BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack-Guaranteed Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 28, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
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IX- Behind the Steel Curtain's favorite beat writer, Jim Wexell, is at it again with a great take on the friendly rivalry between Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis who were both drafted in the 2009 draft. Some positive feedback on both players is given by Wexell especially on Wallace's speed, which the Steelers are using as a gunner on Special teams. This tidbit from Wexell was also somewhat interesting:
"Wallace also works with the No. 1 punt coverage team as a gunner and will no doubt be viewed as the top kickoff-return project."
X- Bruce Davis went from "rockstar" at UCLA to a relative nobody last season with the Steelers only suiting up for five games. Davis is looking to make great strides this season and would like to contribute not only as a back to Lamar Woodley and James Harrison, but also as a stand-out special team's player. Hopefully Davis pans out this year so there's not more fuel to throw on steeler.lifer's argument about Kevin Colbert.
XIII- Anthony Smith was a player the Steelers drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft with high expectations that were never met in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately his most famous moment in a Steelers uniform was being burnt by Randy Moss and the New England Patriots after guaranteeing a victory. The latest player to make a fool out of himself by guaranteeing a victory would be Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers who did so before the fourth game in the series, a game in which Williams only shot thirty three percent from the field. This series will either end with Lebron cementing his legacy by coming back from a 3-1 deficient, or more than likely the Cav's will have another long off season, trying to give Lebron James some complementary help.
XIV- Limas Sweed and Dallas Baker stopped by Fairmont State University to help out with a football camp they are holding at their facility. God save the children who are learning to catch the ball from those two.
XL- I mentioned yesterday the backlash from Bill Cowher's support of the Carolina Panthers, and it is even gaining national attention from the U.S.A. Today. A few commenter brought up a good point yesterday that Cowher has always been very supportive of the Steelers during his broadcast career, even waiving a terrible towel on air during the Steelers playoff run. Regardless of who he supports now, he did bring Pittsburgh back to glory in 2005, and helped re-build a franchise that had struggled in mediocrity in the 1980's. Cheers to Bill!
XLIII- An autographed Steelers' rocking chair signed by a majority of the 2008 Super Bowl winning team is being raffled off at "Big Mama's House of Soul" on Penn Avenue in the Strip District. Tickets for the raffle are twenty dollars for the piece of history. Seems like kind of an ugly chair to me.
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So much to comment about!
XIII- Sadly the Cavs will be going home. I can’t remember the exact numbers, but I think something like 8 out of 187 teams have come back from 3-1. Those are some odds even Lebron can’t topple. However, to anyone who watched game 4, couldn’t you not stop yourself from thinking “Wow, Jordan is still the greatest.”
XIV- “God save the children who are learning to catch the ball from these two”. LMAO
XL- HEAR HEAR! Well said. Cheers to Bill. I think Wilbon or Tony mentioned the same point on PTI yesterday. I am one of the biggest steeler fans you will ever meet, but I do not root for the Pens or the Pirates.
the jordan comparisons are seriously getting out of control
i have no idea how people are already crowning him the best ever, when he has zero rings? and i also think it’s funny that they had all these kobe/lebron commercials made (vitamin water, nike puppets) since almost everybody thought it was gonna be CLE/LAL for sure, and now they will be short lived because of what orlando has done. haha.
Don't count out the Nuggets
I know they are down 3-2, but they definitely could still win the series behind Chaunce and Melo. Should be a good conclusion none the less.
And Jordan/Lebron…I’ve learned to just deal with hit. They are going to make the comparisons and there is nothing I can do about it. And just watching that game I realized he just did not have the ‘magic’ (bad choice of words, eh?) that Jordan did. I actually believe he is the reason the lost in OT, granted he is the reason they got there that game.
by John Stephens on May 28, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I've said it before, but I will say it again...
I hate Kobe. I love Lebron.
But the two better teams quite frankly are: Orlando and the Nuggs.
Both because they are just that – teams.
But I have a feeling the Cavs are done anyway…Nuggs TBD.
