This blog has only been in existence for a little over a year, and I’ve very much enjoyed it (and truly hope that you have). But, in this short time I’ve realized that I don’t enjoy giving part of my attention to obsessing each day about the latest FA visits, blog hits and traffic to my site all the while hoping that other blogs and sites will like what I wrote and link to it so that more people will get to enjoy the journey along with me. This blog, in short, has become a self built idol in my life that I bowed down to way too many times (just being honest here) and allowed to distract me from sleep (at times), family, my job and most importantly my relationship and devotion to Jesus Christ.

I really hope that the friendships I’ve formed through the other Steelers blogs I’ve come across will remain. I hope they will continue the fine job of following the Steelers so I can read and stay on top of things. And I thank them for the links and the opportunity to be in the blogging circle alongside them.

I love the Steelers, always will…I love Jesus more. And so, I must make this the end.

Thanks for reading,
Dave

*I guess sometime around Feb 2010 the site will shut down after my account with WordPress is not renewed, until then it will remain as is, hopefully becoming even more obsolete as the Steelers add their 7th ring to the collection*

Semi-Speculative
Chris Carr: The Steelers brought in Titans free agent Chris Carr to see if he might potentially be a fit with the Steelers and bolster the return game which has been anemic since Randle El lived back there. Carr would also be able to provide some depth in the secondary after the departures of Anthony Smith and Brynat McFadden. Carr ranked third last season in the AFC in KR average (28.1) while the Steelers were 29th in the league at 20.3. Additionally, Carr was 8th in PR average at 10.1 while the Steelers had a paltry 6.0.

Joey Galloway: Joey is OLD. Very Old. Well, at least it seems that way. (ok, just checked, he’s 37, that’s ancient). Funny how LaDainian Tomlinson at age 30 is “washed up” but Galloway keeps ticking. The Steelers apparantly think he’s still got some mileage on his wheels. Honestly I don’t know much about Galloway, when I was 16 and in high school, Joey was beginning his career for Seattle and burning up the field with his breakneck speed. At one time he had 4.3 speed, not sure if that still exists, but his age and assumed wisdom could be an asset for Santonio and Limas (and while I think Hines can handle that job just fine, a little help never hurt). Here’s the completely subjective kicker for me…Mike Tomlin knows him from Tampa Bay and I trust Coach Tomlin, after all, he did pretty well with Mewelde this past season.

Purely-Speculative
Orlando Pace: I’m not sure this would be a high priority with the Steelers wanting to get younger as well as deeper on the O-line, but Pace was released and could come at a huge discount. He’s certainly got the experience to help a (hopefully) young, recently drafted O-Line recruits. It also might not be top priority because of the one year tender signed by Willie Colon. Despite the age factor (and obvious health concerns) Pace has to be worth a thought, maybe he’d be interested in a position shift.

Torry Holt: This is complete speculation since he hasn’t been released by the Rams, but there is plenty of talk that he might be a cap casualty in St Louis. I’m just guessing, but if the ancient (and recently injured) Galloway is an option for WR depth, why wouldn’t Holt (who is much younger) also be considered for this same role. That might be the sticking point though, Torry Holt might not be quite ready to ride off into the sunset as a #3 receiver. It sure would be an incredible line-up. Holt, Ward, Holmes. Sweed. Tasty.

How about some Draft Picks?
So, each day the Jay Cutler situation seems to get worse and less likely to be repaired…Denver may very well be looking for a trade, not because they still want to deal Cutler but because they must. Detroit would be crazy to not want Cutler and I’m certain Tampa Bay would still be open to acquiring him as well as any number of other teams with no real solution at QB (Jax, Chi, Jets, Redskins…two words, Dan Snyder, Panthers, Rams). many of these teams have some pretty attractive draft picks. I’m not a trading guru, because I don’t know all the financial and cap considerations that go into making trades, but we have a quality QB in Byron Leftwich that we could sign and trade to Denver…Denver would send Cutler to team X and that team would send some draft picks to both Denver and Pittsburgh. This might be absurd, and not even possible, but it would be interesting.

