Steelers 4 & 1 after shutting out Seattle

It was definitely a slow start for both football teams as the Seattle Seahawks went to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. A lot of that had to do with the unusually hot October weather in Pittsburgh. Also, both teams with a 3 & 1 record were desperately trying to not repeat last week losses by changing up plays, but getting nowhere. Did I mention the Steelers top receivers were out on injury? Even so, the Steelers were able to squeeze out a score before halftime. But it was anyone's game. That is, until the second half started.

They should've called it "How Roethlisburger got his groove back", because he was on fire. After the break, Pittsburgh came out charging, stringing together play after play for ten minutes as they marched down field, capping it with another TD. And their defense was on lock for all four quarters, leaving Seattle's QB surrounded by field with no one to pass to. One more TD and the deal was sealed. Now with enough time to rest up their star players, hopefully Pittsburgh can keep their winning push further into the season.

Can the boys in gold dodge a bullet this season ?

Sports Illustrated has Joey Porter on the cover this month and asks, "Do the Steelers have what it takes to make another Super Bowl run? I've been a Pittsburgh fan since I was in junior high, so don't get it twisted when I say their chances are getting slim. Most haters say last year's win was a fluke, but I disagree.
It was an excellent combination of good players, tenacity, a few trick plays and some good calls in our favor tht gave them the ring; and really, when isn't that the case? But with Jerome Bettis retired, Antwaan Randle El gone due to his free-agent status, and Big Ben not playing up to par in the pre-season after his motorcycle injury and now getting his appendix out, the outlook to another superbowl sort of grim. I'm still hoping they can do it, but unless A.) Big Ben really gets back into the game and excels and B.) Porter keeps up his game onslaught all season, then the odds are definitely against them.

Pray for Big Ben

Say a little prayer for Ben
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

Yesterday Ben Roethlisberger was hit by a car while riding his streetbike in Pittsburgh. His head hit the other car's windshield and then was tossed a ways farther. The worse news is he wasn't wearing a helmet! Now I got a lotta love for Ben, and I've been a Steelers fan since the late 80's but damn, that was a dumb move. Especially when it is a on a street bike that can top 180 miles an hour. So please join in and pray he has a full recovery, and maybe gets a little common sense too.

We want tacos! We want tacos!

Lakers played Phoenix today.Kobe was playing good in the first half, but his game play was more of a passing game, with only 15 first-half points. of course thats alot of points but this is Kobe we are talking about. After the half, he came back on fire, drilling shots from all over the court, scoring 19 points in the third. When it was all said and done, Bryant had 42 points total, making this game # 23 that he had 40+ points this season, tying Elgin Baylor for Laker with the most 40+ games in a season. Now it was a gimme that the Lakers would win, especially with T-Mac out on injury, but on an intersting side note Yao actually held his own finishing with 25 points. That's a long way from when he first came in the League and was getting pushed around all the time.
After Kobe's blazing 3rd and 4th quarters, MVP chants could be heard through out Staples Center. After Kobe sat out, the chant changed. Inaudible at first, it soon became clear. We Want Tacos! We Want Tacos! Apparently Taco Bell was giving out vouchers for tacos if the Lakers kept the opponents to under 90. Luckily for the hungry fans, Rockets only made it to 88. Rumor has it the Rockets were coerced to keep it under 90 by city officials for fear of riots.

Steelers rock Monday Night Football

Oh baby, this was a nail biter. I got off work early and made it home just in time for the kick off. Probably one of the most nerve wracking football games I've watched in quite some time. And let me tell you, after watching 3 straight hours in high definition, I can't imagine ever watching it any other way. Seriously, it's that good. Pittsburgh scored first, in the 2nd quarter, Big Ben roethlisberger actually ran in for the TD. This kid really rocks. However, after terrible calls and obscure rules pulled out of nowhere, Steelers lose the lead. At the end of the game, right at crunch time when Pittsburgh is trying to come back for the win, Ben gets injured! I was almost sick at this point, but they were close enough for the kick and they pulled it off. Thats how Monday Night Football should be. Oh yeah, and despite Arnold Schwarzenegger's lame vote-pandering prediction of San Diego victory, Chargers didn't jingle all the way.

