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.

Great Balls of Fire Visits Dameshek on Demand

Dave Dameshek and I wrapped up a podcast on Friday talking all things hockey. It was a lot of fun and I hope we can hook up again soon.

Shek is an old friend who is on ESPN Radio in LA and puts up some highly entertaining podcasts each day. You may remember him from his time on the Adam Carolla morning show or from his short stint in Pittsburgh as host of The Sports Contraption, which I visited on a somewhat regular basis.

Check it out at (Dave and I start at about the 15:50 mark):
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?context=podcast&id=3636864

Atlanta Unveils Ugliest Unis Ever

YUCK!

http://www.uniwatchblog.com/

… or does it just seem that way? Definitely a disaster for the ages — the wordmark is pathetic, the chest number belongs in the NBA, the shoulder logos look like they’re lifted from the San Diego Chargers, and the socks are embarrassing-and-a-half. Lots more photos here, if you dare.

Roethlisberger named AFC player of week

The NFL today named Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the AFC offensive player of the week.

Roethlisberger completed 26 of 41 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 26-21 victory at Jacksonville Sunday. He threw one interception when receiver Santonio Holmes fell down.

Roethlisberger threw the winning touchdown pass of eight yards to Hines Ward with 1:53 left.

After the game, Roethlisberger signed a lucrative endorsement deal with extra-strength Tylenol.

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.