So Much For #1...

I would just like to start by going back to something Coach Tomlin said last week...and that is -

"We're going to play our game, we don't let people dictate to us how we're going to play defense."

I don't know about you all, but it sure as shit looked to me like we let New England dictate to us how we played defense today. Maybe I'm wrong. And I'll admit that I'm still tasting the bitterness of defeat. But it didn't look to me like the #1 Defense in the league wanted a win. Poor tackling. Giving up big plays. Hitting softly. What Defense was that out there? Because it didn't look like the Steelers to me.

I don't want to beat a dead horse here - but look, the Offense played relatively well, at least in the 1st half, and yet the Defense, which has been our calling card all year, could not come through. We plead up and down last week - this is a game primed for Steeler football. We're gonna hit 'em early and often. Physical this and physical that. I didn't see nearly enough physicality on the field today. They weren't hitting the Pats receivers, and even worse, they were letting them turn nothing into something all day. Yes the Pats had some luck and some calls go their way, but it is my personal feeling that the Steelers Defense just did not get it done.

Anyways, since I've already said enough and I'm short on time - here's who made OFTOT's 1st ever edition of "The News." Let's see...oh, um...

1. Anthony "No Money Back Guarantee" Smith ~ Honestly man, I don't know what to say to you. I maintained last week that if you were going to make that claim, you'd have to be able to back it up. Sure enough, the Pats went after you and you let them make you look like a bitch. Youthful mistakes man. Biting on the play action and the flea flicker. You were responsible for both of those scores. Sorry buddy, you better make up for it.


2. Larry "I don't hit other Michigan Alumni" Foote ~ Let's get one thing straight here Larry - when you have a shot on Tom Brady, you better take advantage of it. And what was that shit near the end of the game, hugging him and what not? Did you know that this was a football game? You gotta hit your mother if she's playing for the other team. I think you took it way too easy on the guy. Would you have done that for an Ohio State alumni? Yep, that's what I thought...


3. "Fast" Willie Colon ~ Somehow that doesn't seem right, does it? Well that's because it's not. If I had a dollar for every time I saw Mike Vrabel coming around the edge, blowing right by Colon, I'd be a rich man. There were a couple times in the 1st half where it looked like Vrabel might have been offsides. But in hindsight I think that could've been because Colon just had no chance of blocking him on account of the fact that he sucked all day (and ok, he had little help). Maybe it's time to give Max Starks another shot? Ok, let's not get crazy now...


4. Nate "Hotrod" Washington ~ At what point do you just acknowledge that a guy can't catch and move on? I think I might be overreacting a bit. But it's hard to watch a guy get hit right in the hands and not be able to bring the ball in. You're a wide receiver. Just catch the god damn ball! I have nothing more to say to you Nate...


5. Bruce "Show Me All Your Trick Plays" Arians ~ Dude...I mean, dude...An end around to Hines Ward when you're on the 1 yard line and it's 4th down and you're losing 24-13? They hadn't stopped the run really at all. But you went with an end around to Hines Ward. I could've seen pound it in with Najeh, Ben keeper, play action roll out to Heath Miller. But not that. People at The Shannon in Hoboken now think I'm nuts because I was yelling at the TV with a passion they had apparently never seen before. Earth to Bruce Arians - sometimes the obvious choice is the obvious choice for a reason.

Anyways, lucky for us the game didn't really mean anything. They're going to be the #1 seed no matter what, and if all goes well, we'll see them again in January. Of course, another Cleveland win today means we're back to being just a game above them in the division. And with their piss poor sched, we'd better win out just to make sure they don't catch us. God, did you ever think we'd be worried about the Browns in the division? Me neither.

I'm done with this game. Bring on Jacksonville.

What did you guys think? Did you also almost have an aneurysm during this aberration? Were you also ready to jump through the TV and punch Rodney Harrison in the face? Did you also want to make out with Tom Brady? Oh wait...not that last part...uh...all heterosexual here as usual. Carry on.

GAME RECAPS:
[DC Steeler Nation]
[Die Hard Steel]
[Doubt About It]
[Football Braniac]
[Joey Porter's Pit Bulls]
[Ladies...]
[Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies]

[Associated Press]
[Post-Gazette 1]
[Post-Gazette 2]
[Tribune-Review]

Gameday Discussion Thread...

Tobiathan and I may be the only assholes willing to post comments on this blog during the game, but hey, that's our god given right, and we're going to exercise it.

If you're checking in during the game, feel free to join us.

