MAURKICE POUNCEY: ANOTHER IN A LONG LINE OF GREAT CENTERS

First there was Ray Mansfield.

Then Mike Webster.

Then Dermontti Dawson.

Now Maurkice Pouncey.

The Steelers have been blessed.

THE STEELERS WILL FAIL

Arians can thank offensive genius Roethlisberger for his job.

The Steelers will fail in the playoffs, probably in the first game (whichever round that may be in) because Ben Roethlisberger thinks he knows so much about football that he can judge offensive coordinators. Actually, truth be told, Arians is the only guy in the league who would let Ben call plays by drawing them on the ground in the huddle. If this is the only reason the schmuck is still around maybe we need to change QBs as well. Ben, just get out on the field and TRY to play well and leave the big decisions to those who know better. Since the Steelers will fall, I think Arians will be looking for work in January. I might even fire him before he can leave the field after the final game, a la Bill Cowher. 

OVECHKIN!

"What, me worry?"

Tell me how ALexander Ovechhkin (Ovechicken to those who know and hate him), can go year-after-year trying to take peoples' heads off and accumulate the same number of PIMs as Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? It was suggested to me that the NHL "needs" him on the ice. Hmm, to kill whom?. Crosby and Malkin get their minutes basically on what I might categorize as non-violent penalties (hooking, holding, interference) and, for some reason, so does Ovechkin since his charging and boarding penalties go uncalled. So Ovechkin gets to stay on the ice because he's "needed" by the NHL and, so I guess then, Crosby and Malkin are not needed? Tell me how this "helps" the NHL. Makes sense to someone.

"Gary, you got a lotta 'splainin' to do!"

    

"Da!"

NFL REVIEW CHANGES

NFL: After seeing the terrible call on the next-to-next-to-last GB interception against 

the Giants I suggest, ALL scores (TDs and FGs) and changes of possession (including 

on-side kicks) be automatically reviewed in a War Room similar to that of the NHL. 

That means no more on-field reviews. There will be no challenges or other reviews, 

period. There is no way a play such as that should stand just because a coach is out of 

challenges.

STEELERS V. PANTHERS

"Nice" game but nice doesn't win championships, guys. 

GOOD news:


1. Heath is back. God if they had only had them last week. Thank you fine-able hit at Baltimore.


2. SOMEONE in the defensive backfield, whose name isn't Troy, intercepts a pass. Please continue this trend.


3. Offense scored some TDs.


4. Nice to have Hines show up in the offense again.




BAD news:


1. When you're playing a team that is 2-12 you need to score TDs every time you have a opportunity.


2. Still do not understand the offensive game plan, if there really is one. Hopefully, someone will pull the pacifier out of Ben's mouth next year, have him grow up, and and next year Arians will be gone Arians.


3. As I stated many weeks ago, I am not encouraged that, realistically speaking, the "season" has come down to the final game in Cleveland.

STEELERS v. JETS

Opening kickoff for TD + safety (bad call?) + too many injuries + NO big defensive plays + another TERRIBLE non-call (holding against Sanders) = wheels coming off.

MY FAVORITE MIKE TOMLIN EXPRESSIONS

1. "Get a hat."


2. "Put your hand in the pile."


3. "Get a seat on the bus."


4. "I have no interest whatsoever in doing 'Hard Knocks' and hopefully Art Rooney feels the same way."


5. About the league office watching Steelers defensive players for illegal hits, "It would be hard for me to care less about what those people watch for."


6. "You are what you put on video tape in December."


7. "...particularly when you get to stadiums where the lights are on."


8. ..."light on your feet; thoughtfully non-rhythmic."


9. "Two dogs, one bone."

TRUE or FALSE: MY NO. 1 CONCERN IS STILL THE STEELERS' PASS DEFENSE?

True, for the following reasons:


1. Numbers 43 and 56 are the ONLY guys on the defense, other than perhaps Brett Kiesel (sorry), who have good enough hands and the football instincts to intercept a ball that's thrown in their vicinity.

2. Bryant McFadden has been so up and down the past few weeks that he can't be depended upon in a big game. Wait a minute, what's that in his hand? Has this photo been altered?

3. The effectiveness of pass rush has fallen off. This started against the Patriots and since then has only been truly successful against the Raiders (the game following the loss to the Patriots). Also, I am starting to become disenchanted with the 3-4 defense, particularly against very good QBs (a.k.a. Tom Brady).

