The Steelers have virtually no margin for error in this evening's playoff game at Denver, which means they can't self-inflict any damage.
Depending on whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can play, the offensive personnel may resemble a combination more likely to be seen in the preseason rather than the postseason.
There's no Antonio Brown, no DeAngelo Williams and their absences are added to those of Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey and Kelvin Beachum. The Broncos are not reciprocating with a training camp roster, so the Steelers don't have the luxury of making mindless mistakes.
There were a couple of whoppers against Cincinnati last Saturday that may have gotten lost in the all's-well-that-ends-well finish the self-destructive Bengals provided.
Yes, Vontaze Burfict and Adam (He Isn't Called Pac Man Any More) Jones added to their infamy with penalties that gifted the Steelers an extra 30 yards in advance of a game-winning field goal.
But they were also familiar with how those things work, thanks to a couple of rock-headed plays against the Bengals.
Shamarko Thomas covered a punt too aggressively and was flagged for interfering with the player trying to make the catch. Thomas should know the rule since he was also found guilty in the regular season.
It's good to get there in a hurry, but not if you run into the receiver for a penalty so blatant even Mike Carey gets it right on the CBS broadcast. If Thomas can't stop in time, he has to veer left or right to avoid getting the flag.
He didn't, and it cost the Steelers 15 yards.
Things got worse later when William Gay was penalized 15 yards for a celebratory dance after he thought he'd scored a touchdown. Gay scooped up a loose ball and headed for the end zone without being touched.
That gave him the chance to mentally flip through his file of dances and have one ready to go once he hit the promised land. The officials signaled touchdown, Gay danced -- joined by teammate Bud Dupree -- and the flag flew.
But on further review, the touchdown was disallowed. And the 15 yards that would have been assessed on the kickoff instead was measured off on the change of possession.
So the Steelers were needlessly backed up 15 yards just because Gay and Dupree felt the need to succumb to their own version of Saturday night fever. That wasn't quite as dumb -- and certainly not as violent -- as what Burfict and Jones did, but it was just as ridiculous.
Mike Tomlin hasn't had a lot of success in revoking dance cards for his players. This would be a time to crack down.
It's the playoffs. No time to be dumb.
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--LOCKED IN
The Pirates' Jeff Locke avoided salary arbitration by signing a one-year deal for $3,025,000 the other day.
He made $531,000 last year. So what did he do to merit a raise of $2,494,000? He was 8-11 last season with an earned run average 4.49 and a WHIP of 1.420. Although he won one more game (while making nine more starts), all of the stats cited were worse than those he posted in 2014.
He got the raise because he was arbitration eligible. So he gets significantly more money not because he was better, but rather because he showed up. It's the MLB version of a participation trophy, and it's even better. You can take this one to the bank.
Advice to parents: If your sons show any athletic ability, encourage them to play baseball. If they can make a living at it (admittedly a long shot), the benefits are incredible.
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