Tree of Life

02 Nov

Pitt in ACC Standings after weekend

published in category: College Sports on Monday, November 2nd, 2015 – 10:00 am

Chris Peak and the PantherLair Show on ACC Standings, Pitt needs rhythm on offense.

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NOW-Pitt vs. Notre Dame Saturday at Noon.-from Pitt PR Staff

GAME STORYLINES
• Pitt and Notre Dame renew ties for the 70th time when the Panthers host their historic rival for a noon ABC national telecast at Heinz Field. Pitt owns a 6-2 mark, its best start since 2009. The Irish are 7-1 and ranked as high as No. 8 this week.
• The Panthers are looking to bounce back from a 26-19 loss to ACC foe North Carolina. The defeat halted a four-game winning streak for Pitt. Notre Dame visits Pittsburgh having won its last three games following a two-point loss at undefeated Clemson (Oct. 3).
• Close games and dramatic finishes have been the rule for Pitt and Notre Dame in recent years. The past six meetings have been decided by an average of 4.5 points. Two of those contests have gone to overtime.
• Pitt is 5-2 in games decided by single digits this year. The Panthers were 1-5 in single-digit contests last season.
• All-America candidate Tyler Boyd needs just 49 receiving yards to become Pitt’s all-time leader in that category. Boyd enters the Notre Dame game with 3,013 career yards, second only to Antonio Bryant (3,061 from 1999-2001) at Pitt.
• Tyler Boyd is already Pitt’s career receptions leader with 226. Boyd is the ACC’s active career leader and ranks second nationally with 6.85 catches per game.
• Quarterback Nate Peterman is completing 67.4% of his passes this season, the second-best percentage in the ACC and 15th nationally. Peterman has thrown 151 consecutive passes without an interception dating back to the first half at Iowa (Sept. 19).
• This season marks the 40-year anniversary of Tony Dorsett’s legendary 303-yard rushing game against Notre Dame in 1975. Dorsett’s incredible effort sparked the Panthers to a 34-20 win over the Irish at Pitt Stadium.

SERIES NOTES
Pitt and Notre Dame meet for the 70th time in a series that dates back to 1909…the Irish lead the all-time series by a 47-21-1 count…Pitt and Notre Dame have split the past eight meetings with each team winning four times since 2004…close contests have been the norm for most of the past decade…nine of the past 10 games have been decided by single digits…in the last meeting, Pitt edged the Irish, 28-21, at Heinz Field in 2013…Pitt’s 2013 win snapped a three-game series losing streak and gained a measure of revenge for its 2012 loss, a 29-26 heartbreaker in three overtimes at Notre Dame…the Panthers are 11-26-1 at home and 10-21 on the road against Notre Dame…Pitt’s longest winning streak in the series is three games, achieved three separate times (1932-34; 1958-60; 1983, ‘86-87)…Notre Dame’s longest winning streak against Pitt is 11 games, which occurred from 1964-74…that streak was snapped in 1975 when Pitt defeated the Irish, 34-20, behind 303 rushing yards from Tony Dorsett…the 303 yards remain a Notre Dame opponent record…in four games against the Irish (1973-76), Dorsett rushed for 754 yards, an NCAA record for a player against a four-year opponent…the Pitt-Notre Dame series is long on history and color…on Nov. 13, 1999, the Panthers defeated Notre Dame, 37-27, in the final game ever played at Pitt Stadium…Pittsburgh product Kevan Barlow scored two TDs, including the game’s final score on a two-yard run to close down the 74-year-old structure…the 2008 game at Notre Dame was an instant classic…the Panthers clawed back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to defeat the Irish, 36-33, in four overtimes…the four-overtime affair marked the longest game in both Pitt and Notre Dame history…the ‘08 game also marked the Panthers’ second consecutive victory at Notre Dame Stadium…in its prior visit to South Bend (2004), Pitt beat the Irish, 41-38, behind five touchdown passes from Tyler Palko, an unprecedented achievement against Notre Dame.

