Blog 'n' Gold : links N@

Potpourri for $100, Alex

Dan Gigler — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:56:00 GMT

A bunch of things with no real unifying theme (other than the Steelers and NFL football, of course) from around this series of tubes we call the Internets:

A terrific analysis and video montage from Post Game Heroes (set to Michael McDonald -- or Nate Dogg & Warren G., depending on your frame of reference) on the Steelers short yardage woes:

(Please visit the site to view this media)

From Chicago:

Given the Steelers running woes and the absence of Troy Polamalu in the Pittsburgh secondary, the Sun-Times wonders if the Steelers-Bears might have 80 total pass attempts. Steelers ... Bears ... 80 passes? If so, the end times are nigh.
The Sun-Times also examines the facial expressions of Jay Cutler including a photo gallery on the many faces of Jay. And you thought Big Ben was heavily scrutinized.
Write your own Jay Cutler caption.

Good Stuff:

Week 1 DVOA ratings from Football Outsiders.
Former Steeler Sean Morey among several NFLers donating their brains to science so doctors can better understand the effects of concussions.
Great read on Ricky WIlliams turning his life and football career around .
A truly disjointed column from MIke Florio about how week 1 of the NFL doesn't matter.
Cool map to figure out what NFL game will be broadcast where you live.

Stillers Silliness:

The Steelers as GI JOE characters. A tremendous find by NPC and check out the code name of the tank driver.
Winners of the Steelers Today haiku contest.
One For The Other Thumb gets a new writer.
XFL MVP thrashes the NFL Network's Jason La Canfora for his picks of the 20 greatest Steelers of all-time.
New blog: Stillers Blog
Borrowing from the guy who started with one red paperclip and ended up with a house, Steelers fan Dave Pierce has similarly been conducting trades over the past year for Steelers bric-a-brac. He started with a Terrible Towel and byu using his website, Steelers Trade, five deals later has a rather handsome carved wooden Steelers plaque. He's looking to make more deals, so check out his site and make him an offer he can't refuse (literally -- we don't mean he should be dealt with like Vito Corleone).
And finally ... meant to post this last week, but it slipped my mind ... The Steelers unveiled Rod Woodson's Hall-of-Fame locker in the Great Hall at Heinz Field, and its filled with rather pedestrian memorabilia -- game jersey, shoes, ball, etc. -- but this framed 8x10 photo contained therein is priceless:

Superman + Lando Calrissian = Rod Woodson.

Scouting the Titans

Dan Gigler — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:23:00 GMT

Everything you wanted to know about the Tennessee Titans but were afraid to ask ...

Running the football, great defense ... the Titans are a lot like the Steelers except in stupid unifoms. Read previews on Thursday night's opponent: ESPN, FanHouse, Bleacher Report,
An unrepentant LenDale White says that not only is he not sorry for stomping on the Shroud of Tur-- err, Terrible Towel -- last season, but that he'd likely do it again if given the opportunity. White, who's tequila intake likely rivaled that of El Guapo, is asking for it.
Titans captain Donne Nickey plays the role of Troy Polamalu for the Tennessee scout team, replete with a long-haired wig in his helmet. Recent Steelers signee Tuff Harris held the duties last year.
Chris Hope is excited to return to Pittsburgh and had some kind words for his former coach Dick LeBeau as well as the brand of football his former mates play: stick-your-face-in-the-fan football (last item, scroll down)
Former Steeler Nate Washington unlikely to play Thursday night
Tennessee's defensive coordinator, Chuck Cecil, makes his sideline debut with that job title. Cecil was the Jack Tatum of the early 90's, a hitter so fierce that Sports Illustrated once asked if he was too violent for the NFL.
Future Hall-of-Fame center Kevin Mawae, who got hurt against the Steelers last season, will play
Comparing the Steelers & Titans final 2008 regular season stats
Big Ben best beware of Michael Griffin
Tennessee Titans stock report
It's been a decade of missed opportunities for the Titans.

Stuff:

The Steelers are a highly-evolved species
Troy Polmalu's Head & Shoulders commercial. Saw this for the first time during last night's excellent Miami-FSU game.
China Jack is back
Anthony Smith cut by Green Bay
Kendall Simmons now a Patriot
The Post-Gazette sports staff, thousands of pounds and a whole lotta hair ago

Coming attractions ...

