SB Nation User Blog: LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart

Mike and Mike with Big Ben

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:34:57 -0000

Hey Steelers Nation! It has Been to damn long since I have been able to get a chance to write up some of my thoughts. Reason why, it has been one of the busiest spells of my life these past 5 to 6 months. Working, Being a football Coach, getting engaged, trying to finish up my last semester of School, etc. you get the idea!

First off, good to see that this place has picked up some good people, some very interesting reads, and its been good to see Blitz, Maryrose, schnifin, Badmaafala, and cgolden (is he still handing operations over in Cardinal Nation?) all still here. Enough of this gooey teary eye stuff, let me move on to something I been waiting to discusses with you all.

Did any of you listen in this morning on Big Ben on Mike and Mike. I was impress and scared on a few things. Hear me out here. First, I was impressed of the amount of respect that Coach Tomlin is getting these days. Ben as praised that Coach Tomlin is the man for the Job and that those who in the past hated the pick, should never question the Steelers organization again. They asked him, what was Tomlin’s play of the Holmes TD was a no go? He told the Mike's that he was planning on a QB sneak depending on where the spot was. I think that is a gutsy and great call, exactly the kind of coach we have been waiting for. If we couldn’t get 6 inches out of our Offense of Line at that moment, then maybe we are not the team everyone thinks we are. Tomlin, knows what type of team he has, and believes that in no matter what, they find a way to win. Damn, so right and true, who needs style points, Because the Steelers are winning Beautiful games right now.

Moving on a little bit, the Mike's also asked Ben how does it feel to be playing on a team with such great defense and how does that effect your overall play? He stated in pretty that the Defense allows him to take more risk. I had a knot in my stomach as well as a huge flash back to the Indy game this year. More risk, I think Ben is doing the Defense a huge fav. by not turning the ball over by taking limited and smart risk. I am a big believer that the QB has the same impact on the defense success as the Defense has on the QB success. If a QB can manage a game with limited mistakes, Defense is great, visa versa. But if QB keeps throwing INT, fumbling the ball and always leaving the Defense in bad field position then the Defense is going to not do so hot. What I am trying to say is, Do you guys think, its ok for Ben to have a mind set of, "Ok, I can take a little more shots down the field into tight coverage, because If it goes bad my defense got me" ? So do the benefits outweigh the risk? Discuss Steel nation!!!

Happy Holidays

David

DUDE

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:18:54 -0000

I just received a mobile Update stating that Brett Farve wants to come back to GB. Can anyone find that source if its true. Because that would in my opinion make me think less of Brett acting like a Woman when it comes to decide on things. But before i make that judgment i was wondering if anyone here heard or can find source that this information i got on my phone is in fact correct.

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:57:59 -0000

I do not know about you guys but i am F*** fired up for this Saturday when the steelers single game tickets are going on sale. It starts at noon. here is the problem. This year because i live in DC, i wanted to go to the Washington nationals home opener against the braves and they said that their single game tickets for the home open would be open to the public at 9 am on ticketmaster. So i was thinking in my head, ill have the page set up and have a real time clock on my desk and click best available seats and that i would for sure be able to get it. Well it didnt work because it was sold out, in the first 6 mins but because of the mass load of people doing what i did, i didnt click it on time or my computer didnt work fast enough.

My question is to you guys, do you guys know any technique i can used on saturday at noon to help me get a ticket in pittsburgh. I already plan on picking a game where they are not playing against a team that everyone would want to see like the browns and dallas. I know I am being greedy here because i already got steelers tickets this year, but i really really want more and i will say this I NEED MORE TICKETS.

So give me your insite BTSC, and i understand if no one wants to share their secrets because they want to get the tickets themselves. But if you want to share with me because you just love my username lol then send me an email.

Thanks guys

I Do not like to brag but

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:16:01 -0000

Today is my birthday, in famous D-Day (moment of silence for those who served). But i wanted and couldnt hold in to tell you guys that my girlfriend just gave me tickets to see the Skins and Steelers ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. I could not believe my eyes, because first they are damn expensive and second Skins are generally the last team to give out their tickets to season ticket holders and single game tickets. But some how and way she got her hands on 2 of them. Im freaking so excited and and can not wait till this season starts. Hopefully the steelers will be 11-0 when they come in Washington. But ill be more realistic 8-3 will be acceptable as well. Thought I share this with the number one fans from Pittsburgh on BTSC.

