AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Alright, so check this out. I had this thing all written at like Noon yesterday. But because I'm a giant vag and refuse to post anything I haven't read 16 times to make sure I've said everything funny I possibly can, it was not posted. There's a good chance that may happen again today. Sometimes you just have to pay attention to your adult-ish responsibilities. And shit.

Anyways, if this isn't funny, I'm denying all culpability.

I'm not a machine, you savages...

Read on...now.

So, putting aside the fact that the "Red Report" is the name of this Cardinals publication, I'm not sure if I find it more funny or miserable that there's actually a whole article wherein these clowns openly admit that the Cardinals want Steeler dong worse than Rosie O'Donnell wants a sexchange.

Anyways, I'm not really sure where I was going with this. I just saw it and posted it because it seemed relevant. And because unfortunately, as much as I might like to have spent the better part of my day surfing the intertubes, that's just not a luxury I was able to enjoy yesterday. As it was, I wrote this largely in the 15 minute break I had between classes yesterday morning.

...Ah, you know what. To hell with it. I'm not gonna waste your time with subpar, I haven't slept in three nights, bush league attempt at humor which probably wouldn't have been that funny anyway. Just go to the links.

By the way, there's a 70% chance that these links sweat this blog's nuts...

FACT - There are few things funnier than a Geno interview [PSaMP]

Gigler has some lofty aspirations for Dan Rooney's ambassadorship - bring U2 to Heinz. Nate has undoubtedly already friended him on Facebook [Blog 'n' Gold]

Now that Dan Rooney is an ambassador, he'll be taking a step back from running the team. Your move, Art II [Post-Gazette]

Jets block Browns acquisition of Abram Elam. Poor Mangina, now he'll actually have to evaluate some talent [Associated Press]

Like, I guess John St. Clair, who the Browns just signed [Associated Press]

They also signed Noah Herron. Some team that Mangina's assembling, huh? [OBR]

Peter King thinks it's either Bucs or Jets for Cutler. Good for him [SI.com]

Cardinals retain Clark Haggans' services. Good for THEM [Associated Press]

Ravens sign Eagles washout LJ Smith. Embarrassing fact of the day - I once drafted LJ Smith in fantasy. Epic bust [ESPN]

A Browns fan expresses his frustration at the state of the Browns affairs [OBR]

Tucked away in here - Derrick Williams hopes to show he's better than a 4th rounder. I'm sure he's not the only one... [Yahoo! Sports]

Barring anything that happens in the draft, Marc Bulger should have a fun 2009 [The Legend of Cecilio Guante]

The only word that can accurately describe Geno is "animal" [The Pensblog]

Could the Pirates contend in 2010? Good question [WHYGAVS]

Video of Obama picking North Carolina...(PITT FTW!) [NESW Sports]

Best picture I've seen in a while. Also, Steve wrote some words [Steve Is Alive]

What a picture to caption! [Sports Crackle Pop]

I know I say this just about every day, but I really do have an unhealthy love affair with Carbolic Smoke Ball [Carbolic Smoke Ball]

I would love to do this someday [FAIL Blog]

Alkaline Trio/Saves The Day tour. Would I go see this? Most likely [Punk Rock News]

Seems like a lot of effort for someone who is quitting his job, but who doesn't like cake? [9-to-Fried]

I wanted to end this with some sort of YouTube video or something. But unfortunately, by the time I got around to posting this, I could barely see the screen. Let alone search YouTube for 45 minutes to find 30 seconds of someone falling off a roof. Besides, if I wanted to see that, I'd conjure up memories of Silky Johnson in college.
AAAAALLLLLLLLRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!

Go Blue Hens!

And lastly, you all are to be commended. I have a good cross section of ridiculous images. I could always use a few more. But no pressure. Just, you know, do whatever...

/I'm so sleeping right now

Obligatory Footer - If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, join the blog network and follow me on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.

You Said It, Lady...

All you need is the first five seconds of that one to know what I'm talking about. And actually, I'd counsel you not to watch much further than that. Because frankly, it's all downhill from there.

Unless, of course, you've got a few thousand brain cells you don't need...

Coincidentally, I think this chick may be on to something. This seems like a fantastic way to learn your NFL history.

Unfortunately, the first five seconds of this one aren't nearly as accurate...or amusing, for that matter...


Anyways, this weekend's biggest Steelers news was that Bryant McFadden is now an Arizona Cardinal.

