September 23, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) is pursued by New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Chiefs defeated the Saints 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs  (and now former) WR Steve Breaston was released by the team on Tuesday.  The Steelers are expected to either shop or draft (or both) a receiver during this offseason.  Steve Breaston is not a perfect fit for the Steelers, but his past with Todd Haley may land him on the team anyways.

Breaston worked under Haley in both Arizona and Kansas City.  Haley liked Breaston and used him frequently in the slot.  Breaston caught on average 60 passes per season from 2008-2011.  He even collected a 1,000 yard season in 2008, the same year that the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl and lost to the Steelers.  For whatever reason, Breaston fell out of favor with then head coach Romeo Crennel.  Crennel criticized Breaston for not knowing the game plan following Breaston’s three week benching.  If you want to read the full glory of who said what in this amazing showing of asshattery by Crennel, check out the link to the Chiefs blog here on the story. (It’s a good read I promise.)

Even with the questionable past and work ethic of Breaston (however invalid it is) won’t matter much if offensive coordinator, Todd Haley wants Breaston.  The Steelers are in need of some help in that position.  Wallace will be gone and off to another team in a few weeks.  Breaston is not the big play maker that Wallace is – or let’s just say the big play making skills.  He is, however, a good slot receiver at 6-0.  That height doesn’t help out the vertical challenged Steelers, but it may take some pressure off of forcing Emmanuel Sanders into the starting lineup when he has longevity issues over the course of a season.  Plaxico Burress isn’t a sure thing in bringing him back.  It’s not like he did anything to shoot himself in the foot (pun heavily intended), but for whatever reason, he was ill used by the team after being re-signed.  He has enough speed and can be an asset in Dink & Dunk 2.0.

Breaston’s contract was slated to be $3.8 million in 2013.  Not a very good price for the cap weary Steelers, but with Breaston’s stats and playing time on a severe down swing last season, I’m sure the Steelers can get him for much cheaper.

August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) looks on in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

Most of the NFL woke up this morning to news that tragedy struck the Kansas City Chiefs and their community.  Reports are still incomplete as the police gather facts and interview all vested parties, but Jason La Canfora has been tweeting with updates via sources inside the Chiefs organization and police.

Chief LB Jovian Belcher was involved in a shooting involving at least one other person outside the team’s facility today, source said…

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 1, 2012

KCPD say the player thanked both men before taking his life, and that Pioli and Crennel did not feel threatened. KCPD not revealing identity

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 1, 2012

Officer Snapp said police called at 7:50am to 5400 block Chrysler Ave., were told a current Chief had shot his girlfriend “multiple times”..

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 1, 2012

Chiefs are shocked, Belcher had no history of anything like this, seen as a good kid, close to Crennel. he recently had child w/girlfriend..

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 1, 2012

Belcher had no prior history that would leave anyone to believe he would do something like this.  Belcher was part of a struggling organization throughout and gathered mediocre numbers at the inside position.  He racked up four tackles in the team’s loss against the Steelers back in week 10.

All of us at NPC send our thoughts out to the families involved and the Chiefs organization.  Someone has to be in a pretty dark place to do something like this, and it is truly sad that Belcher and his girlfriend weren’t saved before it was too late.

I am sure that the team is riding high off of their emotional win, and there is no reason that they shouldn’t be.  Plus, with two weeks to go before the beginning of the “Two in Three” Ravens gauntlet, Pittsburgh has much to look forward to as the month of November continues.  While the Steelers appear ready to compete for another A.F.C. North title, it is imperative that this team is not “asleep at the wheel” in winnable Conference games.  You know, like the one they have against the Chiefs this upcoming Monday evening.

The Chiefs, What They Can Do, and Their Issues

Charles must not be “In Charge” on Monday Night. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Beating the 1-7 Chiefs should be a relatively easy task for a team as talented as Pittsburgh because of Kansas City’s issues in two enormous areas: Offensive Passing Game, and Pass Defense.

Although the Chiefs’ currently rank 12th in Passing Yards per game allowed (222), their ranking is somewhat skewed like Pittsburgh’s because they have actually been thrown on the least amount of any team.  Kansas City ranks 31st in Yards per Pass Attempt (8.9), are tied for 30th in terms of Passing Touchdowns allowed (17).  Compounding the Chiefs’ Secondary issues even more is the fact that the team has has just recently released starting Cornerback Stanford Routt.

Heck, the Chiefs’ Defense has been so inconsistent that they are even ranked 22nd in Rushing Yards per game allowed (126.0) and 30th in Points per game allowed (30.0)!  So despite the fact that Antonio Brown might be out, the combination of Wallace, Sanders, Cotchery, Heath, and whichever Backs suit up should be more than enough for Big Ben and the Steelers’ efficient Offense to move the ball effectively.

As for Kansas City’s Passing Offense, it has been downright “offensive” this season due to the franchise’s Quarterback situation.  Whether it has been “Lady” Quinn: “Medicine Woman” or Matt Cassel, Kansas City has appeared to be without an answer at the most important position on the field.  The Chiefs rank Tied for 25th in Passing Yards per game (208), 29th in Passing Yards per attempt (6.3), have thrown the most Interceptions (14), and are tied for the fewest Touchdowns thrown (6) so far through 8 games.  Worst of all however is the fact that the Chiefs have logged a -20 Turnover ratio, and have turned the ball over more times (29) than any team in professional football.

