So now Steelers Nation has caught up to the rest of the world in viewing James Harrison as Public Enemy No. 1.
Harrison turned up on TV last week to advise Le'Veon Bell to report to the Steelers, then claim an injury that would make him unable to play.
That would mean Bell would get his paychecks without doing anything.
Harrison knows how that works, because that was his game plan for his final season with the Steelers. Once he realized he wasn't going to play, he put in minimal effort and generally looked out for only himself.
It ran contrary to the effort Harrison put forth as a player, but things soured quickly and apparently irreversibly.
So now he's on the sidelines, firing darts at the Steelers at every opportunity. It's kind of like the old pro wrestling gimmick where a guy deserts his allies and becomes their enemy, for profit.
Thanks to cable TV and social media, there are plenty of those opportunities to irritate the Steelers. It's OK, given that Harrison never seemed to be a let bygones be bygones type of guy anyway.
Meanwhile, Bell is doing whatever he's doing, which is everything but playing football. Mike Tomlin said last week that he's not answering questions about Bell, which makes sense. There are no answers, really.
It's a stalemate devoid of any logic, so it's up to Bell.
The advice that Harrison relayed was so bad, you have to figure that Bell will take it into consideration.
---
If you're as power starved as the Pirates are and know that home run hitters are the most difficult and expensive commodity to acquire, wouldn't you jump at the chance to get a hitter at a discount price?
They have that opportunity. The Pirates hold a $5.5 million option on Jung Ho Kang for next season. They should pick that up, and quickly.
There is considerable risk involved. Aside from this weekend series, Kang hasn't played in the major leagues since 2016. He had wrist surgery during this season. He'll be 32 years old at the start of next season.
But the Pirates desperately need power, even more so with Gregory Polanco possibly missing almost half the season after shoulder surgery. They have an opening at third base, where Colin Moran's rookie season was OK but not spectacular.
If Kang isn't motivated by the feeling that he owes the Pirates something after missing two seasons (he was paid for this year), he should have an interest in reviving his major league career.
There's no better place for him than Pittsburgh, where his skills mesh with the Pirates' need. He's capable of 25 home runs.
The Pirates have hit more than 100 fewer home runs than the New York Yankees. If you want to argue the Yankees are an aberration because they've had a record-setting season with home runs, try this one for size. The Pirates have hit almost 70 fewer home runs than the Oakland Athletics. They're almost 60 behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Home runs rule today. They're game changers. In today's game, $5.5 million isn't a lot of money. The Pirates wasted $5.75 million on Sean Rodriguez this season. Even an ordinary player like Jordy Mercer cost $6.75 million this season.
If outside alternatives were abundant, this might be a different scenario. They aren't, though.
The free agent market is unpredictable. Trades are a possibility, but the Pirates just sacrificed three prospects of some note to get Chris Archer.
Does Kang's power potential offset the considerable baggage he carries? In the Pirates' case, yes.
---
Those Senate confirmation hearings were so hostile and contentious, the scene resembled a Clint Hurdle media briefing.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 26, 2018
Here's the thing about the Steelers' win....
(SOUND EFFECT OF SHRILL WHISTLE) False start. Replay the column lead.
Sorry, that's just a way of acknowledging the start-and-stop nature of the Steelers' first victory of the season, Monday night in Tampa.
At his noon news conference on Tuesday, a sleep-deprived Mike Tomlin admitted it probably wasn't an appealing game to watch.
He was right about that.
The flow of the game was constantly interrupted by penalty flags. There were occasionally two infractions on the same snap.
After three games, the Steelers have had 37 accepted penalties, most in the NFL. It doesn't really matter how many any other team has. The fact is 37 in three games is too many by a wide margin.
Tomlin spoke of a need to play cleaner and smarter, and there's no arguing that. Don't shove a runner who's already out of bounds because you're frustrated. Don't compound a bad situation by arguing an existing call and getting another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The offenders in two cases cited there were Sean Davis and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Play smarter indeed. An official isn't going to change his call because a player keeps yapping at him. It's far more likely he'll do exactly what Monday night's official did and throw a second flag while marching off more yardage.
Some penalties are unavoidable. That's particularly the case early in the season when teams and officials are still defining the rules on roughing the passer.
Some penalties are actually good. If the quarterback is going to get wiped out by a pass rusher, it's better to hold than to let the quarterback get blasted.
But a lot of penalties are just dumb and/or lazy. Those are the ones on Tomlin's radar, as they should be.
In other Steelers matters:
--Vance McDonald's stiff arm dismissal of would-be tackler Chris Conte will live on highlights for generations to come. It was the most abuse dealt a defensive player since Jerome Bettis bowled over Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher on the way to the end zone in the show at Heinz Field in December, 2005.
--Is it Artie Burns or Artie's Burned? Wow, this is a former No. 1 draft pick now rotating with two other players.
--What a difference it makes when a defense gets pressure on the quarterback. Those takeaways were related to the limited amount of time Ryan Fitzpatrick had to make decisions.
--Tomlin reaffirmed his belief in kicker Chris Boswell. What choice does he have? The Steelers just signed Boswell to a new contract.
--It isn't just that Ben Roethlisberger can escape and extend the play. It's that he doesn't panic while he's doing that. That skill probably won't be fully appreciated until he isn't around to do it any more.
--Network announcers never get it right. ESPN showed Steelers fans cheering in Tampa and Joe Tessitore made the remark about how the Steelers Nation travels. There were probably some people from western Pennsylvania in the crowd. But the Steelers built a national fan base in the 1970s. With that and the displaced Pttsburghers who relocated after the steel industry faded way, a lot of those Steelers fans at the game have Florida zip codes.
--ESPN analyst Booger McFarland seemed to be castigating the Steelers for not paying Le'Veon Bell. Bell could have come in on Labor Day, signed the contract tender and been guaranteed more than $14 million for this season. A lot of people would consider that a fair wage.
--The difference between 1-1-1 and 0-2-1 is much bigger than the math says it is.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
(SOUND EFFECT OF SHRILL WHISTLE) False start. Replay the column lead.
Sorry, that's just a way of acknowledging the start-and-stop nature of the Steelers' first victory of the season, Monday night in Tampa.
At his noon news conference on Tuesday, a sleep-deprived Mike Tomlin admitted it probably wasn't an appealing game to watch.
He was right about that.
The flow of the game was constantly interrupted by penalty flags. There were occasionally two infractions on the same snap.
After three games, the Steelers have had 37 accepted penalties, most in the NFL. It doesn't really matter how many any other team has. The fact is 37 in three games is too many by a wide margin.
Tomlin spoke of a need to play cleaner and smarter, and there's no arguing that. Don't shove a runner who's already out of bounds because you're frustrated. Don't compound a bad situation by arguing an existing call and getting another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The offenders in two cases cited there were Sean Davis and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Play smarter indeed. An official isn't going to change his call because a player keeps yapping at him. It's far more likely he'll do exactly what Monday night's official did and throw a second flag while marching off more yardage.
Some penalties are unavoidable. That's particularly the case early in the season when teams and officials are still defining the rules on roughing the passer.
Some penalties are actually good. If the quarterback is going to get wiped out by a pass rusher, it's better to hold than to let the quarterback get blasted.
But a lot of penalties are just dumb and/or lazy. Those are the ones on Tomlin's radar, as they should be.
In other Steelers matters:
--Vance McDonald's stiff arm dismissal of would-be tackler Chris Conte will live on highlights for generations to come. It was the most abuse dealt a defensive player since Jerome Bettis bowled over Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher on the way to the end zone in the show at Heinz Field in December, 2005.
--Is it Artie Burns or Artie's Burned? Wow, this is a former No. 1 draft pick now rotating with two other players.
--What a difference it makes when a defense gets pressure on the quarterback. Those takeaways were related to the limited amount of time Ryan Fitzpatrick had to make decisions.
--Tomlin reaffirmed his belief in kicker Chris Boswell. What choice does he have? The Steelers just signed Boswell to a new contract.
--It isn't just that Ben Roethlisberger can escape and extend the play. It's that he doesn't panic while he's doing that. That skill probably won't be fully appreciated until he isn't around to do it any more.
--Network announcers never get it right. ESPN showed Steelers fans cheering in Tampa and Joe Tessitore made the remark about how the Steelers Nation travels. There were probably some people from western Pennsylvania in the crowd. But the Steelers built a national fan base in the 1970s. With that and the displaced Pttsburghers who relocated after the steel industry faded way, a lot of those Steelers fans at the game have Florida zip codes.
--ESPN analyst Booger McFarland seemed to be castigating the Steelers for not paying Le'Veon Bell. Bell could have come in on Labor Day, signed the contract tender and been guaranteed more than $14 million for this season. A lot of people would consider that a fair wage.
--The difference between 1-1-1 and 0-2-1 is much bigger than the math says it is.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 23, 2018
Football coaches spend hours studying video, looking for any edge they can get.
Sometimes they outsmart themselves.
There's reason to believe that could be a factor in the Steelers' 0-1-1 start, with a tough game in Tampa Bay looming Monday night.
As the Kansas City Chiefs were racking up points at a pinball pace last Sunday, the TV shots were the same: Overhead angles showing wide-open receivers and field-level shots showing Steelers defenders coming off the field in complete confusion.
Sometimes coaches lose sight of a basic truth, which is the best schemes work only if the players can execute them.
Lets' start with the understanding that the Steelers have too many average players on defense.
Maybe some of them will get better with experience, like first-round draft pick Terrell Edmunds. Then again, everyone is still waiting for former first-round draft pick Bud Dupree to improve, and this is his fourth season.
Ryan Shazier's injury was a huge loss to a defense that needed help behind the line. Even though the shortage of defensive talent was blatantly obvious, the Steelers didn't seriously address the need in the draft or free agency.
So now they have players who may not be good enough, and those players are struggling to understand and carry out their assignments.
A long time ago, the Steelers had a defensive coordinator named Rod Rust. He invented a scheme called "read and react" that called for players to recognize the formation and the offense's initial move, then choose from a variety of options to stop the play.
It was the kind of thing that probably played well at coaching clinics, a sophisticated strategy that was advanced beyond the standards of the day.
But "read and react" was a dismal failure. The players hated it and, more importantly, they didn't understand it.
The plan that followed with a different coordinator was "Blitzburgh,"and it was a huge success until offenses caught up with it. The players were unleashed. There was structure, but not so much that it turned into shackles.
Last week defensive coordinator Keith Butler and cornerback Joe Haden (who didn't play against Kansas City) agreed that the Steelers needed to simplify their defense.
The best plan isn't worth anything if the players can't carry it out.
Getting more basic may not help. After all, the talent gap is still real.
But never expect players to do things they're not capable of doing.
---
It looked like Pitt has been taking lessons in tackling from the Steelers.
That's not a good thing.
---
The Pirates could be without Gregory Polanco until June next season.
Even when he returns from shoulder surgery, how long will it take him to get back to peak form?
Because of that perceived need, some Pirates fans are suggesting there's a free agent who could help. His name is Andrew McCutchen.
Here's the answer to that. No, no, no and no.
It's over. McCutchen had some great years with the Pirates, but that's in the past. He's declined since his MVP years, and he's a pretty ordinary player these days.
The Pirates would be smart to add an experienced outfielder as a hedge against a slow return by Polanco. McCutchen should not be the choice, though.
