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STEELER WEEK..... v2.0 ..... and this one is in 2021!

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  • @jiggins7919 said:

    I literally always expect to get obliterated by the Steelers every time we play against Big Ben. We might have a chance against Mason Rudolph, but I don't like the odds against their starters. Even when the Bengals beat them out was pretty crazy. Finley played out of his mind and was hitting incredible passes in between multiple defenders. It wasn't like the Steelers were terrible or anything. 

    Could we beat their starters? Yeah, we could. The biggest issue is the pass rush, and Watt LIVES in our backfield. We have a smart coach, our QB is pissed off, and our team is extremely pissed off. We might have what it takes...I just wouldn't bet on it. But damn...I want this one so badly. 

    Our biggest issue is WE do nothing to slow the pass rush.  We don’t establish the run we don’t run our WRs/TEs right behind the blitz. By now you would think we would have picked up on every disguised blitz they have - but that’s still a work in progress. Couple that with a QB that holds the ball a little longer than he should- it doesn’t work.  They have good players but it’s a Fairly easy philosophy- They take away your run and then tee off on your QB.  
     

    We need to do two things this offseason and maybe we get a crack at each team again this season. We need to draft a Lamar spy and we need our offensive coaches to scheme against the Steelers 3-4 and their varied blitz packages. We have some elite nerds- have they crunched the numbers??? Which backers do they send? What tendencies do they have on certain downs? Who is dropping more than rushing?  They have guys that have been fixtures to in that defense for years- what are their tendencies???
     

    I promised not to criticize our Defense until Sunday.  

    @sdbacker80 said:

    Our biggest issue is WE do nothing to slow the pass rush.  We don’t establish the run we don’t run our WRs/TEs right behind the blitz. By now you would think we would have picked up on every disguised blitz they have - but that’s still a work in progress. Couple that with a QB that holds the ball a little longer than he should- it doesn’t work.  They have good players but it’s a Fairly easy philosophy- They take away your run and then tee off on your QB.  

    When teams sell out to stop the run, it's virtually impossible to run it, especially when we have backups on the OL. You saw what happened against the Jets when we tried to run it. It was ABYSMAL. We couldn't even muster 2 or 3 yards a rush...against the JETS. What do you think will happen against the freakin STEELERS? The pass has to set up the run, but we also can't get down early. 

  • @sdbacker80 said:

    Our biggest issue is WE do nothing to slow the pass rush.  We don’t establish the run we don’t run our WRs/TEs right behind the blitz. By now you would think we would have picked up on every disguised blitz they have - but that’s still a work in progress. Couple that with a QB that holds the ball a little longer than he should- it doesn’t work.  They have good players but it’s a Fairly easy philosophy- They take away your run and then tee off on your QB.  

    When teams sell out to stop the run, it's virtually impossible to run it, especially when we have backups on the OL. You saw what happened against the Jets when we tried to run it. It was ABYSMAL. We couldn't even muster 2 or 3 yards a rush...against the JETS. What do you think will happen against the freakin STEELERS? The pass has to set up the run, but we also can't get down early. 

    @jiggins7919 said:

    When teams sell out to stop the run, it's virtually impossible to run it, especially when we have backups on the OL. You saw what happened against the Jets when we tried to run it. It was ABYSMAL. We couldn't even muster 2 or 3 yards a rush...against the JETS. What do you think will happen against the freakin STEELERS? The pass has to set up the run, but we also can't get down early. 

    First, We aren’t going to be down 4 WR Sunday.  Because of that situation, we had Jet Corners shading inside keeping it all in the box.  Also because of the scenario- We had A gap pressure.  
     

    We have to control Nose position better against them too- double and then get to the second level with one of the blockers.
     

    I like Stef...but I think he panics too much but I understand he has no faith in our defense so there’s that to consider but If we are down by three scores or more in the second half its probably time to go Baker Run and Shoot- probably not until that point but With that you play right into the Steelers plan of pass on 1st, 2 and 3...they will get to him on one of those downs.

    We have to diagnose their pressure better and when we do we can throw to that vacated area. 

  • @jiggins7919 said:

    When teams sell out to stop the run, it's virtually impossible to run it, especially when we have backups on the OL. You saw what happened against the Jets when we tried to run it. It was ABYSMAL. We couldn't even muster 2 or 3 yards a rush...against the JETS. What do you think will happen against the freakin STEELERS? The pass has to set up the run, but we also can't get down early. 

