What is "this"?

I'll get to that in a moment. In the meantime, read up on some Mike Tomlin. If you haven't read it yet, an awesome profile on the coach. Also even awesomer is this picture of him from his days as a wide receiver at William & Mary.

via a.espncdn.com

Anyway, if you're an MT fan it's definitely worth the read.

If you haven't got your glory days fix, head on over to YouTube where you can probably view the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers road to the Super Bowl edition for a while until someone gets wise. Just incredible stuff from Mr. Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polamalu in that one. He seems so centered and humble, yet at one point reveals that he's a Jedi Master. The Force is strong with this one.

OK so what is it that makes the Steelers undefeated -- over the last three seasons, I might add? The sports bar where I watch the Steelers when I can. This particular streak goes back to 2008 and includes some of the better games to have seen, including the prior playoff run. Also, over the last three seasons, the Steelers are 15-1 when I watch them play, including 14-0 when I watch them on television (they're 1-1 when I attend the game, both at the Tennessee Titans). We don't have broadcast or cable TV up in the mountains where I live, so I have to drive down into town when I want to catch the big games (unfortunately, life intervenes often enough that I can't see every game - in those cases I follow along on the internet). I'm a bit superstitious, I'll admit. I also refuse to wear the colors of either team on the day of the game.

So, why aren't I watching every game on TV, then? Let's face it, I got me some serious mojo. But mojo doesn't come in infinite supply. The only explanation I can give is this: My mojo, can't spread it thin -- it's gotta be for the big games only.

What's your mojo? Tell me about it.

So that only proves that it couldn't be a worse idea to play the league's all star game in the week between the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl. The fans don't care, the coaches don't care and most obviously, the players don't care. Seriously, what kind of All-Star game lacks the best players from the league's two best teams? The NFC was up 42-0 before AFC coach Bill Belichick had time to check the video... you know, to "make adjustments."

Of course the best quarterback to ever play the game*, Tom Brady, didn't suit up (as an aside, I wonder how many times in his career Brady knew before he even stepped up to the line what defense the other team was calling?). Instead, we got an effort from Peyton Manning that only further solidifies his Hall of Fame career -- 2 for 5, 12 yards, one interception. Because as everyone knows, basically walking out onto any field is a good move for Manning's career when it comes to his stature among the league and the media. He could collapse into the fetal position out of fear of getting sacked, or maybe slide at the five yard line with one guy to beat for a touchdown. It doesn't matter my friends, it's freakin' Peyton Manning, alright? I mean, his father is an NFL legend -- the kind of legend with a 35-101-3 (.263) record as a starter and a 67.1 career QB rating.

But probably best summing up the effort all around was the game's MVP, DeAngelo Hall, the Washington Redskins cornerback, who said, "I was just about to buy another SUV, so to come out here and grab one for free, I like that." Yes! That's why we watch this game - to see grown men put it all on the line for a backup SUV.

Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys was interviewed earlier this week on ESPN radio** and was asked if he ever got really clocked by an opponent in the Pro Bowl, and he recalled that one year Troy Polamalu really lit him up, adding that it was a good, clean football hit. I guess some guys come to play no matter what the game is. Of course, the way they play it now, if the Steelers aren't in it, that's a very good thing.

*with hair extensions

**actually it was last Friday 1/28 on the Scott Van Pelt show.

I must say this is purely speculation on my part, but as soon as I heard Carson Palmer wanted a trade, this scenario definitely came up in my mind.

The Titans have a QB they're definitely needing to get rid of, Vince Young. The Bungles have a QB that wants out. From a long way off this would look like an ideal situation for both teams. Each QB is unhappy where they are; each QB seems like a better fit with the other team. Of course I don't actually like either of these teams getting a better fit at QB (it would constitute three of our games next season), but you know, if these franchises are smart they'd find a way to make this happen.

Wait, this is the Bungles and Titans we're talking about! Of course they won't be able to pull it off! Everything that is gold in Cincinnati turns into a turd, and Tennessee's Bud Adams is one of the worst owners in the history of the NFL. But if I was the most overrated coach in the league (Jeff Fisher), I'd be doing whatever I could to make this deal to avoid having to plan my offense around a QB with dentures and a walker (Kerry Collins).

