Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

February 18, 2009
By Donald Starver

Here at Steelers Today, we are not content to sit back and speculate on what the Steelers are going to do during the off-season.  Instead, we prefer to take a more proactive approach.

We’ve hacked into Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s PDA, and we were able to locate his “to do” list.   Here it is, exclusively on Steelers Today.

Mike Tomlin’s “to do” list

1. Convince Dick LeBeau that it’s not appropriate for me to call him “dad”.
2. Find more ways to use the word “men” at press conferences.
3. Sucker Ken Whisenhunt into signing Chris Kemoeatu.
4. Make James Harrison run more 100 yard dashes.
5. Convince Bruce Arians that “fullback” is not a bad word.
6. Send Terrell Owens a free agent contract on April Fool’s Day.
7. Pretend to respect the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
8. Sucker Ken Whisenhunt into signing Willie Colon.
9. Teach Ben Roethlisberger the difference between a broken toenail and a broken leg.
10. Send 50 cases of rice cakes to Casey Hampton’s house.
11. Explain to Limas Sweed that wide receivers are supposed to CATCH the ball.
12. Place Jeff Reed under house arrest to avoid more “incidents”.
13. Mandatory drug tests for Santonio.
14. Get fitted for ring.
15. Sign contract extension.

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This week, the Steelers must face the New England Patriots, led by surprising quarterback Matt Cassel.  Prior to this season, many fans had probably never heard of Matt Cassel.  When Tom Brady went down with an injury, most fans probably wrote off the Patriots.  But Matt Cassel has played extremely well, and passed for back-to-back 400+ yard games.  More importantly, the Patriots are 7-4, and are in contention for a wildcard playoff spot.

Most Steelers fans are probably asking “who is this Matt Cassel guy?  Isn’t he a scrub who hadn’t started a game since high school”?  Well, the answer to that question is “yes and no”.  It IS true that prior to this season, Matt Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school.  However, it is not necessarily true that he is a scrub.

Coming out of high school, Cassel was ranked as one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country.  As a result, he was recruited by Pete Carroll to play at USC, one of the most prestigious programs in the nation.  Cassel probably would have become a starter if he had chosen to attend any other school that recruited him other than USC.

While at USC, Cassel spent his entire career as a backup to Heisman trophy winners.  Cassel started his college career as a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer.  He ended his college career as backup to another USC Heisman Trophy winner, Matt Leinart.

Despite having never started a game in college, pro scouts recognized Cassel’s potential.  At 6’4″ and 230 lbs., he had nice size.  More importantly, he had a strong arm.  Ultimately, he was drafted in the seventh round by the New England Patriots.

Many fans thought it was a fluke when Cassel passed for 400 yards against the New York Jets two weeks ago.  When he followed that game up with a 415 yard passing game against the Miami Dolphins last week, suddenly Cassel could no longer be taken lightly.

Most Steelers fans would probably agree that Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a franchise quarterback.  Nevertheless, Roethlisberger has never thrown for 400 yards in an NFL game.  Cassel has done it twice in the past 2 weeks.  In fact, Cassel leads Roethlisberger in almost every statistical category this year.

Cassel is 8th in the NFL in passing yardage with 2,615 yards.  Roethlisberger is 17th with 2,233 yards.  Matt Cassel is ranked #10 with a passer rating of 90.5, while Roethlisberger is ranked 21st with a passer rating of 80.5.  Cassel has thrown 13 touchdown passes this year.  Big Ben has 11.  Cassel has completed 66.3% of his passes.  Roethlisberger has completed 61.6%.  Cassel has thrown 24 passes this year that were for 20 yards or more.  Big Ben has only thrown 20 passes for 20+ yards.  The only important category that Big Ben leads Matt Cassel in is interceptions.  Big Ben has thrown 11 interceptions, while Matt Cassel has only thrown 8.  Oh wait, that’s bad, isn’t it?  Ummmm, forget that last one.

