Steelers vs. Ponies - Page 2

jaxmagicman · 01-13-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimity

Agreed. But at least they were out there. Oh, hell, I don't even really care about this conversation. The "rusty" argument is a pretty poor one. The Colts offense took a while to warm up in the beginning of the season because 1) they ran the ball more as teams backed off the line to defend the pass, and 2) Peyton wanted to trade for Harrison in a fantasy league, so he wanted to depress his value. He might have even had James, and traded him for Harrison, so it was like killing two birds with one stone; inflate James' stats and value, depress Harrison's, trade is done in no time.

Peyton is wicked smaaart like that.

Sublimity · 01-13-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

Peyton is wicked smaaart like that.

Maybe, but I bet his team blew it in the playoffs.

edrooney · 01-13-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edrooney

Yeah, but the Colts haven't just had a week off in the hot tub. They've been out of truly competitive football for a month. Don't think it'll hurt them that much, but still ...

Bolded the parts that people missed. Playing a meaningless game with half a team for half the game against Seattle is not the same as playing the same sort of competitive football like a 'win or you're out' last game of the regular season. But I don't believe there's much weight to the rust argument either. Hence my further comment on mats' post:

Quote:

Originally Posted by edrooney

Yeah, the 49-11 record is a little hard to counter.

matskralc · 01-13-2006, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian0622

It's not like they abandoned the run, and you can't say they lost because they didn't run.

And you can't say I said that, either, because I didn't. I said they lost because they didn't run the ball well, their passing game is not good enough to make up for it, and that the connection is that their passing game is built upon a successful running game. There are teams that can get away with abandoning the run, if need be. Pittsburgh is not one of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian0622

They just weren't able to run because they were behind or the game was close (sorry, I wasn't clear above--teams run less when they are either behind or the opponent is within one score).

When it's tied in the third quarter, teams go pass-wacky? Hardly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian0622

But Pittsburgh probably won't beat Indy with a running game.

On the contrary, Pittsburgh's only chance is that their running game is successful enough to control the clock and keep Peyton and his weapons off the field. They cannot and will not win a shootout. That is not how their offense functions. Of course Roethlisberger will have to play well. But they are pretty much doomed if they are forced to rely on him.

sebastian0622 · 01-13-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matskralc

When it's tied in the third quarter, teams go pass-wacky? Hardly.

I didn't say that. But if they're up by 10-14+ (like Pitt was several times this year), they go run-whacky. Relative to that, they pass a lot more when it's tied in the third quarter.

On the contrary, Pittsburgh's only chance is that their running game is successful enough to control the clock and keep Peyton and his weapons off the field. They cannot and will not win a shootout. That is not how their offense functions. Of course Roethlisberger will have to play well. But they are pretty much doomed if they are forced to rely on him.

As for your last paragraph--I just can't agree. I don't see the Steelers winning this game with Big Ben going for less than 300 yards or them running the ball more than 30 times. If they did manage taht, it will be because of their defense, not their running game.

Everyone wants to say "stick to our plan" and "play our game," but this is one case in which I'm going to err from that and say that if Pittsburgh wants to play their game, their defense better play like they're the Bears defense, and better be coached like it's Crennell or Belichick on the sideline. Anything less than a perfect game by their defense and Big Ben is gonna have to play big.

We'll see how it plays out Sunday. I'm guessing the Steelers will come out and run, get behind early, then have to pass when they get behind. Everyone will then say that they "gave up on the run" and that's why they lost, when the real reason is probably that they stuck too much to the run in the first couple of series.

Either way, I sure as hell am looking forward to the game! This is going to be an awesome football weekend.

jamus23 · 01-14-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebastian0622

As for your last paragraph--I just can't agree. I don't see the Steelers winning this game with Big Ben going for less than 300 yards or them running the ball more than 30 times. If they did manage taht, it will be because of their defense, not their running game.

Everyone wants to say "stick to our plan" and "play our game," but this is one case in which I'm going to err from that and say that if Pittsburgh wants to play their game, their defense better play like they're the Bears defense, and better be coached like it's Crennell or Belichick on the sideline. Anything less than a perfect game by their defense and Big Ben is gonna have to play big.

We'll see how it plays out Sunday. I'm guessing the Steelers will come out and run, get behind early, then have to pass when they get behind. Everyone will then say that they "gave up on the run" and that's why they lost, when the real reason is probably that they stuck too much to the run in the first couple of series.

Either way, I sure as hell am looking forward to the game! This is going to be an awesome football weekend.

Bingo!

The Steelers need to pass to get an early lead, and then turn to the running game to control the clock. If they come out with their typical first possession play-calling (run for 1 yard, run for no yards, incomplete pass on 3rd and long, punt) they will lose big. That kind of predictableness is doomed to disaster. Just remember last year's AFC Championship game. Predictable play-calling on the offense combined with defensive breakdowns, and the Steelers were in a huge hole very quickly. They cannot afford to do that against the Colts.

Sadly, I don't see Ken Whisenhunt getting away from "doing what we do" and "playing our game" thinking. Terrible Offensive Coordinater...