There, I just threw a few bombs. My job is done here.

Never take being a Steelers fan for granted. We are quite possibly the most fortunate fans of any franchise in the NFL. Who else could there be? The Cowboys? No thanks, Jerry Jones. Even during the drought of the eighties and (for the most part) nineties, we still fielded competitive teams that regularly found a way to the playoffs; teams that rarely, if ever, had one of those humiliating years. The ownership has been steadfast in approach and, more importantly, always wise enough to let the professionals do the jobs they were paid to do. No Bud "I know football" Adams, who apparently doesn't know enough to actually have any championships to show for it. No Al Davis, no Daniel Snyder, no Bill Bidwell. Think of the nightmare of any of those men running the Steeler franchise. They would've moved the team years ago.

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There's certainly no need to worry about the Steelers coming out flat on Sunday night. It's actually rare when there are this many story lines about personal and team motivational factors -- reasons why the Steelers don't, and never did need the Jets to trash talk before this game. As if beating a team that beat you during the regular season and getting to advance to the Super Bowl aren't enough, it's probably safe to say the Jets were wise by not adding to what's already there.

The Veterans
A core group of this team got ring number one with Bill Cowher. Guys like Hines Ward, Chris Hoke, James Farrior, Brett Keisel, and even Antwaan Randle El are getting up there in age, without a doubt. But they're also looking at a big chance to get another ring and put a stamp on their careers. One more ring could be the difference when Hall of Fame balloting comes around. There's no way these guys aren't coming out and leaving everything on the field.

Number 91
Few outside of Steeler fandom understand what a beast Aaron Smith is, and how important he's been to the defense for 11 seasons now. Sometimes when you look at the stat sheet, it's not that obvious. But when you see teams play with Smith in the game, you understand: They won't even run the ball in his direction. Maybe Keisel best summed up the respect the rest of the team has for Smith, saying, "If I could be like him and live my life like he lives his, I'd die a happy man."

This team is playing for Aaron Smith, so he can get one more chance to play in, and win, a Super Bowl.

The "Game Manager"
Yes, it's time to put that to rest once and for all, isn't it? Ben Roethlisberger can go from probably one of the lowest points of his career to one of the highest; all he needs to do is basically be himself. To some, it's been obvious for years... Big Ben is not just one of the best big game quarterbacks of his era, but of all time. But he 'doesn't have the stats' of 'elite' guys like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or even Philip Rivers. Too many people put an asterisk on Roethlisberger's career, and without anything to back it up. Well I'll back it up and kick that asterisk right on outta here- Roethlisberger is top ten in passer rating, top five in yards per attempt and top fifteen in completion percentage. Top five in winning percentage. Number two in playoff winning percentage. ALL TIME. He's an elite quarterback. Another Super Bowl makes him a permanent part of that discussion, and tells the naysayers to kiss his asterisk.

The Coach
Mike Tomlin has nothing to prove to me, and probably to most people who might read this. He's faced adversity, he's been a consummate professional, and he's shown that he can gain the players' respect and keep them focused on the task at hand. But he also knows that too many people think he won Super Bowl XLIII with Cowher's team. Hell, he should be in strong consideration for Coach of the Year. Just like Big Ben, our coach knows what it means to not be mentioned in the same breath as the 'elites' -- coaches like Bill Belichik, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden and say, Mike Holmgren. Ring number two is about respect.

The Rookies
What a rude awakening it will be to the rest of the NFL when they wake up after Super Bowl XLV and realize this team isn't 'old' like we've been hearing all year long. The Steelers' ability to evaluate talent not as pure talent, but as players who fit the system is arguably as good as any franchise has been in the last decade. The guys get in, learn the system, and start to contribute. In some cases, almost immediately. It helps, certainly, to have all those veterans with rings throughout the roster. But the development in the receiver corps with Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders has been remarkable. Seeing those players perform in a playoff setting might have something to do with the mentoring of Hines and ARE, but it also speaks volumes about these players. They are not shrinking from the moment, and they want to show that they belong here.

