Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

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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I hate to spotlight a vicious hit on a steelers player. I’d much rather show you a video of Hines Ward knocking out a defensive back or linebacker with a thunderous block. But let’s face it, Santonio Holmes got JACKED UP! Bengals’ safety Chris Crocker put a hit on him that left him with legs like rubber bands. The hit was so hard that I actually felt it through the TV.

Here is one more look at the hit.

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Okay Steelers fans, we know that you watched the game, but now it’s time to find out if you REALLY watched the game. Here is this week’s post-game quiz. Good luck.

1. Who attempted more passes, Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger?

A. Peyton Manning

B. Ben Roethlisberger

C. They both threw the same number of passes.

2. Who scored the steelers’ first touchdown of the game?

A. Santonio Holmes

B. Mewelde Moore

C. Matt Spaeth

D. Hines Ward

3. What was Ben Roethlisberger’s passer rating for the game?

A. 28.5

B. 49.7

C. 60.0

D. 89.4

4. Who was the primary punt returner for the Steelers?

A. Najeh Davenport

B. Mewelde Moore

C. Gary Russell

D. Santonio Holmes

5. How many interceptions did Ben Roethlisberger throw?

A. Three

B. Too many.

C. Enough to lose the game.

D. All of the above.

6. Which of the following receivers had the most receptions?

A. Matt Spaeth

B. Nate Washington

C. Santonio Holmes

D. Dallas Baker

7. The Steelers’ defense held Joseph Addai to how many yards rushing?

A. 22

B. 34

C. 51

D. 74

8. Who was the target of Big Ben’s final “hail Mary” pass?

A. Hines Ward

B. Santonio Holmes

C. Matt Spaeth

D. Nate Washington

9. How many fumbles did the Steelers have?

A. None

B. One

C. Two

D. Three

10. Who was the leading tackler for the Steelers?

A. Troy Polamalu

B. James Farrior

C. James Harrison

D. Aaron Smith

Answers:

1. (B) Ben Roethlisberger

2. (B) Mewelde Moore

3. (C) 60.0

4. (C) Gary Russell

5. (D) All of the above

6. (A) Matt Spaeth

7. (B) 34

8. (D) Nate Washington

9. (B) One

10. (C) James Harrison

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I have to apologize to my readers. I know that many of you look forward to reading my post-game analysis. I always have it on-line the same night as the game. However, after yesterday’s heartbreak, I still can’t bring myself to think about that game, much less do an analysis of it. Instead, I just want to lock myself in a room and do my best Santonio Holmes imitation. Perhaps that would numb the pain.

The guys over at Stillers.com always do a good analysis after Steelers games, so I’ll just direct you to their review for this week. You can read it here. If you aren’t familiar with their work, check them out. I think you’ll like them.

Now that that’s out of the way, how about a few total digressions to take my mind off of the heartbreak of a loss that should have been a win. Here are some random tidbits:

1) Random hotness.

Do I really need a reason for a Beyonce sighting?

2) Best MMA move of all time

After the Pittsburgh Steelers, my second favorite thing is mixed martial arts (MMA). Here is the best MMA move I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen almost all of them). This is UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in one of his fights in PRIDE. Enjoy.

3) Not politically correct, but still funny

4) Greatest coach ever!!

You’ve all seen Mike Singletary’s rant about Vernon Davis. But can we ever see it enough? I just love this. I wish more coaches had guts like Mike Singletary. Can you ever imagine the Cowboys kicking T.O. off the field? Nope, me neither.

Singletary

5) Reminds me of Santonio Holmes

Well, that’s it for today. See you soon for our Steelers-Redskins preview.

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@#$&^@$!!!!!!! I’m sure that pretty much captures how most of Steeler Nation reacted when they found out that Santonio Holmes had been pulled over by police and was found to have marijuana cigars in his car (as well as the smell of recently smoked marijuana). To make matters worse, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has suspended Holmes for Sunday’s crucial game against the NFC East leading New York Giants. #$@%&#!!!!!

Sunday’s game is probably the toughest and most important game on the Steelers schedule so far this season. It pits two division leaders with identical 5-1 records. Both teams need a victory to cement their place among the NFL’s elite teams.

I’m sure that Coach Tomlin has reiterated the importance of this game to his team, and he’s probably made certain that they are prepared for the battle ahead. He probably expected his players to take his motivational speeches to heart, and to use whatever method they required to prepare themselves for the game. However, he probably didn’t expect any of his players to use the “big Jamaican blunt” method of preparation. Nor did he probably expect any of his players to find themselves on the wrong side of the law this week. Santonio Holmes did both.

In some ways, we can’t blame Santonio. Afterall, this isn’t his first time being on the wrong side of the law. His life experience has taught him that if you are a talented athlete, all you get for breaking laws and violating societal norms, is a slap on the wrist. That has probably been re-enforced to him since he was in high school. Coaches have probably let him get away with things that non-players would have never been able to do without repercussions. Teachers have probably given him grades that he didn’t deserve. Recruiters have probably offered him money under the table. And then we wonder why these guys turn out badly. They are the monsters that we create.

I’m not saying that Santonio Holmes is a bad guy, or that he is in the same category as Jeffrey Dahmer. He’s not. But in fact, Santonio and so many other athletes are given a free pass that normal citizens are not provided. Would anyone be surprised if they heard that Santonio really had a much larger quantity of drugs on him than the reports have indicated, but that the police doctored their report in order to keep Santonio from getting in trouble? I’m not saying that events occurred like that. I’m just pointing out that in Pittsburgh, Steelers players are treated like gods, and Santonio Holmes would not be the first player that was given a pass by Steelers fans in blue.

It wasn’t long ago that two Steelers players got in trouble for domestic violence against women. Cedrick Wilson, a borderline wide receiver, was cut for his transgressions. Meanwhile James Harrison, a pro bowl linebacker, was given a slap on the wrist for a similar offense. What athletes learn is that the better they perform on the field, the more willing society becomes to turn a blind eye towards their transgressions. In fact, if they perform well enough, they can get away with just about anything. Drugs, violence, infidelity, and other indiscretions are ignored, so long as the athletes continues to perform on the field.

At some point, professional athletes need to be held accountable for their misdeeds. If not, they never learn the lesson that most of us learn in kindergarten; follow the rules, boys and girls.

Santonio has to learn that he hasn’t just let himself down. He’s let down his family. His mom can’t feel very good each time she hears that her son has gotten into trouble (again). He’s let down all of the kids who look up to him as a hero and a role model. He’s let down all of his teammates who were depending on him to perform in this game that means so much to the team. And he’s let down the legions of Steelers fans who support him, and who probably allow the Steelers’ performance to play a much bigger role in dictating their emotional well-being than they probably should.

It’s time to grow up, Santonio. You’re an adult now, and people depend on you. You have been blessed with the opportunity to play a game that you love, and to make millions of dollars for doing so. That is not to be taken lightly. Hopefully, Roger Goodell will deem the Steelers’ one game suspension to be adequate punishment, and he won’t dole out additional punishment of his own. If so, consider yourself lucky, and learn from this experience.

On Sunday, the Steelers will face the New York Giants in their most difficult test thus far this season. They will need every player to perform at their best in order to win. Unfortunately, one player let them down before the first whistle even blew. Curse you, Santonio!

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