It’s a beautiful morning in Sunny California as I walk the two big Akita’s at sunrise. Samurai & Muki are on the hunt as night becomes day. The morning is crisp for Cali. It’s definitely in the 50’s. The sun reflects off the top of the Calabasas hills and the nocturnal coyote heads back to his den for his rest avoiding me and my 200 LBS of Japanese bear hunters. It’s a beautiful morning in February in America and I’m enjoying life. I love many things. I love football. It’s still football season! It’s the last Sunday of NFL football. One last game today. But the Steelers aren’t playing.

I love the feeling you get waking up the morning of the last big game when the Steelers are playing in it. Every day on the right side of the dirt is a good day. But waking up the day that your team is playing in the last game of the football season for all of the marbles is an exhilarating experience. At least it is for this Steeler fan. We in Steeler Nation have become quite used to that feeling especially lately. Don’t ever fail to enjoy every minute of your life Steeler Nation. It ends in an instant. And so does your teams competitiveness in today’s NFL sometimes. So enjoy the Steelers run of success from 2001 through 2011. Especially the last few when we added Ben Roethlisberger into the Blitzburgh mix. I’ve savored those sacred last Sunday’s of the NFL season that the Steelers have participated.

The first Super Bowl is a blur for me. I was only an 11 year old little leaguer from Stanton Heights who’s first love was Clemente, Stargell and the Pittsburgh Pirates. But I remember that Sunday. Vivid memories… I remember Franco busting it to the outside and running for a TD. LC Greenwood seemed to bat every pass little Fran tried to heave up when he wasn’t running for his life from Mad Dog or Mean Joe. Steelers special teams let us down (go figure) as Bobby (Damn) Walden had a punt blocked keeping the seasoned Vikings in the game…Larry Brown caught a TD in the end zone late in the 4th quarter. The Steel Curtain secondary pulverized a purple receiver on the last Hail Mary (Harrison would be suspended for a month for that hit) and the Steelers had another INT. The Emperor is carried off the field by Mean Joe and Rocky. Art Rooney was hoisting this big silver trophy I have come to know as the Lombardi and love.

The following last Sunday’s memories are much more plentiful. As I understood the game more and understood game strategy the huge moments were recognized in an instant. They live with you forever in the morning’s thoughts before yet another chance at winning the last NFL game on the last Sunday of the NFL season.

Lynn Swann in his gracefulness, Jack Lambert in his viciousness and Terry Bradshaw to John Stallworth twice in the 4th quarter in the late Sunday twilight will live forever in my childhood memories. Chuck Noll was the greatest coach I ever witnessed. Please spell his name correctly. I also remember Neil O’Donnell and his ineptitude in the biggest of last Sunday’s against the most hated of rivals that will live in the annals of Steelers history as Pittsburgh’s biggest gaffe. But Joey Porter, Big Ben, Fast Willie, Randle El, Hines, The Chin, The Hair and The Bus cleansed the Nations souls of the disappointment of not getting a ring for Woodson, Lloyd, Kirkland, John L and Dawson. The Steeler Nation had one for the thumb. I’ll never forget smoking a big fat COHIBA in the Jacuzzi drinking Champagne from Spain on ice since XXX and watching Sports Center until 3 AM on that cool Cali night on that last Sunday of the NFL season.

XLIII was gravy. It was icing on the cake. The morning workout was awesome. The anticipation was immense. The 5020 Club was filled with friends. The tall cool Cali girl that I shared time with and her friends and mine shared special time together that last Sunday of the NFL season. Our 2 little Akita puppies (only a few months old) were not 50 LBS of Akita yet but along with the Cali girl were good luck charms in a great life. I will never forget our great times. On two of them we shared last Sunday’s of the NFL season. The Steelers were dominant early that XLIII Sunday. Harrison took one to the house and Chick Hearn would have put it in the fridge if he’d have been around on that last Sunday of the NFL season. BA’s inability to run clock (it’s my article so I get to write history) led to AZ being able to hang around. When Warner hit Fitzgerald the entire room looked to me. “That’s not good” I stated calmly. The calm spread...A good friend from the XIV days stated “They left Ben too much time. We can do this.” And we all believed. His wisdom was well founded. Ben mounted a Championship drive for the ages. Holmes was clutch. In the most stunning moment of Super Bowl memories Santonio Holmes made the catch of catches. The Steelers would hoist their 6th Lombardi by his fingertips. Victory is such a rush. Euphoric.

Those are the memories that I took into the last Sunday of the NFL season last year on this sacred of days to all of those that worship in the Steeler Nation. What did I take out of last year’s last Sunday? Ben played sloppy early and had 2 bad turnovers. The defense not being able to stop Aaron Rodgers was disappointing. Mendenhall fumbling was a shot in the heart. Sam and Mama-san are disappointed there is no evening chasing critters in the backyard and no celebration in the hot tub. Al Pacino was playing in my head “On any given Sunday, one team wins and one team loses.”

Wow. It’s that quick. Game is over. Season is over. You get dealt the worst pick in the draft. #31. You have the shortest time to get ready of 30 other losing franchises. You are not going to Disneyland. Jay Leno won’t be saving space on the couch for you. You are not going to the White House. There are no parades, caps or DVDs. There are no “America’s Greatest” specials on NFL Network. There is just might have been.

