Tree of Life

12 Jan

Tomlin Finds Right Fuse with ‘TNT,’ by Josh Taylor

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 – 12:12 am

Todman Feet

There is one encouraging element from the Steelers’ AFC Wild Card win over the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday night that did not involve the impulse control problems of Vontaze Burfict or Adam Jones, the health of Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder or the fuzziness inside Antonio Brown’s head.

It’s an element that helped them throughout the game, long before that chaotic, epic period between when Burfict sacked Roethlisberger — causing him to leave the game with an injured shoulder — and when A.J. McCarron’s final desperation heave fell to the turf at Paul Brown Stadium.

It’s the same element that might give the Steelers a fighting chance next Sunday in Denver against the Broncos. And it’s the same element they lacked last season when they lost a home playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens.

Hold on, let me rephrase. Technically, they are two elements that when combined prove to be pretty explosive: running backs Fitzgerald Touissant and Jordan Todman, a.k.a. “TNT.”

Say what you want about Mike Tomlin’s decision-making throughout this season. Despite having three different quarterbacks drop back to pass, four kickers teeing up, four kick returners fielding balls in the end zone and five different running backs taking carries, at least with the latter of those ongoing changes he learned not to make the same mistake twice.

He could’ve done the same thing he did after Le’Veon Bell went down during the regular season finale last year against those same Bengals. He could’ve went for another free agent re-tread off the street and given him just a week to learn the playbook, memorize the protections and hope for the best like he did with Ben Tate.

But instead he put his faith in two backs who have combined for only 22 carries this season, but have at least been with the team all season. Todman was signed as a free agent to provide depth should this very situation arise. Toussaint was a practice squad player who eventually rose to the active roster and unseated Isaiah Pead.

There are a few reasons why Mike Tomlin’s players love playing for him. He goes out of his way to avoid blasting them publicly (even though sometimes it is the necessary thing to do). He keeps the details of his personal conversations with individual players regarding discipline issues confidential, completely eschewing public criticism from media and fans alike.

And when the time comes for a reserve to step into a starting role, he publicly puts his trust in that newly-made starter and works to build their confidence, whether they need it or not.

This time he put that faith in two men pressed into that position, and it paid off with 32 combined touches for 183 yards and one play of 20-plus yards apiece from each back for good measure.

Touissant’s ability to gain tough yards between the tackles, assist in pass protection and catch passes out of the backfield blended with Todman’s speed, shiftiness and patience. If one weren’t too careful, they might’ve looked into the backfield and seen 26 or 34 on those jerseys instead of 33 and 30.

Believe it or not, turning the reps over to an inexperienced running back during a playoff run isn’t a totally unfamiliar concept. The Green Bay Packers turned to rookie James Starks, only 29 carries young in his professional career, as their feature back during their playoff run as the no. 6 seed in the NFC in 2010.

Starks answered the call with 315 yards on 88 carries and a touchdown in the four games the Packers played on the way to a Super Bowl XLV victory over… *cough* …the Pittsburgh Steelers. He wasn’t great, but he was good enough to help Green Bay win three of those four games by a touchdown or less.

The Steelers’ running backs don’t have to be great to stay on the road to Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50. But last Saturday night they were good enough to win. And next Sunday night in Denver, they’ll get another chance to do it again.

And in this particular case, maybe two backs are better than one.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

11 Jan

Shazier shines

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, January 11th, 2016 – 3:15 pm

Snoop Dogg thanks the Bengals for the Steelers, Pac Man Jones freaks out on-line over the refs and an epic hockey meltdown anniversary in audio form.

Ryan Shazier is the Defensive Player of the Week brought to you by Frank Walker Law. His forced fumble on Jeremy Hill saved the game, hear him talk about it after the game.

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Rob Rossi joins Junker, Laird and Benz gives his thoughts on the Steelers win over the Bengals, does the NFL need to have better control over these games?

Steelers win in a wild game on Wildcard Weekend. Match-up vs. Broncos and who is going to be healthy enough to play? 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.

All Playoff coverage this week is brought to you by Goodrich & Geist, Pursuing justice for real people, on-line at GoodrichandGeist.com.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

11 Jan

The 2015 Steeler Season is Still Undefined Heading into Denver by Tim Benz

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, January 11th, 2016 – 8:35 am

So “the team no one wanted to play in the playoffs” is still alive. Even though that same team managed to lose in Baltimore. Played substandard football for 45 minutes in Cleveland. And blew a late lead in Cincinnati.

