SB Nation User Blog: sn0wballz

Hines Ward leaps over Champ Bailey for a touchdown.

sn0wballz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:31:22 -0000

Hines Ward leaps over Champ Bailey for a touchdown.

News Flash: Hines Ward having a great season

sn0wballz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:43:00 -0000

I looked through the fanposts and didn't see anything dedicated to Hines Ward recently. I could have over looked it, but I decided to make one myself.

Through six weeks, Hines Ward is leading the league in receiving yards. Let's not take this lightly, people. Look at the names below him:


1. Hines Ward	PIT	599
2. Andre Johnson	HOU	572
3. Steve Smith	NYG	525
4. Randy Moss	NE	496
5. Reggie Wayne	IND	459

Ward's best season as far as receiving yards go was in 2002. He ended at 1,329 receiving yards. Through six weeks in 2002, Ward was at 355 yards. This was actually his number going into Week 8 as they had a bye Week 3. In 2002, Ward had Tommy Maddox throwing to him. In 2009, Ward has "Big" Ben Roethlisberger. I'm not quite sure how to figure out what Ward's pace is and what he could possibly end with at the end of the season. However, it seems that it would be better than his number in 2002.

It's obviously a new era in Pittsburgh and this has been discussed. Previously, Ward has been that guy that blocked for Pittsburgh's outstanding running game, occasionally picking up first downs through the air when needed. Now he's the guy and he has an outstanding QB to get him the ball. Hines Ward has waited for a season like this. They pass first, his QB can get him the ball, and he's running wild.

Just making sure we don't over look this!

Curse of the terrible towel?

sn0wballz — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:48:30 -0000

Curse of the terrible towel?

Stafford or Culpepper?

sn0wballz — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:12:10 -0000

Okay, we aren't even 24 hours off of the win but I thought we'd take a look at next week briefly.

Anyway, I wanted to get some opinions and start some discussion on who you all would rather see starting at Quarterback this weekend for the Lions when the Steelers come in to Detroit.

From what I've heard, Stafford dislocated his knee cap. Here's the latest:

Detroit rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford is considered day-to-day with a right knee injury, according to Lionshead coach Jim Schwartz.

Here are Stafford's stats for the 2009 season so far, courtesy of NFL.com:


WK	OPP	RESULT	Passing										Rushing				Fumbles
WK	OPP	RESULT	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Avg	TD	Int	Sck	SckY	Rate	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	FUM	Lost
2	MIN	L 13-27	18	30	60.0	152	5.1	1	2	2	16	56.5	1	7	7.0	0	1	0
3	WAS	W 19-14	21	36	58.3	241	6.7	1	0	2	14	87.8	2	23	11.5	0	--	--
4	@ CHI	L 24-48	24	36	66.7	296	8.2	1	1	5	42	89.6	2	20	10.0	0	1	1

I watched a lot of the Detroit game this past weekend and I thought the team as a whole played with a lot of confidence. It's amazing what a win will do for that.

Culpepper previously was a pretty good QB. Since 2004, nothing has been the same. He does bring his experience to the table, and for that I think I would rather see Stafford play. Not sure at this point if he will, though.

Anyway, what do you think? Could be a moot point as either way, Megatron will be on the field and both of them would be trying their best just to get it to him.

Steelers > Titans

sn0wballz — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:05:23 -0000

First, who cares about the "towel" incident of last year. I say they (the titans) should stomp the towel every week if it means that the Steelers are going to win a championship. Please see exhibit A:

Yep. Do you know what happens to classless teams that have no respect for the game and players around them? They lose to the Baltimore Ravens and go one and done in the playoffs. And I should point out, the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens three times last year, including one in the playoffs shortly after the Titans failed to live up to the hype that surrounded them.

Let the Titan fans, Lendale White and everyone else run their mouths. Come Thursday, all that towel stomping business will haunt the Titans in the form of a hostile environment at Heinz Field. The Players will do the rest.

Gentlemen, Ladies, Steeler football is right around the corner. Let them talk. Just smile, give them a nod and wink. They know what is about to happen.

Mike Logan rips ball out of receivers hand in '96 (WVU). (Found this while searching for Stefan...

sn0wballz — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:35:47 -0000

Mike Logan rips ball out of receivers hand in '96 (WVU). (Found this while searching for Stefan Logan's punt return, YES, I failed and thought Mike Logan was Stefan Logan)

Video I took of the Steeler's locker room while on the tour. Pretty cool to be in the same place...

sn0wballz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:47:43 -0000

Video I took of the Steeler's locker room while on the tour. Pretty cool to be in the same place the players have prepared to go to battle in.

