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Steel Balls
Where Steeler Nuts Hang Out
Stafford was 16 of 30 for 327 yards and 2 TDs in the 1st half
But was 3 of 16 for 35 yards and a pick in the 2nd half!
The D only surrendered 72 yards total in the 2nd half. After getting their butts handed to them, in the 2nd quarter and surrendering what had been a 14 point lead to Detroit. Coming back from what had to be a huge emotional letdown to perform that way instills confidence in me, as a fan, in their ability to overcome adversity. I’m not saying they’re a playoff contender yet, but I thought it would take this group longer to learn to win as a team than it seems to be taking.
They are still trying to find their way at this point, in my opinion. They still have to find ways to run the ball and stop the run, but they showed the will that is necessary to win a close game yesterday, that I believe could serve them well later on this season.
If they can win the next two games, they will then play 3 of 4 at home in December. They still have a shot at being a winner this year. A long shot, but a shot.
Watch out, Troy.
Hair is fair play in today’s NFL. I know Troy said he was chopping his for charity, but maybe he shouldn’t wait for post-season. Note the casual disregard with which the hair is tossed. I’m picturing the victim screaming in agony while blood spurts from the open wound, but I know he actually laughed it off. This must be some kind of pathetic hair extension product.
Walking On The Grass
In honor of the return of our friend Steeltyke:
The room was full of pregnant women with their husbands.
The instructor said, “Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you.
Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier.
Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path.”
“Gentlemen, remember — you’re in this together. It wouldn’t hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both.”
The room suddenly became very quiet as the men absorbed this information.
After a few moments a man, name unknown, at the back of the room, slowly raised his hand.
“Yes?” said the Instructor.
“I was just wondering if it would be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?”
Throw Them Away
This weekend the Steelers reintroduce us to their throwback jerseys. If you are not familiar, it is a trend started a few years ago where teams will have an alternate jersey encompassing a look from years past. Usually these fashion faux pas are a prime example of why they changed them in the first place. When I saw the Steelers’ press conference, all I could picture instead was seeing Gene Rayburn up there and his oversized microphone pulling out a card and asking the panel: “When little Johnny saw the new Steelers’ jerseys, he said they are not throwback, they are more like throw…Blank”. As the contestant, my answer would be “throw…in the Terrible Towel”. Of course Charles Nelson Reilly would screw me over with “throw…FABULOUS!”.
I thought, at first, these jerseys were designed so the billion-dollar sport could trick the fans into buying another jersey they just HAD to have. But this seems to be an episode from a new show on cable, “When Marketing goes Terribly Wrong”. The fans don’t like these jerseys, the players certainly don’t want to wear these jerseys…then who came up with this insidious idea? My only answer is a Les Nessman, someone who was forced to take violin lessons instead of playing ball. No other explanation! This is just a cruel joke from someone holding a long, long grudge (and I am somewhat familiar with grudges – coming to a blog near you).
Lets go back a bit. As an Islander fan I recall the Famous Fisherman Fiasco of 1995. Somewhere it was decided the Islanders needed to change their logo. A wonderful logo design, incorporating the NY – with the Y as a hockey stick – and the outline of the shape of Long Island. “NY” and the “Island”… New York Islanders…simple, yet classic. Why would we want to keep that! Anyway, 6 or 7 designs were given to the Islanders and they were to choose a winner. What happened next was of Long Island Lore. Apparently the ad agency inserted a logo, one so horrible – one that would NEVER be chosen, just to have the other logos stand out. Well guess what…that backfired! The “test” logo was picked and approved. WHAT?!?! The more I think about it, the more it falls into my Les Nessman theory above. The Islander organization, the players and the fans were endlessly abused by opposing fans for this logo. The Islanders have not won a playoff series since. Somewhere a violin happily plays on….
This brings me to yesterday and the Steelers’ new throwback jersey. It looks like the player was sent to bumble bee prison. I can only imagine that the Steelers “Les Nessman” watched the Blind Melon – No Rain video the night before designing them. While the jerseys are supposed to remind us of an era from Leatherheads, even George Clooney could not pull this look off. Maybe they should wear the old leather helmets too, at least it would make the whole thing more interesting.
All I can say is that my taste is pretty plain…
What Kind of Fan Are You?
I admit it’s not easy to be an optimist. But I’m trying, Ringo. I’m trying real hard to be the shepherd.
