This Steelers defense has that defining characteristic of every great Steelers D: a commitment to playing physical, disciplined football which makes it impossible to run the ball on them consistently or fool them with counters or trick plays.

However, Mike Tomlin has made them even better by fixing a lot of problems in the secondary. In years past, the Steelers blitz often left average defensive backs in one-one-one man coverage, running with receivers and in poor position to make plays. Teams that were able to pick up blitzes and elite QB’s that attacked the coverage burned the Steelers time and again, especially in the playoffs. Now, the Steelers play a lot of Cover 2 behind the blitz; the zone coverage puts defensive backs in a great position to read the QB’s eyes and make plays on the ball when the blitz is effective.

As for the Steelers offense, in the AFC Championship they were focused on playing mistake-free football, playing it close to the vest and winning it at the end. This week I look for them to open up the playbook and attack. The Cardinals linebackers are not particularly intimidating. I look for the Steelers to go after the LB’s with runs around the edges, away from the outstanding safety Adrian Wilson, with play action passes to receivers in the middle of the field, and anytime a linebacker is covering Mewelde Moore or Heath Miller.

What’s up with Tony Romo?  Is he the most overrated QB in the league?  Well I wouldn’t go that far (cough cough…Brett Favre…cough cough…) but he is dang near up there.  If I was Jerry Jones, I might consider ending this relationship, “Tony, it’s not you, it’s me.”  It’s like Tony is the abusive boyfriend, sure he can be fantastic and great to us sometimes, but other times he can punch us in the gut leaving us gasping for air.  Then at the next press conference he leaves us with empty promises ”Baby, I won’t ever do that again, I’ll be the leader you need.”  He can sometimes run the offense like Peyton Manning and run like a white Michael Vick (are we still talking about this guy?) but other times he looks like a 2nd string High School QB starting his first game who really doesn’t have a grip on football rather than the teams offense.

He became America’s sweetheart too fast.  He never really earned his title of such a highly admired QB.  Bledsoe’s career was ended by a GIANT debacle.  The Dallas Cowboys had no other choice but to bench the oldie and put in Romo as their new starting QB.  Compared to that old hag, I think a kid in a wheel had more mobility and probably more smarts than Bledsoe.  He became an instant celebrity dating Hollywood d-listers.  On a side note, did Jessica Simpson kill her career or did Romo’s constant choking make her a county fair singing loser? 

Well, back to Tony, is it just me or does he seem to dissapoint us further every season? Butterfingers his first playoff appearance, stinking up the field his second, and not even getting into the playoffs his third?  Let’s break this down.  Tony’s stock is dropping lower than the Dow Jones.  Jerry Jones can get a great deal for him, people think he’s one of the top 5 QB’s in the league.  Perhaps a package of Tony and TO?  Get a real QB.  I think Byron Leftwich would be a better fit for Dallas than Tony.  Tony’s just not the leader and doesn’t play with the consistency the Dallas cowboys need.  I’d trade his stock.  Get rid of the guy, and maybe the Cowboys will have a shot to living up to their hype and over expectations.

Most unfortunate….really, I cannot believe THAT is how the match ended…I understand that Djokovic’s previous game didn’t end until 3 a.m., and he did not get the night schedule as he had requested (although I will admit, I don’t understand why this wasn’t granted to him considering Federer had played an easy schedule the day before).  While I am looking forward to Roddick finally beating Federer (yes, I am calling it now)…I was disappointed that the game did not finish the way it should have.

Which brings up the point of Djokovic’s history of not finishing games….yes people would call him a pansy and while I agree that he does tend to only quit when he knows he is going lose I would like to give a top 5 player in the world the benefit of the doubt when he says he really could not continue playing…so I am looking forward to him coming back strong at the French Open…go Roddick!

This is how it should have been from the beginning….yet when the NBA released information in early January he was around a million votes behind McGrady for the second guard spot.  I haven’t checked the NBA records but it is amazing how a player can make up THAT much ground in a matter of weeks….which brings me to the point of whether there was any “playing with the numbers” from the NBA standpoint… on one end, Chris Paul absolutely deserves that spot, but I cannot help but feel that there has been some tampering…this is an open topic and I would like to know what our readers think?

