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Beyond Cheesy
In the long-awaited NFL Super Bowl matchup between Cheeseheads and Terrible Towels, set aside your allegiance for a moment and ask yourself a simple question.
If you were inventing a merchandising gimmick, what do you think customers would prefer: An easily transportable item they could use to wave, wipe their seats, warm their hands, wash their cars and flag down help in case of emergency?
Or one that makes them look like the victim of a fraternity prank?
If you went with the first option, congratulations! You are a person of style, common sense and decency.
If you went with the second, you are from Sheboygan, Kenosha or Muskego and have a cholesterol level approximately 10 times higher than your IQ.
Unless you bow three times a day toward Vince Lombardi’s grave, you would never voluntarily go out in public with a foam-rubber cheese wedge on your head. If Lombardi were still alive, even he would probably laugh at you. I realize them’s fighting words for Packers fans, but I’m on your side here.
I like cheese. I’m all for expressing love for your team. I just hate to see you lose your dignity in the process.
And for your own protection, please don’t mess with the Terrible Towel. Those who do tend to come back as cockroaches or Bengals fans in their next lives.
I can’t explain such cosmic powers. I just know the Gods don’t offer the same protection to cheddar-headed Packers fans. They simply can’t be worried with defending the nobility of a woman wearing a cheese bra.
AFC Title Game: Jets v Steelers
Pittsburgh is 2-4 since 1994 in NFL championship games played at home — 1994, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2005 and 2009. This is 2011 so what happened then doesn’t matter. None of the Steelers were around for the first three games and barely any in 2002 (Hines Ward).
When the Jets beat the Steelers 22-17 on Dec. 19, Pittsburgh was without Troy Polamalu, one of two or three players in the NFL whose presence and absence is worth points — in some cases, maybe a touchdown. We were going to throw out that game anyway, so let’s do it, even though Polamalu wasn’t really Polamalu in his return Saturday against Baltimore — Ryan Clark was Polamalu in his stead.
One of the problems with analyzing teams is that we’re prone to overanalyzing them.
My friend Peter King in his latest column on SI.com declares the again-missing Aaron Smith as the best run-stuffing defensive end in the league. The “football scientists” at Pro Football Focus dispute it. Who knows? Last year, with Smith (and Polamalu) missing, the Steelers missed the playoffs. This year, with Smith missing, second-year man Ziggy Hood was ready to step in and provide a reasonable facsimile and the Steelers won the AFC North.
At this stage, the Steelers are probably harder opponents for the Jets to beat than the Patriots, because of their defense and because Ben Roethlisberger is harder to sack than Brady — rushers bounce off him. Neither offense will score a lot of points — never do, really — but the Pittsburgh defense is much more equipped than New England’s to put pressure on Mark Sanchez, who still has problems with pass rushers in his face.
One thing about all the pregame mouthing off the Jets do: They’ve proven that the canard about “bulletin-board material” doesn’t matter. The only effect it had on the game in New England was the benching by Bill Belichick of Wes Welker for a series because of his retaliatory “footie” remarks about Rex Ryan. (Maybe it did have an effect, if you buy the theory that Brady wouldn’t have thrown his first interception in three decades if Welker had been on the field.)
Steelers Steamed
The Steelers did some complaining after their loss to the Jets that New York’s cornerbacks held them and bullied them during the NFL game.
They had a point on one late play, as Emmanuel Sanders was prevented from scoring a touchdown by a grab of the jersey in the final minutes. But the complaints went farther than just one single play.
“I got held every single play,” Steelers WR Mike Wallace said. “But … you have to keep playing ball.”
It’s worth noting. Because the Jets have built their defense on aggressive corner play, which allows them to play man and rush the passer. New England won Super Bowls with aggressive corner play. The Jets will ride a similar formula.
In addition, the Steelers may have to get used to winning with Troy Polamalu sidelined. He missed the Jets game with a lower leg injury, and probably won’t play the rest of the regular season. With Polamalu, the Steelers’ defense has someone who can change the game on any single play. Without him, they let the Jets convert 46 percent of their downs and top 100 yards rushing while the Steelers defense got no turnovers and one sack.
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Hop on the Bandwagon
Everyone has heard the stories about fair-weather and bandwagon fans, but there are a few teams that boast faithful fans throughout the country. Some teams even have monikers for their coast-to-coast fan base, such as “Raider Nation” and “Red Sox Nation”—they aren’t too original. Although these fans label themselves as “loyal,” I have a hard time buying into the steadfastness of their commitment.
