With one out in the top of the ninth and Cardinals trailing 3-2, Daniel Descalso lifted a can of corn pop fly to left field. Instead of the Cards being down to their final out of the game, Pirates' left fielder, Starling Marte, nonchalantly took his eye off the ball a fraction too soon, allowing the ball to trickle out of his glove and Descalso advancing to second on the play. Pirates’ closer Mark Melancon did his best to put his teammates miscue behind him. After striking out Matt Carpenter ... Read More
Division II Football Preview: Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst posted a 9-2 record last season, including a 6-1 conference record that led them to a Co-Championship with IUP. Going into 2013, the Lakers are returning five offensive starters and five defensive starters. Among their returners are an experienced quarterback and a 1,000 yard rusher in the backfield. Defensively, a senior defensive lineman leads the way. With hunger on their mind from last season, expectations are high for the Lakers this season. Here's a preview of what to look for ... Read More
Losing Plaxico Burress’ Intangibles
The Steelers will miss more than just receptions from Burress (Photo Credit: vader29) The Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart took another hit as we saw Big Ben's biggest target Plaxico Burress go down for the season last week with a torn rotator cuff. As we know, Rothlisberger and Burress have a close relationship on and off the field and chemistry goes a long way in team sports. Burress wasn't going to play a prominent role in the Steelers offense. He would have been brought in primarily for ... Read More
Predicting the Steelers’ Roster: Attempt Two
Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith is back on my roster. Who else joined him? (Flickr.com/bmward_2000) Nearly three weeks ago, I took my first attempt to guess predict the Steelers' 53 man roster. After many more days of practice and a preseason game under our belts, the fog has lifted a little bit (but still exists, mind you). The new roster with the addition of a practice squad. Critique away. QB (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Gradkowski, Landry Jones RB (4): Le’Veon Bell, Isaac Redman, LaRod ... Read More
Time for the Pirates to win on the road
The Pirates may be 29-27 on the road this season, but they are just 4-8 as the visitors since the All-Star break including a three game sweep to the fourth place Colorado Rockies. That needs to change. Pittsburgh has 45 games remaining to their magical regular season that has seen them hold a first place standing in the NL Central Division. Of those games, there are 20 at PNC Park and 25 on the road. Their biggest test will come Tuesday night at Busch Stadium where the St. Louis Cardinals ... Read More
Division II Football Preview: IUP
IUP posted a top 10 finish in 2012 with a record of 12-2 and 6-1 in the PSAC West for a first place finish in the division. Going into 2013, the Crimson Hawks are returning eight starters on offense and seven on defense. With their starting quarterback,a thousand yard running back and wide receiver all coming back, IUP will be looking for a similar fate coming into this season, but with a deeper run in the NCAA tournament. Here's a preview of what to look for for the Crimson Hawks in ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Lucky Thirteen
Rookie running back Le'Veon Bell returned to practice today. (Photo Credit: vader29) Comin' back at you with another TC Roundup. If you missed it, check out my Game Notes from the Giants' game. Lots of information from the game. And hit up our snap count article to see how many snaps each Steeler participated in. Shamless plugs aside, your notes from today. As we usually do, starting with the injury report. The Good? Le'Veon Bell, as expected, was back in practice and looking ... Read More
Steelers/Pirates: Slump Now, Not Later
The Pirates dodged a bullet with Starling Marte but need to rebound from a sweep to the Rockies (Flickr.com/Sports Crazy) The city of Pittsburgh had a rough weekend. The Pittsburgh Steelers looked sloppy in their first preseason game against the New York Giants. The Pittsburgh Pirates traveled to Denver to build on a hot streak only to got swept by the Colorado Rockies. As far as I'm concerned, if these teams are going to be in a slump, this is the time to do it. The Pittsburgh Steelers ... Read More
Steelers vs Giants Game Notes
Ramon Foster struggled in Saturday's game (Photo Credit: vader29) Tidbits I saw while rewatching the game. Lot to cover so let's hop to it. First Half - First team KR. Dunn return man, Kashif Moore the upback. Dwyer and Will Johnson forming the two man "wedge". Also on the unit were: Slyvester, Paulson, Vince Williams, Marshall McFadden, Cromartie-Smith, Chris Carter, and Brian Arnfelt. - Michael Palmer started the game in a 2 TE set with Paulson. Paulson obviously the #1 though. ... Read More
Greg Brown has been ‘Raising the Jolly Roger’ since day one
As the Pirates march toward a goal that has proven elusive for 20 years, there are few within the organization who have survived as long as Greg Brown, broadcaster extraordinaire. He is best known, as most good broadcasters are, for his trademark calls "Clear the Deck, Cannonball Comin" and "Raise the Jolly Roger," but there is a more to calling a baseball game than citing catchy quips. This success was not easily obtained; it is a product of years of hard work and dedication to what he ... Read More