AS THE BLACK-N-GOLD TURNS

Lots of questions surrounding every one's favorite Pittsburgh sports teams. Mrs. Black-N-Gold looks at a few queries regarding the Penguins, Pirates, and Steelers. So, without further adieu, she brings you the latest episode of "As the Black-N-Gold Turns".

1)The Pens not only lost to the New York Strangers on Tuesday, they were shutout 5-0 and looked horrible in the process. Keep in mind, it was the Strangers that came back to knock the Pens out of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. Are Pens fans pushing the panic button as this loss follows a 7-game winning streak? How will the Pens and rookie Coach Mike Johnston respond to such a defeat? Will they bounce back on Friday against Torono and exact some revenge versus the Strangers on Saturday?

2)To know one's surprise both C Russell Martin and LH Francisco Liriano rejected the Pirates qualifying offers (as did every other player in MLB that was given said offer). It seems to be a forgone conclusion that Martin is moving on to greener (and richer) pastures. But what of Liriano? Can the Pirates come up with an offer to Frankie's liking? What will the Pirates do with all that revenue money burning a hole in owner Bob Nutting's pocket? Do they have a replacement option at catcher besides Chris Stewart? Also, per CF Andrew McCutchen's request, can we please get an everyday first baseman?

3)Another road game against a downtrodden team, another loss for the Steelers. This week is no better as they travel to Tennessee to do battle with the 2-7 Titans. Will the Steelers ever learn to beat the NFL's bottom-feeders? Or will they, themselves, become one? How about the finger-pointing this week? QB Ben Roethlisberger said that LB James Harrison was not supposed to be on the field for that dreadful goal-line series against the Jets. Harrison said that's not so. S Mike Mitchell said that Coach Mike Tomlin wanted him to jump the victory formation-snap, ala Troy Polamalu. Coach Wil E Coyote said Mitchell's actions were "unproffessional". What goes on here?

Mrs. Black-N-Gold wishes she had the answers to these and many other questions. For instance, "What are tonight's winning lottery numbers?" or "Where do all the missing socks go in the dryer?". All she can do is, like you, watch the games and cheer on her favorite sports teams. Because if there's one thing I do know it's that I bleed Black-N-Gold, baby! Let's Go Bucs!!!!! Let's Go Pens!!! Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!