SERIES IN BRIEF
Series Began: 1909
Series Overall: ND leads 47-21-1
At Pittsburgh: ND leads 26-11-1
At Notre Dame: ND leads 21-10
At Neutral Sites: DNA
OT Games: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting at Pitt: Nov. 9, 2013 (Pitt 28, Notre Dame 21)
Last Meeting at ND: Nov. 3, 2012 (Notre Dame 29, Pitt 26, 3OT)
Current Series Streak: Pitt has won 1 (2013)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 3 games (three times, last: 1983, ‘86-87)
Longest Notre Dame Series Win Streak: 11 games (1964-74)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 26 points (26-0, 1936)
Largest Notre Dame Victory Margin: 58 points (58-0, 1944)

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television • ABC (WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh)
Sean McDonough, play-by-play
Chris Spielman, analyst
Todd McShay, reporter

Posted in College Sports

 

02 Nov

Division lost, Bell injured by Brandon Walker

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, November 2nd, 2015 – 9:06 am

For 54 minutes on Sunday, The Steelers-Bengals game looked like a normal Steelers-Bengals game. The Steelers making clutch plays on defense, Andy Dalton looked shell shocked after throwing two 4th quarter interceptions and it looked like the Steelers would find a way to get back into the AFC North race. Then the roles got reversed and Ben Roethlisberger threw interceptions on two consecutive throws and The Cincinnati Bengals scored ten points off those turnovers and escaped Heinz Field still unbeaten with a 16-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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After Roethlisberger’s first interception by Shawn Williams where he tried to force the ball to Will Johnson, Andy Dalton led the Bengals on a six play, 45 yard drive capped off by a nine yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green with 2:57. On the ensuing possession Ben tried to force the ball to Antonio Brown that was picked off by Reggie Nelson who was on the play that knocked Le’Veon Bell out of the game with a knee injury in the 2nd quarter. The Bengals converted a 44 yard field goal on their possession and hung on for the victory after Ben’s pass to Antonio Brown sailed out of bounds as time ran out. Roethlisberger, in his first game back from his knee injury led the Steelers to a touchdown on their opening drive that went 12 plays for 80 yards capped off by a one yard pass to Antonio Brown.
Dalton went 23 for 38 for 231 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, Green caught 11 passes for 118 yards with the go-ahead score and Jeremy Hill rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries for the Bengals (7-0) who are off to their best start in franchise history. For the Steelers (4-4) Roethlisberger went 28 for 45 for 262 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, Deangelo Williams rushed for 71 yards on nine carries and Heath Miller caught 10 passes for 105 yards. The Steelers lost despite outgaining the Bengals 356-296, won the time of possession 30:09-29:51, and had 21 first downs to Cincinnati’s 16. Both teams had the same amount of penalties (10) and the Bengals actually had more penalty yards (94-91). However, the Steelers had the stupid, undisciplined penalties that cost them field position and of extended drives. For example, in the second quarter after an incomplete pass by Dalton safety Mike Mitchell drew a dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct taunting penalty by getting in the ace of Green. The Steelers also committed critical holding penalties that wiped out first downs.
This game and most likely the division was lost by the Steelers inability to put drives together and score points touchdowns, field goals or otherwise. When I was at my personal press box speaking to some colleagues we were discussing that ten points were not going to hold up, that the Bengals have a drive in them, a clutch play or two in them. I didn’t see the same Bungles that the fans of the Steeler fans at that stadium and the world over have been a custom to seeing for generations. I saw a team that was ready to slay that black and gold demon that has been tormenting them and the fans of Cincinnati alike. After Antonio Blake picked off the first Dalton pass in the end zone and returned it to the 40 yard line that was the opportunity to go in for the kill and seal the win. Instead what did they do, they went conservative with a run up the middle to Williams, a short pass to Brown and tried to force a ball to Miller.

