Man, where do you even start? The NFL reaming the Steelers via schedule? The draft and the draftee's? Or what about Troy Polamalou's crazy off-season workout idea?
Let's start with the NFL's grudge against the Steeler's apparently. Have you seen/heard the schedule? I guess if the saying "if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best" is true. The Steelers are on the verge of being one of the greatest team's in NFL history. Let's go through the schedule game by game.
Game 1 a home opener the first week against the Texans. Houston finished at an impressive 8-8 in what was probably the hardest division in football. Having to play Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis (all playoff teams last year) twice makes it one of the hardest divisions. Matt Schuab didn't do all that bad for his first season as a starter and by adding Steve Slaton, they're making the turn. In Slaton's first practice as a NFL'er, he fumbled the ball then lost his helmet on two consecutive plays. Then he out juked 3 tacklers and ran down the field on his 3rd play.
Game 2 at Cleveland on a Sunday night. We know this about Cleveland: They have a quarterback (Derek Anderson) who had a stellar year. Is he a one hit wonder? And if he is, how fast will Brady Quinn show how good he can be? Or how fast will Brady Quinn be shipped out? They added Jamal Lewis last year and he provided some needed grout. Now in this past off season the Turd's added Donte Stallworth to their receiving core. That core already boasts Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow at tight end. both whom held 1,000 yards receiving last year. The Browns are making the right moves, but I still hate their guts.
Game 3 at Philadelphia. Here's the thing about Philadelphia, they have talent and superstars, except their big key guy is injury prone to an extent that he should have to give back the money the Eagles are wasting on him. I'm speaking of Donovan McNabb. Great player, horrible luck. He should be healthy for week 3, barring a shear disaster. Brian Westbrook, one of the top 10 players in the NFL. The added an overrated Asaunte Samuel. How many interceptions can we contribute to video tapes? There's hardly any receiving on the squad. The defense has always been a good note to the Eagles, so I see this being a string of 3 possible tough wins for the Steelers. 2 of the 3 on the road.
Game 4 at home against the Ravens on Monday Night Football. 2 words. SELF DESTRUCT. They haven't even began real camp and they all hate each other already. All of this after some no name RB (Allen Patrick) got thrown to the turf on a run. The Ravens made a nice gutsy pick at the 18th slot with Joe Flacco. One of the highest regarded QBs in the draft. What's that mean for Kyle Boller? It mean's he needs to live up to the height of his original draft date. And poor Troy Smith is still back there hanging out...collecting checks. The Ravens still have good running out of the backfield with Willis MacGahee. I feel the defense is getting old and the once Super Bowl defense is getting old, slow, and overrated. Ray Lewis isn't Ray Lewis and now that I've said that, I expect to be "shown up" this year. Let's just hope he doesn't get away with murder again. This team still has talent and is still a threat to win the AFC North, if not win, spoil some hopes.
Game 5 at Jacksonville on yet another primetime game Sunday Night. This is the team that put us out last year. But they barely held on. They still have grit. They're almost a close image to the Steelers. With a big, smart, strong, and versatile quarterback in Garrard. They like to run the ball with the midget cannon ball two namer Maruice Jones-Drew. Not to mention the Steeler killer Fred Taylor. They own a strong defense that has great secondary speed. And now they're adding to it up front by picking up Derek Harvey in this year's draft. This one's in Jacksonville and if things could go as bad as they possibly could. The Steelers could be facing a 0-5 start. But that's expecting the ultimate worst. We do own Cleveland. So we should at least have one win. But that is one tough start before finding the bye week in week 6.
