Reasons the Steelers Will Win the AFC Championship Today

It's Myron Cope's Birthday!
Need we say more? "Yoi! Pish and tush!!" No way the Steelers lose on Myron's birthday. He was one of a kind. Yes, we remember Myron. His spirit lives (check out the Myron sound bytes here) and he is, no doubt, waving his Celestial Terrible Towel today. The New Jersey Jets don't stand a chance.

Black 'n Gold Steeler Rosary
Only in Pittsburgh: Go to the Sacred Heart Catholic store in Pittsburgh's Bloomfield neighborhood, pick up 10 or so strings of Black 'n Gold Steeler Rosary beads, take them to the Vatican, meet a priest from Pittsburgh carrying a Terrible Towel in Vatican Square who arranges for an audience with the Pope, get the beads blessed by the Pope, sprinkle them with Pope-blessed Holy Water bought at the Vatican, take them back to Pittsburgh, distribute a number of the Black 'n Gold Rosaries to your friends and relatives, hear accounts how they had their own priests bless the Rosary just to make sure, arrange to have a strand sent via FedEx on the eve of the game, learn the delivery wasn't made, call FedEx to bitch about it, and then, lo and behold, a miracle! ... the nice people at FedEx go above and beyond (with a little help from Above and Beyond, no doubt) to deliver the Rosary to the nun, who vows to clutch it prayerfully throughout the game.

You don't believe this sort of thing happens in Pittsburgh? Believe it!

By the way, the nun behind the counter at the store in Bloomfield notes how the Rooneys and several Steeler players carry the Black 'n Gold Steeler Rosary. Really. Believe.

More Nuns
This Divine Intervention stuff really does go Above and Beyond: Another nun sweetly told my friend who made the Steeler Rosary Beads pilgrimage to the Vatican: "We pray for everyone in the NFL, but we only pray for the Steelers to win." Again, only in Pittsburgh. You can't beat that, and the Jets certainly won't.

The Better Defense
The Steelers' run defense this past season was third-best in NFL history. The defense is led by the legendary Dick LeBeau, defensive coordinator, Hall of Famer, and pioneer of the Zone Blitz.

The Better Quarterback
Say what you will about Ben Roethlisberger, he has two Super Bowl rings, which means he's already won two AFC Championship games. He is a tough hombre, all right, and he's mobile, strong and tough to sack. The Jets' defense will have their hands full, and they know it, judging by how quiet they've been all week. Mark Sanchez is a good young quarterback, but Big Ben is arguably a great veteran quarterback. Big difference.

Troy Polamalu
Troy will play today. He is, obviously, a great player, and a special person. We're glad he's on our side. Read "A Defensive Anchor Walks a Spiritual Path" to learn more about Troy's spiritual side.

William Gay
Troy Polamalu's not the only winner in the Steeers' secondary. Check out the video at this link, and you'll agree: William Gay is a winner, too, as are lots of other Steelers for all sorts of reason. But if William Gay can handle that sort of situation, he can handle Braylon 'Effin Edwards.

Mojination
Craig Wolfley, Steelers' broadcaster and former player, has been talking up the importance of good mojo all week, and he's right on. Wolf has got the Mojination working for all of Steeler Nation.

Home Field Advantage
This will be a totally different atmosphere than the regular-season game. If the Jets come into Heinz Field and win for a second time in five weeks, more power to 'em. But it ain't gonna happen.

No Touchdowns Allowed on the Opening Kickoff
When Mike Tomlin was asked what needs to be done differently on special teams this week, he replied directly, as he always does: "We need to stop Brad Smith from going 97 yards. That would be a good start."

Tomlin was chuckling as he said it, but you get the feeling the Steelers just won't allow a long kick return today. Ain't gonna happen.

Heath Miller Returns
Tight end Heath Miller one of the best in the game, missed the first game against the Nyets. You just don't replace a guy like that. His replacement, Matt Spaeth, scored a touchdown but also had several dropped passes and a holding penalty. Heath Miller's return to the lineup is huge.

The Terrible Towel
A Pittsburgh original, thanks to Myron himself, with magical powers and proceeds benefiting The Allegheny Valley School for people with developmental disabilities. A worthy cause, to say the least, and Myron selflessly signed over all royalties to the school. That's just the kind of guy he was: "A Pittsburgh Guy." The Towel is everywhere and has even gone to outer space. No team in the NFL can match The Terrible Towel.

Oh, and did we mention? It's Myron Cope's Birthday!

Suggested Listening:

We suggest listening to just about anything by any number of Pittsburghers (such as Billy Price, for instance) and any of the numerous jazz greats born and raised in The Burgh, including Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Billy Eckstine, Stanley Turrentine, Roy Eldridge, George Benson, Billy Strayhorn, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Benny Benack, Errol Garner, Kenny Clarke, Gene Ludwig,and others.

