Steeler

Lots of news in the Steeler world this morning...--As you've probably heard, the Rooneys rejected Stanley Druckenmiller's bid to buy the team yesterday. His offer was believed to be in the neighborhood of $550 million, which is a tad more than the $2,500 that Art Rooney originally paid for the team. The Rooneys will go back to the drawing board, and Druckenmiller will go back to being a billionair

It's time for a new link contest!The rules are easy...send your interesting sports, entertainment, and bizarre news links and tips to mondesishouse@gmail.com One winner chosen at random on September 26, 2008 will receive this week's prize:a copy of the new hardback book from Jim Wexell, Steeler Nation:A brief description:It’s the trip every football fan dreams of making. Sportswriter Jim Wexel

And so we bid adieu to punt returner Jeremy Bloom, the now-former Steeler whose resume also includes male modeling and olympic skiing. The female division of Steeler Nation is surely beside themselves with the news.Bloom's 2008 preseason stats included zero punt returns, which isn't a good number for a guy who was trying to make the team as a punt returner. So it goes without saying that his relea

So, I saw that the terrible towel made it to Beijing, so I decided to look for other places where the great piece of art ended up. I was amazed by the number of pictures popped up in an easy search, but I was wondering where else it goes. Here is what I found so far:What I am shooting for is that if you have pictures of you with a terrible towel, I would like to post it so we can show what a Steel

We'll lead today's Steeler links with some news on WR Cedrick Wilson, who is now the offensive coordinator at Douglass HS in Memphis. Wilson is also taking classes at the U. of Memphis in hopes of becoming a teacher, although he would welcome a return to the NFL. --Somehow, everyone was too preoccupied with Penguin fan Casey Hampton to make a big deal about Troy Polamalu once again nursing an inj

DENNIS DIXONQB - OREGONHeight: 6-4 Weight: 206 40-Time: 5.30College Coach: Mike BellottiIn round five, the Steelers selected Oregon QB Dennis Dixon, a 2007 Heisman candidate who suffered a torn ACL during the season. Dixon is still rehabbing the knee injury and looks to be a long-range solution as the team's backup quarterback. His athleticism could also be displayed in a Kordell Stewart/Antwaan Randle-El style until then.Notes on Dixon:--2007 stats: 20 TD, 4 INT, 2136 yards, 67.7% completion percentage in 9 games--Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2003 MLB Draft--Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft--Hit a LaRoche-esque .176 in 74 at bats with two Atlanta Braves rookie league teams in 2007--Sat behind current Jets QB Kellen Clemens wh

Last month's Mondesi's House Survey unearthed the revelation that you want to see me cover more events in-person. Well, one day in the future, a Pittsburgh team is going to follow the lead of other big-time sports franchises and allow bloggers access to cover games in-person. Until then, you'll have to settle for some random recaps of various Western Pennsylvania happenings, such as the MLB Fanfest, a Penguins practice, and the Steelers vs. Monessen HS faculty basketball game I attended last night.A lot of people give the Steelers grief, saying that they don't do enough for the community. While I've always disagreed with that line of thinking anyway, I had an up-close-and-personal experience last night, as I was literally sitting in the first row at midcourt. Sure, I paid $500 for the tick

Incredible. I knew his politics were radical from his memoir. But I had no idea that his contempt for middle America was so complete.Do the Democrats dare nominate someone so completely clueless about the heartland?...

It's been a rough offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And now, more news from the police blotter: Steely McBeam has been arrested for a DUI. OK, it was actually the "actor" who played Steely, but unfortunate news nonetheless.From the Trib: Kenneth Hahey, 24, of Mt. Washington was charged with drunken driving after he was stopped in the South Side in January, according to Pittsburgh municipal court records. His blood alcohol level was .166, according to a police affidavit. Steelers spokesman David Lockett said Hahey has been "released from his duties." The good news from the Steelers, however, is that Steely will return for another season, but I'm worried that he may face a suspension from Roger Goodell.Revealed: Steely McBeam actor arrested for DUI [Trib]

In today's latest example that Seahawk fans dwell on that past a little too much, a Seattle fast-food cook was accused of spitting on a hamburger ordered by a man wearing Steelers attire. I'm guessing this happened because Seahawk fans feel the game was poorly officiated, as this Steeler fan obviously had a hand in the outcome.The greatest part of the story was that when police visited the cook's house, they smelled marijuana in addition to the implied scent of sour grapes. The cook was later released after being booked for investigation of fourth-degree assault and possession of marijuana.Seattle fans, you're just embarrassing yourselves at this point. A pot-smoking burger cook spitting on a hamburger, and two years after the fact? But you have to put yourself in this guy's shoes. The Sea

The Steelers added yet another free agent recently, and he goes by the name of Justin Hartwig. The deal is for two years and $3,725,000, with a $975,000 signing bonus. This comes just one year after signing Sean Mahan to fill the void left by the retirement of Jeff Hartings. Unfortunately, Mahan was never confused with Mike Webster, so Kevin Colbert went shopping once again.Like Mahan, Hartwig can play either center or guard. They will both compete for the starting center job, but Ed Bouchette said that Mahan likely will become the swing man as a backup at guard and center. The 6'4", 312-pound Hartwig signed a five-year, $17 million contract with Carolina in 2006. And since that didn't seem to pan out, he recently became available on the open market. He was originally chosen by the Titans

The Steelers continued their "Free Agents You've Never Heard Of" Parade today, bringing in Chris Crocker for a look-see. Actually, some of you might know Chris Crocker. A quick Googling shows that Chris Crocker is an openly gay internet personality and self-described "edutainer", known best for his "Leave Britney Alone!" viral video last fall.Unfortunately, it looks like that wasn't the same Chris Crocker that was at Steeler HQ on Thursday. Now that would have been some big news. The prospective signee is in fact a 5'11", 193-pound safety who played with the great Atlanta Falcons last season. To my knowledge, he's never made a YouTube video, although he may or may not be a Britney Spears supporter. Not only has Crocker played for the Falcons, but he was originally a third-round pick of the

Hinweis: Dies ist eine von trigami vermittelte Auftragsarbeit, für welche ich ein Honorar erhalte. Konkret heisst das: Ich werde dafür honoriert, dass ich über ein Produkt oder eine Dienstleistung schreibe (und nicht dafür, dass ich positiv darüber schreibe). (Mehr Informationen) Casio war zu meiner Jugend unzertrennbar mit der Hightech-Digital-Armbanduhr verbunden. Sie waren die ersten die eine Armbanduhr mit integriertem Taschenrechner heraus brachten und glücklich konnte sich derjenige schätzen, der sich diese sog. James Bond Uhr leisten konnte. Casio hat sich aber seit dem nicht auf seinen Lorbeeren ausgeruht und in seiner Uhrenpalette mit der G-Shock ein vielfältiges Uhrensortiment an Stoßsichere Uhren geschaffen, die mit zahlreichen und unterschiedlichen Funtionen nur so strotzen und welche heutzutage unter der Jugend schon einen ordentlichen Kultstatus besitzten. Zudem hat es Casio geschafft, sich mit der weiblichen Serie, der Baby-G, auch unter den jungen Damen als ge

I've been peppered by many readers with this line from SI.com's Dr. Z. in his Hall of Fame column today: Still with the Hall, Steve of Charlotte, N.C., wants to know if I see Marshall Faulk, Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis as first ballot Hall of Famers? Faulk, possibly. Martin, yes, because there will be a lot of sentiment attached. He's really a terrific guy. Bettis, no. Down the line, maybe.6-time Pro Bowler5th All Time in Rushing - 13,662 yards10th All Time in Rushing TDs - 9113th All Time in Yards from scrimmage 15,111Super Bowl ChampionInspiration for the Helmet CakeIf that's not a first-ballot HOFer, who is? Don't answer that, we already have the answer: Curtis Martin and Marshall Faulk. Other than the obvious "shut up, whiny Steeler fans", any thoughts on Dr. Z.'s opinion? Hits and misses: Latest Hall of Fame class deserving but incomplete [SI.com]Jerome Bettis career stats [Pro Football Reference]Curtis Martin career stats [Pro Football Reference]Marshall Faulk career st

I've heard a million times that Poison lead singer Bret Michaels is a huge Steeler fan. And judging by the unamused look on Michaels' face in this recent photo with Brady Quinn, I'd have to say that still holds true. I have just one question: can Quinn ever take a picture that doesn't get lampooned all over the internet?Bret Michaels and Brady Quinn [BretMichaels.com]

2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Regular Season Week 1 September 9 Pittsburgh Steelers Lost 14-30 at New England PatriotsWeek 2 September 15 Pittsburgh Steelers Lost 17-30 against Oakland RaidersWeek 3 Bye WeekWeek 4 September 29 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 16-13 against Cleveland Browns (OT)Week 5 October 6 Pittsburgh Steelers Lost 29-32 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 6 October 13 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 34-7 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 7 October 21 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 28-10 against Indianapolis ColtsWeek 8 October 27 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 31-18 at Baltimore RavensWeek 9 November 3 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 23-20 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 10 November 10 Pittsburgh Steelers Tied 34-34 against Atlanta Falcons (OT)Week 11 November 17 Pittsburgh Steelers Lost 23-31 at Tennessee TitansWeek 12 November 24 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 29-21 against Cincinnati BengalsWeek 13 December 1 Pittsburgh Steelers Won 25-23 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 14 December 8 Pittsburgh Steelers Lost 6-24 against Houston TexansWeek 1

A few stories from black and gold country on this Friday afternoon... First comes the NY Times story that former offensive lineman Justin Strzelczyk had some serious brain damage: Strzelczyk (pronounced STRELL-zick) is the fourth former National Football League player to have been found post-mortem to have had a condition similar to that generally found only in boxers with dementia or people in their 80s. The diagnosis was made by Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In the past five years, he has found similar damage in the brains of the former N.F.L. players Mike Webster, Terry Long and Andre Waters. The finding will add to the growing evidence that longtime football players, particularly linemen, might endure hidden brain trauma that is only now becoming recognized.“This is irreversible brain damage,” Omalu said. “It’s most likely caused by concussions sustained on the football field.” I don't know what's sadder...the fact

I usually don't post anything else on mailbag days, but this one is too big to ignore. In a story broken by profootballtalk.com, it has been revealed that new Steelers O-Line coach Larry Zierlein sent a pornographic e-mail to every GM in the league (and their secretaries) as well as Commish Goodell. An excerpt from their original story:A league source tells us that an assistant coach with an NFL team attempted on Friday to forward a pornographic e-mail.If his goal was to send it to every General Manager in the league, he was successful. The list also included their secretaries. Oh, and the Commissioner got it, too.We know who the coach is, but we're not going to reveal the name until we get confirmation from one more source as to the coach's identity. Said the source: "I'm really shocked it hasn't hit the papers. Someone is doing a great job covering it up. But the whole league knows about it."And now, an update, after PFT decided to name Zierlein:The e-mail message had been forwa

Today is a big day in the local TV ratings wars, and who are the pawns in this cruel game? Your Pittsburgh Steelers, of course! There's goodies aplenty, including J-Peezy (or is it Kanye West?) doing an exclusive with Alby Oxenreiter of WPXI. That one hits at 5 PM. Topics may or may not include Kellen Winslow, mini ponies, and Las Vegas.Be honest. You can't tell them apart either.KDKA strikes back at 6 PM with their big Ken Rice-Dan Rooney interview. Some interesting comments on Alan Faneca from the Steeler patriarch:Rooney went on to say that he's actually concerned about Faneca's health."I worry about him. I was concerned that he might get himself so worked up that he could cause himself some harm, medically."Wow. I knew Faneca was upset, but to the point of doing himself harm medically? This sounds juicy. What about WTAE, you ask? Well, I can't seem to find any major Steeler interviews coming up on Monday, but we can celebrate the ballyhooed return of Jennifer Antkowiak with th

MATT SPAETH Height: 6-7 Weight: 270 40-Time: 4.81The Steelers, feeling the need to draft another premium tight end that they won't throw to, selected Minnesota's Matt Spaeth in the third round. From the very uninteresting Matt Spaeth File:--2006 Mackey Award Winner as nation's best tight end. When added with Lamarr Woodley (Lombardi Award Winner), the Steelers' incoming rookies have an impressive trophy case.--1st Team All-American in 2006.--47 catches, 564 yards, 4 TDs last season for Minnesota.--Father is Ken Spaeth, former Nebraska Cornhusker and a Buffalo Bill draftee.--Began his college career as a defensive end.--Averaged averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds per game in high school basketball. Great news for that Steeler charity basketball team.Minnesota BioWikipedia PageNFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

The 4-2 Pirates open their 2007 home schedule today against the lowly, 2-4, "World Champion" St. Louis Cardinals at 1:35 PM. The pitching matchup will be Braden Looper against Ian "KKKKKKKKKKK" Snell. And to the best of my knowledge, Michael Keaton will not be throwing out the first pitch.The game-time temperature should be about 38 degrees, among the coldest in PNC Park history. The record high for this date was 80 degrees in 2001 - the home opener in PNC's first year; the record low was 15 degrees in 1977. Hope they let you bring in a blanket this year. The game is sold out, despite the presence of any fireworks (you'll have to wait all the way until, uh, tomorrow for those) or bobbleheads (they're saving those until...Friday). The year is already off to a great start - there are no Pirates on ESPN's All-Overpaid team (although as the author points out, they're still coughing up $5 mil to JKendall this year). So here's hoping the Bucs continue their tepid start and give us some

