Vikings vs. Steelers Review

EK keeps asking me for a review, so here it is:

1. The first team offensive line got abused. This is to be expected, though, because the Vikings have themselves one hell of a defensive line. And one hell of a front seven. Their defense, in general, is one of the best in the league, though their front seven makes up for weaknesses in the secondary. We're not going to face a group this good in the regular season, so it isn't much cause for alarm. Seriously. Everyone in the NFC North should be scared of this group, but everyone in the NFC North should temper their fear with the knowledge that Tavaris Jackson or Gus Ferrotte is going to be the starting quarterback of the Vikings and Bernard Berrian or Sydney Rice is going to be the primary receiver. In the regular season, this would have been ugly, but we would have won all the same.
2. Rashard Mendenhall put the ball on the ground twice, but that actually is not cause for alarm. The important thing to remember is that he did this when the games don't count. Tomlin was pissed during post-game interviews and has already forced the rookie to carry a football with him at all times. A $100 bounty has been set on anyone that can knock the ball out. But, in all honesty, what's $100, even to the practice squad players? If you came up to me and said, "See that big black guy over there? Knock the ball he's carrying out of his hand and I'll give you a hundred bucks," I would need to be blackout drunk to try it. It proves a point, but ultimately falls short. What we need to take away from the experience is that he will not put the ball on the ground as frequently during the season (Tiki Barber has taught us that players can overcome fumble issues and go on to become legends) and that he's progressing very, very well thus far. He's running lower, making yards after contact, and properly using his blend of power and speed to punish defenses.
3. The first team defense does not suck as bad as we might think. I've said it before and I'll say it again: This defense runs off the linebackers. We're only as strong as the four guys we have playing Mike, Sam, Will, and Buck. We have five good-to-great guys in Timmons, Foote, Farrior, Harrison, and Woodley. LeBeau will put them in a position to succeed.
4. I am not happy with the Eddie Drummund experiment. He's the second coming of Allan Rossum. As much as I hate Willie Reid and curse him for making me believe in his potential, I really hope that he steps up, claims both return jobs on Thursday, and we can move on.
5. Someone asked me the other day what I thought of Tomlin. I officially like him. I think he's good for the team. For all the screaming, yelling, fire, and brimstone that Cowher brought, he really didn't discpline anyone. Casey Hampton was declared too fat. Willie Reid has to fight for his roster spot and has (somewhat) responded. Mendenhall's fumbles will not go unnoticed or unpunished. Tomlin doesn't seem like a hard ass, but he is one. The old adage tells us that if you had a player's coach, hire a hard ass for your next coach, and if you had a hard ass, hire a player's coach. Cowher was a player's coach and the players seem to be responding to the fact that Tomlin is a hard ass. Let's hope it lasts the season, because it's going to be rough. Cowher would have softened at some point, but Tomlin will not. And that's why I like him.