05 May
2013 Pittsburgh Marathon
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Sunday, May 5th, 2013 – 5:28 pm
Posted in Sports Talk Radio
Tree of Life
05 May
Power Provide A Familiar Storyline in Loss To Predators by Dominic Errico
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Sunday, May 5th, 2013 – 5:24 pm
The media meal for tonight’s Pittsburgh Power game at Consol Energy Center consisted of some tasty fajitas and tacos. I’m thinking the Power (1-5) offense had some of it because they played like they had indigestion throughout much of tonight’s 52-38 loss to the previously winless Orlando Predators (1-5).
The problem with that theory is that this team has played like this the entire season. Jordan Jefferson was missing wide open receivers, sailing passes high, and even when he did manage to make some good throws his receivers dropped the ball.
In other words, it was business as usual for the Power.
Mind you Jefferson didn’t throw an interception or a fumble, but the Power turned the ball over on downs four times and ran out of time in the first half on a 5th drive. Jefferson did manage to lose possession of his helmet for one series when Shamar Graves took it onto the field by accident. What followed was a comical sequence of Derek Cassidy entering the game which elicited loud cheers from most of the Power faithful only to see Jordan Jefferson return a few plays later amidst strong negative reaction from the fans.
Perry Baker failed to help Jefferson tonight coming up with several crucial drops on fourth down conversion attempts. His final drop of the night negated what little hope the Power had left in the game and gave the ball back to Orlando to finish things off. His inconsistency at wide receiver has been a problem all year for the Power but he may be called upon more if Berry is out any length of time. Forgive me if I’m not exactly optimistic.
How about that kicking game? Josh Czajkowski once again missed three extra points and Head Coach Derek Stingley wasn’t too pleased about it in the post-game press conference. Kicking has been a major issue for the Power in their three years of existence, just like the quarterback position.
It wasn’t all negative though tonight. Shamar Graves made his first game appearance for the Power and I watched a man possessed out there fighting for every inch of yardage he could get. He finished with seven catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. We also saw Alvin Ray Jackson have a huge game on both sides of the ball for the Power with an interception return for a touchdown and he also had two catches for 57 yards while filling in for the injured P.J. Berry who left the game with a hip pointer.
The problem, as it has been all year long, is not enough overall playmaking ability for the Power. Look at the change in the way the Orlando Predators looked with the addition of Aaron Garcia. Suddenly the experienced wide receiving corps played with a purpose. He led them nicely on each throw allowing them and only them to make plays. Pittsburgh had no response for Garcia for most of the night. In fact at one point the PA system started playing “Welcome To The Jungle” which was appropriate since Orlando seemed to make themselves at home.
Coach Stingley was clearly frustrated after the game, upset that his defense had blown a few coverages and given Garcia some easy scores. I can understand that but the defense is once again not the reason this team lost. The defense isn’t responsible for the Power having the worst offense in the league. This team has crossed the 40-point plateau once this year and even that effort was aided by a defensive touchdown.
Stingley mentioned not wanting to dumb down the offensive schemes anymore. I completely agree. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This team needs to make roster moves and they needed to do it 4 weeks ago. You can’t keep trotting the same players out there and expect anything to change. You need players that understand this game and not ones who can’t even pass AFL 101. You have to do everything you can to give yourself a chance to win.
Pittsburgh loves running short yardage plays but it was the other team tonight that showed you how to do it properly. Hit receivers in stride a few yards off the line and let them make plays. Instead we watch our receivers catch the ball a few yards behind the line of scrimmage and have to fight their way for positive yards. It’s this conservative play calling overall that leads to all the fourth down plays the team struggles with.
As in any league, when you play conservatively, you are playing not to lose and you usually end up doing just that. Just look at the Power to see how true that is.
