Steelers Today – A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

Hallelujah!!!! The Steelers signed a long snapper. Now James Harrison can go back to doing what he does best; terrorizing quarterbacks. More importantly, we will no longer have to watch him endanger women and children (and low flying birds) with his poorly aimed long snaps that inevitably end up in the stands rather than in the punter’s hands.

The Steelers signed Jared Retkofsky as their new long snapper. James Harrison and James Farrior can both breathe a sigh of relief.

Retkofsky was in training camp in 2007 with the Steelers. However, he was beaten out by Greg Warren for the position. Retkofsky was an undrafted free agent from TCU.

Jared Retkofsky

I don’t know about you, but this is possibly the best day of my life. I never thought that news about a long snapper could bring me to tears, but I did in fact shed tears of joy when I heard that Retkofsky had been signed. If I had been forced to watch James Harrison launch one more high velocity brick into the endzone, I think I may have killed myself.

Jared Retkofsky is officially my favorite Pittsburgh Steelers player. Who woulda thunk it?

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

I have to apologize to my readers. I know that many of you look forward to reading my post-game analysis. I always have it on-line the same night as the game. However, after yesterday’s heartbreak, I still can’t bring myself to think about that game, much less do an analysis of it. Instead, I just want to lock myself in a room and do my best Santonio Holmes imitation. Perhaps that would numb the pain.

The guys over at Stillers.com always do a good analysis after Steelers games, so I’ll just direct you to their review for this week. You can read it here. If you aren’t familiar with their work, check them out. I think you’ll like them.

Now that that’s out of the way, how about a few total digressions to take my mind off of the heartbreak of a loss that should have been a win. Here are some random tidbits:

1) Random hotness.

Do I really need a reason for a Beyonce sighting?

2) Best MMA move of all time

After the Pittsburgh Steelers, my second favorite thing is mixed martial arts (MMA). Here is the best MMA move I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen almost all of them). This is UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in one of his fights in PRIDE. Enjoy.

3) Not politically correct, but still funny

4) Greatest coach ever!!

You’ve all seen Mike Singletary’s rant about Vernon Davis. But can we ever see it enough? I just love this. I wish more coaches had guts like Mike Singletary. Can you ever imagine the Cowboys kicking T.O. off the field? Nope, me neither.

Singletary

5) Reminds me of Santonio Holmes

Well, that’s it for today. See you soon for our Steelers-Redskins preview.

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

James Harrison is the Steelers’ backup long snapper????? WTF???!!!!

Is it just me, or were other Steelers fans completely baffled when James Harrison lined up as the Steelers’ long snapper when Greg Warren went out with an injury? If you had told me prior to Sunday’s game that the Steelers coaching staff would ever use James Harrison as a long snapper in an actual NFL game, I would have accused you of smoking one of Santonio Holmes’ special cigars. But use him they did. Even after the fact, I’m still stunned.

To make matters worse, after James Harrison launched his first (and hopefully last) long snap over punter Mitch Berger’s head, I saw James Farrior warming up on the sidelines to give it a try on the next punt. These are definitely signs of the apocalypse. Repent, for the end is near.

I’ll be the first to admit that I know about as much about long snapping as I do about cold fusion. Nevertheless, I am completely confused by why the Steelers have a linebacker as their backup long snapper. Afterall, they have a guy on their team named Justin Hartwig. You know, the center. The guy who is paid to snap the ball for a living. Sure, he makes his living performing regular snaps, but how much different can a long snap be? Isn’t it pretty much the same as snapping the ball to Ben Roethlisberger while he’s in the shotgun formation? Something tells me that if Hartwig had snapped the ball to Berger, it wouldn’t have gone 10 feet over his head.

Or how about Darnell Stapleton? You know, the undrafted free agent who has worked his way up to Steelers’ starting right guard. He was the starting center for Rutgers while in college. In fact, he was so good at it that he was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best center in college. Are you telling me that guy has never snapped the ball to a punter before?

I’ve never been a fan of Steelers offensive line coach Larry Zierlein. This latest debacle just cemented that opinion.

The Steelers were dominating the Giants until the point where Harrison snapped the ball over Mitch Berger’s head for a safety. After that, everything just seemed to change.

I’m not going to blame the loss on that one play. That would be silly. But I sure do wish the Steelers could take that one play back. Don’t you?

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

@#$&^@$!!!!!!! I’m sure that pretty much captures how most of Steeler Nation reacted when they found out that Santonio Holmes had been pulled over by police and was found to have marijuana cigars in his car (as well as the smell of recently smoked marijuana). To make matters worse, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has suspended Holmes for Sunday’s crucial game against the NFC East leading New York Giants. #$@%&#!!!!!

