Pittsburgh Fan For Better Or For Worse

A War Memorial

2010-03-28T11:54:00.025-04:00

Operating a blog is pretty easy. Operating a successful blog is altogether different. One of the key tasks to achieving success in the blogosphere is maintaining a core group of loyal readers. By personal experiences, I can say that this core starts out with one's friends. It's probably no different than many sales related positions; ask any successful insurance or vacuum cleaner salesman, and he or she will tell you how their first target group of clients were friends and family.

I am certainly not above this technique, as my most honored readers also hail from my circle of friends and family. Two notable friends, MP and A Dawg, as true Pittsburghers, have dazzled me over the years with their tales of following the Penguins during their youth. Perhaps the forgettable "pre-Mario" years, in which Pittsburgh hockey was pretty darn unknown anywhere east of Monroeville. Sure, everyone knew about the Steelers and Bucs, but when it came to hockey, us turnpike guys didn't know much, and cared even less. Although I can remember listening to some mid 80's Pens' games via the radio, and broadcaster extraordinaire, Mike Lange, my memories of that era are somewhat limited. My Penguins interest grew after 1984, like so many of us from outside the Steel City. Besides Mario, one of my first Penguins heroes was #44, Robbie Brown. A great shooter, but possibly the slowest skater on the planet.

Growing up outside of Johnstown, Pa, the world of the old Penguins was still somewhat distant, and honestly, unremarkable to me. I do, however, have professional hockey memories of my own...The Johnstown Jets. As I read today that the current Johnstown franchise, the Chiefs, were closing shop and moving South, I once again felt a certain piece of my youth slipping away.

Johnstown is a city of some dubious distinctions. Obviously, when a town's moniker is the "Flood City", it probably suggests that better vacation options are available. The Johnstown Jets/Wings/Red Wings/Chiefs legacy is one that the Flood City can stake a claim of pride with, and is definitely a piece of my family's western PA history. For those that may not know this, the movie Slapshot was filmed in Johnstown, and the fictitious Charlestown Chiefs were based on the mid 70's Johnstown Jets. The fabled Hanson Brothers were real dudes who were based on, and played by, the Carlson Brothers, all real players, who at one time laced it up for the Jets. A footnote will also state that one of the movie Hansons was actually played by Dave Hanson, also a real player and one of the few former Jets to see NHL ice time.

It wouldn't be right if I didn't point out that my very own mother, Marge Watterson, also starred in Slapshot. Ok, well maybe not star, per se, but she did show up every night as an extra in the arena scenes, shot in the Johnstown War Memorial, a drafty old oval barn with that permanently entrenched aromatic blend of beer and urine. The War Memorial was everything you'd expect in a minor league hockey venue circa 1977, and it made the Igloo look classier than PNC Park. At the time, my mom, like every other red blooded American woman, had a thing for Paul Newman, and hell, every extra in attandance was rewarded with free hot dogs and cocoa. The cocoa was a necessity because on any given January evening, the indoor temperature in the War Memorial hovered around 43 degrees, with a slight westerly breeze. Anyone who logged frigid nights at the War Memorial is more than prepared to sit in the Heinz Field stands for next year's Winter Classic.

Another shout to my brother Wayne, who adorned his bedroom door with a Jets 1974-75 Lockhart Cup Champion decal. That decal is still on the door. The Jets generally sucked, but they did win that cup.

So maybe I can't boast of riding my bicycle to Penguins' games. Maybe I don't own anything from the blue and gold era. Nope, I can't tell you much about Rick Kehoe. I can, however, say that I have a little hockey lore of my own. Of course, until today, when I read the news of the demise of another Johnstown hockey team. Until the next J-Town franchise rises, I leave you with this nugget from the greatest hockey movie of all time. Matt Cooke eat your heart out...

If the Facts Don't Fit, You Must Acquit

2010-03-27T10:46:00.011-04:00

So here we are, three whole weeks after the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegations rocked Steeler Nation and virtually every online sportsnews forum. So what have we gathered up to this point? Here's a list:

Something went down between His Bigness and a local 20 year old female in or near a nightclub restroom.
Certain anonymous witness(es) claim that someone in Ben's posse blocked the entrance to the bathroom.
Apparently no DNA evidence will be extracted from Big Ben.
Apparently no security video footage showing any misdoings is available.
The investigating authorities have interviewed virtually every key person of the fateful night, with the exception of Ben.
22 days and counting, and still no charges filed.

Hmm, slam dunk, huh? Although this drama may not have yet reached the boiling point and national hype that previous cases involving guys like Michael Vick or Kobe Bryant have, this is still the most polarizing story engulfing sports fans in the Northeast. Just google the word Roethlisberger and you will find endless lists of links to articles that have all but concluded Ben's guilt as a rapist, not once, but twice. The term Rapistberger is plastered on blogs and websites throughout the country, and just last week Ben's infamy was chronicled in animation, as Southpark writers cashed in on the troubled QB's current predicament. Rumor has it that the cities of Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are attempting to make March 5th an official holiday.

Of course, we can't forget the endless streams of stories, eyewitness accounts, and tall tales of Ben's boorish, rude, and el cheapo antics that have also inundated our computers and email inboxes over the past few weeks. How about the tales of Ben's debauchery told by a friend of a friend of a waiter's sister-in-law? We all know how Ben brazenly drove his Harley across the finely manacured greens of Sir Arnold Palmer's golf course. Or was he throwing dice with Arnie's caddies? I forget. How many more times do we need to see that picture of Ben, as a drunken rookie, posing with the hottie? That was the same picture that we all laughed at when we first saw it...in 2005. That was the same picture that filled us a with a certain pride, much like a picture of the Stanley Cup in a swimming pool.

So, once again, 22 days into this shitstorm, where does it leave the player, the team, and the fanbase? Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. The blogosphere reminds us of that every day. The 'geniuses' out there, both credentialed media members and hacks like me, have offered nearly every possible scenario: Ben will be found guilty, Ben will never play in the NFL again, Ben will never play in Pittsburgh again, Ben will start this season under suspension, the NFL, in a blatant display of racism, will let Ben slide with a scolding simply because he's white, this whole thing will just blow over. You name it, it's been speculated. The key word - speculated.

Now I ask you, what has Ben actually done? Why is it taking so long to produce any conclusion? Is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that overrun with criminal cases? After three plus weeks, the only fact that anyone can truly report is that Ben is accused of wrongdoing, and nothing more. If the girl claims a foul was committed, and there is physical evidence or eyewitness accounts of a crime, then why no charges? This isn't the Kennedy assassination we're talking about. Sources continually point out that NFL commish and enforcer, Roger Goodell, will take some form of punitive action against Roethlisberger, regardless of criminal findings. How? Why? Based on what? Accusations?

Regardless of the findings by the GBI, Ben's reputation is now tarnished, and he will be forever linked to this. The amount of tarnish will depend on how the investigation and potential legal process play out. We all know that #7 will rise again, and he will resume his career as a stellar NFL quarterback. I am not defending Ben. I think it's high time that he quarantine his reckless abandon and cavalier demeanor to the gridiron, and exercise more caution in his private life. I just want to point out that after nearly a month, this farce has left us with more questions than answers. The question at hand is when we will actually get some hint of closure on this?

The Wise Old Michael Irvin

2010-03-17T13:58:00.007-04:00

It isn't often that this blog, or probably any other blog, quotes former Pro Bowl receiver/bad boy, Michael Irvin, but I found this interview interesting. When a guy with Irvin's dubious reputation calls for better decision making, we should all take notice. We should also note that Irvin failed to specify if Dallas was one of the dozen or so teams that the blogosphere has rumored to be Ben's next home.

Heinz Field Showcasing New Benapalooza Apparel

2010-03-17T11:14:00.006-04:00

A quick thanks to A Dawg for leaking us a preview of the new Benapalooza men's wear line that will soon be available in the 'Burgh. Well done A Dawg, now can you find me that Matt Cooke assassin tee shirt?

QUICK HITTERS:

Milledgeville officials are now forecasting two to three weeks for the initial investigation to wrap up. After that, the decision of whether to pursue formal charges will be made.
So the question has been raised: what happens if Randle El doesn't crack the top three wideout slots (which he probably won't), and he doesn't beat out Stefan Logan in the return game? Ed Bouchette raised an even more intriguing question: with all these receivers under contract, what happens if a super undervalued wideout slips in the draft? Do they pass him up, or draft him knowing that El or Battle will then most likely be cut?
As the clock ticks, I continue to recalibrate my odds of a Fast Willie signing. As of press time, I'm saying 70/30 that the team extends a legitimate contract offer for FWP to return as a reserve.
The word on the street is that Larry Foote should be seeing plenty of playing time in 2010. The potential to start over Farrior has been mentioned numerous times in last few days.

Ready for Some Foote-Ball?

2010-03-15T12:21:00.008-04:00

On a day in which Steeler Nation continues to sit on pins and needles, methodically hitting the refresh button at Google News, and reading yet another scathing, albeit anonymous and uncredited account of Big Ben's crude and barbaric exploits, the front office guys again direct attention back up north by inking another former standout (and PittsburghFan favorite) Larry Foote. The Foote deal was labeled as depth, but methinks that #50 is going to see plenty of field duty this season.

With Foote's signing, the Steelers have now brought in five unrestricted free agents (most likely an all time team record), while retaining the services of vets Ryan Clark, Jeff Reed, and Casey Hampton. With a first round tender to oft criticized tackle and Ben-a-polooza member, Willie Colon, and a fourth round tender to punter extraordinaire, Daniel Sepulveda, the team now appears to have made all of it's noteworthy moves prior to the April draft. I suppose that means all team news now belongs to Milledgeville, Georgia.

QUICK HITTERS:

Thru the help of that news generator, aka, the internet, we now have learned that Ben is not only a rapist, but a racist, a sexist, an alcoholic, and above all else, a poor tipper! Oh, and he is despised by his team, and nearly the entire city. Certainly, within the next few days, some teen girl somewhere will link Ben to Al Qaeda.
Was Randle El serious when he said that he will compete for the #3 wideout? Hmmm, did anyone tell him about Mike Wallace?
With Fast Willie Parker's agent drumming up next to no interest in the former standout, one must consider if a bargain deal can be struck to return the aging thoroughbred to the Heinz Field stable.

The Spending Spree

2010-03-09T09:47:00.008-05:00

I guess I just don't understand the Steelers anymore. On a day that confounded any towel twirler as the outright shit storm surrounding our quarterback amplified with phrases like "DNA test" and "probable cause", the team managed to completely re-direct most attention by going on an unprecedented shopping spree and reaching agreements with no less than four free agents. The fiscally responsible Steelers usually won't ink any more than two or three mid grade free agents throughout an entire signing period, let alone four in one day. And they may not be done!

The most notable of all signings signifies the triumphant return of the speedy and once electrifying Antwaan Randle El. At this point in career, no one truly knows how much El still has in his tank, but you are hearing it here first, be prepared to see our very own JD McNugent squeezing himself back into his #82 jersey! With El and fellow newcomer Arnaz Battle joining an already solid receiving corps, the sun is most likely setting on the horrifically unremarkable tenure of Mr. Limas Sweed. Somewhere, just somewhere, superbusts Huey Richardson, Scott 'Panty' Shields, and Alonzo Jackson are all smiling inside. The new receivers bring the stable count to five capable wideouts, all with different attributes. Now, the question looms: who will be throwing to them in September?

Off On The Right Foote

2010-03-08T14:44:00.012-05:00

As predicted by PF's very own correspondent, JD McNugent, the Steelers' are intimating interest in re-signing standout inside linebacker Larry Foote. Footie, always a favorite of mine, is a run gobbler who would add considerable strength to a linebacking corps that had it's ups and downs last season. This news brings intrigue to us armchair GMs. Should this move pan out, where and how would Foote be deployed? Depth is the key issue with the Steelers' linebackers, but I would suppose that Foote is still looking to start. Should that be the case, I would imagine he would sign elsewhere, although regaining a starting job here would not necessarily be out of the question. The issue of James Farrior's age and declined performance in 2009 is a concern. I still believe that the potential of moving Lawrence Timmons over to Farrior's buck spot still exists, thereby, in theory creating a need at the mack, Footie's former position. Additionally, there is concern at the depth of the outside positions, holes that could also be plugged by Timmons.

Again, no breath being held, but it would be nice to move my #50 jersey back into Sunday circulation.

even my cat loved me in my #50

As the World Turns

2010-03-08T12:02:00.004-05:00

All My Hotties, Beneral Hospital, Capital City, Love in the Ladies' Room, The Sins of Number Seven,...just a few candidates for the naming of the soap opera that stars Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and has engulfed the watchful eye of not only Steeler Nation, but basically every sports fan with nothing better to be engulfed by. Tune in at 4:00 pm today, as the newest episode shoots on location from Milledgeville, GA Police headquarters, scene of the forthcoming press conference. "Did Ben do it?" is the hottest question since "Who Shot JR?" riveted the airwaves nearly 30 years ago. This press conference, just like an old X Files rerun, promises to answer all.

The Milledgeville incident, involving accusations of sexual assault against His Bigness, appears to have set a flame to the Pittsburgh media. Not sure if you all are following this as closely as me (I understand that you all have lives), but there seems to be some tit-for-tat banter going back and forth between Post Gazette writers Ron Cook and Bob Smizik. A few days ago, Cook, the writer with the poison pen, wrote a scathing essay about Ben's lack of judgement. This morning, Smizik, who apparently is not on Cook's Christmas card mailing list, posted an equally damning article, however, his wrath seemed to be directly aimed at Cook's criticism.

The latest Roethlisberger fiasco is attaining pure polarization, an effect that all medias dream of. While Steeler Nation is a proud family that honors it's numerous triumphs and embraces it's heroes, we are a group that will quickly garner criticism from all of our wanna-be neighbors. You can't walk around with tee shirts emblazoned with the likeness of a half dozen Lombardi Trophies without producing a little animosity along the way. Yeah, the "Got Six?" tee shirts do tend to piss some people off. For as much as us towel twirlers hope these accusations are false, I have to believe that Hater Nation would just love to see an arrest warrant bearing the name Roethlisberger.

Let's hope that the 4:00 pm press conference absolves Ben of any wrongdoing, and puts this latest installment of unnecessary drama to bed. If not, prepare for sweeps week...

The Smoking Gun

2010-03-06T08:40:00.014-05:00

On a day in which the news of a team should have been reserved to the opening of free agency and all it entails; saying goodbye to old faces, and interviewing candidates to fill roster holes, Steeler Nation was inundated with news of another type of hole being filled, as once again, team leader Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault. This time Big Ben's alleged transgressions occurred in a Milledgeville, Georgia bar, and his accuser had the wherewithal to go the hospital for a full evaluation. Obviously, someone gained some knowledge through the highly publicized 2009 events in Lake Tahoe, and sadly, someone else learned nothing from it.

Although everything is speculative at this point, the reports suggest that the Large One and his posse of oversized jocks were 'mingling' with a group of local hotties, and then at some point, something (and maybe someone) went down in the night club ladies' room.

Again, this blog is not accusing Ben of any wrongdoing, but if he did, in fact, hook up with a local coed skank in a public ladies' room, as his legal team is still wading through the bullshit associated with the Tahoe incident, then it's time for the team to evaluate the cumulative damage of all those concussions that #7 has taken. Clearly, nothing short of brain damage, mixed with a dozen or so Grey Goose and cranberries, could explain such a horrific lack of judgement. This incident could simply prove that while Ben is not a criminal, he is a man who continues to display a lack of discretion.

Let's all hope this all blows over, with or without some go-away moolah from the Large One's wallet. My concern is that while Ben is supposed to be the torch bearer for a once squeaky clean organization, he is, at least in the public eye, steadily digressing into one of those meathead jocks that does what he wants, when he wants, at whatever cost. If the Tiger Woods booty call exposition showed us anything, it's that image does matter once an athlete reaches a certain status.

America is becoming increasingly intolerant of the Charles Barkley philosophy of "I'm not a role model", and let's face it, Pittsburgh is still a small town with small town values. Between Ben's best imitations of Bill Clinton, the police blotter antics of clowns like Jeff Reed and Matt Spaeth, the drug possession by Santonio Holmes, and the domestic abuse incidents of James Harrison and (departed) Ced Wilson, the Steelers are starting to take on an unsavory resemblance to that team in Cincy that we constantly ridicule. But the Bungals are the criminals, and our men are the good guys, because they wear black and gold, right???

This latest drama could very well shape up as another situation of someone looking to cash in on an opportunity, however, should this develop into a criminal matter, the Rooney family could find themselves in another tight spot. Ben is the focal point of this organization, and probably the best player and drawing card the team has seen in 25+ years. If these accusations develop into charges, turning a blind eye, as was done with the Reed and Harrison situations, will once again garner the label of the double standard. The major difference between Ben and guys like Reed and Harrison is that Ben is the man...the leader of this franchise, and regardless of this outcome, he needs to start behaving like it.

