Beer We Go Steelers

FROM THE DESK OF TOM JANICKI, BEER WE GO, PRESIDENT AND CEO

Yet again, I must say, we as Steelers Fans are SPOILED to the core!!  I, for one, do not take this, or any of the other Steelers teams in my lifetime, for granted.  We are in a golden age of fandom and it’s time for another deep playoff run.  To put a quick perspective in, The Pitt Panthers football program (playing tomorrow in the Compass bowl as they need to find direction but I will be the first to back the hiring of Chryst, he will bring respectability back to the program) has had more Head Coaches in the past year than the Pittsburgh Steelers have had in over 4 decades.  That is stability in an age of quick firings and we must stand up and applaud the Rooney’s for their eye for talent in the front office!!

I have so much on my mind heading into this wild card weekend and I just hope that I can get it all out onto this post…First off the opponent this week, the Denver Tebowcos.  I would be the first to say that the guy, Tim Tebow the person is a breath of fresh air as far as his morality and ability to be humble and deflect all the praise that is directed at him.  He is a true competitor and has proved to have a champions heart and has that special something to lead when all hope seems to be lost.  But COM’N MAN!!  Enough is Enough!!  Mark my words, He is not a starting QB in the NFL for long.  He is Milli Vanilli, Sugar Ray and Bobbie McFarren all rolled into one.  The guy can not play QB in the NFL.  Period.  The fact that he gets credit when Matt Prater kicks record breaking clutch kicks is ridiculous.  Does anybody else see his completion percentage?  He did not turn this team around, his team turned this team around.  The guy has Moxie, I’ll give him that but a QB in the NFL, I just don’t see it.  Great vision and power when running the football but the guy can’t pass.  I cringed every time this year that Tim Tebow was given credit for the Denver Broncos success.  He was a part of the equation, but there was a lot of guys that stepped up just as much if not that was shadowed by the phenomenon and polarization of Tim Tebow.  To tie this together I have a trivia question to share:

There are (2) Starting QB in the Super Bowl era that have a higher winning percentage than Big Ben with more than 10 games played.  Name them?  A hint, the answer is not Tim Tebow.  Just for statistical purposes, Ben is 10-3 in the playoffs when starting for a winning percentage of .769.  What I have to say to that, Big Ben is great and I wouldn’t trade him for anybody at this stage in his career (This man is flat TOUGH AS NAILS) but I feel as though QB’s get entirely to much credit for team success.  Another trivia question; There are only 5 starting QB’s (6 after this season) in the Super Bowl era with more wins than Brett Favre has losses (11).  Peyton Manning has 10 losses in the playoffs and these are two first ballot Hall of Famers.  Great QB’s, tough competition; tough to win in the playoffs but one man can not win playoff game.  These games are won and lost by all three phases of the game, an entire team effort (in most cases).  I understand that QB’s direct the ship, lead the team in battle and for argument sake are the only players judged for team success and failure but I feel that a lot more went into Big Ben going 10-3 in the playoffs than Big Ben’s performance.  (refer to a previous post titled All Merril Hoge team or our unsung performers).  With that said, match-ups favor our Steelers in most cases.  Our Defense will Execute.  Our Offense will Execute.  Our Special Teams will Execute.  The Denver Tebowos will be ousted and Executed.  Better luck next year Tim, you had a memorable run that will end on Sunday.  Fear the Beard Timmy.  You are now out of your league.  The Black and Gold will catch their stride and swag inDenver and we will be rolling!!

I can feel it coming in the air tonight!!  One step at a time and the first step will be taken in mile high altitude. 

 Beer We Go Steelers Beer We Go!!

This guy I met told me he loves Tim Tebow but likes the Steelers better:

Maurkice Pouncey is most likely out for Sunday. Pouncey has aggravated his left ankle and will be out for sundays game. Doug Legursky will be back at Center and that opens up the door for Trai Essex at left guard or Chris K. Either way it is a big loss going into the playoffs. The offensive line has not started the same five guys more than two weeks in a row.

We are asking everyone to say a prayer for Kirby Wilson, Steelers running back coach. Mr. Wilson was injured “seriously” in a fire and has burns on 30 percent to 50 percent of his body, and the injuries are considered serious but not life threatening.

