Looking Forward to Sunday's Game: Reasons for Optimism

Reasons for Optimism? Troy, for one.

Troy Polamalu missed the first game against Cincinnati. There's no way the Bengals march down the field on that decisive 16-play, 71-yard drive in the final minutes. Sixteen plays! Not with Troy on the field.

Also on defense, Lawrence Timmons returns to the lineup. Keyaron Fox has played great in his absence, however, so that's not as big a deal as Troy being back in the lineup. Perhaps more importantly, count on Dick LeBeau having some new tricks up his sleeve.

Plus, we're at home.

• It should be interesting to see how the Heinz Field turf holds up for this 1 p.m. Sunday matchup ... occurring just after Saturday night's Pitt-Notre Dame matchup, which begins at 8 p.m.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Steelers' offensive line is playing at a very high level, with Max Starks nullifying two of the NFL's best defensive ends (Jared Allen and Elvis Dumerville) the past two games.

Granted, Cincinnati's defense has been playing great -- having stuffed Baltimore's offense last Sunday. The Steelers have so many more weapons at receiver than Baltimore, however -- so that should help counter the one-on-one matchups the Bengals hope to play with their cornerbacks, Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall.

It's worth noting Rashard Mendenhall didn't play in the game at Cincinnati. Willie Parker started at running back, and Joey Porter's Pit Bulls are convinced Parker wasn't healthy. It's no secret he had a hamstring problem during training camp, and possibly something else (turf toe?).

Also on the replacement front: Mike Wallace has emerged as the No. 3 receiver in place of Limas Sweed, who dropped a touchdown pass in Cincinnati. Wallace makes that catch. 'Nuff said about that.

Granted, the Steelers are going to have to play their best: The Bengals have a much more balanced attack than the Broncos. Nevertheless, for the aforementioned reasons -- Troy, Lebeau, Mendenhall, Starks & Co., home field -- Joey Porter's Pit Bulls are cautiously optimistic the Steelers will win on Sunday and take over first place in the AFC North.

We wouldn't give the seven points, though.

Footnotes & Addenda

• After watching last Sunday's game in Denver and last night's Bears-49ers game, it's worth asking: Who would you rather not have at quarterback, Kyle Orton or Jay Cutler? Sheesh. How did the Steelers ever lose to the Bears? Oh, yeah, that's right: Jeff Reed (Drunko). Missed two field goals. Still.
  

• The NFL Has fined Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco $20,000 for "offering" a $1 bill (in fun) to attempt to "bribe" an official last Sunday. Who didn't see that fine coming? Shutdown Corner's MJD has the best take on this:

"The fact that the NFL levied a fine isn't surprising. This is a league that devotes pages in its rulebook to regulate how much players can celebrate after scoring a touchdown, so that it showed no sense of humor was to be expected. ...

"As for paying off the fine, Ochocinco should totally send a box full of 20,000 ones to the NFL offices. If he needs help getting that large an amount of bills, I'm sure he can get Pacman Jones' phone number pretty easily."

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Reno!

Reno is very cool and lots of fun:
personable, easy-going, gentle and inquisitive.

Reno's about two years old with a
happy-go-lucky outlook. Dude's got style.
Also, he's very friendly and wants new friends.

Reno needs a home.

Learn more about Reno by sending an e-mail to
arldogs@yahoo.com

Or, visit Reno in person/dog at
The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, located at Fifth and Hamilton in East Liberty-Side/Shadyside
or whatever the realtors are calling my neighborhood these days ...
it's near Trader Joe's and the Nabisco plant (now being developed as Bakery Square).

Looking Forward to Sunday's Game: Reasons for Concern

The Bengals are for real this year, finally.

Reasons for Concern? Eh, where to start? We might begin with the dude in the second photo, above, Cedric Benson, currently the NFL's second-leading ball carrier. The guy is a battering ram. He also has a pedigree, having been the No. 4 overall choice in the NFL draft out of the University of Texas; and he has something to prove, having been ridden out of Chicago, derisively, after abject failure with the Bears, along with several unfortunate incidents apparently involving alcohol and law enforcement authorities.

