2009 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
2009 NFL Previews August 24th. 2009, 1:30pm
Let’s begin the Pittsburgh Steelers preview with some facts about QB of the defending Super Bowl champs, Ben Roethlisberger.
Fact: Ben Roethlisberger has done two really idiotic things off the field (that everyone knows about) in his brief career – gotten on a motorcycle without a helmet, and shagged a crazy chick in Nevada.
Fact: There is no better QB in the NFL right now at comebacks than Ben Roethlisberger, and he could one day break John Elway’s record. Depending on what stats you want to believe, Roethlisberger either has 19 or 15 comebacks for wins in his brief career. Tom Brady has a few more, but he’s 32; Roethlisberger is only 27.
Fact: Ben Roethlisberger is currently a Top 10 QB in the NFL. No order: Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, Romo, Cutler and for your final two spots, feel free to select between McNabb, Eli, or Matt Ryan. And no, that is not subjective. There is not a measurement that exists wherein Roethlisberger would be out of the Top 10.
Fact: Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings, and in each season, his defense was top five in the NFL in ppg, sacks, rush defense, and total yards allowed.
Fact: Ben Roethlisberger has fumble issues last season. He tied for the league lead with seven last season – but didn’t fumble once in the postseason.
Conclusion? Ben Roethlisberger is 85 percent of the way to the Hall of Fame. If this guy gets a few more playoff wins, go ahead and fire up his bust in Canton. He doesn’t even need another Super Bowl title (but he’ll probably get one, eventually). Now, onto more pressing issues … can these guys repeat?
2009 Schedule: Win the Super Bowl and come back the next season and get the fourth easiest schedule in the league. Nice. That, coupled with the fact that the offense remains potent: Still deep at RB, several quality WRs (if Limas Sweed emerges as a legit No. 3, defenses are screwed), one of the top TEs in the league, and a solid offensive line. Other than no depth at QB – Dennis Dixon dinged up his shoulder this weekend, which could be trouble - the offense should not be of concern. The only way this team doesn’t finish .500 or above for the sixth year in a row is if Big Ben goes down and misses a bunch of games.
Santonio Holmes: Drugs. Nudity. Ohio State. The Catch. Super Bowl MVP. What a story!
Cheerleaders: Are the Pittsburgh Steelers really above having cheerleaders?
The City of Pittsburgh: Never been. Have a couple of friends who are massive Steelers fans, but neither can recall a memorable non-sports moment in the Steel City. Oddly, we went to a wedding this summer and we seated near a guy who had spent a few months interning in Pittsburgh. He raved about it. Caught us by complete surprise be we had not envisioned it as a cultural mecca. We’d never heard anyone rave about that city. Other large cities that people never seem to say neat things about: Columbus, Memphis, San Jose, Albuquerque.
Season Projection: It would not shock us if the Steelers opened 1-3. Not say they aren’t better than Tennessee, Chicago and San Diego, but losses there would not surprise us. And now, the good news: Starting in October, there is one challenging road game against a good team (Baltimore). The Steelers could easily peel off six wins in a row midseason (if it beats Minnesota at home). In fact, after game four, we’re not kidding when we say 12 straight wins is a legit possibility. Home challenges: Minnesota and Green Bay. That’s it. We’ll guess the Steelers finish 11-5 and win the AFC North, locking up the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind San Diego (which will win 12 games despite playing the NFC East).
NFC East: 2009 Dallas Cowboys Preview | 2009 Philadelphia Eagles Preview | 2009 New York Giants Preview | 2009 Washington Redskins Preview
FC North: 2009 Chicago Bears Preview | 2009 Detroit Lions Preview | 2009 Minnesota Vikings Preview | 2009 Green Bay Packers Preview
NFL South: 2009 Tampa Bay Bucs Preview | 2009 Atlanta Falcons Preview | 2009 New Orleans Saints Preview | 2009 Carolina Panthers Preview
NFL West: 2009 San Francisco 49ers Preview | 2009 St. Louis Rams Preview | 2009 Arizona Cardinals Preview | 2009 Seattle Seahawks Preview
AFC East: 2009 New England Patriots Preview | 2009 New York Jets Preview | 2009 Buffalo Bills Preview | 2009 Miami Dolphins Preview
189 Responses to “2009 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers”
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August 24th, 2009 at 1:36 PM
So you’re saying that the Patriots are winning 11 games or fewer?
August 24th, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Fact Big Ben is always milking an injury.
