Nate Washington Rolling Them Dice...

Here's the part where I'm supposed to care that Nate Washington is now a Tennessee Titan.

Say what you will about the guy, but for as decent of a season as he put together last year, he had his share of problems.

Like, Exhibit A here. I think that actually may have been the most egregious violation...topping even the history of drops.

Dude was fast as hell, though.

And I will concede that this makes things kind of murky on the depth chart.

Who do you move into the #3? SWEED?

You think he can handle that? Certainly didn't instill a whole lot of confidence last year, but I'm hopeful.

I just want to know, if you're the Titans, how are you going to offer Nate Washington six years at $27 million (9 of that guaranteed)? Don't get me wrong, I love Nate Washington as much as the next guy. But that seems like an awful lot of money to throw at a guy who's already been in the league for a few years and was never more than a 3rd receiver?

But you know what? Good for Nate Washington. I'm sure he'll love Lendale White. I know I do.

Not.

Bruce Arians thoughts on Nate Washington's replacement...

"It'll be Limas, Martin Nance and whoever we draft, one of those cats...Limas has the ability to do it. He just has to continue to grow and be consistent."

Two words - Derrick. Williams.

Oh yeah, and don't look now but things are NOT going well between Silverback and the Steelers.

All good news for us Steeler fans today.

Here's a joke to lighten the mood...

Pop Quiz - What's the hardest part about roller blading?

Give up?

Answer = Telling your Dad that you're gay.

Full disclosure - that's not my joke.

And, that's the whole post. I think fatigue is beginning to get to me.

Feel free to discuss Nate's departure in the comments. I gotta go back to Evidence class now.


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Queen's City Here We Come...

Cincinnati. What can I say about the Bungles that hasn't already been said about Afghanistan? They look bombed out and depleted.

Ok, no seriously. Here's the state of the Bengals - They're 0-6 - despite a few close ones, sans Carson Palmer - sub Ryan Fitzpatrick who may be more suited to attack the MCATs than the Pittsburgh defense; they feature a one-two backfield punch of Chris Perry (averaging a staggering 42 rush yards per game) and Cedric Benson (recently signed off waivers), and an imposing Defense that includes such notable talents as Domata Peko, Rashad Jeanty and Dexter Jackson. So clearly the Steelers will face their toughest test of 2008.

Alright, no, let's get serious. There is no such thing as a sure thing. Especially in the NFL this year. I needn't remind you of last weekend's results as evidence. So while the Bengals, on their face, don't seem to be quite the formidable foe they've been in the past they were in 2005, they've still got some playmakers that we'd be apt to worry about. Mainly - TJ Douchemanzadeh, Chad Johns-circus-show, Chris Henry - The Perpetually-Incarcerated Wonder, Jonathan Joseph (ish), Leon Hall (ish), and Keith Rivers (as much ish as you can give to a 1st round rookie).

And let's not forget that now Willie Parker is out for Sunday, Marvel Smith is more than likely out (sub the 7 million dollar bench warmer man, Max Starks), and Casey Hampton may likely sit this one as well. So we're not exactly in tip-top shape either. We're a handful of sacks away from losing to an 0-6 team vying to replace last year's Dolphins as the league's most worthless franchise. We can NOT let that happen.

The good news is, the Defense is relatively healthy. We're getting Keisel back, although we can't be sure he's 100%. Nick Eason, Travis Kirschke and Chris Hoke been filling in rather well. The linebackers are playing like the ravenous, sack-happy beasts we know they truly are, and Troy looks like a man on fire, and has actually been somewhat vocal to boot. All that notwithstanding, I'm slightly worried about our Corners. Notice I said SLIGHTLY. We know they can play, but the only real weapons Cincy has are really the three aforementioned Wide Receivers. Good news again is that Deshea Townsend should be well rested. So the trio of Face Me Ike, Bryant "Look at my sick goatee" McFadden and Deshea "I ain't done yet" Townsend should be alright. That said, it's something to watch.

In addition, I'll also be watching - Jeff Reed. I know that sounds weird, and NO I don't mean watching him while he photographs his manliness in the hotel bathroom. I mean that left calf he injured in our game against Jacksonville Jagoffville two weeks ago. Tec and I have been very vocal about our expectations for Party Boy Reed, but this injury may be more than any of us are thinking. And there's only one way to find that out. Either way, hopefully he spent the bye week rehabbing and taking it easy rather than refereeing pudding wrestling with Sandy Sanderson at Buckhead's. But I have my doubts about that.

Then there's Nate Washington. And, I mean that in a good way (for the first time). Last game he shined, nabbing six catches for 94 yards and a score. If he can be that reliable on Sunday, and Hines can have the kind of game HE had two weeks ago (7 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD), not to mention hopefully a healthy Santonio, we should have some great success throwing the ball in the absence of Master Fly W Large (Willie Parker for those of you who aren't familiar with the OFTOT preferred nomenclature).

Plus, with Dallas Baker out this week, we just might get our first real taste of what Limas Speed Sweed can do. Arians wants to throw that patented corner of the end zone fade? Who better to chuck it to than a 6'4" 220 lb monster who'll likely be covered by either Simeon Castille (6'0", 195, undrafted free agent) or David Jones (6'0", 196, 2nd year Corner out of Wingate). I would love nothing more than to see Limas Sweed pillage the Bengals secondary. Of course, it's not likely...and frankly, I'd love nothing more than to see ANY of our receivers pillage the Bengals secondary. But I gotta have something to write about. You understand.

