The Mike Tomlin era began this weekend as the Steelers opened up the NFL pre-season against New Orleans. The game itself was just one piece of a memorable Hall of Fame weekend in Canton.
So what does it all mean? Well, it means that football season is upon on us once again. And it also means the Hall of Fame in Canton now has several more creepy bronze busts to display.
And as boring as pre-season football can be, it’s really a good warm-up for everyone. Not just for the players and coaches. But for the refs. For the fans. For us lame-brained armchair quarterbacks sitting at home. After all, it’s been months since I’ve watched a game on TV. Once again, I have to master multi-tasking. And by “multi-tasking”, I mean the ability to focus on the football game while blood trickles out of my ear from listening to Cris Collinsworth and Bryant Gumbel. That isn’t easy you know…
But since I survived it, I thought I would kick off the season with a few observations.
No Joy In Steelville?
Things couldn’t have started better for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, as they attempt to erase the memory of last year’s dismal season. Pre-season final scores don’t mean much, but Tomlin certainly has a lot of positives to extract from their opening performance.
First of all, this team has significant depth at almost every position. The running game looked strong even without the presence of Willie Parker, thanks in part to Najeh Davenport…who should see a fair share of carries this season. Even Carey (The Mini-bus?) Davis excited the crowd with lengthy scamper.
In the defensive secondary, rookie corner William #### displayed his hard-hitting style of play…and is a welcome addition to a unit that struggled against the pass at times last year.
At the linebacker position, newcomers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley should be able to fill the void created by the departure of Joey Porter. Of course, they will both need to talk continuously day after to day to replace Porter’s mouth…but that’s another story.
Receiving targets Cedric Wilson and Santonio Holmes were both impressive, which gives Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians plenty of options to work with.
However, amidst the lopsided victory…there was one glaring weakness. Offensive Tackle Max Starks.
This behemoth of an offensive lineman (6’8”, 337 lbs.) started 14 games last season, and was a big reason that Ben Roethlisberger took a career-high 46 sacks and spent more time on his back than Paris Hilton. Starks has extremely heavy feet, and is easily fooled by quick defensive ends. His instincts are poor, and his execution is even worse. Last night, he must have missed 4 out of every 5 blocks…showing weaknesses in both pass and run blocking. He reminds me a little bit of underachieving Big Ole’ Leonard Davis (formerly of the Cardinals). Only Davis never stunk like this…
The good news is, this can be corrected…and the Steelers’ coaching staff seems to know it. In the game against the Saints, Starks played longer than most of the other starters…and they tested him on both sides of the line. If they were paying any attention at all, Max Starks should be done as a starter in this league. 23 year-old Willie Colon should be able to earn the starting nod over Starks with ease.
With a few adjustments on that offensive line, there may be Joy in Steelville after all…
Random Shots
I’m not sure what happened to him, but Bryant Gumbel looks like a homeless guy on crack. Either that, or he’s transforming into a Gumbel Gollum before our very eyes. It wouldn’t surprise me, as I find everything about this guy frightening as hell…
Speaking of Gumbels, I hope brother Greg gets to call the first “Chicwago” game.
Was anyone else freaked out by Michael Irvin lip-locking with his own bronze bust? I guess for someone possessing that much self-adoration, it’s lucky they didn’t #### a full-body statue.
I wonder what Bill Cowher is up to right now.
How long do you think it will be until Commissioner Roger Goodell uncovers a gambling ring involving NFL referees? Or are we not ready to go there just yet?
Nice blog and as we all know pre-season means really nothing and even the players that are fighting for a spot turn it up and can be a bust in the season. It happens but the world wil still turn, maybe.
Did anyone see the Packers scrimmage that was on TV? How hard up are the sport channels to show any team just playing themselves? A new low for sports Television..
No prob, MeanD. Catch you later. Still gotta discuss those Bears at some point.
Bayoudog...pre-season is useful for position battles, and evaluating individuals. It's really hard to gauge how good a team is just by a pre-season game.
I didn't realize they aired a Packers scrimmage. That is pretty sad. I would probably rather watch an uncensored Rosie O'Donnell reality show. Well, maybe not.
Of course there is joy not just in Steelville, but all over Steeler Nation as our Black and Gold are back on the field. Pretty much liked what you liked. Gotta love how Cedric Wilson played after making noise about not being thrown the ball, a lot of balls were thrown his way early, and he handled all of them. Santonio looked good despite missing the first week of camp. Was very impressed with LaMarr Woodley and Carey Davis. They have been two camp standouts so far, and they continued that in the game. But yeah, I am defiantly in the mood for football, e####ally Steelers football.
