Blog 'n' Gold : dan gigler

Draft 2009: The Centers

Dan Gigler — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:03:00 GMT

No position has been more widely talked about as a potential first-round pick for the Steelers in 2009 than center, and with good reasons:

The Steelers offensive line, usually a strong suit, has been shaky at best over the last three years
Steelers fans are waiting for the next true heir to the Mansfield-Webster-Dawson-Hartings o-line anchor lineage to emerge
Most importantly, top caliber centers can be gotten near the end of the first round (where the Steelers pick) or even later in the draft.

Max Unger of Oregon and Alex Mack of Cal are two such guys who have continually emerged in mock drafts as potential Steelers. Mack is widely regarded as the top-overall prospect at the position and Unger is particularly enticing because he also can play guard. Check 'em out ...

Unger:

Mack:

Despite the obvious talent of these gents, BNG however, is of the opinion that the need for a center is colored mostly by emotion -- owing namely the afforementioned legacy of Steelers greatness at the position and the bad taste left by the Sean Mahan debacle of 2007.

At the start of the 2008 season, the Steelers offensive line might as well have been 5 Guys Named Moe for all the time they had played together as starters. But by the time the playoffs rolled along, Hartwig was probably the most consistent member of the line. There is little reason that he couldn't start there for at least another season (or 2).

For that reason BNG is of the opinion that the Steelers should not select a center in round one, and instead look for local product via Moon Twp. and Penn State, A.Q. Shipley, who will certainly be around in round two, or perhaps even three.

At 6' 1" and 304 pounds, he's a bit smaller than Mack or Unger, but he's a smart player who was once a defensive lineman for the Nittany Lions, so he has some insight into those across the ball from him. In 2008 he beat out Mack and Unger for the Dave Rimington Trophy -- awarded to the top center in college football -- while playing in the Big Ten, a division not exactly known for diminutive defensive lineman. Read Shipley's bio and check out this video of him destroying the 225-lbs. bench press at a Penn State charity event:

A draft for draft day

Dan Gigler — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Reader and hombrewing hobbyist of Mike Janasek of Connecticut emailed us: "I wanted to pass this along to you because I think it's a great idea. Up here in Connecticut we brewed up some homemade beer for watching this year's draft. My son came up with the name and logo design (attached). Thought this might be worth putting into the next blog update ... The RoethlisLAGER beer is a standard American Lager with some hops, malt and has a nice amber color. Additional brewmasters were Mark and Dave Olivier. Andy Jasenak created the name and label design."

They actually went ahead and brewed & bottled the Ben beer -- don't get excited NFL lawyers, its for fun and personal use only. Check it out:

Mock-ery

Oregon Ducks center Max Unger continues to be the consensus favorite for the Steelers to take among major media draftniks who don't make you pay for their content (looking at you espn.com). Five out of 12 of the experts from the sports news sites below have the Steelers taking Unger:

While Unger is an outstanding prospect at center -- and can play guard -- BNG is still of the opinion that this is too high to take a center, especially when there are a number of good centers in the draft that can be had in rounds 2, 3 or even 4. The Steelers should go OT, DL, DB in the first round or slide down and pick up some extra picks.

Instant Schedule Analysis! ...

Dan Gigler — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:04:00 GMT

... in the poetic words of Dennis Green: "Crown 'em! Crown their a---s!" ...

Of course, there is no-such thing as a cakewalk in the National. Football. League. But at this moment, the slate handed down to the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers looks like as close a thing as you could find in the National. Football. League. Examining the schedule -- at this moment, mind you -- there isn't one single game on the schedule that even comes close to jumping off the sheet as a likely loss, and there are only a few games that look like difficult matchups. And nothing like the gauntlet the Steelers had to run last year.

Before any Browns/Ravens/Bengals/Seahawks/Pats/etc. fans start running at the mush about a National. Football. League. conspiracy to favor the Steelers, the team has nothing to do with this -- they're benefitting from the league's schedule formula which has each division rotate playing opposing divisions each year. This year the AFC North gets the AFC West and NFC Norris -- arguably the two worst divisions in football. Add into the formula that the Steelers play the AFC division champions from the previous season -- which includes a weak sister San Diego -- and you have a favorable looking schedule for the champs. At this moment, that is.

Running down the list ...

