Altoona is struggling.  The Mountain Lions got everyone's hopes up with that big win over North Allegheny to open the season.  After a win over Chambersburg, they've lost the next five.  Unless there is another divine intervention, they'll have a good chance to lose their sixth this weekend against State College.

Sometimes coaches try to do too much and while I'm no expert, I get the feeling this group may be frantically searching for what might work with these guys.  Effort isn't an issue.  These kids play hard and tough.

The loss to Cedar Cliff was very disappointing.  The defense held the Colts to 17 first half yards and the offense had numerous opportunities to put Cedar Cliff away before they had a chance to do anything positive.  But in the end, the weight of the losing streak just sat down on the shoulders of the players and coaches. 

Offensively, the team appears to be searching for something they can count on.  They've used a variety of formations and two quarterbacks.  They've used a bevy of running backs and have shifted and motioned themselves to death.  It might be good to find a handful of plays that the team can be reasonably sure will gain some yards and stay with those.  I know, easier said than done.  And I'm sure that is what the coaches would do if something would just present itself as the "thing" they need.

Defensively, there were about three or four plays that Cedar Cliff used to build a lead on Altoona in the second half.  They use a spread offense, often without a running back.  On more than a few occassions, there were quite a few more receivers than defenders on one side of the field and the quarterback just had to wait until one was open.  And they were able to run to open space after the defense went away from the flow of the play.

Cedar Cliff was not the best team, they just scored more points.  The frustrations of five straight losses are festering. 

Jim Abbott and I have discussed the potential playoff situation in recent weeks.  (Yes playoffs) The team has lost five straight and might have two more losses down the stretch.  A win over Central Dauphin East will make them 3-7 if they lose to State and Harrisburg.  Jim thinks the young kids need the extra weeks of practice time.  And, I think that's a noble cause. 

But 3-7 doesn't deserve playoff participation in my eyes.  4-6 perhaps.  Either way, the playoffs should be a reward for regular season accomplishment, not an extra chance to work the kids. 

Penguins

Not exactly a great start for the Penguins.  They've struggled on offense, particularly the power play.  Sergei Gonchar's absence is noticable.

In the long run, the injuries will make the Pens' depth much better.  But, as explosive as the Penguins have been, it may be tough to watch the games until something gels. 

Miroslav Satan was a nice pickup but he's far from a Marian Hossa type.  There are so many new names in the lineup I can't tell if the announcers are referring to good guys or bad guys when they call out their names.

The Penguins started slow a year ago.  It wasn't until Ty Conklin took over for Marc Andre Fleury that the Penguins started to blossom.  This season, Fleury has proven to be a solid shot stopper.  Attribute their 5 points in 4 games to him.  You don't need to get out of the gate fast in the NHL.  The season goes on forever.  As the newcomers mesh with the dependable, solid veterans, the Penguins will get better.  And with Ray Shero keeping his eye on the stable, it is likely that the Penguins will improve as the season progresses.  It would be nice to blow someone out though.

Steelers

Why do I have this uneasy feeling about Sunday's game with the Carson Palmer-less Cincinnati Bengals?  The Bengals are one of two winless teams in the NFL.  But, it has already been proven that any team can beat any other team in this tough to figure league.  Ask the New York Giants.

We might have had a clue on the Giants' Monday night failure against the Browns, had we noticed that the Bengals almost beat them in the Meadowlands just before their break.  How do the Rams beat the Redskins?  How do the Colts blow out the best defense in the league?  How do the Cowboys lose to Arizona?  How does Carolina look so bad against Tampa Bay?  Why does Minnesota only beat Detroit by a point?  How can the Bengals hope to beat the Steelers?  Exactly. 

The facts are that the Steelers actually are better in Cincinnati than at Heinz against the Bungles...ooops, no disrespect intended...Bengals.  If you want to get the real skinny on the Bengals read the Cincinnati Post.  Their writers have already taken the poison and are waiting for the dirt to cover them up.  This is the NFL.  Any given Sunday, ya know? 

While it seems like it's been forever since Ben and the boys have suited up, for an ailing body, two weeks really isn't all that much.  Injuries like the shoulder that Ben has and the knee that Willie has and so on, will take a lot more time to completely heal.  So, don't expect these people to be 100% as the season progresses.  But, then, who in the NFL is 100% after about half the season.  These people take a pounding.  And, the Steeler schedule won't be very helpful either.  There isn't much relief in sight. 

The Bengals will give the Steelers all they have this Sunday.  An 0-6 start gives the Bengals no hope of making the playoffs.  With no more than playing the team they hate the most on the line, some of the Bengals will be prepared to give it their best shot.  Who knows if there will be enough of them to make a difference.  In order to prevent the playing down to the level of the competition issue to rise up, the Steelers have to be thankful for the opportunity to get another divisional win against a team that is less than whole.  Those chances may not come again all year.