Pittsburgh Steelers

n three-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning and Brett Favre and two-time MVP Kurt Warner. 

When the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this season, I threw my hands up and cursed the day the Steelers made Roethlisberger their franchise quarterback.

Continue reading "BIG BEN'S LEGEND GROWS"

Superbowl XLIII is over and the Pittsburgh Steelers now have their 6th championship. They defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 27-23. Both teams put up a solid effort but in the end the fans from Pittsburgh got to waive their Terrible Towels and watch their beloved team "win one for the other thumb."

Continue reading "Superbowl Aftermath"

 

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!   

Continue reading "Predictions Super Bowl XLIII"

I’m Not Picking the Winner 

By now everyone in the country who is on TV, writes for a newspaper, blogs, or breathes has made their Super Bowl pick.  I’m not going to do that.  I will not succumb.   

Continue reading "I'm Not Picking the Winner"

stage is set: The flashy Arizona Cardinals (yes the Arizona Cardinals!) take on the tough and rigid Pittsburgh Steelers defense (ranked first in the National Football League). They say 'Defense Wins Championships' which has proven correct a lot in the past, but I have a little hunch. The best defense or the best team doesn't always win the big game. Just check last year's Super Bowl. The undefeated New England Patriots were upset by the New York Giants. How? By one VERY lucky catch by Giants' receiver David Tyree. The whole Patriots season without a single loss faded without any gold due to a single catch. You can't script that. You also can't script a 8-7 Arizona Cardinals team looking putrid losing 47-7 in the ice and snow in Foxboro and then winning every week after that (including the post season) to get to the grandest stage in the NFL (maybe in all of sports). I've said it before on this blog and I'll probably say it again next season, you just can't predict what will happen in the NFL nowadays from week to week.

Continue reading "Super Bowl XLIII Prediction"

You and your buddies have been planning your Super Bowl party for months.  Deep down inside, you know the party with its canned beer, half-eaten bag of stale chips and a couch that seats three will suck, but at least you’ll be around your boys for the most hallowed of all sports days.

Continue reading "How To Host A Successful Super Bowl Party"

The Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers both jumped over their last hurdles to go to the big dance. But don't ask either coach if they'll be satisfied with just making it. They want to win it! I'll bring you a in-depth 7 part preview of the big game as I'll give my prediction on the game on the 7th and final post. So let's get to it! This is the 'intro' post to the 7 part series.

Continue reading "Setting the Stage: Arizona Cardinals"

 

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!  

Continue reading "Predictions Conference Championships"

Well here we are again ! One game away from the main event. If you would have asked me around mid-season  for my Conference Championship finalists , I would have never anticipated these match-ups

Continue reading "NFL Championship Match-Ups : "Unlikely ..."

For personal reasons, I really want to pick the Cardinals and Ravens to win this weekend. 

I have many friends who are Ravens fans including my younger brother who was a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band (and he may be a part of them again in the near future.)  He was, even if it was somewhat obliquely, a “Raven.”   He and I spend just about every Raven’s game texting back and forth.  He’s too young to really remember the Raven’s success of the early 2000’s.  He had just turned 9 when the Raven’s won the Super Bowl and all he really remembers about it is me (a lifelong Giants fan) fuming for most of the game and storming out when it was over.  So for his sake, I like to see the Ravens win. 

Continue reading "Heads or Hearts on Championship Weekend"

e Ravenstahl is reportedly in the process of legally changing his name to Luke Steelerstahl for the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Championship game Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Talk about a bold move. Talk about team pride. It's one thing for some of us to devote our e-mail addresses, screennames, or even tattoos to our favorite sports teams/players, but this is taking a huge next step.

Continue reading "Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl ..."

 

The crystal ball had a dreadful performance this past week, posting a woeful 1-3 record.  This is playoff time, so that is totally unacceptable!  The crystal ball started off 1-0, but then dropped its last three for the weekend!  Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 3-5 for the post-season, and 36-31-1 overall.  That’s five games over .500 (.537 to be exact).  Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in the Championship games!  Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.    

Continue reading "Divisional Round Review"

ng defense, pass defense and total defense during the regular season will be all for nothing if the Pittsburgh Steelers do not win the Super Bowl. To a man, the Steelers know that in order for them to be considered the best defense in NFL history, they need to win the Super Bowl.

Continue reading "WINNING SUPER BOWL SHOULD BE ONLY ..."

 

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!  

