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Around SBN: This Should Encourage Juan Mata

Ask a Steeler fan

This is a serious post. Im not a Raven basher or hater on anyday other than game day   : )

Hows it going Baltimore Beatdown?

My names Michael, I'm 20, and I'm a passionate football and Steeler fan. (Although im not one of those fans whos an idiot and i dont bash on you guys for kicks *cough SteelersChatPack cough*)

So the offseason is now starting to get into its uneventful stage, so i thought I'd try this out.

Rexx a little while back did one of these over at BTSC, and it really took off, so I'm hoping it will here as well.

This is your chance to ask a Steeler fan some questions, whether it be about the Steelers, Ravens, the draft or any other football queries you may have. (Please try to keep it civilised)

I for one enjoy talking to Ravens fans about football and our rivalry, as its nice to know how the other side of the fence clicks.

Post any questions in below, and I'll answer them as honestly and unbiasedly (is that a word) as possible.

So heres to some good conversation (I hope)

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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How did a Pittsburgh Steeler fan learn to read and write so well?

Just kidding! Sort of. Had to. Anyway…

Welcome to the Beatdown. We respect great football, especially defense and your Steelers played both well enough to take home the SB Trophy. A couple of plays here and there and we could have gone 3-0 on you and might be celebrating our 2nd title in 8 years. But…

Anyway, we all know your team just won the SB, but they did little if anything in free agency and the NFL Draft. How do they expect to win again after losing parts of their defense (McFadden, Foote) and really not doing anything to improve their o-line?

Rexx

by Rexx on May 11, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions  

Hi Rexx, lol thanks for the compliment

Right now, it seems we are banking on William Gay to step up and assume Mcfaddens #2 CB role opposite from Ike Taylor. McFadden was injured during the year, and Gay and Townsend performed well enough in his absence that Mcfadden actually ended up having to split time with Gay because of how well he was playing. That being said, i expect teams to throw in Gay’s direction, so he will have to step up big time, but we in Steeler Nation think he is capable.

As for Foote, it was unfortunate that he left, but it is Lawrence Timmons time now. Timmons may well be the best athlete on the team, it just now needs to be applied to the football field. He is very good rushing the passer, and he replaced Foote in passing situation due to his superior coverage skills and speed. I think you will be seeing a huge year out of him, provided he has the durability to play 3 downs

Ah the O-Line, in the end, we were at the bottom of the first, with no real chance at getting a top class OL worthy of a 1st round pick. The fact that many OL prospects that we passed on lasted till the middle 2nd round, it seems we were not the only ones who werent "1st round: impressed with the likes of Unger and Beatty. We took a couple OL who could be moulded into future plans, but i think that we wil be using the same Oline as last season, so its time to put faith in the coaches to get them up to scratch.
Khalif Barnes was probably the only FA OL who the Steelers would have been interested in based on age, but he was commanding too high a price tag.

In summary, we look like our Defense will keep us in games, and we have Big Ben who has proven he can win games in the last quarter, even if the first 3 quarters arent the best.

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 11, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

I got one!

Why haven’t the Steelers updated their uniforms for cryin out loud! You guys look like a Construcrion crew our their throwin the pigskin!

But on a more serious note, (not that i was kiddin about the uni’s) Pittsburgh has pretty much a cake-walk of a schedule coming up this year, but i truely think that the Ravens will be right there at the end. How do you, a Steeler, feel about Joe Flacco’s maturation? And how much better do you think he will be after a year in the League?

Also i peep’d your profile and i must say that while i hate all Steeler fans, yoiu didnt make “the list” of the passionate hate i have for them because you seem consistent with your teams from Pittsburgh. I absolutely hate front runners, and i’m in Fort Bragg NC (in the Army) and there are Steeler/ Yankee/ Laker/ UNC fans all over the place. It’s a joke! How do you feel about the front running that takes place on the Steelers bahalf? Does it take away from the “specialness” of the event of winning a super bowl? I know it would tick me off!

