Scary how much of a carbon copy the Cowboys are of the Pittsburgh Super Bowl team?

[TruBlueCowboy]

Strong 3-4 defense.

QB who does his best when he's a bus driver. (Roethlisberger, Bledsoe)

Big time committee running game even when team only averaging 3 yards a carry. (Bettis, Parker, Staley & JuJo, Barber, TT)

Good young tight end. (Heath Miller, Jason Witten)

Physical receiver who is a great run blocker. (Hines Ward, Keyshawn)

Converted QB, clutch catcher, special teamer. (Randle El, Crayton)

Big time safety (Polamalu & Roy Williams)

We even had problems with injured left tackles this year, as well as lines that arguably have their biggest strengths at guard. (Although Steelers guards are much younger and better.)

What do you think the Cowboys could do to play on Pittsburgh's level? They're not that far and built very similar.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Polamalu has surpassed Roy Williams this year. Roy needs to get with the program. He's gotten worse, not better, each year.

Better offensive line. Younger linemen.

Need a TO type receiver to match Hines Ward. Someone who can be physical but still has the speed of a Hines Ward.

I think Roethlisberger will be a better quarterback than Bledsoe, but it's hard to find someone like Big Ben so Bledsoe will have to carry the team for now.

We don't have a nose tackle as dominating as Casey Hampton.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Big Ben is actually mobile and has (for some reason) a higher completion percentage after contact. End of discussion.

Bus Driver. Not so much. Have you even watched the last two Steelers games ?

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Big Ben is actually mobile and has (for some reason) a higher completion percentage after contact. End of discussion.

Bus Driver. Not so much. Have you even watched the last two Steelers games ?

Did you watch the Cowboys games? Bledsoe won some games for us too throwing a bunch. Just saying both are at their best when they are bus drivers. Unfortunately, Big Ben's role is probably because he's so young. Obviously he'll be a better QB than Bledsoe in the future but I think both coaches want to run first and win with strong defense, and then, if they need to, give the game to the QB.

 

[Zman5]

Ben can actually scramble and throw well under pressure.

And they have more than 1 LB who can pressure the QB.

Randall El is a better returner and has more speed than Crayton. Crayton has better hands.

 

[neosapien23]

The Steelers have the best Oline in the NFL. That is the biggest difference between them and us. They also have a descent kicker and 2 pass rushing OLB.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Did you watch the Cowboys games? Bledsoe won some games for us too throwing a bunch. Just saying both are at their best when they are bus drivers. Unfortunately, Big Ben's role is probably because he's so young. Obviously he'll be a better QB than Bledsoe in the future but I think both coaches want to run first and win with strong defense, and then, if they need to, give the game to the QB.

Seems like a similar philosophy between several teams including the Commanders, Cowboys, Panthers, Bucs, etc.

Fair enough Bens youth gives him a slight advantage as far as mobility. Bens D gives him a slight advantage because the Steelers have been running that D forever it seems.

Oh, and I watch every Cowboys game. Gotta see whats coming.

 

[jja050575]

Strong 3-4 defense.

QB who does his best when he's a bus driver. (Roethlisberger, Bledsoe)

Big time committee running game even when team only averaging 3 yards a carry. (Bettis, Parker, Staley & JuJo, Barber, TT)

Good young tight end. (Heath Miller, Jason Witten)

Physical receiver who is a great run blocker. (Hines Ward, Keyshawn)

Converted QB, clutch catcher, special teamer. (Randle El, Crayton)

Big time safety (Polamalu & Roy Williams)

We even had problems with injured left tackles this year, as well as lines that arguably have their biggest strengths at guard. (Although Steelers guards are much younger and better.)

What do you think the Cowboys could do to play on Pittsburgh's level? They're not that far and built very similar.

we actually own the steelers, except for vinny blowing the game last year, we have beat them every time since the superbowl that we won against them. so if we played them next year i would say that we would win.

