THE PITTSBURGH Sports CHATTER [Archive] - Page 7 - The Diamond David Lee Roth Army

POJO_Risin

01-23-2006, 09:50 PM

Dear Loungemachine...

1. We aren't the ones smileyfacing bandwagoners...you are. Of course...when your fan base is about 70,000 people...I suppose I'd bring on every bandwagoner I could too. I mean hell...most Seahawks fans ARE bandwagoners..."Welp...they're playing well this year...better goto the games..."

2. Props actually to the game that Seattle played...considering they were playing a team playing their 12th string running back...and have 1 good player on offense. The Hawk defense was fucking swarming to be honest...and let's face it...the 68000 of the 70000 Hawk fans were as loud as any crowd I've ever heard. That will play well in the Super Bowl...where there fan base will be roughly...well...3,000...if that. Paul Allen will have to ship in a half a million canned farts and put them under the seats...maybe that will match the volume...and the...well...you can figure the rest out...

3. Jerramy or Garahmy...or kkjjjarmee Staevneas...or whatever or however the fuck he spells is name finally pulled his head out of his ass. He could be problematic underneath for the Steelers...in that I concur with Va Beach...Pittsburgh will need to shadow him a bit...perhaps with that safety guy...can't remember his name...Va...what's his name...that fucking maniac with the wacked out South Pacific afro?

4. I do worry about about Shawn...Sean...Shawan...Shaun Alexander. He's damn good...and I do disagree with Va...I think he will sniff 100 yards. Not much more or less...but be right there. The key will be how effective Hasselbeck maneuvers around the blitz...which will come...and won't be staved off. How Hasselbeck handles that will be interesting. The Panthers were a bunch of fucking pussies...and I give props to Seattle...and hell...you can blah...blah...blah...all you want out loud...and huff and puff and flair out your feminine chests about how strong the NFC is and how you don't get credit and how the East Coast has a bias....and all of that wonderful stuff you all tell yourself to make yourselves feel better. The Panthers aren't the Steelers...and right now...the NFC isn't as good as the AFC. The Steelers WILL bring it...and won't lay down like a bunch of worthless 90 year old cunts like most of the NFC. I personally think that Seattle IS better than most people think...and that's NO JOKE. But they have beat noone...So...you can huff and puff all you want...but the AFC is better...and this will be the Hawks first test since...hmmmm...Indianapolis...oh yeah...the benched their entire team after the 2nd play...so...lets see...Jax, Atlanta, Arizona, Washington, St.Louis, Houston, Dallas, Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco, NY Giants, Philadelphis, San Francisco, Tennessee, Indianapolis and Green Bay. For fuck's sake...the Queer Eye for the Straight Guys could have gone 14-2 with that gay ass record...

That being said...with that offense...they are a formidable opponant...

4. Your a fucking douchebag...and I thought I fucking banned you...

lmfao...

on a serious note...

I do think this is going to be a good game...hinging on the defenses...and OLines...can either one stop the rush of the other...how do the QB's handle it...and who can walk in and not be overhyped. As always...the key will be turnovers...and in a game like this...where I think the two teams are more equal than people will admit...a mistake...or big play early...could turn the tide in this game. The Steelers have been making early and quick work in the first half...if they do that again...I think the game could be over quickly...

Seattle can do the same thing. I do think the Steelers can wreak a little more havoc than can Seattle...because the Steelers O aren't limp dicks like 90% of the Hawks opponents...which will keep the game low scoring on the Hawks part...IE...20 or under...which means...Seattle will have to play a perfect game on D to keep the Steelers O out of the endzone. If they can...and it all depends on their good rush...they can make it interesting...and perhaps even win. The question isn't whether Hasselbeck gets pressured...it's whether or not he can avoid it...and roast the Steelers deep. I DO think that the Steelers corners are better than I think...but I also think they can be beat deep. We haven't seen it in the past 2 weeks because the Steelers have been soiling the pants of Manning and Plummer. If Hasselbeck has timing reads...and can get a couple of passes in the air deep...and strike like it looked like Palmer and the Bengals were planning on doing in the Wild Card game...

The Hawks can do it...but so could Indy (better than Seattle)...and so could Denver (not better than Seattle...but close)...

We shall see...should be a good chess match...

5. Loungemachine is a fucking douchebag...

Peace...

LoungeMachine

01-23-2006, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Dear Loungemachine...

1. We aren't the ones smileyfacing bandwagoners...you are.

2. Props actually to the game that Seattle played...

3. Jerramy or Garahmy...or kkjjjarmee Staevneas...or whatever or however the fuck he spells is name finally pulled his head out of his ass.

4. I do worry about about Shawn...Sean...Shawan...Shaun Alexander. He's damn good

4. Your a fucking douchebag...and I thought I fucking banned you...

lmfao...

5. Loungemachine is a fucking douchebag...

Peace...

1] Agreed, and my Bandwagon Thread proves it, but I wasn't referring to you or your boyfriend. ;)

2] Thanks

3] True

4a] He is

4b] I am, you did, and learn to fucking count you stump.

5] duh.

Everyone just keeps hoping that if they TOUT Seattle as losing the next game, eventually they'll be right :D

Out.

LoungeMachine

01-23-2006, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Ya know, you can call me and Poj a lot of things....

Beercoholics....

Maybe a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic....

And in Poj's case, a little light in the loafers.... ;)

But NEVER can you call us Steeler bandwagoneers....

Never did.

You guys are a little jumpy.

Like that time I called Pojo gay and he went on for 3,000 words telling me how he wasn't, and that I was banned :D

Out.

POJO_Risin

01-23-2006, 10:33 PM

Yo Loungemachine...

I have absolutely no problem saying that I don't think Seattle is a walk...

as I've said before...I think it's going to be a good game...and more even than most people will say...

and I'll say it all 2 weeks...any Seahawk fans...that calls this game a done deal now...

is a bonehead...

absolutely I'm jumpy about this game...no problem admitting that...

of course...you're to busy hoping I'm gay...to give a real take on the game...

LoungeMachine

01-23-2006, 11:03 PM

Done deal?

No way.

I just laugh at those [not you and VA] who give Seattle NO CHANCE of winning [Maxi, others]

I wish I could give you a good take, but I haven't followed the Steelers since oh.........does Kordell Stewart ring a bell? LMAO

I don't know what to look out for w/ Pitts. Nor do I really worry about it. I'm just jazzed to see this franchise get to the dance for once.

All those years in the AFC West, when I was a die-hard live-and-die each week fan watching us go 8-8, 9-7.........Behring, Flores, etc, etc,...

So you guys can talk Xs and Os.....I'm just enjoying the ride.

And I'm still a banned douche bag.

Cool?

Flash Bastard

01-23-2006, 11:17 PM

I'm trying to picture FORD removing his tinfoil hat and sporting a new Seahawks hat for the next two weeks.

LOL. All kidding aside, I'm hoping for a grate game. Maybe Seattle will suprise me, I haven't seen much of them since they moved to the NFC.

They've come a long way since their red-headed stepchild days in the AFC West.

Maybe this is the Hawk's year..... now if we could just get the Saints in the big game next year.....

POJO_Risin

01-23-2006, 11:20 PM

Personally?

You've got to love it...

probably the 2 best qb's playing right now...but never in a Super Bowl...

Shaun Alexander...the MVP...vs. Bettis...playing in his hometown in his last game...

The two best D's...in the form of havoc makers going right now...2 of the top 3 sack teams in the league...

Porter, Haggans, Farrior and Polamalu vs. Fisher, Tatupo and Bernard

some classic matchups...

POJO_Risin

01-23-2006, 11:37 PM

and truth be told Lounge...it's good to see Seattle MAKE it to the dance...

we've come knockin' in Seattle to many times to tell...and had that cunt Zorn and Krieg make us look like...well...Seattle...

lmfao...

like I said...the matchups are tremendous...

Trufant...who fucking squelched Steve Smith...against Hines Ward...who is more physical...

you have Wilson and Randal El on the other side...who both have come alive the past two weeks...

you have Tatupo rollin' against Miller...perhaps Pittsburgh MVP past Roeth...

on the other side of the ball...you have Stevans or Stavens...lmfao...or whatever his name is...against Polamalu...and the Linebackers...

the underrated Seattle WR's against what I think is the underrated Steeler corners (although I think they COULD be exposed)...

you have both lines against manic defenses...

and two QB's...one young...and one not so much...who will be playing their first Super Bowls...and could crack...or become heros...

you have an MVP trying to make millions...and the number 5 rusher all-time trying to go out with a ring...in his hometown...

More thoughts...lmfao...but I'm sick of talkin' about it...two weeks to roll with this...

will continue the banter tomorrow...

and this ain't the Kordell Steelers...thank god...

POJO_Risin

01-23-2006, 11:49 PM

a great line...that could prove prophetic...

is this the REAL matchup?

"Super Bowl XL could be a slugfest. Both teams have excellent offensive lines and accurate and mobile quarterbacks. Alexander won the MVP this season, but right now, Roethlisberger is playing like one. He's made all the plays down the stretch..."

POJO_Risin

01-24-2006, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by MAX
You all just KNOW Poj will be the first one in line tomorrow morning to not only purchase but take the friggin' day off and will be prancin' around the house wearin' it. It will match his fuzzy bunny slippers to a tee.

http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3734259/1133238400618_RREE_073.JPG

Deep Thoughts

by Max...

"If I squint my eyes hard enough...I can make that Roethlisberger jersey look like Elways..."

Good news for you Max...

#7 still WINS in Mile High...

;)

POJO_Risin

01-24-2006, 12:23 AM

Don't worry Max...

you'll be able to get these cheap...

and shit...

6+1=7...

;)

http://www.onthefield.com/prodimg/ACF774.jpg

rustoffa

01-24-2006, 12:28 AM

Originally posted by Flash Bastard
They've come a long way since their red-headed stepchild days in the AFC West.

That's why I jumped on the bandwagon. Actually, I'm about to fall off. Fucking steel curtains and shit....

What is it...4 points?

Rothlisburger is growing his hair out.

Fucking Bradshaw...that bald motherfucker demanded that Alexander run the trophy around the stadium!

That has all the makings of a disaster.

When I finally have all the facts?

I'll go with a winner.

:eek:

MAX

01-24-2006, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Don't worry Max...

you'll be able to get these cheap...

and shit...

6+1=7...

;)

http://www.onthefield.com/prodimg/ACF774.jpg

Fuck that shit, even though I look stellar in pink. lmao

Seriously, I own sooooo many Broncos jerseys from so many playas over the yeeyas. I've still yet to buy a Plummer one though and after yesterday, I'm happy that I have not.

Hey Poj, what the fuck did you do with that "Friends" thread? :confused:

Guitar Shark

01-24-2006, 10:59 AM

Thank God he deleted it. :)

BigBadBrian

01-24-2006, 04:18 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan

But you're right, there will be plenty attempting to get on the bandwagon....

I say, fuck 'em, you should have jumped onboard sooner..... ;)

I guess a small part of me is pulling for the Steelers.

Did you see Holmgren about blow a gasket when that punt return was ruled a TD? Funny stuff.

Nickdfresh

01-24-2006, 04:23 PM

That's funny shiite BBB....
http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/avatar.php?userid=51&dateline=1138124163

Va Beach VH Fan

01-24-2006, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
I guess a small part of me is pulling for the Steelers.

It'd be certainly understandable BBB, you know as well as I do, this area is absolutely crawling with Steeler fans, always has....

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 06:47 PM

Gee, where can I buy one of those pink RolfieBurger pink jerseys for my wife? She's into Breast Cancer Awareness too.

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by Nickdfresh
That's funny shiite BBB....
http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/avatar.php?userid=51&dateline=1138124163

Blow me, Nick00roo. Where's Buffalo playing in two weeks?

Oh yeah. The Living Room.

:D

Unchainme

01-24-2006, 06:52 PM

Seattle deserves the Super Bowl for giving us Bands like Heart, Nirvana, AIC, Soundgarden, Queensyche and Jimi Hendrix.

Plus Starbucks and the very Computer I am typing on right now.

They are long overdue, Now what has Pittsburgh contributed to the World? ;)

ODShowtime

01-24-2006, 07:32 PM

Unchainme

01-24-2006, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by ODShowtime
heinz ketchup should do for this argument

Seattle will be a nice challenge and prove a nice foil for the Steelers. I wouldn't get my hopes up though Lounge and Ford and everybody else. We'll see, we'll see...

Heinz Ketchup
Poison (The Band that is.)
AND.....
JOE THUNDER :D. LOL.

Va Beach VH Fan

01-24-2006, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by Unchainme
Seattle deserves the Super Bowl for giving us Bands like Heart, Nirvana, AIC, Soundgarden, Queensyche and Jimi Hendrix.

Plus Starbucks and the very Computer I am typing on right now.

They are long overdue, Now what has Pittsburgh contributed to the World? ;)

Well, let's keep this sports-related... After all, we ARE talking about the Super Bowl...

Let's see...

First and foremost, we've got 4 Super Bowls, something the Seahawks haven't come close to sniffing in their miniscule history...

The Pirates have 5 World Series championships, something the Mariners haven't come close to sniffing in their miniscule history...

The Penguins have 2 Stanley Cups, something no one in that entire section of the country has done.... And no, I'm not countring Edmonton or Calgary...

How's that ???

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Well, let's keep this sports-related... After all, we ARE talking about the Super Bowl...

Give the kid a break, Va...

He's been raised on a diet of paint chips and dryer lint trap offerings ;)

Yes, Seattle Championships are lame......

Supersonics sometime around 1845 or so.....

And the WNBA :rolleyes:

Give Seattle Fan a break, too. We've been sports-cursed for 40 years. The Seattle Pilots leaving for Milwaukee in the middle of the night started the freefall to the bottom....

So, if we seem overly giddy, a little cocky, and kind of annoying......IT'S BECAUSE WE GET THIS ONCE EVERY CENTURY.

:cool:

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 08:56 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Well, let's keep this sports-related... After all, we ARE talking about the Super Bowl...

Let's see...

First and foremost, we've got 4 Super Bowls, something the Seahawks haven't come close to sniffing in their miniscule history...

The Pirates have 5 World Series championships, something the Mariners haven't come close to sniffing in their miniscule history...

The Penguins have 2 Stanley Cups, something no one in that entire section of the country has done.... And no, I'm not countring Edmonton or Calgary...

How's that ???

That's fine.

You win over us in sports.........and Seattle kills Pittsburgh in every other category including, Music, Culture, per capita income. Topography, Beer [don't even go there] Seafood, Pot, Skiing, Waterfronts, etc, etc, etc, etc..........

Unchainme

01-24-2006, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
That's fine.

You win over us in sports.........and Seattle kills Pittsburgh in every other category including, Music, Culture, per capita income. Topography, Beer [don't even go there] Seafood, Pot, Skiing, Waterfronts, etc, etc, etc, etc..........

Plus you guys have Joe Thunder as a fan.

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by Unchainme
Plus you guys have Joe Thunder as a fan.

The brat has a point ;)

Unchainme

01-24-2006, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
[B] Give the kid a break, Va...

He's been raised on a diet of paint chips and dryer lint trap offerings ;)

[B]

Nicole Taylor, Action 8 News: Is that why you've strapped a bomb to your chest?
Thomas 'Tommy' Callahan III: Oh, this isn't a bomb. These are road flares.
Ray Zalinsky: Road flares? Did you live under power lines as a kid, or something?
Thomas 'Tommy' Callahan III: Ha ha ha, why?

Shut Up Richard err I mean Kip :mad:

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/amgvideo/dvd/cov150/drt600/t637/t63783p1d03.jpg

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 09:12 PM

Ok, now you're just spamming the SuperBowl thread, grasshopper....

Back in your corner.

Unchainme

01-24-2006, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Ok, now you're just spamming the SuperBowl thread, grasshopper....

Back in your corner.

Yes sir.

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by ODShowtime

Seattle will be a nice challenge and prove a nice foil for the Steelers. ..

Not to mention a nice CHANGE for the Superbowl.

I personally think it's great to see fresh blood in there. Who the fuck needs to see Buffalo lose again.......

The new young turks against the legacy of the mighty Steelers.

Those of you who think we're not going to show up and put up a helluva fight are wrong. You may just be surprised.

And as lopsided as alot of SB have been, the Vegas line doesn't seem to be anticipating a Blow-out. Sure it might move in favor of Pitt. as we get closer, but still........

Beware of being too Cocky Steeler Fan........;) Sure our schedule has been soft, but we still have some big guns, capable of big plays.

:cool:

LoungeMachine

01-24-2006, 09:29 PM

Tue. Jan. 24, 2006.

Seahawks the real deal
Holmgren's team has right elements for a Super game

`Can't worry about' underdog tag: RB Alexander

BARRY WILNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE—Few teams rampage through their schedule the way the Seahawks did this season, only to be confronted by so many doubters during the playoffs. With the way Seattle manhandled the Carolina Panthers in the NFC championship game, the critics should realize one thing: Mike Holmgren's team is for real.

Usually, it takes an offensive star at his peak, a fierce defence and a coaching staff with some experience for a team to take the NFL's biggest prize.

The Seahawks have all that.

"It really starts from the top, that is just the message we've been given," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said yesterday. "The veteran guys on our team would just sort of repeat the message from above, and we'd just try to live it out. Everyone is saying the goals of this team are more important. If you've really got chemistry and camaraderie, those things happen.''

They've been happening in bunches for the Seahawks, yet they are four-point underdogs, hardly surprising considering the AFC is the stronger conference and the Pittsburgh Steelers are on an amazing run all the way from a sixth seed to the Super Bowl. That, and the team from the Pacific Northwest somehow managed to stay out of the spotlight despite a 13-3 season and a 10-0 home record.

But as the Steelers well know, their opponent in Detroit on Feb. 5 is very formidable.

"Mike said we will always be the other team," league MVP Shaun Alexander said. "Even though they are a sixth seed, they're the pick over us. We win 11 in a row and they say it's our fault the other teams weren't as good. We can't worry about it. We just got to go out and play.''

After setting a league record with 28 touchdowns and topping the rushing charts, Alexander carried the ball 34 times for a club-record 132 yards and scored twice against Carolina.

"He comes out to compete," fullback Mack Strong said of his backfield partner. "He comes out and puts up MVP numbers.''

Then there is a defence with a pass rush that can rattle anyone. Jake Delhomme had never struggled in a post-season game, but he was overwhelmed Sunday. Delhomme felt pressure on nearly every pass play and was intercepted three times.

"We did a nice job in the secondary, but more importantly, we put a lot of pressure on Jake with four guys (on the line),'' Holmgren said. "That's just the defensive linemen saying, `I am going to do this.' Because their offensive line is pretty good."

Holmgren struggled early in his tenure in Seattle after winning one Super Bowl in Green Bay and losing another. But the ups and downs never steered him in the wrong direction.

Nor did tight playoff losses the last two years, first at the Packers in overtime, then at home to St. Louis. Holmgren weeded out problem players after the 2004 season, and felt more comfortable with the roster this season.

"Five or six left and the five or six we brought in have been tremendous," Holmgren said. "They responded around our leaders ... who have been here four to five years. Chemistry in our locker room allowed us to win a couple games this year we would have lost last year.''

There's only one game left, the big one, and the Seahawks no longer are living outside the spotlight. They should handle the Super Bowl glare just fine.

Va Beach VH Fan

01-24-2006, 09:59 PM

rustoffa

01-24-2006, 11:01 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Seattle kills Pittsburgh in Pot, etc, etc, etc..........

:smoke2: :smilieci: :hula: :drive:

Flash Bastard

01-24-2006, 11:05 PM

2 more weeks of this?

Awww shit. Let's play the game now.

rustoffa

01-24-2006, 11:27 PM

Originally posted by Flash Bastard
2 more weeks of this?

Awww shit. Let's play the game now.

No shit. The fucking NFL should capitalize on, and cuntrol the game even more.

Two-week gay-off.

I'm thinking the worst records' in each division, in a random debacle on TNT.

Without head coaches. (no-brainer)

:D

ODShowtime

01-25-2006, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by rustoffa
:smoke2: :smilieci: :hula: :drive:

dude, DLR looks REAL high in your sig :)

POJO_Risin

01-25-2006, 08:07 PM

As I said before...

I think this is going to be an incredible game...

and we'll see someone step up and become a super bowl hero...and turn the game around...

LoungeMachine

01-25-2006, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
As I said before...

I think this is going to be an incredible game...

and we'll see someone step up and become a super bowl hero...and turn the game around...

Couldn't agree more.

That's all I've been saying......don't count us out, we've got some serious PLAY MAKERS.

I'd love to see it go down to OT ;)

POJO_Risin

01-25-2006, 09:04 PM

Who's been counting you out?

lmfao...

all's I've been hearing from all the pundits is...

I don't know why the Steelers are favored to win...

You'll see that +4 for Pittsburgh dwindle down to 2 or 1....

POJO_Risin

01-25-2006, 09:11 PM

Funny...right after the Steelers won on Sunday...I wondered which jersey they were going to wear...and was hoping they'd stick with the road white's...

The only other time they wore white was in 1974...against the Vikings...

POJO_Risin

01-25-2006, 09:14 PM

James Harrison will be back for the Super Bowl...completing their D...

HELLVIS666

01-25-2006, 09:39 PM

rustoffa

01-25-2006, 10:08 PM

In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to a great game.

D-FENCE.

Holmgren's probably relegated himself to goulash suicide if he doesn't win this game, and has experience winning the big one.

Blitzburgh is peaking at the right time...that goes a long way.....shit, they've done that at least twice. ;)

I'm a bitter west coast demolition fan...nothing to look forward to....(how low can T.O. go)?

Anyways, here's a pic for AFC's sake.

Flash Bastard

01-25-2006, 10:38 PM

Originally posted by rustoffa
In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to a great game.

D-FENCE.

Holmgren's probably relegated himself to goulash suicide if he doesn't win this game, and has experience winning the big one.

Blitzburgh is peaking at the right time...that goes a long way.....shit, they've done that at least twice. ;)

I'm a bitter west coast demolition fan...nothing to look forward to....(how low can T.O. go)?

Anyways, here's a pic for AFC's sake.

So is this your endorsement of the Steelers?

The Iron Curtain -vs- The Shower Curtain, as Rush Limbaugh puts it.

Kinda harsh, isn't it?

Ooooh, FORD and Lounge are going to have a fucking shit fit over that quote.

Direct your hatred to.....

The Rush Limbaugh Show
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Personally, I'm hoping for a tight fucking game that comes down to the final minutes.

