Steelers vs. Bills - Thoughts and Reactions



Jonathan Dwyer w/ his Clutch Catch in Buffalo

 So I'm going to be honest with all of the BNG Blitz readers out there.  I haven't seen the entire preseason game.  I live in Maryland and I (just like all out of market DirecTV customers) have to wait till this afternoon (Monday) to watch the ENTIRE game.  Nonetheless, the normal a-holes at NFL Network did a decent job of showing cut ins to the game.  In other words, I'm going to give you my thoughts and reactions on the game even though I haven't seen EVERY PLAY.  If you find that offensive...click the red 'X' in the top right of the screen.  If you don't, please read on:

- Offense Finally Gets Going - I said I thought the fans would be treated to Ben Roethlisberger spreading the ball around, and it actually happened.  Emmanuel Sanders, Jerricho Cotchery, and Heath Miller all registered receptions for the Steelers #1 signal caller.  Of course Antonio Brown had a game with 100+ yds and 2 TDs...just another day at the office for AB.  I have a feeling the offense that we all saw on Saturday is more like the offense we are going to see this season.  Not dependent on the run, but running when they had to.  Sling the rock if it means you win a Superbowl...just like Mason says "Winning is the Steeler Way...and thats all that matters".

- Rough Day for DeCastro - He had been looking solid at his RG duties before getting rolled up on and possibly tearing his MCL / ACL / dislocating his patellae tendon / ripping his leg off in the process...okay the last one wasn't reported, but it seems like no one knows for sure what this guy's injury is.  One thing we DO know...he will be out for a while.  DeCastro should be talking to Rashard Mendenhall and get some advice from him regarding a rookie season ending in injury.  I've said it before on this blog, and I'll say it again, just because his rookie season ends in injury doesn't mean that his career is over. 

- Turnovers, Turnovers, and More Turnovers - Last season the Steelers barely mustered over 15 turnovers the entire season.  Just in the preseason they have already gotten nearly half of that...7 in 3 games.  One of the things I said to "watch for" in the Bills game was how the defense does in causing turnovers.  With 2 INTs and 1 forced fumble recovery the Steelers look like they did two years ago, and less like they did last year.  This defense has a different feel to it.  I don't feel like they are going to shut down the opponent's running game like they did in the past, but then again who can say they can keep that level up for that long.  I think our secondary could be a strength for this defense, and if they can force turnovers like they have been then the Black n' Gold will be in EVERY GAME they play.

- Turnovers (the other variety) - On the flip side of the turnover battle is the fact that the Steelers have done a great job of protecting the football.  Besides Ben Roethlisberger's INT vs Indy and Chris Rainey's fumble (which was recovered by Pittsburgh) the Steelers have protected the ball VERY WELL.  Turnovers on defense can keep you in all the games, but if the offense is giving it right back then it just become a see saw battle.  If the 'O' can protect the rock, and the 'D' takes it away...thats a recipe for success there.

- Special Teams Not So Special - Special Teams Coach Al Everest is mysteriously fired by the team for no public reason.  It wasn't because his unit was performing well.  I must say that even though Antonio Brown isn't returning kicks/punts this team lacks any explosive play ability in the preseason.  There are no holes, gaps, wedges for the returners to hit and its looking like the Steelers should just kneel every kickoff that comes into the endzone.  The coverage units have been average at best.  With all of that said, when the 53-man roster is finalized the special teams units will have plenty of time to work and gel together before the live action starts. 

- Redman + Dwyer = Unique 1,2 Punch - Isaac Redman's unique running style with Jonathan Dwyer's unique skill set makes me smile when people ask about the Steelers running backs heading into the regular season.  Isaac Redman just doesn't go down on first contact.  Perfect example was the 2yd TD run he had in Buffalo where he was contacted in the backfield and kept digging away till he crossed the goalline.  Jonathan Dwyer pulled in a nifty 33yd catch that kept the beautiful 98yd TD drive alive the end the first half.  Dwyer has the size and speed to be shifty, but also run between the tackles.  These two players are guys that are going to keep this team going until Rashard Mendenhall returns.  When Mendenhall does return it looks like there could be a 3-headed monster running the rock in the Steel City.

- Offense Shows Spark Without Wallace - If you see a Steeler fan anywhere that says "The Steelers would be better without Mike Wallace!" please slap him in the face.  If it is a woman, then shake a finger in her face and tell both of them that Mike Wallace would make ANY OFFENSE in the NFL better.  However, it was nice to see the Steelers stretch the field on occasion and move the ball with efficiency with out the speedy WR from Ole Miss.  Mike Wallace is going to return and will make this offense explosive beyond belief.  Only concerns coming from SteelerNation should be if the Steelers will be able to come to terms on a contract before the season starts...

The Steelers host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday when I would only hope Tomlin would rest all the starters.  This is the game that if I had a ticket for I would just try to give it away.  What a waste...a dump game...meaningless (that is unless you are a 3rd or 4th stringer trying to make the 53-man roster).  Look to see alot of Batch and Johnson behind center and plenty of young talent on showcase.  As always, I'll still give you stuff to watch for heading into the final tune-up before the opening Sunday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos.