Steeler Fan-Good Luck on the remaining season

[TMC]

I know that a lot of you probably do not want to hear from the fans of the team that ruined your day, but I think there are some things you have to take away from this game.

Last year, the Steelers finished 5th in total defense. We did it without Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith, who were injured. Now, while Casey Hampton did get hurt and did not play the 2nd half, we have always felt that Chris Hoke is about as good a backup for a NT as we can get. We have a much better #2 at NT than we did last season at DE and losing Smith hurt. Losing Troy killed us because he makes those plays, like he did today, that seem to come from no where. We also got McFadden back and it should stabilize our corner. What I am trying to state is, we were top 5 last season and #1 the year before. I did not think that Turner would beat us and going in, I felt we would rattle Ryan. That was not the case. You have a very poised and talented QB and you should be VERY excited for the future in Atlanta. Not many QBs face a **** LeBeau defense for the first time and put up 252 passing yards while completing over 60% of his passes. And, your OC put it on his shoulders and he performed. Did Troy get a late pick? Sure, but Troy has picked the likes of Manning, Brady, and many other elite QBs. It does not mean you should not be excited about the guy.

I also felt your OL played exceptionally well. Roddy White was VERY impressive. I think if you had one other solid receiver opposite him, you would have a very dynamic offense. I was impressed with Weems and Douglas and think they would be excellent guys in the slot and in 4/5 wide sets. Keep giving Ryan weapons and you will be really happy in the future.

As for your defense, I have to be honest, I stated on the Steeler message board I frequent that it was a hot mess. I still feel that way a little. I do see a lot of promise there though. Your linebackers are, by far, your strength. Jerry needs more time. I know he starts and he showed potential, but don't get too down on the DL, they need a little time. By next season, Biermann and Jerry will be solid. Losing Babineaux for a game hurt. Abrahams is still beastly. I think Robinson will be okay. He has to shake the rust. Not so sure about your other corner, but Grimes and Owens are young, you have to let them develop some.

I think your defense is a couple players away from being very good.

Just because we made a play in overtime does not mean your team is done. In 2008, the Eagles dismantled the Steelers. They sacked our QB 9 times in one game, knocking Ben out of the game. It was complete humiliation. They destroyed us. Our OL was a disaster all season, but we won enough to make the playoffs. Then, we ran the table.

Its one game. Shake it off. Your team is STILL a solid team. All you have to do is make the playoffs and anything can happen. Keep your heads up guys.

[Ga_spider]

Thanks for the class act. Good luck to you all.

[freebird587]

thanks,i think..and good luck to your team this season...its been nice having some class here this week

[Guest Gritz]

Your post showed more class and football knowledge than about 90% of the drivel that gets posted on here....

Good luck the rest of the season.

[dmite]

Good post. I'm kind of glad we faced your defense first. That gave our offense a great test and we have a lot of good tape to improve on. We had quite a few mistakes that I remember, but they'll get corrected and we'll come out next week full steam ahead. Good luck the rest of the year to you too. Make sure you beat the Aints.

[falcon_bob]

Your post showed more class and football knowledge than about 90% of the drivel that gets posted on here....

Good luck the rest of the season.

It's pretty sad when a rival posts one of the most rational things I've seen here today (when I could access the site, that is).

[Volunteer Falcon]

My god the Steeler fans are more excited about our team then we are, I wish more people on here thought like them.

[DemDirtyBirds4]

Your post showed more class and football knowledge than about 90% of the drivel that gets posted on here....

Good luck the rest of the season.

Have to agree Gritz. One loss and it seems alot of members lose it. All of a sudden everyone on the Falcons suck, we are doomed, ect. I just dont get it. We played a very tough game and lost in OT to a very solid team. I think the Steelers will end up being the best Def we face all year. Is the loss dissappointing? Yes, but that doesnt mean we are done for the season and we need to pack it up and hope for better next year. The team showed alot of heart to day, we just couldnt pull off the win. I for one am ready to whoop some Cardnial *** next week! Go Falcons and good luck to the Steelers the rest of the year, hopefully we can meet again in the Superbowl!

[J-Nice]

I got to give it to you steeler fans, yall have a lot of class. Thanks and i hope we meet again in the SB

[Big Zee]

I know that a lot of you probably do not want to hear from the fans of the team that ruined your day, but I think there are some things you have to take away from this game.

Last year, the Steelers finished 5th in total defense. We did it without Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith, who were injured. Now, while Casey Hampton did get hurt and did not play the 2nd half, we have always felt that Chris Hoke is about as good a backup for a NT as we can get. We have a much better #2 at NT than we did last season at DE and losing Smith hurt. Losing Troy killed us because he makes those plays, like he did today, that seem to come from no where. We also got McFadden back and it should stabilize our corner. What I am trying to state is, we were top 5 last season and #1 the year before. I did not think that Turner would beat us and going in, I felt we would rattle Ryan. That was not the case. You have a very poised and talented QB and you should be VERY excited for the future in Atlanta. Not many QBs face a **** LeBeau defense for the first time and put up 252 passing yards while completing over 60% of his passes. And, your OC put it on his shoulders and he performed. Did Troy get a late pick? Sure, but Troy has picked the likes of Manning, Brady, and many other elite QBs. It does not mean you should not be excited about the guy.

