Despite Steelers’ Success, Patriots Still Team of The Decade

Let me just start by saying I love the Steelers, I really do. But there is simply no denying that the Patriots are the team of this decade, even if Pittsburgh wins the Super Bowl this season.

Another Steelers title would match New England’s three, but you still can’t convince me that the Steelers were better during this decade.

New England has been to four Super Bowls starting with the 2001 season, including back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. They registered the most wins of any team during this decade, including a perfect regular season in 2007.

If it were not for a fluke catch in Super Bowl XLII by David Tyree, there would be no discussion.

Another thing working against the Steelers in this argument is Pittsburgh’s inability to beat the Patriots head-to-head in the playoffs. Twice the Patriots came into Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship game and came away with convincing wins.

Maybe if Pittsburgh were to beat New England convincingly in this season’s AFC Championship game and go on to back-to-back titles of their own, the Steelers could stake some sort of claim to the title of decade’s best.

I know, I know, Steelers’ fans will argue about the whole “Spygate” incident and what effect it had on the number of Super Bowl titles the Patriots have won. Some fans will go so far as to say the Patriots flat out cheated and should be disqualified from the team of the decade discussion.

I’m sorry, I don’t necessarily buy into that theory.

Every team tries to gain a competitive edge any way possible, and I’m sure many of them have done things that would push the boundaries of fair play.

The Patriots were caught and punished. Let’s move on.

I don’t think their legacy should be tarnished. Did everyone forget about the Raiders of the 70’s, who were notorious for stretching the rules whenever they could get away with it?

Their legacy was not tarnished, if anything it was enhanced. Those Raider teams from that era are widely recognized as some of the greatest in history, and I don’t remember hearing cries for them to relinquish any of their Lombardi trophies.

The Steelers are perennial contenders and could end up winning a few more titles in the next couple of years, but this decade has clearly belonged to the Patriots.

Let’s give them their due respect.

Does Another Title This Season Make These Steelers a Dynasty?

What is considered a dynasty in professional football? There are just too many variables to answer that question accurately.

Whenever I try to define a dynasty in NFL terms, I always have a couple of questions that come to mind:

 

1. Can there be more than one dynasty during the same era?

If Pittsburgh wins Super Bowl XLIV, they will equal the Patriots total of three in this decade. New England is already widely regarded as a dynasty because of their three titles in four seasons from 2001-2004.

Throw in an undefeated regular season and the highest winning percentage of the decade and you have a pretty solid case.

The Steelers would have three titles in five years from 2005-2009 and a pretty impressive winning percentage of their own.

Would that qualify Pittsburgh as a dynasty?  I’m still not sure.

The Browns and the Lions dominated the NFL in the ’50s, each winning three titles during the decade. Cleveland appeared in seven Championship games, including six in a row from 1950-1955 to earn most people’s vote as the team of the decade.

But in head-to-head matchups for the NFL Championship between the Lions and Browns, Detroit won three out of four. So which team was a dynasty? Both? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

2. Are Super Bowl appearances the most important factor in determining a dynasty? 

The Steelers would pull even with the Patriots with a third title this decade, but New England would have made more Super Bowl appearances with four. Does a loss in the big game count against a team?

During the ’70s, Dallas played in five Super Bowls while Pittsburgh only played in four. But, the Cowboys only won two of those games while the Steelers won all four, including two victories head-to-head against Dallas. The Steelers get the nod.

The Bills played in four straight Super Bowls from 1990-1993 but couldn’t win a single one. Meanwhile, the Cowboys won all three of their appearances, including two lopsided victories over Buffalo.

The Cowboys were considered a dynasty, the Bills were merely a very good team that couldn’t win the big game.

Super Bowl wins appear to weigh more heavily than total appearances.

 

3. Does a team have to be dominant over a certain length of time to be considered a dynasty?

How long does it have to be? Five years? Six? The Steelers have won their two titles in a span of four years, but they have been perennial Super Bowl contenders throughout the decade.

Is that dominant enough or do they need to bring home a few more Lombardi trophies to make a legitimate argument?

Washington made the playoffs seven times and won three Super Bowls during a 10-year span from 1982-1991, but the Redskins don’t drum up much dynasty talk. Why not?