For now, it's once again in the hands of those conducting the investigation. The reports out of Milledgeville seem to be mixed, and this Atlanta article takes on a flavor that Ben was just out having a good time. Time will only tell on this matter, but now I know for certain who the Steelers' franchise tag should go to, for his tireless work in the trenches...Big Ben's lawyer.

The Reed Press Conference

2010-03-02T09:59:00.008-05:00

Just a quick link to the statement issued by kicker Jeff Reed's lawyer following Reed's community service sentencing. Nothing remarkable in the lawyer's mumbo jumbo, but the true beauty of this video clip is Reed himself. I can't figure out if Reed is really smug, really stoned, or both. Every time I see clips like this I truly ponder what kind of enigma Jeff Reed really is.

Don't Throw Trash At Our Kicker

2010-03-01T17:05:00.008-05:00

Western Pennsylvania is about to become a little more litter free as a local judge sentenced troubled kicker Jeff Reed to 40 hours of community service today. Reed's sentencing was a result of his knuckeheaded simple assault and resisting arrest charges, following teammate Matt Spaeth's October public urination booking.

Of course, Reed and Spaeth could opt to take the Role Models route and sign on with Sturdy Wings, as mentors of our youth.

One can only imagine what benefits Reed's community service will render

Another Great Milestone

2010-03-01T09:30:00.006-05:00

another lasting image

Think about Mario Lemieux, think about Wayne Gretzky, aka The Great One, think about all the other great ones that have laced it up and played their role as marketing saviors for the NHL and North American hockey in general. As you consider these guys and their amazing accomplishments for the game, both on and off the ice, now consider the select company that our very own Sid Crosby has placed himself in.

At the ripe old age of 22, Mr. Crosby has added an Olympic gold medal for his mantle place, next to his Ross and Hart trophies, probably right next to the scores of photos of him hoisting the 2009 Stanley Cup over his boyish head. Of course predecessors like Lemieux, Gretzky, and Yzerman were limited by Olympic rules that prevented their involvement until the latter stages of their careers, but give the kid his due. Crosby's heroic overtime goal in yesterday's gold medal game was another entry to his superhero resume, one that our northern neighbors place akin to our own Mount Rushmore athletes like Jordan or Montana. Let's not forget that hockey is to Canandians what baseball was once like to Americans, or what soccer is to most of the rest of the world.

Surely an American gold would have been great, and maybe as equally important as the fabled Miracle on Ice of 1980 (with perhaps slightly less drama), but make no mistake, Crosby's exploits are something that is great for a game that is, at least financially, dominated by the country on the southern side of the border. I can't think of a better time to be a hockey fan, nor a time when hockey had such a buzz, largely impart to Crosby's superstardom.

Of course, yesterday's achievement is not an individual effort, and the entire nation of Canada should be congratulated on this epic victory. For the NHL, the victory was just as large, due to the showcasing of their high profile stars, most importantly the kid who wears the C on his black and gold sweater.

The D Word

2010-02-25T09:09:00.006-05:00

Disgusting, derisible, dreadful, disturbing, disastrous. All words that start with the letter D, and all words that can be definitively applied to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club over the last 17+ seasons. Oh, did I forget despicable? How about debacle? Doomed?

I think its high time we added delusional to the docket, as team president Frank Coonelly recently used the most divine of all D words in conjunction with his doormat franchise. DYNASTY. Yep, dynasty! This type of delirious depiction dictated from an organization's director is nothing short of dereliction of duty. Certainly, Coonelly, the distinguished dean of Pirate baseball has witnessed the downfall displayed by his organization over the last duo of decades. So, what, pray tell, has Coonelly discovered to deliver this dumbfounding devotion? Who knows, perhaps its his way of deliberately deceiving the demos. Maybe he's on drugs, or perhaps he's been drinking too much Dewar's or Drambuie. Although I can't yet board Coonelly's dray destined for deliverance, I will not demur, as I am decisively determined to stand by my declaration that this season will be one of distinction. As the drama delicately disentangles...

QUICK HITTERS (Sans D words):

The Pedro Alvarez buzz continues to amplify. The likelihood of seeing Alvarez as a regular on the parent team by July 1 is becoming greater by the day.
Neat SI article on potential staff ace Ross Ohlendorf. Of course, if recent Pirate history with up and coming aces serves correctly, Ohlendorf will either struggle in 2010, or battle injuries, or most likely, both.
Wild card Bucco alert: Jose Tabata. Behind Alvarez, Tabata is the best Bucco hitting prospect, and like Alvarez, could be playing alongside Andrew McCutchen soon.
The closer situation is currently the Bucs' biggest concern. Just read the tagline written by the sponsor of incoming reliever Octavio Dotel's baseball-reference.com page. "Worst closer of all time." An actual committee formed to impeach a relief pitcher??? Wow! Let's hope that Dotel does not make my next drove of D words!

How To Piss Off A Fat Man

2010-02-24T10:51:00.011-05:00

Life presents many deep questions. To be or not to be? If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, did it make a sound? Is Lady Gaga really a dude? Add another inquiry to this list. Would you rather have a pissed off Casey Hampton on your roster, would you rather try to financially appease him with a long term contract, at the risk of being saddled with another huge contract doled out to a 30 something defender, or would you rather just move on, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of your once dominant defensive line?

The Steelers' front office is carefully pondering all three scanarios in their most current free agency conundrum, as they consider the use of the franchise tag while they continue to pursue a long term deal. The Hampton situation is one that will surely require front officemen Kevin Colbert and Omar Khan to earn their big boy bucks. This negotiation has more wrinkles than Hampton's enormous belly has stretch marks. The realities are simple: Hampton, a player already noted for an occasionally disagreeable attitude, has made it perfectly clear that he wants no part of the franchise tag. His reasoning, although seemingly greedy, is fiscally sound. At his age (33), a single year deal greatly reduces his opportunity for one last long term deal, and with it the large stack of guaranteed cash that comes via the signing bonus. Coming off another Pro Bowl season, and in decent health, Hampton will most likely never have this roster value again. Should he agree to a one year tender, and then have a unproductive season, or worse, sustain a serious injury, his chances of a juicy long term deal in 2011, at age 34, would be remote.

who wouldn't drop $30 million on this guy.

The Steelers' viewpoint is basically the same, only from the reverse angle. At Hampton's age and mileage, and given the fact that his overall conditioning is, well, less than stellar, it's a safe conclusion that his shelf life of high performance is probably three seasons or less. Let's also remember that Hampton has at least one major knee surgery on the books, and at 330+ pounds, his knees are already under formidable siege. Now the economics kick in. The team is already sitting on long term deals to elder defenders like James Farrior, James Harrison, and Brett Keisel. Guaranteeing mega bucks to yet another gray beard could prove to be financially strapping, if not disastrous down the road. So what does the armchair GM inside you say to do?

The public message that the team continually sends is that one viable course of action is to tag Hampton (most likely Franchise - Non Restricted), and then earnestly work towards a long term deal, like the handling of the Max Starks scenario from a year ago. The big difference between the two situations is that Starks was significantly younger, and the long term deal was much more viable to the team, in terms of recouping the bonus loot.

The Hampton camp appears to be ready for the forthcoming tag, and is now emitting softer messages regarding the potential action. Regardless of what road the team takes, it is critical to the overall success of the defense to get the Big Snack under contract for at least 2010. As said here before, Hampton devours running lanes like they were made of cookie dough, and his loss would be as enormous as his appetite. Perhaps the hidden leverage is that 2010 will most likely be an uncapped year, without a new collective bargaining agreement in tact. Maybe some North Shore hocus pocus can be spun, and maybe a long term deal can be struck with an exaggerated weight (no pun intended) placed on the 2010 season. Who knows? I imagine that by the time you are all in your afternoon drive, the decision will have been announced.

Onwards and Upwards

2010-02-23T09:32:00.010-05:00

Although the mission statement of this blog clearly states it's passion for reporting the ups and downs of the Steel City's three storied professional sports teams, it has become commonplace to include early spring articles regarding the most consistent of all Pittsburgh programs: the University of Pittsburgh Panthers Men's Basketball Team.

Following last week's robust performance that included a tough road win over Marquette and a strong victory over Final Four candidate Villanova, the Pitt hoops squad once again galvanized interest and optimism of yet another potentially memorable season. Considering that the team is perched at #12 in the AP Poll with a more than respectable record of 21-6 while in the midst of the so-called 'rebuilding season' following the exodus of both Dejuan Blair and Sam Young, one must now recognize the strength of this program and it's unflappable coach. Ron Cook's recent PG article convincingly argues that Pitt has not only been one of the strongest basketball programs in the Big East over almost an entire decade, they have been one of the toughest and most consistent teams in the nation over that time frame. The fact that coach Jamie Dixon holds the Big East all time league win percentage lead over names like Boeheim, Thompson, and Pitino is a staggering source of pride, and a testament to consistent excellence. Consistent excellence...isn't that a wonderful phrase to have associated with an organization?

With four regular season games remaining against four opponents all located in the bottom half of the Big East, Pitt is once again posturing themselves for an intriguing spring. Where this year's ride ends is anyone's guess. We all know that Pitt tends to ramp it up in the Big East Tourney, only to underachive in the big dance of the NCAA's. The latter is another boogeyman that Dixon will one day confront and overcome. For today, let's embrace my newest 5 cent accolade...Consistent Excellence.

Hello Joey, Goodbye Limas

2009-12-22T10:54:00.008-05:00

If anyone on your Christmas list was looking for the Limas Sweed jersey, you're in luck, as it will now be found on the discount rack at Sports Authority. The always reliable Post Gazette just broke the news that the Steelers plan to sign veteran wideout Joey Galloway today, after placing Sweed on the non-football illness reserve. This move very well spell the end of a remarkably unremarkable tenure in the Burgh by Sweed. One can only wonder what Sweed's mysterious illness is,...dropitis???

The inside note here is that the Steelers may also be planning on more four receiver sets in the remaining pair of games, as they used with tremendous success in their recent victory over the Green Bay Packers.

perhaps the extra shoulder pads caused all of Sweed's drops...

As the Meltdown Continues

2009-12-17T17:26:00.006-05:00

Entering Week Six of the Chernobyl experience that us devout Towel Twirlers regard as the Steelers' 2009 season, we got our latest journal entry from hitman Ryan Clark, who has turned his angst to the local media and fanbase. Of course, the Pittsburgh beat writers, all too willing to record every irate word that Clark uttered, had a field day with this latest rant.

Clark, losing all sense of reality and judgement, took a ridiculous left turn into the absurd when he likened the Pittsburgh media to their Eastern PA counterparts in Philadelphia, saying that this kind of slanderous and unduly harsh journalism is not found in the City of Brotherly Love. Buddy, here's a news flash from a Steeler fan living in Eagle Country...these guys sharpen their fangs after bad victories. The Philly media would be leading a riot comparable to post Rodney King Los Angeles, or the one from the opening of Shrek, had the Iggles put together a five week run like this.

I truly hope, that at some point, 'veterans' like Clark can just leave the talking on the field. In Clark's defense, I will say that the Post Gazette guys have been no help during this implosion, but, hey, take it from an esteemed member of the media; conflict, drama, and self destruction sells. Oh, time to see what Tiger Woods is up to!

The Rise and Fall of Empires

2009-12-13T11:58:00.023-05:00

A few months ago I posted an article on the signing of Brett Keisel and the recent reversal of trends on the North Shore regarding the awarding of contracts to guys over 30. A few of you offered comments, and we all agreed that Keisel's signing was a good thing, while acknowledging the potential pitfalls of the "rain forest" effect. Today, as the team and it's 2009 season are spiralling around the rim of the toilet bowl, everyone's favorite poison pen assassin, Edward Bouchette, issued a fairly well written and damning report regarding the result of this practice, and the ending of the current era.

If you don't feel like clicking on the link, I'll summarize Bouchette's obituary: while the Steelers made a great run from 2004 thru 2009 (which I recently dubbed the "Silver Era"), the front office took calculated risks in keeping an aging defense in tact, and now as this defensive unit looks suddenly and alarmingly geriatric, these moves seem to be, in hindsight, bad. Furthermore, with the potential losses of Breakfast Buffet Hampton and hitman Ryan Clark, and no true budding superstars waiting in the wings, this sinking ship could be at Titanic stage (post iceberg) once the off season mercifully arrives.

The reality here is that the Steelers are staring down the barrel of their first sub .500 season since 2003, and with some tough decisions ahead, this bad situation could become worse before it becomes better. How did this happen so quickly? It probably started in the off season of 2008 when the team extended the contract of ILB James Farrior, and began etching the script on the wall that the younger Larry Foote would be expendable. The trend continued when the team allowed young CB Bryan McFadden to enter his contract season without a deal in place. Then came the mega deal to the over 30 James Harrison, and then the Keisel deal in September, even as the team had drafted Ziggy Hood in the 1st round and had Aaron Smith locked through 2011, and Hampton without a new deal.

The purpose of these tactics, as we've discussed a few months back, was clear: win now at the risk of two things that had been staples in the Cowher era - youth development and age management. At midseason, with a 6-2 record, this all looked like smart casino logic. I think we all would have accepted a potential down season or two for another deep run this year or next. Now, all the armchair GMs are saying the same thing, the Steelers got themselves into a mess, and in a hurry, with no clear and easy exit strategy.

The armor started chinking when All Everything safety Troy Polamalu went down. Then we all saw that William Gay is really not an every down player on a team that wishes to win, thus causing a hindsight review of the McFadden exodus. Concurrently, Deshea Townsend somehow lost his technique as he stood in line for his social security check, and our one strong corner, Ike Taylor, added sloppy coverages and poor tackling to his resume, alongside the inability to catch anything beyond a cold.

At least the front seven are doing their part, right? Well, no. Thursday night's failure against the hapless Brownies reminded us of the painful effects of age. Farrior looked just plain old as he missed tackles and failed to run down ball carriers of any shape or size. Although James Harrison still has it on the edge, he is certainly not the player that blew up offenses and made game changing plays. The line is serviceable, but rarely delivers when it really needs to, in the fourth quarter. All in all, one big mess.

So what has to happen? In Mike Tomlin's press conference following the stunning home loss to the Raiders last week, he said he was looking for answers. Some of these answers will most likely be painful:

Casey Hampton. The team seemed to be ok with letting His Rotundness slip into his contract year. There had better be some kind of plan here, because neither Keisel or Hood are 3-4 nose tackles, and undersized Chris Hoke is most likely not the long term solution. Maybe Smith can get moved inside,...maybe. Maybe Hampton gets the franchise tag to buy one year. Maybe a free agent NT. Maybe the team moves to 4-3,...lots of maybes. Hampton devours running lanes as if they were made of cookie dough, and he is a principle reason the Steelers have been so stingy on the run this decade.
Farrior. MP recently stated that Farrior was probably the best free agent signing that the team has ever made. I will agree with that statement, but that signing was in 2002, and although Potsie's career in the 'Burgh was nothing less than stellar, well, you know what they say "he ain't getting any younger". The answer might be to just cut ties with Farrior in the off season, giving his duties to Lawrence Timmons, and putting Kerayon Fox in the MACK position. The other option might be to keep Farrior, and just alter his role, swapping he and Timmons and giving the elder the MACK duties. The third option would be to find the next Farrior, an undervalued free agent ILB to anchor the corps and serve as playcaller.
Deshea Townsend. Honestly, I don't see a scenario in 2010 that includes Townsend. He's had an admirable Steeler career, and he wears a pair of rings to compliment his efforts. As far as I'm concerned, watching him make that huge pick on Tony Romo on the jumbotron during Renegade is all I expect to see from #26 next year. Surely there is a Super WallMart that needs a new greeter.
Ike Taylor and William Gay. Now the loss of McFadden looms large. Hopefully Tomlin and staff can execute a reclamation project on both of these disasters. They have both shown the ability and desire, (moreso with Taylor), and hopefully some good coaching and tough love can get these guys back on track. I could live with a scenario that reduces Gay's role, maybe as a nickle or dime guy in 2010.
Youth movement. I guess we will see more of Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis. I would expect that both of these young corners are viable candidates for more playing time this season and next. I guess I should also throw safety Ryan Mundy into this mix. All in all, I would imagine that at least one, if not two, of the first four picks in the 2010 draft will go towards the secondary, an area that has been sorely neglected in the last few drafts. The reality here is that the Steelers need to find at least one young playmaker in the secondary to compliment Polamalu.

