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| STEELERS | PIRATES | FORUM | PENGUINS | POLLS |
| Who got 2? Who need 2? By Bill Lauris Demoralized diehard Baltimore Raven fans have had enough. After going 9-7 in 2004 and spending a good deal of money to lure free agents their team appeared to be on the cusp of challanging for, at worst, another playoff run. Instead, the Ravens find themselves as at 2-7, largly because they are inept at the most important statistic --scoring points. Fans had high hopes. Not anymore! The Raven fan base has opted to show the franchise its displeasure in a rather bold way. Call it a protest, call it disgust, label it whatever you like, but Raven's season ticket holders are hell-bent on making a clear statement to the Ravens franchise. They are not happy. So, they're offering their seats for Sunday's game in such large numbers that experts are predicting that as many as 15,000 Steeler terrible towel waving fans are expected to be in attendance. Would you expect anything different? The Steeler nation is notorious for filling stadiums all across the US. Places as far away from Pittsburgh as Dallas and San Diego have experienced the phenomenon. So with Baltimore only a few hour's away it's a natural. What's more, a quick glance at Ebay shows that prices are affordable, heck there are so many seats being offered, some poor auctioneers haven't even gotten a bid yet. Competition to move their seat seems to be stiff. The situation is one that benefits the buyer, especially one ones who are willing to wait. Normally Baltimore experiences around 3,000 to 5,000 Steeler fans for their home games against the Black and Gold, but as game time nears on Sunday and Raven fans still holding on to seats prices could become ridiculously low. The Steelers Ravens rivalry on the field will most likely remain intense, as the players for each team have a genuine dislike for each other. The rivalry however has not spilled over to the fans this year. "If I went, I could only shake their hands and say, 'Yup, you're the better team,'" said one Raven fan. "This is crazy and disheartening. I hope [the Ravens] lose all their games and get the No. 1 pick in the draft so they can trade it for three offensive linemen." |