Tree of Life

15 Sep

Pirates Secure 19th Straight Losing Season by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, September 15th, 2011 – 8:34 am

Despite all the excitement and drama of being in first place in late July, the Pittsburgh Pirates extended their North American sports record of consecutive losing seasons to nineteen. With yesterday's 3-2 loss against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates reached 82 losses to ensure their fate; a mark that was reached August 20th of last season. Although the season was more exciting and competitive, the end result was the same.

Was the season a success based on their ability to stay in a pennant race for four months? Of course not. Believe it, Pirates fans, the record does matter when the consecutive losing streak reaches long enough that today's teens were not alive to see Pittsburgh's last winning season. Make no mistake, despite the first half of the season, the Pirates were not successful and this season cannot be labeled an improvement based on a 10-15 more wins at the end of the road. In all honesty, I would be surprised if "The Streak" ended next year. The farm system has made significant improvements through the draft and development stages of young, talented prospects. The next step is to not only get these prospects to Pittsburgh, but to make them superstars at the big league level. Whether or not that will happen is still a question mark. However, as ugly as this sounds, patience is the right temperament to show.

How do you lose for nineteen straight years? Ugly drafts, bad signings and a slew of general managers who have no idea how to build a winning program. As much as we all wish to blame the current ownership for this mess, however, the fact remains that he will not give up his product to a billionaire and he will not jeopardize another decade of losing to create one winning year in Pittsburgh. When Bob Nutting brought Frank Coonelly and Neal Huntington aboard, the franchise lacked sustainable talent at the minor and major league levels. While the plethora of moves has yet to yield a winning season, the overall direction of the franchise is forward with the brightest moments still a few years away.

Still, this stings. More so than in year's past.

The Pirates, after going 53-47 midway through the season, are now 67-82 with plenty of losses still on the table. The epic collapse we all thought wouldn't happen this year, happened. The pitching folded, the bullpen crumbled, and the hitting remained consistently bad. Along the way, the Pirates never overcame the errant call by Jerry Meals and possibly felt the pressure of being the team to end "The Streak". While two pieces of the future improved, (Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen) two of the other pieces took giants steps back (Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez). Next year, that simply cannot happen.

The standard is still set at winning baseball, regardless of the embarrassment the franchise has brought the city over the last two decades. Whether the fans kick and scream or simply numb themselves of the pain of futility, the prospect of winning must always be the focal point for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With that being the obvious, the ownership must live up to their word on building a winning team. While the draft remains to be a strong suit for the franchise, it is time to take care of our current major leaguers. Particularly, Andrew McCutchen. He must be given an extension to eat up arbitration years and go beyond into his free agent period. McCutchen is the star in Pittsburgh, a fan favorite, and the marquee player in representing the Pirates "turn around".

We can dream that, one day, all the pieces will fall into place and the Pirates will contend for a championship. Until then, we must live with reality of rooting for the worst franchise in North American sports history. The proverbial monkey of a winning season remains on the backs of Pittsburghers for one more year.

Check out www.OddsShark.com for this week's lines on the NFL and NCAA Football.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

14 Sep

Steelers Wednesday Practice Notes – Seattle Week

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 – 5:25 pm

The Steelers wrapped up a Wednesday practice at their South Side facility today as they prepare to play the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in the home opener. A couple of observations:

LG Chris Kemoeatu did not practice as he continues to battle a knee issue that has been nagging him since training camp. In his place, I was told that Ramon Foster practiced with the first team offense. However, I don't get the sense "Big Juicy" is in danger of missing the game this weekend. And the Steelers need Chris K's experience desperately at this point, with Marcus Gilbert set to make his NFL debut.

Also missing practice were Hines Ward, James Farrior, and Aaron Smith with veterans' days off, as well as WR Jerricho Cotchery with his hamstring injury.

Speaking of Gilbert, for what it's worth he was very upbeat after his first practice as a starter. He seems confident and excited to make his first start in Pittsburgh. I asked him whether he'd prefer to run or throw it more against Seattle, and he said "we'd probably like to run the ball more, a lot more than we did last week because we dug ourselves in a hole." Gilbert had some impressive run statistics in college, racking up 22 TD-resulting blocks in two years as a starter with Florida in the SEC.

LB Larry Foote made a trip across the locker room to chat with my colleague Mark Kaboly regarding his blog post; http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2011/09/11/farrior-done-wrong/. Foote wanted to point out that he and Farrior rotated last season in the same manner that they did this past Sunday in Baltimore, and to dispute that it was an issue. Personally, I don't remember Foote rotating in all that much last season and it does seem to be a significant change of philosophy to me. I'm curious to see if that was an anti-Ray-Rice rotation or whether it continues this week.