4. You can't play bend-but-don't-break pass defense against everyone (e.g., against Tom Brady). Sorry, Mr. LeBeau. 

I guess this is where I posit my defensive strategy against the Patriots. You have to play a 4-3 to consistently beat them. You need four BIG pass rushers, not three and an LB. AND you have to take away the short passing game. Brady MAY beat your deep occasionally but he will KILL YOU with the short game, especially without a good pass rush. For the Steelers my strategy against the Patriots is a 4-2-5; four bigs, 2 LBs, and 5 DBs with press coverage.

5. I just read that Troy won't play against the Jets. Really, I'd rather have had him against the Jets than the Bengals but, who knew? This puts even more pressure on the offense against a much better defense than the "Bungles" and could be fatal.

JETS DEFENSE WATCHING FILM OF OPPONENTS HAMMERING BEN ROETHLISBERGER WITH IMPUNITY

THE ROAD TO A STEELERS FIRST ROUND BYE

 
1. Beat the New York Football Jets. Jets: 2009 Overachievers, 2010 Underachievers









2. New Orleans defeats Baltimore. New Orleans at Baltimore











3. Defeat the (now) 1-11 Carolina Panthers. 

4. Coast into Cleveland and leave without any significant injuries (no need to win if 1., 2. and 3. occur).

5. SEE YOU IN ROUND 2 OF THE PLAYOFFS.

"THE GUY WAS JUST TRYING TO TACKLE YOU."

This is the excuse-de-jour offered by NFL referees for ignoring "penalties" (head slaps, late hits, etc.) committed against Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, Mr. Goodell, and exactly what the hell does that have to do with the price of Nike knock-offs in China? If you saw a befuddled No. 7 petitioning the referees (Terry McCauley and Walt Coleman) the past two weeks this is what he got in return. 


Right now I'm waiting for Mike Tomlin to come down off his pedestal and start challenging this situation. With his players it's expected that they do whatever is necessary. Mike? Would BIll Chower have overlooked this on a now week-by-week basis? THAT Bill Chower of the "shove a photo into the ref's pocket at half-time over a too-many-men-on-the-field penalty." He would be apoplectic, spitting on every striped-shirt in the tri-state area. Mike gives them the "big eyes."


As Mike Prisuta said, "If it's not a conspiracy it's selective incompetence."

DREAM ACT--FOR WHOM?

Another initiative put forward by people who obviously value U.S. citizenship so lowly they feel it should be given away like candy. 


The crux of the DREAM Act is that illegal minors would be provided citizenship if they attended college or served in the military. 


Firstly, I don't think non-citizens should be permitted to serve in the military at all. I know some want to prove their loyalty to the U.S. by doing so, and that is noble. But I would only go for it if all CITIZENS were required to serve in the military. This is the case in many countries including Norway. What could a non-citizen's other motivations be for wanting to join the military? It could be a motivation such as that of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan's. Yes, he is a U.S. citizen but did it make any difference in that case? A non-citizen could be more likely to commit such an act, or perhaps spy. We even have citizen lunkheads doing that (Wikileaker Bradley Manning).


Secondly, how does attending college equate to anything with respect to citizenship? Now that colleges are simply liberal propaganda factories. Funny how once getting a "liberal" education resulted in a broadening of one's views not narrowing. Further, under what requirements will these illegals be admitted. Surely their qualifications will not be as high as many U.S. citizens. If they could get a quality education in their own country they might not even be here. Therefore, they will be admitted at lower standards than the citizen competition. It's bad enough we've lost millions of jobs in this trying time. It would be a crime to then cheat citizens out of a college education.


Rosanna Pulido, Chicagoan and one-time candidate for Congress attended a rally against the DREAM Act. She said the following:

The Dream Act is not a dream for most Americans. It is a nightmare! It is a nightmare for the millions who are unemployed, it is a nightmare for the many who have waited to gain United States citizenship legally, and it is a nightmare to those who have played by the rules and pay high rates of college tuition. Where is Senator Durbin’s sense of justice? Is he just playing politics with the aspirations of hard working Americans? Is he playing politics with Martin Luther King, Jr.? American citizenship is too highly valued to be given away to those who break our laws. I have a dream. It is a dream different from Senator Durbin’s dream. I have a dream that once and for all we will reward those who follow the law in the United States, not break the law. If you have this same dream, you will oppose the Dream Act with me.

Enough said. 

