Perfect Landing

By Mike Bires
The Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com
September 17, 2012

PITTSBURGH -- Ten plays into a game-clinching drive that chewed up two-thirds of the fourth quarter, Antonio Brown made the play that perhaps best defined what the Steelers’ offense was all about.

It was third-and-4, and like he did so many times Sunday in third-down situations, Ben Roethlisberger found a receiver capable of moving the chains. He threw in the direction of Brown, who caught the short pass only to a take a vicious hit that looked like it would surely separate the ball from his grasp and perhaps do him bodily harm.

But Brown hung on for a 9-yard gain. He got another first down. And immediately after the catch, he sprung to his feet and began to slowly march down the field about 15 yards while pumping his arms in the air with passion.

It was his way of letting hard-hitting safety LaRon Landry and everyone else at Heinz Field know the Steelers have weapons on offense who can make plays even in the most difficult conditions.

“I know he has a reputation,” Brown said of Landry. “So do I.”

On that play that led to the Steelers’ final score in a thorough 27-10 win over the Jets, Roethlisberger knew there was a chance he’d put Brown in danger. When Roethlisberger took the snap, it was wet from the sweat of center Maurkice Pouncey.

“I knew (the throw) was going to come out high,” Roethlisberger said. “But Antonio went up and made a great catch and got hit. It was good to see him pop right back up. I know he’s probably hurting. But at that time, the emotions get you up and going. That’s what we used to see from 86.”

What a wonderful compliment Roethlisberger paid Brown, comparing him to the all-time leader pass receiver in franchise history. Hines Ward, who so often during his career with the Steelers, would get up after a hard hit with a wide smile on his face. Whether it was making the routine catch or the difficult grab, Ward was willing to do whatever it took to help the offense go. And never would he be intimidated.

That’s the M.O. for Brown and all the other weapons the Steelers have on offense.

They surely were impressive against the Jets.

Roethlisberger was brilliant. He threw the ball accurately. As usual, he made a few plays while scrambling out of trouble. He continually kept drives alive with clutch third-down completions. And in completing 24 of 31 for 275 yards and two TDs, Roethlisberger spread around the wealth.

Ten different Steelers caught passes: four wide receivers, two tight ends, three running backs and a fullback.

Brown led the way with seven catches for 79 yards. Right behind him in the box score was Mike Wallace, who caught five passes for 74 yards including a 37-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that gave the Steelers a 10-point lead.

On that third-and-16 TD catch by Wallace, the Steelers weren’t satisfied with just getting another first down. They put Wallace in a position to win a one-on-one battle with cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Wallace won, and the Steelers got a touchdown that put them in command.

Then in the fourth quarter, it was the Roethlisberger and Co. who finished off the Jets by imposing their will. They marched 75 yards on 14 plays in a drive that ate up 10:13 of the clock. Four times on the drive, Roethlisberger converted third-down opportunities with completions, the 9-yarder to Brown among them.

The Steelers still have to get their running game going, but at least Isaac Redman got into the act by capping that last drive with a 2-yard TD run.

“We need to get our players makers the ball,” Roethlisberger said.

As the offense of first-year coordinator Todd Haley continues to develop, that shouldn’t be a problem. Roethlisberger has more than enough options, especially when he’s throwing the football.