Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger described Sunday as the worst weather conditions he’s ever played in.
Said Patriots G Logan Mankins of the way the Patriots played, “You can’t beat Pop Warner teams doing that.”
The Patriots went 1-for-13 on third downs.
Said Patriots WR Randy Moss, “Once you drop one ball, you drop another ball, it does start to affect you mentally. I didn’t play good today. I’m not blaming it on the weather.”
The Patriots’ usual return man, Ellis Hobbs, was on the sidelines with cramps when his replacement, rookie Matthew Slater lost a key fumble.
Said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, “Pittsburgh was a better team today. They beat us. They were a better team.”
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said his defense played like it usually does.
The Steelers’ linebackers were the strength of the team.
Steelers LB James Harrison had two sacks, giving him 14 on the season.
Said Steelers RB Willie Parker, “As a running back, knowing that you’re going into the game running the ball, that’s the biggest thrill of your day. We just went in there and took the life out of them.”
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RobJH, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 8:55 am
I was all for Joey Porter being the DPOTY, but after watching this game, I think it’s gotta be James Harrison. He made Light his bitch. It’s a wonder Light didn’t rip his helmet off and punch him in the back of his head.
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Rating: 4.85 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
Steelers-Shaun, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 9:08 am
Here we go Steelers, Where we go ! ….Maybe if Moss started stopped spending his off time shopping for fur coats and fruit loop suits with Deion Sanders he could pracice catching a football. Whenever you put pressure on Cassel he shows that he’s no Tom Brady. The look of disbelief on Bellicheat’s face when they showed him on the sidelines was priceless. And Wes Welker looked like a crash test dummy when Ryan Clark put that LEGAL hit on him.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
patsfan1776, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 9:09 am
Of course Hobbs was on the sideline cramping instead of returning kicks. Those cramps are going to happen when you dance after every fricken marginal play that you happen to make. I am glad that I don’t shell out $150 and sit in the rain to watch them play like crap. The only reason to go is to boo Hobbs so you can read the next day how the paying fans shouldn’t boo his poor play.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
Hollywood Wags, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 9:09 am
He tackled Harrison on quite a few plays. That stuff just doesn’t get called.
But the Steelers are dirty…of course.
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Rating: 2.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
GigantoGillicus, a Water Boy, on 12/1/08 at 9:10 am
The most awesome force in the NFL this year is the Steelers D. I think that makes Harrison a legit contender for MVP.
I haven’t seen a player this dominant since Merriman just before his steroids suspension. Harrison must lead the league in Flying Tackles for Loss and Leaping Fumble Recoveries While Fighting Off a Double Team. And to think he’s just a practice squad reject from Kent State.
Funny but you never see any interviews with this guy. You’d think his story would be inspirational to all undrafted free agents from small schools. You’d think everyone would want to know how he did it, what kind of workout regimen he used etc. But he’s just an anonymous unnaturally fit unstoppable balrog that the media seems to have no interest in.
Hmmmm…….
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Rating: 3.9 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
Smush Rodrigez, a Rookie, on 12/1/08 at 9:16 am
While watching this game, I was just remembering about how people in Boston would rather have Cassel then Brady and people in Philly would rather have Cassel then McNabb.
Say what you want but in Philly dropped balls are McNabb’s fault.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Devils Advocate, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 9:35 am
on the earlier post regarding the Welker hit:
This is to all the Steelers Fans wearing rose colored glasses watching that play. Forget where his helmet hit. Forget the fact that he left his feet and launced himself. The reality is once the ball was tipped Welker had zero opportunity to catch the ball and he then lowers his arms to his side for 2 steps. This was clearly an error in judgement by Ryan Clark and he will pay a well deserved fine for that play. Ryan Clark made a mistake - he is not a dirty player. So if you Steeler fans and anyone else want to look at it or justify it some other way than you are really eroding your own credibility. The commish is not going to read your remarks before he lays down the hammer. Sometimes it’s better to just “shut up” (steeler fans) and appreciate the win then try to defend a play that is clearly indefensible. Ask Tomlin today after he sees the film and I bet he would say the same thing to Clark. To the media he will defend his player - I would to.
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Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 10 rating(s)
MaineMan, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 9:36 am
The Steelers had to know that they’d be able to put up a good point total against a Pats defensive secondary tat can’t cover and can’t wrap-up on tackles. So, defensively, the Steelers did precisely what I suggested they needed to do.
