WRAP-UP: Cards pass to set up the win over Pittsburgh
September 30th, 2007 by Neal CoolongWhisenhunt did a number on his former team with his defense. Grinding out the second half as if he had the Bus as a receiver, the Cardinals pointed out how suspect the Steelers are defensively without SS Troy Polamalu. The officials might have taken a touchdown away from Silverback, but the Cardinals took away the Steelers undefeated record 21-14.
It was as if Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt had Jerome Bettis back on his team.
Not in his running game, mind you, but in the form of WR Larry Fitzgerald. Whisenhunt used to ride the Bus to huge third down conversions in Pittsburgh. With the loss of kryptonic SS Troy Polamalu to an abdominal injury early in the second quarter, the Cardinals kept going to Superman for big play after big play.
Fitzgerald snared high balls in the flat, huge third down conversion and one unreal 38-yard completion on top of Ike Taylor. He caught 11 passes for 123 yards in Arizona’s 21-14 win Sunday.
The Cardinals used the pass, oddly as it seems, to maintain possession at the critical points in the game. Perhaps even stranger, Whisenhunt used both Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner under center, switching them out like point guards throughout the game. But through Fitzgerald, the Cardinals made the most of the absence of Anquan Boldin, and an interesting quarterback controversy.
Cardinals rookie Steve Breaston’s 74-yard punt return TD didn’t help, but Steelers rookie P Dan Sepulveda deflated a punt on the first 4th down of that possession. The Steelers coverage unit hemmed Breaston inside the 20 on perhaps Sepulveda’s finest kick of the year. A penalty on Carey Davis forced another punt, and predictably, Sepulveda greatly outkicked the tired coverage, and Breaston wasn’t even touched for the game-swinging score.
It wasn’t the only example of poor play on behalf of the Steelers special teams units. They alone picked up five penalties (four were accepted) in the second half, something that seemed to be uncharacteristic of first-year coach Mike Tomlin’s Steelers going into Week 4.
Pittsburgh found themselves in several third-and-long situations, but not of the 3rd-and-7 variety. They had multiple third down attempts with 20 or more yards to the first down marker. Some of these situations came through their own mistakes, but most through a surprisingly stingy Cardinals defense. The Steelers only converted 5-of-15 of them, one of which was a 43-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes. That hookup accounted for both of the Steelers touchdowns.
Pittsburgh was already without WR Hines Ward, who did not play because of a sprained knee. Roethlisberger looked rattled most of the second half, and seemed to be off the page just a bit with his receivers. He missed WR Nate Washington streaking deep twice by a total of about three inches. Those three inches cost them about 60 yards in receptions, and would have bailed them out of a few of those third-and-a-desert-mile situations.
What also helped set up those basically unwinnable situations were several false start penalties, and the Steelers desire to continuously test RB Willie Parker around the outside. Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett had three sacks, and his ears were pinned back like a Doberman on each snap, but on two occaisons, Parker and Roethlisberger seemed to forget how to execute the hand-off, so both delayed runs they tried nearly resulted in turnovers.
The one gift the Cardinals did give their guests was a Kurt Warner fumble that OLB James Harrison recovered at the Cardinals 4-yard line. But the officials seemingly took it away just as quickly as they got it. Harrison was ruled down by contact, but didn’t seem to be touched by Cardinals G Elton Brown who dove for the ball. Harrison rolled over the top of Brown, and was hit from behind by Steelers ILB James Farrior, pushing him into a roll as he picked up the ball. Harrison walked into the end zone, but was not given a touchdown.
(it’s at 1:34 of this NFL.com clip.)
After two ineffective Parker rushes, Roethlisberger drilled a fastball square into the gut of Arizona SS Adrian Wilson, making it the first Steelers drive in 14 tries inside the red zone that did not result in points.
Roethlisberger said he didn’t see Wilson. From the replay shot from Roethlisberger’s line of sight, it was hard to miss him. Even Wilson seemed surprised, as the ball caught him more than he caught it.
