From Rotoworld:

Willie Parker says he's frustrated with his usage and believes Pittsburgh has gotten away from "Steelers football" of old.

"I just don't think we should give up that quick," Parker said. "We're the Pittsburgh Steelers, everyone knows we're going to run the ball -- or they used to think we'd run the ball. We got away from Steelers football, Steelers mentality." FWP needs to get his facts straight. The Steelers have rushed 373 times in 2008, the ninth most in the league. They're only 21st in pass attempts.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Huh?  Parker hasn't looked all that good since coming back from injury and Moore has looked better anyway.  He should keep quiet and be happy he is seeing the ball at all!

 

Let's get home field throughout!!!!  Go Steelers!!!

 

I just found this Replay Re-Cutter over at NFL.com.  I think it would be really cool, but my days are filled with grading papers! 

I would love to see what this can do so if it works out you should link us up so we can see your creations.

For those of us in leagues where you can only use certain players a fixed number of times, We continue our look at matchups by position This week I thought I would take a look at some of the under the radar players.  They won’t be on your waiver wire, but you may be trying to decide to start them or not.  It’s getting close to the fantasy playoffs and the games are getting more important.  Keep an eye on the weather and the injury reports.  No stone can be left unturned! 

QUARTERBACKS

Jake Delhomme had one of the worst games of all time for a winning QB last week versus the lowly Raiders.  When looking at the stats, there is a pretty easy pattern developing.  Jake is a Snake at home and a worm on the road.  Delhomme at home has a 108 passer rating and a 67 away. Oh and this week he's at home against the Lions.

We all know the season Ben Roethlisberger has had this year and in Fantasy Land those interceptions and under 200 yard games don’t lead to even a 6-3 record.  But this week Ben is practicing and throwing the ball down field and he gets the worst passing defense (274 yds/17 TD’s) in the league traveling across the country.  Everything points to a good fantasy game by Ben. 

Tyler Thigpen has gone from scrub to stud in just a few weeks.  He took advantage of the poor SD pass defense last week, but he’s also played well against a very good Tampa Bay defense.  This week he gets the Saints in Arrowhead.  The Saints will score on KC and Thigpen will have to keep throwing it to Bowe, Bradley and Gonzo. 

Other good options: Matt Ryan, Jason Campbell, Trent Edwards
Be afraid, very afraid: Philip Rivers,  Joe Flacco, Sage Rosenfels

RUNNING BACKS

Joseph Addai has had a tough season.  Peyton hasn’t been 100%, the line hasn’t been healthy, he’s faced some tough run D’s,  and he hasn’t been healthy.  But this week vs. Houston everything should finally be lined up for a big game.  Dungy knows they need to get the running game back on track and Houston is a good team to line the wheels up.  The Texans are giving up 130 yards per game on the ground and 4.5 yards per carry.  If he doesn’t score and get 100 yards it’s probably time to give up on him.

Chris Johnson was stuffed last week by the Bears, but this week he gets to go against the Jaguars who just aren’t that good this year.  The Jags have been giving up good yardage to such fantasy studs as Michael Pittman, Jamal Lewis, Cedric Benson, and Kevin Smith.  Johnson should be able to get a hundred yards and a TD and get back on track.

DeAngelo Williams ran well last week against Oakland and gets the porous Detroit D this week.  Stewart has been supplanted by Williams so it is safe to use him as a #1 RB now.  Delhomme and Steve Smith will get Carolina up early and Williams will cement the game. 

Other good options: Marshawn Lynch, Larry Johnson, and Ronnie Brown
Be afraid, very afraid: Clinton Portis (looks like he won’t play), Willie Parker, LT

WIDE RECEIVERS

Dwayne Bowe now has a reliable QB and he’ll see plenty of action because they should be playing from behind.  The threat of Larry Johnson will also open up some lanes for him. 

Santonio Holmes has been disappointing this season, but I see a long TD coming from him this week.  As stated before San Diego can be thrown on and Holmes and Ben will hook up for at least one long pass. 

Eddie Royal should continue to put up big numbers at Atlanta this weekend.  Cutler will be throwing, and then throwing, and then throwing some more.  With no semblance of a running game it will be the Marshall, Royal, Scheffler show.  The Falcon’s D has been playing better, but still giving up big yardage through the air.  Look for that to continue Sunday.

