Tree of Life

10 Mar

Happy New Year, NFL 2016! by Ken Laird

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, March 10th, 2016 – 8:31 am

Wednesday was the official turn of the league’s fiscal calendar, and with free agency hitting there was as always big money was flying across the league.

In comparison to, say, pass rusher Olivier Vernon signing for $85 million in New York, the Steelers were minor players as usual as March Madness began. However, with five significant contracts already inked, Pittsburgh was fairly active by their own standards.

Here are my thoughts on their five deals agreed to so far. In all cases, thanks to the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson for the reported contract numbers (@AaronWilson_NFL on Twitter).

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TIGHT END LADARIUS GREEN, age 25
4 years, $20 Million total; $4.75M signing bonus; salaries of $1.25M, $5M, $4.5M, $4.5M

As Steelers GM Kevin Colbert told us on TribLIVE Radio a month ago, “If there’s a guy from the outside who makes sense, then we’ll plug him in. A few years back when we signed [safety] Mike Mitchell, we knew we had a hole at the free safety position with Ryan Clark moving on. We felt we wanted to plug in a veteran there. You go back in time, it was James Farrior, it was Jeff Hartings. Other than that, we’ve never been big players in free agency.”

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Well, this is a plug in for Heath Miller of course, and it’s a big free-agent deal by Pittsburgh standards. However, when compared to some of the recent tight end signings in the league, it’s a bargain:

Zach Ertz 5 years, $42 Million ($20M guaranteed) with Philadelphia
Travis Kelce 5 years, $46 Million ($20M guaranteed) with Kansas City
Dwayne Allen 4 years $29.4 Million ($16M guaranteed) with Indianapolis

With 37 catches for 429 yards and four touchdowns last year in San Diego over 13 games played, Green was more productive than Allen (16 – 109 – 1 in 13 games played) in the pass catching department. However, Green was a complimentary piece to Antonio Gates and he may well end up being that in Pittsburgh, too. He profiles as a big mismatch in the passing game, and less a true Heath Miller replacement in terms of a player who will never leave the field.

But, make no mistake, this is a biggie for Pittsburgh in free agency, and may shine some light on how the Steelers view the tight end crop in the upcoming NFL draft. Colbert has made clear, after all, he views this year to be a defensively-oriented draft.

I do like the Green signing in terms of the talent-value ratio, and combined with offensive threats Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Le’Veon Bell, and take-your-pick of Markus Wheaton or Sammie Coates, the Steelers offense looks deadly.

My only question is, could the $5M in average annual value have been better spent on defensive help? Specifically, on a cornerback?

Remember, Steelers President Art Rooney II said in January, “I think when you look at it statistically, we weren’t where we would like to be in pass defense. I would say that’s an area we know we want to improve in. We certainly made progress on defense and got better as the year went on. I think we all agree that we need to be better in general as a pass defense.”

Well, bringing William Gay back to right now pair with Ross Cockrell, Senquez Golson, Doran Grant, perhaps Cortez Allen (after a pay-cut), and a rookie-to-be-named (Eli Apple of Ohio State with the 25th pick?) won’t inspire a ton of confidence that Mr. Rooney’s edict was properly heard.

And no, $5 Million won’t get you an elite starting corner in this market, but it would get you halfway towards Sean Smtih, Prince Amukamara, or Casey Heyward.

Remember, the last three Super Bowl winning teams in the league have had at least one elite corner in their starting lineup: Aqib Talib and Chris Harris (Denver), Darrelle Revis (New England), Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner (Seattle).

The Steelers currently have Gay and a bunch of “hopes”. Pittsburgh will need Golson and/or Draft Player X to become Pittsburgh’s version of New England’s Malcolm Butler and emerge as a young, rising star. That could happen.

But the fear is that Lad Green is overkill for a Steelers passing offense that only has one ball to go around for Brown, Bell, and Bryant anyway? As @HoofDaddy so eloquently put it to me on Twitter, “I feel like we keep buying fancy new clothes but never go to the gym.”

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GUARD RAMON FOSTER, age 30
3 years, $9.6 Million total; $2.75M signing bonus; salaries of $1.5M, $2.67M, $2.67M

“Our big play is keeping our own.”

