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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=gallo/061127

From Champs to Chumps

By DJ Gallo
Special to Page 2

Pittsburgh's reign as NFL champion all but ended Sunday thanks to a 27-0 stomping by the Ravens. At 4-7, all that's left is another week or two and some fancy mathematics to make it official.

But what has caused such a quick and dramatic decline? The last two seasons the Steelers were a combined 31-7 (including the playoffs). Now, with virtually the same personnel, they are just two games behind in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft.

Not surprisingly, there are many reasons.

Coaching. So Bill Cowher decided to retire after the Super Bowl. That's fine. I understand. But the Steelers should have hired a replacement. It's nice they're trying to honor their legendary coach this season by placing a cardboard cutout of Cowher on the sidelines in memoriam, but the team has obviously suffered because of it. And, really, the cardboard-cutout Cowher is not a very good representation of the man who stalked the Steelers' sideline for 14 years. It is expressionless. It has no passion. It is unaffected by what happens on the field. And heck -- the Steelers could have at least hooked up a $10 garden hose to the cardboard Cowher's mouth with some duct tape so they could make it spit sometimes, you know? A little effort would be nice.

Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger made playing quarterback in the NFL look easy during his first two seasons. This year? Not so much. What's worse is that it is unclear why he's struggling. And while I hate to resort to clich?s and conventional wisdom, you almost wonder if an old, well-known football saying applies here: "It's tough to play well when you've been hit by a car, had abdominal surgery and been the recipient of a concussion all within a few months." Of course, another well-known saying could be at play here, too: "Act like a tool in a Fathead commercial and karma will get you."

Leadership. Jerome Bettis' on-field performance last season was overrated. But the Steelers miss Bettis' presence in the locker room. He led them with his physical style of play. He led them emotionally. And he led them to the postgame spread, often leaving no food for anyone else. That kept his teammates slim, fit and hungry -- all elements Pittsburgh is lacking this season.

Defense. Pittsburgh befuddled opponents last season with its trademark zone blitz defense, regularly overwhelming and confusing opposing quarterbacks with pressure coming from all directions. But apparently the Steelers decided to change things up this season -- the idea being that other teams would prepare all offseason for that sort of pressure and be ready for it. So now when the Steelers blitz they simply run right at the opponent's line and dance around for five seconds or so, never bothering to reach the quarterback. And while this is no doubt confusing to watch, it has been much less effective than last year's scheme.

Offensive line. As much as the Steelers have struggled this year, they have had success throwing screen passes to running back Willie Parker. This is because Pittsburgh's offensive linemen practice blocking for a screen pass on almost every play by regularly allowing opposing defenders to run right past them.

Special teams. Kick returners Ricardo Colclough and Santonio Holmes almost single-handedly lost the Steelers several games this season with their inability to catch or secure the football. The position has been solidified ever since Najeh Davenport was given the kick returning duties, however. But anyone familiar with Davenport's background won't be surprised if he suddenly is exposed and drops one on the carpet.

Motivation. The Steelers organization spent 26 years going after "One for the thumb." So there was bound to be a bit of a letdown after that goal was finally achieved. Plus, where is the next one supposed to go? On the other thumb? Or do you start on the pinkie and finish with the thumb? And if it's the pinkie, how do you get 53 football players motivated by a pinkie ring? And if you are able to get them motivated by a pinkie ring, haven't they all lost already? Until the Steelers can answer these important questions they will continue to flounder.

<img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

You wish so badly the only problem the Browns had was which finger their 6th Super Bowl ring will go on.

You Clowns are a joke. You are so desperate, you probably searched all day for that article, and just couldn't wait to post it. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Bill Cowher had no problem outcoaching Romeo Crennel.



Had no troubles playing against your defense last time. In fact, he had all the time in the world to throw.




Who was providing the leadership for the Browns the last time we played your team? Kellen Winslow? <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />





How many rushing yards did Droughns have? Ummm...18 was it?







Opened up holes wide enough to fit a Mack truck in. Please note my sig.





Didn't allow good field position.