As us true basketball fans know the all star game is coming up in a few weeks…and while the starters have already been chosen (EAST: Iverson, Wade, Lebron, Garnett, Howard and WEST: Paul, Kobe, Stoudemire, Duncan, Yao) the reserves have yet to be selected.  This year the process will be no different from the rest, the coaches will select who gets in…two guards, two forwards, one center, and two at any position. 

While other nba analysts on other sports sites vary how they select their choices (some say just pick best seven, some base it on past merit, players from winning teams only)…I choose to choose the ones that the team would be lost or a lot worse without right now because no one else on their team could fill his position.

So here are my picks for this year:

EAST

Devin Harris: Seriously…22 and 6 a game while shooting a fairly high FG%….a shoo-in

Joe Johnson: The Hawks leader is scoring and assists, it would be difficult to exclude him

Vince Carter: I am putting him at forward since he actually spend a lot of time here when Harris plays with Dooling or Jarvis n the backcourt, and he held down the fort while Harris was out, and he doesn’t whine anymore

Danny Granger: Another easy pick…keeping the Pacers in the mix for the last playoff spot and now that Dunleavy is back the will have a much better shot

Chris Bosh: Since O’Neal has been out Bosh has played a LOT of Center while Bargani plays the PF slot…so another easy choice

Wildcard 1 (David Lee): the KNICKS at 19-25? Really? Lee is averaging 16 and 12 while shooting a bizarre 57% from the field…the Knicks would be at least seven games worse without him, but I would be ok if Okafor made it instead as well

Wildcard 2 (Andre Iguodala): Most people would select Pierce, Rondo, or Jameer Nelson here…but I went with the new A.I. simply because of the run is he since Dec. 1..he has brought the Sixers back to playing .500 ball which is an amazing feat considering Brand hasn’t played up to potential and Dalambert…well…is Dalambert

WEST

Tony Parker: The second best PG in the West right now besides Paul, has been playing out of his mind this year…averaging career highs in pts (20.3) and assists (6.6) its an easy call

Brandon Roy: Blazers are here because of him, enough said

Dirk Nowitzki: Should have been a starter, but being unanimously selected as a reserve is ok too

Gasol: How good have the Lakers been since he arrived mid-last year?? Easy choice

Nene Hilario: No, not Shaq…everyone has been giving the credit for the Nuggets success to Billups, and Carmelo…but Nene is leading the league at 61% shooting and is still averaging 15 pts and 8 rebs

Wildcard 1 (Paul Millsap): Help down the PF position in Utah while Boozer has been out and should reap the rewards in the off-season as well

Wildcard 2 (Carmelo Anthony): Yes, I know he hasn’t played enough games yet but he is still one of the best SFs in the game and deserves a spot

As if Tim from the NBA wasn’t bad enough. And as if the roided up umpires in the MLB wasn’t enough. Football has its own refereeing problems. Here are 3 incidents in which I was disgusted. Leave it to Ed Hoculi of course.

Norv Turner and the Chargers get duped by ref. Hoculi decides to call an incomplete pass on a clear fumble. Why not call it a fumble and review it? Another roid ref turd. Given that and the missed field goal, the Broncos would be 2-6 where they belong. Instead, people jumped on the band wagon. That lasted about 2 weeks, now didn’t it?

Jake Locker get penalized for bullshit. Literally. The ball didn’t even go higher than the 4 foot midget that was wearing a referee uniform. Come on, seriously? That was a tough loss for a team with a lot of heart at that time. That heart is now gone, and so is Jake Locker.

Former Kentucky linebacker revisits his childhood. So Stephen Garcia is starting his first game I think, and he’s doing well against a Guiness Stout LSU defense. All 12 of them. The referee, trying to get out of the way of course, lowers his shoulder and destroys Garcia. Even the LSU linebackers were shocked because they can’t hit like that.

