Complete and Total Domination
Chris Stout |Sep 10,2007
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 Complete and Total Domination
From the get-go, the game was destined to be a one-sided affair. The Browns offense started with a three-and-out, and on the ensuing punt, there was four penalities -- a false start, a botched snap, two holding calls and an ineligible man downfield. After that ominous play, the Steelers got the ball on their own 22-yard line, and Hines Ward promptly caught a touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone.
Cleveland’s next possession ended with a Charlie Frye interception. Pittsburgh got the ball on the 17-yard line and kicked a field goal. Before the Browns could manage a first down, they were already down 10-0.
It didn’t take long for Charlie Frye to get the axe. Frye completed only four passes in 10 attempts. He was off the mark, on his back and just looked rattled throughout his short stint as the starting QB for the Cleveland Browns.
Derek Anderson entered the game in the second quarter and managed to settle down the offense a bit. But the damage was already done, and before too long, Anderson started to look like the guy he replaced. Anderson was 13-of-28 for 184 yards. He tossed one TD and one INT. As each quarter went by, Brady Quinn’s chances of starting in the near future looked brighter and brighter.
The Steelers issued an absolute beat-down in all phases of the game. Big Ben threw a career-high four touchdowns. Willie Parker rushed for over 100 yards (though he did lose a fumble). Santonio Holmes blew past defenders. Hines Ward laid people out and found the endzone. Both tight ends scored. Even the punter looked sharp -- Dan Sepulveda had four punts that landed inside the 20-yard line.
And then there’s the defense. Pittsburgh’s stifling D registered six sacks and caused five turnovers. Everyone got involved. James Harrison, Joey Porter’s capable replacement, led the team in tackles. Larry Foote was the only starting linebacker who didn’t register a sack. Both starting corners -- Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend -- reeled in picks. Young bone-crusher Anthony Smith registered four tackles and a forced fumble in limited duty. Ryan Clark and James Farrior also forced fumbles. The beating was a total team effort.
Before the season got underway, quite a few chump prognosticators picked the Steelers to finish at or near the bottom of their division. Beating the Browns isn’t the biggest indicator for future success, but so many things clicked for the Steelers in Week 1.
Do not underestimate this team. In the two seasons prior to last year’s woeful, Cowher-limbo-induced 8-8 record, the Steelers finished 15-1 (2004) and won a Super Bowl (2005). Tomlin is the real deal, and with a light schedule to start the season, Pittsburgh is poised to do some serious damage.
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