Beer We Go Steelers

 Big Ben returned Sunday and so did the Steelers offense! Shaking off some rust and what I would imagine are some jitters, Ben delivered. I spoke with Captain Tailgate, and his response as well as the majority of the capacity crowd who live on the right side of the PA-Ohio border was extremely positive and supportive. The game itself had a sort of uneasy feeling as the Steelers let the Browns hang around way to long considering how badly they should have beaten them. 

The defense was of course terrific and kept the Browns in check on every series. The Defense gave up one TD when the game was in hand otherwise kept the Browns off the board. It was a solid debut for Colt McCoy but he was pressured and turned the ball over twice.  Josh Cribbs was rendered a non factor as he was put to sleep by Silverback James Harrison. Literally, Harrison put his lights out as he was TKOd. Harrison again is just an absolute devastating force on the field. First off he gets held on nearly EVERY play but manages to put up amazing stats every game and he doesn’t hit people he annihalates them. Besides jerking up Cribs real good, he just unloaded on Mohammad Massaquoi. While I am sure he is going to be paying some serious fines this week neither play where he smacked up the Browns warranted a flag and neither could be considered dirty.  The story of course was the return of Big Ben. He looked at times slightly rusty and his footwork looked a little off. He missed some open receivers and didn’t look like himself at all for the first half. The funny thing though with Ben is he is at his best when he is up against it. The Browns punter Reggie Hobbs had a terrific game and he pinned the Steelers down several times. The Steelers were only leading 7-3 and as I discussed with the Captain there was sort of an eerie feeling that we were going to let this one slip away. Ben then just turned it up hitting Michael Wallace for 50 yards! When it was said and done he orchestrated a 96 yard drive and put the Browns in the rear view mirror for good.

Two players really impressed me in this game.

Maurkice Pouncey played an excellent game. Ben never hit the deck despite several blitzes and his continued tendency to hold the ball longer then he should. Pouncey changed protections brilliantly. He looks like the final heir apparent from the void left when Jeff Hartings retired. After nearly thirty years of having the best or one of the best centers in football there has been a void over the past few years. Mahan was an unmitigated disaster and while I liked Hartwig and thought he was a good player, he wasn’t the player Pouncey is already. His ceiling is just outstanding!   

Mike Wallace is the second player who just jumps out at you. He is a legitimate HR threat now. With Ben playing and his ability to make plays this could be a great deal of fun to watch. With Wallace stretching the field, the receiving questions that started the season are long since a memory! He mitigates the loss of Santonio Holmes. 

The best trend of the day was that despite having Big Ben back and the Cleveland defense stacking the run, we never gave up running the ball. Last season the Steelers abandoned the run way too early and this year they actually looked committed to it.  

This was a workman like win! It is onto Miami, Beer We Go Steelers! 

THE FACTS

My “GAME BEER” goes to: James Harrison, Silverback as he is affectionately known makes Sonny Liston look like a cheery old sort. To go with his demeanor, he was downright devastating and I can assure you that Joe Thomas is probably twitching today while Josh Cribbs and Mohammad Massaquoi are going to need some aspirin! Honorable mention was Ben Roethlisberger and hey how about a shout out for our own punter Dan Sepulveda.

Where I watched the game:Watching on my crappy little TV! I had to call Captain Tailgate and asked if the Steelers changed their colors. Hell the picture stunk so bad Mike Tomlin looked like he was jaundice. I was also doing an online class with my daughter which for some reason had to be done during the Steelers game! Still I will take it as a win is a win! 

Next week I will be on the road for the game! 

My thoughts on Next Week: Down to Miami where we will be hunting Tuna’s fish. I like the way the team is playing and expect Ben to get better! This is pretty simple really; if the Steelers play their best game they will win this one!  

BEER WE GO STEELERS!! BEER WE GO!

My constant comment on the situation is, “It is time to get back to the business of winning football games!” 

I finally feel I need to comment further. Over the last seven months as Steelers fans we have been hearing about Ben and what a dirt bag he is. The national media has just absolutely torched him. On top of his “sexual proclivities” it turns out that they tracked down what a cheap skate he is as he runs out on tabs at restaurants and doesn’t tip worth a damn. There is a good chance he started the war in Iraq and caused the stock market to tank, he went from Super Hero to Pariah in less than 13 months.  

