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Steelers vs Ravens
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It Won't Be a Pretty Site, Folks


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I hate to sound like I'm chanting a mantra, but win or lose, this one isn't likely to be a thing of beauty, my bruthas. The Steelers' offensive struggles this preseason have been well documented. Whether an infusion of Jerome, Huntley, and Dermontti (if these guys are actually healed up enough to play) can finally pump some life into our ailing offense remains to be seen.

My prediction for this game is particulary difficult for me presonally to stomach... I despise the Ravens, and utterly loathe Art Modell. But I've made a commitment to say what's REALLY on my mind this season rather than just "towing the company line" so to speak, so here goes nothing.

Our beloved Steelers will lose to the Ravens on Sunday. Now, Sandy vehemently differs with me on this and is predicting a narrow Steeler victory (as you can see in the right-hand column of this page), but that's to be expected... she has NEVER publicly picked the Steelers to lose. But wait, there's more... I also believe the Ravens have a real shot at winning the AFC Central this year. Here's why:

Fact: The Ravens' run defense led the NFL in opponents’ yards per carry (3.1) last season, and did not permit a 100-yard rusher all year. Baltimore's defense is a real force, bruthas & sistas... they're as good or better than any defense in the league. Combine that with the fact that our O-line is anything but a cohesive unit, and it's a recipe for disaster. The Bus is definitely gonna be spinning his wheels, with or without a hobbling Dawson in the lineup.

Fact: If we can't run, we can't win. The Ravens' secondary (led by our own Rod Woodson, who if not for asshole-extraordinaire Tom Donahoe, would still be a Steeler) is outstanding. To make matters worse, Stewart will be facing a formidable pass rush featuring DE Michael McCrary, who racked up 11-1/2 sacks last year, and LB Peter Boulware, who tallied 10 sacks of his own. Baltimore's front seven also features Pro-Bowl LB/murder suspect and O.J. wannabe Ray Lewis, who led the NFL in tackles in '99. Poor Kordell (or Graham) will face all this firepower behind an offensive line that, at absolute best, is considerably below average. Whomever the QB is, I don't envy 'em in this one... not a bit.

Does ANYONE honestly expect our "struggling" (I'm being kind here) offense, who couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag during the preseason, to even be able put the tiniest DENT in the Raven defense? As much as I'd love to see the Bus & company come out running like a well-oiled machine, it's just not gonna happen, people.

To have any chance of winning, our defense is going to have to force turnovers, and perhaps even provide a score. Now, while this scenario certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility, let's remember one thing... Raven WR Qadry Ismail burned us for 200+ yards and 3 TDs in a truly humilliating spectacle at Three Rivers last season (which I had the misfortune of attending). Ironically, QB Tony Banks was hammered by the Steelers that day, and if memory serves, he only completed about 30% of his passes (8 of 22 or something like that). All but about 10 of his passing yards came from Ismail. I guess the moral of the story is, don't let "the Missle" repeatedly run unmolested down the sideline, right?

Well, maybe... remember, Raven WR Jermaine Lewis (a '98 Pro Bowl receiver) is healthy again, and they also used their 2nd of TWO first-round draft picks on WR Travis Taylor, who is eventually gonna be a helluvalot better than Ismail. Baltimore figures to have a formidable passing game, folks.

Then there's that running game... more trouble for us here. With their initial first-round pick, Baltimore drafted a simply outstanding RB in Jamal Lewis. He's a bit dinged up at the moment (elbow problems) and has seen VERY limited action in preseason, so it remains to be seen how much of an impact he'll have this early in the season. But Balitmore also has RB Priest Holmes, who had a pretty darn good game of his own against us in '99. Holmes only played the last few games in '99, but averaged well over 5 yards a carry in those games, and he was a 1000-yard rusher in '98. If we don't stop Holmes, we're screwed. Play fakes were our undoing in that abysmal loss last season, and judging by our dissection at the hands of Peyton Manning a few games ago, our succeptablilty to play action is as glaring as ever. If Priest is a-preachin', we'll be a-weepin'.

Then we have Baltimore's two tight ends, former Bronco Shannon Sharpe and former Patriot Ben Coates. The Colts ran a lot of two tight end formations against us in the preseason loss with devastating results. Not only were the Indy TE's catching passes against us, the two-TE formations were disrupting our coverages and led directly to Manning's 77-yard TD pass over Chad Scott. If any serious damage is done offensively by Baltimore, you can pretty much bet at least one of these two former Pro-Bowlers (Sharpe & Coates) is gonna play a role in it. I don't know if the Ratbirds will utilized it much in this game, but I suspect two-tight end passing formations could become a trend in the NFL over the next few years.

The bottom line: Can the Steelers win? Of course. Do I expect them to win? No way. As much as it pains me to say it, Baltimore is simply a far better team at the moment.

Final score: Baltimore 20, Pittsburgh 6.

Thankfully, we'll have a bye week after this game, and hopefully the extra time will help us prepare for what "should" be one of our few "sure wins" of the season... the Cleveland Browns. Of course, we all know how that turned out last year...

