Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

As our regular readers know, we have been pretty hard on Ike Taylor at times.  It’s not that we don’t like Ike.  In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  We love Ike.  When T.O., or Randy Moss, or Plax are in town, there is not a cornerback that we’d rather have covering them than Ike Taylor.

Unfortunately, when there is an easy interception to be had, there is nobody we’d like attempting to catch it less than Ike Taylor.  Let’s face it, Ike has hands of stone.  I know a guy who had both of his hands amputated who can catch better than Ike.

Some of you felt that we were being too hard on Ike when we wrote an article called “Catch the damn ball, Ike!!!”.  Perhaps we were a bit hard on him.  That’s why we are taking the time now to publically acknowledge Ike Taylor’s great performance this past week against Dallas.

Ike did a tremendous job of shutting down Terrell Owens (on T.O.’s birthday even) this past Sunday.  In fact, in consecutive weeks, Ike has held Randy Moss and Terrell Owens to 45 yards receiving and 32 yards receiving, respectively.  More importantly, he only allowed 1 touchdown between the two of them.  That lone touchdown only happened because the Steelers dropped both James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley into coverage on the play.  That left Tony Romo with plenty of time to finally find T.O. in the back of the endzone.  If either Silverback or Woodley had been pursuing Romo, there’s no way that touchdown happens.  But even Ike can’t cover T.O. indefinitely.

Anyone who watched the game on Sunday knows that there was one extraordinary moment that stood out above all others.  No, we’re not talking about Deshea Townsend’s game winning pick six.  Try again.  Nope, we’re not talking about Troy Polamalu’s 7th interception.  Care to take another guess?  Nope, we’re not talking about Hines Ward’s 159th consecutive game with a catch.  Guess again.  No, we’re not talking about James Harrison’s 7,000th (or at least it seems like that many) sack/forced fumble combination.  No, silly rabbits, we’re talking about Ike Taylor’s first interception of the season.  Yahoo!!!!!!!

Ike snagged his first interception of the year on a diving catch that actually had a pretty high degree of difficulty.  Any interception by Ike is cause for celebration, but a diving interception is cause for a party in “the Burgh”.  Light the fireworks!  Release the pigeons!!

We’re not going to mention the fact that Troy Polamalu has 7 interceptions.  Or that seldom-used backup safety Tyrone Carter already has an interception.  Or that linebacker LaMarr Woodley has as many picks as Ike.  Or that fellow sackmaster James Harrison also has as many picks as Ike.  Moreover, we’re not going to mention that backup linebacker Lawrence Timmons also has the same number of interceptions as Ike.  Nope, we’re not going to mention any of that.  We’re just going to let Ike have his moment in the sun.

Savor this moment.  Afterall, seeing an Ike Taylor interception is about as rare as…..well, seeing a unicorn.  There are even those who put Ike Taylor interceptions into the same mythical category as unicorns.  But this Sunday, Ike proved them wrong.  The Loch Ness Monster may not exist.  Bigfoot may be an urban legend.  but Ike Taylor interceptions really do happen.

Look what we saw on Sunday

Ike may not catch another interception before the end of the season (or the end of the decade for that matter).  But as long as he keeps running stride-for-stride with the best receivers in the league, we want him lining up for the black and gold.  In fact, we wouldn’t trade him for any other cornerback.

We all know what we get with Ike Taylor.  Ike is paid to shadow the league’s best receivers and defense passes.  Nobody expects him to intercept the ball.  An occasional interception is just icing on the cake.  Way to go, Ike!

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Before reading this week’s key match-ups, please read my Steelers-Patriots Preview.  Also, you may want to read our reports on Patriots’ QB Matt Cassel and Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick.

This week, the Steelers will face their perennial AFC rivals the New England Patriots. Anytime you are discussing AFC supremacy, these two teams are likely to be included in the conversation.

Both teams need a win this weekend to stay in the race for division titles.  The Steelers are one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, but the Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, and will probably get a win.  Meanwhile, the Patriots are one game behind the New York Jets in the AFC East.  They need a win to stay within striking distance of the Jets.

