I Trust Other Countries with the NFL

Football is an American game. That's why in all those other countries, it's referred to as American Football. Not that soccer bullshit.

So when I want information on my Steelers and the current state of the NFL, you bet your ass I'm gonna go to some counties whose languages I don't comprehend.

The above video comes from some country. That's about as far as I can understand. If you can translate the Youtube page, that's be much appreciated. I'd put it into some online translator, but I don't know which language it's coming from.

But it shows a Madden simulation of the Steelers beating the Colts 27-20, along with a Troy Polamalu 102-yard interception return for a touchdown, so...yay! And that's a badass song in the background.

The next is also from some country. I won't post the video, but you can watch it here. It has a whole bunch of other player analysis, I'm guessing, so I don't want to take up your time with it. But here's a screengrab from the Steelers section:



Leftwich oder Big Ben? More like Leftwich ODOR Big Ben. BURN!

And here's a play they have drawn up:



N needs to get the hell open! No doubt Bruce Arians has already inserted this play into the offensive scheme.

Dear Mike Tomlin, Please Sit Ben Roethlisberger This Week

This is one blogger's plea to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Please sit Ben Roethlisberger this week.

Current news has Ben's shoulder okay enough for him to play on Sunday, but it seems like his partially separated shoulder never fully healed despite the bye-week rest.

We welcome an always-dangerous Indy team to town, and their 4-4 record probably doesn't sit too well with the team and fans. Hell, they've been spoiled by success the past 6-7 years, so I'd assume that the .500 record through half the season isn't ideal.

For this, I think the Indy D (In-D? Sorry...) will come at whoever is under center for Pittsburgh. Our O-Line is primed to be exploited at any time. Now, I'm not saying I particularly fear what the Colts will throw at us, but if Ben's in the game...he's gonna get sacked.

There was a time when I thought we needed all healthy players to face Indianapolis. But now, I'm liking our chances against a weakened Colts team, especially with a full game lead over the fraudulent (in my opinion) Ravens.

Indy is going to bring pressure. Everyone we play is going to bring pressure. But my plea to sit Roethlisberger this week isn't due only to the possibility of Ben getting hit. It's to have Ben learn from Byron Leftwich.

WHAT?

There was a pretty telling quote in that P-G article above, which echoed a strong though flying through the minds of Steelers Nation after the win over Washington. Listen to Tomlin:


"[Leftwich] probably did do a better job of getting the ball out, and, no, it did not surprise me," Tomlin answered. "That is one of the characteristics of Byron Leftwich. He got the ball out pretty good in Jacksonville and the different places he has been. That's who he is. He is a quick decision-maker. He is an anticipatory thrower."


In no way is Tomlin wrong about that quote, despite it being prime for criticism. Ben hasn't been on the same page as his receivers this year, as seen from the countless overthrows and miscommunication between WR and QB on the routes early in the Washington game. Leftwich came in and made some good throws before receivers made their breaks, and I was pretty surprised. Here's a guy who admits that he still doesn't fully understand the Steelers playbook, but he anticipated well.

Giving Ben a week will not only strengthen his shoulder, but give him time to watch his backup do what the fans have been asking of Ben...rolling out of the pocket when needed and making quick, accurate decisions.

Oh, and maybe Ben will learn to throw the ball 400 MPH, too!

Monday Morning Chrysler New Yorker

One of my biggest complaints about the Steelers is that we rarely finish teams off. Well...aside from Ben not rolling out of the pocket...and the O Line sucking...and Ben holding onto the ball too long...and...well, you get the point. Despite playing a better game than teams like last week's Giants, the Steelers allow the opposition to have a chance to get right back in it.

Not this week. 23 - 6 Steelers.

The defense more than accounted for an inadequate (and injured) Roethlisberger, and played the all-around game that we were hoping for last week. James Harrison, regularly playing on straight meth, must've given some to James Farrior, because dude was out of his mind.

And how good was it to have a guy like Willie Parker back?

Bah...don't let me spoil anything here. Wait for the rankings.

Ben. Outplayed by a 2-INT Campbell and Jacksonville and Atlanta castoff Byron Leftwich. Thanks for the sneak, but at what cost. Injuries suck, especially with the imminent schedule. Give it to your guys that are expecting to get hit. 2.75 of 5 helmets. 2.5 seemed too low, and I couldn't justify a 3.

Byron. Well that was refreshing. How, with the same O Line and Byron's 8 minute windup, did Leftwich appear to have more time to throw? Hell, big boy even rolled out a few times! Byron was an efficient asshole last night, only missing on 3 of 10 tosses with a TD somewhere in there.One helmet for every two seconds of that absurd windup. 4 of 5 motorcycle helmets.

Willie. As I said earlier, how nice was it to have him back? Notice how the offensive struggles happened in the 4 games that Parker missed. Having a guy like him on the field at all times really opens up the offense in ways we tried to dismiss. Big Ben needs Willie on the field more than he knows. 5 of 5 motorcycle helmets for Willie for coming back from injury, outplaying Clinton Portis and reaching the endzone.

D. Who to laud? Farrior, for being a part of EVERY FREAKIN' PLAY? Wooderson, for a combined 4 sacks? Lawrence Timmons, ready to establish himself as an All-Pro (yeah, I said it)? Troy, playing for his newborn and knifing in to disrupt play after play? Deshea or T Carter's picks? That was just an amazing all-around performance. And don't think I didn't see your punt block, Andre Frazier. You get love, too. 5 of 5 motorcycle helmets. The 'Skins did nothing after the two gimme FGs early.

Jeff Reed. Yeah, you're still 100% on the year for FGs, but don't think I won't rip you a new one for the missed extra point. That's just weak. 3 of 5 motorcycle helmets.

Berger. How are we trotting this guy out there? How have we not had a backup plan? 25 yard punts won't cut it. Not even taking the time to give an appropriate ranking.

Indy next week, kids. They're aren't the same team from years past, but they're still capable of giving it to us. See you then.

AND GO VOTE!