    First, We aren’t going to be down 4 WR Sunday.  Because of that situation, we had Jet Corners shading inside keeping it all in the box.  Also because of the scenario- We had A gap pressure.  
     

    We have to control Nose position better against them too- double and then get to the second level with one of the blockers.
     

    I like Stef...but I think he panics too much but I understand he has no faith in our defense so there’s that to consider but If we are down by three scores or more in the second half its probably time to go Baker Run and Shoot- probably not until that point but With that you play right into the Steelers plan of pass on 1st, 2 and 3...they will get to him on one of those downs.

    We have to diagnose their pressure better and when we do we can throw to that vacated area. 

    @sdbacker80 said:

    First, We aren’t going to be down 4 WR Sunday.  Because of that situation, we had Jet Corners shading inside keeping it all in the box.  Also because of the scenario- We had A gap pressure.  
     

    We have to control Nose position better against them too- double and then get to the second level with one of the blockers.
     

    I like Stef...but I think he panics too much but I understand he has no faith in our defense so there’s that to consider but If we are down by three scores or more in the second half its probably time to go Baker Run and Shoot- probably not until that point but With that you play right into the Steelers plan of pass on 1st, 2 and 3...they will get to him on one of those downs.

    We have to diagnose their pressure better and when we do we can throw to that vacated area. 

    Sounds good. LET'S GOOOOOOOO! 

  • @jiggins7919 said:

    I literally always expect to get obliterated by the Steelers every time we play against Big Ben. We might have a chance against Mason Rudolph, but I don't like the odds against their starters. Even when the Bengals beat them out was pretty crazy. Finley played out of his mind and was hitting incredible passes in between multiple defenders. It wasn't like the Steelers were terrible or anything. 

    Could we beat their starters? Yeah, we could. The biggest issue is the pass rush, and Watt LIVES in our backfield. We have a smart coach, our QB is pissed off, and our team is extremely pissed off. We might have what it takes...I just wouldn't bet on it. But damn...I want this one so badly. 

    Our biggest issue is WE do nothing to slow the pass rush.  We don’t establish the run we don’t run our WRs/TEs right behind the blitz. By now you would think we would have picked up on every disguised blitz they have - but that’s still a work in progress. Couple that with a QB that holds the ball a little longer than he should- it doesn’t work.  They have good players but it’s a Fairly easy philosophy- They take away your run and then tee off on your QB.  
     

    We need to do two things this offseason and maybe we get a crack at each team again this season. We need to draft a Lamar spy and we need our offensive coaches to scheme against the Steelers 3-4 and their varied blitz packages. We have some elite nerds- have they crunched the numbers??? Which backers do they send? What tendencies do they have on certain downs? Who is dropping more than rushing?  They have guys that have been fixtures to in that defense for years- what are their tendencies???
     

    I promised not to criticize our Defense until Sunday.  

    @sdbacker80 said:

    I promised not to criticize our Defense until Sunday.  

    Congrats... you made it all the way thru Monday! 😉

  • Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    The Steelers clinched the AFC North title thanks to a harrowing comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, and Tomlin notes he'll now "airmail" choice players to the playoffs. The impromptu bye week won't extend to everyone, however, but most certainly Roethlisberger -- whom the team wants at full strength for a potential run at the Super Bowl.

    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing," Tomlin added, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. 

    Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSiciliano
    Tomlin says he's hoping to "airmail" some starters into the playoffs.

    But he also said...
    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing."
  • Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    The Steelers clinched the AFC North title thanks to a harrowing comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, and Tomlin notes he'll now "airmail" choice players to the playoffs. The impromptu bye week won't extend to everyone, however, but most certainly Roethlisberger -- whom the team wants at full strength for a potential run at the Super Bowl.

    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing," Tomlin added, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. 

    Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSiciliano
    Tomlin says he's hoping to "airmail" some starters into the playoffs.

    But he also said...
    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing."

    @tour2ma said:

    Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    The Steelers clinched the AFC North title thanks to a harrowing comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, and Tomlin notes he'll now "airmail" choice players to the playoffs. The impromptu bye week won't extend to everyone, however, but most certainly Roethlisberger -- whom the team wants at full strength for a potential run at the Super Bowl.

    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing," Tomlin added, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. 

    Watch it be Watt, Heyward, Tuitt.  
     

  • @tour2ma said:

    Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    The Steelers clinched the AFC North title thanks to a harrowing comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, and Tomlin notes he'll now "airmail" choice players to the playoffs. The impromptu bye week won't extend to everyone, however, but most certainly Roethlisberger -- whom the team wants at full strength for a potential run at the Super Bowl.

