Farewell to a Pittsburgh Legend

As a youngster who aspired to be a broadcaster/journalist, I was immediately drawn to Myron Cope.

He just had the unique way that made you want to listen more and more. I was honored to be a regular caller to his WTAE show with a handle known as 'The Kid.'

Myron Cope is a legend that won't ever soon be replaced.

We should all be so fortunate that we had the chance to see, hear and for some, meet this true legend of Pittsburgh.

My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Cope family.

Gene Collier from the Post-Gazette sums it all up quite well.

Wow! This Schedule Is Brutal!

Peter King from SI breaks it down....Yikes!

* = 2007/2008 playoff team

Stat of the Week
Home
*Indianapolis (13-4)
Houston (8-8)
*NY Giants (14-6)
*Dallas (13-4)
*San Diego (13-6)

Road
*Jacksonville (12-6)
*Tennessee (10-7)
*Washington (9-8)
Philadelphia (8-8)
*New England (18-1)

Has anyone out there looked at the Steelers' schedule for this fall? Schedules are organic things in terms of degree of difficulty; they tend to change week-by-week during the season. But looking at Pittsburgh's slate right now, we might be seeing the toughest schedule a team has had in recent history.

Lots of teams have division schedules as tough or tougher than six games with Cleveland, Cincinnati and Baltimore, though the rising Browns, Carson Palmer and the presumably rejuvenated Ravens will be a difficult six-pack.

Amazing. Horrendously amazing, if you bleed black and gold.
Schedule factoids:

• Eight of Pittsburgh's 10 non-AFC North games are against 2007 playoff teams.

• All 10 non-division foes were .500 or better in 2007.

• New England plays four games against teams that finished over .500 in the 2007 regular season. Pittsburgh plays 10.

• Excluding the Steelers in 2005, the last four Super Bowl champs (Giants, Colts, Pats, Pats) are on Pittsburgh's schedule.

Fun Times Up North (in a foot of snow)

I am in Toronto for work and had the privilege of attending a charity event at the NHL Hall of Fame. The Executive Chairman of JumpTV leads the charge for Merrygoround.

It's a great organization that helps children obtain computers and e-buddies courtesy of volunteer Toronto police officers.

Many former players attended with notables Steve Thomas, Wendel Clark and Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey.

I had the privilege to meet Paul and he had nothing but good things to say about Pittsburgh and its people. He was very friendly and extremely approachable. I truly felt like a kid as I enjoyed watching him play so much, especially while he was with the Penguins.

On a side note, I asked him if he agreed that Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are polar opposites.

He responded, "I hate it there." Atta boy Paul!