Yardbarker: Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Nine Morning Aftermath: Chargers 21, Giants 20

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:26:22 -0500

The Giants rebounded from a devastating playoff home loss and the departure of receiver Plaxico Burress with five straight wins to begin the 2009 season.In comparison to the manner in which the AFC's top seed from 2008 started the season...

Pregame Zone Blitz: Steelers at Broncos

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:52:03 -0500

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP Browse more photos » We've got a week of casual viewing of our present and future opponents, and a healthy record's perspective from which to see them. Health is the trendy topic this week, as Pittsburgh is out multiple defensive ends and potentially, a free safety. It should be noted (and of course, the PZB makes sure of that) Ryan Clark has the support of Steeler Nation wi...

Porter doesn't back up talk

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:44:42 -0500

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter had an active week talking about his hate for the Patriots and the different rules Tom Brady plays under.On gameday, he was less noisy, coming up with a big zero in the box score: no tackles,...

Dolphins LB Joey Porter silent on the field, (mostly) silent off it

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:44:45 -0500

All week long, we’ve been hearing words from Joey Porter, the Dolphins’ outrageous linebacker. Most of them haven’t been so nice. Yet in the Patriots’ 27-17 win over the Dolphins, it was just the opposite. Asked if Porter (right, from AP) was yapping the entire game while making no tackles, rookie left tackle Sebastian Vollmer said [...]

NFL's Most Annoying Fans - AFC North

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:41:00 -0500

This is the fifth in a running feature at ECB. We'll be rating NFL Fanbases by annoyingness and picking a winner for each division. After that, we'll select wild card teams, and have ourselves a little playoff. If you have suggestions for upcoming divisions or wildcard selections, send them to eastcoastbiasblog@gmail.com. So far we have given you the AFC West, the NFC West, the AFC South, and the NFC South. Who will join the Raiders, Cardinals, Jaguars, and Panthers fans as the most annoying fans in their division? This week we present the NFC South.

Note, I have to handle this week's selection to give a degree of neutrality to the proceedings. Brien is a Steelers fan, J-Red is a Ravens fan, and they'd undoubtedly pick the other if they had the ability to do this week's poll. I have a feeling the runner-up this week may well be a wildcard selection.

Cincinnati Bengals

Quick Reaction:
Yeah, I had to find the safe-for-work picture. The fact that this alone happens in the stands at Paul Brown Stadium by somewhat attractive girls (trust me, I've seen the not-safe-for-work picture) gives them the nod for having decent fans. Hey, when the product on the field sucks year after year after year, you have to entertain yourself somehow. Good for Bengals fans to have something to cheer about this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quick Reaction:
Steelers fans are annoying as ****. They're EVERYWHERE. Seriously, I would venture to guess that every city in this country has a Steelers bar somewhere for Pittsburgh fans to congregate on Sundays. But, that's the counter - Steelers fans know their football, they're about as far from bandwagon fans as you can find, and they live and die by the Steelers. You get the feeling that it almost means more to Steelers fans than any other fanbase when their team wins the Super Bowl. That doesn't excuse them from being obnoxious, from thinking that the Terrible Towels are some unique invention by Myron Cope, and from in general being guilty of not shutting the hell up. I nominate the Steelers for a wildcard selection. But they're not going to win this division.

Baltimore Ravens

Quick Reaction:
I will carve out one subset from this group - the members of the Baltimore Marching Ravens who were formerly members of the Baltimore Marching Colts and who were the subject of the ESPN documentary The Band That Wouldn't Die. Aside from that, Ravens fans are obnoxious in so many ways, I can barely get into it in my limited time here. I'll save most of it for the playoffs. But camouflage pants, the Essex/Dundalk/Glen Burnie accent, refusing to let the fact that the Indianapolis Colts took the Baltimore Colts' statistics die, the fact that they have blind hatred for Redskins fans even though Redskins fans couldn't give half a good goddamn about Ravens fans or their team, the fact that they treat their one Super Bowl victory/appearance in 13 seasons of existence as if they have the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers - yeah... Ravens fans... you win. Just look at the guys in the picture above - like the Village People in purple. And unfortunately that's not all that unusual at all in the 500-level on Russell Street on an NFL Sunday.

Cleveland Browns

Quick Reaction:
Grown men who chew dog bones and dress up like dogs. This is pretty annoying. However, they've suffered through more indignity than just about any other fanbase. Getting their hearts torn out by John Elway and Ernest Byner in the 80s, losing their franchise in the 90s, and getting a "franchise" back in the 2000's that is an NFL organization only in the loosest sense of the word. Add this to the fact that Cleveland has been torn to shreds by the economy, the fact that Browns fans sit through some of the shittiest weather of any NFL team, and the fact that you don't hear Cleveland in any of the same breath as NFL teams who are in danger of blackouts and you know what Browns fans - keep dressing up - do whatever you need to do.

THE BIG WINNER:
In the closest competition we've had so far, the nod goes to the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers could very well be a wildcard selection when we get down to the end. However, on the gestalt, Steelers fans at least can both talk the talk and walk the walk. They may well be obnoxious, but they have more reason to be obnoxious than Ravens fans. And on the scale of fan IQ, the average Steelers fan is going to score well ahead of the average Ravens fan.

