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{mosimage}The Steelers need to save face as much as their division lead.

For many who watched the Steelers get taken over the knee of the New England Patriots on Sunday evening, it probably came across as a lesson in common sense.  I’m sure the question "Why would you guarantee a win against the Patriots?" were uttered by most, likely with a profanity or two thrown in.  As a life long Steeler fan, I have no answer for that question, but then again, there were many things on Sunday night that I had no answer for.

For those of you who don’t know Anthony Smith (probably the large majority), Mr. Smith was a third round pick of the Steelers in 2006 out of Syracuse who is currently starting in place of Ryan Clark at Free Safety due to Clark’s season ending spleen injury.  Smith has shown much promise in his 1 ¾ seasons in the NFL, he has all of the tools needed to play at high level…except a brain.  Before one of the biggest games of the season against the undefeated New England Patriots, Smith took it upon himself, and only himself, to guarantee a victory.  This guarantee caused palpable outrage with Steeler fans and even drew contempt from many of his teammates and Head Coach Mike Tomlin.  Tomlin said in an interview on Thursday "Anytime you have a big game you’ll find some young guy in the corner of the locker room willing to guarantee a victory". 

I was both disappointed and embarrassed that the guarantee was the marquee story going into such a great game.  Many people tried to downplay the comments stating that once the game is started that stuff is out the window, but anyone who saw Tom Brady’s reaction after his first touchdown pass was quickly made to think otherwise.  The normally cool headed Brady sought Clark out in the end zone and said some things to him that he opted not to repeat after the game in fear of his mother hearing them.  Less than two minutes later it was Brady to Moss for 63 yards on a play action pass that looked like something I’ve done on Madden 08.  It only looked so easy because Smith blew the coverage.  But the Steelers were able keep it together and go into the half down only by four.

During CBS’ half time, Bill Cowher was noticeably passionate while describing what the Steelers had to do in the second half.  Apparently the TV’s weren’t on in the locker room.  The Patriots came out and dominated with a large part of their success coming at Smith’s expense.  Jabar Gaffney blew past Smith in the third quarter for a 56 yard touchdown after Smith bit hard another fake. 

I wish this would’ve been the end of the game, but it only got uglier.  To sum up the rest of the game: LB Arnold Harrison, another player who shouldn’t be on the radar, was penalized 15 yards for a ridiculous late hit on special teams, players started fighting, Anthony Smith hit a Patriot WR late in the end zone and the Patriots passed their way down the field to salt the game away.

I don’t mind losing to a great team like the Patriots straight up, but when you throw in the Smith guarantee and all of the collapsing that ensued, it all adds up to an embarrassment for the franchise.  I’m not just a Steeler fan because they play in my hometown, but also because I appreciate the way they do business.   All the sore loser antics that went on Sunday evening combined with 60,000+ Patriot fans chanting "Guarantee Guarantee" probably made the Steelers late founder Art Rooney Sr. turn in his grave.  Those weren’t my Pittsburgh Steelers and the loss was more significant than just going 9-4.