Scouting report: Bengals vs. Steelers

Bengals vs. Steelers: The Report

When the Bengals run

As they showed last week against Green Bay, when the Bengals run the ball effectively the offense opens up, so expect another game of 20-plus carries from Cedric Benson. But if he is to become the first running back in 20 regular-season games to gain 100 yards against the Steelers, the Bengals must run a mix of unbalanced line alignments and also will need an exceptional blocking game from their receivers. With linebackers James Farrior and James Harrison, the Steelers are quick, physical and disciplined when shutting off the outside lanes. Benson made plenty of defenders miss last week, but the Steelers have a different defense. In the teams’ two games last year, the Steelers held the Bengals to 127 yards.

When the Bengals pass

If the Bengals can run, it should open the passing game for Carson Palmer. After throwing two early interceptions last week, Palmer settled down and was 10-of-14 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns over the final 2 1/2 quarters. He was even more impressive on third down, going 8-of-9 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Chad Ochocinco largely has been contained by the Steelers, with three touchdowns and two 100-yard efforts in 16 games. How much Chris Henry’s quadriceps injury bothers him remains to be seen, along with whether Andre Caldwell can bounce back from a one-catch game last week. With Troy Polamalu out, Pittsburgh cornerbacks William Gay and Ike Taylor might play tighter coverage. The Steelers’ pass rush has been anemic, with only two sacks.
When the Steelers run

What once was a fearsome running attack has struggled early, averaging 70 yards per game. Then again, Pittsburgh’s running game has sputtered in the past before getting well against the Bengals. Willie Parker is averaging only 2.4 yards per carry and Rashard Mendenhall has seen limited touches. In order to take pressure off Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers need to jump-start their run game. The Bengals are allowing an average of only 82 rushing yards per game, with linebackers Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga getting pursuit on ball carriers.
When the Steelers pass

Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked six times this season but is one of the hardest quarterbacks to bring down because of his size and mobility. Tight end Heath Miller is a good short-pass option and Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes stretch the field. One of the more anticipated matchups will be Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom, who is coming off a five-sack game against Steelers left tackle Max Starks, who is inconsistent on pass protection. Phil Simms, an analyst on today’s game broadcast on CBS, noted that he has seen improvement from the Steelers’ line. And even though Roethlisberger went down 46 times last season, he had a clean jersey against the Bengals.
Special teams

For the Bengals, Kevin Huber continues to pin opponents inside their 20-yard line and Shayne Graham had a clutch 40-yard field goal last week. Quan Cosby averaged 22.8 yards on five punt returns last week, with two of them leading to 10 points. Kickoff returns remain a concern, with the Bengals’ average drive start at their 22. Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed missed two field goal attempts last week.

Source: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090926/SPT02/309260045/1062/SPT/Scouting+report++Bengals+vs.+Steelers

Steve Mcnair Funeral Pictures

Steve McNair funeral pictures and video - update on singles in affairs with marrieds

Following last week's story on singles and marrieds in affairs, I'm publishing photos marking some closure for the tragically affected family, friends and associates of Steve McNair.

Despite the secretive relationship he conducted with a single girlfriend, McNair's wife, Mechelle McNair is pictured still wearing a wedding band on her left hand. Family and teammates of the murdered NFL Ravens and Titans player wanted to focus on the positive points of Steve McNair's life throughout his funeral.

The memorial service and funeral took place July 11 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with a burial at Griffith Cemetery near Prentiss, Mississippi.

The tragic ending to this affair will forever affect the lives of both families, despite their very different circumstances.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-12534-Single-Life-Examiner~y2009m7d13-Steve-McNair-funeral-photos--update-on-singles-in-affairs-with-marrieds

Sophie Simmon in Family Jewels

New York, NY, xx, 2009 – Legendary rock god and multi-hyphenate Gene Simmons and his unconventional family are back and better than ever for an all-new season of A&E's hit unscripted series "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," premiering with a special one-hour episode on Sunday, June 7th at 10:00 PM ET/PT. The 15-episode season kicks off with Sophie's sweet sixteen party, giving viewers an all access pass to the milestone celebration. When a case of sibling rivalry spirals out of control, Nick pulls on dad's heartstrings and his sense of theatrics to escalate the low key party she wanted into the blowout of the century, all to the dismay of shy Sophie.

