PITTSBURGH’S PREMIER SPORTS PUBLICATION
Pittsburgh Sports Report
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NOVEMBER 2013
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Extending the Play Constant chaos may have Roethlisberger’s tank nearing empty
Pittsburgh Sports Report BY CHRIS GALISZEWSKI
“With the 11th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback, Miami of Ohio.” As NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s words echoed throughout Radio City Music Hall nearly a decade ago, Steelers fans were left with mixed emotions, wondering what Roethlisberger was all about. Roethlisberger didn’t play quarterback until his senior year in high school, so in football years he was still relatively young to the position. when the Steelers drafted him. He would soon prove otherwise. Though chosen behind fellow quarterbacks Eli Manning and Philip Rivers in the ’04 draft, it didn’t take long for Roethlisberger to rise to the top of the class. He got his first opportunity in the second week of his rookie season due to injuries to quarterbacks Charlie Batch and Tommy Maddox. He started the third game of the year and never looked back, finishing with a flawless 14-0 regular season record; 151 after the postseason. He was an immediate hit, and central to the fu-
At age 31, Ben Roethlisberger is on pace to get sacked more than ever this season.
ture of Steelers football. Despite the near-perfect start, Roethlisberger had his weaknesses, as most rookie quarterbacks do. “When he first came into the league he was all talent, and just learning on the job,” said former Steelers offensive lineman Craig Wolfley, now a member of the team’s see ROETHLISBERGER PAGE 6
INSIDE
November 2013 VOL. 17 NO. 10
ON CAMPUS College Basketball 2013 Preview Pitt, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Penn State, PSR Top 20 PAGE 9
PURE STEEL
November Opponents PAGE 5
BLUE LINE
Jacques Martin PAGE 18
NORTH SHORE NOTES PAGE 20
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PSR INTERVIEW
UP CLOSE PAUL SPADAFORA Paul Spadafora will challenge Venezuela's Johan Perez for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title on Nov. 30 at The Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia. Spadafora, of McKees Rocks, continues an astonishing resurgence following drug and alcohol addiction, a prison sen-
tence and several stalled comeback attempts. The 38-year-old is back on the national scene after three victories in the past year over top contenders. PSR’s Tony DeFazio visited Spadafora at his southwestern Pennsylvania camp last month to talk about the upcoming fight.
“I’m thinking about Floyd (Mayweather). I’d be 49-0-1, I don’t see why I couldn’t get Floyd. That’s all I’m thinking about, to tell you the truth.” - Paul Spadafora Tony: What kind of challenge is Johan
Perez going to present? Paul: This is a big challenge for me— tall kid, big kid, strong kid. He’s a 140pounder who can punch. Long, long, long range – long and can hit. And a hard puncher. This is the first kid I’ve fought this much taller than me. Tony: This is a much different time
in your life from the last time you fought for a title. Will you approach it differently? Paul: No. Same way. I’m just a lot smarter now and I’ve got a lot of experience. I’m really looking forward to this because it’s something different than it was last time. The last time it was a dream come true. But now I know how to do it because I’ve done it before. It’s time to do it again. Tony: Where there moments where
you thought you’d never have the chance to do it again? Paul: Yeah. For sure. This is my legacy now – I came from the bottom and I got back, again. I was down and out. Before
I was down and out because I was born down and out. I was born with nothing. My upbringing was terrible. To get to where I got was amazing. I got there then I went all the way back down, worse than I ever was, because I was messing around with drugs and alcohol and living that way, and it all went away. Now I got it back – through all the adversity I got it back. It’s really unbelievable. So I’ve won regardless. If I don’t win this fight, then I don’t win this fight. I already made it back. Tony: Have you thought about what
can happen if you do win this fight? Paul: It’s already happening without even winning the fight. People are already coming out of the woodwork – people that counted me out. When it happened before, when I fought for the world title I was a 5-1 underdog. But I won. And when I won, everybody and their mother came out of the woodwork. Now, they’re already coming out. A lot of the reasons why the down-
fall happened in the first place was because I wasn’t ready for people to come out of the woodwork like that. But that’s all over with. I’ve already been down. So many people were hating on me, counting me out… the same people that I know I’ve seen doubt me, now that I’m fighting for the world title they change up real quick on you. It’s amazing. Whenever I see something like that… it’s like words can’t explain it. I just keep thinking, what is wrong with these people? Do they think I don’t remember what they did and said before? But I went through that part of my life and there ain’t nothing that I can’t do. I honestly feel like that, and it’s not bragging , it’s just that really, there ain’t been nothing that I didn’t do, you know what I mean? I got shot, I couldn’t walk, I come back and fight again, then I won a world title, then I went and got jammed up. And the one thing is, when I won the world title, I let other people break me down by giving them this and that. Well
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the locks are already on now. They ain’t getting nothing from me. Tony: If you wake up on Dec. 1 and
you’ve just beaten Perez, what are you thinking about? Paul: I’m thinking about Floyd (Mayweather). I’d be 49-0-1, I don’t see why I couldn’t get Floyd. That’s all I’m thinking about, to tell you the truth. I’m thinking about if I beat Perez, I’m thinking about going to the next, next level. So I’m thinking about him. The public will say, ‘well who did you beat to get this record?’ What are you talking about? I’m 49-0, who didn’t I fight? What didn’t I do? You ask why would he fight you, and I say why wouldn’t he fight me? So this opportunity has me looking for Floyd. Nobody controls boxing like Floyd, so if I win the fight, the first thing I’m going to say is “Why won’t you fight me?” I want to fight Floyd Mayweather. I came back to fight the best and beat the best.
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BEAT WRITERS Nate Barnes, Adam Bittner, Scott Kromko, Anthony Jaskulski, John Krysinsky, Alex Nseir, Joel Peretic, Eric Shultz, Kenneth Torgent
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cody Benjamin, Josh Carney, Melissa Esing, Steve Flinn, Chris Galiszewski, Kurt Hackimer, Mallory Merda, Tyler Pecyna, Anthony Priore, James Santelli, Erika Schneider, Taylor Skaggs, Donnie Tasser, Devon Taylor, George Von Benko, Andrew Williams
Detour on Steeler Way TONY DEFAZIO PSR EDITOR
The Steelers poor start has raised plenty of questions. Does Mike Tomlin have command of the locker room? Is Todd Haley competent? Does Dick LeBeau still have it? Kevin Colbert's draft choices have come into question. Players have come under fire. One aspect that hasn't been questioned is the top of the ladder. Dan Rooney is still the team’s chairman, but Art Rooney II has full operational control. Art officially became president in 2003, but his leadership truly grew teeth in 2009, after Dan was named U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. The transition was seamless. The team reached the Super Bowl in 2010 and, although they lost to the Green Bay Packers, the Steelers went 12-4 that season and again the next. When the Denver Broncos shocked the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card
Game in 2011, though, we began to see differences in leadership styles. It was odd when Art II said publicly that Ben Roethlisberger—who led the team to three Super Bowls in the previous seven seasons—needed to “tweak” his game. It was hardly an outrageous statement and it paled in comparison to soundbites from Cowboys' chairman Jerry Jones or Tweets by Colts' president Jim Irsay. Rooney's words were over-analyzed by fans and media, but it did represent a departure. In the past, players played, coaches coached and the Rooney's guided. Odder still was the team's press release stating that then-offensive coordinator Bruce Arians decided to retire. Days earlier, head coach Mike Tomlin and Arians himself both said that they did not foresee any coaching changes. Arians' “retirement” lasted for a few days before the Colts hired him as offensive coordinator. When Chuck Pagano underwent cancer treatments, Arians served as the team's interim head coach, led them to the playoffs
and is now Arizona's head coach. The Steelers' decision to pretend Arians retired was on par with anything Jones or Irsay has done, and certainly didn't mesh with what the Rooney family had spent years cultivating as the “Steeler Way.” The Steelers' run of success hit a wall this season. That's not an indictment of the franchise; it's simply the way of NFL. But what happens the rest of the season, and especially this upcoming off-season, will be uncharted territory. The Steelers dealt with plenty of adversity when Dan ran the team. They were patient, guarded and deliberate, as three head coaches in 45 years attests. That led to them being the most successful franchise in the NFL. There is no precedent under Art's leadership. He'll have his first real opportunity to begin establishing a legacy this off-season. And that will be much more interesting—and far more crucial to the future of the franchise—than any talk about assistant coaches, left tackles or nickel backs.
