Yardbarker: Casey Hampton

A STEELERS SOFTBALL SATURDAY

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:21:43 -0500

This is the best I could do for a "Steelers Softball" photo

For anyone interested in watching football players play softball, tomorrow is your lucky day. At 1 PM at North Allegheny HS, several Steelers take to the diamond for a celebrity game to benefit the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, Casey Hampton, Santonio Holmes, Charlie Batch, and Jeff Reed are scheduled to appear. And don't quote me on this, but I could've sworn that I heard on the DVE morning show today that Big Ben might be there as well.

And as reported earlier in the week, the Washington Wild Things will also be hosting a Steeler-laden softball game on Saturday night. That game will start at 7:05 pm at CONSOL Energy Park. While their rosters have not been set, their website indicates that "over the past few years prominent Steelers like James Harrison, Chris Hoke, Bryant McFadden, Anthony Smith, Deshea Townsend, Nate Washington, Santonio Holmes, and Louis Lipps."

Will any Steelers pull an Ernie Banks and attempt to play two? I doubt it. But the prospect of watching James Harrison taking a swing is mighty intriguing.

If anyone out there attends one or both of these, feel free to email mondesishouse@gmail.com with any recaps and/or photos.

A League in need of nicknames: the AFC North

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:42:27 -0500

Baltimore Ravens Ed Reed → Granite Reed. "Granite" implies strength and solidity, but what I like most about it, as it relates to Ed Reed, is that it also has an air of permanence. It's always going to be there. When you need a tackle, Granite will be there. When you need a pass broken up, Granite will be there. When you need a big play for a touchdown, Granite will be there. Granite has no holes or weaknesses. Pittsburgh Steelers Casey Hampton → Burger Hampton. Every other star Steeler has a nickname of some kind of gimmick. "Big" Ben Roethlisberger (or, as I prefer, Large Benjamin), "Fast" Willie Parker, Hines Ward has his ever-present smile, and Troy Polamalu has his hair. But Casey Hampton's at least as valuable as any of them, and he's without any kind of nickname. It's not fair. Cleveland Browns Kellen Winslow → Paddles Winslow. The Browns are kind of a tough one, as Derek Anderson already has a fantastic nickname that commentators can't use, no one's sure if it's even worth giving Brady Quinn a nickname (though, if it was, I'd suggest "La Fogata" Quinn), and I don't know if Kellen Winslow is ever going to get away from the "Soldier" comments. And believe me, I'll be using it as a source of cheap jokes for years and years to come. But I think someone on the current Browns roster needs a nickname to signify that resurrection of the Browns, and Winslow's gotta be the guy. No one knows who their QB of the future will be, and Winslow was there, giving the team a little spark and a little sizzle before anyone else. Cincinnati Bengals Carson Palmer → Cornhole Palmer. I love the thought of two 80-year-old guys on their porch, years from now, reminiscing about the Bengals glory days, "Ol' Cornhole Palmer," and his magical arm. Now, I realize that this can't happen, as "cornhole," has a rather unsavory meaning, particularly when used as a verb and in a nonconsensual way. That's not how Carson Palmer means it, though, nor is it the meaning held by many well-intentioned, beanbag-tossing midwesterners. When you host the "Carson Palmer Cornhole Classic," though I think you've got to be ready for whatever people want to do with it. And if you're bold enough to take the step and use it, it could refer to Carson Palmer's ability to, um, put the defense in a compromising position. *yeah that last one is not gonna go over so well,specially with Palmer"

Steelers Have A New Mascot

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:34:21 -0500

The new Steelers' mascot name sucks, I mean, Steely McBeam? Come on, we can do better than that. Here's our suggestions that are just as representative of the city...we like Shirtless McDrunk or Welfare McPoor the best...

The reason the internet was invented -- Drunk Athletes

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:14:41 -0500

I wanted to bump this link cause I like the website so much.... Big Ben smashed, Mike Vick hitting a joint, Jeff Reed blown out of his mind... doesn't get much better than this