Spygate, Again? Seriously?...

"During at least one game, the January 27, 2002 AFC Championship game, Walsh was specifically instructed not to wear anything displaying a Patriots logo. Walsh indicated he turned the Patriots sweatshirt he was wearing at the time inside-out. Walsh was also given a generic credential instead of one that identified him as team personnel."

- Arlen Specter

Look, the Pats cheated. Over the course of a few years, they illegally taped other team's defensive signals, including those of our 2001-2002 Steelers. And yet, no one has even suggested revoking those three Super Bowls they won? Well, part of me would like to go put a big, fat asterisk on one of those Lombardi's. But I'm not gonna do that. Are you gonna do that?

What I think I am going to do, is just try and ignore the media frenzy and look forward to a bright 2008 NFL season. I mean at this point, we're actually making the Pats look better. Think about it, if Matt Walsh never met with Roger Goodell, we wouldn't know that the Pats never actually taped the supposed walk through back in 2001. More importantly, Robert Kraft would not have been given a prime opportunity to play victim.

If the NFL ever really meant to punish the Patriots, it would have done so the first time. Clearly the fact that the Patriots got what in my mind amounts to a slap on the wrist, while the NFL destroyed all the evidence, shows you how serious they were...

I don't know why. I'm not Roger Goodell. And while I think the best thing for us all to do is try and ignore it, I can't help but think that the way the whole thing was handled was bush league. The lower of their 1st round draft picks? $250,000? You think that was hitting them where it hurts? For such a calculated and prolonged violation like this, I find it pretty ludicrous that Bill Belichick himself was not suspended for at least eight games.

So, whatever. Bottom line is, what's done is done. No sense crying over spilled milk. And at the end of the day, the result is the same. The Pats cheated. They won Super Bowls. They were outted. And paid a minimal price. What else can we say? What else could we do?

What do you all make of this Spygate nonsense? Is Arlen Specter pushing it a little too far? Or is no one taking this seriously enough?

And remember, Bill Belichick is watching...always...


REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Senator Specter's Memo On Spygate [KDKA]
Specter Urges NFL to Continue Patriots Investigation [Post-Gazette]
Specter Wants Mitchell-like Investigation of Patriots Taping [Trib]
Specter Wants Mitchell-like Investigation [Associated Press]

Oh Come Off It, I Know You Missed Me...

Good morning friends, 'tis I Cotter! And boy am I happy to be back. I missed you guys...excuse me, I told myself I wouldn't cry...

Well ok, maybe that's being a little dramatic. But exams sucked. A lot. Trust me. I did not enjoy any. of. them. I mean, they didn't even buy me dinner and we didn't even get to spoon afterwards...

Anyways, yes, I am back. The exams went...well, about as any exam could in this long, strange trip they call law school. So in case you were wondering, I didn't crash and burn (disclaimer: statement to be reassessed once grades are issued). Which is pretty cool...and stuff...

I'd like to thank Domski for doing an awesome job keeping things interesting around here while I was off being a severe nerd studying. The man has never blogged before in his life ladies and gents. In fact, up until like two weeks ago he didn't even know how to use a keyboard. So he's really grown in leaps and bounds. But seriously, Domski, thanks for taking care of the blog. I really appreciate it and I know everyone else out there does too (especially The Immortal Silky Johnson, who told me to tell you to call him later for a Reverse Chili Rainbow).

But you know what? After two weeks of no blogging whatsoever, I thought I would have missed a lot. And then, I remembered that it's the dreaded May to mid-July lull. We have now officially entered that time of the year when typically the biggest news includes whatever I can dig up on YouTube that's either Brady Quinn (see link below) or Bengals cheerleader related.

So in honor of this, I went back through last year's posts from this exact timeframe and graciously included the highlights below to give you a taste of what kind of editorial genius you're in for during the upcoming months. Prepare thyself for the ridiculousity/ness.

In no particular order ~

• Cotter Explores The Origins of SteelersSuck.com
• Discussing Heterosexual Things Involving Brady Quinn
• Jeff Reed, Not Italian But Looking Pretty Guido
• Channeling My Inner Anthony Smith
• Breaking Down Game Film From Domski's Wedding

Moral of today's story -- if you guys have any topics you'd like to see covered here at OFTOT over the next month and a half, please feel free to interject them at any time. I'm more than happy to acquiesce. Especially if it involves Brady Quinn...kidding.

Negative Booger or Positive Booger?

You've heard it time and time again, "football games are won or lost in the trenches." Personally, I believe wholeheartedly in this philosophy, especially after watching the Giants defensive line take apart the vaunted Patriots offensive line.

