Tree of Life

31 Oct

Steelers need to find a new "Steeler Way" by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, October 31st, 2012 – 8:57 am

If there's anything I hate hearing more than "Pirates Navy SEAL training" it's the phrase "the Steeler way."

The Steeler way is an unofficial code of discipline that fans and the organization have dubbed as being the model way for franchise behavior on and off the field.

Give me a break.

You know what the "Steeler way" is? It's allowing a player like Alameda Ta'amu to come back after a two game suspension for his drunk driving spree through the Southside two weeks ago. Ta'amu, a fourth round pick in last April's draft, was charged with three felonies -including assault and evading police- along with a score of other charges.

As a rookie, he's made zero impact on the field and due to the steep learning curve and his performances in practice, he's not going to see the field anytime soon. When asked about the incident, Mike Tomlin cited that Ta'amu was dealing with off the field, on the field and NFL problems; or, to sum it all up:

"Such is life."

Really, coach? That's it? How about a real response other than suspending the guy for two games that he wouldn't play in anyway? It's bad enough the Steelers are among one of the worst penalized teams in the league, but, at times, you almost get the sense that the players know nothing will come of their bad decisions.

To be fair to Mike Tomlin, in this day and age, that's the way players act. The current "Steeler way" is the NFL way as well. Players get arrested and reinstated with minimal punishment all the time. Jerome Simpson spent 15 days in jail for selling marijuana, yet here he is, back in the league donning purple and gold. Heck, Donte Stallworth KILLED A GUY.

But that doesn't excuse Tomlin's team for its antics. As entertaining as the players make the game by dancing around and interacting with the crowd, there's no reason for Antonio Brown to run the last 20 yards backwards into the end zone. Furthermore, if he does get penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct (and he was), Brown should not be on the field the following series. In that situation last Sunday, Brown was targeted on the first passing play since his penalty. Where's the accountability?

Then there's the new slogan created by the Steelers and UPMC, "Don't hit the head, don't use the head." Well, clearly that message was lost long ago on Ryan Clark who continuously gets fined for his hits and even concussed himself last weekend. In other worse, practice what you preach! Coach, if you say you're going to take players off the field for penalties, then do it.

It's up to the current Steelers to set the tone for the "Steeler way" again. Obviously, Mike Tomlin cannot prevent his players from getting in trouble off the field, nor can he prevent them from being penalized on it. However, when his players do get out of hand, he needs to be stricter with his disciplinary actions. Otherwise, the "Steeler way" will be lost to more than just a few critical followers of the franchise and the penalties will cost the team more than just a few yards.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Oct

Steelers D Proves Jailbait for RGIII

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 – 7:06 pm

6 carries, 8 yards rushing. 16 of 34, 177-yards passing, 1 TD, a QB rating of 72.8 that was the lowest of his career. And one offensive pass interference penalty as a wide receiver.

Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III's stat lines against the Pittsburgh Steelers weren't pretty. He was hurt by arguably 10 dropped passes from his receivers. He wasn't given the opportunity to run as much by his offensive playcallers. But ultimately, in the Steelers 27-12 victory, Dick Lebeau's Pittsburgh defense got the better of the weekend's showdown between rookie QB and rookie QB tamers.

According to various members of the Pittsburgh 'D,' it was all about physicality and discipline.

"From the beginning of the week, all we talked about was running to hit all game," said safety Will Allen. "That's all we wanted to do, run and hit. We knew if we run and hit we could make them quit."

"We hit them a little bit early [in the game]," continued Allen. We got physical at the line of scrimmage. Maybe a ball was thrown behind them, maybe they were looking around to getting hit because our linebackers were hitting them pretty good when they did catch the ball. And it was raining, too, so that played in our favor. I'm glad they did drop a few, I'm glad we got a few pass break-ups as well."

Naturally, linebacker James Harrison agreed with that sentiment.

"Some [of the drops] may have been rain, but you can look and see when a guy's trying to catch a ball and gets his head around to see who's there. Guys are flying around, going to the ball and hitting people, you're going to have that."

Fellow linebacker Larry Foote added that the squad's job commitment was sound.

"The coaches did a good job, we repped it a billion times," said Foote. "We were going home, studying film. We came out with a 'W.' I'm quite sure our eyes, if we can control that I don't care if it was a throw-back, flea flicker, everybody has to know their assignment. Your eyes can be your best friend, and they can also be your worst enemy."

Griffin's longest run of the day was for seven-yards, with LB LaMarr Woodley getting enough of his back on the chase to push him out of bounds. On another RGIII run, inside the five-yard line, Keenan Lewis and Ziggy Hood combined to contain the rookie phenom and sandwich him to the ground.