It might be because the 49ers were winning five Super Bowls from 1981-1994, which brings us back to my first question.

This current group of Steelers might not be done winning titles, so we will probably have to reserve judgment for another couple of years. But, I still like the sound of another Steelers’ dynasty to rank right up there with the team from the ’70s.

So, if they win it again this year I’ll call them a dynasty. Maybe.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Highlights of 2008

It took me long enough, but I finally did it. I watched the 2008 Steelers’ season highlights.

After taking an enjoyable trip down memory lane, I realized a few things. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Is there any better rivalry in pro football than Steelers-Ravens?

After three colossal battles in 2008, I can’t wait to see what these two have in store for one another this season. This rivalry is close to the intensity of the old Steelers-Raiders rivalry of the ’70s. You better have the ambulance standing by, because they’re going to be carting someone off the field before it’s over.

2. Did any Steeler ever have a better postseason than Santonio Holmes in 2008?

His punt return for a touchdown in the San Diego game got things rolling. He followed that up with an awesome catch and run for another touchdown in the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens.

But, he saved the best for last in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII when he capped off the greatest drive in Steelers’ history with the game winning catch in the corner of the end zone.

The sky is the limit for this guy. Expect bigger and better things to come.

3. God, I love to watch Ben Roethlisberger play!

I find it hard to express the feeling I get watching Big Ben operate the offense. His skills are truly one of a kind. No other quarterback is as adept at making something out of nothing as Big Ben.

He reminds me of his idol, John Elway in his ability to improvise when things break down. Few quarterbacks in the NFL are more dangerous outside the pocket, and his coolness under pressure as all hell is breaking loose around him demonstrates his ability as one of the best clutch players in the league.

4. I can’t wait for the season to start.

I am always anxious for the start of every season, but I can’t recall being this excited as the new season draws near. The Steelers return 20 of 22 starters from last year’s Super Bowl Champions.

The schedule is more favorable this season, and there is great anticipation over the emergence of Santonio Holmes as a big-time receiver in this league.

There is also the possibility of a super showdown with the mighty Patriots in the AFC Playoffs that could decide which team is crowned the team of the decade.

It all seems to signify that a great season lies ahead. Let’s get it started!

Steelers’ Playmakers Reminiscent of ’70s Title Teams

The NFL off-season is way too long. Who’s with me? 

I am not a patient man. I am a huge football fan, and an even bigger Steelers’ fan. I can’t wait for the season to start.

To pass the time, I like to view footage of old Steelers’ games from my private collection that I have recorded over the last 30 odd years.

Just the other day, I watched one of my favorite games from the ’70s: the ’79 AFC Championship Game vs. the Houston Oilers. As I watched my childhood heroes, it made me think that today’s Steelers are not that unlike their ’70s predecessors.

The thing that stood out to me while watching this game was the uncanny ability of the Steelers’ play-makers to rise up and make a difference at the crucial moments.

One such play was a 3rd-and-20 early in the fourth quarter. The Oilers had just pulled to within 17-13, and had all the momentum. In need of a big play, Terry Bradshaw calmly connected with Lynn Swann for the first down.

The Steelers got a field goal on the drive, and the momentum shifted back into their favor. The Three Rivers crowd was back in the game, and after an Oiler fumble, the Steelers put the game away with a clinching touchdown.

Big plays by their top players at the perfect time, that’s what made that team so great.  No team in NFL history had more talent and big play ability across the board than that ’70s Steelers’ team that won four Super Bowls in six years.

Someone always seemed to step up with a big play when they needed it. Whether it was Terry Bradshaw hitting Lynn Swann or John Stallworth for a long touchdown, Franco Harris rumbling for a 100 yards, or Jack Lambert coming up with a crucial interception (see Super Bowl XIV), the Steelers made a habit of winning big games when most of the world was watching.

The Steelers of today are equally adept at winning when the chips are down. Ben  Roethlisberger has blossomed into one of the league’s premiere clutch quarterbacks.  They have not one, but two Super Bowl MVP winning receivers in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, who seem to shine when the pressure is the greatest.

