That...Just...Happened - Steelers - 20 / Chiefs - 26 (OT) - Preseason Wk 3

This Steelers Team Seems More Like a TEAM

Yes, you read that title correctly.  If for some reason you haven't seen the game, don't watch preseason action, or just don't really care...the Chiefs kicked a FG at the end of regulation to send a preseason game into OVERTIME.  Yes, OVERTIME.  I couldn't stop shaking my head at Andy Reid for making such a bone headed decision, but everyone was saying "oh he plays to win"...yes in a game that doesn't count.  Way to go coach!  Whew...okay...got that off my chest.  Now for what SteelerNation learned from the "final dress rehearsal" of the most important of the meaningless football games on the NFL schedule....lets do this.

- Something Is Different...This Team is a TEAM - When watching this football game there is one thing that is recognizably different from this year to last year.  It is the 3rd week in the preseason, and this team is really playing like a TEAM.  Little things...like when Jerricho Cotchery caught a Ben Roethlisberger pass inside the 5 for a 1st down, offensive linemen sprinted over to help and congratulate the veteran WR.  When Big Ben hit Antonio Brown on the Steelers' 2nd offensive play from scrimmage for 49yds and took a hit, the offensive line picked up the big QB and was exuberant (wow look at that big word) in their praise and exhilaration for the play their QB just made.  There are alot of signs that point to this Steelers team being a more cohesive unit than last year, and believe it or not, that can lead to success.  The players played with passion and enthusiasm that ultimately was lacked last year.  This is a big step in the right direction, even though it has nothing to do with "X's and O's".

- SteelerNation Has Been Resuscitated - I think that when the Big Ben connected with Antonio Brown in the above mentioned play...if you listend REALLY close...you could hear all of SteelerNation take a big sign of relief.  Ahhhhhhhh...our team isn't just run, run, run, run, and dink and dunk.  If you listened really close you heard SteelerNation explode when the defense stopped the Chiefs on 4th and 2 inches with the starters in...you could hear the jubilation ringing off the rooftops at seeing Troy Polamalu actually look like Troy Polamalu (is that even possible?).  SteelerNation has begun to believe again, and from one fan to another...welcome back!  This team has tremendous ability if they don't shoot themselves in the foot and stay health.  Two very large "ifs", but very important at the same time.  SteelerNation, get our your terrible towels and get ready...1 week from Sunday these games will start to count!

- These Rookies Are Something Else - During Steelers mini camp this offseason I wrote an article stating that this might very well be Mike Tomlin's best draft class of his tenure.  I stand by my words, and luckily for me, the rookies are making me sound alot smarter than I actually am!  Jarvis Jones (1st Rd), Le'Veon Bell (2nd Rd), Markus Wheaton (3rd Rd), and Shamarko Thomas (4th Rd), could all play significant roles on this Steelers team in one way or another.  When was the last time a Pittsburgh Steelers team had a rookie class that had the opportunity to see the field as much as these players?? Thats just picks 1-4 too.  There are some other rookies like Hawthorne, Brown, and Williams that certainly could make an impact on Special Teams this year.  These players are the future of the team, and if they can remain health (I'm talking to you Le'Veon), then the sky's the limit for this group.

- Still Some Tricks Up the Old Sleeve - It was weird for fans to hear Todd Haley, Ben Roethlisberger, and other offensive players have a cool and calm demeanor about their play after the first 2 preseason games.  They honestly seemed like they had everything under control.  Big Ben even said that "we still have alot to show..." and after the Chiefs 1st half performance you have to believe they do.  The Steelers went from a run, run, run team to a versatile vertical passing team.  Roethlisberger's 13 completions had nearly half of those travel 20+ yards.  The thing that really gets me smiling is that I feel the Steelers still haven't shown all of their cards, and why would they?  Save that stuff for when the games count...I expect alot of wrinkles when Tennessee comes to town, especially in the redzone.

- Special Teams...YIKES - I tell you what...if I am Danny Smith (Special Teams Coach), I might be concerned about my job.  After last year when Tomlin fired a coach mid season, Smith's group has been underwhelming AT BEST.  The Special Teams unit faltered again, but this time it was in the form of a kick return for a TD.  There is no excuse for that, and I don't care what anyone says.  The one silver lining I did see on twitter came from ESPN 970 host David Todd when he made the point that the 1st team Special Teams unit that played solid in the early goings of that game was NOT the unit that gave up the TD.  Nonetheless, you hope these problems start to fix themselves before Week 1.

- Penalties...Good Lord Please Stop - The Pittsburgh Steelers love football, but they can't seem to learn how to play within the framework of the rules.  I realize that some (Jonathan Dwyer's 'Chop Block') calls are totally bogus, but some weren't.  The issue for these penalties are they nullifying big plays for the offense.  The Steeleres were penalized 9 times for 98 total yards.  The Steelers have been penalized at least 7 times in every single preseason game this year, and 9 was a new personal high for the team.  Congratulations guys!!  Here is a novel idea...how about we get the number of penalties going DOWN and not up?  Sounds good...

- Let the Cuts Begin -With the end of the 3rd preseason game begins the time when guys open their lockers and see a red piece of paper hanging there...which means the coach needs to see you because you just died and got sent to the minors. (Sorry, that was a Major League movie reference) The Steelers wasted little time making the appropriate cuts to get their team total down to the league mandated number of 70.  Some names of significance that were let loose: Baron Batch, Stevenson Sylvester, and David Gilreath.  Besides that, there weren't too many names that were let go that weren't a shocker.  This isn't the difficult cut though.  That cut has to come by this Saturday when the Steelers have to trim down to their 53 man roster.  How they handle the RB situation (especially with the addition of Felix Jones), players being put on PUP and IR, and other key positions remains to be seen...but it should be interesting to see what they do.

The Steelers travel to Carolina to play the Panthers in the 4th preseason game, and if they are smart they simply let the starters sit in dress clothes.  No need to dress Ben, Troy, and Lamarr...nope give those guys the night off and let the young bucks battle for roster spots.   As I said in the preview for this Chiefs game...I am a VERY superstitious person and the Steelers need to win a preseason game to avoid going 0-4 because that is some bad ju ju there!