Ok now, I’ve heard all of the arguments, stop blaming Hoculi blah blah blah, the Chargers still could have stopped them on 4th down blah blah blah. The ball was thrown in the air, and the kicker should have made the extra point anyway, blah blah blah. The ref was just trying to get out of the way, blah blah blah. No. The Chargers shouldn’t have to defend 4th down, in college the extra point is never a given especially when moved back as if it were a 30 yard field goal, and next time, Garcia, just run the motherfucker over.

How ironic. The hockey player toothed, face of the New York Super Bowl Champ Giants picks the Dallas Cowboys of all teams to win the championship. He could have gone with the Colts, Chargers, nearly undefeated Patriots, or any other of the 32 teams minus the Lions. Why the Cowboys? Roy Williams is the most overrated safety in football. The Giants are still strong. Saints look unstoppable on offense. Maybe he just thinks they can’t win without him? Tiki thought the same thing. Well Tiki is the most overrated running back in history, so no one cares what he thinks, especially Eli Manning and the New York football Giants. But Strahan? That has to get under the G-men’s skin. At least Michael is honest. Honesty is all he has going for him though, as he sure as hell isn’t going to be correct.

Auburn 3, Mississippi 2. I’m sure a lot of fans were thinking baseball season was over, wasn’t it? This was ugly. As we’ve seen after this game, Ole Miss has gotten better, Auburn is overrated and just plain sucks. This looked to be a game between two good defenses early in the year, two of the best in the nation maybe. Now it looks like Ole Miss was in the middle of their learning curve and Auburn got lucky. Hey, I thought college football was all about the offense ala Texas Tech. Oh wait, this is the SEC, they have rules and regulations.

It’s about that time. All of the teams have played at least ½ of their games for this NFL season. So many storylines as its been such a crazy season. Chad has changed his name, DeSean Jackson pulls a bonedheaded rookie mistake, the rookie running back class is ridiculously talented, the Titans are undefeated, the Cardinals are winning, and the Colts and Chargers are losing. Theres so much more to discuss, but awards are always fun, so lets do those.

Here are my picks ½ way into the season.

Coach of the Year Nominees:

Jim Zorn – Washington Redskins
Jeff Fisher – Tennessee Titans
Mike Tomlin – Pittsburgh Steelers
Tom Coughlin – New York Giants
Ken Wisenhunt – Arizona Cardinals
Mike Smith – Atlanta Falcons
John Harbaugh – Baltimore Ravens

Well theres a lot to choose from. I saw a few others that I could mention as well, but I’m going to eliminate Tomlin and Coughlin based on the talent level of the players on the team. Wisenhunt has schemed well and that offense is clicking like its never clicked before, but theyre the Cardinals, can they play defense and can the keep this up? I say yes, history says no! Harbaugh has the Ravens contending again, with rookie sensation (and no longer Rashard Mendehall’s bff) Ray Rice, bruiser Leron McClain, Willis McKneehee, Joe Flacco and that stout Ravens defense. I just can’t come to give him enough credit though, as that Ravens defense is back, but not because of Harbaugh. Mike Smith, working with the possible rookie of the year in Atlanta, and a turf burner in Michael Turner, he has brought this franchise to life. I need to see if he can get to 8 wins first. You know who is at 8 wins? Fisher.

Winner: Fisher. Ohhh yea, I forgot about Jim Zorn. Anyone see the MNF game between the Steelers and the Skins? Anyone see the comeback that never had a chance due to horrible head coaching? Anyone see Tomlin pay Zorn off before the game? Who does Zorn think he is, Joe Gibbs? Even Gibbs would have known to give the ball to Portis in that situation or kick the damn field goal.

