Harrison has shown up on the injury report as questionable today.  This brings up the obvioius question "What do we do if he isn't playing?"  I've been debating what we could possibly do if Harrison is unable to go and have come up with these options: Start Fox at ILB and kick Timmons to the outside, start Frazier or Bailey, possibly sign Harrison's mom. In all cases this is going to be trouble if Harrison is unable to go.  The Ravens will be able to roll more protection to Woodley since he has been on a tear lately and try to eliminate him with an unproven starter opposite him.  With Harrison and Troy out Rice could be in for a big day, but pray that is not the case.  Whoever gets the start for Harrison - if he is unable to go - has to step up big for us. 

I really don't even know how to start this.  I am in complete shock, awe, embarrassment, disgust, any other words along those lines.  The feeling has completely changed from last year.  When we went into the fourth with a lead or even down a few points did anyone think that they wouldn't allow the opponent to score.  We could always count on them not allowing anything in the fourth.  This year what is your feeling when we enter the fourth quarter with a lead?  That we will hold that lead and win the game.  I hope know one thinks that because it is a complete joke.  You would be blind to the truth if you thought that.  Here is what I think.  I no longer have any faith in our D.  I get the feeling when the fourth quarter rolls around we will give up big plays upon big plays which will culminate in touchdowns.  I get the feeling that we are going to lose when we enter the fourth, and why wouldn't I after what transpires week after week.  The Bengals did it, the Bears did it, the Chargers did it, the Chiefs did it, the Raiders did it, the Ravens did it. 

This isn't the only place we don't know how to finish.  What do you feel when our offense gets into the Red Zone? Sure can't be that we are going to put six on the board.  Again, you would be blind to the truth.  We settle for FGs, Ben throws an interception, someone fumbles it, we turn it over on downs, we call a stupid play, we don't execute. 

I know this is extremely negative, but what do you expect after this.  Where are the positives in this? People keep saying this isn't your fathers Steelers and boy they couldn't be more right.  I never got a chance to watch them in the '70s since I wasn't alive, but from what I've heard that D knew how to finish, that offense knew how to finish.  My fathers Steelers knew what it meant to play 60 minutes of football, they knew how to suffocate a team, to punch them in the mouths, to punish them.  My Steelers know how to leave teams hang around, blow leads, whatever else you might add.

I'll finish by apologizing to those who don't like the negativity, but good geck what else is there?

I recently started coming to BTSC after the dismal loss in KC to console with other Steeler fans since I struggle to find them where I live.  Ever since then I have been a daily visitor and can't help to notice a new post about BA, and rightfully so.  I don't have to start explaining what he has done because it has been made painfully clear to us all, not only on here, but also on the field.  So all this has brought me to wonder, "Who do we want at OC, if and when BA is axed?" I started going through some hypothetical situations to come up with a few ideas which all began with the Weis firing from Notre Dame.  Since he was let go I started putting 2 and 2 together, which BA told me was 5 but I corrected him, guys an idiot, and came up with these ideas for OC.

1) We could do the easy thing and keep BA, God knows we don't want that.

2) Weis would also be an option. But as much as I respect what is able to do, I don't believe he will be much better than what we are getting right now.  I say this in the sense that we will see just as many passes if not more.

3) Here is where the speculation comes in.  Weis worked with Mangini in New England for four years before being hired as Notre Dame's HC in 2005.  Weis went on to coach Quinn, before Quinn was drafted by the Browns.  Recently, Quinn has endorsed Weis and we all know Cleveland's offense is anemic and could use a guy like Weis running it.  So my first option is Weis going to Cleveland.  The second place I could see Weis going is Kansas City.  This fit again has to do with Patriot ties.  Pioli and Weis worked in NE together from 2002 to 2004.  While I don't think Haley would be on board with such a hiring it is up to Pioli and the Chiefs could use Weis as well.  The final place I could see Weis going is Atlanta.  While I know this is a very far fetched possibility, I would like to see this happen.  I again attribute this hiring to Patriot ties between Weis and Thomas  Dimitroff.  If this latter option were to happen Mike Mularkey would be available presumably so.  We have all seen what Mike has done in Atlanta with Ryan and Turner.  We have all seen what he did with our offense.  In 2001 we had the 3rd ranked offense, averagin 173 yards on the ground and 194 in the air. 2002 we had the fifth ranked offense averaging 239 through the air and 132 on the ground.  2003 we did see a pretty steady dropoff when we ranked 22nd.

4) Chan Gailey.  Don't know of his availability, I think he is coaching in college somewhere, lost track of Georgia Tech, fill me in if anyone knows.  Gailey was our OC from 94-97 and did a very good job, I would say.  In 94 we ranked 13th with 185 coming through the air and 136 on the ground. 1995 we ranked 5th with 245 through the air and 115 on the ground. 1996 we ranked 15th in total offense, 177 in the air and 143 on the ground.  In his last year our offense ranked 6th overall, 191 in the air and 154 on the ground. 

I think it is fair to assume that this team has much more talent than those that Chan and Mike both coordinated.  I would take Big Ben over Neil O'Donnel, pains me to say that name after that terrible Super Bowl, or the XFL's own Tommy Maddox.  I would take this receiving corps over those as well.  It is tough for me to say Mendy over The Bus, because of what he did for us over the years and really to me made it obvious what Steeler football is all about, but I love what Mendy has done this year.

While I know there are some I have left off, one that I just thought of promoting Ken Anderson, I didn't want to start going into detail on everyone.  If I had my choice I would wave goodbye to BA on February 8th after we win the SB.  I would hope, what to me, would be the unthinkable to happen which is Atalanta hiring Weis leaving us with a shot to take Mularkey back.  If that is not a possibility go get Gailey.  I think either of those two would have a lot of success with the talent we have on the offensive side of the ball and would sure as hell like to see what they could do.  Maybe unleash another type of hell?

There are my two cents. I would like to hear what others have to say and who you may all want to see running this offensive ship.

And always wave that towel with pride, LETS GO STEELERS!!!

I don't know about anyone else, but this game is the toughest lose to swallow.  I've been a Steelers fan since I was born and have following them for 21 years.  I don't think words can really explain how heart wrenching this lose is.  Dixon played a hell of a game except for that costly INT, but no one can put this lose on him (well I guess you can if you want).  Playing bitter, hated rivals in Baltimore, and a playoff spot, this just drags every Steelers fan down to the bottom of the pit.  The imagery flowed when I blew out a candle thinking it maybe our playoff hopes, but will hold out hope we can win out and get some help and cause havoc in the playoffs.  One comfort is having Steeler Nation rally behind OUR team and cheering our hearts outs for the remainder of the season.  We don't give up, we never give up, and we will fight and cheer our team to victory over the next five weeks.

GO STEELERS!!!