What a Steeler Gurl Really Needs . . .

$69.99 at http://www.wix.com/hollyjoffrion/herstarstore - pre-order only. Don't miss your chance, gurls - These are the perfect way to keep the Boys of Black and Gold in your heart through the off-seaseon. I would order them myself for my public appearances, but I'm afraid I'd get dizzy at that height . . .

Offseason Activities: Chasing Chase

We took Chase to the park today. I was leery, because I wasn't sure how he'd react to runners, birdwatchers, mountain bikers, and other dogs all at the same time.  My dissatisfaction with dog owners who don't control their dogs in the park made the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - I wrote an op-ed piece years ago complaining about a Harlequin Great Dane who jumped on me, nearly knocked me down, and covered me with mud while I was running there. Check it out here: http://www.post-gazette.com/forum/20000205edstewart3.asp I didn't want to be the bad dog owner who disrupted other people's day in the park.

It was a beautiful day - 40 degrees and sunny. We took Chase to the Hot Dog Dam, an off-leash area with a creek running through it and a small pond created by the eponymous dam. On the way from the car to the dam, Chase behaved beautifully, sniffing other dogs but not barking or jumping up on people. We took him into the enclosure and took off his leash.

He had the time of his life. He was the only dog at first, so I left him with Vaughn and did a few miles running. When I returned there were about five other dogs. He was running with and after them - we realized exactly how appropriate the name Chase is.

After Chase had been there almost an hour, the other dogs and their humans left. We knew it was the right time to get Chase back on the leash and go home. Unfortunately, there is a hole in the fence around the off-leash area and Chase used it to chase after some of his new doggie friends. I grabbed the leash and gave chase myself. Fortunately, those dogs' human caught Chase and held him for me. I attached the leash and headed towards the car. As we walked back, Chase calmed down some. When we got home, he ate a big lunch and is now sound asleep on the couch.

At this rate, I'm pretty sure we'll all meet the weight requirements when training camp starts up.

Here's a bad video - taken with my phone, and offering a few close-up views of my thumb. But it's Chase in all his glory.

Different Teams, Same (or Similar) Sport

We have friends who are fans of unusual sports teams. They have invited us to go to a game of the Pittsburgh Power, an Arena Football League team that plays at the Consol Energy Center when the Penguins are away. (At least I imagine the Penguins are away, although the image of a football team and a hockey team sharing the ice is intriguing, to say the least.)

We'll be joining them on April 6, when the Power meets the Iowa Barnstormers (really? who names these teams?) in their second home game of the season. When we made the date, I scurried to the Power web site (http://pittsburghpowerfootball.com/), which I found hard to navigate. I had to go to the information for the actual game we will be attending to discover that they do, in fact, play at the Consol. I'm sure someone at Consol Energy who paid the big bucks for the naming rights wishes that information was trumpeted a little louder. I also had to dig to find the rules for arena football, which seem pretty bizarre to me. But I am intrigued, and I'll definitely report back after  the game.

The other football team in Pittsburgh is the Pittsburgh Passion, a 10-year-old women's football team that now plays at Cupples Stadium on the Southside. We've gone to several games and are huge fans. This is not powderpuff football, ladies and gentlemen. This is hard-hitting, full-contact football. The players all have full-time jobs and play for the love of the game, and that love shows. The team was undefeated in 2007, when they won the national championship, and they won the divisional championship in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. Their season starts in April. Check them out at http://www.pittsburghpassion.com/

So if you're a die-hard fan of the game and not just of the Steelers, check these options out and let me know what you think.

Steeler Life After Hines?

Say it ain't so! If the Steelers let Hines Ward go, it will hurt them more than it will hurt him. The all-time leading receiver deserves to retire a Steeler, and to do it on his own very reasonable schedule. If the Steelers do cut him, he will have opportunities of all sorts: playing, coaching, broadcasting, dancing . . .  The Steelers will have unhappy fans and a growing lack of leadership on the field.

The kind of turf-roots leadership that veteran players provide is invaluable. The Steelers never fully recovered that after the retirement of Jerome Bettis. If Ward goes too, who will be the team Big Brother? And while I'm on the subject, why didn't we snag Bettis for a coaching job? And how about not losing out on the opportunity to start Ward on that career path?

And having Hines play for another team is unimaginable. After all, who remembers Franco Harris's stellar year as a Seattle Seahawk? Right.

The Annual Challenge: Offseason Activities

Every year it's the same. Football season ends. Sunday afternoons loom long and lonely without the company of the Steelers and their friends and foes in the NFL. What's a Steeler Gurl to do?

One year, we went to real estate open houses, thinking we might move.Generally,  I run, we visit the grandkids, keep up on the housework a little better. Take naps . . .

This year, I will be running, as I'm training for the half-marathon in Pittsburgh on May 6. And that's the way this whole thing started:

I'm running to raise money for the Animal Rescue League. It's the shelter where we adopted three of our four cats, and it's always been a great adoption experience. Because I joined their training team, I also subscribed to their Facebook feed. On Thursday, they posted a picture of two English Springer mix brothers, one of whom had already been adopted. I knew immediately that the other would become the dog we had just barely begun discussing.