Game 6 at Cincinnati. Well, it looks like we'll only be facing a one headed monster at the receiving area with Chad Johnson deciding he doesn't feel like playing for the Bengals this year. My 2 year old niece pulled the same stunt when we went to eat at Burger King the other day and she wanted McDonald's. Chad's been demanding a trade or he won't play at all this year for the Bengals. But the Bengals have called his bluff, telling him to just stay at home if that's how he feels. Gettin' pissed yet Chad? Travis Henry decided mischief was more important than making millions, so the Bengals got rid of him too. That leaves TJ Housmanzadeh. He's pretty good too. The only other name worth mentioning in the depth chart for the Bengals it Antonio Chapman. The Bengals however did see some promise out of Kenny Watson in the backfield after starter Rudi Johnson contracted a deadly disease this is known as injury prone in the NFL. The Bengals still boast a solid Defense that has under performed and added another LB in Keith Rivers (8th pick) out of USC. Marvin Lewis may have lost his touch with the defensive category. So what do you do when that happens? Hire a new guy to do it. So that's what Mr. Lewis has done. The Bengal's need to find another receiver however for Carson Palmer because I don't think Jerome Simpson out of Coastal Carolina is gonna make headlines.
Game 8 at home against the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants. This makes at least 3 straight years, that I know of, that the Steelers have played the Super Bowl winner the following year. Well, what kind of holes can we poke here? They did win the Super Bowl. They didn't lose many key players. The only thing making news in the Giant's genreal direction is the talk of trading Jeremy Shockey. But that's just talk. The Giants had great support from all area's of their team. First off, Eli Manning.....and that's about all you can say. Brandon Jacobs was a force all year and when he'd get injured the Giants showed resiliency with Derrek Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. They have a double threat in Amani "It is not a" Toomer and Plaxico Burress. They still do have Jeremy Shockey. And they boast the best front 4 on defense in the game today. Hey Michael Strahan, not retiring last year worked out pretty good huh?
Game 9 at Washington for another Monday Night game. What are we suppossed to think of Washington? They spend all this money and yet, never really make any sort of threat that they're the best in football. The Redskins had a rough ordeal last year with the loss of Sean Taylor and apparently the 4 hacks that mowed him down, won't face the death penalty. They're said to have a lot of offense, but it's hard to start at quarterback. Jason Campbell was the only QB on the depth chart making any sort of progress with 2,700 yards passing last year. I wish I could pull up how many starting QB's the 'Skins have used in the past "X" amount of years. I don't know the exact number, but I'm sure astounding. The Redskin's still own Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El (who hasn't amounted to rabbit pellet's since going there), James Thrash, Chris Sellers, and Chris Cooley. Cooley had a standout year from he tight end position. If you look at the Reskins depth chart for defense, you'd think you weren't looking at much. And you'd be correct.
Game 10 at home against the Colts. Well...two Manning's in 3 weeks. America is going to hate us, since the Manning's apparently are the heart throb of America and ESPN. Well, the Colts still have the cannon armed Peyton Manning. And so far they still have Marvin Harrison. That is until a Philadelphia county jail doesn't trade for him before the season. Harrison had a tough year last year, being healthy for only 5 games. They still do however have Reggie Wayne and they found a great receiver with Ohio State standout Anthony Gonzalez. Joseph Addai had a 1,000+ yard year and it was Bob Sanders this and Bob Sanders that on defense. Nothings changed, they're still the team to beat in the AFC now that the Patriots won't be able to use there camera's no more. Awww.
Game 11 at home against the Chargers. Yet another AFC powerhouse, and the lashings just keep on coming. Let's see, another 2007 playoff team that owns the names of Ladanian Tomlinson who had yet another 1,000+season, no surprise. Phillip Rivers is coming into his own and his leading target is not of the receiving unit, but his enormous tight end Antonio Gates. The offense didn't win them any huge games, but their smash mouth defense sure made the point. Shawn Merriman and physical corners Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cramartie. They won the AFC West with ease and they look tough again.
Game 12 at home against the Bengals (version 2) on a Thursday night for the Steelers' 5th prime time game.
Game 13 at the perfect season holding New England Patriots. Tainted season and all. Tom Brady is a daddy and the Giants front 4 made them his in Super Bowl XLII. What do you say about this? Bill Beli-suck was human in Cleveland and NY, he was a horrible coach at both, he could never win in the first place. Then came this little thing called a video and it could recorded images. Randy Moss decided to stay in New England, while others took the value to the ultimate level and left. Like Asaunte Samuel and Donte Stallworth. It's almost pointless to argue what these guys will bring. Do you know honestly? I mean, they have great talent. We saw that with Tom Brady throwing 60 yard bombs to Randy Moss. But then again, they knew what kind of defense they were running apparently by stealing signals. What a disgrace to the league. I hope we beat them down 56-7. Pathetic.
