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.

She was only in my life for 8 years and she’s been gone now another 8. And let’s be clear, I’m no sap - I’ve had many hardships in my life but my heart still bleeds over the loss of my best friend. I think of her nearly every day. I miss her often. There are people I’ve known longer and lost earlier that I don’t miss as much as I miss Max.

I too am a dog lover. I once had a little rescue, assess, and re-home for Great Danes. We’ve had 11 of them in this small house at one time!

Each dog is unique, most are wonderful, but there is something beyond words when it comes to dogs like my Max and your Einstein…

I thank you for sharing your story. Somehow it makes me feel like less of a ‘pansy’ for crying, still, 8 years later. Going off to finish my tears now.

Mark, like I said, I am a bit biased in my estimation, but Herc sounds a hell of a lot like Einstein, so I am sure he is a pretty damn good dog too.

Thanks again. Just reading your responses means a ton to me.

I don’t know which side of the spiritual mumbo jumbo I stand on but I do know this. A great friend such as Einstein will never truly be gone from your family. Pictures or camping trips will spawn fond (if not a little sad) stories about your long term pal. So long as he lives in everyone’s memory, he is not gone, just elsewhere.

I am a little bit confused though, I thought I had the greatest pooch ever in Herc, my lab shepard mix. He’s been traveling with me for ten plus years and I really thought I was going to have to face the same decision as you guys a month ago. Luckily he had an amazing turn around. It does stink a bit that such a pal will rely on you to make that decision. Perhaps that is why the give so unconditionally, they know that one day you will have to make a decision that is in their best interest, not ours.

No, I’m ok, just a little condensation around the ocular region. Thanks for sharing D.

FWIW, there’s a large group of people who believe in animal spirits and their stories suggest that animals will sometimes come back to “visit” their owners, especially if there was a very close bond.

Your “goodbye” is so moving. Really, it is a fitting tribute to Einstein and all that he meant to you. Even though this is the first time I have heard of him, I can easily appreciate that he was more than just a pet to you.

In some parts of the world, they believe in rebirth. This doesn’t apply only to human beings, but all living beings, and that we gravitate to exist amongst those we love the most. If you can believe this, you can only expect to see him again real soon. Maybe it will be that stray puppy that suddenly appears at your doorstep one bright and sunny morning.