The Season's Saved!

So that's all it took, huh? A 5-7 start, last place special teams, and injuries to Verron Haynes, Willie Reid, Hines Ward, Cedrick Wilson, Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark and anybody else I forgot.

Duce Staley has finally been released and the Steelers have signed Chidi Iwuoma (thank god) and ... Lee Mays? (*stares blankly at computer screen with mouth agape*)

Well, just like most things this season, I guess we can't have just good news. It's always something. First, the Steelers re-sign Ike Taylor. Fifteen minutes later, Big Ben has an appendicitis. Pittsburgh avoids an embarrassing loss to the Browns and Hines Ward gets hurt.

The team finally re-signs Chidi, releases waste-of-space Staley and signs Mays just to remind us that it's still 2006. Thanks, guys. I got it.

The good news, of course, is that Chidi will immediately catapult the Steelers' special teams to the top of the charts. Okay, probably not, but it'll at least take some of the pressure of Sean Morey to make every tackle 40 yards down the field. Now the only question remaining is if Iwuoma will move ahead of Ike Taylor on the depth chart at cornerback.

While I might seem skeptical, the Mays signing makes sense. First, it's Week 13 -- there isn't a whole lot to choose from, and among the leftovers, only Mays knows the playbook. Of course, if Pittsburgh didn't cut Quincy Morgan ...

But hey, that's all water under the bridge. The more immediate concern is that the depth chart at wideout currently looks like this:

1) Nate Washington
2) Santonio Holmes
3) Sean Morey
4) Walter Young
5) Lee Mays
6) Kordell Stewart

I think it's safe to say we won't see a lot of four-wide sets Thursday night. And if we do, Heath Miller and Jerame Tuman will be one (or two) of the wide receivers.

When you put things in perspective (and by things, I mean injuries and silly coaching decisions) the fact that Pittsburgh's 5-7 (and one game up on the Browns!) is pretty remarkable.

I know some commenters on this here blog are in favor of playing the young guys once the season has been decided and it looks like you'll get your wish. While under normal crappy-season circumstances I don't subscribe to the "play the rookies" theory, with nobody left on the bench, well, I don't have much of a choice. So knowing that, I'm looking forward to Anthony Smith potentially getting a lot of playing time and watching how Holmes does as a starter (although, to be fair, he's hardly new to a lot playing time).

But what about Duce? Here's my question: What the hell took so long? During the preseason, I was under the impression that Staley just needed to get back in "game shape" (whatever that is) and he'd be fine as the part-time, short-yardage back. Yeah, that didn't work out. I guess I shoulda gotten the hint when Pittsburgh traded for Patrick Cobbs, or signed Najeh Davenport, or activated John Frickin' Kuhn from the practice squad instead of dressing Staley. Hey, what can I say, I'm pretty dense.

Anyway, it's obviously the right move, but just like every other move this season, it's about two months too late.

But hey, that's all behind us now. I'm glad Chidi's back with the team and I fully expect the Steelers to reel off four in a row, magically make the playoffs and become the first team in history to win the Super Bowl after starting the season 4-7. Or maybe they'll lose to the Browns Thursday night. One or the other.

*******
... New Eric leaves this comment:

I can't believe the Tampa field goal at the end of the game is getting so much attention. Why is it so indefensible to not want to get shut out? I just don't think this was a bad call by Gruden---at all.

I totally agree. Big whoop, the Steelers didn't get the shutout. Now what? They won't make the playoffs? Uh, I don't think so.

I know, I know, that's not most people's issue. It's the fact that Gruden wussed out and kicked a field goal with a couple of seconds on the clock. Hey, like somebody commented yesterday, if you don't want them to score on you, don't let them drive down the field. And that's basically my philosophy for all professional sports, whether preserving shutouts or running up the score. (That said, I think college, high school, junior high and rec league coaches who do this should be arrested on the spot, charged with a felony and sent to prison without a trial -- is that possible DJ? Get on that.)

... Speaking of DJ ...

If we were to go outside of the organization, Mike Leach would be my honest 1st choice. If for no other reason than I think he's the smartest guy in the room, and I don't want him to be working for the other guys.

A question posted on a political blog I read, which has some relevance here:

If terrorists played the Baltimore Ravens, who would you want to win?

