Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

After each game of the 2008 season, Steelers Today ran a haiku contest.  The idea was to see who could best capture the events of the game in the form of a haiku.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with haiku, it is a form of Japanese poetry. A proper haiku is a 3 line poem with 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line, and 5 syllables in the third line. Remember, that’s “syllables”, not “words”.

I hadn’t planned to bring back the weekly haiku contests this season.  The reason is that one of our readers named Patrick absolutely owned the competition.  He won every single week except for one.  And the only reason that he didn’t win that week was because I awarded a victory to someone else in order to keep Patrick from getting a clean sweep for the season.

Despite my desire to keep my readers from being bludgeoned by Patrick this season, the haiku black belt has other ideas.  Patrick has thrown down the gauntlet by submitting 4 very good haiku entries, and challenging anyone to do better.  Here are Patrick’s entries.

Haiku #1
Defense ruled the day
But when they need a clutch drive
Nobody beats Ben.

Haiku #2
Santonio Holmes
Exactly matching his stats
From the Super Bowl.

Haiku #3
Ward’s shocking fumble
Brought back the Bettis miscue
Both games victories.

Haiku #4
Run game down, Troy out
Who will come to the rescue?
Ben Roethlisberger.

Wow, that’s some mighty fine haiku.  All 4 are world class efforts.  But since I’m the judge, I think that #4 is the strongest of his 4 entries, so that is the one to beat.  (For the record, I love the reference to the Bettis fumble in #3.  Good work, Patrick).

Can anyone defeat this haiku samurai?  Give it a shot.  Capture the Steelers’ win against the Titans in a haiku and knock Patrick off of his throne.

The winner will be announced later in the week. Good luck.

Other Steelers news:

The Steelers announced today that tight end Dezmond Sherrod has been cut from the Steelers’ practice squad and replaced by tight end Kevin Brock.  Brock is  6’5″, 255 lbs.  He was originally signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent out of  Rutgers.  The Panthers released Brock in August, and he was signed by the New York Jets.  However, the Jets released Brock as they attempted reduce their roster to 53 players.

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It wasn’t pretty to watch, but a win is a win.  After looking completely impotent in their running game last night, the Steelers managed to pull out a win as they defeated the Tennessee Titans 13-10 in their season opener.

There was plenty of hype heading into the game as the reigning Super Bowl champs took on the team that had the best record in the AFC last year.  As if that weren’t enough, the Titans had beaten the Steelers last year in a head-to-head match-up.  To add insult to injury, several Titans players desecrated a Terrible Towel following their win, making many Steelers fans view this game as a chance for revenge.

But when the whistle blew and the game began, all thoughts of last year went out the window, and both teams knew that they needed to focus on the present.

For fan however, there were many aspects of the game that reminded us of last year.  Firstly, the offensive line looked eerily similar to last year (and that’s not a good thing).  They seemed to let the Titans’ defense hit Ben Roethlisberger at will.

Roethlisberger ended the game having been sacked only 4 times, but anyone who watched the game knows that he was pressured far more than that.  He seemed to be running for his life most of the game.

Where are you O-line?

To be fair, the offensive line seemed to improve as the game went on.  In the second half of the game there seemed to be several occasions when Ben seemed to have all of the time that he could possibly ask for.  But overall, I don’t think there are many fans who will be happy if the offensive line looks like that for the rest of the season.

Another aspect of the game that seemed like deja vu was the Steelers’ running game (or lack thereof).  The running backs struggled to gain even the tiniest amounts of yardage on the ground.  Willie Parker gained a total of 19 yards on 13 carries for whopping 1.5 yards per carry.  Rashard Mendenhall didn’t do any better, also averaging 1.5 yards per carry.  Finally, the Steelers benched Parker and went to Mewelde Moore who went on to average 1.6 yards per carry.

Another 1.5 yard carry.

Did the Steelers have anyone who could average more than 2 yards per carry?  Oh yeah, Big Ben averaged 3 yards per rushing attempt.  Not quite the place that I was hoping to find effective running, but I guess we’ll have to take what we can get.

The Steelers finished the game with a total of 36 yards rushing.  That’s right, 36 yards.  Those sound like the type of rushing numbers that the Steelers defense is supposed to hold their opponents to.  But it’s definitely not the type of output that we want to see from our running backs on a regular basis.

Fortunately, there were other aspects of the game that also reminded us of last year’s Steelers.  The defense was stingy as usual.  They held Titans running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White under 100 yards for the game.  In fact, “Smash & Dash” had to settle for a combined 85 yards on the ground.

