Archive for the ‘Football Goals’ Category
Many young students, playing football on a high school level, dream of becoming a football coach in the nearest future. Certain people compare serving in the army with playing football in high school. Though being yelled at while playing this kind of sport, many high school students experience positive emotions. It also teaches students to take harshness of life without complaining much about it. A good football coach must possess the following qualities in order to be successful at ‘beating’ the opponent team which make members of his/her team to win. They are the following: 1.Great leadership. A person ought to be a great leader, first of all, to make his/her football team to succeed. This actually means that this person is to do everything in time without omitting any minor details. Football coaches generally study well in high schools because they possess great leading skills. Pretty often these people appear to be defenders of the nation fighting against alien nation, trying to invade their homeland. 2.A person willing to be a football coach has to be able to work in the team. It means that prior to commanding people and ordering them around the person should possess certain diplomatic skills and be able to negotiate. Being constructive helps a person at organizing his/her team in the most proper and understandable manner. 3.Football coach is to be all-rounded. It means that he/she is to possess experience in other subjects and areas of knowledge. Pretty often football coaches teach history, geography and other important subjects except for playing football. This ability contributes largely to their personal development, being able to reason everything in the proper way. Common sense is one of the most important features a person possesses in his/her life.
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/football-coaching-as-a-decision-on-postgraduate-study-3488325.html
The first thing that you need to consider and get right is what club they support. The last thing you want to do is buy a Tottenham supporter an Arsenal gift. That would be a real ouch! Certainly don’t assume that because the Dad supports Chelsea that the wife, son or daughter supports them too.
How do you find out which team they support, well just ask and you can be sure they will tell you. Don’t just think about buying football gifts for men and boys as there are loads of women and girls that are nuts about football and many play football too.
There is an unbelievable amount of out there that can be bought and most football fans are happy to receive anything to do with their football club from a keyring to a ticket to see their club play. This is probably the ultimate gift you could buy if they are not a season ticket holder and if they can travel relatively easily to the ground as there is nothing to beat watching your own club play football win lose or draw!!
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Personalised football gifts are fast becoming the thing to give as a memorable present. You can buy framed pictures of club dressing rooms with players named shirts hanging up with the middle shirt customisable with the recipient’s name and number and with a place to sign the picture alongside replica autographs of the club players. This is unfortunately not available for all clubs however the list of participating clubs is getting larger.
Another couple of options similar to the Dressing Room picture are a Club magazine cover and a Club Programme Cover. These are available for the same clubs as the Dressing Room picture and are official club merchandise.
A beautiful present that will be really appreciated is the football club history in newspapers. This comes beautifully bound in a Leather or Leatherette book that can be embossed with the recipient’s name along with a presentation certificate on the inside cover. It is a truly magnificent gift and is available for over 60 different football clubs. This is something that will be treasured for many years to come.
why not buy a personalised football calendar where the lucky recipient has their name cleverly placed within each individual month’s picture. The truly great thing about this football gift is that the calendar can start at whatever month you choose. If you are giving the football gift in April then the calendar can run from April through to March of the following year.
http://www.articlesbase.com/soccer-articles/football-gifts-3603673.html
Maybe the title sounds crazy, but it’s a real-life true story. I should add that I don’t mean that my first football kit made me into Pele’s younger brother or landed me a contract with Arsenal. But it did make a major difference for me.
I remember when, decades ago, I started playing football. I must have been ten years old or so, and the first day I went out onto the field it was a cold and slightly foggy day. I was most definitely not vamped about it and while I knew that the net across the field was where the ball was supposed to go, I didn’t really know how to get it there other than waiting for the other players to get into the shower so I could give the ball a few almighty kicks.
I mostly remember spending a lot of time standing still, wondering if I should do something and if so, what. When I say standing still, that means almost still, because if you’re shivering as much as I was, still is a very relative term.
I had no experience other than kicking a ball around the village square once in a blue moon. In fact, I had no particular affinity with football itself. It was just the fact that every other kid in school played football with a fervour and could not stop talking about it that caused my mum to sign me up for the local team, and there I was. A new football player. Huzzah.
