heels, sox & steelers
New thread. Doh!
David
I think it depends more on Mendenhall and Moore than Frank the Tank. He might not even make the team.
Was at the Pens game tonight: simply awesome. This helps pass the time till camp.
I think the most likely outcome is that Mendenhall will prove to be worth his first round status, and that he will be more productive in a Football Outsiders sense, i.e. less boom-or-bust. In that case, Parker would only be needed as a backup. He is useless on special teams, he can't catch so Moore remains the third down back, and I guess we all assume that Summers becomes the short yardage guy. I don't know if Davis or Logan find a niche were they are indispensable.
I think they try to resign Parker in this scenario if he has a good, not necessarily great, season and if the other running backs are going to play a lot on special teams so they have to keep one more.
I was stunned to see someone drink Jever in the picture. Is that really a common beer in the US?
This is interesting, but flawed:
http://www.pro-football-referenc...om/blog/?
p=2288
Yes, sacks affect QBs and their longevity, but:
-What QB plays until his mid 30's?
-Sacks aren't as they used to be. The NFL has basically made sacks a "wrap your arms around the QB and let him down gently."
-The real stat should be QB hits--while throwing, or below the waist.
RE: Game 7
It was great to see Dan Rooney in Mario's box last night.
(and to see us lay the smack down to the Caps)
GO PENS!
> I think the most likely outcome is that Mendenhall will prove to be worth his first round status, and that he will be more productive in a Football Outsiders sense, i.e. less boom-or-bust.
Agreed. By FO metrics, Parker has long (well, always) measured up as a marginally below-average runner. I'll cut FWP some slack due to the current O-line, but only so much. I think he's overrated (by some) and in the entire scheme of RB fungibility, totally replaceable by Mendenhall or the next feature back we pick up in the draft or via pickup. Throw in the recent injury history and I don't think the Steelers are terribly worried about FWP's impending free agency, nor should they be.
I think FWP has been somewhat misused. I think he'd have been more successful if he'd been used like LDT, with more sweeps and tosses and other runs with cutback opportunities. In addition to the line being generally average or below average at straight-ahead blocking, FWP is very dangerous at cutbacks and mediocre at smelling out a small hole in the line.
mediocre = was really bad and got only a little better over time
Eh, I think Parker is pretty good. Just because he hasn't been Bettis/late 90's doesn't mean he hasn't done what he was asked to do. Considering we played the toughest schedule in recent memory and had few if any soft defenses, he ran well when he could. Just like a pitcher's record is a reflection of his team, a RB totals are a reflection of his offense to a large degree.
Anon, I think FWP is sometimes phenomenal and sometimes close to nonexistant, both on specific plays and for whole games. When he disappears, some of this can be attributed to OL and scheme and some to opposing Ds (someone... SteelerBill?... likes to say that they pay the other guys, too). But some is from his own mix of skills, including only fair vision and instincts. I'd never argue that Najeh or Moore should have been starting, as they weren't as good as FWP overall, but they both found holes he didn't and have been more consistent per play.
From SCI's site. I think you can read this story for free. It's interesting.
http://pit.scout.com/2/863537.html
Some interesting thoughts on FWP. I don't think he is a back with great vision. Watching Moore consistently find holes and hit them with authority was instructive. Then again, there are few things more thrilling than realizing FWP has some real estate in front of him and about to hit the after burners "Whhhhoa. Nelly!" as Keith Jackson used to say.
I think we are going to have a nice tandem with FWP and Mendy (is that the official nick for him?) and Moore . If Summers can fulfill the short yardage role that he seems designed personally by god for...we are in good shape.
But it is conceivably his last hurrah with the Steelers.
Useless Thought of the Day:
Kraig Urbik? Sounds like a hockey player.
That SCI article was kind of meh. I don't like articles that assume to know better than the FO about whether or not a guy fits or can be coached into their scheme. I can easily understand arguing about differences in talent and where someone should be drafted. But the whole argument in the article is that the Steelers drafted guys who don't fit their scheme.
I also disagree that Clancy was a bust. I think getting 2 starters in Hope and Starks as well as Clancy, Poteat and Spaeth is a decent draft record. Probably about middle of the pack as far as the 3rd round goes.
Cols - I completely agree. The guy was brimming on calling Bruce Davis a bust also, when we have no idea what's going to happen with him. He got about as much playing time last year, perhaps more, than Juan did his first year as a #15 overall selection.
Actually, I think LT played extensively on special teams. Bruce Davis mainly deactivated.
Clear your calendars next Thursday - the Steelers will be at the White House:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/
0...id=steelers.xml
You know it's a long off-season when:
You have a dream about AQ Shipley - no not like that - I had a dream that AQ recovered a fumble, on a kick off, picked it up, but fell short of the goal line. The Steelers (who for some reason were wearing Penn State colors) punched it in and AQ snapped on the XPT.
Somehow I'm on the sidelines with AQ and ask him why he didn't run it in, he said he thought he was down, Eddie B (also in the dream) said that AQ gets a bonus for every snap he makes on an XPT...
Talk amongst yourselves..
If you're as desperate as I am to find anyone writing anything about the Steelers daily, I'd suggest the Behind the Steel Curtain site. The commentary and analysis are not always genius, but at least the guys there try.
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/
SteelerBill,
Man love for AQ already? I guess you beat me to the punch..lol
If he makes the roster, I am seriously thinking he will be this year's version of Gary Russell for me..the long shot who makes it despite heavy odds.
Heck, if your dream is any indication, HE might be the new return man!
According to PFT the Steelers now have ~5.7 million in cap room.
Heath, please.
Eric, how much of cap room will signing rookies eat up?
Crap, good point ELSM.
According to PFT the Steelers are alloted $4,284,902 to sign their rookies.
Max Starks is killing us.
Or
Max Starks is saving us by being a decent left tackle. Of course he takes up way too much cap space.
Randy
I've been commenting over at behind the steel curtain periodically and I like the site as well. The front page writers, at least, are pretty knowledgeable.
I more morried about Starks killing Roethlisberger...
Eric, why?
I"m pretty sure that Starks was one of the better OL for the Steelers last year. I'm more worried about Kemo, Stapleton and Colon.
Cols,
I can't shake my doubts about Starks. I have visions of that 2006 season whenever I see him. Besides isn't being on of the better Steelers o-lineman the definition of damning with faint praise?
Eric
Sure, but he played pretty well last year and in relief in 2007 as well. 2006 was 2 football seasons ago, I think it's possible for players, especially young ones to improve in that time span.
And yes, being the best OL on the Steelers isn't all that great. But where would the Steelers have been last year without him?
Any of you guys rent movies from Netflix? If so, any suggestion?
