Steelers Today - A Pittsburgh Steelers blog

Today, the Steelers released punter Paul Ernster (again) and brought back punter Mitch Berger (again). Is it just me, or is this getting to be a bit redundant?

Mitch Berger beat out Ernster during training camp, but then developed gimpy hamstrings. When Mike Tomlin finally got tired of seeing Berger limp around the field, he released him and brought in Ernster. Ernster made the most of his opportunity by averaging a whopping 31.6 yards per punt. For those of you who have been living on another planet, that ain’t good.

During the Steelers’ game against the Bengals, Ernster punted 5 times for an average of 28.4 yards. His shortest punt during that game traveled only 23 yards. I’ve never even punted a ball before, and I could punt it farther than that. To put it into perspective just how bad Ernster was, the average punting distance for the top 3 finishers in the 12-13 year old girls division of the 2008 Pass, Punt, & Kick competition was 31.2 yards. That’s right, 31.2 yards. That’s almost 3 yards longer than Ernster averaged in an actual NFL game. Heck, Ernster’s average for the season was only 31.6 yards per punt. Where are the 12 year old girls when you need them?

Steelers' next punter

But let’s look at the bright side (if you can call it that). Ernster only had two punts returned for a total of 4 yards during his time with the Steelers. That’s pretty good, right? Well, not really. Most of Ernster’s punts went off the side of his foot and traveled such a short distance that there were rarely opposing punt returners anywhere near the vicinity of the ball.

So the Steelers cut the punter who can’t punt it farther than adolescent girls, in favor of the punter who has 2 gimpy hamstrings. Wow, I feel more comfortable already.

What I don’t understand is how Berger ended up with 2 pulled hamstrings in the first place. After all, the average punter probably spends a total of about 48 seconds on the field during the average NFL game. So what does he do during the rest of the game? My guess would have been “stretch his hamstrings”, but Berger disproves that theory.

But at least Berger averaged a more respectable 41.9 yards per punt this season. That’s more than 10 yards better than Ernster. He’s got my vote already.

For those of you who are wondering, Berger’s punting average would have earned him 2nd place in the 14-15 year old girls Pass, Punt & Kick division. Believe it or not Steelers fans, that is a step in the right direction.

Please get well soon Dan Sepulveda. Otherwise, the Steelers may have to start scouting 12 year old girls.

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I hate to spotlight a vicious hit on a steelers player. I’d much rather show you a video of Hines Ward knocking out a defensive back or linebacker with a thunderous block. But let’s face it, Santonio Holmes got JACKED UP! Bengals’ safety Chris Crocker put a hit on him that left him with legs like rubber bands. The hit was so hard that I actually felt it through the TV.

Here is one more look at the hit.

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As the Steelers prepare to play the Bungles Bengals, I started thinking about how the two teams compared. Of course, this got me thinking about how the two cities compare. Here are my top 10 reasons why Pittsburgh is better than Cincinnati.

#10) When you look across the river from downtown Cincinnati, you see Kentucky. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

I'm from Kentucky, y'all!

#9) The worst item from Primanti Bros. is better than the BEST item from Skyline Chili. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#8) The Pitt Panthers own the Cincinnati Bearcats in Big East Basketball. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Pitt wins again!!

#7) Steelers players don’t have to bring their parole officers to games with them. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#6) Cincinnati’s most famous son is Jerry Springer. In fact, he used to be the city’s mayor. No kidding. Look it up. Cincinnati should repent for that. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Mr. Mayor

#5) Our hockey team is better than their hockey team. Oh wait, they don’t have a hockey team. Ha! Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#4) According to the database Statistics I Just Made Up, 79% of the Cincinnati Bengals wish they played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

#3) Downtown Cincinnati sits on the Ohio River. Even Cincinnati’s river was born in Pittsburgh. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

Who's your daddy?

#2) Ocho Stinko! Need I say more? Huge advantage: Pittsburgh.

Hines Ward is my idol.

#1) Five is better than zero. Advantage: Pittsburgh!!!

We hate to brag, but.......

As you can see, our highly scientific process proves definitively that Pittsburgh is better than Cincinnati. Now it’s time to kick their arses in football……..again!

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