My initial thought? What if you had a former friend who, every time you stopped dating a girl, would immediately pursue them like Romeo Crennel pursues a donut?

I mean, you wouldn't really care - after all, they're all girlfriends you've dumped. And yet, part of you still wants to punch him in the face for being such an aggressive douchebag.

It would be really easy for me to make the "Raising Arizona" or "Pittsburgh West" jokes here. But there would be a huge picture of those jokes next to the word "lame" in the dictionary.

And I can't really express my thoughts on this any better than I did on Twitter last night...


Some of you might argue that this is more shocking than the day you found out that Santa Clause was just some cruel joke. But you people would be kidding yourselves. And probably also huffing glue. Don't even try and lie, if I told you before free agency began that Bryant McFadden would sign with the Cardinals, you'd have believed me in a heartbeat.

I gotta hand it to Arizona, though, man. In the past week, they've really made it rain in proportionately-Daniel-Synder-esque fashion. Kurt Warner for 2 years, $23 million last week. Bryant McFadden for 2 years, $10 million this week.

However, one does wonder - With all this spending, how WILL they have the money and cap space to restructure Anquan Boldin's contract?

Oh well, not my problem.

So we lose a solid Corner who may/may not grow up to be a Pro Bowler someday (PS - he's already 27). Willie Gay looked pretty good last year in his limited action. I'm not really too worried about it.

I mean, if he knows as much about playing Corner as he does about public relations, we should be just fine...

Lil' Jon's laughing all the way to the bank, kid.

RIP B-Mac's career in Pittsburgh.

He was a good man, and thorough.

Any reactions or did those videos put you at a loss for words?

Obligatory Footer - If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, join the blog network and follow me on Twitter. Or don't. Your choice, really.

Leave It To A Browns Fan...

Apparently some garbage "newspaper" out in Phoenix, calling itself the Phoenix New-Times, ran a story just before the Super Bowl titled, "Talking (to) Trash." And as you might imagine from it's oh so subtle suggestiveness, that headline refers to the writers view that we Steelers fans are "trash."

The whole thing is basically a bulleted list of some pretty out of line insults that Cardinals fans could throw at Steelers fans, which I'm willing to bet was probably necessary since Arizona's fan base seemed pretty ill equipped to do much of anything in a traditional fan sense.

I'm not even going to paste some of them on here they're so obnoxious (See: Invoking the name Kordell), but if you wanna get fired up, feel free to check them out yourself.

Some of the "tamer" ones were...

"You know what separates Cardinals fans from Steelers fans?" Then, open your mouth, point to your teeth and say, "They're all real, baby!"

"Big Ben's not gonna to remember his mama's face if he takes another big hit. He'll be hugging the first wrinkled skank in cut-offs he sees."

"You're drinking beer out of a cup? Security must've taken your Mason jar."

"Man, I'm surprised you can cheer so loud with black lung!" (Any authentic Steelers fan's got at least a cousin or two who's died from the terrible disease.)

Of course this hack is a Browns fan. Which, apparently because of the Browns consistent bed shitting, he feels entitles him to be an asshole.

Frankly, if my team were so miserable year after year I'd have a hard time talking shit to anyone. But as we well know, Browns fans are a highly irrational bunch devoid of logic, common sense, and decency.

I just find it rather amusing that this guy's a Browns fan and he's calling Steelers fans trash? He must not know any other Browns fans.

Be sure to read the comments. I'm pretty sure they're all from Steelers fans.

What a waste of internet space.

Poor Reggie Wells...

This man is Reggie Wells. He's the Cardinals starting Left Guard, a native of South Park, and played his college ball at Clarion. But I guess no one felt him interesting enough to pester with stupid questions?

I mean, you're talking about a guy who's been a Guard for the Cardinals for six years, which I believe is officially long enough to qualify him as legally insane. No love on media day?

I'm just kidding. I'm sure plenty of reporters dropped by to pick his brain. And for the record, Reggie, I'd be happy to fire questions at you anytime. Even if you are my enemy this Sunday.

Cardinals Using Media Day To Cop A Cheap Feel...

All business yesterday, all party today? Does this mean The Whis brought the hammer down on Scrip Club attendance?








Sidenote - I think that's a dude, but still...

Meanwhile, Brian St. Pierre's way to busy playing with his pink football to be bothered with this nonsense...

Not a fan of the ladies, I guess. Who knows?