Sunday’s game is probably the toughest and most important game on the Steelers schedule so far this season. It pits two division leaders with identical 5-1 records. Both teams need a victory to cement their place among the NFL’s elite teams.

I’m sure that Coach Tomlin has reiterated the importance of this game to his team, and he’s probably made certain that they are prepared for the battle ahead. He probably expected his players to take his motivational speeches to heart, and to use whatever method they required to prepare themselves for the game. However, he probably didn’t expect any of his players to use the “big Jamaican blunt” method of preparation. Nor did he probably expect any of his players to find themselves on the wrong side of the law this week. Santonio Holmes did both.

In some ways, we can’t blame Santonio. Afterall, this isn’t his first time being on the wrong side of the law. His life experience has taught him that if you are a talented athlete, all you get for breaking laws and violating societal norms, is a slap on the wrist. That has probably been re-enforced to him since he was in high school. Coaches have probably let him get away with things that non-players would have never been able to do without repercussions. Teachers have probably given him grades that he didn’t deserve. Recruiters have probably offered him money under the table. And then we wonder why these guys turn out badly. They are the monsters that we create.

I’m not saying that Santonio Holmes is a bad guy, or that he is in the same category as Jeffrey Dahmer. He’s not. But in fact, Santonio and so many other athletes are given a free pass that normal citizens are not provided. Would anyone be surprised if they heard that Santonio really had a much larger quantity of drugs on him than the reports have indicated, but that the police doctored their report in order to keep Santonio from getting in trouble? I’m not saying that events occurred like that. I’m just pointing out that in Pittsburgh, Steelers players are treated like gods, and Santonio Holmes would not be the first player that was given a pass by Steelers fans in blue.

It wasn’t long ago that two Steelers players got in trouble for domestic violence against women. Cedrick Wilson, a borderline wide receiver, was cut for his transgressions. Meanwhile James Harrison, a pro bowl linebacker, was given a slap on the wrist for a similar offense. What athletes learn is that the better they perform on the field, the more willing society becomes to turn a blind eye towards their transgressions. In fact, if they perform well enough, they can get away with just about anything. Drugs, violence, infidelity, and other indiscretions are ignored, so long as the athletes continues to perform on the field.

At some point, professional athletes need to be held accountable for their misdeeds. If not, they never learn the lesson that most of us learn in kindergarten; follow the rules, boys and girls.

Santonio has to learn that he hasn’t just let himself down. He’s let down his family. His mom can’t feel very good each time she hears that her son has gotten into trouble (again). He’s let down all of the kids who look up to him as a hero and a role model. He’s let down all of his teammates who were depending on him to perform in this game that means so much to the team. And he’s let down the legions of Steelers fans who support him, and who probably allow the Steelers’ performance to play a much bigger role in dictating their emotional well-being than they probably should.

It’s time to grow up, Santonio. You’re an adult now, and people depend on you. You have been blessed with the opportunity to play a game that you love, and to make millions of dollars for doing so. That is not to be taken lightly. Hopefully, Roger Goodell will deem the Steelers’ one game suspension to be adequate punishment, and he won’t dole out additional punishment of his own. If so, consider yourself lucky, and learn from this experience.

On Sunday, the Steelers will face the New York Giants in their most difficult test thus far this season. They will need every player to perform at their best in order to win. Unfortunately, one player let them down before the first whistle even blew. Curse you, Santonio!

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

steelers-giants preview

This week, Steelers Today was asked to go head-to-head against New York Giants blog Big Blue View on the Behind Enemy Lines segment of the AOL NFL Fanhouse.

Each blogger had to defend their team as they head into this Sunday’s match-up of division leaders. I think I represented Steeler Nation well. I hope you do too.

Please check out the feature here, and then leave me a message to let me know how I did. Thanks.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!!!

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

This week, Steelers Today was asked to be the guest blogger on the AOL NFL Fanhouse. When that article is posted on their site, you will be able to see it here.

In the meantime, one of their questions got me thinking. They asked me who I’d rather have quarterbacking my team, Ben Roethlisberger or Eli Manning. I answered unequivocally and without hesitation, “Big Ben”. Heck, if Eli’s last name weren’t Manning, I don’t think he would have been drafted as high as he was. But that’s just my opinion.

