ESPN released their NFL Any Era Team, which is their most recent scheme to make something out of nothing. Here is ESPN's description of the NFL Any Era Team: "ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine sought a list of the 20 current players who 20 Hall of Famers (and one Hall of Fame writer) believe could play in any era of the NFL." Not the most scientific approach by the folks at ESPN.
ESPN comes up with borderline ridiculous ideas like the NFL Any Era Team and rides them into the ground by having their personalities talk and write about them across all of their platforms for as long as possible.
I guess I am perpetuating ESPN's craziness by writing about it but since two Green Bay Packers ended up on the list it is at least worth mentioning, especially since a bunch of Packers are playing in the Pro Bowl today instead of preparing for the Super Bowl. The two Green Bay Packers that made the list are: Aaron Rodgers (ranked 9th) and Charles Woodson (ranked 4th).
I am fine with both of the selections, especially since HGH would not be readily available in any era for Clay Matthews...kidding (sort of) and with the relaxed rules for receivers I am not positive Greg Jennings would be as explosive in any era. It makes senses that Charles Woodson finished in front of Rodgers although I would bet there are a bunch of guys behind both that are salty.
Patriots fans have to be pissed that Tom Brady was ranked #11 while Rodgers was ranked #9. Add in that Ben Roethlisberger was ranked #3 and luckily Patriots fans can look forward to Super Bowl XLVI instead of worrying about these stupid lists.
Speaking of Super Bowl XLVI, it is being played in Indianapolis this year where Colts fans are about to have an ugly divorce with their franchise quarterback Peyton Manning. I guess that means the least of their worries is that Manning was ranked #20 while Lefty Jesus aka Tim Tebow was ranked #19.
I already gave this ridiculous list more coverage than it deserves, you are welcome to seek out the whole list and complain if you like. If possible, enjoy the Pro Bowl since it will be the last time you will see anyone wearing Green and Gold on an NFL field for at least six months.
Check back over the next few weeks for a bunch of Packers coverage as I put the final touches on the 2011 season and look forward to the 2012 season.
Showing posts with label Ben Roethlisberger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Roethlisberger. Show all posts
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, December 20, 2009
2009 - Packers v. Steelers Analyzed
The Packers continued their losing ways in Pittsburgh. They are 0-4 in Pittsburgh since 1970. By beating the Packers, the Steelers avoided becoming the first Super Bowl champion to lose 6 games the season after hoisting the Lombardi trophy.
The Packers trailed at a number of points throughout the entire game: 7-0, 14-7, 21-14, 27-21, 30-28 and most importantly 37-36. The Steelers out gained the Packers 537 yards to 436 yards and outclassed the Packers on the final drive of the game.
The Steelers made more plays in the clutch which helped them beat the Packers. It was hard to narrow the list down to five plays because of how many explosive plays occurred in this game. After much deliberation, here are the top five plays and analysis from the game (along with the "Trojan Play of the Game"):
#5) Pittsburgh leads 14-7, Pittsburgh ball on their own 34 yard line, 3rd and 5 with 1:17 left in the 1st quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) SACKED and FUMBLED, Clay Matthews (Green Bay) RECOVERED at the Pittsburgh 27 yard line. Pittsburgh challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw incomplete short right to Heath Miller (Pittsburgh).
Analysis:
Instead of Green Bay getting the ball at the Pittsburgh 27 yard line, Green Bay got the ball at their own 27 yard line following a Pittsburgh punt. The Packers drove the ball down the field and Mason Crosby missed an easy field goal (see play #2 below).
I included this play for two reasons:
#1) Was that enough evidence to overturn the call? After being called a fumble on the field there has to be irrefutable video evidence to over turn the call. After watching the play from every angle it seems close whether his arm was moving forward before the ball was coming out. As a result, it amazes me that they overturned the call instead deferring to the original call on the field.
#2) How great of a rookie season in Matthews having? For the first time in Ted Thompson's tenure as the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers he traded back into the first round to get Clay Matthews. With Green Bay moving from the 4-3 to the 3-4 they needed a quality rush end/outside linebacker to help with the transition. Matthews has been just that type of player and exceed all expectations thus far. Matthews's stats for the season through 14 games are: 47 tackles, 10 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss and 1 forced fumble. Pretty good start to what looks to be a VERY promising professional football career.
#4) Game tied 0-0, Pittsburgh ball on their own 40 yard line, 1st and 10 with 14:28 left in the 1st quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw deep right to Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Analysis:
Losing Al Harris for the seasons meant shuffling the corner back chairs. As a result, Jarrett Bush has been thrust into the lineup more then coaches/fans wanted and has been burned a number of times.
On this play Bush inexplicably slowed down as Wallace raced down field. Without any safety help over the top, Bush allowed Wallace to get behind the entire Green Bay defense. Big Ben bought some extra time by scrambling around and even though he under threw Wallace, it still went for a long touchdown because of how far out of position Bush was on the play.
