The Blitzburgh Report

Ben Roethlisberger put in another gutty performance last Sunday against the Jaguars. He has almost single-handedly won some close games for the Steelers this year. He is emerging as a leader for the offense, someone that the guys can rally behind.

But it makes me wonder-just who is the leader on defense? I’m not so sure that they have a true leader. They have a number of guys like Troy Polamalu, Casey Hampton, and James Farrior who are great players, but more of the lead by example type. I am starting to think that they need more of a vocal leader.

The defense has the talent and coaching to be the top defense in the league, that has been proven. But the times that the team has needed the defense to step up most, they haven’t. How many times this season have we seen the opposing team march right down the field, quickly even, when the team needed a huge stop? It happened last Sunday on the Jaguars’ last drive. It happened against the Browns (luckily they missed the field goal). It happened against Denver where they kicked the game winning field goal. It happened in the Jets game where they went down the field and tied it to send the game into overtime.

That’s where I think a vocal leader is needed. Someone to rally the players, get them pumped, and get them focused. You can say what you want about Joey Porter, but being a leader was a large part of what he brought to the team. The Steelers were right in getting rid of him, as proven by his play with the Dolphins. However, they still ended up losing the defense’s leader, if not the team leader at that point.

There just hasn’t been anyone who has taken his place. He may have looked foolish sometimes, or gone too far at others. But you can see the power he had just by looking at the 2005 playoffs and the effect he had on the team during their Super Bowl run. Remember the “weak Colts” and Jerramy Stevens?

Bill Cowher being gone is another lost leader, I believe. He was the so called “players coach”, someone who showed a lot of emotion, especially for defense. Mike Tomlin is quite the opposite in this regard. I understand that there are different approaches to coaching, and pros and cons to each. I’m not even sure I could tell you which method is more effective and this is not a knock on Tomlin’s style. But, when the game is on the line and the pressure is turned up- I want to see the guys fired up and ready to take someone’s head off.

The defense is good; they wouldn’t be number one in the league for most of the season if they weren’t. But they have had so much trouble stepping up, being physical, and showing emotion when it matters most. I really think that is when guys like Joey Porter or Bill Cowher shined, and the team really misses that. The Steelers are going to need someone to step up and be the person that the defense rallies behind.

I believe I caught someone on ESPN saying yesterday that the Steelers have won 12 Monday night games in a row at home, their last loss being in 1991. I am glad that trend seems to be continuing under the new head coach. That said, last night was a game that the Steelers could not lose. Monday Night Football is big enough, and the AFC North implications aside–how could you go out and lay an egg in front of all those great former Steelers? Fortunately they did the direct opposite.

Here are some thoughts from a thoroughly enjoyable Monday night:

• When is the last time you have seen a worse offensive performance than what the Ravens put up last night? It really looked like Steve McNair wasn’t even trying. On the flip side, when is the last time you have seen a performance like the one James Harrison put up…

• …With all due respect to the night Ben Roethlisberger had, James Harrison was flat out amazing. Nine tackles, three and a half sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and an interception. I think we as Steelers fans saw a game like this in James Harrison, but hopefully now the rest of the league takes notice. Check out a very humble Harrison after the game:

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WPXI’s Alby Oxenreiter spoke with Joey Porter who was recently visiting Pittsburgh. Joey speaks his mind as usual, but had no harsh words for his former team. In fact, he seemed upset that he “never had an opportunity to say no” to an offer and a few times he hints that he probably could have been had for a lot less money then people might think. Porter also says he’ll always have a connection to the city and seems genuinely sad that he wasn’t able to finish his career with the team.

It is sad to think that the team might have been able to re-sign Joey to a fair deal, however there was more to the situation then just price. A reduced contract in Joey’s mind might still have been more then the Steelers felt he was worth. Porter’s still has skills, but they are on the decline and the Steelers desperately needed new life pumped into their linebacking corp. You know Joey would not play second-fiddle to any new rookie or free agent that they brought it. That being said, I will miss Joey and wish there was some way he could still be on the team- but his departure was probably best for both sides in the long run.

- Coach Dick LeBeau doesn’t expect to miss a beat with James Harrison in place of Joey Porter
- Despite being a top candidate, Sean Mahan has yet to practice at center, only getting time in at guard so far.
- Chris Gardocki hasn’t punted yet because of a minor back injury
- Coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t ruled out resigning running back Verron Haynes

Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin will hold his first mandatory camp next friday and it will be interesting to see if guard Alan Faneca shows up. So far, Faneca has not been there for any of the voluntary work outs this offseason. While this is not unusual for Faneca, the rumblings of his unhappiness can’t be ignored.

PHOTO: Mike Fabus/Pittsburgh Steelers

Faneca is reported to be upset over a number of issues. The first, is that the team did not go with either Ken Whisenhunt or Russ Grimm as their choice for their new head coach. Secondly, Faneca is rumored to be angry over the team releasing defensive leader Joey Porter. The last, and perhaps biggest issue, is that Faneca is rumored to be miffed about his current contract situation. Offensive linemen have made huge bucks in the last few seasons, enough that Faneca’s once hefty contract is comparatively small.

Whether Faneca shows up for the upcoming mandatory work outs should reveal some more about his feelings on his future with the team. It could be a mess if he holds out. The Steelers likely won’t be able to pay him the money he seeks in a contact extension and another team leader not being there is going to make new coach Mike Tomlin’s job of winning over the team even harder.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel is reporting that the Joey Porter / Levi Jones fight is still being investigated:

According to a police report, Jones’ claim that he was assaulted from behind by a slew of Porter’s acquaintances during the fight is supported by surveillance footage. That video will not be released as long as the investigation is ongoing, the police spokesman said.

To us, it seems like the Steelers parted ways with Porter just in time. He certainly isn’t one of the worst guys in the league, but the Steelers pride themselves on their character– and sacrificing that for a player entering the twilight of his career and looking for a huge payday just wasn’t going to cut it.