Beer We Go Steelers

The injury plagued Steelers dropped a tough one to the Houston Texans, as Arian Foster gashed and slashed the Steelers Defense for 155 yards. It was a tough day for the Black and Gold defense, as they only showed glimpses of last year’s success. The Offense made a nice comeback in the second half, but was unable to mount the game winning drive.

The glaring difference between this year and last year is the lack of turnovers by the defense. Silverback looks like he is operating at half speed and was injured for parts of the game. The front seven, which is the backbone of the Steelers success, was getting pushed all over the field for the first half of the game. The defensive line has looked extremely slow. Next to the Linebackers and the Wide Receivers, this was the best and deepest group the Steelers have had in years. It is just awful watching them get beat up. Lamarr Woodley has been virtually invisible and lost backside contain on the run by Foster.

Big Ben is becoming a tackling dummy for opponents as he was sacked five more times today. That brings the season total to a whopping fourteen sacks. He has been getting drilled all over the field and his performances have been completely uneven. He still has flashes of brilliance and will turn this season around.

Rashard Mendenhall has been AWOL for the past two weeks. He has been unable to run with any sort of progress. While the line has been part of the problem, it isn’t the ONLY problem. His cutbacks are horrible, and he has become way too inconsistent. The running game started to get better in the second half and again, Mewelde Moore and Ike Redman were solid.   

It is time to take a real long look at this team and see what it’s made of!

The bright side of this thing, the team played very hard in the second half. First and foremost the Steelers need to beat a spirited Titans team next week and they should get a minimum of 10 wins.

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Mike Wallace, He got the Steelers back into the game and while his numbers were mediocre his performance was very good. Honorable Mention, Antonio Brown who is beginning to emerge as a star. Also considered, Ike Redman who grinded out some tough yards.

Where I watched the game: It was a whirlwind day; I watched the game at KGB’s and had McSorleys dark ale. At half time, had to listen to it as the Steelers mounted their comeback, and “watched” the end on my phone. I love listening on the radio and Bill Hillgrove and Tunch were awesome.   

My thoughts on Next Week: I am seriously worried about this one, if the Steelers can beat the Titans they will still have a great shot at the playoffs. Look for a big rebound.

The last few weeks I felt like the blog was a harbinger for bad news. I am finally happy to report on some good news! Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has named a street in Chuck Noll’s honor. Coach Noll NEVER gets the credit he deserves. I will never know what the reason, other than to speculate that media darling Terry Bradshaw’ publicly murdered Coach Noll for the better part of ten years. I am glad the “Emperor” is getting this honor. Coach Noll was never a self promoter and he deserves so much credit for the Steelers success.

I am hoping for a Black and Gold Summer in Canton this year: 

Several Steelers are among the finalists for the Football Hall of Fame here is a small list:

In their first year of eligibility:

Coach Bill Cowher: With a win in Super Bowl XL this should be a no doubter. He has the most wins of any coach of his era and he shepherded the Steelers through a second golden age. To me this should be a lock. If Fatso Parcells gets in before Cowher, that will be a freaking travesty!

“THE BUS” Jerome Bettis: I have a feeling he will have to wait a few years but make no mistake the Bus will park itself in Canton at some point.

Dermonti Dawson: The best center in football for his era. He will get in as well, the only question is when. Let’s hope for this year. Watching him run the trap was one of the things that all Offensive Lineman should aspire to!

Jack Butler: A senior nominee choice and he was a BC (Before Chuck) player.  Butler was a pro-bowler who had 52 interceptions and is considered one of the greatest Steelers of all time. He is also a Pittsburgh native. I imagine he will make it this year.

Donnie Shell: Is on the finalist list and is a long shot, despite being an anchor for the Steelers secondary. At the time of his retirement he was the NFL all time leader in interceptions at Strong Safety. He was a dominant player that had longevity and big play ability. He is like LC Greenwood, who is a victim of the “Steelers’ bias”, especially the 70’s Steelers.  

