I know we are 4 weeks away and in no way am I looking past the Panthers, but we all know the history here. It's brutal, it's violent, it creates many fines and sometimes a lot of injuries and a few suspensions. However, with the way we've been playing and the discipline the coaches have put on these players (you can really see a total 360 in these players playing fundamental, disciplined football), what will be the status of the rivalry going forward?  Our players are playing with a team first attitude instead of a me first attitude. I mean, I know the rivalry will always be there and it probably remains strong. However, will the games of the future be much cleaner?

Here's the problem. I live and thirst for Bengals roughing up the Steelers. The past is unforgettable. I'm so sour about so many different things in the past when we met. The Pittsburgh organization is trash and their cheap hits are trash. Their support from the refs is disgusting. So when we play them, and they make the first few cheap shots unflagged, do we become unraveled? Do we start acting like the back alley Bengals and start beating the crap out of them, or do we keep the discipline? 

As much as I want to see them pummel the crap out of Pittsburgh in a knuckle sort of way, that's just my selfish, vindictive payback part of my mind taking over.  Yet, TBH, I hope they keep their cool and win this division and sweep the Steelers while playing a disciplined game. In a way, I think it would shift the bad ora vibe the NFL has for the Bengals over towards the Steelers. Wait, well, that wouldn't happen because the NFL loves the Steelers. But in a miniscule chance, it could.

What's your thoughts? 

(09-15-2018, 05:51 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: I know we are 4 weeks away and in no way am I looking past the Panthers, but we all know the history here. It's brutal, it's violent, it creates many fines and sometimes a lot of injuries and a few suspensions. However, with the way we've been playing and the discipline the coaches have put on these players (you can really see a total 360 in these players playing fundamental, disciplined football), what will be the status of the rivalry going forward?  Our players are playing with a team first attitude instead of a me first attitude. I mean, I know the rivalry will always be there and it probably remains strong. However, will the games of the future be much cleaner?

Here's the problem. I live and thirst for Bengals roughing up the Steelers. The past is unforgettable. I'm so sour about so many different things in the past when we met. The Pittsburgh organization is trash and their cheap hits are trash. Their support from the refs is disgusting. So when we play them, and they make the first few cheap shots unflagged, do we become unraveled? Do we start acting like the back alley Bengals and start beating the crap out of them, or do we keep the discipline? 

As much as I want to see them pummel the crap out of Pittsburgh in a knuckle sort of way, that's just my selfish, vindictive payback part of my mind taking over.  Yet, TBH, I hope they keep their cool and win this division and sweep the Steelers while playing a disciplined game. In a way, I think it would shift the bad ora vibe the NFL has for the Bengals over towards the Steelers. Wait, well, that wouldn't happen because the NFL loves the Steelers. But in a miniscule chance, it could.

What's your thoughts? 

Personally, winning is the best revenge.

It will be tough to change the nature of the rivalry until Tomlin is gone.  It started with Cowher and has escalated throughout Tomlin's tenure.  The Steelers have an assistant coach, Joey Porter, who led a gang beating and robbery of then Bengals OT Levi Jones during their playing days.  Those coaches are encouraging the violence because the refs won't call it on them and the Bengals get painted as thugs when they retaliate.  Even watching Shazier paralyze himself wasn't enough to make Juju think twice about cheap shotting Burfict.

There's not much the Bengals can really do.  They took it and took it for years, and it didn't work.  In recent years, they started firing back and the threat of mutually assured destruction hasn't been a deterrent.  All they've done is shed light on the fact that Burfict is a dirty player and allowed the national media to vilify them to protect the image of the more popular team. 

If the NFL wants it to stop, the NFL needs to make it stop.  The refs need to start tossing players at the beginning of the game for shoving matches and pile cleaning.  That's always how it starts, then it escalates from there.  They need to hold Tomlin and Lewis accountable and start suspending them for their team's behavior.  If that doesn't work, start taking draft picks away.  I don't think the NFL really wants it to stop, though.  Bengals-Steelers has become the massive multicar crash at a NASCAR race.  People tune it to watch the carnage.  That's why they keep putting the games in prime time.