So savor every moment of life Steeler Nation. And savor every moment of Steeler football. Savor it while the Steelers are competitive and we have a shot at playing on the last Sunday of the NFL season. Sometime soon Ben Roethlisberger will have the Pittsburgh Steelers playing on the last Sunday of the NFL season. And I will savor that morning’s sunrise a little more vigorously on that daybreak. Hopefully I will savor and remember special moments and not disappointing ones but I will savor and remember just the same. I’ll remember when Ben goes deep to Antonio Brown and when Pouncey and the 2012 #1 draft pick Guard are opening holes for Isaac Redman. A Steeler OC is milking the clock. The Steelers are in the victory formation. Ben hands the ball to Troy after taking a knee. I’ll savor watching Troy and Hines riding off in a similar fashion to Jerome Bettis. The big rookie Nose Tackle can carry Coach T as in Pittsburgh, the standard is the standard. I’ll smoke COHIBAs and drink Spanish Champagne that has been on ice since XLV while sitting in the Jacuzzi. I’ll watch Sports Center discussing Mike Tomlin approaching Chuck Noll’s 4 Lombardi titles instead of Bill Belicheat. And I’ll spend special times with special people (and Canines) in my life. It will be the last Sunday of the NFL season and the Steelers WILL be playing. We’ve come to expect that in Steeler Nation and there is nothing wrong with that…Here We Go Steelers!

The 2011 Steelers season is over. A season ended in a crash of flames and smoke into the Rocky Mountains. While hope springs eternal and it was not an impossible dream, this year’s Steeler team lacked the necessary components of Championship mettle to make winning a 7th Lombardi possible. Implausible if not impossible.

During the season one Steeler fan took umbrage over my insight and analysis on the Steelers personal. My words were forwarded along the internet and found their way to him. He responded to my words with accusations that I am a non believer and not a “true Steeler fan for life.” As funny as those words are coming from a fan that has probably never been to Pittsburgh, we just see the Steelers through different perspectives. I see the Steelers through the eyes of an Owner, GM or Head Coach as opposed to a black and gold glasses wearing fan. I love the Steelers but see each year’s personality for what I believe it to be. This personality is usually forged by the 9th or 10th week of the season and usually is what it is.

The 2011 Steelers were a very solid veteran football team. They were capable of beating any given team on any given Sunday. Their QB is a war horse. He is a competitor who will keep the Steelers in every game they play in. Just as he did Sunday in Denver rallying the Steelers from a 20-6 deficit into a 23-23 tie with minutes left in the game. The defense is also a tough veteran bunch who will keep the Steelers in every game every week. But the Steelers of 2011 lacked that Championship mettle and killer instinct reserved for teams like the Steelers of 2008. The red zone inefficiency which ties into the lack of a cohesive game plan killed the 2011 Steelers. This is especially painful when you have an inconsistent kicking game regardless of how many field goals were made in Denver on Sunday. The defense lack of pressure on the QB and lack of turnover production helped take way the ferociousness and aggressiveness of the Steelers defense. Roger Goodell helped take away some too.

The 2011 Steelers were a good football team. But they were not great. This was evident early on as they were pushed around by Baltimore and Houston early. After squeaking by juggernauts like Indy and KC the Steelers were again pushed around by playoff big boys Baltimore and San Francisco. High hopes were not held for any kind of a deep playoff run this year by this analyst. Implausible but not impossible.

Denver heard all the commentary of how they did not deserve to be in this game and played their over achiever tails off. Pittsburgh played to their personality. Red zone inefficiency and an incoherent game plan left the Steelers with a 6-0 lead when it should have been more. A defense that gave Tebow loads of time in the pocket gave up huge pass plays. Ike Taylor the Steelers best DB since Woodson had an epically horrid afternoon. Shades of Mel Blount in an AFC Playoff game in the 70s. One afternoon in the 70s Coach Noll actually benched Blount for his poor play. The Bronco’s surged to a 20-6 lead. Poor play calling and clock management near the end of the half cost the Steelers a shot at a field goal. That and a bumbling snap over Ben’s head that killed the drive. Shades of Chuck Lanza to Bubby Brister in a Denver playoff game? After Ben Roethlisberger, injured and heroic led the Steelers to a 23-23 tie ineptitude again crept into the huddle. With under a minute left and on the cusp of field goal range for our extra point kicker, Ben was sacked and fumbled. Though he recovered the 11 yard loss knocked the Steelers out of range and knocked the game into OT. It was there that the Steelers learned when you let an inferior opponent stay around long enough they will burn you. It didn’t happen in Indy. It didn’t happen in KC or Cleveland. But it happened in Denver. In a playoff game. And it was a fitting end to their good not great season.

The 2012 Steelers need to get younger and quicker. The Steelers are way over the salary cap and need to sign Mike Wallace to an extension. Guys like Hoke, Aaron Smith, Max Starks, James Farrior, Larry Foote, Hines Ward and Bryant McFadden have likely played their last game for the Steelers. Some may remain but most will be gone. It’s time for Tomlin to turn the page on Cowher’s players. 2005 was a long time ago. It’s now 2012. With Ben Roethlisberger at QB the Lombardi window remains open but the Steelers have to get younger and quicker and better.

All week long all I heard from all of the prognosticators and talking heads on TV was that the Ravens are perhaps the most balanced team in the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers are old and slow.

You are never as bad as when you are at your worst. You are never as good as when you are at your best. So end the lesson. The Ravens ARE pretty balanced. They have a good offense. They have a good defense. And they are 1-1. Just like the Steelers.

The Steelers were down 92-10 to start the 1989 season and went on one of the most thrilling rides in Steelers history that didn't end in a Lombardi Parade down Grant Street in dahn tahn Pittsburgh. "Beware the Chiefs" I guess?

It's a long season Nation so strap your selves in. Every Sunday is a trip to the dentist. Hold on to the arm rests tight and ask for more Novocaine if you need it.

