Steelers' defense does its job

[mesaSteeler]

10/27/2008
Steelers' defense does its job
By Jim Wexell , For the Herald-Standard
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/n...d=468632&rfi=6

PITTSBURGH - Brett Keisel couldn't remember being in a four-point stance so often. But it was so successful that Chris Hoke thought it would propel the Steelers to a win over the defending champs.
"It was unbelievable," said Hoke. "When we had that goal-line stand, I thought we were destined to win this game. I told Travis Kirschke, 'When we win this game, the big story will be that goal-line stand.'

"It wasn't meant to be but it was a lot of fun out there. There was a lot of emotion on that field. You live for those moments."

The New York Giants breached the Steelers' 10-yard line three times in the first half and came away with only two field goals.

In the second half, the Giants again had a first down inside the 10, and again the Steelers held them to a field goal. The fifth time, though, the Giants scored a touchdown to beat the Steelers and their collapsible offense, 21-14.

While the Steelers couldn't block Mathias Kiwanuka, or - except for two plays - even move the ball, the defense was - to take a word from Coach Mike Tomlin - "awesome."

It started when Aaron Smith walked into the locker room after missing all week for personal matters.

"A huge emotional lift," said Hoke. "When he came in, I got a little extra fire in my rear because the guy's an unbelievable player."

Hoke believes that emotion carried into the Steelers' first of two true goal-line stands. The Giants had a first down at the Steelers' 2-yard line early in the second quarter. On the first play, with 264-pound Brandon Jacobs in the backfield, Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride called a pass and James Harrison pressured Eli Manning into an incompletion. Gilbride called another pass on second down, which was incomplete, but LaMarr Woodley jumped offsides.

With the ball moved to the 1-yard line, Jacobs ran behind his right guard and was tackled by Ryan Clark. On third down, Jacobs thought he scored, but instant replay reversed the call and the Giants tried again on fourth down. Clark and Larry Foote were credited with the stop as the Steelers held their 7-3 lead.

"We knew they were going to pound it," said Keisel. "They have a good offensive line and a good back and we knew they were going to pound it."

The Steelers "stood up" again, as Hampton put it, early in the fourth quarter. A fourth-and-6 deep ball to Amani Toomer for 30 yards put the Giants at the Steelers' 4-yard line. Running back Derrick Ward hurdled William Gay but was plastered by Keisel for a loss. The Giants were done trying to blow down that brick wall, so they threw two incomplete passes and kicked a field goal. The next time the Giants reached the 2-yard line, they threw a touchdown pass to tight end Kevin Boss for the game-winner.

Overall, the Steelers held the NFL's top-ranked running game to 83 yards rushing on 35 tries for an average of 2.4 yards per carry. The Giants came into the game averaging 5.6 per carry.

"It was all these guys playing physical," Hoke said. "We heard all week about how good their offensive line was, and we took that personal. We had to shut down their run, and for the most part we held the run in check."

[jjpro11]

its gonna be a real shame if this offense doesnt get its act together this year and let such a good defense go to waste. it would be like one of those seasons from the 90s.

[MasterOfPuppets]

i'm still scratchin my head over givin up 30 yds on a 4th and 6......

[MACH1]

Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets

i'm still scratchin my head over givin up 30 yds on a 4th and 6......

Um...yeah.

I just hope the O can get its chit together.

[Edman]

The D didn't get any sacks on Eli, which is a little disappointing. But I think that's why the Giants have the best O-Line in the league, and why the Steelers O-Line is shit. Starks was beaten like a mule by a speed rusher...like this surprises anyone?

The Defense has more than done it's job. Holding the Giants to field goals and keeping the game in reach. The Offense definately made their prescence known. They did everything they could to lose this game, and they did.

The Offense lost this game, plain and simple. Ben should be embarrassed for putting on a pitiful display like that with the spotlight on him against his fellow '04 QB. Absolutely disgusting offensive performance. The sad part about it is that this is the third instance this season when the offense has blown ass.

[Galax Steeler]

The deffense is awesome this year hopefully our offense will turn it around next week against the redskins.

[\m/xtrememarine\m/]

The Defense has been rock solid as usual. The o looked like they just got tired at the end.