Also I like Cutler but what has he done to prove he is a better QB than Manning, McNabb and even Matty Ice. Cutler plays in a weak ass division and throws the ball a lot. He has yet to win one big game and the Broncos choked away the division last year with him behind center.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Good Preview TBL, I hate to say it but I think that the Steelers repeat. That defense is too good.
Pittsburgh May through October is great, lots of places to bike, run, etc. I’m actually a little sad I won’t be there this fall.
/Not shocked all of the girls in both pics are ugly
August 24th, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Goddamn. Under all of that gut I bet theres some good pussy.
/Chris Rock
//Me’d
August 24th, 2009 at 1:40 PM
if mendenhall goes the whole season with being inured they will be even more dangerous.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Fact i think a lot of that was directed my way
August 24th, 2009 at 1:42 PM
there is spencer’s starting qb.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
with = without being injured.
/im an idiot
//hakeem nicks
August 24th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
I think TBL is REALLY drinking the Mark Sanchez koolaid.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Er, you sure about that one?
August 24th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
We all know that crazy chicks fuck the best. Sometimes they get scorned and just lose it. Just ask Kobe.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:44 PM
traded him today to tampa bo for DA and lamont jordan.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Spencer and I have closed a deal sending Big Ben to me for Derek Anderson and Lamont Jordan. Making Big Ben my #2 QB.
/At the End of the Day Big Ben just Wins.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I run into a lot of people who are from Pittsburgh, originally, who do not live there anymore and can’t shut up about how great it is.
If it’s so great, I don’t understand why they don’t move back.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
I was hoping Spencer would go all NDub on this post.
/last thread’d
August 24th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Is there really a picture of a naked dude? How am I supposed to explain this at work? Jesus TBL.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Oh, and San Jose is dull. That’s why no one talks about it.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
fact: Primanti bros is the shit
fact: 412 sucks
August 24th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Except for the fact that they were 23rd in the league in rushing offense, they allowed 49 sacks, and Ben’s TD:turnover ratio was 17:22.
Other than that, no concerns whatsoever.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Over the last 4 seasons, Roethlisberger is second (behind Favre) in the NFL in interceptions thrown in the 4th quarter while trailing by one score or less.
/he’s so clutch
August 24th, 2009 at 1:49 PM
The name of my fantasy football team is Ben Rapelisberger.
I slay me.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:49 PM
what can i say? the browns are the steelers’ bitches. i know this, you know this, the american people know this.
i hate the living shit out of those piss colored meth bojacks, but i respect them. they’re damn good, well coached and have an organizational model every other non-NE/Indy/balt team would kill for.
now the ravens? that’s a different story.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:50 PM
honestly, i have no idea who won that trade.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:50 PM
@mamalickaboobooday Just finally admit youre a homo
August 24th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Needs more exposed cock.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
good preview, but dumbest thing i’ve ever heard. i suppose if you forget peyton manning is still an active QB this is true.
that’s a stretch right now. dust off that claim in a few years then try it on for size.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
i like your style.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
I went with Big Ben’s Therapist.
/subtlety is the way to go
August 24th, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Me too. Not only because I enjoy the guy’s musings/wit/brains, but I don’t want to look like the only maniac on the blog today.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
The collegiate educations of Tartan and Hakeem both occured in the Steel City.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
@ Tampa, Trust me, I’ve tried this approach to provide job security, but they didn’t buy it…
August 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM
mike – great link. seneca wallace, kyle orton, favre, campbell, and garrard were better QBs than Big Ben last year.
great stuff.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The Steelers return 20 of 22 starters, losing only Foote (who would have been beaten out by Timmons) and McFadden (who split time with Gay). Also, we get to upgrade our punter, as Sepulveda is back from ACL surgery (we were so bad at punting last year).
The Steelers got ZERO contribution from the 2008 draft class last year due to injuries, etc. The rookie MVP was an undrafted free agent who played special teams. This year, Mendenhall, Sweed are in the mix, Bruce Davis will backup Woodley and the 2009 draft class looks awesome. Hood already has 3 sacks in the preseason, Mike Wallace may supplant Sweed as the No. 3 and is the fastest player on the team, etc. In other words, it’s the same team, only deeper.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The collegiate educations of Tartan and Hakeem both occured in the Steel City.
That guy had obviously never been to Panther Hollow Inn for dollar drinks
August 24th, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I know things like “facts” and “numbers” are for dorks…I just wanted to throw in a shout-out to people whose football knowledge extends beyond the last 2 minutes of the Super Bowl.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:58 PM
RB injuries, young/shaky o-line.
chalk up the ints to having to hand the ball to Moore and Russell because the rook missed 12 games and parker missed 5.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:59 PM
100 cocktails to you
August 24th, 2009 at 2:00 PM
I’m guessing you were looking for something a little more traditional, if not as accurate.
