It's ON! And I can't wait!!!!

[LB51]

Foote fires back at Palmer

By Joe Starkey

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Thursday, May 25, 2006

OK, it's not quite as advanced as Steelers-Raiders of the 1970s.

Not yet, anyway.

We haven't seen anything like the time Raiders safety George Atkinson sued Chuck Noll for slander after Noll accused Atkinson (who'd knocked future Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann cold) of being part of the Raiders' "criminal element."

But we're getting there.

The Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals rivalry has reached a boiling point. In May. We're two months shy of training camp, three shy of the teams' first clash of 2006 and six shy of the season finale New Year's Eve at Paul Brown Stadium (bring your party hats).

The latest salvo came from an unlikely source -- injured and normally mild-mannered Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, who told Sports Illustrated that he "hates the Steelers" and was upset when they won the Super Bowl.

Not exactly lawsuit material, but eye-opening nonetheless.

"I keep thinking about how much, back in college, I hated UCLA," Palmer told SI's Michael Silver. "I hate the Steelers more than I hate UCLA. Yeah, it's because I'm jealous and want what they have. ... It's how everybody in our locker room feels."

I dutifully brought this quote to the Steelers' attention Wednesday.

"Carson Palmer only beat us one time, so he should hate us," said linebacker Larry Foote, who knows the Steelers are 4-1 against the Bengals in the Palmer era. "I'd hate a team, too, if I only beat them one time and (lost) in the playoffs."

I asked Foote to gauge the Bengals' bitterness toward the Kimo von Oelhoffen hit that blew out Palmer's knee early in the Steelers' playoff victory.

"They self-destructed and started crying," Foote said. "But, you know, that's the game. People get hurt. You just have to get yourself together, get your composure. They lost it. ... When teams are forcing your will on you, it's going to make you do crazy stuff."

Cornerback Ike Taylor didn't know quite what to make of Palmer's comments.

"Wow," Taylor said. "He said he hates the Steelers? That's pretty much a strong statement, but, hey, everybody's entitled to their own opinion."

Here's one: The Steelers-Bengals rivalry has become the hottest in the NFL. Its official launching point, I'd argue, was when Troy Polamalu plastered Palmer -- his former USC teammate and housemate -- at the goal line to clinch a 28-17 victory Oct. 3, 2004, at Heinz Field.

It heated up in training camp last year, when Bengals receiver Chad Johnson insulted the entire Steelers' secondary, and continued through a Steelers' victory in Cincinnati and a Bengals victory at Heinz Field, one that all but clinched the AFC North title.

After that one, you'll recall, Johnson compared the Steelers to a black-and-white TV.

A little more than a month later, immediately after the Steelers gained revenge in the playoffs, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis took an indirect shot at Roethlisberger, and NFL Films captured Steelers coach Bill Cowher performing a version of the Bengals "Who Dey" chant in the locker room.

He would do the chant again -- repeatedly -- at the Super Bowl parade.

Think that'll be replayed in Bengals camp during Steelers week?

"They can do whatever," Foote said. "They know deep down inside what we bring to the table. They know it, and they're just not ready yet. Our coaches and our players were just a step ahead of them. Hopefully, we keep it going. We're going to play them twice again and maybe in the playoffs. I'm looking forward to it."

Who's not?

Joe Starkey is a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He can be reached at jstarkey@tribweb.com

Let the games Begin!!!

[Jet23]

I have never been one to 'poke the bear' so to speak, but screw the Steelers! My only wish is that Kimo the destructor was still on that team.

[bengalboomer7]

I just hope they get what they deserve. It's too bad we play them once so early in the season, where Carson might not be available. I want a sweep this year!!!

[jjakq27]

I just hope they get what they deserve. It's too bad we play them once so early in the season, where Carson might not be available. I want a sweep this year!!!

If Carson can remain healthy in his career he will get plenty of chances against the Steelers. People are making such a big deal out of his comments but I would think less of him if he said he liked the Steelers or was afraid of them. Rock on CP!

