Hey Schmuck, I think it's going to be a good game, regardless of the outcome. I've got the Ravens and the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. That being said, here are some potential comebacks for the Steelers fans:

Ravenstahl should've kept his name, because that's what the Ravens will do against the Steeleers.

We're going to give the Raven's "Black Lung Disease"

The only thing worse than our city is the beatdown we're going to put on the Ravens.

Poe was right, but he was talking about the next time the Ravens will beat the Steelers.

Ok, so I don't actually expect the Steelers' fans to be smart enough to come up with any of those, but I'm still amused by them.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: That's what I'm talking about. Bring it. Thanks for the effort.

Ravens are a mother of four.

Peter.

A boss of mine, who was from Western MD and a huge Steelers fan, and I once had the following conversation.

Him: You know, the Steelers are so hardcore they are the only team in the NFL that doesn't have cheerleaders.

Me: Well of course, if you put a bunch of Pittsburgh girls in yellow and black you would just get them confused with the offensive line.

Him: Hey! Well, yeah.

Say what you will about Eagles fans... they won't understand it. And thanks Pete, its nice to hear someone thinks we're clever. Most of us probably don't get that from our wives/girlfriends.

Very nice Pete , I realize even more why you are my personal hero.............Go Ravens...............by the way , a highly reliable source told me squeeler fans aren't capable of blogging due to the lack of reasoning capability and scarce access to computers and the webb, so don't expect many come-backs.............

Ravens fans wave white flags, which means Surrender.What's my name? Raisins.

Baltimore and Pittsburg are pretty much the same, except Baltimore has a much higher... murder rate.

So...your mayor takes "ravens" out of his name so he can watch his team play a football team from Baltimore on the "eve" of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th Birthday!

"And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me---filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;" -The Raven

Good luck...NOT!

steelers = communists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-5kltv1Dgo&eurl=http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/blogngold/default.aspx

And so you think think a MAN dressing up in PURPLE is better?
The reason their are so many Steelers fans not in Pittsburgh is because the brainpower of Western PA is overwhelmingly better than that of the entire country. How else could explain why so many prominent individuals are Steeler Fans?
Who is your most famous fan? Mel Kiper? Nice hair! Hairspray wasn't a good movie twenty years ago, why did you think it was a good idea to remake it let alone style your hair from it?
Dont worry, i'll be back later....

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I heard the women in Pittsburgh don't wear hairspray because it gums up the hard hat. See you soon.

Mr. Schmuck,
I know you're just trying to get a rise out of Steeler fans and Pittsburghers in general, so I take your lame attempts at humor with a grain of salt. As a native Pittsburgher who has lived in Long Beach, CA and Columbus, OH before returning home to the 'Burgh, I can really appreciate why this city is so great. Yes, there are a lot of moronic "yinzers" in this town, but you can say the same about every city. What differentiates a person's ability to promote the fine qualities of their town while taking digs at their rivals town, is how they articulate themselves and how clever they are. I can appreciate sarcasm or even passionate disdain for my city and can take a joke. Remember, "if you can't laugh at yourself......."
Unfortunately, your attempts at humor, sarcasm or even what you believe to be the truth met none of the above requirements of gumption or wit. While I won't attempt to judge you based on one feeble attempt at comedy, I will give you credit for one thing. You know how they say a lot of dogs resemble their owner? A more congruous agnomen one could not have.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Okay, I'm going put up your post because you came up with a way of saying "You're name fits" that I've never heard before. And because you and I both lived in Long Beach, Calif., for a time. Was it at the same time?

Good one Peter! You challenged Pittsburgh fans to come up with a clever retort. We know any such material will come from a third party just trying to make it onto your blog.

I ask you, just for the sake of levity, to post some of the typical "Schmuck" responses. We know that's the highest they can attain, and I suppose out of fairness you should include some responses from actual Steelers fans.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: They'll come, but I should have put Steelers in the headline so it would have gotten picked up on their message boards. My bad again.

It really is a shame that the people (and I use that term loosely) of Baltimore feel so insecure in themselves and their team that they have stooped to attacking the opposing teams fans. I really haven't heard anyone talk to much about the actual stats of the teams or any good reason as to why you think that Baltimore is going to win this game. I guess we finally see the mentality of the average Raven fan. I am ashamed to say that you are my friends and neighbors.

Hey Peter, remind me again when a team from Baltimore (Orioles, Ravens, and Colts pre- or post- Mayflower vans) beat a team from Pittsburgh in a post-season game/series? I just can't seem to recall it ever happening?

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I really hate it when people cloud an issue with facts.

Peter,

What's the deal with our male cheerleading squad?

Doesn't seem to fit our image.

Feels like bad karma to me.

hey, it's all good... at least steelers fans aren't rooting for a team like the ravens - who were stolen from their city the same way the colts were taken from b'more...

That's some of the best and funniest stuff I've read in a long time. Go Ravens! Also, glad you said "oops" about the baseball team.

I heard that Baltimore's official bird is the stray bullet.

And Baltimore's motto used to be "The City that Reads" because your government thought it wise to push a reading initiative while simultaneously topping the nation's charts in murders. Good PR campaign, but I guess it's tough to get shot over a drug deal gone bad in a library, so maybe you guys are smarter than I thought.

And I used to live in the Baltimore area, and have since moved back to Pittsburgh in order to raise a family in an area not reminiscent of Bosnia in the 90's.

I can't believe you could make such comments about the people of Pittsburgh. Obviously you have never been here or talked to anyone from here.I don't understand why they would even pay you to be a journalist. Born and raised in the Burgh, Dale

eric -

The Colts were stolen. If I'm not mistaken, the Browns are still in Cleveland.

Pete if you take your last name out of the comebacks, you are making it almost impossible for any Steelers fan to write anything...considering most of their IQ's do not comprehend words much more complex than Schmuck

"The City that Reads?" With your illiteracy rates and schools? You may as well have just named Baltimore "The City that Doesn't Murder." Or, "We Don't Have Syphilis."

Say what you will about Baltimore, but it will definitely be the more dangerous team come Super Bowl time. No, really. What is Ray Lewis going to be doing on February 1st?

A lot of people give Baltimore fans grief for selling their tickets to Steelers fans for Baltimore/Pittsburgh games......No joke there. You guys are just horrible fans.

What is the difference between Baltimore and my apartment? Neither will have Rex Ryan in it in three days.

Who knew that 'The Wire' was really sugarcoating Baltimore this whole time? Thanks, Sheila Dixon!

What do Cam Cameron in 2007-2008 and Cam Cameron in 2008-2009 have in common? They both know how to deprive the Ravens of victories.

Some potential new city slogans:

Baltimore: Edgar Allan Poe Had to Take Up Opium Just to Stay Here.

Baltimore: Like Cleveland, Only Without All the Sex Appeal.

Baltimore: Like Cleveland, Only Without All the Economic Recovery.

Baltimore: The Second 'Great Fire' Will be To Tame Joe Flacco's Unibrow.

The Dixon Family: Leading Maryland in Steals Since 1998.

John Harbaugh: Easily in the Top 5 of "Most Successful Coaches in the Harbaugh Family."

Joe Flacco: The Second Best Quarterback in His Class at Pittsburgh.

Joe Flacco: Even Dave Wannstedt Passed.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: That's what I'm talking about. What an effort. But now you'll have to read it to all your friends.

Eric,

Cleveland got an expansion team and to keep it's name. B-more got 14 years of jack (unless you count one Grey Cup and then goodbye CFL). What the heck does a Colt have to do with Indy? They race cars there.

Pete,

Pittsburghians are everywhere in the B-W area; almost as much as New Englanders. At least my P-burgh friends are tolerable from March - August.

The Pittsburghers here run home to Heinz (Hines'?) Field whenver they get sick of civilization or think their lungs are getting too pink!

Here's to Ben Rolledoffonastretcher takin' an encore of that scene and at least one P-burgh fan sleeping out in the cold!

Purple, isn't that the color of the gay Teletubbie?

What can you about a city whose name the inhabitants mis-pronounce as "Bawlmer"?

Anyone else notice how Flacco resembles the word flacid?

Fitting E.A. Poe gave the team it's name, he was as drug addled as the city he died in.

Love your column's name and motto!

I am and always will be a Colts' fanatic..
it's in my blood from growing up in Baltimore in the sixties.
But I truly believe that Joe Flacco is standing on a "Johnny U" 1958 magical stage this weekend.....
that will make him an instant star like big Ben a few years back.
I predict a 24-21 win for the Ravens.
Go Baltimore!!!

I think our mayor made a huge mistake by changing his name! First of all Stahl in German means steel.
All he really had to do was reverse his name to StahlRaven instead of Steelerstahl! One thing I am sure of is Itwill be a great game no matter who WINS! The odd makers usually get it right!! Steelers by 6!! "Lets Go Steelers"

Well i guess the ultimate I have nothing to write about so gonna "mix things up" by attacking the other city has started. I have had the pleasure of living in Pittsburg, Philly, and currently moving out of Baltimore. I like the Ravens so this isn't about foortball. Say what you want about Pitt and Philly, but I would move back to either of them in a second over Baltimore. Have never seen a dumpier excuse of a city.. there is nothing to it. An inner harbour that is surrounded by homicidal thugs. The only thing I "Believe" about Baltimore was that living there was the worst 2 years of my life.

Accidentally drove thro' Steeler town once in 2003. Can't get the soot off the car still.

As a Pittsburgh fan, I BELIEVE you sound a bit envious. When you see Hines Ward smiling on Sunday - it will say it all! Then, you can borrow a Terrible Towel to dry your tears! Go Steelers!

You could have done your Baltimore brethren, who posted on this blog, a service by correcting the spelling errors I spotted in several of their responses... the irony is delightful.

Sincerely,
A Fourth Grader and Steelers Fan

Hey Pete

At least our football team didn't sneak out of town in the middle of the night. But at least Baltimore got a team that was too awful even for Cleveland's standards.

Not only will the Steelers beat the Ravens, they will do it while scoring at least 4 TDs and hold the Ravens to 10 points or less.

Ravens fans.....don't waste your time and money driving to the Burgh this weekend. They game will be over by middle of 2nd qtr and you'll be heading to your cars at 1/2 time. Just stay home and wash down your tears with a couple crab cakes and a handful of Thrasher Fries.

