How to Blow a Game 101 – Steelers vs. Giants

I’m speechless… well, not really or I wouldn’t be posting to the Blog today but I am extremely disappointed at yesterday’s game. The defense did what they needed to do until the last 4 minutes. Everyone stepped up for the most part because of players dropping like flies and as I stated yesterday, mistakes would be the key to losing this game.

Oh boy were there mistakes… 4 interceptions, 5 sacks, knocked down 15 times and Ben looked like a deer in the headlights most of the day. Injuries happen and it’s part of the game so the long snapper deal should never happen, there needs to be someone there to backup Warren if he’s hurt. That one play cost us the game. Yes, that play turned things around for the Giants who were struggling on offense the entire game.

Our defense held them to 4 field goals the entire game and after the safety looked like an entirely different team, they let Manning march down field and score. We still had a chance but the play calling after we got the ball back was crazy.

There were some highlights to this game but after a loss like this, it’s hard to point them out. Let’s just say there are many players that need to get healthy and this home game stretch is crucial for us. We must win home games, that’s a given.

We have complete control of the division but we need to stay on top with big wins and for goodness sakes, play mistake free football!

Pat

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Super Bowl Preview against the Giants?

This week’s game is going to be huge and could be a preview for this year’s Super Bowl. I’m very excited about this game and for a couple of reasons. The first is we are playing at home, second we are the underdog going into this game and all the experts are picking the Giants to win. This team plays well when they are backed into a corner so, it’s the perfect scenario.

I was out of the country on business last week and missed the game against the Bengals but I did see highlights of the game. Here’s what I see are the keys to beating the Giants.

Offense
1. Protect Ben – that’s a given but the offensive line has stepped up over the last 2 games and it has showed.
2. Run the Ball Well- this is huge for a few reasons, it keeps the Giant offense off the field, controls the time of possession and keeps our defense rested and ready to hit.
3. No Turnovers – do not give Manning and the Giants any points off turnovers

Defense
1. Pressure Manning – Eli is much like his brother and needs time and doesn’t like to be hit, he will also make mistakes once he’s hit a few times, so hit him early and often
2. Control Plaxico Burress – Plax is going to be pumped for this game and want to score and make big plays against his former team, so keep him away from the ball.

These are critical to winning this game as well as the usual, stop the run, no big plays on special teams and play mistake free football. If we can play true Steeler football, we will win this game, if we make mistakes and allow big passing plays, it’s going to be a long day.

I watched the replay on NFL network yesterday of the 2004 game when we beat the Giants 33-30 and got pretty fired up watching it. We have to play a similar game to beat the Giants. Go Steelers!!

Pat Lovell

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Ryan Clark Fined for Hit on Matt Jones

I knew when they made such a big deal of this hit during the game and they even suggested that Clark would be fined for that hit. I watched over and over on DVR and you know what, he didn’t even make contact to the helmet, he hit him in the shoulder pads with his helmet.

What is this league coming to, are we going to switch to flag football and you can’t hit the QB and WR’s, should we give them ‘flags’ and players have to remove the flag and no hitting?

I am all for protecting defenseless players and the quarterback but come on, you have to let these guys play and hit each other!

I think Clark should file an appeal.

Source – Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Pat

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Great Game Against Jacksonville!

`The first thing I need to do is give Big Ben some credit, I’ve been busting his chops for the last few weeks. Big Ben played an incredible game and was one of the keys to winning this game. Great job Ben, The Steeler Fanatic and Steeler Nation appreciates the effort.

There were some other great contributors to this game, Mewelde Moore had a phenomenal game and really took the pressure off Ben and gave the O-Line some confidence. We really needed that boost. Hines Ward, Heath Miller, Nate Washington and Sanantonio Holmes all had great games making Ben’s job much easier.

The defense was on fire and despite some stupid penalties which cost us 2 touchdowns, they stopped the run and put the much needed pressure on Garrard. Dick LeBeau disguised the blitzes so well, no one knew he was blitzing. I heard Madden say at one point near halftime that Jacksonville thinks the Steelers have been blitzing on every play and they have only blitzed once…. that my friends is funny stuff.

John, John, John, just because we only put 5 men on the line of scrimmage and not 8 doesn’t mean we aren’t blitzing. Lay off the scotch and concentrate on the game. I guess we disguised our defensive schemes pretty well.

Overall, it was a well played game and with Baltimore losing, puts us in a great position going into a much needed Bye Week. Get some rest and everyone get healthy.

Go Steelers!

Pat Lovell

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

Steelers Head into Jacksonville Hurting..

The Steelers are heading into this game against Jacksonville with an injury report that’s bigger than the 700 Billion dollar bailout list of bank debt. Not quite that bad but we’re pretty beat up after the last two games.

Lately Jacksonville has had our number lately but I think we can beat them if we focus on a few key areas. 1. Keep Garrard in the pocket and don’t give him any extra time 2. Stop the run and 3. Protect Big Ben, if we can do this, we have a shot at winning this game.

I know the players have to have the end of last season replaying in their minds. We had 2 heart breaking losses last year at the end of the regular season and again in the playoffs. You know they are going to pressure Ben, that seems to be the consensus this year. Pressure Ben and he makes mistakes, that has to stop.

I know I’ve been hard on Big Ben this year but he makes a ton of bad decisions once the pocket collapses or his go to receiver is covered. Oh yeah, it’s not 100% Ben, the O-Line needs to take some of the responsibility as well, they have allowed 15 sacks already this year…. ouch.

The game is about to start, get out your terrible towels and start the cheer. Here we go Steelers, Here we go! Make Myron proud and get LOUD!

Pat

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.