Of course, there are numerous Steeler fan songs out there, if you're so inclined, but we cannot in good conscience say they're all good.

Here are a few bonus tracks and song recommendations we do kinda like, just for fun ...

Jerry Garcia Band: "Waiting for a Miracle" video on YouTube (recorded 11-15-91)

Kelly Maizee: "City of Champions" video on YouTube (hat tip [h/t] to That's Church)

Gil Scott-Herron, with a shout-out to the Steelers: "Hello Sunday, Hello Road" (h/t to Mike Canton, DJ, "The Soul Show," WYEP-FM)

Ray Brown, legendary jazz bassist and Pittsburgh native: "Sunday" (h/t to Bob Studebaker, DJ at WDUQ-FM)

We're out of time, and we're outta here, for now. Enjoy the game. Go Steelers!

Ironic, isn't it? ... Secondary Considerations, and a Different Kind of Steeler Video

Ed Bouchette, the Steelers beat reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said today in a radio interview that Steeler cornerback William Gay (No. 22 in the photo above) will probably see a lot of playing time on Sunday.

That's because Bryant McFadden, the season-long starter at the left corner position, apparently remains slowed by an abdominal injury. The team officially lists McFadden's status as "questionable."

NFL.com's Albert Breer reports that McFadden practiced for the first time on Friday. Breer also quoted McFadden as saying he "will see how he feels on Saturday before a decision is made about playing against the Jets."

That all sounds a bit iffy, but it also sounds like McFadden will see some playing time. Still, according to Bouchette, we can expect to see lots of William Gay, never mind that the Steelers' depth chart lists Anthony Madison as McFadden's backup, with the heretofore invisible Keenan Lewis listed as Madison's backup.

It was William Gay, however, who was on the field in critical situations late in the playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens -- and it was Gay who had coverage on T.J. Douchemandzadeh on the final, crucial 4th-and-18 pass that Houshmandzadeh dropped. (By the way, for anybody who cares, and that's nobody, Houshmandzadeh is no longer listed on the Ravens' roster on the team's official Web site -- he's a free agent -- but it took the team about as long to drop him as he took to drop that last pass, which was hardly any time at all.)

That's parenthetical, but amusing nonetheless.

Back to our topic: After playing poorly as a starter during much of the 2009 season, William Gay played well this year in his role as nickel back, and he saw considerable playing time. Gay admitted earlier this season that he realized he had to pick up his game -- after all, the Steelers traded for McFadden for a reason.

It's coincidental -- or is it ironic? -- that the Steelers obtained McFadden from the Arizona Cardinals with the very same fifth-round draft choice they obtained from the New York Jets for, yup, you guessed it -- "Ding-ding-ding-ding!!!!" -- Santonio Holmes.

In effect, then, the Steelers traded Santonio Holmes for Bryant McFadden, who may (or may not) be lined up against Holmes in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

Come to think of it, that is ironic.

And how ironic will it be if William Gay, who was relegated to backup duty by McFadden's return to the Steelers, is the one involved in key matchups with Holmes? Ach, we get ahead of ourselves.

Although Bouchette suggests the Steelers will assign Ike Taylor to shadow Holmes, we all know that teams mix-and-match a potpourri of coverage assignments every Sunday.

Still, if Taylor shadows Holmes, that leaves Gay to cover Braylon "Trouble" Edwards (oh-oh), who's a jagoff but has played like the beast he was always supposed to be -- but never was until about a quarter of the way through this most recent season.

Edwards's newfound seriousness for the business of professional football seems to have dovetailed from two factors: A DWI arrest in September, for which he faces a court date on March 7; and pending free agency, which may or may not mean a long-term contract with a big signing bonus.

Perhaps he can land a new deal with the same team that signs notorious asshat T.J. Houshmandzadeh?

Whatever. Brayin' Braylon Edwards has played this season like a man with something to prove. So has Holmes, and we all know what Santonio can bring to the game on Sunday.

So, while Bouchette surmises the Steelers will pit Ike Taylor on 'Tone, he also speculates the Steelers will provide William Gay with some help; i.e., double-coverage on Braylon Edwards. And, with the way Edwards has been playing, William Gay will need all the help he can get.

The question is, where will that help come from? Ryan Clark? Maybe, sometimes.

In addition to Holmes and Edwards, however, the Steelers will have to cover the Jets' very good tight end Dustin Keller, as well as the very capable slot receiver, Jericho Cotchery.

Yikes.

Troy Polamulu is listed as "probable" but will certainly play. Will he be less than 100 percent? Yes. Will Keller be his primary responsibility? Perhaps, sometimes.

