By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Jets sacked Ben Roethlisberger seven times Sunday in the Steelers' 19-16 overtime loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
As Mournings After go, this one was fairly typical. The Steelers reported for work yesterday at their South Side facility, reviewed tape of that fiasco in the Meadowlands Sunday, took their scolding from coach Mike Tomlin, climbed back into their luxury vehicles and headed home to their comfortable cribs. As expected, a quick check of the building's telephone records revealed not a single call to the suicide-prevention hotline.
It should be noted here that fans take the losses so much harder than players, who have to move on to the next game. The Steelers don't have time to dwell on their horrible 19-16 overtime loss to the New York Jets, not even with an extra day before they play the Miami Dolphins Monday night at Heinz Field.
That extra day is going to be rough on the fans, though.
Do you realize how much more fretting that means over the Steelers' offensive line problems, Willie Parker's footing, Santonio Holmes' ankle injury, Daniel Sepulveda's punting and the team's inability to beat even mediocre opponents on the road, not to mention the Indianapolis Colts' chances of running away with the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed and -- worse, by far -- the horrifying possibility of the Cleveland Browns stealing the AFC North Division title?
Whew.
At this point, it's important to remember something that former coach Bill Cowher always preached to the Steelers after the best of victories and the worst of defeats.
"You're never as good as you think you are or as bad as they say you are."
That thought should help get Steelers fans through the long week. Their team isn't nearly as bad as it showed against the Jets.
The season isn't doomed, that's for sure. The Steelers' chances of winning the AFC North remain excellent. Their schedule is tougher than the Browns' -- their six remaining opponents are a combined 26-34, the Browns' 22-38 -- but they hold the tiebreaking edge because of their two victories against Cleveland. That No. 2 seed, though unlikely now, isn't out of the question, either. The Steelers should be favored in five of their final six games, the exception being the game at New England Dec. 9. The Colts must play tough division games against Jacksonville and Tennessee.
That doesn't mean Tomlin doesn't have plenty to correct before the Miami game. The obvious place for him to start is with his offensive line, although that bunch, especially, isn't as bad as it looked against the Jets. Yes, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked seven times, but his receivers weren't exactly getting open. Yes, Parker rushed for just 52 yards on 21 carries, but he would have had a lot more if he didn't slip and fall so often. Maybe Fast Willie is just too fast for his own good at times.
Still, it wouldn't be shocking if Tomlin made a line change. Right tackle Willie Colon took a lot of blame Sunday and it was hard to argue with him. This might be the right time to go back to Max Starks, who was good enough to start on the '05 Super Bowl team.
Tomlin also might want to put in a call to former center Jeff Hartings to see if he's bored in retirement. Sean Mahan doesn't appear to be getting it done. I know we've been spoiled by the greats who played that position, but ...
While Tomlin is sifting through Cowher's old Rolodex, he probably should jot down former punter Chris Gardocki's number. I'm only being half facetious there. Sepulveda has been a disappointment, if only because of his lame punts late in the past two games. He got lucky in the win against the Browns because of a holding penalty, but there was no saving him or the Steelers Sunday from his poor overtime kick. Blame the coverage unit if you must for Leon Washington's 33-yard return; I'm putting it on the punter.
It's fair to question Sepulveda's nerve under pressure. Actually, it's fair to question this team's. To be truly great, you have to be able to beat good teams on the road. The '05 Steelers didn't just win three away playoff games to get to the Super Bowl, they won at San Diego and beat Green Bay at Lambeau without Roethlisberger and Parker. This Steelers team has lost at Arizona, at Denver and at the Jets. That's not encouraging, for that Dec. 9 game in New England or for the playoff games in January.
But that's looking too far ahead. The Steelers had better not be thinking beyond the next game. If the loss to the Jets proved anything, it's that they can't take any win for granted, not even one at home against the winless Dolphins.
Here's hoping Holmes' injury isn't serious. He has become invaluable to the Steelers' offense as its best deep threat. It's no coincidence that the other receivers struggled to get open after he was out Sunday, and Parker had a hard time finding running room on those rare occasions when he stayed on his feet. Tomlin will provide an update today on Holmes. It's nice to think he won't miss a game.
If you want something legitimate to fret about this morning, fret about that.
Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com.
First published on November 20, 2007 at 12:00 am
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