Contents
November 2013 Vol. 17, No.10
FILM CREW Shelby Cassesse, Andrew Havranek, Taylor Duncan, Nick Frost
1 BEN ROETHLISBERGER GIven the beating he has taken over the last several seasons, how much can Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have left in the tank?
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles LeClaire, Justin Berl
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Aaron Doster, William McBride, Kris Mellinger, Vincent Pugliese, Nick Susnjer, Ronald Vezzani Jr.
5 PURE STEEL Breaking Down November’s Games
9 ON CAMPUS 2013-14 NCAA Basketball Preview Pittsburgh Sports Report is published 12 times annually by Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. a Pennsylvania business corporation, 3 South Linden St, Duquesne, PA 15110 Subscription rates: 1 year, $22.95, 2 years $39.95. Additional distribution at selected outlets. This and every issue of Pittsburgh Sports Report, and all contents therein, are subject to copyright protection held by Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. (“Corp. 2013 Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc.”)
DEPARTMENTS
PSR FOCUS
18 BLUE LINE Discount Culture in Pittsburgh
20 NORTH SHORE NOTES
College Basketball
4 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
Looking Ahead to 2014
3
UP CLOSE WITH PSR Boxer Paul Spadafora
4
EDITOR’S DESK Not His Father’s Steelers
PHOTO CREDITS Charles LeClaire - 1a, 4, 5a, 5c, 6, 10, 23a, 23d, Justin Berl - 1b, 9, 14, 18, 20, 23g Vincent Pugliese - 5d, 5e Aaron Doster - 7, 23b, 23f William McBride - 12, 14b Nick Susnjer - 13 Ronald Vezzani Jr - 14a TNT Promotions - 3; Jeffrey Beall - 5b; Monessen Football - 16; ©2013 Pittsburgh Penguins/Sargent - 19; WKknight94 - 23c; Pittsburgh Pirates - 23e; Getty Images - 23h
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November Breakdowns
TYLER PECYNA
Sunday, November 3 New England Patriots Gillette Stadium 4:25 p.m., CBS MATCH-UP: Steelers ground
Sunday, November 10 Buffalo Bills Heinz Field 1:00 p.m., CBS MATCH-UP: Buffalo's Kiko
Sunday, November 17 Detroit Lions Heinz Field 1:00 p.m., FOX MATCH-UP: Lions passing
Sunday, November 24 Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium 1:00 p.m., CBS MATCH-UP: Steelers o-line
Thursday, November 28 Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium 8:30 p.m., NBC MATCH-UP: Franchise QBs.
game vs. Patriots run defense In a battle of a poor running attack—only Jacksonville and Atlanta gain fewer rush yards per game than Pittsburgh—against an even worse run defense (New England allows more ground yards than everyone but the Jaguars), the game could be decided by which unit finally picks its game up. SECRET WEAPON: Pats' CB Aqib Talib. The veteran corner ranks among the league’s best ball-hawks—he’s tied for first in the league with four interceptions—but Talib missed Weeks 7 and 8 with a hip injury. The 6-2 CB could return to New England’s secondary and pose a challenge for Pittsburgh’s shorter wideouts, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.
Alonso vs. Steelers Le’Veon Bell. Two talented rookies will encounter each other often on rushes and dumpoff passes. Linebacker Kiko Alonso, 23, recorded 81 tackles through his first halfseason, while flying under the radar among AFC rookies. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, 21, has been inconsistent, rushing for 93 yards against a stout Baltimore front seven, yet struggling in a loss to Oakland. SECRET WEAPONS: D-linemen Kyle Williams and Mario Williams. Though the Williams pairing on Buffalo’s line has faced the Steelers just three times combined in their careers, Mario and Kyle total six sacks and 18 tackles between them in that limited action.
game vs. Steelers secondary. It helps having Calvin Johnson as a target, but Matthew Stafford is still posting ridiculous stats: 327 yards per game and 12.4 yards per completion. The StaffordMegatron combo boosts Detroit to the No. 2 passing offense through half a season, but the Steelers have been solid in defending the air game, allowing just over 180 yards per contest. SECRET WEAPON: WR Kris Durham. Detroit has another tall receiver in its arsenal of physical wideouts. Durham has snuck under the radar because of Johnson’s historic output. Durham has been targeted just over half the number of times Johnson has, but he’s still posting over a dozen yards per reception.
vs. Browns pass rush. Despite the turbulence on offense, the Browns defense has been strong, ranking among the top 10 teams in pass defense. Cleveland has thrived on pressuring the quarterback to earn that billing, recording the third-most sacks (26) through eight games. Meanwhile, the Steelers offensive line is running its own revolving door and surrendered 27 sacks through the first two months. SECRET WEAPON: WR Josh Gordon. Second-year receiver Gordon has quietly posted loud numbers, even with the unpredictable rotation of arms throwing to him. He’s seen his targets hover around nine per game and has topped 125 yards three times through half the season.
Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco both own Super Bowl rings and cashed in on longterm contracts that exceeded $100 million. With their respective teams struggling this season, the two quarterbacks share a couple more traits: posting league-average stats on middling teams. Which of the two can prove he was worth the roster depletion and cap hit this time around? SECRET WEAPON: Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham. Suisham’s game-winning field goal with no time left decided the first matchup, and given that there were six other field goals—and just two touchdowns—that made up the scoring, the kicker will likely play a key role in this game as well. Just liike most Steelers-Ravens games.
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ROETHLISBERGER, from PAGE 1 broadcasting crew. “I think he had trouble with zone defenses and reading various coverages, but sometimes it was like backyard ball and he could make it work against man coverages. He just had that talent, had that drive, and had that instinct. He was able to overcome a lot of things.” Overcoming obstacles has been a big part of Roethlisberger’s career, impacting the quarterback early and often. Injuries in his second season started his roller coaster of hardships, however, Roethlisberger was able to bounce back and lead Pittsburgh to victory in Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks. He became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a championship. Now in the midst of his 10th season, Roethlisberger has already had the type of career that warrants Hall of Fame discussions. “He’s won two Super Bowls, and I think that gets the attention of some of the voters right away,” television analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts said. The “backyard ball” style Wolfley referred to hasn’t changed much over the years. Some call it unorthodox; others call it just playing the game. But despite his style—or perhaps because of it—observers have taken notice of his overall improvement over his years in the NFL. “He’s gotten more sophisticated,” Wolfley said. “He’s everything you hope to see out of an NFL quarterback. His ability to direct drives and read coverages has only enhanced.”
Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown have been the Steelers lone weapons this season.
Roethlisberger’s ability to extend plays has been perhaps his greatest asset, leading the Steelers to more than 30 game-winning fourth quarter drives, including his last-second touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes to win Super Bowl XLIII. For years he has been working behind an offensive line that leaves him no choice but to improvise and beat opposing defenses with his elusive capabilities. Injuries have hindered the success of the Steelers’ offensive lines over the past several seasons, includ-
ing the loss of last year’s No. 1 pick, guard David DeCastro, in the preseason. DeCastro’s return to health this season had Roethlisberger excited. "You know, we’re glad to have him back,” he said. “It’s good to have him back and out there because we expect big things from him.” But just when Pittsburgh thought it finally had a healthy offensive line, All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey went down in the season-opener, and was lost for the season. ”We just need the guys that are here
to fill in and step up, and do the best they can,” Roethlisberger said. The injury to Pouncey, the continued struggles of the rest of the line and the impact that has had on the running game have placed more pressure on Roethlisberger this year than any other. It wasn’t until rookie Le’Veon Bell finally made his debut in Week 4 that the Steelers had any promise at the position. Bell has shown signs of life, but it still hasn’t been enough to see ROETHLISBERGER, PAGE 7
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No active quarterback has been sacked more than Roethlisberger.
ROETHLISBERGER from PAGE 6
take the pressure off the quarterback. Free agent Larod Stephens-Howling tore his ACL in the season-opener as well, and newly acquired Felix Jones hasn’t added sufficient pop to the running game, leaving Roethlisberger without much to compliment the passing game. Unless a rushing threat emerges— and until the offensive line proves capable of handling the opposition’s
pressure—defenses will pin their ears back and come after the Steelers quarterback with abandon. Roethlisberger is on pace to shatter his record of 50 sacks, set in 2009. He is first among active quarterbacks with over 300 sacks, averaging almost 30 per season. At this pace, and at Roethlisberger’s age—he’s an “old” 31, given the physical toll all the sacks have taken on his body—his future in the league gets shorter with every hit he takes. Pittsburgh may have fallen in too
deep of a hole already this season, but Roethlisberger is not new to being called upon to do the seemingly impossible, and he’s usually delivered. “No matter how bad it gets or what’s going on, he seems to be able to pull the Steelers together and right the ship,” Wolfley said. “It’s all hands on deck, and he’s going to need a lot of help to do it. But if anyone is capable of doing it, he’s the guy.” Given all the injuries, all the sacks and all the pressure, it’s a legitimate concern as to whether Roethlis-
berger’s NFL tank is nearing empty. There is only so much one player can be asked to do. While he still has the talent and ability to get the job done, Roethlisberger could very be one hit away from the Steelers needing to find themselves a new quarterback. He is a high risk player, perhaps the best in the game at what he does, but he’s not getting any younger, and he certainly isn’t taking any less hits. “All he can control is his effort, the rest is in God’s hands,” Wolfley said. Have the Steelers already seen the best years from Ben Roethlisberger? How much time does he have left? Questions like these were once just distant thoughts, but now it may be the time that these questions demand real answers. Only time will tell what the remainder of his career will bring, but Roethlisberger would not be the first Hall of Fame level quarterback to see his career begin a decline in his early 30’s. “I think any way he hangs it up, any way he finishes, he finishes a winner,” Wolfley said. “I think he finishes strong, but nobody can ever tell.” The future for the Steelers, and Roethlisberger, looks bleak in 2013. But with the right adjustments, and the right additions, there could be more to look forward to on Sundays in Pittsburgh. They’ve certainly got the right guy behind center.
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Panthers Head South
Senior Talib Zanna will be Pitt’s only experienced post player. BY
TAYLOR SKAGGS
Pitt enters the 2013-14 season after a recent string of unprecedented player exodus. Since 2010, Pitt has lost six players to transfers—including the surprising departure of senior J.J. Moore—and one player, center Steve Adams, to early entry in the NBA draft. The loss of size from those seven, including former ESPN 100 recruits Malcolm Gilbert, Khem Birch, Adams and Moore, has left the Panthers painfully thin along the frontcourt. As a result, head coach Jamie Dixon brought in his largest recruiting class (five players) since 2008, including two forwards and a center.
A sixth, Derrick Randall, transferred in from Rutgers and will have immediate eligibility. The biggest name among the newcomers is ESPN 100 prospect Mike Young, a McKeesport native who attended high school in New Jersey. Dixon has big expectations for Young, who will contend for the starting power forward position. He also noted the advanced offensive abilities of Randall and Jamel Artis. “They have great instincts, passing and shooting skills we haven’t had before,” Dixon said, adding that he expects all of the newcomers to see playing time this season. A major wildcard in the frontcourt is junior college transfer
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Joseph Uchebo. In his freshman season at Chipola Junior College, Uchebo averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds, rating as the 21st-best prospect in the JC ranks before suffering a knee injury at the start of his sophomore year. Uchebo will be brought along as quickly as his knee will allow. In the meantime, senior Talib Zanna will anchor the post, with Young splitting time between power forward and back-up center. Randall and Artis are set to come off the bench at either spot. Despite the youth and general unfamiliarity with the Pitt system, Dixon is nonplussed. “We really have guys who are seasoned and good, good players,” Dixon said. “[The freshmen] have really played well, really picked it up.” In particular, Dixon stressed the importance of an experienced and talented backcourt as the key to success at the college level. Accordingly, the Panthers’ main strength figures to be the play of their guards and wings. Pitt has a wealth of options at the 1, 2, and 3 spots of the offense, starting with senior Lamar Patterson at small forward. The jack-of-all trades will likely be the hub of the Panthers offense, utilizing his versatile skill set to take advantage of any given situation.
“[Lamar] does a lot of things; passing, shooting, ball-handling” Dixon said. “He has a great head for the game.” James Robinson returns as the starting point guard after an impressive freshman campaign. Dixon noted Robinson’s work this summer, improving his 3-point stroke in an effort to expand his skill set. Freshman Josh Newkirk will be expected to handle the back-up point guard duties. Dixon believes that Newkirk might be the most athletic player on the roster, and if Robinson can show consistent range from deep, Dixon can pair the hyper-athletic Newkirk alongside Robinson. Playing the two together would allow the freshman to play to his strengths as a playmaker and scorer. At shooting guard, the Panthers return defensive stalwart Cameron Wright and the electric, but often erratic, Durand Johnson. Both players are highly athletic, but Pitt’s production from the 2-spot was very inconsistent last season. “[Johnson’s] going to be a big factor for us, there’s no question about it,” Dixon said. “There are a lot of possibilities at that spot that I’m excited about.” Wright, a redshirt junior, agrees with that assessment. “The team I’m most excited about is us,” Wright said when asked about the excitement surrounding Pitt’s first season in the ACC. “We have the potential to be really good.” The Panthers were picked to finish sixth in the conference by the ACC media.