LoungeMachine

01-25-2006, 10:51 PM

Originally posted by HELLVIS666
you left out suicide

suicide/heroin/coffee/alcohol

Seasonal Affect Disorder, or somesuch psycobabble bullshit.. LMAO

It all goes with the territory, I guess. And Kurt wasn't a suicide, for the record:cool:

Local CBS affilliate [With ex-Seahawk Receiver, and "voice of The Seahawks", Steve [no not Largent] Raible] played a "man oth the street" bit today taped in Pittsburgh...

The asked "Pittsburgh Fan" what they thought of Seattle.....and the answers were all predictable......but that's not what made the story funny........

It was the fact these Pittsburgh fans were all either carrying, and or just leaving a Starbucks :D

As a side note, not one "Seattle Fan on the Street" was seen eating a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich:D

LoungeMachine

01-25-2006, 10:53 PM

LoungeMachine

01-25-2006, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Flash Bastard

Ooooh, FORD and Lounge are going to have a fucking shit fit over that quote.

Direct your hatred to.....

The Rush Limpdick Show
1270 Avenue of the Oxycontin
New York, NY 10020

Yeah. Because we care what Hillybilly Heroin Rash thinks/says/spews :rolleyes:

Who's next? Scottie McClellen and Jimmy/Jeff Gannon/Gickert putting down Seattle Fashion?

Shit fit? LMMFAO

Flash Bastard

01-25-2006, 11:00 PM

LMFAO!

rustoffa

01-25-2006, 11:21 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Frustrated Raider Fan says what?

:D ;)

I'll be so excited to be informed of the final score, I'll burn 20 McDonalds' down in the winner's honor!
:(

rustoffa

01-25-2006, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Yeah. Because we care what Hillybilly Heroin Rash thinks/says/spews :rolleyes:

Who's next? Scottie McClellen and Jimmy/Jeff Gannon/Gickert putting down Seattle Fashion?

Shit fit? LMMFAO

:lol:

FORD

01-26-2006, 01:01 AM

Did somebody mention the ShitFits??

http://graphics.ink19.com/issues/october1999/covers/misfits.jpeg

(Definitely Steelers fans)

EbDawson

01-26-2006, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

I don't know why the Steelers are favored to win...

You'll see that +4 for Pittsburgh dwindle down to 2 or 1....

Steelers are favored to win because they've won 3 weeks on the road. The spread probably will close but that will be to get more cash into the bookie's pockets.

Me, I think the game is a toss-up. Seattle looked impressive, still it's hard to go against the Steelers. I just hope it's a good game and I'm taking the over.

ODShowtime

01-26-2006, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Not to mention a nice CHANGE for the Superbowl.

I personally think it's great to see fresh blood in there. Who the fuck needs to see Buffalo lose again.......

Agreed. I couldn't ask for a cooler opponent. Fuck. This is gonna be one SERIOUS Superbowl!!!!

Beware of being too Cocky Steeler Fan........;) Sure our schedule has been soft, but we still have some big guns, capable of big plays.

Seattle's schedule has been soft. The Steelers have been tempered by a grueling, do-or-die, 7 game, 5 of them on the road win streak:

Sun 12/11 Chicago W 21-9
Sun 12/18 at Minnesota W 18-3
Sat 12/24 at Cleveland W 41-0
Sun 1/1 Detroit W 35-21
Playoffs
Sun 1/8 at Cincinnati W 31-17
Sun 1/15 at Indianapolis W 21-18
Sun 1/22 at Denver W 34-17

What's one more clutch road game? We're wearin' white!

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:17 PM

I know a lot of people call Big Ben the "savior", although many of those are calling him that as a form of sarcasm. But, when I witnessed the "immaculate tackle" after the Bettis fumble against the colts, I couldn't help but wonder how it must be to choke on a big black and gold mouthful of crow.

POJO_Risin

01-27-2006, 08:21 PM

I don't think ANYONE imagined his success this fast...and furious...

I predicted he'd start by week 8 of last year because Maddox was that shitty...

but figured we wouldn't get to see the Real Ben until sometime this year...and certainly not like this...

Right now...he's certainly top 10 in this league...and fuck...based on wins and losses...fucking top 5...if not better...

if he does nothing else...he wins...and that's the bottom line...

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:23 PM

Maybe they could use a terrible towel to wipe the egg from their faces.

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:36 PM

Oddly enough, tomorrow I'll be driving up Shaun Alexander Blvd. on my way to Big Ben's old stomping grounds (oxford, oh) to help some IMBA guys to build a 9"W x 16'L x 3'H see saw over a creek on the mountain bike trail near Miami U. Then I'll the probably get hurt on it. We'll see.

Unchainme

01-27-2006, 08:37 PM

Man I've just never seen a team that was RANKED #1 IN THEIR CONFERENCE AND HAD A BETTER RECORD THAN THEIR OPPONENT AS UNDERDOGS!, This is hiliarious as hell everybody and their brother is jumping on the steelers Bandwagon (Except People Like Poj and VA Beach. Who are TRUE fans.) ESPECIALLY In NEOhio. Read the paper a couple days ago and they kept going on how the Steelers were so much better than the Browns and basically how we should kneel before as if they were God Himself. GIVE ME A FUCKING BREAK!, They're are Fucking rivals for fucks sake. I mean they are good team do not get me wrong, But I don't think we as Clevelanders should be giving them this much attention.

I don't know, I am just sick of watching all these idiots in CLEVELAND Running around in Roethlisberger jersey talking about how much the Browns suck constantly.

POJO_Risin

01-27-2006, 08:45 PM

Yo unchainme...

I still can't believe my homeland is supporting the Steelers...or...at the very least...giving them credit...

even when I called Cleveland home...irregardless of whether or not Pittsburgh was better or not...

you could never tell from the papers...

my how times have changed...

and NO WAY...even with 3 road wins...should the Steelers be favored in this game...period...

Steeler fan yes...but a #1 seed...even in a shitty conference...even with a shitty schedule...should be the favorite...

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:45 PM

Well, my wife is for the seahawks. She went to school with Alexander and was a cheerleader. Me on the other hand, have ben preaching the steeler gospel on these boards for a long time. Hell, I grew up watching Ham, Lambert, Green and company stomp the crap out of everyone. I can't wait!

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by HELLVIS666
Well, my wife is for the seahawks. She went to school with Alexander and was a cheerleader. Me on the other hand, have ben preaching the steeler gospel on these boards for a long time. Hell, I grew up watching Ham, Lambert, Green and company stomp the crap out of everyone. I can't wait!

"Ben Preaching":D

bueno bob

01-27-2006, 08:51 PM

Go Seattle :D

I may actually watch a football game this year, who knows...

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 08:53 PM

I keep thinking of Polamalu tackling L.T., and I can't wait to see how he handles Alexander.

Unchainme

01-27-2006, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Yo unchainme...

I still can't believe my homeland is supporting the Steelers...or...at the very least...giving them credit...

even when I called Cleveland home...irregardless of whether or not Pittsburgh was better or not...

you could never tell from the papers...

my how times have changed...

and NO WAY...even with 3 road wins...should the Steelers be favored in this game...period...

Steeler fan yes...but a #1 seed...even in a shitty conference...even with a shitty schedule...should be the favorite...

I just have never seen NEOhio like this, Kinda makes me sick to my stomach. I have always been a Browns fan staying through Thick and thin. Its kinda like that song by The Pretenders, Back to Ohio, My city is gone. Its been gone since 1995 when we got our team stolen and hasn't returned since. I would almost compare The New and Old Browns to Van Halen, but the Browns don't deserve to be compared in that way. Yet.

POJO_Risin

01-27-2006, 09:11 PM

Well...if someone on the Browns management team (and Savage has a shot) wakes up and realizes that to have a decent team...

YOU NEED A DECENT LINE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL...

things will change quickly...

POJO_Risin

01-27-2006, 09:12 PM

and that team wasn't stolen...it was given away...by that piece of shit Modell...

HELLVIS666

01-27-2006, 09:28 PM

Nice to see him gone from Baltimore as well.

POJO_Risin

01-27-2006, 09:37 PM

Yeah...that was the best part about it...

he signs a deal that gets him a free stadium...and still ends up running the team into the ground...

so much for leaving the team for his kids...

fucking pathetic...

LoungeMachine

01-28-2006, 12:59 AM

Originally posted by bueno bob
Go Seattle :D

I may actually watch a football game this year, who knows...

Mucho Larg is about to wash over thou. :D

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:53 AM

Good article on Ben...

College coach inspires Big Ben

By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 27, 2006

No television story chronicling Ben Roethlisberger's career is complete without footage of the emotionally charged 2004 NFL Draft.
That is where Roethlisberger's college coach, Terry Hoeppner, angrily slapped a water bottle after the New York Giants selected Philip Rivers fourth overall.

Quality entertainment, for sure.

Hoeppner still can't believe the Giants didn't take his guy (though he quickly realized the Steelers were a much better fit). In the days leading up to the draft, as Hoeppner recalls, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi and coach Tom Coughlin all but fitted Big Ben for a jersey and helmet.

But the Giants had other ideas. As per an agreement with the San Diego Chargers, they took Rivers and packaged him for Eli Manning. Roethlisberger and his people sat stunned in the "green room."

And a water bottle flipped across the table.

"To me, it was a done deal -- Big Ben in the Big Apple," Hoeppner said Thursday in a telephone interview. "I was wanting the best for Ben. I thought he was the best quarterback available and the best player."

Who would argue now? San Diego, Oakland, Arizona, the Giants, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Houston all passed on Roethlisberger, whom the Steelers stole with the 11th pick.

Think a few of those GM's will regret that day for the rest of their lives?

Two years later, Roethlisberger is enjoying one of the great playoff runs in NFL history. His passer rating of 125.8 is the fourth-best three-game mark for a single postseason in the Super Bowl era, surpassed only by Joe Montana (146.4 in 1989), Phil Simms (131.8 in 1986) and Troy Aikman (126.4 in 1992).

All those guys won their third and final game. Roethlisberger, as you might have heard, still has one to go.

After shredding the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, Roethlisberger mentioned a few of the driving forces behind his push to the Super Bowl. One is Jerome Bettis. One is Roethlisberger's late paternal grandfather, Ken Carl Roethlisberger; and one is Hoeppner, who had a benign tumor removed from his brain Dec. 27.

Roethlisberger has often referred to Hoeppner as a second father. It was Hoeppner who spotted the potential in Roethlisberger coming out of Findlay High School -- and that might have been the only time Miami (Ohio) ever beat Ohio State for a recruit.

"I have a lot of things that are driving me this year, and (Hoeppner) is definitely one of them," Roethlisberger said yesterday. "I get to talk to him a few times a week. He's doing really well. ... I'm thankful to have him on my side."

Hoeppner, 58, began experiencing headaches Dec. 24 in Cleveland, as he watched the Steelers demolish the Browns. Beforehand, he'd joked with Steelers president Art Rooney II and chairman Dan Rooney that because this was a game in northern Ohio against a team with orange uniforms, Roethlisberger would think he was back in college playing against Bowling Green.

By the time the game ended, however, Hoeppner knew something was wrong. The tumor was discovered two days later, followed quickly with a successful surgery. Hoeppner, who recently completed his first year as head coach at Indiana University, is back on the job, albeit with restrictions.

"All those people at Miami and IU who said I needed my head examined were right," he said, jokingly.

One of Hoeppner's great joys is bringing recruits to his new house in Bloomington and showing them his "Roethlisberger Room."

"I've got a (Big Ben) 'Fat Head' up on the wall," he said, referring to the gigantic posters Roethlisberger hawks. "I'll bring (recruits) out here and show them the Fat Head and point to another wall and say, 'That one's for you; a few years from now, I'll put your Fat Head up there beside his.' "

Roethlisberger's magnificent playoff performance hasn't surprised Hoeppner in the least.

That touchdown pass to Hines Ward in Denver, the one where Roethlisberger rolled left and unleashed a smart bomb to the end zone? Hoeppner had seen it before.

"It's 2003 all over again," he said, "just at a much higher level."

Next week, Hoeppner is headed to Detroit, where he and his wife will watch the Super Bowl in person.

No need to hide the water bottles.

Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jstarkey@tribweb.com

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:56 AM

Steelers riding wave of momentum

By Mike Dudurich
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 27, 2006

Professional athletes know the importance of momentum. Those who have never participated in sports think they do, but they don't.
The Steelers have momentum, and PGA Tour golfer Rocco Mediate believes that momentum will make them difficult to beat in Super Bowl XL.

"As any athlete knows, momentum is the most unstoppable force in sports," Mediate said Thursday. "The only way to stop it is if you get in your own way, start making stupid mistakes or stop believing in yourself."

The Greensburg native admits that he's not a football expert, but he's been a Steelers fan all his life and is confident about the outcome of the Super Bowl.

He's so confident that he placed his first-ever bet on a football game last Sunday in the AFC Championship game against Denver and he won handily. That prompted him to place an even more sizable wager on the Super Bowl, and he plans to reap the rewards.

Over the course of his career -- he'll begin his 18th year next week at the FBR open in Scottsdale, Az. -- Mediate has experienced the boost that momentum provides and how quickly it can get away.

In 1996, he became the first player to birdie the final six holes at the TPC at Sawgrass on his way to a final-round 66 and a tie for fourth in the Players Championship.

"When you birdie the first couple holes, you feel like you can birdie them all," Mediate said. "You just let it go and things happen. That's what Ben (Roethlisberger) is doing right now. He's not forcing anything. He's just letting it go and he's right on with everything."

He likens what the Steelers have done in the playoffs to a golfer who makes three double bogeys in a row still shoots 68.

"The difference is that their doubles weren't made by the team itself," he said. "The got the worst calls probably in the history of football against the Colts and still won. They are just an absolute train, or bus, I guess, right now."

lmfao...god...some articles are fucking stupid...

Rocco Mediate...give me a break...

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:58 AM

Past losses drive Steelers vets

By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 27, 2006

Three AFC Championship games in five seasons. Nine playoff games. A combined regular-season record of 55-24-1. And now, that elusive berth in the Super Bowl.
That Steelers resume doesn't have any of their core group of players too concerned about being the first No. 6 seed to advance to the Super Bowl.

"I think this team feels like it can go out there and play with anybody," defensive end Aaron Smith said Thursday before joining his teammates in their first official Super Bowl practice.

"I felt good about this team going into the playoffs. We had been playing well. We just wanted the chance. We knew we'd have some success if we got the chance."

Smith's confidence no doubt stems from his appreciation for a group of 16 Steelers players who have been with the club since 2001 -- a season in which they finished an AFC-best 13-3 and advanced to the AFC Championship game.

Eleven of those players, including Smith, are starters this season. That group doesn't include backup tight end Jerame Tuman, defensive back and special teams player Mike Logan and Jerome Bettis, who plays behind Willie Parker, but led Steelers running back with nine touchdowns.

The Steelers' success is similar to the Oakland Raiders' run from 1972-76. The Raiders compiled a 55-13-1 record and won five AFC West titles, winning Super Bowl XI, 32-14, over the Minnesota Vikings in 1976.

Those Raiders teams lost to the Steelers in the playoffs three times. Much the way these Steelers were beaten by the New England Patriots in 2001 and 2004.

Bettis conceded that the losses to the Patriots have played a part in this season's run to the Super Bowl.

"It helped us because we have been in those situations, those big games. So, when the big games came this time, we were comfortable in the settings. ... even on the road," Bettis said. "We had been there before. That's why you saw a different team -- there was a comfort level."

"We've contended four out of five years for the Super Bowl," defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen said. "You get to a point where contending just isn't enough."

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 02:01 AM

Play still haunts Porter

After three AFC Championship game appearances, Steelers linebacker Joey Porter can finally savor a first trip to the Super Bowl and a Feb. 5 date with the Seattle Seahawks.
Even if the first missed opportunity still lingers in his mind.

Despite playing some of the best football of his seven-year career -- he has recorded sacks in all three playoff games, four dating to last season -- Porter continues to be haunted by a play he didn't make in the 2001 AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots.

Had Porter not dropped a potential fourth-quarter interception in that 24-17 loss four years ago, the outspoken linebacker believes he'd be talking up his second Super Bowl trip, not his first.

"If I can walk off the field knowing I left everything out there, I'm not going to be down on myself," Porter said after practice Thursday. "That first time I walked off the field, I didn't feel like I played my best because I had a crucial mistake in the game. I was down on myself."

Porter was referring to a Drew Bledsoe pass intended for David Patten with 6:40 left in the game. The Patriots were ahead by seven points and had a first down on their 20-yard line when Porter stepped in front of Bledsoe's pass in the flat.

"I had a chance to make the play of the century," Porter said. "If I make that interception, I walk into the end zone."

Instead, the Steelers didn't get the ball back until late in the game. Kordell Stewart threw an interception, and the Patriots ran out the clock to advance to the Super Bowl, the first of three they won over the next four seasons.

"I felt like I let my team down because I feel like I'm a playmaker and should make that play," Porter said.

Porter felt better about his performance last January -- "I played my heart out" -- even if it resulted in another championship game loss to the Patriots.

The results, of course, were much better last Sunday in Denver when the Steelers blitzed the Broncos, 34-17, to advance to their second Super Bowl under coach Bill Cowher.

Porter, who had a team-high 10 1/2 sacks during the regular season and was named to his third Pro Bowl squad, had a big hand in the Steelers forging a 24-3 halftime lead. His sack of Jake Plummer late in the first quarter forced a fumble that nose tackle Casey Hampton recovered at the Steelers' 39. The turnover led to the Steelers' first touchdown and a 10-0 advantage.

The previous week, after he challenged the Indianapolis Colts to play a more physical style of football, Porter backed up his talk in the Steelers' 21-18 victory. He had 1 1/2 sacks on the next-to-last drive, including one on fourth-and-16 deep in Indianapolis territory.

Porter's drive to be an impact player this postseason is derived from his coach. Cowher has never tried to censor Porter's mouth or harness the feistiness that once got Porter kicked out of a game in Cleveland during pre-game warm-ups.

"He accepts me for who I am and he knows I play with a lot of emotion," Porter said. "I'm going to go out there and do what I do best. He accepts that, and he accepts how I play. As long as he appreciates what I do, he knows I'll feel the same way about him.

"He's given me more than enough chances to be in this situation. He's why I'm here right now."

Although he's never played deeper into a season than this one, Porter bristled when a reporter asked whether he has anything left for the Super Bowl.

"I always have something left in the tank," he said. "I've never been burnt out. We just finally got over the hump."

And, make no mistake, Porter not only will be ready for the Seahawks, the tank will be empty when he walks off Ford Field at the end of the game.

"You get to this game, there's no need to hold anything back," he said. "Use your full arsenal, whatever you've got. Whatever you've been saving for that moment, use it now. There's no bigger stage, so there's no need to hold anything back."

Porter offered no bold predictions about the game. In fact, he said he'll maintain silence after media day is held Tuesday even though player availability is made the next two days.

"I'm not going to be talking unless someone gives me a lot of money," he said, laughing. "Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I'm going to be getting ready for the biggest game of my life."

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 02:04 AM

Steelers Notebook: Aide knows both sides of Super story
Friday, January 27, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For a snapshot of the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in the Super Bowl, look no further than Ray Horton, the Steelers' assistant secondary coach.

Matt Freed, Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is surrounded by media in the locker room before practice on the South Side yesterday.
Click photo for larger image.

Horton owns a Super Bowl ring, earned when the Dallas Cowboys beat Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII, his final game as a player.

But it was a 20-16 loss to San Francisco in the game four years earlier when Horton was a safety for Cincinnati that has stuck with him most. The 49ers scored the winning touchdown with 34 seconds left on a 10-yard pass from Joe Montana to John Taylor in the end zone -- six inches from Horton's outstretched hand.

"That was 1988, and this is 2005," Horton said. "I don't think about it every day, but every Super Bowl week that comes up you start thinking about that, or, if you see something on TV or ESPN or read something. It's part of history."

It's part of Montana's Hall of Fame lore, but the 49ers committed a mistake on that play or else it might not have worked. The Bengals called a defense in which Taylor and Jerry Rice would be double-covered. But the 49ers came out in a different formation, one they never had shown.

"Jerry Rice came in motion and John Taylor's in the slot at the tight end," Horton said. "I went out to double Jerry Rice, and there was nobody on John Taylor. It was clicking in my head what was going on. I tried to come back in and it was too late."

Later, Horton and former 49ers fullback Tom Rathman were assistant coaches with the Detroit Lions. Rathman told him the 49ers had lined up in the wrong formation.

"How about that?" Horton said. "They ran the wrong formation, and it ended up being the right formation to win the game. Isn't that something?"

An admiration society

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren was a candidate for the Steelers' coaching job Bill Cowher landed in 1982.

Holmgren was one of 12 candidates interviewed by Tom Donahoe, then the Steelers' director of football operations. But the talks were preliminary, and Holmgren and his agent made it plain they probably would accept an offer from Green Bay. Holmgren took two Packers teams to Super Bowls, winning after the 1996 season.

"I think a lot of him, he's a good coach," Dan Rooney said. "I know him well. I've always found him to be a really good guy."

With a Seattle victory, Holmgren would become the first to coach two different teams to Super Bowl victories.

"I had a chance for three years to be on the competition committee with Mike, and we have a genuine friendship," Cowher said. "We actually talked Monday after the championship games. I congratulated him, and he congratulated me.

"He has been a great ambassador for this league and what he stands for and how he treats people, and he has been good for the people in this league and the people he has touched along the way."

A break for Harrison

Linebacker James Harrison, who missed the past two games with a high ankle sprain, will benefit from the extra week between the AFC championship and the Super Bowl.

His ankle was placed in a protective boot after it was injured in Cincinnati Jan. 8, and he should return as the Steelers' No. 3 outside linebacker and play on special teams in the Super Bowl. He will ease his way back into practices, though.

"It gives me a little more time. I'll go out here and see what I can do. I'm going to do a little individual stuff, warm-up stuff and then work my way into team stuff later."

Defensive end Travis Kirschke, who has a groin injury, did not practice when the team worked out yesterday for the first time since they beat the Denver Broncos.

Halfback Willie Parker also did not practice. Neither the Steelers nor Parker would say why, but a teammate said he was sick.

As with many of his teammates, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been deluged with requests for Super Bowl tickets.

"I've had quite a few people call and ask for tickets, but I left my voice mail that said, 'If you're calling for tickets, I'm not giving you any.' "

Dan Rooney quickly passed the Lamar Hunt Trophy to his son, Art Rooney, when it was handed to him in the locker room following the Steelers' victory in Denver Sunday.

