I don't know if I've just been drinking the kool aid for too long or what - but I really feel like Big Ben is one of the top three to five QBs in the league.  I know that the majority of talking heads out there don't seem to watch too many of the games - but it still bothers me when just the other night I hear on some channel that Carson Palmer is the premier QB in the North and one of the tops in the league.  I think last year Ben was overshadowed by Brady's unbelievable year.  I can talk about Big Ben's year with Friends and Co Workers but those that aren't Steeler fans don't really have any idea what I'm talking about.  When you look at last year and look at all the trouble we had on the line it makes Ben's magician act seem that much more amazing.  So what are your thoughts??? Is Ben a legit top three to five?  Will he best the best QB in the league in the next two to four years???  I think so - what about you?

Fun rumor for Friday .. A sales guy I work with was a former PSU lineman back in the early 70s was in today and we chatted up this season.. He told me word on the street is that it's Joe's last year for sure.. and that Joe wants Jay to take over.. but the word on the street is that it will be Ron Vanderlinden - not Tom Bradley... Purely rumor and speculation from a former letterman who's connected to the program - but .. fun to think about.

For some reason the Steelers are still being mentioned in the hunt for Kevin Jones.  This article reports that his agent has said it is down to us or the Bears.

I do believe it makes sense for him to sign with the Bears.  They've cut Cedric Benson and it looks like right now Rookie Matt Forte would be the starter there.  Seriously, theres been a lot of smoke to this point - could there be fire?  Why are we continuously brought up?  We are loaded to the gills at the Running Back position - Parker, Mendenhall, Moore, Russell.  Thoughts?

With all the chatter in the news over the past several years regarding the staff once Joe moves on.  Let's have some fun with this and see what everyone thinks.  For my money I think Tom Bradley will slide in the HC position.  I wonder then if LJSR might take over for him on the DC side - he sure has developed some beasts on the DLine and he is also a recruiting beast.  I would then think that Hall will most likely leave too - I think he's near 70 if he isn't there yet (total speculation).  I then wonder if someone from the staff would slide into that role - NOT Jay.  Maybe McQuery?  Who knows - I also wonder what Jay's role will be once Joe hangs it up.  Thoughts? Guesses?

Just taking a stab - anyone out there live in Oklahoma???  I'm a PSU alum who's trying to put together a crew to watch the games and throw down this season.  Let me know if your close.. kansas or somewhere.. we'll find a bar and work some volume based discounts  It will be a great time - let your friends know too.. I've also started a facebook group - Penn State Oklahoma Ho Down Club..

Take a gander at this..

Patriots guard arrested, aids sting

Starting Patriots offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur was arrested in April on a charge of illegal possession of prescription painkillers and then secretly cooperated with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in a sting operation that resulted in the indictment of his alleged drug supplier, according to a lawyer and two people briefed on the investigation. Kaczur - a 28-year-old, 315-pound offensive tackle - wore a hidden recording device during three different drug transactions in May at gas stations in Foxborough and North Attleborough and a supermarket parking lot. Kaczur, approached yesterday afternoon by a Globe reporter as he stood on the front porch of his Attleboro home, denied participating in a DEA investigation or buying drugs.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2008/06/04/patriot_arrested_then_aids_drug_sting/

I really hope that Goodell comes down hard on Kaczur - he should at least be suspended for four to eight games - this is substance abuse.  I wonder what other Patriots have been involved - we had the Rodney Harrison episode last year. 

I've been reading this blog for a good while but I've never posted.  Here's my question - does anyone want to make some money over Homecoming weekend???  I graduated a few years ago and It's finally got to that point where I have no buds left at school that I can crash with.  I got tickets to the Michigan game but all the hotels in State College are sold out.  The question I have is - is there anyone that is still a student or has a house or something in State College they want to rent out over that weekend???  I'm willing to throw a real nice slab of loot down - three, four, five hundred bucks for a place...  Let me know if you have anything or any thoughts

I think the pick from our draft that might have some real overall value is Ryan Mundy.  I think this is a guy that can truely play - he started as a true freshman at Michigan in 2003.  He started the following season as well and during his Junior year he ended up getting hurt and having to Redshirt.  After his Redshirt Junior season he transferred to WVU.  The year before his arrival the D wasn't very good - last year with Mundy at Safety they ended up being one of the top five.  In his final game when WVU blew out OU Mundy ended up with 11 tackles.  We've had some issues in the defensive backfield the past few years.  I really think Mundy might be able to help out and turn into a valuable backup who sees the field in some nickel/dime situations.

In keeping with the theme I'd like to bring up the biggest Draft Day trades of all time.  For my money and I'm sure many of you we'd all agree on that magical day in '96 when we traded for Jerome Bettis.  I believe we gave up our '96 second round and our '97 fourth round for Jerome Bettis and the Rams third choice in '96.  In my mind we gave up virtually nothing and just might have made the greatest Draft Day Value trade of all time.  I know some people might point at some different trades like the 49ers trading up for Rice.  This for me was the best - Bettis fit the mold in PGH.  Destroying defenses and taking names.  What do you think the best Draft Day trade was???

Here's a thought.  Who should the Steelers take in this year's draft if they could take anyone - but only have him for one year.  Basically, who could we plug in and potentially win a SB with in 2008..  Darren McFadden.. Jake Long.. Ryan Clady???  Do you think we could possibly be one player away?? What about two guys?