The injury list went further than just Polamalu and Ward. Both nose tackles, Casey Hampton (hamstring) and Chris Hoke (neck sprain), went down with injuries, as did CB Bryant McFadden (ankle sprain). Polamalu will undergo tests to determine the severity of the abdominal strain he said he suffered.
The Steelers fall to 3-1, and their offense suddenly is suspect, with NFC West power Seattle coming to town before the bye week.
Stats that Matter
- Tomlin and Bill Cowher both lost their first games as coaches in Week 4 to NFC teams - Cowher 17-3 to Green Bay.
- Steve Breaston’s punt return was the first for the Cardinals in 14 seasons - or, the same amount of time since the Philadelphia Phillies last made the playoffs.
- Santonio Holmes had a career high 128 yards receiving, and was the fisrt Steelers receiver to go over the 100-yard mark this year.
- Not that it matters, but The Steelers defense did not allow a 100-yard rusher for the 29th consecutive game. The Cardinals stopped Willie Parker for nothing, making it their ninth consecutive game in that same category.
Interesting Links
Gerry Dulac brings back some painful memories
Mike Prisuta calls for a new rivalry
Who feels worse this morning, Pittsburgh or Baltimore?
JJ Cooper points out a potentially serious problem at NT
Joey Porter had three tackles and an assist in Oakland’s win over Miami Sunday. The Dolphins fell to 0-4. He has 13 tackles and zero sacks and is 0-1 in “we will win” predictions so far this season.
Posted in Steelers Game Recaps |
September 30th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
They had our playbook…
And to think I took the under when Vegas set the O/U at 2.5 for hours before cries of “SpyGate II” were uttered…
September 30th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Offensive line Play continues to give Ben less time to throw , why does,nt the steelers go to more 3 step drops with the poor protection he getting. The game was not as bad as it looked for the most part the steelers let this one get away mistakes cost them not much anything else but the biggest weakness seems to be the line play I thought late 3rd quarter the running game was the verge of brakeing loose Troy was missed so was mc fadden. seahawks are going to be a tough test hope they will be healthy back at home.
Ben’s strength is not in his timing, it’s his spontaneity. I realize this reads more like his match.com profile than his attributes as a passer, but I don’t have much faith in the three-step drop route for him. He needs to feel the play develop, not just to throw to a spot. Besides, a three-step drop only would have meant Dockery would have had four less feet to travel to plant him on his back. But yes, health is the key to next week. No Troy or Snacks (Hampton) will likely lead to a rather nice Fantasy day for HasselSack.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
My only disagreement is your statement that Ben looked “rattled”. He was definitely rushed and had Cardinals in his face all day, but I really thought is ability to get out of pressure and remain somewhat composed was a promising sign given his inability to do those same things last year. Just my two centes…
I dunno, MD…do you remember that stretch in the second half when he didn’t complete a pass for three possessions? He was out of rhythm. But yes, valid point, he was moving around well compared to his statue-esque (second time I’ve dropped an “esque” on you guys) performances of 2006.
September 30th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Looking at the statistics of this game, it’s patently obvious that the loss of Troy and Casey (the most important two cogs in the Steelers’ defensive wheel) was the big difference, especially on ‘Zona’s two touchdown drives. Look at the Cards’ first half statistics (especially points scored), and you begin to see just how crucial our two best defenders are to the success of LeBeau’s defense. This one hurt, but not as much as some of our top dogs are ailing right now. Trainers will be working overtime this week…
Amen, Dave. You’re speakin’ da truth!
October 1st, 2007 at 1:23 am
Can someone please explaing to me why James Harrison picked up a fumble, ran it into the end zone…for no score.
And… on the Sunday night, NY Giants Kawicka Mitchell picked up a fumble, ran it into the end zone….and scored 7 points??????????
Thank you, Eddy! Four and a half gold stars for you! That’s why I wrote it as sarcastically as I could. NO ONE made mention of that. To answer your question, Harrison was ruled down by contact. I feel this was called incorrectly. They won’t show the replay much unless there’s a challenge (the NFL uses the broadcast cameras for those), and you can’t challenge plays ruled down by contact, but Silverback was not touched, and that should have been ruled a touchdown. He rolled over the Cardinals lineman who was on the ground, he was not forced down. I even texted that (with rampant profanity) to SteelerBro at the time.
