Pittsburgh - the inside scoop - week 3

[duus]

More Junker and Crow Show info:

Caller - "Ben should have never been out there. Batch was our hot hand."

Caller - "Polamalu is looking small to me."

Crow - "I think Troy was playing with one arm last night."

They began to conjecture as to why Ben had a 104 degree fever. They questioned outloud if there is some sort of infection or something.

More about Troy. Callers wondered why Logan was not in the game with "two arms" than Troy with one.

They questioned on and on why Cowher didn't just rest guys like Troy and Ben so as to have them ready for the "bigger division game."

Crow - "I don't think I saw Hines Ward smile once." (this quote made ME smile!)

Callers refused to give credit to the Jags. They just kept going on and on that Ben "didn't look right", that "he wasn't 100%". (I thought Steeler fans always claimed we used excuses)

[Stripes]

They questioned on and on why Cowher didn't just rest guys like Troy and Ben so as to have them ready for the "bigger division game."

Kinda contradictory... Even if Ben struggled last night, they had to get him out there this week to chip off the rust before playing the "bigger division game." Had they waited, we'd have probably seen those same struggles against a striped defense. I think it was a good move by Cowher, even with the shutout loss. They certainly don't want Batch playing in a division game.

[crttylr]

More Junker and Crow Show info:

Caller - "Ben should have never been out there. Batch was our hot hand."

Caller - "Polamalu is looking small to me."

Crow - "I think Troy was playing with one arm last night."

They began to conjecture as to why Ben had a 104 degree fever. They questioned outloud if there is some sort of infection or something.

More about Troy. Callers wondered why Logan was not in the game with "two arms" than Troy with one.

They questioned on and on why Cowher didn't just rest guys like Troy and Ben so as to have them ready for the "bigger division game."

Crow - "I don't think I saw Hines Ward smile once." (this quote made ME smile!)

Callers refused to give credit to the Jags. They just kept going on and on that Ben "didn't look right", that "he wasn't 100%". (I thought Steeler fans always claimed we used excuses)

I wouldnt smile either if I was getting body slammed all over!!!!!

[duus]

Well, over one hour into the show and they are continuing the debate over whether or not Batch should have entered the game in the 4th quarter. (Can you imagine how crazy this town will be should next Sunday end up similar to this game from an offensive perspective for the Steelers?)

Oh, and now emailers are comparing Willie Parker to Barry Sanders (You know, negative yardage, negative yardage, then a long run. Yeah, and Porter should be compared to LT ... oh, never mind, I think SI did that already ... go figure)

[duus]

Probably the most boring, absolutely uninformative press conferences in recent memory by Cowher, but here are a few not-so-interesting quotes/pieces of information:

No new injuries.

About the Bengals (quotes from Cowher) ...

"A very, very potent offense."

"Defensively, they come up with sacks, with turnovers."

"They have picked up where they left off and are playing at a high level."

"They are obviously doing something right."

"Rudi Johnson is a very under-rated back. He runs hard and has great balance."

Q - Does Troy need time off? "I think he'll be ready Sunday."

[semiotter]

O.K. guys, here we go again. Our Bengals might be a bit bruised and battered, but I am looking forward to the Week 3 matchup. My guess is that there will be limited Bengal-talk in Pittsburgh until after the Monday Night game, but I'll start reporting whatever I hear.

As usual, even though my hatred and bias against Pissburgh and everything Stealers is as high as ever, I will surely do my very best to report the facts and as many direct quotes as possible. Oh sure, there will be the jabs here and there, but what fun would it be without that?

Looking forward to a very fun-filled week.

Go Bengals!

If I see any negative comments about the Steelers on this thread I'm going to request that you be banned to "Troll" status. This is not the Smack Forum.

Being a non-Pittsburgher I'm actually looking forward to some of these updates. I'll take into consideration the source of the news feed though. I'm sure it will carry a strong bias.

Like it or not ... you are not that important.

If it weren't for the Steelers football would not exist. You don't get that, do you?

I'm really looking forward to next week's game. I'd rather lose tonight if it means we can work on things to better prepare ourselves for the Bengals.

That is such bull-s**t....Yeah Id rather crash my car so it will make me a better driver Id RATHER Flunk this big test so I can do better next time Id rather get the Clap now rather than get it latter what a freaking alice cooperavatar looking Squeeler peice of NYC BULL s**t remark is that CT?????OH I forgot , now its CT B engal......LOL

[duus]

Just turned on Mark Madden (local 'shock-jock' sports radio). He cracks me up (and angers many Steelers fans).

After taking calls wanting Batch to have played last night, he states:

"Steeler fans are the most unknowledgeable football fans. If they lose it is always either the quarterback's fault or the coach's fault. All they know how to do is drink, puke, and wave a terrible towel."

That cracked me up.

Then the VERY NEXT CALLER says that the reason they lost is due to coach Whisenhunt "not being on his game last night."

