Bold Prediction

The feeling here is that, unless the Steelers' defense scores points or dominates the turnover game, that the Steelers may be shutout for the first time in the Mike Tomlin era, and the first time since November 26, 2006 when they lost to none other than Baltimore (on the road), 27-0.

Concussion Research Moving in a Better Direction

The state of the health and well-being of those who play, and have played, in the National Football League has been an abiding concern of this little blog. The league's stance as recently as last season ~ i.e. that more research was required before making any determinations ~ reminded many of the tobacco companies (1960-1990).

Now comes word that the league is shaking things up.

Whether the departure of doctors Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano will result in fundamental changes to the work of the league's committee on brain injuries, or if they are being sacrificed for some other reason, remains to be seen. The reality is that other respected scientists have all but decided that collisions between large, fast moving individuals are indeed harmful to the long-term health of those individuals.

The league would do well to treat this as a decided issue and turn its attention to both the enhanced safety of current players and the long-term care of those who played the game and are now suffering because of that participation.

A new page in the playbook

Next time the Steelers are deep in the opposing team's territory and they are looking for a play that will surely take the opponent by surprise perhaps they should give this one, used by Bethel College in their game versus Sterling College, a try:

Record setting performance

The folks at Pro Football Outsiders have a special take on the Steelers' special teams

Pittsburgh has had problems on special teams for years, but this year things have hit rock bottom. The Steelers have given up three touchdowns on kick returns in just the last four games. How bad is it? Pittsburgh is threatening what I thought was an untouchable record: Worst net kickoff value in DVOA history.

Read the entire article, if you dare, by clicking here.