As one of the harshest critics of my beloved Steelers last week in their loss to the Titans (criticism that I still say was accurate), I want to be as quick to congratulate Coach Tomlin, who was one of the main targets of my criticism last week, as well as the offense, for playing a really great game against their arch rivals the Cleveland Browns. I was particularly happy to see the Steelers get back to playing Steeler football with fast Willie Parker (FWP) running well. The defense was awesome, but they have pretty much been great all year. Still, it was nice to see them have such a great game to give the team momentum going into their bye week.

I truly hope Big Ben (BB) is okay, but to those who say he should not have played, I strongly disagree. He needed the practice, and even against a less than stellar Browns defense, he still managed to throw an interception. Byron Leftwich, aka Lefty, managed the offense well, mainly by being decisive with the ball, getting the ball out of his hands, throwing catchable balls, and not throwing interceptions or taking sacks. BB can learn from Lefty on how to play QB on a team that has talent on offense and a great defense.

Lastly, while the offense played well, Bruce Arians still needs to figure out how to add some variety into the offense. They are still way too predictable. Dennis Dixon, to my disappointment, did not do well in his chance to shine, but with his speed, I still think they can work in Randle El type gadget plays using Dennis. I also think they can figure out a way to use Limas Sweed other than blocking, which he needs a lot of work on.

Again, I want to congratulate Coach Tomlin and the Steelers on a great win, and I truly believe this win, even though they had nothing to play for as far as playoff position, will serve them very well going into their bye week, their playoff run, and who knows, maybe Super Bowl 43 and Ring #6???

No matter how you cut it, or criticize it as some do, it has been a damn good season. After seeing the Steelers schedule at the beginning of the year I considered 10 wins against stellar competition to be a good year.
 
The NFL is not for wussies – injuries, not matter how minor, game plan, execution, and momentum mean a W or an L, and to get 12 W’s and a second seed is a very successful regular season.

It is easy to salute LeBeau, but easier to slam Arians. But the Steelers won a number of games late in the 4th Q with an offense that was w/o Faneca, Marvel Smith, and Simmons, prime players from the line, along with a new center. I think that Stapleton has done a great job stepping in unexpectly for Simmons. FWP was hurt for a good portion of the year. Moore has played well with Mendenhall out for the year. I also believe strongly that Big Ben has been gutsy in his play with injuries.

As in 2005, it doesn’t matter what you have done in the reg season, (ask the Peetriots) you have to get into the playoffs and then peak. Injury minor, momentum strong, an enterprising game plan, and mistake free football will take you to the ring.

You gotta love it – It is the year for the Sixth…

5-16 for 18 yards and 2 ints.

That’s a pass defense right there.

..no other way to spin it. Not only did he play Roethlisberger TOO LONG in the game and suffer the consequences, (or at least Ben did), but he left Parker in all game as well. Along with most of the other key players on the team. Long after the Browns had lost any measure of interest they might have had going in. Long after a MEANINGLESS game was well out of reach. The little fatty, who was never more than a mediocre athlete, gets his chance to play hard ass and be a big man at the expense of others. Great.

So Ben “only suffered a concussion”. Again, great…. Not like REPEATEDLY having his neurons scrambled isn’t the main reason he has gone from being one of the most promising talents at the position in the league to a borderline liability. But hey, it’s only $100 million or so of Rooney money that they have riding on the guy. No reason to handle him with care. By this time next year Ben won’t be reading his plays off an armband any more, they will have to be diagrammed out in EXTRA LARGE PRINT, on the back of Hartwig’s jersey. Someone will be given the responsibility to make sure he doesn’t fall asleep in the huddle. Someone else will be responsible for finishing his sentances for him.