FAN: Finally Able To Comment

I just couldn't put the loss to the Browns in words until tonight. It took me a full day to play with it all day in my head....trying to make sense out of it.....how a 6-2 team that beat the Chargers and the Vikings could lose to the three blind mice. When did I know the game was over? I think I had a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach around 8:22 or so. Steelers ball first drive Mendenhall for 5 on first down to the right. On second down it's Mendenhall again to the right for 4 more. It's windy. It's cold. We want to set the tone. We need to set the tone. We want to tell the Browns right now that they are in for a huge ass whoopin' and take some of their spirit away. I was giddy with anticipation as they broke the huddle on 3rd and less than a yard. I wanted Mendenhall to get a full two or three yards on this short yardgae carry. Um....why is Ben in shotgun? Why is Ben in shotgun? There's nobody back there with him. They're going empty backfield? I'm talking to one of my two cats of course because I think others in the house don't share my committment to the team...... SACK! I can't swear because Still A Stroke is within earshot so I think to myself GDMFSOAAPMB. I'm not mad at Ben. I'm not mad at the line (well, a little). I'm GDMF pissed off at Bruce Arians. Bruce Arians sucks more ass than Clay Aiken. He just does. I know the defense can't hold a lead in games lately near the end, but godfreaking dammit Bruce......it's 3rd and less than a yard on the opening GD drive after you already ran the GD ball twice and looked very good doing it. It wasn't 3rd and 7. It wasn't 3rd and 4. There are so many crazy things you can do in this situation, but shotgun with empty backfield? How about play action if you have to pass? You know what....I'm done. I could "what if" all night. They just aren't very good right now at all. If Bruce Arians is back next year, I'll be pissed but I'm guessing he will be since he gives Ben the freedom to call his own plays and Ben probably likes that and wants him to stay for that reason.

APM = ass picking monkey

One of my favorite swears to mix in when I'm really angry taken from one Ruth Gordon in Every Which Way But Loose.

Identity Crisis?

I've read everything I can get my hands on concerning Mike Tomlin since he became the new head coach. I was excited every time I read about his defensive philosophy. Schemes don't matter, just crush people seems to be his mantra. He likes to dominate on defense, create pressure, attack...intimidate - all Steeler characteristics. So why talk about an identity crisis? Because new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians just dropped this quote which scares me:

"When you think of the Colts, you think of a finesse offense, but when they came down the stretch in the [2006] playoffs, they had 100 to 150 yards rushing in every game," Arians said. "It's just a different style. You don't have to line up with two tight ends and two backs to run the football. Rushing yards are rushing yards."

He likes 4 wides and he doesn't care what down it is. I would hate to get away from the power running game. It's an attitude that gets instilled in your linemen and gets stronger throughout the course of the game. I agree that 3 and 4 wides would create a lot of space for Willie Parker, but I don't think our O Linemen can gain the attitude by only power running when they feel it's necessary. I hope Arians "gets" that and doesn't try to fit square pegs into round holes.

Whipple Gets The Squeeze

Coach Tomlin decided to promote Bruce Arians to Offensive Coordinator and also hire Kenny Anderson as Ben's new QB coach. Mark Whipple is out of the mix. Not sure if that would have happened if he didn't regress a little bit this year. I will say this - the man had more tipped interceptions or interceptions off Steeler's chests than I've ever seen. I'd like to find a hard number on his picks without tips or drops. Kenny Anderson? Isn't the man a Bengal icon? More records than Boomer Esiason? In the Burgh? Curious. Hmmm. I'll have to think on that one. Anyway - I've been reading Bruce Arians clippings since the coaching hunt started and the man does not lack confidence. He's been saying all along he hopes he gets promoted to this job and if not here then somewhere else. He's used to calling plays. He called them at Temple where....wait a minute....Temple has a football team? Oh, nevermind. I'm sure he'll be fine. He even took a little jab at Ken Whisenhunt the other day by saying he suggested so many plays during his tenure here that Whiz was probably tired of him. I think it was a minor dig at Ken by publically saying he "called" his fair share of plays over the years. Whatever. As long as we continue to have our identity on offense, we'll be Ok.

Whiz Wants Arians...and more

Well, the Steelers may want to name Grimmy before Whiz raids the cookie jar. He has asked for permission to interview Bruce Arians as well as a defensive coach and our special teams coach. Well, if Dog is right and Mark Whipple would be better as OC than Arians - then he can have all 3 if you ask me. Our special teams haven't been special in quite some time! If the Steelers name Grimm, he may keep most of the assistants. However, if Tomlin or Rivera gets the nod - they will likely clean house and bring in their own people. Did you notice who Whiz fired as the Cardinals OC? None other than Mike Kruczek!