The Steelers defense reminds me of the 2008 defense

Iffy on the defensive line being better in 2008. Watt & Dupree make the plays but the line makes Watt & Dupree dangerous.

 

I remember the 2008 season well and i can recall the fans outrage over a loss to Tennessee i think the 2nd to last game of the season when Kerry Collins lit up are defense and the Steelers getting killed 31-14. So it happens

 

Titans were like 13-3 that season tho I believe

 

Hey steel machine.

You must mean Terry Bradshaw's first half of the storybook (Super Bowls #9 and #10). The second half of the book (Super Bowls #13 and #14) he developed into a "Passer" per se. I feel so fortunate to have watched him grow, the Steelers' teams as a whole. The early 70s units were primarily built on the run for their Offense along with a staunch Defense.

As the organization grew and matured it was such a thing of beauty to watch the "Transformation". The second half of the 70's the Defense continued its Standard of Excellence throughout the entire decade. However, now the Offense had become more diversified and well-rounded; especially with the additions and maturing of Swann and Stallworth.

Again, I feel so fortunate to have witnessed the "Transformation".



My Professional Sports Fandom History

I became a Steelers' fan in 1972. I was in Elementary School at the time. I was not around for the pre-1972 years which to my understanding were just miserable. I consider myself a true fan as it took them two years after I became a fan before they won the first Super Bowl. I was not a band-wagon jumper.

I grew up in a Southern New England City. Mostly Jets' and Giants' fans around the way. I actually was a Pirates' fan before I became interested in football. I remember running down the street when the Pirates beat the "tirds" in the 1971 World Series. I appreciated it but realized the "gift" more when they won it again in 1979 when I was in High School ("We are Family").

Currently, I reside in the "bird-tird" region. Home of the "rats" and the "tirds". I thoroughly enjoy bringing up the 1971 and the 1979 Pirates' World Series victories around here. The "old heads" still get infuriated when I go down memory lane with them. They turn shades of red that Crayola has not even invented yet (smile). Yes, steel machine, this region is definitely "tirdville" between the "rats" and the "tirds".

I did not become a Hockey fan until the late 80s. A Blackhawk fan for a short stint but quickly came to my senses and made it "Complete" by picking up the Penguins. Shortly after the Penguins brought home the bacon.

Yes, yes, steel machine, I have been very fortunate in regards to "My" Teams. The Steelers-Pirates-Penguins. What more could one ask for? Life does get much better than that.

Hey, thanks for taking the time to read part of my Autobiography. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.

Take care.


STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

We need that after 16 games bbh.

 

Really shocked you're a Pittsburgh sports fan since you have no ties to the city. I was talking early Bradshaw. Later Bradshaw learned he could throw a football.

 

A lot of Steelers fans have no ties to the city. Many are in their mid 50's to 60's (coming of age in the 70's), and played defense or line on their high school football team (admired the Steel Curtain and the smash mouth football they played, not the pretty Cowboys bs). And their children.

I'm from NY, but my parents are from PA. My love for the Steelers stem from: A) the trade of Bubba Smith; B) an out of stock sweatshirt that they sent a Steelers sweat shirt instead, and C) The Immaculate Reception. It seemed destined. 48 years later here I am, arguing with you idiots.

 

I'm from NY too, and became a fan of the Steelers in the 70s, once I saw that Steel Curtain defense I became a fan.

 

I’ve been a Steelers fan since 95 Super Bowl. All my family were rooting for the boys and I wanted to rebel lol.

 

I was a Raiders fan at a young impressionable age (that swashbuckler was so cool) growing up in Indianapolis, Bear country. Saw what the Steelers did to them & was smart enough to jump on the bandwagon. Steelers also had the coolest color scheme + that unique one-sided logo. No team in Indy gave me a choice on my favorite & my dad was unsuccessful in converting me to the Lions.

 

I have met tons of Steeler fans who have never been to Pittsburgh. I was amazed he was a fan of the other two teams. I have yet to meet a Pirate or Penguin die hard fan who is not from Pittsburgh. I'm sure there are some out there. We get European college kids in the summer in my community. Some have seen my Penguin hat and tell me that it's their favorite team. At least I think it's what they said, language and accent

 

I bandwagoned on the pens when they won in 2009. Love the color black and gold lol

 

My very first Pens game was in 1967, their first season, and I was sad to see them in blue uniforms. Thankfully they got the word that the Burgh is Black and yellow (gold).

 

A lot more "bandwagon" Penguins fans than Steelers. A lot of Steelers fans inherited it. What was on TV when they were a kid or whatever it may be. Plus, Steelers haven't won anything in a decade. Who would bandwagon that? Now Pens have a lot of bandwagons because they have the best player in the world for like a decade, Sidney Crosby. Also, hockey is way more popular now.

The worst are people that consider themselves diehard Steelers fans then hate on Crosby. Steelers and Pens go hand in hand. Now if you don't want to claim the Pirates we don't blame you.

 

To me Hargrave was a player that never really progressed. I liked him initially as he showed some flashes of brilliance. But like I said, he never really progressed into the kind of DT the Steelers needed. I don't disagree with what you are saying about gap responsibilities. Hargrave might have been a better DE in our system than he was a NT. The bottom line for me is that I saw him get blow off the ball too often. Alualu is more of an anchor like you said. The play of Tyson Alualu is making our ILB play better IMO.

 

On the subject of "when you became" .......
I always thought it was a MNF game against Washington and my best mate, Google, has confirmed it for me. (won 21-16, so he says)
I'm from Edinburgh, Scotland, originally and emigrated to Calgary back in '71. Anyhow, after a few homesick back and forths I decided to make an effort and try to get into the NFL. Having a soccer team I followed, and still do I not only needed to learn the game, but also a team to commit to.
Now, can't be sure if it was the colours that drew me or, on reflection, Pitts burgh /Edin burgh but whatever, it has worked out "reasonably" well.

The wife and I have been down for three games and would have made it four, this season if not for what's currently affecting us all.

On the thread subject, we're good right now, but the 70's was the business. So much so in fact that I wished it on the field more than Terry and co.

Hope you're still awake.

 

This version of Ben has been my favorite. He's always been a gunslinger that takes it to the limit but 2020 Ben has been smart, cool, collected and doesn't force too often. I'm hoping we see more successful deep passes but he's been exactly what the offense needs given the WR's uncanny ability to make something out of nothing.

 

I should have asked you for tips when I went to Edinburgh. Beautiful city.

 

It absolutely is. Has some dodgy areas but what city doesn't? My "tips" would mainly have consisted of pubs, plus a visit to Tynecastle.
I get home for a visit literally every year but again, Covid has put the kybosh on that tradition.

That first game I spoke of was played on 5th November '73, btw. (courtesy my "mate" again)

 

Never been anywhere near Pittsburgh. Grew up 30 miles from Lambeau Field, moved to So. Cal and I'm a diehard Steelers fans. Can't wait for them to come to LA again to play either the Rams or Chargers.

 

I agree about the production of the 2020 defense. I also think the addition of Tuitt back into the line up has made a big difference this year. Heyward’s production has gone up and Watt and Dupree are getting more 1x1 opportunities. Tyson’s addition also has helped anchor the front line.

 

This defense is playing lights out. Let’s hope the Bush injury doesn’t set us back. Keep stacking them wins.