Roberts, Guerin won over Pittsburgh fans quickly

By Jeff

Don't see this post as a rip on Billy Guerin or Gary Roberts. Quite the opposite. I loved Roberts since his days on the Toronto Maple Leafs and enjoyed Guerin's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. I just find the following these two men gained in Pittsburgh amazing, especially considering how short their tenures were.

The fact he'd kill you if you didn't like him
might have boosted Roberts' popularity

Guerin helped the team win a Stanley Cup and scored 26 goals and 57 goals in 95 regular season games with the Pens. He added 11 goals and 24 points in 35 playoff games. Solid numbers, but not mind blowing.

Roberts only played 57 regular season games with the Pens and had 10 goals and 28 points. He put up four goals and eight points in 16 playoff games. As with Guerin's, Robert's stats were certainly not why fans fell in love with Roberts.

So what was it that made these men so beloved so quickly? Was it Roberts beating the crap out of Carolina Hurricanes player in his first game as a member of the Pens? Did Guerin gain the city's support by burying a game-winner against the hated Philadelphia Flyers in a playoff game?

Neither. Sure, those moments helped solidify their places in Pittsburgh lore, but it takes more than one play to do so. What these men did was come in and just played in-your-face hockey. Nothing they did was pretty or easy, but they worked their asses off every day despite their ages. They provided the veteran leadership that the young Pens needed.

Win the Cup, and you win the fans.

With all this in mind, I still can't believe how much love Pens fans showered on these two. If you watched the ceremony before the last game at Mellon Arena, only one man got a bigger ovation than Roberts. That guy just happened to be Mario Lemieux.

Not to be outdone, Guerin retired as a Pen tonight and received a similar response from the crowd.

I might not get it, but I'm all for it.


Warren Zevon - Frank and Jesse James

Weekend review: Steelers take control of AFC North

By Jeff

If you got last night's Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens game confused with AMC's "The Walking Dead", you weren't alone.

There was blood (Ben Roethlisberger breaking his nose), head shots (Big Ben's nose and Health Miller nearly being decapitated), casualties (Flozell Adams, Daniel Sepulveda and Todd Heap) and a rag tag bunch of survivors pulling out an unexpected victory (Steelers and their offensive line). All we were lacking were legitimate zombies. Although, an undead creature may have played tighter defense than Bryant McFadden if given the chance.

Women across the nation found some joy
in the Steelers' 13-10 win Sunday night.

If you had told football fans that the Steelers would go into Baltimore, in December, and win a game (13-10) without both their starting tackles, their backup right tackle, their run stuffing defensive end, their punter and their stud tight end, you'd be laughed at. Hysterically laughed at. But that's what they did.

I was tempted to turn the game off once Adams went down. It was just too much to overcome. But the Steelers didn't break. Troy Polamalu sacked Joe Flacco and forced a fumble the Steelers recovered, the Steelers scored the go-ahead touchdown on a pass to... Isaac Redman? And then they top it off by forcing a turnover on downs. It's one of those conclusions that no one could have written.

The game was not pretty. Games between these teams never are. They are practically mirror images of each other. They stuff the run and brings all kinds of pressure on defense. On offense, they try running the ball down your throat to set up the big pass plays. It's like the final boss Zelda II: Link's Adventure. Link has to fight his shadow, which mimics every move you do. Ocarina of Time had a similar mini-boss in the Water Temple, but it originated in Link's Adventure.

Anyway, Pete King pointed out some interesting facts about recent Steelers-Ravens games so I didn't have to do the research. King observed in his Monday Morning Quarterback column that in the four games these teams have played against each other in the last two years, both have won two, both have scored 67 points and both have scored seven touchdowns and six field goals in that span. Mirror Boss theory confirmed! Thankfully for Steelers fans, the team's two Super Bowls compared to the Ravens' one since 2000 prove that Pittsburgh is the real Link, and Baltimore is just the shadow.

Hopefully fans will focus on the great game and how much the Steelers overcame to win it. But the refs blew several calls (Big Ben's nose and Miller's decapitation) that will lead some to continue the conversation that the league is targeting the Steelers. It's a silly concept, seeing as the Steelers are one of, if not the, most popular franchises in the league. But at the same time, recent events have given them plenty of fuel for their fires.

As exciting as the Steelers' victory was, there actually were other things going on this weekend.

• The Pittsburgh Penguins embarrassed the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-2 Saturday for their ninth in a row. Crosby added another two goals (but still sucks)

• I wasn't at the game, but hearing the roars after every Pens goal told me that Pens fans took over the building and embarrassed Blue Jackets fans

• Someone put Steve Mason on suicide watch. He looked ready to give up on life after the second goal Saturday, and then they kept him in for two more

• Suicide jokes aren't funny and I'm ashamed of the above line

• There will be no more Thrilledge in PNC Park as the Pirates have let Lastings Milledge go. My dad and uncle made fun of me about this move, saying they should have never traded Nyjer Morgan. My dad and uncle don't watch a lot of baseball

• Jayson Werth signed a ridiculous 7-year, $126 million contract with the Washington Nationals. RJ is taking it very well

• Pitt finished the season strong with a big win over Cincinnati. Well, Cincy sucks this year, and Pitt didn't win the Big East despite the conference being a joke, but the win did get them an invite to the BBVA Compass Bowl. Anyone want to give an over/under for the BBVA Compass Bowl's existence?

• Pitt basketball beat Rider. I was busy playing touch football to watch the game. Did I really miss anything?

• Peyton Manning has 11 interceptions in the past three games. Four have been returned by touchdowns. Remember when I said he would win the MVP this year? I was wrong

• Kudos to Sean Lee on picking off Manning twice and returning one for a touchdown. It will be a game he and Upper St. Clair will never forget

• The Bengals blew another lead late. I. Love. It.

• I hate it when I see people emphasize a statement by putting a period after every word

• Let the Tavaris Jackson Era begin... again

• I really don't like Jay Cutler. I like it even less that he is playing very well despite my best efforts to convince him that he sucks

• "The Walking Dead" Season Finale was kind of weak. We learned about the scenario that left to Rick being abandoned at the hospital, but before we can sympathize with Shane's decision, he goes and acts like an ass again. We also learned how the brains of zombies work, kind of. Could have been better and more creative

The Eagles - After the Thrill is Gone (In Memory of Lasting Milledge's time with the Buccos)

Pittsburgh's best pizza tour: Pizzaz and Clavoio's

By Jeff

Sorry I've been slacking the past two weeks with the pizza tour. It's not that I haven't been going and eating mass quantities of pizza, I've just been putting off posting. So here are two places. One brings back memories of youth soccer, the other is fairly new. You'll note that the pepperonis on both pizzas are not mini pepperoni's. Not sure what that means, but they tasted fine.

Pizzaz's cheese brings it down a bit.

First, there is Pizzaz Pizza in Peters. My old soccer teams used to have pizza parties here after the season. I remember faking throwing up when one of my teammates was eating mushrooms on his pizza. I was 6 and immature.

Anyway, Swan and I stopped by there this week and I have to admit I was kind of disappointed. The cheese had a distinct flavor that I am not fond of, yet have trouble describing. I just seemed like I tasted more grease than cheese, which is weird considering it didn't seem any greasier than any other pizza we've had in the past few months. Maybe they use a lower quality of cheese. I don't really know.

The sauce wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough to overcome the greasy cheese taste. Maybe it's actually really good sauce, but just overshadowed by the cheese.

The best part of the pizza was the crust. It was cooked just right with no burned spots or bubbles. Swan mentioned that it seemed fluffy, and I had to agree.

Overall, I'd probably give Pizzaz 5 out of 10.

Second, we visited Clavoio's about two weeks ago. If you didn't know exactly where this place was located, you'd have trouble finding the little restaurant. It's on Painter's Run Road near the landscaping company. We got it to go, but it seems like a very pleasant atmosphere inside.

As for the pizza, it was really good. Not on Fiori's or Burgh's level, but solid. The cheese wasn't too greasy, or at least it didn't overpower the rest of the pie. The sauce was a little sweet, so you know I'm happy. And the crust was OK. Nothing special, and I've never eaten a pizza and said "That crust was amazing!"

I have to be honest, I might be misspelling Clavoio's.
You should go there regardless.

The people inside are also very nice. I want this place to stick around. It's not the best pizza in the world, but it's close to anyone living in the USC, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park and Bridgeville areas. You could do a lot worse.

I give it a 7 out of 10. Should I have made my rating system out of 12 since most of the pizzas Swan and I get are 12 cuts? I guess it's kind of too late to change the system.

The Beta Band - Assessment

Crosby playing at another level

By Jeff

Has Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby ever looked better than he has this season? He has tallied 15 goals and 14 assists in the last 14 games alone. He has at least one point in every game during that span.

For the season, Crosby is leading the league in goals (21) and points (44) and is second in assists (23). Steven Stamkos is having a great year in Tampa Bay, but Crosby would take home the Hart Trophy if the season ended today.

You should feel honored if he slew foots you.

Other than killing penalties, there is nothing Crosby doesn't do for his team. No one else on the Pens has stepped up and scored goals. Evgeni Malkin, who is second on the team with eight, is off to a slow start this season, Jordan Staal is still hurt and there isn't another big scoring threat on the team. Despite other teams knowing this, Crosby still finds all kinds of ways to score. Whether it's a deflection, rebound, breakaway or terrible angle, Crosby finds a way.

When he's not scoring, he's making great passes that most people wouldn't even see, let alone pull off. Just look at his assist on Kris Letang's goal in the Rangers game Monday. It's easy for Pens fans to appreciate what a great play that was because we see similar plays by Crosby so often.

Points aside, No. 87 also wins faceoffs and isn't afraid to block shots. The faceoffs is something that is especially impressive, because he used to be terrible at them. Now he wins 55.4 percent of them, and no player in the league takes more than Crosby does. He's taken 644 draws. Johnathan Toews is second with 590.

Of course, every other city hates the man. Montreal even boos him, despite the fact he clinched the Gold Medal for Canada in the Olympics. The common criticism of Crosby is he "cries" to the refs a lot. It's true that he speaks to refs throughout the games about calls and non-calls. But what hockey player doesn't? Seriously, watch other teams and see what happens when they have a penalty called against them or they don't get a call. They talk or yell at the refs too. The difference is, nobody cares what some fool in Columbus does (despite their solid season so far), so the camera isn't on him constantly and no one gives it a second thought when he complains.

Crosby was appointed the face of the league by Gary Bettman. He didn't ask for it, but it's true. So the camera's watch everything he does. When play is stopped, it's Crosby they put on the television. As a result, you're going to see him talking to the refs more than anyone else. Does that make him a whiner? No, it makes him a good leader. The captain of the team is the one who is supposed to talk to the officials. If he thinks his team is getting a raw deal, it's his responsibility to relay that message.

Regardless of what you think of Crosby, his talent can't be denied. No one in the NHL is playing better right now, and Crosby has never played better in his career.

Joe Esposito - You're The Best Around

Have you heard of Cam Newton?

So we all actually know who he is because he has been everywhere all season. Now he is eligible because of some random rule. I don’t really get mad at the NCAA because I just expect rulings that contradict other rulings. I get it; Auburn did their best lawyer job to get him off, congrats Johnnie Cochran. The main thing I take away from all of this is my continued belief that at some point in the future, the NCAA will no longer have any authority over college football. The main big schools will just break off and form some other governing body that understands that college football’s number one role for the Universities is that it makes money. That is a discussion for another day.

As for Saturday, the SEC Championship game figures to be entertaining because Auburn has to avoid the championship game choke. South Carolina has a lot of talent that broke through at the Swamp and looks primed for an upset. The Gamecocks almost took out Auburn earlier in the year and clearly could do it in Atlanta.

Main thing to look for in this game is will Auburn do its usual slow start and then fast finish. While it has clearly worked, it seems they are playing with fire too much. The key for South Carolina is as always Garcia. If he can come out hot like he did against Bama this could get done. I don’ think it will though. Auburn 35-28.

AC/DC- For those about to rock

Week 13 picks: Rivers making strong case for MVP

By Jeff

Consistent readers of this blog know I'm not a big fan of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. He whines, screams at the opposition, taunts fans and his face just bothers me. So it pains me to admit he is on pace to win the NVP award this season.

Is he complaining,  or talking smack on the ref?
Could be both.

Rivers' 3,362 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes would be enough for consideration, but it's how he's doing it that's so impressive. His receivers this season have been Malcolm Floyd, Patrick Crayton, Seyi Ajirotutu, Buster Davis and Legedu Naanee. Antonio Gates is having his usual great year, but he has missed several games, as had Floyd, Naanee, Davis and Crayton. He's had a carousel at the wide receiver position, but continues to put up elite numbers that can't be ignored.

Led by Rivers, the Chargers have also turned their season around. They were 2-5 at one point, but have won four in a row. The team put up at least 29 points in all four wins. Is there a quarterback and team in the league you would want to play less than the Chargers right now?

As for last week's pick, I started strong and got destroyed late. Anyone want to tell me why I picked Arizona? The final tally was 8-8, leaving me at 77-93-5 for the season. My miss of the week was taking the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Chargers. Thanks a lot, Peyton.

Week 13 picks are below and the home teams are in caps.

PHILADELPHIA (-8.5) over Houston: Michael Vick is not Rusty Smith, so he will destroy the Texans' league worst pass defense.

Buffalo (+5.5) over MINNESOTA: The interim coach high can only last so long when your quarterback is turning over the ball more than anyone else in the league. Now factor in that the Bills haven't lost by more than three points in their last four losses to teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears.

MIAMI (-4.5) over Cleveland: Jake Delhomme is starting again. Never bet on Jake Delhomme.

