Steelers vs Broncos - Week 1 Impressions

These Guys Might Be Seeing Each Other Again...

-Mason Noland (@M_Noland386)

The Hives once sang "Hate to say I told you so!" and after game one, I may sing it too. I wrote last month that I hate Steelers football being pigeon holed into the "Ground and Pound" category. What my untrained eye witnessed on the first several drives against the Broncos was Todd Haley trying to force the run for the sake of running the football. What I saw was what I remember watching from the Steelers in the 1990's. It was a lot of run on first down, run on second down, pass on third down and punt. I, believe it or not, have calmed down a little bit while watching games. I still do a bit of pacing and the occasion obscenity is thrown at the TV. I remember yelling for Todd Haley to call a passing play with about 10 minutes left in the first quarter using some salty language. I agree that the running game can and should be the great equalizer in the second half when you have the lead, but  with the weaponry that Ben Roethlisberger has on offense, there is no reason to call runs on first and second down on the first two offensive possessions. I know a lot of people aren't going to want to hear it, but the offense just looked better when we went no huddle and Big Ben was slinging the rock around. The No Huddle doesn't have to mean Ben is throwing on every play. He is smart enough to recognize when to run a pass play, or audible to a run play. I would say we run the ball a little more if we have Jonathon Dwyer in the game.

Dwyer is not the only member of the 2010 draft class continues to make plays. Antonio Brown looks like his has picked up where he left off last year. He had some nice catches and also a very nice 23 year punt return. Emmanuel Sanders also had a good game with 3 or his 4 catches going for first downs. He had one drop, but was leveled with a helmet to helmet hit to jar the ball loose, which is tough for any receiver to maintain possession of when that happens. Sanders also had a good 27 yard kickoff return. Maurkice Pouncey is still one of the top centers in the game. However, it was Second Round pick Jason Worilds who provided the hit that had every football fan in America, self included, holding their breath for. His untouched, crushing sack of Peyton Manning was a great play, but also, something we were waiting to see, could Manning take another big hit.

Its very obvious a lot of kinks need to be worked out. This was a very competitive game up until the end, when Roethlisberger found out with Manning already knows from past experience, don't throw at Tracy Porter. It seems as if in the second half of the game, Haley realize the offense needs to be opened up. I think, as always, we dearly missed Ryan Clark when playing in Denver. This time more than ever. We were playing a real quarterback, and we were missing the quarterback of the secondary. Troy Polamalu was disruptive, but not his usual self without his partner in crime. James Harrison was also missed, though I believe Worilds and Chris Carter will get playing time this year even when Harrison is healthy. I also hate to say I told you so about the offense missing Rashard Mendenhall. I realize Dwyer played well and deserves more carries. I also think that, if healthy, Mendenhall can be a great fit in Haley's offense. He's a more dynamic runner. I agree with Jeff though and think that Dwyer may be pushing himself into the number two role. Lets see if Isaac Redman can answer.

All in all I was disappointed, as always, in a Steelers loss. I do feel like that there were a few positive takeaways from the game. I think Big Ben was able to show the No Huddle can be used for more than the last few minutes of the game. I think it showed the further development of some key young players. I do think the defense needs to tighten up as the year progresses. We aren't going to see a quarterback as great as Peyton Manning again, but I hope the quality QB's we do see, don't eat us alive like Manning did though. I don't think it was a Steelers failure as much as it was a Manning win. Remember, this guy is going to walk into the Hall of Fame five years after he retires. We aren't the first good team he's done this to. This was a contest between two teams, who'll be in contention all year. I think we'll see them in the playoffs, though that's a long way off, and its a whole new game in the playoffs.