As for Ben, I expected that he would be rusty, I commend him for taking responsibility for the loss and that what makes him a great teammate. Ben tried to do a little bit too much on that first interception because he had a little bit of room to run. He may not have gotten a first down but he could have gotten five yards and scampered out of bounds. As for the second pick he just tried to force it to Antonio Brown and Nelson made a good play on the Ball. Bottom Line is the Steelers had their opportunities and they squandered them on offense and wasted a superb effort on the defense.
As for Bell, his status as this time in still unknown at this point. The Steelers are optimistic that it is not very serious but it did not look good at first glance. In the meantime the focus of the offense shifts back to Roethlisberger and the passing game and Williams who will pick up the slack. Ben will have to shake off the rust in time for a must win game on Sunday at Heinz Field against the Oakland Raiders who are currently 4-3 and suddenly contenders for the same wild card berth the Steelers are out for because all hope for repeating as AFC North champions ceased at 4:15 Sunday afternoon

Next:
CIN: vs. CLE Thu. 11/05 8:30 p.m. CBS
PIT: vs. OAK Sun. 11/08 1:00 p.m. CBS
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

02 Nov

TIME TO CALL OUT COMICAL MEDIA SPIN ON STEELERS by Tim Benz

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Talk Radio on Monday, November 2nd, 2015 – 8:48 am

I had to laugh out loud as I drove to Heinz Field Sunday morning. I listened to/read Pittsburgh media types bombastically dismissing the “nonsense” about Ben Roethlisberger’s play in return games from injury.

Remember all that “garbage” I wrote four weeks ago when I told you Ben Roethlisberger was awful when he tried to rush back from injury. http://insidepittsburghsports.com/story/ben-roethlisbergers-bad-history-of-rushing-back-from-injury/ Yeah, they were right. Nothing but hollow numbers that meant nothing because “it happened ten years ago.”

Or 2012. But who’s counting?

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Meanwhile, within the same breath, some of these guys fell all over themselves to reiterate the Bengals had lost 8-of-10 vs the Steelers. Oh. And that Ben had 13-0 TD/INT ratio in the “Bumble Bee” uniforms.

Because, obviously, THAT historical data is important and relevant.

Well, sorry boys. Spoon feed all the happy talk you want. Curry as much favor as you can from the fanbase. Cherry pick the numbers that fit your narrative as you see fit. And puke on those that don’t paint a pretty picture of the hometown team. But there’s no spit-shining the Steeler home loss to the Bengals Sunday afternoon.

The “Spin City” crew tried to make you feel like everything was fine going into the game. Here’s a reality check to let you know where the Steelers REALLY are coming out of it.

-BEN REALLY DOES STINK COMING BACK FROM INJURY: Click the link above if you NOW feel like absorbing the numbers over Ben’s career. If you still don’t, well understand the basics. The 28-45 with three interception performance (and three sacks) Sunday is pretty consistent with his past.

Roethlisberger is a competitor. He doesn’t like being hurt. He wants to come back as quickly as possible. He sacrifices practicality in the name of toughness. But that doesn’t mean it’s smart.

And it’s not just about “rust”. Roethlisberger was very sharp when he came back from a four game suspension in 2010 (2-0, 5 Tds/1Int, 559 yards in two games) perfectly healthy.

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Maybe his knee really is fine. But then again his injury was initially diagnosed as a 4-6 week problem. Was it collectively assumed to be the short end of that window because this Bengal game was so very important? Maybe we just praised Ben for sitting out last week vs KC and forgot that possibly he shouldn’t be coming back until around Thanksgiving?

MIKE TOMLIN REALLY CAN’T MANAGE THE CLOCK: I’ve written about Tomlin’s clock managment issues in the very recent past. http://insidepittsburghsports.com/story/benz-mike-tomlin-dealing-with-a-selective-case-of-amnesia/ But his failure to call a timeout before the two minute warning Sunday was sinful. If Tomlin can’t be bothered to learn this basic skill of on field coaching, Art Rooney II should be bothered to hire an assistant who can do the math for him on the sideline.

THE STEELERS NEVER WILL HAVE ALL THEIR STARS HEALTHY AT THE SAME TIME:
Martavis Bryant was suspended for the first four games. Le’Veon Bell may be done for the year now after being suspended for the first two. Ben Roethlisberger missed four games as well. And Maurkice Pouncey center may never see the field this year

That sucks. There’s also nothing you can do about it. Welcome to life in salary capped sport.

