View topic - New Article: Stillers-Vikings Postgame Analysis and Notes

[StillMill Profile]

Stillers-Vikings Postgame Analysis and Notes has been posted by Still Mill at Stillers.com.

[TheStillerWay86 Profile]

http://www.stillers.com/articles/2459.aspx has been posted by Still Mill at Stillers.com.

Wood may be a Dong. But that return was good. No dong Intended.

[stillchest Profile]

Thank you, Mill.

I disagree, I re-watched the game, the D-line did an excellent job maintaining gap control...Peterson was shut down..aside from ripping off a 15 yard run early in the game..he was a non-factor..that was the gameplan...we were not going to allow Peterson to beat us..and he didn't.

I agree, the Fox pick-six was luck and hustle. I will happily accept that.

I agree, Ben was unimpressive...im-patient and indecisive..didn't seem like he wanted to stay in the pocket..give the Vikes D credit..that secondary came to play.

The discrepancy in T.O.P. had much to do with Mendy only receiving 10 totes..also, why our offense never got into a rhythm.

I liked the way Arians used pitch-outs and mis-directions to take advantage of the Vikes aggressive, over-pursuing D.

Overall, a very good effort by our team with things to improve upon.

It will be nice to get the troops rested, for the rigorous journey ahead.

[Nittany Steel37 Profile]

The discrepancy in T.O.P. had much to do with Mendy only receiving 10 totes.

agreed...if the offense can't stay on the field then the defense has to step up...which they did. Taunto Farrior, Dullard Dick and the gang must have known their harshest critic was in the crowd....and how bout a better name than Sister of Still Mill? makes her sound so inferior haha

[NiagaraBalls Profile]

I've been reading at the website for several yrs now, just joined the forum. I think the team did well overall and I can't complain much about beating a very solid team this week. Containing AP without Aaron Smith and even Travis K after a while was a pretty big feat. If we can beat Denver next game it may draw comparisons to a few yrs back when we took out the Pats and Iggles in a row.

[TheStillerWay86 Profile]

I've been reading at the website for several yrs now, just joined the forum. I think the team did well overall and I can't complain much about beating a very solid team this week. Containing AP without Aaron Smith and even Travis K after a while was a pretty big feat. If we can beat Denver next game it may draw comparisons to a few yrs back when we took out the Pats and Iggles in a row.

I still want us as under-looked and under-rated. The "experts" can dick ride brady. 7 can sneakily lead us to 11-12 wins this year. Only real test sides Denver is BallsWantMore.

[mckeesrocksthepitt Profile]

HEY BRUCE, YOU "!$#@&", "*&^%$", "#$^%$#" MORON! YOU ARE ALLOWED TO EXPLOIT (DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?) YOUR OPPONENTS WEAK SPOTS. THEY CHANGED THAT RULE. NOW YOU'RE ALLOWED TO!

Mr. Flacco torches these guys for a half-mile in 2nd half when Winfield goes down and we do ZIP, NADA, NOTHING to his replacements. Mendy runs off the ends, we stop doing it when it looks like he has something going. DON'T even ask why Ward wasn't involved. I know he draws coverage, but he was very open many times.

BB goes no-huddle, calls HIS plays and scores! EVERY FREAKIN' TIME ! HEY MIKE, DO YOU NOTICE A PATTERN HERE?
We don't need no-huddle as much as we need BA off the freakin' field!

I called the run-back just as Woodley scored. I told family, "The fun is just getting started - we have to kickoff now"!
Reed is done. If he can't at least push a guy out-of-bounds as last resort, ot at least get in his way, or take one for the team, then get off the field. THAT was pathetic. He gave a hand dryer more contact than his sissy effort.

It does feel good though, to win a game like this after losing some the same way. Special Teams? More like Special Olympic Teams. Why? Why? Why do we always suck at this part of the game.