Whatever. Benson's gotten his act together, and good for him. As far as Steel Triangle is concerned, the Bengals offense this year begins with Benson -- but it doesn't end there.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy once again and playing with a newfound confidence. His stable of receivers is four-deep, even without Chris Henry, who is out for the season with a broken arm. We all know Chad Ochocinco, their No. 1 receiver. The No. 2 slot is being filled more than capably by veteran wideout Laveraneus Coles, who's a speedster with good hands.

Equally worrisome, and perhaps more so, is their No. 3 receiver, second-year man Andre Caldwell, who caught the winning touchdown pass when the Bengals beat the Steelers in September. A few days before the April 2008 draft, Steel Triangle identified Caldwell is a guy who we'd like to see the Steelers draft. We figured third round might be good. Caldwell went in the third round, all right, 98th overall to Cincinnati. The Steelers' third-round pick? UCLA linebacker Bruce Davis -- 88th overall, 10 picks ahead of Caldwell. The Steelers cut Davis at the end of training camp this year. Well, you can't get every player you want and, for what it's worth (then posting as Joey Porter's Pit Bulls), we also identified current Steelers guard Doug Legursky as a guy we'd like to see in Black 'n Gold. In any case, Caldwell's a good one.

Finally, with respect to the Cincinnati offense (and this is not to be discounted), the offensive line has jelled quickly and is playing with a physicality not seen in Cincinnati in a long, long time.

As for their defense, it's good too, and it all starts with stellar play at the corners. Former first-rounders Leon Hall and Jonathon Joseph are emerging as legitimate shutdown corners. Joseph especially has shown a proclivity for the spectacular interception. Their respective ability to play effective man-to-man at each corner gives Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer much latitude to free up his safeties and linebackers to clog and cover other areas of the field. It helps, too, that Cincinnati's front seven is playing with a newfound ferocity, with one of its most aggressive players being the lion-maned Samoan defensive end, Domata Peko, No. 94, who hails from Pago Pago (and, subsequently, Michigan State. Interestingly (or not), former Steeler washout Orien Harris backs up Peko, who was voted by his teammates as a team captain.

For one thing, the linebacking corps is finally settled, with 2008 first-rounder Keith Rivers back to health (no thanks to Hines Ward); world traveler Dhani Jones playing well; and 2009 second-rounder Rey Maualuga stepping right into a starting role out of USC -- and reminding fans of a young Junior Seau.

Okay, enough, about the Bengals. They're for real, and they're chomping at the proverbial bit for a chance to take down the Steelers.

But that ain't gonna happen, is it. No, didn't think so. Not even a question.

Tomorrow: Reasons for Optimism.

One other thing: Happy Birthday, Pro Football -- on this date in history, pro football was born.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Murphy!

This little guy is easy on the leash, friendly with others and just generally trying to figure out what the world is all about. He may be a little confused right now,
but that may be because he needs a home.

If you'd like to inquire about Murphy, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

Or, visit Murphy in person (dog) at The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, located at Fifth and Hamilton in
East Liberty-Side/Shadyside/Point Breeze/Homewood
or whatever the realtors are calling my neighborhood these days.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Spartacus!

Spartacus is 11 months old, a lttle shy (believe it or not), and he needs a home.
Spartacus proably needs a new name, too, given his sweet disposition.
He will make a loyal, trusting companion for any family.

If you'd like to inquire about Spartacus,
please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

Or, visit Spartacus in person (dog) at The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania,
located at Fifth and Hamilton in East Liberty/Shadyside/Point Breeze/Homewood
or whatever the realtors are calling my neighborhood these days.

It's Wednesday Already?

Wednesday's usually the day Steel Triangle starts evaluating and "game-planning" for the Steelers' next opponent. Since the Steelers played on Monday night however, and won in such emphatic! fashion, Steel Triangle continues to revel in the victory in the Mile High City.

So, we thought it our civic duty to share ...

Links:

Virginia Montanez over at That's Church offers an eminently worthwhile re-cap of her own personal experience watching the game, including her thoughts on Denver safety Brian Dawkins' pre-game histrionics ("This is OUR house! This is OUR house!!") and the big turnout by Steelers' fans at Denver's stadium:

"Steeler Nation cares not whose house you think it is. We will take it over and make it our own and we’ll even put our feet up on your coffee table and drink your beer and take a poop in your bathroom and not give a darn how stinky we make the room. THAT’S how comfortable we are in your house."

Woody Paige, Denver Post, also marvels at the number of Steelers' fans who were at Invesco Field and wonders "Whose stadium is this, anyway?"

One for the Other Thumb reviews some of the highlights and promised a re-cap, added here.

Lynn Zinser, New York Times, craps all over the "hoodie" sideline apparel choice favored by Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels and established by Bellichick himself. Ms. Zinser favors Mike Tomlin's look: "Now, we’ll have whatever Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin is wearing, please. If the master himself (Bellichick) loses to the Colts this weekend, the hoodie might find its way back to the clearance rack at Big Lots. And the fashion world will rejoice."

Post-game analysis from Romi Bean, cheerleader for the Denver Broncos. Love those chaps, by the way.

Nice Pick Cowher offers a nice re-cap of Monday night's game.

Alex Marvez, Fox Sports, says the Steelers are regaining their Super Bowl swagger and are the team no team "should want to face." Steel Triangle dissents, however, and believes the Cinci Bengals actually can't wait to face the Steelers on Sunday. Be careful what you wish for, Bengals.

Rocky Mountain Way High

There was so much to like about last night's thoroughly enjoyable 28-10 win over Denver.

• The win, of course, which raises the Steelers' record to 6-2 in anticipation of next Sunday's must-win game vs. Cincinnati at Heinz Field.
  

• The Steelers' fans, in their full black-and-gold glory, showing up by the tens of thousands at Denver's Invesco Field.
  

• The defense, which allowed only three points to Denver's offense.
  

• The big plays.
  

• The running game (Rashard Mendenhall and the offensive line).
  

• Big Ben Roethlisberger's passing and leadership, hand in hand with Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Santonio Holmes shredding Denver's vaunted secondary.
  

• Tyrone Carter's performance and Ryan Clark's enthusiastic support on the sideline.

• The preparation and in-game adjustments by head coach Mike Tomlin, defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

And some of the HITS.

I'm trying to decide which was my favorite hit:

• Troy Polamula's explosive kamikaze tackle of Correll Buckhalter in the backfield.
• Daniel Sepulveda's (yup, punter Daniel Sepulveda) slam-bang of a tackle on a punt return along the sideline.
  
• Or James Harrison's near dcapitation of Correll Buchalter on Denver's final, "let's pad our stats" drive.

I think it was Harrison's hit on Buckhalter. It was emphatic, violent and basically said, "Don't even try that shit."

Steel Triangle wasn't too worried about this game, either beforehand or during the first half, when Denver seemed to hold the upper hand despite being down 7-3, thanks to Tyrone Carter's 49-yard interception return for a touchdown.

It was a game of two halves, even if the first half was a bit misleading.

• First half: The Steelers had 18 plays.
• Second half: The Steelers had 18 first downs.

Speaking of balance, the Steelers' offense rang up 29 passing plays and 29 running plays.

Before the game, I figured, "Give a bye week to Dick Lebeau, Bruce Arians and Mike Tomlin. Factor in Kyle Orton's inability or unwillingness to throw deep, and I like our chances. A lot."

So, here we are, with a 6-2 record at the halfway point of the season.

Next up: Division-leading Cincinnati at Heinz Field. A must-win game.

What to do in Denver ....