Some other thoughts on the 24-0 thrashing yesterday. Add yours please!

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NFL Network is reporting that the owners have ratified the agreement they have been negotiating with the players. There is a conference call tonight at 8 PM EDT and the player reps will vote on the agreement. Latrobe by Saturday? If so let me be the first to say "HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO!!"

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I am trying really hard to like Rashard Mendenhall. When the Steelers said goodbye to Willie Parker I was melancholy. But after research I learned that Mendenhall had actually fumbled less than the usually sure handed Fast Willie. Maybe Mendenhall would be an improvement?

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In 1984 the San Francisco 49ers became the first NFL team to go 15-1. Bill Walsh's team featured Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Dwight Clark, Randy Cross, Ronnie Lott, "Hacksaw" Reynolds, castaway Steeler draft pick Dwaine Board and Pitt Panthers Carlton Williamson and Matt Cavanaugh. Aside from Walsh the team was coached by the likes of George Seifert, Ray Rhodes, Sherman Lewis and Paul Hackett. Ed DeBartolo, Carmen Policy and Bill Walsh were already holders of one Lombardi. The 1984 49ers were quite a formidable assembly of NFL talent. This team started the 1984 season with 6 straight victories. This team ended the 1984 season as a dynasty reeling off 12 straight wins to close the season including the Super Bowl trophy. It would be their second Lombardi trophy. 18-1 was an almost a turbulent free ride. One Sunday in October the San Francisco 49ers hit a major bump along the road.

The 1984 Steelers were an interesting group. Terry Bradshaw was gone. The QB position was in shambles. Cliff Stoudt had been rightfully run off. Mark Malone (a former #1 pick) had been relegated to the bench. Dolphin castoff and Super Bowl loser David Woodley was under center of an under achieving offense. Most of the stars of the 70s Super Bowl run to 4 world titles had moved onto their life's work. Those that remained like Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, John Stallworth (1395 yards 11 TDs) and Donnie Shell (7 INTs) were productive. Other newer Steelers like Mike Merriweather (15 sacks a then franchise record) Louie Lipps (9 TDs) big Frankie Pollard (1036 total yards) Walter Abercrombie (745 total yards) and rookie Rich Erenberg (763 total yards) helped the Steelers compete with the best week in and week out. Having a Head Coach like Chuck Noll didn't hurt their chances either. In 1984 Noll would steer the Steelers through injuries at QB and an at times anemic offense to a 9-7 record and an upset playoff win in Denver before succumbing to Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins in the 1984 AFCCG at Miami 41-28. But on one Sunday in October the Pittsburgh Steelers stood toe to toe with a dynasty and found a way to win.

October 14 1984 at windswept Candlestick Park our Pittsburgh Steelers were set to battle the San Francisco 49ers. Joe Montana was the talk of the league. He had led San Francisco to 6 straight wins and talk of a run at the 72 Dolphins and another Super Bowl was all over the airwaves. The Pittsburgh Steelers staggered west at 3-3 coming off a 31-7 shellacking at Three Rivers Stadium at the hands of Pitt's Dan Marino. The media had the Steelers double digit dogs on this day and outside of Pittsburgh there were not many believers in victory. Even the budding young Steeler Nation was hard pressed for optimists on this one Sunday in October. But Chuck Noll had a plan. It was called Steelers football. Run the ball. Run the clock. Don't turn it over. Play physical. It has always been Noll's blueprint for victory in the Pittsburgh huddle.

The Steelers opened the game with a bruising running game and refused to back down from the obnoxious pompous bullies in red. "Pretenders to the throne" we thought and it sure started that way. Board, Stuckey and Tuiasosopo were being dominated by Super Bowl veterans Larry Brown and Mike Webster with help from their friends named Tunch, Wolfley and WIngle. The Steelers 3 headed monster at RB was working the 49ers line and past Keena Turner and the Hacksaw and into the 49er secondary. Pollard and Abercrombie sliced and Rich Erenberg diced into the end zone for first strike. Joe Montana and his offense spent almost the entire first half on the bench and only a late Montana TD scramble helped San Francisco avoid being shut out at halftime. The Steelers offense while controlling the ball and the clock was still limited in its ability to score actual points. With a 10-7 halftime lead the always tough Steelers defense kept Roger Craig and Earl Cooper in front of them and Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon out of the end zone. Montana was on target but only for 10 a clip. The 49ers were working for every yard and every minute. After a rough and tumble scoreless third quarter, the Steelers defense bent but didn't break. Ray Wersching hit a FG from 30 and the game was tied at 10 early in the 4^th quarter.

The Steelers had stayed in the game by keeping the 49ers away from the big play. Dwaine Board had a sack and Keena Turner had an INT but the Steelers stayed out of trouble most of the day. Mark Malone (on his way to 11/18 156) looked cool and confident. A couple months on the bench without bruises didn't hurt. The 49ers player the Steelers seemed to have trouble with was old nemesis Wendell Tyler. Like in Super Bowl XIV Tyler proved a tough runner and elusive. Instead of just Jack Lambert trying to intimidate Tyler it was Lambert, Donnie Shell, Dewayne Woodruff and Bryan Hinkle. Tyler en route to over 5.5 a carry and 59 yards scooted past the exhausted defense for a 7 yard TD and a 17-10 49er lead with the 4^th quarter ticking away.

It was time for the 49er Champion defense to rise up and stop Pittsburgh. The perfect Dolphins were in 49er sights. They 49er defense was not up to the challenge of stopping the solid and now confident Steeler running game. Pittsburgh ran the football and then ran it again. 15 plays and 83 yards of Candlestick Park belonged to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Frank Pollard who would prove to be a hero in Denver later in the season and earn his place forever in Steelers Lore plowed through San Francisco on his way to 105 yards...4 yards at a time. Pollard picked up clutch first downs on this blood and guts drive and all afternoon. John Stallworth amassed 78 yards on this one Sunday on 6 catches, the last a beautiful 6 yard spiral from Mark Malone for a TD and a tied game in the 4th quarter by the Bay. The Steeler Nation contingency in attendance mocked the now stunned and silent San Francisco crowd. TV rooms around Pittsburgh were utter havoc in popcorn and Wise Potato Chip debris, spilled Cherokee Red Pop and Iron City Beer and jumping and hugging. The Steelers had tied the mighty undefeated 49ers in the 4^th quarter!! On a blood and guts drive!! Who would have thought?

Late in the 4^th quarter of a late starting Sunday afternoon game by the Bay, dusk began to roll in. With winds whipping and Steeler and now 49er fans whooping Joe Montana took the ball in a tie game with 3 minutes left. It seemed like perfect Joe Cool time. In the gathering nightfall Montana spotted a receiver in the flat and threw the pigskin. Cool Joe didn't see Steeler LB Bryan Hinkle who closed on the pass and took off in stride 43 yards deep into San Francisco territory. The conservative Steelers ran the ball and set up Gary Anderson with a 22 yard short field goal and a 20-17 lead. Bedford PA was bedlam. Anderson's ensuing squib kick was returned to the 25 yard line.

There is now under 2 minutes left in the game on this one Sunday in October. The 49ers have no time outs and 75 yards of grass in front of them. This is really Joe Cool time. Right? Montana back to pass with onrushing Steelers cruising past the pocket promptly hits Dwight Clark, Earl Cooper and Roger Craig underneath. Merriweather, Lambert & Hinkle are stalwart tacklers. As the clock ticks under a minute then 30 seconds Montana calmly finds Earl Cooper two more times all the way to the Steeler 10 yard line and out of bounds. The 49er crowd is screaming "Coooop!"as Ray Wersching trots onto the field with 10 seconds left.

It was there in the wind of the Stick one Sunday in October 1984 that Ray Wersching hooked a 37 yard chip shot left of the uprights ending the 49ers dream of a perfect season. The scoreboard read Pittsburgh 20 San Francisco 17 Final. The 49ers and their fans were stunned. The Steelers celebrated on enemy turf. As the Gunner would say "How Sweet It Is!"

Old school tough minded Chuck Noll had beaten dynamic genius Bill Walsh the old fashion way...playing Pittsburgh Steeler football. The Steelers were still a long way from "one for the thumb" and would suffer through 20 more years of Lombardi indignation before claiming their rightful place at the top of the NFL heap. But...One Sunday in October 1984 the Pittsburgh Steelers kept the San Francisco 49ers from perfection and protected the Dolphin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loR7Z9hehPg

Mr. Friedman is back with the next installment of his 'One Sunday In...' series. Just like the first four posts in the series, this one is excellent and brings back great memories. -Michael B. -

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One Sunday In September

For the first 39 seasons of their existence the Pittsburgh Steelers were perennial losers. Our Steelers had played 39 seasons without even a Kewpie Doll to show for their efforts. The trophy case was barren. The Steelers were sad sack. They were the Washington Generals to the NFL Harlem Globetrotters. They were the NFL version of the '62 Mets except the losing went on for 39 years. In 1969 the Mets became Amazin' while the Steelers hired young Chuck Noll, a Paul Brown & Don Shula disciple. While the attitude began to change and the roster began to change the record did not. Amazing Steelers was still off in the not too distant future. The Steelers finished 1-13 in Noll's inaugural season and followed that up with a more respectable 6-8 in 1971. The franchise was without any hardware in the trophy case but had the playoffs on the horizon. The pieces of the puzzle were being added by Noll and Dan Rooney. Joe Greene had been drafted in 1969 and Terry Bradshaw in 1970. Frank Lewis, Jack Ham, Mel Blount and Dwight White were added in the 71 draft. In 1972 the Pittsburgh Steelers added perhaps the most important piece to the playoff puzzle when they drafted Penn State's Franco Harris in the 1^st round. This would allow the Steelers to eventually run the ball consistently and not depend on journeymen Preston Pearson (future Cowboy in X) or John Fuqua (see Immaculate Reception) August soon turned to September in Pittsburgh. There was no Italian Army, no Towels, Gorilla's or Polka's. But those of us around Pittsburgh at the time were starting to have a feeling. As the Steelers broke training camp in Latrobe PA they were prepared to turn 40 years around starting one Sunday in September.

On September 17 1972 the Pittsburgh Steelers opened up their season against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Steelers roster had gone through a transformation since Chuck Noll's arrival on that regal day in 1969. The defensive team that took the field for Pittsburgh that Sunday featured Mike Wagner, Mel Blount, Jack Ham, Andy Russell, Joe Greene, LC Greenwood and Dwight White. Rookie Franco Harris lined up behind an offensive line featuring Jon Kolb, Gerry Mullins, "Ranger" Ray Mansfield at Center and all pro guard Bruce Van Dyke. Rookie Frank Lewis was teamed with speedster Ron Shanklin at WR. Big TE John McMakin would be a favorite target of young QB Terry Bradshaw. The Steelers were ready to right 39 years of wrong.

