tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post1222822654941159610..comments2024-01-01T18:41:14.457-05:00Comments on NFL from the sidelines: Post-AFC Championship thoughtsMoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13612323587459830074noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-37722909022091847232011-01-25T12:50:44.374-05:002011-01-25T12:50:44.374-05:00I would hardly say they've been hiding an inju...I would hardly say they've been hiding an injury with Troy. Cripes, he hasn't practiced a full week in two months. Yes, he's got an Achilles' injury. To my knowledge, it's an inflammation. I've had that before. The only thing that really cures it is complete rest. I haven't noticed Troy looking any slower at all. Watch the Jets game. They threw a screen to the right side of the field. He read it from his spot in the deep middle, closed as quickly as ever and stopped it short of a first down.<br /><br />He's playing deep middle by design. How many balls have you seen thrown over the deep middle lately? None. Everybody saw him jump that route against the Bengals to TO and nobody wants to test that.<br /><br />As for the "inverted wishbone," they have lined up in it before, but usually send one of the guys in motion.Dale Lolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089003781188560287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-77358544279620012012011-01-25T11:25:09.819-05:002011-01-25T11:25:09.819-05:00LeBeau said Troy is playing back more by design. H...LeBeau said Troy is playing back more by design. He wants the offense to think twice about going deep or down the middle. But, I did see Troy up at the line and come at least once against the Jets on a blitz. Also, Troy sometimes lauches himself at a ball carrier instead of trying to wrap up. He's done that his whole career here.<br /><br />The Steelers did take at least one shot downfield. Wallace had Revis beaten, but BR underthrew him.adamgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-86972607871236943422011-01-25T08:43:56.547-05:002011-01-25T08:43:56.547-05:00Moving forward I am a bit concered about the Packe...Moving forward I am a bit concered about the Packers rush off the end and Ben taking big losses by not throwing the ball away come superbowl time. Also it is clearly evident that something is troubling Troy physically. I did not see him anywhere near the line since the Baltimore game the 1 play he made against Flacco. He is not wrapping when he tackles anymore either. We will also need to take some shots down the field against the pack, I was dissapointed there was not even an attempt against the Jets jsut to loosen the defense and let Wallace or Brown make a play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-40146694994809252072011-01-25T07:10:15.450-05:002011-01-25T07:10:15.450-05:00Dale, What is the deal with Troy. I have only seen...Dale, What is the deal with Troy. I have only seen one question about this and I read many blogs (seen the question here). Are they keeping a injury quiet? He has not been himself and watching plays, he seems to be a bit slow. Thank you in advance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-68794062505182546892011-01-24T22:52:01.384-05:002011-01-24T22:52:01.384-05:00i don't believe revis had any picks this year....i don't believe revis had any picks this year. it seems his hamstring has held him back all year. moss was able to burn him deep and wallace clearly blew right past him. <br /><br />also, is it possible cromartie could mug a receiver any worse? he's a total hack out there and woefully overrated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-79151213835354926002011-01-24T21:07:39.868-05:002011-01-24T21:07:39.868-05:00The second interception looked a lot like it was j...The second interception looked a lot like it was just a bad pass by Ben. Sanders was wide open to the far side of the end zone - if Ben takes a second to reset after spin-moving a Jet rusher out of his jock, he can make a throw to the outside and get an easy TD. Instead he threw inside straight to Poole. <br /><br />Also - Wallace had a quiet game, but I'll note he absolutely burned Revis on the long pass in the second quarter. Ben underthrew the ball and Revis nearly picked it, but if Ben manages to get it over Wallace's head, it's a touchdown. And note that Revis started with a 10-yard cushion on Wallace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-86026492891740716132011-01-24T21:06:26.691-05:002011-01-24T21:06:26.691-05:00Dale - please ellaborate on that "inverted wi...Dale - please ellaborate on that "inverted wishbone" formation (both tigt ends in the backfield). I liked and it worked well, just haven't seen it all year.