The O-line
Always disrespected, always acknowledged as the weak link for the Steelers, the front five have been doing whatever it takes. And sometimes too much. You pretty much get the gamut with this bunch -- the backups for backups, the All-Pro rookie Maurkice Pouncey, who is showing the rest of the league what the next ten years will look like, and the vet, Flozell Adams, seeking that last piece of hardware so he can call it a day (and we know he's literally willing to leave it all on the field). Some of these guys were on the team in 2008, so they've been down this road before. Winning it all makes the criticism moot.

Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison
He probably won't win it, but Deebo knows he should be in the mix. He might not be, because of the league's crackdown on all James Harrison-related hits, and that's why the man's got a huge chip on his shoulder right now. No matter what the rest of the team does, James Harrison will be a force throughout the remainder of these playoffs.

The Legacy
The New England Patriots. Blech. The second Steeler dynasty began in 2005. The real question is whether it's nearing the end or more like just in the middle somewhere. This is where we get the answer. Every current Steeler knows the legacy of the 70's Steelers -- the players on that team became household names, and many are enshrined in Canton. They will never be forgotten. A Super Bowl victory this year, in an era when free agency and the salary cap make it much more difficult to keep players around and sustain the excellence, puts this chapter in Steeler history right up there. Hines. Big Ben. Troy. Snack. Deebo. The list goes on, and you better believe there isn't a single player in the league who wouldn't want to have the accomplishment of playing on one of those revered -- and feared -- teams in the history of the NFL.

So like I said, don't worry! When it comes to motivation, the Steelers probably have more significant reasons to bring home the trophy than all the other teams combined.

This is just a quick math geek/numeric patterns post. Check our schedule and results this year:

Note the four-game win/loss patterns during the season:

W-W-W-L
W-W-L-W
L-W-W-W
W-L-W-W

Kinda neat how the sequence was completed, with each possibility of three wins to one loss achieved during each four game stretch during the season. The Steelers (thankfully) won't have to play 20 games this year, but they could play 19. And in that case, let's hope they've started the pattern over for the playoffs, with a W-W-W and no chance to get the L.

One W down, two to go!

Let's face it, the national sports media think the Steelers are boring. Our defense is so reliably outstanding it's become routine and no longer newsworthy. Our coach manufactures precise and non-flammable press conferences. We don't go after the big names in free agency. The whole blue collar angle has been done to death.

So now that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are no longer contending, here's the priority list for the sports press this week, 24/7:

1. The best QB the NFL's ever had this week, ever! (Aaron Rodgers)

2. What are Rex and those Jets gonna say next?!

3. What's Tom Brady doing now, I wonder?

4. [filler]

5. The Bears are still bad, it's a miracle they've made it this far and the Packers are going to kill them (this is the sports media, not me talking, just reminding you).

6. [filler, maybe some Don Meredith retrospective, gotta get some Cowboys in there somehow, amirite?]

7. The Steelers sure are tough (yes and I did put this at seven for a reason)!

Get ready, because it's a-comin'. Steelers fans have to know where to find their own news. Or make it themselves. Here's part of the story I want to talk about - the best QB in the league, Ben Roethlisberger. Now that's a pretty powerful claim, but this is all I need to back it up:

"Let's just chuck it deep," Roethlisberger told offensive coordinator Bruce Arians just before he threw his biggest pass of the season. "If they pick it, it will be a pick way down there, just as good as a punt. ... I just throw it as far as I can.'"

This is a professional quarterback whom many won't include in the discussion of who is the best because his stats don't match up with the likes of Brady or Peyton Manning. The man doesn't care about stats, my friend. The man just wants to win, and that's why he's the best.

Here's something else worth mentioning. Mewelde Moore. Early in the season he wasn't as reliable as he'd been in the past. However, he and Ben must have some serious chemistry going on because he does often seem to be the tonic when the offense is sputtering. Putting him in on the series after Rashard Mendenhall fumbled was a nice counterpunch to the Ravens defense at a time when things could have really gotten out of hand. MeMo had runs of five and seven yards on the drive that ultimately ended in a missed Shaun Suisham field goal, but also blunted the Ravens momentum just enough. One more score out of them in the first half might have been the nail in the coffin.

So that's what I've got to add to the story right now... what you got?

