Last week I got a little irritated with all of the Steve Smith hype and went on a rant that was so long, I sort of skipped my usual KEYS part of the post. I felt a little bad about that after doing it but, of course it turned out that I was right, there WAS way too much hype about one guy, a guy who couldn't have possibly been expected, (at least by REASONABLE people), to win a game by himself. The Panthers WERE as I said, a one trick pony, who couldn't possibly have been expected to contain, and keep up with all the weapons that the Seahawks bring, (unless of course you work for the media, in which case, REASON and LOGIC get trumped by whatever seems like a good story).This week I will not go that route at all, because I refuse to talk ANY trash about the Pittsburgh Steelers. I refuse, because they are NOT the Panthers, they are NOT a media creation, one trick pony like the Panthers; they are a balanced team which can beat you by throwing or running the ball, and plays defense as well as any team in the league, with their unique 3-4 scheme which was originally designed to beat Bill Walsh's west coast offense.
I will, however, point out a few misconceptions about the Seahawks that Steelers fans seem to have, I will save that for the end of this long post, however, so that those Seahawks fans who like to skim don't have to read it.
Steelers fans, who want to really know the truth about the team they are facing, would be well advised to read it.
This is a truly terrific TEAM all around, that the Seahawks will face on February 5th, so I will not be debating who should be favored, (though of course I think the Hawks should), and I will not be getting into the "who's the better QB debate (though of course I think that clearly Hasselbeck is), I will stick to analysis, and you will not be cheated this week, because I get angry and write a rant.
This one is too important, against too good an opponent for that silliness, so I will get right into my points.
Read the rest
My key to winning the game......
ReplyDeleteGet to overrated Ben early and often, his numbers, like Manning's come from waayyyy to much time in the pocket.
Smash him in the mouth a few times and watch the ints come.
turnovers man, it's going to come down to Turn over.
Vin he's NOT overrated.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree that if we get to him early and often he will throw a pick or two
ReplyDeleteExcellent analysis Monkey, except, of course, that this is Polamalu's third year in the league, not his second.
ReplyDeletePosted by mfan
You're right of course, I am silly, I'll have to fix that.
ReplyDeleteBen Rothelis-whatever (Nice pick Cow-whahh) is not over-rated right now... but I think he will be. He is over-hyped, and from what I've seen of his play, he's an accurate mid range passer, decent long ball, athletic and strong as a runner/scrambler, but not fast, and he makes a fair amount of bad decisions, not unexpected since he's not often heavily relied upon and he's young. I like him, and I think he's been a great QB for them and will continue to get better, but I don't think he is all they say he is.
ReplyDeleteRe the mon-Keys, nice work, way to save up for the big game, that's your best work yet. I basically agree with everything, the Seahawks have to simply do what they do. I don't agree on extra coverage on Ward, he is a great possession receiver, but not really a game breaker, Randel-El is probably the closest they have to that, and Wilson is coming on, but I just don't see the Stillers beating us with the passing game. I will say that whichever team goes up by 2 scores will win the game, and that will probably the first team to score, so calling the coin flip could be the most important play of the day! Bettis calls tails, it's tails, Seahawks won the toss and elect to receive! (I know, Seahawks get to call it, just had to bust on Luckett the Horrible)
Posted by JoSCh
I agree with you JoSCH that we don't need to take away Ward completely, I was saying that AT TIMES we need to do that, just not get carried away with it.
ReplyDeleteBottom line, we need to MIX IT UP, keep them confused, don't show them the same looks in coverage. Roethlisburger is a good QB but he is only in his second season and I suspect CAN be confused if we do the right things in coverage. That's NOT a knock against Big Ben, it's just trying to take advantage of his inexperience.
Thanks for the props bud.
"I suspect CAN be confused if we do the right things in coverage. " I think that is a great point, it's not so much the pressure as the coverage in this game. And I don't see a matchup problem against the Squealers, they don't have an outstanding playmaker WR, admitting that Ward is an outstanding possession WR.
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
RE: The coin flip
ReplyDeleteMy betting site has the line listed as even money on heads, but you must pay 10.50 to win 10 an tails. Tails is favored!?!? My message to the 'Hawks is that, in order to win this game, you MUST PICK TAILS. It is favored by those in the know.
Incidentally, I got home from the game on Sunday and was a little drunk and thought it would be a good idea to put down my entire betting account on the 'Hawks to win the SB. If they don't win, I'll likely have to embark on a new career as mfan, male prostitute. That wouldn't be good for anyone, so everyone here must root extra-hard on SB Sunday (as if I needed to tell you that). Honestly, the only thing I regret is not letting the ignorant public inflate the line before putting my money down. I got it at +4, but it's now at +4.5 and likely to rise even further as the public pounds Pitt.