Other good options: Lance Moore, TO, DeSean Jackson, Michael Jenkins, and Santana Moss
Be afraid, very afraid:  Plaxico Burress, Bernard Berrian, and Chris Chambers

Weather: Watch the weather in Pittsburgh.  I’m really touting the passing game for the Steelers, but the forecast is calling for a chance of snow and rain.  If it is heavy, with wind I’d downgrade all aspects of their passing game.

THE MATCHUP GAME

Last week was hit and miss.  Warner lived up to expectations and so did Peyton Manning.  Calvin Johnson did his due diligence and Forte racked up the second half yards.  But Graham laid a big fat one and Schaub and Orton got hurt.  Last week was a low scoring affair all around in fantasy. I'm going to look at the top matchups at the three main skill positions and see what we have going this week.

Continue reading this post »

I am pleased that steelerinchicago has expressed an interest in writing a fantasy column each week for us here at BTSC. His credentials? Besides being one of the site's orginal readers? Um, how about the Sporting News Salary Cap champion in 2006, where he took home a cool $10,000. He's playing for a even bigger prize pool this year so listen up and feel free to ask whatever questions you may have about salary cap games or any other format of fantasy football. He's well versed in 'em all. - Blitz-

***************

Hey fellow BTSC'ers!  I'll be giving you my fantasy thoughts for the rest of the season.  Maybe in the comments if you have any questions about your teams we could collectively try to push your teams into first!  I'll try to post a little earlier next week.

I play match-up games.  I also play D & T like most of you, but I enjoy the ability to switch out players weekly instead of hanging onto the same old scrubs. I kind of like having Brian Westbrook, Adrian Peterson and Clinton Portis on my team.  Different isn't always better, but it is different and that is a little better, or something.  So if you play games like Sporting News Salary Cap, Pay The Fan, Rotohog, or any weekly game that you try to pick the best players for the week, you want to look primarily at matchups.  And yes, that means picking players against Detroit, KC, Denver, Seattle, but it also means looking at past performances, home and road splits, weather, and even one on one player match-ups.  In these kinds of games every little bit matters.  We'll take a look at a few of this week's games and my studs for the week.

Continue reading this post »

from Football Outsiders -- http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2008/08/21/ramblings/walkthrough/6464/

"Steelers at Vikings: Tarvaris Jackson has been participating in drills despite a sprained right knee, but Gus Frerotte will likely get the start for the Vikings, whose offense will also likely be without Bernard Berrian (turf toe). So the Steelers defense gets to face an immobile 37-year-old without his top receiver. Maybe Brad Childress can get Wade Phillips to call Mike Tomlin and suggest a game plan.

Steelers fans are pumped, for a variety of reasons. Troy Polamalu’s return to practice will give the defense a boost (Polamalu might not play in this game). Ben Roethlisberger has looked good in two starts, and he hasn’t gotten sacked yet, a great sign for an offensive line in transition and a quarterback learning to get rid of the ball faster. Rookies Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed have shown promise. And the division-rival Browns laid an ostrich egg on Monday night.

Despite the high Frerotte quotient, this may be the most watchable national game of the week. The Steelers have several interesting young players to audition (Mendenhall, Sweed, Dennis Dixon), the Vikings may give John David Booty some late snaps, and of course there should be a brief Adrian Peterson sighting."

 

Glad to have a game on national TV.  If there isn't a game post we could use this, but if there is I'll jump over there.

 

 

WGN meteorologist Tom Skilling has a blog.  He answered a question about the 76 All Star game which pitted the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers vs.  a group of college all-stars.

original post here --

"Dear Tom,
I just heard a tape of the July 23, 1976, College All-Star Football game at
Soldier Field. The game was stopped by rain. What happened?
Tony Warren

Dear Tony,
The game started in very warm, muggy conditions with temperatures in the
upper 80s. There was a threat of severe weather, and it began to rain
heavily as the game began. Small hail and gusty winds accompanied the
thunderstorms. The rain ended, and the game continued on a sloppy field.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers leading the College All-Stars 24-0 late in the
third quarter the heavens opened up again as severe thunderstorms struck.
Winds gusted to 64 m.p.h. as the rain fell in torrents. The game was
stopped, but as the players left the field unruly fans ran out and knocked
down both goal posts. Even though the rain let up the game was cancelled. It
was the last College All-Star game ever played."

