OFTOT Week In Review - Week 12...

Hey, you guys know what I discovered that's like, better than being drunk OR stoned (not that I'd know what either of those is like)? Being really really effing tired! I'm talking about like "I've been staying up 'til 3 AM for a week to watch re-runs of The Dog Whisperer," tired. You should really try it sometime. It's the only way to fly. The Dog Whisperer, not sleep deprivation...whoa, what?

So anyway, I was going to write an open letter to y'all apologizing for the fact that I've been real bad about responding to e-mails lately and missed MPIE yesterday, and how I've just been going out of my mind batshit crazy of late...

But then I heard they were building a Cluck-U Chicken in Hoboken.

Dude, you have no idea how excited I am about this! I don't know if any of y'all had Cluck-U on your campus, but at THE University of Delaware (go Blue Hens!) we sure did. And I, for one, took full advantage of this fact. Like every weekend. Not even joking.

In fact, this girl that lived in my building Sophomore year, worked there. And she used to give me free shit like all the time, which was probably the coolest connection I've ever had to this day (except perhaps Amos Zereoue). So I'd always call ahead and ask for "Dottie;" I'd give her my order, roll up to Main St. (or roll by, depending on where I was), grab those 12 wings nuclear, mashed potatoes and gravy real quick and book it back to the West Tower, where I'd absolutely dismantle every last wing, all the Bleu Cheese dressing and the potato and gravy mess before gracefully passing out face down in my bed.

But that was then.

Nowadays, I'm a Vegetarian. Actually, it's not really so much that I'm a Vegetarian, as it is a personal choice everyday not to eat meat (except seafood). Either way, for someone who doesn't eat meat, in theory I should not be nearly as excited about this as I am. Lord, why must you tempt me with your super fried, buffalo saucey goodness? You know I am weak!

So we'll see how that goes.

All kidding aside, I did want to "apologize" to all of you for jaggin' around lately. You've probably noticed that I've been lax about my fact checking. And I know you have because many of you have graciously pointed out how big of a retard I am in the comments. Also, some of these posts have been well, just eh, which, of course they always will be to a certain extent...after all, I write them. But maybe more than usual. And I've been pretty terrible at responding to e-mails as well. So for all that and anything else I've done lately that is out of character, I am sorry. Y'all are like my second family, and most days you come first. But my semester's winding down, work is ramping up and I'm trying to balance it all, trying not to let anything drop. So if this douchebaggery perpetuates, you'll at least know why.

Anyways, I did write some shit this week, including...

1. I think 15 people watched [Unnamed] Steelers Pregame Show this week. We're making progress!

2. 300+ yard passer, 115 yard rusher and a 1 point win, yay!

3. Making light of the rest of our divisions shortcomings...though the Ravens have curiously escaped much scrutiny as of late...I guess that's what happens when you have a winning record...you hear that, Cleveland?

4. I'm telling you, this Outtake Reel on Monday format is the wave of the future...

5. I guess in my head doing a post about last Sunday's game in pictures seemed like a good idea...perhaps not so much in practice?

6. Well, I guess it's tough for Willie to break any big runs without a healthy knee too, isn't it?

7. After re-watching the 1st half of last Sunday's game, I'm convinced that Silverback is held on almost every play. Too bad Roger Goodell doesn't read this blog!

8. This photoshop of Marvel Smith might be my favorite one to date. Even better than Steely McDevil! Too bad no amount of photoshoping can make his back any better...

9. I preceded Thursday night's game with my feelings on the matter...

10. Cris Collinsworth may have sucked, but Thursday night's game did not...

And for you music conoseiurs, I give you this weeks riffs...

1. My Life In The Knife Trade - Boy Sets Fire (3:20-End)
2. Moment of Truth - Gang Starr
3. The Pharmacist - Hot Rod Circuit (1:45-End)
4. This Way - Dialated Peoples
5. Thanks for Staying - Reggie and The Full Effect (2:08-End)

And your weekly bonus selection...
Things Done Changed - Notorious BIG

No game tomorrow, no show tomorrow, no liveblog tomorrow. I'll see y'all on Monday. God, I might actually get something done this weekend. Wish me luck. Cheers friends!

Oh, and by the way, the Browns have apparently "approached" Cowher with the generous offer of $8-$9 million to Coach the Browns. And according to the report, if Cowher were to accept, he'd likely try and recruit dudes like Kevin Colbert. I swear if this happens, I will either cry or go on some violent rage in protest. Simply put, this CAN NOT happen. Ugh...

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Ah, the truth comes out. Unfortunately, it doesn't involve Chad Johnson punching any of the Bengals coaches. Sigh. Color me disappointed.

Anyways, so it appears that 85 pulled a Plaxico Burress, arriving late to a team meeting and then basically just taking up space while the coaching staff reviewed what were probably some very pressing and important matters...ish. And after repeated attempts by Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski to snap him back to reality, Herr Marvin Lewis stepped in and brought the hammer down on bad boy Chad, sending him home to his mommy. No word on whether Chad will also get detention for this, but I've heard grumblings that they might put him on double top secret probation.

Either way, maybe OC (Ocho Cinco, get it?) should've consulted with his good buddy Donovan McNabb before he played footsie with the Bengals coaching staff. Then again, Donovan McNabb probably wouldn't have known about the rule regarding being on time for team meetings anyhow.

So, Chad - Congratulations on perpetuating your already negative image, dude. You're a model human being.

Well OC may have been late, but these links are right on time...

The Monday Friday Morning Chrysler New Yorker [PSaMP]

MJD thinks the Steelers are one of seven teams that could be in the Super Bowl. God, I hope so. But I can't say I'm that confident right now [Shutdown Corner]

Gary Russel's making more than just a statement about his goal line prowess...he's also showing us that his fashion sense is fierce! [You Lay On The Ice Like A Broad]

Just in case you're a masochist - here's the video of Chris Crocker wrecking Sansmokio. Methinks that no amount of cheeba could've helped him numb the pain from this one [Sports Crackle Pop]

Send LJKC some love...she spent three whole hours at the dentist yesterday. That's pretty much like watching any St. Louis Rams or Detroit Lions game...ouch [Superhero.]

Meeting People Is Easy to follow later on this afternoon (maybe). Gotta do some real work first so they don't stop paying me. Lord knows I need that cash to feed my addiction to Pepperidge Farm Mint Milanos.

Cris Collinsworth Approves Of Your Performance...

Well, alrighty then. We took care of that one, now, didn't we? I mean, I would've thought the score would be like 48-0, but I'll take 27-10. I gotta give it to 'em. The Bengals were really trying to win that game for a while. And in all honesty there were a couple of points where I started to get a really bad feeling like we were going to let a 1-8-1 team, missing one of its top receivers, among others, back into that game. But we didn't, really. And we got the win. So all is well in Steeler Nation today.

Or is it?

What happened to Willie Parker? A "tweaked knee?" That. Ain't. Good. And what about Brett Keisel? A sprained knee? I mean, that ain't legal good either. Ugh. Oh yeah, and Santonio has a concussion. That must be fun for him. But he did get ROCKED. So I guess we should be glad he's not hurt worse.

That all aside, we can at least enjoy this win a little bit. Ben's statline wasn't quite as robust as last week in certain areas (though it was great overall), but he did improve in one key area - TDs, running one in from eight yards out, and throwing one in to HEATH!!!, who surprisingly was an integral part of the overall game plan for once.

And while I thought we could have won this one by a few more, I can't really complain about the overall performance, considering we only had like three days off to prepare. So without any further bullshitting, let's run through the "Things That Were Awesome," "Things That Were Not Awesome," and "Things That Made Me Want To Punch Cris Collinsworth In The Face" (which, to be fair, I would have wanted to do even if nothing bad happened, but I'm gonna go with it anyway).

Things That Were Awesome
1. Willie Gay looked pretty damn good last night. Hooray for Gay!
2. Mewelde Moore - 15 carries, 56 yds, 4 catches, 44 yds and a key part of winding that game down in the 4th quarter. Bravo, Memo.
3. A couple of successful screen passes? Surely Bruce Arians could not have called this game?
4. Aaron Smith - THREE passes defended! That's what I'm talkin' about!
5. Upside Down Dogs...I'm literally laughing out loud right now.
6. The soundtrack for this post.
7. Troy Polamalu is a monster! Ridiculous game and another pick.
8. ZERO offensive turnovers. Two weeks in a row, yay! We're making progress.
9. Aw, Gary Russel's first TD. Our boy is growing up so fast.
10. James Farrior - EIGHT solo tackles, to lead the team. Dude is Thirty. Three.