Kevin Colbert was right again.

I, on the other hand, was proven wrong again. I thought Foster was a goner.

This is a terrific deal for the Steelers, just a day after former Baltimore guard (and some tackle, to be fair) Kelechi Osemele set the market with a 5 year, $60 Million dollar deal in Oakland. I have to believe Foster at least could have made Richie Incognito-money (3 years, $15.75 Million with Buffalo) on the open market, but in Foster’s own words it wasn’t about chasing the money (yet for some reason it took until the opening day of free agency to get this done).

Not much to analyze here, just a sweet deal for Pittsburgh to be able to keep a true team leader and someone who already knows all the team’s schemes and tendencies. Last year, Foster was a rock who played over 1,200 snaps (playoffs included) and held the Steelers line together with Alejandro Villanueva entering on his left and Cody Wallace filling in on his right.

This is a steal.

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CORNERBACK WILLIAM GAY, age 31
3 years, $7.5 Million total; $1.9M signing bonus; salaries of $1.85M, $2M, $1.75M

Laird is proven wrong again. I thought Gay would command 3 years and $18 Million, maybe more. At best bargain, I thought 3 years and $15 Million.

Three and 7.5??!!

Wow, just wow. This is an absolute steal. Again, a significant hometown discount for a defensive captain and solid corner who has played in 144 consecutive regular season games, the longest active streak among NFL corners.

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SAFETY ROBERT GOLDEN, age 25
3 years, $5 Million total

Is Golden the new Will Allen or Will Allen be back, too? The Steelers will likely draft a young safety (Round 2 sounds right) to groom in the now ‘2016 Keith Butler Steelers Defensive Draft,’ but Golden signing on in another reasonable deal gives the team options. If Golden has to start, he’s proven to be capable.

Although he only logged 435 snaps with the defense, he did play 12 and 23 snaps with the main ‘D’ in the team’s two playoff games in addition to logging major time on special teams as one of their core teamers.

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WIDE RECEIVER DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, age 29
3 years, $3.8 Million total; $400K signing bonus; salaries of $1M, $1.2M, $1.2 M

A longer term than I expected, but in the end this could be just a one-year deal. DHB exceeded admittedly low expectations last year, racking up 461 snaps and showing true elite speed in filling in for Bryant when needed. Another core special teamer, DHB was a nice fit as a number-five receiver and the Steelers made him a priority re-sign.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 Mar

Steelers Free Agency

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, March 9th, 2016 – 12:08 pm

Steelers sign Ramon Foster to a three year contract. Steelers interested in free agent tight ends. NFL Free Agency-Bengals losing guys. Now that Steelers have signed Foster, Gay, Golden, who will they look at in NFL Draft?

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Steelers sign Ramon Foster and William Gay, Pens lose to Islanders, Pitt vs. Syracuse. Jag-Off of Week Voting. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM SPANOS GROUP OF RAYMOND JAMES. RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED AS THE FACE OF FINACIAL GUIDANCE IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE.

The Steelers have agreed to terms with offensive guard Ramon Foster on a new three-year contract. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Foster is entering his eighth NFL season with Pittsburgh after joining the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft.

Foster started all 16 regular-season and two postseason games in 2015. He has started 87-of-102 regular-season games in his NFL career and started each of his seven postseason contests.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

08 Mar

Artis is the key by Tim Benz

published in category: College Sports on Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 – 9:44 pm

Wednesday’s Pitt/Syracuse basketball contest isn’t a “winner take all” game. It could become a “loser loses everything” game though.

And sometimes those are even more tense to play (ask the Jets how that fourth quarter went up in Buffalo during week seventeen of the NFL’s regular season).

It’s likely that the winner of the noon tip will secure a bid to the NCAA tournament. It’s also possible the loser won’t be selected on Selection Sunday. And in Pitt’s case this game is a referendum on one guy. It’s up to one person to prevent a potential slip off of this oversized 2016 NCAA bubble.

This is the line where you thought you were going to read: Head Coach Jamie Dixon, right?

No. The referendum on Dixon is constant. It’s ongoing. It has been since Scottie Reynolds’ game winner went through the hoop in the 2009 Elite Eight. Getting into the tournament and losing in its first or second round (which will likely be Pitt’s eventual outcome) won’t alter many opinions on Dixon.

