How Much?? Wait, You Mean the PITTSBURGH Steelers?

"This is about being a Pittsburgh Steeler for as long as I can be...I don't want to go anywhere."

- Ben Roethlisberger

You know what guys? That's the last god damn time I allow those clowns over at law school to assign something to be due when some crazy shit like that shit that happened yesterday is going to happen. (Huh?)

Jesus, man. Of all days, I had to have an appellate brief due yesterday?! Go figure. In case you're wondering what the hell I'm babbling about - I had an appellate brief due yesterday...And I spent the better part of the day working on it. Thus I was left with far too little time for the things that really matter - like eating. And working. And blogging about Big Ben's new contract and the Steelers signing a new RB. You know, the necessities.

So yeah, I'm playing catch up right now.

First things first - Sunday, March 2, 2008 was Big Ben Roethlisberger's 26th birthday. Monday, March 3, 2008 the Steelers gave him the best birthday present this side of a young asian prostitute Kristin Bell, Rachel Hunter, a jacuzzi full of vanilla pudding and a snorkel. That's right, $102 million new reasons to smile, approximately 36 million of which are guaranteed (that's a lot of reasons, dude).

The deal, which also came with a $25 million dollar signing bonus, locks Ben up for the next eight years and makes the Louisiana Purchase look like child's play. So congratulations to Ben! Dude, you now make a shitload of cash. Not as much as me. But you know, they weren't about to give you "blogging" money or anything...maybe someday though. So in conclusion, maybe now we can also replace the gelatinous mass that is Sean Mahan and consequently protect the $102 million investment we just made. Sounds so simple, doesn't it...

Second, the Steelers surprised us all by actually participating in free agency signing former Vikings third string RB/PR, Mewelde Moore. From what I can tell, and what little I remember of seeing him play, he seems like a poor man's Willie Parker. 5'11", 209 lbs., career average of just about 5 yards per carry. Fair enough. But he also should be pretty good at returning punts and/or kicks. And by "should be pretty good," of course I mean should be able to catch the ball when it is punted and or kicked to him...fingers crossed.

Finally, in other free agency news - OFTOT understands that the Browns are trying to arrange a visit for Clark Haggans...Ok. And also, the Cardinals just signed Tuman...Ok...Is it just me, or is it patently obvious that a couple of NFL franchises really really really want to be like the Steelers?

Nah, I must be imagining things...

Thoughts, Steeler Nation?

PS - Happy Birthday Cotter's Sister!!!

REFERENCE MATERIAL:
Big Ben Joins the $100 Million Club [Tribune-Review]
Steelers Need to Protect Their Investment In Big Ben [Fox Sports]
Steelers Sign Running Back [Post-Gazette]
Steelers Sign Mewelde Moore to 3 Year Deal [Associated Press]