8 straight!

Pens won their eighth straight game ending a 12-game losing streak against Tampa Bay last night winning 4-1. Ty Conklin remains undefeated (9-0-0) and that is amazing considering this kid hanging out in Scranton about a month ago. The Pens seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now and Staal scored for the first time in seven games. Fleury is due back from injury soon but I think Michel Thierrien would be nuts to mess with the vibe on this team right now. Historically Tampa Bay has been a tough place to play for the Pens (they hadn't won there since 2003) so this was a big win on the road. The Pens remain one point behind New Jersey as they travel to Atlanta tomorrow night to take on the Thrashers.

I have been scouring the 'net looking for sports news worth talking about (ok, that I am interested in talking about) when I remembered that for some of you football season isn't over. So I guess it's my obligation to cater to all demographics. On that note, the NFL Playoffs continue tomorrow. It appears that the Jags are no longer the "team under the radar" as I have heard lots of sport folk picking them to upset the Pats this weekend. I expect to see a good game and I do think the Jags have a shot to win in Foxborough. However, I hope Tom Brady lights them up like a Christmas tree. The bandwagon is getting crowded here in Jax...don't strain your backs jumping on! (Reader Mrs. B probably needs a heating pad right now...)

Oh yeah, the Seahawks are traveling to Green Bay tomorrow for the NFC divisional game. Since I wouldn't mind old Brett Farrrvreee winning it all this year I guess the Packers are my pick. Anyone have the over under on how many times the broadcasters will use the following sentences; "He just has so much fun out there!", "That interception wasn't his fault.", or my fave, "He's a gunslinger!!" You can't deny he is a funny guy though. Here's some classic video.

A cool story from Big Ben News....Ben is involved with PROTRADE, a twist on fantasy football where you buy and sell players based on their market value. The winner this year was a guy named Bob from Rochester who traveled to Pittsburgh last month to hang out with Ben. He blogged about his trip and took plenty of pics.

To read Bob's story click this link: http://www.protrade.com/content/DisplayArticle.html?sp=Sb6ae7d38-bf11-11dc-ba00-574828460f5a

Our favorite Brit is up to her old tricks. Whether blondes have more fun has yet to be determined. At least in Amy's case.

Tuesday Sports Talk

LSU - 38

Ohio State - 24

The Blowout Championship Series concluded with LSU's victory against Ohio State last night in New Orleans. I guess I should be happy since I'm hardly and OSU fan and my team plays in the SEC but I have never been one of those "root within your conference" folks. Logically I suppose I should be since who's in your conference in important is important in the rankings but I really couldn't care less about last night's game. Now of course, the debating on if either team really belonged in the National Championship game continues....on that note the SEC and ACC are trying to establish a +1 playoff system. Anything would be an imporvment over the current system but I think they need to go with 16 playoff teams. That would include the 11 conference champions and give bids to five at large teams. We will see if anything comes of it. Of course the Pac 10 and Big Ten both oppose any kind of playoffs. Oh, the politics of sports!!!!

One of my Steelers peeps comments was published in the Jacksonville Times-Union's Monday Morning Quarterback.

"Pittsburgh's prevent offense displayed with three minutes left in the game once again takes the ball out of Ben's hands after scoring on the four previous possessions. The loss is on the Steelers coaching staff."

Well said, Ralph but I still can't forgive our horrendous special teams who did what they did best all year....SUCK! There is so many holes in the team that it really is a wonder looking back we ended up with a winning record this season. The off season agenda should start with Ben restructuring his contract. He has two years left on his original deal and is scheduled to pick up a pretty hefty bonus but considering Charlie Batch's salary was actually more than Ben's this year I can expect something will get done soon. Especially after Romo's outrageous deal in Dallas. Plus I want to go into next season knowing Ben's going to be around for long haul.

In happier 'burgh news Sidney Crosby led all NHL All Star voting again this year with more than 200,000 votes than the next player.

