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Mularkey's System Lives Up to Its Name... and Then Some! Article by McMillen & Wife Before I discuss today's loss to Jacksonville (something I frankly have little desire to relive), I wanna offer up a little trivia designed to hearten Steelers fans: 1) In the opening game of the 1995 season, what lowly expansion franchise beat the SNOT out of the heavily favored Steelers? Answer: The Jacksonville Jaguars. 2) When was the last time the Steelers went to the Super Bowl? Answer: 1995. [Ed. Note: It has come to our attention that the Steelers opened the 1996 season with the loss to Jacksonville, not 1995. That'll teach me to rush through writing these things, eh? Thanks a lot, Tommy Coleman. Tommy also spilled the beans to our kids that there is no Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny, and no Tooth Fairy. We'll get you, Coleman... ;-) ] Granted, I don't think I'll be rushing to PriceLine.com just yet to book my reservations for the Super Bowl, especially considering Mularkey's offense played like... nah, that punchline is just little too obvious to bother with, isn't it? Suffice it to say that for this game at least, we couldn't possibly have a more appropriately named offensive coordinator. Nonetheless, as the trivia above proves, one game does not a season make. And while I suspect that anyone filling their heads with visions of another Lombardi Trophy for the Rooney's THIS year might also believe Elvis is still alive, I'm cautiously optimistic that a respectable run at the playoffs this season remains a very real possiblity, tough schedule and all. Don't buy it? That's fine... you're welcome to wallow in the disappointment of losing game one of the 2001 season. Hey, why not... fans of 14 or so other NFL franchises who wound up on the short end of the score today are doing the same right now. As for me, I'm moving on and looking forward to crushing the Browns next week. At this time, I invite those of you so inclined to bring on the Kordell bashing. But for the record, you're dead wrong. There's plenty of blame to go around, but Stewart is no more responsible for what happened in Jacksonville than is Jerome Bettis. Sorry, folks... shine THAT light of blame on the confused, scatter-brained play of Pittsburgh's offensive line. Stewart was sacked "only" 3 times (a stat that is amazingly low considering how often Jags defenders were swarming all over him) and on numerous occassions, Jacksonville defenders simply poured in on Stewart untouched because Steeler blockers flat-out missed their assignments. Since I'm railing on the O-line at the moment, I won't elaborate on the early drops by Bruener (surprisingly) and Burress (as usual), nor the pass that Bobby Shaw tipped into the waiting arms of Hardy Nickerson just before the half. Run blocking? What run blocking? "The Bus" may as well have STAYED on the bus... he received ZERO help from the O-line. Result? Mike Mularkey's offense, which relies HEAVILY on play fakes, never had a chance. No one is gonna bite on play action when your star running back is spending most of his afternoon getting planted on his ass at the line, which is, incidentally, another indictment of the line. With all due respect, considering that Bettis has NEVER had a good game in Jacksonville, I can't help but wonder why Zereoue (60 yards on 9 carries) didn't see a little more action. As for the Stewart fumble of the exchange from center, I'm inclined to give equal credit on that to Kordell, the pouring rain and new center Jeff Hartings. Remember the problems Hartings and Stewart had with fumbling snaps in camp? Which brings me to the good news about the offensive line: Most of these problems should work themselves out as the unit begins to gel. It goes without saying that some serious cohesion has to take place for an offensive line to function properly. Don't panic just yet... as bad as things were against the Jags, it'll come together. And when it does (hopefully sooner rather than later), we'll get a REAL look at Mularkey's new offense. In all honesty, of more long-term concern to me at the moment is the lack-luster, passive, uninspired performance by Pittsburgh's defense, who pretty much stunk it up out there. Injuries to DE Kimo Von Oelhoffen and Rookie LB Kendrell Bell certainly didn't help and pointed out all too clearly our glaring lack of depth. The front seven failed to apply any pressure on Brunell (who was only sacked once and consistently had GOBS of pocket time), didn't stop the run particularly effectively, and pretty much hung an already shaky secondary out to dry. Brunell (15 of 26, 198 yards, 3 TDs) & Jimmy Smith (8 catches, 126 yds, 2 TD) ate us alive. The Jags simply OWNED the middle of the field through the air, and while Fred Taylor (24 carries, 96 yds) didn't cram it down our thoats like he did last year in Jacksonville, he ran well enough to keep the Steelers off balance. I didn't keep a tally, but it seems like there were a number of runs over 10 yards. I'm not sure who was blowing it for us... my guess is the linebackers. As with the O-line, some of this will work itself out as the season progresses, but with only 16 games on the schedule (a lot of 'em real toughies), one has to wonder how long we can afford to wait. Aren't they supposed