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.

[LenSherwood Profile]

Mill, you're definitely a hard man to please. but this game was no work of art for sure. I had to miss the first half, came in the third quarter and wondered how the fuck the Ravens could have scored 21 points with Jacco and Co. shitting the bed as bad as they did in the 3rd. Jacco handed the Steelers this game, had he just had an average 3rd quarter, they would be going to the Patsies to get carved up. No way do the Steelers play like this and win in New England. They will fucking loose 40 something to oh.. 21 maybe. New England will kick your ass from the first quarter to last-- unlike the Steelers they don't fuck around with you.

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

I'm sorry Still, but you contradicted yourself several times in this. We all know you're biased against the likes of Farrior, Lebeau, and Clark. However, if it's so bad that you can't even give them credit where it is due, then you have a problem.

"Ryan Clark surprisingly had a half-decent game. He caught a Dong INT when Jacco overthrew Heap by about 19 feet in the 3Q. He flashed up and nabbed Boldin on a bubble screen for -2. He busted up a pass to Heap on 3d & 7 early on. He tackled McGayboy for -2 on a run. He also forced a fumble by Gay Rice, although Rice was foolishly holding the ball like a loaf of bread. His main boner -- aside from launching himself, helmet first, at Ike and injuring Ike -- was getting picked by Gay on the TD pass to Heap."

Half-decent game you say? He was the best player on the defense last night. He made more of an impact that any of the other guys did, including Harrison. Yes, the hit on Ike was stupid, but that kind of stuff happens.

He caught a Dong INT? So you're going to punish him for closing in on Heap, covering over the top, and being in good position? It's funny, you call his INT a "Dong INT" because Flacco threw a bad pass, yet you give credit to Keisel for a fumble recovery in which Flacco couldn't handle a simple snap and you give credit to Harrison for a sack when Flacco ran out of bounds and was too stupid to throw it away.

Same thing with his forced fumble. Can't have it both ways here. Not Clark's fault that Rice was holding it like that. However, he did his job and punched it out of there. You can't give other players credit for the Ravens making boneheaded plays, but then turn around and discredit Clark.

I don’t often rant about officials, although I’ve been forced to a few times this season.

I'm sorry, but you need to start this section off differently now. Before this season, you didn't rant about the officials too often. It's a blatant lie to say that this year. You've complained almost every week for the last two months, with the exception of the Cleveland game. The fact of the matter is, you and a lot of other Steelers fans have turned into whiners.

I’m still not convinced Ben’s “fumble” was a fumble. Per the “tuck rule”, his arm was coming forward.

This isn't a criticism to you, but I figured I would address it for everyone else. This play looked exactly like the last play of SB XLIII with Woodley and Warner. His arm went forward and the ball went flying past the LOS. People get too caught up with if the players arm is going forward. That actually doesn't really matter. At least it doesn't matter as much as something else. You have to watch the ball in his hand. If the ball is turned, moved, or adjusted in the slightest way by a defensive player, and BEFORE his arm starts coming forward. It is a fumble. If the ball is moved even the slightest bit in his hand, it is considered a loss of control, even if it really isn't. Same thing happened to Warner two years ago in the Super Bowl. Petty rule, tacky ruling, but it is the rule.

[rifraff Profile]

AHAHAHAHAHAH, what a game. Gonna celebrate allll week long. Thought it was over by the first half and we came back in glorious fashion. That could very well be the knockout punch for the Ravens in years to come? Lewis and Reed gettin up there, H. Nagata (sp?) is a free agent. Joe FlunKo (perfect sp) really looks to me like he has no passion for winning, its just a job to him?

Rooting for the Jets cause then we get to play at home, but probably be playin in Foxbourgh. Bellicheat is a good caoch, maybe the best tactician in the game, but he cheats too. We owe him for some prior Championship loses. It would be great to deny him another Super Bowl shot, poetic justice. We must hit and punish Brady, Welker and the other pipsqueak, Woodpecker on every play. A few close personnal fouls would be acceptable, if in doubt hit em anyway.

Since the last NE game the DC has supposedly tightened up pass coverage and we have been better since then. The ultimate test is against the Patsies, we just got to jam em and disrupt there route running and hit em.

