I think it’s safe to say the Steelers’ season is over. No way they dig out of a 1-4 start to the NFL season. Despite a horrendous opening at Heinz Field, the Steelers actually had a chance to come back and beat the hated Baltimore Ravens. It ended up being a heck of a game. I thought the Steelers might pull it out under previously unheard of quarterback Devlin Hodges. Unfortunately, the Ravens have superstar kicker Justin Tucker. He got the Steelers again in a game they’ll talk about for some time.
• I’ve seen a lot of football in my time, but don’t ever recall seeing a player take a hit like Mason Rudolph took, when he was knocked out cold before he ever hit the field. The helmet to helmet hit delivered by Earl Thomas was absolutely brutal. Expect the league to hit Thomas with a big fine. A suspension wouldn’t be out of line as well. Here’s to hoping the young Steeler quarterback makes a speedy recovery from his concussion.
• Mike Tomlin’s gamble to start overtime got instant reaction. Many fans, myself included, wondered why he chose not to take the ball to open the overtime. Turns out his decision to play defense first was a smart one. In his post-game remarks an angry Tomlin explained his decision to play the field position game, which did work. Had the Ravens scored a touchdown, the much criticized Tomlin would have never heard the end of it.
• I like Juju Smith-Schuster a lot, but his fumble in overtime cost the Steelers the game. Juju has got to be better, especially in that situation. His lost fumble in New Orleans last year may have cost the Steelers that game too. I know he wants to make plays, but if Juju is going to be the player the Steelers think he can be, he can’t turn the ball over with the game on the line.
• I thought Hodges played really well. Keep in mind this kid didn’t even make the opening day roster. He was the fourth quarterback during the pre-season. He played like a veteran when he got the call and never seemed like the moment was too big for him. It would have been an incredible story had the Steelers pulled out the win.
• The Steelers looked good in their Monday Night victory. It was a must-win game in my opinion. I can’t get too excited about beating the Bengals, who are pretty bad. The wildcat formation was a surprise and a nice move by the Steelers. I just don’t see it being something they’ll be able to do on a regular basis with much success.
• I never expected IUP and rival California to only put up three points in the first half of the Coal Bowl. IUP averaged 52 points a game entering this showdown. I doubt the Crimson Hawks are overly disappointed by only scoring 17 against the Vulcans. They got the win, and that’s what matters the most. It was a huge win for IUP. But there’s no time to celebrate with a trip to Slippery Rock up next.
• As expected, Penn State blew away Purdue early, and then went to sleep during the annual Homecoming game. Purdue came in very undermanned and the Nittany Lions took advantage of it. Penn State better play a full sixty minutes next week when they go to Iowa. That will be a major early season test for this young Lions team.
• Pitt nearly blew a big lead, but managed to score late to win at Duke. It was a nice way to open ACC play for the Panthers. It’s hard to figure out this Pitt team. They are very inconsistent. But, they’re 1-0 in conference play and they’ll take it.
• The Pens laid an egg in the opener against Buffalo. They were thoroughly outplayed by the Sabres and had fans wondering if what we saw in last year’s playoffs would carry over into the regular season. Just when the Yinzers were ready to jump off a bridge, the Pens scored seven goals to blowout Columbus. Go figure. The win was nice, but could be costly with Evgeni Malkin leaving due to injury. Geno was terrific in the opener. He is trying to redeem himself after a really bad year last season. Hopefully he won’t be out of action for any length of time.
• Whoever becomes the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates won’t have an easy job. The team won’t be very good and the future isn’t overly bright. I still believe that internal candidate Jeff Bannister will get the most consideration for the job. I do find current broadcaster John Wehner an interesting candidate. “Rock”, as he is known, definitely knows the game and is a Pittsburgh boy. He also knows the team quite well and has seen them up close as a broadcaster. I actually think Wehner would do a pretty good job. That said, I’m not sure I’d hire a guy who hasn’t managed before, even if some guys have done well going from the booth to the dugout. I do hope Wehner gets an interview. I just wouldn’t have the guts to make him my next manager.
• The St. Louis Blues get it. It wasn’t enough that they won the Stanley Cup last year. They made sure their “super fan” Laila Anderson, who is fighting a life threatening illness, got to go to Boston for Game Seven when they captured the Cup. They even had her take part in the victory parade. And to add icing to the cake, they surprised Laila with a Stanley Cup championship ring prior to the team’s home opener the other night. Way to go, Blues!
