• If you haven’t seen my rebuttal of the CHFF’s post about the Giants run to SB champs…check it out below. The author of the article checked in yesterday to explain the editorial license that CHFF took when giving his research a title. Be sure to check out the comments section with Jeff’s explanation.

It seems to me that everyone wants this “spygate” thing to go away, except Arlen Spector. I am willing to let it go, but I’d still like to know the extent of the cheating, which we may never know. But, this stings…the Pats taped the Steelers 2x during the 2004 season? Hmm, we dominate them in the regular season and lose to them in the AFC Championship game. Convenient, for them. Very inconvenient for us. (thanks to heelssoxsteelers for the lead on this link)

• ESPN.com posts Scouts Inc’s opinion of 5 things that every AFC North team needs for next season…for those of you that can’t access the INSIDER articles of ESPN. Here’s the recap: We need a Center, Offensive Tackle, Defensive End, Running Back, Offensive Guard. Ok, so there’s not really any new there, those are all things that we would love to see added. But wow, to see it written out that we need a C, OT and OG? Hmm, there are only 5 positions on the OLine. I say, pay Faneca and move him to Center. Make him your big FA splash and then go all draft.

FoxSports also reports on their opinion of the needs facing the Steelers for the offseason. FOX Sports continues to pull to the surface BR’s “desire” for a tall WR…I wish the whole Steelers team was taller…I think a team of all 6′9″ players would look pretty intimidating. Yeah let’s make everyone tall. I digress.
Here’s the best nugget from the Fox outlook:

2008 outlook: Very good. Pittsburgh fielded the NFL’s top-ranked defense but the unit never rebounded after being picked apart during a 34-13 December loss to New England. [my interjection...they never rebounded after Aaron Smith was injured...of course the JAX loss was ugly the followign week with AS] The return of two injured starters (safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith) and projected emergence of second-year linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley should help. With a few other tweaks and a successful comeback by running back Willie Parker, Pittsburgh could be contending for a Super Bowl once again.

Really? Ready to be contending for the SB again already…I don’t believe I’m going to read that many places this offseason. Very surprising to read. While the Steelers will certainly be the favorite to win the division, I expect the AFC North to look really bad on paper becasue of the tough schedule that the division has drawn. More on the schedule in a later post.

• Here is an interestng dialogue about why the Steelers rarely, if ever, use the Franchise Tag and asks the question why they wouldn’t use it this year of all years to keep Faneca.

The Bears are doing their homwork on Faneca…2/3 down the page. UPDATE: Vinnie Iyre says the Bears need to show him the money!

• Scott Brown of the Tribune-Review answers reader submitted questions regarding the Steelers. The highlight was the idea of acquiring FA wide receiver Bryant Johnson from Arizona, formerly of Penn State. Johnson is 6′3″ so he’s taller than what we have now. I like the idea, especially because he won’t cost a fortune but is a very strong ans solid reciever that would complement Hines and Santonio very nicely. That being said, I’d much rather find a RB in the same mold as a BJohnson…4-5 years in the league, big, strong, affordable and looking for a situation where he can take his game to the next level on a good team.

SI’s “Truth and Rumors” reports the lightly based rumor that the Steelers may be interested in the Bengals Justin Smith. Eh, could go either way on this…I think he’s probably more expensive than he’s worth and older than I’d prefer. But his name is Smith to add to our Smith collection of Anthony, Aaron and Marvel.

• What’s with the rumors surrounding all the Bengals players…are we hoping to improve our street cred? This rumor is about FS Madieu Williams. Is this guy from the “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” fame? I’m starting a new rumor…Big Ben likes to throw the ball to TJ Houshmanzadeh…go get ‘em.

Breaking down the Class of 2004 Quarterbacks, courtesy of NFL Gridiron Gab

• Just thought I’d point out that this 2008 Steelers calendar lists Russ Grimm as Pittsburgh’s head coach on the 1st page inside. Oops.

Nothing to do with the Steelers but I love the Burger King “little hands” Double Cheeseburger commercial. Classic.