This article and also this one are the latest from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on the saga of the wrangling with the Pittsburgh Penguins to try and get a deal done for a new arena before they become the Kansas City Penguins.
Let me get this straight: the state and local folks trying to keep the Penguins here are asking the team to help pay for construction of a new arena, then pay rent on the arena, then still share revenues produced by the arena, and also wait at least two or three years before they can play in the arena, right?
Meanwhile, there is a 95% complete, brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in Kansas City nearly ready and waiting, with 100% of the luxury suites already sold, that the team doesn't have to pay for, gets rent free, and gets the majority of revenues?
The locals then call their proposals either competitive or superior to KC's? Earth to Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania powers-that-be: DUH!
Mike Lange is going to be quipping "Elvis has just left the building" for real at the end of this season. The Penguins, in the Steel City, are soon-to-be history.
UPDATE @ 13:42: just saw that the P-G has added to one of the stories that PA Gov. Ed Rendell (a.k.a "Less Red Ed" or "Pinky") is now saying that if the Penguins don't accept their offer, TPTB are going to go whine to the NHL and its Board of Governors to prevent the team from moving and make them accept the Pittsburgh deal. Hmmmm, let's see... Kansas City = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Houston = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Just about anywhere else that's been mentioned as a possible relocation city for the team = bigger market than Pittsburgh. Just about anywhere else = better facilities, better deal. Once more, Earth to them: DUH!
ATTENTION:
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Bad Photoshop Job of the Day
Glad he's our new coach, but did they have to cut and paste Mike Tomlin's head onto a Steelers' shirt? Let's show the guy some respect! Picture direct from the Steelers' website:
Doesn't anybody at the Steelers have a digital camera and a spare polo shirt, so that they could have done a real job?
Doesn't anybody at the Steelers have a digital camera and a spare polo shirt, so that they could have done a real job?
Coach Mike Tomlin: Steelers' News Conference
Live blogged comments:
From the horse's mouth, Coach Tomlin will retain Dick LeBeau as Steelers' defensive coordinator. Great news - probably won't mean a wholesale change of the Steelers' 3-4 base defense. Reading between the lines, it means that they'll have to build the personnel to switch to a "Tampa 2" 4-3. Best guess, Steelers take a quick DE with their 1st draft pick, looking to a 4-3 future.
Bravo! He's stressing that Coaches Dungy & Smith making it to the Super Bowl is significant because of the quality of the individuals, NOT because they just happen to be African-Americans.
UPDATE: other coaching positions will be settled "in the next few days".
UPDATE: he's talking about how he'll be involved in personnel decisions and basically saying what a great organization it will be to work in. Translation: "So long as I don't make a complete pig's breakfast of this job, it's my job until I don't want it any more!" ;-)
UPDATE: "as coaches, we have to be flexible schematically" - skirting around the 3-4 vs.4-3 issue. Can't argue with him though. Basic methodology is get good players, and game-plan for their strengths.
UPDATE: says he hasn't spoken to Russ Grimm, says he probably will. I really doubt that Coach Grimm will be back. Getting passed over is asking too much to have him stay on, even if hypothetically, he became the offensive coordinator.
Press conference ends at 15:57. Impressive. Said all the right things, must have used the term "blue collar" about a dozen times. As a Steelers' fan, I'm looking forward to seeing him prowl the sidelines for hopefully the next 15-20 years, and bring a couple more of those Lombardi Trophies back to Steel City.
From the horse's mouth, Coach Tomlin will retain Dick LeBeau as Steelers' defensive coordinator. Great news - probably won't mean a wholesale change of the Steelers' 3-4 base defense. Reading between the lines, it means that they'll have to build the personnel to switch to a "Tampa 2" 4-3. Best guess, Steelers take a quick DE with their 1st draft pick, looking to a 4-3 future.
Bravo! He's stressing that Coaches Dungy & Smith making it to the Super Bowl is significant because of the quality of the individuals, NOT because they just happen to be African-Americans.
UPDATE: other coaching positions will be settled "in the next few days".
UPDATE: he's talking about how he'll be involved in personnel decisions and basically saying what a great organization it will be to work in. Translation: "So long as I don't make a complete pig's breakfast of this job, it's my job until I don't want it any more!" ;-)
UPDATE: "as coaches, we have to be flexible schematically" - skirting around the 3-4 vs.4-3 issue. Can't argue with him though. Basic methodology is get good players, and game-plan for their strengths.
