Back when the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six years, they had a significant rivalry with the Houston Oilers.
The Oilers were fond of saying that the path to the Super Bowl ran through Pittsburgh, knowing they'd have a likely showdown with the Steelers in the playoffs.
There were two AFC Championship games against the Oilers at Three Rivers Stadium, both of them won by the Steelers.
After the first loss, the Oilers returned home for a fan rally and coach Bum Phillips promised that after knocking on the door, then pounding on it, the Oilers were ready to "kick that son of a (gun) in."
It never happened. The Oilers couldn't beat the Steelers when it mattered. Phillips was fired, the franchise moved to Tennessee and the rivalry was consigned to middle-of-the-night NFL Films retrospectives.
Now it's 2017, and the Steelers are on the other end of a dysfunctional rivalry.
They have good teams with Super Bowl potential, but can't quite get past the New England Patriots.
The Patriots made it look easy last Sunday winning by 19 points, even without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is a big part of their offense.
The Steelers have become the Oilers to the Patriots' impersonation of the '70s Steelers.
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Foxborough, and the Steelers broke down. Again.
What is it about the Patriots? Yes, it's Tom Brady. Even more than that, it's Bill Belichick. He's a step ahead of just about every other coach and it seemed like the gap was even bigger than that against a Steelers staff that came in with a flawed plan and couldn't adjust.
It wouldn't appear that either Brady or Belichick will be leaving soon, so that obstacle will remain for the Steelers.
Might not be a bad idea to go to school on their organization and figure out why they're able to sustain excellence in an NFL system that's devised to prevent long-term dominance.
Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan are not going to the Hall of Fame. Yet they combined for 298 receiving yards and three touchdowns against a defense that had been playing pretty well.
The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl with LeGarrette Blount as their No. 1 running back. Is the difference just Belichick's savant-like knowledge?
They're doing a lot of things right, and that deserves plenty of scrutiny.
If you can't beat them, perhaps copy them.
---
--LOCAL CONNECTION
We are looking live at the end of Brent Musburger's broadcasting career.
He will retire soon, calling it quits before his 78th birthday.
Does anyone remember when Musburger did some Pirates games on radio in 1971? It happened.
KDKA was the rights holder then and fired Gene Osborn, the No. 3 announcer, after one season. The Pirates only did 38 road games on TV back then so they could cover with two announcers, Bob Prince and Nellie King.
On those TV dates, they would hire a freelance announcer in the other city to help out on radio for a few innings. Musburger, who was in the process of transitioning
from newspaper writing to broadcasting then, was the hire in Chicago.
---
--OH SO BAD
Pitt lost a home game to Louisville last week. The final score was 106-51.
That means even if the Panthers had gone on a 30-0 run at the end, they still would have lost by 25 points. It was Pitt's worst defeat since 1906. Rick Pitino didn't even run up the score deliberately. No starter played more than 25 minutes.
OK, Louisville is ranked and Pitt isn't very good. But is it a coincidence that the hideous outcome came hours after the coach was publicly critical of his players' dedication?
First-year coach Kevin Stallings has some issues to sort out.
(
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 25, 2017
Nothing like a quick jolt of panic to liven up a blah winter day.
Ben Roethlisberger provided that lightning bolt Tuesday morning by suggesting he's going to seriously think about whether he wants to play next season.
Phone lines melted on sports talk radio, and the TV stations dispatched reporters to get man in the street reaction to the possibility of Roethlisberger's retirement.
It made for some lively conversation and was heaven sent for someone who had a Wednesday column due (thanks, Ben) but how serious is he?
Put it this way: If you're going to bet on this, bet on Big Ben being in the lineup in September.
His comment came less than 48 hours after the Steelers' disappointing performance in the AFC Conference Championship game, and that undoubtedly influenced his attitude.
The Steelers were never really in the game. The New England Patriots made Antonio Brown a non-factor, which forced Roethlisberger to rely on other receivers who didn't do much. After the dropped passes and assorted foul-ups, Roethlisberger must have felt like he was working with the junior varsity.
It was a disappointing end to what had been an uplifting season. The Steelers rebounded from 4-5 to win their last six games. Then they won two playoff games, the second on the road.
They weren't favored to win in New England, but they had every reason to expect a better showing. The final margin was 19 points, and that was trimmed by a meaningless late touchdown.
