It hasn’t been easy to watch the Steelers this year – they are just a shadow of their former selves this year, and are going to have to work hard to make the playoffs, never mind to defend their Super Bowl title. Things certainly didn’t get any better on that front today – the team has had to put DE Aaron Smith on the IR for the year because of a torn rotator cuff. Smith isn’t one of the bigger defensive names in the league, but he really should be – he’s a run blocking machine as good as almost anyone in the NFL. In Smith’s absence, the job is going to be filled by committee – by a bunch of guys who aren’t good enough or ready enough to be starters right now. That’s a significant downgrade for a team that was already struggling defensively compared to what we have become used to from the top defensive team in the league the last two years. The Steelers are all but assured to get seven wins – the three they already have, plus Kansas City, Oakland, and Cleveland twice. That means they need to win four of their remaining seven to comfortably assure themselves a playoff spot. That’s far from impossible, but three of the seven are leading their division, Baltimore falls twice, and there are no soft spots. This team needs to be sharp. Really sharp. Given their early play I think I’d actually bet against a playoff spot.

Interesting gossip coming out of Cleveland – Brady Quinn’s house is apparently for sale. Combine that with Eric Mangini’s assurances that the team is not looking to trade Quinn – a sure sign that they are – and you have the makings of an interesting next chapter in a long saga. We’ve been waiting for the Quinn era for years, but it seems like EricMangini has decided to give up on it after less than three games. That’s despite incredible incompetence offensively last time out for Derek Anderson. It’s a sign of how messed up this franchise is that they can develop Quinn for as long as they have as their franchise guy, and then give up on him before they really give him a chance. I’m far from a fan of Quinn and yet I find that ridiculous. The problem they have, though, is that Quinn hasn’t proven anything as a player and they have damaged his reputation with their actions, so they aren’t likely to get anything close to significant value back in return if they can trade him – especially because of his contract.

Somewhat surprising story out of Indianapolis today. Adam Vinatieri is hurt (not surprising given his recent history), so the team has brought in Matt Stover to replace him (nice move). To make room for Stover on the roster they have cut DT Ed Johnson. What’s strange about that is that Johnson has been starting this year. To go from the starting lineup to the curb in one week doesn’t happen – especially in a demanding position like the d-line – unless there is something more to it. Johnson got released last year because of drug possession charges, so you have to wonder if that has something to do with this again here. The Colts haven’t exactly been blessed with defensive depth right now, so this will be a situation to watch.