Rookie of the Year Nominees:

Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons
Chris Johnson – Tennessee Titans
Matt Forte – Chicago Bears
DeSean Jackson, Eddie Royal, and any other awesome rookie RB (pretty much all of them)

Man oh man am I excited about the next few years of football. This class is superb. 2 winning rookie qbs, the best rb rookie class ever, and some consistent rookie wrs. Yes, consistent and rookie wide receiver can be used in the same sentence when appropriate. I have to give all due credit to many many many rookies that can be competing for this award this year if given the chance. Just to throw out a few names: Joe Flacco, Felix Jones, Jamal Charles, Ray the man Rice, DJax, Royal, McFadden, Hightower, soon to be Torain, possibly Tashard Choice, if healthy Mendenhall, let me know if I forgot anyone, I absolutely love these guys. But, i am going to go against my man-crush and against the consensus. Matt Forte is a beast, a beast that can run through or around people. Matt Ryan is the consensus. But if you have enough fantasy points to keep up with Forte and Ryan, while having to share your dinner and your touches with LenDale White, you are doing something very special.

Winner – Chris Johnson (hopefully Forte by the end of the year)

MVP Nominees:

Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints
Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals
Albert Haynesworth – Tennessee Titans
Clinton Portis – Washington Redskins

Well, I have to give a quick mention to Brian Westbrook as when he is on the field, he is the MVP hands down. Irregardless of record, he is the Philadelphia Eagles. And you knew it was coming, but I am going to throw Kyle Orton’s name out there, yes that Kyle Orton. Neckbeard, liver killer, the life of the party, whatever nicknames you have for him. He has been astounding. But now the real contenders. Well its hard to take either Brees or Warner without taking the other. Yes the Saints are in 3rd and the Cardinals are leading their division, but look at the teams they have to play. Anyone can easily make a case for Portis. When has he not shown up? Well lets see, the two most important games to date. Week 1 vs. the Giants, and Week 9 vs. the Steelers. MVPs show up everyday. I also feel really good to give the underappreciated players (usually defenders) the credit they deserve.

Winner – Albert Haynesworth. That defense would be cupcake without him. He is the glue. Super super glue.