Steelergurl
there's really many ways to look at that statement
because really cleveland’s team defense is what led them to the best NBA record… and the lack of that defense is the cancer that’s killing them right now. and i see where you’re coming from on the nuggets playing team ball, but it just seems to me that denver winning in LA in a game seven is a very slim chance. i don’t know why, but it seems in games that actually matter the lakers actually put forth effort. they’re such an arrogant team they really get hard to watch at times.
and on a sidenote, i really don’t think magic are a better team than the cavs, it just seems they match up very very very very well against them.
agreed
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 28, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
oh no, so far Orlando has played better, and they are shooting lights out…they have deserved to win…but Lebron has had no help THIS SERIES…the team has supported him all year, and I just think Orlando is too big for the cavs…bad match-up for them
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 28, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Lakers/Cavs?
NBA definitely wants Lakers against Cavs. The ratings would be through the roof. It could still happen. Regarding the Cavs, the 4th win will be hardest for Orlando and Coach “Panic” as Shaq calls him. Got to like Orlando up 3/2 with Game 6 at Orlando. But if Magic lose #6 it will be a street fight in #7. Magic did beat Boston in 7 but Celts without KG and LeBron is a beast.
Agree with tdp above. I am a Lakers season ticket holder so I watch them regularly. I don’t like this about them but they do only seem to play when they have to. (except Game 6 last year against Boston) But the Nuggets seem like a stronger team that consistently plays harder. Other than KB24 I don’t see that from the Lakers. Pao, Lamar, Andrew etc are good players but lack the toughness of Boston and some of these Rockets and Nuggets they have faced in the west. Lakers will need KB to close them out.
Hated KB when he chased off Shaq but he has matured and become more of a team player. He was passing up shots and passing to assists in Game 5. That’s why Lamar had such a big game. Love the KB/LeBron commercials. They are hilarious. Don’t like the LeBron/MJ comparisons. As I said in other posts “how can you compare LeBron to Kobe? 0 championships to 3.” With that said, Jordan has 6! LeBron is one of the best in the NBA and I bet he gets a ring one day (maybe this year) but he’s not KB (yet) let alone an MJ.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
cleveland
although I would like to see Orlando and coach panic, Ron Jermey, Stan Van Gundy advance – I am calling it for Cleveland. Lebron looked fierce last night. I think they take it in an epic comeback.
by SteelerBuddha on May 29, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Holy Wow
That was the best forth quarter of basketball I have ever seen from a human being (or cyborg or whatever he is). He’s looked worn out at times throughout the series, and I don’t know that he can do what he did last night for 2 whole games, but wow. That was the first time all series that the Cavs looked like they were the better team.
Also, props to the officials last night. In a tough sport to officate, I thought they did about as good a job as they could have.
charity standing orders
I gave up on official basketball in the fifth grade when I kept getting tossed out of games after getting too many fouls. Can’t figure out the namby-bamby fouls in BBall for the life of me. I’d rather play on the street and get elbowed in my face than listen to the whistle all game long.
That’s just me though. Can’t stand basketball for the points or the fouls. Some damn impressive athletes play it though.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
And one
I am also a fan of the no blood no foul form of street ball, but it does play into my skills at hoops, I am much better at using my elbows then dribbling.
Still I have to say, watching Lebron James going into the lane against Dwight Howard is insane. My only regret is that neither of those guys wants to play tight end for the Steelers.
by SteelerBuddha on May 29, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately I think we’re seeing the NFL go the way of the NBA on fouls. Considering how many yellow hankies/fines we see these days for things that back in the ‘good old days’ would have just been good fun, our kids might feel the same way Steelerguy99 does about the NBA.
by Chicago Steeler on May 29, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry, I got Magic in 6.
I believe Cavs stand no chance in Orlando. Mo Williams is to inconsistent and Lebron cannot do it himself this late in a series.
by John Stephens on May 29, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
The Jordan comparisons are b/c by this point in their careers (year 6) LeBron is wildly more successful.
www.lowbrowsophisticate.com
Uhhh...
how the heck do you figure that out?
by John Stephens on Jun 1, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Both have have one MVP, and the team accomplishments are actually very similar (no rings yet): Bulls, Cavs. This is where I was a bit off, as I didn’t think the Bulls were that good in his first six years. So perhaps “wildly” is wrong.
However, even if you throw out the fact that Lebron is 3 years younger after year six, and he isn’t playing with a member of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time (Pippen), which I don’t think you should throw out, nonetheless it’s hard to find anything where Jordan has a clear edge.
www.lowbrowsophisticate.com
It wasn't just Pippen Jordan had over LeBron...
