TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Steelers running back Willie Parker takes a handoff from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone during the second quarter against Seattle Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers won, 21-0.
It was no Mozart at first, but in the third quarter the Steelers started humming that old, familiar refrain.
After accepting a touchback on the second-half kickoff, they marched 80 yards in 17 plays and chewed up 10 minutes, 17 seconds for the touchdown that twisted the dagger into Seattle.
The drive was as imperfect as it was unstoppable, which makes it more impressive.
The Steelers were flagged for holding three times on their way to the Seahawks' end zone.
And they had to get there twice after a challenge from Mike Holmgren overturned what had been ruled a 20-yard touchdown jaunt by running back Willie Parker (no complaints regarding the officiating process this time, coach?).
And they had to get there without wide receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, neither of whom played a snap Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field.
If you factor in the yards lost to infractions (where the ball would have been as opposed to where they scrimmaged following the penalties), the one yard lost to Holmgren's challenge and the sack Ben Roethlisberger absorbed on second-and-7 from the Seattle 27, the Steelers covered 162 yards on the possession that wouldn't end.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport fends off Seattle Seahawks defender Leroy Hille en route to a 45-yard gain during second-quarter action at Heinz Field, Oct. 7, 2007. Davenport rushed for 58 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Steelers won the rematch of Super Bowl XL, 21-0.
Among the statements made in their 21-0, pre-bye week declaration, none was more revealing.
Roethlisberger, as resourceful as he was near flawless throughout, went 6 for 6 on the drive, for 73 yards. Three of his completions converted third downs of 13, 7 and 17 yards.
Marvel Smith, the starting left tackle, was lost for three mid-drive snaps, and the Steelers gained 28 yards with Max Starks in cold off the bench.
Four receivers hauled in tosses from Roethlisberger.
And the culmination was more determined than perfect, as running back Najeh Davenport had to convert a second chance after initially getting stuffed by linebacker Julian Peterson from the Seattle 1.
Those last two plays were run from a three-tight ends formation, with Davenport following fullback Dan Krieder right up the gut.
After that, the defense was finally called back into action.
It had been awhile.
"I was cramping up," cornerback Ike Taylor said.
Defensive end Brett Keisel had no such concerns related to the inactivity of the defense brought on by the relentless march of the offense.
Keisel took it all in from his seat on the bench, too confident in his teammates and too comfortable in the shade to do anything but watch in gleeful appreciation.
"I bet I sat in one spot for 40 minutes," Keisel said. "I didn't get up one time. Even when we had third downs, I didn't get up. (Defensive end) Aaron (Smith) is getting up and stretching and doing his thing; I'm just sitting on my butt. They just kept marching.
"Wonderful to see."
And oh-so recognizable.
Former Steelers head coach Chuck Noll and his wife Mary Ann on the field before the Steelers Seahawks game at Heinz Field, Oct. 7, 2007.
"Steelers football," Keisel said. "Since I've been here, what we try to pride ourselves on is being a physical team, being a team that, when you play us, you're going to feel it."
After making the Seahawks aware, Seattle's tongue-dragging defenders weren't the only ones getting the message.
The Steelers are back, and they know it.
As a result, they'll be an even more dangerous team when they crank it up again in Denver.
Mike Prisuta is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com or 412-320-7923.
No comments:
Post a Comment