AFC North Headline of the Day...

"The Ravens quarterback competition may be decided by default."

That about says it all now, doesn't it?

No Willis McGahee, Todd Heap is approximately three days away from tearing something (pick a ligament, any ligament), only five of their 11 defensive starters will be under 30 after 9/11 (when Silverback's bitch, Ed Reed, turns) and their best receiver is still Derrick Mason (approximate age unknown).

CHAMPIONSHIP!

The Browns Are Now A Defensive Juggernaut!

Thanks to the NFL Network's "NFL Replay," last night I was able to re-watch the Browns vs. Steelers round two from the 2007 season. What a great way to win the 9th straight game against our "bitter rival." Watching Big Ben run the ball for 30 yards to score that touchdown put a giant smile on my face...

By now, we all know the Browns have become media darlings after posting a 10-6 record last year, yet falling short of the playoffs. But really most of this attention is because the Browns have retooled their Defensive Line by adding Shaun Rogers, Corey Williams, and welcomed another weapon to their "vaunted" Offense, signing Donte' Stallworth. What's more, Donte' was signed to a 7 year deal...and I'm still scratching my head. Do the Browns see something in Stallworth that the Eagles and Patriots didn't see after the one year he spent on each club? Can someone explain this to me?...I mean seven years!?!

Anyway, the Browns finished the 2007 season ranked 30th in total defense. (Did you notice who was #1?) Rogers and Williams, on paper, look like solutions to the Browns' inability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The only question mark about Williams is his ability to transition from a 4-3 defense to Cleveland's version of the 3-4. And Shaun Rogers has shown flashes of brilliance in Detriot (as brilliant as anyone could be in Detriot that is), but has been known to get lazy and take plays off. To get Rogers the Browns had to give up a third round draft pick and starting Cornerback Leigh Bodden.

Additions aside, the Bodden deal will really hurt Cleveland's defense. And just to make matters worse, Cornerback Daven Holly recently sustained what could be a season-ending injury. Not to mention last week they cut backup Cornerback Kenny Wright, who was arrested on drug charges. So this leaves the Browns' defensive backfield, to put it diplomatically, depleted. There have been talks about reaching out for big name free agent Cornerbacks like Ty Law and Lito Sheppard, but the massive amount of spending by the Browns this year will make these signings very difficult to pull off.

To add insult to injury, Tight End Kellen Winslow Jr. is nowhere to be found during the Browns' voluntary workouts. After one productive season, Winslow is demanding a new contract with help from super-agent, Drew Rosenhaus. He's also "rehabbing" an injury in his hometown of San Diego. After being the 6th overall pick in 2004, Winslow broke his fibula - year one, pulled a Big Ben (read: motorcycle injury) - year two, and finally had a Pro Bowl caliber year in 2007. Oh, and he's also known for his big mouth.

Thanks to a commenter in the link above, Kellen has been spotted hanging out in a nightclub. If you want to see the picture go to this website....click on media, then confidential, the picture is under the date 4-16-08 Wednesday-picture 66. (I know its a lot of work, but looks like some serious rehab...LOL!). The only person in the picture that is cool is the guy with the Pirates hat on. The girls aren't too bad as well, good for you Kellen.

Finally, did I mention that this is Willie McGinest's last season?

I'm sorry you had to read about the Browns, but I love being the bearer of bad news. Now, it's your turn. What do you think about all this? Will the Browns win the AFC North, as many have predicted? Will Rogers and Williams solve all of the Browns' defensive problems? Does anyone have any memories of other Steelers vs. Browns games? (I was there for the 42-0 debacle in Cleveland a few years back...CLASSIC!)

Happy Friday everyone, enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

It's Been Real. It's Been Fun. But It Hasn't Been Real Fun...

Yes folks, despite his own bravado and general assholishness, today marks the end of the Brian Billick era in BMore.

Let me be one of the first to say - happy trails dick, I hear they might need an Offensive Coordinator in Detroit.

PS - a little birdie Ravens fan tells me owner Steve Bisciotti played golf with the Chin this past weekend. Will this lure Cowher back to the NFL and the AFC North sooner than we thought? Yeah, probably not even true...Ravens fans are liars.

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Billick Fired After 9 Seasons in Baltimore [Associated Press]

What Is This? The 8th Grade?

You might recall me reporting last week that the Bengals are having a little problem with some rats with wings. And you might recall that their initial solution for said problem was to allow employees to ready their firearms, take aim and blow these birds out of sky...er stadium as it were.

Well, as you could imagine, this didn't really mesh with how the City of Cincinnati saw the problem getting resolved (nor the omnipresent PETA). So just to update you on the actual resolution of this issue -- the City and Bengals employees agreed that the best way to go about clearing these pigeons out was to aim laser pointers at them.

Boy, I would've loved to have been at that roundtable meeting of the minds. If you can only imagine. "Gentleman, we have a problem. Birds are shitting on our fans and their tasty treats at games. We just can't have this tarnishing the good name of Cincinnati, Ohio. The team has offered to shoot these things with air rifles, but eh...I'm a little skeptic. What would you all propose we do? Oh, laser pointers? Yeah, good call. It sufficiently angered my 8th grade biology teacher. So I guess if it worked on one pest, it's worth a shot."

I mean honestly. The logic? Where does that come from? Oh wait, that's right. These are the same jackasses that put cinnamon in their chili. Doesn't that say it all...

Hope you're all enjoying the game!

Bengals to Use Laser Pointers to Rid Stadium of Pigeons [ESPN]

Steelers Continue to Dominate I-AA Teams...

