Hombre de Acero
Nov 17, 2009 May 31, 2012 155 561
website: Steel Curtain Rising
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Watch Mike Tomlin's William and Mary HOF Induction Speech in Full
BTSC's Neal Coolong rightly called out Mike Florio for grossly distorting Mike Tomlin's words during his recent induction to the Hall of Fame at William and Mary. So did Dan Gigler of the PG's Blog and Gold.
Kudos for both man for standing up for the truth in the face of sensationalism.
But this whole controversy is a shame, because Mike Tomlin gave a fabulous speech. In just 15 minutes the Tomlinator revealed his depth of character, class and sense of humor.
Fullback Returns to the Steelers Offense!
Who said OTAs produced little real news?
Todd Haley extinguished any doubts that the Bruce Arians era in Pittsburgh was dead and buried today as Ed Bouchette reports that David Johnson has moved to fullback full time. Click above for more.
The Promise and Puzzle of Willie Colon's Switch to Guard
Last week the Steelers ended much of the speculation about their offensive line that began after the draft.
Moving Willie Colon to guard gives the Steelers their best shot to field their best 5 offensive lineman.
It also creates some intriguing scenarios at left tackle and will be interesting to see how Mike Tomlin settles on the final piece of the puzzle.
Steelers 2008 Draft Serves as Cautionary Tale for 2012
A blue chip player inexplicably falls to the Steelers in the first round. In the second the Steelers also snag "first rounder woulda been." Something similar happens in round five. And viola, the Steelers have a great draft.
Sound familiar? It should, because much of what transpired with the Steelers 2012 draft also occurred in 2008….
….OK. Steelers Nation should be excited about the 2012 draft, but the links here show how history teaches us to temper our enthusiasm, if just a tad.
Steelers Draft Need Matrix
No inner Mel Kipper Jr. to channel here or nor analysis of collegiate prospects.
Just a strict assessment of draft priorities based on what the Steelers need, which isn't to say that the Steelers should draft based on need.
The Colbert Record: Steelers Success 1st Round Under Kevin Colbert
It is not a manley metaphor, but the Steelers of the '90's were bridesmaids whereas the '00 Steelers were brides.
The question is, why?
You can begin answering your question with the incredible run of 1st round draft success the Steelers have had under Kevin Colbert. Click above for an in-depth retrospective.
Former Steelers Running Back Tim Worley Speaks Out
Tim Worley, part of the fools gold that the Steelers fished in the 1989 draft, spoke candidly with Steelers.com editor about his on the field issues, playing for Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher, and his road to recovery.
Remembering Ron Erhardt's Tenure as Steelers Offensive Coordinator
Ron Erhardt's resume as Steelers offensive didn't include a Lombardi Trophy.
Nonetheless, Erhardt who passed away last week, made an important contribution to Steelers football at a key moment in the franchise's history. Click above for more.
Hines Ward's Biggest Accomplishment
14 years is several life times in the NFL. 1,000 catches is an elusive milestone. Two Super Bowls and one Super Bowl MVP is something many "greats" only dream about.
All of that is important, but Hines Ward accomplished something far more impressive that cannot be captured by numbers....
Steelers Roll Dice to Free Agent Flexibility
The Steelers restricted free agent tenders included few major surprises.
However, the team has given itself some flexibility to manuver in free agency, but it did so by opening itself to a certain amount of risk, particularly on offensive line.
Steelers Shed Salary, Super Bowl Rings
Football realities and salary cap essentials gave the Steelers no choice but to part ways with Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, and James Farrior.
But the Steelers aren't simply shedding salary, they're shedding Super Bowl rings and the accompanying leadership.
Steelers Tell Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu They Will Not Be Back
Ed Bouchette is reporting in both the Post-Gazette and on PG Plus that he has learned that the Steelers will part ways with Aaron Smith and Chris Kemoeatu.
Hines Ward: Portrait of a Pittsburgh Steeler
As you well know by now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released Hines Ward.
While the move is probably necessary from a football stand point, it is nonetheless bitter medicine to swallow, because Hines Ward was always the prototypical Pittsburgh Steeeler.
Five Burning Questions: Free Agency Edition
by Hombre de Acero on Feb 25, 2012 4:00 PM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
Free Agency is still a few weeks away, but there's plenty of fuel to fire our 5 Burning Questions: Free Agency edition.
1. Steelers Nation no longer has Bruce Arians to kick around. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his dismissal, do you think the way it was handled, with Rooney II over ruling Tomlin and the team attempting to pass it off as a "retirement," tarnishes the concept of "The Steelers Way?"
2. The range of differing opinions over the underlying wisdom behind Todd Haley's hire is as wide as the parting of the Red Sea. Do you agree or disagree that Todd Haley is the man to lead the Steelers offense?
