mesaSteeler
08-29-2009, 11:13 PM
Harris: Steelers flex muscles in victory
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_640733.html
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Steelers officially put the rest of the NFL on notice Saturday night.
Sure, it was only a preseason game that will be long forgotten once the regular season begins Sept. 10.
Yeah, and the Steelers weren't trying to show the Buffalo Bills a thing or two at Heinz Field.
Along with the Tennessee Titans.
And the Chicago Bears.
And the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers' first three regular-season opponents will catch an eyeful when they study the tape from last night's first half.
It was 2008 all over again.
When the starters from both teams were on the field, the reigning Super Bowl champions dominated the Bills thoroughly and completely.
In the third preseason game — the only one that's supposed to mean anything because the starters play longer than normal — the Steelers were so efficient it was scary.
The Steelers led, 17-0, at halftime.
They had 12 first downs to Buffalo's three, and amassed 209 total yards to 50 for the Bills. The Steelers ran off 38 plays to Buffalo's 19.
Receiver Terrell Owens didn't play for Buffalo last night because of injury. Lucky for him.
Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was limited to 27 passing yards in the first half. Edwards was sacked once, hurried on several other throws and tossed an interception that inside linebacker James Farrior returned 22 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Farrior also had four tackles, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble — all before intermission. At 34, the Steelers' oldest starter isn't getting older, he's getting better.
As for that Steelers run defense that was giving up more than 100 yards through the first two preseason games? Never been better.
Buffalo rushed for 28 yards in the first half. That isn't very good, until you realize the Bills had only 22 net yards passing in the opening 30 minutes.
The Steelers' defense opened the game with nose tackle Casey Hampton on the sideline and only two defensive linemen — Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel — on the field.
The surprise formation worked. Buffalo passed for a 4-yard gain on first down. A running play gained a yard on second down. On third down, cornerback Deshea Townsend broke up a pass.
That pretty much sums up how the Steelers' defense played all night.
Not to be outdone, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shredded Buffalo's defense.
In one half of work, Roethlisberger completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards. He had a passer rating of 103.5.
Hines Ward had five receptions for 74 yards, and Limas Sweed had four receptions for 34 yards. Heath Miller, Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall had two catches each.
Mendenhall, starting for the injured Willie Parker (hamstring), carried the ball 16 times for 48 yards in the first half. More than once, he displayed a nice burst to get to the second level of defenders.
Mendenhall, running strong and hard between the tackles, finished off a 13-play drive near the end of the first half with a 4-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 lead.
It was a performance that was more than coach Mike Tomlin could have wished for.
His Steelers showed the rest of the league they remain a force to be reckoned with.
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_640733.html
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Steelers officially put the rest of the NFL on notice Saturday night.
Sure, it was only a preseason game that will be long forgotten once the regular season begins Sept. 10.
Yeah, and the Steelers weren't trying to show the Buffalo Bills a thing or two at Heinz Field.
Along with the Tennessee Titans.
And the Chicago Bears.
And the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers' first three regular-season opponents will catch an eyeful when they study the tape from last night's first half.
It was 2008 all over again.
When the starters from both teams were on the field, the reigning Super Bowl champions dominated the Bills thoroughly and completely.
In the third preseason game — the only one that's supposed to mean anything because the starters play longer than normal — the Steelers were so efficient it was scary.
The Steelers led, 17-0, at halftime.
They had 12 first downs to Buffalo's three, and amassed 209 total yards to 50 for the Bills. The Steelers ran off 38 plays to Buffalo's 19.
Receiver Terrell Owens didn't play for Buffalo last night because of injury. Lucky for him.
Bills quarterback Trent Edwards was limited to 27 passing yards in the first half. Edwards was sacked once, hurried on several other throws and tossed an interception that inside linebacker James Farrior returned 22 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Farrior also had four tackles, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble — all before intermission. At 34, the Steelers' oldest starter isn't getting older, he's getting better.
As for that Steelers run defense that was giving up more than 100 yards through the first two preseason games? Never been better.
Buffalo rushed for 28 yards in the first half. That isn't very good, until you realize the Bills had only 22 net yards passing in the opening 30 minutes.
The Steelers' defense opened the game with nose tackle Casey Hampton on the sideline and only two defensive linemen — Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel — on the field.
The surprise formation worked. Buffalo passed for a 4-yard gain on first down. A running play gained a yard on second down. On third down, cornerback Deshea Townsend broke up a pass.
That pretty much sums up how the Steelers' defense played all night.
Not to be outdone, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shredded Buffalo's defense.
In one half of work, Roethlisberger completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards. He had a passer rating of 103.5.
Hines Ward had five receptions for 74 yards, and Limas Sweed had four receptions for 34 yards. Heath Miller, Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall had two catches each.
Mendenhall, starting for the injured Willie Parker (hamstring), carried the ball 16 times for 48 yards in the first half. More than once, he displayed a nice burst to get to the second level of defenders.
Mendenhall, running strong and hard between the tackles, finished off a 13-play drive near the end of the first half with a 4-yard touchdown run for a 17-0 lead.
It was a performance that was more than coach Mike Tomlin could have wished for.
His Steelers showed the rest of the league they remain a force to be reckoned with.
John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or 412-481-5432.