View topic - New Article: Stillers-Ratbirds Postgame Analysis and Grades

[StillMill Profile]

Stillers-Ratbirds Postgame Analysis and Grades has been posted by Still Mill at Stillers.com.

[tourosteelersfan Profile]

Not a devastating loss, given the 3-0 start, but very painful and problematic nonetheless. First, have Flacco and the Ravens solved the Steelers defense with lots of dink passes to keep the defense off-balance and prevent 3rd and long situations (where the Steelers can tee off)? Second, a win here could have paid huge dividends, especially by putting serious pressure on Balt so early in the season. Third, every Steelers-Ravens game is sui generis; that means it doesn't matter that Steelers could have or should have won despite playing with Batch (which meant the Ravens could load up on the run) and despite the penalties and lousy refereeing. The loss featured all of the Steelers' flaws in recent years: an inability to hold a lead; sloppy play, especially with the penalties; mediocre performance by the secondary and the offensive line. It's not time to panic but it will be necessary to refocus - the remaining schedule is not that easy and Baltimore is in good playoff position.

[Rushmore Profile]

1. Pittsburgh media blaming 'another' late-game loss on the defense: Boo-Sh*t: The defense can't play offense and special teams. Those two units lost this game late.

2. Why not take a safety at the end of the game? Reasoning: Leaves the punter unencumbered for the free kick. Spev kicking well all game. At least the PoeBirds would need 50 or 60 yards for a field goal (w/ no time outs).

3. Vent over: We all knew the season really started w/ Big Ben's return from suspension.

-Rushmore

[IronCity__Man Profile]

I don't think the defensive play calling went soft on either of the last two drives. We were still blitzing and leaving corners on their own - that is why Mcfadden got beat. The defensive call is for Mcfadden to cover a WR - he is the one that failed not the D-coord.

Our last offensive posession did give us 3 options - run as we did, pass for the first down, or take the safety. All three had risks and rewards. Running it was an opportunity to allow our defense to stop the Ravens as they just did the possession before - not that bad of a decision. Not the decision any of us like in hindsight but look at what Charlie did the next time he did throw a pass. What if that would have happened on the earlier drive. Everyone would be crying we should run it and punt it; what the hell is wrong with Tomlin!!; let our defense the chance to win.

[Pump-N-Iron Profile]

Excellent summary. While I am happy to be 3-1 in the absence of BR7, this was a VERY winnable, key division game against an inferior opponent. A few random observations...

-Mewelde Moore - Rewind the tape and watch him on the 3rd & 7 sack of Batch in the 3rd Q. He lined up next to Batch in the shotgun, ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE BLITZING SUGGS. Not only does he ignore Suggs, he runs away from him to the middle of the line and BLOCKS NO ONE!!!!! Thankfully, Redman got the 3rd down pass protection chores for the rest of the day after this steamer.

-Farrior - This guy spent more time on his face than a drunk Frat boy on a Saturday night. Pitiful.

-Flacco - every game this guy tools us with 8 yard outs since our defenders play a 12 yard cushion. Yet, every year we fail to adjust or jump on these routes for the easy pick-6. Why?

-The Officials - I agree that the Stillers lost this game by themselves, and the officials are not to blame for the loss. However, there were some blatantly bad calls and no-calls that need attention.
- McFadden's "not playing the ball" - This rule simply does not exist. As long as there is no contact prior to the ball arriving at the receiver. What I thought they were going to call is the rule against Face Guarding. This rule states that a defender may not use BOTH hands to obscure the vision of the receiver. However, the replay CLEARLY shows McFadden only extending 1 hand to block the pass. This was simply great LEGAL coverage.
- Harrison's mystery hold - Are you kidding me? Really? This was a whole lot of weak-sauce.
- Oher - he laughably lined up in the backfield most of the day, and on at least 3 occasions had a 2 step false start. Remarkably, he was also never once flagged for holding either. I guess the Refs are giving him a pass since they saw his movie.

[Tonydesal Profile]

Are you f-ing kidding me?!?

I only got as far as the OL assessment and had to stop. Normally, I agree with all that is said in this weekly thread of how good or bad the Steelers played. But this week...

To say that Flo Adams had a good game?!? Really?

It's as if Jason Gildong decided to play offence. Weak play, giving up well before the play is over, just plain lazy ass performance. I think you need to watch the film again. A prime example of the pile of whaleshit that is Flo Adams is early in the game, Chuckie had to scramble on a third down, and if Adams stays with his block instead of GIVING UP AND TURNING HIS BACK to the defender, Batch easily makes the sticks and then some. Instead, Flo gives up on his block, turns around and TACKLES Batch.



I'm happy we made it to 3-1 w/o BB. But of all of the games to give up on, this was not the one. Instead of 3 game lead in first, we're a game behind first place. And that just pisses me off.

[Rushmore Profile]

"Oher - he laughably lined up in the backfield most of the day, and on at least 3 occasions had a 2 step false start. Remarkably, he was also never once flagged for holding either. "

Excellent observation. I was unsure of the player, but, if the same, i noticed him backing-up those '3 occasions', too.

-Rushmore

[napnewman Profile]

definitely multiple false starts by Oher. I don't know how it works, but I wonder if the Steelers will forward the tape to the league - if this is normal behavior by Oher, maybe officiating crews will be informed to watch for it.

