While ESPN SC said that the Steelers will take the Patriots today, Scout.com is saying it will be New England walking out of Heinz Field with the 4 point win. I don’t know who to believe as things have changed for both teams since that last meeting in January. I think the major change is our running back, number 2 in the NFL, and the Patriot’s lack of holding the run. The Steelers love the run and now that there’s a new guy on the block, I think it’s a major advantage for them. Yes, if NE forces Big Ben to make big plays, then it’ll be a repeat of the AFC Championship. I don’t think that’ll happen.

After Pittsburgh utter defeat of Tennessee yesterday (yes Brian, I still want the DVD!), the Steelers are just two games away from becoming the all-time winning-est (sp?) team in NFL history. The Titans defeat makes them 14 straight games in a row for wins and next weeks possible win against the Houston (defeated yesterday 22-7 by the Bills,) will tie the Black and Gold with the Bears (1933-34 and 1941-42) and Dolphins (1971-73 and 1983-84) and the Patriots (2003-04). Interesting note on the Pat’s is Pittsburgh was the one that put their winning streak to an end last year and New England can put a stop to Pittsburgh title in Week Three as they will be meeting up for some sweet football fun that Sunday. I love football!

What a bummer, the Steelers cave into Ward’s demands. Looks like a contract doesn’t really mean much in Pittsburgh or Ward’s word…

Thanks Brian for the tip.

Looks like Steelers have got some problem. Their star player, Hines Ward, is holding out for some big cash. With one year left in his contract, Ward reminds me a lot of the parable Christ told of the vineyard worker that says:

“The men who had begun to work at five o’clock were paid a silver coin each. 10 So when the men who were the first to be hired came to be paid, they thought they would get more; but they too were given a silver coin each. 11 They took their money and started grumbling against the employer. Mt 20:9-11 (NASB)

It saddens me to see spoiled people like this. He has a contract and should finish what he agreed to. So what if you’re the best now, that’s what YOU, Hines Ward, agreed to when you signed it. You are NOT a man of your word, Mr. Ward. So yes, you should have to sit out the whole season then and not go to a Pro-Bowl and hurt your teams chance of making the Super Bowl. In fact, wasn’t it YOU that begged Bettis to stay one more year so he could get that ring? And now your selfishness in the end will prevent that. I applaud you, you back-stabber!

Several teammates made impassioned pleas for the team to re-sign Ward, with linebacker Joey Porter saying the Steelers “can’t win without him.” And Colbert himself seemed uncomfortable talking about a missing player he often has cited for his unselfishness and team-first attitude. [Source]

This was a surprise to read but I’m glad he didn’t actually take Cowher up on his offer. Remember what happened to the greatest QB in NFL history, Joe Montana, when he went to Kansas City Chiefs. Down hill, baby.

“I had a chance to go to Pittsburgh,” Marino said. “I don’t think anybody knew that. … Cowher called me about playing, but I had to make a decision within a couple of days, because he already had a guy that he was going to sign.” [Source]

When NFL.com use to air the games free online, I listened every Sunday. It was great to hear Myron Cope, the voice of the Steelers, call the orange team from Cleveland the “Brownies” every time they met. Aaah, the love. But in the last two years, I’ve heard is voice maybe a couple of times and now, no longer.

Cope, known for his screeching, nasal delivery of exclamations such as “Yoi!” and “Double Yoi!” has broadcast games on the Steelers Radio Network since 1970.

He also created the Terrible Towel, a black-and-gold good-luck charm that fans wave at games. Hundreds of thousands have been sold at $5 to $10 each, with profits going to charity. [Full Text]

Looks like former Steelers Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress can be at ease in his new New York home as his arrest warrant has been lifted. File this under the “Ooops, we messed up” section for the city of Pittsburgh as Plax does not owe 90k in taxes.

A district judge has withdrawn an arrest warrant for former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress, after officials determined he never owed $90,000 in back local wage taxes.

The arrest warrant was rescinded Friday, a day after it was issued, Burress’ tax attorney Chuck Potter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [Full Text]

Well, I guess Burress runs fast on both the field and away from taxes.

Burress, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Giants in March, could be arrested and fined $2,500 upon returning to Pennsylvania, said Coraopolis District Judge Mary Murray. [Full Text]

Glad to say this happened to him in a New York Jersey Giant then a Steelers. Woo hoo, we’re criminal free!

When the Steeler’s went to the Super Bowl in 1995 and Chad Brown was there, I knew we had one of the best lines in the league…and we did, it was number one. Too bad we just had one of the lamest QB’s to throw interceptions to wide-open defenders. Oh well, different gripe. Anyway, it was no surprise when Brown left as a free agent to Seattle and then you pretty much heard nothing from him a couple of years later. Go from number one to number 28, that happens.

Well guess who’s back in town? Yup, the Seahawks dumped the once awesome linebacker Chad Brown and he’s looking for a team. He’s been all over the map and had lunch with the Steelers and even got a “pat on the back” from Cowher. Now, while he was hot nearly ten years ago, does he still have it now? Missing 19 of his last 48 games, I’d say probably not, but look at the Bus. He looked pretty bad after 2001 and look at him last year. So, maybe. Just maybe, he could add to the team once again. Maybe.

In some what of a surprise, the Steelers draft pick choice in round one was Heath Miller a Tight End from Virgina. While the Steelers have lacked in the TE field for some time, Eric Greene was the last great TE we had, they’re main job really has always been to just block for the running backs. They’re there for emergencies, but since Greene, they’ve never had much catching use for them.

SteelCity Sports wasn’t impressed with any of the selections the Steelers made yesterday, stating: There’s no sexy pick among the eight guys the Steelers picked up during the draft. There’s no Ben Roethlisberger, no Plaxico Burress. Heck, there’s not even a Kendrell Bell to talk about.

As for me, I think this could be a good thing. Many thought Ben to be in the top selection of QB’s, but none put him in the top three. Of those top three, none made it as far as Ben. So, I have hopes that Heath Miller will impress like Ben and not depress like C. Johnson or K. Stewart did.