More details from wikipedia about the all-star game here

"The last game took place during a downpour at Soldier Field on July 23, 1976. Despite featuring stars such as Chuck Muncie, Mike Pruitt, Lee Roy Selmon and Jackie Slater, the rookies were hopelessly outmatched by the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of Super Bowl X. Pittsburgh was leading 24-0 late in the third quarter when weather conditions made play impossible and the officials called for a delay. The players left the field and were replaced by unruly fans who tore down the goal posts. NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle decided the game would not be restarted. Chicago Tribune Charities Inc., the sponsor of the game, elected not to bring it back for 1977."

 

 

Bumped. I've been holding out on commenting on this situation until I got my thoughts/feelings in line. I'm close and will probably sound off as to why this whole cheating ordeal is so important. For now, use this thread to discuss the details and lament the fact that that scumbag and his cohorts perhaps took away our 'one for the other thumb'.

-Blitz-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08046/857665-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml

"U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter said yesterday that he has a list of witnesses and will pursue the "Spygate" case against the New England Patriots that he said involved four games against the Steelers, including two AFC championship games.

"I think Steelers fans have a lot to be concerned about this and I'm one of them,'' Mr. Specter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in an interview yesterday, adding that "maybe Steelers ownership should think about it a little.""

This information gives Hines Ward's comments a little more credence.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-09-12-1294083353_x.htm

"PITTSBURGH -- Wide receiver Hines Ward suspects the New England Patriots may have had some type of inside information on the Pittsburgh Steelers before at least one of the teams' two AFC championship game matchups since the 2001 season.

Ward is certain the Patriots, while known for the thoroughness of their scouting under coach Bill Belichick, had some kind of unusual help before their 24-17 upset victory in Pittsburgh in the January 2002 AFC championship game. The Patriots went on to win the first of their three Super Bowls.

"Oh, they knew," Ward said Wednesday. "They were calling our stuff out. They knew, especially that first championship game here at Heinz Field. They knew a lot of our calls. There's no question some of their players were calling out some of our stuff.""

Can't say this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about the Patriots and Belichick.  Especially after watching them spank us in those championship games.  

Well, our team is sitting at home, eating pizza, drinking a beer, and watching these games today!  Some of the pain of the Jacksonville game has worn off, SOME!  

The oddsmakers have the Patriots by 14 and the Packers by 7.5.  It is hard not to see these lines coming true, but you never know.  The Giants have been playing some inspired football, but have to go into the frozen tundra where as we speak it is -6 degrees with a high forecasted at 3 degrees!  With a wind speed at over 10 mph that's -20 degrees wind chill! With that kind of weather who knows what will happen.  

The Chargers have quite a few injuries.  They are playing in Foxboro.  They are playing an undefeated team.  If they pull this one out it will be an amazing upset.

My predictions for the games are --

Pats 27 Chargers 13

Pack 17 Giants 14

What do you guys think?

From Rotoworld

"Unrestricted free agent WR Andre' Davis is in line for a "lucrative" contract this offseason.
Davis had a career year as a receiver and a kick return specialist and will draw interest around the league. With a solid corps of receivers in place and 14 other unrestricted free agents, the Texans may not be in a position to keep him.
Source: Houston Chronicle "

I know we don't give any free agents "lucrative" contracts, but I just don't see us getting a good kickoff returner in the draft and none of our current players seem to be showing much promise.  Davis seems like a perfect fit.  Yes his numbers are inflated after the 2 TD's in week 17, but he is a good return man.  I know this is just one hole that needs to be filled, but it really hurt us this year.  Jax was not even worried about Najeh and I doubt much would have changed with Rossum.  When we need to get in fg range with little time remaining we need a great return man.

Just thought I'd give this another try.  We need a few more players to make it fun.  