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Well, that first Saturday morning on the field didn’t thrill me much. Neither did the second. Or the third. But after that, my mum brought home my first ever football kit, including the studded shoes. And magic happened instantly.
I Revolutionised the Game. Seriously.
The next Saturday, I walked into the dressing room feeling incredibly glib, knowing what I had in my bag without the other kids being in the know. I put on my kit and felt like Johan Cruyff himself was tying my shoelaces.
I was Ready.
When I walked out into the morning air, that day, I knew I was going to win this game. Sure, the team would be helping out a bit, but it was me by the grace of my football kit who would rock this game. I was on the ball, and I invented that phrase right then and there.
I ran flashily past any and all opponents, I skidded across the grass tearing up great lumps of sod, and I astonished all players with my deft ability to snatch away the ball from my team’s sharpest shooter just a second after he’d completely befuddled the goalie and was ready to score, and a second before I lobbed the ball neatly into the corner. Of the field, not of the goal.
I was hopeless. Completely, utterly, terribly hopeless. I’m not sure but I may even have scored a hat trick. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, that happened on my first ever match, not when I first wore my football kit. Still, I made a pretty advanced kind of fool of myself.
I just wasn’t a very good player. I think I played for half a year or so until I decided to stop. Or maybe I was kicked off the team, I don’t remember. What matters is that feeling I got when I first wore my football kit.
I’m smiling as I write this, because I just love that memory. I opened the box and there it was: my first football kit: All shiny and bright red, and with shoes that had a feel to them quite unlike any other shoe I had ever worn. It was magic. Absolute magic. The feeling that football kits can give to players.
http://jackiedeburca.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/how-my-first-football-kit-turned-me-into-a-football-player-3669664.html
Parents, have you ever wondered why your talented athlete was a backup while a mediocre athlete roamed the field as a starter searching for exposure in his attempt to secure a scholarship?
If winning is the ultimate goal then the best case scenario would be to play the best players in their respected positions. In an idea society this is how things would operate but our society suffers from an extreme case of dogmatism. The evidence of the truth could be irrefutable but someone would find a way to see it another way to serve their personal agenda.
Society is political in nature so why would one not come to the conclusion that the high school football system could be infiltrated as well.
Case in point, a parent who has a son on the football team volunteers to be team mom; she sends out email notifications for the team and does other administrative duties for the coaches. The coaches and their new self representative build a rapport. Now her son who is average at best is in the running for a starting position. If this sounds farfetched to anyone then I suggest that you take the time out of your busy work schedule and drop in on several practices to become more familiar with the culture of high school football.
Still not quite convinced? Well let me try it another way. If you have time, try to find out who is on the Athletic Booster Club list then compare the parents on that list with the first and second team players on the football team. The connection between the two will become crystal clear; Booster Club supporters and playing time recipients are synonymous.
Another underlying problem with the high school system is a coach’s familiarity level with certain players that often leads to favoritism. Some high school coaches interact with coaches and players from their area’s Pop Warner league. Once those players reach high school then their familiarity with the coach creates a bond. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this but where the error occurs is when the coach overlooks other players and pledges his alliance to the players he has become more familiar with.
Let’s be clear here. Not all high schools are plagued with this problem and not all coaches resort to this tomfoolery but many do suffer from it. Most high school athletic directors take pride in running a clean program and most coaches will tell you that they put the players on the field that will give them the best chance to win. Even with that being said there are still plenty system abusers out there that will manipulate the fair play infrastructure just to safeguard an unspoken custom.
I’m sure the arguments will fall on both sides of the fence on this topic. Whichever side you decide to stand on, remember that this process only affects the athletes. If a player is a starter and don’t belong there then it will show on the field and if another player has the ability to start but is being held back then it will show in his confidence level. Neither scenario is productive for either individual.
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/534184_high-school-football-politics-does-it-really-exist
Football, or soccer as it is called in America, is probably the most popular sport in the world and a large part of its popularity lies in the simple nature of the sport. Everyone can kick a ball around and enjoy some form of football activity but being able to progress from there can take hard work and effort. It may also require a good football coach to inspire their team and get the best from their players. Although most of the world’s greatest players have skills that are self-taught and have a good level of determination, they will all point to certain coaches in their time who helped push them to great heights.
