I'm at a loss for words. I thought about writing something last night after one of the worst meltdowns in football (slight hyperbole, but hey I'm pissed) history.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a WINNABLE game yesterday afternoon to the New York Giants. How winnable? The Steelers kept the Super Bowl champs to four field goals throughout three and a half quarters! The Giants were on the ropes and all the Steelers had to do was play smart (not conservative, but SMART) and protect the ball and...not have a starting linebacker serve as the back-up long snapper! With two experienced centers on the roster, why the hell is one of our key linebackers used as a long snapper? Well, on a punt in the fourth quarter, James Harrison (a great DEFENSIVE player) hiked the ball clear over the head of the punter and out of the end zone for a safety. This is with close to two minutes left on the clock.
Up to that point the Steelers were ahead 14-12. Safety. 14-14. I turned it off after that.
I found out later that Eli Manning finally found out how to get the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. Giants 21-14. There was still some time left, but Ben Roethlisberger being who he is tried to get the team down the field with bravado. Interception. Game over.
I'm disgusted.
Granted 5-2 is not bad. We still are first in the AFC North, but come on! We had the Giants right where we wanted them. Talk about snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.
The coaching staff has to think of something and think of something soon. The offensive (truly offensive) line is going to get Ben killed. BEN is going to get Ben killed if he keeps holding onto the ball so long. Sacks, interceptions, hurries, knockdowns, three and outs are going to be the demise of this team.
The defense has been superb. Well, like they say, "Defense wins championships". So there is some hope. Oh, there was one bright spot to Sunday's games: The Bengals are 0-8 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/scoreboards/2008/10/26/3274_viewcast_recap.html
The Washington Redskins are up next. The Steelers better get things worked out and quick.
Rant over. Talk soon.
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a WINNABLE game yesterday afternoon to the New York Giants. How winnable? The Steelers kept the Super Bowl champs to four field goals throughout three and a half quarters! The Giants were on the ropes and all the Steelers had to do was play smart (not conservative, but SMART) and protect the ball and...not have a starting linebacker serve as the back-up long snapper! With two experienced centers on the roster, why the hell is one of our key linebackers used as a long snapper? Well, on a punt in the fourth quarter, James Harrison (a great DEFENSIVE player) hiked the ball clear over the head of the punter and out of the end zone for a safety. This is with close to two minutes left on the clock.
Up to that point the Steelers were ahead 14-12. Safety. 14-14. I turned it off after that.
I found out later that Eli Manning finally found out how to get the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. Giants 21-14. There was still some time left, but Ben Roethlisberger being who he is tried to get the team down the field with bravado. Interception. Game over.
I'm disgusted.
Granted 5-2 is not bad. We still are first in the AFC North, but come on! We had the Giants right where we wanted them. Talk about snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory.
The coaching staff has to think of something and think of something soon. The offensive (truly offensive) line is going to get Ben killed. BEN is going to get Ben killed if he keeps holding onto the ball so long. Sacks, interceptions, hurries, knockdowns, three and outs are going to be the demise of this team.
The defense has been superb. Well, like they say, "Defense wins championships". So there is some hope. Oh, there was one bright spot to Sunday's games: The Bengals are 0-8 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/scoreboards/2008/10/26/3274_viewcast_recap.html
The Washington Redskins are up next. The Steelers better get things worked out and quick.
Rant over. Talk soon.