<img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes_devil.gif" alt="" />

next time, read the article,

it is a humorous article.

laugh a little.

I did read the article - I read it the day that it came out, which was Nov. 27th. Furthermore, the article was already posted right here in the shack already on the same day.




I did....I laughed when we crushed you during our last meeting. Even during one of our worst seasons ever, we're still better than you!

Doesn't get much funnier than that, does it? <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

You don't have to be too concerned with that. Steeler fans laugh a lot. At the Browns. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

What is with this 'our' and 'we' stuff ? What position do you have on the team ? <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes_devil.gif" alt="" /> Oh Boy the remarks most of us would like to insert here. <img src="/images/graemlins/saywhat.gif" alt="" />

Oh Get Real IRE. Most fans, and I dare say even you relate to their teams like that. What's wrong, ran out of smack? <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Yeah but Steeler fans use it as a personnel victory over other fans. Some people just watch their team to just enjoy it. The fans that use their team as a personnel vicory dont have much going for them.

You would be wrong . I take credit for the things I do , I root for a my favorite team to do well but I don't say we, our , mine when in a conversation about the team . I can understand that life in the trailers of western Pa. are pretty hopeless so you must take success where you can find it no?

That's a convenient way to disassociate yourself with habitual losers, and yet continue to be a fan.
I bet if the Browns were winners you would be saying "we" and "our", ain't that right Irene?

LOL, talk about a hypocrite. You change teams on a weekly basis. You've claimed to be a fan of 4 different teams since you've been posting on the boards. Yet YOU talk about someone else trying to disassociate from a team? At least he doesn't change teams more often than he does his underwear like you, troll. Who will your favorite team be next week, trollboy? The Titans have won a few lately, it might be time for you to change bandwagons again. <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

Did someone say something?

I've been a fan longer than you've been alive and in all of that time there has only been one football team I've ever given a damn about . The Browns . Not that you would know about such lofty ideas such as loyalty....troll. <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Therefore, you don't use "we" or "us" because the only team that you give a damn about sucks big time, and are habitual losers. So whats your point?

<img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Sad , sad little man. Daddy never pay much attention to you on Sundays when you were little ? He was too busy with the Browns game to pay attention to his disappointment of a son . Maybe the reason he rooted for the Browns was because they had no cheerleaders thus you were more likely to watch the game than try and cheer along with the girls. I pity your father. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Oh brother.

Nya nya nya nya. And my daddy could beat up your daddy.
Liar liar pants on fire.

Grow up kid, and don't come back until you learn to smack a little.

If you ask me, this is just a convienient way for you to disregard my posts in this thread that actually had to do with football. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />



Oh boy oh boy oh boy.....what? What are they? <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes_devil.gif" alt="" />

So, how much are you enjoying the football season so far?

That would be YOUR Steelers who up untill a few years ago had a losing lifetime regular season record. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> The Browns are 414 -351 with 10 ties now go do your homework Toby and look up the steelers lifetime won lose record. While your at it maybe you could explain why Art Rooney sold the steelers in 1940, and you can try to explain why Pittsburgh was known as the "Carpets one year, and the Steagles in another year <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Oh no here we go again. Looks like you've done a full 360 and are back to this doggie doo doo.

And I guess thinking about the ancient Steelers and or Clowns makes you feel a lot better after each Steeler beatdown. They should of played old reruns of Otto at halftime during the 41-0 embarrassment, then you could of seen Clown fans in their teens, 20's, 30's, and 40's who never experienced Browns (cough) greatness exit the stadium all happy and barking.


No matter how hard you try Pedro, you will never get me to give a rat's behind what happened before my lifetime, and why should I? I am enjoying way to much what is happening DURING my lifetime; the complete and total domination of the Browns by the Steelers, 5 SB championships, 18 division titles, only 9 losing seasons since '70, and Brown fans crying like babies.

It is only fair that you try hard in that tiny little brain to understand my position, because I can understand your position quite clearly.....ancient history is all you've got.

Enjoy.

