Time to roll down the street and let the bullets fly.

1. I guaranteed a victory folks.  I hope you didn't sweat the game.

2. Willie Gay:  Be nice.  He is really struggling.  He could have really redeemed himself if he had picked that pass off and ran it back.  You know the one that he broke up on the sideline?  He played it well, got there early and then just stood and knocked it down.  That may be a sign of all of this getting to him mentally.  Maybe some timidity is creeping in. 

3. Joe Burnett: Does a good job, but I think he may still have a little to go in getting the system down.  I really can't think of any other reason they wouldn't just put him in.  I did see him getting some lectures on the sideline.  I also saw him out of position a few times, but hey he's a rookie.  It's good to see him on the field getting some PT.

4. Game of inches:  Reed's field goal was inches from "doinking" of the right upright.  Wallace was inches from having his catch be a great effort but incomplete.  Farrior was inches from a pass getting over his head and having another long pass in the middle of the field go for a huge chunk of yards: maybe even a TD. 

5. The onside kick:  I like the call.  You might say "kick it deep and depend on your defense."  Ok, were you watching the rest of the game?  If they drive the field and score from 70 yards out there will only be about one minute left.  The kick actually was executed well except for one thing.  What the heck was Ike Taylor doing on the "hands" team?  Oh wait...it wasn't the hands team. If they changed to a hands team it would have tipped it off.  Quit ragging the team for trying to win.  Anyhow, Ike could have let it go 10.  They had numbers around the ball.

6. The drive:  The end of yesterday's game was very similar to the last drive of the Super Bowl. Complete with the "toe in" side of the endzone TD.  When I was a kid, my best friend and I used to play out this scenario in the back yard.  Time for one play, down by 6 run into the endzone square out to the sideline and the ball comes on the money.  Toes are in Touchdown!  I hope the whiners sold their tickets to the game so they didn't get to see it.

7. Run the darn ball:  They are still having "3 throw 3 and outs".  Play Action would work if they would run the ball.  They ran some play action later in the game, but I really don't call most of that play action.  I mean good play action has a fake handoff, not just getting in the vicinity of the running back.

8. Tyron Carter: What the heck was he thinking on the Jennings touchdown?  He made a weak attempt at an INT and just ran right past the play with a weak attempt to tackle.

9. Ike Taylor:  The only time I saw him was the onside kick.  Good and Bad.  Good he played well, bad he made a boo boo.

10. Timmons:  This guy is scary when he blitzes.  I would hate to see how he would look on the other side coming down on Ben like that.

11. Woodley:  Almost had his second TD return of the season.

12. Offensive Holding:  Only exists on the Steelers side.  I don't like to complain but...that was a WEAK hold that took away Rush-Hard's TD.  Green Bay converted a crucial 3rd down and Harrison was hogtied.  It's "No holds barred" against our defense.

13. Willie Parker:  Can still run the ball.

14. Ben:  I still think he was suffering ill effects of that concussion last week.  Did Ben actually throw some short passes and hit check downs?  Tell me if I was imagining things.  All the hype of the Green Bay linebackers and Heath schooled them.  He held the ball too long on one play and threw the ball away with non one near him just as Hines Ward broke open.

15. Mike Wallace:  This just in...he's fast.  At first I thought Ben held the ball too long and let Wallace get too deep.  They played it again and I realized that Ben rolled to the right, setup and fired right away.  Mike Wallace is the real deal.  He has good hands to go with his speed.  I know, he dropped one and let one go through his hands, but that happens sometimes.  By the way the one caught while running backward may have been a catch and fumble.  By the way if Buddy Ryan was his coach he would hate him.  He would say "All he does is catch touchdowns."  Wallace 2 catches, two touchdowns

16. Holmes:  Must be signed!  He makes some big catches and once he gets the ball he cuts on a dime.  In my neighborhood we call his type "ankle breakers."   You down need a big window to get him the ball and when he does he can hurt a defense with his agility.  Those skills he has for returning punts are also deadly on receptions.

