Ernie Holmes, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers famed “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s, died Friday in a car accident outside Beaumont, Texas. He was 59 years old.

Holmes (nicknamed “Fats”) played alongside Hall of Famer “Mean” Joe Greene at the defensive tackle position, and L.C. Greenwood and Dwight White, the ends. With Holmes, the Steelers won two of their four Super Bowls during the decade, was a two-time All-Pro lineman, known for his unpredictable behavior, and this somewhat humorous story (depending on your perspective).

Holmes is a paramount example of how the Steelers, much like what the Patriots are doing today, and the Cowboys were able to do in the 1990s, drafted nearly flawlessly. He was an 8th round selection out of Texas Southern in 1971.

In fact, the Steelers fleeced the state of Texas for the bulk of their talent on defense, all from small Texas schools. White attended Texas A&M University-Commerce and Greene went to North Texas State University. Holmes went to Texas Southern University. While Greenwood was not a Texan, he was from Arkansas, and was a 10th round selection from Arkansas AM&N.

Alright…hiatus over!

This is quasi-old news, but that YouTube video, the one the Blog ‘N Gold says was “burning the email lines in Pittsburgh” last week, was made by my very own cousin.

If I could embed the link, I would. I don’t think our Fearless Blog Leader would allow that, not since he’s on pins and needles on whether or not Jason Garrett will be the Ravens’ next coach.

Anyway…

Here’s the YouTube clip, and you better hurry, Cousin Meghan has told me they were served with a Cease and Desist, demanding it be taken down immediately. Cousin Meghan was also the one who was out at a Pittsburgh bar this summer when she ran into Ben Roethlisberger and “several other Steelers players” all wearing shirts that indicated the party was some sort of mock on Roethlisberger’s accident last year. So obviously, she’s on the level.

“The seats are all empty…let the roadies take the stage. Pack it up and tear it down. They’re the first to come and the last to leave, workin’ for that minimum wage. They’re setting up in another town. Tonight the people were so fine, they waited there in line, and when they got up on their feet, and made the show. That was sweet, but I can hear the sound of slamming doors and folding chairs, that’s a sound they’ll never know.”

I’ve got Jackson Browne on the ol’ iPod, here at 5:30 a.m. at the home of Die Hard Steel. It’s kind of difficult to get my head around the season being over, and not so much that the Steelers lost a game they usually don’t lose (just a simple two first downs to close it out). It’s more of something you’ve been doing every day since June 20, and how it finally comes to an end, but too early. I gotta dole out some much-needed “thank yous” as the 2007 Steelers pre-regular-and-post-season comes to a bittersweet end.

I believe in Karma, and the simple philosophy of doing the right thing. DHS didn’t win any awards, or did it receive a great deal of national exposure or anything. I don’t write this in an effort to land a full-time gig, as a guy on Steelers Live once suggested. Kind of a funny story, but that guy had posted a poll on Steelers Live sarcastically asking if I should just be hired on full time and stop blogging on that site so much. I took offense to it, and it set me down the path to start writing here (closed-circuit to SteelMan35, that poll motivated me to start my own blog, so thank you for being a smartass). I’ll get to that in a minute, but the simple fact is the success DHS earned this year is so far above and beyond the expectations I had for it. I’m using this space to enjoy it, and give props where props are merited.

Stephen and Sports Cartel

I’d like to throw out a tremendous call of thank you to Sports Cartel CEO/COO/President/Whatever/Ravens Blogger Stephen, who not only had to put up with a hyper and over-inquisitive punk like me for the duration of 260 posts, but maintained the entire network all season. He’s a fantastic guy, and puts up probably the best blog on the network. Yeah, I know, I hate the Ravens too, but frankly, Stephen made me enjoy hating the Ravens.

I doubt Paul Cavanaugh with Jags Turf will be able to do the same right now.

Truth be told, I was living in Philadelphia, and looking for a part-time writing gig in an effort to pass the time, or perhaps, actually earn a few dollars on the side. He was advertising for a Sports Cartel blog covering the Phillies. Since the Twins aren’t ever televised on the eastern seaboard, I had been watching the Phils, and figured I could write about them until I was ready to dive back into the Steelers.

I wrote up the most ridiculous sample post - something about grading each starting pitcher after each half inning. As any of the four or five consistent readers of DHS could probably guess, the post was like 1,500 words long after three innings (it was Jamie Moyer vs. Tim Lincecum).

Stephen read it (I think) and emailed me back asking about the Steelers writing I’ve done. I remember how sarcastic he sounded, “Strangely enough, we currently don’t have anyone covering a team as widely popular as the great Pittsburgh Steelers.”

I hopped on board immediately at the chance to manage DHS, even after he told me he was the Ravens writer. One of the best opportunities I’ve ever been given.

King Wexell 

Another tremendous call of thanks to Media Guru and one of the finest reporters I’ve had the fortune to be around, Mr. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider.

