lamberts-lost-tooth
10-06-2009, 11:18 AM
Where We Stand Going Into Week 5
2 wins and 2 losses. No way around that. As of right now we are a .500 team. No excuses, no what-ifs.
The immediate future looks good with the next two games being Detroit and Cleveland, so unless Ben takes up Motorbike Demolition Derby again, we should go into the Minnesota game 4-2.
I firmly believe that stats can be decieving so take the following stats for what they are worth. I think on a basic level there is alot to be happy about, and I think it is obvious there are some areas that need to addressed.
OFFENSE
#6 Ranked Total Offense: This is made up of the #3 ranked passing offense and the#16 ranked run offense.
What this means: Being in the top team in overall offense is good news considering the problems we have had with the running game. I think there is reason to believe that we actually will be ranked higher in the near future based on the play of the O-line and the emergence of M-hall at the RB position. Even if Willie gets his starting position back, which is probable, I think he will have some rear-mirror motivation from here on out.
DEFENSE
#5 Ranked Total defense: Made up of the #3 ranked run defense and #15 ranked pass defense.
What this means: Hard to believe that we are #5 with the way our defense has played in the 4th quarter, but make no mistake about it, the return of Polamalu is going to patch up a pass defense that has been scrambling to replace a player that teams have to plan against. His return will not only raise the ranking on our pass defense but will have a positive effect on the run defense. Any team that thinks they will be able to air it out in the 4th is going to be surprised when our secondary can get back to playing in the postitions and way they are used to.
Special Teams:
#7 net average in punts: our punt team is much better than this stat shows. Our ranking is lowered by the fact that Sepulveda doesnt have to punt the length of the field on a regular basis. He is ranked #8 in pinning opponants inside the 20. Our punt defense is ranked #8 also, and a lot of that can be accredited to Sepulveda's leg.
#14 in kickoff average: This may be higher except that our kickoff defense is ranked #24, which is unacceptable. Nothing wrong with Reeds leg on kickoffs, but plenty that can be criticized in our coverage.
#21 in punt returns and #14 in kickoff returns: Not numbers to get excited about at all, but every true Steeler fan is happy that we are not muffing returns every game. I give Logan a pass on losing a ball last game, that play falls on the back of the officiating crew who should have blown the play dead long before the ball was stripped. Like many, I have a feeling with every return that Logan is ready to take one to the house.
#28 in field goal %: If you are going to turn down a contract to be the Steelers field goal kicker, you had better be prepared to show us that you are worth MORE money. Reed is doing the opposite this year. He has won plenty of games for us and I give him a little bit of a benefit of a doubt, but he is working himself towards a day where he hears "With their 5th round pick in the 2010 draft, the Steelers choose Aaron Pettrey, Kicker out of Ohio State."
Take these stats for what they are worth, but all in all I think we have a lot to be optimistic about.
2 wins and 2 losses. No way around that. As of right now we are a .500 team. No excuses, no what-ifs.
The immediate future looks good with the next two games being Detroit and Cleveland, so unless Ben takes up Motorbike Demolition Derby again, we should go into the Minnesota game 4-2.
I firmly believe that stats can be decieving so take the following stats for what they are worth. I think on a basic level there is alot to be happy about, and I think it is obvious there are some areas that need to addressed.
OFFENSE
#6 Ranked Total Offense: This is made up of the #3 ranked passing offense and the#16 ranked run offense.
What this means: Being in the top team in overall offense is good news considering the problems we have had with the running game. I think there is reason to believe that we actually will be ranked higher in the near future based on the play of the O-line and the emergence of M-hall at the RB position. Even if Willie gets his starting position back, which is probable, I think he will have some rear-mirror motivation from here on out.
DEFENSE
#5 Ranked Total defense: Made up of the #3 ranked run defense and #15 ranked pass defense.
What this means: Hard to believe that we are #5 with the way our defense has played in the 4th quarter, but make no mistake about it, the return of Polamalu is going to patch up a pass defense that has been scrambling to replace a player that teams have to plan against. His return will not only raise the ranking on our pass defense but will have a positive effect on the run defense. Any team that thinks they will be able to air it out in the 4th is going to be surprised when our secondary can get back to playing in the postitions and way they are used to.
Special Teams:
#7 net average in punts: our punt team is much better than this stat shows. Our ranking is lowered by the fact that Sepulveda doesnt have to punt the length of the field on a regular basis. He is ranked #8 in pinning opponants inside the 20. Our punt defense is ranked #8 also, and a lot of that can be accredited to Sepulveda's leg.
#14 in kickoff average: This may be higher except that our kickoff defense is ranked #24, which is unacceptable. Nothing wrong with Reeds leg on kickoffs, but plenty that can be criticized in our coverage.
#21 in punt returns and #14 in kickoff returns: Not numbers to get excited about at all, but every true Steeler fan is happy that we are not muffing returns every game. I give Logan a pass on losing a ball last game, that play falls on the back of the officiating crew who should have blown the play dead long before the ball was stripped. Like many, I have a feeling with every return that Logan is ready to take one to the house.
#28 in field goal %: If you are going to turn down a contract to be the Steelers field goal kicker, you had better be prepared to show us that you are worth MORE money. Reed is doing the opposite this year. He has won plenty of games for us and I give him a little bit of a benefit of a doubt, but he is working himself towards a day where he hears "With their 5th round pick in the 2010 draft, the Steelers choose Aaron Pettrey, Kicker out of Ohio State."
Take these stats for what they are worth, but all in all I think we have a lot to be optimistic about.