Steelers Week in Review: Porter's Comments, Cowher's Comments, Salary Cap '07, Pro Bowl, Carolina

Steelers coverage on Mondesi's House has been sparse this week, so I'll try to get up to speed on all the pressing issues in one neat, tidy post.

Joey Porter fined $10,000 for his "derogatory comment" about Kellen Winslow

There's a few things we can say with confidence:

1. Joey Porter is a moron

2. Kellen Winslow is also a moron

3. If you're a public figure, don't call anyone a name when microphones and/or cameras are running

4. We live in a politically correct world.

Did Joey's comments really offend any gay people? Maybe a few, but for the most part, I doubt it. I'm sure they just considered the source. Should he act so surpised when he gets fined? Well, maybe you haven't noticed, but #55 is a bit of a "look-at-me" showman. So of course he will flip out after being docked 10 large. Apparently he never heard of John Rocker, Michael "Middle Finger" Vick, or anyone else that had a public incident that caused everyone to cringe.

The cooler reaction would've been like Randy Moss a few years ago, when he said he was paying for a fine in "straight cash, homey".

Porter did bring up a good point when he noted that other players are getting DUIs and are not getting fined by the league. Let's face it, the NFL slapping Porter on the wrist was a PR move. They were in damage control. But how much negative PR for the league have the Bengals and Chargers generated this year? Porter was dumb for what he said and deserved the fine, but he didn't endanger the lives of others.

Bill Cowher: "Obviously, my wife and I both grew up in the Raleigh area." (link)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is Carlynton High in Raleigh, or in greater Pittsburgh? Pittsburgh, you say? I thought so. So where is Cowher going with this comment? What a slap in the face to the city. And why did he wait until December to finally address the situation with the national media, when he's avoided it on every level from the Pittsburgh media? At this point, I'd be shocked if Cowher did come back next year.

The Steelers are projected to be $150,000 under the cap in 2007

That's a far cry from the $42.1 million that San Francisco has to burn. Heck, even New England has 30 million extra reasons to contend in '07...that's what happens when you let every able-bodied wide receiver on your roster sign with another team. The bottom line: don't look for the black and gold to be among the biggest spenders in free agency. And count on some "cap casualties" to free up some extra room. Hopefully the money will be spent better than in 2004, when a certain veteran free agent running back was signed to a multi-year deal.

Willie Parker for the Pro Bowl

You can tell it's a bad season when you can count the Pro Bowl candidates on half of a hand. Parker is third in the AFC in rushing, behind Mr. Touchdown and Diaper Boy. The only other AFC backs in the top 15 of the NFL are Fred Taylor (8th), Rudi Johnson (9th), and Travis Henry (14th). So I would think Fast Willie is a deserving candidate.

Who else could even be considered from the Steelers? Maybe a defensive lineman like Hampton or Aaron Smith, but outside of that, probably no one. Even the Hawaii regulars, like Polamalu, Faneca, and Porter had non-Pro Bowl years. And poor Ike Taylor, who campaigned for a spot in Honolulu last year...now coming off the bench. What a horrendous, horrendous nightmare of a season.

The Carolina Game

By all account, there should be a strong contingent of Steeler fans in attendance, including Ramon Mondesi, my brother. I expect a solid in-person recap. The traveling Steeler Nation is always a nice touch. But what can we expect for an outcome? Chris Weinke is starting, and his record in Carolina is a mind-blowing 1-16. That's a nice stat to know. But Max Starks trying to block Julius Peppers is downright scary. Roethlisberger should consider wearing two helmets if at all possible.

Do the Steelers have an answer for Steve Smith? Does Carolina have any chance of running the ball, after posting just 45 yards against the Giants on Sunday? What kind of impact can we expect from Hines Ward, coming off of the injury? How much will the Steelers miss Polamalu on Sunday?

I can say one thing with certainty: these are probably the two biggest disappointments in the league this year. I hear the argument that Carolina is the biggest, but I can't get past the defending Super Bowl champs battling uphill all year as the bigger disappointment.

The Panthers hold on to faint wild card hopes, and the Steelers continue to clutch that miniscule percentage point that keeps them alive. So each team has something to play for, other than those million-dollar salaries they collect to give a good effort each week. I'm hoping for an entertaining game, lots of John Cougar Mellencamp commercials, and some top-notch announcing from CBS. Let's keep our fingers crossed for Gus Johnson, everyone. Even if it's not an exciting game, we'll think we're watching one.