Things That Were Not Awesome
1. Nate Washington pass interference. I mean, it kind of looked like the DB ran into him, but damn that sucked.
2. ONE sack? Against a line that had two rookies starting on the left side?
3. Cris Collinsworth. And just because. No real reason necessary.
4. Letting Ryan Fitzpatrick drive the Bengals 58 yards in less than a minute on the Bengals last drive (at least Troy ended that one).
5. Letting the Bengals score at all. How was that game not even more lopsided?

Things That Made Me Want to Punch Cris Collinsworth in the Face
1. Keisel's injury.
2. Limas "Hands Team" Sweed getting knocked into the football on that kickoff. This isn't basketball, man. They're allowed to hit you.
3. Earth to Bruce Arians, that reverse call? Yeah, knock it off. That shit is worthless.
4. Illegal block out of bounds on a punt? Who? Why?
5. Paul Ernster (Pornster) - You sir, are fired. Make it happen, Tomlin.

Oh, and one more big fat sack of shit thing -- The internet feeds of the game on channelsurfing.net and justin.tv. You all, can suck a dick. If you're going to broadcast something like a football game, and a Steelers game at that, you better make sure your feed is immune from everything! I actually might have murdered "justdonate" if that dude's feed had screwed up one more time. Do not incur the wrath! But, you know, thanks for broadcasting...so I could actually see the game...which reminds me...

I guess we've really got the NFL to thank for that one. Listen up, dick mongers. Screw you and your bullshit channel. As if you don't make enough money off of merchandising, licensing, and fining the Steelers, you've gotta make your network only available on certain cable/satellite providers and require people to pay extra for it? Give me a break. You and your channel can go get effed. Seriously.

Anyways, with that win, we move to 8-3 on the season, a full two games ahead of those Ratbirds from STDmore. At least until Sunday when they face the Illadelphia Donovan McNabb Circus Show. Let's hope the Eagles are so thoroughly embarrased by the fact that they tied with, and almost lost to, the Bengals that they come out and destroy the Ravens. Just absolutely dismantle them. That, friends, would make me very happy. So Andy Reid, if you're listening, cut that 'stache, first of all, you dick. Makes you look like Holmgren's fanboy. That or the Wizard of Oz. Second of all, quit jaggin' around with the ball and put it in the end zone. Ride the Don-o-van to victory. Your in state brethren need you. Do your civic duty.

So guys, what do we think? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? What were your Awesome, Not Awesome and Collinsworth face-punching worthy moments?

OFTOT's Steelers Gameday Liveblog...

Man, nothing like a little pregame with Property law to set the mood, right?

God, I've been waiting all day for this! I hope we murder the Bangles!

Let's. Do. This...

Eeny, Meany, Miney, Moe...

Just a few short hours
'Til the Bengals come to town
And we get to watch our Steelers
Beat them the hell down

The Wood's already salivating
Big Ben's ready to make it rain
Not to mention I think it's about time
For Silverback to inflict some pain!

So drag yourself home from work
Put some dinner on and relax
And get ready to watch the Steelers
Kick some Bengal ass
HERE WE GO, STEELERS! HERE WE GO!

See y'all at 8:15.

Ooooooooooooooooooo, Black and Golddust!

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

UPDATE: This shit is true! YES!!!! That's just awesome.

Ok, yes. Using a Deadspin post is kind of like having someone else do the work for you. But with a headline like this, how could I resist?

Frankly, if true, this is awesome.

First of all, why in the name of Al Gore would the General Manager of an NFL franchise post his e-mail address publicly on his team's website? I mean, that's just asking for trouble. Second of all, why in the name of Bernie Kosar would PHIL SAVAGE, GM of one of the most mediocre NFL franchises in recent history post his e-mail address publicly on the Browns website? I mean, dude, I see nothing good coming of that.

Now, you may be wondering, what did this fan allegedly say to Phil and what did Phil allegedly say in return? Well, I'll show you...



HA! That certainly was Savage of him (oh, the puns)...

Again, if this is true (which is doubtful, in my opinion) - Nice work, Phil. Like the Malibu Chief of Police, you're a real reactionary.

Hopefully I won't get any emails like that for posting these links...

