Beer We Go Steelers

It is good to be back, so let’s catch up on a few things:

Steelers signed Charlie Batch: The Steelers need a veteran backup QB and Batch has done an admirable job for the Steelers going 5-2 in spot starts. He has tremendous value beyond his playing and has been great in a pinch. He will compete with Troy Smith(an interesting signing) and this basically closes the door I believe on the often injured Byron Leftwich. Dennis Dixon is almost certainly out now as well. Dixon has good upside but doesn’t fit into the Steelers long term plan. He has drawn interest from the Ratbirds and the Broncos.  

Steelers sign Leonard Pope: GREAT MOVE, with Wesley Saunders being suspended and most likely heading to the chopping block by the Steelers when he is back, Pope is a nice addition and with his familiarity with Todd Haley’s system this is the usual under the radar Steelers move that really helps the team. Heath Miller and Pope give the Steelers an excellent tight end combo! This guy is a bona fide hero and a good character guy.

Mike Wallace: Is still not signed and while he is without question a world class talent, he is not a finished product yet and he isn’t going to command the money he is looking for. I think he should sign a one or two year agreement and then go bust the market up after a great year. BTW RIP Mike Wallace the newsman, great journalist, he one time hit on my sister at a Yankee game!

Offensive Line Moves: Ramon Foster is a good guard and he will provide stability. It’s no secret BWG is a huge fan of Doug Legursky and our belief in him hasn’t wavered. He is athletic and as strong as any guy in the league, the issue is a stiff wind injures this guy. So I am hoping he develops further and stays healthy because when he pulls he is a freight train. Trai Essex is a serviceable backup and if he is in any semblance of shape provides much needed depth. I like the idea of Marcus Gilbert moving to the left side and having Willie Colon back on the right. Colon again has to prove he can stay healthy. If Legursky and Colon are healthy this turns a potential weakness into a strength. Look for some draft help as well.  As for existing people, my dark horse pick is Trevis Turner the “Abilene Christian Colossus” the guy is a giant and a physical freak!

Dan Sepulveda Moves On: Very productive player but injuries robbed him of any kind of consistency. I know Captain Tailgate is happy to see him go as Mrs. Tailgate was sweet on Dan!

Releasing Ward, Farrior and Smith: I hated to see these guys leave. These guys will always be Steelers, but to be fair about it, it was time. I don’t believe it is “time” because of playing ability; they all can still play in some facet or the other.

Hines Ward is a great player and for the record he can still get it done, I was in a near rage that the Steelers didn’t work it out with him. Farrior had a solid productive season but he clearly isn’t where he used to be and Aaron Smith was injured each of the last three years though he always showed flashes of brilliance. 

Here is the key though that everyone is losing sight of, all three of them, have younger, less expensive, players behind them chomping at the bit to play. In the NFL it is “next man up” and the Steelers are always dangerous when they reload. 

You cannot replace these three guys on the leadership side and that gap will be extremely difficult to fill.

The Steelers receivers if they get Wallace signed will rival anyone’s combination in the league. They have speed, size and strength. They are ready to roll and they brought back the veteran Jericho Cotchery to replace Hines full time.

The Steelers Inside Linebacker situation looks to be in good hands with Stevenson Sylvester and or Jason Worilds expected to take Farrior’s snaps. They will get some push by Chris Carter and Morty Ivy. They also retained veteran linebacker Larry Foote in case his development is slowed. This gives the Steelers a very strong and athletic core of guys. 

Aaron Smith’s replacement is very cut and dry; you have Cameron “Steelhead” Heywood and Ziggy Hood ready to step in full time with Brett Keisel providing the veteran leadership the Steelers are losing with Aaron leaving.  

Ratbirds or Jets on Hard Knocks: Have to confess, I love this show and have seen every episode of every season. My feeling on this, is that the Jets make better headlines and with the Tebow Circus in town most likely will get the show. Plus proverbial big mouth Rex Ryan makes for great copy.

