Steel City Jim

Talk about waking up to a nightmare ... I awoke this morning to hear that the Ravenzzz acquired Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round draft choice from Arizona for picks in the third and fourth rounds. This is not much to give for an established, star, physical wide receiver. The Steelers did something like this in about 1996 when they got Bettis. It set them up for a decade. This, coupled with the signing of Dante Stallworth earlier in the week, and combined with the ever present and ridiculous Steeler-killer, Todd Heap, and the Ravenzzz have a receiving corps second to none in the NFL.

To make matters worse, Joe Flacco is coming into his own, as if he hasn't been there already, and in Ray Rice, the Ravenzzz have one of the premier runners in the NFL. And, finally, to seal the deal, the Ravenzzz have't lost a thing in their vaunted defense, led by the ageless Ray Lewis. So, is it a stretch on March 6 to concede the AFC North to the Ravenzzz? I don't think so. And, I think it's appropriate to rename the Ravenzzz the Baltimore All-Stars.

Now, what did the Steelers do during the first days of free agency to help themselves? For one, they failed to re-sign Ryan Clark, arguably the best defensive back on the team. Now, they will probably have to rely on some untested two-year players back there. What a great prospect. To add insult to injury, Roethlisberger once again has been accused of sexual assault. This time it is in Georgia. Last year the accusation came from Nevada. You gotta say one thing ... he gets around! Oh, and you ask, whom did the Steelers sign this week to improve the team. The answer: Nobody.

-- I also think the Jets helped themselves by signing Antonio Cromartie. He will play cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis. That's a pretty powerful twosome.

-- Boy, the Bears really loosened he purse strings this week signing Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna. This is really uncharacteristic of the Bears. It's like they took a page from Daniel Snyder's book. Hopefully for the Bears, all these huge signings will net them more victories in 2010 than the four the Redskins earned in 2009.

-- We'll find out how good a head coach Ken Whisenhunt is now. As you know, he was the odds-on favorite to take over the Steelers when Cowher resigned. But when Tomlin blew the Steeler brass off their chairs in his interview, Whisenhunt signed with the Cardinals. He also lucked out with having Kurt Warner and the Cardinals went to the playoffs in Whis' first two years. Now, with Warner and Boldin gone, we'll see what kind of magic he can pull off.