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.

-------------------------------------------------

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.'"

--------------------------------------------------

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

Shady Brady

Cleveland Browns backup Quarterback Brady Quinn personifies the sheer, utter ridiculousness that is the Cleveland Browns.

Witness the unfortunate photos above, which he'll never live down. Browns fans must be very proud.

Apparently, he's put his house in Cleheaveland up for sale. He can run, but he can't hide.

And he may get some playing time before long; maybe even on Sunday versus the Steelers.

That's because starter Derek Anderson is even worse than Quinn. Anderson was 2-for-17 passing last Sunday. Two! Two completions in 17 attempts!!!

Do you think the Browns might now regret the 2009 draft-day trade that resulted in the New York Jets selecting USC Quarterback Mark Sanchez with the sixth selection of the first round, which the Browns virtually gave away to the Jets for a bundle of nobodies and future picks. Huh? Ya think?

Send in the Clowns.

Links:

If the Steelers lose to the Browns, God forbid, Virginia over at That's Church threatens, "I will kill Steely McBeam. Twice."

One for the Other Thumb has an awesome preview of Sunday's game against the Browns. It's titled, "Hey, What's That Smell?"

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies observe with acuity and insight, as always, on just about any topic. In this case, what if the Browns had drafted Ben Roethlisberger when they had the chance?

Dog of the Day

Zarius!

Zarius is a lot of fun. Adopt him, if you can and if you're so inclined.
You won't go wrong.

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

Get Well, Aaron Smith

Losing Aaron Smith for the season is worrisome.

The last time he missed any substantial time, teams ran on the Steelers, profusely. Of course, though, that was with dunderhead -- and Carolina Hurricane fan -- Bill Cowher as head coach.

And, at that time, we didn't have Sherriff Lamarr (Woodley), or, for that matter, Ziggy and the Spiders from Mars (Ziggy Hood, Nick Eason, Sonny Harris, et al).

By the way, the Browns suck, and Brady Quinn has put his house in Cleheaveland up for sale.

A good week to bury 'em. Send in the Clowns.

Dog of the Day

Star!

Star is a sweetie. Adopt her, if you can. You won't be sorry.

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

Send In The Clowns

The sky is gray, cloudy, overcast and murky --not to be redundant. But, still. It's Browns Week. Halloween is coming. And the weather fits.

That game in Detroit Sunday, by the way, barely merits comment. Seven sacks? Good. Mike Wallace. Encouraging. Ditto with Rashard Mendenhall. Whatever.

It's Browns Week.

Oh, and Cleveland's starting quarterback, Derek Anderson, was two for 17 last week. Two completions in seventeen attempts? Huh. Impressive. And they won!???

Well, they ain't winnin' this week. Nope. No, sir.

It's Browns Week. Send in the Clowns.

We Can't Let This Pass Without Comment

As Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper said: "99-1/2 Just Won't Do."

This is it: 99 losses.

What a season. Laughable, dreary, depressing and ignominious.

What a season.

Dejan Kovacevic's wrap-up, well, wraps it up. Like Robert Duvall's line in Lonesome Dove: "Best thing to do is walk away from it."

Go, Penguins!! Onward, Steelers!!!

Dogs of the Day

Ava!

Desmond!

Welcome to The Game. Rashard

Yup. Thanks for showing up. We knew you could do it.

We saw it at Illinois. Who cares? Now, if you are at all interested in creating any kind of legacy, keep it going. You got the legs. The peripheral vision. The awareness. Fuckin' coaches always told me, "Keep those legs drivin', keep those legs pumpin'!"

Yeah, whatever.

See those hits comin' from the back of your head, that counts, too. Instantaneous peripheral vision does help.

But you and I both know. It ain't that. More 'n 'at. And it's more than just survival. Or, more than just havin' one good game on Prime Time TV.

It's winnin.'

You can be a winner.

But you ain't won nuthun' yet.

One game, muthuhuckuah. One game.

