Steelers preseason/Pirates remembrances
*Week two of the preseason took the Steelers to New York to face the Giants in their new stadium in the Meadowlands. Ben Roethlisberger saw his first playing time, and his first start, of the preseason and he was very Ben-like. While he played much longer than anticipated, he did not throw a touchdown pass. It was probably more getting the rust off and allowing him to get his timing back in game action. The balance continues as Coach Mike Tomlin much prepare his quarterbacks for the regular season and allow Ben to get his reps so he at least has some line of cohesiveness with his receivers.
Byron Leftwich threw a near perfect touchdown strike to receiver Mike Wallace. The first touchdown of the game for the Steelers showed that Leftwich still has his arm and that Wallace is likely to take his place as the number two receiver behind Hines Ward, and will be the deep threat the Steelers will need to stretch the field.
Dennis Dixon led two scoring drives, albeit against second and third teamers, yet did nothing to hurt his cause. The debate will likely continue as to whether Leftwich or Dixon should get the start for the first four to six games of the regular season. Unless Dixon gets snaps with the first team in either of the last two preseason games, it might be a lost cause to think he has a chance to get the nod. It appears the coaching staff is going to lean towards the veteran and experience over youth and flash. Argue that as much as you want. It’s a good problem to have. But it still looks like it’s Leftwich’s job to lose.
The beginning of the game was marked by a dustup between Ike Taylor and Hakeem Nicks that involved each being ejected. There is no room for this on the field or anyone where else for that matter. There were a few more confrontations during the game, but nothing that escalated to the point of anyone being penalized or thrown out. Yes, football is an emotional game and players are going to hold their ground and their position. However, it is not necessary to engage in fisticuffs at any time. Walk away. You are only penalizing your team when something like this happens and that cannot be tolerated.
The running game continues to get interesting. Rashard Mendenhall only saw limited action and appeared to be saving himself for the regular season. You don’t want your running back to put himself out of action early, yet you also want him to get his hits in so that when the regular season rolls around he is better prepared for the action he’ll see. While he is a third year veteran, this is really only his second season of action. He might be relied on early and often until Ben comes back after his suspension. He’ll need to be ready for that.
Isaac Redman continues to state his case for a roster spot and this time around he might get his wish granted. He takes hold of the ball, holds on, and batters the line. Perhaps playing for a spot on the roster makes you hungrier than knowing you are already on the team because you were a number one pick. Redman can only help his cause in the next two games by playing the same way. Even if he is playing against second and third teamers, this running game needs to get itself back on track.
Many plays were broken up either by less than stellar execution and/or by a Giants defense that read them the entire way, from snap to tackle. Hopefully the Bruce Arians offense hasn’t gotten too predictable. Whether or not Arians was close to being fired in the offseason, and whether Roethlisberger stepped in to save that job, remains officially unknown. He still appears to want to pass the ball more than run. Balance is going to be important this season, but the ball is going to have to be run more efficiently and effectively, per the instructions handed down by President Art Rooney II.
Which leads us to the defense. This was only week two and we still have a long way to go. The defense does not show its hand during the preseason. It generally plays very vanilla. However, I am beginning to wonder if this defense may start to be showing its age. The one person who was flying all over the field was Lawrence Timmons. There is something to be said for young fresh legs. Perhaps Timmons realizes this is his season to breakout and show how much he is going to contribute after playing only one season as a starter.
Besides the Taylor fiasco, the one player who has me just a bit concerned is Troy Polamalu. Is that knee all the way back? Polamalu is probably at the peak of his career and, with the way he plays, he may only have a few more years left in that body. I don’t care how well he takes care of it, and Troy is a physical specimen. You play the way he plays and it takes its toll. It doesn’t matter who are. Once he got his feet under him after his first year, Troy has been a wonder and a freak of nature in the secondary. But, just like throwing your body around looks great on film, it only lasts so long from a health standpoint.
It is the hope that perhaps Troy is only playing at about three fourths speed in order to preserve himself for the regular season. I have no problem with that. This is his eighth season and he is either 30 or will turn 30 this year. That means he will be closer to the back side of his career than the front. The most recent contract he signed might be his only major payday. He might also have to adjust his style of play in order to last longer. Then again, this might all be for naught. He might just unleash fury during week one against Atlanta. Let’s hope that’s the case.
The Steelers will play at Denver on Sunday in a rare Sunday night game on Fox (which usually covers the NFC games). Then it will be a very quick turnaround as they come home to play the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on Thursday night, September 2 to wrap up the preseason. The roster will have to be pared down to the 53 man limit before the regular season beings on Sunday September 12 against the aforementioned Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field. On the same Thursday, Pitt will travel to Utah to open up their regular season in a rare weeknight kickoff game. So, a lot of football is ahead for the Pittsburgh fan base.
*The Pirates officially clinched their 18th consecutive losing season. This means that an entire generation of baseball fans has gone without seeing winning baseball. There is absolutely no excuse for this and so many factors can share in the blame. Having grown up during the glory (golden) years of the 1970s, then witnessing the mini dynasty in the early 90s, it is deplorable that this has gone on for so long. I feel for the generation that has not even witnessed a winning season, let alone a playoff race, a division title, and a World Series. Here’s hoping this gets turned around sooner than later.