9/10 vs. Tennessee: Good game, but the emotion of the night should carry the Steelers over Tenn. who won't be as good this season.
9/20 @ Chicago: Addition of Cutler makes this one interesting. Maybe.
9/27 @ Cincinnati: Ben stays perfect in Ohio.
10/4 vs. San Diego: The Bolts third trip to Heinz in two years; could give the Steelers fits if LT & their D are healthy.
10/11 @ Detroit: Please.
10/18 vs. Cleveland: Wake me when this team is relevent again.
10/25 vs. Minnesota: Can Steelers contain Peterson on choppy Heinz Field turf?
11/1 BYE WEEK (late this year, huh?)
11/9 @ Denver: Two words -- Kyle. Orton. Steelers win.
11/15 @ Cincinnati: Bengals have been eliminated from postseason for a month by this point. Win.
11/22 @ K.C.: This team is a mess. Win.
11/29 @ Baltimore: In prime time @ Charm City. Ravens get their wish but the football gods' karma is a (rhymes with rich). Steelers win because Balto shouldn't have requested out of a prime-time game in Pittsburgh.
12/6 vs. Oakland: The Raiders will not be good again while Al Davis is alive. Win.
12/10 @ Cleveland: Zzzzzzzzzz .......
12/20 vs. Green Bay: Make or break year for Aaron Rodgers. Stop @ Heinz won't help him.
12/27 vs. Baltimore: Flacco haunted by Heinz Field memories of 2008 ...
1/3 @ Miami: Steelers cinched AFC North previous week; 'Phins still clawing for playoff spot.

Sooooo ... based on that -- ahem -- trenchant analysis, let's say 12-4 for the Steelers.

More important -- two destinations do jump off the sheet as road trips -- Chicago, which boasts a ginormous Steelers Nation following -- and Miami. Why? South Beach in January. That's why.

And for any of you out-of-towners planning on making your first trip to Heinz Field this year, check out this handy tip sheet from BNG's friend Nicole's blog called Fanhood.

Free agency: Chris K., McHugh to stay; links N@ & Myron

Dan Gigler — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:25:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette reports:

The Steelers just came to a contract agreement with guard Chris Kemoeatu that will pay him $20 million over the next five years. There were reports that Kemoeatu was about to sign with the New York Jets for the same amount, but he decided to stay with the Steelers instead. Full update

The Steelers signed their second free agent within hours this afternoon when they came to terms with their fullback, Sean McHugh. McHugh, who also plays tight end, received a three-year contract worth $2.57 million. It includes a signing bonus of $390,000.

Guard Kendall Simmons, released by the Steelers Thursday, is traveling to Buffalo today to meet with the Bills. Simmons will cost the Steelers $4.71 million against their salary cap this season, the amortization left on the $7.85 million signing bonus he received on the contract extension he signed 18 months ago.

The Kemoeatu signing/Simmons cutting has sparked some lively discussion in the comments section of this post -- weigh in with your opinion of these moves ...

More free agency:

Michigan Live: Nate Washington to Detroit? (penthouse to the outhouse?)
NFL.com: Jets sign Bart Scott; Corey Ivy visits there too -- these guys have had enough of Steelers WRs knocking them out
ESPN.com: Fred Taylor to the Pats
SI.com: Ravens sign Foxworth
SI.com: Browns deal the 'soldier'
NFL.com: Vrabel to Chiefs?
NFL.com: Drunken sailors go on spending spree in DC. Navy men? No, the Redskins.

We'll continue to update throughout the day as more news happens

Mock Draft Madness

With the 32nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select ...

D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt (Don Banks, SI.com)
Eben Britton, OT, Arizona (Chad Reuter, CBS SportsLine; NBC Sports; Todd McShay, espn.com -- paid content, no link)
Alex Mack, C, Cal (FOXSports)
Max Unger, C, Oregon (Steve Wyche, NFL.com)
William Beatty, OT, Connecticut (Charles Davis, NFL.com)
Nice roundup of mock draft sites put together by Pittsburgh Steelers Fanatic

Links N@

A must watch: Ridiculously awesome Steelers Super Bowl slideshow.

Not busy tonight? Party with Ben in Vegas

The Mount Rushmore of Steel.

BNG is thrilled to have made the Elite Eight (thanks Sean!) though the selection committe should've added the PBC

L.A. suburb to build NFL stadium. The Bills, Vikes & Raiders named as possible future tenants, which sickens BNG. These are great fan bases (even those Oakland nutjobs) and none of them deserve this. Take Jacksonville.