I’m not a huge NBA fan but I do watch here and there. Mostly playoffs, but I followed intently while watching “His Airness” win and win and win. He had more than servicable big men in Will “The Thrill” Perdue, Dennis Rodman the best rebounder in the NBA at the time (although I don’t think he had him at this particularly referenced time). Tony Kukoc was the best Euro player in the league at that time. Paxson was a solid shooter from 3, not to mention one of the best minds in basketball Coach Jackson. When you look back at his career in hindsight you think how did he not win more championships. The you remember he retired to play baseball and chuckle to yourself.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 5, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Cowher
I’m not a hockey fan so this isn’t really phasing me in regard to him. I still crack up remembering him pull that Terrible Towel out of his pocket and telling the haters who was going to get it done on Sunday.
Please
ANY MAN that brings a Lombardi to Pittsburgh will ALWAYS be a hero to me! Who cares that he was routing for the Canes, he lives here now.
Just think of how many Lombardi’s Cowher could have won if they ever gave him a franchise QB.
COWHER ROCKS.
Guaranteeing a game
I hope that practice just goes away.
I think it’s dumb.
Plus, it never pans out.
To me, the better person shows what they are made of on the field or the court.
The ideal man in this regard is Troy.
He, from what I can see, does not talk shit – he goes out and does his job.
Plays ball.
All that mouthing off gets you no where…except maybe a big huge deal in Miami (Joey Porter)…
did my argument just fall apart?
Steelergurl
That's some fine and lyrical reasoning
with a nice chuckle at the end.
"That's why they play the game."
Wow, so much to comment on...
Love XIV….too funny.
Fingers crossed on Davis, although year 2 seems to be the go-to year for a lot of Steeler young’ins….
Kobe went to my high school (well after me of course) and frankly I could care less about him and/or the NBA. Talk about taking nights off and mailing it in…..
Loved Cowher as the coach, and his ‘homer’ mentality as the desk jockey, so he get some free passes from where I’m sitting….
And of course I have to ask if it was all Anthony Smith’s big mouth that got him shown the door, or was he really just not that good…..
Love the Daily Six-Pack, keep em’ coming!!!
No way talent gets passed up here
Smith was inadequate and stoopid — with two o’s. The burn vs. Pats was the start of his downfall, not the end. He didn’t improve. He clocked Hines in non-contact drills in preseason last year. To his credit, he was always a great tackler, but he wasn’t sharp enough to play free safety or backup to a fence post.
screw bill
bill can root for whatever hockey team he wants, but (even though he’s sounded the siren for at least another game) he has to realize the ONLY reason why they invited him was because he was a big figure in pittsburgh. and that in my opinion is kinda a slap in the face to the city.
kinda disagree
He did it at there other series too…..this wasn’t a one time thing
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 29, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
my mistake
i pride myself on being informed on all things steelers and i simply dropped the ball on this one. i hafta retract my earlier negative statement about cowher because i didnt realize he had been there EVERY series sounding the siren for the canes in the playoffs….so even if it wasnt the pens the canes were playing against, cowher was going to be there to sound the siren for the canes.
in my defense (not that it matters much) i would like to say there are only THREE articles i found online saying that cowher has rang the siren for a playoff game every series (i had remember him doing it a month ago but not recently…hence my earlier comment). they are from the trib, post-gazette, and WTAE. and laughs at me for not reading any of them. i didnt realize this was true until DYMS referenced it and i had to go on nhl.com and read random post-game notes until i found out this was true.
but let’s not forget your initial response, DYMS:
I echo the sentiments of Christmas Ape over at DC Steeler Nation “Go ahead and coach the Browns. You’re done, chinny.”
THis doesn't change the fact that....
he still looked like a complete idiot ringing that siren
(BTW, do you actually “ring” a siren, or is it “sound?” I dunno but it’s weird)
Steelergurl
lol
i know. since when do ppl still do the double high five?….unless you’re 12 or pretty drunk.
and i’d go with sound since its not a bell. kinda like from the phrase “sound the alarm”
or hit a home run, or are a professional wrester (but you gotta be wearing some form of elastic)
only time cowher looks cool is when he has a scowl on his face
haha, i’m not denying I have mixed feeling about Cowhers allegiances…I just wanted to make sure both sides were represented on the Cowher issue. Good on ya for calling me out though, everyone needs a moderator including me!