So while he's nursing bumps and bruises and looking at a bank account that has enough money to last three lifetimes, who could blame Roethlisberger for wondering why he puts himself through the ordeal of preparing for a season? He turns 35 in March. He has three young children. He mentioned wanting to leave the game with some semblance of health.
Mike Tomlin said this isn't the first time Roethlisberger has talked to the Steelers about retiring. That comes as a mild surprise.
It's a grim thought for the team. There is no heir apparent, and no guarantee that a hotshot replacement would be available to the Steelers in the draft. Between Terry Bradshaw's departure in 1983 and Roethlisberger's arrival in 2004, the Steelers saw enough of Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell. Kent Graham, Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak and Tommy Maddox to know exactly how valuable a franchise-level quarterback is.
Roethlisberger will retire one of these days. Just don't expect that day to be in 2017.
---
--STAFF CHANGES?
In his season-ending news briefing, Tomlin indirectly hinted there may be some changes in the coaching staff.
Steelers special teams were consistently below average in all facets, and that could have assistant coach Danny Smith on the hot seat.
The Steelers could also part company with linebackers coach Joey Porter, who embarrassed the organization with an off-field incident a few weeks ago.
Ben Roethlisberger provided that lightning bolt Tuesday morning by suggesting he's going to seriously think about whether he wants to play next season.
Phone lines melted on sports talk radio, and the TV stations dispatched reporters to get man in the street reaction to the possibility of Roethlisberger's retirement.
It made for some lively conversation and was heaven sent for someone who had a Wednesday column due (thanks, Ben) but how serious is he?
Put it this way: If you're going to bet on this, bet on Big Ben being in the lineup in September.
His comment came less than 48 hours after the Steelers' disappointing performance in the AFC Conference Championship game, and that undoubtedly influenced his attitude.
The Steelers were never really in the game. The New England Patriots made Antonio Brown a non-factor, which forced Roethlisberger to rely on other receivers who didn't do much. After the dropped passes and assorted foul-ups, Roethlisberger must have felt like he was working with the junior varsity.
It was a disappointing end to what had been an uplifting season. The Steelers rebounded from 4-5 to win their last six games. Then they won two playoff games, the second on the road.
They weren't favored to win in New England, but they had every reason to expect a better showing. The final margin was 19 points, and that was trimmed by a meaningless late touchdown.
So while he's nursing bumps and bruises and looking at a bank account that has enough money to last three lifetimes, who could blame Roethlisberger for wondering why he puts himself through the ordeal of preparing for a season? He turns 35 in March. He has three young children. He mentioned wanting to leave the game with some semblance of health.
Mike Tomlin said this isn't the first time Roethlisberger has talked to the Steelers about retiring. That comes as a mild surprise.
It's a grim thought for the team. There is no heir apparent, and no guarantee that a hotshot replacement would be available to the Steelers in the draft. Between Terry Bradshaw's departure in 1983 and Roethlisberger's arrival in 2004, the Steelers saw enough of Cliff Stoudt, Mark Malone, Bubby Brister, Neil O'Donnell. Kent Graham, Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak and Tommy Maddox to know exactly how valuable a franchise-level quarterback is.
Roethlisberger will retire one of these days. Just don't expect that day to be in 2017.
---
--STAFF CHANGES?
In his season-ending news briefing, Tomlin indirectly hinted there may be some changes in the coaching staff.
Steelers special teams were consistently below average in all facets, and that could have assistant coach Danny Smith on the hot seat.
The Steelers could also part company with linebackers coach Joey Porter, who embarrassed the organization with an off-field incident a few weeks ago.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 22, 2017
Can the Steelers win in New England today?
Of course they can.
Will they?
Probably not likely.
This evening's game is something of a Super Bowl unto itself, a clash of powers worthy of its own spotlight without those NFC infidels serving as the opening act.
The Patriots are favored, and they should be. They're playing at home, and they just had a regular season that was free of the fluctuations that the Steelers had.
There are some things that have to happen for the Steelers to advance to their ninth Super Bowl:
--Be big, Ben. Roethlisberger's last couple of games have been so-so. He can't play at that level against the Patriots. He needs to make some big plays and make sure that Chris Boswell kicks six PATs instead of six field goals. Interceptions are forbidden in a game that could be decided by turnovers.
