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!