Stephan A, are you this blind?

[lloydroid]

Stephen A Smith, on ESPN's First Take, always says he grew up a Steelers' fan. Not only that, but his entire career is to observe and comment on sports, including the NFL.

So knowing all this, on this morning's show, he says.....

"The Steeler defense is a bend but don't break defense. They give up yards but not much scoring..."

It's one thing to not be 100% accurate; it's quite another to state the 100% opposite of the truth, especially when you claim to be a lifelong fan AND be paid to make observations in your field.

What is wrong with that guy?

Pgh is EXACTLY NOT a bend but don't break defense. They were #1 (FIRST PLACE) in NOT giving up yards, but NOT #1 in giving up points (I think they were #6).

Stephen A, give up your Steeler fan card AND your professional sports analyst card.

Maybe he was trying to say they are a decent D but not a great D....but that's not what he said.

They were also going on and on about how the Pgh D doesn't intimidate anyone any more. And losing the only guy who can still do that (Harrison) would be a further blow towards that direction. They might be right about that. But that being said, I don't know if ANY D in the NFL these days intimidates anyone.

The way they are calling the penalties, the days of ANY D being intimidating may be over. What D is feared these days? I think SF and Seattle are the two Ds that are the closest to intimidating. But Pgh still had a very good D, they just don't make any splash plays, but they were still nothing to mock and I don't think teams playing against them thought their D was a laughing matter.

In 2013? Don't know. They could either drop several notches or be better. We just don't know yet. If Troy and Harrison come back healthy for the whole year, they could be much better than last year. Injuries will definitely be part of the full story.

[Siggy00]

He's right. They don't force turnovers, they don't make big plays anymore, and their ranking is inflated by the offense keeping them standing on the sidelines.

[lloydroid]

He's right. They don't force turnovers, they don't make big plays anymore, and their ranking is inflated by the offense keeping them standing on the sidelines.

How can he "be right" when that's not what he said? He said, "They are a bend but don't break defense." That is the opposite of the truth. How can that be the case when you are #1 at not giving up yards? That is the definition of the OPPOSITE of bend but don't break. And the offense "kept them standing on the sidelines?" That would mean they kept the ball for long drives making many first downs. Do you think that is an accurate description of the offense last year? Pgh was 21st in offensive yardage last year. How does that resemble a team which "keeps the D on the sidelines?"

[Eddie Spaghetti]

wrong again junior.

the steelers were 2nd in the league behind houston in TOP.

but you can keep making a fool of yourself. Its what you do.

[lloydroid]

wrong again junior.

the steelers were 2nd in the league behind houston in TOP.

but you can keep making a fool of yourself. Its what you do.

How many of your original teeth to you still have in your stink hole? Pgh was 21st in offensive yards. How many times did they go three and out, especially the 2nd half of the season? Speaking of appearing the fool: You don't even grasp the proper use of the English language. Is it your second language? I hope so. If not, I guess you can manage the bumper of a garbage truck or dig ditches.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

just admit you made another dumb statement.

2nd in the league in time of possession. You do understand what that means, right?

you make me laugh.

[birtikidis]

just admit you made another dumb statement.

2nd in the league in time of possession. You do understand what that means, right?

you make me laugh.

the stats are skewed. If anything Stephen A is correct. Our offense was a turnover machine. how many times did we fumble or throw a pick on our side of the 50? With all the turnovers we had, we should have been last in scoring, but we weren't

[DBR96A]

the stats are skewed. If anything Stephen A is correct. Our offense was a turnover machine. how many times did we fumble or throw a pick on our side of the 50? With all the turnovers we had, we should have been last in scoring, but we weren't

Yeah, nine turnovers in the first nine games, and 21 turnovers in the last seven games. The offense went from averaging one turnover per game to three turnovers per game. Once Roethlisberger got hurt, the wheels just flew off the offense. It makes sense, though, considering his ability to convert third downs was the only thing that kept it going, really.

[lloydroid]

the stats are skewed. If anything Stephen A is correct. Our offense was a turnover machine. how many times did we fumble or throw a pick on our side of the 50? With all the turnovers we had, we should have been last in scoring, but we weren't

SAS said Pgh was a "bend but not break D." Pgh had the #1 D in yardage allowed, which is the exact opposite of "bend but don't break." Giving up less yards than ANY OTHER D IN THE NFL means they do LESS BENDING THAN ANY OTHER D. How much more simple can it get?

[NW Steeler]

Well Stephen Smith is a toolbag...almost as bad as Bayless. He is more interested in the volume of his words than the content. That said, Bayless totally baited Richard Sherman yesterday on First Take. Sherman came off looking like an unintelligent azz. But how EPSN thinks putting those two on the air together twice a day is a good idea is beyond me.