---
That Monday Night Football crew calling the Steelers-Buccaneers game will be Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland with Lisa Salters on the sideline.
They may be fine and they may do an excellent job.
It just seems like Frank Gifford, Dandy Don Meredith and Howard Cosell were there a million or so years ago.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sometimes they outsmart themselves.
There's reason to believe that could be a factor in the Steelers' 0-1-1 start, with a tough game in Tampa Bay looming Monday night.
As the Kansas City Chiefs were racking up points at a pinball pace last Sunday, the TV shots were the same: Overhead angles showing wide-open receivers and field-level shots showing Steelers defenders coming off the field in complete confusion.
Sometimes coaches lose sight of a basic truth, which is the best schemes work only if the players can execute them.
Lets' start with the understanding that the Steelers have too many average players on defense.
Maybe some of them will get better with experience, like first-round draft pick Terrell Edmunds. Then again, everyone is still waiting for former first-round draft pick Bud Dupree to improve, and this is his fourth season.
Ryan Shazier's injury was a huge loss to a defense that needed help behind the line. Even though the shortage of defensive talent was blatantly obvious, the Steelers didn't seriously address the need in the draft or free agency.
So now they have players who may not be good enough, and those players are struggling to understand and carry out their assignments.
A long time ago, the Steelers had a defensive coordinator named Rod Rust. He invented a scheme called "read and react" that called for players to recognize the formation and the offense's initial move, then choose from a variety of options to stop the play.
It was the kind of thing that probably played well at coaching clinics, a sophisticated strategy that was advanced beyond the standards of the day.
But "read and react" was a dismal failure. The players hated it and, more importantly, they didn't understand it.
The plan that followed with a different coordinator was "Blitzburgh,"and it was a huge success until offenses caught up with it. The players were unleashed. There was structure, but not so much that it turned into shackles.
Last week defensive coordinator Keith Butler and cornerback Joe Haden (who didn't play against Kansas City) agreed that the Steelers needed to simplify their defense.
The best plan isn't worth anything if the players can't carry it out.
Getting more basic may not help. After all, the talent gap is still real.
But never expect players to do things they're not capable of doing.
---
It looked like Pitt has been taking lessons in tackling from the Steelers.
That's not a good thing.
---
The Pirates could be without Gregory Polanco until June next season.
Even when he returns from shoulder surgery, how long will it take him to get back to peak form?
Because of that perceived need, some Pirates fans are suggesting there's a free agent who could help. His name is Andrew McCutchen.
Here's the answer to that. No, no, no and no.
It's over. McCutchen had some great years with the Pirates, but that's in the past. He's declined since his MVP years, and he's a pretty ordinary player these days.
The Pirates would be smart to add an experienced outfielder as a hedge against a slow return by Polanco. McCutchen should not be the choice, though.
---
That Monday Night Football crew calling the Steelers-Buccaneers game will be Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland with Lisa Salters on the sideline.
They may be fine and they may do an excellent job.
It just seems like Frank Gifford, Dandy Don Meredith and Howard Cosell were there a million or so years ago.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 19, 2018
This should be an interesting morning at Steelers headquarters.
The players are due in this morning to start preparations for Monday night's game at Tampa Bay. Presumably Antonio Brown will be there, and maybe he can take a detour to Mike Tomlin's office before he suits up for practice.
It's been an eventful few days for Brown, what with his sideline tantrums, argument with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, his "trade me" Tweet response and his apparently unexcused absence from work on Monday.
There's plenty to discuss, in other words.
The time has come for the Steelers to lay down the law to Brown. It doesn't matter whether Tomlin delivers that message. It could come from general manager Kevin Colbert or team president Art Rooney II. Or it could come from some combination of the three.
It's this simple: Show up, do your job and don't be disruptive.
If Brown doesn't want to comply, then put him on the inactive list until he changes his mind. The argument against that course of action is that Brown's absence would hurt the team.
OK, but right now his presence isn't doing the Steelers a lot of good, either.
This isn't Brown's first self-centered meltdown. It looked like he may have reformed after the Facebook Live debacle, but that wasn't the case. So he needs another reminder that the Steelers' universe doesn't revolve around A.B.
Anyone who has raised kids knows that threats must eventually have consequences. If you keep saying, "You're going to be in trouble," and it never happens, the words don't matter.
As much panic as the Steelers' 0-1-1 start has caused, it's still very early. There's plenty of time for Tomlin and the rest of management to reclaim their football team.
They just need the courage to do it.
---
Sifting through Sunday's home loss to Kansas City.
--Ben Roethlisberger's deep throws have been highly inaccurate so far. Is this a temporary condition, or is his accuracy on the decline? If opponents feel they don't have to respect the deep pass, the Steelers' offense will be limited.
--When, oh when has it been as bad as this 0-1-1 start? Try 1989 when the Steelers opened the season with a 51-0 home loss to Cleveland, then went to Cincinnati and lost 41-10. They rebounded and finished 9-7. The lesson? There's a lot of season left.
--The most distressing thing about the poor defensive game was the confusion that was so often evident. The Steelers don't have an abundance of Pro Bowlers on that side of the ball. However, it appears that too many players don't understand what they're supposed to do. Bad sign.
--Roethlisberger gave Fichtner credit for not losing his patience while Brown was ranting. It was probably the best approach to take under the circumstances. Too bad those circumstances came up.
--Based on the vacation photos he's been posting, Le'Veon Bell is a bigger person than he was last year.
--Tomlin indicated the Steelers may bring in out-of-work punters for tryouts this week. Good idea.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The players are due in this morning to start preparations for Monday night's game at Tampa Bay. Presumably Antonio Brown will be there, and maybe he can take a detour to Mike Tomlin's office before he suits up for practice.
