Steelers end the preseason 4-1.

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In one of the more boring games you'll ever see, the Steelers beat the Panthers 19-3 to end their preseason on a 3-game winning streak with a 4-1 record. This recap features a Punt Counter.

Steelers win the toss and come out with Keider. Ben hits Nasty Nate for a sweet catch, then Najeh for a short loss. Ben gets sacked to end the drive and Sepulveda punts. (1)

The Panthers, in true Steelers fashion, go run-run-pass-punt. (2)

Homestead Charlie comes in and completes a pass to Carey Davis. Verron Haynes can't pick up the first down on 2 tries and the Steelers punt again. (3)

Panthers move the ball a little on the next drive, but the Defense stands strong and Kasay misses a 51-yard field goal.

Steelers respond to the turnover by going 3-and-out. (4)

Carolina comes back and drives the ball down the field against the 2nd string defense for a field goal. 0-3.

BSP comes in, leads the Steelers to 1 first down and a punt. (5)

David Carr coughs up the ball and Tyrone Carter recovers. The good field position leads to a field goal. 3-3.

Carr follows up a turnover with...another turnover. Excellent interception by Clint "Heinz 57" Kriewaldt. The Steelers respond by going sack-run-incomplete pass-punt (6).

The Panthers run 5 times and punt. (7) The Steelers 2-minute offense sputters and Sepulveda punts to end the half. (8)

Here's a shocker. The Panthers open the second half by going run-run-pass-punt. (9)

Verron Haynes single-handedly leads the Steelers down the field for what would be the game-winning field goal. 6-3.

Carolina seems to be rolling for another punt, but the new LT (Timmons) comes up with a big strip on 3rd down and William Gay falls on the ball. That was probably the most boring sentance ever involving the words "strip", "gay" and "ball".

The Steelers respond to the big turnover with 3 running plays and a...field goal! 9-3.

If you're not asleep by this point in the recap, you have a lot more resiliance than I give Average Joe Blog Reader. There's not much I can do to make a game that every drive except for 3 (2 fumbles and a pick) ended in a kick of some sort (4 field goals, 9 punts).

Carolina adds punt #10 to the tally and gives the Steelers the ball back. Gary Russell carries the team back down the field and the drive stalls. Sepulveda punts but the Panthers fumble the return and...guess who, Sepulveda falls on the loose ball. Awesome. It's also punt #11. Russell carries a few more times and Reed hits another field goal. 12-3. At least at this point a touchdown by the Panthers wouldn't win them the game.

Another punt by each team gives the ball back to the Panthers. (12, 13) They fumble the snap and Scott Paxson recovers. With the ball around midfield, a solid drive by the scrubs could give us something to get excited about.

The Steelers come out and give Gary Russell the ball to do with it as he pleases. I guess he wanted us to punt. (14)

And when it seems like things couldn't possibly get any worse, we finally get a touchdown. Tyrone Carter jumps in front of a pass and scampers 32 yards for the most exciting score of the game. 19-3.

Carolina gets the ball back with a minute left and moves the ball down the field as time expires, ending one of the most boring games in football history.

Stats:
14 Punts
6 Turnovers by Carolina
5 Field Goals
3 naps taken.

And thus the preseason comes to an end. For the second time in the preseason, the Steelers kicked 4 field goals. The Defense played great. I repeat: Woodley will be starting by Week 7. Also, this entry didn't feature any pictures because the camera people literally fell asleep at the game because it was so boring.

Does Preseason Matter?

Every sports analyst wants to tell you that preseason doesn't matter. Let's look at some numbers.

Year	Preseason	Regular Season	Season Result
2006	0 - 4	8 - 8	missed playoffs
2005	3 - 1	11 - 5	Won Super Bowl XL
2004	2 - 2	15 - 1	Lost AFC Championship
2003	1 - 3	6 - 10	missed playoffs
2002	2 - 2	10 - 5 - 1	Lost AFC Divisional
2001	3 - 1	13 - 3	Lost AFC Championship
2000	3 - 2	9 - 7	missed playoffs
1999	1 - 3	6 - 10	missed playoffs
1998	3 - 2	7 - 9	missed playoffs
1997	5 - 0	11 - 5	Lost AFC Championship

So what can be concluded? In the 5 seasons where the Steelers have had a winning record in the preseason, they have had a winning regular season 4 times. Additionally, when the Steelers have had a losing record in the preseason, they have followed up with a losing record in the regular season. The Steelers have also had winning seasons in the two seasons they were .500 in the preseason.