Kevin Greene: All-time Sacks leader at linebacker in NFL history. He is sort of a journeyman but again has some legitimate credentials and was an excellent pash rusher! One of my favorite players and a true character of the game!

Gary Anderson: FAT CHANCE as kickers are kind of frowned upon. He had a terrific career and should be considered. He was the best at his position for a very long time.

All week this game screamed of a “trap game”. The Steelers played a terrible game, turning the ball over three times, but were able to pull it out, relying on late game heroics and some serious buckling down. 

In Indianapolis right now everyone is saying if Peyton played they would have killed the Steelers, which is hard to argue. The Colts QB situation is horrid and really was the key reason they lost. Their defense which has been shreaded for two weeks was absolutely stifling after the first quarter. It was hard to tell if the defensive line was so good or the Steelers offensive line was so bad.

The O-line is a complete train wreck right now. At one point three of the five starters were out of the game. Jonathon Scott had an awful game as Dwight Freeney abused him all night and abused Ben all night. There was no push up front at all. 

Ben Roethlisberger had an unsteady performance despite coming out strong. He had up and down moments, the great, an 81 yard scoring bomb to Mike Wallace, the bad, taking a sack that cost the Steelers a field goal, the awful having several key turnovers that lead to all of Indy’s points. The interception was on Ben and he had several unsteady throws throughout the night, in his defense he was battered for the last three quarters.

What was great though about this game as you can feel the game slipping away, the defense made a huge play recording their first turnover of the year. It was a familiar play, James Harrison, SILVERBACK, blows up Curtis Painter and Troy Polamalu runs in a score. While that didn’t clinch the game it was huge. Despite what people are saying Polamalu looked every bit as disruptive as he had in the past.

Mewelde Moore, jump started the last drive with a very tough, 22 yard pass. The Steelers drove sixty yards and Shaun Suisham, kicked a 38 yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock to seal the victory.

It was a tough night but a win is a win!

BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Mewelde Moore, with a stalled running game he grinded out some tough yards as well as made a huge catch! Stats don’t tell the story of a game. Honorable Mention: Troy Polomalu, who was a force, Shaun Suisham, who despite missing a chip shot, hit the game winner!

Where I watched the game: At the Stadium Cafe in Saratoga and the City Center for the Second half in Saratoga. I was drinking Miller Lite for most of the game!

My thoughts on Next Week: This is another game that truly scares me. The Texans have a tough front four and the Steelers line looks to be in serious trouble, My feeling is the Steelers will have to battle it out again, like this game.

 The Steelers rebounded nicely, with a 24-0 drubbing of the Seattle Seahawks. This week everyone can breathe a little easier. While not every question was answered, the Steelers played a very crisp and complete game. It certainly wasn’t a “redemption” game; it was the Steelers showing what they are capable of doing.

The first thing that sticks out was the play of Ben Roethlisberger. After the worst start in probably his entire career, Ben struggled early, misfiring on several passes then got it going. It was his 100th career start and his 70th win. He is, simply put, the toughest QB in the NFL. After getting his knee drilled into during the game, not once, but twice, he still managed to throw for a shade under 300 yards! You hear all this talk about other QB’s being better, but NO ONE would have done what Ben did. He is a great Steeler!

The Wide Receivers are just plain awesome. Everybody plays a part and they all do their respective parts well. You could trust Hines Ward to catch artillery. He made the best catch of the day, by managing to keep both feet in bounds while making a 15-yard catch on third down and proved despite the moron media, he is still one of the best. He also crushed Earl Thomas to spring Rashard Mendenhall. Manny Sanders played a great game with two very big catches and he threw a nifty pass, which looked terrific. Antonio Brown is continuing to emerge as bona fide superstar, as he gave the Seattle defense fits all day. And lastly, Mike Wallace, is just an absolute force, his play continues to get better and better as he contributed with 100 yards.

