This one goes in the W column: Steelers Week 4

Well, well, well….there are the Steelers I was looking for all season (selectively not mentioning that 4th quarter defense thing).  A great offense, a line that protects the quarterback, a running game….now, if only we can get our defense to be able to play 60 minutes of football.  Do I need to send a few cases of Red Bull to drink at half-time? I don’t know, but we have some good teams still to face (Ravens) and the Steelers will need to be ready for 60 minutes.

So, let’s talk about this offensive line.  Kemo, where have you been?  I saw you single-handedly move defensive players with hits I didn’t even know you had in you.  Are you using Troy’s Head&Shoulders for power?  Was this all thanks to the renewed contract?  Well, whatever it is, keep up the great work.  I loved seeing you play hard last night – you did a great job protecting Ben and giving Reshard space to run the ball.  As much as fans (me included) dogged the O-line last year, this is really, really refreshing.  It also gives Ben an opportunity to show that he definitely is a top 5 quarterback.  And he is. He completed 26 of 33 for 333 yards and two TD’s.  Ben was able to move, dodge tackles and do what he does best – all with the protection of a much improved offensive line.

The offense overall came up with some big – and not so predictable plays.  The gadget plays were a welcome sight to what I typically refer to as a very predictable pass, pass, run offense.  On the run game, Reshard Mendenhall came up big – and about time too as most fans were going to write him off as a bust for the 2008 draft with Limas Sweed.  Instead, Reshard rushed for 165 yards over 29 carries and two TDs.  It’s about time.  We needed that.  In a very unpredictable play, Ben handed off the ball to Mewelde Moore, who looked like he was going to try to run it in the end zone, but instead on a great gadget play, found Heath Miller in the end zone. It’s offense like this, unpredictable and well played, that wins games.  Hines Ward also had a decent game with 8 receptions for 111 yards.

The defense looked great for 3 quarters only to let the Chargers take control in the 4th quarter.  Is Troy really that big a playmaker and leader that we can’t hold a 28 point lead?  I’m just not sure what happens at the end of games.  But can we fix it?  And by we, I mean more you than me, though I am happy to kick in the energy drinks at half time.  Something.  It was great seeing Harrison and Woodley come off the edge last night and really pressure Rivers.  But on the blitz, that gap in the center becomes a real threat, especially with QBs who can hold the ball til someone gets free.  I thought Ike Taylor played a great game and kept his man covered.  It was Gates, as we all kind of knew, who would be the real problem.

Overall, the team I watched last night was closer to the championship team I know and love.  There was a whole lot more good than there was bad.  Let’s keep it moving and as Tomlin says, play it big every single week.

Steelers 2-2