Pittsburgh Steelers Links (11/11)

Some links to my content at rantsports.com

STEELERS

Forget the Record, the Steelers Are Playing For Pride

Why Steelers Fans Shouldn't Take Ben Roethlisberger Trade Rumors Lightly

Pittsburgh Steelers Finally Resemble Themselves In Win Over Bills

Enjoy, and be sure to follow me on Twitter (@BnGBlitz) and on Google+.

- Jeff

Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates Links

Below are articles written this week for the Pirates and Penguins for rantsports.com

Pirates

Why it was Smart to let AJ Burnett Test Free Agency

Pirates Post Season Awards Should Motivate Team in 2014

Penguins

Evgeni Malkin's Help Could Be On the Way

Enjoy the articles!

Pittsburgh Steelers Links

Below are links to my articles that I have written this week. I encourage everyone to check rantsports.com often for updated information on all 3 Pittsburgh sports teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers Issues Start From The Top

Is It Time For Dick Lebeau To Step Down?

What Happened to the Vaunted Steelers Defense?

Tough Decisions Lie Ahead for the Steelers

Blame the Players, NOT Mike Tomlin

Enjoy the articles, and remember to check back often!

Update on The Site and My "Writing" Career

For those of you that have check the site regularly, you probably have noticed that there has been a lack of content recently.  Well, there is a reason why.  I applied and got a job primarily covering the Pittsburgh Steelers for rantsports.com

Rant Sports is an up and coming website that covers all sports at all levels, and I am excited to finally get an opportunity like this.  I am not the only one covering the Steelers for rant sports, but my articles will be there daily.  Here is a link to my latest article: CLICK HERE

My primary "focus" will be the Steelers, but I will continue to write about the Penguins and Pirates as well.  I hope that you all continue to follow my material there.  I will most likely post links to my articles on the site, as well as post the normal videos for those that enjoy those.  This website and the people that view it on a regular basis have been a springboard for this career move.  For that, I thank all Pittsburgh fans for being as passionate as I am!

Thanks!

Jeff

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets - Scouting Reports

SteelerNation - This is Your Wake Up Call

SteelerNation - Time to Wake Up to Reality

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are spoiled.  There is no way around that fact.  The team that totes the most Super Bowl titles in NFL history has a fan base that proclaims that fact from the mountain tops as much as they possibly can.  However, Steelers fans haven't had to endure many rough patches in the past 15 years.  The last time the Steelers had a losing record was in 2003 when the Tommy Maddox led Steelers finished with a balmy 6-10 record.  10 years since a losing record for the Steelers and their fan base have fans wondering what went wrong.  Well, alot went wrong, but in terms of the fan base its simple.  Welcome to reality.

The Steelers have been one of the most successful NFL teams since the NFL / AFL merger and that is something that is often taken for granted.  In a world where there are still NFL teams that have failed to even reach a Super Bowl, Pittsburgh has won 6 and played in 8.  There are teams that haven't had a winning season in 10 years and the Steelers haven't had a losing record in 10 years.  All of that leads to a fan base that can be spoiled, too quick to judge, and also quick to turn their back on the team.  When I attended the Steelers vs Bears game in Pittsburgh I had great seats to watch the Steelers gift wrap a 17-0 lead to the Bears.  This was all in the first quarter, and I saw Steelers fans leaving the stadium.  No, not going to the bathroom, not going to get a beer (which would be recommended watching this Steelers team), no they left Heinz Field.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  In the first quarter fans were simply walking out on their favorite team.  That is simply unacceptable in my book.

The fact remains that if Steelers fans (aka - SteelerNation) are the fans that they claim to be, then they will not turn their back on their team.  I am not saying that Steelers' fans can't voice their displeasure about the team that they root for.  I do that enough for the entire fan base, but what I am saying is that SteelerNation needs to realize that this bump in the road for the Steelers isn't the end of the world.  If the Steelers don't have a magical turn around up their sleeves they will be ending this season with a losing record.  I can actually hear the Steelers' bandwagon getting lighter.  Think one losing season in 10 is bad?  Try being a Cleveland Browns fan.  Try being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan.  Try being a St. Louis Rams fan.  One bad season doesn't signify the end of the world.  Remember, it could be worse, and as so many Steeler fans always remind me..."we have more rings than anyone else!"  Be happy for that and stand by your team through good and bad.  SteelerNation - This was your wake up call.

5 Reasons the Steelers Will Beat the Patriots

Ben Roethlisberger Needs his 'A' Game on Sunday

I still can't believe I am attempting this article, but what are you going to do.  For those that are curious, no I am not inebriated...just trying to stir the pot before the Steelers take the field this Sunday.  Say what you want, but the Steelers actually do have a chance to win this Sunday at Foxborough at 4:25, and I'll tell you why:

1 - The Steelers Play Up to Their Competition - This has always been the case with the Steelers.  Even in the years that they won Super Bowls 40 and 43, there were teams that always got their full attention (Ravens, Patriots, Colts) and those that often times got the "half assed" attempt (Browns, Jaguars, Raiders).  Sometimes against those lesser opponents the Steelers were good enough to scratch out an "ugly win", but this year that isn't the case.  The Pats will get the Steelers attention this week, just like the Ravens did two weeks ago, and don't be surprised if the Steelers elevate their game accordingly.

