Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers.
by shines on Aug 1, 2009 9:46 PM EDT
56 comments
As we approach the 2009 NFL Season with every second passed we grow with excitement and anticipation. As Baltimore Raven fans we think about one thing; the Pittsburgh Steelers. We also tell ourselves that this year will be the year we beat the Colts, but more importantly; our most hated rival, those Steelers. This past season was a year in which the true talent of each team was shown and we matched up so evenly in almost every aspect of the game, it really is a thing of beauty. Now lets get to it and in honor of Terrell Suggs, "YBYSA!"
As a fan I admit that I sometimes have a very biased opinion, so with that said my opinions will not be the topic of this article. We can talk all about that below, but this is an accurate comparison from top to bottom as far as (projected) starters go. I admit that I am very far from being considered a Steeler fan (actually Im light years away) but I love this game of football and I know my facts. So I based my Steelers projected lineup off previous seasons, draft, etc.
Lets start at Quarterback:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Ben Roethlisberger: 16 Games- 80.1 QB Rating, 281 of 469 (59.9%) for 3,301 yds, 17 TD/15 INT.
- Joe Flacco: 16 Games- 80.3 QB Rating, 257 of 428 (60%) for 2,971 yds, 14 TD/12 INT
Statistically speaking; both QB's match up very well, almost identical numbers. Roethlisberger rushed 34 times for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns. Flacco amassed 180 yards off of 52 attempts and also scored 2 touchdowns. This is a very neck-and-neck battle with the only difference being that Roethlesberger is comfortably in place and in full command of his offense. Whereas Flacco is just coming into the role, his production was limited in the past season simply to help him make a smooth transition.
Number 1 and 2 Receivers:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Hines Ward: 81 receptions for 1,043 yards. 7 TD's and a 49 yard longest reception.
- Santonio Holmes: 55 receptions for 821 yards. 5 TD's and a 48 yard longest reception.
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Mason: 80 receptions for 1,037 yards. 5 TD"s and a 54 yard longest reception.
- Mark Clayton: 41 receptions for 695 yards. 3 TD's and a 70 yard longest reception.
We have another close battle with the main difference being actual TD's. Clayton and Holmes however do have other statistics worth noticing. Clayton rushed 6 times for 81 yards and a 42 yard TD, along with a 32 yard TD pass to Derrick Mason. Holmes returned 34 punts last season for an average of 6.6 ypr.
Running Backs and Full Back:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Willie Parker: 11 Games- 10 for 791 yards, 5 TD's and 3 receptions for 13 yards.
- Rashard Mendenhall: 4 Games- 19 for 58 yards with 2 receptions for 17 yards.
- Carey Davis: 14 Games- 12 for 35 yards, with 5 receptions for 21 yards.
Baltimore Ravens
- Willis McGahee: 13 Games- 170 for 671 yards, 7 TD's and 24 receptions for 173 yards.
- Ray Rice: 13 Games- 107 for 454 yards, with 33 receptions for 273 yards.
- LeRon McClain: 16 Games- 232 for 902 yards, 10 TD's, with 19 rec. for 123 yds and 1 TD.
The Steelers struggled at rushing the ball last season whereas the Ravens had great success in their running game. (It should be noted that Mewelde Moore was a gem in the Pittsburgh rushing attack as he racked up 588 yards with 140 carries for 5 TD's along with 320 yards receiving off 40 receptions with 1 TD.)
Tight End:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Heath Miller: 48 rec. for 514 yards with 3 TD's and a 22 yard longest reception.
- Matt Spaeth: 17 rec. for 136 yards and a 13 yard longest reception.
Baltimore Ravens
- Todd Heap: 35 rec. for 403 yards with 3 TD's and a 30 yard longest reception.
- LJ Smith: 37 rec for 298 yards with 3 TD's and a 25 yard longest reception.
This Tight End battle is actually a very interesting one. Heath Miller has been extremely reliable for the Steelers. Todd Heap was used for pass protection on a regular basis last season, Cam Cameron is expected to incorporate more Tight End play this season with the addition of LJ Smith from Philadelphia.
Offensive Lines:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- LT- Max Starks, LG- Chris Kemoeatu, C- Justin Hartwig, RG- Darnell Stapleton, RT- Willie Colon
Baltimore Ravens
- LT- Jared Gaither, LG- Ben Grubbs, C- Matt Birk, RG- Marshal Yanda, RT- Michael Oher
Offensive line play will be key in this upcoming season, both teams suffered a loss of veteran leadership as the Steelers parted ways with Marvel Smith and the Ravens took a loss whenWillie Anderson retired. Pittsburghs offensive line gave up 49 sacks last season and the Baltimore line gave up 33. Both teams have made attempts to solidify their lines in the offseason, we shall see who wins this battle when the season kicks off. Baltimore hopes the additions of stud right tackle Michael Oher and veteran center Matt Birk will help bolster an already impressive running game.
Defensive Line:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Aaron Smith: 60 TT, 5.5 sacks and 4 passes deflected.
- Casey Hampton: 22 TT, 1 sack and 1 pass defelcted.
- Brett Keisel: 41 TT, 1 sack and 2 passes defelcted.
- Travis Kirschke: 46 TT and 2 sacks.
Baltimore Ravens
- Trevor Pryce: 27 TT, 4.5 sacks and 2 passes deflected.
- Kelly Gregg: 83 TT, 3 sacks and 3 passes defelected. (*2007 stats)
- Haloti Ngata: 55 TT, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 5 passes deflected.
- Justin Bannan: 45 TT, 1 sack, 1 interception and 3 passes deflected.
Both teams have a stacked house of talented Defensive Linemen, Kelly Gregg is coming back from a season-long injury and is expected to be the explosive player he was for many years. Both teams drafted young prospects in this years draft with the Steelers taking Evander "Ziggy" Hood with the 32nd pick and Baltimore landing Paul Kruger with the 57th pick. Stopping the run has been something both teams pride themselves in for many years now and things dont look to change anytime soon.
Linebackers:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- LaMarr Woodley: 60 TT, 11.5 sacks, 1 int., 2 FF and 2 passes deflected.
- James Farrior: 133 TT, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF and 5 passes deflected.
- James Harrison: 101 TT, 16 sacks, 1 int, 7 FF and 3 passes deflected.
- Lawrence Timmons: 65 TT, 5 sacks, 1 int, 1 FF and 3 passes deflected.
Baltimore Ravens
- Jarret Johnson: 56 TT, 4 sacks, 2 FF and 3 passes deflected.
- Ray Lewis: 117 TT, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 FF and 9 passes deflected.
- Terrell Suggs: 69 TT, 8 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 FF and 9 passes deflected.
- Tavares Gooden: 87 TT, 12.5 sacks, and 3 FF. (*Senior Season, limited action last year)
The departure of Bart Scott has been a headline magnet since the beginning of the 2009 free agency, the Baltimore Ravens hope 2nd year man Tavares Gooden can fill the void with his signature sideline-to-sideline speed and with a nickname of "Baby Ray," many fans cant ait to see what this young man has in store. The Steelers retrun a dominating 4 and are anxious to see how the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison will attempt to match his impressive showing from '08. The loss of former starting LB Larry Foote is expected to go rather smooth for the defending champs, whether that is true or not will be proven come kickoff.
Secondary:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- LCB Ike Taylor: 65 TT, 1 int and 15 passes deflected.
- RCB Deshea Townsend: 20 TT, 2 int and 8 passes deflected.
- SS Troy Polamalu: 73 TT, 7 interceptions and 17 passes deflected.
- FS Ryan Clark: 88 TT, 1 int and 6 passes deflected.
Baltimore Ravens
- LCB Fabian Washington: 31 TT, 1 int and 15 passes deflected.
- RCB Domonique Foxworth: 38 TT, 1 int and 11 passes deflected.
- SS Dawan Landry: 83 TT, 1 sack and 6 passes deflected. (*2007 stats)
- FS Ed Reed: 41 TT, 1 sack, 9 interceptions, 1 FF and 16 passes deflected.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did a great job last season at limiting the aerial attack of other teams and look to continue that trend but may have to plug in some different names with the key loss of starting corner Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals. The Ravens to have bolstered their cornerback position with the addition of Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr via free agency. Along with the move of Samari Rolle from full time corner to Nickle Back. Both teams are very talented and blessed at the safety position where the Steelers have Troy Polamalu and the ravens have all world Free Safety Ed Reed. The key to this battle is the return of Dawan Landry, coming back from a season ending spinal injury is no easy task, but Landry seems to be back to pro form. When healthy Landry has the potential to be an all pro safety and only time will tell if his body allows him to succeed once again.
Special Teams:
Pittsburgh Steeler
- K Jeff Reed: 27-31, 87.1% with a long of 53 yards and 117 total points.
- P Daniel Sepulveda: 42.4 yd avg, a long of 59 yards, pinning 28 inside the 20 and 7 inside the 10.
Baltimore Ravens
- Current battle between Graham Gano and Steve Hauschka, both currently unproven.
- P Sam Koch: 45 yd avg, a long of 74 yards, pinning 34 inside the 20 and 18 inside the 10.
Special teams play can make or break a football team, which is why so many fans and experts are closely watching the competition between Gano and Hauschka at Ravens training camp. Ozzie Newsom has said that Matt Stover would still be an option if neither can prove to be the right man for the job. Santonio Holmes returned punts for Pittsburgh last season while Gary Russel and Mewelde Moore shared the load on kickoff returns. The Ravens on the other hand have another open competition for their return men. Chris Carr was brought in from Tennessee where he averaged 28.1 yards per kick return and 10.1 per punt return. He is expected to compete against former first round draft pick Yamon Figurs along with Lardarius Webb, Tom Zbikowski and multiple other players as the lead return man.
Overall:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- 290 Total First Downs; (rushing/passing/by penalty) 93, 179, 18.
- 4,991 Total offensive yards, 4.9 avg yards per play.
- 1,690 Rushing Yards, 3.7 yards per rush.
- 3,301 Passing yards, 7.1 yards per pass.
- 38 Total TD's, 51 Sacks, avg. TOP: 31:41 and a Turnover Ratio of +4.
Baltimore Ravens
- 300 Total First Downs; (rushing/passing/by penalty) 132, 147, 21.
- 5,184 Total offensive yards, 4.7 avg yards per play.
- 2,376 Rushing Yards, 4 yards per rush.
- 2,808 passing yards, 7.1 yards per pass.
- 42 Total TD's, 34 Sacks, avg. TOP: 33:22 and a Turnover Ratio of +13.
I decided not to include coaching staffs simply based on the fact that these coaches have been placed in their positions because they know what they are doing. From top to bottom we are 2 of the most talented and respectable staffs in the NFL. With that being said; let's get it started. Who has the edge and why?
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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Understandable.
And awesome!
Scott Hines
by shines on Aug 1, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Masons back so ……….uhhh, so….so we’ll move the ball a little bit against you.
by raven on Aug 1, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ravens weakness
I am an avid Ravens fan and go to games regularly. It seems to me that we do in fact match up very well with the Steelers. Our problem has been the secondary(except for Ed Reed). We have kept them in check for the 58 of the 60 minutes of every game for the last 3 or 4 games. He have somehow found a way to let them have a big pass play at the end of each game that changes everything. As great as our defense has been for many many years now, our weakness (if we can call it one) is and has been our secondary. Ed Reed can’t do everything, and our corners have left something to be desired season after season. I believe that’s why the Colts have been able to move the ball on us so well. If it was a fluke everytime the Steelers snuck out a big pass play on us, and the DBs aren’t weak, then that pendulum should and would swing back at least once in a while and so far it hasn’t. We have yet to do to the Steelers what they do to us….and that’s pull off a big play to close the game out. They sure seem to have it down. Sometimes I feel like they’re waiting for the last drive to do it to us. Just my opinion.
by Leprekhan on Aug 2, 2009 4:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Secondary will be greatly improved this year
Here is an excerpt from a good post stating the Beatdowns reasons why our defense will be improved this year…
http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2009/6/30/930634/the-beatdowns-reasons-why-the
I looked back to the CB’s who suited up for the Ravens in 2007, since we went into that season with expectations similar to this upcoming year. Of course that season didn’t play out like we all would have wanted for a variety of reasons. Poor QB play was a major one, as was very poor CB play. It seemed any team with a good QB (Manning, Palmer…) was able to throw the ball at will on us. Our corners just weren’t good enough or fast enough to get by. All that equaled a very disappointing 5-11 season.
