AFC North Headline Of The Day...

Geez, SI.com.



Not like there's a thousand games this weekend that you've gotta worry about. There are but only FOUR. And yet, it seems to have slipped one of your employees' minds that the Titans are playing the...Ravens. Yes, the Ravens. And NOT the Steelers.

But, you know, if Kevin Mawae wants to miss the Steelers game too, that's A-Ok with me!

I can only hope we make it to the next round to play Tennessee (hopefully) sans Mawae (providing he didn't play the following week either)...

Anyways, I really shouldn't be pointing out other peoples inaccuracies...what is that they say? Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house? Whatevs, I'm a blogger.

Some excellent links today. Be sure to check 'em all out one by one...

Tomorrow is Sean's Ramblings 4th Anniversary! And to mark this occasion in advance, Sean's written a State of the Blog address. One you should all go read. Sean's Ramblings is the epitome of what a blog should be [Sean's Ramblings]

I miss Cope, [sad face] [DC Steeler Nation]

[Unnamed] Steelers Gnome Show? Or Alternatively, some hot Gnome on Gnome action? I have no words [Dug E Fresh Rants]

Vern picks right up where he left off yesterday...that is, rebutting the notion that DeMarcus Ware got robbed of the AP Defensive POTY honors [You Lay On The Ice Like A Broad!]

Jeff Reed's got a terrible new hair style. Fire Bob Ligashesky [Blog 'n Gold]

Great story on our boy, James Harrison. I HIGHLY recommend this one [New York Times]

Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend just can't quit each other. Ike says he "does it for [William] Gay too." I'll stop now... [Trib]

File this one under "DUH." Somebody needs to remind the Trib that we're down a starting long snapper and punter...and we weren't that solid on Special Teams anyhow [Trib]

Vote HHR for Best Sports Blog of 2008! [HHR]

Would you want Oliver Perez back in the 'Burgh? [WHYGAVS]

Reason #452 why I love HFSS - A photoshop of Ryan Whitney melting some dude's junk by shooting laser beams from his eyes. I'm laughing so hard that I'm crying right now... [HFSS]

I still think Jenny McCarthy is easily one of the hottest chicks on the planet [on 205th]

TIGO's New Favorite Song of the Week - "Undead" by Hollywood Undead. I'm not a huge fan of the Undead, but I keep trying to give them a chance. If nothing else, it's definitely a unique (ish) sound [This Is Getting Old]

Punk rock day at Friday Morning Riffs. Be sure to check out what we dig up throughout the day! [Friday Morning Riffs]

Charles the Pug is awesome [Superhero.]

Jim Zorn Ain't Got Nothing On This Guy...

High up on the list of "most unattractive pictures I've ever taken"

When I began to write this post, I didn't intend for it to become a rant reminiscent of Jim Zorn's press conference this past weekend. And yet, fittingly, that's kind of what it became.

Try not be deterred by my forcefulness. It's just that sometimes I read things that get me real fired up. As fired up as I get when I watch that Guitar Hero commercial with A-Rod, Kobe, Tony Hawk, and Michael EFFING Phelps. Seriously, how is Michael Phelps on the same level as Tony Hawk? I mean, I understand that it's a commercial for a video game where you play pop rock favorites on plastic instruments. But, really? 8 gold medals. Fan-effing-tastic. How about the three other guys in that commercial have an upwards of 10 years each dominating their respective sports (well, not really gAy-Rod). Not to mention the shit just sucks. Oh, you've got four sports figures looking like Tom Cruise in Risky Business? Isn't that real God damn clever. Well shit, I'm gonna go run right out and buy that game for $100(?). Does it come with A-Rod in his skivvies? ME-OW.

Errrr...moving on to that rant I mentioned...

Oh God, the big bad NFC East is beating up on the poor little Steelers and their poor QB, Big Ben. Honestly, Associated Press? This is a story? Because the Eagles sacked Ben nine times en route to a nine point victory and the Giants sacked Ben five times en route to a seven point victory, all of a sudden the Steelers have the insurmountable task of beating their NFC East brethren, the Washington Redskins...who will be without two starting D-Lineman and a starting Corner? Um, forgive me if I'm not pissing myself in fear. Come the eff on, man. First of all, they lost to the Rams. At home. One week after the Rams fired their previous Coach. Powerhouse, indeed. But let's table that discussion for now.

This report says...

"Just as worrisome for the Steelers is that playing every team in the NFL’s best division is taking a physical toll, too."

Ok, dude. Playing EVERY team in EVERY division can take a physical toll. Frankly, I'm not exactly ready to single out the NFC East as the division that's going to muscle the Steelers right out of playoff contention. Give me a break. To my mind, we just played the best team that division has to offer anyhow.

Dallas is a bunch of cry babies who were only winning because they were playing inferior teams. Tony Romo is a little bitch who will crumble the minute James Harrison so much as breathes on him. And T.O.? Don't even get me started. That dude better get HIS popcorn ready. Because the hurtin' the Steelers are going to put on the Cowboys is going to be one for the record books. I just have a feeling. Big D? Let's see, does that D stand for divas, dickbags or douchebags? I know it doesn't stand for Defense. Oh, and they lost to the Rams at home too.

As for Washington? Putting aside the fact that, in reality, I respect them greatly, their average margin of victory this year is approximately five. FIVE God damn points. Now, we certainly haven't been blowing our respectable opponents away, but 3 out of their six wins have been decided by five points or less. PLUS, they haven't even had their bye week yet. And oh yeah, THEY LOST TO THE RAMS! AT HOME!

And another thing - the report intimates that because guys like Willie Parker, Casey Hampton and Ryan Clark were injured during games against the NFC East this automatically means that those teams were so physical against us that we might as well have employed an entire floor's worth of hospital staff. Eff that! Willie Parker broke his God damn leg not even a year ago! And Casey Hampton? Turf toe, dude. Turf toe. It's not like he's sucking bananas, peas and carrots through a straw. Ryan Clark? Do I even need to explain this one? The guy has no effing spleen for Christ's sake! So again, FAIL!

How about this - the NFC East is having such great success against the Steelers because they've been exploiting a weakness so glaringly obvious that my Mom, who knows nothing of this foosball game we're always talking about, knows about it. WE SUCK AT PASS BLOCKING! DUH! This isn't the cure for cancer, here. You blitz our line, you start racking up the sacks. Particularly on the right side. Willie Colon? Yeah, he gave up at least three sacks to the Eagles and most recently, three sacks to Matthias Kiwanuka, who subsequently won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Week award. So out of the 14 sacks registered between our two previous NFC East opponents, almost HALF came from Willie Colon (and I'm only counting sacks registered by the Right Defensive End...not even linebackers).

Bottom line - the success of the Eagles and Giants came principally from their ability to play patty cake with Big Ben. If the line decides to block and Ben decides to make good decisions with the football, I see no reason why recent history should dictate the outcome in this one. That's why they play the games. Am I wrong?

Either way, Associated Press, your story sucks! And I have nothing else to say in the matter.

/end rant