Main thing: Don't fall in love with yourself. Nobody else will. Count on it.

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls Steel Triangle been hard on you. The scrutiny will continue. No rewards here. You ain’t won nothin ‘ yet.

Keep it going. Look at yourself. Hard. In the mirror.

Links:

Avenging Jack Murphy

One for the Other Thumb

D.C. Steeler Nation

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies

Gene Collier's Nice Homework Sums It Up:

"First down went something like this: 15-yard pass, 15-yard pass, 35-yard pass, 9-yard run, 4-yard run, 6-yard run, 5-yard run, 2-yard run, 4-yard pass, 5-yard pass, 7-yard run, 9-yard run, 2-yard run, 4-yard run, 20-yard pass, incomplete pass, 14-yard pass, 3-yard run, 26-yard pass, 10-yard run, 5-yard run, 2-yard run.

"When it ended, the Steelers had gained 264 of their 497 total net yards on first-down plays."

Dog of the Day

Xena!

Too Funny

Bloggers who are funnier, smarter and in a better mood than Steel Triangle: Worth reading today and every day, of course:

Avenging Jack Murphy

Pittsburgh Sports and Mini-Ponies

One For the Other Thumb

Nice Pick, Cowher

Pensburgh

D.C. Steeler Nation

A New Identity

Welcome to Steel Triangle.

New name. Fresh identity.

No explanation. Not right now.

Spectacular Photo Credit: Mary Lou Smith at http://www.cscrafts.com/calligraphyphotos.htm

Curiouser 'n curiouser

Mike Tomlin's announcements, roster moves and "calling-out" pronouncements at yesterday's news conference were interesting. Nothing earth-shaking in the great scheme of things, but attention-getting nonetheless.

Welcome back Carey Davis. He never did much with the ball, but he was rarely asked to do much, and at least he didn't fumble it, either.

The coaching staff must still see something in rookie running back Frank Summers, or they could just as easily have reached an "injury settlement" and put him on the waived-injured list, no? (Disclosure: Joey Porter's Pit Bulls may be wrong on the roster-maneuvering rules, and no surprise there.)

So, here's a thought: They may be giving up on Summers as a fullback -- but preparing to groom him to fill some level of vacancy at running back next season. He never really was a fullback, anyway. And by some level of vacancy, at least two vacancies come immediately to mind.

As noted here a couple weeks ago, time to wake up, Rashard Mendenhall. You have a golden opportunity, and you're letting it get away. Look at it this way: Willie Parker's great and all, but ... How healthy is he, really? Not only does Fast Willie have turf toe -- which will slow him down and which, by the way, was the injury that ultimately ended the legendary tough guy Jack Lambert's career -- but Parker also is in his contract-walk year. He may not be here next season. Which is why the team, knowing his contract status, drafted Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in the first round last year. Everybody knows this. Except, apparently, for Rashard Mendenhall.

We still don't know about Limas Sweed, either. Seems like he may have vision problems, literally, like opthalmological-vision problems. Just speculation. We're good at that.

Pheh. Blaeah. Again.

Can't hold a lead. No pass rush. Not much of a push up the middle. Where are the linebackers? Lax play in the secondary. Not much of a running game. Offensive line, eh, so-so.

'Nuff said. For today.

Except ... there's trouble ahead.

Worried

Yeah, we're woried about the BenGALS, believe it or not . It's not so much Carson Palmer, who is a pussy, and not to be confused with the real Ben-Gals cheerleaders, pictured above, who are fine. Well, fine enough.

It just seems Cinci's defense seems to be better, a lot better, and we've been paying attention.

The other thing, Cedric Benson. He seems to get it, all of a sudden, and he's a bruiser who runs effectively between the tackles. Apparently he got sober, somewhere along the way,and he's always been a talent, as attested by his status as the No. 4 overall draft pick out of the University of Texas. The dude can play.

What also concerns us is the middle of the Steelers' defense. Casey Hampton ... dunno. What's going on? Did he get old all of a sudden? We're gonna need an inside push, and if he ain't deliverin' it, where's it comin' from?