The mighty Raiders struggled that day against an up and coming ferocious Steelers defense. It was if the Steelers defense had dropped a curtain on the Raiders. Coach John Madden started the game with inexperienced Kenny Stabler taking snaps at QB alternating with ageless kicker George Blanda. The young Steelers came out firing on all cylinders. Early in the first quarter Steelers starting middle line backer (Jack Lambert was still trying to get on the field at Kent State) Henry Davis blocked a Jerry DePoyster punt and chased it down in the end zone for a 7-0 Steelers lead. Later in the first quarter Terry Bradshaw eluding a Raider rush, took off and scrambled for a 20 yard TD run. The Steelers had a 17-7 lead at the half and were relentless.

The Steelers were controlling the ball and the clock. In what would become a blueprint for Steeler victory after Steeler victory for decades, the Steelers ran for over 100 yards and threw the ball little. A wide receiver made a big play and the QB made mistakes but alternated running for clutch first downs with passing to his tight end when in danger. Dominating the 3^rd quarter action, Roy Gerela kicked another field goal and Terry Bradshaw ran for another TD and the Steelers entered the 4^th quarter cruising with a 27-7 lead.

On this day in history Steeler Nation was still a ‘Burgh. The famous good luck charm "Terrible Towel" was still a yellow dish towel in Myron Cope's kitchen. While the Steelers had yet to taste success they were laying the foundation and Three Rivers Stadium was ecstatic on this one Sunday in September 1972. Oakland's tough defense had stifled rookie Franco Harris (10 carries 28 yards) but Preston Pearson had a respectable day (18 carries 54 yards) and young athletic QB Terry Bradshaw had run for 49 yards and 2 TDs despite 3 INTs. Staring at a blow out, Raider coach John Madden turned to his "fireman" Darryl Lamonica in the 4^th quarter. In a prevent defense momentum shifted. It was suddenly bombs away for Oakland's "Mad Bomber." He hit WR Mike Siani with a 24 yard TD pass. Bradshaw was unimpressed. The Steelers own "Blonde Bomber" (he still had hair) wound up and threw 57 yards to Ron Shanklin for a TD on his only catch of the day. It was a big play and the Steelers regained the big lead at 34-14. Back came Oakland. Don Highsmith would run for a short Oakland TD and after holding Bradshaw and the Steelers conservative offense the "Mad Bomber" hit Mike Siani for 70 yards and a score. Late in the 4^th quarter the Raiders had trimmed a 20 point lead down to 6 at 34-28.

Historically this was when the Steelers folded if they hadn't already. Thus the mantra "Same Old Steelers" rang out throughout the Steel City in days gone by. On this Sunday in September it was no longer "Same Old Steelers" who had perennially found a way to lose their way. Chuck Beatty (a 7^th round draft pick and teammate of Joe Greene at North Texas State) pulled in his second INT and when added to Jack Ham's INT the Steelers had picked off 3 Raider QBs 3 times. The defense came to the rescue and the Steelers were able to hang on for a 34-28 win and a 1-0 record.

This Sunday springboard sent the Steelers on a path to an 11-3 1972 record and the first "real" playoff game in the team's history later in December. That playoff game would be a rematch of this first Sunday in September. This Sunday in September gave the Steelers the confidence they would need later to battle the Raiders into the final seconds of a December playoff rematch. On that Sunday, the Italian Army had mobilized and Franco Harris plucked the pigskin out of the sky and ran to immaculate glory. This first NFL Sunday in September 1972 would be the starting point of a dynasty. It was one small step for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one giant leap for the Steeler Nation.

Bumped again. Was wondering when the next of Friedman's posts in this series would be published. Voila. A nice Sunday surprise. If you haven't already, I encourage you to read and enjoy 'One Sunday in January' as well as 'One Sunday in December.', the first two additions to what I'm hoping will be at least six or seven part series. -Michael B. -

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Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass with the Steelers trailing 19-17. There was a little over 12 minutes left in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl XIV. Bradshaw had called 60 prevent slot hook and go. John Stallworth had Ram DB Rod Perry beaten down the middle of the field. Bradshaw made the perfect pass and Stallworth galloped 73 yards to the end zone and a 24-19 lead. After a Lambert interception deep in Steelers territory the Steelers are faced with a 3rd and 8 with 5:24 left in the Super Bowl. 60 prevent slot hook and go. Stallworth was good for 45 more setting up then “Closer” Franco Harris with the final TD in a 31-19 win and 4th World Championship. And then it was all over. Darkness fell over the Steelers Dynasty and Steeler Nation was banished into the NFL desert. 26 years Steelers Nation wandered through a barren desolate existence with only a rare and short oasis of playoff water to savor.

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Bumped. Mr. Friedman drops another great entry into what I hope is turning into a series of posts like this. His 'One Sunday in December' was sure a treat. As is this. -Michael B. -

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1989 had come to a close. The Pittsburgh Steelers had miraculously rebounded from being behind 92-10 to start the season. They had come all the way back to make the playoffs. In the final game of the decade hard charging Merril Hoge picked up 125 yards on the ground and through the air. Rod Woodson provided a "Heavenly Hit" and Gary Anderson kicked a 50 yard FG in OT to provide the margin of victory.

These now 1990 Steelers were red hot, winners of 4 games in a row. As the Steelers traveled to Denver for a Divisional Round Playoff game they were cool and confident. They were also a heavy underdog which suited them all just fine. After not making the playoffs 4 years in a row this Steelers team was full of the underdog types. But they also had a full head of steam.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers began the 1989 season by getting pummeled. Already absent from the playoffs since 1984 the Steelers were embarrassed in the first two games of 1989 by division rivals Cleveland and Cincinnati. After dropping the opener to Cleveland 51-0 with a keystone cops like performance, the Steelers followed that up with a 41-10 drubbing at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The score after two weeks in 1989; Opponents 92 Steelers 10. This was quite embarrassing to say the least Steelers Nation. And this was in the days before NFL Package on Direct TV and before satellite bars had the signal in their back pocket. Think of the embarrassment of sitting in your favorite Southern California Steelers bar unable to find the satellite signal and being forced to road trip down Topanga Canyon Blvd to the local Brown’s Backers Bar? Entering the dark brown den of the enemy in Steelers gear a group of us black and gold homers were booed and jeered as we entered to a 35-0 deficit in the first half. Humility learned.