Here is an excerpt from the Steelers Media Guide:

Kirby Wilson is in his fifth season as the Steelers’ running backs coach.
Wilson, who was hired on Jan. 29, 2007, came to Pittsburgh with 19 years of
coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Wilson, 49, carried the momentum into 2010 as Rashard Mendenhall set a
career-high 1,273 rushing yards, ranking him seventh in the NFL and marked his
second consecutive season with over 1,000 yards on the ground. Mendenhall had
three 100-yard games and a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns.

In 2009, Wilson was instrumental in Mendenhall’s breakout season as he posted
his first career 1,000-yard rushing season with 1,108 yards on the year. He rushed
242 times with a team-high seven rushing touchdowns. In 2007, Wilson helped
Willie Parker earn his second consecutive Pro Bowl and led the NFL in rushing
through the first 16 weeks before he broke his leg in the second-to-last game of
the season.

Prior to the Steelers, Wilson coached the running backs for the Arizona Cardinals
(2004-06) after spending two seasons as running backs coach with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers (2002-03).

The Steelers will face the Denver Broncos on Saturday for the 7th time in the playoffs. That is the most times they have faced any team in the Post Season. 

Here it is by the numbers:

Steelers are 10 wins against 16 losses with 1 Tie (In 1974 http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409220den.htm)

They are 5-9-1 in the Mile High City and are 3 and 3 against the Broncos in the playoffs!

Denver 34 – Steelers 21 @Denver 12/24/77

Their first meeting was on Christmas Eve 12/24/1977 in Denver. The Broncos won a 34-21 shootout with the Broncos scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter. A pair of fourth-quarter field goals by Jim Turner broke a 21-21 tie, and Craig Morton threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jack Dolbin to send Denver to their first AFC Championship Game against the Raiders. They would win and lose to Dallas in the Super Bowl.

Terry Bradshaw turned the ball over 3 times, twice being picked off by Tom Jackson. (Now of ESPN fame) The local papers in Denver had described this game as the “Passing of the Torch” from the Steel Curtain to the Orange Crush! It was; if you don’t count Super Bowl victories and what happened the next year!

The box score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197712240den.htm

Steelers 33 – Denver 10 @Pittsburgh 12/30/78

In a rematch of the 1977 showdown the Steelers unloaded and routed the Broncos. Franco Harris and John Stallworth, turned in recordbreaking performances to carry the Steelers into the AFC title game with a 33-10 rout of the Denver Broncos. Harris, a six-time 1,000-yard rusher, set an NFL record of 12 career playoff touchdowns by scoring on runs of one and 18 yards. Stallworth, set a then division playoff record with 10 receptions for 156 yards, Including a leaping 46-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach.

Terry Bradshaw redeemed his poor play from the year before and lit up the Broncos for 272 yards! 

“Terry Bradshuw was incredible. We knew if he got hot we’d be in trouble. And he got hot,” said Lyle Alzado, the Broncos Defensive End after the game.

* Side note the same day Woody Hayes was fired from Ohio State for punching a Clemson player!

The box score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197812300pit.htm

Steelers 24 – Denver 17 @Denver 12/30/84

Six years to the day from their last playoff meeting the Steelers battled the Broncos again with a trip to the AFC championship on the line. The game plan was to run the ball and keep pressure on Future Hall of Famer John Elway. This was one of Chuck Nolls greatest performances as a coach.  Frank Pollard rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns, and Walter Abercrombie added 75 yards. The Steeler defense sacked Elway four times and intercepted him twice, including safety Eric Williams’ 28-yard return that set up Pollard’s clinching score with 1:59 remaining to give the Steelers the victory!

The Steelers would move onto the AFC Championship but would get mowed down by Dan Marino and the Dolphins. This would mark the last Steelers playoff appearance for 5 years.

Box Score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198412300den.htm

Denver 24 – Steelers 23 @Denver 1/7/90

In what was the most unlikely Steelers playoff team of all time, they started the season with two losses getting crushed 92-10! The Steelers met the Broncos, after a huge upset victory over the Houston Oilers and their big mouth, moron coach Jerry Glanville.

Steelers, who had a league-low 251-yard-per-game average in the regular season gained 404 against the Broncos, who allowed the league’s fewest points. Bubby Brister matched Elway pass for pass — he was 19 of 29 for 229 yards and threw a 9-yard TD to Louis Lipps. Elway was 12 of 20 for 226 and scrambled for 44 more and threw an interception. Merril Hoge put up 180 yards including a bruising 120 on the ground.

