Young Money Club Nearing Bankruptcy

How late July seemed like only yesterday.  It was such a kinder time, a time when the Pirates woke each morning to find themselves at or near the top of the NL Central.  A time when the NHL was still a functioning league.  A time when the most hallowed of all grounds, Saint Vincent College, welcomed back the annual pilgrimage of Steeler Nation.  What a time, indeed.

We were so optimistic about our football team then, and why wouldn't we be?  Our elite quarterback was coming into his own.  Under our new offensive coordinator, we were assured that the offense would rival The Greatest Show on Turf.  We acquired new horses for the offensive line, our tight end was all-world, and then there was the receiving corps.  Best receiver stable in the NFL, we were told.  Even with Mike Wallace's threat of a holdout, we all knew that come mid September, all would be worked out and Big Ben would be lofting tightly spiraled gems to these galloping studs as they ranged downfield en route to touchdown after glorious touchdown.

Yeah, I'm going to leave the fantasy writing to men like Tolkien and Peter Jackson.  I'll stick to reality.

In yet another stinging defeat, this time at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, the Steelers were once again left standing at the ATM by the self proclaimed "Young Money Club" as all three juvenile wide outs had their greedy paws in this loss.  Ok, the disclaimers: yes, Wallace outraced everyone in the stadium on his 60 yard snare, yes, Antonio Brown made a nifty catch and stretch for the go ahead TD, yes, Emmanuel Sanders looked like he was actually concentrating a few times.  Ok, that said, now let's bulletize the gaffs:

• With the Steelers owning the lead, the momentum, and the ball, Brown saw-zalls the door wide open for Tony Romo and the Cowboys by fumbling the ball away at the end of a long fourth quarter punt return. 
• Later in the quarter, Brown vows to not look bad again, so he inexplicably lines up 75 yards down field from the punter. This miscue costs the Steelers at least 15 yards.
• Towards the end of regulation, with the Steelers now hoping for OT, Brown helps the 'Boys save time for their last possession by running out of bounds on a 3rd down catch...easily 10 yards shy of the first down marker.
• Sanders gets the circus going early with his patented catch, run,and fumble (later ruled drop). I sure hope the "Tickle Me Emmanuel" dolls are not on sale in time Christmas this year.
• Wallace has his typical dropsies, none more important than his juggle along the sidelines early in the contest, as the Steelers were mounting their first legitimate drive.

When it was all over, more than just Young Money had their hands in a most depressing loss.  Big Ben had three opportunities late (or in OT) to mount a game winning drive.  Each time ended in failure.  The banged up secondary did all that they could, but when you're missing your top three corners, well, it ain't easy.  Hell, I actually thought I saw A-Dawg loosening up on sidelines at one point.

Yes, the entire team can swallow this loss together, but Young Money really needs to take this one to heart.  December and January football is not so much about ability, it's about commitment, desire, and focus.  These are the attributes that gets a guy paid.  Young Money, as well as the rest of the team, have two more games at home in front of their faithful fans to get this right. Two home wins and things are looking much better than they are today.

Again: commitment, desire, focus...