By Saturday afternoon, Chase was firmly ensconced in our household. He's 55 pounds of loving lap dog, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have him (well, the cats could be more thrilled, but they're adjusting).

If you'd like to help my fundraising effort, go to: http://www.active.com/donate/PawsoverPittsburgh/marjiestewart

And just to inspire you, here's a picture of my new boy (sitting in the new chair, of course):

Haley's Comet Blazes into Steeler Town

The Steelers have hired Todd Haley as their new offensive coordinator, and the columnists at The Post Gazette are having a field day. Is he disagreeable, emotional, and tempestuous, or is he tough, disciplined, and determined? Will he be good for Ben, toughening him up and teaching him some discipline, or will he offend him beyond  repair?

Well, yes and no.

I've reported earlier that I disliked the cozying up between Rothlisberger and Arians. Friends don't always make good bosses - or good employees, for that matter. And I believe the Steeler offense needs some discipline, and frankly has for some time. I had hoped Mike Tomlin would instill that, but because of inheriting Arians, it didn't happen.

But what I like best is that they went outside of the Steeler organization. That's what I liked about the Mike Tomlin hire, too. As much as the Steelers and the Rooneys are all family, and we love that, sometimes the smart, business decision is to bring in fresh ideas, new ways, a different style.

And he's at least a distant relation: his father, Dick Haley, served the Steelers as Director of Player Personnel for almost 20 years.

So welcome to the family, Todd. Or maybe welcome back.

What's Not to Loathe?

Obviously, this afternoon's topic is the New England Patriots. Recently, a friend who doesn't follow football asked why so many people seem to hate this team, its coach, and its quarterback.

Well. Where to start?

How about the nickname. If the team's name is the Patriots with a long A, shouldn't the nickname be pronounced the Pates? Irritating.

The insistence on representing an entire region. Come on. Pick a city, any city. Everyone else does. (Well, except Tennessee, but at least they limited themselves to one state.)

Bill Belichick. We've already covered his wardrobe choices. But what about Spygate? Winning two Super Bowls by cheating and being punished only by fines that when compared to the budget of any NFL team were peanuts.

And finally, Tom Brady. He's sloppy (taking after his coach, I suppose) - he doesn't get his hair cut until it's long enough to look like a used string mop. Add the beard growth, which he considers hip but just looks lazy. And has anyone mentioned arrogant? Talented, sure, but not as talented as he likes to believe.

Other than that, what a fabulous team! I hope they lose by the biggest margin in Super Bowl history.

Go Giants.

Unfair and Unbalanced!

No, not Fox News. Parade Magazine. Now, I thoroughly understand that this is not a significant source of serious journalism. But how can anyone possibly justify doing a feature on Superfans that totally ignores Steeler Nation?

To add insult to injury, the Cosmopolitan-style quiz, "Are You a Superfan?"refers to the ultimate Steeler fan who was laid out wearing his Steeler gear, relaxing in his Steeler lounge chair in front of the television. But it doesn't SAY this happened in da 'burgh. And really, where else could it happen? Oh, sure, there have probably been copycat funerals (just as there are copycat towels that just aren't all that terrible), but it happened here first.

Parade is encouraging fans to log in and vote for the NFL team with the biggest fan following at Parade.com/superbowl. Should we flood the website or boycott it in protest?

Pre-Game-Day Prep

I take the day before the big game seriously. I went to the Giant Eagle and the Wine and Spirits Store to stock up on necessities.

Then I went to the gym: it was upper body day, so I worked on biceps so I can hoist snacks and beverages with ease. And some light cardio, just in case I consume mass quantities during the main event.

When I got home, I started veggie chili and barbecue bourbon meatballs in separate crock pots.

My Max jersey is clean and ready to go.

In the morning, I do lower body so I'll be warmed up for sprinting to the kitchen for more snacks for my guests. More cardio to work off the intake. Then home to redd up, straighten up, and get all in readiness.

Then maybe a nap?

All I can say now is, Go Giants.

And watch this space for all things Super Bowl tomorrow . . .

Ahh, the Suspense . . .

Or not. What's up with so many of the Super Bowl commercials being posted on line? Aren't they usually a more closely guarded secret than the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa? Every time I open Facebook or turn on the news, there's another one either released or leaked or at least being teased.

Well, I for one refuse to watch. I want to see the Clydesdales, scantily clad women drinking beer, and Jerry Seinfeld in their full glory, keeping us entertained during play reviews, time outs, and between quarters. Halftime, of course, is reserved for preparing, serving, and consuming (more) food and beverages (no offense, Madonna. Well, maybe a little . . .).

If the commercials have all been seen before the big game, why doesn't somebody just post the final score in advance? Then the only thing creating suspense is seeing when and how Kelly Clarkson bungles the lyrics to the national anthem.