They shouldn’t. After all, that’s how things have gone for the most part since that fateful loss to the Wildcats in Boston.

Rather, this game is completely on the shoulders of one player: Jamel Artis.

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You may be thinking that I’m being unfair. You might be of the opinion that no college hoops player should be individually responsible for so much.

You’d be correct. You’d also be ignoring reality. Because as Jamel Artis goes…so goes Pitt when the Panthers play Syracuse. They’ve beaten the Orange four straight times. And look at how Artis has played in those contests.

2/7/15…30 min/7-14 (1-5 3pt)/5-6 FT//20 pts/10 Reb/5 Ast/3 Steals
2/21/15….38 min/7-15 (1-4 3pt)/1-2 FT/16 pts/6 Reb/7 Ast
12/30/15…35 min/6-12 (1-5 3pt)/5-9 FT/18 pts/9 Reb/8 Ast/2 steals
2/20/16…30 min/7-11 (3-6 3pt)/4-5 FT/21 pts/11 REB/4 Ast

Why has Artis been so good against Syracuse? Simple. When he is right, he’s the perfect player to beat their 2-3 zone. When Artis is right he can rebound, show off a mid-range game, hit the occasional three, move the ball with an extra pass, and penetrate to get to the line and get Syracuse’s limited front court in foul trouble.

And on defense (at 6’-7”/220) he’s versatile enough to check the likes of Michael Gbinije, Malachi Richardson, Tyler Lydon or Tyler Roberson when needed. He has Boeheim-buster written all over him.

Again…when he’s right.

Artis hasn’t been right at all of late, though, as his Panthers have lost two disappointing road games in a row at Va. Tech and Ga. Tech to close out the regular season. The junior forward’s slash line over those 69 minutes of play has revealed a disgusting 3-17 (0-7 3pt)/ 11pts/4 reb/6 ast/5 TO’s

You read that right. Just 4 rebounds in 69 minutes. He couldn’t have played worse if he was trying to lose. Those may have been two of the worst games in the ACC this season turned in by any starter on any team.

If it sounds like I’m piling on Artis, again…you’d be right. But it’s deserved. And it indicates exactly how crucial he is to this team’s success or failure. If the Baltimore native plays a third game of that ilk, Pitt will finally lose to Syracuse. If he plays the way he normally does against the Orange, expect Pitt to win and make the NCAA tournament.

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Too simplistic? Maybe. I suppose the likes of Sheldon Jeter, Michael Young and James Robinson can pick up the slack. They have all had good moments against the Orange this year too.

But if Pitt’s NCAA fate is truly on the line, Artis needs to own the moment. If he doesn’t, the Panthers may not be chasing a “shining one” next week.

Posted in College Sports

 

08 Mar

WWE Roadblock

published in category: Wrestling Reality on Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 – 2:14 pm


Posted in Wrestling Reality

 

07 Mar

Bracketology

published in category: College Sports on Monday, March 7th, 2016 – 1:35 pm

Bracketologist Jerry Palm joins us-is Pitt-Syracuse a play-in game? Can West Virginia get a one seed? What are the strongest conferences in the country?

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PRINCETON, N.J. – Michigan, Pittsburgh, Marquette, and No. 24 SMU headline the 22nd annual 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, which returns to Madison Square Garden this coming November.

Tickets for the 2K Classic Championship Rounds presented by Continental Tire go on sale Wednesday, March 9, and may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 866-448-7849 or through Ticketmaster.com.

All four games of the Championship Rounds will be televised on ESPN networks.

Michigan, Pittsburgh, Marquette, and SMU combine for an 84-38 record this season and 92 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 12 Final Fours. Each of these four teams will host a pair of regional round games on campus before heading to the World’s Most Famous Arena on Nov. 17-18.

Joining Michigan, Pittsburgh, Marquette, and SMU in the 2016 2K Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project are IUPUI, Eastern Michigan, Gardner-Webb, and Howard.

