Black & Gold Blog

Back to Back 1st round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cowgirls and the Steelers results in a fascinating science of Running Backs 101.  Speedster Felix Jones, namesake and alma mater of owner Jerry Jones drafted by the Cowgirls to go with bruiser back Marion Barber.  Then Complete Package Bruiser Back Rashard Mendenhall drafted by the Steelers to go with Super Bowl record winning Speedster Willie Parker.  Both teams seemed poised to seriously challenge for their respective conference championship.  One team has a QB with a Super Bowl Championship Ring and the other has a QB who chokes and would rather be on E-Channel with his dumb blonde girlfriend.  We'll see which team ranks higher in overall Rushing yards to see who wins this NFL Draft.

jhw42000 at 9:37:37 PM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

Wow!  I just woke up from a LONG hangover from SUPER BOWL XL....What a party!!!  I just found out that there's been a whole 'nother Super Bowl played since then..........

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Ooh What a beautiful mooorrrning

Ooh What a beautiful daaaayyyy.

I gotta beautiful feeeeeeelin'

The Steelers are goin' all the way.........

Repeat above chorus throughout the duration of daily shower. 

jhw42000 at 12:08:43 AM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Normally, there are 2 categories of people in the world.  Those who have been to Hawaii and those who have not.   But in this rare case, there is a third category, those who DON'T WANT to go to Hawaii.  Bill Cowher, whose popularity in Hawaii rivals Don Ho, has made 4 trips there as head coach of the AFC Championship losing team to coach the AFC in the Pro Bowl.  No offense to his wonderful wife, Kaye, but Bill is tired of getting "leid" if you get my drift. 

Coach Cowher is a well documented 1-4 in AFC Championship games and punching his Hawaii 5-0 ticket by losing to the Chargers in '94, the Broncos in '97, and the despised but respected (if that's possible) Patriots in '01 AND '04.  So you see, the Steelers not only have a chance to greatly improve their coach's otherwise illustrious record, they can also accomplish some redemption at the same time.  When they meet the Broncos in this year's AFC Championship game, they can exact some revenge for one of Coach C's 4 trips to Hawaii.  It won't be quite as nice as knocking off the Pats in the big game but that'll come around again.

So the question is, will history repeat itself? A re-match from '97.  In that game, the Steelers were led by Kordell Stewart whose QB rating that postseason was 42.8.  The Broncos were led by some guy named Elway.  Ever heard of 'em?  During that time period his alias was 'destiny'.  But now he's gone and luckily for the Steelers, so is Slash. 

So everything should be completely different in this game, right?  Right!  Except one thing.....there will be one thing that happens exactly the same way the '97 game ended.......the winning QB will wear number 7 as he heads to the Super Bowl.

Steelers 27, Broncos 19  (Steelers "D" picks off Plummer twice and sacks him 3 times, while Big Ben hits Heath for 2 scores, The Bus rolls in for 1, and Jeff Reed pops in 3)

Get ready for an Xtra Large dose of Black & Gold in Super Bowl XL.

jhw42000 at 8:52:18 AM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 4 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Finally, a somewhat comfortable position for this long time Steeler fan.  Our team has been relegated to an afterthought, a speedbump, a mere obstacle for King Manning and the Mighty Colts.  Quite a change for the Black & Gold who have much experience as The Target, The One to Beat, The City in which The Road to the Super Bowl goes through.

But what I like most is that seemingly EVERYONE has offered their opinion on how the Colts will easily handle the Steelers on their way to the AFC Championship.  Ah yes, The Art of Contrary Thnking-to challenge the generally accepted viewpoints on the prevailing trends.  In my lifetime, it has been painfully obvious that when everyone thinks alike, everyone is likely to be wrong.  As evidence with personal pertinence, I reluctantly re-live 4 AFC Championship games in the last decade in a city known for Steel production.  Unfortunately, in each of those cases I had no choice but to think alike with the vast majority absolutely certain of Steeler victories.  Hell, I probably led the  charge.

