SB Nation User Blog: steelerinchicago

FWP Not Happy

steelerinchicago — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:49:50 -0000

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!!!

Build Your Own Steeler Highlight Reel

steelerinchicago — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:09:55 -0000

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.

BTSC Fantasy Preview: Week 11 - Sleeper Version

steelerinchicago — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:40:09 -0000

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.

BTSC Fantasy Preview: Week 10

steelerinchicago — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:12:35 -0000

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.

QUARTERBACKS

This week looks like a good week for sub-par QB’s. The worst five defenses vs. the pass face Tyler Thigpen, Chad Pennington, Kerry Collins, David Garrard, and Brett Favre. Yeah, I know Brett Favre on the whole is a great QB, not sub-par, but I wouldn’t feel safe starting him in most weeks. So in the matchup game for QB’s this week there are few no brainers. So what do we have? A couple no-brainers!

Drew Brees is as no brainer as it gets. The guy could be on the Raiders and throw for 400 yards and 3 TDs. This week he gets an Atlanta team that is about middle of the pack vs. the pass. They give up 205 yds a game and a TD, but that is against the normal, and Brees is abnormal. The only real QB’s they’ve faced are Rodgers, Delhomme and McNabb. They held McNabb in check, but Delhomme and Rodgers averaged 300 yds and 2 TD’s. Brees has had no problem in the past playing in the Georgia Dome and should easily have 300 yards and 2-3 TD’s.

The only other no brainer is Kurt Warner. It is really a toss up between Brees and Warner for the number one spot this week (and the year). Warner gets to be at home where his passer rating is 106 compared to 87.5 away. And you saw what he did away last week! He’s playing San Francisco at home and last year he only threw for 484 yards in the same situation. I think you can count on another great game here.

Aaron Rodgers showed me a lot by going into Tennessee last week and throwing for 314 yards and a TD. They lost, but this is fantasy so nobody except cheeseheads care. Rodgers looked good in week one @ Minnesota and should have another good game in the dome. Minny’s pass D has been run of the mill, giving up 232 yards a game. I also like Rodger’s nose for the goalline with three rushing TD’s so far this year. If he can get you 250-300 yards and 2 TD’s he’s a top 5 QB this week.

Other good options: Chad Pennington, David Garrard, Matt Ryan, and Philip Rivers
Be afraid, very afraid: Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb, and the other Manning

RUNNING BACKS

This week we have some nice matchups for RB’s, but there are only a few that look like statistical locks, e.g. a real life maybe! There are some purely rotten run D’s this year. There are eleven Defenses that give up 120 or more yards per game on the ground. But the worst of the worst is KC. Last week I hyped Earnest Graham because he was facing them and of course KC had their best game statistically vs. the run. That goes to show you that playing the matchups can be risky no matter how bad the D is.

But this week is a little different for the KC run defense; they face LaDainian Tomlinson on the road. Now in years past the letters LT struck fear into the hearts of defenses, but this year has been another story. With only 5 TD’s which have come in 3 games and a 3.9 per carry average, he has come back to earth. This seems mainly due to his toe injury. But now it looks like all signs point to a great game. In his game before the bye he totaled 170 yards vs. New Orleans and looked good doing it. And then he has a week to rest and gets to play KC who has given up 182 yards a game on the ground and this is after giving up 81 to Tampa Bay last week!

Adrian Peterson has been playing well, but not All Day well. The last game against Houston went a long way to alleviating my fear of him possibly being hurt or slowing down a bit. He looked quick and ripped off some long runs. Green Bay has been a Jekyl and Hyde defense this year by giving up nothing through the air and a ton on the ground. Minnesota should continue this trend.

