Penguins Trade Rumors...UPDATED

Anyone that is a hockey fan knows that this time of year is exciting, especially heading to the playoffs to see who will land where and what the biggest deal will be. It's trade deadline time and the Penguins are involved in several rumors. The biggest one I am seeing right now is the Malkin to Atlanta for Kovalchuk trade. I hate this rumor and I hope the Pens don't get rid of Malkin, but its very early to tell and as I said, this is just a rumor. I will have a list of more sites listed at the bottom of the page with more rumors but for now just let me say this. If you trade Malkin, the team's leading scorer, you lose the fan base. I don't care if you clone Mario Lemieux it's not a good idea...actually that would be pretty sweet, but the point is that Malkin is leading the league in scoring and is one of the Pens' great young players. Geno may end up being better than Bing when this is all said and done, but to me if you trade away a talent like that who clearly has better days ahead, it spells disaster. Now on to the rumors and please keep in mind that the validity of these rumors is unknown at this point....just rumors.

Fan House is reporting that Nik Antropov could be headed to the Pens and could Colby and Kovalchuk become Pens as well?

NESN is saying that Martin St. Louis could be headed to Pittsburgh.

The Hockey News is also reporting the St. Louis to Pittsburgh deal.

The Sporting News is saying Colby could be coming back to the burgh.

The Columbus Dispatch has a blog and although its from a month ago, could Stall be headed to Columbus?

HockeyBuzz.com is reporting the Malkin for Kovalchuk rumor


Also remember that March 4th is the trade deadline...3pm to be exact. So it is fast approaching.

Will The Pens Make The Playoffs?

The question that plagues us all as Pittsburghers and Pens fans alike. Will they turn it on over the next two months and squeak their way in to the playoffs? Simple answer is, I have no effing clue. I don't know what to think of our beloved Penguins. I made a post before the season started saying how there should be no reason why the Pens shouldn't repeat as Eastern Conference Champs. Now I feel like a dumbass thanks to how this team has been playing all season. I think in the long run getting rid of Therrien was a good call. He was not well liked by his team, he has the personality of a wet mop, he gave his team no identity, and frankly he was a C+ B- coach. We need someone who is going to first get the defence in order. The D is slow, lazy, and mistake ridden. We need someone who is a motivator and a likable personalty. Someone who is going to get on the ice during practice and get down to the nitty gritty with these players. We need an identity as a team. When you hear New Jersey Devils, you think the Neutral Zone Trap. That is an identity. The Pens don't have one. We need a coach who will not shift lines every game to try to generate offence. Doing that nonsense will never build team chemistry. We need... Badger Bob Johnson. Not literally because of course he passed away many years ago but you get the idea. He is the type of guy we need. That is step one to getting this team back on track.

Step two is getting rid of Ryan Whitney. The man is a cancer on this team. Everyone blows him like he is the best defensive and offensive player we have. To everyone Ryan Whitney is simply amazing. Still, the only thing good specifically that anyone says about him is "man, he always has his eyes up when he brings the puck up on the rush." So that one good trait makes him an all-star. Are you fucking kidding me? He gives the puck up at least 5-10 times a game, half of those, sometimes more, are in his own zone. He never stays with his man. For a big guy he lacks physical play. One of his jobs as a blue liner on the Power Play is to keep the puck in, and he seems to not even be able to do that. Just watch him for an entire game, count the number of things he does well and count the number of things he does wrong. I can guarantee you the bad outweighs the good significantly. I know this because I have done it many times before. He has a good game though every now and then, but that is not what we need. If it was a bad game every now and then that would be fine everyone has rough games. Not a rough two seasons in a row while you are taking up 5 million in salary cap. Plus did you ever see the guy in an interview he's a dick. I know a few people who know him personally and say the same thing. He's an asshole. Get rid of Ryan Shitney and Miro Shitan and pick up a goal scorer for Sidney. Just watch at the end of this video at Whitney, what a douche bag.