Posted in Sports Talk Radio
05 May
Power lose to Orlando
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Sunday, May 5th, 2013 – 9:55 am
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 4, 2013) – Aaron Garcia, the 18-year AFL veteran and the League’s all-time passing and touchdown leader, threw six touchdowns in his Orlando debut, as the Predators won their first game of the season, 52-38, in front of 4,174 at CONSOL Energy Center tonight. Garcia, the Russell Athletic Offensive Player Of The Game, was recently acquired in a trade with the San Jose SaberCats,
The Pittsburgh Power fell to 1-5 on the season and 0-4 at home. The Orlando Predators improved to 1-5.
On the game’s opening drive, the Power’s Jordan Jefferson connected with P.J. Berry for a 47-yard pass on 4th and 13, which brought the ball to the Predators’ 1-yard line. Jefferson found the end zone on the next play to give the Power a 6-0 lead. Orlando would answer the score on a Marlon Moye-Moore 2-yard touchdown run. The point after was good giving the Predators a 7-6 lead.
After stopping Pittsburgh on 4th and goal at the 1-yard line, Orlando would march down the field, and on 4th down and 3 from the Power 12-yard line, Perchae Rodriguez’s acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone (the Cutters Catch Of The Game) from Garcia extended their lead to 14-6.
Berry would return the ensuing kickoff 36 yards to the Orlando 19, but the Power would go 4-and-out. The Predators would score five plays later when Garcia found Jason Geathers for a 12-yard touchdown to take a 21-6 lead. The Power closed the gap to eight points at 21-13 after Jefferson found Shamar Graves for his first touchdown of the season, a 4-yard score on 4th and goal with 4:47 left in the half. Garcia and Rodriguez closed out the first half scoring on a 38-yard touchdown three plays later to make the score 28-13.
The Power started the second half by turning two Orlando turnovers into touchdowns. On the Predators’ opening drive, Willie McGinnis recovered a Garcia fumble at the Orlando 19-yard line. Jefferson and Graves connected for another touchdown three plays later from 4 yards out to make the score 28-20. On the Predators’ next drive, Alvin Ray Jackson turned a Garcia attempt into a 44-yard pick-6 (AFL Highlight Of The Game) to get the Power within two points at 28-26. The point after was wide right. That was the closest the Power would come the rest of the game.
Rodriguez’s third touchdown of the game gave Orlando a 35-26 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.
The Predators added to their lead with a Mark Lewis 23-yard field goal at 10:37 of the 4th quarter, making the score 38-27. The Power would cut the deficit to six points after Mike Washington’s first touchdown of the game made the score 38-32 with 7:03 remaining.
Garcia threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to T.T. Toliver with 4:31 remaining, making the score 45-32. The Power made it a one-possession game at 45-38 with Kirby Griffin’s rushing touchdown with 1:00 remaining in regulation, but Orlando recovered the Power’s on-side kick attempt and scored on the next play on Garcia’s sixth touchdown pass of the game. Orlando would run out the clock, taking home the 52-38 victory.
Aaron Garcia was 27-36 for 278 yards to go with his six touchdown passes. Jordan Jefferson was 20-38 for 252 yards and three touchdowns. The Power’s Alvin Ray Jackson, the Riddell Defensive Player Of The Game, had 9 total tackles, including 4 solo to go with his interception for touchdown.
Next Saturday, May 11, the Power travel to Philadelphia to take on the division-leading Soul at the Wells Fargo Center. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. EDT and will be telecast on thisTV Pittsburgh. The game will also be broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Aaron Garcia – Orlando
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Alvin Ray Jackson – Pittsburgh
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Dominic Jones – Orlando
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
Perchae Rodriguez’s touchdown in the 1st quarter
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Pittsburgh’s Alvin Ray Jackson’s interception returned for touchdown in the 3rd quarter
Posted in Sports Talk Radio
04 May
RIVERHOUNDS EARN DRAW
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – 5:49 pm
TEMPE, Ariz. — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds got a late goal by Andrew Marshall as they earned a 1-1 draw against Phoenix FC on Friday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium. The Wolves had taken the lead through Donny Toia’s strike from 25 yards, but the Riverhounds were able to hit back with just over 10 minutes to play to take a point from their opening game of a west-coast road trip.