Ben Roethlisberger also looked like the Big Ben of 2008.  He led the team to another one of those last cardiac inducing wins that we got so used to seeing last year.  Big Ben almost delivered a last second win in the 4th quarter, but Hines Ward fumbled the ball on the Titans 4 yard line.  So the Steelers had to settle for delivering a nail-biter win in overtime as Jeff Reed booted a game winning field goal.

Reed kicks a game winner.

Just like he did in 2008, Roethlisberger often looked most effective when the Steelers went to their no-huddle offense.  Is it just me, or does anyone else notice that the offense is most effective when they go to the no-huddle and remove Bruce Arians’ from the equation?

Roethlisberger ended the game with one of the best statistical performances of his career.  He completed 33 of 43 pass attempts for a total of 363 yards.

Despite the win, Steelers fans couldn’t be completely happy following the game.  We learned in the post-game press conference that Steelers safety Troy Polamalu had suffered an MCL strain, and will miss 3-6 weeks nursing the injury.  That definitely added a sour note to an otherwise joyful occasion.

It wasn’t a pretty game to watch, but a win is a win.  The Steelers are now 1-0, and have the best record in the NFL (I like the sound of that).

By beating a quality team like the Titans, the Steelers announced to the rest of the NFL that they are again going to be a team to be reckoned with.  More importantly, they took their first step up the stairway to seven.

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September 9, 2009
By Donald Starver

Try not to hold this against me, but I used to live in Tennessee.  In fact, I lived there for 10 years.  So I have a lot of friends in Tennessee.

One question that I get asked repeatedly by Tennesseans is “What’s the big deal with the Terrible Towel?  Why do Steelers fans get so upset about the Titans players stepping on it?  After all, it’s only a towel, right?”

Blasphemy!!!!!!!

My first reaction was to say, “It’s a ‘Burgh thing.  You wouldn’t understand.”  But that wouldn’t be fair to them, or to the Terrible Towel.

I can actually see their point.  To the uninformed observer who comprehends things in only the most simplistic fashion, the Terrible Towel IS only a towel.

It's just a towel, right?

But more enlightened individuals understand that the Terrible Towel is “only a towel” in the same way that the Grateful Dead is “only” a band, or that Lassie is “only” a dog, or that Old Glory is “only” a 3-colored cloth.

The Terrible Towel is more than just a towel.  Far more.

To some, the Terrible Towel is a coat of arms.  It’s the symbol of a people; the global Steeler Nation.  Regardless of whether we live in Western Pennsylvania, or we’re part of the great Pittsburgh diaspora, or we’ve just chosen the Steelers as the team that we cheer for, the Terrible Towel identifies us.  When we invade opponents’ stadiums (as only Steeler Nation can do), our ubiquitous gold towels announce our presence with authority.  Opposing fans look around and realize that their stadium has been conquered, just as surely as their team is being conquered on the field.

To some, the Terrible Towel is a physical representation of the bond between a city and it’s sports team.  Back in the 70′s, when the Japanese were blitzkrieging the American steel industry, Pittsburgh was the city that was hit the hardest.  Steel mills were shut down, jobs were lost, and morale was low.  But just when Pittsburgh was at it’s lowest, it’s football team reached its pinnacle.  The Steelers won 4 Super Bowls and gave an otherwise downtrodden population something to cheer about.  A symbiotic relationship was formed between a city and its football team that is unlike any other in American sports.  The essence of that bond is embodied in the Terrible Towel.

The Terrible Towel.

And lastly, the Terrible Towel is a source of great power.  When Terrible Towels are waved, a metaphysical transfer of energy occurs.  The passion and faith of Steeler Nation is funneled through our Terrible Towels and rejuvenates the Steelers players on the field.  Whether we’re at Heinz Field, or gathered in sports bars, or watching on our televisions at home, when we wave our Terrible Towels the Steelers can feel it, and they draw strength from it.

When a Steelers fan in Los Angeles waves his Terrible Towel, Hines Ward makes a catch that he would have missed otherwise.  When a Steelers fan in Texas waves his Terrible Towel, Big Ben sidesteps a potential sack.  And when the multitude of Steelers fans in Pittsburgh wave their Terrible Towels, James Harrison overpowers a much bigger left tackle and sacks the opposing quarterback.  Many games have been decided by Steelers fans waving their Terrible Towels.

Behold the power!

So my friends in Tennessee, I hope that you now understand.  The Terrible Towel is more than just a towel.  More importantly, stomping on it is something that you JUST DON’T DO.

All actions have consequences.  The Tennessee Titans are going to experience the consequence of their actions on Thursday when they face the Steelers at Heinz Field.  Behold the power of the Towel.