Who's Fired Up For Monday Night?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:05:25 -0500

This video is proof positive that just like OJ Simpson, Hines Ward knows how to handle a Bronco in white.If you didn't catch that reference, chances are you slept through most of 1994 and 1995. Either way, game preview coming tomorrow.In the meantime, enjoy today's games, and go Ravens...?...I feel dirty even having to say that.Obligatory Footer - If you haven't already, become a fan of OFTOT on Facebook, join the blog network and follow Cotter and Steve on Twitter. Or d...

HZMLS does not like Joey Porter at all

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:59:00 -0500

Oh would you lookie here, Joey Porter is running his mouth again before the Patriot's game. Oh he remembers our past, thinks we are cheaters, and that Brady gets preferential treatment. Oh waaaaahhhhhhhhh Porter. I think in terms of football players, Porter has to be in my Top 5 of most abhorred, "I hope Dan Koppen piledrives his skull into the ground" players. Every year its the same stupid

Patriots make it official, promote DB Kyle Arrington from practice squad

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:51:17 -0500

The Patriots cut offensive guard Kendall Simmons on Friday, opening up a spot on the 53-man roster. When that happened, we told you that, more than likely, that spot would be filled by cornerback Kyle Arrington. Earlier this morning, it was made official. The Pats promoted the 5-f00t-10, 196-pound Hofstra product, giving them more depth in [...]

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos Injury Report

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:34:01 -0500

Injury Report for the Week 9 NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, November 9th, 2009. DENVER BRONCOS Player Injury Thu Fri Sat Status S Josh Barrett Hamstring DNP LP FP Probable T Ryan Harris Toe DNP DNP DNP Out DL Ryan McBean Knee DNP DNP DNP Out S David Bruton Groin LP FP FP Probable CB Jack Williams Illness LP FP N/A RB Peyton Hillis Not Inj. Related NL DNP DNP DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP R...

Steelers Sitting Clark Monday Night; Timmons and Kirschke Also Out

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:28:00 -0500

The question about if Ryan Clark is going to go in Denver appears now to be answered, as Sporting News is reporting that he, along with Lawrence Timmons and Travis Kirschke will all be out for the Monday night affair: The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is expected to be without three starters against the Denver Broncos: [...]

Clark OUT for Monday Night, as Are Timmons and Kirschke

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:27:29 -0500

Sweed to be the 4th WR Monday Night in Denver

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:35:59 -0500

Hmmm….remember Limas Sweed? Yeah, he was that guy that couldn’t catch a cold and cost the team the Bengals game earlier this season when he dropped a for sure TD that probably would have clinched the game. Well, now Sporting News reports that Sweed will get another shot vs the Broncos Monday night: Steelers [...]

Big Ben confounds critics

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:32:10 -0500

In the quarter century that followed their win in Super Bowl XIV, the Pittsburgh Steelers had some very good offenses and intimidating, smash mouth defenses. Yet in all that time, they were unable to win another until they drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Since his arrival, they’ve won the NFL Title twice. And that’s in just [...]

Roethlisberger accuser quits job at Tahoe casino

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:15:00 -0500

The woman who filed a lawsuit accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her has quit her job at the Lake Tahoe hotel-casino where she claims the assault occurred in the NFL quarterback's penthouse room more than a year ago.

Outsiders Perspective: Pittsburgh Steelers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:15:37 -0500

We know some of you are fans of Football Outsiders, as are we, so we’ll be taking a look at the smarter stats behind the Broncos‘ opponent each week to gain some perspective on what to expect — an Outsider’s Perspective. Insanely quick DVOA 101: Recall that on offense and special teams, the higher the percentage [...]

Steelers Pregame Show - 2009, Episode 8...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:31:19 -0500

I'd provide commentary about this week's episode, but as I've spent a cumulative four hours or so putting together this week's Meeting People Is Easy (which will be posted early this afternoon), I'm going to have to decline. I will, however, correct myself - in this week's show I mention that Elvis Dumervil is the only guy ahead of James Harrison in terms of sacks. Obviously that is incorrect, since Jared Allen actually has more sacks than Elvis Dumervil. So,...

Roethlisberger's Accuser Leaves Job a Year And a Half After Alleged Assault

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:55:08 -0500

Andrea McNulty, the woman who filed a civil suit against Ben Roethlisberger for allegedly sexually assaulting her at a Nevada resort in 2007, has reportedly resigned from her position at Harrah's shortly after she returned to work. According to Pro Football Talk, McNulty left on her own terms, but resigned because, according to a source, she found it an uncomfortable environment when coworkers began avoiding her after she approached several (presumably ones not named in the suit) about s...

Hines Ward reflects on "dirtiest player" label

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:22:38 -0500

When told that he came in first place in a Sports Illustrated poll asking NFL players to name the dirtiest player in the league, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said he was surprised to learn he came in ahead of...

Chicks Dig The Steelers

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:30:50 -0500

I have nothing against the Post-Gazette. I joke from time to time about them being the unofficial PR Department for the Pittsburgh Steelers but that can be said of every media outlet in this city. Truth is, I read their online site (printed newspapers are so 1992) almost every day because they have [...]

Ward, Porter, Haynesworth called NFL's dirtiest

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:23:04 -0500

A Sports Illustrated poll of NFL players has found that Hines Ward is considered by his colleagues to be the dirtiest player in the league, with Albert Haynesworth and Joey Porter tied for second.The question, "Who is the dirtiest player...