The Steelers are now stacked like this at the linebacker position, but failed to seriously inject some young talent into their aging defensive line. The Trib's John Harris feels Anthony "Booger" McFarland could fill this need.

Now, I wouldn't throw a temper tantrum if the Steelers signed Booger, but would it be worth it?

Negative Booger....

• 30 years old
• already failed a physical (Colts last year, Steelers this year)
• only played in 4-3 defensive schemes (Tampa and Indy)
  
• has had weight issues over his career
• little or no productivity in the past two seasons

Positive Booger....

• could add depth (we all saw how good the Steelers d-line was without Aaron Smith...)
• has two super bowl rings
• thats it

My vote is no Booger. Did I miss any positives or negatives? What do you think about this Booger stuff?

In other NFL news..........

• I've completely lost respect for Flavor Flav.
• Tony Romo can't even sing better than Big Ben.
• These two stories coupled with the signing of Pacman Jones, furthering the media attention by inviting HBO films to training camp, and the endless Jessica Simpson/Tony Romo media whore-age will only spell doom for the Cowboys 2008 season.
• Reggie Bush is mad about these pictures.
• O.J. Simpson takes a bong rip and shocks the world by announcing he is a murderer.
• Hines Ward quits drinking.

And also, for your enjoyment....

• Howard Stern takes bowling to the next level.
• Someone please tell Meagan Fox to get up off my nuts.

Making The Monday Rounds...

Another Monday means one week closer to opening day.

Step links for Steelers news....

Over the weekend Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was the commencement speaker for this year's graduating class at St. Vincent College. This makes me so jealous not only because terrible towels were twirling during a commencement ceremony, but my commencement speaker was the Senator of Delaware, Joe Biden. Biden was so terrible that he was booed at various points during his speech. I will forever hate that guy.

Woodley and Timmons must have been reading One For The Other Thumb. Its time to step up big time this year gentlemen.

The Sporting News' power rankings have the Steelers at #7 and the Browns at #9. Obviously they didn't hear that the Browns signed Shaun Rogers and Donte' Stallworth......CHAMPIONSHIP!

Santonio Holmes is ranked number five for wide receivers under the age of 25 by Sporting News. My homeboy Santonio is about to break out big time in 2008, don't forget that Santonio has been known to choke a bitch.

Brian Baldinger and his extremely freaky pinky finger reports from Steelers mini-camp. The video features Hines Ward (wearing one of those leather throw back helmets) as well as Fast Willie, Rashard Mendenhall, Limas Sweed, and a look through the Steelers trophy collection.

James Farrior will wear the new radio communication receiver in his helmet, which means he will be the only one on the defense with that silly green dot on his helmet.

Willie McGinest will not be there to see Brady Quinn take over the NFL.

$10,000 Big Ben bobblehead...not kidding

Ravens are fighting each other.

Bowen, this link is for you.

Bury me in this!

Meeting People Our Moms Is Easy...

Greetings fellow Steeler fans, it is I, Cotter. Thy bard hath returneth...for today...Ok, sorry, a little slow on the uptake here.

Well, you all know how normally Friday is Meeting People Is Easy day here at OFTOT. And since Sunday is the holiday to end all holidays, Mother's Day (if you didn't know that, god help you), I thought it would only be appropriate to put together a Mother's Day edition of Meeting People Is Easy. So I've assembled, with some assistance from Domski, quite the panel this week.

First, we have Mom Domski. Now, I don't want to get all sentimental on you guys or anything, but the first time I had Mrs. Domski's German Potato Salad, I cried. It was better than Bananas Foster pie. And you don't even know how much I love Bananas Foster. No, but seriously, Mrs. Domski is one of the nicest, most generous, most hospitable, and above all, most tolerating women I've ever met (I mean she did raise Domski). Plus, she buys Domski shoes. I wish my mom would buy me some shoes...but we'll get there later. Mrs. Domski is like a second mother to me. I can't thank her enough for all the times she's hosted me and Domski's other friends. I always know that if we're going to visit Domski's parents, we're going to be in good company. So I'm more than happy to have her as a participant this week, the first of our prestigious panel of four.

Next, we have Mom Bowen. Not to confuse anyone, but Mom Bowen is mother to the...well, Immortal Silky Johnson. I met Mrs. Bowen for the first time I think when Bowen gradiated (sic) from [insert name of college we all attended here]. She and her family had planned a ridiculous feast at a restaurant not far from campus and since I was Bowen's roommate at the time, I got the invite by proxy. 'Twas one of the best meals and most fun nights I've ever had. I couldn't tell you how much food and beverages (draw you own conclusions) we had. I just know it was awesome. PS - I don't know why this all keeps coming back to food...I guess that's the way to my heart. Anyways, Mom Bowen raised a fine young man. And after meeting her those some years ago, it's not hard to see how.

