Pittsburgh - the inside scoop - week 3

[derekshank]

From Joey Porter (quote is as accurate as I could catch it ... he said something about making the qb win the game, but I couldn't get the exact words so I left that out):

"We need to take away the run. We need to put the game in the quarterback's hands and see what he can do."

Good luck with that Joey.

Does anyone remember when that was our strategy against Peyton Manning last year?

[Stripes]

From Joey Porter (quote is as accurate as I could catch it ... he said something about making the qb win the game, but I couldn't get the exact words so I left that out):

"We need to take away the run. We need to put the game in the quarterback's hands and see what he can do."

Good luck with that Joey.

Does anyone remember when that was our strategy against Peyton Manning last year?

Yep. It was a bad scene. If they want to focus entirely on Rudi and forget about Carson... well then they better be ready to score more than 45 points.

[skyline]

I love that they are bashing Lewis showing video to motivate his team when Marvin got the idea from Cowher in the first place

[duus]

Madden Show opens with quotes from the sports shock-jock himself:

"Cincinnati is on a roll. The Steelers are coming off a very disappointing loss."

"The Steelers need to win or they really dig themselves a hole."

"It's about as big as a regular season gets, especially this early."

[remember ... he's a type of shock-jock]

"Who Dey, Who Dey, Who Dey gonna take out Palmer's knee? Who Dey, Who Dey, Who Dey gonna knock out Johnson's teeth?"

[again ... remember ... he's a type of shock-jock]

"I am putting a personal bounty on the knee of Carson Palmer. He's the quarterback and chief punk. I am putting 100 bucks of my own money to the Steelers defender that takes out his knee."

"I like the Bengals to win. I would feel a lot better about that prediction if Braham would be able to play. I think they come in with a lot of momentum and the Steelers are suffering from Super Bowl hangover."

[duus]

Santonio Holmes hasn't practiced yet this week (foot) and may not go. If not, he will be replaced by Willie Reid.

Honestly, I think Reid is better. At least at returning kicks. Truth be known, this may happen more because Cowher has been pressured to get Reid in the games than Holmes injury.

Also, Cowher admitted that Troy is playing with pain, but is just trying to get through this game with the bye week coming up next.

[HoosierCat]

A piece on Troy's injury from the PG today...FWIW

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunerev...s/s_471471.html

[duus]

Madden, as usual, provides us with a rare moment of intelligence in the city of Pissburgh:

"In all seriousness, I wonder what matters more to you ... the American Flag or the terrible towel?"

[cincyhokie]

Santonio Holmes hasn't practiced yet this week (foot) and may not go. If not, he will be replaced by Willie Reid.

Honestly, I think Reid is better. At least at returning kicks. Truth be known, this may happen more because Cowher has been pressured to get Reid in the games than Holmes injury.

Also, Cowher admitted that Troy is playing with pain, but is just trying to get through this game with the bye week coming up next.

It almost sounds like Madieu's injury from last year. I doubt it's as bad, however.

By the way, guys you can listen to the Pittsburgh radio scoop on this link: http://www.wtaeradio.com/ Don't know if that was put out there or not.

[Kazkal]

but if they don't let him heal it will end up worse probbley

[duus]

It almost sounds like Madieu's injury from last year. I doubt it's as bad, however.

By the way, guys you can listen to the Pittsburgh radio scoop on this link: http://www.wtaeradio.com/ Don't know if that was put out there or not.

Thanks for the link! Any of you who are listening, and hear something worthy that I missed, please post the text for everyone. I usually stop listening around 5 each day, and not sure how much I will catch tomorrow (Friday). Madden's interview with Jack Hamm is at 5 today (about now), and I will miss it. Post anything that comes out of that that might be interesting. I'd like to know Jack's take/prediction on this game.

[cincyhokie]

Hamm focused on the Bengals O-line continued success against the Steelers, especially last year in the 38-31 win at Heinz. Both Madden and Hamm think the Bengals worst injury is Braham. Hamm was very complementary of the Bengals, while Madden continued to think that the Bengals have no chance with all of their injuries.

Pretty good interview. It still amazes me how throughly cocky these fans and radio hosts are even considering they got shut out last week.

I may have missed the predictions or it may just be a commercial. I have have to head out though. I think by the way they were talking both will take the Steelers to win the game.

[duus]

Thanks! I'm just glad that folks now can listen to the Pissburgh locals over the internet. The more of you that do that will begin to get a better sense for just how crazy these folks talk. Boy, does that make me happy!!!!

[cincyhokie]

God, is that Madden's tongue he is choking on or just his spit?

He sounds about 2 days away from a heartattack...he can barely keep his breath.

[duus]

God, is that Madden's tongue he is choking on or just his spit?

He sounds about 2 days away from a heartattack...he can barely keep his breath.

Yeah, he's obviously very overwheight. He's also often 'very over the top' in terms of things not related to sports. You'll understand the more you listen. Sort of shame. He really does know sports. He understands sports, and probably especially hockey. Very knowledgable, which is a rare thing in the Pissburgh area.

[lando griffin]

I need to stop reading this thread. After four years in Yinztown I got out this May and just recently feel like I completed my Pissburgh detox. Reading about all of these dirty ignorant people with out-of-this-world retarded-ass opinions is causing me to have flashbacks.

Stay strong duus..keep the faith. The Yinz can't take what's deep inside of you. That part of you that realizes that this dirty place you mistakenly ended up in cannot represent the whole of mankind...the hope that there is someplace better. The hope that someday this falsely over-confident breed of people will be brought to their knees by the truth of their existence, and the truth of what is real beauty...not Primanti and 'Arn City...but the Bengalis...

Hahahahaha

I seriously had deep thoughts like that about Pittsburgh when I was trapped there.....Thank the Lord(and graduating) for setting me FREEEEEE!!!!

[duus]

I need to stop reading this thread. After four years in Yinztown I got out this May and just recently feel like I completed my Pissburgh detox. Reading about all of these dirty ignorant people with out-of-this-world retarded-ass opinions is causing me to have flashbacks.

Stay strong duus..keep the faith. The Yinz can't take what's deep inside of you. That part of you that realizes that this dirty place you mistakenly ended up in cannot represent the whole of mankind...the hope that there is someplace better. The hope that someday this falsely over-confident breed of people will be brought to their knees by the truth of their existence, and the truth of what is real beauty...not Primanti and 'Arn City...but the Bengalis...

Hahahahaha

I seriously had deep thoughts like that about Pittsburgh when I was trapped there.....Thank the Lord(and graduating) for setting me FREEEEEE!!!!

Your words give me pause and hope. I am fighting the good fight. A brighter, new day is ahead. I fall to my knees everyday, pleading for that day of exit to come. I feel it. It's coming. Not too far away. I'll join you guys once again in the land of the free, the land of hope, the land of sanity, the land of the normal, the land of civilization, the land of the educated, the land of harmony, the land of all things good ... better said ... the polar opposite of Pissburgh. The time is coming.

Thanks for the words.

[bengal4life]

I need to stop reading this thread. After four years in Yinztown I got out this May and just recently feel like I completed my Pissburgh detox. Reading about all of these dirty ignorant people with out-of-this-world retarded-ass opinions is causing me to have flashbacks.

Stay strong duus..keep the faith. The Yinz can't take what's deep inside of you. That part of you that realizes that this dirty place you mistakenly ended up in cannot represent the whole of mankind...the hope that there is someplace better. The hope that someday this falsely over-confident breed of people will be brought to their knees by the truth of their existence, and the truth of what is real beauty...not Primanti and 'Arn City...but the Bengalis...

Hahahahaha

I seriously had deep thoughts like that about Pittsburgh when I was trapped there.....Thank the Lord(and graduating) for setting me FREEEEEE!!!!

Your words give me pause and hope. I am fighting the good fight. A brighter, new day is ahead. I fall to my knees everyday, pleading for that day of exit to come. I feel it. It's coming. Not too far away. I'll join you guys once again in the land of the free, the land of hope, the land of sanity, the land of the normal, the land of civilization, the land of the educated, the land of harmony, the land of all things good ... better said ... the polar opposite of Pissburgh. The time is coming.

Thanks for the words.

You guys talk of a little place called hell. Have faith and the good lord will set you free.

