Back to Main Page Week 1 at Cleveland Week 2 at Baltimore Week 3 vs. Seattle Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Week 5 at Buffalo Week 6 at Cincinnati Week 7 vs. Atlanta Week 8 BYE Week 9 at San Fran Week 10 vs. Cleveland Week 11 at Tennessee Week 12 vs. Cincinnati Week 13 at Jacksonville Week 14 vs. Baltimore Week 15 at Kansas City Week 16 vs. Carolina Week 17 vs. Tennessee Here We Go! Post-Season 
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Pittsburgh vs. Carolina This week can be summed up in two words - LINE PLAY. Despite the defense's sudden inability to stop anybody, the offense was able to step up and win one for the team. This defense thing concerns me, though, since it was the Defense at the beginning of the year that was winning games for us. Is it the injuries that could be causing so many problems, or is it something deeper than that. For example, Lee Flowers got beat in the second quarter big-time, and it was because he bit on a play fake and let the receiver behind him. These mental lapses are becoming more and more alarming on a team that is supposedly well coached. I'm not ready to lay blame at Cowher's feet yet, but maybe Haslett is the problem. It's obvious that there are problems on the defensive side of the ball, but the cause is still up in the air. It might be the injuries, but the Steelers have been able to overcome injuries before. It might be lack of talent, and although I would tend to agree in the defensive secondary, the front seven is as good as any in the league despite injuries. I also see good players making stupid mistakes (see Lee Flowers above). It was nice to see the O-Line show up. If Bettis runs for 135 yards in the majority of games this season, Stewart would still be under center and we would be talking about who we would be playing in the first round of the playoffs - probably hosting a wild-card game. If Bettis wasn't getting hit three yards deep in the backfield all year (exception being yesterday), then he would have run for 100+ yards in almost all his games this year. There are other areas to point blame this year, but the O-Line is the biggest culprit this year! The area that must be solidified for next year (when Kordell goes back under center - mark my words) is wide receiver. Other than the finally emerging Edwards and the occasional solid play of Hines Ward, this teams receivers simply suck! T-zak's INT yesterday should have been caught by a Steeler's receiver, but the receiver popped the ball up into the air (which is amazing since the pass was thrown low) and was picked out of the air by a Carolina Panther. These guys can't get separation, don't run the right routes, can't catch the ball when thrown to them, and don't scare anybody's defensive secondary. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the poor receivers contributed to the poor play of the offensive line; the defenses could essentially run a gap-8 style defense and win the numbers game with the O-line. This could have been countered with better line play and execution at the point of attack, but it was definitely a contributing factor. I guess I should just be happy with a win. Okay, I'm happy! I'll be even happier next week with a win vs. Tennessee, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too high! Scott Springer Steeler's Fan stuck in "Raven's Country" (At least according to the local TV and Radio stations) Tom Bragg http://community.webtv.net/francoharris/TomsPittsburgh Tommy P.S.--She said Yes! On defense, it was Kirkland (who else?) leading the charge, forcing 2 fumbles (one of which was returned 102 yards by Travis Davis for a TD), leading the team in tackles (as usual) with 10, and recording a huge sack. Yes, the defense gave up their seemingly obligatory HUGE plays for TDs (a 41-yard breakaway run, a record 88-yard TD pass, and a disgusting 40-something yard Hail Mary for a TD at the end of the half), but they buckled down in the 2nd half and didn't allow a single point. And besides that, Lee Flowers beat the living crap out of a Panther. I'll take it, my bruthas! Hopefully, we can find a way to beat the Tuxedos next week and finish the season on the rise. Frankly, I'm so high after after the win today, I almost believe we can do it! GO STEELERS! Tim McMillen Webmaster, McMillen & Wife
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