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013 9
Changing Scenery BY JOSH CARNEY
Year after year, many college athletes transfer from one school to another. Football and men’s and women’s basketball see more than others, but recently the number of transfers in men’s hoops specifically has sky-rocketed. Going into the 2013-14 academic year, nearly 450 male athletes switched schools to play basketball. Most athletic transfers must sit out the first season at their new schools under NCAA guidelines. Some, however, will play right away, as they have been granted immediate eligibility. Still others have taken advantage of a new NCAA rule allowing players that have graduated to seek a master’s degree not offered at their present institution. The glut of transfers is no longer dominated by athletes simply searching for more playing time. Successful players such as Antonio Barton (Memphis to Tennessee), Tarik Black (Memphis to Kansas), Eli Carter (Rutgers to Florida), Jordan Dickerson (SMU to Penn State), Micah Mason (Drake to Duquesne), J.J. Moore (Pitt to Rutgers) and Rodney Purvis (North Carolina State to Connecticut) are just a sampling of the bigger names to transfer this past off-season. Some are willing to take a year off, while others are taking advantage of the new graduation/transfer rule. “It’s just a fact of life,” said Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon, who had four players transfer out of his program since the start of last season. “I don’t know if it’s a problem. It just is what it is. It’s a part of college. That’s what kids do. Your athletes aren’t any different than your non-athletes. People change jobs, people go to different schools.”
Dixon is certainly accurate about the commonality of transfers. Both J.J. Moore and Trey Zeigler entered last season with expectations of making major impacts for Pitt. Things didn’t work out the way either player planned, however, and now both have moved on. Zeigler, who transferred to Texas Christian, is with his third program in as many years. He came to Pitt after two years at Central Michigan. Ryan Harrow has also transferred twice – first from N.C. State to Kentucky, then from UK to Georgia State. He was granted immediate eligibility at Georgia State after he sought an NCAA waiver for family reasons. Micah Mason, a western PA native, transferred from Drake in Iowa to be closer to home at Duquesne. Coaches say that gaining or losing a player to a transfer has pros and cons. “It is a challenge,” Pitt assistant coach Barry Rohrssen said. “Hopefully, you’ll be getting someone that will be more productive with change. You never exactly know why a kid makes his original choice in the first place, whether it was family, friends. Maybe you go there and it isn’t exactly what you thought. “In some respects, a transfer is both a blessing and a curse,” Rohrssen explained. “Sometimes kids can use something different. Other times, just like we learn in life, it’s better to just stick things out and work harder where you’re at than to just move on.” Rohrssen added that transfers can be “like used cars. One of them could have 100,000 miles left on him, or he could be a lemon. You just never know.” The graduation rule has made it easier for student-athletes to transfer be-
10 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
Former Pitt forward J.J. Moore is now at Rutgers.
cause they don’t have to sit out a season. Transfer numbers are still high, however, whether players must sit out or not. "I can only speculate like most people do, but kids just aren't willing to wait,” West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said. “I think that's the biggest thing... It just doesn't appear that today's kids are as willing to wait. “When you've got 400 kids transferring in a year? OK, that's a lot now,” Huggins added. “It didn't used to be that way." With the potential to land older players with college experience through transfers, some coaches are concerned recruiting at the high school level will be impacted. "I think most of that's a fallacy, recruiting kids from the time they're 16 or 17,” Huggins said. “I think we go out and watch them in AAU and obviously you try to watch them when they're younger but we don't have a
whole hell of a lot of personal contact with them. So you probably don't get to know them as well as you used to get to know them because you're not allowed to have the personal contact that we once were.” With college basketball’s best players often entering the NBA after just one year, and more players transferring every year, the game has changed dramatically over the past decade. While the best programs used to develop players through solid recruiting and a deep bench, the days of players earning playing time by paying their dues seem to be almost over. Don’t be surprised to see more and more programs, and more and more coaches, turning to a transfer or two— or three, or four—to not only fill holes but also to play key roles in determining the success of their teams. That seems to be the norm in college basketball today.
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Preseason Top 20
3. Duke – Though lacking depth and
13. Memphis – Will this be the year
talent at center, Duke is loaded with guards and forwards. Expect tons of small-ball.
that Josh Pastner finally turns his stellar recruiting classes into a deep tourney run?
4. Kansas – If Andrew Wiggins lives
14. VCU – Many observers think this
up to his reputation, watch out. The Jayhawks trot out a trio of lottery-bound freshmen.
is Shaka Smart’s best team yet. Let loose the dogs of war and cry Havoc (defense).
5. Arizona – The Wildcats have an
15. Gonzaga – The Bulldogs were
intriguing mix of talented players. If they mesh, they have a legit title shot.
bounced in the second round last season despite receiving a oneseed. Has the title window closed?
6. Louisville – The Cardinals have a
16. Oregon – The Ducks stormed to
Final Four team, but the suspension of Chane Behanan knocks them down a few pegs.
the Sweet 16 last season, and they will push Arizona for the Pac-12 title this year.
7. Florida – Star recruit Chris Walker
17. Marquette – The Golden Eagles
is eligible to play in December. A dark horse title team once he suits up.
will try to return to the Sweet 16 for the fourth year in a row.
e nc rie e p ex rt
on cti e nn co on
in no va ti
tus darkens the Tar Heels’ outlook, but there is plenty of talent to go around.
co m fo
12. North Carolina – P.J. Hairston’s sta-
Gary Harris, the Spartans bring enough talent and experience to keep pace with Kentucky.
life
2. Michigan State – Behind guard
t en itm m m co
qu al ity
games close, but outside of sixthyear senior C.J. Fair, the Orange will struggle to score.
co mm un ity
11. Syracuse – Their zone will keep
first-round draft choices on the roster, the 'Cats roll out an NBA team every night.
res ult s
1. Kentucky – With eight potential
This is where it all comes together. A focus on you. A search for better ideas. A promise to the places we call home. This is Allegheny Health Network.
18. Wichita State – Fresh off a stun8. Michigan – If Mitch McGary can
ning Final Four appearance, the Shockers must reload after losing three of their top five scorers.
replicate his postseason performance throughout this season, the Wolverines can survive Trey Burke’s departure.
19. UCLA – Can Steve Alford take
9. Oklahoma State – With Marcus
the talent-rich program out of the Ben Howland era “doldrums”?
Smart leading a talented group, the Cowboys may finally unseat Kansas atop the Big 12. 10. Ohio State – The Buckeyes’ ex-
tremely experienced team won’t make many buckets, but they’ll likely boast the best defense in the country.
20. UConn – Once again eligible for
the NCAA tourney, the Huskies will rely on a trio of talented guards. Compiled by Taylor Skaggs
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Call 412.DOCTORS AHN.org
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013 11
Still Building on the Bluff
Sophomore Derrick Colter leads the Dukes. BY
TYLER PECYNA
Derrick Colter, Duquesne’s 5-11 point guard, inbounds the ball to a teammate, who immediately dishes it back to a striding Colter in the closing seconds of a Feb. 14 game at Temple. He dribbles and weaves the length of the court, with the Dukes trailing by a point against the Owls, one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10. Colter encounters a taller defender and forces a difficult shot just left of the paint. He misses, but a defender bumps him. He sinks both free throws to carry the Dukes to their first win in 11 games. The 84-83 upset would be the high point for a team that finished 8-22 overall and 1-15 in the conference.
Entering 2013-14, the outlook isn’t much brighter as the Dukes were picked last in the preseason A-10 poll. Colter, now a sophomore after earning A-10 All-Rookie Team honors, highlights a group of three returning scholarship players. Alongside Colter: sophomore forward Jeremiah Jones and senior forward Jerry Jones, both return. Duquesne lost nine scholarship players: second leading scorer Sean Johnson and leading rebounder Andre Marhold graduated, six players transferred and another decided to quit basketball and play soccer at Duquesne. Now the majority of the Dukes’ roster is bolstered by eight first-year scholarship players, headlined by senior forward Ovie Soko.
12 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
The 6-8 Soko, who sat out last year after transferring from Alabama-Birmingham, thoroughly impressed in practices throughout the spring and, more recently, in an October scrimmage. The team’s media guide mentions Soko’s 40-inch verticals and 11 double-doubles at his former school. CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein tweeted that he expects “Soko to be a borderline All Atlantic 10 player,” and that he “will have a major impact for Duquesne.” Second-year head coach Jim Ferry had a more selective description for Soko’s scrimmage play. He “was a monster,” Ferry said at the team’s media day on Oct. 28. The London-born Soko averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds at UAB. A roster concern is that the depth that once intrigued Ferry has been evaporating as the Nov. 9 seasonopener quickly approaches. “We were able to address a lot of needs as well as strengthen the weaknesses that were obvious last season,” Ferry said in April. “We were able to add quality ball-handling, scoring, shooting, size and versatility… This group will help get us much closer to playing the way we want to play.” Isaiah Watkins, a 6-7, 220-pound freshman from Toronto, had leg surgery just above his knee in the summer. Then Watkins had another procedure for the same injury in October. Another freshman forward from Toronto, 6-8 Jordan Robinson, has dealt with eligibility issues since committing to Duquesne at the end of February. Sophomore guard Micah Mason transferred from Drake, but the Highlands grad has not received NCAA el-
igibility, either. Mason transferred because of complications with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, disorder of the central nervous system. It’s is a frustrating scenario for the Dukes because it’s a seemingly legitimate reason to switch schools, and, as Rothstein noted, Mason is a “lights out shooter.” Rothstein sees similar offensive potential in 5-10 junior college transfer Tra’Vaughn White, saying the junior guard should be the Dukes’ scoring leader. White led all junior college players with 25.9 points per game. “Tra’Vaughn has lived up to what he is,” Ferry said. “I wasn’t surprised, but I’m happy.” But even that promising praise has been tempered because of a high ankle sprain sustained last month. “A month ago ... we said, ‘Geez, where are we going to find minutes for everybody?’” Ferry said. “Now, it’s like, ‘Where are we going to find guys to play the minutes?’” Ferry indicated on media day that Colter, Jeremiah Jones and Soko might snag starting spots. And with young options to plug the gaps—also including forward Dominique McKoy, center Darius Lewis and point guard Desmond Ridenour—Soko knows the importance of grooming the talent. “I hold myself accountable for setting examples for the young guys,” he said. But the first thing is reestablishing that deep roster. “If we can get everybody healthy and everybody cleared, we’ll have some depth this year that we lacked,” Ferry said. “We are significantly more talented.”
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Welcome Back BY ADAM BITTNER
The third year of a college basketball coach’s tenure at a school is typically when fans start looking for results. With a few of his own recruiting classes in the program, he has enough ownership that a lot of opinions about his ability begin to form, for better or worse. At Penn State, where winning tradition is harder to come by and recruiting expectations are low, that pressure isn’t as intense. But Pat Chambers would go a long way in currying favor with fans if he can get his Nittany Lions in position to compete for a postseason berth after a 10-21 finish a year ago that included a 14-game losing streak to open Big Ten play. That grinding conference schedule is on the table again this year, as are nonconference dates with St. Johns, Pitt and Duquesne. But as an upset of national runnerup Michigan late last year is any indication, the team has the horses to at least compete with anyone in the Big Ten. Here’s a look at Penn State’s personnel for 2013-2014. Guards
Penn State will get a former All-Big Ten point guard back in the mix when Tim Frazier returns from a ruptured Achillies suffered last November. So that’s the good news. The bad news is Jermaine Marshall and his 15.3 points per game are gone to Arizona State. So is his perimeter shooting, which would have opened up more space for Frazier and last year’s leading scorer, D.J. Newbill, both of whom profile more as slashers than shooters.
With the latter two in the mix, though, the Lions still figure to have one of the best starting backcourts in the Big Ten, as both can do a little bit of everything. Newbill averaged five rebounds and four assists last season while Frazier complimented his 16.3 points per game with 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 2011-2012. Penn State will look to Miami (Ohio) transfer Allen Roberts to fill the role that Marshall likely would have. Roberts, who averaged 12.3 points per game last year, is eligible immediately and figures to keep defenses honest of the Lions’ top two guards. Pittsburgh native Geno Thorpe will battle for time off the bench, as will fellow freshman Graham Woodward and Pitt transfer John Johnson, who will become eligible in the second semester. Junior Kevin Montminy and senior Zach Cooper will round out the Lions’ options out top. Forwards
While Chambers’ backcourt has plenty of proven options at his disposal, his frontcourt has little more than potential after losing Sasa Borovnjak and his 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season to graduation. Ross Travis, who averaged 7.0 points and 7.4 rebounds, is the most decorated member of the group. If the 6-6 junior can push his averages toward double-double territory, he’ll be the most likely to take some of the heat off the guards. Three-star rated freshman Julian Moore will bring a lot of size to the table. Listed at 6-10, 215 pounds, the
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Tim Frazier’s return from injury provides an enormous boost to the Lions.
Fort Washington native and Germantown Academy graduate has a frame that could be Big Ten ready immediately, but that’s something he’ll have to prove in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Moore will likely compete for time with the slightly smaller but more experienced Donovon Jack, a former Duquesne commit who averaged 1.7 points and 1.0 rebound last season. He was good in spurts last season, putting up eight points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with three rebounds in an overtime win against Delaware State. This year, consistency will be key, as Penn State could really use a player who could step into Borovnjak’s figures. In the swing category, Brandon Taylor will probably be Chambers’ top op-
tion as a traditional small forward. The free-shooting sophomore averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds last year. The scoring figure doesn’t really say much about his nightly contributions, though. He went scoreless in seven games last season but finished in double figures six times, so the wild inconsistency leaves a lot of room for him to find a happy medium. If he can do that, the 6-7 flex guy could play at the three when Chambers wants size and shift to an undersized four if he’d like to keep the FrazierNewbill-Roberts trio on the floor. Freshman Payton Banks and former walkon Alan Wisniewski could challenge for time, too.