With all these things being said, it's safe to assume that regardless of how the next three weeks play out, this team will be very busy in the off season. The 2010 draft and free agency period will suddenly be of utmost importance to address and correct the 2009 shortcomings. Now, if you have any fingernails left to chew, ponder the latest speculations that the team may lose guru Kevin Colbert in the off season, and once again, one must picture those icy North Atlantic waters, only without the buxom Kate Winslet to rescue. We haven't even touched on the offense, although that solution seems obvious: re-allocate the beleagured Bruce Arians' spot in the lifeboat. Gregg Rodgers is calling for Charlie Weiss as the 2010 O.C. Hmmm, Charlie Weiss with Big Ben...

Before we, in MP's words, all climb to the top of the Clemente Bridge, let me leave you with this. The Steelers are one of the few teams that can figure this shit out quickly. I referenced the abortion of 2003, well, the follow up was a 15 win season and the emergence of savior Ben Roethlisberger. Let forget pride, let's put away our brazen "Got 6?" tee shirts, and let's stop worrying about our spot along the parade route this year. The only parades we should be concerned with right now should include a Snoopy float and Santa in a convertible. Let the smart guys get this team figured out. They will. The empire will rise again...

I'll hunker in the bunker and await your most inspired retorts...

Like Son, Like Mother

2009-12-12T15:48:00.007-05:00

In a season riddled with underachievement, and marred with embarrassments, the Pittsburgh Steelers just managed to earn yet another instant punch line, as Mildred Harrison, the elderly mother of linebacker James Harrison, has been arrested following a drunken brawl in Akron.

On this latest sad day in the Steelers' lost season, one can only think back to simpler times, when only our kickers were warranting assault charges. Of course, some analysts are rumoring the Steelers possible signing of Ms. Harrison, simply suggesting that she shows more tenacity than her son or his defensive mates.

Well, finally, someone unleashed hell...

The Hines Ward Article

2009-11-21T11:22:00.034-05:00

ode to a warrior

One of the favorite ongoing discussions/debates amongst us great and knowledgeable Pittsburgh sports fans is the future Hall of Fame status of current Steelers. Every fan of every team has a list of players that they think are bronze bust worthy, and I will maintain my previously stated position that I believe the current roster includes three future HOF'ers: Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, and Hines Ward. I will refrain from using the word "lock", as I wish other fans would, simply, because all three of these gentleman are still not complete bodies of work and they all must continue along their progressive paths to Canton.

To fully understand and enjoy this debate, one must first appreciate that the NFL Hall of Fame is clearly the most selective of all sports Nirvanas. I think one of the pitfalls that we occasionally fall into is associating NFL HOF membership with the numbers driven halls like baseball or basketball. Numbers alone can get you into the NFL HOF, but they must be stellar. Ask a guy like Chris Carter.

There are few active NFL players that inspire greater Canton debate than Mr. Ward. With the Pro Bowl caliber numbers that #86 is shelling out thus far in 2009, he has now surpassed 850 career receptions and 10,000 career receiving yards. Great numbers, but in this day and age, certainly not enough to earn HOF induction. Take a look at this list of all time receptions leaders, and you will see the changes in trends over the years. In the glory days of Swann and Stallworth, 600 career receptions was an immortal milestone and worthy of a Canton bust. The NFL has steadily evolved into a pass happy league, and over time that threshold shifted to 700 catches, and now, I truly believe it would be tough for any current player to get inclusion with less than 900 grabs. With this continual air assault trend and improvements in sports medicine and conditioning systems which extend careers, there will eventually be a time when 1,000 receptions is the benchmark for HOF consideration.

This is where Ward becomes an intriguing study. Playing in a era dominated by offenses designed for more passes and catches, Ward has been the quiet understudy to the elite wideouts like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, Marvin Harrison, and Torry Holt. Most critics will quickly argue that Ward was simply not in this group, and never one of the best receivers of his generation. The fact that Ward is the prom night wallflower standing next to these radiant divas probably helps him. How so? Let me elaborate. The NFL media likes good stories. They like guys that are unique and can be held in exclusive categories. If these writers were zoologists, they would prefer the bizarre and differentiated creatures from the Galapagos Islands. (reference to the great MP). Ward is that strange and unusual animal.

Not necessarily a graceful strider with surgeon like fingertips, capable of making the human highlight film catches every Sunday, Ward is a delicate blend of average speed, great conditioning, acute savvy, Kevlar toughness, and eagle like field vision. Top these traits off with an undying desire to do whatever is necessary to help his team win, sprinkle on a triple helping of grit, and you have Hines Ward - possibly the most complete offensive player of his generation. The fact that Ward is closing in on 1,000 career receptions on a team that never employed West Coast offense tactics is amazing. Add the extra consideration that a huge chunk of Ward's prime years were in an offense led by some very average quarterbacks (aka the "Pre-Ben Era"), and it becomes more understandable of just why the HOF tag is now being used by folks not just in Western PA, but nationally. The simply reality is that if Big Ben breaks 4,000 passing yards this season, it will have been the first time in team history. Hines Ward has steadily amassed HOF caliber numbers in mostly ground attack offenses. Ward is not the jet-set gazelle like the Mosses and Holts. He is the working class guy. He's blue collar, not blue blood. He's the type of wideout that a city like Pittsburgh would crave...a linebacker stuffed inside a receiver's body.

Hines Ward wins. Ward plays big when big play is required. Think of all the epic come-from-behind wins that the Steelers have made over the last several seasons. These comebacks are generally associated with the heroics of Roethlisberger - and for the most part, rightfully so. But how many of those memorable drives involved at least one huge catch and run by #86. The play I'm describing is the one where he somehow finds that soft spot in a zone on a 3rd and something, makes that awkward body catch, and then extends the play by breaking a tackle or two. The play I'm depicting generally serves as an energizer to the rallying team. The guy has made a career off that kind of play alone, always with that signature smile on his face.

Ultimately, it will be Ward's role as the leading receiver on a consistently great team that serves as enhancement to his numbers, and earns him that bust. This is where the playing field begins to thin out dramatically: 2 Superbowl rings, 1 Superbowl MVP trophy, 14 post season games with 76 post season receptions. To date, Ward has been the leading receiver on 6 playoff teams, and 4 teams that reached the AFC Championship. These are the numbers that when combined with his growing regular season stats and his unmeasurables (down field blocking, All World persona) make him an NFL Hall of Famer. When folks will remember the great Steeler teams of the early 21st Century, they will first think of guys like Ben, Polamalu, and Hines Ward. If the 1970's was the golden era of Steeler football, then 2001 to the present must be the silver era. Ward is truly the only great standout spanning that entire period. He is a great player from a great team. That is what NFL writers look for, greatness on a great team. This is one of the factors that has lengthened offensive line anchorman Dermotti Dawson's tenure on the induction waiting list. He is associated with good teams, not great teams. The NFL media loves winners, and in a word, that is what Hines Ward is, a winner.

So, after clearly presenting all the evidence, ladies and gentlemen of the e-jury, I will now use that shunned word..."lock". Now, the burning question is when? First ballot selection is a rarity in the NFL, and that honor most likely won't be granted to an everyman like Ward. So when? This is a dynamic variable, and can be influenced by Ward and his mates. Ward's eventual induction day moves up with every catch, every touchdown, every Pro Bowl berth, and every deep post season run. Should he earn a third Superbowl ring, and gain 1,000 receptions and 100 TDs, I think a first ballot selection is a potential. Again, that likelihood may seem remote, but after watching this man overachieve for 12 years, what accomplishment wasn't (at some point) remote?

A Tough Spot

2009-11-17T10:18:00.012-05:00

How strangely ironic that the Steelers' loss to the greatly improved Cincy Bengals on Sunday came on a weekend sandwiched directly between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Were our beloved Black and Gold simply masquerading as NFL powerhouses in victories over Minnesota and Denver, now waiting to be roasted and carved like turkeys by the quality AFC teams, or was Sunday's debacle just a case of a good team disguised as a mediocre team?

On a beautiful afternoon in which the Steelers celebrated Veterans Day by recognizing local heroes, the team looked like anything but the Band of Brothers that Ben Roethlisberger used as his rally cry catch phrase last season. (all apologies to all you Dick Winters fans).

At 6-3 and virtually 2 games behind the peeking Bungles, and now minus the service again of All World defender, Troy Polamalu, our boys in black find themselves in an awkwardly precarious predicament. A spot, however, they are somewhat accustomed to. We only need to turn the clocks back to 2005, when the team was banged up, struggling, and stagnant at 7-5, staring down the potential of a long off season. The response was an epic 7 game winning streak and a Superbowl victory. All this in a season in which the division was fittingly won by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a strange and possibly ironic footnote, this winning streak started just after a home loss to the Bengals, in a game that included a Cincy kick return for a TD.

Is that in the cards this year? Surely the team needs to win at least 5 of the final 7 contests to even sniff the playoffs, and probably more like 6 or 7 (with help) to resume their usual post as AFC North champs. Can this happen? Yes. Will this happen? Maybe. As Chris Berman often states in his annoying voice, "that's why they play the games." Anything can happen on any Sunday in the modern NFL. The Bengals can easily lose a few games. Somehow, I think that this Sunday in Oakland might be an upset special. Perhaps today's signing of lightning rod Larry Johnson will prove to be a mistake by Cincy, one that causes division in the clubhouse. Who knows...

As coach Tomlin maintains, we can only worry about ourselves. Now, more than ever this team needs leadership and heroics from Big Ben. Steeler Nation knows all too well that he is one of the few guys in this league capable of such a daunting task. The writers and readers of this column continually clamor for Ben's inclusion in the 'elite' talks. It's now his time to prove that he is truly worthy of the membership, and not just another guy wearing a mask.

I'll await the barrage of comments...

Mid Term Grades

2009-11-13T21:21:00.007-05:00

For the third time in three seasons Mike Tomlin and the Steelers find themselves at 6-2 at mid season. In keeping the tradition of virtually every sports news outlet, PittsburghFan is once again prepared to issue mid term grades for our Black and Gold. Helping out this year with the grading will be our very own MP and JD McNugent. Away we go...

OFFENSE:
Quarterback:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: B+
MP: "Ben continues to grow as one of the elite."

Running Backs:
Briwatt: B
MP: B+
JD: B
Briwatt: "Rashard Mendenhall responded very well to Tomlin's challenge. Mewelde Moore proving again to be a versatile and important role to the offense. Can Willie make one more dash as a Steeler..."

WR/TE's:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: A
MP: "Addition of #17 makes them dangerous."
JD: "Ward and Holmes have been unstoppable while Miller has been clutch. Wallace now puts them over the top."

Offensive Line:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: B+
Briwatt: "Unheralded group that may be unjustly critiqued for last season's shortcomings. Consider that Ben holds the ball to ridiculous lengths at times before judging this crew on sack totals. Since Week 2 the run blocking has been up to the high standards set for a Black and Gold line."

DEFENSE:
Defensive Line:
Briwatt: B+
MP: B
JD: B
MP: "Given the injuries (Smith, Kirshke), perhaps this rating might be higher."

Linebackers:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: A
Briwatt:"After a sluggish start, this elite group is once again the heart and soul of the Steelers defense. Expect more from Woodley in the second half. Fox adds depth."
JD: "Harrison is a stud, Farrior is a tackling machine...now let's get Timmons healthy."

Defensive Backs:
Briwatt: C+
MP: B-
JD: A
Briwatt:"Potentially the Achilles heel. Loss of McFadden compromises depth. A healthy Polamalu makes up for a lot, however."

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kickers/Punters:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B
JD: C
MP: "Still thinking about Chicago."

Return Units:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B-
JD: C
MP: "The big return against us still feels like it could happen at any moment."

COACHING:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B+
JD: A
JD: "In his third season, head coach Mike Tomlin has done a great job of forgetting he just won the superbowl. He has a five game winning streak after a 1-2 start. He has his team focused and on point like never before."

OVERALL:
At 6-2, this team is on pace to equal last season's 12-4 mark. That may be where the comparisons end. This team has a whole new look and feel, with an offense emerging and transforming alongside of it's blue chip quarterback. The team is just starting to play at the level it's capable of playing, on both of the ball. The special teams are still shaky, despite the return of punting phenom Daniel Sepulveda. All in all, this team is exactly where Coach Tomlin wants it to be...in the hunt and "on the rise".
GRADE: A-

Mile High Massacre

2009-11-10T07:59:00.007-05:00

TO: All NFL Teams
FROM: The Pittsburgh Steelers Football Club
SUBJECT: Notice of Intention to Destroy, Maim, and Embarrass
DATE: Now

Serve the notice again. For the second time in two games the Pittsburgh Steelers reminded the entire world of just who the reigning Superbowl champs are. Last night's notice came at the expense of a very good (although somewhat overvalued) Denver squad, in probably the hardest NFL road venue. In what was clearly the best overall effort of the season, the Steelers pulverized a 6-1, 1st place team in front of their faithful fans,...well, let me clarify that: in front of the 70% of the house that was not wearing Black and Gold.

In keeping with my mid term grades posting (due out later this week), I'll kick it back to the classroom and say that a few lessons were learned last night:

1) The continual studio debate of Big Ben's 'elite' status is getting really old. Ron Jaworski's pre-game comparisons between the Large One and nerdy Kyle Orton should have provoked extreme nausea in any knowledgeable fan. 2) The Broncos are clearly not a Superbowl contender. It will only be a few more weeks until the vast majority of Orange Crush Nation begins to vilify the front office and their new head coach for pissing off the bratty Jay Cutler and forcing the trade for the someday journeyman Orton. Didn't the long tenure of John Elway show the mile high morons that blue chip QB's just don't grow on trees? 3) A healthy Troy Polamalu makes this Steeler defense lethal once again. 4) The only thing fast about Willie Parker these days is how fast he has plummeted off the radar screen. Rashard Mendenhall's talent and Melwelde Moore's unique ability to not fumble have transformed FWP into a memory.

With Sunday's showdown with the greatly improved Cincy Bungles, the Steelers will once again be under the spotlight of the big stage. Emergence with a victory would leave the team at 7-2 and alone atop the AFC North. The plot thickens.

GAME BALLS:

Bruce Arians/Dick Lebeau. Hats off to both coordinators for dialing up the right game plan on both sides of the ball, and more importantly, not abandoning these plans when things weren't going so well early.

Troy Polamalu. The iconic 80's hair metal band, Cinderella, once crooned "Don't Know What You Got (till it's Gone)", and truer words were never spoken. It took me six+ years to finally understand the overall impact that #43 plays in this defense. If he ain't 100% now, he's darn close, which is a great thing for Steeler fans and not such a great thing for AFC quarterbacks.

Steeler Nation. It's one thing when you see thousands of Terrible Towels swirling in Detroit or Cleveland, but it's clearly a whole new matter when a rock solid fan base like Denver gets audibly overpowered by visiting fans on Monday Night Football. The panoramic camera shot that ESPN took in the waning moments last night, showing just joyous Steeler fans and empty seats, should have brought a little pride to every citizen of Steeler Nation. Well done.

Send me your comments and game balls...

Defending the Fortress

2009-10-26T09:19:00.017-04:00

Just moments after All Pro linebacker James Harrison impaled the legendary gunslinger, Brett Favre, into the Heinz Field sod to close out an amazing game, I received the welcoming buzz of a text message from my great friend, Jason W. Knox.

"...great defense...all of Wisconsin is grateful...", read J Bone's text, as he and the lovely missus watched the game with extreme anxiety from the latter's family homestead in quaint Burlington, Wisconsin. Truly this game had special meaning for football fans in both the Three Rivers and the Great Lakes regions. In reality, Sunday's epic struggle between the defending World Champion Steelers and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings was the entertainment in households and bars across the country. Forget the NFL's globalizing attempts at selling American football to the Brits in Wembley, on this given Sunday America was tuned into the War on the North Shore, as the black and gold clad kinsmen resisted a siege by the marauding Vikings, led by the greatest general the gridiron would ever know. This matchup suggested a classic battle from the moment it was imprinted on the schedule. And what a battle it was...

For six weeks, Steeler Nation clamoured for the return of "Steeler Football". Ok, when I use this term today, I'm not harping on about the grind it out run game. I'm talking about that big defense that staunchly and brazenly rises to the occasion when the trenches are about to be overrun and changes destiny with that huge play. The "Renegade Defense", as MP has been coveting for six weeks. We got it yesterday, as our defenders resurrected the never-say-die mantra that propelled the 2008 season into the history books.

For those that tuned into to this one in front of a plasma or cashed in the kid's college fund for Stubhub ransom, you saw a dandy. Perhaps it wasn't the Captain Comeback vs. Big Ben gunfight that was originally billed, but this game reminded us all of why we love American football.

