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Leave YOUR Writing on the Wall! Send your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent as well as your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game. Whether your message is a simple "Go Steelers" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it below.
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White Castle
The Steelers sacked Brad Johnson a whopping 10 times last season. Can they score a White Castle "sack of ten" again this year?
(Great line, Tommy Coleman!)
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Pressure, Pound, Protect
"Three P's" key to victory for Steelers
Article by McMillen & Wife
Folks, as the headline to this article auggests, what it takes to beat the Bucs is no big secret. The recipe is quite simple, really: eliminate turnovers, run effectively, and perhaps most importantly, pressure QB Brad Johnson. Unfortunately, knowing the Bucs' weaknesses and being able to exploit them are two very different things.
Forget about last year.
Don't fall into the "we sacked Johnson 10 times last year" trap. It's not gonna happen this time around. Admittedly, no one is going to mistake Brad Johnson for Brett Favre. But Johnson is very quietly having one heck of a season. His TD to INT ratio is outstanding: 22 TDs and only 6 Ints. If either one of our QBs had played that cleanly and effectively this season, we would've already assured ourselves of homefield advantage.
In light of this, it's no surprise that several ESPN pundits have suggested that the Bucs should try to spread us out. Let 'em. If the Bucs come out winging it, half the battle is won, because controlling time of possession is crucial in this one, and I don't think the Bucs have the weapons to successfully spread us out. Keyshawn Johnson is the most over-rated, under-achieving player in football, and the journeyman McCardle certainly is nothing to write home about. If they wanna try to spread us with those guys, I welcome it. The result will be Warren Sapp sucking wind with his hands on his hips by the end of the third quarter like he did last year.
What's the perfect compliment to any Terrible Towel?
McMillen and Wife's very own handmade
Steel City Soap!
(pictured above)
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Fact: Tampa Bay's chances of winning go down when Brad Johnson's pass attempts go up.
In spite of my earlier praise of Johnson, he is still the weak link in Tampa Bay's very hefty chain. As was the case last year, pressuring Johnson is the key. If you look back at the games Tampa has lost or struggled in this year, they've all come when Johnson has thrown 35 or so passes and gotten sacked three or more times. There no doubt in my mind the Pittsburgh defense, who is finally hitting its stride, has the firepower to force Johnson into that type of performance.
The way to get in Johnson's head isn't by simply blitzing the snot out of him. The first step is to force Tampa to abandon the run. Tampa's running game is very similar to ours with Pittman and Alstott delivering a pretty good one-two punch. Shutting them down early will help open the door to Johnson, especially if our offense can generate a few points and get the Bucs in catch-up mode.
Ah, but there's the rub.
Will we be able to score points against the vaunted Tampa defense?
With apologies to Richard Dawson, survey says: HOPE SO.
Look, there's no question that the Bucs have an outstanding defense, particularly up front. But decent teams with good running backs have definitely been able to run on them. Tampa Bay has allowed five 100-yard rushers this season. They did limit Ahman Green (Packers) to 56 yards, but that was primarily because Favre threw 4 Ints in that one, all but one a "huh?" pass (you know the type... the QB throws a pass right to a defender and you go, "Huh?!"). They also beat the Rams in week 3 when everyone was beating the Rams (Faulk was injured in the first quarter of that game).
But the two Deuces (McAllister & Staley) were able to run wild on 'em, combining for 360 yards rushing in Tampa's three losses. What's more, Tampa lost their primary run-stopper last week, nose tackle Anthony McFarland, to a broken foot. All of this bodes well for the Steelers, who definitely know how to run the ball. Obviously, the Steelers MUST run effectively, because Warren Sapp & Simeon Rice know a little something about sacking the QB.
The Steelers must protect Tommy... and the ball.
The best way to keep Sapp & Rice off of Maddox is for Tommy to simply hand the ball off. As I stated before, winning time of possession in this one is paramount. But Tommy is gonna have to hit a few nice passes early to keep the Bucs from snuffing Amos & Jerome. Obviously, our O-line vs. their D-line is a huge matchup. After all, if the O-line doesn't do it's job, well... there's always next week. But the most important matchup may actually be Maddox, Plax & Hines against Tampa's cover-2. CB Ronde Barber doesn't just make a good Visa commercial... the guy can play. His Int totals are way down this year, but he's a man Tommy better keep track of, because we can't afford another easy pick by a CB sitting on a hot route. I suspect we'll catch the Bucs ripe for a HUGE play-action pass or two Monday Night if we can get our running game going a little bit early on. Let's hope Tommy is finally back to his accurate, pre-injury ways and can make the throws. My gut tells me that a Maddox-to-Burress toss will be the game winner.
