Yo... Moe

[moe]

I already have it, Jerry......thanks

[moe]

Steelers/Ravens tentatively set for Tuesday.....and that, too, may change

[Jerry Oz]

So, the Steelers go from having 10 days between games to having four? I guess it evens out since it'll be nine days after they last played. The Crows are going to get socked hard for this. Hopefully they'll get fines and lose a draft pick.

[moe]

3 Steelers added to Covid list [[it may be exposure). OGuard Kevin Dotson was supposed to come off Covid protocol Tuesday but he's still on it
NFL now shutting down facilities Monday & Tuesday except for practices [[i.e. games Monday & yes, the infamous Steelers/Ravens game Tuesday)
Question: do you think the NBA handled it better [[Covid)?

[Jerry Oz]

The NBA was a different situation for several reasons. First, they only took 22 teams to the bubble, which meant there were 120 fewer knuckleheads to keep track of [[not including team personnel and embedded local media). Second, it's much easier to keep tight control over 15-man rosters [[and ~20 or so associated personnel for each team) than 53 players and 12 man practice squads that the NFL has. Add dozens more in staff to that number. Also, with the number of injuries on NFL teams, players necessarily have to interact with specialists and medical personnel that aren't associated with the team. Those professionals can't all be put on retainer and kept in a bubble. Exposure in the NFL was an inevitability and community spread is always imminent.

Add to that, the fact that the NFL doesn't fly on private or charter jets and the players have a hundred opportunities every week to catch the virus. To answer your question: Yes. The NBA handled it a hundred times better than the NFL but the logistics of fielding an NFL team made it impossible to copy anything like the NBA or NHL bubbles. As a collective, we deserve these hiccups. Sean Doolittle had it right when he said that sports are like the reward of a functioning society. The USA is so hard pressed to proclaim individual rights but the same people arguing about mitigation efforts like masks and attendance limitations are the ones complaining about COVID-19's impact on routine things like sports and schools.

Too many idiots. Especially when the biggest idiot of all is in front leading the charge of lemmings over the cliff.

[Jerry Oz]

And, after all of that...

[moe]

On the non sports end: in speaking with 2 of my girlfriends over Thanksgiving [[we hadn't spoke in a while......they still work, I'm retired) BOTH tested positive & are in quarantine.
Yes, both health care workers. Their respective facilities clean every day, all the time, but patients are bringing it in. And to be fair, these patients are asymptomatic.

On the sports end: it reminds me of the fingers in the holes of the dam. I am frankly surprised that the NFL got as far as they did into the season. In response to your statement about the NFL planes: both Seattle & New England have their own private jets.
I remember when Paul Allen was alive he bought & refurbished a 757 for his team. The same for Robert Kraft. Pittsburgh charters from Delta. Anyone else I have no idea.
I agree with your statement about individual rights, Jerry.

[Jerry Oz]

I wasn't going to share this on this forum but I will. My dad checked into the hospital at the end of October. At the time, he was given a COVID-19 test, which was negative. He was treated for weakness and was assigned to go to a rehabilitation center for therapy and short-term care. Per protocol before admission to the rehab facility, Pops was given another COVID test which proved to be positive. Two days later, he became symptomatic and less than a week later, he died.

Nobody else in my family has contracted it. The only place that Pops went prior to admission was for dialysis treatments and there have been no outbreaks at the kidney center [[which has tight protocols) nor with the ambulance service that transported him. I can't say with certainty that he caught it in the hospital but I'm pretty sure that has to be the source.

This thing is deadly. It's sneaky as hell and nothing to play around with, particularly if you are in the groups that are most affected by it. I keep telling people that wearing masks is important but it's equally important to avoid being in the presence of unmasked people. One unmasked and asymptomatic person in an enclosed area like a jet [[private or not) can infect dozens. My family is heartbroken because somebody, somewhere didn't take this thing as seriously as he/she should have.