Michigan (Head Coach: John Beilein, Big Ten Conference) – Under the guidance of head coach John Beilein, Michigan has won over 180 games and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments, including the championship game of the 2013 Final Four, in eight-plus seasons…Beilein, who ranks among college basketball’s Top 10 active coaches with over 730 career wins, has led his teams to 20 20-win seasons and had his Wolverines ranked this season…next season he will have an experienced and highly-talented roster as 13 of 15 players are expected to return, including guards Derrick Walton, Jr. and Zak Irvin, and swingman Duncan Robinson…Michigan has been to 25 NCAA Tournaments and seven Final Fours…the Wolverines participated in the 2008 2K Classic, falling to Duke in the championship game.

Pittsburgh (Head Coach: Jamie Dixon, Atlantic Coast Conference) – Head coach Jamie Dixon has guided the Panthers to over 320 wins in 13 seasons at the helm of the program, winning at least 20 games in 11 of those campaigns…he has also led Pitt to the postseason all 12 previous seasons, including 10 NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to last year’s NIT…the Panthers, who have been ranked in 2015-16, have only one senior in the rotation and will return a loaded roster in 2016-17, led by the forward tandem of Michael Young and Jamel Artis…Pittsburgh has been to 25 NCAA Tournaments, including one trip to the Final Four…the Panthers have played in two previous 2K Classics (2003, 2010) and are a perfect 5-0 in those games.

Marquette (Head Coach: Steve Wojciechowski, Big East Conference) – Marquette has made great strides in two years under head coach Steve Wojciechowski as the Golden Eagles have already eclipsed last year’s win total…this year’s Marquette squad has no seniors in the regular rotation and features National Freshman of the Year Candidate Henry Ellenson, who heads one of the best recruiting classes in school history…center Luke Fischer and guard Duane Wilson also figure prominently for the Golden Eagles…Marquette has been to 31 NCAA Tournaments and three Final Fours…the Golden Eagles have been to three previous 2K Classics (1995, 2002, 2003) and own a 2-1 record.

No. 24 SMU (Head Coach: Larry Brown, American Athletic Conference) – Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown just completed his fourth season at SMU and has turned the Mustangs into a force in college basketball…the only coach to win an NCAA and NBA championship, Brown led SMU to its first league title in over 20 years in 2014-15 and in 2015-16 the nationally-ranked Mustangs were the last unbeaten team in the country…he has won over 250 games in 10-plus college seasons and over 1,700 throughout his career…the Mustangs return a lineup led by Sterling Brown, Ben Moore, andShake Milton…SMU has been to 11 NCAA Tournaments and one Final Four.

IUPUI (Head Coach: Jason Gardner, The Summit League) – In two short seasons, head coach Jason Gardner has the Jaguars on the right track…in his first season, IUPUI more than tripled its Division I win total of the previous season by posting 10 wins…this year’s edition has already surpassed that…next year, IUPUI is expected to return 12 of 14 players, including leading scorers Darell Combs and Matt O’Leary…IUPUI has been to one NCAA Tournament…the Jaguars last played in the 2K Classic in 2008.

Eastern Michigan (Head Coach: Rob Murphy, Mid-American Conference) – Head coach Rob Murphy guided the Eagles to consecutive 20-win season in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and 60 wins in the last three campaigns after inheriting a program that won nine games prior to his 2011-12 arrival…14 of 16 players are expected to be back next season, including four starters…leading the pack next season will be James Thompson IV and Raven Lee…the Eagles have been to four NCAA Tournaments…this will mark EMU’s first trip to the 2K Classic.

Gardner-Webb (Head Coach: Tim Craft, Big South Conference) – Tim Craft is in his third season at Gardner-Webb and has led the Runnin’ Bulldogs to over 50 wins in that span, including 20 a season ago…senior Tyrell Nelson is expected to lead nine returning letterwinners next season…Gardner-Webb played in the 2007 2K Classic, upsetting No. 20 Kentucky in Lexington.

Howard (Head Coach: Kevin Nickelberry, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) – Kevin Nickelberry has turned around a program that ranked near the bottom of Division I, both on the floor and in the classroom…currently in his sixth season, Nickelberry has led Howard to three double-digit win seasons, something not accomplished in 13 seasons…this year’s roster features only one senior and will be led next season by James Daniel III (currently the nation’s leading scorer) and Damon Collins…the Bison have been to two NCAA Tournaments…this will be Howard’s first 2K Classic appearance.