One thing we know for sure: Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, NFL Hall of Famer, will mix coverages and, in doing so, will have some surprises up his sleeve, even if depth in the secondary could be problematic.

With both McFadden and backup safety Will Allen both listed as "questionable," there are, well, questions about how much playing time those two will play, and in what roles. Both will almost certainly play.

Still, there are questions.

How to cover the Jets' Jericho Cotchery, for one.

Maybe that's why, during his news conference on Tuesday, Mike Tomlin said:

"Jericho Cotchery, I have spent a lot of time over the past 24-to-48 hours or so looking at him and what he brings to them (the Jets). He played a pivotal role in securing the victory last week in the divisional round for them. He is a top-quality football player and very in depth at working in the slot."

So there you have it. Coach Tomlin is on the case and, well, we believe in him. We believe in Dick LeBeau, as well. And Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, William Gay, et al.

We believe. Period.

William Gay has been in difficult situations before. If you don't believe that, watch the video at this link -- the video starts automatically. If he can handle that sort of situation, he can handle Braylon Effin' Edwards.

Plus, Sunday will be Myron Cope's birthday.

YOI and DOUBLE-YOI!!

Believe it: The Steelers will win this game.
____________________________

Bonus Quote:

"The worst ain't so bad when it finally happens.
Not half as bad as you figure it'll be before it's happened."

-- Gold prospector Bob Curtin, played by Tim Holt, in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Simon!

One look at Simon, your heart melts.
Got the winter blues? You really need to see this good-hearted guy.

This trusting, sweet guy is gentle as can be, and he's starting to enjoy life
after entering the shelter couple of weeks ago scared, skinny and confused.

Now, Simon is interested, engaged and cheerful.
His eyes are bright, and he sure likes people and other dogs.

All Simon needs is a chance, and a home. Send an e-mail to adoptions@animalrescue.org.

Visit Simon at The Animal Rescue League at Fifth and Hamilton in Shadyside, EastSide -- whatever the realtors are calling our neighborhood these days.

The shelter is just a block or so from Mellon Park, Trader Joe's and Bakery Square.
= = = =
Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania
6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206

Tel: 412-661-6452
www.animalrescue.org

Myron's on the Job, and Other Reasons for Optimism

The Steelers will beat the Jets.

The Steelers have the better quarterback, the better defense, and home-field advantage. Also on our side at Steeler Nation are Good Karma, Beneficial Mojo, and Myron Cope's birthday (on Sunday), as well as, of course, Myron's Terrible Towel.

In this edition of Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, we'll glance at just a few of the many reasons to feel optimistic when the Steelers' offense is on the field.

One reason for optimism about our offense:
The Steelers will go downfield on the Jets, and will have success doing it.

First, let's get this out of the way: It's entirely possible, likely even, that the Jets will put All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis on Mike Wallace almost exclusively, to try to lock him down like he did Indianapolis's Reggie Wayne, and they'll probably put Antonio Cromartie on Hines Ward.

That's reason for optimism? Crazy, you say.

At first glance, from the Jets' perspective, those two matchups look well and good, but here's something that was evident Dec. 19, and the national media would consider this unthinkable blasphemy and insane sacrilege: Mike Wallace actually CAN get separation from Darrelle Revis, and not just on deep "Go" routes, but also on crossing patterns and out routes. Watch the video from that first game, and you'll see it.

Nobody challenges Revis -- and we're not saying the Steelers will challenge Revis on Sunday, but Wallace brings a dimension (sheer speed) to the game that Revis didn't encounter with Reggie Wayne or pretty much anybody else he's played this season.

This is not to downplay Revis's all-world talent, but if you look at replays of Revis-on-Wallace in the first game, Wallace was open on a few routes where Big Ben threw elsewhere. Watch for yourself, if have the game on DVR or Tivo: The camera isolated Revis-on-Wallace on three plays, and it's a fact: Wallace got separation.

Roethlisberger, however, chose not to challenge Revis and threw elsewhere (apparently targeting Matt Spaeth of all people eight times, for crying out loud, but hopefully Spaeth won't even see the field on Sunday; and that's another story -- Heath Miller's return to action is huge, and maybe nearly as significant as the return of Troy Polamalu).

Okay, that's one match-up, and we're not suggesting Mike Wallace is going to win that match-up. But it will occupy Revis, pretty much all day, and he might have his hands full a bit more than most people would anticipate.

So-o-o-o ... that takes us to the next match-up.

Cause to be optmistic about our offense on Sunday:

• Jets' corner Antonio Cromartie is over-rated. If he's on Hines Ward, it won't matter much, because not only is Cromartie over-rated, Hines Ward can still get it done. Ward still has the knack for finding open seams 12-15 yards downfield in clutch third-down situations. This match-up favors the Steelers.
  

