The State of the (Steeler) Nation: Week 6

Week six is nearly in the books, and the Black and Gold look more black and blue. The scheduling gods finally got one right, and Pittsburgh gets its bye week at the best possible time. After going through a meat grinder against Jacksonville and Baltimore, the Steelers needed this week to heal up, with the running back and D-line positions being hardest hit. Willie Parker looks set to return, which will take some of the load off of Big Ben. He’s partnered up with Najeh Davenport, who made his return last week after first round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall was lost for the season.

 Now, I’d like to go all the way back to August, when Week One was still a full preseason away, and everybody was just so sure that Pittsburgh would be lucky to finish second, if not third, in the AFC North. What a difference two months can make. Let’s start with Cincinnati, who is living up to my father’s favorite nickname for them, the Bungles. Carson Palmer has been ineffective, and that’s being kind. Chad Ocho Cinco Martinez Johnson Rodham-Clinton, or whatever he’s calling himself this week, wants out of Ohio more than Amy Winehouse wants out of rehab. The only thing Cincinnati has going for it is the prospect of a number one overall draft pick in ’09.

Things are nearly as bad in Cleveland, where Romeo Crennel is more concerned about keeping politics out of the locker room than he is about getting the ball in the end zone. Seriously, I understand that politics and religion don’t mix well in the workplace, but these are multi-millionaire athletes, loved and revered (even the Browns, I guess) by kids all across the country. I say, let them talk about Obama and McCain. Anything to help get more people to the polls. Besides, if some loud mouthed Democrat or stubborn Republican causes a fuss in the locker room, do what everyone else does with their troublemakers. Send’em to the Cowboys. In the meantime, Derek Anderson seems to have become no more than the guy keeping Brady Quinn’s seat warm. Can’t wait to see that guy take a few snaps that mean something. Bet they wish they’d waited for Matt Ryan.

 And how about those Ravens? Sure, Baltimore has a great defense, and defense wins championships, but touchdowns win games. Flacco and company rolled over and played dead for Manning and the Colts, and 31 points allowed doesn’t impress anybody. Maybe next year.

 But I doubt it.

 Back in Steel Town, with a comfortable lead atop the AFC North, and several key players returning from injury, our biggest concern still seems to be the offensive line, and the gaping hole left by Alan Faneca. Most experts felt that Ben Roethlisberger would spend more time on his back this year than Paris Hilton at a roofies convention. Through the first few games, that looked to be the case. In fact, there probably would have been more sacks of Big Ben this year if he wasn’t bigger than most of the defenders he faces. You better send at least a linebacker to get Ben. Safeties tend to bounce off of him like good ideas bounce off of Al Davis: with little to no effect.

One big question I have is why this wasn’t addressed in the draft? Sure, we got a steal in Mendenhall, and Sweed has good speed and the height Ben likes his receivers to have, but that does us little good if Ben spends much of his time prone, staring up at the pretty lights. Start scouting those senior offensive linemen now, Coach Tomlin. In the meantime, it looks as if Kemoeatu and company are finally starting to gel, and maybe we can hold it together long enough for Ben to survive the season.

All in all, things look pretty bright for the Steeler Nation. Here’s to five and one.

Remember, if at first you don’t succeed, you probably live in Cleveland.

 Robert Evans