Black n' Gold Blitz - Vol. 2

by: Jeff

Its that time again, time for me to talk about my favorite sports teams. If you love Pittsburgh sports teams like I do, then sit back and enjoy. If you don't...then this might not be your cup of tea. Nonetheless, here are my thoughts and opinions on "The Big 3": the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.

- "Steeler Nation" has been buzzing about some of the changes with the team in the offseason. No, they weren't talking about the addition of TE Leonard Pope to the roster, but mainly of the players who were released. If you ask me, it was time to "cut the fat". Hines Ward was a great player for the Steelers, but his time had come where he wasn't effective anymore. James Farrior, Aaron Smith, Chris Hoke, and Bryant McFadden all fall into the category of players who had just lost too much to keep them. Everyone seems to be interested in what this team will look like. I will tell you that there will be some obvious changes, but that doesn't always mean that those changes are bad. The offense has had alot of talk since OTAs started (I wrote about them in the first edition of the Black n' Gold Blitz), but I think there will be some significant changes to the offense this year. Unlike when Bruce Arians was calling the shots, I don't feel the Steelers will be a pass happy offense.
They will throw it, but they will run it as well. The Steelers ran the ball only in obvious situations the past 2 years, and that put alot of pressure on the QB and WRs to constantly make crucial plays to extend drives, and/or cash in points. If they can remain balanced, they have the potential to be lethal. The defense will also have a different look, but could be alot faster. Everyone points to the CB position as a weakness, but if Keenan Lewis could step up opposite Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen could show enough to be the Nickel back, then that is a pretty solid seconday with Ryan Clark and Polamalu back there playing Centerfield. The LB position is where I see some holes. Larry Foote has been with the team all but one year of his NFL career, and he will be taking over for James Farrior this season. He has to show the explosiveness to match Lawrence Timmons in the middle so that he doesn't become a detriment to the team. 3rd year player, Stevenson Sylvester from Utah, is someone who I could see eventually taking over that spot in the ILB position. OLB we know what is there, but can the young and inexperienced Defensive Line do their job to free up the LBs to make plays? That is the biggest question mark in my opinion. Time will tell, but I can see this team being very good this season. My preseason predictions will be coming up at the start of training camp...be on the lookout.

- All has been quiet on the Penguins front, until the last few days. The Penguins made a splash in the free agent market by purchasing the rights to former Washington Capitals Goalie, Tomas Vokoun. Some people saw this as a threat to Marc Andre-Fleury, and I could be included in that group. However, the more I think about it, the more I think that they are picking up Vokoun to not only have a quality back up, but to give Fleury a rest from time to time. He played WAY too much this past season, and looked run down at the end of the season. Could Vokoun play his way into the starting role? For the first time in about 5 years I think it is possible. I think back to the slump that Fleury started off with this past season...if the Pens had a capable back up that became hot, would they have stuck with the hot hand or still gone back to "the flower"? I like Fleury, but I can't say that I trust him not to give up the ridiculous soft goal that he tends to give up in almost EVERY BIG GAME! Other Penguins news is that Sidney Crosby's contract
is nearing its end (in a couple years) and early rumors are that Sid is looking for a huge extension (I heard 14 years). My first reaction? Wow, that is a long time, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I'd give him the deal in a heart beat. Unlike Malkin who disappears when Crosby plays, Sidney is a phenomenal talent and the true Captain of the team. Not only is his play reason enough to extend his deal, but also the fact that with current contracts there are clauses in place to allow a team to release players, weigh the money in the front end of the deal, etc. to not have to "eat" all 14 years of a deal. Crosby faded a bit at the end of the season, but my guess is that he was out of shape. If he hasn't had any setbacks, Crosby should be able to train this offseason as he normally would, and be ready to go come next season. If he returns to form next season, you give him as many years as he wants, because in my opinion he is the best hockey player in the world when he is 100% healthy. He is "the franchise player".

