I read a post from TheCommish that got me thinking about good old number 83.  I'm totally bummed about last week and how Heath had such a great game but had that drop that led to disaster.  Overall I'm thrilled with his performance thus far in 2009. TheCommish said:

What more would you like to see from Heath

He has already surpassed his season totals for all of 2008?

Heath Miller

2008 Season
48 rec 514yrds 10.7yrds/rec 3tds

2009
54rec 492 9.1yrds/rec 5tds although he does have one fumble and a tip leading to an int

I had an idea about Heath's increased production this year. I figured as the offense throws more he will get more action.  The two should have a positive correlation.

So by my calculations Miller has had an 80% increase in catches per game, a 53% increase in yards per game and a whopping 167% increase in touchdowns per game compared to last year!  How much has the passing increased in total?  Only 27% per game.  So Heath has increased in production per game significantly more than the passing game as a whole has.  That exceeded the expectations I had before the Excel fun I just enjoyed.  To bad all the analytics I do for work aren't on cool stuff like that. Even though he caused a game-changing interception last week I still dig Heath.  The guy is money and to read this in the PG the other day shows what a competitor he is even after that pick:

Miller was so upset that he didn't sit with his teammates on the bench during the Chiefs' possession that followed. He stood on the sideline with his helmet on.

"It's disappointing because I want to be a guy who, when I get a chance to make a play to help this team, I make it," Miller said, still despondent 20 minutes after the game, probably moreso than anyone in the losing locker room. "Generally, we didn't do the things a good offense does. But I can only speak for myself. I was way below the standard today. That's unacceptable."

He looked as if he were going to cry.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09328/1015832-87.stm

 

Man to say he's below the standard when he had one of the best games of his career!  YES IT IS ABOUT WINNING NOT STATS AND HEATH GETS IT.  He's helped the Steelers win quite a few if my memory serves me.

via media3.washingtonpost.com

via alt.coxnewsweb.com

via thecityofchampions.files.wordpress.com

I thought I would share some thoughts on recent articles I've read on the PPG and elsewhere regarding the fines that Steelers players and others receive from the NFL when they break the rules.  I have a bad feeling this may become a recurring topic for Steelers fans as the season progresses.  First off Hines Ward discusses the hit he provided to Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers.

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward on the NFL's new blocking rules: "If I get another opportunity to hit somebody, I'm going to take it. 

No, I'll still hit him, I'll just get fined," Ward said. "It's either that or try to hurt somebody. So you either fine me or you want me to end someone's career. I'd rather take a fine than end someone's career, so I'm not going to change."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09267/1000425-66.stm

Now I've heard the cinci fans crying about this hit, and I've heard all the empty threats from ravens fans and players, and I've seen Hines' smiling face after he gets first down after first down en route to big Ws.  I totally agree that he shouldn't change his playing style, and his willingness to take fines shows his devotion to the team, but what about any flags that might be thrown?  That doesn't lead to positive yardage.  This is a tough question to answer.   Thanks NFL for taking joy from our lives.

via pittsburgh-blitz.com

Here's a link to some standard issue Cincinnati jaw flapping on the topic:

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/9/23/1052283/hines-says-that-he-would-hit

Next up Carson Palmer's opinion:

Palmer told the media in a conference call yesterday that it was "actually unfortunate for Hines to go through what he went through because he was just playing football."

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09267/1000425-66.stm

Thanks Carson.  As of today I now have a very small shred of respect for you. But I still haven't forgotten the sour grapes you had after your beating in the playoffs in 2005.  Yeah yeah, cry me a river, Kitna performed just as well as you would have.  If you don't want you knee broke don't let people wipe their shoes with the Towel.

Next up is appalling news from the events in the windy city on Sunday:

Steelers safety Tyrone Carter said this morning he was fined $5,000 by NFL officials for his open-field hit Sunday on Chicago tight end Greg Olsen, a penalty he plans to appeal and a charge of leading with his helmet that he vigorously denies.

"Yeah, they banged me for the hit. $5,000. Unreal," said Carter, "He was a big-target receiver, he's like 6-6 or something like that. Here I am 5-9. How am I going to hit a guy 6-6 in the head? And I got hurt on the play. It's crazy. But that's what they said and that's what they fined me for, but I can't let that stop me how I play the game.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09267/1000509-66.stm

I know the Nation is not thrilled with Carter's quotes about how he should have taken himself out of the game before Little Jay Cutler banged in 6 right in his face.  That play may have cost the Steelers their vengeance for the whupping that the man-child laid on the Steelers @ Mile High in prime time in 2007.  But to hear that Tyrone is getting fined for a great play like that makes me sick.  The NFL is a physical sport!  That's why people watch it!  Defenses need to be able hit people to jar catches loose.  Sorry NFL if that makes for lower scoring games and less catches for the slack-jawed masses to enjoy.  Are you new here?  Big Hits are where it's at!

Don't worry Tyrone, I remember meeting you in the lobby of the Continental during SB week.  I still love you.

via cache.daylife.com

Next let's look over at the detestable Cowboys and the very questionable Flozell Adams.

Dallas Cowboys tackle Flozell Adams was fined for the second week in a row after tripping New York "Football" Giants Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora during Sunday's loss in Dallas. Adams was fined $12,500 for both incidents ... which led to Tuck's shoulder injury

Tuck and Adams have spouted a few words at each other sync. Tuck called the trip "bush league," to which Adams replied, "Tell him to stay up, it ain't my fault."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/260650-flozell-adams-fine-but-was-it-enough

It ain't your fault?  Wow.  Ok, so if you hit a guy while on defense to knock a ball out you get a fine.  If you are an O lineman and trip someone, which is a totally blatant violation, and actually knock the player out of the game, that deserves the same punishment?  This is a mockery of justice in my opinion. Spare me with the difference in the fine amounts, the difference is quite immaterial to those in these players' salary range.  If anything Carter's was much worse because I presume he makes a fraction of what the Cowboy's tackle makes.  Fozell is a repeat offender who cheats to make plays and gets away with it.  And we have to hear people cry about Hines and Harrison when they make physical plays.

To sum up all this bitching, I just want to say this.  My favorite part of the NFL is the brutality.  To paraphrase James Harrison, I like to see people get hurt.  Not injured, but hurt.  The NFL is going down the wrong path with all of these fines and rules.  If they keep in this direction I see only wussier and wussier games.  Our own Zen master warrior said it best himself "[football] just loses so much of its essence when it becomes like a pansy game."

...

Continue reading this post »

Reports say Browns QB Brady Quinn out for season

By TOM WITHERS – 8 hours ago

CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns quarterback Brady Quinn will miss the remainder of Cleveland's season with a broken right index finger he made worse by playing on Sunday, according to several reports.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iqhpCOXtoE0K9fKXRN8be_XisJtQD94MDPU80

also,

Browns GM Savage apologizes for e-mail expletive

By TOM WITHERS – 5 days ago

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage has apologized to a fan for sending a profane e-mail following Monday night's game against the Buffalo Bills.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jT2-yvSj_OMfjwiQ3G439l1CVKOAD94J1E580

 

to savage:

 

"You are easily the worst GM in the NFL. Chud, Crennel and Tucker should
NOT have jobs. How the hell do you play prevent defense the entire
game? How do you NOT use Jerome Harrison more? Why the hell would you
throw the ball with 6 minutes left? This is officially a regime that is
worse than Butch Davis'. By the way, just like last week - this email
was written while the Browns still had the lead."

 

from savage:

 

"Go root for Buffalo-f#@* you-"