It's been an eventful few days for Brown, what with his sideline tantrums, argument with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, his "trade me" Tweet response and his apparently unexcused absence from work on Monday.
There's plenty to discuss, in other words.
The time has come for the Steelers to lay down the law to Brown. It doesn't matter whether Tomlin delivers that message. It could come from general manager Kevin Colbert or team president Art Rooney II. Or it could come from some combination of the three.
It's this simple: Show up, do your job and don't be disruptive.
If Brown doesn't want to comply, then put him on the inactive list until he changes his mind. The argument against that course of action is that Brown's absence would hurt the team.
OK, but right now his presence isn't doing the Steelers a lot of good, either.
This isn't Brown's first self-centered meltdown. It looked like he may have reformed after the Facebook Live debacle, but that wasn't the case. So he needs another reminder that the Steelers' universe doesn't revolve around A.B.
Anyone who has raised kids knows that threats must eventually have consequences. If you keep saying, "You're going to be in trouble," and it never happens, the words don't matter.
As much panic as the Steelers' 0-1-1 start has caused, it's still very early. There's plenty of time for Tomlin and the rest of management to reclaim their football team.
They just need the courage to do it.
---
Sifting through Sunday's home loss to Kansas City.
--Ben Roethlisberger's deep throws have been highly inaccurate so far. Is this a temporary condition, or is his accuracy on the decline? If opponents feel they don't have to respect the deep pass, the Steelers' offense will be limited.
--When, oh when has it been as bad as this 0-1-1 start? Try 1989 when the Steelers opened the season with a 51-0 home loss to Cleveland, then went to Cincinnati and lost 41-10. They rebounded and finished 9-7. The lesson? There's a lot of season left.
--The most distressing thing about the poor defensive game was the confusion that was so often evident. The Steelers don't have an abundance of Pro Bowlers on that side of the ball. However, it appears that too many players don't understand what they're supposed to do. Bad sign.
--Roethlisberger gave Fichtner credit for not losing his patience while Brown was ranting. It was probably the best approach to take under the circumstances. Too bad those circumstances came up.
--Based on the vacation photos he's been posting, Le'Veon Bell is a bigger person than he was last year.
--Tomlin indicated the Steelers may bring in out-of-work punters for tryouts this week. Good idea.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 16, 2018
The great thing about following the Steelers is you don't just get a football team.
You get a soap opera, too.
Where's Le'Veon Bell? Has anyone checked his social media feeds in the last hour? When will he get here? It's an ongoing cliffhanger.
Speaking of social media, what's the latest on Antonio Brown? At last glance, he was threatening an ESPN writer with physical violence.
Writer Jesse Washington wrote a story that delved into some aspects of Brown's personal life. Some of the information came from social media posts.
Brown thought the story crossed a line, and that's his right. But in response, he Tweeted this comment to Washington: "wait to I see u bro we gone see what your jaw like."
Assuming Washington didn't have any dental work scheduled, that was perceived to be a threat.
Washington said he received an apology from Brown via a Steelers' spokesman, which he felt was adequate.
Later, Brown backed off his "jaw" comment. In a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown said: "I made a mistake in judgment with my tweet last week, and I apologized to that. It is not OK to threaten anyone and I need to be better spiritually and professionally. Though I do not agree with the negative parts of the story about my personal life, I need to have better control over my actions to use social media as a way to engage with my fans, rather than use it improperly."
Hmm, did those words come from the same individual who wrote, "wait to I see you" and "we gone see?"
Far more likely is the possibility the clean-up duty was done either by Brown's agent or the Steelers. Or some combination of those two parties.
Mike Tomlin abdicated any responsibility when the subject was raised at his weekly news briefing.
He cut off the question and said, "Guys, don't ask me about social media things. I just choose to stay away from it because it's a waste of my time. There's very little accountability. Guys say things they don't mean."
OK, but this wasn't a piece of gossip. This was one of his players, apparently threatening someone.
If Tomlin doesn't want to police this, then team president Art Rooney II should. He's a lawyer, and should know the ramifications of threatening violence against another person.
Direct a comment like that toward an elected official, and the FBI will soon be knocking on the door.
Coaches today face a lot of challenges their predecessors didn't have to confront.
Social media is a big one.
---
Just to get it on the record, because there's abundant confusion on the subject:
The Steelers can't trade Le'Veon Bell until he signs the contract tender. Until he signs that document, he's not the Steelers player.
So the idea of "just trade him to Detroit, get something for him and get rid of the headache" won't work.
---
Four former Steelers are on the preliminary list for the Hall of Fame.
Alan Faneca, Hines Ward, Bill Cowher and Thomas Everett are up for consideration.
Let's start with the easy one. Everett has no chance. Faneca will get in, it's just a matter of when. Ward will have a tougher time because voters don't seem to care much about Ward's blocking ability and toughness. Those qualities were integral to his value to the Steelers, but maybe you had to watch Ward on a regular basis to fully appreciate him.
Cowher is a borderline case because he was 8-9 in playoff games aside from the 4-0 run to his only Super Bowl championship in 2005.
---
Only Gregory Polanco could do serious damage to his shoulder and knee on what should have been a routine slide into second base.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
You get a soap opera, too.
Where's Le'Veon Bell? Has anyone checked his social media feeds in the last hour? When will he get here? It's an ongoing cliffhanger.
Speaking of social media, what's the latest on Antonio Brown? At last glance, he was threatening an ESPN writer with physical violence.
Writer Jesse Washington wrote a story that delved into some aspects of Brown's personal life. Some of the information came from social media posts.
Brown thought the story crossed a line, and that's his right. But in response, he Tweeted this comment to Washington: "wait to I see u bro we gone see what your jaw like."
Assuming Washington didn't have any dental work scheduled, that was perceived to be a threat.