There's only one thing to do in Denver:

In the immortal words of the late, great Myron Cope ...

"Deck them Broncos!
They're just Yonkos!!!"

Yoi and double-yoi. Hm-hah. Pish 'n tush.

Photo Credit: www.patricksellsdenver.com

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Shadah!

Shadah's very gentle. Very sweet. And needs a home.

If you'd like to inquire about Shadah, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

Or, visit Shadah at The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania,
located at Fifth and Hamilton in East Liberty/Shadyside/Point Breeze/Homewood
or whatever the realtors are calling my neighborhood these days.

Also, celebrate the Animal Rescue League's Centennial Celebration on Friday, Oct. 30, at the Round Corner Cantina, 3720 Butler St., Lawrenceville.

Lots of fun! Ain't no jaggin'!

More on Ryan Clark

Does the Post-Gazette's Ron Cook read Steel Triangle?

Cool, either way.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Woody!

Woody is woody-cool. Somebody should adopt him.
He needs a home.

If you'd like to inquire about Woody, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

http://www.animalrescue.org/misc_pages/petfinder

Stay Well, Ryan Clark

Please, Ryan Clark, stay home and stay well.

Don't go to Denver to play a week from Sunday. The Steelers (and the team's fans [us idiots}) need you for the rest of the season, the playoffs and the run-up to the Super Bowl, God Willing.

You're too important to this team, and too good a guy. It's a miracle and a blessing you returned to form, big-time, following that last visit to Denver. Don't push it. No need. We've got you covered (Tyrone Carter). But we need you. You're family. Steeler family.

We got this one covered for you, brother. By "we", that's the whole Steeler Nation. And all the karma that goes with it.

Keep in mind, we still have to face Baltimore-or-less, twice, and Willis McGahee is looking forward to see you you again.

The following is from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"Clark has had more time to think about whether he wants to play in Denver, where he lost his spleen and gall bladder after his sickle cell trait caused his blood to attack his organs while playing in the high altitude there Oct. 21, 2007."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09300/1008564-66.stm#ixzz0VB8vngPW

We win this game. Period. For you, Ryan -- and even more so for all the others, especially the young'uns, with that damn sickle cell trait and all the other nasty diseases nobody can control, like multiple sclerosis, cancer, autism, blindness, AIDS, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseum.

Thanksgiving's coming. Be smart. Stay outta Denver.

Steeler Nation Karma has got you covered. It's the Steel Triangle.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Star!

Star is one of my personal favorites at
The Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania,
located at Fifth and Hamilton in East Liberty/Point Breeze, Shadyside/Homewood
or whatever the realtors are calling this neighborhood these days.

Gentle, docile, playful and a guaranteed good friend for life.
Star needs a home.

If you'd like to inquire about Star, please e-mail arldogs@yahoo.com.

http://www.animalrescue.org/misc_pages/petfinder

Swing Shift

Lots of swing shifts in momentum in this game. Lots to discuss, so let's get right to all the non-sequential non-sequiturs.

• See you in the Super Bowl, Minnie-ha-ha. Yeah, this game was a real laugher.

• First, the inactives, from the Steelers' official site:
• 1. #14 Limas Sweed, WR

  2. #20 Keenan Lewis, CB

  3. #38 Carey Davis, FB

  4. #54 Andre Frazier, LB

  5. #65 Kraig Urbik, OG

  6. #66 Tony Hills, OT

  7. #77 Sunny Harris, DE

  8. (3^rd QB) #2 Dennis Dixon

Hmmm ... yeah, Limas Sweed, inactive again.
Not a good sign for him. Keenan Lewis, too.
Looks like Tony Hills ain't gonna make it, ever.

To tell you the truth, though, if I were Sonny Harris (not Sunny, as spelled above, by the Steelers), I'd be a bit perturbed and disturbed. And pissed.

• Nice effort (not) at tackling, Jeff Reed, on Percy Harvin's kickoff return. Disgraceful. Once again, your parents must be very proud.

