It's Electric [for the Steelers]...

This one goes out to Sandy Domski. If only I had the video of everyone doing it at Domski's wedding. Oh well, blame Silky Johnson.

Alright, so no more holidays. And we've got Steelers football this weekend! Are y'all awake now?

Yes, it's true. Unfortunately, the Dolphins couldn't play like a division champ yesterday and fell hard to the Ravens Defense. Chad Pennington threw four picks. Fired.

And so we drew the Chargers. The Lightning Bolts. It's electric. Get it?

Anyways, remember that time when we were about to play the Chargers, like two months ago, and I said I was worried about Darren Sproles?

328 all purpose yards, was it on Saturday? HEYO!

But, given that...

LT = hurt
Gates = hurt...though you wouldn't know it by the game he put together
Vincent Jackson = held to ZERO catches by the COLTS defense
Rivers = 217 yards, no TDs and a pick

If Darren Sproles is our biggest worry, that's fine by me.

Not to mention, San Diego played that game against the Colts IN San Diego. This week they'll be once again traversing the nation to the much trodden field of Heinz. Nay, the permafrost that is the Pittsburgh field turf in January. You think that's going to be easy for a team who hails from a city with an average temperature of "warm as hell?"

Surf ain't up in the 'Burgh, dude.

Either way, I'm happy that we're not playing the Colts. Say what you want about that game on Saturday, I still wouldn't wanna play Peyton Manning, who, let it be noted, threw for 300+ yards (and ZERO picks) in a losing effort.

And while there's also a chance that we could play the Ravens again, that's not really a situation I can worry about right now. Let's say it comes to that - they'll still have just played the Titans, who hopefully will have beat the shit out of La'ron McClain and Joe Flacco, leaving them beaten and battered for Silverback to feast on. Plus, there's always a chance Ray Lewis could get arrested between now and next Sunday. So, you know, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I haven't heard too many reports about Big Ben's vagina concussion the past few days, but from the sound of it, he didn't practice last week. Just took it easy. Relaxed on the sidelines. Had a few juice boxes and some orange slices that Heath Miller's Mom brought for the team. That kind of stuff. Which, because he's Ben Roethlisberger, means he should be well rested and nursed back to decent enough health to get his ass back onto the practice field and get his head in the right place to go out and make it rain on the Chargers D.

But, I also have to say (because I think Domski and I have had a cumulative three hours of conversation about it over the past week), the line better bring it's big boy pads. If those dudes can't block for Big Ben, shit could get real ugly. Also, running the ball. If we could do it effectively, that'd be pretty cool. But the new year's just begun. I'm reluctant to start wasting my wishes just yet.

Hey, at least the Chargers don't believe in holding...


You're not in Kansas San Diego anymore, jagoffs.

Get your act together.


Especially you, sir.

Notes from this weekend...

Damn, 8 years old and already on crystal meth. They grow up so fast these days.


So I hear you've got some free time, now. How's about you and me, you know, go get some cookies and milk?

So, the Chargers performance on Sunday, Big Ben's condition, the line's condition - Any thoughts?

PS - Check it out, OFTOT's on Twitter. Now, if I could only figure out how this thing works.

OFTOT's Steelers Gameday Liveblog...

Ok, so no Willie Parker, no Marvel Smith, no Lamarr Woodley, no Heath Miller, no Bryant McFadden and Big Ben barely practiced this week but nevertheless will start. So, um, this should be fun...oh yeah, and #2 Tight End, Matt Spaeth, is playing with a cast on his broken right wrist. That should make blocking and catching passes a piece of cake!

Jesus.

Let's just hope the rest of the walking wounded have enough in them to shut down Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and company and put enough points on the board to eke out a win...because Baltimore just did. Thanks a lot, Texans...

Will The Student Become The Teacher?

Ok, so maybe that headline is just a tad absurd. But it playfully references one story line that may emerge (or may have already emerged) in advance of Sunday's game against the Colts. That being Mike Tomlin facing his former "boss," Tony Dungy.

So what do you suppose it would mean to Tomlin if he were to best the Miyagi to his Daniel-San on Sunday (try to ignore the weak analogy)? And also, who would win in a fight - Tomlin or the Cobra Kai? Lastly, how terrible is that photoshop?

Gary Brackett? I Like Those Odds...

Ok, we've got a new President. Yeah yeah, that's all well and good. But this is a Steelers blog, people. I could give two shits about Barack Obama, President of Hittin' Dat Ass, right now. We just won in sick fashion on Monday night, and we've got the Indianapolis Mini Ponies Colts riding into town on Sunday (pun intended). Let's get it together. Priorities. I mean, shit yeah I'm all aflutter over all of this. But today I'd rather talk about Peyton Manning (Did I really just say that?).

Actually, you know what I was thinking about while watching the election results last night? I was thinking - "God, I'm not even considered part of the 'young people' demographic anymore." That shit is WEAK! But I guess I should've known that anyhow, because I was watching the ELECTION RESULTS. What's next, the Discovery Channel? Oh shit. Um, better make that PBS.

But seriously, congratulations to President-elect Obama. The economy is in the crapper, Michael Phelps is invading our brains and the Arizona Cardinals are playing good football. Your move.

Anyways, the Colts. When I think about these fillies, I think three things - Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders. I also think of the 10 pounds of waste that dumped out of my ass when Jerome Bettis fumbled on the goal line a few years back. But let's just leave that aside for sanity's sake, ok?

Just preliminarily, because really, it's only Wednesday, let's talk about these cats for a minute.

Peyton Manning? That's one dude I would NOT like to see more than once a season. So this year he's been a shadow of himself? Fine. But keep in mind, even a shadow of Peyton Manning is actually thirty times the QB that say, Jamarcus Russell is. So he may not throw for FIVE touchdowns in a game and maybe he only throws one or two. But if it's a game that comes down to the last few minutes and our opposition has a chance to come back, one of the last dudes I want to see on the other side of the field is Peyton Manning. The dude just knows how to win. I make fun of him to no end for all his bullshit once he gets up to the line. But the truth is, he knows his shit. He's got it all figured out. I hear he even knows who shot JR.

Joseph Addai? I love the guy. Oh how cute, that rhymed. Anyways, I do kind of like the way Joseph Addai runs. Now, he's coming off an injury here. So maybe we won't get Addai at full force. But they've also got Dominick Rhodes right behind him. Who, you know, I mean, he's eh, ok. Fact is, though. Their last game was Addai's first game back from nursing a sore hammy. And he only gained 32 yards on 17 carries. Against the Patriots old, tired ass Defense. So it's entirely possible that he'll go the way of every other opposing RB we've faced this season. Is it possible to get negative rushing yards? If the Steelers Defense plays like it did Monday night I think we just might find out!

Bob Sanders? Well, I mean, nothing about him has me running for the hills. You look at the guy, and you gotta think, "how the eff?" I mean, he's like five feet nothing, like 200 pounds. Yet he's right there hitting on every play. The only explanation I can offer is that he's from PA. Doesn't matter how big or small you are. Even a small man from PA can loom large when he plays like Bob Sanders does. But his first game back from injury was that game last Sunday, just like Addai. Before that he was hurt for like a month and a half, and even had surgery on his knee. You think he's 100% now? Yeah, me neither.

We'll be at home, too. And you know how that goes. Try facing the Steelers Defense anywhere right now. Let alone at home where they're surrounded by a massive sea of black and gold. Could easily be a long day for Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai and Bob Sanders. Of course, it could also be a long day for either Ben or Byron, pending the results of yesterday's MRI. But at this point in the week, I'm liking our chances.

Let's not kid ourselves, though. With Bruce Arians around, anything is possible. Am I wrong?

What Would The Colts Do?

So I read the blog "Stampede Blue" (a Colts blog) this morning, because one of their most recent posts titled, "Tossing Shoes: those Sissy Steelers", caught my eye (I can't imagine why). I must say, boy was I surprised by how overzealous this "BigBlueShoe" character is who authored the piece.

I'll try to give this guy the benefit of the doubt (not really though), but his basic argument is that the Steelers need to adopt a pass happy offense to have any success in the modern NFL. In fact, over the course of making his point he even goes so far as to say that Big Ben Roethlisberger, the youngest QB to win a Super Bowl and our personal version of Superman, is too STUPID to run "a no huddle offense and call his own plays"!

Wow, my mind is blown...who knew? I mean Peyton Manning is just so much better than everyone else that he had to finally rely on the run to win a Super Bowl. But the Steelers should pass more...That's the future...Every team that's won a championship since 2000 has been a pass first offense...

Think about it - Baltimore, Tampa Bay, New England, PITTSBURGH

And let's face it, Colts fans are just smarter too...god, how can we be more like Indianapolis?

** In case you're completely dense - I'm being uber-sarcastic here...

Honestly though, the guy contradicts himself by saying that the Colts won in the playoffs last year by favoring the run over the pass, so the whole post is pretty much moot. Still, I'd welcome any and all Steeler fans to see for themselves (click link above).

Happy Friday Steeler Nation