Washington said he received an apology from Brown via a Steelers' spokesman, which he felt was adequate.
Later, Brown backed off his "jaw" comment. In a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown said: "I made a mistake in judgment with my tweet last week, and I apologized to that. It is not OK to threaten anyone and I need to be better spiritually and professionally. Though I do not agree with the negative parts of the story about my personal life, I need to have better control over my actions to use social media as a way to engage with my fans, rather than use it improperly."
Hmm, did those words come from the same individual who wrote, "wait to I see you" and "we gone see?"
Far more likely is the possibility the clean-up duty was done either by Brown's agent or the Steelers. Or some combination of those two parties.
Mike Tomlin abdicated any responsibility when the subject was raised at his weekly news briefing.
He cut off the question and said, "Guys, don't ask me about social media things. I just choose to stay away from it because it's a waste of my time. There's very little accountability. Guys say things they don't mean."
OK, but this wasn't a piece of gossip. This was one of his players, apparently threatening someone.
If Tomlin doesn't want to police this, then team president Art Rooney II should. He's a lawyer, and should know the ramifications of threatening violence against another person.
Direct a comment like that toward an elected official, and the FBI will soon be knocking on the door.
Coaches today face a lot of challenges their predecessors didn't have to confront.
Social media is a big one.
---
Just to get it on the record, because there's abundant confusion on the subject:
The Steelers can't trade Le'Veon Bell until he signs the contract tender. Until he signs that document, he's not the Steelers player.
So the idea of "just trade him to Detroit, get something for him and get rid of the headache" won't work.
---
Four former Steelers are on the preliminary list for the Hall of Fame.
Alan Faneca, Hines Ward, Bill Cowher and Thomas Everett are up for consideration.
Let's start with the easy one. Everett has no chance. Faneca will get in, it's just a matter of when. Ward will have a tougher time because voters don't seem to care much about Ward's blocking ability and toughness. Those qualities were integral to his value to the Steelers, but maybe you had to watch Ward on a regular basis to fully appreciate him.
Cowher is a borderline case because he was 8-9 in playoff games aside from the 4-0 run to his only Super Bowl championship in 2005.
---
Only Gregory Polanco could do serious damage to his shoulder and knee on what should have been a routine slide into second base.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 12, 2018
No sooner than I
predicted a 10-6 season for the Steelers, that prognostication was
rendered obsolete with a tie in Cleveland.
It took just four hours to make a season prediction totally incorrect.
Is it going to be that kind of season?
Picking apart the season opener:
--The Steelers didn't win because they didn't deserve to win. Six turnovers, a dozen penalties and a missed field goal doesn't work against anybody. Not even the Browns.
--Go easy on the "See, they don't Le'Veon Bell" talk. James Conner did a great job -- somewhat negated by a fumble at the worst time -- but who knows if he can do that over 16 weeks?
--There was no need for Conner to carry as heavy a load as he did. His efficiency diminished as the game wore on. The Steelers have other backs on the roster. Don't be afraid to use them. Conner will be better with a break every now and then.
--Antonio Brown has to realize there will be games when his greatest value is in attracting multiple coverage and leaving other receivers open. That said, the Steelers need a receiver who could be a legitimate third option.
--Even if Ben Roethlisberger didn't see the third defender closing in on his intended target, he was still throwing into double coverage. Sometimes it seems like he tries to force the ball to Brown, even when that's not the best option.
--Return specialist Ryan Switzer made a positive first impression. That's one part of the game where an upgrade is needed.
--How many times do players have to be told it's a penalty (both needless and costly) for taking off the helmet on the field?
--OK, instead of 10-6, how about 9-6-1?
---
CBS didn't do rookie analyst Bruce Arians any favors by making him part of a three-man broadcast crew on the Steelers-Browns opener.
The former Steelers offensive coordinator did OK in his debut, but it's tough to work with two partners instead of one.
In addition to keeping up with what the other two announcers are saying, there's also the distraction of the producer communicating with the announcers through their headsets. That's a challenge for a rookie broadcaster.
---
Pitt's Pat Narduzzi went a little crazy in the early moments of Saturday's game against Penn State, earning a 15-yard penalty in the process.
That's an inexcusable mistake for a head coach.
No official has even changed a call because a coach yelled at him. When coaches are trying to teach players to stay under control, the message can be lost when the coach is acting like a madman and drawing a penalty flag.
It didn't work for Serena Williams at the U.S. Open, and it didn't work for Narduzzi at Heinz Field.
---
What if the Los Angeles Dodgers miss the postseason with a payroll just slightly north of $196,000?
You don't spend that kind of money and settle for watching the playoffs on TV.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
It took just four hours to make a season prediction totally incorrect.
Is it going to be that kind of season?
Picking apart the season opener:
--The Steelers didn't win because they didn't deserve to win. Six turnovers, a dozen penalties and a missed field goal doesn't work against anybody. Not even the Browns.
--Go easy on the "See, they don't Le'Veon Bell" talk. James Conner did a great job -- somewhat negated by a fumble at the worst time -- but who knows if he can do that over 16 weeks?
--There was no need for Conner to carry as heavy a load as he did. His efficiency diminished as the game wore on. The Steelers have other backs on the roster. Don't be afraid to use them. Conner will be better with a break every now and then.
--Antonio Brown has to realize there will be games when his greatest value is in attracting multiple coverage and leaving other receivers open. That said, the Steelers need a receiver who could be a legitimate third option.
--Even if Ben Roethlisberger didn't see the third defender closing in on his intended target, he was still throwing into double coverage. Sometimes it seems like he tries to force the ball to Brown, even when that's not the best option.
--Return specialist Ryan Switzer made a positive first impression. That's one part of the game where an upgrade is needed.
--How many times do players have to be told it's a penalty (both needless and costly) for taking off the helmet on the field?