If we were to point out one weakness of the Ravens D in the past decade, it has to be defending the pass, as our run D has been consistently stellar, as has our LB and DL play. During the 2007 season these 8 corner backs saw time….
C-Mac
Rolle
Ivy
D. Martin
D. Pittman
W. Gaston
R. Prude
J. WinbourneNot a good group, no matter how you look at it. McAllister and Rolle were both solid but both battled injuries and age. Their speed was not what it once was and allowed top WR’s to beat them with double moves. Behind them is where we really struggled. Ivy is a nice nickel or dime back and special teamer but cannot start at CB. He is just too small and does not have the speed to play on the outside. The rest of the corners are journeymen at best. Our depth was deplorable that year and we payed dearly for it.
Ozzie Newsome, being the wizard that he is, realizes that smart orginazations turn their weaknesses into strengths. He saw that we were lacking young talent, speed and depth at the position, so he did something about it. Over the past two off seasons he has made savvy trades, (Fab for a 4th round pick was a steal), smart, affordable free agent pickups, (Walker, Carr and Foxworth – While Fox was not cheap, Oz paid market value), restructured the contracts of a valuable veteran who most thought was out the door, (Rolle) and did what he does best – find young cheap talent in the middle rounds of the draft (Webb). All these moves has given us depth, talent and speed at the position like never before. We posses the fastest CB tandem in the league, and have 3 reserves who can start capably in a worst case situation….
Washington
Foxworth
Rolle
Carr
Walker
Webb
Gerard
MartinGranted, all of those guys will probably not make the final roster, but that is some great talent at the position. Looking back, Martin might have been our 4th best corner in 2007, possibly 3rd, depending how you feel about Ivy.
This year he is going to struggle to make the team. Now that’s some depth.This is one of the main reasons why I am so optimistic about our chances of beating the Colts, and making a deep run. We know our run D will be stellar, especially with Buddy Lee’s return. Now with corners who can actually run with faster WR’s (Holmes, Harrisons of the world), our pass rush should greatly improve. With the extra time, I can see Suggs having a monster season.
You guys did a great job at listing reasons why our D will be improved in 2009. It’s funny how non Ravens fans like to beat the same drum, over and over again, as to why our D will fall off. Every year they are proved wrong, yet every off season the talk starts back up. I am optimistic that this can be one of our top defenses since our SB year.
Having Landry back is a clear upgrade, especially considering the fact that Reed works best with a larger SS, and Landry is a “thumper”, no doubt. Add our great safeties to this added CB depth and I think our DB’s will finally be a strength on our D. Because of this, I am predicting a victory over the Colts, since we won’t be the same old Ravens that get burned repeatably on deep patterns, and will actually have a good chance to get to Manning, and show him what kind of Beatdown Baltimore’s D can give when our D-Backs can actually cover.
by DT711 on Aug 3, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man
Just looking at our group last year and the group we have this year is incredible. The fact that Webb is fighting for the 5th/6th spot says something about the talent we have in this group. He is a tremendous athlete and going to be a very solid corner and he is fighting for a big time back-up rolle.
DT711, I recall a quote of yours from a few weeks ago that I really liked. You said something along the lines of “It is crazy to think that in Cleveland, Corey Ivy is fighting to be the 4th CB on the Browns secondary and in Baltimore, we have Derrick Martin just fighting to get a roster spot. We can all agree that Martin’s coverage is better than Ivy’s.”
I think looking at it that way is what makes this group so special.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 3, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The question we have to answer
other than the obvious one which is can we beat them: Are our CB’s going to be physical enough with someone like Ward or will he cheap shot them to the ambulance? Hopefully, TGood will chase him down and blindside him to give him a taste of his OWN medicine!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Aug 2, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
wards a winner and just out hussles the opponent. he’s not the fastes most agile dude but he wants to win more than most. we just need someone with a similar mindset to play him. he’s not a real threat beyond 8 yards so I would press the hell out of him.
the shot that sweed delivered on our DB was the direct result of the Refs bad call on the roughing the kicker. another steeler “give me” that almost cost us a player and probably had him dizzy for the rest of the game.
by raven on Aug 2, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Close
I don’t think the Qb’s are close. Of course I’m biased, but Flacco can develop. This will be the telling year, can he have a good year despite teams actually game planning to stop him. DC’s have had all offseason to look at his tape, see his tendencies and scheme against them. Can flacco over come that? IMO I don’t think so. He’s no matt ryan. Ben however is a 2 time winning SB QB which is enough to get you into the Hall of Fame. (Every other multple SB winning QB is in or will be in – Tom Brady) Ben had a much better rookie season statistically and followed it up with a SB run. Ben is more experienced and has stood the test of time when it comes to DC’s scheming against him. Ben is a top 5 QB in the league (arguably) and top ten for certain. Flacco I’d say is top 15. He did well for a rookie but he is going to have to take his game to the next level.
Our starting CB will not be Townsend however it will be William Gay. Younger, faster, better. Now townsend is solid and a smart player but he will probably be in on nickel and back up FS.
Ya’ll have a great running game and offensive line that is far better than ours, which who doesn’t nowadays and I don’t think that will change. Our o-line is showing now signs of getting better and if our younger talent doesn’t develop then we’ll see a lot of last year, however I believe it won’t be as bad as it was when we played ya’ll the first game and the Eagles.