 

[sago1]

Interesting comparison between Cowboy & Steeler players but Steeler players are better and/or younger at some positions. In order to realistically compete against them, we all know what we must do: 1) upgrade OL and get younger, 2) add big threat WR, 3) add at least 2 quality defensive starters (FS & LB) & continue improving depth on DL & LB. 4) add legit NFL PK, 5) get Romo some regular season game experience (hope to win 2 blowouts games), etc., 6) move 3-4 from vanilla to complex aggressive & unpredictable formations/blitz packages, & 7) Roy Williams should get his butt in gear and make more big time plays. Maybe quality FS playing beside him will help.

 

[Juke99]

I dunno but it's been my opinion that Roethlisberger is MUCH more than a bus driver....

In fact, the Steelers placed the last two games on his shoulders and he came up big.

Against the Colts he had 170 yards passing in the first quarter.

And against the Broncos, his team averaged 2.7 yards per carry and yet, he put up GREAT numbers.

 

[chinch]

Good thread. The steelers have the benefit of 15 years of stability whereas we had 10 years of Jerruh's poor decisions prior to Tuna's arrival.

Ben is a great bus driver... he'd be doing very little for the Texans or AZ.

Roy has regressed but that can be helped as the defense matures.

 

[Route 66]

Seems like a similar philosophy between several teams including the Commanders, Cowboys, Panthers, Bucs, etc.

Fair enough Bens youth gives him a slight advantage as far as mobility. Bens D gives him a slight advantage because the Steelers have been running that D forever it seems.

Oh, and I watch every Cowboys game. Gotta see whats coming.

So this is what it means when you are supposed to keep your enemies closer...

 

[BrassCowboy]

Strong 3-4 defense.

QB who does his best when he's a bus driver. (Roethlisberger, Bledsoe)

Big time committee running game even when team only averaging 3 yards a carry. (Bettis, Parker, Staley & JuJo, Barber, TT)

Good young tight end. (Heath Miller, Jason Witten)

Physical receiver who is a great run blocker. (Hines Ward, Keyshawn)

Converted QB, clutch catcher, special teamer. (Randle El, Crayton)

Big time safety (Polamalu & Roy Williams)

We even had problems with injured left tackles this year, as well as lines that arguably have their biggest strengths at guard. (Although Steelers guards are much younger and better.)

What do you think the Cowboys could do to play on Pittsburgh's level? They're not that far and built very similar.

I can't believe you are comparing these cowboys with the Steelers.

Our defense is young and has some ways to go to be as good as the Steelers D. I think alot of this is Zimmer, but not to take away from the youth of this D.

Palamoua has way surpassed Roy Williams. Never seen a safety as good as Polamoua as of late.

Big Ben, he is more than a bus driver. I think he beats out Brett Farve when under pressure. No one escapes pressure like Ben. Very mobile and has the best feel for pressure than ANY qb in the league.

we could only hope to have Hines Ward on our team.

I will agree on TE and clutch wr though.

Saying all that, I absolutely hate the Steelers and would love to see them lose. Just have to give them their props though.

 

[InDakWeTrust]

I dunno but it's been my opinion that Roethlisberger is MUCH more than a bus driver....

In fact, the Steelers placed the last two games on his shoulders and he came up big.

Against the Colts he had 170 yards passing in the first quarter.

And against the Broncos, his team averaged 2.7 yards per carry and yet, he put up GREAT numbers.

Yet, against the Colts they couldnt put them away and won based on stupidity (Nick Harper) and luck (Vanderjagt's miss) and against the Broncos he was forcing passes into coverage and was helped by a vastly underrated defense. Ben doesnt deserve as much credit as he gets, the RB's and the D deserve much more. Ben is only a younger DB (who can move better) IMO...

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

I can't believe you are comparing these cowboys with the Steelers. .

Ahhh bologne! This is parity, time to stop treating teams like they're on a level other teams can only hope to attain. Just about everyone in the top half of the league is equal, and often only injuries make the difference.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Big Ben is not a bus driver. He is a franchise QB.

A bus driver is what we have had since Aikman left.

 

[dbair1967]

Strong 3-4 defense.

