The big hits over the weekend seem to have taken center stage for the NFL fans and the league. I'll leave those individual hits alone, as they are covered ad nauseum in other places.
Let's talk about the Steeler history with head trauma. Let's start with Mike Webster, who is arguably the best center ever to wear Black and Gold. His story ends sadly, as he dies wrapped in homelessness and solitude. ESPN covers Iron Mike and his condition best:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1972285
Terry Long, who played OG, died in 2005 after drinking anti-freeze. His autopsy revealed a "punch drunk" brain caused by repeated head trauma from playing football. Boxers often suffer from chronic encephalopathy from repeated blows to the head. As an aside, I believe the boxing "10-count" adds to this. After enough trauma has been delivered to stagger a man, repeated trauma after that is just asking for trouble...even if you wait for a few second before re-starting the fight.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2307003
Long, as well as Webster, played OL. Surely, there couldn't be a third Steeler offensive lineman to succumb to the effect of head trauma. Could there?
Enter one Justin Strzelczyk. An odd character who I remember best for wearing a German helmet. I also remember him for playing hard-nosed football in the 90s. Note Bettis' comment. Justin would puke in the huddle, and it probably wasn't from the exertion. He played with everything he had. Justin died in a fiery crash as he fled from police for a traffic violation.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_257181.html
Running from the cops seems like something Pacman would do. Not Justin. Until you factor in the head trauma and the attendant problems with rational decision making.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/sports/football/15brain.html?_r=1
Add to this Merrill Hoge's experiences with head trauma. He actually stopped breathing after two concussions a few weeks apart. He suffered memory loss, forgot how to read and had other cognitive problems.
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20091001/ARTICLES/910029997/1136?Title=Dangers-of-a-concussion&tc=ar
So, what's my point here? The recent high profile hits have the NFL in a regulatory tizzy, but this is really a fraud. A cover. It is brand management and public relations. The NFL feels that it can't let these go by or moms and girlfriends everywhere will put the NFL into the same category as MMA. However, if the NFL really cared about head trauma, they'd pay attention to offensive linemen and defensive linemen. These guys bang heads, literally, every play. Have you ever seen the NFL seriously address the trench position head trauma as seriously as they address the QB and receiver? Yeah - me neither.
Steelhead
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Browns and the Race vs the Ravens
Let's look at the Ravens, and how the loss prior to the bye affects the first half of the year. The next three weeks look like this for the Ravens:
The next three weeks look like this for the Steelers:
At 4-1 and with a head to head advantage, the Ravens control the division. The game at NE will be tough. I'm not so sure that the Ravens will win in Foxboro. I think the Pats will have a plan to take advantage of the Ravens through the air, and will make this game very close. Look for the Pats to spread the field and make the Ravens chase inside out.
The game against Buffalo should be an easy win for the Ravens...unless they overlook them. That's probably not going to happen.
I look for the Ravens to enter the bye at 5-2.
The Steelers have two tough road games against Miami and New Orleans. These looked worse at the start of the year, but Miami plays good defense and New Orleans' offense can catch fire quickly. If they enter the two away games at 4-1, then they stand a good chance to enter week at 5-2...potentially 6-1 if things go right.
Cleveland
I was at that last game in Cleveland - the -10F - game (OK...I exaggerate...but it was COLD). I had to listen to Browns fans act like tools. Some idiot behind me kept screaming "Da Raidahhhs". He was a typical Cleveland fan. I know the Steelers remember that game...I just hope Arians' is not as brain dead.
The Browns Offense
With McCoy starting, I anticipate a very conservative game plan from the Browns. I think McCoy will throw 10-15 times maximum to limit turnovers. The big challenge will be Cribbs running the Wildcat. The Steelers did not stop this scheme in the December loss, and they will see it until they stop it.
Look for McCoy's throws to be very safe. Screens, short ins, slants and the like. I think most of the throws past the line of scrimmage will be inside the hash marks. A deep out will not be the staple of this offense this week. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers CBs play the inside technique, and if we see dropping DEs to counter the inside throws. The Browns will try to run Hillis, but he's banged up and running on the Steelers out of a normal formation is so hard.
With Cribbs running the Wildcat, and with McCoy on the sideline, the Browns pick up an extra blocker. This is going to be the difference in the game. If the Steelers can't stop the Wildcat, it will be a long day. I'll give the Browns this - they play very physically. This will be a physical game, and the Steelers D must rise up and stop Cribbs and Co.
Look for three scores for less than 14 points.
Browns Defense
With Ben back, this offense will be on the grow. However, I don't anticipate mid-season form from Ben and Co. It will be better than Batch or Dixon, but it won't be lights out efficiency. The Browns D ranks 21st in the league.
