Week 2

Long-term Stiller.com fans may remember the stat breakout shown below as similar to those begun last season.� The first (3) categories are variants of the traditional �control the tempo� paradigm.� Takeaways can be an equalizer.� YPA is (yards per passing attempt); TOP is (time of possession).�

Remarks:

Cincinnati was (-3) in takeaways; (1) turnover set the Browns up for an easy score.� Indy was (-3) in takeaways, Atlanta was (-2).� Minnesota was (-3) in takeaways, allowed a KO return TD and missed (2) extra points in regulation.� Tennessee turned it over just once but that was an INT TD return in a (8) point game.� Seattle allowed +200 yards rushing for the second week in a row and allowed a KO return for a TD.� Green Bay was (-3) in takeaways, (1) was brought back for a score.� Pittsburgh won YPA but lost in every other category and also gave a KO return for a TD.� Eight teams won in some critical category but still lost their game, all were (-) in takeaways.� Of those (8), (5) compounded their problems by giving up a return score, on either ST or offense.

Steelers Index:� Now that Coach Cowher has come around, it is obvious to all that the Steelers will face multi-wide, spread formations until they learn to defend same.� Maybe the following facts will help:

1. Last year, Steeler opponents called 580 pass plays in (16) games.� The Steelers responded with 55 sacks; that is (1) sack for every 10.55 passes called.�� This year, Steeler opponents have called 115 pass plays in (2) games.� The Steelers have responded with (7) sacks; that is (1) sack for every 16.43 passes called.� On a per game basis, the Steelers are on pace for (56) sacks, (1) more than last year.� However, it is sacks per passing attempt, not per game, that count.� Had the Steelers rushed as ineffectively in 2001 as has been the case so far in 2002, then they would have had only (35) sacks last season, not (55).�

2. �Last year, Gildon and Smith combined for (19.5) sacks; that is (1) sack for every 29.74 pass plays attempted.� Had those men contributed at the same rate this season, they would have combined for 3.86 sacks, say (4), so far.� With (4) from the right side, the Steelers 2002 sack/attempt ratio would be identical to their 2001 mark.� The Steelers have missed K-Bell but the sum zero contributed by their $49M right side rushers has hurt far more.

3. Last year, Steeler opponents got off 525 passes in (16) games.�� The Steelers were credited with (101) passes defended; that is (1) PD per 5.20 attempted.� This year, Steeler opponents have gotten off 108 passes in (2) games.� The Steelers have defended (12); that is (1) PD for every (9) attempts.� Steeler opponents are on pace towards (864) attempts, (339) more than last season.� The Steeler defenders are on pace for (96) PD, (5) fewer than last season.

4. Last year, Steeler CB Washington and Scott combined for (39) PD or (1) for every 13.46 passes attempted.� This year, those men have combined for (7) PD or (1) for every 15.43 passes attempted.� Had those men contributed at the same rate as last season, they would have defended (8) passes so far instead of (7).� Little difference; far more significant is that DW and Scott have accounted for 58% of the total PD this year.� Last year, their portion combined was 38.6%; with the notable exception of Joey Porter, other Steeler defenders are far more culpable than Scott and Washington.

5. Last year, Steeler safeties combined for (23) PD; that is (1) per 22.83 attempts.�� At that rate, we�d expect those men to have chipped in about (5) so far.� In fact, Mike Logan has (1) PD this year; Flowers, Alexander and Hopeless have none.

6. �Last year, Front 7 players combined for (18) PD; that is (1) per 29.17 attempts.� At that rate, we�d expect those men to have chipped in about (4) so far.� In fact, they have (3).� Well, �they� isn�t really right since Joey Porter has all (3).� (6) other LB have seen the field; those players have combined with (5) active D-linemen for (0) PD.� By far, Jason Gildon has had the largest drop in production.� Last season, Big Sack had (8) PD, this year, none.�

7. Last year, the Steelers #1 ranked defense allowed 6.30 YPA.� Thus year, the same proud unit has allowed 6.45 YPA or 5.4� inches more per catch.� Quite obviously, the key to improving the Steelers pass defense resides with limiting opponents� pass attempts.�

8. Limiting turnovers would help; this year the Steelers have (10) in (2) games.� Last year, they had their 10^th turnover in Game 7.� On the downside, the Steelers turned it over (9) times total over Games 15 and 16 in 2001.�

9. Last year, (4) Steeler RB combined for 448 carries in the regular season or 28 carries per game; so far, (2) Steeler RB have combined for 28 carries or (14) per game.���

10. Last year, Kordell Stewart had 442 pass attempts; with (71) in (2) games, he is headed towards 568 this year.� On the upside, Hines Ward is on pace for 120 catches and 24 TD.� On the downside, Spike is on pace for 16 receptions, (0) TD and (8) fumbles.

11. After two weeks, one man is among the AFC leaders in tackles, sacks, INT and PD.� That man is Joey Porter.� While it is true that Porter had the best game of his career last Sunday that understates the case.� In fact, Porter had as good a game, if not better, than any LB in the history of football.� Damn fine.