The running game did okay, Mendenhall, despite not having great stats, had a very good game. He is starting to show better footwork and made some great plays. Ike Redman really is showing signs of life and they make this one of the strengths of the team.

The defense played a very well coached game, despite what the announcers thought. It was obvious that the Steelers coaching had a great strategy. They kept the Seahawks in check for the whole game, never blitzing. Then they unleashed the dogs and the Steelers just dominated Tavaris Jackson and the Seahawks line, ensuring the shutout. The front seven played great and crushed the Seattle running game. The Defense backfield did a solid job shutting down the pass. It was a thoroughly dominant day. By the way, Troy Polamalu isn’t slow or old, he played terrific and made some nice stops.

The Offensive line did a respectable job. Marcus Gilbert was seriously burned for one sack off the corner but rebounded nicely for a very good game. Ramon Foster played well in the left guard spot including an outstanding pull that leveled THREE guys for the Seahawks. Jonathon Scott is not the long term answer at Left Tackle but held his own for most of the game. Maurkice played his usual stellar game and busted up the Seattle front. Legursky had a respectable game but missed a huge block when he went in as fullback. All and all, Ben wasn’t picking himself up all game so it was a good job. They still lack that knockout punch up front and couldn’t get a key push to start the game, but it is a start.

It is on to Indy! I will be reporting from Saratoga next week and watching the game at the Stadium bar!

BEER WE GO STEELERS! BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: Big Ben Roethlisberger, is my Game Beer player! Both the Captain and I are in agreement. We are proud to have him as our QB and our team Captain. Mike Wallace easily could be the choice as well. It was a great day all around

Where I watched the game: At my girlfriend’s KGB for a quiet afternoon. I was a less than cordial host last week, so took it easy this week. Had great snacks and drank Spaten beer! The Captain was in attendance at the ‘Burgh and tailgated at our usual spot!

My thoughts on Next Week: This was a five star matchup until Peyton got hurt. The Steelers will win if they play like they did yesterday. The Colts are very dangerous though and beware of a home team that is on the ropes. I am watching their film today.  

It’s One Game!!  Last time I checked, a game does not make a season…A series of games does.  In this case, we ALL know that the team that took the field in Baltimore wearing the Black and Gold was an anomaly and WILL not be viewed again for quite some time.  We will not and should not press the Panick button.  We ARE a better team than we showed on Sunday.  Further to this point, we have had worse games than this one in the recent past and we always seem to bounce back.  If you are one of those panicking types it’s a good thing that you are a Steelers fan because you may be a bit spoiled and this LOW may seem way worse than it actually is.  I think that a “BWG” Top Ten “shit the bed” games over the past 10 years should be documented (hint to the President).  This was an away game in the NFL in which we were an underdog going in.  We expect to win but we are realistic that loses are going to occur.  Real Champions are formed through adversity and difficulties.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are Real Champions!

With that said, WE ARE FINE.  I feel bad for Seattle as they are traveling into a world of hurt Sunday.  We will not take this performance lying down and the only way to get up off the mat is to spend a few extra hours before kickoff lamenting (and drinking down) all the positives that we may be forgetting after taking that beating at the hands of our rival.  I, for one, may have to start the night before and make this a Mighty All Nighty in the parking lots!!  Anybody IN?  regardless of if you need sleep or not, I will be available before the game if you are looking for debauchery and a positive atmosphere, you will need to look no further than Kail’s parking lot across from the casino…Come One, Come All as we will be bringing the pain and will need a few hours on pregame to get the juices flowing!!

As if the drubbing by the a-hole Rat-Birds wasn’t enough, the PPG is reporting that Willie Colon tore his tricep ending his season again. This marks the second season in a row where Colon was out for the year early. I personally have a soft spot for Colon because he is a native New Yorker and went to college on Long Island at Hofstra. He is also a huge Yankee fan. This marks a serious blow to an O-line that has had serious issues already.