<br /><br />Also, so many folks keep saying Troy is not playing well. It seems to me the last 2 games he is playing prevent - trying to prevent the big play. He is not being called upon to make the big play at the line of scrimmage and letting the others do their jobs. Your thoughts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-11222414975654458712011-01-24T20:18:18.605-05:002011-01-24T20:18:18.605-05:00Some of those scrambles were by design. The Jets w...Some of those scrambles were by design. The Jets were playing their tight man coverage with their backs turned to the line of scrimmage. In those situations it was part of the game plan for him to take off and get what he could.Dale Lolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089003781188560287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-48757967747612067442011-01-24T18:40:57.250-05:002011-01-24T18:40:57.250-05:00Well, if the Steelers were pissed about the Jets r...Well, if the Steelers were pissed about the Jets running on them back in December, then I hope they have something to be pissed with Green Bay like that!! That first half was one of the best defense performances in NFL history against a quality opponent, let alone a championship game!<br /><br />My hats off to Legursky and the whole O line, quality play by them all. Lets hope Pouncey can come back from that injury and be effective. Rashard was running hard, glad to see that, definitely MVP play... <br /><br />Antonio Brown came up with 2 big plays on the last drive, good play by the rook!! <br /><br />Dale, were there any other injuries of concern last nite??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-53635009510145278022011-01-24T16:04:25.676-05:002011-01-24T16:04:25.676-05:00"i would like to know how many times #7 had t..."i would like to know how many times #7 had to scramble for yardage or was sacked when they were in the empty set.<br /><br />the steelers were running ok in the second half (not great) but removed the threat of the run by going empty set. it was driving me crazy.<br /><br />even if they have 1 RB back there, the threat exists and the RB also becomes a relief valve if necessary."<br /><br />Amen. That was making me nuts! Plus we rarely had a FB in the second half. It worked in the 1st, why change it?? I really think Arians over thinks things sometimes. He called a great half and then ????kellynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-52072640793810403142011-01-24T15:28:10.331-05:002011-01-24T15:28:10.331-05:00i would like to know how many times #7 had to scra...i would like to know how many times #7 had to scramble for yardage or was sacked when they were in the empty set.<br /><br />the steelers were running ok in the second half (not great) but removed the threat of the run by going empty set. it was driving me crazy.<br /><br />even if they have 1 RB back there, the threat exists and the RB also becomes a relief valve if necessary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-1103941946772761182011-01-24T14:52:04.049-05:002011-01-24T14:52:04.049-05:00You know Dale I sort of had the same feel watching...You know Dale I sort of had the same feel watching the game, that Ben just didn't really have a good half, but I think there was more to this. I saw someone mention somewhere that we would win with Ben's legs. I broke this down this morning and I'm not sure it shows that Ben wasn't good in the half, although it does show that the Oline really struggled.<br /><br />We only had 4 possessions (passes are pass play called, not actual passes made): <br /><br />1. 3 Run, 4 Pass, 1?? Due to fumble, Ben went 1-3 <br /><br />Pass 1 - Ben Scrambles for yardage <br />Pass 2 - Incomplete <br />Pass 3 - Complete <br />Pass 4 - Interception <br /><br />2. 5 Run, 4 Pass, Ben went 0 for 0 <br /><br />Pass 1 - Scramble for yardage <br />Pass 2 - Scramble for yardage <br />Pass 3 - Sack <br />Pass 4 - Sack <br /><br />3. 1 Run Fumble for safety <br /><br />4. 3 run, 2 Pass, 3 kneels, Ben went 2 for 2 <br /><br />Pass 1 - Complete to Heath for 1st down <br />Pass 2 - Complete to Brown for 1st down <br /><br /><br />If you look at those numbers, you see that Ben went 3-5 for 37 yards with 2 first downs and an interception...in the entire HALF. We had the ball for almost 1 whole quarter, just over 13 and half minutes.<br /><br />Ben had as many sacks and scrambles as he did passing attempts if you include the one which was negated by a Defensive holding penalty. <br /><br />4 yards rushing<br />5 yards rushing<br />5 yards, no play penalty<br />sack for -7<br />sack for -5<br /><br />He also had 2 fumbles, although I am not sure they were both all on the QB. Not playing with his normal center may have impacted that.Vaflyernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-16126415206865777272011-01-24T14:14:17.284-05:002011-01-24T14:14:17.284-05:00Tunch and Wolf had an interesting tidbit on their ...Tunch and Wolf had an interesting tidbit on their show today about the ST strategy. They said that Everest and Jones decided to squib kick because both Smith and Cromartie are tall and tall players don't bend down well to get balls on the ground. And sure enough, on one kick off, Smith bent down to pick up a squib kick, it went right through his wickets and he was downed around the 5 yd line. <br /><br />Was at the game and it didn't look like BR's passes had a lot of zip on them. Maybe his elbow was hurting or maybe the gloves, but his long passes just didn't have it.<br /><br />When Pouncey was hurt, the entire stadium started chanting his name. Pretty amazing tribute to an OL.adamgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-10444992360210208482011-01-24T14:01:27.113-05:002011-01-24T14:01:27.113-05:00i thought we ran too much on first down in the sec...i thought we ran too much on first down in the second half. Jets were stacking the box and we played into their hands.Greg Mercerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08562321900252424683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-21765674372629515862011-01-24T13:40:00.083-05:002011-01-24T13:40:00.083-05:00Lots of corners struggle with a pick. That's w...Lots of corners struggle with a pick. That's why they are run.<br /><br />I don't know that the Steelers took the foot off the gas in the second half. Ben just wasn't very good for a stretch in the third quarter. They were driving after NY scored to make it 24-10 and he threw the pick. The possessions after that, there wasn't a lot there due to incompletions or the safety.<br /><br />I agree that Hampton had a big game against Mangold. The Steelers were pissed that the Jets ran on them the first time.Dale Lolleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13089003781188560287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-27608114301498863152011-01-24T13:29:12.823-05:002011-01-24T13:29:12.823-05:00Whoa, is that a Browns or a Bengals fan rearing hi...Whoa, is that a Browns or a Bengals fan rearing his head?? Wow, talking smack after this year is amazing. So, as Steeler fans were we making excuses for the three superbowl trips in six years? Or was it for the four AFC championship appearances this decade? How about the 6 division championships? <br /><br />And here's a little something you Ohio football fans just can't seem to wrap your heads around - the fans of the Greatest football franchise since the merger use the terms 'us' and 'we' because we feel like a part of the team. A part of a team that WINS, something you guys wouldn't know much about. So go back to your hole and dream of the glory days of AFL championships...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-10140039697946361672011-01-24T13:06:24.712-05:002011-01-24T13:06:24.712-05:00Dale,
Can you ask Dick Lebeau if he can teach his...Dale,<br /><br />Can you ask Dick Lebeau if he can teach his DB's how to switch receivers on the pick? We never seem to get the hang of that. Aren't these DB's the star guards of the offseason Hoops team? I'm sure with GB's receivers we'll see it again. Why do we run into each other every time? For once, run into the other receiver at the very least. <br /><br />But we're moving on the Super Bowl. Go Steelers.Andynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-72855921281554468352011-01-24T13:01:46.948-05:002011-01-24T13:01:46.948-05:00"We" and "Us" damn near chocke..."We" and "Us" damn near chocked didn't you?<br /><br />To the guy that called Nance a "douche", I guess you have never heard Mr. Dan Dierdork! Nance is MUCH better than that.<br /><br />I just loved watching the Steelers win last evening because it will be all the more fun to watch the Packers kick their cocky butt's on Feb 6th.