Sepulveda had a rare good day, booting 5 punts at nearly a 50 yd. clip

I don't know why Mill called out Sepulveda - I think he's been having a pretty solid year punting and he never seems to have a problem hitting a returner on punt coverage.

[PGHeaven Profile]

Once again, 99% perfect assessment Mill. The only thing you forgot to mention was Flozell's idiotic stupid dumbfounded whiff on a block and then turns around and tackles Charlie

[Leo Profile]

The only good thing about this game is that it serves as a reminder of why we need Ben.

[clarioncall Profile]

Good post, Mill. I think the Coaches got some " 'splainin' " to do. Like why aren't we capitalizing on turnovers for starters? Other than 1 drive, we can't move the damn chains even we went over to the sidelines, took them from the guys and threw them. Bruce would still lose 4 yds.

Couple of things: How does our celebrated "D" continue to allow 2nd tier (Flacco is one of them) QB's to look like HOF'ers?
Mason, Heap, Housh and Boldin all wide-open on crossings and expecially "out patterns". Geez, I had time to hit the head while I waited for a Steeler DB to come into the TV picture on some of them. Why the %$#^ can't we do 8-14 yd outs anymore? Unless QB can hit a dime from 50-yds (Wally's almost TD), we don't complete one or we overthrow a simple one (Miller). Their DB's all OVER our guys? Is it just that our guys can't get separation or is it the the stupid OC's patterns that don't allow it? Did notice their OL moved around (more like backwards) awfully early on many plays? Maybe Siverback ought to start just falling down when he gets held too?

LB Blitzers looking for blockers to run into or is it my bias showing up again? We blitz and they complete passes. They blitz us and we're dumbstruck and locked in concrete.

Looks like Cousin Brucie learned nothing from TB game, eh? Like how to slow down an aggressive pass rush? Like maybe some quick outs, screens, etc. No, he has to "fool 'em" with end-arounds, reverses and other assorted horsecrap plays that cut into my dinner time, they take so long to develop. How about some quick hit stuff to get them on their heels? Gotta love Spaeth tho,... his eyes could light up the whole stadium - that wide-eyed, WTF am I doing out here look.

I'm bettin' the Bloodclot couldn't have Charlie lookin' too good 2 weeks in a row. He needs BB to make him look good. I'd say they covered Hines and Wally very well and we weren't even close to their guys most of the game. Brownie taking the last KO so far back in the endzone, he could of at least brought back some dogs and cokes with him. That's coaching to PREVENT a rookie mistake. He's tryin' to make magic and you have to love it, but - gotta use your head. That's where coaches need to get their attention AHEAD OF TIME !

Final thought: Used to love Ike. But how is it that a 9-yr starting DB can be proud (surprised, maybe?) of the fact that he finally caught the damn ball? Wouldn't you want to everyone to KNOW you can, even if you can't? He goes runing off the field surprised as hell and checking his hands and damn near pinching himself to see if it's real. Yeesh.

[Tonydesal Profile]

One more thing I'd like to add that I've been thinking about.

Week 2 our D was looking the the D of old. Something to be feared. Lots of tackling THROUGH the ball carrier, lots of gang tackling.

Week 3, it was there, but much less intense. Maybe guys were tired due to the second straight week out playing in Black uniforms in the blistering sun.

Week 4, it was gone. Save for the two constant studs on our D, Timmons and Harrison, there was no intensity, no ferocity. nothing to be feared that's for sure. I thought we were heading back to the days where our D was our image, the reason for our city to proud...

I guess they just don't make 'em like they used to.

[StillDodger Profile]

2. Why not take a safety at the end of the game? Reasoning: Leaves the punter unencumbered for the free kick. Spev kicking well all game. At least the PoeBirds would need 50 or 60 yards for a field goal (w/ no time outs).

You never take a safety with a four point lead........ If the same series of plays occurred, the Ravens win on a chippie FG.......

The only time you take a safety at that juncture is if the lead were six or seven points.

[LenSherwood Profile]

Along with the timid play calling prior to the endzone, I thought it pretty stupid to blitz Troy on the game winning catch. If you are going to be conservative, why blitz a safety with man to man coverage on at least two Raven receivers. Flacco sucks, granted but given single coverage all he had to do was throw the ball right at it. Why not keep Troy in the deep zone to help prevent what in fact happened?

[specialteamsplease Profile]

nick eason is really really bad and should never play.. redmen should get more carries especially late in the game

[Bukk U Profile]

Three words - Jeff Fukin Reed! He saw the Raven kicker sail one right in the first quarter; not to be outdone, he gets his shot at the same end and sails his right. Then the next one you can see the flags are still, and he shoots it way left. His kickoffs are atrocious and he is plain and simple a huge liability. Did anyone see the Pats kicker last night CONSISTANLY bang the ball in the end zone for touchbacks? How is that possible? Just like the Dolphins spec team coordinator was fired this morning to send a message - fire Skippy's ass and bring back Kris Brown if need be - I'm sure there is a kicker out there who can do just as bad - hell a high school kid can miss FG's and kick the ball to the 20!

[Texas_Stillers Profile]

The blame for the Ratbirds loss is solely on Reeds shoulders for missing two very makable kicks...that and Arians dumbass play calling at the 3 yd line.