A good football coach does not necessarily have to have great skills in the game but they need to be able to talk about the game to others. For all that football is a simple game; there are many factors that go into a winning performance from the team. Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers all have different roles to do on the football pitch. A good coach will be able to get the best from each player in their position but will also be able to gel the team together to play as a single unit.
A good football coach will have an understanding of set pieces and will have great ideas for his team to work on. Whether it is practicing with the midfielders and strikers to create chances from corners and free kicks or ensuring that defenders know what to do to prevent the opposition from scoring, a good coach will be tactically astute. Whether this revolves around working on the weaknesses of other teams or enhancing the strong points of their own team, coaching football is about getting the best from a team at all times.
A good football coach will also know that mixing up training can bring benefits. A good level of fitness is required to play football on a regular basis but equally working on tactics, set-plays and techniques should also be part of a regular training regime. Coaching football is about getting the blend right and bringing all the separate strands and ideas together. Sometimes in football, one or two coaches will work together to make sure a team works as a unit but at other times, a single coach will be required to do it all by themselves. This can be quite stressful and demanding but it also means that if success comes along, the coach can take a lot of credit for the glory. A coach also needs to know what they can do to change a game if it is not going to plan during a match.
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/coaching-football-is-something-that-everyone-can-get-involved-with-4302753.html
There are tons of stadiums in college football that are loaded with charm and impressive crowds, but some of them stand up above the rest.
The best stadiums in college football aren’t necessarily always the ones that have the most impressive technological/modern look to them or the most people; the atmosphere of a college football stadium and its fans are what make it great in a lot of cases.
With that in mind, let’s examine the best places to watch a college football game today.
Ranking the Top Ten Best Stadiums in College Football
10. Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium-
The home of the Texas Longhorns, this stadium located in Austin, Texas is a great spot to take in some authentic Texas culture, i.e. football, the favorite past time of the Lone Star State.
The stadium is huge and some of the views are a little bit too far away but overall, it’s a great place to watch a college football game.
9. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium aka The Swamp-
The Florida Gators are known for their intimidating home crowd but the unique look of The Swamp and the way it places the fans directly on top of the action make it one of the best stadiums to watch an NCAA college football game in for sure.
8. The Rose Bowl, UCLA-
The bowl game obviously wouldn’t be fair to place on this list since the Rose Bowl is better than any regular season game typically, but watching the Bruins play in this beautiful Pasadena, California setting is as good as it gets in college football despite average fan support at times.
7. The Horseshoe aka Ohio Stadium-
The Buckeyes are tough to beat at home in The Horsehoe and the fans are great, althought they are often not too kind to visiting teams. This is one of the best stadiuns to watch a college football game in as long as you’re not an opposing fan.
6. Autzen Stadium-
The home of the Oregon Ducks is the smallest stadium on this list but one of the best because of intense fans and a design that traps in the sound to make the place deafening on any given college football Saturday.
5. Neyland Stadium-
With its distinct checkerboard end zones and army of orange-clad Tennessee fans, this is one of the best venues in the SEC, a conference known for its outstanding fan support.
4. Notre Dame Stadium-
With a beautiful campus backdrop and tons of tradition, Notre Dame Stadium is on the must-visit list of just about any college football fan, and it doesn’t hurt that the Hall-of-Fame is in South Bend, either.
3. Memorial Stadium-
The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ home stadium is one of the best in college football for its combination of fans’ passion and small-town charm. The fans here are as friendly and intelligent as you’ll meet in the country.
2. Michigan Stadium-
The Big House is the biggest stadium in all the land and well worth the trip just to see the sheer magnitude of the amount of fans this place can hold in one spot. Some have complained about Michigan’s lack of sound due to the bowl design but a remodeling project to add massive new suites and a press box could solve that problem and make this one of the most intimidating college stadiums as well by next year.
