When In Doubt, Just Do As The Buccos Do

Garnering fan scrutiny is no longer the only similarity between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the newly hapless Pittsburgh Penguins, as the latter have now delved into the former's practice of collecting recent first round castoffs.  The Pens broke ground in the dumpster diving business this afternoon by inking former Carolina prospect Zach Boychuk.  With the expectation of being inserted into the team's regular lineup this weekend, perhaps Boychuk will be the missing piece to the Pens' perplexing puzzle of puny scoring. 

For those out there (A Dawg) who covet and clamor for size, you'll be disappointed to learn that the scrawny Boychuk tapes out at 5'10" and a buck eighty on the scales.  This move seems senseless on paper, but who knows, maybe Boychuk will be the Shrimp that Saved Pittsburgh.  (if you don't get the reference, please google Pittsburgh Pisces)

The fact that Carolina was willing to give up on a 23 year old, while generating no trade interest, isn't a strong endorsement for the scrappy forward.  More to follow on this and other Penguins drama in the next installment of As the Ice Melts...

From Hot Start To Hot Mess

As if us black and gold backers didn't have enough misery on our plates already this week, as we wait to see either the San Francisco 49ers hoisting Lombardi #6 or to witness Reverend Ray Lewis, deer antler balm and all, crying and hugging, and just basically making us all sick.  Now we get to swallow another spoonful of sourness as our flightless birds lose again, dropping their record to 3-3 at the 1/8 mark of the shortened season.

A week ago finding the financial plan for keeping the remaining two-thirds of the once legendary Crosby-Malkin-Staal Show intact beyond next season was the primary concern amongst the patrons of Penguin Nation.  Now, it's not even on the radar.  Convincing the most offensively gifted team in hockey that one goal a night ain't getting it done would be my top priority if I stood behind that All Star laden and well paid bench. 

Perhaps six games is a bit early to pass out grades, but has anyone signed on expecting a Sid and Geno led team with a .500 record?  Maybe Disco Dan Bylsma has a few more dance steps in his repertoire, but given the urgency surrounding this team and this season, he had better do that hustle pretty darn quick.  Just ask Michel Therrien about his former boss's patience when it comes to underachievement...

Hot Start On Ice

Two games, four points, and the sprint is underway.  You couldn't ask for a better belated opening to the Penguins' 2012-13 season than two divisional wins on the road against rivals both expected to have life come mid May.  After a thrilling 3-1 victory over reigning boogeymen, aka the Philadelphia Flyers, our flightless birds completed the long awaited opening weekend with a drubbing of the New York Rangers, 6-3.  If these first two games are any indication of things to come, the Pens should  instantly be considered favorites for the President's Cup, awarded to the team with the best regular season record.

The measurables are quite impressive in this initial 1/24 of the compressed season.  The Pens have yet to trail in a contest, and they've played with the lead in over 100 of the first 120 logged minutes.  Newcomer Brandon Sutter may not have us forget Jordan Staal just yet, but his play through the first weekend shows that he'll be a great addition in the third center spot. 

The Penguins' roster is displaying an abundance of speed and physicality, and both attributes should come in handy when the grind of the compressed schedule kicks in.  Reserve goalie, Tomas Vocoun, acquired to add a 1A netminder behind Marc Andre Fleury, also looks like money well spent by the front office.  Vocoun could prove critical in reducing MAFs' load throughout the regular season.

QUICK HITTERS:

• Nine goals in two games, with none scored by studs Crosby or Malkin.
• The reduced schedule may present a bit of bittersweet chagrin to winger James Neal, who already looks like a 50+ goal scorer during a full season. 
• Penalty killing looking good so far.
• Despite the endless "Fleury" chants of the moronic Philadelphia natives, MAF looks like his hard drive has purged any residual data from last April.  His third period poise in the opener was vintage Flower.

B.O.'B. is Fab in NCAA Football

The Beatles classic exhortation Get Back chugged along in the background this morning as I sipped my coffee and perused my morning sports, noticing that Penn State football head coach Bill O'Brien was selected as the 2012 Bear Bryant winner, an honor that bona fies him as the best coach in the land. Coincidence with the music? I think not.