Somehow this all falls on BWG Nation to choose. If you like Ben you support sexual assault and you like that he sullied the Steelers name. If you want Ben off the team then you are a “true” Steelers fan. Even our beloved Terry Bradshaw jumped in and shot his mouth off, how Ben should be off the Steelers.  

Well I don’t buy any of that! First and foremost I am not condoning his actions nor am I commenting on any of the legal merits of either case. It would be irresponsible as NO ONE except the people involved know what happened. As a point of fact though, Ben has never been convicted of any crime and never even been charged with a crime. 

That being said I have no issue with the commissioner and his draconian sentencing of Ben. Being drunk in a bar with a bunch of college girls who are underage is a RIDICULOUSLY stupid thing to do. When you have a pending legal action against you for Sexual Assault, it is career suicide. I would also point out that if everyone who ever had too much to drink and did something stupid wasn’t allowed to play sports, there would be tumble weeds blowing through these stadiums. 

Hell the name of this group is Beer We Go and I can tell you that our senior leadership has had some interesting experiences albeit never involving an allegation as serious as this. I am not saying it is right, I am saying it is hard to judge as again no one was there and no one knows what actually happened. 

I do know that Ben needs to do some serious growing up. Like it or not he represents not only himself but the Steelers and unfortunately as I am figuring out, he represents us as his fans! I hope his four weeks “forced vacation” helped him understand that. Ask Pete Rose if a lifetime of achievement can be extinguished by a glaring mistake. 

He put us as his fans in an unwinnable position. This is the only thing I feel qualified to comment on as it has directly affected me and the members of BWG. I went to the Giants-Steelers game at the New Meadowlands. I was rocking my away whites and hanging with my boys who are Giants fans, we were representing BWG in fine style. For disclosure, I like the Giants and they remind me of the Steelers of the NFC. They have great family ownership which if you believe the fabled lore helped Art Rooney buy the Steelers, heck the damn football is named after Wellington Mara. (The Duke) They have a solid fan base who like running the football and watching a crushing defense. They don’t need to talk trash because they know there place in NFL history, like Steelers fans do. I love when they play each other!   

It was an exhibition game and while I expected some chop busting being in an away stadium, the heckling was just plain vicious. “Rapethisberger” was the most common, several that I won’t put down here. Keep in mind again that this wasn’t Philly or Oakland this was Giant Stadium with the “Second Best” fans in the world.   

I was heckled by the guy behind me about Ben being a rapist and Steelers support rape and blah blah blah. I finally lost my temper and my reply was it looks like he is “raping your defense”. Which I honestly wish I didn’t say, although it was pretty appropriate! It sucks being in this position because we could always take the high ground when it came to the organization. Now we lost that and we will never get it back. 

That being said though, it is time to move on, I truly believe in second chances and I personally forgive Ben for everything he did to us as BWG Nation. The redemption he truly needs can’t be found on a football field or in a game and it certainly can’t be bestowed by a fan of a football team. But for what little modicum it may help, He has my support and that of my brothers in BWG! Starting next week I am supporting Ben 110% and at the risk of quoting the Mega-Jerk T.O. that man is my quarterback! 

The past is past and while I will never forget how pissed I was about how he sullied the Rooney’s name as well as BWG nation, I can forgive. It is easy to support these guys when they are winning the Super Bowl; it is hard when they fail you! I am not being a hypocrite, his poster is going back up in my kid’s room, and I will be wearing his jersey one of these weeks and it is indeed time to get back to the business of winning football games! 

The Steelers have set it up for Ben! Time for him to make good on this! BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO! 

THE FACTS 

My “GAME BEER” goes to: BYE WEEK

Where I watched the game: BYE WEEK, BTW HATE BYE WEEKS! 

My thoughts on Next Week: Our arch rival Browns! Like it or not the Browns knocked us out of the playoffs last year. Or I should more accurately say we knocked ourselves out by losing to them. I imagine with Ben back and the defense being reminded how that happened the Browns are in for a serious beat down STEELER STYLE! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc66Hn-JxlY&feature=related

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

It is hard to feel disappointment about a 3-1 start considering all the media left the Steelers for dead before week one. They were so close especially after a goal line stand that left the Rat birds with less than three minutes and one timeout, it gives you pause. At the end of the day you have to score points and while it was preferred that the Steelers go 4-0 without Ben. I think Sunday it was evident he was sorely needed and should quiet any Batch should start rumors! 