They didn’t concern themselves at all with stopping the Pats from running the ball (122 yds, 6.1 ypc, 7 rushing 1st downs and a rushing touch down = best rushing performance by any team v. the Steelers so far this year). They didn’t blitz much and got more than enough pressure on Cassel because they mostly focused on pass coverage. The coverage was sufficient to the extent that Cassel and the Pats’ pass catchers had to be dead-solid-perfect in order to keep Cassel out of trouble and to put up enough points to be competitive - and the Pats’ passing game was not even mediocre (at least six dropped balls). And, of course, thes coverage was more than enough to make Cassel hold the ball long enough for the Steelers D-line and LBs to break down the protection.
In other news, Matthew “Stone Hands” Slater should probably never be asked to field punts/kicks ever again since he’s muffed nearly every one of the dozen or so opportunities he’s had going back to preseason. That said, he is fast and he is fearless. If he can figure out how to stay with a receiver, he should probably be given a thorough tryout in the defensive secondary where he probably couldn’t do much worse than the guys who are back there now.
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Rating: 2.8 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
jbruder02, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 9:38 am
Light held him on almost every play as well. Harrison is a beast. I would be happy if just one holding call was made against them in that game. You know it’s bad when other players and even the head coach is getting in on the no calls. what a joke.
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Rating: 4.15 / 5 with 7 rating(s)
MaineMan, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 9:40 am
One of the biggest differences between Harrison and Porter is that Harrison just shuts the hell up and lets his play do the talking.
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Rating: 4.85 / 5 with 6 rating(s)
svnrdr, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 9:46 am
Dynasties don’t give up 33 points at home in late November.
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Rating: 3.85 / 5 with 8 rating(s)
drucifer, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 9:53 am
Deebo is a scary, scary man.
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Rating: 3.5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
mborz, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 10:11 am
@Devils Advocate: If you really want Steelers fans to shut up and not defend the Welker hit, don’t you think it would have been a better idea to post your thoughts in the specific post where it was being discussed, instead of here, where it wasn’t (until you brought it up)?
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
mrmagoo, a NFL MVP, on 12/1/08 at 10:14 am
Devils Advocate says:
December 1st, 2008 at 9:35 am
on the earlier post regarding the Welker hit:
This is to all the Steelers Fans wearing rose colored glasses watching that play. Forget where his helmet hit. Forget the fact that he left his feet and launced himself. The reality is once the ball was tipped Welker had zero opportunity to catch the ball and he then lowers his arms to his side for 2 steps. This was clearly an error in judgement by Ryan Clark and he will pay a well deserved fine for that play. Ryan Clark made a mistake - he is not a dirty player. So if you Steeler fans and anyone else want to look at it or justify it some other way than you are really eroding your own credibility. The commish is not going to read your remarks before he lays down the hammer. Sometimes it’s better to just “shut up” (steeler fans) and appreciate the win then try to defend a play that is clearly indefensible. Ask Tomlin today after he sees the film and I bet he would say the same thing to Clark. To the media he will defend his player - I would to.
_________________________________
In related fans the Pats wide receivers will now be issued tutu’s for identification purposes to prevent the opposition from making legal hits on them in the future.
I’ve got nothing against Welker but the difference between this hit and the one Santonio took is that Santonio caught the ball. That and the fact Troy tipped it, which eliminates all pass interference rules. One was no less violent then the other and I don’t know of a single Steeler fan that complained about it.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
Frank Burns, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 10:30 am
Ah the sweet sweet smell of charred chowd…
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
PFTiswhatitis, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 10:43 am
“Wes Welker looked like a crash test dummy when Ryan Clark put that LEGAL hit on him. ”
Maybe you should go take another look. Welker had already slowed and dropped his arms, the play was over when Clark launched himself at the defenseless Welker. This is precisely the kind of play that the rule was written for and why the rule exists and Clark should receive a fine for the hit.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
caddyskack, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 10:47 am
Does anyone read sites beyond just here?
Clark apologized for the hit, but he did say he would do it again. He had already lowered his head to make the hit, so he didn’t see the ball was tipped.
The ONLY reason he was flagged is because he left his feet. That is what the refs told him immediately after the flags were thrown.
Once the ball is tipped, pass interference can no longer be called, so players are allowed to knock a receiver down, no matter where they are on the field.
Once again, the ONLY reason the penalty was called is because he left his feet. By no means was it a cheap shot.
Now please move on.
Thank you,
CaddySkack
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Rating: 4.2 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
Ralphie, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 11:14 am
svnrdr, a typical haters response, the only time you ever open your piehole is when there’s something to say about the Pats. At least the Patriots have the legacy that they can easily enter into any dynasty argument. Can’t really say that about the current Fish can you? I’ll take the Pats dynasty over the Fish any day, and I fondly remember a nice beating they laid on em’ 8 days ago, and they sent that pussy Rapunzel Chowder to the showers. Yeah, you’re still smarting over that one aint ya? I guess if your team can’t win the big game you can live vicariously through the Steelers.