DeAngelo Williams has been good this year, but has also been a fantasy manager’s nightmare due to his committee status. Jonathon Stewart has taken touchdowns and carries away from each week. It is still early in the week, but Stewart’s foot is in a boot and not the good kind. If Stewart can’t go, Williams is a top five back vs. the Raiders. The Raiders are a perfect team to start running backs against. They don’t score much, which means the opposing team is always ahead or very close and they end up not needing to risk throwing against the only good player on the Raiders, Asomugah. Add to that the Raider’s 157 yards per game given up on the ground and you have a dream matchup. Now this all goes out the window if Stewart starts. They will both be good starts against a poor D, but that elite status slips a bit.

Other good options: Frank Gore, Jamal Lewis, Tim Hightower, and Thomas Jones
Be afraid, very afraid: Matt Forte, Ryan Grant, Steven Jackson (appears to be out), and Joseph Addai (you know why)

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Kurt Warner owners love the three-headed wide receiver monster in Arizona, but Boldin and Fitzgerald owners don’t. You know there will be yardage and touchdowns, but who gets them? If you are in a salary cap league you are even more perplexed because you have a choice. Usually the best choice is to take a player without all that competition, but the way Warner has been playing it is impossible not to make the Sophie’s choice of Fantasy Football. I went Fitz last week and Boldin got the TD. So this week I say take both.

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald will go off at home vs. San Francisco. They aren’t the worst team in the world vs. the pass, but Warner trumps most any team and SF is no Pittsburgh. I look for Fitz to get a TD this week just because Boldin got his last week, but I have a feeling Boldin will get one also, and Breaston, and Hightower, and some scrub or two.

Roddy White has been amazing this year. With a rookie QB, nobody thought he would have anything like the year he is having. Last week he was blanketed by Asomugah and still had five receptions. And the Falcons also ran the ball over 50 times! That won’t happen this week. New Orleans has a better rush D (18th) than pass D (25th). And Brees will put some points on the board, which will keep the Falcons throwing.

Many of the big WR’s have tough matchups. Steve Smith has Asomugah on him and Andre Johnson has the Ravens. Both are for sure starts, but I don’t think they are going to go off. Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler are scaring me. They looked to be a fantasy duo of decadence, or something, but they are head cases. Well Cutler is and Marshall looked human vs. a bad Miami pass D. They are also start at any cost types, but in your big money matchup games I think I’m going with Matt Jones. Now, if he’s in prison be sure to sit him, but against a bad Detroit pass D I see a big game. Would I actually start him over Marshall if I had the choice? No, but in matchup games sometimes you have to play for differential and Jones is my pick this week.

Other good options: Derick Mason, Braylon Edwards, Marques Colston, and Donald Driver:

Be afraid, very afraid: Reggie Wayne, Lee Evans, and DeSean Jackson,

Weather: This looks like a pretty calm week weather-wise. Games in California, Arizona, and domes make for a clean fantasy slate. If anything major comes up in the next couple days I’ll update here.

Be sure to ask any fantasy related questions in the comments. I'll do my best to answer them and I'm sure your fellow BTSC'ers would chime in as well. Good luck all!

BTSC Fantasy Preview: Week 9

steelerinchicago — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:43:12 -0000

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.

PHILLY @ SEATTLE

Weather: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. South southwest wind between 15 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Now here is a forecast to keep an eye on. If you are playing a game like Pay The fan where you can only use a player a certain number of times during the season, do not use that player in a driving rainstorm! Seattle's storms are usually fairly docile, but I would check the radar and wind speed before kickoff.

Overview: Seneca Wallace, Leonard Weaver, some wide receiver, and a porous D, even playing in the Emerald City spells doom for one team and boom for another. Philly traveled well to San Francisco and likes playing the sad NFC West. McNabb has his core group of wide outs back and Westbrook showed that if he plays, he is going to kick your ass. I usually try to stay away from teams traveling across the country, but there is nothing here that looks good for the Seachickens. They give up 245 yards per game through the air and 121 yards on the ground. Philly's D gives up less than 100 yards on the ground and 200 yards through the air, but they have been much better at home than on the road, but Wallace at the helm makes this a hard game to pass up if you are looking to play Johnson's blitz happy D. Football Outsiders puts Seattle 31st against #1 receivers according to their DVOA metrics and that is barely behind Detroit! DeSean Jackson should have a good game while Curtis and Brown fight over what's left.