Continue reading "Predictions Divisional Round"

  Drew Brees won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.  I can’t argue with that pick.  Anytime you come within a deep out route of Dan Marino’s single season passing record, you can be the Offensive POY.Mike Smith was Coach of the Year.  I can’t argue there either.  Any of the successful rookie head coaches, Smith, Sparano, and Harbaugh, could have won this award.  Smith had the toughest situation before the season started and led the Falcons to the playoffs.  The Patriots franchised Matt Cassell.  That was a no-brainer.  Sure, on the surface, $29 million next year for two quarterbacks seems steep.  But the salary cap is going up about $28 million next year.  Take away the $14 million they are giving Cassell and this still have about $14 million more to spend next year than they did this year.  They sure up the most important position on the offense.  Plus, if they trade him they get a 1st and 3rd round pick.  Who knows, there may be a team out there that is only a good QB away from going to the next level.  Hello Buffalo? (And if you think the Pats won’t let Cassell go to Buffalo talk to Lawyer Milloy or Drew Bledsoe.)Did you see Lil’ Wayne on 1st and 10 on ESPN2?  When I heard he was going to be on I set-up the DVR because I had to watch.  Get this….he was really good.  He knows his sports.  His points were lucid and made lots of sense.  He made some statements that were bold and polarizing, which is what you want out of a talking-head.  I must say this though.  Skip Bayless said he loves Lil’ Wayne’s music and thinks Tha Carter III is Weezy’s Purple Rain.  Am I to believe Bayless really listens to hip-hop?  No offense Skip, but you are probably most buttoned up lily white person on ESPN’s roster.  If you’re not, you are in the team photo with Woody Paige and Marty Smith. 

Continue reading "Quick Hits and Playoff Week 2 Picks"

  

           Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers.  I personally read every single email I receive.  I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them.  I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well.  Now it’s time to open the mail!  

Continue reading "Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09"

When I was a sophomore in high school playing on the JV basketball team, we went into our Christmas break undefeated and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Over the break we were scheduled to play one game against a team from the division below us. We practiced a few times, nothing too serious, and went into the game feeling good. But the week and a half layoff killed us and we lost by four, our only loss of the season.

Continue reading "Picks for the NFL weekend"

in the last game played at Texas Stadium.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

3) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans

With a win in this game, the Pittsburgh Steelers

Continue reading "NFL Week 16 Predictions"

I have to give where credit is due. I have made no secret about my unyielding criticism of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. I have pointed out time and time again, Roethlisberger is not playing "up to snuff" this season and has not earned his $100 million paycheck. I've called him out more than a few occasions and even labeled him "Big Bend" for his propensity to hold onto the ball too long and expose himself to countless sacks.

Continue reading "BIG BEN LEADS NOTORIOUS STEELERS COMEBACK"

 

The crystal ball was brought back down to Earth this past week by going 2-2.  That puts the crystal ball at 25-22-1 for the season.  That’s three games over .500 (.531 to be exact).  The Cowboys and the Jets let the crystal ball down this past week.  The crystal ball assures me it will rebound this coming weekend.  Let’s review and see what happened last week.    

Continue reading "Week 14 Review"

;       This past Sunday, the Cowboys had a 10-point lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers, late in the 4th quarter.  Then disaster struck, as the Cowboys were not able to finish off the Steelers.  All the Cowboys needed were a couple of first downs and the game would be over.  Nope…didn’t happen!  The Cowboys let the Steelers tie the game with about 2 minutes left in regulation.  Then, Romo gave the entire Steeler Nation an early Christmas present by throwing a pick-6…game over! 

Continue reading "Chokers"

Another week is in the books in the National Football League as we head to Week 15. But first let's take a look back at the week that was...Week 14! (my tongue is getting twisted) Several surprising outcomes this past Sunday including a few of the games I picked. I went a disappointing 1-3 in my picks. Very poor performance on my part. I'm finally realizing I'll never have a grip on the NFL. It's the most inconsistent professional sport out there. Any team can lose on any given week. But enough sulking, let's get on to this week's Fallout Report!

Continue reading "NFL Week 14 Fallout"

Ring it up.

Winners - New York Jets

3) Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers

One of the marquee games on the slate this week. The Dallas Cowboys need to win this game to stay alive in the NFC Playoff picture. It won't be easy though as they'll play the Steelers in cold Pittsburgh without lead RB Marion Barber due to injury. On paper, the Steelers have the advantage in this game, but I'm going to go with the Cowboys in this one. This game is a must for Tony Romo and company. Every game is huge for the Cowboys from here on out and I think they'll have something to say when the season ends.

Continue reading "NFL Week 14 Predictions"

 

           Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers.  I personally read every single email I receive.  I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I wont be able to answer all of them.  I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well.  Now it’s time to open the mail!  

Continue reading "Reality Mail Bag - 12/04/08"

ny times.  Well, it’s a week past Turkey Day, and the ‘Boys will face a formidable Pittsburgh Steelers team on the road.  Come Sunday, we will all know…what they are!  