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Posted in College Sports

 

07 Mar

Steelers sign Golden

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, March 7th, 2016 – 12:13 pm

Steelers sign Safety Robert Golden to three year deal. Pitt on the bubble, Pens win one out of two over weekend. Pirates Spring Training. THE MORNING SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TEAM SPANOS GROUP OF RAYMOND JAMES. RECENTLY HIGHLIGHTED AS THE FACE OF FINACIAL GUIDANCE IN PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE.

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The Steelers have agreed to terms with safety Robert Golden on a new three-year contract. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Golden is entering his fifth NFL season with Pittsburgh after joining the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 63 games during the regular season (three starts) and in three postseason contests.

Golden was named a special teams captain for the second consecutive year in 2015 and played in 16 regular-season games en route to setting career highs in tackles (36), passes defensed (four) and recording his first career interception.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Mar

Pitt finishes .500 in ACC

published in category: College Sports on Monday, March 7th, 2016 – 9:13 am

Wrapping up the Pitt Hoops regular season, finishing .500 in ACC. Playing Syracuse again in the ACC Tournament, do they need this win to make sure they make NCAA Tournament?

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From Pitt PR- Pitt junior forward Michael Young was named third team All-ACC as voted upon by Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) Sunday. An honorable mention All-ACC selection a year ago, Young ranks among the league leaders in scoring, rebounds and field goal percentage this season.

The Duquesne, Pa., native enters the 2016 New York Life ACC Tournament averaging 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 54.0 percent (176-of-326) from the field and 79.0 percent (128-of-162) from the foul line. Young has scored in double figures in 28 of Pitt’s 30 games, including 17 times in ACC play. He is tied for fifth in the ACC in double-figure scoring games and it also tied for eighth with nine games with 20 or more points scored.

Young is the second Panther to earn All-ACC honors from ACSMA, joining Lamar Patterson who was a second team selection in 2014. Talib Zanna (2014), Jamel Artis (2015) and Young (2015) have received honorable mention status from the league’s media.

Pitt, 20-10 overall and 9-9 in the ACC, earned the No. 8 seed in the ACC Tournament and will play Syracuse (19-12, 9-9) in the second round of the event Wednesday, March 9. Tipoff is set for noon with ESPN and the ACC Network televising the contest.

Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon claimed Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year accolades with Duke’s Brandon Ingram (Freshman of the Year), Miami’s Jim Larranaga (Coach of the Year), Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame (Most Improved) and North Carolina’s Isaiah Hicks (Sixth Man) receiving individual award honors.

Brogdon headlined the All-ACC first team along with Brice Johnson (North Carolina), Anthony Barber (NC State), Grayson Allen (Duke) and Blossomgame (Clemson). The second team was comprised of Michael Gbinije (Syracuse), Sheldon McClellan (Miami), Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame), Ingram (Duke) and Damion Lee (Louisville).

Young is joined on the third team by Marcus Georges-Hunt (Georgia Tech), Anthony Gill (Virginia), Zach Auguste (Notre Dame) and Angel Rodriguez (Miami).

Ingram was a unanimous choice on the all-freshman team with Dwayne Bacon (Florida State), Malik Beasley (Florida State), Malachi Richardson (Syracuse) and Bryant Crawford (Wake Forest).

Brogdon (Virginia), Gbinije (Syracuse), Tonye Jekiri (Miami), Landry Nnoko (Clemson) and Chinanu Onuaku (Louisville) round out the all-defensive team.

Posted in College Sports

 

07 Mar

WHY IS HOCKEY MAKING ME ROOT AGAINST AMERICA?! by Tim Benz

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, March 7th, 2016 – 8:22 am

The preliminary World Cup of Hockey roster came out last week. And that’s really getting me excited for September! It’s going to be great to watch some world class hockey before the NHL season even begins. Boy is it going to be fun to put the TV on and root against America.

Wait…what?

Did I just say that? Root against team USA? In any sporting event…ever?! THE HELL I SAY!

But I feel like a lot of hockey fans in Pittsburgh may be put in that situation at some point during this tournament because of its funky format.