So that's my two, three, four (?) cents for whatever they're worth (don't even make the smartass joke). And in case you were wondering, Steely McGnome has predicted Steelers - 34, Bengals - 24.

What do you guys think? Anyone you'll be looking at on Sunday? Any concerns you have? Anybody got any gum?

Let's have it.

Oh, I'll also be watching the benGALs. But not in 'nam while the game is going on, of course...

Does This Spell the End of the Fullback Position in Pittsburgh?

Does this spell the end of the fullback position in Pittsburgh?
Does the addition of Sweed mean the Steelers will use more 3 wide receiver sets?

If Limas can beat out Nate Washington as the #3 wide receiver, and the Steelers use more three wide receiver sets it means that (a hot topic or sore topic on OFTOT) fullback will play an even less predominate role. Even though Owen Schmitt was continually brought up as the next lead blocker, he is currently a Seahawk, and the Steelers did not address the fullback position at all in this year's draft. This means that Carey Davis remains the only fullback on the roster.

Personally, I love seeing the Steelers line up in strong formations with a nasty fullback that provides the key block that springs the running back into the second level of the opponent's defense (ala Dan Kreider).

Is Carey Davis the man?
Will Limas Sweed beat out Nate Washington?
Is Cotter the next Johnnie Cochran?

Steelers Continue to Dominate I-AA Teams...

Much like last week, there really isn't much I need to say that the Bills didn't help me say yesterday. Another big day for the reigning NFL Coach of the Week - Mike Tomlin, as well as Big Ben, Willie Parker and above all, Steelers Defense! 26-3 is a pretty big bloodbath, and this was 26 points that delivered blow after blow. So I'd say all in all we ought to be pretty happy with the way things shaped up.

But despite the fact that Buffalo looked about as solid as their NCAA counterparts did against Penn State on Saturday, there were naturally key stats for us that I thought were major pluses.

Check it out:
Turnovers - 1 -- should be 0, but 1 is better than 3 or 4...2006 ahem ahem

Punts/Yards - 1/41 -- This is obviously significant because we only had to punt ONCE all game. Anytime you have the ball for 35+ minutes out of 60 and only punt one time, I'd call that a positive. Oh, and by the way, 11/16 on 3rd down (almost 70% efficiency).

3 Catches, 60 Yards -- Nate Washington, leading Steelers receiver on Sunday. The man found his hands and came up with some big plays for us. Not bad for a 4th option WR.

2 Catches, 10 Yards, 1 TD -- Matt Spaeth, who enjoyed his second TD in as many games. Starting to make us realize why we took a TE so "early" this past April. I'll admit I hated this pick. No matter how celebrated a TE he was, we had just taken Heath Miller two years ago and Tuman's no slouch. So I guess I didn't see it. That all has changed.

3 Receivers with 50+ Yards -- You want an explanation?

Now, of course, the one negative point was the injury to James Harrison. I think we all probably gasped together when we saw Harrison getting boarded and carted off with his neck braced, and then were much relieved to learn he was relatively ok when he came back under his own power - walking the sidelines during the 3rd Quarter. I'm still unclear when Harrison will return to starting...perhaps even Sunday. The good news is (if there is any bright side to the injury) Woodley did a fantastic job as usual, coming in and contributing 4 solo tackles and a sack.

Also a bonus for us this week -- CLEVELAND BEAT CINCY!! Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes either. Jamal Lewis? Braylon Edwards? Joe Jurevicius? DEREK ANDERSON??? Looks to me like playing the Bengals should be an offensive melee. But besides that, the AFC North belongs for the time being, to the Steelers. Ok, yes, it's only 2 games into the season. However, I can't help but feel pretty good about the way things are shaping up.

With that, I will say no more on the subject. If anyone else has anything to add, as usual, I'd love to hear it.

Buffalo v. Pittsburgh Boxscore [ESPN]

Nate Washington - Not Just a Player, But A State of Mind...

No, that subject line doesn't really have anything to do with this post other than the fact that they both concern Nate Washington. So sue me.

But seriously, what I really want to talk about is - Could this be Nate Washington's breakout year with the Steelers?

This article's headline, from yesterday's Tribune-Review, got me thinking - Washington was consistently clutch last season, both as a slot receiver and fill-in starter for Hines Ward, made some great memorable catches, but has thus far kind of been on the fringe of the Steeler offense. Obviously I think we've seen that the talent is there, the speed is there, the hands are almost there. All this combined with Bruce Arians new look offense - wanting to spread out 4 wide, throwing in odd sets and trying a more "modern" offense - just might mean more passes thrown Washington's way. Typically a guy like Washington, who is either a late rounder or undrafted free agent (which Washington was) will need a season or two to really establish himself, so I'm thinking that in this, his third full season with the team, he might just emerge as a thoroughly reliable weapon.

Anyways, I'm just spitballing here, but what do you think? - Will Washington become an even bigger factor? Will he continue to come through in the clutch? Will he grow a sick afro like Polamalu had at USC?