Steelers fans HATE Plaxico

[BD]

I just want to remind everyone here who likes Burress: Steelers fans can't stand the guy. He's a poor blocker, is often injured, has questionable hands, is an amazing physical specimen who just sucks a big one in every big game.

Here's an example plucked from dozens: a column from a local Pittsburgh paper that discusses Plexiglass. Someone's going to overpay for this guy in the offseason, and I sure hope it isn't us.


HAMMER HEAD: Best of times, worst of times

SUBHEAD: Steelers' spectacular season ends in playoff agony once again

Column:

On Feb. 6, if you can even bring yourself to turn on the TV again by then, you will sit down to watch Super Bowl XXXIX and think one thought for about three straight hours.

The Steelers dominated both of these teams! #@$%*!

Yes, the weekend after Groundhog Day, over and over again you will be doomed to remember the score 61-23, which, of course, is the aggregate tally of Pittsburghs victories over New England and Philadelphia back in Weeks 8-9 of the regular season.

Today, those games seem oh so long ago.

New Englands 41-27 win over the Steelers in yesterdays AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field has erased all of the excitement generated by Pittsburghs incredible regular-season run, which included a franchise-record 14 consecutive victories and improbable routs of what would turn out to be the leagues two Super Bowl participants.

The winning streak, the magical rookie ride of Ben Roethlisberger, the fountain of youth discovered by Jerome Bettis, the NFLs best defense all of it, now wiped out.

Or is it? Its your call to make.

There are two ways to reflect on this latest debacle in a home conference title contest.

You could certainly look upon this loss as yet another colossal choke, cementing Bill Cowhers role as a big-time coaching bust in big-time games. None of us has enough fingers to point at all the things that went wrong yesterday, but we can surely try.

Lets start with Roethlisberger, who set the tone by letting his first pass sail high once again, continuing a disturbing tendency that developed over the last six weeks. That pass was tipped twice before settling into the arms of New England safety Eugene Wilson, causing all Pittsburgh fans to think the same thing:

Here we go again, Steelers.

Roethlisbergers next pick was pure nightmare, as he failed to see safety Rodney Harrison in position to jump on a route. Bens flare was behind his intended target, making it easy pickins, indeed. Once Harrison crossed the goal line 87 yards away, the game was effectively over.

Theres no other way to put it, Big Ben played small in the biggest game of his life. So, if you choose, you can point a finger at him.

Then theres Cowher, who made two questionable fourth-down decisions that backfired.

Trailing just 3-0 midway through the first quarter, the Steelers faced 4th and 1 at the New England 39.

Instead of trying to pin the Patriots deep in their own territory and letting the best defense in the league hold them there or perhaps even force the kind of turnover that changed the game for good on Halloween
Cowher went for it and gave the Pats a chance to seize the momentum. They did. One play later it was 10-0.

Then, trailing 31-17 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Steelers faced 4th and goal at the 2. With a golden opportunity to seize the momentum themselves and actually put some pressure on the Patriots, Cowher elected to kick the field goal.

Big deal. At 31-20, it was still a two-score game, and New England got to breathe a sigh of relief.

Cowher gambled in the first quarter, when being conservative was the right call. Then he got conservative in the fourth quarter, when gambling was the right call.

So point a pair of fingers at Cowher.

Want more? How many fingers ya got?

On the failed 4th and 1, Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca whiffed on a block, and instead of making a play for a critical yard, Bettis fumbled. Gag. Both of them get fingers.

On the 60-yard scoring bomb to Deion Branch, Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu abandoned his deep zone too early and left corner Deshea Townsend on an island. Point a finger at Polamalu for a mental mistake and another at Townsend for a physical one.

On 3rd and 17 in the third quarter, Aaron Smith was called for holding to keep alive a New England drive that ended in a touchdown. Finger.

After Smiths penalty, the Steelers recovered a fumble that was overturned on a challenge. Because were in a bitter mood, give a finger of blame to the replay booth, too.

Point a giant finger at Plaxico Burress, who could not hold on to a 2nd and goal lob that hit him right in the hands and would have put the Steelers within a touchdown early in the fourth.

While were at it, pile on some more blame for Burresss failure to step up in a big game. Once again. And lets use our entire hand to hold the door open for the overrated receiver on his way out the door to free agency.

Finally, point a fist full of fingers at the entire Steelers defense. So awesome in their 34-20 win over the Pats back on Oct. 31, these guys seemed more awestruck in the presence of Tom Brady this time around.

Thats one way you could choose to look at your Steelers today. Blame em all for breaking your heart once again.

Or you could think back to how you felt about this team in August, when simply playing .500 ball was considered to be a good goal for Pittsburgh.

Last season, the offensive line was a wreck, the running game was one of the worst in the league, the defense could not stop the pass and the team went 6-10. This season appeared like it would be more of the same, with the Steelers potentially headed for the AFC North basement.

Instead, you were blessed with an unforgettable season. A 15-1 record, the most regular-season wins in AFC history. Domination of the division. Memorable comebacks against Dallas, Jacksonville and the Giants. An inspiring season finale by the second string in Buffalo. A thrilling overtime playoff win over the Jets. And yes, the 61-23 combined beatings of New England and Philly.

