Style Points Are For Metrosexuals?

I'm just gonna give this to you upfront - with these Browns on the horizon for Sunday, I really don't have much to say. Chances are, despite what Tomlin's saying about seriously wanting to win Sunday's game, Big Ben and the rest of the starters won't play much more than a half. Three quarters maybe. But a full game? My magic 8 ball says...


But I do have something to say this morning...

Re-watching Super Bowl XL yetserday with my family, it occurred to me - sometimes, it just takes one play.

Ike Taylor - 1 pick

Willie Parker - 1 75 yard run

Casey Hampton - 1 sack

Randle El - 1 gadget play TD to Hines Ward

Big Ben - 1 TD (rushing)

Without any of those plays, the Steelers probably wouldn't have won that game.

Hell, I mean, even for the Seahawks, Jerramy Stevens was dropping the ball like Dick Clark on New Years, but he caught the one that counted.

The point is, we've gotten down on the Offense a LOT this year. But listen, even putting Sunday aside, January is a whole new ball game. All this Offense needs is enough plays to win. It's like Tomlin was saying after Baltimore, style points don't always count for points on the board. What matters, especially at this time of year, is winning.

And listen, I've been as big of a critic as there can be of the Offense, but it could just be a matter of a few guys making one play (each) that breaks the game open. One play that measures up to the difference between winning and losing.

That said, one play by the Offensive line isn't quite going to cut it. They'd better have many [positive] plays in them. Or we're proverbially and royally, eff'd.

Either way, apparently we're still "committed to the run."

...Hmmm, that's funny...because I thought we gave up on that when we cut Dan Kreider?

Hey, Arians - actions speak louder than words. It might be prudent to employ a running game that doesn't consist of 10 draws a game...on 3rd and long. Get the net.



Also, sweet hat, Indiana Jones. What, did you lose a bet? Actually, I think Domski has one just like it. Maybe you and he can be pals.

Today's final word = Sunday, it's Gradkowski time.

Bonus.

So, how was Christmas? I got a Steelers fleece, a Steelers Five Greatest Games DVD and my Mom made me an OFTOT wall clock. I'm not even joking. Unfortunately, she couldn't make me a girlfriend, though. So that situation is still in flux.

What did y'all get?

EL YEAH, It's Tuesday!

First things first, this morning. Yes, I'm fully aware of the story about Keisel reading Eli Manning's lips, and I think that's just fabulous. Real nice work, Brett. We should've known you had special talents like lip reading. After all, you did go to that crazy Mormon school.

Anyways, with the Steelers heading to our nation's capital next week, only one thing comes to mind for me - Antwaan Randle El. I love that little dude. I was so upset when he left for DC. I mean, I know it's hard to turn down $31 million to stay and serve as Pittsburgh's #3 receiver for the relative equivalent of a bag of balls, but I guess I thought maybe hometown discount? What? No good?

Oh well, we had to part ways.

But that doesn't mean I don't still love the guy. Because I do. Imagine him in there returning kicks this year. Imagine him in there throwing trick play bombs to Hines Ward. Imagine him being super effing tiny.

I used to hate his West to East punt return style. I used to scream at the TV screen like it was Poltergeist and throw every four letter word I knew at him for losing 5 yards after spending 35 seconds running laterally. I called him a dunce. I told him he should be more like Hank Poteat (no I didn't). But in the end, I did it all out of love.

Daniel Snyder, you rich asshole. Screw you for paying him approximately 800 times what any other team would offer. Thanks for leaving us with Cedrick effing Wilson. You're a real dick, man. Not only that, but you look ridiculous. You look like a fatter version of this kid that used to live next to me in elementary school. That kid was a dork. You must be one too [says the pot to the kettle].

I'd also like to applaud the REDSKINS for holding their own in a sea of politically correctness (political correctivity?). You go, Nation's capital. Ethnic sensitivities? We'll have none of this here in America. Way to set an example for the rest of our proud American cities. I guess we should've all known you were crazy when your Mayor was found with Crack, did 6 months in prison for it and still got re-elected. Hey, what do you know? There's hope for me yet.

Ah, but I digress.

I've got a few friends who are members of Redskin Nation, all of whom are some of the coolest dudes I've ever met. And every other day but this coming Monday, I'd happily root for the 'Skins. I mean, they play in a division with the Eagles, vaGiants and Cowgirls. How could you not like them if they mean nothing to your team's success or failure? But unfortunately, we're playing them on Monday. So while I may love the many personalities of Clinton Portis, I have to vehemently hate them for at least one night.

Now, we're still early in the week, here. I don't wanna get too far ahead of myself, talking about game previews and stuff. But...let me just say that this is a very winnable game. Look at what happened a couple of weeks ago. The RAMS(!) went into Fed Ex Field and beat the 'Skins. Surely if that can happen, Ike Taylor can finally catch an interception...I mean, the Steelers can beat the Redskins.

Anybody else miss Randle El's life?

And That's Not All...

Thought I was done with the news/notes for tomorrow's game. Yet here I am back at the keyboard...well, I'm at a keyboard virtually all day, but you understand.

Just ran across this AP story about tomorrow's game. Apparently the Redskins first team offense has gone SIX straight preseason games without scoring a single point!! According to Santana Moss - "at this stage, with this offense, with this team, it's almost like now or never." Tough break for them, having to go up against our Big Nasty D this weekend. Hopefully we're able to do a good enough job to keep that streak alive and well. Sorry Santana, better luck next time my friend...that is, if all goes well (for us). Though, it should be noted that the last time the 'Skins first team offense registered a point was against the Steelers back in '05, so I guess we have to be confident but not arrogant (oops).

Other notes include:

• Portis and Rock Cartwright are out for the 'Skins so it's the Ladell Betts show. Not much less scary than if it were Portis. Actually, might be more scary.
• Starting for their prized left tackle Chris Samuels, currently injured, will be an undrafted free agent, Stephon Heyer. I like those odds. Woodley on an undrafted free agent? It's time to make the doughnuts.
• Skins Center Casey Rabach sums up the lack of preseason first string scoring nicely - "That's kind of the objective...If we move the ball up and down between the 20s, we'd feel pretty good about that, but the ultimate goal is to get in the end zone, and you kind of go home unsatisfied if you can't get in there."...Uh, yeah man. Isn't that the point of the game...as Herm Edwards has so eloquently put it, "You Play To Win The Game."

Contrastingly to all this, Mike Tomlin's objective was - "We have to try to master the things that require no talent." So what does that mean? Well understandably it means remembering how to "play hard, play fast, and know assignments." Precisely the kind of thing that's going to lead to success this season. Thank god for Tomlin...what a guy.

Oh and PS - remember Antwaan Randle El? Yeah, me neither. Whatever happened to that guy?