Here we go Steelers!!

How's This For Bulletin Board Material...

Dear Friends,
That's the last time I want to hear the words "bulletin board material" uttered this week. I think after the last few days, I've heard the term enough to make me physically ill. May "bulletin board material" join the ranks of "at the end of the day" and "upside." I've heard enough.

That is all at this time.

Your friend,
Cotter

PS - Yesterday's Blog n' Gold has one hell of an idea for a drinking game to play this Sunday. I'll be shooting for the beer bong myself.

It's About To Get Real Serious...

"I know he doesn't like to get hit, man...Randy Moss doesn't like to get hit. I played with him in Minnesota. The main thing he had problems with was when guys got in his face, jamming him at the line, hitting him when they got a chance and getting him off his normal pace."
- Tyrone Carter

"They got a squad...They're chasing history. That's about all you can say."
- Face Me Ike

I'll admit - this morning I am conflicted. Part of me believes we have a really good shot at winning this game. But then part of me worries that we'll make some of the same mistakes we've made in this year's most disappointing performances. Don't get me wrong, I still think this team will step up when it really matters (now). Nevertheless, I'd be lying if I didn't say there were two sides to the story.

But screw all that negative shit. I'm trying to stay positive. The Sandman putting undue pressure on aside, we ARE in a good position to stage an upset. After all, if anyone can beat the league's untouchable Offensive force, it ought to be the team with the #1 Defense, right? This is a classic match of Thunder vs. Lightning. Pittsburgh is Smashmouth. New England is Finesse. As commenter "Quiet Strength" put it over at DC Steeler Nation yesterday, "this is the 2005 Colts 2.0." And he's right. Only New England's Defense might be just a hair better...

So, we've established that we've known all along how to beat this team, and that the numbers don't tell us anything we don't already know, but what will be the keys to victory for our Steelers on Sunday? I'm glad you asked. Check 'em out below. And keep in mind, there are many many things I could write here. But I've chosen a select few I feel are vital to achieving victory.

Let's get to it.

OFFENSE:

• Control the Game ~ How do you stop an Offense like the Patriots'? Keep 'em off the field, that's how. Oh, and play stout Defense. But our Offense can certainly help out by maintaining control of the clock and dictating the flow of the game. Of principal importance will be FWP. To be blunt, Willie better locate his balls and friggin' use them. We'll need him to rack up a good amount more than the 73 yards he's averaged over the last 3 games. That is, if we have any hopes of using play action and winding down that clock as the game goes on. FWP, no pressure man...


• You Must Protect This House ~ Or at least Big Ben. Thankfully, we finally saw a game last week in which Big Ben was not sacked even once. Of course, the Bengals have only rung up 18 sacks on the year total, while the Patriots have notched 31. So this will be a more definitive test of our O-line for sure. For the Pats, Mike Vrabel leads the charge with 9.5 sacks, and he'll be rushing the oh-so-strong right side of our line. So let's just hope Willie Colon and Kendall Simmons can play their asses off. This here is my worry:
  


• Do NOT Let Up~ Hey, what's the knock on the Pats Offense? They like to run up the score, right? So if we get the chances, let's give them a dose of their own medicine. Ok, I don't actually believe there is a snowballs chance in hell of that happening. What I really mean here is whether we're up or down - keep the pedal to the metal. Keep working. Keep executing. Keep them on their heels. As Joey Porter's Pit Bulls pointed out, their linebackers are old. Wear them out. Keep hitting them with Offensive punches until they can no longer stand. No one else had been able to do that this season before we saw Philly and Baltimore do it. And I'd like to think Big Ben is a little better than the two backup QBs who almost slayed the giant. So just roll with it.

DEFENSE:

• Dear Anthony Smith... ~ You ran your mouth. Now you better be ready to back it up. I ain't mad at ya'. I'm just saying, you can't make bold predictions and then sit back and relax. I expect another performance like we saw at Cincy (the 1st time) in Week 8. Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to hit everything you can, as hard as you can. Find Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth and sort 'em out. I'm not screwin' around here man, play balls out...see below...
  


• Win The Mental Game ~ Tom Brady is the league's best QB. Accept it. But one thing he, and just about every other QB in the league, is susceptible to is pressure. If you get in his face, knock him down, force him to make throws he doesn't want to make, he will start to unravel (as much as Tom Brady can...which isn't nearly as much as Carson Palmer). Put it this way - he's the nail, you are the hammer. You know what to do...
  


