March 30, 2009
This is my last post on this blog as a Pittsburgh Steelers blogger. Believe me, I love the Steelers as much as I ever have, maybe more. But as I have been reflecting and contemplating my “other” life as a blogger and i’ve been very unfulfilled and in fact distracted from the real life that I have been called to live.
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*
March 11, 2009
…because I like to start rumors.
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 Keep reading →
March 9, 2009
A couple more of the Super Bowl XLIII Champion Pittsburgh Steelers have just forfeited their opportunity to win championships for the opportunity to collect money. Can’t blame them…Bryant McFadden could have stayed and played, but not for the cash that he’s getting in Pittsburgh West Arizona. Anthony Smith was a promising player who let his mouth do more talking than his play; enjoy the guarantees Green Bay. The Steelers will be fine, and even though McFadden will be missed, this years draft has a very deep CB class.
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:
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 - Signed with Arizona
RFA – Sean McHugh – Resigned with Pittsburgh
UFA – Orpheus Roye
REL - Kendall Simmons
UFA – Anthony Smith – Signed with Green Bay
UFA – Marvel Smith
UFA – Nate Washington – Signed with Tennessee
March 5, 2009
waiting for a job…coaches from l to r: Jim Fassel, Brian Billick, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Jon Gruden, Herman Edwards, Marty Schottenheimer, Mike Holmgren (I think Mr. Billick just got denied his unemployment check)
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… Keep reading →
March 5, 2009
Quick…let’s sign him!
…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.
March 3, 2009
…well for the Steelers.
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: Keep reading →
February 26, 2009
5GR Reader and friend of the blog (Bowling League), sent the following to my inbox yesterday evening in response to poor Andrew Lasseter’s letter to Sports Illustrated. Maybe I’m stepping out on a limb; maybe a far extending twig, but is it possible that our “friend” Andrew Lasseter is really a bitter relative of Kwame Lassiter who spent 8 forgettable seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Yeah, I know the spelling is different. Do you really think Andrew (if that really is his REAL name) would be so foolish as to spell his name correctly and invite the scrutiny of the Steelers blog media? Seriously.
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, Keep reading →
February 26, 2009
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: Keep reading →
February 26, 2009
Just a note of thanks to the fine folks over at SI.com’s Hot Clicks for linking to the Ebay/NFL Popularity Index. As of right now, their little linkage to 5GR is single handedly responsible for 8,000+ hits in less than a day. Behold, the power of Sports Illustrated. (Full Disclosure: The previous high hit count for one day was Feb 2, 2009 (yeah, it was an all day party) @ 1,005. Yesterday brought 7,344 clicks to my poor, obsoletely named blog.
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)
February 25, 2009
The absolute, end all, bottom line gauge for the popularity of your favorite NFL team is how much of your team’s stuff is for sale on Ebay. You think I’m joking (only half). Think about it…obviously teams that print and create more stuff will have more to sell, but believe me, people wouldn’t list the stuff that they do if it didn’t actually sell. The Ebay/NFL Popularity Index is based on number of items listed for sale.
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 Keep reading →