This is about football. Not the bad side or negative history of Pittsburgh (or Baltimore) or the sterotypes of the people who live there. It's about football. The Ravens have lost 7 of the 8 meetings no matter how sooty Pittsburgh may be and at the end of every dumb joke, the fact of football reality is the Steelers have won 5 out of 6 Super Bowl championships with a 7th trip on the horizon. The Baltimore organization just isn't at that high level operation and should envy the Steelers. Nice Job Baltimore reaching the AFC championship, you've over achieved. Even though your not a Super Bowl caliper team.......at least you'll be losing to one on Sunday............for the 3rd time this year!

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Funny, I could swear the Ravens and Steelers are 6-6 in their last 12 games.

Your remark on the "Terrible Towel": Jealous? Sure appears to be the case: http://baltimoreravensstore.com/images/cache/61efc45ec59a2d3279c00b1e5a9dff82.jpg

Baltimore = Cleveland....only purple.
(BTW - Pittsburgh beat the pre-purple ravens 3x in one season....don't discount that). They've also done it to Cincinatti.

In no particular order...

To "ashamed" - have you ever been on any message boards, maybe on the site of a self proclaimed worldwide leader? Mouth breathers on BOTH sides take every opportunity to make moronic comments about the teams, the fans, their mothers, and their religious beliefs. At least Schmuckers was trying to be playful about it.

And to Graham Knox - You sir, strike me as a man with a predilection for using the Queen's tongue to obfuscate your sparring partner in order to artificially inflate your hubris. I would challenge you to fisticuffs if it were not against the expressed wishes and desires of the sponsor of our oral spat. But still I say "fie" to you. Fie!!!!!!!!

"j" is for "jaunty dialogue"

just as long as the officials don't give the Ravens the game like they did in the Titan's game

Schmuck – your purple brown carpetbaggers are going to get beat down this Sunday worse than Caviezel in ‘The Passion.’ Only it’s going to be messy. And like Caviezel, I’m probably going to feel sorry for them. But what fair minded football fan doesn’t feel pity when watching baltimore’s 0ffense? They put up more zeros than pi. Seriously, while watching the Titans game last week, I had to suppress the urge to stick steak knives in my eyes when your team had the ball. Fortunately, I lapsed into a coma before they ran their second play. Watching your birds with the ball is like watching dough rise, or paint dry, or reading your column: no excitement, no innovation, no base-level competence for the profession, and no success. It’s like listening to an audio book of Vanna White’s biography played on a continuous loop at half speed. And you think that no-ffense is going to beat the Steeler D? Really? Just get your team together – Rolle with his one leg, and Suggs with his one arm, and Ray with his walker, and Flacco with his three years of community college – get them together and bring them down to Heinz, because Steeler Nation and the end or your season await.
Bye bye birdies.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: That wasn't a coma. It was a case of Iron City.

That was incredibly lame, Schmuck. I mean, really. You couldn't do any better than that? A rookie at a comedy club could have topped it. I would be embarrassed if I were the Sun.

Wow, I wonder how many times spell check and a thesaurus had to be used by these Steelers fans. Pittsburgh facts... a town that couldnt spell bologna so they decided to just call it "jumbo" ; the word rubber was to hard to pronounce with no teeth that they started calling rubber bands "gum bands"; dont even try to have someone from Pittsburgh say water (wooder?). Orioles/Pirates have met once in the last 30 years in the post season and yes the butt Pirates won but 4 games to 3 is hardly a blow out.

Hey Pete,

First of all, the steel mills are gone, if you haven't been here in the last 30 years. Second, check out the Sun's poll on who will win the game, 81% of your local readers and "fans" say the Raven's will loose.

PS Tell John the Baptist you spell Steelers like this, not Steeleers.

GO STEELER NATION !!

Pete, I don't understand why Millar isn't given some consideration. Kevin needs a team and the O's need a first baseman. What gives?

Because having a mayor under indictment is a much better thing...

Baltimore's slogan used to be Cleveland, only without the brownies. Now it's just Baltimore, home of the reject brownies!

We need our towels to keep all those Lombardi trophies clean....but with only 1, you wouldn't know much about that would ya?

We've been cleaning your clocks for decades. You can't hide from your annual beat downs by simply changing your address! One 4 the other thumb this year...WAR STEELERS!

Funny that everyone will mysteriously sway from attacking the Steelers to make a comment about the Pirates. The Pirates are a forgotten entity around Pittsburgh much like the Orioles should be in Baltimore. I guess our 5, soon to be 6, rings aren't enough validation for our team or city. I also find it funny that people continue to disgrace/insult the terrible towel even though the original purpose was to raise money for a cause. Maybe you weren't paying attention when Cincy and then Tennessee decided it was a good idea to mess with the towel. Our fans are acknowledged as the best fans in the NFL by just about everybody. The fact that we have fans all over the world should be a testament to the city and the team. Baltimore may have more fans throughout the country if they could make it out alive.

Pete-

I could never understand why anyone ever gave the moniker "America's Team" to the Cowboys (you know, the team owned by Jerry "Botox" Jones). At the risk of being berated by my fellow Ravens followers, I always thought the Steelers more so fit the billing as "America's Team". Now let's go out Sunday and put a whoopin' on the Terrible Towel Tribe !!
P.S. What percentage of Steelers fans have actually washed those gawdawlful rags ??

Pete-

Any comments on your behalf on the Terrell Suggs "phantom sling"? Ruse or reality ??

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: He's definitely injured, but I say it was a ruse.

Cmon atleast get the post title of my posts right, I know drugs are big problem in the city, but it doesnt help when perpetuate the sterotype when your at work...

Stabbing related death figures in Baltimore go down on Sundays because Ray Ray has to play

So HOW LONG have been been Ravens fans? Ten years? Boy thats a long time, were you Eagles or Redskins fans before that?

Mr. Schmuck,

Thank you for bashing my city, the Steel City, the City of Champions. You stated that the Steeler fans travel well. You stated we are all accross the nation only to get out of the city of soot. And all we care about are our major sport teams. Please keep in mind there has been and always will be a waiting list for Steeler tickets. How about in Baltimore? Have the Steelers ever been relocated, or left their city in the middle of the night? Don't think so. Save your best for Philadelphia in 2 weeks, when you both will have tee times in Tampa, enjoying a beach, and watching the Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl. Best of luck to you this weekend. 1 of many from the STEELER NATION!

Actually, didn't really expect even a semi-humorous entry from any Ravens writer or fan -- good job! You Ravens players, writers and fans are a rather mean spirited and dour group. So far, all I've read or heard coming out of Baltimore is trash talk, nasty commentary about the fine City of Pittsburgh and empty threats. From Pittsburgh I'm reading and hearing respectful comments from writers and players and not once have I read anything resembling insulting language. Too bad you just don't "get it" about the 'burgh; it's great town with great folks and only the best NFL team since the merger. Nor have we ever had the experience of our football sneaking out of town in the middle of the night to go to Indiana. That must have really hurt, but what's worse, you then got the Browns rejects! Guess I should stop wondering about all your bile, how could you not have any?

Steelers fans should just rip on the O's -- at least then they'll be in good company around here.

(Side note: $2MM for Gregg Zaun? Really?)

Hey "anonymous" , at least we Baltimore fans can spell our own town . I do believe there is an "h" at the end of Pittsburg(h) .

From someone who has lived in both places - one word "Dundalk" - enough said.

It is ashame that we have to take a great game and turn it into such an ugly event. Why can't we all just appreciate the fact that two great teams made it this far. As far as anything bad you have to say about Pittsburgh, that is your opinion, but don't you think in order to be accurate about your assumptions on a city you could first take the time to visit the city. I wish we could all just act like the adults we are suppose to be and actually enjoy the game we all love.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Lighten up. We're just trying to have a little fun. If you read my post carefully, you'd see that it was tongue-in-cheek on more than one level.

Hey Ravens fans,

For a fan base that doesn't know when their history started, who to include and not include in your dumb ring of honor (seriously Byner???), and don't know enough about football to comprehend what a loss is; you guys sure do talk a lot for losing in the series to us!

You guys discuss about how hideous Pittsburgh girls are, obviously you haven't been to Dundalk lately!

Oh and purple is such a manly color! Scientific fact: purple camouflage is the worst fashion statement ever created! I'd be embarassed to ever put on purple camouflage and call myself a man!

Let's talk stats! Pittsburgh beat you in the only playoff matchup between the two teams. I believe that joke of a baseball team you refer to did beat you twice when down 3 games to 1.

So let's add up the calculations here. A city known as the City of Champions that wear black and gold vs a city that calls itself Charm City and wears purple. I sure feel much more confident where my loyalties lie with my team.

Sure sounds like you are more like Raving Lunatics than Raven Lunatics!

Re: Dirty Fingernails on the Keyboard
Hi, Not that I'm from Pittsburgh, although my cousin the Riddler (from Batman) is, but is seems like , musically speaking, my favorite piano players, Erroll Garner, and Ahmad Jamal are from Pittsburgh, and so is Gene Kelley, who broke his leg playing softball, so he couldn't take the lead in Easter parade.
And, as long I am interjecting a comment on commercialized culture into a blog on commercialized sports, I am not sure that the sale of Babe Ruth to New York for No No Nanette was that bad a deal. True, Boston came out second best, but it would be like trading Babe Ruth for, say Reggie Jackson. Not so bad really.
I was a Clevelander in 1960 and attending Roxboro Jr. High School, one sunny September afternoon. It was a late afternoon science class. Across the hall, in coach Johns's science class they were watching a movie about the "life of the cell".
Suddenly raucous cheering broke out. My teacher, Miss Wilson, raised one yebrow and said, "hmm, that's the first time I ever heard cheering in a science movie." It turns out it was the seventh game of the world series, and the Yankee haters had their day, thanks to Pittsburgh.

I was amused by you saying that Pittsburghers are nothing but mill town honkies. You all done there in Baltimore need to grow up. I hope that the Steelers cream your pathetic Ravens butts just because this is a game and you all have cheapened it.

Stolen? Last I checked, they MOVED to Baltimore... just like the Colts MOVED to Indy... and you won't find ONE Ravens fan who wanted it to happen that way.

Schmuck, Schmuck, Bo Buck, Banana-fanna fo ****, Me Mi Mo Muck...Schmuck.

With a last name like that, they probably give you a bowl of soup.

Way all of this negativity towards each other's city? What is this Gangs of New York? Sheesh. I guess it is "all in good fun." I have been to B-more. Seems like an ok place...I have lived in other places and perfer Pittsburgh. Eh, anyway, Go Steelers.

Has it ever crossed your bird brain that your baltimore brownies owe any success they have ever had to the Mighty Steelers? Always trying to keep up with a Steelers team that is consistently at or near the top. Probably not, ‘cause you are too busy with your delusion of how great your QB is (try BIG BEN’S 15-1 as a rookie, and superbowl champ in year 2) or you’re phony Jesus luvin’, bounty huntin’ middle linebacker (James Farrior has more tackles, 931 in 12 years, to Ray-Ray’s 911 in 13 years). The Steelers have had 4 decades of linebackers that make Ray-Ray look like the phony he is. Maybe if your team wasn’t spawned from betrayal you would have better karma and more class. Your purple birdies are about to be destroyed, plucked, and devoured on national TV. Perhaps someday, if you grow up, you can have half the legacy of the Steelers, the greatest franchise in sport, which by then may have 7 or 8 Lombardi trophies. Your punk team can watch how its done (no need for man-gina bounties here) Good luck ever being considered worthy of being compared to the Steelers franchise, a cornerstone in the NFL. FEEL THE STEEL BABY

Wow, insult their city or football team and you get next to nothing. Say mildly derogatory things about their beer and watch out:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/kasperontap/2009/01/a_tasteoff_natty_boh_v_iron_ci.html

So the fact that Steeler nation travels and supports their team better than any other team in the league is a slap at our city? I would be willing to bet that not only were there more Steeler fans at "Need a Federal Bailout" Bank Stadium back in December but there were probably more Steeler fans at the Super Bowl the Ravens won.

Other than that one Murder Bowl, what other sports title has Baltimore won since the Paleozoic Era? Make all the jokes you want about our baseball team, but isn't that like the pot calling the kettle a Schmuck?

I mean, come on, you're a town famous for having Crabs. The last good thing to come out of Baltimore was Diner, and how long ago was that? I'll take Kevin Smith making movies in our hometown over your John Waters any day.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I think if you read the rip on the Pirates carefully, you would see it was actually a veiled shot at the Orioles.

Mr. Schmuck,
I laughed a little bit at your article, but not for the supposed wittiness of it, but for the ridiculous nature of typical Ravens fans in general. It's funny how terrible a place Pittsburgh is...seeing as it has perhaps some of the best Hospitals in the US and around the world. Our Doctors are world class and they're Steeler fans.
Yes our team travels well and shouldn't you Baltimore fans be upset Pittsburghers are taking jobs not only in your area but also around the US?

Oh and I enjoy people making fun of the "Terrible Towel." It's not just a symbol of our team Mr. Schmuck. A percentage of every purchase of that "misused towel" goes to the charity of the late great Myron Cope. A Hall of Famer in sports journalism. Classy to the end Baltimore.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I applaud your medical community, though we have a little hospital called Johns Hopkins that generally is at the top of the global list. As for the Towel, it's not a sacred item, even if the money goes to charity (which is nice). If you're that ridiculously sensitive, you aren't really a Steelers fan. No chance.

Eric,
Did you really say "at least steelers fans aren't rooting for a team like the ravens - who were stolen from their city the same way the colts were taken from b'more..."
You are either an idiot or ... well you are an idiot. The differences are night and day and if you sounded intelligent enough, which you are obviously not, I would explain them to you. Looks like not finishing 5th grade is coming back to bite you.
Ravens 17 Steelers 10

Mr Schmuck, I find it interesting that your newspaper poll shows an overwhelming number of votes for the Ravens to loose to the Steelers. The Ravens are a great team but they are still the Browns in disguise or is that drag? Good luck Sunday. Hopefully both teams will remain healthy. This game will probably be a better contest than the Super Bowl.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I believe some Steelers fans have weighed in on that poll, and I'm impressed at their ability to use Internet Explorer. Never would have guessed.

Let's see--Baltimore? Well, great crab cakes and uh, great crab cakes and, well, great crab cakes. If the NFL ever expands, maybe they will actually put a team there---(nah, just getting your hopes up) By he way, the only good thing to ever come out of Baltimore was a Steeler fan heading back to the "Burgh" ---with a great crab cake"

Say what you will but just remember that you have a quarterback that has that black and gold blood. It never goes away. I guess him watching the Steelers all those years is how he learned to play football so well. It couldn't be in Baltimore since your team snuck out in the middle of the night!!

The reason that we Pittsburghers travel so well to other stadiums, is because once the game is winding down, the last thing that the losing team wants to hear is the loud cheers of the Steeler Nation

Nothing more needs to be said:
*You were purple...hmmm...so does Prince and Barney the Dinosaur.
*You have male cheerleaders...gives Suggs something to stare at from the sidelines.

oh, Eric. You got the Ravens there. Perhaps the Pittsburgh did not need to steal a football team from another city because the Steelers were so far up Tagliabue's butt, that even he smelled bad.

Great take, Schmuck. I particularly like that you ask people not to comment on your name because it's "uninspired," yet you base your "editorial" on the poor living conditions in Pittsburgh. That's awfully original. What's more, it's awfully incorrect, seeing as how "Places Rated Almanac" ranked Pittsburgh "America's Most Livable City" in 2007. Sure, Baltimore's great if you want to recreate scenes from Hamsterdam and the rest of "The Wire," but I prefer not to live in fear of rifle-toting thugs like Omar. And while I can't disagree that the Pirates are a mess, how can a city degrade another town's baseball team when it calls Peter Angelos and the Orioles its own?

Hey, Ravens, I hope your winter homes in Florida are stocked with comfortable couches. Two weeks from Sunday, you'll need 'em.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: If you read closely, you'd see that the Pirates rip was actually a veiled shot at the O's. The whole point was to get some back and forth going. I've got no problem with rips on my name, but I want to hear some new ones.

The Steelers fans who visit Baltimore increase the average IQ of both cities!

Our team name is a majestic bird immortalized in a great poem, their team name is derived from the most common activity in Pittsburg, stealing, but they are too dumb to even spell it correctly.

Our city is named after the majestic Lord Baltimore, their city's name was derived from the observation of a visting mayor. Upon arriving in the dirty little Burg he observed that the inhabitants would oft times fight off the bitter cold by warming their hands, by sticking them under their arm Pitts.

I was in Baltimore a few weekend ago and let me tell you that was probably the worst experience of my life. First, we arrive to the hotel and the attendant says, "I wouldn't leave your car there, a car was just broken into this morning." Keep in mind this was at 2 PM and at a "4 star hotel." Second, your stadium is a joke and is surrounded with dump fields which gets filled in by more dump 8 weeks of the year. Third, we are 2-0 against the Ravens this season. What makes you think you can beat the best team with the best fans from the best city? Do me a favor, go take a walk and think about it before you decide to reply because I GUARANTEE victory!

Yours truly,

A Yinzer!

As I travel between the pittsburgh post gazette and the Baltimore sun, its quite obvious that the Ravens fans seem to be move obsessed with the Steelers than vice versa.

It's almost as if the Ravens faithful are "little brothers", just waiting for an opportunity to get even with the big brother they could never beat up.

Chill out a bit!

Come on, have you been to Pittsburgh? Calling our city bird soot makes it abundantly clear that you haven't visited the city that the NYT raved about this week. I've been to Baltimore many times and it's filled with people from "away." It also is filled with corrupt politicians, and to be more corrupt than the W. PA machine is impressive. Baltimore has its problems and Pittsburgh has its problems but it doesn't have the sports history that Pittsburgh has. You lost one NFL team, your baseball team is just as bad as the Pirates, you have no hockey and your stuck in between two much larger Metro areas. You are quickly being swallowed by the I-95 corridor and will lose whatever identity you once had. Once you turn left at Breezewood you will find a long term proud population that is represented by it's football team. We delight in that.

Plus, purple is outlawed in Pittsburgh, along with marching bands, cheerleaders, and khaki.

If you haven't noticed the poll is being hit by Pittsburgh fans. I just got this from a fan.

OK, people….let’s hit the polls & upset the
Ravens. Vote against them in their own paper. Pound away & pass
it on.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I think that's awesome. Keep it up.

Hey Schmuckface and the rest of you raven fans

Didn't we all ready beat you twice ??? How can you talk smack after you proven (twice) you can't hang with the Steelers. As for the Steeler Nation that takes over every away venue across the country, you can't hang with us either. You front like you care but where were all of you last year ???
You all can play the underdog card you want, but you all see this sunday that we will dominate you again and beat you up again, win again, and where will all of you fakers be then ?? Crying with RayRay ?? Your team is a joke, your fans are a joke and your whole city is the armpit of the east coast. You guys where purple, hahahah and call your self men ???
Please keep up the false scence of hope... It's more fun when we crush it !!!
Steel City Mafia !!!

So you resort to bagging on the city of Pittsburgh? You have nothing worthy to say about your team, so you talk trash about the city I was born an raised in. Do you have an editor? If so, I cannot believe this garbage passes for an article. Have some class and keep the trash talking to football because your city will never measure up to what Pittsburgh means to this country. Its a shame that my career field forces me to live in the smelling distance of Baltimore amongst ignorant people such as you.

As for the game, I called it earlier this year when I said that these two teams ARE the best in the NFL, they both play the game the way it was meant to be played without glamour boys and pretty uniforms. Real men, real football, may the best team win. And in my mind, thats the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"The Birds Part III" (before you jump on me, yes there was a Birds part 2 made for tv in the early 90's) takes place in Pittsburgh, PA in the year 2009. It is a masterpiece directed by the talented and visionary director Mike Tomlin. In the third installment, the main character Ben Roethlisberger and his awesome supporting cast (Hines Ward, Willie Parker, James Harrison, Lamar Woodley, Heath Miller, Troy Polamalu) are at odds against sickly looking birds (mainly Ravens) that appear to have a rare strain of the avian flu. Ben Roethlisberger and his team fight bravely against the enemy who have invaded their home. Unlike the original, this installment ends very badly for the birds (mainly Ravens) because of the giant, freaking shotgun Ben Roethlisberger possesses. Needless to say, the birds suffer a horrible and humiliating demise. Ben Roethlisberger and his team are victorious and await the next installment: "The Birds Part IV: Attack of the Eagles"

let's face it, the only way to be a raven is by the laying of an egg, exactly the rite they will preform on Sunday

Sure, we have male cheerleaders but not sure that is any more embarrassing than Steely Mcbeam. Are you kidding me? Did a phallic-worshipping woman design that thing?

hey, eric, Baltimore didn't "steal" the Brown's...Cleveland gave up on that franchise and denied Modell a new stadium. After that, Art moved the team here, left the HISTORY in Cleveland and that's about it...new team (most coaches were tossed on arrival here), new city (willing to pony up for a new stadium), and new fans ready to embrace a new chapter in Baltimore Football History.

