IX-A scary report has emerged from ESPN.com where they are reporting that if and when Bill Cowher decides to get back into coaching that Steelers G.M. Kevin Colbert will follow him to his new gig. Colbert has arguably been as important if not more important than either head coach Bill Cowher or Mike Tomlin in the two most recent super bowl victories. If you don't think Colbert is important just look at his first round draft picks since he took over for Tom Donahoe in 2000: Plaxico Burress, Casey Hampton, Kendall Simmons, Troy Polamamlu, Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Lawrence Timmons, Rashard Mendenhall, and Ziggy Hood.
X-After an outstanding preseason Stefan Logan made me think he could be one of the most electric return men in the league, but after almost an entire season, I am starting to realize he is nothing more than an average to above average return man. The sad part is it wasn't anything Logan did or didn't do that made me come to this realization, it was actually the insane punt return that DeSean Jackson had on Sunday night against the Giants. Jackson looked like he was from another universe during that return as he tight-roped down the sidelines for a 72 yard punt return. Jackson was taken in the 2008 draft only four picks ahead of our dear friend, Limas Sweed. (Ray Rice was taken two picks after Sweed).
XIII-I know I am behind the curve on this one, but I broke down and bought the book "The Blind Side" about current Raven's tackle Michael Oher and finished it this morning. I have yet to see the movie, and probably will wait till it comes out on DVD, but the book is a must read for football fans since the book isn't just a tale about Oher's rise to fame and fortune from his troubled childhood in West Memphis. The book uses Oher's story as a framework to discuss the value of the left tackle position in the NFL and it traces the moment when the left tackle was no longer paid and treated like an ordinary lineman back to Lawrence Taylor's entrance into the league. For those not into reading the movie is supposed to be terrific too and has grossed over 130 million dollars in the United States already.
XIV-Steelers current Left Tackle Max Starks isn't letting his big off-season raise affect him as he was recently named the Steelers 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Starks will go onto compete against 32 other nominees from each NFL team and one winner will be selected the 2009 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year during Super Bowl week this year in Miami. Starks has the "Max Starks Fund, through the Pittsburgh Foundation, to promote childhood literacy and education", as well as contributing to efforts for breast cancer awareness, a Thanksgiving food drive, and multiple other charities.
XL-Rookie Ramon Foster will be staring in place of injured guard Chris Kemoeatu again this week, so even if injuries are the cause the Steelers will be making a few personal changes. BTSC's favorite beat writer Jim Wexell questions whether the Steelers should blow up parts of the Steelers going forward.
XLIII-While the Steelers continue to struggle it was fun to watch teams like the Ravens, Jets, Texans, and Titans dominate inferior opponents the way solid football teams should do. Earlier this season the Steelers struggled to get a victory against the Lions, meanwhile the Ravens blew them away by 40 plus points yesterday and Ray Rice dominated the game. Some other brief thoughts about the NFL from Sunday:
- Quietly and with little national media attention Andre Johnson may be the best receiver in the game.
- The Season Chris Johnson is putting together is one that will be talked about for many years. If I had an M.V.P. vote it would go to Chris Johnson, while it's hard to argue against Drew Brees or Payton Manning Chris Johnson has been a beast all season long.
- It's a long shot that they make the playoffs but the San Fransisco 49'ers would be a team I wouldn't want to face in the playoffs. The seven turnovers that they forced last-night against a hot Cardinals team was quite impressive.