It’s official. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is now a Cincinnati Bengal.

It’s been a weird off-season for the Steelers, and now Steeler Nation is faced with seeing the long-time Steeler in black and orange every Sunday. Weird.

We’ll remember the good times we had, James. Like that time you met Mary Poppins.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Harrison will now have a go at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line twice a year. In recent years, Ben Roethlisberger has suffered major injuries at the hands of the vaunted defenses from Cleveland and Kansas City. Cincinnati’s defense is tough as it is, and adding a former Defensive Player of the Year to the mix will make them tougher. Not good news for Big Ben and company.

On the bright side, we will still have two chances to see Harrison chase after Joe Flacco this coming season. So there is a bright side to all of this.

Remember how much fun we had with Wallace Watch 2012 last year?

Okay, nobody had any fun with Wallace Watch 2012. But that doesn’t matter because we get to experience Wallace Watch’s unfortunate spin-off sequel: Emmanuel Sanders Watch 2013! Following the basic formula for any sequel this time the stakes are higher. No longer can the Steelers sit back, and wait for Manny to sign his tender. Nope! This time those foes from New England have stepped in and forced the Steelers hand: match their offer or lose one of the few young, experienced receivers left on the roster.

The Steelers have until tonight to match the Patriots’ offer if they wish to keep Sanders.

For his part, Ben Roethlisberger has lobbied to keep Sanders. However, a third-round draft pick may be pretty tempting for an older team that has plenty of holes it needs to fill.

Stay tuned.

Harrison Staying In The AFC North?

It’s been reported that former Steeler linebacker James Harrison is close to working out a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Somewhere out there Joe Flacco is hiding in a huge pile of money, weeping. Sorry, Joe. You haven’t gotten rid of him yet it seems.

Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Remember that time, oh so long ago when the Steelers actually won a game? Oh, ’tis but a memory now, but what a grand memory it was.

The Steelers playoff hopes are also but a distant memory, as the lost against the Bengals eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs. This January while Ben Roethlisberger and company are enjoying lovely golf weather who knows where, the likes of the Ravens and the Bengals will be fighting for a shot at the Lombardi.

» Continue reading “Same Old Same Old From The Steelers”

Week 16

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 10/21/12, W 24 – 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a must-win game. In a season filled with many must-win games, the Steelers have come up short more than once.

Which is why they are fighting for a sixth seed spot instead of the AFC North.

This game won’t be easy for the Steelers. The Cincinnati Bengals are the current sixth seed and are looking to make a return trip to the playoffs. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green  will most certainly attempt to pick on a young secondary and a defense that is unable to get off the field on third down.

» Continue reading “Week 16 Preview: Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers”

As seen on the twitter feed of @LaMarrWoodley

Heading into the visitor’s locker room at Heinz Field, Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice made a statement on his team’s win over division rival Pittsburgh Steelers: he wore a Terrible Towel on his head.  Rumor has it, he and a few of his teammates were singing Styx’s “Renegade”, the Steelers defense’s theme song, as well.  As Steelers LB LaMarr Woodley tweeted today:

LaMarr Woodley‏@LaMarrWoodley

Bad idea ray  just ask lendale white and tj whosyourmama

Yes, I’m a superstitious fan…what real NFL fan isn’t?  But it’s hard to deny the curse of the Terrible Towel.  As the great Myron Cope, voice of the Steelers for their radio broadcasts for 35 years, claimed, “The Terrible Towel is poised to strike”.  As all of Steeler Nation knows, the Terrible Towel has been the rally towel of the team since Cope introduced it for the team’s first playoff game in 1975.  In the past, opponents foolish enough to treat the towel with disrespect have paid the price, often heavily. » Continue reading “Did Ray Rice Invoke the Curse of the Terrible Towel?”

Pittsburgh Steelers 24 Cincinnati Bengals 17

No Rashard Mendenhall? No Isaac Redman? No problem. Jonathan Dwyer stepped up in a big way and carried the load on offense. Dwyer became the Steelers’ first 100-yard rusher this season with 122 yards on 17 carries. Rookie Chris Rainey got into the action with four carries for 17 yards and one touchdown.

Ben Roethlisberger shook off early turnovers by connecting with Heath Miller and Antonio Brown. Big Ben even had a nice pooch punt in the fourth quarter, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing a brand new era of the quarterback/punter. Slash 2.0, if you will.

» Continue reading “Steelers Magically Find Running Game, Make Bengals Look Like Bengals”

Week 7

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Time: 8:20 PM

TV: NBC

Site: Paul Brown Stadium

Last Meeting: 12/04/11, W 35-7

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally see some AFC North action as they head into Bengalland to take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite having 10 days off since the disaster of a game in Tennessee, the Steelers are still banged up a bit. The Steelers will be without Troy Polamalu, Marcus Gilbert, Rashard Mendenhall, and Isaac Redman. At least LaMarr Woodley seems like he’ll be back, so that’s something.

For their part, the Bengals have hit a bit of a rough spot. They are coming off losses to the Dolphins and Browns and look to redeem themselves against the Steelers. The Bengals didn’t fare too well in their only primetime appearance thus far this season. Of course, the Steelers have looked foolish in both of their primetime games, so someone will have to break this battle of wills and actually win this game.

Or they will tie, in which case, we all lose.

» Continue reading “Week 7 Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals”

Another year, another strong draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Yes. You read that correctly. No. You’re not on Opposite Planet.  It seems like the Bengals have finally found the competency pills.

The Bengals managed to pick up Dre Kirkpatrick, Kevin Zeitler, Devon Still, Mohamed Sanu, and Brandon Thompson, all within the first three rounds. I really liked Still and would have loved to see him in black and gold. Alas, it was not meant to be. That said, with the Bengals picking up Still and Thompson, I’m especially grateful the Steelers upgraded their offensive line.

» Continue reading “Looking At The AFC North Through Steelers Lenses: Cincinnati Bengals”

Steelers 35 Bengals 7

Can this Steelers team stick around for the rest of the season?

The Steelers looked impressive in all facets of their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Ben Roethlisberger was 15 of 23 for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman combined for 111 yards on the ground, with Mendenhall scoring two touchdowns. Antonio Brown had a big game with 67 receiving yards and a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The defense set the tone early with a blocked field goal attempt. They managed to keep plenty of pressure on Andy Dalton, with James Harrison getting the team’s three sacks. The Turnover Parade continued with a fumble recovery on a kickoff and an Ike Taylor interception late in the game.

Injuries may be the only area of concern. LaMarr Woodley started, but eventually left the game due to aggravating his hamstring injury. The Steelers have a short week, so he may not be ready for Thursday night’s game against the Browns.

All in all, it was a solid win and exactly what the Steelers needed. Next up: the Cleveland Browns.

Week 13

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 1:00 PM

TV: CBS

Site: Heinz Field

Last Meeting: 11/13/11, W 24-17

It’s the Bengals vs. the Steelers Part II: Electric Boogaloo. My bragging rights at work are on the line. Please back me up, Steelers.

Top 5 Burning Questions

• LaMarr Woodley says he’s ready to play, but will he see any playing time?
• How many receptions will Hines Ward have?
• Can the defense put consistent pressure on Andy Dalton?
• Will the offense produce four quarters of solid football?
• Will the defense’s Turnover Parade continue? Please?