These are the match-ups that I believe will have the highest likelihood of impacting the outcome of the game.

Steelers’ linebackers James Harrison & LaMarr Woodley vs. Patriots’ QB Matt Cassel

We all know that Matt Cassel has been a more than adequate replacement for Tom Brady.  However, Cassel has really not faced many above average defenses.  The toughest defense that he’s faced this year is the Indianapolis Colts, and he lost that game.  The Steelers’s defense is much better than the Colts.

Cassel had proven to be susceptible to pressure.  He’s been sacked even more often than Ben Roethlisberger has this year (and I didn’t think that was possible).  That has got to have Steelers’ linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley watering at the mouth.  Each is among the NFL’s leaders in sacks, and they have a friendly competition going against one another.  They’ll both be looking forward to adding to their sack count against Matt Cassel.  Advantage: Steelers.

CB Ike Taylor vs WR Randy Moss.

Despite his hands of stone, Ike Taylor is one of the best cover corners in the NFL.  He has the size and speed to guard even the biggest and fastest receivers.  He’ll need every ounce of his size and speed this week when he faces Randy Moss.  Moss epitomizes the tall, fast receiver.  If there is a receiver in the NFL who is more dangerous than Randy Moss, I don’t know who he is.  After a terrible stint with the Raiders, Moss has been reborn with the Patriots.  This may be the best match-up of the game. Advantage: Patriots

Steelers’ defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau vs. Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick

One of the best match-ups of the game won’t even take place on the field.  Instead, it will take place along the sidelines as Steelers’ defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau matches wits with Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick.  Belichick has owned the Steelers since he became head coach of the Patriots.  Some would argue that his success is due to his cheating, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Belichick runs a complicated 3-4 defensive scheme, so he is not as unfamiliar with what LeBeau does as many opponents are.  Belichick always develops game plans that are perfectly crafted to beat the Steelers.  Against any other foe, Dick LeBeau would have the advantage, but against the mad scientist Bill Belichick, well……… Advantage: Patriots.

WR Santontio Holmes vs. Patriots’ CB Deltha O’Neal

Deltha O’Neal couldn’t guard the Steelers’ receivers when he was a young cornerback playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.  He certainly can’t contain them as a 75 year old cornerback for the Patriots.  Unless Holmes breaks his leg during the game, he should burn O’Neal like firewood.  Advantage: Steelers.

DE Travis Kirschke vs. G Logan Mankins

It’s not often that Travis Kirschke’s name is mentioned as a key match-up.  However, this week he will play a pivotal role in the game.  Starter Brett Keisel is out with an injury, and Kirschke will be called upon to fill in for him.  Kirschke must hold stout against the run in order for the Steelers to contain the Patriots offense.  Kirschke, along with backup defensive ends Nick Eason and Orpheus Roye, have played surprisingly well each time they’ve been called upon this season.  Advantage: Neither.

Steelers’C Justin Hartwig vs. Patriots’ NT Vince Wilfork

Justin Hartwig was brought in to handle the big AFC nose tackles who seemed to overpower Sean Mahan last year.  Hartwig has held his own so far, but he will receive a good test from Patriots’ nose tackle Vince Wilfork.  Wilfork is a former 1st round draft pick, and at 6’2″ 325 lbs, he is built very similar to Steelers’ NT Casey Hampton.  He is short for his size, which allows him to get under his blockers and use incredible leverage to collapse the line of scrimmage.

Hartwig has held his own against Browns’ NT Shawn Rogers and Chargers’ NT Jamal Williams, two of the best in the game.  Moreover, he practices everyday against Steelers’ NT Casey Hampton, so he should should be well prepared for his battle with Wilfork.  Advantage: Neither.

