The Steelers trounced a reeling Cleveland team last week.  The game was nowhere as close as the score would make it seem.  After returning a kickoff for a touchdown, the Steelers pooch punted the rest of the game spotting the Browns 20 yards each possession.  The Browns were able to score one touchdown off of a long pass play to score one touchdown.  Other than that score the Browns’ offense was contained by a potent combination of Pittsburgh defense and Cleveland ineptitude.

 After the game, Steelers party-boy and place kicker Jeff “Skippy” Reed was arrested for interfering with some cops who were in the process of issuing TE Matt Spaeth a citation for public urination.  It’s an odd situation.  Apparently Reed came out of a car driven by his dad and the cops thought he assumed a “fighting pose” whereupon they tackled him, cuffed him and charged him with several things.  The Steelers are investigating the situation.  Reed will certainly play this week.   My guess is that some charges will be dropped and Reed will pay a fine.  This might make the Steelers think twice about re-signing Skippy after this season as he becomes an UFA.

 This coming week should be a good matchup as the Steelers host the Minnesota Vikings.  The Vikings have several excellent aspects of their game.  Adrian Peterson is the consensus number one back in the league.  Jared Allen is a premier talent at left end.  The Williams boys at DT are very formidable against the run and collapse the pocket well on pass plays.  Lastly silver haired Saint Favre is at the helm of the offense.  While I’ve never been a Favre booster to put it mildly, he’s an improvement over Tavaris Jackson.

 The most critical challenge will be the Vikes D-line.  Expect Max Starks to be overmatched against Allen.  Expect the O-line to scheme to give him better protection.  Hopefully protection will not come in the form of poorly blocking TE Matt Spaeth.  The Williamses at DT and the 4-3 scheme should contain the run in the center of the field.  Due to those two factors, Ben hitting receivers on the hot routes is going to be critical to success in this game.  Antoine Winfield is doubtful for the game so that should ease things somewhat for the Steeler passing attack.

 On the other side of the ball, the Steelers stand a good chance of containing Minnesota.  The defense is notoriously stout versus the run so Peterson should be held in check.  Lamar Woodley should get some pressure on Favre going against rookie Tackle Phil Loadholt.  As for Favre himself, he’s looked good this year – but keep in mind that 4 of the 6 teams they played have pass defense rankings of 20^th or more.

 Position Analysis:  Offensive Tackles

 Starter Max Starks has been with the team since 2004.  It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the mammoth (6’8, 345lb) Starks.  He started the Season at RT in 2005 through the Super bowl XL victory.  Since then he was beaten by Willie Colon for the job at RT, was given both the transition and franchise tags, finally receiving a big extension this offseason and securing a starting job at left tackle.  The rub on Starks has been that he’s a hot and cold player with some slow footwork.  This year his consistency is greatly improved. 

 Starter Willie Colon has been a fixture at right tackle since filling in for an injured Starks late in the 2006 season.  He plays with a mean streak that the coaches love.  He’s somewhat of a fan goat for some ill timed penalties last season.  After this year Colon is a free agent.  If there is no CBA he’ll be a restricted free agent.  The team thinks very highly of Colon so expect them to work on extending him.

 Backup Ramon Foster was picked up this year as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.  He quickly impressed the coaching staff with his stout blocking abilities.  He’s the gameday active backup for both tackles and left guard.  In coming years he should push for a starting role on the line.

 Inactive Backup Tony Hills was drafted in the 4^th round last year.  He’s one of several Steelers players that were picked up on an injury discount (Limas Sweed, Dennis Dixon…) In his preseason rookie action he looked to be physically overmatched.  This year it looks like he’s made a quantum leap and should be a serviceable player next year.  Hills has more left tackle skills as far as quickness etc compared with Foster who’s a mauling blocker.

 Team needs at Tackle are moderate.  Starks is not ideal as a left tackle.  It’s not clear that Hills will be a standout starter.  If there is a new CBA and Colon is an UFA, then there is definitely a need for starter talent.  The Steelers have been very reluctant to draft linemen high in the draft in recent years.  Of the 11 players on the 53 man roster, IR and practice squad there are three 3^rd rounders, two 4^th rounders, a sixth rounder, a seventh rounder one free agent and 3 undrafted free agents.  As things stand, the Steelers could take a project tackle in rounds 3-4