• Do NOT Let Up~ Sounds familiar, right? You may have noticed that one of the main reasons the Eagles and Ravens came so close to upsetting the Hatriots the last two weeks is that their Defense played a full 60 minutes. On the other hand, our Defense has been known on occasion to play 58 great minutes, only to let up in the final two and give up a game tieing or game winning field goal (See Broncos, Browns, Jets). And let's just say we weren't exactly playing against the league's "elite" then, either. So if we're hoping to win this game we better be solid as Steel...Keep the pressure on Tom Brady all game. Greet Lawrence Maroney and Kevin Faulk rudely at the line of scrimmage. And knock the Pats star wideouts into next week. For 60...Freakin'...Minutes.

And that's the bottom line. 60 Minutes. Everything aside, it's about playing the game well for 60 minutes. Do that and ye shall receive that which ye crave - a signature win.

What say you Steeler faithful? Any chance we actually win this game? Will the Pats D be able to hang for 60 minutes of hard fought football? Will OUR D be able to hang for 60 minutes of hard fought football? Will FWP shine without the sleeves? Will Big Ben ride off into the sunset with Giselle Bundchen? Bring it.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Reasons to Believe [Joey Porter's Pit Bulls]
Big Ben vs. Pats Video Game [Doubt About It]
Patriots Work At The Gaps [Boston.com]
Action Speaks Louder [Boston.com]
Patriots Take Steeler's Guarantee In Stride [Hartford Courant]
Steelers Smith Not Backing Down [Associated Press]
Tomlin Mini Presser on Guarantee [SteelCityInsider]
Steelers Plan to Rattle Randy Moss [Tribune-Review]
Steelers' Arians, Belichick to Match Wits [Tribune-Review]
Picking Apart The Pats [SI]
Physical Steelers Eager to Tackle Challenge [Fox Sports]

Two Teams Enter, One Team Leaves...

"I tell you, I think Pittsburgh’s a real good defensive football team. They do a lot of things well and they’re a big challenge to get ready for.” - Bill Belichick

"This is not Appalachian State against Michigan...We're going to play our game, we don't let people dictate to us how we're going to play defense." - Mike Tomlin

The day grows nearer and the tension mounts. By NFL standards, Hollywood couldn't write a script this good. The Sandman guaranteed a win. Rodney Harrison said, "never heard of him." Brett Keisel said we don't have much to lose. Mike Tomlin said this is not Appalaichan State vs. Michigan. Bill Belichick said Pittsburgh is a hard team to prepare for. The excitement is so palpable you can taste it...

But despite mine and seemingly the rest of the Steeler nation's enthusiasm this week, I think we all realize this is the 2007 New England Patriots we're facing on Sunday. All the enthusiasm in the world isn't going to help us if we don't play a disciplined game.

As my usual Thursday routine dictates, I wanted to give you guys some of the numbers on us and them. So we have a tangible idea of what we're up against. But what I keep running into is that we can't really determine anything by the numbers. And I mean that more than usual, for different reasons. Below is a cursory rundown of the numbers for both sides. Read through and then I'll explain my point a little further.

OFFENSE:
Passing Yds ~ Patriots = 3749 (#1) || Steelers = 2578 (#21)
Rushing Yds ~ Patriots = 1456 (#8) || Steelers = 1660 (#3)
Total Yds ~ Patriots = 5205 (#1) || Steelers = 4238 (#12)
Points Scored ~ Patriots = Let's Just Not (#1) || Steelers = 296 (#6)

DEFENSE:
Passing Yds ~ Patrtiots = 2588 (#9) || Steelers = 2065 (#1)
Rushing Yds ~ Patriots = 1114 (#6) || Steelers = 922 (#2)
Total Yds ~ Patriots = 3702 (#6) || Steelers = 2987 (#1)
Points Allowed ~ Patriots = 209 (#5) || Steelers = 155 (#1)

So what does all this crap tell us? Absolutely nothing. All it says is that we're a dominant Defense (on paper), solid against the pass and the run, and that the Patriots are a dominant Offense (on paper), deadly through the air, and at least decent on the ground. But we already knew that. So what kind of insight can we glean? None. That's exactly the point.

This game will come down to who executes their game plan most effectively, who plays the more disciplined game, and who wants it more. Emotion will play a big part. So while Anthony Smith probably should have kept his mouth shut, and not given the Pats any inkling of additional motivation, it does add some fire to this game. Fire on our side as well as theirs, but fire nonetheless. And as I've spread around the blogosphere today, so long as Smith can step up and back up his mouth, this might actually not have been such a bad thing.

