fordfixer
09-21-2009, 07:34 AM
Steelers Report Card: Game Two vs. Chicago Bears
GERRY DULAC grades the Steelers' effort in a 17-14 loss against the Bears yesterday
Monday, September 21, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
QUARTERBACK (B)
Unlike last week, when he started slow and finished strong, Ben Roethlisberger got off to a fast start, completing 11 of his first 13 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. But he completed just 9 of 17 passes for 86 yards in the second half, though he was plagued by several big drops, including one in the end zone by Santonio Holmes. He did make a nice play-fake to score on a 2-yard run.
RUNNING BACKS (B)
Compared to the season opener, rushing for 105 yards on 22 attempts seems like a giant step for the running game. Willie Parker had three runs of 12 yards or longer en route to finishing with 47 yards on 14 carries. And Rashard Mendenhall had a 39-yard run to set up the second touchdown in the third quarter. Mendenhall also had a nice 13-yard gain after falling down on a dump pass.
WIDE RECEIVERS (C-)
There were not enough big plays and too many dropped passes, including three by Holmes. His biggest came on third down from the Bears' 25 when he let a Roethlisberger pass go through his arms in the end zone. Holmes finished with five catches, including a 24-yarder on third-and-9 to the Bears' 26. TE Matt Spaeth had two catches, including a 1-yard touchdown on the first series.
OFFENSIVE LINE (A-)
There can't be too much complaining about the line after this. The protection for Roethlisberger was outstanding, even when he was finally sacked for the first time in the third quarter. And the run-blocking was better, even if the numbers were not overwhelming. The Steelers ran most of their successful counter plays behind tackle Willie Colon and guard Trai Essex.
DEFENSIVE LINE (B)
The Bears spent most of the first half throwing, rushing only six times for 18 yards -- 15 of which came on a carry by Adrian Peterson. They finished with just 43 yards on 18 carries and didn't have another run longer than 5 yards. DE Brett Keisel did a good job getting off blocks and stuffing the run. DE Aaron Smith was credited with the only sack against QB Jay Cutler, who was not intercepted.
LINEBACKERS (B-)
The defense pressured Cutler into some quick, if not poor, throws, even an intentional grounding penalty. But the linebackers couldn't get to him fast enough on third down (7 of 14 conversions). Costly 15-yard penalties by James Harrison (late hit on Cutler) and Lawrence Timmons (on a third-down incompletion) helped the Bears on their 97-yard scoring drive that tied the score at 7-7.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (D)
After four interceptions a week earlier, Cutler passed for 234 yards and two touchdowns and did not have an interception. What's more, he attacked the middle of the field with a combined eight passes to tight ends Kellen Davis and Greg Olsen, who had a 29-yarder to set up the tying touchdown. Ty Carter, replacing Troy Polamalu, was the frequent target and gave up the tying touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS (D-)
Devin Hester was held to just 14 yards on two punt returns and the Bears averaged just 17.7 yards on three kick returns. But CB Ike Taylor had two of the three penalties assessed on punt returns, each time for blocking in the back. And Jeff Reed missed field goals of 38 and 43 yards in the fourth quarter, the first time he has missed two in a game since Sept. 26, 2004, at Miami.
COACHING (C)
It's kind of hard to complain about coaching when Jeff Reed misses two field goals for the first time in five years and the Super Bowl MVP drops a touchdown pass. After all, the running game came to life, the offensive line played very well and Hester was held in check. Give the Bears credit for taking advantage of Troy Polamalu's absence, especially when Carter was playing on a bad leg.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09264/99 ... z0RjvYhsCl (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09264/999626-66.stm#ixzz0RjvYhsCl)
GERRY DULAC grades the Steelers' effort in a 17-14 loss against the Bears yesterday
Monday, September 21, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
QUARTERBACK (B)
Unlike last week, when he started slow and finished strong, Ben Roethlisberger got off to a fast start, completing 11 of his first 13 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. But he completed just 9 of 17 passes for 86 yards in the second half, though he was plagued by several big drops, including one in the end zone by Santonio Holmes. He did make a nice play-fake to score on a 2-yard run.
RUNNING BACKS (B)
Compared to the season opener, rushing for 105 yards on 22 attempts seems like a giant step for the running game. Willie Parker had three runs of 12 yards or longer en route to finishing with 47 yards on 14 carries. And Rashard Mendenhall had a 39-yard run to set up the second touchdown in the third quarter. Mendenhall also had a nice 13-yard gain after falling down on a dump pass.
WIDE RECEIVERS (C-)
There were not enough big plays and too many dropped passes, including three by Holmes. His biggest came on third down from the Bears' 25 when he let a Roethlisberger pass go through his arms in the end zone. Holmes finished with five catches, including a 24-yarder on third-and-9 to the Bears' 26. TE Matt Spaeth had two catches, including a 1-yard touchdown on the first series.
OFFENSIVE LINE (A-)
There can't be too much complaining about the line after this. The protection for Roethlisberger was outstanding, even when he was finally sacked for the first time in the third quarter. And the run-blocking was better, even if the numbers were not overwhelming. The Steelers ran most of their successful counter plays behind tackle Willie Colon and guard Trai Essex.
DEFENSIVE LINE (B)
The Bears spent most of the first half throwing, rushing only six times for 18 yards -- 15 of which came on a carry by Adrian Peterson. They finished with just 43 yards on 18 carries and didn't have another run longer than 5 yards. DE Brett Keisel did a good job getting off blocks and stuffing the run. DE Aaron Smith was credited with the only sack against QB Jay Cutler, who was not intercepted.
LINEBACKERS (B-)
The defense pressured Cutler into some quick, if not poor, throws, even an intentional grounding penalty. But the linebackers couldn't get to him fast enough on third down (7 of 14 conversions). Costly 15-yard penalties by James Harrison (late hit on Cutler) and Lawrence Timmons (on a third-down incompletion) helped the Bears on their 97-yard scoring drive that tied the score at 7-7.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (D)
After four interceptions a week earlier, Cutler passed for 234 yards and two touchdowns and did not have an interception. What's more, he attacked the middle of the field with a combined eight passes to tight ends Kellen Davis and Greg Olsen, who had a 29-yarder to set up the tying touchdown. Ty Carter, replacing Troy Polamalu, was the frequent target and gave up the tying touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS (D-)
Devin Hester was held to just 14 yards on two punt returns and the Bears averaged just 17.7 yards on three kick returns. But CB Ike Taylor had two of the three penalties assessed on punt returns, each time for blocking in the back. And Jeff Reed missed field goals of 38 and 43 yards in the fourth quarter, the first time he has missed two in a game since Sept. 26, 2004, at Miami.
COACHING (C)
It's kind of hard to complain about coaching when Jeff Reed misses two field goals for the first time in five years and the Super Bowl MVP drops a touchdown pass. After all, the running game came to life, the offensive line played very well and Hester was held in check. Give the Bears credit for taking advantage of Troy Polamalu's absence, especially when Carter was playing on a bad leg.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09264/99 ... z0RjvYhsCl (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09264/999626-66.stm#ixzz0RjvYhsCl)