1. Beaver Stadium-
Penn State’s fans are among the best in the country and Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley held the edge over Michigan Stadium last year for biggest capacity during UM’s remodeling. The “White Out” is incredibly impressive at night and students have been known to wait all afternoon in the rain just to get a good seat. This is the best college football stadium for a combination of an impressive atmosphere and a huge crowd along with a quality football team.
Sources: Beaver Stadium Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_Stadium
NCAA.com Football Stadium Guide: http://www.ncaafootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=-1&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=16825&change_well_id=2
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/240991_ncaa-football-2010-stadium-rankings-whats-the-best-home-field
2010 TE Keeper Rankings are based on a 3-year outlook for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 fantasy football seasons. Players age for the 2010 season is listed after their name.
2010 TE Keeper Rankings are established for a standard fantasy football scoring system, with scoring categories and points including:
Passing Yards: 1 point / 20 passing yards
Rushing Yards: 1 point / 10 rushing yards
Receiving Yards: 1 point / 10 receiving yards
Passing Touchdown: 4 points
Rushing/Receiving Touchdown: 6 points
Interceptions: -2 points
Fumbles Lost: -2 points
Rankings Updated: January 13, 2010
1. Antonio Gates – SD (30)
Many may argue that Vernon Davis deserves this #1 ranking, but in terms of reliability and proven fantasy football greatness, Antonio Gates is the most deserving TE for this #1 spot. Firmly entrenched in the prime of his career at age 30 for the 2010 season, Gates has an excellent QB in Philip Rivers throwing him the ball, so there really is no reason to expect any type of drop off in stats from Gates over the next three seasons.
2. Vernon Davis – SF (26)
Finally playing like many anticipated from him after being drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, Vernon Davis has all the tools to be an elite fantasy football TE over the next 5 years. However with this season being his first and only year of even being considered a top 10 fantasy football TE, I simply would not advise betting the house on him just yet. Davis is a huge reward huge risk TE heading into the 2010 season.
3. Dallas Clark – Ind (31)
Obviously a much safer and more reliable fantasy football TE than the higher ranked Vernon Davis, Clark should continue to enjoy being a top target for Peyton Manning over the next several years.
4. Jason Witten – Dal (28)
While many consider this a down year for Jason Witten, it is important to keep in mind that his receiving yard numbers are still outstanding for a TE. With nearly 800 receiving yards in just 13 games so far in 2009 season, it would be ridicules to rank Witten any lower on this list. At just age 28 for the 2010 season, Witten is entering the prime of his career and is already one of the most reliable and proven TEs you could want in fantasy football.
5. Jermichael Finley – GB (23)
An emerging TE talent, Jermichael Finley could easily find his way up to #1 in these rankings over the next three years. Finley offers that key combination of speed and size that allows all great tight ends to succeed in the NFL. With Aaron Rodgers as his QB and Greg Jennings getting the defenses coverages, Finley is often the receiving target that gets the best matchups to exploit in the passing game. It wouldn’t at all be surprising to see Finley overtake the #1 TE ranking in fantasy football leagues over the next couple of years. So in long term keeper leagues, Finley is definitely one guy you want to have on your team.
6. Kellen Winslow – TB (27)
Oddly enough, we haven’t heard one peep from Kellen Winslow this season, after becoming a constant complaining force in Cleveland over the past few years. Entering the prime of his career at age 27 for the 2010 season, I fully expect Winslow to develop into a premiere fantasy football TE over the next couple of years, as he teams up with the potentially next great QB in Josh Freeman.
7. Brent Celek – Phi (25)
Many will have a point in claiming that Brent Celek should be ranked above Greg Olsen, but the truth is that as long as Donovan McNabb is his QB, Celek likely won’t put up as good of numbers as he is capable of with another QB. So unless Kevin Kolb takes over in 2010, Celek should be just an average fantasy football TE in 2010. However with keeper league incentives, Celek at just age 25 offers outstanding potential over the next five seasons.
8. Chris Cooley – Was (28)
A leg injury derailed Cooley’s season this year, but at just age 28 and coming into the 2009 season on the heels of 4 consecutive 700 plus receiving yard seasons, Cooley should reemerge as a clear cut top 10 fantasy football TE option for the 2010 season.
