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The worry last season was the lack of ability to apply cutesy puns on the relationship of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley.
There was no Bromance. They weren't BFFs, according to many reports. There were no Parcells and Taylor comparisons to how they acted toward each other. We didn't even get a Hetero Lifemates joke. It was more Martin and Steinbrenner.
Ben could play Sunday if he needed to
As assumed, though, their positive relationship is being pushed much higher on the overall agenda this offseason. According to Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette:
"After Haley was hired last year, the story became how long it took for the new coordinator and the old quarterback to finally speak to one another. This year, they can't stop."
It's an old-fashioned story of Bromance. Todd and Ben, perhaps more masculine circles would refer to their collective togetherness as "Bod."
The word "icy" was used to describe their previous relationship, but now, and perhaps in wake of the likely elimination of Disco Dan from the Pittsburgh sports vernacular, Bod comes at a good time.
The Steelers' offense - much like the Penguins - stagnated over the final four games of their season. A big part of that was Roethlisberger's injury and inactivity, but Haley was also down right tackle MIke Adams and left guard Willie Colon - the team averaged over 4.7 yards a carry when the pair was starting.
With injuries chipping away at the team's offensive potential, Haley rested the bulk of the offense on the balky right arm of his future BFF, Roethlisberger.
The results were not what the couple hoped for in the early stages of their relationship. A rough end to the 2012 season leads to the need for both of them to come together. They're both competitive, by all accounts, and winning is the most important thing.
Competition can breed positive overall results. Let's hope their blustering Bromance can as well.