It’s a pay site, but very few things give you more for the dollar than SCI. Jim is a classic old-school reporter. He’s as competitive as the players he covers, and he prizes the story more than anything. His ability to break news, find fresh angles, pass along knowledge of the game and establishing relationships far exceed his colleagues.

He gave me the opportunity to write a match-up column all season (fortunately for everyone, you don’t have to pay to read it), and without question, it’s been the most fun I’ve ever had as a writer.

I did an interview with him for Steelers Fever a few years ago, and just figured he blew it off. We traded an email or two back in July, and the column came up, entirely because he was on the road for his book (as soon as I find out the publication date, I’ll pass that along, and I anxiously await its release), and needed someone to do it.

Remarkably, he even let me continue it when he got back, a testament to his willingness to help a young writer out. That’s rare in this business.

Both he and Donny Drummond have been fantastic to work with, and I sincerely hope I am asked to write it again next year.

J.J. Cooper 

I’d be doing a disservice if I also didn’t mention AOL’s J.J. Cooper in all of this. It’s embarrassing to admit how I ended up talking to him, but long story short, I took exception with a post of his, thinking he ripped mine off and didn’t provide credit. Being the idiot overcompetitive person I am, this somehow made sense to me at the time.

J.J. went out of his way to comment on the post, using his full name, asking me to email him to discuss it. He could have simply ignored my arrogance, and blow it off. He could have responded to my attitude in kind, calling me out for it. He didn’t. He calmly and professionally explained his side to me, and made me feel like the biggest tool on earth. It’s a lesson any youngish writer should learn. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

He used the phrase “being a good neighbor in the blogosphere,” and how he always tries to be that. He’s not only that, but a very knowledgeable football guy, and a great resource for any aspiring writer. I wish to thank him for the opportunity to participate in a few email exchange columns, as well as being gracious in me throwing bizarre theories his way to get his take on them. Just a great guy…

The Frat Pack bloggers 

The two other fellow blogging neighbors I’ve had the fortune to get to know this season is Cotter at One For The Other Thumb and Jay at Blitzburgh Report. Add in DHS, and those three sites sort of make up a Steelers Frat Pack type of style. We link each other often, and theirs are must-reads if you’re into very conversational fan perspective insight. Both Cotter and Jay write with a great deal of personality, and it’s always an enjoyable read. As anyone who does this for free can attest, passion is at the root of it, and for the amount of time put into their sites (read: full time jobs plus writing them on the side), they truly do a fantastic job.

This is what the Blogosphere is all about, as I’ve learned this year. We all watch the same game, we all take away something unique from it.

Everyone at the Minnesota Steelers Fan Club

I wish to thank Paul and Glen, the top dogs at the Minnesota Steelers Fan Club based in St. Paul. They handled a change in venue as successfully as the Steelers handled the transition from Cowher to Tomlin. They provide the most interactive and exciting fan environment for a team in the Twin Cities.

Last night was out of this world. People were bouncing off the walls during the comeback. Emotions run high, but Paul and Glen keep the energy level as high as it can be while quelling anyone getting a tad out of hand. They do all of this while soaking up the game like a sponge, and preparing everything for the next game, win or lose, with the same amount of optimism. It’s truly a unique experience, and I look forward to going back next year.

Assuming I’m not continuously bothering anyone with my constant over-analysis of the game, that is.

SteelerBro and Fiance

I’ll keep the cheese to a minimum, but SteelerBro is always there for positive encouragement, and a devil’s advocate to many of the theories that make up the breadth of DHS. He’ll mix it up with people in the comments from time to time, as well. Those living in the Twin Cities, or possibly coming to some local attraction here at some point, check out the Wild Colonial Bhoys, a truly fantastic show to attend.

I failed in my quest to make WCB the Official Band of the 2007 Steelers season, but there’s always 2008. Don’t think I’m not going to try again.

Fiance knows basically nothing about football, which strikes anyone who knows me as being very weird. It has never bothered me. It has to bother her, because she knows how much I enjoy explaining the game and the team to her literally from start to finish. It’s hard to tell someone the impact of Faneca’s contract situation if she doesn’t understand how, in the NFL, paying a guard $20 million guaranteed is only a recent salary escalation. She puts up with it all with a smile despite my verbal lack of interest in things such as the Food Network and America’s Next Top Model.

Hugo with Real Football 365

Unfortunately for me, I didn’t get in touch with Hugo at Real Football 365 soon enough. I didn’t start with them until late in the season, but even in the time I had there, I really enjoyed it. I tried to establish more of a timeless voice with my column there, focusing more on providing copy that would be valid through the week leading up to the game. ‘Course, injuries kept happening, and my column usually was void by Saturday. Such is the challenge of media, though, and I really enjoyed trying to find that bigger perspective.

He gave me an opportunity to continue getting my stuff into circulation, and I’m extremely grateful for that.  