"It was heavy," Rooney said. "The Super Bowl trophy's a lot lighter; I'm sure I would be able to hold that one if we do it."

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 02:05 AM

For Big Ben, it's time to tear up Marino's script
Friday, January 27, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ben Roethlisberger's early NFL career has tracked closely the path of another Pittsburgh quarterback, Dan Marino.

Now Roethlisberger would like to veer from Marino's trail. He'd like to win a Super Bowl, not just pay it a visit.

"We talked the other day; he called, and we communicated a little about that," said Roethlisberger, who has developed a friendship with the Hall of Fame quarterback from Central Catholic High School and Pitt. "He said, listen, enjoy this, you're young, you're doing the same thing I did. You think no matter what happens you're going to get back, but it doesn't necessarily happen like that.

"He said on one hand enjoy it, have a good time, but take it seriously enough that you want to win it because you never know when it's going to happen again."

It never happened again for Marino. His Miami Dolphins lost Super Bowl XIX to San Francisco in his second NFL season, and he never made it back.

Marino was the youngest quarterback to play in a Super Bowl. Roethlisberger, 23, is the second youngest and can become the youngest to win one. It all hit him during a phone call from a college friend after the Steelers won in Denver.

"We sat there and talked for probably and hour or two and, for the first 10 minutes, all he kept saying is 'You're going to the Super Bowl! Do you know you're going to the Super Bowl?'

"And I said, 'I know.' It was bizarre because he said when you're a kid you don't talk about playing in the national championship game or playing in the AFC championship game, you talk about playing in the Super Bowl. That's when it kind of started sinking in, when I talked to him. Every kid dreams of doing this, and I'm getting an opportunity to live a dream."

Roethlisberger lived a dream last season when he was 13-0 as a rookie starter, and the Steelers went 15-1. It unraveled in the playoffs, first after his poor performance nearly cost the Steelers a victory against the New York Jets, followed by a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC championship. Roethlisberger had a 61.3 passer rating with five interceptions and three touchdowns last postseason.

Through three playoff games this month, he has a 124.8 passer rating with seven touchdowns and one interception.

"You hadn't lost a game, you're a little over-confident last year," he recalled about his days last January when Big Head replaced Big Ben. "And, this year, I understand where I'm at and where we're at as a team and the situation. So, I think that I'm better prepared than I was last year in that situation.

"I'm playing a little bit better, I feel more comfortable. I'm not quite as tired. I saw you guys interviewing Heath Miller, and he looked like he's about ready to fall asleep. That's how I was last year. This year, I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot better, and I think my play's reflected that."

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 02:06 AM

Owner Dan Rooney says this team reminds him most of 1974 Steelers
Friday, January 27, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One for the thumb? Not for these Steelers because they have none. Period. They're looking for their first Super Bowl ring, a quest that Dan Rooney compared to that of the 1974 Steelers, who also had never won a championship.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I look at this as the first one," said Rooney, who spent the past two days at an NFL meeting in Orlando. "It's the first one for this group of players, who really deserve it. They've really worked hard, they're really good football players, they played well.

"Not taking anything away from the guys back in the 1970s, but this is a new group, a new time."

The Steelers have not won a Super Bowl in 26 years, losing in their only appearance since then 10 years ago. They won four in six years, starting with the 1974 season.

"I would say this probably compares to our first time, Super Bowl IX," Rooney said. "It's very similar, these young guys we have, just like the players then. It's really their turn, their time up. The kind of people they are, it's a close team, they've done things the hard way, although it probably worked out, home and away."

Rooney is one of only four full-time Steelers employees who can get one for the thumb. Those with four Super Bowl rings include Rooney, running backs coach Dick Hoak, scout Joe Greene and Bob McCartney, their video coordinator. Longtime scout Bill Nunn has four, but he retired to part-time status.

"We're the last people who were here during that time," Rooney said. "It's really great to see this new generation come on, this generation of players, generation of coaches, it's really an exciting time. They've done well and they've earned it.

"I look at this as a separate thing; this is not one for the thumb, it's one for these guys."

Only one player on their 53-man roster has been to a Super Bowl -- cornerback Willie Williams, who was on the Steelers' 1995 team. Line coach Russ Grimm has three rings from his playing days with the Washington Redskins and assistant secondary coach Ray Horton has one from Super Bowl XXVII with the Dallas Cowboys.

"It would mean a lot to me, but the thing I enjoy about it is seeing a lot of these guys who've never been there before," said Hoak, who will wear one or sometimes two of his four rings Saturday night before a game. "Now they're getting their opportunity. I get more excited about that.

"Yeah, it's going to be a great thing if we win and I get my fifth ring. But I'm more happy for those guys who have never been there before to get that experience and win it."

That is what Rooney told his players during a meeting Monday. The Steelers are proud of their past, Rooney said, but this is their time.

"He told us to play this one for us, and the things we've been through have nothing to do with the past," safety Mike Logan

said. "Go out and play for ourselves.

"He definitely has the experience and he knows what it's all about. I think he wants to make this an enjoyable time for us because he knows it's hectic with all the demands that come with the Super Bowl."

Rooney succeeded his father, Art, as team president in 1975 after the Steelers won their first Super Bowl. Son Art II succeeded Dan in 2002 and has a chance to earn his first Super Bowl ring as the team's president, as his father and grandfather did before him.

"He's like these young players, really," Dan Rooney said.

Rooney believes the excitement generated by his team's march to the Super Bowl can match that of the 1970s and comes at a good time for the city.

"I think it means a lot to Pittsburgh in so many ways," Rooney said. "It means something to pick the town up, its feeling for itself, the idea we can do it. I think it's very meaningful when Pittsburgh's trying to do a lot of things as far as getting economic and labor employment going.

"You pick up a paper all over the world and people are saying the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Super Bowl. It's a great team, and I think it's a great thing. Home playoff games would have produced much more money for the city, but this is something above and beyond the money."

Whatever the result in Detroit, Rooney believes the Steelers will compete for future Super Bowl berths.

"Sure, I definitely think we can continue to be successful. First of all, we look at this as -- and rightly so -- winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate. But you look at our team, what we've done in the last number of years. We've won more games than probably anybody. We've been in more postseason games, championship games and all those things. We've done well. I think these guys like it here, they're good people, all get along -- at every level in this building. It's worked. I think we can go on.

"We have to win this game, though. I can't be talking about the future or anything. We need to win this game."

Va Beach VH Fan

01-28-2006, 09:54 AM

THIS is just what I want to see !!!

Post it on the board fellas....

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06028/645862.stm

Seattle has victory parade set already
Saturday, January 28, 2006

By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Seahawks and the City of Seattle apparently know the outcome of the Super Bowl already, and it isn't a good one for the Steelers.

According to a report Thursday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the team already has planned its victory parade for the Tuesday after the game.

The Seahawks' victory parade is set to begin at the Seattle center at noon Feb. 7 and will culminate at Qwest Field, where a 30-minute program has been scheduled, complete with entertainment and speakers.

The Steelers have not made any plans for a victory celebration.

"No, we'll cross that bridge and worry about planning a parade if we get to that point," said team spokesman Dave Lockett.

"All of our focus and energy has just been on the game. We'll deal with what happens afterward when the game is over, but, for now, the only thing we're concentrating on is getting ready for the game."

Va Beach VH Fan

01-28-2006, 09:56 AM

Ya know, the "one for the thumb" actually half-assed rhymed back when we were first saying it, meaning "One for the thumb in '81"....

"One for the thumb in '06 !!!!"

Doesn't have the same flair, but I won't complain.... ;)

Va Beach VH Fan

01-28-2006, 10:00 AM

Here's a cool story...

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_417713.html

Notebook: Starks gives tickets to W.Va. family

By Joe Rutter and Rob Biertempfel
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 27, 2006

Right tackle Max Starks is giving four of his Super Bowl tickets to a family involved in the mining tragedy in Sago, W.Va. Starks said Thursday he wanted to keep the matter private and was reluctant to speak about it, but he did admit it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to help out the family, which he did not identify. After receiving a letter requesting autographed gear, Starks consulted his mother, Elleanor, and decided to send the family four of his tickets. Each Steelers player is allotted 15 tickets for the big game. Starks will give the rest of his allotment to family and friends.

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:49 PM

15 tickets...can you imagine how much money you could make off of 15 tickets?

I'll have to ask Tice...

damn...

15 tickets to the SuperBowl could CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

That's an automatic 15 grand in your pocket...more than likely more than that...

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:50 PM

Who gives a fuck about Rhyming anyways...

we aren't talking Dr. Seuss here...lmfao...

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:52 PM

Terrible Towels get special treatment

By Chuck Biedka
Tribune-Review News Service
Saturday, January 28, 2006

A company on Green Bay Packers' turf is giving the Steeler Nation something to snap at the Seahawks.
Nearly 170 handicapped adults are printing, labeling and packaging 170,000 black-and-gold Super Bowl edition Terrible Towels.

And they're rooting for the Steelers, too, said Gina Koepke, 39, who has worked for Chippewa River Industries in Chippewa Falls for about four years. Chippewa Falls is about 180 miles from Green Bay, Wis.

Chippewa Rivers employs physically, developmentally or mentally disabled people ages 18 to 79. They have been printing, labeling and packaging the special edition towels for weeks.

The towel contract and others like it are giving the workers a sense of accomplishment while enabling them to earn money, said manager Dave Lemanski.

"I really like doing them. I watch the Steelers a lot," Koepke said, with a joy in her voice that would make most Pittsburghers proud.

"It helps our people, and some of the money goes to the Allegheny Valley School, too."

The Moon Township school provides mental retardation programs in nine counties around Pittsburgh.

In 1996, retired Steelers broadcaster and towel creator Myron Cope gave the school the rights to the Terrible Towel. Cope copyrighted the idea to rally support for the Steelers in 1975.

Cope's son, Danny, has lived at the school for 20 years.

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:54 PM

Musicians now a Troy band with 'Puhlahmahlu'

By Kim Lyons
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 28, 2006

Be warned: The newest Steelers song will get stuck in your head.
"Puhlahmahlu" is an homage by local band Mr. Devious to the AFC Champions' safety Troy Polamalu.

The song was born during Week 14, when a Fox Sports announcer uttered a name that barely resembled that of the three-year Steeler, guitarist Glenn Shirey said.

"When we heard the horrible butchering of his name, we had to do something about it," Shirey said.

"Puhlahmahlu" was modeled after the old Muppet song, "Mahna Mahna," which was used in a Dr Pepper commercial recently and got stuck in bass player Gregor Steindl's head.

"Gregor's the genius behind the song," Shirey said. "He just started singing it, and the rest of us put it together."

"Puhlahmahlu" took off in popularity after the infamous Polamalu interception-that-wasn't during the playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts.

"Honestly, we just wanted to see if we could get it played on WDVE," Shirey said. "We never expected it to get to be this big."

Most of the local rock stations have the song in regular rotation, and Shirey said he's heard it on the local country stations.

"We've even broken the country barrier," he said.

The band will play the song tonight during a show at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern.

"I think it will go over great with our regular audience," Shirey said. He described the band's sound as "pure rock 'n' roll."

Mr. Devious includes Shirey and Steindl; Shirey's brother, Bryce, and cousin, Evan, and singer Stephen Harding. All of the band members grew up on the North Side, and Harding and the Shireys have known each other since high school.

Shirey wouldn't commit to a prediction for the Super Bowl, but Harding has the Steelers winning (of course) 27-13.

After the big game, Mr. Devious likely will fade back into its place on the local music scene, which is fine with Shirey.

"It's just been fun to be part of this, with the Steelers going to the Super Bowl. Everyone's excited about it." As for the song's namesake, Shirey said he has heard from kicker Jeff Reed that Polamalu doesn't hate the song. No word directly from Polamalu himself, however.

Kim Lyons can be reached at klyons@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7922.

Va Beach VH Fan

01-28-2006, 01:57 PM

I've heard that one...

Oh man, it is quite lame...

Not quite "LAME, FUCKING LAME" territory, but lame nonetheless....

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 01:59 PM

I'm listening to it now...

POJO_Risin

01-28-2006, 02:01 PM

Batch 'living the dream'

By Joe Starkey
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, January 28, 2006

People want to talk to Steelers back-up quarterback Charlie Batch this week because of his ties to Detroit.
Batch, a Homestead native, is more excited about the Super Bowl because of his ties to Pittsburgh.

"I think I'm living the dream a lot of people around here (have)," Batch said. "I can't wait."

It's extra special for Batch because he was no sure bet to make the team out of training camp. He wound up going 2-0 in place of Ben Roethlisberger, as Roethlisberger recovered from knee surgery.

Batch didn't do much but hand off in a 20-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 6, but that was all the Steelers wanted him to do. They'd seen Tommy Maddox implode three weeks earlier in an overtime loss to Jacksonville that nearly ended up costing the Steelers a playoff spot.

Besides, Batch hadn't started a game since Dec. 2, 2001.

A week after the Green Bay game, Batch staged a sterling first-half performance against Cleveland to spark a 34-21 victory. He completed 13-of-19 passes for 150 yards and added a 1-yard touchdown run. He left at halftime, with the Steelers leading 17-7, because of a broken bone in his right hand.

Still, Batch is secure in the knowledge that he helped the Steelers win a critical game. That makes him feel more a part of things.

"To know that you had some part of this team's success is great, to where (the players) say, 'You know what, he was out there with us,' " Batch said.

Batch, 31, has a special place in his heart for Detroit, site of Super XL on Feb. 5. He went to college at Eastern Michigan, which sits about 40 minutes from the Motor City, and spent his first four NFL seasons with the Lions.

"All my boys are still there," Batch said. "I'm there 2-3 times a month during the offseason. It's going to be pretty much normal to me as I get back up there. I know where to go. A lot of guys have already asked what to do, different places. Like I tell them, 'We're right on the freeway, so it's 25-30 minutes away from anywhere you want to go.'

"I kind of see myself as a spin-off of (Detroit native) Jerome (Bettis). If somebody wants to ask him something (about Detroit) and can't find him, they ask me."

Just don't ask Bettis about the Steelers' most recent regular-season game in Detroit. It occurred on Thanksgiving Day, 1998, and is known to Steelers fans simply as "the coin-toss game." Batch was a rookie starter for the Lions.

At the midfield coin flip before overtime, Bettis called "tails," but referee Phil Luckett later said he'd heard Bettis say "heads-tails" and went with Bettis' first choice.

It came up tails, of course, and Detroit scored on the first possession to win, 19-16. The big play was Batch's 28-yard pass to Herman Moore, with a facemask call against Chris Oldham tacked on.

That sent the Steelers on a season-ending, five-game losing streak. They would finish 7-9 and miss the playoffs for the first time under coach Bill Cowher.

Batch and Bettis have neighboring stalls in the Steelers' locker room. They were able to joke about the infamous flip the other day when a reporter asked Batch if remembered it.

"Yeah, when he said 'heads-tails?' " Batch said. "I tell him that all the time. We always joke about it."

Bettis remains adamant that he said only, "Tails."

Batch recalls the game as the highlight of his Lions career. It also served as a reminder of just how seriously Steelers fans take their football.

"Even my family was saying, 'We want you to do well, but we want the Steelers to win,' " Batch said.

There will be no such conflict a week from Sunday.

LoungeMachine

01-28-2006, 06:19 PM

Pitts doesn't need to bother "planning" a victory parade.........just bring the lighters and overturn a few cars.

Not like it's going to hurt the landscape any.

LoungeMachine

01-28-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

The band will play the song tonight during a show at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern.

".

Bwahahahah.

Joe Thunder plays there. :D

LoungeMachine

01-28-2006, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

Nearly 170 handicapped adults .

The Steelers are making their own towels?

Now that's cool. :cool:

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 04:26 PM

Don't worry...the Seahawks will be going back to just being a trend sometime between 6:20 and 6:40...

it's not hard to forget something nobody pays attention to in the first place...

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 04:33 PM

That's what they said about Rock n Roll, my friend......

and good coffee...........

and micro-brewing..........

and personal computers............

Count us out, we're counting on it.

Unchainme

01-29-2006, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
That's what they said about Rock n Roll, my friend......

and good coffee...........

and micro-brewing..........

and personal computers............

Count us out, we're counting on it.

Thats what they said about the Patriots before They played The Rams too, And We All know what happened after that.

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 04:51 PM

I'VE already counted them out...

of course...last I knew...I wasn't drawing up the plays for next weeks game...

I know it's seemed like fans call the plays in Seattle for years...but trust me...it's not...

Leave it to a Seattle fan to muddle the discussion with Rock and Roll (starting in Seattle...I don't even have the patience to get into that argument), good coffee (which I could give a shit less about), micro-brewery's (which in another conversation...I'm actually curious about...I hear the hops out there are incredible...as well as your wine country), and personal computers....

psst...when you actually want to talk about football...let me know...

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 04:53 PM

This Super Bowl has nothing to do with the Rams and the Patriots...

besides...the Rams were favored in that game...

the Steelers are favored in this game...

Va Beach VH Fan

01-29-2006, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
good coffee (which I could give a shit less about), micro-brewery's (which in another conversation...I'm actually curious about...I hear the hops out there are incredible...as well as your wine country), and personal computers....

psst...when you actually want to talk about football...let me know...

Well, let's not generalize too much Poj...

I gotsta have my coffee EVERY morning, or I will indeed die.... ;)

Not that shitty Starbucks preppy bullshit coffee, mind you.... Give me a cup of Maxwell House anyday....

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 05:28 PM

that was my point...

Coffee is like tequila...if it tastes good...it almost defeats the purpose...lmfao...

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Ipsst...when you actually want to talk about football...let me know...

I will ;)

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 06:12 PM

I won't hold my breath...;)

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
I won't hold my breath...;)

LMAO:D

You know me.

As I posted previously, I leave the Xs and Os to you guys. I'm just here for the beer and crab dip. :cool:

After all, you were the one who said none of us call the plays, so this game, and it's outcome is 100% out of our hands. :D

All of the X and O talk flies right out the window the minute a key starter goes down in the first drive. [all too common]

This game in my mind is a 50/50 toss up, and all that's left is to play the game and talk the smack. :cool:

And I never said RNR started in Seattle. Neither did coffee, pcs, or beer [ those damn egyptians beat us by 4,000 years.]

The list, if it had a point at all, was things Seattle has made a name for themselves, and maybe, just maybe...........NFL Football is another one to add. finally ;)

But hey, if this thread is strictly for the Xs and Os.......I'll take my smack down the street.

"til then.........GO HAWKS..........NONE FOR THE THUMB:D :D

Out.

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 06:54 PM

Did anyone...ANYONE...say that Seattle hadn't made a name for itself?

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 06:55 PM

...and I'm not talking about the football team...I'm talking about the City...

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 07:03 PM

Not that I'm aware.........but then I'm pretty drunk.. LMMFAO

Many have counted us out, and I like that. I think dumping Whitsitt was a great move, and I think Team Paul are on their way to great things......

Now if Schultz would sac up and ditch Walker................

[ and don't even start on the Marinara's ]

I'm going to make a bold prediction, based soley on team stats and player conditions in all positions....

The team who scores the most will win.

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 07:06 PM

....and I do recall conmee saying he would give Seattle props...."as soon as they win a playoff game...."

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 07:10 PM

lmfao...

I DO agree that the biggest bandwagon in sports right now is Pittsburgh...

it's amusing to be honest...

and a rarity in general...

Minnesota was by far the favorite...in Pittsburgh's first bowl...

the Cowboys...America's Team...the White Hats...and even though many wanted the Steelers in all three and for different reasons...the Cowboys had more followers...

The Rams...well...the one thing I can remember about that game was the Rams underdog attitudes...but I do think that was the one bowl in which many supported them...

but this is a different teams...and it's almost as though the general public all WANTS them to win...for whatever reason...

either way...it will be fun to watch...

Unchainme

01-29-2006, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
lmfao...

I DO agree that the biggest bandwagon in sports right now is Pittsburgh...

Its the biggest Bandwagon I've ever seen. Cowboys, '9ers hvae nothing on the cling ons the Steelers have right now. Its pretty sickening watching people watching Roethlisberger jerseys thinking they're real fans of the team, but In real life the explaination for it is Always "Well The Browns SUCK!", Even the Local papers have jumped on it, basically telling us how the Browns suck and how the Steelers are our superior. Its like WTF?, Shouldn't these people be the target of beer bottles etc. What has happened to The Dawg Pound?

Dave's PA Rental

01-29-2006, 07:44 PM

Steelers are going to wear their white uniforms at the Super Bowl.

Big mistake.

Hey, I want the Steelers to win...I respect Bill Cowher and want to see him win one. But all this Jerome Bettis love, I don't get. And Hall of Fame? BARELY.

So im assuming that on the west coast the Sports Illustrated covers have been Seahawks for the last few weeks, right? Steelers have been on the cover in the east for 4 straight weeks...

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 08:04 PM

Nope...Steelers haven't been on the cover 4 straight for the East Coast...

2 for me...

other than that...Panther shit...

Big mistake for the WHITE JERSEYS?

You sound like my wife...although I'd prefer the Steeler Black and Gold as well...but could care a less when it's all said and done...

Jerome...BARELY????

top 5 rushing...all time?

BARELY??? not sure I get that...

Dave's PA Rental

01-29-2006, 08:08 PM

he's the Raffy Palmeiro of running backs.

when I think of the top running backs all-time, Bettis doesnt make the top 20.

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 08:09 PM

SOME SEAHAWK FACTS FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANYTHING WEST OF THE ROCKIES

Nickname:
The nickname Seahawks was the result of a fan contest that drew 20,365 entries and suggested 1,742 different names. Seahawks was suggested by 151 entrants and judged by the team ownership as the best choice.

Logo:
A Native American totem style hawk with a fierce look. The top half of the hawk's body is a dark blue, and the bottom is a lighter blue. The hawk's beak and face are also dark blue, with a neon green eye.

