Steel City Jim

If the Steelers "stole" one in Miami last Sunday, then the Saints game was retribution. Three factors contributed mightily to their demise in New Orleans. First, the crowd. There wasn't the "12th Man" -- I think it was the 13th, 14th and 15th man. This is not by way of excuse. It's the way things are. But the Steelers, particularly on offense, were conspicuously hampered by the crowd noise. It prevented them from getting off the ball crisply and allowed the Saints to control the line of scrimmage.

I also think that the refs contributed. How they could call Hines Ward for offensive interference on that pass play is beyond me. They also got James Harrison for roughing the passer. A very questionable call. But the Steelers have targets on their backs. They are poster boys for "dirty hits" and if in doubt, referees will call close plays against them. Again, that's life.

Finally, I must give credit to Drew Brees. I am convinced that he can thread a needle with a football. Time after time he was able to zip a ball to a spot, and a tiny spot at that, where only his receiver could catch the ball. My hat is off to him.

In the meantime, "woulda, coulda, shouda" comes into it. If Miller holds on to the ball toward the end of the game when the Steelers were marching either to go ahead or tie ... And Miller is one of the most reliable guys with a ball in his hands we have.

Gotta say, though, that Ziggy Hood held up pretty well playing for the injured and invaluable Aaron Smith. That's not to say that I dissected films about his play, but I didn't see that he did anything obvious to embarrass himself.

On another bright note, it looks like we have found a kickoff returner who can get the ball past the 20-yard line. Sanders have been pretty nifty in knifing through and finding a crease. Now, if he only stays healthy.

Have to say that every Pittsburgh pundit, TV, radio, newspaper, picked the Saints to win last night. One guy said that the Steelers weren't going to be 15-1, and this was an away game that smacked of their losing. All were right. From a Pittsburgh perspective, if it's one game and they snap back next Monday night against Cincinnati, it won't be too bad. But if it starts a swoon like last year when they went into the tank for five straight games, well, that's another matter. So, we'll be watching next Monday night to see a comeback. Actually, they better do well against the Bengals because the game after that is against the Bs, Brady and Belechick, and that is never pleasant in these parts.

-- How long will Wade Phillips keep his job with the 'Boys? The same for the Broncos coach. I haven't bothered to memorize his name as he's headed for the trash heap, and quickly. Seattle fans ... your coach has the resume, on the college level, that is ... but he's a loser in the NFL. How 'bout dem Jets getting shut out. Rex Ryan will learn to keep his mouth shut ... when dogs quit barking. The Lions are beginning to roar. The 'Skins are paper Tigers ... and they're old and McNabb ain't got it any more. Favre is a nut ... playing with two broken bones in his ankle. Iron Man contests are an aberration ... see Steel City Jim essays, ad nauseum, about Cal Ripken, Jr., known as St. Cal in Ballimer. The longer you keep an aged, decrepit guy in the lineup, the more you destroy the team concept and the will to win. St. Cal killed the Orioles for years. Only now with Showalter have they shown signs of life.

-- The World Series has been interesting. Having new teams in the Series is refreshing, even though it has killed ratings. The Giants' pitching has been a revelation. The only problem is that you have to see the Bushes all the time, and that's painful.

Don't look now, but Pitt is 3-0 in the Big East and could get a pretty good bowl. The Panthers lost to Utah and Notre Dame on the road, which is tough. They seem to be getting together now ... and maybe, just maybe, the Big East competition isn't quite Utah.