Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

Come on, man.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

This fight is for everything.

If a good thing happens for a bad reason, it’s still a good thing.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

Weird. Rome has an American Pope and America has a Russian President.

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. ~Thomas Jefferson

Hey hey, RFK, how many kids did you kill today?

Donald Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

Live so that if you miss a day of work people aren’t hoping you’re dead.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

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92Comments

  7. 7.

    ninerdave

    So is Big Ben a legit NFL QB yet, haters?

    I’ll repeat what I said in the open thread. If he’s not on your fantasy team, yes. That one sack he avoided in the 4th was pretty stellar.

    What’s the word on Polamalu? Second half I was in and out of my car?

  8. 8.

    ninerdave

    @SammyB:

    You asshole Jon….i had the game on pause….damn you

    You should know to avoid all media when you have the game paused.

    In fact avoid all human contact, last year I recorded one of the Niners games, and early game, I ran down to the store to grab a six pack before the game and dude in line behind me saw my jersey and said, “man sorry about that loss”

    I wanted to slug him, but he was huge, so I didn’t.

  11. 11.

    stibbert

    hey John Cole – y’all channeling Bob Prince these days?

    my dad’s mom was a religious Bucs fan, she’d always have the Gunner on the radio, and taught me how to keep score.

  13. 13.

    TheFountainHead

    That was a really sad game. I’m happy that the Steeler’s pulled it out and all, but if that’s the quality of play we’re going to get this season, well, that’s just disappointing.

  14. 14.

    Mark S.

    @MikeJ:

    Yeah football is back! Chelsea play Stoke this weekend!

    I have DIsh and the last couple days I’ve been getting Fox Soccer Channel. I don’t know if this is permanent, because they sometimes give channels and take them away, hoping I’ll buy a more expensive package.

  16. 16.

    Vancouver lurker

    Michael Westbrook took a knee at the one last year rather than score because it was the smart play. Hines Ward didn’t and fumbled. I don’t care about these teams (although I took the points and won half a unit) but I was glad to see something wipe the smirk off that punk’s face.

  18. 18.

    The Claw

    @MikeJ:

    Are you the other Chelsea / Steelers person? I knew there had to be at least one other out there

    Who’s better, Frank or Ben?

  19. 19.

    JK

    I had no rooting interest in the game. I have no feelings one way or the other about the Steelers or the Titans. It’s nice to watch a football or baseball game where you won’t be miserable if either team wins.

    The only sour note for me is this stupid overtime rule. The rule should be both teams get 1 possession each at the start of OT. If both teams score on their first possession and the game is still tied, then sudden death should kick in and the first team that scores wins the game.

  22. 22.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Because it was comment 337 or something on the previous thread, and you might not want to scroll all the way down, I’m confident I can hit another home run in the very near future.

  25. 25.

    pants

    re Polamalu: the teeveenewsguy said it was a ‘sprain’, & that he’d be out for 3 weeks.

    Good. Don’t like the Steelers much, but I love watching him play.

  26. 26.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JK: Well, I am listening to your first home run right now, so there’s hope for you!

    @Morbo: Yes. What a GREAT ending to a boring game (sorry, Cole) punctuated with moments of brilliance. It’s such a big letdown.

  27. 27.

    ChrisZ

    Who ever said he wasn’t legit? He’s not top notch. He gets sacked too often and is too inconsistent with his throws, but that doesn’t make him not legit.

  28. 28.

    Bill H

    Not to take away from Big Ben, I am a fan, but that Titan defense in the 4th and 5th quarters was the must inept thing I have seen in years. And that includes watching 16 Chargers games per year.

  30. 30.

    stibbert

    hey Vancouver person, Hines Ward is not a punk. Sure, he’s a gamer, prob’ly talks some trash during the game, likes to knock folks on their butts, & might’ve even drawn an ‘unsportsmanlike’ flag or three during his career. but he can take a lick, too, & will get up again w/ his trademark grin to line up for the next play (except for after his fumble tonight, & i’ll bet all the fans felt as bad for him as they did about the fumble.) i’ve [b]never[/b] seen him act boorishly or taunt an opponent on the field, nor heard him ‘talk trash’ in an interview. In stillers country, he’s universally regarded as a veteran team leader, the embodiment of team-first spirit & competitive toughness. In short, he’s a class act.

  31. 31.

