When I got my radio schedule for opening weekend, I was ecstatic to hear that I would have the privilege to call the Steelers/Ravens game. I was looking forward to one of the best current rivalries in the NFL – a game that would provide physical, tough-nosed football, the way it is supposed to be played. As I did my preparation, I had convinced myself that the Steelers were the slightly better team, mainly because of their dominating run defense. I surmised the Steelers defense would take away Ray Rice, making the Ravens one dimensional and putting the entire game on the back of Joe Flacco. The one thing I missed is that several of the Steelers starting defenders are fighting Father Time – and apparently are losing.
I can hear the sound of longtime Jaguars.com writer Vic Ketchman’s voice in my head, saying, “The NFL is a young man’s game” and after watching Sunday’s game that is a premise that’s hard to argue against. The Steelers’ front seven were pushed around the field by a Ravens offensive line that was playing its first game together. The 1st play of the game was a 37-yard off -tackle run by Ray Rice and that set the tempo for the rest of the day; A BUTT-WHUPPING by the Ravens.
The core of the Steelers defense is over 30 years old, including all three starting defensive lineman and 36-year-old middle linebacker James Farrior. I know it’s a long season and things will change from Week 1 to Week 17, but the Steelers defense better find the Fountain of Youth or it will be a long season.
— Tony Boselli
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