Much like last week, there really isn't much I need to say that the Bills didn't help me say yesterday. Another big day for the reigning NFL Coach of the Week - Mike Tomlin, as well as Big Ben, Willie Parker and above all, Steelers Defense! 26-3 is a pretty big bloodbath, and this was 26 points that delivered blow after blow. So I'd say all in all we ought to be pretty happy with the way things shaped up.

But despite the fact that Buffalo looked about as solid as their NCAA counterparts did against Penn State on Saturday, there were naturally key stats for us that I thought were major pluses.

Check it out:
Turnovers - 1 -- should be 0, but 1 is better than 3 or 4...2006 ahem ahem

Punts/Yards - 1/41 -- This is obviously significant because we only had to punt ONCE all game. Anytime you have the ball for 35+ minutes out of 60 and only punt one time, I'd call that a positive. Oh, and by the way, 11/16 on 3rd down (almost 70% efficiency).

3 Catches, 60 Yards -- Nate Washington, leading Steelers receiver on Sunday. The man found his hands and came up with some big plays for us. Not bad for a 4th option WR.

2 Catches, 10 Yards, 1 TD -- Matt Spaeth, who enjoyed his second TD in as many games. Starting to make us realize why we took a TE so "early" this past April. I'll admit I hated this pick. No matter how celebrated a TE he was, we had just taken Heath Miller two years ago and Tuman's no slouch. So I guess I didn't see it. That all has changed.

3 Receivers with 50+ Yards -- You want an explanation?

Now, of course, the one negative point was the injury to James Harrison. I think we all probably gasped together when we saw Harrison getting boarded and carted off with his neck braced, and then were much relieved to learn he was relatively ok when he came back under his own power - walking the sidelines during the 3rd Quarter. I'm still unclear when Harrison will return to starting...perhaps even Sunday. The good news is (if there is any bright side to the injury) Woodley did a fantastic job as usual, coming in and contributing 4 solo tackles and a sack.

Also a bonus for us this week -- CLEVELAND BEAT CINCY!! Yeah, I couldn't believe my eyes either. Jamal Lewis? Braylon Edwards? Joe Jurevicius? DEREK ANDERSON??? Looks to me like playing the Bengals should be an offensive melee. But besides that, the AFC North belongs for the time being, to the Steelers. Ok, yes, it's only 2 games into the season. However, I can't help but feel pretty good about the way things are shaping up.

With that, I will say no more on the subject. If anyone else has anything to add, as usual, I'd love to hear it.

Buffalo v. Pittsburgh Boxscore [ESPN]

Cincinnati Deviancy At It's Finest...

This just in - it's not just Bengals players that are deviants. Now, even the player's dogs are now engaging in socially unacceptable behavior.

Apparently, the pooch of Bengals CB Deltha O'Neal bit a woman and her child "on the legs and buttocks" at O'Neal's condo yesterday. But never you fear folks, O'Neal, being a not wholly indecent man, took both to the hospital where they were treated for their injuries. The dog, however, is being held for the next 10 days by animal control officials, who will ultimately decide what happens to it. Not that I sympathize with a Bengal or anything, but as a dog lover, I hope he's spared and maybe they can get him into the hands of someone who knows how to handle a domestic animal...

Speaking of domestic animals...that's not all out of Cincy today --

Farbeit from Ocho Cinco to let a week go by without making the headlines with some ridiculous prediction or stunt. This week it's potentially both. Today, Chad made the declaration that in Sunday's game against the Brownies in Cleveland, when he scores a touchdown (and having just faced Cleveland we know he will score at least 2 or 3) he's going to jump straight into the Dawg Pound. Good for him, but lest he forget, it's Cleveland. So he better take at least two post-game showers to cleanse himself.

That's all for now Stiller fans...Cotter, over and out.

Offensive Lineman - Can't Live With 'Em, and They Can't Pee Standing Up...

A little reference to Major League II there for those of you who don't know...anyways...

It's no secret. Our Offensive Line is not exactly what any of us would call "solid." As it stands, we're looking at Marvel Smith, Alan Faneca, Sean Mahan, Kendall Simmons and Willie Colon. But right now, Marvel Smith's still on the sidelines, Faneca still "knicked" up and unhappy, the Mahan/Okobi "battle" is still not settled, I'm not super confident in Kendall Simmons, and Willie Colon has only ever started two games in the NFL (not that I don't think he can handle the job)...

However, the good news in all this, if there is any, is that our AFC North rivals are also having some problems with their respective O-lines. The Ravens have a few young guys who are still adjusting to life in the pros, The Browns are not positive LeCharles Bentley will play (or Steinbach for that matter), and the Bengals Levi Jones AND Willie Anderson are still sidelined.

So misery loves company right? Sure, but let's just hope that we get our situation under control before they do. Otherwise it could be disastrous for our offense.

Is This A Steelers Blog Or A Browns Blog?...

Actually, there's no question there, but I do find myself very often writing about the Browns...course, I don't know if I'd call it "writing" so much as dumping on them for being, well, the Browns. Today's no different.

So Charlie Frye says he'll be Cleveland's starter come September. Not that it matters, because whatever QB they put on the field September 9th is bound to get beaten every way imaginable, but it's interesting that no one is refuting his statements. By the powers of inference, I can only take this to assume that the Browns are actually doing the smart thing and letting Brady Quinn spend some time on the bench watching the game, developing at a more natural pace. Either way, both QBs apparently looked pretty rough in these initial practices, throwing picks-a-plenty and generally looking shaky. Nothing new here...

Man it's tough to find stuff to comment on in the off season...anyone got any pressing news they wanna contribute? (Or is it foolish to assume anyone besides me will read this?)