Spy Cameras Can't Help You Now, Pats...

He's coming for you, Matt Cassel.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The Wood's out for blood...

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!

Skirting The Issue 101...

My apologies upfront for both the brevity and poor quality of this "post." But umm, it was a crazy weekend - to the tune of Rock Band until 4 AM on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. And having just returned home at 11:30 PM Sunday evening, I didn't quite have the energy for a full on, serious or at least substantive post.

Either way, right now I'd just like to throw one thing out there and maybe you'll agree with me, maybe you won't - Bill Belichick claims "there was no deception in [the Patriots] videotaping opponents." Yet he freely admits they did in fact illegally videotape them. He just says that because they didn't try to hide the fact that they were illegally videotaping, there was no deception. My response? Who cares if you were deceptive about it? You did it, right? And it's illegal, right? So...deception? Relevant? I think not. Thank you for trying. But your Jedi Mind Trick will not work on me, man.

And for the record, I hope this is the last time I have to talk about Bill Belichick for a while. Although I do love any excuse to use the image above in a post...

Welcome to the workweek friends. I trust you're as excited as I am to be back in the saddle...yep, figured.

New England - Ripping Us Off Since 2000...

"We have a right to have honest football games."
- Senator Arlen Specter

So yesterday - Arlen Specter, resident PA hotbrand, got his day with Roger Goodell to discuss the Patriots and their history of adhering to league rules violating established rules of reasonable competitiveness.

The result?

Well allegedly, Goodell confirmed to Specter that the Pats have had been taping opponents defensive signals since the year 2000 (cue Conan O'Brien segment), which included the 2004 AFC Championship and at least one other game (a 34-20 Pats loss, played during the 2004 regular season) against our Steelers.

So what do we make of all this?

Honestly, I don't really know. I mean what's done is done. BUT, it is a little disconcerting that the Pats have beat us five out of the last six times we've met, including the controversial aforementioned Championship game. And sure you could chalk this up to them just being the better team that day. But given the nature of all this new shit - I have significant doubt in my mind that it was pure skill that bore on those Pats "victories"...

Nevertheless, the league clearly isn't going to do anything about the Pats past indiscretions. So I guess all we can do is hope that they closely monitor all activities in Foxboro next season...not to mention bitch profusely about it, add asterisks to their names, poke fun via photoshop, call them the Cheatriots, and generally be a reminder that they are a bunch of assholes led by King Dick himself.

All this said, it still doesn't explain why the tapes were destroyed. Personally, I think they should've been archived as evidence for future reference. But hey, what the shit do I know, I just write a Steelers blog (and study law at night...but that's obviously irrelevant).

Anyways, in other news on this fine Thursday -- Now that Spielberg has dropped off the Beijing Olympics project, rumor has it that Bill Belichick will be calling to proposition him as director of the Patriots' 2008-2009 Spy tapes...Word to the wise (and Spielberg) - don't let him Jedi Mind Trick you. This, like using crack, would be a bad decision.

Also, for those of you who enjoy my humor lack of humor here at OFTOT - you'll be interested to know I have started a little side project along with a few friends, aptly titled "The Dude Abides." The plan is to feature as much completely unnecessary social commentary in as sarcastic a tone as possible, while centering around the premise of - a quote from The Big Lebowski a day keeps...you...sane? I don't know. The shit is funny. Just go read it. Comment it. Love it and embrace it. And if anyone is interested in becoming a contributor, I'm all ears. Disclaimer: Must have twisted sense of humor and lack delicate sensibilities (aka - like the movie, it employs a certain four letter expletive quite readily).

That's all I got at this time, friends! Anybody have any burning topics they want to discuss?

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Specter: Belichick was Taping Since 2000 [Associated Press]
Patriots Taped Steelers Twice During 2004 Season [Fanhouse]
My Valentine for Roger Goodell [MJD]
Steelers Fans Will Not Be Amused by What Goodell Found [MJD]
Spielberg Drops Out As Director of Beijing Olympics [Deadspin]
Petition to Call All New England Fans "Nerd-Ass Idiot Dork-Jerks" [Petition Online]

Dear New England "Fans," Kindly Cease and Decist This Douchebaggery Immediately...

So apparently Bill Belichick and his band of "outlaws" aren't the only ones upset over Super Bowl XLII's outcome (surprise surprise).

In fact, some Patriot "fans" have now voiced their displeasure - posting a petition, calling for Commissioner Goodell to investigate the final 1:40 of the game, and "do the right thing" (which I assume means cede the victory to the Pats)...

Yep, that sounds like some sane logic.

Anyways, in the spirit of being a dick and advocate of all things anti-New England, my good buddy Tec over at PSAMP has countered with this Petition calling for all New England "fans" to henceforth be referred to as "Nerd-Ass Idiot Dork-Jerks."

I have just signed it and encourage you all to do the same. Do not allow this douchebaggery to go unnoticed. By doing so, you'll only enable this sort of behavior (or at least that's what I imagine the Dog Whisperer Cesar Milian would say). Do your civic duty, Steeler fans. Let the voices of Steeler Nation be heard loud and clear. Go sign immediately...and pass the word on.

Sincerely,
Cotter

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Petition to Call All New England Fans "Nerd-Ass Idiot Dork-Jerks" [Petition Online]
The Only Petition That Matters [PSAMP]
We Must Stop The Unfair Treatment of Pats Fans [MJD]
Patriots Fans Feel Robbed, Want To Blame Black Man [KSK]
Petition to Review Final 1:40 of Super Bowl XLII [Petition Online]

and...Scene!

"Alright gentlemen, we got the shot!"

First off, I want you all to know that contrary to what the paucity of postings on OFTOT might suggest, I am not dead. I am very much alive and very much missing bullshitting with you all. Things are a little nutso right now for me. So I'm going to lay a few thoughts down here about this past Sunday then hopefully you all will jump in and add your opinions.

Super Bowl XLII -- I could not have asked for a better game. And not just because the Patriots lost in the biggest game of the year and I got to watch Patriots "fans" cry. I mean, that was fun...But, Tom Brady was sacked five times? Eli Manning was a hero? The Patriots only scored 14 points? Plaxico Burress played hurt? That game was chock full of drama, and I frankly enjoyed every minute of it. Or it could easily have been the open bar Domski and I drank that night (yes we pretty much drank the whole bar...or at least I did)...either way.

This game just made me feel a little better about the world. To know that despite the fact that the Patriots had been just about "crowned" weeks ago, the golden rule still rang true - that "any given Sunday..." Thank you New York Giants for finally shutting New England up (err...down, whichever way you want to look at it).

Let us all remember the Patriots for only one thing -- not being able to close the deal...even though they talked more shit about playing 'til the end than I've ever heard in one season...seriously.

So now, let's have it. Was that or was that not one of the most satisfying games in recent years? Do you think the Giants are still sacking Tom Brady right now? What would Tiki Barber do?

Oh, and in case you're wondering, now that it's over - I plan to monitor the renewed Spygate scandal closer than I do the Presidential primaries. Go Arlen Specter!