So I'll get into my things the Steelers should do to secure a win, tomorrow. But in the meantime, think about it - how much will this game be about energy, fire, and discipline over skill? Skill exists in spades, on both sides. But what's the factor that'll push the advantage one way or another?

Or am I crazy and none of this makes any sense? You tell me...

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Steelers Smith Guarantees Upset [Associated Press]
Steelers Eager to Hand Patriots 1st Defeat [Associated Press]
Bulletin Board Bullseye [Boston Herald]
Pats Agree: Nastiness Out of Game [Newburyport (MA) News]
Tomlin Carries on Tradition - Not Afraid of Perfect Pats [SI]
Jason Whitlock - Tomlin Needs Signature Win [Fox Sports]
Like 2004, Steelers Trying to Stop Pats [Tribune-Review]
2007 Patriots Stats [Pro-football-reference]
2007 Patriots Stats [ESPN]

Behold -- Hatriot Nation...

DISCLAIMER: Before you proceed, be aware that as pretty much everything I do, this is a JOKE and the following post is not meant to offend anyone. I don't really hate the Patriots personally. Actually, I respect them greatly. Nevertheless, I'm a cynical son of a bitch by nature, and this stuff entertains the hell out of me. I hope you enjoy...

Finally, Thursday. Not so hopeless as Wednesday, one step closer to Friday (and Sunday), and way better than Monday or Tuesday. And boy do I have some good shit for you this morning.

Thanks to OFTOT's most avid reader, leading analyst of NFL officials, and purveyor of terms including "Cheatriots," "Patricunts," and "Belicheats," (Tobiathan), I have discovered a bitter subculture lurking beneath the surface of this here wide world of web that I'd like to share with you all. That is, the Patriot Hater nation.

So before I get into any kind of Patriots analysis later on today (or tomorrow), let me introduce you to the wonders of this interweb microcosm...

LET THE HATRED BEGIN:

• I Hate The New England Patriots ~ It's not just a clever name. What you expect is what you get and more. Be sure to vote on the poll and tell everyone how much you really hate the Patriots.


• Petition to Fire Bill Belichick ~ Make your voice heard and sign the petition plea for Robert Kraft to fire Head Cameraman Coach, Bill Belicheat. I have signed and I made sure I told Kraft that Belichode knows where Bin Laden is hiding. Do your civic duty people.


• Patriots DDD (Degradation, Defamation and Defecation) ~ Before visiting this site, I'd yet to hear the term "Gaytriots" used. Nor had I heard that New England's 12^th man is God. Now I have. Yep.


• The Full Line of "I Hate The Patriots" T-Shirts ~ I'm still not sure if the women's panties are for real or not, but this is for sure the best $14-$15 you could ever spend. If there were time to ship these before Sunday I'd definitely have bought the panties...I mean t-shirt...


• Tom Brady Homoerotic Tribute Video ~ An oldy but a goody (See below). This video gets a solid 5 stars. Of course, it is not a reflection of hatred at all. More like a manifestation of man-love for Mr. Esquire himself. Still, entertaining nonetheless. If you don't watch the whole thing, you're only cheatrioting yourself. Highlight = "Your balls are the only balls I need and my end zone is where I want you to be."
  

Hold on, I'm still laughing at the video...Ah, there, that's better. Thought I was going to cry I was laughing so hard...

I hope you all enjoyed this little journey into the minds of some of the interwebs more colorful characters. I sure did. Now the only thing that's left is to take a look at the opposition, their strengths, their weaknesses lesser strengths, and gain a better understanding of what kind of animal we're up against on Sunday. Keep your web browser tuned...

This Post Is Teeming With Excitement...

"It is awesome. I get the feeling I used to get when we used to prepare for the Rams when they were 'The Greatest Show on Turf' or when we had to prepare for Minnesota when I first broke in and they had Cris Carter and Randy Moss. You love those games. If you are a competitor, you do. I believe we have a bunch of competitors here."

- Mike Tomlin

Hey friends, still a slow news day at OFTOT. I've actually got work to do (weird) and to be honest, as foreshadowed on Monday, it's already been a rough week.

Nevertheless, I do have some fun news items for you all to peruse and share among friends. Check 'em out with the accompanying irreverent, unnecessary sarcasm below...Yes I apologize, I have nothing better right now...so sue me.

Fun Links and shit:

• First things first - Najeh reporting for duty...sorry Verron


• Speaking of injuries - I don't know about you, but I'll be praying these three make a triumphant return on Sunday...