So will the Pens make the playoffs? Chime in on comments if you think one way or the other. Lets hope they slip in and turn it on during the playoffs and make a run for it and my post from before the start of the season will be correct.

The Bucco's Are Coming...

Don't look now Pirate fans, but the season is just around the corner. In fact, the Pirates first spring training game is set for early next week against the Minnesota Twins, so gear up for another season of baseball in the burgh!

This isn't really a season preview, but I like to give my opinion about the old Bucs. As most know, just like Bice, I am very pessimisstic when it comes to the Buccos. Don't get me wrong, I like going to games, I like the team, and I really, really hope they do well. But I am somewhat of a realist when it comes to the Pirates and I like others, realize that the direction of this team will not change until ownership changes. And when I say change, I don't mean Bob Nutting wakes up one day and isn't a greedy bastard and decides the good people of Pittsburgh deserve a winner. I mean a new owner must take over the reigns of the club. I do feel like their is a little bit of hope with Frank Coonely and Neal Huntington running the operations though. It's just a wait and see situation.

Now on to this season. I think the Buccos will do worse than last year. With two LaRoche's on your team, you are almost asking for a loser. The pitching staff/bullpen are still very questionable. The only positive is that the position players coming back; Nasty Nate, Freddy, Doumit and Jack Flash are a positive. I say they win 65 games this year. Even if they prove me wrong, I don't think they win any more than 70 games. With this type of lineup I just don't see it any other way.

Also....I was thinking that since the Buccos are so horrible and haven't won in so long, what is it that keeps the fans interested? Individual performances from our star players? We don't have many, but it does keep fans interested. Don't tell me for one second that you didn't pull for Freddy when he was chasing a batting title in 2006 or that you didn't want Nate to have a career year last season, which he did. I always hoped Jason Bay would be closing in on 40 homers at the end of the season so you had some interest in the club. I guess we can only hope that Nate wins another Gold Glove and somehow Freddy manages to win another batting title. I can only hope.

Penguins Fire Therrien

As most already know, the Pittsburgh Penguins fired Head Coach Michel Therrien. They have brought in Dan Bylsma to try and right the ship at least until the end of the season. For the most part the Pens coaching staff remains in place. We'll get a quick look at the new guy when the Pens play today at 2pm.

It is hard for me to come to a decision on this change. I probably won't like most other things and then just agree with the experts that sound smart down the road. But I do think that there is somthing that shouldn't be lost in all of this. Here is my take.

Obviously the Pens were struggeling this season. Not having Gonchar and Whitney for half the season proved to be a negative. Take the top two defenceman from any team and they will have issues. The other thing in all of this however was that the Penguins clearly weren't the same after last season losing some key players and not getting Hossa back either. Therrien I feel was a very solid coach. But it's also tough when a guy like Satan and Sykora are supposed to be "finishers" and they are struggeling. I do think he was especially good with a team full of young players like the Penguins. Therrien's downfall though was the fact that he shuffled lines too much and was maybe too defence minded for a team with so many young talented players. Overall I think for the most part, Therrien's tenure with the Penguins will be considered a success, but this season may be remembered for his failure after coaching them to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. Overall the reason Therrien got fired, wasn't because of the team's struggles, but that they simply didn't believe in his theories and style anymore. When Therrien was first hired, everyone bought into the fact that defence would be the way to win and it was his way or the hi-way. That maybe was somthing that this team didn't want to buy into anymore with the struggles of the season. No matter what though, Therrien will be remembered for the guy that helped turn this team around and we should be grateful for that. He was the right guy at the right time for this team back in 2005-2006.

Why does Taylor Swift have such a weird face?

Has anyone else noticed that Taylor Swift looks like an alien? Either that or a fourty year old woman trapped in a 17 year-olds body. Its not that she's hideous or anything, its just that she's awkward looking. Like, I'm sure Bones would still give her the business....... Does anyone here agree with me?

