Do It

The Steelers need O-Line help, and a bunch of mock drafts have a guy like Cal C Alex Mack still available at pick 32. Apparently, winning the Super Bowl totally screws with your draft position.

Look, I don't put a whole bunch of stock into mock drafts 2 months before the ACTUAL draft, but Mack's name keeps popping up as a potential Black and Gold prospect. Its no secret that the team will look for depth on both the O and D Lines, and this was pretty much confrimed when Tomlin used his first two picks on highest-talent-available skill guys like Mendenhall and Sweed last year. We made do with our terrible O-Line this past year enough to win the damn Super Bowl, but I'd have to believe that circumstance was the exception, and not the rule.

So in order for the team to continue to be successful and vie for Lombardi Trophies, its clear that we need some linemen. The D-Line needs depth, but with staples like Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton along with venerable backup vets like Chris Hoke, we can afford to put off high draft picks on this side of the line til maybe next year.

Which is why a guy like Mack could make an immediate impact.

It seems like the team is going to keep Kemoeatu as the LG, which is a move I fully support so long as we rid ourselves of Willie Colon. Drafting Mack could expedite this process. By drafting Mack, you have one of two scenarios. The Steelers could hold onto Hartwig for another year, and let Mack play RG in place of Colon. This would let Mack get valuable playing time, all while he readies himself to be the C of the future. Or, should the Steelers like Mack over Hartwig, you have your C of the future already in place. I like option number 1 better, although Mack would be game-ready from the get-go.

PS...totally forgot that Jessica Alba was on The Secret World of Alex Mack. What's Alex been up to?

Why Doesn't Big Ben Roll Out of the Pocket As Much As He Used To?

Remember, I told you that I was only able to catch a little more than the final frame of Sunday's Giants/Steelers game, but my thoughts encompass Ben's recent history.

Earlier in his career, Roethlisberger made his name as a big, mobile quarterback who could elude pressure and keep plays alive. It didn't hurt that he had guys like Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings in front of him, but it showed that Ben would do anything to make sure the ball got to his skill players. More often than not, Ben would take the snap and immediately roll out of the pocket, sometimes all the way to the sideline, in order to extend plays and allow his receivers to get open.

The past two or three seasons, Ben seems to be content with staying in the pocket, and will only begin scrambling as a last ditch effort.

Look, take my opinion for what it's worth. My football expertise consists of intramural flag football at St. Vincent College (on the same fields the Steelers practice on in training camp, so there's that at least). I don't know what goes on inside the minds of elite quarterbacks, but it seems like as some high level signal callers progress in their careers, they tend to shy away from leaving the pocket and try to become the humanization of the classic, pass-first quarterback. Ben's been doing this a lot over the past few seasons.

Maybe he's been spoiled by the success, and wants to prove that his skills can be displayed in a traditional, pocket-passer-type sense. Maybe this is true for all QBs, that there's some sort of status bump for staying in the pocket. I don't know, but I can only view this as a fan.

Ben set rookie records for wins and won a Super Bowl as a young guy who would regularly leave the pocket as soon as the ball was snapped, regardless of pressure. Last year, he made the Pro Bowl as a pass-first guy who stood in the pocket on a high percentage of plays (don't know the exact figures, just going off memory). Does he get more props in the quarterback inner-circle for individual awards as a pocket passer than he does for a Super Bowl ring as a guy who rolls out to make a play?

Ben would roll out of the pocket even when he had a good O-Line. Now, his O-Line is nearly non-existent. I know scrambling to the sideline takes away the chance of throwing to the other side of the field, but at least he has the ability to worry the D that he might take off and run. And maybe he should run. If he's getting hit on 50% of his passing dropbacks already, why not take the hit when you're 5-6 yards downfield? Why look like a chicken without its head when Willie Colon and Chris Keomoeatu are just letting guys in? Seems to make sense to my simple brain.

All I'm saying is Ben has clearly changed his approach to the QB position, and it's resulted in passing records, a Pro Bowl appearance...but also a first round exit from the playoffs, a high number of interceptions and an alarming sack rate. I'd love to see Ben roll out as soon as the ball is snapped, like he did when his team had its most success in his tenure.

A lot of fans and critics keep saying, "GET RID OF THE BALL, BEN!" Me, too! But I'm also saying, give yourself time to get rid of the ball. Roll out.

Take heed. Your current pocket isn't that great.

Monday Morning Chrysler New Yorker

Rough day. I woke up at 5 A.M. to drive a cumulative 9 hours across 3 states, only to catch the first three quarters called by the shittiest announcers on WFAN 660, to watch one of the most heartbreaking 4th quarters in recent history. Damn injuries...

Let me re-print my prediction, which was on the New York Times' Fifth Down blog this weekend:


Pressure. If either defense can get to the quarterback, they can dictate the game’s outcome. Both QBs have rings (Ben got his first), and have the ability to distribute the ball to any number of weapons when given adequate time. However, I can’t disguise that pressure makes Ben hold onto the ball too long, or that strong pass rushes force Eli into those cute little throws off his back foot. If LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison (Wooderson, as I call them…all right all right all right) can out-play Tuck and Kiwanuka, then Pittsburgh has a better shot at winning. Close game, but 14-13 Steelers.


Aside from the score and final outcome, I nailed the personality of the game. We didn't sack Eli. Ben had a different kinda game from his fellow QB. That's the short story.

Remember, I didn't see the entire game, so I'm going off what I heard via radio.

Ben. The last INT is a whatev, but those first three are critical. I can't look past those. Much of the blame falls on the next guys who are about to get filleted, but not getting rid of the ball in time will reflects on you as well as them. 1.5 of 5 stars. That defeatist attitude at towards the end won't rally YOUR team.

O-Line. And especially the usual suspects, Kemoeatu and Colon. Unnecessary roughness on a play that resulted in a first down? Holding to nullify a BEAUTIFUL TOUCHDOWN? Oh, I shouldn't raise my voice and startle you...you might false start. Any O-Line should be ashamed for letting the QB get hit on nearly 50% of all passing dropbacks. 1 of 5 helmets.

Harrison. Look, get over the gaffe...critical injuries come at the worst time. But as the leader of the pass rushers, it's tough to not have a sack. Collectively....

...I'm done. I can't even keep typing this. Hopefully you understand. This is a blog, where you're coming for my opinion. And it's my opinion to quit writing this post right now.

'Skins next.

Bug off.