Not everyone thought watching the combine was like being a filthy junkie

Finally, we'd be remiss not to mark the one-year anniversary of Myron Cope's passing. Pittsburgh is greater for having had him, lessened by his loss, and strengthened by his legacy. Can only imagine that he and St. Peter tossed back a coupla celebratory Toddys after the Super Bowl. PSAMP has a nice commentary, along with a cool new format on their blog. And if you're missing that trademark golden voice, tune in to WEAE today.

Bottoming Out

Dan Gigler — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:44:00 GMT

Spent a much longer portion of Sunday than I'd care to admit watching ... sigh ... the NFL Scouting Combine. Actually watching it. On my deathbed, I'm sure I'll wish I had back those 49 minutes of absolutely wasted time, but such as it is, this experience confirms my belief that absolutely anything can be made interesting when viewed in HD (see also: NASCAR, golf, NBA basketball), even the NFL Scouting Combine, which for a football junkie is the equivilent of shooting black tar heroin into your neck.

If you're watching the combine, you've pretty much hit rock bottom at this point, and you'd be selling yourself to score tickets to an Arena Football game to hold you over until the draft, except that, oh right -- there is no Arena Football this year.

So I think its safe to say that this couldn't possibly come out at a better time.

The Steelers and NFL Films will premiere the Official NFL Championship DVD tonight at 7 p.m. at the AMC Loews Waterfront Cinemas. Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, LaMarr Woodley, Willie Parker and James Harrison will be among those gathered for a VIP screening. Later in the night, at 11:59 p.m. doors will open at the Best Buy in Bethel Park where fans can purchase the DVD ($24.98) and Holmes will be on hand to sign autographs.

Frankly this can't come soon enough. Only 61 days 'til the draft ...

James Harrison, still out of gas ...

Dan Gigler — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Funny clip from SNL's Weekend Update:

Check out Harrison's epic run in pictures.

OTHER GOOD STUFF

The Cope Family named ABC News' Persons of the Week
Stuart Scott has Sunday Converstion with Terrible Towel
Super Bowl XLIII highlights by The Onion
Santonio: strong side/weak side by The Onion
Pupamalu dominates Puppy Bowl (Onion)
Lawrence Timmons blogs about Super Bowl XLIII and the aftermath
If Steelers Today were Kevin Colbert
Obligatory Pro Bowl update. Did anyone watch this? BNG watched the Super Bowl again from start to finish instead. God bless DVR!
LeBeau vs. Whiz: who won? A great analysis by Steel Curtain Rising
With the 32nd pick in the draft, the Steelers select ...
Sick of the Whiz?
J. Peezy happy for his old team
Tomlin = Noll?
Who will the Steelers open with in 2009?
Santonio's catch on Tecmo Bowl.
Bidding on Santonio's gloves now over $15,000 ...
Hines gives teammates the Crown
Pats fans think the game was fixed (see item 4)
Santonio & Mickey
Offseason decisions ...
More great Super Bowl XLIII pix ...
And finally, we cap off this link heavy edition of Blog 'N' Gold with the final installment of YinzLuvDaStillerz. Big time players come up big in big time games and big time bloggers do the same. Jim Shearer's weekly updates were consistantly funny & entertaining (even when the NFL put the kibosh on him), but the final 3 minutes of this video, recording his Super Bowl weekend in Pittsburgh was truly outstanding. Enjoy:

And there was much rejoicing ...

Dan Gigler — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:16:00 GMT

Though the celebrations in Steelers Nation will continue throughout the winter, spring, summer & fall ... we thought we'd share some of our favorite pix from around the globe of where people celebrated the SIX PACK!

From the smallest of towns in Upstate New York ...

... to the largest city in North America ...

to the Eternal City ...

... to the Great Wall ...

... and back to the cradle of civilization, the 'Burgh ...

These Southside photos by the amazingly talented Hryck.

More great celebration shots of postgame and the parade from talented Pittsburgh photogs:

Flickr Pittsburgh Steelers pool.
The parade
South Side: Gallery 1; Gallery 2; Gallery 3; Gallery 4
Bloomfield
Shadyside

Also, if you're local and missed and/or want to relive the victory parade, you're in luck. This from Comcast: Comcast will provide KDKA-TV’s coverage of today’s Steelers Super Bowl Parade free to all digital subscribers through its On Demand service. Comcast digital customers can select the “Your Town” folder on their On Demand menu and then select the “Sports” and “KDKA Steelers Parade” folders to view the celebration.