Randy, you know you can also watch movies online on Netflix, right (just click 'Watch Instantly')? The selection is limited, but if you have an AVI cable, you can hook it up to the HD teevee, or, if you're lazy like me, just watch it on your computer.
Anyway, some of my recent online favorites:
War, Inc
Noise
The Darwin Awards
First Snow
Transsiberian
Cleaner
Vantage Point
Randy
We end up with about 1 movie per week via Netflix. Recently we watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Harold and Maude, and Zack and Miri Make A Porno, all of which I recommend.
As for watch instantly, for some reason we just watched New Jack City, which is pretty awesome.
Yep, I know about online and instant viewing options. But thanks, anyway.
"Transsiberian" was excellent, by the way. I had not heard anything about it before renting it and my wife and I were pleasantly surprised.
Just thinking, but the HSS/Netflix Club might make an interesing off-season topic for us.
In the same vein as "Transsiberian," we recently got "Traitor" from Netflix and it was a very pleasant surprise. I also watched "Ronin" over the past week and I'd give it a 7 out of 10. Netflix has a pretty good feature that recommends other movies you'd possibly like, I have found it to make good suggestions at times.
Come to think of it, I wonder if they have some of the old 70's Steelers Super Bowl wins...
Dean,
Totally agree on "Traitor." Somehow forgot to mention that above.
Randy,
HSS/Netflix Club is definitely coming. Good call.
Count me in the Shipley manfanclub.
Round picked means nothing, especially on the Steelers roster. He'll be defined by performance in stadiums... and I believe we're going to be pleasantly surprised (or just downright happy) with that picks outcome.
OK
Count me out of the Shipley fan club. 7th round OL that can only play one position don't have too much of a chance to make a team.
Cols,
What if can play center as a long-snapper, too?
Do you think he can? That would definitely increase his chances of making the team.
I guess I'm just being a pain about Shipley because most Steelers boards and sites simply love the guy, and most of the reason is he is from Penn State. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm just trying to point out that 7th round centers don't have a great chance at ever making an impact.
QOTD: Does having a center that can also long-snap make it worth saving the roster spot if James Harrison is still your backup long snapper?
Shipley has long-snapped (a little) and played OG (IIRC, a little). Still, his primary impact would have to be at C. What round he was drafted in may be an indicator of success, but it certainly can't guarantee it. I'm not a PSU fan, but I like the guy. Scrappy, smart, strong. It won't matter to me if his arms are 2" too short, according to some, if he can hold ground against Ngata.
We'll find out, as soon as he faces Casey. Or for that matter, even Hokie will be a good test. He's no Ngata, but he knows what he's doing, and he'll put the rook through the paces.
Oh
I'm rooting for the guy, don't get me wrong, I'm just not expecting anything from him.
For those of you who have been betting against Willie Parker remaining as a Steeler past this season, Dale Lolley agrees (in today's SCI)...
"...With Rashard Mendenhall waiting in the wings and Mewelde Moore also under contract, the Steelers aren’t going to sign Parker to a long-term deal unless Mendenhall proves he can’t handle the load. Parker’s been a valuable member of two Super Bowl teams, but the shelf life on running backs - particularly those whose game is built on speed – isn’t great."
I, of course, disagree, but then again, I think the Steelers should still have Verron Hayes under contract.
Right now, it seems unlikely that FWP will be re-signed. But there's way too many variables between now and the end of the season to really guess, including the health and 2009 performance from our RBs, what (if any) discount FWP would give, cap space, the outcome of labor negotiations...
As for the 2009 draft picks, I'm assuming they'll contribute roughly what the 2008 class did this year. Anything above that will be a pleasant surprise. Making the team will be an accomplishment for anyone after r3. Hopefully they'll make their mark in 2010.
Easy..I have been concentrating on Mendy and Sweed this offseason. We really need them to step up big. I agree that this draft class is unlikley to contribute anything huge, except provide us with an improved return game. Anything else will probably be spot duty and the odd ST's tackle that energizes the team.
I have been watching a lot of YouTube stuff on Sweed's college career and if we can see something close to that level of ability from him, we'll be very happy. The guy has it all. And he's already had his baptism of fire and didn't shrink from failure. (OK, he laid on the carpet and cost us a timeout but I take it as an indication that he realized just what he had just cost the team..and himself)
So..its May...and I'm ready for the season..groan..I do this to myself every offseason..starved for Steeler related tidbits.
I call for a 'useless facts" posting...Did you know that Jerome Bettis is from Detroit? I am NOT kidding. You could look it up..I'll wait.
The new post made me think of the following QOTD:
Pretend it IS 1997 and write a post.
Example:
They totally have to re-focus the offense away from the power running game and around Kordell. He's our future and the best player on the team. Also, they should get rid of Bettis while they still can -- he's going to cost a ton to retain when his contract is up, and Wex has been raving about Richard Huntley. Also, I think this is Chad Scott's breakout year -- I'm talking Pro Bowl.
HOW BOUT THE PENGUINS GUYS....SHOW SOME PITT LOVE
Call me nit-picky, but what is with the Saints usurping our nickname of the black and gold? I have seen more than a handful of comments by readers on other sites refer to NO as B&G and even a couple columnists too. How can we take back what is ours? WE ARE THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY BLACK AND GOLD.
Ray...the one thing they cannot call themselves - Super Bowl Champions...
Men...In my opinion the hiring of Jon Gruden is a great great move...
We'll see how Gruden does, he can't be worse than Kornheiser on that broadcast. It's funny, I love Kornheiser on PTI, but I hated him on MNF.
I'm very excited about Gruden on MNF. The team of Tirico (OK), Jaws (should be better with Kornheiser gone), and Gruden (love the guy) should be one of the best. Maybe I'll actually not want to turn off the volume on MNF broadcasts for the first time in a decade.
Cols, I said the same thing when they replaced Thiesman... so we'll just have to wait and see.
There is no way you can say that Kornheiser was anywhere near as bad as Theisman and/or McGuire.
Oh man
Theisman and McGuire are the worst ever.
Is this shaping up to be a weird off-season, or what? If someone would have told you last December that when the 2009 season started:
1) Mike Shanahan AND Jay Cutler would not be with the Broncos
2) Jon Gruden would be a commentator on MNF
3) Dan Rooney would be living in Ireland
4) Brett Favre would be playing for the Vikings
OK, I'm kidding on the last one (sort of), but these are some weird transitions from last year, eh?
Go Penguins!
> There is no way you can say that Kornheiser was anywhere near as bad as Theisman and/or McGuire.
No way? I'll go ahead and say that Kornheiser was the worst football color commentator I've ever heard. Tony K contributed NOTHING except for bad jokes, commentary on his fantasy football team, and a general recurring theme that went something like this: "We're live from Pittsburgh tonight, but the big stories of the weekend were with Brett Favre and TO..."
