Best of the Web: The Top 20 Links of the Week
I always say this is a great edition of Best of the Web, and usually that's at least 30% true. But this week, we've got some real specials lined up. The team known for Spygate accusing the Steelers of dirty play? The recipe for The Roethlisburger? Debating the intelligence of Troy Polamalu? Yes, we've got all that, plus Max Talbot handing out turkeys, the Pirates' #1 free-agent target, a Bill Guerin update, and much, much more.
Will future opponents copy the Patriots' blueprint of beating the Steelers? Sure, as long as they're able to trade for Tom Brady before the game. [PG]
Troy Polamalu was recently voted as the third-smartest player in the NFL, in a poll of 282 players. I would give this more credibility, but the fact that Troy was tied with two Ravens sorta invalidates it for me. [Ravens Insider]
Roman barkeep Giovanni Poggi, who famously operates a Steeler-friendly bar in Italy, was recently given an official proclamation by Pittsburgh City Council. Please tell me Franco and his Italian Army were there. [Blog 'n' Gold]
If you ever wanted to replicate The Roethlisburger sandwich at home, here's the blueprint. As for me, I'll be busy building a Larry Foote-long. Get it? Foote? Long? [BostonHerald.com]
Who's up for a Canucks fan getting tossed from the CEC? Me, me!
Maxime Talbot, Brooks Orpik, Alex Goligoski, Paul Martin and Deryk Engelland recently handed out turkeys and other food items to Hill District families, in keeping with a tradition now four years old. If Talbot isn't one of the most beloved Pittsburgh players of all time the day he leaves town, I'll be shell-shocked. [PittsburghPenguins.com]
Could Bill Guerin be Montreal-bound? I don't know, but maybe the fact that he's still sitting on the open market in November might be a good indicator that it's time to hang 'em up. [The Hockey News]
So Justin Bieber owns a Flyers jersey? Goes well with the Yankees hat he's wearing in the picture. [Puck Daddy]
LHP Jorge De la Rosa is the Pirates' top target in free agency, according to the Trib's Rob Biertempfel. De la Rosa could command $11 million per year, which I believe is higher than the entire 2010 Pirates payroll. [Bucco Blog]
Sounds like there may be a Chan Ho Park-Pittsburgh Pirates reunion in 2011. Consider my replica jersey purchased. [PittsburghPirates.com]
Here's a good analysis of the controversial Dejan Kovacevic NL Rookie of the Year ballot, one that was Jason Heyward-free and the only one to include Pirates. Maybe it's just that all the other voters were biased in not voting for Pirates? [SB Nation Pittsburgh]
Usually the Baltimore Orioles' hiring of a bench coach doesn't make the news in Pittsburgh, but when that coach is the electric John Russell, well, that's a different story. So now he's working for the guy rumored to replace him in Pittsburgh at one point? Hope he doesn't have an ego. [By Gosh, It's Langosch]
Sure, Mike Vick is having a great season in Philly. But it wasn't so long ago that he was participating in Pros vs. Joes, an act usually saved for the Kordell Stewarts of the world. [Deadspin]
Washington Redskins threatening struggling players with contract extensions? I wouldn't be surprised. This team is so predictably unpredictable, they have me believing a fake news story. [Sports Pickle]
This list of the five most disappointing college football players this season has a distinct, local feel, with Dion Lewis, Terrelle Pryor, and Evan Royster among the honorees. Congratulations, guys. [The Big Lead]
Tiger Woods is on Twitter, people. Plan your lives accordingly. [Twitter]
Mike and Molly, the CBS sitcom starring Pittsburgh's Billy Gardell, is up for a People's Choice award in the category of best new TV comedy. I'm not going to tell you to vote simply because he's from our city, but I'm going to highly suggest it. [Peopleschoice.com]
Pittsburgh was named as America's 10th-dirtiest city in a study based on air quality by the American Lung Association. Surely, we can do better than that. We've got top-five pedigree. [MH]
On a happier note, the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide was recently released, and there was only one addition in the United States: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, which has one of the country's 54 five-star hotels and one of the country's 21 five-star restaurants. I can only wish Joe Hardy could do for the Pirates what he did for Nemacolin. [Rum Bunter]