UPDATE: says he hasn't spoken to Russ Grimm, says he probably will. I really doubt that Coach Grimm will be back. Getting passed over is asking too much to have him stay on, even if hypothetically, he became the offensive coordinator.
Press conference ends at 15:57. Impressive. Said all the right things, must have used the term "blue collar" about a dozen times. As a Steelers' fan, I'm looking forward to seeing him prowl the sidelines for hopefully the next 15-20 years, and bring a couple more of those Lombardi Trophies back to Steel City.
Super Bowl XLI: Colts vs. Bears
Yesterday's NFC Championship Game was anti-climactic. Reggie Bush's 82-yard touchdown scamper made it look like it would be a game, but then the Saints went all pass-whacky and didn't ram the ball down the Bears' throat with the duo of Deuce McAllister and Bush.
However, the AFC Championship Game was a classic. Especially after Peyton Manning and the Colts had that late 2nd quarter interception run in for a touchdown to make the game Patriots 21, Colts 3 - it sure looked like that monkey was not just clinging to Manning's back, it was welded on.
Manning was superb in the 2nd half, and they're off to the Super Bowl. I'll be pulling for the Colts in the game. Early prediction: Colts 28, Bears 10.
However, the AFC Championship Game was a classic. Especially after Peyton Manning and the Colts had that late 2nd quarter interception run in for a touchdown to make the game Patriots 21, Colts 3 - it sure looked like that monkey was not just clinging to Manning's back, it was welded on.
Manning was superb in the 2nd half, and they're off to the Super Bowl. I'll be pulling for the Colts in the game. Early prediction: Colts 28, Bears 10.
Steelers: it's Tomlin!
After this weekend's mix of "It's Tomlin" and "It's Grimm" stories, the Pittsburgh Steelers will reportedly introduce Mike Tomlin as their new head coach today, according to this story by Ed Bouchette and Gerry Dulac in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
I like the pick. It will be interesting to see what happens on the Steelers' defense, having spent the last 10+ years running the 3-4 zone blitz as Coach Tomlin is a proponent of the 4-3 Cover 2/"Tampa 2". Could be a lot of personnel changes on defense if the base package changes, since we don't have a 4-3 style D-Linemen, or linebackers for that matter. Switching to a form of Cover 2 could also affect the Steelers best defensive player, SS Troy Polamalu, since with two deep safeties, unless they're going to play nickle on every down, Polamalu's usual "all over the place" play won't work.
I like the pick. It will be interesting to see what happens on the Steelers' defense, having spent the last 10+ years running the 3-4 zone blitz as Coach Tomlin is a proponent of the 4-3 Cover 2/"Tampa 2". Could be a lot of personnel changes on defense if the base package changes, since we don't have a 4-3 style D-Linemen, or linebackers for that matter. Switching to a form of Cover 2 could also affect the Steelers best defensive player, SS Troy Polamalu, since with two deep safeties, unless they're going to play nickle on every down, Polamalu's usual "all over the place" play won't work.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Another example of "enemies domestic"?
Just read an article in the Pittsburgh City Paper entitled "Targeting 'Modern Bullet Factory,' POG to block CMU Building". "POG" is the Pittsburgh Organizing Group, our local ultra-left wing band of peaceniks, and "CMU" is Carnegie Mellon University. The building they're planning to blockade on 3/2/2007 is the National Robotics Engineering Center.
CMU's robotics arm is at the cutting edge of developing autonomous combat systems that will help keep our brave Warfighters safe under fire.
Let's get this straight: the left cares not for our troops. They care only for furthering their whacko agenda and destroying this Nation's ability to defend ourselves, thereby coddling our enemies.
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Thursday, January 18, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Oh, Jimmy
Former President Carter, that is. Assuming this is true, and I have no reason to doubt it is, it's a disgrace. Of course, why be surprised that someone who is content to give Palestininan terrorists everything they want at the expense of Israel would also try to intervene on behalf of a Nazi war criminal? (Hat tip: Drudge)
Katie Couric at the White House
Katie Couric on CBS' web site has made this post about a "deep background" press briefing at 1600 Pensylvania Avenue that she participated in. The post's theme is Ms. Couric looking around the room and finding she's the only woman there. To that point, I say, "so what?"