Okay.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:00 PM
So…Rashard Mendenhall, on his own, is going to transform Pittsburgh from one of the league’s worst offensive teams to one in which offense is “not a concern”?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:00 PM
their OL is shaky…not young.
chalk up INT’s to the running game? never heard that one before.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:00 PM
G-20 Conference next month! Time to party with some world leaders in the Strip District.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:01 PM
roeth, how was aruba?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:02 PM
I
close to going this past Friday for old times’ sake.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Of course, we could always point to something like this, which needs to be looked at in tandem with a stat like this.
/Big Ben really does kind of suck
August 24th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
12-4, Super Bowl Champs, again.
You could chalk the Int’s up to one of the hardest schedules a team has played in the past 20 years. And one of the worst Olines in football, and Santonio’s ability to constantly run the wrong routes. Nah, he just sucks.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Yes. Did you find Natalie Holloway?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:05 PM
As much as I hate Pitt sports teams the city itself is pretty awesome. I went there earlier this year. As you would expect it is blue collar with amazing bars (that sell tallboy beers to go) and great food. I went to Primanti Brothers a three times during a three day trip. If you get a chance get the pastrami sandwich. It is most decadent.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Whoops.
And yes, I’m looking at the G-20 summit site right now out my office window.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:06 PM
It’s from the third chapter of The Book of Facts and Science, right after “baseball needs a salary cap” and “Michigan football is worth a season preview”.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Good times, spent most of the days at the pool/beach. Did some ocean kayaking, a drunk bus tour of the island, and some off-road jeeping through Arikok Nat’l Park to Baby Beach. Really the only negatives were that it’s almost too Americanized (for example, outside of our hotel were a Burger King, Hooters and Benihana), and that their were WAY too many people from NY/NJ.
I don’t know what special there was going on, but starting on Tues. there was a HUGE influx on people coming from NYC, and they acted like typical ugly American tourists. There were countless fights over pool chairs, picnic seats, who’s next at the bar, etc.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:08 PM
pittsburgh would be so much better without the, you know, pittsburgians (pittsburgers? pittsburgites?).
/actually like the city
//very underrated when it comes to golf
///probably rather live there than cleveland
////if it weren’t for the steelers fans
August 24th, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Love your worthless stats Mike, nice to see warm weather and dome qb’s all at the top of the list, sure there’s no reason for that. Of course if you actually watched games instead of studying them on a spreadsheet you might be aware that the steelers played nearly every game from October on in rain/snow/wind/cold last year, but no bother, STATS!!!!!!!
August 24th, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I keep telling people that this makes them at least one win better last year. Berger was a disgrace.
Pittsburgh is actually a gorgeous city. When the steel industry collapsed they had to rebuild their economy, and it’s now centered around hospitals and education, which is why they’ve been hit relatively light in the recession. No other major city can compare with it’s geography, and there has been so much growth that there is a great balance of classical Carnegie shit and new stuff. As soon as the fucking Hill District is taken over, it will be borderline perfect.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
ben’s suck-edry has no weather boundaries.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:11 PM
pittsburgh would be so much better without the, you know, pittsburgians (pittsburgers? pittsburgites?).
With a few exceptions, this is true.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Another good point regarding the golf Spencer. I was pleasantly surprised myself.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
As soon as the fucking Hill District is taken over, it will be borderline perfect.
I would have to take a bus downtown to take my military physical last year and it went right through the hill district at 530 in the morning. Lets just say it was interesting.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Clearly this is why their defense looked so dominant. It’s easy to make an opposing team’s offense look feable when the elements are with you.
