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Today, we have exclusive privileges to interview a Steelers insider who wishes to remain anonymous. To discuss the up coming week 3 match-up between the two Keystone State teams, we will now refer to him as “Steely McBeer”:
Vedder:
Thanks for joining us today Steely. We appreciate you risking your work with the Steelers to take time with us today to discuss what could be a preview of the Super Bowl.
Steely:
Preview of the Super Bowl? I thought the Steelers were playing the Eagles this week? All kidding aside this should be a great game with State bragging rights on the line.
Vedder:
Steelers fans are known across the league as great traveling fans. Eagles fans are known as great home team fans. Do you expect a lot of Steelers fans to be waiving that yellow towel come Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field?
Steely:
Steelers fans are spread across the country, and always make their presence known at opposing teams stadiums. Add to this the fact that it is only a 4.5 hour drive across state on the PA turnpike to get here, and I am sure you will see plenty of Black and Gold in the stands. I am not so sure about the Terrible Towels being waived; as such a display might trigger some unwanted criticism from the polite crowd supporting the Eagles.
Vedder:
What were your concerns about the Steelers going into the season? What concerns have disappeared now that you have seen what the Steelers are capable of after their first two games?
Steely:
The biggest concern had to be the production (or lack there of) of the Offensive Line. They surrendered almost 50 sacks last year and were unable to open holes consistently for the running game later in games when it mattered to help burn the clock and ice games when they had a lead. Add to the fact that they lost 7 time All-Pro Alan Faneca to the Jets this off-season and the numbers from last year might not look so bad by seasons end. They have already given up 5 sacks to start the season which is on pace for 40 which is an improvement, but one has to wonder how many hits Ben Roethlisberger can take before he starts missing games due to injury. I imagine that Big Ben is having visions of green jerseys in his face all day as Jim Johnson will certainly unleash his multiple blitz packages, but they have to be prepared to handle this it or could be a long day.
There were 2 things that had me concerned prior to the season starting, but after watching the first 2 games it appears the concern was not warranted. The first was the ability of Willie Parker to come back from the first major injury of his career, a broken leg. Reports had him fully participating through all off-season workouts, but until the lights go on and you start hitting, you just don’t know for sure. Plus they drafted Rashard Mendenhall out of Illinois in the first round which made us wonder if Parker was completely over the injury. With back to back 100 yard games to start the season, he is showing that he is quite capable of picking up where he left off last season when he was leading the league in rushing after week 15.
The other had to be the status of Troy Polamalu. He has missed multiple games the last 2 years due to a variety of injuries, and their defense just isn’t the same without him. He already has 2 interceptions in as many games and has been making plays all over the field. The Tasmanian Devil is officially back!
Vedder:
What would have had to happen for the Steelers to keep Faneca? Will losing him come back to haunt the Steelers this year?
Steely:
The Steelers, just like the Eagles, are always willing to let a player leave 1 year early instead of 1 year too late. They felt he was on the downside of his career and had developed into a problem child for new offensive line coach Larry Zierling due to his displeasure over the Steelers hiring Mike Tomlin as their head coach instead of his long time friend and position coach Russ Grimm, who subsequently joined former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Wisenhunt’s staff in Arizona. Couple that with the Steelers signing of Big Ben this past winter to a long term extension worth over $100 million which ate up the cap room to sign him long term and it spells for a divorce between a great player and the only team he has ever known since being drafted in the 1st round out of LSU in 1998.
Anytime you lose a pro bowler at any position you will feel the effects on the field, but the organization feels good about the potential of Chris Kemeatou. Time will tell as the season progresses if they made the right choice. This is 1 person who does not feel they did, and I am not alone.
Vedder:
Regarding another selection during the 2008 draft class, what are your expectations for 2nd round pick Limas Sweed, WR from Texas?
Steely:
When Sweed was drafted, everyone thought that he would fill the role as the “big” receiver that Ben Roethlisberger has coveted since Plaxico Burress left for greener pastures in New York. The problem he has, which is a rather large problem for a receiver, is he can’t catch the ball consistently. During the preseason they gave him every opportunity to win the #4 or even possibly the #3 spot, but his inconsistency has led to him being inactive the first 2 games of the season. Turns out the big receiver role will be filled by Dallas Baker, a practice squad player last year that made the 53 man roster in 2008. Looks like the Steelers will bring Sweed along slowly as he gains confidence.
Vedder:
What matchups do you see favoring the Steelers this week and where would you say the Eagles have an edge?
Steely:
I think the Steelers will have an edge in the running game on offense and defense. They pride themselves on being able to run the ball and stopping the run, which is evident by top 10 finishes in both statistical categories every year. Willie Parker will get 20-25 carries as long as the game is close. He will get stopped for a lot of 1-2 yard gains, but he is a threat to take it the distance at any moment. On the defensive side of the ball, Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith do a great job of occupying the offensive linemen so the 4 Linebackers can get to the ball carrier. Throw in Troy Polamalu playing close to the line and it seems they have 12 guys out there at times. The one thing that can throw a wrench in these plans is to spread out the defense with multiple wr’s and try to gash them inside. They probably won’t see many carries however as we all know that Andy Reid favors the pass, but he would be wise to mix it up to keep this defense honest.
Two areas where the Eagles have the advantage in my opinion is their Pass Offense and their blitz packages when the Steelers attempt to pass. As evidenced by the first 2 games of the season, Donovan McNabb doesn’t have a true go to guy and spreads the ball around very well to his receivers and backs. The Steelers always have problems with teams that have multiple options in the passing game which doesn’t allow them to scheme towards one or two players. You will see the Steelers play a lot of zone to keep everything in front of them and hope that Donovan McNabb makes a mistake as he methodically moves the team down the field. The problem is, #5 will have many windows to throw into as the Steelers secondary isn’t necessarily a strength. Also look for Troy Polamalu to spy Brian Westbrook as he is the one player that might have a prayer of staying anywhere near him in the open field. If Reggie Brown returns this week, it could make things even more difficult.
As much as the running game for the Steelers offense is fueled by the offensive line, they are surprisingly average when it come to pass blocking. RT Willie Colon is very poor against speed rushers, and with 2 new starters at Center and Left Guard, they are susceptible to blitzes up the middle as they are not completely comfortable with communicating and switches. I look for Jim Johnson to bring pressure early and often to get Ben on the ground. The one thing I will give Ben credit for is if the defense misses him with the initial wave, he is very dangerous outside the pocket making plays down field. So if the rushers don’t get him, you better hope that trio of high priced CB’s have their guys locked down or it could be an easy 6. I also hope the Steelers can find ways to get their receivers isolated on Brian Dawkins as he seems to have become somewhat of a liability in pass coverage. On a side note, I am interested in seeing if the Steelers try to use Heath Miller over the middle of the field similar to how Dallas used Witten on Monday night. Miller is an underrated receiver, but he has a knack for getting open and has great hands.
Vedder:
What is your final prediction for the game (and do not reply with “Pain”)
Steely: Birds 23, Lers 24!!
Vedder:
Thank you Steely for joining us today with your insider take on the Steelers and the great match up this weekend. With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
Steely:
You are welcome. Um, I think.
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