Cornerback expected to miss a "couple of weeks" (Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin announced today cornerback Cortez Allen had undergone "minor" knee surgery that is expected to keep him off the field for a few weeks. Here is Tomlin's full statement per Steelers.com. "Earlier today, Cortez had minor surgery on his right knee. We wanted him to get the surgery done now so he can begin rehabilitating immediately. This surgery was a minor procedure and will ... Read More
Making the Cut: Draft Picks
Defensive end Nick Williams is on the roster bubble if Mike Tomlin's draft classes are any indication (Photo Credit: behindthesteelcurtain.com) It comes to no surprise that with a finite number of roster spots, just 53, difficult decisions get made on cut days. Sure, the vast majority of UDFAs will be handing in their playbooks and occasionally, teams will move on from a veteran. The draft class are good bets to make it but there are no guarantees. A study from the Mike Tomlin era of what ... Read More
Pirates Lineup: Why Change a Good Thing?
Francisco Liriano and Russell Martin have been Neil Huntington's best pickups of the season (Flickr.com/Paul Hadsall) Earlier this month, I wrote an article looking into what type of players the Pittsburgh Pirates should have been targeting at the Trade Deadline. The most pressing need I was focused on was adding a consistent bat off the bench in a player such as Raul Ibanez or a consistent everyday player in Hunter Pence. While I still think each of these players would have brought a new ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Six
LaMarr Woodley reportedly has played around 300 pounds in recent seasons (Photo credit: vader29) - Some tough injury news late in practice today regarding San Diego State UDFA guard Nik Embernate. Embernate down w what looks to be a knee injury. During one-on-one with Haggans. — James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 1, 2013 Tomlin categorized it as a "significant" but cautioned to say it is still being evaulated. Embernate had recently graduated to working with the second team. Other injuries ... Read More
Immaculate Reception: “The Play” that started a dynasty
Art Rooney had seen some things in his life. “The Chief”, as he was lovingly referred to, was one of nine children born to a saloon owner. From a young age, Rooney established himself as a multi-sport star: an amateur boxing champion, minor league baseball player and a halfback at nearby Duquesne University (on a field that now bears his name). Rooney’s legend was established in one weekend in 1936 on the racetracks of New York, when he allegedly parlayed a $500 bet into $300,000. Rooney used a ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Five
Ben Roethlisberger behind center in practice (Photo Credit: vader29) Injury notes. Cortez Allen not in pads again on Wednesday afternoon — Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 31, 2013 Tomlin called Allen "day to day". Nick Williams did not finish practice with a knee injury. Tomlin elaborated on DeMarcus Van Dyke's hamstring injury, calling it "significant" and that the injury could leave DVD on the shelf for awhile. - Jim Wexell breaks some important information regarding David ... Read More
All aboard the bandwagon
With the Pittsburgh Pirates in legitimate pennant contention for the first time in decades, there's a sudden influx of "bandwagon fans." For the most part, the fanbase is excited to be infused new blood. "A new Pirates generation," as the PNC Park victory song pronounces. But then you have the select few who will lament the presence of these so-called bandwagon fans, grumbling to anyone within ear shot how they've been a loyal fan through the drought and well before, how they're among the few ... Read More
Bylsma and Laviolette behind the same bench make an interesting pair
Dan Bylsma, head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has the astute honor to lead the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Bylsma, a native of Grand Haven, Michigan, is without question well deserving of his first shot at a national team. Bylsma has a Stanley Cup on his resume and a clear grasp when handling a lineup filled with superstars, which should really help him in preparing for the Olympics. Byslma applies a North-South game in transition ... Read More
Washington Outduels Normal in Pitcher’s Duel 3-2
** The following is an official recap from the Washington Wild Things ** Washington, PA-AJ Nunziato drove in Shain Stoner for the game-winning run in the seventh and the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, defeated the Normal Cornbelters 3-2 to take the series on Tuesday night at CONSOL Energy Park. Normal and Washington battled through a couple scoreless innings before the Wild Things manufactured the game’s first run in the bottom of the third via a clutch two-out ... Read More
Wild Things Belt Cornbelters 6-1
* The following is an official game recap from the Washington Wild Things * Washington,PA-The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, belted two homeruns in a four-run sixth to power over the Normal Cornbelters in a 6-1 victory on Monday at CONSOL Energy Park. In the bottom of the second, an AJ Nunziato single, which skipped underneath the glove of the visiting left fielder, put the Wild Things on the board and gave them an early 2-0 lead over the ... Read More