My dad hadn't even seen my face for the last five months of his life because I refused to remove my mask in his and Mom's house for fear of transmitting it. He wore a mask everywhere he went [[I know because I took him most to most of them). And he still got it. Good job, America. It's not enough that you are full of selfish and inconsiderate attention whores who profess not to care about their own health and welfare because they either don't believe the Coronavirus is real or because they think that they're young and healthy enough to survive it. You had to be ignorant and uncaring to the point that a good man paid the price in the first and only opportunity that he catch it. Which just happened to be in the last place that he should have caught it.

[moe]

Jerry, I am so sorry for your loss!!!!!!!! What an ordeal to go through!!!!!!!
Now this is odd; I came across someone who works in a dialysis clinic & she said they "just lost 2 patients." This person isn't from Ohio [[where you & I are located). But, it could've been ANYWHERE! I cannot imagine what you & your family have been going through!
You all have my sympathy......

[Jerry Oz]

Thank you, moe. Most of my friends have lost their parents already and I'm blessed to have kept him for as long as I did. 2020 has been horrible for many reasons and the hits keep coming. As sad as I am, I still thanked God I woke up this morning.

Meanwhile, back in the world of escapism, I'm interested in seeing how the Broncos play later today with no quarterbacks. And James Conner coming up with the virus sunk my chances to win in fantasy this week. Literally half of my team had red letters beside their names [[designating them as questionable, doubtful, or out) and two of them were out because of COVID protocol.

[arr&bee]

I too am sorry for your loss Jerry, my daughter is in the medical profession and sees these things every day, she warns us to be careful.

[Jerry Oz]

Thanks, Homeboy. I worry for our essential workers who have to deal with so many cases. My niece is an elementary teacher and I'm not looking forward to the day when our schools resume with in-person learning. Neither is she. With that said, I had to ask her to make sure she keeps her mask on when she and her daughter visit my mom [[her grandmother). SMH.

[arr&bee]

Hey moe,how many times are they gonna push the steelers game back? Now we gotta wait til-monday to play yall...i hope yall beat the ravens by a bunch,because i don't wanna face a pissed off steelers team on monday-beat the ravens!!

[arr&bee]

We had a virtual thanksgiving and it wasn't cool,even though we smiled.

[Jerry Oz]

We had a virtual thanksgiving and it wasn't cool,even though we smiled.

I stayed away and visited Mom on Friday. She had a few folks come by, which was great since Pops is gone and I didn't want her to be alone. But it was nothing like it normally is when my brother, sister and I [[and our families) usually find occasion to stop by or eat a full blown family meal.

A couple of weeks ago, a doctor on television said that Americans should carefully choose who they wanted to join them for Thanksgiving dinner because some of those folks would be dead by Christmas. Sobering thought. This thing won't last always, so let's just make it to a safe place and rejoice when we do.

[moe]

All of the Steeler fans want to know exactly what Harbaugh has on Goddell to keep postponing the game. He didn't do that with the 49ers, nor the Broncos. It almost reminds me of a free for all now!

[Jerry Oz]

Still waiting for the dust to settle to find out how the league is going to flay the Crows for this debacle. Everybody said that the fear of missing games and cancelling the season would be enough to keep players and staffs in line but clearly, it hasn't been. It might cost Ohio State a chance at a championship.

[moe]

Jerry, did you hear DeWine say that vaccines should be in Ohio Dec15? [[Of course providing they get FDA approval) & could start giving it by Dec 22.
So, is your mom by herself now??

[Jerry Oz]

She's by herself. My nephew rents a room from her but between his job and his gallivanting, he's seldom around. Of course, I'm concerned about the gallivanting... He spent several months in China, working in a town that was 800 miles away from Wuhan, before the government rushed all non-essential Americans out of the country in the Spring. He thinks he may have had it already but I don't want him taking any chances. Thanks to COVID-19, the election and other family tragedies, I'm pretty sure I'm aging prematurely this year.