Sid the kid - his excellence is not just limited to hockey [PSaMP]

Check me out failing on another site [Fan Foodie]

Chad Johnson DEACTIVATED for tonight's game...for fighting Marvin Lewis? Wow, I'll bet every Bengals fan in America wishes he had fought Mike Brown instead [PFT]

Brady Quinn apparently has a fractured index finger. But unlike Tony Homo, he's planning on playing through it (yes, daily peanut gallery, I know it was Romo's pinky, not index finger) [Cleveland.com]

Herpes is to York College's Wrestling Program as Staph Infections are to the Cleveland Browns (my words, not theirs). That's effing interesting, man [Deadspin]

I have no idea who this is, but I think I love her [This Is Getting Old]

A couple more notes for you...
1. There will be a liveblog tonight. However, I have class until 7:40. So I'll be rushing home, hopefully in time for kickoff. But if I'm a little delayed, don't fret (not that you would anyhow). Also, I'll likely be watching on the interwebs. So that should make things rather interesting...either way, show up and join the fun, around 8:15!

AND

2. I've still got a little room on this week's Meeting People Is Easy panel. So if you're interested, email me - onefortheotherthumb@gmail.com

/done

Ape > Tiger...

Lock your doors and hide your valuables, Pittsburgh, for the Cincinnati Bengals cometh. Yes, I'm sure this is the matchup you've been anticipating for weeks. You know, since the last time we played them, like a month ago.

What has changed for the dudes in orange and black stripes? Not a whole lot. They won a game against Jacksonville and kind of almost won a game against Philadelphia. But we're still talking about Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cedric Benson, TJ Douchemanzadeh and Queen Chad Johnson (UPDATE: Wrong. Chad Johnson will not be playing. He's been deactivated).


Only this time around, they're also missing the whole left side of their offensive line. The last time we played these jokers, we sacked that Ryan Fitzpatrick seven times. And that was when Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth were both still healthy. So I can't even imagine what Silverback and The Wood will do to Fitzpatrick tonight.

Not only that, but the Bangles just went toe to toe with the Eagles Defense on Sunday. And say what you will about the tenets of national socialism Eagles, their Defense is pretty good...and physical. So, the smart money says they're probably a little banged up even beyond the two aforementioned lineman (not that we're not, but you know what I mean).

Either way, the Associated Press has astutely extrapolated the following headline from a Max Starks quote - "07 Loss to Jets Makes Steelers Wary of Bengals." Did I make the immediate connection? Nope. Frankly, I'm not even sure the AP did. But as it turns out, when we met the Jets last season, it was November 18 (today's the 20th), our record was 7-2 (we are, of course, currently 7-3) and their record was 1-8 (Cincy's is 1-8-1). Plus, their QB was backup Kellen Clemens, although HE had replaced Chad Pennington due to the fact that Pennington was playing worse than Trent Green the Concussed, while Fitzpatrick is starting for Carson Palmer the Great due to injury.

I just hope they don't try and pull a flea flicker like the Jets did last year. That shit was terrible. Embarrassing. And I had to sit there, surrounded by Jets fans screaming in my face about how bad they were and the fact that they had just successfully torched us with a 56 yard flea flicker on the 2nd play of the game. No joke, part of their dig was that their team was so far in the crapper, and yet they were still making us look like the St. Louis Rams. Of course, the worst part was - at that point, I had nothing to say. They were so right.

Anyways, do I see this Cincy game going that way? Nah, not really. I would hope we learned from that experience. Plus, this year we haven't been as blessed with health and success concurrently. Last season, if I remember correctly, we were completely healthy when we met the Jets. And not only that, we were enjoying a generous and perhaps a bit fraudulent record - having only beaten the Browns (twice), Bills, 49ers, Seahawks, Bengals and Ravens. This year, we've had a tougher road to sled what with our schedule and all the injuries. I think with the ups and downs we've had this season, hopefully it's helped us realize not to take anything for granted.

But all that aside, we haven't scored a touchdown in almost two full games (just under 7 quarters). Now might be the time to change that. You know how in basketball sometimes you just start laying brick after brick and if you move in closer and take a couple of easy shots, you get your touch back? Well maybe this is the football equivalent. Go in there, keep the Offensive momentum, but this time get six instead of three. God, I hope they score like 56 points tonight.

Now, your turn. The Bangles - What say you?

Marvel Smith - What's Up With His Life?

So here's something that sucks - Our ol' buddy, Marvel Smith, has missed the last six games with back spasms and will be missing tomorrow's game due to this continued affliction.