On the 3rd&19 in the 4thQ and 1 yd sneak on 4th down, looks like Benjy called those plays himself. In the Playoffs always go for the jugluar, never take ur foot of the gas, unless facing inept offense, like say Balts

[tourosteelersfan Profile]

Mill, Nice discussion of the linebackers - especially re: the decision to rush Harrison in the second half - and yes as to your criticism re: the failure to throw more to the running backs. And you correctly called bullshit on Harbaugh slowing the game by throwing the red flag (and not being charged for it) on the 4th and 1 spot. A blatant (and successful) attempt to give his team a chance to regroup. I have mixed feelings about Mendenhall: he needs to run lower to the ground and too often hesitates to look for a better hole; on the other hand he ripped off a couple of strong runs and the last TD rush was admirable. As usual, I think you're a little too hard on Woodley - it's no shame being the third-best linebacker when Timmons and Harrison are ahead of you. There is so much press hype to these playoff games that it's a relief when the game is finally played; still I want to single out one comment I read today: Baltimore's free agent wide receivers choked, Pittsburgh's rookies came up big. I never would have imagined Ben R being able to be so successful throwing deep without Santonio Holmes.

Tomlin would have had a lot explaining to do if the Steelers lost - the second quarter was beyond atrocious. The Steelers can't afford such a prolonged lapse next weekend, wherever they play.

[btd343 Profile]

A few things stuck out for me in this game...

Polamalu was ineffective the entire game... which can't happen if we end up playing NE next week. Not all on him... he looked to still have his usual burst but was kept in prevent by Dick for most of the game... not allowed to play his usual rover back role. Which might have been a good thing considering how he got run over by Rice and completely over-pursued on another play in the red zone. Hopefully it was just rust after being held out of practice all week. I agree that Clark played great last night... accounting for two huge turnovers and coming up big with a couple of nice open field tackles.

Again, if we end up playing NE, we need to find a way to pressure Brady without running a casino blitz, otherwise we're going to get torn apart by the underneath pass all day.

Arians continues to amaze me with his predictable, gutless play calling (aside from the first drive). This is why we allow almost every team to hang around all game... we get a slight lead then it becomes a "hold the lead" situation rather than a "go for the kill" situation. I almost thought it was better when Ben was calling his own plays at the line... didn't end up being much of a hurry-up but probably more effective than Arians calling the plays. With a def that's pinning their ears back all game... we run ONE screen pass? Even after picking up 13 yards... we chose not to run one again. With three VERY capable and shifty RB's in the backfield, we throw one pass to them all day!? Heath was rediculously underused... again with an overpursuing def you'd think the underneath TE passes would be open. There was no help on Suggs... going up against two back-up tackles he was having his way... and we did nothing to help. I don't know if Arians saw something in the Ravens secondary or whether Ben just decided to run 4 go-routes on the 3rd and 19, but it was a great, game-changing play to get the ball downfield to Brown... again makes me wonder why we didn't take any shots with Wally the rest of the game!? Then that led us to a horrible 1st and Goal series in which we left the Ravens with one timeout when there should've been none. On one hand I appreciate Arians going for the TD early because his typical fashion would be to run three predictable plunges and settle for a FG... but in that situation you have to take the clock and # of timeouts into account. If you are going to take a shot there... it's a perfect time for a play action... but what do i know?

It was a totally different ball game in the 2nd half... we had good success in the red zone and capitalized on turnovers... but there's a lot of things that leave cause for concern going into the next round.

[stillgoingstrong Profile]

I'm sorry Still, but you contradicted yourself several times in this. We all know you're biased against the likes of Farrior, Lebeau, and Clark. However, if it's so bad that you can't even give them credit where it is due, then you have a problem.

"Ryan Clark surprisingly had a half-decent game. He caught a Dong INT when Jacco overthrew Heap by about 19 feet in the 3Q. He flashed up and nabbed Boldin on a bubble screen for -2. He busted up a pass to Heap on 3d & 7 early on. He tackled McGayboy for -2 on a run. He also forced a fumble by Gay Rice, although Rice was foolishly holding the ball like a loaf of bread. His main boner -- aside from launching himself, helmet first, at Ike and injuring Ike -- was getting picked by Gay on the TD pass to Heap."

Half-decent game you say? He was the best player on the defense last night. He made more of an impact that any of the other guys did, including Harrison. Yes, the hit on Ike was stupid, but that kind of stuff happens.

He caught a Dong INT? So you're going to punish him for closing in on Heap, covering over the top, and being in good position? It's funny, you call his INT a "Dong INT" because Flacco threw a bad pass, yet you give credit to Keisel for a fumble recovery in which Flacco couldn't handle a simple snap and you give credit to Harrison for a sack when Flacco ran out of bounds and was too stupid to throw it away.

Same thing with his forced fumble. Can't have it both ways here. Not Clark's fault that Rice was holding it like that. However, he did his job and punched it out of there. You can't give other players credit for the Ravens making boneheaded plays, but then turn around and discredit Clark.

I don’t often rant about officials, although I’ve been forced to a few times this season.

