First off, Dick LeBeau has to take some blame today (which seems to be the consensus on this board).  This is definitely not a LeBeau defense post.  But this is the umpteenth time a team has rallied late to win, not to mention all the times that teams have rallied late and barely fell short (San Diego and Detroit come to mind).  But you simply cannot put that much blame on LeBeau for the fourth quarter playcalling when players when repeatedly in position to make plays.  Maybe there is an overall scheme or personnel problem (lack of pass rushing D linemen, perhaps), but that is a separate issue from the playcalling.

Ike Taylor had a horrible game.  He was burnt on one play (although if a safety was playing deep then he would have played it well).  On several other occasions, he was in position and simply whiffed (the jump ball).  Ryan Clark was atrocious.  You may say: he didn't miss that many tackles or balls.  Well that's because he was out of position all day.  Ryan Clark read short passes, long passes, and play action passes incorrectly with alarming regularity.  I was a huge Clark fan before this year and thought he should have been signed instead of Kiesel, but he has looked lost, at best.  William Gay is not very good.  However, I don't think he played horribly; just not well.  He is not a shut down corner and he is not asked to be one.  If he prevents the big play and keeps receivers in front of him, that's probably the most that can be asked. 

Lawrence Timmons should not be starting.  Again, he is not horrible, but there is a much better ILB riding the bench who, for whatever reason, is not getting any playing time.  Timmons repeatedly misses tackles, fails to shed blocks, and reads receiver routes too late.  Gradkowski embarrassed Timmons on at least two plays.  Timmons is a liability in the run and (despite popular opinion) not very good in pass protection.  Yes, he can chase down a pass in the flats, but that is not the only thing, or even a primary thing, the Steelers ask from an ILB.  Timmons is great at getting to the QB.  He should be on the field on any third and long.  Other than that, he simply has not played to K. Fox's level (in the three games he started) in any game this year.

To bring this piece full circle, Dick LeBeau's playcalling seemed uninspired in the 4th quarter.  Very few blitzes, vanilla coverages.  Still, players were in position to make plays in did not.  The same thing happened last week: players were outplayed at the point of attack, whether against the run or pass.  LeBeau has not found the solution, and for that he takes all the blame. 

A lot has been made about Troy's absence, and rightfully so.  However, it seems that the defense's success (and, thus, the team's) over the past five years has the largest correlation with the play of Swaggin' Ike Taylor.  Ike is asked to do just as much as Troy in LeBeau's defense.  He is isolated all game on an opposing team's number one.  The only help Ike receives is occasional deep help (although this year, Clark hasn't been offering much help).

No one will forget the way Taylor played during the incredible run to the '05 championship.  He shut down everyone and everything during the season ending winning streak and the playoffs.  Result: SB win.

Next year: Ike struggles.  So much so, that he is benched after a particularly bad performance against the Broncos' Javon Walker.  Result: no playoffs.

Following year: Ike looks more like his '05 self.  Playing at a very high level, but maybe not quite the level he played during that magical '05 run.  Result: division champs, early playoff exit.

'Last year: Again, Ike is lights out.  All season, Ike shuts down opposing teams' number one threat, without exception ( two long plays against all season: fluke tipped pass to Reggie Wayne and playoff catch by Vincent Jackson, who was absolutely blanketed by Ike).  Ike was the second best CB in the league last year, despite what stat geeks concerned about INTs would have you believe.  Result: SB win.

This year: Ike is streaky.  Some games he looks like his old self, some games he looks lost (Ravens).  No telling how he will play from week to week.  The only constants are his bad hands.  Result: streaky Steelers team (5 straight wins, three straight losses).

In the wake of an ugly loss, there inevitably will be a bunch of crazies calling for lineup changes, coach firings, and other various and sundry personnel moves.  One idea that is not so crazy is reducing Lawrence Timmons' field time.  Not because Timmons is so poor that he should not start on an NFL team (he is starting material), but because his backup is better. 

LT looked like the real LT (the one named Taylor) for one play, the sack/strip of Matt Cassel.  That was a great individual effort and I don't want to detract from that.  But one play does not a game make.  In fact, on two bigger plays, LT was out of position and flat footed.  On the tying TD late in the game, LT, along with his partner in crime James Farrior, bit hard on the play action and were beat for a TD.  Granted, the play was Farrior's to make and it would have been asking a little much of LT to make a play on the ball.  However, if LT reads the play correctly, he does possess the physical attributes to make a stop there.  Instead, he bit on the fake and let the ref pick him.

On the Chris "Enter the 36" Chambers catch and run to seal the game, you will see Timmons creep up to the line of scrimmage as Cassel drops back to pass.  Why?  I don't think even he could tell you today.  Neither RB released from the backfield and Chambers crossied the field right into Timmons' zone.  Yet Timmons crept up to the line, allowing Cassel to drop a pass right where Timmons should have been.  On 3rd and 6, there is no reason for a LB playing a spy or short zone to stand at the line of scrimmage.  Keep the short receiver in front of you and short of the 6 yard mark, try and make a tackle.  But it was not to be, and that was all she wrote.

