Grades and thoughts on the Steelers win vs falcons

Here are some of my general thoughts and grades of week ones win against the Falcons….

  Offense C+

Dennis Dixon started out a little rough …it seemed as though he may have had a case of the nerves the first few drives. Some of his passes where low and short…and he did have an interception that stopped a key drive and could of had a couple more if they had not been dropped…I think the Steelers coaches played it a little too safe with him at the beginning and could have rolled him out more and used the play action pass more…That being said I feel he had a much better second half hitting some key passes to Hines Ward and Mike Wallace

 The Steelers offensive line seemed much more physical then last years and I think a lot of that has to do with new offensive line coach Sean Kugler and his style of coaching. Maurkice Pouncey was impressive in his first start at center and you could really tell the difference. He seems to be even better then anyone could have expected.

    The Steelers running game was led by Rashard Mendenhall who had 22 carries for 120 yards including the 50 yard TD run in overtime. Mendenhall really stepped up and looks to becoming a top all pro running back  .I really liked the way the Steelers used both Mendenhall and Redman in the backfield.

What else can you say about Hines Ward …the guy just never slows down. He continues to be a clutch WR in his 13^th season and had a key block on Mendenhall`s game winning TD…Not to mention he had 6 catches for 108 and helped Dixon calm down and showed what a true leader he really is …that’s why I have to say he was the player of the game.

The offensive grade would have been higher if they would have came away with more TDs instead of having to settle for field goals.

DEFENSE A-

 Overall I felt the Defense played a great game.  They held the falcons to a 2.3yard average per rush…25 rushes for 58 yards that’s a very good game and not many teams are going to win against them if they keep that up. Lawrence Timmons seems to becoming a all pro LB. He had 9 tackles and 2 assists. Lamarr Woodley and James Harrison each had a sack. Troy Polamalu made another great interception for the ages . I m telling you, at the game it seemed as though no one was covering the wide out …Troy was at least 10 Yards from the play …I was yelling someone better get on the wr, there’s no one covering him…No wonder Ryan thought he was wide open when he threw it…Then here comes Polamalu out of no where and makes a spectacular catch for the interception and drags his feet to stay in bounds. Troy has unbelievable closing speed  …Truly the best I have ever seen… he fools QBs all the time because there seems like theres no way he can make the play from where he is on the field and yet he makes the play most of the time. Like a cartoon or video game his skills seem out of this world…He is truly a once in a lifetime player so lets enjoy him while we can…because there will never be another like him.

 I was a little concerned with how many catches they let White have 13 for 111 but in the end it meant little and the Dbs seem improved from last season. Overall Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau called another good game ...The defense never gave up a TD and gave up only 9 points total and that’s always a good thing

Special teams B-

Jeff Reed was 3 of 5 including a 52 yard make but also had a 55 yard miss and a potential game winner of 40 yards missed…His kick offs seemed much improved but you have to make a 40 yard field goal   that being said he usually makes that automatic

Daniel Sepulveda punted 5 times for a net average of 46.8 net average. He had a good game and got the steelers out of a deep hole late in the game with a perfect punt of 54 yards with no return at the falcons 21 There was no big returns on the steelers so that is an improvement from last year and their return team was average and had no major mishaps.

The Good …

   Hines Ward 6 Catches for 108 Mr. Reliable… the ageless wonder.

   Maurkice Pouncey, a rookie playing like a future all-pro.   

   Troy Polamalu making a super interception in clutch situation of the game

   Daniel Sepulveda clutch punt at the end of the 4^th quarter

   Lawrence Timmons 11 tackles and playing his best football yet

The Bad…

  Jeff Reed missing 40-yard field goal at the end of regulation

 

The Ugly…

  The Steelers only converted 4 of 14 on 3^rd down that must be better in the future if they want to be a Championship caliber team.