The story that follows was the product of much teeth-gnashing this evening. My first idea was a piece called "Most Hated Pittsburgh Athletes", which then evolved into "Most Hated Steelers", and then gave way to "Most Controversial Steelers". But there was one common theme, through all of these lists: Steeler Quarterbacks. So I decided they would get their own article. With the exception of a select handful of QBs, this city has been notoriously tough on its signal callers. I challenge anyone to find a city that is so hard on a particular position for one of their sports teams.Some of you will argue that a number of these players were, in fact, successful, and you'll be correct. One of these men actually won four Super Bowls. But controversy followed each one at some point in their career.Being that I was born in 1977, I was obviously unable to watch all of these players in their respective heydays. So there will be no 1-10 rankings in this article. You can discuss that in the comments

If you're a Pittsburgh firefighter, what's considered "acceptable behavior" at a Steeler game? Exposing yourself? Kicking a security guard in the groin? Kicking a cop in the knee? Well, local fireman Martin Sanders accomplished the trifecta on Sunday. Sanders, who was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, even struck another officer who tried to stop him from using a cell phone on hospital property, which is prohibited. And you thought Larry Johnson was the most out-of-control person at Heinz Field on Monday. (Thanks to reader Bernard for the tip. Source= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

As the author of this site, owner of a sports-related business, and major fan, I am constantly in touch with the pulse of the sporting world. I have to be. I constantly read sports websites, blogs, magazines, and newspapers, listen to sports radio, and watch games on TV. I think I can get a grasp on where America (or at least Pittsburgh) stands on most issues. That being said, I am totally lost as to the current state of the Steeler fan, especially as presented by local media members. I keep hearing statements by talk show hosts, columnists, and the like, along the lines of, "Oh, those fair weather Steeler fans...where do they go when their team is down? They're just a bunch of front-runners. Down come the Steeler flags. Off come the Steeler bumper stickers. They have no loyalty." I would assume comments like those would be in response to criticism about Cowher, Roethlisberger, Porter, the Offensive Line, the Defense, Dan Rooney, or the team as a whole for coming out of the gates wit

Jumbo-sized roundup today...the Christmas retail season has Mondesi severely cramped for time, so everything must be abridged in a neat little package... CITY OF PITTSBURGH:Decision Day is here, as the slots license may or may not be given out. With all of the storylines and characters in this drama (Rendell, Balsillie, Lemieux, Ravenstahl, Onorato, Bettman, etc.), this should be Howard Baldwin's next movie project. NHL:The Pens turn in an unacceptable performance on Slots License Eve, losing 4-1 to the lowly St. Louis Blues. They must be worried about who wins the license. Yeah, that's the ticket. MLB:The Pirates keep pretending they're interested in Jeff Suppan. In a time when quasi-to-big-name free agent pitchers get four and five year deals, the Pirates offer two years. In other Pirate news, Dave Littlefield offered a three-week contract to Barry Zito. The former Mrs. Chuck Finley, Tawny Kitaen, enters drug rehab. Thus adding a fascinating chapter to the only woman who's been e

NHL:Despite their best attempts to force an eventual shootout loss, the Penguins fall in regulation to the Lightning. That's 11 losses in a row against Tampa. Congrats to Sidney Crosby, your top vote-getter for the NHL All-Star Game. NFL:Listen up, Steeler fans: Michael Bush, the object of your dreams, is declaring for the NFL DraftAlso in for the '07 draft: Pitt Panther Darrelle Revis Wondering how hard Plex took the Giants loss on Sunday? He was partying with Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Nick Cannon a few hours laterRon Cook takes a look at the Steelers' pending free agent decisions. Entering the last year of their contracts: Polamalu, Faneca, Porter, Haggans, Kreider, Simmons, and Smith. Can you hear the ka-ching sound?Speaking of the 2007 NFL Draft, here's an updated mock draft I found while scouring the web. This one has the Steelers taking Lamarr Woodley, a 6-2, 270-pound DE from Michigan. Not going to happen. And Brady Quinn is NOT going #2 overall. Write it down.Terrell Owens i