Tag Archives: pittsburgh steelers

Titans Barely Beat Steelers, 26-23

11 Oct

The Tennessee Titans desperately needed this win to breathe life into their struggling season. Their big star running back Chris Johnson has been way under performing. Than they lost their starting quarterback Jake Locker to a foot injury a week ago. So if there was ever a time for the Titans to get a win it was tonight. With veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck leading the way the Titans managed to over take the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hasselbeck proved he still has it in him to lead a team ending 25 of 44 with 290 yards. And Johnson showed another glimmer of light with 91 yards and 19 carries.

The game was more of a loss for the Steelers than a win for the Titans. Going into the game the Steelers were missing the key component to their defense safety Troy Polamalu and linebacker LaMarr Woodley. And things just kept getting worse. The injuries piled up faster than the points. In the first play center Maurkice Pouncey injured his right left and left the game. Than in the second quarter right tackle Marcus Gilbert hurt his right ankle. In the third quarter running back Ike Redman who had caught four passes for 105 yards injured his right ankle and had to leave the game. Oh yeah than running back Rashard Mendenhall was taken out by an Achilles injury. So despite quarterback Ben Roethlisberger having 363 yards, there was not much he could do. Especially when cornerback Ike Taylor passing penalty gave the Titans a tying touchdown.

With the game tied at 23 everything came down to a 40-yard field goal kick. Titan kicker, Rob Bironas, who had missed earlier in the evening, came through to win the game.

-M

 

Football Rundown Week 3: Overtime All Over the Place

24 Sep

This was the week for overtime. Three games went into overtime this week and a few were close.  As your loyal reporter I of course watched as much as possible which involved me channel flipping and streaming games illegal on my computer. I have mastered football multitasking. Quickly the New York Jets managed to squeak out a win over the Miami Dolphins in overtime. The Jacksonville Jaguars come out of nowhere to take down the Indianapolis Colts. So here is what you missed.

The Upset That Warmed Everyone’s Hearts . . . Everyone Except Patriots Fanatics

New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens, 31-30

If you want to hate on the Ravens for taking down the beloved Patriots than you obviously are heartless. The Ravens’ Torrey Smith overcame his brother’s death less than 24 hour earlier to hit the field and play. Smith’s story inspired the entire team to give it their all. Not only did Smith play but he did great with six catches for 127 yards. It was a rematch of AFC Title that saw the Patriots going to the Super Bowl after eking out a three-point win. This was the 12th straight home win for the Ravens. And it gave Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco a chance to out shine Tom Brady. Flacco had 28 for 39 for 382 yards and three touchdowns. While Brady completed 28 of 41 passes for 335 yards.

Did Anyone See My Ear?

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos, 31-25

This was a rough game . . . well at least for Texans’ quarterback Matt Schaub who lost part of his ear when he was hit by Broncos linebacker Joe Mays. Peyton Manning had an okay game but it was until the Broncos were already losing by 20. Manning completed 26 for 52 for 330 yards with no interceptions and two touchdowns. So there is still some growing room here for the Broncos with Manning. This also reinforces my belief that only one Manning can win a weak and it was Eli this week with Giants over Panters.

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Week 2 Football Rundown: Winners Become Losers

18 Sep

What a week it was in professional football. The teams that looked good in Week 1 didn’t look so hot in Week 2. And in some cases order was returned to the NFL universe. The San Francisco 49ers proved they will be the team to beat this week with a second win in a row against the Detroit Lions. The New Orleans Saints continued to suck losing to the North Carolina Panthers. The Chicago Bears also continued to suck which is unacceptable to their quarterback Jay Cutler who doesn’t know how to control his anger. Oh yeah and the New York Jets sucked again to losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers so watch your back Mark Sanchez the Tebow train is reviving up. And here is what happened with everyone else:

Peyton Manning is Human . . . Who Knew? 

Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons, 27-21

I think we all should have seen this coming Manning is with a whole new team and it’s going to take time to adjust. Coming off a winning debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it looked like the Broncos were headed for victory. But Manning had a less than stellar game against the Falcons. In the first quarter alone Manning threw three interceptions which he hasn’t done since 2007. Manning completed 24 of 37 for 241 yards, had one touchdown and a 58.5 passer rating. Compared to Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan, Manning doesn’t look so hot. Ryan threw the 100th touchdown pass of his career during the match-up. Not only that but Ryan completed 24 of 36 for 219 yards, had two touchdowns, and a 101.5 passer rating. So there you have it Manning was schooled by Ryan.

The Super Bowl Champs Bounce Back But Not Until the 4th

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants, 41-34

I am beginning to think there is some unspoken law that only one Manning is allowed to win per week. This week it was Eli Manning’s turn as he lead the Giants to a win over the Buccaneers. Despite also throwing three interceptions(like his bro in Denver) Manning managed to bounce back in the 4th. Manning finished with 31 of 51 completed passes for 510 yards and three touchdowns. This was the 24th time in Manning’s career that he has come back in the 4th quarter. And it also appears the be the Giants’ strategy this season because of yet there seems to be no running game and a very weak offense.