The Ravens would be fun because they imploded last time they were there when they were defending champs. Keep in mind that bloviating windbag Brian Billick was the coach and I can’t see John Harbaugh allowing it since he thinks he is a secret agent.

The Buccaneers passed last year and left HBO high and dry, they were afraid it would be a distraction that wouldn’t allow them to win a whopping four games and finish in last place! Good choice Raheem!

Email: I have over 8000 emails to review and will do my best to get to them. I love getting emails and comments, it is just difficult to weave through the real stuff and the freakin’ SPAM! Please be patient, your comments are appreciated.

In what was a bittersweet moment for every member of BWG Nation, Hines Ward left the game of football yesterday wearing the colors he has his whole career, BLACK AND GOLD. He was everything that a Steeler was supposed to be and his career has been a lesson in hard work and physical play.

“Today, I’m officially retiring a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Ward was quoted as saying. “And as much as I will miss football, my teammates, coaches and everything about the game, I don’t want to play it in any other uniform. The black and gold runs deep in me, and I will remain a Steeler for life.”

Without question he can still play and their is such mixed emotions about him giving up the game. We are glad that he will forever be a Steeler and he will always be BWG for life.

He won two Super Bowls, including the MVP of XL. He holds every significant Steelers record as a receiver and he was a team leader of unquestioned character. He also holds the unofficial record of being the most hated Steeler league wide. A role that he was AWESOME at. From jacking up Ed Reed, to laying out Keith Rivers he played the receiver position like a silent assassin and that is what we will miss most of all!

He is a no brainer for Canton! See you in the Hall Hines!

In what will likely be considered pne of the darkest weeks in Steelers history, James Farrior and Aaron Smith will be released. Earlier in the week Hines Ward was cut loose, ending what many consider a golden era in Steelers history.

James Farrior, Team Captain and easily the greatest free agent signing in Steelers history will be cut according to his agent. Farrior was the heart and soul of the Steelers defense and will be sorely missed as a very positive locker room presence. Farrior came to the Steelers from the Jets in 2002 and has made every start but six since he came over. He is one of the best inside linebackers in Steelers history and this one will really hurt. The Steelers are set at the position for now and will likely draft some help.

Aaron Smith, is one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the history of the NFL. He is beloved by his teamates and his illustrious career has been marred by injuries the last three seasons. He was the anchor of the defensive line and has only played for the Steelers. My feeling is his career is over now and he won’t be moving on. The Steelers dominated on the run defense when he played.

“This isn’t how I wanted this chapter of my career to end. I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago.”– Hines Ward

It was fairly obvious after the season ended despite his best efforts that Hines Ward would not be back. It will be made official this week if not today. The heart and soul of the Steelers is moving on! In an ever changing game this was inevitable but doesn’t make it any easier. While he was considered the best blocking wide receiver in NFL history, he was a heck of a pass catcher too.

Ward has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and just missed two more, posting 975 in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. He also returned eight kicks for 210 yards.

Those are Hall of Fame numbers and he is probably the third greatest receiver in Steelers history. But measuring him with numbers doesn’t tell the whole story of course. He was EVERYTHING a Pittsburgh Steeler player is supposed to be. He is community minded, team oriented and most of all tough as Steel. Losing him, will be a huge locker room loss as he is a top character guy.

If Franco can go play for the Seahawks then Hines can go play somewhere else. My hope is he goes to the Atlanta Falcons, his home town team! I don’t think he should retire.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/1494/hines-ward

So despite the fact that the Steelers season ended almost a month ago, this is our first weekend without football. I think KGB is secretly happy, although everyone misses the Steelers here. It was a very good season and we had some amazing moments. While everyone is disappointed at losing, there has to be a certain amount of pride in going 12-4.

Season review of BWG Steelers and my favorite moments:

My Favorite “road” game: 

This was Saratoga and “The Stadium”. I hung out with my business associates who are some of the whose, who of Long Island education! When it was announced that the Steelers would be the Sunday night game for our conference, My friends at SCOPE asked me to bring my Steelers banner and my good friend Terry C. called me to find out what we were doing for the game! Everyone was pulling for the Steelers, the game was pretty lousy(The Colts) but the Steelers pulled it out and it was a great night! 

