Ed: Manning's Pick Worse Than Ben's

Good morning,
 Quiet from the Steelers since they announced they would waive Chris Rainey. Perhaps a calm before the storm? Onto some stuff:
 --- Did the Steelers have a knee-jerk reaction to the news about Rainey, news that might not have been entirely factual from Florida? It looks that way. There should have been no rush to judgement here by the Steelers since it is the offseason and especially since they cannot even technically waive Rainey until three weeks from today. They could have waited until they had more information on the matter. They released him in less than half a day after he was arrested. The Steelers do not normally react the way they did. There can be only one reason they did so this time: Public perception. They were worried  about the reaction from fans if they did not act quickly. As I wrote here last week, it was bad timing on Rainey’s part. However, if it comes out that Rainey did not really slap his girlfriend and all charges are dropped, how will the Steelers look on this one?
--- Do you think they are eviscerating Peyton Manning in Denver for that stupid interception the way Steelers fans did Ben Roethlisberger for his throw against the Bengals? Manning’s may have been worse because he was throwing across his body into the middle of the field. He, by the way, still has only one ring.
 --- Houston was a big underdog in New England and the Texans went out and showed why. For much of the season, Houston was the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl. No team from Houston has ever gotten to a Super Bowl, never mind win one. The Texans are dripping with talent, yet a mini-collapse down the stretch took them out of the No. 1 seed and now, again, the AFC ticket to the Super Bowl goes through Foxboro. 
 --- Baltimore’s magic is beginning to look like that of the Steelers in 2005, albeit not a parallel story.  Perhaps the Ravens drive to get Ray Lewis back to the Super Bowl is as intense as was the Steelers’ to get Jerome Bettis there. 
--- Steelers fans may not want to see the Ravens in the Super Bowl, but most likely believe it beats seeing Bill Belichick and the Patriots back in that game. 
 --- The Steelers either need to sign Rashard Mendenhall or halfback will be their top priority entering the draft. They may not used a first-round pick on a back, but if Mendenhall does not return they will have trouble running the ball next season unless they acquire a thoroughbred.
--- Onto your questions:
--- YOU: Sitting here today watching the Ravens and Broncos game, I’m forced to wonder if some of the Steelers problems this year come from a lack of leadership, not just on the sidelines, but in the locker room and ON THE FIELD?? I’m watching how the Ravens have responded to Ray Lewis’s leadership over the years and wonder if maybe, with all the problems we’ve seen this year, if the Steelers as an organization need to refocus their scouting on not just a player’s ability on the field, but also their character and personality on the field?? I’m thinking we’ve had some guys over the years who fit that bill, but due to age, we’ve lost them(Peezy and Bus come to mind immediately) and maybe lost that aggressive or “angry” leadership that a team, especially on defense, needs. 
ME: At the start of last season, I thought the Steelers had enough leadership to overcome the losses of Hines Ward, James Farrior and Aaron Smith. As the season wore on, I concluded they were unable to replace them in that manner, and I’ve been told as much by others who were in their meeting rooms.
--- YOU: When someone goes in the pro football HOF, do they go in as a member of a team? If so, who decides what team? (ex) Rod Woodson? 
ME: No, they go in as themselves. They don’t wear a helmet or a uniform. There’s a bust with a bio and if you played for 14 different teams, they will be listed.
--- YOU: What about John Mitchell? Isn’t the D Line Coach in need of some criticism and improvement? Everyone is complaining about Hood and Heyward but shouldn’t the ASSISTANT COACH Mitchell taking some blame for not getting his #1 draft picks to perform? WR Coach Scottie Montgomery had a bad year but I don’t see that Mitchell was any better.
ME: John Mitchell has been coaching for a long time, so he must be doing something right. They are coaches, not miracle workers. 
--- YOU: Call me crazy, but do you believe it is far fetched for the Steelers to trade Troy? He is a couple years removed from being dominate. The defense was solid during his absence this season. By trading him for a draft pick or two, they would relieve some cap space as well. For that matter, why not let Harrison go as well?
ME: The Steelers are not big on trading players unless they become problems for them (Santonio Holmes). And if you were another team, would you trade for Polamalu, who will be 32 next season? Harrison will be 35 next season, but the Steelers really have no one to replace him.