Tree of Life

30 Apr

Tyler Boyd to Bengals

published in category: College Sports on Saturday, April 30th, 2016 – 7:40 pm


Posted in College Sports

 

29 Apr

Pirates-Reds

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, April 29th, 2016 – 2:25 pm

PIA Pittsburgh Presents Pirates-Reds Series Preview with Josh Taylor, Bucs offense looks to stay hot. The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics presents the Pirates Pre-Game Show, PIA’s Open house event coming up on May 14th at 10am.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the extensions of the entire coaching staff through the
2017 season. The announcement was made by Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager
Neal Huntington.
“We are very pleased to maintain the continuity and quality of our Major League Coaching Staff
through at least the 2017 season,” said Huntington. “This is a group of quality, talented baseball men
who make our organization better each day.”
Jeff Branson has been the Hitting Coach since 2014 after serving as the Assistant Hitting Coach
in 2013.
Brad Fischer joined the Major League coaching staff in 2015.
Dave Jauss has been a Major League coach with the Pirates since 2013 and is serving as the
Bench Coach this season.
Nick Leyva is in his second season as the First Base Coach after serving the Pirates as their Third
Base Coach for four seasons (2011-2014).
Jeff Livesey has been the Assistant Hitting Coach since 2014.
Euclides Rojas is in his sixth season as Pittsburgh’s Bullpen Coach, having joined the staff in 2011.
Ray Searage has been the Pitching Coach since 2011. He served as the Interim Pitching Coach
during the 2010 season.
Rick Sofield is in his second season as the Third Base Coach after serving the Pirates as their First
Base Coach for two years (2013-2014).
Heberto Andrade is in his 13th season as the club’s Bullpen Catcher, having joined the Pirates
coaching staff in 2004.

Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

29 Apr

Steelers Draft Artie Burns

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, April 29th, 2016 – 1:39 pm

Steelers Draft Artie Burns, corner from Miami in first round. Pens lose in OT to Caps. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM SPANOS GROUP OF RAYMOND JAMES. RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED AS THE FACE OF FINANCIAL GUIDANCE IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE.

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Steelers Select Artie Burns from Miami, Gary Berman from CaneSport.com joins Ken Laird, Tim Benz and Josh Taylor to give us the inside info on the cornerback.

Artie Burns
Cornerback
Miami (Fla.)
6-0, 197
Miami, Fla.
Northwestern High School
1st Round – 25th Overall

CAREER NOTES
Started 23-of-36 games for the Miami Hurricanes, recording 93 tackles, to go along with seven interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…majored in liberal arts.

2015 SEASON
Earned All-ACC second-team honors…led the ACC with six interceptions, the most by a Hurricane since 2003 (Sean Taylor, 10)…started all 12 games in which he played finishing with 36 tackles, five pass breakups, one fumble recovery and six interceptions…his six interceptions tied as the 10th-most in a single-season in school history…opened the year with an interception in three consecutive games…became first Hurricane since Sean Taylor to record at least one interception in three straight games…recorded his first multi-interception game of career 10/17 vs. Virginia Tech.

2014 SEASON
Amassed a career-best 40 tackles, appearing in 13 games (11 starts)…set a career high with six tackles 9/20 vs. Nebraska…recorded his first career sack, and he was credited with a game-high three pass breakups 10/11 vs. Cincinnati.

2013 SEASON
Played in 11-of-13 games, splitting time on defense and special teams…recorded 17 tackles with three pass breakups…averaged 26.1 yards on 10 kickoff returns…hauled in his first career interception 11/29 at Pittsburgh…added two solo tackles and one forced fumble in the Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Louisville.

HIGH SCHOOL
Registered 72 tackles, 4.0 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, and he had two kickoff returns for touchdowns at Northwestern High School (Miami, Fla.)…was also one of the nation’s top hurdlers, as he earned All-USA high school track and field honors from the USA Today in 2011 and 2012.

Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

29 Apr

Caps lead series 1-0

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, April 29th, 2016 – 1:29 pm

Penguins Beat Writers Jonathan Bombulie and Bill West join Ken Laird, Tim Benz and Josh Taylor live from DC. Sponsored by Goodrich & Geist who are lifelong Pens fans and are hoping for a long Pens playoff run.

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Guy Junker live from DC on Pens OT loss. Sheary hit was intentional, refs letting too much go. Pens Injury Report brought by Goodrich and Geist, lifelong Pens fans and are hoping for a long Pens playoff run.

