Monday football recaps - Week #5

Steelers:  I see that it is going to be a long and stressful year for us.  Holy Steelers Nation.  I had to watch the game on my computer as I didn't hear from my Steelers buddy who has the football package on his digital cable so didn't get to see things as clearly without the HD and big screen.

• Returnees - The three injured were back; Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall.  It was so nice to see them on the field....for awhile.

• Troy Polamalu - He was there and then he wasn't.  Returning from a calf injury that has kept him out of the game for three weeks, Troy started off making plays as if he had never been gone.  And then he was limping off the field never to return.  Sigh.  So much for Howie Long's, "Troy is the key."

• Mendenhall - Thank goodness #34 returned and with a fervor. He had 218 yds. by rushing and receiving and it was nice to see us move the ball on the ground as well as in the air.  Now if he can just stay healthy and keep on running.

• Lawrence Timmons - He was a monster on defense in the first half breaking up plays and causing fumbles.  It was crazy how good he came out playing.  I just wish he could get the rest of the defense to get that pepped up.  And now that we've lost Polamalu and Lamar Woodley for god knows how long we need Timmons and the defense to play like that every week.

• Run, Ben, Run - I don't know if Michael Vick in the house caused him to run as much as he did, but he did it when we needed it and he did it well for a change.  As usual he led the team in the final minutes down the field to set up our winning field goal.  Big Ben is good in clutch when he isn't throwing interceptions. And no sacks this week!

• Shaun Suisham - Even winning the game by kicking a 34 yard field goal isn't enough for people to know your name.  Terry Bradshaw called him Squeeze-em when he recapped the game.  The boys will straighten him out, however, and as long as Suisham keeps putting it through the uprights people will eventually learn it correctly.

Other:

• Fox pre-game show - I love these guys.  Our local sports guy doesn't care for their banter, but I think that is part of why I watch them.  They are passionate about the game and their opinions, just like most of us, and when heated discussions occur there is always talking over one another.  I find it humorous.

•  Terry Bradshaw - One of my fav Steelers yes, but he knows the game and reports it as well as any sportscaster.  I love when they ask him about quarterbacks to fire him up, but his little "talk" to Bears QB Jay Cutler was spot on, "Grow up young man!"

• PA teams - I loved Fox's little piece on Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Best thing of all was Chris Pizzi wearing all the great T'shirts from the Burgh like "Fear the Beard" and the shadow pic of Troy Polamalu.

• Indiana's comeback - I got to see the last part of this game, but I kept track of it as it went.  At halftime I thought my call of "win one for the Gipper" was not going to happen, but Andrew Luck and team stepped up to the plate and won an awesome game against the Green Bay Packers for their coach who is fighting leukemia in the hospital.  Luck brought them back from an 18 point deficit to finish the night with 362 yards and two touchdowns; one of which he rushed himself.  Reggie Wayne was a rocket catching 13 passes for 212 yards; four of those yards twisting and turning his way into the end zone for the winning score. I admit I was on my feet cheering caught up in the whole win like the home team because really, who doesn't love a story like that? 

• Tim Tebow - Talk all week of "will he be the man or not"?  Once again I say that is not the problem or the answer to the New York Jets.

• Halftime - Jeez, at halftime the media didn't have much to show in the way of recaps as all the teams were pretty much slumping along in the scoring department.  Except for Clevelands 62 yard reception and touchdown there wasn't much excitement.  I knew it was bad when Fox picked Steelers Antonio Brown's touchdown as the Visa Halftime play.

• Victor Cruz - The Giants receiver scored three touchdowns and then proceeded to dance his little heart out in the end zone.  Seemed to go well with Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, and Jay Glazer's little Gangname Style video shown earlier on the pre-game show.

• Ravens/Chiefs game - Jeez, 9-6?  What were they really doing all game?  And the hometown cheering when Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel went down with an injury?  Class-less.  This isn't Philadelphia for heaven's sake.

• Atlanta undefeated - 5-0.  Whew, a close one, but knocking out RGIII helped.

• RGIII - This guy takes a licking and keeps on ticking except for Sunday.  After getting pummeled by Atlanta linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, RGIII stayed down awhile before getting up and leaving the field never to return.  The Skins better start talking to their offensive line and to the QB.  Maybe show him some Michael Vick films.

• Drew Brees - Pulled out the win.  Broke the record.  The coaches and staff were there to see it.  The Saints aren't winless.  Good-night.