--OK, instead of 10-6, how about 9-6-1?
---
CBS didn't do rookie analyst Bruce Arians any favors by making him part of a three-man broadcast crew on the Steelers-Browns opener.
The former Steelers offensive coordinator did OK in his debut, but it's tough to work with two partners instead of one.
In addition to keeping up with what the other two announcers are saying, there's also the distraction of the producer communicating with the announcers through their headsets. That's a challenge for a rookie broadcaster.
---
Pitt's Pat Narduzzi went a little crazy in the early moments of Saturday's game against Penn State, earning a 15-yard penalty in the process.
That's an inexcusable mistake for a head coach.
No official has even changed a call because a coach yelled at him. When coaches are trying to teach players to stay under control, the message can be lost when the coach is acting like a madman and drawing a penalty flag.
It didn't work for Serena Williams at the U.S. Open, and it didn't work for Narduzzi at Heinz Field.
---
What if the Los Angeles Dodgers miss the postseason with a payroll just slightly north of $196,000?
You don't spend that kind of money and settle for watching the playoffs on TV.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 9, 2018
The Steelers begin their 2018 adventure today in Cleveland, playing the Browns at 1 o'clock.
The regular season will wind up in 17 weeks with a home game against the Bengals and probably a 10-6 record.
There's a lot of travel, and too many playoff-caliber opponents. The Steelers are the only team in the AFC North that has to play New England.
Run all the data through the always-reliable Commodore 64, and it spits out a projected record of 10-6. Not as good as last season, but perhaps good enough to take a division where the other quarterbacks are Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton.
There's no telling when (or if) the Le'Veon Bell drama ends, so that throws a wrench into any prognostication. Contrary to what every fan in the street interview subject said last week, the Steelers do need him. They know it, too. They don't proffer contracts worth $14.5 million for one season out of benevolence.
The defense still looks leaky, and it says here the Steelers will regret not making a more dedicated effort to fix some of the flaws in the offseason.
Add it all up, and it comes out 10-6.
----
The Detroit Tigers will finish this season without their TV announcers, Mario Impemba and Rod Allen. They've been benched after they had a physical confrontation last week.
Impemba is 55, and Allen is 58. They're both old enough to know you don't blow a six-figure income on a petty argument that needlessly turns into a fight. But reports suggest this has been brewing for a long time.
It happened on the road, and the Tigers sent them home on different flights. When they were called on the carpet, the meetings were handled separately.
No announcement has been made about what happens beyond this season, but it won't be a surprise if they're both fired. Ball clubs present enough problems without worrying about whether an announcer has his partner in a chokehold, as was alleged in this case. Allen, a former major league player, was alleged to be the one doing the choking.
Given the length of the season and the proximity, it's a wonder there aren't homicides among announcers.
Two old-time Cleveland Indians announcers, Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal, never spoke to each other off the air. More recently, Harry Caray and Milo Hamilton had a clash of massive egos in the Chicago Cubs' booth that was only resolved when Hamilton fled to a job in Houston.
When Caray died, Hamilton couldn't bring himself to say anything kind about him. Off the air, the acerbic Hamilton always referred to his partner as, "Canary."
Oddly enough given his healthy self-esteem, Pirates legend Bob Prince got along famously with most of his partners. He and Jim "Possum" Woods enjoyed each other's company on and off the air. Prince and Nellie King worked together smoothly after an initial off-air blow-up.
Vin Scully insisted on working solo on Dodgers TV, which headed off potential trouble. The legendary Jack Buck once spotted partner Mike Shannon in the Three Rivers Stadium press room and mumbled, "Mr. Wonderful. Knows everything, says nothing."
Once a visitor to the Veterans Stadium press dining room spotted the four Phillies announcers, all sitting alone at different tables.
Sometimes it's the smallest things that can cause problems. The fight in Detroit supposedly started over a chair.
It's an awfully long season, and familiarity really does breed contempt.
---
Boyer rescues the iconic Clark bar?
That's a save worthy of Felipe Vazquez.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The regular season will wind up in 17 weeks with a home game against the Bengals and probably a 10-6 record.
There's a lot of travel, and too many playoff-caliber opponents. The Steelers are the only team in the AFC North that has to play New England.
Run all the data through the always-reliable Commodore 64, and it spits out a projected record of 10-6. Not as good as last season, but perhaps good enough to take a division where the other quarterbacks are Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton.
There's no telling when (or if) the Le'Veon Bell drama ends, so that throws a wrench into any prognostication. Contrary to what every fan in the street interview subject said last week, the Steelers do need him. They know it, too. They don't proffer contracts worth $14.5 million for one season out of benevolence.
The defense still looks leaky, and it says here the Steelers will regret not making a more dedicated effort to fix some of the flaws in the offseason.
Add it all up, and it comes out 10-6.
----
The Detroit Tigers will finish this season without their TV announcers, Mario Impemba and Rod Allen. They've been benched after they had a physical confrontation last week.
Impemba is 55, and Allen is 58. They're both old enough to know you don't blow a six-figure income on a petty argument that needlessly turns into a fight. But reports suggest this has been brewing for a long time.
It happened on the road, and the Tigers sent them home on different flights. When they were called on the carpet, the meetings were handled separately.
No announcement has been made about what happens beyond this season, but it won't be a surprise if they're both fired. Ball clubs present enough problems without worrying about whether an announcer has his partner in a chokehold, as was alleged in this case. Allen, a former major league player, was alleged to be the one doing the choking.
Given the length of the season and the proximity, it's a wonder there aren't homicides among announcers.
Two old-time Cleveland Indians announcers, Jimmy Dudley and Bob Neal, never spoke to each other off the air. More recently, Harry Caray and Milo Hamilton had a clash of massive egos in the Chicago Cubs' booth that was only resolved when Hamilton fled to a job in Houston.