    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing," Tomlin added, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. 

    Watch it be Watt, Heyward, Tuitt.  
     

    @sdbacker80 said:

    Watch it be Watt, Heyward, Tuitt.  
     

    Gotta think so...

    Can't afford to see any of them hurt.

    Also thinking maybe Mincah...

  • Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    The Steelers clinched the AFC North title thanks to a harrowing comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16, and Tomlin notes he'll now "airmail" choice players to the playoffs. The impromptu bye week won't extend to everyone, however, but most certainly Roethlisberger -- whom the team wants at full strength for a potential run at the Super Bowl.

    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing," Tomlin added, per Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. 

    Andrew Siciliano@AndrewSiciliano
    Tomlin says he's hoping to "airmail" some starters into the playoffs.

    But he also said...
    "The vast majority of guys that have been playing, will be playing."

    @tour2ma said:

    Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    But will the Refs allow Garret to even touch Rudolph the Reindeer?

  • @tour2ma said:

    Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    But will the Refs allow Garret to even touch Rudolph the Reindeer?

    @hoorta said:

    But will the Refs allow Garret to even touch Rudolph the Reindeer?

    As long as he only uses his hands...

  • @tour2ma said:

    Ben is sitting on Sunday...

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-ben-roethlisberger-to-rest-vs-browns-mason-rudolph-named-starter-in-regular-season-finale/

    But will the Refs allow Garret to even touch Rudolph the Reindeer?

    @hoorta said:

    But will the Refs allow Garret to even touch Rudolph the Reindeer?

    We should  send Sendejo on blindside blitz mission late hit on Mason maybe spark a fight and see if the Steelers retaliate and lose some important guys for the playoffs- that would be steeler move- provoke a fight and get away free.

  • @the-gipper said:

    So?  Do you subscribe to the theory that Ohio State/Michigan is no great rivalry?    Or to the "things gotta be even" theory? 

    What if the Browns win  35 of the next 40 games between them?  Will you all claim it is no rivalry just because we were on the winning side?  

    Here is a freeking clue for you all:

    The Browns/Steelers rivalry has NEVER ever never been "Even".......it has ALWAYS been lopsided.    It was lopsided in the Browns favor all throughout the  50s and 60s.  It was lopsided in the Steelers favor in the 70s.  It was lopsided in the Browns favor in the 80s.   It has been lopsided in the Steelers favor in the 2000s.....

    So, if your claim is that it has to be an evenly matched arrangement for something to be a rivalry....then the Browns and Steeler have NEVER been a rivalry.   Just look at the records. 

    This year, they are both pretty good.....That has been a very, very rare occurrence.  

    The part you seem to be glossing over (by accident or purpose), is you are arguing history of the rivalry (which is well founded), and those arguing against you are saying recently. By saying that Browns/Steelers is still THE rivalry is only looking at history. 

    Take out Cincinnati, you can only go from 1996 for Baltimore and Pittsburgh, which certainly has been a better rivalry in that time.

    You guys are arguing different points in all honesty. 

  • They've probably figured out that we'll most likely meet the following week, so they're saving their starters  which is fine so we can beat them twice in a row.

  • @hoorta said:

    Thank you, and well said.  What was a historical rivalry has no bearing on what a majority of a certain team's fans would consider one now.   As I sort of mentioned- as a Browns fan, you'd have to be almost Social Security age to remember when the Steelers were considered a big rival. That's disappearing into the mists of time, like the Browns- Giants. Jim Brown against Sam Huff.  Ask any 20 year old about that one, and you're going to get a blank stare.  That sort of stuff only matters to history geeks- like Gipper.  🙂  

    Were the Canton Bulldogs and Akron Pros big rivals? Who knows, and who cares?  

    NO,  You do NOT have to be Social Security Age  as  that won't even work.  Because like I said...by YOUR definition, that two teams have to be fighting each other for league/division dominance.......as old as you and I are,  the Browns/Steelers were NEVER a rivalry,  Ever......because they NEVER, ever competed at a high level against each other on a consistent basis. NEVER.    In 70 years they maybe were in competition for a division title  less times than you can count on one hand. 

  • @hoorta said:

    I knew you'd backtrack and try to argue definitions. Believe whatever you want to then, I won't waste any more time arguing minutiae. 

    By "definitions"  you mean "facts".     And trust me, as  a lawyer and a judge....EVERY argument is about minutiae.  But it is that minutiae that mean the difference between  winning or losing millions of dollars,   or between a very long prison sentence or freedom. 