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Bumped from the fanposts. Good stuff from one of BTSC's venerable statesmen, 5020.

Joe Greene:

An hour before game time, then equipment staffer Jackie Hart would come into the locker room and turn off the stereo. One particular Sunday intimidating 265 LB Arrowhead Ernie Holmes got up and turned it back on. Hart turned it off again stating a Noll Rule about the stereo being off an hour before kickoff. The defiant Holmes turned the radio back on and bellowed "I want to hear more music!" Joe Greene got off his stool walked to the stereo and ripped out all the wires from the back of the stereo and threw a Bradshaw bullet. Stereo off.

Jack Lambert:

Roy Gerela misses another field goal attempt with the Steelers trailing in Super Bowl X. An exuberant Cliff Harris celebrates by patting the Steelers kicker on the helmet. Lambert rips Harris away from Gerela and throws him to the ground challenging Harris and the other 10 Cowboys on the field to a street brawl. Lambert plays the rest of the game in a controlled rage shutting down the Cowboys run game. "Nobody intimidates the Pittsburgh Steelers." Lambert says afterward in the locker room. "We’re the intimidators."

Franco Harris:

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I am a big fan of Kevin Colbert the GM of the Steelers. Tom Donahoe, the high school teacher that he replaced was badly over matched against other NFL executives. He fought with Bill Cowher leading to the Rooney's making a choice. Cowher or Donahoe. The Rooney's chose Cowher. Another is a long line of good decisions by the owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kevin Colbert has found good coaches, players and assistants. Most of all he has kept the franchise focused on the main goal.

In an article published in Steelers Digest by Bob Labriola (one of my favorite Steeler rags outside BTSC) Colbert is quoted as saying regarding the 2010 season; 'second place is not good enough."

WOW! This guy is a gem. He is absolutely correct. In the NFL, you either win the Championship and get the new hat, t shirt and DVD (along with a shiny new Lombardi) or you don't. At season's end the Steelers are equal to the Bills, Bronco's and Browns.On the bright side, come September (of whatever year football returns) we are even with the Packers too.

While some don't like these thoughts and argue that the Steelers had a great season we should all be proud of, I am with Colbert. Yes I love my team. Yes I am proud they fought adversity all year and excelled down the stretch. But they laid an egg in the Super Bowl and peed their diapers and that I am not happy or proud about. I am proud we have a GM with focus and who tells it like it is. I feel confident he will team with Tomlin and take us back to the mountain top...soon. Because he is not satisfied with second. First is the only place to be.

On other notes, Colbert talks about how much Flozell Adams meant to the Steelers this year and how much they would like to have him back. I can't wait to see how Colbert tunes and torques the Steelers roster to get them back to the big game. When they get there, show up and play 60 minutes Steelers! Then I will be a very proud owner of new Steelers work out gear and a new DVD. See the entire article at;

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Colbert-Second-isnt-good-enough/60d06f6d-9c30-402c-aaa3-7bef955a504b

Much was said last off season about the expolits of our "John Wayne" Quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger. It seems the rich and young Roethlisberger liked to go out and party with young women in college towns. One night some things went awry and got out of hand. No charges were brought but Big Ben suffered a lot of embarrassment and a lot of criticism including by me. Ben was not charged or convicted of anything but was suspended for 6 games by Roger Goodell for conduct unbecoming or some other reason.

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A Steelers playoff classic occurred yesterday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Epic is the only way to describe it. The ghosts of the Baltimore Ravens past was all over this HUGE epic win. With shades of Ernie Mills and Chris Fuamata-Maafala the Steelers defeated their hated rival the Baltimore Ravens to advance one game away from their third Super Bowl appearance since 2005.

Make no mistake. This was not an easy game. Epic games never are. And this one will go down in the annals of Steelers lore as one of the most thrilling come from behind playoff victories of all time….after the Immaculate Reception.

Rookie Antonio Brown made a long circus catch along the sideline to within yards of the end zone late in the 4th quarter, directly in the shadow of Ernie “Money” Mill’s huge catch in the 1995 AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Colts and then Rashard Mendenhall brushed off the ghost of Fu in 02 versus Cleveland with a tough hard charging 2 yard TD run late in the 4th quarter as the Steelers surged into a lead they would not relinquish in the 59th minute of 60.

The game started positively enough for Pittsburgh. While the special teams created bad situation after bad situation (including whiffing on the opening kick return) Sean Suisham managed to make the opening tackle. After the defense defended every blade of grass the Steelers offense converted a 2nd and 19 and Mendenhall scored for a 7-0 lead. That’s when the wheels appeared to fall off the Steelers bandwagon to Jerry World. A PI on A Madison (playing for Bryant McFadden who suffered an early injury) and then an unexplainable goof by the entire Steelers offensive unit allowing a live ball to sit on the field while no Steeler fell on it, led to a Baltimore 14-7 lead in the first quarter. Things then got worse.