When Caray died, Hamilton couldn't bring himself to say anything kind about him. Off the air, the acerbic Hamilton always referred to his partner as, "Canary."
Oddly enough given his healthy self-esteem, Pirates legend Bob Prince got along famously with most of his partners. He and Jim "Possum" Woods enjoyed each other's company on and off the air. Prince and Nellie King worked together smoothly after an initial off-air blow-up.
Vin Scully insisted on working solo on Dodgers TV, which headed off potential trouble. The legendary Jack Buck once spotted partner Mike Shannon in the Three Rivers Stadium press room and mumbled, "Mr. Wonderful. Knows everything, says nothing."
Once a visitor to the Veterans Stadium press dining room spotted the four Phillies announcers, all sitting alone at different tables.
Sometimes it's the smallest things that can cause problems. The fight in Detroit supposedly started over a chair.
It's an awfully long season, and familiarity really does breed contempt.
---
Boyer rescues the iconic Clark bar?
That's a save worthy of Felipe Vazquez.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 5, 2018
Today is the day!
Well, maybe it is.
This is the day the Steelers will cast their eyes toward the door of the locker room and full expect to see Le'Veon Bell there, ready to join the team at practice.
Just about everyone expected Bell to report on Monday to sign his contract for this season after skipping training camp.
It didn't happen, and Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert felt the need to issue a statement expressing his disappointment.
Bell didn't show up Tuesday either, although that's not a big day in the work week.
Today is the first heavy work in preparation for Sunday's opener at Cleveland, and that's why some of the players expect to see Bell.
Maurkice Pouncey said he believes Bell will be there. Ben Roethlisberger said he thinks Bell will be on hand. However, Roethlisberger did caution that he was basing projection on a hunch, not any specific information.
if players have been in contact with Bell, they haven't said so. Roethlisberger said he last communicated with Bell before training camp opened.
Coach Mike Tomlin has been in regular contact with Bell, "but not this week."
If Bell shows up, he can jump into practice and be ready to go on Sunday, at least to some degree.
If he doesn't show? He forfeits a game check that would be worth more than $800,000. He really won't change where he is with the Steelers.
They've designated him their franchise player, and the paperwork to finalize that agreement is probably in the top drawer of Colbert's desk.
The Steelers need Bell. He probably needs the $17 million he stands to collect this season.
They can both benefit from his signature on those documents.
We'll see if today is the day.
---
Roethlisberger brought up an interesting point on his weekly radio show Tuesday.
In discussing his sadness over losing Landry Jones as his backup, he also noted that Jones had been a help to him even when he didn't play.
Roethlisberger said he could come off the field after a series and discuss what happened with Jones. They were comfortable enough together that Jones could tell him specifics, like there was an open receiver along the sideline who he didn't spot.
Inexperienced Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph are unlikely to make those observations, much less pass them along to a veteran like Roethlisberger.
---
It was nice to see Starling Marte hit his first home run in more than a month Tuesday night, but there's no good reason why he should go through that long a drought.
Marte is a bundle of talent with the ability to hit for average, hit for power, run, throw and play defense.
Yet for all that talent, he's a good player instead of the great one he should be. He's not a kid, either. He turns 30 in October.
He should be treating baseball like a profession that pays him $7.5 million this season instead of acting like it's a hobby to him.
But if it hasn't happened yet, you wonder if it ever will.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Well, maybe it is.
This is the day the Steelers will cast their eyes toward the door of the locker room and full expect to see Le'Veon Bell there, ready to join the team at practice.
Just about everyone expected Bell to report on Monday to sign his contract for this season after skipping training camp.
It didn't happen, and Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert felt the need to issue a statement expressing his disappointment.
Bell didn't show up Tuesday either, although that's not a big day in the work week.
Today is the first heavy work in preparation for Sunday's opener at Cleveland, and that's why some of the players expect to see Bell.
Maurkice Pouncey said he believes Bell will be there. Ben Roethlisberger said he thinks Bell will be on hand. However, Roethlisberger did caution that he was basing projection on a hunch, not any specific information.
if players have been in contact with Bell, they haven't said so. Roethlisberger said he last communicated with Bell before training camp opened.
Coach Mike Tomlin has been in regular contact with Bell, "but not this week."
If Bell shows up, he can jump into practice and be ready to go on Sunday, at least to some degree.
If he doesn't show? He forfeits a game check that would be worth more than $800,000. He really won't change where he is with the Steelers.
They've designated him their franchise player, and the paperwork to finalize that agreement is probably in the top drawer of Colbert's desk.
The Steelers need Bell. He probably needs the $17 million he stands to collect this season.
They can both benefit from his signature on those documents.
We'll see if today is the day.
---
Roethlisberger brought up an interesting point on his weekly radio show Tuesday.
In discussing his sadness over losing Landry Jones as his backup, he also noted that Jones had been a help to him even when he didn't play.
Roethlisberger said he could come off the field after a series and discuss what happened with Jones. They were comfortable enough together that Jones could tell him specifics, like there was an open receiver along the sideline who he didn't spot.
Inexperienced Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph are unlikely to make those observations, much less pass them along to a veteran like Roethlisberger.
---
It was nice to see Starling Marte hit his first home run in more than a month Tuesday night, but there's no good reason why he should go through that long a drought.
Marte is a bundle of talent with the ability to hit for average, hit for power, run, throw and play defense.
Yet for all that talent, he's a good player instead of the great one he should be. He's not a kid, either. He turns 30 in October.
He should be treating baseball like a profession that pays him $7.5 million this season instead of acting like it's a hobby to him.
But if it hasn't happened yet, you wonder if it ever will.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Altoona Mirror, September 2, 2018
The Steelers had four quarterbacks for three spots, so one of them had to go.
