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.

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