STEELERS-RAVENS II -- REPRISE

Some things left out:


BAD


1. Sanders--This may take a while but, remember to not run out of bounds on punt coverage. After all it was Game 12.


2. Johnson--Remember you're on the place kick group so the team doesn't have to waste a time out to get your fat ass on the field.


3. Ward--Not much talk about the absolutely subpar (a.k.a. poor) game played by number 86. Maybe people are willing to give him a pass because of his resume but I think it's significant. Age can catch up to you in a quick hurry. I still rankle when he, after 13 years, talks about how people didn't think he was "fast enough, big enough, good enough" to play in the NFL. Hines, you proved them wrong, now get over it before you retire; and please don't mention it in your HOF speech.

4. Rookie receivers--Run the right routes. So far this season your screw-ups have cost the team some big plays.


GOOD


1. Kemoeatu--Nice job trying to run over people after your fumble recovery since it was against the Ravens but, next time, just fall on the ball.

2. Wallace--Generally a good job. Let's just hope the offensive coordinator figure out a good way to use you, unlike what has happened to Heath Miller.


3. Ben--More props on a fine game under adverse physical conditions.

STEELERS-RAVENS II--SAME-OLD SAME-OLD; AND WE LOVE IT!

Did you expect anything else? Nose-breaking, head concussing, nerve-racking, superman-ish, smash-mouth football with testosterone crashing wave-upon-wave for 60 minutes. NFL--THIS... IS... FOOTBALL! I can't believe these two teams survive two games a season against one another let alone the occasional three. 

THE BAD

1. Officiating--Since the Cincinnati game I've been saying this almost every week; that was the worst officiated game I've ever seen. (I missed the first quarter but I guess Baltimore could complain about their seven penalties in that period.) I'm becoming more convinced that there is some sort of conspiracy against the Steelers this year. There is no other explanation for it. (More on this in another blog.) THEN there was the non-call. yeah, that one. You can't convince me that if James Harrison had made that hit there wouldn't have been a flag.

2. Running game--What running game? Well, I'm a bit conflicted about this. My strategy would have been to go to an up-tempo all-passing game plan. No one would have expected that. Use the pass to set up the run especially against the Ravens who go balls-out to stop the run and are a bit susceptible in the secondary.

3. Will ANYONE please block Terrell Suggs? I think I saw what has to be the worst blocking attempt ever by Hines Ward last night going after Suggs on the first-and-goal run after Sanders' catch. Watch it again and tell me what you think.

I've got to get a shirt like this made for next season, substituting Ravens for Steelers of course.

4. Offense play calling--I'm certain now that the only reason Arians is still with the Steelers is because Ben loves him. Why, I don't now. They need someone who will force some pocket-discipline on him. I can hear it over the headphones: "Ben, this is Bruce. Here we wanna use the bunch-right-gun triple-pump-scramble. Just find somebody to throw to; if not, take the sack."

5. Sanders--After a good catch at the Baltimore 3 he lays there like a dead mackerel when the smart play is to get up, roll, crawl, whatever to the end zone just in case you haven't been touched. Brown came over and tried to drag him up but he was brain dead.

6. Ward--This could have been his worst game ever. The aforementioned attempted block on Suggs, several other poor or non-blocks, a critical dropped ball on third down, etc. But the tape Hines.

7. Lawrence Timmons must be hurt. He's done very little after a tremendous first 5 games.

8. Sepulveda--What now? First, tell him to stop trying to tackle on kick coverage. It's two season's in a row he's been hurt in that way. His injury displays another weakness in having your punter as your holder. If Sepulveda is done you're now brining in both a new punter AND a new holder. Not exactly what you need at a critical juncture in the season. The other weakness is you give up the potential for a fake kick with no "skill" player as your holder. I suggest next season the backup QB holds.

THE GOOD

1. Troy, Troy, Troy--No wonder the Steelers' D was so bad without him last season.


2. Can we assume Ben has finally learned to throw the ball away instead of taking sacks and putting the offense in a hole? Or was it that he just didn't want his schnoz rearranged any further.


3. Bruce Arians CAN call a good play occasionally. The "hitch" to Mike Wallace in the third quarter with Ward going in motion on the opposite side and re-setting in the backfield. Let's try that sort of thing more often.


4. Ben--Breaking loose from Suggs on first down at the 9 and buying room to backhand a pass out-of-bounds, saving a sack. I guess that's why he's "that guy."


5. Then again, there's the call for a run on first (AND second) down at the Baltimore 3 after the pass to Sanders. Who the hell didn't see THAT coming?!?