9. Tony Gonzalez – Atl (34)
Gonzalez is no doubt getting up there in age, but with a solid offense surrounding him in Atlanta for the 2010 season, there is no reason to think that Gonzalez won’t post another season of 800 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns again next year.
10. Greg Olsen – Chi (25)
From this ranking on down, it is all about potential among these TEs. Owen Daniels is more than deserving of this ranking, but his torn ACL makes his ranking uncertain heading into the 2010 season. Placing Greg Olsen at this #9 spot was mostly because of his goal line TD potential and the hope that another year with Jay Cutler as his QB could launch him into that reliable fantasy football TE role by the end of the 2010 season. The potential is definitely there, so a top 10 ranking is more than deserving.
11. Owen Daniels – Hou
12. Dustin Keller – NYJ
13. John Carlson – Sea
14. Zach Miller – Oak
15. Heath Miller – Pit
16. Jeremy Shockey – NO
17. Visanthe Shiancoe – Min
18. Kevin Boss – NYG
19. Tony Scheffler – Den
20. Ben Watson – NE
21. Fred Davis – Was
22. Brandon Pettigrew – Det (knee injury)
23. Marcedes Lewis – Jac
24. Todd Heap – Bal
25. Martellus Bennett – Dal
26. Shawn Nelson – Buf
27. Jared Cook – Ten
28. Bo Scaife – Ten
29. Anthony Fasano – Mia
30. Chase Coffman – Cin
31. Travis Beckum – NYG
32. James Casey – Hou
33. Sean Ryan – KC
34. Joey Haynos – Mia
35. Gary Barnidge – Car
36. Randy McMichael – StL
37. Dante Rosario – Car
38. Donald Lee – GB
39. Justin Peelle – Atl
40. Joel Dreessen – Hou
41. Alge Crumpler – Ten
42. Daniel Fells – StL
43. Jeff King – Car
44. Desmond Clark – Chi
45. Daniel Graham – Den
46. Derek Fine – Buf
47. Robert Royal – Cle
48. Jerramy Stevens – TB
49. Brad Cottam – KC
50. LJ Smith – Bal
51. Richard Quinn – Den
52. Alex Smith – Phi
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/229158_2010-fantasy-football-te-keeper-rankings
TE Rankings – Start and Sit TE Rankings – Week 11. TE Rankings are based on the best matchups and highest potential fantasy football point outcomes among all TE for fantasy football teams in Week 11. Use these TE rankings to help you decide which TE to start in Week 11. If you have any comments or questions, you can post in the comment box below the rankings.
1. Dallas Clark – Ind = @Bal
Reliable, healthy, great QB, pass heavy offense, scoring potential. What else could you ask for from your fantasy TE? 50-100 receiving yards and a touchdown always possible.
2. Antonio Gates – SD = @Den
With Denver allowing tight end Fred Davis to record the most receptions and receiving yards against them last week, and Gates tallying 5 receptions for 70 receiving yards in their matchup earlier this season, it only seems reasonable to expect another 5 catch day with 50-100 receiving yards again from Gates this week. Not to mention a touchdown is possible as well.
3. Tony Gonzalez – Atl = @NYG
Matt Ryan isn’t playing well, Michael Turner is injured and unlikely to play in this game, and the defense will be keying on Roddy White. I fully expect Matt Ryan to look for the crafty veteran Gonzalez at least 10 times in this game. 50-100 receiving yards is likely, with a touchdown not out of the question.
4. Kellen Winslow – TB = NO
Right now it looks like Josh Freeman at QB will be Winslow’s savior for fantasy football owners over the remainder of the season. After last weeks 7 receptions and 102 receiving yards, it seems reasonable to expect numbers from Winslow in the range of 75-100 receiving yards. Just don’t expect a touchdown, as Tampa will likely continue to struggle scoring anything besides field goals in this game.
5. Jeremy Shockey – NO = @TB
A solid matchup for Shockey against Tampa this week, could have him tallying 5 receptions for 50-75 receiving yards with a touchdown possible.