More reasons for optimism:

• The Jets'' secondary has no answer for the Steelers' two emerging stars at wide receiver, the very fast and extremely polished rookies Emmanuel Sanders ("Easy Money") and Antonio Brown ("Cash Money"). The Jets' safeties (Brodney Poole, Eric Smith and Dwight Lowery) are pedestrian at best, and their third and fourth corners (Drew Coleman and Kyle Wilson) are okay, but just okay. The Jets' third and fourth corners are no match for the Steelers' third and fourth wide receivers., and the safeties won't be much help because they're slow. We expect Big Ben, therefore, to target these guys deep several times. Sanders and Brown have proven they belong. They are stars in the making and could make a significant impact on the outcome of the game on Sunday.
  

Here's a link to the Jets' depth chart on defense, for what it's worth, and it ain't much.

Finally, just a footnote here, but remember how, on Dec. 19, the Jets' defensive backs (specifically Cromartie, Lowery and Coleman) were caught on camera at least four times (on deep routes, no less) hooking arms, clutching ,tugging and grabbing the jerseys of Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown?

Something tells us the officiating crew ain't gonna let them get away with that again this time. The jersey tugging, clutching and grabbing way downfield was so blatant, so flagrant, that it was borderline disgraceful, especially on that one play late in the fourth quarter when Sanders was streaking toward the end zone but was clearly slowed down by having his jersey tugged by Lowery. Everybody saw it but the officials, and it was so bad, the network showed the replay immediately and repeatedly. No call.

Sure, the Jets beat the Patriots. But the Steelers have speed weapons (Wallace, Sanders and Brown) the Patriots simply don't have (expect the Pats to draft a wideout in April) -- and we wouldn't be at all surprised if Heath Miller runs a deep route, too, much like Chicago tight end Greg Olsen did successfully last Sunday against the Seahawks.

Most Importantly: Myron's on the Job
The Steelers will win this game, if only because Sunday will be Myron Cope's birthday. It would have been his 82nd.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls had the privilege of sitting beside Myron Cope on a fairly lengthy flight to Pittsburgh once upon a time, and we had an extended and thoroughly pleasant conversation. Myron was everything you'd expect -- witty, hilarious, spontaneous, kindly, entertaining, droll, humble, fun, brilliant, magical. One of a kind.

On Sunday, his birthday, Myron surely will be waving his Celestial Terrible Towel.

The Jets don't stand a chance.

"Two Trains on a Track"

During his weekly news conference today, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin spoke respectfully (as he always does) about the upcoming opponent and was polite to the media (as he always is).

Tomlin also was typically articulate, affable, upbeat, personable and ... businesslike. Pleasant ... but professional.

As usual he had some interesting things to say in addition to demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the opposing team.

Here are two quotes that resonated:

"If you're not getting better, I don't care what business you're in, you're a dead man."

Tomlin also replied to a reporter's question about the Jets' collective penchant for brassy talk:

"They've been pretty consistent all year about stating their intentions, which is to win a world championship. We've been pretty consistent all year about stating our intentions. So you can see where that's going to lead us. That's two trains on a track."

In other words, and this is strictly our interpretation: "Let 'em talk all they want. So what? I don't care. Let's get it on."

Happy Day!

Big smiles all around today, at least here in Pittsburgh and all across Steeler Nation.

Much more to come on this blog about last night's win over the Baltimore Ravens, but for now, let's just revel in the happy afterglow and say a few prayers of thanks on this sunny Sunday morning.

Yeah, it was a close one, with spectacular plays knocked out by both sides, as well as questionable officiating slamming both teams. Granted, that holding call on Lardarious Webb's electrifying punt return with just under six minutes left in the game may or may not have been technically correct. Even Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, ardent Steelers' fans, probably wouldn't have called it.

Still, shaky calls went against both teams throughout the game and, even if Webb's return had been allowed to stand, you had the feeling the Steelers were going to win the game.

And ... and, let's point out, the officials had absolutely nothing to do with what happened on 3rd-and-19, just a few minutes later. Third-and-19!

On 3rd-and-19, with about three minutes left in the game, the Ravens vaunted defense allowed Ben Roethisberger and Antonio Brown to hook up for a bee-yoo-tee-full 58-yard completion that set up the winning touchdown -- which would have won the game anyway, even if Webb's punt return had been allowed to stand.

A 58-yard-completion on 3rd-and-19 with three minutes left in the game??!!! How does that happen?

Just where were the Ravens' vaunted safeties and pass rush on that play? That play is going to haunt the Ravens and their fans all off-season, and probably for years to come.

Allowing a 58-yard pass completion on 3rd-and-19? Inexcusable. Even Terrell Suggs said, "Even if we allow just 18 yards there, we're off the field."