Theismann and Maguire, while perhaps consistently annoying, were at least ex-players who might occasionally contribute SOMETHING on the game being played right in front of them.
GlennW
I disagree, I would much rather listen to Kornheiser blather than those two idiots. They acted like they knew something about the game, but really they just pointed out the same stupid shit over and over. At least Kornheiser was a little bit original. Or, maybe I just didn't have to put up with him for too long.
I'm with Cols. I regularly was yelling at the TV and/or turning off the volume entirely with the Theisman/McGwire/Patrick team on SNF. I'm pretty indifferent on Kornheiser; he didn't contribute much, I agree, but he didn't take much away from the viewing experience. I admit that my indifference could partially be because his counterparts aren't quite as bad as Theisman's.
The three musketeers mentioned above were so constantly annoying with one or more of them acting incredulous on every play and expressing over the top opinions that contradicted what they had said earlier in the game, particularly Theisman. Mike Patrick probably wasn't that bad, but I still get that fingernails-on-chalkboard chill every time I hear his voice calling college games now.
What blows my mind is that two of the best color commentators are stuck covering college games: Dan Fouts and Gary Danielson.
Put them with Gus Johnson, and that's a nice team.
This goes to a larger problem, mainly, how come there aren't good announcers for most games? I think most of the problem is that the tee-vee and cable stations keep on hiring ex players and coaches thinking that they'll give some sort of special insight. I wish they'd just hire some professional announcers, people who have worked up through the ranks and who work in the industry. There has to be better talent there than what we've been given every Sunday and Monday.
I'm with Glenn. I abhor Mr. Tony, MNF guy, but I loved him with the Post and still like him a lot on PTI. I think Theeeesman is a gasbag, but I'd grudgingly take him over Mr. Tony. Mcguire didn't bother me.
For worst announcers, I have to nominate Dan Dierdorf from around 10 years ago. He was almost impossibly bad: wrong much more often than right with even simple descriptions of what was going on, trying unsuccessfully to be funny, and just generally being a chafe. He's improved and now is only mediocre, but good god did he used to be terrible. And for downright obnoxiousness and Steelers hatred, we have to include former Bengal Bob Trumpy who seemed to call a lot of Steeler games back in the day.
Cols, thanks for adding a possible solution. Here's another one that a friend and I have discussed for a few years: simulcast audio feeds online that allow teams of amateurs to announce the games. Many (most) would suck, but the cream would rise to the top. And there could be different styles that different groups could gravitate towards: professional, Football Outsiders stat-heads, Mystery Science Theater-like comedy, profane, partisan to each team, etc. I think it would be fun to watch, say, the Super Bowl multiple times with different audio feeds.
Theismann was abysmal, but every time I heard him, I thought of Lawrence Taylor and gave him a pass. Maybe LT broke Joe's brain, too. McGuire, as far as I can tell, had no such excuse. He was Dierdorfian.
Now, see, I know a lot of people really dislike Dierdorf, but I kind of like him. He seems to be fairly knowledgeable about the game, and pretty entertaining at the same time. I used to enjoy the MNF team of Michaels, Gifford and Dierdorf. Maybe I just associate these guys with being in college, sitting at the bar with some chicken wings and beer. Man, those were the days when I only got to see a handful of Steelers games per year, so I was always excited when they were on MNF! Anyway, I know a lot of people dislike Dierdorf. I just wanted to reminisce a little bit.....
New Eric, Gifford and Dierdorf? Wow. I guess you are proving that one man's trash is another man's treasure. Either that, or that was some really good wings and beer. I any case, I'm glad they evoke good memories for you.
I didn't think Gifford was so bad, personally. Don't remember him much, but I do remember Dierdorf being much like I described Theisman & McGuire above.
I thought wings & beer evoke good memories for everyone...?
I was OK with the former Gifford, Dierdorf Michaels trio.
Did anyone see that the road to Super Bowl 43 DVD set comes out on June 2nd? You get the last Ravens game, the 2 playoff games and the Super Bowl.
I'm in for that!!!
Cols714, I already pre-ordered it on Amazon.com
Let's see, here are the #1 teams for each network:
CBS: Nantz, Simms
ESPN: Tirico, Gruden, Jaws
FOX: Buck, Aikman
NBC: Michaels, Collinsworth
NFLN: ???
Only Nantz and Buck are OK, so I second ELSM's suggestion.
Oh man
I'd forgotten how bad Simms was last year. Please please please let him be replaced.
For worst commentators, I got two words for you all...
Dennis.
Miller.
Wex was visiting yesterday's OTA. Here's a couple of his notes I thought were interesting...
"Keenan Lewis caught my eye as a big, fast gunner when he converged on the diminutive Stefan Logan. Lewis looks like he's got a great shot at living up to the Ike Taylor comparison.
"...it's becoming clear that Ryan Mundy has a wide-open path to making this team. Mundy played with the first team next to Tyrone Carter and impressed in deep coverage on Santonio Holmes.
"Limas Sweed doesn't look anything like the scared rookie of a year ago. He's moving with confidence and caught everything thrown to him today.
"While Keenan Lewis has immense potential, the rookie to watch is WR Mike Wallace. On one third-down play, starting CB William Gay crept up into press position on Wallace at the line, but dropped some 12-15 yards just before the snap. Wallace ran a 10-yard hitch and was open, but not thrown to. I didn't think much of it, but Santonio Holmes did. "That right there!' Holmes shouted from the sideline. 'That's speed! That's all speed!'"
RS
Thanks for the info, that all sounds promising.
Can Mundy, Lewis, and Burnett all make the team?
I think so if we go with Deshea as a swing CB/#4 safety and cut ty carter that would leave:
CB: Ike, Gay, DT, Ratcliff, Madison, Lewis, Burnett
Safety: Polo, Clark, Mundy
You could keep Carter if you cut Ratcliff or keep 10 dbs...
I am hoping carter is not no the roster come gameday bc Mundy has shown a lot but I'm not banking on it. Carter in the dime drives me absolutely crazy. He is just so sloooooooow. It's not his fault though he is a heady player who enjoys contact.
RS
Thanks for the info, that all sounds promising.
Can Mundy, Lewis, and Burnett all make the team?
Cols714 | 05.20.09 - 10:17 am | #
Yeah, that was all good stuff for an early whiff.
Can Mundy, Lewis and Burnett all make it? I think so.
I think so if we go with Deshea as a swing CB/#4 safety and cut ty carter that would leave:
CB: Ike, Gay, DT, Ratcliff, Madison, Lewis, Burnett
Safety: Polo, Clark, Mundy
You could keep Carter if you cut Ratcliff or keep 10 dbs...
