An idiot's guide to Steelers football

The wonderful thing about sports is that you don't have to be an expert to have an opinion. When it comes to Steelers football, everybody with a Terrible Towel thinks they are an expert.

As I have one of those, I believe I am more than qualified to have my own view of Willie Parker's self-interested opinion that in getting away from the running game, the Steelers have gotten away from Steelers football.

Coach Mike Tomlin yesterday responded to Parker's comments by saying that Steelers football was about winning. He suggested that he would rather have Super Bowl trophies than rushing titles.

It was well said. But even in taking Parker to task for his undiplomatic comments, Coach Tomlin was being diplomatic. He could have said the obvious - or at least what is obvious to me and Little Nelly and her dog, whom I also consulted (they have Terrible Towels too) .

The obvious reason the Steelers pass more is that Willie Parker, though marvelously fast when he breaks free, is not the big, punishing back that established the sort of Steelers football of yesteryear that he fondly remembers. In short, we are now one Bus short of a load.

The Steelers could run Jerome Bettis time after time in the confident expectation of getting three hard-earned yards every time. If they did the same with Willie Parker, he might break free now and again but mostly the punter would be a-punting. You go with what you've got, and for the Steelers that means passing more.

Willie Parker's criticism of team tactics was unintentionally a critique of himself.

But I think it's just wonderful that we have nothing else in the world to worry about.