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Time Heals All Wounds
Yes, the line has struggled in pass protection lately. But this is the same line that pummeled the Pats and Eagles into submission. We need to get that form back.
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All about the "O"
Can offensive line bounce back?
Article by Johna Klym (aka, "Hootie")
I believe the Jaguars are going to be a tough game for us this week, and not just because we'll be distracted by that hideous, teal-tongued logo on their helmets. Over the past few weeks, our defense has been stepping up admirably, but our passing game has been sputtering. I contribute that largely to the absence of Plaxico Burress.
I'll be honest... I was one of the people at the beginning of training camp that said we should let him go when his contract is up, that he isn't worth the money. But I also predicted that since he was playing for dollars this season, there was a good chance he would step up his game. Lo and behold, he came to camp more pumped up both mentally and physically, which has translated to success on the field for our passing game. His relationship with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been one of magic, and each player has benefited from the presence of the other. I don't think anyone can say that Plex would be having such a great season if Maddox was at the helm, playing the "dink and dunk" offense. And Plex's injury has also shown us how much he means to Ben's game. In short, we need Plex back. He is a bonafide deep threat who commands double coverage, which also opens Hines Ward up for more catches.
Having stated the obvious, let's talk a little about the Jags. They've been in a little slump lately after their fast start to the season, but the return of QB Byron Leftwich will give them a boost as they look to get back on the winning track. Unfortunately for the Jags, they face the Steelers and their road to recovery will have to wait another week.
Fred Taylor, though he has been slippery and caused us some problems in the past, will be a non-factor. If we can hold Clinton Portis to only 17 yards, it's hard to envision the Steelers having a serious problem containing Fred. I just don't think any runner can get past this current Steelers defense. That will put the onus on Leftwich. He's an agile quarterback made in the same mold as Ben, and there's no question that he has the ability to make things happen downfield. But our NFL sack-leading defense will apply the pressure needed to force him into mistakes. Yes, Leftwich is back from his injury, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's still be a bit gun-shy about launching the ball downfield since this is only his second week back. Facing the Steelers, he has 11 good reasons to be worried.
The return of Duce Staley this week is a definite plus, and hopefully he will be in the proper form to "tote the rock." However, I don't think it will be a problem if we need to turn to Bettis again. He's made everyone who thought he was washed up a believer in the past few weeks. He has been awesome. I would love to see him climb another notch on the all-time rushing list.
The true test, ultimately, will be our offensive line and how they perform against a stingy Jacksonville defense. Yes, the line struggled in pass protection against the Browns and Bengals. But this is the same line that also pummeled the undefeated Patriots and Eagles into submission. We need to make a few adjustments and get that form back. I mean, is the Bengals defense really that good? NO! We just slipped up. When you see an All-Pro like Alan Faneca getting schooled by a Bengal, you know it's a fluke and will be corrected. The good news is, the team knows it, they know these next five games are going to be the hardest of the season, and I expect them to play their guts out.
We've already won as many games as we lost last season. For a team that no one expected anything from, I think that's quite an accomplishment. I don't think our accomplishments for the season are done, either. Due to our totally crap season last year, this Sunday's game against the Jags is the only night game we have this year. Playing in prime time will give our team an extra lift - hopefully high above the Jags.
Written by Johna Klym (aka, "Hootie")
Mac & Wife is Hosted and Sponsored by Pittsburgh's Finest!
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Fan Smak & Analysis
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Leave YOUR Writing on the Wall! Sound off on our message board with your postgame critiques, analysis, ranting and raving about the last game as well as your predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent. Whether your message is a simple "Go Steelers" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think! Note: Your comments will not show up on this page immediately.
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Author: Bill from Hanover
Comment: Hootie's Jags Pregame
Hootie ~
WOW, you never cease to amaze me with your Pre-Games, they are always outstanding ! Nice ....... Really Nice ......
Bill
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Author: Tommy
Comment: Re: Hootie's Jags Pregame
Nice piece Johna.
Quote:
that hideous, teal-tongued logo on their helmets
LOL...
