Damn Jag-u-ARGHs!

Well, if I said I felt confident about Sunday's game against Jagoffville, I'd be lying to you. We're down to Mewelde Moore, Najeh Davenport, and Gary Russell in the backfield, Big Ben is more banged up than Tara Reid, and we have no solid indication that our Offensive game plan will be any good against the tough Jags Defense. At least the Defense is playing well though, albeit without 2/3 of our starting lineman. So we've got that going for us...which is nice.

But really it doesn't matter what kind of shape we're in. This is basically a division game. It may not count towards the division standings, but Jag-u-are-ville has always been a challenge for us. In fact, we haven't won one out of the last four meetings, including last year's heart wrenching playoff loss.

Nevertheless, this is our time to avenge. Let's just hope this time around, we don't get gypped by a bullshit holding no call.

So here are three things I'll be watching for on Sunday night...

#1 - The "Offensive" "Game Plan"
Notice the intentional quotes around both Offensive and Game Plan. This is clearly by design. Will we have a game plan? Will it be any good? Will we go no huddle at all? Will we throw to Heath Miller? Will we be able to get the ball to Santonio without it being picked off? I just don't know. We shall see. I'd like to think that with all the grumblings about the Offense's lack of production the past couple of weeks, Arians and Tomlin will sort it out for this one. But I can't say with any degree of certainty that that will be the case.

#2 - The Defensive Line
Our specialty is stopping the run and obliterating the opposing passer. Yet, Jacksonville has consistently gouged us for a disgusting amount of yards on the ground. Even David Garrard got into the mix last time. We can NOT let this happen again. I know MJD is like a little bowling ball. He's hard to see. He's hard to tackle. He cuts like a ginsu knife. But we have to shut him, Fred Taylor - and anyone else who decides to get into the mix - down. That Offensive Line is looking real vulnerable. Capitalize on that. Make David Garrard beat you. Bottom line.

#3 - "Special" Teams
First, the Jags O-line may be a bit of a mess, but MJD is still back there returning kicks. He's burned us before, he can do it again. A "Special" Teams gaffe would be possibly the most costly mistake, should it occur. Let's hope our dudes stay solid. Second, Mitch Berger has to do better. Last week, his punting average was dog shit. This is another battle of field position. We just have to get a good performance out of Berger. I don't know how else to say it. I hope you eat your Wheaties on Sunday, Mitch.

And that's it. I could go on, but alas, I continue to have real work to do (even on a Friday). So I'm interested - what do you guys think about this game? Winnable?

I'll tell you what Steely McGnome thinks...well, actually Doug will, but yeah - 24-21, Steelers. Write that down.

Searching For The Next Willie Parker...

Not exactly a move to quell the masses, but yesterday the Steelers signed 11 undrafted free agents, most important of which were 3 running backs. Of course, this speaks to the issue raised over the past couple of days regarding the Steelers neglect for the position during the draft.

I guess the rationale was, "hey, it worked once, look at what Willie Parker has done." I mean I suppose I commend them for actually doing SOMETHING, but bringing undrafted free agents to training camp with the hopes that one will pan out hardly makes me confident in our depth at the position.

Most notable of the 3 RBs was former Minnesota back Gary Russel, who Ed Bouchette points out in his article this morning (see link above), wracked up 1,274 yards and 18 touchdowns two years ago as the thunder to Lawrence Maroney's lightning (but not in the traditional sense...if you catch my drift). Backup RB in college wracks up big numbers in one season then gets signed as undrafted free agent....Sounds familiar, right? Anyways, Russel ended up being left off of Minnesota's 2006 and 2007 roster due to academic problems, instead transferring to junior college in the hopes that he could get by and still play ball.

I agree that this raises some red flags regarding his ability to learn an NFL offense. But honestly, he's not being brought in for the featured back role, so maybe he'll work out.

PLUS, they got this 6'3", 235 Paul Mosley from Baylor, who ran a 4.59 at the combine. Not exactly a burner, but he has some size, so may be a fit for that "thunder" role Fast Willie will need behind him.