Anyway, to reiterate, TAILS NEVER FAILS ON FEB. 5.
Posted by mfan
Rothlessbooger:
ReplyDeleteOverrated, overrated, overrated.....the next Peyton Manning, without the stats.
They/he lost to every good team they played and lost to the teams with good defenses. Just like the Colts.
Denver's seconary looked like rookies in last weekend's game. No way the Steelers should have won that game, and without a lot of luck they wouldn't have.
Say what you want, but I'll never buy into the Big Ben hype....Who does Big Ben remind me of.....Dante Cull-peppper.
Posted by vin
Vin,
ReplyDeleteRoethlisberger is NOT overrated. His decision-making isn't as quick or correct as it will probably become, but I think he's the real deal. He was a first-round draft pick less than two years ago, selected behind Mr. Second Coming Eli Manning, and the Steelers are clearly a better team at this point this year than last -- despite losing a quality #2 receiver in Burress -- for the sole reason that R-berger has matured.
And I hate to do this, but saying that the Steelers won in Denver because of "a lot of luck" is downright homerism. Anybody who saw that game knew it was over at halftime. Yeah, maybe Plummer's not the guy you want to rally behind, but Denver got definitively out-coached and out-played (just like the Panthers).
BTW, I'm really only bothered by this because I just heard Rick Reilly say on the Dan Patrick show that Hasselbeck wasn't one of the NFL's top 5 QB's (he was downright dismissive, basically calling people fools for thinking Hass is elite).
Basically, EVERYBODY should stop with the overrated/disrespect card. The two teams in the Super Bowl are the two best teams in the NFL, they have elite QBs, their running games are great, the defenses are terrific.
I will now go spend the next nine days in my basement.
Posted by Uffy
Vin,
ReplyDeleteRoethlisberger is NOT overrated. His decision-making isn't as quick or correct as it will probably become, but I think he's the real deal. He was a first-round draft pick less than two years ago, selected behind Mr. Second Coming Eli Manning, and the Steelers are clearly a better team at this point this year than last -- despite losing a quality #2 receiver in Burress -- for the sole reason that R-berger has matured.
And I hate to do this, but saying that the Steelers won in Denver because of "a lot of luck" is downright homerism. Anybody who saw that game knew it was over at halftime. Yeah, maybe Plummer's not the guy you want to rally behind, but Denver got definitively out-coached and out-played (just like the Panthers).
BTW, I'm really only bothered by this because I just heard Rick Reilly say on the Dan Patrick show that Hasselbeck wasn't one of the NFL's top 5 QB's (he was downright dismissive, basically calling people fools for thinking Hass is elite).
Basically, EVERYBODY should stop with the overrated/disrespect card. The two teams in the Super Bowl are the two best teams in the NFL, they have elite QBs, their running games are great, the defenses are terrific.
I will now go spend the next nine days in my basement.
Posted by Uff
Sorry about the double post. Apparently I was "Uffy" for a few seconds there.
ReplyDeleteUff, couldn't agree with you more, I really couldn't you are spot on.
ReplyDeleteI am WAY past the whole overrated underrated thing, it's silly and impossible to prove, it's just conjecture and opinion.
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the snot out of the Broncos and almost from the first drive clearly wanted it more and was playing better. To summarily dismiss that is as you said, homerism.
Give credit where it's due.
BTW, Hasselbeck is an elite QB no matter what some dink said, he is the best QB in the NFC and it's not even close, how is that not elite?
Monkey the analysis on this post has been great. You should become a NFL analyst without the "I promise to hate on the Seahawks" clause!
ReplyDeleteHere is what i think needs to happen please force turnovers. Last time Steeles went to the Super Bowl they had a bunch of turnovers do that again and we get the easy win.
I just once wanna see a 5 reciever set with no TE or backs. Throw a hail mary into the secondary who's gonna stop us we have 5 good recievers. This is for my viewing pleasure and has nothing to do with the offense. We need to get a lead and sit on it. Steelers like to run the ball and if we have the lead that will throw there entire game plan off.
Beware of the trick play. Pittsburgh loves doin these since they have the personnel in Randal El, Ward, and Bettis. Watch out for it. DB's should stick to their assignments unless they no 100% that it is a run play.
This should be one helluva game. I'm lookin forward to it. Both these teams play great football, but Pitt will not get there 5th Superbowl on February 5th the Seahawks will get there 1st of many to come.
