Two words about Sunday’s game against Cleveland-Special Teams (sigh)
All the work put into special teams during mini camps this spring and training camp this summer and we still have a problem with special teams. It doesn’t matter that former special teams’ players, Chidi Iwouma, Sean Morey, Verron Haynes are gone. There are young players who are suppose to make an impression as to whether they can cut the mustard in the NFL.
If you can’t make it on special teams, you can’t make it in the NFL. Cleveland Browns WR Josh Cribbs’ had four kickoff returns and a 51-yard average, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown. In addition he had four punt returns averaging 4.8-yard per return. 7 missed tackles which include Allen Rossum, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, Anthony Madison, and Arnold Harrison. With the exception of Timmons and Woodley who are rookies, these others have been on special teams for at least 2 years.
In 2001, the Steelers lost the AFC Championship to the New England Patriots and a chance at another Super Bowl because of Special teams. The Steelers will meet the Patriots Dec 9th in Foxborough, hopefully for a chance to beat the unbeaten. To that we need special teams.
Sunday afternoon, the Steelers meet with the N Y Jets. The last time the Steelers played the Jets at home Dec 14, 2003. In blizzard conditions the Steelers lost 0-6, thanks to the offensive play calling of Mike Mularkey. With Tommy Maddox at the helm, Mularkey called for throwing the ball in the blizzard instead of running it with Jerome Bettis. The Jets on the other hand chose to run the ball with RB Curtis Martin who rushed for 174 yards setting up 2 field goals to win the game and a shut out.
The 1-8 Jets are coming off a bye and are hungry for a win. Kellen Clemens is slated to play instead of Chad Pennington. Clemens has played two games thus far this season, Sept 16 loss to Baltimore where he threw for 260 yards and 1 TD and last Sunday’s overtime loss to the Redskins. It was his first start. Clemens completed 23-of-42 passes, and no interceptions which has been a problem for Pennington. He also rushed seven times for 48 yards.
The Jets run a 3-4 defense as the Steelers and are listed at No. 32 in rush defense, 24th against the pass. We can expect Fast Willie Parker to have a fast start and Big Ben to spread out the defense.On the other hand, Jets RB Thomas Jones, formerly of the Chicago Bears, will face the No 1 rush defense in the league. Jones hasn't scored a touchdown in any game this season and has only gained over 100 yards. RB Leon Washington has 1 TD thus far this year.
The Steeler secondary will be tested by WR Laveranues Coles who can go deep and Jerricho Cotchery, the underneath routes. Coles has 6 TDs and Cotchery 1. This should be another in the win bracket.
Let’s Go Steelers.
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