Graciously, and to his credit, Suggs absolved the refs and credited the Steelers for making a great, clutch play with the game on the line.

That 58-yard completion was the defining play of the game, thank goodness, and rendered moot what might have become a bitter, simmering debate over the officiating throughout the contest. The officials were too prominent throughout, as if they were trying too hard to keep the lid on a nearly boiling-over cauldron of a barely controlled riot, which is what they were facing, more or less.

Well, that's what you get with the Ravens vs. Steelers.

As Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin said in his post-game news conference, "That's Hagler-Hearns right there, that game."

More happily, he closed his nationally televised press conference with a cheery birthday greeting to his son Mason, who turned nine years old yesterday. Must have been quite a memorable birthday for the kid.

"Happy Birthday, Mason," Tomlin said with a big smile, as he stood up to leave the post-game dais.

Indeed, and a happy day for all of us in Steeler Nation.

Bonus Track:

"Sun Is Shining"

Yoi!

Game day.

As Steelers' radio broadcaster and 14-year NFL veteran Tunch Ilkin said earlier in the week, "At this point, it's all conjunction."

Indeed.

The malaprops have been blurted. The stats have been studied. The match-ups have been mimed.

The cliches have been clucked; the hyperbole has been hyped; the gauntlet (whatever medieval anachronism that is) has been thrown; the symbolic bets between mayors, radio personalities and bishops (bishops? Yes, bishops.) have been made; and the self-aggrandizing trash talk has been tossed.

Of course, ratbirds like Terrell Suggs, Baltimore linebacker, just had to chime in. Paraphrasing here, but not far off from what he said this week:

"Look at me! I'm the one wearing an insulting, profane tee-shirt!! That makes me bad! I'm the evil one! It'll be Armageddon!! World War III!!

Hey, Terrell, clown: Put the cuckoo back in the clock.

Then there was this, from ESPN broadcaster, former NFL great and "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Emmitt Smith with the breathless, obligatory Biblical reference:

"This game will be like two brothers fighting.
It'll be like Cain and Abel out there!"

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls have never seen Cain and Abel fight. We'll take Emmitt's word for it.

Again, to revisit Tunch's words of wisdom: "At this point it's all conjunction."

Conjecture, too.

Surely, Myron Cope, up in Steeler heaven, must be as fidgety as can be. With a respectful nod to Myron, then, we'll leave the last word to him, always the voice of reason:

"Yoi, and double yoi!!
Let's kick it off already, for cryin' out loud!!!"

Additional Reading:

• The New York Times this week published an interesting article about Troy Polamulu''s spirituality. The article, titled, "A Defensive Anchor Walks a Spiritual Path," is a good read, even for Terrell Suggs and Ravens fans, assuming they can read.

• The closeness of this rivalry spanning the past several years nearly defies belief and merits scrutiny, if only for fun. Over their past 17 meetings ...

1. The Steelers have nine wins; the Ravens eight.
2. Each team has scored 303 points.
3. Each team has about 265 yards per game on offense.
4. The Ravens have committed 33 turnovers; the Steelers, 34.
   

• For more in-depth analysis of today's match-up and infinitely more minute statistical scrutiny, visit this site.

Pics That Make You Appreciate Being a Steeler Fan

Hmmm ... Joey Porter's Pit Bulls trolled the Baltimore Sun's Web site this morning. It was, predictably, a waste of time.

Having found the above images, we're not quite sure what message they are sending:

• Have Baltimore fans worked themselves into such a frenzied lather that some misguided soul festooned his lawn with a giant inflatable doll and ... purple flamingoes? HOW INTIMIDATING!

• Another Ravens fan apparently is holding his dog hostage -- after painting the poor creature purple. The worst part is the pathetic, suffering pooch appears be on the verge of being hanged if -- if what? ... if what happens?? ... if the Ravens don't cover??? ... if Fido insists on continuing to root for the Steelers??!! Sheesh, as dog caretakers, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls just find this image disturbing. We didn't know Michael Vick had moved to Baltimore.

• Yet another image, not worth showing, invites Ravens fans to use Big Ben's face as a dartboard. Lame.
  

Well, enough of THAT nonsense.

There Will Be Blood

Who didn't know that?

Sunday's game will be a bloodbath.

We've all seen the violence in recent Steelers-Ravens match-ups. Remember the Steelers' Super Bowl XVIII run during the 2008-09 season? The Steelers beat the Ravens twice in the regular season and again in the playoffs -- and if that playoff game wasn't the most violent football we've witnessed, the second regular-season game may well have been. Brutal. On both sides.