So here's the point: of the Steelers four losses, Timmons played a majority of snaps in all of them.  These losses do not fall on Timmons, at all, especially since another defensive star missed several of those games.  Overall, Timmons has played satisfactory football.  But K. Fox has played outstanding when given the chance.  In the three games where Fox has played a majority of defensive snaps, his line looks like this: 17 tackles, 7 assists, 1 FumRec, 1 Pass Def, 1 Int, 1 TD.  It seems to me that Fox is playing better in every facet except rushing the QB (although in fairness to Fox, he is sent on blitzes far less than LT). 

Again, this isn't a cut LT post, or even a bench LT post.  You want LT's pass rushing skills on 3rd and long.  Other than that, Fox is the better ILB right now.

The Broncos have signed former Patriot Ty Law, presumably to be their nickel back.  The Broncos have had some trouble with their third cornerback in the last couple of weeks and this seems like a last ditch effort to shore up the position before the Steelers, with their penchant for Monday night dominance, roll into town. 

It seems like a smart move: Law can't be much worse than what they have at #3.  Law is a savvy veteran who has played on a McDaniels coached team.  However, Law will playing two or three days after joining the team.  Also, the familiarity with McDaniels does not amount for much, considering McDaniels was an offensive coach for the Pats. 

I cannot see Ty Law and his old as Methuselah legs keeping up with Mike Wallace.  I sure hope he cannot, because the other members of the Broncos secondary have been playing outstanding this season.  If Law shuts down Wallace, don't expect much from Santonio (matched up against Bailey) or even Hines.  Now, if Law cannot cover Wallace, that means Dawkins or someone else will be helping on the coverage which might free up Santonio or Hines. 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArdNaH8RQmfnenJCrU7epYJDubYF?slug=ap-broncos-law&prov=ap&type=lgns

Next Sunday I will be traveling in the Pacific Northwest.  Of course, the Steelers will also be playing the Bears.  I was hoping somebody could clue me in on some Steelers bars in the Seattle area where my girlfriend and I can catch the game.  Bars in Seattle proper, as oppposed to outside Seattle, are preferable because we will have to catch a flight back to the East Coast shortly after the game ends.  Any and all help is appreciated.  Go Steelers.

Let me preface this fanpost by reiterating my view that you never find out anything good about your team in training camp.  You might find out that certain players are not NFL material, but, beyond that, you have to wait until they put the pads on.  On that note, I will relate what I can from my day spent on the field at Saint Vincent College.

Santonio Holmes was dogging it today.  He was the last person to finish every warm up run and he attempted (emphasis on attempted) several one arm catches during receiver drills.  Ben gave him a little pep talk after one catch, but he looked off the entire day.  This may be premature, but I would not expect a breakout season from Santonio.  He may think he's already arrived as one of the League's elite.

Mike Wallace and Limas Sweed looked pretty good.  Nothing spectacular, but solid all around.  Sweed made several catches which an NFL wideout should make but were nonetheless difficult.

Passing game looked in sync during drills toward the end of the day.  This is especially heartening because the passing game takes timing and is usually late to come around.  Today may be the best all around passing performance I've  seen at a training camp this early in a season (and I used to work for the Steelers). 

The pass blocking: different story.  Missed assignments all over the place.  I tend to think the coaching staff and stats are right: it's not ability holding these guys back.  It should be easy to block when the QB can't be sacked but defenders repeatedly ran to the QB without being picked up.  It does not appear this unit's time together has helped them communicate, at least to this point.

Troy's hammy did not seem to slow him too much.

Frank the Tank is a big guy.  I think Sisyphus would rather roll his boulder up the hill than Frank Summers.  If this guy can't get a yard on 3rd down we may need to consider bringing Jerome back.

Overall, it was a pretty smooth looking practice.  Lots of joking around: Hoke doing a dance for the crowd, Jeff Reed clowning with a fan about his lack of hair, and Ben doing cartwheels from his D line position.  Hopefully, this training camp report will sate your appetite until the season starts...or, at the very least, the next day of camp.

Football Outsiders released a tease of their Top 25 Underrated Players of the decade list:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/fo-espn-feature-columns/2009/ei-25-most-overratedunderrated-players-decade

Aaron Smith was number 4, behind Derrick Mason, Matt Lepsis, and Adrian Wilson.  Personally, I tend to agree with the Mason pick because you always hear how the Ravens need receivers yet Mason continually comes up big for them, especially against one of the best defenses in the NFL (the Steelers, of course).

