Nope. No Chance. Rex Ryan can run his mouth all he wants this week. Pittsburgh is not New England.  You want bulletin board material Rex?  Keep running your big mouth, you will get some this week.  As far as the upcoming game itself goes, Pittsburgh should win by at least ten, and I have good logic as to why.

Brad Smith (featured in video) might suit up, but he is hurting.  Without Brad Smith, the Jets can’t run anything but a base offense.  They tried to use LaDanian Tomlinson on a direct snap (which he dropped) but Smith is the catalyst in the bland Jets attack.  Smith not being there to return kickoffs and punts won’t help the Jets cause either.

Say what you want to about Ben Roethlisberger, make all the jokes you want.  The guy doesn’t have the gaudy Drew Brees statistics or the flashy Michael Vick mobility.  He does, however, have a ring.  He knows what it takes to hoist the victors chalice in February, and that experience is something that Mark Sanchez does not have.

Rashard Mendenhall looked possessed in the second half against a Ravens defense very similar to the Jets.  LaDanian Tomlinson looked tired for the most part, like San Diego actually knew what they were doing when they dumped him.

The home team is usually worth three points in any game.  When the visiting team’s coach needs to try to verbally intimidate the capable opponent, that spread moves.  Pittsburgh is a prideful organization that will not turn their heads and take the high road via Bill and his Patriots, Big Rex starts barking stupid comments to the media this week.

Final Score:  Pittsburgh 27, New York 15.

Like a perfect storm, things are going to be falling into place for The Pittsburgh Steelers just in time to make a run at an AFC Championship and possibly another Super Bowl.

Everyone wrote Pittsburgh off during the preseason when it was determined that Ben Roethlisberger would be suspended for the early part of the Steeler season.  People in Cleveland and Cincinnati enjoyed the fact that Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon would have to start at QB and took endless shots at Big Ben.  Somehow, that tandem accomplished three victories in four games to get to the bye week and work Roethlisberger back into the fold.

Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller are going to be ready to roll for the playoffs.  Miller was cleared for the two remaining regular season games against Carolina and Cleveland.  All of the pieces seem to be fitting as the Steelers march on.  Polamalu is a game changer, a dominant defensive back who can change a game at any time, on any day.  If Miller played against the Jets last week, Pittsburgh wins the game.

I am not a Steeler fan, but have marveled at how this team hits on all cylinders when the time is right.  They may be the most opportunistic franchise in any sport.

This could be it for Hines Ward, a final hurrah.  The new blood that is Mike Wallace (53 catches, 1,048 yards) and Rashard Mendenhall (1,173 yards, 83.8 yards per game) can carry Pittsburgh, but the strength of Mike Tomlin’s team is a stingy defense.  Lawrence Timmons is unheralded yet has 121 tackles.  James Harrison gets fined when he sneezes, and arguably could care less.  LaMarr Woodley (8.5 sacks) has another gear that people will see real soon.

This is as good of a “team” as there is.  When the bulk of that group is healthy, they are as good as anyone in the NFL.

]]> http://smf.neswblogs.com/2010/12/beware-the-pittsburgh-steelers/feed/ 0 http://smf.neswblogs.com/2010/03/ben-roethlisberger-takes-over-as-the-nfls-active-leader-in-sexual-assault-cases/ http://smf.neswblogs.com/2010/03/ben-roethlisberger-takes-over-as-the-nfls-active-leader-in-sexual-assault-cases/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:05:13 +0000 Patrick Gordon http://smf.neswblogs.com/?p=193 It’s not the first time, and unless he finally gets locked up for it, I’m guessing this won’t be the last time Big Ben Roethlisberger will be accused of putting Lil’ Ben where it doesn’t belong. TMZ is reporting that Roethlisberger has been accused of assaulting a woman in a club early this morning in Milledgeville, Georgia.

Last time, it was Andrea McNulty, who seems a bit off her rocker, and her story didn’t exactly hold up. This time, the incident was reported immediately to the police, and they’ve already questioned the Steelers’ QB about it.