3. Given the age of James Farrior, Larry Foote, and James Harrison, the arrested development of Lawrence Timmons, and what we've seen of Stevenson Sylvester and Jason Worilds how high of a priority should linebacker be for the Steelers?
4. Massive free agent defections are no longer a staple of Steelers off seasons as they once were in the 1990's, still its rare when you can keep everyone you want. If you had to pick one Steelers free agent, other than Rod Woodson, that you wish hadn't gotten away, who would that be?
5. The Steelers are renegotiating contracts with players they signed to long-term deals with reckless abandon. Are you concerned that they might be setting themselves up for a Salary Cap disaster?
There you go, have at it folks!
Five Burning Questions: Steelers 'Down But Not Defeated' Edition
by Hombre de Acero on Jan 11, 2012 3:43 PM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
As disappointing as the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff loss was, I concur with Dale Lolley that Pittsburgh's latest loss on the road against the Broncos Mile High represents a microcosm of the Steelers 2011 season. Pittsburgh had all of the elements of greatness, but just couldn't muster them at the right time.
So be it.
The Steelers face a lot of tough decisions in the off season, and there's no better way to get the debate surrounding those decisions started than with the 2011 season's final Five Burning Questions "Down But Not Defeated" Edition.
1. To their credit no one on the South Side would agree publicly, but had the Steelers won they'd have been without without Casey Hampton, Max Starks, and Bret Keisel and possible Chris Kemoeatu and Doug Legursky; did the Steelers in effect get "lucky" by not to have to face New England with such a depleted roster?
Steelers Loss to Broncos Serves as Microcosm
The Steelers playoff loss to the Broncos at Mile High was a tremendous disappointment by any measure.
Lots of factors went into the defeat, but when you take the good, bad, and the ugly into account, the game in many ways served as a Microcosm for the entire season.
From 1989 to 2011 - A Unique Steelers-Broncos Playoff Rematch
by Hombre de Acero on Jan 7, 2012 3:40 PM EST
in Steelers Pregame Coverage
on Behind the Steel Curtain
It surprises people outside the United States to learn that football has replaced baseball as the national pastime. Of course, many reasons explain football's popularity, but stock answer is that the National Football League is one of the best marketed products in the US.
Marketing, at its core, is about story telling, and the NFL has masterfully told its tale with NFL Films serving as its minstrel. Behind the legendary voices of John Facenda and Harry Kalas, NFL Films narrated pro football so eloquently that generations of NFL fans never needed of YouTube or NFL.com to visualize their favorite history-making moments.
Packaging means nothing, however, absent a compelling story.
Post-season battles between the Steelers and Broncos several compelling stories, but tides of history have converged make this one match up a little different from the rest.
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5 Burning Questions Steelers vs. Broncos Wild Card Edition
by Hombre de Acero on Jan 4, 2012 9:00 AM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
The Cincinnati Benglas failed to take care of business (no surprise there) but the Steelers victory over the Browns gave them a 12-4 record more than gets them into the playoffs. It also gives us plenty of material for our 5 Burning Questions Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos Wild Card Edition.
Forget about 13-9, The Steelers Finished Strong vs. the Browns
Dedicated cynics can gripe about the 4 point difference, but the Pittsburgh Steelers finished strong vs. the Cleveland Browns for many reasons.
The REAL Importance of the Steelers Browns Game
If we were to "add style points" and plot the course of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 season there would be a lot more zig-zags than their 11-4 record suggests.
The Steelers would do well to take advantage of their upcoming game vs. the Browns to change that.
5 Burning Questions in the Wake of the Steelers Shut Out of St. Louis
by Hombre de Acero on Dec 28, 2011 10:30 AM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
Pittsburgh's 27-0 Shut Out of the St. Louis Rams was quite a nice present Christmas present on behalf of the franchise to the faithful in Steelers Nation. But even such a victory as this has left us with plenty of material for this week's installment of the 5 Burning Questions.
5 Burning Question in the Wake of the Steelers Loss to San Francisco
by Hombre de Acero on Dec 23, 2011 2:30 PM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers loss to the San Francisco 49ers was a bitter pill to swallow, perhaps even more bitter of a pill than the loss to Baltimore at Heinz Field because this game gave them a chance to atone for that last minute meltdown.
Steelers Go Splat vs. San Francisco
The Steelers had a golden opportunity to leap ahead of Baltimore and New England by beating the 49ers.
Taking advantage of that opportunity came down to the decision to play Ben Roethlisberger or not and Mike Tomlin quite simply made the wrong decision and then was unwilling or unable to adjust.
The Steelers History vs. the 49ers
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers are two of the NFL's most storied franchises.
Click here for a look at some of their marquee match ups from the Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin eras.
Seeing that Justice Is Not Blind in Roger Goodell's NFL....
Justice is supposed to be blind... If it were only that way in the NFL. James Harrison's hit on Colt McCoy was illegal, but the Goodell's punishment is precident smashing.