Buncha other good stuff ...

Best gallery of Steelers Super Bowl pix EVER.
Can Sixburgh get 7?
Tragically bad spelling in Fayette County.
Looking forward for the Steelers
Because it's never too early: Yahoo's 2-rd. mock draft. Guess what the Steelers pick ...

No corner left unturned ...

Dan Gigler — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:34:00 GMT

It's been mentioned in the past in this space, that the Steelers have essentially conquered the entire earth and the galaxy, so we'll add a few more places to the list.

Today we got some pix sent from our friend Giovanni -- he of the Roman Steeler bar -- and apparently now Steeler Nation (a nation with no boundaries, mind you) is trying to conquer ancient history and world religion as well. Take a look:

Home of the original gladiators ... methinks Silverback would fit right in ...

... and here, at the Vatican, where Giovanni reports there are "no Cardinals!" ... good line!

... and with Catholocism wrapped up, the Nation moves on to Buddhism ...

This shot is sent to us from Matthew Geppert and Dr. Lawrence Ng who are showing their Steeler pride in front of the Potala Palace, in Lhasa, Tibet. The two are there as part of a winter screening for children with congenital heart defects in Tibet. An Oakmont organization, SEAPC, has been searching for kids with CHD in Tibet for the past ten years through their Touching Hearts Project that has Dr. Brad Keller from Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh as its medical director.

Touching Hearts is a partnership between SEAPC and Peoples Regional Hospital of Tibet, PRC. The program is designed to screen children for heart defects and then provide the much needed medical treatment free of charge. Major benchmarks for the project include the regions first ASD closure, screening of over 12000 children, treatment for over 300, and the recent installation of Tibet's first pediatric cardio care facility.

With all of the projects strenuous tasks in front of them, Dr. Lawrence and Matt still manage to take time to expand the Steeler Nation internationally.

Great work over there guys!

OH NO HE DIDN'T!

Dan Gigler — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:29:00 GMT

Arizona is doomed now. Myron and God prepare to rain Thunderbolts from the sky. Don’t these people ever learn?

Super links 'n@

Dan Gigler — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:47:00 GMT

T-minus 46 hours and counting ...

The Terrible Shamwow and other good Stillers stuff.
This guy is really reaching.
Updating previous items: FedEx shipped 2,555 Terrible Towels to five military units in Iraq and Kuwait and at a military hospital in Germany as part of the "Towels for Troops" program.
Training camp bet: Jim Towey, president of Saint Vincent College, summer training camp of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the past 42 years, has made a wager with President John Haeger of Northern Arizona University, summer training camp of the Arizona Cardinals on the Super Bowl: Whichever team wins, the opposing team's president must wear the jersey and hat of the winning team's school or team on the first day of training camp 2009 - training camp XLIII.

Animals prefer the Steelers: Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of medical insurance for pets, recently analyzed its database of more than 467,000 insured pets to find which Super Bowl XLIII competitor has inspired the most fans to name pets in honor of the team or its players. While the exact inspiration for any pet name may be impossible to determine, there’s no doubt the Steeler Nation made a more pronounced impact on pet names in 2008. Here’s a look at how the two teams match up:

Super Bowl of Pet Names
Arizona Cardinals	#	Advantage		#	Pittsburgh Steelers
Pets Named After…		Cardinals	Steelers		Pets Named After…
Team ("Cardinal" or "Cardinals")	1		√	19	Team ("Steeler" or "Steelers")
Quarterback ("Warner")	3		√	4	Quarterback ("Roethlisberger")
Receiver ("Fitzgerald")	8	√		5	Receiver ("Hines Ward")
Current Stars ("Boldin," "Edge")	15		√	19	Current Stars ("Polamalu," "Woodley")
Former Stars ("Tillman," "Marcel")	35	√		32	Former Stars ("Bettis," "Bradshaw")
Nickname or Mascot ("Big Red")	9	√		4	Nickname or Mascot ("Steely")
Intangibles ("Whisenhunt," "Leinart")	5		√	76	Intangibles ("Rooney," "Myron")
Overall	76		√	159	Overall