Since Big Ben is a franchise quarterback, and Matt Cassel’s statistics are better than Big Ben’s, Matt Cassel must also be a franchise quarterback, right?  Moreover, since Cassel’s stats are better than Roethlisberger’s he must be a better quarterback than Big Ben.  Make sense?  Actually, no.  It doesn’t make sense.

Let’s look at Matt Cassel’s accomplishments a little closer.  Matt Cassel has never faced a passing defense that was ranked in the top 1/3 of NFL.  The best passing defense that he’s faced is the Indianapolis Colts, and he lost that game.  The best defense that he has actually beaten is the 6-5 Buffalo Bills’ defense.  The Bill’s passing defense is ranked #16 in the NFL (out of 32 teams).  That means that they are just barely in the top half of NFL passing defenses.

The Bills’ defense gives up 211.5 passing yards per game, and they have a total of 18 sacks.  By comparison, the Steelers defense is ranked #1 in the NFL against the pass and against the run.  The Steelers allow a measly 168 passing yards per game, and they’ve accumulated a total of 37 sacks.  Translation:  Matt Cassel has been playing against JV defenses.  This Sunday, he’ll be facing his first varsity squad.

While many teams were unprepared for Cassel, after two consecutive 400+ yard passing performances, the Steelers will not take him lightly.  Coach Dick LeBeau will have his defense ready to teach Cassel a thing or two.  The Steelers are likely to try to confuse Cassel by constantly shifting their defensive looks right up to the time of the snap.  More importantly, the Steelers have one of the few cornerbacks in the league who has the size and speed to shadow Randy Moss.  With Ike Taylor taking away some of the advantage that Moss usually enjoys, it is going to make Cassel work much harder for his yards than he usually has to.

With his home run target partially neutralized, Cassel is going to have to spend more time searching for his second and third passing options.  This will give the Steelers’ pitbulls, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, time to get to Cassel.  Cassel has already been sacked 34 times this season.  That’s even more sacks than Big Ben has taken, and we all know that Ben gets sacked waaayyyyyyy too often.  So while Matt Cassel will enter the game with 34 sacks, he’s not likely to leave the game with 34.  36 or 37 is far more likely.

The one X-factor that might change the complexion of the game is Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick.  For those of you who don’t know, I don’t like Bill Belichick.  Besides being a cheater, Belichick is also a Steelers killer.  He has a knack for creating perfect game plans for facing the Steelers.  There is little doubt in my mind that Belichick will have Cassel and the rest of the Patriots well prepared for this game.  The fact that the game is being played in New England won’t help either.

The bottom line is that Matt Cassel is a decent young quarterback.  However, he has never faced a defense like the one that he’s going to be facing this weekend.  Bill Belichick will have him well prepared, but it won’t make a difference.  The Steelers are going to beat the Patriots.  The only quarterback who can potentially change that outcome is Ben Roethlisberger, not Matt Cassel.

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As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to play the Indianapolis Colts, I once again started thinking about the differences between the two cities.  Here are my top 10 reasons why Pittsburgh is better than Indianapolis.

#10)  The Steelers are a Pittsburgh institution.  The Colts are a Baltimore institution.  Who wants a second-hand team?  Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#9)  Pittsburgh was once known as the most important city in the world.  Indianapolis was once known as the most important city in Indiana Indianapolis.  Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#8)  Pittsburgh is surrounded by scenic hills and valleys.  Indianapolis is surrounded by corn.  Advantage:  Pittsburgh.

#7)  Pittsburgh’s baseball team is better than Indianapolis’ (I don’t get to say that often, so I had to take advantage of the opportunity).  Advantage: Pittsburgh.

 #6)  The most famous person from Indianapolis is Dan Quayle.  Huge advantage: Pittsburgh.

An Indianapolis legend.

#5)  At least Pittsburgh’s founders took the time to give it an original name.  Indianapolis’ founders just called it a metropolis of Indiana.  What if Pittsburgh were called Pennsylvaniapolis?  Stupid, isn’t it?  Advantage: Pennsylvaniapolis.

#4)  Pittsburgh has been voted “America’s Most Livable City” several times.  Indianapolis has been voted “Best truck stop while driving to Chicago”.  Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#3)  The Pitt Panthers basketball team could beat the Indiana Pacers.  Advantage: Pittsburgh

#2)  The most famous event in Indianapolis history was made irrelevant by Nascar.  Disadvantage: Indianapolis.

Didn't you used to be the Indy 500?

#1)  Five is better than one.   Checkmate!!!!!  Ultimate advantage: Pittsburgh!!!

You can borrow one of ours.

As you can see, the evidence is incontrovertible.  Pittsburgh is definitely better than Indianapolis.  And the Steelers are going to prove it on Sunday.  Go Steelers!!!!

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This week, Steelers Today was asked to be the guest blogger on the AOL NFL Fanhouse. When that article is posted on their site, you will be able to see it here.

In the meantime, one of their questions got me thinking. They asked me who I’d rather have quarterbacking my team, Ben Roethlisberger or Eli Manning. I answered unequivocally and without hesitation, “Big Ben”. Heck, if Eli’s last name weren’t Manning, I don’t think he would have been drafted as high as he was. But that’s just my opinion.

Based on their question, I decided to expound upon my answer and list my top 10 reasons why Ben Roethlisberger is better than Eli Manning. Enjoy:

#10) “Big Ben” has a cooler nickname. In fact, I don’t think Eli even has a nickname. “Little Peyton” maybe? Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#9) Big Ben is bigger. Eli Manning is 6’4″, and weighs 225 lbs. Big Ben is 6’5″ and 241 lbs. This is his slimmed down size. He used to play at about 255 lbs., but he made the conscious decision to play at a lighter weight. Advantage Roethlisberger.

#8) Big Ben is Stronger. Ben Roethlisberger has one of the strongest arms of any quarterback in the NFL. Apparently some scouts have a test they have quarterbacks do wherein the QB has to throw the ball while on his knees. One NFL scout wrote that he saw Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball farther than he had seen just about any other QB throw the ball while on his knees. Sure, NFL quarterbacks don’t often throw the ball from their knees, but it was an interesting observation nonetheless.

Big Ben’s strength also lets him maintain his balance and complete passes while defenders are draped all over him. Just look at the pass that he completed to Hines Ward this year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There were two defenders trying to drag Roethlisberger to the ground, but he still completed the pass. Eli Manning just isn’t strong enough to do that. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#7) Big Ben is faster. Not only is Roethlisberger bigger and stronger than Eli Manning, he’s also faster. Roethlisberger uses his speed to scramble and escape defenders. He can either buy time to find his receivers, or he can take off and gain yardage running.

Ben’s superior speed gives him a big advantage versus Eli Manning in gaining rushing yards. In 2007, Ben Roethlisberger rushed for 204 yards. Eli Manning has rushed for 213 total yards during his entire career. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#6) Roethlisberger has more wins. The ultimate measure of a QB is not how many 300 yard passing performances he has. The true measure of a quarterback is how often he wins. Dan Marino threw for more yards, but Joe Montana has more rings. Dan Fouts threw for more yards, but Terry Bradshaw has more wins. Peyton Manning has thrown for more yards, but Tom Brady has more rings. Which QB in each pair is remembered as being the best? See my point? No matter what era you look at, wins are what matter. When it all comes down to it, winning is the ultimate measure of a QB. It’s like Al Davis once said; “Just win, baby!”

Both Quarterbacks have one super bowl ring in their young careers, so there is no difference in that area. However, when we look at total wins, Ben Roethlisberger has a significant advantage. Ben Roethlisberger has accumulated 45 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 72.6%. Eli Manning has accumulated 36 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 57.1%. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#5) Big Ben dates hotter chicks. Eli Manning recently married his college sweetheart, Abby McGrew.

Roethlisberger is still a bachelor, but he has had very public relationships with golfer Natalie Gulbis and actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (aka Meadow Soprano).