The game slipped away in the fourth when Elway took the Broncos 71 yards in nine plays, capped by Mel Bratton’s 1-yard g o-a h e a d touchdown. Any hope for a victory vanished when Bubby Brister bobbled a snap from backup center Chuck Lanza, (Who filled in for ONE PLAY) it was recovered on the Pittsburgh 18 by Denver defensive back Randy Robbins.

Brister for all his shortcomings was a fiery player and played this game with such heart. While the loss was rough, this defense was the beginning of the Cowher Dynasty.

Box Score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001070den.htm

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES:

Denver 24 – Steelers 21  @Pittsburgh 1/11/98

Winning his rubber match playoff game against the Steelers, John Elway threw two touchdown passes in the final minutes of the first half and the Broncos held off turnover-ridden Kordell Stewart 24-21 in the AFC championship game. Up to that point, no NFL quarterback had won more games or led more comebacks than the 37-year-old Elway. It was vindication for Elway who would win his first of two Super Bowls, by beating the heavily favored Green Bay Packers.  

Kordell Stewart was awful and he was exposed in the game, he went 18-of-36 for 201 yards, with a TD but was responsible for all 4 of Pittsburgh’s turnovers. Yancey Thigpen had six catches for 92 yards. Jerome Bettis put up great numbers running the ball for 105 yards and a TD.

The Steelers lost the Championship game at home for the second time in four years. What I learned from these experiences, was that if you bring the better QB to the game, you have a good chance at winning. It isn’t always the case but it certainly plays out that way quite a bit. Elway was proof of that, it would also manifest itself the next time they would meet in the playoffs. 

Box Score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199801110pit.htm

Steelers 34 – Denver 17 @Denver 1/22/06

Coach Cowher received vindication as the Steelers, who previously upset the Colts the week before, marched into Denver and jumped the Broncos. Big Ben Roethlisberger, was a second year quarterback who played like a seasoned veteran, completing 21 of 29 passes and kept the Steelers going on six of seven crucial third-down situations in the first half. He also rushed for a touchdown that sealed the game in the fourth quarter!

This time the Steelers played with the better Quarterback and it rang true as Jake Plummer turned the ball over twice and never got going in the game. The Broncos were down 24-3 at the half and never recovered.

The Steelers became the first team since the 1985 Patriots to win three postseason road games en route to the Super Bowl. They beat the Seahawks of course and won their six title!

Box Score: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200601220den.htm

Chad Spann: Height: 5′-9″ Weight: 198 

2010: Started all 14 games at tailback for the Huskies. Led the MAC and ranked 20th nationally in rushing yards with 1,388. Averaged 99.1 yards per game. Led the league and tied for fourth nationally in scoring with 132 points, an average of 9.4 per game. Led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 22 rushing touchdowns to break the NIU single season record. His 132 points is the most points ever scored in a season at NIU. Won the 2010 Vern Smith Leadership Award as the most valuable player in the Mid-American Conference as voted on by league coaches. Also named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year. A consensus first-team All-MAC selection and was also named the MAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year by rivals.com. Recorded six 100-yard rushing games and scored at least one rushing touchdown in 11 straight games. Eight of his runs went for 25 yards or longer with the longest a 79-yard effort versus North Dakota (9-11). Finished the North Dakota game with 140 yards on 21 carries. Named Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 223 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries at Minnesota (9-25). Rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries and added 14 yards on three receptions in the season opener at Iowa State (9-2). Earned NIU’s Co-Big Hit of the week after rushing 24 times for 100 yards against Temple (10-9), beginning a string of four straight 100-yard performances. Posted a career-high in carries with 31 for 111 yards and scored two touchdowns versus Buffalo (10-16). Totaled 101 yards on 23 carries with three rushing scores. Recorded his sixth 100-yard game of the season and 10th of his career versus Western Michigan (10-30). Tallied a career-best three rushing touchdowns against both Toledo (11-9) and Ball State (11-20). Rushed for 88 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns, while playing only the first half at Eastern Michigan (11-26). Finished the season rushing for 95 yards and two scores on 15 carries against Fresno State in the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl (12-18).

From: http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spann_chad01.html

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting what everyone I believe already knew. Rashard Mendenhall is done for the year with an ACL injury. He went down Sunday in the season finale against the Browns and didn’t return. This is a serious blow but something the Steelers can overcome.

Look for Redman to get the starting job and Clay to be the backup. Keep and eye on Mewelde Moore, who has been out with an injury, as he will become extremely important now.