AnotherAlias · 01-14-2006, 09:40 AM

Steelers 20
Colts 17

What! · 01-14-2006, 10:04 AM

Colts suck

What! · 01-15-2006, 10:04 AM

oh yeah today is the day. Beautiful day for an upset. Noone outside of Pittsburgh is picking the Steelers. Not one idiot on any of the talk or radio programs has picked Pittsburgh to win this game.

I cant wait to see big jerome run over B. Sanders. Cant wait to see the screen right at Freeny that goes for 25 yards. Cant wait to see Polamalu smack R. Wayne coming across the middle. Cant wait to see I. Taylor pick off a underthrown pass to M. Harrison. Cant wait to see Kimo come crahsing in on Manning. Cant wait to see this nice upset and listen to all the so called experts talk about the win.

GO STEELERS Ride them Ponies all the way to Denver.

mh2365 · 01-15-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by What!

oh yeah today is the day. Beautiful day for an upset. Noone outside of Pittsburgh is picking the Steelers. Not one idiot on any of the talk or radio programs has picked Pittsburgh to win this game.

I cant wait to see big jerome run over B. Sanders. Cant wait to see the screen right at Freeny that goes for 25 yards. Cant wait to see Polamalu smack R. Wayne coming across the middle. Cant wait to see I. Taylor pick off a underthrown pass to M. Harrison. Cant wait to see Kimo come crahsing in on Manning. Cant wait to see this nice upset and listen to all the so called experts talk about the win.

GO STEELERS Ride them Ponies all the way to Denver.

I can't wait for you to wake up from your dream and realize that you don't live in fantasy world.

Erik W. · 01-15-2006, 01:15 PM

Did the Steelers and Colts switch uni's for the day? That was a very un-Steeler-like drive.

sebastian0622 · 01-15-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azamien

Did the Steelers and Colts switch uni's for the day? That was a very un-Steeler-like drive.

Yeah, Whisenhunt went all sebastian on us and ****. Kudos to them for doing what I thought they had to do to get up early; I honestly thought they would go to the run early and get stuffed.

fantom1979 · 01-15-2006, 01:28 PM

What an unlucky interception.

sebastian0622 · 01-15-2006, 01:29 PM

I didn't think I would have to ask this, but will the Steelers get too pass-happy?

fantom1979 · 01-15-2006, 01:34 PM

no, and that may be their shortcoming

fantom1979 · 01-15-2006, 01:40 PM

14-0, two passing touchdowns. Cowher is smart.

sebastian0622 · 01-15-2006, 01:40 PM

Vote Mike Doss for Steelers MVP!

andymac · 01-15-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantom1979

What an unlucky interception.

I don't call it unlucky when it was basically caused by the hit. It is unlucky if it slipped out of his hand or something.

Erik W. · 01-15-2006, 01:42 PM

Well, this game couldn't have had a much better beginning than this.

I picked Pittsburgh to win, but I did not expect it to be 14-0 Steelers in the first before Manning even completes a pass.

fantom1979 · 01-15-2006, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andymac

I don't call it unlucky when it was basically caused by the hit. It is unlucky if it slipped out of his hand or something.

I consider it unlucky because when a qb gets his arm or ball hit while throwing the ball usually goes harmlessly five yards. This time around the ball did a lame duck trick 10 yards downfield right into the hands of the Colts linebacker.

01-15-2006, 01:34 PM	#35
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	no, and that may be their shortcoming __________________

01-15-2006, 01:40 PM	#36
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	14-0, two passing touchdowns. Cowher is smart. __________________

01-14-2006, 09:40 AM	#27
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	Steelers 20 Colts 17

01-14-2006, 10:04 AM	#28
What! Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 338	Colts suck

01-15-2006, 10:04 AM	#29
What! Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 338	oh yeah today is the day. Beautiful day for an upset. Noone outside of Pittsburgh is picking the Steelers. Not one idiot on any of the talk or radio programs has picked Pittsburgh to win this game. I cant wait to see big jerome run over B. Sanders. Cant wait to see the screen right at Freeny that goes for 25 yards. Cant wait to see Polamalu smack R. Wayne coming across the middle. Cant wait to see I. Taylor pick off a underthrown pass to M. Harrison. Cant wait to see Kimo come crahsing in on Manning. Cant wait to see this nice upset and listen to all the so called experts talk about the win. GO STEELERS Ride them Ponies all the way to Denver.

01-15-2006, 01:15 PM	#31
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	Did the Steelers and Colts switch uni's for the day? That was a very un-Steeler-like drive.

01-15-2006, 01:28 PM	#33
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	What an unlucky interception.

01-15-2006, 01:29 PM	#34
sebastian0622 Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 3,465	I didn't think I would have to ask this, but will the Steelers get too pass-happy?

01-15-2006, 01:42 PM	#39
Erik W. Global Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rivière-du-Loup, Qc Posts: 4,615	Well, this game couldn't have had a much better beginning than this. I picked Pittsburgh to win, but I did not expect it to be 14-0 Steelers in the first before Manning even completes a pass.