Pretty in Pink; Ugly on the Field

So let's work backwards. Yes, the Steelers won. But it was hardly pretty. The beginning was atrocious. The middle picked up a little. The end could have caused everyone in Steeler Nation to have a heart attack.

Here are my two main problems with the Steelers this year, and frankly, every year:

1. We're too willing to settle for field goals. Both of those 3-pointers should have been touchdowns. Even when Ben's having a good day, something goes wrong on third down far too often.
2. Penalties.
3. Penalties.
4. Did I mention Penalties?

Okay, that's still two. The Steelers were penalized nine times for 106 yards. 106 yards. That's a touchdown and better field position on the next kickoff. I love that we're rough and tough and play that way, but there were too many late hits that were obvious, and would have been even to the good old replacement reps. And penalties on four consecutive snaps? Ouch.

Come on, Coach Tomlin - let's get some discipline in the team. A 2-point win could easily have been a disaster.

And part two: Pink.

First, it's definitely not Dick LeBeau's color.

But more importantly: How much good are shoes, gloves, and hats on NFL players and staff actually doing in the fight against breast cancer? I know that those items are auctioned off and the funds go into awareness activities and screenings for uninsured and underinsured women. That's all fine.

But awareness? Anyone who isn't aware of breast cancer has been living in a cave. We don't need any more awareness - we don't need any more NFL gloves, yogurt labels, pink ribbons on our Facebook pages. What we need is more research - into both causes and cures. 

That said, if anyone wants to buy Max Starks' gloves for me, let me know!