Too many flags

The Steelers committed way too many penalties during yesterday’s desultory, lackluster performance at Jimmy Hoffa Stadium – eight penalties in all, for 100 yards. Here they are:

• PENALTY on PIT-I.Taylor, Defensive Pass Interference, 41 yards, enforced at NYJ 24
• PENALTY on PIT- S.Mahan, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NYJ 33 –
• PENALTY on PIT-M.Starks, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at PIT 34
• PENALTY on PIT-C.Haggans, Defensive Holding, 1 yard, enforced at PIT 2
• PENALTY on PIT-Aa.Smith, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at NYJ 23
• PENALTY on PIT-W.Colon, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at NYJ 43
• PENALTY on PIT-G.Warren, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at PIT 45
• PENALTY on PIT-B.McFadden, Defensive Pass Interference, 8 yards, enforced at NYJ 47
  

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls can forgive the first-quarter pass interference penalty on Ike Taylor. You could argue that while it did lead to a field goal and accounted for the most yards of any of the eight penalties, it was not the costliest penalty. Other candidates for the costliest penalty would be:

• The offensive holding call on Max Starks, who was in the game as an extra tight end, for crying out loud. Inexcusable. The loss of 10 yards put the Steelers in a third-and-19 situation, where Jets safety Kerry Rhodes intercepted a deep pass intended for Nate Washington. (Rhodes can sky, by the way; he showed serious springs in making a spectacular play).

• The indefensible defensive holding call on Clark Haggans on the ensuing possession late in the first half. The call nullified a change of possession when Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens fumbled the ball out of the end zone. The Haggans penalty also enabled the Jets to salvage a field goal at the end of the half (and, of course, three points turned out to be the margin of victory).

• Roughing the passer, by Aaron Smith, who was flagged for a late hit on Clemens after he threw an incomplete pass on third and 15 with 6:36 left in the third quarter. It did not look like an egregiously flagrant hit. Although the Jets did not score, however, the penalty extended their drive and gave the Jets life at a point when the Steelers had seized momentum.

• Similarly, the illegal procedure call on Willy Colon, with 6:28 left in the fourth quarter, disrupted a Steelers drive that ended when Ben Roethlisberger was sacked and fumbled for a change of possession that once again put the Black 'n Gold defense on the field.

For all that, somehow the Steelers managed nearly a seven-minute advantage in time of possession (35:52). Just goes to show how badly penalties can hurt a team.

Way too many mistakes.

• If there’s any consolation (there’s not) from yesterday’s slate of games, at least we can take satisfaction in the miserable performances by the Ravens and Bengals. Baltimore’s Brian Billick once again outcoached himself as the Ravens lost to Cleveland. In Cincinnati, overhyped quarterback Carson Palmer threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. His QB rating for the day was a wretched 68.5. The Bengals stink out loud. Still.
  

Like the Steelers, the Bengals committed way too many penalties and mistakes. Unlike the Bengals, the Steelers are likeable. So, we’ve got that going for us, anyway.