  • @the-gipper said:

    Fair enough.....If you look at my statement, I said that the Browns/Steelers is the longest, most historical, most storied rivalry  in this division....which it is.   These guys seem to be arguing that JUST because  it has not been an even affair of late that a rivalry does not exist.  And I say bullshit.    They seem to be saying that just because two teams  have been competitive of late constitutes a major rivalry.....and I say, No, not necessarily.....but it does constitute  major current competitiveness......like the Chiefs and Bills. 

    This was your 1st comment on it in this thread. 

    don't see them letting up.       I would think they would want to put the nail in our coffin if they could.   As much as people may deny it....this is still THE rivalry of the AFCN. 

    So my statement still stands. When looking at it as historical, then yes Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Which is one POV. When looking at recent/current, then it certainly would be viewed as PITT/BALT (which is another POV). Both of those can be correct. 

    Just from the few years of reading on here Gipper, you seem to be someone who thinks there can only be one correct answer for something, which in turn causes these disagreements.

    But just to further on your example with OSU/Michigan, yes that is certainly still viewed as probably the biggest rivalry in college sports, along with Duke/UNC and Army/Navy, and Auburn/Alabama.

    Those 3 aren't changing ever.

    But how about these: Nebraska/Oklahoma, Miami/Florida State, Florida/Florida State, Miami/Virginia Tech?

    Sure, Nebraska/Oklahoma isn't because of realignment, But Fla/FSU weren't in same conference at its height, and the others ARE in same conference. 

    And you also are benefit to being invested in Cle/Pitt, whether viewing it as historical or current. But fans of say Dallas/Washington would have viewed that somewhat close, and now it doesn't have the same feel. Besides, college rivalries are much more deep seeded. 

    And like it or not, some of the luster of the Pittsburgh Cleveland rivalry was taken away when one of them in fact was without a franchise, and some of that hate from the Pittsburgh side transferred with the Browns players to Baltimore.

  • don't see them letting up.       I would think they would want to put the nail in our coffin if they could.  

    Well......let's do this:    Let's perhaps make them regret "letting up" and not putting the nail in the Browns coffin.     Let's beat them this week....and if by chance they should meet again in the playoffs, beat their asses again,   and let them cry in their beer. 

  • @the-gipper said:

    You obviously have shown again that you are unwilling to admit to anything "wrong" with something you wrote.

    When your FIRST comment is, "this is still THE rivalry of the AFCN", that is NOT admitting that is based off history, i.e. still means past and present.

    Not even bothering with the right, wrong thing.

    And you have absolutely no idea on if they are still considered just as big, that is just an assumption. But go ahead and believe that. And while YOU may have never viewed Miami/VT as a big rivalry, I can assure you that it was viewed differently in those circles. But again, that points to the fact that people in those circles/areas would be more invested (i.e. Browns/Steelers).

    As for example of Dallas/Washington, both have been top teams in that division multiple times over last decade, and the animosity has waned from what I can see. 

    As for the last part, that point went over your head it appears, or you purposely made it look like it. The point wasn't that the rivalry was between players and thus them moving to Baltimore just naturally moved there. It's the fact that the bitter rivalry of Cleveland ceased to have a team, i.e. no rivalry in that span. The Steelers Ravens rivalry organically grew through the competition. The point was that the time lost between Browns Steelers and rise of Ravens has effected the long standing rivalry. 

    And it's just part of it that the competitiveness of the teams effects the view of a rivalry. Some can still seem big when one has been down, but to all it seems bigger when it is competitive. We all want our team (whoever it is) to win every time, but for examples didn't THE game seem bigger 10 years ago? Or even look at this from last year, what seemed bigger, the Ravens win or the Steelers win? Sure there are circumstances that effect the view, but you can't honestly say that 25 years ago a win over Pitt didn't mean more. 

  • @the-gipper said:

    You obviously have shown again that you are unwilling to admit to anything "wrong" with something you wrote.

    When your FIRST comment is, "this is still THE rivalry of the AFCN", that is NOT admitting that is based off history, i.e. still means past and present.

    Not even bothering with the right, wrong thing.

    And you have absolutely no idea on if they are still considered just as big, that is just an assumption. But go ahead and believe that. And while YOU may have never viewed Miami/VT as a big rivalry, I can assure you that it was viewed differently in those circles. But again, that points to the fact that people in those circles/areas would be more invested (i.e. Browns/Steelers).

