I thought about live-blogging or drafting this post during the game, but I'm sort of glad I didn't because I would've written a Wow-That-Sucked post, then deleted it and written a Despite-His-Neil-O'Donnell-Like-Efforts-Big-Ben -Managed-Not-To-Completely-Throw-The-Game post, and then deleted that and written this little Aww-Shucks-Better-Luck-Next-Season post. That's just way too much effort; this blog is all about half-assing things. (And apparently loving the - button.)

So the season is officially over and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit disappointed, especially since we came back from behind and got thisclose to winning the game. But considering how far we came from last year's dismal season with a rookie coach and an injury-plagued team, I really can't be that disappointed. In fact, I'm rather impressed we did this well.

I'm especially impressed with Mr. Roethlisberger's improved play. He's managed to silence all of last year's naysayers who declared that he was a flash in the pan whose career was over and prove that he's back and better than ever. He broke the Steelers franchise records for passer rating (and was second only to Tom Brady in the league) and touchdowns (#3 in the league), and all this despite an O-line that allowed him to be sacked more than 50 times this season. Pretty damn impressive. I think he's still highly underrated (and better than Tony Romo), but that's another rant for another time.

I'll just leave you with my brief notes on the season:

-Despite Bob Ligashesky's assurances to the contrary, special teams continues to be cataclysmically, game-ruiningly awful.

-We're still getting waaay too many stupid penalties.

-Big Ben is probably safer on his motorcycle than behind our O-line. They allowed him to be sacked 47 times in the regular season and like 5 times tonight [Ed. Note - it was actually 6]. This is even more disastrous than it looks at first glance when you consider how good Ben is at escaping sacks. Pittsburgh's O-line couldn't stop my grandmother from sacking Big Ben. And she's got Parkinson's and 2 fake knees.

-Sean Mahan was a terrible acquisition and probably the main reason for the stat above. With Alan Faneca most likely gone next season, it ain't gonna get any better. Coach Tomlin's got some serious retooling to do.

-Daniel Sepulveda was a much better acquisition. His punts don't go a whole lot further than Chris "I-Make-Up-For-Never-Having-A-Punt-Blocked -By-Only-Punting-The-Ball-30-Yards" Gardocki, but let's not forget that awesome punt fake for a 32-yd completion to Najeh Davenport. He can pass and has the ability to do this. Upgrade.

-Ike Taylor still cannot catch.

-Anthony Smith is not, in fact, true to his word.

-When he's not injured and getting in trouble with the law, Santonio Holmes is pretty damn awesome.

-I'm impressed with Mike Tomlin's coaching so far. As well as his continuing ability to look just like Omar Epps.

-Willie Parker's broken leg and his replacement by Najeh Davenport allowed me to use twice as many "Dump Truck" jokes as usual. While I obviously missed Willie and was sad that he didn't get the rushing title, this was a nice consolation prize.

-Best of all, this was the season that brought us the unparalleled fabulosity of Steely McBeam. Heeeeey!




Well that just about does it. We'll keep you up to date w/ the other playoff games as we feel like it. As for me personally, I'm rooting for ANYONE besides the Patriots and Cowboys. That would be a Super Bowl of unprecedented evil. But more on that unspeakable possibility later.


[Photo by Getty Images]

Labels: nfl playoffs, pittsburgh steelers

Man, we decide to make a comeback and absolutely nothing is going on in the world of sports. Just perfect. This is almost as disappointing as Britney Spears's "comeback." And speaking of Britney, it's slow news days like these when I wish she played some sort of professional sport. I'd never be at a loss for things to blog about.


I was going to post something about the Mavericks-Warriors matchup the other day, but I got distracted by how outlandishly large Baron Davis's ass is and couldn't think of anything else worth mentioning.


So while I can't promise any quality posts today (or ever), I can promise that I will drink a few cans of Steel Reserve and blog about the Steelers playoff game tomorrow. I can't promise it will be funny, coherent, or even intelligible, but then again are my posts ever? (Hint: NO.) But I can promise to be drunk.

My predictions for the wild card playoff games tomorrow are as follows:

Seahawks v. Redskins - Seahawks fans will complain about the officiating for at least a solid year. Unless they win.

Steelers v. Jaguars - While in the throes of a Steel Reserve-induced haze I will make a "Faguars" pun and think it's hilarious. Then I will loudly repeat said pun until someone acknowledges it with pity laughter or punches me in the face.

See you guys tomorrow.

Labels: baron davis, chronic alcoholism, nfl playoffs, random