Also, the Bears showed the blueprint for targeting the tight end in Troy's absence. Tyrone Carter was a nanosecond late on every highlight play, there's no denying that. And he's too small, although he does hit.

The other thing, so far as covering the tight end, maybe Carter would have benefitted from getting help from one of the linebackers. Lawrence Timmons? Apparently not healthy.

The Bengals may or may not have a tight end that plays as well as the Bears' Greg Olsen. We doubt it, but still.

Oh, and by the way, we fairly convinced Willie Parker has some kind hamstring injury, or something wrong with him. He ain't lookin' too fast. And Rashard Mendhall had one nice run in Chicago. We've gotta see more.

And, let's hope Jeff Reed returns to form, too.

Anyway, we will be watching Casey Hampton's play with great interest this weekend.

We shall see. We're worried.

Pheh. Blaeah.

Yeah, that was disappointing. Too many missed chances, obviously.

If there's anybody besides Jeff Reed who feels badly about yesterday's game, it's Tyrone Carter. Every "highlight" featured #23, front and center.

Maybe the Bears aren't as bad as we thought. Then again.

Which is cause for worry. That offensive line. The running game. Ugh.

Google's Blogspot won't even let me load a picture. Which would have been from "Chicago Barbeque Co." Or, of a really hot woman.

Oh, well.

And the Pirates managed to secure their 15th (!) shutout of the season ... which work works out to about one shutout every 10 games.

Paper Bears

The Chicago Bears are Paper Bears.

The more we look at this team, the more vulnerabilities we see.

Let's start with the big one: Quarterback.

Also: Receivers.

Last but not least: Defense.

The Bears are going to have a long year.

Injury Updates, Both Teams

The latest news on the Steelers' injury front is a bit disconcerting.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls weren't really expecting linebacker Lawrence Timmons to play this weekend anyway, but the Post-Gazette reports he tweaked his high ankle sprain in practice yesterday. Backup linebacker and special teams ace Keyaron Fox played well for Timmons against the Tennessee Titans, and we are confident that he will continue to fill in ably. Depth is a bit of a concern, though.

Also worrisome is news that wide receiver Limas Sweed sustained a mid-foot sprain, and those can be very tricky.

We wonder if this inury happened before the season opener, given that rookie Mike Wallace had a more prominent role in the game against the Titans and that Sweed, a second-year player, was pretty much invisible.

This is probably needless fretting -- there's no basis for this -- but we'd hate to think that Sweed might have a lisfranc injury, which could be a season-ending injury. They're serious. The New York Giants were mightily concerned this week that top draft pick Hakeem Nicks, a wide receiver of similar size and speed to Sweed, had sustained a lisfranc injury in the season opener vs. the Redskins.

As reported in the Newark Star-Ledger, "The lisfranc joint is located in the center of the foot and connects the metatarsal bones (those in the toes) to the tarsal bones (those in the arch). ... Lisfranc injuries are notoriously painful and slow healing."

Sweed had been looking decent in training camp, and we were optimistic he'd make the kind of big leap in performance you want to see wide receivers make from their first year in the league to their second. Rookie wide receivers typically struggle and take a full year or two to transition to the speed and nuances of the NFL. Sweed appeared to be making progress, but this injury could be a setback. How major or minor it will be, only time will tell. Again, depth is a concern, although rookie Mike Wallace has looked surprisingly polished.

The Chicago Bears are battling the injury bug, too. Just as the Steelers will miss one of their marquee defensive leaders, Troy Polamulu, the Bears will miss star linebacker Brian Urlacher. Also on the injury list for Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune, are the following players:

"Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa said there is no chance he will play in Sunday's game as he recovers from a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, meaning Nick Roach will start at strong-side linebacker. Tinoisamoa had a sleeve on Wednesday as he sat out practice along with defensive end Mark Anderson (toe), cornerback Trumaine McBride (knee) and nickel back/returner Danieal Manning (back). "

So, let's review: That means Chicago will be starting two backup linebackers (Hunter Hillenmeyer and Nick Roach), and possibly one new cornerback.