I also felt your OL played exceptionally well. Roddy White was VERY impressive. I think if you had one other solid receiver opposite him, you would have a very dynamic offense. I was impressed with Weems and Douglas and think they would be excellent guys in the slot and in 4/5 wide sets. Keep giving Ryan weapons and you will be really happy in the future.

As for your defense, I have to be honest, I stated on the Steeler message board I frequent that it was a hot mess. I still feel that way a little. I do see a lot of promise there though. Your linebackers are, by far, your strength. Jerry needs more time. I know he starts and he showed potential, but don't get too down on the DL, they need a little time. By next season, Biermann and Jerry will be solid. Losing Babineaux for a game hurt. Abrahams is still beastly. I think Robinson will be okay. He has to shake the rust. Not so sure about your other corner, but Grimes and Owens are young, you have to let them develop some.

I think your defense is a couple players away from being very good.

Just because we made a play in overtime does not mean your team is done. In 2008, the Eagles dismantled the Steelers. They sacked our QB 9 times in one game, knocking Ben out of the game. It was complete humiliation. They destroyed us. Our OL was a disaster all season, but we won enough to make the playoffs. Then, we ran the table.

Its one game. Shake it off. Your team is STILL a solid team. All you have to do is make the playoffs and anything can happen. Keep your heads up guys.

Very classy! You guys have an outstanding D and good luck the rest of the season.

[DavyDmx]

Thanks for the positive post. This was a crushing game to lose even if it was the season opener but, it will teach our players to improve some facets of their game (Hopefully we will meet again in the Super Bowl to even the score ) . Good luck to your team the rest of the season as well.

[Norwood all the way!]

fans like you make the pain of losing a little less hurtful. if there were Steelers trolls running around here before and after the game, my god there would be chaos. thanks for the intelligent post and good luck to you

[wonderboy09]

Wow! What a Knowledgeable and well thought out post! You sir are a TRUE football guy! I really like Tomlin and the Steelers as an organization, and I also wish you guys the best.

[Jen]

Nice classy post. +1 for you. Great win for you guys today. Forgive me if I can't talk about it much yet. These losses give me ulcers.

[FireDawg85]

Good post. I'm kind of glad we faced your defense first. That gave our offense a great test and we have a lot of good tape to improve on. We had quite a few mistakes that I remember, but they'll get corrected and we'll come out next week full steam ahead. Good luck the rest of the year to you too. Make sure you beat the Aints.

Exactly. When you face a great D like that first, everyone else you play don't seem too tough. Great week one challenge for us and will be very beneficial for us for the remaining season. IT AIN"T OVER!

[The Don™]

nice post bro...good luck to you guys

[jm_falcons]

Nice post...but allow me to say this.

Pittsburgh seemed to play a bend but dont break style of pass defense against us. And it worked. Yes he got 252 yds but when we got into the red zone...that is where a good qb and/or good OC will get you into the end zone at least once!?

Our goal here in Atlanta is to beat the Saints and win our division first and foremost. We cannot do that if we cannot put the ball into the end zone 1 time....I dont care how good the defense is.

Good luck with your season...I hope you get Ben's situation ironed out.

[didz]

I feel very similar to the way this topic is stating. It was a tough fought hard road game that didn't go our way. The only thing good about this loss is that it is an AFC match up. It was a good way to play against a great defense and build from here on out. A lot of teams today had a really rough time playing away on the opener. I think only 1 team won an away game today. I am not even sure if it was that much. Cowboys had a tough outing in Washington.

I expect this team to bounce back and play lights out. Today's game could of gone either way and the it didn't go our way this time.

[bossFALCON™]

good post man

[Firstiary]

Great post, thanks.

[atlantaprodj]

Excellent post and observations... thanks for the optimistic outlook as well!

[Joremarid]

Good post but i have to respectfully disagree with some of your assessments.

1. You mentioned that our Oline played "exceptionally well". I disagree. Our oline was good in pass protection but absolutely horrible in the run game. Your front seven plus Troy manhandled our oline. But hey, your defense does that to a lot of teams, however it is what it is and our oline got destroyed.

2. I thought our dline held up very well against your running game and bigger oline. Your offensive coordinator came up with an excellent game plan for dixon, didn't give us too much of a chance to get a consistant pressure on with the screens and short outs, but dixon ran the offensive with much more poise then I expected. He also made a couple of great throws, the one to ward in the 3rd quarter on the rollout on 3rd and long and the deep pass to wallace was perfect. Our dline showed vast improvement against the run and i was pleased with that. I thought the linebackers and safeties also played the run and short passes very well. With the exception of one play though.

I got a little more out of the defense then I expected to, but you guys dismantled our offensive line and to me that was the difference. I thought Ryan played decent, not great, but not bad either, but like you said, your defense has made the greats look horrible so i am not concerned about him.