Coming in the near future

I’m gonna try my damndest to set the keyboard down for at least two weeks or so, but while I do have another writing gig in the works, Stephen and I have contrived a feature for the NFL Draft that is going to hit the big-time. I won’t give anything away now, but it’s going to be pretty snazzy. I am extremely excited to work on that with him. There are also plans in the works to send DHS to New York for the draft, so look for 72 consecutive hours of updates and a vivid description of what Mel Kiper’s hair looks like in person. As Wayne Garrett, the greatest Cooler in the business says, “I’ll get all the sleep I need when I’m dead.”

The ultimate goal is to score an interview with Kevin Colbert, which is a professional dream of mine. Is it possible? Hey, I was about two seconds away from getting 10 minutes with Bret Michaels (a big Steelers fan). To be honest, the fact it didn’t happen is more on me than it is on Michaels’ people. I’m still kicking myself. Never doubt the incredibly powerful bond of the Pittsburgh Steelers and its fan-base. You’d be amazed at how many loyal fans the franchise has, and how that can benefit you in the professional world.

Either way, look for extensive draft coverage starting right after the Super Bowl. Maybe even a trip to Indianapolis for the Combine. Yes, I’m That Guy. The NFL Network was created with the idea in mind the average That Guy would drain financial resources on the idea of watching guys in shorts run 40 yards.

Conclusion

I’m very excited people actually read this. I don’t have another way to put it. I try not to be impressed with myself, my overall attitude is more in just how much fun this all is for me. I used to be a sports writer, and ended up hating the lifestyle. And my employer. I won’t get into blasting the Rag Press, but damn it’s tempting to do so. Now, I do it as a hobby, get to do it my way, and have had far more success than I have in anything else (I did place third in a checkers tournament at summer camp when I was nine, though).

There. Rant over. June 20, 2007 to Jan. 6, 2008. That’s the length of a car insurance policy. Seems so much longer.

Swing back here for any and all draft rumors. I’ll cya all later.

NEAL

“It’s too bad they don’t give out awards for shitty writing, because you would win.”

- a reader back in my newspaper days.

“You’re not as funny as you think you are.”

- An ex-girlfriend

Unlike the Week 15 meeting, Pittsburgh dominated Saturday night’s rematch with Jacksonville, but just like the first game, the Steelers furious comeback in the second half wasn’t enough to close out a win. The Jaguars beat the Steelers for the fourth straight time, and advance in the AFC playoffs.  

And so it ends. Not with a whisper, but with a bang.

Jacksonville became the first team to ever beat the Steelers twice in one season in Pittsburgh, scoring a 31-29 victory in an explosive game that had everything a football fan could have wanted.

The Jaguars were in Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger’s head for most of the game, and the AFC Pro Bowl passer needed a gutty performance - even by his standards - to bring the Steelers within one score of a Divisional round berth.

Instead, he dug himself a huge hole early, tossing three interceptions in the first half, and 2007-08 became the first season in which Roethlisberger qualified for the playoffs, but didn’t win a game. He finished 29-for-42 with 337 yards and two touchdowns along with the three interceptions, and is now 5-2 in the playoffs all time.

Jack Del Rio won his first playoff game as the Jaguars head coach.

Jacksonville’s offense, so highly touted going into Saturday night’s game, was dominated by the Steelers defense. They locked down sentimental hero Fred Taylor, allowing just 48 yards on 16 carries, and Jacksonville’s receivers might as well not have been on the field.

The problem was Jags QB David Garrard. And it was his legs, not his arm, that did it. The Steelers defense got four sacks - two by rookie LaMarr Woodley and 1.5 from James Harrison - but Garrard rushed for a game-high 58 yards, 32 of them at the most critical point of the game. In fact, it was one of the only two offensive plays that Jacksonville provided much of anything.

Jacksonville was out of timeouts, and facing a 4th-and-2, Garrard hauled past OLB James Harrison and SS Troy Polamalu (apparently, neither were held on the play) and waltzed past FS Tyrone Carter (who seemed to just let Garrard run past him), setting up a 25-yard Josh Scobee chip shot to seal it.

To be fair, the officials were largely keeping the flags in their pockets in regards to the battles along the lines all game.

Perhaps perfectly in line with the Steelers season, Roethlisberger was sacked from his blind side and fumbled the ball at the end of the game. It was the team’s fourth turnover.

Saturday was another example of how the Steeles simply could not run games out in 2007. They had the ball 1st-and-10 with a 29-28 lead with about three minutes left. Two Davenport runs went for nothing, and on third-and-8, they ran some sort of power sweep with Roethlisberger calling his own number. Granted, Ben usually looks as if he’s running in sand, and while the play went for two yards, he did seem to have a seam if he continued to follow his blocks. He cut up seemingly well earlier than he should have, and was chum for the incoming predatory Jaguars. A first down likely would have sealed the game, considering how poorly Garrard had been passing, and the fact they had no timeouts left.

