Tree of Life

07 Sep

Steelers beat Browns 30-27

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 7th, 2014 – 4:41 pm

Shaun Suisham kicked a 41-yard field goal on the last play of the game — Pittsburgh’s only points of the second half — and the Steelers withstood blowing a 24-point lead to rally past the Cleveland Browns, 30-27, on Sunday at Heinz Field.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6749252-74/browns-yards-steelers#ixzz3CfEooBeb
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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Sep

Steelers Sign Cortez Allen Through 2018 Season

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 7th, 2014 – 11:34 am

The Steelers signed cornerback Cortez Allen to a new five-year contract that will keep him with the team through the 2018 season, the team announced today.

Allen is in his fourth NFL season after being selected by the Steelers in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 44 regular-season games and made 11 starts.

In 2013, Allen started a career-high eight games, playing in 14, and registered personal-bests of 51 tackles (44 solo) and 14 passes defensed to go along with two interceptions.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Sep

RIVERHOUNDS FALL TO ARIZONA UNITED,MISS PLAYOFFS

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Sunday, September 7th, 2014 – 11:33 am

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds came up short in their quest to earn a USL PRO playoff spot, losing to Arizona United SC, 2-1 before a lively crowd in their season finale at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night.

A pair of goals by Long Tan to capped an Arizona comeback victory, and a disappointing home finale for the Riverhounds.

“That’s the way it goes, the boys gave it their all, and that’s all you can ask for,” said
Riverhounds interim Head Coach Niko Katic.

Tan scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute of a tightly played, back and forth contest. After receiving a perfectly placed through ball in stride, Tan was able to move past a lunging Hunter Gilstrap for the crucial lead.

Just minutes before, the Riverhounds had probably their best chance to regain the lead.

Gilstrap threw a long ball to Matt Dallman along the right flank. With tons of space, Dallman made an open field run to play a ball to Jose Angulo near the box. Angulo to drew a pair of defenders, played a ball back to Dallman, who crossed it to a wide-open Rob Vincent.

Vincent’s header was on target, but stopped by Arizona’s goalkeeper Evan Newton.

The Hounds mounted a few late chances including a Seth C’deBaca shot from distance and a Mike Green bicycle attempt on a Dallman cross, but that would be it.

The outset of the match looked extremely promising for the Riverhounds.

Taking advantage of their first corner kick of the night in the 6th minute, Danny Earls sent an in-swinging, left-footed ball that a leaping Miro Cabrilo headed solidly into the net to beat Newton.

It was Cabrilo’s second goal of the season — and his second on a header from a corner. The Robert Morris University product scored the lone goal of the Hounds big win at Charlotte on August 29.

But within minutes, momentum was lost as Arizona struck back.

In the 12th minute, Tan scored the equalizer, beating defender Sterling Flunder by making a nifty move to his right to create enough space to drill a shot just inside the right post, past a diving Hunter Gilstrap.

In the 21st minute, it looked like the Hounds had pulled back into the lead, as Angulo put in a rebound from a Flunder shot, but was called offside.

In the 37th minute, after intercepting a pass, Kevin Kerr made a nice run into the box, laid a pass to his left to Angulo, who fired a point blank one-time shot right at Newton who held on for the save.

Starting eleven for the Riverhounds included Hunter Gilstrap (GK), Matt Dallman, Andrew Ribeiro, Anthony Arena, Sterling Flunder, Rob Vincent, Kevin Kerr, Danny Earls, Miro Cabrilo, Mike Green and Jose Angulo.

Seth C’deBaca entered the match in 57th minute for Cabrilo. Mackenzie Pridham came in for Angulo in the 77th minute.

Earls was booked in the 26th minute with a yellow card. Kerr was booked in stoppage time in 1st half. Vincent took out Tan in late stages, drawing a yellow.

The United held the edge in shots (13-9), to take both meetings with the Riverhounds this season.

Prior to the game, the Riverhounds presented their year-end awards. Earls took home the Steel Army Supporters Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Arena received Defensive Player of the Year.

With the loss, the Riverhounds (9-14-5) finish the 28-game campaign with 32 points.

Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

05 Sep

James Harrison retires

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, September 5th, 2014 – 3:21 pm

Former Steelers linebacker, James Harrison, officially announced his retirement after 11 years in the NFL (2002, 2004-12 with Pittsburgh and 2013 with Cincinnati) on September 5.