Lets start with the Delivery Man of the Year. Ok this one’s self explanatory, it goes to the best reliever in baseball. Wait I hit a hiccup already, KRod or Lidge?
AL – Fransisco Rodriguez, Anaheim Angels. Well he went 2-3, with 62 saves and 77 strikeouts in 68 innings. 2.24 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 60 out of 69 converted.
NL – Brad Lidge, Philadelphia Phillies. 2-0, 41 saves and 92 k’s. 41 of 41 in opportunities, 69 innings, 1.23 WHIP.
I know everyone’s picking F-Rod and his 62 saves, but Lidge was better in every category. Not his fault the Phillies didn’t give him save opportunities. I have to go with Lidge here.
Honorable Mentions: Fransisco Rodriguez, Brad Zeigler
Hank Aaron Award to the best offensive player in the AL and NL.
So many to choose from, but these can be guys that aren’t even on winning teams.
But when its all said and done, offense isn’t just homeruns, and the best 5-tool player out there and my winner in the NL is Hanley Ramirez. This guys does it all. 125 runs, 177 hits, 33 homeruns, and 35 steals, all while hitting .300.
Honorable mention: Albert Pujols.
For the AL it’s a lot harder, Grady Sizemore takes the trophy as he matched Hanley everywhere except in average, but had 90 rbi’s to make up for it.
Honorable mention: Josh Hamilton
Manager of the Year.
The NL is plain and simple. Who made it work, with a lower payroll than anyone else. Unfortunately, he was fired, but Ned Yost made it happen. There are no honorable mentions. Torre didn’t do anything, Manny did it for him. Arizona collapsed. The Phillies and Cubs have too high of a payroll and too much talent. And we all know what happened to the lowly Mets.
The AL, I would have to go with Ron Gardenhire of the Minnesota Twins. Lowest payroll, loses Santana, and still ties for the division. A division where the Indians and Tigers were supposed to stomp on them. A division where a rising Royals team was supposed to pass them. A division that was theirs, until Armando Galarraga single handedly blew it for them.
Honorable mention: Joe Maddon, Devil Rays. He finally made all those first overall draft picks work. P.S. I hate Ozzie Guillen, so we won’t even go there.
Rookie of the Year.
NL – Geovany Soto. Walked in, and made them forget about Michael Barret, real quick.
Honorable mention: Jair Jurrjens.
AL – Evan Longoria. Evan Longoria. Evan Longoria.
Honorable mentions: Jacoby Ellsbury, Armando Galarraga, Brad Zeigler.
MVP –
Oh, how I hate this award. Players that deserve it never win it. Your team has to be a winner. What if your team is already a winner and you’re a staff stuff (ARod, MayRod)? And what if your team is in the middle of the pack at .500, but without you, theyd be cellar dwellers.
NL – Ryan Braun. Well, its going to be no fun for me to tell you why, the stats are already there, but why not anyone else? Well Wright and Delgado had a monumental collapse, while having a good lineup surrounding them and some good pitching. Pujols was hurt, otherwise this is his. Holliday has way too much talent in that lineup of his. Any Cubs, no. Howard was batting under the Mendoza line for half of the season, I know, he was on my fantasy team. Manny came in halfway.
Honorable mention: Albert Pujols
AL – Justin Morneau. Rays have talent everywhere, no one stood out except Longoria. But they won without him too. Bay came in too late. As for Pedroia, he’s just no Justin Morneau. No one on the White Sox stood out, except Ozzie Guillen and his motor mouth of course. Angels have too many MVPs. Manny left to early! Josh Hamilton got hurt. Ian Kinsler got hurt.
Honorable mention: Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler.
Cy Young -
Oh the dreaded Cy Young. Historically, having wins equals having a Cy Young. Completely bogus. Of course the trend will follow this year. Here’s who really deserves it.
NL – Tim Lincecum. Despite his measly 18 wins, he only has 5 losses. His 2.62 ERA tops CC Sabathia, Brandon Webb, and Cole Hamels. There were a lot of good pitchers in the NL this year. Sabathia, Lincecum, Santana, Harden, Hamels, Dempster, Haren, Webb, Sheets, Peavy, Lowe, wow, the list goes on. The AL is a different story. But Sabathia and Harden came into the league too late, Dempsters numbers aren’t as good as Lincecum’s numbers, Peavy and Sheets had injury problems, Lowe wasn’t consistent till a little into the season. Santana, Hamels, Lincecum, and Webb were in the running until late. Now Webb was the front runner due to his 22 wins, but if he gets it with a 3.30 ERA, theres something wrong. Hamels, thought dominant, also has an ERA over 3. Here’s the big one. Johan Santana has 17 wins, just 1 less than Lincecum, a lower ERA (barely), a lower WHIP (barely), and just 2 more losses. What separates the two? Well every pitcher I named has been dominant, or the ability to be dominant, except maybe Dempster and Lowe. Santana may be a step above. But Lincecum has 265 strikeouts in less innings than Santana, and Santana only pulled off 206. That’s dominant on another level. He also has only 265 total bases allowed this season. Only Harden had less. That’s minimizing damage. And of course, can’t end without mentioning that he pitches for the San Francisco Midgets. 18 wins on a horrific team! What do you call a pitcher with an ERA in the mid 2’s, a WHIP near 1.15, the most strikeouts, a damage control freak, that gets almost 22 wins except on a really really really bad team? You call him the next Cy Young!
Honorable mention – Johan Santana (now only if he could pitch passed the 6th inning)
AL – Cliff Lee. Much easier, much less of a race. I love Roy Halladay, but Lee only lost 3 times this year. Now I know I wins and losses are just luck, hence my pick of Lincecum above, but some pitchers are just clutch. And this was Cliff Lee’s year. Halladay is a much better pitcher, and who knows what Lee will pitch like next year, but we’re playing for this year, and he was 1 step ahead. 3 losses on an Indian’s team that didn’t win many games is pretty impressive. Enjoy it while you can Cliff, before you fall off of one.