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Rob Rossi on the Pens OT loss to the Caps, NHL and refs need to make sure the series does not get ugly. This series does not start until one team wins a road game.

Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

29 Apr

Steelers Mock Draft 3.0, Days Two and Three: “Will the Madness Continue?” by Josh Taylor

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, April 29th, 2016 – 1:51 am

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As the first round of the NFL Draft is now in the books, we can confirm that chaos did indeed reign Thursday night: trades were aplenty, Ole Miss offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil may have had the most surreal draft experience imaginable, and the highly-favored pick for the Steelers, Houston cornerback William Jackson III, survived the first 23 picks of the draft before the Cincinnati Bengals snagged him at 24th.

That brings us to the 25th pick, where the Steelers picked Miami cornerback Artie Burns, the guy I expected them to pick in the second round. Meanwhile, the player I originally mocked to the Steelers, West Virginia safety Karl Joseph, was taken by the Oakland Raiders with the 14th pick.

Like I said, total chaos.

So now that I’m already 0-for-2 with my final mock, here are the rest of my predictions for the final six rounds and post-draft free agents.

2nd round, 58th overall: Artie Burns — Technically I got this one half-right for picking Burns a round late (just like I did last year with Sammie Coates), but I was surprised to see him go so high Thursday night. He’s a shade below six feet tall and has long arms that will help him in press coverage. The 4.46 40-yard dash time at the combine helps him, especially considering he was an All-American and All-ACC hurdler for the Hurricanes. The film shows that he’s aggressive in press coverage and he can make a play on the ball in the air, but he had his share of undisciplined moments and penalties. He will take some work to become NFL starter-ready, but the potential is there to become an impact player on this still-evolving Steelers defense.

NOTE: With Burns already gone, this opens up the possibility for Boise State safety Darian Thompson with this pick. Keep an eye out for him if he’s still on the board as we approach the 20s in this round.

3rd round, 89th overall: Javon Hargrave, Defensive Lineman, South Carolina State — He’s a sleeper for two reasons: playing on the FCS level (35 sacks, 62.5 tackles for loss in his career) and his size (6-foot-1, 309 lbs.). But he’s athletic enough as a penetrator and strong enough (29 bench press reps) to become the long-term solution the Steelers need as an odd-front nose tackle and an even front pass rusher to rotate with Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt in sub packages. Defensive line coach John Mitchell should love his quick burst and help him develop more polished pass rushing moves.

4th round, 123rd overall: Yannick Ngakoue, Outside Linebacker, Maryland — He’s a project with less than desirable height (6-foot-2), but he has some quickness and some pass rush moves in his repertoire that can be improved. He finished tied for second in the country last season with 13.5 sacks and also recorded 45 quarterback pressures. He might have been playing a little out of his element in college, but with time he can evolve into a dangerous outside rusher in the sub package.

6th round, 220th overall: Rees Odhiambo, Offensive Lineman, Boise State — Strong and athletic enough to be a flex lineman between guard and tackle, but past injuries may have hurt his draft position. He’s strong enough with his punch and quick enough with his feet to play in either a gap or zone blocking scheme, and just versatile enough to be made even better under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Mike Munchak. He’s probably better served as a right guard or tackle long-term, but he’s potentially a good option for a sixth or seventh lineman as a rookie.

7th round, 229th overall: Ken Crawley, Cornerback, Colorado — Like Burns, he’s got the size and the speed needed for a pro corner, but he needs even more work. He impressed scouts at times in the East-West Shrine Game, but he’s susceptible to giving up big plays and pass interference penalties. He’s more of a depth guy and maybe a special teams contributor early on, but whether or not he can stay on a roster is up to him and how hard he works to get better.

7th round, 246th overall: Elandon Roberts, Inside Linebacker, Houston — He said in a recent radio interview, “When I retire, I’m hoping to be on top of Ray Lewis,” which may or may not endear him to Steelers fans, but his confidence and leadership abilities are unmistakable. Head coach Tom Herman called Roberts one of the best leaders he’s ever been around and praised his work ethic as a team captain. He’s a ball-chaser who led all of FBS with 88 solo tackles this season, but he’s very limited in pass coverage with below average hands. He ran a 4.6 in the 40 at his pro day, but what he has in straight-line speed he lacks in mobility and ability to change direction. Even if he never emerges as a regular player on a defense, he could step in immediately as a impact special teamer and a potential captain on that unit.