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013 13
Colonials Primed for Another Run BY CODY BENJAMIN
After a disappointing loss in the semifinals in last year’s Northeast Conference Tournament resulted in one of greatest wins in program history—the Colonials opening round defeat of Kentucky in the NIT— Robert Morris is looking to take the extra step into the NCAA Tournament. Under Andrew Toole, the youngest coach in Division I at 32, the Colonials limited opponents to 0.99 points per possession last year, good enough to rank first in the conference. Robert Morris also boasted one of the most productive offensive units in the NEC, ranking fifth in points per game. It’s not as if the team is new to such success, either, as the 141-67 record it has posted over the last six seasons serves as a school and conference record. The biggest key for Robert Morris in its attempt to capture an 11th regularseason NEC title will likely be the chemistry between a remodeled starting lineup, as well as the ability of several newcomers to make immediate impacts. Three of the five regulars from last year are no longer on the roster. Missing from the lineup are point guard Velton Jones, a fifth-senior in 2012-13 who garnered much recognition for his command of the court; forward Russell Johnson, whose versatility will likely be missed after his eligibility expired following last season; and shooting guard Coron Williams, who was one of the Colonials’ most productive outside shooters but now plays for Wake Forest after a post-graduate transfer. Jones was, in essence, the general of the court, whereas Johnson and
Williams each made a significant impact in certain areas of the game, with the latter draining 42.3 percent of his 3-point shots in his four-years with the team. Toole and his staff were able to lure a handful of promising junior college players onto the squad, and three returning veterans seem to make for a sturdy centerpiece. The most notable additions to the team are Charles Oliver, a JUCO transfer who overcame a so-so outing at Rider with a productive stint at Lakeland College; Aaron Tate, a former Dodge City Community College standout who lacks size but appears to be an ideal fit at power forward; and Desjuan Newton, who helped lead Central Arizona College to a 28-4 record as a sophomore. If Oliver is able to translate his skill set to the Colonials’ lineup, the departure of Coron Williams may very well prove to be less of a hurdle than expected. Of course, losing one of the team’s most prolific players on the outside is not to be overlooked, but Oliver could make a noticeable difference for Robert Morris’ offense. After averaging 19.3 points per game while converting 44.9 percent of his 3-point shots for Lakeland, he could develop into a vital piece of the Colonials’ rebuilt lineup. The same can be said about both Tate and Newton. At only 6-5, the former already lacks some of the physical dominance that was sometimes displayed by the likes of Johnson, but Tate appears to have more than enough toughness to hold down a spot, and could also be a key rotational player at small forward during rebounding situations. Newton, on
14 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
Karvel Anderson and the Colonials look to build on last year.
the other hand, gives Robert Morris a boost of athleticism and figures to have an immediate role among the team’s shooting corps. The trio of additions to Robert Morris’ lineup isn’t the only promising aspect, however, as the two returning starters, forwards Lucky Jones and Mike McFadden, could serve as solid building blocks on the court. As a sophomore last year, Jones posted a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game and seems primed to step into the spotlight as a veteran starter, whereas the 6-8 McFadden has demonstrated an invaluable sense of reliability and consistency as an inside shooter and defender. Senior Karvel Anderson, who added points in bunches off the bench
a year ago, is likely to see a boost in playing time as part of the new starting lineup. Another important piece could be senior Anthony Myers-Pate, who figures to see a larger role in 2013-14 without the presence of Jones. Last year, he notched an average of 2.8 assists per game. The Colonials also welcome freshmen Kavon Steweart, Britton Lee and Jeremiah Worthem to the program. If their recent success is any indication of RMU's ability to come together and take advantage of their potential, the new faces and returning pieces could very well be more than enough for another cruise atop the NEC.
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TOP5
BY CODY BENJAMIN
WPIAL/CITY LEAGUE
Marcus Johnson, University Prep
Receptions
52 receptions - 1,186 yards Tyler Aeschbacher, Carmichaels 52 receptions - 885 yards Luke Smorey, Baldwin 50 receptions - 981 yards
Rushing Yards Joshua Schultheis, Mars
flin: 229 carries - 2,022 yards
175 carries - 1,459 yards Cole Blake, Moon: 179 carries - 1,457 yards Tyler Balla, Greensburg Central Catholic: 208 carries - 1,411 yards
Kobrys,
Fort Cherry: 150 carries 1,681 yards
43 receptions - 780 yards Delvon Randall, Gateway
43 receptions - 668 yards
Jimmy Wheeler
Passing Yards
Jimmy Wheeler, West Mif-
Koltan
Nick Bowers, Kittanning
Ronald Brown, University
Ben DiNucci, Pine-Rich-
Prep: 149-236, 37 TD, 2,600 yards Alex Rowse, Beaver: 145238, 34 TD, 2,148 yards Jimmy Moore, Gateway 116-231, 19 TD, 1,923 yards
land: 141-200, 15T D , 1,891 yards Lenny Williams, Sto-Rox
86-124, 28 TD, 1,855 yards
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Sponsored By:
COGO’ S
Ronald Brown
Season Recap CoGo’s wishes to thank all the local football programs who helped make the 2013 High School Football Feature Matchup
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CoGo’s sponsors the best in WPIAL High School Football action all season, featuring games across the region every Friday night. Local CoGo’s stores will make a generous monetary donation to the athletic departments of the host schools, as well as donate cups and iced tea to the concession stands. The Pittsburgh Sports Report high school writers break down the games beforehand, and the PSR video crew documents the highlights online after the games.
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Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles, Mars Fighting Planets, Penn Trafford Warriors, South Park Eagles and Washington Little Prexies. Good luck in the playoffs!
Catch the highlights at www.cogos.com
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013 15
Mon Valley Football: Monessen Greyhounds BY CODY BENJAMIN
Clairton has captured the last four single-A state titles, but this season, the team that snapped the Bears’ astounding 66-game winning streak is determined to take the throne as the new champion of the gridiron. “Our mindset when we start every year is, ‘We’re going to make the playoffs, we’re going to win the conference,’” said coach Andy Pacak, who helped the Monessen Greyhounds do just that, shocking Clairton in the process of a 9-1 season atop the Black Hills Conference. Halting the Bears’ streak with a 4224 win on Sep. 20, the Greyhounds technically finished in a three-way tie with Clairton and Fort Cherry, but be-
cause of the WPIAL tie-breaking rules, came out in first place. After losing just one game this season, a defeat that came at the hands of Fort Cherry, Monessen heads into the postseason seeded third, behind only Sto-Rox and Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, both of whom went undefeated.. “First and foremost, you always have to start the conversation with Clairton,” Pacak said. “They’ve won this four years in a row, and we were fortunate to beat them to break their [overall] streak, but until someone says different, Clairton is the team to watch…and there are lots of other good football teams in the playoffs.” Monessen is led by quarterback Noah Rullo, who threw for 18 touchdowns and 1,257 yards on the season,
and running back Clintell Gillaspie, who finished the year with an average of nearly 10 yards per carry to go along with 509 receiving yards and 174 points, tied for first in the WPIAL. Pacak, who told his team that “Everyone is 0-0 in the playoffs,” heads to the postseason stressing the importance of continued dedication and focus. He also addressed the team’s health, pointing out that several players are back for the playoffs and simply add depth to a physically-prepared unit. That being said, Monessen is doing its best to steer clear from complacency as the playoffs near. “We want to be a little more consistent in execution on the offensive line,
Monessen’s Seniors
and defensively, we’d like for our linebackers to get to the ball a little better,” Pacak said. “You can’t coach and say you’re refining high school kids because it’s not like the college or pros, but you just be honest with the kids and the coaches, and say we need to be better.”
