View topic - Not Even Half an Effort

[stiller4ever Profile]

I hate to lose and I really hate to lose when the team is not ready to play, shows no emotion and lets one get away with just an all over poor effort. The Bengals showed me little that they are a Super Bowl caliber team. The Steelers however showed me much that indicates they aren't. Here's just a summary of what really pissed me off about this game:

1. Steelers played so flat that they effectively took the Heinz field crowd right out of the game
2. BR7 looked like a first year rookie with passes all over the place except near receivers. What's with the bullet throws on 3rd and three? What's with the continual bombs to double covered receivers? It was obvious even to a novice like me that Cincy was playing off the ball much like the Steelers do; and how do we respond? - by trying to take long drops and throw middle to deep - even on 3rd and short. Ben played like he just wasn't interested. Oh, and I though at 6' 7" he might be able to pass over offensive lineman at least most of the time.
3. We lost our defensive playmaker and apparently his ability to move around the field makes for every one else to just be continually beaten on just about every pass play there was. Thank goodness Palmer for the most part was as accurate as Ben. I counted no less than 5 interception possibilities that were dropped. At least Troy can catch the ball. With our luck he's done for the season.
4. We continue to run what my brother affectionately calls the "velcro blitz" - every one up the middle and gets stuck against some offensive lineman. We can't come off the corners once in a while?
5. If you need a crucial third down conversion, just throw to the man who has to be covered by 51. He looks like a man trying to catch a bus that he is 5 minutes late for - his lack of speed is killing us.
6. In a game where a little spark was definitely needed offense, where was the no huddle? I don't think I saw it used all day. What the hell? This just leads to another point on play calling next.
7. well, the genius of our OC apparently left him like the Baltimore Colts in the middle of the night. I know PLAYERS need to execute but my goodness, what terrible play calling. Shades of 2006 when we need a spark- we run on 1st and 2nd down and then everyone in the building knows what's up on third down. Again, let's not adjust and roll our pocket but let's bullet down the field 10-20 yards on 3rd and short. I know there will be no coaching changes during the remainder of the year but if Mike Tomlin doesn't see that we are not taking advantage of the talent position players we have, then he must live with the consequences. Even when the OC has called a few good games, there was NOTHING ineventful in this one whatsoever. A shuttle pitch to Health Miller - give me a break
8. Lastly, but there could easily be more - special teams coverage needs something desperately (coaching change? I don't know what) - AND we need a kicker who can at least get it consistently to the 5 yard line. I want to see Stlll Mill's analysis of staring field position after Steeler kick-offs - not just this game but all season. We are giving up so much field position it is a joke.

Ok - you guys and gals can rip up my analysis but like I said, the whole effort just pisses me off to no end. I only feel a little better after ranting. The way we played today, we would have a difficult time beating the Cincy Bearcats let alone the "magnificent" Bengals. It also shows I guess that we either think we can mail it in or we spend too much time as a team reading about how great our opponents are.

I need to take a few weeks off from watching. Here's hoping the Steelers don't take a few more weeks off from playing.

[Sun and Steel Profile]

Were you watching the same game as I was? Yes, we did play the Heinz crowd right out of the game. What drove me crazy was the number of times we were in the SHITGUN formation with an empty backfield on first down or second and SHORT. Pretty much takes out the threat of the possibility of the run play. Arians was absolutely clueless, up to his usual grab bag self. The running game was never given a chance, nothing but plunges, no misdirection, no trap blocking, no pulling Kemo where he is at his best. After watching one Indys first play from scrimmage against NE I was made acutely aware of the asinine offensive philosophy of our offensive coaching staff. Play action, what's that? Can't have it with an empty backfield! Fire Arians! This loss can't be pinned on the D, they held up every time in the red zone. We went backwards two out of four times down on the 10. I really thought the Black and Gold would demonstrate that Cincy had no business beating them in the first tilt. Instead they out Steelered the Steelers.