I am hoping carter is not no the roster come gameday bc Mundy has shown a lot but I'm not banking on it. Carter in the dime drives me absolutely crazy. He is just so sloooooooow. It's not his fault though he is a heady player who enjoys contact.
bigsnack | 05.20.09 - 10:38 am | #
Yeah, Carter has made some decent plays, but he is slow, and he's also 33. I think he could still make the squad as a hedge against a callow group of safeties, but this is definitely a year he could be on the outs.
Ike, Gay, Clark, and Pola are locks. IMO, Deshea is all but a lock, and IMO is superior to either Fernando Bryant or Keiwan Ratliff. I think Mundy has a very good shot, as do both rooks. And I would not be surprised if Roy Lewis, who was variously on the PS and the 53-man, beats out one of the vets. Suffice to say, I'm not really sold on 32-yo Bryant or 28-yo Ratliff.
At CB, we lost McFadden and added Ratliff. I think Keenan Lewis backs up Ike, as the size comparisons indicate (maybe grooming his eventual replacement?). Also think Lewis will get some reps at FS. That's 2 at LCB.
At RCB, I think Gay starts and Shea backs him up, and Burnett may get his playing time as PR, with an eye toward getting playing time in the nickel/dime next year. Burnett is an intriguing guy, with 16 picks at UCF, and ability as both a KR and PR. My suspicion is that Wallace lands the KR spot and Burnett gets the PR job. Burnett had 791 KR yards (a 27.28 yard average), but racked up 1304 yards on 134 punt returns, close to 10 yards per. Burnett could be a better pure corner than Ratliff, and that's why I think he and Bryant get the ax.
It gets trickier at S.
FS, we lost Anthony Smith. Maybe this is where they play Mundy, behind Clark, or maybe Mundy backs up both spots. My dark horse, Roy Lewis, was a pretty decent PAC player, good hitter, and his agent's site lists him as "CB/FS," FWIW. Tomlin liked his versatility early on last year, and he did make it through the always difficult rookie cuts.
At SS, Troy and Mundy, if my scenario plays. With Roy Lewis and Ryan Mundy as backups, Tomlin might stick with 10 DBs and keep Carter just in case, which is my guess. If the young guys step up, Carter's gone next year or even mid-season.
I really have no great love of Bryant or Rat. We have a nice mix of youth and vets without them.
Nice posts, guys. FW, I like the way you see things playing out in the secondary. That would be great.
In ESPN the Mag today, I read about a rule change: on ST, teams will no longer be able to employ wedges of more than one blocker. I'm not exactly sure what constitutes a wedge vs. just being near another guy, and time will tell how much this is enforced. But the speculation is that size and brute strength will be less important than speed and technique. On the margin, it could affect who makes the team among the last few cuts. It could mean more CB/S and fewer DLs in coverage. The old Orpheus Roye / Brett Keisel wedge-buster role might be gone. It could also mean guys like Pat Bailey and Donovan Woods would be even more valuable on ST.
The content is behind the paid wall, but here's a snippet with quotes from the Falcons' ST coach:
Although kickoff-return teams may struggle at first, the new rule may immediately benefit the guys in the middle of the coverage unit -- the guys trying to make the big hits. The kickoff team is composed of 10 bodies -- mostly cornerbacks, safeties, linebackers, and running backs -- plus the kicker. Starting from the sideline to the middle of the field, the players on the coverage unit are labeled 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The 1s function as the last line of defense, while the 2s maintain the perimeter and don't allow the returner to reach the sideline. The 3s, 4s and 5s, usually safeties and linebackers, are the "penetrators."
"If you have mostly man-to-man blocking schemes, the new rule will definitely affect the penetrators," Armstrong says. "Without a wedge, those guys will make more plays. And we might even see more skill players, like receivers and running backs, added to the coverage units." http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/i...tory?
id=4161375
Another interesting item from (who else) Jim Wexell about today's OTA...
"...Ramon Foster, the undrafted rookie RT out of Tennessee, sure looks like a ballplayer. I've seen a lot of stiffs over the years, and he isn't one of them.
"He's the third-team RT now, but my gut tells me he'll eventually move to guard, a la Keydrick Vincent. He's more mobile than Vincent and will add to the interesting depth the Steelers are grooming on the O-line.
"Foster was a strong seventh-round consideration by the team, but the Steelers opted for the muscular young TE David Johnson. That the Steelers passed on Foster gives you a window into what they think about Tony Hills and Jason Capizzi. Hills, as Bruce Arians reiterated on draft day, has good feet and is an athletic big man. The giant Capizzi is focused and realizes he has a chance to put it all together at training camp."
Randy...I love you man...I just read Wex' stuff and was coming over here to suggest you post the info on Foster - to once again spark the 'Front Office may know what they are doing with the O-Line debate....
Thank you..
Love the love. Here's a little more OTA news and opinion, courtesy of F. Dale Lolley...
http://nflfromthesidelines.blogs.../ota-
notes.html
Yay, Tony Hills news! I hope he has the goods to play LT after this year. That would be the ideal situation.
The mental imagine I have of Hills does not include good feet (maybe it's that drop foot thing). But he once was a TE. Hopefully I'm wrong the same way I was about Starks. I thought he was slow and not very nimble until I saw the pre-game warm up before the Colts game. Max was easily the most athletic of the OLs out there... quick, fast and nimble.
Crazy dream warning:
Last night I dreamed (dreamt?) of next year's game at BAL:
-We're up 46-43, but BAL is driving in the last minute
-2nd & 10 at our 20, Flacco completes a pass to the 11, and on the play, Troy gets nailed with a Hines-type block
-3rd & 1, BAL holding
-3rd & 11, BAL delay of game
-3rd & 16 at our 26--I WAKE UP!
Neurosis? Can't wait for the 2009 season?
Hope it's the latter...
Here's another one that a friend and I have discussed for a few years: simulcast audio feeds online that allow teams of amateurs to announce the games. Many (most) would suck, but the cream would rise to the top. And there could be different styles that different groups could gravitate towards: professional, Football Outsiders stat-heads, Mystery Science Theater-like comedy, profane, partisan to each team, etc. I think it would be fun to watch, say, the Super Bowl multiple times with different audio feeds.
Yes, yes, yesssss (with apologies to Meg Ryan in the "meet cute" comedy "When Harry Met Sally" that I note is from 19 freaking 89. I am gettting...no ..I AM...old. Crap.)
Since I pay a fortune to bring cable channels into my house, I really think I should be able to choose from amongst a wide variety of commentary tracks. Its why I love what NFL Films brings to the game with their sideline clips and in game discussions amongst players, coaches and officials. Or why forums like this one have many of us in their thrall. We all want exposure to other opinions and tidbits that enhance the experience of being a STeelers and an NFL fan.