17. Ramon Foster:  He's a rookie folks, but he still outplayed Essex.

18. Starks:  Ok so a dude ducked under him once and got a sack but he did well.  They called holding on a play I've seen numerous times in the NFL without a call.  I know..just because other people get away with speeding doesn't mean your not guilty when you get caught.  So I complained about holding twice in one post.  I'm making up for the times I didn't say anything.

19. I still don't want to see this team get into the playoffs and get demolished by the Colts.

20. Redzone running: Good to see the Steelers get a rushing TD. 

21. Long game:  I knew it would be long when the first 3 drives took a total of 1:57.  There were 9 drives in the first quarter, though the 9th drive went into the 2nd.  Steelers games used to be short because they ran the ball.  This was a battle of Air Forces.  That game was about 3hours and 45 minutes with no overtime.

22. This is your bullet:  Fire away

Let the discussions begin.

1.  Get out the golf clubs:  Seriously...did you want this team to get into the playoffs?  I have better things to do with my time than watch a game like I saw last night.

2.  Timmons:  Blame him all you want.  I say you haven't been paying attention.

3.  Madison:  He is an upgrade.  But the special teams still don't get the job done.  On the Cribbs return he was on

4.  The team:  The team needs to take the blame.  Quit trying to single out players and coaches.  They all take turns messing up.  This losing streak belongs to the team.  The offense sucked eggs but the defense didn't make stops they should have. The special teams had problems as well.

5.  Ben:  I understand you make plays by holding the ball, but in those conditions and the way they were playing disciplined pass rush, you have to get rid of the ball.  There was one time however, that Ben leaves the pocket and gets sacked. If he stays there for a second longer he can hit Holmes for a TD.  I know easy for me to say...I admit it.

6.  Rush-Hard:  Pretty good job, but I wish he would quit stopping and lower his head and try to break some tackles when he's going wide.  When he gets to the point he wants to head up field he stops half the time.  I give it to him, he has done it less lately.

7.  Woodley:  He definitely elevated his game.  Cleveland had some plays that they ran specifically to exploit him.  They didn't work. 

8.  Red face:  The Referee for this game made me cold just looking at him.  He looked as miserable as I felt watching this game.

9.  Hampton:  If that dude gets in shape (cardio) he would be unstoppable.  As it is, he's stoppable by fatigue.  He handled Mack for a play or two then just got in the way a few (which he is supposed to do).  I'm just saying....

10. Good news:  The Browns didn't score in the 4th.  HA!

11. Hines:  Made some plays, but I can't help to wonder if someone else could have made those plays and got more yardage.  He was limping some. 

12. Logan:  I'm not hatin on him, but I think he's not going to be here next year. 

13. Hungry?:  Hide the Snickers! Did you get it?

14. Question:  Look at the game again.  Can you tell me how many times there were 2 receivers in the same place?  You'll be surprised. 

15. Check down:  I was surprised that Ben checked down more often.  Sometimes it worked other times the throw was a little off or just dropped.  Please do more of that Ben.  It will pay off in the end.

16. Sixteen: This is where I predict we will draft.  I'm not joking.

17. seventeen:  If I'm wrong this is where we will draft.  Ok I'm joking about that. Seventeen Loooooooong weeks this year.

18. Schedule:  Hardest schedule in the league=Super Bowl. Easiest schedule in the league=crap bowl

19. This one is yours: 

I don't have much to say before I let the bullets fly so here we go:

1.  This is definitely a game of inches:  The Steelers were a few inches short on a 4th and inches, a few inches of extended hands from a Burnett INT that ices the game, about an inch more of Ike Taylor's hand contacting that wounded duck hailmary pass from an incompletion keeping the Raiders outside the redzone, about an inch away from Mundy deflecting the final TD pass, and about a inch difference in hand position and Sweed redeems himself with a hailmary TD catch.

2.  Mundy:  Don't blame Mundy for that penalty near the goal line.  Sure it was penalty, but he was coming trying to make something happen.  Think about it though.  If the receiver had the ball and he dislodged it they probably don't call that.  Well, he came into that game with it on the line with minimal playing experience also. It will be interesting to see if they give him a start next week.