Dan Gigler — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:56:00 GMT

Coming to a City of Champions near you ...

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Getcha popcorn ready. If that doesn't get your pulse up, you might be dead. (H/T to Faceoffs & First Downs, which returns after a summer hiatus)

Coming to a Steelers bar near you (if you're in America this month): Pittsburgh blogger extraordinare Lindsey Patross, founder of the excellent I Heart Pittsburgh blog, is undertaking quite a mission in September -- she'll be criss-crossing the continent on a JetBlue All-You-Can-Jet pass to visit Steelers bars across the country and detailing the experience of meeting Steelers fans and Pittsburgh ex-pats for her blog. She has the pass in hand, all she needs now is your advice on where to go. Check out the details of her trip and make a modest donation to help fund her journey, and get a cool shirt in return.

Coming to a McDonald's near you (if you're in Pittsburgh next week): Beginning Monday, Pittsburgh area McDonald's will be selling and exclusive Steelers 2008 season highlights DVD, "Brothers and Champions" with the purchase of an extra value meal until supplies run out. A portion of the proceeds from each DVD sold will go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. On Friday, Segways with outfitted with 32-inch flat screen TVs will be wheeling around Ross Park Mall and all around the North Shore are in the late afternoon-evening showing clips from the DVD to the general public.

Coming to a Fox morning show near you (if you're in greater Charlotte Thursday): Because its never too early to start tailgating ... Justin Anderson of the Charlotte Steel City Fanatics is putting out a call to his black 'n' gold brethren (and sistren) to get up reeeeaaallly early on Thursday as the local Fox affiliate's morning show will be doing a live remote broadcast at their regulae spot, the Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, beginning at 5:30 a.m. in anticipation of that night's game against Carolina. Bloody Marys, anyone?

LINKS N@

Excellent piece by Chris Brown on the NYT's Fifth Down blog about the Steelers "snag" offensive strategy under Bruce Arians and how it works, and how it snagged them a sixth Super Bowl ring. (H/T to FanHouse)
Turns out, maybe the preseason record does matter ...
Part 2 of Jim Shearer's interview with Jack Ham on Yinz Luv Da Stillers
10 guys, 7 spots. Handicapping who gets 'em
Helpful listing of Steelers meetup groups nationwide
The Mexico City Steelers club was featured on the cover of the Pittsburgh Latino bulletin
An early stab at the all-AFC North team
Stefan Logan projects to be the best return man in the NFL?
Who's prettier: Big Ben or Brady?
The Dynasty

The Case for Coach Dad

Dan Gigler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Dick LeBeau instructs Aaron Smith and Brett Kiesel during a practice in Latrobe earlier this month.

Lots of great things around the web today (and in weeks past) about a possible enshrinement of Dick LeBeau in Canton. A sampling:

Other stuff:

Peter King rates Ziggy Hood and Stefan Logan among the 10 most exciting rookies he's seen this preseason
No need for the popcorn: TO out for Saturday's game in Pittsburgh
Carson Palmer may be out for the rest of the preseason. Should make tonight's episode of Hard Knocks interesting. Side note: the show this season has been excellent and truly interesting.
Everything you wanted to know about the Browns QB battle but were afraid to ask. Or didn't care because they still won't be very good.
An early stab at the Steelers 53-man roster.
And you think Eagles fans are bad ...
If the Steelers were a lady, what kind of lady would she be?
And finally, film of the Roethlis-poodle from yesterday:

Monday Night Football links: Aug. 24

Dan Gigler — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:53:00 GMT

All the good stuff we missed over the weekend ...

Great find by the Steez Bros. of an NFL Network interview by Deion Sanders of Mike Tomlin. Sanders is generally a terrible questioner, but Tomlin's answers should make the hair on Steelers fans necks stand up. Especially when he says that he's been studying the 1975 Steelers. Some great insight into Tomlin's relationship with Dan Rooney and some rare frankness by an NFL coach on the legal problems among players in the league and of Michael Vick specifically.
Is Lawrence Timmons going to be a liability against the run?
Halfway through preseason: the good, bad & ugly.
Give Terence Moore the Rooneys; you can take the rest.
Steel Curtain Rising begins a season long look back at the 1989 Steelers -- Chuck Noll's last playoff team.
Looking back at Rocky Bleier Fighting Back.
The most overrated conroversial calls involving the Steelers.
Peter King says that Ryan Clark is the top free-agent for 2010 but then oddly says that the Steelers came out of nowhere to go to the Super Bowl in 2005. Uh ... they were 15-1 the year prior.
Stefan Logan is the wind beneath this man's wings.
Steelahs.com likes the black & gold youth movement.
Looking at the stats of the 1994 Blitzburgh Defense against the rest of the league.
The Terrible Cow.
New look for the Steelers' website.
ESPN's camp report from the Ravens, who see the Steelers in their sleep.

