Win at Kansas City.

Bums.

We, well at least I (Slash), will be making  a return to the blog.

Those of you have stuck around for the last week or so, thanks. Those that didn’t, kiss off. Let me bore you with the back story for my lack of updates — 1) I moved into a new apartment and didn’t have internet access for about 2 weeks, 2) My grandfather passed away last week at the age of 94 and 3) my car broke down over the weekend.

A lot of bad things piling on one another. But what kept me smiling most of this time is the play of the Steelers — you know, other than the Cincinnati debacle.

Up next are the Brownies — yum. Love me some of those, especially when filled with weed.

We’ll get to that this week. The emphasis of this shitty post was just to let you know I was back and to not think we flamed out before we even reached midseason. We’re not that lame. And if you haven’t seen it yet today, check out Sean’s interview with Jim Shearer (the man behind Yinz Luv Da Stillers!). Good shit.

Oh yeah, as for Tommy Gun. Maybe he’ll comment on this post and let you all know what’s up. Peace.

Figured I’d finally get to replacing the poll at the right. For about the last two weeks, we’ve been asking which quarterback you thought would finish the season with the most touchdown passes between Big Ben, Carson Palmer and Joe Flacco.

I thought about including a combo choice of Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson in the poll, but cmon. Fuck that.

Your results, after two weeks and 14 (yes, 14!) votes …

Ben Roethlisberger: 7 votes

Joe Flacco: 5 votes

Carson Palmer: 2 votes

This poll is probably skewed, however, thanks to the homer vote here at a Steelers blog, but whatever. I kind of put some thought into this because it kind of is a difficult question to answer. And in all honesty, I forget who I voted for back on day one.

I’m homer as well, though, so it was probably Ben.

Meanwhile, in real life, here’s how this standings look through four weeks of the regular season: Flacco – 8 TDs, Palmer – 6 TDs, Ben 5 TDs.

Yeah, not looking good so far. Keep your eyes open for a new poll soon. Peace.

I’m the first to dog the Steelers’ offensive line after every bad performance, which is just about every week these days. Except for last night.

I will give credit to where it is due and sing the praises of the O-line’s efforts last night. Sure, Rashard Mendenhall had a coming out party, but it was made possible by the work done upfront.

On top of that, did you notice Ben had ALL DAY to throw every time he stepped back into the pocket? Ben was sacked a few times, but just about each one was on his shoulders because he held on to the ball for so long — not because the protection broke down.

I won’t get too analytical in this post, basically because 1) I’m too lazy to do so right now and 2) you all watched the game and saw anyways.

But this man was a beast all night long.

I'm talking about KEMO, not Snoop.

The numbers, in case you didn’t see them:

Mendenhall: 29 rushes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Big Ben: 26 for 33 for 333 yards and two touchdowns

HEEEAAATTTTHH: 8 catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns

O-line: One fucking masterful performance.

… more to follow.

Sam Clayton is back. A little late, but he’s back. You know the drill by now. Here’s a refresher of Sam’s year-long stats and then, of course, his pick for tonight’s game.

94-53, +654.5 dimes ... 66/104 winning days ... 13/17 winning weeks ... 4/4 winning months ... 3/4 Steelers picks

STEELERS -5.5

“People are questioning this spread and for all the right reasons. I’ve heard everything from Vegas begging for Chargers money to setting a trap on the Steelers’ backers. Still, I really believe that Pittsburgh needs an impressive home showing and after two extremely bitter road losses, they take care of business. Heinz Field has been their safe haven the past couple seasons, and they’ve been tremendous both SU (6-0) and ATS (5-1) over the last six home contests. San Diego doesn’t travel very well, especially all the way across country to face a hungry, determined Steelers team. That math just doesn’t add up for me.

“LaDainian Tomlinson was out last week with a bad wheel and while he IS playing tonight, he’s still not going to be the LT we all know and love/hate. His inability to make precise cuts and set up the San Diego play-action attack will be one of the main reasons for the Chargers’ sluggish offense. As far as defenses go, Pittsburgh’s tenacious D actually didn’t play that bad the last few weeks. The high scoring final scores don’t tell the entire story, as mistakes by Big Ben and the offense (remember the pick-six last week) really didn’t help the cause.