The defense is consistently ranked No.1, and it is stocked with talent on all fronts. Every one of the starting 11 is capable of a game-changing play. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley spark a ferocious pass rush, while Troy Polamalu is a big play machine all over the field.

This group of Steelers hasn’t finished writing their history yet. They have won two Super Bowls in four years and are capable of much more.

They may never reach the lofty standards established by those old Steelers of the ’70s, but if they achieve their full potential, anything is possible.

Let’s get this season started already!

 

The Steelers Add Much-Needed Depth

There is a reason that the same teams remain at the top of the NFL—they draft well.

The Steelers, Patriots, Colts, Eagles, and Giants all had stellar drafts this weekend and showed why they are the class of the NFL.

I was particularly happy with the way the Steelers addressed their need for depth along both lines and in the secondary.

I thought the Evander Hood pick at the end of round one made sense for Pittsburgh.  From all reports, Hood is a great locker room presence.  He is a team player who makes everyone around him play better.

Hood will have an opportunity to contribute right away, most likely being worked into the rotation along the defensive line.  He adds much needed youth to this group and should have a good chance to crack the starting lineup in a few years.

The Steelers did a good job trading down at the end of round two and adding a couple of third round picks.  Their first pick of round three was guard Kraig Urbik who has good size and the ability to play tackle and center as well.  He could push Darnell Stapleton for the starting right guard spot.

Pittsburgh then added speedy Mike Wallace to compete with Limas Sweed for the No.3 receiver spot.  Wallace can really stretch the field and also gives the Steelers a kick returner they have been sorely lacking for years.

With their next two picks, the Steelers added some depth to the secondary by selecting cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett.  Lewis has good size and does well in press coverage.  The Steelers coaches think he reminds them of Ike Taylor.  Burnett was a playmaker in college who also has good return ability.

With the addition of free agent CB Keiwan Ratliff, I think the Steelers did a fantastic job of adding depth to an important position.

At the end of round five, the Steelers selected big Frank Summers, who could become their new short yardage back.  He can also play some fullback. 

I like this pick.  Short yardage was a major issue last year and Summers will be given an opportunity to help the situation.

I’m not sure about Ra’Shon Harris in round six.  He only started for one year at Oregon and played inconsistently.  Still, with the Steelers lack of depth on the defensive line he will have a chance to catch on.

The Steelers’ first pick of round seven was one of my favorite picks they made in this draft.  Hard working A.Q. Shipley of Penn State gives the Steelers a backup at the center position. 

I am not worried about reports of his arms being too short to be an effective pro center.  He was an extremely efficient player for the Nittany Lions.  Don’t be surprised if Shipley ends up starting for Pittsburgh in a couple of seasons.  This was a good value pick.

With their final pick, the Steelers chose D.J. Johnson, a tight end who can also play fullback.  He could challenge Sean McHugh for a spot on the roster.  Johnson had a good yards per catch average of 16.2 for Arkansas State last year.

All in all, another solid draft by Pittsburgh.  They showed again why they remain one of the top teams in the NFL year in and year out.

Ben Roethlisberger’s Super Bowl XLIII Performance Is Defining Moment for QB

All great quarterbacks have that one significant moment.  The one that defines them as a player.

For some, it comes early in their career.  Johnny Unitas’ moment came in the classic 1958 NFL Championship game against the New York Giants. 

His near-perfect execution of the now-commonplace “two-minute offense” culminated in the first of two consecutive titles.

Unitas would go on to set numerous NFL passing records and also won a Super Bowl following the 1970 season.  But, most people cite his performance in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” as the defining moment of his career.

For Joe Namath, it happened when he was able to deliver on his “guarantee” in Super Bowl III against the heavily favored Colts.  His MVP performance helped destroy the belief that the AFL was a second rate outfit, unable to compete with the established NFL.

Namath’s injury-plagued career ended following his 1977 stint with the Rams, but it was his performance in the biggest game of his career that ultimately got him a bust in the Hall of Fame.

For others, their moment came in the twilight of their career.  Joe Montana’s 92-yard drive to bring the 49ers from behind and capture Super Bowl XXIII against Cincinnati was “Joe Cool” at his best.  His game winning touchdown pass to John Taylor with 34 seconds remaining is one of the super bowl’s most memorable moments. 

