Tree of Life

09 Mar

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor faces surgery on thumb

published in category: Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, March 9th, 2012 – 2:57 pm

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor will undergo surgery on his left thumb Tuesday.

Taylor broke his thumb on the second play of the Steelers` 16-7 loss to the Redskins last Friday night.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that he expected Taylor to miss two to three weeks. Tomlin was evasive after practice today when asked if that timetable has changed or if Taylor will have to wear some sort of cast after he is cleared to practice.

Taylor called the injury a "freak accident." When asked if he will be ready for the Steelers` regular-season opener in Baltimore, Taylor said, "I don`t know. I`ve got to wait on the doctors."

Taylor has been one of the Steelers` most durable players, and it will be a surprise if he isn`t ready for the Sept. 11 opener.

"Ike`s a warrior," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "He`s going to play."

In other injury news, rookie running back Baron Batch is scheduled to have surgery on his left knee Wedneday.

Batch tore his ACL last Wednesday in a non-contact injury.

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Posted in Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 Mar

Power open their second season in the AFL with fresh faces.

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, March 9th, 2012 – 2:19 pm

If Pittsburgh Power coach Chris Siegfried designed the sharpest pass routes or the trickiest defenses, he would be doing only part of his job.

In the Arena Football League, the coach is also the recruiting coordinator, but finding great athletes isn't enough.

"You have to recruit football players who fit into this style of play," he said. "It's not a game for everybody."

The Power open their second season at 8:30 p.m. Friday night against the Predators in Orlando, Fla., with a lineup that was given a makeover of more than 50 percent from 2011. The 24-man roster has 14 new faces. Of the 17 starters, eight played elsewhere last season or didn't play at all.

The AFL is nomadic by nature, but Siegfried contributed to the turnover in the offseason by seeking players who are old enough to know the game but young enough to keep up with its speed.

After the Power finished 9-9 and short of the playoffs, Siegfried evaluated what went wrong, blaming many of his problems on injuries. For example, the Power used five starting quarterbacks.

"I think I called every quarterback who has ever taken a snap in Arena Football," he said.

But Siegfried wasn't content to make excuses, and he decided to do something about the injuries.

"It's not really an exact science in how the injuries happened," he said. "But what I found out was a lot of the injuries for some reason happened to the younger players who never played the game before."

That's why Siegfried signed several indoor football veterans who "know how to train, know how to practice and know how to play."

The results of Siegfried's efforts brought several accomplished players to Pittsburgh, including wide receiver/kick returner P.J Berry, quarterback Kyle Rowley, center Beau Elliott, fullback Tyre Young and defensive back Chris LeFlore.

Berry, who has a case of plantar fasciitis and may be limited in Orlando, led the AFL in all-purpose yards last season with the New Orleans Voodoo (an average of 206.0 per game). He returned five kickoffs for touchdowns and totaled 2,043 return yards and 1,593 in receptions.

Siegfried said Rowley is in Pittsburgh after losing his starting job in Spokane, partially due to a 51-41 loss to the Power last season. In that game, Rowley completed 19 of 44 passes with two interceptions.

"We had a great game plan against him and that started a string of events that allowed him to become available," Siegfried said.

Rowley, who has been playing indoors since 2003, hopes to have better protection this season throwing behind a veteran unit. The line will be led by Elliott, who played at Highlands and Indiana (Pa.), and Young, a Woodland Hills product who also played at Pitt and IUP.

Young had a full-time job last season and didn't play indoor football, but Siegfried said he was the best fullback in the league in 2010 when he played in Milwaukee.

Rowley, who led Spokane to the AFL championship in 2010, has a solid stable of pass catchers, including Aliquippa's Mike Washington and 6-foot-6, 242-pound Lonnell Dewalt. Washington, who is 5-8, had 30 touchdowns among his 114 receptions last season.

"Mike Washington should be in the NFL, in my opinion," Siegfried said.

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Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 Mar

Highlands grad Elliott returns with Pittsburgh Power

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, March 9th, 2012 – 2:17 pm

Over the years, Beau Elliott has worn many different football uniforms, from the brown and gold of Highlands High School to the blue and gray of the Arena Football League's Chicago Rush.