That's because, according to the Tribune, there will be a shake-up in Chicago's secondary. Second-year cornerback Zack Bowman apparently will make his first NFL start.

The Bears selected Bowman out of the University of Nebraska with a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft. The club placed him on the practice squad last year, only to add him to the active squad for game seven against the Minnesota Vikings. Bowman reportedly played well, particularly on special teams, but was hurt in that game and placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season. During this summer's training camp, he battled to overcome a hamstring injury. Bowman tallied nine plays in the season opener at Green Bay.

If the reports are true, Bowman would replace veteran cornerback Nathan Vasher, who got burned on the last-minute, game-winning 50-yard touchdown pas Sunday night in Green Bay -- he slipped while to trying to cover Greg Jennings on a crucial third-and-one play, when he got absolutely no help from the safety who bit hard on Aaron Rodgers' play-action fake.

It seems kind of a risky move, replacing Vasher with a player making his first start in the NFL and coming off a hamsting injury. It makes you wonder if Vasher's completely healthy, although he's not listed on Chicago's injury report.

Photo credit: Dr. Cope, Lexington Veterinary

A Note on the Charlie Brown Pittsburgh Pirates

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls haven't had much to say about the Pirates this season. What's there to say? They have the second-worst record in the major leagues. They have a few bright spots -- Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones, Ross Ohlendorf, PNC Park -- and the front office finally seems committed to building the franchise's scouting, development, minor league and international operations.

But, man, the current major league squad is tough to watch. It's painful. They've just worn us out. That's why, unlike the 2008 season, we haven't summoned the energy this year even to express outrage at the various foibles, follies and blunders routinely committed by the Bucs on and off the field. Plus, it's football season now, and there are other things to discuss, and hockey's just around the corner.

We still follow "The Battling Buccos," though. Never mind the 17 consecutive losing seasons, the .382 winning percentage, the 55-89 record, or the fact they're again in last place, 28-1/2 games out of first place. Joey Porter's Pit Bulls still doggedly watch 'em when we can -- we know we'll see at least one major-league team when the Buccos are playing.

Anyway, we missed yesterday afternoon's game in Los Angeles, thankfully. Hearing the post-game wrap-up, we couldn't help but be struck by one salient point: That lineup the jerk Joe Torre put out on the field for yesterday afternoon's game was an insult, a slap in the face. Granted, the Pirates, with a 2009 winning percentage of .382 (!) are in a 2-16 slump (!!), but still, it showed a total lack of respect for the Pirates -- and justifiably so, as it turned out.

It was if Torre was saying, "I know the Pirates won't score more than one run, so I'm going to sit five of my usual starting eight field-position players: Manny Ramirez, Russell Martin, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake. It won't matter. We'll still win."

And the Dodgers did! Final Score: Dodgers 3, Pirates 1.

As Charlie Brown himself might say, "Sigh."

Unrelated Link to ...

A nice profile of "The Toy Cannon" -- retired outfielder Jimmy Wynn, who had a fine career with the Astros and Dodgers in the '60s and '70s -- in the Los Angeles Times: New Country for Old Man

Some Updates From Chicagoland

In anticipation of Sunday's Steelers-Bears game in Chicago, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls scoured Chicago media and found the following tidbits of interest ...

As shown in the Chicago Tribune photo above, the Bears this week are replacing the turf at Soldier Field. The team waited until the band U2 held back-to-back concerts at the stadium last weekend. Last week, writing on his blog, veteran tight end Desmond Clark had sharp criticism for the field conditions. In a post titled, "Our field is terrible," Clark wrote the following:

"Did you guys take a good look at our field. If you did you had to be disgusted. ... It was not always this way until the last couple of years when they revamped it by adding a synthetic grass that is woven in with the real grass. Some of our opponents comments: "yall play on a cow pasture" "this is the shittiest field in the league" "what the hell is going on with this field". These are a few comments that come to mind. What the hell is the park distict of Chi cgo doing when it comes to taking care of this field. They have to resod the whole field before we play Pittsburgh, which will lead to loose turf. Basically, to some it up in a sentence, we have one of the worst fields in the NFL and there are no excuses why the Chicago Bears, of all teams, should have to play on such a bad surface."

