Two of the biggest Steeler free agent signings in the off season were quarterback Byron Leftwich and Mewelde Moore. The injury to backup quarterback Charlie Batch in the preseason was a blessing of sorts. Now I respect Batch, but Leftwich has a better arm and better mobility. It is very hard for a starting quarterback to make it through a full season without missing a snap, Leftwich has confidence and mastery of the offense when entering a game. Leftwich in 4 game appearances is 14 for 24 passing for 223 yards. He has thrown 2 touchdowns and more importantly 0 interceptions. Leftwich has 117.2 quarterback rating as well. The Steelers have the luxury, should they choose, to let starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rest and get healthy for the stretch drive.
Running back Mewelde Moore continues to offer great change of pace and third down abilities. He has gained 320 yards rushing with a 4.6 yard per carry average and has scored 4 touchdowns. Moore has also contributed with 16 catches, many in key moments of key drives. Moore will continue to help lighten the load for starting running back Willie Parker.
Depth at key positions is crucial for a championship team and the Steelers have it at two crucial positions on offense.
The Steelers matchup well on both sides of the ball versus the Washington Redskins. The Redskins will be minus defensive end Jason Taylor, who underwent a surgical procedure to repair a nagging calf injury and cornerback Shawn Springs who also is recovering from a calf injury. The Redskins have only recorded 10 sacks on defense this year and recorded only 8 turnovers in 8 games. The Redskins however have only given up 278.1 yards a game of total offense. The Steelers will look to run into the teeth of the Redskins defensive line and attack the perimeter in the passing game. Both running back Willie Parker and wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be in the lineup this week, which should vastly improve the Steelers offensive attack.
On defense, the Steelers will look to confuse quarterback Jason Campbell with various blitz packages and keep him contained inside the pocket. Running back Clinton Portis will be the main threat that needs to be limited under 100 yards in order for the Steelers to win.
This one should be close until the fourth quarter and I see a couple of late scores by the Steelers to put the game out of reach.
Tomorrow's game against the New York Giants will be a huge measuring stick of where exactly the Steelers are in comparison to the rest of the league. The Steelers combined opponents record thus far is 13-24, with no opponent having better than a .500 record. The rest of the schedule starting Sunday has Steeler opponents at a 35-29 record, with four teams having a better than .500 winning percentage. The Steelers have a league-high 25 sacks on defense and are back to their old blitzing ways under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. On Sunday the Steelers must put pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning and concentrate on holding running back Brandon Jacobs under 100 yards. Once again the Steelers secondary will likely be left on a island with cornerback William Gay having to fill in for the injured Bryant McFadden. The 6-5 former Steeler wide receiver, Plaxico Burress will look to match up against the shorter 5-10 Gay. The Steelers will likely try to assign Ike Taylor to Burress most of the day, with help over top by safety Troy Polamalu.
On offense the Steelers will once again turn to running back Mewelde Moore to fill the void of the still absent Willie Parker. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be inactive after his marijuana charge on Thursday, so Nate Washington, Dallas Baker and rookie Limas Sweed will all be counted on in the passing game. The offensive line has been playing better as Darnell Stapleton has filled in well for the injured Kendall Simmons. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger must be mistake free versus a fast attacking Giants defense.
The key on Sunday will come down to the all important turnover and big play categories. This will be a hard hitting slug fest.
Well my Pittsburgh Steelers Recliner just arrived today and I am currently getting it unpacked and set up in my Steelers warroom. I can not wait for Sunday now, to give it a test drive.
The Steelers will get the luxury of paying more attention to Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh today. They will force the Bengals to prove they can run the ball against a 7 man front. Ryan Fitzpatrick is no Carson Palmer and Chris Perry and Cedric Benson are not world beaters. On offense the Steellers will look to spread the ball around to Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington. Heath Miller could have his biggest game of the year if the Bengals attempt to cover him with a linebacker. Mewelde Moore should have space to run all day. This should be an easy day for the Steelers.
Ben Roethlisberger is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game in Jacksonville, but should play. Virtual unknown Darnell Stapleton is expected to start at right guard Sunday night at Jacksonville while $7 million man Max Starks probably won’t play a down at tackle unless the injury bug bites again. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers will use a running back-by-committee approach, with a rotation that also will include Gary Russell, who was promoted from the practice squad four days ago, and perhaps Najeh Davenport, who was re-signed Tuesday after being released in June. Willie Parker, who sprained his left knee two weeks ago, said he is almost at full strength and that the coaches are holding him out of the Jaguars game as a precaution.
