Don't underestimate the Steelers. They're better than you think

I tuned into NFL Live a few days ago and heard one of the reporters, who's name will remain unspoken, completely dog the Pittsburgh Steelers. This made me realize that the team I consider the runner up for "America's Team" has already been written before training camp has even started. There is no way the Steelers are a six win team and I show you a few reasons why.

We know the Ravens' biggest rival has taken a few crucial roster hits on the offensive side. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suspension, Willie Colon's injury and the Santonio Holmes trade will create a serious handicap for the offense. Three of the best players on that side of the field in the 2009 season will not be on the field for a significant part if not the whole season. The Steelers are going to have a hard time replacing Colon for the season and Roethlisberger's 4th quarter magic is virtually irreplaceable but replacing Holmes with second year wide receiver Mike Wallace is sensible and eminent especially if a coach is judging his ability to make plays by how he performed last season. He showed the quickness and playmaking ability that is necessary to become another piece to a passing game that already features Hines Ward and Heath Miller.

Beyond those setbacks, the Steelers are looking just as strong if not stronger than they were last season particularly on the defensive side. The almighty Troy Polomalu is returning from an injury. Yes Ravens fans, I am sorry to disappoint you but the dream killer of the 2009 AFC Championship game can be expected to return in full form and uplift a Steelers secondary that was at times last season uncharacteristically caught off guard.  His return in addition to the constantly disruptive pass rush mostly drawn up by Dick Lebeau and brought about by linebackers James Harrison and Lamarr Wooodley will be responsible for this defense returning to its dominant form.

Do you remember week 12 of the 2009 season when the Ravens played the Steelers on Monday Night Football? Running back Willie Parker was of little impact, Roethlisberger and Troy Polomalu were holding down the sidelines and Dennis Dixon was the starting quarterback. Well what was the result of that game? Flacco was still sacked four times and the game became a serious overtime thriller even though everyone was expecting the Ravens to blow out that Steelers team.

The lesson here is we cannot underestimate any team in the NFL regardless of how bad they look on paper especially not the Steelers. Time and time again Ravens and Steelers teams that look unevenly matched have squared up on the field and left fans on the edge of their seats clueless as to who the victor will be. We can expect this again this season as long as both team carry the reputation as hard hitting don't bend don't break groups.

Beyonce painting done on an iPad!

There is a screenshot going around the internet of a Beyonce painting done exclusively on an iPad. This amazing picture was done by a U.K artist named Kyle Lambert. Above is the featured painting. Amazing isn't it?

You want Ravens football, I know! Just give it a few more weeks.

That's right folks, it's July which means we only have a few more weeks until training camp starts in Westminster, MD on July 27.

In the meantime, the players are on vacation and the organization is still working on signing rookies and evaluating ways to make the team better. There are just two more rookies,second round picks Sergio Kindle and Terrance Cody, working on deals before training camp in an attempt to avoid a holdout. Both players have assured that they do not want their contract situations to come to the extreme that is a holdout.

Lil' Wayne feat. Gucci Mane- Steady Mobbin (Official Video)

Lil Wayne and Gucci Mane add a visual for the song that has hit the radio scene hard in the past few months. The video is like an episode of MTV Cribs. Lil Wayne is parading around a place called "The Carter", donning a red shirt that reads @liltunechi (his twitter profile name), rapping, pointing at things, flicking ashes in his grammy and riding an elevator. Its pretty nonsensical but Wayne fans are force feeding themselves with any new material they can get even if it is a halfa**ed video shot months ago.

Gucci Mane is also seen in the video but does nothing worth mentioning (can you smell my apathy for Gucci Mane)

Nicki Minaj tops the rap charts for the first time as a single artist

Nicki Minaj's urge for that special man's love has led to her song "Your Love" topping the Billboard Rap Charts this week. Minaj combines some auto-tune singing (ugh I know) and her trademark rap style to create a tune fans across the nation appreciate.

Minaj is the first female rapper to top the rap charts since Lil' Kim joined forces with 50 Cent to drop "Magic Stick". Congratulations to Nicki on her success, the whole barbie fad she popularized is really starting to pay off for her in the record books. She replaced labelmate Drake at the top of the list.

T.I keeps it coming. Wants to know if you "hear" him.

Another solid track from T.I's upcoming album, "Ya Hear Me", hits the internet. He comes at the track with an aggression that has become a norm for him. It is a nice addition to an album that already seems to be shaping into something epic. Listen above

Kanye West- Live fast and Die young

Rick Ross f. Kanye West - Live Fast, Die Young | New Hip Hop Music & All The New Rap Songs 2010

Coincidentally West and Ross have a common topic they often rap about, living fast and dying young. Both rappers' music almost always have a materialistic theme but here they expand upon that theme and let their raps mend with the beat and the sung chorus.

I may stand alone on this notion but hearing these two work together comes as a pleasant surprise to me. Kanye West always seems to bring out the best in Rick Ross as if they are battling especially when they going toe-to-toe on a song like this. Needless to say, I am fan of this track but don't expect anything as monumental as "Power". This song has a different vibe.

This track will be found on Rick Ross' upcoming album "Teflon Don".

Click link above to listen.

Big Boi- Follow Us featuring Vonnegutt

Big Boi and his singing conrad Vonnegutt rocks shows and ride in a nice ride in this video for "Follow Us", track off of Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. The song sounds like the rappers attempt at a pop record but it fails to match the magic some of the other songs on the album do. The standards for Big Boi were set high when Shutterbugg and Fo' My Sorrows hit the web so this song not faring well in comparison to other songs on the album is not necessarily a bad thing.

Don't forget you can listen to his whole album track by track on myspace.com/bigboi