The bottom line: Folks, I haven't been this excited in a POSITIVE way all year. I'm sure the Steeler players are geeked up as well. I have a very, VERY good feeling about this game, and I've rarely been wrong about the outcome of a game when I'm this confident. I fully expect our boys to come home with the first-ever AFC North division title late Monday Night. Can't wait for it to get here!
Tim's pick: Steelers 19, Buccaneers 14
Sandy's Pick: Steelers 20, Buccaneers 17
See 'yins after the game, bruthas & sistas!
Tim McMillen
Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
Mac & Wife is Hosted and Sponsored by Pittsburgh's Finest!
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Fan Smak & Analysis
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The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the BOTTOM). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
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Author: NOYFB
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
I'm still holding on to my prediction of 37-17. My reasoning? The Steelers have gelled. This will be the "game" that defines their season.
I remember a game against Green Bay at home 4 years ago...the Steelers were having a terrible year and weren't expected to play well. Kordell came out and looked awesome.
By halftime, I think it was 21-0 Pittsburgh. Third qtr score was 27-0 and by the end of the game it was 27-20 (because Cowher hates to actually play 60 mins when he's winning.)
But anyway, my point is...get behind the Steelers NOW, not after this MNF victory when it will be obvious to everyone else.
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Author: McMIllen & Wife
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
Wow. I like your optimism, NOYFB! But 37 points against the Bucs? I dunno... that sounds like a 2-game total against Tampa. Hope you're right, my brutha.
Don't think I like the '98 Green Bay comparison, though. I keep picturing Kordell Stewart, who had been in one heck of a slump prior to that game, running down the field with his arms outstretched pretending to be a airplane after a long pass. Not one of his prouder moments, in my view. The team collapsed a few games later, after the infamous coin toss game on Thanksgiving, I think.
In any case, it's gonna be a tough game Monday night. The Steelers are gonna have to play mistake-free football. One thing the Bucs don't do is turn the ball over. If we cough it up, we'll be in heap-big trouble.
Hey, who do you like better against these guys: Amos, Jerome, or a steady diet of both? I lean towards both early, but shifting toward whomever is having better success as the game progresses.
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Author: McSteelerfan
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
I think that if Tommy can put up an early score , our tandem of Backs can make things miserable for the Bucs' D . I'm a big proponent of the one-two punch . One scat back and one big back to finish 'em off. I'm really looking forward to Monday night.
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Author: NOYFB
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
My opionion is this: Amos does well as a change-of-pace back. Jerome's knee is hurting, so I'd welcome a one-two punch.
My prior opinion was based more on a hunch than a statistical theory. I just have a good feeling we are going to REALLY show up. I also predicted a 45-3 victory in the Opener against the Pat's...I'd like to be right on this one though.
I'd love to see them snowball into the playoff's. We seem to suck when we have a bye, or are favored.
Anyone know who is starting at QB for them yet?
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Author: Tommy Coleman
Comment: Hee Hawaii
I don't give a patuti what happens Sunday.
(doesn't mean I won't enjoy a game or four)
Monday is game day.
Spinal Tap Sack Count.
The White Castle, Snap Crackle Pop, There is only one King Ladies & Gentlemen...
Pray for the Steelers & the Buccaneers.
Steelers 52
Bucs '0'
(I typed a '3' but it just felt dirty, so I cleaned it up)
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Author: Arrowhead Ernie
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
Big scoring plays will be tough to come by on both sides of the ball but I give the edge to the Steelers 16-6.
As for Sapp, you won't even here his name mentioned Monday night except when Madden is senselessy flappin his jaws about something stupid, Sapp will be drowning in a Black and Gold tsunami.
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Author: McMIllen & Wife
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
Yeah, I think you're right, Ernie. That's exactly what happened to him when we played 'em last year.
However, he's facing rookie Kendall Simmons this time around, so we'll see. It'll be a big test for Kendall.
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Author: Arrowhead Ernie
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
I think Simmons will rise to the occasion, I know it's early but I think this kid's the real deal. We all know anyone who jumps right in there to start in the NFL is something special and to handle the pressures that it brings is something even more special.
