YinzPitt

We’ve got some actual news to talk about, as we’ve had two rather important things happen today that are important to both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

First we’ll talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers news, as Big Ben Roethlisberger had his suspension reduce from 6 to 4 games.  Which is great news because we’ve also heard word today that Byron Leftwich has either an MCL sprain, or tear.  Either way, it looks to that he will be out for the first few weeks, making all of this time learning if he’d be the starter or not pointless.  Anyways, back to the suspension talk, here’s what was released today about the reduction:

The decision, the NFL said in a statement, is “contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the Personal Conduct Policy. “

Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Well that’s just all well and good.  That being said, for a person who wasn’t charged and or arrested for the crime, how about you suspend Shaun Rodgers who was arrested, and did something even equally as stupid by taking a gun to an airport.  Yes, I still have a huge issue with that, as he’s facing no penalties from the NFL.

Let’s see what else the NFL had to say about the suspension:

“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Goodell wrote Roethlisberger, according to the league statement. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.”

Glad to hear it, now how about what Roethlisberger’s camp thinks about this situation in a statement that they released:

“Commissioner Goodell informed us today that Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension has been reduced to four games,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement released by the team. “Ben has done a good job this summer of growing as the person that he needs to be, both on and off the field. I am confident that Ben is committed to continuing in this positive direction. As a team, our focus is now on preparing for the regular season and getting off to a good start on opening weekend.”

Yadda, yadda, yadda, all typical mumbo jumbo that needed to be said.

Excerpts taken from this article: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/09/ben_roethlisbergers_suspension.html

—————————————————————-

Now we’re moving on to the Pittsburgh Penguins signing of Mike Comrie.  He inked a one year deal worth 500K, and let me tell you, for a guy that has potential to put up 30 goals, as he’s done before with Pheonix and the Islanders, I like this deal a lot.  Sure, he’s not a very good defensive guy, but he’ll get his chance to mesh with Crosby.  Also, this means that Hilary Duff will be in town watching games, so I guess that brings some kind of celebrity stature to the team.

Outside of it all, I think it’s a fine risk free addition, and will give more time for Eric Tangradi to work on his game before stepping up to the top line.  Let’s see what the Penguins had to say about their newest signing:

Comrie, 29, has played nine NHL seasons with Edmonton, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Ottawa and the NY Islanders. In 568 career games, he has posted 167 goals, 192 assists, 359 points and 48 power-play goals. Comrie has appeared in 32 postseason contests, totaling 10 points (4G-6A).

Comrie (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has scored 20 or more goals five times in his career, and twice hit the 30-goal mark. The Edmonton, Alberta native, who broke into the NHL in 2000 with his hometown Oilers after the club drafted him in the third round (91st overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, set career highs with 33 goals and 60 points (tied) in 2001-02.

Comrie, whose uncle Fred Comrie was drafted by the Penguins in 1973 (eighth round, 119th overall) but never suited up for Pittsburgh, has represented Canada in three World Championships (2002, ’03 and ’06). He helped his country earn a gold medal in the 2003 tournament.

He seems like a quality guy who’s signed for the vet and league minimum.  Also, just to put things into perspective, Ben Lovejoy makes more money than Comrie will.  That’s unbelievable work by General Manager Ray Shero.

Mike Comrie formerly of the Oilers, newest Penguins player

Excerpts taken from this article:  http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536836