For the Steelers, this game may be the one that gets circled in the yearbook. To pull out a gut check victory against an elite team just before the sanctuary of the bye week was big. Actually, it was huge. To escape the first seven games at 5-2, knowing that you are banged up, and not quite playing your best football is energizing at the least. Hopefully, now the bye will bring some health and focus to a team that Coach Tomlin reminds us is on the rise.

GAME BALLS:

Max Starks - You'll be hearing this from numerous sources today. Starks' neutralization of sackmaster Jared Allen reminded us that Mount Max has the skills and power to match up with any great pass rusher. Now, if only his intensity could match his skills...

The Aaron Smith Replacement Committee - Hats off to the trio of Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason, and Ziggy Hood for stepping it up against the world's greatest running back, aka, Adrian Peterson. Images of Fred Taylor gashing the Smith-less run defense probably encroached into a few brains this week, but the DE by committee was outstanding in keeping the workhorse in the paddock.

Mike Wallace/Santonio Holmes - Wallace had the numbers today (and a most impressive endzone flip), but bear in mind that Holmes drew the coverages that allowed Wallace to get the space. Let's not forget Holmes' human highlight film catch and run that was negated soon after by Rashard Mendenhall's carefree redzone blunder.

James Farrior/James Harrison - Neither of the 30's something LBs scored the TDs, but these vets brought fire and fury all day, harassing both Favre and Peterson, and most importantly, reminded everyone in the house who the bully on the block still is. It's almost safe to say that Harrison, with seven sacks in four games, is back to his 2008 form.

#4 - Ok, chide me with comments. As a 40's something guy myself, I spend about eight hours a week in the gym and I now buy herbal supplements to counteract erectile slothfulness. At 40, Favre is still breaking down blitzes and leading his team down the field. At 40, he's doing what some QB's will only remember doing by the time they hit 35, and what most QBs will have only dreamt of doing. I'm not afraid to tip the cap. He still has it. Of course, thanks to guys like Harrison, he can spend a little extra time in the hot tub this week, wondering why he still chooses to do it.

He's Back !

2009-09-30T10:22:00.007-04:00

Don't say that you don't have Carey Davis to kick around anymore, when now you do have Carey Davis to kick around. In a move of band aid fashion, the Steelers re-signed the lackluster fullback to rejoin an already depleted backfield stable.

One can only wonder how much longer until the team places yet another call to the incomparable Najeh Davenport.

clearly a joyous reunion

Gut Check Time

2009-09-29T15:43:00.010-04:00

Sorry about another long lay off! I figured I needed to get a post up to let those of us who have not already thrust ourselves off the Clemente Bridge have an opportunity to sound off on the team's sluggish start. Ok, so 1-2? Tomlin's first stint at sub .500. The team's first 2 loss September since the dreaded 2006 season. Complete disarray. Complete disaster. Write off the season. Tune in to the Bucs' epic drive for 63 wins.

Not quite yet. So the Black and Gold are little more Black than Gold these days. Let's break it down before we get ourselves into a total funk.

2 losses - 2 road losses to decent teams.
Both losses in winnable games, in fact, both games basically decided in the waning moments.
If Limas Sweed holds that ball in the end zone, or if Ben manages one more first down on the next drive, the bungle in the jungle probably goes down as a win.
Should Jeff Reed not push BOTH 4th quarter FGA's, the game in the Windy City is probably also a win.
Most importantly, if the world renowned defense makes a stop in both contests, when it really mattered, the team is sitting at 3-0.

So, why the funk? Is this Superbowl hangover? Not really. These are not cases of ill prepared defending champs getting socked in the face by eager underdogs. These losses are simply the result of a team desperately missing their superstar playmaker, and just not quite finishing out drives and defensive stands.

There are some positives that can be taken out these first three games. First, the passing game looks to be shaping into something that could be downright lethal as the season progresses. Rookie Mike Wallace looks to be the playmaker he was drafted to be. Hines Ward looks like, well, like Hines Ward usually looks. After taking away a few picks, The Large One looks to be in mid season form already. The highly scrutinized offensive line seems to be giving Ben the time to do his thing, and it actually looks interested in opening an occasional hole for a tailback to squeeze through. With that, the running game is gaining some ground, no pun intended, and once Mr. Mendenhall can finally find a way of staying on the field, it could provide that elusive 'balance' that offensive coordinators always talk about. The trick now is finding the offensive identity. When I say this, I mean getting that overall rhythm and knowing when to be a passing team and when to be a running team. One must assume that Bruce 'Air' Arians shoulders the bulk of that mission.

The offense is filling up the stat sheet, but not the scoreboard, and last time I checked, the scoreboard counts a little more. I truly believe that these bugs will get worked out, as well as I believe that the defense will figure out a way to strengthen the garrison as it awaits the triumphant return of #43.

Panic? Not yet. Let's give these champs one more night. If a smack down gets laid on the San Diego Lightning Bolts, and the record gets shored up at 2-2, I think that sigh of relief can be exhaled. If Sunday Night produces L number 3, then I'd say it's time for that panic button.

Open to your always colorful thoughts...

No Country for Old Men...Really?

2009-09-01T11:42:00.016-04:00

30 is the new 20, at least in Pittsburgh. With yesterday's 11th hour contract extension to defensive end Brett Keisel, the Steelers have now locked up their fourth 30+ greybeard longterm over the last two off seasons.

Clearly, the statement is obvious: with Big Ben coming into his prime years, the front office is purely committed to maintaining the integrity of the current roster over the next several seasons, with the expectations of a few more Lombardi Trophies displayed in the Great Hall by, let's say, 2013.

This logic is somewhat of a reversal of old Steeler thinkology, with the previous mentality placing focus on acquiring and developing young, undervalued talent, grooming these players to be starters in their mid to late 20's, and then eventually replacing them with new youth once they hit their 30's. The previous strategy is excellent for maintaining a consistently competitive product. Consider that the Steelers have only experienced 3 losing seasons since 1992, while qualifying for the post season 12 times during the same period, and you would agree that the crop rotation strategy employed by the Cowhers and the Donahoes of the past has yielded good fruit.

This philosophy is why the team rarely used the franchise player tag or sought after high profile free agents. It's also the reason for that old tired argument of how the Steelers let all their 'good' players leave via free agency. The logic was simple: why overpay for a high mileage vehicle when the system will produce a low priced, low mileage vehicle ready to fill that spot in the driveway? The Rooneys, contrary to the not so humble opinion of the throngs of armchair GM's throughout Steeler Nation, are not cheap. They are, however, smart with their money, and above all else, employers of smart guys who understand how to work the NFL salary cap.

Remember names like O'Donnell, Lake, Thigpen, Kirkland, and Gildon? These were all guys that the Steelers let get away as they approached senior status, with considerable ire from Steeler Nation in most of these cases. How many Pro Bowl seasons did this group collectively yield in their post Black and Gold years? The number is ridiculously low.

So why the change in course? Perhaps it all started with Jerome Bettis, and his re-structuring to finish out his career in Pittsburgh. Perhaps it was Hines Ward's highly publicized tantrums in 2005. I think it has a lot to do with #7, and the belief that when he's on your team, and healthy, your team will always have the potential to win a Superbowl. Like I stated earlier, I think the front office boys truly believe that Ben and his core group is so strong that it's worth risking the future developmental piece for a chance at some more hardware.

With that comes my final point. This new philosophy does not come without a price tag attached to it. The downside to retaining so many longbeards is lack of locker room space for the young guys. We've all heard about how the team's recent drafts are busts once you factor out 1st rounders and undrafted free agents. Are these drafts really busts, or is the problem that the team has little or no room for the picks? A guy like Bruce Davis is a classic example. A second year OLB (3rd round pick) out of UCLA. The guy simply can't get on the field due to depth at that position. Should he get cut this year, it'll go down as another bust. I guess this is the plight of the sapling in the rain forest.

Time will only tell how the new philosophy will stand up. For today, I praise the team for retaining one my favorite players and one of the core pieces in a great defense.

Starks Makes Early Impact

2009-08-20T17:24:00.010-04:00

Well, the Steelers are already collecting some form of dividend on the zillion dollar contract that my favorite punching bag, Max Starks, has signed. Just hours before the official end of training camp '09, Mad Max dropped his mountainous body on the foot of Big Ben Roethlisberger, causing the oft injured QB to end practice with his lower right appendage wrapped in ice.

Kudos to Max for wasting no time in contributing to Ben, once again, being helped off the field. I have a hunch that we will be seeing a lot of Batch and Dixon this weekend!

Max Pain is today's buzz term

Happy Birthday Kid

2009-08-07T13:13:00.006-04:00

So what does 87 mean to most Pittsburgh sports fans? Mark Bruener? Nope. Weegie Thompson? Please. The total number of PittsburghFan readers? Not on a good day.

No, 87 means Sid Crosby. With the 8 meaning August and the 7 meaning today. So happy birthday to our captain from all of PittsburghFan and our slim corps of loyal followers.

oh, to be 22 again!

The Newest New Day...

2009-07-22T15:43:00.006-04:00

How ironic that on the afternoon that our Battlins' off load the man that was supposed to restore power to the lineup, the team clocks 5 dingers without him, while beating the Brew Crew in dramatic fashion?

Wrap up your Adam Laroche bobbleheads and make room for your Garrett Jones bobbleheads, as LaRoche and his perpetual .250 BA are shipped off to Beantown in exchange for a young pitcher and shortstop. The impact here is more on the never ending Jack Wilson/Fred Sanchez saga, as the team finally obtains a young middle infielder capable of playing in the bigs.

QUICK HITTERS:

PittsburghFan policy prevents us from speculating on the recent Big Ben sex scandal, however sources close to us say that the plaintiff is "hot and crazy".
With LaRoche's overdue departure, Jones is now the team leader in homers, with 9 in just 68 at bats.
9 extra base hits today...not bad.

Report Card Time

2009-07-15T09:59:00.021-04:00

Welcome back! Sorry about my hiatus, I took a little time off to visit Sin City, re-charging the batteries and dropping some coin on strippers in the process. I'd like to get back into full stride by giving my fair, and unbiased, evaluation of the Pirates' first half performance of the 2009 season.

Given your already growing frustrations of the Battlins', I do find it somewhat fitting for our unlovable team to end the first half getting trounced by the Phils and then having the pleasure of watching both of our All Star selections sit on the bench last night, forgotten and unused.

With a not so stellar record of 38-50, and 9.5 games out of first place, it would be easy to just write off the first half as an F. I'm certain that is what most of you will score our last place club. Being an optimist, I'm quietly watching the new management team, and although I may be sipping the Cool Aid, I do find some logic in the moves and non-moves that the front office is making. The one chilling reality that we all must embrace is that this management team cares very little about the breaking of the string of consecutive losing seasons in 2009. Should Freddy Sanchez and/or Jack Wilson be traded in the upcoming weeks, it will only strengthen this position. Whether we agree or disagree with the current philosophy of rebuilding the organization's young talent, we should believe that any short term solutions could potentially spin this club into a string of bad seasons well into the next decade. This organization, as a whole, was completely broken when the new guys came to town, and as my personal trainer often says, "you didn't get fat overnight, and you won't get skinny overnight."

Despite all the bad press and ill feelings we read and harbor, we should note that in the last several months, the Bucs have acquired some young guys who can play. The difference these days is that the returns have been guys with talent and upside, not just more medium grade ballplayers who hit .270 with mediocre power. The additions of Charlie Morton and Garrett Jones, along with the long awaited promotion of the highly skilled Andrew McCutchen have already infused the team with some guys with the tools to help win games. Should salvage project Lastings Milledge realize anything near his potential, the loss of light hitting Nyjer Morgan will be quickly forgiven and forgotten. Of course, these steps forward are met with typical Pirate underachievement, and thus we have a team 12 games under .500. With all this said, here is my breakdown for the first half.

THE GOOD:

Sir Frederick. Is anyone looking for a scrawny middle infielder with awkward mechanics and an over aggressive swing? Despite Sanchez' obvious physical limitations, he consistently keeps the BA on the north side of .300 while turning in gold glove caliber second base work. Granted, Sanchez will never be a Chase Utley type guy, capable of carrying a lineup, but Freddy has flat out been the best Pirate since he earned the starting nod in 2006. It will be a shame if he's traded before the true rebound finally occurs, but if his trade brings more quality young guys, then I can understand.
The New Look Outfield. How does an outfield of McCutchen, Jones, and Milledge look? Well, that's what you may be seeing within a month. Jones could be the truly remarkable story here, as a two time castoff who spend parts of 11 seasons in the minors, now getting the chance to play. With some amazing left handed power, could he finally be that guy that sinks balls into the Allegheny on a regular basis?? Brandon Moss is the one disappointment to note, as I had him earmarked as a rising star in April. Although he possesses the tools, he had better start translating potential into production, or he will lose his job soon, most likely to Milledge.
The Rotation. Probably the most improved part of the team. The starters have reduced their combined ERA by over a run a game since last year, and should surpass the 2008 quality start total by mid August. Zach Duke has been the success story, and his All Star selection was truly based on merit. The downer note is the rapid decline of opening day starter, Paul Maholm, who's ERA is well over 5.00 since June 1. Should Maholm and the coaching staff correct his issues soon, the second half will look very good for the starters.

THE BAD:

Ian Snell. Possibly the most tragic case of lost or misjudged potential on the North Shore in years...and there have been many. Snell's dramatic dropoff, coupled with a similar stock loss with Tom Gorzellany, over the last year and a half has really stymied the Bucs potential of building and maintaining a solid rotation. Hopefully Snell will be able to regain that form, but I feel that when he does, it will be when he's pitching to the Pirates and not for them.

Matt Capps. There was a time, not so long ago, that I considered Capps to be the best Pirate pitcher. The one time reliable, and at times, dominant, closer has fallen onto some funky times these days. The complete meltdown against the Phils on Saturday was enough for even me to call for his head.

Karma. Is it just me, or does it seem that no matter what strides the Bucs make, somehow, someway, Lady Luck manages to thrust her pretty little fingers into their faces and just fuck stuff up? Perhaps it's the sports gods leveling things off for the continual success of virtually every other athletic program in town. This year's bad mojo belongs to opening day cleanup hitter, Ryan Doumit. Losing Doumit, the team's best all around hitter, for 70 games severely crippled an already underpowered lineup. I'll peg the cost at 5 wins minimum...and 5 more wins would have the Battlins' at just under .500. The recent struggles of Maholm also have many folks thinking ailment, which, once again, gets chalked up to nothing more than sadly timed misfortune.

OVERALL: Before we score this first half, we need to remember that 2009 is like the baseball version of The Empire Strikes Back, meaning, it's a transitional year. I truly feel that this was the year off pulling off bandaids and attempting to find cures for the cancer, and not just another year of jettisoning vets for prospects. The potential is here that within a year we could see a lineup boasting McCutchen, Sanchez, Jones, Doumit, Pedro Alvarez, Milledge, and whatever combination of LaRoches you wish to sprinkle in. You are hearing it here first, the Bucs will win 85 games in 2010 and compete for the division in 2011. Should these tremendous events not occur, then I will also agree that this first half should get an F. Until then, I will grade it out as "incomplete". Now, please excuse me, I need to refill my Cool Aid.

Bucs to Ink Veteran Hurler

2009-06-30T15:26:00.008-04:00

With just three weeks until the MLB All Star Game, our beloved Battlin' Buccos could pull off an intriguing free agent signing, as they are rumored to be in ongoing negotiations with the agent of veteran closer, Kenny Powers. Powers, recently released from Seattle, at one time possessed a fastball clocked at 101 MPH, although scouts say he's only capping out in the high 80's these days. The one time phenom has been a fading star over the last several years, just the type of bargain the thrifty Bucs are always on the lookout for.

With all things considered, Powers' physical stature is still quite intriguing. The fires of competition appear to still be burning inside the guy, and he diligently maintains an at-home conditioning program while he awaits that big phone call. Check out the training video that Post-Gazette tracked down this morning. Imagine this stud in Black and Gold.

A Look at the Rook

2009-06-25T17:47:00.011-04:00

In the midst of cranking out one of my rare evening posts, I thought I'd get everyone up to speed on how rookie phenom Drew McCutchen is looking through his first three weeks in the Bigs. I must say, so not bad. Check out his baseballreference.com link and you will see some interesting numbers. Despite a very meager strikeout/walk ratio and some relatively low power numbers, the rest of the picture is pretty darn good. 5 triples in 19 starts?! Really? That translates to, oh, about, 40 three baggers over a full season! Amazingly, Mac already leads the NL in that category, thus either saying something about his fleet feet or the disappearance of triples in modern baseball.