Third, we have Mom Tobiathan. Having just "met" Tobiathan myself not so long ago (perhaps November, was it?), I know little to none of his Mom. But based on the fact that she raised Tobiathan, I can pretty much assume she's a wonderful woman. Tobiathan may have a unique penchant for scrutinizing officials, but he's a really good guy who I communicate with regularly and whose insight I enjoy greatly. He's got a lot to say and he offers an ever-novel perspective on things. So I guess what I'm saying is - the woman who raised Tobiathan must be quite a Mom.

And last but certainly not least, we have Mom Cotter. Some of you may remember my Mom's first introduction to the world of OFTOT. Well I'm pretty sure she still reads the blog from time to time (and I'm pretty sure she still thinks the Steelers stink). My mom...where do I even...wow. Well, let's just say my Mom is one of the most amazing people I know. She doesn't look like much (measuring up at a menacing 5'2" maybe) but she does the job of ten pint sized women. Words cannot even express how much I love and appreciate the woman who raised me...and you all know it couldn't have been easy for her. She raised me to become a hard working, loving, caring and honest person, and for that I can't show her I love her enough. My apologies for the misty eyed tangent here...but hey, it's my mom, man...

So now that you're apprised of our All-Star OFTOT Mother's Day lineup. Let's get to the meat of it, shall we? As usual, if anything below seems blurry or illegible, click on the image to enlarge. And just so you know - this week's image quality was severely comprised by the fact that when I scanned the thing from Sports Illustrated, I was using my own personal scanner, and not the high-tech gadgetry they've got in my office...


Happy Mother's Day everyone, now go show your Moms how much you love them!

PREVIOUS EDITIONS:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7

We Are Waiting...

Another year, another badass linebacking corps. But with the seemingly exciting additions of linebackers Lawrence Timmons, Lamarr Woodley, and Bruce Davis comes a lot of pressure on Larry Foote and James Farrior's starting jobs. Everyone can pencil in James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley as the starting outside linebackers, but the real question is - who will be the starting inside linebackers?

James Farrior is the current captain of the Steelers defense, but he certainly isn't getting any younger. I have complete confidence in his football I.Q, but I have to start questioning his physical abilities as he gets along in years. Larry Foote has been a tackling machine, but his weakness lies in is his ability to rush the passer (only 3 sacks last year). And it seems like I'm not the only one who has noticed. In fact, word around mini-camp is that Timmons (aka "The Groin") has the greatest chance of cracking the starting lineup, replacing Foote.

Game after game the Steelers use a linebacker blitz, which involves both inside linebackers cris-crossing in hopes of either sacking the opponent's quarterback or disrupting a running play in the backfield. To me it makes sense that if this blitzing style is to continue and be effective, the Steelers will need someone who can wreak more havoc on opposing Offensive Lines than Foote/Farrior have over the past two seasons.

How does everyone feel about Lawrence Timmons? Are the linebackers to blame for our uncharacteristically ineffective pass rush last season? Or is the problem the Defensive Line's inability to eat up blockers? Where will Bruce Davis fit into the Steelers defensive equation?

In other Steelers news...
OFTOT will not be advertising in the 2009 super bowl.
There has been a Cedric Wilson sighting!!!

Mistake By The Lake??

What a rollercoaster ride for Rashard Mendenhall over the past few weeks! From being the Steelers first round draft pick (chosen later than he or anyone expected), to injuring his hamstring, to getting robbed at gunpoint in Chicago. Hopefully the old saying that things happen in threes means that this is the end of Rashard's troubles for awhile. (Knock on wood...LITERALLY! I recommend Jeff Reed's head)

Because I know he reads this blog...here's my open letter to Rashard Mendenhall...

Dear Rashard,
As a dignitary of Steelers Nation, I would like to welcome you to the best franchise in the NFL. I would also like to express how very sorry we all were to hear about your hamstring and the loss of your cell phone and wallet. It was nice of the robbers to give you back your car keys though.

There's just one thing troubling me - Why exactly were you walking around the Chicago lakefront at 2 a.m. with your lady friend? Don't get me wrong, Steelers nation is very excited about the addition of your running skills to compliment Fast Willie Parker. But let's try to stay away from these early morning strolls by the lake, or any other suspicious place for that matter. Even though you are only 20, you have to understand that as of draft day, your status in life has completely changed.

Please be safe and take some time to let that hammy heal. We have great expectations for you, young man.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo,

Domski

In other Steelers news....

• Luckily, James Harrison didn't take Rashard Mendenhall's lunch at mini-camp.
• Willie Parker keeps his word to Jerome Bettis.
• Cotter, maybe you should fold your arms.