Check out Peter King's "Ten things I think I think" section of his MM QB article today http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/01/16/nfl-divisional-playoffs/4.html.  He says despite Mendenhall's 2 TD performance, he is "..just not a big time back."  Let's make sure the O-line, Mendy, and Tomlin all get copies of this early in the week.  Running against the Ravens requires determination, and I thought Mendenhall showed tremendous determination on his 2 TD runs, especially #2.  That play was dead until he cut back and drove his legs (no spin!) to bull into the end zone.  Go Steelers! 

I don't use the word outrage very often.  And I've generally felt that those that feel our team is being picked on with the recent fines and flags are reaching a bit.  However, today's fine of $25,000 levied against James Harrison is truly an egregious blunder by the league office that has me outraged and I've lost a great deal of respect for the NFL office.  My rationale after the jump...

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This link http://steelers.com/article/116960/ will take you to a concise, plain English breakdown on the impacts of not having a new labor agreement in 2010.  Many think that the "no salary cap year" will mean chaos in free agency, but there are a lot of other, lesser known stipulations in the agreement that affect player movement.  If there's a bright side to the Steelers not playing this weekend, its that they don't have some of the restrictions the final 4 and final 8 teams have.  Check out the link to learn more....

If there were any doubt as to the improved quality of play of the Steelers offensive line, I suggest you contrast the performance of the Steelers against the Vikings pass rush, and that of the Green Bay Packers against that same D-line in two games.  Jared Allen has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl purely by his domination against Green Bay (7 sacks), and today their QB has two knee sprains.  By contrast, Max Starks neutralized Allen at Heinz Field.  Yes, the Vikings got some sacks on #7, but he was not harrassed and hurried on nearly every play, running for his life as it appeared Rodgers of GB was doing on most snaps Sunday.  Another big test comes this week against Denver and their pass rush.  They got pushed around late against the Ravens, but the defense was very impressive early in that game, as they've been all year.  Let's hope any new wrinkles installed after the bye week work and help bring home a high altitude W.  Go Steelers!

Bumped from the Fanposts. Great stuff from a new member here at BTSC. Quite a first post. Keep it coming guys and gals! -Blitz- (Michael B.)

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As we head into the relative quiet in the football world that preceeds training camp, I was reflecting back on some of my favorite moments of the Steelers championship run last season.  I found there were a number of big moments to really stamp the season and team as something special.  The Steelers rarely looked perfect against the daunting schedule they faced, but they almost always rose to the challenge when the game was on the line.  After the jump, see if you agree with some of the big, defining moments of the Steelers 2008-09 season.  I considered everything up to but not including the Super Bowl, which is in a class all by itself. 

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