Beer We Go Steelers

It can be argued, but to me, today marks the most important day in Pittsburgh Steelers history. The Steelers fate changed on December 23, 1972. The Steelers were always physically tough, but they didn’t beat you on the scoreboard, they beat you up on the field. They were an NFL doormat for more than forty years but on this day; the Steelers were lifted from lethargy and launched the greatest dynasty in football history! The Steelers left the darkness and came to the light.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S08LIRj5q5c&feature=related

 BTW Dan Rooney HATED the name Immaculate Reception and considered it blasphemy! 🙂

This was a five star matchup, featuring Eleven Super Bowl Championships between each team. I had a bad feeling going into this game and that manifested it pretty early. When the lights went out twice, it was apparent that it was going to be a tough night.

Big Ben who continued to tough it out and played in a boot was courageous but clearly out of synch he had two HUGE turnovers and his clock management at the end of the half was awful. It seemed like an eternity since the Steelers played and they looked completely rusty. When the night ended the Steelers playoff picture took a major hit and their chance to seize first place in the division was lost.

I can’t stand over officiated games and this one was terribly over officiated, including the soon to be famous “Leaping” penalty. Seriously, leaping? The calls were mostly awful all night for both sides. Adding to the frustration was the AWFUL Monday Night Announcers who just blather on about everything, to be clear they did not “hate” on the Steelers in fact they were complimentary but it is a horrible package to listen too. I was going to comment on how much I liked the Thursday night crew but didn’t want the blog to get too long. I wish I had, as the contrast is night and day. Gruden is just ridiculous, Tirico does an admirable job considering the morons he is paired with and Jaworski is a crappier version of Joe Theisman.

As for the game itself, it was a rough night. The Steelers defense was probably a C+ effort, it was good enough to win but not up to Steelers standards. James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons both had tough games, Farrior was getting killed in coverage and Timmons was out of position so many times. Both are marquee performers so we can give them a pass for an off night. Lamar’s hamstring is becoming a recurring issue and he again had to leave the game early. That caused Jason Worilds to basically be invisible. The best performance by the linebackers was Silverback Tweeting about the lights being out!

I thought the secondary had a very good night after they had a slow start. It was a nice effort by Troy and Ike. Ryan “Crash” Clark played his best game this season and Keenan Lewis is right on the verge!

The Offensive line was horrible, AGAIN. Trai Essex couldn’t pick up any of the stunts and Max Starks played his worst game since he got back. In their defense, the team is completely different with Pouncey in there. The offense moved the ball pretty well but turnovers and extremely long fields were tough to overcome. Jericho Cotchery and Heath Miller had great games. I also have to ask WHERE IS HINES WARD?  

Special Teams, is so important and people never give it the credit it deserves. The Steelers missed a much needed field goal. The player of the game to me was Andy Lee the 49ers Punter, he trapped the Steelers the whole game and they could drive it sixty yards and barely be on the 49ers side of the field.

Here is the bright side, the Steelers almost certainly will make the playoffs and whether they are 1 or 2 or 5 have a clear road to where they need to go. They were missing their best O-lineman, their best defensive player and their QB was playing at 60% and it was a closer game than the score indicates. 

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!!!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Heath Miller! After fumbling last week Heath bounced back to have a great game. The Familiar “Heeeeaaaath” chant was awesome and BWG nation deserves credit! Also considered, Ryan Clark and Jericho Cotchery.

Where I watched the game: SHUTTERED in the house. The Steelers weren’t the only people having a rough week. We needed to just lay low. I also didn’t have a beer which I believe contributed to the mediocre effort.

My thoughts on Next Week: Another short week, The Rams are in for a very bad day as I expect the Steelers to jump them off the bus. This will be an underdog team that the Steelers man handle!

So the league suspended Silverback. The media has been priming the screw gun all week and today they got their wish. I knew the play was going to get fined because when you drill someone with your helmet you are going to hear from the league. But a supension in the heart of the playoff race is such crap, I can’t begin to discuss my annoyance at this.

Here are the honest facts. At no point during this season has James Harrison been flagged for any illegal hits or plays. Second fact, the play was certainly borderline. Again, it warranted a fine given the rules but a SUSPENSION? No player has been suspended for a tackle on the field since Charles Martin wrecked big mouth Jim McMahon in 1986! Lastly, how about throwing a few flags for Silverback since he gets held on nearly every play. Joe Thomas was practically riding on him Thursday night.

Now for all the haters; the Steelers don’t get all the call’s. We are going to lose our best player in a pivotal game. If that isn’t a jag off session I don’t know what is. I hope Thaddeus Gibson gets a ring to maybe try and make the team again. Also, keep your fingers crossed that LaMarr can go.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

This feels like a bye week since the Steelers played Thursday. The Media is driving me nuts this week regarding “Silverback” James Harrison. It is fair to say that we are biased towards Silverback, I don’t think his play on Colt McCoy is dirty but it DEFINITELY warrants a fine. You can’t hit anyone especially a QB with your helmet. We are not going to sugar coat it. But these discussions about his possible suspension are plain nonsense. He has count them; one personal foul, this year.  The media is up and arms about him as some type of dirty player.