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Rating: 2.6 / 5 with 5 rating(s)
VMI_04_Bob, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 11:16 am
I hate Tom Brady with all my heart and soul. I cheered when his knee got busted up. However he is in a completely differect league than fumble boy Cassell. They should franchise tag him only because there is no guarantee that tommy will be back 100% come next september.
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Rating: 1 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
wingnut, a Hall of Famer, on 12/1/08 at 11:38 am
Ralphie says,at least the Patriots*** have the legacy that they can
can easily enter into any dynasty argument.
The argument is do you call a team that cheats a dynasty?
Belichick should be banned from the NFL for life.
Alot of people made money from Belichick’s cheating.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
CD_Ridge, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 11:48 am
A fine Steeler victory. Now it is time to focus on Dallas.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Pea Tear Griffin, a Hall of Famer, on 12/1/08 at 11:49 am
The hit was deserving of a penalty and he got one. End of story.
And I’m a Steeler fan.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Non-Euclidean, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 11:51 am
Interesting take on the leaving the feat/launching at Welker. Otherwise, I have no problem with a 15 yard penalty in exchange for Welker on the bench.
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Rating: 3.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
Devils Advocate, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 12:00 pm
mborz says:
December 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
“mind your own business Mr. Protocol”
mrmagoo says:
December 1st, 2008 at 10:14 am
“did you even read what I wrote there? What I wrote was about a payer who was unequivically “vulnerable”. It has nothing to do with the level of violence.
PS - Florio - you really need to institute an IQ level before being allowed to post on this site. Both the aboave fail to qualify and are not worthy of any future commentary. oh yeah, mr magoo what a perfect name.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
kellyb9, a Conference Champ, on 12/1/08 at 12:06 pm
Only Steelers fans can misconstrue that hit on Welker as legal. And even worse, the fans that would trade the 15 yard penalty to have a player injured.
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Rating: 2 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
kellyb9, a Conference Champ, on 12/1/08 at 12:08 pm
New England gave this game away in the third quarter. You cannot give a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers that many opporutities to score 10 yards out. In New England’s defense, they did a great job, given those opportunities of stopping sure touchdowns.
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Rating: 1.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
brauneyz, a Division Champ, on 12/1/08 at 12:36 pm
VMI_04_Bob, why do you hate Brady so? Did he steal your girlfriend or something?
Yes, I’m a Pats fan, but I still cringe whenever any NFL player goes down. How can anyone applaud injury, regardless of the uni the player wears?
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
Ralphie, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 1:28 pm
Wingnut, congratulate yourself on being the first man-loaf to pinch off those highly original comments. I never heard that argument before.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
mrmagoo, a NFL MVP, on 12/1/08 at 1:35 pm
Devils Advocate says:
December 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
mborz says:
December 1st, 2008 at 10:11 am
“mind your own business Mr. Protocol”
mrmagoo says:
December 1st, 2008 at 10:14 am
“did you even read what I wrote there? What I wrote was about a payer who was unequivically “vulnerable”. It has nothing to do with the level of violence.
PS - Florio - you really need to institute an IQ level before being allowed to post on this site. Both the aboave fail to qualify and are not worthy of any future commentary. oh yeah, mr magoo what a perfect name.
_________________________
To go to the point that seems to have eluded you…. he was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The hit to him was no more violent than the hit against Santonio. They both are part of going over the middle and Welker’s willingness to go over the middle has made a nice little career for him. This is what OSHA would call an occupational hazard. It’s not like I’m a blind fan and have never said ‘Wow, we got away with one there’. This was not the case. I laughed at the shot at Santonio, not because I don’t like him but rather because that’s why he gets paid a gazillion dollars to do it. That and if you catch a lot of slants like he was doing eventually someone will meet you at the ‘club house’. I got pissed at the shot on Welker because it was such a horrible call. He was no less vulnerable than Santonio. If the hit had been late that would have been dirty, but the ball was still in play. The fact that Welker dropped it back into neutral was not the fault of the other people still playing to the whistle. Like they are taught and paid to do. Lest anyone get the wrong idea I don’t think either hit was dirty.
Regarding my screen name… stop hurting my feelings. Aside from the fact that you’re like the 27th guy to go there, claiming intellectual superiority while resorting to something so unclever is self-defeating.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
wingnut, a Hall of Famer, on 12/1/08 at 1:43 pm
Ralphie, just a little reminder.
Did you call in sick today? I know how emotional you Pats*** fans are.
