THE T.O. SHOW comes to Cincinnati!

[Ross]

There's not way Boldin could ever be considered a bust. I'm sorry but I'll defend that effer til the end lol. He's as tough as nails and as Derrick Mason will pick up yards along the perimeter, look for Q to knock heads across the middle. He's their O's version of Ray Lewis. He's way too tough. Sure, he might miss 2 or 3 games cuz he's a friggin go hard but there's no questioning his ability with or without any other teammate.

[Rediker]

Whether Carson is in tip-top shape or not, you've gotta consider their strength in the division.  Pitts is always tough, yeah, but expect them to be in crappy shape off the top of the season.  They've got the Falcons, Titans, Bucs, and then the Panthers before Big Ben comes back.  I'd chalk up at least 3 of those as a loss.  Say what you want about the QB situation in Carolina, but you can't ignore Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, or Jonathon Stewart.  And the Bucs can always pull out a surprise victory like they started to do the end of last season.

Playing Devil's Advocate, let's say the Steelers go 0-4 in the opening - that essentially buries them from the playoffs.  Their only real competition would be Baltimore to win the division.

I'm a big Pittsburgh fan, and what I say may come off as homerism, but there's no way they're dropping three of those four games. Polamalu's back, for one thing -- the engine in that defense; they've worked on the offseason in bolstering the secondary, and the front line's always decent at worst. Big Ben's gone for a few weeks, but the team has talent to operate without him; they're not going to stagnate on the field. Leftwich may never be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, but he is capable of running the offense. Dixon, if subbed in, can do a bit of good -- he almost won against Baltimore last season, if I recall.

Beyond that, our running game is going to be much stronger now that the team's moved on from Willie Parker. Mendenhall is a fine back, and with the addition of Jonathan Dwyer -- not to overlook the reliable Mewelde Moore -- the ground-game might be able to recapture the oldschool Pittsburgh pound-and-ground strategy.

Are they going to be easy games? No. But Pittsburgh isn't going to drop three of them, especially to the Bucs. I think it's too easy to write off the Steelers at the top because of the offseason fiasco. I say they split the opening four, maybe pull a 3-1 record before Ben steps back in (assuming Goodell's going to let him return in four weeks, of course).

[Shane]

I'm not really making my predictions on the off-season fiasco whatsoever.  That was actually the last thing that came to mind.  I'm more or less considering the position the Steelers were in last year.  They came off a big Superbowl win and played like crap last season.  Yeah, they lost Troy early on but can you honestly say his presence (or rather lack thereof) was enough to cripple the defense?  They were missing a dynamic.

Plus, Hines is a year older and doesn't have San(an)tonio Holmes across from him.  That's a big hit to the Steelers offense.  Sure, Mike Wallace and Lynos Sweed aren't bad receivers - but they're no Santonio.  The air game is going to suffer.

Get out Willie P and welcome Mendenhall.  I still don't have enough fair in the other two backs to say they're going to command the offense.  You can only run the ball when you're tied or in the lead.  I just don't see Leftwich or Dixon having enough talent to go 3-1 given the Steelers' early schedule.  The running game might end up being sick - but you still need to balance a pass attack in there early.

[Knight Fall]

1.  Shane, you are completely off on Boldin never proving anything without Fitz.  Check Boldin's numbers his rookie season with shit QBs and tell me he hasn't done anything.

2.  TO/Ocho are not the players they used to be.  Bryant has a lingering knee injury.  This trio of WRs is big on talk, reputation and past accomplishments ... but they aren't GREAT today.  Maybe 4 years ago this combination of WRs could scare opposing defenses but I'm not sure they do today.

3.  I think Pittsburgh has a realistic shot at going 3-1 those opening games without Big Ben.  Leftwich is a solid QB and he has performed well in this offense.  THe defense should be stout as ever ... they only fell to 5th in the NFL last year without Troy ... and Mendenhall looks to be the real deal.  I think they'll lose to The Titans but I don't think Atlanta is THAT good (but they COULD lose that game) and Tampa Bay won't be beating them.  Carolina is interesting but tell me how many teams run effectively on Pittsburgh?  And that's Carolina's main offense.

[Knight Fall]

4.  Limas Sweed is out for the season.  He's terrible anyways.   Mike Wallace should turn into a stud though.  That dude is blazing fast and should continue to get a better handle on the NFL in his second season.  I think he will make them forget about Holmes soon enough.  I believe Pittsburgh resigned Randel-El too so he can be a solid slot guy.

