Post Super Bowl Reflection

Well, the season has run its course for 2008-2009. While it finished just fine for Steeler Nation, it would have been nice if the Defense had put up a better showing. The run defense was awesome, we got some turnovers, but the pass defense was a bit porous. To be fair, I think that at least one of those drives was because the defense backed off a little and let AZ march down the field. I think this was on purpose to some extent...let AZ's offense eat the clock and then rely on you offense to do their part in clock eating. Problem is...it didn't work. I think the pass numbers are a little inflated, but it is what it is.

What I am absolutely certain of is that this defense will be exceptional again next year. I'm not getting off my soap box. LeBeau for HOF!!!

Give LeBeau and Ben their credit! They are responsible for the victory!

Steelers Rule

What a damn game...I know the defense got burned a little at the end of the game, but the Steelers held this high octane offense to just 23 points. Sixburgh baby!!!! Man, I'm so stoked I can't stand it. Whooooooooooooo! Whoooooooooo!

The President Waves His Terrible Towel

It appears from this AP story that our new Commander in Chief is a Steeler fan (at least when he's not a Bears fan)! I guess that means he'll lose Arizona in 2012...errrr...ummm....then again, maybe he'd lose that one anyway.

I bet when Robert Gates time is done, we might be talking about Mr. Charles Richard LeBeau as Secretary of Defense!!!

Yes we can!! Steelers! Yes we can!!

Si se puede!! Hombres de Acero! Si se puede!!

Okay, this was originally all I was going to write, but I feel compelled to dig a little deeper on this one.

Why wouldn't President Obama throw his support behind the Steelers? First he received endorsements from Steeler's president and owner Dan Rooney. Anyone who doesn't think that it was a big deal to get an endorsement from a man who's family is practically Western PA royalty (and life long Republican Catholic to boot) is crazy. Add to that the support from former Steeler greats Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis and I can come to one conclusion. If it were not for the Steelers, Barack Obama might not have won PA. What would that have meant in the grand scheme of things? Probably not much in hindsight...those 21 electoral votes would not have made the election turn out differently...but there is always 2012!!

I had some people say today that it was a mistake for BO to support the Steelers...really? What, is he going to piss off the 17 true Cardinal fans in AZ? Will Arizona not support him in 2012 just like they didn't support him in 2008? Who cares? I say smart move Mr. President...you've earned some cred in Western PA and with Steeler Nation across the USA. Unfortunately, your Steeler jersey for 2012 cannot have the number 12 on it...that belong to Terry and it is retired!!

LeBeau is Staying Put

From the Post-Gazette this morning:

"I didn't want to spend the 10 seconds even thinking about it," LeBeau said. "The way they're playing, they're going to have to run me out of here. They're making me look smart."

No coach...they're not making you look smart. You make them look better. Please stay as long as you want.

You Don't Know Dick!!

Dick LeBeau the player probably deserves a HOF nod. When he left the game, he was fourth in career interceptions...now he is seventh. Please keep in mind that when he played, it was pretty rare for QBs to throw the ball 30+ times a game. The game was different, but Dick LeBeau still managed 62 interceptions (and nine fumble recoveries) in 14 years. He also amassed 762 interception return yards. Not too shabby. Did I mention that only two guys have had more interceptions and NOT made the HOF...one of those is named Rod Woodson and he'll be selected in his first year of availability later this week. Pretty impressive company...and we're just getting started.

As a coach, there is absolutely no question. Okay, so Coach LeBeau didn't fare so well as head coach of the Bungles...but then does anyone really fare well there? As a coordinator (in Cincy and the Burgh), he has been unmatched, including five trips to the Super Bowl. He's changed the game (can you say inventor of the zone blitz?) and has consistently produced top ten defenses (9 so far in Pittsburgh), with three number ones overall.

My memo to anyone who doesn't think this man belongs in the HOF is simple:

YOU DON'T KNOW DICK!!!

Another Supporter

Okay...my blog is a little slow getting off the ground. So far, I haven't seen much traffic and I gathered but a few signatures. The good news is that there are some others out there making the case for Coach LeBeau. This morning I found Sports Illustrated's Peter King making the case here.

Last month, there was this one from Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Maybe I don't need to make the case for him too...but I am.

UPDATE - Sports Illustrated's Don Banks is in on this now too. See here.

Awesome Steelers Song!

Can I Mention 2008?

This year has been a great defensive year for the Steelers. Coach LeBeau's defense is number one in almost every category including:

• Yards per game (237...are you kidding?)
• Passing yards per game (157)
• Points per game (13.9)

Inspiration

Before the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs this year, I woke up one morning thinking about Dick LeBeau. No, I hadn't had any strange dreams about Dick! I was simply thinking about what this man has brought to the Steelers and to professional football. My decision then was that I needed to do something about it. This blog is the beginning. Stay tuned. In the next two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl (and probably beyond), I'll be making my case for Coach LeBeau.