Why Detroit is pulling for the Steelers, from Detroit Free Press Options

[pezking]

Not to rush things, but we've already picked our team.

In fact, less than five minutes after the Super Bowl foes were determined, Detroit had its mind made up.

We're going with Pittsburgh,

We like Pittsburgh.

We are Pittsburgh.

"Who do you think is gonna win?" fans here ask me.

"Pittsburgh," I say.

"YES!" they say.

That is not a normal reaction for the Motor City, which, last time I looked, was not located in Pennsylvania.

But the Steelers are clearly Detroit's choice, and if you pushed me to give you one good reason, I'd hem and I'd haw, then I'd give you 100.

The first 50 are Jerome Bettis. He is from Detroit. He went to school in Detroit. His parents live in Detroit. He eats. He smiles. He knocks people over.

He's as close as we get to a Lion in the Super Bowl. Besides, Bettis cemented his favorite son status on the sidelines Sunday, when he screamed, "We're going home!" We are not used to people being that excited about a trip to Detroit. Usually, it's, "Aw, do we have to?"

We like Jerome Bettis.

We are Jerome Bettis.

But there's more.

We're for facial hair and a prominent chin

Ben Roethlisberger is our kind of quarterback. He grew up in the Midwest, he played in the MAC, and he looks like a hockey enforcer. He's big, the way we grow 'em around here, and he's shaggy, the way we like 'em around here.

Ben's beard? We like Ben's beard. Remember unshaven Kirk Gibson during the 1984 World Series? Remember the bearded Red Wings when they finally won the Stanley Cup?

We like Ben's beard.

We are Ben's beard.

Then there's Bill Cowher. Are you kidding me? He's the football coach this town has been coveting for the last 30 years. We want them tough. We want them angry. We want Bill Cowher, but we keep getting Marty Mornhinweg, which makes us want Bill Cowher even more.

No offense, but if kidnapping were legal, we'd lock Cowher in Ford Field and force him to coach the Lions this year.

Then there's the city.

Pittsburgh is a blue-collar town. Detroit is a blue collar-town. Pittsburgh is a union town. Detroit is a union town. Pittsburgh makes steel. Detroit makes cars that are made of steel.

They're on three rivers. We're on a river and a lake.

It snows there. It snows here.

No offense, Seattle, but we can't get a city that doesn't have a hockey team.

We're against colors with funny names

Did we mention ownership? The Steelers have the kind of ownership Detroit fans dream about. One family. One name. One old man passing it down to his kids.

That's the way we do it. Only when Pittsburgh does it, the name is Rooney, and it produces four Super Bowl championships. When Detroit does it, the name is Ford, and it produces squat.

We like Pittsburgh's ownership.

We want Pittsburgh's ownership.

Seattle's ownership baffles us. A computer billionaire? That's a Pacific Northwest thing. So are Seattle's colors. We like Pittsburgh's colors, yellow and black. The colors of a traffic sign. Seattle wears teal, or sea green, or some shade belonging to the marine world. That works for them. But we don't know from the marine world. We don't know from Seahawks. We named one of our franchises after a car part (Pistons). So we can relate to a team named after a building material.

The Steelers are our choice. We have adopted them as if they were our own. Come next week, Detroit will feel like a home game for Pittsburgh

[Maj. H8Red]

Every bit of that was true...GO STEELERS!!!!1

[Nothing]

Sorry to go against all the proof you gave about the Steelers wining the Super Bowl. But Seattle is just a better all around team. They have too many weapons on offense. I would have to give a little edge to Pittsburgh on Defense, but there is a big edge on offense for the Seahawks.

I have no loyalty to either team now that the Bears are out of it. Just saying it how I see it. Yea, it is a great story about Bettis being from Detroit, but that has nothing to do with it since he is a spot player. Not a real starter.

[DesertDemon]

Sorry to go against all the proof you gave about the Steelers wining the Super Bowl. But Seattle is just a better all around team. They have too many weapons on offense. I would have to give a little edge to Pittsburgh on Defense, but there is a big edge on offense for the Seahawks.

I have no loyalty to either team now that the Bears are out of it. Just saying it how I see it. Yea, it is a great story about Bettis being from Detroit, but that has nothing to do with it since he is a spot player. Not a real starter.

Nothing, did you not watch the last 3 games the Steelers played? They totally dominated both sides of the ball each game! Big edge on offense? Ha! Yes, Alexander is the league MVP, but only cuz he won the rushing title and Seattle had a very good record. Have you considered strength of schedule? Everyone has been saying all year how the AFC is a much stronger conference than the NFC. Steelers whooped da Bears and the Vikings and I'm sure the bus will have no problem rolling over the 'Hawks. Look for Bettis to carry the ball 30 times on the way to a Steelers route of the Seahawks and the MVP.