#3) Green Bay leads 36-30, Pittsburgh ball on their own 44 yard line, 1st and 20 with 59 seconds left in the 4th quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw short right intended for Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) tipped by Brandon Chillar (Green Bay) and INTERCEPTED by Jarrett Bush (Green Bay) at the Green Bay 42 yard line and returned 7 yards to the to Green Bay 49 yard line. PENALTY on Brandon Chillar (Green Bay), Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at the Pittsburgh 44 yard line.
Analysis:
Bush tried to atone for early sins on this play but his interception was nullified by Chillar's defensive hold. It was a clear penalty by Chillar which allowed the Pittsburgh drive to continue.
There were a number of plays on the final drive that could have flipped the game. The Packers committed 3 penalties (defensive holding on Woodson, Chillar and Bell) while the Steelers committed 2 penalties (offensive holding and false start by Starks).
At certain points it looked like both teams were willing the other team on to win. Unfortunately the Steelers had the last laugh.
#2) Pittsburgh leads 14-7, Green Bay ball on the Pittsburgh 16 yard line, 4th and 2 with 13:25 left in the 2nd quarter:
Mason Crosby (Green Bay) 34 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right (Holder Jeremy Kapinos).
Analysis:
The right hash mark and Mason Crosby are not friends. If this continues any longer Mason Crosby might be looking for a new employer before the New Year. Crosby's kicking troubles have been well documented, if I don't move on I might break my keyboard...
#1) Green Bay leads 36-30, Pittsburgh ball on the Green Bay 19 yard line, 3rd and 10 with 3 seconds left in the 4th quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw deep left to Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
Analysis:
After starting slow, the Packers offense gave the team a chance to win. The defense took that chance and flushed it down the toilet. It is inexcusable that the highly rated Green Bay defense allowed Pittsburgh to drive 86 yards in two minutes with only 1 timeout remaining to win the game. The entire drive was a slow burn that resulted in a Steelers win.
Trojan Bonner of the Week Award - Mike Tomlin
Just as a refresher, the award goes to a player/coach/referee that makes a stupid play/decision/call during the game.
Pittsburgh leads 30-28, Pittsburgh ball on their own 30 yard line, kicking off with 3:58 left in the 4th quarter:
Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh) kicks onside 9 yards from, downed by Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh). PENALTY on Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh), Illegal Touch Kick, enforced at Pittsburgh 39 yard line.
Analysis:
Big Ben bailed out Tomlin and almost made me give the award to someone else (Mason Crosby, Jarrett Bush and Donald Lee dodged a bullet). Tomlin inexplicably tried an onside kick with the lead and 4 minutes remaining in the game.
Some might argue that Tomlin is an evil genius for giving the Packers a short field which allowed the Steelers to get the ball back with 2 minutes left in the game. The onside kick seemed like a slap in the face to his defense (similar to the infamous 4 and 2 decision by Belichick earlier this season).
Tomlin lucked out that the Steelers pulled out the victory but the win does not diminish how stupid of a decision it was for Tomlin to attempt the onside kick in that situation.
Congrats Tomlin, you are the second recipient of the "Trojan Bonner of the Week Award"!
The Packers trailed at a number of points throughout the entire game: 7-0, 14-7, 21-14, 27-21, 30-28 and most importantly 37-36. The Steelers out gained the Packers 537 yards to 436 yards and outclassed the Packers on the final drive of the game.
The Steelers made more plays in the clutch which helped them beat the Packers. It was hard to narrow the list down to five plays because of how many explosive plays occurred in this game. After much deliberation, here are the top five plays and analysis from the game (along with the "Trojan Play of the Game"):
#5) Pittsburgh leads 14-7, Pittsburgh ball on their own 34 yard line, 3rd and 5 with 1:17 left in the 1st quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) SACKED and FUMBLED, Clay Matthews (Green Bay) RECOVERED at the Pittsburgh 27 yard line. Pittsburgh challenged the fumble ruling, and the play was REVERSED. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw incomplete short right to Heath Miller (Pittsburgh).
Analysis:
Instead of Green Bay getting the ball at the Pittsburgh 27 yard line, Green Bay got the ball at their own 27 yard line following a Pittsburgh punt. The Packers drove the ball down the field and Mason Crosby missed an easy field goal (see play #2 below).
I included this play for two reasons:
#1) Was that enough evidence to overturn the call? After being called a fumble on the field there has to be irrefutable video evidence to over turn the call. After watching the play from every angle it seems close whether his arm was moving forward before the ball was coming out. As a result, it amazes me that they overturned the call instead deferring to the original call on the field.
