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

Mike Tomlin Is Making Moves, But All the Wrong Ones

Why This Man, Kirby Wilson, SHOULD Be A Change
Mike Tomlin  Makes

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, sees a team that is 2-5 and in need of an overhaul.  Unlike the 2010 Tomlin that declared that changes would be made and the Steelers would "unleash hell" in the month of December...and nothing happened, the head coach is making moves for a team that is searching for an answer.  The only problem is that Tomlin is making the wrong moves.

The Steelers released punter Zoltan Mesko yesterday and demoted Jarvis Jones to 2nd string behind Jason Worilds.  I have been a harsh critic of Zoltan Mesko and his erratic, downright pitiful, and as Tomlin called it "Junior Varsity" punting this season.  This move is long overdue, but will it make a difference in the team winning and losing?  No.  Jarvis Jones hasn't been the impact player that people expected and although has shown flashes of the SEC player that dominated competition at Georgia, the bright spots have been outweighed by the missed tackles and blown assignments.  So, with Jones out, re-enter Jason Worilds as the OLB that will line up across from Lamarr Woodley.  Jason Worilds knows his assignments, but thats about the only difference between the two OLBs at this point.  Will benching Jarvis Jones make a big difference in the team winning and losing?  Probably not.

Tomlin had to make moves to appease the media and fan base, but if you know this team and you know the people in the organization you know that these moves were simply not enough.  If Mike Tomlin truly wants to make changes he will make moves that will send a message, not just moves that make tiny ripples in the overall ocean that is the Pittsburgh Steelers team.  One move I would make is to start playing Shamarko Thomas at safety more and more for Ryan Clark.  Someone tell me what Ryan Clark brings to this team that is helping them win?  Exactly, he has been more of a detriment than an asset.  Signing Max Starks again would at least add quality depth at a position that has been horrendous for the Steelers.  The biggest move that I want Tomlin to make is to tell Todd Haley that his services are no longer needed anymore.  Think back to the Baltimore Ravens last season.  Cam Cameron gets canned mid season and the offense thrives because of it.  I don't think Todd Haley is the main problem with the Steelers' offense, but it might just be time to eliminate one of the problems and let someone like RB Coach Kirby Wilson call the plays for the duration of the season.  Could it get worse than what it already is?  I don't think so.

I realize Tomlin is between a rock and a hard place, but changes need to be made...not so much for this season, but the future.  If you constantly threat to make changes and nothing ever changes, then the players know you are doing nothing but blowing smoke you know where, and that does no one any good.

For the Steelers, Is This the Beginning of the End?

Is This the Beginning of the End for the Steelers?

The loss to the Oakland Raiders still stings amongst SteelerNation.  How could the Pittsburgh Steelers travel across country and leave with a loss against the Raiders, again?!  Well, if you look at this team logistically you see some serious flaws.  Not only this past Sunday, but this entire season.  What once was a promising season has turned into a fiasco, and it could get worse.  Some fans say, "Play for a draft pick." while others scream, "We should be better."  Either way, what the team "should" be is not fixable with one draft pick.  Plain and simple.  Which brings me to the title of the article.  Is this the beginning of the end for the most successful organization in the NFL?  I'm starting to think that it very well could be.

There are alot of arrows that can point to the long term demise of the Steelers' organization, but there are a few that I am going to focus on.  First, missed draft picks.  One could point directly at the Steelers' 2008 draft class that consisted of 7 players that are not wearing black and gold except for fun in their free time.  Then you can look at the 2009 draft class that has 9 players in that class, with 2 that are still in the Steelers' organization (Ziggy Hood and the oft injured David Johnson).  To me, this isn't just about draft classes, but about drafting players high in the draft that simply were busts.  Players like Jason Worilds (taken in the 2nd round in 2010), Mike Adams (2nd round pick in 2012), and a guy like Chris Rainey garnering a 5th round pick when it was well documented the off the field issues with that individual.  When was the last time the Steelers had a pick that absolutely shocked everyone?  Can't think of one can you...thats because the Steelers' draft picks have been unbelievably underwhelming and that is why although the team has talent, it lacks skill and depth at some of the most important positions on the football field.  What is going to happen with Ben Roethlisberger leaves or retires?  Landry Jones?  That is laughable.  The answer is nowhere to be found.  It looks like the Steelers will be entering a new Mike Tomczak, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell, and Kent Graham era if you ask me.  That sound like success?  Me neither.