So does preseason matter? As much as the media would like us to think it doesn't, it actually does. In the last 10 years, the Steelers have had winning seasons in 6 of the 7 seasons they won at least 2 preseason games. Additionally, in the 3 years they had losing preseason records, they have finished 6-10, 6-10, and 8-8.

There we have it. The numbers don't lie. Winning breeds winning. And with the Steelers sitting at 3-1 on the eve of their last preseason matchup against Carolina, I'm feeling pretty good about this season.

Steelers win the Battle of Penn's Woods

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Before I get to the recap, the Steelers made their first round of cuts today. The only one of significance? Kevan Barlow.

So long Kevan.

Steelers won the toss and had a good drive going until Ben throws a pick on an attempted dump-off pass. He should have held on to that one and took the sack.

You tell him coach.

Coach throws the challenge flag and wins...6 yards. It doesn't matter much as McNabb leads the Eagles down to the 23. Huge sack and strip by Clark Haggans on second down, but the Eagles recover. False start penalty pushes them back 5 more yards then Polamalu and Farrior lay down the law.

Steelers go run-run-pass and punt. Sepulveda chokes. Philly ball on the Pittsburgh 20.

Anthony Smith from the Cuse lays the smack down on Kevin Curtis on 3rd and Goal. Solid stand by the defense to hold the Eagles to 3 points.

Steelers start the next drive with a pass to Kreider. A nice little rumble down the sideline for 22 yards. Hines picks up a key 3rd down with a 13-yard catch. After a false start by A-Fan and...

Miller down to the 1, should be a sure touchdown, but Willie Parker has other ideas.

He coughs it upon the goal line. Ouch.

Eagles drive out of the shadow of their own goal posts only to punt. Willie Reid pulls a Colclough and muffs the kick. Steelers go 3-and-out again and punt. Sepulveda triples the distance on his previous kick. The defense stands strong and forces a punt.

It's go time.

We put the ball in Parker's hands 4 consecutive plays, including a 20-yard screen pass. Nice. Wilson and Holmes pull down big receptions to get us into the red zone. First and 10 from the 18. Power I. Eagles stack the box. I turn to my girlfriend and say, "We're probably going to run the ball here."

Hey, I'm no Nostradamus, but it worked.
Parker's goal line fumble is redeemed.
7-3

Kolb comes in to play QB for the Eagles. He was solid at Houston, and everyone was hoping this wasn't going to turn into another game like the Packers where a young QB beat us up and down the field. But the Defense stands strong again and forces another punt.

Steelers get the ball back and hit Najeh on a screen pass for 33 and Heath for 12. Nothing else is working and Reed hits a 37-yarder. 10-3.

Eagles get the ball back and go 3-and-out after a sack by I Like Ike Taylor on 3rd down.

Face your fears. Face the music. Face me Ike.

Another screen to the Najehnater and two sweet passes to Hines later, Reed knocks down a field goal to end the half. 13-3.

Tony Hunt runs all over the Steelers on the Eagles' first drive of the second half, but LaMarr Woodley comes up with a huge 3rd down sack and strip, holding the Eagles to a field goal. 13-6.

Nasty Nate pulls down two big receptions on the next drive from Homestead Charlie, including one that should have been a touchdown.

He's in.

Ex-Steeler Kevan Barlow pounds it in from the 1. 20-6. Game.

Kevin Kolb had different ideas. He drove the Eagles into Steelers territory but ran into the brick wall of the 2007 Draft. Timmons and Woodley with the huge 4th down stop.

BSP comes in and throws a pick and Kolb drives the Eagles back down the field but the defense steps up on a 4th down just outside the red zone.

Run-run-pass and ex-Steeler Mike Barr punts.

Kolb leads an impressive drive back down the field, resulting in a 4-yard touchdown pass. Maybe it's not over yet.

The Steelers change up the Offensive scheme and go run-pass-run-punt. At least it's the preseason.

Kolb marches the Eagles back down the field and is staring at a 1st down on the Steelers 28 as the clock strikes 2. The Defense gets a well-needed breather and comes back out.

Two words: William Gay.

He's making the team.