6. Heath Miller – Pit = @KC
7. Greg Olsen – Chi = Phi
8. Jason Witten – Dal = Was
9. Brent Celek – Phi = @Chi
10. Vernon Davis – SF = @GB
Just as the Packers put Charles Woodson on Jason Witten last week and shut down the TE, I think it is reasonable to assume the same thing happens in this game, as Davis is clearly the 49ers best receiving option. Be prepared for a big bust week from Davis, but his potential is still worth a starting spot on most fantasy teams depending on your other options.
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11. Kevin Boss – NYG = Atl
12. Dustin Keller – NYJ = @NE
13. John Carlson – Sea = @Min
14. Ben Watson – NE = NYJ
15. Brandon Pettigrew – Det = Cle / SLEEPER
16. Visanthe Shiancoe – Min = Sea
17. Marcedes Lewis – Jac = Buf / SLEEPER
18. Zach Miller – Oak = Cin
19. Tony Scheffler – Den = SD
20. Todd Heap – Bal = Ind
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21. Fred Davis – Was = @Dal
22. Joel Dreessen – Hou = Ten / SLEEPER
23. Jermichael Finley – GB = SF / SLEEPER
24. Joey Haynos – Mia = @Car
25. Gary Barnidge – Car = Mia
26. Randy McMichael – StL = Ari
27. Bo Scaife – Ten = @Hou
28. Donald Lee – GB = SF
29. Justin Peelle – Atl = @NYG
30. Alge Crumpler – Ten = @Hou
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31. Daniel Fells – StL = Ari
32. James Casey – Hou = Ten
33. Sean Ryan – KC = Pit
34. Martellus Bennett – Dal = Was
35. Shawn Nelson – Buf = @Jac / DEEP SLEEPER
36. Anthony Fasano – Mia = @Car
37. Dante Rosario – Car = Mia
38. Jeff King – Car = Mia
39. Desmond Clark – Chi = Phi
40. Daniel Graham – Den = SD
41. Derek Fine – Buf = @Jac
42. Jared Cook – Ten = @Hou
43. Robert Royal – Cle = @Det
44. Travis Beckum – NYG = Atl
45. Jerramy Stevens – TB = NO
46. Brad Cottam – KC = Pit
47. LJ Smith – Bal = Ind
48. Chase Coffman – Cin = @Oak
49. Richard Quinn – Den = SD
50. Alex Smith – Phi = @Chi
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INJURED – UNLIKELY TO PLAY OR OUT
Chris Cooley – Was = @Dal
IR = Owen Daniels – Hou
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/192724_week-11-te-rankings-2009-fantasy-football
The Pittsburgh Steelers a member of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League was founded in 1933 by Art Rooney and ownership has remained in the Rooney family ever since. The Rooney’s are life long residents of the Pittsburgh area. That plays a tremendous role in the passionate loyality of the Steeler fanbase nicknamed Steeler Nation. The city of Pittsburgh itself is often referred to as Steeler Country as are areas throughout America with large Steeler fan bases. Steeler fans world wide are recognized by their highly identifiable black and gold symbol, the “Terrible Towel”. Winters in the city of Pittsburgh hit temperature lows below zero. Winds off of the three rivers that surround Pittsburgh create wind chill factors in the danger zone but that never stops the Steeler Nation from attending any of the Steelers home games. Here are a few of the statistics that keep them warm:
1 Click this photo to see Pittsburgh’s pride in their Steelers.
The Steelers have won: More Super Bowl Titles (6), More Championship Games (7), and hosted More Conference Championship Games than any other team. The Steelers have 14 Championship Game Appearances in either the NFC or AFC contests (that ties Pittsburgh with Dallas). Having won SUPER BOWL XLIII on February 1, 2009 the Steelers are the current National Football League Champs!
Two Super Bowl record holders. A look at this club’s members will reveal their successes. The Steelers hold two more NFL records in Big Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin.