I've got no beef with Baltimore. I loved watching Pittsburgh native Johnny Unitas lead your Colts to greatness. I was angry as hell when your team packed up and left town for middle America. It was like watching a bank robbery happen and not doing anything to stop it. Shameful. To make matters worse, Art Model brings in his girls from Cleveland, changes the name of the team to a dirty bird and all is supposed to be wonderful again. Wrong. Baltimore's team is in Indy, and the Bitch Browns are just wearing different colored jerseys. It's all a pretend game by pretenders to the Super Bowl throne. You got about as much chance winning Sunday as the Pittsburgh Pirates have finishing over 500. Enjoy your baseball season. It's all you got.

Pete, you want to know why Steelers' fans travel so well? They don't travel... All the smart ones left town to find jobs! They just took their fanaticism with them.

Baltimore? Pittsburgh? A street gang will fight to the death to defend their turf even if it is a slum I guess. In a battle between losers, even a winner is still a loser. And in a battle between a schlong and a putz, everyone is a schmuck!

First, Baltimore fans wish they could travel to road games like Steeler fans do, but they can't find their way out of town.

Second, the Ravens biggest fan base are the "Chain Gang." It's a shame when your offense is so inept, you have to cheer for each first down. Most NFL teams cheer for points!!

The Steelers will be all over the Ravens like Sheila Dixon on a gift card.

What's the nickname for the Raven's cheerleading squad...The Tight Ends or the Wide Receivers?

Sheila Dixon Leads the league in Takeaways...from the poor!

With the weather here in Pittsburgh hitting a low of 18 degrees Sunday, kindly inform the Raven's Male Cheerleaders (the Ball Boys? Ball Droppers?) to be on the lookout for Shrinkage!! That High Def is brutal!!

Pittsburgh have won 5 Super Bowls, 6 AFC title games, 19 division championships and have made the playoffs 24 times in the last 36 years. The only thing Baltimore has won in the past 36 years is the bidding for a crappy team from Cleveland that couldn't fill their decrepit stadium.

mclean, while you may have snoop doggy dog on your side, remember Michael Phelps has more gold medals than you have teeth.

Pete, saying that you are saving your best material for the Eagles is kind of ironic don't you think. That would insinuate that your material is good in the first place when in reality it is mediocre at best but usually with it maxing out at plain old bad. Your material is the equivalent to Daniel Larusso winning the All Valley Trophy in the Karate Kid when you were really trying to win the Super Bowl. Oh and as for the celestial bodies lining up for the Ravens, good luck I'll take Ward, Harrison, and Big Ben over that anytime. GO STEELERS!!!

I am a steelers fan (I live in pittsburgh, and look damn good in black and gold). and i'm not going to get involved with bashing ravens fans as much fun as that would be. all i'd like to clarify is that the mayor changed his name to Steelerstahl rather than Ravenstahl until the game Sunday. It was a big story because it was humorous/timely, and would be appreciated by 98% of people living in Pittsburgh. Get your facts straight before you throw fightin words around. I respect the ravens as a team because we're pretty similar, so I can hate you respectfully and will refrain from making fun of your colors, players, fans, and city in general. k thanks, and may the best team win on sunday. here we goooo

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: The mayor thing was clearly a joke. Please tell me you don't teach at Haverford.

Yes we are excited for this Sunday's game. Just trying to figure out who the Steelers are playing. Are we playing the Baltimore Colts? My bad; we are playing the Cleveland Browns; oh wait or is the Indianapolis Colts? We just can not seem to figure who we are playing. Think about, no one really likes Baltimore, so the Irasy's got out of town with an overnight coup to Indianapolis. So what does the city of Baltimore do? They go steal a team from Cleveland. Now that is a genus idea. Reals winners there. And to top it all off they name their team after a poet and a bird. You know Pittsburgh's own Johnny Unitas is turning in his grave right now.

If the towel was such a dumb idea, why did half of NFL and a few NHL teams steal the idea?

To answer why there are so many fans across the country... I'm not old enough to remember, but it probably has something to do with the 70s dynasty. You can't beat winning 4 Super Bowls in 5 years. There's also the steel mills closing causing several people to relocate for jobs.

As for ripping on Baltimore, Raven's fans seem to have more hatred for the Steelers then visa versa. It could be our 76-year history compared to your 12 years. You used to have the Colts (the failed Dallas Texans), but they left. Then after 13 years without a team, the team formerly known as the Cleveland Browns (come, on... the Brownies???) came to Baltimore. I'd be pissed, too, if my city kept getting another city's failure team.

Ask yourself, Baltimore, do you really hate the Steelers as a team or are you envious of our tradition?

Steelers fans live in other places because of an economy problem back in the 1970's which is beginning to change. Most of us would move back in a heartbeat, because of the friendly people that live there. We may not have everything Baltimore has, but what's the murder rate over there? Is that why your players take hits out on ours and threaten to kill Hines Ward?
Maybe you should change the football team's name to the Baltimore Thugs.

What the schmuck? Where are all the posts since 1023?

The Ravens have MALE CHEERLEADERS! Your team color is purple. Are you kidding me? ...There was something else I wanted to say...what was it...Oh yeah...5 SUPERBOWL VICTORIES! I almost forgot 21 Hall of Famers and counting. Take care GO STEELERS! 34-13

One of the disc jockeys on the radio called Ravenstahl's office and got his voicemail. I believe he asked whether he was going to change his name to RayRay-stahl.

You gotta like that.

Hey Scott,

Actually the most famous Ravens fan is probably Michael Phelps, who only set the record for gold medals in an Olympics.

Nice try, though.

Jason

Howdy Mr. Schmuck!

First of all, I think you dropped this gauntlet accidentally. *hands Schmuck the oddly colored purple gauntlet on the ground* You should be careful where you leave that, someone might think you're challenging them or something!

Okay, now that we have cleared up that potential mess, I'd like to discuss a few things.

Steelers fans have been waving their Terrible Towels for years...and if it's such an improper use of a towel, then why do all of your fans wave plain white towels? I mean, can't you come up with your own gimmick? Actually, how do you even GET the towels to be white with that Baltimore Harbor water mucking everything up? Apparently I have some more research to do...

Pittsburgh fans definitely travel well, and are well represented in most football cities. Could that be due to the fact that they're actually a team that's interesting enough to follow? I mean, congrats on getting a quarterback after all these years and actually having something to discuss about your offense. That's a huge step, you must all be proud! Up until this year, your most interesting offensive player was...um, wait, I know this one...Jamal Lewis! Derrick Mason? Willie Anderson? Oh the choices!

At least your defensive players have given us PLENTY to talk about in the news, and not just the news on ESPN!

In all seriousness, this is going to be one heckuva game. Ravens/Steelers games are definitely the best football games to watch. They're what football *should* be. Knock down, drag out, hit fests that always leave you wanting at least one more quarter of football!

I'll check back next week to check in, either way this game goes!

Mr. Schmuck,
Ironically, I was just looking at the city of Pittsburgh as I drove home from work yesterday and thinking how much I LOVE it. I was not born in Pittsburgh, but choose to move here. I have been here for 17 years and cannot imagine leaving. I love all that you seem to find lacking about Pittsburgh...the yenzers, the gritty steelworkers, the small hometown bars, the homes packed so tightly on the hillsides that they seem to run together. I love that the people here for the most part warm, friendly, tough, hard-working, proud Americans who are diehard steeler fans to the end. And why shouldn't they be? With FIVE(5) Superbowl Trophies to display, they ..we have every reason to be proud! We also have every reason to start making room for another!
So, we shall see who has the last laugh. Keep on talking...we love it. It only makes beating the ravens even sweeter!!

What two colors do you find every time you go to the crapper? Black & Gold.

The only good thing to come out of Baltimore was D'Angelo Barksdale...and look what y'all did to him.

At least our witty, "Semi-respected journalists" can pull off their schtick.

Gene Collier has more talent in his big toe than is evident in your hastily scribbled musings.

Honestly, what would it take to be your replacement once you've left Bawlmore? I'll save The Sun some time and write the job placement ad for them:

WANTED
Journalist with no experience necessary. Must be able to churn out half-wit columns in 15 mins. or less. No research required. Self-respecting professionals need not apply

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Do I really have to explain the difference between a column and a blog post? It did take about two minutes. I love Collier and am happy you do too.

wait, isn't baltimore like the crime capital of the universe? yeah, your city totally has room to look down on ours. you're like the guy that lived in a glass house and started throwing stones, and shooting people.

Say what you will about the Ravens, their colors, our city and the crime rate...

BUT!

We don't have something as stupid as Steely McBeam.

When Bruce Springsteen needed to go out for a ride and never go back, he left...

When Edgar Alan Poe needed inspiration for more dark and twisted writing he went to...

When David Simon and Ed Burns needed a setting for a critically acclaimed TV series about community apathy, institutional failings, political corruption and rampant drug abuse/selling, he placed said series in...

Here we go Steelers, here we go!

LMAO, good post. And Mr. Graham Knox can enjoy watching the Superbowl at home with Mr. Hines (Smiley) Ward!

Senor Schmuck,

Bring it on baby! I won't retaliate with silly attacks on Baltimore or the Ravens but need to ask you and all of the faithful Black & Purple followers just one lil favor...please, please, PLEASE do not make any excuses when the Steelers beat the Ravens, again. I hate excuses more than I hate the Ravens, and that's saying a mouthful! I think Hines Ward says it best when he knocks an opponent to the ground with a vicious hit and then...smiles! Who needs words?

Stay warm! It's cold out there!