Huge strip by Gay and recovery by Javon Johnson who streaks 78 yards for the score.

Great way to cap off the night for the Defense.
27-13.

Kolb leads one last effort down the field which stalls at the Pittsburgh 6. Brian Randall comes in for the Victory Formation and takes a knee. Ballgame.

Concluding thoughts:

Needs to start.
Woodley is a great player. We need to see more of him.


Needs to stop.
Put us out of our misery and get rid of the mascot.

Steelers win at the Par 3 in Landover

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All we needed to bring tonight was the sand wedge. Four chip-shot field goals by Jeff Reed and Connor Hughes later, Coach Tomlin is 2-1.

We started off the game by losing the coin toss. Way to go team captains.

Reed boots an awesome kickoff deep into the end zone. Reed's kickoffs have been sick this year.

Skins Offense comes out looking strong. They hit the tight end of a big play. I remember us having this problem against the Falcons last year...But LaMarr Woodley (Steelers 2007 Rookie of the Year, I'm calling it now) comes up with a huge sack. Great play by LaMarr. For anyone out there with a Porter jersey, don't get rid of it! Slap some duct tape over the name, get a black Sharpie and write WOODLEY on it. You'll be able to keep it for a long time.

Solid play to Hines on first down. Parker goes nowhere. Good look to Heath but it's just short.

Sepulveda kicks the snot out of the ball.

Two humans trying to reenact Sepulveda's Superhuman kick.

Redskins starting Offense comes back out and makes our secondary look like the Maginot Line. 7-0.

"We're down here and they're up there...oops!"
-actual transcribed quote from the French Army

Jason Campbell was hurt on the drive, but it appears he'll be okay. Which is a good thing because I liked him when he was at Auburn and thought he had a really good chance at being a solid NFL QB. I'd hate to see his shot get ruined in the preseason. Get well soon Jason.

Run-Run-Pass and the First Quarter is over.

Sepulveda with another good punt.

Deshea comes up with a huge sack on third down to force a punt.

1st string Offense goes 3-and-out again (not what we want to see out of them) and Sepulveda reverses the field with another great kick.

Haggans and Clark stop this drive with a 3rd down sack, forcing a punt. The Skins only picked up 1 first down on this drive.

Steelers get the ball back with 5:40 left. Ben hits Santonio with two big passes, one on a 3rd and 17 for 30 yards. Reed adds a chip shot as the first half expires. 3-7

Batch comes in, Steelers go run-run-pass and punt.

Steelers get hosed on a 3rd down penalty and the Skins drive stays alive. Eventually, they convert a 48-yard field goal. 10-3.

Homestead Charlie leads the Steelers on a long drive lasting into the 4th quarter hitting Nasty Nate and Carey Davis for a few big plays. Tomlin calls for the wedge again and Reed knocks it through. 10-6.

Colclough comes up with a fumble recovery to get us the ball back.

BSP takes over and leads the team down to the 4 yard line but no money. Connor Hughes chips in to make it 10-9.

William Gay drops a sure INT from the Ageless Wonder but forces a punt.

Gary Russell (who Pomp mistakenly called "Gary Roberts" on the pregame show) owns the next drive but can't cash it in on 3 chances from inside the 3. Ouch. Another chip shot from Hughes makes it 12-10. This might have been the most boring comeback ever.

The Skins get the ball back with a minute and a half left. The Ageless Wonder seems poised to prove he can still play. A 4th and 14 conversion for 26 yards leaves many thinking he can. With the Skins in field goal range, the Zebras bail us out by doling out 15 yards in penalties to the Skins.

The Ageless Wonder is forced to throw and William Gay comes through this time. This kid is going to make the team. Great way to end the game.

Stats:
Sepulveda: 4 punts, 50.0 avg, long of 58
Steelers QBs: 18/25 for 189 yds. 0 TDs, 0 INTs
Net Rushing Yards: Steelers 101, Skins 43
Steelers D: 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 Forced Fumble
Kicking game: 4 for 4 from Extra Point range.

In other news around the division, Brady Quinn threw 2 4th quarter TD passes in the Browns 23-20 loss to the Lions. It was also a big night for New Orleans running backs as Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush and Antonio Pittman all had rushing touchdowns against the Bungles as the Saints rolled 27-19. Cincy added a touchdown in the closing seconds to make this game appear closer than it actually was.

