Mini Pony of the Day 9-9-08

Today's MPotD comes from reader Benjamin. Ben wishes he "could be frolicking through a field like this little dude." Couldn't have said it any better myself.

If you aren't currently frolicking, you should be reading...these links:

Big ups to my good buddies at The Pensblog for making it to their 2nd anniversary alive. Nothing but love. [The Pensblog]

We all need golden helmets to emulate Janne Pesonen. [Pesonen and the Pens]

Interview with the hot chick from The Hockey Show. [Love The Game, Don't Like Puck Bunnies]

Yeah, Roger Federer is still good. [...the rest is still Unwritten]

Rest in peace, Evan Tanner. Wow. [Celebridiot]

Hoff in Arizona. That's not creepy. [With Leather]

Browns Fans at Steelers Games Featuring the Texans = Stupid

I'll admit, I've worn a Steelers jersey while watching a Penguins game, but that's the cutoff point for random jerseys at or during sporting events. And I wasn't even at the arena...this was just me, at home, not being able to find a Penguins jersey in time. I'm pretty against wearing other teams' gear at the games, even if they're from the same city. You're at a Penguins game, so take off the Pirates jersey.

When I went to Shea three weeks ago or so, I wore a Mets hat. Yes, I own one (I live in Queens), so don't disown me, Pittsburgh fans.

This video is just stupid. You're at the Steelers season opener, a game featuring Houston and Pittsburgh...IN PITTSBURGH...and you've decided to wear a Browns jersey. That's freaking suicide if the Browns were in town, let alone with no other idiotic Clevelanders in the general vicinity. The Brownies game is NEXT week, asshole. I hope this dude was heckled nonstop throughout the entire game.

In related news, while at the Steelers bar in Hoboken yesterday, a few of us Steelers fans pointed out a girl walking in a Ravens t-shirt and booed her intensely until she left our immediate sightline. Serves her right.

Mini Pony of the Day 9-8-08

The MMCNY will (usually) be up the morning following the games, so the MPotD will be coming at you closer to mid-day during the season (but only the day after Steelers games). Get used to it. I have post planned for later today as well.

Thanks to Doug-stradamous, here's a picture of free admission to "Land of Little Horses" in Gettysburg. Clipper Magazine rules! Now, onto the links:

Cotter's recap. [One For The Other Thumb]

Are the Steelers the team to beat in the AFC? However, it shouldn't be like that just because Brady's out. [The Big Lead]

Chad Ocho Cinco. Almost. [SPORTSbyBROOKS]

Bob Smizik keeps on giving. [Hockey, Football and Stiletto Shoes]

PSaMP fully endorses Sean Leahy's bid to become a writer at The Hockey News. [Going Five Hole]

Rosario Dawson plays football? Hot. [Awful Announcing]

Monday Morning Chrysler New Yorker

Hey guys...guess what? MMCNY is back! Its been awhile. You all are looking great. We should get together and do lunch.

Prior to the game (and season!) starting, I said to Cotter that we couldn't afford to start slow. One Roethlisberger pick, one slacking defense and the season already would have been in trouble. I wanted to see an efficient offense, a steady O-line and smothering defense early and often. On the whole (tee hee), I was thoroughly impressed.

No one made the mistake, other than Matt Schaub and his fellow Texans.

I'm wicked hoarse, mostly from the sick atmosphere at Texas Arizona, so I'll be coming at you with my quiet-time voice. I predicted a 35-14 win, but Doug went ahead and hit the nail on the head with the appropriate 38-17 prediction less than an hour before the game started! Can I get some lottery numbers, man?

So, I'm glad MMCNY is back (here's the ratings breakdown, if you're new to the concept). It'll shift the MPotD til later in the day following Steelers games, but you'll adjust. Let's dive in:

Ben. Yes. That is how you open the season. In only 3/4 of the game, Roethlisberger put up pre-'07-type numbers. 13-14 for 137 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of 147! He didn't force the ball anywhere, really, and was methodical with completion after completion. The Texans didn't want to get beat deep, so Ben took what was given...which is a good sign this early in the season. I felt pretty comfortable with all of Ben's passes, and he didn't let me down at all. A perfect 5 of 5 motorcycle helmets for the Large one.

Byron. Didn't do anything to ease my mind about the lack of Chuck Batch on the sidelines, but he also didn't make any massive mistakes. He handed off a bunch, which is easy to do with a huge lead, but went 0-4 when asked to chuck the rock. And he was chucking it. 2 of 5 motorcycle helmets, but to be fair, he wasn't expected to really do anything.

Willie. Yes. That is how you...pad my fantasy stats. Bill validated my first-round selection of the once-allergic-to-touchdowns-Parker. He continued his recent streak of huge opening-day games, topping 100 yards for the fourth straight season debut. At some point in our preview show or outtakes, we pleaded to Bill for a score. Trading a few fumbles a year for several more touchdowns will vault Willie from a decent, 1,200-yard back to a possible All-Pro. He's really that good. One helmet for each touchdown, one for going over 100 yards and another for not fumbling, and Fast Bill collects 5 of 5 motorcycle helmets in the opener.