    AnotherBruce

    Um, the Steelers won because they won the coin flip. Otherwise I would call it a dead even game. NFL overtimes are way fucking lame.

    Someday the NFL will be able to figure out how to conduct a fair overtime system. It aint rocket science, but they seem too stupid to do it.

  32. 32.

    Steeplejack

    @Mark S.:

    I love Fox Soccer Channel. Try to watch at least one or two of the live English Premiere League games on Saturday or Sunday (morning here, afternoon in Old Blighty). And then there are reruns and other games during the week.

  34. 34.

    stibbert

    tag fail.

    @asiangrrlMN,

    i’m bummed about Troy as well, he was playing so magnificently in the 1st 1-1/2 qtrs, now all i can think of is how his injury might get re-aggravated during the course of the season, woe, woe.

    Troy is to stiller’s D as Hines is to stiller’s O.

  35. 35.

    meh

    Both teams looked good. I’d be worried that the Steelers can’t run short yardage (though Tennessee is always tough on the run).

    I agree; NFL overtime is completely lame.

  36. 36.

    Kineslaw

    @Bill H:

    This. Titans D looked great early, then went conservative and allowed Pittsburgh to march down the field.

    Titans special teams also deserve a dishonorable mention. Lousy returns, missed FGs.

  37. 37.

    drillfork

    @AnotherBruce:

    A few weeks back some Yahoo Sports blogger had a great suggestion for NFL OT: At the beginning of the extra period, let each coach independently choose which yard-line they want the ball on. It’s like a blind auction. Say one coach takes his team’s 40 yard line, and the other takes his own 30. The team taking the 30 would get the ball first. Then go from there. It does beat the stupid coin flip.

    And Cole, after two Super Bowl wins, who in gawd’s name hates on Ben Roethlisberger? Certainly not anyone in the media. (Hell, ESPN wouldn’t even cover the rape allegations at first.)

    Maybe you’re talking about jealous AFC North fans. Still, it sounds like you’re slipping into straw-man territory there…

  38. 38.

    Paul B.

    The way Polamalu was walking after getting landed on like that, he looks like he should be ok, maybe out a couple of weeks. I probably hurt myself worse just watching him make that pick.

  39. 39.

    JK

    John McCain, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Bill O’Reilly, Joe Wilson, Eric Cantor, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Glenn Reynolds – These guys are punks. Hines Ward, I don’t think so.

  40. 40.

    Robertdsc-iphone

    The SB 43 performance erased his pathetic SB 40 showing, so yes, he’s a legit QB. That’s how I see it. I have no feeling otherwise on him.

  41. 41.

    asiangrrlMN

    @stibbert: I would argue that Polamalu is the most important player for the Steelers, period, but I don’t feel like arguing. Hopefully, it was just a mild strain.

    Now, I can’t wait to watch my team’s jerkface quarterback (Favre) end the game on an interception. But hey, he’s just a kid out there, playing for the love of the game.

  42. 42.

    ALS

    Big Ben is on pace for 32 interceptions and 64 sacks, and the team managed 10 pts in regulation. Hardly a game to laud the virtues of the QB…

  43. 43.

    JK

    @AnotherBruce: @drillfork:

    I’m amazed at the many Rube Goldberg type alternatives people are proposing to the current NFL overtime rules.

    The easiest solution is staring every football fan in the face.

    Each team gets 1 possession at the start of OT. If both teams score on their first OT possession leaving the score tied, the game moves into sudden death and the first team to score wins. End of story.

  44. 44.

    Mark S.

    @Steeplejack:

    Yeah, I hope it’s a permanent thing. I don’t really want the next higher package, because besides the soccer none of the other channels interest me much (Fox Business News, woohoo).

  45. 45.

    JK

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Agreed on Polamalu.

    I’m hoping Favre gets injured and decides to retire before the season ends. I’m so sick and tired of his insufferable drama queen antics and I’m sick to death of ESPN drooling all over him as if he were the greatest football player in the history of the NFL.

  47. 47.

    asiangrrlMN

    @JK: But but but, he LOVES the game! No, if he loved the game, he would have attended training camp and got in fucking shape. I about puked during the first pre-season broadcast where the announcer was slavering over how it doesn’t matter that Brett didn’t complete a single pass because he hasn’t had time to work with the receivers. Um, because he eschewed training camp?????

