STAIRWAY TO 7: Not too many positives came from Steelers loss

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September 12, 2012

STAIRWAY TO 7: Not too many positives came from Steelers loss

By Corey J. Corbin Allied News Sports Columnist Allied News Wed Sep 12, 2012, 09:32 AM EDT

OPINION — THERE ARE TWO types of people in this world: Those who view their glass of pop half full and the ones who view it as being half empty.

I typically fall into the former category.

I just don’t see the need to be negative all the time.

But in a one-game survey, there’s very little positive in the Steelers’ 31-19 loss to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos Sunday.

And I feel like pointing fingers -- even if the Steelers won’t.

I think the defense has to shoulder a big chunk of the responsibility for this loss.

Once the Denver coaching staff finally came to its senses and went to the no-huddle, the Bronco offense carved up the Steelers defense.

The usually reliable Pittsburgh run defense was pretty porous despite allowing just 95 yards rushing. Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno were pretty darn effective in limited opportunities -- remember the Broncos barely touched the ball for an hour of real time.

I know, I know James Harrison and Ryan Clark missed the game due to injuries, but their absence didn’t play that big of a role in the shoddy effort the defense put forth.

This may be sad to say, but I think I’d rather have Cleveland’s defense right now than ours. I mean they actually dominated a decent Philadelphia offense where as the Steelers struggled against an offense that might not be as talented.

That’s scary, I know.

What’s truly scary is how the Steelers could control the clock and still manage to lose by 12 points.

The offense’s struggles all go back to captain Ben Roethlisberger, who was pretty shaky.

There were several throws that I’m sure Big Ben would like to have back -- the tipped pass towards Heath Miller and the Tracy Porter interception chief among them -- but we have to remember that at one point the Steelers were converting two-thirds of their third downs and Ben was the main reason because he was doing what he did best -- eluding defenders just long enough for a receiver to get open.

The Steelers need to find ways to get Chris Rainey the ball.

Although I’m not convinced he’s going to be a consistent game-changer, there’s no doubt in his electric skill set and offensive coordinator Todd Haley needs to get Rainey the ball out in space unlike how they used him Sunday against the Broncos.

Likewise with Jonathan Dwyer.

He was the only running back that was even close to effective against Denver and he showed that he deserves more touches that Isaac Redman right now.

All that aside, Sunday is a new day and the the New York Jets are next on the schedule.

See I told you I’m a glass half full guy.

Agree or disagree? Email Corey J. Corbin at

gcsportsguy@yahoo.com.

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STAIRWAY TO 7: Not too many positives came from Steelers loss

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