Steelers Beat Up Opponents, Rest of NFL Thankful

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/the-week-after-pittsburgh.html

There is a theory among NFL observers that the week-after playing Pittsburgh is a difficult one for teams because the Steelers are so physical that teams get beat up.

The Cowboys certainly got beat up by the Steelers - safety Ken Hamlin (ankle), safety Keith Davis (knee), tight end Jason Witten (ankle), guard Montrae Holland (ankle), linebacker Zach Thomas (cramps), linebacker Bradie James (stinger), nose tackle Jay Ratliff (concussion), cornerback Adam Jones (neck).

So how have teams done the week after playing the Steelers? They're 4-8.

Houston - lost to Tennessee, 31-12 (Texans did not play following week because of hurricane)
Cleveland - lost to Baltimire, 28-10
Philadelphia - lost to Chicago, 24-20
Baltimore - lost to Tennessee, 13-10
Jacksonville - beat Denver, 24-17
Cincinnati - lost to Houston, 35-6
Giants - beat Dallas, 35-14
Washington - lost to Dallas, 14-10 (after a bye)
Indianapolis - beat Houston, 33-27
San Diego - lost to Indianapolis, 23-20
Cincinnati - lost to Baltimore, 34-3
New England - beat Seattle, 24-21

Based on the record of the teams the Steelers have played this year, its over .500, that teams are 4-8 in games after playing the Steelers tells me that the following week's teams should be out shopping for a very nice Xmas present for the black and gold.

Parker laments passing of 'Steelers football'

Wide receivers complain when they don't get the damn ball. Quarterbacks like Ben want to throw because they feel they can make things happen. And running backs want the ball as well. So it's completely normal for players to complain a bit when their part of the offense isn't succeeding or is becoming less integral to its success.

That said, Willie is on to something here and it would be nice, a helpful if you want to see them make a long layoff run, to commit to running the ball more than they do now.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08345/934197-66.stm

Willie Parker pines for the old days, when he would line up behind the fullback in the I-formation and blast through the line, daring a defense to stop the run.

He called it "Steelers football" but said it's disappeared over the past two seasons in favor of more passes and less conviction to use the ground game.

"I just don't think we should give up that quick," Parker said after practice today. "We're the Pittsburgh Steelers, everyone knows wer're going to run the ball -- or they used to think we'd run the ball.

"We pass the ball a lot now. We got away from Steelers football, Steelers mentality."

The Steelers have run 373 times for 1,350 yards, a total that ranks 23rd in the NFL. If they remain there, it would be their second lowest ranking since the team joined the AFC as part of the 1970 NFL merger.

They're not doing much better passing it either because the rank just 20th there, and 26th overall as an offense. The Steelers have thrown 400 passes and their quarterbacks have been sacked another 41 times trying to pass.

Parker, who has missed five games because of two separate injuries, leads the team with 597 yards rushing. He topped 1,200 yards in each of the previous three seasons and was leading the NFL in rushing last season when his leg was broken in the 15th game.

He said the philosophy has changed around the running game, that they don't believe in a lead blocker such as the fullback any more and their two tight end offense has not produced on the ground.

"Yeah, it's definitely a concern," Parker said. "I definitely think about it all the time -- why can't we run the ball? What's the difference between now and two years ago? So it's definitely being a concern, me being a running back."

The Steelers, under new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in 2007 de-emphasized the fullback, then let their longtime starter Dan Kreider go in free agency. They've tried it with two hybrid players -- Carey Davis, a halfback/fullback, and Sean McHugh, a tight end/fullback.

"We get into two tights now," Parker said. "It's like without a fullback, [defenses] definitely know what's coming and they know where it's going. I don't know what it is but it's not being effective."

Steeler defense video

Nothing gets Steeler fans more fired up than great defense and this video is a great tribute.

The best part is Kevin Greene clearly still wanting to put on the pads and be a part of things and James Harrison's brush off of him. But Greene does look like he could still get double digit sacks.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d0fae0