Maybe some of the Steelers-Raiders and Steelers-Browns match-ups in the 1970s compare. Probably. For all we know, the ghosts of Dwight White, Mike Webster and Fats Holmes are suiting up, pounding shoulder pads, butting heads and getting ready for the game on Sunday. They'll be watching intently, at the very least.

This Steelers-Ravens rivalry is different from, say, the Patriots-Jets, or the Bears-Packers, or any other in the NFL right now. It hearkens (hark!) back to the Ravens' roots as the transplanted Cleveland Browns, but at this point, it's gone way, way beyond that.

It's routinely and unabashedly violent to the -nth degree. And that's not to use the word "violent" lightly.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls try to be careful with words, and (unlike the Ravens' Terrell Suggs) we try to avoid cliches. George Carlin did a classic stand-up routine where he mocked the loosely used metaphors and analogies commonly associated with football. He was right on, so we won't describe Sunday's game as "combat," "war," or "Armageddon."

We call it like we see it, without gaudy patter. This game will be Seriously Violent -- almost certainly more so than any other playoff game this year. That may be stating the obvious, but still ... it's what we've all signed up for.

It won't be war, or Armageddon, but it will be violent, in the extreme.

Having said that, we see the Steelers winning this game, and doing so handily. They're going to outscore the Ravens with quick strikes. It says here that this is not going to be the defensive slugfest everybody expects.

Yeah, it'll be a slugfest, but the Steelers will put up some points, and the Ravens won't be able to keep up. Then they'll get frustrated, take cheap shots, and the violence will escalate.

Feel free to mock us afterwards. If we're wrong, so be it. But that's how we see it.

There will be blood. It will be violent. And the Steelers will win.

Yeah, there's quiet confidence here -- not the sort of false bravado exhibited by cut-rate blowhards Terrell Thuggs and Rex Ryan, both of whom will exit the playoffs as losers on Sunday.

-----------------------------------

Footnote, for what it's worth -- a quote from Terrell Thuggs:

As it appears on ESPN.com:

When Suggs described Armageddon, he mentioned good vs. evil and when he was asked who was evil, he replied, "I don't know. I guess from your point of view that I am definitely evil."

Addendum:

"The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter."
-- Humphrey Bogart, as hardboiled detective Sam Spade, in The Maltese Falcon.


"Empty barrels make the most noise."
-- Chuck Noll, former coach of the Steelers, Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion.

Congratulations, Maddie!

Here at Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, we're all about football -- and pit bulls, dogs generally, baseball, music, dames, hockey, politics, urban culture, movies, books, and all sorts of other aimless amusements.

Indulge us for a second for this feel-good story about Maddie, the very sweet long-timer at the Animal Rescue League who was featured as Joey Porter's Pit Bulls' New Year's Dog of the Day.

A favorite of Animal Rescue League staffers and volunteers, Maddie's finally been adopted! Inexplicably, she'd been at the shelter for much longer than anybody would have anticipated, but now, thankfully, she is with a wonderful family and has her forever home.

It's always good to see shelter dogs get adopted, but especially gratifying when it's a dog like Maddie. She gets you at first look and makes you appreciate being alive. Congratulations, Maddie, a sweetheart, an inspiration and a true success story.

Lots of other wonderful dogs remain at the Animal Rescue League and need their own forever homes. We will continue to feature them every so often on Joey Porter's Pit Bulls, and we will, of course, continue to cover the Steelers and the human circus in general.

For now, we like to think Maddie's adoption is a portent of good things to come -- like a Steelers' victory on Sunday en route to a Super Bowl win next month.

Yeah. Good things to come.

www.animalrescue.org

412-661-6452

Speaking of grass ...an inquiring Steeler Nation wants to know.

It will be, ahem, interesting to see how Heinz Field's new sod fares on Saturday.

The entire playing surface at Heinz Field was re-sodded following the New Year's Day "Winter Classic" between the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitols.

Maybe the grounds crew should have simply left the skating rink in place?

It's remarkable what can be done anymore, but still ... it's winter. Since the new grass (FieldTurf?) was laid in place, in fact, the temperature in our fair Burgh has yet to rise higher than 25 degrees (Fahrenheit, you Canadiens -- viva les Alouettes!). Last night, we had several inches of snow, and more snow is expected over the next few days, including Saturday.

The playing surface has been covered with a tarp ever since it was resodded, so we're not sure anybody really knows what condition it is in today.

An inquiring Steeler Nation wants to know: Will Heinz Field remain a skating rink? Will it be a muddy mess? A pristine garden?

Or, will it be like our playing "field" my at Peabody High School in East Liberty, where the maintenance crew sprayed massive amounts of black oil to completely cover the dirt playing surface and turn it into a blacked-over parking lot, essentially, with the surface as hard as concrete. It was so nasty, they couldn't even paint yard-markers on it.