--Create space. Le'Veon Bell has to gain yards for two reasons -- to move the Steelers down the field, and to keep Tom Brady and the Patriots offense on the sideline. Teams haven't been able to control Bell so far in the postseason. But the wily coach in the hoodie is a defensive expert and will undoubtedly have some ideas.
--Get after Brady. The Steelers' defensive players have to hate Tom Brady as much as Steelers fans do. They need to pressure Brady and take away his ability to make plays. Give him time, and there will be trouble. He's still a great quarterback, but not when he's on the run.
James Harrison has been money in the last couple of months, but there are rumors his triceps injury is serious. That could put the onus on the other linebackers to chase Brady. If Brady has time to find receivers, the Steelers' inexperienced secondary could be in trouble.
---
--THE OTHER GAME
Green Bay is on a roll, but it says here Atlanta's passing attack will overwhelm the Packers' wounded secondary.
But who knows?
---
--NO SHAME
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed three new members last week -- Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez.
They all have stats worthy of the Hall. Bagwell hadn't been getting support because some voters suspected him of using steroids to boost his impressive power totals. Rodriguez, on the ballot for the first time, was also suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs in a career that allowed him to still catch 110 games at age 38.
The Hall voting body has changed significantly over the past few years, and it appears the revamped group doesn't view steroid use as an impediment to gaining entrance.
The vote totals for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have been increasing, too. It's not inconceivable they could get elected.
Some voters say it's not for them to decide who cheated and, hey, it's always nice and warm when your head is in the sand.
Then again, why not throw the doors wide open? The biggest steroid advocate of all, Bud Selig, will be enshrined this July.
Selig was commissioner when baseball rekindled fan interest with the 1998 Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run race. He had to know it was artificially influenced, but he chose to focus on the ticket sales and TV ratings. Those made money for MLB. Lots and lots of money.
So if the enabler of the steroids era is Hall-worthy, why not the participants?
---
--TIMING ISSUE
Let's see, with a 6:40 scheduled kickoff, that means Antonio Brown's postgame broadcast from the locker room should be on around 10 o'clock?
Of course they can.
Will they?
Probably not likely.
This evening's game is something of a Super Bowl unto itself, a clash of powers worthy of its own spotlight without those NFC infidels serving as the opening act.
The Patriots are favored, and they should be. They're playing at home, and they just had a regular season that was free of the fluctuations that the Steelers had.
There are some things that have to happen for the Steelers to advance to their ninth Super Bowl:
--Be big, Ben. Roethlisberger's last couple of games have been so-so. He can't play at that level against the Patriots. He needs to make some big plays and make sure that Chris Boswell kicks six PATs instead of six field goals. Interceptions are forbidden in a game that could be decided by turnovers.
--Create space. Le'Veon Bell has to gain yards for two reasons -- to move the Steelers down the field, and to keep Tom Brady and the Patriots offense on the sideline. Teams haven't been able to control Bell so far in the postseason. But the wily coach in the hoodie is a defensive expert and will undoubtedly have some ideas.
--Get after Brady. The Steelers' defensive players have to hate Tom Brady as much as Steelers fans do. They need to pressure Brady and take away his ability to make plays. Give him time, and there will be trouble. He's still a great quarterback, but not when he's on the run.
James Harrison has been money in the last couple of months, but there are rumors his triceps injury is serious. That could put the onus on the other linebackers to chase Brady. If Brady has time to find receivers, the Steelers' inexperienced secondary could be in trouble.
---
--THE OTHER GAME
Green Bay is on a roll, but it says here Atlanta's passing attack will overwhelm the Packers' wounded secondary.
But who knows?
---
--NO SHAME
The Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed three new members last week -- Tim Raines, Jeff Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez.
They all have stats worthy of the Hall. Bagwell hadn't been getting support because some voters suspected him of using steroids to boost his impressive power totals. Rodriguez, on the ballot for the first time, was also suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs in a career that allowed him to still catch 110 games at age 38.
The Hall voting body has changed significantly over the past few years, and it appears the revamped group doesn't view steroid use as an impediment to gaining entrance.
The vote totals for Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have been increasing, too. It's not inconceivable they could get elected.
Some voters say it's not for them to decide who cheated and, hey, it's always nice and warm when your head is in the sand.
