Welcome Justin Morneau

The Pittsburgh Pirates' front-office doesn't care about winning!.......Sike! The Pirates are about to enter the month of September being 20+ games over.500 and in contention for a division title. They're also now very serious contenders for the NL pennant. They acquired Marlon Byrd from the New York Mets for basically nothing in return. Those that thought they were done got a pleasant surprise on the 31st of August, a Pittsburgh sports dream day.

Edmund Nelson Does it Again

Just classic Edmund Nelson making an ass out of himself. He's arguably the worst color-commentator in the history of football, but he's also good for moments like these.

Landry Jones.... A wasted 4th round pick

Looking back on the Steelers 2013 draft class, so far it looks pretty damn good. Despite the injury to  Le'Veon Ball, who was drafted out of Michigan State. Jarvis Jones, who is also currently banged up, has looked incredible at times and I could easily see him contending for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. 3rd round pick Markus Wheaton has looked even better and that's without playing with Ben Roethlisbeger throwing him the ball for the majority of the time. 4th  round pick Shamarko Thomas has looked really good as well, and with him learning to play safety behind Troy Polamalu and Dick LeBeau, I wouldn't doubt if he became a Pro Bowler in the future. 

The same can not be said for the other 4th round pick in this year's draft, quarterback Landry Jones. Jones, who's draft stock plummeted during his senior season at Oklahoma, has looked awful this preseason. Jones finished the preseason completing just 45% of his passes, throwing two touchdown passes and three interceptions, finishing the preseason with a qb rating of 53.1. Yikes. 

So Benstonium.com is just the best...Check Out their video

Simply amazing. Benstonium.com is literally on a whole other level than other Pittsburgh sports sites, including this one. 

Byrd....Morton Shine

Yesterday, I talked about how it's time to give Neil Huntington and the Pittsburgh Pirates front-office some love for their transactions this season so far. Getting Fransico Liriano, Russell Martin, and trading for John Buck and most importantly Marlon Byrd. Well, time for some more lovin. Byrd delivered in his first game as a Bucco, knocking in a home-run in the 7th inning that made Twitter go literally insane with Byrd puns.

Props to the Pirates

In the past, I've been one of the more critical voices in the Pittsburgh sports blogging world when it came to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Growing up surrounded by die-hard fans, including my grandfather (RIP), I of course began to root for the Pirates. I was pretty young during the 92' NLCS so I can't say that it bothers me as much as others, not to mention that I was way more involved with the Pittsburgh Penguins by then.

Evgeni Malkin fights a 7-year old

That's Evgeni Malkin fighting a 7-year old in a charity game.
I'm sure the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will run a story on this calling it child-abuse.

Grown Ass Adults Fight at a Jets-Giants Preseason Game

Watch the movie "Idiocracy" and you will see that movie is coming to fruition. These people are the worst.

Black & Gold Woes: Welcome Felix Jones

When Jerome Bettis retired in 2006 fans knew they had an issue. Guys like “The Bus” only come around so often and when they do, they’re near impossible to replace. The Steelers have spent years and millions of dollars trying to find a running back with Bettis’ combination of speed and strength.  Injuries and players who have never fully lived up to their potential have added to this desperation. Insert: Felix Jones.

Felix Jones was drafted in the first round in 2008 by the Dallas Cowboys after playing for University of Arkansas. In 2007 he played in 13 games rushing for 1,160 yards with an average of 8.7 yards a carry- a fairly impressive number.

Guest Blog: Charlie Batch's comments raises more questions

Batch's comments raises more questions


By SteelersCrash


Charlie Batch's recent comments about Ben Roethlisberger and Todd Haley's relationship that the Trib's Alan Robinson reported are alarming to say the least. IF true they raise even more questions rather than provide answers:

Charlie Batch says Ben Roethlisberger wasn't allowed to change plays last year

sbnation.com

Here we go again. The drama just never stops ticking when it comes to the Steelers. At least this drama doesn't involve someone getting shot and/or arrested. This time it's more Todd Haley vs Ben Roethlisberger garbage, spewed by the media and media wannabees. 

Pedro Gets No Respect

The Pittsburgh Pirates have sucked balls for over 20 years. The streak of not only not making the playoffs, but having 21 consecutive losing seasons has been embarrassing. The Pirates have seen good players come and go during the streak, often times getting nothing in return. (Aramis Ramirez)

Now, as the losing streak at least looks like it's on the way of coming to an end, the Pirates actually have some really amazing young players. Of course, NL MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen is one of the most exciting and recognizable players on the team, he's a straight beast, and easily the face of the Pirates right now. Starling Marte looks like he too can be a perennial All-Star in the major leagues. The excitement and potential building around young arms Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon is through the roof.

The Standard is the Standard-Paging LaMarr Woodley

As Mike Tomlin enters his sixth year as head coach, he has given many Tomlin-isms over the course of his career, but none more infamous than this one;

“The standard is the standard.”

That quote is now a sign affixed outside the Steelers locker room this season, where players will now be reminded of what it really means; the Pittsburgh Steelers way. When fans think of the Steelers, their first thought is usually defense, and for good reason. Over the past two years, they have been the number one overall ranked defensive team. A defense run by Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau, he has earned his reputation in the game for creating a defensive style known for wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and rattling offenses. LeBeau has to credit one key member of that defense, and one who seems to be an irreplaceable member on this team; outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley.

Tight End Troubles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fortunate to have one of the top-ten most complete tight ends in the NFL for close to the last decade in Heath Miller. (In my opinion of course). Miller has already pretty much solidified himself as the greatest tight end in Pittsburgh Steelers' history (again IMO) but for the first time in his career; will be missing some serious game time. Miller is going to be out for about the first month of the 2013 NFL season.

The Steelers and their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rely heavily on the Miller in their passing game.Miller has finished either second or third in receptions on the team since the 2009 season. Not only that, but Miller is also one of the better blocking tight ends in the league. He's a Pro-Bowler caliber player that is really irreplaceable on this team.

Most teams are utilizing two-tight end sets in their passing games in today's NFL. The Steelers haven't really caught on to this idea yet. In fact, until Miller was drafted they really weren't up to date with having any tight end be involved in the passing game on a consistent basis.

The Steelers brought in Matt Spaeth, who I don't think is very good, but "knows the system" to be the second tight end. Well, even if that was going to be true, Spaeth is now out for 8-10 weeks because of foot surgery. David Johnson, another guy that "knows the system" could step up but he's also injured and is currently on the PUP list.

The starter for now is David Paulson. Yikes. Paulson looks abysmal in the preseason opener in every aspect of the game. If I were a betting man I'd say he probably had trouble getting his pads on correctly. Paulson has experience, catching seven passes a year ago for 51 yards. The Steelers are in a world of hurt with Paulson as their starting tight end.

Behind Paulson the Steelers have a bunch of guys no one has ever heard of. Including but not limited to Jamie McCoy (Zero career catches), Nathan Overbay (Zero career catches), Peter Tuitupou (Undrafted rookie) and Michael Palmer who actually has three career touchdowns.

Get well soon Heath. 

Jarvis Jones-The Next Great Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have consistently been a team feared for their defense. Trained by Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau, who is often referred to as one of the most innovative defensive minds that has ever coached, Pittsburgh has had a reputation of bringing up talented, hardworking linebackers. Jarvis Jones is no exception to this prototype, and he is certainly no exception to the expectations that come from playing for Dick LeBeau.