    As for example of Dallas/Washington, both have been top teams in that division multiple times over last decade, and the animosity has waned from what I can see. 

    As for the last part, that point went over your head it appears, or you purposely made it look like it. The point wasn't that the rivalry was between players and thus them moving to Baltimore just naturally moved there. It's the fact that the bitter rivalry of Cleveland ceased to have a team, i.e. no rivalry in that span. The Steelers Ravens rivalry organically grew through the competition. The point was that the time lost between Browns Steelers and rise of Ravens has effected the long standing rivalry. 

    And it's just part of it that the competitiveness of the teams effects the view of a rivalry. Some can still seem big when one has been down, but to all it seems bigger when it is competitive. We all want our team (whoever it is) to win every time, but for examples didn't THE game seem bigger 10 years ago? Or even look at this from last year, what seemed bigger, the Ravens win or the Steelers win? Sure there are circumstances that effect the view, but you can't honestly say that 25 years ago a win over Pitt didn't mean more. 

    @gunz41 said:

    You obviously have shown again that you are unwilling to admit to anything "wrong" with something you wrote.

    When your FIRST comment is, "this is still THE rivalry of the AFCN", that is NOT admitting that is based off history, i.e. still means past and present.

    Not even bothering with the right, wrong thing.

    And you have absolutely no idea on if they are still considered just as big, that is just an assumption. But go ahead and believe that. And while YOU may have never viewed Miami/VT as a big rivalry, I can assure you that it was viewed differently in those circles. But again, that points to the fact that people in those circles/areas would be more invested (i.e. Browns/Steelers).

    As for example of Dallas/Washington, both have been top teams in that division multiple times over last decade, and the animosity has waned from what I can see. 

    As for the last part, that point went over your head it appears, or you purposely made it look like it. The point wasn't that the rivalry was between players and thus them moving to Baltimore just naturally moved there. It's the fact that the bitter rivalry of Cleveland ceased to have a team, i.e. no rivalry in that span. The Steelers Ravens rivalry organically grew through the competition. The point was that the time lost between Browns Steelers and rise of Ravens has effected the long standing rivalry. 

    And it's just part of it that the competitiveness of the teams effects the view of a rivalry. Some can still seem big when one has been down, but to all it seems bigger when it is competitive. We all want our team (whoever it is) to win every time, but for examples didn't THE game seem bigger 10 years ago? Or even look at this from last year, what seemed bigger, the Ravens win or the Steelers win? Sure there are circumstances that effect the view, but you can't honestly say that 25 years ago a win over Pitt didn't mean more. 

    Gunz- I think you've seen why I rapidly gave up debating with Gipper over what constitutes a rivalry. He just keeps responding and spinning until the other side gives up. And I'm not wasting any more time arguing semantics with him. 

  • @gunz41 said:

    You obviously have shown again that you are unwilling to admit to anything "wrong" with something you wrote.

    When your FIRST comment is, "this is still THE rivalry of the AFCN", that is NOT admitting that is based off history, i.e. still means past and present.

    Not even bothering with the right, wrong thing.

    And you have absolutely no idea on if they are still considered just as big, that is just an assumption. But go ahead and believe that. And while YOU may have never viewed Miami/VT as a big rivalry, I can assure you that it was viewed differently in those circles. But again, that points to the fact that people in those circles/areas would be more invested (i.e. Browns/Steelers).

    As for example of Dallas/Washington, both have been top teams in that division multiple times over last decade, and the animosity has waned from what I can see. 

    As for the last part, that point went over your head it appears, or you purposely made it look like it. The point wasn't that the rivalry was between players and thus them moving to Baltimore just naturally moved there. It's the fact that the bitter rivalry of Cleveland ceased to have a team, i.e. no rivalry in that span. The Steelers Ravens rivalry organically grew through the competition. The point was that the time lost between Browns Steelers and rise of Ravens has effected the long standing rivalry. 

    And it's just part of it that the competitiveness of the teams effects the view of a rivalry. Some can still seem big when one has been down, but to all it seems bigger when it is competitive. We all want our team (whoever it is) to win every time, but for examples didn't THE game seem bigger 10 years ago? Or even look at this from last year, what seemed bigger, the Ravens win or the Steelers win? Sure there are circumstances that effect the view, but you can't honestly say that 25 years ago a win over Pitt didn't mean more. 

    Gunz- I think you've seen why I rapidly gave up debating with Gipper over what constitutes a rivalry. He just keeps responding and spinning until the other side gives up. And I'm not wasting any more time arguing semantics with him. 