[tourosteelersfan Profile]

Mill,

You magnificent bastard, I appreciate the abbreviated report given your travel this weekend. The Post Gazette coverage Monday was misguided: The offensive line played well but Ben R was hurried more than a few times. And while Farrior made a great number of tackles and assists, he was targeted - and beat - twice on the successful goal line stand. Fortunately Favre threw poor passes on those plays.

You did single out the biggest defensive lapse: allowing the Vikings to get a first down on 3rd and 18. Very disappointing and I actually thought we were headed for a loss after that. Still, whether it was the play of our defense - which made the most of the turnovers - or the decision of the Vikings' Bruce Arians decided to put the game in the hands of Favre rather than Peterson, the defense only gave up 10 points. Welcome back to the NFL, old man; you're right on schedule for another second-half meltdown.

Two thumbs up for Wallace, one thumb up for the talented but careless Mendenhall and Ben R (no turnovers) and Polamalu (just having him back doing his thing sharpens the defense immeasurably), and a firing squad for the kick return team.

Last thought about Woodley: I read an article online (SI.com, I think) where he was quoted extensively about the return of the Steelers defense. The fumble return was appreciated but was I out of the room when he was appointed an unofficial spokesman for the team? If so, I demand a recount.

Touro

[Field General Ben Profile]

Interesting stat: Adrian Peterson and Rashard Mendenhall both gained 69 yards. AP did it on 18 carries. Mendy did it on 10. The fumble aside, I would consider Mendy's yards far more "healthy" than AP's.

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

In all my years as a Steeler fan, I have not seen a Steeler passing game this prolific since probably the '79 season. However, Arians completely blows my mind as to how he could come up with such a lame-ass dink & dunk game plan. Granted, each opponent's defenses are game-planned for differently, but I thought we would come out and light up the Vikes defense down the field.
During our playoff run in '05, we came out blazing, making long plays downfield, & had defenses running all over the field. By mid 3rd quarter our opponents were gassed and then you simply install the pounding running game to wear their asses out. Seems like the Stillers are built for this now that Mendenhall seems to have grown a pair and could inflict some damage late in games.
Mill - I agree with you about Farrior. Undoubtedly his best game since last year.
Woodley better get his shit together. I thought he was going to be a beast this year after watching his late season run last year. WTF happened? He looks bloated as if someone stuck an air hose up his ass and inflated him to 40 psi. He moves like one of the linemen on one of those old-school vibrating football games where the little plastic dudes just face each other and vibrate! (Titty-joust as mill would say)

[IronCity__Man Profile]

What! No grades?? Is that to avoid giving Farrior a A- for the game?

[jdpdts Profile]

Re: good weekend in the burgh

Imagine how much better it could have been if you liked the Steelers!

[mckeesrocksthepitt Profile]

During our playoff run in '05, we came out blazing, making long plays downfield, & had defenses running all over the field. By mid 3rd quarter our opponents were gassed and then you simply install the pounding running game to wear their asses out. Seems like the Stillers are built for this now that Mendenhall seems to have grown a pair and could inflict some damage late in games.

You must have read my earlier posts, SoCal. My fingertips are numb from typing this point. We have SSSOOOOO many clutch weapons, now with Wallace coming on. We still need to get Sweed up to pro-level; we will need him - Ward or Holmes will go down at some point and Wallace will hit the "rookie wall" after T-giving. Arians will be caught with his head in cement like last year. Sweed NEEDS to be ready and needs his confidence back.

Arians? Puh-leeeaaase: Just when I thought maybe it was me being too hard on him - Detroit and Cleveland passing plans were great- he is back to his usual crap. Miller, Ward, a dragging Wallace pattern across the middle (aka Wes Welker), MeMo out of the backfield - no way should be less than 65% conversions. Arians MUST go. Who is more clutch than Miller in NFL? Who runs smarter routes than Ward? That playoff drive of '05 was beautiful. Passed them silly then wore them out to where they didn't know which side of the field to go back to. Arians DOES NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY. I AM CONVINCED HE PURPOSELY WILL NOT EXPLOIT AN OPPENENTS WEAKNESS BUT WOULD RATHER JUST USE BRUTE FORCE AGAINST THEIR STRENGTHS. WHY THE %&$# ELSE WOULD HE NOT PICK ON THEIR SUBSTITUTE CORNERS SINCE ALL-PRO STARTER WAS OUT? Why didn't MT call him on it? Not one fly pattern for Wallace on that side.

