Tree of Life

10 May

Pittsburgh Power at Philadelphia Soul by Dominic Errico

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, May 10th, 2013 – 9:09 pm

It’s the Pittsburgh Power (1-5) vs. the Philadelphia Soul (3-3) in a cross state battle for state supremacy. The AFL loves calling this the Keystone Collision and, make no mistake about it, both teams desperately want to win this game.

Pittsburgh enters this divisional matchup still searching for answers on offense. They have made several roster moves this week trying to shore up an offense that has only gone over 40 points once this season. Quarterback Steven Sheffield has been activated from the “Refuse To Report” list and is sharing first team reps with current starter Jordan Jefferson.

It remains to be seen who will actually get the starting nod but I know head coach Derek Stingley spoke highly of Sheffield before camp but unfortunately he was not able to play due to personal issues until now. Sheffield learned the game behind AFL legend Aaron Garcia last year and could shine for Pittsburgh if given the chance. Pittsburgh will also keep Derek Cassidy on the roster to see how things play out.

Offensively for the Power, keep an eye on Shamar Graves who really showed a lot of skill and grit in a losing effort last week. The Power will also use Mike Washington to stretch the field as usual. P.J. berry suffered a hip pointer injury against Orlando, so one has to wonder how that will affect him this week. The Power made a roster move at the receiver position as well by placing Perry Baker on injured reserve and have had James Robinson assigned to the team this week.

The Soul is coming off a huge 72-41 victory over the Chicago Rush and looks to keep that momentum rolling. The offense runs behind Dan Raudabaugh who is once again up amongst the elite quarterbacks in the AFL. He has completed 144 of 218 passes (66.1%) for 1701 yards, 32 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He’s not a threat to take off with the ball so the Power pass rush could possibly cause him to rush some throws with great pressure.

Raudabaugh’s favorite target is Tiger Jones, who has 52 receptions for 775 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013. Jones is listed as questionable on this week’s game notes from the Soul and if he is not able to go it will have a huge impact on the Soul game plan. Even without him in the lineup, the Soul have a lot of size at the position in Andre Thurman (5’11”), Ryan McDaniel (6’3”) and Larry Brackins (6’4”) and will look to take advantage of that.

Another major offensive force for the Soul is fullback Derrick Ross. Running is not usually a viable strategy in the AFL but when you have a running back like Ross it’s hard to ignore him. Ross has 14 rushing touchdowns on the year and is quickly moving to the top of the all-time leaderboard in rushing yards. It is imperative that the Power gang tackle him at every opportunity or he could break off huge chunks of yardage.

The Power defense has been playing more takeaway football the last few weeks and saw JAC linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson return an interception last week for a touchdown. They will need to score on defense to help the struggling offense score points. Sergio Gilliam and Chris LeFlore have been playing tight coverage and making it tough on receivers to get open downfield.

The Soul secondary features 2010 and 2011 first team all-arena defensive back Rayshaun Kizer who hauled in 39 interceptions in his first three years in the league and added one this year for a nice round number of 40. They also have Joe Goosby and LaRico Stevenson with two interceptions each this year. Stevenson is a former Power defensive back.

Up front the Soul pass rush could cause serious problems for the Power offensive line. 2012 second team all-arena defensive lineman Bryan Robinson has 3.5 sacks this year. They also boast six-year AFL veteran Brandon Perkins with three sacks and ten-year AFL vet Dustin Barno with 3.5 sacks.

The Power made a change at kicker this week after three more missed PAT’s by Josh Czajkowski. He was placed on reassignment this week and the team has added Julian Rauch, a three time national championship kicker for the Appalachian State program. He is an AFL rookie, so this will be his first chance at the 9-foot wide uprights.

On paper this matchup is not favorable at all to the Power but keep in mind the Cleveland Gladiators went into Philadelphia earlier this year and beat the Soul in overtime. A lot of this game could come down to whether Tiger Jones is able to suit up and play or not. Without him in the lineup, the Power will have a lot easier time matching up against the remaining Soul receivers.

The keys to success for the Power will be to neutralize that strong veteran pass rush up front and give whatever quarterback starts more time to make throws. They need to be aware of where the defensive backs are on the field. If the play isn’t there, don’t force it.

Defensively the Power must make sure to contain Derrick Ross as much as possible and try to get a strong pass rush on Dan Raudabaugh. Turnovers are a must for the Power if they want to win this game.

I still think you have to favor the Soul heavily in this game because they just possess a lot more all-arena type talent across the board and even the role players seem to have a lot more AFL experience than the Power. Good thing for the Power though is that games are never decided on paper.