Monday Morning Wrapup

Bingles 27, Raiders 10- The Bengals now have as many wins (8) as players arrested, on the heels of CB Deltha O'Neal's DWI on Saturday. On the Raiders side, Randy Moss was injured in this game, so he now has an official reason to mail it in for the rest of the season. By the way, has anyone checked out Moss's 2006 stats lately? 42 catches, 553 yards, 3 TD. How the mighty have fallen.

Eagles 21, Redskins 19- Line of the Day: T.J. Duckett: 3 carries, 1 yard. Can't wait to see him in the black and gold in 2007.

Ravens 20, Chiefs 10- According to the announcers, the Chiefs hadn't lost a home game in December since 1996. On this day, the Chiefs looked like a team that hadn't won a game since 1996. And it wasn't as close as the score would indicate---the Chiefs' lone TD was a Gruden-esque stat-padder in garbage time.

Falcons 17, Bucs 6- Cadillac, Cadillac, wherefore art thou Cadillac? What has happened to the once-proud Bucs RB? The guy who started his career with 434 yards in his first three games? Today's 20 carry, 48 yard effort was his eighth game of less than 50 yards this season. Offensive lines, my friends. Offensive lines.

Jerious Norwood and Warrick Dunn both left early for the Falcons, and early reports are that Norwood could be lost for the season. So if it wasn't scary enough proposition to trust Michael Vick with a good running game to fall back on, try trusting him without a good running game to fall back on.

Vikings 30, Lions 20- If you're looking for amusement, check out the Lions' rushing stats:

Arlen Harris: 1 carry, 0 yards

Kevin Jones: 9 carries, -3 yards

Team totals: 10 carries, -3 yards

Giants 27, Panthers 13- Chris Weinke throws for 423 yards as Jake Delhomme's replacement, but the Panthers managed just 45 yards on the ground. Backup QB, no running game...do you see where I'm going with this, Steeler fans scouting their next opponent?

Jaguars 44, Colts 17- I love when they discuss Peyton Manning on CBS's set. Boomer Esiason always compares him to Dan Marino, and Marino usually looks like he's ready to punch Esiason in the face. If the building pressure of Manning's lack of a postseason legacy wasn't enough, they were exposed for an absolutely horrendous rush defense by the Flying Del Rios. 375 yards rushing? Did they hire Paul Rhoads in Indy?

Dolphins 21, Patriots 0 - Tom Brady: 12 for 25, 78 yards? Outplayed by Joey Blue Skies? Is this Bizarro NFL Season?

Titans 26, Texans 20- The city of Houston gets Vince Young rubbed in their face as he ends overtime with a 39-yard TD run. I know Tony Romo is a great story (before Sunday night), but has any QB change affected a team more than Vince Young in for Kerry Collins? Not only did he completely revive a franchise and their fans, he's done it in dramatic fashion. And while missing team flights, to boot! Maybe he should pretend he dates Jessica Simpson to get some attention.

Cardinals 27, Seahawks 21- Matt Hasselbeck throws for 243 yards and three touchdowns behind the nourishment of his Mom's Chunky Soup, but the Hawks can't overcome a determined Cardinal team playing for a lame duck coach.

On another note, the Seahawks are still waiting for the arrival of WR Nate Burleson, who they signed to a $49 million contract when one of their executives was drunk. That would be the only plausible explanation for a guy who has 15 catches after 13 games.

Bills 31, Jets 13- Buffalo plays the role of spoiler, forcing Chad Pennington into two interceptions while winning their sixth game. That's as many wins as the defending Super Bowl champs, you Marv Levy-bashers.

Packers 30, 49ers 19- The difference in this one was the two yards rushing from former Steeler Noah Herron. Or not. Brett Favre continues to excel since he arranged for Aaron Rodgers' foot to be broken, thus locking Favre in as the starter at least through 2007. That guy just loves to play football. He's a real warrior.

Chargers 48, Broncos 20- Ladainian Tomlinson sets the single-season touchdown record as the Chargers dismember their division rivals. San Diego got a great game from their defense, which boasts two players who have been busted for steroids (Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo) and another who was arrested on five felony drug counts. They're like the Bengals in training.

Saints 42, Cowboys 17- A great night of John Madden and Al Michaels on NBC. Late in the first half, Madden proclaims Drew Brees "a football player". As we come out of halftime, Michaels goes on a classic rant about the lingering smoke of the halftime show. And following Reggie Bush's 3rd quarter TD, Michaels spews this gem about the Houston Texans fans: "They must be thinking, what in the hell were we doing passing on this guy?"

Despite the fact that he has small hands and smells like cabbage, the Saints' Karney (Mike) went for three touchdowns in the romp. Drew Brees continued to try and steal the MVP from former teammate Ladainian Tomlinson, throwing for 384 yards and 5 TDs. And Tony Romo...he kinda sucked tonight.