With all the recent discussion of trades, buyouts and who will be filling the final roster spots for this year's regular season stretch run, there has been something missing.  A by the numbers analysis of the, well... stretch run.  Will the Celtics be able to hang onto their tenuous lead in the East, or will they crumble due to lack of chemistry as many have suggested?

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A new era is upon us.

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I recently joined Red Reporter because I have been a lifelong Reds fan of more than 30 years.  I followed along in a few game threads before joining so I could get an inkling for the types of issues discussed and get a feel for some of the different personalities that frequent the joint.  There appear to be lots of knowledgeable fans around here along with some not as much, myself included.  I enjoyed the discussions about the Reds mostly, but I also enjoyed some of the non baseball related banter that frequents the site.  There are also some things and topics that I didn't enjoy so much, and those I mostly skimmed over or didn't read.

In addition to this site, I also belong to a number of other sites on SB Nation.  In fact I even joined Viva El Birdos so that if I felt compelled to, I could join in on the discussions of our biggest current division rival.  I even posted a rebuttal to one of their fanposts as it related to the Reds-Cards brawl that several on this site found and brought to the attention of others on the site. Thanks to all who took the time to read and if compelled recommend that post by the way!

However, yesterday, several moderators brought up a topic that I don't agree with at all.  It seems that they don't like it when RR members bring topics or opinions from other sites to this one for discussion.  Or perhaps it's just from that one particular site?  I find this thought process to be rather odd, and in fact quite disturbing.  Of course, I am also one of the offending parties who have made posts referencing thoughts from that "other" site. In fact, I am the one who coined "VEWLB"  in reference to said site which several members at RR have taken to using on a regular basis.  So perhaps I am a bit biased on this issue. Or, perhaps, I am just completely off base and reading too much into things.

What bothers me is that seemingly everything is allowed on this site.  I have seen non baseball discussions regarding so many topics that trying to list them all would be impossible to do.  I have seen vulgar and offensive language which doesn't bother me in the least, but which others may find offensive.  I have tried to sift through inside jokes between long time members while confusedly scratching my head in bewilderment.  None of these things are related to the Reds in any way shape or form, yet they are allowed and encouraged.  And I have absolutely no problem with that at all.

Seeing that seemingly everything was allowed here, I decided to re-post some topics or comments that I read at another site because first and foremost they were Reds related.  I also found them either humorous, asinine, or worthy of discussion.  Some of them were replied to and some were not.  Just like many other posts around here. Of course I am also not the only one who has done this, so seemingly others see some positives in discussing the merits, or lack thereof, of someones opinions who differ from our own. 

Evidently a number of those in power who manage the site don't care for that and have strongly encouraged the rest of us from refraining from posting them in the future. I don't know if that implies that continuing to do so will lead to a ban or not, but the underlying message was pretty clear to me.  Conform to our way of thinking or else. (Risk ostracism, criticism, banishment, etc.)

I'm sure that this post will be met with a ton of criticism and frankly I don't really care.  I have always stated my mind and stood up for things that I believe in.  Being a former military member who served this country in defense of it's core principles, I find the sort of "group think" mentality implied in the discouraging of baseball related discussions originating elsewhere very disturbing.  It would be intolerable to me if the "Red" in Red Reporter stands for something more sinister than what most of us assume it stands for.

Like myself prior to educating myself over the past month, Paul Pierce clearly has no idea how the salary cap works and the limitations that the team had to face going into this offseason.

Like many, I was hopeful the C’s could upgrade and get younger in the offseason. I figured that if Ray Allen was not resigned that would free up ~$19M per year which I wanted the team to use in pursuit of Dwyane Wade. I figured that Wade would sign with us for that, immediately put himself in a position to win additional championships and the future with he and Rondo manning the guard positions for the next 5+ years would be exceptionally bright.

It was a very hard reality when after reading and researching the topic I realized that due to the salary cap, this personal dream scenario had absolutely no chance of working. Clearly there are many here in the same boat as I that don’t clearly grasp the reality of the salary cap situation.

Here is my modest attempt at trying to clear up some of the confusion.

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Since the Steelers didn't take care of business during the regular season, we are forced to watch the NFL playoffs without having a full rooting interest.  Generally, when this happens, I find myself rooting against certain teams more than I find myself rooting for anyone in particular.  For example, I thoroughly enjoyed last weekend because the New England Patriots were humbled at home in front of their arrogant fan base.  I despise no team as much as I despise New England so watching that beating was almost as enjoyable as watching another Steeler march through the playoffs.

