Wins can be an overrated stat for pitchers. They can exaggerate how good -or bad- a pitcher has performed throughout a season. Chris Sale is an excellent example of this. Sale has a 6-10 record despite posting a 2.69 ERA, 149 strike outs and just 31 walks over 137 innings. He's good but his record looks more like the 2013 Pittsburgh Steelers than one of the best pitchers in the American League. Francisco Liriano's record, on the other hand, speaks for itself. Liriano is 11-4, earning ... Read More
The Steelers live and die with the draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers live and die by the NFL draft. Since I can remember, the Steelers have a simple philsophy: Draft players, learn the system, gradually increase their roles and then become Steeler greats. In the 70s it was players such as Joe Greene, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, and so on. In the 80s we saw players such as Greg Lloyd, Rod Woodson, Louis Lipps, and Dermontti Dawson. And in the 90s, we saw Hines Ward, Levon Kirkland, and Aaron Smith. Current ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Four
Rookie running back Le'Veon Bell was a big part of today's back on 'backers drill (Photo Credit: vader29) Two highlights of the day. As we noted yesterday, it was the first opportunity for the team to be in pads. That led to arguably the most popular drill of training camp, backs on backers. Mike Pristua broke it down. - By his count, the linebackers won the drill 30-17. Le'Veon Bell was tested often, taking place in the drill 11 times. He won five and went 2-2 against 1st rounder ... Read More
McKenry to the DL, Pirates Recall Presley
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a short time ago they have placed catcher Michael McKenry on the 15 day DL with a left knee sprain and have recalled outfielder Alex Presley in a corresponding move. McKenry injured his knee in Saturday's win over Miami sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play. The Fort was hitting .217 with 14 RBIs in 115 ABs on the season. Presley has been up and down with the club, recording 41 ABs this season with the Pirates. At AAA Indy, the ... Read More
All 22: Power of Playaction
We last looked at the Jets game when the Steelers’ Cover 3 was exposed on a Jeremy Kerley 45 yard reception. We’ll take another look at this matchup, focusing on the power of playaction that led to the Jets only touchdown of the day. Personnel: Heavy Route Concept: Slant Defense: Cover 1 Result: Santonio Holmes Touchdown As noted, New York is in their heavy personnel. Creates a run look. Steelers counter by bringing strong safety Ryan Mundy in the box for an eight man front and walk ... Read More
Wild Things’ late rally fails as they fall to Cornbelters
On breast cancer awareness night, the Washington Wild Things weren't able to pick up a win in their bright pink uniforms. After a great comeback effort Saturday night, the Wild Things dropped Sunday's contest to the Normal Cornbelters, 5-3. Newcomer from Bucknell University, Dan Goldstein, just joined the team and took the hill for the Wild Things, but couldn't manage to hold the Cornbelters, despite a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Goldstein pitched a perfect 1st inning, getting two ... Read More
Steelers’ Depth Chart Released
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their initial depth chart of the 2013 season. Team PR man Burt Lauten tweeted a picture of the depth chart. The first @steelers depth chart of 2013 (subject to change). pic.twitter.com/i25JBDUc19 — Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) July 28, 2013 It's definitely worth keeping in mind Lauten's caution of not putting too much stock into the initial lineup. With just two practices under the team's belt, it's impossible to make any final decisions. But ... Read More
Training Camp Roundup: Day Three
Ryan Clark wearing #21 in honor of Sean Taylor (Photo Credit: vader29) - Two injuries to pass along in Mile Tomlin's press conference after practice. Cortez Allen was held out with "discomfort" in his knee and cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke hurt his left hamstring late in practice. Tomlin did not have a timetable for either injury. - Special teams notes. Drew Butler kind of kicking Brian Moorman butt right now during special teams period. — Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) July 28, ... Read More
Five Steelers Who Need to Emerge in 2013
The Pittsburgh Steelers – long the team that an entire region has hung their hopes and dreams on – arrived in Latrobe for 2013 Camp Tomlin this week, and with the exception of the eccentric Brett Keisel showing up in a massive yellow dump truck, nearly nobody noticed. That’s what happens when you have a baseball team who is playing meaningful games in July, and that’s what happens when you finish your 2012 season a disappointing 8-8 with several horrific losses fueling the fire. The Steelers ... Read More
Rosa rallies Wild Things to win
*The following is an official recap from the Washington Wild Things* A crazy game that saw the Wild Things trailing 5-1 at one point, the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, came away with a 8-7 win on Saturday. Third baseman Jovan Rosa had a monstrous day at the plate. He was 5-for-5 with three doubles, and a bases clearing triple in the top of the ninth. In top of the tenth, Washington got the game winning run from a Darian Sandford single that scored former ... Read More