But as you so well seem to put in the 41-0 into each and every pathetic post you spue out...that is in no comparison to the 51-0 beat-down,shalacking we put on your Squeelers(in your lifetime I'm sure..since you seem to know so much about the 70's and 80's)..and furthermore SkidMark...we did this to your team in Pittspuke!!! Now once again...ours is in the past just as well as yours is..but we hung over 50 on you...so try and dismiss this..as I'm sure you will try to do..and fail as usual!! <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

You can explain the WWII era since that was your hayday and when you were in your prime. <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Sadly all the Clowns have left is Black and White Shack smack. All they have to look forward to is another long offseason stuck in the basement where its cold and damp and chills to the bone.

Some people ask why I started the Clown Hunters Sanctuary for Wayward Downtrodden Clown fans. Its because the madness has to stop. The once proud organization the Cleveland Browns has been reduced to the Crapland Clowns. The inept Front Office, the bum Draft picks, the Infamous Chokes, the on the field stumblebum antics, and the shame of having to watch your old team win the Super Bowl clad in Barney Purple led by a murderer have led to some Clown fans finally snapping.

We have all seen the tape where the Clown crowds tore out the seats in their old stadium by the foundations. We have seen them throw plastic projectiles at Jaguars, Refs, Lineman, and even their own players. Jimmy Smith of the Jaguars said he was scared for his life. It was like Hurricane Katrina x 100. We have seen them clap and applaud after their own first round pick had been concussed almost to sleep by the Ravens.

With the help of Cesar Milan the Dawg Whisperer, I have created a haven for the bitter Clown fan. Its a Godsend.

Poor Clowns indeed! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

So Toby you type, and you type yet you still avoided the question. You call us "habitual losers" yet when the truth is thrown in your face and your made to look even more foolish you do your best to avoid answering the questions. But don't worry Toby I'll be here to beat you around the next two weeks and long into the future.

AHHH the good old days <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

No one can possibly fail when bashing the Clowns because there is just too much ammunition available. I know that 51-0 game you speak of quite well. It was a result of the Steelers bumbling and fumbling all game, not a beatdown like the Steelers lay on the Stains every year.

Think about it Sipey boy, if the Clowns were truly 51-0 better than the Steelers, then they should of easily won the second meeting, but they did not. The Steelers dominated the second game. I would rather inflict 41-0 and 43-0 beatdowns, than one 51-0 fluke. But that was then, and this is now, and right now the Steelers own Cleveland!!

Oh, and thank you for reading each and every one of my posts.

Oh, and one more thing Sipey boy, Skidmark is kinda cute, but it's already been taken. You Clowns already own the rights to "Skidmarks." Skidmarks, Stains, Turds and Browns...... It's all the same crap!!!.

You truly do have the imagination of a 10 year old don't you SkidMark?Weather or not you chose to believe that heritage has anything to do with a team..you'd be wrong..AGAIN!! Our team is still in the begining stages of becoming a better and more productive..but to a silly lil' fella like yourself will dismiss the fact that the Squeelers went 0-49 before ever winning their first game...and since comming back..we have had a play-off appearance...with more to come..and soon..and oh how sweet it will be to m ake you and the rest of you Stoolers eat your words.We have hit rock bottom..only one way to got from there..as for your team...slow and painful fall from the top...all the way to the bottom..with a big splash.Champs to Chumps...how's that taste? <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Damn. Poor Clowns. It seems that the Clowns came back in 99, sucked. Backed their way into the playoffs in 02, only to be smacked down by the Steelers led by TiMobile. Regress back into rebuilding mode. Now its 06 and you are still in the basement.

It seems the Clown FO is putting out a bunch of crap and keeps telling the fans "wait till next year" Sadly next year is like the year before. Like a twisted version of the movie Groundhog Day.

This is why the Sanctuary was founded. Good Grief. Poor Clowns indeed! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Winning 7 of the last 10 to end the year is backing into the playoffs?

It is. Not knocking you guys but you were the 6th seed that year. You beat out Denver and NE based on your better conference record. You backed in and grabbed the last spot. If it was not for the Dwayne Rudd Dud you would have been in easily.