"Don't be mad at me, bow to your majesty, i'm so bright the sun wants to battle me!" Juelz Santana (when he was sick)

by FEARtheTERP1 on May 11, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions  

Hey thanks for the question

The thing with Joe Flacco is you cant teach poise. You ever have it, or you dont. That was the problem i saw with Kyle Boller, he’d get hit once in the game, and then was constantly up on his toes for the rest of it rushing throws because he let the pressure get to him. Flacco I think will benefit greatly from last year, he was very calm in the pocket, and even on MNF against the Steelers when he got sacked numerous times (icluding the fumble TD), he always came back out and stood strong and held his ground. You cant teach that. This year, he should (keyword: should) be much more mature as a leader, and he knows what to expect from tough defenses after playing Pittsburgh 3 times and Tennessee twice. I love his deep ball, probably one of the best I have seen, if he can get his short-intermediate game up to par and not force throws (see AFCCG), i think he should have a very good second year.

As for frontrunning fans, it can be a little annoying but for the most part doesnt bother me too much. Howvever when fans of say Detroit or Kansas City try to say “Im actually a fan of the Steelers too” just so they can feel good for a moment bugs me, or people who dont even follow football suddenly say “oh i like the Steelers”. Ive always believed in a one team only mentality, no soft spots for other teams. You can respect other teams, but id never cheer for another team unless there was say a friend in it or the Steelers needed that team to win for whatever reason. The Steelers, like the Yankees and the Lakers, are always consistently up the top, which is always going to bring out the glory seeker fans unfortunately.

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 11, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Uniforms

Our Uniforms aren’t about looking good, (we have the throwbacks for that) they’re about a timeless organization. It’s about history, and I know B-more is still a young franchise but you will find yours soon. I love the uniforms, it’s easily the most recognizable uniform in the world. I think that Baltimore needs to come up with it’s own gimmick (GB-Cheese heads, Pitt-Terrible towel.) It would be sweet. You guys should start a thread and brainstorm. I’ll help. Lol

by SoCalSteelerFan on May 14, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

I was wondering

Since everyone always says that the Steelers have that mentality of “Bringing their lunch pales to work” when they play football, which lunch boxes do the players have? I imagine Hines Ward with a Aladdin box and Ben with a Barbie box. Got any answers for that?

Also, after you guys won your 6th superbowl, Pittsburgh schools were told to open late so that students could celebrate the win. Now, I am all for hindering the education of the young ones in Pittsburgh, but my next question is.

Which situation to you see schools being closed for first, your 7th superbowl victory or Swine Flu? I hope Swine Flu.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 11, 2009 12:31 PM EDT reply actions  

Please excuse him...

….he has some issues that can’t seem to be resolved without evasive surgery and shock therapy.
(even though we agree w/ him).

Rexx

by Rexx on May 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

: )

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 11, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Just busting your chops Steeler

Only question I have for you is…..

Which set of hair contains more power, Joe Flacco’s unibrow or Palamlu’s afro? You better give the right answer!

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 11, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

To tough too call i think. You can pull Troy down via his hair (thank you Larry Johnson), but it is yet to see whether you can drag Flacco down by that unibrow lol

:P

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 11, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

I hear that Flacco is growing the Unibrow out

So he can get it cornrowed.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 11, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

That would look

Too gangster with a zisor!

"Don't be mad at me, bow to your majesty, i'm so bright the sun wants to battle me!" Juelz Santana (when he was sick)

by FEARtheTERP1 on May 11, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I hope the 7th Superbowl title :)

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 11, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

do pitt. cops look the other way when citizens chip coal from the ledges along the pa. interstates?

by raven on May 12, 2009 12:39 AM EDT reply actions  

lol, not that i know of

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 12, 2009 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

does ricky ben bobby have any injuries to make us happy about? is it true that there is a pump action motorcycle toy with bens likeness on it. i heard it comes with a ramp and a car with pop off fenders.

by raven on May 12, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions  

It seems as Bens shoulder is healing well, that was his main ailment at the end of last season. Hes just throwing a few passes each day, to keep it fresh but not to overexert it. Its good for Dixon and Batch as they split a lot more reps than usual with the 1st team

As for the toy, i sure hope not, but im sure you could find something for sale like that in Baltimore :)

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 12, 2009 7:07 AM EDT reply actions  

Two more things

1. The Steelers were a little hypocritical by releasing their long snapper after a recent motorcycle accident, don’t you think?
2. The Ravens fans seem to think that we would be as good with Troy Smith at QB. How worried are the Steelers fans with backups Charlie Batch and others?