to work this stuff out during all those lame preseason games? Speaking of injuries, Josh Miller is fortunate to have not been seriously injured. This guy could've been the team MVP last year..he did as much to win the battle of field position as anyone on the team. I'm glad he's okay (for the most part). While we're on the topic of our punter, our special teams SUCKED today. The blocked punt that got Miller injured (and led to a Jags TD) was absolutely unforgivable. I don't know who missed their assignment, but if I'm Josh Miller, I won't be sending 'em a Christmas card. I guess that crazy punt return/fumble thing could be overlooked as a fluke, but it lead to a J-ville TD nonetheless. Jay Hayes, get your boys in gear! One final observation... the Steelers didn't look the least bit physical in this game on either side of the ball. Most notably, the Jags were FAR more aggressive on defense, which totally surprised me. The trademark of last year's Steeler defense was that win or lose, they played HARD for the entire 60 minutes. Even when they were losing, you got the feeling they wanted to make sure that the opposition would be thinking about 'em while nursing their bumps & bruises in the whirlpool come Monday morning. Tim McMillen Webmaster, McMillen & Wife |
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So, out of total igonrance, I'll add this. In 1992 we upset Houston on opening day with a drammatic upset victory that set the tone for the next six seasons. Season result - 1 seed in AFC playoffs but a 1st round loss. In 1993 we went up against the 49whiners and lost 24-13, a score that makes the game look closer than it was. End result, a wild card loss to Joe Montana's Cheifs. In 1994 we got out ASSES kicked by Dallas 26-9, and folks, I remember that game well, the score doesn't show how bad that game was. End result - 1 seed, and well, then the San Diego game.... 1n 1995 we beat the Lions, but in the first half Rod Woodson get struck down in the prime of his careear. End result Kneel O'Dummel costs us a 5th Lombardi Trophy. In 1996 we open in Jacksonville. Not only do we get pounded 24-9, but Greg Lloyd gets struck down in the prime of his careear. In 1997 we open against Dallas again, and get spanked 37-7. End result, 2nd seed in the AFC. In 1998 we open against a still mediocre Baltimore team, and win. End result - start 7-5, and then follow with a TOTAL melt down to 7-9, easily playing some of the worst football at the end of the year. In 1999 we open against the Clowns and throb them 43-0. End result 6-11. Last year we got out teeth kicked in by Baltimore, yet finished 9-7 only to be kept out of the playoffs yet again by Bubby Brister! What does all of this mean with regard to the rest of the season? Well, not having seen the game nothing. (hell, for all I know Bettis could have torn an ACL.) But it does go to show that you don't always finish the season the way you start it. later, KT PS Oh, ESPN didn't carry the game last night, nor is it carrying the Monday night game now. I'd thought I'd be able to get the ESPN and ABC games on ESPN Latin American, but it doesn't look like it.... First, No I do not like Stewart...& No, it is not all his fault. Kordell took over after O'Donnel, who's superbowl play cost us the game. Kordell looked great as Slash and had everyone in awe at that time. But it has now been 7 long years later and he is still making rookie mistakes...it has almost been a decade for Stewart to turn it around not 4 years as you mentioned previously, big difference. This years’ offense is designed to "highlight Kordell's strengths" and make it easier to move the ball. Unfortunately, Kordell has not proven he can effectively or accurately throw the ball over 10 yards. Our current receivers are not consistent, but it is hard for a receiver to be consistent when you have a quarterback that is so sporadic. The old saying "you play at the level of whom you are playing with (or against)" is true for this case. Stewart did it in 97 when great talent on every part of the team surrounded him, and they helped him play over his head. Now that he is a veteran and a leader on our team, he is not good enough to raise his teammates playing level. Now as far as not being able to run the ball or play defense for 60 minutes…You can’t run the ball if your entire offense runs within ten yards and never stretches an opposing defense to loosen it up. The other teams defense will stack the line and destroy you. Also, you can’t keep your defense on the field the entire time and expect them to win the game; they will make a mistake and give up points. You can’t expect a defense to totally contain a decent offense and also score the points for an ineffective offense. Back to the beginning, it is not all his fault; he is only 1 man on a team of 11. However, he is not the real deal, and needs to be replaced. It is not his fault the Steelers have giving him 7 years to become a quarterback. With No Payback! I don’t like Stewart, but as long as he is the Steelers quarterback, I can only hope that he can play better and the Steelers can win some games and get back into the playoffs this year. 1) This is the first real game EVER at our new stadium. This is a momentous occasion that every player, coach, and fan can look back on... forever. 