Colors:
Navy Blue
Pacific Blue
Neon Green
White

Coach:
Mike Holmgren 1999-

Stadium:
Qwest Field* 2002-
*-Known as Seahawks Stadium 2002-2003

Historical Moments:

1976: Tragedy strikes the Seahawks before they even play their first game when Lloyd W. Nordstrom the expansion team's owner dies from a heart attack on January 20th while vacationing in Mexico. Nordstrom had been instrumental in landing an NFL team in the Pacific Northwest, and hiring the front office, but he never had a chance to see his team take the field. The Seahawks coached by Jack Patera finally play their first game on September 12th before a sold out Kingdome the expansion Seahawks played a solid game but had their desperation final pass intercepted in the endzone during a 30-24 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Seahawks would go on to lose their first 5 game before they beat the Buccaneers their brothers in expansion 13-10 in Tampa on October 17th. Three weeks later the Seahawks would earn their first home victory by beating the Atlanta Falcons 30-13 behind the 12-yard effort of RB Sherman Smith. These 2 wins would be the only on the season as the first year team completed a typical expansion-like record of 2-12.

1977: In one of the dumbest moves in franchise history the Seahawks trade their top pick in the draft to the Dallas Cowboys for 3 2nd round picks. The Cowboys would use the pick to select RB Tony Dorsett who would have a Hall of Fame career. In their 2nd season the Seahawks shifted from the NFC West to the AFC West, as they lost 5 of their first 6 games. On October 30th the Seahawks would earn their 2nd win of the season when QB Jim Zorn returned from an injury and threw 4 TD passes in a 56-17 win over the Buffalo Bills at the Kingdome. Two weeks later the Seahawks would get their first shutout over the Jets 17-0 in New York. The Seahawks would go on to finish with a 5-9 record, winning their final 2 games in the process.

1978: After splitting their first 12 games the Seahawks stun the Raiders 17-16 in Oakland beating them for the 2nd time in the season. It was the first time any opponent had beaten the Raiders twice in the same season in 13 years. The Seahawks would go on to finish with a 9-7 record, as WR Steve Largent has a breakout season with 1,168 receiving yards.

1979: The Seahawks stumble out of the gate losing 4 of their first 5 games. The Seahawks would recover in time to score a 31-28 comeback win over the Falcons in Atlanta in their first Monday Night Appearance. However a week later they would suffer their most humiliating loss at the Kingdome where they put up negative yardage in a 24-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks would bounce back to win 5 of their final 6 to finish with a 9-7 record for the 2nd year in a row.

1980: The Seahawks would get off to another solid start winning 4 of their first 7 games. However, defensive struggles would catch up with team as they lost their final 9 games to finish with a 4-12 record. The Seahawks defense was torched for 408 points on the season as they lost several games by a TD or less.

1981: The Seahawks get off to a terrible start losing 6 of their first 7 games, on the way to a 6-10 season. Despite the struggles Steve Largent would have another stellar season with 1,224 receiving yards.

1982: The Seahawks stumble out of the gate losing their first 2 games before a 2-month player strike. When play resumed the Seahawks took the field with a new coach after Jack Patera was fired. Under the leadership of Interim Coach Mike McCormick the Seahawks would go 4-3 to finish with a 4-5 record. Following the season McCormick returned to the front office as Chuck Knox was hired as the new coach.

1983: Through the first 12 games the Seahawks play up and down football, sweeping the Los Angeles Raiders while being swept by the San Diego Chargers on the way to forming a 6-6 record. With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Seahawks beat the Kansas City Chiefs 51-48 in a overtime shootout at the Kingdome. The win would boost the Seahawks to win 3 of their last 4 games to finish with a 9-7 record, good enough for a playoff berth. In the Wild Card game the Seahawks would use a balanced offensive attack to bet the Denver Broncos 31-7 at the Kingdome. A week later the Seahawks drive 66 yards in 5 plays late in the 4th quarter to capture divisional playoff win over the Dolphins 27-20 in Miami. However, a week later in the AFC Championship Game the Seahawks season would end with a 30-14 loss to the Raiders in Los Angeles.

1984: The Seahawks seize the momentum form the previous season by winning 12 of their first 14 games. Along the way the Seahawks defense posts 3 shutouts, including a game at the Kingdome on November 4th in which they beat the Kansas City Chiefs 45-0 in a game highlighted by 4 touchdowns off interceptions returns including 2 by Dave Brown. However the Chiefs would get revenge with a 34-7 win in the next to last game of the season, which set up a showdown for the AFC West in the final game of the season at the Kingdome against the Denver Broncos. The Seahawks would fall by a score of 31-14 to finish with a 12-4 record, but the loss forced them to settle for the Wild Card. In the Wild Card Game the Seahawks defense for 3 turnovers and 6 sacks in a 13-7 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at the Kingdome. However a week later their season would end with a 31-10 loss to the Dolphins in Miami.

1985: The Seahawks play mediocre football all season while posting a disappointing 8-8 record. During the season the Seahawks would win 2 straight only to lose their next 2, a pattern that repeated it self 4 times. Among the highlights was QB Dave Krieg who passes 3,602 yards on the season, highlighted by 405-yard passing game in a comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons at the Kingdome on October 13th.

1986: The Seahawks get off to a solid start winning 5 of their first 7 games including a 17-12 win over the New York Giants at the Kingdome on October 19th. However, the Seahawks would lose their next 4 games, which crippled the Seahawks playoff hopes. The Seahawks would go on to win their last 5 games to finish with a 10-6 record, but they would miss the playoff via a tiebreaker. Among the highlights of the season were Steve Largent who set a career record with consecutive games with a reception, and RB Curt Warner who had a career year rushing for 1,481 yards.

1987: Prior to the start of the season the Seahawks win a lottery for the right to pick LB Brian Bosworth in the supplemental draft. After the regulars split their first 2 games the Seahawks scabs play decent football winning 2 of 3. When the regulars returned the Seahawks played solid football winning 4 of their first 5 games to sit in strong playoff position with a 7-3 record. However the Seahawks would struggle down the stretch winning just 2 of their final 3 games. Non the less their 9-6 record was still good enough for a Wild Card berth, as WR Steve Largent made history again by breaking the record of career receptions. In the Wild Card Game the Seahawks would battle the Oilers back and forth all day before falling in overtime 23-20 in Houston.

1988: Steve Largent continues to make history as he sets the career record in receiving yards, as the Seahawks with their first 2 games. However in the 3rd game QB Dave Krieg suffers a shoulder separation and misses nearly 2 months as the Seahawks barely keep their head above water at 5-5. When Krieg returned the Seahawks would catch fire winning 3 of their final 4 games to capture their first AFC West title with a 9-7 record. However, the Seahawks would fall 21-13 in the Divisional Playoffs to the Bengals at Cincinnati.

1989: Playing in his final season WR Steve Largent suffers an elbow injury in a season opening loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia. In the game Largent caught a TD pass brining him to with 1 of the NFL record. Largent would return to tie and break the record, but the Seahawks struggled al year finishing with a 6-10 record. Prior to the season finale at the Kingdome the Seahawks honored Largent the last original Seahawk by retiring his number, and putting him in the ring of honor. Largent would retire holding career records in catches, yards, and Touchdowns. Although all of his records would fall within a few years, he would always be remembered as one of the best receivers of all time.

1990: The Seahawks stumble out of the gate losing their first 3 games. The Seahawks would slowly climb their way out of the hole finally reaching the .500 mark after the 12th game of the season. During the Seahawks rise back to .500 they had many thrilling comeback victories including on November 11th in Kansas City when QB Dave Krieg shook off a single game record of 7 sacks from Derrick Thomas to beat the Chiefs on 25-yards pass to Paul Skansi on the game's final play 17-16. The Seahawks would win 3 of their last 4 games to finish with a 9-7 record. However, they missed the playoff via tiebreaker.

1991: Viewed as the quarterback of the future the Seahawks use their first round pick to select Dan McGwire, the brother of baseball all-star Mark McGwire. McGwire would have to wait for his chance as he stood on the sidelines most of the season, as the Seahawks played mediocre football all season on the way to a 7-9 record. Following the season Coach Chuck Knox resigned to return to the Los Angeles Rams, 2-time Super Bowl winning coach Tom Flores would eventually replace him.

1992: With the departure of QB Dave Krieg, most expected to see Dan McGwire given the nod, but he struggled in the preseason and lost out to Stan Gelbaugh. However in the regular season Gelbaugh struggled as well as Kelly Stoufer too over. Stoufer would not fair much better, and McGwire looked lost every time he was on the field as the Seahawks scored just 140 points in the midst of a franchise worst 2-14 season. Despite the misery on offense, Cortez Kennedy shined on Defense winning Defensive player of the Year honors.

1993: The Seahawks all but give up on QB Dan McGwire by drafting Notre Dame golden boy Rick Mirer. Mirer, who drew comparisons to Joe Montana, is given the starting job right away. Under Mirer the Seahawks would lose their first 2 games, before bouncing back to win 4 of their next 5 to sit at 4-3. However, the Seahawks would do a noise dive lose 7 of their final 9 games to finish with a 6-10 record.

1994: Forced to play their first 3 home game at Husky Stadium on the campus of University of Washington after a concrete block fell at the Kingdome the Seahawks got off to a solid start winning 3 of their first 4 games. However, a 6-game losing streak, as they returned to the Kingdome. The Seahawks would go on to finish with a 6-10 record, despite a stellar 1,545-yard season from RB Chris Warren. Following the season Tom Flores would depart his coaching position to concentrate on his General Manager duties. To replace Flores on the sidelines the Seahawks hire Dennis Erickson from the University of Miami.

1995: The Dennis Erickson era gets off to a shaky start when the new coach is charged with drunk driving. Erickson would settle is legal troubles quietly, but the Seahawks on field struggles were hard to fix as QB Rick Mirer continued to struggle a 2-6 start. With John Friez replacing Mirer down the stretch the Seahawks would win 6 of their next 7 before finishing with an 8-8 record.

1996: With QB Rick Mirer's struggles continuing the Seahawks get off to a poor start again losing their first 3 games on the way to another season without the playoffs with a 7-9 record. Following a season in which he threw 12 interceptions to just 5 TDs Rick Mirer was released.

1997: After 9 seasons without a playoff berth the Seahawks began to become impatient, and it showed with the signing of aging QB Warren Moon. Moon would have an All-Pro season passing for 3,678 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, the 4-game losing streak near the end of the season doomed Seattle to another season without the playoffs with an 8-8 record. Changes appeared on the horizon as the team is sold to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Under Allen the Seahawks see a change in the front office as GM Tom Flores resigns.

1998: With a playoff or else ultimatum hanging over Coach Dennis Erickson's head the Seahawks get off to a solid start winning their first 3 games. However, Moon would be lost to injuries as the Seahawks struggled under John Kitna. Moon would return and the Seahawks would continue to play mediocre football to sit at 6-6 through 12 games. Facing the Jets in the Meadowlands the Seahawks would lose 32-31 when QB Vinny Testeverde lunge for the endzone was ruled a TD despite replays clearly showing only his bare hand crossed the endzone. That loss would be the backbreaker as the Seahawks went to finish with an 8-8 record missing the playoffs by just 1 game. Following the season coach Dennis Erickson is fired, and Mike Holmgren is hired away from the Green Bay Packers to fill the duel role of GM and coach.

1999: In their final season at The Kingdome the Seahawks get off to a terrific start wining 8 of their first 10 games, as QB John Kitna has a solid season passing for 3,346 yards. However, Kitna would struggle down the stretch as the Seahawks lost 4 0f their last 5 games. Fortunately for Seattle the good start was good enough for the Seahawks to win their 2nd Division Title with a 9-7 record. In the 1st Round the Seahawks hosted the Miami Dolphins in the final game ever at The Kingdome. The Seahawks would hold a 17-13 lead over the 6th seeded Dolphins midway through the 4th Quarter. However Dan Marino would have one last magic moment leading the Dolphins on a game winning TD drive with 5 minutes left to win the game 20-17.

2000: Within a few months of the playoff loss the Kingdome was leveled to make room for a brand new stadium. However, while the stadium was built the Seahawks were forced to play 2 seasons on the campus of University of Washington. Without a true home field the Seahawks struggled early, losing 7 of their first 9 games, as QB John Kitna fell out of favor with Coach Mike Holmgren and the fans. The Seahawks would go on to finish with a disappointing 6-10 record. Following the season the Seahawks cut Kitna and traded for Matt Hasselbeck.

2001: Young QB Matt Hasselbeck who the Seahawks acquired from the Green Bay Packers struggled early leading to singing of Trent Dilfer. The Seahawks would play only mediocre football most of the season under Hasselbeck going 5-7 in his starts. However, whenever Dilfer was on the field the Seahawks played with an extra spark, winning all 4 of his starts. Also making news was RB Shaun Alexander who had a break out game on November 11th in front of a Sunday Night National TV audience at Husky Stadium, when he rushed for 266 yards in a 34-27 win over the Oakland Raiders. It was the 4th highest single rushing game in NFL history on the way to a 1,318-yard season in which he scored 16 touchdowns. However, needing a win and help to make the playoffs in the final week of the season, the Seahawks did their part beating the Kansas City Chiefs 25-22. However they did not get the help they need and were the only team with a winning record at 9-7 not to make the playoffs.

2002: The Seahawks finally opened their state of the art stadium, moving back to the NFC West where they played their inaugural season in 1976, as part of the NFL's realignment. After dropping their first game on the road the Seahawks would open Seahawks Stadium with a disappointing 24-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, as they dropped 5 of their first 6 games. Things appeared to go from bad to worse in Week 7 when QB Trent Dilfer injured his Achilles on the road against the Dallas Cowboys. However, backup Matt Hasselbeck would come on to lead the Seahawks to a 17-14 victory spoiling a record day for Emmitt Smith who set the NFL's al-time rushing mark. With Dilfer out the rest of the season Matt Hasselbeck would play strong in his place as the Seahawks finished the season on a strong note winning their final 3 games with Hasselbeck passing for 3,075 yards as the Seahawks posted a record of 7-9, while RB Shaun Alexander led the NFC with 18 Touchdowns.

2003: The Seahawks got off to a roaring start winning their first 3 games to take an early 2 game lead in the NFC West. However after a bye week the Seahawks looked rusty in a 35-13 road loss to the Green Bay Packers. However the Seahawks would recover to win their next games at home, as they would defend their nest in style all season winning all 8 games at Seahawks Stadium. However the road would be a different story as after a solid 38-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2 the Seahawks lost their next 6 road games which included a hard to swallow Week 12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens where they had a 41-24 lead in the 4th Quarter disappear as the Ravens won in OT 44-41. The Seahawks road woes would cost them first place, as they entered the final game of the season on the road against the San Francisco 49ers just to make the playoffs. After trailing 14-0 early in the 2nd Quarter the Seahawks came to life scoring 2 quick TDs before halftime. The momentum carried on to the second half where they would get the win 24-17 to sew up a playoff spot with a solid 10-6 record. In the playoffs the Seahawks would return to Green Bay for a match up against the Packers in a home coming for both Coach Mike Holmgren, who mentored Packers Coach Mike Sherman and QB Matt Hasselbeck a former back up to Packers QB Brett Favre. After trailing at halftime 13-6 the Seahawks came out smoking and took a 20-13 lead. From there the game went back and forth as at the end of regulation it was tied at 27. In overtime as the Seahawks won the coin toss Hasselbeck boasted the Seahawks would win. However Hasselbeck may have been too aggressive as he had a pass intercepted by All Harris and returned for the game winning TD that end the Seahawks season in heartbreak 33-27.

2004: With hopes high on winning a division title the Seahawks got off to a strong start winning their first 3 games. However with a chance to get a stranglehold for the NFC West the Seahawks blew a 24-7 halftime lead against the St. Louis Rams losing in overtime at home 33-27. The loss would be the first of 3 in a row as the Seahawks began a pattern of inconsistent play that would frustrate fans the rest of the season. With the hopes of helping their struggling receiving crew the Seahawks acquired legendary WR Jerry Rice form the Oakland Raiders. The acquisition of Rice would have little effect as the Seahawks hovered near .500 all season, including another frustrating loss to the Rams. However it would still be good enough to win the NFC West if they won their final game as Shaun Alexander battled for the NFL rushing title while scoring 20 Touchdowns. Alexander would fall 1 yard short with 1,696 yards but the Seahawks would hold on stopping the Atlanta Flacons on a 2-point conversion attempt to preserve a 28-26 win to clinch the NFC West with a 9-7 record. In the playoffs the Seahawks would faced their nemesis the Rams again. Once again it would be battle as the game went back and forth with the Rams leading 27-20 as the Seahawks drove for a game tying TD, as Matt Hasselbeck tried to redeem himself from his playoff interception return in OT. On 4th and goal with one last chance to tie the game Hasselbeck found Bobby Engram in the endzone. However the pass would slip through his hands as the Rams held on beating the Seahawks for the third time, as a frustrated Matt Hasselbeck punched the ground in anger.

Dave's PA Rental

01-29-2006, 08:12 PM

I read that entire thing.

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine

1987: Prior to the start of the season the Seahawks win a lottery for the right to pick LB Brian Bosworth in the supplemental draft.

1991: Viewed as the quarterback of the future the Seahawks use their first round pick to select Dan McGwire,

1993: The Seahawks all but give up on QB Dan McGwire by drafting Notre Dame golden boy Rick Mirer. Mirer, who drew comparisons to Joe Montana,

1995: The Dennis Erickson era gets off to a shaky start when the new coach is charged with drunk driving. .

So you can understand why we are the way we are, right? :D

POJO_Risin

01-29-2006, 08:27 PM

Who picked Seattle as one of the expansion slots?...as well as Tampa?

LoungeMachine

01-29-2006, 09:36 PM

Dunno, but I remember we played them in the first season, while we were in the NFC first.....

They called it The Expansion Bowl....but we all called it The Toilet Bowl.

I'm sure we lost.

VanJay011379

01-31-2006, 09:28 PM

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c219/mlewv/Superbowl.jpg

POJO_Risin

02-01-2006, 09:36 PM

Dan Rooney headed the committee that sought out Seattle as the expansion club...he also insisted on family ownership...

not sure how it worked out...but there still there...and eventually in the Bowl...so it couldn't have been that bad...

Unchainme

02-01-2006, 09:49 PM

SEATTLE VS. PITTSBURGH MUSICALLY!!!!!

http://www.pmdawnonline.com/bic/others/hendrix.jimi/hendrix.gif

SEATTLE

http://www.planetdeville.com/poison%208.jpg

PITTSBURGH

POJO_Risin

02-01-2006, 09:51 PM

let me know when they play each other in football...

Unchainme

02-01-2006, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
let me know when they play each other in football...

Hmmm, Might auctually be a good matchup. Afterall Both Hendrix and Michael Did play Football in High School. But i think Hendrix would still kick his ass.

POJO_Risin

02-01-2006, 10:07 PM

I agree...even dead...

POJO_Risin

02-01-2006, 10:18 PM

Nicely done Stevens...nicely done...

consider him out of the game...

Porter irked over Seahawks tight end's remarksAssociated Press

PONTIAC, Mich. -- Steelers linebacker Joey Porter minded his manners and said nothing derogatory about the Seahawks during his first two days at the Super Bowl. That changed Wednesday after Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens effectively guaranteed a victory.

Porter said Stevens' remarks were all he needed to get him going for the Super Bowl.

"I've been asleep all week but now I got woke up," Porter said Wednesday. "I've got my first taste of blood and now I'm thirsty for more. Until now, it was 'Watch what I say,' `I can't say this,' `I can't say that,' `Don't do anything silly,' but I'm ready now.

"You look for the guys that say something that aren't supposed to say nothing, and I feel like he definitely was out of pocket to say what he said," Porter said. "I'm going to make sure he owns up to those words."

Porter was agitated about Stevens' comments Tuesday regarding Steelers star Jerome Bettis' much-publicized return to his hometown of Detroit to try to win a Super Bowl in what likely is his final season.

"It's a heartwarming story and all that, but it will be a sad day when he leaves without that trophy," said Stevens, who said later he wasn't guaranteeing a victory but was only saying what he felt.

Stevens also said Porter will have a difficult time whenever he is matched up with Seahawks All-Pro tackle Walter Jones.

"He had a huge game in the AFC championship game coming off the edge on the blitz," Stevens said of Porter. "I don't think he is going to have such an easy day against Walt, though."

Porter said Stevens' remarks made it even easier to get himself ready to play in his first Super Bowl.

"He's too soft to say something like that," Porter said. "He's going to have the opportunity to back up his words. I'm going to have the opportunity to back up my words. So it's something I'm looking forward to and I'm ready to get going."

Porter also called Stevens "a first-round bust who barely made some plays this season." He also said a player of Stevens' stature "has a lot of nerve" to say what he said about Bettis.

Porter and Stevens had productive seasons. Porter had 10{ sacks in the regular season and has three more in the playoffs. Stevens had 45 catches and five touchdowns during the season and has eight catches and another TD in two playoff games.

Porter's outburst was the latest in a series of strong or inflammatory comments by him during these NFL playoffs.

He riled up the Colts during the divisional round by saying they relied on tricks and wouldn't play smashmouth football, then accused the NFL officiating crew of cheating the Steelers during their 21-18 upset of the Colts. He was not fined for those remarks.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher subsequently cautioned Porter and other players about making comments that opposing teams might use for motivation. Cowher also called Porter's officiating comments "ridiculous," and Porter subsequently had little to say before Pittsburgh's 34-17 victory over Denver in the AFC championship game.

And what might Cowher think of these comments?

"I do what I have do to get myself going and he likes to see me going," Porter said. "He knows once I get going, he knows what kind of player he's going to get. That's going to make me play at a high level."

Steelers players also were cautioned before the Super Bowl about not saying anything that the Seahawks could use for motivation, but Porter didn't seem to care.

"When a guy says something who lines up in front of me on every play, I have to like that," Porter said. "He has to see me. There's no way he can hide from me. We have to meet -- over and over and over. ... I'll remind him every time I put him on his back."

Stevens found Porter's comments amusing.

"I think that will make it more exciting. That fuels the fire," Stevens said. "He's an up-tempo guy and playing that way is why football is fun."

Then, reflecting on what Porter said, he added, "He said I'll be on my back?"

Stevens flashed a smile.

"We'll see."

VanJay011379

02-01-2006, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by Unchainme
SEATTLE VS. PITTSBURGH MUSICALLY!!!!!

http://www.pmdawnonline.com/bic/others/hendrix.jimi/hendrix.gif

SEATTLE

http://www.planetdeville.com/poison%208.jpg

PITTSBURGH

Acutally, Bret Micheals is from Butler, which is about an hour North of the Burgh.

If you're going to go that far, then you can add this guy, which is not much farther.

http://www.demodaze.com/common/images/titles/nin01.jpg

LoungeMachine

02-01-2006, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

"I've been asleep all week but now I got woke up," Porter said Wednesday. "

That's what it took for you to wake the fuck up all week for the biggest game of your life?

