[Blogs] Late For Work 10/13: Look On Steelers Fans’ Faces – Priceless

[BR News]

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Look On Steelers Fans’ Faces – Priceless

The last time I used a picture to lead Late for Work was when linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs leaped, ballerina style, in front of the offense’s team shot in 2009. Fans ate it up.

On a relatively slow news day, I couldn’t resist this picture from The Flock message boards posted by Sharkey last night.

After receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught the game-winning touchdown pass against the Steelers with 32 seconds remaining, No. 84 said “I like playing against teams that got good defenses because they talk a lot. …They’re not gonna scare me.”

No, but Houshmandzadeh sure seemed to scare Steelers fans, who looked absolutely traumatized when he saluted them at Heinz field.

Let’s see who can come up with the best photo caption for this one. In the meantime, here’s Sharkey’s description.

Tickets for the game – $175.00
Gas to drive to Pittsburgh – $40.00
Hotdog, beer and peanuts – $25.00
The look on Pittsburgh fan faces after B’more takes it in their house – Priceless!!

Foolish To Think Patriots Are Weaker Without Moss

When receiver Deion Branch reunited with his former team in New England yesterday, he had a specific message to deliver.

“That’s the first thing I want to let you all know,” Branch said. “I’m not here to replace Randy. I’m not Randy Moss. I wasn’t Randy Moss when I was here and I’m not here to replace him.”

Branch isn’t Moss, but Head Coach John Harbaugh said his team will prepare for the matchup against New England as if Moss was still there.

“I don’t think they’re going to be changing anything,” Harbaugh said on his show Tuesday night. “They’ll have the same plays, the same terminology. They’re just going to put Deion Branch in there. … It doesn’t change that much for us. We have to play the same coverages the same way.”

Harbaugh has the right mindset as far as The Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck is concerned. In fact, Schmuck believes there is a chance New England is more dangerous without Moss because “the best-coached NFL team” just got rid of a divisive figure.

“It’s also tempting to look at the trade as a huge break for the Ravens,” Schmuck wrote. “They won’t have to worry about [Moss] anymore, but they might have to deal with a higher level of offensive unpredictability from the Patriots and their grouchy game-planning wizard.”

Of course, even the Patriots can’t predict possible new chemistry issues. That was the problem the Vikings dealt with in Moss’ debut performance during Minnesota’s losing effort to the Jets Monday night.

“It was obvious that Brett Favre and the Vikings were totally out of sync until Favre hooked up with Moss on a long touchdown late in the third quarter,” Schmuck said.

Week 5 Power Rankings

For ESPN, the “Roethlisberger factor” continues to be a big deal. They still have the Steelers ranked above the Ravens. I just wonder what they will say if the Steelers lose with Big Ben back. This week’s matchup vs. the Browns may not render such a result, but after that comes three consecutive road games to Miami, New Orleans and Cincinnati.

Generally, various websites have the Ravens, Steelers and Jets in their top three with a few slight changes in the order.

• ESPN: Ravens (4-1) are ranked No. 2, up from No. 6 last week. The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) are No. 1 while the Jets (4-1) are No. 3.
• USA Today: Ravens are ranked No. 2, same as last week.  The Jets remain atop the USA Today list, with the Steelers moving up a spot to No. 3 despite not playing last weekend.
• ProFootballTalk.com:  Mike Florio ranked the Ravens No. 2 behind the Jets. Florio has the same top three as USA Today – Jets, Ravens and Steelers.
• FoxSports.com: Ravens are ranked No. 1, same as last week.   The Steelers and Jets are ranked Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.
• CBSsports.com: Ravens are ranked No. 1, same as last week. Pete Prisco switches things up a bit by throwing the Falcons (4-1) at No. 2. Then the Jets and Steelers come in at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively.
• NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora: Ravens are ranked No. 1, up from No. 3. Steelers are No. 2 while the Jets are No. 3.
• SI.com’s Peter King: Ravens are the top dog. And, you guessed it, the Jets and Steelers follow.

Ravens More Popular Than Ever, 19th Overall

Baltimore may be getting the respect in power rankings, but according to a poll conducted by Harris Interactive, the Ravens are only the 19th-most popular NFL team.

The 19th spot was a jump from last year’s popularity poll when the Ravens came in at No. 26, and they are gradually gaining popularity as the young franchise builds history.

The Cowboys were No. 1 with the Colts, Packers, Steelers and Saints to follow. A total of 2,620 adults responded to the survey between Sept. 14 and Sept. 20.

Here is the Ravens’ popularity over the last nine years:

2002 — 32nd
2003 — 25th
2004 — 29th
2005 — 28th
2006 — 30th
2007 — 27th
2008 — 28th
2009 — 26th
2010 — 19th

Quick Hits

• Running back Ray Rice was selected as ESPN’s AFC North High Energy Player of the Week. Rice was also nominated as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Vote to get him the hardware! [ESPN/NFL.com]
• If there’s no deal between the league and the NFLPA in place by March 1, the league could expect to lose $125 million as existing corporate partners demand discounts on sponsorship deals. [The Wall Street Journal]
• Reebok will be relinquishing its rights as the NFL’s uniform provider in a new licensing apparel deal. Nike will produce all NFL uniforms and on-field apparel beginning in 2012. [USA Today]
• The Houston Texans tried out former Ravens wide receiver Demetrius Williams. Williams has also tried out for the St. Louis Rams and the Washington Redskins since being cut by the Ravens. [National Football Post]
• The AFC West is the only division against which the Ravens are unbeaten in the John Harbaugh-Joe Flacco era (6-0). [CSNBaltimore.com]
• Former Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker/defensive end Antwan Barnes signed with the San Diego Chargers. [National Football Post]
• In a Sports Illustrated “tell all” story, former agent Josh Luchs confessed he broke NCAA rules by paying thousands of dollars to college football players.  Luchs said he offered money to Jonathan Ogden in an attempt to become his agent, but Ogden wouldn’t take the money. He did go to a Janet Jackson concert with Luchs.
• RavensInsider: Frank Walker worked out for the Saints today, but wasn’t signed. Per his agent, he has another tryout for an undisclosed NFL team Wednesday. [Twitter]
• “Of course, you can’t help but be a little disappointed,” Jalen Parmele said about not returning kickoffs Sunday. “That’s something I like doing, but the biggest thing is to not let it bug you. Just come to work every day and work hard. That’s my primary focus.” [The Baltimore Sun]

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2010/10/13/late-for-work-1013-look-on-steelers-fans-faces-%e2%80%93-priceless/]View the full article[/url]

[ozrave]

Caption : I betcha sick of us up to *here*

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

ain't that a stinker, us to already beat the other two teams that are in the top 3 everywhere with us? if we win at the pats and we're not first in every ranking than something's wrong with the media

[jus'_crAzy]

I hate Pittsburgh with a passion. Even when I went up there to visit a friend, it was a terrible experience. It's like God vomited, and Pittsburgh was born.

So seeing this picture is satisfying for me in more ways than one.

And I still don't get why head-to-head matchups don't count in Power Rankings. People have lost their rabid minds...

[ravenryan]

The sun's in my eyes what happened to all those screaming Steeler fans I heard just a moment ago

[TSizzle00]

I remember he did the same salute when he caught a game winner against the Ravens a few years back. Glad hes on our side lol.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

if the do that survey for Europe, ravens will be in the top five most popular teams, probably second or third in UK and definitely first among transylvanians

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Barnes is now a charger - oh crums; can they please sign walker too to balance it :)

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

"TJ 'Who's your momma?' Nope. TJ shows Steeler fans who's your daddy"

[RavenWarrior]

To stay on top of the list we must ignore the ranking list altogether. We will win this game with the Pats by beating them straight up.

I Printed that photo and caption of TJ giving the salute to the stuns Steelers Fans. That's priceless and I am hanging it on my wall next to my other collections. That game will last in my memory for years to come.

[ozrave]

Another caption : Not you. Nah, not you either. There's a Raven behind you.

[brake]

id rather not be on these rankings at all! under the radar is a beautiful place to be!

[ravenryan]

caption: did I just here a mouse fart

[DanTheRaveMan]

That is crazy the stealers are number one?? How is that even possible that right there plain as day show's the favoritism that most media outlets (espn!) have toward the Ravens I jus dont get it...

[Jay Purnell]

I'm a lil mad, that some dude named Sharkey stole my line and took credit for posting the photo and the message I posted on facebook on October 5.. Bmore Original Sharkey!

Here's the proof http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=480606&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=92774416228&id=100000498744183

[Riceisnice]

I just found a new screen saver

[BlackRaven88]

OMG them faces lmao !!!!! that was the best part of that game beside Winning Ty Ravens And TH lmao!!!Now they come to our house next :D :D :D GO RAVENS !!!! SUPERBOWL !!!! get ur Rings !!!!.

[Krytical]

u would think there zombies lol

[ravenryan]

Jay, looks like sharkey simply posted it did not mention he came up with the caption.You know how fast that stuff gets around on facebook.probably went through a few thousand people before it got to him.with that being said thanks for making my day. I still cant stop laughing looking at that pic

[thebigtexas]

I'm assuming the 'undisclosed NFL team' that Frank Walker is trying out for is the Minnesota Vikings, considering they're signing him today. (via Profootballtalk.com)

[Jay Purnell]

@ Raven Ryan.. Your right! :) Im glad that picture made Headlines! Pittsburgh Fans look like they are depressed.

[ravenwildman]

The Caption is perfect! The only thing missing is a sound effect of a cricket chirping and T.J.'s footsteps heading into the tunnel.

I blew the picture up and put it on my wall, it is a big hit with friends and family. This should have been the NFL photo of week 4.

GO RAVENS!

[ravenwildman]

@horus13corvineus Shhh! about us being popular in Europe. As the Ravens keep winning NFL schedule planners will have us going to Europe on a Monday, West coast on a Thursday and a Saturday game against the Steelers in weeks 1,2,&3. LOL

[vibrantskies]

That picture of Housh.. IS priceless! Love the looks on their faces. We sure shut them up. About the Ravens' popularity, I always knew they'd gradually gain more as they got better, but I'm scared to see the fake fans come out. We know who are real fans, and who aren't!

[vibrantskies]

That picture of Housh.. IS priceless! Love the looks on their faces. We sure shut them up. About the Ravens' popularity, I always knew they'd gradually gain more as they got better, but I'm scared to see the fake fans come out. We know who are real fans, and who aren't!

[stunamistyle]

For those who just got rocked, we salute you.

[The King]

I can understand the argument that the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger are a much better team than they are without, but we beat the Jets fair and square. Santonio Holmes is a good WR, but he's not good enough to push the Jets over us. Of those listed, Prisco's rankings are my personal favorite.

[purple passion 1231]

A picture is worth a thousand words

[edreedfromtheu]

"It's foolish to think losing Randy Moss makes the Patriots a worse team?"


That's got to be the best laugh I've had in a long time. Thanks.

[scrock]

lol, thats the best picture ever