5 Things the Steelers must do to return to the Super Bowl #1

No offense to Chris Hoke, who is definitely one of the best 1A options at Nose Tackle in the league, but he is not the run stopper that Casey Hampton is. We all saw what happened immediately after Aaron Smith went down for the year again this year. The Steelers run defense sagged. They were still better than most teams, but there was a definite decrease in productivity. Ziggy Hood got more and more play time and hopefully he'll prove to be a worthy successor for one of the aging linemen on the Steelers roster. The number one thing the Steelers must do to remain in competition for the Super Bowl next year is tag Casey Hampton as the franchise player. Yeah they'll have to pay him big money, but his nickname is big snack. Big money for big snack. But, that assures them of keeping the core of the defensive line together for 1 more year. If he breaks down this year, then they've only tied up 1 year's salary and don't have to give a signing bonus.
The bad thing is rumblings from the Big Snack, not his stomache, but from the rumor mill is that he does not want to tagged. Gee sorry, that's kinda why that's in place so teams don't lose a franchise player because he doesn't want to stay. Could be that he'll be a disruption if the Steelers do it, but he's been through 2 Super Bowls with most of these teammates and nothing in his past to make us think he'd be a disruptive force. So, re-sign Casey. Step #1.

The Steelers just secured next year's Super Bowl with this move.

Well, as you can tell I was on a hiatus for much of the last quarter of the season. Being a reporter and covering your favorite team would be quite hard for someone that feels about his teams like I do. You don't want to bash your team and even when there's a few wins amongst a bunch of losses you don't feel like writing about it, it also doesn't help too much when you get no comments on your articles. Anway, that move I discussed of course jokingly was the hiring of a new special teams coach, who strangely enough was fired by San Fran. Mike Tomlin must have seen something in an interview because he hired Al "Mount" Everest as the new coach. More details in another article. Interestingly, Bobby April, was an interviewee for the job also. Special teams coaches just go from place to place hoping their players have a good year. If not they move on to another team. When they make the whole Circuit they start on their second time around with a new coach. Stay tuned also for Who's fault was it, year end edition.

Thanks for hangin' in there with me and the blog.

SILENT NO MORE

The Brownies! The Stinkin' Brownies!

You know this is frickin ridiculous! What is going on? I think I might have just felt a piece of the sky falling. That is what I thought would happen before the Steelers would lose to the stinking Brownies this year with Mangenius in control. The only positive thing that could come out of this is that Mangenius gets to stick around another year. Maybe the Steelers can figure out what happened to their offense between now and then. Have the Steelers heads grown way out of proportion that they cannot figure out how to score a Touchdown.

Who's fault is it?
Is it Ben's fault? At the beginning of the season my praise was endless for Ben. He could do no wrong. I don't know if this civil suit is finally getting to him or what, but he cannot find an open receiver for the life of him. He continues to hold the ball too long, which has worked for him all along until the second half of this season. The sacks are piling up and his QB rating is going down.

Is it the Offensive Line's fault?
Don't know what the final numbers were, but Ben had at least 6 sacks. That is a bad number, but when you see it is against the Brownies it is unbelievable. Ben held onto the ball too long which accounted for at least half the sacks, but I will also say the line looks like a dam with a crack in it, or several cracks. They are playing horrible.

Is it the Receivers faults?
These guys aren't helping Ben out much. They are not getting open? Looking at the replays of the field they can't break free of the Brownies DBs. Once again, the Brownies. This team is at the bottom of the league in almost every category of stats available. Run Mike Wallace down field and throw it as far as possible. He will outrun the other team.

Is it the Running Backs?
Rashard didn't have any big runs, but he did have several 3, 4, and 5 yard gains. Let's see, If I add 3+4+3 that equals 10. Last time I checked 10 yards gives you a first down. That is, unless you try to pass the ball and get sacked every time you drop back. Run the freakin' ball Arians. The passing game is not working right now. If the game plan was to run the ball down the Browns throats you would have controlled the ball and would have made them want to stop playing. Instead, you decided to continue to pass it and continue to get sacked every third down. IT'S NOT WORKING, BRUCE! You have a quality running back who needs a chance to carry the load. Give it to him 30 times and see what he can do.

Is it the Defensive Line?
No, they stuffed the run and kept Brady Quinn in check most of the game.

Is it the Defensive Backs?
Without Troy Polamalu these guys continue to give up plays to horrible teams, the Chiefs, the Raiders, the Browns. Who knew the loss of McFadden would play such a huge part in this season. The Steelers definitely have some holes to fill this offseason and a quality cornerback is one. I thought William Gay would be able to fill McFadden's shoes reasonably. Maybe a little below qualitywise. But, this is ridiculous. Every team throws his way and the safeties have to cheat to his side leaving Taylor exposed. Taylor is still good, but he's getting up there too.

Is it the Safeties?
Ty Carter is a good backup, but not the quality of Polamalu. Who is? Ed Reed is the only one that comes close. The absence of Troy and his hair has proven to expose a defense that requires his big plays to make it go. Another draft need. A safety that can step in and play half as good as him. Ty Carter is old and Ryan Mundy hasn't shown much playmaking ability.

