Tree of Life

04 Oct

2012 Jagoffs of the Week

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Talk Radio on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 – 4:21 pm

Each Wednesday on TribLive Radio, with hosts with Ken Laird and Guy Junker, listeners vote on the "Jagoff of the Week" award. This prestigious award is given to the biggest 'Jag' in sports over the previous week. Here is an update on the Jag Champs of 2012:

*Todd Graham reigning Jagoff of the Year for 2011*

Jan 4 – Santonio Holmes, who got kicked out of the NY Jets huddle in Week 17 by his teammates

Jan 11 – Donald Fehr, for building NHLPA strength and stubborness in the last year of the NHL labor deal. Fehr denied the league's attempt at re-alignment

Jan 18 – NBC Sports hockey analysts Keith Jones and Mike Milbury for their accusations of Evgeni Malkin for a "low bridge" and "sneak attack" on Tampa's Vinny Lecavalier. Malkin merely ducked a check along the boards from Vinny and then took a sucker punch in a scrum from a frustrated Vinny

Jan 25 – Alexander Ovechkin, for his hit on Pens defenseman Zibby Michalek that resulted in Ovie's 3-game suspension for leaving his feet and giving a blow to the head. Also, Ovechkin then skipped the All Star Game since he was suspended

Feb 1 – Penguins fans who left early down 4-1 to Toronto. The Pens came back to win 5-4 in a shootout.

Feb 8 – The NY Giants fans who heckled Gisele Bundchen coming out of the Lucas Oil luxury boxes, for saying "Eli owns your husband." They narrowly beat out Gisele herself, who told those fans that Brady can't catch the ball, too.

Feb 15 – Todd Haley, for still not calling Ben Roethlisberger two weeks after being hired… narrowly beats out Ben himself for whining to reporters about it

Feb 22 – John Steigerwald, for leaving nail clippings on the windowsill and eating the Dunkin Donut with the 'P' icing in Let's Go Pens before the Ben Lovejoy Show could video it

Feb 29 – Janoris Jenkins, NFL Draft prospect who announced at the NFL Combine he had fathered 4 children under the age of 3-years old to go along with his three arrests, two for drug posession.

Mar 7 – Erik Nystrom, for his hit on Kris Letang on the previous Wednesday night… Nystrom was initially tracking the puck but instead veered off to clip Letang in the chin. The league finished second in voting for not suspending Nystrom.

Mar 14 – The Syracuse men's basketball team, who lost 7' C Fab Melo to ineligibility on the eve on the NCAA Tourney as Melo never attended classes. In addition, allegations of prior team drug use that went un-disciplined and the fiasco surrounding former assistant Bernie Fine factored in the voting.

Mar 21 – Rangers HC John Tortorella, for his hypocrisy in yelling at NJ Devils coach Pete Deboer for putting his goons out to start their game at MSG that resulted in 3 fights 3 seconds into the game. Tortorella had sent his out for the previous game in New Jersey to start, resulting in 2 fights 2 seconds in

Mar 28 – Ottawa anthem singer Measha Brueggergosman for taking 4 minutes to sing both anthems before the Pens – Sens game

April 4 – Mike Milbury, for ripping Dan Bylsma and Sidney Crosby on WIP radio in Philly the day after the Flyers played the Penguins and Bylsma was behind assistant Tony Granato as Philly coach Peter Laviolette was yelling at the Pens' bench. Milbury said Bylsma should have taken his skirt off, referenced Sid's 35th concussion, that he has a little punk in him, he's not a goody two shoes, he's the king of whining, screw him I'd hit him
*2nd award of the Year for Milbury*

April 11 – Bobby Petrino, for his marital affair with a 25-year old former Arkansas volleyball player whom he got a job within the university, and then covered up her accompanying him on his motorcycle when he wrecked.

April 18 – The Penguins entire organization, as they sat down 3-0 in their 1st Round series to the Philadelphia Flyers. In Game 1, they blew a 3-0 lead and lost in OT. In Game 2, they blew leads of 2-0, 3-1, and 5-4 in the 3rd Period. In Game 3, they melted down with a series of fights and cheap hits.