Mendy and the run game should be productive, especially as the passing threat is now back. I look for some 1st down throws and a pass dominant first drive. After the pass is established, a good 55/45 mix of run and pass should develop.
The Browns secondary is over-matched by the Steeler receiver corps: Ward, Wallace, Mendy, ARE and Miller. With Sanders getting a ST hat, he'll get some good time at the 4WR position. Hopefully, he'll make some good plays. What the Steelers really need to focus on is pass protection. The December Defeat was scarred by 8 sacks. Unacceptable. The OL must be smart. The OC must put the team in position to have success. The Browns can't stop the Steelers if the Steelers call a smart game, but the Browns can take advantage of mistakes and make the Steelers pay if they aren't smart.
Look for 4 scores for more than 17 points.
20-9 Steelers and a satisfying 4-1.
Steelhead
| 6 | Sun, Oct 17 | @ New England | 1:00 PM ET |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 24 | Buffalo | 1:00 PM ET |
| 8 | Bye |
The next three weeks look like this for the Steelers:
| 6 | Oct 17 | CLE @ PIT |
| 7 | Oct 24 | PIT @ MIA |
| 8 | Oct 31 | PIT @ NO |
At 4-1 and with a head to head advantage, the Ravens control the division. The game at NE will be tough. I'm not so sure that the Ravens will win in Foxboro. I think the Pats will have a plan to take advantage of the Ravens through the air, and will make this game very close. Look for the Pats to spread the field and make the Ravens chase inside out.
The game against Buffalo should be an easy win for the Ravens...unless they overlook them. That's probably not going to happen.
I look for the Ravens to enter the bye at 5-2.
The Steelers have two tough road games against Miami and New Orleans. These looked worse at the start of the year, but Miami plays good defense and New Orleans' offense can catch fire quickly. If they enter the two away games at 4-1, then they stand a good chance to enter week at 5-2...potentially 6-1 if things go right.
Cleveland
I was at that last game in Cleveland - the -10F - game (OK...I exaggerate...but it was COLD). I had to listen to Browns fans act like tools. Some idiot behind me kept screaming "Da Raidahhhs". He was a typical Cleveland fan. I know the Steelers remember that game...I just hope Arians' is not as brain dead.
The Browns Offense
With McCoy starting, I anticipate a very conservative game plan from the Browns. I think McCoy will throw 10-15 times maximum to limit turnovers. The big challenge will be Cribbs running the Wildcat. The Steelers did not stop this scheme in the December loss, and they will see it until they stop it.
Look for McCoy's throws to be very safe. Screens, short ins, slants and the like. I think most of the throws past the line of scrimmage will be inside the hash marks. A deep out will not be the staple of this offense this week. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers CBs play the inside technique, and if we see dropping DEs to counter the inside throws. The Browns will try to run Hillis, but he's banged up and running on the Steelers out of a normal formation is so hard.
With Cribbs running the Wildcat, and with McCoy on the sideline, the Browns pick up an extra blocker. This is going to be the difference in the game. If the Steelers can't stop the Wildcat, it will be a long day. I'll give the Browns this - they play very physically. This will be a physical game, and the Steelers D must rise up and stop Cribbs and Co.
Look for three scores for less than 14 points.
Browns Defense
With Ben back, this offense will be on the grow. However, I don't anticipate mid-season form from Ben and Co. It will be better than Batch or Dixon, but it won't be lights out efficiency. The Browns D ranks 21st in the league.
Mendy and the run game should be productive, especially as the passing threat is now back. I look for some 1st down throws and a pass dominant first drive. After the pass is established, a good 55/45 mix of run and pass should develop.
The Browns secondary is over-matched by the Steeler receiver corps: Ward, Wallace, Mendy, ARE and Miller. With Sanders getting a ST hat, he'll get some good time at the 4WR position. Hopefully, he'll make some good plays. What the Steelers really need to focus on is pass protection. The December Defeat was scarred by 8 sacks. Unacceptable. The OL must be smart. The OC must put the team in position to have success. The Browns can't stop the Steelers if the Steelers call a smart game, but the Browns can take advantage of mistakes and make the Steelers pay if they aren't smart.
Look for 4 scores for more than 17 points.
20-9 Steelers and a satisfying 4-1.
Steelhead
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Ravens Week!!
Let's look back at the win in TB before moving forward.
1. Batch played well, but those two deep balls were really gambles. Don't think that those types of throws will consistently work against the Ravens - even without Reed.
