My bracket is already completely fucked. Not even a full day of action (as I'm writing) and it's already fucked. Wow. This is a new low.
Every year, I say that I'm going to pay attention to college basketball. Every year, I say I'm going to watch games, listen to the experts, and read as many articles as I can about all the relevant teams. And every March, I go, "Really? It's Tournament time already? Huh. Okay. Here's my $20. Should I flush it down the toilet right now, or should I wait?"
I'm being a bit of a drama queen, since I did win my bracket at work two years ago. However, I'm fucked this year already.
So, with that in mind, I'm going to fully and staunchly support Pitt. I'd root for them anyway, but if it was a choice between Pitt prospering and messing up my chance to win $200, well, I think you know which side I'd take. The side with the money. I went to Pitt. I'm not as crazy about Pitt as I am about the Steelers. I'm not even sure where my degree is, but my Steelers hat is on my head.
I did have UCLA and Ben Howland taking out Pitt in the Sweet 16. I'm now rooting against that. I'm rooting for Pitt to win it all. Or, at least making it past the Sweet 16 for once in their pathetic Tournament existence.
LET'S GO PITT!
For the record, my Elite Eight:
Florida, Oregon, Kansas, UCLA, UNC, Texas A & M, Georgetown, Xavier. Yes, you read that correctly. Xavier.
Final Four:
Florida, Georgetown, UCLA, Texas A & M.
Championship Game:
UCLA vs. Georgetown
UCLA wins it all.
Like I said. Completely fucked.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Penguins
Here's my official stance on the Penguins: I didn't miss hockey when it was gone and barely noticed that it had disappeared. When it came back, it barely showed up on my radar. Now that they're winning, I haven't jumped on the bandwagon. I'm following them a little bit closer, but nowhere near as close as I would follow the Steelers, Pirates, or Pitt (in that order) if they made a playoff run.
And, I caught the end of the Bruins game on Tuesday, got excited during the shootout and was very impressed by Sidney Crosby. I still don't know shit about hockey, get confused, lose the puck, and pretty much follow the action well enough that I know when to get scared and when to cheer. Other than that, I can't say as though hockey plays much of a role in my life.
As a result, I'm kinda disappointed that the new arena is getting built and that they're staying. I live in the city, so my income tax, sales tax, and property tax is probably going to go up. I follow baseball and football (well, duh on the the football) closely enough that I didn't mind the increase in taxes when the other two stadiums got built.
I don't really go to concerts, so the new arena doesn't have much appeal there. I'm really just going to get screwed for taxes on something that I don't need, utilize, or enjoy. Then again, my property taxes and most of the taxes I pay to the city on my income go to fund the public schools, so I guess it's really just a different sized dildo with different attachments and movements that I will be forced to accept.
My point is this: I can take or leave hockey. Since they're staying and I'm paying for it, I'll take it. If they left, I probably wouldn't notice.
All that having been said, I have been itching to grow a playoff beard for some time. If the Pens make it into the playoffs, I may have to start one.
And, I caught the end of the Bruins game on Tuesday, got excited during the shootout and was very impressed by Sidney Crosby. I still don't know shit about hockey, get confused, lose the puck, and pretty much follow the action well enough that I know when to get scared and when to cheer. Other than that, I can't say as though hockey plays much of a role in my life.
As a result, I'm kinda disappointed that the new arena is getting built and that they're staying. I live in the city, so my income tax, sales tax, and property tax is probably going to go up. I follow baseball and football (well, duh on the the football) closely enough that I didn't mind the increase in taxes when the other two stadiums got built.
I don't really go to concerts, so the new arena doesn't have much appeal there. I'm really just going to get screwed for taxes on something that I don't need, utilize, or enjoy. Then again, my property taxes and most of the taxes I pay to the city on my income go to fund the public schools, so I guess it's really just a different sized dildo with different attachments and movements that I will be forced to accept.
My point is this: I can take or leave hockey. Since they're staying and I'm paying for it, I'll take it. If they left, I probably wouldn't notice.