April 25 – The Penguins Penalty Kill unit, including assistant coach Tony Granato, as they allowed Philly to convert 52% of their chances in the series for a total of 12 PP goals, a team record.

May 2 – Roger Goodell, for too much hugging of NFL Draft picks during last Thursday night's opening round, and for waiting until after the draft to suspend 4 New Orleans Saints players for bounty-gate

May 9 – Jaromir Jagr, for saying his season in Philadelphia was the best of his career even though he has "a couple cups, awards, and things"

May 16 – Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals rookie, for throwing his bat off the runway wall and cutting himself in the eye, resulting in 10 stitches.

May 23 – John Tortorella, Rangers coach, after multiple series of giving one minute press conferences with snippy answers, as well as more bench histrionics and shouting / pointing at Devils coach Peter DeBoer.
*2nd Award of the Year*

May 30th – Mike Wallace, for his continued holdout

June 6th – Warren Sapp, for predicting the Steelers won't make the playoffs now that they lost their veterans Aaron Smith, James Farrior, and Hines Ward

June 13th – Boxing judges in Manny Pacquaio – Timothy Bradley fight… Duane Ford, CJ Ross ruled Bradley the winner despite landing almost 100 fewer punches (253 – 159)

June 20th – The hockey mom in Boston who came on the ice to break up a fight when referees weren't doing so

June 27th – Jersey woman suing 11 year old for hitting her with a baseball

July 3 (Tuesday) – Jose Tabata, for continued lollygagging over the course of the previous week that got him demoted to AAA

July 11 – ESPN, for barely acknowledging Andrew McCutchen was at-bat during the HR Derby broadcast as they interviewed Texas OF Josh Hamilton during his entire 4 HR performance

July 18 – Dez Bryant, Cowboys WR, for allegedly attacking his mother (turned into police by his mother). Bryant narrowly beat out Mark Appel, who turned down the Pirates offer of 3.8 million to go back to Stanford for his senior season

July 25 – Jose Tabata, for "checking out" in AAA games according to Indy broadcaster Will Flemming from WNDE

Aug 1 – NBC for their coverage of the Olympics with Tape Delay… including promoting the "Today Show" with coverage with footage of Olympic results that hadn't been aired yet

Aug 8 – MLB Ump Brian Gorman, who ejected PIrates manager Clint Hurdle from the Saturday game against the Reds after Gorman warned both teams upon a 2nd straight day of plunking from a Reds pitcher. The previous night, Aroldis Chapman had plunked McCutchen, and then Saturday, Mike Leake hit Josh Harrison

Aug 15 – Ochocinco… for his head butting of his new wife after being caught for infidelity… he had kept a condom receipt in his Smart car that she found

Aug 22 – Skip Bayless, for suggesting that white Washington Redskins fans will naturally pull for Kirk Cousins to succeed over RGIII

Aug 29 – Umpire Adrian Robinson, for issuing a warning for both teams as Josh Harrison was hit by a St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, this in retaliation for Harrison bowling over catcher Yadier Molina on a play at the plate.

Sep 5 – Franco Harris, for having a cardboard cutout of JoePa in his luxury suite at Beaver Stadium as well as continuous calls of NCAA Presidents to get them to refute their NCAA sanctions

Sep 12 – Brandon Phillips, for accusing Pirates pitcher Jared Hughes of a racial slur after Hughes hit him with a pitch and Phillips angrily threw the ball back at him

Sep 19 – The NHL and NHLPA collectively for yet another labor stoppage, with the league announcing that training camps set to open on Sept 21st would not be doing so.

Sep 26 – The Pirates, mired in Epic Collapse II, as they dipped 3 games under .500 while losing 2 of 3 to the lowly Houston Astros. The previous Thursday, Trib columnist Dejan Kovacevic revealed details on Navy SEALS training that development camp was undertaking, including pushing truck tires through the outfield… as well as an email from Asst GM Kyle Stark encouraging minor league managers to "be crazy and take risks like the Hells Angels".