Fair enough, but I'm still standing by my No College Coaches in Pittsburgh statements from earlier. Leach sounds like a smart guy, but I'm not sure how well that translates in a football-crazed place like Pittsburgh. Texas Tech? People are too busy watching the basketball team to be overly concerned about the football team, and this point they're still kind of a novelty.

Plus, if the Bucs continue to lose, Jon Gruden might be available at the end of the season. I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Just out of curiosity, what do you think it would take to get Bill Belichick to come to Pittsburgh? And if you're willing to indulge me on that ridiculous question, let me ask a follow-up: Would you want him? Me? Um, I don't know; I'll get back to you.

Now, concerning DJ's terrorist or Ravens question. At the risk of pissing somebody off, I had a similar conversation this weekend with MDS. He was asking me which college basketball teams I follow and I said something to the effect of "I grew up in North Carolina and follow UNC ... and naturally anybody playing Duke. (Although my father, who might be the craziest person on the planet, alleges he's a Tar Heel, Blue Devil and Demon Deacon Fan. And Wolfpack. Yeah, that makes watching basketball fun.) In fact, if the Osama Bin Laden All-Stars were playing Duke, I'd pull for the OBL All-Stars."

So I think in a roundabout way that answers DJ's question.

... Finally, this masterpiece from Adam Gretz:

I'm already planning on calling Bendel and Benz after the game Thursday and asking "Why didn't they give Duce Staley a chance?"

I figure it will make both of their heads explode and force Fox Sports Radio to replace them.

I will say a little prayer tonight hoping you actually go through with this. This could possibly be the pinnacle of unintentional comedy.

Finally ... Success!

Yep, it's the day we've all been waiting for, and frankly, I'm surprised it took 12 weeks to happen: The Steelers finally fall to 32nd in the league in special teams, according to Football Outsiders.

Hallelujah! By the way, I wonder if, I don't know, this guy might help?



I have a whole bunch of stuff I want to get to based on some of the comments from this week and hopefully it'll happen tomorrow or Friday. Just so you know.

Mixing It Up ... Hypothetically

Last week, ProFootballTalk.com posted the following rumor:

There are rumors -- we repeat, rumors -- snaking through the NFL grapevine linking Steelers coach Bill Cowher to the Washington Redskins.

These are only rumors, but they're definitely out there.

[...]

And even if Gibbs retires from the 'Skins and Cowher retires from the Steelers and then Redskins owner Dan Snyder offers to double or triple Cowher's annual salary, the Steelers would have to be willing to release their rights to Cowher for the 2007 season.

First things first: I think I've mentioned this before, but I've softened my stance on PFT this season. I don't know if we're getting the kinder gentler Florio or if I'm just hardened from watching the Steelers win four games in 11 tries. Either way, I now read it every day.

So here's the question: Would anybody be against the Steelers pulling a Gruden on the Redskins? And although I just assumed Washington didn't have another first-round pick until 2020 or so, I think they actually do have one in the 2007 draft. With one year left on his contract, is Cowher worth a first-round pick -- probably 10th-15th overall? Or maybe a couple of first-rounders over the next few seasons?

I realize this is is nothing more than a way to take our minds of the 4-7 Steelers, but as long as we're talking about it ... I'd be all for it.

I think two first-rounders and 10 hours a year on Redskin One should do it. I won't even comment on whether Cowher wants to retire or relocate because I have no idea. I can certainly speculate based on his lifeless demeanor the past 12 weeks, but I'll save us all that little diatribe.

So whether Pittsburgh's in rebuilding mode or just needs a few tweaks to right the ship, I think having two first-rounders ain't a bad way to fix things. Of course, if Cowher leaves, there's the little issue of who would replace him. Whisenhunt/Grimm are still the obvious choices, but maybe not as obvious as they were in August.

Still, I think I'm in on this little thought experiment. And if you need some reassurance, just look at the Raiders. They've been very competitive since losing Jon Gruden.

One Day Later, the Steelers Still Suck

I'll have more tomorrow, but pr9000's comments echo many of the things I was thinking yesterday, both during the game and after. You know, when Cowher feebly accepted responsibility for getting out-coached, blah blah blah.

For me, the most perplexing part of this season has to be Professor Cowher's lack of passion and spittle on the sidelines.

It could be the case of networks not showing it, but somehow I get the feeling that after 15 years of stereotypical coverage (how does a man have muscles in his jaw that can be flexed like that?) the lack of said camera shots indicate a lack of said reactions by the Professor.