Well, they've been primed. Your move, Big Ben.

Forgive Me Father, For I Have Cardinal Sinned...

Not really. I just thought that'd be a good pun. In hindsight, maybe I should start questioning my own judgment more often. Oh well, is this a Steelers blog? I forgot.

That's Cardinal Warner, there, by the way. I'll bet nobody else has ever done THAT with Photoshop. Yep, strictly novel thinking here at OFTOT. 311 would be proud.

Nah, listen. About the Warner and God jokes. Before anyone gets up in arms or whatever, I'm just joking. He's a fantastic human being. Makes me feel like joining the peace corps every time I think about how much good he does vs. how much I do. That said, the jokes are not going to stop.


No, I already tried that, Jesus! Who do you think you're talking to, Brett Favre? Oh Yeah? Well maybe you should put God on the phone, then!

Anyways, I successfully made it through last week's veritable dead zone without getting too heavily into the actual game. Without getting into it at all, really. So I suppose that means I should talk about it this week, right? Sure, why not.

So, yeah, everyone wants to talk about how we fared last year against the Cardinals, presumably in order to provide some sort of context for this Sunday's one game to rule them all. But as far as I'm concerned, there ain't nothing valuable gained by living in the past (a theme you'll see repeated in today's AFC North Headline of the Day). Last year's Cardinals are not this year's Cardinals. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Here's a list of 10 things I know about this year's Cardinals...

1. Matt Leinart sucks
2. Larry Fitz is unstoppable
3. Kurt Warner is a big God fan
4. Todd Haley is completely non-confrontational
5. They're not blowing the rest of the league anymore
6. They suddenly have a defense?
7. Anquan Boldin is slowly becoming the $6 million man
8. I should've gone to Arizona State
9. Edgerrin James is pissed off (and getting pissed ON by opposing Defenses)
10. A bunch of people who were not Cardinals fans before are now Cardinals fans

You wanna know why we lost that game last year? Same shit, different year, man...


Turnovers.


Penalties.


Four sacks allowed.


Giving up a punt return TD.

Tell me the last time a team turned the ball over twice (once in the end zone), committed 11 penalties, let its QB get sacked four times, and allowed a 73 yard punt return to a rookie, and actually won the game. If you can find it, I'll send you a package of Mint Milano cookies.

By the way, at the end of last year's game, we attempted an onside kick. You remember who recovered it?

That's right...

Larry Fitzgerald.

But right now, the Steelers are the winners of two straight playoff games against two good ass AFC teams. Alright, the Chargers are debatable. But either way, we're relatively healthy, unlike last time. And this is kind of like, a pretty big game. Or so they tell me.

Here's what I WILL say about this upcoming Super Bowl game, besides the fact that I'm already developing an ulcer and it's only Monday - the Steelers just have to do what they've been doing on Offense. Run the ball, block for Ben and let him do his thing. And on Defense - stop Larry Fitz, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. Now, of course, that isn't exactly the same thing as shutting down Abe Vigoda Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and...uh...Todd Heap? We're talking about three damn good receivers who could easily give Face Me Ike, McFadden's goatee, and Deshea the business. Oh, and I think the Cardinals have a running game too, but I can't really remember...

What else do you want me to say? I can't predict who will show up to play on Sunday and who will not. Like I said, if the Steelers run the ball well, give Ben the time to make plays with his arm (shit, or his legs), and minimize the mistakes, I like our chances. But just because it CAN happen, doesn't mean it WILL happen. And at this time, I just cannot say what WILL happen.

Hopefully a win.

Oh yeah, that clown Jon Dekker was arrested on Saturday. Obstruction of justice or some pussy shit like that. Princeton education serving him well, I see. Here's a picture of him for ya...

He's on IR. Who cares?

You know who else likes God?

Jon Kitna, Field General.

I think the Steelers are playing this Sunday. Did you guys hear that too? Let's talk about it.

AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Right, so I keep hearing how all these people in Arizona are bandwagon fans and what not. And people wanna give them shit for it. But let me ask you, if your home state's football team was the Arizona Cardinals, would you really have been an avid fan before this season (maybe even count last season)? I don't think so.

Still, I gotta make fun of them a bit myself. I mean, especially if you're already a fan of another team. In fact, I got an email this morning from a self-identified displaced Pittsburgher living in Phoenix and he literally called it a "big joke." Who am I to argue with that report? Go Eagles.

