It sure has been a busy week for Steeler Nation and not because the NFL draft is quickly approaching. It’s not even because of free agency moves made by the organization. The Steelers have been experiencing some unusual off-season publicity.

I’ll start by talking about the problems with Santonio Holmes. Holmes was traded to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick this past Sunday. I know what you’re thinking, a 5th round draft pick? The Steelers top wide receiver and Super Bowl XLIII MVP who is coming off his best season as a Steeler traded for a 5th round draft pick.

Actually, I’m not surprised by this, Holmes has been in trouble since his rookie season with the Steelers. He has had some domestic disturbance issues, substance abuse issues and was suspended once for possession of marijuana. Holmes was given several chances by the Steelers and told after the possession charge that the Steelers would not give him any more chances. Santonio chose to violate the league’s policy on illegal substances and the Steelers took action by sending him to NY for a 5th round draft pick.

On a side note, the Jets were the only team that showed any interest in Santonio Holmes, the rest of the league didn’t want to take the risk. Holmes is a great wide receiver but needs to think about how his off field actions affect his status in the NFL and right now, it’s not good.

Ben Roethlisberger continues to have serious issues off the football field. The issues go back to the motorcycle that almost killed him a few years ago. Ben has made some very bad decisions in his off time and the most recent allegations will probably lead to a suspension. Many experts believe Ben will face a minimum 2 game suspension, while others say as many as 4 games.

I really hope that Ben spends some time with someone like Tony Dungy and straightens up. I understand he’s a young, single guy but he’s also a very high profile NFL football player. He can’t put himself into situations like he has most recently in the Atlanta area and last summer in Nevada. The allegations against Ben may or may not be true and yes, the charges were dropped in both cases but, he will always have this hanging over his head.

You can see how I feel about both players, they are both young and made some very bad decisions and they both are going to face consequences. Holmes was cut loose from a city that has embraced him and would have been proud to see him retire in a Steeler uniform.

The people of Pittsburgh love Big Ben and want to see him succeed but this most recent fiasco will test Steeler Nation and really put him under the microscope this coming season.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we didn’t have to worry about other teams winning, other teams losing and all these “if” so and so wins, so and so loses, etc… We were in and I was confident we would make it through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl.

This year it’s quite a bit different, if the Steelers make the playoffs as one of the AFC Wildcard teams, they need some help. Here’s what has to happen for the Steelers to get in.

Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot:
1) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie
2) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
3) PIT win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie

Winning against Miami is a given, we have to win or it’s over. The Houston game is a big one, the Texans play the Patriots at home and the Pats are fighting for a playoff spot themselves so, this isn’t one of those meaningless week 17 games. I think the Patriots will help us, hate to say it, but go Pats.

The Jets go up against the Bengals in NY, I’d say at home but they play in Giants stadium..lol This is a must win for the Jets and meaningless for the Bengals BUT.. if the Bengals lose to the Jets, they would have to play them again the following week. Playing a team twice, is not good, even if you rest your starters and take a dive. I would say, Go Bengals, but the Jets got a freebie against the Colts last week and will most likely get a freebie this week.

The Ravens face the Raiders in Oakland. This is the game that will decide our fate, if I were the Ravens, I would be very worried about this below average Raider team. They have played the AFC North well this year and have nothing to lose. Actually, almost every player on the Raiders roster is fighting for a starting spot, so they will be playing in top form at home. My prediction, the Raiders win in a shootout.

The other team that can help us but only if The Jets and Raiders lose and the Texans win, is the Broncos. I wouldn’t worry too much about this scenario because I don’t think the Texans will beat the Patriots but, if for some reason they can stop the Patriots, we would need the Broncos to lose. The Broncos play the Chiefs in what used to be a good old fashioned rivalry but I doubt the Chiefs have what it takes to beat the Broncos this year.

Of course, none of these scenarios mean anything if we don’t beat Miami. So, lets start the day off with a win against the Dolphins and see what plays out.

Go Steelers!

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

You guessed it.. Hines Ward!