The steelers have the edge obviously, we’re the Super Bowl Champs. We beat you three times last year and return 20 of the 22 starters, both of the 2 starters we lost didn’t matter since timmons was going to replace foote anyways and they were already splitting time with Gay and McFadden. So you can say that we got better. The running game should be better with a healthy Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. Plus we got Frank Summers who will be the short yardage back, and he is no Carey Davis or Gary Russell, he’s much better, closer to ya’lls La’Ron McClain. Also add in the fact that our 3rd Reciever will be replaced by a 4 inch taller, and faster Limas Sweed (if he catches the ball ya’ll are in deep trouble).
The best news the Ravens had all off-season is that a 35 year old WR unretired for them. But I give mad props to D. Mason he is a really good receiver and I have some respect for him, only some cause he runs his mouth a little too much. Ray is a year older but still should be ok(its amazing how smart he is), and you are starting new CBs. Not a good sign for the Ravens. Yea your old CBs were hurt, but they are better hurt than these guys healthy, remember F. Washington and Foxworths were back ups for a reason and they were playing in 2007 when we lit ya’ll up for 35 unanswered points. Hopefully Landry will stay healthy this year and give ya’ll better play.
As always it comes down to injuries and who weathers them the best, we play ya’ll late in the season, if Ben goes out then we’ll struggle against ya’ll, if Flacco goes out, or Ed Reed goes out ya’ll struggle against us. However I just feel that the steelers have less questions marks than the Ravens, it is only Camp and everyone feels good about their team now, its just with the Steelers they have more players with proven results. I expect Ben to be better and have a year similar to 2007, 25 TDs 8 ints, 3500 passing yards. I’d say the Raven’s go no worse than 8-8 while the steelers go no worse than 10-6
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 2, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Give both teams a little more credit
and say they will both win 10-12 games, not 8-10. Their defe3nses are just too good to lose that many games. Ben is a top 10 QB, but his stats are just not top five, or maybe not even top 10. He does, however, manage, unfortunately, to find a way to win. Just another way to have him add to my and other Ravens’ fans hatred of him and the team.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Aug 2, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No chance
you are starting new CBs. Not a good sign for the Ravens. Yea your old CBs were hurt, but they are better hurt than these guys healthy, remember F. Washington and Foxworths were back ups for a reason and they were playing in 2007 when we lit ya’ll up for 35 unanswered points. Hopefully Landry will stay healthy this year and give ya’ll better play.
McAllister was a train wreck for the most part the last two seasons, and Rolle was solid but not great, when he could stay on the field. See my comment above on why our CB’s will be greatly improved this year. Also, Fabian and Foxworth were not on the Ravens in 2007 when you “lit us up,” they were on the Raiders and Bronco’s, respectively. We had scrubs like Corey Ivy, and Ronnie Prude seeing time back then.
by DT711 on Aug 3, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we wanna talk about getting lit up
Since were taking the trip down memory lane, I loved watching Mark Clayton catch those 2 deep touchdowns with Polamalu desperately trying to chase him down. But that was 06, and thats ancient history, as is that nightmare Monday Night game in 07. I really cant wait for summertime to be over. We got some classic games to keep producing.
Scott Hines
by shines on Aug 3, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
These teams are evenly matched almost across the board. I think the Ravens O-line is much better than the Steelers, but the Steelers have the edge in linebacker play, and that includes the pass rush in which the Steelers have a big edge.
The Steelers’ run game should be much better this year with the return to health of Mendenhall and Parker as well as maturation of their O-line, but I would still give the edge to the Ravens.
The Steeler receivers are much more explosive than the Ravens’, and may be even better than last year with Sweed taking over for Washington.
I think the defensive lines and secondaries are comparable, though I’d give the edge to the Steelers in the secondary.
The biggest difference is the play of the QB’s. While Flacco and Roethlisberger may have comparable stats, Big Ben has shown repeatedly that he can get it done when it counts. Flacco did not do that last year, and in fact threw the clinching pick in the AFCCG last year. Until he shows he can win games rather than just not lose them, the edge has to go to Big Ben.
by bleedgoldandblack on Aug 4, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Secondary?
No way. Ed Reed is a beyond Clark and Landry is going to be up there with Troy one day. Our CB’s are the fastest group in the league and we have improved this secondary beyond last year.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
beg to differ
The Steelers had the number one pass defense in the league last year by a good margin over the number 2 which was yours. We lost Mcfadden who will be replaced by William Gay who most think will be at least as good. Fabian Washington is fast, but not a shutdown corner, while the Steelers have a true shutdown corner in Ike Taylor. Foxworth was nothing special in Denver or Atlanta. If Washington or Foxworth were that good, they would not have been allowed to leave the teams that drafted them. I think you will miss Leonard. He made some big plays for you last year. Landry was good two years ago, but to say he will be as good as Polamalu is a big stretch. Reed is of course the best FS in the league, but Polamalu is the best SS. Reed makes the splash plays that get noticed, but Polamalu is more consistent and gets involved all over the field. Clark is a headhunter who is the perfect complement to Polamalu. Just ask McGahee, if he can even remember the hit Clark put on him in the AFCCG.
by bleedgoldandblack on Aug 4, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We are going to miss Leonhard?
Why is that? We are going to miss a guy who made our team through a tryout? Yea you are right we are going to miss him when we get our starting SS back from the last 3 years in Dawan Landry. Landry is bigger, stronger and faster than Leonhard ever was and will be. He has put up better numbers in 2 seasons then Leonhard has in 4 seasons.
So yea, you are right we are going to miss Leonhard with our starting SS coming back at 100% Typical fan who only listens to the idiots on ESPN and NFL Network who think they know the Ravens.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tough to say your pass rush is better.