You'll remember he also had to cut short his '07-'08 campaign to have surgery back (pun intended) last December.

Now, the team's Doctors are trying to determine whether these problems require another surgery.

I'm no expert (shocking, I know), but a 30-year-old Left Tackle who's missed 10 out of the last 20 games because of back problems for which he's already had surgery once and may need surgery for again, sounds serious.

You think there's any chance we get him back at any point this season? Or ever, for that matter? And similarly, in your opinion, has Max Starks been earning that 7 mil in Marvel's 'stead?

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Oh, I get it! What a cute pun. The Browns won primarily because of a missed field goal by Scott Norwood Ryan Lindell, but also because Phil Dawson forgot that he was born during the Cretaceous period and hit a ridiculous 56 yard field goal to put the Browns ahead. Clever, indeed. Almost as clever as the title, "Just Hold Me, Baby" for a post about Silverback getting held...

So I'm sure Browns nation is surging with pride over this. And I mean, who wouldn't be? The Bills are obviously an AFC powerhouse. A force to be reckoned with. That's why they're last place in the AFC East with a record of 5-5. Yeah. Dude, whatever. I still love Paul Posluszny either way.

But in all seriousness, a win is a win. And if the Steelers had beaten the Bills, I'd be happy. Even if they are basically just Marshawn Lynch and a pretty good Special Teams unit. So good for you, Browns. You go, Brady Quinn! You're looking so fetch these days! That 39% completion percentage was fierce!

Brady Quinn and the Browns, like these links and Hansel - so hot right now...

Silverback = Defensive POTW! [PSaMP]

Jesus Christ, no. Steelers fans, please go vote for the pro bowl [Shutdown Corner]

Matt's thoughts on Sunday's game...in blog form [Superhero.]

The Pens may have lost, but at least you can watch this video of Jordan Staal scrapping [HFSS]

Wow. You pretty much have to watch this video of Yardbarker guru Dewey Hammond getting choked out by Frank Shamrock [Hard for the Yard]

Stuff White People Like #116 - Black Music that Black People Don't Listen to Anymore. Guilty... [Stuff White People Like]

Lastly, if anyone would like to be part of this week's "expert" Meeting People Is Easy panel, hit me with a quick email - onefortheotherthumb@gmail.com. I'm in the process of assembling the motley crew now.

PS - Big ups to my boy, Mike for sending me this pic below. Bombs over Baghdad...meet Terrible Towels over Afghanistan!

Just Hold Me, Baby...

Now, you guys know I don't like to complain about officiating. Mostly I figure if you get flagged for something - A. You've probably put yourself in a position to be penalized and/or B. If it's a shitty call, you have to chalk it up to human error (not that it means you can't be pissed off about it). But after hearing this talk all season about how Silverback is "held on every play," I decided to have a look for myself.

So I rewatched [painfully] the first half of Sunday's game, keeping a watchful eye on #92. What I saw was about five different occasions of what I thought was pretty clearly holding.

Now, I've gotta reiterate, I don't know what it's like to be an official. I mean, I never even played football (plus, I have a soul, so). I just have a general sense of what holding is and so I was pretty judicious when vetting these plays. I didn't call anything holding I didn't think was pretty obviously holding.

Oh, and I tried to keep track of which plays were which. But you might as well assume that there's only a 45% chance that I got them right (as usual). If you really wanna know, go see for yourself. Bottom line is they happened.

Anyways, some might say you can call holding on every play. To those people I say - Whatever, I'm just trying to write about something for this here weblog. Some might also say I should get a life - sitting here analyzing a game that happened three days ago. To those people I say - you are obviously not Steeler fans. But in case all YOU Steeler fans are interested, check the evidence below...

HOLD #1 - 1st Play of the Chargers 2nd Drive
Time Stamp : 10:14 left in 1st Quarter
Perpetrator: TE Antonio Gates




HOLD #2 - 5th Play of the Chargers 2nd Drive
Time Stamp: 8:18 left in the 1st Quarter
Perpetrator: Appears to be LT Marcus McNeill and LG Kris Dielman(?)