I'm sorry, but you need to start this section off differently now. Before this season, you didn't rant about the officials too often. It's a blatant lie to say that this year. You've complained almost every week for the last two months, with the exception of the Cleveland game. The fact of the matter is, you and a lot of other Steelers fans have turned into whiners. BING!

I’m still not convinced Ben’s “fumble” was a fumble. Per the “tuck rule”, his arm was coming forward.

This isn't a criticism to you, but I figured I would address it for everyone else. This play looked exactly like the last play of SB XLIII with Woodley and Warner. His arm went forward and the ball went flying past the LOS. People get too caught up with if the players arm is going forward. That actually doesn't really matter. At least it doesn't matter as much as something else. You have to watch the ball in his hand. If the ball is turned, moved, or adjusted in the slightest way by a defensive player, and BEFORE his arm starts coming forward. It is a fumble. If the ball is moved even the slightest bit in his hand, it is considered a loss of control, even if it really isn't. Same thing happened to Warner two years ago in the Super Bowl. Petty rule, tacky ruling, but it is the rule.

ditto, and hopefully you used spell check and proper grammar because that's what mill will go after in response to all the VALID points you made. throw in a couple feebly assed insults and most likely a deflection of some sort, followed by praising someone/anyone who agrees with any of the many, many, complaints issued.

A few things stuck out for me in this game...

Polamalu was ineffective the entire game... which can't happen if we end up playing NE next week. Not all on him... he looked to still have his usual burst but was kept in prevent by Dick for most of the game... not allowed to play his usual rover back role. Which might have been a good thing considering how he got run over by Rice and completely over-pursued on another play in the red zone. Hopefully it was just rust after being held out of practice all week. I agree that Clark played great last night... accounting for two huge turnovers and coming up big with a couple of nice open field tackles.

Polly did get tooled on a couple tackles, but the guy has never been known for being a great technique tackler. He usually hits someone very hard, and that's enough to bring them down. When you get a guy as agile as Rice who can shift so quickly it makes that closing speed of his more of a liability. And if him being ineffective results in the opposing team only having a hundred and some yards total offense....keep doing what your doing imo

[Jeemie Profile]

Mill gave a C- grade to a DC whose defense went out and held the Ravens to 123 total yards, and with the exception of one long drive, got all its points on either a turnover or a short field caused by a turnover and poor STs coverage.

That should tell you all you need to know about Mill anymore.

More's the pity- because it wasn't always this way.

PS Look at the INT play again- the poor throw by Flacco WAS forced by the D...by some pressure and the bracketing of Heap by the defense.

And a forced fumble is a forced fumble. Our D had more to do with Rice's fumble than the Ravens' D had to do with Mendenhall's fumble.

Even the defensive players gave LeBeau credit- they said that LeBeau noticed a pattern to what the Ravens were doing, and had perfect play calls for it, they said.

But of course, you know better than the players who...you know...are actually on the field and on the sidelines, and who spend all their time with this man.

[pinpon Profile]

As Billy Mays would say: "But wait....." The Gaytriots are done and the Evil Empire gets to go play with peckers like the Poe Birds!!!!
Steelers will need a much better effort to defeat this hot Jets team. The mismatch I see off the top of my head is using 4 wides. They don't have the DB depth to cover our top 4 wides. We must stop their run and not allow horseshit draws and misdirections to go for 10 plus.

[Fire Arians Profile]

how did kiesel have a better game than hood? ziggy was a beast

[Tonydesal Profile]

To everyone reading Mill's Post - you're doing it wrong.

You should be reading what happened, and ignoring the fluff.

See, every week I read Mill's recap of the game, and he always points out two or three things that happened that I was unaware of. For that I am grateful for his attention to detail. As far as his opinion of what happened in the game... well it's just that, an opinion.

I dare to say that not one of you are clicking on this link for the color commentary. So, I say leave the man alone least he decide to stop doing this weekly post!

[mikeyg Profile]

Ryan Clark was player of the game - how do you miss this Mill? You find your axe to grind and can't recognize a great perfomance when it hits you between the eyes.

No Clark = No win.......

[jdpdts Profile]

Mill, told us all week about how bad the Steelers, especially the defense sucks. But, all of us morons who forget to breathe half the time didn't believe him. But we now have to admit Mill was right. The Steelers almost gave up 150 total yards. Ridiculous!!! Why do we watch them? Why are they even still in the league? The Rooneys ought to sell this team!!!

I'm with you now Mill. You won me over. I hate the Steelers. I wish they'd all die. They'll never beat the Jets will the Mill? They'll never win another game if you ask me and Mill.