Anyways, there are now 8 teams remaining in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy this season.  I am curious which team you would least like to see win this weekend and why.  There are several teams who merit consideration.  Here are who I most want to lose in order of preference.

1.  The Dallas Cowboys. 

I despise the Cowboys for several reasons.Here are just a few of them.

• They are the only team to defeat us in the Super Bowl and I tend to hold grudges. 
  
• If they win this year they will match the Steelers record for most Super Bowl wins.  That can not happen.  
• I can not stand Jerry Jones.
• My older brother is a Cowboys fan.  Enough said.

2.  The Indianapolis Colts

• They laid down in the second half against the Jets in week 16.
• They have already won a SB this decade.
• I love watching the "greatest QB ever" continually flail in the playoffs.

3.  The New York Jets

• Almost everyone else in the league had to play a 16 game schedule while they only had to play 14.
• New York already has the Yankees who I despise.
• Rex Ryan and seemingly half their team used to be with the Ravens.

4.  The Baltimore Ravens

• They play in our divison.
• They already won a ring this decade.
• Ray Lewis does not deserve another ring.

5.  The Minnesota Vikings

• I live in Iowa so they have a large following.  I will not be able to stomach all the fans coming out of the woodwork if they win.
• Favre does not deserve another ring.

6-8.  San Diego, Arizona and New Orleans

• Unless my memory is faltering none of them have ever won a Super Bowl title.  Hopefully one of these three wins.  Preferably San Diego since I almost always have to root for the AFC in the Super Bowl unless the Patriots are playing in it.
  

I was just curious who folks will be rooting for in this game today. 

To me, the New England Patriots are THE most hated rival of the Pittsburgh Steelers right now and I will root for whoever they play every single week of every single season unless we need a win from them to help ourselves out. They have consistently knocked PIT out of the playoffs this past decade and kept us from appearing in at least two more Super Bowls.  Without NE, PIT is clearly the team of this past decade.  Of course there is also the spirit of fair play issue that the Patriots don't pay any attention to.  Rules evidently do not apply to them.

Obviously the Ravens are a hated division rival as well.  Any time you play an opponent twice per year there is going to be some bad blood and the Ravens are definitely one of my least favorite opponents.  However, Baltimore has never beaten us in the playoffs and kept us from going to a SB. 

My top 3 most hated teams would look like this:

1. New England

2. Dallas

3. Baltimore

I was just wondering if most agree that New England needs to suffer a home field beat down today at the hands of our divisional rival Baltimore.  I would love nothing more than watching them lose at home in front of their fans.

After an incredibly hectic week in which I witnessed the premature birth of my first child, I decided to meet a friend for lunch on Sunday and enjoy the Steelers beat down an inferior opponent as they got on yet another late season roll in preparation of another long playoff run.  Unfortunately, as I watched the team struggle yet again against another inferior opponent, a strange thought crossed my mind.  I have seen this same game replayed time and time again . 

After watching Ben throw another red zone pick in the end zone towards the end of the first half I couldn't stop flashing back to the nauseatingly monotonous Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day" and mentioned it to my friend who agreed.  I was half joking at the time but as the game progressed and the Steelers continued to let the game remain close I just kept repeating the phrase over and over and over and over again.  I just knew the team was in for yet another in a long line of heartbreaking losses.

If you haven't seen the movie, it's pretty simple.  Bill Murray's character keeps waking up every day and having to relive the same day over and over and over and over and over again ad nauseum.  I think you can get the picture by now. Only once he figures out what it is that he needs to change or correct will he actually ever be able to move on to the next day in his life.

The Steelers appear to be reliving their very own version of this movie.  They seem to be trapped in a very repetitive, very annoying, and very frustrating scenario in which they are unable to put an opponent away and protect a late lead.  You would think after this many opportunities they might be able to figure out what they are doing wrong and correct the situation, but alas, as the final horn sounds the results remain the same.  Another close loss to an infinitely beatable opponent with seemingly endless amounts of miscues in nearly every phase of the game.

If it's not the special teams giving up big returns or missing field goals it's the offense failing to convert yet another red zone opportunity or the defense failing for the umpteenth time this season to protect a late lead.  If it's not the QB forcing a bad pass it's the receiving corps dropping a key pass.  If it's not the linebacking corps missing an important tackle it's the secondary dropping yet another sure interception.  The coaches can't get it right and the players can't execute.  When one unit plays better the other unit lets them down.

This nightmare is wearing me down.  I keep hoping my alarm goes off soon and I can wake up from this horrible scenario.  If it doesn't go off soon, somebody will need to wake me.  I've had all I can take.  Make it stop.  Please.

Broncos Fast Starts Usually Equal Faster Fades

I pulled numbers for the past ten years because based on my memory I seem to recall that Denver perennially start their seasons fast. The numbers I found support that. In 7 of the past 10 seasons (including this one) the Broncos came out of the gate quickly with records of 4-1 or better in every one of those years. Here are the numbers.

In 2009 they started 6-0 and are currently 6-1 riding a one game losing streak.
In 2008 they started 4-1 and finished 4-7 to close the season 8-8 and miss the playoffs
In 2006 they started 5-1 and finished 4-6 to close the season 9-7 and miss the playoffs
In 2005 they started 5-1 and finished 8-2 to close the season 13-3. They were 1-1 in the POs.
In 2004 they started 5-1 and finished 5-5 to close the season 10-6. They were 0-1 in the POs.
In 2003 they started 5-1and finished 5-5 to close the season 10-6. They were 0-1 in the POs.
In 2002 they started 4-1 and finished 5-6 to close the season 9-7 and miss the playoffs.

Out of all those quick starts, the Broncos only managed to make the post season three times. In 2003 and 2004 they went one and done in the POs and in 2005, despite hosting the AFC Championship game, they were destroyed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. So (not including this season) the past six years the Broncos started fast to the tune of 28-6 they struggled to the finish line by playing .500 football (31-31) with only three postseason appearances and one postseason win. That’s downright pathetic. If you exclude 2005 which is the only time they have had a winning record after starting fast their closing record dips to a dismal 23-29.

The other three seasons where they did not get off to such good starts were:

In 2007 they went 7-9 after starting 2-0 and missed the playoffs.
In 2001 they went 8-8 after starting 2-0 and missed the playoffs.
In 2000 they went 11-5 after starting 2-1 and were one and done in the playoffs.

Denver regularly starts fast. This years results are very much in line with what they’ve been doing year in and year out for the past decade. Until they prove that they can sustain their play for an entire season they have done nothing. That’s just the way it is.  You would think that Broncos fans would temper their enthusiasm a bit to see if this team is any different than the numerous teams before them. Until they get it done in November, December and January, when it counts the most.  I don’t see this year’s edition being any different than the faltering Broncos teams of the past decade.

The jury is still out. However, there is historical precedent to back the theory that this team will struggle down the stretch. It happens on an almost annual basis. Why wouldn’t it happen again this season. Especially when you factor in the remaining schedule.

I do think the Broncos will win their division. Why? Because KC and OAK are incapable of winning 6 games between them and SD has proven that their D is next to nonexistent. That should get the Broncos a first round home game against the likes of the Ravens or Bengals. Good luck with that Broncos.

With today's win the Steelers have improved to 4-2 and are tied with Cincinnati atop the AFC North.  However,  the schedule looks to get considerably tougher with the next two games coming against a pair of unbeaten opponents in the 6-0 Minnesota Vikings and the 5-0 Denver Broncos.  Is anyone else having a sense of deja vu?

The year was 2004.  The Steelers, led by a rookie QB from Miami of Ohio, had a daunting task ahead of them.  Looming on the schedule were the two teams destined to play in the Super Bowl that season, New England and Philadelphia.  Both were undefeated and the odds were stacked against the Steelers.

First up were the New England Patriots.  Looking every bit as good as they had the previous season when they won their second Lombardi in three years, they came to Pittsburgh sporting a perfect 6-0 record.  Additionally, they had a remarkable 21 game winning streak.  The streak did not reach 22.  New England left town 6-1 after suffering a 34-20 loss. As everyone I'm sure recalls, the Pats extracted their revenge later in the year and went on to repeat as NFL Champions.  But on that day, they were no match for the Steelers.

''It was pretty clear the Steelers were the better team," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick. ''They outcoached us. They outplayed us. They certainly deserved to win, and they won convincingly."  If anyone wants to relive some of the moments to that game, this link will take you to several articles detailing the victory.  Enjoy the memories!

After handling the defending champs, the road didn't get any easier as the undefeated and 7-0 Philadelphia Eagles were next up on the schedule.  The 2004 Eagles were coming off back to back to back NFC Championship game appearances and the Steelers appeared ripe for a letdown after taking care of New England's 21 game winning streak.  There was no way a rookie QB was going to lead his team to victory again against the lone remaining unbeaten team in the league.  Or was there?  Pittsburgh dominated from beginning to end and dismantled Philadelphia 27-3. The game was never in doubt.

