The Steelers blew a chance at creating another dynasty opportunity tonight. For the most part, it looked to me as if the Steelers imploded at the big moments instead of the being the team that took advantage of those moments. Roethisberger threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, the other thrown into double coverage led to another Green Bay touchdown. In eleven Super Bowls, a quarterback has thrown an interception for a touchdown, and that quarterback's team lost all eleven games. He also missed some open recievers including a wide open Mike Wallace for what would have been a touchdown as well. Rashard Mendenhall, who at times seemed like he was going to win this game for the Steelers had a crushing fumble with the Steelers playing a 3rd and 2 from the Packers 32, while the Packers were reeling from a third quarter assault by the Steelers. The Steelers seemed to be poised to run the Packers out of the building, then that fumble gave the momentum back to the Packers. In addition to the turnovers, the Steelers were hit with some very bad penalties at key times to kill drives. Finally, the defense played a decent game, but shit the bed in the fourth quarter, giving up 10 points when the Steelers were desperately trying to keep the Pack at bay. The Steelers needed more from Polamalu, who had a poor playoffs in general, and played one of his worst games Sunday night. They needed more from James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and Ryan Clark. Despite all of that, the Steelers had the ball with two minutes left, and a chance for Big Ben to cement his legendary status with another last minute game winning Super Bowl drive. As had been the case all night long, a stupid penalty lengthened the field when Keyaron Fox took a DUMB and SELFISH penalty on the kick return. But instead of the well oiled machine that took Super Bowl 43 from Arizona, the Steelers looked confused and unorganized, and ultimately Roethlisberger threw incompletions to end the game for the Steelers. I feel pretty frustrated, as it was a very winnable game, and the Steelers really blew a chance at a legendary run. However, you have to thank the Steelers for a great season. I have mentioned all of the issues that they had to overcome to get to the Super Bowl this year, and despite all of their mistakes tonight, they had the ball with a chance to win it in the fourth quarter because they just never quit playing, despite all of their mistakes. This team has heart and soul, will return their core players next year, and should start the season with a better offensive line based on having a healthy Max Starks, and hopefully retaining a healthy Willie Colon. The secondary needs an overhaul. The Steelers need to sign CB Ike Taylor, who is a solid corner. Other than that, I am not sure what they do back there. They need help virtually everywhere agains the pass. They seem to think that Cresdon Butler has some potential, and they have to decide if keeping Gay is better than what they can get via free agency. Also, they have to have Polamalu actually play a whole season. The team played three elite quarterbacks all season, Brees, Brady, and Rogers, all of whom beat the Steelers, put up more than 3oo yards passing, at least two TD passes, and gaudy completion percentages. It will be tough to repeat as AFC Champs if this is not addressed in some manner. This would seem to be the biggest area of need for the team, and if it IS addressed, they should be as good as anybody in the AFC again. They have a franchise quarterback, a dynamic running back, a nice corps of young recievers, a great front seven on defense, and an improving offensive line. Finally, do me a favor release Fox, and sign Woodley! Thanks again for a fun season, that surprised us all!
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