This was largely caused by Del Rio’s dubious decision to challenge a clearly incomplete pass to WR Ernest Wilford. It was his second lost challenge of the night. The Steelers were 1-for-1, successfully challenging that Mathis was touched after going to the ground on his second interception.

(It didn’t seem he was touched, but rather, that his exposed dreadlocks landed on the white chalk of the sideline. A man sitting next to me at that point made an excellent point, it seemed the officials said he was touched because they did not want to verbalize something to the effect of “his hair was out of bounds.” However, this would have been fair, as the rules state a player’s hair is a part of his uniform. The league doesn’t really seem to want to acknowledge hair at all.)

Getting that 21-7 lead wasn’t difficult for the Jaguars, considering those scores didn’t all come through traditional means. Despite their power running game having such a huge advantage over the Steelers, They needed a 96-yard kick return to Pittsburgh’s 1-yard line - which Taylor punched in for his only meaningful carry of the game - a Rashean Mathis pick-six (he had two interceptions in the game) and a Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown reception off Roethlisberger’s second interception of the game to get the halftime lead.

The P-G’s Blog and Gold says this about the Steelers special teams, as usual, showing up for four quarters:

During training camp, one of the more entertaining things to watch was special teams coach Bob Ligashesky frothing raving mad rants like some kind of a rabid Tourette’s patient. Clearly that worked …

Best of luck in your job search, Coach Ligashesky.

Playoff competition was evident

Jacksonville took a commanding 21-7 at halftime, but led by Ward’s abuse of the Jaguars’ secondary over the third and fourth quarters, Pittsburgh took the lead with a Najeh Davenport touchdown run. Ward and rookie safety Reggie Nelson got into several skirmishes, most likely caused by the fact the rookie - and the rest of Jacksonville’s secondary - had no answer for Ward. This photo on the front of the P-G’s sports page says it all…a flag was thrown, but not on Nelson. C Sean Mahan was whistled for holding, thus negating perhaps the finest catch of Ward’s career. He finished with 10 catches for 135 yards, both of which were higher than all of Jacksonville’s wide receivers combined.

Jacksonville advances to play at New England if San Diego beats Tennessee Sunday. They will travel to Indianapolis if the Titans win at San Diego.

Big Al’s future

The No. 1 storyline coming out of Pittsburgh for the next few months will be the future of All Pro LG Alan Faneca. Despite being part of an overall poor offensive line this season, Faneca is the bedrock on which the offense has been built over the past several seasons, and it would be a shame to see him leave.

However, $20 million guaranteed is a lot to give a 31-year-old lineman. SS Troy Polamalu got around $16 million guaranteed. Roethlisberger is in line for an extension, and he’ll bury that total by probably $10 million. LT Max Starks is also a free agent, and LT Trai Essex (who probably deserves a B grade last night, despite a few lapses here and there) is a restricted free agent.

Stay tuned on that situation.

Mahan is the next Chukky Okobi

The least mentioned major aspect of this game was the fact the Jaguars lost DT John Henderson early in the game, and the Steelers still could not get a push on the interior defensive line. It’s obvious Mahan is not a starter at the center position.

The only logical move right now would be to re-sign RT Max Starks, and shift the right side of the line inward. Put Starks back at right tackle (the biggest mistake of the year was benching him, says Dale Lolley), move Willie Colon to right guard, and Kendall Simmons to center. Keep Mahan on the roster to provide some depth at center and guard. Maybe have him compete with Marvin Phillip.

Clearly, this line was not good enough to seriously compete this year. Mahan doesn’t have enough strength to keep huge tackles at bay, and isn’t quick enough to out-maneuver them either. Simmons could do this, and judging by Colon’s suspect one-on-one pass blocking skills and his above-average power, he is a more natural fit at guard.

Prediction

Not that it matters, but I just want to get it on paper…Patriots over Seattle in Super Bowl XLII.

Stats That Matter:

The Steelers had 340 yards of offense, compared to the 217 yards they had in their Week 15 loss to Jacksonville

Pittsburgh gave up 135 yards on the ground Saturday, and 217 in Week 15.

David Garrard had 32 of those 135 yards on the biggest play of the game.

Rookie LaMarr Woodley had two sacks and two pressures, and was active for most of the fourth quarter.

Pittsburgh will draft 24th overall in the first round on April 26. They drafted Maryland CB Chad Scott with the 24th overall pick in 1997. They haven’t drafted in the top 10 since 2000, where they took Michigan State WR Plaxico Burress.

Neal Coolong is the author of Die Hard Steel for Sports Cartel, and is a contributor to Steel City Insider and Real Football 365.

Playoff edition of Saturday’s match-ups on Steel City Insider.

 SS Troy Polamalu is the soul of a defense that hasn’t played well recently. This is largely caused by the fact Polamalu has been hurt.

