WTF Ben?!!!!

Just when I had totally forgotten about Big Ben's misgivings, when I was ready to shout his name from the mountaintops, he disappoints me again. Ray Lewis, the biggest thug on our biggest rival, told reporters this week that he and Ben Roethlisberger have been communicating via text message. VOMIT.

This, during the week where we face the Ravens at home, is unacceptable behavior. Lewis claims that Ben needed to take comfort in someone who had been through an ordeal similar to his. And because they both used the same lawyer, Ben felt Lewis was the obvious choice for trusted confidant.

I am so upset about this I've avoided writing this post for several days. Ron Cook at the Post-Gazette defended Ben this week, saying that he should heed Lewis' advice because people have largely forgotten about Lewis' murder accusations.

I see where Ron Cook is coming from, but I just can't agree. I would be totally fine with Ben confiding in any player on a team that isn't named Ravens this week. Any player that isn't named Ray Lewis. I realize that Ben needs advice and companionship. However I also realize that there are many, MANY other people that would be ecstatic to help Ben in his time of need.

I'm sure that yinzers with criminal records would line the streets of Pittsburgh to talk with Ben about his ordeal. He wouldn't even have to promise them free sammiches and Iron City, because they believe in him and they believe in Pittsburgh. I just wonder if he believes in them too.

Gameday Girlnotes: Steelers v. Buccaneers

1) A win today would be the first (3-0) start since Tomlin's rookie year in 2007, and just the third (3-0) start since 1992. (Really?)

2) Chaz Batch is our starting QB.

3) Look for the defense to dominate again this week. They have to, mainly because our offense has yet to score a touchdown. And, our defense has to win this game yet again because well defense wins games. And because Tampa QB Josh "Little Ben" Freeman stands 6'6," and is oft compared to our once-again-beloved Big Ben. Okay. That height and skill will just make sacks like this all the more Taz-tacular:





4) Casey Hampton and Max Starks are back - yay!




Oh wait... that means we'll be looking at these pouches all game. Still Yay?

Wait I seem to remember many, many sacks that went something like this...




Ok... still yay - bellies and all. In fact, maybe Ill make them some pancakes.

5) Pouncey v. Tampa DT Gerald McCoy: The two played against each other in the 2009 BCS Championship Game. An interesting matchup to watch.


6) Watch out - this could be a trap game. Coming in to this season, most thought that this game was the only guaranteed win of the first four. We just can't count on that now because a) we're down to our 4th string QB and b) Tampa is 2-0 as well. In fact, some Tampa football commentators are even billing this game as a Super Bowl Preview.


7) And finally, watch for our beloved Troy Polamalu to take out tight end Kellen Winslow, who the Cleveland Browns drafted instead of Ben Roethlisberger in 2004. Whoops. He lost favor in Cleveland because of a number of injuries and some bad publicity (sounds familiar). They traded him to Tampa in 2008 where he's set several records and become a real asset to the team.

My bet? Troy will take him out. Then he'll help him up, and we'll get a gameday glimpse of those adorable smiles you see below.

Remember This?

As much as I love love love Charlie Batch as a person, I'm nervous for him to start at QB today. Ok more like shakin' in my boots. Let's be serious here - he hasn't started at QB since 2007, and has been injury prone for his entire career. Oh and he had serious problems with his passing game last week.

Should Batch have to leave the game, it's likely that Tomlin will put Leftwich in to see how well his knee holds up. But why do that? We will absolutely need a healthy Leftwich next week against the Ravens. Though they look terrible so far, no Pittsburgh fan ever writes off a game against Baltimore - and I'd feel a lot better if a healthy Leftwich took the field.

Today is the day for Tomlin to take a chance on Randel El at QB. He's not pulling his weight at wide receiver anyway. From Ed Bouchette:

"He has yet to throw a pass in his second stint with the Steelers, but in his previous eight NFL seasons, Randle El completed 20 of 25 passes in the regular season for four touchdowns. His near-perfect passer rating of 153.1 is the highest in NFL history among players who have thrown at least a dozen.

Those numbers do not include his biggest completion of all, the one he threw to Hines Ward for 43 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter that helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL. He is the only wide receiver to throw a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10269/1090400-66.stm#ixzz10e4vTV9X

As I Was About to Write My Game Recap...

I saw this totally amazing post on That's Church. Must. Read.

What They’re Really Thinking: Turnover Edition

Gameday Girlnotes: Steelers v. Titans

Good Morning Steeler Fans! Here is my abridged Gameday Girlnotes for today. I've been feeling under the weather the past few days... my apologies.

1) Dixon and the Running Game: Last week we saw that Dixon has the capability to maneuver out of the pocket well - but it looks like Arians wants to keep him in the pocket as much as possible this week. Why? Dixon is essentially our 3rd string quarterback, and we really can't afford for him to get hurt. I'm curious to see if he actually does stay in the pocket today.

We might be doomed if Dixon throws picks. But honestly talking about a #10 wearing QB throwing picks gives me the heebeejeebees. Moving on.

2) Watch for more from Mendenhall and Ward. What a freaking game they had last week. Amazing. Nuff said.

