I think I have heard it all in the last few weeks as losses bring out worst in everybody.  Why, seems to be the most popular question.  Arians, Special Teams, Tomlin, and no Troy seem to be the most popular answers.  Well I have heard it all.  In my annual trip to the Burgh last week against Cincy I even heard some Steelers fans mutter “we should have put in Batch” as I left.  This is the reason why they were sitting in the seats and not standing on the sidelines.  Let’s look at some numbers.

Ninth in the NFL in total defense and 7th in the NFL in total offense; sound like a playoff team?  Nope, that’s an 8-8 2006 Steelers squad that was 28th in turnover differential.

This year we are 6th in total offense and number one overall in total defense.  Does that sound like a playoff team?  Well we are -5 in turnover differential which is good for 27th in the league.  The answer is No with that turnover diff.

Arians is not fumbling, Tomlin has not dropped any ints, Special Teams well?, and the D is number one overall without Troy.  I have heard Debo is not performing. He is third in the NFL in sacks!  2008’s team was 7-3 with an even TO diff through 11 weeks last season.  We closed +10 to finish the season which includes +6 in the playoffs.  Last year and this year’s teams both forced 14 takeaways through 11 weeks.

In the NFL the difference between winning and losing comes down to a few plays regardless of who is on the field.  A bad spot here and a missed tackle there can be costly, but nothing is more costly than the turnovers.  Luck played its role in last years championship. We were not perfect or an all time great.  You can look for all the solutions and anecdotes you would like to solve the problems.  It is simple to me, create turnovers and hold on to the ball we win, turn it over like we have and we lose!

I will quote florio from profootballtalk.com today.  Two good reads.

 

Steelers put Frank Summers on IR, bring back Carey Davis Posted by Mike Florio on September 29, 2009 4:39 PM ET

With running back Frank Summers out for the year, the Pittsburgh Steelers have brought a familiar face back to the 'Burgh.

Carey Davis has been added to the roster, taking the place of Summers, who is no on IR.

Summers was a fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft.  He played in the first two games of the year, but sat out Sunday's loss to the Bengals with a back injury.

Davis spent 2006 through 2008 with the Steelers.  He plays tailback and fullback, and he has returned kicks. 

 

Sweed, Mendenhall on notice in Pittsburgh Posted by Tom Curran on September 29, 2009 3:28 PM ET

The two players taken at the top of the Steelers 2008 draft are catching a significant amount of heat from head coach Mike Tomlin.

On Sunday, former first-round running back Rashard Mendenhall didn't take an offensive snap. Mendenhall, Tomlin explained, "wasn't on the details" in the days leading up to the game.

Limas Sweed, a second-rounder last year, did take an offensive snap. And allowed a touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to squirt out of his grasp when he hit the ground in the end zone.

According to Scott Brown in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Tomlin was asked today if Sweed could lose his spot to Shaun McDonald, who's been inactive the first three games. "Absolutely," was Tomlin's reply.

Not a lot of gray area there.

As for Mendenhall, Tomlin cuffed down the notion that he's in the "doghouse."

"A doghouse is something you have when you let things stew," said Tomlin. "I tend to take action and I'm done with it."

The third player the Steelers took in that 2008 draft, linebacker Bruce Davis, has already been released. In other words, it's not looking like a bumper crop of players. To put it mildly.

I read a great post by Blitz yesterday in which he cited Tunch Ilkin that things change every 4 games in the NFL.  This is an interesting point which I half heartedly agree with.  I wanted to take a look at our last 4 games and what I have noticed the most about the Steelers during this stretch.  Without dissecting every little aspect of every game, and every play call there is one glaring issue that pops out.  Our 4th quarter performances have been Lions-esque.  The Steelers dating back to Superbowl XLIII have been outscored in the 4th quarter, are you ready, 40-10.  That is hardly championship caliber.