Yeah, that was an "educational experience" but absolutely no fun to get slammed down on. Well, it made us tough -- at least that's what the ex-Marine coach told us, and he was probably right, considering what happened later.

But that's life in the city, and we digress.

Back on topic: Heinz Field has a desultory reputation for having one of the worst, if not the worst, playing fields in the NFL. Remember the Muddy Monday Night Slopfest against the Dolphins a few years ago?

Will the field even be playable? Will the turf pull up the first time Haloti Ngata does his impression of a Pamplona bull digging into the dirt with his foreleg? Will the Steelers and Ravens use a hockey puck instead of a football?

An inquiring Steeler Nation wants to know.
We'll find out soon enough.

Image courtesy of The Washington Post.

Animal Rescue League Dog of the Day

Phillip!

Phillips's a hoot! Laugh-out-loud funny. Cheerful, affectionate, playful ... what's not to like? Plus, Phillip absolutely loves people and other dogs.

Phillip's a winner and will brighten any home.
Phillip needs a home, and a chance.
Send an e-mail to adoptions@animalrescue.org.

Visit Phillip at The Animal Rescue League at Fifth and Hamilton in Shadyside, EastSide -- whatever the realtors are calling our neighborhood these days.

The shelter is just a block or so from Mellon Park, Trader Joe's and Bakery Square.
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Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania
6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206

Tel: 412-661-6452
www.animalrescue.org

Beat 'em Bucs!

Here at Joey Porter's Pit Bulls we focus primarily on the Steelers, but we have other interests, too, like the Pittsburgh Pirates, believe it or not.

Ya gotta admit, they are fascinating in a perverse sort of way -- kind of like watching a train wreck in slow motion, over and over and over again.

At this time of year -- really, what is there to say about the Pirates? Well, for your reading edification, here's a link to an interesting and amusing article by Jeff Passan at Yahoo! Sports.

Did Pedro Alvarez really strike out 119 times in 347 at-bats last year? If true, yikes!

Personally, we like the "Pirates Haiku" at the end of Jeff's article.

The Kansas City Chefs Served Up A Tidy Pigeon For Ravenous Baltymore

Forgive the tortured headline atop the photo.

This past Sunday, K.C. played the role of The Sunshine Band, patsy, pigeon, chef, bee-yotch, whatever, to a ferocious Balt'more Ravens squad. To say the Ravens demolished the Chiefs is an understatement, and that might be an understatement.

Read elsewhere for the gory details, but Baltimore brutalized K.C. in every facet of the game, from time of possession (the Griefs had the ball for less than 20 minutes), to turnovers (Baltimore's defense picked off three passes and forced two fumble recoveries), all the way through. Even the kicker, Billy Cundiff, was impressive, nailing two field goals and burying kickoffs five yards deep into the end zone.

For all we know, the Ravens also trashed the post-game tailgate gatherings in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lots.

Baltimore's Ed Reed played like a man possessed, and he might have been, considering the disappearance of his brother into the Mississippi River a few days ago.

Joe Flacco was flawless, Haloti Ngata was a caveman, and Ray Lewis looked like he's still bristling over the murder charges filed against him years ago.

Also problematic -- extremely so -- were running back Ray Rice, tight end Todd Heap, and receivers Anquan Bolden, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Derrick Mason.

All right, enough of that. For the Ravens, it's going to be a trying week, with more than a few distractions. Also, they were almost too dominant in Kansas City.

This Saturday, in Pittsburgh, it will be a different story.

The Steelers are not the Chiefs.

First, let's take a superficial look, and then we'll dig a little deeper. As we all know, the Steelers and Ravens split the two games they played during the regular season.

• In Week Four, Sunday, Oct. 3 at Heinz Field, the Steelers -- playing without Ben Roethlisberger -- lost a nail-biter to the Ravens on a last minute TD pass to T.J. Douchemandzadeh.

• In Week 13, Sunday night, Dec. 5 in Baltimore, the Steelers pulled out a 13-10 nail-biter following Troy Polamalu's spectacular!, sensational!, pivotal!, game-turning!, season-saving! hit of Joe Flacco that forced the game's decisive fumble, which led to Isaac Redman's late game-winning touchdown catch-and-bull-run.

Okay, so the two teams played each other pretty evenly during the regular season, and, indeed, over the past couple of years. Pretty evenly?!

Let's take a closer look at the past two seasons (2009 and 2010). Consider, over the past four games between the Ravens and Steelers ...

• Each team has two wins and two losses.

• Each team has scored 67 points.

• Each team has scored seven touchdowns and six field goals.

Well, it doesn't get much more even that that.

