WFAN (660) New York's turn

My absolute favorite sports talk radio show is Mike & the Mad Dog on WFAN (660) New York.� Hosts Mike Francessa (sp?) and Chris Russo are knowledgeable and well-informed, without necessarily being experts.� It�s a great mixture of discussion between the two of them, with call-in periods.� There�s no gimmickry, no crassness, no calling people turds, ala WEEI, or blowing up callers.

Yesterday, though, Russo made an early prediction that Steeler Nation would take great exception to.� He picked the Steelers to survive the first round, but then:

1. Predicted that New England would beat the Steelers.� Reason:� Belichik & Brady trump Cowher & Rothlisberger.
2. Indy would beat the Steelers.� Reason (and read carefully): Ben, being a rookie, will cost the Steelers in the playoffs.

See folks, there are still disbelievers out there.� Personally, I take great comfort in Ben�s presence, and have adopted the personal mantra of BWLUL.� Pronounced Byu-Lull.� It�s simply �BEN WON�T LET US LOSE.�� All day long, on my Nordic track, in meetings, fighting with my wife, yelling at the kids�I repeat Byu-Lull, Byu-Lull.�� It�s the key to sanity in this playoff January.

The more I examine these upcoming playoffs, here�s what I see happening:

Game #1 v. San Diego (�and I�m not assuming it�s SD):� Yes, SD is tough physically, but ya know what, we�ve been able to run on tough physical teams as Baltimore & Buffalo.� We�ve had a harder time running on Jax & the Jets, but re-examining the film, I�m wondering if this had more to do with Duce�s acceleration problems.� The O-line�s run-blocking against the Jets seemed OK.� We�ll take the same approach as with Baltimore, and loosen SD up early by throwing downfield.� We�ll adopt Phantom�s mantra of RSTL-rissteel-Run Strong, Throw Long.� SD will be drawing flags trying to defend against our receivers.� Christ, Tampa Bay threw on these guys, at SD; we will as well.

As I�ve pointed out earlier, I think there�s been a resurgence of the OL during the last two games.

On D, we will shut down the running of LT, and we will rattle Drew Brees.� We may have some trouble with Gates, but we�ll hammer this basketball player.� He�ll feel like Manute Bol after his accident.

Point to remember as well: SD has given up two kick returns for TDs very recently.

Game #2 (scenario 1) vs. New England:� Corey Dillon will not run on us.� He�s not out of the woods as a head case as far as I�m concerned.� Here�s a completely unsubstantiated thought, lacking any premise whatsoever.� Prior to the Halloween Massacre, Dillon was not on the injury report until Thursday, when he�s listed with a mysterious thigh bruise.� Then he�s deactivated at gametime.� Is it possible that Dillon foresaw the ass-whippin� and didn�t want his ass whipped??� Anyway, not much running room for the Pats in this one, either.� They will have some success passing�.but, using the same offensive prescription as the SD game, we will torch their rag-tag secondary, and then hammer them with our running game.�

Oh, the Pats have had trouble covering kicks, too.� Randle El takes a punt to the House.

(Scenario 2) vs. Indy:� We run, and run, and run some more.� Only when we�ve sufficiently kicked Freeney�s & Mathis�s collective ass in the run game, do we start tossing the rock downfield.� We chew up a ton of clock.� Offensively, this effort will be similar to the Iggles game.� If we�re able to stop Manning & Co., we could be out a 21-0 start in this game as well.

Game #3 vs. Iggles: Same as first Iggles game.� That simple.

And there�.my Steeler brothers, is our path to One for the Thumb.

Other Random thoughts on this snowy New England Thursday:

1. More talk radio:� Sometimes I can pick up KDKA, and IC Light Sportstalk.� Unfortunatley, the show basically sucks.� I hate when I can tune it in, and Paul Alexander is talking about Pitt football, or worse, Pirate baseball.� Alexander was also advancing the premise last night, that we should welcome the most difficult opponent in the first round.� Fuck that�give us the most convenient path to victory.
2. I watched none of college football�s supposed championship game on Tuesday.� I was so sickened by the commentary during the few minutes of which I was watching the Auburn game on Monday, explaining why Auburn lacked a sufficient voter base.� Any supposed sport, where a team has to play politician get elected is not for me.�
3. Southwest Airlines is coming to Pittsburgh!!!!!!� Hooray, Hooray, Hooray.� More affordable flights will hopefully translate into more Steeler games for me.
4. As fans, we can get ahead of ourselves, right??� Thinking about the SB, and how I would like to watch.� Funny, I�ve never really had any desire to actually go to a Super Bowl.� I think it�s �cause it�s in a neutral sight, and has a stadium filled with VIPs who don�t give a shit about the game.� I would, though, like to watch the game in the Burgh.� Here�s my plan:� Is it not the case that Heinz Field is open for away games.� Have any of you actually watched an away game from Heinz??� How�s the viewing on the JumboTron.� Anyway, this would be very cool.� There would be plenty of tailgaters, beer stands inside would be open.� Watch the SB on a cold early February night at Heinz, with plenty of SteelerNation.� I would park over in Station Square, so when downtown erupts and the access roads are closed, I could eventually stagger back to my vehicle, and exit to my brother�s South Hills home.� Anybody else up for this??

Byu-Lull, Byu-Lull, Byu-Lull