There's still 1 more game to go before any cuts are made, so next week's game should be exciting.

A preemptive strike:

Pretty solid site.

A Crosby does something amazing, what else is new?

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Okay, so we lost. Guess what? We still have more wins this preseason than we did all last preseason. Additionally, it's preseason.

What's to learn from the game?

1. Change-ups on the O-line are bad.

1a. We need A-Fan. Which means we need to sign him. We probably won't, but we should.

2. Aaron Rodgers is still as good as he was in college. Why he hasn't played yet, no one knows.

3. Mason Crosby is solid. He'd be a good pick for a fantasy kicker.

4. Nate Washington, John Kuhn, and Kevan Barlow may be in danger of not making the team.

And here's the recap:

Starting D totally shut down Green Bay's offense. No first downs in the first quarter and a half. Solid performance again. Lamarr Woodley will be starting by Week 7.

O-line breakdowns hindered the first string's performance. Homestead Charlie came in and hit Walter Young for the Steelers only touchdown of the game.

Extra point....what? How did that happen? Coach Tomlin = pissed.

Second Quarter sees a Jeff Reed field goal and a Dave Rayner field goal. 9-3 at the half.

Second half is all Green Bay. BSP plays for basically three quarters and does next to nothing. 10-23 for 99 yards.

Aaron Rodgers owns the Steelers 3rd string D. 10-9. Uh-oh.

D comes up with a stop, but Mason Crosby comes in for the long kick.

Mason may actually be Sid the Kid.

That was pretty much it. Nothing exciting happened in the 4th quarter.

It was good to see Russell and Davis getting some work. The use of Davis at fullback may spell the end for John Kuhn.

Coach Tomlin says: We'll get them next week.

By the way, Cleveland returned a 4th quarter kickoff for their only touchdown of the game to beat the Chiefs.

Bungled!

Dan Orlovsky throws two fourth quarter Touchdown passes to lead the Detriot Lions past the Cincy Bungles.

Detriot's #1 fan barely had the courage to watch as Shayne Graham missed a 48-yard field goal as time expired.

You said it little smiley dudes.
Solid image, we'll be seeing that one again come regular season.

Other Divisional Games this weekend:
Cleveland vs. Kansas City (7:30 Saturday)
Baltimore vs. Philadelphia (7:00 Monday)

And of course, get your towels ready.

Tomlin comes home.
Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay
Saturday 7:30 pm EST.

Pomp and Nelson. Worst broadcast crew in football history. Turn on your radios.

Let the bashing begin.

First recap

Starting Strong

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The Steelers opened the 2007 preseason with more wins than they had all of last preseason. Here's my first attempt at a recap, I'll get better as the season goes.

Coin Toss: Early victory, a sign of things to come.

Touchback, no chance of a fumble.

Naj for a few then Wilson strikes.

Van Halen plays in the background of the highlight reel of Wilson's 55-yarder.

The ball is smarter than Nate Washington's hands, but Cedric comes through for the second time.

From the 4, there's no stopping Naj.

Touchdown.

Defense comes up huge. Great play by Woodley.

Batch came in and played a few series. No word yet from BigBatchNews about what happened when Charlie got sacked. Twice.

Jeff Reed's feild goal just misses. Close only counts in horseshoes.

BSP comes in and lobs a nice pass to Santonio in the end zone to basically seal the game, putting us up 14-0.

Carey Davis makes a bid for the practice squad. Another performance like that might put Verron Haynes' place on the team in jeopardy.

Jeff Reed, take two: money.

Regular preseason bore for the rest of the first half.

Jason Fife comes in and leads the Saints to their only score of the game.

Saints 3rd string QB reflecting on his performance in the locker room.

Another solid drive ends in a Jeff Reed field goal.



Fourth Quarter highlights are all William Gay. Gay single-handedly introduced Robert Meachem and Tyler Palko to Pittsburgh Football. Gay is practice squad material right now, could knock Madison or Colclough from the roster.

Coach Tomlin: 1-0
"Pressure is trying to feed your family"

Game Stats:
Ced: 4 rec, 99 yds
BSP: 8/14, 129 yds, 1 TD
Brees: 1/6, 6 yds
Bush: Burned. 2 carries, 8 yards.

Next Game: Saturday Night vs. Green Bay
Tomlin comes home.