Speaking of Leftwich, he was on Mike and Mike in the Morning on Wednesday. 

Free Agent Tracker:

CONGRATS TO ROBERT MORRIS…1st trip to the Big Dance since 1992 (Video)

Something tells me we’ll be looking to draft some depth for the secondary this April.

Update: The Steelers brought in Joey Galloway for a visit, I’d give you my opinion, but Dale seems to have thought through all the implications already. I wouldn’t say that Joey is the answer that will get us over the hump again, but he’ll be a nice addition for a reasonable price.

Updated list of Steelers FA’s:

Never have we seen such a collection of coaches, out of work, all at the same time with no more job openings to be had. But, this economy is setting all kinds of firsts for the working public. Between these 8 coaches they have 10 Super Bowl appearances and 6 Super Bowl rings. Oh, and 2 guys who play to win the games/except in the playoffs.

Who’s most likely to work again? Ranking these 8 unemployed coaches…

1. Bill Cowher: Stock has fallen just a bit after the Steelers won a Super Bowl so quickly after his departure, leaving him as the worst Steelers head coach in the last 40 years. Still, a legend and a future HOF coach. The chin did leave us as a very successful coach, an impressive resume, including a Lombardi Trophy, a COY award, a stifling D, a franchise QB and an awful, chin enhanced sideline mascot.
Last Seen: hanging out at girls basketball games and sticking his chin around CBS.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Still could work in nearly any city he wanted. Turned down several jobs as he’s waiting for the right gig. My guess, coaching either the Redskins or the Panthers, whichever team stinks in ’09. Thankfully the Browns couldn’t sway him. I might have cried a confluence of rivers.

2. Mike Shanahan: Hasn’t won consistently since John Elway retired. Had one final gasp for breath by making it to the AFC title game following the 2005 season. Only to be buzz-sawed by the Jerome Bettis farewell/homecoming tour.
Last Seen: crying in a corner after his 25th RB got injured…later found sniffing around Valley Ranch in Irving, TX.
What’s he doing in 2010?: The lure of Shanahan will evoke visions of Parcells wooing Jerry Jones into temporary submission, giving up control for a very short period of time. Coaching the Cowboys. Also seen purchasing supplies for Lane Kiffin and Jon Gruden’s incident below.

3. Jon Gruden: Built a Super Bowl team in Oakland and then moved to TB to ride Dungy’s wake all the way to defeating that Gruden built Raiders team. Then, he promptly led the Bucs down a steady downward spiral.
Last Seen: losing to the Raiders to get knocked out of the playoffs…2 weeks later was picked up along with Mr. Kiffin for a TPing incident in Oakland
What’s he doing in 2010?: No idea, except I believe some desperate team that thought they were going to be good in 2009 will implode and call Gruden to instill discipline in a talented and underachieving team. Sounds a lot like San Diego to me, maybe Cincy.

4. Brian Billick: The offensive, QB genious that single handedly resurrected the career of Randall Cunningham in Minnesota (sarcasm) never got a QB or an offense in Baltimore. But that defense was special. Special in a criminal kind of way.
Last Seen: A season has passed now and a year was spent working for ABC, NFL Network and FOX. Can’t seem to find an identity, no surprise there.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Probably some sort of TV gig; maybe heading back to his game show roots or possibly filling in for Reverend Camden in a 7th Heaven reunion special. Seems to me it won’t be coaching: No one trusts his offensive ability and everyone knows he was the beneficiary of a good D, not the other way around.

5. Mike Holmgren: Still harboring bitterness towards the Steelers (and the refs for some reason) about his teams inability to compete in Super Bowl XL. The team promptly imploded and the Seahawks returned to the roost at the bottom of the NFL food chain.
Last Seen: Debating whether to come back or to stay retired while airing his sour grapes on national TV prior to SB XLIII. Get over it, Walrus.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Hanging out on some yet to be named pregame show on the weekends and visiting his little buddy Brett on his tractor in Mississippi, thanking him for making him a legend too.