Continue reading "What They Are"

Week 11 was one of the more interesting weeks in the NFL this season. A game ended in a 11-10 score for the first time in NFL history, a game ended in a tie and we also saw 'America's Team' get back on track with their star quarterback at the helm. I'll get to that and more as this week's Fallout report kicks off.......riiiiight now!

Continue reading "NFL Week 11 Fallout"

nts Tennessee.

Winners - Jacksonville Jaguars

3) San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Did you know the San Diego Chargers are 0-12 all time in the regular season against the Steelers in Pittsburgh? They have defeated the Steel Crew in the post-season, but never the regular season. That was an interesting tidbit I heard on talk radio this past week. Regarding this game, I just don't have a good feeling for picking the Chargers. Their 25th in 2008 in rushing this year and their going against a good Steelers defense. West coast teams tend to have trouble when they travel across country. I know Big Ben is banged up, etc...but I'll go with my gut here and pick the

Continue reading "NFL Week 11 Predictions"

There are two reasons why the Pittsburgh Steelers will suffer yet another disappointing and underachieving season: Ben Roethlisberger and Bruce Arians. Big Ben's stature as one of the NFL's so-called star quarterbacks is diminishing by the week and his once bigger-than-life persona in Pittsbugh and around the league is getting smaller and smaller with each errant pass. Arians' reputation is also taking a major hit with his subpar play-calling and his inability to cure the offense of its ills, factors that should weigh heavily into his future with the team.

Continue reading "BIG BEN IS PLAYING SMALL"

 

           Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games.  I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you).  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!  

Continue reading "Predictions Week 10"

All in all an ugly-dominating performance by the Pittsburgh Steelers. On a side note: Redskins QB Jason Campbell threw his first 2 interceptions of the season.


That will

Continue reading "NFL Week 9 Fallout"

 

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Giants the Cowboys find themselves in a must-win game that they have no chance of winning.  The Cowboys are struggling, no doubt because of their many injuries…but that’s too easy of a cop-out.  Let’s take a look at why the ‘Boys are struggling even before the injuries started piling up:  

Continue reading "Why The Cowboys Are Struggling"

We fly on our broomsticks to Week 9 in the NFL. Happy Halloween everyone as another week of predictions are here and I for one am feeling a little...confident this week. Why? Because the crystal ball is no longer with us and debuting this week is none other then the infamous Crypt Keeper. He'll pick one game each week as I take care of the rest. Last week I went 2-2, but rest assure my Crypt Keeper and I plan to do better than 2-2 this week. So get out your candy, put your costume on, howl in the wind and maestro hit ze music!

Continue reading "NFL Week 9 Predictions"

  

           The Cowboys are sitting at 4-3, having lost three out of their last four games after a 3-0 start.  This is not how Jerry Jones had envisioned this season unfolding.  The Cowboys had 13 Pro-Bowlers last year.  They had 22 of 24 starters returning (Marion Barber replaced Julius Jones and Zach Thomas replaced Akin Ayodele).  Jerry had good reason for optimism.  The Cowboys had a decent draft by selecting Felix Jones and bolstering their cornerback depth. They also acquired Adam Jones on a draft day trade.  The Cowboys were 13-3 last year; a Super Bowl would surely be in their grasp this year? 

Continue reading "Super Bowl Or Bust"

          The crystal ball was two up and two down for the week.  Even though that is an improvement, it still doesn’t cut it!  Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only…or I would be in the poor house!  Let’s take a look back and see what happened: 

Continue reading "Week 5 Review"

It was an interesting week in the National Football League. A few surprises, a big meltdown by one team and one bruised and battered team found a way to win a big prime-time game. Let's get right to it--game by game.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

Chalk it up.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys


3) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

A battle of two teams that met twice last season (one in the regular season/one in the post season) with Jaguars taking both in Pittsburgh. I still remember the regular season game last season between these two with the snow falling, what a game. Fast forward to now and you have a Steelers team banged up. Willie Parker is still out and back-up Rashard Mendenhall is done for the season with a fractured shoulder received against the Ravens. Gary Russell and Najeh Davenport were re-signed by the Steel men to pick up the scraps in the running game with Mewelde Moore starting this Sunday against the Jags. These two teams know each other, that's no secret. I have a gut feeling however that the Steelers will come out on top in this one. I have four reasons. (Yes four!) 1) Just like the Ravens, I think the adrenaline will carry over from Monday Night. 2) Good teams find ways to win with injuries. Steelers are a Super Bowl caliber team by many, this will be a good test. 3) The Houston Texans horrible defense were able to stop Taylor/Jones pretty nicely last week. I think the Steelers review what the Texans did and try to copy it. 4) Three out of the last 4 Sunday Night Games the upset has won. That's right. Every Sunday Night game besides the Packers/Cowboys, the upset team has won. And I have a little superstition in me. I'm picking the Steelers in this one.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Predictions"

          

           Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots, was accused by Al Davis of “tampering” with Randy Moss prior to their trade a year ago.  The Raiders received a 4th round pick as compensation in the deal.  Davis alleges that the Patriots had a secret workout with Moss prior to the negotiations, which would violate NFL rules.  Bill (here’s a surprise) denies the accusation. 