You'd be frustrated too if you played for the Browns.

Jacksonville (+2) over TENNESSEE: The Titans just got shut out by the Texans and they're favored? I don't care if Kerry Collins will be behind center, this team is looking like crap right now.

KANSAS CITY (-8.5) over Denver: A name I'm not hearing for MVP is Matt Cassel. He's only thrown 22 touchdowns compared to four interceptions. Why is he not in the conversation? Or am I just in the wrong conversations? Looking at this game, 8.5 seems like a lot of points to give after the Broncos crushed the Chiefs in their last meeting. But this is at Arrowhead, so the result will be reversed.

Washington (+7) over NEW YORK GIANTS: Will someone please tell me which Giants team is going to show up?! Even when I get their games right, they're pure guesses. Help me figure this team out!

Chicago (-4) over DETROIT: The Bears keep winning and putting me in my place. How is this line only four points? The Lions are 2-9 and starting Drew Stanton. Drew Stanton!

"Gimme back my clipboard!"

GREEN BAY (-9.5) over San Francisco: This line seems right.

New Orleans (-6.5) over CINCINNATI: Could this be another blackout? I hope so. How sad would it be if "The T. Ocho Show" got higher rating than Bengals games?

Atlanta (-3) over TAMPA BAY: Everything seems to be clicking for the Falcons. Michael Turner is burning again, Roddy White has become a premier receiver and Matt Ryan is looking like a young (insert great quarterback here). The Bucs have yet to beat a team with a winning record.

Oakland (+13) over SAN DIEGO: Not saying Oakland will win, but they won't lose by 14 either.

Carolina (+6) over SEATTLE: I wish I could say this game means nothing, but the 5-6 Seahawks are in a dogfight for the NFC West. I would make some kind of NFC West sucks joke here, but they were all used up by Week 3.

Harrison's helmet is touching this guy's helmet.
Is that a penalty now?

INDIANAPOLIS (-5.5) over Dallas: The Colts can't put up three consecutive poor performances in a row, can they?

St. Louis (-3.5) over ARIZONA: Could Matt Leinart really have been any worse than Derek Anderson? At least Leinart would have been macking on some hotties in the first row, rather than laughing it up as his team was being crushed.

Pittsburgh (+3) over BALTIMORE: This could be the most penalized game of the year. And unlike recent Steelers games, most of the penalties will probably be legit.

New York Jets (+3.5) over NEW ENGLAND: I have no idea who is going to win this game. Well, my picks this year will show you I don't have much of a clue on any games. But I really mean it on this one. The Jets defense is great. The Pats offense is great. The Jets already beat the Patriots once this year, but that means nothing now. Seriously, it's a coin flip.

The Doors - Peace Frog

Harrison fines could pay for a lot of stuff

By Jeff

If you can't tell, Harrison is
not happy he's being fined.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was fined again by the NFL. This time he is coughing up $25,000 for tackling Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Whether you think it was a penalty or not doesn't matter. He's going to pay the fine and live with it. Harrison has now been fined $125,000 by the league.

While that's nothing to Harrison - he signed a contract worth $51 million last season - it's still a lot of money. That kind of cash could purchase the following things (sales tax not included):

• 125,000 items from any fast food chain's value menu

• Probably the entire stock at multiple Dollar Stores

• 416 PS3's

• 6,944 copies of "Iron Man 2". Only 5,000 if you prefer Blue Ray

• 160 iPhone 4s

• 6,250 2-entree deals at Chili's

• 20,868 2-entree plates at Panda Express (I prefer a double dose of orange chicken)

• Depending on where you go or went to school, about four years worth of tuition

• 12,500 bed nets to help prevent malaria in Africa (http://www.nothingbutnets.net/nets-save-lives/)

• About half of a Miracle League Field (http://www.caseysclubhouse.org/)

• 41,806 gallons of regular gasoline (at $2.99 per gallon)

• 80 round trip flights to Guam

• 4,166 dogs from the Guam Animals in Need animal shelter (Probably won't put a dent in the stray dog population)

• About 100,000 20-ounce bottles of water (Unless you're getting them at an amusement park or sports venue, then you're only going to get about 41,666 bottles.)

• 25,000 feet of sandwiches at Subway

• Enough AIDS antiretrovirals to help 1,420 infected individuals for a year

OK, so some of the the above items would be more helpful than others. Maybe I am being way too idealistic, but what if the NFL, which is a multi-billion dollar industry, took all of the fines they handed out during the season, matched the final amount and distributed that money to multiple charities? Wouldn't that be a great PR move for them. Teams and players could complain about being fined, but how is the public going to take the players' side if the NFL is matching the final sum and helping people with it? 

Peter Gabriel - Biko