Then again, why not throw the doors wide open? The biggest steroid advocate of all, Bud Selig, will be enshrined this July.
Selig was commissioner when baseball rekindled fan interest with the 1998 Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run race. He had to know it was artificially influenced, but he chose to focus on the ticket sales and TV ratings. Those made money for MLB. Lots and lots of money.
So if the enabler of the steroids era is Hall-worthy, why not the participants?
---
--TIMING ISSUE
Let's see, with a 6:40 scheduled kickoff, that means Antonio Brown's postgame broadcast from the locker room should be on around 10 o'clock?
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 18, 2017
Keep an eye on Facebook this week. Maybe Antonio Brown will post the Steelers' game plan for the AFC Championship game at New England.
It's hard to know what was going through Brown's mind when he decided to go live via Facebook from the locker room after the Steelers beat the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night.
The insider glimpse included Mike Tomlin's comments to the team. He referred to the Patriots with a disparaging term. Social media being what it is, it was immediately a firestorm on social media for at least six hours.
Regular media picked up on the story and one headline said Brown had provided "bulletin board material," which is silly.
This presumes the Patriots really weren't all that motivated by playing a conference championship game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. No, now they would be fired up because the opposing coach had made a passing reference to them with an unflattering word.
Oh boy.
One of the ironies of Brown's broadcast is someone can be heard cautioning players to be careful about using social media.
The other irony is the Steelers, like most NFL teams, have a paranoia about the traditional media. The locker room is only open at specific times. There is no unsupervised wandering permitted at the team's compound on the South Side.
Training camp rules take up at least a page in the media guide. Make a wrong turn, and risk winding up in custody. Perhaps only the benevolence of St. Vincent College prevents stationing snipers in parapets.
Chuck Noll used to refer to reporters as "subversives" because they were seeking information the team wanted to keep private. The Steelers were once penalized with the loss of a draft pick because the Pittsburgh Press reported they were holding offseason practices in pads, which was against NFL rules.
Truth be told, the Steelers aren't as bad as some NFL teams. The Steelers allow local reporters to watch practice with the understanding nothing from the field will be reported in advance of the game. That's not unreasonable.
There are teams that close practices completely. There are coaches who play games with the weekly injury report in order to withhold information. There are some teams who have PR representatives join media scrums armed with recorders so they have evidence in the case of any possible misquoting.
So in that suspicious environment, imagine what a jolt it must be for a coach to realize he has a spy in his midst.
Brown was 100 percent wrong. He betrayed his teammates, most of whom had no idea they were not only on the record, but that it was also on a live webcast. Maybe some of them would have acted differently. Maybe they would have chosen different language. Maybe one of them would have put on a towel.
The Steelers will fine Brown, and the NFL probably will, too. The penalties are justified.
Brown loves being the center of attention. He should get the consent of his teammates and coaches before he includes them in his spotlight..
It's hard to know what was going through Brown's mind when he decided to go live via Facebook from the locker room after the Steelers beat the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night.
The insider glimpse included Mike Tomlin's comments to the team. He referred to the Patriots with a disparaging term. Social media being what it is, it was immediately a firestorm on social media for at least six hours.
Regular media picked up on the story and one headline said Brown had provided "bulletin board material," which is silly.
This presumes the Patriots really weren't all that motivated by playing a conference championship game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. No, now they would be fired up because the opposing coach had made a passing reference to them with an unflattering word.
Oh boy.
One of the ironies of Brown's broadcast is someone can be heard cautioning players to be careful about using social media.
The other irony is the Steelers, like most NFL teams, have a paranoia about the traditional media. The locker room is only open at specific times. There is no unsupervised wandering permitted at the team's compound on the South Side.
Training camp rules take up at least a page in the media guide. Make a wrong turn, and risk winding up in custody. Perhaps only the benevolence of St. Vincent College prevents stationing snipers in parapets.
Chuck Noll used to refer to reporters as "subversives" because they were seeking information the team wanted to keep private. The Steelers were once penalized with the loss of a draft pick because the Pittsburgh Press reported they were holding offseason practices in pads, which was against NFL rules.
Truth be told, the Steelers aren't as bad as some NFL teams. The Steelers allow local reporters to watch practice with the understanding nothing from the field will be reported in advance of the game. That's not unreasonable.