D. They're going to get another perfect...so, um...spoiler alert? Silverback proved last year was no fluke as he played like he was on meth again. 3 sacks!? Yikes. The man is a force, and coupled with LaMarr Woodley, provides a formidable challenge to opposing offenses. Wood got in on the sack fest, Farrior pitched in, Nick Eason played a surprisingly good game, and Troy was flying around like pre-injuries Troy. 5 of 5 helmets.

Hines. Looked young all game. Even with the move to a younger WR corps, Hines showed why he still Hines Ward and should be respected as such. Those two touchdowns were critical, and really buried the Texans earlier than they probably expected. 4 of 5 helmets for the 76 yards.

San Antonio. Not really a great game, but someone is going to suffer when everyone else is killing it. I woulda liked a few more catches, but I guess he did as much as he could with what he was given. Only two catches, but a 9.5 yard average, and he converted a big third down. 3 of 5 helmets, and I expect a bigger game in the near future.

Fresh meat next week in the Cleveland Browns. Don't call me, I'll call you.

We Suck At Previews

Hope you weren't expecting much, because we weren't trying to give much. We still have no name or format, so this is just us killing time. Following the preview is some outtakes. Its the stuff that got cut out before the final product.

I'm not lying. We're crappy at best.

But football is here.

Go Steelers.

Sunday Needs To Get Here

Dude, I can't wait much longer. Fewt-ball season began last night, and now my appetite for the NFL has been severely whetted.

The only thing that can sustain me is the roar from Heinz Field and the sea of Terrible Towels. Those are all for you, Myron.

Sunday Steelers kickoff is only days away, which means tomorrow will have a rare weekend post here at PSaMP, and it'll be cross-published at OFTOT. Our pregame show/analysis should be up at some point, so check back frequently. We don't have a set time or anything. We're bloggers...come on. So send your show title ideas to either me or Cotter. You guys have sucked about as much as us, and we still haven't zeroed in on a choice.

We'll see you tomorrow...and HERE WE GO STEELERS!

Mini Pony of the Day 9-5-08

Where is this place? It looks like heaven! Tons of mini horses. A waterfall. I need to be there. Especially today, now that summer hours are over at work. Goodbye, leaving at noon on Fridays. Hello staying until 5. Gross.

Shoot me an email today...I'm bored. Or just read these links:

Awesome interview with Olympian Ric Blas Jr. from Guam by my buddy Sean. Pretty humble kid. [Sean's Ramblings]

The Friday Football Foodie makes its triumphant return! God, I love football. [Playing the Field]

I'm in an all-Steelers bloggers fantasy football league. Check out our answers in MPIE. [One For The Other Thumb]

Big problems in Nashville for the Predators. Could have implications in the NHL vs. KHL war. [Faceoff Factor]

LaRon Landry, who I think rules, got run over by Brandon Jacobs last night. One of the few highlights in an otherwise event-less game. [Busted Coverage]

I love Manny Ramirez. This video of him translating for a teammate is awesome. [Larry Brown Sports]

This Dude Sucks And Is Not A Steelers Fan

How do I even begin to insult this douchebag?

Uh...nice weak stream, asshole?

According to the Youtube description, the pee-er is a Steelers fan. At least in his own mind he is. Look:


Watch as I take a leak on my favorite jersey.


Favorite jersey? I don't care if this was a lost bet or some drunken mishap...you never pee on anything involving your favorite team/jersey. Drink your own pee before you pee on Steelers memorabilia.

The Marian Hossa shirt on fire? Acceptable, since he left the team for the Wings. Peeing on the jersey of the quarterback and team captain just days before the start of the regular season? Not forgivable. You've just been ostracized from Steelers Nation, jerk.

Mini Pony of the Day 9-4-08

Tired cat doesn't know what's about to go down. George Washington pony is about to get 'em.

Sneak up on these links and read them really quick:

Newest Steeler...TE Sean McHugh. [The Steel City Sports Fan]

Newest NFL stat...felonies. [Steely McStupid]

Strong Bad meets the Steelers. Epic children's book ensues. [One For The Other Thumb]

Mario Lemule. Yikes. I dread going to sleep tonight, lest this thing invade my night terrors. [The Pensblog]

How the Steelers match up against this summer's movie blockbusters. [DC Steeler Nation]

The NFL Network and ESPN won't be merging anytime soon. [Awful Announcing]

This Is Awesome

Pittsburgh has been blessed with two beautiful souls that inspired many over the past year or so. Unfortunately, both souls recently passed away, leaving legacies that most of us can only hope to imitate.