Natalie Gulbis

Tony Soprano's daughter grew up!

I commend Manning for his commitment to his long-time girlfriend, but I don’t think there’s much doubt that this round goes to Big Ben. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#4) Roethlisberger has been to more Pro Bowls. Eli Manning has never been named to a Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Big Ben made the Pro Bowl last year, and is on his way to making it again this year. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#3) Roethlisberger has thrown fewer interceptions. Eli Manning has thrown 68 career interceptions. Big Ben has thrown only 57. If not for that terrible 2006 season in which Roethlisberger practically led the league in interceptions with 23, the difference would be far more glaring. Coach Bill Cowher allowed Big Ben to come back much too quickly in 2006 following a motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy, and Ben’s performance suffered because of it. Outside of that one terrible season, Roethlisberger has never thrown more than 11 interceptions in a season. Contrarily, Manning has exceeded 15 interceptions on 3 separate occasions. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#2) Roethlisberger has thrown for more yardage. This statistic is most surprising, since Roethlisberger has always played in a run-oriented offense in which he was often thought of as a mere caretaker. Big Ben has thrown for 12,836 yards versus 12,774 yards for Eli Manning. This disparity is most surprising since Manning has over 400 more pass attempts than Roethlisberger. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#1) Big Ben has a higher career QB rating. Ben Roethlisberger has a career quarterback rating of 93.0. Eli Manning’s career QB rating is 74.9. The two quarterbacks entered the NFL during the same season, and Big Ben has had a better QB rating in each season except for the aforementioned 2006 season in which Roethlisberger threw more than twice as many interceptions as he has averaged for his career. In that season, their QB ratings were practically identical, though Manning edged Roethlisberger slightly (Manning=77.0 vs. Roethlisberger=75.4). In fact, Roethlisberger’s WORST single season QB rating (75.4) is higher than Manning’s career average (74.9). Last year, Roethlisberger’s QB rating was a full 30 points higher than Eli Manning’s (104.1 versus 73.9). Despite Eli winning the Superbowl, Roethlisberger had a far better season. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

So, as you can see, when we do a head-to-head comparison of Eli Manning versus Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben wins in a knockout. If Giants fans are honest, I’m sure that they’d admit that the Steelers got the better deal in Roethlisberger. Particularly when you consider that the Giants also traded away a draft pick that ended up being Shawn Merriman in order to get Eli. There is little doubt in my mind that if the Giants could take a mulligan on their 2004 draft, they’d choose Ben Roethlisberger over Eli Manning.

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As the Steelers prepare to play the Bungles Bengals, I started thinking about how the two teams compared. Of course, this got me thinking about how the two cities compare. Here are my top 10 reasons why Pittsburgh is better than Cincinnati.

#10) When you look across the river from downtown Cincinnati, you see Kentucky. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

I'm from Kentucky, y'all!

#9) The worst item from Primanti Bros. is better than the BEST item from Skyline Chili. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#8) The Pitt Panthers own the Cincinnati Bearcats in Big East Basketball. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Pitt wins again!!

#7) Steelers players don’t have to bring their parole officers to games with them. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#6) Cincinnati’s most famous son is Jerry Springer. In fact, he used to be the city’s mayor. No kidding. Look it up. Cincinnati should repent for that. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Mr. Mayor

#5) Our hockey team is better than their hockey team. Oh wait, they don’t have a hockey team. Ha! Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#4) According to the database Statistics I Just Made Up, 79% of the Cincinnati Bengals wish they played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#3) Downtown Cincinnati sits on the Ohio River. Even Cincinnati’s river was born in Pittsburgh. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Who's your daddy?

#2) Ocho Stinko! Need I say more? Huge advantage: Pittsburgh.

Hines Ward is my idol.

#1) Five is better than zero. Advantage: Pittsburgh!!!

We hate to brag, but.......

As you can see, our highly scientific process proves definitively that Pittsburgh is better than Cincinnati. Now it’s time to kick their arses in football……..again!

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