/Tables turned’d
August 24th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the weather excuse used to defend Big Ben’s ineptness. That’s a new one.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:14 PM
If I ran into Mitch Berger in the street I would kick his ass.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Big Ben just wins teh foosbaw games.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Mario Lemieux is working on it.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Has anyone spent time in Beaver Creek or Vail, Co? I went there this weekend and desperately want to move there now. Most gorgeous place that I have ever been.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:15 PM
The Hill District residents pissed me off during the whole arena development process. They acted like the city owed them something for putting an arena beside the existing location on the edge of the Hill. We need Ravenstahl to go “Tom Murphy eminent domain” on the entire area, bulldoze it, and start over.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:15 PM
RD, it absolutely helps their defensive stats, I dont disagree at all. Their D is great, but a tad overrated.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
so coop, you’re sayin god hates big ben too?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
spent 4 days in boulder. great weed there.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:17 PM
So throwing to Larry Fitzgerald in a dome in Arizona is just as easy as throwing to slow as hell Heinz Ward when its 20 degrees with whipping winds? Maybe you need to get outside sometime.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Wow Aruba sound shitty.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Weather has been used to defend Giants QBs forever.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
i mean he DOES wear gloves.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Still like Brister better.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Excellent…nothing like a Sean Connery from Celebrity Jeopardy wordplay.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
There is a dispensory right next to Beaver Creek. My buddies brother said it was insane.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:22 PM
so is the steelers defense that good or should we just say that the reason why the steelers defense is so good is because visiting offenses have to contend with whipping wings and the elemnts?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I flew in on the redeye from Denver and went straight to work. Needless to say I am a gigantic ball of worthlessness today.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:24 PM
don’t forget the abortion that is the heinz field turf.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:24 PM
true. got a good buddy that goes to U of Colorado, at Boulder.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
By far my favorite place to ski…my parents lucked into a really nice timeshare right across from Vail for dirt cheap the first week in January, so I try to go out there every year if I can. I prefer Beaver Creek because I’m not a huge powder guy, but you could literally spend 2 straight weeks at Vail and not hit every slope. Place is fucking huge.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:26 PM
That explains Cleveland having the 26th best defense in the league last year. The Browns get to play in a tropical paradise all year.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:26 PM
I went up a mountain and hippied it out like no other. I played frisbee golf while tripping my face off going down a mountain. I saw a bear in the middle of town at night and my buddy and I tried to stalk it. I think things could have gone terribly wrong if we would have found it.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:28 PM
They’re back to 100% grass this year. It could get real ugly again, particularly if the weather is shitty for the HS championships played in Nov. or if Pitt/Steelers play back to back on the same weekend.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Big Ben is at best a mediocre QB because of those whipping winds. The Steelers defense is the best in the league, however, and those crazy, whipping winds have nothing to do with it. Glad we got that settled.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Have you ever tried skiing…ON WEED!?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:30 PM
That place was beautiful in the summer. I could move to Denver tomorrow and not worry about a thing. Being that close to that much fun would be sweet. Plus it’s not humid, which having lived down in ATL for so long is a welcomed change.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:31 PM
is it because heinz was built with city money that they insist on playing HS and college games there?
i love grass fields and respect the steelers wish to stick with tradition, but if they’re going to put that much stress on the turf, they really should go to field-turf. it’s getting a tad ridiculous.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:31 PM
I think I’m the only skier below 40 that hasn’t.
You can’t smoke cigarettes on the lifts anymore, but there hasn’t been a crackdown on joints yet.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I mean Kurt Warner is 10 times the QB ben is, except of course when Zona played in NE last year and it was snowing. Or that uber-QB Phillip Rivers who played at Pitt in December and threw for a whopping 160 yards. I’m sure I could keep going, yup, weather means nothing, STATS!!!!!
See comment #65, I clearly said it absolutely helps their defensive stats, you know, that defense that gave up 400 yards in the dome super bowl.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Yes…it’s pretty fun. Have you ever seen the back of a $20 bill…on weed?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Since you love stats so much, the Steelers defense gave up more points at home than on the road last year.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Denver is the only place west of the Mississippi I would consider taking a job. Maybe Seattle also, but it’d have to be a hell of a job.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I think that is correct. Or Pitt could just build their own damn stadium. Only in the Big East do multiple schools play in pro stadiums, ghetto.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:35 PM
the wanna-dome to house the wanna-stache?
that’d be awesome.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:36 PM
One of my roomates from college moved out there a couple of years ago and absolutely loves it. Being 1.5 hours from all of that skiing and hiking would be awesome.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:37 PM
that sounds like a bad movie scene.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Big Ben is at best a mediocre QB because of those whipping winds. The Steelers defense is the best in the league, however, and those crazy, whipping winds have nothing to do with it. Glad we got that settled.
The D is the best in football because they kill people in EVERY stadium. Kickers can’t kick FG’s at Heinz let alone throw the ball there.
Over the last 4 seasons, Roethlisberger is second (behind Favre) in the NFL in interceptions thrown in the 4th quarter while trailing by one score or less.
/he’s so clutch
Over the past 4 seasons, Ben is 1st in rings…
And he sure covered up a last minute collapse by that mighty D in February huh?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:40 PM
*Spencer’s head explodes*
August 24th, 2009 at 2:41 PM
really? funny, i could’ve sworn that was a team effort.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Over the past 4 seasons, Ben is 1st in rings…
really? funny, i could’ve sworn that was a team effort.