There is more than just draft blunders.  How about the front office?  Under Art Rooney II, the Steelers have faultered.  Sure, they won Super Bowl 43 in Tampa Bay, but that was essentially under Dan Rooney.  The Steelers drafting issues fall on the scouting department, general manager Kevin Colbert, and head coach Mike Tomlin.  The hole that they have dug themselves might take YEARS to climb out of.  This same board also dismissed Bruce Arians.  Whether you liked or demised Arians, you cannot argue he wasn't successful.  Ben Roethlisberger thrived under Arians, and after the dismissal bringing in Todd Haley has done nothing but inject controversy to the team and the organization.  Questionable decisions across the board that, in my opinion, will only set this team back for years to come.

Simply look at the roster and you will see a team that is old in spots, and extremely "green" in others.  Although across the board you see one thing and one thing only...NO QUALITY DEPTH.  This team is 2-5 and hanging by a thread...literally.  Not just injury concerns, but after the starters there is NO ONE qualified to step up.  Mike Tomlin's "the standard is the standard" has become as old and worn out as the age old "we have 6 super bowls and you don't" mantra of SteelerNation.  I am a Steelers fan, and I hope that this isn't the beginning of the end, but if you look at it realistically...its hard not to see more darkness than light ahead.

Penguins Captain, Sidney Crosby, Talks Megna and Team Win

Penguins - 3 / Hurricanes - 1 - VIDEO Highlights

Penguins Coach Dan Bylsma's "Coach's Corner"

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Report

Ben Roethlisberger Discusses Wasting a Time Out and the Raiders

Coach Tomlin's Post Game Press Conference Following Steelers Loss

The Steelers Loss Falls On Everyone

After the Steelers embarrassing attempt at playing the sport of football last night I posted on Twitter that Shaun Suisham should not hold ALL of the blame for the Steelers loss.  Below is my exact tweet:

Ppl cant blame suisham alone for this loss...the entire team played like garbage. #Steelers #SteelerNation
— Black n' Gold Blitz (@BnGBlitz) October 27, 2013

Shaun Suisham Can NOT Bare All the Blame For the Loss

After reading the comments I received after that tweet you would have thought that I personally insulted someone's mother, father, brother, sister, aunt, and their grandmother.  Some people on Twitter forget that everyone is entitled to their own opinion...that's a completely different can of worms that I am not going to open here today; however, the purpose for the above tweet was obvious.  Shaun Suisham missed 2 chip shots that when looking at the final score was extremely costly.  However, were those the only 2 mistakes made by the Steelers?  No.  How about the first play from scrimmage going 93 yards for a TD.  How about the blocked punt that lead to a Raiders TD.  How about Antonio Brown's drop on 3rd and 17 that would have extended a drive.  How about Antonio Brown's dropped pass that lead to an interception deep in Raiders territory?  How about having to burn a crucial timeout late in the game...whether thats on Haley or Ben Roethlisberger doesn't matter...it was costly.  How about a defense that had the Raiders pinned at their own 1 foot line and gave up a 3rd down conversion?  Do I need to continue?  Hopefully you get the picture. The final score dictated that the missed FGs were HUGE, and I'm not a Shaun Suisham apologist.  No, he deserves his slice of the "blame pie", but the entire loss can't fall on his shoulders.

No, this loss falls on everyone.  Coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams.  Mike Tomlin continues to struggle in the time management game, and that was very evident coming down the stretch in the 4th quarter.  One question that still has yet to be answered that I hope gets asked at Tomlin's press conference tomorrow is this: When you convert the 2 point conversion to make the game 21-18 with just under 2 minutes left, why would you not kick the ball deep?  Kicking the ball deep would at least pin the Raiders back in their own end, and as they would run the ball 3 times to try and run out the clock you would at least be getting the ball in position to actually get in FG range.  That, and many other, coaching decisions had me scratching my head.