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Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
VMI_04_Bob, a Cheerleader, on 12/1/08 at 2:41 pm
I hate tommy boy, because he is a product of luck and cheating. I think if he played for a lot of other teams he would be an awesome QB, with hall potential. He got lucky on the tuck rule, and should have never been in the AFC championship game. Than he cheated the steelers out of two Games. If you don’t think it was cheating you are stupid. Why do something for 8 years if it isn’t beneficial. I hate the claim of the greatest team ever. You can’t lose a Supeer Bowl and be listed along side the Steelers, Cowboys, or 49er eras. I feel NE get a special treatment from ESPN. Most people outside of NY and NE think that all those teams get special treatment from the league and the media.
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Rating: 2.35 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
CaptainFantastik, a Conference Champ, on 12/1/08 at 3:01 pm
Maybe you should go take another look. Welker had already slowed and dropped his arms, the play was over when Clark launched himself at the defenseless Welker. This is precisely the kind of play that the rule was written for and why the rule exists and Clark should receive a fine for the hit.
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1) It’s not Clark’s fault Welker let up. It’s also not Clark’s responsibility to go less than 100% just because Welker chose not to. When he lowered himself for the hit Welker was very much still in play for the ball.
2) The ONLY reason Welker was “defenseless” was because he let up before the ball had hit the ground and before the whistle sounded.
3) The play was NOT over. The ball was in the air and the whistle had not been blown. It was a live play.
The only ones calling it a “cheap shot” are Patriots fans and Steelers rivals. I’ve read stories all over the media today from the Boston herald, to the Boston Globe, to ESPN, to SI.com, to Fox Sports, to CBS Sportsline and you know what? Not a SINGLE ONE of those stories called the hit dirty. They called it “wicked” and they called it “vicious”…..but NOT ONE of them called it dirty (not even Boston sports media).
This Pittsburgh defense is on pace to be the best Steelers defense in history, which is to say it’s on pace for being arguably the best defense in history PERIOD. They will play football the way it’s meant to be played…..not the way Goodell wants it to be played. And they are on record stating they have no problem paying fines. They aren’t changing their game for Roger Goodell. Nor should they.
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Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
Devils Advocate, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:18 pm
hey Magoo -
i give up, i surrender, i understand your point but i don’t think you see mine at all. sorry about the name reference - will give you a lot of slack in the future
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Rating: Not yet rated
praveen, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:29 pm
While I have my suspicions of Pats cheating helping them win in the playoffs, the fact is this. Bill Belichick has outcoached the Steelers handily in the playoffs. Take the expensive penalty on Troy Edwards which led to a re-punt and a return for a TD. Belichick made the refs aware BEFORE the game that Edwards had a tendency to run out of bounds during coverage. How do you explain last year’s coaching job? He made the Steelers look stupid again, not only on offense, but defense (they really knew how to fool our safeties).
My other thoughts on this game
1) There is no reason for Steelers to keep paying Kendall Simmons next year. Take a cap hit and move on. Darrell Stapleton has shown us that Kendall is vastly overpaid for his mediocre play.
2) Ben did a pretty good job after the first horrendous INT(unacceptable for an elite QB). I wish they would have Ben rollout a little bit more in the red zone. Also use Mewelde more with screen passes.
3) Cassell is no Brady, yet.
4) What a bad game by WRs of both sides. So many dropped passes. At least Randy Moss took real responsbility instead of those ” i accept responsibility even if I am not really responsible, but i gotta say this to look like a leader”. That is why I never put him in the same category as whiny TO who would find a way to blame the QB for his drops.
5) This is not a pretend defensive contender like the 2007 team.
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PatriotReign, a Passionate Fan, on 12/1/08 at 3:35 pm
I hate Tom Brady with all my heart and soul. I cheered when his knee got busted up. However he is in a completely differect league than fumble boy Cassell. They should franchise tag him only because there is no guarantee that tommy will be back 100% come next september.
Bob, you are truly a classless individual. Cheering the injury? You’re pathetic. Brady is only luck and cheating, huh? You are also clueless. Btw, Pats beat you in ‘01 bc your team got penalized and had to punt to Troy Brown again. After he scored the TD it all came crashing down for the Steelers. They couldn’t even stop Drew Bledsoe let alone TB. Shouldn’t have bought those plane tickets, not that the team ever would have beat the Rams anyway. Go back to waving your stupid dish rag and dancing to all your cool Steeler polkas.
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Bubby Brister, a Head Coach, on 12/1/08 at 4:27 pm
Worst playing conditions he’s ever played in? His very first start was in the middle of Hurrican Jeanne!
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