Out of desperation the Buccaneers decided to attack Manning as he was kneeling for the snap in the final play. This greatly angered already angry looking, Giants coach Tom Coughlin, who attacked Buccaneers first-year coach Greg Schiano for the play after the game. This lead to a debate among football scholars as to whether the play was legal. Right now it’s looking like it was legal but not in good spirits.

The Cowboys Return to Normality

Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks, 27-7

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Football Hurts Your Brain

15 Sep

The New York Jets will have to play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sundy, without All-Pro cornerback (the dude who covers the receivers) Darrelle Revis. Revis is out suffering a concussion after being kicked in the head by fellow teammate Bart Scott.

This is just another in a string of head related injuries that football players have suffered. Over the summer over 80 lawsuits were filed against the NFL accusing them of with holding information that would link football related head trauma to permanent brain injuries. The lawsuits claim that the NFL glorifies violence undercutting the serious nature of potential injuries.

Although I feel for the players and their families it is hard to believe that you don’t see that getting repeatedly tackled by a 250 pound men might cause serious damage. The risk for this damage is also why you are paid so much as a player. This is not to deny that there is definitely a gladiator element to football. Many of the players come from poor backgrounds and use football as means to further themselves.

Since these lawsuits the NFL has taken more and more precautions to preventing further injury. That is why players like Revis who are still in a haze won’t be hitting the field anytime soon. And if that weren’t enough the NFL also provides medical benefits to former players. The NFL and the NFLPA(Player’s Association) have spent more than a billion dollars on pensions and benefits for players. If that weren’t enough the NFL just a $30 million grant to study brain injuries and other sports-related health problems to the National Institutes of Health.

It is pretty clear all of the money the NFL has poured into studies and health care are just to cover their own ass but I’m not sure what else they could do sort of stopping the sport of football. And how would I fill my Sundays if I can’t watch grown men clobber one another?

-M

 

 

 

My First Fantasy Football Draft

27 Aug

You may have noticed I was missing in action yesterday. My absence was in part because of recovering from a night of drunk debauchery but also because I was preparing for my first ever Fantasy Football Draft. Like any good student I had waited till the last-minute to study. A guy friend, who has mastered fantasy gave me this advice:

1. Draft Philadelphia Eagles’ running back LeSean McCoy first. I was pick number 4, McCoy went as number 2 in our draft. So  I failed at that one.

2. Make sure to get the San Francisco 49ers as your Defense Strategy. It took me about half-way through the draft to figure out how to pick at team for defense strategy so I failed at one and evened up with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

3. Whatever you do don’t draft Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo. Okay this one I definitely didn’t do. I instead went with Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick.

My grade so far would definitely be an C.

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The Hits Keep Coming on Vick

21 Aug

Regular football season hasn’t even started and already Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick has had two hits and left the games after only 6 plays. In the first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Vick left due to a thumb injury which after X-rays ended up being fine. Than on Monday night he was knocked to the ground by New England Patriots’ Jermaine Cunningham. Another X-ray was done on Vick’s ribs but found nothing broken. It is unlikely that Vick will play anymore in the preseason but is expected to recover in time for regular season.

It is clear that there are still a lot of Vick haters out there for his illegal dog fighting practices for which he served time in jail. I’m not sure what I think about reform but for what it’s worth Vick has lobbied for tougher dog fighting laws since he suspension. So maybe he is a changed man . . . regardless he is still a good quarterback. And without him the Eagles would be screwed.

-M

Hines Ward Retires

20 Mar

So while one old man(36 years) Peyton Manning is getting $96 million to play for another five years with the Broncos, another old man wide receiver Hines Ward (also 36) is retiring after 14 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If you don’t watch football you will surely recognize Hines as the winner of last years “Dancing with the Stars.” The Steelers decided to release Hines earlier this year in favor of new blood. Hines had a not so stellar season. Plus the Steelers really need the $4 million Hines would have gotten to help with salary cap issues. Instead of spiraling down the NFL rooster Hines decided to retire.

Steelers president Art Rooney II (aka. grandfather to Kate and Mara Rooney) seemed genuinely sad to say goodbye to Hines. I mean you can’t ask for more out of player than 14 years, 3 AFC Championships, one “Dancing with the Stars” win and 2 Super Bowl wins. If I were Rooney I would give Hines a job with the team, not that he really needs to work.

Fear the Beard No More

10 Feb

One of the most famous beards in football is gone. Steeler’s defensive star Brett Keisel saved off his beard for charity. Keisel raised more than $40,000 for cancer programs at the Children’s Hospital. I would rarely recommend a grizzly man beard to men but I kind of think Keisel looked better with the beard. Maybe he will grow it out and raise more money for charity.

-M