COMING TO A TV NEAR YOU: TROY POLAMALU AND BARACK OBAMA

Troy Polamalu has really taken his crossover appeal to another level since winning a second Super Bowl (unless you've missed the endless Head and Shoulders ads, Madden cover or Jimmy Fallon appearance), and as the latest example, he was chosen to appear in a public service ad alongside President Barack Obama.

The 90-second PSA promotes the league's "Play 60" campaign, which encourages physical activity to combat childhood obesity, as well as the president's community service initiative, "United We Serve". Also appearing in the spot will be New Orleans' Drew Brees and Dallas Cowboys Demarcus Ware. The ad, which shows Obama and the players on the White House lawn playing touch football with local kids, will debut during the Thanksgiving day games and will run in an abbreviated version throughout the remainder of the season.

Steelers' Polamalu to Appear in PSA with President Obama [WPXI]

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BEYONCE, WHOOPI, AND LARRY FOOTE

That title sounds like the punchline to a Johnny Carson joke, but there's actually some context for the grouping. During Sunday's Lions-Saints game, announcer Chris Myers had this to say about former Steeler Larry Foote: Going from two Super Bowls in Pittsburgh to the winless Detroit team -- that's like going from dating Beyonce to Whoopi Goldberg." Ouch.

By the way, in this game Drew Brees threw six TDs in a win over a team that hasn't won since Week 16 of 2007, so be fully prepared for proclamations of his greatness throughout the week. Remember: Big Ben = bad, Drew Brees = good.

NFL Announcer Rips Whoopi Goldberg [TMZ]

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LAUGHABLE

Since there's no byline, I can't decipher which Steeler-hating employee of NBC Sports compiled this joke of a list entitled "Current NFL Stars Likely Headed For the Hall of Fame". But it's quite evident there was an agenda, because out of the 27 players on this list, there is not one Steeler. No Roethlisberger, no Polamalu, no Ward...a complete whiff for the entire organization. Because they need to save room for the REAL future Hall of Famers. Like Drew Brees, who has managed to parlay one career playoff win and a 55-51 regular season record into the myth that he has somehow leapfrogged a certain quarterback who has compiled a 51-20 regular season mark, to go along with two Super Bowl rings and an 8-2 record in the playoffs. And for all the stat nerds who think Brees is so vastly superior to Roethlisberger in that aspect, their 89.4 passer ratings are identical.

Is there an NBC writer out there willing to take credit for this list? Because I'm sure Steeler Nation, as well as myself, would loooooove to hear how one can explain this one. We'll all be patiently waiting by the inbox.

Current NFL Stars Likely Headed For the Hall of Fame [NBC]

UPDATE:

As Sam points out in the comments, there is an article that goes along with the slideshow - a fact I was previously unaware of. The author was Dan Pompei, and he addresses a few of the omissions:

We did not consider players who currently are not with teams, such as Marvin Harrison and Derrick Brooks. And we did not consider players who have not been in the league very long, such as Ben Roethlisberger and Adrian Peterson.

and

The Hall of Fame isn’t very kind to safeties, but three current ones could deserve a look: Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu and Brian Dawkins. If Reed continues to produce big plays for a few more years the way he has previously, his case will be a strong one.

So there's your answer. Five full seasons in the NFL and two titles does not make a strong HOF case yet in this specific writer's eyes. To lump him in with Adrian Peterson, a guy who's played two years in the league and has appeared in one playoff game, seems a bit unfair. I'll have to agree to disagree with Pompei on this assessment. But to put Brees and McNabb ahead of Roethlisberger because of longer careers makes little sense to me. If anything, they have accomplished less in more time. But I digress.

As for Polamalu, his seven-season career has included five Pro Bowl appearances, two first-team All-Pros, and two rings. One would think that would merit inclusion, but apparently Reed and Dawkins are just plain better, because they both made the cut.