Here is Beer We Go’s take: I would start Marcus Gilbert (6′, 6″ 330) and promote Trevis Turner (6′, 7″ 330) off the practice squad. Gilbert looks like he is proficient and in the NFL, it is the next man up. Turner is a development project but an absolute monster in size and athleticism. They have Chris Scott and Trai Essex with more experience but I think both will be a decent stop gaps but not long term solution. Turner and Gilbert can be long term solutions. 

I also wouldn’t mind seeing Keith Williams get another shot at the team, playing the backup at the Guard spots and using Scott as the backup tackle. 

What is likely to happen is the Steelers will look to Flozel or Max Starks, to get off the couch and come back and try and make the team. While both are respectable short term solutions, neither is a long term solution.

The Steelers took a horrendous whipping yesterday at the hand of the hated Rat Birds. It was a horrendous loss and for the first time in a long time the Steelers looked slow and old. 

Some disturbing facts; James Farrior had his worse game as a Steeler and was out of position on both running play and pass plays, Silverback looked tired and injured after a wicked yank down. The fears about the Cornerback position after a nice preseason were brought back into the present. The Offensive line woes look worse than imagined. Both Rashard and the usually sure handed Mewelde fumbled!

It is hard to imagine the game getting any worse.But it did, Big Ben, just looked scattered and scared the whole game. He was plain terrible and you would be hard pressed to find a worst start in his 100 games as a pro. The Steelers actually moved the ball fairly well but turned it over SEVEN times!!! There is no formula for success turning the ball over seven times.

That being said, Beer We Go is not the panicking type. The Steelers would have made a game of it if they held onto the football yesterday. That is a huge “if” but it is still a fact. Reviewing the schedule the Steelers should go at least 2-2 in the first four, with Peyton out they could go 3-1. Jumping ship on week one is just ludicrous, so no one pull the rip cord yet.  

The Steelers are going to get a worse ass whipping this week from Coach Tomlin. That simply isn’t Steeler football. This team is way too talented to lose in that fashion, Coach Tomlin is going to seriously light them up.

BEER WE GO STEELERS! BEER WE GO!

My “GAME BEER” goes to: This game was so lousy I am going with the freakin’ punter. Dan Sepulveda averaged 52.8 yards per punt and looked great. Considered were Mike Wallace, who had several catches and Antonio Brown who looks like a legit kick return threat as well as a solid receiver.

Where I watched the game: At my girlfriend’s KGB. Ordered Domino’s pizza and wings from a bar, my football teammate, fellow O-Lineman and good friend Matt, brought Yuengling in honor of Pa. It didn’t work out. I turned the living room into a remote control throwing extravaganza.

The only good news is that my own football team won yesterday in the morning. I wrote several posts about out of shape lineman, after playing yesterday that might have been ironic!

My thoughts on Next Week: It is hard to imagine the Steelers playing worse. Usually I preview the other team with NFL Sunday ticket shortcuts. I couldn’t bring myself to watch football after the Steelers game. The Steelers need to play better, that is an understatement but so be it.

From the Desk of Tom Janicki:

I’m sure that there are many reasons to be optimistic for every team in the NFL leading up to the 2011-2012 season, however, being a fan of the Steelers, days away from a kickoff date at Baltimore to start the season, is especially gratifying.  Let me lay out 5 reasons why I feel the Steelers are superior to every team in the NFL…

Wide Receivers: “The Young Money Family” Speed (Emmanuel Sanders, Easy Money), More Speed (Antonio Brown, Cash Money), Even More Speed (Mike Wallace, Fast Money), the Addition (Jerico Cotchery, Mo’ Money) and the Dancer (Hines Ward, Old Money)!  What a luxury we have at receiver, our core could be considered the best in the NFL at this point and in my opinion will be considered the best in the NFL after the season.  The only thing that could hold them back (don’t want to think about potential negatives) is an injury to Ben or bad play from the line limiting the time needed for our speed to get down the field.  It will be extremely difficult to defend this vertical attack.  To have 3 receivers that can stretch the field is ridiculous.  Then to add the cherries on top of two veteran, physical, possession receivers and you have a recipe for many, many yards by the Air.  I have faith in BA to design game plan(s) geared to accentuate the strengths of this team and to take nothing away from our running attack, our strength should be clearly our potential for quick aerial strikes.  In years past, Ben was clamoring for a tall physical receiver, although that would be nice, I prefer the SPEED and I believe that Ben does as well!

