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Steelers Face the Giant-Killers:
Who Will Come Out On Top?
Article by Johna Klym (Hootie)
Well, it looks as if the Chargers accomplished the one feat we couldn't pull off this year: they beat the Patriots. The reason why is obvious - their team showed up and ours didn't. Now we must face the giant-killers. Can you believe I'm referring to the Chargers as giant-killers? THEY'RE THE CHARGERS!
With that said, we can't discount their talent. Last year Drew Brees came into his own, effectively keeping top pick Philip Rivers sitting on the bench for yet another season. Drew was the guy to beat at the NFL Quarterback Challenge. He gave an impressive effort and you could see why he led his team to the playoffs last season. Of course, with a supporting cast that features LaDanian Thomlinson and Antonio Gates, it's hard to go wrong. Their defense had an impresssive stand against the powerful (and lucky - in my opinion) New England offense. To keep Brady and company under 20 points was a feat worthy of the greatest magician here on the Las Vegas Strip. We almost did it, but instead ended up looking like Bullwinkle - "Hey Rocky, watch me pull this rabbit out of my hat" and instead ending up with a snarling lion.
In order to beat the Chargers this week (I still can't believe I'm game planning against THE CHARGERS), we have to stop LT. Our offensive line seemed stagnant against NE. I can't believe Ben didn't get sacked more. I counted at least 3 times when Alan Faneca - always a stellar player - was just standing there watching the play develop.
I saw James Farrior just standing around a few times, too - another one of our most explosive players. And though I love the return of Blitzburgh and seeing 8 to 20 guys in the box (don't get on me about this; it's an exaggeration, but I'm sure that's what David Carr saw in Week #2), we have to send some guys back into coverage to protect against Brees's long balls. I know we can pressure Brees, but his line is giving him time to read the defense and make the plays. Something our guys were adept at until the NE bus pulled up to Heinz Field.
There are two items that concern me on defense:
1.) Where the hell was Troy Polamalu against NE? I picked him to be the game breaker. I thought he would be cloaked over Brady so badly, that Brady would think his own buzzcut turned into the mane of the Lion King. Instead, as part of the prevent defense (another huge question mark for that game) he was nowhere to be found. That's terrifying when he's such a playmaker and has what I see as a preternatural ability to gravitate to the ball. He needs to have the reins removed from him and just let him do what he does best.
2.) This one is a semi-concern. Joey Porter seems to have stepped up again this season. He forced and recovered fumbles in the first and second weeks. Now he's injured, but probable. Add to that the exit of Clark Haggans with an injury and we could have a problem. Fortunately, we have the aggressive and talented James Harrison ready to come in as a starter. This guy impressed the hell out of me last year. And I believe he hasn't lost his form. I'm picking him as this week's game breaker. And though Brett Keisel is no Joey Porter, I believe that he will step up and perform if Porter is unable to go. Regardless of what anyone says, I think we have depth.
Speaking of depth, it seems that an interesting problem has reared its quizzical head in our backfield. According to NFL Network, Jerome says he is ready to go. Duce is ready to go (and should have been in there more against the Patriots). We all know Fast Willie Parker can tote the rock. And Verron Haynes is proving to be a serviceable back. What's a coack to do? Also on the NFL Network, Coach Cowher said that all of his backs are unselfish and will back whatever the Coach's decision is. It's good to know that the players remember the blue collar roots of the team with everyone working together and I applaud the lack of ego in this "Give Me The Damn Ball" era. However, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. A lot of our success in our amazing run last year came from Duce taking most of the carries (when he was healthy) and putting in Bettis on 1st & goal situations. You dance with who brought you and I think that should be the way to go from here on out. We also know that should Duce get injured again, Jerome can certainly carry the load. And beyond that, we have nothing to worry about with our backs.
Our receivers, on the other hand, left a bad taste in my mouth after the NE game. What was Randle El thinking? He should have been happy with that 45 gain inside the 10 instead of trying the lateral to Hines. But then again, where were Hines hands of glue? I don't want to see another stunt play like that. I know the adrenaline pumps and you want to make possibly the biggest play of the game, but use common sense. And against this Chargers defense, our receivers will have to be on their toes - literally. I'd also like to see us use Cedric the Entertainer more and rookie Heath Miller. If we start throwing to our underused and talented (I don't think Jerame Tuman is any slouch) tight ends, they won't see us coming.
Which leads to the most important player of all: Big Ben Roethlisberger. Even in the loss against the Patriots, you could see him maturing on the field, virtually right before our eyes. He gave an impressive (I know I've overused that word) performance for a losing team. The scary thing is that he is only going to get better. Look for him to be able to read the Chargers defense a little better - this aspect of his game seems to improve each week - and when there's nothing, I wouldn't be surprised to see him turn into Kordell Stewart/Michael Vick and run it himself. Or - an even more smart and mature move - throw the ball away if he doesn't see a damn thing. Ben did prove during the NE game (as he had before) that he can orchestrate a comeback if necessary. And that in itself is a dangerous weapon to have.
Overall, if our team can get back to their form of the first two games where we buried our opponents, we should be able to handle Drew Brees and company easily... provided they don't add almost an extra minute to the game clock.
~Hootie....................
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