More interesting are his production numbers. With 15 RBI's in 19 starts, he once again is projecting out to around 120 ribbies over a full season. In the National League, 70 RBI's in a season is more than acceptable for a leadoff guy, and anything over 85 or so is pretty good. Again, I realize that we have only seen Drew Mac for three weeks, but the fact that he's knocking in runs at this regularity is refreshing.

lets hope Mac hits better than he shaves

What's even more refreshing is this faint scent of hope lingering above the PNC Park bleacher section these days. Dare I dream, but at this point next season, the Buccos order could start like this: McCutchen, Sanchez, Doumit, and Alvarez. Beyond that depends on the long term situation of the Bros LaRoche and whether the Bucs' front office is going to pull the plug on projects Steve Pearce and Neil Walker. Who knows, at least it will be a younger and harder hitting team to not go see.

Oh, Those LaRoche Boys

2009-06-25T10:55:00.010-04:00

Remember the good ole' days when you only had to worry about one LaRoche in the lineup? Doubling that equation is almost too much to handle. All Things LaRoche is the story probably best suited for reality TV, or even a prime time soap. If it isn't the cold streaks followed by torrid nights, it's the gold glove efforts followed up by evenings of zany fielding gaffes.

At this point in my blogging career, I really have no way to summarize the existence of the LaRoche Brothers. Certainly they are not the Waners, the Dimaggios, or even the Giambis. If Adam was a thoroughbred, he'd be what the race folks refer to as a 'front runner'. In other words, the horse that performs mightily when he's out front and is under no pressure. If Andy were a race horse, well, he'd probably have been put down by now, but hey, the world always needs more glue.

Last night's installment of the LaRoche Chronicles was really no oddity, regardless of how bizarre the box score reads. A slugfest by big brother followed by fielding woes by baby brother. Please pass the Tumms. One can only wonder if 2010 will bring us a third LaRoche.

QUICK HITTERS:

How about that Zach Duke? The left arm of God has once again logged another quality start. Can you believe that Duke has 25% of the Bucs total wins and is on pace for an 18 win season?

Andrew McCutchen should already be working on his acceptance speech for the NL Rookie of the Month for June. Next stop, ROY???

Mistake By The River

2009-06-24T08:59:00.008-04:00

The greatly ballyhooed and well over hyped turnpike series between the Cleveland Indians and our lovable losers, aka, the Bucs, commenced last evening with a whimper, then a bang, and then another whimper. Sadly, the bang and the second whimper both belonged to MLB's poorest excuse for a cleanup hitter, Mr. Adam LaRoche. Much ado about nothing.

That LaRoche leaves the bases jammed during a rally in the bottom of the ninth is as equally typical as it is inexcusable. We can all banter back and forth regarding organizational philosophies, and what the definitions of words like "now" and "near future" are, but the bottom line here is that situations like last night are games that can be won, and just aren't. Last night's loss has nothing to do with the trade of Nate McLouth, the trade rumors of Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, or whether the Bucs are serious about latin American superstud, Miguel Sano. It's all about execution. Something that is expected from stars and role players. Ask the guy across town who, like LaRoche, also wears #25 and some facial hair. The similarities end there. You'll probably find him sipping something frothy out of a rather large silver trophy right now. He'll tell you all about execution.

A guy like LaRoche can put up 25 homers and 85 RBI's year after year, but until he starts getting that base hit when the game is on the line, he's just another mope trying to fill up a stat sheet...holding down the cleanup spot on a 70 win team in the process.

Quick Hitters:

Remember a young, flashy, top of the rotation guy named Ian Snell? Naw, me either. Sadly, the mercurial Snell is probably another bad start or two away from complete obscurity.
How about Pedro Alvarez getting bumped up to AA Altoona after less than a half season of pro ball? Alvarez will most likely be a September call up when the rosters expand to 40, and he very well may be in a Bucco uni on opening day 2010. Oh crap, and I just bought my Andy LaRoche jersey...

Maxed Out

2009-06-23T16:00:00.006-04:00

It's a red letter day for all you Max Starks fans...all 10 of you. The Steelers just announced that Starks will be signed to a long term deal, holding (no pun on the use of that word) him in town through the 2012 season. With Starks being an adequate, at best, offensive tackle, the real victory for the North Shore boys is the cap room the deal will free up for 2009. Since the team was already on the hook for Starks' franchise player tag and the nearly $8 mill in salary that comes along with it, the savings towards this year, under the new deal, may be as much as $4 million. Hopefully, that extra cash may be used in re-upping tight end, Heath Miller.

now that God has sent him the contract, maybe he could send him some skills

A Great Day for a Parade

2009-06-16T13:28:00.007-04:00

Another championship game. Another trophy. Another parade. Another entry in the scrapbook of our lives. History continues to develop in this never ending dreamlike year of 2009. Thanks to our very own A Dawg for submitting some cool glimpses of a great day...

Pascal Dupuis showcasing new body art

Mama Malkin eyes a new dispenser for her borst soup

priceless

A Great Day for Hockey

2009-06-13T09:46:00.012-04:00

What a glorious morning! Break out those vintage "City of Champions" tee-shirts, crank up the old Sister Sledge records, and pour yourself a frosty I.C. Lite (the beer drinker's beer), because your Penguins just refused to be outdone by your Steelers! Now, your Pirates...well, that's another story...

Check out this congratulatory article written by a Cleveland blogger, and then the civil unrest he inspired with his readers. If you feel spoiled as a Pittsburgh fan, you should. The last five months in our sports lives have been nothing short of incredible. And don't sweat those Buccos...as Meatloaf soulfully crooned, "Two outa three ain't bad".

QUICK HITTERS:

Kudos to me for calling Mad Max last night. Let's face it, though, predicting Max coming up big on a big stage is like forecasting that MP will be piss drunk by 9 pm on any given night. No real stretch.

Mario still looking dapper, now hoisting the cup in his Armani suit! I still say that the NHL should require that all owners appear in at least one playoff game. Think we'd have the upper hand?

What more can be said about talisman extraordinaire, MA Fleury. Just six days after being chased off the ice, he responds with Roy-esque dominance while staving off elimination in consecutive games. Well done, Flower. You were my choice for the Conn Smythe.

Rumor has it that the NHL front office guys are considering re-naming the dinky runner up trophy the "Marian Hossa Cup" (picture below). Hey, Marian where is that $34 million you scorned?? Oh, yeah, I forgot, in Mario's wallet...which he now keeps on his desk next to the Stanley Cup!

The Hossa Cup will be awarded to runners-up, losers, and douche bags

The Jilted Lover

2009-06-11T14:16:00.011-04:00

Have you ever been cheated on? Of course you have. What red blooded American man hasn't had his life destroyed at least once by a conniving bitch? Have you ever been downsized, or dealt with in an unsavory manner by your employer? I'm sure you have. The fact that you're reading this blog during prime business hours tells me that you're probably not a cracker jack worker bee. I'm guessing that your car doesn't spend many days parked in the employee-of-the-month spot.

How does this make you feel? Whether deserved or not, no one likes to feel scorned. Put yourself in the shoes of Buccos pitcher Jeff Karstens. Holding down the fifth spot in the Bucs' rotation all spring, Karstens was served a little notice when the team traded for Braves' prospect, Charlie Morton. In fact, Morton was given the start last night, as Karstens was sent to the bullpen for middle innings, long relief, and mop up duties. In the baseball world, Karstens was handed the classic, "I just want to be friends" line.

Well, as luck would have it, new-guy-in-town, Morton would blow out his hammy after one whole inning. So guess who gets the call to get his hiny loosened up and out to the mound...pronto? You guessed it, the previously scorned Jeff Karstens. I guess that's the equivalence of getting that call from your ex-lady and hearing that she's just discovered that her new man lives with his mom, fantasizes about Hannah Montana, or experiences occasional erectile dysfunction.

In seriousness, some credit needs to go out to Karstens on this one. He jumped on the hill with short notice and pitched 4+ strong innings, propelling the Bucs to victory. All in all, I'm not sure what moral, if any, this story holds. Perhaps Karstens' strong effort was inspired by the feeling of scorn or betrayal. Maybe a little shake up was necessary to motivate the youngster to produce at the major league level. Maybe the Pirates' management will have an interesting problem soon. I just know that in 4 days, it's going to be interesting to see who takes the mound.

Karstens handled his 23 minute demotion to the bullpen with grace and dignity

A Date with Destiny

2009-06-10T09:41:00.006-04:00

Perhaps it was the NHL equivalent of Larry Fitzgerald's dramatic (and for some, sickening) sprint to the endzone in the fourth quarter of Superbowl 43. Perhaps it was just prevention of an enemy's celebration on the home battleground. Perhaps it was just a strong individual effort from a guy who has been enduring a turbulent ride of highs and lows over the last 8 weeks.

However you need to qualify or quantify the Penguins' epic performance in last night's Game 6, the end result is all the same: series tied, dramatic Game 7 looming. Kudos to M. A. Fleury for ridding his heart and mind of the embarrassing thumping he took on Game 5. A goalie is like an accountant, when he's doing his job, you aren't thinking about him all that much. Fleury quickly re-established his teammates' (and more importantly, his own) confidence in his ability to slam the door, and by doing so, he's afforded himself one last shot at redemption in his own personal House of Pain, aka, Joe Louis Arena. Oh, and for the record, let's hope that our spry netminder doesn't require the assistance of Rob Scuderi's left skate on Friday!

Quick Hitters:

Kudos to MP for calling the goal from Tyler Kennedy of Whoville.
Is it just me, or does it seem like Fleury needs to fall and/or lose his stick at least once every night?
A quick nod to defensemen Gill and Orpik for stepping up and playing sound and solid defense.
Another shout to "interim" coach Danny Bylsma for once again instilling the confidence in his boys to play like killers.

Brooks Orpik demonstrates the classic glove-to-the-face defense, as seen on early Three Stooges films

Welcome to the 'Burgh, Kid

2009-06-09T09:24:00.008-04:00

Rookie sensation Andrew McCutchen got his first true glimpse at the frustrations that teammates Freddy Sanchez and Paul Maholm have endured for years...wasted effort. McCutchen had the biggest night in his young career, going 4 for 7 with a double, a pair of triples, and 2 runs scored; all for not, however, as the Bucs squandered numerous opportunities before finally succumbing to the Braves 7-6 in 15 innings.

Ironically, Nate McLouth, another guy who has seen his performances wasted in a Pirates uni, rocked a homer off former Bucco and Altoona Curve mate, Zach Duke, in a winning effort. As they say, fate is not without a sense of irony.

Quick Hitters:

With McCutchen replacing Nate, he joins Nyjer Morgan and Brandon Moss in the Bucs' starting outfield. This trio has a combined 1 whopping home run on the season. At this point last year, the starting outfield of Jason Bay, X Man Nady and McLouth already had over 30 combined dingers. Astonishing even for the Buccos.
If you're feeling uneasy, you should. Mid-June is generally when the Bucs begin to entertain multiple losing skids. With no McLouth or Doumit in the lineup, it may just be a matter of time until the team is dozen or so games under .500
51 days until Latrobe!

Ass Cheek Zamboni Volume 2

2009-06-05T15:00:00.003-04:00

I finally got the Candyman's shot on Helm. Enjoy...

Game On!

2009-06-05T08:11:00.004-04:00

My texting happy niece would sum it up with three simple keystrokes...OMG. The voice on that really cool Vs. commercial would say it like this, "and don't be surprised if the little guy just decides to take a pass on yelling 'uncle', and now we got ourselves a game." Finally, to repeat myself from two mornings earlier: David just got a little taller, and Goliath just got a little smaller.

However you want to sum up the Pittsburgh Penguins memorable victory in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals is your business, but get Lord Stanley on the horn and tell him to order extra beer. The denial is now over. This is now a series. This is no longer the favorite vs. the underdog, the champion vs. the challenger, the veteran vs. the youth, or the confident vs. the frightened, this is now the tired vs. the emerging.

The Penguins are rallying in this series by living on both sides of blue. WTF??, you ask. I'm talking about blending highlight reel antics from the blue chippers with gritty, desperate efforts from the blue collars. The efforts are running deep with the skaters, and MA Fleury, well, he's been what a Stanley Cup hoisting netminder should be.

Enjoy your coffee with this little YouTube clip of a really big 67 seconds in Pittsburgh lore...

Nate Who??!!

2009-06-04T15:31:00.007-04:00

Move over Sid, Geno, Jordan, and Santonio. Pittsburgh's got a new addition to the exclusive 25 and under sports phenom club: Andrew McCutchen. The Battlins' ushered in the Drew Mac era today by manloving the New York Mets, sans lubricant, 11-6 at PNC Park. How'd the rook look, you ask? Try two for four with a stolen base, and much more importantly, three runs scored. Three runs from your leadoff guy, huh? Imagine that.

Here's to another new beginning

Nate and the Irate

2009-06-04T09:26:00.008-04:00

Unfortunately for the Pirates' front office, most of the Pennsylvania National Guardsmen are currently overseas engaging in the Global War on Terror. Luckily for the Buccos' brass, however, every Western PA sports fan is either focused on the Pens' Game 4 or Big Ben's tweaked knee, and therefore, the soon to be highly controversial trading of Nate McLouth is still relatively unnoticed. So maybe the potential riots will be minor, and our guardsmen won't be necessary.

For those of you that live your lives outside of the never ending saga of Pirate futility, let me break this news: the Bucs' just pulled off a trade to send the vastly popular All Star centerfielder to the Altanta Braves for three...you guessed it, prospects. In addition to the speed/power mix that Nate the Great displayed over the last few seasons, he'll be packing up his Gold Glove, as well. A nice commodity, given that his workplace, the PNC Park centerfield, was the most spacious in the National League.

Expect the scrutiny to be high on this one, but probably for the wrong reasons. This is not the classic David LittleBrain trade: quality for affordability. The Bucs' front office has maintained since their assembly in the winter of 2007 that long term competitiveness is the overall goal. Breaking the string of 16 consecutive losing seasons would be great for team and city, but it is clearly not the primary focus. GM Neal Huntington has eluded to 2010, but more like 2011, as the threshold to expect a winning product. With that being said, here are the reasons why this trade may make sense:

Despite his popularity, Nate is a good, but not great, ballplayer. Many baseball experts view him as performing near his ceiling, or in Buccos' brass lingo, at or near his highest possible trade value. If wins and losses in 2009 is not a concern, why not bring something in for him while he's still attractive? Again, I really enjoy Nate's game, but don't be shocked if he's a reserve or 4th outfielder somewhere in three years or so.
The real story here is a guy named Andrew McCutchen. For those of you that don't read this blog that closely, let me re-iterate that McCutchen is widely considered the best Pirate outfield prospect since Barry Bonds. Enough said, this guys needs to be in PNC Park getting regular at bats from real pitchers. This couldn't happen with Nate in his way.
Despite all those high draft picks that went into pitchers, the Bucs minor league system has virtually no quality arms. To get at least one, and possibly two, good arms, as well as an outfielder with a very high ceiling is a good thing for this team right now.

Who knows how this trade will impact us long term. The armchair and blogosphere Bucco critics are now conditioned to berate any trade that involves prospects in return. This criticism is genuinely fair, given that most of our blockbuster deals haven't panned out.

My thoughts are that if Drew McCutchen emerges, and performs as good, if not better than Nate has thus far in 2009, we may actually be better off right now. As always with the Bucs, only time will tell.

The Ass Cheek Zamboni

2009-06-03T13:38:00.006-04:00

Hey, Hossa Fans! Here's the Asscheek Zamboni that your man now owns...courtesy of Mr. Brooks Orpik. Remember, we all know that Hossa loved the Penguins style, but he left to win...and to get his European ass laid out by the NHL's biggest hitter.

Now, can someone send me the link of Darren Helm getting his ass handed to him by #44...

We're just Mad about Max

2009-06-03T09:03:00.016-04:00

Just call it getting it done. Marc Andre Fleury finally buckling down and making the saves that needed to be made, - getting it done. Captain Sid Crosby elevating his game, and by extension, his team, - getting it done. Matt Cooke showing his blue collar mates how to play relentlessly and desperately in a critical game, - getting it done. Last, and certainly not least, Max Talbot doing what Max Talbot does best, scoring the huge goal, - getting it done (twice).

The Pittsburgh Penguins restored a lot of respect and an equal portion of faith in their amazing spring story by notching a colossal win over the Detroit Red Wings last night at the Igloo in the pivotal Game Three of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. David just got a little taller and Goliath just got a little smaller as our Flightless Birds have pulled within one home win of tying this series.

What more can be said about Mr. Talbot? A Dawg, PittsburghFan's local hockey expert, said it best last week, "Max may not score a lot of goals, but he scores BIG goals." Well said.

Quick Hitters:

HBO ran Fred Claus at 8 pm last night. Karma? At this point, I can only watch the movie because super hottie Rachel Weisz renews my passion for busty British chicks.

How about Candyman Brooks Orpik showing faggy Darren Helm (as he already did with Marian Hossa) how to execute the old fashioned asscheek Zamboni with his brutal neutral zone smackdown?

Can anybody please tell Ed Olczyk that it's ok to not hate his former employers anymore? Ed, just let it go...

Remembrance of Near Perfection

2009-05-27T17:20:00.012-04:00

On an afternoon of yet another solid start turned in by Zach Duke but squandered by his mates, I'd like to conjure some memories of the ultimate pitching performance wasted by futile offensive. 50 years ago (yesterday) journeyman Pirate lefty hurler Harvey Haddix turned in what is still regarded as the greatest game ever pitched, although he was tagged with the loss.

Working 12+ perfect innings and still getting stung with the loss is a cruel fate that not even our current hard luck tossers would get saddled with. Congratulations to Mr. Haddix for the amazing and memorable night, and kudos to MP for digging this gem up.

Meet Harvey Haddix; America's first "Biggest Loser"

Swept Away

2009-05-27T06:51:00.005-04:00

The Big Black Machine, aka, the 2009 Pittsburgh Penguins, has just rolled over another speed bump en route to a return to the NHL Stanley Cup Finals by dispatching the clearly overmatched Hurricanes in four games. Despite the late drama in Game 1, the 'Canes just weren't in the same class as our Flightless Birds, who outscored the Tar Heels on Skates 17-7 over the final three games.

Kudos to the entire organization for resurrecting a team that most "experts" had written off as dead in mid-February. Now the boys in black and gold can rest the legs and await their opponent.

coming soon to a HDTV near your

Rennie Re-Visited

2009-05-26T08:53:00.010-04:00

On a windy night in Chicago, Freddy Sanchez reminded the Wrigley Field faithful of a remarkably amazing offensive performance turned in by another Bucco second bagger 34 years prior. Sanchez stroked 6 hits in 6 at-bats last night, just a hit short of Rennie Stennett's legendary 7-7 outburst in Cubbieville back in 1975. This feat is quite fitting since, in my mind, Steady Freddy is the best offensive middle infielder the Bucs have employed since Stennett. (Johnny Ray fans be damned.)

Rennie's mint night is still safe

Cam Shafted

2009-05-24T09:48:00.010-04:00

Did anyone get the license plate number on that turbo charged Zamboni that steamrolled Hurricanes Nation last night? I'll take a stab and say the plate read "87-71". Superheroes extraordinaire, Crosby and Malkin, continue to play as the NHL's most dominant duo since a couple of black and gold clad guys named Lemieux and Jagr, as the Pens demolish the 'Canes 6-2 in Carolina.

The talks of all-world goaltender, Cam Ward, rescuing his team from the black death are slowly fading away, as the Pens' offensive juggernaut has lit the lamp an amazing 13 times in the last two games. All said, the Penguins are now sprinting towards the conference finish line, winning seven out of their last eight games, with three of the last four being complete blowouts.

The Wonder Twins attempt to explain their super powers

Some Elite Company

2009-05-23T14:01:00.006-04:00

I did a little research based on a stat I heard on Vs. the other night. Did you know that behind Gretzky and Lemieux, the next two highest playoff points-per-games averages (career) belong to Crosby and Malkin? The only asterisk is that the minimum games played is 35, thus eliminating former Bruin and Canuck, Barry Pederson.

Click on this link, and you'll see the all time leaders. Very impressive company for our young guns.

two big reasons why the Pens continue to draw comparisons to the 80's Edmonton Oilers

Oh Goody, Here Comes Inter-League

2009-05-23T09:23:00.007-04:00

As the birds chirp, the flowers bloom, and America prepares itself for another glorious Memorial Day weekend, and most likely a long, hot summer; our very own Battlin' Buccos prep themselves for their annual free fall that generally coincides with the beginning of inter-league play. For those that don't read in between the stats on the score cards, early June is generally when the Bucs slide from three or four games under .500 to about a dozen or so under in just a few dreadful weeks. It all starts with that first inter-league pitch.

The Pirates are clearly the worst MLB team when it comes to inter-league play, with a career winning percentage under .380! As history bodes for the Bucs, any promising season in which the team exits spring hovering just under .500 gets wiped away by the club getting clobbered over the next few weeks. When late June breaks, and the team is 10 or 12 games under, the "fuck it" attitude has already hit the spectators, and the front office scours the clubhouse for any resemblance of a tradeable veteran. By the 4th of July, the team is usually at least 15 games under, and we're all just counting down days until Latrobe opens.

Last night's squandering of another masterful Zach Duke outing was as appropriate of an inter-league opener as it gets for the Buccos. Getting blanked on two lousy hits by a misfit with an ERA over 7, simply unacceptable. Let's hope I'm wrong, but if history serves true, our Battlins' should be on the brink of sub .400 ball within the next week.

Memorial Performance

2009-05-22T10:07:00.006-04:00

So, kudos to MP for playing a little Nostradamus and correctly predicting that Chris Kunitz would light the lamp last night. The only scoring slump longer than Kunitz's is my own (with the ladies), but I'm certain that MP's crystal ball has no insight in that...

Anyway, what a night for the home team. Our boys in black rolled the offense en route to their sixth playoff win in seven games. The 'Canes back is not yet broken, but I'm guessing that their chiropractor has been notified.

So, check out the replay on Malkin's sickness, if you're in the rare group of hermits who haven't seen it already. This image will be in Cam Ward's nightmares for the next, oh, 30 or so years...

And We're Off

2009-05-19T09:37:00.010-04:00

So if last night's Eastern Conference Finals' opener was any indicator of things to come, we might as well all re-stock our Rogaine, double up on our blood pressure meds, and get that cardiologist on speed dial, because this is going to be some high tension hockey. Game One was everything a Stanley Cup playoff game should be, with plenty of drama, and the longest 86 seconds in recent memory.

Although the Pens and the 'Canes come in to this series as the two hottest teams in the NHL since mid-February, the similarities pale there. The Penguins are clearly an emerging team, talent laden with added playoff depth, a team that is getting stronger with each series. The 'Canes are a team that is living on the edge, playing desperate, yet fundamentally sound and focused hockey. I'm certainly not saying that Carolina is anywhere close to rolling up the tents, but I truly believe that the thoroughbred in the stable wears black and gold.

Should the Pens arrive with their A game on Thursday, I think we may just begin to see the true delta in the talent levels. With all that being said, netminder Cam Ward, just like his young counterpart, M.A. Fleury, has all the skills and big stage presence to carry a team on his back. As Dan Bylsma wisely stated, "if we're talking about Cam Ward when this thing is over, you'll probably know who won."

Some Quick Hitters:

All hail Satan, as Miro the Hero notched his first playoff goal of 2009.
So how many goals do the Penguin defensemen have in the post season? 10?
Big brother Eric Staal displayed some poor role model qualities and some lousy sportsmanship by sweeping MAF's goal stick away, thus leading to the 'Canes second score. Of course, I would have turned a blind eye had youngster Jordan pulled the same stunt.
Before Brooks Orpik got busted for a high elbow in the waning moments, the Pens had gone over 120 minutes while yielding only one power play opportunity. That's sound hockey.

Hanging a Ten Spot

2009-05-18T12:45:00.006-04:00

In early efforts to woo an offensive outburst out of the Penguins, our very own Battlin' Buccos conducted their own offensive onslaught yesterday, creaming the Colorado Rockies 11-4. The Buccos conjured the ghosts of the old Lumber Company by dropping an impressive 10 runs in the seventh inning. Nate McLouth would spearhead the Bucs' remarkable assault with four RBIs. Zach Duke looked strong once again in gaining his fifth win of the early season.

All focus, however, is now on the men on skates, as the Pens are less the seven hours away from opening puck drop of the Eastern Conference Finals. The odds favor our Flightless Birds, winners of the last four series in which they've held home ice advantage. Let's start the road to five tonight.

Satan Returns from Hell

2009-05-15T12:56:00.007-04:00

Now that the clamor is settling on the exploits of Mr. Wheaties box himself, aka, Sidney Crosby, how about a little love for the performances of the Penguins' Eastern European contingency? Geno Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, and Ruslan Fedotenko all have shown enough playoff prowess to bring a little twinkle to the eye of Comrade Lenin. How about everyone's favorite Slovakian, Miro Satan?

Let's face it, anyone named after the universe's greatest hell raiser must have some balls. Sure, the guy's got moxie, but how about the humility? After his disastrous play in the first half of the regular season, we gave Miro a snowball's chance in, yep, you guessed it, hell, to ever see the playoff roster. However, not two months after being released, then re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre (fittingly, Hell on Earth), then a healthy scratch for most of the opening weeks of the playoffs, Satan rose from the bench, like a bat out of Hades, and played some damn good hockey. I understand that the Lucifer cliches are almost used up here, but what the hell? This blog is free anyway.

Hey, Miro, guess I'll see you in hell!

Stuck between the Devil and the deep blue line

Left Handed Larceny

2009-05-14T10:35:00.002-04:00

The clip says it all.

Halfway Home

2009-05-14T08:09:00.009-04:00

What a glorious sports morning for those whose shrines are adorned in the Black and Gold. The Pittsburgh Penguins advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season by demolishing the upstart Washington Capitals with a 6-2 margin. For those that missed the game, let me add that the lopsided score wasn't nearly indicative of how over matched and outplayed the Caps were.

For anyone who doubted just who the best player in the series, and in the NHL for that matter, is, well, it's pretty clear now. He wears an 87, and more importantly a "C". Sid Crosby was everything that a Conn Smythe candidate should be last night, as he spearheaded an early wave of high tempo/high skill hockey that was simply too much of a good thing for the Red Wave.

Although Crosby led an assault that any infantry general would be proud of, the signature play of the game (and series), was the highlight reel worthy snare that MAF pulled against Alex Ovechkin on a breakaway early in the contest. That save was the first puff of gas released from what became a rapidly deflating balloon, otherwise known as the Capitals' effort.

In the end, the true hero was coach Dan Bylsma, who simply had his team more focused and more determined for the supposedly epic struggle on enemy grounds. The Penguins' early onslaught not only silenced the hostile mob of red clad faithful, it actually stunned them. Just like the series clincher against the Flyers, Bylsma inspired his soldiers to play like killers, and the results were impressive. The fact that his team played at such a high tempo in an emotionally charged Game 7, without committing a single penalty, is a true statement to the poise that was displayed both on the ice and behind the bench.

It's truly amazing that in three short months Bylsma has steered this once floundering vessel from the purgatory of a missed playoffs to the warm waters of the final four.

El Duke-Ay

2009-05-13T12:35:00.004-04:00

For fear of inspiring any jinx in any form, I am reserving any postings on the Pens until tomorrow morning. That leaves me with the only Pittsburgh team that has won a game in the last 72 hours, the Battlin' Buccos.

Some quick props to Z Duke for another masterful gem on the hill last night to FINALLY end the seemingly endless losing streak. Oddly, this is the second flattering post on Duke in the spring from a writer whom has become a fairly harsh critic of the inconsistent lefty. Once again, quality starts = wins. It's that simple.

Cue Fred Claus...

Thank Fred Claus

2009-05-11T09:20:00.015-04:00

So the Penguins now push the issue, and are a singular win away from the conference finals. Who is most deserving of my praise: Sid the Kid, Geno, MAF, Jordan Staal...how about the writers' and director of Fred Claus, the charming family comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti? "WTF??" you ask. Let me explain...

I had just told MP that the Pens are undefeated (2-0) in playoff games this year that I didn't watch. His response was for me to miss more games. Well, on Saturday night, as the game was deadlocked at 1-1 and my fingernail lengths getting desperately low, I started channeling my remote, seeking a suitable distraction. Being a Verizon FiOS subscriber, I get about 600 movie channels, basically enough choices to view every mediocre movie ever made at any moment. Ask any FiOS customer how many Brendan Fraser movies they've seen...the list is endless. You need Stephen Seagal fucking up a small legion of Asian mobsters with cool 80's hairdos at 4:00 am on a Tuesday? FiOS has that, both in high definition and old school digital. Of course, one can always turn his focus towards the selections that cost $14.99 and require proof of age, but once again, that is a conversation for a different audience.

Well, anyway, I stumbled upon Fred Claus, and started toggling between this B movie and the game. Alas, every time I was on Fred Claus, the Pens scored. Every time I was locked into the game, Alex Ovechkin scored (he is the only Capital that scores, right?). This would continue into overtime, and just when Fred was about to save the world from the abyss of a cancelled Christmas, Geno Malkin equalled the heroism by delivering a gift of his own...a victory.

Needless to say, my assistant will be making the trip to Blockbuster Video today, for the purchase of one copy of Fred Claus (previously viewed, I hope).

The ornery Vaughn is my #1 Star for Saturday Night

Letang Rang

2009-05-07T09:30:00.008-04:00

In my humble opinion, most every word that ends in "tang" is a good word. There's "mustang", the name of a cool horse and probably the most legendary sports car in American history, there's "Wutang", synonymous with the great 90's counter culture urban act Wutang Clan, and of course, there's "poontang", a word that strikes serious relevance with most, if not all, of my readers. Well, now we can add "Letang", as in, Kris Letang, Penguins' blue liner and reigning sportsman of the hour in the 'Burgh.

Letang's long distance game winner in OT last night, not only rescued the Flightless Birds from a potential sweep, but restored the waning confidence in both team and city. Overtime game winners of that length are generally reserved for the foot of Jeff Reed, but Letang dialed in a missile that will long be remembered. Hopefully, this is the pivotal play that the Pens need to rally in this series.

Let's also point out last night's re-emergence of Geno Malkin, who turned in an epic performance in the critical contest. Expect the Black and Gold machine to be humming on all cylinders come Friday night.

king for the next 48 hours

Frustrated

2009-05-05T09:15:00.011-04:00

Mr. Orpik, PLEASE handle this...

What a shitty night for the good guys last night, as both the Penguins and the Buccos laid major eggs in stinging defeats. The similarities end there, however, as the Pens are finding themselves in unfamiliar grounds, down 2-0 in a series, while the Bucs move home to the friendly comforts of sub .500 life.

For the Penguins, just the thought of public asshole #1, Alex Ovechkin triumphing with such gusto is enough to send the meekest family man downtown in the back of a police cruiser.

For the Bucs, just the idea of losing 16 consecutive times to any team, let alone the Brew Crew, is more than enough to ruin my day.

Oh, and to top it all off, the Steelers officially announced the cutting of Larry Foote. At this point, the only news left to come out of the 'Burgh as that Big Ben is a cross dresser...

Happy friggin' 40th, MP!!

The Definition of Solid

2009-04-30T09:09:00.010-04:00

A sad note has been struck on an otherwise joyous sports week, as the Steelers have announced the impending parting of ways with standout inside linebacker, Larry Foote. Foote, a favorite of mine, and of many of my readers, has expedited the severance process by asking for an unconditional release. Bottom line here is that Foote wants to play every down, or at least more than he played in 2008, when he split duty with the emerging Lawrence Timmons. The Steelers' top brass offered no protestations to Foote's request, as the financial writing was on the wall that he needed either a pay cut or a bus ticket. Such is life in the world of player personnel management in Steeltown.

Steeler Nation not only loses a great runner stopper, but an all out gamer. Not many played with more dedication and intensity than #50. As MP stated, "the definition of solid". Here are some quick hitters to summarize just what type of asset will be exiting the North Shore complex:

80 starts in 80 games since 2004, serving as co-anchor to the NFL's #1 rush defense over that period.

Hasn't missed a game since rookie year of 2002.

406 tackles and 14.5 sacks since becoming starter.

Logged key interception of Jake Plummer in 2005 AFC Championship Game.

Funded the funeral of a Detroit youth that he had never even met.

2 Superbowl rings.

Black (and Gold) Monday

2009-04-27T08:00:00.007-04:00

Wow! What a sports weekend for the Western PA guys! Starting with the Penguins' fashionable and memorable rally to sink the NHL's version of the Titanic (the Flyers), then a deep and potentially excellent draft by the Steelers, and last, and least,...will someone please break up the Buccos?!? More in depth analysis on all three pistons of this highly tuned Steel City engine to follow. For now, just enjoy your coffee with some of my award winning quick hitters:

What is up with Adam LaRoche? The sloth who warms to spring in glacial slowness, is already clocking a .621 slugging with 5 dingers and 14 RBIs. Oh yeah, it's a contract year.
The Bucs' starting rotation continues to be the spring story in PNC Park. With 12 quality starts in 18 games, this rotation is quietly sitting as MLB's best.
The Third Round of yesterday's draft will be the tell-tale litmus as to how the 2009 draft will be remembered. Watch this guard Urbik challenge to start in his rookie season.
A.Q. Shipley in the 7th round??!! Hell, yeah! Again, you heard it here first, watch Shipley not only make this team, but eventually earn a starting job. (maybe by 2011)
So, although I totally missed the Pens game (laugh it up, Ad Rock) I need to jot something here. Readers, please fill up the comments section with clear recounts of just how good it felt to end the Flyers season (again) in such a triumphant fashion.