Conventional wisdom held that Josh Dobbs would be headed out, probably traded for a draft pick.
Ben Roethlisberger was untouchable, of course. Landry Jones was thought to be in solid because he was the only other quarterback with NFL game experience.
The Steelers said they valued third-round pick Mason Rudolph as a worthy first-rounder, so he was staying.
That left Dobbs on the outside as the cuts were made. Pretty simple.
Except Dobbs had a big game on Thursday against Carolina. As much as everyone says that the fourth preseason game features guys who will soon be styling hair, repairing plumbing leaks and doing some substitute teaching, Dobbs' work apparently impressed management.
Jones was the one cut, ending his three-year run as Roethlisberger's backup.
The decision is probably this easy -- Jones is 29 and he's about as good as he's ever going to get. Dobbs is 23 and there's room for growth.
Maybe he never amounts to much in the NFL, but he still has a chance. Jones doesn't.
Head coaches typically value experience above most other traits, so this decision is significant for that reason.
As Roethlisberger starts his 15th season at age 36, the day when he has to be replaced is drawing closer.
The Steelers likely made their decision with that in mind. Dobbs and Rudolph have potential to be a No. 1 quarterback.
Nobody ever said that about Landry Jones.
---
The Steelers weren't the only team revamping its roster.
The Pirates made some moves that ran up the white flag on this season and started planning for 2019.
The most significant would be the trade of David Freese to the Dodgers. That effectively gets the Pirates out of the decision on the $6 million option/$500,000 buyout on his 2019 contract.
Freese had a decent year this season, mostly because the Pirates managed his playing time correctly. He slumped a bit in August, posting a .258 average with two home runs and 15 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances.
Freese had another value, too. He was one of the first players waiting to yell at Starling Marte when Marte dogged it recently in a game, a lapse that earned him a one-game sitdown.
Freese gets a chance to return to the postseason with the Dodgers while the Pirates clear a roster spot and save some money on a player who had no future here.
---
Earlier in the week, the Pirates released Sean Rodriguez, a move that delighted fans who had obsessed over the failures of the veteran utility player.
Make no mistake, Rodriguez was awful by any measure. You can't even cook up obscure stats to suggest he had some value.
In all likelihood, that January 2017 car crash took more out of him physically than he ever realized. His hitting was terrible, and his defense declined, too.
But as bad as Rodriguez was -- and yes he was -- he wasn't a major reason the Pirates haven't done better this season.
It became a repeat of last year's John Jaso scenario, where one player's obvious failures were scapegoated.
If you need to know why the Pirates are currently under .500, look at the diminished production of Josh Bell and Josh Harrison and that week-long May meltdown Felipe Rivera had over four games.
A team is sunk by the failures of key players, not part-timers.
---
Don't worry about Landry Jones. He will find work elsewhere for years to come.
There's good money to be made as a backup quarterback in the NFL.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Conventional wisdom held that Josh Dobbs would be headed out, probably traded for a draft pick.
Ben Roethlisberger was untouchable, of course. Landry Jones was thought to be in solid because he was the only other quarterback with NFL game experience.
The Steelers said they valued third-round pick Mason Rudolph as a worthy first-rounder, so he was staying.
That left Dobbs on the outside as the cuts were made. Pretty simple.
Except Dobbs had a big game on Thursday against Carolina. As much as everyone says that the fourth preseason game features guys who will soon be styling hair, repairing plumbing leaks and doing some substitute teaching, Dobbs' work apparently impressed management.
Jones was the one cut, ending his three-year run as Roethlisberger's backup.
The decision is probably this easy -- Jones is 29 and he's about as good as he's ever going to get. Dobbs is 23 and there's room for growth.
Maybe he never amounts to much in the NFL, but he still has a chance. Jones doesn't.
Head coaches typically value experience above most other traits, so this decision is significant for that reason.
As Roethlisberger starts his 15th season at age 36, the day when he has to be replaced is drawing closer.
The Steelers likely made their decision with that in mind. Dobbs and Rudolph have potential to be a No. 1 quarterback.
Nobody ever said that about Landry Jones.
---
The Steelers weren't the only team revamping its roster.
The Pirates made some moves that ran up the white flag on this season and started planning for 2019.
The most significant would be the trade of David Freese to the Dodgers. That effectively gets the Pirates out of the decision on the $6 million option/$500,000 buyout on his 2019 contract.
Freese had a decent year this season, mostly because the Pirates managed his playing time correctly. He slumped a bit in August, posting a .258 average with two home runs and 15 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances.
Freese had another value, too. He was one of the first players waiting to yell at Starling Marte when Marte dogged it recently in a game, a lapse that earned him a one-game sitdown.
Freese gets a chance to return to the postseason with the Dodgers while the Pirates clear a roster spot and save some money on a player who had no future here.
---
Earlier in the week, the Pirates released Sean Rodriguez, a move that delighted fans who had obsessed over the failures of the veteran utility player.
Make no mistake, Rodriguez was awful by any measure. You can't even cook up obscure stats to suggest he had some value.
In all likelihood, that January 2017 car crash took more out of him physically than he ever realized. His hitting was terrible, and his defense declined, too.
But as bad as Rodriguez was -- and yes he was -- he wasn't a major reason the Pirates haven't done better this season.
It became a repeat of last year's John Jaso scenario, where one player's obvious failures were scapegoated.
If you need to know why the Pirates are currently under .500, look at the diminished production of Josh Bell and Josh Harrison and that week-long May meltdown Felipe Rivera had over four games.
A team is sunk by the failures of key players, not part-timers.
---
Don't worry about Landry Jones. He will find work elsewhere for years to come.
There's good money to be made as a backup quarterback in the NFL.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
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