It might have had more sacks but ours caused more interceptions and I’d rather have the turnovers than the lost yardage.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Aug 4, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're underestimating him
I didn’t know ESPN and the NFL networks were such big fans of Leonhard. Rex Ryan thought enough of him to sign him. I thought he was a difference maker in the 3 games he played against us last year. He also had a couple long punt returns against us including the one that should have set you up for a winning field goal at the end of last years AFCCG, if not for a really stupid hit out of bounds by one of your special teams guys which negated the return.
by bleedgoldandblack on Aug 4, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he were the difference maker, we would have won the 3 games. We have Chris Carr to do punts, a player which turned the Titans return game from 32nd in the league, to 1st in the league last year.
We wanted depth, so we signed him after he looked good in a try out. If Ryan were still on this team as our def. coach, I can 100% guarantee you that he would start Landry over Leonhard.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a product of our system
And playing next to Ed Reed. The reason he looked so good is because he got so many chances to make plays with teams avoiding throwing the ball in Reed’s direction. Landry is an upgrade over Leonhard in all departments.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
Jim Leonhard was exactly what we needed at the time to fill in for gifted Dawan Landry. Leonhard was a great athlete, not exactly the best safety. We saw Leonhard making a lot of tackles last season, reason being he was more than good enough to stop a play from continuing, however he wasnt good enough to completely stop a play from happening. Dawan landry showed us very early in his rookie season that he had the special ability to eliminate a play. For 2 consecutive seasons he was involved in practically every tackle, he mirrors Ray Lewis in the way he makes a point to be involved in every play. His added bulk and faster feet will be phenominal in this coming season.
Scott Hines
by shines on Aug 4, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is one of the best quotes I have ever heard regarding this situation
reason being he was more than good enough to stop a play from continuing, however he wasnt good enough to completely stop a play from happening.
When I read this, it really makes sense in this situation. Leonhard was indeed good enough to stop a play from exploding in the faces of our defense. But Landry is good enough to not even let the fuse be lit.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beautiful!
I just thought about the way I saw little Jimmy make so many clean tackles across the middle, then I wondered why Dawan landry was always running towards a tackle. Its because even thouigh little Jimmy was a great athlete and really convenient for us, no one feared him. Dawan Landry can hit, really well, people dont come to him the way they did little Jimmy. (Which by the way, let me clear something up. I loved watching little Jimmy be a beast last year, it was great. And I have no bad feelings towards him, he milked the Jets for what theyre worth, more power to him. But I was a huge Landry fan when he made a name for himself in his rookie season. I still remember him diving into the endzone against the Saints that year. So I just had to make it known, that we as Raven fans dont dislike Jimmy, we just have to defend the real deal Dawan landry.)
Scott Hines
by shines on Aug 4, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes sir.
Jim was such a fearless athlete, that he just laid his body out on every play. And it usually resulted in a good play. However, Jim was never going to stop a guy from falling forward. His tackles will usually result in a 1-2 yard gain after the initial contact.
Having Landry in there is like having a 5th LB in our 3-4 system. If he were to put on 20-30 pounds, he could definitely be a starting LB in this league. His speed and athleticism is incredible for a guy his size. I saw him at training camp last weekend, and he does not look in any way like he is 208 pounds. His arms and shoulders are huge for someone just over 200 pounds. The guy intercepted Joe 4 times in 2 days last weekend, so we know he is ready to come back stronger than ever and prove to everyone that we will in no way miss little Jimmy. I love Leonhard for everything he did for us last year when we were desperate and wish him luck in NYJ with Rex Ryan, but Dawan is going to do big things for this team.
Shines, I also sent you an email invite to the fantasy league that you requested in the other fanpost.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I spoke to Landry
he said he went from 220 to 210 now 208 lean pounds, chiseled muscle. Every safety tandem needs a “ball” guy (Reed) and a “thumper” (Landry). The Steelers have Troy and Ryan Clark. Now we will have the wood to lay behind two fast corners, which is a perfect combo.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Aug 5, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we’re outcoached at this point. with all else just about equal, we never made the play to win even 1 game. we had our chances and got real conservative. we had the wrong personel in at key times and didn’t manage the replays properly. it all comes down to the coaches to make it or break it. unfortunatly, the steelers were better prepared coaching wise.
by raven on Aug 2, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate to bring this up, but
Maybe its time to be fitted for the tinfoil hat, but watching the NFL season unfold last year, I saw several things that disturbed me a great deal.
(1) For some reason, when you look at the money bet in Vegas on NFL football, bettors bet much, much, more money on games involving the Steelers than any other team; I am not sure why that is but then. . .
(2) Publicly, the NFL abhors betting on their games; privately, they know the gamblers make up a significant marginal share of their viewers, boosting ratings and increasing sponsors payouts for NFL air time. The NFL is a business; when Goodell was a low level NFL employee he used to make Rozelle cringe by frequently proposing new and often petty ways to squeeze money out of fans and sponsors, many of which were dismissed by Rozelle – Rozelle was a football and PR guy – Goodell is a “bottom line” guy. Goodell is now in charge.
(3) The 10-9 game between Pittsburgh and San Diego: It came out after the game that of the $100 million handled on the game in Vegas, about $70 was bet on the Steelers who were giving 5 pts. With more than 2-1 coming down on the Steelers, the 5 pt spread never changed. As you may know, Vegas adjusts the line to make the money 50/50, so they cannot lose (Vegas never – NEVER – loses). Then the refs take two Pittsburgh TDs off the board, so Pittsburgh wins but doesn’t cover, and the result is a bonanza for the Nevada sports books struggling in a recession. But why would Vegas not adjust the line given they could have lost their shirts? Is it possible they knew they were NOT going to lose? How so? Interesting. . .
(4) In the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game in Baltimore, we all saw the TD that wasn’t, and was called correctly on the play, no TD. Then, after a replay, they reversed the correct call and incorrectly awarded Pittsburgh a TD. (If you disagree, show me the “indisputable visual evidence” supporting the reversal – there is none). I have a former law school classmate who is an executive for a large NFL sponsor, and not a Ravens fan. He was talking to an NFL official days later and when he offhandedly criticized the TD call, the NFL exec replyed by saying, “we’ll sell more ‘AFC North Championship’ t-shirts when the Steelers win.” Interesting.