First Friday the 13th of the Year AND V-Day WEEKEND LINKS

Welcome to the start of another weekend, I'm Huha with your weekend links.

If you've been following the past few weeks, you know that I open up with a little ditty like this, then just list the links I think you should take the time to look at over the weekend. Well, we're gonna switch up the format a little bit this weekend, and you can let me know how you feel about the changes in the COMMENTS or by leaving the flaming bag of poo on my porch, ringing the doorbell, and running away.

AND HERE WE GO...

-We start off this week in Sussex, England, and if you've seen the photo at the top, then you know where I'm headed with this. No, that boy is not looking after his little sister, it's his daughter. He's 13, the MUM (they're British you know) is 15. This just seems so wrong on so many levels. I have a cousin right around his age, and I can't imagine him going out and having a kid. This situation is messed up, but it's still not as messed up as the Angelina-wanna-be out in Cali that just had the Octuplets. I mean seriously here, you have 6 kids ALREADY, and you struggle to take care of them financially, then you get some wacko doctor to give you invitro, so you can have more joy into the world. No problem here though, as Octuplet-mommy has now launched a website for you to donate and help raise those kids. Someone's ending up at the shrink when they're older.

-Bice used to contribute these incredibly funny articles for The Clarion Call a few years ago, which it would be nice if I could still find them online to post as an example here. But anyways, he wrote this one article about the Greek system, and I kind of thought of it when I came upon more fun stuff from jolly-old England. It seems people are shocked and aghast at the fact that initiation to secret societies is bizarre and so out-landish, but there's been movies made to glorify this, so it's really not so secret. Come on people, this stuffs been going on for hundreds of years, and what guy wouldn't mind some random girl at the DIX party (sorry Bicey, had to use that one) coming up and kissing you. If it's worth it to act a fool to get those friends, then by all means you can do it that way. I'll just stand by and laugh.

-The Golf Channel of all places seems to be the bastion for controversial comments early on in the year, now each of the past 2 years. Last January, Kelly Tilghman said something along the lines of the younger players would need to gang up on Tiger Woods and lynch him in a back alley, just so they'd be able to win tournaments.
Hell, she's friends with Tiger, and he saw no ill intent with what she said. But boom, some activists come out, and she's put in the sin-bin for 2 weeks.
Let's fast-forward to within the past few weeks, Andrew McGee was doing a back-and-forth with Gary McCord (who's gotten himself in trouble in the past at The Masters), when McGee made a comment about a t-shirt he saw. Now, Judge Smails and his buddies down at Bushwood, must've seen this broadcast, because Golf Channel sure heard about it through the message boards and e-mails, and have now suspended McGee for a week.
The comment you ask? 'I got kicked out of the Boy Scouts for eating a brownie.'
There has to be some other underlying reason why he's suspended, because you have to be a total prude to suspend somebody over that, he really could've said far worse.

-People always liked to joke when I attended Clarion that I'd probably never graduate, but after 6-some years, I finally thought it was time to end the Van Wilder (minus the golf cart) act, and face the real world. Now, it hasn't taken many people longer to finish their undergrad, but somebody made me feel really good about myself this past week. Former Dallas Cowgirls QB and current FOX analyst Troy Aikman is finally graduating this May from UCLA, after (get this) 20+ years. Now, I really should joke about this here, but he had 2 great underlying reasons to leave when he did, and come back now:
1) He was going to the NFL, where he'd make an incredible amount of money.
2) He promised his mother he'd eventually return to finish his degree, and he was only 2 classes short of graduation at the time.
Now for the funny part of this. I know Troy was a part of the 1990s Dallas football teams, but come on, he never had any time over the summer to somehow finish those 2 classes? There's people I've known, and myself, that have used those summer classes to make stuff up, or finish off degrees. Seriously, what the heck is he doing in the off-seasons that he couldn't have finished it up like maybe 15-18 years ago??? At least 20 years is better than never graduating at all.