Game 14 at home versus Dallas. Wade Phillips is going to drown his fat ass in a sea of talent and will receive a bunch of the credit. The team was on the rise when they added Terrell Owens in the off season and found a stable running back in Marion Barber, while Julius Jones added a nice compliment. Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton were also solid wide outs to Terrell Owens' "look at me! look at me!" craze. Not to mention Jason Whitten stepping it up in the catching department. The defense still owns hard hitting Roy Williams and Terrence Newman with a new 3-4 scheme. As long as Tony Romo is more convinced on passing for another 4,000 yards rather than qualifying for the US Open or spending his pre-NFC Championship days on a beach with a brainless blonde, they may be the team to beat. They've got all the pieces.
Game 15 at Baltimore. Version 2.
Game 16 at Tennesee. This would make 4 games against the toughest division in my book. The Titan's boasted a great phenom Vince Young and saw Lendale White put up some stellar digits. The Titans added a bunch up front on their defense via draft in 2007 and 2008. But the big move was adding Jevon Kearse. If Defense wins championships, the Titans have a contender. Besides Lendale White throwing up a 1,000+ yard season, the Titans still have Chris Henry in the backfield making for a common trend of a double threat backfield. Power & Speed.
Game 17 at home for the final game against the Browns. This game may play a huge factor. If things go like they did last year. This game could be the deciding factor in who wins the AFC North title and who goes to the playoffs.
Let's start with the NFL's grudge against the Steeler's apparently. Have you seen/heard the schedule? I guess if the saying "if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best" is true. The Steelers are on the verge of being one of the greatest team's in NFL history. Let's go through the schedule game by game.
Game 1 a home opener the first week against the Texans. Houston finished at an impressive 8-8 in what was probably the hardest division in football. Having to play Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis (all playoff teams last year) twice makes it one of the hardest divisions. Matt Schuab didn't do all that bad for his first season as a starter and by adding Steve Slaton, they're making the turn. In Slaton's first practice as a NFL'er, he fumbled the ball then lost his helmet on two consecutive plays. Then he out juked 3 tacklers and ran down the field on his 3rd play.
Game 2 at Cleveland on a Sunday night. We know this about Cleveland: They have a quarterback (Derek Anderson) who had a stellar year. Is he a one hit wonder? And if he is, how fast will Brady Quinn show how good he can be? Or how fast will Brady Quinn be shipped out? They added Jamal Lewis last year and he provided some needed grout. Now in this past off season the Turd's added Donte Stallworth to their receiving core. That core already boasts Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow at tight end. both whom held 1,000 yards receiving last year. The Browns are making the right moves, but I still hate their guts.
Game 3 at Philadelphia. Here's the thing about Philadelphia, they have talent and superstars, except their big key guy is injury prone to an extent that he should have to give back the money the Eagles are wasting on him. I'm speaking of Donovan McNabb. Great player, horrible luck. He should be healthy for week 3, barring a shear disaster. Brian Westbrook, one of the top 10 players in the NFL. The added an overrated Asaunte Samuel. How many interceptions can we contribute to video tapes? There's hardly any receiving on the squad. The defense has always been a good note to the Eagles, so I see this being a string of 3 possible tough wins for the Steelers. 2 of the 3 on the road. 
Game 4 at home against the Ravens on Monday Night Football. 2 words. SELF DESTRUCT. They haven't even began real camp and they all hate each other already. All of this after some no name RB (Allen Patrick) got thrown to the turf on a run. The Ravens made a nice gutsy pick at the 18th slot with Joe Flacco. One of the highest regarded QBs in the draft. What's that mean for Kyle Boller? It mean's he needs to live up to the height of his original draft date. And poor Troy Smith is still back there hanging out...collecting checks. The Ravens still have good running out of the backfield with Willis MacGahee. I feel the defense is getting old and the once Super Bowl defense is getting old, slow, and overrated. Ray Lewis isn't Ray Lewis and now that I've said that, I expect to be "shown up" this year. Let's just hope he doesn't get away with murder again. This team still has talent and is still a threat to win the AFC North, if not win, spoil some hopes. 
