- It's time for a shout out to special teams. I realize that they had a punt blocked and that sucks. But, they also have a dangerous return game for the first time since the first coming of Randle-El and it got to the point where the Titans were actually kicking out of bounds to avoid putting the ball in the hands of Antonio Brown. That's the first time that's happened since... can't remember it ever happening. Maybe their punter just sucks? Nah, I think it's Brown. Yes, they also botched an onside kick, but it was a surprise onside kick. You know who else botched a surprise onside? The Colts. And the Cowboys. Both in the Super Bowl. A team falls for that trick once a year, maximum. It's for the best that it happened in Week 5. Having said that, I think the Steelers wasted their lone successful fake punt attempt for the season. But, I also think that it was worth it. Once they converted and scored, the game was in their hands.
- Huge shout out to Max Starks and a lesser one for Ramon Foster. Marcus Gilbert is questionable for next week after re-aggravating his shoulder injury, but I like the current combination of guys with Scott at right tackle and Starks at left tackle. Now, Starks and I have had our differences, but he played a great game. If he can keep that up, I may start liking him again. He is also now available to tutor Gilbert on how to play right tackle for the Steelers after playing left tackle for the Florida Gators. That's a unique blend of experiences that Starks has that will help Gilbert out considerably. He can tell Gilbert what he did wrong, more importantly what he did wrong, and most importantly, what he learned. In the meantime, he'll hopefully keep doing a great job of protecting Ben Roethlisberger's blind side and blocking in the run game.
- Speaking of the running game, the offensive line opened up some huge holes against a talented front seven. Think about that before you add Jonathan Dwyer to your fantasy team. With the hole he had, Mike Tomlin could've gained 30 yards on that play, Rashard Mendenhall would've scored, and Willie Parker (present day) would've gotten about as much as Dwyer. Maybe it was the two practices in pads. Maybe it was the desperation of the moment. Maybe the Steelers just wanted hacks like me to shut up for two seconds. Whatever it was, it worked, so I hope it continues.
- I've said it before and I'll say it again: Roethlisberger may be a womanizer and an alleged rapist, but he's an exceptional quarterback. If he gets that much time every week, he will have similar results. He's know for his ability to break tackles and keep the play alive, but he's definitely most effective when he can take the snap, scan the field, and make a decision without someone in his face.
- Efficiency in the red zone, with four conversions on five attempts.
- The defensive line was attacking the line of scrimmage and the linebackers were swarming to the ball. That was what we were looking for all season. So... hey, Steelers. You're soft and you're going to get tossed around like a bunch of school girls against Jacksonville. You want to prove that I'm wrong? Show me I'm wrong.
- Tackling was much improved as well. Guys were in their lanes, took good angles in pursuit, and didn't over commit, especially Troy Polamalu.
- Great games by the replacements on the defensive line. Cameron Heyward is looking better and better, Ziggy Hood atoned for some spotty play in the first quarter of the season, and Chris Hoke was especially disruptive and active, pushing plays back and chasing Chris Johnson down.
- LaMarr Woodley needed to step up with Harrison out of the lineup and he did. Well done.
Now for the bad news:
- Woodley was credited with the Steelers first interception of the season. It was the second turnover forced by the defense this season. It's Week 5. Luck is a component of turnovers, but you also make your own luck. Hopefully, they'll be able to trick Blaine Gabbert into making some mistakes when the Jaguars come to town.
- Roethlisberger really should have spiked that ball at the end of the first half. You're either 100% sure that everyone is on the same page and throw the ball, or you're less than 100% sure and you spike the ball. Looking at the replay, I can't believe he was 100% sure.
- Issac Redman had the same blocking as Dwyer and averaged 3.3 yards per attempt. If you take out the 76-yarder, then Dwyer's average drops to 3.1, but he was also in there when the Titans were stacking the box and two yards a carry would've been considered a victory. Regardless, it's also not time to add Redman to your fantasy team. The Steelers need to get Mendenhall back. With the kinds of holes the offensive line was creating, Mendenhall would've had a huge day.
Aside from how well Starks played on three days of practice, the big news was that that Steelers finally executed the kind of game we wanted to see from them against the Seahawks and the Colts. Yes, it would've been nice for them to win all five games of the season thus far by a margin of 38-17, but I know I was definitely looking for them to beat someone down. That's exactly what they did to the Titans on Sunday.
Tennessee has a lot of talent along both the offensive and defensive line. They are a tough team. The Steelers bullied them and beat them until they didn't want to get up any more. Was it the two practices in pads? If so, they're screwed, as Tomlin used up two of the precious few padded practices he has available to him for the rest of the season. I would think that the message was sent and that the Steelers like the feeling of beating on a team until they don't want to get up. I would also think that a physical, veteran group like this wouldn't need to practice in pads to get used to -- and expect and enjoy -- contact.
Hopefully, last week's practices were enough. I guess we'll find out when the Jaguars come to town.
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