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football/playoffs/basic/registration/league_profile.html?group_ id=3083&switch=0

Click there to get going.  No password.  If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

The Sporting News Salary Cap game, like I said, is probably the best setup.  The basics are:
You have 2 QB's, 3RB's, 3WR's. 1 TE, 1K, and one DEF for a total of 11 slots.  You are also given 50 million dollars to spend on those 11 slots.  The price of players varies of course.  LT usually starts over 10 mil, but it always depends on their last season production and other factors.  You are also given 4 trades each week.  If you use 2, then the next week you'll have 6 and so on.  The strategies differ from owner to owner, but the basic strategy is to pick the best players from week to week so you can get as many points possible, but at the same time you have to make money.  That is the rub.  It is a lot like the stock market (not that I know anything about the stock market!).  If a lot of people trade out of a player (say he gets hurt or has a bad matchup) his price will drop.  If you keep him your bankroll will drop.  But say a player is doing really well and has a cake walk matchup a lot of managers may buy him and his price will rise.  And by the end of the season you'll need to have made 15-25 mil to have the stud players. So at the beginning of the season you will need to find a "sleeper" who is cheap and productive.  This year Brandon Marshall would be one example of a player who you could afford early on and who would still score decent points.  Or maybe Earnest Graham, or Derrick Ward, or whoever.  The game can be frustrating because you may want to keep a player who you think will do well, but many don't and so they sell him and you keep him.  Say he does well, you look smart, but you also lose money, but of course next week people will buy him again and he'll gain money again.  It is all risk vs. reward.  I love it because of this.  And because you can change your players week to week and aren't stuck with the duds you drafted in a draft and trade league.  This game is fun, but takes a little getting used to.  They have a free game, but you get very limited trades and isn't as much fun as the pay game.  But it would give you an idea how to play.  Right now they have a playoff game going on http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football/playoffs/basic/home.html

I created a league called BTSC Salary Cap http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/football/playoffs/basic/registration/league_profile.html?group_ id=3083&switch=0

You have to sign up, but it is all free.  It will be a lot different than the full season game, but you could get the basic format down.

Check it out.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07361/844832-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml

"Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not practice for the second day in a row and is not expected to play in Sunday's regular-season finale in Baltimore."

I can't say I'm too sad about this.  I think we can beat the Ravens without him and the likelihood of the Chargers losing to Denver is slim.  So rest up Big Ben.  We'll need you!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-patriots-giants-tv&prov=ap&type=lgns

Saturday we all get to see if the Patriots will go undefeated for the season as well as see if Brady and Moss can break the individual TD records.  

NFLN will be broadcast on CBS and NBC.  Gumble will be exposed too a larger audience for his ineptitude!  

This seems like NFLN's big chance to display how good they are, but with Gumbel as their representative!  

Well, Steelerark (Just Nguyen Baby!)and myself (More Cow Bell!) are in the championship of the 2nd annual BTSC Fantasy League.  I currently lead 76-73, but we both have possible points in tonight's game.

I have the Chargers going on D and Steelerark has Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall.  It could come down to the wire!

I had Willie Parker go down, he had Adrian Peterson get bottled up.  Kurt Warner outplayed Brady again and Garrard outplayed Palmer.  We could have made some better choices, but here's where we are.  Good luck!

For those of you wondering if the Steelers have clinched a playoff spot, this link and subsequent discussion clears up the air. Thanks to steelerinchicago and others for talking through the various possibilities succintly. I appreciate the contributions guys and gals, like I said, I missed this game traveling, so thanks for picking up the slack.

-Blitz-

This comes from http://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/steelersclinch.html

Steelers Clinching Options

Playoff Spot #1
The Steelers cannot win this playoff spot

Playoff Spot #2
The Steelers cannot win this playoff spot

Playoff Spot #3
Case 1
      Steelers beat the Ravens, and

      Broncos beat the Chargers

Case 2
      Steelers beat the Ravens, and
      Raiders beat the Chargers

Case 3
      Bengals beat the Browns, and
      Broncos beat the Chargers, and
      Raiders beat the Chargers

Case 4
      Broncos beat the Chargers, and
      Forty-Niners beat the Browns, and
      Raiders beat the Chargers