(09-15-2018, 05:51 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: I know we are 4 weeks away and in no way am I looking past the Panthers, but we all know the history here. It's brutal, it's violent, it creates many fines and sometimes a lot of injuries and a few suspensions. However, with the way we've been playing and the discipline the coaches have put on these players (you can really see a total 360 in these players playing fundamental, disciplined football), what will be the status of the rivalry going forward?  Our players are playing with a team first attitude instead of a me first attitude. I mean, I know the rivalry will always be there and it probably remains strong. However, will the games of the future be much cleaner?

Here's the problem. I live and thirst for Bengals roughing up the Steelers. The past is unforgettable. I'm so sour about so many different things in the past when we met. The Pittsburgh organization is trash and their cheap hits are trash. Their support from the refs is disgusting. So when we play them, and they make the first few cheap shots unflagged, do we become unraveled? Do we start acting like the back alley Bengals and start beating the crap out of them, or do we keep the discipline? 

As much as I want to see them pummel the crap out of Pittsburgh in a knuckle sort of way, that's just my selfish, vindictive payback part of my mind taking over.  Yet, TBH, I hope they keep their cool and win this division and sweep the Steelers while playing a disciplined game. In a way, I think it would shift the bad ora vibe the NFL has for the Bengals over towards the Steelers. Wait, well, that wouldn't happen because the NFL loves the Steelers. But in a miniscule chance, it could.

What's your thoughts? 

Hi.
" I live and thirst for Bengals roughing up the Steelers"
" What's your thoughts? "

My thoughts are you must be a lonely little man. I feel sorry for you.

(09-15-2018, 08:17 PM)ballsofsteel Wrote: Hi.
" I live and thirst for Bengals roughing up the Steelers"
" What's your thoughts? "

My thoughts are you must be a lonely little man. I feel sorry for you.

Understand your response. However, if the ref refuses to throw flags on the Steelers, then I guess the past must be legit play in the NFL? Hmmm..... You can turn a blind eye because your a fan. There's a reason the Bengals were disgruntled. 

This thread was not intended to be a smack fest. I was curious as to what fans thought. I dont wish injury on any players. Yet, if a team draws first blood, I want a stern response. Is that ridiculous? 

For many Steeler fans, they seem to take a lot of pride in the (blind side) JuJu hit on Burfict. Do you? Unfortunately, there might very well be some blowback from that hit alone when he comes back. Will I be disappointed? Yes (it will cause an eviction and another suspension). Will I kinda love it on the inside? Can't lie. Yes I will. But I will hope JuJu is ok. I might celebrate. Who knows? 

The NFL's love for the Steelers is not a secret throughout the league. It's a real thing and I think many SF's have grown used to it. The only flags they throw on you guys are so obvious and blatant that they have to because even Ray Charles could see it.

(09-15-2018, 07:00 PM)Whatever Wrote: Personally, winning is the best revenge.

It will be tough to change the nature of the rivalry until Tomlin is gone.  It started with Cowher and has escalated throughout Tomlin's tenure.  The Steelers have an assistant coach, Joey Porter, who led a gang beating and robbery of then Bengals OT Levi Jones during their playing days.  Those coaches are encouraging the violence because the refs won't call it on them and the Bengals get painted as thugs when they retaliate.  Even watching Shazier paralyze himself wasn't enough to make Juju think twice about cheap shotting Burfict.

There's not much the Bengals can really do.  They took it and took it for years, and it didn't work.  In recent years, they started firing back and the threat of mutually assured destruction hasn't been a deterrent.  All they've done is shed light on the fact that Burfict is a dirty player and allowed the national media to vilify them to protect the image of the more popular team. 

If the NFL wants it to stop, the NFL needs to make it stop.  The refs need to start tossing players at the beginning of the game for shoving matches and pile cleaning.  That's always how it starts, then it escalates from there.  They need to hold Tomlin and Lewis accountable and start suspending them for their team's behavior.  If that doesn't work, start taking draft picks away.  I don't think the NFL really wants it to stop, though.  Bengals-Steelers has become the massive multicar crash at a NASCAR race.  People tune it to watch the carnage.  That's why they keep putting the games in prime time.

Helpless and hopeless. 