Troy gets knee stretched. (Thought I'd share, it's one I took from Latrobe.. I know my knee can't...

sn0wballz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:44:57 -0000

Troy gets knee stretched. (Thought I'd share, it's one I took from Latrobe.. I know my knee can't twist like that!)

Daniel Sepulveda update from Latrobe

sn0wballz — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:53:37 -0000

I arrived to camp on Thursday 08/06. I think the first player that I saw was Daniel Sepulveda walking on the practice field. I've seen him in person before, but every time you see this guy you ask yourself "He's a punter?" The guy is huge, he has a body you can compare to a spartan warrior from the movie '300.' A very nice guy, too. Of course he gets as many ladies as Troy Polamalu screaming at him but he stops and signs autographs for all of them.

It was good to see him. We've all missed him. After his tore his ACL in his right leg(for a second time in his life) no doubt we've missed his services.

When Sepulveda walked near me, I noticed that he had a brace on. I'm definitely not a medical expert, so I can't tell you what that meant exactly. To me it looked like a pretty hefty support, going from below the knee to the mid thigh area. I asked Sepulveda how his knee felt. He said "It feels pretty good." I let him know that we are happy to see him back this year and to stay healthy out there.

Once practiced started, I kept an occasional eye on him. I updated everyone on twitter and let them know that Daniel Sepulveda was in a knee brace and was not punting. I'm sure this worried a couple of people. He ended up not doing much this session, and didn't touch one ball with his foot. Also, who knows what he's been doing prior to that day and even in the session prior to that one.

There was good news though. The next session was the night practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. Sepulveda arrived, wearing his brace again, but looked much more lively. He was running around, throwing the football and once again, receiving screams from the ladies. I was able to grab a video:

The guy is a poster boy for athleticism. Also in this video you can see the brace I was talking about. He can throw the ball nicely, I should add. We all should remember the pass to Najeh Davenport on a fake punt play a couple of years ago against the rams.

So yeah, he looks pretty good starting out. I just wanted to seem him punt. And then, he finally did. I wasn't able to get them all on video, but he was booming them. From the goal line he was getting them to the opposite 30 yard line on most tries. It was amazing to watch. I tried my best to capture one:

Assuming he's on the ten yard line, that ball lands on the opposite 25 yard line so there's a 65 yard punt right there. He also had to deal with a high snap.

The next video, he punts from the 40 yard line. The ball goes so high and with the lights and all I lose it on camera. You can even hear me say "Where the hell is it." I did catch the tail end of it coming down, though.

Check out my other posts with more videos from the latrobe stadium night practice here:
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2009/8/8/981888/my-thoughts-on-latrobe-stadium

Also today is my last day in latrobe but follow me on twitter for a couple of real time updates from the practice. Thanks!

My thoughts on Latrobe Stadium night Practice (08/08/09)

sn0wballz — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:34:11 -0000

Bumped. Good stuff! Thanks for taking the time to so thoughtfully share. - Blitz - (Michael B.)

********

Okay, so tonight the Steelers loaded up into yellow school buses and made the short trip from Saint Vincents College to Latrobe Memorial Stadium to hold a night practice under the lights for the fans.

Tonight was my third year going, we travel from Richmond during this time just so we can see this session. In the past two years, it has been the highlight. This time, however, things were just a little different. The energy just wasn't there. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast, it was very fun. But, most plays that were attempted fell flat and it seemed like the players were missing that extra little something that translated into good play.

Last year, there were hard hits, amazing plays and an atmosphere in the stands that felt like it was an actual game. None of that this time. I have no idea what that means, and I certainly do not think that one night will determine the fate of our season I just wanted to write about the difference that I noticed between last year and this year.

Take a look at my videos below. I shot these. You will see what I am talking about. They are somewhat hard to see but you will get the idea.

Troy Polamalu intercepts Ben Roethlisberger on the very first play of the night. Very weird crowd reaction to this one by the way. Who do you cheer for in this case? ;)

It wasn't all bad though; check these ones out:

Mendenhall is back!!

Announcer says Sean McHugh but that is Matt Spaeth catching the TD pass from Ben.

Here's another Ben to Spaeth, similiar play.

Check out my other post: Sepulveda update from Latrobe.

I have other videos uploaded that you can see here: http://www.youtube.com/user/chrisfabbott. Most of them are on this page and like I said, sadly a lot of them are weren't executed.