Based on their question, I decided to expound upon my answer and list my top 10 reasons why Ben Roethlisberger is better than Eli Manning. Enjoy:

#10) “Big Ben” has a cooler nickname. In fact, I don’t think Eli even has a nickname. “Little Peyton” maybe? Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#9) Big Ben is bigger. Eli Manning is 6’4″, and weighs 225 lbs. Big Ben is 6’5″ and 241 lbs. This is his slimmed down size. He used to play at about 255 lbs., but he made the conscious decision to play at a lighter weight. Advantage Roethlisberger.

#8) Big Ben is Stronger. Ben Roethlisberger has one of the strongest arms of any quarterback in the NFL. Apparently some scouts have a test they have quarterbacks do wherein the QB has to throw the ball while on his knees. One NFL scout wrote that he saw Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball farther than he had seen just about any other QB throw the ball while on his knees. Sure, NFL quarterbacks don’t often throw the ball from their knees, but it was an interesting observation nonetheless.

Big Ben’s strength also lets him maintain his balance and complete passes while defenders are draped all over him. Just look at the pass that he completed to Hines Ward this year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There were two defenders trying to drag Roethlisberger to the ground, but he still completed the pass. Eli Manning just isn’t strong enough to do that. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#7) Big Ben is faster. Not only is Roethlisberger bigger and stronger than Eli Manning, he’s also faster. Roethlisberger uses his speed to scramble and escape defenders. He can either buy time to find his receivers, or he can take off and gain yardage running.

Ben’s superior speed gives him a big advantage versus Eli Manning in gaining rushing yards. In 2007, Ben Roethlisberger rushed for 204 yards. Eli Manning has rushed for 213 total yards during his entire career. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#6) Roethlisberger has more wins. The ultimate measure of a QB is not how many 300 yard passing performances he has. The true measure of a quarterback is how often he wins. Dan Marino threw for more yards, but Joe Montana has more rings. Dan Fouts threw for more yards, but Terry Bradshaw has more wins. Peyton Manning has thrown for more yards, but Tom Brady has more rings. Which QB in each pair is remembered as being the best? See my point? No matter what era you look at, wins are what matter. When it all comes down to it, winning is the ultimate measure of a QB. It’s like Al Davis once said; “Just win, baby!”

Both Quarterbacks have one super bowl ring in their young careers, so there is no difference in that area. However, when we look at total wins, Ben Roethlisberger has a significant advantage. Ben Roethlisberger has accumulated 45 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 72.6%. Eli Manning has accumulated 36 NFL wins, and a winning percentage of 57.1%. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#5) Big Ben dates hotter chicks. Eli Manning recently married his college sweetheart, Abby McGrew.

Roethlisberger is still a bachelor, but he has had very public relationships with golfer Natalie Gulbis and actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler (aka Meadow Soprano).

Natalie Gulbis

Tony Soprano's daughter grew up!

I commend Manning for his commitment to his long-time girlfriend, but I don’t think there’s much doubt that this round goes to Big Ben. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#4) Roethlisberger has been to more Pro Bowls. Eli Manning has never been named to a Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Big Ben made the Pro Bowl last year, and is on his way to making it again this year. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#3) Roethlisberger has thrown fewer interceptions. Eli Manning has thrown 68 career interceptions. Big Ben has thrown only 57. If not for that terrible 2006 season in which Roethlisberger practically led the league in interceptions with 23, the difference would be far more glaring. Coach Bill Cowher allowed Big Ben to come back much too quickly in 2006 following a motorcycle accident and an emergency appendectomy, and Ben’s performance suffered because of it. Outside of that one terrible season, Roethlisberger has never thrown more than 11 interceptions in a season. Contrarily, Manning has exceeded 15 interceptions on 3 separate occasions. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#2) Roethlisberger has thrown for more yardage. This statistic is most surprising, since Roethlisberger has always played in a run-oriented offense in which he was often thought of as a mere caretaker. Big Ben has thrown for 12,836 yards versus 12,774 yards for Eli Manning. This disparity is most surprising since Manning has over 400 more pass attempts than Roethlisberger. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

#1) Big Ben has a higher career QB rating. Ben Roethlisberger has a career quarterback rating of 93.0. Eli Manning’s career QB rating is 74.9. The two quarterbacks entered the NFL during the same season, and Big Ben has had a better QB rating in each season except for the aforementioned 2006 season in which Roethlisberger threw more than twice as many interceptions as he has averaged for his career. In that season, their QB ratings were practically identical, though Manning edged Roethlisberger slightly (Manning=77.0 vs. Roethlisberger=75.4). In fact, Roethlisberger’s WORST single season QB rating (75.4) is higher than Manning’s career average (74.9). Last year, Roethlisberger’s QB rating was a full 30 points higher than Eli Manning’s (104.1 versus 73.9). Despite Eli winning the Superbowl, Roethlisberger had a far better season. Advantage: Roethlisberger.