Game 5 at Jacksonville on yet another primetime game Sunday Night. This is the team that put us out last year. But they barely held on. They still have grit. They're almost a close image to the Steelers. With a big, smart, strong, and versatile quarterback in Garrard. They like to run the ball with the midget cannon ball two namer Maruice Jones-Drew. Not to mention the Steeler killer Fred Taylor. They own a strong defense that has great secondary speed. And now they're adding to it up front by picking up Derek Harvey in this year's draft. This one's in Jacksonville and if things could go as bad as they possibly could. The Steelers could be facing a 0-5 start. But that's expecting the ultimate worst. We do own Cleveland. So we should at least have one win. But that is one tough start before finding the bye week in week 6. 
Game 6 at Cincinnati. Well, it looks like we'll only be facing a one headed monster at the receiving area with Chad Johnson deciding he doesn't feel like playing for the Bengals this year. My 2 year old niece pulled the same stunt when we went to eat at Burger King the other day and she wanted McDonald's. Chad's been demanding a trade or he won't play at all this year for the Bengals. But the Bengals have called his bluff, telling him to just stay at home if that's how he feels. Gettin' pissed yet Chad? Travis Henry decided mischief was more important than making millions, so the Bengals got rid of him too. That leaves TJ Housmanzadeh. He's pretty good too. The only other name worth mentioning in the depth chart for the Bengals it Antonio Chapman. The Bengals however did see some promise out of Kenny Watson in the backfield after starter Rudi Johnson contracted a deadly disease this is known as injury prone in the NFL. The Bengals still boast a solid Defense that has under performed and added another LB in Keith Rivers (8th pick) out of USC. Marvin Lewis may have lost his touch with the defensive category. So what do you do when that happens? Hire a new guy to do it. So that's what Mr. Lewis has done. The Bengal's need to find another receiver however for Carson Palmer because I don't think Jerome Simpson out of Coastal Carolina is gonna make headlines.
Game 8 at home against the Super Bowl Champion NY Giants. This makes at least 3 straight years, that I know of, that the Steelers have played the Super Bowl winner the following year. Well, what kind of holes can we poke here? They did win the Super Bowl. They didn't lose many key players. The only thing making news in the Giant's genreal direction is the talk of trading Jeremy Shockey. But that's just talk. The Giants had great support from all area's of their team. First off, Eli Manning.....and that's about all you can say. Brandon Jacobs was a force all year and when he'd get injured the Giants showed resiliency with Derrek Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. They have a double threat in Amani "It is not a" Toomer and Plaxico Burress. They still do have Jeremy Shockey. And they boast the best front 4 on defense in the game today. Hey Michael Strahan, not retiring last year worked out pretty good huh?
Game 9 at Washington for another Monday Night game. What are we suppossed to think of Washington? They spend all this money and yet, never really make any sort of threat that they're the best in football. The Redskins had a rough ordeal last year with the loss of Sean Taylor and apparently the 4 hacks that mowed him down, won't face the death penalty. They're said to have a lot of offense, but it's hard to start at quarterback. Jason Campbell was the only QB on the depth chart making any sort of progress with 2,700 yards passing last year. I wish I could pull up how many starting QB's the 'Skins have used in the past "X" amount of years. I don't know the exact number, but I'm sure astounding. The Redskin's still own Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El (who hasn't amounted to rabbit pellet's since going there), James Thrash, Chris Sellers, and Chris Cooley. Cooley had a standout year from he tight end position. If you look at the Reskins depth chart for defense, you'd think you weren't looking at much. And you'd be correct.
