BIG GAME FOR TOMLIN AND STAFF

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Monday Night’s game against Tampa Bay is a must win for the Steelers. They are already trailing their division rivals at 0-1-1. I doubt there have been many teams who make the playoffs who start out with two losses and a tie in their opening three games. I honestly don’t know what to expect from the Black and Gold. I find it hard to believe their defense will suddenly go from being awful into the famed Steel Curtain. I do know that they need to rebound, and rebound quickly. This is a big game for Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff. They need to show Steeler Nation that they have things under control and can right the ship after two ugly performances.
• I wrote last week that Antonio Brown’s act had gotten old. It got even worse when Brown tweeted something about being traded, and then failed to show up for work last Monday. Brown may be the greatest wide receiver in the game, but he’s also become an “all about me” guy. Head coach Mike Tomlin met with Brown and supposedly there was some discipline handed down. I’ll be anxious to see if it changes Brown. My guess is it won’t. I never thought I’d see the Steelers become “Team Turmoil”, but that’s what they’ve become. It’s embarrassing.
• After listening to Brown when he showed up to work, it’s obvious the guy still doesn’t get it. Brown seemed to blame the media for the coverage he’s gotten and said he never ducks the media. This, despite leaving the dressing room after the Chiefs game without being available for interviews. Brown is either the most egotistical or least intelligent player to ever wear the Black and Gold. His act is getting really old.
• Leave it to Le’Veon Bell to be back in the news. The absent running back posted pictures of himself on a jet ski in Florida looking quite a bit heavier than he normally looks. Veteran writer Ed Bouchette said on a radio show the other day that he doesn’t think Bell will show up at all this year. It was quite a bombshell from the IUP grad, who is in the Hall of Fame for his reporting. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Steelers are now listening to trade offers for Bell. That should tell you how fed up the Steelers are with Bell and his agent. All I can say is if Bell sits out the whole year he’s even dumber and more selfish than I ever thought he was.
• Kudos to Bud Light for one of the best promotions I’ve ever seen. Their “Free Beer Fridge” promotion surrounding the Cleveland Browns was pure genius. The fridges contained 200 bottles of Bud Light that were given out to Browns’ fans only when the team finally won again. Cleveland beat the Jets, and once the game was over the fridges were opened electronically. The person that came up with this promotion should get beer for life!
• Lenny Williams is rolling and so is IUP. The Crimson Hawks’ quarterback put on another great show against Mercyhurst as IUP remained undefeated. I’ve written before that it’s going to take a really good team to beat IUP. And it’s going to take a really good defense to slow down IUP’s most talented quarterback ever.
• I was worried when Penn State fell behind Illinois entering the fourth quarter on Friday night. I felt a lot better when the Nittany Lions reeled off six straight touchdowns on their way to routing the Illini. Penn State’s defense couldn’t stop anything early, but was terrific late in the game. Penn State needs to be a whole lot better from start to finish against Ohio State in this week’s White Out game. It should be an electric atmosphere.
• Pitt just can’t beat North Carolina. The Panthers have now lost six straight to the Tar Heels. The Panthers fell apart in the third quarter of the game and still had a chance to pull it out in the fourth quarter. Bad loss for Pitt, who must go to UCF for another tough game this coming week.
• The Pirates just may finish over 500, thanks to their recent winning streak. The Buccos had won 11 of their last 14 entering the weekend series against Milwaukee. I was on hand Saturday night to witness Trevor William’s latest brilliant pitching performance. Williams struck out seven over six innings. Williams’ era is a microscopic 1.08 since the All Star Break. That’s Bob Gibson-like, for all you old timers. The Pirates have been out of the race for a long time, but their play the last few weeks has been fun to watch.
• As if the NFL doesn’t have enough problems, now comes word that several Pro Football Hall of Famers are demanding salaries and medical benefits from the league. They said in a letter to the Hall of Fame that if their demands aren’t met they will not attend the HOF ceremonies in the future. This is the last thing the NFL needs right now. I wonder how the NFL can provide salaries and medical coverage to the Hall of Famers and not do the same for all former players. I don’t think they can. This has the makings of a real mess.