Really? Is that why Cleveland is so kind to its quarterbacks? Because it’s a TEAM EFFORT? Sorry, I forgot that most fanbases cheer when their QB gets injured. Keep it classy Brownies..
August 24th, 2009 at 2:45 PM
You also seem to miss the fact that his 4th quarter comebacks are used as proof of his quality as a QB. The fact of the matter is he biffs it in the 4th quarter more than any other QB not named Favre.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:45 PM
I, for one, will never forget his epic performance against Seattle in the Super Bowl.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Over the past 4 seasons, Ben is 1st in rings…
I, for one, will never forget his epic performance against Seattle in the Super Bowl.
Yes, he had nothing to do with the 3 road games to get them there…short memory huh?
August 24th, 2009 at 2:49 PM
clown will you remember romo’s epic performance against Seattle?
/botched snap’d
August 24th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Really the only negatives were that it’s almost too Americanized (for example, outside of our hotel were a Burger King, Hooters and Benihana), and that their were WAY too many people from NY/NJ.
roeth: I thought you went to Aruba, not Fort lauderdale. I woulda bought you and the Mrs. a cocktail
/fuggedaboutit
August 24th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Has any of you Stats > Weather boneheads responded to this yet:
Or this:
/high five, mole
August 24th, 2009 at 2:52 PM
why is it that everytime i mention something in this topic, it always comes back to me being a browns fan?
i don’t care about other browns fans. we have more than our fair share of idiots too…you should hear some of the local shows…RETARDS.
a QB is not solely responsible for winning a super bowl. deal with it. and stop using it as justification for big ben being an average QB.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Really? Is that why Cleveland is so kind to its quarterbacks? Because it’s a TEAM EFFORT? Sorry, I forgot that most fanbases cheer when their QB gets injured. Keep it classy Brownies..
why is it that everytime i mention something in this topic, it always comes back to me being a browns fan?
i don’t care about other browns fans. we have more than our fair share of idiots too…you should hear some of the local shows…RETARDS.
a QB is not solely responsible for winning a super bowl. deal with it. and stop using it as justification for big ben being an average QB.
Average QB’s cannot win more than 1 Super Bowl. Fact.
However, average QB’s CAN lose multiple AFC Championship games to Denver.
/Kosar’d
August 24th, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Sure I’ll bite. Did you happen to take a look at where the road games were last year? The tropical paradises of New England, Cleveland, Philly, Cincinatti, DC, and Baltimore. They played one dome game (Jax), and then Tennessee in December. So that stat is kinda pointless.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Liverpool v Aston Villa on ESPN2.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Damn I’m late to this one. Shit.
In 2009-2010:
Me > Favre > Big Ben > Romo
August 24th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Troy Aikman thanks you for your support.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:58 PM
i dont know how pittsburgh fans still root for a qb accused of rape. thats called loyalty folks.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:59 PM
wow.
you sir, are an asshole. that was totally uncalled for.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Cleveland and Philly were both in September.
They put up lots of points on Cinci, Washington, and New England, in not great weather. The defenses they played against shit the bed against a mediocre offense.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:01 PM
And it was a dog he raped… isn’t that = Vick??
August 24th, 2009 at 3:01 PM
But who will fix Ben’s broken television?!?!
/OUTRAGE!
So are the Bears. Queen McCaskey is a #$%*(rhymes with what is necessary for a suicide squeeze).
August 24th, 2009 at 3:01 PM
What if we count Joe Theismann, Mark Rypien, and Doug Williams as 1 QB?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Usain Bolt would run a 3.73 40-yard dash.
I’m at work. Got a score?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Average QB’s cannot win more than 1 Super Bowl. Fact.
Didn’t Jim Plunkett win two?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:03 PM
considering the amount of average QB’s that have won the SB, it was only a matter of time until an average one won 2.
browns don’t have cheerleaders either.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Even Jim Kelly could have won a Super Bowl with Aikman’s offensive line.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:04 PM
4 minutes in, it’s 0-0.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
so would the NFL allow this guy to put starting blocks at the LOS so he can run real fast and catch a ball?
or would he be able to catch a punt and explode out of the starting position at the same time?
the guy is incredible, just don’t know what this silly fascination is with putting a football helmet on him.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I’ve never cared about a lack of cheerleaders. I tend to not be able to masturbate when I’m watching football, so I fail to see the point.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:07 PM
+1
August 24th, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Joe Montana champions this cause as well.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Well Kelly was good, but I think you’re getting the gist of my comment. Aikman was average and won 3 Super Bowls in 4 years.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Martin Skrtel is a scary dude.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Almost forgot… Terry Bradshaw would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Ndub, Liverpool just missed four, yes four, chances in the Villa box. Crazy start. I hope there will be some strong challenges coming in soon.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Wow I hate myself for missing that one. Yeah he’s the poster child for mediocrity.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Terry Bradshaw would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
I said this aloud to a female yinzer one time and she nearly started hyperventilating.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Liverpool v Aston Villa on ESPN2.
which ones are the Jew haters and which ones are the vomit and urine throwers?
