  check

Stingy D-backs -  Held Eli to 125 yards Sunday.  Steelers No.1 defense against the pass: check

Dominant QB -  amazing in 3^rd down conversions, 2 Super Bowl Wins.  All time Steelers yardage leader: check

Stable of Running Backs -  Dwyer, Redman, Mendenhall, Rainney, who’s number 1, take your pick: check

Stable of Wide Receivers -  Wallace, Brown, Sanders, Cotchery: check

Best all around TE in football -  Heeeeeaaaaaaatttttttthhhhhhh!: check

Like I said, those Chuck Noll teams won 4 Super Bowls, and in this era of free agency it is tough to keep a team together, but the talent and depth on the current edition of the Steelers is ridiculous.  If the young group of high draft choice defensive lineman provide ½ the level of play that the now retired Aaron Smith did, than we may be looking at another run.  As the saying goes, the Steelers don’t rebuild, they reload.