Quoth The Wood, Nevermore...

Alright, dudes et dudettes, we're three days away from our Monday Night Melee with the Bawlmore Ratbirds. And as is to be expected, I've been anxious since at least Wednesday. Over the last few years we've had some good battles with the dirty birds, and I expect nothing less from this one.

The Ravens are going to come correct (I don't really know what this means, I'm just using it because I hear it's some hot new slang), rushing Ben from all angles. So it could easily be a long evening for us Steelers fans. Nevertheless, anytime Silverback and Hines Ward are involved, we'll likely be hitting them just as hard as they hit us.

Anyways, in anticipation of Monday, here are a few things I'll be watching...

#1 - Wreckingball
Yes, I'm leading with the obvious one. So sue me. But obvious or not, this is what I think many of us have been waiting for. We'll finally get a real chance to see what our first round "steal" can do. I fully expect him to run his ass off, but I'd be lying to you if I said I think he's going to eclipse the century mark. If he does, great, and I'll gladly sing his praises soulfully. If he does not, well, he's fired. No, just kidding. Moving on...

#2 - Big Ben's Arm
Accordingly, if the Ravens manage to contain the Wreckingball force, it'll be up to Big Ben. Which actually, worries me slightly, only because he's clearly banged up and I just don't know if he'll have his normal cannon equipped (wow, that sounded very WOW). But really, I think I'll be watching the following group of massive human beings more...

#3 - [Connect The Dots]
The Offensive line. Drawing the ire of Steelers fans from Pittsburgh to Hong Kong this week, the maligned group of hefty gentleman will have a tall order in the face of Baltimore's blitz. Need I remind you of this hit from two years ago? Yeah. Wear your big boy pants, Willie Colon. I don't wanna see The Mad Backer anywhere near Big Ben if you can help it. Impress me, dick face.

And that about wraps it up. Nothing mind blowing, I'm sure. But who am I to waste your time writing shit you could read about in 25 other places?

So, what do we think?

Oh, and if you're looking for another reason to hate Baltimore (who isn't?), here's one - Michael Phelps. I'm over this guy. Can we just move on? 8 gold medals or whatever. Great. That's just friggin' great. I still don't understand how this makes him attractive to the ladies...of course, I clearly don't understand how anything makes one attractive to the ladies, or I'd probably have a girlfriend. Oh, well. Maybe if I spent less time blogging...

Lastly, as per Friday custom, check out TSW's Friday Football Foodie. This week, she's got Hot Pizza Dip for you, which actually looks amazing. I will fully be attempting domestication for this one. Bryan is a lucky man.

Let the discussion commence.

Meeting People Is Easy...

Thunderdome. I'm sure I don't have to quote the cinematic classic for you. But where two men entered and one man left, there. Here, eight Steelers homers/bloggers entered and only one will leave.

What am I talking about? The Steelers Thunderdome Fantasy Football League.

When TSW approached me about being part of this esteemed affiliation, I didn't even think twice before replying, "will there be beer?" Kidding, of course. The email went something like - "Cotter, I had this idea last night that could end with 'and hilarity ensues.'" And the punchline was - A Steelers homer fantasy league.

So who was I to say no to that? My natural reaction was, "where do I sign?"

And I thought it'd be a nice way to introduce this to the world by getting these dudes (and TSW) on this week's Meeting People Is Easy panel. Plus, I got a couple of other special guests to spice things up even more.

Without further ado, in drafting order I'd like to introduce...

1. Christmas Ape ~ MIA.

2. Me ~ I am but your humble narrator.

3. Bryan ~ Yin to TSW's yang. AKA TheStarterBoyfriend, d/b/a Black 'n Gold Tchotchkes.

4. Keith ~ Dude will Melt Your Face Off...and +10 for the Arrested Development reference during our three or so day, marathon draft.

5. Pat ~ The face you all know and love behind - Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? and MLB Fanhouse. You know, kind of a big deal.

6. Tecmo ~ You probably don't know anything about Pittsburgh Sports and Mini Ponies. Um, or NOT. I give you, The Inimitable, Tecmo.

7. Don ~ You know, from Mondesi's House. Perhaps you've heard of it?

8. TSW ~ Where has she not written? I mean, current Black 'n Gold Tchotchkes Executive Editor in charge of Bryan. Not to mention smartest person in the world for thinking of and coordinating this league. And to whom I owe many thanks for asking me to be part of this, most prestigious of fantasy leagues.

Of course, then there are the "real" panelists...

9. Sean ~ This man recently interviewed Olympian, Ric Blas Jr. And yeah, free burritos for a year. So lucky...

10. The Immortal Silky Johnson ~ Sure, he's an Eagles fan, but I've grown to love the guy and you will too.

And that, my friends, is Meeting People Is Easy...Click the below to enlarge...


No energy left. [INSERT SOMETHING FUNNY HERE]