Countdown to Football

Suggs' Shirt

Peter King noted it in his MMQB column this morning, now we have the evidence:

Bring it...

GBoF visited with old pal Dave Dameshek on his ESPN Radio podcast to discuss many things of interest including the glory of the NHL playoffs, the Pens chances vs the hated Philly Phlyers, the Steelers schedule and how easy it really is and who you should vote for in the Land of the Fox.

To listen in, go
here.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 AFC North Champions

My early take...a conservative 12-4 and another division title.


STEELERS 2009 Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 10 -- TENNESSEE, 8:30 p.m. W 1-0
Towel stomping is background noise to Renegade welcoming the Champs onto the field.

Sunday, Sept. 20 -- at Chicago, 4:15 p.m. L 1-1
In first home game, Cutler surprises and leads da Bears to a win

Sunday, Sept. 27 -- at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. W 2-1
Bungles have full roster, but Palmer is still rusty

Sunday, Oct. 4 -- SAN DIEGO, 8:20 p.m. L 2-2
Chargers fly east but like late start, Rivers finally has decent game. Shaky 2-2 start.

Sunday, Oct. 11 -- at Detroit, 1 p.m. W 3-2
Steelers decide to celebrate SB XL win again, Lions figure why not join in

Sunday, Oct. 18 -- CLEVELAND, 1 p.m. W 4-2
Quinn/Anderson make like Tim Couch, scamper back to Cleve weakly

Sunday, Oct. 25 -- MINNESOTA, 4:15 p.m. W 5-2
Peterson does not becoem the first RB to single handedly beat the Steeler D

Monday, Nov. 9 -- at Denver, 8:30 p.m. L 5-3
Yonco fans get lathered up for their big prime time game, Ben has his one bad game, team falls to unsteady 5-3

Sunday, Nov. 15 -- CINCINNATI, 1 p.m. W 6-3
Skyline Chili doesn't travel well and neither does this equally motley mix

Sunday, Nov. 22 -- at Kansas City, 1 p.m. W 7-3
Cassel and Vrabel can't turn KC into NE West. Steelers enjoy the BBQ and scalping the Chiefs

Sunday, Nov. 29 -- at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m. L 7-4
League caves to Birdies demand to not play in Burgh in prime time and grants them a home game vs Champs. Steelers don't run scared or beg off but can't sweep the Birdies again.

Sunday, Dec. 6 -- OAKLAND, 1 p.m. W 8-4
Rivalry revived? Not when it was a long time ago, like when the Raiders were still in the NFL.

Thursday, Dec. 10 -- at Cleveland, 8:20 p.m. W 9-4
Brownies will target this prime time game as their biggest of the season, only leaving them even worse off after Steelers romp

Sunday, Dec. 20 -- GREEN BAY, 1 p.m. W 10-4
Green n' gold vs Black N' Gold possibly in the snow. Two pillars of the league square off but the Pack is in for a down year.

Sunday, Dec. 27 -- BALTIMORE, 1 p.m. W 11-4
Quick rematch keeps wounds from the loss fresh and Steelers inflict more damage this time around. Flacco doesn't finish the game, is Kordell still on the Ravens?

Sunday, Jan. 3 -- at Miami, 1 p.m. W 12-4
Victory over Birdies locked up division so this won't matter for the Steelers, and it won't for the Dolphs who will take a step back as teams figure out how to stop the wildcat.

'92 All Over Again?

In 1992, Pittsburgh fans could make a very legitimate argument that they had the three best players in each of their three pro sports.

Barry Bonds was MVP of the NL for the division winning Pirates.
Mario Lemieux was the best hockey player in the world for the Stanley Cup winning Penguins.
Barry Foster was a 1,700 yard workhorse and most dominant running back in the NFL for the playoff bound Steelers in Bill Cowher's first yer as coach.

In all objectivity, only Foster's status was debatable.

It's a trifecta that is rare and almost impossible to match, even for cities with 4 major pro sports teams.

So, we are now 17 years later in 2009. And from Pittsburgh's point of view, the Pirates are minor league while Pitt basketball has ascended to major and certainly championship caliber level.

And here we are again, does Pittsburgh have the three best players in its sports? Or is this a biased argument that only a homer would make?

In the NHL, while the Penguins are middling, Sidney Crosby is widely regarded as the league's best, yet Geno Malkin leads the league in scoring. You could pick either of those two and make a very compelling argument he is the best.