It’s a rather long story but I approached Hines Ward’s business manager/ attorney a while ago offering to sell the domain to Hines. I’ve owned this domain since Hines was a rookie and used it for a fan site and affiliate site and Hines Ward branded www.MVP86.com

My thought and reasoning behind the sale of the domain was two-fold. I know Hines is getting near the end of his career and could use the domain for himself. The other reason is I didn’t want the domain to end up with someone other than Hines Ward.

After talking to his attorney and good friend Andrew Ree, we agreed on an undisclosed amount for the domain and a personalized game jersey. I’m not going to disclose the amount of the sale but it wasn’t an absorbent amount and I didn’t do this to make huge profits. I did this because I am a Steeler fan at heart and wanted Hines to have the domain.

Here’s a photo of the personalized jersey and the check made out to me from MVP86 LLC. which is his company. I’ve blurred out some of the information as I’m sure Hines doesn’t want his account number and address on the net. LOL

This will be a great conversation piece to add to my Steeler collection and a story to tell for a long time. It’s also an opening if I ever meet Hines in person.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.

This Season, being a Steeler fan has been very tough for a couple of reasons. First, I was at the Super Bowl last year with my Dad, Son and Cousin and celebrated for months after witnessing the best finish to a Super Bowl in History. Second, I live in Indiana and I have to hear about the now, 12-0 Colts that about to win a record setting 22 regular season games in a row.

I feel like my sports faith is being tested by the Football gods.

Especially, after losing 5 games in a row and the last 2 games to teams with a combined record of 5 and 20, the Browns and the Raiders. Two teams that all Steeler fans despise and would love to see lose 16 games in a row every year. Oh wait, the Browns have come really close to that the last few years in a row.

What can I say about last nights game? Not much except, I’m embarrassed to be a Steeler fan today and have been for 5 weeks. I really don’t know what’s going on within the organization and am flabbergasted by what I’ve seen this season. We haven’t had many changes in personnel and you can’t tell me that Troy being out has this big of an affect on the team.

Is it Super Bowl hangover?

It’s a shame because I still haven’t seen this team get “Beat” yet, they have “Lost” all 7 games on their own and that’s a reflection on the team and staff. I just don’t see the heart and pride that I usually see out of this team. Hell, when the camera shows the defense on the sidelines, they look like they would rather be somewhere else. I don’t see a team captain taking a leadership role, I don’t see any player trying to get them fired up, I don’t see a coach..well, um… coaching, I don’t see anyone look pissed off at losing, I don’t see any emotion from the former #1 defense in the NFL and it’s sickening.

The offense and special teams is the same story, I don’t see anyone taking control of this team (Ben has shown some leadership and shows emotion on the sidelines but it seems like he’s forcing it to please the fans), I don’t see guys like Ward, Miller or Ben or stepping up and getting in the faces of the younger players. I just don’t see any emotion at all except, ….acceptance, these players have accepted the fact that they don’t want to win another Super Bowl.

It’s seasons like this that make it hard to be a Steeler fan and not for the reason you think, it’s not because they have lost 7 games already or because they have lost 5 in a row (to terrible teams), or because the chances of making the playoffs are all but lost, it’s because this team is playing with NO HEART and NO EMOTION. If these games were going down to the wire with every player giving everything they have and “leaving it all on the field”, Steeler fans would still have respect for these guys. If this team was getting beat by the Colts, Saints and Vikings by a last second field goal and giving 100% on every play, I would be proud.

But, you know what, I am not proud of this team, I am disgusted with this team.

No Heart

No Soul

No Emotion

Nothing… The 2009 Steelers are an embarrassment and the front office needs to look very, very hard at replacing whomever is responsible for the lack of heart, soul and emotion and find players and staff that have what it takes to be a part of the Pittsburgh Steeler Organization, an organization that prides itself on accepting the responsibility of being one of the most storied franchises in the NFL.

Pat Lovell

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
Pat has been following the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years and is known worldwide as "The Steeler Fanatic". If you are interested in contributing to this website or would like Pat to contribute to your Blog, Website or Publication, Click Here.