Watch video (if you can get there before the NFL's lawyers force You Tube to take it down) comparing Harrison's hit with the last pre-wistle hit to draw a suspension 25 years ago.
Five Burning Questions: Steelers Enter Final Three Weeks of 2011 Season with New Set of Challenges
by Hombre de Acero on Dec 14, 2011 10:55 AM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
Only a week has passed, but in that time the Steelers eked out an ugly victory against the Browns, Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey are dealing with injuries, and James Harrison has been suspended. The bright side to all of the bad news is its given us plenty of fodder for this week's Five Burning Questions on the Steelers.
1. In contrast to his unqualified backing of Ryan Clark, Mike Tomlin's support for James Harrison in the face of his suspension was tepid at best. What do you think his behind the Tomlinator's change of tone if not in fact his change of heart?
2. You are Mike Tomlin. It's Monday afternoon. To make it interesting, let's say the Ravens have lost to San Diego. Ben Roethlisberger insists he's can play, but your medical staff is divided. Do you risk further injury or go for the playoff bye?
3. Earlier this season, Neal Coolong wrote convincingly about "The Myth of the Number One Receiver." Do you agree and, if not, who do you think is now the Steelers number one receiver, Antonio Brown or Mike Wallace?
4. Time to revisit Ivan Cole's "Lake Effect" but this time with a twist. Both Ray Horton and Carnell Lake are members of the Dick LeBeau coaching tree, but no one can dispute that players like Keenan Lewis, William Gay, and arguably Ryan Mundy have improved tremendously this year. Do you think this just reflects something positive about Lake or should it count as a negative against Horton?
5. Until the early ‘90's, NFL teams could take people on and off injured reserve. Rules changed because, as Sports Illustrated chronicled, teams like Washington had earned themselves the name the "Redshirts" by stashing healthy players on IR. With a number of teams starting third string QB's and other high-profile injuries, do you think its time for the NFL to revisit that rule?
Have at it folks, but please, do try to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact as you debate this weeks Five Burning Questions because we won't want Roger Goodell to spoil our fun...
Five Burning Questions: Steelers -- Browns, Past and Present Edition
by Hombre de Acero on Dec 7, 2011 4:08 AM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
It's a short week, so let's move the questions up a bit in anticipation of the Steelers (9-3) Thursday night meeting with the rival Cleveland Browns (4-8).
1. The NFL is a passing league and the Steelers are a passing team. Ok, with that out of the way, did it or did it not stir something in your soul to see the Steelers pound in not one, but two runs from inside the red zone?
2. In a previous edition, I asked about Troy Polamalu playing so close to the line of scrimmage. In the Bludgeoning of the Bengals he was covering deep for most of the game. Why did the coaches make the change and what does it mean?
Cincinnati Fails Gut Check, Steelers Pounce
After the Bengals photo finish losses to the Steelers and Ravens, Marv Lewis thought his men were ready to compete for the AFC North crown.
Alas, when the Bengals reached gut check time at Heinz Field they flinched, and the Steelers pounced upon them with a passion.
Five Burning Questions: Steelers Escape Arrowhead, Set up Showdown with Cincinnati Edition
by Hombre de Acero on Nov 30, 2011 8:56 AM EST
in Five Burning Questions
on Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers performance at Arrowhead Stadium had more of an escape quality to it than that of a victory. The bright side of it is that is that it's given us plenty of combustion to fuel our "5 Burning Questions."
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After the Chiefs game Casey Hampton down played the closeness of the contest and asserted "You know, when we get it all together, it's going to be scary." Do you agree with Hampton's "scary" comment or do games like the Escape at Arrowhead merely scare you?
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A few weeks ago yours truly asked Gerry Dulac on PG Plus if the Steelers might be skirting NFL rules by diagnosing "concussion like symptoms" and Dulac said in no uncertain terms that the Steelers would never do that. Now, Mike Florio is suggesting that the Steelers are in fact being deceptive. Who do you believe?
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Leaving concussion vs. concussion-like symptoms nuances aside, Troy Polamalu's head injuries are mounting. Do you agree with ESPN that he should be considering retirement?
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Our much beloved Michael Bean took Emmanuel Sanders to task for his lackluster kickoff returns. However, Sanders averaged 25 yards and change last year returning kicks, far better than his 18 yard and change Sunday night. Two weeks readers suggested that the absence of Arnaz Battle was the real cause for the slipping of the Steelers kick coverage units. So is what ailed the Steelers kickoff units other than the presence of Sanders or the absence of Battle?
- So, if Arnaz Battle is healthy next week and dresses, does that make Hines Ward a healthy scratch?
Have at it folks. Remember, unlike high school spelling and punctuation mean nothing -- its only your ideas that count!
Lessons from the Steelers Escape at Arrowhead
The Steelers victory over the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't pretty at all, but if nothing else it should leave the team with a very important lesson.
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