Finally, we come to Hines Ward, whose Hall qualifications are already being debated. Some think Ward is not going to make it, but again, I would have to disagree. It may take a few tries, but I think eventually he gets in. His resume, courtesy of Wikipedia:

* 4× Pro Bowl selection (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
* 3× All-Pro selection (2002, 2003, 2004)
* 2× Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
* Super Bowl XL MVP
* 2003 Steelers MVP
* 2× Steelers co-MVP (2002, 2005)
* Steelers Career Records for Receptions, Receiving Yards, & Receiving TDs
*Receptions 800 (22nd all time)
*Receiving Yards 9,780 (34th all time)
*Receiving TDs 72 (28th all time)

In closing, I am well aware that one man's opinion means little in the grand scheme of things. But remember, we're Steeler fans. Being offended at the national media's perception of the Steelers is our obligation, not our choice.

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NEWS AND NOTES

--Two from WPXI: first, they had a body language expert (what?) break down the video of Ben Roethlisberger's statement, and that person thinks Ben's telling the truth. So that's good news, I suppose.

Second, reporter Rick Earle, who's in Nevada, learned that a private investigator posing as an autograph seeker served Ben with the court documents while he was in town for the American Century celebrity golf tournament this month. Which is probably bad news for future Ben autograph hounds. [WPXI]

--The Big Ben case was nothing compared to the lack of coverage by the entire media over the Rick Pitino extortion case. [SPORTSbyBROOKS]

--Colin Cowherd picks Pitt to finish second in the Big East at 10-2 this year, trailing only 12-0 Rutgers, which returns five starters on the O-line. I guess I can live with that. [The Herd's Word]

--The NFL draft is moving to primetime in 2010, with a Thursday-night kickoff. Adjust your lives accordingly. [The Big Lead]

--Pete Prisco ranks Large Ben #4 among NFL QBs, right behind Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and hero of fantasy nerds everywhere and holder of a 1-2 lifetime record in the playoffs, Drew Brees. Fantastic. [CBS]

--James Walker previews the AFC North, and has this to say about the Champs: "Although the coaching staff won't admit it, few teams need training camp and the preseason less than Pittsburgh." Don't let Casey Hampton hear that. [ESPN AFC North Blog]

--Former Steeler DT flop Orien Harris is apparently worth Raiders WR Ronald Curry in a trade engineered by the St. Louis Rams. [Fanhouse]

--Former Steeler punter Mitch Berger is among a group of past and present New Orleans Saints suing a film studio to try to get their money back from investments they say were never made. Because if there's one thing you care about, it's Mitch Berger's finances. [ESPN]

--What do the Steelers eat at training camp? Turkey burgers and cheesecake...the diet of champions. [WPXI]

--Mark Madden weighs in on the Erin Andrews peephole controversy, in a way only Mark Madden can. [WXDX Mark Madden]

--Bigfoot (the fictitious creature, not the monster truck or the Howard Stern Wack Packer) was recently spotted in Fayette County, which somehow doesn't surprise me in the least. [Cryptomundo]

--And speaking of Fayette County in a more positive light, Johnny Lujack and his Heisman visited the Connellsville HS training facility that bears his name. To the best of my knowledge, Bigfoot was not in attendance. [Herald Standard]

--Dave Dameshek gives us "The Dopple Gang", a collection of lookalikes from the world of sports and entertainment. Carolla and McBeam? Well played, Mr. Dameshek. [ESPN.com]

--Some have snickered at the idea of the G-20 summit being held in Pittsburgh, but it's no laughing matter to residents and leaders of the city. As you know, we are very sensitive to such criticism. [NY Times]

--Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood is going from a daily program to a weekly program on PBS, a decision I'm not happy with one bit. Can't we have an extra telethon or something? [PG]

--Everyone apparently had a good time at the Green Day concert in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. I was busy that night compiling old quotes from Adam LaRoche, which was obviously just as enjoyable. [PG]

--From DVE.com, it's Julie Bologna's 1992 Internship Scrapbook, with special guest appearances by Jim Krenn, Phil Bourque, and Mike Lange!