Harrison originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State in 2002 with the Steelers. He spent the first 10 years of his NFL career with Pittsburgh and appeared in 131 regular season games (95 starts). Harrison earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2007-11 as a Steeler while helping lead the team to two Super Bowl Championships (XL and XLIII) in three title game appearances.

In 2008, Harrison set the franchise record for most sacks in a single-season with 16.0 and was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. His 64.0 sacks rank fourth-most in team history.

Harrison’s NFL Accolades
• Five Time Pro Bowl Selection (2007-2011)
• Three Time AFC Champion (2005, 2008 and 2010)
• Two Time Super Bowl Champion (XL and XLIII)
• Two Time Pittsburgh Steelers Team MVP (2007 and 2008)
• Two Time First Team AP All-Pro (2008 and 2010)
• NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
• AFC Defensive Player of the Year (2008)

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

04 Sep

Steelers-Browns

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, September 4th, 2014 – 10:27 am


Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

04 Sep

10 Things for this NFL Season by Robert Norton

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, September 4th, 2014 – 8:41 am

Just as every football season does, the 2014 NFL season will bring many memorable moments, jaw dropping plays and tremendous matchups that will leave us talking about them for years to come. Just last season we witnessed the “Fail Mary” between the Seahawks and Packers, the rise of Chip Kelly and Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles, the fall of Michael Vick and Josh Freeman, the all time touchdown record being broken by Peyton Manning and even a game finish in a tie (Packers/Vikings). Although many of those things are almost impossible to predict, I am going to get you ready for what very possibly could happen this season that you should keep a close eye on. The top ten things to watch for this NFL season are:
1. Drew Brees can cement his place amongst the all-time great quarterbacks this season by having one for the ages. He may even break the all time, single season touchdown record which Peyton set last year. Believe it or not, Brees has been the most consistent quarterback in the NFL for the past 5 years. At times he is unstoppable and he has remained in relatively good health during his career. Seeing what he has done since becoming a Saint makes you wonder how the Chargers ever gave up on him. Just shows you how unpredictable the NFL really is.
2. This is a passing league, now more than ever. Don’t be surprised if the single season receiving yards record gets broken this year by any number of the games talented receivers. Calvin Johnson set the record just two years ago and may break it again. Julio Jones, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Jordy Nelson and even Antonio Brown have a chance at not only breaking the record, but being the first receiver to 2,000 yards, and those names are only the tip of the iceberg.
3. Can the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks be the first team since the 2004-2005 New England Patriots to repeat as champions, and for that matter be the first defending champion to even win a playoff game? I have news for you, the Super Bowl hangover is real folks. Three of the last 5 defending champs have failed to even make the playoffs the following year. Successfully defending a title may be the hardest thing to do in all of sports in the salary cap era we live in today. They have the talent to be a dynasty in the making, but the smart money would be better off betting elsewhere.
4. In today’s NFL the question isn’t will someone be suspended this season but rather who and when. We have already had two very big names go down before the season started in Ray Rice and Wes Welker. The only question is who will be next? It could be the Steelers Bell and Blount after being pulled over with marijuana in their vehicle a few weeks ago, but that’s just a guess. NFL players as a whole are doing too many stupid and ridiculous things off the field to say who it may be, but I can promise you it will happen again in 2014.
5. What major injury or injuries around the league will derail a team’s championship dreams? Last year, an injury to Aaron Rodgers hurt the Packers. Julio Jones and Roddy White both dealt with major injuries which left the Falcons reeling. It is inevitable that a major player will be injured this year, it’s just impossible to predict who and when.
6. When will Johnny Manziel overtake Brian Hoyer as the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback? Let’s be honest, it’s going to happen. Both quarterbacks performed miserably this preseason. Hoyer basically won the job by default from his NFL experience but Manziel was drafted to be the backbone of the franchise. If the Browns start the season 0-3 or 1-4, Johnny Football will be given the job with a very long leash. It may even happen sooner than that.
7. New rule changes have made the job of defenders much more difficult. Receivers are going to be flagged much more often this season than in years past making the game ever more offensive. Because of this, expect scoring to soar even higher to new and astronomical heights and all offensive records are up for grabs in 2014.
8. Who will be emerge this season, seemingly out of nowhere, and take the NFL by storm as Nick Foles did in 2013? Because of the inevitability of injuries someone will get the chance to step up and be a star. As fans and as humans we never want to see anyone injured and in pain but it is always exciting to see the breakout players from year to year.
9. What will happen with the Washington Redskins nickname? There is a big push right now for there to be a new name in our nation’s capital. The name is being considered racist and unacceptable by many people around the world. I see a name change coming but not this year. This is definitely something to keep an eye on as more fuel is thrown on the fire that is the Redskins name change.
10. What team will surprise us all with a strong season and a spot in the playoffs? Last year it was the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles who shocked the masses and went from worst to first. This season the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons are primed to make that jump. Every year there are new teams in the playoffs who missed out the year before, I see the Texans and Falcons making that leap.
Year in and year out the NFL is always a guessing game. These are just a few interesting things to keep your eye on this upcoming season. The Seahawks and Packers open the season today. Here is wishing for great season of exciting and unpredictable football. Right now it is the greatest game on earth. Each snap is a roller coaster ride of emotion, passion, love and hate. Buckle up, it’s going to be an exciting and thrilling ride.
wheaton