    Then, they had the VP of Marketing (or something) in the booth, and he talked about all the season tickets he sold as well as how many Favre jerseys (saw many of them, even at the Twins’ game), and the light bulb went on. This isn’t about winning–it’s about making money. I know, I know, stupid of me to take so long to realize it, but aaaaargh!!!!!!!

  49. 49.

    The Dangerman

    @JK:

    I like your plan with one tweak; the team that loses the flip has to go for two if touchdowns are scored by both teams. Thus, losing the slip only forces a team to go for 2. If both teams hit FG’s, well, fuck, I don’t know what I’d do to shorten the game.

  50. 50.

    AnotherBruce

    Ok, I’ll propose 3 scenarios which are more fair than the NFL overtime system. You tell me if you think they are “Rube Goldberg” esque.

    How about regular season games that are tied at the end of regulation, end in a tie? Yes, the old system that the NFL had was better than what they have now. There is nothing dishonorable about a tie.

    Or they can play a full 15 minute overtime, and the team with the most points at the end of the overtime wins the game. If it’s a regular season game, and it’s a tie at the end of 15 minutes, it’s a tie for the standings. If it’s a playoff game or a Super Bowl, they keep playing 15 minute periods until one team beats the other into a bloody pulp and wins the game. It’s the fucking NFL fer godsakes and these games are always a war of attrition.

    They play the college system, except they don’t start at the 25 yard line. They line up and do a kickoff and drive the full length of the field. Say the Pittsburgh Steelers win the opening toss and drives down to the 17 yard line and settles for a field goal. The Steelers would then kick off to the Titans who would either 1. Not score and the Steelers would win or: 2. Score a field goal, tie the game and then have to kick off to the Steelers or: Score a touchdown and win the game.

    It’s idiotic that a game is decided by a coin flip, I’ve just described three scenarios that would improve on that. No doubt others could come up with simple and viable solutions.

  51. 51.

    stibbert

    i’ll agree that the current NFL reg-season OT rules give the advantage to the team that ‘wins’ the coin-flip. but rather than ‘reform’ the OT format, IMO they should just drop it, & end the game after 60 minutes of play – win, lose or tie.

    there’re already enough ‘tie-breaker’ rules that there’ll never be any question ’bout which teams get into the play-offs, and for play-off games, the NCAA rules would work well enough, giving each team some chance(s) to win.

  52. 52.

    asiangrrlMN

    They will never let the game end in a tie on a regular basis because the fans would be screaming for blood. I have no clue how to save the OT because it’s such an unwieldy mess in general.

  53. 53.

    The Dangerman

    First, the importance of the coin flip in OT is horseshit; a fair “end” end would have each team win roughly 50% of the time. I read someplace that the coinflip winner wins like 80% of the time. Pure horseshit (no, pooch, not real horseshit to roll in; go back to sleep).

    However, one must keep the game length reasonable; CBS likely already shits bricks (no, pooch, not real shit to roll in; go back to sleep) when a game runs over into the 60 minutes time slot (East Coast viewers, of course – and how the hell do you wait until 1 pm on a Sunday for your first game back there?). So, the back and forth like College games has to be minimized for TV.

  54. 54.

    Han Shot First

    Trent Dilfer was Super Bowl MVP once upon a time, perhaps he and Big Ben will have a shrine next to Dilfer when they are in Canton.

    Or not.

    Ben sucks. The Steelers win in spite of him. But he still blows donkey dick.

  55. 55.

    JK

    AnotherBruce – I don’t have a major problem with your ideas.

    Unfortunately, I think this stupid NFL OT rule is going to remain in place forever, just like I think the MLB will never resolve the issue of the DH being used in the AL but not in the NL. I wish common sense would prevail in the NFL regarding OT rules and in MLB regarding use of the DH.

  56. 56.

    The Dangerman

    Good point on DH (another Horseshit rule). The NL will never have a DH because of tradition and the AL will never get rid of it because of the Union (nice payday for old hitters that can’t play the field any longer).

  57. 57.

    edmund dantes

    Somebody I know on another board came up with this one. OT is first team to six points wins. This way it’s still up to the defense to stop the other team, and if it’s any good they should get the ball back at least once.

  58. 58.

    Roza

    ahhh the haters are out in force
    I will take that W against a tough Tennessee team
    Troy being injured is big time suck though.