-And finally, if you watched ESPN or MLB Network (my new drug) at any point within the past week, you know that Alex Rodriguez used performance-enhancing drugs during his time with the Texas Rangers. As soon as I had found this out last Saturday, one of the first thoughts to come to my head was: "Who will be the first person to call him A-Roid, or will some PA announcer, the one at Fenway for instance, say 'To the plate, the third baseman, Alex Roid-riguez, Roid-riguez'" Well, I found this shirt online, and while MLB would never approve, you know you will see shirts just like it at ballyards all across the country this summer. It's a shirt I'd definitely buy, especially since I hated him since he went to the Yankees, and now even more that he cheated to give himself some sort of competitive edge. Hey at least we know none of the Pirates shoot up. (By the way, here's WHYGAV's Bucco's Season Preview)

SEE YA NEXT WEEK!

Can I tell you how much it sucks....

This is probaby me in 3 weeks.

to not have a real job? Well, I'm going to tell you. Really bad. Not that you have a job either with the way the economy is. I guess I should be happy that I have a wonderful Pizza Place to work at.

The other day, my manger told me that I was a terrible and needed more training. This was during a conversation that he and the driver were having about how foreigners are better workers than Americans. Being one, of only two, Americans who work there, this really pissed me off.

First of all, I am not a terrible worker. I rarely make mistakes, nobody ever sends their food back that I made saying it was terrible, and in general I'm nice to customers who don't deserve it. Not that I care about being a good worker in a fucking pizza shop, but I don't find it really constructive for someone to tell me I suck.

I'm also tried of not getting jobs that I'd actually be good at and then seeing that douchebag kids, fresh out of college, are the ones who would actually be interviewing me. It just goes to show, its not what you know, its who you know. Lame.

A-Rod Used (Who Cares?)

So I watched ESPN for about 20 minutes and I swear to God I've heard A-Rod say "Loosey Goosey" 300 times during that period. So he used steroids. Who cares? He lied about it too. Is anyone surprised? Everyone used steroids. It's a boring topic. It's as overused as ESPN's coverage of TO, Barry Bonds, Red Sox/Yankees, and Scott Van Pelt. Find something new to talk about. The End.

SUCCESS IN 2009 - 10 SEASON...WHY NOT

The Steelers came out on top this season with the Lombardi trophy and the celebration has not yet stopped in Pittsburgh or should I say SIXBURGH. I am not going to rub it in anymore that we won the superbowl here in Pittsburgh or that we just broke an NFL record by earning the most superbowl victories or that we have been coined Sixburgh or that we are on our way to the stairway to 7 ...okay okay I am done. I just know that in 2009- 10 season if you have heard already, Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl..lol.

So enough with that I want to focus on next year for the Pittsburgh Steelers, i know you are all going to say, "it's to early!" Umm, no it's not because if you haven't notice the next thing up on sports in the burgh is our beloved Pirates. So it is never to early. Getting back to the Steelers, this coming season let's start with where our focus as fans was at the beginning of this season , the schedule. The Steelers go from having one the hardest schedules in NFL history and becoming superbowl champions to having on of the most favorable schedules and having a chance to repeat as superbowl champions. The schedule with consist of playing our own division twice, which is never really a challenge. Then we have to go and play the AFC west, which was considered the worst division in the AFC this year if not one of the worst in all of football. The next stop for the Steelers is the NFC North. This is the division that consist of one the of the worst teams in NFL history , the Detroit Lions. It also features a team that all they can do is run the football, Minnesota Vikings, the Philadelphia Eagles, who always play us tough to try to try and use that as their turning point in their season, and finally the Chicago Bears, who offensively struggle more then Stein trying to get laid in Butler. So there you have it , by now you have read this and are already thinking we went from playing the NFL toughest schedule to playing one of the NFL easiest schedules (esp. for a superbowl champ).