The other media speculation that is driving me up a wall is,  the Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey injuries. The reports as late as Sunday were practically they were going to have to have their respective ankles amputated. Now they have a mild sprain. Who knows?

It amazes me how tough Ben Roethlisberger is. When he was sandwiched by Cleveland’s Scott Paxson, midway through the Second quarter the season seemed lost. I texted the Captain and it read, “It looks very bad.” But Ben did what Ben does and he got off the deck and came out and played the second half leading the Steelers to victory and their tenth win of the year!

“The heart of a champion, the man has a lot of guts, a lot of will. he’s the leader of our team and that’s what they do, they do stuff like that.” Said James Farrior.

Despite moving the ball pretty well all game, the Steelers struggled, including losing the turnover battle. They eventually finished off the Browns with an Antonio Brown 79 yard Touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Brown had a huge game going for 150 yards plus. The Steelers rushed for 147 yards with Mendenhall leading the way. Ben threw for over 260. The issue was trusted veterans Hines Ward and Heath Miller both fumbled inside the Cleveland 20 and the Steelers couldn’t punch it in from the two yard line.

Despite a very game performance by Colt McCoy, the defense put together a good effort and kept Cleveland in check all day. The defense picked off two passes including a red zone pick by Willie Gay and they registered three sacks. Jason Worilds did a good job filling in again for Woodley as he registered two fo the sacks. Silverback can expect another fine from the league as he laid out McCoy with a helmet to helmet hit that sent McCoy from the game.

The Steelers now have ten days off and given the slew of injuries last night including Pouncey again as well as Ziggy Hood, they will need the time.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Big Ben, this guy is so freakin’ tough. I mean that was the stuff of legend. Also Considered: Antonio Brown for his huge 79 yard TD. 

Where I watched the game: At my girlfriend KGB’s, on the couch with a Spaten in one hand and the remote in the other. We watched the game with EROC who was agonizing over fantasy and may have lost because of Heath and Hines fumble! Probably not my best recommendation.

My thoughts on Next Week: Ten days off is just what the doctor ordered. The Steelers take on the 49ers next week. This is going to be a defensive battle!

Long time contributor Chris Hoke, is out for the season and requires neck surgery. Unfortunately, this will likely end his career. He was a great contributor and anchored the D-line in the best regular season in Steelers history! He is loved by his teamates and losing him and Aaron Smith in the same season is awful.

My personal recollection of him was riding the elevator with Hokey at the Pittsburgh Hilton Tower and he mistook me for a player! When I explained I wasn’t, his response was; “Holy cow you are bigger than me.” BTW I wasn’t! I walked around with my chest puffed up that day and have told that story at nauseum to anyone who would listen!

As I kind of supsected, LaMarr is out for the Browns game Thursday! It makes sense for him to skip this week as he will have over two weeks off to rest his hamstring. Jason Worilds is a nice prospect but as with Troy and Ryan Mundy, it is like replacing Superman with a mortal. James Harrison, has picked up the slack, but we need both to win long term. I am very nervous about this as anyone who remembers Kendrell Bell can tell you, hamstrings are tricky.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

When you are a remote fan, sometimes you forget that you are part of something bigger. Don’t get me wrong, NY is definitely Steeler Country and I have the cadre of people to prove it. However, there is something very special about coming “home”. Getting to see the Beer We Go crew and seeing Bud Recktenwald, Hall of Fame Steelers fan re-energizes me. Yesterday, my daughter and my girlfriend KGB, got to see firsthand what Steelers Nation is all about and I was reminded of the power of one Beer We Go Nation!

The Steelers thrashed the Bengals yesterday 35-7. It was an inauspicious start, with the Steelers going three and out and the Bengals driving down the field and having a TD taken away, as well as getting a field goal blocked by the Zig, Ziggy Hood. The Steelers traded punts with them and then got the ball back with 3:32 in the first, Then the game was over. It was significant because I sat in the closed endzone and the scoring came our way! Ben engineered an excellent drive of 9 plays and 87 yards for a Mendenhall gut-busting TD.

The Steelers were on the way. The Bengals punted again on a three and out and then the Steelers in less than two minutes punched it in again. They were aided by a stupid Bengals penalty on Crocker and the Steelers were in the Heinz Red Zone. Again Mendenhall pounded a tough run and the Steelers were up 14.

The Bengals Ben Tate fumbled the kickoff and this time Ben completed to Mike Wallace and the game was out of reach! Adding to the scoring was “Uptown” Antonio Brown’s punt return. Hines Ward, who the media is trying to bury, caught five tough passes and led the offense.