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Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

10 May

Power Energize Team With AFL Week 8 Roster Moves

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, May 10th, 2013 – 8:44 am

Quarterback Steven Sheffield, Kicker Julian Rauch, & Wide Receiver James Robinson Added To Active Roster

PITTSBURGH, PA (May 9, 2013) – The Pittsburgh Power have announced the reinstatement of quarterback Steven Sheffield to their active roster from the AFL’s Refuse to Report list. Sheffield originally signed a three-year contract with the Power last November. Prior to the opening of training camp in March, Sheffield decided to remain in Lubbock, TX, to attend to family matters.

The two-year AFL veteran spent his 2011 rookie season with Spokane Shock before joining the San Antonio Talons last year. With the Talons, Sheffield (6’4”/210) backed up AFL star Aaron Garcia. He played collegiately at Texas Tech, throwing for 1,578 yards and 17 touchdowns for his Red Raider career. In 2009, Sheffield made his first career start against Kansas State and set a school record with 370 yards passing in a half. He finished the game with career highs of 490 yards passing (33-of-41) and seven touchdowns.

Kicker Julian Rauch also joins Pittsburgh’s roster for Week 8 game action. The 5’11” 210 Gastonia, NC, native played at Appalachian State University, winning 3 Division I FCS National Championships with the Mountaineers. Rauch holds school records for career extra points (247) and scoring for kickers (373). The highlight of Rauch’s college career arguably may have been the 24-yard field goal he made with 26 seconds remaining to upset the University of Michigan, 34-32, in 2007 at “The Big House”.

James Robinson (6’3”/215), who was designated for reassignment from the Power’s injured reserve list on Tuesday, has been added to the active roster. The veteran has been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins practice squads and has appeared with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders in his nine-year professional career.

To make room for Sheffield, Rauch, and Robinson on the roster, the Power have placed kicker Josh Czajkowski, on league reassignment and wide receiver Perry Baker and defensive back Darrell Wolford on injured reserve.

The Power travel cross-state this Saturday night, May 11, facing the East Division-leading Philadelphia Soul. Kickoff at the Wells Fargo Center is 7:05 p.m. EDT. The game will be telecast on thisTV Pittsburgh and broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk. The game will also be available via the AFL Live video player on arenafootball.com.

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10 May

RIVERHOUNDS EARN FIRST VICTORY OF SEASON AT HIGHMARK STADIUM

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, May 10th, 2013 – 8:43 am

Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeat the Phoenix FC Wolves Thursday night at Highmark Stadium to earn their first victory of the 2013 USL PRO season, by a score of 2-1. Jose Angulo recorded a goal in each half for the Riverhounds, lifting the home side to victory despite a 90th minute goal from the Wolves Aaron King.

The game opened with a frantic pace, seeing the Wolves earn two quality chances in the first ten minutes of play. The Wolves received a dangerous set piece just outside of the Riverhounds penalty area in the 5th minute. Taking the set piece with his right foot, Scott Morrison bent the ball around the wall requiring Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap to dive to his right and smother the attempt.

Three minutes later a quick counter attack by the Wolves caught the Riverhounds defense out of shape. A quality-penetrating pass from the midfield line sprung DeJesus Inacio down the right flank. Inacio played a first time ball in towards the penalty area. The Riverhounds attempted to clear the ball over the end line, but the ball ricocheted off of the upright and back into play. Jose Ramos tried to react and turn the ball on frame, but his redirection sailed over the crossbar.

The Riverhounds would jump ahead for good in the 22nd minute. A strong back tackle by forward Mike Seth at the edge of the Wolves defensive third deflected to midfielder Kevin Kerr. The Wolves back line was stretched and Kerr looped the bouncing ball over the defense for a slashing Angulo. Kerr’s pass brought Wolves goalkeeper off of his line to challenge Angulo, but a calm lofting touch over Andrew Weber by the forward landed in the back of the empty net.

Following the break, the Riverhounds wasted little time to double their lead. An attempted switch by the Wolves defense in the 50th minute was picked off by the Riverhounds Matt Dallman near the halfway line. Traveling with pace down the left flank, Dallman lifted his head to see Angulo sliding to the back post. Dallman’s left-footed cross was delivered brilliantly for Angulo who headed home from inside the six yard box.

The Wolves continued to pressure the Riverhounds defense and nearly found the back of the net in the 67th minute, but Gilstrap was on his game and up for the challenge. A low, dipping shot by Da Silva Faria coming from left-to-right required Gilstrap to fully extend and dive to his left. Gilstrap’s initial save squirted out from his body for an on-rushing Thomas Rarlos. A first-time shot from Rarlos at close range was pushed over the crossbar by Gilstrap to deny the Wolves twice in just seconds.

