Steelers:Jaguars (Playoffs January 5, 2008): 2 Point Conversions: Unsuccessful

On 5 Jan 07, the Steelers hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in an eagerly awaited AFC playoff game, where they lost the contest 31-29. After seeing a complete lack of innovation on 2-point conversion plays, I sit here and ponder yesterday's loss:

After early game interceptions, the Steelers like their first encounter with Jacksonville, were forced to play the comeback game. Let's delve into the playing of Troy Polamalu, a probowl safety for the Steelers. Normally, Troy plays both sides of the ball and is one of the most omnipresent players in the entire NFL.

Regardless of this fact, I beseech the reader to answer this question. Why the f**k was Troy (in his injured state) playing in this game? Do head coaches make it a common practice to start injured players? Maybe Tomlin was thinking, ah yes, the mere psychological presence of Troy's ass is going to send the Jaguars into an unrecoverable malaise of fear - thus giving the Steelers an advantage. By this erudite reasoning, why didn't Tomlin decide not to start fast Willie Parker's broke ass for the game?

In pre-game interviews Troy was quoted as "I am going to play but I definitely cannot cut like I normally do." Easy answer, sit this game because you don't have the explosiveness needed to play, as my Mexican friend says the "WAGJUARS" will not be intimidated.

In the end, I observed one key Troy play out there, he was rushing the quarterback at 10:25 in the fourth quarter and ended up drawing a hold on a huge WAGJUARS linemen. Great day, and great decision Tomlin, troy drew a penalty - the linemen tackled his ass. Perhaps you failed to see Troy's lackluster pursuit earlier in the game chasing the "Gourdo WAGJUARS" quarterback. This doesn't matter he drew a hold right?

My next point of contention.

Why the hell did Big Ben try to run 12 yards on a 2-point conversion? As many of you noted, not only did Ben try two consecutive red-zone option plays but on two, possibly three occasions Big Ben used the same lob pass red-zone play to his WRs. Granted, Hines Ward caught a difficult pass (called back because of a penalty), but what the f**k was the offensive coordinator thinking? Are you stuck in the 50s where you can't conceive a more creative offense for scoring? Give me a damn break, your paid to develop offensive schemes, don't do the same shit over an over.

My last point of contention:

This is the play that will go in WAGUAR history books.

4-2-PIT 43

(1:56) (Shotgun) 9-D.Garrard scrambles up the middle to PIT 11 for 32 yards (23-T.Carter).

It was 4^th and 2, Jacksonville had the ball and was conceivable out of field goal range. The Steelers were playing the pass hard. What did Gerrard (WAGUARS QB) do? As quoted after the game, Gerrard said his 32-yard scamper was the result of "lulling a Steelers safety to sleep." Not only that, I ask where the hell was Farrior and Harrison, where was the damn QB spy? This ultimate defensive breakdown was the key play of the game and the end of the Steelers 2008 playoff hopes.