Speaking of the Pirates, the Pirate family lost two of its own over the last couple of weeks. Former pitcher and broadcaster Nellie King passed away, followed by former General Manager Joe L. Brown, who was the architect of the World Series teams from 1960, 1971, and 1979. Another part of my childhood is gone, but my heart, prayers, and sympathies go out to the families of King and Brown. Both gentlemen will be sorely missed. May God bless them and may they both rest in peace.
Byron Leftwich threw a near perfect touchdown strike to receiver Mike Wallace. The first touchdown of the game for the Steelers showed that Leftwich still has his arm and that Wallace is likely to take his place as the number two receiver behind Hines Ward, and will be the deep threat the Steelers will need to stretch the field.
Dennis Dixon led two scoring drives, albeit against second and third teamers, yet did nothing to hurt his cause. The debate will likely continue as to whether Leftwich or Dixon should get the start for the first four to six games of the regular season. Unless Dixon gets snaps with the first team in either of the last two preseason games, it might be a lost cause to think he has a chance to get the nod. It appears the coaching staff is going to lean towards the veteran and experience over youth and flash. Argue that as much as you want. It’s a good problem to have. But it still looks like it’s Leftwich’s job to lose.
The beginning of the game was marked by a dustup between Ike Taylor and Hakeem Nicks that involved each being ejected. There is no room for this on the field or anyone where else for that matter. There were a few more confrontations during the game, but nothing that escalated to the point of anyone being penalized or thrown out. Yes, football is an emotional game and players are going to hold their ground and their position. However, it is not necessary to engage in fisticuffs at any time. Walk away. You are only penalizing your team when something like this happens and that cannot be tolerated.
The running game continues to get interesting. Rashard Mendenhall only saw limited action and appeared to be saving himself for the regular season. You don’t want your running back to put himself out of action early, yet you also want him to get his hits in so that when the regular season rolls around he is better prepared for the action he’ll see. While he is a third year veteran, this is really only his second season of action. He might be relied on early and often until Ben comes back after his suspension. He’ll need to be ready for that.
Isaac Redman continues to state his case for a roster spot and this time around he might get his wish granted. He takes hold of the ball, holds on, and batters the line. Perhaps playing for a spot on the roster makes you hungrier than knowing you are already on the team because you were a number one pick. Redman can only help his cause in the next two games by playing the same way. Even if he is playing against second and third teamers, this running game needs to get itself back on track.
Many plays were broken up either by less than stellar execution and/or by a Giants defense that read them the entire way, from snap to tackle. Hopefully the Bruce Arians offense hasn’t gotten too predictable. Whether or not Arians was close to being fired in the offseason, and whether Roethlisberger stepped in to save that job, remains officially unknown. He still appears to want to pass the ball more than run. Balance is going to be important this season, but the ball is going to have to be run more efficiently and effectively, per the instructions handed down by President Art Rooney II.
Which leads us to the defense. This was only week two and we still have a long way to go. The defense does not show its hand during the preseason. It generally plays very vanilla. However, I am beginning to wonder if this defense may start to be showing its age. The one person who was flying all over the field was Lawrence Timmons. There is something to be said for young fresh legs. Perhaps Timmons realizes this is his season to breakout and show how much he is going to contribute after playing only one season as a starter.
Besides the Taylor fiasco, the one player who has me just a bit concerned is Troy Polamalu. Is that knee all the way back? Polamalu is probably at the peak of his career and, with the way he plays, he may only have a few more years left in that body. I don’t care how well he takes care of it, and Troy is a physical specimen. You play the way he plays and it takes its toll. It doesn’t matter who are. Once he got his feet under him after his first year, Troy has been a wonder and a freak of nature in the secondary. But, just like throwing your body around looks great on film, it only lasts so long from a health standpoint.
It is the hope that perhaps Troy is only playing at about three fourths speed in order to preserve himself for the regular season. I have no problem with that. This is his eighth season and he is either 30 or will turn 30 this year. That means he will be closer to the back side of his career than the front. The most recent contract he signed might be his only major payday. He might also have to adjust his style of play in order to last longer. Then again, this might all be for naught. He might just unleash fury during week one against Atlanta. Let’s hope that’s the case.
The Steelers will play at Denver on Sunday in a rare Sunday night game on Fox (which usually covers the NFC games). Then it will be a very quick turnaround as they come home to play the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field on Thursday night, September 2 to wrap up the preseason. The roster will have to be pared down to the 53 man limit before the regular season beings on Sunday September 12 against the aforementioned Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field. On the same Thursday, Pitt will travel to Utah to open up their regular season in a rare weeknight kickoff game. So, a lot of football is ahead for the Pittsburgh fan base.
*The Pirates officially clinched their 18th consecutive losing season. This means that an entire generation of baseball fans has gone without seeing winning baseball. There is absolutely no excuse for this and so many factors can share in the blame. Having grown up during the glory (golden) years of the 1970s, then witnessing the mini dynasty in the early 90s, it is deplorable that this has gone on for so long. I feel for the generation that has not even witnessed a winning season, let alone a playoff race, a division title, and a World Series. Here’s hoping this gets turned around sooner than later.
Speaking of the Pirates, the Pirate family lost two of its own over the last couple of weeks. Former pitcher and broadcaster Nellie King passed away, followed by former General Manager Joe L. Brown, who was the architect of the World Series teams from 1960, 1971, and 1979. Another part of my childhood is gone, but my heart, prayers, and sympathies go out to the families of King and Brown. Both gentlemen will be sorely missed. May God bless them and may they both rest in peace.
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