I mean, with my PVR, I don't have to watch commercials anymore and rarely do. That way of generating revenue it breaking down and unlikely to recover its earlier strength.
We have far more control on the internet over what we read or see ..and when we want to read it or see it. I am buying a player that will allow me to watch downloaded content from the net on my WS TV. My cable company should be frightened because I don't have the technical expertise many other people do. If I can do it ..others will follow.
Perhaps someday in the future we'll be able to broadcast our versions of a Steelers game live. I expect the NFL to fight to the death to hold onto the old model but they will be as successful as the music labels have been.
Give us a choice, charge a fair price and the NFL could ride the wave of a new revenue generating model a la Steve Jobs and i-tunes. Or fight the war in the courts to little effect.
Someone might have mentioned it, but Dale Lolley's odds of us resigning our starters are:
Miller 2-1
Reed 5-2
Clark 4-1
Colon 10-1
Starks 10-1
Keisel 15-1
Hampton 20-1
Harwig 25-1
Parker 100-1
Of those, I most want Miller, Clark, Hampton (for 2 or 3 more years, Reed, and Starks (unless Hills is ready to take over in a year).
David, do Lolley's odds include tags and tenders?
Here is some news on Bruce Davis:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/...romthepressbox/
David,
Lolley later explained that these are his odds of the Steelers signing these players before the season begins, not whether the Steelers would be signing the players at all.
Randy, thanks for the clarification. It would be nice to wrap up Miller and Reed before the season starts, though.
BTW, did you see that backhander by Geno?!!!
Win the faceoff, get the puck back yourself, whip around the back of the net, go backhand topshelf for a crucial goal. Doesn't that happen every day?
The other play that was off the charts was Crosby twisting his stick to carry the puck while going full speed. He didn't score, but if he had, that would've been on the highlight reel for a while. It was like watching that old Tiger commercial where he bounces the ball on his club.
Here's to hoping Huck gets his revenge...
The third Malkin goal was amazing! As I stated a few posts ago, Malkin is a beast.
Umm..Silverback's PitBull attacked his son:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0.../972024-
100.stm
I'm a dog owner and have been all my life, but let me just say that owning a pitbull while raising little kids is a terrible idea. I know many people will probably say they own a pit, and it's the most gentle creature to walk the Earth, but come on, these attacks happen all the time. You never read about a golden retriever attack, or that a poddle mauled a 3 year old do you?
I love Silverback, but seriously get rid of the pit. Get a Yorkie until your kids are in high school, man.
End of rant.
You know, Harrison doesn't come across real well off the field. And I agree FTID, when you hear about dog attacks, they often seem to involve pitbulls. That's only anecdotal, of course.
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A buddy of mine called me yesterday asking why these guy's continue to get Pit Bulls...I told him it was an image thing...he stated James Harrison is the baddest dude in the NFL, what does he need a Pit Bull for?
I agree...
How long until someone changes their nickname to "James Harrison's Pit Bull"?
Just because we really don't know how lucky of a fan base we are:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news...=yhoo&
type=lgns
Interesting article on early camp battles in the AFC North including William 'Big Play' Gay:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcno...on-
battles.html
Thoughts on Silverback? Does he stop talking to the Media? Does this result in a monster year for him? (granted it will be tough to top last year). Or the opposite?
With regard to JH's pit bulls. After watching many episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Millan, I have come to the realization that 99% of the time, its the owner not the dog who is at fault. He has totally changed my mind about pit bulls in particular.
I find many times the bigger the dog, the less the owner seems to know about dogs. They have them for status and don't do their homework on the breed nor do they take the appropriate steps to integrate the dog into the family and frequently lose control of the animal as a direct result of not having the knowledge of dog behaviours.
And its the little kid who gets his face bitten that pays the price.
Having said that...I believe people should match the breed (and its corresponding temperment) to the family circumstance they find themselves in. I mean, a professional athlete like James is not going to be home a lot to supervise and train a pit bull. Probably left to the wife who has her hands full already. Not exactly ideal.
Okay, I know opinions have been flowing on Silverback over the past few weeks. However, Ron Cook's article today in the PG is vomit-inducing. His doesn't even try to hide his condescending rightousness. I wonder if Ron sees the ironoy that the one being desrespectful is himself. It's shameful. I'm not sure if he is going for shock value, or what. I've never been a big fan of Cook's, but he's had a couple of bylines lately that make me want to punch him in the face. I can't wait to read what he writes about the pit bull incident. I feel there is a concerted effort of people trying to make Silverback into some bad-ass dude with an attitude. Let me clue people in--he already is a bad ass dude with an attitude. It doesn't mean he has bad character or even that he is making bad decisions. It's also not to say that he won't. Thankfully for us, I think James is the kind of guy that is going to take his anger out on the field---or, walk away from it alltogether. Interesting times.
One more note---if I were invited to the White House, I'm not sure I would go. And, I like Obama, I voted for him and I don't fear flying. I'm just not that into ceremonial stuff.
And, Go Pens!!
Sometimes it's blatantly obvious why the Steelers have success:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/...s/
s_626579.html
Ready to get fired up on this Memorial Weekend? Read on...
Yesterday, on 'The Huddle' on ESPN Radio, Freddie Coleman and John Clayton interviewed Joe Flacco - afterward Freddie Coleman, a man that I enjoy listening to, opines "...the only difference right now between Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger is experience..."
Talk amongst yourselves...
Article by Wex on Wallace and Lewis at SCI.com (it's a freebie folks):
http://pit.scout.com/2/867177.html
SB,
...and two superbowl rings.
FTID...if it was entirely possible for the ESPN Radio crew to hear me in Bristol yesterday...trust me...they would have heard a loud 'you've got to be kidding me...'
"We've come to Pittsburgh, we've beaten the Steelers!- the Steelers mystique is over..WE are in control of the AFC North!!"
Hee hee...Bengal trash talk from the NFL films presentation of "The Road To The Super Bowl" for 2005.
Some things just never change..like Cincy and their eternal quest to be the Steelers. Mostly they just settle for picking over our roster cuts.
Coach Lebeau is at it again....
http://news.steelers.com/article/105491/
With regard to JH's pit bulls...
Totally agree with your assessment of pits, and of matching dogs and temperament to the adopting family. When Mrs. F. & I adopted our dog, we had no idea really what we were in for. 99% of the animals at the Humane Society were pits, and frankly we couldn't do it. We got the sweetest mutt who really plays well with others and has been a great addition to our household.
