Watching XL on NFLN as we speak. Steelers are down 3-0 in the second quarter. Seahawks have had the best of the Steelers through the air early but several penalties hurt them (End zone push and hold on a big PR) and Stevens dropped a 20 yard gain on 3rd and 2. Steelers come out nervous and get 2 false start penalties on the first drive.

This 08 defense has been better than that 05 one. At XLIII in Tampa, AZ will come through the air if they are smart. I have watched virtually every snap of Steelers football since 73. The teams that beat this particular derivative of Steelers football (02 thru present) were those Gannon, Brady teams that spread them out and passed on them 50 times. Warner, Fitz, AB & the kid from Woodland Hills High in Pittsburgh (Breaston) are better than the Cry Hawks WR at XL. Our current D is better than 05. It has been called Championship Caliber by a very intelligent Steelers blogger. This D needs to prove that true on Sunday. Prove It All Night. This D needs to bring it’s A game or we will be in trouble.

The DB are some of the best I have seen since the 70’s. With Troy, Clarke, Ike, 26, 20 and even Gay they are deep. When the catch is made they have to punish AZ WR. Speaking of punishing, the LB corps will need to punish. We have said the LB are the strength of the team since Latrobe. They need to be a strength on Sunday. They will need contributions from Deebo, Wood, Potsy, Foote and Timmons. These 5 need to get in Warner’s face and knock him down…repeatedly. LBs Bailey, Fox and Frazier must also dominate on ST. Up front they will need solid play and hopefully a couple splash plays. I’m counting on Snack and Mr. Aaron Smith but they could come from anywhere. They all need to watch for the flea. Prove It All Night.

The offense needs to bring it’s A game on Sunday. The 05 Steelers I am watching down to the Cry Hawks 3-0 with 7 minutes to play in the half at XL have shown to be a better O unit than the one we’ve seen this year. Hines was healthy in 05 and the MVP of this game. We had an RB that was a Bus. FWP would break a big 75 yard run. These 05 Steelers were Born To Run. Whiz ran wild.

I can’t see how Ben can’t be better this year in XLIII. He made big plays at XL but was inconsistent. He will need to be HUGE and lead us to victory at XLIII. No turnovers on O increases the probability that we get to 6. Ben will be harassed and going against coaches that know/knew him. He needs to be smart. His O line needs to protect him. His O line needs to open some holes for FWP & MM and Russell will need to pick up a big first down. Heath will need to be a key in the run game and a key in the pass game. 10 & 85 will need to pick it up in case The 86 Marine Division  is only a decoy. Sweed needs to catch the freaking ball. Pick up third downs and control the clock and you increase the chances to get 6. Arians will need to use every bit of wisdom he has gathered in his 50 plus years to outwit Whiz, Grimm and Haley and get the Steelers to The Promised Land.

Well, Big Ben has just hit a HUGE third and twenty seven to The Marine and then rumbled in a yard for the TD. Steelers up 7-3 at halftime of their “One For The Thumb” at XL. Can’t wait for FWP going 75 in half 2. Can’t wait for the Steelers to bring their A game and get “One For The Other Thumb” the Big Number 6 for Sixburgh this Sunday at XLIII. It’s time to be able to add another DVD to the collection. Starring the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers. Forever in the lore of NFL History as the kings of 08 and the Champions of XLIII. Glory Days! As Chick Hearn would say “It’s Nervous Time At The Forum.”