“If Roethlisberger and Co. can control the football and limit their mistakes, they could win by 10. I think it’s going to be a little closer than that, and San Diego could very well strike first. However, when all is said and done, Pittsburgh is going to come out on top. Mike Tomlin and his squad have had this game circled all week long and with a towel frenzied crowd at Heinz Field, the Steelers will shut down Philip Rivers and look to Big Ben to capitalize on great field position.”

…there you have it.

Here we go.

Remember, I’m a pessimist. Take these lightly. Also, almost all of my predictions turn out wrong.

Reports are that Fast Willie is out and Isaac Redman has been placed on the squad. Prediction #1) Redman will have no impact on this game.

#2) Mendenhall will get at least 65 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The defense, which will still be without Troy, will impress. I’m thinking 3.5 sacks between Woodley and Harrison for #3). If the Steelers lose, it won’t be because the defense didn’t show up.

#4) Cotter will bring his “A” game to the live blog.

And keep in mind what I said about my predictions (they are usually wrong, since I know you didn’t remember what I said) before you read the fifth, and final, one. #5) The Steelers will lose.

That being said …

Here we go.

The Wildcat.

Thank you Miami, and the recent release of Michael Vick, for making the Wildcat formation the hottest topic in the National Football League since Ray Lewis escaped murder charges.

Listen, the wildcat is exciting — in college. It can be pulled off in the NFL if used sparingly and with the right personnel. Miami has decent enough personnel in line to make it happen.

The Steelers, on the other hand, do not.

So it pains me to see someone legitimately questioning why the Steelers have not used Dennis Dixon in the wildcat formation yet. Apparently Ed Bouchette wrote something about it in his PG+ blog, but I’m too cheap to pay for that BS. Ed did write in his Q/A that “I was told when they drafted Dixon they might use him in various ways on their offense, but so far nothing. In my blog, I suggested ways in which he could be used.”

Of course, Ed suggesting ways he could be used in no way means he will be used as such.

It seems to me that no matter what formation you want to run, when the offensive line is as soft as a Tempur-pedic, you’re not going to be too successful. Please, I’m begging all Steelers fans that think this is a good idea, to reconsider. Because it’s not.

Dixon is not the answer to our run game. Isaac Redman is not the answer either. A better offensive line would be, but that’s not happening anytime soon.

And let’s hold off on the wildcat talk — at least until the Steelers draft Tim Tebow next year. He’s the answer to everything.

Everyone seems to be in a state of panic.

Sure, the Steelers are 1-2 (should be 3-0) and sitting behind both Baltimore and Cincinnati in the standings, but it’s not time to panic just yet. Should you be worried? Yes. Panicked? No. And this is coming from the most pessimistic fan you’ll ever meet.

However, things are not looking good. Polamalu is still out. Parker is now experiencing an injury and the San Diego Chargers, a very capable team, are trekking to Pittsburgh this weekend.

At 1-3, I’ll panic.

Apparently, though, I’m not the only one that isn’t ready to hit the panic button yet. Post-Gazette reporter Ed Bouchette had to address the question yesterday in his Q/A.

Question: Ed, am I crazy for not hitting the panic button just yet? Every article I’ve read over the last week sounds like the season is already over. I don’t see Reed continuing to miss field goals. Holmes just has to remember how to catch. LeBeau has to get the D in better positions in the fourth quarter. As for Limas Sweed, who really cares about him? I have full confidence that the issues will be addressed. Your thoughts?

Garrett Shanafelt, McMurray

BOUCHETTE: You are the rare bird indeed that you can keep your head while many around you are losing theirs. That panic button should be reserved for later. I have them winning the next three games to bring them to 4-2 heading into their home game against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings. Enjoy the ride because it’s not nearly over yet.

Step back from the ledge, the rest of you.

This week is crucial. If the Steelers lose again, forget I said anything and I’ll meet you out on that ledge.

Here we go.