Pete. Baltimore? Do you know what it's like to die in Baltimore? It's redundant. I had to spend a week there one afternoon.

at least the ravens started their
own identity and let cleveland
keep their colors and history....

irsay held the colts history and name
for ransom.... yeah pittsburgh is
good now, but in the 50's they
stunk and were lower than whale
poop.....

oh yeah thanks for johnny u, we
loved him here. apparently your
bright management did not have
time for him...

and the reason you got great in
the 70's was all those nr. 1 draft
picks you had for being terrible...

just the facts,

baltimore bob

Hey Pete:
Your article matches the city. They stole the team, you stole the idea from countless other stories like it. But, what else can you say for a city whose best player's favorite song is Jailhouse Rock, whose favorite play is knifing through the opposition and whose best dance looks like the hidden knife just slipped farther down than expected? Your fans stayed, so the team left. Your favorite dish is eating crabs and favorite past time is getting rid of em. And, if they say that immitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we in Pittsburgh appreciate the compliment cause you copied our defense, your quarterback is compared to Big Ben, and your fans wave white towels; meaning they both give up and can't think of their own promo.

Well I know this is a fun-button-pushing entry about football, but this is all wrong on Pittsburgh. I went there twice last year - once to see the Caps beat the Pens and then to go to the beautiful baseball stadium.

I'm a Ravens fan through and through. But Pittsburgh is truly a neat city. There's a fabulously fun arts and music district. It's safe. And the baseball stadium is as nice as they come. (And the view is a beautiful river and skyline view: NOT a Hilton Hotel.)

So sure. Let's Go Ravens - CRUSH the Steelers. But if you're looking for a great long weekend spot go to Pittsburgh. This is a great city.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Of course it's just to get a rise out of everybody. I go to Pittsburgh all the time. The baseball park is fantastic and the downtown is very nice now.

Schmuck:

If you died in a car accident, i would throw a party ahole...

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Nice. Glad you have life and sports in their proper perspective.

Although I'm a diehard Ravens fan, I liked Mike Tomlin's message about the trash talking.
Talk is talk and it makes for good reading until the actual game starts.
So, despite all the trash talking, only 1 team is gonna be going to Tampa. And it's not the same without Joey Porter flapping his lips .....LOL
I just wanna see who's standing up on that platform, around 10 o'clock, on Sunday nite.
Gonna be a hellacious game.
"Whatcha say, Pyle."

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I hope it is. If it isn't, that probably won't be good for the Ravens.

Thats right walt, Dundalk will win this conversation everytime. My dad lived down at water's edge where baltimore is at baby! Grandad worked at Bethlem Steel, where i believe the great Johnny Unitas worked in the offseason.

Anyway Pete,
If Ben Roethlisberger wasnt such a little girl and complained about an injury every time he takes a hit, i might be worried. Besides, Flacco has already done more than Roolinsfarter in his playoff debut, but Flacco doesnt drive a motorcycle, so i dont think we have a problem for our future. But the rip on the Orioles was definitely not necessary. When the year 2010 rolls around, expect the Orioles to be the team to beat. And the Pirates best player is...Nate McLouth? Thats like having the smartest kid with down syndrome. When your best memory of the past ten years is Rob Mackowiak's best game ever, thats really sad. When Nick "Zeus" Markakis (Clever Huh) becomes more of a stud than he already is, we have quite a future, which the pirates dont seem to have so ...
Go Ravens

The best responses are from those who took this seriously!

Mr. Schmuck,

I've read your post here and some other articles about my beloved city. I'm really amazed at how stupid your newspaper really is. I read an article about how lame the inclines are. To the folks who live in Pittsburgh it is a reminder that we led the world in engineering at one point. That was built in the late 1800's. To me that is an amazing feat. Sure it's old technology today but don't we all like to reminisce??

I also read an article in your paper about how disgusting Primanti's sandwiches are. Please remember that we are a Polish descendant community (don't go there with the stereotype). We also eat kielbasa, haluski, pierogies and a whole heck of a lot of cabbage. If you don't like our sandwiches please don't eat here. Simple solution there.

Now to your comments about my beloved city. You mentioned our famed "Terrible Towel." Most teams that play in a major venue and even some smaller venues have some kind of object to wave to distract the other team. We have our towels. Myron Cope put his name on it and that became an official Steeler item. Myron Cope is respected in this city not just because of his towel and journalism but because of the very charitable things he constantly did for this city. That very charitable spirit is even found in our players. Big Ben, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, and many others have donated to and supported to local and national charities. I think that's what separates the Steelers from any other team in the NFL. We play tough but we are a very humble team. Why do you think Joey Porter, Antwaan Randle-El, Alan Faneca and Plaxico I-shot-myself Burress don't play for us anymore. When greed drives how you play and act we don't want you because we have a higher standard for our players.

I also want to comment on your general view of our city as nasty and "gritty." I will concede to you that back in the heyday of steel and industrialism, this city was pitch black with smoke and soot. In today's society with all of the long haired hippie tree huggers like yourself, we have cleaned our city's air. Combine the hippies with a global decline in economy and the chinese and japanese producing things a lot cheaper than we can our steel industry has virtually died, along with everyone else's.

Now because I have never been to Baltimore or lived there (mainly because I don't want to be called a Baltimoron) I won't rip on your city's features. However, i will rip on your mayor and your city's utter lack of class. Our Mayor Luke Steelerstahl, has never been under a 12 count indictment for embezzling gift cards. Way to go Baltimore that is a sure sign of success right there!!! And yes I actually respect Mayor Luke's decision to change his name. I think that it is great that he is just as involved with the sports teams as he is with the community, just like our players.

Now to the fair people of Baltimore who have actually taken the time to post to Mr. Schmuck's little comment here - you people have no understanding of what Pittsburgh is about until you live here. Pittsburgh is a place where people may talk funny but have the biggest of hearts. We may worsh our hanz, go dahntahn, and put on our pants n'at but we are peaceful, stressless people.Yes we are a drinking town with a football problem and a hockey problem too. But we are proud to cheer for our Steelers. We root for them for more than just the game. We support them as human beings and doing something more for our community.

Now because I don't know what Baltimore is really like I will ask these questions.

1.) Do your players humble themselves to help needy people?

2.) Do your players do anything to further better their city?

3.) Does your mayor cheer for the teams and encourage them to be humble giving people?

4.) Has your dear famed columnist Pete Schmuck done anything to inspire a city full of people to band together behind a team as the prepare to wage war?

I am guessing that the word NO is suffice enough to answer all four of those questions. It's a real shame that the NFL players have become so greedy. I am very proud to be a Steelers fan and am anxious to watch them go bird hunting this Sunday.

Have a good game and here's to no serious life threatening injuries to either team!!!

Sincerely,

A hardcore Pittsburgh, Steeler and Penguin fan

I am a Pittsburgh native who has lived here for 20 years. I like the Ravens a lot, and go to lots of games. Of course, I still bleed black and gold, but I have a spot of purple in there somewhere. Frankly, I will be happy with either team winning on Sunday.

Contrary to what you write, Steelers fans are some of the best-behaved in the nation. Rarely is there a fight in Heinz Field, and Steelers fans welcome and embrace fans from other teams who venture into their home territory. I have been to Heinz Field and seen it for myself.

However, as a Ravens fan since day #1, I am often embarrassed by the boorish behavior of some fans, especially to fans of opposing teams. I have seen fists fly, seen beer poured on opponent fans, and heard every curse word yelled against them.

While in Pittsburgh for a Steelers game once, and totally decked out in Steelers garb, I made a disparaging comment about a Bengals fan. Another Steelers fan who I don't know turned around to me and said, "Hey man, don't act like a Ravens fan."

Eagles fans are bad, but Ravens fans rank up there.

Pittsburghers don't hate Ravens fans the way Ravens fans hate Steelers fans. Too bad there isn't more sportsmanship in my current home town.

Pete
Come on man
I am a huge Ravens Fan and I think the comments you made were silly
I hate the Steelers more than anyone and this victory would be the best victory to me even more than the super bowl
BUT do not attack there city when ours is a dump!! Better yet this is a football game so dont even talk about any city. Do some reporting and give me some stats to look at or some insight to how the team is fealing physically.Go back and give me some lame stories about the O's

If the stillers are so great how come they can only afford a logo on one side of there helmet?
Sorry I couldn't come up with anything better but I was at happy hour this afternoon.

You shouldn't throw rocks at the City of Pittsburgh. As I recall the Colts fled Baltimore in the dark of the night. TO turned the Crows down for Philly of all places. Being a Va resident I know Baltimore well and do not travel there unless I absolutely need to. Your mayor a criminal just like the Crow players. The city is a crack invested welfare dump funded by Montgomery County taxpayers. Yep, you really got it going. Did I mention you lost the Division to Pittsburgh? Oh, and they beat the Crows twice this year. I know, wait until Sunday because thoughs games didn't mean anything and then it will be wait until next year because that game didn't mean anything. Oh yeah, we had more players hurt and the sun was in our eyes, and Hines Ward plays too rough, and......

Pete,

It appears the point of this string was completely missed. Not much fun and witty banter. Just a lot of hurt feelings by a bunch who don't understand good natured ribbing. Apparently the P-burghers only think trash talk is good natured if they're doing it.

You'd think that people from Pittsburgh would be able to take a joke since they live in one.

Apparently though, they're all just "angry drunks," but that's ok I guess, since they aren't drinking on the job. Seems it's easier to hold down Iron City than it is a steady paycheck.

It's fitting that George Romero comes from Pittsburgh, there's plenty of inspiration for the Living Dead movies by just looking around at the residents. Acting on instinct, no thought pattern or brain function... yep, sounds like your average Steeler fan to me.

Here we go Steelers, Here we go !!
Peter, In the usual bet that Cities Mayors make for playoff games, Sheila Dixon wants a "Get out of Jail Free" card from Luke Ravenstahl if the Crows win. When the Steelers win, Sheila will have to cough up some of those Prepaid Gift cards she acquired illegally.

All these Stealer fans remind me of the SF49er's of the 80's, where are they now.

