Well happy Monday everyone. I know that the Pittsburgh Steelers won yesterday at Detroit and that I should be happy, but I just can’t get over the fact at with the exception of few plays the defense has been average. So average in fact that it’s still ranked number 5 in the league. When looking at the actual stats, the Steelers are in mighty fine position.
Well if they are 5 in the league in defense, why do they look so average? For the first time in a few years, I feel like I’ve been watching a team getting closer to the breaking point more so than normal. The crazy thing is, is that I can’t even blame the defense for that. While the score was close, the defense actually only allowed 2 field goals, and one touchdown. The offense, while being amazingly good when it comes to throwing most of the time, gave up a pick 6 yesterday, making the score closer than it should of been.
It’s just hard to explain. These last few weeks it’s been getting harder and harder to watch these games come down to what seems to be the wire. The only thing at this point I have to question is the offensive play-calling. Rashard Mendenhall, had a great first half, running for 65 yards and a touchdown. The second half stats to his running game were beyond absurd. Mike Tomlin owed it to the fact that the Lions controlled the ball most of the time.
Well, here’s the million dollar question I just have to ask. When up by two touchdowns at the start of the Third quarter, when the Steelers had the ball, why didn’t they go into their time control offense and sit and run the ball with Mendenhall, and pass to get the first down while the clock is running? We were pretty much all over them in terms of offensive movement.
I guess it’s just funny how momentum works with the game. If we would have ran the ball when we could of, we might of been able to knock them off their confidence boost, but we didn’t and decided to keep throwing the ball and trying to get down field. Even though we won the Super Bowl last year, I’m not sold on Bruce Arians tactics as far as play-calling is concerned. Some times it’s brilliant with the plays called, and other times it’s disjointed and unbelievable with what plays are called.
Finally getting back to the original topic at hand. Rest Troy this weekend against the Browns, and have him play the week after going into a bye. Give him some reps while letting him know he has another week off to fully test out his knee. I’d hate to have him out more weeks because of him re-aggravating his knee. It’s blatantly obvious we have a different defense without him there, and it seems too basic. I miss the exotic styles of the Steelers defense.
In all seriousness though, keep Troy healthy, and consider drafting another safety next year. At this point in time however regarding the running back situation, it looks to me like Parker is now going to play back-up. I’ve missed the old ground and pound offense that Mendenhall can provide. Well other than those few things, I guess a win is a win. The Steelers will rebound, but here’s to not making games so close all the time eh?!
Ps. The Denver Broncos retro/alternate jerseys they used yesterday were terrible.
Denver Broncos Retro Jersey
Mon, Oct 12, 2009
Sports