For Seattle, WR Sidney Rice is nursing a sore shoulder and it's unclear whether he'll be able to go this weekend. Rice caught 10 passes against the Steelers at Heinz Field in November of 2009 with Minnesota and QB Brett Favre throwing him balls. Current Seattle QB Tavaris Jackson was on that Vikings team and admitted Sidney's presence this week "could mean a lot, give us some big plays downfield. He's a guy I'm very familiar with that I can count on whenever I get in some trouble. That would be big for us."

Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch also has a decent history against the Steelers, with 85-scrimmage yards against Pittsburgh back in 2007. Expect Lynch to get plenty of opportunity to best that total Sunday. Tavaris Jackson hinted in his chat with the Pittsburgh media that staying balanced as Baltimore did last week will be a key for their offense in order to keep the Steelers pass rush from teeing off. Lynch had only 33-yards rushing on 13 carries in Week 1, and as a result Jackson took 5 sacks last week and was battered by San Francisco's 'D'.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

13 Sep

Steelers Go From Biggest Blowout to Biggest Favorite

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 – 2:50 pm

The oddsmaker always remembers the good things you have done in the past and believes you will do it again in the future.
How else to explain the Steelers going from suffering the worst defeat of any Week 1 team to being the biggest favorite on the NFL odds menu just a few days later. http://oddsshark.com/nfl/steelers-biggest-chalk-opening-lines
That's the nature of the betting business where the Steelers come home to face the Seattle Seahawks, opening as 15-point favorites, according to several shops tracked by OddsShark.com.
After turning the ball over seven times in a humbling loss at Baltimore, Pitt turns its focus to its Super Bowl XL victim. Those Seahawks were in the game in Week 1, but a pair of fourth-quarter returns for TDs by Ted Ginn turned a close game into a lopsided final score.
But giving 15 points? After looking so bad on Sunday?
"It's still the Steelers, it's still their home opener and they are still facing a team with Tarvaris Jackson at the helm, so it could still get ugly," said Mike Pickett of OddsShark.com.
Indeed, the Week 1 loss to the 49ers continued a couple of ugly trends in Seattle. It makes them 1-8 ATS in their past 9 September road games and pushed the game OVER the total for the 10th time in 11 games when they were an underdog. They also have been obedient dogs, losing ATS 8 of the past 9 times they were dogged by 9 points or more.
All trends that point to backing the home team in Week 2, while offering a glimpse into a possible OVER play.
Week 2 Opening Lines
The Steelers are the biggest chalk of the week but the Jets (-11.5 at home to Jacksonville) and Green Bay (-10.5 at Carolina) are also double-digit chalk. And there are some whopping large totals on the board, including 50.5 in New England where the Pats host the Chargers.
The biggest drama of the week will be in Atlanta where the Falcons welcome back Michael Vick. But if history is any measuring stick, do not expect Vick's Eagles to be gracious guests. The Eagles are 10-1-1 ATS in the past 12 meetings with the Falcons. http://oddsshark.com/nfl/falcons-vs-eagles-betting-preview-september-18-2011
Check out all the latest live odds, matchup reports and trends analysis on every pro and college game, including Pitt and Penn State — only at OddsShark.com. http://oddsshark.com/ncaaf

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Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

12 Sep

Dominated: Steelers Blown Out by Ravens by Jon Pennline

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, September 12th, 2011 – 9:14 am

This was a good old fashion butt whopping by the Baltimore Ravens. Heading into this season, the defending AFC Champion Steelers heard about how their defense was too old and their offensive line was terrible. The Ravens didn't just prove those critics right, they made them look like Einsteins.

Ray Rice ran for 107 yards on just 19 carries and scored 2 touchdowns in part of the Raven's biggest blowout in the franchise's history against the Steelers. While the Steelers defense was dominated up and down the field, the offense had just as many turnovers as points. Ben Roethlisberger threw three picks of which two were thrown right at Ravens free safety Ed Reed. Every time the Steelers seemed to move the ball down field, a turnover would kill the drive and all hope of making a dramatic comeback.