Oct 3 – The U.S. Ryder Cup team, who at the "Miracle at Medinah" choked away a 10-6 lead entering the final day of play, allowing Europe to win 8 singles matches (with 1 tie) to take the competition outright. In 85 years of the event's competition, it was the largest blown final-day lead.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Talk Radio

 

04 Oct

Robert Morris Homecoming Victories by Marissa Dubaich

published in category: Uncategorized on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 – 9:53 am

Robert Morris University had an exciting weekend of homecoming games. The RMU football team delivered an upset over undefeated Lafayette and the women's ice hockey team defeated the University of Guelph Gryphons two nights in a row.

The Colonials football team played under the lights for the second year in a row during Robert Morris homecoming weekend. Having an evening home game makes a huge difference for the Colonials. The team has won both night games in RMU history. All the students, factually, alumni, parents, and friends came out to support the football team and the Colonials did not upset their supporters.

The game was tough battle and the team might have lost if it wasn't for Robert Morris Senior Greg Langer. There was only 19 seconds left in the forth quarter when Langer completed a 33-yard field goal giving the Colonials a 31-28 victory over Lafayette.

Robert Morris quarterback, Jeff Sinclair, had a career-high 285 total yards of offense and made it in the top 10 in career rushing yards at Robert Morris. Also, he had his 15th rushing touchdown of his career and had a total of 2 touchdowns against Lafayette. Duane Mitchell and Paul Evans both scored touchdowns. Mitchell had a total of 26 yards and Evans had a total of 19 yards.

The Colonials will be on the road for the next two weeks. This weekend (October 6) they will be playing against Saint Francis at noon and on October 13th, the Colonials will play Bryant at a 1o'clock start.

The football team wasn't the only team who impressed fans during homecoming weekend. The women's hockey team started their season successfully during the opening exhibition games Friday and Saturday night at the RMU Island Sports Center against the University of Guelph Gryphons. On Friday night, junior assistant captain, Thea Imbrogno scored the first and only goal of the game in the first period. The Colonials dominated the rest of the periods and Guelph did not score on any shots-on-goal in the second period.

As for Saturday night, the women's hockey team defeated Guelph for the second night in a row (7-2). Kelsey Thomas, a senior forward, led the team in goals (3), had one assist, and had a total of four points. Kristen Richards (junior), Maddie Collias (sophomore), Rebecca Vint (sophomore), and Brandi Pollock (junior) scored the other 4 goals. Goaltender Courtney Vinet saved 14 shots and had the most saves in the third period with a total of 8.

The women's hockey team has 2 more exhibition games until they play their first regular season game against Yale on October 19th at RMU Island Sport Center.

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Posted in Uncategorized

 

02 Oct

The Dejan Kovacevic Show

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012 – 2:29 pm

Featuring Special Guest Neil Walker plus Steelers Writer Alan Robinson and Dejan takes calls and e-mails from the listeners on the NHL Lockout and the Pirates.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

01 Oct

Pirates Clinch 20 Straight Years of Losing; But Getting Better by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, October 1st, 2012 – 9:03 am

Two seasons ago, the Pirates wrapped up their 18th consecutive losing season by August 20th. They would finish with a record of 57-105. Last season, the Pirates finalized their epic collapse with an 82nd loss on September 14th. This season, the Pirates waited until September 30th before breaking their own North American record for consecutive losing seasons.

Rest assure there is improvement.

I am not talking about the team's ability to delay what has been the inevitable over the last two decades. A losing season is a losing season, in the end. However, the core players appeared to improve markedly; something that was missing with last year's team.

Last season, the Pirates won the majority of their games from great starting pitching. On top of that, most of their pitching staff was comprised of free agent signings and trades well after the players had developed in the minors. Guys like Kevin Correia, Jeff Karstens, and Charlie Morton were the backbone of a first-half winning season. As encouraging as it was to see the team perform well, a sense of sustainability was lacking.

