Early superbowl talk

**kato2274** · November 30th, 2004, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cobra X

I wouldn't say Ben's in a funk. I mean, he was 9/20 on 130 some yards last week, but then again, he's not the one dropping passes a la Hines Ward, Lee Mays and Willie Parker. Since Hines is by far my favorite Steeler, and he's usually got hands of glue, I'l chalk it up to just being one bad game and let it slide. But Mays flat out sucks, I would've rather they kept Doering over him after Zamir Cobb went down in preseason. And Parker is fast, but his hands suck, not much of a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Also, as much as I hate to say it, the passing offense is pretty damn anemic without Burress in there. He's the only one who can stretch the field, without him, Ward faces double coverage the whole game, and the opposing D can put 8 in the box to stuff the run (not that it seems to matter), and send the house on a blitz. I think with him being back next week, the passing game will be back to normal.

there is truth in everything you write. but for me, the numbers really don't bother me one way or the other. what bothers me is the indecisiveness, and general skittishness he's shown the last couple of games. He looks a lot like he did in the preseason. he's been holding onto the ball a bit too long, and looking somewhat uncomfortable in the pocket.

Now this may in fact have A LOT to do with burress being out. but I also think some of it is defensive scheming too. he hasn't been able to get outside the pocket hardly at all the last couple of games. it seems like the bengals and redskins have sent pressure up the middle and left the ends rush straight up the field to contain the pocket and this seems to have worked.

In no way do I think you make a switch in any way. I love this kid and it's amazing how well he has done, but there is definately a drop off in his play the last couple of weeks and not just stats wise.

I think it'll get better when burress comes back. Every week is another week to mature. I think by the playoffs you may not really be able to consider him a rookie anymore. he'll have 14 games under his belt and the last 2 months of the season has been and will be playoff type atmosphere as the B&G fight for a 1st round bye and home field.

**Major Kong** · November 30th, 2004, 01:31 PM

The Major Kong Super Bowl predicition indicator tells me that we're looking at a.............

Colts vs. Packers Super Bowl

I'm a hopin' for a Steelers vs Packers SB though.

Let me change the batteries on my Mister Peabody's Moose & Squirrel Look into the Future Machine (off the same patent as the Way Back Machine) and make sure the Moose and Squirrel are correct with their assessment...

Yep they're predicting Colts and Packers, but what does a moose and squirrel know?

**WebHead** · November 30th, 2004, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Major Kong

The Major Kong Super Bowl predicition indicator tells me that we're looking at a.............

Colts vs. Packers Super Bowl

I'm a hopin' for a Steelers vs Packers SB though.

Let me change the batteries on my Mister Peabody's Moose & Squirrel Look into the Future Machine (off the same patent as the Way Back Machine) and make sure the Moose and Squirrel are correct with their assessment...

Yep they're predicting Colts and Packers, but what does a moose and squirrel know?

See,.. the thing about the Colts is, they are only as good as Peyton Manning. Manning chokes under pressure. We have seen it time after time after time. His head becomes so inflated thanks to the media that he tends to take the opposition for granted. Then they usually end up destroying him. He is comfortable all season except when the pressure hits in the playoffs. I don't see the Colts going anywhere.

As for Brett Favre? Yeah,.. that guy is friggin Superman. I almost guarantee they will go this year.

**Cleetus** · November 30th, 2004, 02:49 PM

Yeah, but the Pack needs some healthy backs to keep it going

**jitBob** · November 30th, 2004, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Major Kong

The Major Kong Super Bowl predicition indicator tells me that we're looking at a.............

Colts vs. Packers Super Bowl

I'm a hopin' for a Steelers vs Packers SB though.

Let me change the batteries on my Mister Peabody's Moose & Squirrel Look into the Future Machine (off the same patent as the Way Back Machine) and make sure the Moose and Squirrel are correct with their assessment...

Yep they're predicting Colts and Packers, but what does a moose and squirrel know?

Time to head back up north MK. You're starting to revert!

**Cobra X** · November 30th, 2004, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by kato2274

there is truth in everything you write. but for me, the numbers really don't bother me one way or the other. what bothers me is the indecisiveness, and general skittishness he's shown the last couple of games. He looks a lot like he did in the preseason. he's been holding onto the ball a bit too long, and looking somewhat uncomfortable in the pocket.