Ode to the Candyman

2009-04-22T09:55:00.008-04:00

On a bright and sunny morning, when every sports writer in Pennsylvania is praising (or lamenting - based on his or her zip code) the remarkable efforts of netmider Marc-Andre Fleury, I will take another route and focus on one of the unsung heroes in the series.

Today's post is dedicated to the staunch presence of the Black and Gold clad blue line bully, Mr. Brooks Orpik. In the wise and often timely words of Penguins orator, Mike Lange, Mr. Orpik is just sending out checks like it's the first of the month. It's not often that the physical Flyers get outhit in a series, and it's even less frequent when their fan base and media guys admit to it, but the buzz on Broad Street these days is that the Pens are both the more talented and more physical team. For those that have watched any of this series, it all starts with #44, as his signature squashings have given the Penguins the moxy that they need to back their swagger.

Danny Briere enjoying a little candy.

The Topsy Turvey Spring

2009-04-21T10:40:00.003-04:00

Although I should be focusing my energies on the growing intensity in the Pens/Flyers series, or perhaps on some in depth analysis in the Steelers upcoming draft, I still find myself oddly drawn to the intriguing early spring of our #3 team, the Battlin' Buccos.

With last night's shutout of the red hot Florida Marlins, the Bucs now own an astonishing four white washings in just 13 games. This figure actually exceeds the entire 2008 total for shutouts. With more analysis from the help of the world's greatest baseball bean counters, Baseball-Reference.com, you'll notice that the Bucs own the league's best era with an incredible nine quality starts in 13 outings. They've held their opponents to two runs or fewer seven times already, yet have yielded six or more runs in half of the other games.

This roller coaster ride is surely to extend well into the season, but my protruding gut tells me that this year's season totals will be light years better than the dreadful returns of 2008.

Ok, enough on the Bucs. More Pens and draft coverage coming soon. I promise.

Duking it Out

2009-04-14T16:26:00.007-04:00

Contrary to the constant and profane protestations of A Dawg, MP, (and virtually my entire reader base), the Buccos are alive and well, as they extend their winning record deeper into the season with a creaming of the Astros, 7-0 yesterday. Zach Duke continues to resemble a cross between Sandy Koufax and Jesus, with his 0.59 era through two starts.

All indicators suggest that pitching coach Joe Kerrigan is rubbing off on this young staff, which is already enjoying an impressive April. More to certainly follow on this epic story. Let the angry comments begin...

the left arm of God???

Flyers Lay Egg on Easter

2009-04-13T14:48:00.006-04:00

The Easter Bunny donned some orange and black yesterday and dropped a shiny gift that we call home ice into the Penguins' baskets. The Flyers blew a late lead in an eventual loss yesterday; a loss that handed the Pens the fourth seed in the East, and thus, home ice in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Pens roll into the playoffs as the second best favorite to win it all, at 15:2 per Las Vegas. I would know these things because I just returned home from Sin City yesterday (those stories are available in a different blog!)

The second season opens on Wednesday in Mellon Arena. LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!

Seventeen Can Wait

2009-04-09T10:35:00.003-04:00

For all of you nay-sayers who have already penciled our 2009 Buccos into 6th place with a modest projection of 68 wins,...not so fast. The Cosco brand, economy priced squad just started through the opening four game series with the St Louis Red Birds, taking two outa three, while demonstrating some fine batsmenship.

All kidding aside, this version of the Bucs looks eerily similar to most of the past sixteen versions, and my overly optimistic gut tells me to expect low to mid 70's in the win totals. Here are some other projections/opinions:

Fred Sanchez is finally healthy and should return to his rightful home north of .300.
The starting rotation will range from average to above average most of the year.
OF Brandon Moss could be the wild card to this year's success.
Andy LaRoche will actually be remembered as being worse than his big bro.
Expect to see Neil Walker and Drew McCutheon in the lineup by late May/early June.

Just Send Tanks

2009-04-08T09:21:00.007-04:00

Just weeks after Cincy Bungles ringleader Marvin Lewis commented on using the Steelers as his pattern for franchise success, particularly in the areas of player acquisition and roster management, the Queen City Pussy Cats followed their seemingly horrific judgement, once again, by signing formerly troubled defensive lineman, Tank Johnson yesterday. One would think that a franchise that has had a whopping 10 players arrested in a span of a year would steer clear of a negative media magnet, such as Johnson, regardless of how "well behaved" he has been recently. Of course, I'm just a writer, and certainly no judge of character. We wish Mr. Johnson, and the Bungles, all the success in the world during their newly formed honeymoon. Should Tank regress to his, shall we say, less than civil ways, the Bungles' legal and public relations teams should be appropriately prepared (and experienced) for the aftermath.

Stay tuned for this drama

Finally Elite

2009-03-27T08:42:00.005-04:00

Another typical night of texting for me and A Dawg. Another typical scenario. A Dawg reclined in his living room throne in suburban Pittsburgh, me relaxed in my newly finished basement in suburban Philly. The scenario was the same, The University of Pittsburgh men's basketball squad locked into a seemingly unnecessary tussle with an overzealous upstart, from a school that is probably a seven hour bus ride from nowhere. Tonight it was the Xavier Musketeers. The opponent never really matters, the story line always reads the same way.

Clock ticking low, finger nails getting even lower, our texts move to small talk to break the tension. "How's the cat?", he'd ask..."how's the baby?", I'd inquire. The clock was getting lower, the sands were slipping through another hour glass. We just went through this four days ago. Wait, we just went through this a week ago, against a lowly #16 seed! As a man who possesses a fairly robust frame, I've never been a fan of the David vs. Goliath story. Now three times in a week? Under three minutes now, down by two. It was going to come, we knew it, just be patient.

Another silly turnover, as the clock ticked lower, ouch...I'm into cuticle. "Is this how Pitt chokes, once again, in the Round of 16?" It was going to come, surely it was going to come, it always comes. More small talk texting "Pens having a great week"..."yeah, you got your Steelers tickets yet?" Under 90 seconds, it was going to come, right? At times like these one starts pondering the origin of expressions like "it's now or never" or "up against the wall"...really, what wall? Almost down to one minute, still deadlocked.

Is it going to come? Under a minute, down by a deuce. Ok, start moving past denial and towards acceptance. Another great season. Just can't quite get over that hump. These upsets are common in the NCAA. Still have the Penguins, right? Steelers training camp in four months, right? If only it had come...

And then, BANG! IT CAME! In a scene practically scripted for Hollywood, it came. The "it" being another timely deliverance of salvation from Oakland's resident (and often tardy) superhero, Levance Fields. For a guy who can be an unremarkable everyman for the first 90% of a game, he surely knows how to step it up when the drama is peaking.

Should they ever make an action movie based on Fields' heroics, here's a tip: stay in the parking lot and drink beer, enter the cinema about three minutes before they roll the final credits. You won't miss a thing. The Clark Kent portion of Fields' game is just not worthy of mention. But wow, when he dons that cape...

Fields' crazy, off balanced three pointer from way downtown was the most recent in his season of late awakenings. Of course, it didn't hurt when he thrust the dagger further into his opponents' breastbone, as he raced for two more off a Dejuan Blair poke steal a few seconds later. Game, set, match. It came, like it always does.

The texts became light hearted and jovial once again. We savored our customary electronic victory hug, and then bid each other a good night. Until we text again. Such is life for a Pitt basketball fan. For one more night, it came.

Broadway Bound

2009-03-25T10:42:00.010-04:00

So what PA basketball squad named for a large predator cat has a ticket in hand for a weekend tourney in the Northeast? Well, let's add the PSU Lions to that list, as our boys of Nittany made gator skin boots out of the University of Florida, in Gainesville, to qualify for the NIT semis.

The Happy Valley squad once again flicked a boogie at the NCAA Tourney Selection Committee while garnering their 25th win. Let's hope this rolls on for two more wins!

Another Sticky Sweet Sunday

2009-03-23T12:03:00.006-04:00

Hey Sweet 16...

For the fifth time in eight years, the Pitt Panthers have earned a trip to the NCAA tourney third round, with their strong second half showing against the spunky Oklahoma State Cowboys yesterday. In another see saw nail biter which has become the norm this spring, Sam Young showcased some future NBA skills, while floor general Levance Fields reminded us all that when the game is on the line, his blood runs colder than the Ohio River in mid December.

Fields getting healthy for his trip to Beantown

Kudos to coach Jamie Dixon as he became the winningest coach in NCAA history through the first six seasons of a career. Hopefully, he'll widen that margin by two or three more wins!

Heaven Gets a New Organist

2009-03-21T16:10:00.006-04:00

Sad news fell upon the Pittsburgh sports scene as long time stadium organist, Vince Lascheid passed away yesterday. For those that have attended Pirates or Penguins games in the 70's, 80's or 90's, you've definitely sang along to Mr. Lascheid's key tickling. Once more, a little piece of our youth moves into life's scrapbook.

Lest we forget the eternal trivia question "Who's the only person to play for the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins?"

Along these somber lines, I'd like to extend some heartfelt best wishes to MP and his family, as they mourn the loss of Papa Don, a truly great man, mentor, veteran, and Pennsylvanian.

Taking Flight Part II

2009-03-11T10:07:00.009-04:00

Wow!!! As if the drama could get no higher than Sid the Kid and MAF stunning the Big O in a shootout thriller, the arctic pigeons amp it up a few more pegs by besting the playoff hungry Panthers in another shootout. This is almost too much for the old ticker to take.

all smiles these days

With eight out of the next nine games in the Igloo, the Pens are the pesky front desk men serving waking up calls throughout the overbooked hotel we call the Eastern Conference playoff race. Just how far does this thing go??? MP says five seed, A Dawg says four,...stay tuned for the newest sports drama in the 'Burgh.

More Free Agency News

2009-03-09T13:19:00.005-04:00

Well, so much for hoping that Nate Washington would be our only key defector. As announced this morning, Bryant McFadden is now officially a Cardinal.

The day is not so bleak as the team also announced a recent visit from aging speedster, Joey Galloway. Just the other day, JD and I had a small discussion about bringing in an affordable, vet wide out, similar to our signing of Terrence Mathis in 2002. A guy like Galloway might be a great addition in terms of depth.

will Galloway be flexing this bicep in Heinz Field?

My 100th Post!

2009-03-08T15:28:00.009-04:00

Wow, what a sports week, and what a way for the writers and readers of PittsburghFan to celebrate reaching the century mark together! As the Pens and the Pitt Panthers tussle over who's the hottest ticket in the 'Burgh these days, we also get an occasionally pleasant report from the Boys in Bradenton.

Later this week I plan on unveiling my gallery of best pics of 2008, mostly submitted by readers. For now here are some quick hitters:

With Pitt's clobbering of Marquette and UConn, the Panthers are all but a shoo in for a #1 seed in the NCAA's. Ironically, they are actually a lowly #2 seed in the upcoming Big East Tourney.
Thanks to some MVP caliber play from Geno Malkin and some stellar numbers by MAF, coupled with some timely acquisitions, the Pens are red hot and threatening to make a strong run for upper seed posturing. A win against the Caps today would just be icing on a great cake.
Should Bryant McFadden return to the North Shore, the Steelers would have survived the first phase of free agency with minor scathing. Rumor has it that Philly and Miami have extended some interest in McFadden, however.
In a classless fashion that only he can muster, T.O. manages to insult the fan base in Buffalo in his first press conference as a Bill. Hey T.O., anytime someone drops $6.5 mill on your troublesome ass, avoid statements like "this may not probably be the most ideal place for a lot people..." regardless of how true it may be. Of course, we should give Owens a few freebies by already crowning the Bills "North America's Team."

And the Train Kept A-Rollin'

2009-03-04T09:59:00.005-05:00

It ain't a bird, it ain't a plane, it ain't Super Mario,...it's Chris Kunitz, the newest hero in a city of heroes. On another night when Kunitz's Penguins needed two points, he came up big again, helping the team extend it's current hot streak. With last night's pasting of the Tampa Lightening Bugs, the Arctic Birds ran their winning streak to four games, and six out of the last seven.

Kunitz scored a pair of rebound goals last night, and Marc-Andre Fleury continued to demonstrate his newly re-gained poise as the Pens tallied points #71 and 72 with 17 games remaining. My grade school arithmetic tells me that the over/under for moving on into the second season should be around 92 to 93 points. Given how the team is playing now, I still believe that 6th or even higher is clearly a potential.

Dulac Projects Trojan Moala

2009-03-03T13:00:00.008-05:00

is Moala our man?

One Post-Gazette writer indicated his thoughts on the upcoming Steelers' draft today on the NFL Network's "On the Clock" segment. Staff writer Gerry Dulac stated that the team is in an excellent situation with no immediate starters needed in the upcoming draft. Dulac feels that depth at the defensive line is the overall biggest need, and that the team may be looking for a sleeper pick,...a guy that shows upside but is not ready to start. His indication was that USC defensive tackle Fili Moala is that guy, and a perfect fit for the team, as an eventual defensive end (converted).

Dulac also likes PittsburghFan pick, guard Duke Robinson. Dulac additionally stated that he is still smarter than fellow PG writer Ed Bouchette.

Nate Drops Out

2009-03-03T11:05:00.011-05:00

Assassin Ryan Clark can add another profile to his target book for the 2009 season, as wide out Nate Washington becomes the Steelers' first major free agent defection of the season. Washington will take his impressive speed and occasionally questionable hands to Nashville in exchange for $27 million.

Nate bracing for a text book drop

One must consider that Nate the Great may join Yancey Thigpen as another Steeler receiver who took the Chattanooga Choo Choo to Tennessee for a caboose full of money only to be eventually regarded as a bust. Washington leaves the team with no hard feelings, as the writing was on the wall that cap money was going towards James Harrison. The master plan states that second year wide out Limas Sweed should step up to replace Washington as the #3 guy. Nate leaves the North Shore with not only some fond memories, but also a pair of Superbowl rings.

All joking aside, this is football business. By not making a truly legitimate offer, the Steelers had quietly acknowledged that Washington was a casualty that they were willing to take. Although Nate garnered a fair helping of scorn due to some buttery finger gaffes, we should also note that he was the primary deep ball receiver on the team. Considering the amount of long passes he snagged in 2008, (adding in two long TDs erased by Willie Colon holdings), and Nate compiled a pretty impressive resume for 2008.

All in all, we wish Nate the best luck, all the stick 'em that 27 mill can buy, and a fair warning to keep his eyes on #25 when the Titans next meet the Steelers.

QUICK HITTERS:

Washington now joins Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons as 2008 opening day regulars that are no longer with the team.
The clock continues to tick on corner Bryant McFadden as he also tests free agency.

Taking Flight

2009-03-02T09:21:00.007-05:00

So Sid Crosby gets injured and Evgeni Malkin leads the team on timely winning streak...sound familiar? Well, roll those clocks back and then forward again as a white hot Geno leads the Pen to their fifth win in six games as our flightless birds swim into the eighth seed yesterday with a battering of the Dallas Stars.

The Eastern Conference should take collective notice of this swell, as the Pens continually present the potential for an extended winning streak. Let's not forget the stellar week turned in by netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, who's save percentage is sitting at a lofty .943 during a three game win streak.

As stated here before, a sixth seed or better is not unrealistic for a team as talent laden as the Pens.

QUICK HITTERS:

So during the great Jeff Saturday ruse, we discovered one falsehood. When agent Ralph Cindrich stated that Saturday was a "Rooney kind of guy"...well, I'm not quite sure that the Rooney family covets players that leek false claims to the media in an effort to hold their team up for contract dollars. I hope Casey Hampton collapses Saturday's knee this year.

Countdown is officially on for PittsburgFan posting #100.

Pens Stay Hot

2009-02-28T10:19:00.006-05:00

Despite another night without team leader, Sid Crosby, the Pens earned two more critical point by beating the Black Hawks in Chi Town last night. As the flightless pigeons desperately try to mount an epic spring surge, the new pieces are chipping in.

Newly acquired Chris Kunitz tallied a goal and a helper as the Pens won for the fourth time in five games. As a recurring theme, Geno Malkin once again comes up big when #87 is on the trainer's table, by scoring the deciding goal.

By my tally, the Pens probably need at least 25 points in the final 19 games to gain that 8th seed. Should they turn this swing into an all out surge, as history suggests they can, it wouldn't surprise me to see them slide all the way up to 6th.

Kunitz getting involved quickly

Unguarded

2009-02-26T22:22:00.005-05:00

Just when it was all starting to make a little sense, the suits up in the North Shore front offices confounded us all once again this afternoon with the termination of Mr. Kendall Simmons. Simmons, although often plagued by various ailments, has been a mainstay at offensive guard for the last seven seasons.

