{"id":25164,"date":"2016-09-12T11:25:35","date_gmt":"2016-09-12T15:25:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yurasko.net\/wfy\/?p=25164"},"modified":"2016-09-12T11:25:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-12T15:25:35","slug":"dc-vs-pittsburgh-football-baseball-qa-and-prediction-with-the-maryland-bureau-chief-emeritus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yurasko.net\/wfy\/2016\/09\/dc-vs-pittsburgh-football-baseball-qa-and-prediction-with-the-maryland-bureau-chief-emeritus\/","title":{"rendered":"DC vs. Pittsburgh (football & baseball) Q&A and prediction with The Maryland Bureau Chief Emeritus"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Myron<\/a>Let’s all welcome back Sam, The Maryland Bureau Chief Emeritus (not pictured), to guest prognostication. The first Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates series has passed and we’re now into gridiron Q&A. TMBCE emeritus, is of course a straight ticket black and gold fan. Just back from last night’s Bruce Springsteen concert he’s answering a few questions about tonight’s season opener between the Redskins and the Steelers and even a few Nats and Buccos.<\/p>\n

WFY: Let’s talk about magazine covers – I saw your (yinz?) Stillers on the cover the other day. Are they a legitimate contender or did Sports Illustrated<\/em> destroy that possibility? Where is the strength, offense, defense or special teams? Also, Northern Virginia magazine has Pittsburgh on the cover as a road trip. Not a bad place to visit, but with both the Steelers and Pirates on the DC September schedules, a slap in our faces<\/em> down here.<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> Did you go to the Pirates\/Nats series in July? (WFY: No)<\/strong> I remember that Sunday game was a classic. An 18 inning classic! In terms of the SI<\/em> cover, I think that was a bad prediction by SI<\/em>. The Steelers have potential, but the defense is still suspect and multiple players are on suspension\/injury. The Steelers offense is by far the strength of the team. However, any significant injury to Big Ben ends the season. <\/p>\n

WFY: Who, other that Ben Roethlisberger is left from those Super Bowl teams?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> Three Steelers remain from the 2005 team: Ben Roethlisberger, James Harrison (LB) and Greg Warren (the designated punt\/extra point snapper!). Those 3 were also on the 2008 Super Bowl winning team, in addition to Lawrence Timmons (LB) and William Gay (CB). As an aside, William Gay is still a starter for the Steelers (which is a BAD thing). Of course, several others played on the 2010 Super Bowl (that lost to Green Bay in the final game). I still can\u2019t believe we lost that game. It still gives me chills. But to quote Tony Kornheiser \u201cThat\u2019s it\u2026That\u2019s the list.\u201d<\/p>\n

WFY: What’s the Pittsburgh perception of the opener against Skins? I mean, they are facing the defending NFC East champion<\/em> on the road on Monday night<\/em>. They’ll be burgundy towels<\/em> given out too!<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> I think its an interesting match-up. This should be a game the Redskins need to win: Steelers #2 WR Martvaius Bryant is out for the season, TE Heath Miller is retired, and RB Le\u2019Veon Bell is suspended. Plus, the Steelers secondary is still awful. However, Big Ben is the best player in this match-up. I expect a high scoring game. Isn\u2019t it weird that the Pittsburgh and Washington are in two different conferences? I wish they could play more often. <\/p>\n

WFY: You know, a number of Super Bowl winners have lost to Washington over the years, so losing might not be so bad, right?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> A loss to the Redskins would not kill the Steelers, but I think this could be a big push for the Redskins. The Cowboys don\u2019t have Tony Romo. The Eagles seem to be in transition. It seems to be a two-horse race with Brad Stratton\u2019s team for the NFC East title. Most media types are already ignoring the Skins, but I think they are better than expected. <\/p>\n

WFY: I’m going to be frank — the overt display of Pittsburgh sports fandom is not as prevalent in BeltwayLand as it was 10 years ago. What’s going on? Are more natives returning to Western Pennsylvania like you did or is it the lack of Super Bowls of late?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> Its hard to measure. Usually, Pittsburghers growing up here either stay forever or leave and don\u2019t come back. Doesn\u2019t seem to be a middle ground. For example, this year is supposed to be my 20 year high school reunion (and YES, that scares me by itself!) Too many of my class have left the area and aren\u2019t able to make it back consistently. I can only speak for myself, I really do like Maryland (although I do not approve of Ravens fans). It\u2019s a beautiful area and very active too. You know one thing that is much better than Pittsburgh? The DC Metro. (WFY: Should I tell him?)<\/strong> That was well maintained and more effective to travel around. The Pittsburgh \u201cT\u201d needs significant improvement. <\/p>\n

WFY: Who made the better cameo in a disaster movie, Hines Ward in that Batman movie or the entire 1975 team in Black Sunday? In fact, what’s the best Pittsburgh sports cameo in a major motion picture?<\/strong><\/p>\n

TMBCE:<\/strong> Sadly, nothing special really stands out. Pittsburgh is better known for hosting\/filming some excellent movies, such as Silence of the Lambs, Pretty Woman, and Dogma. Of course, there were a few bad movies filmed here as well. Lets just move on. <\/p>\n

WFY: There is one correct answer:<\/strong><\/p>\n