PS - Do you think they are taking lessons from Patriots "fans?"

Anyways, these links have been fans since day one...not Cardinals fans, of course...

Happy 2nd Anniversary Steelers and Tomlin [PSaMP]

Looks like Steely McDevil's got some competition [Tirico Suave]

Big Ben loves Dippin' Dots...and potentially napping during Pitt basketball games? [Deadspin]

You've probably seen this already, but whatev - The Road to Sixburgh [Ryan Parker Songs]

Oh yeah, remember the Whisenhunt-Big Ben "feud?" The plotlines abound [Post-Gazette]

Should we start calling him "Elder Snack?" [Trib]

Will the next Ravens D be puss? [Shutdown Corner]

Speaking of...Ray Lewis to Cowboys? [Baltimore Sun]

Sean's gone all Canadian on us! [Sean's Ramblings]

The Final Cello Countdown [CollegeHumor.com]

Somebody's a marketing genius...

Gee, which one do you think I'm gonna call? Tough one, I know...

Oh, and has Rex Perkins found us?

Quick, hide yesterday's post.

Really, though. If you're Rex Perkins, don't take that shit seriously. I'm full of it. It's all in the name of entertainment.

And PS - I love how I write solely about the Steelers and even though I posted about Jeff Reed's ridic new hair, people link to some other blog that has nothing to do with the Steelers that also wrote about the ridiculousness. Oh well, such is the plight of a one team sports blog. Still kind of douchey. Whatev.

We're Dealing With A Whole New Animal, Here...

Two Arizona Cardinals fans, Ryan Hanlon and co-worker Rex Perkins, 37, admitted they hung their team's flag in a tree and burned "Go Cards," "Go Kurt," and "I heart AZ" in McNabb's yard with diesel fuel, Chandler police Sgt. Joe Favazzo said Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.

Big deal. I did that to Domski's house last night. Except I wrote, "I heart balls." I figured he'd like that more.

Don't worry, Donovan. We'll avenge this travesty and restore your dignity. Well, maybe not that last part. But I'm pretty, definitely sure we can manage the first one.

"I heart AZ?"

What kind of pussy shit is that? Earth to you two idiots - you're supposed to burn shit talk into the lawn of the person you're talking shit to. Not encouragement for your team, QB and/or state of residence. Wasted opportunity, man. I'm telling you...

Besides, what's up, blue eyes? Nice Old Navy polo!

Ok, I'm done now.

Quoth The Raven Steelers, Nevermore.

Let me tell you a story about the time the Steelers played the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC Championship. Better yet, let me tell you a story about the time the Steelers BEAT the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC Championship.

What a win!

Today, it's hugs all around...


Tighten that grip a little there, Ben.


Hope that hug didn't herniate a disc in Marvell Smith's back (disclaimer: that is a joke).


Bromance.


Man, that's like a Matrix style hug.


There are so many reasons why this is awesome.


These two put their tongues in each others mouths right after this.

I said it last night and I'm going to say it again this morning for good measure - you can't beat a team three times in a season, huh? HA! I guess nobody told Mike Tomlin and the Steelers that.

For the second Monday in a row, I find myself quite pleased. There were certainly less "highs" in last night's game than the San Diego game. But the only thing that matters is that Tomlin ultimately got the Gatorade bath.

We knew the Ravens were going to be a hard sell, but all in all, I'd say anytime you hold an opponent to under 200 yards of total offense, you can't really complain.

Plus, this makes two weeks in a row that Ben has made some pretty good plays. He was getting pretty good protection, and most importantly, he didn't make any major mistakes.

Oh, and guess what Joe Flacco fan club? Flacco - 13/30, 141 yards, 0 TDs and THREE INTERCEPTIONS!! Big Ben - 16/33, 255 yards, 1 TD, and NO INTERCEPTIONS!! You're a good man, Joe Flacco. This just wasn't your year. But hey, At least your unibrow got some good play.

PS - Fire your PR rep. And your genetics. That or resolve yourself to a lifetime of celibacy. Your choice.

Ed Reed?

Ish don't think so.

That said, I mean, the Ravens secondary was down to like guys who were working at Sizzler last week. So, does that matter? Who knows.

I'm not going to make light of it too much. But I will say that I hope Willis McGahee is alright. That was a hell of a clock cleaner, and he didn't look too hot. My thoughts and prayers go out to him.

Anyways, here are this weeks "Things That Were Awesome," "Things That Were Not Awesome," and "Things That Made Me Wish I Had Gone To Church"...