See 'ya after the game, bruthas & sistas, and don't forget to send us your comments.

Tim & Sandy McMillen
Webmasters, McMillen & Wife


Fan Smak & Analysis
The following articles are listed in the order they were received (with the most recent entries at the top). This isn't a "guestbook" format... I read and manually insert every message, so you may not see your submission show up immediately. Thanks a million for your comments, people!
Submitted by Chris Turney
We should keep in mind that last year the Rams , coming off a bad year in 98 started their season against Baltimore and had a bye in the second week. Since nothing else has worked for the Steelers maybe their coincidental schedule will!

Chris Turney


Submitted by Bernie Kordelski
Dear m & w:

Early Saturday morning, my wife, 8 year old daughter, and me will embark on a nearly 7 hour drive to Pittsburgh to attend Sundays game vs. the ravens. Although the men of steel have not been as good as we hoped they would be lately, we wouldn't miss a chance to see our favorite team in person. We try to travel to Pittsburgh at least once a year to catch a game, and this year they will be traveling to Giants stadium in NJ to play both the Jets and Giants. We will be going to both of those games, proudly wearing the black & gold!!! Lets all get behind the greatest team in the NFL and have a great season. Love your site and lets kick the ravens asses. Are we going to suck like the last couple of years???? After Sunday, Quoth the Ravens "NEVERMORE"!!!!! GO STEELERS!!!!!!

Good Luck in 2000
Bernie Kordelski
Sayreville NJ


Submitted by Barry Fox
well as you know men and women around the world have been waiting for the moment that their favorite football team steps on the field after having some time off and now what we all have been waiting for the season is about to begin. NFL SEASON IS A GREAT ANTICIPATION AND IT'S TIME FOR TEAMS TO PUT UP 100 PERCENT AND SEE WHO WILL BE ON TOP! I KNOW MY TEAM THE STEELERS HAVE TO GET READY TO PLAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A ROUGH SCHEDULE THIS YEAR BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE TEAMS IN OUR DIVISION THAT SUPPOSE TO MAKE IT IN THE PLAYOFFS WELL IT'S TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUTUP! I HAVE A T-SHIRT AT HOME THAT SAYS IT'S NOT JUST FOOTBALL IT'S STEELERS FOOTBALL! FANS PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WHEN WE GO THRU OUR GROWING PAINS.


Submitted by Michael DeLancey
I am on the side of Sandy. If the offensive line holds, and I think they will, Graham will hit his receivers. Our running game has very few problems and a lot of depth. The "D" is very strong and I like it that Cowher sat Shields.( needs to learn how to tackle in open field) With all of this said, ....Steelers 20 Ravens 17

Later
Mike
Visit my web page at "http://www.steelergridiron.com"


Submitted by Mark Hazlett
It will be hard watching Kent Graham hitting Troy Edwards in the hands then the ball spinning on the sacred turf of Three Rivers. I love the Steelers no matter what and I cant wait to get the season going but man--this may be a long season!!

The D looks tough and the kicking game is first rate---maybe we can pitch a few shutouts and let Chris Brown win a few!!

My pick for Sunday: Steelers 16 - Birdies 23 I have never picked the Steelers to lose on opening day and I hope they prove me wrong but we'll have trouble with the whole AFC Central this year.
Later
Mark


Submitted by THEOMILL
I think you are right on the money with your analysis... terrible offense vs. great defense = bad television. Your score is a little on the optimistic side. I see it Ravens 24, Steelers 3. That being said there is always an outside chance that the Ravens offense does them in...and with a few breaks and a well timed penalty we could be in this & potentially win. I hope we can get up on them early... the Ravens still have the ability to self-destruct... and the "Modell is a #$%@ loser" factor helps... however, realistically, its gonna be ugly & its gonna be bad.


Submitted by Tom Bragg
I will not predict a score for this one , but I will say this . This game will be closer than most of you think . I'm not saying the Steelers will win , but I guarantee you they will give the Ravens all they can handle . This game has UPSET written all over it . Time will tell , boys and girls .


Submitted by Edward Hodakowski
Mr and Mrs. McMillen,

First of all, I'd like to thank Sandy for her kind assessment of Sundays' game. That said,here's my assessment.

Everyone is thinking,"run,run,run"; that's been a Steelers-Ravens staple since Modell slunk out of Cleveland. I don't see it that way. With Grahm being named as starter,I'm seeing Burris go deep, early and often.If he's double-teamed and can't get open, watch a little Edwards' after the catch magic. I'm also anxiously awaiting the return of "slash" as RB and WR, certainly you remember him? Terrible as QB but gave opposing Defensive coordinators fits back in '96. He is the schizophrenic wild-card, x-factor who's hungry for a little respect and can break a game wide open.

Our defense, having learned from their mistakes, will refuse to give up the big play. Priest Holmes will become the bloody sacrifice on the alter of our linebackers. Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates were once great, but I think that their myth-status has worn off. This is compounded by the fact that they have Tony (oops) Banks attempting to throw them the football.

