Originally written 8/25/2008 in Austin, Texas
I decided to write a blog as I watched the Steelers 2007 recap. I am amazed by how much of the past season that I don't really remember. How much of every season that I don't really remember. I wish I could remember exactly how I felt when we were sitting at 5-4 in 2005. Before knocking down 6 0f the next 7 games and four post-season wins to bring home Lombardi number five. Was I confident that we would rally, did I think the season was lost? I can't remember for sure.
Not even a year has gone by since I watched these games and right now it feels like I am watching old highlights from the nineties. I usually drink quite a bit during the games and I guess that explains my poor memory of such things. So, anyway, this blog is my awkward attempt to remember at least a little of this upcoming season.
Thoughts of 2007
I think that most Steeler fans remember the 2007 season as a disappointment. That would accurately describe how I remembered the year. Watching the season recap tonight, I have changed my mind. It is easy to forget that at various times during the season, the Steelers were 4-1 and 9-3. Of course, the season ended poorly, losing three of the last four games and then the home loss in the playoffs.
On the other hand, it took quite a lot for the Jags to finally KO the Steeler season. Willie was out with the broken leg, which likely contributed to Ben's three first half picks (one returned for a TD). Maurice Jones-Drew returned the Jags opening kick 99 yards, setting up their first TD. Our rookie head coach, Mike Tomlin choked late in the game, electing to go for two from the 17 yard line after a celebration penalty backed us up (an extra point there would have made the Jags last minute FG tie the game instead of winning it). And, of course, the gift of the zebras, the awful tackle/hold not called on Garrard's 4 & 2 conversion that set up the winning FG (Add that one to our collection of "we sorry" post-game apologies from the league office). The Jags prevailed but hardly dominated.
Rankings for the season:
Offense
10th Total yards from scrimmage
22nd Passing
3rd Rushing
10th Points scored
Defense
1st Total yards allowed
3rd Rushing
3rd Passing
2nd Total points allowed
Sure sounds like a Steeler team. Solid running, strong defense. But it wasn't a typical Steeler season though. The defense failed to hold leads in the last minute of at least three games, including that playoff loss. Ben was great, engineering fourth quarter victories, throwing for over 3100 yards and 32 touchdowns while reducing INTs to 11. Willie led the NFL with 8 100 yd rushing games and was leading all rushers when he was knocked out for the season in week sixteen. But Troy played sparingly most of the season and the defense was lacking something late in games.
I do remember thinking that offenses were spreading us out, throwing short passes. Receivers catching balls in space and falling down, never allowing our defenders to make the big hits that change the games. They looked frustrated in a lot of games. I blame the Raiders back in the Gruden/Rich Gannon years. They were the first to do that and teams are still using that playbook.
Outlook for 2008
The division will be unlikely to produce any wild card entrants for the playoffs due to the random rotation of the NFL schedule. This year the AFC North has drawn the AFC South and the NFC East so I am thinking the division title is likely the only ticket to the dance. The Bengals and Ravens look like also rans leaving the Brownies and the Stillers to battle it out. Picking the Brownies to win the division seems to be the cool thing to do, but I can't go that way. I like our defense (top three in every category last year seems like a lot to like) and Ben is just entering his prime as an NFL QB. Willie can be preserved a bit with the addition of rookie RB Mendenhall and rookie WR Limas Sweed will eventually sweeten an already sweet collection of receivers. The O-line always seems to be a concern, but since the Steelers didn't bother addressing the loss of Alan Faneca through the draft or free agency, I am guessing that they like have young guys that they like.
Everyone seems to be down on the Steelers a little this year, but after watching the recap of last season, I am feeing quite optimistic. A very good year seems like it could be ten wins and a division title. I see 5-1 in the division, 2-2 versus the NFC East, 2-2 versus the AFC South, a split with the Patty's and the Bolts, ten wins, the division title and a return trip to the playoffs (possibly hosting the Jags again).
Go Stillers!
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