This is the first of two favorite times of the year. We have to give it to the guys from the past, we wouldn't be able to be the way we are today without them. While reading this, really think about what I am saying here.

We are a very blessed people. Think about it. We have freedom to do practically anything we want in life. The only restrictions are ourselves. We can play sports for a living, we can watch sports for a living, we can talk about sports for a living. There are not very many countries that allow that to happen. Someone a long time ago decided it would be best to have all the freedoms that we have. They decided it and a bunch of guys agreed. In turn, they convinced the rest of our people to fight for it. We got lucky on several occasions, but overall, we were and are just fighting for our rights as a people. I just want to say how thankful I am that we had those people leading our country back them. They set up what we have now. While studying Arabic and the culture of the Arabian people, I have come to appreciate all American things a lot more. I wish we could all just say that we were American instead of Irish-American, German-American, African-American, or Mexican-American. I wish we could settle the official language. I wish we could take pride in our American heritage and realize that a melting pot melts. In saying this I mean that once a metal is melted with another, it becomes something else entirely. I am not saying forget your past, but instead be proud of your future. So, when we say we are a melting pot of people, we should mean that we are now American. Period. In saying this, we can turn to sports.

We blew it against the Bengals. We had a chance to get back into the hunt, and we failed. It was somewhat acceptable though, because Cincinnati is a decent team this year. We move onto last week and the Chiefs. We had that game in our hands. We were able to move the ball all over the field with ease. We were unable to punch it in the end zone, just like against the Bengals. Where are we at now? We are in a must win situation Sunday night against the hated Ravens. Will we win? I want to believe that we will, and big, but it honestly depends if there are any lingering effects from that hit to the head that Ben Roethlisberger was given in overtime. I believe he will be fine, in fact, I think he will be on fire. I think our pride took a great hit this week. I think we have something to show. I saw the writers all over the country doubting the champs. We have had some injuries, yes, but that is no excuse. We lost three games this season by three or less and the other one by six. We are that close to being undefeated. That isn't close enough. We need a statement game this week. You know, the type of game that puts us back in the top five. I also think that for one of the few times in my lifetime, I will be truly rooting for the Browns. We will have to wait for Sunday night though. I pick Steelers 38-17.

I am not going to talk wins a losses as much about the Penguins in this one. I truly believe that if we are healthy, we are almost unbeatable. You look at the start of the season, it wasn't just a hot start, it was the way we can play. We are not the same team we were most of the season last year. We have that Stanley Cup team working for us now. We have just a few guys remaining that are injured that will be coming back in the next two or so weeks. We are winning still and upon their return, look out NHL. Think about it, not too many teams have the depth at almost all position as the Penguins have. We lost about half of our team. Those players were replaced with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins who held the fort quite well. What this does is allow the injured players to do? It allows players to take their time and come back at 100% instead of at 80% because the team is suffering too much. It also displays the talent of our AHL players in order to make a trade if it is necessary. It is sorta a two item deal. I can foresee our guys lighting it up for the rest of the season and show all the doubters why they are the champions. We have the best fans in all the professional sports here in Pittsburgh. No matter what, we are die hard fans. I know we have been through some rough time, whether it has been the Steelers of the '80s, the Penguins of the '70s, or the Pirates of the '90s-'00s, but the point is that we stick with our teams. We need to continue this even on losing efforts. Be proud of where you come from and the teams that you root for.

Let's Go Pens!

Here We Go Stillers!