Steelers Today - A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.  The Steeler coulda won.  The Steelers woulda won.  The Steelers shoulda won.  But ultimately, the Steelers didn’t win.

The Steelers fell to the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 17-14, and now find themselves tied with the Ravens for 1st place in the AFC North.

The Steelers had a chance to go 4-0 without Ben Roethlisberger.  A very real chance.  In fact, only 34 seconds separated them from that goal.  But a late touchdown pass from Joe Flacco to T.J. Houshmandzadeh spoiled the Steelers’ hopes of going undefeated with0ut their starting quarterback.

The game was yet another hard-fought battle that has become typical for this rivalry.  And for the fifth time in the last five meetings between the two teams, the margin of victory was 4 points or less.

There are lots of reason why the Steelers lost.  Too many penalties.  Predictable play calling on offense.  Missed field goals by Jeff Reed.  Ineffective coverage by the defensive backs.  Not enough pressure on Joe Flacco.  Charlie Batch’s inability to find receivers.  Blah, blah, blah.

But the point is not to place blame.  Yes, we lost.  But Baltimore had something to do with the loss too.  It wasn’t only due to the things that we didn’t do.  It was also due to the things that they DID do.

Ultimately, we win as a team, and we lose as a team.  So trying to assess blame is counter-productive.

Rather than focus on why we lost, I’ve decided to focus on how close we came.

Without our franchise quarterback, the Steelers were within 34 seconds of being 4-0.  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  In fact, it’s something that we should all feel very proud of.

The Steelers played a very tough Baltimore Ravens team to a virtual standoff with what was effectively our 4th string quarterback.  How much additional offense would Big Ben have accounted for?  There’s no way of knowing for sure, but I don’t think there are many who believe that he wouldn’t have generated more offense than Charlie Batch did.

Yes, Jeff Reed missed two field goals.  Making one of those kicks would have tied the game, and the second would have potentially won the game.  But Reed didn’t miss them on purpose.  Reed is usually a very accurate kicker, and Heinz Field is a very difficult place to kick field goals.  There aren’t many kickers in the league who could do much better than Jeff Reed does under the conditions at Heinz Field.  So despite what happened today, next time there is a game winning field goal to be made, I’m going to trust in Jeff Reed to make it.

Steelers' kicker Jeff Reed

Bruce Arians’ play calling may have been too predictable, but now that Ben Roethlisberger is returning to the lineup, Arians should go back to being his usual pass-happy self.  And because he had to rely on Rashard Mendenhall during Big Ben’s absence, perhaps Arians has gained a new-found appreciation for the running game.  In fact, we may have a born-again offensive coordinator on our hands; one who values the run, as well as the pass.

So regardless of what happened against the Ravens, the real season starts now.  Ben Roethlisberger is back, and the team is 3-1.  The defense is playing great.  The running game is working well.  And now our franchise quarterback will be added back into the mix.

The Steelers survived Ben’s suspension.  And the team fared much better than most expected them to.  But Big Ben is back now, and it’s a whole new ballgame.

Look out, NFL!  The Steelers are at full force now.  And they’re coming after you.

Here we go, Steelers!  Here we go!

Today’s featured Steelers gear:

Not only are we Steelers bloggers, but we’re also Steelers fans.  We search hard for the coolest Steelers stuff.  We try to find Steelers gear that we want.  Then we make you aware of them in case you want to add them to your Steelers collection.

We love the Game Stopper 1/4 zip sweatshirt!  It features an embroidered team logo on the left chest, team-colored stripes down the sleeves, and hand warmer pockets to keep you in the game when the temperatures drop.

And we don’t want the ladies to feel left out.  So how about this lightweight Breakout Play fleece pullover for perfect layering on cold days.  Its bold team color stripes on the shoulders and sides showcase your Steelers spirit for all the world to see!

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The Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens today at 1:00 at Heinz Field (or should I say “Hines’ Field”?).  The Black & Gold is coming off of an unexpected 3-game winning streak, and have a chance to go to 4-0 prior to Ben Roethlisberger’s return.

