Well, they were the most kind words I could muster for a playoff opponent, lol. Now that you're back on the "right" side of the rooting fence, I look foward to revelling with you here as the Steelers dismantle the Ravens on the way to SB No. 6.

I'm not sure what you felt Tomlin did that was "unsportsmanlike" though. In reading the subsequent posts, you seem to focus on the pass by Leftwich deep to Limas Sweed towards the end, but you might have forgotten that at that point, the Chargers only trailed by 11 pts, had just made that 62 yd TD, and there was still 3 minutes left in the game. While you may have felt it was a done deal for the Chargers, it was 3rd and 7 from their own 34. There was still plenty of time for the Chargers to score, and try an onsides kick and last ditch effort. I don't think it was out of line at all. In fact, I think it was a pretty smart play.

Especially when you consider Sproles is the punt returner, going for a long bomb dagger in the heart that would get the first down to seal it, or get intercepted and serve as a punt that a dangerous Sproles himself wouldn't get the chance to return. It would be better than risking short pass in their own territory or a run that SD would expect and they'd have little chance of converting. You may look at it as piling on, but I think it was anything but. I think it was simply a low risk option to trying to get the needed 1st down to end any chance SD had.

I think Tomlin is all business and all class as far as he has performed in his 2 years. I think the fake punt was a bit of a bonehead call, but in a sense it challenged the defense to back him up on the chance he took, so even though SD got the field goal, it turned out OK. I would have rathered he try to pin them deep with a corner punt inside the 10 yd line.

I also don't have much tolerance for the bird-flipping. I have no problem with fan rivalry and good natured banter but there's no reason for it to go low-class. Unfortunately, it's become prolific in our society as a whole. No excuses, but I hope it was a function of some over-brandied-up fans simply overdoing it in an effort to stay warm, and losing their self control in the process.

As for your closing remark, that shows you that you and I, having the sense to move to the Southwest, are enjoying the best of both worlds (you, perhaps a bit more than me with the Pacific so close). 80 degrees in January sure beats 15 degrees and snow! lol.