So, as you can see, when we do a head-to-head comparison of Eli Manning versus Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben wins in a knockout. If Giants fans are honest, I’m sure that they’d admit that the Steelers got the better deal in Roethlisberger. Particularly when you consider that the Giants also traded away a draft pick that ended up being Shawn Merriman in order to get Eli. There is little doubt in my mind that if the Giants could take a mulligan on their 2004 draft, they’d choose Ben Roethlisberger over Eli Manning.

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

This past Sunday, Steelers Today had the privilege of watching the Steelers-Bengals game with the Steelers Fans of Rochester. I came upon the Steelers Fans of Rochester when I decided to try to find a Steelers bar in Rochester, New York.

Located approximately 1 hour from Buffalo, Rochester is in the heart of Buffalo Bills country. In fact, the Bills hold their annual training camp at St. John Fisher College in Rochester. Obviously, that make Rochester hostile territory as far as Steelers fans are concerned. In addition to all of the Bills fans, Rochester also has a large base of New York Giants and New York Jets supporters. But nestled in the midst of all of that enemy territory, I found an oasis of black and gold.

The Steelers Fans of Rochester are a Steelers fan club that meets for each Steelers game, just like hundreds of other Steelers fan clubs around the country world. Not only does the club meet to support the Steelers, the club’s leaders, Kathy, Cindy, Art, Chuck, and Diana, also collect money at each event to be donated to charity. This year’s charity is the Golisano Childrens Hospital. Last year, they collected over $1,300 for Special Olympics.

If you ever find yourself in Rochester, and you’re looking for a place to watch the Steelers, consider hooking up with the Steelers Fans of Rochester. They meet at Six Pockets Billiard Cafe, which is located at 716 E. Ridge Road in Rochester, NY. They’re a great group of devoted Steelers fans. Tell them that you heard about them on Steelers Today.

Special thanks to Kevin Leysath of CreativEye Photo in Rochester, NY. CreativeEye Photo took a beautiful photo of the group. Unfortunately, I had to crop it and shrink it down to fit this website. Sorry Kevin.

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

Steelers 38, Bengals 10.  Seven sacks on Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Bengals don’t record their first 1st down until there are only 4:57 left in the first half.  120 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns for Mewelde Moore.  Two touchdown passes and a 108.6 passer rating for Ben Roethlisberger.  Any questions?

In light of the beating that the Steelers handed the Bengals, I’m not going to waste anyone’s time rehashing what was essentially a total thrashing. Instead, I’m going to see if you fans have REALLY been paying attention.  Below is a pop quiz on Sunday’s game, and the Steelers’ season thus far.  Consider this to be your Pittsburgh Steelers Wonderlic test.  Good luck.

1.  Which Steelers’ running back is averaging the most yards per carry this season?

A.  Carey Davis

B.  Willie Parker

C.  Mewelde Moore

D.  Gary Russell

2.  Which of these names does not belong with the others?

A.  James Harrison

B.  DeMarcus Ware

C. Mario Williams

D. LaMarr Woodley

E.  Joey Porter

3.  How many times have the Cincinnati Bengals started their season with an 0-7 record since 1978?

A.  11

B.  3

C.  8

D.  6

4.  Which of these names does not belong in this group?

A.  Ed Reed

B.  Bob Sanders

C.  Keith Rivers

D.  Bart Scott

5.  Which Steelers receiver led the team in receiving yards on Sunday?

A.  Nate Washington

B.  Hines Ward

C.  Heath Miller

D.  Santonio Holmes

6.  Bengals receiver Chad Johnson has how many TD receptions so far this season?

A.  11

B.  7

C.  5

D.  2

7.  Rank the following Steelers’ 2008 salaries from highest to lowest.

A.  Troy Polamalu

B.  Casey Hampton

C.  Willie Parker

D.  Max Starks

E.  Hines Ward

8.  Rank the following Steelers defenders in order of number of tackles on Sunday against the Bengals (rank from highest to lowest).

A.  LaMarr Woodley

B.  Aaron Smith

C.  James Harrison

D.  Ike Taylor

E.  Lawrence Timmons

9.  What was the Bengals’ 4th down conversion percentage on Sunday?

A.  25%

B.  50%

C.  75%

D.  100%

10.  Who returned kickoffs for the Steelers on Sunday?

A.  Santonio Holmes

B.  Mewelde Moore

C.  Najeh Davenport

D.  Gary Russell

Answers:

1.  “C”.  Mewelde Moore

2.  “C”.  Mario Williams.  The other 4 are among the top 5 sack leaders in the NFL this season.

