GREAT LAST MINUTE PITTSBURGH STEELERS GIFT

Jack Fact Graphics offers a number of great products inspired by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The latest offering is a great Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback jersey ornament.  Christmas is just around the corner, but It is not too late to get one of these ornaments as a gift for that die-hard fan, armchair quarterback, or slouch on the couch.

The jersey ornament can be personalized with your name on the back, along with a favorite number.

Personalized Pittsburgh Armchair QB Ornament
by JackFact

Like I was saying, these jersey ornaments can be personalized with your name on the back, along with a favorite number.

Personalized Pittsburgh Armchair QB Ornament
by JackFact

CHARLIE BATCH NOT TOO OLD AFTERALL

What can you say?  Hats off to Charlie Batch.  He led the Pittsburgh Steelers in a surprising 23-20 upset of the Ravens, in a game that effectively blurred the AFC playoff picture.  At the very least, the 9-3 Ravens missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot, while the Steelers firmed up their position to secure a  wild-card spot at 7-5.

Too old?  Uncle Charlie of Homestead is not quite ready for the rocking chair (or armchair) after all.

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Mesh Hat
by JackFact

FEELIN' A LITTLE OUTERBANXIOUS IN WEEK 13

It 's week 13 in the NFL and I'm bummed that Big Ben has been ruled out for Sundays' game against Baltimore.  Call it wishful thinking, especially given Ben's propensity for exaggerating the severity of some of his injuries, but I was hoping that he would see some playing time this week against Pittsburgh's hated AFC North rival.

In a year where the Pittsburgh Steelers are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, an early return by Roethlisberger's would have been the Christmas miracle of 2012.  Especially THIS week.  Instead, Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterbacks and fans of the Black & Gold will be watching Uncle Charlie and the Fumbling Wilburys instead. 

I'm going to watch the train wreck in Baltimore, that is a given.  Still, with unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend, I'm gonna be feelin' a little Outerbanxious too.  (Had a great vacation in the Outer Banks this summer...). 

Feelin a little OBX Tshirts
by JackFact

Feelin a little OBX Tshirts
by JackFact

PITTSBURGH STEELERS INSPIRED CLOCKS

The following is a selection of unique clocks inspired by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Two in particular pay tribute to the Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback:

Football Sports Jersey with Name and Number Wallclocks
by MyRazzleDazzle

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Wall Clock
by JackFact

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Wall Clock
by JackFact

Pittsburgh Vintage Label Clock
by TurnRight

412 clock
by TommarelloGraphics

TERRIBLE TOWEL INSPIRED SHIRTS AND MORE

The Terrible Towel has claimed its latest victim; the Cleveland Browns marketing department.  According to an article on NFL.com, the Browns have killed a promotion to hand out white flags to fans before today's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Cleveland Armchair Quarterbacks, as well as their more traditional fan base, complained that the white flags were symbolic of a surrender.  The team reconsidered, and in deference to the throng of Terrible Towel waving fans expected to be in attendance, scrapped the idea.  That at least is the official explanation.  The truth is the Browns were simply acting out of fear of evoking any mystical, mythical, Ghost-of-Myron-Cope repercussions.  

Obviously this is something Ray Rice and the Baltimore Ravens ought to consider looking ahead into next week.

In any event, celebrate this latest testament to the power of the towel!  There are a ton of items to choose from either at www.cafepress.com/fearthetowel or Zazzle.

FEAR THE TOWEL T-SHIRT
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL T-SHIRT
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL pin back button Pinback Buttons
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL MUGS
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL MUGS
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL POST CARD
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL T-SHIRT
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL HOODED PULLOVER
by JackFact

FEAR THE TOWEL Pittsburgh Football Plate
by JackFact

PLAXICO BURRESS AND THE TABLE IS ALMOST SET

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced the signing of WR Plaxico Burress and indicated that he will be suiting up against the Cleveland Browns Sunday.  He will also be wearing his old number 80, after practice squad TE Jamie McCoy agreed to give it up.  Publicly the move was made to offset the rash of injuries at the position, but there are some cynics out there that claim that it was done to placate Big Ben.  A little incentive (or concession to a set of preposterous conditions) for his speedy return.  Whatever the case, the addition of Plaxico will certainly help in the red zone.  

Make no mistake, all of Big Ben's dreams and wishes for a "tall wide receiver" have come true, but who will be tossing the $925,000 man those fades in the end zone?  It will initially be Charlie Batch for the first week, but then what?  Fear not.  Yesterday Tomlin also announced that Roethlisberger has been miraculously upgraded to "doubful" for Sunday.  Technically this means Big Ben has a 25% chance to play, and is quite the contrast from earlier projections that had him missing 6-8 weeks or more.  Another illustration that yes, there is a football God.

