Steelers dominate Bills
August 30, 2009
By Donald Starver
Typically, the third preseason game of each season is the final tune-up for most of the Steelers’ starters. The 4th and final preseason game is reserved for the players still struggling to make the 53-man roster. They will be given the majority of the playing time in order to try to convince the Steelers’ coaches that they deserve to be on the team. Thus, the Steelers hoped to see a solid performance from all components of their starting team last night, and that is exactly what they got.
The Steelers dominated the Buffalo Bills in all phases of the game. They got scores from the offense, the defense, and the kicking game.
The offense looked crisp and efficient. Big Ben showed no signs of his recent ankle injury, as he completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards in two quarters of play.
In particular, Roethlisberger and Hines Ward looked to be in mid-season form. Big Ben connected with Ward 5 times for 74 yards. Roethlisberger also connected with Limas Sweed 4 times for 34 yards.
With Willie Parker out for the game with a slight hamstring injury, Rashard Mendenhall got the starting nod. Mendenhall answered the call by rushing for 48 yards and a touchdown. This was probably Mendenhall’s most impressive outing since joining the Steelers, despite the fact that he did lose a fumble.
On defense, the Steelers completely stifled the Bills’ offensive attack. They allowed only 135 total yard of offense, and kept the Bills off the scoreboard.
In the first half, when the Steelers’ starting defense was in the game, the domination was especially pronounced. The first unit allowed only 3 first downs and 50 yards of offense.
The defense also got into the endzone when linebacker James Farrior intercepted a Bills’ pass and ran it back for a touchdown. Farrior played like the Pro Bowl player that he is. He led the team in tackles with 4, he got a sack, forced a fumble, defensed 2 passes, and returned an interception for a touchdown.
The Steelers dominated time of possession holding the ball for an astounding 41:15, compared to only 18:45 for the Bills.
Even the kicking game joined the party. Kicker Piotr Czech, who started for Jeff Reed who is nursing a minor injury, added 5 points. He made both of his extra point attempts and added a 34 yard field goal for good measures.
Even the special teams players looked impressive. Keyaron Fox played like a man possessed. He excelled on both special teams and as a backup linebacker. Stefan Logans had another nice night returning punts. He averaged 15.8 yards on 4 returns. He returned his longest one 27 yards. And Mike Wallace averaged 24 yards on kickoff returns.
Studs
James Farrior – If I didn’t know better, I would have sworn that Farrior was wearing a red cape last night. He certainly played like Superman.
Ben Roethlisberger – Forget any thoughts about his injury being a problem.
Limas Sweed – Played with confidence and made some big catches.
Rashard Mendenhall – Lost a fumble, but still had a good night.
Keyaron Fox – Fox played like he is not satisfied to only be a special teams player.
Joe Burnett – He seems to have already lost the punt returner battle to Stefan Logans. However, the Steelers’ coaches must have noticed Burnett’s block of a Bills’ field goal attempt.
Duds
Bruce Davis – Davis has done little to show that he deserves to be on the team. He didn’t make his presence known on special teams or as a backup linebacker. The Steelers are always slow to release high draft picks, but Donovan Woods, Patrick Bailey, Arnold Harrison, and Andre Frazier all seem to want this more than Davis.
Frank “the tank” Summers – It’s probably not fair to call Summers a dud. After all, he didn’t even play last night. However, Isaac Redman did play, and he played well. As unfair as it may sound, Summers may lose his competition with Redman simply by not being in the fight.
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Look over the Steelers roster and you can see there are going to be some tuff cuts before the steelers start the season.
I think that Carey Davis is going to get cut and with that said also Matt Spaeth, because McHugh and D.Johnson can both play FB and Johnson also is a better blocker then Spaeth.
I also would love for A.Q. Shipley to make this roster but I can not see any way he can.
Bruce Davis is gone.
Kirshke has to go because Sonny Harris is not going to make it thru waivers.
Ratliff is not going to make it either.
I will list my roster later
1Dennis,
I agree. There are going to be some very tough cuts.
Like you, I think that Carey Davis is toast. He’s a dead man walking.
I don’t think we’ll cut Spaeth. After all, he is a fairly high draft pick, and he has better hands than McHugh or Johnson. I think David Johnson takes McHugh’s spot, and Heath Miller and Spaeth remain in their current spots.
It is tough to know what the Steelers will do with Kirschke. He is a seasoned veteran, but his name has hardly been called this preseason. Ra’Shon Harris hasn’t done much in preseason either, but a young guy who hasn’t done anything may have more value than an old guy who hasn’t done anything.
I disagree with you about Ratliff. I think he’s going to make the squad. However, Joe Burnett’s block of the extra point against the Bills makes it a tougher call. Burnett has already lost the battle with logans for punt returner, but he may be making a case for himself at cornerback. That is a tough battle, but I’m going to go with Ratliff for now.
Like you said, the Steelers have some tough cuts to make. I wouldn’t want to be Mike Tomlin or his staff right now.
2Sonny Harris has played very well in both games, I have not had a chance to go over the tape of the Bills game yet, but the first two games he has won his battles and maintained his two gap well. He will not last on the practice squad. Kirshke out, Sonny in.
Ratliff can not make this team over Joe Burnett. I agree Logan has the PR/KR for now. But you do not give up on Burnett yet, plus he is a playmaker on defense and special teams. Ratliff had one pic in the preseason. If you go back and look at Burnett’s cover skills in the first two games, he has looked better then Keenan Lewis.
The reason I do not think Spaeth make the team is because he is a horrible blocker and he has not improved as a pass catcher. Plus I have been high on Isacc Redmen making this team since the steelers signed him as a UDFA. Everyone jumped on Frank the tank so fast and I was tell everyone that Redmem was the best short yardage back in camp, plus he can run with bad intensions. McHugh has played FB for us already, I have not seen D. Johnson at FB yet, so I don’t see Davis and McHugh getting cut. That is why I think Spaeth is in trouble.
But there is still one more preseason game left. We will see.
3I was trying the say, if Davis is gone then the Steelers ca not cut McHugh because we will not have a FB. I know Arians doesn’t use one. But that is a whole other blog for another time.
4