Big Ben at the age of 23 was the youngest NFL Quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl. Super Bowl XL (40) February 5, 2006 was Ben’s first Super Bowl win. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10
That along speaks volumes about his talents. Three years later he does it again in Super Bowl XLIII. So at the age of 26 Big Ben has two Super Bowl wins to his credit.
Mike Tomlin is the Steelers first Black Head Coach. Three weeks after the 2006 season, he joined the Steelers. There were two records set by Mike Tomlin this year in Super Bowl XLIII, he was the youngest coach at age 36 IN a Super Bowl and, obviously, the youngest coach to WIN a Super Bowl. The Steelers won 27-23 over the Arizona Cardinals.
Another Steeler first: For the first time in Super Bowl history, the team that won the coin toss was given the option to take or defer the game’s first possession.
Fondly called Papa Smurf
Hines Ward, Wide Receiver holds most Steelers receiving records, four Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl MVP award. His catches typically account for almost a third of Pittsburgh’s passing attack. Whether he is the NFL’s best all-around receiver or not. what is undeniable is that he is the only pass-catcher in the league who figures prominently in virtually every play. In the passing game, he demands double-coverage, even when he’s a decoy. As a run-blocker, he is unparalleled. Hines doesn’t just wall off linebackers and safeties, he tries to destroy them. He has even taken out superstars like Ray Lewis.
Nicknamed the Flyin’ Hawaiian
The Steelers Strong Safety Troy Polamalu is involved in almost every defensive play. He may blitz the quarterback, come on a delayed blitz, or pretend to blitz and drop back into coverage, confusing the quarterback. In his third season (2005), he tied the NFL record for most sacks, 3, in a single game by a safety. The 2007 Pro Bowl was his third consecutive Pro Bowl and his first Super Bowl was 2006, when the Pittsburgh Steelers gained their “one for the thumb” with a 21–10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. In 2007 the Steelers gave Troy the biggest contract in team history extending him through 2011. That made Polamalu one of the highest paid defensive backs in the league and the highest paid safety in the league.
Can we say Twinkle Toes
Santonio Holmes Steelers Wide Receiver in Super Bowl XLIII secured the Steeler’s NFL-record 6th Super Bowl win after catching a 6 yard touch down pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 36 seconds left in regulation. The play was reviewed by the booth within seconds and cleared for a touchdown. He was named the game’s MVP after finishing with nine receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown
Jeff changed his image, he dyed his hair blond.
Jeff Reed Steelers Kicker has made several game-winning or game-tying field goals. During the Steelers 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Jets Jeff kicked the 33-yard game winning field goal in overtime. He kicked two game winning field goals one against the San Diego Chargers and another against the Baltimore Ravens. During the 2005-06 NFL playoffs where the Steelers eventually won Super Bowl XL, Reed successfully kicked all three field goal attempts and converted all fourteen of his potential PATs.
The unbeatable Steelers Defense.
DEFENSE! DEFENSE! DEFENSE!
Last season the Pittsburgh Steelers were the best defense in the league in almost every category. They got after the quarterback forced turn overs and stopped the run. There is not one person who can say that their defense was not the best. Not only did they lead in almost every defensive category, but they had something every defense would love, they had fear and swagger. Their presence was enough to scare offenses out of what they wanted to do. They were the most vicious crew in the NFL. Every game, the offenses would try to find their weaknesses, some had more success then others. The Steelers had their one bad game in Tennessee. The strongest thing about the Steelers defense was Dick LeBeau. He is arguably the best defensive coordinator and easily the most creative in the NFL. He not only confuses the quarterback, but he can kill the quarterback. Who knows what he will bring out next year?
Coaching, however, only goes so far. The players on this defense can be described in football terms as beasts. Can they get better? Yes they not only CAN they WILL get better. LeBeau will ensure that all his players stay on course. With a five-deep linebacking corps and a big play safety who knows what to expect. Consider that the Steelers will probably draft another defensive player in the first two rounds and THAT is too much talent to ignore.
