Quote of the Day

Direct from ESPN's Wednesday night baseball.

"What a pick up [Aramis] Ramirez was from the Pirates. If you're wondering why the Pittsburgh is struggling, just look around. [Jason] Bay in Boston, [Xavier] Nady in New York."

-Thanks, as if we didn't know. I'm sure we could find a few more for you, but we'd be wasting our time.

Unpretty Dominance

Sometimes in Sunday Nights game, you have to thank stupidity when present. Romeo Crenell, we thank you for possibly being the stupidest coach Sunday. With his brain fart at the end of the 1st half and with his questionable use of all 3 time outs before the 2 minute warning in the fourth. Hell, even the possible field goal kick rather than going for the tie. It was obvious, the Browns needed 7 just to have a chance, and they never got that chance. The defense never really let them have a chance. Besides the long drive at the end of the 2nd quarter and the 90 consecutive 3rd down conversions in the 4th, the Browns had nothing to offer. Neither did the Steelers, every drive would have a string of first downs and then sputter near Cleveland territory, but they had 2 good enough ones to make it a "W". There's not even enough game play to even do a full run down, except, Crenell is reatarded, Kellen Winslow likes tattoo's, Derek Anderson never led one receiver to a ball (that'll help out the YAC stat for the Steelers defense), Al Michaels jinxed Pittsburgh by calling them the premiere crop of the AFC, it's windy, Willie Parker can flat out run, what has the offense line done? They're unreal. Big Ben likes to beat around the bush with Andrea Kraemer, Andrea Kraemer just got stood up, Ben has some sort of shoulder problem, and finally everyone on that team...still hates the Browns.

The Steeler "D" looks amazing and the offensive line is making key blocks for Willie Parker and buying time for Ben, a perfect recipe. With Philadelphia playing a mediocre, at best, St. Louis Rams in week 1. We'll have to wait to see what they do against the Cowboys on Monday Night to get an idea of what we're dealing with. Donovan McNabb has no receivers, but that didn't stop him in week 1 from throwing it all over God's creation. Brian Westbrook is still the real deal, as a check down receiver and rusher, but let's see what Dallas can do. If they can rip apart that Eagle defense via run and pass, the Steelers could be in good hands. It doesn't get any easier from here for Pittsburgh, they need to stock up on those wins once that bulk of the schedule hits.

Here We Go!

Welcome to Heinz Field Houston, Next Please?

I can't get you much of a game recap or thoughts except, the old saying(s) goes in football.

-If you can run the football... [check]

-Defense wins championships. [check]

With operation Deep Throat's QB going down with about 9 different knee problems. The AFC is open for the Steeler's taking. And yes, they will get to see every top competitor, both NFC and AFC this season. 10-6 is not a bad record against this schedule, make the playoffs with moderate injuries and things could look bright. This week, its division play against what everyone believes is the toughest competitor the Steelers have. Well, the Cowboys ripped apart that awful defense, besides the Browns haven't beaten the Steelers in like 4 years, what difference is their now? This could be the last time you see Romeo on the sidelines against the Steelers, if things should go pathetic. And if the Steelers' defense continues to dominate, they may make the Browns look like idiots for resigning Derek Anderson. (The pride of Dublin, Ohio) Brady Quinn anyone? Sunday night, with Al and John. Who here doesn't love to hear John Madden get a boner from the Steelers defense on prime time? Or his referrals; "N-n-n-n-now here's a guy who can find the hole, and BOOM! Aah, smell that October air coming? 8:15 PM be there!

P.S. I think Willie Parker is still running, somewhere. We may need to issue an Amber Alert.

Here We Go! [ 1-0 ]

My Apologies

Sorry about the over stay on vacation, sometimes you need it. I was getting a little burnt out on this thing. I mean when your blog consists of 3 months on the Pirates, its unavoidable to get burnt out. And the Bucco's wasted no time in finishing off yet another successful season. Happy sweet 16 Bucs! You are now officially the worst baseball franchise over a 16 year stretch, EVER! There's no need to wonder why the Pirates have the 3rd worst attendance in the league. Money produces winners, winners produce money. It's simple chemistry. No one in a Pirate front office since the 1992 NLCS has felt like doing the work and risking their money. Look at the Braves, they went from being some of the worst teams in the league back in the 80's to competing in the early 90's. They spent money to keep it going (roughly $82 million a year), and they reeled off 14 straight division championships and a World Series title. Atlanta isn't a small market like Pittsburgh, but Milwaukee is and CC Sabathia isn't a cheap commodity. Cleveland's done it, St Louis, and Philadelphia too. No so much World Series titles for the Phillies, but at least they compete. There's only about 6 or 7 teams in the majors that could benefit from a salary cap in baseball, Pittsburgh one of them. All of the others are willing to spend, build, and hold onto their star players for a chance to compete. The Pirates continue to be the Red Sox, Yankees, and the rest of the MLB's farm system. This year, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. Both were acquired as rebuilding pieces for the future. Well, when is the future ever going to get here? I thought 16 years was plenty of time to rebuild the future.

My thoughts exactly.