6. Marty Schottenheimer: Long time Browns, Cheifs, Chargers, Redskins and who knows what other teams…won at a very successful rate between September and December. In January…well, that’s the knock. The Marty-Ball didn’t seem to have the same magic in the playoffs.
Last Seen: Flirting with the Browns (maybe only in the minds of fans and bloggers) about a potential return as a back-up singer to his fomer assistant (now front man) Bill Cowher. The reunion tour could have been brilliant for the Brownies…nope, Manginious it is. Fools.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Not much other than watching the calendar and clock tick down on a career that should have lasted 2-3 years longer in San Diego.

7. Jim Fassel: Led the Giants to a surprising Super Bowl berth in 2000 only to be offered up as a sacrificial lamb to the Ravens D (Thanks a lot Jim). Several years later, realized he couldn’t beat the Ravens, so he joined them. It was not a good fit as he was run out of town. Maybe it was really an evil plot by Jimmy to undermine the Ravens and drive them into the ground. Well, if nothing else, he partially contributed to Billick’s demise.
Last Seen: Taking his tour of revenge to the Raiders. He begged and pleaded for a chance to coach in the most disfunctional family in all of sports. When all others were running for their lives Fassel charged in with guns blazing and still got shot down.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Probably wallowing in self-pitty and walking tall bay bridges contemplating the value of his coaching life. Or maybe just nothing.

8. Herman Edwards: OK, he really has no business being on this list. He’s never really been a good coach in his 8 years as a head coach (5NYJ, 3KC). His career 54-74 record with only 4 winning seasons and 1 division title don’t merit much consideration for a 3rd chance. But, I have to recognize that he belives he’s good enough, smart enough and doggone it people DO like him. And, I have to believe as far as retreads go, he wants to coach and will get some sniffs in the future.
Last Seen: Walking out of his KC office after being strung along by the merciless Scott Pioli, as Scott tried to decide what he wanted to do with the mess that Carl Peterson left him.
What’s he doing in 2010?: Playing monopoly, Risk or any other ridiculously long board game and after his friends have bailed out because they have other places to go and things to do, Herm erupts on them declaring that he’ll never give up because he plays to win the game!

There are several others over the past couple seasons that have been downgraded from Head Coaches to Assistants elsewhere. They’re not unemployed in the NFL ranks, plus most of them never had the success that merited mention…guys like Rod Marinelli, Jim Haslett, Cam Cameron, Scott Linehan and Romeo Crennel. The above 8 guys are coaches that will actually be remembered by not only their teams but by many other football fans, the latter list of guys will only be remembered in nightmares and in sentances preceded by curse words.

…or not, just kidding.

But, seriously, I am very interested to see what team will give him a chance. And, I have a feeling he won’t be willing to play just anywhere. T.O. is a player that only a handful of teams would take a chance on, and most of them are the teams that have nothing to lose because they are so bad. I can’t think of one contending team that would desire all the baggage that comes with T.O.

Elsewhere:
T.O. Released

The Bengals signed Laveranues Coles. He’ll get lit up like the forh of July.

The Broncos are collecting 2nd tier running backs.

RAY LEWIS IS STAYING in Baltimore…I’m very happy, I would have missed that guy.

For every other team, it began on “Black Friday”, which is rarely, if ever Black and Gold Friday. The Steelers took care of some of their own, as they always do (the Kemoeatu signing was surprising) and they were certain to lose some of their contributors, as they always do. In my mind free agency for the Steelers doesn’t really begin until we bring in someone new or we lose someone to another team.

Today was that day; the first UFA Steeler has left the comfort and security of a champion and headed out on a journey alone. A path that Yancey once walked and failed.

Nate Washington is a Tennessee Titan. Best of luck. But I don’t think we’ll be hearing much from you.

