That...Just...Happened - Titans - 16 / Steelers - 9

Yep...I'd Feel This Way Too...

I am going to do my best to do my duty as a "writer" and not go off on anger laced tirades during this article, but if I stray from the initial point...please be patient with me.  As most of you know there is alot to vent about after the putrid display at Heinz Field yesterday.  Lets get this show on the road shall we?

- Okay, Okay...Haley's Offense Isn't Impressing Me - I guess you could call me a Todd Haley apologist, but I never felt the need to blame a coach who is doing nothing but calling the plays and isn't out there running, blocking, and throwing.  I can't say that anymore.  Not after yesterday.  At crucial points of the game when the Steelers needed to find their rhythm and get in sync...Haley's play calling had me shaking my head.  The opening drive of the second half says it all.  Lets just say it was the Larod Stephens Howling drive that resulted in Howling trying to catch a would be first down pass with his facemask...and you guessed it...3 and out.  The WR bubble screen on 3rd and long.  This offense has no identity, and I realize it was only one game, but this goes back to last year.  At least under Whisenhunt and Arians the offense had an identity.  Whether it was running the ball, or chucking it deep...there was an identity.  Someone try and tell me what this Steelers identity is on the offensive side of the ball...anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller? 

- Maurkice Pouncey's Injury Hurt More Than We Know - No, I'm not talking about the physical pain that Pouncey is going to endure the next 6 months...no I'm talking about what his injury did to the team and their game plan.  It was obvious that the Steelers planned on deploying Kelvin Beachum as an extra TE and Tackle to help in pass protection, as well as run blocking.  When Pouncey went down in the first quarter and the Steelers were forced to move Beachum to Center, and that messed up the game plan in a big way.  The Steelers no longer were able to deploy an extra lineman, and because of that, pass protection was left as a vulnerability (thats putting it nicely) and run blocking was never able to get off the ground.  Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth both watching the game really hurt this team from a protection stand point.  Center isn't a position where you can just throw someone in and expect the same results...no the Steelers will have to bring in someone like Malecki and hope for the best.  Lord thats frightening.

- The Defense Did Its Job...BUT - The defense had a solid game.  Not a great game, but a solid game.  Brett Keisel said after the game that the defense strives to keep opponents under 17 points.  Well, mission accomplished, but the way the Titans drove down the field and possessed the ball is frightening.  Jake Locker made plays when he needed, and the Titans ran right down the Steelers' throats and the Steelers couldn't stop it.  Ziggy Hood was a none factor, and Cam Heyward played better if you ask me.  Larry Foote looked slow and lost on more than one occasion, and why is Jason Worilds out there again?  If the mission for Foote and Worilds was to get steam rolled every play...then good job guys!  You did your job.  Jarvis Jones didn't play poorly.  He had a HUGE hit on Chris Johnson when he went unblocked, but besides that the Steelers were unable to make any splash plays.  Woodley had one sack, and there you have the Steelers big plays.  Balls were tipped and close to INTs, Polamalu caused a fumble but the Steelers were unable to recover the ball.  It looked just like last year's defense, except they gave up 112 yards collectively to the Titans...that was rare last year.

- Get Out the Body Bags - Maurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote, Larod Stephens Howling...quite a list right?  Those are just the players with SEASON ENDING injuries.  Pouncey and Howling both have torn knee ligaments and will miss the rest of the season.  Larry Foote has a ruptured biceps tendon and will require surgery.  Shaun Suisham is nursing a hamstring injury, Cortez Allen has an ankle injury, and Ryan Clark was banged up several times throughout the game.  Lets see what the Steelers might do with these injuries.  Pouncey will be the hardest shoes to fill.  John Malecki might be a player the Steelers re-sign to the squad since he has spent all of the preseason with the team and knows the offense.  As for LSH, rumors are already swirling that the Steelers are bringing back Jonathan Dwyer.  That should answer that question, and when Le'Veon Bell returns it will only bolster a fading RB group.  Larry Foote looked horrible in the first game, and to be honest, his injury might allow a younger player to prove that he can get in their and be a full time player.  I'm sure Stevenson Sylvester's phone is ringing.  I will say this...the Steelers can't withstand too many games like this in terms of injuries if they want to win any football games.  PERIOD.

- A Silver Lining - There are a couple things that can make SteelerNation give a collective "Sigh" today.  The biggest of those is the fact that the ENTIRE AFC North lost in Week 1.  Yes, the Bengals, Browns, Steelers, and Ravens all registered losses.  Therefore, as poorly as that performance was on Sunday, the Steelers still find themselves in a situation where they MIGHT be able to prove that this game was just a one game hiccup and the team still has a season to play...I know, I know...even I am not sold on that theory after yesterday's game.

- As Ugly as They Come - I have seen alot of Steeler football, and I've seen alot of Steeler losses.  I can't think of an uglier game than the one I watched yesterday.  The only game that comes to mind was about 4 years ago when the Steelers went into Philadelphia and were absolutely slaughtered.  The offense put up 6 points and Ben was sacked something like 6 or 7 times.  The Steelers offense went on a 8 quarter draught without scoring a TD.  If you recall the game after the Philly game was the Baltimore game at home, and after a halftime where the players were Booed off the field, the Steelers came out and scored 2 TDs in a :45 time frame and beat the Ravens in OT.  That win propelled them throughout the rest of the season.  Do I think that will happen again?  Well...not really, but anything is possible.

I could go on and on about this game, but I'll save some venom for future articles.  What were your thoughts on the game?  You agree or disagree with what I said above?  Let me know.  Hit me up on Twitter (@BnGBlitz) or leave a comment below.