#2) How great of a rookie season in Matthews having? For the first time in Ted Thompson's tenure as the General Manager of the Green Bay Packers he traded back into the first round to get Clay Matthews. With Green Bay moving from the 4-3 to the 3-4 they needed a quality rush end/outside linebacker to help with the transition. Matthews has been just that type of player and exceed all expectations thus far. Matthews's stats for the season through 14 games are: 47 tackles, 10 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss and 1 forced fumble. Pretty good start to what looks to be a VERY promising professional football career.
#4) Game tied 0-0, Pittsburgh ball on their own 40 yard line, 1st and 10 with 14:28 left in the 1st quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw deep right to Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) for 60 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Analysis:
Losing Al Harris for the seasons meant shuffling the corner back chairs. As a result, Jarrett Bush has been thrust into the lineup more then coaches/fans wanted and has been burned a number of times.
On this play Bush inexplicably slowed down as Wallace raced down field. Without any safety help over the top, Bush allowed Wallace to get behind the entire Green Bay defense. Big Ben bought some extra time by scrambling around and even though he under threw Wallace, it still went for a long touchdown because of how far out of position Bush was on the play.
#3) Green Bay leads 36-30, Pittsburgh ball on their own 44 yard line, 1st and 20 with 59 seconds left in the 4th quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw short right intended for Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) tipped by Brandon Chillar (Green Bay) and INTERCEPTED by Jarrett Bush (Green Bay) at the Green Bay 42 yard line and returned 7 yards to the to Green Bay 49 yard line. PENALTY on Brandon Chillar (Green Bay), Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at the Pittsburgh 44 yard line.
Analysis:
Bush tried to atone for early sins on this play but his interception was nullified by Chillar's defensive hold. It was a clear penalty by Chillar which allowed the Pittsburgh drive to continue.
There were a number of plays on the final drive that could have flipped the game. The Packers committed 3 penalties (defensive holding on Woodson, Chillar and Bell) while the Steelers committed 2 penalties (offensive holding and false start by Starks).
At certain points it looked like both teams were willing the other team on to win. Unfortunately the Steelers had the last laugh.
#2) Pittsburgh leads 14-7, Green Bay ball on the Pittsburgh 16 yard line, 4th and 2 with 13:25 left in the 2nd quarter:
Mason Crosby (Green Bay) 34 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right (Holder Jeremy Kapinos).
Analysis:
The right hash mark and Mason Crosby are not friends. If this continues any longer Mason Crosby might be looking for a new employer before the New Year. Crosby's kicking troubles have been well documented, if I don't move on I might break my keyboard...
#1) Green Bay leads 36-30, Pittsburgh ball on the Green Bay 19 yard line, 3rd and 10 with 3 seconds left in the 4th quarter:
Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh) threw deep left to Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
Analysis:
After starting slow, the Packers offense gave the team a chance to win. The defense took that chance and flushed it down the toilet. It is inexcusable that the highly rated Green Bay defense allowed Pittsburgh to drive 86 yards in two minutes with only 1 timeout remaining to win the game. The entire drive was a slow burn that resulted in a Steelers win.
Trojan Bonner of the Week Award - Mike Tomlin
Just as a refresher, the award goes to a player/coach/referee that makes a stupid play/decision/call during the game.
Pittsburgh leads 30-28, Pittsburgh ball on their own 30 yard line, kicking off with 3:58 left in the 4th quarter:
Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh) kicks onside 9 yards from, downed by Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh). PENALTY on Ike Taylor (Pittsburgh), Illegal Touch Kick, enforced at Pittsburgh 39 yard line.
Analysis:
Big Ben bailed out Tomlin and almost made me give the award to someone else (Mason Crosby, Jarrett Bush and Donald Lee dodged a bullet). Tomlin inexplicably tried an onside kick with the lead and 4 minutes remaining in the game.
Some might argue that Tomlin is an evil genius for giving the Packers a short field which allowed the Steelers to get the ball back with 2 minutes left in the game. The onside kick seemed like a slap in the face to his defense (similar to the infamous 4 and 2 decision by Belichick earlier this season).
Tomlin lucked out that the Steelers pulled out the victory but the win does not diminish how stupid of a decision it was for Tomlin to attempt the onside kick in that situation.
Congrats Tomlin, you are the second recipient of the "Trojan Bonner of the Week Award"!
2009 Week #15 - Packers v. Steelers
Everyone talks about the loss of Troy Polamalu but in Week #5 when Pittsburgh beat Detroit 28 to 20 their season took a turn for the worse because they lost standout defensive end Aaron Smith for the season (last year the Packers lost Cullen Jenkins after 4 games and the defense struggled the rest of the season). Through 5 weeks, Pittsburgh was 4-1 (with 10 takeaways). Since losing Smith, Pittsburgh is 2-6 (with 6 takeaways). As a result, this "top ten" list has two players (because of injury to Polamalu and Smith) that would not be there if Pittsburgh was completely healthy. Here is weekly "top ten" list:
#10 - Ryan Clark (S): despite missing a game this season, Clark is second on the team in tackles with 71 and tied for second on the team in interceptions with 2. Clark is a hard hitter but is nothing close to Polamalu.