3.  Gay:  I pray he's ok.  Also, he is not going to like film time.  I think he will however have a nice seat on the sideline (with or without a concussion).  I think they go with the young fella.

4.  Burnett:  The kid did well in his short time.  I want to see what he can do in a start.  Can it hurt?

5.  Ike:  Get off his back if you're on it.  I originally though the blown coverage TD was his fault, but I have to look at it again.  The telltale sign that it wasn't him may be that Carter was pulled after that.  Maybe not...like I said I haven't looked at it again.

6.  Ben:  Redzone picks kill you.

7.  This is all too familiar:  In the final drive of 3 losses (there may be more but I remember 3) there was a dropped INT.  This happened in the second Cincy game, the Ravens game and this game.

8.  I will not complain about the holding.  They just have to deal with it.

9.  Special teams looked better.  Welcome back Madison. Also good runback Logan, if you would have scored we'd have won.  Just kidding, there were lots of plays left on the field yesterday. 

10. That makes two Qbs that the Steelers owned, now living out west that beat the Steelers late.

11. Redzone offense and two minute defense.  How about taking one whole practice and work on these two things? 

12. 50+ fieldgoal at Heinz.  Why try? Feeling lucky?  Look at this season and think again. 

13. Rush-Hard:  Looked good.  I hope they don't forget how good he looked and keep the running game going.  Running was not the problem.  Actually...I must say Willie Parker looked pretty good.  MEMO did some things too.  There was discussion around here about a two back backfield......

Extra bullets because I'm frustrated

14. The Patriot games are really keeping this from being a total loss. 

15. Random thoughts:  If New Orleans and Indy were in the Super Bowl undefeated, do you think any Patriots would watch?  And if Indy won wouldn't that be poetic justice?  Billicheat goes for it on 4th and short instead of punting and the Colts take advantage. Then go on to a perfect season.  That would be funny.... Anybody been to a 3rd world country and seen one of those 19-0 shirts?  I want one.

16. Anybody selling their tickets?  I'll still go....

17. You know what would make this season complete?  A Browns loss. 

18. I saved a bullet for you. I'll let you fire it off.

Ok I compiled a list from my innovation poast.  I even added a couple.  Now it's time to vote for your new addition to the offense.  Keep in mind this addition is just going to be something you spice the offense up with.  After you vote defend your choice below.  When we are done I will forward the results to my staff and you may see it on Sunday.  I'm kidding of course.  If Tomlin pulls this off, I'm going to do something in honor of him.  I am going to grow a TWA (teenie weenie afro) and wear sunglasses to the Super Bowl parade.  Ok time to have fun.

You want innovation I got innovation for you. Here are  2 ideas I have tell me what you think or add on your own.  I may do a poll (which I hate) from some of the best.  Let's discuss.

1.  Since some are so ready to run the wildcat, I'm surprised nobody mentioned (at least I never saw anyone mention) Hines ward running a wildcat.  If you are going to run one he would be the best choice.  He was a QB in college along with runningback and receiver.  You could put Sweed in there.  If you don't throw to him at least you have another decent blocker.  Run the wildcat with Rush-hard and or Willie/Memo behind him. 

2. Run more of that (receiver) bunch formation, even the one with four receivers.  You can run backside screens and even a flea flicker out of that.  The flea flicker could be run out of a reverse or (quick)screen pass back (risky).  Motion from that formation adds a load of options.

Now let the discussion begin.  I have alluded to the fact that I think the Steelers are working on things in practice.  They just haven't made it to the playing field.  Some have in spots.  New wrinkles and gadgets are like roaches.  If you see one or two you have the population of a large asian city in your walls.  Let the fun begin.

I decided to go ahead and do a Driveby on a losing week just because I just to open up some dialogue. 

1. Dennis Dixon:  He delivered a performance above what I thought he would.  I thought he would be so confused he would do nothing.

