Ed: Browns 18 QBs, Steelers 8 Since 1999

Sunday, 30 December 2012 07:49

Written by Ed Bouchette

Good morning,
    Win it and avoid the first losing season in nine years, or get a higher draft choice?
      The Steelers do not think about their draft position at all until it’s all said and done. Chuck Noll did not think about it when in 1988 his team won three of its final four to finish 5-11. Bill Cowher’s team did not think about it when, already eliminated with a 7-8 record in 2006, they went to Cincinnati and knocked the Bengals out of the playoffs.
         The players don’t give a hoot about where the team drafts and the coach ALWAYS wants his record better.
    So expect the Steelers to do everything they can to win today, and that should not be a problem with a practice-squad quarterback playing for the Browns – unless the Steelers lose eight turnovers.
    Onto some stuff:
 --- Mike Tomlin’s press conference is Monday. Our chat will again be held on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
--- I’m eager to see Cortez Allen one more game. Ike Taylor thought his playing nickel was a key to that defense for the Steelers. His play could ease the loss of Keenan Lewis in free agency.
--- Why would anyone think Mike Tomlin would not want Dick LeBeau back as his defensive coordinator? Go read Gerry Dulac’s story today in the PG about what could be a historic best by his 2012 defense.
--- Good take from the Baltimore Sun columnist John Eisenberg on why the Ravens and Bengals, who play each other today as a playoff warmup, still look up to the Steelers. Writes Eisenberg:

The Steelers remain the division's clear-cut "gold standard" in that realm, repeatedly exhibiting the ability to take their playoff ticket and use it to make deep runs and even go all the way. They've piled up three AFC titles and two Super Bowl victories since 2005, never going more than four years without playing in the NFL's ultimate game.

The Ravens and Bengals can't begin to match that recent record of postseason success, although the Ravens haven't fared badly, twice making it as far as the AFC title game, in 2008 (losing to Pittsburgh) and 2011.

Here’s the entire column: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-Ravens-Still-Look-Up-To-Steelers-In-One-Way/80e3e2dd-672e-4df5-9538-ca99299ffe1a


 --- Thaddeus Lewis will be Cleveland’s 18th starting quarterback since 1999. The Steelers have had eight since then – Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, Kent Graham, Tommy Madddox, Ben Roethlisberger, Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon.
---  Onto your questions:
--- YOU: AOL site 24/7 Wallstreet makes predictions in their top ten for companies that will no longer exist after 2013. The Oakland Raiders were number seven. They said the Raiders will still exist but not in Oakland. I'm not buying it. I have seen no indications that they are moving away any time soon. Any thoughts on this?
ME: Someone has to move to Los Angeles, maybe two teams. Minnesota is getting a new stadium so they now are out of the running. Would it not be ironic if both the Raiders and Rams move back to Los Angeles? Jacksonville’s dead team walking, so the Jaguars ultimately will move because they just do not get the support they need. It would surprise no one if they moved to St. Louis if the Rams move to Los Angeles. They’d need an improved stadium, of course. That issue is soon coming to a head in St. Louis.
--- YOU: I thought it was very telling that the Steelers signed Ta'Amu from their PS to the 53 man roster to protect him from other teams signing him to a futures contract. I guess we can infer that they still have some hope for him. Looks like they did the same with Gilreath. Your thoughts?
ME: They would not have brought Alameda Ta’amu back to their practice squad even if they thought he did not have potential because of the PR hit they took doing so. It’s a smart move on their part. They also seem to be stocking up on defensive tackles for 2013 with the acquisition of Hebron Fangupo through waivers from Seattle.
--- YOU: What's with Ed Reed not getting suspended again? They bumped his fine another $5K but that's it. Steelers players get to sit a week unpaid when "repeated behavior involving player safety is at issue". Harrison's suspension when Colt McCoy took off running with the ball and threw it at the last second, was termed "progressive discipline" and not an issue of whether or not the hit itself deserved a suspension but, "the result of a pattern of behavior." I'm not usually one to rail on about disciplinary inconsistency, but thing like this are why the league has little credibility on the issue.
ME: One Steelers player has been suspended for one game for his illegal hits, James Harrison. No other Steelers player has been suspended by the league for on-field behavior.
--- YOU: W/ Cleveland starting their 3rd string QB, almost a guaranteed win, why don't we start some youngsters? Examples: We all know Big Casey is the man, & should be back, but, why not give Casey the game off, let S.McClendon start & activate A.Ta'amu for some action? Same goes for S.Sylvester @ MLB. I know S.Spence is the future LILB, if he can get healthy, but... I know we have a lot of injuries, but this is almost like a preseason game, & getting these kids some action would be a positive IMO.
ME: They actually want to win the game, but it would surprise few if they work some other players into it today as the game progresses.

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