The ego of we Pittsburgh sports fans is covered by a fragile shell which has survived numerous attacks of late.

The most recent one scarred our collective psyche just as all of the others have. It's basically the same story -- only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

We remember the villains as if they committed their acts of robbery against our city just yesterday. Who could forget the Atlanta Braves' Francisco Cabrera, New York Islander David Volek and, now, San Diego Charger linebacker Dennis Gibson. For residents of other major metropolises, these names may not mean anything except the answers to a bar-room quiz game.

However, what was a magical moment of heroic proportions for Atlanta in 1992, New York in 1993 and San Diego earlier this month caused convulsions and severe eye-twitching for us Pirate, Penguin and Steeler diehards.

As many 'Burgh residents dry their tears from the latest chapter of potential victory knocked away from Barry Foster's fingertips, we must buck up and take a step back. I'm not saying we should forget these horrid memories, but instead, relish the seasons that were.

More importantly, let's look around at the other major cities whose teams have failed them. From the NFL, we need look no further than the winless Super Bowl cities of Minnesota, Denver and Buffalo, whose teams have seen the top of the mountain only to realize they have a fear of heights.

Many cities have several professional sports teams whose only recent memories of postseason experience revolve around near misses, could haves and should've beens. Philadelphia, Cleveland and Washington each have a couple of teams who are still looking to reach the pinnacle of their sports in the '90s.

We should reflect on what our three major teams have done since the final decade of the 20th century began.

Although the Pirates faced strike one, strike two and finally a tear-jerking strike three in the league championships, they did get there each time with great moments of division-clinching games and home-run waltzes which most cities would die for.

And the Steelers? Well, I heard some guys talking after the game in a Pittsburgh sports bar, saying this team isn't as tough as everyone said it was during the regular season. They weren't content with Cowher Power and Lloyd's intensity. Instead, talk of 'real men' like Lambert, Greene and Ham emerged.

Sorry to inject a dose of reality, but the '70s are over, and though I believe the 'fro can live on, the Steel Curtain defense has passed. It's time to relish the new crew of '60-minute men' whose intensity can be seen by hearing their words.

They love Cowher, they know they can win it all. All that's left to do is for us Pittsburghers to put on the black and gold and cheer like we've never cheered before. Don't go around thinking what could have been in Super Bowl XXIX if we were there.

Yoy, book your tickets for Phoenix, 'cause you'll need to prepare for the tailgating we'll be having as we go for the thumb in the 30th edition of the Super Bowl.