Mike Tomlin started his NFL head coaching career in the right way. Not only did he win his first outing, he did it against a heated rival. Well, I guess a heated rival. The Steelers have made a mockery of the rivalry since the Browns re-entered the league.
Tomlin not only beat a key rival, he did in royal style, 34-7. The Steelers were dominant on both sides of the ball. The defense was the catalyst causing turnovers and making the Browns use two QB's, neither of whom could get comfortable because of the blitzing, confusing attack.
It was a statement game. Tomlin has given full reign of the D to Dick LeBeau, and he was masterful yesterday, his 70th birthday. Jamal Lewis had nowhere to run and Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson had to be worried more with where the blitz was coming from than getting set and rid of the football. It was beautiful.
The defense forced five turnovers and generated six sacks on the day. Frye started but did not finish the first half. He was sacked (five) more times than he completed passes (four).
The offense had a few hiccups, but it got the job done. The offensive line did a decent job protecting Roethlisberger and made enough holes for Willie Parker to get over 100-yards for the speedy back. Give Bruce Arians credit for a good gameplan.
Offensive concerns include dropped passes and fumbles. Big Ben went through a long stretch of incompletions because more-often-than-not, receivers dropped catchable balls. Fast Willie also lost a fumble. He has to take better care of the ball. Last season, he led the league with seven fumbles.
The offensive highlight to me was versatility. If opponents want to focus on stopping Fast Willie, Roethlisberger can hurt them. Santonio Holmes is developing as a stretch-the-field threat and Ben found four different receivers for his four TD tosses.
It was a great opener for the Steelers. The Buffalo Bills are next on the dance card and they are coming off a tough, last-second loss to a well-thought of Denver Broncos team at home. It will be Tomlin's opener at Heinz Field, and we all know what heppens in Tomlin openers.
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