In any case, this is more acknowledgement of Aaron Smith's "underratedness."  Of course, we continually hear comments from gameday announcers and fellow players about how Smith is great and underrated.  Which makes me think: the only way in which Smith is underrated is in number of Pro Bowls.  Everyone seems to acknowledge he is one of, if not the best, 3-4 end in the league.  But he doesn't get sacks, so he doesn't get votes from a lot of fans (especially fans of the casual variety), and doesn't get Pro Bowls.  Of course, no Pro Bowls and few sacks means no ESPN press, but that matters little to people like A. Smith.  Other than Pro Bowl tallies, Aaron Smith garners the respect of one of the best in the game at his position.  Maybe he is just "underdecorated", as opposed to "underrated?"

James Walker, the ESPN blogger for the AFC North, stated in a chat transcript that the Steelers have already had negotiations with Ryan Clark for an extension, even prior to the Starks signing.  This indicates that the Steelers have placed a higher priority on Clark than Heath Miller, possibly because of the incresing likelihood that Miller is an RFA next year. 

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/27097/nfl%20with%20james%20walker

However, this seems to be a departure from the practices of years past.  The Steelers have signed multiple players over 30 to long term deals (Farrior, Ward, Harrison, and Clark will turn 30 during this season).  Also, they are signing guys at positions where they have traditionally been willing to let players go: secondary and LBs.  Since this team has a proven track record, I like the idea of signing select contributors into their 30s.  Personally, I think Clark is more valuable than Heath.  He is not as talented as Heath, but the Steelers can win without a pass catching TE and Heath's blocking skills are replaceable.  Anthony Smith showed us what happens when a Steelers FS can't play one of the most important role on the defense: prevent the deep ball.

I was hoping someone else had some information on the Clark negotiations.  I haven't even heard about them until now.  Seems all of the focus has been on Heath.

More good news for the Steelers: Ray Lewis resigned with the Baltimore Ravens today.  I mean that.  Ray Lewis is aging and his game is in decline.  Now the Ravens are stuck with him for several more years.  He'll probably earn his money this year, but after that he will be an aging albatross.  Plus, this means T Sizzle is more likely to leave next year after the franchise tag runs out because the Ravens will have less money to throw at him.  So, it's a push for the Ravens this year, and a bad move for the future.

The Ravens also paid money to get older on the O Line (not a smart move) by signing Matt Birk.  Birk probably remembers when Joel Steed was breaking into the NFL.  Anyway, if the Ravens couldn't stop the pass rush/establish the run this year, they won't next year behind Old Man River.

On a side note, Ray Lewis is the most effective spin meister in history.  After football, he should work for politicians (if they can convince him to talk about anything other than himself).  Somehow, Ray manages to put a positive spin on the fact that no one wanted him and he had to swallow his pride and return to Baltimore with his tail between his legs.  First, Ray wanted a payday.  Then, he wanted a star on his helmet.  Now, the greatest thing a player can do is stay with one team for his whole career.  Oh Ray, you so crazy.

From Yahoo Sports:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=ArrcOuVDXLWPTdvx_c4ItHdDubYF?slug=ap-ravens-lewis&prov=ap&type=lgns

List courtesy of Fanhouse:

RB Willie Parker, LB James Harrison, WR Hines Ward, TE Heath Miller, C Justin Hartwig, S Ryan Clark, CB Deshea Townsend, DE Brett Keisel, NG Casey Hampton, K Jeff Reed.

No, this is not a list of the most valuable Steelers not named Ben Roethlisberger.  These are players who have one year left on their current deals.

There has been a lot of talk recently about who the Steelers will resign and draft this year.  The fact is, this list of players will determine who gets resigned and drafted more than anything else.  BMac and Nate (hopefully) have replacements waiting in the wings and are not integral to Steelers success anyway.  But the above referenced list is a who's who of contributors to more than one Super Bowl run.

Guys like BMac, Nate, and probably Starks will not stay with the Steelers because the Rooneys will want to spend some money on these players before the season when, as we all know, they are as good as gone if unsigned.

The 'Stache has no particular inside information, but here are my thoughts anyway.  Willie and Keisel are out the door for sure.  Willie's getting up there for a speedy RB and Keisel is the weakest, although youngest, D lineman.  Hines and Deshea are out unless they accept less lucrative contracts then their current deals.  Miller, Reed, and Clark will all stay considering they are great values and the front office will do their best to keep them.  Hampton and Hartwig?  Not sure.  I think Hartwig's future depends on where we go in the draft (if it's Mack, he's gone).  Hampton should be a keeper, but with LeBeau's time running short, Tomlin may be thinking of the move to a 4-3.

Wild Card: James Harrison.  Steelers are ususally reluctant to resign LBs over 30, but this guy has had the best 2 yr span of any Steeler linebacker EVER.  Also, he's a workout beast and sat the bench for years, meaning he's taken less wear and tear.  Also, Farrior received an extension at a similar age to where Harrison will be at the end of next season.  But the Steelers do not lose sleep over replacing outside LBs.  Whatever direction management goes with James, I'm sure it will be the correct one.

Talk amongst yourselves.