/not a soccer post, so tough shit if you don’t like it
Even Jim Kelly could have won a Super Bowl with Aikman’s offensive line.
mole, you’re dead to me, just as we were starting to get along-lol
August 24th, 2009 at 3:16 PM
We got a TV at work but it’s on CNN. I might switch it over for a few. Fugg it.
I think the NFL talk is silly, too. It’s just people being bored and/or sensationalistic. Just think it’s crazy to know of a human being who can run a sub-4 forty. By far.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I never meant for the “weather” argument to go this far. I was simply pointing out that Mike and his love of stats is ridiculous because it factors nothing into the equation except stats, when there are many unforeseen and unaccountable factors that go into accumulation of said statistics.
I dont know baseball but it would be like saying some guy from the Rockies (easy to hit HR’s at home) is better than some guy on the Padres (hard to hit HR’s) because the guy on the Rockies has more home runs, end of story, no discussion, stats are the only thing that matters.
/my baseball knowledge is poor and may be incorrect on the ease/difficulty of HR’s in a particular park
August 24th, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Just tell her John Stallworth would like the Fred Biletnikoff Award renamed in his honor.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:21 PM
you mean like what’s happening with mark teixiera’s MVP campagaign right now?
then again, looking at big ben’s 2008 splits…he wasn’t that good in decent weather/domes either.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:23 PM
I see what you’re trying to do here…
/had that argument at least 10 times last week
//it’s Monday, give me til Wednesday
///Tex is winning the MVP
August 24th, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Almost forgot… Terry Bradshaw would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Wow I hate myself for missing that one. Yeah he’s the poster child for mediocrity.
Evidently all 6 Lombardi Trophy’s were won with mediocre QB’s. Ok by me…they look exactly the same as the 49er/Cowboy/Patriot trophys. Plus, they weren’t bought before the salary cap (niners), had books written about the amount of coke and hookers the team had (cowboys), and they didn’t get caught by the NFL for cheating (Pats).
August 24th, 2009 at 3:30 PM
how can he win if he’s not even the most valuable player on his team?
miguel cabrera will end up winning if DET makes it in b/c the twinkies will split the votes for mauer/morneau and the yanks will split with jeter/tex
August 24th, 2009 at 3:32 PM
no, but 4 were won with rampant steroid users in the 70’s.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Well I think you should take a look at the rest of what we said. The Cowboy trophies (the 3 in the 90s anyway) were won by a mediocre QB, as were the 49ers ones in the 80s. Didn’t really see anybody sticking up for the Patriots, but if you’d rather have Roethlisberger than Brady, by all means, go ahead.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:35 PM
QB Rating > 100 in 4 of the first 6 weeks, before he was handing off to Najeh Davenport in the rain and snow. Lets not forget a full half of their games were against top 10 defenses last year, nah, STATS!!!!
August 24th, 2009 at 3:36 PM
you realize the 70’s steelers wouldn’t have been able to be sustained with the cap and they were the most notorious group of roid heads, right?
just so we’re on the same page.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
i don’t have enough energy to argue about this anymore.
you win, ok?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Well I think you should take a look at the rest of what we said. The Cowboy trophies (the 3 in the 90s anyway) were won by a mediocre QB, as were the 49ers ones in the 80s. Didn’t really see anybody sticking up for the Patriots, but if you’d rather have Roethlisberger than Brady, by all means, go ahead.
I’m arguing with people who think that Joe Montana and Troy Aikman were mediocre QB’s. This must be what it’s like to teach Special Education.
And I’ll take Brady too….
August 24th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Plus, they weren’t bought before the salary cap (niners), had books written about the amount of coke and hookers the team had (cowboys), and they didn’t get caught by the NFL for cheating (Pats).
Right. They just got the first 4 for doing more sterroids than the MLB and the WWE combined before the rest of the NFL caught up to them, won one because of some VERY questionable refereeing calls, and one one on a one in a million end of half int return and a questionable call on the last play
/but you’re right, the trophies are still there
//but those trophies have a little tarnish on them also
August 24th, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Yeeeehaaaawww
/I’m married, I rarely win anymore
August 24th, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Even Bill Walsh thought Montana was average at best. You could also plug just about any replacement level QB in on those Cowboys teams and the outcome wouldn’t be much different.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:41 PM
LOL. Right, those 70s teams were clean as a whistle.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Please…someone justify these comments.