There are teams that close practices completely. There are coaches who play games with the weekly injury report in order to withhold information. There are some teams who have PR representatives join media scrums armed with recorders so they have evidence in the case of any possible misquoting.
So in that suspicious environment, imagine what a jolt it must be for a coach to realize he has a spy in his midst.
Brown was 100 percent wrong. He betrayed his teammates, most of whom had no idea they were not only on the record, but that it was also on a live webcast. Maybe some of them would have acted differently. Maybe they would have chosen different language. Maybe one of them would have put on a towel.
The Steelers will fine Brown, and the NFL probably will, too. The penalties are justified.
Brown loves being the center of attention. He should get the consent of his teammates and coaches before he includes them in his spotlight..
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 15, 2017
Your opinion of Ben Roethlisberger probably hinges on how he plays tonight in Kansas City.
If he plays well and leads the Steelers to the AFC Championship game, he's the greatest. If the Steelers lose, his approval rating will fall accordingly.
That's how it goes with most quarterbacks.
It would be hard to make a case among Steelers fans that Roethlisberger is "the NFL's Most Polarizing Player," as Sports Illustrated's recent cover screamed.
The magazine devoted 10 pages to an article that left a strong reaction of, "Huh?"
What was the point? It wasn't really clear. Apparently Roethlisberger has issues with his home town, which would seem to be of little concern to anyone other than him and the citizens of Findlay, Ohio.
OK, no big deal. He wouldn't be the first famous person to have that sort of conflict.
The article also detailed some of Roethlisberger's unsavory off-field behavior, which included allegations from two women claiming he forced himself upon them. No criminal charges were ever filed, but it was clear Roethlisberger was embarrassing himself and his employer with his conduct.
The Steelers were infuriated, and seriously considered getting rid of him. When he had a press conference to tell his side of the story, they moved him to a location where the Steelers logo wasn't in the background.
SI also detailed Roethlisberger's reputation as a bad teammate early in his career. He just didn't care about other people, and he didn't care about hiding that.
The Steelers told him they didn't want him to ride a motorcycle. He did and put his career in jeopardy by being foolishly stubborn.
You can make the case he was a self-centered, self-destructive mess who happened to be a talented quarterback.
Roethlisberger can't do anything about his past. It's all there, just a Google away. He can control the present, though, and he's done that.
Since the 2010 incident in Milledgeville, Georgia, Roethlisberger hasn't been in the headlines for anything but football.
It can't be act. It appears he's reconfigured his life, learned how to handle interpersonal relationships and become a better person.
The guy who used to lead a gang marauding through bars in the college town of Milledgeville is now married and has three children.
Some people will never forgive his past behavior, and that's their right. But it would appear there's been a significant attitude shift that's made him a better person.
Sports Illustrated was right that Roethlisberger and his checkered past were worthy of a story.
They just missed the point, which was his redemption.
---
--LOOK OUT
Three good reasons to be nervous about tonight's game against the Chiefs:
1. Travis Kelce. Good tight ends who can work the middle of the field have been a problem for the Steelers. Kelce is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound monster. The Steelers kept him in check during the regular season, and they'll have to do that again.
2. Tyreek Hill. He's a formidable kick returner, and the Steelers' special teams have been mostly lousy this season.
3. Alex Smith. Quarterbacks who can run can cause problems by gaining big chunks of yardage at important times. Smith is more likely to be a concern with his legs than his arm. In three career postseason games, he's averaged 66 rushing yards.
---
--ANOTHER CHANCE
Ryan Vogelsong signed on for a spring training look-see with the Minnesota Twins.
He turns 40 in July, and he wasn't very good with the Pirates last season, but there's another chance out there for him, even if he's not lefthanded.
If he makes the team, he'll have the chance to make a couple of million dollars.
It's tough to get to the major leagues. It can be even harder to leave.
If he plays well and leads the Steelers to the AFC Championship game, he's the greatest. If the Steelers lose, his approval rating will fall accordingly.
That's how it goes with most quarterbacks.
It would be hard to make a case among Steelers fans that Roethlisberger is "the NFL's Most Polarizing Player," as Sports Illustrated's recent cover screamed.
The magazine devoted 10 pages to an article that left a strong reaction of, "Huh?"
