Ach Ja or Nicht Nicht?

Translation - "Oh Yes" or "No No"...

So, sit 'em or start 'em on Sunday? What do y'all think?

PS - Worst Photoshop ever, but I don't have the patience or the time to screw around with that right now. So enjoy for what it is...

Taking Inventory...

Night terrors, here I come...

Ok, so here's the state of the Steelers affairs, as I currently understand it...

Tomlin is only "hopeful" that Ben can PRACTICE this week.

Willie Parker, despite reports of a torn labrum, will hopefully be back in practice tomorrow and in the lineup on Sunday.

The Steelers signed Fernando Bryant to the active roster and Ryan Mundy to the practice squad. Which, as Domski pointed out earlier, is particularly apropos because it appears Deshea Townsend will not play Sunday and McFadden's still out with the forearm injury.

It also "appears" that Heath Miller's going to miss Sunday's game, but The Wood should be back.

And as if the eight interceptions in the last three games aren't embarrassing enough, Steely McBeam is still in existence (see above).

The Steelers are 6-3. So are the Ravens.

So as I'll paraphrase from Matt this morning - Playoffs? Are we talking about playoffs?

Personally, I think the Steelers will be fine. I'm certainly not pleased with the Offensive inconsistency and predictability. But when it comes right down to it, I have faith in Tomlin, Big Ben, Hines and the rest of the squad to go strong down the stretch run even with all of the injuries.

Besides, the Defense is playing out of its mind. It sucks that neither Deshea (likely) nor McFadden will be playing on Sunday. But Willie Gay has been filling in nicely and at least we've got a veteran backup there behind him (in Fernando Bryant) as well as Special Teamer Anthony Madison.

So at this point, I'm cautiously confident.

That said, I'd love to know what you all think about how the rest of this season will play out for us...?

Putting The "Special" In Special Teams...

[From left to right - Chuck Batch, Face Me Ike Taylor, Willie "Hands" Reid]

“Right now, it’s balls to the wall. It’s the playoffs. If you ain’t ready to go in the playoffs, you don’t belong here."
- Tyrone Carter

Departing from general OFTOT redux format, I won't say much about last night's game. Partially because many of my Steelers blogging compatriots have done such a stellar job already and partially because I'm still recovering from the case of Rolling Rock ponies I drank last night. However, I will say this - meaningless game or not, if you fumble kickoffs, throw untimely interceptions, and can't stop a 3rd/4th string running back, you are not going to win any game, let alone a playoff game. If what we saw yesterday was a preview of what we have to look forward to next Saturday against Jacksonville, then I'm going to need to main line vodka to watch that game.

Of course, the turnover problem was all Willie Reid and Charlie Batch - two gentleman that are not likely to see the field next week. But the more troubling challenge, one that could remain, is not stopping the run. Musa Smith/Cory Ross (No Name Back 1/No Name Back 2) ran for 155 combined yards yesterday. All I have to say about that is - have fun with Fred Taylor and MJD, guys.

Oh, and this off season, somebody better teach Ike Taylor to catch. Sort that sitch out Tomlin.

So guys, how do you feel about the playoffs after yesterday? Will we get it together enough to stop the Jaguars two headed monster and make Garrard beat us with his arm? Who will return kicks if Rossum can't go? If this game was so meaningless then how come I'm still pissed we lost?

GAME RECAPS:
[Behind The Steel Curtain]
[Blitzburgh Report]
[Die Hard Steel]
[Doubt About It]
[Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies]

[Associated Press]
[Post-Gazette]
[SteelCityInsider]
[Tribune-Review]

Something To Believe In...

"He's a great quarterback, and I think what happened last year has just caused him to maybe put that much more [pressure] on himself to come out this year and play really well for this team."
- Brett Keisel

Happy Wednesday friends. Hope you all enjoyed your respective holidays! Today, it's back to work, and here at OFTOT, it's story time....

This past April, Domski and I were in Tampa, Florida visiting some friends, when we had a very interesting and puzzling experience. While we were out one night, we were talking with a Buccaneers fan who said something I'll probably never forget - he told us he would rather have Chris Simms under center than Ben Roethlisberger. Needless to say we tried to state our case to him, and point out that he just might be out of his mind, but he was not to be persuaded. He, like many, thought that Big Ben's "success" was never really all that great or even attributable to his abilities as a Quarterback. In short, he felt Ben was essentially one and done. Looking back now, I wonder if he has changed his mind...

Frankly, as we all know, there isn't much not to like about where Big Ben is at right now. 32 TDs, only 11 INTs, a 65% completion percentage, and his 1st trip to Hawaii all sound pretty good to me. Especially after a 2006 performance that included just 18 TDs, 23 INTs, a 59% completion percentage, a concussion, an appendectomy, and one giant bounce off the windshield of a Chrysler New Yorker (sans helmet). A classic Hollywood turnaround story if you will.

All the talk this year has been about Tom Brady, Tony Romo and Brett Favre. And rightfully so, I'm not taking anything away from any of them. BUT the fact is, Ben has thrown the ball 132 less times than Brady, yet only has 16 less TDs (ok so thats still a lot of TDs, but you get the idea), has thrown the ball 100 less times than Homo Romo, yet only has 4 less TDs (and 7 less INTs), and has thrown the ball 120 less times than Favre, yet has 6 MORE TDs (and 4 less INTs). Oh and PS - he has 1 MORE TD (and 3 less INTs) than the archetype QB himself Peyton Manning, despite having tossed the pigskin 95 less times. AND I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that he's been sacked at least twice as many times as any of the aforementioned. I'm not trying to say Ben isn't getting the respect he deserves (although he probably isn't). Honestly, I'm ok with him being under the radar. However, I AM trying to say that Ben IS deserved of any respect he does get.

Anyways, now that Willie is on IR, Najeh is the new head closet shitter tailback, and Verron Haynes is back, it seems apt to mention/reiterate that this is essentially Big Ben's game. I'm not saying Najeh can't play a pivotal role in this year's playoff run (let's hope it lasts long enough to call it a run). But to me, these games will hinge on Ben's ability to execute play action, throw the ball down the field, and at the same time, continue manage the game (as really they all ultimately do). Ben's come along nicely in the few short years he's been in the league. And this post season he is in an even better position than he was in 2005, when despite putting up one of the worst performances statistically, was still able to make enough plays to win Super Bowl XL.

So, playoff seeding? Doesn't really matter. Sunday's opponent? Doesn't really matter. Primary Running Back? Doesn't really matter. Regardless of where we ultimately end up, who we play on Sunday, and who's carrying the ball in lieu of Willie Parker, the bottom line is the same, Mike Tomlin has made that much clear -- The Steelers will play to win, and not just the next game - but the ultimate prize. And in doing so, Big Ben shall lead us, as he has all year.

Now I turn to you all - Do you believe in the godsend Big Ben? Will he step up in the clutch? Does he have more ability than we give him credit for? Will he ever start wearing a helmet? Let's discuss...

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
2007 NFL QB Stats [ESPN]
No Love For Parker, Roethlisberger [Blitzburgh Report]
Tomlin Worries Most About The Biggest Picture [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Still Face An Important Game [Associated Press]
Mike Tomlin Presser [SteelCityInsider]
The Steelers Make A Great Christmas Gift [SteelCityInsider]