    @hoorta said:

    Gunz- I think you've seen why I rapidly gave up debating with Gipper over what constitutes a rivalry. He just keeps responding and spinning until the other side gives up. And I'm not wasting any more time arguing semantics with him. 

    Well,  here are some of the  semantics that are at issue here:

    A.  A team cannot have a rivalry with every team on its schedule.   At most I think a team can have maybe 3 major rivalries.

    B. But....a team CAN have a major rivalry with more than one team:   The Browns/Steelers is a major rivalry.  The Steelers and Ravens can also have a major rivalry.

    C. Among the AFCN rivalries....the Browns/Steeler is the oldest, most historic most traditional  rivalry notwithstanding that it has been hammer and nail lately.   (and can that change soon?)

    D. Just because one....or both teams are down and out over a period of time does not diminish the nature of the rivalry.  It only diminishes the spotlight thrown on that rivalry because the potential stakes involved are not as consequential.

    E. I do not think that just because  2 teams are good at the same time and are in competition for say a conference title necessarily makes that an historic "rivalry".    The Browns/Broncos,  Browns/Giants of yore were, to me, just two good teams competing for a title.    Same as the  Pats/Colts   or Pats/Ravens  or Pats/Steelers (none of which are as major of a rival for the Pats as the Jets are)   or 49ers/Cowboys...and maybe a few others.

    F. The Browns historic rivals are the Steelers.    And yes, they do have rivalries with the Ravens and the Bengals.....because in my view, those two teams are the bastard stepchildren of the Browns for reasons you all know why.

    So, you can call these "semantics"   I just call them  "the facts"  for the most part,  with a few opinions thrown in.  Tell us how many you disagree with. 

  • @the-gipper said:

    So?  Do you subscribe to the theory that Ohio State/Michigan is no great rivalry?    Or to the "things gotta be even" theory? 

    What if the Browns win  35 of the next 40 games between them?  Will you all claim it is no rivalry just because we were on the winning side?  

    Here is a freeking clue for you all:

    The Browns/Steelers rivalry has NEVER ever never been "Even".......it has ALWAYS been lopsided.    It was lopsided in the Browns favor all throughout the  50s and 60s.  It was lopsided in the Steelers favor in the 70s.  It was lopsided in the Browns favor in the 80s.   It has been lopsided in the Steelers favor in the 2000s.....

    So, if your claim is that it has to be an evenly matched arrangement for something to be a rivalry....then the Browns and Steeler have NEVER been a rivalry.   Just look at the records. 

    This year, they are both pretty good.....That has been a very, very rare occurrence.  

    The part you seem to be glossing over (by accident or purpose), is you are arguing history of the rivalry (which is well founded), and those arguing against you are saying recently. By saying that Browns/Steelers is still THE rivalry is only looking at history. 

    Take out Cincinnati, you can only go from 1996 for Baltimore and Pittsburgh, which certainly has been a better rivalry in that time.

    You guys are arguing different points in all honesty. 

    @gunz41 said:

    The part you seem to be glossing over (by accident or purpose), is you are arguing history of the rivalry (which is well founded), and those arguing against you are saying recently. By saying that Browns/Steelers is still THE rivalry is only looking at history. 

    Take out Cincinnati, you can only go from 1996 for Baltimore and Pittsburgh, which certainly has been a better rivalry in that time.

    You guys are arguing different points in all honesty. 

    Smart observation...

    When one team dominates for a period the rivalry intensity of the fans of the team that is up wanes, while that of the fans of the down team increases. Basically boils down to complacency vs. frustration.

    Even in the tOSU and team-up-north rivalry there are ebbs and flows... most recently with tOSU dominating I know my interest has declined. It does get a bump when UM changes HCs, looking for the next one to bring them back to relevance, but as soon as that path does not materialize, then back down it goes. Of course the other, even bigger source, of bumps are upsets... and The Rivalry has had more than its share of those over the years.

    Thinking back on the Browns as I was growing up... PTG was never a rival as we dominated them. In the 60's our chief rivals were the Packers and the Colts, and then came the Cowboys for a period. That was because those were the teams we were facing in NFL Championships and later the playoffs.

    Our PTG rivalry blossomed in the '70s as they began to rise and coincidentally we declined. It was that transition period that fueled it. Later as we showed promise again under Sam and Marty in the late-'70s and '80s, it really heated up.

    And it was on its way up again in the '90s until...