Continue reading "...Then It's Probably A Duck!"

           This week two head coaches were relieved of their duties…fired!  First, Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, and now, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, why?  Jim Haslet replaced Linehan.  What’s the difference, the Rams are horrific!  Kiffin is being replaced with O-line coach, Tom Cable…who?  Yeah, that’s right, I never heard of him either! 

Continue reading "Instant Gratification"

           Once again, my crystal ball failed me.  I don’t understand what happened…I shined it up last week.  I even purchased a stand for it…so now it sits on top of the mantel.  I’ve treated it with the utmost respect.  For who?  For what?  (Yes…that was a shot at Ricky Watters!)  Once again, I was one up and three down last week…not good…awful…embarrassing even!  I have to do something different for next week…maybe I will punish it…have it stand in the corner…or give it a time-out!  Something has to give…and I’m not backing down!  Let’s take a closer look and see what went wrong: 

Continue reading "Week 4 Review"

bsp;        The other day, Rashard Mendenhall (Rookie RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers) sent his buddy, Ray Rice (Rookie RB for the Baltimore Ravens) a text message.  So why is that football news?  Because LB Bart Scott of the Ravens made it so!  Mendenhall’s text was only intended for his buddy Ray.  It claimed how great of a day Rashard was going to have against the vaunted Raven’s Defense.  Ray Rice took it upon himself to let his defense know about the text message…Bart Scoot took offense.

Continue reading "Bulletin Board Material"

 One game doesn't make a whole season but this one loss has a different feel to it.The Pittsburgh Steelers not only lost a football game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they also lost their identity and their spirit. The physical play that has defined the history of the Steelers under coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher and the one constant Steeler teams usually can hang their hat on was nonexistent.Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said last year that "you better bring you big boy pads whenever you play the Steelers." Well, these days you don't need too much padding when you play the 2008

Continue reading "STEELERS LOSE MORE THAN A GAME"

I hate John Madden and Al Michaels.

There, I said it. Had to get that off my chest.  Sometimes TV analysts, whether it is done intentionally or not, tend to favor one team over the other but this is getting ridiculous. I do understand where Madden is coming from since he was on the receiving end of some serious smackdowns from the Steelers over his coaching career, but Al Michaels should be an objective observer. A play-by-play guy should just do his job, which is simply call the game as it unfolds. But Michaels, who has parlayed one memorable line from the 1980 Winter Olympics into an entire career, always has to throw his 4 cents in every borderline play. Seems Madden's distaste for the Black and Gold has filtered through Michaels' veins through osmosis.

Continue reading "MIC CHECK FOR MICHAELS AND MADDEN"

For 35 years, Cope was the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That raspy voice that forged legendary catch phrases has been immitated but never quite duplicated. He distinguished himself by being real. He was fanatic and critical. He called it as he saw it. He was passionate about football and the Steelers. He captured each and every moment with his bombastic delivery.

Continue reading "STEELERS LOSE THEIR VOICE"

And Hines Ward? C'mon! Hines Ward is the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is the face of a hard-working, tough-minded franchise. He embodies all that is Pittsburgh. When Ward is done

Continue reading "Hines Ward is awesome but he just needs to chill"

When Bill Parcells was hired as the guy to turn around the Miami Dolphins you knew quickly action would follow. First his statement of no thugs on this team will be something he stresses more than ever. He believes you do things a certain way and if your not going to pack your bags because I don't need you.  In his short tenure he got rid of the General Manager and just recently fired the coach after a 1-15 season. Now I can understand both firings, but in Cam Cameron's defense he inherited this group of players, so he can't be totally to blame for the situation he was put in.  What was interesting was the Dolphins signing Ricky Williams to a contract recently.

Continue reading "Bill Parcells Cleaning House In Dolphin World"

Thursday’s game on the NFL Network was the Los Angeles St. Louis Rams vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. The mighty Steelers won in what turned out to be a pretty good game to watch. I was working through most of the game but had time to notice that Steven Jackson is a really big dude and Ben Roethlisberger has a really big head. Not that I am perfect by any stretch of the imagination as I am sure people would have plenty to say about me if I were on television.

Continue reading "Random NFL Rumblings…"

Dolphins!

Jacksonville Jaguars!

In a most remarkable feat, the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at home – in the snow! It is no small accomplishment that a Sunshine State team was able to hold off the Steelers under these conditions. This broke the Steelers unbeaten-at-home streak.

Continue reading "A streak-breaking day for Florida NFL teams!"