While the staff pitched well above their talent level, players like Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez struggled. Alvarez was eventually sent to AAA where he would remain for most of the season. Meanwhile, McCutchen fell off in the second half of the season, failing to maintain his modest .291 average.

This season was different. Sure, the pitching staff was extremely effective in the first half of the season, but they consisted of James McDonald, a possible future ace, and AJ Burnett, an actual veteran and mentor to the rest of the staff. Nevertheless, the hitting picked up considerably once the Pirates got past the first month and a half of the season. Andrew McCutchen was batting well over .350 while Pedro Alvarez clubbed 16 home runs before the All-Star break.

In the end, both players finished with 30+ home runs.

The Pirates also received a strong year from Neil Walker (before his injury) and got a first look at Starling Marte who appeared to handle his rookie season relatively well. They also added young talented players to fill holes such as Gaby Sanchez and Travis Snider. While both players still need to improve to be considered starters on a competitive team, they are certainly proving to be better options than guys like Matt Hague and Alex Presley.

The farm system also saw improvement form the likes of Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia, Alen Hanson, and Gregory Polanco. Of the five aforementioned names, Cole is most likely to see the majors in 2013 while Taillon could get a chance next September. A rotation featuring AJ Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald and Gerrit Cole could build upon a solid foundation from the last two years.

The young players' ability to improve is the biggest positive we can take out of this season. The young core of players in the lineup are on the verge of breaking out if they haven't done so already (McCutchen).

Still, losing 82+ games this season sucks. There's no way around it. The Pirates have to win more than they lose in order to show the fans that they are improving. Make no mistake, though, they are getting better and the days of counting down another losing season will be over very soon.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

29 Sep

Steel Missing Polamalu and Harrison

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 – 8:45 am

What is the Pittsburgh Steelers record without Troy Polamalu and James Harrison in the lineup since they became staters?

This season, the Steelers have been without OLB James Harrison for all three games and without S Troy Polamalu for the last two contests. The team has allowed 30+ points in both of their defeats, starting the year with a 1-2 record.

So what, you might ask, is the team's record without Polamalu and Harrison since they became regular starters in the Pittsburgh lineup?

Troy Polamalu took over at strong safety in 2004, and since then (including all playoffs and the 2012 season through Week 3) Troy has started in 122 of the team's last 145 games. The Steelers overall record in that time is 100-45 (69% winning percentage).

With Troy in the starting lineup, the team is 88-34 (0-1 this season), good for a 72% winning percentage.

Without Troy in the starting lineup, the team is 12-11, good for just a 52% winning percentage.

James Harrison took over as the full time starter in 2007, and since then (including all playoffs and the 2012 season through Week 3) James has started in 82 of the team's last 91 games. The Steelers overall record in that time is 61-30 (67% winning percentage).

With James in the starting lineup, the team is 55-27, also a 67% winning percentage. His defensive numbers in that stretch are: 60.5 sacks with 26 forced fumbles in 82 starts.

Without James in the starting lineup, the team is 6-3 (1-2 this year), also a 67% winning percentage.

These last two weeks of 2012 have been the first games the Steelers have played since 2007 that both James Harrison and Troy Polamalu have not started at the same time, with team now 1-1 when the are both out of the lineup.

You can see all the details below:

Troy Polamalu

2004 started 16 regular season and 2 playoffs… 18 total… 16-2 record record with him
18 games

2005 started all 16 regular season and 4 playoffs… 20 total… 15-5 record with him
20 games

2006 13 of 16… knee injury vs tampa late in year, missed 3 games, 2-1 without him, 6-7 with him
16 games

2007 11 of 16 and 1 playoff game to jax.. week 5 w/ rib injury (win over seattle), 3 weeks with knee.. miami, cinci, new england, final at baltimore, 3-2 without him, 7-5 with him
17 games