6. Sanders--Great tackle on the kick off following the Steelers' TD. Exactly what was required at that moment.


7. Redman--Hot read and great catch and run for the TD. Now why can't the WRs do that?


8. Did I mention Troy?

Pelosi Galore

Did you see Pelosi's face while Rangel was giving his "censure" speech? Christ, I thought Kennedy had died again! No, this isn't it.

Penny wise and pound foolish...

Listen up, people in Congress! I commented on this the last time it came up. You are morally obliged to continue unemployment benefits. Let me repeat for emphasis: YOU ARE MORALLY OBLIGED TO CONTINUE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS! YOU are the ones who created this mess, maybe not you personally, but YOU as an institution. YOU have already approved to spend HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to do... what? And NOW you blanch at a measly $12 billion? Yeah, continue to hurt the people affected the most by this disaster. Smart.


P.S. $12 billion is only 1.54 percent of $780 billion.

NFL, let's cut the bullshit!

All right. I've watch that goddam play ten times frame by frame and if there is any helmet-to-helmet contact AT ALL it's due to Fitzpatrick's head snapping forward after Harrison hits him squarely in the chest with his face mask. Harrison makes impact in a crouch and from the moment of impact the top of his helmet never changes position relative to the ground. That is, he doesn't "ride up" Fitzpatrick's chest resulting in the crown of his helmet impacting the QBs chin. Also, the referee has the flag out and is in his windup almost before Harrison falls to the ground on top of him. 


Goodell, stop running around in women's underwear and call off the fucking dogs! You've created such a goddam mess that no one knows WHAT the hell a clean hit is any more! Pretty soon you're going to have to hand out cards to fans entering the stadiums with diagrams indicating what is "now" legal contact. It's an "I can't tell you what an illegal hit is but I recognize it when I see it" kind of thing. That ain't gonna cut it, Pal. "You're ruining Christmas!"

Mercy, sire!

I would love to see a professional sports team web site with NO ADS. I think I could then die in peace. Come on, aren't you guys making enough money to subsidize a web site for crying out loud? How much do you pay to maintain the site anyway. You've probably got some sort of intern running it or, if you don't, you probably should. It's really not that difficult anymore. Give us ONE stinking break, huh? Tickets are already a fortune, hot dogs are $5, beer is about $72 a gallon, with sodas not far behind. Whaddaya say?

"The veil is off the hypocirsy."

Thanks to Mike Prisuta of "Talkin' Steelers Football" for the accurate 6-word analysis of the Harrison v. Seymour fine controversy. Listen to the discussion at Talkin' Steelers Football - 11/23/10.

Steelers Rip Raiders

I was glad Tomlin got my memo about Randle El's sub-par play and the need to activate Antonio Brown. In spite of going through every O-Lineman on the roster and a season's-worth of poor officiating the defense dominated and the offense managed to accumulate 35 points. 


I had commented prior to the game concerning the irony that the offense had only managed to score more than 27 points once since Mr. R's return after getting a season-high 38 in Game 3 at Tampa Bay with Charlie Batch at QB. After a four play start to the game (for the second consecutive week), the offense was opened-up a bit by Bruce Arians. The defense returned to pre-New England form and, at the end of the first half, the outcome was basically decided.


They go into Buffalo next week against a Bills team that has won twice after losing their first 8 games. I don't think a Steelers letdown or a Buffalo trifecta is in the offing. So barring any additional O-Line injuries or an offensive disaster... Steelers 30 Buffalo 10.


Oh, and the new kicker did fine; 5 XPs means a good game all around.

Note to (Steel)ers

Please obtain a top-notch QB coach for His Immenseness, the famous Mr. R. Unless you're going to adopt a roll-out, moving-pocket type passing offense to take advantage of his ability to throw on the move (which you should), he is in dire need of learning pocket passing technique. Unfortunately, so far in his career he has gotten away without said technique but the last two seasons indicate he no longer does.


Remember thee guys? That offense worked pretty damn well.

After a uncharacteristically petulant day...

...I'm back. Sorry about that. The Patriots whoop-assing of the Steelers really got to me in that it was the first time EVER I had been in attendance for a post-Pitt Stadium Steelers' loss. Before that they don't count. Well, I hadn't been to that many games since I left Pittsburgh in May of 1973, but I had a nice 9-0 streak going for me (including SBs IX and X). That being said, back to business...