[Jerry Oz]

*Welp* Now, Pouncey is on the COVID-19 list and inactive for today's game. The Crows had more players test positive also. Who's going to be available to play?

Source: Pittsburgh Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey placed on COVID list


12:58 PM ET
Brooke Pryor
ESPN Staff Writer


PITTSBURGH - After three postponements, Wednesday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is officially on, but the Steelers won't have a key member of their offensive line.


Veteran center Maurkice Pouncey was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list just hours before the game, a source told Adam Schefter.


Without Pouncey, the team will turn to center JC Hassenauer to start in his place. The Alabama product has played center primarily in clean up minutes this season, and he's also taken special teams reps in every game.


Pouncey is the fourth Steeler on the current list, including James Conner, Stephon Tuitt and Jerald Hawkins.


Though the Steelers lost Pouncey, they did get back special teams coordinator Danny Smith, who was out with an illness designation on Saturday, and he was cleared to return to coach against the Ravens. Quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, who was out with the same designation, has also been cleared to return.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ced-covid-list

[moe]

What a terrible game!! Steelers really didn't deserve that win. You should've heard Tomlin's post game conference. OOOO was he ever pissed!! He said plain as day that their play "sucked." RGIII is terrible, that #3 backup McSorley may be better than he is. I feel really bad for Bud Dupree [[probable ACL). That would make the third Steeler [[Banner, Bush) with a torn ACL. If so, then there would be Alex Highsmith [[rookie) who would probably be "next man up." Promising rookie.
What pissed me off the most was Cris Collingsworth's statement about women around Pittsburgh "knowing the dynamics about football." I hope women everywhere hold his feet to the fire on that comment. I had no love for him before & I'll certainly keep that thought in the future. What does he call Lafoya, the female sportscaster he works with? Hang yourself Cris, it's 2020!! My football group is mostly made of women who can talk the football talk with anyone!
Imagine also Cris making that comment if Ms M was here....I don't want to....

[arr&bee]

What a terrible game!! Steelers really didn't deserve that win. You should've heard Tomlin's post game conference. OOOO was he ever pissed!! He said plain as day that their play "sucked." RGIII is terrible, that #3 backup McSorley may be better than he is. I feel really bad for Bud Dupree [[probable ACL). That would make the third Steeler [[Banner, Bush) with a torn ACL. If so, then there would be Alex Highsmith [[rookie) who would probably be "next man up." Promising rookie.
What pissed me off the most was Cris Collingsworth's statement about women around Pittsburgh "knowing the dynamics about football." I hope women everywhere hold his feet to the fire on that comment. I had no love for him before & I'll certainly keep that thought in the future. What does he call Lafoya, the female sportscaster he works with? Hang yourself Cris, it's 2020!! My football group is mostly made of women who can talk the football talk with anyone!
Imagine also Cris making that comment if Ms M was here....I don't want to....

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...MOE,THEY LOOKED GOOD...[my WFT gotta play yall Monday,I don't want Tomlin pissed,yikes].

[Jerry Oz]

Cris Collinsworth is a tool. He's coasting and collecting checks these days. Fortunately, I had your game on my computer as I was watching my beloved North Carolina Tar Heels play a horrible game against Texas yesterday so I didn't have to listen to him. Unfortunately, I did have to listen to Bill Walton who openly rooted against UNC and openly cheered after Texas won with a buzzer beater. Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying he didn't get hyped for the shot; I'm saying he actually expressed happiness that it was Texas that sank it.

And you're 100% correct. Women represent nearly half of NFL fandom right now and I'll be surprised if his chauvinistic statement won't be met with an email from his bosses this morning.

[moe]

Jerry, he's already offered up his "mea culpa" to Twitterverse. Bite me, Cris.......
Sportscasters are supposed to be neutral while broadcasting these games. Sorry that you had to hear that. Wonder if he'll hear about his obvious bias from his bosses!
MRI confirmed ACL on Big Bud Dupree......what a loss!!!

[Jerry Oz]

Sorry to hear it. Having an elite pass rusher is a luxury. Having two young ones coming into their own at the same time is almost unheard of. Two good pass rushers opens up the rest of the defense to play above its talent level by commanding four blockers. I think your guys will be fine but teams are breathing a little easier knowing that they have to scheme for Watt without having to worry about Dupree right now.

And how horrible it is to have an ACL this late into the season. Just like with Joe Burrow, it's going to take a heckuva effort for Dupree to play next season.

[arr&bee]

HEY JERRY,AIN'T THIS A KICK IN DA HEAD-THE GIZZARDS TRADED JOHN WALL TO THE ROCKETS FOR RUSSELL WESTBROOK[A FLAT OUT SCORER]NOW PUT HIM WITH BEAL[A FLAT OUT SCORER]AND DO I DARE CALL THEM.....OPP-ERR-AHEM-HEHEH???? the wizards????JERRY THIS TWILIGHT ZONE YEAR JUST GOT MORE STRANGE!!

[Jerry Oz]

That's a good pairing in your backcourt. I'd be lying if I said that I followed the rest of your offseason moves but I think Hachimura and Beal are going to love playing with Russ. Teams are going to have to guard constantly against slashes and your pick and roll plays are going to be ridiculous. You might just keep Beal yet.

[moe]

R&B, what you SHOULD be worried about are the Steelers players. They're pissed at themselves because of THEIR sloppy play. Tomlin appeared to be calmed down at his noon press conference.
But, you do have some good young players.......Chase Young for one

[arr&bee]

Yep,that's it the players are mad and gonna take it out on us[gulp!!]i do believe in spooks i do,i do,i do!!!

[Jerry Oz]

Relax. If nothing else, the two most ol' skool uniforms in the league are going to be on the field at the same time and it'll be interesting from that standpoint alone. With that being said, I think the Steelers are starting to feel the disrespect that a lot of reporters are throwing at them as if being undefeated with five games remaining is easy under any circumstances. They're also saying that the offense is now just dink and dunk with nothing vertical.

Big deal. If it works, don't try to fix it. Hope the Steelers don't give into the temptation to try to prove they need to impress people with unrealistic points of view.

[moe]

Big disrespect without a doubt, Jerry. PFF [[Pro Football Focus) especially. And guess who owns PFF? Cris Collingsworth, who has had zero love for the Steelers since he played for the Bengals. Steeler Twitterverse is not a fan of Collingsworth for any reason, let alone his comment about women knowing football [[R&B, did you REALLY THINK Ms Moe Superstar would take that comment lying down??? She went at it with 2 male Cretins on Twitter). So, I hope the Steelers just get the win without any more major injuries.

[Jerry Oz]

I didn't know that Collinsworth had an affiliation with PFF. A lot of fans have a love/hate relationship with them because of their technical approach to analyzing football. They're the only outfit that feels comfortable telling you how horrible a team performed on an individual basis in a blowout win. A player can have three sacks and an interception but grade poorly because he was blocked and pretty much neutralized for the rest of the game. I take them with a grain of salt. As far as Collinsworth, he's been coasting on shmarmy comportment since well before Al Michaels left and seems to think he's God's gift to color men. He's definitely not a Kirk Herbstreit or Troy Aikman.

[moe]

No, he's not. And why NBC can't find someone else [[a la Tony Romo.....who's really not too bad) is a big sin. Maybe they keep him because he is so polarizing, I don't know.

In other news Stephon Tuitt has been removed from the Covid list & activated for the
WFT game......GOOD!!!! No word yet on James Conner, your fantasy RB.

And, my Twitter cohort Sam Highsmith, the father of the Steelers rookie LB Alex [[who will be starting in place of Bud Dupree) is a VERY proud papa his boy is getting a chance.
If Alex is anything like our 2 other "replacements" [[Dotson for DeCastro & Spillane for Bush) we'll be fine.