Ryan Clark is going to sit Sunday. The secondary is pretty banged up and it is tough to lose him, but it also makes very little sense to risk the guys life. For him to play in the altitude of Denver, is a life and death situation for him.

For a few minutes on Sunday, it looked like everything was going to fall into place for the Steelers. The Patriots were losing and the Bengals were fighting back against the Rat-birds. But in the end, the Steelers settled for another hard fought victory and were unable to claim a higher seed than fifth.

It is very frustrating to finish second in the division, but it is also a badge of honor to win 12 games, which is what we predicted at BWG at the beginning of the season!  The Steelers had a very rough beginning this year and lost two of the first three, including a sound thrashing at the hands of the Ravens. They also lost several key players to injuries, but were able to hold on… and like they always do, they battled back and put together the 3rd best record in the AFC.

As for the Browns game, the Steelers had trouble scoring but really kept the Browns on the leash all day. Ben Roethlisberger, who sat out last week, played the entire game. He looked rusty and struggled at times but still led the key drives to victory; including a great end of the first half drive highlighted by a nifty catch by team MVP Antonio Brown. Sean Suisham hit a field goal and cut the lead to 6-3. The Steelers opened the second half with 10 points and never looked back. 

The dark news is that Rashard Mendenhall looks to be lost for the season with a possible ACL tear.  Mendenhall was on pace to break a thousand yards with a big effort Sunday, but went down with a knee injury. The Steelers will rely on Ike Redman who was having a terrific game before he fumbled on consecutive drives. John Clay becomes a very important person now. I also think the Steelers will try and bring in some help if Mewelde is out also.

The pass defense cemented its number one status as Troy Polamalu played a great game and looked like the dominant Troy; he had an interception and an amazing sack, he timed the snap count perfectly and was in the backfield on the snap of the ball. Ike Taylor battled Josh Cribbs all day and kept him in check. Cribbs is plain awesome, he made several special teams tackles, had some good catches, he also sells the hot dogs at half time and the beer in the stands between plays. The Steelers held the Browns to less the 180 yards passing and smacked up Peyton Hillis. Hillis finished with 30 yards on ten carries and was never a factor in the game.

The best highlight for BWG during the day was a little shuffle pass that actually lost 3 yards! Hines Ward caught his fifth pass of the day and now has 1000 catches in his career. This very well might be his last year with the Steelers, but we will be seeing him in Canton, Ohio soon! Hines IS an awesome player and for those who have missed it, is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.  Keep an eye on him in the playoffs as I expect a huge swan song.

How about the job Mike Tomlin has done; this marks four out of five years that he won at least ten games. He has won 3 AFC North titles, Two Conference Championships and a Super Bowl in FIVE YEARS and we are still counting!!! He is truly a great successor to the Noll, Cowher Dynasty!

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Antonio Brown, He was the team MVP and he went over 1000 yards yesterday. He is the first player in NFL history with 1000 Yards receiving and 1000 return yards! Also Considered: Troy Polamalu who was nuts yesterday, Hines Ward for catching his 1000th catch. 

Where I watched the game: Hanging with my family; my daughter Hailey, who is Steelers through and through, my sister Traci and her husband Andrew, who brought Tecate and Corona Light. We wailed down Pizza including Sicilian Pizza with Eggplant. (A great call by KGB) I was driving everyone nuts with the remote as I watched the game mix every commercial!

My thoughts on Next Week: TEBOW TIME. The Steelers will face Tebow Magic in Denver. This is not going to be as easy as it seems. Look for a tough game with the Steelers thwarting a Tebow Comeback. I have terrorized KGB and E-Roc all year about Tebow, so it is just that the Steelers end his season.

THE PRO BOWL

-The Steelers defense is first in yards allowed, second in points allowed and that garners count ’em, one pro bowl Starter, Troy Polamalu. The Ravens defense had you bet; FIVE, including Ray Lewis who has missed significant time and has been a non factor since he has been back. Joe Thomas from the Browns made it, watch this week as he holds Silverback on nearly every play and rides him like a whipping mule.

Congrats to Big Ben, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown on making the team as well.

Suspension Nonsense Part II

-Nice work by the NFL, James Harrison, our beloved Silverback, served a one game suspension last week for hitting Colt McCoy in the facemask with his helmet. The play was a penalty, the FIRST personal foul of the season for Silverback. It was the first time a suspension was handed out for hitting a player on the field in over 20 years. The suspension that was handed out, was completely arbitrary and draconian. Richard Seymour punches another player, not in the heat of battle but after the game. He also did this last year when the Steelers handed the Raiders a beat down and he punched Ben! No suspension is expected. This sends a great message from the league.