Or the Giant Teal Tongued, Fever Spotted Wharf Rat Thingy Mascot that likes to insert ITself into the game.
Remember when that thing jumped on a punt that rolled into the end-zone and Cowher cocked back his arm as if he was going to punch it?
Also: DeWayne Washington is their starting CB and Jason Gildon may start at DE for them due to injury.
Troy Edwards is a third WR for them but is second on their team in terms of yards I believe.
Fu is seldom used by them but I'm sure he'll be trying to get into the game against the team he still loves.
Steelers -- 45
JackO'Lias -- 0
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Author: steelers maniac
Comment: We need a Hootie n Maniac Reporting Team
Hootie and I would make a great team at sportscasting. She is very very good at sports writing. I am very impressed with you Hootie. You should try out for the Dream Job at ESPN, I think you would go far. I sure couldn't do it cause of speech stuttering that goes with my hearing disability. I did try out at sports broadcasting thanks to being pick to do the Joe Tait Fantasy Broadcasting skit for a Cleveland Cavaliers Game, and Joe Tait and many of the talent search committee listened to my tape and said I was fantastic, percise, entertaining, and down to earth geninue and respecting. They told me I should go to broadcasting school and get the degree and a job would be lined up for me. I told them, I WILL NEVER DO A BROADCAST OF THE CLEVELAND BROWNS IF I DID THIS. I told them I am a Steelers Fan of heart. I still got e-mail from some of those talent guys asking me If I was going to do this, and told them that I don't have the finances to do it. This one dude said he would get a donation thing going for me. I was like your crazy, I am not that good, what is going to happen when I lose my hearing, I wouldn't be able to hear myself talk. What the point???
Hootie, you got yourself a great gift and I am very proud of your work. Keep it up, gal.
Maniac
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Author: fluff68
Comment: Re: Hootie's Jags Pregame
agreed, awesome stuff hootie! you truly have a gift, thank you for sharing it with us.
Quote:
Facing the Steelers, he has 11 good reasons to be worried.
... i loved that line
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Author: tommy g
Comment: can you hear me now?
wow whats up with that maniac?did a doctor tell you ur going deaf or something?try peroxide that is good at getting your hearing back, if it just happend all of a sudden......hootie excellent post about the steeelers,plus it makes you sound even hotter talking about them
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Author: steelers maniac
Comment: About my hearing
Tommy,
I've been deaf since the age of 3. I got a severe allergic reaction to the live virus immunization shot, Rebella. Curse that damn doctor that gave me this. It shocked all my nerve endings in the cochlea. So basically I have severe nerve damage. I have been wearing hearing aids for 25 years now. I can hear 92% in the left and 84% in the right, but my hearing aids with the state of the art technology has balanced my hearing and capablities to 95% hearing in both ears. Unfortunately, as this old croak named Maniac gets older, my hearing will come down more. My speech is still great thanks to 8 years of intense speech therapy, but lately I have been stuttering a bit and wondering why this is happening. My hearing has been checked last week and it is dropping a bit actually 2% drop which is significant. I am hoping this isn't a sign of the worse to come. The doctors told me when I was younger that I would be totally deaf around my Senior Year in High School. Well, Well 30 years old and counting my blessing, my hearing is still with me and still strong. I am going to really cry when I lose all my hearing and won't be able to hear a Steelers game ever again. It is going to be the most depressing day of my life. I am going to enjoy my hearing while it last, I get chills hearing 50,000+ Steelers fan going wild at the game. Oh the energy.
Maniac |
Author: tommy g
Comment: that sucks losing ur hearing
sounds like ur doctor is related to korborkian.i was deaf in one ear last month for a day and half.i realized i didnt like it and shouldnt take my hearing for granted.thats the last time i use a q-tip while drinking luckily my hearing popped and came back.i was worried ,i was going to be deaf.it sounded like i was underwater.i was playing with my kid and i couldnt hear what she was saying clear. well ill have to add ur hearing the next time i pray then.atleast u dont have to hear todays new rock scene or them nfl commentators..let me see if this post works this time.i got a error awhile ago.