From Day One, Get Back has been the unofficial mantra of B.O.'B and his entire stable.  After the year plus drama surrounding the most publicized scandal in American collegiate sports history, culminating with the heavy handed and self serving penalties delivered from high on Mount Emmert, the PSU football program resembled a wounded seal hopelessly mired in tempest seawaters.  Getting back to producing good football, Happy Valley's primary export for 40 some years, was the highest priority for the new coach.  Hopefully, along the way, he could shift the focal points from scandals and coverups, while kickstarting a new tradition of excellence.  O'Brien hit all of these marks, and he did it with an honorable poise and unapologetic candor.  The only expeditious route out of the abyss for PSU was to follow the beacon held by an upright and capable leader.  O'Brien proved to be that leader, and today his mantle place (and checkbook) are a little heavier for it.

Another step in the road to recovery.  The next Beatles song cued,...Magical Mystery Tour...hmm, let's see where this is going!

So...Falcons, Anyone??

Just when you thought that Steeler management faced a list of bad scenarios, the NFL gods got together and decided to make it equally frustrating for us fans this past weekend with a quartet of not so fantastic finishes in the NFL divisional round.  Thanks to some dramatics and some chokes, things could become a bit sickening for those of us wearing black and gold soon. With the exception of the Hotlanta Falcons, here are your other potential choices to root for at your Superbowl party this year:

• Baltimore Ravens - yeah, right. Rooting for the Ravens is like looking into the mirror and wishing for more skin tags.  Seriously, when did Ray Lewis become a feel good story???  The guy is now the second coming of Gandhi, just as long as we don't ever bring up the M-word anymore.  You know, now the NFL media machine wants us to reminisce over Lewis's greatness and legacy, and certainly not any events that deprived a few young men of their lives.  Hopefully Big Ben Roethlisberger will be afforded the same rewind and erase buttons when his farewell tour commences.
• New England Patriots - ok, ok, old smugdick extraordinaire himself, aka Bill Belichick.  Savoring a Patsies' victory is equavilent to that time you let your friends talk you into stifling a July 4th sparkler with your bare hands.  The burning sensation eventually gives way to an enduring scar.  Anyone hoping to see Tom Brady equal Terry Bradshaw with four supers?  Not me.
• San Francisco 49ers - ok, who wants to herald a second six Lombardi owning franchise?  As the great Kenny Powers would state, it's a good thing to constantly remind everyone else that you are better than them. I personally know a few loudmouths out in the Bay Area that would just love to consider themelves our equals. 

So with the good fortune that Lady Karma has cast our way all year long, I would imagine that we'll get to tune into a Harbaugh-Harbaugh Superbowl.  The only redeeming possibility about those idiot brothers rambling on about passion and family for two weeks is that it may drown out the seemingly endless Ray Lewis soundbites.  I mean seriously, does anyone need to hear Lewis whine on about believing anymore?  I don't.

Ok, so in summary - go get that Matt Ryan jersey and maybe some Pepto-Bismol, just in case.

Another Bitch Slappin', Black and Gold Banger...

The Steelers bid a sudden adieu to rookie speedster Chris Rainey this afternoon after the troubled tailback/kick returner was arrested on domestic charges.  The promising Rainey joins a rather robust lineup of past and present Steelers who have chosen the route of the Ike Turner Highway over the last several years.  Rainey was charged with "dating violence" which is a softer way of saying assault. 

Police records report that early this morning Rainey was involved in a verbal confrontation with his girlfriend who was hunkered down in the passenger seat of a parked car. Things turned ugly in a hurry as an enraged Rainey then chose to remove the woman through the car window Dukes of Hazzard style.

The Rainey incident has now amplified an already messy offseason for the Steelers as they lose their top return man and fastest offensive player save the potentially departing Mike Wallace.  Somewhere right now Cedric Wilson is quietly laughing inside...

What Would You Do?

Congrats to you, puckheads, hockey is back!  I know you're expecting that long awaited hockey post...well, it ain't happening here today.  Considering that the players and owners made us wait for three months while they debated over how unprofitable NHL hockey truly is, you all can wait for another week for me to drop puck on a center ice posting.

I'm thinking NFL mock draft today.  It's my normal custom to google up mock drafts the day following the Steelers' final game (beginning somewhat and disturbingly early this year), and I found some interesting and confusing predictions.  Five mock drafts visited, five different predictions for the Steelers in 2013.  I've seen ILB, OLB, DE, NT, and T.  Five drafts, five guys, so no clear direction here.  After more research, I've noticed a big name guy who seems to be lurking as available when the Steelers select with the #17 pick.