The World Cup features six traditional teams (USA/CAN/SWE/FIN/CZE/RUS). But then there are squads called “TEAM EUROPE” and the “NORTH AMERICAN YOUNGSTARS” (comprised of American and Canadian players who won’t reach age 24 before 10/1/16) rounding out the field.

The Team Europe thing I kinda get. If you want to slot in an eighth team that is representative of deeper NHL talent I can see throwing together a hodgepodge group of the non “Power 4” European countries. Although I’d suggest Slovakia could ice its own team just fine. And so could a combination of nations besides Russia that made up the former Soviet Union. Those two teams wouldn’t win. But, let’s face it, neither will “Team Europe.”

The North American Youngstars team concept is just silly though. Allegedly, international competition is supposed to be determining what nation is the best at a given sport. But in this set up, Americans are potentially going to compete against other Americans. And Canadians are potentially going to compete against other Canadians. If three of the final 4 teams alive for gold are Canada, Team USA, and Team North America, can you really make a determination of international superiority if John Gibson is stopping shots from Patrick Kane? Or if Shea Weber is checking Connor McDavid into the boards?

Don’t split the rosters. Force the club coaches and GMs to make these difficult decisions. If Jack Eichel isn’t good enough to make Team USA, then he’s just not good enough yet. If McDavid is better than Claude Giroux, then put him on and leave off Giroux.

Sticking with the McDavid-on-North America theme as an example, if this thinking had been in place before the 2010 Olympics, kid-Canada Sidney Crosby wouldn’t have won the gold for Canada in the Olympics. His Golden Goal against Team USA wouldn’t have happened because he was only 22 and would have been tucked away on the 23 and under North American Youngstars team.

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And, as referenced earlier, rooting interests could get completely turned around in the semi finals, especially for Pittsburghers. There are no Penguins on the American roster as of yet (Phil Kessel may still be added when the roster expands by seven before June 1st). Meanwhile Penguin Goalie Matt Murray made the North American roster. Local kids Brandon Saad, John Gibson, and JT Miller all made the Youngstars team. Vince Trocheck may get added too.

I’m sorry, but it’s going to be hard for me to avoid rooting for that North American team in the semis or the finals even if Team USA is on the other bench. If Gibson robs Ryan McDonagh, what am I going to do? Stop my gut reaction of cheering out loud? If Saad blasts one past Ben Bishop, should I groan and throw something at the TV?

I fully understand the logic. This is now an NHL/NHLPA venture as opposed to be being staged by the IIHF. So the league and its union want as much exposure and opportunity for as many of their players as possible. They want to maximize marketing two extra rosters of mainly NHL player jerseys to hang on the racks of team stores in every arena of the league. And of course, adding a second team of Canadian and American players means Canadians and Americans are more likely to turn on their televisions more often because the nationalistic rooting interest will double on both sides of the border.

But when it comes to international play nationalism usually trumps logic. And jingoism is a healthy incentive to invest your emotions. That unique type of enjoyment for fans gets compromised when you are rooting against your own country. Or in this case, roughly 50% of your own country. If the Youngstars should face off against the Americans or Canadians somewhere in the Final Four or the championship best of three, it may feel more like an All Star Game than a “win at all cost in the name of your country” event like we’ve experienced in the States in 1960, 1980, and 2010.

For instance, if Canada beats team North America for Gold, is Canada the best and second best hockey country in the world? Surely Canada probably already thinks that anyway, but I’m confused. Is America “third and a half best” then?!

Which anthem gets to be played if team North America wins? Can Le’Veon Bell’s album producers come up with a super hip mash up of “Oh, Canada” and “The Star Spangled Banner”? Maybe sing the American anthem…but do it half in French? Or how about they just play “American Woman” from the Guess Who. After all, that’s a song with America in the title, recorded by a Canadian band.

The Olympics are as successful as they are for a very simple reason. There are few things more enjoyable for a sports fan than cheering for their country in elite international competition. There is nothing more basic and easy than waving your flag. This format has unnecessarily complicated that. Just about all hockey fans will still watch. I know I will. But attempting to increase the quality of rosters may, in a strange way, dilute the passion people will have when following the tournament.

Especially when the games feature the USA & Canada vs…you know…their slightly younger selves.

Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 



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