Saturday Night Open Thread: If it’s Brown, drop it down

Live from Delaware, it’s Saturday Night! I, NAS204PSU, am here at BTSC to bring you this Saturday Night Open Thread (aka SNOT).

I grew up just an hour and a half drive on I-90W from Cleveland. In Erie, PA, you would find residents were usually fans of one of three NFL teams: Bills, Browns, or Steelers. As my parents both hail from just outside the ‘Burgh, the Steelers are in my blood. I spent every few weeks making the 2+ hour drive to the Pittsburgh area, visiting relatives.

Having come from a large

family, my maternal grandmother hosted Sunday dinners for her 4 siblings and all their respective children, grandchildren (including myself), and eventually even a few great-grand children. The Steelers games were part of the tradition of course.

I can remember during one of my single digit years, a distinct memory of my family’s Steeler fandom.  With over twenty relatives crammed around grandma’s living room TV for a Steeler game, none were louder than my then-70+ great Aunt screaming “hit him, tackle him!” I am certain, as this was the late 80s, it was not a consequential game. That is the kind of passion my family had for the Steelers. 

That passion also fuels a rivalry with the Browns. It was known we didn’t like them. In 1996, they tried to run to Baltimore and transition themselves into purple. We still didn’t like the new them, even if they weren’t legally “The Browns.”Then, in 1999, the Browns resurrected. We still don’t like the new-old them. 

There are a few games that are more firmly burned in my memory than the 2020 Wildcard game that saw the Baker Mayfield led Browns dismantle an aging Ben Roethlisburger led Steelers. The very first play from scrimmage had Maurkice Pouncey sail the snap over Ben’s head, which was recovered for a Cleveland touchdown. Multiple Big Ben interceptions and defensive failings later, the Browns were up 28-0. It was never really close. Even with 500+ passing yards and 4 TDs from Ben didn’t make up for that first fumble and 4 INTs. Especially when your defense gives up 5 TDs and has zero take-aways.

I loathe the Browns. I hope Aaron and company hang 50+ on them and TJ, Cam, and the rest sack Dillon Gabriel to next week. The Brown bag lunch is something that deserves to be lit on fire and left on their porch. Ding, dong Cleveland. We’re waiting for ya!

This 6 pack of questions is here to get the conversation going, so let us know what you’re eating/drinking!

1. Mike Tomlin’s name was thrown out as a coach of the year candidate (regular season only award). What does he have to do to win it?
2. The early bye week allowed a few nicked up Steelers to heal, though Calvin Austin is OUT. Which of these injured Steelers (assuming they play) will have the biggest impact on the Browns game.
   1. CB Jalen Ramsey
   2. WR Ben Skowronek
   3. CB Joey Porter Jr.
   4. RB Jaylen Warren
   5. EDGE Alex Highsmith
3. Per Dawgs by Nature, “the Browns are No. 1 in the NFL in run defense (75.6 yards per game), No. 2 in total defense (247.8 yards per game), and tied for fourth in pass defense (172.2 yards per game).” Do you see the Steelers offense out gaining the Browns average in any of those categories? Why/Why not?
4. More WR trade rumors surround the Steelers. Assuming the Steelers trade for someone before the trade deadline, what should be the next rumor articles series:
   1. The Steelers should trade for this young QB
   2. The Steelers should trade for this young OL
   3. The Steelers should have drafted this rookie stud.
   4. The Steelers should have drafted this young star.
   5. Other: write in comments
5. The Eagles, reigning Super Bowl champs and presumed favorite to repeat a Super Bowl appearance for the NFC, lost while visiting their division rival NY Giants. Does this give you heartburn about our road TNF game vs. Joe Flacco and the Bungals in Week 7? Why or why not?
6. The weather finally feels like fall here in Delaware (low 60s during the day, 40/50s at night). What is the best way to enjoy an outdoor fire pit?
   1. Roasting marshmallows/Smores
   2. Glass of wine / Cold beer / bottle of hooch
   3. Roasting meat (hotdogs, brats, kielbasa, etc)
   4. Philosophizing with loved ones
   5. In silence, staring at the orange flames dancing, casting fleeting shadows in the darkness around. 

BONUS SOTN: Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire (Official Audio)