So if Ben Roethlisberger throws fewer than six touchdown passes today, does it mean he's had a bad game?
Funny how quickly standards can change.
Like how did Todd Haley get so smart in two weeks? Night classes? Has he been monitoring sports talk radio?
Here we go with some Steelers observations, here we go:
--It's impossible to overstate how well the offensive line has been providing protection. Roethlisberger has praised his line, but quarterbacks always do that.
The line is giving him time. Roethlisberger was sacked on three consecutive plays on one ridiculous series on Sunday night, but overall the line has been exceptional.
Give a good quarterback time, and he's going to make plays.
--As impressive as 12 touchdown passes in two games obviously is, there's one statistic that's almost as good: No interceptions.
So many things can happen including deflected passes and route-running errors by inexperienced receivers, so you expect a turnover or two along the way for a team that's throwing the ball a lot.
Turnovers can be tipping points. The Steelers have been taking care of the ball, even though it's in the air a lot.
--Ordinarily Troy Polamalu's absence would be a major issue for the Steelers. Polamalu won't play against the Jets, and he also missed a good part of the game against the Ravens.
There seems to be little consternation about his absence from the lineup. Is that because people are so dazzled about what's happening on offense, or is it an indication that Polamalu's impact is far less than what it once was?
--Popular opinion a few weeks ago held that Dick LeBeau was obsolete. Instead, it looks like he's doing more than ever, designing schemes varied enough to allow the Steelers to get away with too much average talent on defense.
--Mike Tomlin called out the Steelers' kick coverage team after the Ravens' 108-yard touchdown return. Tomlin was correct, but he didn't go far enough. Just about every aspect of the Steelers' special teams play has been substandard too often. (Shaun Suisham's field goal kicking is an exception).
It's good that the Steelers improvised their way into a two-point conversion after holder Brad Wing mishandled the snap, but an automatic kick shouldn't turn into an adventure. Bad special teams will eventually be costly.
--The Joe Greene number retirement ceremony was well done, but bittersweet. Greene is the only survivor of the legendary front four that was once on the cover of Time magazine. To see Greene hobbling out to the podium and to know that all his linemates are gone is another realization that 1974 was a really long time ago.
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--PEACE ON ICE
NBC hockey commentator Mike Milbury recently called for the NHL to abolish fighting. His anti-fighting epiphany has come after an interesting journey.
While playing for Boston on Dec. 23, 1979, Milbury was one of 18 Bruins players involved in a game-ending scrum that spilled into the stands at Madison Square Garden. Milbury yanked the shoe off a fan named John Kaptain, and hit Kaptain with the shoe. The NHL suspended Milbury for six games and fined him $500.
You Tube has the episode preserved, along with a bunch of Milbury fights that show him before he went all Gandhi.
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--SCALING BACK
KDKA-TV has been doing a Saturday night Steelers shows for several years, but it's been different this season.
Honey, they shrunk the show. Some elements are the same. Bob Pompeani co-hosts, this year with the personable Cam Heyward. But they no longer tape at Heinz Field's Great Hall (where audience members were shaken down for an admission fee). There is no audience since the show is done in a corner of KDKA's main studio in Gateway Center.
There's no band, either, so there's a lot less energy. They still do a cooking segment, and radio's Tall Cathy capably assists. But at 30 minutes and in a smaller environment, it's only half the show it used to be.
If the downsizing continues, next year they'll be making the tailgating treats with an Easy-Bake oven.
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