Down 21-7 to start the second half, the Steelers looked to create another dramatic come from behind win as they did in last year's divisional playoff round. This time, it was not going to happen. Pittsburgh fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Baltimore quickly capitalized when Flacco's playaction burned Polamalu as he threw to a wide open Ed Dickson for an 18 yard touchdown. John Harbaugh decided to run a fake extra point which led to an easy two point conversion. The following play from scrimmage, Roethlisberger's pass was tipped by Haloti Ngata and intercepted by Ray Lewis. The Steelers D held Baltimore to a field goal, but the offense never recovered.

Adding salt to the wound, was the physical dominance of the Ravens over the Steelers. In Tomlin's five seasons as Pittsburgh's head coach, this was the worst physical beating the Steelers had experienced. Hines Ward was blind sided by Jarret Johnson on a broken screen play that eventually led to Reed's second interception. Rashard Mendenhall was blasted by Ngata on a play in which it seemed Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey were crossed up on the snap cadence. The Steelers weren't just beaten, they were bludgeoned in every aspect of the game and downright intimidated.

Still, we can take a few positives out of this game. Other than James Harrison's knee, which did not look serious, the Steelers somehow managed to come out of this game healthy. Next week, they face the Seattle Seahawks at home. The Seahawks lost to the 49ers today and should be an easy win for the black and gold. However, the Steelers need to come out hitting on all cylinders. If the defense plays half as bad as they did in week one, there should be cause for concern. Usually, week two of the NFL season is not too important, but the Steelers need to show whether they are contenders or pretenders to make another run at a championship.

If this game did anything, it showed the window of opportunity is starting to close. The defensive line was constantly blown off the ball by a Ravens offensive line that hadn't been practicing together for more than a month. They looked weak. They looked…old.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

11 Sep

Steelers Get Crushed by Ravens 35-7

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 11th, 2011 – 4:39 pm

Ben Roethlisberger turned the ball over like it was his job, the Steelers defense looked old, especially James Farrior and James Harrison and the Baltimore Ravens ran over Pittsburgh in the season opener 35-7. Troy Polamalu made no big plays after signing a really big contract that will keep him a Steeler the rest of his career and young receivers like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown seemed overwhelmed by the stakes of the game and the intensity of the Ravens defense. We will be talking about the loss starting live at 9am Monday morning, Guy Junker at 10, Ken Laird at 10:30, Dejan Kovacevic at 11:30, John Stiegerwald at noon and John Fedko at 1pm.

Mark Kaboly has more from Baltimore:

BALTIMORE — The Steelers suffered their worst opening-day loss in 14 years and first since 2002 by dropping a convincing 35-7 decision to the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium today.

It was the worst loss for the Steelers since losing to Dallas on Aug. 31, 1997 (37-7) — a span of 208 games including the playoffs — and the third worst in Steelers history on opening day since the merger.

It was Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's first-ever opening-game defeat during his five-year tenure.

Ray Rice rushed for 107 yards becoming the first running back in 50 games to gain 100 yards on the Steelers and totaled 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Rice was the last to gain more than 100 against the Steelers back on Dec. 27, 2009, when he gained 140 yards on 30 carries.

Joe Flacco threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while Ben Roethlisberger was intercepted three times and fumbled once.

The Steelers turned the ball over seven times — three in the red zone

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

10 Sep

Will the Game Change? Steelers versus Ravens by Abby Geisel

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, September 10th, 2011 – 9:41 am

Animosity. Actually it's probably more like hatred. Steelers versus Ravens. It's the kind of intense rivalry that football fans crave. Yet, is it possible that we may be seeing a different kind of Steelers/Ravens game this year and in the future? Will passionate players truly conform to the new rules that the league has instated?

According to Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, the answer is no. In a recent issue of Sports Illustrated, he said, "I've been playing this game for 20 years. Everything is instinctive for me. But when the rules changes are this drastic, I don't think you can conform yourself, because then you'll get beat, and that's worse than getting a fine."

And isn't hard hitting what football is about after all? That is what sells tickets and gets fans involved in the game. Slowly but surely, the essence of the game is slipping away. Today's football player trains year round to be the toughest physical specimen possible. They push their body to it's limits mentally and physically in order to play the game that they love. For the Steelers and the Ravens, each time they meet is the final test- the event they've been preparing for since Day 1 of the offseason. It is the time to exert a type of energy that is hard to replicate.

Polamalu knew exactly what he was getting himself into when he decided to be a football player. There is an unspoken acceptance of the way the game is. It's like he signed an invisible contract that may have looked something like this:
I, Troy Polamalu, understand that football is by nature, an extremely dangerous sport, and that I may possibly sustain life-threatening injuries. I am aware of the risks associated with the sport and will take the proper precautions by wearing protective equipment.