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WE MIGHT BE GETTING THROUGH

"I think I'm starting to think Carson Palmer belongs in Jay Cutlerville. He hasn't been a commanding presence on the field for some time, I'd say going back to mid-2006, and I'm hard-pressed to think of him in the same league with the top five or six quarterbacks. I did put him there in my top 50 in the SI NFL Preview issue, but after watching him Sunday, I almost wish I could have that one back."

Those words were uttered by one Peter King, who I've called out roughly 1,428 times in the past year-plus for his constant ranking of Palmer as head-and-shoulders above our very own Ben Roethlisberger. And to answer your next question, yes, I did faint after reading this the first time.

Not only did King rank Palmer in his 2008 "top 50", he ranked him 7th in the entire league, right behind Drew Brees, who at #6 (in the league) has won one career playoff game. As for Roethlisberger, King had him 18th. I don't know about you, but I highly doubt that there are 17 players in the league I'd rather have right now.

In other King news, he appears to be starting a love affair with LB Lamarr Woodley, his Defensive Player of the Week as well as his prediction for "Non-Star Who Has Breakout Season". However, it must be noted that right next to the Woodley prediction, King named Casey Hampton as "Star Who Has Subpar Season".

MMQB [SI.com]

The Lost Art of Defense Part III: Cowher Playing Video Games?

I watched three football games this weekend: Pitt at UConn, San Diego at Cincy, and the Steelers-Saints game. If I ever saw a frightening display of the state of defense at the two highest levels of football, it was this trifecta. I'll recap in a convenient, three-part series.

ACT THREE: SAINTS AT STEELERS

Bill Cowher must have really enjoyed the experience being on the cover of NFL Head Coach this season. So much that he decided to coach like he was playing a video game in 2006. Counting today's 38, the Steelers have averaged 30.8 points in their last five games, going back to the Kansas City "Passion Party" game.

With that in mind, the concept of defense appears to have been totally abandoned by our favorite Craftonite. This team is turning into the reincarnation of the 1999 Rams: we won't stop you, but you can't stop us.

Think about some of the things that happened in today's game; if you didn't know the final score, and I'd drop these nuggets of information on you, do you really think the Steelers would've been victorious?

--The Steelers allow 517 yards of total offense to the Saints, including 398 yards passing by Drew Brees

--The Steelers lose Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, AND Tyrone Carter to concussions, which apparently are now contagious among members of the secondary.

--An official calls a 15-yard penalty on Aaron Smith for touching Drew Brees' sock.

--Reggie Bush scores his first-ever NFL rushing touchdown.

--Larry Foote drops a probable interception for a touchdown in the first quarter.

--Jeff Reed misses a 35-yard field goal, with his season percentage quietly dropping to 69%, or 11% below his career average.

--Santonio Holmes still being sent back to field punts (proving Cowher Statue still has a sense of humor)

--7th-round draft pick Marques Colston has 10 catches for 169 yards

The real reason the Steelers won was because the Saints played more like the 2006 Steelers than the Steelers did (if that makes any sense). The Saints turned the ball over three times (including on their final drive), the Steelers, zero.

I guess this week we can say again that Ben Roethlisberger has recovered from all of his calamaties, as he threw for 264 yards and 3 TDs. Willie Parker was bottled up for 26 yards in the first half, but that 187 in the second half was a nice touch. I still say the Steelers need to get more creative getting the ball in his hands: he needs more screen passes. Today, the Steelers finally throw him a screen that goes for 13, then they do it again...on the next play! And Hines Ward continued his strong month, adding five catches for 86 yards and a TD. Yes, the offense was clickin', they held onto the ball, and surprise, surprise, they beat a 6-2 team.