[Jerry Oz]

Twitter banned me last week. I have a troll following me who reported me for inappropriate tweets. Nothing I posted would have gotten a second notice from Twitter if I had a blue check but I have a feeling that my anonymous friend was reporting darned nearly everything and eventually succeeded in getting me kicked off. I'm waiting another week to see if I'm IP banned or banned per my email. I have a couple of alt accounts under other emails that I seldom use and don't want either of them to be suspended if I can avoid it.

I guess that's what I get for being such an engaging personality with people who tweet stupidity [[I brook no fools and although I don't post cuss words, I don't need them to chop somebody down). Especially from Trumpists.

[Jerry Oz]

Good news for the Steel Curtain:

Pittsburgh Steelers activate DE Stephon Tuitt from COVID-19 list

12:04 PM ET


Brooke Pryor
ESPN Staff Writer


PITTSBURGH -- The unbeaten Steelers are getting another key member of their defense back in time to take on the Washington Football Team on Monday night, but the status of a few other important players is not as clear.


Pittsburgh activated defensive end Stephon Tuitt from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday morning. Tuitt, who was placed on the list Nov. 27, missed Wednesday's 19-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.


Tuitt has been a significant contributor on the defensive line this season, racking up a career-high seven sacks, his best output since he had 6.5 in 2015. He has forced two fumbles this year and has two passes defended along with 18 quarterback hits and 32 tackles.


With Tuitt's return, the Steelers [[11-0) still have three players on the COVID-19 list: running back James Conner, center Maurkice Pouncey and offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins.


While Tuitt is back, others are questionable for Monday's game -- including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.


Roethlisberger did not participate in any of the three practices on the short week between games, sitting out with a designation of "not injury related/knee." He previously suffered minor injuries to his knees against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 8, missing just one series before halftime.


Roethlisberger, who didn't mention any injury concerns Friday, is no stranger to playing without practicing. After spending a week on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a "high-risk close contact," he had his best game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 15 with more than 300 passing yards and four touchdowns.


The Steelers have also listed starting cornerback Steve Nelson as doubtful with a knee injury that required an MRI after Wednesday's game. He was able to finish the game. Kicker Chris Boswell appeared on the injury report for the first time Saturday and is listed as questionable with a hip injury. He did not practice Saturday.


The Steelers have another kicker in the building, newly signed practice squad kicker Matthew Wright, who took Boswell's place at practice Saturday.

[moe]

Jerry, the mother of Steeler's Cam Heyward told me she got suspended from Twitter for 3 days because she "had too many followers." Figure that one out........

[Jerry Oz]

Well, my Birds are officially in rebuild mode whereas my Fish are entering their hardest stretch of the season. If they win two of their final four [[including the Raiders game in two weeks), they'll make the playoffs in year 2 of their rebuild. Defense is playing the weak teams hard but now get to try to slow down Kansas City, Oakland, Buffalo and New England. They have a good chance to win three of those but will probably get trucked by the Chiefs next week.

The Falcons need to start fresh. I like Raheem Morris but he's probably going to be hired somewhere else next season. He shouldn't have hld onto Dirk Koetter as his offensive coordinator when he got elevated. I expect Atlanta to draft Matt Ryan's successor in the next draft because for the first time in his career, he's looking like the reason we're losing as often as not. The good news is that I don't think the rebuild will take long and I expect us to be sustainably good after 2023.

[moe]

I've been seeing that Ben will play tonight. However, our kicker [[Boswell) was listed as doubtful. He hurt his hip on that failed extra point in the Ravens game. We do have a replacement kicker on our practice squad [[Matthew Wright). Conner, Hawkins remain on Covid list. I just want a win.......period.........no heroics......no one gets hurt [[fingers crossed).

[moe]

Latest: Hawkins off Covid list......Matthew Wright to kick in place of Boswell.

