Beer We Go Steelers

The Steelers dropped their first home opener in 11 years to the Titans. They not only lost the game, they lost four players, to injuries. It was the worst offensive performance in a very long time. The Steelers after scoring ONE SECOND into the game were held off the scoreboard for the next 58 minutes.

The injuries piled up at a disturbing rate with Maurkice Pouncey, Cortez Allen, Larod Stephens-Howling and Larry Foote all going down for the count. Pouncey looks to be the most serious and season ending. Larod Stephens-Howling and Larry Foote will also be out for the season now.

Any thoughts that the Steelers preseason woes on offense were nothing to worry about, were sadly mistaken. Big Ben struggled all day and was less than sharp. He missed several throws, was the cause of the first fumble by Redman and threw a tough interception that led to the Titans only TD. Ike Redman nearly played himself out of the lineup with a disastrous performance that gets players sent home. He managed nine yards on eight carries and looked slow and confused on several plays. He also fumbled twice The offensive line was plain AWFUL. They could barely protect Ben and couldn’t open up any holes for the running.

The defense put together a steady if unspectacular performance and played well enough to win. Troy Polamalu had a great day, the D-line was okay and the linebackers made some nice plays including Jarvis Jones laying a bone jarring hit on Chris Johnson.  That was one of the few highlights of the day.

The only good news is that the entire AFC North lost on Sunday, The Bengals got dropped by the Bears and the Browns lost to the Dolphins. The Ravens got worked, Thursday by Peyton Manning. So we are all tied right now in loser-ville.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Steve McLendon. he was filling some huge shoes in Casey Hampton and he didn’t disappoint with a nice performance. He adds a level of athleticism that Hampton didn’t have. Also Considered: Troy Polamalu who again was just NUTS, he made several big plays and he still is a great force.

Where I watched the game: At the house, KGB put on a huge spread of Wings, Turkey Kielbasa, Chili and Chicken fingers. We were drinking IC Light and my buddy Matt was here to watch the game as well.

My Stat of the week: The Steelers rushed for 32 yards against the Titans mediocre defense. The Offensive line looks to be about as bad as predicted and without Pouncey they are going to struggle.

My thoughts on Next Week: The Bengals looks to be much better and will really give the Steelers trouble. It will be Silverback’s first game against the Steelers weak O-Line. Not feeling it.

The 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steeler dropped their final preseason game last night to the Carolina Panthers. For only the third time in their past 48 preseasons the Steelers lost all their games.  They had lost  only one preseason game in each of Mike Tomlin’s seasons as coach.

They  last went 0-4 in 2006, Coach Cowher’s final season, they followed with an 8-8 record in the regular season.

Again being an out of town fan I didn’t see the game although there were several bright spots from what I read. I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START!

We will do a couple of quick hits this week and the roster analysis.

Beer We Go Nation, I am not beaten, so stay strong and let’s get ready for the regular season.

Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the death of the “The Chief” Art Rooney. Mr. Rooney was not only the founder of the Steelers he was an accomplished Boxer, a great horse player, a true American sportsman, a devout Catholic, a Pittsburgh loyalist and one of the all around great guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oCeeMWy7vo

GOD BLESS THE CHIEF, ART ROONEY! ‘

January 27, 1901-August 25, 1988

Photo Courtesy of http://www.believemerch.com/

The Steelers lost to the Chiefs in overtime yesterday. Being an out of town fan I didn’t get to see the game last night as it came on in NY at 1:00AM. I have the game film and will review it and give you my full report. Jarvis Jones was injured last night with a chest injury.

Stealing the famous quote from the father of the Terrible Towel, the Steelers were “El Stinko” last night. They racked up injuries and they looked disjointed completely. They certainly don’t look ready to start the season and they need to get back to work.

What went wrong:

1. INJURIES!!! Le’Veon Bell showed flashes in his brief outing, but was injured after only four carries, this was on top of Larod Stephens-Howling(GUY NEEDS A NICKNAME) and Ike Redman not dressing for the game. The Steelers also lost Will Johnson to a rid injury on a nasty hit and Baron Batch to a stinger.

2. The offensive line was AWFUL. They had no answers for the Redskins pass rush and just looked lost and confused. They also racked up a mile in penalty yardage and stopped nearly every drive that the Steelers had momentum. Last week they pushed the Giants around the field, this week they got pushed around.

3. The Steelers were 1 for 13 on third downs. Most of that can be attributed to the O-line woes.

4. Three first half turnovers by mostly the first team offense. AWFUL

What went right:

1. NOT MUCH

2. Big Ben played well considering the pressure he was under. I know he threw a pretty lousy pick six but he played fairly well and it is obvious the offense is plain vanilla right now.