2. Arians:  I have problems with him every game, but I don't hate the man.  He is what he is.  He's a man with a system that he doesn't dismantle for the sake of change.  One of his strengths is being a little unorthodox in his approach to some things.  I call it gambling.  His type of gambling sometimes ends in outthinking himself and forcing himself to be predictable.  That causes him to sometimes do something stupid to be less predictable (I know ???).  The thing most hated about him from most of his haters is he doesn't run the ball.  Maybe this will bring him around.  My advice...If you can run the ball, run it...you have a nice passing game Bruce, but let it be part of your attack...not the body of it.

3. Sefan Logan:  He is capable of hitting the big one.....but I saw two returns where he ran into coverage when he had open space. I will try to find it and break it down...or maybe one of you that do that stuff do it.  It was a punt in the middle of the game.  He was near the sideline, had a block to his right and after that block (no lie) he had nothing but green in the middle of the field.

4. Kick coverage:  I saw Corey Ivy in coverage.  Good pick up.

5. Lawrence Timmons:  I hear ya...those who said he would do well in Farrior’s spot and put Fox in Timmons' spot.  One thing though; Farrior is still a solid player.  Sure he has looked bad at key times, but the man is a baller.  I would like to see them tinker with some situational personnel adjustments.  (This would be a good discussion point)

6. Ryan Clark:  I've seen him miss a few INTs lately because he was loading up for the hit.  That can be good at times.  He even gave a receiver alligator arms because he saw him coming.  I would like to see him break down more in open field instances and just make the tackle, but you have to like how he can jar the ball out and make receivers adjust.  Ryan we like the big hits, but we hate YAC.  There is a happy medium.....I know it's easier when Troy is there but he's not right now.

7. Ramon Foster:  Dennis Dixon wasn't the only green player out there.  Ramon made his first start.  I think he did well.  I'm kinda impartial (ok more than kinda) but I think he did well.  He missed a couple assignments.  He got called out once by the announcing crew about it on a pulling play, but he play alright. 

8. Rush-hard Spin-den-haul:  Was he timid after the Ray Lewis hit last year?  Ask Ray how many times he got stoned by Rashard trying to blitz.  He also didn't seem to mind taking it between the tackles right into his grill.  I hope his development continues without hitches because he is coming along well.  He still holds the ball low and keeps it in his right arm.  Sorry both are pet peeves of mine.

9. Best looking cheerleaders in Maryland belong to the Redskins. Sorry Ravens

10. Heath Miller:  He was open.

11. Hines Ward:  Even grown men say things that they shouldn't at times when they shouldn't.  Good thing is grown men can also overcome these things.  It's only as big as they make it, not as big as the media makes it.


12.  I feel like blah writing this.

Our coach is not only a leader he casts out demons.  No not literally but figuratively.  I have made note of some of the demons he has cast out since he has been here.  He doesn't subscribe to that hocus pokus because he exorcises the demon in charge.  Here are the demons he has cast out:

1. The Demon of home playoff game losses to San Diego:  San Diego had the Steelers' number in the playoffs.  The Chargers came in twice in the past and pulled off upsets in front of the Steelers faithful.  The pain!  The agony!  Yes I remember.  He cast it out first by saying we don't subscribe and then kicking it's tail out of Pittsburgh. 35-24 bye bye demons of old!

2. The demon of high altitude regular season failing: The Steelers were 2-6-1 in Denver during the regular season and had a losing streak against them and hadn't won a regular season game in Denver since 1990.  Mike shrugs it off and bam!  that demon is gone!  28-10 Steelers.

3. The demon of AFC Championship implosions: The media kept saying, "it's hard to beat a team three times in a season."  Mike says, "it's only as hard as beating them once" [paraphrase].  The media says, "the Steelers are cursed in home AFC Championship games." Mike says, "We don't subscribe".  Bam just as quick as McGahee's lights go out.  That demon is sent packing out of Pittsburgh.  23-14 Steelers.  Hocus Pocus you can't smoke us.

4.  The Demon of losing to the Bengals when the AFC North lead is in the balance is waiting for Sunday.  Mike T has put together a formula but pour down his throat.  When he digests it.  Bam!  27-13 send him back down the river to porkopolis.