We were in control and dominating most of those games with the exception of an 0-3 Titans team which was playing us to a stale mate.  The Steelers were in full control of the Superbowl 20-6 before being outscored 16-7 in the final period, oh what a special 7 it was!  The Steelers were dominating a14-7 game at Chicago last week before being outscored 10-0 in the 4th.  Yesterday against Cincinnati as we all know it was 20-9 before being outscored 14-0 again in the 4th.  All of these games could have been blowouts instead we took our foot off the gas and turned them into games going 2-2 with a miracle win in that stretch.  I would have liked to see us turn the tables in those 4th quarters and have beaten Arizona 36-13, Chicago 24-7, and Cincy 34-9.  Those would have been the scores if we outscored our opponents they way they did to us.  We would be the cream of the crop if that was the case instead the Steelers always have developed naysayers and doubters in the media.  We are the best team in the league after 45 minutes of football, too bad this is a 60 minute game.  Oh, and one last point before getting to everybody’s reasoning for these collapses.  Last year 11-5 was not good enough to get in the playoffs in the AFC!  We need to close 11-2.

 

I woke up Sunday morning in the comfort of mid September 80 degree weather Florida style, when I was headed in for the night I was surrounded by the black and gold comfort from Steeler Nation in the damp and brisk streets of downtown Chicago.  What a day I truly must say. 

At 8am in Orlando's MCO airport I walked proudly wearing my #7 black Big Ben jersey.  As I was going through security, I noticed a few black and gold jersey’s speckled throughout the airport.  The security guy even busted my chops a little and I assured him he probably would see more Steeler fans wearing their colors than any.  He agreed and said that is true every NFL Sunday.  As I sat waiting at my gate I noticed several more “Steelers” walking by.  A few Ravens, Eagles, and Bears where in the house but Steeler Nation was already beginning to show their domination.

When I landed in Chicago’s Midway Airport, I came out of the tarmac eager to get to a cab and my hotel.  As I raced through the airport I received a few scouls as if to say “how dare you wear that in our town”.  Maybe the people who warned me were correct, I shouldn’t wear my jersey.  Boy was I wrong.  As my cab approached the Palmer House Hotel I noticed black and gold filling the streets.  Every corner and bar was filled with Steelers fans, where were all the Walter Payton jerseys.  I checked in and hit the lobby bar for a quick one, the lobby was full of Steelers fans every direction you looked.  I learned the Steelers Team had actually stayed there that night.  The bartender claimed that teams that had stayed in the hotel were 0-7, a bad omen of things to come.  I realized that most of the Bears fans wouldn’t be hanging out near all of the hotels, they would be in place near the stadium.  I was proud of the many Steelers fans that made the trip.

This was Chicago’s home opener and Jay Cutler’s first home game.  This was a tough ticket for anyone let alone for visitors with fewer connections.  Tickets were being scalped from $350-700 by brokers.  As I was walking towards the stadium (a beautiful one at that) I was enamored with the sea of black and gold parading in.  People were honking their horns and waiving their towels.  I felt like I was in downtown Pittsburgh.  I proceeded to walk into the north gate about an hour before kick off and continued to observe enormous amounts of Black and Gold.  Killing time before kickoff I toured the stadium, drank a few beers, and chatted with Steelers fans.  For someone traveling alone on a last minute business trip to Chicago in hostile territory I must say I was quite comfortable. 

An hour before kickoff:

Come kickoff the place was packed.  A few fireworks and an F16 fly over gave me goose bumps.  Steelers fans were everywhere.  I estimate Bears 60/40 or 65/35 on total fans.  Unheard of by anyone’s stretch of the imagination for the home owner of one of the most storied franchises in the history of the NFL.  Steeler Nation was alive and proud.  Ben’s first pass to number 83 the crowd erupted…HEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAATH.  Chicago fans new they were in for a tough one as did I.  The Bears fought hard for 60 minutes and pulled it out in electric fashion.  Only when Robby Gold nailed the winner did they start the trash talking (is their anything more annoying than the Bear’s fight song, it is comedy to watch).  The game was over and Chicago pulled a game that we gave away.  No excuses they won!

As I was exiting the stadium the now drunk and obnoxious fans began to heckle the Steelers fans.  They were truly pissed off and overwhelmed by the sheer amounts of us and they felt invaded.  Not a knock on them as they were pretty good sports all day long.  However, when they won they let us know .  Walking in the sea of people I began to reflect.  I was disappointed we lost but oh so proud.  So proud that Steelers Nation came into Chicago and totally dominated the scene.  We packed the bars and restaurants all day and night.  We all had a great time win or lose.  So when some drunk kid got in my face and started to shout, I said “Seriously, how could I be mad, I’m proud, as a Bears fan you won, I respect it, but you will never experience as a Bears fan what I did as a Steeler’s today….it’s called “Steeler Nation Domination”.

