Guest Post: SteelerGurl’s Pop
#1 reason why the black and gold will win sunday against Minnesota:Â Big Ben Roethlisberger!!
Undoubtedly one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL (two super bowl titles in five years). Ben is having a great year. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem to get the recognition that Brady and the Manning brothers get nationally. (Pop is right on, how many time have I said this? Ben is an elite quarterback)
I guess a third super bowl title would help that. Yes, believe me it could happen again this year.
I remember Bradshaw, Harris, Swann and Stalworth. (While I have the inner LB, Pop is absolutely a QB at heart – the leader no doubt!!) They are replaced with Big Ben, Mendenhall, Holmes and of course Hines Ward. Hines is having an incredible year. Catching, blocking and of course being the leader of a very good receiving corps.
Finally they are getting Heath Miller involved in every game. He is one of the top five tight ends in the league. And of course the rookie, Mike Wallace. He comes up with clutch catches at key moments in every game. Now if they can just get consistent with the running game, look out. (Notice Pop said nothing, nada, zero about FWP…he sealed his fate last year in my opinion when he spoke to the media about the running game. )
On the defensive side Joe Green, Dwight White, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Donnie Shell are replaced with the likes of James Harrison. James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley and of course Troy Polamalu. The defense is still one of the best in the league with #43 leading the way. As long as they remember there are 4 quarters in the NFL! (For whatever reasons, I remember my dad loving Donnie Shell’s game. Not sure the specifics, because yes, I was very young, but I remember watching Steelers football with my Pop – the guy who taught me football)
I have been a Steelers fan for as long as I can remember and suffered through that terrible year of 1969 when they won 1 game and lost the rest. Not pretty. (Don’t let Pop fool you, he’s not old, he’s a distinguished Steelers fan!)
Then came those great draft picks on both sides of the ball and with the exception of a few years the Black and Gold are threatening to get into the playoffs every year. This year is no exception. With a few breaks or should I say field goals they could be undefeated. However with that behind us lets look forward to a great finish. (Even Pop gets in the Skippy dig, lol)
They have an explosive offense and a defense that has the personnel to be the best.
With Roethlisberger leading the way I feel very confident that the Steelers will be in Miami come Super Bowl Sunday. (I heard this same exact thing from “drunk Steelers fan” in Chicago…I hope they are both right. Â I want to go to Miami for sure. Â Of course, that’s all dependent upon Steelergurl’s Vice Chairman and the ability to get tickets.)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I said this over at the Vikes blog as well. If Minn can’t take Ben down, he is going to torch their secondary. If Allen can turn the corner and keep him in the pocket, they have a chance. If the Steelers take a page from the Ravens second half playbook, they should come out with a W (lets hope they aren’t that smart).
Here’s what I think about that. All the talk on the networks about how the Steelers have to defend against both Peterson and Favre makes one think there’s nothing that the Steelers can do. The Steelers proved last week that they have an ariel attack to match Manning, Brady or Favre.
After 6 weeks Hines Ward is the #1 receiver in the league and the Steelers have the second best passing game. This is quite a different team than in the past. I hope the Vikings overlook the new look Steelers!