Baltimore won’t be an easy victory for the Steelers, but I believe that a Steelers win is going to be the outcome of today’s contest.  Here are the 5 factors that I think will lead to that victory:

1. Home field advantage - Heinz Field is a tough place for visiting teams to play.  Steeler Nation is always out in full force, and they make it a very hostile environment for Steelers opponents.  The Ravens have not won a game in Pittsburgh since December of 2006.  Moreover, they are 4-10 overall when playing at Heinz Field.
2. Mike Wallace - The Baltimore Ravens haven’t given up a reception of more than 30 yards this season.  Moreover, they have the top passing defense in the NFL.  But the Ravens haven’t faced Mike Wallace yet.  Wallace is the Steelers’ speedy receiver who led the NFL in yards per catch last season.  He is currently third in the NFL in that category with a 26.7 yards per catch average.  He is also second in the NFL (behind Philadelphia’s DeSean Jackson) with 3 catches of 40 yards or more.  Last week against Tampa Bay, Wallace caught two touchdown passes of over 40 yards.  I expect Wallace to catch another long touchdown today.
3. Ray Rice - I hate Ray Rice.  I don’t hate him because he’s ever done anything to me personally.  I hate him because he’s been deadly against the Steelers.  Rice rushed for 141 yards in the season finale last year against the Steelers.  He became the first back in 33 games to gain 100 yards against the Steelers’ defense.  Since 2008, Rice has the highest rushing average of any back in the NFL against the Steelers.  He also has the highest average for total yards from scrimmage against the Steelers.  Fortunately, Rice has been limited all week in practice due to a knee injury.  He is going to attempt to play, but he won’t be at 100%.  His injury is a very good thing for the Steelers.
4. Dick LeBeau & Troy Polamalu - Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau loves confusing quarterbacks.  He uses a variety of formations and blitz packages to do this.  But his primary weapon is Troy Polamalu.  Troy moves around so much that it makes it impossible for offenses to know what he’s going to do.  By the time they figure it out, it’s too late.  Troy leads the Steelers in interceptions.  But he’s also capable of diving over the offensive line to sack a quarterback (just ask Tennessee’s Kerry Collins).  Ravens QB Joe Flacco is considered to be one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL.  But LeBeau and Polamalu have always made him look rather average when he’s faced the Steelers.
5. Charlie Batch - That’s right, Charlie Batch.  Batch tossed 3 touchdown passes last week against Tampa Bay and showed the world that he’s not ready to be put out to pasture just yet.  If Batch can have some early success in the passing game against Baltimore’s defense, it will really open things up for Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers’ rushing attack.  If Batch can’t make the Ravens respect his arm, then it is going to be a very long day for Mendenhall.  But Batch is a veteran, and he knows what is required of him.

Steelers QB Charlie Batch

Of all of the keys to victory that I named, Charlie Batch is clearly the most important.  He has to play well.  If he doesn’t, he will nullify the advantage that Mike Wallace gives them.  He will also make it much harder on both Rashard Mendenhall and the Steelers’ defense.

I believe that Charlie Batch is capable of getting the job done against the Ravens.  Dennis Dixon almost beat the Ravens last year, and Batch is much more poised and experienced than Dixon.  Batch doesn’t have to pass for 300 yards.  We know that he’s no Peyton Manning or Drew Brees.  But if he can pass for 180 yard or more, the Steelers should walk away with a victory.  More importantly, Big Ben will return to join a team with a 4-0 record.  Then the fireworks will really begin.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!!!!!!!

Today’s featured Steelers gear:

Not only are we Steelers bloggers, but we’re also Steelers fans.  We search hard for the coolest Steelers stuff.  We try to find Steelers gear that we want.  Then we make you aware of them in case you want to add them to your Steelers collection.

We love the Game Stopper 1/4 zip sweatshirt!  It features an embroidered team logo on the left chest, team-colored stripes down the sleeves, and hand warmer pockets to keep you in the game when the temperatures drop.

And we don’t want the ladies to feel left out.  So how about this lightweight Breakout Play fleece pullover for perfect layering on cold days.  Its bold team color stripes on the shoulders and sides showcase your Steelers spirit for all the world to see!

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment by clicking on the square at the top right of this article. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Twitter by clicking the bird doohicky below. Also consider following us on Facebook. Thanks.)

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This Sunday the 2-0 Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Tampa to face the 2-0 Buccaneers.  Few would have guessed that either of these teams would be under undefeated after two games.  But going into week 3 of the NFL season, that’s exactly where both teams stand; tied for the best record in the NFL.

The Steelers have beaten all odds and found a way to win their first two games.  Last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans was one that few thought the Steelers had a chance of winning.  But the Steelers are winning the old fashioned way; with defense and the running game.

Frankly, I don’t believe that this is a sustainable formula for victory.  That’s not an indication that I have an aversion to good defense.  Rather, it’s an indication that I have an aversion to predictability.  And if there’s one thing the Steelers have become, it’s predictable.

The Steelers have announced that they will be starting Charlie Batch at quarterback.  In training camp this summer, nobody believed that Charlie was even going to make the team this year.  So having to start him has thrown a wrench in the Steelers’ plans.

Steelers QB Charlie Batch

The Steelers were already without Ben Roethlisberger due to his 4-game suspension.  Then they lost his intended replacement, Byron Leftwich, to an injury during the preseason.  Then last week, they lost Dennis Dixon to a knee injury, leaving Charlie Batch as the only healthy quarterback on the roster.

Their tenuous quarterback situation made the Steelers completely predictable.  They didn’t have another quarterback on the roster (though both Antwaan Randle El and Hines Ward played quarterback in college), so the Steelers couldn’t take a risk of getting Charlie Batch hurt.  So instead they handed the ball of to their running backs on almost every play.  Like I said, predictable.

The Steelers attempted only 17 pass plays last week against the Titans.  Moreover, they completed only 9 of those passes for 21 net yards.  That’s not good.  But what other choice did the Steelers have?  Allowing a quarterback to drop back for a pass increases his odds of taking an injury-causing sack.  And the Steelers couldn’t afford that, so they put handcuffs on Charlie Batch.  They’ll likely do the same thing this week, even though Byron Leftwich will be dressing for this week’s game.

The Tennessee Titans responded to the Steelers’ predictable offense by stacking 8 or 9 men in the box on almost every play.  This made it almost impossible for Rashard Mendenhall to find any room to run.  Expect Tampa Bay to use the same strategy until the Steelers prove to them that they are willing to beat them with the pass.

We all know that Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians would prefer to pass the ball on every play.  If it were up to him, running the ball would be outlawed in the NFL.  But Arians understands the limitations of his roster.  Byron Leftwich is just returning from an injury, and he’s still not 100% healed, and Charlie Batch attracts injuries the way marijuana attracts Santonio Holmes.  So Arians’ options are limited.

Fortunately, the Steelers will be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Buccaneers’ 2-0 record is  a reflection the teams that they have faced so far (the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns), and not a reflection of them being a powerhouse team.  Nobody expects the Bucs to be 16-0 at the end of the season.  In fact, few even expect them to make the playoffs.  Most analysts predicted that the Bucs would finish last in the NFC South, and that is still likely to happen.

The Bucs have a young quarterback in Josh Freeman. Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau loves facing young quarterbacks.  He eats them for breakfast.

Expect LeBeau to serve up healthy doses of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, with a bit of Troy Polamalu thrown in to keep Freeman guessing.

If the Steelers can continue to play tough defense, and mix it up a little bit on offense, they should be able to leave Tampa Bay with a win.  The key will be to make sure that they don’t take Tampa Bay too lightly.  Last year Cleveland, Oakland, and Kansas City showed the Steelers what can happen when you take a team too lightly.

Hopefully, Steelers will bring their “A” game this week.  If they do, I predict a 21-10 Steelers win.

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Okay, it seems like nobody else is willing to say it, so I guess I’m going to have to be the one to do it.  Charlie Batch is made of glass.  He’s like that guy in the M. Night Shyamalan movie “Unbreakable”.  He’s fragile.  He breaks upon the slightest contact.

Some have referred to him as “Brittle Batch”.  Perhaps that nickname is appropriate.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love Charlie Batch.  He has been an excellent backup quarterback for the Steelers for many years.  Unlike Byron Leftwich, Batch always seemed to be comfortable playing a backup role.  Moreover, he was a hometown boy.  So getting to play for the Black and Gold was a dream come true for him.

Charlie has been a mentor to Ben Roethlisberger throughout Big Ben’s career.  He can always be seen offering Ben words of advice and encouragement anytime Ben makes a mistake.