[HairOnFire]

Palmer's early struggles playing against 3-4 defenses seem to mean alot more to Steeler fans and players than they do to me. Too many Steeler fans and players ignore the way Palmer has progressed and point to his early struggles against the zone-blitz as proof that he's error prone. That's fine if you don't mind being an ignorant homer, but not only does it ignore the way Palmer ripped the Steelers defense a new one lately, but it also ignores the fact that Palmer has form day one been expected to perform as a true franchise QB, not as a young player who is protected by the limitations placed upon him by his own coaching staff.

Palmer's latest remarks are more proof that he's not the wallflower that so many once claimed he was. The guy is remarkably competitive and a true team leader.

Last, somebody needs to remind Larry Foote what it sounds like when a player choses to baby and cry, because Palmer isn't whining or making excuses. He's calling the Steelers out.

[jjakq27]

I just hope they get what they deserve. It's too bad we play them once so early in the season, where Carson might not be available. I want a sweep this year!!!

If Carson can remain healthy in his career he will get plenty of chances against the Steelers. People are making such a big deal out of his comments but I would think less of him if he said he liked the Steelers or was afraid of them. Rock on CP!

Also for Barry Foote and others, I have one name for you. Tommy Maddox. Now tell me about "dealing with it" and not caving in.

[BTG]

I've never hated any team in the NFL or NCAA (even Michigan & I'm the biggest OSU fan on the planet), but the more I see these cock suckers attitudes and hear the nonsense they vomit forth in interviews, the more I hate them.

[BengalByTheBay]

Typical squeeler reaction. The way I see it the proper response to Palmer's comments was something like -- "yeah, he said he's jealous of what we have -- we're the SB champs and they've gotta take it away from us -- I'd hate us too." Is there any one of the squeel citians that wouldn't say "we hate the Bengals"? Every last one of them would -- so why treat that like some lame "smack"? Larry Foote? What happened, is Porter on vacation. Isn't he the instant jackass quote king for Pitt?

[AMC]

What do the Steelers expect Palmer to say? "Hey I really like you guys. Glad you won the Super Bowl"??????

Leave it to the Steelers to make something out of nothing....

[Stripes]

This rivalry is going to be absolutely wonderful for a long time. I love this stuff. Carson, you're the man.

[Ox]

3 months and counting until Roethlisberger gets his knee exploded. And I don't want to hear sh*t about it when it happens. Mark my words, someone is going to get hurt badly in that first game. I would be shocked if there are not multiple fights out there.

F*ck the Steelers, their fans, and their tainted ass chumpionship.

[Tasher]

this is gonna be fun!

this is all i have to say to the stealers

but since it is the offseason,

[bengalsin06]

I just hope they get what they deserve. It's too bad we play them once so early in the season, where Carson might not be available. I want a sweep this year!!!

u got a long way to go before u can sweep us.

[BengalByTheBay]

I just hope they get what they deserve. It's too bad we play them once so early in the season, where Carson might not be available. I want a sweep this year!!!

u got a long way to go before u can sweep us.

We split the season series last year 1-1. That's not a long way to go to 2-0.

[da boss]

It is on. They just picked a fight they can not win.

Watch out squeelers, Carson will be back week three to pick up where he left off.

[Kazkal]

I love how steeler fans make the excuses when they lose that ben wasen't in when oh it woulden't have mattered if carson was in where our offense is belt around carson and big ben just hands the ball off

[FiveLombardies]

I enjoy the rivalry. We haven't had such a challenger since the Ravens in 2000. Bring it on, Bengals.

[Spain]

Anyone thats watched these two teams, know they won with a cheap shot. They cant beat us. Hell I doubt they have a winning year.

[BTG]

I hate the Steelers, but I really wish people would stop saying their championship is tainted or should have an asterisk. Yes, the refs were bad, but they were bad ALL YEAR. Plus the Seahawks made mistake after mistake and the Steelers just outplayed them.

I mean, I had to read that same nonsense when OSU beat Miami back in '02 and I remembered it only made the people saying/typing it sound/look stupid.