[dadrfishing Profile]

Your analsys is spot on

[IronCity__Man Profile]

I think you hit the point dead on - one thing you covered that aggravated me was the blitzing style. We should have been throwing a few corner, safety blitzes to shake up that o-line. The Bungle o-line simply sat shoulder to shoulder and gave Palmer ample time. We should have been making these guys worry about the edge more. Losing Polamalu really hurt our secondary being able to line up in different positions but they should have still tried.

I am getting rather sick at watching fumbles, ints, and returns going for TDs. It was the difference in this game.

[Rushmore Profile]

"What drove me crazy was the number of times we were in the SHITGUN formation with an empty backfield on first down or second and SHORT. Pretty much takes out the threat of the possibility of the run play."

Kudos. I've been making this observation too. BR7 is either in shotgun or under center with a fullback and rb. I wonder what play is coming??? There can be no deception is either case. To reiterate: 3rd and 2 and we see BR7 in shotgun, empty backfield???? He should get sacked.

Also, w/ Bengals pass-defense ranked 25th, BR7 attempting 40 passes should come as no surprise. The Stillers were always in the game. Stay with the game plan i.e. throw the ball.

[StillCanadian Profile YIM]

The teams that run the ball in Nov, Dec and Jan will be successful. This will set-up the pass better than Matt Spaeth in the two useless TE set!

[Steelhope Profile]

I hate to lose and I really hate to lose when the team is not ready to play, shows no emotion and lets one get away with just an all over poor effort. The Bengals showed me little that they are a Super Bowl caliber team. The Steelers however showed me much that indicates they aren't. Here's just a summary of what really pissed me off about this game:

1. Steelers played so flat that they effectively took the Heinz field crowd right out of the game
2. BR7 looked like a first year rookie with passes all over the place except near receivers. What's with the bullet throws on 3rd and three? What's with the continual bombs to double covered receivers? It was obvious even to a novice like me that Cincy was playing off the ball much like the Steelers do; and how do we respond? - by trying to take long drops and throw middle to deep - even on 3rd and short. Ben played like he just wasn't interested. Oh, and I though at 6' 7" he might be able to pass over offensive lineman at least most of the time.
3. We lost our defensive playmaker and apparently his ability to move around the field makes for every one else to just be continually beaten on just about every pass play there was. Thank goodness Palmer for the most part was as accurate as Ben. I counted no less than 5 interception possibilities that were dropped. At least Troy can catch the ball. With our luck he's done for the season.
4. We continue to run what my brother affectionately calls the "velcro blitz" - every one up the middle and gets stuck against some offensive lineman. We can't come off the corners once in a while?
5. If you need a crucial third down conversion, just throw to the man who has to be covered by 51. He looks like a man trying to catch a bus that he is 5 minutes late for - his lack of speed is killing us.
6. In a game where a little spark was definitely needed offense, where was the no huddle? I don't think I saw it used all day. What the hell? This just leads to another point on play calling next.
7. well, the genius of our OC apparently left him like the Baltimore Colts in the middle of the night. I know PLAYERS need to execute but my goodness, what terrible play calling. Shades of 2006 when we need a spark- we run on 1st and 2nd down and then everyone in the building knows what's up on third down. Again, let's not adjust and roll our pocket but let's bullet down the field 10-20 yards on 3rd and short. I know there will be no coaching changes during the remainder of the year but if Mike Tomlin doesn't see that we are not taking advantage of the talent position players we have, then he must live with the consequences. Even when the OC has called a few good games, there was NOTHING ineventful in this one whatsoever. A shuttle pitch to Health Miller - give me a break
8. Lastly, but there could easily be more - special teams coverage needs something desperately (coaching change? I don't know what) - AND we need a kicker who can at least get it consistently to the 5 yard line. I want to see Stlll Mill's analysis of staring field position after Steeler kick-offs - not just this game but all season. We are giving up so much field position it is a joke.

Ok - you guys and gals can rip up my analysis but like I said, the whole effort just pisses me off to no end. I only feel a little better after ranting. The way we played today, we would have a difficult time beating the Cincy Bearcats let alone the "magnificent" Bengals. It also shows I guess that we either think we can mail it in or we spend too much time as a team reading about how great our opponents are.

I need to take a few weeks off from watching. Here's hoping the Steelers don't take a few more weeks off from playing.