Monday, September 28, 2015

NFL Monday recap - week #3

Steelers:

Burn, baby, burn - As the Rams ran out of the tunnel during introduction, pyrotechnics were set off in celebration and the plastic turf at Edward Jones Dome caught on fire near the end zone. Groundskeepers attempted vacuuming the turf, but when the little plastic burnt pieces proved too hard to suck up the teams were sent back to the locker rooms and mops were used to scrub the field. The whole incident caused a delay of game for over twenty minutes. Twitter, however, "lit" up with comments, jokes, and humorous videos all very entertaining.

Not sure it was ready for prime time - The shop vac that the Rams pulled out to use on the field fire ashes looked like it had caught on fire several times in the past. It certainly was not aesthetically pleasing, and as we watched, not very effective either.

Pay close attention - As my buddy and I got comfortable on the couch to watch the start of the game, he began spouting off of about our great offense, predicting a score of 30 points. I shook my head, told him that he, the media, and the analysts were getting too damn cocky for week three, and then, then I said, "What we need to be concentrating on is not getting hurt." And then a cold premonition slowly crept over my body. As usual when I speak about football, my buddy ignored that and kept on adding up points. Halfway through the third quarter Ben Roethlisberger was hit low on a tackle, retreated to the locker room, and never returned.

Tweet, tweet - I immediately turned to social media after Ben was carted off the field knowing I would get updates there faster than on TV. Between Steelers fans and my buddy the negativity made me crazy. We knew nothing; yes, Ben's face said it all on the cart, but seriously? Where was the faith in the rest of the team? Great teams step up to the plate, push out the the what ifs, and win. It's week 3 people!

Not happening on our watch - And that is exactly what the Steelers defense did. They pushed aside the thought of losing their quarterback and stayed focused on keeping the Rams offense out of the end zone. Another huge day by these guys, and I couldn't be more proud.

One job, one job - The offensive line owes Ben big time. Their job is to protect the quarterback, and while no line is going to protect a hundred percent, they let the Rams defenders sack Ben on the play right before the play where he got hurt.

Ring the Bell - The long anticipated return of running back Le'Veon Bell did not disappoint Steelers fans. Thirty-nine yards receiving, thirty-four yards rushing, and a most needed touchdown. For me, it was good, but it wasn't De'Angelo Williams great. Plus, his Antonio Brown copycat leap over two Rams defenders in the first half was just plain unnecessary and more a product of his ego instead of his brain. He's lucky he didn't end up in the locker room next to Ben.

V is for Vick - I saw back up quarterback Michael Vick being interviewed on ESPN after the game in the locker room. He was very solemn and said that he hated to see Ben hurt, but in the next instant he had to put that feeling aside, pick up his helmet, and get into a different mode to replace him because that is his job. Yes, Michael! That's what I'm talking about. Fist bump.

Say it ain't so Ben - A sprained MCL. A bruised bone. Out for six weeks at least.  I'm sorry for him. I hate when any player gets hurt. The downside to football. Worse when it happens to your quarterback and to your team. As usual, the Steelers have the hardest schedule in the league and now the guys are really going to have to step up.

Other -

More money than sense - Warren Buffet was on the Miami Dolphins sideline during the Miami/Buffalo game wearing Ndamukong Suh's jersey over shoulder pads. Let's just say that aqua is not a good color on the multi-billionaire and he should stay away from shoulder accents.

Fly Ravens, fly - 0 and 3? Couldn't happen to a nicer coach. Hey, that's what Patriots owner Robert Kraft implied. The game was back and forth with the Bengals in the lead, then the Ravens in the lead, then the Bengals, and so on and so on. Ravens Steve Smith had to have oxygen on the sidelines it was so crazy. Downside is we play them on Thursday night, without our quarterback.

Take this - Jets Brandon Marshall, who earlier in the week whined about how no one recognizes how wonderful he is as a wide receiver, caught a pass, ran, got tackled and, while he was going down to the turf, flipped the ball directly at Eagles Connor Barwin's head in an attempt to make a lateral to his own player who was to the right and behind Barwin. The ball bounced off Barwin's helmet and was scooped up by the Eagles who then scored two plays later. Psst Marshall, you're a receiver not a quarterback.

Oh, what a relief it is - I enjoyed Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (although, seriously, that beard drives me insane) post game conference. The man sighed and sighed and smiled and smiled. Got the monkey off his back despite two interceptions. "Not even going to think about losing," he said almost talking about what ifs.

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