What was the point? It wasn't really clear. Apparently Roethlisberger has issues with his home town, which would seem to be of little concern to anyone other than him and the citizens of Findlay, Ohio.
OK, no big deal. He wouldn't be the first famous person to have that sort of conflict.
The article also detailed some of Roethlisberger's unsavory off-field behavior, which included allegations from two women claiming he forced himself upon them. No criminal charges were ever filed, but it was clear Roethlisberger was embarrassing himself and his employer with his conduct.
The Steelers were infuriated, and seriously considered getting rid of him. When he had a press conference to tell his side of the story, they moved him to a location where the Steelers logo wasn't in the background.
SI also detailed Roethlisberger's reputation as a bad teammate early in his career. He just didn't care about other people, and he didn't care about hiding that.
The Steelers told him they didn't want him to ride a motorcycle. He did and put his career in jeopardy by being foolishly stubborn.
You can make the case he was a self-centered, self-destructive mess who happened to be a talented quarterback.
Roethlisberger can't do anything about his past. It's all there, just a Google away. He can control the present, though, and he's done that.
Since the 2010 incident in Milledgeville, Georgia, Roethlisberger hasn't been in the headlines for anything but football.
It can't be act. It appears he's reconfigured his life, learned how to handle interpersonal relationships and become a better person.
The guy who used to lead a gang marauding through bars in the college town of Milledgeville is now married and has three children.
Some people will never forgive his past behavior, and that's their right. But it would appear there's been a significant attitude shift that's made him a better person.
Sports Illustrated was right that Roethlisberger and his checkered past were worthy of a story.
They just missed the point, which was his redemption.
---
--LOOK OUT
Three good reasons to be nervous about tonight's game against the Chiefs:
1. Travis Kelce. Good tight ends who can work the middle of the field have been a problem for the Steelers. Kelce is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound monster. The Steelers kept him in check during the regular season, and they'll have to do that again.
2. Tyreek Hill. He's a formidable kick returner, and the Steelers' special teams have been mostly lousy this season.
3. Alex Smith. Quarterbacks who can run can cause problems by gaining big chunks of yardage at important times. Smith is more likely to be a concern with his legs than his arm. In three career postseason games, he's averaged 66 rushing yards.
---
--ANOTHER CHANCE
Ryan Vogelsong signed on for a spring training look-see with the Minnesota Twins.
He turns 40 in July, and he wasn't very good with the Pirates last season, but there's another chance out there for him, even if he's not lefthanded.
If he makes the team, he'll have the chance to make a couple of million dollars.
It's tough to get to the major leagues. It can be even harder to leave.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 8, 2017
The temperature won't even approach the freezing mark today at Heinz Field, yet the heat is on the Steelers.
They've won exactly one playoff game in the last five seasons, and that only happened because the Cincinnati Bengals saved their most knuckleheaded behavior for precisely the wrong time and self-destructed.
This postseason is another chance for the Steelers, and they seemed to be poised for a successful run.
They ended the regular season with a seven-game winning streak. They have all their major offensive weapons healthy and rested. They get this game at home. Their opponent, the Miami Dolphins, has major injury issues that begin with their starting quarterback.
The betting line has the Steelers as 10-point favorites. That isn't a prediction on the outcome, but rather a projection of what point spread will produce an equal amount of wagers on both sides.
Still, it's not hard to imagine the Steelers putting up 30 points against a depleted Dolphins secondary. It is hard to fathom a scenario in which running back Jay Ajayi comes close to matching the 204 yards he gained against the Steelers in the October game.
There's no reason to expect the Steelers won't be in Kansas City next week.
If they're not? It's going to be a long and bitter winter, regardless of the temperature.
---
--BONUS ROUND
There are millions of dollars riding on today's outcome, and not just those that go to the Steelers.
January is a dead time for most businesses. The exception is when the Steelers go deep into the playoffs. Even if the games are on the road, people stick to their game-day routines and have parties. A lot of food and beverages are sold that otherwise wouldn't be.
One food purveyor said he prays for just one playoff game, because it generates enough business to help him through a slow January.
---
--BYE, BOOMER
ESPN made it official last week that Chris Berman will be taking a reduced role at the network.
Actually, he will be disappearing from ESPN, which should come as a relief to a lot of viewers.