But Elliott believes, for many Pittsburghers, there's nothing like wearing black and gold and representing the city as a pro athlete.

Elliott, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound center, will fulfill a dream when he makes his debut with the AFL's Pittsburgh Power in the regular-season opener at 8 p.m. Friday at Orlando (Fla.)

"It's a great feeling," Elliott said. "I always wondered what it would be like to play for my home city. I'll get that opportunity, starting this week. I hope to do my part and contribute to a win."

Elliott, 29, who now lives in Creighton, played three seasons for Chicago before signing with the Power, who are set to kick off their second season.

Now a successful veteran, Elliott is expected to bolster the offensive line of a team that finished 9-9 and missed the playoffs in its inaugural campaign.

"Beau brings a lot to the team," Power coach Chris Siegfried said. "He has great character and leadership that other guys can look up to. And he's a great arena football player. He was one of our biggest pickups in the offseason. He'll be a huge cog in our offensive machine."

Elliott's resume includes being named to the AFL's All-Rookie Team in 2008, earning All-AFL Second Team honors in 2010 and helping lead Chicago to playoff appearances in all three of his seasons. The AFL cancelled its 2009 season because of financial difficulties. Last season, Chicago finished one win short of the Arena Bowl.

"Camp went really well," Elliott said. "Anytime you come into a new situation, there's a lot of new faces and a transition period. But then you get to know everybody and see how we fit together. It's been a productive and efficient camp. And it's nice being able to stay at home and commute. That's something I'm not used to."

During previous camps with Chicago, he stayed in a crowded apartment with other players.

Elliott can't wait for the home opener against the Philadelphia Soul on March 23. He's hoping for a large turnout for the Power and himself.

"Everybody I've talked to has mentioned they want to come and see a game," Elliott said. "I had a game in Cleveland last year and had 30 or 40 people show up. I can only imagine when the game is only 20 minutes away. According to what people are telling me, I'm going to need 200 to 300 tickets."

Actually, Elliott isn't the first member of his family to represent Pittsburgh in a sport. His father, Randy, 55, played professional softball for the Pittsburgh Hardhats. During the softball craze of the late 1970s and early '80s, pro teams formed in cities all over the northeastern United States.

But the AFL, in its 25th season, has proved to have more staying power.

Elliott also has reunited on the field with long-time friends. Power offensive line coach John Sikora played guard for Chicago during Elliott's rookie season. And fullback Tyre Young was a teammate at Indiana (Pa.) University and Wilkes-Barre Scranton, which played in the AF2 – the AFL's developmental league. Young is from Woodland Hills.

"It's always a bonus to tap into local talent," Siegfried said. "Local fans who knew about these guys in high school or college can see them play up-close and personal again."

Elliott missed about one-third of last season with a right knee injury but returned in time for Chicago's push into the postseason. The injury didn't require surgery, and he rehabilitated during the offseason. He will wear a brace as a precaution.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm 100 percent," Elliott said.

This Friday's game at Orlando is the AFL's Hall of Fame Game and will be broadcast on NFL Network.

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Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

07 Mar

With McCutchen Signed, Bucs Steadily Building a Winner by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 – 9:29 am

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates reached an agreement with Andrew McCutchen who is unquestionably the best player on the team. With a 6 year, $51.5 million extension, the Pirates not only locked up the 25 year old center fielder past two free agent years, but also gave hope to a city who has been victimized by cheapskate ownership and bad investments over the last 20 years.

While the amount of years is encouraging to Pirates fans, ensuring McCutchen will in Pittsburgh until he is 32 years old, the dollar figure suggests the Pirates are expecting improvement to what has already been a young, All-Star career.

Last season, McCutchen's batting average dropped from .286 to .259. However, his on-base percentage dropped only one point (due to more walks) and he was only one of a dozen players to record twenty home runs and twenty stolen bases.

But the Pirates want more and are expecting more out of Andrew McCutchen.

Justin Upton, who is projected to hit upwards of 40 home runs and steal 30 bases, was given a 6 year $51.25 million deal almost two years to the day before McCutchen. Upton has MVP potential for the Arizona Diamondbacks who are looking to lean on him as a centerpiece to the lineup. In a similar fashion, the Pirates see McCutchen as a #3 hitter who can contribute to a lineup that is sorely lacking power. While his numbers have been steady through the first three seasons in the majors, the Pirates are investing in the potential, not the current talent. That means a higher average, higher on-base percentage, and more power.