Any Penguin fans want to chime in on this one?

Yes, assemble as much talent as you want. If the players aren’t healthy enough to play, it doesn’t matter (CAN I GET AN ‘AMEN’, MARIO!?).

THE BENGALS AREN’T STILL “THE BUNGLES”: Ok. Maybe they really are. But their schedule stinks. So we may never know. And, for a change, they aren’t losing to the bad teams. So that slapstick nickname may have to be dropped.

Plus, that 16-10 game Sunday looked a lot like the 13-10 game Cincy won here three years ago to get into the playoffs and effectively eliminate Pittsburgh from postseason contention. Sloppy. Late Roethlisberger pick. Both teams trying to barf up the game to the other.

But the Bengals won that one. And they won this one too. You both committed bad turnovers. You both were highly penalized. So who deserves the “bungling” nickname?

One of you is 4-4 and behind the Raiders when it comes to the playoff tree at the midway point of the season. The other is 7-0. That question answers itself.

THE BIG PICTURE: The Steelers are 4-4. Cincy is 7-0. The Steelers will likely be without their starting C, LT, and RB for at least the rest of the month. But more likely than that, all those guys are done for the year.

Pittsburgh’s division title hopes are miniscule. And with just one conference win at the halfway point, their Wild Card hopes aren’t great either. The only thing priming the pump for Steeler optimism is that the rest of the AFC stinks too.
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Is that outlook too negative for you? Don’t worry. There are obviously plenty of others willing to give you a more happy portrayal. Just make sure you are wearing a Bumble Bee outfit when you meet them.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Talk Radio

 

30 Oct

Pitt’s comeback falls short in Prime Time by Brandon Walker

published in category: College Sports on Friday, October 30th, 2015 – 9:37 am

In a matchup of two of the top teams in the ACC Coastal division the Panthers rally falls short. The North Carolina Tar Heels came to Heinz fields and hand the #23 Pitt Panthers their first conference loss of the season winning by the score of 26-19. The Tar Heels led 20-3 at halftime with two second quarter touchdown passes by Marquise Williams. The first score was a 71 yard touchdown pass to Ryan Switzer. The second was a 32 yard pass to Mack Hollins, which was preceded by a Dontez Ford at the 38 yard line. The Panthers scored a field goal and a touchdown respectively on their first two drives of the second half, but they couldn’t get another decent drive until the end of the game when they scored with 46 seconds left on a 6 yard pass from Nathan Peterman to Scott Orndoff. UNC recovered the onside kick to seal the victory.

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Williams went 14 for 23 for 270 yards with two touchdowns and rushed 52 yards for the Tar Heels (7-1, 4-0) and Elijah Hood also added 98 yards on 20 carries. Peterman went 27 for 42 for 262 yards and a touchdown pass for Pitt (6-2, 4-1) and Tyler Boyd caught 10 passes for 89 yards for Pitt. UNC outgained Pitt 444-415 and got the only turnover of the game, which was the fumble by Ford. Pitt won the time of possession 35:15- 24:45 and had 25 first downs to UNC’s 16, but it was the pressure applied by Gene Chizik’s defense that force the Panthers into five sacks and their bend but don’t break philosophy is what made the difference.
I think that Pitt was coming off an emotional win at Syracuse and came out flat in the first half but that is no excuse. If Pitt wants to be the program that it wants to be they need to string together solid performances week after week and with one of the youngest teams in the nation that will come with time. I will give Pat Narduzzi’s bunch credit that they did not give up and that is a positive sign for the future of the program, not just for the rest of the season. The Panthers will have nine days to prepare for a visit from the 9th ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame a week from Saturday. This will be another opportunity for Pitt for this young team to stack themselves up against elite competition.
Next
UNC: vs (22) Duke Sat. 11/7
Pitt: vs (9) ND Sat. 11/7

Posted in College Sports

 

29 Oct

Every Jag-Off of the Week Winner in 2015 by Ken Laird

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Thursday, October 29th, 2015 – 1:12 pm