There was a time when Berman's act was fresh, a frat boy sensibility applied to sports highlights with nicknames, Howard Cosell impressions and over-the-top reactions to outstanding plays.
The problem was he never advanced beyond any of that, even as he passed 60. So it was constantly "back-back-back-back" and "George 'Taco' Bell" and "he....could....go....all....the...way." It was like being stuck in junior high.
His fans outgrew the silliness and new viewers wondered why the old guy was acting so goofy when they just wanted to see the highlights.
Berman never showed much self awareness. He simultaneously did commercials for Weight Watchers and Applebee's.
The upset isn't that he's leaving. It's that he lasted as long as he did without ever changing.
---
--FROZEN FISH
The Dolphins maintained all week the weather wouldn't be a factor in today's game.
It may not be. But it would have been fun to watch them step off the buses at their hotel Saturday afternoon and feel that first blast of western Pennsylvania January.
---
--ON THE MENU
Meanwhile, Primanti's announced it wouldn't sell fish sandwiches over the weekend because the Dolphins were the Steelers' opponent.
Oh, if their food could be as good as their publicity machine.
They've won exactly one playoff game in the last five seasons, and that only happened because the Cincinnati Bengals saved their most knuckleheaded behavior for precisely the wrong time and self-destructed.
This postseason is another chance for the Steelers, and they seemed to be poised for a successful run.
They ended the regular season with a seven-game winning streak. They have all their major offensive weapons healthy and rested. They get this game at home. Their opponent, the Miami Dolphins, has major injury issues that begin with their starting quarterback.
The betting line has the Steelers as 10-point favorites. That isn't a prediction on the outcome, but rather a projection of what point spread will produce an equal amount of wagers on both sides.
Still, it's not hard to imagine the Steelers putting up 30 points against a depleted Dolphins secondary. It is hard to fathom a scenario in which running back Jay Ajayi comes close to matching the 204 yards he gained against the Steelers in the October game.
There's no reason to expect the Steelers won't be in Kansas City next week.
If they're not? It's going to be a long and bitter winter, regardless of the temperature.
---
--BONUS ROUND
There are millions of dollars riding on today's outcome, and not just those that go to the Steelers.
January is a dead time for most businesses. The exception is when the Steelers go deep into the playoffs. Even if the games are on the road, people stick to their game-day routines and have parties. A lot of food and beverages are sold that otherwise wouldn't be.
One food purveyor said he prays for just one playoff game, because it generates enough business to help him through a slow January.
---
--BYE, BOOMER
ESPN made it official last week that Chris Berman will be taking a reduced role at the network.
Actually, he will be disappearing from ESPN, which should come as a relief to a lot of viewers.
There was a time when Berman's act was fresh, a frat boy sensibility applied to sports highlights with nicknames, Howard Cosell impressions and over-the-top reactions to outstanding plays.
The problem was he never advanced beyond any of that, even as he passed 60. So it was constantly "back-back-back-back" and "George 'Taco' Bell" and "he....could....go....all....the...way." It was like being stuck in junior high.
His fans outgrew the silliness and new viewers wondered why the old guy was acting so goofy when they just wanted to see the highlights.
Berman never showed much self awareness. He simultaneously did commercials for Weight Watchers and Applebee's.
The upset isn't that he's leaving. It's that he lasted as long as he did without ever changing.
---
--FROZEN FISH
The Dolphins maintained all week the weather wouldn't be a factor in today's game.
It may not be. But it would have been fun to watch them step off the buses at their hotel Saturday afternoon and feel that first blast of western Pennsylvania January.
---
--ON THE MENU
Meanwhile, Primanti's announced it wouldn't sell fish sandwiches over the weekend because the Dolphins were the Steelers' opponent.
Oh, if their food could be as good as their publicity machine.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Altoona Mirror, January 1, 2017
It's a brand new year, and it has to be better than the one that just ended.
The Pirates did a backslide, and the injury-depleted Steelers were eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champion. The Penguins rallied around a coaching change and won their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the year of fake news, exploding cell phones and too many sad passings, including local icons Bill Cardille and B.E. Taylor.
The Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year World Series drought and the Cavaliers earned Cleveland's first sports title since 1964. It seemed like the political campaigns lasted at least that long.
