Sunday Morning Sermon: Final Thoughts on Week 7 Steelers at Cardinals

by Neal Coolong on Oct 23, 2011 11:19 AM EDT in Steelers Pregame Coverage

All raise a Terrible Towel for Brother Aaron, and join The Church in honoring his legacy. Words cannot accurately describe the contributions of the man who is aptly described as "underrated" most of his career.

Today, we begin to see the future direction of the Pittsburgh Steelers. No Aaron Smith, no James Harrison, no Chris Hoke. We've seen these three players in some combination on the field for every glorious Sunday for 10 years.

We do not fear change; we embrace it as an opportunity to create a new legacy
The Arizona Cardinals believe the "Steelers Of Old" are gone, and they're going to run the ball frequently.
Brother Mike Wallace is likely already drooling over what could be, statistically, a monster game
That loss in 2007 still rings in the heads of many of Church-goers. Some memories do not die.

Who Wants It?

The Church's resident Astute-istician, Rebecca Rollett, made notes of Brother Steve McLendon's anxiety issues, and makes a comparison to Limas Sweed.

What she left out, though, is Brother Steve has yet to drop a touchdown pass, something that no doubt contributed to Brother Limas's mental issues. Let that serve as faith in you, Brother Steve, odds aren't good you will be asked to catch a touchdown pass for the team today. Instead, you'll be asked to plug gaps, stunt outside, occupy guards and tackle ball carriers.

In other words, you're doing things you've been doing for the better part of your life. We believe in you, Brother Steve, believe in yourself. Go wreck someone today.

Song Of Choice

The Church needs instant amplification today. Our Sound Technicians went the Classic direction.

Metallica's "Fuel" (and shhh...don't tell Lars we're talking about this) powers an energy-releasing vibe, complete with the requisite amount of catchy yell-able lyrics. Visions of monster motorcycles and burning chrome always fit the bill, and all Steelers - players and fans - are seeing red this afternoon.

"Turn on, I see red/Adrenaline crash and crack my head/Nitro junkie, paint me dead/And I see red"

Benediction

May the Ghosts of Steelers players - both a part of our team and on the other side - help ease the transition from old to new.

May Brother Ike stable the Thoroughbred in Red, otherwise known as "Larry Fitzgerald."

May all the Steelers fans invading Steelers West Stadium bring the heat from outside and eliminate any alleged home field advantage for our gracious hosts.

May The Experimental OLB Version of Brother Lawrence end peacefully today, and he be allowed to return to his rightful place on the inside.

May Brother Ben control his powerful arm, and get passes down the field with laser-precision. Brother Mike is hungry, and he eats 20+ yards down the field.

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Comments

Amen

It will be at least 50-50 crowd for Pittsburgh, if not more. Let’s put them away early.

~Tommy~

by sb24ws2005 on Oct 23, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Can I get an, "Amen Brother?"

I believe the quote is something along the lines of, “the expectations do not change.” Now we head into new territory, as the young pups start to take their places, and we get to see the movement into the next generation of Steelers, and how they’ll respond to the spotlight. We’ve started to see this to a certain degree already, and now it looks like (for us anyway) a full-blown youth movement.
A bitterweet start to the new regime, one nevers wants to see this happen as a result of injuries, but the strongest and most constant force is time. 10 years with some of our guys is forever in football, so while I’ll take a moment of silence to say thanks for the memories, there is still a game to be played at 4:05 today and it will not stop for any one (or two, or three) players.
Best of luck to the new starters, may they carry on the strong traditions with little notice….
Let’s Go Steelers!!!

by dawgs144 on Oct 23, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Steve

McLendon could be the future nose tacke of the Steelers, let’s see how he can do in his first career start. He has played well when in this year.

by Lamarr56 on Oct 23, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

Testify, brother!!

Here’s hoping Mr. Wallace’s hammy is feeling good, McLendon covers/exploits his gaps and Ben heeds Gold Five’s directions (not to mention staying upright & unhurt long enough to do so).
HERE WE GO STEELERS!

Bound to cover just a little more ground.

by Steeliver on Oct 23, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone available to write about Smith's apparent neck injury?

That’s why he was put on the IR, not his foot. I’m out and about and can’t write it.

by Neal Coolong on Oct 23, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, they put him on IR because of a neck injury. No details but here's the link.

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/112722-ed-neck-injury-not-foot-drove-smith-to-ir

by Billy52 on Oct 23, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Great writing Neal.

"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Oct 23, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

Amen Neal!

In Rooney we trust!
anyone have an online stream. my email is ssbpd at yahoo.com

"Franco made that play because he never quit on the play. He kept running, he kept hustling. Good things happen to people who hustle."

by PCISteeler on Oct 23, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Good morning everybody.

"I think every quarterback should believe they’re the best. Do I think there are better quarterbacks than me? Possibly. But would I take anyone else with the ball in their hands at the end of the game? I don’t think so." - Ben Roethlisberger-

by Mini Hulk on Oct 23, 2011 2:10 PM EDT reply actions

Hi

Had your bacon yet?

by IronJake on Oct 23, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep. Cardinal bacon. lol

by Mini Hulk on Oct 23, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

you'd need a lot of cardinals for that!

by SteelersVT on Oct 23, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Man, I really hate it when we're one of the late games

“The Steelers are coming, The Steelers are coming, the Steeeeeeeelers are coming…..”

Bound to cover just a little more ground.

by Steeliver on Oct 23, 2011 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

But instead of a Krusty doll,

I’m clutching my Terrible Towel

Bound to cover just a little more ground.

by Steeliver on Oct 23, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

The Ravens haven’t played a 1pm game since week 2 against the Titans and don’t play another one until week 8.

And great episode of Simpsons.

Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.

Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 23, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Worilds inactive today

"you will hardly know who I am or what I mean"-Walt Whitman

by Pittsblitz56 on Oct 23, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Serious?

WTF is up with that guy?

by IronJake on Oct 23, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Who the hell is this guy you activated from PS? I heard he is starting, what happened to Heyward and Hood?

by Mr MaLoR on Oct 23, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Heyward and Hood are ends

Hood will start – and maybe take some snaps at the Nose
Heyward will back up Kiesel at the LDE
We are down two nose tackles – Hampton and Hoke so Mclendon is starting at the nose.
The guy from the practice squad is Corbin Bryant who will back up the nose tackle but my guess is that you won’t see him unless there are multiple injuries.

by SteelerBuddha on Oct 23, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions