THE BLACK AND GOLD POST

For the past few months, football fans in 32 cities and all across this country have had these thoughts. Are we good enough? Did we overcome and correct the problems that plagued us last year? Are we strong enough?

Many fans (especially those who root for the raisins or the bungles) who are knowledgeable enough are quick to answer no, this is not the year. They know that their teams are not good enough or strong enough. They know that they have no chance of winning the big one. For Pittsburgh Steelers fans though, thoughts of "Is this the year?" are all encompassing. Some feel cheated by what happened last year against the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots. The majority have been able to put the past behind them and look to the future. And what a future it looks like.

A solid draft has brought us eventual starter Kendall Simmons and the play of QB turned WR Antwaan Randle El and late round pick Lee Mays has led to the departure of former first rounder Troy Edwards. Depth has been added on both sides of the ball and first and second year players such as Keydrick Vincent and Justin Kurpeikis have matured nicely and will only continue to get better.

It's natural to look ahead at the seemingly good things to come but it's also dangerous. The Mighty Steelers took a lot of teams by surprise last year. That won't happen this season. Most experts pick the Black 'n Gold to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl and in a division with the likes of Cleveland, Cincinnati and Baltimore, it may not look too tough. Don't be fooled.

This year's squad had better be prepared to come out each and every week and play hard, no nonsense football. There is no such thing as an easy game. There are 13 teams right now who would like nothing better than to take it to the Steelers when they play this year. Everyone in this organization have done everything possible to make sure these 13 teams don't let that happen. The time for talk and preparation is done. Come Monday in New England, it's for real. Is this the year ??? Answer that yourself come January.

Hard to believe it's only about a month away. I can almost taste the New Orleans Jambalaya and Crawfish Etouffee at Pat O'Briens not to mention a cold beer or Hurricane thrown in here and there. The complete trip package including flight and game tickets will be mailed out in a few days. If you haven't received yours by mid September call Jim Day at (410) 604-0750. See you on Bourbon St. Friday night with the rest of the Steelers Nation.

This edition of The Black and Gold Post will be the final one for those who have not renewed by way of the $5.00 subscription fee. If you're still interested in remaining on the mailing list through August of 2003, please send the $5.00 fee along with your correct address to:

Steve Chiurazzi
1247 Pekin Road
Pasadena, MD. 21122

Of course, newsletters will always be available at each of the 5 PSFCOB locations on game days as well as on-line at www.psfcob.com.

Any way you look at it, there's always a way to stay in touch with all the news of the PSFCOB.

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