  60. 60.

    Bobby Thomson

    The NFL overtime system is just fine the way it is. And a damn site better than the abomination that is the college system. I can’t believe all the ink spilled whining about a team that WASN’T ABLE TO GET IT DONE IN REGULATION.

    Sheesh.

  61. 61.

    The Other Steve

    So I’m in Menards the other day looking at a replacement door for the basement. The sales guy comes over to help me and the first thing out of his mouth is “Did you see Jared Allen?”

    My response was “Uhh, who is Jared Allen and why would I care?”

    Apparently he’s a Vikings player.

    One of the downsides from living a mile away from the Vikings head office. I’ve even got Vikings players living in my neighborhood, although I suspect they are 4th string training squad guys cause Brett Favre doesn’t live here. He’s got a penthouse at the top of the Westin complex over by the galleria.

  62. 62.

    Blue Neponset

    @edmund dantes:

    First to six is the best idea I have heard. Otherwise it is all about the coin toss and who can get to the opponents 35 yard line.

    Re: Ben

    That wasn’t a great performance. He took them out of field goal range in the first quarter because he wouldn’t throw the ball away. He threw two interceptions. Only got in the end zone once. Kerry Collins played better, and no one claims he is one of the best in the league.

  67. 67.

    Zzyzx

    I came in here to propose a variant of first to 6 that I came up with last night. OT is a 15 minute period. If a team is winning at the end of it, they win the game. However, if a team takes a 6 point lead during the period, it’s game over.

    I think what everyone really hates is that modern kickers mean a team only has to get to the 35 or so…

  68. 68.

    "Fair and Balanced" Dave

    What’s the word on Polamalu? Second half I was in and out of my car?

    The latest word is that Polamalu has a sprained MCL and will be out 3-6 weeks.

  71. 71.

    Morbo

    @Phoenix Woman: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Their new stadium has a $20 million screen that’s close enough to the field that punts can hit it; I hope that screen somehow costs them a playoff spot. I don’t care how, I just want it to happen.

  72. 72.

    Dave N.

    Big Ben is the new Favre (before Favre turned into a drama queen). He spends about 70% the game screwing up, taking sacks, and throwing passes he shouldn’t, but then somehow reaches shoulder deep up his own ass and pulls something out to win the game.

  73. 73.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Morbo: I would pay money to see this scenario play out. Seriously. We can make it happen, right?

    Oh, and I am with Phoenix Woman on my hatred of the Cowboys exceeding my loathing of the Packers, whom, ironically, I actually want to do well this year to spite Brett Favre.

    @Dave N.: It’s a good thing you tacked on that disclaimer about Favre, otherwise I would have had to thrown a fit.

  75. 75.

    Steeplejack

    @Bobby Thomson:

    Well, the Steelers also weren’t able to get it done in regulation. They won the coin toss and thus got a big advantage going into O.T. That sucks.

  76. 76.

    Chinn Romney

    Big Ben is a money player. We New Englanders know what money players look like. The haters are probably Jets fans. They wouldn’t recognize a champion if it bit them on the ass. They’re too busy screaming at the hapless women in their fugly stadium to flash them. It’s the only action they ever get.

  79. 79.

    ThresherK

    @Morbo:

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Their new stadium has a $20 million screen that’s close enough to the field that punts can hit it

    Apparently Jerry Jones misses Arena Football, as do I.

  80. 80.

    Redshirt

    I’m a die hard Pats fan and I have no problem stating that Big Ben is a Big Time QB. No debate from my side — just look at the results. He may not be classically awesome ala Brady or even Bradshaw, but he wins, baby, and that’s really all that matters.

    Also, in my fantasy league, Ben put up 48 points against me. Bad!

  82. 82.

    Ron

    I’m just amused as hell at the people who are whining that the win is unfair because the Steelers won the coin toss. a)Even after they moved the line for kickoffs back the win percentage of teams winning the coin flip is only about 60%. A favorite for sure, but hardly prohibitive.

    and

    b)The Titans had just as much chance to win the coin toss. It wasn’t like the Steelers rigged the coin toss. In fact most Steeler fans probably remember the Thanksgiving game against Detroit several years ago where the refs misheard what Bettis called and said Detroit won the toss.

