SB Nation User Blog: 5020

A Catch From Heaven

5020 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:34:55 -0000

1Steelersfan did a post Tuesday night on the greatest "Steelers catch" of all time. It came down to Santonio Holmes XLIII, Lynn Swann X (2 nominations) and Franco's Immaculate Reception.

I weighed in late and that fan post has moved on but I had to go back and watch all 3 catches again. ( Thanks www.youtube.com ) I just wanted to share this Immaculate Reception from the original NBC broadcast with those that may have never seen it. To me this is the greatest catch in NFL history.

This game was blacked out in Pittsburgh so only those in attendance actually saw it within city limits. This catch catapulted the Steelers into the national scene and gave the players the confidence that they were destined for greatness. 12/23/72. It also created a multi-million dollar industry and raised a ton of dough for charity. Notice that there is not a terrible towel in the crowd.

The Immaculate Reception. 50s pick as "Greatest Catch in NFL History." Link below. Get ready for some shivers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xMDIcsUMmA

Pilgrimage To Mecca

5020 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:57:42 -0000

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca is always a wonderful experience. As I boarded my flight to Pittsburgh I could almost smell the grass at Heinz Field. The flight is always too long but coming in over the Steel City’s highways and byways running through the rolling green hills and mountains of western Pennsylvania is always a sight to see. At dusk over the 3 rivers with the city’s skyline in the distance the anticipation of touch down and touchdowns is dancing through my head.

Although rain and snow flurries are predicted, it turns into a beautiful sun splashed Sunday at Heinz. Parking offsite and walking through the masses of black and gold tailgate parties one gets the feeling that something special is going to happen. As opposed to being in enemy territory spotting a pack of Steelers fans here or there the scene at Heinz is all Steelers. Only a handful of Browns fans in the building. On Heinz hallowed ground, a sea of black and gold awaits the crush of the crowd heading into Heinz Field…the Mecca of professional football. Once inside Steelers alumni are honored as the fans cheer. Former Steelers like Mike Wagner, Mike Logan and Walter Abercrombie mingle with HOF Steelers’ RB Jerome Bettis. Gosh I hope they don’t let Bettis call the coin flip!

The Steelers started off slowly against the lowly Cleveland Browns. After a sloppy scoreless first quarter Ben Roethlisberger found his groove. Pittsburgh surges to a 14-0 lead behind Ben TD passes to Heath Miller and Hines Ward. Ward’s TD actually looked like it was headed to Santonio Holmes but Hines picked it out of the sky and ran 52 yards to glory. The terrible towel twirling revelers were rocking to all the classic rock. Just when it seemed Homecoming would be an easy W, the Browns lone offensive threat Joe Cribbs returned a kick 98 yards for a TD to cut the lead to 14-7. Why the Steelers kicked it to him is beyond me but Cribbs is a superstar KR guy and he gave the Browns life.

The Browns opened the second half with a big long TD drive cutting the lead to 17-14 and suddenly with the clouds rolling in it looked like it could be a typical tight Steelers game. As the 3rd quarter turned to the 4th there was a deluge. Not rain or snow but turnovers. Four of them in a short span by both teams slowed the scoring. Ugly and sloppy play gave way to more sunshine and a 21 yard reverse by soon to be Steelers rookie of the year Mike Wallace. It led to a Mendenhall score. After another Skippy Reed FG the sun reappeared, Styx “Renegade” blasted from the PA and the crowd got very loud calling for the defense to shut the door on Cleveland. They did. Final score Pittsburgh 27 Cleveland 14.

All in all it was a super and beautiful fall weekend back in Pittsburgh. Major Props to the Black & Gold Brigade which staged their annual Pittsburgh Weekend and hooked up some tickets for me and AG. Major Props to the people of Pittsburgh who always make me feel at home in my hometown. Heinz is a special place. The Steelers are a special organization. It’s always nice to return to the city of my birth, see the famila and enjoy a Steelers game. It’s not just football. It’s Steelers football.

Cleveland Fires First Shot

5020 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:38:54 -0000

I love the Steelers rivalry with the Brownies! I was so sad when they went away for a couple years and still carry the hatred for the Browns whenever we play the BrownRavens. I was also very happy to see Cleveland get an expansion team and get back into the fray even if they have yet to lay a glove on the Steelers.

The fighting back and forth is always amusing. Who doesn't love that picture of Brady Quinn in the pink polo or the video of the dog banging the Browns doll? At any rate, I came across this article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and wanted to share. many funny shots including my favorite; "Because of its three rivers, Pittsburgh offers 38 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing and dumping bodies."