2. The run game looked excellent. That is the big story coming out of the win @ TB. The rush average was stellar, and they closed the game out in the second half with time consuming drives based on the run. Get the lead with the pass - salt the game away with the run. Sounds awfully familiar...
3. What can you say about the defense? The best in the league.
Now - let's look at Sunday.
The Ravens Offense
The Ravens offense is rarely prolific against the Steeler D, especially in Pittsburgh. Will that change with a slew of new weapons? No. This offense is averaging about 14 points per game with the entire starting offense in place. The premier weapon for the Ravens vs Pittsburgh is Ray Rice. His running ability and agility is space is exceptional. I expect Timmons to completely contain Rice, if he plays. Timmons has quietly stifled opponent running games and his speed and explosiveness can match Rice in the flat.
Bert Flacco has never excelled against the Steelers in the pass, and I don't expect that to change. With a combination of pass rush and games in coverage, Lebeau's unit will frustrate Flacco all day. I look for Woodley to abuse Yanda routinely, which will force Baltimore to slide protection to the right. This will leave Silverback with a one-on-one with Oher. Look for further abuse there too. This is why Boldin won't be a huge difference maker. They can't protect both sides and still pressure the secondary.
When the Ravens go into the unbalanced offensive set, that use to be a strength. The Steelers can counter with a four DL unit by adding Ziggy to the starting three DL and pulling out a CB (not needed). I don't think that this set will be consistently successful against the Steelers.
Bottom line: Ravens score three times for less than 14 points.
Ravens Defense
This defense feasted on Sanchez, Palmer and Wallace. They did not contain Hillis. They have produced only 1 turn over in three games. Pardon me if I'm not impressed yet. I think the Ravens defense is ripe for abuse this week. Keep in mind that the Steelers have done it before to this defense. Without Reed and with a bit of a banged up defense, there are holes to be exploited. The running game for the Steelers will not be hugely effective. If the Steelers can average 3.5-4.0 yds per carry, that will be enough to keep Baltimore honest. Carr and Washington will struggle against Wallace and Ward.
With Batch in, look for the pass to dominate the play calling. This is how to beat the Ravens - you can't make a living running on them. You need to pass to set up the occasional run. With Ward, Wallace, Heath and Mendy, there will be more than enough options to break the secondary. I think pass protection will be good enough to buy time for the short passing game, and an occasional deep ball.
Bottom line: Steelers score four times for less than 24 points.
20-13 Steelers and they enter the bye @ a remarkable 4-0.
Steelhead
1. Batch played well, but those two deep balls were really gambles. Don't think that those types of throws will consistently work against the Ravens - even without Reed.
2. The run game looked excellent. That is the big story coming out of the win @ TB. The rush average was stellar, and they closed the game out in the second half with time consuming drives based on the run. Get the lead with the pass - salt the game away with the run. Sounds awfully familiar...
3. What can you say about the defense? The best in the league.
Now - let's look at Sunday.
The Ravens Offense
The Ravens offense is rarely prolific against the Steeler D, especially in Pittsburgh. Will that change with a slew of new weapons? No. This offense is averaging about 14 points per game with the entire starting offense in place. The premier weapon for the Ravens vs Pittsburgh is Ray Rice. His running ability and agility is space is exceptional. I expect Timmons to completely contain Rice, if he plays. Timmons has quietly stifled opponent running games and his speed and explosiveness can match Rice in the flat.
When the Ravens go into the unbalanced offensive set, that use to be a strength. The Steelers can counter with a four DL unit by adding Ziggy to the starting three DL and pulling out a CB (not needed). I don't think that this set will be consistently successful against the Steelers.
Bottom line: Ravens score three times for less than 14 points.
Ravens Defense
This defense feasted on Sanchez, Palmer and Wallace. They did not contain Hillis. They have produced only 1 turn over in three games. Pardon me if I'm not impressed yet. I think the Ravens defense is ripe for abuse this week. Keep in mind that the Steelers have done it before to this defense. Without Reed and with a bit of a banged up defense, there are holes to be exploited. The running game for the Steelers will not be hugely effective. If the Steelers can average 3.5-4.0 yds per carry, that will be enough to keep Baltimore honest. Carr and Washington will struggle against Wallace and Ward.
With Batch in, look for the pass to dominate the play calling. This is how to beat the Ravens - you can't make a living running on them. You need to pass to set up the occasional run. With Ward, Wallace, Heath and Mendy, there will be more than enough options to break the secondary. I think pass protection will be good enough to buy time for the short passing game, and an occasional deep ball.
Bottom line: Steelers score four times for less than 24 points.
20-13 Steelers and they enter the bye @ a remarkable 4-0.
Steelhead
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