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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Steelers Week One Analysis
        
(Message started by: bgsgfan on Sep 4th, 2003, 3:57pm)
Title: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by bgsgfan on Sep 4th, 2003, 3:57pm
First, a short history lesson:

Code:
2002 week 1: NE 30, Pit 14
2001 week 1: Jac 21, Pit 3
2000 week 1: Bal 16, Pit 0
1999 week 1: Pit 43, Cle 0
1998 week 1: Pit 20, Bal 13
1997 week 1: Dal 37, Pit 7
1996 week 1: Jac 24, Pit 9
1995 week 1: Pit 23, Det 20
1994 week 1: Dal 26, Pit 9
1993 week 1: SF 24, Pit 13
1992 week 1: Pit 29, Hou 24

Under Bill Cowher, the Steelers are notoriously slow starters.  This year should be no different.  The offensive line has not worked together enough to gel while they fought various ailments and searched for a right tackle.  Add in the Joey Porter shooting and you have a team primed for another opening day collapse.

The Steelers have a very potent offensive attack.  They might resemble a West Coast Offense this year as they try to both feature the pass and concentrate on minimizing turnovers.  The big question on defense is whether or not they can stop the pass, but they appear to be confident that the small tweaks in schemes and personnel will work.

They face the Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens look like they have successfully rebuilt their team after purging the roster following their Super Bowl.  Their defense will be very good, if not great, led by Ray Lewis.  Their passing offense may struggle some behind rookie Kyle Boller, but Jamal Lewis might be the best power runner in the league this year - 2 years following his ACL surgery.

QBs:  Maddox will start, despite the attempt by the media to fuel a QB controversy with home-boy Charlie Batch.

Maddox: 250 yds passing, 2 TDs, 3 Ints

RBs: Amos has been named the starter, and he has had success against Baltimore (much more than Bettis).  Bettis may not get much love for this game, but he will still come on and will be a force later.  Verron Haynes will be the 3rd down back and is a player to watch.  I love the potential this second year player has shown and see him as the RB of the future.

Amos: 65 yards rushing, 35 yards receiving, 0 TDs, 1 fumble
Jerome: 15 yards rushing, 1 fumble
Haynes: 5 yards rushing, 1 TD, 15 yards receiving,

WR: This is the best 3-some in the league this year(no disrespect to Oakland).  Burress has finally grown up.  Ward is in the prime of his career.  Randel El showed amazing ability for playing WR for the first time in his life last year, and could be scary this year as he will get more looks.  Expect frequent gadget plays with both Randel El and Ward as they both played QB in college.

Burress: 80 rec yards, 1 TD
Ward: 75 rec yards, 8 rushing yards, 1 2 pt conversion (rec)
Randel El: 45 rec yards, 1 2 pt conversion (passing)

TE:  A very good group here with Riemersma, Bruener, and Tuman.  Every year you hear this, but this could be the year the TE gets involved in the passing game.

Riemersma: 25 yards rec, 1 TD

K: Jeff Reed: 2/2 FGs 2/2 PATs

D: 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 Ints, 2 TDs and a FG scored against

Yes, it will be a very ugly game with 9 total turnovers.  The difference will be that Baltimore scores with their D.

Bal: 31, Pit 27
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by Jetdoc on Sep 4th, 2003, 6:02pm
Wow...predicting some Fumbleaya, eh?
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by BarnabyWilde on Sep 4th, 2003, 7:38pm
Wow Jeremy, Pittsburgh's got a wild one this week!!

I'd like to see Amos get into the end zone this week...
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by Noey21 on Sep 4th, 2003, 7:48pm
Nice evaluation!
However, like you said Steelers slow starter against a great defense witn little to no offense.

I feel predicting 13-10 as I am doing is putting too many points out there.
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by bgsgfan on Sep 5th, 2003, 12:45pm
Yes, I definitely went out on a limb with both the scoring and the turnovers.  My reasoning is that: 1. I doubt Pit will win, 2. Pit's offense will produce and will put up points, and 3. I don't see the Raven's offense as being potent enough to score on their own.

I could have predicted a low scoring game, but what is the fun in that? ;)
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by bgsgfan on Sep 7th, 2003, 3:02pm

on 09/04/03 at 15:57:56, bgsgfan wrote:
Under Bill Cowher, the Steelers are notoriously slow starters.  This year should be no different.  The offensive line has not worked together enough to gel while they fought various ailments and searched for a right tackle.  Add in the Joey Porter shooting and you have a team primed for another opening day collapse.



Note to self: history is history, its all about the here and now.
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by Keyshawn Johnson 76yards on Sep 7th, 2003, 3:20pm

on 09/07/03 at 15:02:27, bgsgfan wrote:
Note to self: history is history, its all about the here and now.


I learned the same lesson years ago.  ;D
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by StegRock on Sep 10th, 2003, 5:51pm
bg, I thought I had heard on Sunday night that Bettis sustained a(n) (groin) injury.  I haven't read anything else about it in NFL news this week.  Any word?
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by Philly on Sep 10th, 2003, 9:39pm

on 09/10/03 at 17:51:01, StegRock wrote:
bg, I thought I had heard on Sunday night that Bettis sustained a(n) (groin) injury.  I haven't read anything else about it in NFL news this week.  Any word?



Took me almost a minute and a half to find this on the Gridiron Newsstand...   [smiley=hellyeafunny.gif]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_154190.html

INJURY UPDATE

Running back Jerome Bettis is listed as questionable with a groin injury, but it is not considered as serious as his groin tear two years ago that forced him to miss the final five games of the regular season.

"It's a different spot," Cowher said. "The other one was real high. This one is lower and in the quad area. So, that is good news. It is one of those things that we will see how he is as the week goes on and go from there."

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress (quad), center Jeff Hartings (knee) and tight end Jay Riemerma (ankle) are probable.
Title: Re: Steelers Week One Analysis
Post by StegRock on Sep 11th, 2003, 12:51am

on 09/10/03 at 21:39:11, Philly wrote:
Took me almost a minute and a half to find this on the Gridiron Newsstand...   [smiley=hellyeafunny.gif]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_154190.html

INJURY UPDATE

Running back Jerome Bettis is listed as questionable with a groin injury, but it is not considered as serious as his groin tear two years ago that forced him to miss the final five games of the regular season.

"It's a different spot," Cowher said. "The other one was real high. This one is lower and in the quad area. So, that is good news. It is one of those things that we will see how he is as the week goes on and go from there."

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress (quad), center Jeff Hartings (knee) and tight end Jay Riemerma (ankle) are probable.


[smiley=bow.gif]


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