Time will tell how soon the obvious and seemingly insurmountable problems at the quarterback position will work themselves out, but safe to say that the table is set.

Thankful Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterbacks should start prepping for a playoff feast now, rather than later.

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Plate
by JackFact

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Coffee Mug
by JackFact

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Kitchen Towel
by JackFact

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Coffee Mug
by JackFact

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Fridge Magnets
by JackFact

PITTSBURGH STEELERS TO SIGN KAFKA OR HOVER

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be bringing in a host of free-agent quarterbacks for workouts, most notably Mike Kafka and Brian Hoyer.  Kafka played on the other side of the state for the Eagles.  He was a fourth-round pick by Philly in 2010.  Brian_Hoyer was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009, and was released in August.

Question is, when Charlie Batch goes down due to injury, who is most likely to be slinging the ball out to (the soon to be acquired) Plaxico Burress?

Lots of questions at this critical juncture in the season.  

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Tshirts
by JackFact

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh Tshirts
by JackFact

MIKE WALLACE THE DIFFERENCE IN LOSS TO RAVENS

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 on Sunday night.

Ordinarily this Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback recognizes that football is a team game, and that a single play,  player, or bad officiating shouldn't be pointed out as the reason for a loss.  Still, I'm going to make an exception for the Pittsburgh Steelers' $10,000,000 million dollar receiver; Mike Wallace.  

For get about the special teams gaffe, blame can be squarely put on Wallace.  For the last several weeks (seemingly every week this year) he seems to drop at least one very catchable ball. Goes with the territory, I guess.  Last night in a critically important divisional game, his lackluster performance was evident again.  These misdeeds are overlooked by otherwise solid play, but last night the Steelers needed the oft cited 110% from every man, woman and child.  The men came to play.  Mike Wallace?  Not so much.

No, they didn't get that kind of effort out of number 17.

He carelessly fumbled a would be first down in Pittsburgh territory, ultimately giving the Ravens 3 points and killing what momentum the Steelers had going at that point.  (If the defense hadn't been playing lights out, this could and most likely would have easily resulted in a touchdown).

Later, in a game where field position was critical and scoring opportunities scarce, he didn't get his feet in bounds on what would have been a Steelers touchdown.  The Steelers settled for a field goal, leaving 4 points on the field.  Lazy Mike Wallace did it again.

The real shot to the balls was that this game should have been won by the Pittsburgh Steelers.  They know it, the Baltimore Ravens know it, and most importantly Mike Wallace...

...well, here's hoping he knows it too.

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Football Dartboard
by JackFact

STEELERS GRAB & HOLD IN 24-20 WIN OVER GIANTS

I believe the New York Giants will be powerless (both figuratively, and on account of Hurricane Sandy, quite literally) to stop the Steelers passing attack.  I'm actually anticipating that Big Ben and Mike Wallace will connect on not one, not two, but three deep balls.  I'm predicting that two of those catches are going to go for TDs!  No, we won't be seeing a whole lot of the Dink-n-Dunk today, boys.  At least three catches by number 17, all over 20 yards each.  That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it.

Shoot, with all the holding that our O-Line gets away with, combined with the grabbing that our DBs do, I'm not really going out on a Frankenstorm spared limb here.  The only thing that might put a little damper on a Steelers pass-fest today at MetLife Stadium , would be if those statements made by DE Justin Tuck and WR Hakeem Nicks were really not true.  Really, where would we be without all that clutching and grabbing?

It won't be a smash-mouth game, more of a surgical "Nip and Tuck" (or Nicks and Tuck) affair.  Steel, this Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback predicts that the Steelers win, 24-20.

A win against the reigning World Champion Giants, on the road, in New York, would be pretty sweet and set the tone for the second half of the season.  Get ready for your second half on the couch or in the armchair by purchasing a Pittsburgh Steelers inspired shirt.