Yet Denver now has to host “the team no one wanted to play in the playoffs.” Also known as the Pittsburgh Steelers. How concerned do you think the Broncos are?

Probably not very concerned if Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and DeAngelo Williams are all playing at less than 100%. Which likely will be the case.

Somehow “the team no one wanted to play in the playoffs” needed the Jets to collapse to get into the playoffs. And then they needed the Bengals to meltdown down in order to stay alive in them.

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Let’s be honest. The Steelers are still playing because the Jets became the Jets once more. And the Bengals became the Bungles as they so often do in the post season. The reasons why the Steelers still have a pulse underscore the complex story of how they got this far in the first place.

This was a club that headed out to Latrobe with every reason to think that a 10-12 win season was likely, and another division championship was possible. But a few injuries and suspensions later, and the franchise was looking like one that should be planning for the draft instead of the playoffs.

Upset the Cardinals. But jump start win streaks for Seattle and KC. Light up the scoreboard against the Colts, Bengals, and Broncos. Lose an ugly home game to Baltimore. Win a thriller in San Diego. Vick wins. Vick loses. Landry wins. Landry Loses. Ben comes back. He wins and loses. He comes back again. He wins and loses some more.

Yet we were lead to believe most of the NFL was scared to play the Steelers in January. That theory was pretty much shot to hell the minute DeAngelo Williams was stuffed on an early 4th and 1 in Baltimore on 12/27. Since then, it’s been rubbing rosary beads and charging up the shock paddles to stay alive. That formula has worked. But if this “dancing through the rain drops” routine ends in Denver Sunday at 4:40, how should we feel about this 2015 Steeler season?

On the one hand, frustration is warranted. Steeler fans likely didn’t want this much help to stay alive. Winning with their team’s own style points would feel more rewarding than relying on the disintegration of some AFC rivals. They weren’t able to see the whole team click for the first ten games of the season, only to get a tease between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then a plummet back to feeling like an also ran that needed charity to keep playing.

On the other hand, this team has showed us tremendous guts. It’s gone four QBs deep, four kickers deep, and five running backs deep. Yet it still is alive.

So when it comes to a public perception standpoint, is the team playing with house money as of now?

Yeah. It probably is. Last week, some were making that suggestion going into Cincy. I didn’t buy it then. It felt like pre-emptive excuse making seeing as how the Steelers would be facing a perennial playoff loser with a back up QB in a building the Steelers own more than Heinz Field itself.

But this week, yeah. The Steelers are playing with house money. Because it’d be tough to say Steeler fans should be EXPECTING a win in Denver with the prospect of Landry Jones, Jordan Todman, and Martavis Bryant carrying the load on offense against the Denver defense. Meanwhile the Steelers own defense is going to have to contend with a rested (and allegedly healthy) Peyton Manning.

Given all the choppy seas Pittsburgh has navigated, a win in Denver would put a stamp of success on this season that still may not feel appropriate as of yet. But don’t count on it. Even if Roethlisberger, Brown and Williams all play.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

10 Jan

Steelers advance with win over Bengals

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, January 10th, 2016 – 11:46 am

Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and Ryan Shazier talk about the playoff win over the Bengals. Will Big Ben be able to play against the Broncos?

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• Improved to 2-0 against the Cincinnati Bengals in playoff history (2-0 in Wild Card).

• The Steelers are now 15-3 all-time (regular and post-season) in games played at Paul Brown Stadium.

• Pittsburgh is now 5-4 overall in Wild Card playoff games in team history.

• The Steelers have won 10 of their last 14 playoff games.

• The Steelers are now 10-1 in the third meeting of a season – all playoff games – against a division opponent.

• Team totaled 167 rushing yards on 25 carries (5.8 average).

• Held Cincinnati scoreless through the first three quarters – the Steelers first postseason first half shutout since the 1979 Divisional Playoff game vs. Miami – and first time holding an opponent scoreless through the first three quarters of a playoff game since the 1975 AFC Championship vs. Oakland.

• Held Cincinnati scoreless in the first half – the Steelers first postseason first half shutout since the 1979 Divisional Playoff game vs. Miami.

• The defense tallied 3.0 sacks – its first three sack postseason game since Super Bowl XLV vs. Green Bay.