Smack from someone who's parent couldn't even spell Jeremy right?

I'd bench your sleeping ass just for loitering you smug ass chump. :rolleyes:

Asleep all week?

Shut the fuck up.

Hey, poj.....let me know when your guys are ready to play some football, eh?

;)

Romeo Delight

02-02-2006, 01:16 PM

I have a feeling that we are in store for a competitive game.

For all of the critics that were hoping for a marquee matchup, let me remind them that the problem with the Superbowl, prior to 2000, was that they were usually shitty games that were decided in the third quarter.

For so many years the Superbowl was a great event, but a shitty sporting battle.

I think there is enough parity in the league now to ensure a much better game.

Go Hawks! What did Brian Cox say again? "Seattle?....That's Canada up there as far as I'm concerned."

VanJay011379

02-02-2006, 04:45 PM

Steelers will not be stopped by birds! (http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~cjursa/personal/ready.pps)

Va Beach VH Fan

02-02-2006, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by VanJay011379
Acutally, Bret Micheals is from Butler, which is about an hour North of the Burgh.

Gotta be honest with you bro, I didn't think that was true, I thought he was from the Harrisburg area, like Poison is...

But you're right, he's from Butler....

Wait a minute...

Joey T. is from Butler also...

Joe Thunder = Bret Michaels ???

Va Beach VH Fan

02-02-2006, 05:40 PM

CAN THIS WEEK DRAG BY ANY FUCKING SLOWER !!!!!!

Unchainme

02-02-2006, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Gotta be honest with you bro, I didn't think that was true, I thought he was from the Harrisburg area, like Poison is...

But you're right, he's from Butler....

Wait a minute...

Joey T. is from Butler also...

Joe Thunder = Bret Michaels ???

No way in hell. Bret Michaels is not a washed up drunk racist pedophile loser! He's always on VH1 for those Hair Metal special and auctually doesn't look that bad. I auctually kind of like Poison for some reason even though they are just a couple notches above Van Hagar musically. Urggh I'm going go listen to some Megadeth for saying that. Megadeth 'tis Grate.

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:07 PM

Yeah...isn't Trent from Sharon...or Sharpsburg...

A few of my friends at school went to school with him...I'm pretty sure it was Sharon...

LoungeMachine

02-02-2006, 11:09 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
CAN THIS WEEK DRAG BY ANY FUCKING SLOWER !!!!!!

Quiet.

We're busy searching for Trent's yearbook picture :rolleyes:

LMAO

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:11 PM

Alright...the POJO predictions...

1. The forgotten man...Willie Parker could be the deciding factor in this game...his speed will negate the Seattle blitzes...running between and around the outside rush...Parker for over 100...while everyone else pays attention to Bettis...

2. Ben will be fine...14-20 or so...for 180...and a TD...

3. Bettis will short yardage the Hawks to death...

4. The Steeler defense will negate the Hawks AWESOME line...simply by running around them from all the fuck over the place...I think that bald fucker will have an alright game...he's got options...but sooner or later...big mistake will be made...making a close early game...not so close...

5. Porter will be huge...and the Steelers will crank down the West Coast offense...that simple...

6. Two scores are rumbling through my head right now...Steelers 31-21, or 27-17...I can't decide if they'll score 3 or 4 TD's...more on that later...

biggest game of my life?

Hardly...

But a big game nonetheless...

can't wait for the game...

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:20 PM

Porter continues barrage of comments at Stevens, Seattle
Feb. 2, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports

PONTIAC, Mich. -- Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter kept up his verbal barrage against the Seahawks, saying Thursday the Steelers will be so physical in the Super Bowl they will try to make Seattle quit playing.

"We're going to try to tap out as many people as we can, I'm going to put it like that," Porter said at the Steelers players' final pre-Super Bowl news conference. "We're going to try to send as many people to the sideline as we can."

Asked what he meant by "tap out," Porter patted the top of his head with his hand -- a sign that the player is tired or injured and wants to be taken out of the game.

Porter's latest comments came a day after he ripped Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens' seemingly harmless comment that Seattle planned to spoil Jerome Bettis' retirement party by winning the Super Bowl.

Stevens seemed mystified by Porter's reaction, calling it "ridiculous."

But, a day after both players sat at small tables with few people around them at Super Bowl news conferences, each was given a podium to accommodate the large crowds that wanted to hear them Thursday.

"Some people need something to be motivated. If that's what he found, that's what he found," said Stevens, normally unaccustomed to such attention. "I don't feel I was out of line. I meant what I said. I am not going to repeat it to stir something up. I meant it, and I meant it with no disrespect."

Both coaches also tried to play down any affect on the game by Porter's constant talking. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren talked to his team about not creating any more distractions.

"I used to lecture my children, too. As much as I'd like to think they're perfect, they're not," Holmgren said.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Porter has always been emotional and "was only being himself."

Porter said he wouldn't have said anything if Stevens hadn't talked.

"I don't want to go into a situation where you can't say how you really feel and you're acting like it's going to be a nice day," Porter said. "It's not going to be a nice day. They're trying to come out and win the same trophy I want to win and only one of us can have it.

"Now I know how they really feel, and now I can tell you know how I really feel, I don't have to hold any punches any more. If they're looking for a fight, I've been ready for a fight," Porter said.

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:21 PM

Despite the stir, Stevens doesn't think any of the comments will affect the outcome.

"This is something I wish I didn't have to deal with but it's not that big a deal," Stevens said. "What's said right now won't have any impact on Sunday. I'm pretty close to unaffected. It doesn't have any bearing on how I'm going to approach the game."

Several other Steelers acted as if they wished Porter hadn't spoken out and possibly given the Seahawks extra motivation, especially during a week that otherwise has seen the two teams be respectful of each other.

"We had to keep him on a gag order a little bit," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "But if they start it, Joey is going to finish it. Trust me."

Steelers linebacker James Farrior laughed when he heard the "tap out" comment, saying he's never seen an NFL player ask to be taken out because the game was too rough.

"I don't know if he's going to be able to tap anybody out, this is the Super Bowl," Farrior said. "He's going to really have to play hard to tap somebody out."

The Seahawks aren't accustomed to Porter's outbursts, as the Steelers and most of the AFC teams are, and Farrior suggested that might account for the stir created by Porter's words.

Earlier in the playoffs, Porter suggested the Colts also were a soft team. Then, after the Steelers upset Indianapolis 21-18, Porter accused the game officials of "cheating" the Steelers and suggested the NFL badly wanted Peyton Manning and the Colts to win.

Cowher then stepped in and ended that talk, calling his own player's comments "ridiculous."

Farrior said it wouldn't be a big game if Porter wasn't talking.

"That's Joey," Farrior said. "If you think that was the best of him ... that was nothing. Half the time we laugh at it and think it's pretty funny. It's no big deal. We've still got to go out and play this game. It's the Super Bowl, so we don't need any extra motivation."

LoungeMachine

02-02-2006, 11:22 PM

yawn.

Shut up and play the game, Pooter.

Or take a nap.

whichever.

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:26 PM

Don't worry...he won't shut up...and will still play the game...

and you better hope he takes a nap...lmfao...which he won't...

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:44 PM

Props to Joe Jurevicious...shitty what he went through...

Sometime before the kick off of Super Bowl XL, Joe Jurevicius will kneel in the corner of an end zone and trace an "M" on the field. He does it before every game to honor his infant son Michael, who died before he could learn to live. "I tell him I need you," Jurevicius said yesterday. "I kind of look at him as my X-factor."
-- New York Post

HELLVIS666

02-02-2006, 11:48 PM

I was listening to the radio today and was laughing at all this hype. Right after one of the reports, they played Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". I was inspired to write a new parody. I gave it a thread of it's own "Steel City Rhapsody". I think it's my best work since my very first post "Twas the night before the tour". Let me know what you think of it.

POJO_Risin

02-02-2006, 11:53 PM

I'll check it out...

LoungeMachine

02-02-2006, 11:54 PM

I had to deduct 2 points for spelling Bobby Engram's name wrong.

Beats my "Fat Bottom Squirrels" though....LMAO

HELLVIS666

02-03-2006, 12:03 AM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
I had to deduct 2 points for spelling Bobby Engram's name wrong.

Beats my "Fat Bottom Squirrels" though....LMAO

Shit. I can't believe I spelled Engram wrong.
Oh well, glad You liked it.
I'm really proud of the "little spittle" line.

LoungeMachine

02-03-2006, 12:07 AM

I did a whole album dedicated to squirrels

Squirrels on Film

Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels

Squirrel for Impanema

My Squirrel

Squirrel, you'll be a woman soon

Beautiful Squirrels

My Best Friend's Squirrel

HELLVIS666

02-03-2006, 06:18 PM

Shit shit shit. I spelled Polamalu wrong too!

ODShowtime

02-03-2006, 06:22 PM

that's pretty squirrelly

POJO_Risin

02-03-2006, 08:04 PM

I'm getting fucking pumped up...

Unchainme

02-03-2006, 08:22 PM

Steelers fans ringing up registers in Browns, Bengals country

By JOHN SEEWER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

Karen Crawford is one Cleveland Browns fan in Ohio who doesn't mind that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the Super Bowl.

Sales of Steelers jerseys, hats and shirts are booming at her sporting goods store in Findlay - hometown of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But it's not just the Big Ben items that are popular.

"It's Steelers stuff, too. That's what's so weird," Crawford said. "If you're at all a Browns fan, it's tough to root for the Steelers."

Sales at sports stores all over the state are booming because of the Steelers - hated rival of both the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

Hotels in the Toledo area are expecting to see an increase in business too from fans who plan to watch the Steelers play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit, about an hour's drive north.

Plenty of black and gold "got ben?" T-shirts and Terrible Towels were for sale this week at the Tower City mall in downtown Cleveland.

"For every 10 Steelers items we're selling, we're selling one Browns item," said Scott Jefferson, who runs a kiosk in the mall.

One store owner in the mall who was keeping his shelves free of Pittsburgh merchandise said he might have to make an exception this week.

"I need heat," said Jeff Wade, adding that he wouldn't feel good about selling Steelers stuff. "I don't think any Browns fan is happy seeing that crap."

Even in Cincinnati, some stores don't have enough Steelers gear. That might come as a surprise given that the Steelers road to the Super Bowl began with a 31-17 playoff victory over the Bengals.

"I didn't have a lot of the jerseys to begin with, but I probably had a dozen last week. I only have about four left," said Chris Koch, owner of Koch Sporting Goods in Cincinnati.

"I tried to order more shirts, but the manufacturer is all sold out," he said.

Restaurants and retail shops in Findlay hope that plenty of Steelers fans stop for a visit in Big Ben's hometown on their way from Pittsburgh to Detroit - even if it means an hour or two drive out of their way.

The local visitors bureau has taken out ads on Steelers fan Web sites. Employees have given directions to fans who want to see his high school stadium and a downtown billboard picturing Roethlisberger in his old Findlay uniform.

But they're not giving out directions to the house where he grew up and his parents still live, trying to prevent too many onlookers. "That's what we're afraid of," said Alissa Simpson, spokeswoman for visitors bureau.

And they're not mentioning that most folks around town are Browns fans. "We're trying to keep that under wraps," Simpson said with a laugh. "It's just insane to see everyone one in a Ben jersey or a Steelers shirt."

Crawford, who runs the House of Awards & Sports sporting goods store downtown, said sales of Steelers merchandise are coming during what is usually one of the store's slowest months.

"People are finding that extra cash," she said. "You never know when it's going to come this close to home again."

Fucking Depressing as hell. Fucking Bandwagoners (Again Not Poj or VA.)

Unchainme

02-03-2006, 08:22 PM

POJO_Risin

02-03-2006, 08:27 PM

That makes me sick...

twice...

Va Beach VH Fan

02-03-2006, 08:35 PM

I don't think it's THAT outrageous...

Eastern Ohio (Youngstown area especially) has always been majority Steeler country....

POJO_Risin

02-03-2006, 08:35 PM

Here We Go Steelers.... (http://www.steelersinhoboken.com/Downloads/Fight_Songs/MP3/Here%20We%20Go%202006.mp3)

Va Beach VH Fan

02-03-2006, 08:38 PM

Gotta throw the hometown flavor in there.... :D

http://static.cnhi.zope.net/webads/meadvilletribune/files/Steelers.html

Unchainme

02-03-2006, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
I don't think it's THAT outrageous...

Eastern Ohio (Youngstown area especially) has always been majority Steeler country....

Akron
Canton
Cleveland have all been converted. Its depressing as hell. I feel like Blasting The Who's Who Are You? To all these blind mindless sheep of Bandwagoners. I bet theses are probably the same people who were '9ers fans in the 80's and Cowboys fans in 90's. Just a new team, Meet The New Team Same as the old team.

Unchainme

02-03-2006, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
That makes me sick...

twice...

sorry 'bout that Poj. (Posting twice that is.). But Its a truly dark day to be a browns fan right now. Hasn't been this bad since '95 when that scumsucker gave our team away to Baltimore. I miss the old days, You know when the games were auctually close and there wasn't 50,000 steelers fans in OUR Stadium.

:Sigh:, Theres always next year, Hope we get Hawk in the first round :).

POJO_Risin

02-03-2006, 09:27 PM

Yo Va...no doubt Youngstown is Steeler Country...

but fucking Cleveland?

Akron?

No fucking way...

I could always count on taking a brow beating in all those stops...

It's the problem I have in general with many...many Cleveland fans...if their team isn't playing well...they'll convert to the Steelers in a heartbeat...until the Browns start playing well...then back on the bandwagon again...

Of course...coming from a Clevelander...lmfao...who's a Steeler fan...

perhaps I need to shut my pie hole...

EbDawson

02-04-2006, 12:34 AM

Spread is up to 4 1/2 points. I'm tempted to bite, (which is exactly what the damn bookies want) taking the 'Hawks. Over/under only 48. That should go easily I believe.

FORD

02-04-2006, 01:40 AM

Originally posted by Unchainme
Akron
Canton
Cleveland have all been converted. Its depressing as hell. I feel like Blasting The Who's Who Are You?

Probably wouldn't want to play that song in Cincinatti though. Some people are probably still a little sensitive about that one... :(

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 01:56 AM

The Stones will be performing a special song dedicated to The Steelers....

You Can't Always Get What You Want.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 08:47 AM

I agree Lounge...the blowout by 20 won't be there...

but they'll still cover...

No...not what they want...but still acceptable...

In the meantime...

the Hawks will be blasting their team Motto...

Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

we know Lounge...it's all you really want...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 08:52 AM

Tougher road will lead Steelers to Lombardi Trophy
Feb. 3, 2006
By Clark Judge
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

DETROIT -- The Seattle Seahawks are white-hot, winning 13 of their past 14, and the only loss was a so-what game where Seattle played its second- and third-teamers. The team has a terrific offense, a vastly underrated defense and the league MVP.

So give me the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

It's not that I don't respect the Seahawks. I do. It's just that I don't trust them. Not in a game of this magnitude.

Yeah, I know, Mike Holmgren is the only head coach here who has won a Super Bowl. But that was nine years ago when he had Brett Favre. Now he has Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, a marvelous offensive line and a revamped and underrated defense that are supposed to get him to the top.

And maybe they will.

It's just that I like what I see in Pittsburgh more than I like what I see in Seattle. The Seahawks play in the NFC West; Pittsburgh plays in the AFC North. Advantage: Pittsburgh. The Steelers won playoff games in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Denver; Seattle beat Washington and a Carolina club down to its fourth running back -- and won both at home. Advantage: Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is 9-2 on the road this year; Seattle is 5-3. Advantage: Pittsburgh.

I admit the matchups are fairly even. Both offensive lines are solid, but I give Seattle a slight edge there. Both teams defend the run well. Both pass and run with proficiency. Seattle's offense is better inside the 20; so is its defense. And it commits fewer mistakes than Pittsburgh, with its 17 turnovers the second-best total in the league.

The only team that was better was Denver, and look what happened to the Broncos when they met Pittsburgh. They committed four turnovers, including two critical Jake Plummer errors in the first half -- and that was at home.

What this comes down to is what's going on now, and what's going on now is that Pittsburgh's offense is playing at level we haven't seen in years. It scored on two of its first three possessions against Indianapolis; it scored on all four of its first-half possessions against Denver. Both defenses ranked higher than Seattle.

The Steelers have also scored on 14 of their past 30 series in the playoffs. Throw out the kneel-down at the end of the win in Cincinnati, and you have a team that scores almost half the time it has the ball. I like that.

But I like this even more: No playoff opponent rushed for 100 yards. No quarterback threw for 300 yards, either, and that includes Peyton Manning. Plus, the Steelers produced 12 sacks -- an average of four a game -- and four interceptions, five if you count that Troy Polamalu pickoff of Manning.

I guess what I'm saying is this: I like clubs that excel against tough opponents, and Pittsburgh is playing its best against the league's best -- with five of its past seven wins against opponents that were a combined 58-22 this season. This is the time when you like clubs with momentum, and no one has more tough wins lately than the Steelers.

So what's one more?

Steelers 23, Seahawks 13.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 08:53 AM

Pass it, Steelers! To get One for the Thumb, don't be dumb
Feb. 3, 2006
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer

DETROIT -- What do the Pittsburgh Steelers have to do to win Super Bowl XL?

The conventional thinking: Run the football.

The better thinking: Throw it.

In the Steelers' run to the Super Bowl, they have won three consecutive road games, beating the AFC's top three teams. In doing so, they played an aggressive style on offense early and then tried to control the clock after taking a lead.

It was brilliant.

They have to use the same approach against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Ford Field. Just because this is the Super Bowl doesn't mean things have to change.

No tightening up. No going back to the pound-it roots of this franchise. The Steelers have to continue to play to win, rather than play not to lose.

Playing not to lose is an NFL curse.

It might make for a nice story to give the ball to Jerome Bettis a bunch, pounding him into the middle of the Seattle line to the delight of the blue-collar Steelers fans, but that's not how this game will be won. Throw out the homecoming feel-good stuff for Bettis until the goal line is near.

As it always is, it will be about the quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger has been sensational in the playoffs, throwing seven touchdown passes and just one interception. Part of his success can be directly attributed to the offensive philosophy of pass first, run second. He has also grown up a great deal as a player.

The Steelers' pass-early plan is a contrast to what we have come to expect from this team, which has a reputation for a ball-control offense. But it's the right way to play. Give Bill Cowher credit for giving offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt the flexibility to play that way.

The one concern with that plan in the Super Bowl is Roethlisberger's youth. At 23, he is the second-youngest quarterback to start in the Super Bowl after Dan Marino. Playing in this game can be overwhelming, even for a veteran.

The first quarter should be tell-tale for Roethlisberger. If he doesn't look rattled, look for him to have a big day -- or at least a big first half until they move to the running game to bring it home.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 08:55 AM

Pass it, Steelers! To get One for the Thumb, don't be dumb

The Steelers will challenge the Seattle secondary down the field, which is wise. It's a decent secondary, but not a great one. There will be chances against the safeties in the middle of the field. That could mean a lot of throws to tight end Heath Miller.

In the second half, if they're up, we'll see Bettis and Willie Parker take over as the running game gets in gear.

On the defensive side, the Steelers will have to shut down Shaun Alexander. He is the NFL MVP and the Seahawks roll when he rolls.

But he hasn't faced a run defense as good as Pittsburgh's. The Steelers were tops in the league with a 3.4-yard average per rush. That's stingy. A key to that number all season has been the play of nose tackle Casey Hampton. He's a load and his battle with Seattle center Robbie Tobeck will decide whether Seattle runs it or not.

If the Steelers can shut down the run, they will then turn their blitz loose on Matt Hasselbeck. The one problem with that is Hasselbeck gets the ball out quickly. That means there has to be tight coverage in the secondary, which will put a lot of pressure on corners Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend. If those two play big, it's going to be a long night for the Seattle passing game.

There are some -- here included -- who have said the Pittsburgh corners were vulnerable this season, but they have played well in the playoffs. They did a heck of a job on the Denver receivers in the AFC Championship Game.

Look for more points than we'd expect here. That means the team that plays aggressively the best on offense will win.

It has been the Steelers for the entire playoff run, so why expect that to change? They'd be foolish to change.

Play to win, Steelers. If you do, the rings will be yours.

Pittsburgh 31, Seattle 21

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 09:47 AM

Posted on Fri, Feb. 03, 2006

Seahawks set to spoil the Bus' homecoming coronation

BY REGGIE HAYESFort Wayne (Ind.) News-Sentinel

DETROIT -

I don't like making sports predictions because there are only two possible outcomes:

1. Get it right. Everyone yawns.

2. Get it wrong. Fans of the other team call you colorful synonyms for numbskull.

However, if I decline to predict whether Pittsburgh or Seattle will win Super Bowl XL on Sunday in Ford Field, then I'm left to wax poetic today on the only topic still unexplored about game. Namely, which coach has the better mustache, Bill Cowher or Mike Holmgren? No one wants that hairy prose, believe me.

So, then, let's get on with the predicting.

Seattle 27, Pittsburgh 23.