So, repeating the title of this post: what would you do?  Let's role play a bit.  Consider yourself Mike Tomlin, or even better, Kevin Colbert, and it's your turn to draft at #17.  You look up on the big board, and you see the slightly downgraded USC phenom quarterback Matt Barkley still undrafted.  You began noticing Barkley, the once projected top three pick, still hanging around at 15, and now he's there, yours for the taking.  Ok, I know you all must be thinking that I've gone down to the basement and broke into the wedding booze a bit early, right? I know, I know, the Steelers have an abundance of needs, and QB isn't one of them.  I know, I know, Big Ben Roethlisberger is still in his prime at 31 years old, and should be the Steelers' starting signal caller for four to six more seasons.  Yeah, I get all that.  Now think about the question some more.  Would it be wasteful or visionary to drop a first round pick on a guy like Barkley?  Is it too early to be grooming Ben's heir apparent?

Let's look at some other models.  The Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers in 2005 knowing that Brett Favre wasn't going anywhere for a least a few more seasons.  Some cheddar heads actually prophesized that Rodgers would never start as a Packer. The Colts parted ways with Peyton Manning in favor of rookie Andrew Luck.  I believe that the Canton, Ohio sculptors have already molded the Manning and Favre busts years ago.  Both Indy and Green Bay knew it was smart money to work on the succession plans early. 

The Steelers of long ago made one feeble attempt to draft a Bradshaw replacement in the person of the much maligned Mark Malone, whose forgettable career was probably more notable as a wideout than as a franchise quarterback. The Dolphins are still hunting for the next Dan Marino.  Is it coincidence that both Pittsburgh and Miami endured decade long droughts of late January football while they auditioned endless marginal QBs?  Is it coincidence that the Packers and Colts have quickly rebuilt their programs under their new guns?  Would it be coincidence if Manning becomes the first Bronco QB to sniff a Superbowl since John Elway?

Big Ben is now 31, and sure, some great QBs have maintained championship caliber play into their mid 30's, but that list is much smaller than you might think it is. The reality is that Ben may have just a few strong seasons left in the tank before age and injuries start to run their course. With his style of play, coupled with the fact that he has started since his rookie year, it's not a stretch to consider Ben a high mileage vehicle these days. The Steelers waited until too late into Bradshaw's career to make a serious investment into finding his successor. I'd hate to see that happen again.

I'm sure a few of you have already concluded that today's post was a waste of our time, and that considering the next Ben is not on the things to do list for this offseason.  Me, I'm still intrigued.  I have said for years that Ben is the greatest Steeler since the Chuck Noll crafted dynasty teams of the 1970's.  I also think that a guy like Barkley doesn't fall into too many #17 carts that often.  I would consider it quite the luxury to have Barkley in the stable for three seasons, ready to take the reigns in 2016.  If the last two decades of football has shown me anything, it's that a lot of teams can be good with a strong defense and a solid quarterback.  To be great, you must have a great quarterback.  We often ask ourselves just how many more Lombardis would be on display in the Great Hall if the Steelers hadn't passed up on a young, skilled quarterback who slid almost to the bottom of the first round in the 1983 draft.  You know, that Marino guy.

I'll answer my own question with a yes, I'm drafting Barkley at #17 knowing that I now have one great QB and one potentially great QB.  Perhaps I work a trade in a few years, possibly bringing in some much needed replacement parts.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.  And no, I didn't break into the wedding hooch...yet.

2013 Steelers: Who's In and Who's Out

Happy New Year, PF readers.  I'd like to ring in the new year by continuing MP's discussion of "The 2013 Steelers: The Reconstruction".  Let me weigh in with my two cents worth on who stays, and who goes.