Steelers QB Charlie Batch

But despite Charlie’s many good qualities, he has one quality that is very bad for an NFL player; he gets hurt too easily.

Did anyone even realize that Charlie was hurt during the Kansas City game?  After all, he only participated in 4 plays.  When did he get hurt?  How did he get hurt?

Big Ben took a vicious knee to the head, and he’s already promising teammates and fans that he is going to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.  Meanwhile, nobody saw Batch take a hit, but he’s out for the rest of the season.

The same thing happened in 2008.  Batch played a few plays in the preseason opener, and he broke his collarbone, which caused him to miss the entire season.

Steelers fans are probably spoiled because we get to watch Big Ben play each week.  Ben gets sacked 59 times per game, and he just keeps ticking.  How many times has Ben been sacked in the last 2 years?  3,000?  4,000?  But he just gets up and keeps playing.  I’m sure all of those hits are going to take their toll at some point, but so far, he shows no sign of slowing down.

That’s why it’s hard to accept Charlie’s injuries.  It seems that if a defender looks at Charlie too hard, he gets injured.

Lets take a look at Charlie’s history.

As a college quarterback, he missed the 1996 season when he injured his leg after only 2 games.

When he was with the Detroit Lions, Batch also had a history of injuries.  He played the 2nd half of the 1999 season with a fractured knuckle that severely hindered his performance.  In 2000 he injured his knee in a non-contact drill and had to have surgery.  He came back from the knee injury later in the 2000 season, but suffered bruised ribs  that seemed to slow him down for the rest of the season.  He also suffered a concussion that season that made him miss playing time.  Batch’s injury history, along with the Lions’ selection of Joey Harrington in the draft, finally made him expendable in 2001.

With the Steelers, Batch missed most of the 2004 season after having knee surgery.  Then as mentioned earlier, he missed the 2008 season with a broken collar bone.  Now he will miss the rest of the 2009 season with a broken wrist.  That’s a lot of time missed due to injury for any player.  But it’s a ridiculous amount of time missed for a backup player who seldom even gets onto the field.

Lets look exclusively at Batch’s time with the Steelers.  If we were to calculate the ratio of Batch’s time missed due to injury relative to his actual time spent on the field in games, the ratio would equal infinity.  He’s missed a lot of time while playing very little.

Batch will be 35 years old on December 5, 2009.  Brett Favre has proven that a quarterback can play long after age 35.  However, do the Steelers want to continue to place their faith in an aging quarterback who can’t seem to stay healthy?

As I said earlier, I really like Charlie Batch.  I truly do.  But someone has to ask the tough questions.  Since nobody else seems to be willing to, that burden apparently falls to me.

So what do you think?  Is it time for the Steelers to move in another direction with their backup quarterback, or is Batch worth keeping after the 2009 season?

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It was never mentioned during Sunday’s game, but at some point, Charlie Batch broke his wrist.  He played through the injury, so most of us weren’t even aware of how badly he was hurt.

Batch only participated in 4 plays in the Steelers overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.  He  entered the game when starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down with a possible concussion after being hit in the head by an opponent’s knee.  But at some point during those four plays, his wrist got broken.

QB Charlie Batch

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Batch will undergo surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday.  The Steelers organization has not made an official statement on the matter.  The team says that Coach Tomlin will provide an official update during his Tuesday press conference.

If the reports are true, then Batch would miss the rest of the regular season.  Depending on how well the wrist heals, he could potentially be available for the playoffs.

With Roethlisberger potentially having a concussion, and Batch out for at least 6 weeks, the Steelers might be forced to start 3rd string quarterback Dennis Dixon in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Even if Big Ben is healthy enough to start on Sunday, the Steelers are still left without a 3rd quarterback on the active roster.

Sources say that the Steelers have signed quarterback Tyler Palko to their practice squad.  Palko, a former QB for West Allegheny H.S. and the Pitt Panthers ,was most recently with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League after brief stints with the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL.

Palko has never held a consistent spot on an NFL roster, so he is probably not an ideal candidate for the Steelers’ active roster.  The Steelers may also be looking for a more seasoned veteran to add to the active roster.  Several players are available, including Jeff Garcia who was recently released by the Oakland Raiders.

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