Mike Tomlin and Omar Epps: Brothers; Ben Pees in Trees?

The MLB All Star Game is tonight. Nobody from Pittsburgh even cares.



Except Evan Meek. Bless his heart. Seems like a really good guy who's worked hard to get where he is. His ERA is still higher than Barry Bonds' sperm count.



Coach Tomlin signed a three year extension today, marking the first positive move that the Steelers made all offseason. Funny how a lot of people were saying that Tomlin wasn't going to get extended. Did these people know the Rooney's at all? Any Pittsburgh Steeler fan knew that Tomlin wasn't going to be ousted after 3 seasons, especially with one of those years culminating in a Super Bowl win. Idiots.

By the way, if they ever make a movie about Mike Tomlin, he'll totally be played by Omar Epps. Unbelievable.



In more typical Steeler offseason news. Ben Roethlisberger was named in an investigation at a golf course in Columbus, OH. It was alleged that Roethlisberger peed in the woods between the 17th green and 18th tee. Sources close to Roethlisberger claim that it was another man in his foursome that watered the grass. Under normal circumstances, it would be the epitome of all that is not news (I even went as far as to ask Jason LaCanfora via Twitter, who agreed that there was nothing to it).



Big Ben practices his pee form.

However, I will slightly disagree with Jason. Were it to be just about any other NFL player, it would be nothing more than a humorous footnote. But because the accused is already facing a suspension, it becomes a more significant issue. Commissioner Goodell stated that he would reduce Roethlisberger's suspension from six to four games with good behavior. By "good behavior", Goodell essentially told Roethlisberger to lay low and stay out of the news. It seems unfortunate, especially if Roethlisberger wasn't doing the whizzing, but Goodell has made it abundantly clear during his tenure that he puts up with NOTHING. Time will tell whether or not Goodell will discuss this situation with Ben.

What an offseason.

They Couldn't Take it From U.S.

For the better part of ninety minutes, it unfolded like a nightmare for United States soccer. England beats Slovenia, and the toxic mix of horrid officiating and missed opportunities had the U.S. on their deathbed as penalty time approached. Most newsmen were already writing their stories; the pundits preparing their condemnation of the referees. As it often does, it happened quickly. An Algerian odd man break denied by U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who launched a rush the other way. The next few seconds prove to be a blur, Jozy Altidore throws it in front. The ball squirts away from the Algerian goalie out to the waiting right foot of U.S. star Landon Donovan. What followed was perhaps the most dramatic moment in U.S. World Cup history:



What a moment for the United States. The U.S. wins their group for the first time since 1930, and advance to the round of 16.

On to other things. That Stephen Strasburg card is still through the roof.



Great read from Dejan Kovacevic at the Post-Gazette, chronicling the rise of Pirates reliever Evan Meek, who continues to have an outstanding season for the Buccos.

Rumors are continuing to swirl about the Penguins trading away the rights to defenseman Sergei Gonchar. If the Pens and Gonchar are as far away on contract talks as they seem to be, this would be a move that would definitely make sense for the Penguins. We're probably seeing the last moments of Sergei Gonchar as a Pittsburgh Penguin.

I give you part three of the Pittsburgh Sports-gasm. Raise a beer to U.S. soccer tonight.