Now it is time to talk about players and contracts, now I will not go over all of them, but I will go over most of them in general. The O - Line, now we have Marvel Smith up and he is either going to have to take a hometown discount or retire from football because looking at his robotic back and knees I don't know anyone who will pay him tons of money. We also have Kemoeatu up and he shouldn't be hard to sign , this guy is an ox and as smart of one too. So I think he will be happy just making some money and playing football and not having to find a normal 8 to 4 job. The rest of our O - Line whomever is left to sum it up they got better as the year went on and this is one place where chemistry and play together is key, but I don't think we have to worry about anyone trying to steal any of them. I mean would you pay any of them any more money for thier performance?

Let's talk key position players, guys who tend to see the ball more. Ben is locked up and our running back situation is looking good no one their is getting any more money unless is Mewelde Moore, who glues that backfield together due to injuries. I can see one thing happeing in about a year from now and that is if Parker can't stay healthy and prove his worth to this team I can see us letting him go and not re - signing him. I have a feeling he is going to want his money, since he was playing off his rookie free - agent contract. I would have to agree with this move, we do have Moore, who is a good blocker, runner, and pass catcher. We also did draft a stud in Mendenhall. The backups are so bad either and they are cheap. Moving on to recievers, Ward will stay he bleeds black and gold and he already got his big contract. The one we are going to have worry about is Holmes and he has earned it. He will be coming off his rookie contract and off his superb playoff run as Superbowl MVP. Washington will be easy to lock up a nice slot reciever and our tight ends are money hungry Miller is a blue collar happy to be where he is kind of guy.

Now for the defense, where it could get ugly , but with Dick and co. we always find a way to make it work and fill all the holes. Starting with the D - Line where we are getting kind of old and will probably look to draft some youth. We will have Kiesel 's contract coming up soon and as long as we treat him right he will stay. This guy is a Redneck in all his glory, money is not a priority to him, respect and fairness is. Hampton, he has already got paid once so we should be able to lure him back with decent money, and tell him with age and weight we will pay for his Wilford Brimley sessions to keep away diabetes. Moving on to linebackers where we are young and talented thanks to a nice draft a couple of years ago. Woodley and Timmons locked up and if Farrior decides he wants more money then see you later and will Timmons come on down and take that position. He is ready and will not disappoint. Harrison now I think he is up in a year or two and he may want some money due to the fact he has never been paid, but cut about 5 times. Yes, he is older, but there is a lot of tread on those tires with one hell of a HEMI motor, let just hope the transmission didn't come from Dodge. ( Bones will know what I mean) Finally, the secondary, this is an area where the Steelers are improving for the first time in years. Taylor is locked up and if Deshea wants money then see you later you already got your from us. We will give a nice long term contract to B- MAC and we will not miss a beat cause William Gay a.k.a Lil Jon will fill his position upon his rookie contract. Safties, we are lookning good Clark, Troy, T- Carter are good to go. The only thing that is scary is I don't see much more football coming out of Troy due to the fact that he doesn't see football as a way of life. He see much more to life then a career in the NFL. I am hoping we can get one more stint out of him. Lets all pray for that one. The last thing is Anthony Smith, yeah that trash talking retard that hasn't done shit. His contract is up and who cares. If he wants to play sign him , if he wants more money screw him. He has been nothing, but a waste of a draft pick.

In closing our coaches are safe, no one is taking Ariens and why would you. Lebeau said he is coming back and that is all that matters cause Tomlin is still in charge and ready to go back to work. Don't expect a let down with this team because of Tomlin these guys will be back to work as early as any other team. They will not be getting any breaks or tea times. Tomlin is a guy that expects to win and get no rewards in return. The only reweard that has any meaning to him is the one, that we already have six of. I really think this team has the chance to do something special and go back to the playoffs to make another run at the Lombardi trophy. As long as we can stay healthy I think we are already taking the first step up that stairway to seven.

