Growing up 40 miles west of Pittsburgh, in Steubenville, Ohio, we had our share of yinzes and yunzes, and the peculiar ability to mispronounce the city "Picksburgh" (and "pasghetti" for some reason), which inadvertantly, but accurately, reflected the poor quarterback play from the mid-80s on. I'm glad now that a generation of Eastern Ohians and Western Pensylvanians will be mispronouncing it "SixBurgh" from now on! Game Thoughts:
Throughout the season the Steelers O has struggled and the D has played well except for isolated series when they play soft coverage and generate zero pass rush and give up points.
The Steelers O started out strong, really moving the ball, running well-designed roll-outs, hitch passes (exploiting the soft coverage of the AZ corners) and tight end routes. But then the Steelers couldn't capitalize in the red zone. Just like they refused to run the fade route to Plaxico when he was here, the Steelers in 2008 just refuse to run a play action pass to the tight end on first or second down in a goal to go situation. Even though this play was particularly effective in 2007.
The Steeler O stagnated in the second quarter (as per usual), and the Cards O started to show signs of life. But, driving down to the 1 yard line, Kurt Warner got picked off and then the BEST PLAY EVER TO HAPPEN IN THE SUPER BOWL!!! happened. Instead of 14-10 or even 10-10 Cards, it was 17-7 Steelers at the half.
The Steelers then drove down in the third quarter thanks to some iffy/ticky tack Cards penatlies and stalled in the red zone (again!!!), and then got a gift when Cards safety Adrian Wilson ran over the holder, a blatant foul. With 3 more cracks at the endzone from 3 yards out, the Steelers gained, uh, like 2 maybe. They settled for another field goal.
Then the wheels came off. The Cards solved the Steelers D, partly because the Steelers reverted to form and played soft coverage and refused to blitz or otherwise confuse Kurt Warner. 20-14 Cards. The Steelers offense again couldn't move the ball, the Cards got it back, the Steelers stopped them, but the Cards punt pinned the Steelers back at the 1 yard line.
Then the roof fell in. The Steelers held in the end zone, which is a safety by rule, and in the Cards ensuing possession, the Steelers lined up with the safeties 20 yards deep and 30 FRICKIN' yards wide...basically the middle of the field was an 8 lane autobahn that Larry Fitzgerald strolled down on a basic slant play to take the lead.
The Steelers won, of course, on the strength of Big Ben's comeback ability and Santonio's big plays. However, there are some lessons to be learned:
Get rid of Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. Sure, they won a Super Bowl, but they struggled on offense all year, and their inability to score from inside the 10 yard line--a seasonlong problem--made the Super Bowl closer than it should have been. The offensive line can't handle even the most simple of defensive stunts, stuff that is taught in high school, and they can't run the ball when they have to. There are offensive line problems with personnel, of course, but it's the coaches who refused to play Max Starks until they had to, despite him being transitioned tagged for $7 million a year...it's the coaches who refuse to move right tackle Willie Colon to his natural guard position. They can't call a good game and they can't put the best personnel in the best positions. Unfortunately, a Super Bowl ring is a big resume enhancer, and the Steelers will be loathe to fire him, even though they should.
Get some GD offensive linemen!!! See post above. In particular an offensive guard and right tackle. Resign Max Starks.
Re-sign Cornerback Bryant McFadden. Despite playing well during the Steelers Super Bowl run in 2005, since then the Steelers let him rot on the bench until this year; now he has proven himself and can get some big money on the open market. The Steelers need to offer him a contract within 10% of other teams' offers.
Then the roof fell in. The Steelers held in the end zone, which is a safety by rule, and in the Cards ensuing possession, the Steelers lined up with the safeties 20 yards deep and 30 FRICKIN' yards wide...basically the middle of the field was an 8 lane autobahn that Larry Fitzgerald strolled down on a basic slant play to take the lead.
The Steelers won, of course, on the strength of Big Ben's comeback ability and Santonio's big plays. However, there are some lessons to be learned:
Get rid of Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. Sure, they won a Super Bowl, but they struggled on offense all year, and their inability to score from inside the 10 yard line--a seasonlong problem--made the Super Bowl closer than it should have been. The offensive line can't handle even the most simple of defensive stunts, stuff that is taught in high school, and they can't run the ball when they have to. There are offensive line problems with personnel, of course, but it's the coaches who refused to play Max Starks until they had to, despite him being transitioned tagged for $7 million a year...it's the coaches who refuse to move right tackle Willie Colon to his natural guard position. They can't call a good game and they can't put the best personnel in the best positions. Unfortunately, a Super Bowl ring is a big resume enhancer, and the Steelers will be loathe to fire him, even though they should.
Get some GD offensive linemen!!! See post above. In particular an offensive guard and right tackle. Resign Max Starks.
Re-sign Cornerback Bryant McFadden. Despite playing well during the Steelers Super Bowl run in 2005, since then the Steelers let him rot on the bench until this year; now he has proven himself and can get some big money on the open market. The Steelers need to offer him a contract within 10% of other teams' offers.
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