All that having been said, I have been itching to grow a playoff beard for some time. If the Pens make it into the playoffs, I may have to start one.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Joey Porter
Apparently, people read this thing, because I've had more than a few people ask me to weigh in on the Joey Porter situation. I'm wondering how this started, how people actually started reading the blog and checking it periodically to see if there were any updates. Then again, I really shouldn't argue. I should just roll with it.
So... I'm happy for him and I'm happy for the Steelers.
They didn't have to pay $4 million for a guy that was probably past his prime and didn't live up to his contract last year. They avoided the inevitable hold-out during training camp and the distractions that would cause with a new coach. Most importantly, they took a bold step in the new regime by announcing that no one, not even the great and almighty "Peazy" was untouchable.
In related news, they signed that Mahan guy from Tampa to keep Chukki Okobi on his toes. And that's a very good thing. I hope this new dude takes Okobi's job. I never understood why they kept Okobi around as long as they did. It almost seemed strange to read stories about him last August, but the funny part about that was that he needed to get injured for people to start talking about him.
I'm happy for Porter because he really didn't have a future in Pittsburgh. Last season was last season and a lot of his ineffectiveness could probably be attributed to the fact that the team collectively sucked a giant testicle. Then again, he really seemed to be slipping up. He played well in the prime time games (especially the opener against the Dolphins - think that's a coincidence? Well, it probably is) and didn't do much of anything in the games that fell on a Sunday afternoon.
He got his last, big contract. While he'll never see all of the $32 million he signed for (never believe NFL contract numbers - Jerry Rice signed a 6 year, $30 million deal with Oakland after he turned 40 and was cut before the next season started), he still has $20 million in guaranteed money. And that's remarkable for a 30 year-old linebacker that's really a system guy. Granted, Dom Capers is on that staff and he'll probably find the best way to take advantage of Porter's skill set, but he'll never be the player he was from 2001-2005. He still cashed in, though, and that's admirable. Take the money and run, Joey. It's the last big contract you'll ever see. I'm happy for you. Seriously. Spend wisely.
In all of this, I really only feel bad for the Dolphins. I think that their linebacking corps has an average age of death. Jason Taylor (even though he's the reigning Defensive MVP) and Zach Thomas are no longer the players they once were. And neither is Porter. And now they're 3/4 of a team's linebackers. Wow. The Dolphins are gonna suck next year.
There have only been two guys that got away that I feel the Steelers missed on: Rod Woodson and John Jackson. And yes, I felt like they let those two guys get away right after they left, not several years later when I had the benefit of hindsight. Jackson is proof of that. He didn't really do anything in Jacksonville after he left, but I didn't want to see him go. We've been trying to fill the void he left behind at right tackle ever since.
And Max Starks ain't comin' back, by the way. If he doesn't get benched and replaced this season, he'll hit the free agent market next season. Not with a bang, but a whimper.
Given the fact that free agency has been around 15 years and there have only been two guys that were the "one that got away," I'd say that's a pretty damn good track record. I'm inclined to trust the Steelers. Especially in this situation. Because I think he needed to go.
Tomlin was just the guy to do it, too. Whisenhunt and Grimm might have let him go, but Cowher never would have. That's one of the reasons I think the Steelers went outside the organization for their head coach. A lot of tough decisions needed to be made the next two years and this was only one of them.
Hang on. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
So... I'm happy for him and I'm happy for the Steelers.
They didn't have to pay $4 million for a guy that was probably past his prime and didn't live up to his contract last year. They avoided the inevitable hold-out during training camp and the distractions that would cause with a new coach. Most importantly, they took a bold step in the new regime by announcing that no one, not even the great and almighty "Peazy" was untouchable.
In related news, they signed that Mahan guy from Tampa to keep Chukki Okobi on his toes. And that's a very good thing. I hope this new dude takes Okobi's job. I never understood why they kept Okobi around as long as they did. It almost seemed strange to read stories about him last August, but the funny part about that was that he needed to get injured for people to start talking about him.
