Every week since pre-season started the Pittsburgh Tribune Review has documented win-lose comparisons with Noll, Cowher and Tomlin’s first pre-season as head coaches. After 4 weeks, Mike Tomlin is 3-1, to Chuck Noll’s 1-3 and Bill Cowher’s 2-2. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing in my book for it’s still pre-season.
Pittsburgh sports beat writers and reporters feel compelled to make comparisons even as far as to speculate major changes in the offense and defense before the regular season starts. Nothing is in stone until the Steelers play their first regular season game against Cleveland. That’s when it counts. Some are speculating that the running game will be disbanded for a high powered air attack due to the actions of Sunday’s game against the Eagles. The reason for the air attack was due mainly to the fact that the Steelers could not get a running game going. In the first half, Fast Willie carried 10 times for 32 yards (average 3.2 yards per carry). So far this pre-season, the Steelers have been challenged with the rhythm of the running game, partly due to the inconsistencies in the offensive line. Also, you have to hand it to Eagles defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson. The Eagles were ranked 28 against the run last year and Johnson made some adjustments to improve run stuffing.
The running game will always be the bread and butter of the Steeler offense. So when the offense sputters in the running game, the offense needs to go to the air. Big Ben threw 25 passes for 247 yards and spread the ball to seven receivers. Ben also connected with Fast Willie and Najeh Davenport with screen passes. In fact, Najeh had two long receptions from Ben totaling 58 yards on screen passes that fooled the Eagles. So if the Steelers can’t pound – screen it. Versatility is the name of the game. With versatility becomes unpredictability which keeps an opposing defense on their toes. Defensively, the Steelers are still having trouble covering the TE. Last week against the Redskins, it was Chris Cooley. Sunday it was Matt Schobel. In the second quarter, the Eagles 2nd down and 20 on their 4 yard line, Donovan McNabb threw to Matt Schobel to complete 22 yard play for a 1st and 10 on the 26. The good thing is that was the only time on Sunday and the Eagles did not score in that series. The first team defense stood their ground for the rest of the first half(The week before Redskins QB Jason Campbell and Todd Collins hit Chris Cooley 4-5 times in the first half for first downs.)Special teams - Sepulveda blew one punting 14 yards to the Steeler 20 giving the Eagles excellent field position. Thanks to the defense they got only 3 points out of it. (He is a rookie and I give him this one just as long as he forgets it and doesn’t let that happen during regular season. Did you see how Tomlin handles that mistake? Is he a forgiving man or what? Cowher would have showered that kids face with spittle over something like that).Even with that mistake, I saw some improvements with special teams in regards to tackling and hitting. What still needs work is catching and yards after the catch. Too many fair catches called.
This is a short week this week. Steelers play Carolina Panthers Thursday. 10 were cut from the team Monday including RB and Pittsburgh native Kevan Barlow (no surprise there) and more cuts to follow after this game. We won’t see much of the first team starters this game for it will be final evaluations for some of those who didn’t get in the first cut. In 12 days, the regular season begins. Woo hoo!! Here we Go Steelers, Here we Go. vfarries@comcast.net
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