I wonder how many have actually been to the Pitts, if so they would have a different credo, "WTF was I thinking"

I'm 18 months now in Baltimore but a lifelong PITTSBURGHER and STILLUR FAN!!! Anyway just wanted to say I thought your blog was hysterical. The (friendly) banter best part of the NFL is these rivalries. I was at the last game of the Browns, ie now your Ravens, in Cleveland in December, 1995, before they moved here. (Note no easy cheap shot). And I sat in the Dog Pound wearing Black and Gold, and being LOUD! The Cleveland fans were great, it was like the breakup of an old family: "We loved you guys..." This was great stuff. But some of the replies above, from both sides, c'mon! Almost as pathetic as Bart Scott talking about injuring my man Hines to end his career... that dirtbag should be fined for speaking such trash. Unfortunately, Scott makes the "stray bullet" comments above only too accurate: the Ravens are criminals... the irony of their being led by a murderer!!! That being said, both cities and fan bases are great. Best cheer I heard at this year's game in Balmer... "Yinz go home!" Classic! And that's from a Pittsburgher! OK, Schmuck, great blog and thanks for the ramble.

I grew up in Pittsburgh. Lived in Baltimore for 12 years. Came back to Pittsburgh. I know which city is better. The BURGH!

Q: How do you get a Steelers fan off your front porch?

A: Pay for your pizza.

Where were the rabid fans when Bmore pasted dem Stillers in 2006? When Bart planted Big Ben?

It's not that the rivalry isn't fun, it is, but the Steelers fans have nothing more to come back with than, "murder". Yawn.

Q: What's Black and Gold and plays golf on February 1st?

Hickory dickory dock
The mouse ran up the clock
the clock struck two
The STEELERS shot their goo
and the Ravens went home a loser... Again

Baltimore:

Come for the crack.

Stay... well, because you just got murdered.

Baltimore's new slogan:

Come for the crack.

Stay... well, because you just got murdered.

I'm not going to make any insults to Pittsburgh, since I have never been there. But, I am sick of hearing about your five Super Bowls. If I'm not mistaken, the Steelers won their first 4 with Bradshaw in the 70's. Since the Ravens have been in town, both teams have one Super Bowl apiece. So why should we care about the other four if our team didn't even exist. That doesn't mean we won't have 5 Super Bowls in thirty years. As far as I'm concerned, both teams are even.

What's Our Name? Ravens!

i live in new york city and i love baltimore. haven't been to pittsburgh yet. it's just below cleveland on my "places-to-see" list.

I defintaly agree with you. Pittsburgh is trash. I live in the Pittsburgh area and I absolutly hate it here. I would gladly move to Baltimore when I get the money. Pittsburgh has nothing for me here.

There is one thing Pittsburgh Steelers fans know: come Sunday, their team will schmash, schmother and schmack the Ravens into the ground. Nothing else matters to the fans of the soon to be 6 time Superbowl champs!

Put that in your pipe and Schmoke it Schmuck!! Yeessh.

Baltimore does have a higher murder rate,thats only because it's hard to stab somebody with a rusty knife..... you pee gold oxidizer .....pissburgh residents know how to use their 1 front tooth as a shield...most people's grandmothers smell like ben gay......yours smells like 3 in 1 oil.....your mother uses a perfume called remnants of the monongahela.... stay off our board before I hit you with a crab mallet and watch you crumble into tiny brown rusty pieces.

Pete-

Now I know what obnoxious Yankees fans do in the winter - they don the yellow and black and display their arrogance as Steelers fans. Whew, what a bunch of testosterone-fueled jerks these people are. By the way, how will Hines Wards' smile look sans teeth after Sunday???

Oh Mr. Schmuck, if there was one Pittsburghian that would represent us all it would be me. We love our team so much here. Being a man like me, and like every other man in the Burgh (yes, thats our pet name for our lovely little town) we just die to go see those adonises, in their tight little uniforms, and when they bend over, oh my, it just sends shivers down my spine. The only thing manlier is a sweaty, dirty steel worker washing off after a hard days work. The only dissappointing thing about are team is that Big Ben doesn't really live up to his name and Fast Willy does if you know what I mean. Yeeeaaahhhh Steeeelers! Go spank some Ravens booty, I know I'd like to.

Reading those replies was one of the worst decisions I have ever made. Five minutes of my life I'll never get back. Just another example of how dumb Pitt. fans really are. Ripping on Baltimore's murder rate really is one of the more original jokes I have ever heard. Great job Steeler fans, be careful though thinking too hard might give you a head ache.

The Ravens will always be the Brownies in purple shirts. Steelers will win...again. It's just unfortunate that we don't have a big back like the "Bus" to steamroll Lewis...again.

I really get tired of hearing that "Steelers Fans Travel Well"....and you're right, We are in every major city. At risk of offending my Iron City Brethren....I don't believe this has as much to do with the City of Pittsburgh as it has to do with the philosephy of the team and organization. Its the reason the Steelers are in contention almost every January. The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team from the top to the bottom and there are NO individuals in their locker room. Our offense and defense are each others biggest fans ( you hearing me Buddy Ryan? )

Oh we occasionally end up with some nucklehead who convinces themselves they are bigger than the team like Paychex Plex. They are politely shown the door so they can go disrupt the continuity of another deep pocketed organization. Geez......Dan Rooney stands in line at the Team Practice Facility Cafeteria. Yeah, I can only imagine Jerry Jones doing that. When the Steelers went 6 and 10 a few years back...the Rooneys showed their loyalty by extending Cowhers contract.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are EVERYWHERE because we buy into what our team is about. Hard Work, Toughness, Selflessnes and CLASS.

Oh btw.....STEELERS 17 RAVENS 10

Excuse me? The city of Pittsburgh is anything but what you described.
Pittsburgh was recently ranked the city most likely to survive the current US economic recession with the least damage, as we had our own recession 20 years ago and took the steps toward economic security by bringing in technology and research industries to the downtown area. Now, Pittsburgh is ranked 7th among 'The 100 Best Cities to Earn a Living', and has been named 'Americas Most Livable City' 5 years in a row by Rand-McNally.
A flourishing Bio-Tech business, 4 of the best schools in the country (Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State, and West Virginia University) within 45 minutes of the city, the best health-care system in the country, and a technology sector that is thriving.
Pittsbugh's economy collapsed about 25 years ago, and half the population moved away when the steel jobs left. But we replaced those jobs with better, more secure industries. Robotics, Biotech, Medical Care, Computers, and Banking.
Pittsburgh's population has been soaring, as well as the median income for families in the city, since 1995. We took steps to secure our future, which is why we will be fine and breed a new generation of steelers fans here at home.

you're a hack. leave the funny to the professionals.

and by the way, the difference between a blog and a column is that a column brings original insight and fact, while a blog brings one-sided nonsense straight out of their parents' basement.

Tool. And Go Steelers.

hey you are not very funny or even original i dont think you are even a very good writer is the boss your daddy? your defense cant even take a hit from a reciever without crying or spitting on someone anyways heres a clue quit your day job coz you suck at it anyway move to the burgh and we will get you a job delivering the post gazette thats abuot as close as you need to be around a newspaper

Hey Jeremy. If you knew your football history you would know that Pittsburg was the laughingstock of football for about the first 45 yrs of existance. It wasn't until steroids, that made your team good in the seventies. I have to laugh about the five rings in Pittsburgh. It only took about 85 years. Meanwhile Baltimore has won 4 championships in less than half the time. Now go kiss the refs butts for some more calls like in your Super Bowl win over Seattle

Pittsburgh's mayor changed his name for a joke. Maybe Baltimore's mayor should change her name, so she can go into hiding before the trial.

Pittsburgh's mayor changed his name for a joke. Maybe Baltimore's mayor should change her name, so she can go into hiding before the trial.

A response to your slap in the face...

Our mayor changes his name as a gimmick, yours gets brought up on charges.

Congrats on your 1 Super bowl ring. Your other fingers must be so jealous.

You can worry about what you are going to say to Eagles fans later when you are both knocked out of the playoffs by the Steelers and the Steelers West.

We know how to use a towel properly when it is white, blue, green or any other color than yellow, but you should know by now the ghost of Myron Cope will haunt your team, your writers, and your fans if you if you choose to disrespect him.

The Steelers used to have cheerleaders but when they found out that they would have to have male cheerleaders (Ravens), they did the respectable thing and disbanded the squad. On a side note, this is what should happen if Hooters were to lose a law suit and have to employ male waiters.

Pittsburgh’s team name comes from a hard working people. Baltimore’s name comes from a freaking poem... A POEM! Allow for the quill of Poe to be smashed by a sledge.

Don't ever call the Pirates a baseball team. That stopped being the case in the late 90's.

I love this rivalry and hope it is this good for years to come.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Thanks for the great effort. That's what I was looking for.

I don`t recall Baltimore ever being metioned as Americas most livable city.Has it ever even ranked in the top 25?

Suggs might want to think twice about conspiring with Ray to put bounties out on players. If the NFL ever investigates, Ray will probably turn states evidence and testify against Suggs to save his own hide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZDzOGFXts

This is great. I love the smack. So which is worse, the fact that when HBO went looking for the nastiest, filthiest, drug-laden crime-ridden city in America they picked Baltimore, or the fact that your original football team moved OUT of your town...hmmm?

I am dusting off a poll that I sent to members of our fantasy football league a little over a year ago. We have league members who live in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. For your benefit, the poll was sent out after a weekend in which the Ravens lost to the previously winless Dolphins and the Baltimore-based Winabi Trots lost to the Pittsburgh-based LOD in the playoffs.

Baltimore held its own against the Limeys in 1812. What has been the most disappointing decade since then?

1970s - Orioles lose 1971 and 1979 World Series to Pittsburgh Pirates. Each time Orioles lose deciding Game 7 at home in Memorial Statium.

1980s - The Irsays, fed up with Baltimore teams losing to Pittsburgh teams at Memorial Stadium, seek new stadium. Baltimore balks and the Irsays load up the Mayflower vans at 2:00 AM.

1990s - Jeffrey Maier steals Game 1 of 1996 ALCS for Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles never recover. Hated New York Yankees go on to win four of next five World Series.

2000s - Ravens lose to winless Dolphins and Winabi Trots lose to LOD in NEFFL semi-finals in the same weekend. Mayor Dixon ponders issuing press release stating that Baltimore is cursed and would have been better off if British had burned it to the ground in 1812.

Regretably, the 2000s option was not a unanimous choice, as one of our owners from New York voted for the 1990s. I will update the poll after the Steelers win Sunday night and let your readers decide which decade best represents the feeling of hopelessness that envelopes, like a fog, the unfortunate citizens of Baltimore. Finally, I am not heartless, so I will remove the unfortunate reference to Mayor Dixon in the revised poll.