Beautiful. Considering Heinz Field's reputation for having shoddy turf, Soldier Field must be really bad. Let's hope nobody gets hurt because of it.

• Speaking of Clark, he will miss Sunday's game with a cracked rib. Greg Olson is the starter, and he's a good one. For all that, quarterback Jay Cutler targeted Olson six times on Sunday -- but completed only one pass (Olson dropped another).

• In addition to Clark, several other Bears sustained injuries last weekend, most notably linebacker and defensive leader Brian Urlacher, who is out for the season with a broken wrist. The Chicago Tribune reports the following players might miss Sunday's game against the Steelers: starting linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), backup cornerback Trumaine McBride (knee) and Mark Anderson (toe). Kick returner/defensive back Danieal Manning has been held out of practice with a back injury this week. Also hampered this week are defensive lineman Tommie Harris (knee), Frank Omiyale (ankle) and cornerback Al Afalava (shoulder).

• Jay Cutler's act isn't going over so well, either in Chicago or with observers elsewhere. Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy, a former Steeler and an all-around good guy -- about as gentlemanly a fellow as you'll ever find -- had previously questioned Cutler's leadership abilities. Now, in the wake of Sunday night's debacle in Green Bay, where Cutler threw four interceptions, former NFL head coaches Mike Martz and Jim Mora Sr., both of whom are reputed to be friends of Bears head coach Lovie Smith, criticized Cutler for how he defected blame during the post-game press conference on Sunday. Cutler blamed his four intereceptions (two other potential interceptions were dropped) on "miscommunication," which could be interpreted as meaning, "My wide receivers don't know what they're doing or where they should be."

As reported in the Chicago Tribune, Jim Mora Sr. said, "When I saw that postgame press conference last night, I thought he looked completely immature. He acted like he didn't even care."

Mike Martz is quoted as saying, "He just doesn't get it. He doesn't understand that he represents a great head coach and the rest of those players on that team ... somebody needs to talk to him."

Additionally, this morning on ESPN's "Mike and Mike Show," Mike Golic ripped Cutler, saying Cutler should have showed more accountability.

Like we said earlier this week on this here blog, Jay Cutler's a punk.

--------------------------------------
More Links

Rick Morrissey, Chicago Tribune: Somebody Must Tell Jay Cutler to Wise Up

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune: New QB grades out the worst after Bears' opening-night loss

Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times: Could the Bears and Steelers chuck it 80 times on Sunday?

Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times: Cutler in bad QB company with the Bears

Brad Biggs, Chicago Sun-Times: Bears Coping for the best

Photo credit: Chicago Tribune

An Open Letter to Rashard Mendenhall

Note/Callout to Steelers' Running Back Rashard Mendenhall: We're calling you out, Rashard. Time to step up. You're going home next weekend.

So-o-o-o ... Set aside a few hours to watch videotape of Matt Forte, whom the Bears took in the second round with the 44th overall pick in the same 2008 NFL draft in which you were drafted by the Steelers with the 23rd overall pick in the first round.

Rashard, you not only played -- you starred -- at the University of Illinois, where the eyes of Chicago and Illini faithful were upon you. In your final season with the Illini, you rushed for a school-record 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns. It's time now to show that form in black 'n gold.

Granted, Forte had only 55 yards rushing Sunday night in Green Bay, but as a rookie last season he accumulated 1,238 yards rushing (third-best in the NFL) and 1,715 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving). Rashard, you haven't shown anything, nothing, but tentativeness and a lack of confidence, both before and after going on injured reserve last year.