The DBs always were suspect; the LBs always were a bit average; the loss of Bus and ARE were big, but not season-ending ... I don't see much different this year in terms of talent. And I can't say that I see less effort on the field.

I can say, though, that I see less passion from Cowher. Ten years ago, his "that will never happen again" comment about the dumb personal foul penalties -- well, his word would have been law. But this year, it seems like he said it ... then nobody cared, or listened, and there weren't any visible consequences for the continued idiocy and lack of focus on the field.

I don't think Cowher could've been any more lifeless without actually being dead. (I'm pretty sure you can't be "more lifeless" but you get the point.)

That'll Fix It

Here's an e-mail exchange between me and my buddy Andy:

Andy: I left work late so I didn't call you back.

Me: I was just going to tell you cowher benched ike. I think the season is saved.

Andy: That makes no sense at all. I was frustrated when he kept getting beat on fades but he has not played poorly this year. One game should not lead to a benching. What a nutcase. Unless Dick wanted to do this, it is a horrible decision.

This is certainly surprising, but just think how much of a shock it would be if Cowher hadn't softened us up with the whole Ricardo-Colclough-as-punt-returner thing. Imagine the flabbergasted-ness. I also think it's funny that if LeBeau was behind this then it at least has a shred of legitimacy. Cowher, not so much. (Refer to Colclough case mentioned above for example of credibility issues.)

Honestly, I would like to see Ike on the field since he's ... well, the best cornerback on the team, but this move ain't saving the season (I don't care what I sarcastically wrote above). Either way, I'm sure McFadden will play well, the Steelers will win eight in a row and everything will be fine. Just wait.

Groundhog Day

Well, if we can say one thing about the 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers, it's that they're consistent. If nothing else, at least it wasn't surprising to see them turn the ball over six times. I mean, it's like the sun rising in the east at this point. If there aren't at least three or four turnovers a game, then something's wrong. Anyway, here are some comments from yesterday's game thread that I found particularly amusing, sad, or ... well, both.

"Santonio needs a bodyguard to pick up his fumbles."

"Santonio may need a bodyguard to make it back to his car after the game."

"Hey, for you guys it's a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Here it's half past midnight and I'm listening to this silliness.

Again."

"does anybody else have a headache?"

"roethlisberger is punting well today."

"we need new tackles."

"You know, I'm all for moving Hines Ward to the offensive line -- maybe, say, right guard if Kendall/Kemo continue to struggle."

"The BEST 2-6 team of all time."

"Hindsight: Keep ARE. Don't draft Holmes. Execute Cedrick Wilson (who is a whiny bitch by the way) Record= 5-3 at the worst."

"Cowher keeps saying they are "this close"...apparently to more fumbles and personal fouls and amazing special teams play."

"The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers may well be the unluckiest team in the history of the universe. That Hines fumble at the end of the game is the absolute perfect demonstration of the kind of horrible misfortune we've had this whole year."

"Cowher always likes to say that his teams don't know their identity until the middle of the season. I think this team has its identity down cold."

"The Hines Ward fumble at the end of the game is a microcosm of the whole season to me."

"I really didn't feel that bummed about this loss, not like I did after the Bengals, Falcons and Raiders games. Anyone else feel that way? i think last week did me in."

" If we could've averaged 3.5 or even 4 TO's a game at the turn, we might still have a shot at the division."

The last comment pretty much says it all. When a team has to strive to get down to 3-4 turnovers a game, then things are pretty bad. Lose-to-the-Raiders bad.

But hey, if this team can win out, they'll still have a chance!

The Sky Is Falling

That was fun. The only thing saving Ben Roethlisberger the indignity of being responsible for Pittsburgh's most embarrassing loss ... well, maybe ever, is, not surprisingly, Tommy Maddox. That 2002 Texans game will always be the most stupefying 60 minutes of football I've ever watched. Sunday's Raiders game is now second on the list.

In addition to, you know, actually losing to the Raiders, it looks like the Steelers will be without Verron Haynes and Arnold Harrison for the rest of the season, and Jeff Hartings might be on the shelf for the foreseeable future. So all of you people dying to see Duce Staley, it looks like your wish is coming true.

I have yet to read all the pre-mortems, but J.J. Cooper has the rundown. Enjoy.

Draft coverage will start later this week. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding. It'll start next week.)