...randomness surrounding Guided by Voices, Robert Pollard, and other great indie rock bands; a quasi objective look at "my" sporting teams; the random horror film; plus other crap as we see fit...all with a Pittsburgh based feel.
Even on vacation, EC rolls on with the daily "promise." Here's another promise...
The Beloved kicks Baltimore's tits in today, despite the size of Ray's arms. Six points ain't nearly enough. All the forced mic'd up diatribes in the world can't help the Raven here. This one's outta hand by the 4thQtr. Ray Ray and the rest of the dopes will have their tails tight and snug between their legs when it's over. And they'll still talk stupid.
I watch Riley Cote, aka "Punching Bag", get the snot beat out of him. I know he's a Flyer, but God bless this guy. He gets his face kicked in every time he drops the gloves, he seems to like it, and he always comes back for more. Good times...
An NHL without Riley Cote, or fun at his face's expense, is not an NHL I want to know.
that the Steelers / Ravens game will be a defensive struggle.
Whoever performs better at the Running Back position, and turns the ball over less from the Quarterback position, will have a major advantage. Both teams have great players at the Linebacker position, and Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed are two of the best in the NFL at the Safety position. The only clear edge the Ravens may have, however, is at the Punter position. Edge: Steelers.
Also...the puffy Shelly Smith will be doing an in-depth story Sunday on Ray Lewis and his arms...
I CAN NOT WAIT for someone to take a run at Ovechkin. It WILL happen. And I don't care how cheap it is. I will laugh hysterically. Injury or not, he'll have asked for it.
Everyone's favorite ex-Steeler asshat, Harris Smith, has a date set for tomorrow, in a Lebabon county courthouse. Plex's transgressions this time? Leasing a car and not "paying" for it.
Court papers say Burress leased a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche worth more than $36,000 from a Lebanon County car dealer in exchange for promises to appear at publicity events. But the civil complaint filed by car dealer Frederick Laurenzo says Burress never returned the car and did not show up to sign autographs. Laurenzo also says the car was seized by New York City police after Burress let someone else use it.
An Avalanche? You surly jest, Plex. The "wearing sweat pants out to a club and strip bar" thing makes A LOT more sense now, but seriously, an Avalanche?
Just add this to the growing list of things to dislike about Smith and/or the Giants.
Also, has anyone noticed how big Ray's arms are? I mean, damn son.
Oh, sure. We'll pummel the hapless Norv Turner led Charger today. But Pittsburgh's worst nightmares were realized yesterday when the superior Baltimore Raven took care of business as usual against the Titan.
Baltimore is just TOO good. There's absolutely no way we can beat them 3 times in one year, so unfortunately, our run for #6 will be short-lived.
Ray Lewis just may be the best defensive player to ever step on the field. At least he's the most intimidating. I'm not sure about the rest of yinz, but I do get a little scared when he's out there. I'm sure, while they don't admit it, there's a few Steelers on the offensive side of the ball who feel the same way.
But the great thing about Ray is that he makes everyone on his DEF a better player. I mean...have you ever scene how he gets the rest of his teammates all jacked up? This is what makes him a first ballot Hall of Famer. He can will...not only the DEF side...but the entire Raven team to victory just by his crazy antics. I was never a believer, but I am now...admittedly.
If the Steelers could do it all over again, I bet they wish they could've drafted Lewis. That way, we wouldn't have to be scared of playing him twice a year.
My Beloved Steeler made a nice run. It was fun while it lasted. Unfortunately, it will be over next week after Baltimore comes to town. Seriously...look how big his arms are...
The sporting world was given a lot of fantastic images in the past week, but two stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. Let us weigh the options...
Vail Skier
Pro: It's a guy stuck on a ski lift with his pants around his ankles Pro: Amateur photographer Pro: Can be used in certain science classes to teach "shrinkage" Pro: Man in question not offended by sudden public exposure
Con: Photographer (ski resort employee) was fired for releasing the pic Con: Wasn't an attractive woman Con: Can be used in certain science classes to teach "shrinkage" Con: Kid on lift now scarred for life
Crying Band Member
Pro: Face paint hasn't smeared yet Pro: Hard to fit any more pathetic into one image Pro: Perfect use of lead room Pro: Cameraman and director have ensured their job security for one more year
Con: You know she's probably pissed about this (leads to more crying) Con: We get these pictures every year Con: Renewed use of trite band camp jokes Con: It's another subliminal plug for both FOX and the BCS
My vote is for the skier, despite how spherical that girl's head is.
WE GOT TWO POINTS!!! PENS WIN! A Power Play Goal was scored! YAY!!! YAY!!!
Ok, to go along with the brand new Pens winning streak, we've got TWO (Count 'em 2!!) New Years' Revolutions for Empties Crushed:
1) No more negative talk about the Pens. All your negative energy JUST MAKES ME STRONGER!
2) You, the loyal readers of EC deserve better...all five of you. Empties Crushed brings you this solemn promise (I put it to you, Greg!)...Not a SINGLE EFFIN DAY will go by in 2009 without a post from EC. And I've got Dan Yost's back on this. As a matter of fact, DY was just telling me the other day..."If a day goes by, and there is not a single post on Empties Crushed, then you can punch me (Dan Yost) in the face."
Now as optimistic as the staff of EC is, we realize this is a lofty goal. What...with games to see, Bob to be heard, shows to attend, drinks to drink...this will be a tough task indeed. So the quality or the length of said daily posts may not always be up to what you've come to expect here. But there will be an EFFIN POST. For the love of Steven Gerrard, there will be a post.
Ruslan Fedotenko is out a month, after breaking his hand on Colby Armstrong's face. Now I love Colby just as much as the next Yinzer, but I cheer for the logo on the front of the jersey, NOT the name on the back...
I'd already stuck the tip of the fork into the Pens for the year after home tit peelings courtesy of Toronto, Boston, and Florida. It's now firmly planted. I can't think of a Penguins game in recent memory that I was less jackt to see than last night's Rangers game in MSG. Another predictable loser. The only thing that could've salvaged some sanctity is if I would've bet against them. Looking back on a month's worth of losses...I can't believe I haven't taken advantage of the Pens recent woes by wagering against them and fattening my wallet.
There are so many issues with this team right now, it's depressing. And it's not a matter of getting a bounce or two. We're WAY beyond that.:
The team's best winger is an aging Petr Sykora.
Without Ziggy, we can't win a face-off.
The Power Play is BRUTAL.
As good as he is, Malkin turns the puck over in bad spots WAY too often.
The entire team turns the puck over in bad spots way too often.
I'm convinced. Miro Satan was a mistake.
One, if not Two, of these Defenesemen need to get traded.
Therrien is running out of line change options.
The Power Play is BRUTAL.
We have ZERO physical presence, both in the corners and more importantly in front of the net.
Max Talbot!! Superstar!!!! -15?!?!
If we're lucky enough to get to a shootout, it's an automatic loss due to sphincter tightness.
#87 is playing the worst hockey of his NHL career.
All of the above is getting to Fleury's head.
Here's the good news:
We're the best passing team in the league. We are so good at passing the puck. We pass the puck from Point to Point better than anyone in the NHL.
We're pretty good at cycling the puck. No need to get to the front of the net, mind you, but cycling the puck with zero chance of creating an opportunity to score is our forte.
Our drop passes look so pretty.
I'm tired.
If you're not a Pens fan, and don't like Sid, you'll rip him for this scuffle saying he jumped Brett McLean. I say it's hilarious. Sid challenged McLean prior to the drop, and proceeds to use him as a dish rag...
that during an "official review", there has to be "indisputable evidence" to overturn the call on the field.
So, I guess what this means, is that we must always remember what the call ON THE FIELD was...because it becomes very important in these situations. I'm glad these play-by-play guys cleared this up for me, because I was very confused.
Oh, the naivete of Brent Musburger. With Penn St trailing by 14 with under a minute left to play, Brent seemed puzzled at how hard Nittany Lion fans were rooting for one last TD, despite the outcome being already decided in USC's favor.
C'mon dude. You don't actually believe that everyone's tuning in for all 12 minutes of exhilarating action that takes place over the 4 hour period?!?!? 4 hour football games without a rooting interest, either team-wise or financially speaking, are simply unwatchable.
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