But this is different - the opposite - and as Mr. McGraw has recently stated - I like it, I love it and hell, yeah I'll take any of it I can get.  While the rest of the WORLD has wrapped any part of their body they can around the Colt bandwagon, I for one am enjoying my minority view. It affords me the entertainment of seeing Mr. Manning and his oversized forehead looking down, walking off the field, shaking his head back and forth in disgust.

To quote the great poet-philosopher Goethe, "I find it more and more that it is well to be on the side of the minority, since it is always the more intelligent". I'll take that and another trip to the AFC Championship game - this time enjoying the Art of Contrary Thinking.   And by the way- Steelers 29 Colts 20   

jhw42000 at 1:53:50 PM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 1 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

Unlike the Packers, Niners, Jets and Titans.....I'm back.   And to celebrate my return, I've decided to perform a most altruistic act.....I will provide all fellow bloggers the chance to get the big scoop, the bottom line, the inside track, the ultimate 5 star pay off, and without even requiring a call to my 800 number.   And here it is:

The 2005 AFC Playoff Picture - As clear as Lance's Urine:

San Diego and Kansas City beat each other up so bad that neither makes the playoffs with 9-7 records.  Indy and Denver earn 1st round byes with 15-1 and 12-4 records respectively.  New England goes in with 10 wins, Cincinnati with 12 wins (after losing tie-breaker to Broncos).  Jacksonville takes Wild Card #1 with 12 wins, Pittsburgh takes the other with 11 wins.  And THEN sit back and watch a HISTORY MAKING Road to Super Bowl Extra Large (as in The Bus Extra Large):

Wild Card Round:  Pittsburgh Beats Cincinnati, Jacksonville Loses to New England

Division Round:  Pittsburgh Beats Denver, New England Loses to Peyton Place

AFC Championship:  Pittsburgh Beats Peyton Place in OT 31-28

Super Bowl XL-  Pittsburgh Beats Seattle 26-21

Notice any recurring themes!

                  

 

 

jhw42000 at 10:51:08 AM CST Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 3 comments: Show Recent | Add your own

"Hi, may I take your order please"

"Uh yeah, gimme a Cowher-Combo, the one with the Roethlis-berger and the Willie-Wings, please"

"OK sir, that's one Cowher-Combo, would like to Super-size that with an order of Defensive Dominance to dip those wings in?"

"Uh yeah, that'd be great"

"OK sir just pull around to Heinz Field and we'll have your order ready for you"

That was easy.  Just place the order and get a dose of perfection in the passing game, a remarkable running game and defensive dominance.  The Steelers made it look easy.  It certainly won't be that easy in 2 weeks when we face our biggest foe - the Patriots.  But it sure is looking good out there.

And by the way, did someone say some crap about sophomore jinx?  How will Ben handle the pressure?  I think he, once again, answered that question clearly.  

Lastly,  Thank You Willie! 

 

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In Honor of Our Troops Part II Steelers visit the Nation's Capital Washington D.C. (see entry below)

The Steelers, coming off of a sloppy turnover filled victory over potless Ricky Williams and the Dolphins, head into DeadEx Field (no offense Sir Mottram) to take on the winless Redskins.  Seeing as how the first two preseason games are of less significance, and most NFL coaches will tell you the third game is very important to play starters and win, we should get a good gauge of how these two teams will fare this season.  I believe the gauge will result in a 27-10 Steeler victory, indicative of how the entire Steeler season will be....and hopefully not how the Skins season will be....see I told you Jamie, no offense.  I respect the Redskins....atleast the old 'Skins anyway.  By the way, do you think Riggo will get the invite to Sandy's retirement party??? :)

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This Black & Gold Blog entry is dedicated to all the men and women of the United States Military and their families.  These modern day heroes, who faithfully serve their country and risk their very lives to ensure our freedom night and day, deserve the utmost respect irregardless of which side of any political fence you may reside.  Just remember, when you are sleeping soundly at night....they're not....and that's why you can.