Is it the Special Teams?
I hate Josh Cribbs. The Steelers were pinned down way too much deep in their side of the field. Daniel Sepulveda is good, but he can't punt it 70 yards. The Steelers special teams were somewhat improved, meaning they didn't give up a touchdown. But, you don't change special teams players in midseason and expect results.

Is it the coaching?
Bruce Arians refuses, and I repeat refuses, to lean on the running game. The passing game is not, I repeat not working.

So... the blame for this one goes to
Bruce Arians and Ben Roethlisberger.
It is freaking cold, and ridiculously windy. Run the ball, run the ball some more, and run the ball some more. You have first round draft choice closing in on 1,000 yards. The passing game is off. Run the daggone ball until the defense gives up. But Arians wants to prove he can throw the ball and win. Uh, that's 5 losses now. It's not working. Run the ball.


The Stinking Brownies! C'mon! I think I felt another piece of the sky falling.

DIXON TO HOLMES

After lobbing a pass to Hines for a good gain, Dixon rolls to his right, throws a strike to Santonio and Holmes does the rest, with a stiff arm at the 1 and into the end zone.

Let's see what you can do....

Well, unfortunately after thinking Ben would play this week we are upset to find out that he will not. Ben is out this week after diving fearlessly into the KC defense last week and suffering a head injury. Hopefully he'll recover fully by next week, but I'm sure he'll think twice about diving head first again. It won't hurt anyone if you slide feet first Ben. If it's the Super Bowl or the AFC championship game, go for it Ben. Otherwise, feet first will do.

To make the game interesting Charlie Batch injured his wrist too. So, Dennis Dixon the former number 3 quarterback out of Oregon will be inserted as the starter. Dixon was in the running for the Heisman his last year at Oregon and could have easily won it had he not torn up his knee and entered the draft. Dixon played well in Spring Training and the Steelers put him on the roster as the number 3 man. He could end up as the number 2 if he performs well in this audition. This could be Charlie Batch's last seas as number 2 for the same reason. Also, Charlie has not provided his money's worth the last 2 seasons. Last year Byron Leftwich had to be signed due to an injury to Charlie in the preseason. I like Charlie, but it would be nice to have a healthy quarterback to depend on.

The Ravens haven't exactly been consistent this year, but if you look at the records the Ravens trail the Steelers by only 1 game, so I guess you can say the Steelers aren't the most consistent either. They did have the advantage with the Super Bowl quarterback, but not this week. They still have the coach with a Super Bowl win and most of the team has at least 1 ring.

The gameplan:
Run left, run right run up the middle. With an inexperienced quarterback playing the best plan is to play the way they did when Ben was a rookie. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Bruce Arians likes to pass and sometimes looks to pass first and run second. The Steelers can have a good running game with Rashard Mendenhall, Willie Parker, and Mewelde Moore. This injury to Ben can help them to lean on the running game a little more and help them to find out how effective it can be. I think they have a weapon that they've been reluctant to use. Let's see if B.A. thinks so too. If he doesn't and he thinks D.D. can pass 30 times and the Steelers win, it could be a long afternoon. The defense might have to win this one. Also, a tall task if, as expected Troy Polamalu is out. If the special teams let's the Ravens return one this is over before it starts.

Prediction:
Steelers 17 Ravens 13

WHAT THE....

Ok, it's 4th quarter with 2 minutes to go and the Steelers are tied with the Freaking 2-7 Kansas City Chiefs, aided by 2 returns for touchdowns by the Steelers. It is bad enough to lose 2 times in the same year to the lowly Ben Gals but to lose again to the stinking Kansas City Chiefs after you lose to the Ben Gals is disturbing. Todd Haley thinks he's on the field playing and trying to trash talk with Ryan Clark and others. I'm sure they're reminding him of the last game of the year last year. 1 minute left and the Steelers are on KCs side of the field and have to punt. This is ridiculous, KC sucks. Why are they tied with the Steelers. Overtime. Hope the Steelers get the ball or anything can happen. What is going on with Ben? Tails never fails and the Steelers get the ball first. Let's have some scoring. All they needed was a field goal at the end of the game and couldn't move it past the 40.. Where is Santonio? Where is Mike Wallace? Heath and Hines seem to be the only ones trying to catch the ball. They need to ram the ball down the Chiefs throats with Rashard. They heard me, 7 yards on 1st down. Keep it going.
There's Hines at the 44. Pass pro held this time.
Rashard another 7 yards.
Keep it going.
Holding, great. Ben's getting checked out. C'mon Ben slide unless you're going for the TD.
Charlie Batch, your time is here. It's been a season and a half since we've seen him in a gametime situation.
There's Mr. Holmes for a first down. He must have heard me. Ok, Charlie let's give it to Rashard. Empty set though.
C'mon 2 passes in a row with a cold QB, we've got several warm RBs. Down to the 36, Reed can try a field goal. What the.... They're going to punt.\
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THE DAMN CHIEFS, WHAT THE ......

So much for revenge.....

Well, so much for revenge. It seemed like I was watching Bubby Brister and the rest of the 80s Steelers muddle through this game and wait for Gary Anderson to win it for them. Ben was off target and when he wasn't the Bengals knocked the pass down. Coming soon you'll find out WHO'S FAULT IS IT? Thankfully we haven't seen this for a while but it's back.