I'm really not seeing that. I mean, he looked a little lost in the Bengals game after Burress went out, but that seemd to get better after the half. And you gotta admit, he was playing against one of the better defenses in the NFL last weekend. He does tend to hold onto the ball a bit too much, and sometimes he should throw it away instead of taking the sack. But then when you look, a lot of his big plays have come when he stalled a bit too much, then he avoided the pass rush to find an open receiver, and catches the DBs sleeping since they thought he was done for. I dunno, it's a delicate balance, but I think he's doing all right.

Besides, you've got to say this for him - he's NOT making stupid decisions, and trying to force balls into coverage. How many picks would Kordell Stewart have thrown in the Bengals and/or Redskins game with that much pressure being thrown at him? And that's the mighty Kordell - a guaranteed first ballot hall of famer, as he says. Ben does protect the ball, and doesn't throw it up for grabs, something that Maddox did last year a lot that irritated the hell out of me.

**Commander Klarg** · November 30th, 2004, 04:42 PM

I have faith in my Vikings..... to choke during the playoffs (assuming they make it).

**kato2274** · November 30th, 2004, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Cobra X

I'm really not seeing that. I mean, he looked a little lost in the Bengals game after Burress went out, but that seemd to get better after the half. And you gotta admit, he was playing against one of the better defenses in the NFL last weekend. He does tend to hold onto the ball a bit too much, and sometimes he should throw it away instead of taking the sack. But then when you look, a lot of his big plays have come when he stalled a bit too much, then he avoided the pass rush to find an open receiver, and catches the DBs sleeping since they thought he was done for. I dunno, it's a delicate balance, but I think he's doing all right.

Besides, you've got to say this for him - he's NOT making stupid decisions, and trying to force balls into coverage. How many picks would Kordell Stewart have thrown in the Bengals and/or Redskins game with that much pressure being thrown at him? And that's the mighty Kordell - a guaranteed first ballot hall of famer, as he says. Ben does protect the ball, and doesn't throw it up for grabs, something that Maddox did last year a lot that irritated the hell out of me.

I hear ya.......

I was a big maddox supporter at first because obviously he was better than kordell and it kinda of clouded my judgement a bit for a while. then I realized that it was like replacing a yugo with a pinto. sure it's 800% better than what you had, but it's still A PINTO. I think we have a rolls royce in the making now and I'm thrilled.

the only thing that really scares me know heading into the playoffs are the inujuries. . . . the slight regression of the O line, (ross and smith both have looked putrid at times the last couple of weeks) having two strong safeties (though hope is FINALLY getting a little better these past two weeks) and recent history.

I like our chances though . . . . but I'm not sure if we can realistically get home field. NE's path to win out and go 15-1 is pretty easy.

13-3 would certainly wrap up a bye. maybe it's better to go 3-2 over the remaining five and make sure everyone is healthy and ready to go then to play players who aren't 100% and risk injury just to get home field??? don't know it's a tough call.

**Cleetus** · November 30th, 2004, 04:54 PM

They are just lucky that they aren't playin my Texans

**Budd** · November 30th, 2004, 04:57 PM

football sux :upyours: :stupidseahawks:

**Cobra X** · November 30th, 2004, 10:01 PM

Yeah, I knew Maddox wasn't anything more than a stopgap solution for a couple of years, but considering who he was replacing, I was more than happy for him to get the job. He'll always have my undying love for ending the Kordell era. Maddox could throw an INT for every snap he ever takes as a Steeler and I'd still love him.

**WebHead** · November 30th, 2004, 10:50 PM

Did you guys know that Korky is a punter now?

**TripleRLtd** · November 30th, 2004, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cobra X

The Dolts won't do anything in the playoffs. Manning folds up like a lawn chair under pressure, and if they cross paths with Pittsburgh, you can be sure Lebeau will blitz him constantly.

Honestly, I'd say the Colts will be lucky to get past the divisional round. There are too many good/great defenses in the AFC that will eat Manning alive if they meet up in the playoffs.

Well, let's see now: the Dolt's have already played some of the best defenses in the AFC and they average over 30 points per game. They lost at NE by three points in the opener. And, they have more than Peyton. Edgerin is top notch, as well as the rest of their offense. That being said, I agree with what you and Kato (big Steeler fans, huh?

) allude to: DEFENSE wins the big games. But, I can't remember the last time that I've seen such a prolific offense in the NFL. Of course, their achilles heal is the defense. But, it is just my opinion on the Super Bowl.
BTW: who else folds up like lawn chairs under pressure?

**TripleRLtd** · December 5th, 2004, 11:53 PM

So much for teh Packers.

I'll tell ya what though. Ben looked like Elway on the final drive.
Wow!!! You have to give credit when credit is due.
btw:
has there ever been a bigger backfield in the NFL than the Steelers?