I had a bad feeling this morning. My wife and I had plans to watch the game with some good friends at a local Pittsburgh watering hole, and as I was getting dressed before we left I noticed my wife eyeing up my lucky Hines Ward jersey with a disapproving look. Apparently, the fact that I have not washed the jersey in eight (8) years, coupled with the numerous stains (beer, mustard, ketchup, tobacco, etc), caused her to become consumed with "disgust." I was informed, rather rudely I might add, that my "stupid" jersey had nothing to do with the outcome of the game and that she would not be caught dead in public with me wearing that "disgusting shirt." Alas, I sheepishly trounced back to my closet and found my white Polamalu jersey and we were on our way. I explained to my wife, for approximately 22 of the 25 minutes of our ride into Pittsburgh, that our actions (in reality, HER actions) would ruin the Steelers' nation today and cause us to suffer an embarrassing defeat in Tampa. Amazingly, the Steelers were able to pull out a win even without my lucky jersey. However, I do believe that this was a fortunate roll of the dice, and I promise the Steelers, and the entire Steelers' nation, that my Hines jersey will be back in business in Heinz Field next week against the hated Ravens. My thoughts on today's game are below.
THE GOOD
Charlie Batch: You would be hard pressed to find a better story than Mr. Batch in the NFL right now. The Steel Valley, Pennsylvania native has been a trusted and loyal Steelers teammate for the past 50 years. Ok, ok, it's only been eight (8) years but it sure does feel like 50, doesn't it? Prior to training camp, Charlie was nothing more than an afterthought. I honestly believe he was invited to training camp for no other reason than that everyone likes him. He was listed at fourth on the depth chart and was a VERY, VERY long shot to even make the final roster. However, as fate would have it, Charlie became our Week 3 starter and, for the most part, he was very, very good. While his play certainly wasn't good enough to cause a QB controversy, he was efficient and mistake free (with the exception of two (2) ugly INTs). If anything, Charlie cemented himself as next week's starter against the Baltimorons and may have made a strong case for himself as the #2 QB moving forward.
Rashard Mendenhall: I mentioned last week that I expected Mendenhall to get his yards this week and he certainly did not disappoint. 19 carries for 143 yards and 1 TD is the type of stat-line that many of us expected to see on a consistent basis when Mendenhall was taken with the 23rd pick of the 2008 NFL draft. While this type of performance hasn't come as often as I'd like to see from Rashard, he certainly seems to be coming into his own as a premier tailback. I expect a big year from this guy, and many more stat-lines like we saw today (just probably not next week).
*As an aside, I truly hope that Bruce Ariens is learning from these three (3) weeks without Roethlisberger. Obviously, it is a luxury to have a QB who can gun-sling it around the field. However, if anything, these past three (3) weeks have reinforced the longstanding notion that a good running game is the way to win games with a lead in the second half.
Brett Keisel: The mountain man doesn't get too much recognition, despite being a supremely important cog in the Steelers defensive line. However, he got some sweet face time today. After intercepting a deflected pass, Keisel did his best James Harrison impression and "bumbled and stumbled" 79 yards for a Steelers TD. It was his first career INT and TD.
Pretty much everything: I could seriously add another 15 items to this list. The D was awesome again today. Wallace had a beautiful game. The special teams did a great job. The game plan and in-game decision making was excellent. Almost a perfect team game for the Steelers.
THE BAD
Charlie Batch: It's quite an accomplishment for Charlie to end up in both The GOOD and the BAD sections of this blog. Maybe, I'll throw him in the UGLY section also because, lets face it, Charlie is an ugly dude. ANYWAYS, if the Steelers have any hopes of beating the hated Ravens next week and starting the season 4-0, Charlie must avoid the potentially game changing interceptions that he threw today. On one hand, Charlie is our 4th string QB and you expect mistakes like that. On the other hand, he is a 13 year veteran who is widely considered one of the smartest players in the NFL. After getting his feet wet this week, and having two (2) weeks running with the first team in practice, I am holding him to a much higher standard next week. If he throws two (2) INTs against the Ravens, we lose.
IKE: This dude couldn't catch a cold in Alaska. If he caught half of his INT opportunities he would be an ALL PRO every year. I think we just need to accept him for what he is. He's a good cover man, great tackler, and horrible pass catcher.
Pretty much nothing: As I previously mentioned, this was a GREAT all-around game by the Steelers. It was tough to come up with anything for this section. Other than a few somewhat sustained drives by the Bucs, the D was flawless again. The offense was about as good as anyone could have hoped for in Ben's absence. And the Special Teams coverage and return units did a great job today. If the Steelers can repeat this performance on a consistent basis they will be very difficult to beat this year.
THE UGLY
CBS: In the year 2010 there is NEVER, EVER, EVER an excuse for anyone in Pittsburgh to EVER miss one play of a Steelers game on television. Because of "technical difficulties" the entire city of Pittsburgh missed the opening kickoff of the game. This gaffe by CBS likely caused about 40 heart attacks in the (412) area code. Thanks CBS. I hate you.
The ENTIRE NATIONAL MEDIA (except Peter King): Coming into the season almost every single member of the national media left the Steelers for the dead due to the loss of Large Benjamin for the first four (4) games. Well, well, well... after three (3) weeks the Steelers sit atop the AFC North with a 3-0 record. It amazes me how quickly media members can forget how good this defense is with a healthy Aaron Smith and Polamalu. You like apples? We got a 3-0 start! How do you like 'dem apples?
Other random thoughts:
- The final home game for the Pirates today was at 12:35pm. Good planning, although I would expect nothing less from our Buccos.
- Jim Furyk won the FedEx Cup title today. 4 people watched. Golf needs Tiger to be good again.
- The Falcons beat the Saints in New Orleans today. I'm not saying, I'm just saying...
- Mike Vick is amazing. 2 years in the slammer and he's better than ever. Say what you will about the dog killer, but he sure looks poised to take the Eagles on a playoff run this year. Next week should be interesting when Donovan comes back to the City of Brotherly Love.
- Speaking of next week, did you know that Ray Lewis is a murderer and/or accomplice who ratted out his buddies to avoid jail time? Unfortunately, due to Ben's actions, Baltimoron fans will now have a quick comeback. In any event, I HATE THE RAVENS.
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