Final score: 21-17 Seahawks
Posted by o-meezy
I would be remiss if I did not come back over and compliment these Mon-Key's to the game. Last week (oh beautiful last week, how things were different then) I was a bit critical of those Mon-Keys to the game. But to let you know that I am not Philistine and not a nay-sayer, I have to say these are the most thorough and spot-on keys to the game I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteWhile last week's Mon-Keys to the game lacked explanation these soar. I took the time to read these out loud and swirl them around my mouth like a bit of the old vineyard. I like how they taste.
Of course, as a Panthers fan, a lot of things are different only a week later. A few of them:
1. Last week, I didn't have bandages on my wrists.
2. Last week, my stomach had never been pumped for Darvasets, and I had never tasted Drano.
3. Last week, I was not prohibited by law to go withing 50 yards of Jake Delhomme or his horses.
4. Last week, I was little more innocent...a little more sunnny.
And for those of you who think that Big Ben is overated: shush, shush. You know not what you say. As a Panthers fan, I know what an overated quarterback looks like. I know. If your secondary were actually our wide-receivers, I will call him an underated quarterback, but sadly that wasn't the case, and all I have to show for it are some botched suicide attempts, a restraining order, and a life-size tattoo of Steve Smith on my back...that must be altered to look like a heart with my girlfriend's name on it.
Fare Thee Well, Hawks fans. Carolina will return.
Posted by Dooom
That was AWESOME. Dooom, you can watch Hawks-Panthers with me anytime -- and it won't be long, as the NFC West and South play each other next year.
ReplyDeletePosted by Uff
"the Steelers won in Denver because of "a lot of luck" is downright homerism. " I disagree, I saw 2 interceptions missed, Bailey tip to Ward, and Ward TD. Each of the 3 fumbles bounced the Squealers way. That's not to say the Sqealers won just because of luck, they're a good team. But they were lucky last week.
ReplyDeleteDooom, sorry bout that buddy. Also, the mon-Keys are normally more like this, last week monkey must have been tired from the Smith Rant.
Posted by JoSCh
Thanks Dooom, not only for a very entertaining post, but for reminding me that I hadn't yet commented on this thread.
ReplyDeleteAs a visitor you may not know that I am the one commonly referred to as "the skimmer", so I needed to weigh in to let Monkey know i read and enjoyed every word of his topic.
The Steelers represent that classic difference between FEAR and RESPECT. Sure, we need to Respect them for their talent and ability to make it this far, but we have NOTHING to be afraid of, if we can continue to play *our* game.
Posted by alba
Meh, I guess I'm not really sold on the "luck" factor in any game. I believe skill creates luck, and lack of skill gets confused for "unlucky." Note, for example, that the Bailey pick-6 that could have been happened occurred on third-and-three in the first quarter of a scoreless game. Hines Ward wins the ensuing tip drill, then gets clobbered by John Lynch but holds on to the ball for the first down. The Steelers continue the drive for a first-blood FG instead of punting from their 44. I find it suspect that the Steelers are considered "lucky" that Bailey misplayed the ball, yet the Broncos aren't unlucky that Ward made such a tough play. What I'm saying is that crediting luck as a part of a win (or lack of it to a loss) takes away from what really matters: a well-coached game plan and players that execute.
ReplyDeleteThink about it, 'Hawks fans: how do we feel when people said the 'Hawks were lucky to win against the Giants and Dallas? According to many, we were "lucky" that Bledsoe made a foolish interception and "lucky" that Feely missed 3 FGs... yet we get mad that nobody credits Babineaux with a good play or remembers the BS Shockey touchdown catch.
To wrap this up, crediting luck (or the referees) for the outcome of the game reflects a narrow view of the game and a host of "What if?" questions that is valuable only as a thought experiment.
Posted by Uff
the Bailey pick-6 that could have been happened occurred
ReplyDeleteI should edit before posting. You get the idea.
no doubt Uff. The biggest difference in that game against the Panthers is that our DBs CAUGHT THE FREAKING BALLS when they came their way.
ReplyDeleteI swear we lead the league in "almost interceptions" this year, and if Lofa, Babs and/or Boulware just knock those passes down, instead of intercepting them, who knows what the outcome of the game would have been.
Later, Holms commented on that very thing and said it's kind of "contageous", that once one guy steps up and makes a play, the others are more apt to do so.
I've heard luck described as an unanticipated result from overpreparation, and that's exactly what it is. Or as Vince Lombardi once said, "luck goes to the man who doesn't rely on it in his game plan."
Posted by alba
im sorry but the seahawks are fake, and have been babied all season long. The QB will crack under severe presure. I think this monkey is way off basis. His observations exploit his own personal desire for the seahawks to win. Bottom line I am neither a steeler of seachicken fan however I am no fool either. The steelers have been close enough to taste victory over the past couple of playoffs to want it more than a young seachicken team that really honestly does HAVE A WEAK WEAK DIVISION.... its not thir fault that they play weak teams but I dont think that their west coast style of play is the same as what the 49ers had years ago. You are simply dead wrong .... ,look out the steelers have flat out embarrased their ooponents thus far and except for a TD a maybe 2 or 3 field goals I dont think the seachickens are going to be able to stop the bus from getting his championship and retiring sorry.....