- Typically the Buccos take the bottom of the billing in the Black n' Gold Blitz, and they do again, but "I don't know if you noticed (and judging by attendance you haven't)" (great Major League line)the Pirates are quiety going about their business winning 8 of their last 10 games and are now only 2 games out of first place in the NL Central with 2 games remaining against the 1st place Reds the next two days. Do the math...if they win their next two, then they are tied for first place. The biggest difference has been their hitting. This team couldn't hit water if it fell out of a boat in the first 50 games, but something happened recently that has
players besides Andrew McCutcheon hitting the snot out of the ball. With their bats starting to wake up, it is helping a solid pitching staff and bullpen do their job and get some quality wins. 2 bright spots in the starting rotation would be both James McDonald and AJ Burnett. Both have 5 wins on the season so far, and McDonald is sporting a very nice 2.14 ERA. I am not going to write too much about this team to pump them up because it could turn south in a heart beat, but I can't help but look at their upcoming schedule (2 @ Cincinnati, 3 vs. Kansas City, and 3 @ Baltimore) and think they have a shot at staying above .500. They are currently 28-26 and showing the promise so many Bucco fans have been waiting to see for years. I'm hoping they keep it afloat and contend well into the second half. I will be traveling to Baltimore next Thursday to see the game vs. the Orioles at beautiful Camden Yards. Be on the look out for a write up and some pictures from the game.

Until next time Pittsburgh fans...GO BLACK N' GOLD!

Where Are The Zebras??

by: Jeff

Ladies and Gentlemen, I posted about a week ago how the NFL season was just a hundred days away from kicking off. With that being said, it was time for me to start getting ready for the upcoming season. However, the NFL took a step backwards from that progress today as the NFL Referees Association and the NFL have broken talks to extend their expired Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Some of you might ask, "Who cares! Those officials were horrible anyways!" Sure, I yell and scream that the TV as much as the next red-blodded American, but you also have to realize that for every ONE bad call made, there are 20 quality calls that should have been made. With the speed of the game, there is NO WAY I would want to wear the stripes and have to make calls in a split second like that. I would prefer to sit on my couch and criticize the zebras like every other NFL fan!

The NFL itself has to be concerned for the upcoming season. It has put such an emphasis on player safety over the past 2 years that it will be tough for these "replacement" officials to get the hang of everything right away.
Just think of all the rules on safety that are needed to remember: Can't hit a QB in the head, knee, or lead with the head; Can't launch yourself into another play; Can't lead with your head and make helmet to helmet contact; Can't horse collar tackle someone; and that is just to name a few. These officials are going to be criticized more than the everyday referees that we are used to seeing on any given Sunday afternoon. It is an extremely tough spot for these officials, but its a job that needs to be done, and needs to be done well. The NFL typically sends out their crews to different training camps for them to get used to the game at game speed. I would reccommend to these officials to spend entire training camps with a couple teams so they are completely prepared for the upcoming NFL season.

Its been 11 years since the NFL has had an impasse with their officials, and lets hope this one doesn't last long, but I think the NFL needs to make life easier on officials regardless of whether they are replacements or the every day officials. In my opinion, the NFL could take alot of pressure off officials by making some really small adjustments to the way the game is officiated. First, the review system. Don't leave it up to the official on the field, but have someone in a box, or a headquarters (similar to the NHL reviewing system) make the call and relay that to the official on the field. Second, change certain penalties so they don't carry as much weight. Pass interference in the NFL is ridiculous in my opinion.
The fact that the ball is placed at the spot of the foul puts too much pressure on the officials to not blow the call, especially late in a game when a team is in position for a last second desperation throw looking to possibly draw the interference call. If they were to go to the NCAA rule of a simple 15 yard penalty for interference, it would make the calls easier for the zebras (in my opinion). Lastly, the NFL has already made several steps in helping officials. Making sure every potential scoring play is immediately reviewed makes things easier. The coaches' challenges also assist the officials, not second guess them. If you don't think these things are important, then you don't really follow the NFL that closely because you can list games that have been decided by blown calls (think Steelers vs. Dolphins 2 years ago in Miami - Danny and I can both tell you who made the call and why it was a blown call). I trust the NFL will make things right before the season, but they don't have alot of time...we already know we are down to about 90 days till kickoff and they haven't even found the replacement officials yet. You thought the officials were bad last year? Wait till you see replacements that aren't fully prepared...the NFL better get on the ball! Nonetheless, it will be weird not seeing Mike Carey, Ed Hochuli, Gene Steratore, and Bill Leavy (just to name a few) making calls on Sundays.

Birthdays and Baseball

by: Danny

So, I turned 31 today. And, when a baseball junkie like myself has a birthday on a day like June 3, it's pretty easy to assume that the two have become intertwined quite a few times in my lifetime. Baseball memories on my birthday have become engrained in me over the years. I remember when I turned five, I had a fairly big birthday party at my house. Plenty of friends, plenty of cake, and plenty of presents. But, the thing that I was most excited about was that I would have enough people at my house to maybe get a front-yard baseball game going. I don't know why I remember that, but it's just one of those things that sticks out in my mind.