October 1st, 2007 at 5:01 am
I think troy and hampton missing the 2nd half, and Ward missing the game entirely, were huge. No excuses though, the cardinals made the plays and looked better overall. I don’t think the Steelers could’ve taken this one lightly, with all the coaching drama, etc., but this looked like a different team than the last 3 weeks. Hopefully everybody starts next week, they have a big test with the seahawks. Was impressed with AZ’s D, our o-line was embarrassed and pushed around. If the Steelers have any hopes for being a legitimate contender, the o-line better toughen up. Ben did a good job of escaping potential sacks, but held the ball too long in general. Hopefully they will be 4-1 going into the bye.
It reminded me of how charged up the Steelers were in the regular season game against New England in 2004. When you get a team on the verge of breaking through the average standard of a team, playing at home in a game that has something personal behind it (Whiz playing his old team yesterday, the Steelers looking for a big statement against a team that hadn’t lost in 21 previous games), it’s pretty damn tough to win. I still stand by the theory that losses to NFC teams aren’t nearly as damaging as losses in the division, especially on the road, especially early in the season. You don’t have to win in Week 4 to win the division.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:29 am
I knew this was going to happen against the Cards.And I also knew the problem would be with the offensive line featuring no other than Alan Faneca.I knew he would not show up and play his game toward his hero’s, Wise and Russ.Let Alan go play with them in a Card’s uniform instead of disguising himself in a Steeler’s uniform.You can’t win with team haters against their own team.
Yes, Faneca managed to both suck AND blow on Sunday. He lost himself about $10 million guaranteed with that display.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:49 am
I knew it was going to be a bad day when I was getting ready for the game and when I went to pull out my game gear from the drawer only to find a red shirt on top of my Steelers gear!! I told my wife… “not a good start!” My superstition came to fruition!
Pros - Santonio Holmes
Cons - Injuries
Steelers 11-5 AFC North Champs
Ok, everyone, we can blame Menace’s wife. Don’t mix black and gold with the opposing colors! This week, no strange-shade-of-green with that neon-MC-Hammer-yellow color of the Seahawks mixing with black and/or gold.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:00 am
I have not seen this game (not televised in Los Angeles), but from what I’ve been reading this morning, it seems like the O-Line is still sucking. I wanted them to draft some young guys back in April (Justin Blaylock, Ben Grubbs, Samson Satelle, Ryan Kahlil, etc. were available). Maybe Tomlin’s extensive competition in preseason was basically an attempt to fine the lesser of all evils for the line. I hope they address this next spring. The guys we have all suck.
I posted last week my concern about Chukky Okobi’s knowledge of our team, especially the O-Link plays, being a possible advantage for Arizona’s defense. Was I right? I haven’t seen this game, but 4 sacks on Ben and Fast Willie not going any where seem like a line problem. If this were the Ravens, I’ll credit their D. But Arizona’s D? Come on! Those guys shouldn’t have been able to bully our boys around.
1. You didn’t miss much. Frustrating game to watch.
2. Drafting a guard wouldn’t have helped anything this year. I know Grubbs was off the board by the time our second-round pick was up (not sure, but pretty sure Kalil was as well, but not a chance I’d take him over Woodley), and I would have been very concerned with the mental stability of King Colbert if he took a guard with the 15th overall pick. However, I feel offensive line will be something they could address early and often next year.
3. I read your comment about Okobi, and I still say that’s not a factor. Ryan Wilson had a great piece on SCI the other day about this. Every team has a few “quality control” coaches, whose sole-purpose is to pour over film and note any tendencies or weaknesses a team’s offense, defense and specials teams have. If Okobi did have this extensive inside knowledge of the team, they’re paying him a boatload of money to do what some 25-year-old guy trying to impress a head coach has been doing all season already. Even more to the point, though…You mentioned Pittsburgh’s offensive line isn’t very strong. They did not need to pick up Okobi - and deactivate him - to teach them that. They got beat up on the line, but much of the pressure Ben saw was caused by the fact he didn’t release the ball for five seconds. He plays well on the move, but it was almost as if he needed to feel some pressure before deciding to throw. Simply put, I would say it was more about excellent coverage and a strong pass rush than Okobi, Grimm-enhunt, Col. Nathan Jessup, whomever.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:11 am
Also… I’m tired of our offense struggling against (supposedly) mediocre teams. Having to settle for field goals instead of TDs against the likes of Buffalo and San Fran. What the heck is wrong? Is it the O-Line that’s the problem? Is our lack of receiver depth a problem (other than Santonio and Hines, the rest are bench fodder)?