The next Steelers player likely to go is Bryant McFadden, it’s actually somewhat surprising that he hasn’t landed somewhere yet. There is a current stir about the potential signing of Free Agent Titan Chris Carr as a CB/KR.

In case you haven’t been aware to this point  who our free agents are (which would be shocking if you follow the Steelers close enough to read blogs about them), here’s a list:

• UFA – Charlie Batch
• UFA – Mitch Berger
• UFA – Fernando Bryant
• RFA – Willie Colon
• UFA – Jon Dekker
• UFA – Trai Essex
• UFA – Keyaron Fox
• UFA – Andre Frazier
• UFA – Arnold Harrison
• UFA – Chris Kemoeatu – Resigned with Pittsburgh
• UFA – Byron Leftwich
• RFA – Anthony Madison
• UFA – Bryant McFadden
• RFA – Sean McHugh – Resigned with Pittsburgh
• UFA – Orpheus Roye
• REL - Kendall Simmons
• UFA – Anthony Smith
• UFA – Marvel Smith
• UFA – Nate Washington – Signed with Tennessee

Other notable signings:
Bart Scott apparently got sick of getting decked by Hines Ward twice a year.
Houshmandzadeh decided to fade off into obscurity with a bad and boring team (at least the begals were just bad, they certainly weren’t boring).
Andra Davis, arguably one of Cleveland’s best defenders (mind you, is quite relative), wised up and signed with Denver.
The Ryan Fitzpatrick era is over in Cincinnati; signed with Buffalo. I assume that mean Carson Palmer expects to actually play football.

I just got my new SI and it featured the obligatory letters from readers section.  Because I am cheap and I want to receive the maximum benefit from my subscription, I read the aforementioned letters.  This issue had a letter from someone named Andrew Lasseter who wrote “I am tired of hearing about how great Ben Roethlisberger is at avoiding the rush.  Am I the only one who saw him get sacked 46 times [last year]?  He moves more like a champion of competitive eating than a SUPER BOWL WINNING QUARTERBACK (emphasis mine).”  Mr. Lasseter, in an weak attempt at humor, actually makes the best case for Big Ben through his last statement that Ben is a Super Bowl winning quarterback.  Yes, he was sacked 46 times, but all this guy does is avoid the rush, complete clutch passes and win!  Two Super Bowls in four years, not to mention the other stats he currently owns.  He has shown that he can get it done through a primarily run offense (2005) to a primarily pass offense (2008).  I do agree with Mr. Lasseter that If Ben decided to enter a competitive eating contest, he would emerge as the winner!

I also don’t understand the “does he belong in the elite quarterback ranks?” debate.  How can you not put him in the same conversation as Brady and Manning?  Granted, Brady has one more Super Bowl win and Manning holds more records, but Ben has won two Super Bowls and he is in the upside of his career.  You could argue that Brady and Manning, due to age and serious knee injury/surgery may be on the down sides of their career.  Don’t think so, then why does Matt Cassell have 14+ million to be his backup?  I hate the patriots, but they are not stupid.  There is a reason they are giving him so much bank and that is because Brady is not going to be around much longer.  Going forward, who would you take over the long-term? 

Does it matter that his first Super Bowl ended with him holding the lowest QB rating in history for a Super Bowl WINNING quarterback?  I wonder if Kurt Warner would trade his Super Bowl passing records to have the lowest rating as the winning quarterback?  Again, all Ben does is win and I for one am grateful we have him.

For the story on how contributer, “Bowling League” came to love the Steelers check out the Fan Stories section of this blog.

If you’ve watched Sportscenter over the past month or visited ESPN.com at all during this span, you were probably smacked in the face with a heavy dose of Mount Rushmore. This is an example of an ok idea (which is why it’s getting my attention) that was very poorly executed. You see, ESPN set out to determine who each state’s 4 Rushmore reps would be. Though, the criteria seemed rather confused as sports figures started popping up on multiple Rushmores…Is Peyton Manning’s chiseled rock set in Southern Indiana (any Hoosier knows it’s nothing but flatness up north) or resting peacefully upon the Great Smokies or should he be hanging in the New Orleans French Quarter. ESPN didn’t seem to want to choose between place of birth, college greatness or professional greatness.