• Limited the Bengals to 10 rushing yards (8 carries), 56 total net yards and two first downs in the first half.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin
• Improved to 6-4 in the postseason since becoming the Steelers head coach in 2007.

• Is 1-0 against the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs.

QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Made his 16th career postseason start and completed 18-of-31 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown for a passer rating of 92.0.

• Engineered his fourth career postseason fourth quarter comeback (38th overall), leading the team on a nine-play, 74 yard drive in 1:09.

• Improved to 11-5 as a starter in the playoffs, including 4-1 on the road in the postseason.

• Is now 12-2 as a starter in his career in games played at Paul Brown Stadium (regular and postseason).

• Increased his postseason passing yardage total to 3,713 to join Terry Bradshaw (3,833) as the second player in team history with at least 3,500 postseason passing yards.

• Connected with Martavis Bryant on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Has thrown a touchdown pass each of his previous four postseason games and in 14-of-16 career postseason appearances.

• Has registered a QB rating of 80.0 or better in 8-of-26 postseason games, improving to 8-0 in the playoffs when he reaches the mark.

QB Landry Jones
• Made his NFL postseason debut after entering the game in the fourth quarter and completed 2-of-5 passes for 11 yards.

WR Antonio Brown
• Led all players with game-highs of seven catches for 119 receiving yards – a single-game playoff high.

• Has registered at least one reception in 90 consecutive games in which he has played, including the postseason – dating back to October 3, 2010.

• Hauled in his 20th career postseason catch on his first reception, becoming the 11th player in Steelers postseason history with 20 catches.

• Has caught at least five passes in three consecutive playoff games, joining Hines Ward (5 consecutive and 3 consecutive), Plaxico Burress (3) and Ernie Mills (3) as the fourth player to have such a postseason streak in team history.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 Jan

Pitt hires new Offensive Coordinator

published in category: College Sports on Saturday, January 9th, 2016 – 9:00 am

Matt Canada, a 24-year coaching veteran from NC State, has been named offensive coordinator at Pitt by Pat Narduzzi. Kevin Gorman and Pitt Beat Writer Jerry DiPaola react to the news.

Under Canada’s direction, NC State averaged more than 30 points per game each of the past two seasons. In 2015, the Wolfpack scored 33.2 points per contest, the third highest average in school history.

Canada’s Pitt appointment marks a reunion with Narduzzi. The pair worked together at Northern Illinois from 2000-02.

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“I’ve known Matt and his family for a very long time and I feel very fortunate to bring him to Pittsburgh,” Narduzzi said. “Matt is an innovative offensive mind, excellent teacher of quarterback play and strong recruiter and evaluator. He is a great leader who will provide our team and staff with a real spark. Most importantly, Matt is a tremendously loyal person who will be a great fit for Pitt.”

“I’m thrilled and honored to join Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt football program,” Canada said. “I have tremendous respect for Pat as a person and professional. He truly does things the right way. Pat is building something special at Pitt and I’m ready to hit the ground running and begin contributing to the effort.”

Canada served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NC State from 2013-15. This past season, the Wolfpack produced 412.8 yards per game—the fifth highest average in school history—despite losing leading rusher Matt Dayes (108.1 yards per game) to injury for the final five games. NC State led the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranked 11th nationally in time of possession (33:03).

In 2014 NC State racked up its highest rushing total since 1977 with 2,659 yards. The Wolfpack averaged 6.0 yards per offensive play, the second-highest mark in school annals.

NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett thrived as a dual threat under Canada’s watch the past two years. Brissett threw 43 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions over his junior and senior seasons, earning the team’s MVP award each year.

In 2014 Brissett was one of just three Power 5 conference quarterbacks with at least 2,000 passing yards, 300 rushing yards, 20 passing TDs and five (or fewer) interceptions. The others were Oregon Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and UCLA’s Brett Hundley.

Prior to NC State, Canada was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin during the 2012 season. Led by All-America running back Montee Ball, the Badgers averaged 236.4 rushing yards per game to rank 13th nationally. Ball, who rushed for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns, was named the recipient of the prestigious Doak Walker Award, annually presented to the nation’s top running back.

Canada’s offense exploded in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game, a 70-31 rout of Nebraska, to earn the Badgers a trip to the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin had two 200-yard rushers for the first time in school history and piled up 539 yards on the ground and 640 total against the Cornhuskers.