Fun Times on Classic Gang Only

I'm going to do a little experiment here today ladies and gents. Part of my job is to be the man who interviews people to get a job at the good ole Hollister. To make people not as nervous pervis, we ask a few ice breaker questions to get them settled in and talking to get a better idea of their personalities. There is one question in particular that really gets them talking. So here today on Classic Gang Only I am going to ask you all that one amazing question.

Drum Roll Please....



If you could be any animal in the world what animal would you be and why?



Seems simple enough right? WRONG! I make them really explain themselves when answering you can't just say "UHHH a tiger cause they are cool." That's a lame answer. Really think that if you could be an animal what kind of animal would fit your personality. Like Stien for instance would be a gorilla. Not because he really looks like one (well he kind of does) but just for the simple fact that he is the most hairy mother fucker I have ever seen. Bice may be a panda bear because he is so cute and cuddly but he is still a bear and will literally rip your face off.

So you get the idea. I want everyone who reads this blog to post a comment saying what animal you would be any why. Get creative with your answers and don't be stupid and write something that you think is clever but it is really just annoying like "I would be crabs so I could hang out on vagina's all day!" That's not funny if you were really someones crabs you would only live a few days to live. Plus, in order to have crabs you would be on a dirty vagina and no one wants that. If you read it and don't write anything, Stien will come to your house and...

A. Punch you in the dick
B. Punch you in the vagina
C. Punch you in the vagina and dick if you are like Stien and have both the hog dog and the bun
D. Give you herpes while you sleep. (Yes he has it)

So let the games begin. Whoever has the best answer will get a prize (Understand that said prize will have no monetary or personal value. It will most likely be a second post saying "Good Job to ________ for the best answer!")

Have fun with this kids, it'll be a nice way to interact with your friends at Classic Gang Only!


p.s. make sure you leave your name with your comment so we can award you with the notoriety you will so deserve for being so clever.

Unlike the Pro Bowl, we don't stand a chance of getting blacked out in Hawaii this WEEKEND LINKAGE

Where to start, where to start with this one... Oh yeah, how about this???

WELCOME TO SIX-BURGH!!!

I know, I know, it's cliched and over done by now, but seriously what other city can lay claim to having 6 Lombardi Trophies, and what other blog provides you with the best links to get you through the weekend???

That's what I thought, and here are the links to getting you through to the Pens game Sunday where they try to continue their winning ways of late against hated Marian Hossa (let your true feelings for him out in the COMMENTS) and the Detroit Red Wings in a rematch of last season's Lord Stanley's Cup Finals. (12:30 on the Peacock)


-Peyton Manning just got himself a trip down the Highway to Hell.

-The AFC's 2.5-point favorites in Sunday's Pro Bowl.

-Bill Gates tries to spread the love by spreading some Malaria... not really, but just read it.

-Andy Rooney might just have well burned his ticket.

-You can now pay for the privilege to watch Joe Buck be horrible.

-WDIV (Detroit's NBC affiliate) tells it like it is. And, NBC says "Oh no you di-hn't girl!".

-Tell us how you really feel Mike Patrick.

-A list of remaining MLB free agents. (Pirates fans need not take note)

-Could Screech make it in the WWE?

-Liar, liar, now Coach Urban's gonna make you pay!!!

-Be glad you don't goto Gannon.

-Goin' on down to Nats-Town.

-If you wondered what the NFL does with those shirts that said "AFC Champion Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl Champion Arizona Cardinals," (like they should have even wasted their time and effort), but here's your enlightenment.


-And finally, you say nothing in life is free, right? Well, Denny's Restaurants proved us wrong earlier this week, and I'm about to share something with you to prove you wrong once again. There's this DJ from Pittsburgh you might have heard of in the past known as Girl Talk, and my friend had sent me a link a while back to download all the tracks to his latest works called "FEED THE ANIMALS." In my boredom from the joblessness, I took an hour and gave the tracks a listen, and I must say it's some pretty sweet stuff. So here's the link to download the tracks, and the great thing is it's free. It says to suggest a price, and you enter "0" in that price area, and when it asks why (it gives you options) just give whatever you feel like.

