The Silver Lining...

[flippy]

Ben getting injured surely sucks. But this is an opportunity for the whole team to rally and for every player to step up their game to support Vick.

The Oline knows they have to be better. Bell and Williams need to carry some of the load. The WRs and TEs need to step up their game. And it's time for the boys on D to bring it all together to carry this team for this stretch.

Sometimes adversity brings out the best in folks. Maybe in 4, 6, 8 weeks when Ben returns, everyone around him will have worked that much harder to be that much better. And just maybe we can build some momentum into the 2nd half of the season and make a real run late in the year.

I know we have a hard schedule. But that can be good too. At the end of the day, steel sharpens steel.

This is an opportunity for every coach and player to step up. I can't wait to see what happens.....

Let's go!!!!

[papillon]

That's not a silver lining, that's a motivational speech that I'm sure Tomlin and his coaching staff will be preaching for the next 6 weeks.

Pappy

[RobinCole]

That's one way of looking at it. I recall 1976, when Bradshaw went down in game five, leaving us with a rookie backup QB (Kruczek) and a 1-4 record. But we still had the best defense ever, plus a great O-Line, plus Franco and Rocky. in the next nine games we allowed 53 points, including five shutouts. Kruczek passed 12 or 13 times per game; Franco and Rocky each gained more than a thousand yards. Different time, different rules, different game. That will never happen again.

[Slapstick]

How did we do when Ben was out for 4 games in 2010?

[papillon]

How did we do when Ben was out for 4 games in 2010?

Is there a backup of Charlie Batch's caliber on this team? I don't think so and for that reason it's difficult to be positive about the quarterback situation. I wish this wasn't a short week before the Ravens game, so that, Haley and Vick had more time to prepare and determine what parts of the play book he can do well, what parts well enough to use and what parts to eliminate. I just don't think there is enough time between now and Thursday to put together a solid plan, even if they spend 24x7 together. Pre-snap reads and getting protections set are going to be problematic for Vick this week, one good piece of news is that Suggs isn't playing.

Pappy

[RobinCole]

Slap: We were 3-1 in 2010 but the defense played out of its mind in those four games. Even the one loss was a low-scoring last-minute loss to Baltimore at their place. OK, the D held on yesterday but can it do that for six weeks?

[Slapstick]

I think Vick is a better passer now than Batch was in 2010. I think Batch was a better leader and knew the offense better than Vick does now. I think having Le'Veon Bell is a big upgrade over Mendenhall and Deangelo Williams is an upgrade over Mewelde Moore. I think that our WRs are better overall than in 2010. If our D continues to step up, I like our chances.

[WindyCitySteel]

The Ravens stink. I think we're 3-1 after Thursday night, but then things get dicey.

Bottom line, we have to hope the Chiefs, Chargers, Jets, and Bills don't stack wins - that's who we're fighting for a wild card.

[papillon]

I think Vick is a better passer now than Batch was in 2010. I think Batch was a better leader and knew the offense better than Vick does now. I think having Le'Veon Bell is a big upgrade over Mendenhall and Deangelo Williams is an upgrade over Mewelde Moore. I think that our WRs are better overall than in 2010. If our D continues to step up, I like our chances.

Vick probably is a better passer than Batch and a stronger arm as well. Batch had a firm grasp of the offense which Vick doesn't and that is going to be more problematic than anything. Vick will be "thinking" his way through the game where as with Ben he doesn't have to think, it's natural for him because he's been in the offense since Haley arrived. When you have to "think" the game speeds up rather than slow down, the Steelers are going to need 21 other players plus special teams to be on point and Vick to not make mistakes. Even 5 yard penalties will cause problems for the offense they need to play a clean game from a penalty standpoint to keep Vick in manageable situations.

Pappy

[Ghost]

Silver lining: The new punter, Berry, is awesome! And they're going to need him to flip filed position. A lot.

[NorthCoast]

The Ravens stink. I think we're 3-1 after Thursday night, but then things get dicey.

