And I Just kept Calling Him Dante

"We heard them tonight" - James Farrior commenting on the estimated 25,000+ Steelers fans in Fed Ex Field for Monday Night.

And Steeler Nation has cast it's ballot

With last night's shellacking of the first place Redskins under the shimmering lights of prime time, in the nation's capital, on the eve of the presidential election, one can start to detect some subtle similarities between the 2008 Steelers and the powerhouse teams of 2001, 2004, and 2005: 1) A stingy (if not smothering) defense. 2) An offense that shows the depth and character to continually withstand injuries to key players while doing enough to get the win.

The efforts last night will not soon be forgotten. Although this blog has a clearly defined ban on moronic sports cliches, like "statement game", a statement was made nonetheless. The devastating assault that the Black and Gold defense laid down on a highly efficient offense was one for the books. In reality, the Steelers shut the Skins out at home, when you consider that 6 points were gifted in the first few minutes of the contest. And what more can be said about Byron Leftwich? Just like Charlie Batch in 2005, Leftwich demonstrated the ability to pick up for an ailing Ben and get the job done. Somewhere in Jacksonville a disgruntled fan is sticking a voodoo pin in a Jack Del Rio bobblehead doll.



Leftwich urging Jax Jags fans to boo more quietly

Once again, don't take my word for it. Check out what the Pulitzer Prize winning Washington Post said about the smack down. The interesting comments are once again those that chronicle that glorious thing we call Steeler Nation. This particular beat writer goes as far as to say that the Steelers were the home team last night.

A Few more quick hitters before I go feed my cat:

• Kudos to homeboy Tony for pointing out that my intoxicated mouth kept calling Leftwich "Dante" last night. (I guess meaning Dante Culpepper. I really need to drink less beer)


• The "oh, by the way" award goes to safeties Tyrone Carter and Anthony Smith for negating the Ryan Clark injury with solid play.


• Tomlin gets his first career road win against a team with a winning record.


• The new long snapper looked ok.


• Can Nate go one game without a long reception?
  

COMING SOON: THE STEELERS 2008 MID TERM GRADES