Could the deal have come at a better time? With the organization adding elite-level arms to the farm system, the Pirates now have the face of the franchise secured long enough to see at least one of the four potential aces reach Pittsburgh. If pitchers Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Luis Heredia and Stetson Allie all fall to the wayside -as Tony Sanchez and Pedro Alvarez are starting to show- then the Pirates have bigger problems. If the pitchers develop, the pieces may be in place for relevant baseball in October.

What an exciting time for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their fans. In 2007, when Neal Huntington and Bob Nutting preached "commitment to winning," everyone scoffed. The fan base had heard this before; "rebuilding," "3 year plan," "5 year plan." When the franchise signed Pedro Alvarez to a $6.4 million deal, excitement was existent but tempered. Then followed the tens of millions spent in the draft and international market to sign the likes of Jameson Taillon, Gerrit Cole, Josh Bell, Stetson Allie, Luis Heredia and Robbie Grossman. Still, Pirates fans had two more questions: Can they keep the major league talent they have? Can they win?

One question has been answered by management. The other question needs to be answered by the players.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

05 Mar

Andrew McCutchen will be staying on the Pirate ship for a long time by Dominic Errico

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, March 5th, 2012 – 10:50 am

Superstar center fielder Andrew McCutchen will be remaining on the Pirate ship for the foreseeable future.

The Pirates' best player, and one of the best players in all of Major League Baseball signed a six-year, $51 million dollar deal late last night to keep him in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

You have to give Neal Huntington a lot of credit for locking up a player like this for a long time. From the sounds of it, the deal could be a steal along the lines of the Jose Tabata deal if McCutchen continues to show growth on the field.

McCutchen is a symbol of the new attitude surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates and is a great player to have as the "face of the franchise." He's definitely a lot of fun to watch play the game and a crucial part of the Pirates future.

This news has to be a shock to the blind haters of the Nutting regime who feel that the team will never spend money to be competitive.

I think this move, plus the move last year to lock up Tabata, plus moves to bring in A.J. Burnett and Erik Bedard show this team is headed in the right direction.

The team and its fan base needed some good news after the freak bunting accident broke the orbital bone in A.J. Burnett's face. The injury will force the pitcher to miss 8-12 weeks.

Major kudos Neal Huntington!

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

05 Mar

With Burnett Out, It's James McDonald's Time to Shine by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, March 5th, 2012 – 8:51 am

After AJ Burnett's freak accident while trying to lay down a bunt, the Pirates suddenly lost their ace before he could throw a single pitch. Out 2-3 months with an orbital fracture, Burnett became the talk of Pittsburgh after the Pirates acquired his rights from the Yankees on February 18th. Pirates' pitching coach, Ray Searage, immediately dubbed Burnett the "ace" before the final stitches were sewn to Burnett's jersey.

On thursday, Burnett was injured after bunting a ball into his eye. Video of the injury quickly spread as Pirates fans watched the blood drip off of Burnett's helmet. While acquiring Burnett certainly didn't put the Pirates into World Series discussions, his injury seemed to bring out the cursed mentality from Pirates' fans.

Now, the onus falls on 27 year old James McDonald to stabilize a shallow rotation. After suffering an oblique injury last March, McDonald struggled in the first half of the 2011 season with a 4.72 ERA. In the second half, McDonald regained his sub-4.00 ERA and struck out 75 batters in 85 innings.

His biggest downfall? Luck.

Despite lowering his line drive and fly ball ratios, McDonald allowed 24 home runs in 2011, leaving him tied for 16th in the Majors in most home runs allowed. If he can keep the ball in the park a little more, the Pirates could have their ace before Burnett makes his return.

The Pirates have been looking for someone to take the reins as the leader of the rotation. AJ Burnett was supposed to be that guy, but the team cannot wait 2-3 months -half the season- for him to return. The rotation showed a competitive spirit throughout the first half of 2011 and Ray Searage will certainly hold them to a higher standard heading into this year.