That a Super Bowl Champion Steeler is the league's best may be the toughest argument to convince outsiders. Yet, James Harrison was the Defensive Player of the Year,Troy Polamalu may be the most disruptive defensive player and young Ben has won his second Super Bowl and is the clutchest player in the league. I'll take Harrison for this year, the defensive player of the year on the league's best defense that led the team to their Super Bowl win.

Then we come to Pitt basketball, replacing the Buccos in this list. Over the last week, DeJuan Blair is making a statement that is impossible to ignore that he is the best player in college basketball. At the very least, he is the favorite to be the Player of the Year in the Big East on a team that has as good a shot to win the national title as any.

Bonds, Lemieux and Foster in 1992.
Crosby, Harrison and Blair in 2009.

Pretty fair players and all the best in their sports that year.

Act of Rod Makes The Hall

Rod Woodson became the 20th Steeler to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame this afternoon.

Think of that? 20 Steeler Hall of Famers - the vast majority coming since 1970. Amazing.

Dermontti Dawson didn't get in despite a deserving career.

Still Rod is in and despite him winning a Super Bowl ring with the Balt Bridies and having played with the Raiders and Niners, he will go down as a Steeler. In an interview this week, he mentioned his 'Act of Rod' hit on Lorenzo White of the Oilers in a wild card playoff game on New Years Eve 1989 that caused a fumble and led to a game winning Gary Anderson field goal as his most memorable. It was a great play but the list of great plays by Woodson is long and that's why he is in the HOF. He was a game changer and the key of the Blitzburgh defense.

Congrats to Rod and here's hoping the good news for the black and gold continues all weekend.

HERE WE GO!!!

GBoF dishes on all things Football with Dameshek

What a weekend of fun at Heinz. One of the top 5 sporting events I've attended of all-time.

I visited again with old pal Dave Dameshek and his radio shoebox on Thursday to discuss all that is Steelers and what we have to look forward to in Super Bowl XLIII.

Tune in here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?context=podcast&id=3853624

And if you want one final capper to the fun at Heinz, take a look at this video of the final seconds of the game and all 65,000+ serenading the Birdies off the field with a group version of "Here We Go"...:

Hex on the Cards

So the folks in Phoenix got all excited about winning the NFC Championship that they decided to parade the trophy around town to various businesses. In sports like hockey, nobody wants to touch a trophy that isn't the big one, but I guess it just doesn't matter in a town as desperate for quality sports as Phoenix.

But despite their exuberance for the trophy, a hex was put on the Cards using one special Terrible Towel that was poised above the trophy by longtime Steeler fan and Burgh native Brett Berman.

The folks in Phoenix weren't too pleased but nobody can stop the Towel when it's poised to strike!

Three in a Row...

Going for the 6-pack....

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/2009/0126_large.jpg

GBoF and Dameshek Round 2

Want a recap of the wonderful weekend that was in Pittsburgh and Heinz Field as well as a preview of the showdown to come?

I visited old pal Dave Dameshek and his radio shoebox on Tuesday to discuss all that is Steelers and the requisite preparatory exercises that accompany it.

Tune in and get ready for the hatefest that is Steelers/Ravens III:
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?context=podcast&id=3831220

GBoF podcast with Dave Dameshek

GBoF visited with old pal Dave Dameshek on 1/9 on his ESPN Radio podcast last Friday to discuss many things of interest including the struggling Pens, Pittsburgh jerseys you want to wear and DON'T want to wear and of course, we had a preview discussion about the Steelers-Chargers game that turned out so swell for all of us.

To listen in, go to:
http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/710espn/show?showId=damshow

Steelers Beat Up Opponents, Rest of NFL Thankful

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/the-week-after-pittsburgh.html

There is a theory among NFL observers that the week-after playing Pittsburgh is a difficult one for teams because the Steelers are so physical that teams get beat up.

The Cowboys certainly got beat up by the Steelers - safety Ken Hamlin (ankle), safety Keith Davis (knee), tight end Jason Witten (ankle), guard Montrae Holland (ankle), linebacker Zach Thomas (cramps), linebacker Bradie James (stinger), nose tackle Jay Ratliff (concussion), cornerback Adam Jones (neck).

So how have teams done the week after playing the Steelers? They're 4-8.

