I have put together some pregame appetizers to kind of hold you over until game day.  Just a few things that I have been having roll around in my mind over the last week and a half. 

1.        I believe "Blitz" has hit on this a couple times at least.  I agree that Timmons is a key to this game.  I think this will be a game that will prove his worth as a first rounder.  The thing I like about him is he is usually used for underneath coverage and patrolling anything thrown in the flats or running down screen plays.  I even think I say him a few times shadowing backs.  His speed and strength make him a big play waiting to happen.

2.       I have heard some things about the wildcat.  I happen to know as many of you may have searched and found out, that Dennis Dixon was playing Josh Cribbs before the Cleveland game.  He was doing this to prepare the defense for a Cleveland team missing its started and backup.  They figured Josh Cribbs would fill in.  What do you know they did run the wildcat.  Truth is that formation didn’t do Cleveland any good at all this year.  Anyhow…It was said to work so well in practice with Dixon running it that maybe they should use it in a game.  Maybe they did run it in practice with Moore before the playoffs.  Maybe they used Dixon and that’s the secret left out.  Truth is, for them to run it with Dixon he would have to be activated.  The emergency QB rule is just to have an emergency QB not on the active 45.  In the 4ht quarter however the rule changes.  The Emergency QB can come in and the starter and backup would still be eligible.  This would be a killer if Arizona’s blitz was working.  It would definitely cause them to have to scale back the blitz.

3.       I truly believe that the wideouts Holmes, Ward and Washington along with Miller are going to be a load for Arizona to handle.  If you add in Moore I like our match ups.  You have 2 speed receivers and 3 possession receivers.   If you add Willie making yards this can get ugly.  If Ward can’t go it will hurt, but I think he will.  Nevertheless, if Sweed comes in either to take Ward’s place or give him a spell.  That could also be a great match up.  Holmes has speed and can play the possession receiver well.  He is also good in space.  Washington has field stretching speed and leaping ability.  Sweed will draw single coverage.  If he holds on to the ball he could easily get over 100 yards receiving.  (I know, I’ll humor you…it’s a big if)  I’m not saying the Cards defense is not a capable bunch, but the only game they really looked good on pass defense in the playoffs was Carolina.  They really only have one option..Steve Smith.  So the game plan was stop the run and Smith, harass mistake prone Jake and score points.  In all this Heath Miller is key.  His blocking is phenomenal and his knack to make big plays makes guarding our wideouts and backs (Moore) out of the backfield a task. 

4.       A lot has been said about the blitz and Warner.  I am not too concerned about it.  If you want to blitz effectively then you must have speed underneath or over top.  The Steelers have both.  You don’t have to get there every time either.  If you make the QB feel the heat and disguise the blitz, then that quickness underneath will get you opportunities for big plays.  (See Timmons above) The Steelers linebackers have a knack for being in position when they are not rushing the passer.  This makes the QB have to pay close attention to where the ball is going and can cause them to hold the ball too long.  Ok call Flacco a rookie but the quickness of the linebackers made him hold the ball too long.  That along with good coverage from the DBs.  This also made Rivers look bad a few times as well.  All that said I’m not afraid of blitzing Warner.  As a matter of fact I think it’s a good idea.  We have the personnel. 

5.       The cardinals cannot play the disrespect card anymore, but the Steelers can play the “us against the World” card.  It’s the Steeler Nation against the United Nations.   Up until now everyone has underestimated the Cardinals Offense.  Now they are having doubts about this defense of the Steelers.  They have doubts about our line and think that the Cards’ pass rush will get to Ben along with the Dee stopping Willie Parker.  Now I ask you who has more to prove?  The word is “No one said the cards would be here” and “This team has offensive players that cannot be stopped”   and “The Steelers won’t be able to run the ball and that could spell trouble for Ben, who didn’t do well in his last Super Bowl.”  It’s the lowest rated Super Bowl QB against the record breaking Super Bowl MVP.   Who has more to prove?