Jan 7 – Jagoff of the Year Voting
ROGER GOODELL for the Ray Rice fiasco w/ a 2 game suspension, then the TMZ video, then indefinite suspension, denials they ever saw the video… incompetence and cover up 2nd Place Legarrette Blount for fight, DUI, Walkout, Release 3rd Place Mike Milbury (lifetime achievement) 4th Place Jameis Winston (shoplifting crablegs, sexual assault accusations, student union outburst) 5th place Pens Organization (Lemieux, Burkle, Morehouse)

Jan 14 – Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild Dman, for his elbow to the head of Steve Downie as he skated by without the puck. Suter was suspended for two games for the incident. 2nd place was the Steelers for their handling of Dick LeBeau’s departure.

Jan 21 – Zac Rinaldo, for his hit to the back of Kris Letang along the boards, leaving his feet and hitting Letang in the numbers & driving his head into the glass. Tight race with Belichick the morning after DeflateGate was amplified to 11 of 12 footballs having been deflated during Patriots – Colts.

Jan 28 – Robert Kraft, Patriots owner, who demanded an apology from the NFL if their investigation doesn’t come up with conclusive proof they deflated footballs. Pats organization 2nd, Shady Brady 3rd, Belicheat 4th.

Feb 4 – Warren Sapp, after his arrest the morning after the Super Bowl for solicitation of a prostitute as well as a charge of assault. Sapp admitted the prostitution guilt and was fired by the NFL Network.

Feb 11 – Jackie Robinson West Little League WS team, adults administrator Michael Kelly and manager Darold Butler, who were stripped of their 2014 US title for cheating rules and assembling an all-star team from Chicago outside of their district boundaries.

Feb 18 – Penguins Players, for being too soft in trying to respond to Alex Ovechkin’s slash of Kris Letang’s ankle which sent Letang into the boards in the 3rd period of Pens – Caps III. Kunitz & Perron sort of confronted Ovie after the hit, but mostly Lapierre & Downie went after lesser players in an attempt to send a message. The Pens lost on a 5-on-3 PP goal against later in the period. Ovie finished 2nd in the voting.

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Feb 25 – Keith Olberman, who was suspended by ESPN for a week after Olberman bashed Penn State students and alumni on Twitter for merely being PSU students and alum, calling them pathetic, dumb, and unethical. Also seemingly indirectly attacking the THON dance marathon cancer fund raiser which generated some 13Million.

Mar 4 – Rob Rossi, for Pens negativity & perceived bitterness toward the franchise.

Mar 11 – The Oklahoma Frat Sigma Alpha Epsilon for a racist chant on a bus caught on video, causing significant future athletes to decommitt. 2nd Jim Boeheim. 3rd Stephen A Smith for insinuating Chip Kelly made football moves based on race.

Mar 18 – NHL Officials, for not calling any penalties on New Jersey (v the Pens) 2 days after the Pens racked up 60+ PIM and mocked refs in a loss to Detroit. Perceived vendetta. Plus, it was the 10th time on the season the Pens had gotten 1 or 0 PPs.

Mar 25 – Jim Boeheim. After a near JOTW win on March 11, Boeheim locked up a title as he conducted a press conference on the morning of the NCAA Tournament to announce his retirement in 3 years and to scold the NCAA.

April 1 – The Philadelphia Flyers, just because they were in town and assuming they’d do something Jagoffian

April 8 – Mike Johnston, Penguins HC, as the teams was in death spiral L 10 of 13 and facing missing the playoffs

April 15 – Home plate Ump Mike Holbrook in the Pirates – Detroit Tuesday night game who ejected Clint Hurdle from the bench as he was commenting on balls / strikes on what showed to be an erratic strikezone throughout the game.

April 22 – Britt McHenry, ESPN reporter, for her caught-on-tape berating of a tow-truck company employee.

April 29 – Jim Rutherford, the week after the Pens were eliminated by the Rangers for admitting he made a mistake in trading Simon Despres to Anaheim in addition to other mis management including the team playing w/ 5 D down the stretch.

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May 6 – The Mayweather – Pacquiao fight for being a boring letdown.

