Ed: Don't Expect Apology from Park Ave.

Tuesday, 06 November 2012 06:39

Written by Ed Bouchette

Good morning,
        We turn things over to you today after a few quick items. Don’t forget chat at 1:30 p.m.
--- Mike Wallace: “This was the best win we’ve had in my four years here.  To get a win against defending Super Bowl champions, on a day like this where we overcame all this stuff -- all the passion and emotion they had after the hurricane here -- and we still came out and got the win, that says a whole lot about our team."
--- The Steelers are one of three teams that have not allowed 300 yards passing against them (Jets, Broncos).
--- I take my usual turn at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh and on Radio.com.
--- Andy Reid has that Bill Cowher look of 2006.
--- Kansas City  quarterback Brady Quinn is still not cleared to play against the Steelers Monday night.
--- Go vote!
--- Before I turn it over to your questions, here’s a statement from a reader taking the other side of the fake field goal that I thought I’d run without comment:
 YOU:  I loved the call. The biggest issue was execution primarily by Miller who acted like he had no idea what to do. If he blows that contain guy out of there instead of going after the safety it would have been very interesting.
Even though it didn't work, there are multiple reasons I believe it was a great risk.
-It put the Giants deep in their zone, limiting their play book a great deal.
 -The defense was playing lights out.
-Taking the first two points there was a high chance of a 3 and out giving your punt returner to do damage with a kick to about midfield.
-You kick it and tie the game you now have to rely on your kick coverage to hold them deep. I have more faith in how the defense has been playing.
-The Giants would of had the ball at their 20 or more likely further out, increasing their play choices. Imagine a 7 min drive at that point resulting in points.
-Like the failed onside kick by LSU (which played inspired from that point on) the confidence that coach is showing his players is unmeasurable.
--- YOU: It seems like Will Allen is filling in nicely for Troy P./Mundy.
He seems to be in the "right places at the right times," best I can tell, and he is a sure tackler.
What is your opinion of his play since he replaced Mundy as Troy P.'s replacement?
ME: If I wanted to be a smart alec I’d say they are 3-0 with him. He has played well as you mention and that is the reason he has remained a starter while Troy Polamalu is out. Remember when the Steelers’ record would be cited sans Polamalu? It’s not so bad anymore.
--- YOU: I had a thought after the Ryan Clark penalty that replays clearly showed was not a hit to the head: if refs are throwing the flag just to err on the side of caution, and the NFL concedes to this (assumption), then couldn't it be a challengeable play? I know its a slippery slope, but this is not the first time this has happened to a defensive player, Steeler or otherwise.
ME: Yes, they should, but they are not. In the great wisdom of the NFL, they want officials to throw flags on what they think they might have seen rather than what they see. Why can’t the NFL just tell its officials to call what they see, as Art McNally insntructed referee Fred Swearingen on Dec. 23, 1972?  Then, if they see a hit to the head on slow-mo, high-def replay in New York in the week after the game, they can fine the player even if no flag was thrown.
--- YOU: Ed, week in and week out, we get this "detailed" report on the status of Troy Polamalu: "Out (calf)." What EXACTLY is the issue with his calf? Is it sore, sprained, tweaked, strained, or what (choose one or more)? It's as if this (non) explanation is blindly accepted each week, with no additional information ever provided. I'm not at all doubting the truthfulness of the injury, but as the weeks tick by, one can only wonder what the nature of this mysterious injury is, including a prognosis for his return to the lineup? If I told my boss that my hand "hurt" and I had a room full of fans cheering me on at my desk every day, they might be curious at some point what exactly is wrong with my hand and when I might be able to return to conducting business at my desk?
ME: It’s obviously torn. You should be happy they give us the bare information. Remember earlier in the season when the Steelers would list, for example, James Harrison as “questionable” on Friday rather than “out” as they knew he would be?  It looks as though someone from the league office had a little talk with the Steelers to tell them their injury report should better reflect reality because it has since the fourth week of the season.
--- YOU: After Sunday's showing by our Steelers' offense only one who sees our O-line playing with dominant force the last few games? Willie Colon's transition to OG seems like an inspired position change, with Colon far more effective playing a position much better-suited to his body type and aggresive nature. Also, is Mike Adams heading in the direction of draft-day steal the team hoped he would?
ME: No and yes.
--- YOU: Lost in the improved O-line played is Foster. He seems to be playing very well, correct? I mean, I can't remember any holds, and we seem to be running to either side now--A and B gap. Do you and our coaches agree that he is a greatly improved player this year?
ME: Don’t know the coaches’ opinions but he has been grading out well all year by independent services, and now they are pulling him to the left as they have done with their left guard for years.
--- YOU: are the grades handed out to the officials made public?
ME: Oh, my, no. Now you’re really asking for too much information. What do you think this is, a sport?
--- YOU: At the halfway point in the season, the Ravens are the only team the Steelers have left to play (twice) with a winning record. Given that, how many wins and losses do you see in the final eight games.
ME: I’ll stick with my preseason prediction that they will go 11-5, which obviously means they must go 6-2 in the second half. Remember, though, that two of their losses have come to teams with losing records, Oakland and Tennessee.
--- YOU: Any word on when Baby Ben is coming? We were talking yesterday during the game and thought she was due any time now. They need to schedule the delivery for a Tuesday so he does not miss any games? Thanks for your hard work .... we appreciate you!!!
ME: Two weeks or so, which should put ETA about kickoff for the home game vs. Baltimore.
--- YOU: Yesterday's game had to be the worst officiated game since the replacement refs blew the call on the Packers vs. Seahawks. Specifically:
There was
1- no pass interference on the pass that lead to the first Giant TD
2- no blow to the head hit on Cruz that resulted in an automatic first down and goal
3- rushing TD by brown was no TD (the ball never crossed the line - call confirming the TD made me think that the fix was on)
4- tuck rule only applies to Brady
5- the fumble recovery run back missed a clip by the giants on the steelers
The NFL and the commish have to be embarrassed.
ME: Understand, those people don’t embarrass easily. I also would not expect to hear any public apologies from Park Avenue.  Remember, the league backed that godawful call in Seattle. The first blown call we noticed was a bad spot on a Giants punt that went out of bounds on the Steelers sideline.