However, and this is a BIG caveat:

• Both of the Steelers' two losses to the Ravens (in 2009 and 2010) were without Big Ben -- who, by the way, has beaten the Ravens six in a row.

The Steelers will win this game, too.

Stick that in your caw and smoke it, Baltimorons.

The Plot Thickens

Both NFL playoff games yesterday were upsets -- which makes us glad, once again, that we don't bet football (but that's another story).

More to the point, yesterday's upsets make things ever-more interesting for the rest of the playoffs teams, as well for their fans. Like us: Steeler fans.

So-o-o-o ... Joey Porter's Pit Bulls must recalibrate our expectations for next week's game at Heinz Field.

Sheesh, we fully anticipated Peyton Manning to flop-sweat through his annual post-season choke -- but we thought it would happen next week in Pittsburgh, not yesterday on Manning's home field in Indianapolis.

It's not even so much that Manning necessarily choked. He didn't play that badly ... or did he?

Here's the thing with Manning, and we've all seen it time ana again: Manning gets to Big Games (yesterday's games, for example, as well as last year's Super Bowl, multiple post-season appearances, etc.), and he repeatedly displays a predictable yet maddening (for Colts' fans) backslide into his fatal weakness, which is ... rigidity.

Man, that dude gets uptight in big games. How else -- seriously, how ELSE -- to explain why he would target his No. 1 receiver, Reggie Wayne, just once in yesterday's game. Reggie Wayne, 10-year vet, perennial Pro Bowler, go-to receiver., second in the NFL in receptions this past season. Yesterday? Manning threw to him once. Once!

Yup: One pass to Wayne attempted for one meager completion, for one measly yard ... to Reggie Wayne, who rated second in the NFL with 111 receptions this season!???

Say what you will about Jets' cornerback Darrelle Revis (Aliquippa's own, and Pitt's too) once again playing a terrific game. Yes, Revis took Wayne out of the game and put him on "Revis Island. " Still, blame Manning and the Colts' coaching staff -- mainly Manning, we believe -- for failing to anticipate the Revis-on-Wayne coverage scheme and especially for failing to make the requisite in-game adjustments. Shame on Manning and the Colts, but it's the same old story with them. We don't care all that much, but it must be maddening for their fans.

Actually, in a way, we're happy Manning is out of the playoffs so soon. Now that Brett Favre's finally out of the picture and Manning's out of the way, who will the pathetic and sycophantic ESPN Talking Heads (Chris Berman, Adam Schefter, et al) have left to fulminate over, blubber about, slobber all over, bleah, bleah? Prime candidates: Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, Tom Brady, Bill Bellichick, Revis and even Rex Ryan, the outspoken, roly-poly blowhard, foot fetishist and head coach of the New York Jets.

Whatever.

Thankfully, nobody on the Steelers is likely to garner such attention, not just yet, anyway.

Now, the Steelers almost certainly will host the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday at Heinz Field. That's okay. Yeah, yeah, the Ravens first must beat the upstart Kansas City Chiefs today, but they will. And the Jets this week will prepare to travel to Foxboro, Mass, to get beat by the Patriots.

So, we'll get the Ravens on Saturday. The Ravens definitely are a dangerous team, fully capable of beating any team left in the playoffs.

So are the Steelers.

Bring 'em on.

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Off-topic:
Our prayers go out to the shooting victims in Tucson.
"So Much Trouble in the World"

It's Christmas All Over Again! " ... an abyss of beauty that's just endless."

"Troy Polamalu says 'Kala Christougena!'"

That's the headline on the front page of today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, with the story starting as follows ...

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The most famous Orthodox Christian in Pittsburgh, if not the nation, has a greeting for his fellow believers today:

"Kala Christougena!" said Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. That's Greek for "Merry Christmas!"

Mr. Polamalu and his wife, Theodora, actually celebrated Christmas 13 days ago, but they keep the same Orthodox traditions as those who observe today. Most Orthodox celebrate on Dec. 25, but many Slavic churches tie liturgy to the old Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. The Greek Orthodox Church and some others have adopted the Gregorian calendar -- except at Easter.

"We all celebrate Easter on the same day," said Mr. Polamalu, 29. Orthodoxy is the Eastern wing of the earliest Christian church, which split into the Orthodox and Catholic churches in 1054.

He and Theodora converted to Orthodoxy about five years ago. His background was Catholic and Protestant, hers Muslim and Protestant. They were Christians in search of a deeper, more consistent experience of God.

"Orthodoxy is like an abyss of beauty that's just endless," he said. "I have read the Bible many times. But after fasting, and being baptized Orthodox, it's like reading a whole new Bible. You see the depth behind the words so much more clearly."

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Click here for the rest of the story. Interesting stuff.

"Kala Christougena!" to you, too, Troy and family.