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

02 Sep

“The Curious Case of Josh Harrison” by Josh Taylor

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates, Sports Talk Radio on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 – 3:46 pm

As we enter the final few weeks of the season, the question has already been asked: who the Pirates’ MVP in 2014?

But the real answer to this question isn’t hard to find. Just look at the National League leaders for batting average as of this morning.

At the top of that list, you’ll find Josh Harrison, tied for tops in the league (Justin Morneau) with a .311 batting average.

Yeah, that Josh Harrison. The kid from Cincinnati who was a throw-in along with Jose Ascanio and Kevin Hart in the Tom Gorzelanny/John Grabow trade with the Chicago Cubs back in 2009.

The Josh Harrison that started only two games in April this season (and 69 in his previous three seasons), but was inserted into the lineup — primarily as a right fielder — in May, and has stayed there ever since.

When Harrison was penciled into the lineup on May 3 against Toronto at PNC Park, he was hitting .208 with an OPS of .615. That day, he went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI and helped the Pirates rally from four runs behind to win, 8-6.

Since that day, “J-Hay” has a slash line of .317/.352/.519 with 12 home runs and 44 RBI in 103 games, all while starting at least a dozen games at five different positions and another four at shortstop.

During that same span, the Pirates have a record of 57-46. That span includes injuries to two of the Pirates’ top hitters, Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker, the gravitational plummet of last year’s NL home run leader, Pedro Alvarez, and large offensive holes at first base and in right field (minus Gregory Polanco’s hot start in his first month in the big leagues).

That span includes an implosion of the Pirates’ Opening Day closer (Jason Grilli), the organization’s future ace missing time with an injury (Gerrit Cole), and this year’s ace (Francisco Liriano) performing below the water mark for most of the season.

Yet the Pirates sit only two games out of a Wild Card spot and three out of first place in the NL Central. Why? Partly because a utility player entered the starting lineup and became nearly a five-win player (4.8 WAR according to Baseball-Reference.com) and an All-Star.

And for some garnish, let’s throw in the fact that that same guy is currently tied for seventh in the league in triples (seven) and tied for 17th in doubles (31).

Aside from Russell Martin, Harrison is the most important priority for the Pirates entering this off-season as he enters his first year of arbitration, and he will be due for a significant pay raise, regardless of whether it’s decided by the team or an arbitrator.

But there’s another thing the Pirates have to consider before deciding what to offer Harrison: where do you put him? Second base is still Walker’s territory, Jordy Mercer seems to have put a strong grip on shortstop, and it’s no secret that barring injury or a massive failure to live up to expectations by Polanco, the outfield is now crowded.

Given Alvarez’s defensive struggles and subsequent move to first base, should Harrison be the Pirates’ starting third baseman when the team heads north from Bradenton next spring? Or do you give Alvarez one more chance to fix his throwing woes and send the guy who helped keep your playoff hopes alive this season back to the bench?

General manager Neal Huntington has to decide if Harrison is a league-average player just riding a high wave of productivity (ala Nate McLouth or Garrett Jones) or if he wants to risk losing another slugging third baseman who could be merely at the beginning of his ascension (see: Bautista, Jose).

J-Hay has already shown he can help keep a lineup above water during a long regular season with his bat (141 wRC+), and he is an above-average glove at third (17.2 UZR/150 in 796 innings).

If the Pirates hope to stay in the playoff hunt – both this summer and beyond – it has to be J-Hay all day at third base, especially if he wins the NL batting crown.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates, Sports Talk Radio

 

02 Sep

Wrestling Reality with Justin LaBar

published in category: Wrestling Reality on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2014 – 2:45 pm


Posted in Wrestling Reality

 



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