Simmons' career in Steeltown was steady, yet unremarkable. As a first round pick, one could say that he underachieved, given the history of other recent Steeler first rounders. I will point out that during his rookie year, in a Wild Card game against the Browns, Simmons did throw a key block on a crucial touchdown run. In the defense of the Auburn product, the affliction with adult diabetes in 2003 more than likely tied a hefty anchor around his ankle, preventing him from ever attaining greatness.

Our last memory of Simmons

With Simmons' departure, the team is now left with just the overachieving yet underqualified Darnell Stapleton as the only experienced guard under contract. At this point we must make a few assumptions: 1) the James Harrison contract is coming along, yet at a steep price 2) the team is actually working hard towards retaining big man, Chris Kemoeatu 3) the Jeff Saturday rumors may be legit 4) Kevin Colbert fully intends upon drafting a guard in the first round 5) plans are being made to convert a current roster tackle to guard (Willie Colon ??) 6) Bruce Arians plans on fielding lots of death threats this year as the run game manages to actually get worse.

I'm guessing a combination of #1, 2, and #4...and maybe a bit of #6.

One last note on Simmons before we let him vanish into the mist of Steeler history...let's never, ever forget that he made the all dumbass team for suffering from frostbite after falling asleep with an ice pack on his foot. Hopefully, wherever Kendall and his sore feet re-surface, the ice packs will all have timers and alarms.

MVP Gets His Day in Court

2009-02-26T10:19:00.011-05:00

For the first time in the last three weeks, Superbowl XLIII hero Santonio Holmes will be answering questions about grass that's not found in a Tampa endzone. Courtroom precedings will now begin for Holmes' fabled October marijuana possession incident.

For those of you that have already taken a hit from Mr. Holmes' bowl this morning, perhaps you'd like to entertain the "Jeff Saturday as a Steeler" rumor mill. Once again, nice work by JD to break the news, but I think we need to exhale a bit before we start buying the black and gold Saturday jersies on eBay. It appears that this may be no more than some positioning by Mr. Saturday's agent, as most online reports are relegated to the blogosphere. Regardless, Saturday is more than capable of helping any offensive line, although he may be in the twilight of his career. Something tells me that the dollars just won't make sense in the 'Burgh.

QUICK HITTERS:

Before all the corrections Nazis come out of the woodwork, I know that I've been mispelling Kemoeatu. Just too many vowels for my spell checker.

So, does anyone really buy into Leftwich returning as a backup?

On Empire Building

2009-02-25T13:26:00.003-05:00

It appears that it's down to brass tacks now for the Steelers front office in terms of contract negotiations. Numbero uno on every radar is the goal of extending the contract of resident superhero linebacker, James Harrison. Given the variables of Harrison's potential worth, his age, the CBA murkiness and the tightness under the cap, these negotiations will prove to be very taxing for gurus Kevin Colbert and Omar Khan.

With Bryant McFadden and Nate Washington almost surely out the door, it's evident that the team is focused on finding enough loot for Harrison and guard Chris Keomatu. Here are some of the events that seem to be essential over the next few weeks if the Steelers are to get their way:

Work out a long term deal for "franchise" guy Max Starks. This will reduce Starks' cap hit from around $8 million for 2009 to about $3 million.
Re-structure Hines Ward's 2005 deal. This will lower the 2009 cap figures and ensure that #86 stays under contract thru 2011.
Re-work or cut Larry Foote. (hate saying this, since he's one of my favorites)...He's become expendable with Timmons surging.

Me and My Big Mouth

2009-02-25T08:52:00.009-05:00

So much for my media politicking for Pitt's #1 seed. In less than 36 hours after being voted the best squad in the land, the Panthers immediately invited doubt into all our minds with an embarrassing upset at the hands of the Providence Friars. Let's face it, when you lose to a team named after fat, drunken Olde English clergymen, you have more issues than worrying about a top seed.

Along those lines, the team now needs to buckle down and win at least two of these three final regular season games, and then make a strong showing in the Big East tourney if they still wish to grab a top seed. Victories against UConn and Marquette would quickly bring atonement for
this sin.

a worthy foe

Pitt is It...Again

2009-02-24T09:02:00.007-05:00

Late February is the doldrums of Pittsburgh sports reporting. Without the distraction of an NBA franchise (sorry, Pisces), the expanse between the end of the Steelers season and the beginning of the Buccos annual crusade for 73 wins is generally occupied by the Penguins. Since the 'Guins are working on one of the NHL's greatest all time horror stories this season, the prettiest gal at the dance these days seems to be that hoops squad from Oakland. Today is another great day in a season of great days for the Panthers, as they re-claim the #1 spot in the weekly polls.

With four regular season games remaining, and then the Big East tourney, the PF stats guys tell me that the "magic number" for a #1 seed in the NCAA's is no greater than five. Meaning; should Pitt sweep these four regular season games, they would need no more than a quarter final victory up in Madison Square Garden to basically assure themselves of that elusive top seed. Any losses down the stretch would need to be offset with additional victories in New York, which, let's face it, never seems to be a problem for these guys. As a side note, let's remember that due to the format changes in the Big East Tournament this year, the top four seeds each draw two rounds of byes,...meaning that's it's essential to Pitt's overall plans that they avoid complete meltdown over these last four games.

The real challenge here is not the regular season, nor the Big East tourney, but whether Jamie Dixon and crew can finally stave off early extinction in the NCAA's. Anything short of the Elite 8 will probably be remembered as a major disappointment. Another baby step can be taken tonight, with a game up in Providence. A victory just puts the Oakland kids that much closer to greatness.

Is McFadden McHistory?

2009-02-23T09:05:00.009-05:00

It appears to be a collective opinion by the writers and readers of this venue that the Men of Steel will (or should) drop two of their three Day 1 draft selections on linemen (preferably one on both sides). It's been this writer's not-so-humble opinion that the team may want to consider losing a second or third rounder as part of a trade-up scenario in order to land a more marquee linemen, like, perhaps, the monster road grader from Oklahoma, Duke Robinson.

The plan may prove a little more difficult, as the subtle rumors coming out of Steeler Central not so subtly suggest that corner Bryant McFadden is probably a goner via free agency. Just reading Kevin Colbert's "quietly optimistic" tone in recent articles should give you that all too familiar feeling in your belly...the team is going to extend a noble offer sheet, but our man is probably headed out for a windfall payout. Let's face it, a starting corner being fitted for his second Superbowl ring while playing for the stingiest defense in recent memory,...this is the kind of stud that GMs break piggy banks over.

without Foote and McFadden, who will play the great bubble gum in the 'fro joke

The suggestion now is that the Steelers may invest a Day 1 pick into a good cover corner, which would probably make tons of sense if McFadden bolts. Other than the lines and perhaps the receiving corps (expecting the loss of Nate Washington), the CB's are probably the only thin position. I would also expect to see a lot more of William Gay very soon.

Now, I'm not the genius here, so I don't know exactly how the tag system works, but methinks that the team could still assign the "transition" label to McFadden to retain him for one more season. If any of you know the facts behind whether a team can have both a franchise player and a transition player, and if McFadden would even qualify for transition, and if it would even make sense for the team...just drop me a comment or a link.

I think McFadden will have quite a few dance partners soon

Panthers, Blair Keep Rolling

2009-02-22T11:18:00.010-05:00

The Pitt Panthers and their star big man continued their spring rampage through the Big East last night. DeJuan Blair once again proved to be the unstoppable force as the Panthers grabbed win #25 in a route of the mediocre Midwesterners, DePaul. Blair tore it up with a gaudy 20/18 night as Pitt most likely placed themselves back at the #1 spot in the weekly polls. With four remaining games and then the Big East Tourney, the Oakland squad has all but assured themselves a #1 or #2 seed in the NCAA's. Conventional wisdom says four total losses or less and a berth in the Big East finals (or better) and the Panthers will have a #1 seed in the bank.

As for Blair, the Big East Player of the Year Award seems to be looming larger and larger as the monster sophomore continues to drop double/doubles while making key defensive plays when his team needs them.

Blair looking more and more like Big East POY

Pens Steal Two Big Points in Philly

2009-02-21T16:09:00.003-05:00

They say that the desperate team wins, and you don't get a lot more desperate than the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thanks to some MVP caliber play by captain Sid Crosby and a fluky play towards the end of the game, the flightless birds skated out of the City of Brotherly Love with two critical points. With four points in two games, perhaps we are now seeing the beginning of the Pens playoff run...

Steeltown Dominates ESPN Rushmore

2009-02-21T11:34:00.006-05:00

For those of you fellow couch potatoes who just can't enough meaningless sports reporting, I hope you've been following ESPN's Mount Rushmores of Sports, brought to you by writer/personality Rick Reilly. This week Reilly announced the Pennsylvania Rushmore as a top five finalist. The four chiseled faces: Joe Paterno, Wilt Chamberlain, Mario Lemieux, and Roberto Clemente.

The most humorous bit about the PA Rushmore was the amount of votes that fictional icon, Rocky, garnered. So if Philly was voting for Rocky, where were the votes for Smarty Jones and Vince Papale. Once again, we all know where the sports town in PA is located.

Another honor for a non-fictional icon.

Max Starks - FRANCHISE PLAYER

2009-02-20T10:04:00.007-05:00

another ring and some more bling

As the Steelers' front office believes that by paying offensive tackle Max Starks like a blue chip lineman, he will perform like a blue chip lineman, the team dropped the Franchise Player tag on big #78 last night. By doing so, the team will commit approximately $8.4 million to the often underachieving mountain of a man for 2009. As the franchise tag is one of the numerous points of confusion in NFL labor bargaining, these are some bullets from my perspective regarding the overall impact to the team:

The tag gives the Steelers the comfort of knowing that they have an experienced left tackle watching Ben's $102 million fanny for 2009, WITHOUT locking up big dollars long term.
This move will help the team part ways with popular, yet chronically unhealthy, Marvel Smith.
With the "non-exclusive" modifier placed on Starks' tag, the Steelers can dangle Mount Starks like a 400 pound carrot to other teams. Should any other GM be dumb enough to sign Starks, he would forfeit two first round picks to the Steelers...a serious win for the North Shore.
Consider that Starks was probably the best overall Steeltown lineman in the playoffs, and the trivia guys will remind you that he was a starter for two superbowls, perhaps Max can finally get his crap together and earn a long term deal.
The fact that team correspondent, JD McNugent, texted my ass at 1:00 am to break this news should tell you that the sun never sets on quality blog journalism.

Ultimately, Starks is not one of key bricks to lay in this busy off season of empire building. This move simply initiates a master plan that gurus Colbert and Khan will now attempt to execute.

Lions Eyeing NCAA Tourney

2009-02-19T12:36:00.004-05:00

Move over Jamie Dixon and Pitt, we have another pack of predator cats looking for some March Madness as the Penn State Nittany Lions knocked off #16 Illinois in Champaign last night. It's not often that a PSU team pulls off a winning score of 38-33 without the involvement of Joe Pa, but the hoops squad outlasted the Illini in a melee of offensive futility. With another quality win, and an overall record of 19-8, the Lions are now officially a bubble team. Look for the March 5 rematch with Illinois (in Happy Valley) to be a major event in determining which tourney the Lions get invited to.

Quick Hitters:

Astonishingly, with this victory, the Lions tied their all time single season record of three road wins...three!!
Another couple of regular season wins and at least one win in the Big Ten Tourney could have the Lions garnering NCAA's support.

Bradenton!

2009-02-18T13:53:00.006-05:00

Hope sprang eternal this morning, as Bucco camp officially opened. Some interesting press came out of the team over last few days, as the front office continues to make strides forward by locking up core players long term. As Neil Huntington continues to employ the strategy he learned in Cleveland, by locking young guys up long term in their pre-free agency years, he continually avoids the big problem: the team is still lacking that big free agent slugger that the line up can be built around.

With a projected payroll around $50 million, the Bucs can surely afford an increase of $15-20 million to get that one blue chipper. Of course, I run a free blog, not a professional ball club. All in all, it appears that the front office is targeting 2010 to be "the season"...HURRAY another 68 wins this year!

Quick Hitters:

At what point is a high profile athlete no longer allowed to use the "I was young" excuse for a bone headed screw up (ala Michael Phelps, A Rod). If a 25 year old working class stiff attempts to argue out of a DUI by saying he's young, he'll get an extra bitch slap on his way to the slammer.
Who will be the next Steeler to wind up in the post Superbowl police line up?
Isn't Jamie Dixon a friggin' God sent?
How many of you power back on the brain swammis are secretly wishing the Steelers would sign Fred Taylor. Actually, if it could work (it probably can't), he'd be a great asset off the bench.

The Blair Bitch Project

2009-02-17T09:38:00.006-05:00

If you missed the clinic that future NBA stud DeJuan Blair put on last night during Pitt's memorable beating of top ranked UConn, then shame on you for six weeks (in the voice of Mike Lange). Oh yes, to work this joke I must add that UConn coach Jim Calhoun didn't know whether to cry or wind his watch...

To say that Blair was a man amongst boys last night is like saying that Casey Hampton enjoys milkshakes. To think that he threw down a 20/20 against 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet should have emails scurrying amongst NBA scouts this morning. To add insult to injury, Blair's WWE-esque suplex on Thabeet was hilarious.

Therrien Gets Pink Slip

2009-02-16T09:24:00.008-05:00

In the latest chapter of the NHL's rags to riches to rags real life drama, the Penguins canned skipper Michel Therrien yesterday. In Therrien's brief tenure behind the Pens bench, he oversaw one of the NHL's greatest improvement projects followed by one of it's most abrupt declines. Regardless of the stream of excuses that can be offered for the Pens '08-09 slide, this roster is far too talent laden to be lurking around .500, flirting with an early summer vacation. Hopefully, this change is what the doctor has ordered for our ailing flightless birds. As I have said in earlier posts, Pittsburgh is just too small of a city to have two teams splitting media wrath in the springtime.

Lest we forget, Therrien's leadership style and strategies, although often in question, played a large role in the Pens memorable playoff run last year. Fare thee well, Mr. Therrien...

Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com, that is the question...

Skippy "kicks off" post-Superbowl Misconduct Frenzy

2009-02-15T15:03:00.009-05:00

In his newest effort to become the NFL's most outrageous kicker, Jeff Reed was cited for a recent meltdown in a Westmorland County Sheetz. After pummeling a defenseless paper towel dispenser, Reed then directed his aggression (and his potty mouth) to the $8 per hour cashier. Reed did, however, pay for (and consume) three Sheetz Dogz with extra chili and relish while waiting for the local police to arrive. Rumor has it that the store owners have already listed the towel dispenser that Reed battered on eBay as sports memorabilia.

Despite his immense popularity amongst Steeler Nation, Mr. Reed forgot one of the 10 Commandments of Western PA..."thou shalt not disrespect the M.T.O."

allegedly, Reed was still angry about being rejected as the Sheetz new "4 Dollar Foot Long" model.

Take These Broken Ribs

2009-02-11T10:29:00.006-05:00

Greetings! For the few of you that actually noticed my absence last week, I will simply say that there was nothing I could write that you hadn't already read.

Since I will quietly ignore A Dawg's advice to move on to the Penguins, I will continue to harp on about a team that actually wins. Let's face it, I can only bitch about one frustrating Pittsburgh team every spring, and the Buccos have that niche locked up.

So anyway, what are your thoughts on Big Ben's broken belly bones? I know that a certain reader is continually confounded when the Large One issues his own medical reports. I want your feedback and your answers in my newest poll.

TRIVIA ANSWERS

2009-01-30T14:03:00.002-05:00

Name the city and stadium in which the Steelers won their first Superbowl trophy.
New Orleans - Tulane Stadium
What 1977 action movie depicted terrorism at a Steelers/Cowboys Superbowl?
Black Sunday
Who shook off pneumonia to record the NFL's first safety in Superbowl history?
Dwight White
What action caused Jack Lambert to deck Cliff Harris during Superbowl X, serving to ignite the Black and Gold?
Taunting kicker Roy Gerela
Whose fateful drop in Superbowl XIII served as a pivotable point in the contest?
Jackie Smith
What Steeler linebacker was held on a controversial 4th quarter call in Superbowl XL?
Clark Haggins
What call nullified a would-be first quarter touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks in Superbowl XL?
Offensive pass interference
Who was the leading receiver in Superbowl XXX?
Andre Hastings
Who is the all time Superbowl leader in rushing attempts and rushing yards?
Franco Harris
Who did Terry Bradshaw once say should have been a two time Superbowl MVP (overlooked both times)?
John Stallworth

BONUS: According to NFL.Com (and not PittsburghFan!) Preston Pearson