Editor’s note:  Many readers have written to point out that we failed to mention the late, great Myrone Cope in this article.  As I wrote the article, I didn’t feel that the Cope storyline helped the story that I was trying to craft, so I excluded it.  However, Cope’s role in inventing the Terrible Towel, and in donating the proceeds from it to charity will never be forgotten by Steeler Nation.

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July 12, 2009
By Donald Starver

I was asked by Most Valuable Network (MVN) to write a 2009 season preview on the Steelers.  In this article, I made a statement that upset some Steelers fans.  I stated that I didn’t think that the Steelers were the best team in the NFL last season.

If you think back to the 2008 season, you’ll remember that the Steelers were soundly defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles.  Frankly, I wasn’t looking forward to facing them again.  Similarly, the Tennessee Titans manhandled the Steelers during the regular season.  Perhaps it is blasphemous for me to say this, but I breathed a sigh of relief when the Baltimore Ravens knocked the Titans out of the playoffs.  The New York Giants had also beaten the Steelers during the regular season.  Though that game was much more competitive than the Eagles or Titans games, I still think the Steelers and Giants were pretty evenly matched, and a rematch could have gone either way.  Lastly, who predicted that the Arizona Cardinals, the lowest seed in the NFC playoffs, would take out the top-seeded Carolina Panthers?  The Panthers were probably the hottest team in the NFL going into the playoffs.  One could have made an argument that any of these teams was actually better than the Steelers.

So were the Steelers the best team in the NFL in 2008?  There’s no way of knowing.  But the Steelers got it done when it counted, and that is all that anyone will ever remember.  Moreover, that’s all that counts.

Going into 2009, the Steelers appear to be just as good as they were in 2008, if not better.  The team returns almost all of the starters from their Super Bowl championship team. They are likely to  get a greater contribution from their 2008 rookie class (which made almost no impact last year).   They also had an excellent 2009 draft.  Combine that with a much easier schedule than they had in 2008, and the Steelers appear to be guaranteed to make another deep playoff run.

Unfortunately, the rest of the NFL isn’t just going to hand the Steelers the title.  If the Steelers want to repeat as champions, they are going to have to hold off several worthy challengers to the throne.

Below is my list of the teams that may pose the greatest challenge to the Steelers’ continued dominance.  Please note that these teams are not listed in any particular order:

New England Patriots – Let’s face it.  The Patriots just aren’t the same team without Tom Brady.  As much as I hate to admit it, Brady may be the best quarterback in the NFL.

In 2007, the Patriots almost went undefeated.  Brady and Randy Moss rewrote the record books.  Matt Cassell’s Patriots of 2008 were a mere shadow of the 2007 team.  But the 2009 Patriots should be very reminiscent of the 2007 team.  Only they’ve added Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway.  Gulp!

The Patriots are the most important hurdle for the Steelers to overcome.  Not only must the Steelers prove that they are more than just interim champs who were merely keeping the throne warm until Tom Brady’s return.  They must also establish their dominance over the Patriots in order to prove that they, and not the Patriots, are the team of the decade.

New York Giants – The Giants won the Super Bowl the year before the Steelers did.  Moreover, they beat the Steelers in 2008.

The Giants are a very well-balanced team, finishing 2008 in the top 10 in both total offense and total defense.

Perhaps their only question mark is their receivers.  Amani Toomer is done, and Plaxico Burress will never play for the Giants again.  However, the Giants have several receiver waiting in the wings to fill the void.  Sinorice Moss may finally be ready to be the field-stretching receiver that he was drafted to be.  Super Bowl hero David Tyree is still in the mix.  Former Michigan star Mario Manningham is highly regarded by the team, and 1st round draft pick Hakeem Nicks may be the best of the bunch.  Suffice it to say that wide receiver should emerge as a strength for the Giants.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Osi Umenyiora will be returning to the line-up?

Philadelphia Eagles – I don’t understand Philadelphia fans.  Donovan McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for a long time.  He consistently takes the Eagles to the playoffs, yet at the end of each season it seems like Eagles fans are trying to run Donovan out of town.

Personally, I think the Eagles will once again be a playoff contender.  Besides McNabb, the Eagles still have Brian Westbrook, arguably one of the best running backs in the NFL.  Wider receiver DeSean Jackson will be an experienced veteran, and should be even better than last year.  Rookies Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy should contribute during their freshman year.

If you look at the offensive weapons that the Eagles have provided Donovan McNabb, one could easily argue that this year’s Eagles could be even better than the Terrell Owens team that went to the Super Bowl a few years back.

