Like NFL FOOTBALL TOMORROW NIGHT !!
So get those little Pigs in a Blanket Ready ! Along with the Chips and Salsa and a Case of your Fav. Beer.....
The NFL preseason will kick off in traditional fashion on Sunday night, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints do battle in the annual Hall of Fame from Canton, OH.
The game will mark the Steelers sideline debut for head coach Mike Tomlin, the former Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator who takes over for the departed Bill Cowher. Tomlin, in keeping with early preseason tradition, is not expected to play his starters for any great length of time. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely to appear briefly, but running back Willie Parker (knee) is among the offensive standouts expected to be held out. On defense, linebackers James Harrison (ribs) and Lawrence Timmons (groin) are unlikely to appear.
The Steelers come off an 8-8 season that was preceded by the team's first Super Bowl title in 26 years.
The Saints, meanwhile, will be in uniform for the first time since their 39-14 loss to the Bears in last year's NFC Championship.
New Orleans' main directive in preparing for the season is sculpting its defensive lineup, which has been enhanced through the free agent addition of linebackers Brian Simmons (ex-Bengals), Dhani Jones (ex-Eagles), cornerback Jason David (ex-Colts), safety Kevin Kaesviharn (ex-Bengals), and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (ex-Cardinals).
Offensively, Payton and his staff should be able to get an extended look at first-round draft choice and wide receiver Robert Meachem (Tennessee), who is being counted on to fill the gap left by departed wideout Joe Horn (now with the Falcons).
Defensive tackle Brian Young (foot) is among the prominent New Orleans players who will not be in uniform on Sunday night.
The Steelers lead the all-time preseason series with the Saints, 7-3, but were 26-0 road losers in the last such meeting, prior to the 1992 campaign.
Pittsburgh defeated New Orleans, 38-31, when the teams met at Heinz Field in Week 10 of last season.
The annual Hall of Fame game is played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, a Canton city high school facility which seats 22,375 and can accommodate up to 1,500 in standing room. It is located directly across the street from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first game of the series was played in 1962, a year before the Hall was opened. Except for 1966, there has been a Hall of Fame game in Canton every year since.
The Steelers have a 2-2 record in Hall of Fame Games, including a 30-6 loss to Tampa Bay when they last played in Canton, in 1998. Pittsburgh's most recent Hall of Fame Game win was a 27-14 triumph over New Orleans in 1983.
The Saints are 1-2 in their three Hall of Fame Game appearances, last appearing when they lost, 10-3, to the Colts in 1996. New Orleans' lone Hall of Fame Game win came in 1970, when they defeated the Vikings.
BOL ! :thumbsup:
So get those little Pigs in a Blanket Ready ! Along with the Chips and Salsa and a Case of your Fav. Beer.....
The NFL preseason will kick off in traditional fashion on Sunday night, when the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints do battle in the annual Hall of Fame from Canton, OH.
The game will mark the Steelers sideline debut for head coach Mike Tomlin, the former Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator who takes over for the departed Bill Cowher. Tomlin, in keeping with early preseason tradition, is not expected to play his starters for any great length of time. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is likely to appear briefly, but running back Willie Parker (knee) is among the offensive standouts expected to be held out. On defense, linebackers James Harrison (ribs) and Lawrence Timmons (groin) are unlikely to appear.
The Steelers come off an 8-8 season that was preceded by the team's first Super Bowl title in 26 years.
The Saints, meanwhile, will be in uniform for the first time since their 39-14 loss to the Bears in last year's NFC Championship.
New Orleans' main directive in preparing for the season is sculpting its defensive lineup, which has been enhanced through the free agent addition of linebackers Brian Simmons (ex-Bengals), Dhani Jones (ex-Eagles), cornerback Jason David (ex-Colts), safety Kevin Kaesviharn (ex-Bengals), and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy (ex-Cardinals).
Offensively, Payton and his staff should be able to get an extended look at first-round draft choice and wide receiver Robert Meachem (Tennessee), who is being counted on to fill the gap left by departed wideout Joe Horn (now with the Falcons).
Defensive tackle Brian Young (foot) is among the prominent New Orleans players who will not be in uniform on Sunday night.
The Steelers lead the all-time preseason series with the Saints, 7-3, but were 26-0 road losers in the last such meeting, prior to the 1992 campaign.
Pittsburgh defeated New Orleans, 38-31, when the teams met at Heinz Field in Week 10 of last season.
The annual Hall of Fame game is played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, a Canton city high school facility which seats 22,375 and can accommodate up to 1,500 in standing room. It is located directly across the street from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first game of the series was played in 1962, a year before the Hall was opened. Except for 1966, there has been a Hall of Fame game in Canton every year since.
The Steelers have a 2-2 record in Hall of Fame Games, including a 30-6 loss to Tampa Bay when they last played in Canton, in 1998. Pittsburgh's most recent Hall of Fame Game win was a 27-14 triumph over New Orleans in 1983.
The Saints are 1-2 in their three Hall of Fame Game appearances, last appearing when they lost, 10-3, to the Colts in 1996. New Orleans' lone Hall of Fame Game win came in 1970, when they defeated the Vikings.
BOL ! :thumbsup:
