The NFL thread 2008

[capt. scotty]

They called it a slight MCL sprain on Ward, and Bouchette said hes likely to play in 2 weeks. MCL sprains arent too bad, I remember Adrian Peterson playing 2 weeks after 1 in 2007, and some of the Dr's said it would be a monthlong thing.

I fully expect Ward to be playing in SBXLIII...and I think its even more impressive we won it without him for 3+ quarters of the game, especially after his hot start. Holmes has been money the last month plus. All we need now is Sweed to hold onto the damn ball!!!! >:(


And I agree, I think Troy is the best safety in the NFL. No one is as good of an all around safety as him, and Id say he probably has the best instincts. Ed Reed is the best ballhawk and best in pass coverage, but doesnt touch Troy anywhere else. Guys like Bob Sanders and Brian Dawkins are great as run stopping safeties, but arent as good on passing downs, though Id say Dawkins is still probably the #2 all around safety in the NFL even at 36 or however old he is.

[capt. scotty]

Larry Fitz scares the hell out of me. A pass first team like ARZ has the best chance to beat us, but them having an immobile QB like Warner is great for our D

Plus the game is in warm weather, which really helps ARZ's offense

Hopefully Coach T and LeBeau really focus on how to get to Warner and to best take away Fitz and Boldin's big play ability.....That, plus Whisenhunt not getting the HC job for the Steelers a couple of years ago and playing his former team, gives this a lot of intriguing storylines

[Ruckus]

 How are the Steelers feeling about this one?  Captain, any other Pitt people?  What's the vibe like over in the IC?

Town is pumped...Steelers sports stuff all over the boob tube this week, with most everyone confident were going to win

I feel this same way. I think the home team before this season had won 90% of the PIT-BAL games over the last 6-7 years or so. Homefield will be huge.

Just like a said last week about FWP, I expect another nice game. Not 150 yards rushing nice, but 80-90 where we can consistently move the ball with the run.

BAL will be missing Samari Rolle, and IMO Suggs wont finish the game. If they do leave Suggs in, I cant see him being effective.

Flacco has 5 turnovers in 2 games vs. us this year, and Id expect 1-2 more. Leron McClain is banged up, not sure his game status, but you have to be healthy to run the ball on us.

My only concern is Polamalu. I think the only way the Ratbirds win (excluding numerous turnovers from PIT) is by moving it through the air. Troy hurt his hammy in the pregame warmups last week, and def wasnt 100% last week. He needs to be close to it, or I wouldnt be surprised if Flacco completes a long one. Im surprised a lot more has been made of BAL D's injuries than Polamalu's

I expect a more wide open game than the last 2.

Pittsburgh 23
Baltimore 10

Pretty solid prediction.  I think we saw why not much was made of Polamalu's injury in comparison to the horribly depleted Ravens secondary.  Ivy and Oglesby were playing?!

Neither team could run, Roethlisberger made some plays although the huge play to Holmes easily could have been a pick 6 and Steelers fans would be deucing on Big Ben for chucking one up in the air.  Instead, Holmes made a fantastic play and Ed Reed failed to press all the way to the sideline and force Holmes back inside where he may have had help.  May have prevented a TD.

Either way, Polamalu made the play, the Raven playcalling was atrocious in the 1st half, and Steelers won the TO battle.  Anytime you lose the TO battle 4-1 and are still in the game on the road...

Crazy game.

Go Cardinals

[Ruckus]

What an amazing game, I'm so pumped! Troy Polamalu is definitely the best safety in the league, over Ed Reed. Ed Reed had a few more INT's than Troy this season, but Troy had way more tackles.

Rather simple, blanket statement.  As I mentioned with defensive player of the year awards, it is so difficult to compare players in different schemes.  The only position where it is easy to compare players is cornerbacks that play in Man/Press schemes.  

I'm sure that most of us haven't watched safeties play every play in every game.  I do place Reed and Polomalu above the rest.  They both benefit from being allowed to freelance frequently.  That said, Polomalu's instincts are second to none and his game winning play was amazing.

[capt. scotty]

Either way, Polamalu made the play, the Raven playcalling was atrocious in the 1st half, and Steelers won the TO battle.  Anytime you lose the TO battle 4-1 and are still in the game on the road...

Our offensive playcalling was terrible for most of the game, but especially the 2nd half

I think we ran on 1st down every single series. And 90% of the time, between the tackles. Not 1 play action pass called

Stupid WR screens, end arounds to Washington, etc.

Worst play call of the was 1 of the last series for us, we have 3rd and 1, and Arians call a shotgun play with no one in the backfield. You gotta be shittin me.

Almost never happens when teams go this far, but I really hope our OC Bruce Arians is fired, hes worse than most NCAA OC's.

I love Tomlin though, hes just what this team needs

[Sunny]

New guy here.

Too lazy to read the entire thread so I'll sum up my thoughts:

Arizona is an average team on a hot streak, and they'll get pummeled by Pittsburgh's defense.

But you guys already knew that.  ;)

[ycartrob]

New guy here.

Too lazy to read the entire thread so I'll sum up my thoughts:

Arizona is an average team on a hot streak, and they'll get pummeled by Pittsburgh's defense.

But you guys already knew that.  ;)

people said the exact thing about the Giants last year; that's why they lace 'em up.

[TEO]

Man, I just don't know who to root for (with true's Pitt. ties and my ties with AZ) or even know if I have to root for anyone really. I just hope to see a good game!  :)

[Taterbug]

I think I'm gonna pull for the Steel Curtain.   They are my sentimental choice.  

[capt. scotty]

New guy here.

Too lazy to read the entire thread so I'll sum up my thoughts:

Arizona is an average team on a hot streak, and they'll get pummeled by Pittsburgh's defense.

But you guys already knew that.  ;)

people said the exact thing about the Giants last year; that's why they lace 'em up.

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

I by no means think we cant lose, but for them to win they need to have big games from Fitz and Boldin. I think our room for error is much more than theirs due to our defense.

Kurt's career issue of fumblitis and James Harrison arent a good combo for them either

[Ruckus]

That's Kurt Warner giving Harrison the Stink Eye

[ManNamedTruth]

That's Kurt Warner giving Harrison the Stink Eye

That little bird's got nothing on Harrison.

[capt. scotty]

That's Kurt Warner giving Harrison the Stink Eye

That little bird's got nothing on Harrison.

[size=16]Silllllllllllllllllllllllvvveeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaackkkkkkk!!!![/size]!

[ycartrob]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

[ycartrob]

[capt. scotty]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

probly

[ycartrob]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

probly

what about the 18-0 Patriots?   ;)

[ManNamedTruth]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

probly

what about the 18-0 Patriots?   ;)

It don't mean shit if you don't win the Super Bowl. Why are we even discussing this.

[highlight][size=16]Go Steelers![/size][/highlight]

[ycartrob]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

probly

what about the 18-0 Patriots?   ;)

It don't mean shit if you don't win the Super Bowl. Why are we even discussing this.

[highlight][size=16]Go Steelers![/size][/highlight]

b/c we were talking about the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Read the thread.

[ManNamedTruth]

Giants 07 >>>>>> Cards 08, though similar could probably be said about teh Patsies compared to us this year.

really? You think some would probably think the 15-0 Patriots last year were better than this year's Steelers? I think that people could probably think that.

probly

what about the 18-0 Patriots?   ;)

It don't mean shit if you don't win the Super Bowl. Why are we even discussing this.

[highlight][size=16]Go Steelers![/size][/highlight]

b/c we were talking about the days leading up to the Super Bowl. Read the thread.

:-/
I did read the thread. What I meant was we shouldn't be talking about the Patriots.