I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will not only have the best defense in the league next year but could have one of the best defensive SEASONS ever in NFL history. Pittsburgh is my hometown. I am one of the Steeler Nation fans. As in my profile I give credit to the PITTSBURGH STEELERS. We live in Steeler Country and we LOVE our Steelers. We go to the spring training camp and sit there in blistering heat and cheer our Steelers on. We sit there in the stadium in subzero weather and cheer our Steelers on. We travel with them from state to state and cheer our Steelers on and when we move to other states we STILL cheer our Steelers on. I see our soldiers in the war zone of Iraq waving their Terrible Towels.
President Obama is a Steeler Fan! GO STEELERS!
He appointed Dan Rooney, Steelers Owner, as Ambassador to Ireland!
My only warning is if you are not already – Come on over, Get on the Winning Team, increase Steeler Nation. We’re going to do it again in 2010. Yeah!
Stats References from hometown newspapers, hometown sports programs ie, The Hines Ward Show, KDKA Sports, The Post Gazette, etc. and personal opinion.
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/59853_win-6-football-super-bowl-championships-like-the-pittsburgh-steelers
Welcome fantasy football IDP fanatics! We are reaching the midway point of the fantasy football season… For Week 8 there is a bit of variety in focusing on picking up players whether they are must-adds, bye week fill-ins or sleepers because you’re sleeping on them. Take a look and as always, feel free to contact us via twitter @fantasycouch if you have any additional questions.
Defensive Line Pick Ups – DL – DE – DT – NT
Dwan Edwards, Buffalo Bills, DT – The six-year pro out of Oregon State has reaped the statistical benefits of playing on a bad team with an even worse rush defense. Ranked last in the NFL, the Bills allow an average of 174.5 yards per game to opposing backfields, which if nothing else, allows tackle opportunities to Edwards and fellow inside lineman, Kyle Williams. Opposing coaches surely look at this as a weakness that can be exploited and create the game-plan accordingly. Edwards, who is owned in only 17.8 percent of ESPN leagues, has made the most of the opportunity compiling 39 total tackles (22 solo) and a sack through his team’s first six games without a victory. Buffalo will visit Kansas City this weekend to face a two-headed rushing attack in Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles making both Edwards and Williams a great option for Week 8.
Sleeper Linebacker – LB – MLB – ILB – OLB
Daryl Washington, Arizona Cardinals, LILB – Owned in only one percent of ESPN leagues, Washington is a rookie out of TCU who is starting to find his niche in the Cardinals’ defense. He excelled in a fast and talented defense in college which made him a second-round draft pick in April and that ability is starting to translate on Sundays. Out of his 42 total tackles, 34 are of the solo variety which is the ideal ratio in IDP leagues because typically scoring differentiates between solo tackles and assists. Washington lines up next to Paris Lenon as the other middle linebacker in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme and will continue to have an abundance of tackles opportunities and a decent amount of blitzes, with already one sack this season that came last week against Seattle. The 24-year-old has a solid career in front of him. Washington is a player to pay attention to the rest of this season and a potential fantasy stud in the coming years.
Defensive Back Pickups
Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, CB – At age 35, Barber is a probable Hall of Famer as one of the most sure-tackling and ball-hawking corners to play in this era. He is having another solid season with 41 total tackles (33 solo), four passes defended and two interceptions in six games this year. Now in his 14th season, Barber is the definition of durable, playing in every contest the past 13 seasons totaling 214 games while returning seven interceptions for touchdowns in his career. He is a solid start every week because he can play the run as well as the pass and is owned in a little more than 20 percent of ESPN leagues.
Prediction: Barber will have at least one interception returned for a touchdown in the next five weeks
Sleeper Defensive Back – DB – CB – S – FS – SS
Michael Huff, Oakland Raiders, S – The former first-round pick (7th overall) in 2006 has developed nicely playing alongside Tyvon Branch in the Raiders’ secondary which has played well as a unit. Although his tackles aren’t consistent week-to-week, the 45 total tackles (38 solo) and two forced fumbles are very respectable. After having three interceptions last season, it would be expected that Huff would have at least one already but they may be coming soon to a stadium near you. He is owned in just over five percent of ESPN leagues and will be a solid bye-week fill in and potential starter further into the season.
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/382654_fantasy-football-idp-week-8