Bleacher Report - Articles by Vincent DeFazio

Steelers-Titans: In the Battle for No. 1, Steelers Fall to Titans

Vincent DeFazio — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:27:43 -0500

The Titans defeated the Steelers on Sunday after a bashing day of offense by both teams. With this, the Titans take the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Don't fret, Steelers fans, this was not that big of a deal.

While it may have been a very frustrating loss overall, the Steelers played a tough team. Not only were the Titans probably the best team the Steelers saw all year, they were also a team the Steelers almost certainly know they'll see again in a few weeks' time.

So is home-field advantage really that important?

No, it certainly is not. As a matter of fact, the Steelers seem to play better on the road. So was Sunday really such a bad thing after all? Relax and breathe in, this is gonna be a long ride.

There had been talk all week long in Pittsburgh from various persons that Mike Tomlin might not even play all of his starters to begin with, but after throwing in the regulars, it was clearly seen the Steelers were masking what they really wanted to do. Patience is a virtue in times like this, but there must be smarts used in situations like this.

Patience

Be patient. While Pittsburgh may have looked pretty bad today, they are only mentally and physically preparing themselves for the tough road ahead. The Titans were the first team to rack up over 300 yards against the stingy D of Pittsburgh, along with only the fourth team to defeat the Steelers this year.

What's to happen now?

Next week, the Titans can sit their starters while Mike Tomlin of the Steelers says that he will go ahead and allow his starters to compete in the heated rivalry game against the Browns.

The Titans have on hell of a team, that's for sure. Causing four turnovers for 21 total points (on top of the 10 that came from the offense) was one of their biggest reasons for winning.

Being a very perspective spectator, I saw that the linebackers weren't covering their flats like they should, along with Willie Parker seeming to simply follow a play and not look elsewhere for holes.

It seemed as if the Steelers had come to just play a scrimmage, saving what they have for what really matters, an AFC championship game on Jan. 18.

Too many people will criticize Ben Roethlisberger for his play today, but let's look a bit closer. Out of the four turnovers, it's easy to say that three of those weren't his fault. The two fumbles were caused by a lack of blocking (one behind the line of scrimmage, and another farther down field), and one of the interceptions was a route that was elongated by the receiver.

On the last pick of the game, I believe that Ben could have been a bit smarter about where he threw the ball, but he did what he thought he should do—go for it all.

Offensive line woes woke me last night. Yeah, they were in my nightmares again. They allowed five sacks on Ben Roethlisberger, who seemed to be elusive at times then injured at others.

Something MUST be done to improve that front five on offense or else fans can just say goodbye to hopes of hoisting that Lombardi trophy in February. Another part of the team that scared me were the outside linebackers. Where were these guys all game?

Come on, all of the Titans' success came via outside flats and there was never anybody there!

As of right now, the Steelers need to focus on right now. They cannot let this loss haunt them, as it was not something that is truly that bad. Yes, it doesn't allow the Steelers to be at home throughout the playoffs, but that truly doesn't matter. Since when did venue determine the winner of a game? Plus, they seem to play better when on the road.

So if you're a Steeler fan, relax and hope they take down the always hard-hitting Browns on the 28th, this will only help their cause come the 12th or 13th of January. Beat them Brownies and keep your head up, Black and Gold, good will come in due time, au revoir.

Quick Hits

Welcome one, welcome all back to my Quick Hits. It's been a couple weeks because of the hectic schedule college brings. What am I thinking of this week? Good question.

How about Santonio Holmes. This guy has been on fire the past few weeks and he has really matured since last year. He has been there when Ben needs him to be not only down the field, but I've also seen him throw some blocks in every once in a while. We will need this guy come playoff time.

Heath Miller is obviously a great player for our team, but in this game he really made his presence felt. With his eight receptions and 69 yards, he really made an impact today. Not to mention he plays great as a part-time guard up front for Roethlisberger.

Ryan Clark has really grabbed my attention the last few weeks. His awesome hits, speed, and great versatility has made him a scary player and an effective one at that.

The last guy I want to talk about is none other than Ben Roethlisberger himself. Though four turnovers did loose us the game, I'd like to think that this was not really his fault because of lack of blocking by our offensive front five and poorly run routes.