[pezking]

I don't think my post was about Steelers winning the SuperBowl, just showing how Detroit relates to Pittsburgh. But I do personally think the Steelers can win this game. They just beat all the best teams in the AFC to get where they are and Seattle had a pretty easy schedule in the regular season and playoffs. I was hoping the Skins would beat them but really... the Skins had no business in the playoffs and Seattle won that game easily w/out Alexander. I don't expect to see Bettis run 30 times on Sunday. I'm sure they'll stick to the regular game plan and let Parker gain the yards and let the Bus run in short yardage TDs. I think the Steelers D, if they play like they have in the playoffs so far, will dominate Seattle's offense and hold Alexander and Hassleback to short yardage. My two cents atleast.

[Nothing]

Hey Pez, I like your thoughts. Although Desert Demon, your just crazy, lol. If Indy had not had the extra time off and have the head coach's son die in that time period I do believe that the Steelers would have played a different team than the Indy that they beat. But we will never know.

Yes Seattle's Alexander had the rushing title this year and was only 5 yards off from it last year. With Jackson, Jurevicious and Engram and lets not forget about Peter Warrick. And oh yea, lets throw in Stevens at tight end. I think that Seattles offense is much better. Yes, I would say that Pittsburgh has a good offense. But the key to it is Roethlisberger. Yea Ward is good also, but Randel El and Cedrick Wilson? Oh yea, lets not forget about Sean Morey. Now lets talk running backs. Willie Parker has been a pretty decent back this year. He does have some blazing speed, but no power. Bettis will not get the ball more than 8 times this game and if you think otherwise then you just dont know football. Pittsburgh's tight end Heath Miller is also a good tight end.

The bottom line is that Seattle's offense is much better than Pittsburgh and the defenses are pretty close. Therefore I pick Seattle by 4.

[pezking]

I agree about Bettis not touching the ball much... that's ofcourse if they stick to the usual game plan. I'm starting to worry that the Steelers are getting too emotional about the whole Bettis in Detroit thing. They might try to overplay him which would be a huge mistake. Wondering if Duce will see the field at all? All and all, I could see either team win this game but in the long run, I'd like to see Pittsburgh take it.

[DesertDemon]

A little crazy maybe, but I know my football just fine. Sounds like you're making excuses...and if you don't think Pittsburgh's offense isn't very good, then I think you are clueless in Seattle. I'll be looking for your retraction on Monday.

[Nothing]

Hey DesertDemon,

I didnt say I dont think Pittsburg's offense is good. Im just saying Seattle's is better. I also know that Pittsburg can win this game, but I think Seattle will pull it out. I dont need to make excuses for anyone. I was just stating the facts man. Where do you see excuses?

[Maj. H8Red]

Guys, it really don't matter who wins. That fact of the matter is this; I will be drunker (& higher) than the wino's who normally sleep outside the ticket booth at Ford Field!!!! Although, I REALLY want Pitt. to win, it will be a great game. This is as close to the Lions EVER gettin' to the Big Game!!! (As long as the Ford's own the team)

[pezking]

Poor Lions, they used to be so good. I miss Barry Sanders. They don't need an ownership change as much as they need a GM change. The Lions need to do something quickly to start rebuilding. I'd suggest getting a veteran QB in free agency, you already have great WRs when they're healthy and a decent RB.

[Nothing]

My wife is pulling for Pittsburg also. I really dont care who wins and it should be a good game. Barry Sanders was an unreal player. The moves he had were not human. He was my favorite player back in the day. I always hoped he would come back from his retirement.

Oh yea, hey Pez, Would you mean something like signing a veteran QB like Garcia?

[pezking]

Garcia was decent before his injury... I think there's alot better talent available though. There are alot of 2nd string QBs in the league that could do well as a starter. Kitna and Holcomb are good. Could gamble and take Ramsey, who I think has a tremendous arm, he just hasn't had alot of good chances.

[Nothing]

I dont think any of the QB's you mentioned are really going to take any team farther than a possible first round playoff loss. They need to look to the draft for a good QB. They do however need to get 2 things in place to be a better team. Number one proirity should be an Offensive Line. Second is a new General Manager.

[Maj. H8Red]

Yes there defintely need to be some changes in the front office. 1st, Bill Sr. needs to be forced into selling the team, preferrably to Mike Iilitch 2nd They need to kick Millen's ass not just out of town, but out of the country (ya think Canada would take him? or is that too harsh?) 3rd We NEED a QB, not this pussy Harrington, who can't take a hit cuz he might break a nail & last but not least, yeah, we need an O-line, badly....Just callin it as I see it