QB who does his best when he's a bus driver. (Roethlisberger, Bledsoe)

Big time committee running game even when team only averaging 3 yards a carry. (Bettis, Parker, Staley & JuJo, Barber, TT)

Good young tight end. (Heath Miller, Jason Witten)

Physical receiver who is a great run blocker. (Hines Ward, Keyshawn)

Converted QB, clutch catcher, special teamer. (Randle El, Crayton)

Big time safety (Polamalu & Roy Williams)

We even had problems with injured left tackles this year, as well as lines that arguably have their biggest strengths at guard. (Although Steelers guards are much younger and better.)

What do you think the Cowboys could do to play on Pittsburgh's level? They're not that far and built very similar.

sorry, but somebody else did this in another thread and no matter what kind of spin you put on it there is one thing that is obvious when you WATCH the games, Pittsburgh is EONS better on the field...they are betetr coached on both sides of the ball and are much better defensively than we are

for crying out loud, they won THREE ROAD playoff games, vs 11-5, 13-3 and 13-3 teams...we managed a three game winnign streak ONCE this yr, and that was against three 10+ loss teams, and we beat two of those teams at home

the Steelers can run the football, protect the QB and rush the other teams QB...they force turnovers and I rarely, if ever see them blowing 4th qtr leads the way this team does

David

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Ben is a far better QB than Bledsoe. Ben is easily top-10 material. Drew is OK... and that's about it.

 

[Bach]

Big Ben is not a bus driver. He is a franchise QB.

A bus driver is what we have had since Aikman left.

True.

Plus Ben is only in his second season, whereas Bledsoe will be 34 by next season. I don't think Ben is another Elway or Marino, but he's definitely far more than a bus driver.

Also, Ward, Randle-El and C. Wilson are alot younger than Keyshawn and Glenn. Not to even mention how our OL sucks and the best OL we have are in their 30's.

To compare our team to Pittsburgh is laughable.

 

[BeWare94]

Strong 3-4 defense.

QB who does his best when he's a bus driver. (Roethlisberger, Bledsoe)

Big time committee running game even when team only averaging 3 yards a carry. (Bettis, Parker, Staley & JuJo, Barber, TT)

Good young tight end. (Heath Miller, Jason Witten)

Physical receiver who is a great run blocker. (Hines Ward, Keyshawn)

Converted QB, clutch catcher, special teamer. (Randle El, Crayton)

Big time safety (Polamalu & Roy Williams)

We even had problems with injured left tackles this year, as well as lines that arguably have their biggest strengths at guard. (Although Steelers guards are much younger and better.)

What do you think the Cowboys could do to play on Pittsburgh's level? They're not that far and built very similar.

As much as I wish this were true I don't think that I can agree with it in all honesty. Roethlisberger is best when the Steelers ask him to throw between 15-20 times a game but Bledsoe is usually throwing more. Bledsoe is also playing behind an inferior offensive line.

You've talked about where the two teams are similar so let me mention some significant differences...The Steelers organization has an superior front office infrastructure and a consistent plan of attack in drafts and free agency. They have people who perform their specific jobs over a number of years...they have stability.
In Dallas we have Jerry Jones, Owner/CEO of the Cowboys organization who, since 1995 had made the Cowboy brass the very opposite of the Steeler franchise. Jones seemingly reinvented the team philosophy annually hiring and firing people with a reckless abandon that resembled a Roy Williams hit. Recently Jones has started hiring people and letting them do what he is paying them money to do, however, just as teams are benefitting from the players they drafted 3-5 years ago, Jones is paying for the a lot of ill-advised experimenting that he's done in the 10 years.

Another major difference between the Steelers and the Cowboys is that the Steelers have major advantages in the Coaching staff area. While Parcells clings to inferior coordinators like Mike Zimmer, whom has made if painfully obvious that he lacks the creativity to coach the 3-4 defense the Steelers probably have the best 3-4 defensive coach in the league right now in guru Dick Lebeau. Steeler offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt isn't regarded as a genius by anyone's standards but he consistently puts game plans together that play to the Steelers offensive strengths. Since Tuna has been in town we've have a "passing game coordinator" and a "running game coordinator" and we still haven't been able to score in crucial situations.

Yet another difference is that our special teams are horrible.