This guy has led our team this entire season and done it with good heart. His leadership skills have helped the Steelers snatch wins upon wins and have made his voice heard everywhere on the field.

Without Roethlisberger, the Steelers might as well say good-bye to at least half of the games they won this year. Thank you for your patronage as a great player this season, Ben, we really do appreciate it.

Well, that about sums up this week.

While it would have been good to see the Steelers clinch home-field advantage, they will get the Titans back come playoff time. Keep your heads up and celebrate; we don't play until the divisional weekend, that's a great time for everybody to rest up and get prepared for whatever opponent is brought to us that week.

Oh yeah, by the way, if we do happen to see the Titans in the AFC championship game, Michael Griffin should watch his head. Nobody disrespects the Terrible Towel and gets away with it.

Really, Michael, watch your back; Hines Ward doesn't take kindly to those kinds of actions. Sleep tight, buddy!

-v

Black and Gold Bloody The Silver and Blue, Steelers Demolish Patriots

Vincent DeFazio — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:46:18 -0500

It's been a while since the Patriots have seen a loss come at home against the Steelers, eleven years to be exact. However, Sunday afternoon was a game that Pittsburgh will see was more meaningful than any other game this season.

It all started out like any other game these two teams have had in the past. The Patriots jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead directly from an interception by none other than Mike Vrabel. Steelers fans become ancy as they soon saw that this may become just like any other game they played against the Pats: slow and painful.

Going into halftime with the game tied, it seemed that this game was too close to both sides. From that point out it was all Steelers.

The physicality and determination of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Gillette Stadium really helped them surge past the Pats and overcome the packed house they played in front of.

Twenty-three unanswered points came out of the two last quarters in the game along with five consecutive turnovers that truly defined this game and gave the win to the Steelers.

The Patriots didn't seem to be themselves this weekend. 1-for-13 on third-down conversions, five turnovers, and a mediocre quarterback, something tells me they're a whole lot different than they were just a year ago when they played the Black and Gold.

This year, the Steelers brought everything they had.

Besides Ben Roethlisberger's one interception very early on, he performed at optimum efficiency completing 17 of 33 with two touchdowns and a 180 yards through the air. This performance, of course, was due to the increased play by the offensive line. While the Patriots came full force more than half the time in the game with blitzes and stunts, the O-line still managed to pick it all up and protect Mr. Roethlisberger the way that they should have from day one.

The defense allowed only 267 yards to their 333 and played extremely physical, especially in the fourth quarter when James Harrison stripped to balls from the hands of Cassel. At the tail end of the third quarter, the Patriots began to fall apart at the seams and from that point on, the Steelers D led them to an unheard of 23-point upset of the untouchable team of last year.

The brute play of the entire defensive squad demonstrated their ability to come together as a team and cause good things to happen. It has been inconsistent for this entire year, but for only the second or third time, the entire team was consistent and on the same page.

Thanks to a great visceral defense and systematic offense, the Steelers have now placed themselves atop the AFC along with the one other team.

The Titans.

Now that they have overcome one boundary in their season, the Steelers must look to beat the Titans and hope that along with that they lose another game or two and everything will be sweet for Tomlin and his boys.

The Patriots on the other hand have not had too great of a season and currently stand at 7-5, looking in at the playoffs instead of having everything set for them already. The Jets are atop that division and look to run away with it for the first time in a few years, so what will Bill Belichick do? We shall see in these crucial upcoming weeks. Until next Sunday at 4:15, до свидания (goodbye!) and beat them Cowboys!

Quick Hits

Well let's see what we have this week. Hm, well where's that paper, I don't know I must have left it at home...

Oh wait, I don't need that to tell you this; O LINE!

Yes, our offensive line truly, truly did surprise me this Sunday. The Patriots continued to load 8-9 men in the box at least for the first quarter and the O-line held up pretty well. Granted there were still many mistakes made, you take what you can get and apparently this is what they were willing to give. What a game guys, keep that up and we can actually make forward progress (no pun intended!).

James Harrison is truly amazing. I mean, did you see that? Not one, but TWO forced fumbles in one quarter. That's truly a great thing to see. Not only is he the best linebacker on the team, but I can almost go as far as saying that this man is the best linebacker in the league (at least currently-speaking). Joey Porter may be the only other linebacker that seems to be atop it all, but besides that, my boy James Harrison truly is great.