HOLD #3 - 1st Play of the Chargers 3rd Drive
Time Stamp: 0:12 Seconds Left in the First Quarter
Perpetrator: FB Brandon Manumaleuna




HOLD #4 - 3rd Play of the Chargers 3rd Drive (aka The Safety)
Time Stamp: 14:54 Left In The 2nd Quarter
Perpetrator: FB Brandon Manumaleuna





HOLD #5 - 2nd Play of Chargers 5th Drive
Time Stamp: 3:39 Left in the 2nd Quarter
Perpetrator: LT Marcus McNeill and LG Kris Dielman










I think there was a 6th, but frankly, I'm not going to go back and watch this shit again. And hey, maybe this won't get us anywhere with the league, but at least my phone's got some new wallpaper. Suck a dick, officials.

Silverback - You can't stop him. You can only hope to...have him committed?


I'm done for the morning. Let's discuss.

Where Have All The Big Runs Gone?

"That's the drive that really like -- just keep calling run plays, keep calling run plays...The defense knows we're about to run and they just can't stop it. That's Steeler football to me."

- Willie Parker

Alright, listen. I love Steeler football. I love running the ball. I love controlling the clock. I love ice cream sandwiches. But my question is, will we see any more of Willie's traditionally ridiculous runs with the Fullback position virtually non-existent in Arians' Offense? Willie's still fast. No denying that. But he himself has acknowledged that he prefers running behind a Fullback.

It just makes sense, to me, at least. He's not Jerome Bettis, and the blocks a Fullback would lay out in front of him would create more holes or bigger holes for him to use his quickness and burst through for big gains. Now, I don't have any numbers to support this, much to the chagrin of some of you, no doubt. But it seems logical enough to me.

Willie Parker isn't going to run anyone over, at least not consistently. Nor do I want him to, really. Just look at what's happened between last season and this season - we de-emphasized the Fullback position and Willie broke his leg in Week 15 last season and had already injured his knee by Week 4 this season (not to mention also injuring his shoulder in Week 9). Maybe there's a correlation, maybe there isn't...

I would just rather see him have games like the one he had against New Orleans in 2006 (which Domski and I attended) or the one he had against Cleveland that same year. Of course, I recognize that those could easily have been once (twice?) in a lifetime games, but I have to think that if we had a guy in there paving the way for him (in addition to Kemoeatu), he'd be breaking a lot more big runs - I'm talking about the home runs, the 20+ yarders. This season, his longest run was 32 yards. Last season, it was also 32. In 2006, it was 76. And in 2005, it was 80. I'm just sayin'...

Either way, I doubt Arians has any firm plans to change what he's doing with this Offense anytime soon...and maybe he shouldn't? I don't know. I'm just throwing the thought out there. I'm not saying I want the Steelers to be handing the ball off on every play. But if you've got Willie Parker running like the established home run (pun intended) threat we know that he can be, everything else should follow, including some of Arians' favs (hell, the reverse might even work...uh, well maybe not, but).

Of course, the flipside to all of this is - Steeler football isn't necessarily big runs. It's running the ball effectively enough to control the game. And that Willie has done pretty well under Arians (when he's not hurt, that is). But come on, who doesn't want to see Willie busting another 75 yarder for a score? I know I do.

Am I crazy or does this make some sense?

See, I told y'all I'd make it up to you this afternoon.

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Me neither.


Sure are.


Fuckin' A**.

Fewest. Words. Ever.

Links. Read them...

Head tattoos. Good for your brain...probably not. Sweet 'stache, though [PSaMP]

Vote Willie for FedEx Ground Player of the Week! [NFL.com]

And Silverback for GMC Defensive Player of the Week! h/t - Sheena! [NFL.com]

The Daily News thinks we'd give the G-Men the hardest time in the Super Bowl. For the record, so do I...if our Offense learns how to score TDs, that is [NY Daily News]

Sean poses some interesting Steelers questions [Sean's Ramblings]

Wait, who's telling Joe Greene he wouldn't be so Mean today? [CBS Sportsline]

The Eagles Offense was predictable? That's never happened before. /throws ball to Brian Westbrook in the flat [Philly.com]

Cool, 'cause I was gonna blame you, anyhow. So... [Associated Press]


** Rare occasion in which I will actually use the F word in it's full written out form. Apologies if this offends your delicate sensibilities or somehow damages my credibility in your eyes. If you'd like to pay me to write this blog, I'll gladly knock this douchebaggery off promptly.

Steelers Sunday In Pictures...