Undrafted Free Agents:
Michael Caputo, Safety, Wisconsin
Quinton Jefferson, Defensive Line, Maryland
Chris King, Wide Receiver, Duquesne
David Morgan II, Tight End, Texas-San Antonio
Ryan Smith, Cornerback, North Carolina Central

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Apr

Tyler Boyd in Draft

published in category: College Sports on Thursday, April 28th, 2016 – 2:19 pm


Posted in College Sports

 

28 Apr

Game 1

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, April 28th, 2016 – 1:39 pm

Tim Benz previews the series with Nick Bonino and the Pens Injury Report with the latest on Marc-Andre Fleury from practice. Sponsored by Goodrich & Geist are lifelong Pens fans and are hoping for a long Pens playoff run.

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Guy Junker checks in live from Washington with Ken Laird and Tim Benz to preview Game 1 of Pens vs. Caps.

What will you watch tonight? Pens vs Caps Game 1 or the NFL Draft? Pirates win again, going for the sweep. Steelers, Pens and Pirates all have great offenses? BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM SPANOS GROUP OF RAYMOND JAMES. RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED AS THE FACE OF FINANCIAL GUIDANCE IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE.

Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

28 Apr

Steelers Mock Draft 3.0, Day One: “Chaos Theory,” by Josh Taylor

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, April 28th, 2016 – 10:32 am

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The NFL Draft has finally arrived, which mean’s pro football’s “Silly Season” will officially come to an end tonight (or at least until the first way too early mock draft comes out during next season). But before that happens, let’s take one last crack at it now that the final meetings and private visits are over.

The conclusion I’ve come to at the end of this draft process is the Steelers have the highest interest in these three players with the 25th overall pick, based on the amount of exposure and face-to-face contact the team has had with all of the prospects they’ve scouted:

1) Houston cornerback William Jackson III

2) Baylor defensive tackle Andrew Billings

3) West Virginia safety Karl Joseph

The trick of it is, there’s a strong possibility the first two could be gone by the time the Steelers make their pick.

At least four teams — beginning with New Orleans, Oakland, Tennessee and Cincinnati — could potentially select a cornerback before the Steelers do in the first round, and that’s not counting any possible trades, including the Cleveland Browns with the eighth overall pick. Any of those scenarios may force Pittsburgh’s hand to go yet another draft without a first-round selection at the cornerback position.

There are six teams with first round picks that I think could affect what happens when the Steelers are finally on the clock: San Francisco (seventh), Cleveland (eighth), Tennessee (15th), New York Jets (20th), and Washington (21st) and Cincinnati (24th).

There are some that believe that Mackensie Alexander (Clemson), Eli Apple (Ohio State) and Artie Burns (Miami) are good alternatives at cornerback should Jackson already be gone. But some analysts have soured on Apple’s ability to support the run and thereby questioned as a viable early starter, and Burns is considered by some to be “fast and athletic, but too raw.” Others are put off by Alexander’s lack of production during his final season (i.e. zero interceptions), although head coach Mike Tomlin dismissed the notion of letting production outweigh what coaches see on game film during the Steelers’ pre-draft press conference.

I know what you’re thinking while you’re reading this: He’s stalling. And you’re right. The truth is I have no idea what’s going to happen.

There are two scenarios flashing back and forth in my head. One is where the board breaks exactly the Steelers way and they bring back the corner they (and seemingly more and more of the fanbase) wants in Jackson. The other is where another team wants him just as much, takes him in the top 15 picks, and then Billings goes within the top 20, leaving Joseph (or one of the aforementioned cornerback alternatives) remaining at 25th.

The latter scenario is getting more and more airtime in my cerebral cortex. In which case, I will assume chaos reigns and the Steelers choose Joseph, who could be a starter by mid-season. He’s in the homestretch of rehabbing from an ACL injury, but Joseph is the perfect combination of physicality, athleticism, production and maturity that they’re looking for at the strong safety position.

If my chaos theory does indeed happen, I expect the Steelers to conservatively use their top pick to choose the safety option that’s more of a long-term sure thing than a cornerback (Alexander, Apple, Burns) that might only sound better in the short term. And if we’ve learned anything about the Steelers draft history in the first round, they like to go with the sure option that they know more about.

But then again, what do I know? I’m expecting total chaos.

(Stay tuned for the Day 2 portion of my Mock Draft 3.0 after the conclusion of Round 1 Thursday night.)

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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