Before we get started on 2017, let's take one last look back with the annual year-end quiz.
Grab a pair of sharpened No. 2 pencils and have a go at the customary dozen puzzlers.
---
1. What was impossible to find in December?
a. Hatchimal.
b. Drones.
c. The experts who spent January saying Sidney Crosby's career was in irreversible decline.
---
2. What is the region's most common fear?
a. Flying.
b. Snakes.
c. Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
---
3. Someone who suddenly needs to vanish from public view should join:
a. The Foreign Legion.
b. The witness protection program.
c. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
---
4. What do most NFL coaches do in their sleep?
a. Dream.
b. Snore.
c. Beat the Cleveland Browns.
---
5. What was the biggest challenge of the MLB postseason?
a. Constant pressure.
b. Fatigue.
c. Figuring out what channel the games were on.
---
6. What is the main concern with Russian computer hacking?
a. It could compromise our elections.
b. Possible cyber wars.
c. They'll start interfering with Root Sports' "Twitter Tuesdays."
---
7. Mike Johnston, replaced as Penguins coach after 28 games, will be remembered as:
a. A hard worker.
b. A victim of circumstances.
c. Old What's His Name.
---
8. How can the Pirates improve their record?
a. Pitch better.
b. Get more timely hitting.
c. Stop scheduling the Cubs.
---
9. The University of Pittsburgh provides:
a. Educational opportunities.
b. A unique campus environment.
c. Advancement to better-paying jobs elsewhere for athletic department employees.
---
10. What does 93 per cent represent?
a. A good save percentage for a goalie.
b. A great conversion rate for a field goal kicker.
c. The percentage of bowl games that don't matter.
---
11. Francisco Liriano had problems making:
a. Inside pitches.
b. Pitches in the lower part of the strike zone.
c. The fourth inning.
---
12. The Pittsburgh Symphony is having attendance problems. The logical solution is:
a. Expanded repertoire.
b. Ticket discounts.
c. Fireworks nights.
---
The Pirates did a backslide, and the injury-depleted Steelers were eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champion. The Penguins rallied around a coaching change and won their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the year of fake news, exploding cell phones and too many sad passings, including local icons Bill Cardille and B.E. Taylor.
The Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year World Series drought and the Cavaliers earned Cleveland's first sports title since 1964. It seemed like the political campaigns lasted at least that long.
Before we get started on 2017, let's take one last look back with the annual year-end quiz.
Grab a pair of sharpened No. 2 pencils and have a go at the customary dozen puzzlers.
---
1. What was impossible to find in December?
a. Hatchimal.
b. Drones.
c. The experts who spent January saying Sidney Crosby's career was in irreversible decline.
---
2. What is the region's most common fear?
a. Flying.
b. Snakes.
c. Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
---
3. Someone who suddenly needs to vanish from public view should join:
a. The Foreign Legion.
b. The witness protection program.
c. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
---
4. What do most NFL coaches do in their sleep?
a. Dream.
b. Snore.
c. Beat the Cleveland Browns.
---
5. What was the biggest challenge of the MLB postseason?
a. Constant pressure.
b. Fatigue.
c. Figuring out what channel the games were on.
---
6. What is the main concern with Russian computer hacking?
a. It could compromise our elections.
b. Possible cyber wars.
c. They'll start interfering with Root Sports' "Twitter Tuesdays."
---
7. Mike Johnston, replaced as Penguins coach after 28 games, will be remembered as:
a. A hard worker.
b. A victim of circumstances.
c. Old What's His Name.
---
8. How can the Pirates improve their record?
a. Pitch better.
b. Get more timely hitting.
c. Stop scheduling the Cubs.
---
9. The University of Pittsburgh provides:
a. Educational opportunities.
b. A unique campus environment.
c. Advancement to better-paying jobs elsewhere for athletic department employees.
---
10. What does 93 per cent represent?
a. A good save percentage for a goalie.
b. A great conversion rate for a field goal kicker.
c. The percentage of bowl games that don't matter.
---
11. Francisco Liriano had problems making:
a. Inside pitches.
b. Pitches in the lower part of the strike zone.
c. The fourth inning.
---
12. The Pittsburgh Symphony is having attendance problems. The logical solution is:
a. Expanded repertoire.
b. Ticket discounts.
c. Fireworks nights.
---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)