Fortunately, as Gerry Dulac is reporting Saturday morning, Polamalu practiced Friday, and is expected to play tonight in the AFC Wild Card playoff game against Jacksonville.

Polamalu, in his brief career, has already established himself as one of the most indispensible players in the league. Sure, every team has to overcome injuries, but there is nothing even the greatest defensive minds in the game can do to mirror his physical ability if he’s not on the field.

Plain and simple, if the Steelers are to advance to either New England or Indianapolis in the second round, Polamalu will need to be his usual dominant, disruptive self.

Jacksonville’s ground game is pretty strong. You may have heard that once or twice this week. It’s also likely been mentioned a few times that, even with Polamalu on the field, the Jags ran all over Pittsburgh in their Week 15 victory at Heinz Field. It’s scary to think what would have happened had he not been playing.

Oh wait, we saw it against New England in Week 14.

Dulac writes:

Polamalu participated in a full practice yesterday and, barring an unexpected setback, should start against the Jaguars. Because of the type of injury he incurred earlier this season –sprains to the medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments — Polamalu has difficulty when he tries to accelerate.

That’s no good. When healthy, he accelerates like a Ferrari. Polamalu made a play against the Jags where he literally ran around the hard-pursuing Larry Foote and James Farrior to make the tackle. I don’t care if they’re linebackers, how many players in the NFL can overcome 10 yards of distance, maneuver around two guys running at full speed, and beat them to the play, all in about a half a second?

I know Ryan Wilson wrote about this once, too, but in the 2006 AFC Championship game…Tatum Bell caught a screen pass, and on TV, there was nothing but green around him. Not even in the time it took Bell to square his shoulders, Polamalu came from 13 yards away, and dropped him for a very short gain. I had to watch it frame-by-frame to confirm he didn’t transpose himself from one position to the next. His feet physically did touch the ground, but even the laws of friction didn’t slow him down.

He could be the most talented player the franchise has ever seen. If not, he’d be a serious consideration. Look at that The Game against Indianapolis in the 2006 playoffs. He was out-of-this-world good, and had All-Pro QB Peyton Manning flustered like a rookie. If the Steelers are able to milk some strength out of their floundering front seven, Troy can really mess with David Garrard’s head.  Troy does this in the playoffs. Here’s to Troy doing it tonight.

$8.5 million for a guard seems high, but how about a G/C?

In what’s sure to be one of the hottest reads among Steelers fans this season, Jim Wexell proposes an interesting theory on Steel City Insider about Pittsburgh’s precarious offensive line situation going into this off-season - whenever the regular season shall end.

Three important facts:

1. Alan Faneca is a free agent this off-season.
2. Max Starks is a free agent this off-season.
3. The Steelers are around $18 million under the projected salary cap.

Add in some conjecture:

1. Pittsburgh did not get a desired level of consistency out of the center position.
2. It’s a nice draft at tackle, but not quite as much at guard.
3. Per his own words, Faneca is not expecting to return to Pittsburgh, citing a lack of a fair market-valued offer from the Steelers last off-season.

The pieces start to fall in place. Starks was benched in favor of second-year man Willie Colon at right tackle. Starks started at that position in Pittsburgh’s 21-10 win over Seattle in Super Bowl XL. Starks just seemed off-balance most of the pre-season, but has done a great job filling in for injured veteran Marvel Smith this season. The immediate thought is Starks’ play in Smith’s absence bumped up his price tag enough to ensure he’s not returning. Even the more optimistic Steelers fans had been preparing for life without Big Al.

Wexell got this from offensive line coach Larry Zierlein:

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Alan finish his career as a center because he’s just so smart.”

The hamster begins spinning its wheel in my head.

Paying a guard something in the range of $40 million over the next six years seems a bit on the high side, even if that is the going rate for a future Hall of Fame player like Faneca, especially when your quarterback is going to shatter Steelers salary records much like he did with a lot of their passing records this year.

But…signing him as a guard in the immediate future, but also locking down that future center as well…that can be justified.

Wexell makes a fantastic comparison between Big Al and former Steeler CB Rod Woodson. Pittsburgh didn’t want to re-sign him as a corner for the money he was asking. Woodson ended up making three Pro Bowl as a free safety at the tail end of his career. He retired in 2003. He left Pittsburgh in 1996.

Nod to Dale Lolley for making the Woodson point as well.

It should be noted Wexell is not suggesting this will happen next year. He is indicating that Zierlein thinks he’ll tack on a new position at the end of his career; Faneca still has the quickness needed as a guard. But when you’re looking to put yourself on the hook for several million dollars over the next several years, it only makes sense to consider the path down which your investment is traveling.

In Faneca’s case, that very easily could be the center position.

Faneca’s request for top-end money now seems more like a wise investment as opposed to tacking on extra dollars for the work he’s already done and the reputation he’s created.