May 13 – Patriots Organization, as Tom Brady lawyered up to fight DeflateGate punishment that was handed down from the NFL after the Wells Report.

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May 20 – The Russian Hockey Team at World Championships, who other than Malkin & Ovie didn’t stay to shake hands of the victorious Canadians.

May 27 – FIFA and Prez Sepp Bladder as 14 members were arrested for roles in a 20+ year elaborate scheme of bribery and kickbacks

June 3 – Flyers VP Bobby Clarke, who said on the 40th anniversary of the last Flyers’ Cup that at least his team hadn’t tanked to get players like Crosby & Malkin in order to win.

June 10 – Hope Solo, goalie, as the US Women’s National Soccer Team entered World Cup play w/ details of a year old domestic violence charge plus her hurling insults at arresting officers were released.

June 17 – The St. Louis Cardinals Organization, with details of Hack-Gate emerging

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June 24 – Rapper P. Diddy, who allegedly attacked UCLA strength coach Sal Alosi with a kettle bell in his office. Diddy’s son is on the UCLA football team.

July 1 – Victor Martinez of the Detroit Tigers, who said he had no respect for the Pirates after getting plunked by Gerrit Cole. Martinez had previously doubled off Cole, and Marte had been hit earlier in the game.

July 8 – Peter Karmanos, owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, who took unsolicited shots at the Penguins and Jim Rutherford during a media gathering, taking jabs at their acquisition of Phil Kessell (relating it to Alex Semin), comparing Ron Francis to Rutherford’s awareness of finances, and talking about Pittsburgh’s draft picks which had been traded, & the owners who were selling before the cupboard was bare.

July 15 – Vic Carapazza, the home plate umpire in the previous weekend’s Saturday Pirates-Cardinals game, as Clint Hurdle and Francisco Cervelli were ejected after Carapazza incorrectly called a swing-and-miss from AJ Burnett a foul tip by batter Mark Reynolds. The next pitch went for a home-run. It was a quick ejection and Carapazza refused to speak to the media after the game.

July 22 – Rick Sofield, Pirates 3rd base coach, for sending Starling Marte home to be thrown out in Kansas City down 3-1 in the 9th inning with no outs on a Jung Ho Kang double over the head of CF Lorenzo Cain. It turned into a perfect relay throw to the plate and ran the Pirates out of the inning.

July 29 – Tom Brady, in a landslide as news of his broken cellphone hit the media as the NFL upheld his 4-game suspension. The NFL cited his further lack of cooperation in that Brady’s camp told the NFL he had destroyed his cellphone on or around the very day he was to be interviewed by Ted Wells for his report; this behavior by Brady’s camp to be “common practice”.

August 5 – The Penguins Organization for releasing Bob Grove, Steve Kolbe, and Brian Metzer. Narrow win over Neal Huntington for acquiring JA Happ.

August 12 – Neal Huntington, Pirates GM, after another shaky start from Jeff Locke (to the Cardinals) and only acquiring J.A. Happ at the trade deadline.

August 19 – PNC Park ‘Woo’ers’ after a particularly awful night of woo-ing during a late 15 inning game against Arizona, narrowly defeating in voting the South Snohomish Little League softball coach Fred Miller who had his players deliberately lose a game to eliminate the perceived best team in the tournament.

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August 26 – The Steelers Organization, for signing Michael Vick.

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Sept 2 – Martavis Bryant, in a landslide with news of his four game suspension for substance abuse policy violations. He reportedly failed four marijuana tests in 16 months.

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Sept 9 – Two HS football players from San Antonio, Texas, Victor Rojas and Michael Moreno, who deliberately sandwiched a referee on the field after perhaps being told to retaliate by their coach Mack Breed or a series of perceived bad calls.

Sept 16 – Clint Hurdle, for his lineups and resting players during a pennant race, notably playing light-hitting Pedro Florimon at SS instead of Jung Ho Kang and Jordy Mercer during the second game of a doubleheader.

Sept 23 – Joe Maddon, Cubs Manager, for calling Jung Ho Kang’s season ending knee injury plantar fasciitis during a post-game media scrum.