Overall, I anticipate that the Steelers’ defense will contain the Patriots’ offense, while the Steelers’ offense overwhelms the Patriots’ defense.  Final score prediction: Steelers 24, Patriots 14.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Foxboro this weekend to take on the New England Patriots.  The Steelers have lost 6 of their last 7 games against the Patriots.  They’ve fared even worse when playing on the road, having lost 4 in a row at Gillette Stadium.

The biggest difference between this game and the aforementioned games is that the Patriots will be without star quarterback Tom Brady.  Ordinarily, losing Brady would have been enough to cause Patriots’ fans to give up on the season.  However, the Patriots have gotten surprisingly good play from backup quarterback Matt Cassel.  You can read our scouting report on Matt Cassel by clicking here.

Matt Cassel has led the Patriots to a commendable 7-4 record, and second place in the AFC East.  More importantly, Cassel has been able to maintain the Patriots passing game.  Over the past two weeks, Cassel has had back-to-back 400+ yard passing games.  That’s an accomplishment that even Tom Brady has never been able to achieve.  So for those of you who are expecting Cassel to blow the game for the Patriots, think again.  This kid can play.

Cassel has connected with Randy Moss for 4 touchdowns during the past 2 weeks.  Three of those touchdowns occured last week against Miami.  Ike Taylor is going to have his hands full containing one of the NFL’s most talented receivers.  Though Moss has a 2 inches and a 15 lb. advantage over Taylor, Ike always seems to rise to the occasion when facing his most difficult foes.

A big difference between this year and last year will be the fact that Ryan Clark will be backing up the cornerbacks against the deep ball.  Despite his guarantees last year, Anthony Smith proved that he wasn’t up to that task.  When Smith had to step in last year when Clark was out, we all learned just how important Clark’s disciplined approach to his position really is to the Steelers.

The Steelers’ top ranked defense should be able to contain the Patriots’ offense.  Particularly since the Patriots are without starting running back Laurence Maroney.  In Maroney’s absence, the Patriots have relied on back-ups Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.  This 3-headed running back committee has made the Patriots the 8th ranked rushing team in the NFL.  So while they have no established stars in their running game, they are a competent group.  Unfortunately for them, it will take more than competence to move the ball on the ground against the Steelers.  Just ask Clinton Portis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jamal Lewis, Brandon Jacobs, or Fred Taylor.

The battle of the Steelers’ defense versus the Patriots’ offense should be the marquee match-up of the game.  The Patriots’ offense has generated 511 and 530 yard of offense over the past two weeks.  Meanwhile, the Steelers’ defense has held every opponent under 300 yards of offense.

Despite the strength of the Steelers’ defense, their offense has been less than stellar this season.  Far too often, they have been forced to settle for field goals rather than touchdowns.  The Patriots may be just what the doctor ordered as a cure for that condition.  The Patriots have given up more touchdowns this season than any other team in the AFC.

The reason for the vulnerability of the usually strong Patriots’ defense is injuries to key players like Adalius Thomas (out for season with a broken forearm), and Rodney Harrison (out for season with a thigh injury).  In addition to key players who have been lost for the season, Mike Vrabel has also been battling injuries, but is likely to play against the Steelers.

The Steelers have had a long layoff since playing the Cincinnati Bengals last Thurday night.  The added time should see them well prepared to face the Patriots.  It has also given them a little extra time to heal.  Running back Willie Parker was back to practice late this week, and is likely to play against the Pats.

When Parker plays, he makes things much easier for the Steelers passing game.  Big Ben played well last week, and with Parker running the ball this week, he should see lots of open receivers on Sunday.  If he minimizes turnovers, he should have a good game against a depleted Patriots’ secondary.

The one X-factor in this game will be Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick.  Belichick has enjoyed tremendous success against the Steelers since he became head coach of the Patriots.  He will have his team well prepared to face the Steelers.  Unfortunately, it just won’t be enough to offset the Steelers’ superior talent.  I predict that the Steelers will win this game by a score of 24-14.

For more information about this Sunday’s Steelers-Patriots game, please see our Key Match-ups by clicking here.

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