The game plan was in the immortal words of Myron Cope “EL STINKO” and the coaching staff has to take the blame here. I was extremely disappointed in the defensive play calling for the last series. Going to the prevent defense basically cost the Steelers the game. When they finally dialed up the blitz it was picked up and it was fatal. TJ Howdoyouspelmyjerkname drove the dagger in when he caught the winning pass with about 32 seconds left which made the loss an even tougher pill to swallow.

The offensive game plan was about as exciting as a white bread sandwich. After the week Batch had I figured they might try and do something resembling a forward pass. They just weren’t aggressive and for the most part they moved the ball when they needed to which makes it all the more frustrating. The network actually posted a stat that Batch hadn’t completed a pass in over ONE HOUR of time. It was just a completely awful performance. I communicated with Captain Tailgate in the stands and his response was “Offense needs to step the F-up”. That was an understatement and one first down would have sealed it, in the end it cost us the game.

Special teams played a mediocre game! I am not going to criticize Antonio Brown as he was trying to be aggressive but how about telling him how precious time was at the end. Jeff Reed also played a HORRIBLE game and while I would give him a “mulligan” he has not been reliable this year. We aren’t going anywhere without him so I hope he straightens out! Dan Sepulveda did a solid job. 

Here are the positives! THE STEELERS are 3-1 and if you asked me would I sign up for this at the beginning of the season I would have! The defense played a solid game and their effort would have been good enough to win almost any other week. I also am starting to like the O-line. Flozell has done okay and at times he has showed flashes of dominance. I think Legursky is the unsung hero as he played great, Starks played well Sunday, ‘Kemo” is a mauler on run blocking and still struggles with the pass and Pouncey is just plain terrific! Penalties aside I like these guys. 

If Ben plays like Ben can, this team will be DEADLY, I honestly believe that!  

THE FACTS

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Max Starks, why would an O-lineman get the game ball considering the Steelers only averaged 3.1 yards per rush and 84 yards rushing? Ask yourself how many times Batch was seriously rushed to make a throw. Starks dominated Suggs and while he had one sack he really was a non factor.   

Where I watched the game: Back on the Couch watching the big screen! I was in contact with the Captain the whole game who was in the stands at the ‘Burgh!

My thoughts on Next Week: BYE WEEK, happy to be going into the bye at 3-1. Next week’s posting is going to be about the “Ben issue” and then I am never going to bring it up again.  

We are 3-1! BEER WE GO STEELERS!! BEER WE GO!

My business took me away for the weekend. (Blogging for the Steelers doesn’t pay what you would hope.) I was in the “city” of Saratoga for a conference. After attending to my business early and with my awesome team supporting me I set out to find the Steelers game. After one false start I found a local establishment called “The Stadium”. I have been to Saratoga before so I was somewhat familiar with it. It’s a sports pub with solid bar food and plenty of what makes Beer We Go famous!

I stood online to get in and as they have the Sunday Ticket so were other team’s fans. Even a Bucs fans, which I thought were extinct given the attendance this week. As I got to the hostess she asked if I was going to sit with my friends or did I need a table. My local friends were all working while I was taking my afternoon respite. It became clear who she meant. At the corner of the bar sat the local Black and Gold! They were people of all different walks of life. Benny is the local cook at the pub but he took the day off to watch the Steelers. Matt worked as a “line-man” for the phone company. Mike’s wife was at the conference I was attending and he was looking for a place like me. There were several other members of Steelers nation as well.  It was a great experience and while I was homesick for my couch and TV or my adopted home in the ‘Burgh I knew I was with my brothers. They made me feel welcome and cleared a spot for me. The beer flowed almost as good as the Steelers game plan!

The game was OUSTANDING and a very well rounded effort. First off not sure you can say enough about Charlie Batch. No matter how this shakes out the rest of the year Batch deserves serious kudos. He is a class act and a capable backup. Considering that he was on the verge of getting cut and last played a meaningful game when Chuck Noll was a teenager, his performance was terrific. When he easily could have complained that he didn’t get enough reps in practice, he kept his head down and in true Beer We Go fashion got it done! He also displayed a great deal of luck which let’s face it we were entitled to after the offseason and all the other nonsense we have had to endure. My aforementioned brethren and I groaned a few times he chucked it but for the most part he had solid results.