2 - Tom Brady is "Off" - No one has thrown more off target passes this year, and the receiving corps that Brady has sure isn't a Pro Bowl roster.  Brady has made lemonade out of lemons before, and certainly has done so this season.  The Steelers will have to get to Brady early and often and keep him off his timing patterns.  The biggest challenge for the Steelers will be covering Rob Gronkowski, but Brady being a bit "off" only increases the Steelers' chances of hanging around this Sunday.

3 - Something to Prove - The Steelers are due for a bounce back game.  Some called the Raiders game as a let down game following the big Ravens win.  I couldn't say I completely disagree with those that think that, but in the same way I could see this game as a bounce back game.  The Steelers know what people are saying and how they are viewed.  Within that locker room there are players that still feel this team can compete at a high level, and what better way to do that than on a stage like playing the Patriots in Foxborough?

4 - Ben Being Ben - The Steelers offensive line is banged up, and there are still alot of question marks up front, but if you've followed the Steelers for any amount of time you know that sometimes when the chips are stacked against Big Ben, when the pocket collapses, and when you think he is "dead to rites"...he escapes and makes a huge play.  Well, I think its safe to say that Ben very well could have to make plays like that to win, but I like Ben's odds against this Patriots defense.

5 - Progressive Defense - The Steelers defense has improved little by little each week.  Sure there were some hiccups along the way, but this defense has been getting more turnovers and making plays as every week passes.  This bodes well as the Steelers defense will most likely have to set the table for the Steelers offense to make anything happen.  If the Steelers spot the Patriots a 14 point lead like they did the Raiders, then the game will not even be close to a 3 point deficit at the end.  This game will be on the Steelers defense's shoulders, and whether they can shoulder that load is TBD (to be determined).

Pittsburgh Penguins - 3 / Boston Bruins - 2 - VIDEO Highlights

Dan Bylsma "Coach's Corner" After Penguins Win Over the Bruins

Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby Talks Bruins, Creating, and Rivalries

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins - Scouting Report

Its Time for "Geno" To Earn His Money

Ahh the Good Ol' Days when Malkin Scored Goals...

I'm going to be honest, I've never been a big Evgeni Malkin fan.  The man can play ice hockey...no doubt, and I realize that he was and is a big reason for the Penguins' success past and future.  However, his inability to perform when Sidney Crosby is in the lineup has always bothered me.  It almost seems as if he is disgruntled when the Captain is on the ice and that he can't be "the star" that he wants to be.  Again, brutal honesty here...I actually thought the Penguins should have traded Malkin instead of extending his contract last season.  Before Pens fans across the globe rip my head off for such blasphemy, understand that trading Malkin would have given the Pens an unbelievable future investment in return.  No need to even talk about that now, as it isn't going to happen, but what I would like to talk about is the fact that now that Malkin has his new contract...its time for Geno to start earning his "dough".

Malkin has, is, and always will be a very streaky hockey player.  He isn't the Sidney Crosby type that will garner around a point or two a game and consistently be on the score sheet.  Should he be?  Yes, but is he? No.  After 12 games this season Malkin has been extremely underwhelming.  Geno apologists will point to his lack of wingers.  Beau Bennett is injured, James Neal is injured, and even Chuck Kobasew is now injured.  Malkin seems to mesh with Jussi Jokinen, but that other side remains a vacant position.  Other Geno apologists will say that he is getting his chances, and eventually they will start to come. I see that as something similar to saying "Marc Andre Fleury was close to stopping that puck, but he just missed it.  He will start making those saves eventually!"  This is a "what have you done for me lately" industry now, and Malkin hasn't been doing much.

Just in 12 games Evgeni Malkin's stat line reads like this: 3 Goals, 7 Assists - 10 points.  Plus/Minus = -3.  His average time on ice is second amongst forwards, only to Sidney Crosby.  Malkin does lead the team in a category...penalty minutes.  I know that 10 points is not necessarily bad, but this Russian born superstar was born to put the puck in the net...and it simply isn't happening.  3 goals thus far of a player of his caliber is almost inexcusable.  Malkin's 3 goals have him tied for 87th in the NHL in goals scored.  His 10 points are tied for 45th in the NHL for points scored.  Is that the play of a man who just got a hefty extension to his contract?  The simple and straight answer is NO.

Malkin doesn't have to be "the man" all the time, but it would be nice if he was "the man" some of the time.  Malkin is a polarizing figure in my opinion, and he looks like he is pressing too much on the ice.  Malkin will benefit when Bennett and Neal return from injury, but until then, he needs to duplicate what Sidney Crosby does.  Show the ability to score regardless of linemates.  Time to earn your keep Geno.

Mike Tomlin Talks Raiders Loss At His Press Conference