A) Even if the Steelers of the 70s did steroids, you honestly believe no other team did? Read up on the Chargers being given steroids by their coaches. That’s like claiming that only Bonds, Sosa, McGuire, et al were the only ones using roids when pitchers were quietly gaining a massive advantage.
B) The most common way of justifying it is that the Steelers die young. As if older NFLers from other teams aren’t dying. The only guy on the Steelers who ever admitted using a steroid, Steve Courson, died from a tree falling on him. I bet the steroids made that happen. Dwight White died from a complication from surgery. I bet the steroids messed up his surgery, right? Ernie Holmes was killed in a car crash…again, steroids were the case? Mike Webster died from repeated head trauma and concussions.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:44 PM
you realize the 70’s steelers wouldn’t have been able to be sustained with the cap and they were the most notorious group of roid heads, right?
just so we’re on the same page.
You’re right, the 70’s Steelers were the only 5 O-Linemen in the league who took steroids before anyone knew anything about the stuff. And yes, please take something away from them because there would be a salary cap rule made 20 years later. It really mattered in the 70’s when everyone made 75 grand a year and had off season jobs to support themselves…
August 24th, 2009 at 3:44 PM
nobody likes the steelers outside of pit and we’ll use any justification we can come up with.
does that work?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:45 PM
jpq, you know you would personally shoot Thurman Thomas full of roids and pay off every official you could find if it meant one of those 4 years ended with a trophy.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:47 PM
nobody likes the steelers outside of pit and we’ll use any justification we can come up with.
does that work?
Now we’re getting somewhere….
August 24th, 2009 at 3:48 PM
i wish ernest byner took steroids in his hands before the 87 AFC champ game in denver.
/cries
August 24th, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Montana and Aikman were average QB’s? Did I just read that?
August 24th, 2009 at 3:51 PM
yea…
montana was great.
aikman blew dudes…literally and figuratively.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:52 PM
/fixed
August 24th, 2009 at 3:57 PM
jpq, you know you would personally shoot Thurman Thomas full of roids and pay off every official you could find if it meant one of those 4 years ended with a trophy.
I would shoot Thurman Thomas for being stupid enough to sign w/ the Dolphins when he should have retired as a Bill. He blew out his ACL immeditely and retired.
That’s just as bad as what Favre is doing now. Bruce and Reed going to the Redskins was fine, but Thurman pissed a LOT of people off when he went to Miami.
/karma got the mf’er
//yes on the steroids question, btw
my problem is the “high and mightyness” about the Steelers. Just admit what I said in 147 is true, and I have no problem. You got them, but in a manner not much different than how others may have. Bowlen circumvented the cap for the Elway ones also.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Good God when will we as a society of sports fans come to the realization that QBs are overrated as fuck? Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer are Super Bowl winners as starters. Jesus. And Montana was “great” for the same reasons Roehtlisberger is “great”. They were/are both on fucking great teams.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:01 PM
shouldn’t you steeler fans be chugging paint thinner and yelling “SIXBURGH” at children, or something?
August 24th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I resent that.
/is a teacher
August 24th, 2009 at 4:05 PM
my problem is the “high and mightyness” about the Steelers. Just admit what I said in 147 is true, and I have no problem. You got them, but in a manner not much different than how others may have. Bowlen circumvented the cap for the Elway ones also.
Ok forget all the “high and mightyness”. When the Steelers went down in the final minutes of the Super Bowl, there isn’t anyone with 1/2 a brain that would want someone other than Big Ben, with the exception of Brady and Peyton (and Peyton’s a maybe here), to get the ball and go win the damn game. Not to look pretty, not to put up stats, etc etc etc. To WIN THE DAMN GAME.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:07 PM
What about the guy playing QB for the other team? I’d take him.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:12 PM
id take the guy who’s a better QB…which is like 10 guys.
big ben was just fortunate enough to be in that position. and for his D to make up for the fact that he threw two picks earlier.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
You mean the guy who when not throwing to a pair of insanely elite WR’s sucks, and I mean really really sucks? That guy?
August 24th, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Sums up his entire career very well here.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:27 PM
when did he throw 2 that game?
August 24th, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Peyton has been put in that situation many many times, and he has failed, many many times, but he’s still unquestionably better? I love peyton, as far as footwork/release/technique, no one touches him, but sometimes its about just getting it done.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:32 PM
What about the guy playing QB for the other team? I’d take him.