A few years later, when I hit nine years old, another party was planned. At this time, we were fortunate enough to have a swimming pool, so you can kind of guess what this party centered on. But, sure enough, baseball found a way to make itself present on this special day. As soon as the guests had left, my grandfather and I were on our way to the batting cage so that I could get some swings to tune up for an upcoming Little League game the next day.

Speaking of Little League, I guess my fondest memory of baseball on my birthday happened on the day I turned 11. I played for the Little League Orioles and we were taking on the Phillies that day. At that time, I was the type of hitter that could spray the ball around the ballpark. More of a line-drive hitter than a power hitter. In fact, I had never hit a home run in my career up to that day. But, in the late innings of that very game on June 3, 1992, I swatted a low fastball from a left-handed pitcher over the fence in center field to tie the game. We went on to win the game 8-6, and that home run become became one of my fondest baseball memories. What a day for a milestone hit.

I guess the birthday where I made the biggest profit regarding baseball had to be my 14th. My favorite team, the Baltimore Orioles, was playing that day and I was watching it with my grandfather. When my favorite player, Cal Ripken Jr., strode to the plate with the bases loaded, I just knew that something special was about to happen. I confidently said, "I bet he hits a grand slam." My grandfather responded by saying, "I'll bet you $20 he doesn't." With the next pitch, Cal hit a laser into the left field seats and I was $20 richer. What a memory!

It's plainly obvious that baseball has been a big part of my life, and has played a huge role on several of my birthdays. Heck, I remember taking my driving test the day I turned 16. While I was going through the necessary protocol to secure my license, the guy who was scoring me and I talked baseball the entire time. I made a 3-point turn while talking about the importance of a deep bullpen. The conversation must have kept me relaxed because I drove away that day with my license. While my days of playing baseball are over, I now have sons that are beginning to get interested in the game. Maybe one day, they will provide me with a birthday baseball memory as a result of their own accomplishments on the field. That would be pretty darn cool.

My 2 Cents

by: Jeff

Its that time again. Time for me to give you my thoughts and opinions on anything sports related...so here goes:

Doing my usual scanning on NFL-related websites, I couldn't help but notice that Eagles' DE Jason Babin is considering going to Spain this offseason for the annual "Running with the Bulls". I heard this and immediately think that this individual has a few screws loose. He sights that his "'man card' has a few holes that need to be punched." I'm sorry, but you play a game for a living that has several factors that should fill out the 'man card' quota. #1 - You go up against gigantic human beings every day in an attempt to knock another players' head off his shoulders. #2 - The risk of injury playing this game is severe...everything from broken limbs to torn ligaments, and somtimes even paralysis. Lastly, #3 - you make MILLIONS of dollars playing this game.

Why would you risk that money, and possibly the remainder of your career to get some thrills while a bull attempts to knock YOUR head off? I realize that this is just one of the cases where NFL players are thrill seekers and will do whatever it takes to get that adrenaline rush that so many speak of. You saw it with Ben Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow Jr. and their super-bike adventures that led to Ben breaking his face, and Winslow injuring his knee. Through Ochocinco's bull-riding adventure of last off-season and you've got one good bunch of thrill seekers there. I'm not saying that NFL players need to do nothing but lift weights, run, and sit at their house in the off-season, but what about showing some respect for your occupation? You want to run with the bulls? Wait till you retire and you don't have teammates, coaches, and an entire organization banking on your peformance to do something stupid like that.

Keeping with the NFL theme, I also couldn't help but notice on Twitter yesterday afternoon (you can follow us - @eXtraPointShow) that New York Jets beat reporters were speculating that Darelle Revis is contemplating another contract holdout. In my opinion, this is getting ridiculous! Didn't we just do this 2 seasons ago? Didn't he have the entire Jets organization holding it's breath and running around during the filming of Hard Knocks?

I feel that at some point the NFL needs to step in and put a stop to this. Do certain players out perform their rookie contracts and want to make more money? Yes, it happens every year, but when a player just got "paid" and all of a sudden wants a new deal...then I have a real problem with that player. Revis is probably the best overall cover corner in the NFL right now, but will there ever be a team that will have the testicular fortitude to say, "You know what? We just paid you 2 years ago...honor your contract or you start getting fined in a BIG WAY!" Start taking the money away from these players and you will start to see them change their attitude towards holding out for what they "think" is what they deserve. If the NFL put a policy in place that no player can hold out of their contract until the final year of the deal, then we wouldn't have the Chris Johnson issue last season, or the potential of another Revis issue this season. I love the NFL, but some of these selfish players that complain about possibly making 6.5 MILLION a year (what Revis is upset about) are making me sick.