You can also remember this: no rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL has ever started as well as Ben Roethlisberger. Not Joe Montana (four Super Bowl rings), not Troy Aikman (three rings), not John Elway (two rings) and certainly not Terry Bradshaw, and we all know how his career went.

So you can either dwell on this most recent failure, or you can dream of the kind of future this season foreshadows.

This team has its identity again. Its a power running team with a powerful defense. It has a superb young quarterback. It has perennial Pro Bowler Hines Ward and emerging star Antwaan Randle El. It has a deep group of running backs. It has a strong core of linebackers and a young secondary with outstanding potential.

Have your pick today. You can complain about yet another lost opportunity or be thankful for a surprising season and a suddenly brighter future. Youll be justified with either choice.

And youll be reminding yourself of it over and over again during Super Bowl XXXIX.

(Steve Treu covers the Pittsburgh Steelers for The News.)

[Jimbo]

I really don't see Burress as a big upgrade from Gardner.

Player Rec Yds Yds/Rec TD
Plaxico Burress 35 698 19.9 5
Rod Gardner 51 650 12.7 5

[Henry]

For all the hype, Burress has very Gardner-like numbers. I certainly wouldn't throw a lot of money at this guy.

EDIT: I see Jimbo beat me to it. I'd like to add that Burress's career numbers aren't all that much more impressive that Gardner's either.

2000: 23 273 11.9 0
2001: 66 1008 15.3 6
2002: 78 1325 17.0 7
2003: 60 860 14.3 4
2004: 35 698 19.9 5

[Drex]

There is no way Plax is going to be worth the salary he will be attempting to command in free agency.

I hope the skins pass on him.

[ERIC THE REDskinsfan]

I like Plax. I think he'll be much better than Gardner! Just my opinion, but I think his "numbers" are due to the fact that he was behind Ward and they didn't really throw the ball too too much b/c that's not their style. I for one would really like to see Burress in a Redskins uni...

[Skins11]

You guys got it, we might as well keep an injury-free cheaper Gardner next year, than injury-prone overpriced Plexiglass.

Gardner's totals in his 4 year career: 227 receptions for 2997 yards, 22 touchdowns.

Burress's totals in his 5 year career: 262 receptions for 4164 yards, 22 touchdowns

Gardner has a similar reception count despite being in the league a year less. Same touchdown count despite Gardner being one of the worst offenses in Skins' recent memory.

And don't pull the yards per catch argument - less catches means fewer times that first downs are converted and drives sustained.

[FLSKINSFAN]

Mackydootz, I'm with you. Depending on what happens with Moss, I would like to get Burress. He was commanding a double team all game long, and opening up the routes underneath for Ward. We need someone like that to free up Coles on the crossing routes.

[Dirk Diggler]

Someone is going to desperately overpay for this dude and i pray it isn't us. I'd rather have David Givens for half the price.

[Hooper]

I would much rather ride it out with Gardner than sign Buress.

[Henry]

Originally posted by Mackydootz
I like Plax. I think he'll be much better than Gardner! Just my opinion, but I think his "numbers" are due to the fact that he was behind Ward and they didn't really throw the ball too too much b/c that's not their style. I for one would really like to see Burress in a Redskins uni...

Are you saying Burress has played under less-favorable circumstances than Gardner? I find that hard to believe.

[da#1skinsfan]

Originally posted by Hooper
I would much rather ride it out with Gardner than sign Buress.

I agree with that. Player for player Id take Burress in a heartbeat. Nevermind the fact that he is an all around better receiver, defenses respect him MUCH more than Gardner. He draws coverage for sure.

Now, start talking contracts, where Burress Im sure is going to demand he be overpaid, and I agree, Id rather hold on to Gardner. If Burress asks for a ton more than Gardner makes (which he will) Id stick with Rod.

[Hooper]

If Muhammed was just a couple years younger -- I mean, the guy had an even arguably better year than TO this year and unlike Buress or 50/50, he comes to play every game.

[sealskin]

Free agency is pretty weak this year for wideouts. This is why someone will overpay of Burress. I would prefer to get Givens from new england. He is bigger than I thought after watching the patriot game yesterday. If Mason is available i would look at him as well.

[ERIC THE REDskinsfan]

Originally posted by Henry


Are you saying Burress has played under less-favorable circumstances than Gardner? I find that hard to believe.

No. What I'm saying is Plaxico hasn't been the point of emphasis for the offense (no fault of his own). Again, in my opinion here. I think the comparison to Gardner, who also hasn't been the point of emphasis, is skewed because Gardner couldn't handle being the number 1 guy.

I know one thing, Plaxico has long since demanded the ball more (which I LOVEin a player) but I think has a lot left to prove no doubt. Rod is along the same lines in that sense, but what the heck is he gonna prove here? He's not our answer to improving the offense. He's too inconsistent and I think it's time for Rod to suit up elsewhere.

[SKINtil8tin]

Originally posted by Hooper
If Muhammed was just a couple years younger -- I mean, the guy had an even arguably better year than TO this year and unlike Buress or 50/50, he comes to play every game.

Agreed. Muhammad lit it up this year - 32 yrs. old and a new contract might be too much though.