Too funny. Mark went crazy after having just made the comment that all they know about football is to blame the QB play or coaches.

Days like this are very fun in this city.

[NYBengalfan]

Just turned on Mark Madden (local 'shock-jock' sports radio). He cracks me up (and angers many Steelers fans).

After taking calls wanting Batch to have played last night, he states:

"Steeler fans are the most unknowledgeable football fans. If they lose it is always either the quarterback's fault or the coach's fault. All they know how to do is drink, puke, and wave a terrible towel."

That cracked me up.

Then the VERY NEXT CALLER says that the reason they lost is due to coach Whisenhunt "not being on his game last night."

Too funny. Mark went crazy after having just made the comment that all they know about football is to blame the QB play or coaches.

Days like this are very fun in this city.

Is this guy still on? And what station, b/c I can listen to it on thegamelive.com

[duus]

Is this guy still on? And what station, b/c I can listen to it on thegamelive.com

He is on 3-6 weekdays on 1250 AM radio locally, which is an ESPN radio station in western PA.

[NYBengalfan]

Thanks cause Im listening to 970 Bendel and Benz

[NYBengalfan]

Whisenhunt getting blamed !!

This caller says: "On the first drive of the game they threw to the TE down the middle of the field twice and completed both passes. Once they realized that the running game wasnt working why didnt they go back to this".

I guess they never get outplayed!!!

[NYBengalfan]

Now they're ridiculing Joey Porter! "saying his Dave Chapelle style intro was the only time they heard from him all night." Which was true.

And Cowher is getting criticised for abandoning the running game and not challanging the Wilson drop on the first drive of the game.

.....sorry duus, Ill let you do the updates.

[duus]

Now they're ridiculing Joey Porter! "saying his Dave Chapelle style intro was the only time they heard from him all night." Which was true.

And Cowher is getting criticised for abandoning the running game and not challanging the Wilson drop on the first drive of the game.

.....sorry duus, Ill let you do the updates.

No, no, no! Don't be sorry. I would much rather have it this way. Keep it coming! Helps to pick up the pieces that I would otherwise miss, as well as I think it helps to validate that I am not throwing half-truths out there. Besides, my time is definitely much more limited this year than last so I will miss more than I did last year.

Oh ... more info ...

Caller --> "Jacksonville is 10 times better than Cincinnati."

Fortunately, in a moment of sanity, Madden corrects the guy.

Much talk about how this game helped Ben to get the rust off. Perhaps. I suppose we'll soon find out.

[Riagogogoindanati]

More Junker and Crow Show info:

Caller - "Ben should have never been out there. Batch was our hot hand."

Caller - "Polamalu is looking small to me."

Crow - "I think Troy was playing with one arm last night."

They began to conjecture as to why Ben had a 104 degree fever. They questioned outloud if there is some sort of infection or something.

More about Troy. Callers wondered why Logan was not in the game with "two arms" than Troy with one.

They questioned on and on why Cowher didn't just rest guys like Troy and Ben so as to have them ready for the "bigger division game."

Crow - "I don't think I saw Hines Ward smile once." (this quote made ME smile!)

Callers refused to give credit to the Jags. They just kept going on and on that Ben "didn't look right", that "he wasn't 100%". (I thought Steeler fans always claimed we used excuses)

I know Ben needed to play in this game to knock some of the rust off. But, having been in the nursing field specializing in critical care.....this doesn't sound right to me putting a guy in at QB 2 weeks post-appendectomy (open or laparoscopic?) and him having a fever of 104. Something doesn't jive here. Personally, it is hard for me to believe he doesn't have some infection or abcess going on......he's 2 weeks post-op. He shouldn't have a temp at this stage. I guess we'll find out. If it is an infection or abcess, he may need another surgery and long term IV antibiotic therapy. That would not be good and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[duus]

I know Ben needed to play in this game to knock some of the rust off. But, having been in the nursing field specializing in critical care.....this doesn't sound right to me putting a guy in at QB 2 weeks post-appendectomy (open or laparoscopic?) and him having a fever of 104. Something doesn't jive here. Personally, it is hard for me to believe he doesn't have some infection or abcess going on......he's 2 weeks post-op. He shouldn't have a temp at this stage. I guess we'll find out. If it is an infection or abcess, he may need another surgery and long term IV antibiotic therapy. That would not be good and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Actually, the surgery was done lap, and it turns out that the fever (according to Cowher) was only 100.4.

You know, what drives me crazy is that I am completely convinced that Ben puts all this garbage out there before each game just to give him an 'out'. Ever notice that? Oh, it was the toe. Wait, it's the thumb. And look at my new glove! Actually, I think I have a little fever. Yeah, and we are the ones with the excuses to hand out. Right.

[duus]

Ellis Cannon sports radio show. Interview with Steelers LB Clark Haggans.