Damn, Brother, you actually made me give a care about NFL football again, and so early on. This post has such an easy, professional delivery ... With your usual humor and personal touch. I'm glad I checked in today.
For me, Roethlisberger is key. Of course, Tomlin has to bring it, but will Big Ben be able to write last year off as a series of unfortunate events, or will his poor decision continue to plague him? After all, the NFL is only as popular as its QB studs, with a splash of great running back thrown in for good measure. By the way, do you see any more Lawrence Taylors on the horizon? Merriman is nice, but he aint no LT.
Are you ready for some football?! Since you're a Pirates fan and I'm a Giants fan, I'm guessing that the answer for both of us is, "Hell ya, I'm ready for some football!"
MeanD, I appreciate your comments...as well as taking the time to read return and read this one. Basically, your description of this post is about what I was aiming for.
Roethlisberger is definitely key for this team. Even though the shoddy O-line and several other factors hurt Pittsburgh last year, Roethlisberger just didn't play well at all. He will either prove that last year's dismal performance was a fluke, or perhaps that his Super Bowl run was a fluke.
My guess is that he will have an ideal opportunity to shine, and he'll rise to the occasion. But who knows?
Lawrence Taylors? I don't think their will ever be another LT, that guy was a beast. At linebacker, I think Urlacher and Merriman are the best in the business. Both receive lots of hype, but they are the real deal.
Some decent rookies out there though. The Steelers have a couple with Woodley and Timmons. I was hoping the Eagles would draft a linebacker like that, but they didn't.
Thanks, Nooch. Glad you noticed the reference to the Gollum Gumbel, perhaps the scariest creature in the universe.
And hell ya, I'm ready for some football. If the Pirates and Giants combined teams, I still don't think they could make a run at the playoffs. That means it is definitely time for some pigskin.
Urlacher is definitely the real deal. I've always liked his game. Plus he's with da Bears. And to think, the guy's a converted safety. Dude can flat out cover some sideline to sideline.
Its nice to see appreciation for great players around the league, not just your fav team. Unfortunately, I am bias alot of the time. One in my mind forever was great weather for a true football game, when the awesome Brian Urlacher(NOT being sarc, he is great) said in his mind "I'm going to stop the Bus at the goal line." He was wrong, got run over like a decent size speed bump. THIS is nothing away fr/Urlacher he is awesome. I just love moments like that by players from my team (bias of course). Thats wrong I dont know what Urlacher was thinking. He might have said "OOHHH BLEEP, this aint gonna work!" Anyway, I thought it was a great job by the bus, and credit goes to Urlacher for standing in there and doing what he gets paid to do. Unlike ones who will remain nameless from past. When they had to do it, they couldn't even make it look like they were trying.
Keep up the good comments and of course the sarcasim, its great.
MeanD, I know that Urlacher played some safety. But I'm not sure how much. He got a lot of local press in New Mexico, as he played high school ball in Lovington...and college in Albuquerque. And it isn't just physical talent, the guy has an incredible awareness out on the field. Most defensive players specialize in defending either the run or the pass, but he does both.
Bigplays, even the most passionate team fan can appreciate the talent around the league. Although, I wouldn't mind at all if Urlacher was sent to the Eagles tomorrow. Thanks for reading.
Lioness, yes...watching pre-season football was absolutely necessary. I was sports-starved enough that I was this close to watching soccer. Can't have that...
And I also prefer the coked-up Irvin. At least that version was a bad ####, and didn't walk around crying and kissing everybody.
Selected as a finalist in the 2nd "Next Great Sportswriter" contest, but I didn't bring enough cowbell to win it.
I am the self-appointe d chairman of the National Sarcasm Society. If you don't believe me, I guess I don't really care...
I enjoy reading anything that is well written...nov els, articles, whatever. I also enjoy writing for recreation. I believe that writers and athletes have the best jobs on the planet.
The Mike Tomlin era began this weekend as the Steelers opened up the NFL pre-season against New Orleans. The game itself was just one piece of a memorable Hall of Fame weekend in Canton.
I’m not sure what happened to him, but Bryant Gumbel looks like a homeless guy on crack. Either that, or he’s transforming into a Gumbel Gollum before our very eyes. It wouldn’t surprise me, as I find everything about this guy frightening as hell…