There. I said it. I said it early. I said it with conviction. I said it without hesitation - at least as far as you know, since you can't monitor my keystrokes while I write unless you work for the Bush Administration.
This pick won't be popular. Oddsmakers list the Steelers as four-point favorites. The Steelers remain the sentimental favorites in Detroit because - I don't know if you've heard - this is running back Jerome Bettis' hometown. Plus, most of the country thought the NFC season didn't really count.
"Who's the favorite or who's the underdog - we have nothing to do with that," Seattle coach Holmgren said. "We are who we are and Pittsburgh is who they are."
OK, but aren't the Seahawks the higher seed, with the better record?
"The only thing I can think of (for the Steelers being favored) is that they beat Indianapolis, which was a huge win for them," Holmgren said. "Indy was having a great, great year and is a great football team. And that popped Pittsburgh, as it should."
So why will Seattle win?
For starters, the Seahawks are not the Colts.
They have a stronger offensive line - combined with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's quick release and quick feet - which will allow them to avoid falling prey to the blitzing Steelers attack. The Seahawks utilize the fullback and tight ends better for blocking. They won't lose track of Porter. Holmgren and the coaching staff will adjust to any difficulties before the middle of the fourth quarter.
In other words, the Seahawks won't have "protection problems."
"They're going to throw things at us, try to confuse us, but we just have to stay focused and stay calm," Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones said. "They know what's coming. Can they stop us? That's the whole point."
The Seahawks possess a power running game that the Colts don't, with the aptly named Mack Strong leading the way for the NFL's best running back, Shaun Alexander. Bettis might be basking in the glory of going home again, but Alexander draws motivation from proving his reputation in the clutch and setting the table for massive salary negotiations.
Like the Colts, the Seahawks run a lot of no-huddle offense. But, as Steelers coach Cowher points out, it's a vastly different style.
"That's a much different no-huddle than Indianapolis," Cowher said, who then alluded to Peyton Manning's style of drawing out the play to read the defense. "(The Seahawks) come up to the line of scrimmage and they're gone. It's different. It's a rhythm offense, it's an upbeat offense and we've got to find a way to disrupt it or else we could be in for a long day."
Another offensive asset for the Seahawks is their receiving corps. Tight end Jerramy Stevens earned the pre-game pub with his banter with Porter, but wideouts Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram and Joe Jurevicius are difference-makers. All three can go deep and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu can only be in two or three places at once - maybe only one on Sunday, given his recently tweaked ankle. The rest of the Steelers' secondary are mere mortals.
Seattle's defense, meanwhile, is much more physical than people assume. The biggest hit of the entire playoffs came when rookie linebacker Lofa Tatupu sent Carolina running back Nick Goings to a galaxy far, far away in Goings' mind. Playmakers abound in ends Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher, tackle Rocky Bernard, strong safety Michael Boulware and cornerback Marcus Trufant.
"For whatever reason, all year long our defense hasn't been given the credit it probably deserves," Wistrom said. "But if we go out and play well on Sunday, we'll get all the recognition we need. That's fine."
Seattle's defense, in case you didn't notice:
_led the NFL with 50 sacks.
_ranked second in red-zone defense.
_allowed only one back to gain 100 yards in a game (Tiki Barber).
_allowed only five rushing touchdowns.
"They don't stay blocked very long," Bettis said. "It's hard to get outside. Their linebackers play downhill. It's going to be a daunting task for us down in the red zone."
What of the Steelers, you say? Isn't Ben Roethlisberger dialed in as a playoff quarterback? Aren't the Steelers' linebackers the best in the business? Isn't Cowher capable of sneaking in a trick play for Hines Ward and/or Antwaan Randle El, and catching Seattle off guard?
Yes, to all of the above.
Hey, I didn't say it'd be a blowout.
But, it's tougher to play the role of favorite than underdog, and the favored Steelers sustained an awfully long run of momentum in the AFC playoffs. What goes up must come down. It's Seattle's turn now.
If I'm wrong, Steelers fans can wave their Terrible Towels and terrible names in my general direction. If I'm right, I promise not to say I told you so. Nobody would be listening then, anyway.

Sarge's Little Helper

02-04-2006, 09:47 AM

LoungeMachine is full of 5 pound bags of monkey shit.

THAT IS ALL

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Sarge's Little Helper
Oops. I wasn't paying attention. Tell me again what is going on.

Seattle 27 Pittsburgh 23

Pay attention next time :D

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 09:51 AM

Published: February 03, 2006 11:06 pm

Seahawks to force Porter to eat crow

By Jamie Wachter

Without concern for my own well-being, since Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter doesn’t take kindly to unfavorable reviews of the Steelers, the largest edition of the Super Bowl (XL) will be historic. Seattle coach Mike Holmgren can become the first coach in NFL history to lead two different franchises to Super Bowl titles. Holmgren prevented Bill Parcells from becoming the first when the Green Bay Packers downed the New England Patriots in 1997. Nine years later, Holmgren gets his chance.

Whereas Parcell’s Patriots were a one-dimensional offense, Seattle has all the tools necessary to dissect a defense. In running back Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks possess the NFL’s MVP and one of the top scoring threats in the league. Alexander churned out 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Pittsburgh does have a physical defense that could limit Alexander. The Steelers, after all, have shut down some potent backs in their march to Detroit already. Denver was held to 97 yards and Indianapolis’ Edgerrin James and Cincinnati’s Rudi Johnson gained only 56 yards each.

Whereas the Bengals were forced to depend on Jon Kitna and Denver had to turn to Jake Plummer, the Seahawks have the ability to hurt Pittsburgh through the air as well. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has produced all year long and even improved during the playoff run.

In his five years as Seattle’s starter, Hasselbeck has slowly improved until posting career highs this year in quarterback rating and completion percentage. He also limited his mistakes with just nine interceptions compared to 24 touchdowns. In Seattle’s wins against Washington and Carolina, Hasselbeck is 36-of-54 for 434 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. That is the kind of performance Hasselbeck will use to guide Seattle to its first Super Bowl title.

While Alexander and Hasselbeck have been stealing the limelight for the Seahawks, Seattle also possesses a solid defense. There may not be any big names in the lineup, but Seattle has limited opponents to just 16.9 points per game. The Seahawks have the type of defense that can slow down a top rushing attack too, giving up less than 100 yards on average. So, in his return home, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis may end up in the garage, forced to watch an aerial attack.

Maybe Seattle’s problem, and the reason they lack respect, is the absence of a loud-mouthed linebacker to grab attention. Porter has more than made his presence felt this past week with his mouth, his best attribute. After Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens made an innocent comment about his team winning the game, Porter took over calling Stevens a bust and even proclaiming that he would make the Seattle players “tap out,” or ask to leave the game.

Come Sunday when Porter has a bull’s-eye on his chest, he might wish he had kept quiet. That is because Porter will be forced to eat crow when the only team to “tap out” will be the Steelers after Seattle takes Super Bowl XL.

Seattle 27,

Pittsburgh 17

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 09:57 AM

OK...you have a guy that writes for a paper that supports Indy...in other words...a whining whore...

and a dude with a chick's name...

great support...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 09:59 AM

Steelers' Polamalu, Ward miss part of practice
Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu missed a portion of practice again Friday because of a sore ankle, but remains listed as probable for the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Polamalu woke up Thursday with a sore ankle and, after being examined by team trainers, underwent an MRI exam.
"There was nothing really there," coach Bill Cowher said Friday. "Now he'll feel better. He'll be fine by Sunday."

Before practice began Friday at the Silverdome, Polamalu playfully lined up as a quarterback with several teammates and simulated throwing passes.

Wide receiver Hines Ward sat out the last half of practice with a sore shoulder, but only for precautionary reasons, according to Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett. Ward was not added to the team's daily injury report, the last before Sunday's game against Seattle.

Defensive end Travis Kirschke (groin), fullback Dan Kreider (knee) and linebacker James Harrison (ankle) also missed part of practice, but Kirschke and Kreider were upgraded from questionable to probable. Harrison remains listed as probable.

Friday was the Steelers' final full-scale practice before their second Super Bowl in 26 years. They will be limited to a walkthrough session Saturday.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:02 AM

LMMFAO

If Hunter S. Thompson were alive today, he'd take Seattle and the points.

Bush is picking The Steelers.

We're a lock now.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:03 AM

Ten things you didn't know about the Steelers
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Jim Wexell / Scout.com
Posted: 8 hours ago

Some of these 10 items shatter myths and others are shatterproof to any new myths on the horizon.
1. Ben Roethlisberger sees the field, and more.

Quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple was asked what Roethlisberger does best. "He sees," Whipple said. Isn't that the truth? On the day Roethlisberger was drafted, the Findlay, Ohio, native was asked which team he rooted for as a kid: Cincinnati or Cleveland. Neither, Roethlisberger said. He was a Joe Montana fan. Then Roethlisberger asked for jersey No. 7 — because he's also a John Elway fan.

Both visions come to mind: Roethlisberger played like Elway in Denver last week, and he's playing like Montana this postseason. Roethlisberger has a passer rating of 124.8 this postseason, giving him a career postseason passer rating of 97.6. The precise Montana had a career postseason passer rating of 95.6, second in league history to Bart Starr's 104.8 (150 attempts).

2. The Steelers can come from behind.

Saying the Steelers can't come from behind is the national myth that puzzles Steelers fans the most. It's actually a remnant of an earlier myth that says if you stop the Steelers' run game, you stop the Steelers. Instead, the Steelers have shredded three consecutive playoff secondaries.

They haven't had to come from behind; so the myth has life. But in just his fourth pro game, Roethlisberger rallied the Steelers past the host Cowboys from 10 points down in the fourth quarter. In his 10th game, he rallied past the host Jaguars in the final 1:55 with no timeouts. In his first playoff game, he rallied his team to a fourth-quarter tie against the New York Jets (the Steelers won in overtime). In his second playoff game, the Steelers trailed the Patriots by 21, and Roethlisberger's touchdown pass cut it to 14. He then had the Steelers at the three-yard line early in the fourth quarter when Bill Cowher suffered a brain cramp and kicked a field goal. End of comeback, but not end of story, because now Roethlisberger knows what he's doing.

3. Bill Cowher doesn't suffer brain cramps anymore.

Under Cowher, the Steelers lost home AFC championship games in which they were favored by 9.5 (1994) and 10 (2001) points, as well as a third home game last year. A dropped Hail Mary pass allowed the Steelers to escape with a win as 12-point favorites in the 1995 AFC title game. Cowher's critics say he has a habit of playing "turtle games" as a favorite, a role that involves the wearing of a bulls eye. This season, Cowher has left his coordinators alone; so Dick LeBeau blitzes at crunch time, and Ken Whisenhunt passes. Cowher's in-season aggressiveness has continued into the playoffs. His two fourth-and-one conversions against the Colts provided high drama in Pittsburgh households. If the Steelers go down, it won't be for turtle games. (Although I offer this caveat: NFL Films picked up Cowher on the sideline before the Broncos game last week telling Rod Woodson, "I love being the underdog." Woodson's reply: "It's only numbers, man.")

4. Jerome Bettis is the greatest big back of them all.

Sure, longevity helps some backs pile up numbers, and longevity has much to do with Bettis's No. 5 ranking on the all-time rushing board. But that's not the reason he's the greatest "big back" of all time. This is: Only two 250-pound running backs have rushed for over 1,000 yards more than one time. The 253-pound Christian Okoye did it twice, and the 255-pound Bettis has done it eight times. What about John Riggins? He only weighed 230. Larry Csonka? He weighed 237. Cookie Gilchrist weighed 251, but had only one 1,000-yard season (and three 900-yard, 14-game seasons). Bettis once explained that big backs take too much of a pounding to endure and that he'd learned a long time ago to look for easy landings instead of playing macho head games in the open field. That's something else most people didn't know.

5. The Steelers are fine without Plaxico Burress.

Anyone see the televised fit Burress threw after the first Giants series in the playoffs? That sour, losing attitude; that finger-pointing, didn't stop until Tiki Barber's exclamation point in the post-game press conference. The Giants were stomped; and Burress didn't catch a pass. He was surely an albatross in the huddle, a grim reaper sent to Tom Coughlin by the football gods, or something like that. Did anyone see the televised celebration Cedrick Wilson threw after catching a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone against the Broncos? Anyone see Wilson catch five for 92 in that game? Eight for 196 in these playoffs? The Steelers are spreading the ball to a happy bunch of players. The foreboding presence of Burress and his pining for the ball are gone with the wind.

6. The Steelers can cover.

The Steelers ranked 16th in NFL pass defense this season; so naturally fans who haven't watched them think Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott either still play in Pittsburgh or haven't been ably replaced. But a closer look at the stats — the pure defensive passing stats — show the Steelers ranked fifth in yards per attempt (6.34), eighth in completion percentage (57.4) and eighth in passer rating (74). In the playoffs against Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Denver, those numbers are nearly the same: 6.4 ypa, 59.6 completion percentage and 75.3 passer rating. The average playoff game by No. 1 receivers Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison and Rod Smith against the Steelers was 3.7 catches for 57.3 yards and a Blutarsky-like 0.0 touchdowns. During the regular season, the average game of those three receivers was 5.6, 78.4 and 0.6, respectively.

7. The Steelers throw to their tight end.

When the Steelers drafted Heath Miller in the first round last April, fans wanted to know why they drafted a player who wouldn't be used for anything more than sealing the corner on running plays. Since Mark Bruener caught a career-high 26 passes as a rookie in 1995, the position had averaged 21 catches, 177 yards and two touchdowns for nine seasons. Miller had 21 catches, 211 yards and six touchdowns in the first half of his rookie season. What happened? Well, it was another myth that needed shattering. The Steelers do throw to their tight end; always have, or always have wanted to. But Kordell Stewart didn't look for the tight end much. Once Stewart left, Bruener had slowed down considerably. The new tight end, it could be argued, is Roethlisberger's No. 1 weapon. Miller has seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

With his back against the proverbial wall, Bill Cohwer won't hesitate to let his QB throw the ball. (Gene J. Puskar / Getty Images)

8. In fact, Bill Cowher throws to win.

Is this Bill Cowher's best team? The only one close is the 1995 team, and those Steelers went into their Super Bowl as 13-point underdogs. They showed heart and lost by 10. That team holds the Steelers' single-season, pass-yardage record. Quarterback Neil O'Donnell's offense averaged 249 passing yards per game. This regular season, the Steelers averaged 183 passing yards per game, but in the postseason, they've averaged 218 passing yards per game. Taking it a step further, the Steelers average 157 passing yards in the first halves of these playoff games. Their leads have been so comfortable that they've worried more about killing the clock after halftime.

The Steelers are winging the ball, just like they did in 1995; a common thread in Cowher's two Super Bowl teams. The other common thread is that both teams had their backs to the proverbial wall at one point in the season: The '95 Steelers were 3-4 at one point; the 2005 Steelers had to win their last four games to make the playoffs as a wild-card team. When poked with a stick, Cowher will throw to win.

9. John Mitchell is the assistant coach of the year.

Of the assistants on the team that's favored to win the Super Bowl, John Mitchell is the one you've never heard of — but he's the one doing the best job. The defensive line is the Steelers' most efficient positional group. Yes, the offensive line has come together and is picking up every blitz; and yes, Ken Whisenhunt and Dick LeBeau have been maestros in calling plays. But the Steelers' defensive line has held the point of attack while eight, sometimes nine — or even 10 — linebackers, corners and safeties strike like snakes throughout all the organized chaos.

Just when you want to run on Troy Polamalu at middle linebacker, you can't get through Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith or Kimo von Oelhoffen. Those players cite Mitchell — who made his own history as a player under Bear Bryant — and his rotation of quality back-ups as the reason the Steelers have allowed an NFL-low 3.4 yards per carry this season. (Caveat II: The Steelers have allowed 4.3 yards per carry in the playoffs, which might be important against the run-heavy Seahawks, but we're pretty sure it's not Mitch's fault.)

10. Kevin Colbert is the GM of the Year.

Even though he'd never show up to accept the award (particularly if the Whattaburger Cactus Bowl was being played somewhere), no one is more deserving than Kevin Colbert. Rumor has it he'll be at the Super Bowl and not watching tape of Senior Bowl practices. Such lapses have been unacceptable in the past, when Colbert led his staff through the drafting of two Rookies of the Year (Roethlisberger, Kendrell Bell) and another (Heath Miller) who could've been.

Only six players remain from the Tom Donahoe era. Colbert, hired in 2000, has brought in the rest of the team, including Pro Bowlers Marvel Smith, Hampton and Polamalu, through the draft, and Pro Bowlers Jeff Hartings and James Farrior as free agents. Colbert signed Willie Parker after one draft and Dan Kreider after another. Those are his starting running backs. Colbert's player evaluations are heavy on character and high on production and heart. The result is perhaps the most interesting mix of characters since the 1985 Bears.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:07 AM

You'll need the points...and it still won't be enough...

and I have no comment on the imbecilic sound of the 2nd part of that...

Ten things you don't know about the Seahawks
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Doug Farrar / Scout.com
Posted: 9 hours ago

Underrated? Decidedly. Disrespected? Quite possibly. Incapable of winning Super Bowl XL? Hardly.

Throughout their 13-3 season, past the playoffs and into the maw of the Super Bowl Hype Machine, the Seattle Seahawks have flown under the radar and managed, somehow, to avoid every obstacle such low altitudes tend to present.
Also...

10 things to know about Steelers

The first No. 1 conference seed to be an underdog to a No. 6, this team will once again find themselves on the short end of the media stick. And since information about the Seahawks at a deep-blue level will be a bit tough to come by, perhaps it's time to share the following secrets about the most invisible Super Bowl team since the 2001 New England Patriots.

If the result is the same for the Seahawks, they'll take the same preamble of indifference — every day, and twice on Super Bowl Sunday.

1. Matt Hasselbeck's hot postseason shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Seattle's quarterback has completed 36 of 54 passes for 434 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 109.7 passer rating in two playoff games. If you're at all surprised by this, you obviously didn't pay attention to his December showing. In his four games in the final month of 2005, Hasselbeck completed 76.1percent of his passes — the best percentage of any quarterback in NFL history who played in at least four games in the month. His 135.5 December passer rating tells the tale — 67 completions in 88 attempts for 777 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. He's certainly been helped by defenses that key in on Shaun Alexander, but Hasselbeck proved he could carry the team in the divisional playoffs against the Redskins, when Alexander left the game with a concussion in the first quarter. Dismiss him at your peril.

2. Seattle's defense might be better equipped to stop the run than you think.

If you believe that Pittsburgh's "Thunder and Lightning" rushing attack will automatically shred Seattle, you may want to look at the numbers. In 18 games this season, the Seahawks have allowed one person to rush for 100 or more yards — the Giants' Tiki Barber. Seattle allowed the second-fewest regular-season rushing touchdowns in the NFL (five) and has not allowed one in the playoffs. The Seahawks not only are fifth in the NFL in run defense (a franchise-record 94.4 yards per game), but they are first in the NFL in Adjusted Line Yards, Football Outsiders' statistic which rates defensive lines and their specific effectiveness

3. The Seahawks may have led the NFL in sacks in 2005, but they're not blitz-happy.

Seattle accumulated 50 sacks during the regular season, which you probably already know. What you may not know is the extent to which blitzing doesn't play a part in that. Eleven players contributed to their quarterback takedowns, and 32.5 sacks came from the defensive line. Eleven and one-half came from rookie linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill. Defensive backs contributed 3.0, and 3.0 were listed as team sacks. Seattle's ability to bring pressure without over-committing personnel at the line allows their linebackers to integrate into some very creative coverage schemes. The "Steve Smith Obstacle Course" in the NFC championship game was perhaps the premium example of this factor — there's no way the Seahawks could have put as many as four men on Smith unless they knew their front four could get consistent pressure.

4. Over the past three regular seasons, the Seahawks have been the most consistent regular-season team in the NFC.

This might be a surprise to many who think the Philadelphia Eagles have the NFC's best record from 2003 through 2005. But with the ascent of Seattle and Philly's circus of a season, the Seahawks jumped ahead with a 32-16 mark over that period, one game better than Philly's. Only Indianapolis (37-10), New England (38-9) and Denver (33-15) are better over the last three years than Seattle. For the record, the Steelers share Seattle's 32-16 mark.

5. Seattle has the red zone covered.

If games are won and lost in the red zone, the Seahawks are better prepared for victory than any other team. On offense, they converted 71.7 percent of their trips inside their opponents' 20-yard line into touchdowns, the NFL's best. When their opponents made inroads inside Seattle's 20, they weren't nearly as fortunate, scoring TDs only 40.4 percent of the time. The Seahawks are the only NFL team to rank in the top five in red-zone offense and red-zone defense. When they get there, they score; when other team's get there, they don't. That's how you win ball games!

Mike Holmgren found the last piece of a rather large puzzle. (Elaine Thompson / Getty Images)

6. The Seahawks made their way to the Super Bowl in the face of some serious roster turmoil.

During their 21-18 home-opener victory against the Atlanta Falcons on September 18, Seattle's defense featured eight players who hadn't started in the 2004 opener — linebackers Jamie Sharper, Lofa Tatupu and D.D. Lewis, defensive end Bryce Fisher, defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Chuck Darby, cornerback Andre Dyson and safety Michael Boulware. Then, safety Ken Hamlin was lost for the season after an altercation in front of a Seattle nightclub on the morning of October 17, allowing Marquand Manuel to step in and step up.

Additionally, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes suffered a stroke on September 4, which forced linebackers coach John Marshall (a former defensive coordinator) to step into the booth and navigate the defense.

The Seahawks went 9-0 without their No. 1 receiver (Darrell Jackson), and beat the Rams, Texans and Cowboys without their No. 2 receiver (Bobby Engram), as well.

7. Seattle's head honcho passed up the NFL owner's meetings to scout college players down south.

Less than a month after he was hired as the Seahawks' general manager and team president, Tim Ruskell faced a crossroads: Sip Mai-Tai's at the NFL's owners meetings in Maui, or jump a plane to Auburn to start scouting for the upcoming draft. There was little doubt as to what this football lifer with more than 20 years of scouting experience would do. While most men in his position were working on their short game, Ruskell was where he's comfortable — holding a stopwatch and putting a dollar sign on the muscle at Auburn's Pro Day. Ruskell's ability to draft high talent in low rounds and pluck undervalued players away from unappreciative teams was an enormous part of Seattle's ability to hit the peak of the NFC mountain.

8. When the Seahawks beat the Redskins in the divisional playoffs, Mike Holmgren found the last piece of a rather large puzzle.

Washington was the last of the NFL's 32 teams which Holmgren hadn't defeated during his 14 years as an NFL head coach with the Packers and Seahawks. Holmgren holds a 14-2 record against the Chicago Bears (his best) and a 1-4 mark against the Redskins (his worst). Holmgren is 1-2 against the Packers as the Seahawks' coach and 1-0 against the Seahawks during his tenure in Green Bay.

9. Seattle's offense is "good?" Try "great."

What would you call an offense that led the NFL in touchdowns (57), fourth down efficiency (7/8), points scored per game (28.3), red-zone offense (71.7 percent), scoring drives of 80 yards or more (24) and scored 40 or more points in three games?

Probably the same thing you'd call an offense that finished second in the league in total yards per game (369.7), yards per play (5.8), first downs per game (22.6), rushing yards/attempt (4.7), first down plays (361) and didn't give up a sack in three games.

Frighteningly efficient, and unequivocally explosive!

10. Dropped passes? Not anymore.

The Seahawks dropped an infuriating 43 in 2004, but were down to 23 this season, according to Mike Holmgren after watching the film. We probably should dispense with all the other national stereotypes as well — the Seahawks don't have a barista stand on the sidelines, grunge died about seven years ago, and just because their owner co-founded Microsoft doesn't mean their coaches wear pocket protectors and carry slide rules, Mr. Broadcaster/Comedian!