Sept 30 – The Penguins Organization, for not sending Sidney Crosby to Johnstown for the Hockeyville, USA pre-season game broadcast by NBC Sports Network.

Oct 8 – Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, who reportedly insulted practice squad defensive players after they intercepted his passes during a walk through. “Enjoy your practice squad paycheck”

Oct 14 – Pirates first baseman Sean Rodriguez, for punching a Gatorade water cooler four times during the Pirates-Cubs wildcard game after he was grabbed by Cubs’ catcher David Ross during a team stare-down. Rodriguez said later he had to take his frustrations out on something.

Oct 21 – John Tortorella, just because he was hired by Columbus after an 0-7 start. It was a close, five-way tie for 2nd place in the voting with Antonio Brown (whining), Mike Tomlin (arrogance), Joe Torre (admitting he didn’t look at the Jung Ho Kang – Chris Coughlan play until the NY Mets had an incident w/ Chase Utley – Ruben Tejada), Rick Pitino & Louisville (a reported 20 sex recruiting parties on campus), and Chuck Pagano (for calling the worst trick play in NFL history).

Oct 28 – Greg Hardy, Dallas Cowboys DE, for his sideline blowup in his second game back from suspension for his domestic violence case. Hardy got into an emotional exchange with Dez Bryant and the Dallas special teams coach which included knocking the clipboard out of Rich Bisaccia’s hands. Later, Hardy gave a repeated “No comment, next question” exchange with the media at his locker. Second place went to Fox Sports and Joe Buck for their coverage of Game 1 of the World Series, sanctimoniously patting themselves on the back for not revealing that Edinson Volquez’s father had passed away until after Volquez left the game.

Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

29 Oct

Player that deserves to be rooted for by Michael Grau

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, October 29th, 2015 – 12:19 pm

When football players at the United States Military Academy walk onto the field, either at their home field at Michie Stadium or on the road, they place their hands on a bronze plaque inscribed with a quote from General George C. Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff during World War II. The plaque reads, “I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission. I want a West Point football player.” I’ve always loved that quote, and it is easy to understand why it became a rallying cry/slogan for Army Football (especially since Marshall was not a West Point man himself….he studied at the Virginia Military Institute). Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva would have touched that plaque dozens of time during his playing days for the Black Knights, and, like so many of his teammates before and after, would prove that Marshall was wise to search for the brightest, strongest, and bravest of a generation inside the West Point football locker room.

They say that for most college football players, practice is the toughest part of the day. At the service academies, football practice is the easiest part of the day. From breakfast formation before 0700 to TAPS and lights out at 2330, nearly every minute of the day is planned. Obviously, there are no cupcake classes at the academies. When you’re educating future officers of the mightiest military the world has ever known, there is not a lot of time to squeeze “Intro to Jazz” into the curriculum. No, the quality of the on-field product at the military academies isn’t the strongest, and you rarely see their graduates pursue athletic careers in professional team sports. Of course, the mandatory term of active duty that academy graduates serve is a not-insignificant obstacle to playing games for a living. That makes the story of Alejandro Villanueva all the more unlikely, interesting, and worthy of celebration.

I’m sure that you’ve heard some of the stories of Villanueva’s active duty exploits since he stepped into his new role as the Steelers left tackle during the win over Arizona: he enrolled in Airborne and Ranger School after earning his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army, then went on to serve multiple deployments in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. As a rifle platoon leader, he was awarded the Bronze Star for rescuing fellow soldiers injured by enemy fire. He continues to serve in the Army reserves, and, never one to shy away from a challenge, he has enrolled in graduate classes at Carnegie Mellon’s business school.

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After the things Villanueva has experienced in his military life, squaring up with pass-rushing defensive ends and linebackers must seem like a walk in the park. This past Sunday, Villanueva got his first career NFL start. He did some things well. He made some mistakes. That’s to be expected for any player making their first start, let alone a 27 year-old rookie who was playing defensive end in Philadelphia Eagles training camp just last summer. Mike Tomlin noticed the massive Army Ranger standing on the Eagles sideline before a preseason game last year, saluting during the national anthem, and needed to know more about the man enemy forces in Afghanistan referred to as “the Giant.” A season on the Steelers’ practice squad and 90 pounds added to his 6’9” frame later, and he’s protecting Landry Jones’s blind side.

