AUBREY BRUCE
Sunday Sept. 8, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their season against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
They also had a Midget League exhibition at halftime. Hell, as far as I am concerned, maybe the Midget League players should have been allowed to continue.
Last October the Steelers traveled to Tennessee to face the Titans on their home turf and fell short—the Steelers lost 26-23. All of the “local yokels” pointed out that the Titans had home field advantage for the contest in 2012 and such a narrow victory could and maybe should have been expected. One of the primary complaints that graced my eardrums after the loss was about Mike Tomlin’s coaching.
Okay, okay I have not always agreed with all of coach “T’s” decisions but hey, I have not always disagreed with him either. Case in point: let’s compare the last six years of Bill Cowher’s won-lost record to the first six years of Mike Tomlin’s tenure. From 2001-2006 Bill Cowher’s record was 60-32. From 2007-2012 Mike Tomlin’s record is 63-33.
It seems to be the common wisdom spewing from the mouths of the locals that Mike Tomlin inherited Bill Cowher’s team and that, my friends is absolutely, positively correct. But ah, please allow me to expound on these “old wives tales.”
Coach Tomlin became the sole heir to a semi-storied but aging group of athletes. He also lost key players Alan Faneca, Marvel Smith and Jeff Hartings. They also lost key defenders, Joey Porter, Clark Haggans and Kendall Simmons. Coach Tomlin entered the 2013 season with James Harrison, Rashard Mendenhall, Mike Wallace, Keenan Lewis, Max Starks, Willie Colon and Casey “Big Snack” Hampton no longer sporting Black and Gold.
So much for the affirmative action, “Rooney Rule” argument. As I stated previously this is not a rebuilding year, this is a tweaking year. I must now amend that previous tidbit of knowledge because now with the injury to the Steelers All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey there is now some serious doubt as to the production level of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense which already had an O-line which resembled the finest Swiss cheese on the market.
According to a report by by Ed Bouchette/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “The Steelers have signed veteran center Fernando Velasco to a one-year contract to take the place of injured Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey will have surgery to repair a torn MCL and ACL.”
Velasco started 16 games last season for the Tennessee Titans, 13 at center and three at left guard. However, the Titans signed center Rob Turner in free agency and drafted another on the fourth round this year and released Velasco. Although the Steelers have not yet announced any signings, agent Brian Ayrault confirmed Velasco has joined the team.
The Post-Gazette earlier reported that halfback Jonathan Dwyer would resign with [the Steelers]” Oh where, oh where has Max Starks gone, gone? Oh where, oh where can he be? See folks, some years some players may resemble garbage but when catastrophe comes calling, garbage may turn into gold. Let’s suck it up boys and girls.
In an article published by espn.com in September 2004 titled, “Rookie steps in for injured Maddox” then Steelers co-captain offensive lineman Alan Faneca had this to say when he was asked if it was exciting to play alongside then rookie first round draft choice Ben Roethlisberger. “Exciting?” Faneca replied to a question with disbelief in his voice, “No, it’s not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who’s just out of college? Everybody’s got to do a little more,” the All-Pro offensive guard said. “Everybody’s got to help out, got to do a little more, do a little extra, take that extra step, put the extra work in this week and rally around him and help out.”
“It’s a learning process for him. He’s a No. 1 pick, he’s fresh out of college and that’s the big thing. He’s throwing in a new offense. … He has to learn that, too, so there’s a lot to soak in. It’s like every play you get better, you see things, you start to realize things, how a play works, how defenses react to it. It’s just a process.”
Look, Maurkice Pouncey is out for the year, finished, kaput. But as former president Nixon used to say when the going got tough, “let me make one thing perfectly clear; I did not have sex with that woman.” No, I have the wrong commander-in-chief.
My point is everyone that I speak with in and out of the media has some cockeyed theory as to how and why a teammate could hurt another member of the team even if it was an accidental injury. The Pittsburgh offensive philosopy has been questioned by all. But ya know what? With the offensive line and the wide receiver corps being suspect; the short to medium passing game may be the only thing that may work for the team offensively.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is not going to have the time to “tiptoe through the tulips” dilly-dallying around, whistling Dixie because with the shape of Pittsburgh’s offensive line, they will be whistling for a timeout as they cart their 100 million dollar quarterback off the field. Let’s be real; the Steelers O-line has been less than stellar every since “Big Red” (Alan Faneca) departed the Steel city for “Gotham city.” But one thing for certain and two things for sure the Pittsburgh Steelers are rarely caught with their trousers down because as everyone should know by now, almost no organization in the world of sports plans and executes a corporate game plan better than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Your comments are welcome.
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