Chicago Bears – The Chicago Bears haven’t had a good quarterback since…..well, ever.  Now they have a young Pro Bowl caliber quarterback in Jay Cutler.

The Bears almost made the playoffs with Kyle Orton at the helm.  What will they do with a star QB running their offense?

Cincinnati Bengals – Just joking folks.  I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

Indianapolis Colts – Sure, Tony Dungy is gone.  But the Colts shouldn’t lose a beat under the leadership of Dungy’s hand-picked successor.  Besides, Peyton Manning runs this team.  As long as he’s under center, the Colts will be a force to be reckoned with.

Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens were the 2008 AFC runner-up.  Thus, they have to be considered to be a contender.  However, with Rex Ryan leaving as defensive coordinator, Ray Lewis getting yet another year older, and Bart Scott no longer on the team, I don’t think the Ravens will be in the Steelers’ class.

Tennessee Titans – The Titans had a great season last year.  But I don’t expect to see a repeat performance from them this year.  Albert Haynesworth was the heart and soul of that team.  I’m not sure if there is another defensive player in the league who is as important to his team as Haynesworth was to the Titans.  The Titans’ defense should see a significant decline without him.

On offense, I think “smash & dash” will prove to be one-hit wonders.  I just don’t believe that LenDale White can be a consistent threat in the NFL.

Carolina Panthers – Is there a better running back tandem in the NFL than DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart?  Julius Peppers will be back with the team next year.  So will Steve Smith.  The only thing holding this team back is Jake Delhomme.  It’s too bad the Panthers signed him to a 5-year, $42.5 million extension.

San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys – Both teams are better on paper than their on-field performance indicated in 2008.  I expect the return of Shawn Merriman to help the Chargers.  Similarly, the Cowboys should benefit from the removal of distractions like T.O., Tank Johnson, and Pac-Man Jones.

Notice I didn’t include the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite making it to the Super Bowl last year, the Cardinals are still……..the Cardinals.  They were the lowest seed in the NFC playoffs last year, and I believe that the Bears and Cowboys will be greater threats in the NFC in 2009.

I feel much better about the Steelers’ chances this year than I did last year.  With a better team and a much easier schedule than they had last year, a 14-2 regular season record is very feasible this season.

Will they bring home another Lombardi Trophy?  Only time will tell.  After all, anything can happen in the playoffs.  But one thing seems certain, if the Steelers can stay healthy they will be a playoff team.

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As we’ve been expecting, free agent WR Nate Washington will be leaving the Steelers to pursue more money.  Washington signed a new deal with the Tennesee Titans.  Washington’s deal is reported to be 6 years, $27 million.

Washington had emerged last season as the Steelers’ #3 receiver.  He proved to be able to spread the field, and led the team in yards per catch (15.8 yds/rec.). 

Although his speed allowed him to get separation from his defenders, Washington’s hands were always suspect.  When drafted out of tiny Tiffin University, the Steelers knew that Washington was going to be a project.  During his first two seasons with the team, he was more likely to drop the ball than to catch it.  But during the past two seasons, he finally gained confidence.  It’s unfortunate that the Steelers will have to lose Washington after developing him into the player that he’s become.

But even if he had stayed with the Steelers, Washington would have been relegated to the #3 receiver position.  He will be much easier to replace than Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes would be.

Waiting in the wings to replace Washington is last year’s 2nd round draft pick, Limas Sweed.  Sweed is both bigger and faster than Washington, and given time, should develop into an even better player than Nate became.

Sweed is 6’4″ and 220 lbs., whereas Washington was only 6’1″ and 185 lbs.  Moreover, Sweed came from a much better college program (Texas) than Washington did.

Many fans got down on Sweed when he dropped passes during the Steelers’ Super Bowl run.  However, fans have to remember that Sweed was only a rookie, and he saw very little playing time last season.  If he works hard during the off-season, he should come into training camp as the #3 receiver, and should prove to be a competent replacement for Washington.

The position will not just be handed to Sweed.  He’ll have to earn it.  He will compete with Martin Nance during training camp.  Nance was on the Steelers practice squad after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings.  As fans may remember, Nance was Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite receiver at Miami of Ohio.  Nance has good size (6’3″, 213 lbs.), however he is rather slow footed.

I would expect the Steelers to draft another receiver to compete during camp, as well as to add depth at the position.  However, I believe that it might be prudent for them to pick up a bargain priced veteran receiver in free agency as an insurance policy.  I have no doubt that Sweed will be a good NFL receiver.  I’m just not certain that it will be in 2009.

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