YES WE CAN!...run the ball...?

Alright, so as you know, I've basically just lost a whole week. Just sucked that shit right into a black void of death studying, law school did. So I figured that once I got a chance to finally play catch up yesterday, I'd have missed like, some really big stories...

But, no.

Is it just me, or did nothing happen this week?

I suppose that's a good thing. I mean, there's been the usual amount of media penile slurpage surrounding the next "hot" team of 2008, and it's #1 Defense. But other than that, what? The Steelers restructuring their ownership? Aaron Smith = AFC Defensive POTW? Keisel MAYBE playing on Sunday? Oh, well I guess there's also the whole spitgate thing with that insignificant Ravens Special Teamer. But I'm just saying, to me, those aren't exactly the most interesting headlines. Good, for the most part. But not so much things I feel I'd like to dedicate a post to. At least not today.

So what have I got for you this morning, then? I have absolutely no idea. I'm not gonna lie.

I could talk to you about Tennessee. And how if we stop Lendale White and Chris Johnson, it's going to be pretty tough for Kerry Collins to beat us with such notable pass catchers as Bo Scaife. And Alge Crumpler. And Justin Gage. And...Justin McCareins? I don't know, man. That just seems kind of "blah" at this point. We all know what needs to be done Sunday. So why dwell on it. Let's just do it. I'll drink some beers. Domski won't, as usual. And we'll hopefully come out with another BIG win.

The one thing I will say is - I'd really, really, really, really love our Offense to put together a good game on Sunday. I know that's asking a lot against a team with a stout defense like the Titans. But they'll be without their two top guys. So maybe it's doable. Really, I'd just like to see us run the God damned ball a little better. I can't say it enough, balance is key. Gotta keep 'em honest, ya know? If nothing else...like, maybe a 75 yard touchdown run...Master Fly W. Large, I'm looking at you! I mean, I know you've got a sandy crotch right now, and that you're sans fullback, which is further contributing to this prolonged vaginal irritation. But I have faith that you can have a standout game here, somewhere. Why not start with Sunday?

I don't know.

That's all I got.

Any other thoughts feel free to share.

By the way, do you think the Tennessean created "Whack A Steeler" so Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vandenbosch won't feel left out on Sunday?

Oh yes, and I'd just like to put this out there, but...

Where Have All The Big Runs Gone?

"That's the drive that really like -- just keep calling run plays, keep calling run plays...The defense knows we're about to run and they just can't stop it. That's Steeler football to me."

- Willie Parker

Alright, listen. I love Steeler football. I love running the ball. I love controlling the clock. I love ice cream sandwiches. But my question is, will we see any more of Willie's traditionally ridiculous runs with the Fullback position virtually non-existent in Arians' Offense? Willie's still fast. No denying that. But he himself has acknowledged that he prefers running behind a Fullback.

It just makes sense, to me, at least. He's not Jerome Bettis, and the blocks a Fullback would lay out in front of him would create more holes or bigger holes for him to use his quickness and burst through for big gains. Now, I don't have any numbers to support this, much to the chagrin of some of you, no doubt. But it seems logical enough to me.

Willie Parker isn't going to run anyone over, at least not consistently. Nor do I want him to, really. Just look at what's happened between last season and this season - we de-emphasized the Fullback position and Willie broke his leg in Week 15 last season and had already injured his knee by Week 4 this season (not to mention also injuring his shoulder in Week 9). Maybe there's a correlation, maybe there isn't...

I would just rather see him have games like the one he had against New Orleans in 2006 (which Domski and I attended) or the one he had against Cleveland that same year. Of course, I recognize that those could easily have been once (twice?) in a lifetime games, but I have to think that if we had a guy in there paving the way for him (in addition to Kemoeatu), he'd be breaking a lot more big runs - I'm talking about the home runs, the 20+ yarders. This season, his longest run was 32 yards. Last season, it was also 32. In 2006, it was 76. And in 2005, it was 80. I'm just sayin'...

Either way, I doubt Arians has any firm plans to change what he's doing with this Offense anytime soon...and maybe he shouldn't? I don't know. I'm just throwing the thought out there. I'm not saying I want the Steelers to be handing the ball off on every play. But if you've got Willie Parker running like the established home run (pun intended) threat we know that he can be, everything else should follow, including some of Arians' favs (hell, the reverse might even work...uh, well maybe not, but).

Of course, the flipside to all of this is - Steeler football isn't necessarily big runs. It's running the ball effectively enough to control the game. And that Willie has done pretty well under Arians (when he's not hurt, that is). But come on, who doesn't want to see Willie busting another 75 yarder for a score? I know I do.

Am I crazy or does this make some sense?

See, I told y'all I'd make it up to you this afternoon.