SB Nation User Blog: steelguy99

Anthony Madison back on the Roster

steelguy99 — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:14:52 -0000

Anthony Madison back on the Roster

All day long Steeler Nation has been clamoring for Anthony Madison to be back on the roster, and now he is. Presumably this is a move to continue to unleash hell upon the special teams unit. Corey Ivy did a decent job this last week on special teams, but he recorded no tackles.

It is hard to say what the fix for the steelers is on special teams. However, it is worth noting that with Madison back the Steelers can (I believe) deploy a coverage unit exactly the same as one that they deployed last year.

The Butt-Flop Reverse

steelguy99 — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:06:12 -0000

I'd like to take this opportunity to diagnose a brilliant play design that Arians unleashed this week. Steelers nation often trashed him for his poor game plans and poor play calling, but I think it is clear that we are witnessing the emergence of a cutting-edge offensive mind. Lets break it down!

On 1st and 1, 3 WR set, 1 TE, 1 RB. For some reason the bears defense is thinking pass, and has 7 in the box. At the snap the WRs head down the field taking coverage off the LOS and opening up the running lanes.

A very well executed play by the O-line. On this "pass" they allow the bears front 4 to penetrate more than 5 yards into the backfield. The clear intention of tiring the D-line out and opening the reverse running lanes is performed precisely by the 6 guys blocking. The rushers are suckered in thinking they will be able to sack Ben, and they foolishly let Mendenhall slip out onto the flat.

The bears D-line is not quite tired out enough here, and after the ball is thrown they immediately start bearing down on Mendenhall. They begin taking angles that will enable them to pursue downfield. That's where the genious starts. 34 takes his cue and "slips" falling to the ground.

Mendenhall does a great job sitting on the sod, and all of the bears immediately have to change angles.

Make-em-miss Mendy sets these two schlubs up perfectly. Exhausted they fall to the ground being pursued by our expert blockers. The rest of the D-line is taken out of commission from behind by our stalwart front. Arians knew from the getgo that our blockers wouldn't be able to handle the front 4. This play sets them up by exhausting them then opening up holes that Mendenhall can see with his vision. Furthermore, it slides all of the coverage over to the left side of the field, and the bears are completely unaware that the run is designed to go all the way back to the other side for an easy first down.

You can see four bears defenders in this shot, clearly being smoked by the play and our O-line. Another few defenders are out of the screen to the bottom. The play is going just as designed at this point, lets see how it finishes up now that we have tricked 9 out of 11 defenders.

Mendenhall has a chance to break this one for a touchdown. But instead, he uses poor vision and a lack of "fight" and instead chooses to get tackled by three defenders. If Mendenhall had more heart like Moore I would expect this run to go the distance. It's not in the picture but I believe if you were to look upfield you would see Mike Wallace not putting any effort into his block. If he would have worked over that guy we might not have even had to rely on Mendy's vision.

I hope this breakdown gives a clear example of the exciting new plays we can expect to see in the future. All in all I am extremely impressed with the execution and design of this play. If we can use more of this type of trickery it can only help us win more games. It would be nice to be able to run straight-up more, but it was clear from this game that the O-line was completely unable to create gaps for running backs to run through. Fortunately, there are a lot devious things the steelers can do, like the Butt-Flop Reverse (BFR), that can take advantage of a defense that is dominating the matchups.

In honor of Brady's return to the NFL.

steelguy99 — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:57:13 -0000

In honor of Brady's return to the NFL.

Post Game Heroes has a nice screenshot of Logan as he is about to get into the pack on his return....

steelguy99 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:52:18 -0000

Post Game Heroes has a nice screenshot of Logan as he is about to get into the pack on his return.

As Dagger says: "please explain to me how he scores on this play"

Timmons in a walking boot. Says he'll play in opener, but couldn't guarantee it. Mild high ankle...

steelguy99 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:44:42 -0000

Timmons in a walking boot. Says he'll play in opener, but couldn't guarantee it. Mild high ankle sprain.

Wexell Twitter Feed

Smallest fanshot ever.

Entire Ravens Team Retires

steelguy99 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:44:50 -0000

Entire Ravens Team Retires

Not quite, but drew bennett did.

More T-Rex O-line

steelguy99 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:29:40 -0000

More T-Rex O-line

"Man, those arms are looking short."

Got to love Tomlin.

Larry Foote Officially Released

steelguy99 — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:22:43 -0000

Larry Foote Officially Released

No really, this time it is official. Unfortunately, the steelers were unable to exchange Foote for a draft pick. This may be because no one offered a pick good enough, or because the steelers were just being a swell organization and letting Foote go wherever he chooses for a new contract.

