So today, it's on to the "Three Things To Watch For" post, which despite it's well-thought-out reasoning, scholarly analysis and respectful tone, will likely go largely unnoticed by you all simply because we can't seem to get a post up before 5 PM on Fridays.
Â
And that's cool.
Â
Frankly, it's your loss.
Â
If you'd rather spend your time mindlessly filing expense reports, that sounds like a personal problem.
Â
For the rest of you, however, we feel we've put together a pretty good post of things you should keep your eye on this Sunday.
Â
So we're just going to cut to the chase. It's been a long week, and the sooner we finish this, the sooner we bombard our bodies with the proper Friday diet of Yuengling and Buffalo Wings.
Â
Anyways, here we go...
Steve's Three Things To Watch For:
1. Santonio Holmes
Besides his outburst in Week 1 , our Super Bowl MVP has yet to have an enormous game - statistcally speaking. Held in check against both the Bengals and somewhat against the Chargers, Santonio is due for big one.
The island of mis-fit defensive backs that is the Lions secondary should have a tough time against Sant, Hines, Wallace, and Limas McDonald (a former Lion). Watch Santonio in the slots - as he should be able to grab some quick "7 yard outs" or "10 yard slants" and turn them into big gains.
The Steelers passing game should flourish on Sunday.
By the time I am done contributing to this blog, the Wayne's World references should surpass 13,000.
A no brainer against the Lions - Lebeau should bring the house on every series. Whether it be Culpepper or Stafford (game time decision, hasn't practiced in two days) behind center, the linebackers should have a field day with the either.
With Stafford, LeBeau should be able to confuse him worse than Cotter and I attempting Algebra, with numerous alignments and blitz coverages. Rookie quarterbacks always have a difficult time against the Steelers zone blitz and we feel this Sunday will be no different.
As far as Culpepper, don't expect much from old number eleven. If he starts, and or plays, he will be about as affective as Marian Hossa in the Stanley Cup Finals.Â
Had to get one more jab in. Woooo! Â
Prediction: Woodley and Harrison get 2 sacks a piece.
Â
3. Mike Tomlin Motivation
Detroit native Kid Rock, wrote a song about Tomlin...... it's called "American Badass."
(side note: that was a awful cover of an unreal Metallica song, we can discuss that later)
Should we go three weeks in a row and use a sports cliche? Do we dare say this could be a .........."trap game."
No thanks, we'll pass.
The Steelers may have dicked around this week, making apperances on Monday Night Raw and having a fashion show (granted, that was for a good cause). BUT, don't think Tomlin will let this team lose it's focus in a game that could be easily overlooked by many. We know half of the bandwagon Steeler fans have chalked this up as an easy victory, that could be true, but it could be closer than some think.
If the Lions get a few early scores,expect Tomlin to flip over the chalkboard (NFL teams don't still use chalkboards, do they?) at half, and fire the up this team faster than you can say "Wayne Fontes."
Also, if the Lions DO get a few early scores, contemplate Tequilla shots.
No limes, wussbags.
Prediction: Tomlin's Aviator sunglasses will be responsible for two Steelers offensive touchdowns.
Cotter's Three Things To Watch For:
1. Mendenhall
Last week, Rashard Mendenhall was on meth.
Short of putting icy hot in his jock, the Chargers defense couldn't do anything to stop him from unleashing the fury.
By all accounts, Willie's turf toe is still flaring up worse than Jeff Reed's herpes. And if Willie can't go, it'll be Mendenhalls ball again.
Of the four teams they've faced, the Lions defense has only held one to under 150 yards rushing.
Hell, they made Mike Bell look like Barry Sanders.
It takes a special level of suckitude to accomplish that kind of feat.
Â
Little known fact - the book/movie, "Where The Wild Things Are" was loosely based on the life of Rashard Mendenhall.
Prediction: Fire up the DVR for this one.
2. TP
Â
Troy Polamalu watch - Week 2 update:Â Troy practiced for the 3rd straight day today, and thinks he's ready to play Sunday (Gerry Dulac disagrees).
Â
Prediction: It's the Lions. Somebody get this man a sweatsuit.
3. Stefan Logan
We've heard rumblings this week along the lines of, "Stefan Logan needs to sit down until he learns how to hold on to the football."
Bullshit.
The guy is ranked #6 in kickoff returns and is averaging just about 27 yards a return. Last year, not one Steelers return man even cracked the top 32.
If you don't think good field position is important, I've got two words for you: Mitch. Berger.
Regardless of what happened last Sunday, this guy is an animal.
Yes, we'd certainly like him to hang on to the ball during his returns, and maybe not try and make something out of a situation similar to the Houston 500 while your team is up three scores. But let's face it, 11 KISS dolls have a better chance of stopping Logan than the last ranked Lions kick coverage team. That's fact.
Â
Prediction: No way. I ain't gonna jinx it.
Also...
If you can't appreciate that, go be a Texans fan.
Â
Predictions:
Â
Steve
Cotter
Other Things To Watch For:
1. Keyshawn Johnson has picked the Lions to win this game. He's now officially off our Christmas card list.
Â
2. Lions fans better watch their backs. Silverback isn't a creampuff like Ron Artest.
Â
3. Oakland Zoo > Detroit Zoo. Also, we'd like to add - Donnie Iris > Kiss, Kid Rock, and Eminem combined.
If this game is anywhere NEAR close on sunday I'm going to kill myself!!! PLEEEZE God, PLEEEZE let the Steelers roll just this once!!
I want...no I NEED the game to be 37-10.
|10-09-2009 15:57
Cotter
Agreed.
If this is a close game in any way, shape or form, it'll be Xanax city for me.
|10-10-2009 13:22
Pal Salantonio
- TEE UP
Haigh I hope David Johnson makesa block
|10-11-2009 19:03
Grumpy
Stuck in Chicago traffic on Fri. so I missed this. Guess you're on Xanax by now.
![[Unnamed] Steelers Pregame Show](/images/stories/menu33.png)