    As for Ben, yes, he takes too many sacks, but as they pointed out, he so often turns nothing into something that the Off. coordinator in Pitt doesn’t want to try to “fix” it. I do wish he took the situation more into account like in the case of the 19-yd sack on 3rd down that took them out of FG range, but still, he so often pulls something out of those situations that I’ll take the sacks.

  83. 83.

    JoePo

    Roethlisberger is a good quarterback, I wouldn’t deny that, and he’s often a great quarterback in crunchtime, but he has really irritating Favrian tendencies. If Bironas hits either of those field goals yesterday, you’d be remembering Roethlisberger’s bonehead plays more than the ones he pulled out. It’s been clear to me that Favre cost his team as many shots at the title as he gave them – but still, he got them a Super Bowl trophy. You can’t discount a championship (or in Roethlisberger’s case, two – against weak sauce opponents, but still), but players like that will always be a rung below Montana or Brady. Which isn’t so much an insult to Favre or Roethlisberger (though I don’t mind insulting the either of them) as it is a tribute to how rare are the great ones.

  84. 84.

    JC

    You truly are a jackass if you think that game proved something. An OT win was never in doubt???

    The only thing in doubt is the sanity of a man who thinks the first George Bush was an honorable man. Very honorable of him to pardon his own crimes through Casper “The First Bush’s Scooter Libby” Weinberger. A real wiinner of man. Especially after his own dad tried to overthrow are government.

    Roethlisberger makes millions of dollars and yet chose to ride around on a motorcycle with no helmet. That’s all I need to know about his mental game.

    God you are truly pathetic. And I’m a Steelers Fan.

  85. 85.

    Jay B.

    Many of the Steelers fans would be whining about the OT rules if the flip didn’t go their way. I think it’s idiotic — 60% is way too uneven a ratio. Ties suck too. I love the first to 6 rule in theory, I’ll have to think on it a little.

    All of that said, I think Fisher lost that game. Gutless run-out-the-clock-and-hope-to-win-the-coin-toss strategy. They had about a minute left. Sure, they were deep in their own end, but they had 3 time outs, so the middle was wide open for them. All they had to do was get about 65 yards.

    But, like 90% of all NFL coaches and 99% of elected Democrats, Fisher went for the risk-adverse route (because most people won’t blame him for losing a coin toss) and his team lost. Ward gave them a gift and, instead of being bold, he turned turtle. In retrospect, it’s indefensible of course. But even at the time I thought it was bullshit.

  86. 86.

    Sour Kraut

    I’m hoping Favre gets injured and decides to retire before the season ends. I’m so sick and tired of his insufferable drama queen antics and I’m sick to death of ESPN drooling all over him as if he were the greatest football player in the history of the NFL.

    I’m not even a big football fan, and I’m irritated by the spectacle. He’s taken the respect everyone had for him after his first retirement, lit it on fire and thrown it straight down the nearest sewer pipe. Packers fans have probably spent the last 2 years saying, “WTF?”

  87. 87.

    croatoan

    1) Losing a sudden death overtime is the punishment for not being able to win the game in regulation. They already had a fair, balanced, even chance to win, and they didn’t.

    2) You’re allowed to play defense in overtime; in fact, it’s encouraged. People talking like winning the coin toss is an automatic ticket to win, when the losing team had something to say, and do, about it. If the winning team kicks a field goal it’s because the losing team let them get in field goal range, and they deserve to lose.

  88. 88.

    bedtimeforbonzo

    Very impressed by the Steelers.

    They showed no signs of a Super Bowl hangover, which seems to be half the battle in attempting to repeat.

    Don’t understand the Big Ben hate, winning two Super Bowls in such a short span at the start of a career is a great achievement.

    Good/great quarterbacks who never won a Supe: Fran Tarkenton, Dan Fouts, Ron Jaworski, Jim Hart, Bert Jones.

    Egads, I am showing my showing my age with those names.

    Anyhow, my favorite quarterback of all time is John Elway, whom Big Ben is starting to look like.

  89. 89.

    bedtimeforbonzo

    Re Favre: I respect his talent and his various career accomplishments.

    But is there any question he has become a me-first player?

    Hard to root for a player who acts as if he is bigger than the game.

  90. 90.

    Ron

    @Jay B.: I’m one Steelers fan that wouldn’t whine. The OT rules are what they are. I thought it was a bit rough in that Det. game way back but that was just because the refs couldn’t even get the coin toss right.

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