3.  “D”.  The Bengals have started 0-7 six times since 1978.

4.  “B”.  Bob Sanders had never been “jacked up” by a vicious block from Hines Ward.

5.  “D”.  Santonio Holmes led the team with 89 receiving yards.

6.  “D”.  Ocho Cinco only has 2 touchdowns this year.  Sounds like “Ocho Stinko” to me.

7.  1) Max Starks, $6.9 million.  2) Troy Polamalu, $6.8 million  3) Hines Ward, $6.7 million  4) Casey Hampton, $6.4 million  5) Willie Parker, $4.1 million.

8.  1) Lawrence Timmons (11).  2) James Harrison (5).  3)  LaMarr Woodley (4).  4) Ike Taylor (3).  5) Aaron Smith (1).

9.  “D”, 100%.

10.  “C”.  Najeh Davenport

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader

Before reading this week’s key match-ups, please read my Steelers-Bengals Preview

On Sunday, the Steelers travel to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.  Despite the Bengals 0-6 record, the Steelers have to be careful not to allow the Bengals’ record to lull them into a false sense of security.  Any game against a division rival is important, and can’t be taken lightly.

These are the match-ups that I believe will have the highest likelihood of impacting the outcome of the game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley

Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to need every ounce of his Harvard education to figure out how to avoid the twin freight trains, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.  Fitzpatrick has been sacked 8 times in 2 starts this year.  Don’t be surprised if Fitzpatrick adds 8 more to his total on Sunday.  Hint to Fitzpatrick: Duck!   Advantage: Steelers.

Dick LeBeau vs. Bengals Offensive Coordinator Bob Bratkowski

The man most responsible for keeping Ryan Fitzpatrick alive upright on Sunday will not be a Bengals offensive lineman.  Nope, that responsibility falls on offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.  Bratkowski is going to have to develop a game plan that will prepare the inexperienced Fitzpatrick for the most complex defensive scheme that he has ever faced, manned by the most relentless and unstoppable rushers that he has ever faced.  Yeah, good luck with that.  Advantage: Steelers.

Mewelde Moore vs. Bengals’ Defensive Line

Mewelde Moore had an impressive outing in his first game as a Steelers starter.  His mouth should be watering in anticipation of facing a Bengals defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry.  Might we see Moore’s first 100 yard rushing performance as a Steeler?  Advantage: Steelers.

Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden vs. T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco.

Despite the difficulties that the Bengals have had establishing their passing game this year, these are two of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL.  Few tandems are as talented.  Ike Taylor has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success against Ocho Cinco during his career, and Bryant McFadden has played so well as a replacement for DeShea Townsend, that Townsend may have a hard time getting back on the field when he is completely healthy.  This may be the best match-up of the game.  Advantage: Neither.

NT Chris Hoke vs. C Eric Ghiaciuc

Bengals center Eric Ghiaciuc struggles against large nose tackles.  Casey Hampton would eat him alive.  Ghiaciuc is more of an athletic center, and Chris Hoke is a much better match-up for him (at least on paper).  Despite Hoke’s smaller size, the Steelers lose very little when he plays in place of Hampton.  Advantage: Steelers.

Bengals’ Punt Team vs. Steelers’ Punt Team

Okay, we’re starting to feel like homers, so we have to find some area in which the Bengals have an advantage.  We predict that the Bengals’ punt team will dominate the Steelers punt team in total number of punts.  In fact, the Bengals may punt 8-10 times more often than the Steelers.  I wouldn’t even be surprised if they pitched a shutout, and the Bengals kept the Steelers from having to make a single punt during the entire game.  If that’s not total domination, we don’t know what is.  Advantage: Bengals (sort of). 

Steeler Nation vs. Bengal Nation Medium Sized Assembly

There is no doubt that Steeler Nation is going to be in the house on Sunday.  Terrible Towels will be waving in Paul Brown Stadium.  The question is, which fan group will have the larger presence.  Ordinarily, the home team’s fans would always have the advantage.  However, these are Bengals fans (is there really such a thing?) we’re talking about.  They started giving up on their team in week 2.  It will be tough, but I think Steeler Nation might be able to win this one.  Advantage:  We’ll see on Sunday.

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. Thanks.)

Subscribe in a reader