(5) While not addressing the allegations against Ben Roethlisberger while he was a guest of a Nevada casino (I do not know the facts), it has come out that his accuser was afraid because Big Ben was very tight with the casino owners. Really now? Why is the Steelers QB tight with casino owners who take action on NFL games in which he is a participant? Isn’t this what got Joe Namath in trouble about 40 years ago (Namath owned a bar with some unsavory gamblers and was forced to divest his interest if he wanted to continue playing). This raises a huge red flag. especially given (1) – (4) above. Allegations aside, why isn’t anyone in the media asking why Big Ben is “a friend” of Nevada casino magnates? This troubles me more than Vick’s dogfighting, because it goes to the heart of the very integrity of NFL games and the league itself.
Looking at this in total raises some questions. Am I ready for the tinfoil hat, or does anyone else think this is troubling? Am I jaded by sour grapes (lifelong Baltimore football fan here). Is it worth asking questions about? Anyone care to comment or should I be dismissed as a nutcase?
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 2, 2009 6:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, need to correct item #2 above
It wasn’t Rozelle, I got my facts wrong but the conclusion is the same. I thought it better to provide my actual source so you all can look it up.
In the book “America’s Game; The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation” by Michael MacCambridge (Random House 2004), MacCambridge writes:
“Some worried that executive vice president (of NFL Business Ventures) Roger Goodell, the capable consensus builder who’d helped hammer out solutions on some of the leagues thorniest issues, like expansion and realignment, was too much in the thrall of revenue building. ‘He uses terms like monetize and commoditize,’ said one NFL owner with distaste.” (p. 427)
. . .
" After one extended argument about branding, the Steelers Dan Rooney sent Roger Goodell a football jersey mocked up with a dozen NASCAR-style corporate logos. ‘This,’ wrote Rooney to Goodell, ‘is what we’re trying to avoid.’" (p. 427)
(By the way, if you haven’t read MacCambridge’s book, it is a great chronicle of the history of professional football in the U.S., with one chapter entitled “Baltimore” about the ascent of the Colts to national prominence in the 1950s and 1960s and how it was the seminal event in the NFL supplanting baseball as the national pastime).
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 2, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
We definitely have every right to question all of these facts, and when I say we, I have already taken your side. I always felt that things sometimes, not always, but sometimes just seemed a bit too fishy. Take the game against the Patriots in 07 for instance. I dont think ill ever forget the ending, I dont think any of us will. Thanks a lot for the information, now I’ll have some facts to argue with rather than just opinion.
Scott Hines
by shines on Aug 2, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Wow JohnnyBigTime, you figured it all out. Dang I know Goodell was thinking no one would notice. Us steelers fans certainly thought so. Can’t get anything past you.
1. This is easy. The steelers have a large fan base. So hence more people will bet on their games. How many people go to vegas with inside information… few exteremly few. Vegas is set up for you to think you can win but in reality your chances of winning are slim to none. Just like I’m sure Dallas and the Patriots get bet on a lot. Either way where is your proof of this? Am I just suppose to take your word as the truth?
2. Don’t know anything about this. I’d have to read the book.
3. Another dumb assumption. First of all, if they knew they weren’t going to lose yet the refs took two TD’s off the board for the steelers then you’d have to say the whole game was scripted. I mean everything. You’d have to know how everything is going to happen and have all the players and refs and coaches in on it. Second of all, look at the Chargers record in Pittsburgh they were 0-13, as in never won in pittsburgh. Just like Indy was like 0-11 and pulled out a W anyway. But when odds like that why would you move the line? The steelers was on top of their division :) and the chargers were struggling. Heck if it wasn’t for Denver’s collapse they don’t make the playoffs. So again why would they move the line when history had shown that the Steelers should win?
4. I guess you missed ESPN the week after that game, you know the sportscenter where they took a photo of holmes catching the ball and drew a graphic line straight up from the goal line (adjusting for the angles and everything) and well it plainly showed that the ball had crossed the plain. I wish I would have recorded that episode cause I would show it to you. Either way if that was true then why doesn’t the steelers win the division every singe year? I mean you can rigg the games so they always win, which of course would take the Ravens cooperating because clearly some years ya’ll are just better than us, ie 2000. The refs couldn’t do it alone. So the NFL just hates it when the ravens win so they do everything in their power to get you to lose. So thats why ya’ll made it to the AFCCG, right? Even after Flacco got that free play against the Titans? You know the one where the Reg forgot to look at the play clock to see it at 0 and call a delay of game penalty. And Flacco ends up throwing a strike to heap for a 1st down helping you win that game. Yea sounds like the NFL does everything in its power to make ya’ll lose. You lost fair and square grow up.
5. So lets look at this, since you believe the accuser so much. According to her story there are camera’s everywhere in that hotel. So there should be some type of video placing her in Ben’s room, at least in the hallways. Have you heard anything of this tape? I haven’t. But according to her it should be there. She also claims that the Harrah’s owners had gained the trust of her parents and got a key to her apartment from them. Then in turn broke into her apartment and erased all the evidence against Ben that was on her computer. Wow. So the owners would put their business and reputation on the line and go through all that trouble to protect Ben? And her parents just give her apartment key to complete total strangers? Sorry but that doesn’t fly for many reasons that I hope are obvious to you. So you believe this chick when she also says that Ben is tight with the owners. Ben is a superstar, its a superstar weekend at that hotel. A big celebrity golf tournament. I’m pretty sure the owners want to make an impression on all celebrities there and show up meeting and greeting them. So then goes your definition of tight. Just because I see you and someone else shaking hands doesn’t mean you are tight. I guess the owner was out on the town doing lines and sexin women with Ben? Right? They hung out all the time, right? What evidence is there to prove they are tight? So why in the world would you be taking some ramblings from some chick and treat them as the truth when you have nothing to back up her claims? It just makes you look like you are ready to pounce on Ben for anything, you are grasping for straws and its pathetic. This is such a joke. No one is making a deal out of it because the only reason why this is even made aware to the public is because some chick who is accusing Ben of rape said it. Why wouldn’t she say it, it helps her story. They have nothing that says that Ben and ownership of Harrah’s are tight so they have some journalistic integrity and not print wild accusations that cannot be backed and would in turn get sued and lose a lot of money. Fortunately for you sir, Ben probably won’t sue you for defamation of character because your reach isn’t as broad as say an ESPN.