If the Steelers win it will be because they have had two byes in the last 18 weeks (the second due to a referee error) while Baltimore has had to play 18 straight weeks. The NFL ha now joined MLB in discarding any notion of a level playing field, and in introducing "rainouts" like the one that robbed us of a bye week.

One quickie... the Arm Pitts fan who said Mel Kiper is our most famous fan... there's a guy by the name of Micheal Phelps... who is a pretty strong supporter of the team... maybe he has heard of him.. ion know.

Mr Schmuck,

I have occasionally read your column although I repeatedly wonder why almost every time I finish. It is quite comparable to seeing a 70 year old overweight French Canadian on the beach in a thong(man or woman), its almost unbearable but you still continue to be transfixed by the sight, or in your case the read. Keep up the trainwreck articles, nothing could be worse or more embarrasing as you representing the city of Baltimore and the Ravens.

Check out this ESPN article http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3831956
The team motto should be "What massive amounts of steroids did for us in the 1970's, HGH has done for us in the 2000's!" Proud tradition, no stain on that.
And after the 2006 Super Bowl the steelers shouldn't be taunting anyone else about generous referee calls.

Mr. Schmuck,

The difference between a Raven fan and a Steeler fan? A Raven fan talks smack, a Steeler fan just likes to smack a Raven fan.

Sigh...

Everyone from both cities... it is spelled PITTSBURGH... there is a freaking H at the end. Also, people from Pittsburgh don't say wooder (water). Thats a Philly/NY thing.

Can I also say being from Western PA that i hate the word yin's. It doesn't make sense. If it is a contraction, it would make up the words you is. In every instance you can substitute the word you. Even the word ain't (am not) makes sense if you break it up. But enough about that.

Did you know Ed Reed's favorite football player is Troy Polamalu? Don't believe me? http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008/columns/story?page=HotRead17/EdReed

Did you know that James Harrison was cut by the Steelers and went to Baltimore in 2004. After seeing what life was like there, he almost retired. I mean come on, wouldn't you? Since that wake up call he has a ring, 2 Probowls, and player of the year honors.

And now for some bumper stickers.

Baltimore: Come for a vacation, stay for a funeral

Baltimore: Lock your doors

Baltimore: Poaching from Cleveland since 1996

Baltimore: And you thought DC was bad

Baltimore: Schmuck left Long Beach and came here? HERE?

Baltimore: Duck!!!

Where was Ray Lewis when Joey Porter was shot?

The Ravens: We all knew that guy in college (200) that hooked up with that girl that everyone knew that he shouldn't been able to get.

The Pirates: Like the O's, but worse

Ray Lewis: his bark is worse than his bite... but what about that knife?

Ravenstahl: Because changing your name in Baltimore is known as an alias.

Baltimore: When the more actually means less.

Steelers fans: We take everything personally? What do you mean by that?

The only reason why Johns Hopkins is better than UPMC is because you not only have more murders, but more attempted murders. Its called practice!!!! (in all seriousness when you think about it, the AFC north has come great hospitals... well Cincy sucks but you get the point)

Hey Baltimorons... Quit making fun of us about not knowing how to use the internet. We aren't Al Gore okay?

Baltimore: When your best offense is a good Ed Reed

Oh, and what is with all of this "respect" garbage from both sides Schmuck? What ever happened to "we don't like them and they don't like us"?

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm with you. Keep the smack coming.

I like how all these Steelers fans act like they absolutely destroyed us in the regular season. The Ravens lost those games, the Steelers didn't win them. Our mistakes let them win, but they weren't mistakes the Steelers caused. The Ravens dominated them both times, but I'll give it to the Steelers for finding a way to win and having luck on their side. But as we all know, luck can always change on a dime and the football gods seem to be on our side right now. And another thing for all the Steelers fans out there touting their 5 SuperBowls....you're making the Ravens look good idiots. Steelers have be around since 1933, that makes it about 15 years per Super Bowl victory, the Ravens have been around for 11 going on 12 years and we already have 1. Do the math or is that too hard for you. And the only reason we don't have any Hall of Famers yet is becuase our first group of players is just now starting to retire, but don't worry, we'll be coming to the Hall of Fame soon enough and dawning the place with Purple Pride. And why are you guys busting on purple, are you not secure with your manhood or something? Why so serious Pittsburgh fans? This was supposed to be a fun back and forth banter blog, but you guys seem a little anal...maybe your just nervous and don't want to admit it. I mean, afterall, all the pressure is on you guys, we're not supposed to be here, we're not suppose to win, no one is picking us, everyone is saying its going to be a blow out. But man, can you imagine what schmucks (hopefully this is an appropriate use for you name Peter and you'll let if fly) you guys will look like after talking all this smack and losing to a team you are suppose to kill. Can you imagine how painful it will be for you guys to realize you're not going to Tampa because you couldn't put away a team you've already beaten twice. That would really be terrible for you all. Hmmmm....maybe one of the biggest let downs you P fans will have in your lives. Well good luck with all that.

Lets see, after your first NFL team packs up and leaves you have to beg and throw cash for another team to even consider moving to you fair city. Then, your team's name is a reference to a book written by a drug addicted author. Then the Ravens get to the Super Bowl only to have one of your star players be involved in a murder. As for the Pirates, who cares. Baseball is a sissy sport anyway. Although,it does give me great pleasure knowing the last two World Series victories were over the Baltimore.

Schmuck,

Whats it like writing for a paper in a town with a 5% literacy rate?
Face it Pittsburgh Rules baltimore's world.
We routinely top the "best cities to live in" lists, while baltimore can only boast chart toppers in "easiest city to get shot in", and "Most likely to get mugged in" lists.
Win = Pittsburgh

We have a baseball team that wont spend any money and loses a lot, the orioles spend a fortune and win as often as the pirates do.
Win = Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's Mayor is an idiot who changed his name to mean "Steel Steelers"
Baltimore has a mayor charged with stealing gift cards from the poor
Win = Pittsburgh

Hear that clock ticking away... you best hope that it is only the clock counting down to the end of the ravens season sunday night.. cause it just might be the one counting down the days till the next town swoops in to steal your football team in the middle of the night.

-TTT

Just as a 3 peat sweep not being easy and the stats show that 60% of the time it happens, I find that "Steeler fans " travel well to be in the same false category. There is a much better explanation why when the Steelers visit a stadium, any stadium, they are well represented...
1. There are no jobs or life in Pittsburgh and these are Pittsburghians, Burghers, Pitts or whatever that have had to leave the city of the Pitt and their youins to have a life or even a meaningful life.
2. Those championship teams of 30 years ago captured the love of of the 8-20 year olds who have stayed with them all these years. So although they may not be from Pittsburgh, nor may they have ever seen the mistake on the 3 rivers, they have become Burghers.
So I really don't believe they travel well or are well traveled, they cannot find their way out of the valley and fear the real world of competition. They just have lots of fans as a successful franchise should.

i expected much better ribbing from the steeler fans.

btw, don't lump o's in with the pirates. we still care about our baseball team.

Hey Pittsburghers....WOW five championships in 75 years. You didn't have a winning season until your ninth season and not a championship till 1974.

The Ravens have one in their first twelve years and soon to be 2 in thirteen. You average one every 15. If the Baltimore Colts are added to the equation (why not, they were stolen from us anyway), that's 4 since 1953 and were still better.

And finally, your eye lascerating "terrible towels" will be mere threads flapping from your caskets when you get to twelve. Check out the Pack since 1921.

If there was a Top 10 list of Worst Comebacks of All-Time, I think the guy Steel City who posted on here would fill it up

Black and Yellow,
Not for this Fellow
My heroes wear
Purple and Black
And soon all
Will know the refrain
That comes from the question
"What's Our Name"?

P.S. Is it still considered a smile if Hines Ward flashes one with a few teeth missing?

Hey Pete- As a longtime Steeler fan, born and rasied in the Burgh, but living in Houston for 30 years, I had to laugh at the article. I loved the reference to the offensive line and the cheerleaders, that was hilarious.

I wish our fans would lighten up a bit and realize you did mean this tongue in cheek- but at the end of the day- Steelers win for third time this year and the Ravens go home, saying Never More!

It is such a pleasure to read these comments. From the first few words you can tell Pittsburgh from Baltimore. The content, spelling and grammar is 100% with the Pittsburgh fans as compared to about 30% with Baltimore. Our award winning schools once again shine over you drop outs. Will this still be up and running tomorrow night? It will be so great to see you all eating raven-stew.

..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I find your analysis somewhat biased. I've gotten a lot of misspelled and otherwise loutish comments from the Pittsburgh side. And, not that I mention it, if you were educated in Pittsburgh, how would you know whether anything was spelled right or not?

Here we go STEELERS Here we go

Here we go STEELERS Here we go

1. Pittsburgh has three rivers; Baltimore has one.
2. First President George Washington like the really great NFL quarterbacks learned their craft in Pittsburgh - Unitas and Flacco included; Boomer Easison honed his in Maryland.
3. Pittsburgh produced Andy Warhol; Baltimore John Walters - okay, it's a draw.
4. Pittsburgh is known as the Steel City and brews Iron City; Baltimore as the Charm City and is the home of Under Armor (which are under garments, in reality) - what best fits a game like football?
5. Baltimore is known for its crabs by the Center for Disease Control among others. What else needs said on this matter?
6. Baltimore politicians can be bought and caught. The same cannot be said for their counterparts in Pittsburgh.
7. The Port of Baltimore makes it the end of the road. Pittsburgh is the gateway to the west.
8. Pittsburgh was an important stop on the Lewis and Clark journey. They totally avoided Baltimore.
9. The cities are both partial to the name Palmer - Arnie and Jim, for example.
10. Baltimore has yet to find its comparable to Mr. Rogers neighborhood.
11. One needs to be skilled to travel the bridges and tunnels of topological and scenic Pittsburgh. Baltimore is flat, and borders an old, flat Bay.
12. Pittsburgh has a magnificent incline with a breathtaking ride and view; Baltimore a puny light rail and subway which helps people avoid the view.
13. Pittsburgh has more than the 57 varities offered by Heinz. Baltimore has McCormicks and Natty Boh.
14. Pittsburgh has Delallos; Baltimore Tranicrias - they're even here.
15. Andrew Carnegie must have thought Pittsburghers as educable. That's why he built so many libraries there, and none in Baltimore.
16. Pittsburgh nourished culture and the arts. Remember Perry Como, Vaughan Monroe, Jimmy Stewart, and many, many more up to today's graduates of CMU. Baltimore - who other than Billy Holliday?
17. Pittsburgh produced innovative media types like Myron Cope. Baltimore has Schmuck!