And there you have it: just a few words to the wise, Vegas and America. If you're still discounting the Seahawks because you truly believe Pittsburgh's the better team, fair enough. But if your nose is upturned and headed east by default, don't say we didn't warn you. This Seahawks have what it takes to be the best team you've never heard of.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:08 AM

Ten things you don't know about the Seahawks

Underrated? Decidedly. Disrespected? Quite possibly. Incapable of winning Super Bowl XL? Hardly.

Throughout their 13-3 season, past the playoffs and into the maw of the Super Bowl Hype Machine, the Seattle Seahawks have flown under the radar and managed, somehow, to avoid every obstacle such low altitudes tend to present.
Also...

10 things to know about Steelers

The first No. 1 conference seed to be an underdog to a No. 6, this team will once again find themselves on the short end of the media stick. And since information about the Seahawks at a deep-blue level will be a bit tough to come by, perhaps it's time to share the following secrets about the most invisible Super Bowl team since the 2001 New England Patriots.

If the result is the same for the Seahawks, they'll take the same preamble of indifference — every day, and twice on Super Bowl Sunday.

1. Matt Hasselbeck's hot postseason shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Seattle's quarterback has completed 36 of 54 passes for 434 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 109.7 passer rating in two playoff games. If you're at all surprised by this, you obviously didn't pay attention to his December showing. In his four games in the final month of 2005, Hasselbeck completed 76.1percent of his passes — the best percentage of any quarterback in NFL history who played in at least four games in the month. His 135.5 December passer rating tells the tale — 67 completions in 88 attempts for 777 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. He's certainly been helped by defenses that key in on Shaun Alexander, but Hasselbeck proved he could carry the team in the divisional playoffs against the Redskins, when Alexander left the game with a concussion in the first quarter. Dismiss him at your peril.

2. Seattle's defense might be better equipped to stop the run than you think.

If you believe that Pittsburgh's "Thunder and Lightning" rushing attack will automatically shred Seattle, you may want to look at the numbers. In 18 games this season, the Seahawks have allowed one person to rush for 100 or more yards — the Giants' Tiki Barber. Seattle allowed the second-fewest regular-season rushing touchdowns in the NFL (five) and has not allowed one in the playoffs. The Seahawks not only are fifth in the NFL in run defense (a franchise-record 94.4 yards per game), but they are first in the NFL in Adjusted Line Yards, Football Outsiders' statistic which rates defensive lines and their specific effectiveness

3. The Seahawks may have led the NFL in sacks in 2005, but they're not blitz-happy.

Seattle accumulated 50 sacks during the regular season, which you probably already know. What you may not know is the extent to which blitzing doesn't play a part in that. Eleven players contributed to their quarterback takedowns, and 32.5 sacks came from the defensive line. Eleven and one-half came from rookie linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill. Defensive backs contributed 3.0, and 3.0 were listed as team sacks. Seattle's ability to bring pressure without over-committing personnel at the line allows their linebackers to integrate into some very creative coverage schemes. The "Steve Smith Obstacle Course" in the NFC championship game was perhaps the premium example of this factor — there's no way the Seahawks could have put as many as four men on Smith unless they knew their front four could get consistent pressure.

4. Over the past three regular seasons, the Seahawks have been the most consistent regular-season team in the NFC.

This might be a surprise to many who think the Philadelphia Eagles have the NFC's best record from 2003 through 2005. But with the ascent of Seattle and Philly's circus of a season, the Seahawks jumped ahead with a 32-16 mark over that period, one game better than Philly's. Only Indianapolis (37-10), New England (38-9) and Denver (33-15) are better over the last three years than Seattle. For the record, the Steelers share Seattle's 32-16 mark.

5. Seattle has the red zone covered.

If games are won and lost in the red zone, the Seahawks are better prepared for victory than any other team. On offense, they converted 71.7 percent of their trips inside their opponents' 20-yard line into touchdowns, the NFL's best. When their opponents made inroads inside Seattle's 20, they weren't nearly as fortunate, scoring TDs only 40.4 percent of the time. The Seahawks are the only NFL team to rank in the top five in red-zone offense and red-zone defense. When they get there, they score; when other team's get there, they don't. That's how you win ball games!

Mike Holmgren found the last piece of a rather large puzzle. (Elaine Thompson / Getty Images)

6. The Seahawks made their way to the Super Bowl in the face of some serious roster turmoil.

During their 21-18 home-opener victory against the Atlanta Falcons on September 18, Seattle's defense featured eight players who hadn't started in the 2004 opener — linebackers Jamie Sharper, Lofa Tatupu and D.D. Lewis, defensive end Bryce Fisher, defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Chuck Darby, cornerback Andre Dyson and safety Michael Boulware. Then, safety Ken Hamlin was lost for the season after an altercation in front of a Seattle nightclub on the morning of October 17, allowing Marquand Manuel to step in and step up.

Additionally, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes suffered a stroke on September 4, which forced linebackers coach John Marshall (a former defensive coordinator) to step into the booth and navigate the defense.

The Seahawks went 9-0 without their No. 1 receiver (Darrell Jackson), and beat the Rams, Texans and Cowboys without their No. 2 receiver (Bobby Engram), as well.

7. Seattle's head honcho passed up the NFL owner's meetings to scout college players down south.

Less than a month after he was hired as the Seahawks' general manager and team president, Tim Ruskell faced a crossroads: Sip Mai-Tai's at the NFL's owners meetings in Maui, or jump a plane to Auburn to start scouting for the upcoming draft. There was little doubt as to what this football lifer with more than 20 years of scouting experience would do. While most men in his position were working on their short game, Ruskell was where he's comfortable — holding a stopwatch and putting a dollar sign on the muscle at Auburn's Pro Day. Ruskell's ability to draft high talent in low rounds and pluck undervalued players away from unappreciative teams was an enormous part of Seattle's ability to hit the peak of the NFC mountain.

8. When the Seahawks beat the Redskins in the divisional playoffs, Mike Holmgren found the last piece of a rather large puzzle.

Washington was the last of the NFL's 32 teams which Holmgren hadn't defeated during his 14 years as an NFL head coach with the Packers and Seahawks. Holmgren holds a 14-2 record against the Chicago Bears (his best) and a 1-4 mark against the Redskins (his worst). Holmgren is 1-2 against the Packers as the Seahawks' coach and 1-0 against the Seahawks during his tenure in Green Bay.

9. Seattle's offense is "good?" Try "great."

What would you call an offense that led the NFL in touchdowns (57), fourth down efficiency (7/8), points scored per game (28.3), red-zone offense (71.7 percent), scoring drives of 80 yards or more (24) and scored 40 or more points in three games?

Probably the same thing you'd call an offense that finished second in the league in total yards per game (369.7), yards per play (5.8), first downs per game (22.6), rushing yards/attempt (4.7), first down plays (361) and didn't give up a sack in three games.

Frighteningly efficient, and unequivocally explosive!

10. Dropped passes? Not anymore.

The Seahawks dropped an infuriating 43 in 2004, but were down to 23 this season, according to Mike Holmgren after watching the film. We probably should dispense with all the other national stereotypes as well — the Seahawks don't have a barista stand on the sidelines, grunge died about seven years ago, and just because their owner co-founded Microsoft doesn't mean their coaches wear pocket protectors and carry slide rules, Mr. Broadcaster/Comedian!

And there you have it: just a few words to the wise, Vegas and America. If you're still discounting the Seahawks because you truly believe Pittsburgh's the better team, fair enough. But if your nose is upturned and headed east by default, don't say we didn't warn you. This Seahawks have what it takes to be the best team you've never heard of.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:10 AM

I like these kind of articles...

Key matchups for Super Bowl XL
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Michael David Smith / FootballOutsiders.com
Posted: 13 hours ago

During four decades, members of the media have spent the week leading up to the Super Bowl oversimplifying the games as if they consist of two quarterbacks playing against each other.

Bart Starr vs. Len Dawson. Bob Griese vs. Fran Tarkenton. Terry Bradshaw vs. Roger Staubach. Joe Montana vs. Dan Marino. Troy Aikman vs. Jim Kelly. John Elway vs. Brett Favre. Tom Brady vs. Donovan McNabb.

It makes good drama to describe Super Bowls in those terms, but it doesn't make for good analysis.

On any given play, the quarterback is only one of 22 players on the field, and quarterbacks only face off during the pregame coin flip and the postgame handshake.

So as we analyze the key matchups of Super Bowl XL, we'll eschew quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Hasselbeck and instead focus on the six most important individual battles that will decide the outcome of the game.

When Pittsburgh has the ball
Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca vs. Seattle defensive tackle Rocky Bernard

The Seahawks have made wholesale changes to their front seven in the past year, but Bernard has been the one constant aspect of the unit. Bernard is the only defensive lineman to start both in last year's playoff loss to the Rams and in this year's playoff games.

Seattle prefers smaller, quicker defensive players — Bernard's backup, Marcus Tubbs, is the only member of the defensive line rotation who exceeds 300 pounds. The 293-pound Bernard has a quick first step that has turned him into a terror for opposing quarterbacks, with a career-best 8.5 sacks this season. His presence rushing up the middle could have a big influence on Roethlisberger, who sometimes holds the ball too long.

But if anyone can slow Bernard down, it's Faneca. The eighth-year player out of LSU has great quickness for a 307-pounder, which makes him the right kind of guard to take on a quick tackle like Bernard.

Ken Whisenhunt's offense frequently calls on Faneca to pull to the outside, but against Seattle, pulling Faneca could give Bernard enough space to crash Pittsburgh's backfield. That means Faneca will spend most of his time taking on Bernard, who will line up directly over him. That's a battle that purists will savor.

Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller vs. Seattle strong safety Michael Boulware

The Steelers were surprised when the 6-foot-5, 256-pound Miller was still around when their turn came up at the 2005 draft, and he has exceeded their expectations by becoming one of the league's best rookies.

Last season, tight ends were a nonexistent part of Pittsburgh's passing game, with the Steelers' top tight end, Jerame Tuman, catching only nine passes. This year, the threat of Miller over the middle has been a major boost to Pittsburgh's offense. Although he's not much of a deep threat, Miller is tough and has great hands. He caught 75 percent of the passes thrown his way this season, the fifth-best percentage among the 64 tight ends who had at least 10 passes thrown to them.

Boulware is an athletic second-year player who will draw most of the coverage responsibilities on Miller. Pittsburgh uses Miller in much the same way that the Washington Redskins use tight end Chris Cooley, and Boulware struggled against Cooley in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Miller is much stronger than Boulware, meaning Boulware can't put himself in a position where Miller is able to push off and create space for himself. Boulware will try to give Miller a cushion and let Roethlisberger throw in his direction, then use his great closing speed to get there in time to knock the ball off or intercept it. However, that's easier said than done, which is why this is an advantageous matchup for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh fullback Dan Kreider vs. Seattle middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu

Tatupu is the leader of the Seahawks' defense and the most important reason that their run defense, which was a weakness last year, is now a strength. But he sometimes struggles at fighting off blocks, and Kreider is an excellent lead-blocking fullback.

The Steelers don't always take advantage of Kreider's blocking, though, because they like to run out of multiple formations, rather than simply giving the ball to Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis behind Kreider. Tatupu is a much more important player to Seattle's defense than Kreider is to Pittsburgh's offense — Kreider is basically a role player who spends more downs on the sidelines than he does on the field. But when he's on the field, he delivers some vicious blocks, and when he engages Tatupu, he'll get the better end of the battle.

Even though Tatupu is a very good young player who will make a difference in the game, if the Steelers face a third-and-one, look for them to line up in the I-formation; then look for Kreider to take on Tatupu, and look for the Steelers to get the first down.

When Seattle has the ball
Seattle left tackle Walter Jones vs. Pittsburgh right outside linebacker Joey Porter

Jones is the consensus choice as the best left tackle in football, but he'll have his hands full against Porter, the outside linebacker who had 10.5 sacks in the regular season and has added three in the playoffs.

Jones' incredible strength when drive-blocking will give him a major advantage over Porter when Seattle runs to the left. Porter sometimes struggles shedding blocks, and if Jones gets his hands into Porter's chest, Shaun Alexander will be able to run to the outside with ease.

Porter's relentless blitzing could cause problems for Jones, however. Pass rushers who rely on their speed (like Osi Umenyiora of the Giants, who beat Jones for two sacks) sometimes get the best of Jones, and no linebacker in the NFL gets to the quarterback quicker than Porter.

Jones is accustomed to blocking defensive ends in 4-3 alignments rather than outside linebackers like Porter in 3-4 alignments, so he'll have to employ different techniques on Super Bowl Sunday than he has through most of the season. Jones will win the individual battle on most running plays, but if Porter can sack Hasselbeck or force him to hurry his throws, Pittsburgh's defense will have a decided advantage.

Seattle receiver Darrell Jackson vs. Pittsburgh cornerback Ike Taylor

The Seahawks' offense performed so well throughout the year that hardly anyone noticed they played without their best receiver, Jackson, for most of the season. When healthy, Jackson is one of the most lethal big-play threats in football, and he has more receiving yards than anyone other than Steve Smith this postseason.

Taylor is sometimes too aggressive (he bit on a play fake and was burned on an 80-yard touchdown pass the first time Pittsburgh played Indianapolis), but he also plays tight man coverage and gets his hands on a lot of passes. Jackson likes to run comeback routes and go high for passes, but Taylor is an inch taller than Jackson and a good jumper, and should be able to out-fight him for some balls. Taylor won't shut Jackson down, but he'll provide adequate enough coverage. However, Hasselbeck can't rely on him as heavily as he has in Seattle's first two playoff games.

Seattle center Robbie Tobeck vs. Pittsburgh nose tackle Casey Hampton

Tobeck, who was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement last week, is somewhat similar to Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen in that he succeeds more because of superior technique than because of brute strength. That's bad news for Seattle, because Nalen — one of the best centers in league history — struggled against Hampton in the AFC Championship.

Tobeck likely will struggle, too. He's a crafty old veteran who is one of only five Seahawks to have played in the Super Bowl, and he will be a major asset to the Seahawks' line with his ability to read the Steelers' complex pass-rush schemes. But all the experience and film study in the world won't allow him to outmuscle Hampton, who is seven years younger and 30 pounds heavier than Tobeck.

On passing plays, Hampton won't get much of a rush because it takes him a while to get that enormous frame out of his stance, but on running plays, Hampton will clog the middle and create space for Pittsburgh inside linebackers Larry Foote and James Farrior to make tackles.

If the television announcers call Foote and Farrior's names regularly on Sunday, it's fair to say Hampton is having a big game. Tobeck has been one of the unsung leaders of the Seahawks this season, but it's hard to imagine him getting the better of Hampton.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:11 AM

Jesus, poj....

at least let me paste mey own homer-hype

LMMFAO

delete my dupe ya schmuck.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

This Seahawks have what it takes to be the best team you've never heard of.

:D

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:17 AM

Time to try something new for Steelers, 'Hawks
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Jimmy Johnson / FOX Sports
Posted: 13 hours ago

I believe Pittsburgh has the emotional edge in Super Bowl XL. They will have a special determination because of the disappointments they've had in recent years. I mean, they have been very close to getting to the Super Bowl but lost to teams like New England in the playoffs.

Whereas, everything has gone Seattle's way this season. Getting to the championship game has been a bonus and they got there by playing at home, where it has always been difficult for the visiting team to win. It's a long trip to Seattle. And I'm sure there are some in Seattle who are surprised they are in this game.

Also, in recent years, Seattle hasn't been a great road team. But the Steelers have proven in the playoffs that they are a great road team. They are road-tested, so it doesn't mean anything to them that they aren't playing at Heinz Field.

IF I WAS COACHING SEATTLE, there are couple special things I would have done these past two weeks preparing for this game.

First, I would work on pass protection and adjust it a little bit for the Pittsburgh blitz package. I would add some new protection schemes because I want Matt Hasselbeck to take some shots down the field. Seattle has to be successful throwing the ball to win. And I don't think the Seahawks can win if they have many negative plays on offense.

I really think Seattle has a chance if Hasselbeck can throw successfully and make some big plays. They need field position in order to return to their running game and Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks have to adjust their protection because they are going to see some new zone blitzes from Pittsburgh's Dick LeBeau. They have to expect that and be ready.

Pittsburgh is going to score some points in this game and that's why Seattle has to be aggressive on offense. Now, I really like Seattle's offensive line. It is really talented. I'm not worried about match-up problems. But as good as they are, Hasselbeck won't be able to hold the ball very long. In protection, I would be stressing the blitzes Seattle hasn't seen. I say that because you have to prepare your players for the unexpected.

Hasselbeck has to hit some big plays off of play-action passes. And I wouldn't be throwing them with five-out patterns. I would make sure that you keep Hasselbeck clean and that there are no tough shots on him. I want to be able to have some plays that are going to produce points, so I'm not talking about throwing underneath, throwing short stuff. I don't want seven-yard passes. I want to be able to complete some home-run balls.

Secondly, I would add an extra session of special teams work in practice. The Seahawks haven't been particularly good on special teams this season and I would make sure that that unit is totally prepared. You can't take a chance of a little screw-up on special teams costing you this game. The Seahawks, I don't think, can afford to get behind in this game.

They have been suspect on special teams so added emphasis might give them a chance at a big play or something. No one expects that out of Seattle. We all know that Pittsburgh is going to have some new wrinkles on special teams and offense. That's why Seattle has to be working on the same things. As a coach, I would be looking for a momentum changer. I always did that when I was the underdog team like Seattle is.

I think you have to take a risk, whether it is a fake punt, an onsides kick or a reverse on a punt or kickoff return. I believe you have to take a risk if you are Seattle. This is the time for Seattle to do it.

The other benefit of working on trick plays in practice is that you are preparing your defensive players for what they may see from Pittsburgh on game day. The trademark of Bill Cowher teams is to come up with unusual plays that may change the momentum of the game. If you are doing it in practice, then they won't be surprised by anything they may see in the game on Sunday. They will be thinking and be prepared for anything.

IF I'M COACHING PITTSBURGH, I don't know if I come out running the ball to take advantage of Seattle's defense, which has played well lately but has had periods of inconsistency this season. I have to suspect that with coaches like John Marshall and Ray Rhodes drawing up the defensive game plan, that Seattle will come up with a scheme to stop the run. The last thing that Seattle wants is for Pittsburgh to be able to control the game by pounding the ball.

The thing is though, that if Seattle puts eight defenders in the box, trying to stop the run, I think Ben Roethlisberger should come out throwing like he has been doing in recent playoff games. In my biggest game with the Dallas Cowboys, we had to beat the 49ers in San Francisco to get to the Super Bowl. I knew that San Francisco had a good defense and that they would load up to stop Emmitt Smith.

But to win, the key is to get Seattle out of its run defense. That's what we did to San Francisco and then we gave them a heavy dose of Emmitt in the second half. That's what Pittsburgh wants to do — give Seattle a heavy dose of Jerome Bettis when they have a lead.

Seattle's big chance in this game is to find a way to frustrate the Steelers on offense. You know that the Steelers will also have some new twists on offense whether it is a halfback pass or a wide receiver reverse. So, if the Steelers can find a way to loosen up the Seattle defense with some big pass plays it will allow them to go back to running the ball, something they have been very successful with throughout the season.

Whatever team gets up, or gets up by 10 points, can dictate the outcome by running the ball. I know Seattle will be patient running with Shaun Alexander.

The extra week, having two weeks between the conference championship game and the Super Bowl, has allowed Dick LeBeau to come up with a couple new blitzes for Seattle. It's important to do that, too. With two weeks, Seattle better be ready for something new from the Steelers.

One of the problems, though, with having this extra week is that coaches have a lot of late-night meetings that might produce some great ideas. You have too much time on your hands, but that can also generate some bad ideas as well as good ones.

I know in college I had a passing team and we worked on a wishbone offense for a bowl game that produced maybe a five-yard gain. We wasted 30 minutes in practice each day to perfect the wishbone, something totally different hoping to catch the other team off guard. And it didn't work.

I know in Dallas I put in a fake punt against Green Bay one year. We tried it from our 25-yard line against Mike Holmgren's team and it didn't work. But somehow we overcame that. But I do believe you have to attempt something new in a game of this magnitude.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:18 AM

Yo Lounge...

the best thing about the best teams you've never heard of...

is that they're never heard of because they don't win shit...

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

I believe Pittsburgh has the emotional edge in Super Bowl XL. They will have a special determination because of the disappointments they've had in recent years. I mean, they have been very close to getting to the Super Bowl but lost to teams like New England in the playoffs.

That has to be the biggest crock of shit I've read in here yet :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Emotional edge? WTFuckever

Have some of these "east coast writers" ever been west of Chicago?

Now you're just throwing shit on the wall and calling it art, Poj. ;)

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Yo Lounge...

the best thing about the best teams you've never heard of...

is that they're never heard of because they don't win shit...

uh huh :rolleyes:

Y'all told us we'd never beat WASH

Y'all told us we'd never beat Cryinglina

What other team is undefeated at home 2 straight years?

Haven't won shit?

:D

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

Pittsburgh is going to score some points in this game

No shit?

who knew?

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:46 AM

We'll see how many people remember Seattle after they lose tomorrow night...

and...I don't think I picked Washington over Seattle...

They can keep on winning at home...'cept after tomorrow night...most of the MOSTLY non-paying attention unless it's the playoff ChickenHawk fans will say, "Yeah...I like the Steelers too."

Y'all?

WTF are you ...the first Seattle redneck?

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 10:50 AM

When the Browns shopped for a general manager a year ago, two candidates who rejected their inquiries were Kevin Colbert and Tim Ruskell. They are the respective chief football executives of the Steelers and Seahawks. Neither would be at Super Bowl XL, of course, if they had taken on the challenge of reconstructing the Browns.
-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:19 AM

Sticking with the Steelers
Despite my faith in 'Hawks, Pittsburgh is too tough
Posted: Friday February 3, 2006 3:29PM; Updated: Friday February 3, 2006 10:20PM

DETROIT -- Pittsburgh 24-20.

I've felt this all week, and I haven't changed through the non-events that comprise Super Bowl week. The only thing that possibly could change my thinking is if Troy Polamalu's twisted ankle severely affects his mobility. But Bill Cowher said this morning that he didn't think the ankle Polamalu sprained at practice on Thursday was a big deal. We'll have to take him at his word. Anyway, Polamalu would have to have a broken bone for him not to play in this game.