Linebackers:  Our back-up linebackers could potentially create an entire starting unit on a select few NFL teams; great depth if needed.  Our starters; unquestionably the best in the NFL.  When you consider that our 3^rd best Linebacker could quite possibly could be considered the greatest defensive player to dawn a uniform on those select few NFL teams (I will research this further but the Bengals come to mind); you know that you have a strong unit.  When you consider that your 2^nd best Linebacker is consistently in the discussion as the best in the NFL and is young.  When any given Sunday, your worst Linebacker is your best…we are Blessed with Linebackers.  My rankings are James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons & James Farrior…the drop off is slight and the only reason for any drop off may be due to age.  This unit is STRONG….and ANGRY….and will be the deciding factor in multiple games this year.  Silverback will beast this year!!  This unit is a nice segue into my next point…

Track Record:  Can you run on the Steelers?  I highly doubt it.  Check previous blog entries as I have mentioned this point on multiple occasions, since we drafted “Hungry Hungry” Hampton our run defense has never fell out of the top 5 in the league.  Making teams one dimensional is a key advantage to winning in this league.  This could be the year that we shatter the “Record” for least amount of yards on the ground given up in a season when you consider the depth and shear talent in our run defense.  Teams should realize by this point considering our pedigree that it is extremely rare and the only way to beat this defense is by the air.  Once we sense the run has been abandoned, beware Quarterback but your chance of injury has just increased!!    

Coaching / Management familiarity:  We keep in tact an experienced, proven to be winners, staff & management organization chart that in my opinion is 2^nd to none.  Most teams have rebuilding years with a select few organization capable of sustained excellence.  These select few organizations have one common thread, good leadership.  I would not trade our Ownership / Management team / Coaching staff for any other in the league and hope that we can hold onto them all for many years to follow.  This season shapes up to be great due to the vision and decisions made well before the year, our core decision makers are winners and that is what we will see on the field!!

On the field Leadership:  Name another team in the league with more Winners / Leaders on the field at one time!!  I would challenge anyone to this point.  We have sick talent.  We have a sick will to win and I would fear this team coming off the Super Bowl defeat.  If we can use this as motivation and come into each game with that chip on the shoulder we will be an immovable force to be reckoned with.  A healthy Troy and Silverback gives us a potential 1 / 2 combo for Defensive Player of the Year.  Mike Wallace will break out.  Who would you rather have leading us to victory than the likes of Mike Tomlin and Company?  Is there a better big game Quarterback than Ben?  We have so many things going for us leading into a rivalry game.  Who would you rather have in week 1 than the Ratbirds?  Let’s take their hearts and stomp on them in Week 1 and demoralize their spirit!! 

I can feel it coming in the air tonight…I’ve been waiting for this moment for all my life!!  Or at least since we failed to convert on the final drive of the Super Bowl which in turn denied us the ability of rewriting the history books as the greatest franchise in modern sports history.  It is a new year for all, but it is especially nice being a fan of the preeminent franchise in the NFL…Let’s Run It Back Boys!!

WHO RIDE…WE RIDE!!  WHO’S HOUSE…OUR HOUSE!!  WHO DEY…WE DEY!!  I GOT A FEELING!!  BEER WE GO STEELERS BEER WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!

LET’S DO IT!!

This is an exciting week as we get ready for the first game of the year. We will have a full season preview as well as a roster recap.

Stay tuned and Beer We Go Steelers, Beer We Go.