Steelers that had never been in playoff action seemed stunned. Antonio Brown fielded a couple punts deep in Steeler territory giving Pittsburgh awful field position the entire first half. Ramon Foster while diligently playing several different positions on the Steelers tattered O line which suffered more injuries during the game looked stupid not pouncing on Ben’s fumble. It brought back memories of Barry Foster allowing a kick off to be recovered in San Fran his first year. A Keenan Lewis penalty on a punt added to Steelers field position woes. After a Mendenhall fumble (caused by Steeler Chris Kemoeatu’s loose elbow) and a missed Suisham FG, the Steelers were down 21-7.

Halftime was excruciating. Down 21-7. Ben was being hit unmercifully by a crushing Baltimore defense playing havoc with a banged up Steelers O line. If he were Brady he would have surely drawn at least one low blow penalty on the Ravens plus he probably would have had his fumble back like Brady’s “tuck rule” play in Oakland in 02. But the Steelers stuck together.

One bad half does not a game make and the Steelers needed a great half. They got it. In the second half, every Steelers player contributed winning ingredients. Ryan Clark set the tone forcing a fumble and then getting an INT leading to 14 points and a tie game. On the biggest play of the year, a 3rd down with the Steelers down 21-14 Ben threw to Hines (who else?) for a TD and the comeback was on. James Harrison had 3 sacks and chased Joe Flacco all over the field. On one series Flacco sacked himself running out of bounds to avoid being hit by Deebo again. The front 3 was immovable. Ziggy Hood with a ferocious sack is starting to pay 1st round dividends. Brett Keisel was his stalwart all pro self recovering a fumble. The Big Snack ate up blockers and ball carriers. William Gay made a play. Taylor, Woodley and Farrior made plays. The defense was championship caliber. But the Steelers still needed offense.

The Raven defense did it’s typical best stopping the Steelers run. Ward had been shut out in the first half except for a 15 yard roughing penalty when 4 Ravens attacked him. Wallace too was being bottled up. But the Steelers are more than a one trick pony. Rookie WRs Emanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown picked up the pace and earned their Steelers stripes. Big John Wayne at QB led the Steelers down the field again after a Steelers owned 3rd quarter.

At 4:14 PM PST Sean Suisham kicked a short FG and the Steelers had their first lead since 7-0 at 24-21. With 8 minutes left again the special teams let the Steelers down. A Keyaron Fox penalty on a punt (how many times have I written that this year?) gave the Ravens a short field. The heroic Steelers defense held and Baltimore tied the score at 24 with under 4 minutes left.

“Winning Time.” Ben then hit Ernie Mills (Antonio Brown) for 50 plus and Fu (Mendenhall) took it to the Promised Land for 6 points and a Steeler epic playoff “W”

It was fitting in the end that TJ Houshmanzadah who stomped on a terrible towel in 2005 and caught the winning TD with 33 seconds left in Pittsburgh earlier in the year would drop a 4th down pass right between the numbers. As Hines Ward said “The Ravens had been asking for us and they got us. My momma always said be careful what you wish for.” Right now I’m wishing for a stairway to seven!

The Post Gazette is reporting that Hines Ward has stated Troy Polamalu has won the team MVP for 2010. The official announcement is scheduled for 3 PM today in Pittsburgh.

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Hombre de Acero posted looking for video of Terry Bradshaw's last game against the Jets. I looked for it and could not locate it. But, it got me looking at a lot of footage of the greatest Steelers QB of all time...Terry Bradshaw.

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With respect and admiration to one of the 50 crew JW900. He sent me an email with a diatribe on Imam Roger and this new league he is creating. I add on his idea and submit to BTSC faithful an old schoolers view on the newest Sunday entertainment replacing the once National Football League;

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I've been watching the Steelers for too long to consider anything but ugly. Steeler football is root canal. Grip the chair. Smell your teeth smoking as you listen to the sound of the drill. Hope Dr. Tomlin gets the cavity. Give me the W lollipop when it's over! That's why I'm always Mr. 3-2 on any predict the score thread. On the road in an AFC Division game against last years AFCN Champion that swept us any W is a great W. 6-2 looks a lot better than 5-3. Some initial thoughts and feel free to add yours.

• Mendenhall "manned up" and carried the load. To beat this team we were going to have to run the ball. The 6 straight carries on the 4th quarter drive to set up another clutch miss by our broken down drunk of a kicker was his signature moment so far. HUGE.
• Harrison and the D were quite impressive on 3rd and 4th down, especially when it counted with under 1 minute to play and the Bengals inside the Steelers 20. Troy, Woodley, Farrior and Timmons all had big plays all night. Ike & the secondary held their own against the Bengals allowing only TO to hurt them. The PI on Ike was very weak. 
• Arians went to sleep after the pass from El to Wallace. Instead of celebrating he should have worked on a time consuming drive to put the game away instead of the 3 drives preceeding the 6 straight carries by Mendenhall.
• Willie Gay made some big plays on special teams and in the secondary. Even when he missed he was around the ball.Pouncey is a stud sucking it up and coming back from the injury. E Sanders looked a lot more comfortable after a vote of confidence from Coach T. Loved his strip on the opening KO.
• Gruden is awesome in 50s book. Many cast him aside as a great football mind by saying he had Oakland's playbook. 50 say the definition of a great coach is one that can beat yours with his and then beat his with yours. That's Gruden. Some great words of wisdom from the next HC of the Cowboys; On Arians 2nd quarter goal line play calling "Nothing like a slow developing draw play on 3rd and goal." On Mike Wallace "Mike Wallace is a dominating WR in this league" On James Harrison "Good luck blocking him" On James Farrior "Father Time"
• With 3 on the road and 2 against AFC foes, the Steelers got the 2 wins they really needed and lost the one game that meant the least. HUGE game next week against the Pats* and Belicheat*. These guys know how to beat the Steelers. Brady will abandon the run, spread out the WRs and throw 60 times. He will put up points. The Steeler D will need to play bend don't break defense. The Steeler D will need a couple sacks and a turnover. The Steeler O will need to run the ball, possess the clock and keep Brady off the field. When you run the ball, good things happen. Most of all the Steelers will need to score TDs because they can not rely on a drunken broken down kicker to make 40 plus yard FGs when it matters most anymore. 3 has jumped the stack IC Light cans. 7-2 looks a lot better than 6-3. Here We Go Steelers!