[Jerry Oz]

And... The Washington Football Team notches the W with a late comeback. Hope *somebody* has enough hooch to celebrate the victory. It's not really surprising though because Pittsburgh's had probably the most emotional 2 weeks imaginable [[to say nothing about playing two games in six days.

[moe]

Those guys looked tired.......no excuse, though. Their running game sucks big time. And, more injuries...Haden [[concussion), Spillane [[knee). Good thing they picked up Avery Williamson from the Jets! There you go, R&B.......you're the hooch master. I hope you had some to celebrate the W.

[Jerry Oz]

It's odd that sometimes it seems like teams can loosen up once they don't have to win for history's sake. Between a normal week, getting a few players back and Tomlin's ability to carry a chip on his shoulder [[especially after a loss to a team that they *sorry, Jai* should have beaten), I wouldn't want to play your team next week.

[moe]

Buffalo, in Buffalo Sunday................

[Jerry Oz]

I didn't see that on the schedule. Definitely must see TV. Miami plays Kansas City. A Buffalo win and a likely loss by the Fins will effectively wrap up the division for the Bills. A Bills loss and win by Miami ties them up with a late season matchup coming up. Things are going to be intense! Popcorn is already being popped.

[moe]

Jerry, your fantasy boy James Conner has just be removed from the Covid list back to activated. No word on Pouncey yet, though. He was to have been removed Monday night. No one knows anything yet.

[Jerry Oz]

Thanks. I just took him off injured reserve and replaced him with Curtis Samuel. But I have a couple of other running backs with higher projected point totals so I'm likely to leave him on the bench. When I drafted him and Saquon Barkley as my RBs, I thought for sure I'd get 35-40 points a week out of them. I got less than 10 points the first week. Then Barkley got hurt in week 2 and Conner has been hit or miss [[mostly miss). I hate fantasy football.

[arr&bee]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....HI MOE,DID MY TEAM ACTUALLY WIN???...[I thought it was a hooch hullucination]BUT AFTER I SOBERED UP...[at least I think I'm sober, hehe]I HEAR THAT THEY DID,TALK ABOUT A BLIND DOG FINDING A BONE...MOE WHAT HAPPENED? WHERE DID THAT GOALINE STAND COME FROM,WOW!! NOW BEFORE I SOBER UP HERE'S MY PICK...WFT 24-49ER'S 21,THE BLIND DOG ON TOUR,HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

[moe]

I'm sure you enjoyed that victory. Now the latest Covid victim is LB Vince Williams. THAT is a HUGE loss for the Steelers.
The Offensive Coordinator [[Randy Fichter [[sp)) is NO ONE's favorite [[never has been) & his head should be on the chopping block.

[Jerry Oz]

I thought Todd Haley was still OC in Pittsburgh. I guess that's what happens when you step away from watching the NFL for a couple seasons. Brings something else to mind:

I have an opinion that the internet has created specific geniuses and general fools of many [[especially me). In the '80s, I used to buy 3-4 NFL yearbooks and at least two or three college basketball and NBA yearbooks every season. I'd read about the Falcons and Dolphins three or four times and then, I'd read the rest of the magazines and learn about the other 28 teams. I pretty much knew about everybody. Now, with the internet all I do is read news about Atlanta and Miami because there's no end to it. I know a lot about both but hardly anything about other teams. Same with North Carolina, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets in college hoops and NBA.

We've become [[generally speaking) a nation of idiots because we have access to a ton of information but many of us only focus on what we want to know. The feedback loop has us stuck on what we already know in sports, politics and society. This has little to do with this thread but I wanted to put it out there to see if I was crazy.

[arr&bee]

Now jerry,you know i won't let you be crazier than me,hehehe...but you're right about what you say here, but back to football i don't think that there has been a weekend with so many big games[nfl]wow and i love it-pittsburg-buffalo..wft-san fran..new york giants-cardinals..miami-kansas city..baltimore-cleveland,so much at stake, let the games begin!!