My biggest problem came when I looked at Pennsylvania and not a single Steeler was represented. How could the most successful and prominant team in the state not get a nod.

So, this post is dedicated to the Mount Rushmore of Pittsburgh Steelers only. Who makes the list? Of all the great individuals that donned the Black and Gold which 4 stand above the rest? This was extremely difficult as I made my selections:

On display…my very terrible cut and paste Mt Rushmore attempt.

Jerome Bettis: The beloved heart and soul and inspirational leader of the Cowher-led Steelers. As a big, bruising running back, he ran in such a way that exemplified the heart and soul of the city. The Bus finished his career as the 5th leading rusher all-time and garnered 6 Pro Bowl selections.

Dan Rooney: President/Chairman 1955 – Present. We have to have a Rooney on the Mount, and while many may choose Art, I choose Dan. Other than Art founding the team, both Rooney’s have been Owner/Pres/Chair for 55 years, Art’s first 40 years were dismal the last 15 were magical. Of Dan’s 55 years only the first 20 were dismal and the rest is history. Dan Rooney is one of very few people to hold 6 championship rings. Dan Rooney’s contributions of the field in working for labor peace, introducing the Rooney Rule, working out a deal to keep the team in the family and just for his pure awesomeness, are what set him apart from his dad.

Joe Greene: The heart and soul of the Chuck Noll era Steelers of the 70′s. His acquisition and then acclimation to the Pittsburgh Steelers was the hinge-point in turning a sorry, perennial loser into the greatest NFL team of all time. His dedication and toughness were contagious and led GREAT teams by example. Joe Greene was the cornerstone around which the Steel Curtain was built. Fighting in the trenches Joe Greene was selected to 10 Pro Bowls in his career. Still with the team, he also hold 6 rings.

Jack Lambert: He’s clearly number 4 in this list but epitomizes all that Pittsburghers think of when they think of their Steelers. He was “too small” they said to play linebacker but his strength and quickness combined with his mind for the game allowed him to excel. Named to 9 straight Pro Bowls as well as winning the Defensive ROY and POY, Lambert’s intensity is what people remember when they think of Jack. If there were a tie for this last spot it would certainly be won by Lambert on account of his iconic toothless image.

That’s my list. I’m nearly distraught to not include Chuck Noll, Franco Harris or Terry Bradshaw, but there are only 4 spots.

Who makes your Steelers Mount Rushmore? Agree with mine? Convince me that I blew it…or heap praises upon my amazing selections.

So, if you ever wondered what a little Hot Clicks action could do for your blog, now you know. I know I’ve always wondered. (I once submitted a link to Hot Clicks on behalf of this NFL preview, and the traffic promptly shut down 18to88.com for a couple of days.)

My hope is that at least 2 of the many visitors to the site, will like what they saw and come back again on their own, without the incentive of following a “hot click” that they were probably hoping would lead them to scantily clad women. (if you are actually back for more of we offer at 5GR, don’t lurk, let us know you were here, leave a comment or 5)

So, without further adieu…Here is your “official” Ebay/NFL Popularity Index:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers – 16,567
Great Steelers item: A giant 1976 Steelers coloring book
Not such a good item: Fernando Bryant 2008 “game used” glove (I guess it’s rare since he only recorded a stat in 2 games all season)

2. Dallas Cowboys – 10,897
Great Cowboys Item: The No Jessica T-shirt…Ha
Not such a good item: Squezze Play Rare LP featuring Hollywood Henderson (autographed!)

3. New York Giants – 7,633
Great Giants Item: Classic Bill Parcells sweater
Not such a good item: Plaxico Burress youth jersey…exactly what I want my kid to wear

4. Green Bay Packers – 7,445
Great Packers Item: Couldn’t decide…Vintage Pennant, Favre HS, College and Pro Bobble and a Cheese Head (I love Cheese Heads…next to the Terrible Towel it’s my favorite fan item)
Not such a good item: Huh? Green Bay Packers coral? I don’t get it.

5. Chicago Bears – 7,057
Great Bears Item: Classic SNL “Da Bears” t-shirt
Not such a good item: a collection of Kordell Stewart Bears cards

For the rest of the NFL rankings

6. New England Patriots – 6,300
7. Oakland Raiders – 5,689
8. Philadelphia Eagles – 5,283
9. Denver Broncos – 5,089
10. Indianapolis Colts – 4,799
11. New York Jets – 4,628
12. Washington Redskins – 4,425
13. Miami Dolphins – 4,181
14. San Francisco 49ers – 4,180
15. Buffalo Bills – 4,172
16. San Diego Chargers – 3,800
17. Cleveland Browns – 3,707
18. Minnesota Vikings – 3,670
19. Cincinnati Bengals – 3,345
20. Kansas City Chiefs – 3,289
21. Arizona Cardinals – 3,235
22. New Orleans Saints – 2,984
23. Atlanta Falcons – 2,979
24. Baltimore Ravens – 2,934
25. Tennessee Titans – 2,718
26. Detroit Lions – 2,618
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2,693
28. St Louis Rams – 2,570
29. Seattle Seahawks – 2,466
30. Carolina Panthers – 2,351
31. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1,845
32. Houston Texans – 1,837

Based on the popularity of each team, here is the popularity of each division in the NFL…In other words, I just did the math for something that you probably weren’t even wondering about:
1. NFC East – 28,220
2. AFC North – 26,553
3. NFC North – 20,790
4. AFC East – 19,281
5. AFC West – 17,876
6. NFC West – 12,451
7. AFC South – 11,199
8. NFC South – 11,007

*For each search only the items that appeared for [Team City + Team Name] were counted. The reason is this: When typing in Pittsburgh Steelers and then just Steelers the total items increased by 4,230. But the difference between Detroit Lions and just Lions is 27,053. Chances are that ALL Steelers references actually refer to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but ALL Lions references clearly are not referring to the cats from Detroit. Hence the “rule” to include both City and Name.

**Since Ebay listings are always ending and being added…Totals were taken between 5:30pm and 6:00pm EST on 2/23/09

A few years back I did this same exercise on my now defunct Xanga site: Enjoy comparing January 2006 (just prior to the Steelers winning Super Bowl XL) to February 2009 (Just after the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII)…

1. Pittsburgh Steelers – 13820 

2. Dallas Cowboys – 5017

3. Seattle Seahawks – 4978

4. Chicago Bears – 4216

5. Green Bay Packers – 4036

6. Denver Broncos – 3833

7. Oakland Raiders – 3386

8. New England Patriots – 3018

9. Miami Dolphins – 2949

10. New York Giants – 2774

11. Philadelphia Eagles – 2454

12. Washington Redskins – 2332

13. Buffalo Bills – 2258

14. Carolina Panthers – 2104

15. San Francisco 49ers – 2045

16. Minnesota Vikings – 1946

17. Cleveland Browns – 1888

18. New York Jets – 1858

19. Indianapolis Colts – 1844

20. Kansas City Chiefs – 1702

21. Atlanta Falcons – 1620

22. Detroit Lions – 1494

23. St. Louis Rams – 1420

24. San Diego Chargers – 1361

25. Cincinnati Bengals – 1256

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1249

27. Baltimore Ravens – 1154

28. Tennessee Titans – 923

29. New Orleans Saints – 900

30. Jacksonville Jaguars – 817

31. Houston Texans – 801

32. Arizona Cardinals – 665

 

I think you’ll see that there is a clear inflation for the current Super Bowl teams. The Seahawks in 2006 were #3, now they are #29. The Cardinals of 2006 were #32…now #21. Another thing you’ll notice is the huge difference in the number of items listed for virtually every team. But overall, after 3 years the list is eerily similar. Thus proving my point…or something like that.