The President of the NCAA has recently made comments regarding the potential of a NCAA Division 1 Football Playoff instead of the BCS system that is currently in place. The president, Mark Emmert, states that he has hesitation regarding such a switch due to the fear of more realignment. He is concerned that teams would be leaving conferences at a more rapid rate looking for an easier way into the 4 team playoff system that has been proposed by so many people across the NCAA landcape. I ask Mr. Emmert this: Would it be any worse than the log jam we had last year when teams were jumping ship left and right (Syracuse, Pitt, West Virginia, etc.) and moving to new conferences. Rumors are already swirling that Miami and Florida State are potentially looking to leave the ACC for greener pasture.

In my opinion, if the NCAA is going to go to a playoff system then you scrap everything. All teams will be placed into conferences based on where they are located. You wouldn't have West Virginia playing in the Pac 10, but they would be in the Big East. Example: The Big East would encompass: WVU, Boston College, Penn State, UConn, Pitt, Maryland, Ohio State, and so on. You would do the same with other regions of the country. Once you do that, you have quality competition in EVERY conference...and not only that, you can even keep the Bowl Games. The conferences would be big, so you would have to break them up into divisions and then have a championship game for the conference title. All other teams would still play in bowl games, but would have been eliminated from the national title picture. It isn't really any different than that. If you ask me, I just answered all the questions about how to put this NCAA football playoff system into place!

Thats all for now, be sure to check back for great articles / podcasts!

Will "Hard Knocks" Mean More Misery in Miami?

by: Danny

It was announced earlier this week that the hit HBO show "Hard Knocks" will feature the Miami Dolphins this August. Because anything and everything that is the NFL is scrutinized and analyzed, this announcement drew both praise and criticism around the country. Many wondered if the Dolphins were simply the only team that didn't turn it down. Others speculated that owner Steven Ross, who has been known for his desire to make a big splash, actually pushed for this. Some think it's a good move for the Fins. Others have wondered why a team with a rookie Head Coach, rookie quarterback, and unsettled front office would want to be featured in this manner.

Talking heads Teddy Bruschi and Tim Hasselbeck both openly criticized the move a couple of days ago on ESPN. (On a personal note, I cannot stand Bruschi on tv. Bruschi was a great fit for those Patriots squads, no doubt. But, put him in any other situation, and he would have been an average player. In this case, the system really did make the player. But, to hear him talk, he is the be all and end all of football. In my book, he's horrible.)

Most would have a hard time as a rookie head coach, like Joe Philbin, welcoming in a camera crew to document their first training camp as the man in charge. It takes a lot of confidence in yourself to take on this type of attention. So, in that regard, I applaud Philbin for taking on that challenge and being self-confident enough to do so. In reality, what can it hurt? The national exposure might put a few more people in the seats at Dolphins home games for this upcoming season. Also, it might begin to take away the stigma of being somewhat of a laughingstock, a tag that is been put on the Dolphins for their many failed attempts to land a star (i.e. Jim Harbaugh, Jeff Fisher, Peyton Manning.) If America sees a competent coach running a well-crafted camp under the watchful eye of a competent owner, perceptions will certainly change.

Many have wondered if rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be adversely affected by this overexposure. Well, if he is, at least Miami will know rather early that they still don't have a franchise QB in the fold. If you can't handle a couple of cameras around, how are you going to handle a 275 lb. blindside blitzing linebacker on a fall Sunday? Something to ponder. If anything, this will help Tannehill to grow up in a hurry. Not a bad thing for the QB-needy Dolphins.

As a fan, I am excited to see the Dolphins in the limelight once again. In the days of Dan Marino, Miami was considered a marquee franchise despite the lack of championships. In this area, the Dolphins were routinely on every Sunday and were constantly considered contenders by experts everywhere. Those days are long gone. The Fins need some positive publicity to get back in the good graces of the American public. I think that this is a step in the right direction. Now, I just need to find a way to get HBO before this thing gets rolling in August. Because, with the increased level of transparency that Hard Knocks will bring, it will be blatantly clear to see whether or not Miami is finally headed in the right direction. If they aren't, there will certainly be more laughs to follow.