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 30, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
On Cowher
Cowher lives in Carolina. He is treated as a VIP there. They probably give him tickets to the Cane games. He is trying to get along and go along. He is probably back on the Pen bandwagon today and to me there is plenty of room. I have no issue with him what so ever.
He was an untried young coach when the Rooney’s gave him a chance. The 1-4 AFCCG record and XXX loss were excruciating. But IMO, Cowher paid back the Rooney’s trust and faith and the Steelers Nation in 2005 with a “Hollywood” run to one for the thumb. To me his debt is paid in full. If he wants to root for Carolina, or coach Cleveland for 20 million dollars god bless him. Also I am a capitalist. So I hope the guy selling the Benedict Cowher t shirts makes a million and retires in Fox Chapel!
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
It must be 2-4 in AFCCG if he went to 2 Superbowls
Cowher did great things for Pittsburgh and the team no doubt. I have no problem with who he chooses to support and what team he decides to coach next
Bleeding Black and Gold since 1989 baby, Blitzburgh is back, time for a repeat!
by Michael Hewitt on May 29, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Cowher had NO QB
You guys give him so much crap for being 1-4 in those AFC Championships, but look at the QBs he had? Is it more of a testimony that he took his teams that far with guys like Slash? He finally broke the hump with Big Ben, and probably have a few more rings with Ben as the QB.
Appreciate
the man love you have for “The Chin” vin but I don’t see that I am giving Cowher “crap” in my post. I think my post is pretty much supportive. I have always been a Cowher fan. I liked Cowher and appreciate his coaching. When many screamed to fire him after playoff losses I always said “Fine. But who you gonna get? If Parcells ok, but if not you better be careful!”
By the way, Cowher WAS 2-4 in the AFCCG. He DID call too many pass plays for Kordell in 97 against Denver with the Bus running wild and he DID coach way too conservative early in his career, coaching not to lose instead of to win in many of his playoff appearances until 05 when he finally had learned. I agree he never had a QB like Ben but HE chose O’Donnell over Brister. HE chose Stewart as his QB instead of WR and stuck with 10. HE didn’t push the FO to draft a QB.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
How many games did we lose in the playoffs because Bettis got hurt, we didn’t need a QB some of those years, our O-line and Bettis were enough.
If we had Bettis in SB 30 we would have stomped Dallas, heck that team might have gone undefeated.
Cowher was a great coach, he got a high level of play from his players. I think Tomlin might be better, he could be on a level with Noll. Cowher is a step down from that plateau.
Notice I said could be, way too soon to tell (like 3 superbowls too soon)
Sure he can score goals, but can he cook?
by Phantaskippy on Jun 1, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Relying on a workhorse RB to not get hurt is not a good plan to win the superbowl. It took teams awhile to catch on to that and work on multiple ponies in the backfield, but for decades teams could easily be crippled by losing their RBs, and it happened all the time. The same can still be said nowadays but usually there are backups in place. I think we could have won the SB last year if FWP AND Mendy were both injured – that’s depth.
Of course, nowadays teams are pretty reliant on their QBs. Even with a terrible line though injuries to the QB are less common than to the RB.
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
Right on skippy. We lost many of those playoff games because Bettis got hurt. Issue was stated eloquently by 99 that we did not have a “good plan.” We did rely on The Bus all season and by the time playoffs arrived he was banged up. I remember him taking a shot in the groin to try to play against the Ravens one year. Ouch!
Once we had a quality QB on the field (7) and some quality depth at RB (FWP behind 36) it wasn’t all about the RB with 400 regular season carries doing it in the playoffs.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
fluff piece on donovan woods
I can only hope I’m ruining the 6-pack.
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_627070.html
Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.
that might of been enough to convince me not to do one.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on May 29, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe woods can be our emergency QB?
by Chicago Steeler on May 29, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Huh
Nice story about him. I didn’t know much about him – didn’t realize he was new to the LB position. Considering how well he’s played in his very limited role and the fact that there wasn’t much film on him as a LB, there’s a decent chance that he could develop into a good backup or better in next few years.
charity standing orders
Steelers have look of a Focused Team, according to JW
Guys, here are some tidbits from our favorite inside beat writer for the Steelers, Jim Wexell, on the latest with team OTA’s:
5/28/09
- M. Tomlin has to be pleased with the work the team got in this week as well as the overall attitude of the team, according to Wex. The Steelers have the look of a focused team with no signs of a Super Bowl hangover, malaise, or whatever, maybe due to the fact that this is a contract year for about one-fifth of the team. Ben has been at every practice and the only veterans missing (Troy P. & S. Holmes) are working out elsewhere, opening up opportunities for other young players to learn and develop in positions where depth is sorely needed.