Speaking of great defensive players, don't we also have one of the best safeties in the league? Troy Polamalu's ailing body affected his play since a couple of years ago, but suddenly a fully repaired, locked and loaded Troy is back on the field and has six interceptions this year including a clutch one-hander earlier on.

I believe that this last man does not recieve the respect due to him. Since a couple years ago, I've been saying that he is a great wide receiver and has not seen as many passes or playing time as he should.

Luckily, this year he has began to prove himself. Hello Sir Nate Washington. With three huge receptions for forty-one yards this past weekend, he has really become a go-to guy when Hines and Santonio are double-covered or not open. Congrats, Nate, keep up the good work and we really do need you on this team.

Well that's all for this week. Tune in next week at the same time for more of the outrageous quick hits.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programing...

-v

NFL Looks To Extend Season to 18 Games

Vincent DeFazio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:54:18 -0500

You've heard about it. It's all around you, loyal NFL fans. The NFL wants to extend the regular season to 18 games. The questions surround this are many, each posing a new side and a new view on the possibility of extending the season.

1977 marked the last year that a 14-game season was played, so would 2009 mark the last year that a 16-game season was played? The many questions surround this are all making the decision more complicated than it needs to be.

The NFL proposes to cut two preseason games and, in place, start the season two weeks earlier and make each team play a total of 18 games. That is, each and every member of the starting lineup must be healthy and playing for at least 18 games.

If playoffs arise and a team just so happens to pull a Giants or Steelers card and play wild card through Super Bowl, they would play 21 games. Twenty-one games in a row.

Besides the fact that the season would be extended, cutting out two of the preseason games would mean that starters would be on the field longer, which then makes questions arise about certain payment methods. Shouldn't the players receive more since they will be starting earlier and playing real games earlier?

It's a question that many players have become worried about if the season were to be expanded.

The loss of two weeks during the preseason means that there is a potential that coaches will not get to see their entire team (rookies included) in action before making final cuts. The four-week preseason helps coaches prepare their rosters and minds for the already long 16-game season ahead.

It's always been speculated that a four-game preseason might be too long, but what about a three-game preseason with a 17-game season? There are so many proposals up in the air, and right now it's unclear whether our favorite teams will be playing 18 games in 2010 or still be on the same page with 16.

It seems as if the 18-game season may be just a bit too long overall for many players and coaches alike. An extension of two more regular-season games means two more gameplans and two more weeks of preparation while the coaches, players, and fans all standby to see what their team will do in terms of the postseason.

While this proposal has met a great bit of negativity, it has also met its fair share of acceptance.

A lot of critics believe that the extension will further clarify the playoff picture even more and cut the "boringness" of the preseason in half. It could even potentially gain a stronger audience because of this.

Yes, they do agree 18 games is long, but in today's game there is so much chaotic play that the addition of two extra games could certainly make it pretty interesting.

So, there you have it. Where do you stand, loyal fans?

Should the NFL extend the season, or should everything be left the way it is?

We shall all see come first snap, 2010. The NFL will make the decision and hopefully what they decide will benefit the game and not drag it down a couple rungs. Until then, 12-4 is a great record in my book!

Author's Opinion

To be honest with you, I'm not sure where exactly I stand with this. I mean, it would be great to have a longer season and cut out such a boring four-game preseason and make it two games.

There are so many pros and cons surrounding this subject that it's almost impossible to actually fully make a decision on what is actually a sound schedule for the NFL. The pay certainly comes into play, and the fact that 18 games is quite long, seeing as there are many players hurt after only 16.

We shall see what happens, and hey, if an 18-game season wouldn't work out we could always switch back, right?

-V

Colts Slip Past Steelers

Vincent DeFazio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:23:58 -0500

Heinz Field lay in silence last night after the now 5-4 Colts overpowered the Steelers and took the game 24-20. In what seemed to be more of a match up of two playoff powerhouses, the Colts have yet to actually see themselves cemented into a playoff picture.

After last night, however, they have a glimmer of hope.

It's not clear what really happened to the Colts this year, but they are looking as if they might be bouncing back after two impressive wins against first New England, then against the Steelers.

They looked very strong against a stringent defense and an efficient (yet inconsistent) offense, it's very possible that they may be that one wild card that foils the Titans' plans.