"Guys up front contained the pocket," said Foote. "We didn't get up field and let him gash us. They did a good job. I don't really know yet until I see the film, but he wasn't running all over the place. The front seven got challenged by Mike T. all week and they delivered. The Steelers, we're going to run and hit. They know that, the quarterbacks know that. That might be an advantage for us, deter him from running. Our safeties are going to hit, our DBs are going to hit, and you don't see that in a lot of defenses around the league."

"You've got to read you keys, because they can pass out of the read-option as well," said Allen, who was credited with 5 tackles and 3 pass break-ups. "They can run, pass, half-back pass, whatever they want. They did so many gimmick plays, you have to be on your keys. I primarily had the pitch, so if they pitch the ball out to the running back the linebackers are taking care of the interior runs. That was the gameplan, but you never know he can fake the pitch and drop back to pass. We saw some double reverse passes, throwbacks and things like that. Our corners played well today, they were disciplined and locked down with their eyes. And we got a lot of pressure up front which helped us win."

All told for the Pittburgh defense, that's three straight weeks that they're held the opposing QB to a sub-80 QB rating.

"I don't think we're dominant yet," said Harrison. "Not right now. We're getting back to where we can play better than we have been. We've still got a lot of room to go to improve. Just time, getting out there and putting together a better 60 minutes than the previous week."

"We're coming together," said Foote. "We still have that 'chip', though. That big 3 is still there [in the loss column] and [blown] fourth quarter leads. But this is our story, we're writing it. What a big challenge next week to go against the world champs in their house. One of the best quarterbacks in the league. They're got a great running game, great receivers. We're going to test ourselves next week."

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Oct

The Pittsburgh Power have used the exclusive free agency period to sign two players to the 2013 roster from last year

published in category: College Sports on Sunday, October 28th, 2012 – 10:49 am

Wide receiver Mike "The Joystick" Washington will return for his third season in the AFL, all for the Pittsburgh Power. The local Aliquippa native has been very consistent for the Power during his career, notching 114 receptions for 1,367 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2011 and 115 receptions for 1,484 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2012. He earned AFL Playmaker of the Week after catching 13 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland on April 28.

The Power have also signed defensive back Chris "Gingabread" LeFlore, who set the franchise single season record for interceptions last season with nine. Leflore, a three-year AFL veteran, helped lead a Power defense that was one of the stingiest in the league in terms of yards allowed. His two interceptions against Orlando on April 14th helped spark the largest successful comeback (35 points) in AFL history.

When asked what helped him make the decision to return, LeFlore said, "I love the fans in Pittsburgh. That's one of the reasons I came back."

Pittsburgh has until Monday to exclusively sign players who were on the 2012 roster. The Power have already teased fans with a big announcement on Monday, so perhaps another key player is already in the mix.

The Power will also be holding open tryouts for the team on November 10th. For more information about how to tryout, go to www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com

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Posted in College Sports

 

26 Oct

Penn State and Ohio State Renew Rivalry by Ryan Shaffer

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, October 26th, 2012 – 3:49 pm

On Saturday at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa, the #9 Ohio State Buckeyes head to Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. In years past, the two teams played for high stakes, such as the Big Ten title, or simply bragging rights between the neighboring states. This year, Penn State wants to prove a point, since their bowl eligibility ceased to exist this offseason. The game on Saturday means much more to a team that needs to rebuild its legacy in the NCAA.
Bill O'Brien's squad reeled off five straight victories since started out 0-2 with tough losses to the Ohio Bobcats and Virginia Cavaliers. During the streak, Penn State defeated a heavily favored Big Ten foe in Northwestern. Quarterback Matt McGloin showed perseverance after a rough start, and found his groove behind center over the past several weeks. On the other side, the red-and-white media darlings from Columbus, Ohio roared out of the gates with eight consecutive victories. Both teams look to hand the other its first Big Ten loss.
The Ohio State Buckeyes sit at #9 on the polls, but the coach's poll did not show the team in the top 25. Quarterback Braxton Miller continues as a duel threat to defenses as the sophomore tossed 11 touchdown passes, and ran for 10 more thus far. He took a hit against Purdue that scared fans into thinking he may miss this week's showdown, but Miller plans to play Saturday.
Penn States needs a statement game like this one after an atrocious offseason that saw several staff members and school officials lose jobs during the Jerry Sandusky controversy. O'Brien's attempt to create a new atmosphere for PSU starts this week against the team's biggest current rivalry. A 110,000 fan whiteout should create a hostile environment for the visiting Buckeyes, and show recruits that the Penn State community still bleeds blue-and-white.
Should Penn State defeat Ohio State, the nation might see a shamed program revived and ready to start fresh. Thus, a jam-packed Beaver Stadium will erupt if the unexpected happens, and Penn State goes to 6-2.