The Bengals could go 8-0 in the fist half of the season, and 3-0 against their division foes, fanning hope and talk of the first Marvin playoff win--only to crash and burn in the final weeks of the season. 

(09-15-2018, 09:28 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Understand your response. However, if the ref refuses to throw flags on the Steelers, then I guess the past must be legit play in the NFL? Hmmm..... You can turn a blind eye because your a fan. There's a reason the Bengals were disgruntled. 

This thread was not intended to be a smack fest. I was curious as to what fans thought. I dont wish injury on any players. Yet, if a team draws first blood, I want a stern response. Is that ridiculous? 

For many Steeler fans, they seem to take a lot of pride in the (blind side) JuJu hit on Burfict. Do you? Unfortunately, there might very well be some blowback from that hit alone when he comes back. Will I be disappointed? Yes (it will cause an eviction and another suspension). Will I kinda love it on the inside? Can't lie. Yes I will. But I will hope JuJu is ok. I might celebrate. Who knows? 

The NFL's love for the Steelers is not a secret throughout the league. It's a real thing and I think many SF's have grown used to it. The only flags they throw on you guys are so obvious and blatant that they have to because even Ray Charles could see it.

Hello. First of all I don't "live and die for the Steelers". I grew up 25 miles south of Pittsburgh and have been a fan since the 70's. Having said that, What the Steelers do or don't do is not putting any money in my pocket. I come on here to screw around with you guys and have fun. I don't take this crap too seriously.
As far as the NFL favoring the Steelers, you guys have been claiming that for years around here. Is there any proof of this? If there is how is the NFL getting away with it? Some conspiracy theory. What about Dallas and New England along with the Steelers are the most popular teams. Do the NFL favor them? Maybe your right I don't know. I wish the Bengals were in the NFC because I do like them and would root for them.
If the Bengals got to the Super Bowl I would be rooting for them.

(09-16-2018, 03:54 AM)Dill Wrote: Helpless and hopeless. 

The Bengals could go 8-0 in the fist half of the season, and 3-0 against their division foes, fanning hope and talk of the first Marvin playoff win--only to crash and burn in the final weeks of the season. 

(09-16-2018, 03:54 AM)Dill Wrote: Helpless and hopeless. 

Were you talking about the Bengals or how the Steelers look in the 1st quarter today?

(09-16-2018, 06:41 AM)ballsofsteel Wrote: Hello. First of all I don't "live and die for the Steelers". I grew up 25 miles south of Pittsburgh and have been a fan since the 70's. Having said that, What the Steelers do or don't do is not putting any money in my pocket. I come on here to screw around with you guys and have fun. I don't take this crap too seriously.
As far as the NFL favoring the Steelers, you guys have been claiming that for years around here. Is there any proof of this? If there is how is the NFL getting away with it? Some conspiracy theory. What about Dallas and New England along with the Steelers are the most popular teams. Do the NFL favor them? Maybe your right I don't know. I wish the Bengals were in the NFC because I do like them and would root for them.
If the Bengals got to the Super Bowl I would be rooting for them.

It's hard to say with the conspiracy theory stuff.  Some of it can be chalked up to bad officiating.  Other times, it feels like there's an agenda in play.  I don't think it's always necessarily for a specific team, though.  For example, on Thursday, there was that extremely ticky tack PI flag on Kirkpatrick right before the half that set the Ravens up on the 1 yard line.  It was a bs call against us, but that was a tv ratings flag.  Most of the audience would have turned off the tv and went to bed if it was 28-7 at halftime.  28-14 and the Ravens having momentum kept more eyes on the game and the sponsors happy.

For me as a fan, the most frustrating stuff is the stuff that goes against us in the rivalry on the field, then the NFL acknowledges after the fact that they got it wrong.  Three big examples of that were Kevin Huber getting his neck broken on an illegal blindside helmet to helmet hit, the Martavius Bryant phantom TD in our last playoff game, and Joey Porter not being flagged for being out on the field.  Call it right on the field.  

