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Steeler Fanatic Sells HinesWard.com to….

Pat — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:28:45 +0000

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
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Stick a Fork in Them, The 2009 Steelers are Done!

Pat — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:09:59 +0000

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

Steelers Lose to Raiders and Need Help Bad

Pat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:28:47 +0000

I haven’t been posting to the Blog that much but it’s not because the Steelers are stinking up the NFL. We are getting ready to sell our house and move out to the country so, we’ve been working on our house to have it listing ready.

These last few games have shown how vulnerable our secondary is and should tell the front office exactly where we need to draft or find a couple good corners via free agency.

Sure, Troy being hurt has been a big factor but our corners and back up safeties are not top caliber players. Townsend is getting old, Gay is terrible, Taylor is inconsistent, Clark and Carter are ok but, not what we need at safety, Mundy and Burnett are too inexperienced. You can see what I mean, our secondary is suspect and needs fixed.

Here’s the thing, Steeler fans go into every season with extremely high expectations and think we can win the Super Bowl every season. We love the Steelers and Steeler Nation puts everything they have into the game. Hell, sometimes I think the fans are more excited than the players each game and we probably are.

We don’t like losing seasons and this season we’ve lost 6 games and every one of them were winnable games. We didn’t get BEAT by any team, we beat ourselves every game, by terrible mistakes and most recently, horrible play by the secondary and special teams.

Don’t worry, I’m still gonna be rooting on the Steelers this thursday night when we travel to Cleveland to take on the Brownies. Cheap Steeler Tickets

Go Steelers

Pat Lovell

Steelers Beat Brett Favre and the Vikings

Pat — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:01:18 +0000

The Vikings and Brett Favre came into Pittsburgh this Sunday, 6-0 and confident. Riding the wave of a resurgent, recently out of retirement, aging Quarterback that is having an incredible year.

Enter, the Pittsburgh Steelers Defense…

The Steelers love to face teams like the 2009 Vikings. The Vikings were unbeaten, boasting a very tough defense, and have the best running back in the league. Oh, yeah, they have Brett Favre.

I talked to several people this week and I was very confident that we could beat the Vikings. We just need to accomplish a few small tasks. Stop Adrian Peterson and pressure Brett Favre into making bad decisions. Sounded easy enough to me.

In the first quarter, we did just that. We stopped Peterson and we hit, hurried and sacked Brett Favre. The battle of the punters/kickers was about to start and I was confident that our kicker Jeff Reed would take a “fighting stance” and win this game for us. (Sorry, had to get that in there some how).

However, Reed almost cost us the game near the end of the 4th quarter. The Steelers defense, led by Brett Kiesel, forced a fumble and Woodly returned it for a touchdown to go ahead by 10 points, 20-10. Forcing the Vikings to score twice to tie or take the lead. On the kickoff following the TD, Reed had a chance to tackle, knock down or divert the runner and pretty much gave up on the play thus allowing the Vikings to score and bring the game back to 3 points, 20-17.

Enter, the Steelers Defense, again….

The defense saved the game once again, intercepting Brett Favre in the closing minutes, Fox returned the interception 82 yds for the touchdown and putting the game out of reach for the Vikings. 27-17.

This was a great win to head into the bye week and gives our players a much needed rest.

Bring on the Broncos…. (could they still be undefeated on Nov. 9th?)

Steelers Go Wide Left Against the Bears

Pat — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:53:21 +0000

The Steelers went into Chicago as the reigning Super Bowl Champs and riding the high of beating the Titans in overtime at home 10 days ago. They came out and dominated the first quarter controlling the ball for over 12 minutes and scoring on their first possession of the game.

Then came the 2nd quarter and the rain. I don’t know if it was the weather or the adjustments but the Bears turned around and dominated the 2nd quarter tying the game and going into halftime tied 7-7.

Well, you know how it ends….. Jeff Reed misses 2 field goals in the 4th quarter and Robbie Gould hits one with 30 seconds left in the game to win it.

I don’t know what to think about this game. We looked good for the most part, ran the ball decent (for a change), stopped the run (as usual), special teams played well and Ben played well except for a few under thrown balls but, I’m not sure that wasn’t from the rain.

The defense…. It’s funny how a team can take advantage of a starter being hurt and the Bears did that, well. They abused Aaron Carter all day long.

We are feeling the loss of Polamalu right now and Carter and the rest of the Defense need to step up. Did you notice the big plays took place right in front of Carter? I don’t think the two TD’s happen either, if Troy is in there. I don’t think the big pass plays to the Tight End happen either. We need Troy back and fast.

I’ll go easy on Reed after this game, he has done way too much over the last few years to get crap for missing a couple field goals, on the road and in the rain.

The loss stinks but it’s a long season and we know where the weaknesses were in this game. Time to regroup and go into Cincinnati and beat the Bengals.

Go Steelers.

Pat Lovell

Steelers Release Players to Adjust Roster to 53

Pat — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:17:25 +0000

Steelers reduce roster to 53
Saturday, September 5, 2009

PITTSBURGH ? The Steelers finalized their regular season roster today by releasing 21 players and placing another on the Reserve/Injured List to reach the NFL-mandated 53-player limit.

The team’s final roster includes three quarterbacks, four running backs, six wide receivers, three tight ends, nine offensive linemen, seven defensive linemen, eight linebackers, 10 defensive backs and three specialists (kicker, punter and long snapper).

