One For The Other Thumb: Can't Win 'Em All I Guess

"I'm ashamed. I told the guys I apologize."
- Big Ben

Ben giveth, Reshean Mathis taketh away. Once bitten, thrice intercepted. Or something like that, right?

Yep, despite a valiant comeback effort - posting 22 2nd half points to take the lead for a matter of minutes - the Steelers never could overcome that 21 point 1st half deficit amassed via three Big Ben interceptions and a bedshitting "Special" Teams performance. Disappointing? Yeah, sure. But sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Like it or not, the game was basically lost in the 1st half when Ben threw three (!) picks, one returned for a TD.

So who's to blame?

The Defense? I'm sure many of you would like to say - if we don't let Garrard run for 32 yards on 4th and 2 during the last drive, we win that game. And you wouldn't be wrong. But you can't wipe out the entire defensive effort because of one play that probably was the result of a holding non-call (how convenient). Aside from that run and 26 other rushing yards contributed by David Garrard, the Steelers D held the Jags "lethal" rushing attack to just 78 yards. Only 48 of which were Fred Taylor's. I'd say that's a pretty successful campaign considering last time they racked up 224 total rush yards against us. Wouldn't you?

Bruce Arians? I've heard blame laid on Arians more times than I can count this season for the Steelers shortcomings. Frankly, I think it's crap. I certainly question why he'd call a QB draw on 3rd and 6 when we need a 1st down to close out the game. But don't forget, the Offense posted 19 points in a matter of 10 minutes last night. Was none of THAT attributable to Bruce Arians? Perplexing calls at times yes, but there's no denying the growth of this Offense in 2007.

Coach Tomlin? After all, if we don't go for two twice, we would've still been tied at the end of that game even with the Scobee field goal. Ok, so that's a pretty weak argument. But I figured I'd throw it in nonetheless. Going for two was the right call both times. Unfortch we didn't make the right PLAY call either time (that one you can also pin on Arians).

"Special" Teams? Yep, not even going to defend these guys.

Big Ben? Three interceptions certainly suggests blame could rightfully be placed on Ben. But like Arians, without Ben, the Steelers probably don't come back from 28-10 near the end of the 3rd quarter. Picks aside, Ben threw the ball an unprecedented 42 times, completing 29 for 337 yards and a pair of touchdowns. You think we'd get that kind of production out of Slash? Tommy Maddox?

The refs? Larry Foote claims holding on the soon to be infamous David Garrard 32 yard draw play. Was there really holding? Probably. But you can't blame the officials for the fact that we dug ourselves in deep early. Bad calls or no calls, in either case we still needed to play at a high level to win the game, and we just didn't do enough.

I guess what I'm getting at is - it really doesn't matter who's to blame. Overall, I think Mike Tomlin said it best - "We fell short. Nothing really soothes the feeling we have right now."Amen Mike, losing sucks.

But despite last night's game, the Steelers gave us a pretty damn good year - a lot of things to be happy about (further emergence of Big Ben, Santonio, Silverback, supposed #1 Defense), and also some things to be not so happy about (Offensive Line, Special Teams, ahem ahem). 10-6, with a rookie Head Coach and rampant injuries is still pretty darn good. Hey, beats the shit out of 8-8 with a Coach who suddenly seemed uncharacteristically apathetic. So Mike Tomlin, Big Ben, Hines, Willie, Silverback, Farrior, Troy, Face Me Ike and all the rest - thanks for making my Sundays interesting. Albeit up and down, the team this year was something to look forward to each weekend.

As for One For The Other Thumb - since I don't really believe in "time off," there should be plenty of musings and photoshop goodness throughout the coming months. That said, I (like my compatriot Neal at Die Hard Steel) am going to try my damndest to take at least the next week off. We'll see how long that lasts. As an aside, any of you out in SoCal - I'll be in sunny LA (well, Hermosa Beach) starting this Thursday evening, staying 'til Sunday afternoon. So if you're in the area, and you like alcoholic beverages, you just might see me around.

Oh, and for those of you wondering what my Mom thought about our loss (admit it, that's exactly what you were wondering) - she sends her commiseration...