Houston - lost to Tennessee, 31-12 (Texans did not play following week because of hurricane)
Cleveland - lost to Baltimire, 28-10
Philadelphia - lost to Chicago, 24-20
Baltimore - lost to Tennessee, 13-10
Jacksonville - beat Denver, 24-17
Cincinnati - lost to Houston, 35-6
Giants - beat Dallas, 35-14
Washington - lost to Dallas, 14-10 (after a bye)
Indianapolis - beat Houston, 33-27
San Diego - lost to Indianapolis, 23-20
Cincinnati - lost to Baltimore, 34-3
New England - beat Seattle, 24-21

Based on the record of the teams the Steelers have played this year, its over .500, that teams are 4-8 in games after playing the Steelers tells me that the following week's teams should be out shopping for a very nice Xmas present for the black and gold.

Steeler defense video

Nothing gets Steeler fans more fired up than great defense and this video is a great tribute.

The best part is Kevin Greene clearly still wanting to put on the pads and be a part of things and James Harrison's brush off of him. But Greene does look like he could still get double digit sacks.

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d0fae0

How the Steelers are NOT the Steelers of Old

Behind the Steel Curtain has done an excellent review of the Steelers' offensive tendencies in third and between 2-4 yards to go so far in 2008.

The results amount to this:

Pittsburgh Steelers on 3rd and 2 - 3rd and 4

Total Opportunities	Total Runs	Total Passes	1st Down % Running	1st Down % Passing	Sacks
41	3	38	100%	54%	7

My thoughts about these numbers:

• Once again, whenever someone says the Steelers are about running the football first, please turn the channel - those who know anything at all about the Steelers know differently.
  
• Anytime there is a 38-3 discrepancy in play calling, it is a bad thing. Defensive coordinators are very aware of tendencies and these numbers don't put much if any doubt in their heads about what the Steelers will do.
• Only 3 rushes, so the 100% conversion rate is skewed. But when you're only converting 54% of third and shorts when throwing the ball, you have to think about the play calling. That 54% includes sacks counted as passes.
• Steel Curtain notes that Ben has thrown 3 of his 11 INTs in these situations, meaning 27% of Ben's picks have come on just 11% of his passes. Is he forcing things more than normal in these situations? Whatever the reasons, they are something to be considered when making the play calls.
• Seeing them repeatedly fail recently on third and 1, it doesn't make a good case for running on third and two or three. But maybe with defensive coordinators looking at these numbers, running will catch them off guard. And let me also suggest that we see Gary Russell in these situations more and more often.

Overall, these numbers are further proof of the Arianization of the Steeler offense - pass happy and run to set up the pass - that has not proven successful on the NFL level.

Big Ben vs Eli

So much is being written this week about these two quarterbacks. In reality, taking as objective a view as I can, there is no comparison between the two.

Eli backers only valid argument is that Ben played poorly in the Super Bowl while Eli led the Giants on the game winning drive late in the 4th quarter. But even that point, as it tries to prove that Ben can't play when the pressure is on, overlooks the dominant performances Ben had in the playoffs leading up to the game.

Ben a game manager only when a rook? I disagree quite a bit, but I'd take a rookie game manager who goes 13-0 over a rookie on the bench or failing miserably.

Again, in all objectivity, Eli was about to be run out of New York last season until he put together a nice 6-7 game run. And that is what tops his resume. Not a very long stretch of greatness by anyone's admission.

So, to get to the bottom of this, we will leave it to a site that is quickly becoming a favorite must-read, coldhardfootballfacts.com. Here is what they say:

Big Ben vs. Eli: Complete & Unabridged

Weigh all the evidence and one thing becomes clear: Big Ben quickly established himself as a winner in the NFL, he's put up historic passing numbers, while Eli's have been pedestrian. Big Ben's teams have consistently been better, and he even has a tasty sandwich named in his honor.

Bengals Fans Will Leave The Light On For You

vs.

The mass exodus has started in Cincinnati. The fans are revolting and hope Steeler fans invade Paul Brown Stadium while they hightail it for the Kentucky hills. I actually was a bit nervous about this game but now without Carson Palmer AND fans, I'm feeling much better.

Remember, these are Kentuckians we're talking about here:

I think no Bengal fans should show up for the game on Sunday. Let the stadium be filled the stupid, ugly, boastful, (i hope their q-back gets knocked out of the game) stealers (correct spelling) fans.

I just can’t wait to turn on the Bengals game this weekend and see more Steelers fans in the stands than Bengals fans... I had Bengals season tickets for 6 seasons and cancelled them after the 2006 season. What I came to realize was that I was going to the games to get drunk before the games and enjoy the camaraderie of spending the morning with friends grilling and drinking beer and not actually enjoying the rest of the day....and spending $800+ per season for the seat was just not worth it. Now I have Bearcat season tickets, pay nowhere near what I paid for the Bengals tickets and I actually enjoy the football itself as well as the time drinking before the games.

