Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, September 20, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins (0-0-0) will open their preseason with a 7:00 p.m. face-off against the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio. 105.9 WXDX-FM The Pirates (89-60) are in Denver for the first of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (63-86). Pirates manager Clint Hurlde was the manager of the Rockies from 2002 to 2009 and took them all the way to the World Series in 2007 (right). A.J. ... Read More
Steelers Report Card: Grading Steelers after Week 2 win vs. 49ers
The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a win on Sunday and got one in a big fashion, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 43-18. For a change there was very little to complain about on either side of the football. How did the Steelers grade out at each position? Let’s take a look. Quarterback- Ben Roethlisberger was once again fantastic. There’s no other way to put it after completing 21-of-27 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to the three touchdowns there were also a pair ... Read More
Steelers dominate 49ers in home opener
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in the first half to catapult the Pittsburgh Steelers to their first win of the season, a 43-18 trouncing against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at Heinz Field. Playing in front of the largest regular season crowd in Heinz Field history, Roethlisberger gave them more than enough to cheer and be happy about throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns for the game. Leading the receiving core for the Steelers for was Antonio ... Read More
Three up and Three down: Steelers vs. 49ers
It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers did not get the memo that their season was on course to be a miserable one after last Thursday's frustrating loss to the New England Patriots. After looking completely out of sorts on defense and failing to capitalize of a multitude of opportunities on offense in the season opener, the Steelers returned to Heinz Field and put together a dominant team effort in defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 43-18. Offensively, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and ... Read More
Week 2 NFL picks
After Week 1, it's hockey writer Alan Saunders with the early lead. Saunders went an impressive 10-5 in the first week. He was the only one to correctly pick Carolina over Jacksonville and went 3-for-3 in prime time, nailing the Giants over the Cowboys, San Fran over Minnesota and Atlanta over Philadelphia. The rest of the crew didn't do so badly, either. Our four writers combined went 34-26. Only Matt Shetler (7-8) had a losing record. This week, there is a lot more agreement, as all ... Read More
AM Joe: Steelers kick off Heinz Field schedule this afternoon
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Sunday, September 20, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Steelers will open their 2015 home slate at Heinz Field when they host the San Francisco 49ers at 1:00 p.m. today. WPGH-TV Fox 53 Pirates (88-60) will got for a series win against the NL West-leading Dodgers (85-62) this afternoon at 4:10 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh headlines: Francisco Liriano outdueled Clayton Kershaw as the Bucs beat the Dodgers last ... Read More
AM Joe: Riverhounds to play for PA Derby Cup, playoff spot in Harrisburg
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Saturday, September 19, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins continue training camp at their new Cranberry Twp. practice facility today at 9:15 a.m. Duquesne (2-0) will start the college football day off with a 1:00 p.m. start on the road against the Dayton Flyers. Robert Morris (0-2) will host Notre Dame (Ohio) for the school's homecoming game at 3:00 p.m. 1320 WJAS-AM, ESPN Radio 970 The Riverhounds (10-9-8) season is on the ... Read More
Week 2 preview: Steelers look to bounce back at home against 49ers
Coming off an opening season loss to the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers will look to earn their first win of the season when they host the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon. San Francisco is coming off an impressive Monday night victory over the Minnesota Vikings and provided evidence, at least for one week, that they are not the pushovers many expect them to be this season. With Jim Harbaugh moving on to the University of Michigan, Pittsburgh's own Jim Tomsula is now in ... Read More
AM Joe: Late night Bucs return for visit to Chavez Ravine
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Friday, September 18, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Penguins first on-ice workouts will take place today at 9:15 a.m. The Pirates (87-59) are in Los Angeles for a three-game set with the NL West-leading Dodgers. Waiting for the Bucs is L.A. ace Zach Grienke. Clint Hurdle's squad will counter with lefty Jeff Locke. First pitch is a late one; 10:10 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh. Week 3 of WPIAL action gets underway this ... Read More
Secondary issues provide questions but few answers
After watching the Steelers secondary perform this past Thursday, I could not help but hear The Who front man Roger Daltrey passionately exhorting the final verse of their hit song "Won't Get Fooled Again" in my ear. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!" Although I'm sure some of you reading this may not remember this classic tune, it seemed to be pretty fitting. That's because anyone who watched the Patriots surgically take apart the Steelers pass defense should get the comparison: new ... Read More