- The RB’s are looking great, Wex said. Mendy is looking like a bell cow back and FWP, who is in great shape, seems to be up to the challenge and is working hard on his hands (or lack thereof). M. Moore is solid at no. 3 and the team finally cranked up the “Tank,” letting the big guy rumble around the field a little bit. On one play, the Tank effortlessly caught a high swing pass & quickly turned it upfield to the sound of Tomlin roaring. After the play, one of the coaches pulled Tank aside & provided a little extra coaching, something about looking to make a DB, S or LB roadkill after making a catch like that. Wex said he thinks the Tank could be a force some day. Patience people, patience.
- Even FB Ryan Powdrell showed some explosiveness during the practice, looking like he’s over that gruesome ankle injury that is a you-tube stomach turner (I’ve seen it and it is nasty). Wex’s grade for the RB’s so far: Good, solid group with the potential for greatness.
- M. Starks missed the workout, which allowed Essex to fill in at LT. That moved G K. Urbik up to the 2nd team. You can’t tell much about DL & OL during football in shorts, but Urbik looks like he is strong enough and quick enough to provide some competition, he said.
- Limas Sweed continues his little girl with the curls routine. Sweed took one slant up the middle (without a defense) that provided Wex with some goose bumps about the big, fast man’s potential. Then the bad Sweed – he dropped a short pass over the middle with A. Madison in coverage. One Scout compared Sweed’s inconsistency to a young Plaxico Burress and is optimistic of a similar developmental curve for the guy. Let’s hope Sweed’s story here ends up a lot better than Plex’s did.
- Shaun McDonald looked good in the slot and Ziggy is a big man that can move. Ziggy was moving from sideline to sideline during the practice and had Tomlin pretty amped up. Mike Wallace had the indoor Arena in a state of eruption on one bomb attempt after blowing by the secondary, but the pass by Batch was underthrown and Ike recovered to break up the play. Tomlin threw a phantom flag on the play anyway.
That’s it for now. Be blessed, all.
Woops will repost questions/comments here
1. What’s a cow bell back?
2. Why is Hills buried in the lower levels of back-up hell?
3. If Sweed develops into half the receiver that Plex is we won’t have anything to worry about. I don’t see him shooting himself in the foot. At least not off the football field.
I'll admit it...
I had very high hopes for Anthony Smith. I saw him play at Syracuse and thought he was a physical specimen with the agility and strength to be a superstar at the safety position. I thought he’d be great, and was excited to see the Steelers snag him in round 3. I stood by him after the guarantee game, I stood up for him even after the pass to Moss back to Brady and down field to whoever (I think thats how it went) to several friends who would of liked his head on a stick.
But when he hit Hines in last offseason’s OTA’s, that was it. If it wasn’t for my neverending lack of faith in Ty Carter (who actually made a few plays last year, somehow) I would of wanted him to be cut.
I still do hve faith however, he’ll be a good safety, somewhere in the future. Maybe Green Bay, maybe elsewhere, but you will hear his name again, I’m sure.
I think Smith could grow three or our brain cells and be a starting SS. the hard part is growing the brain cells.
I was high on him too, if he could use his speed to cover he would have been the perfect tandem with Troy.
Some guys just can’t get it done.
Sure he can score goals, but can he cook?
by Phantaskippy on May 30, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
plan 'B' punter
Just in case Daniel S. has a bum knee for good, perhaps the Steelers should take a look at punter Aaron Perez (recently cut by the Patriots in favor of their veteran, who holds for their kicker etc.) According to his college stats at UCLA, Perez certainly would seem to be a big step up over last year’s mid-season acquisitions.
http://www.uclabruins.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/perez_aaron00.html
It’s possible the front office doesn’t know this guy is available…
A comment on that picture
of Moss taunting Smith. At least Smith can say he has a Super Bowl ring. Sorry Randy.
"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)
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