ReplyDeletePosted by moose
No apologies necessary, moose. Opinions are welcome, especially if they are backed up by logic.
ReplyDeleteBut I fail to see any in your post, with the exception that you noted that the Steelers have embarassed their opponents so far. But then again, I would have to argue that the game would not have been so embarassing in Cincinnati, had the QB not gone down with a fluke injury; the game in Indy, while very disapponting to the Colts because of their high expectations, was not actually such an embarassment, it went down to the last play, you might recall; that leaves the game in Denver as the only world class thumping.
But look at how the Seahawks handled their opponents -- I don't see much difference.
"The steelers have been close enough to taste victory over the past couple of playoffs to want it more than a young seachicken team that really honestly does HAVE A WEAK WEAK DIVISION.... its not thir fault that they play weak teams but I dont think that their west coast style of play is the same as what the 49ers had years ago."
This is one of the lamest football takes I've seen in here in a while. Not only do you make a point, and then immediately discount it by providing your own counterpoint, but you follow it by presenting unrelated conjecture as support to your premise.
Let me dumb it down for you. What the similarity of the Seahawks' "West Coast style of play" to the 49ers of old, has anything to do with the collective strength of the NFC West and have any place in your argument, is an insult to logic and a big middle finger to anyone who comes to this blog for well reasoned discussion.
If I were to tranfer this reasoning to shopping for produce, it would look like this:
"Seattle Fruit can't have apples as good as Pittsburgh Produce, because Seattle won all the taste tests against all the NFC West fuit stands, whom all have lousy apples. That's not Seattle's fault, but their lemons are not like the lemons the 49ers had years ago. You are simply dead wrong."
I take that back, moose. You should be sorry, not for telling us something we don't want to hear, but for mentally littering in our blog. If you want to save yourself embarassment, you're going to have to do better than that. Bring us your opinion, it is welcome. But do yourself a favor, and back it up with some actual related fact.
We like to call that "making sense" around here.
Posted by Bluefoot
Bottom line I am neither a steeler of seachicken fan however I am no fool either.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate your thinly veiled attempt at posing as an objective observer, it would have carried more weight had you not referred to the team from Seattle as "seachickens", which identifies you as either a Whiner, Tardinal or Lamb troll, which immediately means your opinions carry no weight at all!
Posted by alba
Bluefoot, SWEET comeback, I loved the fruit analogy, it's spot on.
ReplyDeleteIn philosophical terms, he made several logic errors such as circular reasoning, (which you pointed out, red herring, begging the question and others, which I will not bother to label here since he no doubt has no idea what any of these are anyway.
alba, I was going to accuse him of lying the moment I read that he called them "seachickens", as soon as he did that, he exposed himself, not only for being a liar, and completely un-objective, but most likely a Rams troll as well.
So Moose, next time have a take that DOESN'T suck, cuz otherwise, when stepping up in here, you will get shredded.
Oh, and have a nice day.
"im sorry but the seahawks are fake " Not sure I understand this? Not the NFC champions?
ReplyDelete"I am neither a steeler of seachicken fan however I am no fool either." Oh, just because your team didn't make the Super Bowl doesn't mean you're a fool. Your post on the other hand proves you are.
"His observations exploit his own personal desire for the seahawks to win." Possible, this is a Seahawks fan site...
"The steelers have been close enough to taste victory over the past couple of playoffs to want it more than a young seachicken team" Not sure what this means? This "young seachicken" teams offesive core has been together for 5 years, and has made the playoffs the last three. And what would make someone hungrier, being close to victory for a sustained period, or living in futility for much of their history? Not that I much have an opinion on the subject, I'd say talent wins football games, not "hunger". Advantage, Seahawks.
"I dont think that their west coast style of play is the same as what the 49ers had years ago" It's not, it's a variation on Bill Walsh's system, tweaked by Mike Holmgren. It's far more advances, and probably closer to Andy Reid's Eagles, Jon Gruden's Bucs, or Mike Holmgren's Packers offense than it is to Bill Walsh's. If only those teams had an effective offense...
"I dont think the seachickens are going to be able to stop the bus from getting his championship" Everybody has an opinion. For instance, I think you are a idiot. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. I also think the Seahawks are going to blow the Steelers out, game over by the half. Again, I could be wrong.
Not sure what brand of troll, but yeah, Lambs troll sounds about right. Go suck a cats ass pal.
Posted by JoSCh