So far, he's the only Penguin heading to Atlanta but the remainder of the rosters will be announced later this week. Speak of the devil, Sid just scored to put the Pens up 2-0 on the Panthers....woot!

No surprise that Fred Taylor was added to the AFC's roster for the Pro Bowl but this did shock me a bit:

"Taylor initially considered turning down a Pro Bowl invitation if either Tomlinson, Addai or Parker couldn't make the trip for the Feb. 10 game -- he even said "maybe the Pro Bowl doesn't deserve Fred Taylor" -- but his wife convinced him otherwise."

He's a good back and has been an important player for Jacksonville but to think he deserved to go over any of those three players...okay, sure. He wasn't even one of the top five rushers this season. When he's been healthy he has been solid for the Jags and reaching the 10,000 yard mark is a great milestone for him but that's a lot of sour grapes to consider turning the invite down.

So American Idol is starting up again here soon. I know millions and millions of folk religiously watch this show and I am not one of them. I did watch quite a bit of the season with Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin and company. I love those guys but of course neither one of them won despite being the most talented vocalists. That's why I don't watch, it has nothing to do with who is the best singer. Case in point...this guy.

He was dropped from his record dealwith J Records today. Shocking.

The New Hampshire primaries were today and with a majority of precincts reporting it appears McCain has won the Republican race there. Who says Americans won't vote for the old guy?

The Democratic race is too close to call but Hilldo has a slight lead on Obama at this point. There was record turnout today and that's great to hear. This is one of the most important Presidential races in history and it's good to see that people care.

That's it from me for the day. Until tomorrow....

Big Ben sings AND dances!

Ben Roethlisberger: NFL Rookie of the Year, Super Bowl winning QB, 2007 Pro Bowl Quarterback

and Air Guitar Specialist.

Click here to watch Ben, Keisel, Cedrick and the boys...

http://www.cmt.com/loaded/player.jhtml?lnk=v&vid=189411&source=OD_VIDEO:undefined:CMT+Giants:+Hank+Williams+Jr.+-+6+-+Steven+Tyler,+Terry+Bradshaw#189411&launchedFrom=loaded

Big Game Thursday for Pittsburgh

I better see A LOT of this tonight!

We have Steelers at Rams, Pitt playing Duke and the Pens at Boston all happening tonight. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I will only be able to catch Pitt on ESPN and the Steelers on America's favorite channel, the NFL Network, so my remote control should not implode from the channel surfing.

The Steelers have to win tonight...have to. Steven Jackson has returned to his form over the last few weeks (good for my fantasy team, bad for the Steelers) and our run defense has been a bit suspect as of late. And I think we can all agree that he is a better back than Freddy T. Hopefully two consecutive losses and the division hanging in the balance will motivate these guys to lock it up tonight. Plus it would really suck for my sister-in-law to have to return to work with Bulger's pops next week. So what if Marc's from the 'burgh...he went to WVU for God's sake!

By the way, enjoying every moment of the train wreck that is the West Virginia football program right now. From the death threats to the kicker, to the bolting of Rodriguez (what a punk!), to the mayor of Rich's hometown taking down "Home of Rich Rodriguez" signs. You stay classy West Virginia!

The Pens have Conklin making his first start in goal tonight after the injury bug has run rampant. Hopefully the Pens can get one in the win column after getting shutout by the Rangers on Tuesday. Plus, it's always nice to beat a Boston team.

Speaking of beating a Boston team, kudos the DEEEEEtroit Pistons for coming up with a win against the almighty Celts last night. I watched quite a bit of that game and Boston gave their last possesion of the game to Paul Pierce who really was not on his game all night long. The Pistons hung with them all game but really didn't take control until the 4th quarter. A lot of big names in the game but I'm not sure there is a more underrated defender or outside shooter in the league than Tayshaun Prince.

In other news, here is the obligatory Tim Tebow shout out: Tim was named AP Player of the Year yesterday. Seriously, he could probably run for governer in Florida and win right now.