Studs: McNabb, Westbrook, DJax, Philly D

Duds: The Seattle Seahawks

DETROIT @ CHICAGO

Weather: A chance of drizzle before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Not bad, but you need to keep an eye on those wind predictions. (link) If that number moves up at all and starts showing gusts around 20-25 you should temper your Orton numbers and throw your money into the Forte pot.

Overview: Detroit has been the team other teams take their frustrations out on. Are you slumping? Need a little pick-me-up? Injuries bring you down? Well, just for this week you have a unique opportunity to play the defenseless Detroit Lions! The Bears have that opportunity this weekend and it is at home along the Chicago lakefront in front of a gaggle of neck-beard sporting fans. Forte, check. Orton, check. Defense, check. Olsen, Check. Devin Hester, Check. Rashied Davis, check. Yard-stick guy, check. Beer vendor, check. Will it be a cakewalk? Probably. Will all of your Bear's fantasy players have career days? No. This of course is the worry, especially in weekly fantasy games. Who benefits the most? It seems like the Lions are worse against the pass and that showed in week five when neck-beard threw for over 300 yards and two TD's and Forte was controlled at the line of scrimmage. But Forte did get a receiving TD in that game and could easily be used more this week just because they can. I like it when teams have only one player who can tie his shoes correctly and run forward without falling over because you know that he will get the ball no matter how many defenders they have on him. That player is Calvin Jonson. He is the only player on Detroit worth a look and he's worth a long look. Detroit will be behind and Megatron will need to transform into some kind of Fox NFL robot guy to give the Lions a chance. He'll get a TD and 80 yards.

Studs: Orton, Forte, Hester, Olsen, Davis, Gould, Bears D, Calvin Johnson

Duds: Orlovsky, Smith, and a host of other Lambs pretending to be Lions

ARIZONA @ ST. LOUIS

Weather: Recycled air, my favorite fantasy weather.

Overview: Kurt Warner is that hot girl who keeps you around for rides to the airport and advice on other guys. But once and a while she will give you a little, you know, just enough to keep you wanting more. You know it won't last, and that some day you'll have to move on, but you also know you won't get another girl this hot, ever! Warner is a fantasy stud by any measure this year. Even when he turns the ball over six times in a game he still manages to not completely kill your team. How does he do this? How can he still throw for 300 yards and 2 TD's a game? Well, don't over think this too much. Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston are good. Warner is good. And Arizona's defense isn't, so they have to score and they have to use their best weapons. The Rams have come back from the edge of destruction to show they at least know how to play football, so they should be able to score on Arizona and that will just mean more and more for Warner and company. Will he throw an interception? Yes. Will he fumble? Yes. Will he throw for 300 yards and 2-3 touchdowns? Yes. Now the road hasn't been unbelievably kind to Warner, but he proved a lot to me going into Carolina and being able to put up the numbers he did. He will have no trouble going against his old team and spanking them (at least in fantasy land!). Will he get hurt? Yes. When? No clue. Just enjoy it while you can.

There are plenty of fantasy possibilities in this game. Donnie Avery came up huge last week vs. New England. He should continue to get looks and with his speed could break a long catch and run. Steven Jackson is a perfect fantasy back. He is the St. Louis offense when he's healthy, but there's about a fifty-fifty he'll even play. Thankfully it's an early game so you'll know before you have to set your rosters.

Studs: Warner, Boldin, Fitz, Breaston, Avery, SJax (if he plays)

Duds: Edge, and either defense

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind between 5 and 13 mph. No real weather concerns here. 70's in KC in November? We may need to worry about the apocalypse, but not the weather's impact on fantasy.