This Steeler fan believes that all American citizens have an obligation to show respect and support for all who serve in the military, past, present and future, especially those valiantly fighting for freedom in Iraq.  I would also like to point out one person in particular that I feel embraces the spirit of being a proud American.  He is my cousin, US Army Sergeant Dave Carr out of Ft. Sill Oklahoma, who has and will again successfully lead his men through yet another tour of duty in Iraq. 

Dave's character already shines brightly by virtue of his leadership role in the US Army.  But this past Christmas he showed his true colors as a great friend and relative.  You see, Dave is a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan. (OK so he's not perfect)   And me, being a Steeler loyalist living in Texas for decades, well let's just say the sparks are always there at the annual family holidays. 

One of our traditions is each year is names are drawn randomly for each person to hand make one gift for their "secret" name drawn.  Dave drew my name.  "Oh crap!" "I gotta make a gift for a Steeler fan?"  I believe that was his initial thought.  But like the true leader he is, he fought off the urge to make something that said "LOSERS" and he made for me a one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh Steeler Terrible Towel as shown in the photos.  As if that wasn't enough, my cousin, with the entire family as witness, proclaimed if the Steelers win the Super Bowl, he'll personally update the towel to reflect that victory as well.  Now, I'm fairly sure he meant Super Bowl XXXIX at the time which unfortunately didn't happen. (I'm only just now coming to grips with that reality).  But as far as I'm concerned, when the Steelers win Super Bowl XL, I'll be paying a little visit to my favorite cousin, Dave and bring with me a nice sewing kit.

Thank you very much Dave for my awesome Terrible Towel and most importantly thanks to you and all the men and women of our Armed Forces for all you've done for our country.

jhw42000 at 7:55:43 AM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own

What a great feeling it was this year on Draft Weekend to start off Saturday morning with just pure enjoyment of watching "other" teams scramble around trying to get the most out of their Top 10 pick.  If I had wanted to, I could've actually gone and done a whole list of normal Saturday activities and came back in time to watch P-Tag say "And with the 30th pick in this years NFL Draft, the Steelers select"...........a future Hall of Famer, of course!!

But I didn't, I sat and watched all day like the NFL-junkie-zombie that is my calling in life.   Besides waiting to hear the names of the players I will soon root against by virtue of their selections by my divisional foes, I also had to put final closure on "The Gap".   No, not the clothes store with stupid commercials.  "The Gap" between the point in time when your team's season officially ends (without the Lombardi trophy) and when they officially draft new blood to address the specific cause for point A in "The Gap"   Get it?  Good.  Because this year The Gap really sucked!

Yeah, I know, 15 and 1, Big Ben, and we're drafting 30th.....that's the point, 30th is great because you finished ahead of 29 other teams last season.  But somehow, this time, it really, really sucked.  Sometimes I feel like it's better to go 7-9, miss the playoffs and get ready for the draft.  Atleast then, at some point in the middle, The Gap becomes exciting.  When you lose in the AFC Championship, at home, no less, let me tell you, The Gap becomes very much like one long, uncut, unedited scene from The Exorcist where instead of puking green stuff, you eat it 3 times a day first THEN ya' puke it up.....it ain't pretty.

But , hey it's over now.  It's history and The Gap finally ends and what a way to end.  The Steelers appear to have perhaps come close to matching last year's draft success by selecting the highest rated tight end, a super fast DB and a couple of condos for the O-line, one of which was actually ejected from games twice last year for kicking his opponent.........hmm, as Arte Johnson would say, verrry interesting!  To me these guys are my newest "close buddies" and future Hall of Famers, of course!

jhw42000 at 5:59:37 PM CDT Permalink | Blog about this entry |  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this This entry has 0 comments: Add your own