[Shane]

As the reigning GCW Football Pick 'em Champion (yet another contest I won and another contest Ben has yet to give me a prize for), I stand by my decision.

Byron is good - for a backup.  He knows the system well, but that doesn't mean he knows how to execute it.  I wasn't aware of Sweed - so that just furthers my opinion that Pitts is going to struggle.  Hines Ward isn't as quick as he used to be (though he was never THAT quick) and now doesn't have Santonio taking coverage from him.  He'll likely be double teamed in any deep sets.  Wallace still doesn't impress me enough to fill the shoes of Holmes and Randel El is washed up.  A slot receiver at best - I don't foresee much of an impact. 

The game is going to ride on Mendenhall's back.  I just don't think he's enough of a stud to bring them 3 victories.

The Falcons are a great team.  Despite what critics say, Ryan is a pretty accurate QB whose team has been plagued by injury.  This year, Turner and Gonzalez are reportedly healthy, restoring two major weapons to that offense.  Neither of those guys had a good year last year and while Tony G won't replicate his time on the Chiefs, he still demands good coverage.

We're agreed on Titans, so there's nothing to say there.

Tampa Bay is the one win I give them.  I say Tampa could but an upset but its unlikely.

But the Panthers have to be the wild card.  I think we're all forgetting a guy named Steve Smith.  I don't recall the stats exactly, but I remember that when Matt Moore took over for Delhomme last year, Smith saw a lot more completions.  Matt Moore is going to be a sleeper this year.  While he may not be a STUD, he's certainly going to be better than someone like Jason Campbell, Cassel, Garrard, or (dare I say) Chad Henne ... on their respective teams.

[Shane]

Ochocinco / TO are going to be grossly underestimated this season.  While I agree they were more dangerous four years ago - you can't ignore the incredible potential they have as a duo.

I find it rather amusing / interesting that people are making such a big deal over the Braylon Edwards / Santonio Holmes / Lavereous(sp?) Coles trio and are dismissing the Ocho/TO/Bryant(or Caldwell) trio completely.  Palmer > Sanchez.  TO > Edwards.  Bryant/Caldwell > Coles.

Back to Boldin.  He'll help the Ravens offense but in terms of projected stats, I think he'll be a bust.

[Knight Fall]

Coles isnt a jet.  Cotchery is the 3 in NY.  Maybe TO and Ocho are better than Holmes/Edwards but at this stage in their careers, the gap is not that wide and I'd take Jerricho Cotchery over Caldwell or Bryant.  Palmer is better than Sanchez but we have no idea what kinda progression (or regression) Sanchez will make this season. 

The RB situation will probably be a wash. 

The Jets O-line is worlds better than Cincy's though and their D (with Revis) is better too.

[Knight Fall]

No one is forgetting about Steve Smith although let us not forget he did break his leg/ankle this offseason and although he should be back 100% for the Steelers game, you never know. 

I'm a fan of Matt Moore because he was on the Cowboys roster his rookie season so I got to watch him in preseason.  He'll be solid but probably not spectacular.  I don't see Carolina being a gimme game BUT football isn't just about offense, its about defense and guess what?  Carolina's is not impressive at all ... especially after losing their best pass rusher.

I like Atlanta too but I'll take a wait and see approach.  If Matt Ryan makes another leap forward then they can def, take that game against the Steelers.  That one I could see going to Atlanta but would put more stock in a Pittsburgh win. 

[Shane]

football isn't just about offense, its about defense

See:  The New Orleans Saints.

Two years ago, they won games with no defense at all.  Last year, they won the Superbowl with a middle-of-the-pack defense.  In the age of the elite quarterback, I think a "decent" defense can survive if the offense is on fire.

Not to say that Carolina's offense will be on fire - just playing devils advocate

[Knight Fall]

You still lost the argument when you mentioned the age of the elite quarterback.

Matt Moore is no Elite QB.

Plus, for all the great things Drew Brees and co. did last season to win the SB, what play sealed the game for them? 

an INT returned for a TD.

DEFENSE.

[Knight Fall]

Oh and this is pretty meaningless BUT ... Sunday, Hall of Fame game.  Cowboys vs. Bengals.

T.O. vs. Dallas.

Even if for only one series ha.

I'm just pumped football season is just about here.

[Shane]

oh god im so psyched for that taste of football lol

[Knight Fall]

I screwed one thing up in this.  Coles IS a Jet but he is behind Cotchery on the depth chart. 

[VJ Valentine]

Coles is useless.