The Steelers as Mad Men

Dan Gigler — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:01:00 GMT

In celebration of the return of the best show on TV since The Wire went off the air, we thought we'd have a little fun with an application on the Mad Men website called Mad Men Yourself and imagined what some current and former Steelers would look like as fellow Sterling Cooper employees ...

Hines Ward

Big Ben

Big Snack

Jack Lambert

Terry Bradshaw

Bill Cowher

Franco Harris

Everytime we tried to do Mike Tomlin, it came out looking more like Mean Joe Greene.

The Chief

LINKS N@

Hilarious: PSAMP uncovers a Lego-based re-enactment of Troy Polamalu's Coke Zero commercial.
Everything you wanted to know about Isaac Redman but were afraid to ask.
The Unasked Questions of Training Camp
Because anything is possible: How the Steelers will go winless in 2009
Grading the O-line
Questions and answers after one preseason game
They never drew first, but they drew first blood, call them Young Guns

Approaching 24 hours until football.

Dan Gigler — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:52:00 GMT

Bet you don't see this hat tomorrow night.

Excellent Fantasy Football Draft Guide for Steelers Fans to reduce the cognitive dissonance in their lives.

We get letters: From Heidi Souza in Moon Township: "To the Steeler Nation who hold Pre-Season tickets: I go to the pre-season Steeler games, and look at the empty seats…you Steeler fans should be ashamed. Be there! If you don’t care about the upcoming team and/or who is/will-be your team; then you should sell or give your tickets to other fans or charitable organizations (geeze you can claim a write-off on taxes). Give them to the Boy’s Club, or any org. I was on the waiting list for the Steelers for 11 years before I got tickets. If I cannot go to a pre-season game, then I give them to someone, like many people who have NEVER seen a Steeler game, here or 3 Rivers. Believe it or not, there are many people here. When I see empty seats in the pre-season, I say, “shame on you” to the season-ticket holders. There are other ways to “get rid” of your tickets if you don’t want to see your heroes play. Go Steelers!"
She makes a great point. A lot of people would willingly give a pound of flesh to get to a game -- any game -- even a preseason one. No reason to be a no-show, just give the tix away.

Line of the day: After learning of the much ado about nothing story of Steelers visiting a State Police rilfe range several years ago, Post-Gazette copy editor Rick Davis quipped: "Good thing Plaxico wasn't there ..." Thank you folks, he's here all week. Try the veal.

Also, we learn that PSAMP posted this months ago, and takes the Philadelphia Daily News to task.

Ryan Wilson's very early keep/cut list.

Keep your eyes peeled for the following, JJ Moore writes; Steelers Depot gives a list of 10 things to watch; and while it's only kinda, sorta football the DC Steeler Nation will be watching for this.

The Steelers cannot be distracted.

Willie Colon: bum or all-pro?

Steeler Fury discusses the case for Hines Ward in the Hall of Fame.

Big Ben, don't get hurt.

Monday Night Football links

Dan Gigler — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:48:00 GMT

Submitted for your approval ... buncha links for a Stormy Monday evening ...

Ryan Wilson has decided he's through agonizing over the O-Line, while BTSC is content to obsess although sees a silver lining ahead ...
Mondesi goes rightfully ballistic after an NBC Sports article indicates there are no Hall-of-Fame worthy Steelers on the current team.
Speaking of the HOF, Steel Curtain Rising gives his list of Rod Woodson's greatest moments as a Steeler. And Peter King says he seconds Woodson's montion that Dick LeBeau be enshrined in Canton.
Bleacher Report is buying on Ryan Mundy.
PSAMP & Cotter go to Latrobe. Hijinks ensue.
Snoop Dogg is a fair-weather Steelers fan?
Steelers Tribute counts down the greatest Steelers by jersey number; while BTSC gives the sacred rules of jersey purchase, and while we're stuck on garments, try out a Steelers Snuggie.
Finally, the Steelers are throwing a little shindig tomorrow to unveil the Sixth Super Bowl Column for the Heinz Field Great Hall.