Like many fans, I’m drooling about the thought of having a consistent center. A guy who steps up and knocks the flavor out of a defensive tackle’s mouth - instead of justifying their entire underwhelming career, like Mahan did with Dewayne Robertson.

Now, Faneca sticking around long-term seems more believeable. It’s daring to fill oneself with that kind of hope, but it makes sense, right? When the Steelers could lock down the two most important position on their line - center and left guard - they can build the future of the line as a whole around that.

Let’s be honest, how huge of a free agent signing was Jeff Hartings when Dermontti Dawson retired? Possibly the best free agent acquisition the team has ever made. With the amount of pulling the Steelers generally like from their middle guy, and how that position automatically assumes the leadership role among the line, Hartings couldn’t have been a better fit.

In fact, the only guy who could take to that role better would be Faneca. He’s the face of the nasty in Pittsburgh. He’s going to be the first Thumb Generation Hall of Fame selection. They can address the guard spot in the relatively near future through the draft, and not have to sacrifice experience and team savvy by drafting a center or addressing the guard spot high in the draft among this year’s not-as-strong guard options.

As for Starks, I’m not entirely sure Starks isn’t getting a little of Back-Up Quarterback Credit. Because the line isn’t playing well overall, therefore, everyone on the bench is better than the starters, much like how the back-up quarterback is usually the most popular player on a losing team. We’ve seen him play well, no doubt. Have we seen him play $6 million per season well? Tackles are a premium, no doubt, especially those standing 6-foot-8 or whatever he is. Doesn’t it seem wiser to invest that money in a franchise hero like Faneca, and find a quality tackle in the draft?

There are several tackle prospects with loads of potential in this year’s draft. You can find Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus as a first round pick among some people, and a second round pick among others. This is largely because Michigan freak Jake Long (he beat out Wisconsin product and offensive rookie of the year runner-up Joe Thomas for conference lineman of the year twice) and Boise State behemouth Ryan Clady clog up the top of the first round. Talented players such as USC’s Sam Baker and Cherilus are likely to be on the board when the Steelers pick in the mid-20s, as is Pitt’s Jeff Otah, who could end up being the best of all of them - you can’t teach 6-foot-8, 340 pounds with more balance at 21 years of age than Starks has ever had.

Oh yeah…there’s a playoff game tonight. I’ll get to that in a minute.

No one talking about Pittsburgh’s advantage at QB

Ultimate Jaguars, the online presence of the Florida Times-Union, covering the Jaguars, goes over the same spiel everyone expected: the Jaguars are the favorites, they won last time they played, the Jags consider themselves the underdogs, blah blah blah.

Conspicuously missing from any Jaguars-related media is the argument made about QB David Garrard going toe-to-toe with Roethlisberger over the No. 3 QB in the AFC. 

Probably because Roethlisberger has kicked Garrard’s ass this season. The Jaguars may be the trendy pick in the game, but what should be looked at is how much a factor the quarterback ends up playing in the playoffs.

The Colts were able to finally knock off the Patriots last season because Peyton Manning played a phenominal game. The Patriots were able to come back and nearly steal the win back from Indianapolis because Tom Brady played a fantastic second half.

The game ended on a Brady interception.

Judge these two teams by that scenario: The game is on the line, under two minutes or so to play, which QB do you feel would succeed more in that position, Garrard or Roethlisberger?

Go to another site if you even made the “G” sound.

It makes so much sense for the Steelers, tonight, to employ heavy doses of their 4-WR set, and do what they can to make TE Heath Miller a part of the game early (I haven’t looked this up, but I bet they win almost every game they play when he has two catches or more on the first two drives).

It’s the post-season. Are the Steelers going to ask Sean Mahan to shut down DT John Henderson? That ain’t happenin’. It’s spade-calling time. If Roethlisberger is going to take a beating, then so be it. He’s the league’s second-highest rated passer and he’s had defenders teeing off on him like a Titleist all season. Bring the pressure. Adjust the game plan to include healthy doses of runs disguised as pass plays to Hines Ward, be patient in letting the deep ball come (Jacksonville’s secondary is good, but no one on that roster can cover Santonio Holmes one-on-one). Don’t be afraid to put Najeh Davenport in a quick curl after he chucks whatever Jaguars defender who benefitted from another blocking breakdown.

Put simply, no negative plays. Seems like a simple strategy, but many of the negative plays Roethlisberger has taken are caused by too many deeper routes being put in play, or not enough receivers getting open quickly in the flat to do little more than avoid a sack.

Basically, put the game in Roethlisberger’s hands, not his feet. Picking up a first down here and there with his legs (maybe even a goal line sneak) is nice, but put him into a position to succeed as a passer. Pittsburgh’s defense is going to do the same thing to Garrard, likely selling their souls to stop Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Those guys are going to get theirs, though. And I’ll bet Garrard has 30 or 40 back-breaking rushing yards. Keep it close going into the fourth quarter, and let Ben direct his signature, sandlot, extension-earning magic.