<br /><br />Most of all I will enjoy hearing all excuses the Steeler fans will come up with. If there is anything you guys do right, that is it - excuses. <br /><br />Here in Columbus we have that guy from Pennsylvania at QB for Ohio State. You can have him back if you would like, too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-5618192034261753682011-01-24T12:10:31.896-05:002011-01-24T12:10:31.896-05:00I think there were 2 key possessions in this game ...I think there were 2 key possessions in this game which made it close. <br /><br />The Jets last possession for a FG to end the half. It was a bubble buster. They got some points on the board which gave them a little momentum boost, but it also somewhat deflated the D who lost their shutout. <br /><br />The Jets first possession of the 2nd half. If Ike doesn't slip, I doubt there is a TD there. He obviously changed his route when he realized that Ike slipped. It was too bad really for us as this gave them a HUGE boost of confidence. <br /><br />If they miss that FG or don't get that immediate TD to start the half and make it a manageable 14 point deficit, the game would not have made my adrenaline kick in. <br /><br />Lastly, I always find it amazing how we never win games, the opponent LOST it. It is like our mistakes didn't affect the game any. We didn't have a missed snap that led to a safety. We didn't throw 2 INTs. We didn't have a CB slip that led to a TD. Both teams made mistakes. The difference in this one was 1 thing....Ben making the play when needed. I don't know whose idea it was to throw the ball twice on the last possession, but in this case it worked out.Vaflyernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-19937628644128936292011-01-24T11:10:55.725-05:002011-01-24T11:10:55.725-05:00Steeler fan in Jets country...Think I'm going ...Steeler fan in Jets country...Think I'm going to buy stock in Kleenex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-87243580472223108252011-01-24T11:02:16.029-05:002011-01-24T11:02:16.029-05:00Arians did not call the Ben Please Throw A Bad Han...Arians did not call the Ben Please Throw A Bad Hanging Late Deep Pass To Sanders Not Even Seeing Pool Was There play. That's on Ben.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-38517376092007066772011-01-24T10:44:33.465-05:002011-01-24T10:44:33.465-05:00I want to hear some of you Tomlin haters now. Is ...I want to hear some of you Tomlin haters now. Is he still riding Cowher's team to the superbowl again???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-10047395924168755252011-01-24T10:39:08.644-05:002011-01-24T10:39:08.644-05:00"the jets are a bunch of punks just like thei..."the jets are a bunch of punks just like their coach. it was classless at the end of the game. a perfect reflection of that whole team."<br /><br />Totally. And to make it worse, one of those was jason taylor. I thought better of him<br /><br />but it's over. Now yeah, steelers/packers superbowl should be one of the best ever. In terms of play and fans. Maybe we'll have a lil bit of competition in filling up dallas stadium. Nah!<br /><br />Btw Dale, nice prediction! No one could have predicted the safety though, so it was perfectAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-25675513860598622392011-01-24T10:21:37.094-05:002011-01-24T10:21:37.094-05:00arians being arians, not understanding how importa...arians being arians, not understanding how important even a field goal would have been there. <br /><br />and please, scrap the empty set formations for the super bowl. <br /><br />my 9 year old son: "daddy, i think they are going to pass it."<br /><br />me: "why?"<br /><br />son: "there's no running back next to rothlisberger."<br /><br />me: "you're right. very good."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15287012.post-14315833733073238812011-01-24T10:09:21.961-05:002011-01-24T10:09:21.961-05:00Wanted to give props to my boy, "Redzone"...Wanted to give props to my boy, "Redzone"! Great running and pass blocking out there. You can't bring him down on the first hit unless you are bringing six guys. Mendy had a fantastic game too. I do agree with the passes at the very end of the game, but I cannot believe Arians had us throwing deep in the 3rd quater when our running game had gone off so well in the first half. That was an unneeded risk that led to that deep interception of Ben and we probably gave up 3 points that we could have used by having a turnover on that drive. Stupid play call in an otherwise brilliantly called game. <br /><br />Mrs. Isaac RedmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com