The Steelers released the following players to reach their 53-man roster limit: quarterback Mike Reilly; running backs Carey Davis, Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent; wide receivers Dallas Baker, Tyler Grisham and Brandon Williams; tight end Dezmond Sherrod; offensive linemen Jason Capizzi, Jeremy Parquet and A.Q. Shipley; defensive linemen Sonny Harris, Steve McClendon and Scott Paxson; linebackers Bruce Davis, Tom Korte, Andy Schantz and Donovan Woods; defensive backs Roy Lewis and Anthony Madison; and kicker Piotr Czech.

Sixth-year veteran tight end Sean McHugh was placed on the team’s Reserve/Injured List and will miss the entire 2009 season after injuring his knee during training camp.

All NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. (ET) Saturday, September 5. Clubs may establish a practice squad of up to eight players after noon (ET) Sunday, Sept. 6.

The Steelers will kick off the NFL season at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 when they host the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field.

2009 Steeler Pre-Season is Underway

Pat — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:28:23 +0000

I’ve said this every year for the past 5 years on the Blog, I hate the pre-season. Sure, it gets me somewhat excited for the upcoming season but what a waste of time for football fans. It is very clear that pre-season NFL football is for revenue generation ONLY. I can’t wait until the NFL gets rid of 2 games and adds them to the regular season.

Why do I hate the NFL Pre-season?

It’s pretty obvious to most NFL fans, I would imagine. The starters rarely play and it’s nothing but a chance to end a players season before it even starts.

I’m not sure why anyone would spend the cash to go to a pre-season game. Why would I want to watch players that I’ve never heard of, that will never play again and watch a game that means absolutely nothing in the pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. I just don’t do it. Heck, I don’t even watch the games on TV.

Having said that, I am getting stoked for the 2009-10 football season. There are a couple of reasons I’m excited. Reason 1, The Pittsburgh Steelers are the defending Super Bowl Champions! That should be reason enough but..Reason 2, we are coming back with relatively the same team as last year, actually, I think we have a better team than last year and an easier schedule.

I know, it’s very hard to repeat as champions in the NFL but this is the best chance we’ve had in a very long time. Since the 70’s anyway. LOL

Is it too early to start the SEVEN slogans??

Is it a coincidence that Polomalu’s jersey number adds up to 7?

Big Ben is #7

Win # Seven for #7

Win # 7 as Myron smiles down from Heaven!

Steelers Draft 8 Players in 2009 NFL Draft

Pat — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:25:07 +0000

It looks like the Steelers have drafted 8 players and have filled every need and are able to add depth to a roster of returning Super Bowl Champions!! I’m not gonna say REPEAT yet…

Here is a breakdown of the draft. Click the link to see the full profile on each player.

DL Evander ‘Ziggy’ Hood in the first round

G Kraig Urbik in the third round

WR Mike Wallace in the third round

CB Keenan Lewis in the third round

CB Joe Burnett in the fifth round

FB Frank Summers in the fifth round

DE Ra’shon ‘Sonny’ Harris in the sixth round

C Allan ‘A.Q.’ Shipley in the seventh round

TE David Johnson in the seventh round

Steelers Draft Day Not Very Exciting

Pat — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:37:53 +0000

As I posted earlier, the Steelers don’t have any huge holes to fill due to free agency so the first day of the draft was as predicted, boring.

There were a bunch of trades, and three quarterbacks among the top 17 picks. There were two centers picked in Round 1 for the first time in, well, forever, and another head-scratcher by the Oakland Raiders.

The NFL pushed the start of its 2009 draft back to 4 p.m. to accommodate ESPN, and whether the first 64 picks packed enough drama to merit the move can be debated. But for Steelers fans, the theme of the day took on the time-honored television phrase: stay tuned.

The Steelers closed the first round by picking Missouri defensive lineman Ziggy Hood, and when their turn came at the end of the second round, Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert and Coach Mike Tomlin surveyed their board and decided the best course of action was to defer. And so the Steelers ended the day by trading their second-round pick, plus their No. 4 selection, to Denver for both of the Broncos third-round picks â€“ the 79th and 84th overall.

And so, when the draft resumes at 10 a.m. on Sunday, the Steelers will have three picks in the third round â€“ the two they acquired from Denver â€“ plus their own, which will be the 96th pick of the draft.

â€œIt was a chance to pick up some extra picks,â€ said Colbert. â€œIt was a nice group of guys who were left and rather just taking one of those guys I think we will have a good chance at getting three. It was inviting. Like I said hopefully weâ€™ll come out of it with three quality guys tomorrow.

Steeler News, Signings and Schedule

Pat — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:23:12 +0000

Well, I haven’t been around much since the Super Bowl but with the draft coming up, the Steelers are back in the news and I’m starting to think about the Repeat!! Oh yeah, I didn’t forget about Steeler Football, just sitting back and enjoying being the World Champs!

Let’s see, what’s new.. James Harrison made the Steelers Pay for cutting him twice.. literally, to the tune of 6 years 51.75 million. Very nice James, very frigging nice, you deserve it.

Byron Leftwich has left us for Tampa, he must have enjoyed the area so much while at the Super Bowl, he decided to stay for a couple more years. I’m glad for him, he deserves a starting job BUT, that system is not a good fit for him. He will be the backup by week 3.

The 2009 schedule was released today and I haven’t had time to analyze it yet and will talk about it more later.

Here is the Steelers 2009 Schedule.