This is decidedly not an anti-Seattle pick. I'm a firm believer in Matt Hasselbeck. He's going to be a very good player in this league for a long time, and he will not crack under the pressure on Sunday night. Still, I believe there are four big factors in the Steelers' favor:

1. Pittsburgh's physicality. I think Jerome Bettis is going to be a big factor in this game -- no pun intended -- and the Steelers are pretty happy to match their running game against the smallish Seattle linebackers. My guess is that Bettis has 40 pounds on Seahawks middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu and he's going to try to use that advantage.

2. Ben Roethlisberger won't play like he's 23. A year ago, Roethlisberger cost the Steelers their season. This postseason he's been their MVP. I think we'll see a cool cat on Sunday.

3. Pittsburgh's special teams are better than Seattle's. Watch for No. 29 in white, Chidi Iwuoma. He's the best gunner, or punt-chaser, in this game. He's good. He's fearless. I think he's going to make a big play Sunday.

4. The irrepressible Pittsburgh defense. Indy had it mapped out. So did Denver. And in the last eight quarters, Blitzburgh conquered the best-laid plans of two very smart offensive teams. I think Pittsburgh will find a way to knock down Hasselbeck on three or four very important plays.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Pass the praise
Often overlooked, Seattle's air attack deserves props
Posted: Friday February 3, 2006 5:13PM; Updated: Friday February 3, 2006 7:01PM

DETROIT -- We take this timeout from the parties and the celebrities and the celebrity parties and the bling and the bikinis (in Detroit, in February ... I know, I know) and all the Super Bowl excess to talk a little football.

Because, really, we have to keep up some appearances, don't we?

Today's little detour concerns the passing game of the Seahawks, a second thought even after narrowing down the discussion to Seattle's offense. When the Seahawks have the ball, they are all about super soft running back Shaun Alexander (at least that's what the Steelers would have you think of him). Sure, the quarterback is OK. Some of those other guys can catch the ball, too.

But stop Alexander, the Steelers figure, and they have it made.

What the Steelers, or at least the bookmakers who make the Steelers four-point favorites on Sunday, seem to let slide is that this is no hack of a passing game that the Seahawks are carrying into Super Bowl XL. No team in the NFL scored as many touchdowns as the Seahawks this season (57, 54 of them on offense), and nearly half of the offensive TDs (25) came through the air. Only the Colts churned out more passing yardage that the Seahawks. Both Seattle's running game and its passing game (and thus, for the blinged-out among us, total offense) are ranked better than the Steelers'.

Yes, a large part of Seattle's top-ranked offense is Alexander, the league's MVP. Yes, the passing game is ranked just 13th in the NFL. But with a running game like that, the passing numbers are bound to suffer. Look more closely, and you'll see that nobody in the NFC threw for more yards per pass play, and only two quarterbacks in the NFL -- the Colts' Peyton Manning and the Bengals' Carson Palmer -- had a higher completion percentage than the man who runs the Seahawks' offense, Matt Hasselbeck.

Bling that, Pittsburgh.

"They are very good because, when you do this, they do that. They can react rather quickly, and their quarterback gets the ball to the right spot," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said the other day. "I think it will be very difficult to surprise them. They know what they are doing."

Hasselbeck is a kind of anti-Manning in a lot of ways. He rarely changes the call at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he hurries the team to the line, often working out of multiple wideout sets, and runs the play. Even if the defense knows what's coming -- and that happens plenty -- he runs the play. "We just do it better," Hasselbeck said.

None of it would work without good receivers. With Seattle's up-tempo offense, the timing between the quarterback and his receivers -- mainly Bobby Engram, Darrell Jackson, Joe Jurevicius and tight end Jeramy Stevens -- is critical.

"This offense is predicated on timing, but most of all, it's about just having confidence in each other," Engram said. "Confidence in Shaun, confidence in Darrell Jackson, confidence in Jeramy, confidence in Joe and confidence in me."

Those involved in the passing game have had to work on that trust. Engram and Jackson have been with Hasselbeck since he was traded to the Seahawks before the 2001 season, and they've had to endure some early seasons of over-cockiness and so-so passer ratings. Stevens has been with the team since 2002, though he hadn't really done much until this season. Jurevicius, who signed as a free agent before the '05 season after tours with the Buccaneers and Giants, has evolved with Hasselbeck as the year has progressed.

"I've never really had a problem adapting to a quarterback," said Jurevicius, who had a career-high 55 receptions this season and caught 10 touchdown passes, tops on the team. "When you're with somebody like Matt Hasselbeck, Brad Johnson [in Tampa Bay] or Kerry Collins [with the Giants], they have certain tendencies that they like to do, but during mini-camp and throughout the course of the year, you pick up on those tendencies and know what their thought processes are."

It's worked the other way, too, with Hasselbeck learning the strengths of each of his receivers. Jurevicius is the tall (6-foot-5) one who always makes the critical plays no one thinks he should make. Engram, who led the team with 67 catches, is the steady 10-year veteran. Jackson, whose mid-season knee surgery cleared more playing time for Jurevicius, drops the occasional ball but still led the team's regular receivers by averaging 12.7 yards a catch. And Stevens is a former first-round pick in '02 who just had his finest year yet, with 45 catches for 554 yards and five touchdowns.

In all, six Seahawks caught at least 20 passes this year, and Hasselbeck had a 98.2 passer rating, best in the NFC and fourth in the NFL, behind the Colts' Manning, the Bengals' Palmer and the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger.

"I think they are a fairly underrated group of wide receivers," LeBeau said. "They are good enough in the fact that they had to play a good portion of the season without some of their wide receivers and never missed a beat [the Seahawks won 11 straight games before a largely meaningless loss at Green Bay in the last game of the season], so that shows they have good depth.

"They've also got a quarterback that's pretty accurate and very quick with his decision making. Put that combination with an MVP running back, you've got a pretty decent offense."

Will it be good enough to get past the Steelers' defense, ranked fourth overall in the NFL? And, if the Steelers stop Alexander, can the passing game still get the Seahawks through?

Sorry. That answer will have to wait. Right now, it's time to get back to the bikinis and bling.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin

They can keep on winning at home...'cept after tomorrow night...most of the MOSTLY non-paying attention unless it's the playoff ChickenHawk fans will say, "Yeah...I like the Steelers too."

Put down the crack pipe, professor :rolleyes:

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:40 AM

Good come back...sounds like I'm arguing with a teenage girl...

put down the purse Lounge...your team carries enough of them for all of Seattle...

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Good come back...sounds like I'm arguing with a teenage girl...

put down the purse Lounge...your team carries enough of them for all of Seattle...

Okay big shot.

I'll leave you to talk to yourself and do more cut n paste.

I'm obviously in over my head here. :rolleyes:

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:42 AM

Speaking of which...is Seattle playing in Seattle tomorrow night?

What was their record on the road?

If you're lucky...you'll be within 10 at the end...

if you're lucky...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Okay big shot.

I'll leave you to talk to yourself and do more cut n paste.

I'm obviously in over my head here.

...just like your team is...

what...did I make you quit...

sounds vaguely familiar...

;)

Va Beach VH Fan

02-04-2006, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
uh huh :rolleyes:

Y'all told us we'd never beat WASH

Y'all told us we'd never beat Cryinglina

What other team is undefeated at home 2 straight years?

Haven't won shit?

:D

Jesus H. Christ...

They beat a team with barely any offense in WASH...

They beat a team that was already down to their 3rd string RB, then HE got hurt and double-teamed their only decent WR...

Real tough wins...

Welcome to playing with the big boys....

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan
Jesus H. Christ...

They beat a team with barely any offense in WASH...

They beat a team that was already down to their 3rd string RB, then HE got hurt and double-teamed their only decent WR...

Real tough wins...

Welcome to playing with the big boys....

Va...they've played with the big boys...I mean...they haven't lost a game at HOME SINCE 1804!

You remember that game with Indy...oh wait...nobody played...

how about that game with Washington...oh yeah...we already talked about them...

there was...well...

well...

I'm sure they played SOMEONE LAST year...

I wonder when was the last time Seattle won an IMPORTANT game on turf outside Seattle?

Va Beach VH Fan

02-04-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
I wonder when was the last time Seattle won an IMPORTANT game on turf outside Seattle?

Was that the year that Franco went there ???

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 12:02 PM

1984 sounds about right...;)

wasn't that Ground Chuck?

HELLVIS666

02-04-2006, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by LoungeMachine
Seattle 27 Pittsburgh 23

Pay attention next time :D

STEELERS 35 SEAHAWKS 24:)

HELLVIS666

02-04-2006, 12:57 PM

STEEL CITY RHAPSODY

This is the real life
This is no fantasy
Caught from the blind side
There's no escape from the steel city

Open your eyes
Look up to your TV screen
Big Ben's a young boy, he's only 23
Detroit's a place known as home
to a man named Jerome
Everybody knows the Seahawks really blow
You'll see
you'll see

Big Ben just threw a pass
Heath Miller's all alone
Caught the ball in the end zone
Big Ben's run has just begun
Now seattle's all that's standing in his way

PO LA...MALU...
doesn't mean to make them cry
but he's such a hairy, scarey little beast
When they run with the ball
he leaves them beat and battered

Seahawks... your time has come
Shaun Alexander's fast
But Troy will put him on his ass
Seahawks...your dream has just begun
But now the STEELERS are coming to take it all away

PO LA...MALU...
They don't want to die
But he makes them wish they'd never been born at all
When they run with the ball
he leaves them beat and battered

I see a little spittle on Bill Cower's chin
Hasselbeck's on his back, he no longer has the ball though
Joey Porter's got it and he could go all the way
Oh no KIMO! Oh no KIMO!
Oh no KIMO! Oh no KIMO!
Oh no KIMO's going low...breaking bones...
I'm just a lineman. Nobody loves me.
He's just a lineman from cincinnati
Steer clear of him or he'll take out your knee

Easy come easy go, will you let me go?
Alexander, we will not let you go.
Let him go!
Bobby Engram, we will not let you go.
Let him go!
Jurevicius, we will not let you go.
Let him go!
Will not let you go...let me go
Will not let you go...let me go
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
Mama mia Mama mia Mama mia let me go!
Antwaan Randle El is a devil up Bill Cower's sleeve
You'll see. You'll see.......

So you think you can stop Ward
I dare you to try
And Fast Willie's gone
in the blink of an eye
Lofa Tatupu wants to be Polamalu
Get the hell out.
Get the hell out.
Just get the hell out you queer.

The Steelers are much better
Anyone can see.
Unless you are a straight guy
who likes to look through queer eyes on TV.....

Anyway Seahawks blow........

(written by Hellvis 2-02-06)

HELLVIS666

02-04-2006, 01:04 PM

I was told to move SSR to this thread. Just being a good soldier and following orders.

Fairwrning

02-04-2006, 01:20 PM

anyone checked out the poll at espn..pretty heavy lean towards Steelers..the map is amusing...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 01:23 PM

The last I looked...

Seattle had Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska...

looks like the ChickenHawks are getting the Eskimo vote...

Fairwrning

02-04-2006, 01:30 PM

Hasselbeck is getting a big media push now it seems...I just dont see Seattle being able to hang with the Steelers...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 01:34 PM

Seattle looks great...playing against their competition...

the NFC just isn't that good...and Seattle would have NEVER made it through the AFC playoffs...

we'll find that out tomorrow...

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 01:35 PM

Hasselbeck is getting a push...

he's a good QB...and seems to be a late season QB...

but he has no idea how to win big games not in the city of Seattle...

Romeo Delight

02-04-2006, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Seattle looks great...playing against their competition...

This argument cracks me up.

Just how many points do you have to beat a shitty team by to get any cred?

Bottom line is people in the East can't be bothered to watch a team from Seattle. Sure they played an easier schedule, but that means shit now and tells you little about their ability to put together a plan to beat the Steelers.

I say Holmgren will come with a plan to stop Steeler offense. Hasslebeck will have time to make passes because their O line is strong.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 03:08 PM

So what you are telling me...is that beating shitty teams...is equal to beating GOOD teams...

welcome to sports flamma...

jesus christ...

I watched Seattle every week...

it has nothing to do with NOT BEING BOTHERED TO WATCH A TEAM FROM SEATTLE...

THAT is ridiculous...most people don't have Direct TV...therefore...most people get REGIONAL games...

it's kind of tough watching a Seattle game...when they are NEVER the nationally televised game...period.

I know this...Seattle is in the playoffs because they win at home...period...

and I've seen them...and they've looked GREAT in every game I've played.

I've said it from the start...Pittsburgh's regular season schedule nearly sucked as bad as Seattle's...

but fact...

Flamma...

if you weren't blinded by the "West Coast bias..."

is that if Pittsburgh's schedule blew ass...

you'd be piping that just as much as the next guy...you know it...I know it...

and everyone that knows you...knows it...

Funny how everyone on the WEST COAST is hopping on Holmgren's walrus ass saying he can come up with a plan...when... a year ago...with a team MANY say SHOULD have been as good as this team has proven to be...when last year...and after the first 5 weeks this year...

you all were ready to harpoon his ass...

so cut the bullshit...

If you don't think playing St. Louis, Arizona and San Francisco has a bearing on where you end up in the playoffs...then you just don't know the game...

in those 6 games...they got nearly half their sacks and turnovers...

and their records were a combined 15-33...

but you're right...WTF am I thinking...

Romeo Delight

02-04-2006, 03:31 PM

All that matters is how these two teams will play against each other on Sunday.

All that I was really saying was that I think Seattle's O line is the real difference, as well as Holmgren, considering how the team has gelled this year.

everything else is BS, especially whose schedule was tougher.

Maybe if Seattle had a different schedule they could have went 16-0, no one knows...

An argument could be made that that a tougher schedule has left them worse for wear or battle ready...it is all conjecture.

I guess what I am saying is I have heard way too many people, other than here, say that Seattle will lose only because they haven't beaten anybody.

That is fucking blind and stupid. I think we are in store for a great game, and I will be happy when Seattle proves the nayayers wrong.

POJO_Risin

02-04-2006, 03:50 PM

I'm all about waiting for the game...

and give me a break about the naysayers...

they are nearly ALL fenceriders...

"Pittsburgh should win...but it will be close...and I wouldn't be surprised if the Seahawks win..."

bunch of pussies...

Pick a fucking team already...

Yeah...it's all about tomorrow...I concur...

and I'm content to leave it at that...

I won't...

but I'll at least say it...

Va Beach VH Fan

02-04-2006, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by DavidFlamma
All that matters is how these two teams will play against each other on Sunday.

All that I was really saying was that I think Seattle's O line is the real difference, as well as Holmgren, considering how the team has gelled this year.

everything else is BS, especially whose schedule was tougher.

Maybe if Seattle had a different schedule they could have went 16-0, no one knows...

An argument could be made that that a tougher schedule has left them worse for wear or battle ready...it is all conjecture.

I guess what I am saying is I have heard way too many people, other than here, say that Seattle will lose only because they haven't beaten anybody.

That is fucking blind and stupid. I think we are in store for a great game, and I will be happy when Seattle proves the nayayers wrong.

Well then allow me say it in other terms....

Seattle won't lose because they haven't beaten anybody, Seattle will lose because their record, their rushing offense, and their entire defense has been grossly inflated BECAUSE of their medicore schedule...

And that includes the playoffs....

I don't think it's exaggeration to suggest that if Seattle was still in the AFC West, they may not have made the playoffs....

And one other thing, I'm getting tired of hearing how two offensive linemen are going to stop P-burgh's defense....

Judas Priest, look what happened when they played 3-4 defenses against HOUSTON and Dallas ??? Hasselbeck almost got his head taken off against Dallas...

What do you think will happen against the BEST 3-4 defense in the NFL ???

If Seattle pulls it off, I'll be the first one to tip my hat to ya....

But please don't be surprised when they don't......

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:48 PM

The NFL has just announced the cancellation of SB XL

"Why bother playing it when EVERYONE knows Seattle won't win" said a spokesman for the NFL

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.

And as far as I know, no one on these boards has any inside information as to the game's outcome.

So let's go ahead and see what happens, then we can see who was right, and who was wrong in here.

Romeo Delight

02-04-2006, 10:53 PM

I say that Seattle will bring pressure without blitzing, and thus be able to provide effective coverage.

I'll take Alexander over the Bus, especially considering Alexander is seeing an enormous signing bonus should he perform well tomorrow.

LoungeMachine

02-04-2006, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Va Beach VH Fan

If Seattle pulls it off, I'll be the first one to tip my hat to ya....

Wonder who will be second ;)

Va Beach VH Fan

02-05-2006, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by DavidFlamma
I say that Seattle will bring pressure without blitzing, and thus be able to provide effective coverage.

I'll take Alexander over the Bus, especially considering Alexander is seeing an enormous signing bonus should he perform well tomorrow.

Come on bro, you're really starting to reach ....

NEWS FLASH #1: There are Pro Bowlers on P-Burgh's offensive line too...

NEWS FLASH #2: Bus doesn't start, he just scores TD's... I sure as hell hope Alexander outrushes him....

9 1/2 hours....

Douglas T.

02-05-2006, 10:10 AM

Here's how to win the Super Bowl
BY DAVID HAUGH
Chicago Tribune
It was da Renaissance man Benjamin Franklin and not da coach, Mike Ditka, who said that, in life, "at 20 years of age, the will reigns; at 30 the wit; at 40 the judgment."
The Super Bowl turns 40 on Sunday in Detroit.
And in Super Bowls, as in life, 39 years' experience suggests a combination of all three qualities - will, wit and judgment - improves the chance at success.
As the grand old game hits middle age at Super Bowl XL, an examination of its existence might be instructive for fans of the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers wondering how their teams can go home winners.
You don't have to be a mathematician, a football expert or four-time Super Bowl runner-up coach Marv Levy, a 40-year-old coach at the College of William & Mary when the first Super Bowl kicked off in 1967, to detect certain trends.
How to win a Super Bowl? History has taught us it comes down to five steps.
1. Avoid mental lapses
The most famous wardrobe malfunction of the Super Bowl was Janet Jackson's in Super Bowl XXXVIII but Thurman Thomas' was the most damaging, and it came in Super Bowl XXVIII when he missed the first few plays because a teammate grabbed his helmet accidentally on the Buffalo Bills' sidelines.
Bad luck or bad focus?
Thomas is the only player who cost his team by losing his helmet before losing the big game, but others have lost their heads.
Stanley Wilson's crack cocaine binge before Super Bowl XXIII still has some fans in Cincinnati wondering how much the Bengals missed their fullback in the four-point loss to San Francisco.
Eugene Robinson was ticketed for soliciting a prostitute on the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII and could have been cited for impersonating an NFL defensive back the next day as the Denver Broncos torched the Atlanta Falcons' distracted secondary.
Starting center Barret Robbins' bipolar-linked disappearance the night before Super Bowl XXXVII gave the Oakland Raiders a built-in excuse even before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers routed them 48-21.
So if the Steelers and Seahawks team hotels are harder to enter and exit than an airport terminal Saturday, they can blame those guys.
2. Take an early lead
It's not a perfect science, because the `85 Bears trailed the New England Patriots 3-0 after their opening drive and they still are celebrating that comeback victory. But the team to score first has won 26 of 39 Super Bowls, according to NFL.com. Teams ahead at halftime have won 30 of 37 times, and the nine teams that didn't allow their opponents to score in the first half never have lost.
That matters in this Super Bowl more than others because of the styles of the two teams. The Seahawks hope to strike early to force the ground-oriented Steelers into throwing more often than their balanced game plan prefers. Similarly, the Steelers in the postseason have taken to throwing early to get a lead so they can ice the victory and would love nothing more than to ride out a quick lead on their favorite Bus.
3. Get signature defensive play or performance
Without one, the St. Louis Rams never would have won Super Bowl XXXIV when linebacker Mike Jones tackled Kevin Dyson one yard short of a potential game-tying touchdown in the most clutch Super Bowl defensive play ever.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown locked up a Super Bowl victory and an inflated free-agent contract with the Raiders with his second interception in the closing minutes against the Steelers the last time they were in the Super Bowl 10 years ago.
The Raiders thought Larry Brown might become the next Willie Brown, whose NFL Films highlight staple_a 75-yard interception return in Super Bowl XI_gave coach John Madden Super Bowl credibility he took into the announcer's booth. Ray Lewis made headlines for the right reasons during Super Bowl weekend in Tampa when the Ravens' defense dominated the Giants in `85 Bear-like fashion.
In Chicago, people remember William Perry's touchdown run as the lasting memory of Super Bowl XX but the sight of defensive end Richard Dent probably still makes Patriots quarterback Tony Eason cringe. Dent won Super Bowl MVP honors, one of seven times a defensive player has done so. Could Troy Polamalu of the Steelers or Grant Wistrom of the Seahawks make it eight?
4. Ride the hot foot
With apologies to Jim O'Brien, whose 32-yard field goal with five seconds left won Super Bowl V for the Baltimore Colts, Adam Vinatieri is the standard by which to measure all other kickers on this stage. Vinatieri won two of the past four Super Bowls with field goals in the final seconds - XXXVI with a 48-yarder on the final play and XXXVIII with a 41-yarder with four seconds remaining.
Without a clutch kicker, Bill Belichick might just be another NFL coach living off a single Super Bowl victory a la Brian Billick, Ditka and Madden rather than a genius bound for Canton.
Of course, trusting a kicker can backfire as the Bills and Levy found out in Super Bowl XXV when Scott Norwood missed a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal on the final play of the game. Imagine how much more youthful Levy would be if that miss hadn't aged him in dog years after that game.
5. Keep cool at QB
In 39 Super Bowls, the winning quarterback has been named MVP 20 times. From Joe Namath backing up his bold guarantee in Super Bowl III to Tom Brady paving his path to Canton with two MVP performances in three victories, the one thing all those quarterbacks had in common was poise. Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw and Kurt Warner possessed that intangible quality that is hard to illustrate with anything other than a Super Bowl ring; Fran Tarkenton, David Woodley and Neil O'Donnell did not.
The most memorable example of quarterback cool came from the 49ers Joe Montana in Super Bowl XXIII when he stepped into the huddle at the San Francisco 8-yard line with 3 minutes 10 seconds left, trailing 16-13. Montana approached tackle Harris Barton, who was agitated at a teammate for a penalty he committed, and pointed out comedian John Candy in the stands. Calmed, the Niners put together a game-winning drive on which Montana completed 8 of 9 passes, including a touchdown pass to John Taylor that is preserved in frames all over the Bay Area.
The legends of John Elway, Troy Aikman and Brett Favre followed, establishing a legacy for the position Ben Roethlisberger and Matt Hasselbeck dream of sharing.