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Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins

 

26 Oct

TribLIVE Radio High School Football Athlete of the Week

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, October 26th, 2012 – 3:28 pm

Congratulations to West Allegheny Kicker Evan Pelcher for being voted the TribLIVE Radio High School Football Athlete of the Week. Pelcher made a 22-yard field goal with 58 seconds left in last Friday night's 5-3 victory over top-ranked Montour at Birko Stadium giving the Spartans their first loss. West Allegheny is 7-1 on the season and one of the best teams in Class AAA in the WPIAL. West Allegheny plays at Chartiers Valley tonight.

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Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

25 Oct

Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau Talks RGIII

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, October 25th, 2012 – 4:08 pm

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau talked at length after practice on Thursday of Washington Redskins week about the task of stopping rookie phenom Robert Griffin III. Here is that transcript with the media:

"Pretty interesting athlete. He scorched everybody in college and he's doing a good job here in the NFL. Quite a challenge, he's a great athlete. He can run, and he's a much better athlete than most of those running-type quarterbacks. We'll have our hands full. We're looking forward to the challenge."

Do you know you're 13-1 coaching against rookie QBs since 2004?
"I didn't even know it until somebody told me that the other day. The only comment I have is I hope I'm 14-1 on Monday."

Do you spy him?
"I think you have to respect his athletic ability and his ability to run. He makes a lot of plays in that manner and he makes a lot of plays on designed runs for him. We've got to know where [number] 10 is but you know they've got a guy with 46 on his back who is leading their conference and second in the league in rushing, so you don't want to turn your back on that guy while you're looking at 10 all the time. That's one of the reasons they've got such a potent offense, they've got more than one guy. And the cast of characters around those two is strong. They're a good offense, no question about it, I think they're number five in the league."

How do you stop Griffin?
"We're going to try to get everything communicated and be where we're supposed to be, see what we're supposed to see and play clean hard football and chase the ball down because it's going to get out every now and then. Chase it down, tackle it, and play good consistent defense."

Does the threat of Griffin create space for his running back?
"Oh I think so, I think that's one thing you have to guard against. You can't get mesmerized by the stuff he might do and let the basic play, number 46 who's a tremendous runner himself, give him more room to go in there. And let's face it, as good as the quarterback is 46 is going to have the ball more than number 10. The simple fact is you have to defend both of them and anyone else they want to give the ball to. 36, the fullback, gets the ball on occasion and that's another step of deception if you will because they've got two top rushers and then this guy is coming in with a pretty healthy yards per carry, to. What we have to do is not any different from what we have to do every week, and that is we have to be on our keys, get communicated, get lined up, and play good defense."

Do you attack or try to wait it out and react?
"Yes, that's what you do. Didn't you ever hear that answer before? When somebody asks 'Is it black or is it white?,' that's what it is, that's what we're doing."

Have you seen anyone like him?
"Oh, I think he's very rare, I really do. I think his numbers indicate that, what he was able to do at a major university. But what I find kind of interesting is there are five of those young men who are starting in the National Football League and they're all five very productive good football players right away. I think it's a testament to the style of football that colleges are running now, the type of athlete that is playing quarterback and getting all of those snaps and open field looks all the time. It's not such a transition coming to the pros. These guys have proven that the younger guys can play quicker and be productive quicker. He's probably as good as anyone I've seen that's a combination of running and passing. Vick was tremendous, I don't know if you're going to say he was better than Vick but you're talking about the cream of the crop there."

How unfamiliar is the offense that they run?
"Fortunately we're far enough into the season that we have a pretty good look at that part of it. Their coach is a genius and he's never going to show you the same thing two weeks in a row. But he's still going to run the same plays. The formations may be different, the people may be different, but the plays you've got to stop may be repeating. We do have that. I'm glad we're not playing them in the first game. We've got some idea of what they're going to do but we're not sure what they're going to do it from. It's still defense, taking your key, having everybody on the same page, and have everybody playing hard. We've got to do that every week no matter who the quarterback is."

Is there a danger in defenders getting caught looking in the backfield?
"Well, fortunately defensively we shouldn't be looking in the backfield that much and your keys won't change from week to week. Your gap responsibility is not going to change from week to week. What you've got to look at to get where you've got to get is not going to change. Now, what changes when you've got a world class athlete that can keep the ball and outrun some of your defensemen that's something that you've just got to give credit to them and chase the ball, tackle their tail, and get up and play the next down. We don't have to look in the backfield, if we do we're in trouble."

Why do they do all that hocus-pocus then?
"Unfortunately, every player doesn't do what their coach tells them to do. They look in the backfield and they get lost."