One of the best parts of Sunday was watching the Steelers run the football. Rashard Mendenhall and Ike Redman played great games and truly grinded it out in true Steeler fashion forcing the Bucs to break! Mendenhall continues to impress and the O-Lines push kept Batch relatively unscathed.

The defense played a professional solid game. It would be impossible to top last week and while they didn’t,  I thought the performance was excellent. Stats didn’t tell the story because it was obvious the Steelers let up after they took a commanding lead. Brett Keisel was outstanding and watching him run back his pick was the stuff of legend. Everyone loves when the “fat kids” get the ball.  I also thought Willie Gay deserves hats off. After being used as a doormat last year he really impressed with a bounce back season at Nickel! Of course while they were relatively quiet the presence of Troy, Harrison and Woodley could be felt on every series.  

This was our kind of win! 3-0 sends a message to everyone about what kind of character we have as fans and as a team!

THE FACTS

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Charlie Batch! Mendenhall rushed for 100 and Keisel made a huge play but I have to go with Batch. He is classy and played great!  

Where I watched the game: “The Stadium” in Saratoga! Great food and awesome crowd! Really was exciting to be with my brothers in Beer We Go!

My thoughts on Next Week: It is hard to not feel like we are playing with house money considering that we will be at worst 3-1 during Big Ben’s suspension. But 4-0 is just so much better and it shows that we are not just one player! It is going to be a slugfest and I can’t wait for this one! Ray Lewis wisely said, “When you step between the lines the talking is over, no more Yap Yap” Ray for once we agree, because it is ON NOW!!! BEER WE GO STEELERS!! BEER WE GO!

Watching Sunday’s Steelers v. Titans Game like most fans I anticipated a hard fought game but felt in the end the Steelers would come up short. After going 1-9 over the last few years you accept teams for their shortcomings! Factor in mind numbing heat, no Big Ben which I will comment on in a later blog, no Max Starks, and then losing Dennis Dixon early in the game, it was hard to come up with a formula that equaled a Steelers win!

Then something season defining happened, Dick LeBeau UNLOADED his playbook on the Titans. After a week of hearing how Chris Johnson was going for his 13th straight 100 yard game and that Vince Young was a “dangerous” Quarterback with a 9 and 2 record as a starter, the Steelers proved once again that they play best when counted out! Young, looked like me when Mr. Farrell asked for my Calculus Homework in the 12th grade, confused and downright stupified and by the time he was pulled out was possibly an inch and a half shorter from the beat down he was handed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALKq43Lhqz0

Chris Johnson, an outstanding back, was dominated by the defense. It looked like the game plan was to hit him on every single play whether he had the ball or not. By the time of his departure he looked like he went fifteen rounds with Smokin’ Joe Frazier!  

By the way this was with Dennis Dixon, going out early in the second quarter and the Steelers coming down to their count ’em fourth Quarterback. Somewhere Coach Tomlin summoned the ghost of Charlie Batch to not turn over the football. Batch last played a meaningful game when Byron “Whizzer” White was on the Steelers. (That fact might need to be researched.) Batch put in a solid effort though and made sure he managed the game correctly.  It is hard not to admire a veteran who comes off the bench and contributes!

Again though the Defense was the talk of the day, Troy Polamalu put in a monster performance including redefining the laws of physics and Lamar Woodley and James Harrison showed why they are the best linebacker tandem in football. I have seen several defensive efforts but none that truly defined dominance like this one!!

THE FACTS

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Dick LeBeau, the defense was in complete command the whole game and set the tone for victory. Honorable Mention: Anyone on defense, Of course Coach Tomlin!

Where I watched the game: MY COUCH on my 65 Inch HDTV! After trying to make a comeback at 37 in flag football earlier in the day it was nice just sitting on the couch! My first weekend with the new Sunday ticket was phenomenal. The new features are just outstanding!

My thoughts on Next Week: TRAP GAME!!! With the Ravens (Aka Ratbirds) looming it is hard not to see this as a trap game. But, if the Steelers play their best game they will win! I am not sold on the 2-0 start in Tampa. I also have to believe Coach Tomlin would like to smack up his former employers!