The Steelers won at home beating the Cleveland Browns 28-10 in the 5th game of the 2010 season. Below are my recap notes and nuggets I kept on the game along with my observations. I have much more coming on this game and am working through the night. These are initial reactions of mine as I am about to watch the game a second time and begin working up tape selections. Below are the notes I compiled throughout the game. Remember these are initial reactions one time through the game. If you are going to disagree, do it respectfully or go to the other places to be ugly.
[flv:http://ll.video.nfl.com/films/s2010/nflcom/w06/101017_ghl_week_6_dc_vo_cle_pit_700k.mp4 480 368]
It was quite obvious that Ben Roethlisberger was a bit rusty early on as he over threw a few passes he normally nails. A rusty Ben though is twice as good as Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch. It was a good game for him to get back in the groove as the rust was expected and 257 yards and 3 TD\’s is nothing to sneeze at.
James Harrison is a bad Mother.Like I had to tell you that. He knocked both Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi out the game in one quarter. Knocking Cribbs out crippled the Browns gameplan.
Tip of the hat to Browns rookie QB Colt McCoy. He really showed some ability and moxie in his first start with all the odds against him. If I am the Browns, I start him the rest of the way.
You saw today why rookie receiver Emmanuel Sanders is further along in his development than fellow rookie Antonio Brown. He is a much more polished route runner right now. I expect him to be active for a while on Sundays baring injury.
Browns punter Reggie Hodges was the most valuable Browns player today as he pinned the Steelers back deep several times.
Right defensive end Brett Keisel left early with a hamstring injury.
Silently, Anthony Madison and Keyaron Fox had a great special teams days and showed why they are on the 53 man roster again.
The Steelers defense really had some problems with tight end Benjamin Watson, especially on plays they did not get a good pass rush on.
I love James Farrior, but have mentioned several times that father time has hawked him down from behind and passed him. Larry Foote might be the better early down option.
Except for the Watson touchdown, another solid day put in by Lawrence Timmons. You can debate though they Timmons was right to attack the running quarterback. Another 9 tackles today and credited with 2 sacks. The Pro Bowl type season continues.
It is time to get Antwaan Randle El off return duties. Either the rookies can do it or they can\’t. El muffed another one today, but recovered.
Tight end Heath Miller only had 2 catches, but they both were big. He will get a bigger role going forward for sure.
Hines Ward does what Hines Ward does. Not sure how to embellish that. If I have to explain, you wouldn\’t understand.
Overall I thought the line played good again, but need to of course watch the tape again tonight. Rookie Maurkice Pouncey continues to throw players around. No sacks allowed on the day and Ben got rid of the ball just in time on some close ones.
Several players got banged up besides Keisel, but returned to the game. Chris Kemoeatu, Doug Legursky, Nick Eason and Flozell Adams all got nicked up.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called another great game. The haters will hate on him regardless, but it is what it is.
Mike Wallace is one of the best vertical wide receivers in the game. He makes every catch count for sure.
Sure the running of Rashard Mendenhall is impressive, but it is the blitz pickups that really show him as a complete running back. Another great game by both he and Isaac Redman. Mewelde Moore in on 3rd downs confuses me.
Steelers were 7 for 14 on 3rd downs today and committed just 4 penalties for 25 yards.
Jeff Reed did not miss any field goals today of course he did not try any either. He did have one touchback on kickoffs.
Daniel Sepulveda had 4 punts inside the 20 and a long one of 60 yards. Hopefully the Steelers find a way to keep him around next year.