Just two years earlier, Joe had nearly been forced to retire because of a serious back injury.  This super bowl performance, which would have earned him MVP had it not been for Jerry Rice’s 11 catches for 215 yards, was classic Montana: cool and calm under pressure.

And who can forget John Elway diving and spinning for a crucial first down late in the Super Bowl XXXII victory over Green Bay.  Elway had finally gotten the gorilla off his back after three previous Super Bowl failures.

Some would point to “The Drive” as Elway’s defining moment, but I disagree.  I will never forget the post game celebration following the super bowl when owner Pat Bowlen held the Lombardi trophy high in the air and shouted, “This one’s for John.”

Which brings us to Ben Roethlisberger’s defining moment.  The fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII, 2:30 left to play and 78 yards to go.  This is the time great quarterbacks take it to another level.  As he had done all season, Ben put the team on his back and began the drive toward immortality.

He had taken a lot of criticism for his Super Bowl XL performance.  Many thought Ben was merely a caretaker for the offense.  Roethlisberger’s incredible game winning drive shattered that myth and silenced the critics.

Ben is only 27 and has already won two Super Bowls.  He could win a few more before he’s done, but he will always be remembered for that perfect pass to Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone.

That was the moment Big Ben took his place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

 

Patriots Remain Steelers’ Main Obstacle In Attempt To Repeat

The New England Patriots are good. Real good. They have been nothing short of a dynasty during this decade.

The Patriots have dominated the new millenium with a winning percentage of .720, set the record for most consecutive wins, and were a fluke, one-handed catch away from winning Super Bowl XLII and completing a perfect 19-0 season.

Last season, they lost their best player—maybe the best player in the league—Tom Brady, in the first quarter of the very first game of the year. They still managed to go 11-5 and nearly made the playoffs.

Simply put, the Patriots have the best talent in the league, the best coach in the league, a winning attitude, and unmatched postseason success. 

When Brady is healthy, the Patriots win—That’s what they do.

With Brady back, New England is once again favored to win the Super Bowl this season. And, they have the Steelers’ number.

Actually, they seem to have every teams’ number, but they have been a painful thorn in Pittsburgh’s side throughout their decade of dominance.

In 2001, in the middle of New England’s magical run to its first Super Bowl title, New England upset the heavily favored Steelers—in Pittsburgh, no less—when former starter Drew Bledsoe came off the bench for the injured Brady.

Bledsoe threw a crucial touchdown pass to David Patten right before halftime that put a dagger in Pittsburgh’s heart.

With several special team blunders and some awful interceptions from Kordell Stewart, the Patriots beat Pittsburgh 24-17.

In the rematch the following year in New England, Stewart struggled again and the Patriots crushed the Steelers 30-14, proving the championship game the previous year was no fluke.

After the Steelers had ended the Patriots’ record winning streak earlier in the season, the two teams faced off again the the 2004 AFC Championship. Brady and company jumped all over Pittsburgh early and the Patriots rolled to a 41-27 win.

The following year during the Steelers’ Super Bowl season, New England beat Pittsburgh again 23-20 on a late field goal at Heinz field.

The Patriots are the Steelers’ Achilles’ heel, no doubt about it.

This Steelers team reminds me of the Redskins of the ’80s and early ’90s. The 49ers were the dominant team of that era, winning four Super Bowls over a nine-year span.

But, the Redskins were able to sneak up and win three Super Bowls of their own during the 49ers dominance without ever having to face San Francisco in any one of their three Super Bowl seasons.

That’s what Pittsburgh has done.

While New England is the most dominant team of this decade, the Steelers are the most opportunistic. They have taken advantage of the Patriots’ down years to win two Super Bowls of their own, and each time they were able to avoid playing New England.

I’m not so sure the Steelers would have won either title had they faced their old nemesis New England at their best. Luckily, we will never know.

One thing is certain. There is a very large, very formidable object standing in the way of another Steelers’ title. Maybe this is the year Pittsburgh proves they can beat the Patriots, or maybe New England will slip and the Steelers will take advantage again. 

One way or another, we will find out. These two teams could be headed for a showdown in the playoffs.

It should be very exciting. I can’t wait.

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