It is unfair to think that these grown men should have to change the way they play the game because someone thought it was getting too violent. It's the same game that it was when the Steel Curtain played in the 1970's. Mean Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes, Dwight White. They are synonymous with the hard-nosed level of play that is expected from each and every football player.

I can hardly picture Ray Lewis and James Harrison stepping out on the field with tutus and ballet flats on Sunday.

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Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

09 Sep

TribLIVE Radio High School Football Athlete of the Week

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, September 9th, 2011 – 9:44 am

Congratulations to West Allegheny Senior Quarterback and team leader Dylan Bongiorno who last Friday night rushed for 44 yards on 9 carries and two touchdowns plus he threw for 49 yards on 5-8 passing in a 38-0 win over South Park. The 6-foot-2, 190 pound Bongiorni, who completed 50 percent of his passes and threw for 1,030 yards last season now leads the 1-0 Indians into a huge matchup against Central Valley tonight at 7pm. West Allegheny also has Blackhawk, Upper St. Clair, Ambridge, Moon, New Castle, Montour and Hopewell on the schedule this year. A loaded Parkway Conference with lots of WPIAL contenders this season. Dylan will be talked about and featured on the TribLIVE Radio High School Football Pre-Game show today at 4:30pm.

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Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

08 Sep

Harrison Sack Total Odds Much Higher Than Suspension Odds

published in category: College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 – 12:11 pm

Big Ben is 7-0 in his career against the Ravens. The Ravens are 8-0 in their past eight home games in September.
One streak will end Sunday, but oddsmakers have it as even odds on which it will be.
The Steelers open the 2011 season against their hated AFC North rivals knowing that they have been consistently beating them. Pitt backers open their betting season knowing their team has also been doing the job against the spread. [ Matchup Report and Live Odds ] http://oddsshark.com/nfl/pittsburgh-baltimore-odds-september-11-2011
In the past seven meetings, the Steelers are 5-1-1 ATS. And they get a single point from the oddsmakers (2 at one shop tracked by OddsShark.com) as the line currently sits at -1 for the Ravens.
Nearly 70% of visitors to OddsShark.com http://oddsshark.com/nfl were backing the Steelers, who will face a new-look Raven team that bolstered its offense this summer. The question is whether their aging defensive core is still solid and Roethlisberger will test it quickly with the speedy Mike Wallace.
Speaking of player stats, some of the most fun new wagers being made online these days are fantasy-football-style player props. Big Ben is 18/1 odds to win the MVP award and the same odds to lead the league in passing yards. Rashard Mendenhall is also 18/1 to win the rushing title.
Most teams focus on offensive players for props, but in Pittsburgh's case, their most recognizable players are often defensive players. So you have season defensive totals (5 INTs for Troy Polamolu, 10.5 sacks for James Harrison and 10 sacks for Lamar Woodley) along with suspension over-unders for the mouthy Harrison (over-under is 1).
Check out the list of current Steeler prop odds and check out the stats and matchup trends on every game before you make your office pool picks this weekend. [ See Week 1 picks article from Odds Shark at Yardbarker.com ] http://oddsshark.yardbarker.com/blog/oddsshark/week_1_nfl_trends_point_to_winning_pool_picks/6633820
Ben Roethlisberger – Total Passing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 3,800 -115
Under 3,800 -115
Ben Roethlisberger – Total Passing Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 24½
(-120)o
(-110)u
Ben Roethlisberger – Total Interceptions thrown in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 10½
(-115)o
(-115)u
Rashard Mendenhall – Total Rushing Yards in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 1,100
(-115)o
(-115)u
Rashard Mendenhall – Total Rushing Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 9½
(-115)o
(-115)u
Mike Wallace – Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 1,050
(-130)o
(EVEN)u
Mike Wallace – Total Receiving Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 8½
(-115)o
(-115)u
Hines Ward – Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 700
(-115)o
(-115)u
Hines Ward – Total Receiving Touchdowns in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 5
(-115)o
(-115)u
Jerricho Cotchery – Total Receiving Yards in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 400
(-115)o
(-115)u
James Harrison – Total Sacks in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 10½
(-115)o
(-115)u
James Harrison – Total times fined by the NFL in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 1
(-150)o
(+120)u
LaMarr Woodley – Total Sacks in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 10
(-115)o
(-115)u
Troy Polamalu – Total Interceptions in the 2011 Regular Season
Over 5
(-115)o
(-115)u

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Posted in College Sports, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers

 



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