Slow going for Big Ben

Dan Gigler — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:16:00 GMT

Ed Bouchette reports today that Big Ben is frustrated by a slow start to his training camp -- one in which he's thrown a plethora of INTs. Don't panic Steelers fans -- it is only camp, and he faces a pretty decent defense each day in the 7-on-7 drills.

"Why so blue, panda bear?"

STILLERZ STUFF

Ed Bouchette's weekly chats start Tuesday. You may submit your questions as early as 6 a.m.
Gerry Dulac wrote today that Rashard Mendenhall took dancing lessons as part of his rehab from a broken leg last season. PSAMP dug up the YouTube of this back in July.
Limas Sweed makin' it rain in Latrobe. Look for more on Limas from Gerry Dulac tomorrow, plus a video on the former Longhorn.
In our pictures yesterday, we showed SI's Peter King talking with Santonio; here is his MMQB recap from Steelers camp (bottom of page)
Other national media reports from Lay-trobe: Tom Curran, NBC Sports -- Steelers ready to be hunted; Thomas George, NFL.com -- Attitude Day
Bloggers in Lay-trobe: Steeler Fury; Steelers Today
Steeler Tribute's burning questions
NPC's training camp battlezone
BTSC specualtes that better days are ahead for Willie Colon
Missed this when it was first posted, but Lawrence Timmons names his top 5 favorite places to hang in Pittsburgh (second entry down) ... Bowling Alley, ok, that's fun; Andora, that works, its an excellent place with a great rep; Jerome Bettis' Grille 36, makes sense; Capital Grille, a chain, but a fancy schmancy one; but no. 5 -- Red Lobster? He says its a sentimental favorite, but c'mon LT -- this is a city full of great restaurants, nightlife and culture -- you could go to a Red Lobster anywhere! Get out and explore amigo!

News:

Plaxico Burress indicted.
Terrell Suggs has an ankle injury. He also has an insecurity issue, apparently.
LenDale White's diet plan? No tequila. There are 69 calories in a shot of Patron. Big boy was putting away some serious hooch.
Carson Palmer returns to Bengals practice.
Jarvis Moss reportedly contemplating retirement. This was a guy who was frequently mentioned by draftniks as a potential Steelers 1st round pick in 2007. The Steelers went with Lawrence Timmons instead (despite his questionable choices in restaurants).

Some leftover pics from the weekend at camp ...

God's country

Urbik vs. Hood in the trenches

Troy Pola-mullet

Jeff Reed would approve of this 'do ...

How often do you think these three gents opt for the vegetarian course at weddings and on airplanes?

YOU tell him you're a Ravens fan ...

Mild-mannered husband & father Joe Walsh of Archibald, Pa., also got inked up for his Super Steelers.

The man comes around ...

Training Camp Dates

Dan Gigler — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:19:00 GMT

The Steelers released their training camp dates yesterday; players report on July 31st, and here's the rundown of all practices open to the public:

August 1-6: 2:55 p.m., St. Vincent College

August 7: 7 p.m., Latrobe Area High School (admission charged, proceeds go to local charity)

August 8-11: 2:55 p.m., St. Vincent College

August 15-20: 2:55 p.m., St. Vincent College

For full information, go to Steelers.com

Links N@

Suggested new Pennsylvania tourism slogan: State of Champions
Steelers as Founding Fathers Photoshop
Tone gets a tat & begs for an ESPY
On the virtues of spreading the ball around
Steelers rookies could make an impact this season

Remembering Steve McNair

A handful of nice tributes around the Steelers blogosphere to the late, great Steve McNair an outstanding talent that gave the Steelers and their fans absolute fits throughout his playing career. Yet because of his quiet dignity, outstanding on field leadership and true grit and toughness earned respect from his opposition and their fans. McNair never inspired the loathing a la a brash Ray Lewis or pretty boy Tom Brady. He was a true gridiron galdiator and the kind of player that football purists love.

Steelers Tribute rated him as the greatest Steeler-killer of all time
Steel Curtain Rising also hails McNair as a Steelers tormentor
The Top 5 McNair performances against the Steelers