Farrior a Class Act

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:24:35 -0000

One of the players I think that have went unnoticed in past few years is James Farrior. If you take a look on the steelers website what he has to say about the young core of players in the over stocked linebacker corps it made me feel all good inside that we have some older players willing to say good things about the younger players to make sure the steelers are competitive for years to come.

Farrior is no sissy either, lot of times those players that do everything well but not great for long periods of times go unnoticed. Well go unnoticed no more. Farrior in six years as a Steeler has racked up 656 tackles, 15.5 sacks (6.5 of those came last year) and 6 INT. Last year he showed that though he is getting older, his skills and determination to get better has not declined at all. He avg. almost 109 tackles a year, thats impressive, hit after hit, he gets up brushes himself off and gets ready for the next play. Not to mention hes only missed 4 games in his 6 years with the steelers now thats durability.

Though he is 33 years old, I can see him being productive for maybe 2 more years at the level he has shown in the past. Thus, he is starting to take on the role of helping younger players develop by saying great things about them and showing up for OTA, every year to show support and dedication to the team.

In closing, if there was any awards given out by BTSC Farrior would get my vote on the UNSUNG HERO award. Never makes excuses and always looking to not only make himself better but the team as a whole. What you guys think about Farrior? A beast with a kind heart? Here are some links to get you some of you guys that do not understand what kind of player Farrior. Steeler website and Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

Not even one of my favorite players thats not a Steeler; Doug Flutie, could get by James Farrior.

Reference of picture:baltimoresun.com

super bowl champions??

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:20:16 -0000

Looks like the browns are already the 2008-2009 superbowl champs go look at their blog dawgs by nature and on the top where their banner is states the are that sure of them selfs this year. Boy do i love being the under dog. Im not even sure they can win the north yet let alone the whole damn thing. They good on paper but paper dont mean nothing. So lets have a give those browns a pat on the back by already winning this coming super bowl. Congratulations

An idea

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Tue, 06 May 2008 03:53:25 -0000

Why dont we try to get all of the site coordinators from each team write a brief writeup about each teams hopes and outlooks on this years draft. I see that to many people are complaining that some people are commenting about their team when in reality they may or may not know as much about a certain team as those who are fans of a certain team. Because honestly i know alot more about the steelers than i do about any other team. Thus it would not be fair for me to make rational comments on other teams. Just a thought.

Year 2 for Ken Whisenhunt

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:07:29 -0000

As Ken Whisenhunt becomes no longer a rookie Coach what can the birds look forward to? The outlook looks great for many reason beyond my explanation that I talk about in this Post.

-Hes done his dues. This guy was once a TE for Georgia Tech, and was drafted in the 12th round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1985. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a Civil Engineering degree; that speaks volumes about how smart this guy is. In the NFL he played for Atlanta, Washington, and the Jets, he was know mostly for his blocking skills. After that he retired after 9 years in the NFL and started his coaching career.

-Coaching career. His first job was with Vanderbilt as a special teams and TE coach. Returned back to the NFL in 1997 with the Ravens as a TE coach then bounced around with the Browns and Jets before landing with the Steelers in 2001 as a TE coach. He developed Mark Bruener and Jay Riemersma into good run blocking TE; if you are a Steeler fan like myself, those two TE were older and no much was expected of them, however Whisenhunt did a phenomenal job. Finally, Coach Coward gave him the chance to take over the offense and take over he did.

-Great Steeler OC. He is most known for his trick play in the superbowl WR pass. But those who followed the Steelers know this guy developed Big Ben just nicely. Never putting to much pressure on him when he was a rookie and the team still went 15-1, one of the best records in a season history, and Whisenhunt was a huge part of that; by allowing Ben to get his experience needed as well as still winning football games. Also if you forgot, steelers won that superbowl so he has a ring on his finger. He brings much needed experience and winning attitude to the birds.

-First year as a Cardinals coach was impressive. He took a team who was 5-11 in 2006 to a respectable 8-8 last year. His line can easily become one of the best in 2008, drafting levi Brown was a god send but developing him with Russ Grimm is a bigger god send than that Cardinals realize. Bring Russ Grimm to the Cardinals was one of the smartest things Whisenhunt could have done. Not only did he bring Russ Grimm to the birds but he brought a handful of players from the Steelers to bring a winning attitude to the locker room. I believe that a lot of the Cardinals failure in the past had to do with the attitude they have in the locker room. They went from not expecting much to where winning is no longer an option it is a Must.

