The Mike Tomlin era began this weekend as the Steelers opened up the NFL pre-season against New Orleans.  The game itself was just one piece of a memorable Hall of Fame weekend in Canton.

So what does it all mean?  Well, it means that football season is upon on us once again.  And it also means the Hall of Fame in Canton now has several more creepy bronze busts to display.

And as boring as pre-season football can be, it’s really a good warm-up for everyone.  Not just for the players and coaches.  But for the refs.  For the fans.  For us lame-brained armchair quarterbacks sitting at home.  After all, it’s been months since I’ve watched a game on TV.  Once again, I have to master multi-tasking.  And by “multi-tasking”, I mean the ability to focus on the football game while blood trickles out of my ear from listening to Cris Collinsworth and Bryant Gumbel.  That isn’t easy you know…

But since I survived it, I thought I would kick off the season with a few observations.

No Joy In Steelville?

Things couldn’t have started better for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, as they attempt to erase the memory of last year’s dismal season.  Pre-season final scores don’t mean much, but Tomlin certainly has a lot of positives to extract from their opening performance.

First of all, this team has significant depth at almost every position.  The running game looked strong even without the presence of Willie Parker, thanks in part to Najeh Davenport…who should see a fair share of carries this season.  Even Carey (The Mini-bus?) Davis excited the crowd with lengthy scamper.

In the defensive secondary, rookie corner William #### displayed his hard-hitting style of play…and is a welcome addition to a unit that struggled against the pass at times last year.

At the linebacker position, newcomers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley should be able to fill the void created by the departure of Joey Porter.  Of course, they will both need to talk continuously day after to day to replace Porter’s mouth…but that’s another story.

Receiving targets Cedric Wilson and Santonio Holmes were both impressive, which gives Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians plenty of options to work with.

However, amidst the lopsided victory…there was one glaring weakness.  Offensive Tackle Max Starks.

This behemoth of an offensive lineman (6’8”, 337 lbs.) started 14 games last season, and was a big reason that Ben Roethlisberger took a career-high 46 sacks and spent more time on his back than Paris Hilton.  Starks has extremely heavy feet, and is easily fooled by quick defensive ends.  His instincts are poor, and his execution is even worse.  Last night, he must have missed 4 out of every 5 blocks…showing weaknesses in both pass and run blocking.  He reminds me a little bit of underachieving Big Ole’ Leonard Davis (formerly of the Cardinals).  Only Davis never stunk like this…

The good news is, this can be corrected…and the Steelers’ coaching staff seems to know it.  In the game against the Saints, Starks played longer than most of the other starters…and they tested him on both sides of the line.  If they were paying any attention at all, Max Starks should be done as a starter in this league.  23 year-old Willie Colon should be able to earn the starting nod over Starks with ease.

With a few adjustments on that offensive line, there may be Joy in Steelville after all…

Random Shots

I’m not sure what happened to him, but Bryant Gumbel looks like a homeless guy on crack.  Either that, or he’s transforming into a Gumbel Gollum before our very eyes.  It wouldn’t surprise me, as I find everything about this guy frightening as hell…

Speaking of Gumbels, I hope brother Greg gets to call the first “Chicwago” game.

Was anyone else freaked out by Michael Irvin lip-locking with his own bronze bust?  I guess for someone possessing that much self-adoration, it’s lucky they didn’t #### a full-body statue.

I wonder what Bill Cowher is up to right now.

How long do you think it will be until Commissioner Roger Goodell uncovers a gambling ring involving NFL referees?  Or are we not ready to go there just yet?

Football season is almost here…can you feel it? 

New Orleans Saints 27, Philadelphia Eagles 24

For the Saints, this season is all about opportunity.  This trend began long before the new-look team set foot on the playing field.  The first opportunity came when the Miami Dolphins failed to sign quarterback Drew Brees. 

 

The next opportunity arose when the Houston Texans drafted Mario Williams, passing on the most talented player in the NFL draft.  Enter playmaking running back Reggie Bush, who is a perfect compliment to Deuce McAllister.  And while this move is already paying dividends for the Saints, Bush’s long-term value to the franchise is invaluable.

 

And last, but not least…signing Sean Payton as the head coach.  Clearly, he was the best choice to turn around this troubled franchise. 

 

On Sunday, the Saints beat the Eagles at their own game.  I’m guessing that Payton and company watched a little game film this past week.  The quick strike passing attack kept the Eagles from applying pressure on Drew Brees.  This is the same Eagles defense that came in leading the league in sacks.  A 17-3 halftime lead was proof that the Saints were prepared…and weren’t intimidated at all.

 

But after an Eagles rally, the Saints had their backs against the wall.  With the game tied at 24, the New Orleans defense had to stop the surging Eagles offense.  After forcing a punt, Drew Brees would take the ball with over 8 minutes left in the game.

 

Then, Sean Payton earned his PHD in clock management.  Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson tried everything to stop the Saints, including sending 12 men on the field for a crucial 3rd down play.  Unfortunately for the Eagles, the officials were paying attention.

 

Earlier in the half, Philadelphia had squandered all of their timeouts.  Payton would make them pay dearly for it, running off the final two minutes of the game before a game winning field goal.

 

I’m Impressed

- The Saints offensive line performed much better than I expected.  For the most part, they protected Drew Brees extremely well.  They also controlled the ground game, giving McAllister and Bush room to run.

 

- Linebacker Scott Fujita played one hell o####ame.  He neutralized Brian Westbrook on several screen plays, which is a go-to weapon for the Eagles offense.  Fujita also played well in pass coverage, taking away some of McNabb’s easy dump off options.

 

-  The Drew Brees/Joe Horn combo worked to perfection.  Brees spread the ball around effectively, but Horn did most of the damage by catching 2 touchdown passes.  It was a bit odd watching the Eagles get beat by a passing offense that resembles their own.

 

Not so Impressed

- The Eagles still possess one of the most dangerous offenses in the league.  But when they aren’t clicking, it isn’t pretty.  Dropped passes, penalties, and questionable play-calling almost put this game out of reach in the first half.

 

- For a squad that has played in its share of big games, they seem to lack discipline.  Last week, a pass interference call against Michael Lewis gave the Cowboys a chance to tie.  This team must learn how to finish a game, plain and simple.  Against the Saints, a crucial 3rd down penalty (12 men on the field) on defense was absolutely inexcusable.  When the defense was told to “bring extra guys” on a blitz, I think someone might have misunderstood. 

 

I Have a Confession

In one of my fantasy leagues (thanks to a glitch during the draft), I wound up with Terrell Owens on my team.  I tried to trade him, but nobody wanted to gamble on the volatile receiver.  So I kept TO, and was forced to play him this week.  He scored an incredible 3 touchdowns, but as an Eagles fan…I feel guilty.  And I’m still a little concerned that he may disrupt the chemistry of my fantasy team.  With David Carr as my starting QB, a meltdown is only a matter of time.

 

This Doesn’t Happen Very Often

It might be slightly unconventional for an Eagles fan to say this, but I think Troy Aikman has done a solid job as a broadcaster.  Here are a few of his strengths:

 

- He isn’t John Madden.

- He provides intelligent analysis of the game.

- He isn’t Joe Theismann.

- Unlike many former players in broadcasting, his Al Bundy stories are few and far between.

- His opinions aren’t condescending, and he doesn’t criticize play-calling very often.

 

Several times during the telecast, I found myself thinking or saying something…only to hear Troy Aikman say the same thing seconds later.  So if we think alike, that leads me to one conclusion - if the coach had put me in during the 4th quarter, I could have been a Hall-of-Fame quarterback.  No doubt in my mind…