The defense? That's another story. Pass coverage is virtually nonexistent. Colston and a guy I can honestly say I never heard of (Terrence Copper) torched the secondary for a total of 16 catches and 261 yards. The defense could not wrap up Drew Brees, who was made to look like Michael Vick, Vince Young, and Randall Cunningham rolled into one with his escapability. And this group simply cannot get off the field on third downs. It could be 3rd-and-50 and I'd bet on any offense to convert against this defense.

Bill Cowher Statue was again on display today, showing zero emotion on good plays or bad. Terry Bradshaw was also on display today with his Fox cronies, and he was letting the Pittsburgh love fly throughout the afternoon. The Steelers kept that tiny, miniscule, microscopic window open of a playoff chance, but the odds are still incredibly stacked against them. After watching the Steelers surrender 500 yards to the Saints, "playoff team" was NOT the first thing that crossed my mind.

More offensive stats to make your head spin:

Saints: 517 yards of offense, 31 points

Steelers: 467 yards of offense, 38 points

Drew "Son of Mina" Brees: 398 yards passing, 1 TD

Ben Roethlisberger: 264 yards passing, 3 TD, 0 concussions, motorcycle wrecks or appendectomies

Willie Parker: 213 yards rushing, 2 TD, 0 teammates called out during the game

Deuce "Don't Call Me Staley" McAllister: 60 yards rushing, 2 TD

Mapquest Colston: 10 catches, 169 yards

Hines Ward: 5 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 ball given to a Hines Ward fan

Larry Foote: 1 dropped INT for a TD, 0 "Footestomps"

After watching these three games, I hereby declare defense to be dead in American football.

This is our country. This is our country.

Monday Morning Wrapup

Penn State 12, Purdue 0- Another exciting Saturday afternoon of Big 10 football. And in Pittsburgh, we were treated to four of the five conference games on TV. A lineup like that is what inspired me to watch the Maloof Bros/Matt Damon horror flick Feast on DVD instead.

Bears 41, 49ers 10- Why does every good Bears team get compared to the 1985 team? And if the 1985 team was so incredible, why did they only win one title? In 20 years, will a good Ravens team be compared to the 2000 team?

Falcons 29, Bengals 27- How does the NFL uniform police even allow Chad Johnson to wear his faux "Ocho Sinco" on the back of his jersey for warmups? Is Michael Vick going to send a Christmas card to the NFL for scheduling these games against the AFC North?

Jags 13, Eagles 6- Byron Leftwich is too immobile, so he gets benched for Tim Tebow, and the Jaguars are relevant again, at least in their minds. Donovan McNabb manages not to vomit on camera as the Eagles fall to 4-4. By the way, did you know they make cheesesteaks in Philadelphia? I just thought I'd drop that in, as broadcasters do each and every week that the Eagles play at home.

Ravens 35, Saints 22- The Spirit of New Orleans, which always gets a lift following a Saints win, must be devastated tonight. "Savior of the City" Reggie Bush's line: 5 carries, 16 yards; 4 catches, 5 yards; one back-breaking interception in the end zone. Tomorrow, Drew Brees gets booed when he goes to Emeril's.

Chiefs 35, Seahawks 28- The Chiefs continue to play well when not attending Passion Parties the night before. Larry Johnson's 155 yards and 4 TDs pull fantasy leaguers who chose him #1 overall off the ledge for one week.

Chargers 38, Rams 24- If Marty Schottenheimer's Chargers and Peyton Manning's Colts met in the playoffs, is there a scenario where they could somehow both lose?

Colts 34, Broncos 31- Paging Mercury Morris for the annual "call me when they're in our neighborhood" interview.

Browns 20, Jets 13- Cleveland prohibits the Jets moving to 5-3 and starting the unnecessary playoff discussion. Meanwhile, Chad Pennington is back to sucking again, as his 108-yard, 2-INT performance will attest to.

Cowboys 35, Panthers 14 - Just one start, and John Madden has already compared Tony Romo to Joe Montana. Notice, he did not say Brett Favre. That would take at least two starts.