Concerning game last night

Haggans - "Our offense just didn't get into a rhythm. Nobody can stop us when we get into a rhythm."

Haggans - "People can say it was the humidity. Or it was the crowd noise. But it was just one of those games."

Concerning Bengals

Cannon - "Palmer threw on first down a lot last year."

Haggans - "I think they just tried to mix it up so that we wouldn't focus on Rudi. They tried to keep us guessing. We'll be ready for whatever they throw at us."

Haggans - "I think we match up well."

Haggans - "It's going to come down to who makes more plays and whoever does will be victorious."

Cannon - "Bottom line is that you guys beat them 2 out of 3 last year."

Haggans - "When the game is on the line and it counts, we beat them up pretty bad."

Haggans - "I know that they have been waiting for this game all summer. So it is here."

[Stripes]

Cannon - "Bottom line is that you guys beat them 2 out of 3 last year."

[Stripes]

It looks like the unbiased national fanbase likes the Bengals' chances...

There were about 13,000 votes in when I copied this.

[NYBengalfan]

Ellis Cannon sports radio show. Interview with Steelers LB Clark Haggans.

Concerning game last night

Haggans - "Our offense just didn't get into a rhythm. Nobody can stop us when we get into a rhythm."

Haggans - "People can say it was the humidity. Or it was the crowd noise. But it was just one of those games."

Concerning Bengals

Cannon - "Palmer through on first down a lot last year."

Haggans - "I think they just tried to mix it up so that we wouldn't focus on Rudi. They tried to keep us guessing. We'll be ready for whatever they throw at us."

Haggans - "I think we match up well."

Haggans - "It's going to come down to who makes more plays and whoever does will be victorious."

Cannon - "Bottom line is that you guys beat them 2 out of 3 last year."

Haggans - "When the game is on the line and it counts, we beat them up pretty bad."

Haggans - "I know that they have been waiting for this game all summer. So it is here."

It looks like the unbiased national fanbase likes the Bengals' chances...

There were about 13,000 votes in when I copied this.

No f**kin respect!!! Who the f**k is Haggans???

...is he the punter???? Cause he didnt make that much noise either!

[Stripes]

Haggans did have an interception last night, but was otherwise a non-factor. He's probably the weakest link to Pitt's front seven, if it isn't the DE that replaced Kimo.

[duus]

Cannon - "Bottom line is that you guys beat them 2 out of 3 last year."

Haggans - "When the game is on the line and it counts, we beat them up pretty bad."

Haggans - "I know that they have been waiting for this game all summer. So it is here."

No f**kin respect!!! Who the f**k is Haggans???

...is he the punter???? Cause he didnt make that much noise either!

No doubt. Those last two quotes from Haggans (after Cannon mentioned the fact that they took 2 out of 3 from the Bengals last year) really were said in an arrogant way. Especially the one about 'we beat them up pretty bad.' Those are the sort of quips you hear around here all the time but never make national coverage. I don't know ... maybe it's no biggie ... but it would fire me up.

[duus]

Pretty boring around here today. All the talk is just the same old thing said about a million different ways, and simply not worth repeating over and over. All about Ben's 'injuries', his 'fever', the lack of running game, Ben's rustiness, Cowher picking up the flag, why didn't Batch play, blah, blah, blah.

As soon as I start hearing anything worthwhile concerning the upcoming game I will be sure to pass it along, but for now ... zilch.

[NYBengalfan]

Check out my post on Chads postgame interview.......a little loopy is an understatement!!

[duus]

A little tidbit I heard on the radio during my morning run:

Comparing this year to last year, the local radio soundbite included detailing last year where Ben came back from injury to play his first game against Indy ... and played 'poorly' ... and then played the next week against the Bengals ... and "had the best game of his career." Of course, they did mention that the Steelers lost that game, but the reason they gave for the loss was "mainly due to special team breakdowns."

Really?

[derekshank]

A little tidbit I heard on the radio during my morning run:

Comparing this year to last year, the local radio soundbite included detailing last year where Ben came back from injury to play his first game against Indy ... and played 'poorly' ... and then played the next week against the Bengals ... and "had the best game of his career." Of course, they did mention that the Steelers lost that game, but the reason they gave for the loss was "mainly due to special team breakdowns."

Really?

Yeah... special teams break-downs. And a little thing called 38 points our offense laid on that elite defense.

And Ben throwing 3 INT's constitutes the best game of his career? Sure, he threw for 386 yards... but at what cost? The Steelers simply can't win when they rely on the arm of Big Ben. Go look at his game logs. Sure he hasa great winning percentage... but look at his winning percentage if he throws the ball more than 25 times. They are 2-4 in those situations (and have lost 3 straight). If they can't provide a great running game, or the defense gives up points and forces Ben into a shoot-out, the Steelers lose almost every time. But that's not Ben fault, right? Because he's Superman.