• On the other hand, congrats and a fist bump to Keyaron Fox for that game-saving interception and return for a touchdown. You were in there for the injured Lawrence Timmons, and Thank God you were. Right place, right time. And, get well, Law. You've been playing well.
  

• Get well, too, Back Judge official Richard Reels, who was run down by some Wiking wannabe named Dugan, who cost the Vikings their late go-ahead touchdown by leg-whipping James Harrison. Then, subsequently, the Steelers' own Brett (Kiesel) knocked the ball out from their Brett (Favre), and Lamarr Woodley had that magical Harrisonesque return for a touchdown that represented basically a 14-point swing.

• Which, by the way, salvaged what would have been a 14-point swing the other way because of Rashard Mendenhall's fumble. Gotta hold onto the ball, Rashard. Otherwise, 6.9 yards per carry don't really matter.

• Odd statistical coincidence, for what it's worth, that Mendenhall and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, the NFL's best running back, each had 69 yards rushing. Peterson is seriously scary, so good job, Steelers' defense (including the coaching staff [Dick LeBeau]) for containing Peterson. As ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer said after the game, "When you throw the ball 51 times and get away from Adrian Peterson ... " (shakes head in bewilderment)

• Oh, and by the way, for what it's worth, that dude Dugan went to my alma mater high school, Central Catholic, here in Pittsburgh. Thanks for representing, Dugan.

• Thanks, too (seriously) to Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau for maintaining your cool and providing steady play-calling. Once again your defensive wizardry saved the day. Hall of Fame, call Mr. LeBeau.

• One of the things Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh used to say was that the difference between winners and losers in the NFL was a fourth-quarter pass rush. That's exactly what separated the Steelers (winners) yesterday from the Vikings (losers).

• Congrats to the offensive line, too, for keeping those beasts off Big Ben, for the most part. That's a formidable defensive line you were up against. We might see them again, too. In the Super Bowl.

• What's with Santonio Holmes's biceps-flexing? Where'd that come from? For all that, he made big plays, yet again.

• Four off-sides? Please, get it together.

• Three end-arounds?

• Mike Wallace is becoming a go-to receiver. Yeah, and just when Steel Triangle was thinking Mike Wallace, a third-round choice in April's NFL draft, was better than Minnesota's Percy Harvin, a first-round choice -- bam! that kickoff return. Thanks again, Jeff Reed for the consistently short kickoffs and for the non-effort on the would-be tackle. Next year: A new kicker.
  

• Back to Mike Wallace. He catches the ball. Percy Harvin had at least a couple of drops. Aside from the kickoff return, I was fairly unimpressed with Harvin.
  

• Plus, kudos to old-man DeShea Townsend for staying step-for-step to break up a long pass intended for young-legs speedster Harvin late in the fourth quarter. That was a crucial play, and the pass was right on the money. Whew. Key play.

• See ya in the Super Bowl, Minnie-ha-ha. Bring your cheerleaders. EspeciallyHelga. (above, for the hell of it, and just because we can). And Pam.

Photo Credit: TribLive.com showing Lamarr Woodley's game-changing return for a touchdown

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Monty!

Only five months old

Needs a home.
Somebody, please adopt Monty.
You'll be a happy camper.

If you are looking for a fun, friendly, and bright companion,
go to the Animal Rescue League at Fifth and Hamilton
in East Liberty/Point Breeze/Shadyside/Homewood,
whatever this neighborhood is called now,
and take a look at Monty.
You'll fall in love.

If you'd like to inquire about Monty, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

http://www.animalrescue.org/misc_pages/petfinder

By the way ...

Yeah, there are a lot of storylines this weekend.

One storyline that's been overlooked. undramatically, is the fact that the Steelers hired head coach Mike Tomlin directly out of the Minnesota Vikings organization.

He was defensive coordinator there.

Let's not forget that. He might know a something or two about that organization.

For what it's worth.