There are other annoyances, too.  For example, since the league started making week 17 games division games, the Steelers have almost always gotten to play the Browns while the Ravens and Bengals beat the crap out of each other.  I don't think I've ever seen Ravens-Steelers and Bengals-Browns the last week of the season.  Logically, every 6 years each team should have a home and away with every other division team, but that's not how it works for some reason.

The one issue that it can be definitively stated that the Steelers got preferential treatment from the league on was when the league voted to not allow individuals with gambling ties to be owners of NFL teams.  The Texans had a minority owner that was forced to immediately sell his stake in the team.  The Rooney family also runs horse tracks and casinos, and the family members who run that part of the family business also had ownership stakes of the Steelers.  Instead of making those people immediately sell their stake of the team, the Steelers allowed Dan Rooney to buy the others out over time as he was able to afford it in order to ensure that he retained control of team.

I'm glad the league is cracking down on preferential treatment by the refs. Win or lose, I would like to see this game get fair calls for both sides.

(09-15-2018, 09:28 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Understand your response. However, if the ref refuses to throw flags on the Steelers, then I guess the past must be legit play in the NFL? Hmmm..... You can turn a blind eye because your a fan. There's a reason the Bengals were disgruntled. 

Yeah, it's the refs' fault the Bengals have been son'ed to the tune of 28-9 vs the Steelers so far this millennium. 

(09-16-2018, 09:34 PM)6andcounting Wrote: Yeah, it's the refs' fault the Bengals have been son'ed to the tune of 28-9 vs the Steelers so far this millennium. 

It's part of the reason. Like...5%, tops.

Yesterday the penalties for the Chiefs and Steelers were about even. For me the most vicious Steller hit against the Bengals was when Kevin almost got his head taken off in a prime-time game. And then there was JuJu's hit last year, plus the overall violence that really messed the Bengals up for the next week against the Bears and ended the playoff hopes.

This year it helps that the first game comes a couple of weeks before the bye so that if there are injuries they'll have time to heal before the season's second half.

(09-17-2018, 01:57 AM)BigPapaKain Wrote: It's part of the reason. Like...5%, tops.

So of the 19 game lead, 5% (tops) is attributed to the refs, which is .95 of a game. I don't know, you guys are pretty upset with refs mostly every game so maybe just relax or something.

(09-17-2018, 08:57 AM)6andcounting Wrote: So of the 19 game lead, 5% (tops) is attributed to the refs, which is .95 of a game. I don't know, you guys are pretty upset with refs mostly every game so maybe just relax or something.

Ok, let’s get down to brass tacks, Why do Steelers stink so bad this year?

I say the inmates are running the asylum.

Or there are too many captains on the ship.

SS Pittsburgh is sinking.

What say you?

(09-16-2018, 06:41 AM)ballsofsteel Wrote: As far as the NFL favoring the Steelers, you guys have been claiming that for years around here. Is there any proof of this?

Explain the flag on Pacman for brushing a referee while going after Joey Porter for being not only on the field, but in the Bengals huddle, and no flag on Joey Porter for not only being on the field, but in the Bengals huddle????? You have to look no further than that.....

(09-17-2018, 10:04 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Explain the flag on Pacman for brushing a referee while going after Joey Porter for being not only on the field, but in the Bengals huddle, and no flag on Joey Porter for not only being on the field, but in the Bengals huddle????? You have to look no further than that.....

Has a coach ever been flagged for being on the field during an injury timeout? 

And if you're Pacman, ya know, maybe don't go after the other team's coach who is standing right next to a ref. 

(09-17-2018, 08:57 AM)6andcounting Wrote: So of the 19 game lead, 5% (tops) is attributed to the refs, which is .95 of a game. I don't know, you guys are pretty upset with refs mostly every game so maybe just relax or something.

Do...do I have to explain to you that I was being sarcastic?

(09-17-2018, 08:57 AM)6andcounting Wrote: So of the 19 game lead, 5% (tops) is attributed to the refs, which is .95 of a game. I don't know, you guys are pretty upset with refs mostly every game so maybe just relax or something.

So, let’s do a little math. 5% x 16 = 80% of the game in your favor each year thanks to the Pittsburgh fans in stripes. Jk. Not that horrible at math, but it’s is coincidental that you guys seem to get the favorable calls while blatant fouls you commit go like this: