Speaking of Clowns...

"I know Coach [Romeo] Crennel. They won't blink because they're professionals. They're good at what they do so based on what happened to them, it will be a winning edge for them...They will come ready to play. We expect that on Sunday night."

- Mike Tomlin

Clowns, Frowns, Gowns, perhaps you've heard that these jokers are the fad pick to win the AFC North this season. Nay, the AFC as a whole. They're destined for a Super Bowl, or so you might think if you asked many pundits and/or Browns fans this preseason.

But we know better.

I've pussyfooted around this all week for no particular reason. But lest I not remind you - it's Browns week! We are but a mere 56 hours from another exciting matchup with the recently-lauded Browns and their "new look Defense," starring Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. Not to mention their "high-powered" Offense, fueled by Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jamal Lewis, and undoubtedly crystal meth. Yeah, "high-powered." Right....

Anyways, all kidding aside, this should be a great game. The Browns seem like, at least on paper, a more worthy adversary than they have been for the last, oh, 10 years or so. They are apparently still riding high off of last years success (read: a winning record) and feel poised to supplant our Steelers as the division's most formidable foe.

Throwing caution to the wind, they traded away a sizable chunk of their valuable draft picks, not to mention the second Cornerback on their depth chart to get pass rushers Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams. And they gave Donte Stallworth a rather hefty payday, hoping that he'd add a threat to the already fruitful passing game. So this "rivalry" has even more renewed interest than last year.

If you can't get psyched for this game, you're clearly not a Steelers fan.

Now, let's briefly discuss a few things to watch on Sunday, namely...

1. Shaun Rogers vs. Justin Hartwig
Much noise has been made about Shaun Rogers' arrival as savior of the Browns D line. Personally, I don't see it. I mean, you gave up a draft pick (3rd round I believe) and Leigh Bodden to get a guy who's had question marks basically since he stepped on NFL turf? But whatever. All I have to say is, the Cowboys rushed for 162 yards last week, each of their THREE running backs averaging at least 5 yards per carry. Some savior, huh? Do they think Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore will be any easier? Dumb question, of course they do, they're Browns fans...irrationality knows no bounds in Cleveland.

2. Ike Taylor vs. Braylon Edwards
Donte Stallworth or no, Braylon Edwards is still the biggest weapon on the Browns Offense. The good news is, last week the Cowboys limited him to just 2 catches for 14 yards. The bad news is, that was last week. Certainly not enough reason for me to believe it will happen again this week. So Face Me Ike is gonna have to be on his Face Me Game. Is he up to the task? Well last week he did a pretty good job on Andre Johnson. So that's promising. But let's be honest, if the D line and Linebackers play like they did last week, we won't even need to worry about Stone Hands Ike.

3. The Steelers vs. Cleveland's Enthusiasm
Make no mistake, this is going to be a high energy game. The Browns haven't beaten the Steelers since 2003. And with all the hype surrounding their squad this year, Browns fans will likely be as unruly as ever. Plus, the Browns themselves recognize that we are the team they need to beat in order to be part of the conversation on league dominance. But we cannot let this unbridled enthusiasm get us so riled up that we start playing undisciplined. Keep focus. Sack Derek Anderson 10 times, put up approximately 102 points, and burn that stadium to the ground. Done.

So of course I'm going to be going out of my mind from the time I wake up until the 8 PM kickoff. And in my heart of homer hearts, I think they'll crush the Clowns. But at the same time, I recognize that this will not necessarily be a walk in the park. All I can say is, we had better beat them on Sunday or we'll never hear the god damned end of it. Am I wrong?

I ask you all - What/who will you be watching? Predictions on the score? And is Kellen Winslow as soft as Joey Porter always said he was? (see below)...


Oh, and for you weekend warriors, TSW has a tasty treat for you this weekend - Chicken Yakitori, Sparkling Sake, and Flat Earth Chips. So check it out and try something new.

Also, for the record, Steely McGnome has spoken and he has predicted a Steelers victory, 34-13. So we've got that going for us...which is nice.

And finally, keep your eyes peeled for Tecmo and Cotter's Pre-Game Show Extravaganza, which should be up sometime on Sunday morning...as well as Tobiathan's Liveblog Extravaganza - come and discuss the game as it's happening while OFTOT friend, Tobiathan liveblogs every drive.

Who Says Ike Can't Catch!?!

A year ago Ike Taylor was Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's "special project." This year, Ike is the clear cut #1 cornerback on the roster.

Over the past few years I've been very critical of Taylor's catching ability, but I continue to remind myself that this is why he is a cornerback and not a wide receiver.

Either way, his numbers speak for themselves....

• Led the Steelers with 3 interceptions and 17 passes defended in 2007.
• He finished second on the team with 90 tackles last year.
• Only gave up two touchdown passes while in man coverage.
• Set a team record against Jacksonville with his 3rd consecutive interception in a playoff game.
• Intercepted Matt Hasselbeck late in Super Bowl XL to seal the deal for "the one for the thumb."
• Face-Me-Ike
  

The Trib's John Harris reports that Taylor is being switched from the left side of the defense to the right side because of versatility reasons, to evolve with NFL wide receiver formations, and recent rushing trends.

Makes sense.....what do you think?

In other Steelers news...

Big Ben wears sombrero, Tomlin decides that special teams need to rest, Lawrence Timmons is practicing "Practice!?!...Are we talking about PRACTICE!?!"

Rashard Mendenhall continues Steelers rookie trend.

I want to train with Polamalu.

Add some new words to your vocabulary.....Cotter has been FRENCHIFIED!

Keep it real in the City of Steel!

Well...I've Got Good News and Bad News...

"I took it upon myself to put the offense on my back and carry it...He's our guy, he's our breadwinner. Not having him, everyone has to pick it up a level."
- Najeh Davenport

"Our heart goes out to him because he's a competitor, he's a warrior...As a team, we're not going to throw a pity party. It's part of the game, people get hurt, we'll adapt and improvise and move forward."
- Mike Tomlin

I probably don't need to tell you the bad news, but yes, Willie Parker is DONE for the season with a fractured fibula...[insert crickets]...

Other than that, a pretty solid effort from the Steelers Offense tonight (at the risk of downplaying the injury). They posted the most points of any game this season - 41. Big Ben padded his season TD total, adding 3 more for a grand total of 32 on the year, Santonio Holmes had 4 catches for 133 yards and a score, Najeh Davenport stepped in capably and contributed 123 yards on 24 carries with 1 TD, and good ol' Hines Ward got 59 yards on 6 catches, finally passing John Stallworth as the team's all time leader in receiving yards. So in honor of that, I'd like to take a short moment and recognize Hines' achievement...

There, now then. Big Ben was nearly perfect tonight. If you don't believe me, just check his passer rating (although this stat is highly over rated) - 158.3. 16/20, 261 yards, 3 TDs, ZERO INTs. Willie went down early, but Ben didn't get rattled. He simply continued to execute and made a great game out of it. Yes he holds onto the ball too long more often than we'd all like. But you can't really ask for too much better play by your Offensive leader and signal caller.

Now, the other side of the ball? Mixed results. They did hold Steven Jackson to just 85 yards. However, they also let Marc Bulger throw for 208 yards including 3 TDs. And let's not even mention how they let a team that's one of the lowest scoring in the NFL this season put up 24 points. Oops, too late.

So overall, this was an encouraging win. We once again go one up on the Browns, at least until Sunday. And although we lost our stud RB, the #1 rusher in the league by the way, there were a lot of positive things to take from this game. Checklist goes as follows:

Before I get into any specifics, I just want to say this - There are some times when a man just has to get emotional. Coach Tomlin preaches not getting caught up in the emotional roller coaster that is the NFL regular season, but listen, when your Defense (of all things) is under performing and you think they need a little motivation - get your ass over there and light a fire under them. Sometimes it's ok to show some emotion - positive or negative. Just let it all out Mike...we can handle it.

Anywho - like I said - many positives to take from this game, not the least of which were:

1. My Man Najeh ~ He's still not our #1 back. But with the spotlight on and no one to back him up except Carey Davis (guess Russell didn't dress?), Najeh came through big time. 123 yards was more than I think any of us might have expected, no matter what we might say. North-South looked real good last night. Almost makes you nostalgic for the days of Jerome Bettis stiff arming the likes of Brian Urlacher. I'm still not sold on Najeh's ability to carry us into the playoffs, but for at least this night, he was king. And he didn't even have to choke a bitch...


2. The Hotrod Cashes In AGAIN ~ Two weeks in a row, Nate Washington makes a TD grab. I mean, he caught the ball! AND he caught the ball twice. For TWO TDs! 2 total catches, both for scores, 50 yards receiving. Someone test this man for illegal substances, I couldn't believe my eyes...


3. Old In Body, Young In Play ~ Hats off to Deshea Townsend for some solid play tonight. 4 tackles, and more importantly, 2 passes defended. Deshea was pretty much there everytime the Rams chose to take to the air. And although I like to give him shit for being one of the shorter guys on the team at 5'10", he played the game of a giant (metaphorically speaking) tonight. 10 points my lilliputian friend, you did good.


4. Triumphant Return Part Deux ~ Troy came up pretty big yet again. Led the team with 6 tackles, and had 1 pass defended and of course the forced fumble. I did see him miss a few tackles tonight, but I'm gonna let that slide on account of the fact that the man is a monster. No matter where the play is on the field, he's in it. Perhaps it was an injustice that he got voted into the pro bowl this year having not played like himself for the better part of the first 3/4 of the season, but he's certainly showing us all now, that he deserves it. Plus, 15 points for the sick beard. Wish I could grow facial hair...


5. Pressure? Nah, Not Really, But... ~ A sack!!! Finally, after at least two weeks without one, Big Snack came through and put Bulger on the ground. It's pretty hard to stomach that the Steelers Defense has not been able to manage but one sack in three weeks. However, we're just playing the hand that has been dealt to us I suppose. Let's hope there's a lot more where that came from...I like watching sacks...and Casey Hampton. Hook 'em Horns.

But listen guys, not to take anything away from the team, but this was the RAMS! They were 3-11 coming into this game, and while they do have an omnipresent Offensive force, had we not won this game decisively, I don't think any of us would have had much hope for the playoffs left. As it is hope is at a premium.

Finally, I just want to say - for the 1st time all season, I actually 100% wholeheartedly agreed with Tobiathan on the Ref BS. We got screwed not once, not twice, but at least three times in this game, by my count. First off - I'll be awaiting an apology from the league on the Steven Jackson fumble - how you can turn upfield, take three steps but not have possession is beyond me. Second - pass interference on Ike Taylor during the play with Isaac Bruce - Come on, just because Isaac Bruce is ancient, I don't wanna hear it. There was NO interference on that play. Ike just played it well. I hate to have to highlight shit like this, but sometimes you gotta call 'em like you see 'em...errr not, if you're reffing the Pittsburgh-St. Louis game...it would seem.

So now that you've read all I've got to write (not all, but look, it's late and I'm tired) - What did you guys think? How do you feel about losing Willie? What are your thoughts on the playoffs now? Will the Steelers invest in a solid Offensive lineman in the first three rounds this April? [INSERT WITTY QUESTION HERE...sorry, too tired right now].

PS - Man, if I'm not the biggest Bengals fan this weekend, you have no idea...
PPS - If this post made little to no sense and was not humorous in the slightest, please accept my sincerest apologies. I wrote it quite late, after I spent approximately an hour and half trying to photoshop this nice collage you see above. Yep, I suck at photoshop.

GAME RECAPS (N'AT):
Steelers-Rams Initial Thoughts [Behind The Steel Curtain]
Parker Lost But Offense Finds Its Way [DC Steeler Nation]
Steelers Dominate Without Parker [Die Hard Steel]
Tonight, Pitt Was America's #1 Town [Doubt About It]
Monday Morning Chrylser New Yorker [Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies]

Steelers RB Parker Fractures Leg [Associated Press]
Steelers Prevail, Stay Atop AFC North [Associated Press]
Steelers Beat Rams, Lose Parker [Tribune-Review]
Steelers Urgency Produces Clutch Win [Tribune-Review]
Steelers Win 41-24 [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Notebook [Post-Gazette]
The Big Plays Make a Big Difference [Post-Gazette]