While the country remains fundamentally divided over any number of issues, I am glad to say that Steeler nation once again stands united:
Pro Bowl wide receiver Hines Ward ended his 15-day contract holdout and reported to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that the team will reciprocate by resuming negotiations on a new contract in hopes that a deal can be struck by the end of the week
Ward arrived at Heinz Field about two hours before the Steelers’ exhibition against the Philadelphia Eagles and was quickly escorted into the stadium by a team official to watch the game.
Hallelujah.
*** Update ***
My goodness is Another Jeff going to be hammered…
8:09 pm: First play from scrimmage of the 2005 pre-season is a Steeler touchdown on a Willie Williams interception. Heh.
8:16 pm: Eagles punt, Steelers return 66 yards for a TD. 14-0. Double Heh.
9:00 pm: Eagles score, kick-off, Taylor scores on 100 yard kickoff return. 21-7.
Geek, Esq.
Meanwhile, Terrell Owens is working on his tan in the Bahamas.
Brad R.
Heh. We had Richard Seymour hold out at the start of training camp too. Something tells me it’s gonna be Pats and Steelers (and *possibly* the Jets) as the two teams in the AFC.
Oh, and what Geek, Esq. said about TO- thank God we don’t have that monumental pain in the ass…
SeesThroughIt
Excellent. Hopefully the contract will be signed quickly and painlessly, and we can all move on to watching the Steelers kick some ass.
Otto Man
And Fantasy Football owners everywhere rejoice.
When can we expect the triumphant return of Duce Staley?
Steve
Just don’t play the AFC Championship at home, and everything will be fine.
Otto Man
If the first twelve seconds of this game are any indication, you’ll have a great season.
jg
HDTV kicks ass!
Joey
There’s a team in Indianapolis that may have a say in how things go in the AFC too. You know, that team with the best offense in football? Of course, I’ve had all summer to forget about their awful run defense, but it can only get better, right?
ppGaz
I’m watching the game. The Steelers look like a very very good football team. Where are the fans? I see a lot of empty seats. I realize it’s preseason, but ??
Indiana? Have they improved their defense? Last year they played a lot of “last team with the ball wins” football.
Jim
There is no red, there is no blue. Only black and Gold.
Joey
Indy’s defense wasn’t that bad last year, not nearly as bad as everyone said at least. They have a great pass rush and produce a lot of turnovers, but they give up the big play and can’t stop the run. Fortunately, their offense had them up most of the time, so they didn’t have to worry about the run. If they can just improve in one of those areas, I’d pick ’em to win the Super Bowl. Esp. if that area is the run defense.
ckrisz
Amen, Jim.
Mazza
…but the offense put no points on the board. The glass must be half empty.
Another Jeff
“My Goodness is Another jeff going to be hammered.”
Yeah, it wasn’t pretty. Thankfully, with the Steelers jumping on them early, the announcers had other things to talk about (not that they did).
Vlad
Man, did Colcolough turn on the jets during Taylor’s return, or what? The Eagles could’ve been riding rocket-powered cheetahs, and they still couldn’t have matched him.
Josh
The Rooney hardball streak continues.
Breeze
… and the Penguins ain’t looking too bad, either.
Grotesqueticle
GO PENS!!
Hey, if the Stillers draft a few more players from Georgia, they just might win the SB again.