If this is truly a club that wants to show it is tired of losing, they need to win despite the setbacks and they need someone to step up and set an example. For the pitchers, James McDonald has the confidence and natural ability to be that type of player. When looking at the rest of the rotation, all the other pitchers have bigger question marks.

Can Erik Bedard stay healthy and pitch a full season?

Did Jeff Karstens luck run out?

Is Charlie Morton able to throw in April after recover from hip surgery?

Can Kevin Correia pitch consistently for more than a month?

At 27 years old, entering his prime years for most pitchers, it is time to see James McDonald take the mound as a leader. If he pitches well enough in Spring Training, his first matchup could be on Opening Day against Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 

02 Mar

Steelers Draft Profiles: Alabama ILB Dont'a Hightower

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 – 4:05 pm

As often as house fires appear on the local news, the Pittsburgh Steelers select linebackers in high rounds in the NFL Draft in April.

Jack Ham. Jack Lambert. Mike Merriweather. Levon Kirkland. Jason Gildon. Mike Vrabel. Joey Porter. Kendrell Bell. Lawrence Timmons. LaMarr Woodley. Jason Worilds. Dont'a Hightower?

Might the Alabama inside 'backer be the next in a long line of young, highly touted additions to feed what has been the lifeblood of Steelers' defenses through the decades?

Dont'a Hightower, who checked in at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6'2", 265 lbs., was the defensive co-captain of the national championship Alabama Crimson Tide defense in 2011. In 12 games at 'Mike' linebacker last season as a redshirt junior, Hightower racked up 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hurries, 4 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was a consensus first-team All-American as voted by the AP, AFCA, Walter Camp, and other publications.

All told, Dont'a started 40 games in his 'Bama career, and finished with a 48-6 win-loss record. Included in that four-year tenure was a 2009 season that became a medical redshirt year four games into the campaign after Hightower took an Arkansas lineman's helmet to his left knee. The injury required major reconstructive surgery due to the injured ACL and MCL ligaments as well as cartilage tears. However, the Lewisburg, Tennessee native said at the NFL Combine that his injury rehab is long behind him.

"I feel as fast as I've ever felt, even before the knee injury," said Hightower. "I feel like I've got my speed back, and that was pretty much an open factor to my success. After the knee injury I knew what it was going to take, I knew I was going to be out for a time. After the knee incident and after the surgery I was going to work back to where I am and I definitely feel I'm just about to where I need to be."

Hightower ran well at the NFL Scouting Combine for his size, completing the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds. That was good for 10th best among the LBs who ran in Indianapolis, and at the speed mark where Hightower said he hoped he would run before the testing. However, a few scouts in Indy considered his 265-pound weight to be too heavy for most inside linebacker posts in the NFL, and Hightower agreed.

"Hopefully by Pro-Day [March 7th] I'll bump it down to 260, or 255 [lbs.]," he said. "I actually feel like I'm moving pretty good right now. As far as my 40 and my shuttle run and everything, I'm looking really good [like] back way before the knee injury. Way more fluent. I just feel like in order for me to maximize my performance in the NFL, playing inside linebacker I feel like I maybe need to drop a couple more pounds."

As for the other measurables, Dont'a displayed a 32" vertical leap, but did not participate in the bench press or the broad jump. He also per some scouts reviews did not move all that fluidly when asked to drop into coverage and display his hip turn in drills. Hightower didn't sound concerned about any questions sourrounding his pro ability, though.

"I definitely feel with my physical play that I'll be able to come in and excel as well as anybody else," he said. "I just feel like the nutrition I've gotten at API [Athletes Performance Institue] has really helped me out as far as my lean mass and my body weight so I'm definitely moving the right direction to get myself in the best performance playing ability."

One thing that isn't questioned is Dont'a Hightower's run-stopping ability from his college days, nor is his willingness to lay a bit hit on opposing ball-carriers. Hightower is a consensus elite prospect in terms of forward-moving linebackers in the 2012 Draft, and he combines that with a very high pedigree of experience as well as comfort in aligning and calling defenses.

