Caesar: “Who is it in the press that calls on me? I hear a tongue shriller than all the music cry “Caesar!” speak” Soothsayer: “Beware the ides of March.” Caesar:“What man is that?” Brutus: “A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.” (Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15–19)
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WILLIE COLON
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting ready, really ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs on the upcoming prime time stage called MNF or known to common folk as Monday Night Football. No, of course not; this is not anywhere near ‘the ides of March because turkeys will be crying in a shrill voice soon but please hear this. The Steelers have been guilty in the past of playing up or down the competition. However, I don’t think that this will be the case this time around; well at least as far as Steelers offensive lineman Willie Colon is concerned.
“We are taking these guys very seriously” Colon says matter-of-factly. “Defensively and on paper they have a lot of first round guys. They are very athletic. This is one of those games that if you fall asleep you may find yourself in a hot dog fight. As far as us needing motivation their [the Chiefs] record doesn’t really show what we see watching them on tape. They can really get after guys.”
Steelers’ running back Issac Redman echoed the sentiments of his colleague on offense. “These guys play us tough; they have for the past couple of years regardless of their record. We squeaked out a win last year we had about four turnovers and still only squeaked out a win 13-9. They’re turning the ball over at a high level right now but when they’re not turning the ball over they’re a tough team to beat. They showed that in the Baltimore [Ravens] game, but we aren’t the best right now at getting turnovers.”
It is the opinion of a few prognosticators that the Steelers should have a slight advantage on offense based on the fact that their offensive coordinator Todd Haley is the former head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Redman doesn’t read too much into that scenario.
“I don’t think that it’s a big advantage but he’s given us a few pointers on what a couple of the defensive guys like to do in regards to their strengths and weaknesses.” Ladies and gentlemen on paper or papyrus the KC Chiefs do not remotely appear as if they should even show up on Monday night but beware, beware; “the ides of November.” If the Steelers want to remain around the postseason hunt in the “not for long league” (NFL) they had better play lights out football every week regardless of who they may be facing and what their record is.
(Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412-583-6741. Bruce can also be heard on the “Odd Couple Sports Show” where he is the AFC North and NFL analyst. The show is hosted by Adam Ragle streaming live on the WCWA Fox Sports Toledo 1230AM. Bruce is featured on Tuesdays from 10-11am during the NFL season. Listen to Aubrey’s archived “Odd Couple” segments on: www.worldspeakconnnection.com click on “Fair Catch.”)
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