3) Max Starks and Casey "I love pancakes" Hampton are out - with ankle sprain and hamstring injuries respectively. Jonathan Scott is in for Starks, Chris Hoke is in for Hampton.

4) The Titans are a tougher team than last week's Falcons, so get ready for your weekly heart attack session. Players to watch out for - QB Vince Young, WR Kenny Britt, LT Michael Roos and former Steelers WR Nate Washington (at least Jerry Dulac thinks so). I don't know so much about Washington - I'm hoping to see the same lacklustre performance from him today that we saw in his last season with the black and gold.
From the Post-Gazette:

"[Vince Young] has rushed for 311 yards in the past 11 games and an NFL-best 1,285 yards since 2006. Former Steelers WR Nate Washington had three catches for 88 yards, including a 56-yard TD, in the victory against the Raiders last week. He combines with former No. 1 pick Kenny Britt to give the Titans a pair of receivers who can get deep. The best matchup is Pro Bowl LT Michael Roos against OLB James Harrison."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10262/1088736-66.stm#ixzz0zz9YfVxW

If we can keep Vince Young in the pocket we should be good to go.

What are you doing for the game today? You'll find me at the Tortoise and the Hare in Crystal City. HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!

My Dog Is Cute...

... and is ready for some Pittsburgh Steelers football!

Steelers Doing Good Things: 2nd Annual Gridiron Gaming Event

My former neighbor, Max Starks, and his wife are hosting the 2nd Annual Gridiron Gaming event next Monday, September 20. The fundraiser benefits people with physical disabilities and will be held at the East Club lounge at Heinz Field. Max Starks, Charlie Batch, Trai Essex, James Farrior, Larry Foote, Keyaron Fox, Justin Hartwig, Chris Kemoeatu, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore and Maurkice Pouncey are all scheduled to attend.

Tickets range from $75-$250, and Black & Gold casual attire is suggested. For ticketing and event information, please go to the event's Facebook page.

Max Starks at last year's Gridiron Gaming event

(image from event Facebook page)

Gameday Girlnotes: Steelers v. Falcons

About this post: read this and your guy will be impressed with your football knowledge. Good things all around.

1) How well will we do without Roethlisberger? Media and bloggers alike have tossed this question around since Commission Goodell suspended him back in April. Tomorrow, we'll finally have an answer to this question. Certainly all eyes will be on Dennis Dixon, who is in the starting line-up for only second time tomorrow against the Atlanta Falcons. Of course, Charlie Batch could always step in if things go awry, but that would pretty much kill Dixon's confidence for the rest of Roethlisberger's suspension. So let's hope that doesn't happen. Let's also hope that Arians makes decent play calls tomorrow.

2) Success in this game is going to depend on stopping Falcons RB Michael Turner, who Polamalu likened to Jerome Bettis earlier this week:

"Jerome ran with great balance and quickness, and he used his upper body to protect his legs. People would just bounce off him. Turner has huge legs, and he bounces off people. I would say that's the best comparison."

3) Maurkice Pouncey is one to watch. From the Post-Gazette:

"Pouncey will join Marvel Smith as the only other rookie offensive lineman to start in an opener in more than 40 years when the Steelers play host Sunday to the Atlanta Falcons.

For someone who turned 21 July 24, Pouncey has shown the rare ability to act like a veteran."

4) The Steelers are looking for their eight straight win in kickoff weekend, which is the longest streak in the NFL. Also, the Steelers are 6-0-1 against the Falcons at Heinz Field.

5) As always, we'll be watching to see how Polamalu's injury-ridden left knee holds up, and whether or not he and his will be able to withstand a full season of football. Also, his hair is ensured for $1 million by Head and Shoulders. That is all.

6) Heinz Ward needs 53 yards to become the first player in club history to reach 11,000 career receiving yards. Bets are that if gets 53 + yards, his smile will be extra cute!

For more interesting stats, go check out the Steelers.com gameday coverage.

Why Didn't I Think of This? The Terrible Towel Wedding

Congratulations to Jimmy and Eryn, who were married last month in California.

The Dahntahn Song

So I've been feeling pretty homesick for Pittsburgh over the past couple of days. This video makes it a little better, though I wish I actually could go dahntahn. I'm sure my homesick feeling has nothing to do with the season opener on Sunday. Nothing at all. Watching the game at the Tortoise and the Hare in NoVa is just as good as being at Heinz Field. Ok maybe it's just as good as watching at The William Penn Tavern in Shadyside. Well without the tatertots. And the authentic yinzer accents. And the 30 cent wings.

Ok who am I kidding. I wish I was in Steeler Country this weekend!!!!!! Sigh...

Even this would be better than Steely McBeam

Behold the RoethlispoodleSilas AKA Roethlispoodle has been rockin' this look since 2005. I bring him up today because a) he's awesome b) he's featured in a Steelers culture exhibit at CMU and c) it reminds me of a simpler, happier time when people were genuinely excited about Big Ben. But I digress.

Roethlispoodle can't sign autographs, but he'd be a better mascot than Steely. Even though I'm not a fan, I love the story about how he got his name. Yinzeriffic!