Nothing wrong with backing in as long as you get in. We were the 6th seed also last year. We backed in. Instead of blowing a 17 point lead in the wildcard game, we did the unthinkable and beat the #1 2 and 3 seeded Afc teams and the #1 seeded Nfc team to win it all.

Poor Clowns. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

That old Coot GM was already 30 when the Steelers were known as the Steagles for one yr. Now his idea of big night out is turning up the electric blanket. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> At any rate, even as his advance age, that don't stop him from Smacking Chumps silly. There's something to be said for that <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

habitual losers.[/quote]

[/quote]You truly do have the imagination of a 10 year old don't you SkidMark?Weather or not you chose to believe that heritage has anything to do with a team..you'd be wrong..AGAIN!! Our team is still in the begining stages of becoming a better and more productive.. but to a silly lil' fella like yourself will dismiss the fact that the Squeelers went 0-49 before ever winning their first game [/quote]

Excuse me, but me thinks you Exaggerate quite a bit <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

1933: On September 20th the city of Pittsburgh finally got its first taste of pro-football when the Pirates debuted with a 23-2 loss to the New York Giants at Forbes Field. A week later the Pirates would squeeze out a 14-13 victory at Forbes over the Chicago Cardinals . The Pirates would go on to complete their first season with a 3-6-2 record. However, Coach Jap Douds was still replaced by Luby DiMelio, following the season. <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

They have to go way in the past to even come up with smack. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The last game
Willie Parker 223 yards. 303 total rushing yards.

Browns 18 rushing yards. No rushing first downs lol.

That shows how sorry the Browns are. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Imagine the blowout scores the Steelers would have given to the Browns if Cowher wouldn't have called off the dogs all those times. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Steel, I don't like electric blankets. It doesn't get cold enough around here for them. However my big nights out usually start around noon anymore and end by 6 to 8 PM <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[/quote]You truly do have the imagination of a 10 year old don't you SkidMark?Weather or not you chose to believe that heritage has anything to do with a team..you'd be wrong..AGAIN!! Our team is still in the begining stages of becoming a better and more productive.. but to a silly lil' fella like yourself will dismiss the fact that the Squeelers went 0-49 before ever winning their first game [/quote]

Excuse me, but me thinks you Exaggerate quite a bit <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" />

1933: On September 20th the city of Pittsburgh finally got its first taste of pro-football when the Pirates debuted with a 23-2 loss to the New York Giants at Forbes Field. A week later the Pirates would squeeze out a 14-13 victory at Forbes over the Chicago Cardinals . The Pirates would go on to complete their first season with a 3-6-2 record. However, Coach Jap Douds was still replaced by Luby DiMelio, following the season. <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes1.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]Yet another genius in the Stooler pool...who said anything about the Pirates? I said the Squeelers.You do not hear anyone here talking about the Cleveland Rams do you?NO!! This is all talk about The Browns and Squeelers..nice try though <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

Poor Clowns. The Steelers were originally named the Pirates. Also when the team got renamed in 41 the Steelers did record a win. In 42 we went 7-4, so your 0-49 statement is . . . well. . to put it bluntly quite Clownish.

Damn. People wonder why I say Poor Clowns.



<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Pure babble about showing you know nothing as usual.Do your homework before you spue out trash...the internet is a powerful tool when used correctly..try doing something besides looking up when the Back Door Boys are getting back together.

[/quote]Yet another genius in the Stooler pool... who said anything about the Pirates? I said the Squeelers.You do not hear anyone here talking about the Cleveland Rams do you? NO!! This is all talk about The Browns and Squeelers..nice try though <img src="/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> [/quote] Does anything need to be added after this response? In fact what is the appropriate response? Oh that would be. <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Try Google next time. That is before you make a fool of yourself~~~AGAIN! <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" />

Wow. Poor Clowns indeed! <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The Bitterness of having to look forward to another long offseason in the basement has pushed Sipe over the edge. Come into the Clown Hunters Sanctuary for Wayward Downtrodden Clown fans.

We can help.