I obviously glossed over the physical errors on the field that had a hand in the Steelers dropping their 5th game of the season, but for some reason people want to pin this loss on Shaun Suisham.  Some people even want the Steelers to "make an example" of the kicker and release him.  Are you nuts?  The people who put ALL the blame (remember I give Suisham blame, but not all of it) remind me of a golfer that shoots 86 and someone asks why he shot 86 and he responds with, "Well I missed 2 par puts on 9 and 16." and doesn't say anything about the 3 double bogeys that he registered throughout the round.  The Steelers have major issues right now, and ones that aren't easily "fixable".  Oh yeah, don't forget next week the Steelers travel to see Tom Brady and the Patriots in New England.  Should be a fun week.

Fantasy Focus - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Oakland Raiders

Le'Veon Bell - a START for your Fantasy Team

A new feature on the site is going to be an all Pittsburgh Steelers "Fantasy Focus" where I tell anyone that plays Fantasy Football and has a Steeler on their roster whether or not they should "start" or "sit" the player in black n' gold this week.  I take a look at this week's matchup in Oakland vs the Raiders.

START 'EM
- Heath Miller - Lets be honest, Heath Miller is Ben Roethlisberger's safety blanket.  When in doubt, throw it to #83.  Heath will get his touches, especially if Todd Haley decides to deploy extra tackles to help in protection that will allow Heath to run his routes instead of blocking.  The Steelers redzone problems most likely will be solved at some point, and don't be surprised if they are solved with Heath Miller getting more receptions in the red area.  That equals fantasy points for all those that have Heath on their team this week.

- Shaun Suisham - Shaun Suisham is having a career year, and even though the Steelers hope to score more TDs, they will still have plenty of FGs.  Suisham is a solid kicker who should be in your lineup until proven otherwise.

- Steelers D/ST - The Steelers defense is starting to get going in terms of getting pressure on the QB, not to mention they are facing a rookie QB.  Pryor is a different beast though, as he is leading the Raiders in rushing, but the Steelers defense typically does well against QBs like Pryor.  The Steelers special teams have been good all year, and Emmanuel Sanders is already lobbying for more chance to return kick offs, and that could mean points for your fantasy team.

- Le'Veon Bell - The rookie RB is Mike Tomlin's "boy".  Drafted by him, the entire zone blocking scheme was employed for just him.  His patience is something that is rare to see anymore, but ever game he has played he has improved and so have the Steelers rushing totals.  Look for that to continue, but also look for Bell to catch the ball out of the backfield and use his great hands to help the Steelers be more versatile.  Screen passes and swing passes could be the equalizer for a Raiders defense that likes to get after the QB.

- Antonio Brown - I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  Antonio Brown is turning into a younger, faster, and just as versatile Hines Ward.  He will get his catches, but the only question is will be break a long run or get deep?  I say start him anyways for the simple reason is you know the ball is headed his way.

SIT 'EM
- Emmanuel Sanders - Sanders has struggled to get open, and has had some misfortune where Ben was unable to find him when he did get open.  The Raiders do give up passing yards, but Sanders is too much of a question mark to start, in my opinion.

- Jonathan Dwyer / Felix Jones - With Le'Veon Bell visibly turning into the feature back that the Steelers thought he'd be, the work load for Dwyer and Jones is becoming less and less each week.  No need to start either of these two RBs unless someone like Dwyer carves a niche for himself as a goal line back, but I wouldn't bank on that anytime soon.  Sit both of these players.

- Ben Roethlisberger - Although last year Big Ben put up great numbers (over 300yds passing and 4 TDs) in Oakland, this Steelers offense is much more controlled, especially when they are running the ball.  Roethlisberger's stat lines have looked very mediocre in the past 2 wins.  Great news for the Steelers, but bad news for Fantasy owners.  I saw sit Big Ben with the Steelers not trying to be "pass happy".

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