So please put ya tin foil hat on and catch Haley’s comet when it comes back around. Please think before you post.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 4, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You wrote a book
Nice.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Thanks Malor. hope it was a good read
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 4, 2009 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was. I found it fun to read your first and last sentence before I read the whole thing.
Wow JohnnyBigTime, you figured it all out.
Fortunately for you sir, Ben probably won’t sue you for defamation of character because your reach isn’t as broad as say an ESPN.
Then I read it.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cool
how is ya’ll training camp going. is Flacco looking good?
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 4, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goin good
Check out all the stories and fan post to get some better info.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Aug 4, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just wait!
Fortunately for you sir, Ben probably won’t sue you for defamation of character because your reach isn’t as broad as say an ESPN.
We’ll be there soon!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Aug 4, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Am I ready for the tinfoil hat, or does anyone else think this is troubling?"
Sounds like a bunch of crybaby BS to me.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
by showtime on Aug 3, 2009 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s telling that you resorted to personal attacks and didn’t respond to any points advanced above. If his argument is without merit, it should be pretty easy to refute, right?
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
by Ampallang on Aug 3, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which do you dispute? The facts or the logic?
“crybaby " is not an argument. I was laying out a factual and logical basis for my concerns. I know most people cannot understand anything that requires more than a slogan, and most peoples eyes glaze over if they have to listen to more than one concise sentence.
So just which part of my post do you disagree with? What factual basis can you articulate to dismiss it as “crybaby” BS? Are the facst incorrect? Is the logic flawed if the facts are correct? I even cited item #2 and corrected it when my recollection (which I checked) proved to be wrong, although the substance of my assertion was right. I even disclosed the source of any bias I might have.
I love NFL football, and attended my first NFL game at age 5. I am concerned about the integrity of the sport and the proliferation of gambling and its growing and visible influence over the game. 90 years ago it almost destroyed baseball (Steinbrenner and Selig are now seeing to that). It ruined Italian Soccer a few years ago when team owners were fixing matches. Do you want the NFL to become like Italian soccer?
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 3, 2009 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you want the NFL to become like Italian soccer?
If it ever gets to the point where two players run near each other, then fall over and roll around in “pain” before looking up to see if they forced a flag, I’ll never watch the game again.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
by Ampallang on Aug 3, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok I should have said. . .
Do you want the NFL to become like Olympic figure skating?
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 3, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Both!"
With respect, I dispute the facts and the logic behind the idea that the games are fixed, that there is a conspiracy involving executive officials as well as on-field officials aimed at influencing the outcome of games to maximize league profits.
The biggest reason is composed of lots of little reasons, little observations that cut against the idea that someone’s controlling the action. The Cowboys, for example, are the league’s most watched team, it would be a cash and ratings bonanza for the league if they were back in the SB, but we all know they haven’t even won a playoff game in 12 years. You’ve pointed out several games where the refs have made questionable calls, but I believe the large majority of games, including playoff games, are played without truly questionable calls. The infrequency of the truly questionable calls is such that, IMO, human error is the overwhelmingly likely cause. Even the SB 43 matchup debunks the idea that someone is guiding the results, you could almost hear the networks sighing in disappointment when Arizona upset the Eagles, the Cards were about as far from a good draw as the league could have had, the notoriety of the game came about primarily because of how close it was at the end.
I also believe that a conspiracy this massive could not realistically remain a secret, whistleblowers would have popped up long before now. Either that or we’d be faced with a lot of dead and missing NFL officials, which would have the same effect of bringing unwanted attention to the league.
Finally, there is simply no need for it. The NFL is the king of sports today. About the only thing that could kill this golden goose is if it came to light that the games are fixed, that they are no more legitimate than pro-wrestling. I believe that NFL executives have every motivation to see to it that the games remain clean and honest, an attempt by the league to influence the outcome of the games shows incredible short-sightedness.
I’m a Steeler fan, so I see the sliiiight suggestion that the conspiracy, if it exists, seems to favor Pittsburgh. Sorry, I don’t buy it. I’d agree with anyone that there were some questionable calls in SB 43, and the majority of them favored the Steelers, but it is a huge leap to get from there to the idea that the refs had it in for Arizona. This idea is contradicted by (1) everything above, and (2) the implausibility that refs involved in a conspiracy to help Pittsburgh win would have, in the 4th quarter of a close game, hit the Steelers with that safety and then called offensive holding on the last drive (when Pittsburgh was losing) to set them back at 1st and 20.
JohnnyBigTime, do you truly believe this conspiracy theory?
by gcn on Aug 3, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with your logic is
that there is none. Please read post above explaining 1,3,4, and 5. Which makes point 2 pointless. But try again :)
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 4, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GCN - I do not know
I don’t know what to believe. The odd thing is that the NFL isn’t concerned that Big Ben is cozy with gamblers. The contrast with the Namath situation is telling. If the NFL wanted the game to be “clean and honest” why are they giving Big Ben a pass for hobnobbing with gamblers?
tannofsteel: I think point 2 is important. Goodell has a a history of wanting to squeeze every nickel he can which supports the theory of wanting additional ratings from gamblers and wanting to maximize t-shirt sales.
As for keeping secrets, typically conspitracies fail when something hapopens that the conspirators didn’t anticipate (like, an employee of a casino alleging a rape and outing Big ben as a friend of Tahoe gambling magnates). If the NFL wanted the game to be “clean and honest” why are they giving Big Ben a pass for hobnobbing with gamblers?
As for questionable calls in SB 43 there was no reason to do anything, the Steelers were already in, win or lose. The gamblers were already tuned in.