• How can I take an LA sports writer's thoughts on Sundays game with any degree of credibility when they don't even have pro football in LA? And don't even try and feed me USC...


• Ladies and gentleman, Neal Coolong has found the leak...


• And Tec at PSAMP has found the Steelers 1st potential cheerleader candidate...


• Brian Billick hearts Rodney Harrison...If I didn't know any better I'd say he premeditated that.


• Is this even a question? (see #5)


• Gene Collier is gushing optimism in advance of Sunday's game...errr...

Now aren't you glad you read all that? Do you feel smarter? Because I know you are...IE - in the future, someone please send me news to fill the Wednesday gap. Honestly, I don't think any of us can take another week of this list of links crap.

So, Uh, Hey Guys...Uh, What's New...

Remember when I said there are days where I wonder to myself - "what the hell am I going to write about today?" Yep, so far it's one of those days. Hope to have something together later on this afternoon.

Until then, enjoy this stunning photo of the inimitable Tom Brady:

Well Look What The Cat Dragged In...

This just in - the Steelers are working out Verron Haynes this afternoon and could have him re-joining the team by this evening. The report says Najeh is questionable to go Sunday, so chances are not bad that we'll see Haynes in black and gold soon.

Which begs the questions - What about Chidi?

Steelers May Resign Verron Haynes [Post-Gazette]

What, Me Worry?

"I like this defense. I like this team, so we're ready to take on everybody."
- Larry Foote

"This season, to borrow from the late John Facenda when speaking of the Steelers dynasty in the 1970s, there are 31 teams in the NFL, and then there are the New England Patriots."
- Ed Bouchette

You know, some days I wonder to myself - what the hell (ok I use a less savory word than hell) am I going to write about today? Today is not one of those days.

I've held off all season talking about the Patriots, refusing to look that far ahead. Because let's be honest, if we couldn't make it past the Cardinals, Broncos or Jets, how could we beat the Patriots...uh, shit. Well anyways, I kid, but today I break the silence. So for all you people asking - But Cotter, what about the Patriots? It's your lucky day.

You wanted it Steeler fans, you got it. The Patriots came back from a near-defeat to hold off the nasty Ravens and Kyle Boller Field General. Which of course leaves them still undefeated and ripe for a loss courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If any of you thought that game last night looked awfully familiar, you're not crazy. The only material differences between last night's game and the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday is that the Patriots don't quit, and Tom Brady is just, oh, a tad better than Carson Palmer. Nonetheless, the Ravens strategies were understandably similar to that which the Steelers have used to beat teams all season.

So having watched that game, my thoughts remain the same. We've known all along how we're going to approach the Patriots. I have not a doubt in my mind about that. You wanna know how this game is going to go? Blitz on 1st Down, Blitz on 2nd Down, Blitz on 3rd down, Patriots punt. Lather, rinse, repeat. Showing them different looks each time. This is prime time for Steelers football. We didn't need to see the Eagles game, or the Ravens game, to know that the way to beat Tom Brady, Randy Moss and friends is PRESSURE. Cover Moss. Cover Stallworth. Cover Welker. Send at least 5 rushers. And if you don't get Brady, hope you at least disrupt his concentration and make him do something he doesn't want to do.

On the other side of the ball, the key is to stay balanced. If we're going to have any success against this team we need to be able to sustain long drives, run time off the clock and wear them down with a good mixture of FWP, high percentage pass plays and play action. I imagine the game plan we've been relying on over the past couple of games will carry over into this game. I'm watching FWP, Hines Ward, and Heath Miller in particular. I've been saying it all year. This type of game plan is the equivalent of a good combo in a heavyweight fight. Hit them with jabs and body blows, then go for the knock out blows when they give them to you.

However, having said all this, do not take my untempered enthusiasm to mean I think we're a lock to win this game. I'll get to more substantive, statistical, balanced analysis of this matchup later in the week. But I wanted to break the ice right. Let's get fired up! Who says you can't start it up on Tuesday when the game's not 'til Sunday. I'm counting the minutes, starting NOW.

So what do you guys think? Blitz? Cover? Give Tom Brady the royal flush? Run? Pass? Statue of liberty play? Let's hear it.

PS - I urge you all to go over to Believe Merch and get yourself a "Your Perfect Season Ends 12-9-07" t-shirt approximately right NOW.

GOOD READS:
Steelers Kept Patriots In Mind [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Could Be The One [Fox Sports]