The point is, it's a lame argument and an asinine statement to make and it makes people roll their eyes.

[/rant]

[RockON]

Palmer's early struggles playing against 3-4 defenses seem to mean alot more to Steeler fans and players than they do to me. Too many Steeler fans and players ignore the way Palmer has progressed and point to his early struggles against the zone-blitz as proof that he's error prone. That's fine if you don't mind being an ignorant homer, but not only does it ignore the way Palmer ripped the Steelers defense a new one lately, but it also ignores the fact that Palmer has form day one been expected to perform as a true franchise QB, not as a young player who is protected by the limitations placed upon him by his own coaching staff.

Palmer's latest remarks are more proof that he's not the wallflower that so many once claimed he was. The guy is remarkably competitive and a true team leader.

Last, somebody needs to remind Larry Foote what it sounds like when a player choses to baby and cry, because Palmer isn't whining or making excuses. He's calling the Steelers out.

Is it wise to call the Super Bowl champions out? At the very least, could you people please admit the fact that, regardless of "progression" or "potential" or any other buzz word that surrounds this team, Pittsburgh did beat you twice, and they did win the Super Bowl? Just read this. http://www.steelersfever.com/editorials/0615.html

[CBin2k7]

The Pittsburgh Steelers talk alot of trash about the Bengals, they mock the chant, respond to a QB saying he hates the Steelers, etc..

It leads me to one strong belief, the Steelers know that the Bengals can beat them, heck we've proved as much in the Ketchup Bottle to wrap up the AFC North. The Steelers know they dodged a bullet in that wild card game against the Bengals. The D came out fired up, and on the first play from scrimmage for the O, a 66 yard pass completion, and on that play the QB who threw the ball and the WR who caught the ball both get injured. Without those two injuries, the Steelers have no answer for the Bengals offense, even with those two injuries the Bengals still led at halftime and was moving the ball at will on the Steelers.

The Bengals were the last team to beat the Steelers in 05, and they were the better team on that Sunday in January, I will believe that until the day that I die.

That is why the Steelers have to talk trash, they must prove with their mouths that they are the better team, when they know, that isn't the case.

[Smackdown625]

I hate the Steelers, but I really wish people would stop saying their championship is tainted or should have an asterisk. Yes, the refs were bad, but they were bad ALL YEAR. Plus the Seahawks made mistake after mistake and the Steelers just outplayed them.

I mean, I had to read that same nonsense when OSU beat Miami back in '02 and I remembered it only made the people saying/typing it sound/look stupid.

The point is, it's a lame argument and an asinine statement to make and it makes people roll their eyes.

[/rant]

THANK YOU! I was gonna say that, but you already made it look alot better & smarter than what I was gonna say.

Everybody quit your crying, it's not the end of the world, a new season comes every year......

[Steel Legends]

Steelers enjoyed their great ride to the Super Bowl and got that "one for the thumb." It was sweet, very sweet and beating the Bengals made it even sweeter, since you are our biggest rivals right now in the AFCN...Steelers have your number right now and it's going to take a lot more than a 1-4 record that Palmer has against us.

Now, to reflect on the Who Dey We Dey chants.

We saw TJ wiping his cleats with the Terrible Towel and after Marv Lewis and the Bengals beat us in Pittsburgh, they were in the locker room wooping it up and singing the chant.

I think this woke us up and we were relentless after that and we didn't lose another game for the rest of the Super Bowl run.

This is great that Chad Johnson said the Bengals are the team to beat and now the comments from Palmer, you better believe this is going to be the best rivalry in football.

[BTG]

I think the real question is, why are you two Steelers fans posting here? Don't you have innocent women and children to rape and churches to destroy?

[stilldiesel]

I am a mod on Stillers.com but I like to come to rival websites every now and again. I enjoy the banter between Steeler and Bengal fans. Unlike most people I don't hold a personal vendetta against someone for rooting for another football team.

BTW, the National Championship was not tainted. That was the best college football game I have watched in the last 5 years other than the Texas-USC game.