My prediction, 37-10, Pittsburgh. You heard it here first.

Look,if in 1998 I told you who was going to win the Super Bowl in 1999, you'd have the exact same look on your face as you do now. This season is still tabula rasa, when anything is possible.

As an annoying little aside, check out http://jerseyboy100.tripod.com/steeljerseys/ and tell me what you two think. Interesting site.

Keep the faith, you have the best Steeler site on the 'net.

Edward Hodakowski


Submitted by Mike "Turbo Tongue" Terry
T Mac,

A few days before regular season and Kordell has given me absolutely no reason to think that anything has changed from the last 2 years. I do understand why Bill is playing both Kent and Kordell what else can he do really? What I mean is Graham has been the better QB during the preseason but with all the $ wrapped up in Kordell there is no way in hell your can bench him before the season starts. This is the only viable option and probably the smartest thing Cower can do for now. I don't believe that a 2qb system is a way to win in the NFL (unless you have bradshaw and hanratty ;) but a leader in the huddle is important especially with this team.

I believe that they will give Kordell a few games before he is out but, for business reasons they will play him until he has cost us 3-4 games I hope this isn't the case stranger things have been known to happen It has been hard to judge this team so far with out our running backs since we ARE still a running team. However Kordell still can't seem to throw accurately on a consistent basis. Does this mean we throw in the towel against the Baltimore roadkill eatin Ravens [NO !!!!] Alot of things can happen who knows maybe Earl Holmes will break Tony Bank's arm maybe Kordell hits a few decent passes gets a touchdown under his belt at Three Rivers and some crowd support (alittle momentum can go along way.)

Keep the faith and listen to yo wife
Steelers 17
ravens 14


Submitted by Bob Carapella
GOOD CALL TIM ..... FOR SOME REASON THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS NEVER SEEM TO GET UP FOR A HOME OPENER ... IS THERE SOME REASON WHY OUR TEAM CAN'T GET SKY HIGH FOR THEIR FANS THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON ... ARE THEY AFRAID OF BEING IN FIRST PLACE AFTER ONE GAME... WE WILL SEE AFTER SUNDAY.


Submitted by Paul Schellhammer
Thank god that there is a website that talks to the fans like we're fans and tells the truth! You are right on the money with your predictions about the coming year and for this Sunday's game against the Cleveland, er, Baltimore Browns...I mean the Modells.

Our O-line is as porous as our receivers' hands. Not that we have a quarterback that can hit a receiver in stride. Sure they can find a trash can in training camp but I bet they wouldn't have come within 3 yards of the can if you put a Steelers jersey on it (If they did, the can probably would have dropped it!).

Isn't it also terrific that for the third straight year, the Steelers' have given up on a third string QB that the staff was so high on the previous year. According to the story in the Tribune Review, Cowher said that Tee Martin has the "intangibles". He pointed to an incident in Mexico where Gilbride called an offensive play and Tee Martin didn't know the play and told him so. Cowher said that "at least he was honest." Great...lets keep a guy who doesn't know the plays because he's honest about it. That's a good precedent there. He also said that statistically Wright was better because he has been in the system for a year. EXACTLY! So why put somebody new in there!

If the offense doesn't improve this year, I would expect this may be Gilbride's and maybe Cowher's last in the 'Burgh. Time to start cheering for Drew Brees and hope that we finish with the 3rd worst record in the league next year after Cleveland and Cincy (they won't draft him since they already have their "franchise" QBs).

Bleeds black and gold,
Paul


Submitted by Ralph Hersko
Why do I have this sickening feeling of deja vu about this season?

Later Brutha.


Submitted by Steve Massey
See Kordell run. Run, Kordell, run. Run for your life, Kordell...

See Kordell throw inaccurate passes to waiting linebackers wearing purple. Think, Kordell, think.

See Ravens take quick lead. Rod Woodson scores!

See Bill Cowher replace Kordell with Kent. Jog, Kent, jog!

See Kent lead team to late "so what" touchdown.

See Ravens win 20-10.

See Steve Massey get pissed at himself for spending all that money on Direct TV to See Steelers lose.

Hope I am wrong!

-Steve Massey
Western NC



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Prognostication by
'Da Lovely Wife
Week 1 Picks
  Ravens
  Steelers
16
17
16
0
  Cardinals
  Giants
14
17
16
21
  Panthers
  Redskins
13
30
17
20
  Bears
  Vikings
17
20
27
30
  Lions
  Saints
23
10
14
10
  Colts
  Chiefs
20
10
27
14
  Jagwads
  Browns
27
6
27
7
  Jets
  Packers
17
20
20
16
  Eagles
  Cryboys
10
17
41
14
  Chargers
  Raiders
13
17
6
9
  Niners
  Falcons
14
20
28
36
  Seahawks
  Dolphins
17
3
0
23
  Bucs
  Patriots
16
10
21
16
  Titans
  Bills
23
17
13
16
  Denver
  St. Louis
17
21
36
41
Sandy's Record
2000: 10-5
'99 total 78-59
'98 total 117-69