Dissa 'n Data

Adrian Peterson: 618 yards rushing. Leads the NFL.

Steelers' Rush Defense: 74 yards per game.

Brett Favre: 69.7 completion percentage. 1,347 yards. 12 TDs/2 interceptions.

Vikings' Offense: 31.5 points per game. 2nd in NFL.

The Vikings: Tops in the league in turnover ratio.

Ben Roethlisberger: 72.5 completion percentage. Second in NFL. 156.3 passer rating when throwing outside the pocket. Nearly perfect.

Hines Ward: The top, most-productive receiver right now in the NFL. Not Larry Fitzgerald. Not Andre Johnson. Not Terrell Owens. Hines Ward.

The Steelers' offensive line according to the NFL Network's Jamie Dukes, a former offensive lineman: Massively under-rated. "The Steelers' offensive line deserves a boatload of credit."

Mike Tomlin on Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams: "They trample the run on the way to the pass."

Mike Tomlin on the Vikings' cornerbacks: "They're violent people."

Mewelde Moore: Ex-Viking.

Lots of bad teams this year: Right now, Steel Triangle considers the following franchises bad teams: Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Washington, Buffalo, Oakland, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis and Tennessee. That's nine bad teams. Until last week, I wouldn't have put the Titans on that list, but 59-0 convinced me otherwise.

Lots of high-profile unemployed coaches out there: Some of these guys might be happy broadcasting instead of coaching, but still ... Bill Cowher, Mike Shanhan, Jon Gruden, Herm Edwards, Steve Mariucci, Mike Holmgren, And Brian Billick -- who claims with some satisfaction that he is "still gettiing paid by the Ravens." I gotta believe Billick has his eyes on that job (Norv Turner's) with the under-achieving San Diego Chargers. Or Washington, just down the road from his former employer, Baltimore-or-less.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Xena!

This is the second time I've posted a photo of Xena.
She is one of the nicest dogs at the Animal Rescue League, and if you ...

Let's just put this way: She needs a home.
And she's a great dog.

If you'd like to inquire about Xena, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

Marquee Game of the Week

Steel Triangle has a feeling Brett Kiesel is getting sick and tired of hearing about Jared Allen.

Granted, Allen is great player, but so is Kiesel, and every bit as good an athlete. Allen has 7.5 sacks this seasaon, which is damn good, but I have a feeling Kiesel will show up on Sunday. Time to dial up the pass rush, which is not necessarily Kiesel's responsibility in any case. Lamarr, James, Lawrence and James? Dial it up. "Keep that arrow pointing upwards."

Meanwhile, Hines Ward, Ryan Clark and James Harrison are team leaders, not that they have anything to prove. They will show up.

This is the kind of game the Steelers win. I have a feeling the alumni will be there. The Steelers almost always win this kind of game at home.

By the way, in case you were wondering, Ben Roethlisberger leads the NFL in passing yardage, not Brett Favre. The Steelers lead the NFL in yards per pass attempt, 9.1 yards per pass attempt, which former NFL head coach and offensive wizard Mike Martz called "freaky." The Steelers racked up 1o plays of more than 20 yards each -- each a BIG play -- last week against Cleveland. Ten!!!

This is not your father's Pittsburgh offense.

For all that, we may see this Wikings team again.

In the Super Bowl.

First, as Coach Tomlin says, "We've gotta minimize explosion plays."

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Harrison!

Harrison is more than fun.
Needs a home.
Somebody will be happy they adopted him.
Perhaps even James Harrison.

If you'd like to inquire about Harrison,
please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

About Jeff Reed

Well, okay, Steel Triangle finds it slightly curious but unsurprising that when you go to Google Images and you type in Jeff Reed, that, yup, you guessed it, "Autocomplete" finishes the entry for you as "Jeff Reed Drunk."

There are so many options!

In any case, yeah, indeed, what if Jeff Reed misses a couple field goals on Sunday?

To blatantly cut-and-paste a comment Steel Triangle placed on D. C. Steeler Nation ...