In addition to Sophie's sweet sixteen, the new season will give viewers a behind the scenes look at the entire family's many adventures. From Gene's appearance on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?," to Gene filming a Japanese monster flick, to Shannon preparing for a role in a roller derby exploitation film, to Nick getting his own apartment, to Sophie fending off ill-intentioned teenaged boys, viewers will follow the Simmons-Tweed clan as they set out to prove, yet again, why they are the most non-traditional, traditional family in America.


Tongue-wagging, face-painted, radical rock legend Gene Simmons is back in the news. Bassist, vocalist of the hard rock legend band “Kiss”, Simmonds has always worn his demoniacal bad-man image on his sleeve. Onstage histrionics, outrageous outfits and make-up that bordered on the bizarre even, made Simmonds synonymous with an unfrosted hard core rock experience.



Source: http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/article_212233966.shtml

rivals.com football | UCLA joins USC

The Trojans get All-City choice Byron Moore Jr., UCLA picks up some key linemen, but both lose out for the services of top-rated linebacker Manti Te'o.

On a topsy-turvy day in college football recruiting, USC showed it's not about to relinquish its status as a national power while UCLA displayed signs of a resurgence with a finishing kick that hasn't been seen in years.

It was the first day for high school seniors to sign a letter of intent, and there were plenty of surprises.

While USC lost out on three players it thought were within reach, the Trojans came away with another top-five recruiting class. It started early this morning with Harbor City Narbonne defensive back Byron Moore Jr. signing with the Trojans after dropping them two weeks ago because of concerns about playing time.

There was bad news for USC when the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the nation, Manti Te'o of Honolulu Punahou, chose Notre Dame, and receiver Alshon Jeffrey signed with South Carolina after being a Trojans commit. And another top linebacker prospect, Vontaze Burfict from Corona Centennial, signed with Arizona State.

But the Trojans demonstrated their recruiting power by going out out-of-state to land three athletic national recruits in outside linebacker Frankie Telfort from Miami Gulliver Prep, defensive back Jawanza Starling from Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln and linebacker Jarvis Jones from Columbus (Ga.) Carver.

As of this afternoon, Rivals.com had USC ranked No. 2 behind Louisiana State, and Scout.com had USC No. 4 in the national team rankings.

But the school making the biggest jump today was UCLA, which went from No. 16 to No. 7 in Scout.com's ratings by landing a pair of huge offensive linemen, 6-foot-6, 320-pound Stan Hasiak from Hawaii Kapolei and 6-4, 285-pound Xavier Su'a-Filo from Provo (Utah) Timpview.

The Bruins also picked up running back Damien Thigpen from Manassas (Va.) Stonewall Jackson. All were late -decisions, something that the Bruins have struggled to pull off in their favor with top prospects. UCLA lost out on one commit, tight end Billy Sanders from Coeur d'Alene (Id.) Lake City, who signed with Miami.

USC and UCLA are the finalists for another top player, receiver-defensive back Randall Carroll of Los Angeles Cathedral. Carroll, considered the fastest teenager in California after winning the 100 and 200 at last year's state track championships, is scheduled to make an announcement later today on his college choice.

Perhaps the most startling decision was made by Te'o, who received strong wooing from USC and UCLA but ended up at Notre Dame. Only last weekend, Te'o took a visit to USC and was considered a top priority for Trojans Coach Pete Carroll. UCLA turned over its recruiting to assistant Norm Chow, a Punahou graduate. For the Fighting Irish to come out on top showed that Coach Charlie Weis isn't going away any time soon.

Ohio State started the day ranked No. 1 by Scout.com and Rivals.com, but the Buckeyes lost out on 6-5 All-American receiver Marlon Brown from Memphis (Tenn.) Harding. He signed with Georgia.

Alabama, LSU and USC were in a tight race with Ohio State to finish No. 1.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/football/la-sp-high-school-recruiting5-2009feb05,0,4339233.column