Overview: If you aren't a fantasy football geek I promise you that you won't want to watch this game. Please do not watch this game. If you are a face-painting, tail-gaiting, Tyler Thigpen-fathering, Buccaneering, fanatic, turn the station. That guy who Tony Gonzalez Heimliched out of the grave won't be watching either. But, if you have Earnest Graham on your team, stay glued to the screen. Last week Thomas Jones owners had already cashed in their 125 yards and 1-2 TD's, but for some insane reason Favre threw and threw and Leon Washington had two carries for one-thousand yards. But this week Tampa will run and run and Garcia won't throw the ball up for grabs. Graham has had some trouble on the road so far, but playing a team that gives up 193 yards and two touchdowns to opposing backs and no Warrick Dunn to steal carries will make this the Graham show. I can't see many other fantasy studs in this game. Gonzalez and Bowe are almost weekly starters, but they won't set the world on fire vs. Tampa. Antonio Bryant has posted a few starter quality games this year and is Tampa's best bet in the passing game. Tampa's D is starter worthy of course, but not a slam dunk on the road.

Studs: Graham,Tampa's Defense

Duds: Thigpen, Garcia

EDIT: St. Petersburg Times report that Michael Bennett "is expected not only to dress but get regular playing time on Sunday." What this means to Graham's workload isn't clear. I still see a big game out of him, but temper expectations a bit.

BTSC TOP 5 PICKS BY POSITION FOR WEEK 9 (QB, RB, WR)

I really feel that Warner has this week wrapped up, but he is always risky because of his oldness. There are never any sure bets and I'd say this is another one of those weeks. The easier the opponent the stupider some teams play. I think the Colts need this game at home vs. the hated Patriots more than the Patriots do and will come out on fire, but of course Wayne is questionable to go (I think he will). If McNabb was at home I probably would have put him above Peyton. Cutler needs to rebound after the bye and I think he will. Orton is sketchy, but plays the Lions and Schaub can't win on the road (so far).

Quarterbacks:

1.    Kurt Warner
2.    Peyton Manning
3.    Donovan McNabb
4.    Jay Cutler
5.    Kyle Orton tied with Matt Schaub!

Westbrook and Jackson are my favorite fantasy backs because they catch the ball so often. All Day has been a disappointment vs. poor defenses and who knows what he'll do, but I think the bye will help him and he could really go off against a very weak Houston run D. Turner is boom or bust, but loves playing poor run D's; he's got one in Oakland. Forte is slowing down, but is a mini-mini-Westbrook in that he catches passes and much of the offense runs through him. Oh, and he plays Detroit. Ronnie Brown has looked horrid, but did you see what Sammy Morris did to the Pats by halftime?

Running Backs:

1.    Brian Westbrook
2.    Adrian Peterson (Steven Jackson gets this slot if he plays)
3.    Michael Turner
4.    Matt Forte
5.    Ronnie Brown

Marshall and Cutler have slowed down a bit recently, but the weather and playing at home and having a porous D on your side, and the other side, should make for a good game from him. Wide outs are always tough to predict and this week isn't any different. Lee Evans has started to come around and look more consistent which probably has a lot to do with Trent Edwards. Look for him to continue at home vs. the Jets. The Bears pass D hasn't been very good this year and even worse at home. They will get turnovers, but Megatron will get plenty of looks. Which Arizona wide out to pick? Start all three of them, but I think Fitz gets the TD's this week. Houston plays at Minnesota and Andre Johnson is top three material each week, but I need to see Schaub go on the road and get the ball to him consistently. This should be the week to do it.

Wide Receivers:

1.    Brandon Marshall
2.    Lee Evans
3.    Calvin Johnson
4.    Larry Fitzgerald
5.    Andre Johnson

Steelers vs. Minny

steelerinchicago — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:15:41 -0000

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.

July 23, 1976, College All-Star Football game

steelerinchicago — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 03:21:36 -0000

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."

Patriots filmed Steelers 4 times

steelerinchicago — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:57:17 -0000

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.

AFC/NFC Championship Games

steelerinchicago — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:31:12 -0000

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?

Kick Off Returner Andre' Davis

steelerinchicago — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:16:34 -0000

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.