I know there are many other reasons why Whisenhunt is going to direct this team in the right directions but those I posted above I feel are most important. The Cardinals will be expected to win this year maybe not with all the people in the media but surly in the locker room and among the team winning should become a habit very soon. A lot of that hangs on how the QB situation will unfold. But if we base it on Whisenhunt history, the QB situation will unfold nicely this year and they will no longer be the losers of the NFC west and will be fighting for a playoff spot. They have the talent in the skills postions as well as in the trenches so expecting a playoff berth and a winning season in 2008 is not out of the question, not even close. So get fired up Cardinals nation this is the year that is long overdue.

Poll

What are your expectations of the Cardinals this year?

8-8

9 votes

5-11

3 votes

10-5 and and in the playoffs

27 votes

12-3 first seed in the NFC

1 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

People do not understand

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:24:00 -0000

After calling a few of my Steeler buddies and my father, I am a bit upset on how they rated the steelers in this years draft. Most of them state that our picks were not what was expected nor what we needed. After trying to explain to them that the quality of players that we needed were not there when the steelers were on the clock we had to make the picks we had.

Rashard Mendenhall was the best player on the board hands down, any one that says anything different just go on youtube and watch this man/boy(he only 20) run over OSU and USC. He will be much like a M. Barber from the Cowboys got a tough mindset of hitting between the tackles hard. (isnt this willies weakness running between the tackles). Having willie and Mendenhall should make our line much better this year (as far as running the ball goes). Also I read about Mendenhall hes got a lot of miles left in him like willie did not really play much until recently so he should be healthy and ready for the physical demands of an NFL running back. Side note this guy could help us out on special teams as well, returning Kick offs and Punt returns. Him and Moore as kick returners sounds awesome and only time will tell if it can become one of the best in the league.

Our second pick with Limas Sweed couldn't of been a better choice, he fell to us so we took him. I personally love the guy he runs hard and seems to break out of the routs well. Hopefully tomlin and CO. can keep him in line when he is not on a football field alot of people compare him to Plex which is great but I want him to be compared to Plex as a football player not as a person. Hopefully he will not turn into the ego head case like Plex.

Davis and HIll are what i would like to call a shine or bust prospect. Both of them have great physical talent Hill is 6 foot 6 while Davis 6 foot 3 DE which is a bit small for a DE but because of steeler history I think tomlin will move him to a Backer and a 6 foot 3 line back is the ideal size for a line backer in the NFL today. I do not expect much from them next year, Davis may be a ST head hunter while Hill watches and learn the ropes. If we do not see Hill this year on OL that means one thing, the steelers starting OL are getting things done. To all those people out there that think we should of drafted a OL in the first round, why draft someone in the first round if they are not going to be playing this year. Why reach for a number 8 OL when in reality that person will have to sit out and learn. I much rather have the OL we have now than make a reach for a OL men that will never see a snap in 2008. Thus we get a guy like Hill that will take a few years and if everything goes well we can use our future draft picks on other needs in the future.

With the other picks we made with Dixon, Humpal and Mundy, they were value picks if there is one thing i do not agree with it would be Dixon. I feel we could of gotten an owen schmit but I knew that it would be unlikly since Tomlin has high hopes for Russell as our Full Back. The only thing I can think of why pick Dixon is to give us some insurance on the Sweed pick, because i think Dixon will be converted into a WR. Dixon himself has nice speed as well as some size thus if the Sweed pick falls through we can develop Dixon into being the next Hines ward, but only bigger and faster.

Thus I give the steelers an A, not because they drafted the players that they needed but because they refused to reach for anyone that was overvalued at their draft position. Since the steelers simply took the best players on the board in the first 3 rounds it gives our chance of having a successful draft a closer reality than reaching for some players that we "pray" and hope that they will be successful.

Lastly, for all you BTSC viewers please do not think that the Steelers blew it, much of needs to be tested but do not start doubting our steelers now after what some people call a failed draft just because we did not pick the players we needed. The steeler simply picked the players that gave them the best chance to have a successful draft which will make our beloved steelers successful for many years to come during and after the 2008 season. So let this draft sink in and give it a chance before you decide if this years draft picks were the correct and best choices.

Sliverback

LiveinDCbutsteelerfanbyheart — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:57:42 -0000

Sliverback