It will help Kendall tremendously to have Hartings in there renewing "old times" with Sapp.
One thing is for sure, you know I'll be watching what's going on in the trenches.
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Author: McMIllen & Wife
Comment: Re: Pregame: Steelers 19, Bucs 14
Interesting timing, Simmons facing Warren Sapp in the same week as he won the Joe Greene award for being the Steelers' outstanding rookie.
I hear people lament the departure of Tom Donahoe from time to time. I think Simmons is a prime example that the Steelers made the right choice by keeping Cowher and replacing Donahoe with Colbert.
Kendall Simmons & Plaxico Burress under Colbert vs. the likes of Jamaine Stephens and Troy Edwards under Donahoe. Yoi.
P.S. -- Speaking of the Joe Greene award, here's a shot of a long-lost buddy of mine posing with it.
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Author: steelr56
Comment: Prediction
steelers 24- tampa-10
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Author: Baltimore1967
Comment: Monday's game
It will be a close game. By a field goal. It could go either way. Kinda hope you do not win so the game on the 29th will have meaning. Baltimore should win on Sunday against the Browns.
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Author: tommy g
Comment: I like when kordell did the airplane
I remember him doing it twice,it showed he had fun with the game,as for the game against detroit I still remember lucket as being the ref who killed our season with that game and with the bungles pass interference in the closing moments,I hate that mf.as for this week I predict 24-16 steelers,would it be awful to be winning by 17 early deja vu or up by eight in the final minutes.as for sapp you can pick on a 40 something year old greenbay's coach,I don't recomend trying that crap with cowher,you know we are the steelers,they will not just watch the coach get yelled at,if ward protects buress,expect the bus or some other player big enough to kick your ass if you try it ,maybe even cowher himself.lol
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Author: Tommy Coleman
Comment: Warren Sapp's Ass
His Ass is gonna be huffin and a puffin on the side lines again, just you wait and see.
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Author: NOYFB
Comment: Re: Warren Sapp's Ass
Come to think of it...his ass does have ankles, doesn't it?
I went to the HOF game in Canton when the Steelers played the Buc's...Warren Sapp walked right by me...He was fatter then...but still Levon Kirkland made him look small.
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Author: divorcedfan
Comment: reply NOYB
Man I miss Kirkland. He was a dog. A real run stopper. And yes he' humungous. Makes sapp look like a chump!
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Author: Steeler Lou
Comment: Warren the fat cheap shot
Something's gotta give on Monday when our Steelers meet the Buc's and it's not gonna be Warren Sapp's belt.
It's gonna be Brad Johnson after we sack him 10-15 times. And that fat cheap shot hitting Warren better not be talking any smack if he knows whats best for him.
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Author: Tommy Coleman
Comment: W.S.A.
"Cheek to Cheek"
CLAP ON
CLAP OFF
CLAP ON
CLAP OFF
THE SAPPER
P.S. -- Can you imagine all the confused little old ladies in St.Petersburg, whose lights and TVs keep going on and off every time Warren takes a lil' jog?
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Author: McMIllen & Wife
Comment: Re: W.S.A.
Man, Tommy... when you're on, you're ON.
Merry Christmas & God bless!
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Author: Tommy Coleman
Comment: W.S.Puffin-Stuff Quote
"...they are pretty much a basic team that lines up and you know what they are doing, but you have to stop them".
You'll know when you you see PuffCrabby sucking wind on the sideline.
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Author: McSteelerfan
Comment: Re: W.S.Puffin-Stuff Quote
I'd love to see him standing all winded , with his hands on his hips , like last year. It might keep his mouth shut for a minute. Actually , I kind of enjoy the bantering between him and Lee Flowers , but maybe he'll be too winded to mouth off at a coach. He's a good player , but there's definitely a PUNK - FACTOR there.
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Author: Tommy Coleman
Comment: re: PUNK Factor
I don't see Puff Crabby as a punk at all.
He's smart.
Over rated, yes. That's where the truth in "paper champions" came to play. Yet the Steelers didn't win the AFC Championship. Still it does not change the fact that Lee was right.
Punk - no.
Fat - yes.
Can you imagine having to wipe that thing daily(?)
Good thing he makes a lot O'Dough 'cause that's a lot O'TP for his bung-hole...
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