The quote I took away from the post is: "And even though I’ve been in this business for more years than I’d like to admit, and interviewed countless Presidents and world leaders, it’s still thrilling—and even a little awe-inspiring—to get “briefed” at the White House, no matter who is sitting in the Oval Office." [emphasis mine].
Let a liberal - politician, reporter, whomever - rattle on long enough, and their true colors will always show! Does anybody think she'd have written the "no matter who..." part if there was a Democrat in the White House?
To address her main beef though - Ms. Couric, especially since we just celebrated MLK (you know, the guy who said "I have a dream that one day men will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.") day, shouldn't the people "at the table" be the ones who got their on their merits, not their sex or some other naturally occuring physical attribute?
The quote I took away from the post is: "And even though I’ve been in this business for more years than I’d like to admit, and interviewed countless Presidents and world leaders, it’s still thrilling—and even a little awe-inspiring—to get “briefed” at the White House, no matter who is sitting in the Oval Office." [emphasis mine].
Let a liberal - politician, reporter, whomever - rattle on long enough, and their true colors will always show! Does anybody think she'd have written the "no matter who..." part if there was a Democrat in the White House?
To address her main beef though - Ms. Couric, especially since we just celebrated MLK (you know, the guy who said "I have a dream that one day men will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.") day, shouldn't the people "at the table" be the ones who got their on their merits, not their sex or some other naturally occuring physical attribute?
Ooooo, I'm scared now
The Board of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists have moved their "Doomsday Clock" two minutes closer to "midnight" - i.e. the end of the world - it sits now at 23:55.
I'm agreed that we all should be worried about the possibility (likelihood?) of nations such as Iran and North Korea having nuclear weapons, but I really turn them off when I see:
I'm agreed that we all should be worried about the possibility (likelihood?) of nations such as Iran and North Korea having nuclear weapons, but I really turn them off when I see:
Global warming presents a dire threat to human civilization that is second onlyYeah, right. Their clock will now include ridiculous fears of climate change in calculating the time to the supposed end of the world. Whatever.
to nuclear weapons.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
"The Closer" Wins!
Congratulations to Kyra Sedgwick for winning the Golden Globe award (Best Actress in a TV Drama) for her role as Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson on TNT's "The Closer"! She earlier won a Screen Actors' Guild award too.
If you haven't seen this show yet, I highly encourage you to check it out. It's in my top three on TV right now, along with "CSI" and "Shark", both on CBS. The first season of the show is available on DVD too.
If you haven't seen this show yet, I highly encourage you to check it out. It's in my top three on TV right now, along with "CSI" and "Shark", both on CBS. The first season of the show is available on DVD too.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Neck stretched a little too far...
By now, everybody has probably heard that two of Saddam Hussein's associates have followed him to the gallows, and one of them was inadvertently decapitated by the hanging.
So what????? The world is a better place that these men are gone from it. Would the world have shown as much concern and compassion for the human rights and existence of their countless victims as the powers that be are for these evil men.
By my account, Hussein et al. have gotten off lightly. The traditional end for dictators is more like how Mussolini (warning: graphic image) or Ceausescu met their demise. I'm sure a large portion of the Iraqi populace would have loved to see them swinging from a lamp post, or trampled in the street. What do you think the victims of Halabja deserve?
So what????? The world is a better place that these men are gone from it. Would the world have shown as much concern and compassion for the human rights and existence of their countless victims as the powers that be are for these evil men.
By my account, Hussein et al. have gotten off lightly. The traditional end for dictators is more like how Mussolini (warning: graphic image) or Ceausescu met their demise. I'm sure a large portion of the Iraqi populace would have loved to see them swinging from a lamp post, or trampled in the street. What do you think the victims of Halabja deserve?
Will Grimm replace the Chin?
ESPN is reporting that the Steelers have narrowed their coach search to three: current Assistant Head Coach Russ Grimm, Vikings' Defensive Coordinator Mike Tomlin, and Bears' Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera. The P-G's Ed Bouchette sounds off here on the story.
At this time, it would appear that the interview over the weekend with Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey (former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator) and the "permission asking" by the Steelers to consider Mike Sherman (current Texans' Assistant Head Coach/Offense, former GB Packers' head coach) will go nowhere. Sherman didn't even interview; when I heard his name mentioned, have to admit I was intrigued by the possibility.