Game 10 at home against the Colts. Well...two Manning's in 3 weeks. America is going to hate us, since the Manning's apparently are the heart throb of America and ESPN. Well, the Colts still have the cannon armed Peyton Manning. And so far they still have Marvin Harrison. That is until a Philadelphia county jail doesn't trade for him before the season. Harrison had a tough year last year, being healthy for only 5 games. They still do however have Reggie Wayne and they found a great receiver with Ohio State standout Anthony Gonzalez. Joseph Addai had a 1,000+ yard year and it was Bob Sanders this and Bob Sanders that on defense. Nothings changed, they're still the team to beat in the AFC now that the Patriots won't be able to use there camera's no more. Awww.
Game 11 at home against the Chargers. Yet another AFC powerhouse, and the lashings just keep on coming. Let's see, another 2007 playoff team that owns the names of Ladanian Tomlinson who had yet another 1,000+season, no surprise. Phillip Rivers is coming into his own and his leading target is not of the receiving unit, but his enormous tight end Antonio Gates. The offense didn't win them any huge games, but their smash mouth defense sure made the point. Shawn Merriman and physical corners Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cramartie. They won the AFC West with ease and they look tough again.
Game 12 at home against the Bengals (version 2) on a Thursday night for the Steelers' 5th prime time game. 
Game 13 at the perfect season holding New England Patriots. Tainted season and all. Tom Brady is a daddy and the Giants front 4 made them his in Super Bowl XLII. What do you say about this? Bill Beli-suck was human in Cleveland and NY, he was a horrible coach at both, he could never win in the first place. Then came this little thing called a video and it could recorded images. Randy Moss decided to stay in New England, while others took the value to the ultimate level and left. Like Asaunte Samuel and Donte Stallworth. It's almost pointless to argue what these guys will bring. Do you know honestly? I mean, they have great talent. We saw that with Tom Brady throwing 60 yard bombs to Randy Moss. But then again, they knew what kind of defense they were running apparently by stealing signals. What a disgrace to the league. I hope we beat them down 56-7. Pathetic.
Game 14 at home versus Dallas. Wade Phillips is going to drown his fat ass in a sea of talent and will receive a bunch of the credit. The team was on the rise when they added Terrell Owens in the off season and found a stable running back in Marion Barber, while Julius Jones added a nice compliment. Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton were also solid wide outs to Terrell Owens' "look at me! look at me!" craze. Not to mention Jason Whitten stepping it up in the catching department. The defense still owns hard hitting Roy Williams and Terrence Newman with a new 3-4 scheme. As long as Tony Romo is more convinced on passing for another 4,000 yards rather than qualifying for the US Open or spending his pre-NFC Championship days on a beach with a brainless blonde, they may be the team to beat. They've got all the pieces. 
Game 15 at Baltimore. Version 2.
Game 16 at Tennesee. This would make 4 games against the toughest division in my book. The Titan's boasted a great phenom Vince Young and saw Lendale White put up some stellar digits. The Titans added a bunch up front on their defense via draft in 2007 and 2008. But the big move was adding Jevon Kearse. If Defense wins championships, the Titans have a contender. Besides Lendale White throwing up a 1,000+ yard season, the Titans still have Chris Henry in the backfield making for a common trend of a double threat backfield. Power & Speed.
Game 17 at home for the final game against the Browns. This game may play a huge factor. If things go like they did last year. This game could be the deciding factor in who wins the AFC North title and who goes to the playoffs.Here's what we could learn from the schedule:
-The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Pittsburgh, prepare for the San Adres fault to erupt in Allegheny county.
-At least the rest of the AFC North has a similar schedule.
-If the Steelers win at least 13 games. They have to be considered a serious Super Bowl contender.
-We play the last 3 Super Bowl Champions. No including ourselves.
-The Steelers opponents combined record last year was 153-103. Ridiculous!
-The Browns still suck.
-What are we to do without seeing Chad Johnson's touchdown monologues?
-Who's the next Steelers Alan Faneca?
-This may be the hardest schedule in the NFL, San Diego was the kicker.
-What a shame the Steelers aren't a part of the BCS.
*More to come on my thoughts about the draft and other Steelers news. It's still early to get the Steeler fever.*
No comments:
Post a Comment