The Pittsburgh Post Gazette announced today (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11327/1192078-100.stm) that LG Chris Kemoeatu has been demoted in favor of Doug Legursky. Kemoeatu's poor play of late is the reason cited for this. 

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Every year, 'round this time, it seems like there's some storyline out there that's nothing more than an Ill-conceived fantasy that somebody is pitching  hoping it'll stick. You know what they are, you've lost countless hours on them over the years either on the national or local scene (see Favre, Brett, or Bentley, LeCharles, respectively) .  They're the Green Lanterns of football : flashy, but ultimately pointless.  And just like bad summer movies, these pro-football sideshows have their archetypical characters.  Here in Steeler Nation we have our very own variations : there's the next "Bus", the tall receiver, the aging star in search of a winning team and the rags-to-riches camp sweetheart. And no matter how hard we try, we end up buying it, partially of wholesale.

I confess, I'm just like the rest of the NFL starved guys out there, I have my weak moments. I rooted for Frank "The Tank", I wanted Chad Brown to come back and I keep looking for that special UDFA that will be the next James Harrison. And of course I generally end up wishing I hadn't. I mean, let's face it, all that time could have been put to better use. I could have learned a language, mastered Judo, taught my dog to fetch beer or, more realistically, read some football news that actually was worth reading. 

I'll tell you, fellow BTSCers, in this humble frog's opinion, this year's edition takes the cake. Color me unimpressed and annoyed. Plaxico Burress? PLEASE! Not only was it a pipe dream considering our cap situation, but a pointless one to boot. Would he even be a third receiver for us in week one? Nothing was less certain before the bad news about Manny Sanders' foot and maybe even after. Tiki Barber in the role of the aging star? Yeah, that's going to happen! I mean, what would we even do with the poor sap if we got him? Ethics counseling for Ben? Pathetic and not even remotely credible. What about Limas Sweed as both the comeback kid and the tall receiver? Been there, done that, used the T-shirt as a slobber rag.  And if I hear one more overenthusiastic chump call John Clay "The Next Bus" I invite him to take one to Cleveland ASAFP. Truly this is a year to forget as far as camp fantasies are concerned.

But that Baron Batch kid sure is impressive, hunh?

Hey, we all have our flaws...

Yours truly, Steelfrog

As we all know, 'tis the season to suffer through countless cheesy renditions of overplayed Xmas music, so I thought I would create a space where we BTSCers can reflect on what 2010 has brought us and what gifts we'd really like for the new year. So after the break I'll make my list, check it twice, and hope I'm on Santa's good side!

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There is a fullback on the roster! Of course everybody here remembers Bruce Arians' rant last year about not having a fullback on the roster. He even promised they're would never be one. Well, now, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, there is one. In a very interesting article ( http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10122/1054921-66.stm ) Ed Bouchette describes the process that led Mike Tomlin to pick up Demetrius Taylor as a fullback.

The Virginia Tech defensive tackle has a high school running back background and was spotted by Tomlin who saw the kind of athlete he is looking for at the position. Coach Tomlin describes Taylor as a quick-twitch, explosive guy who moves like a prototypical fullback. Could this be this year's Cinderella camp story?

I know a few regulars here who will be thrilled if it is because that could mean the return of power football in Steeler Country...

Or is it? Gold digging will resume its course in a civil suit, but criminal charges will not be filed...

As Maryrose said

What was once social mischief is now feeding grounds for our legal system

 

According to a piece just released by the PG (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10089/1046721-100.stm) the criminal case involving Santonio Holmes has been dropped. I just wish Georgians were as quick to resolve their business as the Florida police was in this case.

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver told police that Anshonae Mills -- who has sued him for assault and battery -- was actually struck in the face by a glass thrown by a female patron, according to a police report on the incident obtained today.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10089/1046721-100.stm#ixzz0jiGeBnxa

I guess we can all breathe a little easier after that...
Now good luck with that contract extension, Tone!

In a Pittsburgh Post Gazette article we learn that our favorite cornerback here at BTSC is getting a performance-based bonus for his play last year. It didn't specify whether the bonus was awarded because of the way his play enhanced the performance of quarterbacks and receivers week after week. Good job NFL, give credit where credit is due, the guy was on so many highlights last year he should get more money. The fact that those weren't Steelers highlights shows how much the man is selfless and thinks of the league first and foremost!

Good job "Big Play" Willie Gay!

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10083/1045119-66.stm

Gay gets boost

Steelers cornerback William Gay earned an additional $325,607 from the NFL in performance-based pay from last season, the NFL announced Tuesday, confirming unofficial reports from last week. As part of their contract with the players union, the NFL issues performance pay that takes into account a player's salary vs. the contributions he made to the team. The NFL issued an extra $109.5 million to its players in such pay based on the 2009 season.

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Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10083/1045119-66.stm#ixzz0j4IeEdkN

I know we now have 3 pretty good receivers, but for the right price wouldn't  it be great to get Antwaan back? I know he's 30 now and not getting any younger, but I believe he can still play. Heck, he caught 50 balls last year as a number 3 receiver with Campbell as a QB! He could probably still be an effective returner for us and would be a great presence in the locker room. The chances of it happening are obviously pretty slim, but I sure would like to see him finish his career where he started it....

What do you guys think?

Reaching back last year, in three starts at free safety, Tyrone Carter has five picks, two of them returned for touchdowns. While that kind of production is spectacular, I don't believe it tells the whole story, but I figured it warrants some kind of feedback by the BTSC faithful. Personally, I'm a big fan of Ryan Clark but he has been very quiet on the interception front and splash plays are an important part of the game. Should Tyrone Carter be given a shot at the job? I'll let you guys fight it out!

If free safety Ryan Clark cannot play in Denver for health reasons, many have speculated that either Ty Carter or Ryan Mundy should start in his place. Since both are more strong safety types, however, I wouldn't rule out Deshea Townsend. Personnaly, I think the position would fit him best, he doesn't seem have the speed to be a corner anymore and his game savvy and tackling would fit the position to a tee. I'm also pretty sure he's got more range than the other two. What say you, Steeler Nation?

When Whisenhunt took the job in Arizona there is little doubt that he wanted to establish a ball-control team and set up over there what had worked for him in Pittsburgh. When he got there, however, he took a gander at his roster and went with a predominantly passing offense instead... And came pretty darn close to winning a Superbowl!

Let's take a look at his, shall we? We have very good receivers, an impressive pass blocking line (they often gave a ridiculous amount of time to Ben against a solid Titans Dline) and of course one of the best quarterbacks in the business. Add a pretty good ace back in Mewelde Moore and we have all the ingredients. Now I'm all in favor of a strong running game but you play the hand you're dealt, right?

I sure hope not and it might very well be too early to tell but I'm sure you guys have a take on this... Thankfully the 2009 draft class looks very good, perhaps the best since 2002, because I have very little confidence in the 2008 one. Sweed looks like a player and Dixon could turn out to be a good pick but the rest of the lot is unimpressive at best. Of course if Mendenhall becomes the real deal then my fears about that class will be put to rest. Thoughts anyone?