But we've also come to meet a lot of other dogs, and some of the most loving have been pits. It's not just that you need to raise them right: pits are SO strong and SO exuberant that they can bowl you over with love. Our neighbor has 3 pit mixes, and they all love me. If I'm sitting in her back yard, they take turns to get up on my lap and kiss my face. Astro is the strongest, and I believe he considers me a god. When we've walked the dogs when our neighbor is away or sick, Astro responds extremely well to me, but that is not so of everyone. You have to know how to be the alpha, and even then I've had Astro so excited to kiss my face that he has knocked me over. Would I consider a pit adoption? Yes. If I had a baby? No. Pits can be big, silly, goofy lovable oafs unaware of how strong they are, and JMO it would be a breed I'd get without a baby around. Of course, these pits were all rescues, and one trained from a pup might be perfectly fine around a baby. I'd still keep one eye watching at all times.
Ron Cook's article today... Thanks, New Eric. I get the gist and will skip it. Save me the effin condescension. James isn't perfect, but then no one is. I have the sense that James is working hard to be the best family man he can be, and the best Steeler he can be. The pit story is unfortunate, but it doesn't change my opinion of the man one iota. I too like Obama, and frankly if James wanted to go he could drive or take the train. So whatever his reason for not attending, it's his own.
He marches to the beat of his own drummer. He has no duty to explain himself to anyone, so long as he is being that good family man, and Steeler. I'm sorry, I just don't care enough to want to pry into a private man's motivations, or pompous enough to pass judgment on him without knowing anything about him. I guess Cook doesn't share those feelings. The off-season is slow, and pots need stirred. How long until the next tempest in a teapot?
The article on Lewis and Wallace:
Wallace’s size and speed and strong finish brought up a draft-day question: If similarly sized burner Darrius Heyward-Bey was the No. 7 pick overall, why was Wallace No. 84?
Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians just shrugged a happy shrug.
Exaaaaaacty. DHB is going to be, I dunno, the next Troy Williamson? Any number of R1 draft picks have gone waaay too high based purely on speed, and they carry insane expectations, and crash and burn.
Wallace is actually in a good place, working his way up in a solid group of WRs, with the opportunity to contribute early as a KR.
And I love the fact that Wallace and Lewis are friendly rivals. This could be a great story for years to come.
Most of Wallace’s time, though, is spent running short, over-the-middle routes, something he didn’t do much in college.
“I can’t just be a one-trick pony who only runs deep routes,” he said.
Wallace has the speed to run the out and stretch the field... but if he can do a few slants and such, I think he's immediately a weapon to be reckoned with. He can take an 8-yard slant to the house with that speed. He has a long, long road to learn everything, much more so than Sweed did, but I think he may have some early taste of success, too.
Yesterday, on 'The Huddle' on ESPN Radio, Freddie Coleman and John Clayton interviewed Joe Flacco - afterward Freddie Coleman, a man that I enjoy listening to, opines "...the only difference right now between Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger is experience..."
Derek Anderson had a really good season, what's the difference between him and John Elway or Joe Montana?
Seriously, he has some really nice qualities for a QB, but Ben has some magic-slash-madness that I saw from year one that surpassed anyone else playing at the time save maybe Favre, and he was long on the downside. He doesn't compare to Brady or the good Manning, except that he's a top tier talented and he wins. He's one of the best comeback QBs, and he just has an uncanny sense of the field once things break down, which may be why we are not investing in the OL.
I don't know how these media wonks still insist on keeping Ben out of the top 3 QBs today, and I don't see how you can have a bead on Flacco until he does something. His stats were kinda pitiful, so let's see if the Unibrower can build on it this year. It would actually be kinda cool to have the Steelers-Ravens rivalry involve a QB sub-rivalry, but to me Flacco is more Anderson than Roethlisberger until proven otherwise.
Just wanted to say that I agree completely with you, FW, on the pit bull comment.
Flacco, on the other hand, seemed to me to have much more field presence than Anderson. He did have rookie jitters at times, but I think that even when the Browns were "high-flying" with Anderson, he had evident weaknesses that were (in hindsight) inevitable to be exploited. I don't want him to be, but I actually think Flacco is the real deal, though the gap between he and Ben is slightly more than just a little bit of experience.
You might be right, Dean, but I still need to see more than a heady rookie season from Flacco...
BTW, I somehow missed that Robo's knee injury was on his right leg (and he's a lefty). Not that the plant leg isn't important, but I assume that it will have less impact on his kicking. It might be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping that this and Rocket's shoulder injury are essentially meaningless in terms of their future performance. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/0...3/972303-
66.stm
ELSM
I'm actually worried about Sepulveda. This isn't his first knee injury, he also injured it in college. And I have to think that any leg injury as serious as that will effect his performance on the field.
OF course, the Steelers can't have worse punting than they had last year.
on the bright side (if thats possible when it comes to our robopunter's knee) i believe it is his plant leg so it's probably more of a binary thing where either its ok to go or not but won't hurt his performance if he is ok to go.
oops sory Easy missed your post...
After seeing Cowher turning that idiotic siren last night, Mrs. Morning said, "He's officially on my shit list." Chin, you are warned.
I have no problem with him doing it..other than it makes him look like a crazed organ grinder.
QOTD: What is the worst playoff loss by the Steelers you have endured?
I don't have an answer yet..I am thinking about it still..
Rob D
I don't think it can get worse that losing to the Chargers in 1994. That really sucked.
A close 2nd is the 2001 loss to the Patriots that involved a blocked FG for a TD and a punt return for a TD. Oh, and 3 Stewart picks.
I consider Cowher's appearance last night as a publicity stunt gone really really wrong....
Also...worst loss - 1994 versus the Chargers and the AFCC game versus New England during Ben's rookie year - I was there, which made it worse....
Cols..2001 loss was a doozy..Blocked FG! Is there anything worse? Wasn't it a reg. seaon Jacksonville game where Cowher almost jumped the guy returning the ball for a TD under similiar circumstances?I'm getting the shakes..
That Chargers game..I think you're right. I was very overconfident going into that one. As it turned out, my wife hurt her knee that day in a freak accident and I watched the entire second half in the TV room at the local hospital with my son in law. The worst part is I had confidence we were going to win the game right up to the end. So when the end came...I was in a daze that lasted an entire week..or more. And I usually put losses behind me fairly quickly..
http://ballhype.com/video/1994_9...pionship_intro/
I remember this promo like it happened yesterday..
Forgot to add..being around hurt people kinda helped afterwards..lol..we commiserated on our respective pain (both physical and mental).
It was sorta like the scene in ONe Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...minus Nurse Ratched..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J...h?
v=J74Yj2Dn8M8
My complete involvement in the game drew in the group of people in casts and bandages..some with IV drips. They were bored to tears and most of them had no idea what was going on but they KNEW I was crazy.
Afterwards , as I sat dejected on the couch. they slowly filed out.
They could have at least left a rope so I could end the pain...wink
You guy's know how much I love to hear analysts give unsubstantiated and ridiculous opinions - yesterday on ESPN TV - I heard a Radio Talk Show host from New York opine that 'if' the Pats had made the playoffs last year that they would have won the Super Bowl....
Really?
To think that if I were only bigger, faster and stronger I could play in the NFL....
That Patriots stuff ..its just part of the NFL now..they are the new Cowboys.
The line they used back in the 60`s and 70`s was "you didn't beat the REAL Dallas Cowboys" The Packers heard that every time they beat them.
It's getting to be a similiar situation with the Patriots I feel.
Think I'll go watch the Steelers demolition of the Pats last year. Again. wink
Yeah, that Chargers game was unreal. I think the 2001 Pats games hurt worse than 2004. In the 2004 AFFCG, I was just happy that the Steelers had turned into a pretty good team and had seemingly found a pretty good QB. I was under no illusion that the Steelers would romp all over the Patriots, just because it was a home game. I kind of had a feeling that they wouldn't win.
But the Chargers game and the 2001 AFFCG I thought the Steelers would win for sure. They just seemed like such a better team.
Sometimes I hate Pats bias. Take this, for example from Len Pasquarelli from ESPN on how the Pats DL is better than the Steelers.
"But the area where the Patriots own the biggest edge is on the defensive front. Both teams employ the 3-4 scheme, and the Pittsburgh line is both experienced and good. Still, their New England counterparts can be downright dominating at times. The Patriots almost always seem to choose a defensive lineman high in the draft, and that has paid off handsomely for them, with players like Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, and Ty Warren. "
What a bunch of crap. I'd take Aaron Smith over Seymour, Hampton over Wilfork, and call Warren and Keisel pretty even, assuming age isn't a factor and for considering who is better right now, age doesn't matter. The only reason the Pats line is considered better is that all of those guys were 1st round picks.
And the Pats OL? While not as bad as the Steelers, they got killed in their own house last year by Woodley and Harrison.
QOTD: I remember the loss to the Chargers in the AFCCG, but the 2001 loss to the Patriots still hurts to think about because I was there. There was a guy in a friggin' Bledsoe jersey sitting two seats in front of me - IN OUR HOUSE! Then, of course, Bledsoe came in and saved the day for the Pats and the guy was uncontrollably obnoxious. That entire game was surreal. Consider:
- Game following the tuck rule sighting AND Vinateri's long FG in the snow. The Pats weren't even supposed to be in that game
- FG returned for TD
- Punt return TD, AFTER the previous return was called out because a gunner (name blocked from my mind) ran out of bounds
- Brady, the out-of-nowhere QB who is now an all time great being replaced/saved by Bledsoe
I was crushed after that loss - so much so that I still hosted my planned very large Super Bowl party with Steelers colors on and decorations up, right down to the face paint, plates, and napkins. During the game I refused to admit to anyone that the Pats were really the ones playing, not the Steelers. Yeah, I'm crazy, but I can only hope that some of you can relate to me being out of my mind when it comes to this team.
Come to think of it, maybe we lost the AFCCG because I had already planned my Super Bowl party. It was all my fault! Ugh.
Troy Edwards was the prick who went OoB on the punt.
"Pupunu" is still a term denoting defecation to me, but that 2001 AFCC was the worst IMO. 2004 wasn't much better, although Ben was at least a rook, so there's that. I remember being at the bro-in-laws for the 2001 game, and after that I don't know that we ever watched another Steeler game together out of superstition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-...h?v=--
IKFr14cy0
The loss to the Raiders was sort of predictable, given the loss of Bleier and Harris but given THAT defense..anything seemed possible.
Someone said during the playoff run last year that it would be a shame to waste this D by not winning a SB. I immediately thought of 76 and it seemed like a bit of payback or redemption when they came through and won it all.
But I can't rate that 76 loss with the others mentioned. NO RB's isn't an ideal scenario. wink
I put a hole in my wall after the 2001 afc championship...
We should have a vote, it seems to be between 1994 AFCCG and 2001 AFCCG with 2004 in there as well.
For me all the Steelers' playoff losses rank as the worst, but for different reasons. I mean, even today that loss to Jacksonville two seasons ago just totally and completely blows.
I try not to whine about officiating lest I sound like a Seahag's fan, but after the end of that game there was a zebra or two who should have been drawn-and-quartered.
By the way, Rob, this was an excellent QOTD, one of our all-time best. Thank you for that.
Also, a couple of today's OTA highlights from Wex...
"Rashard Mendenhall continues to impress, but the other rookie from last season, Limas Sweed, had two big drops. In fact, the first pass of the day clanged off his hands and bounced to safety Ryan Mundy for a touchdown. Sweed did catch a 50-yarder from Ben Roethlisberger later for a score. Cornerback Fernando Bryant tripped and fell and Sweed was wide open. He took it to the end zone and slam-dunked the ball over the crossbar.
"Sweed won't be the No. 3 receiver this year. The favorite has to be Shaun McDonald. Not that he's showing much, but no one else appears capable of running those inside routes that veteran slot receivers can run."
Guess it's a good thing I didn't buy that Limas Sweed jersey.
I wasn't as pissed at the Jags loss a couple years ago, because A. Smith was out, and our D wasn't playing dominant ball. Seemed like we would have been rocked at some point, painfully.
Sweed will be up and down, but he's showing more up, so be hopeful. He WILL be the #3, sooner than later. Mark it.
Put me down for the 2001 AFCC. A brain-boiler if ever there was one. A critique of Cowher involves his choking out at that level, but 2001 was the worst IMO.
I"m betting Sweed will be the #3 this year. He's replacing Nate W. How many inside type of routes did he run? Not too many if I recall. The #3 guy last year was a burner who made big plays down the field, not a small Welker type of guy.
One game that is probably an honorable mention is the Joe Nedney game against the Titans where he acted like a punk soccer player to get a 2nd chance at that FG he missed at the end of the game. Disclaimer: I love soccer but hate that part of the sport.
QOTD: 1994 AFCCG. Three More Yards.
Go back and watch one game, any game, and see how many inside routes Washington ran.
Sweed's a bum. Mark it.
Sweed's a bum. Mark it.
Smith | 05.28.09 - 8:17 am | #
LOL, whatever.
Randy, the Jags loss... don't think I've been more irritated over the course of a game. I would've punched an alligator.
I don't know if the QOTD includes Super Bowls, but XXX was painful on many levels.
The 94 AFCCG was the weirdest for me. I was on a work call for the whole second half explaining financial quant model results to a boss. Since then, I haven't missed a game for work reasons and only a few for any reason. So I guess there was a silver lining.
I'll never forget Super Bowl 30. The Steelers had the ball, down by three and were at that point able to move the ball pretty easily and were shutting down the Cowboys offense. Then of course Hastings and ODonnel got crossed up and made Larry Brown rich man.