The game was wide open for the remaining twenty minutes, with both sides earning multiple scoring opportunities. The Wolves would find the back of the net in the 90th minute off of a corner kick. A deliver to the back post was headed down by Donnie Toia and a final flick by Aaron King would redirect the ball just enough to skip past a Riverhounds defenseman and Gilstrap at the goal line.

The Riverhounds remain at home on Tuesday for a first round game in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Riverhounds will meet the Chicago-based Croatian side in RWB Adria (USASA) with kick off slated for 7:00 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. The Wolves travel overnight to meet the Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday night. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. in Beavercreek Stadium.

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Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

10 May

Pens win Game 5

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, May 10th, 2013 – 8:41 am


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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

09 May

Steelers Announce Player Personnel Department Changes

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 3:35 pm

PITTSBURGH ― The Steelers have announced today multiple player personnel department changes.

Phil Kreidler has been named the team’s college scouting coordinator, replacing Ron Hughes, who will be staying with the organization as a senior assistant, college scouting. Kreidler has spent the last 22 years in the Steelers’ player personnel department.

The team has also announced that Dave Petett will now be a pro/college scout and Mark Bruener will be a college scout. Additionally, Dan Colbert has been hired full-time as a college/pro scout and Mike Butler has been hired as the team’s BLESTO scout.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 May

Vokoun in Game 5

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 8:40 am


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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 

09 May

Yohe on Pens Goalies

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Sports Talk Radio on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 8:38 am


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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Sports Talk Radio

 

09 May

Message to the Penguins by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 – 8:37 am

“Keep it simple.”

Is there a more overused term in the history of any sport ever created? Hockey players say it like it’s a mantra and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it should be.

Since Game 2, and really last year, it has been no secret that the Penguins’ biggest problem in the playoffs has been puck management in the defensive end. Allegedly, they correct that problem in the regular season. That is, until the playoffs started. Now it’s back to blind passes, bad decisions, and awful turnovers leading to goals for the opposition.

It haunted the Penguins in Games 2, 3, and 4 and they are fortunate the series is tied at two a piece. Heading into Game 5, with a new goaltender between the pipes, the Penguins MUST change if they want a shot at the second round. The players and coaches know it as they’ve talked about the problem ad nauseum.

“There’s a lot of us on the ice that create turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes and shots on net. … We have to be better in front of our goalie,” said Chris Kunitz when addressing the media over the goalie switch to Tomas Vokoun. (credit: Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

The problem is, the Penguins have been saying this for the past three games and every step forward seems like two steps back. The Penguins finally outshot the Islanders in Game 4 but lost the game due to inexcusable turnovers in their own end. Through all the talk about being better defensively and being smarter with the puck, the Penguins are still shooting themselves in the foot by trying to do too much to get the puck out of their own end.

When I watch other series in these playoffs, I see every team supporting the puck carrier out of his own end. The teams that are winning are the best at getting the puck and forcing it into the offensive zone. Because, see, if the puck is not in your end the whole game, it’s hard for the other team to score.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

It should be that simple for the Penguins. The truth is, when the Penguins get the puck at center ice, all the pressure goes on New York to make a play. And with players like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, the offensive talent should be a huge mismatch for the boys in blue and orange. The Islanders do have some scoring threats, mainly John Tavares who is an MVP candidate this season, but they sorely lack the depth the Penguins possess. The difference is, the Islanders are able to pressure using their speed and hammer away in the offensive zone until the Penguins turn the puck over and reveal a golden opportunity.

When the puck is in the neutral zone, the Penguins are on the advantage. When you look at the Penguins’ goals in Game 4, how many of them came off the rush? For that matter, how many times have the Penguins quickly responded from an Islanders goal or scored less than a minute after a neutral zone face off?

The formula for victory is right in front of the Pittsburgh Penguins: keep it simple in your own zone. Make the safe play instead of trying to hit the home run. If there’s room to skate with the puck, skate. If there’s an open man for an outlet, use him instead of the player hovering at center ice where you may have a 50/50 shot to get him the puck.

The Penguins have spent $70 million dollars this season with 44.6 million going to the top nine forwards in the lineup. Once they get the puck they can use their skill and athleticism to terrorize Evgeni Nabokov. But they can’t score from their own end and forcing high-risk plays wont work against a speedy, aggressive team like the Islanders. The only way to counter their aggressiveness is to stay calm with the puck and make the easy plays on the breakout.

Keep it simple.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 



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