Season Wrap Up Saturday Sept. 7 McKeesport 33 Woodland Hills 20
Friday Sept. 20 Monessen 42 Clairton 24
Friday Oct. 4 Woodland Hills 42 Baldwin 21
Friday Oct. 18 Thomas Jefferson 49 Uniontown 6
Friday Sept. 13 Elizabeth Forward 37 Laurel Highlands 7
Friday Sept. 27 Monessen 40 Bishop Canevin 6
Friday Oct. 11 Ringgold 52 Elizabeth Forward 36
Thomas Jefferson 35 West Mifflin 0
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Friday Oct. 25
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a generous monetary donation to the host teams, as
16 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
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Behind the Net: Discount Culture
BY JOEL PERETIC
Sidney Crosby is doing it. Kris Letang is doing it. Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz are doing it too. Welcome to Pittsburgh: home of the hometown discount. The Penguins have something that other NHL organizations don’t have. It’s an aura; a cult-like presence that superstars, role players and free agents gravitate to. It’s a feeling that instills a sense of size and importance in every participant, impressing upon them the awareness of joining together and sacrificing for something that is bigger and longer lasting than their ego, wealth or statistics. These men are playing for history. Just ask Jarome Iginla, who spurned an offer from the Boston Bruins last year for membership in the Skull and Bones Society of the NHL.
Crosby can be credited as the catalyst of the movement. Widely regarded as the best player in the world, the captain could have demanded to be the highest paid player in hockey last year. He didn’t, offering instead to help the team financially by forfeiting any type of raise. What followed was an overflow of Penguins-disciples jumping at the chance to cede cash for Cups. Evgeni Malkin, Letang, Dupuis and Kunitz all bought into the idea, opting to pass on maximizing their individual values. Perhaps most impressive of the group is the 34-year-old Dupuis, a career journeyman who had never secured an offer worth more than $1.5 million a season. With 20 goals last year, he ranked among the NHL’s elite goal-scorers. His 35 even-strength goals over the past two years are fifthmost in the league.
18 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
Some players in his company include Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos and John Tavares. Their average salary this season is $6.5 million. And while the winger may not be in their same class, he surely could have commanded the $4.5 million that Ville Leino receives yearly from the Buffalo Sabres. Dupuis didn’t shop around for a team desperate to reach the new cap floor. Rather, he signed a new deal worth $3.75 million per year for four seasons – a price well below his market value. Fellow linemate Kunitz followed the same path. Also 34 years old, the former Duck inked a new three-year contract worth $11.55 million – this despite finishing seventh in NHL scoring last year. Netting 48 goals over the past two years, Kunitz’s total is higher than the 42 Bobby Ryan, Daniel Sedin and Martin St. Louis have scored in the same span. None of those players will earn less than $5.5 million this year. Kunitz, however, will barely make a $100,000 raise next year even though he increased his points-per-game by more than a quarter over the last two seasons. And how about the Penguins Norris Trophy candidate? Letang’s 1.09 points per game average made him the only defenseman to average more than a point a game last year. Just one other blueliner even managed to reach a one point per game average: Boston’s Torey Krug, who tallied one assist in one game. Letang may not have been awarded
the league’s trophy for more most valuable defenseman, but he was rewarded by the Penguins with a new eight-year deal worth a convenient $58 million. That is nearly $181,250 per point scored over the last two years. A look around the league illustrates that the NHL’s other elite defensemen hover right around that mark. The St. Louis Blues’ Alex Pietrangelo’s new contract is quite lucrative in comparison, paying him $224,000 per point scored over the last two seasons. Reigning Norris Trophy winner PK Subban’s looks like a bargain at $78,000 per point in the same span, but remember that Subban held out last season just to earn little security with a two-year contract. And the Norris Trophy winner before him? That’d be Erik Karlsson, who is earning a comparable $143,000 per point. Due to the shrinking salary cap, contracts like Letang’s—reached after the new CBA last year—are of less yearly value than the ones reached prior to it. But, consider that Letang could have opted for the upcoming free agent market, where he would have been one of only two available defensemen under the age of 30 to have ever scored 50 points in a season. Suddenly, $7.25 million a year doesn’t look too bad. Credit the Penguins and their management for conjuring such a culture. But, credit the originator of the movement for wiping clean the $32.5 million debt Pittsburgh owed him 14 years ago.
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Why Jacques? BY KURT HACKIMER
One of the more unexpected moves the Penguins made this summer was their decision to bring Jacques Martin aboard as an assistant coach. For Martin, a defensive guru who has spent 17 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, including a nine-year run with the Ottawa Senators, this hiring appears to be a demotion. For the Penguins, Martin is a highprofile hire for a low-profile position. So what prompted the Penguins to hire Jacques Martin? And why is the marriage already working so well? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em
Last postseason, the Bruins effortlessly quelled the Penguins’ explosive offensive attack by intercepting neutral zone passes, expertly clogging shooting lanes, and exposing the Penguins’ passive forecheck en route to an easy, and embarrassing, four-game sweep. But, while the Bruins executed their game plan perfectly, they’re not the first team to expose the Penguins’ run-andgun offense in the playoffs. That honor goes to the 2010 Montreal Canadiens and their then-head coach, Jacques Martin. The eighth-Canadiens developed the blueprint on how to derail explosive offenses in the post-lockout NHL. Martin’s team defeated the highly favored Washington Capitals and the Penguins by negating their star players’ ability to handle the puck and get high percentage shots. This season, the Penguins defense seems to have adopted the same blue-
print that has ousted them in recent postseasons. These new-look Penguins stuff shooting lanes and aren’t in a hurry to rush the puck up ice. They’re aggressive on the forecheck, utilizing the 1-2-2 to apply pressure to opposing defenses. They’ve even broken out the patented 2-3 left wing lock to suffocate opposing offenses in the neutral zone. Through the first month of the season, the Penguins ranked near the top of the league in blocked shots and near the bottom in giveaways, helping much-maligned goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury get off to the best start of his career. There’s no “I� in “TEAM�
Is it coincidence that the Penguins brought in Martin barely one month after Kris Letang signed a $58 million contract extension? Not entirely. Martin certainly recognizes Letang's immense talent. “Letang has tremendous vision and tremendous offensive skill,� Martin said in August. “Like many other young defensemen, it’s about improving without the puck and playing more of a controlled game.� But one shouldn’t expect Jacques Martin to turn Letang into a shutdown defenseman. “Letang’s such a dynamic offensive player that the Penguins are stupid if they’re worrying about his defensive prowess,� said Greg Wyshynski of the hockey blog Puck Daddy. “Let his defensive partner figure that out.�
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New Pens’ assistant coach Jacques Martin behind the bench
Ray Shero also made it clear that Martin was not brought in exclusively to mentor Kris Letang but to pass his wisdom on to the entire team. “We want him to come in and add to our team,� Shero said. “[Martin’s hiring] is going to benefit our entire coaching staff and all of our players.� Team America
The Winter Olympics are right around the corner and Team USA is going to bring a tangible Pittsburgh vibe with it to Sochi as Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero assume the respective roles of head coach and associate GM. With Bylsma and Shero preparing for Sochi, the Penguins will certainly benefit from a steady hand like Martin in the locker room. “This isn’t just Bylsma’s first Olympics, it’s his first international