Let's bash the Buzzsaw known as the AZ Cards, so the Steelers get the Six-Pack Weekend Links

It's Super Bowl XLIII Weekend, and it's a case of a team expected to be there each season (Steelers) vs. a team that plays in a Championship Game say every 60-some years (Cardinals), and here's a variety of links to get you through the weekend to the big game Sunday night at 6:20 on NBC (pregame MUCH earlier in the day).


-Oh, there are so many betting scenarios during the Super Bowl.

-Speaking of bets, here's the traditional bet between politicians from the areas of the Super Bowl participants.

-Remember Duck Hunt on old school Nintendo? How about Cardinal Hunt?

-God's crying because he can't believe the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl either.

-You know the economy's gone to crap when Playboy cancels it's Super Bowl party.

-The PGH Trib plays What if? Coach Cheese-whiz coached the Steelers.

-At least they're being honest about the delay.

-The Steelers could complete the Six-pack this weekend, and find out if they get any more players enshrined in Canton.

-I know some people just watch for the commericals, but here's extra incentive for Steelers fans to watch the commercials. (and here's the original for comparison to your extra incentive.)

-PETA's Vegetables=Better sex commerical, will NOT be seen this Super Bowl. (NSFW)

-Well, disrespecting the Towel has put a hex on other teams in the past, and now the Cardinals can thank the mayor of Phoenix if they lose.

-Chris Berman= Character, integrity, and leadership... well the last parts true, I guess, since he works for the World Wide Leader??? (video that accompanies NSFW)

-Required reading for any TRUE Steelers fan.

-It truly is a Steeler Nation.

-Dick LeBeau IS The Terminator, "I'll Be Back..."

-Hope you didn't plan on eating dinner at Eat'N'Park right before kickoff Sunday.

-ESPN: The Magazine has a short piece on MLB and NFL teams that still haven't won the big one.

-Are young coaches the Flavor of the Week in the NFL?

PREDICTION TIME:

-Tecmo Bowl PHX 28 PIT 24

-Rod Woodson says it'll be close, and Coach Mariucci says the last QB with the ball wins.

-The East Valley (Phoenix East Suburbs) Tribune says the Cards need at least 20 to win.

-Bill Cowher has a tough decision to make. But it shouldn't be that damn hard, just go with the team you won the ring with, screw Coach Cheese-whiz.

-President BHO picks the Steelers.

-An ESPN.com breakdown.

-Steelers fans have another reason to hate Terry Bradshaw again.

-And, for my prediction, I'm gonna go with the Steelers 27-21 victors completing their first six-pack of Super Bowl victories. Fitzgerald will get 1 TD, and James Harrison and Troy Polamalu will each have a play that makes you go WOW!


Finally, fear not Steelers fans that also enjoy The Office. WPXI-TV WILL show the post-Super Bowl episode, but it won't be seen until Midnight, because of the obvious Steeler Super Bowl coverage. (Warning: Link contains potential spoilers)

Time For a Super Prediction

The big game is coming up and I can hardly wait, just like the rest of Steeler nation. This is going to be a somewhat short post...quick and to the point.

I think that this game is going one of two ways. It's either going to be a blowout or a close game. I am sure you all think right now, "gee stein, a browns fan could have told me that" but most think that it will be a blowout in favor of the steelers. Here is my prediction on the game.

First, the steelers look like a solid team right now. They beat the chargers and got past a tough ravens team. Willie Parker looks to be healthy and back on track, while Hines Ward looks to be healthy as well. Big Ben hasn't turned over the ball in the playoffs which is a great sign. The O-line ran into some trouble against the ravens, but they had a tough defense so I can't say I was suprised. The Steelers D, however, looks great. They got turnovers when they needed them in the AFC title game, and with the exception of the ravens getting some good runs on us, I think the steelers shut them down for the most part. I'd say the steelers have an edge with having been to Super Bowl XL a few seasons ago.

