I'm watching the Steelers and Houston game. Have to say Houston has played a somewhat decent game (4th qtr 2:38 left ). I don't know?
I would like to see Houston win but still. This would bea tough loss for the Steelers fan's. They gotta fix that offensive line. 2 min. to go. Good luck.
The offensive line was putrid (which may be too kind of a word) yesterday against Houston. They couldn't open up holes for the running game and couldnt protect Roethlisberger. Other than that their play was exemplary. Big Ben took a pounding throughout and who knows the extent of his foot injury. Yes, the Steelers were without some starters on the line, but injuries occur all the time. This is the NFL; next man up. The Steelers line play was pathetic.
Having said that, I am much more concerned about the defense at this point. First, in 3 out of the 4 games the Steelers have looked very ordinary in stopping the run. In particular Ray Rice (game 1) and yesterday, Adrian Foster ran all over Pittsburgh. Historically, the Steelers have been outstanding stopping the run. So far this year they have been WAY below average. You can not win in the NFL if you can't stop the run. Period. Secondly, the defense has created ONE turnover through 4 games. Last year they had 35 in 16 games. Again, the trademark of the Steeler defense is stopping the run early and forcing teams into obvious passing situations. Then in theory they pressure the QB with a multitude of blitzes/schemes and either get a big sack or create a turnover (fumble or INT). That hasn't happened this year. Add it all up and you find yourself an average football team at 2-2.
I'll repeat what I said in another post and add some new twists.
Aaron Smith and James Farrior have become liabilities on defense, (especially Farrior covering a RB or TE out of the backfield).
Hines Ward can't beat one-on-one coverage and unless teams employ zone coverage, he should be no better then 4th WR.
The key to the run defense is the NT and much has been made about teams cut blocking Hampton, but centers he should be dominating are dominating him. Steelers need to draft a NT next year.
Lamarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, 2 cores of the defense going forward with huge contract extensions have been invisible. Woodley talked a lot of smack during the off-season via Twitter.
Anoter guy who ran his mouth on Twitter was Rashard Mendenhall. Isaac Redman looks like a better RB option.
Maybe it is a coindcidence, but I am starting to think OL coach Sean Kugler is part of the problem. Their line was never this bad before he came here and they also seem to have more injuries too. If they have cap room now, see what Max Starks or Flozell Adams can do becaue it can't get worse.
Their biggest priority in the off-season is fortifying the OL to protect their franchise QB. Dump Jon Scott and Chris Kemeatou and draft an OG and OT.
I also believe it is time to get new coordinators. I have never been a fan of Arians and I believe they win in spite of him because I never feel he exploits other team's weaknesses. Lebeau's schemes are simply not putting the pressure on opposing QB's on a consistent basis.
Your right on the defense. I am not sure if its age (Smith, Farrior, Hampton) or Scheme (LeBeau), but something is terribly wrong through 4 games. Forcing only ONE turnover at this point in the season is alarming (heck, you should get a few turnovers just by accident). Basically the defense has made one impact play (Harrisons sack and forced fumble of Curtis Painter) the entire season. Woodly and Harrison should be causing havoc from the outside and it hasn't happened. Hampton is still servicable...finding his replacement will not be easy. Getting Kiesel healthy would help the DL. The Texans controlled the whole first half and when the Steelers finally tied the score, the defense allowed Houston to come right back and get the go ahead (and ultimately winning) TD (on a 40 plus run no less). Same thing happened in Indy last week....Steeelers took the lead on the Harrison/Troy combo TD and then the defense allowed Curtis Painter (really?) to drive the Colts 80 yards to tie the game...Steelers were lucky to pull that one out in the end.
I am prob, higher on Kemeatou than you are. I think he is a good (not great) player. I don't think he's the main culprit. I think Scott, Gilbert and Essex are liabilities and a guy like Doug Legursky is prob. better suited as a back-up, jack of all trades, fill in when required player than a full time starter. (sort of like the 4th outfielder in baseball who hits .310 in 250 AB's, but when you give him 550 AB's, he hits .250)
The line play is unfortunate because if Ben had any time, this offense could be explosive. Ward is at the end of the line, but still brings attitude and grit and, as you pointed out, can still find the soft spot in a zone. If you have a suspect to poor O-line, not much you can do in terms of game planning.
Dude, Gilbert is far from a liability. I watched just him for at least half the Steelers offensive snaps, and he was very good. Considering he's a rookie, he's only going to improve as the season progresses. LT and RG are the weaknesses. They should just keep the TE in on the left side to help in pass protection. It's the best they can do at the moment.
do anything but live, breath and consume football. Jez a little over the top on the Steelers are we?
Actually I kind of regret my "OMG Hardy" post. I made it when there was two min. left in the game and I thought the Steelers would pull it out.
Football is more interesting when the Steelers are one of the dogs in the hunt, but it seems there are a few new teams on the horizon. Detroit, Houston. Did I mention the Ravens - well there not new but interesting.
Can we have a little in-depth discussion on a, well Green Bay and Detroit. Do you gurus think they are for real.
I beginning to think the Packers could go wire to wire and win another. Just a thought.
16+ Sundays a year for 3 hours, I live, eat, drink, breathe Steelers football keeping an objective eye towards the rest of the NFL.
I am looking forward to when Green Bay and Detroit play on Thanksgiving, might the first competitive game the Lions play on that day in a while.
Barring an injury to Aaron Rodgers, the Pack are legitimately equipped to repeat. Undefeated regular season? Probably not, but their offense is scary good and better then last year.
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