The unsung hero of the offense yesterday was Ike Redman, who banged out 51 extremely physical yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. He has been a nice platoon player along with Mendenhall!  

The defense stepped it up.  The gameplan was excellent as the Steelers rarely blitzed, but were still able to get pressure with the front three. Eventually, Coach Lebeau dialed up a little Silverback and he WREAKED HAVOC on the Bengals. He had a three sack day and was outstanding. The bad news is LaMarr Woodley lasted only one series and looks day to day. 

The Steelers gameplan was to drop in coverage and the defensive backs had a solid day and kept the Ginger Rocket mostly in check. By the fourth quarter, he was on the bench and local Pittsburgh legend Bruce Gradkowski was in. He didn’t fair much better as he was picked off!

It was a great day for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin has won at least 9 games in each of his five seasons as Coach! He never is mentioned with the Coaching elite but he sure has the numbers to prove he is.      

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: SILVERBACK!!! He had three sacks and played an outstanding game! Also considered, Big Ben who engineered some great drives, Hines Ward who led the team in catches, Rashard who had two hard fought TD’s

Where I watched the game: IN THE ‘BURGH BABY! With my BWG Brothers, My amazing GF KGB, (Who didn’t have to cook one Sunday) and my amazing daughter Hailey, “Kid Tailgate”.

With my BWG Brothers(Brandon, Jake “the Snake”, President Tom Janicki, Myself, Jason:

My thoughts on Next Week: No rest for the Steelers; the Browns are back in four days! Look for the Steelers to beat them down!

I am happy to report that we are in Pittsburgh! We arrived about 30 Minutes ago. My daughter Hailey “Little Ms. Captain Tailgate” and my girlfriend KGB are in town! We were picked up at the airport by BWG President Tom Janicki and his little boy!

We are scheduled to meet with Captain Tailgate tomorrow! PHOTOS to come!

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

According to the Trib. and PPG both Lamarr and Troy will be in the lineup. The Steelers defense has been without Woodley and Silverback in the same lineup since October 3.

Truer words were never spoken by Coach Tomlin! “Style points don’t matter,” he has said in the past. The Steelers moved to 8-3, after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, behind an awful performance by both the offense and the defense.

The Steelers took advantage of four Chief’s turnovers by Pitt Alumni, Tyler Palko, and survived a scary fourth quarter drive that ended when Keenan Lewis made a great pick and Dwayne Bowe short armed the pass. 

The defense was missing Troy Polamalu, who went out with what looked like a concussion after he clobbered 290 pound Offensive Tackle Steve Maneri. Without Troy, the defense looked like it lost a step. This is not a reflection on Ryan Mundy, just a plain fact. The Chief’s tried a hurry up offense that threw off the Steelers pass rush considerably, but they couldn’t extend it for long periods of time and eventually Palko would turn it over. Jason Worilds had a nice game and Silverback played okay but overall the linebackers and the defensive line looked a little gassed and they struggled to get sacks.

The defensive backs played a very consistent game, albeit not spectacular game. It is hard to give Ike Taylor or Ryan Mundy a lot of credit for picks that were thrown as if they were the intended receiver.   

Palko played terrible. His chance of ever being a starter in this league is pretty much at an end. He has turned the ball over SEVEN times in two weeks and Kyle Orton is waiting over his shoulder.

The offense never got on track. They moved the ball pretty well but made so many costly mistakes. The offensive line was in flux again and it hurt all kinds of production. To count the mistakes; the sure-handed Mewelde Moore fumbled, killing a great opening drive. Ben threw a ridiculous Brett Favre like pick, whipping the ball into double coverage.  The Offensive Line really didn’t get any “push” on the running game and had trouble with protection. Heath Miller had a bad holding call.

It was great to see Hines Ward catching some tough passes and Weslye Saunders caught the game’s only touchdown!

Despite 385 words doing so, it is hard to complain about a win. The Ravens have played some bad games also this year, the difference being they lost those games, to Seattle, who the Steelers shutout, the Jaguars, who the Steelers struggled but beat and the Titans who the Steelers beat the ever living heck out of.  

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Weslye Saunders, he caught his first touchdown pass of his career and looks to be improving every week. Also Considered: Keenan Lewis, who made the game winning/saving interception. NO ONE else, seriously it was that bad. 

Where I watched the game: At my girlfriend KGB’s, with as usual, a ridiculous spread. I also watched with one of my best friends, Mike R. who brought over a “nine” pack of Sam Adams sampler. I love Sam Adams but since I hate all things Boston and New England I rarely drink it. The winter and the traditional Boston Lager are awesome, the Fezziwig Ale was crappola!

My thoughts on Next Week: No rest for the Steelers; the improving Bengals come to town and I will be in attendance at the game in the ‘Burgh! Look for another close one with the Steelers holding off the Bengals!