The Day After

[johnstownsteel]

Before you all go on a rant about my posting in the Bengal forum, I'd like to thank TDB for inviting me over. To be honest, trollism is not my game.... just looking for solid football talk with knowledgable fans such as yourself. There may be times that you don't like what I have to say but never will I disrepect you as a person or a fan. In my opinion, Bengal fans should be commended for sticking with their team through some very trying times.

That being said, I'd like to dish out some congrats on a hard fought football game. The mark of a championship team is going into an hostile environment, overcoming injuries and a suspension and taking home a victory. No doubt, the Bengals now have the upperhand in our division. Any Steeler fan that says the Bengals didn't win that game, that the Steelers gave it away is just being sore. Afterall, my Steelers have won plenty of games in that exact same manner.

Now about my Steelers. If last season taught me anything, it's to never give up on your team. Sitting at 7-5, never in my wildest dreams did I see the balck and gold running the table. I'm telling you now, even though things look bleak, I'm confident that a resurgence is on the way. There were several encouraging signs in yesterdays game to lead me to feel this way. I'll touch base on just a few of them.

The Steeler defense remains one of the best in the league and continues to be the backbone of the team. To hold Carson to under 200 yrds. and forcing him into several mistakes is quite a feat. What was even more impressive was that they did this without sacrificing their run defense. Holding Rudi to less than 3 yrds. a carry was big. Unfortunately for them, the Steeler offense and special teams just aren't holding up their end of the bargain.

Just when Steeler fans lose confidence in W. Parker, the guy bounces back with another solid performance. He ran tough and maybe for the first time in his career he put the ball in the endzone. It's quite possible Willie will continue to improve and allow the Steelers to remain a ball control, clock guzzling machine as in years past. I'm feeling better about our running game even if it went all for naught.

One last positive sign is the play of our offensive line. They opened up holes for our backs and at times punished the Bengals defensive line. As far as protecting our "savior", Ben had more than adequate protection and plenty of time to make solid decisions. Unfortunately, the trend of poor quarterback play continues to be the downfall of this team.

Hitting on Bens play, the talk about Ben being the product of having a great team around him is becoming more and more likely. Bad decisions and poor production most likely cost this team a chance to chalk one up into the win column. Considering our running game helped to soften up the defense, Ben did nothing to move the chains. It may be time to realize that the defense can't win em all for you and that in todays NFL you need to produce. The thought of the Steelers moving more towards a passing team may not be the smartest move untill Ben becomes smarter with ball and cuts down on the turnovers.

Turnovers....turnovers will kill you every time. This game felt like deja vu while thinking back to last year. Don't get me wrong, the Bengals deserve some credit because they forced a few but championship teams need to be more secure with the ball. In big games, against bitter rivals, these types of mistakes should be unacceptable. I'm hoping Cowhers distaste for such poor play will lead to lessons learned.

Alright, I've gone on long enough. The only point I really wanted to make was that this season is far from over. Although the Bengals may now be kings of the hill, don't be surprised if the Steelers are there in the end. We're still a very solid team with much to work with whether you want to believe it or not. By saying that, in no way am I taking anything away from the Bengals. They deserved to win and the Steelers didn't.

Oh yea, before I go I'd like to wish you folks who may have been affected by the storms and flooding best of luck and well wishes. Terrible to see such tradgedies. I'm sure the play of the Bengals gives many of you a bright spot in such hard times.

Congrats again Bengal fans, you've got a winner there. But as always...the Steelers are lurking!!

[TippCityRick]

The Steelers will be a better team in a month after Ben regains his strength and stamina. This will allow him to get back into a rythm with his receivers. He never looked comfortable out there Sunday yet he looked better than he did Monday night. The Bengals won the game and are probebly the better team right now, but we did catch Pittsburgh at ketchup field at the right time.

[membengal]

Johnstown, as I opined in smack, you are the opposite of a troll, and I look forward to your contributions.

[duus]

As has become your image Johnstown, you are a class act. Good football insight, mixed with fan expectation. No one can ever criticize that. I thank you for your comments and look forward to great dialogue in the coming months. This is going to be a fun season, and neither of these teams will go away. That's the way I like it.

BTW ... I told my wife about you and she also could not believe such a 'reasonable-minded' Steeler fan existed ... especially not in the Pittsburgh area! Seriously, good to know you are around. Perhaps we will cross paths someday ... I would like that.

Looking forward to what the next few months hold.

[ArmyBengal]

JTS, your opinions are welcome and well thought out from a football perspective regardless of what team you pull for and I'm glad to see you getting out the smack forum !!!

WHODEY !!!

[skyline]

All legit points. Looking forward to the rest of the season.

[Tasher]

Nice to see a Steeler Fan with some intelligent things to say. This type of discourse is always welcome.

Welcome to our board, great game, very hard fought on both sides.

[DesperateDerelict]

One last positive sign is the play of our offensive line. They opened up holes for our backs and at times punished the Bengals defensive line. ... We're still a very solid team with much to work with whether you want to believe it or not. By saying that, in no way am I taking anything away from the Bengals. They deserved to win and the Steelers didn't.

Congrats again Bengal fans, you've got a winner there. But as always...the Steelers are lurking!!

Johnstown -

Thanx for the well-crafted post - as earlier mentioned, you appear to be a class act.

I truly believe that you put the best Steeler facet last - in this 2006 football season, good OL play is becoming a rarity. I thought Cowher must have lit a fire under those guys, because that is far-and-away the best OL play I have seen this season from any team (I haven't seen Atlanta play yet). I wish you (and your Squeelers) the best of luck over the next 12 games - especially against the Ratbirds. If Starks, Simmons, Feneca, Smith, and company can continue that level of play, you should win 9 or 10 games between now and the rematch. Good Luck!