When weeks become days

According to the Calendar, there are about 7 X's left to Steelers football. I got a lot to cover in this one, so let's cut out the pregame and go to the kick-off.

Ben's injury has shown to be less serious than the free world would have liked to think. Even today I was asked by an Eagles' fan if Ben was going to play this year. The game against the Bills seemed to indicate the whole team is in a fairly good state of preparation. Speaking of Ben. He is sporting a different ring these days. After beating Shaq at H-O-R-S-E, he was able to wear Shaq's 3-peat LA Lakers Championship ring. I think my cat Stanley could beat Shaq at basketball these days....

Keisel has signed a five-year deal. And this, in my opinion, is good news. He brings talent to defense, but is better known for his special teams play. And a signed player is a happy player is a performing player.

Trai Essex will show his maturity as he takes the lead spot for Stapleton. Stapleton has been moved to the IR. We'll give that a few weeks to prove itself a good move.

The Bills game? 17-0 says it all.

Steven Black, Martin Nance, Alex Stepanovich, and Derrick Richardson have all been cut. If you are saying 'who?', you are not the only one. It's all part of the unfortunate process of a 53 man roster.

And Dick with a look from the HOF Committee. I got two words for this: NO DOUBT. The day Dick is turned down for the Hall Of Fame is the day I lose faith in the system. Completely. I don't need to make a case here. This guy has worried offensive co-ordinators for years! How many head coaches have sat in their office, looked at a week showing their opponent as the Steelers, then looked at their offense co-ordinator with a questioning stare, and got a doubtful stare back? How many? And how about this quote from Mike Holmgren on the Superbowl XL match-up: 'Well they aren't who we were hoping to play. Dick's guys have ways of taking apart offenses. But we have two weeks to try to put something together.'

OK. 7 days. Check back for a short one next week covering the weekend, and then it's game on. Oh yeah. 13-3. Mark it, dude.

Dr. Z. We will miss you this season. Continue your road back.