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Author: MickM
Comment: Jags Game
I think that Ben will be back to previous form in this game.
Having Duce back will give the team even more confidence in the run and it should enable Ben to get down to it.
Too true that Fred Taylor has been a nightmare for us in the past. He ain't the player he used to be thats for sure.
Steelers to win by at least 14.
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Author: Factoid
Comment: Fred Taylor
He had that one big game that came after he and his buddy Plaxico hung out most of the day... Game Day!... it was a night game. I'm not saying Plaxico let him look at the game book or anything but really... hanging out all day... on Game Day?
We held him (Taylor) to 80 yards the last we played them in 2002.
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Author: Hootie
Comment: thanks
Thank you, my bruthas. I appreciate the kind comments and I'm glad you enjoy my "insight". I want to thank Tim for giving me the opportunity to do this and for being a great editor! I couldn't do it without him.
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Author: Hootie
Comment: maniac
Also, Maniac... sorry to read about your hearing problems. Reading the last line about hearing the 50,000 screaming fans really put the whole thing in perspective for me.
I almost forgot... I thought about trying out for the ESPN Dream Job thing, but the only sports I care about are the Steelers (football in general), college basketball, golf, and NASCAR. I can't see me being able to converse intelligently (or even fake it) about baseball, which I think is a huge waste of time. And that season lasts forever! I think I could do pretty good Spelling Bee coverage, though.
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Author: rkind
Comment: Re: Steelers and Jags
With Duce back the Steelers have two RBs who can pound the Jags. Hopefully Plex can go or at least the Steelers can take shots deep. That will keep the extra safety out of the box and limit their blitzing.
Just keep doing what they are doing on D...
Steelers 20 Jags 10
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Author: JMac67
Comment: Re: Steelers and Jags
I'm telling you, this is gonna be a hard fought game. The Jag's are a wounded animal, as it were. They lost two in a row and are DESPERATELY trying to keep pace in the AFC, they are 6-5, the game is in their barn, it's on national TV and they are gonna come out SMOKIN!!...
That being said, I think the defense needs to concentrate on Leftwich, I mean not like with any other qb, they need to be in his HEAD from the start, he can and WILL make mistakes, it's the defense's job to FORCE him into them. The defensive line is tough, but beat up..Meier is out the rest of the season, and I read where they will start Bobby McCray from Florida, he's a tough kid but I am not sure if he is ready for this test. Once again the Steelers must RUN, RUN, RUN the ball.
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Author: TonyDig
Comment: Good job Hootie
Hey Hootie,
I echo what everyone else has said about your article. Very good job. I enjoyed reading it.
What do ya think Hootie, now that Jason Gildon has left, time for a new pic for you?
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Author: ScarredSteel
Comment: Re: time for a new pic for you?
Hootie,
Have to agree with Mr. Dig on that one. Especially since he(Gildon) is on the other side of the field this week.
I, too, think you did a great job with this piece, as well as the rest you have written this year. I've been coming here for about 2 years reading the message board and just started posting a couple of weeks ago. And while at times I miss the Tim M. weekly smaktalk/insight, you have stepped in admirably.KUDOS.
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Author: fluff68
Comment: the pic is fine....
it just this week she is giving him the kiss of death.
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Author: Hootie
Comment: pic
I know, my bruthas. I feel bad about the picture, too. But, being the superstitious fan that I am, I'm afraid to get rid of it while we're doing so well. After the season is completely over, I will be changing it. Believe it or not, thinking about that photo has given me at least one bad dream so far. And I'm gonna go with fluff's interpretation... it's the kiss of death.
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Author: ScarredSteel
Comment: Re: pic
Quote:
But, being the superstitious fan that I am, I'm afraid to get rid of it while we're doing so well. After the season is completely over, I will be changing it.
Or you could look at it like changing the pic to a new one will be the catalyst for a dominant run into and thru the playoffs to Steeler Superbowl win. Just a thought.
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Author: Your name here
Comment: Coming soon
Send us your comments!
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