Arizona on the other hand looks tough too. They may have the toughest offense we will see all year. Kurt Warner is a very solid QB with super bowl experience. Larry Fitzgerald is the best WR in the league right now. The cards got their running game going against the eagles in the NFC title game. I'd say they are most deadly through the air however with Steve Breaston and Anquan Boldin to compliment Fitz. On defense I can only think of a couple of guys though that are "stars" for them. They obviously have a solid D or they wouldn't be in the super bowl.

Here is where it gets tough. The Steelers have a great defense but haven't seen an offense like Arizona's all season. The cards have a great offense but haven't seen a defense like Pittsburgh's all year. Arizona was 9-7, just making the playoffs in a weak division. Pittsburgh was 12-4 winning their division with arguably the toughest schedule in the NFL. But like I said Pittsburgh has a bit of an edge with their experience.

I expect this to be a close game to a point. I think that Arizona will manage to get some big plays from their WR's, but I think the Steelers will shut down the run. Pittsburgh should have success running the ball, and if Ben is smart with the ball, he should make some big plays as well. I expect the Steelers D to come up with big plays too however and that will be the difference in this game. Overall though, it will be close until the final quarter or so.

Pittsburgh 24-17

Whats With Ovie and Geno?

Whats with Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Anyone that follows the NHL knows about the ongoing rivalry between Alexander Ovechkin of the Capitals and Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins. But it was apparently resolved on Saturday night during the NHL's Super Skills competition. Geno and Ovie apparently have put their fued with one another aside. Acutally I would say that it must have been Ovie that put his fued with Malkin aside, being that he was the one trying to kill Malkin on every shift this season when they played. Regardless, from what I read it appeared that Ilya Kovalchuk of the Thrashers, who is also a russian, said they needed to get over it and that was it, everyone was friends again. This leads me to one of two theories. Either 1)Kovalchuk is one hell of peace maker. If that is the case he needs to be in politics bringing world peace and not in the NHL, or 2) maybe this was Ovechkin just being a jerk. Don't get me wrong, I like the way he plays and I like the fact that he is probably the most exciting player in the league but this all seems fishy to me. It just doesn't make sense that Ovechkin has hated Malkin for about a year or so and now they are buddy buddy again. It's too early to call this one, but stay tuned because I get the feeling more will come from this weekend in the coming days or weeks.

By the way, it was great to see Ovie do what he did in the super skills competition. Thats what this entire weekend is all about.




Here are some links to the stories...
Fanhouse & Washington Post

Super Bowl Bye Weekend Links

Two weeks, that's what Coach Tomlin and Cheese-whiz get to implement their plans as it's the Steelers vs. Pittsburgh-West a week from Sunday, and here's some links to get you through a slower sports weekend, since I don't think the NHL All Star Game will be all that exciting without Sid the Kid...


-Well, Kurt Warner's wife finally looks like the wife of a quarterback...

-Are the Steelers the greatest franchise ever??? I say yes, but let's hear what ESPN"s Flem File has to say about it.

-Does 43=75? Find out during the Super Bowl 43 commericals.


For those of you headed to Tampa for the completion of the 6-pack...

-The St. Pete Times newspaper provides a calendar of events for the upcoming week, including the necessities for the guys. (2nd link NSFW)

-A list of Steelers bars in Tampa and the surrounding area, and more discussion on things to do during Super Bowl week. (courtesy Steelernation.com blog)


I could go on and on about the Steelers but let's give love to another Black and Gold team (one that Mr. Bice loves like they're his own child), the Pittsburgh Pirates...

-They teased us with talks of Pedro.

-And also, believe that Sleeves=Championships.

-Thanks to Pat that runs the Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? blog, we can cruelly be reminded of all the Buccos losing seasons since 1992, in his intermittent recaps.
(1993-1999 here) (2000-present here).