# The First Annual Steelers Defend The Lombardi Trophy Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 7, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645 "2006-08-07T03:57:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/221 "2006-11-13T00:50:16Z")
Wow, what a game. Holmes didn’t fumble, Ben looked good, Willie ran like the wind. The defense has to toughen up, but overall, we did well. Perhaps a little late in the season, but I am pleased. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/222 "2006-11-13T04:21:28Z")
Willie is my new hero. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2006, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/223 "2006-11-13T05:35:36Z")
Next week: [http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9247/wimbleyst7.jpg](http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9247/wimbleyst7.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2006, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/224 "2006-11-17T22:21:39Z")
How do most casual Steelers fans feel about the Browns games nowadays? I mostly only interact with the hardcore ones, which might be different. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/225 "2006-11-19T12:13:11Z")
Really? That strongly? Alright you yinzers, it’s go time. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/226 "2006-11-19T13:17:42Z")
OK, if we play like we did last week, we should see a good game. The D has to toughen up, but as I said before Ben played well and Santonio Holmes didn’t drop the ball. My favorite quote from last week’s game came from Jason Whitlock > [@](#): > > Fast Willie Parker can no longer retain the nickname “Fast” after getting tracked down from behind twice by the New Orleans Saints. > > Seriously, has anyone with the nickname “Fast” ever been caught from behind on two 70-yard runs in the same game? Quick Willie Parker is a more appropriate name now. Parker is quick to the hole. He is not fast, not by NFL standards. > > New Orleans corner Mike McKenzie is 30 years old and no one ever called him Primetime. He ran up on Parker like Parker was carrying 50-pound dumbbells. I can live with \*Quick \*Willie Parker if he keeps having 70 yard runs. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/227 "2006-11-19T18:47:17Z")
GodDAMMIT, Ben! Jesus! And this interception was thrown to Holmes-what a surprise. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/228 "2006-11-19T18:59:13Z")
They are killing me! Two interceptions back to back They are just killing me. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/229 "2006-11-19T20:30:53Z")
You gotta love it that they get back within 3 and immediately give up a kickoff return. :rolleyes: Oh, well. Even though they’re all but sure to miss the playoffs this year they won the big one last year. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/230 "2006-11-19T20:42:01Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] You gotta love it that they get back within 3 and immediately give up a kickoff return. :rolleyes: Oh, well. Even though they’re all but sure to miss the playoffs this year they won the big one last year. [/QUOTE] As I said. They are just freaking killing me. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/231 "2006-11-19T20:51:53Z")
They’re keeping it close. I hope Hine’s wasn’t hurt badly! ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/232 "2006-11-19T21:02:20Z")
Oh. My. God. They have to stop doing this to me. They just have to. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/233 "2006-11-19T21:07:40Z")
My god, are they TRYING to give us fans one giant simultaneous heart attack? Oh dear god…WE DID IT!!! I think I need a drink. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/234 "2006-11-19T21:08:24Z")
How they pulled that game out I will never know, but they did. There is _still_ hope. It’s amazing, that’s the only way to say it. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/235 "2006-11-19T21:09:08Z")
Wow! What an ending! Woohoo! Another win. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/236 "2006-11-19T21:11:33Z")
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF] How they pulled that game out I will never know, but they did. There is _still_ hope. It’s amazing, that’s the only way to say it. [/QUOTE] Well, we always were partial to last-minute turn-arounds. The Immaculate Reception, the 1995 AFC championship against the Colts, etc. Like I said-I think they’re trying to kill us. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/237 "2006-11-21T11:43:21Z")
Well, good game you bastards. I’m here to eat some crow. We have a lame duck coach who has instilled a passive, loser’s mentality in this team. The coaching staff did everything in their power to lose the game. You had 4 minutes left on the clock, and were down by 3, and had to drive down the field, so what did our coaching staff order? Deep, soft coverage that didn’t challenge the receivers whatsoever under 10 yards. Almost a prevent defense. We basically gave up 10 yard reception after 10 yard reception completely uncontested. Which is the worst possible thing you can do in that situation. That’s the way you play when there’s 50 seconds left on the clock, not 5 minutes. We gave you the perfect situation - a slow, methodical drive with little chance for stopping plays that let you run out the clock and then score within a minute. The Browns players deserved the win that day, but the Browns coaching staff is cowardly and incompetant. I’d like to say this was a fluke, but it’s not - it’s an extremely consistent pattern. We dominated the first half and it should’ve been 24-0, but only managed to get 10 points out of the deal - and then the coaching staff played the 10 point lead as if it were 30, as usual. Against Balitmore earlier in the year, we went into the half 14-0, and finished the game 15-14. We needed one whole field goal in 30 minutes to win, but the coaching staff put a stop to everything that was so successful and repeatedly tried to do what we couldn’t, for example. That’s a pattern in more of our losses. Even our wins are like that. Atlanta was 14-3 at the half, after a dominant defensive performance (their 3 points only came from an absolute BS don’t-touch-our-star-vick call), and we tried our best to give that game away, but Vick screwed it up. Destroyed the Jets through 3 quarters, yet it managed to come down almost to the last play. We try to lose every game where we have a lead - the only factor is whether or not the other team can seize the opportunity to take it. If they don’t, we win - if they do, we have a ridiculous loss that never should’ve happened, like this one. But you guys did step up and take the game away, so that’s something. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/238 "2006-11-21T18:03:16Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] Well, good game you bastards. I’m here to eat some crow. We have a lame duck coach who has instilled a passive, loser’s mentality in this team. The coaching staff did everything in their power to lose the game. You had 4 minutes left on the clock, and were down by 3, and had to drive down the field, so what did our coaching staff order? Deep, soft coverage that didn’t challenge the receivers whatsoever under 10 yards. Almost a prevent defense. We basically gave up 10 yard reception after 10 yard reception completely uncontested. Which is the worst possible thing you can do in that situation. That’s the way you play when there’s 50 seconds left on the clock, not 5 minutes. We gave you the perfect situation - a slow, methodical drive with little chance for stopping plays that let you run out the clock and then score within a minute. The Browns players deserved the win that day, but the Browns coaching staff is cowardly and incompetant. I’d like to say this was a fluke, but it’s not - it’s an extremely consistent pattern. We dominated the first half and it should’ve been 24-0, but only managed to get 10 points out of the deal - and then the coaching staff played the 10 point lead as if it were 30, as usual. Against Balitmore earlier in the year, we went into the half 14-0, and finished the game 15-14. We needed one whole field goal in 30 minutes to win, but the coaching staff put a stop to everything that was so successful and repeatedly tried to do what we couldn’t, for example. That’s a pattern in more of our losses. Even our wins are like that. Atlanta was 14-3 at the half, after a dominant defensive performance (their 3 points only came from an absolute BS don’t-touch-our-star-vick call), and we tried our best to give that game away, but Vick screwed it up. Destroyed the Jets through 3 quarters, yet it managed to come down almost to the last play. We try to lose every game where we have a lead - the only factor is whether or not the other team can seize the opportunity to take it. If they don’t, we win - if they do, we have a ridiculous loss that never should’ve happened, like this one. But you guys did step up and take the game away, so that’s something. [/QUOTE] Before you get too carried away blaming the coaches, make sure you note that Ben finally got his head into the game and shredded the defense almost at will in the last quarter. The coaches can’t be blamed for that. The way the Browns defense was swarming all over Ben in that last series it would be a stretch indeed to say that they were laying off. Ben was covered with blood, for Pete’s sake. The man took some serious hits and required an impromptu shovel pass to get it in the end zone. No, I think it’s more that the Brownies choked with the game on the line. It happens to everybody. It’s happened several times to Pittsburgh this year. There’s no shame in admitting that. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/239 "2006-11-21T23:18:41Z")
It’s not shame that’s preventing me from saying that’s the case - I’m ashamed of having a gutless coach - it’s just my honest assessment of the situation. I don’t have a copy on video, because I had to watch it at a bar - if I can find it later on the interweb, I’ll review - but I recall many passes going completely uncontested. Not that the defense was out of position, but deliberately called plays that left no coverage underneath. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2006, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645/240 "2006-11-26T17:30:34Z")
All right! This week determines whether Pittsburgh falls upon the dustbin of history this season or stays alive for yet another week. Baltimore has a fantastic defense, leading the league in takeaways, and Ben thus far has been playing to that strength, leading the league in interceptions. But Baltimore doesn’t put up big numbers on offense, and that plays to the strength of the Pittsburgh defense. Of course, none of that really matters. It’s Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh, so all bets are off. We all know how I want the game to turn out, but we’ll have to see. I’m enthusiastic about the Steelers’ chances. I would love to see the Steelers take the Ratbirds behind the woodshed and take their hearts. Game on in a half-hour. One game for the rest of the season against an arch-rival. How can you beat it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-annual-steelers-defend-the-lombardi-trophy-thread/367645.md?page=13)