Based on what I said about Brady and Belichick in my post-game blog I don't really believe the following but I thought you might find them amusing (from PittsburghMagazine.com):

Football Scouting Methods by Bill Belichick.
Page 1, Chapter 1: Cheat. Repeat.

Tom Brady's wireless hair curler runs on pure arrogance. 

Well, I guess Belichick DID cheat but I don't think it's what makes him a genius of a coach. There I said it again!

What's that all about? Back in September my wife and I went to a Maggiano's in Plano, TX. Of course, being football season, I was wearing a Steelers shirt of some kind. Long story short the manager was a huge Patriots fan and we made a bet; Steelers win I get a free meal, Patriots win I wear a Patriots shirt. Even before the start of the season, I was confident based on the number of times Brady had already beaten the Steelers. Well, I'm really not sure I can wear a Patriots shirt so instead I am going to offer as a substitute my post-game blog which includes high praise for Belichick and Brady. We'll see how it goes.

After careful deliberation...

...I've decided Pittsburgh sports is no longer of the quality that I'm willing to waste my time on. So, adieu, until it improves significantly...

"Just like Pa?"

No, it's not GONE WITH THE WIND, but it's something similar. "Just like last year?" is the appropriate phrase. Yes, that's what we fear. 6-2 start last year and a 6-2 start this year, with TWO close loses in 2009 and one this season. Then the roof fell in. We all know what happened last year. The Steelers (I mean the "ers") actually went to 7-2 with a big win in Denver (where they play AGAIN this year, why?) and it was another close loss to Cincinnati that started a 5-game losing streak and the literal, if not actual, end of the season. This year a creaming by the Patriots is followed by a game with Oakland, who beat them in Pittsburgh past year as part of that losing streak. Is it coming apart again? If they lose to Oakland I think it's pack-up-and-get-out-the-golf-clubs time. After losing two of the last three games this team does not look like it's moving forward, especially since they almost lost the game to Cincinnati in between. The offense is in chaos (see below) and the defense was unrecognizable against New England. Oakland is not as bad as they were last year so... I'm taking bets. Anyone?


AN OFFENSE THAT'S UNRAVELING. OK, Ben, it's time to start throwing the ball away and stop taking sacks. The offense can't make up for the seemingly never-ending negative passing plays. It's killing drives and it's killing the offense overall. Also, have at least some idea who you're going to throw to when you come out of the huddle. Is it so bad that your primary receiver NEVER gets open and you're left back there totally clueless about what to do next? If it's that, you're in worse shape than I thought. Fore!

Notice anything in common between these two boneheads?

  

At least Bonehead No. 2 kept his shirt on. Really, what can you expect?

Jeff Reed: Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

"...it was the turf that done it."


Wow, this guy went from pretty good kicker to total schmuck in less than a year. He allegedly had contractual problems with Steelers management but, based on his "evolved" attitude, I can now understand whose fault that was.


Yeah, the field at Heinz is "terrible." We could and have seen it (something I'd like to discuss with the Rooneys myself). But hey, just shut up and kick.


Oh, excuse me for not saying so earlier, NICE HAIR!

Steelers PERFORMANCE Against Pats

So many topics, so little time. This is COMPLETELY in no particular order (I'm not even going to re-write any of it) and please excuse the multiple words in EMPHASIS as I'm PISSED!

I was there. It was borderline EMBARRASSING. There were about three NE fans in our section and I HATED listening to them gloat. See more about HATE below.

This was absolutely THE WORST defensive "performance" I've ever seen from this defense. I can't even call it an "effort."

Per Troy Polamalu (who's name, including Harrison's, I do not even remember their names being called at any point in the game, see below about Brady and Belichick): "Oh no, it's very humbling." Do ya think?!?

From Bob Labriola, "It was lifeless, it was flat..." At the very least!

I positively hate them both but Brady is one of the top five greatest QBs OF ALL TIME (I think it really pissed him off that he was taken so low in the draft) and Belichick is a GENIUS. That's all there is to it. There, I said it. Yes me. How the hell else can they be 7-2 with their personnel? Wes Welker is their ONLY receiver who could start on ANY other NFL team... period! Belichick develops the plan and Brady executes. Not even General Patton was so adept at pin-pointing weaknesses of opponents.

Brady can throw to ANYONE who can get open and catch; "worst" receiver or "best."

You think we hate THEM, Brady and Belichick HATE, HATE, HATE the Steelers. They think the Super Bowl is their birthright and if it takes kicking the Steelers asses to do it, they will take on the task with of all their being. That's what we saw in this game. 