One of the newest editions to his fraternity of professional organizations with a widespread fan base is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now I know, the Steelers are one of the oldest teams and people have nostalgic memories of the classic teams from the 70’s, but there seems to be a lost of people jumping on the bandwagon in recent years. Turn on any Steelers road game and you are sure to see a high density of Steelers jerseys in the crowd. I’m sure this trend won’t last long though, as it appears there will be a new Superbowl Champion this year and a new bandwagon for people to chase.
Roethlisberger’s side of the story
With the alleged altercation taking place over a year ago, NFL quarterback, Ben Rethlisberger and the accusation of raping Andrea McNulty in a Lake Tahoe hotel penthouse according to the Associated Press.
Thus far the only word we have received has been from Roethlisberger’s lawyer whom has stricken any allegations that would even suggest such a horrid thing had taken place.
“Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone. The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct.”
Set Thursday afternoon at the Pittsburgh Steelers practice facility Roethlisberger will read off an official statement.
MLB and the Rooney Rule Enforcing Fairness
Affirmative action may in fact be more of a less cordial and well known term when describing what the NFL extended the policy that requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority when interviewing for senior football operations, general manager, executive vice president or other related staffing position.
“The discussion at the league meeting identified the strong reasons for taking this step, which in large part simply confirms a recommended practice that clubs have voluntarily embraced,” Goodell said in a written statement released by the NFL. “The recommendation also recognizes that this process has worked well in the context of head coaches, and that clubs have deservedly received considerable positive recognition for their efforts in this respect.”
Previously it was only necessary for a club to interview at least on minority when considering a new candidate for a head coach position. This has been widely known as the Rooney Rule after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and chairman of the league’s workplace diversity committee made steps toward encompassing minority interviewing requirements.
Life Running for Congress, a NFL Retiree
Buffalo Bills tight end Jay Riemersma has filed paperwork to run for U.S. Rep., a second District seat in southwestern Michigan taking the congressional seat of Peter Hoekstra after announcing his candidacy for governor in 2010.
First starting his soon to be professional career Riemersma began playing football at Zeeland High School, in Michigan.
Then moving on to study and play football at the University of Michigan he origionally played quarterback but switched to tight end for his last two seasons while twice earning Academic All-Big Ten Conference awards.
Steelers Fan Shows his Support
We have always appreciated how fans adorn themselves. Dressed in in gear set with their team logo and colors unifying their attire. But more interesting enough, fans seem to like to thrown in that twist that captures attention outside of the standard name and number Steelers jersey for example.
Some take it too far, as I sure hope that is not a real bird, while others like Snoop Dogg, come out of the woodwork after the Steelers Championship over the Seahawks in 2006. Also of important note is the mask. Is that a 300 Immortals mask? Nice touch and a great reason to get featured.
President Obama and Fans Looking Apposing Directions for Super Bowl Favorite
President Barack Obama said diplomatically that, “I have to say, you know, I wish the Cardinals the best,” yet he will be rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers when facing the “long-suffering” and “great Cinderella story” Cardinals.
“Other than the (Chicago) Bears,” Obama said, “the Steelers are probably the team that’s closest to my heart.” Yet not enough to keep him from adorning his custom Obama Steelers jersey going to show you that presidents can be fans too. I just hope he wont be placing public speaches and stopping to quench his thirst via his favorite sponsred drink.
While the heart of American pro football fans are looking the other direction and would like the Arizona Cardinals according to a Jan. 27-28 USA Today/Gallup poll.
With the Cardinals making their first appearance in the Super Bowl and the Steelers already five-time Super Bowl Champions the underdog is a likely explenation that corresponds with the onset of the 2009 year for Americans everywhere.
Coming to Terms with NFL Betting
All stemming from the final ruling of the Pittsburgh Steelers-San Diego Chargers game that kept the Steelers from covering the 5 point spread which, according to R.J. Bell of the Web site PreGame.com, resulted in an estimated $64 million swing in “payouts” across the country.
This even grabbed the attention of Bob Costas enough to make a brief allusion to the potential financial sway from the ref’s ruling. With so much chatter and posting across the country the elephant could no longer be ignored which is gambling on NFL games. Even other interests such as fantasy football or a friendly bet with colleagues at work would have brought controversy along with this call.
Like it or not gambling on football is rearing its ugly head.
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