No crybaby here.

As a kid and young adult you soon learned if you wanted to play competetive sports not to cry about every hit you received nor any imagined prejudice you saw on the part of the referee and umpires in their officiating decisions.. They called you a crybaby.

No, it wasn't fair but I learned to play within the unspoken rules of the game.

Recently, before the Ravens game, it was said that Pgh coach Tomlin told his players in a language that they all could understand: "our goal is to win the game. Stop bitc---g".

Despite that, the calls on the Pittsburgh team in both the Baltimore game and that of todays win against Cincinatti defy logic. Even opposing players have acknowledged as much. In a recent survey, 73% of fans questioned about James Harrison penalties said "He is being picked on."

Before going any further, let me acknowledge that some of the plays and/penalties committed by the "reserve players" on the Pittsburgh side were richly deserved. They simply lacked the playing time and practice to hone their skills and allow them to avoid those "nasty" penalties.

But, it's not just the Steelers who have suffered a real loss of regular players. The Bengals apppear to be much worse off in that category than the Steelers. One would assume therefore, that the Bengals should well have been penalized even more than the Steelers

"T'aint so, Magee" - says wife Molly of Fibber Magee and Molly radio fame.

So, why am I complaining? The Steelers are winning.

First of all, I agree with Tomlins dictate to the Steeler players to put a "lid on it." He recognized that an excuse of any nature not related to their performance is like a cancer and will definitely take an edge off of their performance. He also recognized "It's just not the Steeler way".

And, he's right!

Secondly, I'm not a Steelers player and a century away from a time when penalties assessed against me are worth a hoot. I also recognize the difference between objective and subjective decisions in life.

So, what is my problem? I'm not concerned about today. But, I am concerned about the future and what clearly appears to be rules inconsistently enforced on the field - that could make a difference in the results of Steelers games as well as other teams down the road. It clearly appears to be a case of the NFL making up the rules as we play the game- and that's not right. It has also not been adequately defended by the NFL. And, why should they?

For that reason, all I am asking is, "How do we make the officiating of these games a 'level playing field'? " This is something that the NFL office swears they are doing. But, is this yet one more misguided effort of the NFL to achieve parity?

My answer? Turn the films of the games over to an independent reviewing group and let them make some decisions as to whether or not the Steelers or any other team are being treated different than the rest of the teams.

Is this simply a case of the NFL telling the Steelers with their penalties and fines, "You, above all should have known better?"

I would start the independent review with the number and nature of the penalties called against the Steelers and then contrast those with the ones for which the officials appear willing to let the opposing teams actions slide.

The capability is there. The NFL has enough precise technical information available to determine which of the back judges are wearing boxers.

I watched todays games at a place that lacked all the audio of my friendly home big screen Sony. However, I did notice CBS focusing on the number of plays where clearly Ben Rothlisberger was assaulted - with no penalty calls being enforced. I particulary became outraged with the knee to his face after he was clearly down with a broken nose, and no penalty was called.

The problem is where do you go to get the NFL to do the right thing? Apparently, their omnipotence cannot be challenged. Don't look for the weak and disorganzied NFLPA to step in here. They have problems of their own.

Next. Do the Steelers need the like of me and a lot of other Steeler fans to defend their honor?

Answer: No! They will play their best game with or without me - and with or without complaining about the outrageous officiating they are seeing.

My concern is, why at a time that every news source seems to find some paranoid/ conspirational theory in any news development that hits the headlines, do they not see the possiblity of something untoward going on here?

Is the NFL really that powerful that no responsible news organization is willing to take them on for fear of the repercussions that may include the NFL's own version of a lockout?

Or will that only happen if the trend shifts to either the Jet's or the Giants? God forbid!

Commissioner Goodell recently commented that the added two regular season games will not cause more injuries to the players. "Rog" apparently had a "b.f. and forgot that the regulars play much fewer minutes in exhibition games than they would be required to do in regular season games.

Even the owners know they can much more easily afford injuries to the scrubs than to their regulars. Of course, that is assuming that any performance bonuses would not come into play.

Goodell also said that at some point the players will understand what they can and cannot due to avoid being penalized or fined. "Hey, Rog-o, can we discuss the horse and the cart analogy? "

May we also suggest the NFL starts this educational effort with the officials who appear to be totally confused while extremely desirous of satisfying the wants of the front office. Folks, it's called job security.

After writing the first draft of this blog I watched part of the Philly/Dallas game in time to see Philly QB Michael Vick receive - not one helmet-to-helmet hit - but, two. And they were on the same play. Once more it was referee McAuley's guys and no penalty was called. One assumes this officiating crew is "grading on the curve."

So, maybe it's not a "Pittsburgh thing" - but, a "Pennsylvania thing"?

And would it be too much to ask the independent reviewers to look at the plays where the guys have been fined - and return the money to the ones who were victims of clearly perverse calls.
Oh, and take it out of Goodells checking account seeing as how he's the one who is supposed to be in charge and was assumed to have a plan before jumping headlong (but not helmet-to-helmet) into this debacle.

Actually, I pity those officials who are presently calling the penalties using a sliderule mentality accompanied with knee jerk logic, while the NFL has the sophisticated computers and a review system the officials clearly lack and whose contents the NFL is apparently unwilling to share.

C-mon Roger, let us in on the new game rules too. Please share your collective wisdom with all of us? That is of course, assuming it does exist. This is like some poor slob finding his wife in bed with another guy and being told, "Don't worry, we'll explain all of this to you later."

In the meantime: GO STEELERS!

No crybabies here. But, when it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck - maybe it is a duck.

But, apparently the NFL is the only one with a duck hunting license this year.