Wednesday, October 21, 2015

THE 50-YARD LINE

     Mrs. Black-N-Gold continues to hear chatter from Black-N-Gold Nation about the Steelers 25-13 win over Arizona this past Sunday. Today she's decided to look at the victory one last time with a new segment called "Takeaways".  It's just Mrs. Black-N-Gold's take on some points from Sunday's game.

TAKEAWAY #1

Yes, QB Landry Jones looked good in relief of the injured and ineffective Mike Vick. But think about it, all week long the Cardinals were preparing for Vick. That element of surprise when Jones finally saw the light of day and the field for the first time in his pro career had to have worked in the Steelers favor. And really, with the way WR Martavis Bryant was ready to roll when Jones entered the game, maybe all Bryant needed was a QB who could actually throw the ball.

TAKEAWAY #2

As usual, Coach Tomlin left Mrs. Black-N-Gold scratching her head. Chiefly, he was quoted as saying had Vick not been injured he would have continued to leave the unproductive QB in the game. He also was reported to say that if Vick were healthy and Ben Roethlisberger was not, Vick would get the start over Jones this week. It seems Tomlin is bending over backwards for Vick when the QB has done next to nothing to warrant such consideration. Another questionable move by Tomlin was going for a 2-point conversion when the Steelers held a 2-point lead. Luckily, thanks to the Jones-Bryant connection, that point was moot. However, it continues to illustrate that the Steelers sometimes win in spite of Tomlin.

TAKEAWAY #3

Hats off to DC Keith Butler. It appears the defense is starting to find their identity. Turnovers, sacks, and QB pressures. Oh my! LB James Harrison is still striking fear in the hearts of opposing quarterbacks. DE Cam Heyward is a fast rising star who terrorizes the other team. He and bookend Stephon Tuitt make a monstrous tandem. Just imagine how scary this defense would be if they had a decent........

TAKEAWAY #4

As Mrs. Black-N-Gold was saying, just imagine how scary this defense would be if they had a decent secondary. It was great to see the Steelers finally get some of their money's worth from S Mike Mitchell on Sunday. But the rest of the secondary is secondary at best. CB Antwon Blake must have a bullseye on his back as opponents regularly target him. CB Ross Cockrell has shown flashes but nothing on a consistent basis. Why CB Brandon Boykin is relegated to strictly special teams is beyond Mrs. Black-N-Gold. If the Steelers ever got a shutdown corner, this defense could be unstoppable.

TAKEAWAY #5

One last takeaway from Mrs. Black-N-Gold while she's on a roll. In keeping with the defense, why not put the following player's picture on the side of milk cartons because they're NEVER seen on the field: LB Jarvis Jones, LB Ryan Shazier and S Shamarko Thomas. Mrs. Black-N-Gold heard Jones was a healthy scratch last week. Sorry but this kid has bust written all over him. Shazier looks like the second coming of former LB Kendrell Bell. He looks otherworldly when on the field but can't get out of the trainer's room. And Thomas? Someone needs to explain to Mrs. Black-N-Gold why the Steelers traded up for this guy. Even RB Dri Archer is looking better compared to this kid. As always, Mrs. Black-N-Gold hopes these gentlemen prove her wrong. She wants nothing more than to see them succeed for our beloved Black-N-Gold.

Well, that's it. Just remember, Mrs. Black-N-Gold calls them as she sees them. That being said, she's oh so happy that our Steelers are 4-2 going into KC this week. But beware the trap game. Looking ahead to the Cincy game in 2 weeks could lead to a loss in KC. Don't let that happen. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!




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