After a balanced opening, Phoenix took the lead in the 11th minute as Toia was able to drive home a remarkable finish past Hunter Gilstrap in the Riverhounds goal. It was Toia’s first goal of the season for Phoenix FC as he found the top-left corner of the net with a tremendous strike.
Phoenix narrowly missed another early scoring opportunity when forward Diego Faria was fed a beautiful pass that turned into a breakaway chance, only for Gilstrap break up the shot a split second before Faria had a chance on the ball. Gilstrap finished the night with six saves.
Pittsburgh’s first scoring opportunity came in the 24th minute when forward Jose Angulo found a pass behind the Wolves’ backline, but Cyprian Hedrick and Scott Morrison were able to chase down Angulo and pressured him into a shot that sailed wide right from about 12 yards out.
Pittsburgh missed another late opportunity late in the half when Jhonny Arteaga threatened on a breakaway on the right side, but Phoenix goalkeeper Andrew Weber made a beautiful diving save to deflect the ball wide. Phoenix had chances to add to its lead early in the second half, Faria and Netinho both having opportunities denied by Gilstrap.
The Riverhounds had a good spell of possession as the second half wore on, Angulo being played into the left side of the penalty area only to shoot into the side-netting in the 63rd minute. With 11 minutes to go, however, Angulo would create the equalizer as he ran only an angled pass down the left side and drove a low cross to the near post that Marshall met to clip home a finish past Weber.
With the game tied in the late minutes, Phoenix FC pushed forward trying to net the winner. Faria had a shot in the 87th minute after a run from Anthony Obodai but couldn’t get it through, and Cameron Vickers, who came on as a late substitute, had a shot go just wide in second half stoppage time. The Riverhounds were able to hold on to claim their second point of the season, however as the Wolves undefeated streak reached three games.
Phoenix FC heads east for its next two matches, heading to face Pittsburgh at Highmark Stadium next Thursday in a return match before moving on to face the Dayton Dutch Lions on Saturday, May 11. The Riverhounds travel on to California to face the LA Blues on Sunday, May 5.
Posted in Sports Talk Radio
04 May
DK talks with Jarvis Jones
published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – 9:19 am
Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers
04 May
Pens Lose Game 2
published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – 9:16 am
Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins
04 May
PITT BRINGS BACK ROHRSSEN AS AN ASSISTANT COACH
published in category: College Sports on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – 9:06 am
PITTSBURGH—Pitt basketball coach Jamie Dixon officially announced the appointment of Barry Rohrssen as an assistant coach on Friday evening. Rohrssen begins his duties immediately.
A former Pitt assistant for seven years from 1999-2006, Rohrssen played a vital role in Pitt’s dramatic rise to prominence. During a five-year period, he helped guide Pitt to a 133-33 overall record (.801 winning percentage), a 59-21 Big East regular season record (.738 winning percentage), four Big East Championships (three regular season), three NCAA Sweet Sixteen berths and five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition, Pitt won its first-ever Big East Tournament title in 2003. At Pitt, he served in three different capacities including the associate head coach under Dixon from 2004-06, assistant coach (2001-04) and director of operations (1999-2001). As a recruiter, he helped the Panthers establish a pipeline from New York City to Pittsburgh.
“We are extremely excited to bring Barry back to Pitt,” Dixon said. “From the start, Barry played an integral role in the success and building of our program. He has a great coaching background, is a good recruiter and has an exceptional understanding of how we operate our program.”
Regarded as one of the nation’s top recruiters, Rohrssen has over 18 years of major college coaching experience. He became the 22nd head coach at Manhattan College on April 25, 2006, a position he held for five seasons from 2006-11. His best season came in 2008-09 when he guided the Jaspers to a 16-14 overall record and fourth-place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 9-9 league slate. Many of the players he recruited earned a postseason berth and won 21 games in 2011-12. Rohrssen improved academic progress ratings at Manhattan as he graduated every player that stayed for four years and dramatically improved the school’s basketball APR scores.
Rohrssen worked the 2012-13 season in the Portland Trailblazers organization.