As for the Game:

We miss Troy badly

3rd or 4th and less than 3yards is a HUUUUGE problem.  Look at our sets and play calling.  4 and goal from half yard line was a rollout pass.  1st and Goal from the 1 was a bootleg.  3rd and short was empty backfields and 5 wide sets.  At the end of the game faced with 2nd and 5 we were in spread formation, next play 3rd and two we through to the endzone (should have been caught)

I am willing to give Skippy the benefit of the doubt (just this once).  It was raining, field and ball were wet, and the biggest factor of all the, field was resodded 5 days prior to kickoff.  That was a loose surface.

I will be in downtown Chicago for business next week and I plan on flying in Sunday early morning for the game.  Not sure if I am going in or not but I would appreciate some sound advice on local bars or Steeler tailgates at the game. 

As for the game I am anxious to see how many Steeler fans are present.  I have had the luxury of seeing the Black and Gold play throughout the country and I always get amped up when I see the Nation in full force at visiting venues.  Especially when the home team claims to have "the best fans".  I was delightfully surprised by the huge crowds at games I've attended in Dallas, San Diego, Jacksonville, Arizona, Tampa, and Miami.  Chicago fans have been telling me how great they are but I think they have no idea how many of us there will be.

 

Hind site is 20/20, but I am really wishing the Steelers would have taken at shot at the athletic phenomenon that is Michael Vick.  All the stars were lined up to make the move and we didn’t pull the trigger.  I have never viewed Vick as a starting NFL quarterback, but instead his potential should have been maximized as a player running, catching, and throwing balls; hell he could even return kicks.  The Steelers have always relied on gadgetry and trick plays. There certainly was room for him on our offense.  If the Dixon injury happens 2 weeks earlier he is probably wearing the black and gold.  My assessment of the QB position pre Dixon injury shows how we needed him.

Charlie Batch is well past his prime.  He should have retired following his season ending injury last year, which was only a 6-8 week injury if he was that valuable.  In fact his injury was a blessing in disguise last year because there is no way we beat Washington when Ben went down and that probably costs us the division to the Ravens.  Instead he decided to hang on for one more year and high jack the 2nd QB spot with  his experience which seemingly has been grandfathered to him year after year for no apparent reason.  He probably even has a coaching position on our staff if he retires.  Instead I have to watch him take valuable preseason snaps, waddle around the pocket, throw incomplete 5 yard check downs, and stare at that god awful face mask he wears.  Tell me if Ben was to go down with an inner ear infection that he is calling a brain aneurism that you would have been comfortable with Charlie Bizzell leading the way, no way!  Charlie is a poor mans Trent Green post concussion, which means he's worse than worse.

Now on to Dixon, as I do not yet know the full extent of his injury (weeks?, which shoulder?, separation degree?), but this kid is making some strides.  He was zinging the ball, moving around in the pocket, and using his legs when needed.  He undoubtedly should be the number 2 pre injury.  He needed to make some mistakes downfield to learn from but that comes with experience playing against starting defenses.  Tell me if Ben goes down with a broken rib that the medical staff does not know about that you wouldn’t be excited to unleash Denny Dixon on the rest of the league.  Dixon brings excitement, Batch brings despair.

What does this all mean?!  It means that Charlie Batch probably cost us Vick and Dixon.  We didn’t make a move on Vick because it probably would have meant cutting Charlie, who has been so loyal.  Also if Batch retired or would have been cut Denny Dix is the #2 and taking first team snaps and not playing 3 quarters with and against 2nd and 3rd teamers.  Would-a, should-a, could-a, but sometimes you need to sacrifice past their prime vets for upside and potential.  Again I say hind site is 20/20

Hello All!  Like many of you I am anxiously awaiting the beginning of the season as we put our 6th title to defense.  I have not been able to attend camp yet this year nor will I due to living in Florida.  I always like to go and make my own observations as I feel I have a good nose for talent or lack of.  Every day I have been surfing the net looking for the latest on the Team and most importantly the rookies and the young guys.  The player I am most concerned about is 2008's first round draft choice.  I have not heard much of anything about him and I am looking for some insight as to his progress.  The only things I seem to be reading are negative: poor vision, stuffed on goal line, fumbling problem, and his lack of support in the locker room last year.

I pose the question to all, surely there has to be some good scoop on this guy.  He was a RB selected in the 1st round!?  Tell me what you have and the observations you have made as I am very curious??