Rexx

by Rexx on May 12, 2009 8:56 AM EDT reply actions  

2. The Ravens fans seem to think that we would be as good with Troy Smith at QB.

By Ravens fans, you do mean Malor, right?

by DT711 on May 12, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

right.

"Don't be mad at me, bow to your majesty, i'm so bright the sun wants to battle me!" Juelz Santana (when he was sick)

by FEARtheTERP1 on May 12, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Never said as good

Thought we were done with this?

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 12, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

Just trying to show that we can still win

with Troy, or not have anywhere the drop-off that Pittsburgh would have if Big Ben gets canned!

Rexx

by Rexx on May 12, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Exactly

We would still win with Troy. AFCC game??? Slim Chance, but I would trust Troy to take us to the playoffs. As I would hope many of you would.

Yes Rexx, we would be in a way better situation then Pitt if Ben and Joe both went down. I would much rather have Troy over Charlie Snatch.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 12, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Whilst i agree Smith > Batch

Look up Dennis Dixon, it seems like he is poised to take on the #2 role this year, and has being doing incredibly well in camp, and was reportedly out on the field only a couple weeks after the Superbowl.

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 12, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

I really like Dennis Dixon

He is a little too skinny right now, but he could be a solid QB if he packed on 15-20 pounds. Very similar QB to Troy.

I actually would like to see Dixon in a few games this year. Well, of course I would, that would mean that Bennigans is injured.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 12, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Similar to Troy

w/o the horrible leg injury (ACL, right?)

Rexx

by Rexx on May 13, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

Long Snapper's

Are expendable. Unfortunately for him, we had another option for less money and who wasnt in a motorcyle accident. It ucks, but the honest truth was a franchise QB is much more valuable than a long snapper. Although i thought it was a little harsh seeing as a motorcycle accident isnt a crime.

As for Troy Smith, i was really high on him before he handed the QB job to Flacco by getting sick. I think he was a hidden gem in the draft, sure he wasnt overly mechanically sound, but he was a baller. The game at the end of the 2007 season in Baltimore againste Pittsburgh, he outplayed Batch and got you guys the win, I still think he would be an effective starter for B’More if Flacco were to go down. If you D is as effective as last season, youd still be in a good spot with him as your backup

All the news on our backups is good, as Dixon and Batch are both getting good reps with the 1st team whilst Ben brings his shoulder along slowly. Although until I see evidence on the field I feel a little nervous at this point, but not enough to think wed crash without Ben at the helm

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 12, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions  

Do you think Troy Smith would have looked as good in that last 2007 game if the Steelers had been more concerned with getting a win than with getting past a meaningless game without any injuries to key players?

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on May 13, 2009 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

Debatable

A QB who can scramble i think has its advantages against our aggressive D, but id have to see it to believe it. He wouldnt have had it so easy for the win, but i still think he has potential.

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 13, 2009 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

You're wrong

Everyone here will tell you he has shown NO potential

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 13, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

Not at all

But that has been the topic of the last 2 weeks. Joe Flacco 11-5, Troy 5-11 to most.

I think we make the playoffs with him. No more though.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 13, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

No true MaLoR

In fact the complete opposite is true. ALL he has shown is potential. Really nothingelse as one or two games does not give you a clue about a QB’s future, otherwise Peyton would have been dumped long ago.

No more Troy stuff. He is a very capable backup who hopefully will not get a chance to take over at Baltimore anytime soon.

Rexx

by Rexx on May 13, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

I know

Just being sarcastic for all the crap I have been given the last 2 weeks about my so called “man crush” with the great Troy.

Troys my boy.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 13, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

Steeler

Do you think you guys did enough in the offseason to make a Superbowl run again? I liked the pickup of a DT in the draft, since you had little depth behind hampton. But you lost key players at LB, CB and WR. I am not saying the players you lost are better than the guys who will start or play in their stead, I am just saying that you have less depth at those 3 positions. Do the Steelers have sleepers to step in for them? I know Gay is next in line at CB, and I know people are hoping Sweed can step up at WR. Timmons is the new starter at LB. But who will take over their former roles. And do you think the O-line will be able to stay as healthy and productive as last year?