All the following games hurt:
1989 AFCD at DEN (including the 1st 2 games of that season. Remember 92-10?)
1990 AFCWC at HOU
1993 AFCWC at KC
1994 AFCC vs SD
SB XXX
2001 AFCC vs DEN
2004 AFCC vs NE
2008 AFCD vs JAX
However, the 1994 AFCC vs SD was the only game we were clearly favored, maybe by double digits.
I think we were heavily favored in the 1994 AFCCG, the 1998 AFCCG vs Denver, and the 2001 AFCCG vs NE.
All the playoff losses hurt, but with hindsight, I don't think we had a chance to win the big one before '05. In '01, we should have beat the Pats, but I don't think we would have beaten the Rams. And Carolina was every bit as good as the Pats team that put a hurting on us in '04. In 1994, the Chargers were embarrassed by a great 49ers team. I think the year we lost to Denver we had a shot, and XXX is the hardest to stomach because we were two boneheaded plays away from knocking off a dynasty.
By the way, Rob, this was an excellent QOTD, one of our all-time best. Thank you for that.
--Randy Steele
..I am the proverbial blind squirrel who eventually gets a nut...
(most of my QOTD sink without a trace)
wink
We were heavily favored in the 1994 and 2001. In 1998, I think the spread was relatively small. We were at home, but that Denver team was very good that year. We hosted the game because we beat them in the regular season in a game with a crazy-ass run by Kordell down the left sideline.
Yes, Kordell threw two bad INTs in that game (including one in the end zone that could have put the Broncos away). It seems like Kordell's strengths (such as winning percentage, first down percentage and clock control) get put up get tossed aside due to the 1998 and 2001 AFCCGs.
Wow! What a great Question of the Day, even though it brings so much pain. All of those losses hurt in their own way. Tops for me was '94, simply because we had not been to the superbowl for so damn long, and we were so close. Also didn't help that we were heavy favorites. However, knowing that we probably wouldn't have stood a chance against the 49ers tempered my pain a bit, or at least, that is what I tried to tell myself at the time.
SB XXX was also painful. I know after the game a lot of people were impressed simply that we played the Cowboys well, but we could have won the game. Bam Morris was simply running all over them in the second half.......if only. Ah, and it did not help that it was the Cowboys. And, that it was our first ever superbowl loss.
I could go on and on......great question!
I'm seated on a plane in Charlotte waiting to take off and just read this in last week's SI:
What are two things you won't see in Cleveland?
A victory parade and the sky...
Made me laugh....
Gentlemen & lady,
I stand corrected--we were heavily favored in 2001.
Men....I don't think sometimes we truly realize how popular the NFL is in this Country..
Case in point do you realize that in the midst of the NBA and NHL Finals, and with baseball in full swing (no pun intended) that Tom Brady throwing a football in a t-shirt and shorts made the cover/cover story in SI this week?
Just a thought....
"Thunk."
That was the sound yesterday of Limas Sweed dropping yet another pass during OTAs, noted by Jim Wexell.
Oh, well.
Randy (and everyone else for that matter)....I'm on board with everyone that will be nervous every time Ben fires one Limas' way this Fall BUT let's face it - we aren't hearing about how many passes Hines drops in practice....
It's the Spring - if he does this in Camp this summer and in the Pre-Season then we have an issue...
Just putting this out there
(for those of you that still want additional 0-line help)- a Vet OT is on the market
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/sto...gtime-RT-
Jansen
Do not want.
Between the 2001 and 1994 losses, I would say the 2001 loss was the worst. I think we were obviously the stronger team in both cases. what makes the 2001 loss the worst was that I think we would have most likely won that superbowl, wheras in 1994, we might not have had a good chance against the 49ers. The 1994 team was not a big scoring team and probably would not have kept up with the 49ers that year. The 2001 team would have whomped the Buc's, That is in my opinion the steelers missing ring.
yea, that anon was me. naguszed. righto.
The 2001 team would have played the Rams.
that loss to Jacksonville two seasons ago just totally and completely blows.
Speaking of which, that game is being replayed on NFL network Monday night.
Had the Jax game on DVR for 9 months to watch it when I wasn't totally pissed off. Then just decided to be zen-like and let it go. Guess I'm not a Buddhist, as these mentions of it get me irritated all over again. That was the first game I realized that the NFL had outlawed holding on Silverback. But that's still not even in the top 5 most annoying parts of the game. You'd think that Lombardi #6 would be enough to put that to bed... almost, but not totally...
Interesting article in the Trib about AQ today. Highlighted his achievements as a player and strong combine. Turns out the physical differences that caused him to be drafted five or six rounds later than his peers amount to a couple inches in height and three inches in wingspan.
FO has a blurb about the Ravens wanting to improve their efficiency in the red zone and on 3rd down. They note that offensively the Ravens had a much higher rating on 3rd/4th down than on 1st and 2nd down. That is a FO hallmark of an offense that will decline the next year...
Interesting info regarding the Steelers FO success at drafting in the early rounds - not so good in the late rounds:
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/05/...round-one/
#cont
I would argue that it is difficult for men drafted late and usually late in that round to make a talent rich team..
Ziggy looks good - without pads of course:
http://pit.scout.com/2/868717.html
Looks like AQ has a nickname:
T-Rex
SteelerBill..I know its not real football but still nice to read positive stuff about draft picks. I'm a sucker for that stuff especially since its not even June yet..lol..
OK..it is now.
With Re: to mid round drafting by Steelers..I used to be a part of a short lived mailing list run by a guy who worked for NFLE for a few years and seemed to know his way around drafting circles. Anyway, he often said that Cowher was infamous for interferring with Day 2 drafts and trying to overrule scouts who knew players far better than he did. I have ZERO knowledge if that is true..but ever since, I have resolved to judge Colbert anew and since 2007. Most people seem to really like this year's draft in any case. And 2007 did yield Spaeth (not as good as they thought but I still hold out hope he will improve), Sepulveda (if healthy, a huge upgrade for us), and Willam Gay. McBean is still in the NFL whilst I would have to say Stephenson is the only true bust as of today. Baker is still in the mix as far as I can see. Not too, too bad..but as usual the top of the draft was golden. Timmons and Woodley! And to think I bitched about taking 2 LB'ers. I am such an idiot sometimes. OK,,my wife says most of the time. But she's such a witch anyway...
I really don't think that Colbert's record is a bad as Steelers fans think it is. He's missed on some later round picks, but he's also managed to find a ton of UDFAs who not only make the team, but also become important cogs. I don't think a team can have all of its top draft choices pan out, a lot of success with UDFAs and then also have all of it mid and late round draft picks make the team. There are only so many roster spots and if you agree that the Steelers are
1. talented and
2. deep
then it's pretty hard to fault a guy's record at finding talent.
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