As for that 3rd and 18 conversion: I, too, thought that was the game. Why aren't we stuck on these guys as they get to the 1st down markers? We gave them cushion all the way down the field. Gosh, a great win, yes, but O so much to learn from. Here's hoping they look at the film objectively, NOT approvingly.

[stillchest Profile]

Geesh!

Ben was less than stellar Sunday..Ward was blanketed by Griffin and the Vikes rolled coverage towards Santonio..did I mention Benji missed open WR's and Memo underneath frequently.
The Stillers did face another pro team that wanted to win, as well.

Weird that the Vikes would have a gameplan, huh?!

[SteelHawkeye Profile]

Good times Mill! Nice to meet you and glad I could hook you up. Always nice to see a victory at Heinz, and I look forward to grades next week.

[SteelBeach Profile]

I'll be the first to say I'm proud of what happened Sunday. Not saying Arians did a good job, or even LeBeau. Not because Mendyfingers coughs up another ball, giving away another 7 points. I'm not happy with Jeff Reed whiffing like a 13 year old schoolgirl. Definitely not stoked that we give up on 3rd and 18.

I'm proud to be a fan a team that finds a way to win, so many different ways. I will remind you that our last two Super Bowl season gave us too many nail biters. Call me Mr. Glasshalffull, Call me the Anti-Mill. I see good things for our team. Again.

And, even though Hines only had one catch, he gets my vote when he runs....for president!

[oldschoolhunkie Profile]

Woodley better get his shit together. I thought he was going to be a beast this year after watching his late season run last year. WTF happened? He looks bloated as if someone stuck an air hose up his ass and inflated him to 40 psi. He moves like one of the linemen on one of those old-school vibrating football games where the little plastic dudes just face each other and vibrate! (Titty-joust as mill would say)

H e turned the game around returning a fumble 70-f'in-7 yards for a touchdown, so...NO SOUP FOR YOU! Move along. what would constitute getting his shot together, an 85 yard int for TD?

You did single out the biggest defensive lapse: allowing the Vikings to get a first down on 3rd and 18

That sucked, but that's the play where dude made an absolutely incredible sideline reception which was overturned on review from no good to good, right? That was a brilliant play.

Tourofan, you might have noticed that if you got your nose out of Mill's backside.

Way to find something to bash Farrior on, too. Very impressive work.

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

Geesh!

Ben was less than stellar Sunday..Ward was blanketed by Griffin and the Vikes rolled coverage towards Santonio..did I mention Benji missed open WR's and Memo underneath frequently.
The Stillers did face another pro team that wanted to win, as well.

Weird that the Vikes would have a gameplan, huh?!

Say what you want, but during the game that I watched, we were dinking & dunking most of the day except for no-huddle. There were plenty of one on one match-ups on the outside, but we did not challenge. Most of Arians plays were designed as safe, short plays. This is not where our strengths lie. Look at the WR group we have. You throw in Miller and Moore and we should be scary!
By the way, the Vikes game plan on offense was even worse. How can they forget about AP?

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

oldschoolhunkie - Just because he picks the ball up off the ground and runs 77 yds does not constitute turning it around. I watch every game more than once, and when you key in on him you will see what the rest of us already know.

Most of us are not trying to be pessimistic, but Steeler fans are the best in the world because we care so damn much! We are just sharing insight with other fans. If you don't like it, maybe this is not the website for you. Perhaps you will find that the ESPN or the Gazette website will tell you what you want to hear!

[SoCal Stiller Profile]

By the way, I was very impressed with both Starks and Kemo this game. I believe those 2 may be the most improved since last year! I would not have a problem with either receiving hard hat considerations.