Pittsburgh can win this game. They just need to let their QB win it. He’s the team’s ace in the hole.

More coming…

Who else? He’s Mr. Everything right now. Pro Bowl addition, Steelers special legal liasion, Sentimental Hero of the NFL…Taylor was the subject of the Opponent Spotlight when the Steelers faced the Jaguars back in Week 15. He’s even more critical in the playoffs, because despite the gaudy statistics, the Steelers made more of a game of Jacksonville’s 29-22 Week 15 win than most let on.

The contempt in Jaguars RB Fred Taylor’s decision to air his opinion about the Heinz Field turf had to have been enough to fire the Steelers up just a little more than expected in the playoffs.

Or, perhaps that contempt is an indication of the lack of respect the Jaguars collectively have for Pittsburgh. They’ve defeated the AFC North champions in three consecutive games, going into Saturday’s playoff matchup - the first time these two franchises have seen each other in January.

Poor playing surface or not, interesting timing of Taylor’s complaints (especially given his track record in Pittsburgh) aside, motivation seems to be at al premium in Steel City.

Prior to their first meeting, the Steelers lost stud DE Aaron Smith to a biceps tear. The argument can be made that the Steelers failed to adjust to Smith’s absence in their first game without him (Jacksonville). But the Steelers have shown little ability to stop the run in the two games after that, at St. Louis and at Baltimore.

Jacksonville and St. Louis have strong ground games, and while even teams at their level have wilted when trying to run on Pittsburgh in recent months, it’s been a long time since the Steelers defense has been less inspiring. The opponents of the Steelers have had their way against them on the ground, and the over-aggression at the safety position (add in a team-wide epidemic of missing tackles) has led teams to do exactly what the Steelers are prone to doing; pound away on the ground, hit the deep ball, wash, rinse, repeat.

Fred Taylor, Freelance Lawyer, keys all of this. This year has not only shown Taylor’s rejuvenation, but the NFL’s sentimental favorite running back blends very well with a mammoth offensive line, and keys an all-around philosophy known to win in the post-season (run the ball well, stop the run, no turnovers).

This has propelled Jacksonville to become the media darling of the league, and has most writing the host Steelers off several hours before the coin toss.

What’s getting lost in all of this is the level at which the Jags had to play to defeat Pittsburgh 29-22. Taylor rushed for 147 yards, and he needed every last one of them. His dagger-in-the-gut touchdown with under two minutes to play gave Jacksonville their final lead.

But Pittsburgh still ended the game down seven with the ball. How often does a team out-gain another 421-217 and only win by one touchdown?

Yes, Jacksonville can run the ball. They allegedly stop the run really well, too. Does everyone forget Willie Parker had 100 yards on just 14 carries in the loss? Granted he’s not in the game, and Najeh Davenport will lug the rock Saturday night. The last time Davenport played with the first-teamers all game, he ran for 123 yards against a Rams defense that hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.

Tackles Marvel Smith and Max Starks will be out. Here’s a secret though, they weren’t exactly having All-Pro seasons in the first place.

Before we give the Jaguars a Denny Green Crown and simply escort them from the lawsuit-pending turf at Heinz Field to the greener pastures of Foxboro or Indianapolis, let’s at least recognize the level at which the Jaguars needed to execute and perform to beat the Steelers by just seven points.

Taylor is having a great year, and he torched the Steelers. He’s been running very well over his last five games (five consecutive 100-yard performances in games he played). The compelling issue most don’t seem to at least consider, though, is how thoroughly they dominated the Steelers in every statistic except the scoreboard.

Jaguars QB David Garrard needed four quarters and 217 rushing yards. Ben Roethlisberger quickly silenced any who suggested Garrard, and not Roethlisberger, should have been the third AFC QB in Honolulu by tossing three huge touchdown passes in poor conditions (receivers dropped four passes), and drug a reluctant Steelers offense into contention for a victory they had no business achieving.

Shouldn’t the Jaguars be a little more concerned than they are? Great all-around teams (defined today by being the media’s hope for beating the Patriots) don’t out-gain their opponent by over 200 yards and only win by a touchdown.

Taylor may (and probably) will get him some. The Jaguars lose that last game if he only had 145 yards. If Roethlisberger can turn in another fine performance, it could be enough to off-set the visiting favorites’ advantage on the ground.

Ya know, that same ground that Taylor says is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Neal Coolong is the author of Die Hard Steel for Sports Cartel, and is a contributor to Steel City Insider and Real Football 365.

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t ask Jaacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor for legal counsel.

He gave it to them anyway.

Here’s my latest column on Real Football 365. Give it a read…

The Steelers confirmed on Wednesday that T Max Starks and LB Clint Kriewaldt have been placed on the IR, ending their seasons.