If memory serves me correctly (which it might not), I believe it was the first time in NFL history that the same team knocked off two unbeaten teams back to back that late in a season.  It was at that point in the season that I knew that edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers was going to be special.  They ended up going 15-1 that year by finishing the season with 14 straight victories and posting the best regular season record in the team's history. 

Unfortunately, they came up a bit short in the AFC title game to the hated Patriots who went on to win their third title in four years.  However, the groundwork was laid that season for the team's run to their fifth ring in the following season.  It was at that point in the 2004 season that I knew we had a special football team and finally had an elite QB capable of leading the Steelers back to the promised land. I believe the Steelers are still reaping the fruits of the labors laid during that season when they proved to themselves and to the rest of the league that not only could they play with anybody in the league, but that they could beat  the league's best, and convincingly.

Pittsburgh hosts the unbeaten 6-0 Vikings on Sunday.  Who knows if the Broncos will still be unbeaten when we play them in three weeks.  They go to San Diego Monday night, have a bye next week and then travel to Baltimore prior to playing us in week 9.  I don't think they will make it to week nine unbeaten, but if they do, we will have a chance to repeat a similar feat to the one we pulled off in 2004.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the team responds in these two games.  It should go a long ways towards determining just how good this year's team will be.  The Steelers still haven't played a complete game this season.  It's about time they hit their stride and put it all together.  What better time than right now.

Here's hoping they don't have to repeat what they did in '04 because I would like Denver to lose one or both of their next two games.  But if they should go 2-0, I know the team won't fear either of these two foes.  They already accomplished a similar feat in 2004 against arguably superior teams to our next two oppponents.  Why wouldn't they be able to do it again?

Shaquille O'Neal?  Huh?  How's that possible?  What are you talking about?  They don't even play the same sports.

It's evidently true though. According to the following ESPN article - link - "In a new ABC reality television series that begins filming this week, Shaq will take on other top athletes in their own sports. The show, evidently called "Shaq Vs." is set to premiere on August 18th at 9 p.m. ET, and begins filming Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where Shaq will take on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in football. According to USA Today, the episodes will feature preliminary challenges, news conferences, quality time with needy kids and negotiations of a handicap between Shaq and his competitors. Each episode will climax with a main event."

I thought the announcement of this show was ironic as I have been discussing possible topics for future blogs on BTSC with site founder Blitz.  One of my ideas was a regular "Ben Vs." thread which came from the Eli vs. Ben thread that is currently running both here at BTSC - link - and also at Big Blue View - link.  Another blog  - link - has provided a good list of current QBs that I can use as Ben's "opponents" during the first few threads.  I may even place him up against some of the all time greats and see how his career compares if there is enough interest in the topic.  Please take a moment to vote in the poll.  If there is enough interest I'll get going on putting together the first installment.

By the way... Go Big Ben! Kick Shaq's butt!  And while you're at it, please, please, please don't get hurt making the episode.

In another blog somebody requested an updated estimate of the current Pittsburgh Steelers' salary cap situation.  I have spent considerable time trying to gather this information over the offseason so thought I might go ahead and post what I have compiled thus far.

James Harrison, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks, Ike Taylor and Hines Ward have all signed restructured, extended or new deals, and I have not seen a definitive breakdown, so the numbers may not be entirely accurate. I've guessed at the 6.5M figure on Starks' contract as a number of sources have stated that the deal will lead to nearly 2M in savings on his previous contract.  Where I've found discrepancies, I've tended to use the information I found over at Steelers Depot.  I've gathered the majority of my information from the following three sources:

Steelers Depot Contract Numbers

Rotoworld Contract Numbers

maryrose Contract Numbers

The Steelers currently have 80 players on their roster.  Urbik and Hood have yet to sign deals.  The Steelers are also still on the hook to the tune of more than 10M for money owed to Foote, Humpal, Mahan and Simmons that will count against this year's cap.

During the offseason the NFL implements something called the "Rule of 51" in which only the top 51 salaries count against the salary cap.  Combining those 51 salaries with the money owed to Foote, Humpal, Mahan and Simmons I come up with a figure slightly over 119M.  The salary cap is 127M.

If anybody sees any discrepancies that need to be corrected, or know of any other sites that provide this type of information please provide that info and I will update when I get a chance.  I hope this is helpful.