Some Thursday newslinks for you:

• More bad national news out of J-Ville. A chemical explosion took the life of 4 people and injured more than a dozen others. I felt like I was watching video of the H-Bomb when I saw that mushroom cloud. Just horrible.
  

  http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/19/jax.irpt/index.html?iref=24hours



• Jacksonville is drunker than the 'burgh?!?! Say it ain't so! http://www.menshealth.com/drunk/

• My husband Ben stopped by the WDVE Xmas party to sing about balls. Of course the Mayor (A.K.A. The biggest jock sniffer in the 'burgh) managed to get a picture with Benny.

Click here to watch the video: http://www.dve.com/pages/xmas07.html?feed=237117&article=3048625

• Peter King is picking against the Steelers tonight...NO, you don't say, I don't believe it, he bleeds black and gold! http://www.fannation.com/peter_king_challenge/pickoff



• This is AWESOME! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3163105
  
  

Noooooooo FIDO!

I'm off for the day. I have to swing by church to light a quick candle for my boys tonight. Have a good one!

Hump Day Highlights...or should I say lowlights?

STEELERS-22

JAGOFFS- 29

Well, here I am, back from the 'burgh. Obviously a disappointing game on many levels. Mostly because I live in Jacksonville and all the Jags "fans" love to crawl out of the woodwork about now. Honestly, I wish I could give a great game summary but here's what I remember....it was freakin cold. I mean COLD! As soon as Chris Kirkpatrick (I heart *N'Sync!) belted out the first line of the National Anthem the skies opened up and the snow and wind was swirling around like crazy. Seriously though...huge drops by just about everyone, bad run defense and Ben running for his life. You know, what feels to be a typical game the last few weeks.

Now we need to beat St. Louis in yet another trap game for us. And do it on a short week of preparation. I hate these Thursday Night games but that's for another post. Everyone hates the term "must win" but no doubt this game qaulifies as such for the Steelers. The last thing we need is to have to walk into Baltimore in order to clinch the division.

Another thought on the game....what's up with the Steelers' fans on Sunday? I know that the games have been sold out since 1970 and all that but what happened to actually going to the games? I mean...in YOUR SEAT! That means that just because you got shitfaced and ate a pound of pierogies at your tailgate doesn't mean you were actually at the game, you know supporting your team and helping with that thing called home field advantage. I have lived in Florida for 10 years and I sat my ass there for the entire game. Stop taking it for granted 'burghers! Besides, it makes it kind of hard for me to make fun of other team's fans. Insert a cringing emoticon here.

On a much happier note I was so glad to see Ben make the Pro Bowl. He certainly doesn't have the flashy stats as Wonder Boy or Peyton year in and year out but let's get real here...without him I'm not sure what our record is right now. Also congrats in order for Willie, Silverback, Faneca and Troy. I read that Ben plans to take his o-line with him to Hawaii...he never stops trying to motivate them to you know....DO THEIR JOB!

Other than the game, I had a blast as I always do when I go home. Only one thing I missed....didn't get my roast beef and cheese from Primanti's. Fortunately I leave for home again next week so I won't have to wait long!

More stuff:

Here's some super fun news! Jamie Lynn Spears is preggers! Yes, Brit's little sister apparently also wants to be a young mom just like her big sis did. Hey ya'll...they're country!

Amy Winehouse Update: Arrested and released on bail for obstructing justice. She has already canceled her European Tour, snorted enough coke to kill a horse and has had her mother publicly plead through a long ass letter to encourage her to get her act together. 2007 has not been her year. Looky here...I found a picture of her without her trademark beehive. If she kepts her mouth closed she might actually not look that bad.

Dadgummit! Those boys in Tallahassee just can't get their learn on! Look on the bright side, Bobby, they only caught half your team! http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3159534

I'm still getting back into the swing of things so I apologize for the short post today. I will strive to get my priorities straight this week....no beer, just blogging! I appreciate coming home to my inbox full of e-mails asking where I've been! Thanks to all my peeps for continuing to read!