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

24 Oct

R-G-III To Test Lebeau's Dominance Over Rookie QBs

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 – 5:42 pm

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 13-1 record when playing against rookie quarterbacks since Dick Lebeau returned to the team in 2004 as their defensive coordinator.

The victims: Eli Manning (2004), Charlie Frye and Kyle Orton (2005), John Beck (2007), Joe Flacco three times (2008), Jimmy Clausen and Colt McCoy twice (2010), Blaine Gabbert and Andy Dalton twice (2011).

The lone loss to a rookie QB came in a meaningless Week 17 game for Pittsburgh in 2007, as Troy Smith of the Baltimore Ravens defeated Charlie Batch and the Steelers 27-21. Smith was just OK that day, going 16 of 27 for 171 yards and 1 TD.

You could easily make the case that Pittsburgh has never lost a meaningful game to a rookie QB in the 2nd-Dick-Lebeau-era.

However, several members of the 2012 Pittsburgh 'D' admitted that things are different this week as they prepare for Washington Redskins rookie QB sensation Robert Griffin III.

"A regular other rookie a few years ago, I'd be sitting here on Wednesday with no problem," said Steelers LB Larry Foote. "I wouldn't be sweating, I'd just know our defense is going to kill him. But this guy presents a lot of challenges for us, and we've got to be ready. A lot of teams, I'm quite sure their record has been good against rookie [QBs]. This guy is different. He can cause some problems."

Steelers defensive linemen Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton agreed.

"He's very good, he's just as advertised," said Keisel. "Makes a lot of plays with his wheels but can also step into a good throw. One of those talented young kids that is exciting to watch play and hopefully we can get after him."

Hampton added, "He can play, man. You just look at his body of work over the first six, seven games of the year, he's exciting. It's definitely going to be a challenge for us. I respect him for what he's done. He's showing up, week in and week out. You try to keep him in the pocket and just to keep him contained as best as possible. He's a hell of an athlete, he's going to make a couple of plays here and there, but you've got to do your best to contain him. It's tough to keep a guy who's that fast from doing anything."

In terms of the style of offense that Washington has built around Griffin, it might be unique to anything Lebeau's defenses have faced in the past nine seasons under his watch.

"I mean, it's straight college," said Foote. "I've played against a couple teams that ran this stuff but not with an athlete like RGIII. And the scheme that [Mike] Shanahan has them boys playing, it's going to be a big challenge for us."

Hampton agreed that the Redskins offense was unique, but wouldn't go so far to call it a college offense. "It's a little different, it's a little option," said Hampton. "But it ain't that option like you think, he isn't really out there taking those hits like a real option QB is, you can't do that with that guy. He's doing just enough to keep you honest. You know what he can do if he keeps the ball in his hands. When he sticks in there he gives it to the back a little bit more than he keeps it. I think that's by design you don't want to get your quarterback, the 2nd pick, hit too many times."

Keisel praised the role of the Washington offensive line in the scheme as well.

"Obviously we have played against some 'Wildcat' and things like that but it's probably since my days against Air Force going against an offense like this," said Keisel, referring to his days with BYU in college. "The [Redskins'] offensive line doesn't just come at you, they get you on the edge. They're very quick, athletic guys so they're cutting a lot people off and creating creases. Everyone's going to have to play hard and smart. They do a lot of things on the edge, a lot of sideline to sideline runs. [Griffin] is very explosive. We're all going to have to play gap sound, smart, team football in order to be able to contain him."

Most of the NFL's 2012 rookie QB crop is holding their own around the league. Griffin, Andrew Luck of Indianapolis, Russell Wilson of Seattle, and Ryan Tannehill of Miami have a combined record of 14-13 through Week 7 of their rookie campaigns. Only Cleveland's Brandon Weeden at 1-6 has struggled to keep his team in contention.

"The amount of young rookie [QBs with success], I haven't seen that, " said Foote. "[As a guy who] grew up watching the game and early in my career, I think Ben [Roethlisberger] was like the only young rookie to come in this game and have success. We're in some uncharted waters with what some of these young kids are doing."

But as Foote noted, like with the second year struggles of Carolina's Cam Newton, things can change fast in the NFL.

"Cam is still a young guy, I mean he can turn this season around," said Foote. "[But] you've got to keep getting better, you can't slip. This game will humble you, I don't care who you are. You've got to always keep working, because it will catch you."

Dick Lebeau's defense will be the ones attempting the catching this Sunday at Heinz Field.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

23 Oct

Dejan Kovacevic Show

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 – 2:28 pm

Steelers Running Back Jonathan Dwyer joins the show plus Chuck Finder In-Studio on the Steelers Encyclopedia. Dejan also takes calls and e-mails from the listeners. Call Dejan on the show every Tuesday at 1pm.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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