For such a tough guy team this is amusing.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09016/942302-66.stm

Too cold to practice outside? They do know football is played in the winter,right?

Pete:
While we are mixing football and baseball issues, here is a quote in the Detroit Free Press from the press conference of Jim Schwartz, the new Lions head coach, ex Titans coordinator who apparently grew up in Baltimore and was a big Os and Colts fan.

"I understand what this city's gone through. As a kid, I was a tremendous sports fan and I lived and died with the Baltimore Colts and the Baltimore Orioles. We used to make fun of my brother-in-law - if the Orioles lost, he would beat his kids and put them to bed. I get that. I know what that's like to devote so much emotional (energy) into a team, but that's what makes the National Football League great. A lot of places, 0-16 might not have hurt as much as in Detroit. I think that's a good thing."

His brother in law must have been doing this years ago when the Orioles were winning ..for the last decade, most fans are now much more accustomed to and thus much better adjusted to Os losing.

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Pete's reply: Can't believe he really said that.

Pete, I saw the article about Hagerstown being like a demarcation line between the two camps. That put me to thinking. Wasn't there a flap a year or two back, because the League decided south-central PA was not Eagles or Steelers home turf, but it belonged to the Ravens?

I seem to remember some serious complaints from Philly and Burgh fans in that area (Chambersburg, etc.) that they were considered home turf for the Baltimore and would get the Ravens instead of Steelers or Eagles on most Sundays.

I wonder if it's still like that.

By the way, the Sun has a helluva complete on-line sports section. Neither the Post-Gazette nor the Tribune Review come anywhere near matching it. Also, you and Connolly have nice blogs. Way to go.

Steelers win.

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Pete's reply: Thanks very much. I'm still learning this blog stuff, but it's fun.

I don't think Satyr3206 quite gest it. The Steelers are still practicing in "outside cold." But their practice field is frozen solid. And, they sure don't want to take the covers off the turf at Heinz Field, just to practice.

Neither do they want unnecessary serious injuries just before the big game. Wise move. Let it be game-conditions cold, but a non-treacherous footing.

What is truly amusing is how much time pitts dwellers spend on a real newspapers website.

Hey Pete , that's okay , Steelers fans lack the couth and intelligence to understand tongue in cheek humor . Not to worry , we will give them a schooling come Sunday .

Pete,

Since I left Maryland nearly 30 years ago, my football support for Baltimore died when the Colts left town. Since then, I 've turned football attention to my Alma mater Texas (Longhorns football). I bleed burnt orange. My point is, that I'm neither a Ravens or Steelers fan, so I can view this game objectively. I admit I never jumped on the bandwagon, so I won't start now.

I will root for the Ravens, but honestly feel that the Steelers are the better team. Not by much mind you. The Ravens defense is second only to Blitzburgh, and even when dinged up both teams still bring it! The difference is offense. While the Ravens possess the better O-Line, the Steelers have more at the skill positions - QB & WR. And if Willie Parker is healthy, their running back gets the nod over any Raven back.

I believe it will be another good game, however the Steelers have all been here before. And the pressure of a Conference Championship game is tremendous. That's where the Steelers & Big Ben have the edge. That said, I really like Joe Flacco and feel the Ravens have a real gem in this guy. I really like the kid. But I see the Steelers advancing.

I see Steelers 17, Ravens 10. And it will be a knock down donnybrook. Hope Ravens can pull it off, but history says no.

This game could go many different ways. That's why the game is played. For me, a good enjoyable game would be a blowout for the Ravens. It could happen if we can get to Rothlisberger consistently. However, with the injury to Suggs and Pittsburgh seemingly being able to do whatever was necessary to win in the regular season, I am not optimistic for the Ravens. That said, it will be interesting to see if the Ravens can show how much they have improved, and want it, regardless. Play Ball! Whoever wins, I hope is not so "broke" that they don't have anything left for the "big dance".

I used to go up to the townships around Pittsburgh as my ex-wifes relatives lived there. Even those little townships were awash with Steeler garb, from the supermarket to the 10 lane bowling alley there was always something about the Steelers.

Very passionate folks like us Ravens fans but if the Steelers lost and you ribbed them they could not take it, they would actually get mad and not talk to you. Kinda like these Redskin fans around here.

Who?

The Redskins, you know that team that rarely makes the playoffs and is home watching the Ravens today!

Pete-

Thank God...this confirmed for me that the earth is not flat, the Dodgers never played in Brooklyn, and the Orioles still have an occasional modicum of common sense. Let's all collectively exhale now...