THE ARMCHAIR QB - Pittsburgh T Shirts
by JackFact

Smash Mouth Football Tshirt
by ronmag

Yinz in Stiller Country Tee Shirts
by FiadhaicRos

FEAR THE TOWEL T-SHIRT
by JackFact

Black and Gold Nation Tshirts
by ronmag

Pittsburgh Pigskin Company T Shirt
by fastcar151

Real Team, Real Fans... Shirts
by JackFact

jag_off_blk tee shirts
by greglem1

Pittsburgh Black and Gold Nation Shirt
by ronmag

Pittsburgh XLV NFL Football Champions T-Shirt
by pixibition

Iron City - Real Teams, Real Fans... T Shirt
by JackFact

Pittsburgh Steelers Sixburgh Shirt
by craigbehrin

Sixburgh BLING T-Shirt
by calroofer

Knockin' On Seven's Door Shirts
by fastcar151

NYC MARATHON FRANKENSTORM'S LATEST VICTIM

Hurricane Sandy, a.k.a., Frankenstorm, has claimed another victim, the ING NYC Marathon. The rumors have been confirmed.  The New York City Marathon has officially been cancelled.  Like a true politician, Mayor Michael Bloomberg flipped flopped from his position Friday, cowering to a growing cloud of criticism that this was no time to run the world's largest marathon, and nixed the event. He glanced up towards the grey November skies and proclaimed that he did not want "...a cloud to hang over the race or its participants." 

The last minute cancellation of the marathon now puts a singular focus on the game this Sunday between the World Champion New York Giants and the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers.  This NFL matchup was already the "must see" game of the week.  The mayor's actions have  guaranteed that it is now the only show in town.

If you're bummed that there isn't going to be any marathon, or find yourself in the city that never sleeps, with nowhere to run 26.2 miles on a Sunday, then check out Giants vs Steelers.  Either that, or get an unofficial, unsanctioned shirt to commemorate your non-event.  Better yet, get yourself a shirt commemorating that super storm that made it all possible; FRANKENSTORM. 

NYC 26.2 TEES
by sportee

NYC 26.2 TEES
by nautee

SEND THIS POSTCARD FROM THE IRON CITY

Any Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback, or Eagles fan who made the trip out to Heinz Field to witness Eagles vs Steelers, will want to send this unique postcard from the Iron City. If you're from the eastern part of the state and rooting for the birds, it would be great for sending along any post-game postmortems.  If on the other hand you bleed Black and Gold, let any unsuspecting travelers to the 'Burgh know that they've got to Fear The Towel.

FEAR THE TOWEL POST CARD
by JackFact

PITTSBURGH ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK iPHONE CASE

The Steelers inspired Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback iPhone case.  This form-fitting case is made by Case-Mate and protects your iPhone 5 from the perils of tailgating, watching the game, or anywhere your phone is subject to unnecessary roughness.

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback iPhone 5 Case 
by JackFact

UNIQUE PITTSBURGH STEELERS INSPIRED DARTBOARD

This is the perfect Pittsburgh football dartboard for your man cave, or wherever you need a little pregame or post-game distraction on game day, or any time you’re not glued to the TV. The dartboard features our armchair quarterback slouched in a chair watching the game with remote in hand. The object is to get a bullseye, or in this case (with a nod to Ernest Hemingway’s book on bullfighting, “Death in theAfternoon”) nailing our unsuspecting friend in his “cojones”.  Popular with Football Widows too.

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Football Dartboard
by JackFact

PITTSBURGH ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK WALL DECAL

I've been wanting to get a Pittsburgh Steelers FatHead of Jack Lambert or at least a generic Steelers one for my man cave, but didn't want to pluck down the shekels for the honor.  Both CafePress and Zazzle (in partnership with WALLS360) have an assortment of wall decals available as an alternative, and this one in particular is for all those Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterbacks out there.

Pittsburgh Football Wall Decal 
by JackFact

MIKE "60 MINUTES" WALLACE SET TO RETURN TO STEELERS

Well, it's about damn time!  Reports are starting to trickle in that Mike "60 Minutes" Wallace will be rejoining the Pittsburgh Steelers sometime this weekend.  This is BIG!  The return of RB Isaac Redman, LT Max Starks and firing of special teams coach Al Everest are certainly news worthy, but nothing gets this particular Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback wound up than the return of WR Mike Wallace.  My guess is that Big Ben is pretty excited too.  Granted it will be several weeks before he gets into the swing of things, and often times returning hold-outs are seemingly vulnerable to injury, but if you're a Steelers fan, you've got to be excited.

All I can say Mike, is I'm glad you got that wake up call.  It's about time, my brother...

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback - Large Wall Clock

BLOG FAILURE TURNS TO HAWKING HIS WARES

My attempts at spouting off about sports and stuff has been an abject failure. So, at least for the foreseeable future, I plan on hawking my Zazzle and CafePress wares here instead. Basically focusing on the "...Stuff".  I'm also changing the Look and Feel of this blog a bit in order to shake things up..

Today I'm posting a Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback plate.  This is perfect for tailgating at Heinz Field.  Not going to the game?  No problem, throw out that Pottery Barn crap and grace your table with a whole set of these fine dishes.  

Pittsburgh Armchair Quarterback Plate by JackFact