Playoff Spot #4
Case 1
      Bengals beat the Browns

Case 2
      Forty-Niners beat the Browns

Case 3
      Steelers beat the Ravens

Playoff Spot #5

No clinching cases were found for this playoff spot

Playoff Spot #6
Case 1
      Jets beat the Titans

Case 2
      Colts beat the Titans

The Bengals really need Chris Henry, but this guy is the ultimate dumbarse.  They really should just let this guy go.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2007/11/henry-incident-at-newport-levee.asp

"According to the incident report, Baker told police that Henry came up to him and, chest to chest, said, "(Expletive) you. (Expletive) this. Don't you know who I am?" before throwing a $5 bill on the ground and saying, "You better pick that up (expletive).""

I was wondering how many people were still paying attention to their teams?  I'm trying to figure out if it's worth spending so much energy fielding a team if others aren't really playing.  This isn't a condemnation, I just want to know.  I know other things can take precedence. If others are still into it I am looking forward to a fight to the finish!  

Good luck all!  And GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!

Well, this is not good.  Hampton and Troy out for this game!  D is going to have to really step it up.  

If there isn't a game thread we could use this one.  

Let's go Steelers!!!!!  Let's GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Here we go Steelers.  Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad news for the Bengals

GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman won't be playing football in the NFL this year. His petition for reinstatement has been denied.

The Bengals were notified by the league office on Thursday morning that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had ruled against Thurman.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/07/26/ddn072607bengalsweb. html

from the trib -- http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_518134.html

"A co-captain, Faneca said he's no longer interested in filling that role. Entering his first season as coach, Tomlin said he will select new co-captains for 2007."

I'm not a big fan of Faneca's attitude right now!

July 5th. 8 p.m. -- Classic Games
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1/5/03) - Led by quarterback Tommy Maddox, the Steelers scored 29 points in the final 19 minutes of the 2002 AFC Wild Card game to defeat the Cleveland Browns 36-33. Maddox, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, passed for 367 yards and three touchdowns.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hostpage.aspx?show_id=15140

Saw this over at the Cubs site Bleed Cubbie Blue.  Our old friend BigBlueShoe and the guy at Mile High Report are doing the first ever SB Nation Podcast.  I'll probably check it out.  

characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters characters

"The NFL is looking into reports that a Pittsburgh Steelers doctor, Richard Rydze, was on the customer list of Signature Pharmacy in Florida, whose owners have been indicted by a grand jury in Albany. Records showed Rydze used his personal credit card to buy about $150,000 in testosterone and human growth hormone. "

This excerpt was taken from http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/news-article.aspx?storyid=77279

Will anything happen?  Professional sports is so slow in how they deal with steroids I don't see anything happening soon.  

All signs point to Coach Cowher leaving and we missed the playoffs (mainly because we threw away that game in Oakland!), but we ended the season on a high note knocking the Bengals out of the Playoffs!!! (Who dey?)  8-8 after our abysmal start is a nice push into next year.  There are a lot of what-ifs for this year, but I say we look to the future.  We have core players on offense and defense and I think we can make another run next year!  Let's go Steelers!!

8 p.m. -- SB XL - PIT vs. SEA
"Super Bowl XL: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks" - From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, NFL Network re-airs the network broadcast of Super Bowl XL between the Steelers and the Seahawks played on February 5, 2006 at Ford Field in Detroit

They'll be doing this for other Super Bowl games.  Not sure how many.  

They are also counting down the 20 greatest SB Championship teams.  I can't wait until they get to the Steelers.  They are very well done, hour long pieces, that go through the whole season and into the SB.  They are on # 15, the 71 Cowboys, and no Steeler team has been on yet.  Which team do you think we'll be in the top 15, or which teams?    I have a feeling the 85 Bears will be #1.

Hello All,  Thanks for the help before.  I am still in first with 2 weeks left.  Things are looking good so that means the inevitable fall is coming!  I feel pretty good about QB's and RB's this week -- P. Manning, Drew Brees, L.T., and L.J.  But WR's and especially defense is baffling me.  Any thoughts?  I would pick Chicago against the Lions for sure, but they have home field wrapped up and a lot of starters out, including Tank Johnson who is suspended for this game.  Plus they gave up a load of points to Rattay!  I am at a loss!  Thanks.