Is this football? I'm open to the discussion. The quote in the headline is a statement by Ravens coach John Harbaugh, referring, of course, to the play where Haloti Ngata "accidentally" (according to the article) swung his arm at Ben Roethlisberger's head. Football is a violent sport, there's no doubt. But is it a sport where we're "glad" when opposing players are hurt?

The full quote:

"He’s a Miami guy," Harbaugh said. "He’s a tough guy. He had the broken nose. I was glad we broke his nose and then I was very impressed that he played through it. Obviously, you can throw very effectively with a broken nose. He proved that."

Sure, maybe that's the attitude you have to have to be a tough-minded coach in the NFL. But then maybe one of his players makes a reckless flying hit, direct to the helmet of a defenseless player. Perhaps one of his players decides to spit in the face of another player. Or maybe the player is so dirty, and encouraged to be so, that an opposing player finally loses it. Or a tough-minded coach decides to stick his knee out to impede the progress of an opposing player. I'm wondering if the attitude is really good for the league overall. More to the point, my own interpretation of what it takes to be the greatest isn't actually having the desire to injure players on the other team, but instead being able to beat the other team with all of their best players on the field.

Of course, I want the Steelers to be more physical, to be tougher, to be more scrappy than the other team. But sometimes in the NFL I think the words "tough" and "scrappy" are used in place of "dirty." I've always felt like the Steelers were a team that were tough without having to be dirty, and that our coaches were personification of that. I don't think I'd want Coach Tomlin out there saying he was glad another player got hurt. I love sports because they show us the amazing things humans can do. Unfortunately they often show the dirty and shameless things humans can do, and I doubt if it's a good idea for a head coach in the NFL to be saying he was "glad" an opposing player was injured.

Now, I'm not here to get anywhere near the idea of losing coach Tomlin, but man, look at these stats:

Turnovers: 3
Penalties: 8 for 85 yds
Chiefs points from run backs, turnovers: 17

At this point I can't put the blame anywhere else but on the coaches. When a team has this many costly penalties and mental errors, it's indicative of them not being mentally ready, and that's the coaches' job. It becomes like a virus. Case in point: our defense dominated most of the game, but after watching the other two squads basically screw the pooch all day long, it's no wonder they collapsed at the end of the game. Last week we had a run back and some bad penalties, especially in the red zone; this week it's a sad repeat. BB has now had 2 interceptions in the red zone in the last 2 weeks, after not having thrown any red zone INTs since 2007.

And don't give me the big numbers put up by the offense. Too many mistakes, period. Too many good drives resulting in zero points. This team is listless and there need to be drastic actions taken (Special Teams coach? Buh-bye. O-line coach? Ass chewing time). There is going to be serious acrimony in the Steelers house from the defensive side if they basically demolish the opponent all day just to see that opponent still with a chance to win in the 4th quarter. There's no way we should have the top defense in the league (because we do as it stands now) and HAVE LOST THE 2 GAMES THAT ACTUALLY GOT US THERE.

Tomlin needs to light a fire under these guys asses, probably most importantly the coaches, or this season is toast. One other complaint - I don't know what Reed's range is, but seriously - you're on the road, your defense is clearly fading at the end of the game - why not attempt the 55 yard FG? Or just go for it on 4th and 5? That punt did more to say 'no confidence' than just about any call I've seen all year. Besides, Sepulveda wasn't actually doing well to place the ball inside the 20 all day.

Rant over.

I admit it - I've been paying off the refs so that the Steelers will win. First off, I'd like to apologize to every NFL fan of any team that has played the Steelers for the last 30 or so years. Sadly, the truth is, I can't! I love the Steelers SO MUCH that I refuse to stop, and now I'd like to offer other Steelers fans the opportunity to donate to this worthy cause!

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Well it looks like it should after week one - the Steelers & Ravens 1-0, the Browns and Bungles 0-1. The week one matchups were half juicy... certainly Steelers v. Titans is a marquee type affair, but Ravens v. Chiefs (who are the chefs?) looked to be a one week extension of preseason ball for Baltimore. Cleveland gets overshadowed by Minnesota, while at the same time Brett Favre is overshadowed by his running back; and the Bungles wait until the 60th minute to score (what they thought was) the winning TD. And then lose.

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right, so i know there are some crazy ones, but i'm on a roll (4-0) with my current regime... anyone else got a good thing going?

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