My Favorite “Home Game”: This was a tough one. We had so many great moments this season. The highlight was beating the Patriots to me, but we did half that game at my golf club. I am going to go with the Cardinals game. He had a ridiculous spread from Uncle Guiseppes. We had my flag football teamates over and my amazing Steeler kids!!

My Favorite Home Game: This might be my favorite game ever! I have been to Heinz field every season since it opened and I have been to some amazing games. But there is something special about taking your amazing girlfriend and my oustanding daughter to the game! Of course this would have been a moot point if the Steelers didn’t just crush the Bengals. Adding to the bonus of this was I saw my Steelers “Godfather” Walter Butler at the Pittsburgh airpot on the way home!

The Post which stirred the most controversy: We had a quieter year this year, but we have over 7000 comments waited to be reviewed and posted. So stay tuned on this one. Stealing George’s flag got alot of interesting comments! The Rooting for the Giants was the one that got the most interesting responses from support to derrision.

My Favorite Snack for any game: This is easy this year. We had so much great food but the snack that was everyone’s favorite was “Pigs in a Blanket” Made with Turkey Keilbasa, Honey Crescent Rolls and hot mustard. EVERYONE ate those every week and when we didn’t serve them for Super Bowl we had a lot of funny looks!

Upcoming Stories: Free Agent recap and salary cap casualties, My Jersey Curse and my Origins as a Steelers fan.

“All my early memories in life revolved around the Steelers. Those things have stayed with me and are a part of who I am and what I am. In my mind, this is the greatest organization and the greatest team in the NFL, and that comes from the heart.” – Todd Haley

The Bleacher Report is reporting; that the Steelers are hiring Todd Haley as Offensive Coordinator. This is a great move for many reasons. One he should have never been fired as Head Coach of the Chiefs and has a strong offensive mind. He also has Steeler roots as his father was the Player Personnel Director for the Steelers for nearly twenty years. Dick Haley also played cornerback with the Steelers!

Lastly, this will shut Ben up after his stupid little tantrum last week. Arians needed to go. I agree he did a good job but the Steelers offense went dark so many times in key situations. This is a good move for the Steelers as he will help bring balance back to the offense without giving up the vertical game.

Get bigger and better up front and watch what this offense can do!

Congratulations to the New York Giants! I was very happy for my friends last night as the Giants won and played a great Super Bowl. Something also occured to me, last night. We need to get back to our rightful place in the NFL pecking order. KGB noticed I was a little melancholy, I thought about how we let number 7 slip away last year.

The Steelers had a great year this year despite some horrendous injuries. Its hard not to feel that we should have done it this year!  

I am very happy for the Giants and they proved offense sells tickets but defenses wins championships! Eli Manning can put all those Peyton questions behind him finally. He is a true gentleman, plays the game tough and easily can lay claim to being a top tier QB! 

I look forward to facing the Giants this next season in NY.  We need to get back to the big stage and I think the core of this team has one last shot at it!

Did anyone else notice that since Spygate the Patriots have been beaten in every big game? The Steelers players sure noticed! They were all over their tweet accounts and Facebook blasting the Patriots.

“Told you, cheaters never win!!!!!!!!!” – Silverback

“0-2 post spy gate! Just saying!! Cant spell ELIte w/o Eli!! Night my friends!” – Ryan Clark

I think like most Steeler fans I am rooting for the Giants this weekend. I always pull for them as they remind me of the Steelers of the NFC. Great tradition and family ownership!(Sort of)

Wellington Mara was very good friends with Art Rooney and helped get him in the NFL. The Rooney’s and Mara’s have a family relation. One of Wellington’s grandsons married one of  The Chiefs Granddaughters.

Plus all my boys were pulling for the Steelers last year! So I owe them this year! Rooting for the Patriots is like rooting for Mr. Potter at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”!

This is a no brainer for me, GO BLUE!