2) There will be well over 60,000 screaming Steeler maniacs on hand. 3) The players will have all been asked "What the hell is wrong with you guys?" all week long and will be very pissed off. 4) The Browns are not our buddies. 5) The Steelers are playing under the lights on national television. They seem to enjoy that and play well under those circumstances. CONCLUSION- The Cleveland Browns are going to get the absolute shit beat out of them. Let's all enjoy it. After that we can be analytical. Sunday night will be a great time to be a Steelers fan. Don't throw in the towel just yet my Steeler bretheren! Still Love you though, Tommy Fleetwood Julio P.S.--- Coughlin has been known to acquire waived players from teams he is about to play, but Battles does not believe he was brought over solely for that purpose. He was asked to talk about the Steelers' tendencies as soon as he arrived, but that he did not feel like he was revealing any great secrets. "I was just confirming stuff they already knew," Battles said. "I'm pretty convinced that they got me because they like me as a player." Don't have a comment on the game or the team but I just gotta say you've built yourself one hell of a website. I believe you're writing sometimes surpasses the skill and observations of writers of some local sports sections at times. Love readin everything! Keep up the great work... Brian Sincerely, Dan Webmaster The Blast Furnace http://steelcitysports.tripod.com I was always say that if people think this is one man game they need to watch tennis!!!! GO KORDELL AND THE STEELERS FOOTBALL TEAM!!!!!!!! Open your eyes: KORDELL SUCKS! At best, he's mediocre. He can't move the football and he does it, it's for a FG. His best year was 4 years ago, we can't live by the past, let's change. At least, I know I want the Stillers to win. thanks George Mathis. NY Steel! ANYWAY NO MATTER HOW BUMPY THE RIDE,LET'S KEEP THE FAITH MY STEELER BROTHERS AND SISTERS.I FOR ONE WILL NEVER GET OFF THE RIDE!I'M A STEELER FAN FOREVER!GO STEELERS!!JAGWADS SEEYA IN DA BURGH! Keep up the good work and positive attitude, McMillen! GO STEELERS!!! P.S.--By the way, it was Whitman who didn't pick up Donovan Darius on that blocked punt. That being said, it's only one game. Tim, being I did not get to see the game, I will trust your all knowing eyes as a fine interpretation as to what occurred. I expect Cowher to get "da boys" set straight, and expect they will come out all fired up and ready to play this Sunday at Heinz..... Again, I apologize and it won't happen again!! Hell, it could have been worse, we could have had an ugly, pathetic display like that of Vinnie Testeverde attempting to tackle yesterday. Damn..that was funny!!! Sean Kelly Please explain to me, O Wise One, how Kordell "lost us the game?" Was it Kordell's responsibility to cover Jimmy Smith? Was it Kordell's responsibility to cover the middle of the field in the defensive zone? Was it Kordell's responsibility to cover Donovan Darius on punt protection? Was it Kordell's responsiblity to block for himself on pass plays and to block for Jerome Bettis on running plays? Was it Kordell's responsibility to ensure that Hines Ward doesn't fumble in his own territory? Was it Kordell's responsibility to keep Bobby Shaw from tipping a ball that clearly wasn't intended for him? I'd love to understand how Kordell lost us this game. Is EVERY FREAKIN' THING that goes wrong for this team Kordell's fault? Bettis carries the ball 12 times???? You're killin me. I will admit Amos is looking good but I still believe the Bus is the best way to pound the ball. Overall, the team sucked. They were emabarassed to be there and it showed. Horrible play calling, turnovers (2 INT & a fumble on the Jax 8 for Mr Stewart), a non-existent secondary and Kordell lost us the game. Get ready fans...as long as Kordell is getting the snaps we will be catching some serious beatings. All I know is if they lose next week to the Brown-stains Kordell will have to take a number, because I will kill myself. I'll take Mark Malone out of the announcers' booth for QB over Kordell!! Where in the Hell was all these nuances that Mularky has been hiding for the regular season. I'm so sick of Kordell's lack of production. I say put Maddox in. At least he's a leader who takes charge of a huddle and inspires his team. Anything is better than this!! I have supported Kordell for years and it sickens me to think that it has all been wasted. The only thing missing today was another embarrassing shot of him Kordell crying on the sideline. I guess Mularky is going to have to start looking for a new job because the simpler offense is confusing Kordell. It has to be the Offensive coordinators fault again!! I guess I should have waited a day to cool off before writing this. But their performance was so embarrassing. But, having stated all this, I will once again brake out all my Steelers equipment and follow my stupid ritual and cheer for my Steelers next week. THEY BETTER BEAT CLEVELAND NEXT WEEK!!!!! Thanks for letting me vent. Steelers fan for life. Ronald E. Stough Take care From a Die Hard Steeler Fan in Maine Dan Clavette Nat Go Steelers p.s. -- never thought I'd say this but I'm worried about playing the cleveland clowns next week! <<< Back to Mac & Wife's
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