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living-2/1255422694302750.xml&coll=2

FWP Likely To Sit

5020 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:42:54 -0000

The Pittsburgh Tribune is reporting that Willie Parker did not practice again today. They are surmising that he will not play on Sunday night against the Chargers. Not sure who Coach Tomlin will choose to start. There are two trains of thought;

1) Start Mewelde Moore because he has been there and done that. Moore was a key contributor to the Steelers running game in 08 towards the march to Lombardi 6.

2) Start Rashard Mendenhall so that Moore can stay in the 3rd down/No Huddle package without disruption. This would be a HUGE opportunity for the former #1 benched last week for poor preparation

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_646120.html

50 Sense

5020 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:34:57 -0000

1) Ben Roethlisberger started slow and stupid and finished godlike. The early 20-yard sack to push the Steelers out of FG range spoiled momentum and put us on our heels until the 4th quarter. While I usually defend Ben extending the play, that was a perfect example of Ben holding the ball too long. His untimely INT later was ill advised and further eroded any momentum the Steelers offense was trying to establish. But in the 4th quarter when it was "winnin’ time" Big Ben went to the no huddle, called his own plays and used Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Heath Miller and rookie speedster Mike Wallace to tie and then ice the game in OT.

2) The O line certainly stepped up in the 4th quarter and OT but helped Ben look stupid and ineffective early on. They opened no holes for Parker, Mendenhall or Mewelde Moore and it wasn’t because all the RBs are horrid. True, the Titan front 7 is one of the most formidable the Steelers will face in 09 but improvement and cohesion is needed. Perhaps they need a full time Full Back and need to abandon the zone blocking scheme that the coordinators are not teaching. Once the Titan 7 got dizzy from chasing Roethlisberger in the Steelers "hurry up" O the O line started dominating. Especially Max Starks.

3) Ward’s fumble was the "worst of times" but the Steelers won the OT coin toss and redeemed. Ward and Holmes were beasts. Mike Wallace was impressive. He got cheated out of a 40-yard gain because Ben didn’t have the arm to get it there. Limas didn’t drop anything but also didn’t get a toss. Spaeth and the rookie DJ didn’t show much and certainly weren’t blocking anybody in the running game. Where is this Tank I was told about? Oh yea, and Heath Miller is the best TE in the NFL in this offensive scheme…whatever that may be.

4) The defense was "Championship Caliber" early on and Polamalu was his Hall Of Fame self. The INT was spectacular. The backfield tackle on Johnson impressive. The injury is worrisome. I think the D can hold on until the second half of the year and I hope 43 can come back 100% by then to a 6-2 team.

5) The Titan D line is as impressive as the Titan O line. The Steelers got little pressure and the Titan RBs ripped off several nice runs against the Steelers. Fox had some tackles and Farrior had the lone sack. Like last year they bent but didn’t break. A big difference in this game is that the Steelers had all the playmakers.

6) "No one kicks field goals at Heinz!" I have been known to scream at opposing kickers. Bironas may be All Pro but I’ll take Skippy Reed. The Titans beat the Steelers last night except Steelers Special Teams pulled it out. (Wow, how often have I ever said that?) Early on Stefan Logan provided several nice returns giving the Steelers field position and early momentum. Aaron Smith had a clutch block and another Bironas miss provided the margin of victory. I was surprised to see Keenan Lewis making plays on special teams and Summers suited up while Ratliff and Burnett sat. Very happy to see Dan Sepulveda. These guys created great field position all night.

7) The refs were in mid season form with unseen personal fouls called on Polamalu and phantom holding calls on O linemen all the while James Harrison was getting dragged to the ground without the calls. Are you ready for some football?

It's Official. Steelers Announce Cuts

5020 — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:24:56 -0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers have finalized their 53 man roster according to the teams website at

www.steelers.com

Sean McHugh was put on IR. As expected cuts included Carey Davis, Isaac Redman, Dallas Baker, Jason Capizzi and others. Per the Steelers, the roster will be comprised of 4 RB, 6 WR, 9 OL, 10 DB, 8 LB, 3 QB, 3 TE, 7 DL and 3 specialists. Congratulations to young guys like Foster, Burnett and The Tank who overcame long odds and made the Super Bowl Champions.

HERE WE GO!

5020 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:10:01 -0000

I am so excited Steeler Nation! Kick off to the 2009 season is only 8 hours away. I know we have a meaningless exhibition game against the AZ Cards tonight but I am looking for several things.

1) No injuries. Let the first team play a series or two and come out unscathed. In a perfect world, Ben will lead the Steelers down the field to an opening possession TD and then grab a clipboard.

2) Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed should show us why they were drafted 1 and 2 last year. 2008 was not kind to either one. Mendenhall seemed to be a fumbler who couldn't take on Ray Ray without injury. Sweed was lost and when open, couldn't catch the damn ball. They both need to show some promise tonight as both will be needed in 09.

3) Ziggy, Wallace, Lewis and Urbik make their debut and I am excited to see them play. The Nation, while not expecting All Pro season's from these guys know they all must contribute this year if the Steelers are to repeat. Ziggy will play an important role in regards to depth and line play in 2010. We hope Wallace to be a savior on the kick return game and a blur running deep routes. Urbik may have become the most important rookie we have with Stapleton going under the knife and Lewis will provide depth in the secondary with the loss of B Mac. Lewis also provides the Steelers with a big athletic corner that hopefully will develop into the next Ike Taylor.

4) Dennis Dixon. Is this the year that he steps up and supplants the ageless Charlie Batch as the Steelers #2 on the QB depth chart? Would love to see that. As much as we all love CB we know that he is getting older and doesn't have much left in the tank. Would love CB to be the #3 emergency QB in 09. That would mean Dix is the real deal at QB.

HERE WE GO!!!

Greatest Steelers Teams Of The 90's

5020 — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:53:39 -0000

1) 1994...this team had it all. Ferocious defense, bruising running game, a healthy Woodson and veteran leadership. Damn O'Donnell. Damn Pupunu.

2) 1995...not quite as strong as 94 without Rod Woodson all year. A failed hail mary propels them to XXX against the Cowboy team of the 90s decade. After a jittery start it looked like the Steelers were going to Bam to victory. Double Damn O'Donnell! He cost Lloyd, Kirkland, Dawson, Lake and Greene rings and Rod a ring with the Steelers.

3) 1997...Kordell had come into his own. Bettis had become the Bus. The Steelers had Denver at Pittsburgh in the AFCCG. Denver intercepts Pittsburgh's trip to the Super Bowl and Elway gets his first.

4) 1992...a strong team led by rookie coach Bill Cowher. Had the chin picked Brister as his starting QB instead of O'Donnell the Steelers (with #1 seed) may have beaten the Bills instead of Neil looking lackluster (after 3 Brister W's to close the season) in a 24-7 home playoff loss to the 4 time SB losers.

5) 1993...just a couple bricks shy of a load. After winning on the last day of the season to sneak into the playoffs, Joe Montana foiled Cowhers plan on one for the thumb.

6) 1996...could probably rank this team above 93 except Tomczak was the QB. After pounding the Colts in the playoffs, NE whips the Steelers in a fog 28-3.

Surgery For Stapleton

5020 — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:20:17 -0000

The Pittsburgh Tribune Website is reporting that Steelers Offensive Lineman Darnell Stapleton will undergo surgery on his troubling right knee. No time table is given for his return. With reports that Urbik seems a little lost (he is a rookie) I am looking for Trai Essex to earn his keep.

I hope Stapleton is not done for the season. He is a valuable swing man and needs to stay sharp as he may be a challenger for Center in 2010. Link is below;

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_637125.html

Best Steelers Teams of the 80's

5020 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:50:08 -0000

Last weekend I listed my top Steelers teams of the 70's. Thought I'd try my hand at the 80's. What is your list of best and worst Steelers teams of the 80's? Which was your favorite?

1) 1980...Inconsistent and turnover prone but I'll take this team against any of the others from the 80's. Just a year from winning XIV they lost the last weekend at SD to miss the playoffs for the first time in 8 years. Mean Joe, LC, Bradshaw, Harris, Swann, Stallworth.

2) 1982...Last stand of the team of the decade. Again it's SD ending their season but this time in a Pittsburgh home playoff loss 31-28. Think the younger 1980 team beats this one.

3) 1989...Easily my favorite team of the 80's. After starting out the season being shellacked by the Browns and Bengals 92-10 Brister proclaims "Yes We Can." Steelers make the playoffs and upset the home Oilers in OT on Woodsons "heavenly hit." At Denver Hoge runs wild but so does young Elway.

4) 1984...Beating an undefeated SF squad on the road and then beating Denver in the playoffs behind 2 TD's by RB Frank Pollard and tough D by LB Bryan Hinkle. Malone is overwhelmed by Marino in the AFCCG.

5) 1983...A ferocious defense that led the Steelers to a 9-2 record before opponents figured out to play conservative and wait for Stoudt to fold. At 9-6 Bradshaw comes to their rescue one last time with a thrilling quarter at NYJ to lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs. Stoudt returns and after an early long pass to Wayne Capers leads to a FG he and Steelers are butchered by Raiders 38-10.