And… dare I say it… is Big Ben just overrated? I’ve constantly had to fight that argument against Ben with non-Steeler-fans, but I’m finding it harder and harder to do so. I want him to be considered an elite QB, but deep down inside, him running our offense doesn’t give me much confidence.
I’m tired of “game-management” by our QB. I want I guy who can kill the opposing D. I want Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer… know what I mean? Even Matt Hasselback coming in next week to Hines Field scares me more than Big Ben.
If I upset any of you, I’m sorry. I’m just venting my frustration about our incompetence to score touchdowns.
Mark hates our offense…
Most would agree, Mark. This sounds like a lame excuse, but I’ve always said Ben is the exact opposite of overrated: he’s not a superstar. He’s not on the level of Brady/Palmer/Manning. He is not as successful as a passer - not just a game manager - when he throws for 35+ times as he is when he throws between 22-34 times. He doesn’t throw the deep ball as well as he did when he first came in the league. However, he will gut out a win if provided the right resources. He will have 158.3 games, he will have sub-70 games (passer rating). But this team will lose over 16 games if he has the amount of attempts as the best pure passers in the game. One reason is they aren’t built for it. Their line was assembled mostly due to their mauling run-blocking reputations. Individually, they are good linemen, but are better run-blockers. Another reason is Ben is just not a pretty quarterback. His mechanics are not technically proficient, he has an Old-Man-Skipping-A-Rock look on his deeper passes, and really, he’s at his best in broken down plays where he dictates the action. Palmer, Brady, Manning…they are prototypical quarterbacks, almost created straight from a video game. Ben looks more like the kid who doesn’t play video games, but lives for playing in the sandlot or neighborhood field. Different QBs, both highly skilled at different things.
So does that make him overrated? No, not at all. He’s got one more Super Bowl than Carson Palmer is even close to winning. Steve McNair circa 1999 is a similar comparison. Effective? Definitely. Pretty? No more than Shelly Smith.
I think the biggest issue with Ben is he’s a bit immature, and he sort of seems like a meathead. He is also younger than the QBs I mentioned, and he’s considerably better than many other QBs teams dress up and act like he can win games.
October 1st, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Challenges , the 4and 1 late in the game was very critical the spot was very poor , I think Tomlin is not paying enough attention to these details what the HELL is he thinking that is why they have challenges MIKE they could change a game.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Ben’s deep throws were excellent in that game. If Nate had kept running on one other throw that would have been an easy TD.Ben used to underthrow the deep ball a lot but I see more accuracy and depth on his ball this year. I think you are correct that he is a very good QB who won’t ever make it to Brady/Manning level but then again. neither will anyone else in this era. If they build the O-line back up and Arians and Ben have a year to get acquainted, they are still not going to be a team to challenge the elite. They are 3 to 4 years away IF they make the changes and they work. Nice team just not a great one.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Would somebody teach Ben about the Quick Pass!?? I mean “Quick” short little 5 yard passes can win a game as well as the long bomb! The “Quick” short little passe would help keep him from getting sacked as well as help soften the run defense! And yes - 25 passes is about the most I like to see big Ben throw! It just seems to me that he looks long then if after 10 seconds he’ll start looking short to toss it away. But the Line isn’t giving him 10 seconds - and shouldn’t have too! I played line and it ticked me off if the QB was standing back there for a long time almost every passing play!