There are those who are saying that last year was the best case scenario from that group of players and it is unlikely that they will get comparable production out of that O-line. Whats your thoughts on that?

by Rayisyourdaddy on May 14, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions  

We still have all the pieces needed for a run

We like the pickup of Hood in the first round, as the DLine, although still playing well, is getting long on the tooth and we need replacements eventually. Hood will be groomed as a 3-4 end rather than tackle.
Footes departure at MLB opened the door for Timmons, who everyone in Pittsburgh is really excited about. The guy is just a physical freak, and may just be the best athlete on the team. Gay and Sweed are expected to step up, which I think they will.
The thing with the OL is that i really think we need to keep together the guys who played the majority of last season together, although everyone wants a replacement for Willie Colon. Our OL last year was nearly completely different from 2007 season, we lost Faneca to FA, then Simmons and Smith early on to injury. I see the OL to improve, but still be below average, i hope im wrong. Continuity can do wonders for a team, which I think is the way our coaches have approached the OL problems.

I expect the Steelers and Ravens to duke it out again, but im really not underestimating the Bengals too.

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 14, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions  

Footes departure at MLB opened the door for Timmons, who everyone in Pittsburgh is really excited about. The guy is just a physical freak, and may just be the best athlete on the team. Gay and Sweed are expected to step up, which I think they will.

Replace Foote with Scott, and Timmons with Gooden, and we are in the same spot. A physical, athletic beast who we are all very excited about. My guess, judging from Pitt and Baltimore’s respective track records in developing LB’s, is that they both are going to wreak havoc for a long time.

by DT711 on May 15, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

Not that long; just until they sign with another team for the big bucks.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on May 15, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

I dont see Gooden going anywhere

We need to start breeding someone to take over for Ray. Who better then Gooden. Fellow Miami guy and Ray is already making sure to take care of Gooden.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 15, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

i cant even talk steelers…not until we show we’re equal.

by raven on May 15, 2009 12:23 AM EDT reply actions  

Steeler

My main question is who will step up in their former spots? Who will replace Timmons as the backup LB, who still sees alot of snaps a game? Who will be the 4th CB now after Gay? And who is competing for the 4th WR spot? Who are up and coming players who you are hoping will step up and show more than flashes this year…

by Rayisyourdaddy on May 15, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions  

For the new roles

Keyaron Fox and Andre Frazier most likely those to step into the backup MLB role, although neither have the skill level Foote had. Steeler fans are high on Fox as a backup, so heres hoping it delivers. It is yet to be seen whether our LB rotation will be as effective with Foote now gone. I think the starting 4 will now dominate playing time, rather than 5.
Fourth cornerback behind Taylor, Gay and Townsend is a little hazy. Personally i really like our 3rd round pick Keenan Lewis, who i think will take the role come seasons end, but it could well be Keiwan Ratliff, who we got in FA to begin with.
Fourth WR is likely to be Shaun McDonald, who we picked up in FA after he departed Detroit. Sweed WILL be the #3. However he will face strong competition from Mike Wallace, our 1st 3rd round pick, who is a real burner and really what we need to stretch the field now that Washington has left. People close to the organisation also have Martin Nance rated highly, but i think hes more likely battling for a 5th slot.

Timmons and Woodley are my up and comers to watch, which sounds stupid since they arent really all that new. I just really really feel we havent seen the best out of them yet. Woodley in the postseason was the most dominant player on our Defense, and i really really think this year he blows up everyone.

As for lesser knowns, Frank “the Tank” Summers has nearly all of Steeler Nation excited, as a bruiser of a back, who hopefully will see some action although he has Parker, Mendy and Moore in front of him.

I also really want to see Mike Wallace step up in our return game, as ours was just embarassing last year, i mean we were returning kicks with two slow, power RBs (one was a fullback for effs sake!).

Its hard to pick up and comers, because there isnt much space to break into considerable playing time due to us only having 2 starters depart

BLITZBURGH IS BACK

by Michael Hewitt on May 15, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

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