Thanks for comments. Mike Tomlin said that protecting the quarterback is an 11-man job and he is absolutely correct. I think Ben holds onto the ball sometimes too long. Without Holmes in the lineup, I feel that teams focus on Ward and it makes it hard for the receivers to get open and finally at times our backs don’t pick up the right read. So I do agree that it is hard to place it all on the line.

However, this line is definitely not equal to the superbowl offensive line. Sean Mahan isn’t even worthy of holding Jeff Hartings jockstrap if you ask me. I think the Center play this year has been dreadful and really that is the heart of the line. People are so quick to blame Faneca (and Simmons to a lesser extent), but I really feel that they are just trying to take up the slack from the gaping hole next to them. I think Mahan brings the level of this entire line down. They did play better against the Bengals though and I hope that they can continue to play better as a unit.

I would love to see the tight ends involved early and often in this game. Miller quite possibly has the best hands on this team. And Spaeth generally makes the throws he gets count. But I don’t think it is wise in this game to go with a quick strike offense. We need to be balanced, but if it takes the passing game to open up the running game, I would like to see them come out firing early on, but then balance it out.

I really feel that the Steelers offense is better than the Patriots defense. My problem is that the Patriots offense is probably better than the Steelers defense. They have the only offense in the league that I would say that about. The Steelers must slow this game down by keeping their offense off the field and then not allowing big plays when they are on the field.

Lastly, let me express my jealousy. I try to come to Pittsburgh once a year and have absolutely fallen in love with the place. I automatically am jealous of anyone from there. Also, that is awesome on the 6 superbowls. Too bad the 95 one didn’t turn out the way it could have. The only one I have ever been to is the 2005, but I will never forget it.

GO STEELERS!

To whoever wrote this article: This is a very good analysis. Well thought through and obviously you are quite the football expert. I have little to add. I enjoyed reading the article.

Except this: Did you ever think of whether the Steeler offensive line would look better if the Steelers allowed Big Ben to be “let go” to pass on nearly every down — like Brady? Would more passing by Big Ben (35 times per game, let’s say), open up the Steelers’ running game? This is the same offensive line that won the Super Bowl. I am just posing these questions, because I do not believe this line is as “suspect” as people say. Case in point: In the Super Bowl year, Cowher — for once in his career — “let Big Ben go” against Indianapolis because the Steelers had nothing to lose. Thirty yarders to the tight end on first down. Twenty yarders over the middle on second down. What happened: The Steelers were leading by 21 points before you could bat an eyelash.

My point: The offensive line is better with run-blocking and can’t stop the blitz. But they CAN pass protect with no blitz. So, how do you stop the blitz? Better play-calling.

Let Big Ben go. Just like Chuck Noll did with Bradshaw in 1974. And the Steelers will deliver to us a surprising blow out win on December 9, 2007.

IMHO.