"If I hear about Jeff Reed partying at Krobar/SportsRock or elsewhere in the Strip Distict; or at McFadden's or elsewhere on the North Side/Shore; or any of the innumarable bars on the South Side; or in Shadyside or on Mt. Washington ... or where-ever the fuck this muhfucker parties, I'm gonna be pissed.

For one thing, it's entirely possible he'll get arrested again. Let's not dismiss that possibility. He'd better not, either.

More importantly, the motherfucker better not miss any field goals this Sunday. This looks to be a close game.

If he does miss field goals, just cut him. Bring back that Piotr Czech dude, who actually looked, well, sort of okay, during the pre-season. He might even be able to play for the Penguins.

I know, Jeff Reed's been money for us, kicked a ton of clutch kicks, including in the Super Bowl. But, yeah, if he continues this binge he's been on, fuck him.

I can do it (partying) -- nobody cares. But he's a fucking Steeler. We're in-season. Get it together, Skippy. The eyes of Steeler Nation are upon you.

We're taking this shit seriously. You'd better be takig it seriously, too."

The Minnesota Wikings

A formidable opponent this week, no doubt.

Unlike Bill Cowher's press conferences, Mike Tomlin's are worth watching and even reading. He gets your attention.

We all know about Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre. Perhaps the deciding factor in this game will be how the Steelers' offensive line handles the Vikings' front seven.

On the other side of the ball, Steel Triangle is confident the Steelers' pass rush will get to Brett Favre at least four times. Over-and-under ... four? Anyone?

What is more worrisome: What if Jeff Reed doesn't show up? What if he misses a couple of field goals? It's entirely possible.

What will happen if the boos start to rain down?

What will happen if Reed gets arrested again between now and Sunday. It could happen. You don't think?

This looks to be a close game. Dude better get his act together.

Dissa 'n Data

One for the Other Thumb takes time to examine the Baltimore-or-less rapidly crumbling defense. Well worth a look.

D.C. Steeler Nation offers an impassioned take on the Jeff Reed situation.

Once again, Tecmo at Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies outdoes himself. A must-visit. Laugh-out-loud funny.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Hershey!

Hershey is incredibly fun. Needs a home. Somebody's going to be glad they adopted him.

If you'd like to inquire about Hershey, please email arldogs@yahoo.com.

Statement Game

Now that the Steelers have dispensed the Cleveland Clowns, it's time to beat down some better competition. Now comes the season's turning point or Tipping Point.

First up: The Minnesota Vikings. Then, the Bye Week, which will be a challenge if only because it presents considerable free time for Jeff Reed and Matt Spaeth, who can't stay sober on game day, let alone during an off-week. Then the Denver Broncos, who are 6-0.

The Vikings have a formidable front seven on defense, an emerging star at receiver (Sidney Rice) and the NFL's best running back, Adrian Peterson.

Their quarterback is a bit of an unknown quantity, however. Name? Brett Favre.

Never heard of him.

Addendum:

As noted yesterday, a pigeon joined the Oakland Raiders kickoff-coverage unit on Sunday vs. the Eagles, and helped out pretty much all day with positive karma. Not surprisingly, the ingenious Mighty MJD weighs in today at Shutdown Corner with an imagined dialogue between the pigeon and one of the Raiders regarding, yup, eagles.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Wishbone!

Wishbone is more than cool. Very gentle, and sweet as can be. And needs a home.

If you'd like to inquire about Wishbone, please email
arldogs.com.

"The Big Legursky"

Highlights From Sunday's Steelers' Triumph
(12th straight, by the way) Over the Browns

This here author of Steel Triangle (nee "Joey Porter's Pit Bulls") happens to live in Pittsburgh, so I have the good fortune of being able to turn down the TV sound and listen to the Steelers' broadcast team of Tunch Ilkin, Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) and Craig Wolfley, sideline reporter (Tunch, Bill and Wolf). Always entertaining. Always.