2008 all 16 regular and 3 playoffs… 15-4 record and super bowl
19 games

2009 5 of 16, injured knee in opener then missed 4 games… then reinjured knee in week 10 vs cincy and was done… 2-2 without him, 3-1 in games started (the one loss when he left in bengals game 0-1, then 3-4 to finish… so 4-1 with him, 5-6 without him,
16 games

2010 14 of 16… 2 games w/ achilles / ankle, back for all 3 playoff games… jets & carolina late in year… without him 1-1, 13-4 with him
19 games

2011 all 16 and the playoff game… record 12-5 with him
17 games

2012 started opener in Denver, missed next 2… 0-1 with him, team 1-1 without him
3 games

Since taking over in 2004… started in 122 of 145… missed 23 games over 8+ years
With him
16-2
15-5
6-7
7-5
15-4
4-1
13-4
12-5
0-1
total with Troy 88-34 with him in the lineup… 72%

without him
2-1
3-2
5-6
1-1
1-1
total without troy 12-11 (52%)

100-45 total record in 145 games

James Harrison

2007 1st as starter, all 16 + Jax playoff loss… 10 sacks, 6 FF… 10-7 record all with him
17 games

2008 1st 15 games, missed finale v Cleveland w/ hip injury… then all 3 playoff games… 17 sacks, 7 FF… 14-4 with him, 1-0 without him
19 games

2009 All 16 games… 10 sacks, 5 FF… 9-7 record all with him
16 games

2010 All 16 games + 3 playoff games… 14.5 sacks, 6 FF… 14-5 all with him
19 games

2011 11 regular season and 1 playoff… missed 4 games due due eye / orbital bone fracture and 1 due to suspension… injured in houston, then missed titans game snapping 36 game regular season start streak, 39 total… missed tennessee, jax, at arizona, new england, at SF… team 8-4 with him, 4-1 without him… 9 sacks, 2 FF
17 games

2012 1-2 without him
3 games

Since taking over as starter in 2007, he had started 82 of 88… now 3 more without him for total of 82 of 91 games… team is 5-1 without him as a starter… in his 82 starts, 60.5 sacks and 26 forced fumbles

Now 6-3 without him (67%)
10-7
14-4
9-7
14-5
8-4
55 – 27 with him (67%)

(team's total record 61-30)

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Sep

TribLIVE Radio High School Football Athlete of the Week

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, September 28th, 2012 – 3:07 pm

Congratulations to Peters Township's Mike Minjock who was voted TribLIVE Radio High School Football Athlete of the Week. Last Friday, Minjock ran for four touchdowns to lead #9 Peters Township to a nonconference win at Shaler by a score of 36 – 7. Minjock who has 11 touchdowns this season finished with 157 yards on 17 carries.

Peters Township takes on Bethel Park-Senior tonight at 7:30pm. Peters Township is now 3-1 on the season.

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Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

28 Sep

Pittsburgh Steelers: Finger Should Point at Running Game Rather Than Defense by David Daniels

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, September 28th, 2012 – 9:06 am

Troy Polamalu and James Harrison will be back.

Chill.

While the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense isn't living up to its prestigious reputation, the return of two former Defensive Players of the Year in Polamalu and Harrison are sure to resurrect its supremacy. You can't be as optimistic about a ground-game turnaround, though.

Through three weeks, Pittsburgh's offense has only rushed for 195 yards. That's the third-worst total in the NFL.

Sure, like the defense, the Steelers rushing attack is without key personnel in Rashard Mendenhall. But there's without a doubt a larger drop off from Polamalu and Harrison to Ryan Mundy and Chris Carter than there is from Mendenhall to Isaac Redman. After all, Redman actually averaged more yards per carry than Mendenhall each of the past three seasons.

Of course, according to Mendenhall, there isn't even a problem with Pittsburgh's ground game. Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Mendenhall said this week:

"I don't think (the running game) is too much different than it's been. It might be perceived that we're struggling, and it's not the case. It's a different offense, we've got some different guys, and we're trying to figure out how to put it together."

