Alright Steeler fans, I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but you are the most spoiled fans in pro sports. Listening to Pittsburgh sports talk radio this week has been ridiculous. I have never heard so much bitching and complaining... over a win. Yeah, try not to forget we won. We're also 6-2 and widely considered one of, if not THE, best team in the league. AND with our $102 million QB suspended for the first four games. 3-1 with him, 3-1 without him. So why are we complaining so much? I know everyone hates Bruce Arians and could do a much better job. I hear it all day long. And our kicker is terrible too, so I hear. I mean I'm guilty of it occasionally as well but let's try to keep this in perspective. Only one person needs to trust Bruce Arians and that is Ben Roethlisberger, and he obviously does. If he comes out and passes a lot then everyone complains that we don't stick to "Steeler football". If he runs a bunch then he is playing it too safe. The NFL is a damned if you do, damned if you don't business, and Pittsburgh is a prime example. Granted, this team definitely has its flaws, and a couple of our wins could even be considered lucky as of late. But as the old saying goes, a win is a win is a win. Sometimes the offense wins one for you, sometimes the defense wins one for you, and sometimes special teams and a trick play wins it for you.
As far as Jeff Reed goes, obviously his percentage is down a little, but he has not missed a kick inside of 40 yards. Reed is 14 out of 20 on the season which is not horrible but keep in mind two of those misses were over 50, one of which was a 56 ayard attempt at the end of the half. The problem is that he has missed big, important kicks thus far, like Baltimore, New Orleans, and just Monday night in Cincy. But to the people who think he should be shipped out of town, I think you are forgetting some important points. First, he has an 82.2 career percentage and hasn't been below 87% for a season since '06. That's nine years in Heinz Field, a place that makes kickers quake in their mis-matching shoes. Also, he is about the only guy who can bang them through in December and January at the Big Ketchup Bottle. And if that is not enough for you, he's fun. He's a drinker, a public pisser, and a paper towel dispenser abuser. Get off his back, the season is only half over. You'll forget all about this when he is kicking cinder blocks into gale-force winds when its 4 degrees in the 'Burgh. Think Mike Vanderjagt can still do that?
Since Skippy and B.A. are not worrying me, I will tell you my concerns. Other than Ike, our corners can't cover their own bed. It's like Bryant McFadden is being taught to run four steps behind the receiver he is "covering". And when Troy guesses wrong, that can be trouble.
The O-line is hobbled and that's never good. Starks isn't a Pro-Bowler, but he's the best we have by far. If Kemoeatu is out for any period of time things could get shaky. Thank God Pouncey's injury was nothing serious. Could be an interesting week or two up front until we get it all figured out.
With Aaron Smith out, the outside pass rush may suffer. Smith takes up two blockers at all times and allows Woodley to get free on the outside. With Smith out, Woodley will draw some double teams allowing the other team to roll away from James Harrison. The good news for us, we have Dick LeBeau and he will figure out how to get around this. I noticed they lined up Harrison and Woodley on the same side a couple times the other night against Cincy.
Even with all that being said, I'm pretty sure we are still tied for the best record in football. We have a very good, if not great, defense, an elite quarterback, a feature running back in the making, and perhaps the best possession and speed receivers on each side of the field. So cheer up. I mean did you see the Bengals on Monday? They're a train wreck. That could be your team. So Spanky from Blawnox,leave Mark Madden alone. It's all going to be alright.
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