I agreed with Coach Tomlin on making everyone be quiet about it. That is what we as the fans are here for. The league is showing a huge double standard.

Also on the subject, nice work by the Browns who didn’t even know that Colt McCoy had a consussion and let him finish the game, he is doubtful for this week as he can’t pass the concussion test. Besides being fined by the league, Pat Shurmur should be horse whipped and thrown off the Moses Cleveland Statue!

Steelers Christmas!

So Christmas has come and Steeler Claus didn’t forget his favorite blogger, the Steelers haul this year was pretty hefty:

-Two Great Steeler books:

MEN OF STEEL, By Jim Wexell. Wexell is a great writer who has a great deal of wit. I always enjoy his work.

100 Things Steelers Fans Should Know and Do before they Die! by Matt Loede. A great compilation book and will let you know after I read it.

-Steeler Gloves

-A Yinz sticker

-Steeler Holiday Hat

-Steeler Seat Covers for my Suburban (AKA The HULK)

-A Steelers plaque of the 2011 Team

-Two Awesome Steelers shirts, (Picture’s to come)

-A Steelers Calendar for 2012

-Steelers Golf Towel

-Ben Roethlisberger “Statue”

-Steelers Office Chair; that is plain awesome

I realize that I am behind almost two months on comments and email, But please send in your Steelers haul and I will post the best stuff!

Playoff Talk

-While we certainly can be be beaten, the team is not bullet proof, we can beat ANYBODY. So trust me no one wants to see the Steelers as they should be the toughest out on the AFC side.

-When picking out playoff teams, the best way to pick, is look at the QB, there is only one QB matchup that the Steelers lose in the AFC and that is to the Brady Bunch.  

-For the sake of all that is Holy, I want to beat the Patriots and I am begging for a rematch with the Packers! It still kills me thinking about what might have been!

The Steelers are a “mediocre” 4-3 on the road. After this week they should be 5-3. That is so lousy that it ranks second in the AFC behind the Evil Patriots. The invincible Ravens are 3-4 and could fall to 3 and 5, Sunday if we get our wish! 

Steelers fans received our favorite Christmas present today, another Christmas Eve shutout! The Steelers shutout the Rams! Rashard Mendenhall rushed for over 100 yards and Charlie Batch did an excellent job filling in for Big Ben!

Charlie Batch is now 5-2 as a Steelers starter. He played a very effective game at QB. The offense played well, despite yet another patchwork offensive line. Doug Legursky went down with an injury forcing Trai Essex to take over. Legursky was filling in for Maurkice Pouncey again and promptly left the game with an injury.

Despite the unsettled line, the Steelers did a great job protecting Batch and busting up the Rams up front. Rashard Mendenhall banged out 116 yards and looked great. Ike Redman chipped in for 35 bruising yards and John Clay, just activated from the practice squad, ran for 10 yards and a Touchdown on his first play from scrimmage on the first play of his career! Way to go Clay!   

The defense turned in a good performance, although the score didn’t tell the story. The defensive line struggled against the run, and for the third time this season an opposing running back gashed the defense for 100 yards. Steven Jackson had a huge day. The Secondary played a great game and again Ryan Clark, turned in a great effort along with the rest of the D-Backs.

The Steelers are rounding into shape as down the stretch we come!

Quick note, finally someone defended Silverback in the national media. It was John Lynch during the broadcast. It isn’t a surprise that Lynch defended him if you saw him play. He was an absolute killer across the middle and he made teams pay for coming his way. His style of play would be a serious issue in the NFl today but to call it dirty is simply wrong. It was good to hear that someone stepped up. Lynch is also extremely close with Coach Tomlin!

BEER WE GO CHRISTMAS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Charlie Batch, he is an unsung member of the Steelers and his performance was excellent. He has been a great asset to the team and he is a great person off the field. Also Considered were Rashard for banging out 100 yards, Ryan Clark for another solid outing.

Where I watched the game: Frantically wrapping presents and drinking McSorleys Dark Ale. Another time I will share the Captain Tailgate at the actual McSorleys story. KGB put on a great spread of Cheese and Red peppers.

My thoughts on Next Week: The Browns will be tough, the Steelers will be tougher, look for them to play it close and pull away in the second half!