I'm happy for Porter because he really didn't have a future in Pittsburgh. Last season was last season and a lot of his ineffectiveness could probably be attributed to the fact that the team collectively sucked a giant testicle. Then again, he really seemed to be slipping up. He played well in the prime time games (especially the opener against the Dolphins - think that's a coincidence? Well, it probably is) and didn't do much of anything in the games that fell on a Sunday afternoon.
He got his last, big contract. While he'll never see all of the $32 million he signed for (never believe NFL contract numbers - Jerry Rice signed a 6 year, $30 million deal with Oakland after he turned 40 and was cut before the next season started), he still has $20 million in guaranteed money. And that's remarkable for a 30 year-old linebacker that's really a system guy. Granted, Dom Capers is on that staff and he'll probably find the best way to take advantage of Porter's skill set, but he'll never be the player he was from 2001-2005. He still cashed in, though, and that's admirable. Take the money and run, Joey. It's the last big contract you'll ever see. I'm happy for you. Seriously. Spend wisely.
In all of this, I really only feel bad for the Dolphins. I think that their linebacking corps has an average age of death. Jason Taylor (even though he's the reigning Defensive MVP) and Zach Thomas are no longer the players they once were. And neither is Porter. And now they're 3/4 of a team's linebackers. Wow. The Dolphins are gonna suck next year.
There have only been two guys that got away that I feel the Steelers missed on: Rod Woodson and John Jackson. And yes, I felt like they let those two guys get away right after they left, not several years later when I had the benefit of hindsight. Jackson is proof of that. He didn't really do anything in Jacksonville after he left, but I didn't want to see him go. We've been trying to fill the void he left behind at right tackle ever since.
And Max Starks ain't comin' back, by the way. If he doesn't get benched and replaced this season, he'll hit the free agent market next season. Not with a bang, but a whimper.
Given the fact that free agency has been around 15 years and there have only been two guys that were the "one that got away," I'd say that's a pretty damn good track record. I'm inclined to trust the Steelers. Especially in this situation. Because I think he needed to go.
Tomlin was just the guy to do it, too. Whisenhunt and Grimm might have let him go, but Cowher never would have. That's one of the reasons I think the Steelers went outside the organization for their head coach. A lot of tough decisions needed to be made the next two years and this was only one of them.
Hang on. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Free Agency, Other Stuff
First of all, I'm going to save us all a lot of time and not talk about free agency as it relates to our beloved Steelers. I'm not going to waste time writing about it, not going to waste your time reading about it, and I'm not going to waste the Rooneys time because I know they check this blog regularly and I don't want to cause them any anguish by thinking, "Hmmm... Should we sign this guy? Brad seems to think it's a good idea..."
Second of all, I'm a little surprised that we re-signed Najeh Davenport. I know there weren't any better options out there, but he really didn't impress me last year. And I thought there was either going to be a draft pick that would come in and compete for a roster spot, or that we'd go find someone else. Ya know, someone like Duce Staley.
And... Weidman's happy he didn't buy a Joey Porter jersey after last season. I told you there were some tough decisions to be made this year and next year, right? I told you that Porter might be one of the guys to go, right? I told you that there was no way Cowher would've made the tough decisions, right? So there you go. Cowher's gone and so is Porter and the Tomlin era can begin.
I'm just nervous that he's going to sign with Cleveland or with the hated Ravens. Now wouldn't that suck? Having to play a pissed off Joey Porter two times a year? Yeah. I'm not a fan of that. Both teams play a 3-4. Both teams could probably use him (especially Cleveland, who might just sign him so they don't have to play against him). I think he's gonna pull an Earl Holmes, sign with the Brownies, and that's going to begin the slow, painful death of his career.
Don't get me wrong, I love Joey Porter... It was time for him to go. Can't put it any other way.
The Aaron Smith extension was huge. Any big, dumb looking white guy that eats up blockers is okay in my book. Probably paid a bit too much for him, but then again, it's a brave new world out there with all the cap space available. Eighteen teams have $15 million or more in cap room (no, none of them are the Steelers).
Ever go to the bar with a big wad of cash that you know you don't need to save and doesn't need to be spent on anything else? Ever wake up the next morning next to a crack whore covered in oatmeal and realize you bought everyone in the bar Irish Car Bombs at last call? That's NFL owners. Only the crack whore might be covered in tapioca. You know, 'cause it's classier.