In 2011 Canada was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for a Northern Illinois team that averaged nearly 40 points per game en route to an 11-3 record and the Mid-American Conference championship. The Huskies finished in the nation’s top 12 in scoring (12th, 38.3 ppg.), total offense (11th, 476.0 avg.) and rushing offense (12th, 234.1 avg.). Quarterback Chandler Harnish averaged 328.2 yards in total offense to rank ninth in the country and was named the MAC’s Most Valuable Player.

Canada actually had two stints at Northern Illinois, also serving on the Huskies staff from 1998-2003. He oversaw NIU’s running backs (1998-2000) and quarterbacks (2001-02) before elevating to offensive coordinator in 2003.

NIU’s 2003 team upset Alabama, Maryland and Iowa State in earning a No. 12 Associated Press ranking. Canada’s offense featured All-America running back Michael Turner, who averaged 137.3 rushing yards per game to rank second in the country.

From 2004-10 Canada coached quarterbacks at Indiana. He was the Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator his final four seasons (2007-10) after serving as passing game coordinator for two years (2005-06). The 2007 Hoosiers posted a school-record 412 points en route to the Insight Bowl, the program’s first postseason game in 14 years.

Canada coached two of the most prolific quarterbacks in IU history in Ben Chappell and Kellen Lewis. The duo still ranks highly in various school passing categories. Chappell holds Indiana career records for completions (651) and completion percentage (.611), while ranking third in touchdown passes (45) and passing yards (7,251). Lewis holds the season record for touchdown passes (28) and ranks second with 48 career TD passes.

Canada is a 1993 graduate of Indiana who began his coaching career as a Hoosiers student assistant (1992-93) and graduate assistant (1994-95). He earned his first full-time coaching appointment at Butler University, where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers in 1996 and was the offensive coordinator in 1997.

Posted in College Sports

 

08 Jan

Gunslinger Ben?

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, January 8th, 2016 – 1:47 pm

Do you want Dink and Dunk Ben or throw it down the field Ben? Same refs as last Steelers-Bengals game will be calling this game. 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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Rob Rossi talks about Sidney Crosby not making the All-Star Game and previews Steelers-Bengals, predicting a Steelers win with Ken Laird, Guy Junker and Tim Benz. Playoff Coverage brought to you by Goodrich & Geist, Pursuing justice for real people.

Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia-they should all play in football and basketball. Ken Laird, Tim Benz, Guy Junker discuss.

Guy Junker, Ken Laird and Tim Benz pick Steelers-Bengals and every Wildcard Weekend game against the spread.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Jan

Sky is the Limit

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Thursday, January 7th, 2016 – 2:28 pm


Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

07 Jan

X-Factor for Steelers-Bengals?

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, January 7th, 2016 – 10:35 am

Steelers Beat Writers Mark Kaboly and Chris Adamski in-studio plus the only Pittsburgh reporter covering the Bengals this week-Ralph Paulk joins live from Cincy to preview Wildcard Weekend. Who will be X-Factor in the game? Predictions on who will win? Arrow Up and Arrow Down. THE Steelers Roundtable ON TribLIVE Radio brought to you by Goodrich & Geist, Pursuing justice for real people, on-line at GoodrichandGeist.com.

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Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (Offensive) and kicker Chris Boswell (Special Teams) were each named AFC Player of the Month for December/January, it was announced today.

Brown earned his second consecutive AFC Offensive Player of the Month award after being named the AFC’s top player in November. He led the NFL in December/January in receptions (51), receiving yards (642) and receptions for first downs (34), while recording five touchdown catches. Brown recorded at least 100 yards in three-of-five games during that span, including two 180-yard games. He added two multi-touchdown games, Week 13 vs. Indianapolis and Week 15 vs. Denver.

In addition, Brown’s 642 scrimmage yards were tops among AFC players and second in the NFL. He was the only player in the league to record 50 or more receptions, nine more than any other player.

This marks the first time Boswell has earned AFC Special Teams player of the Month honors. He led all NFL kickers in field goals made (12) and points in December/January. Boswell was the only player to total 50 or more points in that span, seven more than any other kicker. He totaled a single-game career-high 15 points in the team’s Week 14 victory at Cincinnati. Boswell also took home AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in Week 6 of the 2015 season.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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