Scouts Inc. Says Troy is Back

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-0-466/Scouts-Inc--on-Troy-Polamalu.html

Here is comprehensive film analysis from Scouts Inc.'s Keith Kidd:

"Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's 3-4 defense is built to pressure the quarterback from the outside edges while confusing him with coverage designs on the backend. Simply put, strong safety Troy Polamalu is a perfect fit in the Steelers attacking 3-4 defenses and continues to perform at a Pro Bowl-level. One of the main reasons that the Steelers have their swagger back this season is due to a healthy Polamalu. When planning offensively against the Steelers, you must know were No. 43 is aligned. LeBeau loves to incorporate a lot of different looks by moving Polamalu around within his alignment to confuse opposing teams. He has a great knack for being around the ball and has been a difference-maker near the line of scrimmage this season. He is one of the more explosive players in the league and has a rare understanding of the game. His ability to attack downhill run alleys with his deceptive speed is rare for a strong safety. He has also shown tremendous ball skills. Without a doubt, he is still among the elite safeties and defensive players in the NFL."

Steelers Jump Jags; Fans Continue Domination

From today's Florida Times-Union comes an article that really could be reprinted the day after a Steeler road game in any city from Phoenix to St. Louis to San Diego to Detroit and definitely Jacksonville:

The phenomenon happened again on Sunday, the first time the Steelers have played in Jacksonville since the second game of the 2006 season. On a cool night with only a few sprinkles of rain, an  estimated 15,000 Steelers fans mixed in with the Jaguars fans to create almost a college bowl atmosphere.

"You really wish the Jaguars fans would hold on to their own tickets," said Robert Seferian of Hilton Head, S.C., a Jaguars season-ticket holder. "We'd like to have as many as we can on our side."

The high-water mark for Steelers fans in Jacksonville is thought to be Dec. 5, 2004, when some estimates had about 25,000 Steelers fans in the stadium.

The travel habits of Steeler fans shouldn't be news any longer. Since the 70's Steeler fans have traveled far and wide and collectively in larger numbers than any other NFL team. Cities like the above must be accustomed to the black and gold invasion and should appreciate the economic boon to their towns for a weekend.

New York Thinks All other MLB Teams are in their Farm System

Why would the Bucs trade a player who isn't even arbitration eligible yet and who has the potential of McLouth is beyond me. But of course, the Yankees consider everyone to be theirs for the taking. But we have seen from first hand experience this summer that the Yankee farm system does not hold a wealth of top prospects, the kind the Bucs would need to get in return for McLouth.

Clearly, the Yankees feel they can underpay for McLouth, like they did for Nady and Marte this summer. Huntington can't trade McLouth this offseason and let's hope they don't make any efforts for Jeremy Hermida, another move that has been whispered.

NO TALK ON MCLOUTH TRADE, YET

Decision makers in The Bronx and Pittsburgh said yesterday there was nothing to the Yankees acquiring outfielder Nate McLouth from the Pirates - yet.

"We haven't talked about it, it's premature," a Yankees source said.

"Haven't heard a word about that," a Pirates source said.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington has declared nobody is untouchable, and the Pirates are looking to upgrade a poor minor league system and major league talent base, so McLouth's name has been tossed around. The Yankees are in the market for a center fielder.

Though some believe the left-handed hitting McLouth isn't a true center fielder. The first-time All-Star batted .276 this year with 26 homers and 94 RBIs. McLouth, 27 later this month, was 23-for-26 in stolen base attempts and had a .356 on-base percentage.

After trading outfielders Jason Bay to Boston and Xavier Nady to the Yankees, respectively, the Pirates would want a lot for McLouth, who isn't yet eligible for arbitration and made $450,000 this past season.

Another option in center for the Yankees - who haven't ruled out Johnny Damon, Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera - is Milwaukee's Mike Cameron, a former Met.

The Brewers have a $10 million option on Cameron, who will be 36 in January and had the Yankees interested last offseason. There is a $750,000 buyout. It's not likely the Brewers will pay that after losing pitchers Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia via free agency.

Cameron, a three-time Gold Glove winner who made $7 million this year, batted .243 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs after being suspended for the first 25 games for violating MLB's stimulant policy.

Big Ben One of Top 5 QBs of All Time

Interesting article from coldhardfootballfacts.com.

Now that Ben has thrown more than the minimum number of passes, he can be ranked with quarterbacks in career numbers. And he does very well.

#5 All-Time in Passer Rating:

1. Steve Young – 96.81
2. Peyton Manning – 94.25
3. Kurt Warner – 93.52
4. Tom Brady – 92.91
5. Ben Roethlisberger – 92.52

#5 in Yards Per Pass Attempt (an even better indicator of a winning quarterback):

1. Otto Graham – 8.63 YPA
2. Sid Luckman – 8.42
3. Norm Van Brocklin – 8.16
4. Kurt Warner – 8.14
5. Ben Roethlisberger – 8.10

The article thinks that if Ben can continue this performance for another 4 years, he is a sure fire first ballot Hall of Famer.

The only downside to this is that the trends in Ben's career in both of the above stats are heading downward, no doubt a result of playing behind an awful offensive line and having to exist in Bruce Arians' nonsensical offensive scheme.

Funny how I didn't see Carson Palmer on this list...

No Doubt About It: Frattare retiring

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08275/916581-100.stm?cmpid=latest.xml

Lanny Frattare, the voice of the Pirates for 33 years, is retiring.

Frattare, who began broadcasting the team's games in 1976, has called the team games longer than any other announcer, including the venerable Bob Prince.

"In the 122-year history of this proud franchise, nobody has brought the action to Pirates fans longer than Lanny," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. "Lanny's positive impact on the Pirates and the Pittsburgh community reaches far beyond the broadcast booth. Whether it was the countless number of appearances he made in the community on behalf of the Pirates or his two decade-long personal push to raise funds for mentally challenged individuals in our area, Lanny is part of the fabric of this community."

33 years is a long time and longer than Myron with the Steelers or Lange with the Pens. But Lanny will never enter the conversation with the other two as great Pittsburgh broadcasters. Prince will remain as the most beloved Bucco play by play man.

To me, Lanny never really captured me. There were times when I got caught up in his excitement but too many others when he just didn't make the game exciting enough. Ok, maybe he had a difficult task considering most of the teams he covered. Still, I won't miss him that much, unless someone like Kent Dierdivanis replaces him.

I will of course miss the "And there was noooooooooooooo doubt about it!!!!" even after a 9th inning comeback.