“It’s extremely exciting to be returning to Pitt,” Rohrssen said. “We obviously want to continue and build upon the great tradition established at Pitt. The program’s success speaks for itself. It’s been an honor and I’m proud of my association with the University of Pittsburgh. I love the city of Pittsburgh and feel that it’s home. It’s a great place to be.”
Prior to his first stint at Pitt, Rohrssen served as the director of operations at UNLV from 1995-99 under head coach Bill Bayno and worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater St. Francis, N.Y. from 1993-95. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native played for the Terriers from 1981-83 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management in 1983. He played in the Catholic High School Athletic Association at Xavieran High School in Brooklyn and is a member of the school’s Distinguished Athletic Hall of Fame.
PITT TRANSACTIONS
Barry Rohrssen—Named assistant men’s basketball coach.
THE BARRY ROHRSSEN FILE
Birthdate: June 24, 1960 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Education: Bachelor of Science- Business Management, St. Francis, N.Y., 1983.
Coaching Career: Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2013-current; Assistant Coach, Idaho Stampede, 2012-13; Head Coach, Manhattan College, 2006-11; Associate Head Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2004-06; Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2001-04; Director of Basketball Operations, University of Pittsburgh, 1999-2001; Director of Basketball Operations, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1997-99; Administrative Assistant, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1995-97; Assistant Coach, St. Francis, N.Y., 1993-95.
Playing Career: St. Francis, N.Y., 1981-83.
International Experience: Represented the United States at the 1991 and 1992 World Invitational Championships in Poland and England respectively; Co-coached an American All-Star team in 1998 that finished 5-0 in Tahiti; Assisted a USA Junior National Team that included Pitt players Julius Page and Mark McCarroll which competed in Leon, Spain.
Posted in College Sports
04 May
RIVERHOUNDS HOST OPENING ROUND OF 2013 LAMAR HUNT US OPEN CUP
published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – 9:05 am
Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have been selected to host the opening round matchup of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament on Tuesday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. against Chicago-based Croatian side, RWB Adria. The game will take place at the new Highmark Stadium, located in Station Square.
The US Open Cup Tournament, established in 1914, features 68 teams from the various levels of US soccer from amateur to MLS, marking the largest field in the modern era (1995-present) and has an increased winner’s prize for the USSF-sanctioned side who eventually raises the Cup in October.
The tournament, which kicks off with ‘play-in’ games on May 7, is marking its 100th edition in style. Filled with 16 clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS), 12 from USL PRO, including the Riverhounds, and six from NASL, the field of teams will represent the different levels of professional soccer in the United States, and the tournament begins with matchups for these professional clubs against 34 different amateur competitors in a very exciting, single-elimination format with a lot on the line.
According to Riverhounds CEO and player, Jason Kutney, who advanced to the tournament’s semi-finals in 2004 as a member of then A-League side, Charleston Battery, the Open Cup is one of the most exciting events for a competitive soccer player in this country.
“This tournament is, in many ways, a David-and-Goliath event, where you truly see teams rise up and leave it all on the field for a chance to upset higher level clubs,” said Kutney. “From a fan’s perspective, it is amazing to watch amateur sides take on professionals, and to be able to do so with the sightlines at Highmark Stadium will make for an awesome experience on May 14.”
The 2013 Open Cup has raised the financial stakes for participating clubs as well, for their 100th edition. The amount of prize money distributed has increased across the board from 2012 to 2013, with the overall champion receiving $250,000 (up from $100,000 in recent years), runner-up receiving $60,000 (up from $50,000) and the team that advances the furthest from each lower division, including USL PRO, will win $15,000 (up from $10,000).
As part of the Riverhounds personal seat license (PSL) campaign, tickets for the opening round of the tournament are included in the ticket package. For more information on obtaining PSLs for the Riverhounds season, please call (412) 539-1191.
Ticket information will be released early next week. To purchase tickets for the May 14 game, visit riverhounds.com/tickets. For group ticket sales, please call the Highmark Stadium Box Office at (412) 224-4900.
Posted in Sports Talk Radio