But where does this leave the Steelers?

Ben Roethlisberger looked to be playing in an excellent manner all until he threw a stupid interception prior to the end of the half which led to a Colts' score, what really drove the Steelers into the ground.

What really seemed to happen is that the O-line broke down as the game dwindled down into the final seconds. Ben threw another interception in the game as well, but it all seemed to be rushed.

I'd rush a pass if my O-line couldn't hold a defense, wouldnt' you?

Impatience is what Roethlisberger exhibited with his two bad choices on throws, if only he could take it back. But let's not get too down on him, he did play a solid game besides the two picks.

He ended with 284 yards and three picks, the complete opposite of Manning's 240 aerial yards and three touchdowns. It was certainly quite a show, but the Colts played much better in the end, thus the victory.

The Steelers' "D" looked pretty strong, but inconsistencies run through each small nook and cranny of the team. I'm still not sure if I can fully trust the DB's that protect the deep field, but we shall see.

On the other hand, the O-line started strong, and ended weaker than before. As the game progressed, the pocket gradually began to fall apart more and more. Ben Roethlisberger is faced with a new challenge each and every week, not a new defense, but instead seeing how much less time his offense line will give him.

Something needs to be done to both teams if they want to be in the playoff picture later on this year.

Peyton Manning needs to get his offense together. I saw so many dropped passes that I was about to go down there and ask if I could strap on some pads so I could go and catch a few.

The Steelers' O-line needs to pull together and there is still a great chance that they could end up in Tampa come February.

What scares me the most is the inconsistent play of the Steelers. Overall, the defense played amazing last week while the offense struggled, but this week the offense thrived while the defense had a harder time.

The NFL does not take inconsistency well. If the Steelers want to stay above their game as they have been, they need to play well, but play well from every aspect of the game every single time they play.

It's plain and simple, the offense needs to improve its O-line, the defense needs to blitz more, and the team needs to play better as a whole. Everybody seems to be getting along well, which is very important, but the whole team needs to remain consistent and follow one another's path and play as one unit.

Troy Polamalu and James Harrison played great games on defense. Troy really has come back from his injury, officially. He is playing a great speed and hitting with the ferocity that he used to. James Harrison, well, you know. He hits like Jack Lambert and has the speed of Greg Lloyd, two amazing former Steelers linebackers.

On the other side of the ball, Hines Ward had a 100+ yards receiving game which really helped boost the offense. Mewelde Moore, once again, played beautifully. Two rushing touchdowns and a handful of receptions, what a player this guy's turning into.

So, I'm not too sure what to say to close this out. I mean, 6-3 is a pretty good record right?

It's a good record if you'd only lose one more game in this season to end 12-4, but more than 4 losses may just shoot you down immediately. The Steelers have the hardest schedule in the NFL right in front of them, so what will happen?

They will be the judges of their own destiny as we see that they can play well when the want to (Redskins). Let's hope that Tomlin pushes this team to strive for a bit more because next week only gets harder from this point on, boys. Au revoir, ladies and gents, get them Bolts!

Quick Hits

What about that Mewelde Moore, huh? It seems like each week, I have even more and more to talk about when it comes to this guy.

He is such a great acquisition as he continues to contribute in a great way to the sometimes struggling offense. Without this guy, I really don't think the Stellers would be able to get out of half the troubles we get into each game. Every time Ben got into trouble yesterday, Mewelde was there for the quick dump-off, he's so very important to the team.

Hines Ward played a great game yesterday, and will need to continue doing so if he wants to lead his team into another playoff season.

Nick Eason on the D-line is doing more and more and has begun to do enough to gain my recognition. He gets in on the quarterback many times a game and has been making his presence felt, I'm liking it.

Did any of you see Tyrone Carters monstrous hit on #11, Anthony Gonzalez? Whoosh! What a Hit!

One more thing before I sign out, kiddies. Nate Washington has really been playing much better at the receiver spot and has proved that he is a very solid back-up (or even starter, for that matter). I believe that you will begin to see more of this guy as he continues to play great football. Thanks for reading, catch me next week!

-V

Steelers-Giants: Preview to SB 43? Not So Fast...

Vincent DeFazio — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:43:46 -0400

Sloppiness was a huge factor in the loss to the Giants on Sunday evening. Four interceptions, five sacks, and a bad snap seemed to define the game.

But what exactly happened to our 5-1 Steelers? How could they look so great one week, then collapse the next? It's quite simple. It's the fact that the Steelers did not play a mistake-free game. Sure, our defense held up great against the second-best offense in the league, but when they're on the field for too long, it's going to show eventually.

So what's more embarrassing, the ball that flew over punter Matt Berger's head or the four interceptions? Certainly it would have been better to avoid a safety, but the four picks Mr. Roethlisberger threw were not beneficial whatsoever.

Take away two of these picks and all of a sudden, there's room for a safety (it seemed to be inevitable, anyway).

The true question is whether Ben Roethlisberger is to be held accountable for his picks. A monstrous hit on Nate Washington led to forced pick, while sloppy routes on at least one other was to blame. It just seemed like it was near impossible for the Steelers to overcome the Giants' D at times.

How about the offense when it actually performed properly, though? Melwelde Moore for a 32-yard jog. Nate Washington for a beautiful 65 yard bomb. There were upsides to this game as well. It's just the simple fact that the Steelers look to be a bit too inconsistent. The O-line still haunts me while I'm deep in slumber, because I know that one day they will be the reason for the loss of a much more important game.

The Steelers are most certainly a playoff team, not to mention a good Super Bowl possibility, but they have an obstacle that will be a tough one. Tennessee, as I have said before, scares me very much. They have an explosive offense and an intimidating defense.

If the Steelers want to even think about having a chance of heading to Tampa to soak up some February rays, they must make alterations, get their starters healthier, and make sure the team as a whole stays stable.

Injuries to key players such as Marvel Smith, Willie Parker, Kendall Simmons, Ryan Clark, and even Greg Warren could be one reason why the Steelers could be in Pittsburgh Feb. 3.

These players need to become healthy again, especially with keystone games approaching, such as Indy, San Diego, and Tennessee. Also, Santonio Holmes must decide if he enjoys smoking a nice blunt or being one of the key receivers for the Steelers. Hopefully the latter is much more important to him...

So it's been another white-knuckled weekend in Pittsburgh and much improvement is needed. The eight-day break between this week's game and next week's is needed, and hopefully players like Willie Parker will heal and be right back in the driver's seat for Monday night against Washington.

Until next time, sayanora and get them 'Skins!

Steelers Upend a Winless Bengals: So What?

Vincent DeFazio — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:42:35 -0400

38-10 was the final score yesterday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Steelers racked up 375 yards and allowed ten points along with 212 total offensive yards.

The Steelers are currently 5-1, however they have a couple other AFC teams that seem to be right on top of them. Tennessee looks impressive at 6-0 and is probably one of the most forgot about teams. The Bills look to be holding steady at 5-1. With the Patriots and Colts looking to hold steady at mediocre, these three powerhouses will power their way on. But who will emerge victorious come playoff time?

While the Steelers seemed to be playing great football yesterday, is it truly surprising? Come on, the Bengals are now 0-7, of course the Black and Gold will handle them. What truly worries fans, however, are two major problems.

Offensive line and defensive backs.

Ben Roethlisberger is probably (if not the best) the second or third best quarterback in the NFL, but he's not being allowed to demonstrate these talents when he has only minimal time after the snap to get the ball off.

Our O-Line actually didn't disappoint yesterday, but it also looked like the Bengals D-Line was made up of college seniors. IN order to be a serious Super Bowl contender, our line best get better or else we'll have an upsetting loss come January.

D-Back struggles have plagued the Steelers for years now. But yesterday, these guys really did not look too bad whatsoever.

OK, I can admit that Ryan Fitzpatrick is no Carson Palmer, but he did air the ball out a couple of times yesterday resulting (for the most part) in a broken up play. The only drive that wasn't any good for our defense was their 92-yard monstrosity, but it's almost certain that this was because the defensive didn't take the offense too seriously during this series of plays.

So, to be honest, it wasn't a bad game for us yesterday. Yes, it would have been better if we would have beaten a better AFC team like this, but it wasn't bad to beat a division rival like so. The Steelers are 4-0 against AFC teams which will really help come playoff time. Until next week, let's see some improvement on the O-line and D-backs if we wish to see ourselves playing February 1st. Beat 'dem G-men, adios!