Bottom line, we have to hope the Chiefs, Chargers, Jets, and Bills don't stack wins - that's who we're fighting for a wild card.

A Roethlisbergerless offense isn't a sure bet against the Ravens no matter how bad they look. Flacid knows the weak spots of the Steelers defense and has exploited it in the past.

I wouldn't feel so negative if the defense was a veteran one, but this unit is still trying to figure out who they are and how consistent they can be.

The offense will probably need to score at least 24 pts to win.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Vick probably is a better passer than Batch and a stronger arm as well. Batch had a firm grasp of the offense which Vick doesn't and that is going to be more problematic than anything. Vick will be "thinking" his way through the game where as with Ben he doesn't have to think, it's natural for him because he's been in the offense since Haley arrived. When you have to "think" the game speeds up rather than slow down, the Steelers are going to need 21 other players plus special teams to be on point and Vick to not make mistakes. Even 5 yard penalties will cause problems for the offense they need to play a clean game from a penalty standpoint to keep Vick in manageable situations.

Pappy

Agreed... HOWEVER, what Vick still has is an uncanny ability to sneak out of the pocket and run - a dimension that I'm hoping Haley takes advantage of. Roll him out. Keep the play calling simple. As an OC, you have time to learn your players... learn what he does well and what he doesn't do well. Don't ask him to do the latter, unless he has to.

My guess is that if Vick can manage .500 or better, Ben misses 7, which gets him through the bye and fairly healthy for the stretch run.

[Snatch98]

Is there a backup of Charlie Batch's caliber on this team? I don't think so and for that reason it's difficult to be positive about the quarterback situation. I wish this wasn't a short week before the Ravens game, so that, Haley and Vick had more time to prepare and determine what parts of the play book he can do well, what parts well enough to use and what parts to eliminate. I just don't think there is enough time between now and Thursday to put together a solid plan, even if they spend 24x7 together. Pre-snap reads and getting protections set are going to be problematic for Vick this week, one good piece of news is that Suggs isn't playing.

Pappy

Vick is a solid quarterback and much more physically gifted than batch. Now I realize physical gifts don't always win you football games but Vick should be able to play without loading up on mistakes. He certainly draws a tough match up and situation but our offensive personel is probably the best he's ever had in his career. As far as playing through Ben's suspension is concerned that was a combination of both Dixon and Batch and Batch wasn't exactly terrific. Rough game against the Titans, threw three tds but also two interceptions against the Bucs and it was Dixon against the Ravens. Dixon also played week 1 of that ben-less stint. Vick should be able to get it done. He has the mobility, he still has a cannon and we have plenty of options. I'm anxious to see how this team responds.

[WindyCitySteel]

A Roethlisbergerless offense isn't a sure bet against the Ravens no matter how bad they look. Flacid knows the weak spots of the Steelers defense and has exploited it in the past.

I wouldn't feel so negative if the defense was a veteran one, but this unit is still trying to figure out who they are and how consistent they can be.

The offense will probably need to score at least 24 pts to win.

If this was the same Ravens team that was here in January, I'd be worried.

Suggs, Ngata, Torrey Smith, Owen Daniels all gone. Pitta on PUP list. That's a shadow of the team that we last played.

[buccoray61]

Agreed... HOWEVER, what Vick still has is an uncanny ability to sneak out of the pocket and run - a dimension that I'm hoping Haley takes advantage of. Roll him out. Keep the play calling simple. As an OC, you have time to learn your players... learn what he does well and what he doesn't do well. Don't ask him to do the latter, unless he has to.

My guess is that if Vick can manage .500 or better, Ben misses 7, which gets him through the bye and fairly healthy for the stretch run.

Sorry to keep going back to the radio post game show yesterday.Charlie Batch was one of the guys on there,and he said the coaching staff needs to drill into Vicks head,stay in the pocket,and don't be afraid to throw the ball away.In other words,don't get hurt and manage the game.