Like many Steeler fans, I have traveled with the Steelers for many years. I have donned my Steelers black and gold and regularly traveled into enemy territory. In 2002 the Crew traveled to New Orleans where Aaron Brooks and the Saints outgunned Tommy Gunn and the Steelers 32-29. While the loss was disappointing, a great time was had by all. We all dreamed of the day we would return to the great city of New Orleans with their great and friendly fans and their great and friendly city.

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Big Ben is back. And thank you Coach Cowher for an absolutely great interview at halftime. It was the first time I saw Ben look into the camera and express humility and ask for forgiveness and redemption. I'm with him all the way, transgressions or not. Welcome home Bennie!

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Tired of waiting on Arn's drive by so I thought I'd post my game notes from a HUGE W in Nashville yesterday. What do you guys and gals think?

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Here we are on the eve of the first kickoff of the 2010 season. The crew here at BTSC is psyched and ready to take the opening kick to the house. The BTSC by the Numbers thread of last week caused a stir and I tabulated a list of some of the numbers handed out by 50 "Tony Parisi" 20. Some of you without numbers (that want one) need to come out from behind our big Nose Tackle (Chewie Steeler) and speak up! A side note; all jersey's are the Heinz home black unless otherwise noted. So without further ado;

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With the final cut down looming and players fighting for a spot on the roster and a numbered jersey we can tell opening day 2010 is not far. Here at BTSC we also have been preparing for the opening of the season. Momma Rollett has been stretching her vocabulary, Arn has been loading up his bullets and everyone has generally been going through verbal calisthenics trying to earn a spot on the BTSC recommended post thread or bumped to the front page. Some of us lucky few (shout out to my fellow MSP authors!) are still reveling in our name in print...But I digress. It's time to hand out numbers behind the steel curtain. Excuse any errors in screen name spelling as I'm doing this off the cuff. I have of course taken the #50. Line forms behind Michael Bean. He's #1;

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It was only the first preseason game and it was against the lowly Lions but…

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For all of you that want to join hands and sing Kumbaya this post is for you. My other post this weekend was filled with negativity and dealt with all things O'Donnell and Stoudt. This one is more about what I love. The other post was a Steeler Hate post that turned into a Hate For All. We'll just make this a Love fest from the get go. All love is welcome after the jump. I'm sure like the hate I forgot lots. Pile on!

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If you're into holding hands and singing Kumbaya turn away now. If you can't take tongue and cheek sarcasm the editors of BTSC ask that you return to the main page.

This is a post we did some time ago at BTSC that I really enjoyed. Recently several posts mentioned Neil O'Donnell. Both posts (which I respect) talked of the good Neil O'Donnell did in Pittsburgh. I can't see it through my haze of hate. He is with out a doubt the #1 Hated Steeler of All Time On My List. Feel free to chime in with your list or comments (good and bad) on my choices; Hope you enjoy participating as much as I enjoyed writing! Hate away!

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It happens only once in a while in the world of the NBA or MLB. All the other teams are at home, the schedule has been all played out and there are only 2 teams left standing. The series stands at 3 games each and it's win or go home for everybody. There truly is no tomorrow. Thursday night at Staples Center in the City Of Angels the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers will defend their home court and title against the champions of the season before Boston Celtics. Two storied franchises set for a blood bath battle for the ages. I will be in my usual spot in section 106 wearing my purple Robert Horry 5 and reveling in the atmosphere and the experience.

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OK. I know this is a Steelers site, but I am soooo fired up for tonight. In the NFL there is great rivalries for our team.  It's Steelers vs. Raiders. Steelers vs. Cowboys. Steelers vs. BrownRavens. For a transplanted Pittsburgh boy living in the City of Angels since 86 the NBA rivalry is Lakers vs. Celtics.

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Trying to pick your favorite Steelers team of all time is a daunting task. There are 6 to choose from. Is it the young up and coming upstarts of 1974 and IX or perhaps the greatest Steelers squad of all time circa 1978 and XIII? Maybe you are a big fan of The Bus, Whiz, Counter 34 Pike and Flea Flickers? Trying to pick your favorite Steelers team of all time is quite the conundrum.

For me, it’s easy to pick my favorite Steelers team of all time, THAT DIDN’T WIN A SUPER BOWL. That would be the 1989 Chuck Noll led Pittsburgh Steelers. This group of underdog’s tremendously overachieved through guts, determination and strong coaching and leadership. From 1985 until 1992 the Pittsburgh Steelers treated the Nation to only one shot at “One for the Thumb.” Bubby Brister, Louis Lipps, Merril Hoge, Carnell Lake and Rod Woodson would lead the charge.

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Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? Over the last 12 years "leaders" have come and gone. Kordell Stewart, Levon Kirkland, Rod Woodson, Bill Cowher and Jerome Bettis. The rock has always been Hines Ward. The Marine. The guy the Steelers send into enemy territory in short yardage with a first down on the line. Is this Hines last ride?

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