By Sean Geddes
Charlie Batch willed a team to victory with shear guts and his smarts, a little luck helped too.
Rashard Mendenall ran hard and could have broken a few more than that great 34 yard TD.
Isaac Redman does the little things that help this team win; including a great block on Batch’s run.
Mike Wallace is extremely fast, and I don’t need to say anything more.
Hines Ward worked hard all day, and it didn’t show any more than on that TD catch.
Antwaan Randle El hadn’t made much noise until a clutch third down grab just before the two minute warning.
Heath Miller is too good of a player to only catch two passes.
Max Starks neutralized Tampa’s best pass rushers all day.
Chris Kemoeatu pulls around the line and no one will get in his way.
Maurkice Pouncey did a great job against three of the younger promising DT’s in football, and gets to the second level very quickly.
Doug Legursky proved he deserves another shot starting at RG, and Trai Essex might get Wally Pipp-ed.
Flozell Adams is a dominating run blocking force when he gets the chance to be.
Aaron Smith made two linemen look silly way too often; he’s really just that good.
Casey Hampton anchored the line against a running game who managed a total of 75 yards.
Brett Keisel runs extremely well for a 290 pounder if I do say so myself.
LaMarr Woodley didn’t register a sack for the first time in ten games, but is improving in the coverage department.
Lawrence Timmons looked less beast like, but got his first sack in what was still a very good game.
James Farrior played a good game again, and is proving he can still play at a high level despite his age.
Larry Foote not only made an appearance, but looked really good in the time he played.
James Harrison absolutely scares the bejeezus out of me… and several Buccaneers players I bet.
Ryan Clark showed impressive hand eye coordination on that quick fumble snag and run.
Troy Polamalu may have only played about a half, but still made plays on the sideline after a great performance on the field.
Ike Taylor still can’t catch a cold… or a gift wrapped over the shoulder pass.
Bryant McFadden again played great football, within this system he is a great corner.
William Gay proved that he is a much, much, much better nickel corner than he is a number two.
Jeff Reed continued kicking off well, and made every kick he lined up for.
Daniel Sepulveda had one punt and it bounced right for 62 yards.
Every single back up we had come in either made a play, or almost made an even bigger play trying.
This was by far the Steelers most impressive win, thanks in part to the great play of Charlie Batch, whose veteran savvy benefited the Steelers much more than Dixon’s athleticism proved to in week one and week two. Like I said, a little luck helped too, with one interception turning into a Mike Wallace touchdown, and one Mike Wallace touchdown that might have been an interception against a more aware (and non-rookie linebacker turned safety) safety in the ball game, but you definitely take TD’s that way too. We ran the ball for 200 yards, and didn’t allow a single sack, which was nice to see. Mendenhall looks like he’s about to break one every few runs, and is playing the way we all expected when he was drafted in the first round a few years ago.
Defensively we remain on an absolute terror. Constantly pressuring the QB, and making plays everywhere on the field; despite their sixth overall ranking defensively, it’s safe to say this is probably the best defense in the league right now. Our linebackers are ferocious, including Jason Worilds, who got his first career sack this past Sunday. Our line is controlling the trenches, and our corners and safeties are stopping their receivers and letting the splash plays come to them. This defense is a thing of true beauty right now.
Game Ball- Offense: Mike Wallace (solid tip of the cap to Charlie Batch)- Those two log TD’s were what you would expect from a guy who can outrun just about everybody and almost every pass too/
Game Ball- Defense: Brett Keisel– I’m not sure how you can’t give it to the Beard after that return TD
Opponents who Stood Out– Josh Freeman, who played as good of a game as you would expect from a young guy facing Dick LeBeau’s defense for the first time. LeGarrette Blount runs hard, and fights hard for every yard. Ronde Barber is ageless.
This Sunday… The Ravens. Get ready for a fight.
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