3. There was a LaMarr Woodley sighting! He creamed the Redskins right tackle Polumbus and had some nice push up front!

Player who distinguished himself: No one that is worth mentioning. Seriously, it would have been Dwyer if he didn’t fumble.

Player who is in trouble: It is unfair but he is back in this spot, Jon Dwyer carried most of the load and made some nice plays, BUT HE PUT THE BALL ON THE GROUND!!! It ruined what would have been a big night for him.

Beer of the game: IC Light, my local distributor gets it now for us!

Coach Tomlin summed it up best again, “we need to get better in a hurry.”

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

So if you were left unsatisfied last week, tonight is your night to see some football again. Honestly, its preseason so it’s hard to get pumped but I will take it. Tonight brings the Washington Redskins and for those of you who are regulars, I attended the regular season game last year, only to have to dash back from the ‘Burgh to have a showdown with Hurricane Sandy!

Here are tonight’s Quick Hits:

1. Le’veon Bell should make his long awaited debut. This is his chance to win the starting job that the coaches are trying to gift wrap for him.

2. Can the Offensive line build off of last weeks early performance?

3. Who is the “next man up” for Plaxico Burress and Mike Wallace?

4. Look for the defense to put together a bone crunching performance.

5. The special teams needs show something after the disaster they had last week.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

The Steelers dropped the preseason opener in a very sloppy game to the New York Giants. It’s hard to get upset about anything but injuries but the Steelers looked uninspiring and made some critical mistakes. Going to sum it up pretty quickly.

What went wrong:

1. The Special Teams put together one of those “Magical Nights” that cost us the AFC championship in 2001. Just awful!

2. Linebackers were mediocre, Lamar Woodley where are you? Jason Worilds had two personal fouls and Jarvis Jones didn’t make an impact. Stevenson Sylvester continued my streak of lousy picks as he disappeared after being spiked. We need a much better effort out of this unit or this will be a short season.

3. Landry Jones, the highest quarterback picked since Big Ben, looked like an amateur.

4. William Gay hasn’t gotten much better since he left and definitely can’t start.

5. No Le’veon Bell, better to be safe than sorry, but was expecting him to play.

What went right:

1. La’Rod Stephens Howling and the O-line blocked well and pushed the Giants around. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

2. Bruce Gradkowski made some nice plays and looks to be a competent backup.

3. Nice job by the receivers when they were called upon, great catches by Wheaton and Sanders!

4. The defensive line was plain good, Al Woods broke my streak of bad predictions, he looked excellent! “Steelhead” Heywood and Ziggy Hood played great up front. If he can keep out of legal trouble, Alameda Ta’amu could be a good addition.

Player who distinguished himself: Larod Stephens-Howling, he clearly is in the lead to make the team. Also Considered: Al Woods, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Player who is in trouble: Jonathon Dwyer, he had a rough night playing behind the second string line and he may get beaten out by Baron Batch because he doesn’t play special teams. Dwyer shouldn’t be counted out but he needs to do something and do it soon. Also Considered: Dave Gilreath, who took a huge step backwards.

Beer of the game:

Not to be confused with the game beer was Croxley’s 20th Anniversary Ale from Bluepoint Brewing Company, excellent beer and they went down easy! The beer made a great showing and might make the cut for the regular season beers!

Coach Tomlin summed it up best, it was not an acceptable performance. Look for a nice bounce back week.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

GAME DAY!!! okay, maybe I am stretching it a little as this is just the first preseason game and the “varsity” is only playing ten to twelve snaps! WHO CARES, it’s football with two great franchises about to play!

Some quick hits:

-Le’Veon Bell to play with the first team offense. He will have every opportunity to win the job.

-The new look offensive line, with their zone blocking scheme. Mike Adams is having a great camp after being stabbed in the off season.

-Big Ben is back and he looks healthy and in great shape.

-Most important thing, STAY HEALTHY!!! Last preseason was an unmitigated disaster.

By the way apologies to Nick Embernante and Plaxico Burress, I picked them both to have breakout camps, instead they just broke. Love Plex and feel terrible he is done, I still have high hopes for Embernante but it won’t be this season. Look for Mike Golic Jr. to take a shot at the team now.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

After a horribly long offseason we are back! Tomorrow is Game Day against my “hometown” Giants. I know it is preseason but I can’t wait for the game and since they are playing the Giants, we will be able to see it live. This game doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things but hey football is football and couldn’t be more excited.