THINGS THAT WERE AWESOME
1. Our 1st offensive drive for 3


2. Stopping them on 4th down after Willie's Fumble


3. Deshea's pick


4. Ben to Santonio on the 1st play of the 2nd Quarter


5. Silverback's hit on McClain


6. Sweed's haymaker to Corey Ivy's jaw


7. Heaths play on 2nd and 24


8. Troy's pick six!


9. Anthony Madison = Special Teams Ace


10. Tomlin kept it real


THINGS THAT WERE NOT AWESOME
1. Willie fumbling


2. Hines hurt...though, he was cool to high five everyone afterward


3. Not spiking the ball quick enough at the end of first half


4. Longest. Game. Ever.

5. Joe Flacco's unibrow

THINGS THAT MADE ME WISH I HAD GONE TO CHURCH
1. Letting them hang around until late
2. Mitch Berger shank punt special
3. Special Teams run back that led to Ravens 1st TD
4. Letting them get 7 in the 4th quarter
5. Willie Colon - two false start penalties

Who gets canned first - Andy Reid or Donovan McNabb?

What an epic facial expression.

Get ready for Arizona, kids!

The Whis and Kurt Warner have already started their mobile make out session. This ought to be a fun two weeks.

We've got a whole new ballgame on our hands, now. I can't friggin' wait!

Only one thing left to do...


So, how awesome was that?

Nobody Beats The Wiz Whis...

Congratulations to Ken Whisenhunt for winning his 1st post-season game as a Head Coach.

He's all highfivecity here, and rumor has it he was shaking the walls in the locker room.

I was actually pretty impressed with his energy on the sidelines. And with the fact that he was actually coaching from the sidelines.

Also, how ridiculous is Larry Fitz?

Yeah, no biggie. I could've made that play too. Right.

This just in: Kurt Warner is still old.

Karma - 1, Steelers - 0

Before you even read this, just remember this is about as angry as I'll ever get in a posting...and I wrote it a couple hours after our loss, before I had time to accept things...not that I really have "accepted" it per se. Anyways...just remember that, and read on!

Alright, so maybe I should've taken Pittsburgh West a little more seriously. But honestly, I had very little faith that Ken Whisenhunt would be ready for what NEW Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his replacement, Offensive Gangsta' Bruce Arians, would throw at him. I actually thought we'd try and show them things they'd have never seen...so much for that thought.

What happened on the field today made me feel a lot less confident about the rest of our season, not to mention that it made me sick...

I guess there's something to be said for knowing our PLAYERS, just as much as there is for knowing our schemes. Preying on the weaknesses of Big Ben and Willie Parker was a slick move Whis, slick indeed. Obviously the man knows how to shut Willie down and most importantly, how to get the best of Big Ben.

First and foremost, throwing a pick with double coverage on Heath Miller is NOT good Quarterbacking, BEN! I'm sure we all saw that he didn't even look down any other options or consider just going down before forcing this ball into double coverage (NOTE: the player who picked Ben's pass was Cardinals stud Safety Adrian Wilson). At that point, all we needed was a field goal...ok, so a touchdown would've been nice, but we only NEEDED a field goal, and we were well poised to get those three points before Ben made what could arguably be his worst decision yet this season. That kind of shit isn't going to help you win games, that's for sure. Quoth Ben himself:

"This loss is on me, I can't throw a pick in the end zone. The defense gives you an opportunity, and you throw it away. It's disappointing. It's frustrating. You feel like you let guys down."

Ok, well I wouldn't go so far as to say the loss was entirely on Ben but as a good leader, he knows he is the one that must bear the brunt of this.

Still, to essentially lose on a punt return that should never have been? I hate to make excuses, but if Carey Davis doesn't get a penalty on the initial punt, we don't have to re-punt and Steve Breaston doesn't get a touchdown on the re-punt return.

Ah hell, this was just a bad showing. All around. What else can you say? We need to work on kick return coverage, that's for sure. Otherwise, it's one loss. Worse things could happen. You take it and hope that next week you fare better. I don't even want to talk about it anymore. Time to regroup and go out hard against Seattle next weekend in a Super Bowl XL rematch, then hopefully get some steam going into the bye week. Either way, not an ideal situation losing to Arizona...to say the least.

Any thoughts????