Rookie receivers, rookie receivers, rookie receivers. Sanders and the Big "R" looked like they had never even SEEN each other a football field before. Sanders has also cost them a couple of TDs in previous games by being in the wrong location on the field; too close to the intended receiver. Most notably in the New Orleans game (pass to Ward down the sideline).

In MY opinion the game was determined by the first play from scrimmage. I was TERRIBLY disappointed that the Steelers did not, at least, show some aggressiveness by starting out with a pass. It was obvious the Patriots anticipated a run as well as they made a WHOLESALE personnel change for the next down. Almost the entire game the Steelers ran at the Patriots run defense and threw against their pass defense (see below). Aside: I'm beginning to think Tomlin is in the same mold as both Noll and Cowher, and not in the best way. NONE of the three was a capable FIELD coach. They were great in preparation, motivation, etc., but none of the three could consistently make significant enough adjustments during the game, or even at halftime, to turn the balance in their teams' favor.

Further, when was the last time any of us ever yelled, "Great call!" in response to a Steelers offensive play? Arians, are you listening?

Does Roethlisberger EVER know who he's going to throw to when he comes out of the huddle? When Brady throws a 12-yard out pattern to Welker the ball is gone even before Welker makes his cut and it's right on the mark. YOU know that HE knows where the ball is going when they break the huddle. 

Ben, stop trying to score a TD on EVERY FREAKING PLAY! Get rid of the ball and stop taking sacks. From Mike Prisuta: "If the ball never gets out of the pocket it doesn't matter what play has been called." I also, as the game progressed, I had the distinct feeling the passing plays were being drawn on the ground in the huddle. "You go out, you go up, you go over the middle and I'll find you. Oh, the rest of you guys block. On two, break!"

What was the defensive game plan? Let Brady do whatever he wants as long as you don't get beat DEEP?!? He might not beat you deep consistently, although he can, but he will positively KILL you with the short pass for as long as you are willing to give it to him. 

Further, If you're not going to blitz or cannot blitz effectively, take the fourth linebacker out, go with the nickel and man-to-man to take away the short passes and FORCE him to throw long. Just tell me HOW the hell could that have been any worse?!?

I'm increasingly becoming convinced that the only defense that can effectively work against New England is a 4-3 NOT a 3-4. Just think about the teams that have beaten them trough the years most notably in SB XLII.

From the stands I didn't see Brady yelling on the sidelines but I'm not sure what exactly he had to yell about. The Patriots had complete control of the game from the start, even at 10-3 at the half. Agreed? BUT, this is FOOTBALL not EVERYONE MAKE HAPPY 101. A little screaming and kicking of ass on the sideline is, at times, REQUIRED and I love it when the QB takes charge and does it! Did you see anyone talking back to him? No. This is an emotional SPORT (not game). You NEED emotion to prevail. It is, most of all, a battle of WILLS! Who the hell ever won a battle of wills without emotion?

Dropped passes in the end zone when the game is 10-0?!? At this point receivers HAVE TO, HAVE TO, HAVE TO make the catch! HAVE TO! The is PRO football, not high school or college. These guys get paid to PERFORM not just to show up.

Take the "hat" away from Randle El and give it to Brown. All El contributes is fair catching punts inside the 10. Both Brown and Sanders can do THAT and El isn't contributing anything to the offense. He's dropped at least 7 passes this season, and that's unacceptable. At least Brown adds another deep threat to the offense. Oh, thee are only three people on the Steelers roster who you can rely on being able to catch the ball: Ward, Miller, and Polamalu. This has been bothering me ALL SEASON LONG.

Thanks to Cleveland for stirring up both New Orleans AND New England just before they played the Steelers. I'm sure it wasn't "intentional" as the site of orange helmets coming out on the field does not strike fear in ANYONE, but...

My offensive strategy: Do what the defense doesn't think you'll do. Defense: Pick on the weakest link, particularly in the passing game, UNTIL THEY STOP YOU FROM DOING IT! What do ya think, huh? THE STEELERS DO NOT DO THIS... EVER! Might give a try, then?

I should go into this in more detail but frankly I'm worn out but, you CANNOT beat New England with makeshift offensive AND defensive lines.

Again, from Mike Prisuta, "I don't know if they'll ever beat Tom Brady." Me either (see HATE above).

P.S. Thanks to the guys who sat beside me. I really enjoyed thoughtfully analyzing the game. It was either that or jump out of the upper deck.