To replace them, T Jeremy Parquet has been promoted from the practice squad, and the Steelers signed T Jason Capizzi from Kansas City’s practice squad. Both will be on the team’s active roster Saturday against Jacksonville in the AFC Wild Card playoff game.

WR/KR Jeremy Bloom was signed, and placed on Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Bloom’s signing was noted on Monday afternoon, but not officially announced until Wednesday morning.

Starks will undergo surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, so the quarter he played against Baltimore in Week 17, before the injury, could have been the last game he’ll play for the Steelers. Third-year veteran Trai Essex will start at left tackle.

Starks was replacing Marvel Smith on the left side, but he had surgery on his back after Week 15 against Jacksonville. He hasn’t been placed on the IR yet, but he has already been ruled out of Saturday’s game.

Ed Bouchette writes:

Parquet (6-6, 321) was originally drafted out of Southern Mississippi in the seventh round by the Chiefs in 2005 and spent time on the St. Louis Rams active roster and practice squad the past two years.

With the addition of Bloom, and the promotion of Parquet, the Steelers still have one open practice squad spot. It doesn’t seem to be any particular benefit to sign a player to it now, but it will mean that player will be property of the Steelers at the onset of training camp in 2008.

UPDATED 2:21 p.m.: The Steelers maligned offensive line took another hit Tuesday, as Ed Bouchette is reporting LT-in-Lieu Max Starks is done for the season with a meniscus tear in his left knee.

Veteran Trai Essex will start for Starks, who was starting over Marvel Smith. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin mentioned LG Alan Faneca could see time at LT as well. Faneca started at left tackle for much of the 2003 season when Smith was out with a pinched nerve in his back. The Steelers finished 6-10 that year. Smith returned healthy, Faneca moved back to guard, and they were 15-1 the next season.

(UPDATE: T-R reporter Scott Brown writes Kansas City Chiefs practice squad tackle and Steelers 2007 draft pick Jason Capizzi was seen at Steelers headquarters Tuesday afternoon.)

Special teams captain Clint Kriewaldt was also lost for the season, as the Steelers placed him on the IR Tuesday due to the neck injury that has kept him out of action the last few weeks.

Smith had back surgery before Week 17, and will miss his second straight start. Look for Smith to remain on the active roster, even though he won’t play Saturday. The Steelers offensive line situation is precarious enough as it is, and it wouldn’t seem wise to place Smith - without a question their best tackle - out for the year until they are absolutely sure he cannot play.

Essex hasn’t started a game for the Steelers since 2005, and has only started four in his three-year career with Pittsburgh.

Even more troublesome, if neither Starks nor Smith can play, that leaves two tackles on the Steelers active roster - Essex and RT Willie Colon. The Steelers just signed T Matt Lentz to their practice squad on Dec. 30, and T Jeremy Parquet was added on Dec. 3.

Without Starks or Kriewaldt, the Steelers need to add two players to its roster. The Steelers web site speculated that the team will sign a lineman this week to add depth. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin addressed the matter in his press conference on Tuesday:

“When we are talking about signing a lineman at this point in January football we are talking about for depth. It’s unrealistic to think that somebody that comes in here today is going to help us play winning football this weekend. We always look for our answers from within.

Perhaps, it’s worth looking into Capizzi. He was cut during training camp, and is currently on the Chiefs practice squad, meaning the Steelers could sign him, provided he is added immediately to the 53-man roster.

The fact is, the Steelers will go into Saturday’s game with three tackles active. If Smith and Starks can’t play, they will either have to give Parquet or Lentz a shot, or find someone else who could fill in at both right and left tackle.

Bloom signing not announced

The Steelers haven’t confirmed the signing of former Eagles WR/KR Jeremy Bloom yet (per the team’s web site), but Bill Williamson of the Denver Post reported it yesterday (nod to Steel City Insider as well). Before Starks and Kriewaldt were placed on the IR, the Steelers had six players on the practice squad - Lentz, Parquet, WR Dallas Baker, SS Mike Lorello, NT Scott Paxson, LB Anthony Trucks, RB Justin Vincent and WR Gerran Walker.

If Bloom is added, the Steelers will have one open spot on the practice squad roster. There can be a maximum of eight spots on each team’s practice squad, per NFL rules. The Steelers can add a practice squad player, but he cannot be on another team’s practice squad. Any player they take from another team must be added to the 53-man roster.

A recent trend seen in the NFL is the addition of players recently cut from an upcoming opponent. The Jaguars and Steelers have been active in this practice. Steelers LB Marquis Cooper has spent time on both teams this year. Cooper was cut by the Steelers on Sept. 19, and was picked up by the Jaguars on Nov. 27. He was cut on Dec. 9, and re-signed by the Steelers Dec. 10 - right in time for their Week 15 showdown Dec. 16.

The Jaguars added TE Charles Davis to their practice squad Dec. 5. Davis had previously spent time on the Steelers’ roster.