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.

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

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.