Those traits are a big part of the job opening the Pittsburgh Steelers now have with their longtime captain James Farrior set to be released from the team at age 37. Veteran Larry Foote and 2010 5th-Round draft pick Stevenson Sylvester, along with free agent pickup Mortty Ivy, are the current rostered players that would be competing to fill Farrior's 'Buck' linebacker spot. Lawrence Timmons also could slide over from his 'Mack' inside linebacker position to become the defensive captain who wears the green-stickered helmet, although Timmons hasn't taken many repetitions there recently. Regardless of the 2012 replacement, and barring an unexpected look into the free agent market for linebackers, the Steelers certainly need to begin grooming a long-term replacement for Farrior's post.

Is Dont'a Hightower worth the 24th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft? Is he quick enough moving in space to cover the league's top backs and tight ends? Was his production on an Alabama defense (one that may feature four first-round picks and perhaps six total high-round selections) a result of Hightower's elite ability or that of the players around him? These are all questions the Steelers' brass must answer by late April. But there's no question Dont'a Hightower is on their radar, and at this point would seem to be their most likely target in the latter stages of Round 1.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

28 Feb

Shero: "I'm comfortable with this team moving forward" by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 – 8:38 am

The trade deadline passed at 3 pm without the slightest whisper of the Penguins being involved. For the first time in 23 years, Pittsburgh was neither buyers nor sellers, they simply chose to pass.

But that is OK. At least, according to Pens' GM Ray Shero who announced shortly after the trade deadline that the team did not make any moves. Why? Confidence and a lack of viable options in a slow trade market.

"This is the first time we have not done anything. It just really wasn't there for us in terms of the players that were available. I like our team and I believed in our hockey team. I still do and I'm comfortable with this team moving forward," Shero said. (source: WTAE)

And why shouldn't he be confident? When breaking down the components of a Stanley Cup contending team, the Penguins seem to have a fighting chance, with or without Sidney Crosby.

Elite Talent

Assuming Evgeni Malkin doesn't slow down -and judging by his play as of late that seems extremely doubtful- the Penguins look to have the MVP of the league. If they get Sidney Crosby back, the rest of the league could be in double trouble as Dan Bylsma can roll out three lines as tough as any team in the NHL. The Penguins also have a pure goal scorer in James Neal who is on pace to score 40+ goals, a component that was missing in their 2009 Stanley Cup run. And don't forget about Jordan Staal who has 21 goals in 42 games, this season. Staal has always had the size and strength and this season, he seems to have learned how to use it.

Role Players

Pascal Dupuis, along with being an excellent penalty killer, is having one of his best seasons and is only two points away from tying his season record with the Penguins. Craig Adams is one of the leaders on the penalty kill, arguably sacrificing his body more than anyone on the team to block shots. Joe Vitale leads the team in face-off percentage and is ranked 15th in the league. Chris Kunitz has complimented the Malkin-Neal pairing as a physical presence on the line. Kunitz is a heavy hitter despite being the smallest on the line, while also closing in on 20 goals this season.

Solid Goaltender

While the performance of a goaltender in the playoffs is always unpredictable, Marc-Andre Fleury has shown that he possesses the ability to win big games. Although, if he does not get more time off in the regular season, the chance of breaking down in the spring could become a reality.

Lock down defense

This is probably the only quality lacking on the Penguins. While the defense is not necessarily a weakness, the Penguins have not been as stingy as they were last season. Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik have had a rough season while the defense, as a whole, has had trouble limiting their turnovers. At the same time, the Penguins have played well against some of the best teams in the league. They limited Boston to one goal on the road and shutout the New York Rangers at home. Kris Letang is an excellent two-way defenseman who often is mistaken as a pure offensive-defenseman. Brooks Orpik and Deryk Engelland are very physical while Zbynek Michalek has a knack for always having his stick in the right spot. The talent on the defensive side of the ice is there, it is a matter of consistency.

Playoff Experience

Every player on the current roster has playoff experience and ten of those players hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2009. While the team draws leadership from its young core, those players have more Stanley Cup experience than some ten-year vets. The Penguins also have a coaching staff that has experience on the biggest stage and can make the adjustments to turn a series.

Ray Shero knows the makeup of his team heading into the postseason. He chose not to make a move on the grounds that the team is already a contender in the Eastern Conference. This is in direct contrast to last year when he made moves to improve the roster because he wanted to give the team a fighting chance despite season ending injuries to his two top players. Shero believes that this team can not only compete in the playoffs, but continue playing through the month of May.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Penguins

 



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