To take advantage of Kansas City’s weak passing game though, the Steelers must find a way to stop the talented Jamaal Charles and the rest of Kansas City’s 3rd Ranked Rushing Attack (149.9 Yards per game).  While Charles is coming off of an ACL injury he suffered last season, he nevertheless has done a solid job through his first 8 games.  So far in 2012, Charles has rushed for 634 Yards on 132 Carries and scored 2 Touchdowns on the ground.  In addition to his rushing, Charles has also been a factor in the passing game and caught 22 Passes for 158 Yards and 1 Touchdown despite his Quarterbacks’ inconsistencies.  Containing Charles will be the key, so all of the pressure can fall upon Quinn, Cassel, the Offensive Line, and the Defense to do something they have failed to this season: produce effectively and efficiently.

Final Thoughts

I have said this over and over again about the Steelers, but “great teams” not only win their difficult games against equal/superior foes, they also win their games against inferior foes, and win them handily.  If Pittsburgh sleep-walks into this game like they did against Oakland and Tennessee, this team could very well be in for a rude awakening.  Kansas City has nothing to lose and everything to gain besides the inside track for the #1 overall pick in The 2013 Draft with a victory, and could be treating the rest of their season as an “audition process” for a possible new Coaching Staff & Front Office.

Remember fans, as nice as last Sunday’s win was, the Steelers are still one game behind the Ravens, and will likely need to finish 1+ game ahead of them because of their awful A.F.C. losses to the Titans and Raiders earlier in the season.  Stacking wins, especially the ones that are supposed to be cake-walks, will come in handy in a weak A.F.C., and Pittsburgh must not be asleep at the wheel come Monday night.  Although this Kansas City team has yet to hold a lead in regulation all season long, they, like every other N.F.L. team cannot be taken lightly, period.  An effective effort in which glaring matchups are taken advantage of is all that is needed by the Steelers to move to 6-3 and give this team a chance to take over 1st place in the A.F.C. North with a win over Baltimore.,  I just hope that they do not play down to their competition.

Stats Courtesy of: Team Rankings.com, ESPN.com

Pope will bring size and hands... and some new numbers (45) to the TE position. Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Get the ink wells ready.  And I’m not talking about trying to cover up that ‘Bruce Forever’ tat you put on your back three seasons ago.  The Steelers have finally signed their first free agent of the season.  The player, former TE Chief and part time life guard, Leonard Pope.  Pope is coming off his best season in his career statistically, albeit it’s nothing earth shattering as far as TE’s go – Heath Miller had 51 catches last season.  Oh yeah and he saved a 6-year old boy’s life during the lockout last season.

Pope is a smart pick as an addition to the offense.  In case you haven’t noticed, unless David Johnson changes his name to Max Powers, he’s never going to really get any notoriety being the hybrid TE/FB player he is.  He is a mediocre athlete even though he is getting better.    Wes Saunders is suspended for the first four games.  Pope will add some size and better hands for an offense that should (SHOULD) utilize its TE’s more as the season.  Pope has played with Haley practically his whole career – big bonus there.  He will be familiar with Haley’s schemes and tendencies, and he will have opportunities to let players know when to duck away from the flying clipboard.

For those who were hoping for the Steelers to sign someone with a bit more bling in their swagger, better luck next time.  In fact, better luck next season.  This will probably be the ‘biggest’ free agent signing for the team this whole off season.  The TE was a need they knew they could fill without a huge hit to the pocketbook (details on Pope’s deal yet to be released).  Pope adds value and potential to that position, and his history with Haley is simply gravy.  I hope he can block and do some life saving for his new QB.

Congrats to Pope and to the Steelers.  This is about as smart as you can get in free agency moves.  Anyone surprised?  The other big question is:  That’s four TE’s.  Who goes and who stays?  Johnson or Saunders?

Good News:  Only three teams remain standing between the Pittsburgh Steelers and a date with destiny in Dallas.

Bad News:  All three of them beat the Steelers during the regular season.

Good News:  First up are the Baltimore Ravens, who destroyed the pitiful Kansas City Chiefs while the Black and Gold sat back and relaxed.

Bad News:  Ravens-Steelers games are the football equivalent of an electrified barb wire cage match of death.  This basically negates having a bye since the brutality on display is equal to two full games worth of punishment.

Good News:  The Steelers own the Ravens.  As long as Ben Roethlisberger is behind center.

Bad News:  The New England Patriots will steamroll the overrated New York Jets.  And the Patriots own the Steelers.

Wild Card weekend shook out pretty much as I expected.  The dog-raping scumbag hero of Philadelphia mutants was exposed as a poor man’s Kordell Stewart by Dom Capers.  Peyton Manning choked again.  Although this time he had a lot of help from that finger puppet he calls a head coach.  And Seattle.  If I only had a little more confidence in myself, I would’ve been a bestselling author, taken Suzanne Soares to prom, and made a bundle this weekend by betting on the Seahags.  Told ya the Saints weren’t all ‘dat.

Enough about the wanna bes and also rans.  Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, and Jets.  The prelims are officially out of the way.  Bring on the main event.