tournament of any kind as a head coach,� Wyshynski said. “I’m sure the dynamic changes [will end] when the Olympics are over, but I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Martin playing an active role with the Pens in the months leading up to it.� “We’ve always looked at situations where we need to get better and improve upon,� Dan Bylsma said. “The expertise of Jacques and his experience in the game at many different levels is what we want to add to our club.� Martin is just happy to contribute. “I always see coaching as team work. I wanted my assistant coaches to be strong-minded people who express themselves,� Martin said. “Hopefully I can bring some of those same contributions to Dan and the rest of the staff.�
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Just Getting Started Pirates Try to Build on 2013’s Success BY TYLER PECYNA
For the first time in two decades, the end of Pittsburgh’s baseball season wasn’t an escape from another six-month disaster. The last out of 2013 might have resulted in more disappointment than previous years, but that’s because hope still lingered in October. The success of 2013 sets up a critical offseason for the Pirates, who are coming off a 94-win campaign that ended with a Game 5 loss to St. Louis in the NL Division Series. Pressing questions surround the starting rotation, a unit that delivered consistently solid production. Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano and Charlie Morton are near locks to fill three of the rotation slots, but A.J. Burnett, who will turn 37 on Jan. 3, has a cloudier future. Burnett resurrected his career in Pittsburgh with two dominant seasons that starkly contrasted his last two miserable years in New York. “I think they’d love to bring him back,” MLB Network analyst Sean Casey said. “But you wonder if there are hard feelings from him not getting the start in Game 5 [of the NLDS].” The Pirates chose to start the rookie Cole in favor of Burnett, who struggled mightily to start the series. Nonetheless, Burnett said at the end of October that he’s deciding between retirement and re-signing with Pittsburgh. “He’s been such a great fit there, he’s been so good for that rotation, so good
for the team that I’m sure Neal Huntington’s going to make a run for him,” Casey said. Team President Frank Coonelly said as much on Oct. 22, when Pittsburgh’s City Council honored the organization with “Pittsburgh Pirate Day.” "He's got a decision to make, first and foremost, whether it's time for him to spend more time with his family or whether he thinks he can go another year," Coonelly said. "If he decides that he wants to come back, we definitely want A.J. back." With Tim Lincecum recently receiving a two-year, $35 million contract with the Giants, Burnett has leverage to command a similar deal. Another rotation spot could go to Wandy Rodriguez, who pitched just 62 1/3 innings before his season ended with a left forearm strain. Rodriguez, who turns 35 in January, is likely to exercise the $13 million player option in his current contract. The Pirates’ rotation options aren’t limited to aging veterans. Jameson Taillon will be biding his time as a 22-yearold in triple-A, and could be on the same path as Cole, who was called up to the majors on June 11 last summer. Baseball America writer John Perrotto said there’s a chance Taillon is put on that kind of schedule. “He had an OK year,” Perrotto said. “I don’t think he had a great year, but if he steps his game up then he could definitely be in the major leagues at
20 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
some point in 2014.” Another triple-A prospect that could fill an apparent hole is 22-yearold outfielder Gregory Polanco. “A lot of depends on what [the Pirates] do in the offseason, if they add an outfielder, if they re-sign [Marlon] Byrd or if they decide to give [Jose] Tabata the chance to play every day again,” said Perrotto. Signing Byrd appeals to Casey. “[This season] looked like a little resurrection for him,” Casey said. “He really swung the bat well, played good defense. If there was one guy I’d think about bringing back, it’d be Byrd.” Which isn’t to say that first baseman Justin Morneau’s career is toast. With both Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez due for raises in arbitration, the team
may non-tender either or both. At shortstop, the Pirates could decide to give Jordy Mercer a full-season look with Clint Barmes at the end of his contract. Casey thinks the Pirates 2013 success will make it easier to lure free agents to the team. “I think it is huge for free agents,” Casey said. “You start to see, ‘OK, these guys are starting to win, Clint Hurdle’s great in that dugout, Neal Huntington and those guys have done a great job in the front office.’ They’ve created that winning culture and anytime you’re a free agent, you’re looking to go to a place you can win, and I think free agents are going to take the Pittsburgh Pirates seriously.”
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Off-Season Calendar
2004), Barry Bonds (MVP in 1992), Jim Leyland (Manager of the Year in 1992) and Doug Drabek (Cy Young in 1990). Nov. 6: Silver Slugger Awards announced
Nov. 1: Eligible players become free agents
Pitcher A.J. Burnett, shortstop Clint Barmes, right fielder Marlon Byrd and first baseman Justin Morneau headline the Pirates players whose contracts expire at the end of the 2013 season. While Burnett is contemplating retirement, and any chance of Barmes returning would likely depend on his willingness to sign as a back-up to Jordy Mercer, both players could realistically return to the team next season. The Pirates would certainly entertain the possibility of inking Byrd to a short-term deal, and Morneau is one of several free agent first basemen on the market the Pirates could consider adding in 2014. The team could also be in the market for another starting pitcher as well as several bullpen arms.
Nov. 4: MLB Network announces the Players Choice Awards
Three Pirates are finalists for the network’s National League awards, led by Francisco Liriano, who is up for two of the four honors. Liriano is a finalist for Outstanding Pitcher, along with the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Marlins’ Jose Fernandez; he is also up for Comeback Player of the Year – against teammate Marlon Byrd and Colorado’s Troy Tolowitzki. Andrew McCutchen will battle Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt and St. Louis’s Yadier Molina for Outstanding Player. Nov. 5: Baseball Writers Association of America Awards finalists are announced
The BBWAA doles out annual awards in both leagues for rookie of the year, manager of the year, Cy Young and MVP. The last Pirates to win the awards are Jason Bay (Rookie of the Year in
22 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • NOVEMBER 2013
The Silver Slugger Award is presented annually to the best offensive player at each position, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball. Last year, Andrew McCutchen became the first Pirates player since Jack Wilson in 2004 to win a Sliver Slugger Award. McCutchen and third baseman Pedro Alvarez are legitimate contenders to win Silver Sluggers in 2013. Nov. 11: Sporting News Executive of the Year named and BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookies of the Year announced
While Gerrit Cole had a fantastic rookie season, he only made it to the big leagues in June. General Manager Neal Huntington, however, will be among the leading candidates for Executive of the Year. Nov. 12: BBWAA Managers of the Year announced
Clint Hurdle won the Sporting News Manager of the Year and will certainly be among the favorites for the BBWAA honor after leading the Pirates to a 15game improvement and their first playoff berth in two decades.
Nov. 13: BBWAA Cy Young Awards announced
While Clayton Kersaw of the Dodgers is the heavy favorite—and might be a unanimous winner—Francisco Liriano will finish among the top vote-getters. Nov. 14: BBWAA Most Valuable Players announced
Andrew McCutchen has a real shot at the award, along with the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter, the Diamondbacks’ Paul Goldschmidt and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw. Dec. 2: Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players
The big question in this category is whether or not the Bucs tender Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez. Dec. 9-12: Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings
Trades are made, free agents are signed and managers are often hired at or around the winter meetings. Pirates’ fans will likely have more interest than usual in what goes on this offseason. Dec. 12 Rule 5 Draft
The Pirates didn’t take or lose any players in last year’s Rule 5 Draft. While that may or may not be the case this year, the team will be hard-pressed to do better than they did nearly six decades ago. The 1954 Rule 5 Draft worked out pretty well for the Bucs and not quite as well for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Pirates were able to snag a pretty good young outfielder from the Dodgers that offseason – a right fielder by the name of Roberto Clemente.
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