While the Steelers outscored the Chicago Bears 23-16, they couldn't outscore themselves as 5 turnovers resulted in three touchdowns and a field goal . . . as the Steelers lost a narrow 23-24 decision to the Steelers. Big Ben's 400+ yard and 2-TD passing performance wasn't enough to overcome his two interceptions and two fumbles; an inept offensive line; the fact that Felix Jones is our (gulp) best option at running back; a defense that can't get off the field on third-and-long; and a woefully failed strategy by Steeler ownership.
 |
| Sacred Heart of Jesus store in Little Italy, Pittsburgh |
While the Steeler Face's mission in Pittsburgh did not result in a Steelers win this week, it promises greater redemption in the weeks to come. Perhaps, the Blues Brothers is still a fitting analogy. While Jake and Elwood are pursued by the overwhelming forces of a psychotic ex-girlfriend, Good Ol' Boys, Illinois Nazis and a legion of police--they still managed to raise the money to save the Catholic orphanage and pay the tax assessor--before they are apprehended and put in prison. Similarly, the Steeler Face's trek to Pittsburgh came under the relentless pressure of Steeler mishaps--and yet he persisted to acquire a Steeler rosary at the Sacred Heart of Jesus store and have it blessed by a priest in Pittsburgh--before being jailed along with the rest of the Steeler Nation "band" in the 2013 NFL season.
 |
| Steeler rosaries blessed here |
The last great memory the Steelers provided came last year when back-up Charlie Batch led Pittsburgh to a shocking victory over the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Since then, the Steelers dropped 3 of their last 4 to close out the 2012 season, went 0-4 in the pre-season, and now 0-3 to start 2013. That is is 10 losses in 11 games including 7 in a row. The Steelers are showing all the symptoms of a bad football team, and the Steeler Face heard 61,000+ diagnosis for their ailments at Heinz Field on Sunday night--trade Ben, fire Haley . . . and need more vodka.
 |
| Disaster about to strike on the Steelers first offensive possession |
Here is one I'll go ahead and dismiss: Fire Ben. Please. Big Ben is NOT our problem. While it's easy to focus on the 2 INTs and 2 fumbles -- it's too bad that missed blocks don't show up in the stat column. Ben is getting attacked like Obamacare at a Tea Party convention. "Trade Ben" . . . really?! This is a 2-time Super Bowl champion QB, the franchise leader in passing yards and one of only 36 quarterbacks in NFL history with 30,000+ passing yards. Here is our problem: our offensive line and backs can't defend the pass rush. Period.
Fire Haley? Okay, I might do that one, but to be fair, the Steelers new offensive philosophy is the doing of Art Rooney II, not Haley. After Rooney II told Bruce Arians that he was going to "retire" and before Haley was hired, it was Rooney who said the Steelers needed to get back to a run oriented offense (without having a line that understands blocking concepts, a star running back or a calendar that shows it is not 1975 anymore). It was Rooney II who said that the franchise quarterback, the franchise passing leader (who produced 3 AFC titles and 2 Super Bowl championships in a 6-year period) suddenly needed to "tweak" his game. Why? Was it too effective? Let's be clear, Ben is not a perfect QB, but he is an effective one. He plays a school-yard style game that involves improvisation, broken plays and risk taking--and it has been a hell of a lot more effective than the confused, inept clown show we have suffered through 3 games thus far. By the way, how did things go for Arians in his "retirement"? Well, he was hired last year as offensive coordinator by the Indy Colts, then took over as interim head coach when the regular coach became ill, and with a rookie QB made the playoffs. His efforts earned him the head coaching job in Arizona this year.
 |
| Remember this? It is Pittsburgh's last Super Bowl trophy |
Need more vodka? Hell, yes -- especially if upper management doesn't realize IT is the problem. That IT decided a strategy from the top that has failed miserably, and IT is what needs to change ITS approach. The Steelers GM and and ownership have seen a steady erosion of talent at key positions since their last two Super Bowl victories, including the 6th leading rusher in NFL history--Jerome Bettis, Fast-Willie-Parker, Super Bowl MVP WR Hines Ward, Super Bowl MVP WR Santonio Holmes and now have . . . Felix-what's pass blocking-Jones, Jericho-what's my route-Cotchery, and Emmanuel-oh, I have to dive for it-Sanders. Seriously, Emmanuel Sanders stretched out for (and failed to catch, of course) a ball that Mike Wallace would have to run back to get.
But enough of the bad. Six Super Bowl championships is still six Super Bowl championships and that's more than any team or city has in the NFL. 61,000+ fans showed up to cheer on the Steelers at Heinz Field, and who knows how many have voyaged to London this week to watch them take on the Vikings.
 |
| The Steeler Face with the best friend a person could ask for (even if he is a Bears fan) |
There is good in the world, good in Pittsburgh, good in Steeler Nation . . . and good in the Steelers. Even though the Steelers lost, I still enjoyed seeing them play. I enjoyed the atmosphere and fellowship in Pittsburgh. The highlight of my venture was the love of God I felt at the Sacred Heart of Jesus store in Little Italy, Pittsburgh. The sisters were so kind, so welcoming and warmed my heart in a way that words cannot describe; or, at least, I can't find the words to describe it--but their peace remains instilled in my heart.
 |
| ...and the Primanti Bros. sandwhich remains instilled--in heart burn |
Here we go Steelers, here we go . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment