Steelers vs. Ravens: 8 Things We've Learned from Both Teams After Sunday's Game

After the Ravens' blowout victory over the Steelers, it's time to take a look back at what a 35-7 drubbing has taught us about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their chances to return to the Super Bowl during the 2011 season.

I warn you, this was not a pretty game and won't be a pretty recap of lessons learned. The overarching theme here for the Steelers is that not only do preseason results mean absolutely nothing, there is also a massive amount of work to be done on both sides of the ball.

Here's a look at what we learned against the Baltimore Ravens and a look at a few lessons we learned about the Ravens as well.

Time to Try Again with the Steelers Offensive Line

Lesson

The Steelers offensive line, supposedly revamped by inserting Doug Legursky at right guard, Willie Colon at right tackle and Jonathan Scott at left tackle, is not an NFL-caliber offensive line.

Analysis

Oh my, what to do.

This is indeed the mess I've long feared it would be. Not getting an NFL-caliber left tackle during the offseason is inexcusable. Nobody in football with any acumen is going to confuse Jonathan Scott with an NFL starter. He's a questionable backup. Right now, I'd personally have him booted off the roster. He's going to get Ben Roethlisberger or Rashard Mendenhall gravely injured.

Doug Legursky didn't do much for me at right guard. He missed assignments, got crossed up by the pass rush, and looked like a rookie. He performed well before, so he'll get a second chance from me, but this is something that needs to be watched closely. If he can't perform, the team MUST go back to Ramon Foster.

Overall, the offensive line gets an F for this game. They couldn't protect Ben Roethlisberger, couldn't block for Rashard Mendenhall after the first quarter and couldn't even slow down three- and four-man rushes by the Ravens.

They were owned, plain and simple.

William Gay Has to Go

Lesson

William Gay cannot be an effective player, even when limited to the nickel formation as the team's third cornerback.

Analysis

I will make this a routine until changes are made. William Gay must go. I'm not sure what plays into the team's strange infatuation with Gay, but it has to be tempered immediately by a few doses of reality. The proof against Gay being an NFL player is growing by the play.

He was awful during the preseason, becoming a favorite target of every quarterback the Steelers faced. Why? He was targeted because the opposing coaches and players knew he'd yield yards, which he did.

During the Baltimore game, he blew coverage multiple times and then, with a chance to sack Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter, ran past him and then around the back of the play.

Again, I'm not sure why he's on the team. The team cut Crezdon Butler because he wasn't ready to contribute. When has Gay EVER contributed?

Dick LeBeau Needs to Work on the Run Defense

Lesson

The Steelers run defense took five steps backward between last season and this game.

Analysis

Ray Rice ran all over the Steelers defense. Ricky Williams had success against the Steelers, too. The game on the ground got away from the Steelers almost immediately when Rice opened the game with a 36-yard run.

A big concern that's been mostly ignored this offseason was that the defense would start to show its age. They did on Sunday. All of their key players looked winded in the humid weather, and they couldn't keep up with the speedy members of the Ravens.

If Dick LeBeau can't tighten up the run defense and get his players back to form, the Steelers will stand absolutely no chance during the regular season.

Rashard Mendenhall Should Have a Good Year

Lesson

Rashard Mendenhall can run on anyone if he just gets a little crack of daylight.

Analysis

Lost in the negatives are possibly the only positive to be taken from this game.

Rashard Mendenhall looked good when the offensive line was giving him even a little bit of space to work with. If he can continue to get openings and also to get to the edges, he should have a better season than he had last year, which is saying something.

Mendenhall still has some concerns, especially ball control and initial burst (he sometimes takes too long to start forward instead of making one decision and sticking to it), but he's a good starting running back and should be able to contribute as long as the Steelers solve their issues along the line.

Baltimore's Defense Is Good, but Has Some Homework to Do

Lesson

Baltimore's defense had a great day, but they've still got some work to do if they're going to go to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2000.

Analysis

It's hard to argue when you hold down the Steelers, but Baltimore's defense needed to do a better job of defending the run at the edges. Rashard Mendenhall, not known for blinding speed, was able to get to the edge and get downfield on several plays during the first half.

They tightened that up during the second half, but the Steelers also didn't run often after halftime because they'd fallen so far behind. Their pass defense was good, but they did struggle with short routes and quick throws, which earned most of the Steelers passing yardage. That needs tightened up, too, or teams that run screens and bubble routes will slowly pick them apart.

Joe Flacco Has Arrived

Lesson

After waiting for a long time, Joe Flacco finally defeated Ben Roethlisberger. He had one of the best games of his career, but he needs to take time to thank his offensive line.

Analysis

Flacco was barely touched despite constant attempts to harass and pressure him. It took almost three full quarters to get to him for the first time. Flacco looked calm and collected as he sat back and picked apart the Pittsburgh secondary.

He still doesn't have chemistry with new receiver Lee Evans, but he does have a great rapport with Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin, who had huge days as well.

Flacco needs to start working on making games like these the rule. If he can continue to avail himself of opportunities presented by defenses, he'll have no trouble making a Pro Bowl season out of 2011 and also getting the Ravens into the playoffs.

The Kickoff Rule Won't Always Matter

Lesson

Maybe the new rules about kickoffs won't really have that big of an effect on teams who choose to still allow returners the option of making plays.

Analysis

The Steelers, unfortunately, made a lot of kickoff returns on Sunday afternoon, but we learned a lot from it. The kickoff rules have been maligned since Roger Goodell championed a big change to them, moving the ball to the 35-yard line.

Returner Antonio Brown was very effective running seven to nine yards deep in the end zone and proved that a good returner won't be too badly affected by the changes.

If teams can get their best speed options back on kickoffs, they should be able to find some success at least getting a chance at making a big play out of a deep kickoff.

John Harbaugh Needs to Calm Down

Lesson

He'll never learn, but John Harbaugh needs to stop acting like everyone is always out to get him and his team. It's gotten very, very old.

Analysis

Am I nitpicking? A little. Am I being a Steelers fan? Maybe. But I'm tired of seeing this. Every time a penalty is called on the Ravens, whether or not it was obvious or questionable, John Harbaugh goes into a ridiculous tantrum.

He yells, he screams, he points, he looks totally lost. He's going to get himself ejected someday soon if he doesn't watch it. Referees have to be tiring of this act.

I can understand his point. I spend a good portion of Sundays, and particularly this Sunday, screaming at the television and berating officials for missed calls and bad calls. But I'm not coaching on the field. If I was, I'd like to think I could maintain at least a little composure.

Chill out, John. You won a blowout game. Why are you getting so steamed?