October 1st, 2007 at 4:32 pm
I had a feeling this was going to happen. Living in AZ I’ve gotten a chance to see the immediate impact Grimm and Whisenhunt have had on the Cardinals. Their o-line gets after it the same way the black and gold used to. The Steelers o-line needs to be fully dominate for Willie Parker to get anything done and of course a healthy Hines makes alot of difference in that area. So…I have to admit that the Steelers really are just an average team when it comes down to it. Even though they went 3-0, I thought it was in spite of Tomlin. If it weren’t for Dick Lebeau this team would probably be 0-4. The problem with Ben is the entrenched philosophy the Steelers have had since Cowher that the QB is just a game manager and nothing more. They don’t seem to really want a superstar at that position. They had the same problem with Kordell. Maybe Tomlin can change that thinking and try and let a supposed big time QB be a big time QB. Without a solid replacement for Faneca next year I see things just getting worse.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I THINK ITS A COMBINATION OF A LOT OF THINGS. NO HINES WARD HURT– OTHER THAN SANTONIO NO OTHER WR COULD GET OPEN. RUSS GRIMM KNOWS THIS O LINE BETTER THAN ANYONE- AT THE LAST SECOND THE CARDINALS RUSHED UP TO THE LINE AND CAUSED OUR GUYS TO FALSE START. BEN HAS TO UNDERSTAND RED ZONE TURNOVERS WAS THE DEATH OF US LAST YEAR.
RUN THE BALL KICK THE FG 10-7 GAME. THE HURRY UP OFFENSE SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED TO CHANGE
TEMPO OF THE GAME- IF THE OFFENSE CAN’T GET IN THE FLOW
THIS METHOD EARLIER IN THE GAME COULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE. IT DID FOR THE CARDINALS WHEN THEY USED IT.
Memphis Ray…don’t ever change your name. Ever. Get it tattooed on your arm, begin to bowl or play pool professionally, and market your own brand of whiskey. Make this happen.
Anyone else order a meat lover’s pizza to watch the Patriots begin to roll over Cincinnati? Marshall is now out, giving the Bengals three linebackers. This is going to be an epic prison-raping of Cincy. Maybe they could get Housh’s skinny ass out there, and watch Light get inside him and drive him through the field.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I will try and talk everyone down off the ledge. Fact: Steelers are 3-1. Fact: 1st place AFC North. Win our home games, split on the road and we are 12-4 with another AFC North crown. The steelers played terrible and they still had a shot to tie the game at the end. To me, that speaks to the quality of team we have. My concerns, like everyone else, are with the offensive line. Give Ben time and he is a great quarterback. he showed that in the 05 playoffs. Let’s not get crazy over 1 loss. We win next week and we are 4-1 going into the bye, right where we need to be. LETS GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hear hear! Mike, you’re writing the Player Spotlight this week! Get it back to me by Thursday at 5 a.m. Now I’m all fired up! We’re gonna go T.K. in the Alltel commercial on Hasselbeck’s whiny ass.
“Larry Flynt is right!”
October 2nd, 2007 at 6:49 pm
Amen Mike! Well said. It’s one game, and it was a non-divisional loss, early in the season. Did anyone think we were going to be 16-0?
I argue that we NEEDED to lose a game. It’s a wake-up call. Going 3-0 against mediocre teams didn’t really tell us where we were. This was adversity brought on by a coach with a potential axe to grind (well, maybe not but at least something to prove to his old team), and a team that really came prepared to beat up on the vaunted Steelers. They were better motivated than we were, and they executed their gameplan better than we did. The question is, what lessons do we learn from it, and how do we fix the problems that we have and go into next week’s game with a competent plan, hopefully healthy players and a mental mindset that eliminates the stupid mistakes?
I don’t think all is lost at this point people, and Mike, you make a great point–the fact that we played like complete shite and still had a chance to tie at the end is a good indicator of the quality we have. We’ve still got some time, and a game lead in the division. Clearly we’re not perfect but I refuse to believe that we’re as bad off as some folks seem to think we are.
“Hmmm…I don’t approve of his ‘Bart Killing’ policy…but I do approve of his ‘Selma Killing’ policy…”
November 18th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
who is T.K?? lol i was always wondering since i saw that alltel commercial…someone help me out