As for “human error” that doesn’t explain the TD in the Pitt-Bmore game when the replay showed the WRs feet in the end zone but not the ball. Replay was supposed to eliminate human error, not be cover for reversing the correct call.
As for the NFL being successful, as I mention above success occurs on the margins. A 0.5% loss in viewers is a catastrophe; a 2% gain in audience is success. Businessment know this; Goodell is a businessman. A recession can threaten growth, and reduce advertising rates. This why the NFL, despite its being successful, cares about every face they can get in front of a TV and every T-shirt they can sell.
I do not know what happened or who did what. I just thought that laying these facts end to end paints a troubling picture and raises questions in my mind. If you are comfortable with it, tannofsteel, then by all means enjoy the upcoming NFL football season.
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 4, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Hobnobbing with gamblers"
If there is a league rule that Ben is breaking by attending a celebrity golf tournament hosted by a hotel/casino and receiving VIP treatment by the hotel management and staff then I don’t know what it is. Are you aware of any rules that were broken? Exactly what kind of punishment or sanction should this kind of conduct merit?
Personally, I would be surprised if this did not happen to pro athletes fairly often. In my opinion, this is pretty far from, say, an athlete taking a payoff to throw a game, or even just betting on football games himself.
by gcn on Aug 4, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My question is
How do you know that Ben is hobnobbing with gamblers? Because some lady who accuse Ben of rape says so? What proof do you have of this? Pictures, dates of meetings. Back up your claim with facts, not what some lucid loose lady said. No one is chasing this story because there is no story to chase.
Like I said, the fact is that ESPN already went over the Holmes TD against B-more and the ball was in, they drew the imaginary line of the goaline and the ball was crossing the plain. I’m sorry man, there isn’t much else to say on that, you lost fair and square.
I understand what you are trying to get across. Goddell is a business guy who is a bottom line guy no matter what the cost is. I don’t like the job he has done so far but I can assure you the Steelers have no soft sport in Mr. Goodell’s heart. If anything the national media overlook’s all AFC North teams because we’re not sexy. We’re not the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patroits, New York Giants. If the NFL wants to sell more then those teams would win every year, teams with big markets would win. Not Pittsburgh, a small market team who’s money generated is dwarfed by say the Cowboys and Patriots.
YOU stated your self you do not know what happened so why act like you know. Fact is you don’t know anything about Ben’s personal life and is hanging on to an accusation by a women who thought she was engaged to an imaginary person.
You need a more reliable source sir.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 8, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm. i love a good conspiracy. the NFL is tied to government, big business, “non-profits” etc… the NFL is even used to support wars with a stream of government directed patriotic country music, military marches, fly overs, recruitment efforts at games, and product endorsements. add Vegas to that foundation and what’s a little give take on a touch down or two. go toby keith you government zomby.
by raven on Aug 2, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I will admit to over 40 years of suffering from Baltimore sports psychosis, but the facts are hard to ignore when laid end to end and viewed in totality.
I used to race horses, and I know you can throw a race by loosening one nail on a horse’s shoe. Try racing Usain Bolt wearing one shoe. You can still run, but not at your best. and that is all it takes to predetermine the outcome.
One ref in the bag can assure a desired outcome. For example, with an eye toward the old adage, “you can call holding on every play,” imagine calling holding on every play against one team, and never against the other. Each call can arguably be “correct” when questioned. But the outcome will be obvious.
Businesses succeed on the margins, and the marginal audience of gamblers is significant in keeping the ratings and advertising rates for NFL football on a constant upward arc that defines success. Keepin the Nevada sports books in business during a recession advances the NFL’s cause. Higher t-shirt sales helps also.
The Ravens success last year was not expected by anyone. I am not taking anything away from the Steelers, they have a great team, and Big Ben is one of those QBs who seems to be able to win. They have great talent, a great coach, and great, devoted fans. I respect the Steelers and sometimes admire them.
We should all watch closely what happens this year as the season unfolds.
by JohnnyBigTime on Aug 2, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trust
as steelers fans we know you can call holding on every play but they usually dont for us
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 4, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
feelin ya man. the steelers will be squashed by the guiding hand this year because of such attention. the flacco, ryan, romo, brady, TO stories can carry the league without the Steelers. or can they? There is the obvious need for baseball to have the Sox-Yankees playoff series. That situation is not entirely controllable with no salary cap. A cap in baseball would hurt the Big Two and drain the North East market. Ever go to an Orioles-Blue Jays game. The Yanks-Sox will always dominate. Can Pitt. stay on top in a sport that celebrates parity. Does the NFL really want parity in the playofffs or a consistant dose of a select few. Will the growing Pitt. nation continue to sway calls and remain a favorite son with their growing universe of bandwagon fans?
by raven on Aug 2, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“cry baby’s” – that’s why coaches whine about the refs to the media after loses. just setting the table and hoping for the calls to even out in the future. undisputable evidence and close enough is a blury line in Pitt. games.
by raven on Aug 3, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
really
So you got tape about Mike Tomlin complaining about calls? Please share. You are talking about a team that had 13 penalties called on them in one game, and one called on the other team, THE WHOLE GAME! Yet we are suppose to be the beneficiaries of some league conspiracy to make us win? If anything we won the SB despite the Refs, we had more bad calls against us over the span of the season than we had for us. The steelers earned that ring. Its just fun to sit here and hear you complain about it. When ya’ll get another one, it’ll be your turn to defend your title. But until then the title is ours, if you don’t like it come take it.
by tannofsteel84 on Aug 8, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pathetic
Conspiracy, whining, excuses and insane theories.
Hey raven fans, I hear that the Steelers are actually in alignment with a powerful alien society who wants them to win for their own intergalactic agenda.
Honestly, get with it.
"When he gained control of the ball, the ball was breaking the plane and he fell into the field of play."--referee Walt Coleman
Quit squakin' my little bitter black birds.
by hobbeslax on Aug 26, 2009 6:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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