[Words]

[Funny Words]

[1st Attempt at Transition]

[Unnecessary Afterthought]

[Stalling]

[More Stalling]

[Cotter gets to the point in 3...2...1...]

Ladies and Gents, I give you OFTOT's Steelers Sunday In Pictures - November 16, 2008...you're probably going to want to click on these to enlarge...enjoy!























And here's one for you guys...add your caption in the comments...


Yeah, 'll be back with something half decent later on this afternoon. Shit's rough nowadays, ya know?

Take THAT To The Bank!

Jeff Reed sealed this one with a 32 yarder, once again proving that he's straight cash, homey...

Well, despite the fact that I think Hines Ward was just called for holding AGAIN, that win feels pretty good. Not in the sense that it instilled any confidence that our Offense has its shit together, but in the sense that we needed a win and we got one. The Ravens lost were embarrassed yesterday by the Giants, dropping them to 6-4. So 7-3 puts us ahead again.

And while I still don't know if I feel that great about our Offense, the numbers tell a different tale. Which is precisely why I never trust them. Check this out, Ben threw for 308 yards, Hines caught 11 balls for 124 yards, Willie rushed for 115 yards and yet, we didn't score ONE touchdown. Three field goals. That's all we could get. Of course, the Chargers aren't exactly the Bengals when it comes to Defense. But I have to believe that if we had our shit together, we could've won that game by a hell of a lot more than 1 point (removing the last second TD that was erroneously negated anyhow).

On the flip side, we got to enjoy another dominating Defensive performance from Silverback and friends. Philip Rivers only completed 15 passes for 159 yards and also managed to throw two picks. LT only gained 57 yards on 18 carries (a 3.2 yd avg.), though he did find his way three yards to the end zone in the 1st Quarter. And the Chargers leading receiver (after LT, who was the real top receiver) was Malcolm Floyd, two catches for 29 yards. Just another days work for the league's top Defensive unit, I'd say. Still feels fantastic, though.

So let's review this weeks "Things That Were Awesome," "Things That Were Not Awesome," and "Things That Almost Put Me On Suicide Watch."

Here goes...

Things That Were Awesome:
1. Troy's ridiculous pick! That's two on the season.
2. Forced fumble for a Safety, crucial interception, and a sack. That'll do, Silverback
3. Spaeth - 6 catches, 55 yds and as Pat pointed out, he learned how to fall forward
4. Doug Brien feels your pain, Nate Kaeding
5. Keisel sacking the shit out of Philip Rivers in the 2nd Quarter!
6. I called what the score should have been, and also Big Ben throwing for 300 yards
7. And yeah, Big Ben - 308 yards, Completion %age of 76, and 0 INTS!
8. Holding LT to just 57 yds
9. WILLIE PARKER! - 115 yards (and why not run HIM at the goal line?)
10. Hines - 11 for 124 yds

Things That Were Not Awesome:
1. Anthony Smith, fair catch interference. You sir, are fired!
2. Penalties that were not awesome, #s 5, 6, 7 & 8 - offensive holding on Spaeth, McHugh and Hines (twice!)
3. Philip Rivers. Ha, why not?
4. Mewelde Moore: 1 rush for -1 yard (prepare to be dropped like a bad habit in everyone's fantasy leagues)
5. Ike Taylor took a rough shot to the 'Nards

Things That Almost Put Me On Suicide Watch:
1. Oh, I know what'll work. That same play we unsuccessfully ran on the goal line last week. Brilliant!
2. 410 yds of Offense and 0 touchdowns
3. Paul Ernster's punt avg? 31 yards. Thank God we upgraded from Mitch Berger!
4. Anyone know who Jacques Cesaire was before yesterday? Well, anyways he sacked Ben twice...
5. Let me see if I understand this. Kicking a 51 yd Field Goal at Heinz is iffy in good conditions, but you want to try one in the snow? Naturally.

We've got a short week to prepare for the Bungles on Thursday. In case you've forgotten, they still suck, although I'm sure they're real psyched about tying the Eagles yesterday. Especially because Shayne Graham had a shot at making them 2-8 and missed! So 1-8-1 they are. Ryan Fitzpatrick is still their QB. Marvin Lewis is still their Coach. And Cincinnati Chili still sucks. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, but if we were going to play anyone on a short week, I think we can agree that the Bangles are a fine choice.

Now, I'm eager to hear your respective thoughts on this one. What ya'll got?