Soul Searching at Mid-Season

Soul Searching at Mid-Season by Steel Soul
  

What propels a team from 2-6 in the first half of 2003 to 7-1 in the same span of the following season?  As of week 8 of 2004, the defense consisted of 7 new starters when compared to 2003, including the entire defensive backfield.  On offense, the rookie QB started six games in the first half of the year, the starting right guard never played a snap in the regular season, and the prized free agent tailback has found the end zone once.  Present that scenario to any Steeler fan on September 12th before kickoff and you were most likely to hear a one-word expletive to describe the outlook for 2004.

 

Comparing the first 8 games of the last two seasons:

 

• In 2003, time of possession was not a problem through early November, as the Steelers held the ball slightly less than 31 minutes per outing.  The 2004 smashmouth Steelers possess the ball for over three and a half minutes more than last year's version.  To put this in historical perspective, the 34:26 mpg in 2004 is second only to the championship Bears of the mid-80's.� Translating the current TOP advantage over an entire season, with 30 minutes as the average for time of possession, the offense would save the defense over two games worth of snaps.� That�s the best method imaginable for protecting an inexperienced secondary.

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• No doubt this is a result of the re-commitment to the run, which has increased carries by 50% and ground yardage by 73 per over the first half of 2003.

 

• The unplanned insertion of Ben at QB has helped in two tangible areas.  Sacks allowed dropped from 24 to 13 during the initial 8 game window.  No longer does the wind of a defensive linemen's flapping wrist tape take down the Steelers' QB.  Ben's strength, agility, and Jedi-like pocket presence allow him to escape and prevent sack situations that normally had Tommy staring at the sky.  In turn, this has kept numerous plays alive, contributing to the 43.3% third down conversion rate, over 11 percentage points higher than the 2003 mark at the halfway point.

 

• The contribution of the defense related to smothering the run cannot be overlooked when assessing the time of possession advantage, as the 2004 group has permitted over 13 yards less per contest, putting them atop the NFL in this category at 81 yards begrudgingly allowed per outing.  In recent weeks, huge first half leads, injured starting RB's, and the opponents willingness to abandon the run have aided their climb in this category.

 

• In recognition of both sides of the ball, the team's turnover margin was -6 after eight contests in 2003, including three of -2 or worse.  This year, the Steelers have been far more opportunistic on defense and careful on offense, registering a +8 with three games of +3 or better.

 

• For the last three years I�ve been an ardent detractor of Coach Cowher.� One of my main arguments against Billy was his inability to win as an underdog.� To my knowledge, his team has done just the opposite in the past three weeks (I�m not sure if Vegas favored Philly by 1, since Mexican sports media begins and ends with the brand of football involving a net at the end of each field).� Congratulations to Bill and his staff for shutting my mouth on this front.� I�ll wait and see what transpires in the playoffs before I start a fund for a William Laird Cowher statue on the North shore, but the preparation and focus during this campaign continue to improve.

 

• If you cannot see the variety in Dick LeBeau�s blitz packages from week to week and stubbornly subscribe to the belief that they�re still running the same zone blitz scheme used under Tim Lewis, your Steeler fandom should be revoked.�

 

Random Soul Searching

 

• On a return flight home from Cancun this past Sunday, the pilot was kind enough to relay updated scores from the Steelers eventual beating of the Eagles over the address system.  Seven, fourteen, and then twenty-one to nothing.  Neither a hijacker nor a terrorist, simply an overly superstitious Steeler fan, I thought of ways to coerce the captain into rerouting the flight to prevent my return to the land of black and gold.  "Take one for the team and fans and stay out of the country", I thought.  While on vacation, the Steelers beat the two teams widely accepted as the best in the NFL.  Not only won, but dominated with unbridled use of force.  My absence must have something to do with the team's ascension to elite status - right?

 

• Continuing the recent trend of honoring 1979 Steelers, I wanted to note a strange stat from that season regarding the almighty turnover ratio.� The �79 squad finished -10 for the season, including eight and nine giveaways against the Chargers and Bengals, respectively.�� ��

 

• A member of the entertainment staff at our resort in Cancun is now a proud owner of a shirt claiming �If You Ain�t a Pittsburgh Fan, You Ain�t Sh*t�.� Muchas gracias to Jose for wearing the shirt the day of the Patriots� surrender, proving that the Steeler nation has no borders.

 

• People from Chicago, San Diego, Knoxville, and even Boston were quick to admit that Big Ben is the man.

 

• Thanks to the people at the Outback Steakhouse in Cancun for withstanding our �unbridled enthusiasm� during the red-headed stepchild beating of the Pats.� Tequila and football mix quite well, despite a total disregard for moderation.

 

• Here�s wishing Myron Cope a quick recovery and return to the radio broadcasts.� Whether you appreciate his fervor for the black and gold or despise his grating voice and non-football related diatribes, Cope is an icon in Steelers� lore.� I happen to lean heavily towards the side of appreciation.� Realize that he won�t be providing color much longer, turn off the buffoons CBS or Fox plops in the booth, and listen to Mr. Cope before he leaves us. �He gave us the Terrible Towel, and he loves this team as much as anyone.

 

Statistics from espn.com and nfl.com

 

Please submit replies to steelsoul@stillers.com

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