So exactly why is this wealthy NFL star resorting to such despicable behavior? Personally, I think the answer is clear. He has a strong sense of entitlement, as a professional athlete, and feels like he should be able to get any girl he wants. Unfortunately for him, he’s a hideously ugly man. Some ladies (most from Pittsburgh) will try to deny it, but there’s really no getting around it. Ben is an ugly man. So he probably gets turned down a lot more than his less ogre-ish counterparts. This leads to frustration on his part, and so he feels like the only way he’ll get what he wants is to take it.

I was willing to let the first one slide. Some women are just trying to take advantage of athletes, and these things happen. But when it happens again, you have to look at the guy a little differently. Even if he’s not out sexually assaulting women, he’s at least idiotic enough to put himself in terrible positions like this, and leave himself open to these allegations.

We’ll see what comes of this, but perhaps it’s time for the Steelers to lay down the law, and let him know that if he can’t keep his nose clean, they’ll find someone who can. There are a dozen other QB’s in the league who could do what he does… and they can do it without all the distractions of sexual assault charges.

Michael Vick will be picking up his Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday. I won’t even go into my thoughts on the many reasons he doesn’t deserve the award, but I think it’s safe to say that most people with a functioning brain would agree with me on that. Going back to playing professional football in the face of a bunch of PETA hatred isn’t “courage”. It’s what every other ex-convict WISHES he could do. If you’re blessed with the athletic ability that Vick has, I would even go so far as to say it’s EASY. But anyway, enough of my ranting. Vick will be picking up the award on Tuesday, along with a member of each NFL team, and they’ve already had to change the rules for him, because crown reaction might be a little different from the norm. No more autographs, no more meet-and-greets… just another stuffy awards ceremony for guys who get accolades heaped on them on a nearly daily basis.

More interesting notes:

Shutdown Corner takes a look at some of the best free agents that could help your team this year, both on offense and defense.

Some of the latest rumors (nothing concrete here, folks): Julius Peppers and/or Darren Sproles to the Panthers, Peppers to the Redskins, Donovan McNabb to the Rams (in a trade), Adalius Thomas to the Dolphins, Darren Sharper to the Giants, every linebacker available to the Broncos. Once the bidding opens up, things are going to get interesting very quickly.

As exciting as free agency is, nothing compares to the NFL Draft. The post-combine hype right now is incredible. People are even paying $160 for a chance to get an autograph from future 2nd or 3rd round pick and NFL nobody Tim Tebow.

The always entertaining KSK gives us an interesting profile on one of my favorite prospects (for me to poop on), Jimmy Clausen.

Speaking of Clausen, the Redskins appear to be a little more interested in him than they should. I’m not saying Jason Campbell is the best thing since sliced bread, but when your offensive line is among the worst in the league, doesn’t it make sense to get some protection before you throw another QB to the wolves?

Brady Quinn is on the trading block again (or still)? I’m interested to see which team(s) will continue to think this guy has a future in the NFL. In case you can’t tell from my tone, I don’t think he does. He was overrated coming out of college, and makes up for his fragile mental makeup with far too much gym time than a QB should ever bother with. If he spent half as much time studying film as he did in the weight room, he’d be a lot better off.

Last but not least, Chad Ochocinco is the latest in a series of viral ads from Reebok. They’re… ummm… provocative, to say the least.

You can try to tell me that this Bacon Lombardi trophy isn’t awesome, but you’d be wrong. This is pretty much the greatest thing ever. It’s like the real Lombardi Trophy, except it takes a lot less blood, sweat and tears, and it tastes way better. Thanks to Intentional Foul for bringing this piece of amazingness to our attention.

Other goodness:

Mandatory viewing: “I’m From The Old School” featuring Mike Singletary [Sports Untapped]

Darrell Green is still faster than you, running a 4.43 forty, at age 50. [Fanhouse]

Drew Brees will now have the bullseye on his back, after winning the Super Bowl. [Shutdown Corner]

Drunk driver Donte Stallworth has found a home with the Ravens [Cleveland.com]

Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila have settled their little dispute. Unfortunately, she kinda won. [PFT]

Speaking of the Chargers, they’re looking to trade Antonio Cromartie. Who wants him? [Dueling Couches]

There’s nothing awesome about the Steelers, but this ‘Burgh fan at Mardi Gras amuses me. [PSAMP]

Enjoy your week, everyone.