John Challis showed us that cancer couldn't keep him from reaching people, and his death saddened people in all corners of the world. Randy Pausch, terminally ill and given a life expectancy that would destroy the strongest of us, used his Last Lecture to motivate all generations. Both had ties to local sports in their final days, so sports fiends like yours truly were able to watch and admire from a certain closeness.

Tragedy sucks, but the good that comes from tragedy is positively overwhelming. Pausch not only leaves behind his emotion-rattling lecture at Carnegie Mellon, he now has his name draped over a flag football tournament (h/t to TECHburgher, IheartPGH and The Burgh Blog). The Inaugural Randy Pausch Memorial Flag Football Tournament has been started by his friends and family, seeing as how Pausch loved football. Proceeds will benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Here's some deets:


Sunday October 12, 2008
South Park Fairgrounds
9 AM to 6 PM

Men's Rec League (5x5)
Roster limit: 10
Fee: $200 before Sept. 30 ($250 after)

Men's Competitive League (5x5)
Roster limit: 10
Fee: $200 before Sept. 30 ($250 after)

Women's League (8x8)
Roster limit: 16
Fee: $300 before Sept. 30 ($350 after)


Sign up, if flag football is your thing and you'll be in the area. There's really no losers in this deal.

Mini Pony of the Day 9-3-08

BLUE STEEL!

Either Horselander finally achieved the legendary model look, or emo pony just wants to vent. I have a feeling there's something involving little guy in the background, too.

Work on your own Blue Steel, then come back and read these links:

Vote for Sean Leahy. [Hugging Harold Reynolds]

Rudi Johnson replaced Tatum Bell in Detroit, so Tatum Bell stole Rudi Johnson's bags. [Larry Brown Sports]

VP nominee Sarah Palin with a Penguins jersey. [The Pensblog]

What will Devin Hester do this year? [Tremendous Upside Potential]

Randy Couture to come out of retirement to fight Brock Lesnar. Never thought I'd type that. [MMA Frenzy]

Tiger Woods' knee rehab included knocking up his wife again. [With Leather]

I'm Not Making Stuff Up

Last week, I gave you some pictures of Rashard Mendenhall holding the ball away from his body while at Illinois and the NFL Combine. The fans were shocked that Beetlejuice fell so far in the draft. We thought he would have been gone by the time the Steelers got around to picking, but now his stock slide might be due to the fumbling problem. Hold the ball to your body, and there's less of a chance of some linebacker stripping you of the rock. Don't fumble, and you're a valuable contributor to the team.

To prove this was something I was worried about prior to Friday's post, here's video of me and Cotter where I mention the images of Mendenhall's poor form. This is from the Vikes game, where Mendenhall fumbled twice. We were taping ourselves to see if we said anything significant. I'd confirm this as significant.

In possibly-related news, PSaMP (me) and OFTOT (Cotter), are planning on doing an informal pregame show for Steelers games. Since we both live/work in New York City, we want to give you, the readers (watchers?), a glimpse into how displaced Steelers fans provide commentary from The Big Apple. This is where you come in.

We need a title. And quick. The first game is this weekend, so we should be shooting the dumb analysis on Saturday and have it up on the world wide web the same day. Trust me, it's gonna suck, but we'll see how it goes. We need a title that sorta ties in NYC to the 'Burgh. Two tentative examples are "Penn Station Square" (Penn Station - New York; Station Square - Pittsburgh) and "One River Down" (Pittsburgh - 3 rivers; NYC - 2).

Come up with something witty and clever, and if we get any response, we'll throw your choices into the mix. Leave 'em here, or email them to psampmail@gmail.com. Trust me, we don't want to resort to my awesome choice of The Big Apple-Flavored Ketchup.

Mini Pony of the Day 9-2-08

Aw...old boy is shy. And regular. That's a lot of mini horse poo sitting up there. I'd be hiding in a corner if I was in a pen of my own dookie as well.

Go to the bathroom...or read these links:

Eagles fans rule! [One For The Other Thumb]

Think of an awesome cartoon character, wrestler, actor, anyone for The Pensblog to use for the upcoming Penguins season. [The Pensblog]

Solid picture to go with ESPN's recent crowning of Steelers nation as the best fan base in the NFL. [Blog 'N' Gold]

New blog. On The Black Side, by Neal Coolong. [On The Black Side]

Those volleyball chicks lost right after the Olympics. Crazy streak, though. [Yahoo]

Ricky Williams...pre-med student? [SPORTSbyBROOKS]

Happy Labor Day

In honor of Labor Day, I'm not laboring on this site. I'll see you all tomorrow.

Here's four videos of my hero, Andrew W. K. The first two involve Pittsburgh...the first being part of a motivational speech at Carnegie Mellon, the other involving a show he did in the Steel City.

The last two are the songs Party Hard, set to scenes from the awesome movie The Warriors, and the video for my favorite AWK song...She is Beautiful.

Enjoy, be safe and have a happy holiday!