PERSEVERANCE ...If you look up the word you may find a definition that goes something like this ... perseverance : Steady persistence in a course of action , a purpose, a state etc., continuance in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement... and then you may see a picture of the 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have continued to persevere no matter the obstacle or difficulty despite the many doubters at the beginning of the season . Despite the whole Ben Roethlisberger mess in the off season. Despite trading talented but problematic wide receiver Santonio Holmes . Despite losing starting Offensive right tackle Willie Colon for the year before training camp even started . The Steelers have not only weathered the many storms but have became a stronger team through it all.
The defense has used all of this to fuel the fire . Playing with a chip on their shoulder already due to the way last season ended and the way many may have thought a few of the older veterans may have lost a step or should be on their way out. People just failed to realize what the loss of Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith meant to the Steelers last season and what the return of these two would mean to the team this year. All the talk about can the Steelers win without QB Ben Roethlisberger ? Well that just fired up this talented defense even more ...The other team has to score to win right ? The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known for their physical Defense and this is probably the most talented and deepest team they have had in many years and they have had some great defensive teams. There is a good mix of young and seasoned veteran players and make no mistake about it they are on a mission .
All off season the media has talked about how great the Jets and the Ravens defenses are . The Steelers defense is a prideful bunch ... with the main core of its players having won 2 Super Bowls.
Let me ask you this ….What have the Jets D won??? When was the last time the Ravens won a game of any meaning ? Ray Lewis won one in 2000 ...James Farrior has won 2 Super Bowls since 2005 and the Steelers have beaten the ravens in every meaningful game they played in about the last decade. So I can see where they may feel like they have been slighted and have something yet to prove.
Baring major injuries the Steelers are the best defense in the NFL bar none.
The offense has really came around considering the QB situation and all the changes on the offensive line. You want to talk about perseverance? Lets talk about the QB situation for the Steelers . With the suspension of Ben it looked like Byron Leftwich was the sure starter but then a knee injury in the last preseason game put a stop to that and probably saved Charlie Batch from being cut from the team. In comes Dennis Dixon to open the season with a win only to hurt his knee in the second game of the season . Now Charlie Batch was an after thought in training camp..He barely played the preseason and was a blink of an eye from getting cut from the team and probably retiring ...through all of this he kept his mouth shut ,did not whine . He just continued to work hard and was the ultimate professional.
So here it is the third game of the season ,The Steelers are down to their 4th string QB in Charlie Batch and he has not started a game in years so whats he do? He goes out and throws three touchdowns goes 12of 17 passing with 186 yards and QB rating of 106.5. Now if that's not a lesson in perseverance what is?Not to mention Rashard Mendenhall and the offensive line have really stepped it up . Mendenhall has really turned out to be a top notch running back and he still has potential to get even better. The offensive line has really came through despite all the changes and injuries and did I mention they are playing with a rookie center that thus far has played outstanding. Maurkice Pouncey looks like the real deal and should be an ALL PRO for years to come.
The fact that the Steelers are 3-0 and on top of the AFC north after all this is a testament of the fortitude and perseverance of coach Mike Tomlin ,his coaching staff ,the Steelers players,team leaders
and the whole Steelers Organization …. As coach Tomlin likes to say the standard is the standard no matter who is in there and the standard is winning and we embrace that and expect it no matter who is starting.
So there you have it ...A lesson in perseverance . I think we should all apply this to our own lives and should remember no matter what the odds are ..no matter the obstacles ,difficulties ,or discouragement Keep your head up ,keep believing ,keep fighting and working hard and set your standard high and Persevere. Only good can come from it .
With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable. ~Thomas Foxwell Buxton
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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