Shipley and Estermeyer impress

steelguy99 — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:54:19 -0000

Shipley and Estermeyer impress

I know one is a long-snapper, but...

Anyone think it is coincidence that Shipley's locker is next to Hartwig and Estermeyer's is next to Warren? Who gives a potential backup LS a real locker and Ziggy Hood a temporary one? Tomlin is a huge jerk, and I love him for it.

2010 FAs post-draft, Contract Extensions?

steelguy99 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:21:17 -0000

Commenting on the Larry Foote post, I thought about revisiting what the steelers free agency is going to look like next year. As we all know, the steelers are generally in the business of signing extensions to players they would like to keep who are going to be free agents the next year. I am curious what people think about the likelihood of extensions though.

With the draft it seems clear that the steelers are looking to get younger at certain positions. These positions are also ones that have key players coming up for FAship next year. No one will expect our draft picks to step into roles this year, but I wonder how much their potential impact in 2010 will prevent the steelers from signing contract extensions to those they may replace?

Here is the list of free agents and what potentially could happen with them. I'd love to hear everyone else's guesses regarding the outcomes. Some of these seem like no-brainers, others are much trickier.

Charlie Batch - UFA - Signed a one-year contract this year. Likely to be jettisoned after this year if Dixon shows enough, certainly will not be extended this year.

Willie Parker - UFA - Has a corral of RBs behind him. Depending on how the others do this year Parker may be resigned next year, but I don't see an extension happening.

~~Hines Ward~~

Heath Miller - UFA/RFA - If next year is uncapped Miller can be tagged as an RFA. Still, I see it in the steelers best interest to get Miller inked to a long-term deal at a modest TE salary. I don't think Miller is the type of TE that will get big money elsewhere, but for the steelers he is money.

Matt Spaeth - RFA - I believe the steelers will look to replace Matt Spaeth, but if not will tender him. I don't see an extension coming this year.

Jeff Reed - UFA - There are plenty of kickers in the NFL. Reed is a proven commodity. I expect the steelers will try to extend him this off-season for a reasonable price, assuming he doesn't destroy the steelers paper-towel dispenser.

Danny Sepulveda - RFA - A punter we will want to hang on to. Next year we may offer him a contract instead of tendering, but that will depend on this year. Certainly won't extend this year.

Justin Hartwig - UFA - Stumped on this one. Hartwig is not amazing but is not bad. He has Stapleton developing behind him. Maybe he sticks around next year, but I don't see him being extended this off-season.

Darnell Stapleton - RFA - No need to extend now.

Casey Hampton - UFA - Casey is wearing down and getting slower and fatter. Unfortunately for the steelers his backup is aging as well, and there really is no one in the wings to take over for him. I think he is too old to get an extension, and I'm guessing he is franchised next year, as there are teams that would kill for a 3-4NT, even an older one.

Brett Keisel - UFA - Brett is a solid if unspectacular player, but there will be a lot of teams that wouldn't mind his services. The steelers have drafted his potential replacement but won't know much about Ziggy during this off-season. I'm sure the steelers would like to have Keisel stick around as a starter or for depth. I have a hard time believing the steelers and Brett can come eye-to-eye on his worth in this off-season. I think Brett will want more money next year than the steelers will offer him in a long-term extension, and I don't believe he'll get extended.

~~James Harrison~~

William Gay - RFA - No need to extend this off-season, may see him get inked next year instead of RFA'd depending on his performance.

Deshea Townsend - UFA - Townsend will be 35 next year, way too old. Drafted two CBs this year. For depth though I could see the steelers offering him a low-money extension, and I could see Deshea taking it. I don't think it will happen though, as the steelers can wait until next year on this one. Townsend isn't going to be in line for big money next year ala McFadden.

Tyrone Carter - UFA - Carter is getting older and is already slow. There are potential replacements on the roster. I think Carter will be a lot like Townsend - the steelers would like to have him, but not much reason to work on an extension.

Ryan Clark - UFA - Tricky one especially with Carter coming up at the same time. If Clark or Carter are not signed you are relying on unproven guys to come in and be both starters and depth. I can see the steelers trying to get Clark signed for a reasonable amount. Clark will have demand on the open market. Even if Mundy or Lewis has a good year, do you really want to rely on them to start next year?

Anthony Madison - UFA/RFA - Will not be extended, maybe tendered next year depending on this year.