[zapunto Profile]

You know, everyone's bitching about Mill's breaking of Ryan Clark's play. Mill gave Clark an A. I think the "half-decent" comment was just a back-handed comment at his play during the regular season. He played the game of his life on Saturday.

I will happily disagree about the Dong INT stuff. Clark's penchant as a free safety is the knockout blow when bracketing coverage. It was refreshing to see Clark go get the pick instead of blasting a defenseless Heap which he could have easily done.

[BGSUsteelers Profile]

You know, everyone's bitching about Mill's breaking of Ryan Clark's play. Mill gave Clark an A. I think the "half-decent" comment was just a back-handed comment at his play during the regular season. He played the game of his life on Saturday.

I will happily disagree about the Dong INT stuff. Clark's penchant as a free safety is the knockout blow when bracketing coverage. It was refreshing to see Clark go get the pick instead of blasting a defenseless Heap which he could have easily done.

And that exactly proves how bias he is against Clark. He gave him an A while Ike got an A+. While the plays Clark did make are just as important as the plays Ike didn't allow in the big picture, Clark is still being unfairly graded. The only reason StillMill could have not give Clark an A+, was because of the Touchdown that was scored on him. However, Clark had a pick set against him. There is nothing he could have done about that. Ike couldn't have stopped that, Troy couldn't have... well maybe Troy could have. Anyways my point is, if you're going to penalize Clark for that, you have to penalize Ike for his penalty on Mason when he returned from being hurt. After all, it was 3rd and 15. That penalty gave the Ravens a 1st down, and then they went on to score a touchdown. So technically it's the same result as Clark's lone blunder. Clark, by far, had the most impact on the game. The Steelers were practically dead until Clark caused that fumble and got that pick.

The fact of the matter is, StillMill doesn't grade the players and staff fairly. He has an obvious bias against the likes of Clark, Farrior and Lebeau. Now, that doesn't mean he is always wrong when he drills those guys, but he does nitpick them more than others just to make them appear to be worse than they are. I do find it funny how this team is filled with a bunch of "Dongs" and "Tauntos" as Mill calls them, yet they are 13-4, have probably the best D in the league and are one win away from playing in their 3rd Super Bowl in six years. Forget this being the era of the Quarterbacks, this is the era of the "retards winning games and Super Bowls" and I love it! If only the Steelers had a few more Dick Lebeau's, the "dumbfuck" that he is, coaching this team. If only they had a few more of those "complete assfucks" playing in games for them. Maybe, just maybe they'd have another ring or two.

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Ryan Clark Kent filled in well as Troy Polamalu Superman!!!

[KreidersRage Profile]

I do find it funny how this team is filled with a bunch of "Dongs" and "Tauntos" as Mill calls them, yet they are 13-4, have probably the best D in the league and are one win away from playing in their 3rd Super Bowl in six years.

Every week, we hear about players getting "Dong" plays. Kind of makes you wonder who put the players in the position to get those gimme plays, doesn't it? I mean, it obviously isn't the coaches. Can't be the players. I guess the opponents just decide to hand us sacks and turnovers because they feel bad for us.

[LenSherwood Profile]

Mill is right in that this was no great game on the part of the Steelers. A better qb like you are going to find in the rest of the playoffs is not going to fuck up like Flacco and let the Steelers back into the game. And even with that horrible third quarter the Ravens still had a chance to go up 28 to 24 but for a dropped sure touchdown pass by Boldoin. If for one fucking time, they could come to play and put together a complete game, well that would be nice. A game where we are not left with barely pulling out a win. You know where the fucking special teams don't give up big play after big play, the defense stops the other team's passing game, and the offense executes long drives. The game they played on Saturday is not going to cut it next round.

[grubbymolson Profile]

Just heard on Boomer and carton,not only did Carton pick the Jets to win but he picked a shutout,23-0,this is a guy that picked his team to lose last week !!?

[Jeemie Profile]

Mill is right in that this was no great game on the part of the Steelers. A better qb like you are going to find in the rest of the playoffs is not going to fuck up like Flacco and let the Steelers back into the game. And even with that horrible third quarter the Ravens still had a chance to go up 28 to 24 but for a dropped sure touchdown pass by Boldoin. If for one fucking time, they could come to play and put together a complete game, well that would be nice. A game where we are not left with barely pulling out a win. You know where the fucking special teams don't give up big play after big play, the defense stops the other team's passing game, and the offense executes long drives. The game they played on Saturday is not going to cut it next round.

While that is true, you can count on one hand the number of times the Steelers have played in such a manner this year.

They may have not had many complete games this season, but they have also very rarely had a clusterfuck like they had in the first half.

So I'm not too concerned that "that type of game" will happen again.

They may lose...but I do not believe they will lose badly like that.