#9 - Casey Hampton (NT): a former pro bowler that is on the decline. In his prime, Hampton was the ideal nose tackle for the 3-4 defense. His size and strength still allows him to draw double teams and give Pittsbrugh's accomplished linebackers opportunities to make plays.
#8 - Rashard Mendenhall (RB) : after missing almost all of his rookie season because of injury, Mendenhall unseated "Formerly Fast" Willie Parker as Pittsburgh's #1 running back. Mendenhall has a good combination of size and strength which gives Pittsburgh an every down running back they have been searching for years.
#7 - LaMarr Woodley (LOLB): although he doesn't have the most tackles on the team (45), Woodley has wreaked havoc in opposing teams backfields all season with 9 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss.
#6 - Hines Ward (WR): a great all around wide receiver. Ward was recently voted the dirtiest player in the NFL by his peers. Most of that comes from his bone crushing blocks he puts on defenders. Ward is the Kdog of NFL wide receivers...if he is on your team you love him but if he is on the other team you hate him.
#5 - Santonio Holmes (WR): was the Super Bowl MVP last year when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals in one of the more entertaining Super Bowls ever. Holmes is currently 3rd in the league in receiving yards and has become the #1 receiver in Pittsburgh (no longer Hines Ward).
#4 - Heath Miller (TE): blocks well, runs good routes, creates separation with his above average speed, catches everything thrown his way and doesn't fumble often...a great all around tight end.
#3 - James Farrior (SILB): leads the team in tackles and locker room presence. Farrior is having a great statistical season: 83 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 forced fumble.
#2 - James Harrison (ROLB): a great story. A former practice squad player that put in his time and turned into one of the best outside linebackers in Steelers' history. Harrison had possibly the most impressive defensive play in Super Bowl history last year and has followed that up with another great season: 70 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss and 4 forced fumbles.
#1 - Ben Roethlisberger (QB): with two Super Bowl rings, he is the most decorated quarterback of the 2004 NFL Draft (Eli Manning has one Super Bowl ring and Phil Rivers has zero). Big Ben is not the fastest or strongest NFL QB in the NFL but somehow he evades defenders and makes great throws on the run.
#10 - Ryan Clark (S): despite missing a game this season, Clark is second on the team in tackles with 71 and tied for second on the team in interceptions with 2. Clark is a hard hitter but is nothing close to Polamalu.
#9 - Casey Hampton (NT): a former pro bowler that is on the decline. In his prime, Hampton was the ideal nose tackle for the 3-4 defense. His size and strength still allows him to draw double teams and give Pittsbrugh's accomplished linebackers opportunities to make plays.
#8 - Rashard Mendenhall (RB) : after missing almost all of his rookie season because of injury, Mendenhall unseated "Formerly Fast" Willie Parker as Pittsburgh's #1 running back. Mendenhall has a good combination of size and strength which gives Pittsburgh an every down running back they have been searching for years.
#7 - LaMarr Woodley (LOLB): although he doesn't have the most tackles on the team (45), Woodley has wreaked havoc in opposing teams backfields all season with 9 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss.
#6 - Hines Ward (WR): a great all around wide receiver. Ward was recently voted the dirtiest player in the NFL by his peers. Most of that comes from his bone crushing blocks he puts on defenders. Ward is the Kdog of NFL wide receivers...if he is on your team you love him but if he is on the other team you hate him.
#5 - Santonio Holmes (WR): was the Super Bowl MVP last year when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals in one of the more entertaining Super Bowls ever. Holmes is currently 3rd in the league in receiving yards and has become the #1 receiver in Pittsburgh (no longer Hines Ward).
#4 - Heath Miller (TE): blocks well, runs good routes, creates separation with his above average speed, catches everything thrown his way and doesn't fumble often...a great all around tight end.
#3 - James Farrior (SILB): leads the team in tackles and locker room presence. Farrior is having a great statistical season: 83 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 forced fumble.
#2 - James Harrison (ROLB): a great story. A former practice squad player that put in his time and turned into one of the best outside linebackers in Steelers' history. Harrison had possibly the most impressive defensive play in Super Bowl history last year and has followed that up with another great season: 70 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss and 4 forced fumbles.
#1 - Ben Roethlisberger (QB): with two Super Bowl rings, he is the most decorated quarterback of the 2004 NFL Draft (Eli Manning has one Super Bowl ring and Phil Rivers has zero). Big Ben is not the fastest or strongest NFL QB in the NFL but somehow he evades defenders and makes great throws on the run.
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