Boycott the game November 2! Picket the stadium! Protest outside where security can't take signs away -- it's OUR stadium, afterall!

Troy Lights Up LT

Is this a preview of the November Steelers/Chargers matchup? Troy lights up LT here, check it out...

Bengals Going All Out for 1st Win

Here is the latest from Bungland:

Palmer to miss game against Steelers with sore passing elbow

CINCINNATI -- Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer will miss another game because of his sore passing elbow.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that Ryan Fitzpatrick will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, giving Palmer another week to rest his right elbow. It'll be the third game Palmer has missed this season because of the injury.

Palmer sat out a 26-14 loss to the Jets on Sunday, then stayed in New York to be examined by Dr. David Altchek, who works with the New York Mets. Palmer was hoping that the second opinion he got from Altchek would be more encouraging and allow him to get back on the field.

The news came out today and it's clear with every passing day that the Bungles believe the only hope they have of winning is pity from the Gods/NFL fans. Already, they've gone 0-6 and now they will play without Palmer.

Don't be surprised if next we hear that Chad 85 plans a TD celebration involving a terminally ill child, or that they are bringing Tim Krumrie and his broken leg back to commemorate their Super Bowl XXIII team.

And it just might work. They will win eventually, right? 0-6 never seemed so scary. Karma is on the Bungles side here.

Or maybe I'm just suffering from not seeing the Steelers this week. If I had watched them win, I'd be much more confident.

Steeler Fans Continue Domination of NFL

Today it's the unheard of before today Ross Tucker. Somehow he has a column on si.com (apparently he is a former player). But who am I to argue with Ross' latest topic: the passion of Steeler fans.

At this point, it is more surprising if anyone tries making an argument that any fandom other than Steeler fans (I do not like the term 'Steeler Nation'. Too similar to the original 'Raider Nation' and to the despised 'Red Sox Nation'. It's a Steeler Universe in any event, and we're all just living in it). The next writer who claims the Cryboys or Packers or Bears or whoever have fans that are more enthusiastic than the Stillers should, in all seriousness, be forced to watch games in Atlanta or Jacksonville or some other site where the fans are as apathetic as they come.

What is interesting about Ross's argument is that he focuses solely on the impact Steeler fans have when their team is on the road, not at home. Which is interesting in that I don't believe Heinz Field provides a great home field advantage, certainly not as great as Three Rivers did. Maybe the advantages the Steelers enjoy from their fans are greater on the road than at home? Sounds strange but based on how much it can deflate a home team to see black and gold towels overruning their stadium, it just may be true.

In any event, here's some of what Ross thinks of the Black n' Gold universe:

The news out of Jacksonville Monday morning that approximately 25 percent of the fans for Sunday night's Steelers-Jags contest were waving yellow Terrible Towels came as no surprise to me. The Steelers have the most dominant fan base in the National Football League and their ability to consistently travel, en masse, and infest other team's stadiums gives the Steelers a competitive advantage that no other franchise can claim.

And though there are thousands of die-hard fans in Green Bay, Washington, Dallas, Buffalo, Cleveland, New England, and every other NFL city, the simple truth is very evident to every player in the NFL: Steelers fans are the best in the business.

...the fact remains there is nothing quite as powerful in the NFL as Steeler Nation [c'mon Ross, get with the program!].

Secondly, I am well aware that the Packers, Raiders, Cowboys and Redskins, just to name a few, have great fans who pop up in away stadiums every time their team is on the road. Trust me, it does not compare to Steelers fans. I have played for some of those teams and it is not even close. The Steelers have the best fans in the NFL.

Colclough Still Doesn't Get It

What did Cowher ever see in the dear Ricardo? It sure wasn't intelligence. too bad he actually has a Super Bowl ring.

Panthers' Colclough charged with DWI hours before roster cuts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers cornerback Ricardo Colclough was arrested Saturday and charged with driving while impaired.

Colclough was arrested hours before the Panthers had to make their final cuts. Mecklenburg County jail records showed Colclough was being held on $1,000 bond.

"We're aware of it," team spokesman Charlie Dayton said . He declined further comment.

Colclough, 26, was signed by the Panthers in the offseason but failed to win the punt return and kickoff return jobs in the preseason. It put his future with the team in jeopardy, with Dante Wesley and C.J. Wilson competing for the final cornerback spots on the team.

The Panthers had to trim 22 players from the roster by late Saturday.