Salaries are going to spiral out of control. At least at first. When the dust settles the rich, spoiled owners will eventually collude (nothing wrong with it, since anti-trust laws don't apply to them), put their collective foot down, and figure out a way to keep football salaries from becoming like baseball or basketball salaries. Nate Clements is going to be a rich man. So is Adalius Thomas. Ditto Eric Steinbach.
After owners and GMs see what happen to salaries this off-season, signing guys to extensions early is going to be a MAJOR priority.
Everything in the NFL universe will get back to normal eventually. The owners are too strong and the players union is too weak. It was the other way around for baseball and basketball, which is why those sports are where they are right now.
Two other things I wanted mention, but I wanted to wait a while to post them:
Second of all, I'm a little surprised that we re-signed Najeh Davenport. I know there weren't any better options out there, but he really didn't impress me last year. And I thought there was either going to be a draft pick that would come in and compete for a roster spot, or that we'd go find someone else. Ya know, someone like Duce Staley.
And... Weidman's happy he didn't buy a Joey Porter jersey after last season. I told you there were some tough decisions to be made this year and next year, right? I told you that Porter might be one of the guys to go, right? I told you that there was no way Cowher would've made the tough decisions, right? So there you go. Cowher's gone and so is Porter and the Tomlin era can begin.
I'm just nervous that he's going to sign with Cleveland or with the hated Ravens. Now wouldn't that suck? Having to play a pissed off Joey Porter two times a year? Yeah. I'm not a fan of that. Both teams play a 3-4. Both teams could probably use him (especially Cleveland, who might just sign him so they don't have to play against him). I think he's gonna pull an Earl Holmes, sign with the Brownies, and that's going to begin the slow, painful death of his career.
Don't get me wrong, I love Joey Porter... It was time for him to go. Can't put it any other way.
The Aaron Smith extension was huge. Any big, dumb looking white guy that eats up blockers is okay in my book. Probably paid a bit too much for him, but then again, it's a brave new world out there with all the cap space available. Eighteen teams have $15 million or more in cap room (no, none of them are the Steelers).
Ever go to the bar with a big wad of cash that you know you don't need to save and doesn't need to be spent on anything else? Ever wake up the next morning next to a crack whore covered in oatmeal and realize you bought everyone in the bar Irish Car Bombs at last call? That's NFL owners. Only the crack whore might be covered in tapioca. You know, 'cause it's classier.
Salaries are going to spiral out of control. At least at first. When the dust settles the rich, spoiled owners will eventually collude (nothing wrong with it, since anti-trust laws don't apply to them), put their collective foot down, and figure out a way to keep football salaries from becoming like baseball or basketball salaries. Nate Clements is going to be a rich man. So is Adalius Thomas. Ditto Eric Steinbach.
After owners and GMs see what happen to salaries this off-season, signing guys to extensions early is going to be a MAJOR priority.
Everything in the NFL universe will get back to normal eventually. The owners are too strong and the players union is too weak. It was the other way around for baseball and basketball, which is why those sports are where they are right now.
Two other things I wanted mention, but I wanted to wait a while to post them:
- Jim Wexell, the guy that got me to the Combine, shared a shitty hotel room with me, and was kindly enough to drive me back to the Burgh when fucking Northwestern cancelled my flight broke this story that states the Steelers are not going to the Tampa 2 defense that Tomlin loves so much. They're sticking with the 3-4 for the foreseeable future. The signing of Aaron Smith helps confirm that, but they're also looking at a bunch of 3-4 type guys in the draft. Which means it's at least going to be the defense of choice for the next 4 years or so. Can't say too much about it, but I was there right after he broke it, it's from a very reliable source, and we talked about it on the drive back. Just trust me. The Zone Blitz ain't going nowhere.
- Ever wonder why Duce Staley stuck around so long? Even after I offered his job to Weidman for half the price? The Steelers told him they wouldn't be the team to cut him and they kept their word as long as they could. Again, can't say more than that, you're just going to have to trust me.
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