One of the the highlights for me during yesterday's game was Wolf calling guard Doug Legursky "The Big Legursky" -- a clear and conscious reference to "The Big Lebowski"!!!

Outstanding!

Dissa an' data ...

• Everything's all right: Jeff Reed was with his parents! They must be very proud.

• On the other hand ... Behind the Steel Curtain notes that "this will probably be the straw that breaks the camel's back in terms of Reed's chances of re-signing with the Steelers at the end of the season."

• And ... D.C. Steeler Nation weighs in with some excellent points (couldn't agree more) on the Jeff Reed situation, along with a fine review of the game itself.

• Yet another incredibly trenchant wrap-up at One for the Other Thumb.

• And, of course, Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies has yet another outstanding "Monday Morning Chrysler New Yorker"

• Finally .... it's tough to root for the Oakland Raiders, but you have to figure they had some sort of good karma going yesterday when they beat the Philadelphia Eagles and had a pigeon join their kickoff coverage unit. Watch this video to see for yourself. That pigeon was on the field all day, and always on the Raiders' side of the ball. As for football, I happened to watch that game with some interest, by the way, and the Raiders dominated the Eagles in every way. The Eagles' coaching staff never made any adjustments on either side of the ball -- and never even adjusted for the pigeon! The Eagles deserved to lose, and the Raiders deserved to win. As did their pigeon, who is destined to become their new mascot and good luck charm. Kind of like ... The Rally Monkey (which the Angels surely need this week).

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Patience!

Patience is a very sweet young dog who needs a home.
If you'd like to inquire about Patience, please email
arldogs.com.

Yup, Eric Mangini is Indeed a Fool

Clearly, Browns' Coach Eric Mangini ignored Steel Triangle's advice posted Friday, when we suggested he'd be be a fool if he allowed quarterback Derek Anderson to attempt to pass more than 10 times on Sunday versus the Steelers. We find it hard to believe Mangini doesn't read Steel Triangle.

If Mangini had heeded Steel Triangle's advice, perhaps he wouldn't have put Derek Anderson in a position where Anderson would throw two interceptions, fumble twice and watch in frustration, as his so-called receivers dropped at least eight passes. Not to mention the sacks.

The Browns are awful. Except for Josh Cribbs.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Jake!

Jake's a lot of fun! He needs a home.

Eric Mangini is a Fool

Cleheaveland Browns Coach Eric Mangini is a fool if he lets any combination of those two characters in the photo (quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn) throw more than 10 passes in the Clowns' game with the Steelers on Sunday.

If I were coaching the Browns, and Thank God I'm Not, I would run the ball 50-60 times on Sunday -- whatever, at least 90 percent of the snaps. The Browns actually have some talent on their offensive line (Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Hank Frahley), and offensive linemen love to dig in their heels and just go.

Plus, the Clowns have a Cro-Magnon, cement-headed running back, Jamal Lewis, who is an ex-con -- Federal Pententiary, by the way, not just County -- who would just love to get the carries. Why not?

So, Eric Mangini, you're a fool if you let those clowns at QB throw to that motley crew of inexperienced, unaccomplished receivers.

Sure, throw 10 times. No more. Maybe four times to the running backs. Twice to the tight ends. Two crossing routes. And twice downfield just to stretch the defense (not that you're fooling anybody or going to accomplish anything).

Just some free advice. Fool.

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Postscript: Browns broadcaster and former offensive lineman Doug Dieken, appearing on the always-entertaining "Inside the Locker Room" show broadcast daily on the radio by Tunch and Wolf (Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley), revealed this nugget today:

"People always ask me, 'Who should we have taken in the draft ... Joe Thomas or Adrian Peterson?', and I say, 'Listen, what you don't realize is this -- the general manager wanted to take Jamarcus Russell. Think where we'd be if that had happened.'"

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To which I say, Thank God I'm a Steelers' fan, and not a Browns, uh, backer.