Conventional wisdom is that if the Steelers don't announce their selection in the next several days, that puts Ron Rivera in the front runner position since the Steelers can't engage him any more until after the Bears' season is done. According to Bouchette, Tomlin has his 2nd interview tomorrow, Grimm on Wednesday.
I'd go with Grimm at this point - let's maintain some continuity on the staff. If there is no announcement on Thursday or Friday, then it will probably be Rivera.
BTW, congratulations to former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who is going to be the new Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers play at Arizona next year, so mark that one down on the calendar! Unfortunately for Coach Whisenhunt, the Cardinals just seem to be one of those franchises mired in perpetual mediocrity.
How much you want to bet that Whis' first official act as Head Coach will be to tell Matt Leinart to sell his motorcycle, if he owns one. ;-)
At this time, it would appear that the interview over the weekend with Georgia Tech's Chan Gailey (former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator) and the "permission asking" by the Steelers to consider Mike Sherman (current Texans' Assistant Head Coach/Offense, former GB Packers' head coach) will go nowhere. Sherman didn't even interview; when I heard his name mentioned, have to admit I was intrigued by the possibility.
Conventional wisdom is that if the Steelers don't announce their selection in the next several days, that puts Ron Rivera in the front runner position since the Steelers can't engage him any more until after the Bears' season is done. According to Bouchette, Tomlin has his 2nd interview tomorrow, Grimm on Wednesday.
I'd go with Grimm at this point - let's maintain some continuity on the staff. If there is no announcement on Thursday or Friday, then it will probably be Rivera.
BTW, congratulations to former Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who is going to be the new Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers play at Arizona next year, so mark that one down on the calendar! Unfortunately for Coach Whisenhunt, the Cardinals just seem to be one of those franchises mired in perpetual mediocrity.
How much you want to bet that Whis' first official act as Head Coach will be to tell Matt Leinart to sell his motorcycle, if he owns one. ;-)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Chomp, Chomp, Chompians!
Congratulations to the Florida Gators! Anybody who jobs Ohio State that badly on the gridiron gets my praise! (First saw the "Chompians" moniker at ESPN.com)
With Repulicans like these...
...who needs Democrats?
Aaaaaaahnold has proposed universal health coverage in California, essentially state-subsidized private insurance. Good on the surface, troubling underneath.
This post launches my "RINO" category.
Aaaaaaahnold has proposed universal health coverage in California, essentially state-subsidized private insurance. Good on the surface, troubling underneath.
This post launches my "RINO" category.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thank you, Bill Cowher!
Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach has made it official: he will be "retiring" and not be the Black'n'Gold's Chief Chin on the sidelines next year, and likely ever again. I felt for sure that when NC State hired Tom O'Brien away from Boston College that we'd have Bill back for another season.
Here's a link to the NFL's article on his resignation.
And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Can't wait to see him on TV next year though. I'm sure he'll be an analyst for someone.
15 Seasons
161-99-1, .619
10 Playoff Appearances
8 Division Titles
2 AFC Championships
Super Bowl XL Champion
Canton anyone?
Bill, when you decide to return to the sidelines, please, anywhere but Baltimore, Dallas, or perish the thought, CLEVELAND.
Here's a link to the NFL's article on his resignation.
And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Can't wait to see him on TV next year though. I'm sure he'll be an analyst for someone.
15 Seasons
161-99-1, .619
10 Playoff Appearances
8 Division Titles
2 AFC Championships
Super Bowl XL Champion
Canton anyone?
Bill, when you decide to return to the sidelines, please, anywhere but Baltimore, Dallas, or perish the thought, CLEVELAND.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Parenting Tip of the Day: Do Not Let Your Children Watch the News
This story is tragic, truly tragic. Parents, please remember that television news is PG-13 rated at best. Given today's media saturation that we're all subject to, I know it's a difficult proposition to shelter our young ones from current events - like hanging videos that are all over TV and the Internet - but keeping them from even the local ("if it bleeds, it leads") news, is an easy step we can all take.
Hat tip: Drudge.
Hat tip: Drudge.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Back for the New Year
Greetings all, hope everybody is having a Happy New Year! Really, I'm going to be posting more, not that I actually think anybody is reading this! ;-)
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