This Sunday, Ben Roethlisberger will (likely) return for a game against the undefeated Bengals, a game the Steelers must win if they hope to keep their chances of winning the AFC North alive into the second half of the season. When Roethlisberger comes back, the pressure on Villanueva will increase exponentially, especially if the quarterback returns at less than 100% health. Based on what I’ve learned about Alejandro Villanueva in the past weeks and months, I’ve got the unwavering feeling that his performances will improve with each passing week. With Kelvin Beachum out for the year, he’ll need to continue to improve if the Steelers’ talented offensive players are going to reach their collective potential.

Quite frankly, though, Villanueva will be a Steeler that I’ll cheer for and remember for a long, long time, regardless of how he plays. We hear about the bad guys in the NFL all the time. Greg Hardy won “Jagoff of the Week” on TribLIVE Radio for his continued clownish behavior (on and off the field). Stories like that are all too common and become amplified because they drive discussion and page views, but people should hear more about the good and the uplifting, as well. I like that the Steelers have a legitimate American hero manning the left side of their offensive line, and I don’t care how many sacks he gives up. If he improves, that’s great. If he doesn’t…..oh, well. Villanueva has already done more for me than I could ever possibly repay. General Marshall would be proud.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Oct

Pens lifeless?

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 – 1:24 pm

Rob Rossi says if you do not want spoilers, stay off social media! The Pens are lifeless, joyless bunch that have a better record than they deserve. Pens need to win these games coming up.

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Jason Mackey checks in with Laird, Benz and Taylor. What to do with Perron, Sprong, Bennett? Rutherford and Johnston disagree on how to use guys?

Greg Hardy wins a heated Jag-Off of the Week race over FOX TV, Rob Rossi, Tim Benz for spoiling Walking Dead, people that are angry about spoilers, the NFL and more.

Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Oct

Steelers vs. Tight Ends

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, October 28th, 2015 – 10:27 am

Steelers struggling to defend Tight Ends, now match-up vs. Tyler Eifert. Fantasy Football talk with Jeff Erickson, Steelers-Bengals, Patriots-Dolphins and top players at each position so far. Brought to you by by Mr. Rooter Plumbing with 24\7 Emergency Service and weekend service at no extra charge, Mr. Magic Car Wash at any of these five great locations- Brentwood, Castle Shannon, Banksville Road, Upper St. Clair and Bridgeville, And By Garland Insurance- At Nationwide.

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The Steelers return to Heinz Field for a three-game home stand in Weeks 8-10 of the 2015 season, beginning with an AFC North match-up vs. the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at 1 p.m.

On Friday, the Steelers will host its annual Steelers Women’s 202, presented by Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on Pittsburgh’s South Side.

On Sunday, the Steelers will wear their 1934 throwback uniforms for the fourth straight season. In addition, a 40-year anniversary celebration of the “Terrible Towel” will take place starting with an on-field presentation in conjunction with Shippensburg University 15-minutes before kickoff. Elizabeth and Danny Cope, Myron Cope’s children, will lead the “Terrible Towel Twirl.”

Week two of the team’s three-game home stand – Nov. 8 vs. the Oakland Raiders – will feature a day-long Salute to Service. A special pre-game flyover, a full military “Terrible Towel” unfurl and an afternoon full of patriotic songs will be on display.

The final game of the three-game home stand will begin with a special evening at Heinz Field prior to the Steelers’ Week 10 game vs. the Cleveland Browns. On Saturday, Nov. 14, a dinner celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the team’s Super Bowl XL team will be held in the Hyundai West Club as part of the team’s 2015 Steelers Alumni weekend.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Steelers RB Jerome Bettis and 30 of his teammates will share their thoughts during the team’s storybook run to a championship. Bettis and his Super Bowl XL teammates will return to Heinz Field for the Week 10 match-up against Cleveland for a special halftime on-field presentation on Nov. 15.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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