mesaSteeler
11-14-2011, 06:09 AM
Gay's interception preserves win for Steelers
By Ralph N. Paulk, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, November 14, 2011
CINCINNATI — The Steelers' defense had been ridiculed all season for its inability to force turnovers.
Then, they failed to defuse the criticism in allowing Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco to engineer a game-winning, 92-yard scoring drive last Sunday. It was an embarrassing moment for a proud defense that arrived in Cincinnati in search of atonement.
Cornerback William Gay, admonished by an angry Steelers crowd after Ravens rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith pulled in a touchdown pass with 8 seconds left, gained some semblance of redemption with an interception to cement a 24-17 victory at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
Gay stepped in front of wide receiver Jerome Simpson to gather in quarterback Andy Dalton's errant throw with 2:44 remaining to turn back the Bengals, who were threatening to force the game into overtime.
"It's all about William Gay, because he got a lot of criticism for the (Baltimore) game," linebacker James Farrior said. "He showed what a true professional does. He fought back and didn't worry about what happened last week."
The Bengals gained possession at the Steelers' 49 with 4:28 to go. They had far less ground to cover than the 92 yards Baltimore gained on its decisive scoring drive.
This time, the defense slammed the door. Gay's interception was the decisive blow for a defense that went the distance and helped the Steelers post a crucial AFC North victory heading into their bye week.
"We played some good defense, and that's the bottom line," Gay said. "It was just some good football. We played what Coach (Dick) LeBeau called, and the game went our way."
Typically, Gay didn't reconstruct the play. He dismissed it - and put it behind him - as quickly as he did after surrendering the reception to Smith.
"If you watch the film, we just all around played good football," he said. "We've got to put this win behind us."
Gay and the rest of the Steelers' defense can't dismiss the fact that they have only six turnovers in the first 10 games. They picked up two of those yesterday - including linebacker Lawrence Timmons' pick early in the fourth quarter.
Gay had a hand in both interceptions. He swatted away a pass intended for wide receiver Andre Caldwell, and Timmons caught the ball at the Steelers' 33.
"We knew it was coming," cornerback Ike Taylor said of the elusive turnovers. "It was just a matter of time. We made plays when we needed to.
"We didn't do anything different. It was a mindset that we had to win this game. Last week was last week, and the one thing about it is you get another an opportunity."
Read more: Gay's interception preserves win for Steelers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_767157.html##ixzz1dgH97IiL
By Ralph N. Paulk, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, November 14, 2011
CINCINNATI — The Steelers' defense had been ridiculed all season for its inability to force turnovers.
Then, they failed to defuse the criticism in allowing Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco to engineer a game-winning, 92-yard scoring drive last Sunday. It was an embarrassing moment for a proud defense that arrived in Cincinnati in search of atonement.
Cornerback William Gay, admonished by an angry Steelers crowd after Ravens rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith pulled in a touchdown pass with 8 seconds left, gained some semblance of redemption with an interception to cement a 24-17 victory at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
Gay stepped in front of wide receiver Jerome Simpson to gather in quarterback Andy Dalton's errant throw with 2:44 remaining to turn back the Bengals, who were threatening to force the game into overtime.
"It's all about William Gay, because he got a lot of criticism for the (Baltimore) game," linebacker James Farrior said. "He showed what a true professional does. He fought back and didn't worry about what happened last week."
The Bengals gained possession at the Steelers' 49 with 4:28 to go. They had far less ground to cover than the 92 yards Baltimore gained on its decisive scoring drive.
This time, the defense slammed the door. Gay's interception was the decisive blow for a defense that went the distance and helped the Steelers post a crucial AFC North victory heading into their bye week.
"We played some good defense, and that's the bottom line," Gay said. "It was just some good football. We played what Coach (Dick) LeBeau called, and the game went our way."
Typically, Gay didn't reconstruct the play. He dismissed it - and put it behind him - as quickly as he did after surrendering the reception to Smith.
"If you watch the film, we just all around played good football," he said. "We've got to put this win behind us."
Gay and the rest of the Steelers' defense can't dismiss the fact that they have only six turnovers in the first 10 games. They picked up two of those yesterday - including linebacker Lawrence Timmons' pick early in the fourth quarter.
Gay had a hand in both interceptions. He swatted away a pass intended for wide receiver Andre Caldwell, and Timmons caught the ball at the Steelers' 33.
"We knew it was coming," cornerback Ike Taylor said of the elusive turnovers. "It was just a matter of time. We made plays when we needed to.
"We didn't do anything different. It was a mindset that we had to win this game. Last week was last week, and the one thing about it is you get another an opportunity."
Read more: Gay's interception preserves win for Steelers - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_767157.html##ixzz1dgH97IiL