You mean the guy who when not throwing to a pair of insanely elite WR’s sucks, and I mean really really sucks? That guy?
Warner playing on the Steelers offense = Warner playing on the Giants offense
big ben was just fortunate enough to be in that position. and for his D to make up for the fact that he threw two picks earlier.
He threw one pick all game
August 24th, 2009 at 4:33 PM
but he was throwing to those guys and in that game. and if it weren’t for the lame call by the refs that ended the game with the Cards driving, we’d probably see a different outcome.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:35 PM
He threw one pick all game
…and I think it was a tipped pass…
August 24th, 2009 at 4:35 PM
one pick, two picks whatever…all im doing is goading you at this point. this argument has been had at least 20x before you even showed up here…
and nothing personal man…don’t be insulted if i say anything your ways 45yearslump. 90% of what i say is tongue in cheek…the rest is venom towards michigan.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:38 PM
at least everyone can agree on something!
August 24th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
spence is just feeling frisky because an offensive player for the browns scored a TD, last seen in November of 2008.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:40 PM
and nothing personal man…don’t be insulted if i say anything your ways 45yearslump. 90% of what i say is tongue in cheek…the rest is venom towards michigan.
Muck Fichigan…it’s 4:39 and they still suck.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:41 PM
you know what the funny thing is?
the next two series on short fields ended with FG’s.
fuck my life.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:44 PM
aikman blew dudes…literally and figuratively.
You can say he was utterly unimaginative, or that he threw routes like a robot, but he was definitely good at football. And saying he’s gay makes you Skip Bayless, which makes you gay.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:50 PM
oh yea? well that also makes me rick bayless’ brother which means im eating fine mexican food whenever the fuck i please which makes you gay by some logic i can’t explain.
bitch.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:52 PM
my comment is awaiting moderation because i said “m3×1c4n food,” because skip bayless’ bro is a 5-star chef.
whatever…it wasn’t that funny anyways.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Not quite. The FO numbers factor practically everything in except weather, which is all you have to hang your hat on.
What makes Ben such a great QB?
Your “rings” argument notwithstanding, of course.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:28 PM
This thread is great.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:44 PM
San Jose is bleh. And trust me that there are many valid reasons people don’t say neat things about Albuquerque. *shudder*
Shhhhh. We want everyone to think it snows sideways all year.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:48 PM
For one I dont buy that the FO stats are anything beyond mildly interesting and certainly aren’t the bible of NFL information that you consider it to be. I dont know exactly how they come up with their numbers but I have a general understanding of how they compare what one guy did against a certain team to how the average guy would do.
I do a fair amount of work in algorithms and statistical analysis and the problem with their methodology is that 16 games isn’t a statistically significant number of observations to draw any concrete conclusions from. When you are dealing with small observation sets a single entity can have too great of an affect on the outcome. When you run algorithms through their paces you see wildly varying outcomes when data sets are small and then convergence to the real value as your observations increase, and quite often not until you start dealing with thousands of observations.
But hey, I’ve only spent years studying computer science and performing some pretty complex data analysis, what do I know.
/not trying to be a condescending dick, but FO is trash
August 24th, 2009 at 5:57 PM
I didn’t know you were a Raiders fan.
That huge cheating scandal consisted of a ‘creative’ deferred payment structure to Elway and TD. It didn’t provide them with any material gain on the field.
Not trying to say they didn’t deserve punishment–although taking away a 3d round pick was ludicrous–but half the teams in the league were doing that in the early days of the cap.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:49 PM
I didn’t know you were a Raiders fan.
hate ‘em
That huge cheating scandal consisted of a ‘creative’ deferred payment structure to Elway and TD. It didn’t provide them with any material gain on the field.
doesn’t deferring them money allow them to get/keep other players, which in turn leads to a competitive advantage?
Not trying to say they didn’t deserve punishment–although taking away a 3d round pick was ludicrous–but half the teams in the league were doing that in the early days of the cap.
I’m sure Bowlen would trade a 3rd rounder in for two rings. Also, the “everyone else was doing it” argument has been used already on this thread for the Steelers and steroids. Can’t use a lousy excuse more than once/thread
/TBL parliamentary procedure
August 24th, 2009 at 7:54 PM
What I suppose I mean is, a lot of those “grey areas” in the salary cap were cleared up by punishments like these. Everyone *was* doing it, because no one knew what they were doing. The Broncos, and I think 49ers, got caught.
August 24th, 2009 at 7:58 PM
And if you think deferred salary payments were what won those two rings, I have a lifetime of glory as a Bills fan to sell you.