And he was so happy on my previous cover...

Are you for real?*

Who is Chad mad at? Palmer? T.O.? Marvin Lewis? I know he was frustrated over not getting the ball on Monday night, but c'mon man...how selfish can a guy be? I like the guy, but I think he really needs his girlfriend right now.

Funny enough, he's not the only Bengals WR that has cried in public (T.O. following playoff loss to the Giants,"..that's my quarterback")

Can you spare a Pennington, can you spare a dime?

How many times have you been asked to take on more at work without an increase to your salary? That apparently doesn't hold true for Chad Pennington. Now that he's been named the starter, Chad's salary has gone from $2.5M this year to $5.75M. Why? He had it in his contract. You can bet once this gets out, his agent will be fielding a lot of calls from players looking to hire him. Perhaps he can do the same for you? Of course! Give me $1000.00 and I'll give you his cell number.

Rowdy Roddy no more

Read an interesting article on Roddy White, and how he's turned his life and career around (find it here http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/14275088/getting-off-knucklehead-path-saved-whites-career)

It really showed last night against the Ravens : 12 catches, 138 yards, and 2 Touches. What a stud!

Don't make me angry...*

- Dolphins LB Channing Crowder created quite a stir when he accused Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain of spitting in his face during Sunday's game.

"But he spit in my face. He spit in my face. That's some real ho sh**. ..Then they (the officials) said something about they let Karlos Dansby get away with a face mask the play before...who the f*** cares? A guy just spit in my face! I don't give a damn about Karlos Dansby pulling somebody's face mask. Like they didn't see Chad Henne get hit twice when he slid. Yeah, a little Stevie Wonder and Anne Frank."

Asked what the Anne Frank reference meant, Crowder said, "Who was that? Is that the blind girl? Helen Keller...I don't know who the f*** Anne Frank is. I'm mad right now. F*** it. I'm not as swift as I usually am."

Hilarious!

Le'Ron McClain had a classic response: "Nah, I didn't spit on him. That's crazy," McClain said. "That's not my game. I'm Le'Ron McClain, man. Le'Ron McClain don't spit on another player. But I will block you. Four quarters. That's a fact."

Even funnier! But yeah, he definitely spat on him. Video evidence backed up Crowder's claim.

Big Hit/ Big Hair*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jurF_NXRFgU

Beg, Borrow, and Steel

Someone recently asked me why Rhino Spiel never covers the Steelers; and it was a fair point. After all, the Spiel should be non-biased, treating all NFL teams as equals. So here goes:

• One of the most prolific, well-run Sports Franchises in the NFL. If not the world.



• 6 Superbowl victories. 7 AFC Championships. 19 Division Titles.



• 24 Individuals in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.



• Historical rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys (all-time series tied 15-15, these teams hold the record for the most times that two teams have met in the Superbowl (3...Steelers lead the series 2-1).



• 2 coaches that have left indelible marks on the football world- Chuck Knoll and Bill Cowher.



• Meanings of the Astroids on their logo? "Steel lightens your work, brightens your leisure, and widens your world". The Astroid colours represent the ingredients made in the steel making process: yellow for coal, red for iron ore, and blue for scrap steel.



• Original team name? Pittsburgh Pirates (1933).



• During WWII merged with the Philadelphia Eagles franchise (due to player shortages) to form the team Phil-Pitt Steagles.



• Recent rumours: 1. James Harrison brutally sacked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at NFL Headquarters 2 weeks ago (a la the Michael Strahan/ Donovan McNabb commercial) after receiving word of yet another fine- this time for a late hit on QB Drew Brees. At that point he figured 'what's another $100K?' After all, in 2009 he signed a 6 year, $51,000,000.00 contract. 2. Why is Jenn Sterger refusing to talk to the NFL about Brett Favre? Because the pictures were actually sent by Ben Roethlisberger. Shhhhhh...
  

Happy Steeler fan? Geesh... :)

Fantasy Football Update

D&G League: I keep hearing how in no way did it make sense for ABT to start Fitzpatrick against the Ravens (Week 7) . That he lucked out. But was it crazy? Or did he just do his research?

- In the 3 previous games, against the Pats, Jets, and Jags, Fitzpatrick was a combined 52/85, 595 yards, 7 TDs, and 2 ints.

- Over that same time span, the Baltimore passing D had given up 62 completions (103 attempts), 747 yards, and 3 Touches (3 ints).

- ABT can speak for himself, but you gotta figure if Fitzpatrick can come in and complete 60% of his passes and net an average of 250 yds and 2 TDs, it would be great opportunity to sit Henne (ABT's other active QB) who had a tough match-up vs. Pittsburgh.

- And to further prove the point, Matt Ryan, a good but not prolific passer, cranked out 32/50, with 316 yards and 3 Touches last night. The Baltimore passing D ain't "who we thought they were...if you wanna crown them, then...."

TonyNFL League: Goose/Nick get a decent start to the weekend with 35 points from Flacco. But, it would have been an even better start if they didn't leave Roddy White on the bench. Ouch. See the previous article on the Raven's passing D.

Everyone's focus needs to be on stopping Gabe and Rick. If the gap isn't closed over the next 3 weeks, it'll be "forever hold your peace". These wily vets are showing the rest of us how to make the most out of a roster. Are you going to let them give you the stiff arm?

Touch Football Update:

- The Bear Obsessions notched up another win against a younger, faster team Wednesday night. The D was a wall and the offense was productive enough to bring it home 20-7. I guess the old guys are no longer a secret. The next game against the Gunners should prove more challenging as they're playing well this season and will be looking to avenge a bad loss to the Obsessions a few seasons back.

- The Canes went at 50% and even flipped the O and D rosters last Saturday, and still netted a tie ( 26 apiece) against the Mudrunners in a meaningless game. However, those same teams will hook up for real this Saturday in a playoff game. The winner advances to the Championship. Will be fun, but won't be easy by any stretch. You think the Mudrunners weren't going half-speed as well?

*Courtesy Footballguys.com

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