RETURNING FOR 2013:

1. Keenan Lewis.  Although nickel back Cortez Allen showed us a lot in late December, I still think the Steelers' brass will make every attempt to bring Lewis back.  Considering that he led the NFL in passes defended per game, Lewis will be an extremely attractive figure to both the Steelers and other NFL teams looking for a starting corner.  Should the deal not get done, look for the Steelers to pencil in Allen opposite Ike Taylor and potentially snare a corner in the early rounds of the draft, or possibly a veteran in free agency.
2. Larry Foote.  The Steelers want to get younger on defense, but Foote can still contribute and isn't looking to leave Pittsburgh for a second time.  I look for Foote to take a considerable pay cut and split time on the field with youngster Sean Spence.
3. James Harrison.  I'm stuck on the fence with this one.  The Steelers must soon make critical decisions on both Harrison and his primary backup, Jason Worilds.  Clearly, Worilds on his best day will never perform at the level of Harrison in his prime years,...but those prime years are behind us now, and it may be time to jettison the silverback.  I think the team would be selling themselves short if Worilds was not given a full season as a true evaluation period.  Harrison's rebirth in December is probably weighing on the minds of Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert, as they may wonder what one last hurrah with a healthy 92 could mean.
4. Ramon Foster.  Although starting guard Foster will never be mistaken for Alan Faneca, he did manage to play all of 2012 injury free, a nearly impossible feat for a Steeler offensive lineman.  Considering that converted guard Willie Colon has finished the last three seasons on the IR, I like Foster as a returnee to provide stability to a corps that seems to be forever locked in flux mode.
5. Casey Hampton, Charlie Batch, Max Starks.  I lumped these three together.  See #2 - Foote, Larry.  These guys have no desire to go elsewhere.  Restructures, less money, etc.  2013 should be the last season for Hampton, with much less playing time as inside guy Steve McClendon is more than capable.  For Starks, you might as well keep riding the pony until it ends up at the glue factory.  One can argue that Mad Max was the most solid lineman in 2012.  For Batch, another season at the league minimum as the #3 won't be hurting anyone.

SO LONG, FAREWELL, SEE YA AT THE REUNION PICNIC:

1. Rashard Mendenhall.  Is it just me, or does Tomlin waffle back and forth on the value of the marquis runner?  At mid-season after the big victory in NYC, the team seemed content with the tailback by committee idea.  By season's end, as the offense stunk and the team limped to an 8-8 finish, we then heard Tomlin pining for a go-to guy.  Mendenhall was that go-to guy, the franchise runner like Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker before him.  Unlike Bettis and Parker, Mendenhall never truly entrenched himself as that game changer kind of guy.  His off the field tweets, comments, and shenanigans didn't help his cause either.  The Steelers could use a featured back once again, but #34 ain't that guy.
2. Mike Wallace.  What?  Give up on the fleet of foot, Larry Fitzgerald-East guy?  This entry is the most troubling of all, as Mike Wallace is clearly the best player listed in today's post, but also the most unrealistic in terms of his actual worth.  I've said it ad nauseum, Mike Wallace isn't worth $11 million a season.  In fact, after watching his drops and gaffes during the 2012 campaign, I will now suggest that Wallace isn't worth what he could have signed for last summer.  Setting all this aside, Wallace has blazing, scary, downfield speed, and he will shape any offense that he lines up in. The Steelers know that, and worse, he knows that.  Someone will overpay for Wallace in 2013, but it probably won't be a Rooney.
3. Byron Leftwich.  Despite his hulking frame, Leftwich has once again displayed an inability to remain healthy when called upon.  The fact that he broke his own ribs falling down, untouched, in the end zone, should sum it all up.  With Big Ben Roethlisberger now north of 30, the Steelers need a 2nd string QB who can make two to four starts a year and keep the team competitive in the process.  Look for the Steelers to snare a former starter in free agency.  Considering that a Ben replacement will most likely be pursued with a high draft pick in the 2016-2018 time frame, I don't think that supplanting Leftwich with a mid or late round rookie makes a lot of sense here.

SYNOPSIS: I only show two starters leaving, but factor in the reduced roles of guys like Foote and Hampton, and I think you'll see that 2013 will be a much different team.  2012 was a season of frustration for Steeler Nation.  With the veteran leadership that was jettisoned a year ago, coupled with the Wallace contract drama, as well as the pre-training camp health status of Mendenhall, Hampton, Harrison, and Brett Keisel, one can make a serious argument that the season was doomed from the get go. In the end, a handful of close games swung the Steelers' season from good to mediocre.  This is not a team in decline, but it will need better performances from it's stars if 2013 is to be any different.  One note of promise: the last three Steeler teams to not make the playoffs were followed by teams that won the AFC North the next year!