Lil' Jon says"HWWWHHAAATT???!!"... Lakers win!

Kobe works Utah, drops 40
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

If Kobe Bryant's recovery wasn't good enough news, the Lakers won today's game! It was a damn fine moment to witness Kobe back in action, and playing well. Did I mention the 40 points he dropped? holler. I'm officially not sick anymore, which only someone without health care (such as myself) can truly savor, and I aced my test scoring 100 percent, without studying. Word. Now I just need to start skateboarding again and my life will be complete. For this week, at least.

Basket-brawl in Detroit

Artest beats down a Detroit fan
found by russdogg.

So I'm at work, watching basketball. I know, I know, I wasn't really working in a literal sense, but I digress. Pacers were playing the Piston in Detroit. Now I happen to be anti-Detroit, since they won the championship last year, so I was cheering for Indiana's Pacers the whole time. In the last 45 seconds of the game, all hell breaks loose. I'm talkin players fighting players, players fighting fans, kids crying, fans rioting, objects thrown at players including beer bottles, ice, popcorn, and even a freakin chair! This went on for like five minutes. The game was called, - whens the last time that happened? - and people were left in a daze having witnessed the craziest scene ever in NBA history, I'd bet. Basically, it went down like this: Artest fouls Ben Wallace hard, intentionally, but not too hard. Wallace gets crazy and slams both hands in Artest's face, throwing him backwards hard. Artest, who is always somehow in the thick of this stuff, realizes its a no win, and backs off. To prove he's doin nothing, he lays down and chills on the scorer's table. Everyone else is holding back ben wallace who is still goin crazy. Then, a fan nails Artest in the face with a cup full of beer. Artest jumps up, runs 5 rows up to this lil punk, and starts beating him down. Then it went crazy. Detroit fans are insane. Crazier than Fresno State fans, even.The coolest was Jermaine O'Neil, who punched this one crazy dude so hard in the face that the guy went sailing. Did I mention some fan threw a chair??? This is up there with, if not the, all time craziest NBA scenes ever. If i had my DVR set up I would have clips, but for now go to ESPN.com.

Steelers beat Browns like a red-headed step child

Steelers stomp
found by russdogg.

Dang. Pittsburgh wins again! Getting sick of hearing that? Because I'm not. They're now 8 and 1. This game was a great win because of the huge rivalry between the two teams. There was even a fight before the game even started! And once again, our defense kept the others from scoring, while rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger cleaned house, all while lookin like he barely broke a sweat. Even with lead rusher Duce Staley out on injury ( I'd be hurting too if I rushed over 100 yards 4 games in a row) Last year, the Steelers weren't even considered as contenders for the playoffs. This year, one could easily argue they have the best record of the season. I'm predicting a superbowl win at this point. Mark my words. It'll be interesting to see who jumps on the fan bandwagon when they get to the playoffs.

Steelers showed Patriots their "O" face. O, O, O....

steelers stomp patriots
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

Could it get any better? Not only did the Steelers STOMP the New England Patriots, but in doing so Pittsburgh broke the Patriots 16 game winning streak (including last year's superbowl) AND rookie QB Ben Roethlisburger is now 5 and 0. What a perfect way to end a great Sunday.

Steelers baby, we get ours!

Pittsburgh baby, what!!!!! We back in this. 5 and 1. I'll admit I was skeptical about Ben Roethlisberger, the Steeler's new QB. Of course, thats cause I'm a huge Kordell Stewart fan (still!!) and still bitter about coach Cower's makin him be strictly QB. Anyways, ancient history. So I was hopin, but not expectin much from Ben, but he came through. 5 and 1 so far for my team. They even slammed the cowboys in their own house. Be expectin big things baby!