[duus]

1 hour into the show this morning and no Steeler/Bengal talk as they are all depressed about the fact that Evgeni Malkin (Penguins hockey player) has a severely dislocated shoulder and might be out about 6+ months if it needs surgery. Anyway, that has completely consumed conversation.

[duus]

Handicapper - "Jacksonville was 12-4 a year ago. Roethlisberger coming back. Cincinnati is the upcoming team in this division. I think Roethlisberger will do just enough to get the job done."

Junker - "Too good to lose two in a row. I would lean toward Cincinnati if they were not without so many players. I still like the Steelers, but if the Bengals were completely healthy I am not sure I would go that way."

Crow - "Until the Steelers show than can run the ball, I cannot go with them. I pick Cincinnati."

[duus]

Madden quotes during opening of Friday show:

Keys for Steelers:

1. Shut down Rudi. Receivers, even quarterbacks, don't beat the Steelers. Runningbacks do. Ball possession does. It's going to be a bit easier with center Rich Braham out.

2. Run the ball well. Not decent, but WELL. This is where the offensive line has to bounce back.

3. Get takeaways.

"I hope TJ doesn't play ... he kills the Steelers. All these injuries have to catch-up with Cincinnati. If the Bengals can win in Pittsburgh with all these injuries, then they have the potential to be a special team."

"The fact that Bill Cowher won one Super Bowl after all these years ... does that make all the wrongs right? Is it a validation of everything Cowher does, everything the team does? Or is having won only one an indictment?"

"This is exactly the kind of game the Bengals always lose."

[duus]

Jim Colloney (sp?) ... sports reporter on 1250 am ... made the statement that the backup center for the Bengals "may feel differently by 1:30 Sunday". This was in response to a soundbite from Casey Hampton where he said it really doesn't matter who is in there because the center doesn't usually take him one-on-one.

[duus]

Adam Myer (local handicapper - does weekly picks on Madden show)

AM - "Cincinnati, to me, is the class of the AFC North. Pittsburgh will not be shut-out this week. It's not going to happen this week for the Steelers. I'm looking at 24-17 Bengals."

Question from Madden - "The Bengals always seem to lose this type of game. Does this figure in to your thinking at all?"

AM - "You make a good point. That's what makes me stop from betting a lot of money on it. It's hard to go crazy with Cincinnati in this spot. They have to get over this one against Pittsburgh."

[duus]

Madden with Ed Beuchette (Steeler beatwriter)

MM - "What possesses Ben to spread non-sensical b.s. to the media so often?"

EB - "I don't know, Mark, it's just part of being Big Ben I guess."

MM - "What will mean more ... Cincinnati's momentum or injuries?"

EB - "Injuries. There are chinks in the defense that wasn't real strong to begin with."

MM - "Who is the most dangerous on offense?"

EB - "Rudi Johnson and the passing game. One and One-A."

MM - "Ike Taylor on Chad Johnson again?"

EB - "Ike has not had the strongest two games so far. I don't know, they might mix things up."

MM - "Maybe they'll be better off paying extra attention to TJ."

EB - "Remember, the Bengals have only beaten the Steelers once. It's not like there has been any type of domination on the Bengals part."

MM - "How hurt is Troy really?"

EB - "I don't know. He hasn't missed a practice. He was there the whole time."

MM - "Do the Steelers have a Super Bowl hangover?"

EB - "I don't know. I wouldn't say yes and I wouldn't say no."

Santonio Holmes practiced today, so it looks like he will go and Reid will sit once again.

Discussion about when to use the no-huddle for the Steelers.

Seems that agreement is that they should 'surprise' the Bengals and come out using it on the first series of the second quarter.

[cincyhokie]

Question from Madden - "The Bengals always seem to lose this type of game. Does this figure in to your thinking at all?"

The last time the Bengals played in "game like this" with Palmer in the game.....was in Pittsburgh.....and they won.....

Genius.

[duus]

Here's denial for you ...

Savran - "Between the Bengals and Steelers, the Steelers are still the better team. If the Steelers and Jaguars played 10 times, the Steelers would win more than 50% of the time. I think the Steelers win the game."