The End

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm particularly interested in No. 4. I certainly hope the Steelers drink a bunch of Iron City before and during the game and the Ravens wear lots of Under Armor. Agreed?

At least the Rooneys didn't say, "Hey, this town sucks so bad, Indianapolis looks like a better place to move."
I'll bet Moddell was pissed he didn't get to do it first.
Old Browns same as the new Clowns.

Ravens and Steelers 6-6 in last 12 games. Come on now, count games when Flacco had hair on his peaches.(pitt up 2-0) If you get too much soot on your cars driving through Pittsburgh, just steal another one. The one thing both cities have in common is both will be cheering for the Steelers after the game on Sunday. I disagree that the game will be a bloodbath, Ray Lewis will have to go through the metal detector for sure.

I have not read through the remaining posts, simply don't have the time to fill my mind with this drivel any longer. For the artist formerly known as jack in hebron,
View Larger Map

Pittsburg(h). At least do your homework before trying to rip someone. Go Pittsburgh Steelers. Go Panthers. Go Big East Basketball.

Speaking of dressing in dark clothes and sneaking out of town, isn't that how Baltimore got a football team?

Wow....such a long list of replies here. Welp, my distaste for the Stealers started in 1975 when they beat the Baltimore Colts in the playoffs. A friend of mine decided to jump on the Pigsburgh bandwagon and I learned all about the definition of "fair weather fan". I saw him later, after we had grown up, and it was circa 1985. I talked about the 1970's and the Stealers, and he said " What? I don't even remember that stuff." Which leads me to a list of points I want to make:
1. Baltimore and the state of Maryland have a whole lot more to offer than Pittsburgh, PA. That's why I always see Pittsburgh jerseys in Ocean City, MD hon. It's no problem though- c'mon down the shore and spend all your hard earned cash, year after year. I understand that there's no beach and ocean where you live. It's okay!
2. Historically, it cracks me up that Stealer fans continually bring up the fact that the Colts left town in 1984, and the Browns moved here in 1996. As if the fans had somethin' to do with either case. Wrong, wrong, wrong. But not enough space here to explain it to you naive, ignorant, demented Pittsburgh backers.
3. Yes, there are male cheerleaders. But they are far outnumbered by the hottie female counterparts and guess what? The male cheerleaders get to look up the female cheerleaders' skirts! Not a bag gig, eh? Rethink it and maybe the Steelers will cough up the cash to pay for a cheerleading squad.
4. I could care less at this point in my 47 yr old life about anything prior to the Ravens starting to play NFL games in Baltimore. Most Raven fans would agree with me. So Stealers' fans who wanna talk history before then? Pointless. Fact: Ravens have one SB ring, so do the Stillers. I would say right now, that's all that matters. And oh yeah- the game tomorrow. That matters. Ravens win 20-13.

Ravens have guy cheerleaders..... nuff said.

So I finally found the requirements to get into this place called Steeler Nation. Here they are:

1. 650 combined SAT's scores.
2. Must drive a 1977 El Camino.
3. Confess out loud that "All the Right Moves" was the greatest movie ever made.
4. Knows what a Carnegie Mellon is? Some sort of fruit, right?
5. Will not stand for the comment that the 1970/80 Steelers were the birthplace of steriods in sports (Steve Corson).

All those poor stiller fans had to leave the Burgh to obtain gainful employment. Where does Santonio Holmes get his dime bags? Helmet laws, we don't need no stinkin helmet laws. I heard Bill Cowher wrote a new book. It's called: "how to inspire your Secretary to better performance.......evaluations" Old Bill os old school, made his secretary take dictation.

Pete, I like the city of Bmore, but with the ravens limping into the AFC Championship and the Steelers having the league's No. 1 defense healthy, the Raven's will be lucky if they score 10 points. Honestly, you can talk smack, but the morale in Bmore can't be high unless the fans ARE high.

So if the Ravens did actually win it all and get a trip to the White House...Obama would have to make sure Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs don't steel his car's hubcaps!!!

Where WAS Ray Lewis when Joey Porter got shot?

The Ravens have male cheerleaders!

The Steelers don't have cheerleaders because professional cheerleaders make no sense.

Baltimore, on the other hand, has both male and female cheerleaders.

Lavender uniforms + male cheerleaders. The Ravens management knows how to appeal to the large majority of Baltimoron men.

Next year, when your defense is shredded by free agency and your back to your rightful place on the "pay no mind list" of the sporting public, at least you'll have the amazing Ravens marching band to keep you entertained.

Your history and sports importance left in 1984 with the Colts...and you'll never get it back.

I love stuff like this. A scared, cornered animal will resort to it's last hope for a chance at survival. In Baltimore's case, it's name calling and personal insults "nah nah, nah nah nah". Say what you like, Pittsburgh holds a spot in sports history that Baltimore can't hold a candle to. From football (5 Superbowls and a team that never left town!) to hockey (2 Stanley cups to, how many? 0!) and even baseball (who did the Pirates beat in 2 of of their World Series? Oh yeah...the O's!), Baltimore has nothing to be proud of. No wonder Steeler nation stretches far and wide and Ravens nation stretches as far as..Hagerstown?? LOL

ummmm, people don't get on your blog for using obvious, bad jokes that aren't even remotely funny? Did you happen to read your jokes? Idiot.

Pete... do you really know why there are so many Pitt fans in the Baltimore area and in other cities? There are no jobs left in Pittsburgh! All the steel plants have closed up for the most part and the poor souls with black lung have to move away from there beloved Pittsburgh.

They shouldn't even be called the 'Steelers' anymore. The 'Unemployed' would be more fitting. I did hear though that they converted a few of the old steel plants into 'terrible towel' plants. The 60,000 people that attend the games out there all work in the sissy towel plants and are all that's left of the workforce.

Finally, the Steelers don't have any cheerleaders because who really wants to look at a bunch of girls with little or no teeth?

While we're on that subject, Pitt does have one thing credited to their virtually non-existent history. Did you hear the toothbrush was invented in Pittsburgh?

If it were invented anywhere else, it would've been called the 'teethbrush'.

GO RAVENS

If you think about it, the Ravens are actually the Browns. Talk about putting lipstick on a pig.

Ray Lewis's favorite band is 'The Killers.'

Hey Schmuck. It makes sense that you would throw unjustifiable barbs at the city of Pittsburgh. It's easier to attack the city of Pittsburgh than to attack the Steelers team.

In fact, if I were from Baltimore, I would want to deflect the attention from a match up of the two teams by trying to put the focus on something else. When you reflect on the match up between the two teams, you can only reach one conclusion - that the Steelers are the superior team - and that's not a pleasant thought in Baltimore.

As for the City of Pittsburgh, truth be known, there is much more to the city than what Baltimore has to offer - better medical facilities, more and better universities, more cultural options, more corporate HQ's, and a decidedly better football team.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: The reason it makes sense to throw unjustifiable barbs at Pittsburgh is because it makes people like yourself write in to argue about it. It's a football game and a fun rivalry. Thanks for chiming in.

Pete-

I'll state it again...Steelers fans, Yankee mentality...the only inherent difference is that Yankees fans still speak English. Get the water patrols and marine police rescuers out in full force in the Burgh tonight, because the disappointed Steelers fans will be lining up at all those bridges . (I knew they were erected for something more than transportation !!)

Jeff, you're the epitome of hypocrisy. You say we Baltimore Raven fans resort to name calling, etc., and then you turn around and do the same thing by inaccurately stating that Raven Nation stretches to Hagerstown. Why...I just read that Raven fans actually live in da Burgh. Surprised, Jeffy? And for the record, since you wanted to do that,
1.Baltimore pro football teams also have 5 championships (see 58-59-71 Colts, 1992 Stallions, and 2000 Ravens). Fact- it took the Steelers 41 years to win an NFL championship vs. the Colts' taking 5 seasons and Ravens taking 5 seasons. What does that tell you about the intelligence of both franchises? Hmmmm, must be the same as the residents of each town is my guess.
2. O's have 3 World Series championships.
3. Michael Phelps has 8 gold medals.
4. Kimmie Meissner won the gold in figure skating.
5. Baltimore's own Francis Scott Key wrote our country's national anthem, which you'll hear before tonight's game.
So you see, Jeffy, not only does Baltimore far outweigh your beloved city's teams' relatively narrow spectrum of championships...Baltimore's sports champions and its history stretches far and wide beyond your level of comprehension. I'm done, and so are the Steelers Ravens win 20-14.

All I have to say to anyone from Baltimore is; I may give you one very, very small thought while I am at the Super Bowl and you are sitting at home. Just remember, it comes down to who play the game, not who is in the stands. Your boys showed the world that they can not get the job done, but my Steelers showed you how you are suppose to play the game. Enough said!!!!

Hey Baltimore. Sorry for your loss and I don't mean the game. I am seriously praying for McGahee and hope that his injury is none to serious. My thoughts will be with him and his family as I watch my beloved Steelers win the big game for the AFC. Go Steelers!!!

Someone beat me to it already, I've also lived both places and "Dundalk" or Dundawk to you Baltimorons is really all that needs to be said on that score. As for our mayor changing names, maybe Ms Sheila should consider it as a way out of those pesky felony charges. At least our mayor isn't on the way to prison.

Wow...obviously you don't know much about Pittsburgh. I won't waste any time returning the trash talk since winning says it all. Enjoy watching Super Bowl XLIII between Arizona and Pittsburgh. Oh, by the way, our fans, city, and players showed an incredible amount of respect for your injured player. If you were watching the broadcast, you heard Steeler fans wishing him the best of luck in his recovery. I was hoping that he would give a thumbs up so that his family would know that he was okay. That's Pittsburgh, its fans, and its citizens.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I appreciate you stopping by for a little good-natured gloating. Have fun in Tampa, if you can get a ticket.