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Big Ben Isn’t Dead (Yet)

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The good news:  [intlink id=”14″ type=”category”]Ben Roethlisberger[/intlink]’s foot isn’t broken. The bad news:  If he continues playing behind the [intlink id=”166″ type=”category”]Pittsburgh Steelers[/intlink] offensive line,… Read More »Big Ben Isn’t Dead (Yet)

Week 4 Recap: Down And Out In Houston

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The [intlink id=”21″ type=”category”]Pittsburgh Steelers[/intlink] ain’t drinkin’ wine.  They’re still stompin’ grapes.

The Black and Gold shook off a first half grape-stomping by the Houston Texans to make it a game before ultimately falling short 17-10. I feel like a broken record saying this but the final score does not accurately reflect what happened in the game. The Texans had not one but two touchdowns wiped off the scoreboard because of boneheaded penalties. Shaun Suisham’s Miss of the Week was of the blocked variety but Daniael Manning blocked Dan Sepulveda in the back nullifying the TD. Well, despite Dierdorf’s asinine hollering, the Dreamy One did play linebacker at Baylor. Late in the fourth, a pick six was wiped out for roughing [intlink id=”14″ type=”category”]Ben Roethlisberger[/intlink].

If not for the Texans self-inflicted wounds and a gallant defensive effort in the second half, this would have been one of the most one-sided ass-whuppins’ in recent memory. I’ve seldom seen the Steelers dominated in all three phases of the game like they were yesterday. Arian Foster had 90 rushing yards in the first quarter. The Texans began the game by driving 114 yards for a touchdown. ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN YARDS. How is this possible? Houston started at their own 5 and took two 10 yard holding penalties along the way.
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Know Thy Enemy: Seattle Seahawks

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The last two times the [intlink id=”20″ type=”category”]Pittsburgh Steelers[/intlink] have gone to the Super Bowl, they failed to make the playoffs the following year.  I’m inclined to give Bill Cowher a pass for 2006 considering his franchise quarterback nearly died during the off-season and was a mere shadow of his former self during the regular season.  There is absolutely no excuse for what happened to [intlink id=”45″ type=”category”]Mike Tomlin[/intlink]’s squad in 2009, however.  The defending Super Bowl champions featured a nucleus near or in their prime while boasting a roster with no significant changes from the year before.

The most frustrating aspect of the 2009 season wasn’t that the team kept losing, it was who they lost to.  Every week we’d look at the schedule, see an opponent who record-wise and talent-wise didn’t nearly match up with the Steelers, then watch in horror as they’d go out on Sunday and seemingly find a way to lose.  The five game death spiral which tanked the season featured losses to two teams that would go 5-11 and one that would finish 4-12.

Which brings us to this week’s opponent, the Seattle Seahawks.  Yes, technically the Seahawks were a playoff team last year although it’s hard to take that credential seriously when you win your division with a record of 7-9.  They did acquit themselves well in the playoffs, highlighted by Marshawn Lynch going into BEAST MODE against the defending champion Saints.  Regardless, Seattle is clearly not in the Steelers’ league.  If the Black and Gold want to quiet all talk of a “Super Bowl Hangover,” they can start by winning a game they should win.
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Steelers Choose Timmons Over Polamalu

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After a two week break in handing out new deals, the [intlink id=”23″ type=”category”]Pittsburgh Steelers[/intlink] returned to form earlier today by announcing linebacker [intlink id=”114″ type=”category”]Lawrence Timmons[/intlink] has agreed to a six year $50 million contract extension.  Timmons, Mike Tomlin’s first ever draft choice, was in the final year of his rookie contract.  A first rounder out of Florida State, LT was the 15th player taken overall, one spot later than superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis.  In fact, the sneaky Jets traded their first, second and fifth round picks that year to cut ahead of the Steelers because they knew we had our vacation plans booked for Revis Island if he was still on the board.

Timmons played sparingly his rookie year, as is usual with Dick LeBeau’s complex defense.  After seeing a gradual increase in playing time in his second year, the Steelers parted ways with veteran Larry Foote paving the way for Timmons to take over one of the starting ILB spots in year number three.  He battled a high ankle sprain and struggled noticeably in run support.  Last year, he finally experienced his break out season, leading the team in tackles while forcing two fumbles and snagging two interceptions.  It is this ability to play all over the field, in a sort of rover role normally reserved for [intlink id=”57″ type=”category”]Troy Polamalu[/intlink], which finally made people sit up and take notice of Timmons’ superior athletic ability.
Read More »Steelers Choose Timmons Over Polamalu