So first let's recap the Carolina game. Coming off of a loss to the Jets at home on Sunday we definitely needed a win on Thursday against the then 2-12 Carolina Panthers. While I was confident that we were going to win, the Steelers never fail to be their own worst enemy so I thought that we definitely couldn't cocky thinking that the Panthers standing was enough to ensure a win. And with the big #43 out for the game-- we needed to be sure that our offense could step up and produce on the off chance that our D was slacking.
Well step up they did and big. We shut down Steve Smith, Jimmy Clausen and the Panthers pretty early in the game. Within the first half the Steelers had a 256 yards passed for the game to the low double digit pass yardage for the Panthers.
There were times that I was a little worried about how the Offense was going to do, especially after Ben was knocked in the face again that caused his nose to bleed. But the Steelers really came together. I have said for years that the O-line needs to step up, because Ben needs less time on his back and more time on his feet. We found our rock in Rookie Center Maurkice Pouncey. He has definitely stepped into his own and as a rookie commands so much veteran swagg for our O-Line. Watching him create blocks that give Ben more time is a sight to watch and it seems that while it hasn't been consistent the Steelers O is really coming together nicely.
Ben connected amazingly with number 17 Mike Wallace who has made me want to be cocky and say Santonio who?! Don't get me wrong I love Santonio Holmes, he hails from THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY and he was responsible for the catch heard round the world in our road to the win our 6th Superbowl in 2008. But he failed to produce as a role model off the field and we ended up letting him go in the off season. I will still be a fan I am even getting his old Ohio State Jersey to show my allegiance but it is refreshing to see Wallace inhabit the void!
The Steelers dominated in the third and fourth quarter, forcing a fumble and getting great field coverage. But we still lack in our third down convergence. But nonetheless a win is the win. We are still trying to secure our 2nd round bye in the playoffs, which means we need a Ravens loss to the Browns tomorrow to make it official.
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Now on to the juicy part. The Steelers as a franchise, is in my opinion the BEST in the league. We all around have a great system, an amazing legacy that even in our downtime we are still producing those amazing stats and just making the Steel City very proud! But let's be real this current team is much different than the legacy of the 70's in particular 75 and on. While we have the strength of a Dick LeBeau as our Defensive Coordinator- the defense might be the same but our O is a little different. At times we are inconsistent, but for the most part we are just playing the game how we want to play the game. Roethlisberger is a QB who likes to take more time in the pocket, he has a gift to sort of slow down the game and make time when and where it needs to be made. While some people, myself included get annoyed with how much time he takes holding on to the ball rather than releasing it, I have to appreciate the fact that with Big Ben our record is not as spotty as it can be without him (minus that horrible season after his motorcycle accident!). But this fan would just like to speak more on the fact that while we have a great legacy to live by, I am somewhat annoyed with the almost constant comparison to the Terry Bradshaw, Joe Green, Franco Harris era when clearly our team leaders are not those amazing, brilliant legends.
I think we need to appreciate the team for what it is now, respect the history but know that while the Steel Curtain breezes through every once in a while in the torrent of the terrible towels; this current Steel Team is much different than those of it's past.
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