Hello all!  I am currently in first place in salary cap game over a The Sporting News site.  First place is worth 10 grand so I'm really hoping to hang on the next 4 weeks!  I can pretty much have whatever team I would like, with a few restrictions on cap.  So I'd like your opinions for the upcoming week.  We use 2 QB's, 2 RB's, 2 WR's and 1 Defense. Here are my preliminary thoughts on the upsoming week, but if you can think of any other plays I would welcome them.  Since I am in first I have been playing conservatively, going with the more consistent players.

QB --
Manning @ Jax
Palmer vs. Oakland
Romo vs. New Orleans
Brees @ Dallas

I like Manning to bounce back from the loss.  Palmer is just a great passer, but Oak does have a stout pass D.  Romo is home vs. a not so great NO defense, but last week he did throw 2 picks and no TD's.  Brees has hurt WR's, but has been on fire as of late.  

RB -- (points are the same for receiving vs. rushing yds and you get points per reception)
LT vs. Denver
LJ vs Baltimore
Westbrook @ Washington
Shuan Alexander @ Arizona
S. Jackson vs. Chicago
Frank Gore vs. Green Bay

LT is a no brainer even vs. a good Denver D.  LJ is at home, but Baltimore hasn't given up that many rushing yds.  Westbrook has been looking good and the skins are one of the worst vs. giving backs receptions.  SA has looked good since coming back and will have a good matchup in AZ.  S. Jax has a tough matchup, but Chicago has actually been giving up chunks of yardage against the run and lost Tommy Harris.  Gore came back to earth last week, but was on a tear.  GB is a good matchup. This is where cap may be a problem  2 of LT,LJ, or SA may put me over depending on the rest of my team.

WR's -- Now these guys always KILL me.  They are a crapshoot every week.  I won't list ALL the possibilities.

S. Smith vs. NYG
Fitz/Boldin vs. Seattle
Holt vs. Chicago
Ocho Stinko/Who'syourdaddy vs. Oakland
TO vs. NO
Roy Wiliams vs. Minnesota
Marvin/Reggie @ Jax

S Smith is great, but he is the most expensive on the game and Delhomme has been hurting him of late.  Leinart has looked better, but it's always hard to choose between Fitz and Boldin. Holt got back on track last week and Bulger has targeted him throughout his slump and Chicago isn't the best vs. #1 receivers.  Chad Johnson had a decent game vs. Baltimore and continues to get looks.  TJ is steady.  TO gets a lot of looks from Romo and NO is bad against #1's, but he is the second most expensive WR.  Roy has been hit and miss, but Minn is bad against the pass and Martz likes to throw in the dome. Marvin returned to form last week, it might be Reggie's turn this week.

Defense!  Uuugh!  This is a bad week and I'm horrible at picking them.

Cincinnati vs. Oakland
Chicago @ St. Louis
Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland
SD vs. Denver
NE @ Miami

Oakland constantly gives D's a lot of fantasy points and Cincy's D has been improving.  Chicago is the best and most expensive on the game, but Grossman sucks and gives teams good field position to score and St. Louis can have a good offense in the dome.  Our Steelers scored a lot of points on D vs. Tampa, but Cleveland is a very old rivalry and you never know what will happen.  SD will be going against Cutler at home.  NE will be going against Harringtom away, but Vrabel is out I think.

So, I really respect all of your football knowledge and would appreciate all and any feedback.  Thanks!

Horn and Henderson are out.  Colston, Deuce and Bush are their only threats.  Let's stop the run and triple cover Colston!!  Come on Steelers!!!!  

WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN! !!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WI N!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!! WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN! !!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WI N!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!WIN!!!

"You know me," Porter said, "I want to put some of the pressure on my shoulder for us to go out and get this victory: We will come back with a victory on Sunday."

The article goes on to to talk about Parker saying they aren't as hungry as last year.  

I don't see it as a lack of hunger.  I see no pounding back, no consistent punt returner and a QB who has been shell-shocked.  

I do think we'll win this game.  I don't see any 8 game runs in the future, but I believe Ben will recover and play well and some wins will give us some momentum going into next season.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06313/736911-66.stm