More traditional game coverage (you know, if you like that sort of thing...):
Cardinals Upset Steelers, 21-14 [Post-Gazette]
Arizona - 21, Pittsburgh - 14 [Associated Press]
Steelers Fall to Cardinals 21-14 [SteelCityInsider]
Cards' QB Carousel Continues, But Whisenhunt Gets Win Over Former Team [CBSSportsline]

Step 3 - Address Thine Enemy's "Five Things to Watch"...

Where did Steps 1 & 2 go? I don't know, just trying to come up with pithy headlines. Cut me some slack, this bloggin' shit is harder than it looks.

Anyways, in the spirit of Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh West, aka Whisengrimm's Wild Ride, I went in search of what the other side was saying. I've read a lot of analysis on what the Steelers have to do to achieve victory, but I was curious to see-

a. if anyone in Arizona thinks the Cardinals will actually win
b. if so, what are the specific things they are saying?

The result (one of them) was - "5 Things to Watch" from this morning's Arizona Republic. Not that these are like "keys to victory" or anything, but according to the Republic's Kent Somers, these are 5 things we may/may not see on Sunday (like that non-denial denial?...think about it):

1. If Anquan Boldin and Hines Ward play. The two receivers are very similar -- tough guys who can run after the catch and block. Both are hurt. Boldin has a hip bruise and Ward has a sprained knee.
2. Ken Whisenhunt, a former Steelers assistant, knows the Steelers defense as well as anyone. Can he find a way to attack it and score points?
3. Can Matt Leinart handle the pressure? He hasn't played well against teams that have blitzed and disguised coverages, and the Steelers will do both.
4. Can Edgerrin James gain 100 yards rushing against Pittsburgh? No one back has done it since James had 124 against them in 2005. The Steelers have played 28 games since.
5. How often will the Cardinals use the no-huddle, if they do at all? Kurt Warner, the backup QB, runs it and it was effective last week but will it be a part of the game plan every week? Doubtful.

Disclaimer: I feel at this point it's only right that I tell you -- anything I say below, I say mostly for entertainment purposes and is how I feel about Sunday's game taken to an extreme. If you asked me straight out what I thought of the game, I'd tell you that every game matters and that there are is no such thing as an easy win (until the game has been played of course). Arizona has struggled for the past, um, how long have they been in the league? But that doesn't mean that this year, and this Sunday in particular, they can't achieve a win. We have to be just as sharp against them as we would be against Indy or New England.

So keep in mind when you're reading what is below that I'm exaggerating toward one end of the spectrum in the interest of saying something entertaining. Now here comes the fun...er...commentary:

1. Hines Ward out, moot point. Boldin, yes, gotta worry about a dude who could easily steamroll any and all of your Corners. Good news for the Steelers is that's why we have talented Safeties. Watch Ryan Clark and Polamalu take care of business...
2. Wait, Ken Whisenhunt knows what? The Defense? May I remind you, Whis coached the Offense for the Steelers, and called plays from the box. I'm willing to bet he didn't pay much attention to Defensive Master Dick LeBeau and his schemes at all. Besides, even if he did. LeBeau knows better than to show Whisenhunt the same shit we threw at teams last year or the year before. He'll have a fully stocked gameplan of new and/or different looks ready to go on Sunday, mark my words.
3. No, Leinart probably cannot. But I will say he gives them their best chance to win. Benching your would be starter for a dinosaur like Kurt Warner is not exactly a vote of confidence, Ken. But still, the one thing Leinart does have, two things actually, are Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Those guys will help him get his job done. Nonetheless, Leinart = moot point. Warner or Leinart, Steelers will be all over whoever gets the nod.
4. See #3. No Edgerrin James will not gain over 100 yards against the Steelers. He didn't eclipse that mark against the 49ers or Ravens. So I don't see it happening against the Steelers. Nonetheless, stranger things have happened...
5. Maybe we'll see the Cardinals in the no huddle, but will it matter? Do we think they'll be in the no huddle because they're in any position to win the game? Or just because the feel like throwing us a curve? Frankly, I don't think the Cardinals no huddle offense is "something to watch for," but that's just me...

So there you have it. Point, Counter-Point. What else is coming out of Arizona? See below...

- "Improved Pass Protection Has Been Key"
- "Coaching Intrigue Adds Spice"
- "Steelers Continue Winning Ways"
- "Steelers No Big Deal?"
- "Leinart's Confidence Still Intact"
- "No Huddle Offense Here to Stay"