It's not the case, huh? So 2.64 yards per carry is not "too much different than it's been"? That's why, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Steelers are off to their worst start rushing the football in the last 62 years.

Mendenhall's return will help. David DeCastro's return, whenever that is, will help. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something is detrimentally wrong with Pittsburgh's running game.

When Todd Haley has had his hands on a pass-first offense-which he didn't on the Kansas City Chiefs and has on the Steelers-his Plan B, to run the football, has never been an explosive one.

In 2007 on the Arizona Cardinals, Edgerrin James failed to rush for an average of 4.0 yards per game in Haley's system. He couldn't do it the next year either. And he split time with a halfback in Tim Hightower who finished the 2008 campaign with an average of 2.8 yards a pop.

One would think a ground game, while lacking yards in quantity, should be able to gain quality yards in complement to Haley's top-notch air attack. Ben Roethlisberger recording an average passer rating of 109.2, in theory, should back safeties off and open up running lanes. That has yet to happen, though-this season or any other in which Haley was pass-happy.

Other than injuries, who knows what's stopping Pittsburgh's rushing attack from being the threat it's been in the past? One thing is for certain, though, 2.64 yards per carry won't bring Lombardi Trophy No. 7 to the Steel City.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Sep

Defensive Woes for the Steelers Could Leave Team Home for Playoffs by Ryan Shaffer

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, September 28th, 2012 – 9:05 am

The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the bye week at 1-2, with both losses occurring against AFC opponents on the road. The team suffered both losses while missing at least two key defensive players, which left them trying to outscore their opponents. Many Steelers fans believe that a slow start means nothing in the grand scheme of things, but the two losses scare me. In each match, Pittsburgh failed to stop the opposing offenses on third down, which led to 30+ point yields. This team's defensive struggles may leave them watching the 2012 playoffs instead of playing.
Against Denver, Pittsburgh's defense stopped Payton Manning in the first half. Manning then shook the rust off after not playing for nearly two years, and shredded the Ryan Clark-less Steelers defense for scores on each second half drive. The Broncos started using the no-huddle offense, which left the aging Casey Hampton on the field play-after-play. Also, Manning's consistent audible plays took Troy Polamalu out of the game. With an exhausted defensive line, and lack of secondary support, the Broncos' offense simply carved Pittsburgh's defense apart. To make things worse, Willis McGahee ran for 64 yards, mostly for first downs in third down situations. Denver scored on an interception return for a touchdown to skew the score, but the Steelers still allowed the Broncos to score 31 points against their "great" defense.
Pittsburgh seemed to hit their stride in week 2 against the Jets after the opening New York drive. Mark Sanchez found Santonio Holmes in the end zone after several pass interference penalties let the Jets drive down field. After that, the defense only allowed three points for the remainder of the game. I attribute the win to brilliant ball control by the Steelers offense (36:36 to 23:34), but the defense certainly played well. Oh yeah, Tim Tebow broke for a 22-yard run by slipping through Pittsburgh's defensive line. The Jets rushed for 90 yards in the loss. The Steelers played without Polamalu and Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison, and still won.
Against Oakland, Pittsburgh seemed to dominate most of the game, but the defensive ability to stop the Raiders failed to exist. Every time the Steelers took the lead, Oakland seemed to either tie the game, or inch closer. Darren McFadden rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries, including a 64-yard touchdown run. With a 10-point-lead in the 4th quarter, Oakland systematically drove the ball down the field and scored three times (2TD, 1FG) to win the game, 34-31.
I understand that Troy Polamalu and James Harrison missed significant time thus far, but the defensive line needs to stop the run and apply some pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Lamarr Woodley and Larry Foote played well in all three games, but players like Lawrence Timmons and Casey Hampton disappeared. The Steelers need to find a way to stop the run and get off the field on third downs. If no one steps up, then Pittsburgh will be watching other teams fight for the Lombardi Trophy this year.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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