The point is, Forte runs with an authority and deciveness that you, Rashard, that you have not shown in your professional career. Come to think of it, the Steelers' own Isaac Redman, currently on the practice squad as an undrafted, unheralded street free agent, runs with more resolve, authority and decisiveness than you've shown. Time to step up, Rashard.

You're going back to Illinois, and the eyes of Chicago and Illini faithful will be watching with interest next Sunday, as will the critical eyes of Steelers' fans and NFL fans across the nation.

Are you ready to deliver?

Jay Cutler's a Punk

The Chicago Bears, next up on the schedule for the Steelers, have a good team. Sure, they have flaws (wide receiver), but they have a stout defense, polished special teams and a strong running game.

Too bad they still don't have the "Franchise Quarterback" their fine team, great city and fervent fans deserve.

We've all seen franchise quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ben Rothlisberger, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, etc. They're great. We know 'em when we see 'em.

And Jay Cutler ain't a franchise quarterback. He's a punk.

Last night, on prime-time TV, Cutler threw four (four!) interceptions against division rival Green Bay. For the Packers, Aaron Rogers looks like he could be on the way to becoming a franchise quarterback. Ditto for the Jets, by the way, with Mark Sanchez -- you wanna re-think trading that draft choice, Cleveland, last April? Brady Quinn a franchise quarterback? Eh, not so much.

Anyway, Cutler looked shaky last night, to say the least, and the glare of the spotlight will get only harsher next Sunday when the Steelers visit Chicagoland.

The great city of Chicago deserves better than Cutler. He's a punk. He's a whiner. He's a loser -- career won-lost record at Vanderbilt: 11-34; career won-lost record as a pro: 17-21.

Finally, as the Chicago Sun-Times noted in today's edition...

"So what are we to make of Jay Cutler's four-interception Bears debut Sunday in a 21-15 loss at Green Bay? Well, the picks certainly weren't all his fault. ... A bigger concern in some corners was Cutler's apparent lack of poise. His growing frustration became painfully obvious throughout the night as he ranted at officals and railed at teammates for not running proper pass routes. Does this illustrate a lack of maturity that has been cited by the likes of Tony Dungy and Mike Ditka?"

Probably. Bears' fans deserve better.

Too bad about Brian Urlacher's season-ending injury, too. He's a marquee player, and as Steelers' fans, we would have liked to have seen him on the field next Sunday.

Anyway, as for Cutler, well, as the Chicago Sun-Times's Rick Telander wrote ...

"We're left with the multiple images of Cutler throwing the ball all over the place, flinging it up like a messenger pigeon at times, hoping for something good. Just hoping."

Bad News, Bears.

------------------------------------------


More Links:

Gridiron Godess: The Second Coming of Rex Grossman

ESPN: Long-awaited regiular-season debut of Jay Cutler a flop

Chicago Tribune: Jay Cutler's hot head, cold hand hurt Bears

Chicago Tribune: Jay Cutler's miserable 1st half: You had to see it to believe it

Chicago Sun-Times: Lots of Flings and Misses From Cutler

Pro Football Talk: Bobby Wade says Urlacher thinks Cutler's a "pussy"

K.C. Joyner: Sorry, Bears Fans, Cutler Isn't the Answer

-----------------------

And, finally -- just because we can -- Joey Porter's Pit Bulls offer up the following paragraph from yesterday's post that, yes, we wrote before Cutler's debacle last night ...

"Speaking of bears, of particular interest to Steelers' fans will be tonight's Bears-Packers game, since the Steelers play at Chicago next Sunday. We shall see if the much-ballyhooed arrival of wunderkind Jay Cutler will pan out as hoped in Chicagoland. Yeah, we know: Cutler has a big arm. The punk, however, has never won anything. His career record at Vanderbilt and in Denver is well below .500. And Chicago still doesn't have any wide receivers who are accomplished, polished or much of a threat. We shall see."

Photo credit: Chicago Sun-Times