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SEPTEMBER 2014
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EDITOR’S DESK
Friday Night Lights TONY DEFAZIO PSR EDITOR
I spent three days in August visiting 18 high schools across the WPIAL. I drove 533 miles, took hundreds of photographs, shook hands with dozens of coaches, athletic directors and principals and climbed way too many stadium steps. I loved every minute of it. My preparation for the 2014 high school football season pales compared to what the players, coaches, cheerleaders, bands, administrators, boosters and parents have to do, of course. High school football is special time in western Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh Sports Report is fortunate to have a pair of corporate partners who understand that. U.S. Steel and CoGo's go further than merely understanding that high school football is a big deal in these parts, though. Both companies understand why that's so. The companies are vastly different.
CoGo's is a convenience store franchise that first opened in the South Hills of Pittsburgh in 1962. United States Steel Corporation is a multi-national integrated steel production company founded in 1901, making the steel that built bridges and the weapons that won this country's wars. What the two companies have in common, however, is Pittsburgh. Both companies are founded and headquartered here, but more than that, both are comprised of the people of the region. And that's what drives the connection to high school football. It's not the success of our local high school football teams and players that sparks the passion in the region— though there certainly is plenty of success to brag about—it’s the people. And that’s exactly what CoGo’s and US Steel both understand. The football players themselves play the starring roles, but also the most fleeting. The passion of the fans—nervous moms, beaming dads, supportive girlfriends— fill the stadiums across the region every
Friday night in the fall. The energy of the students—from the enthusiasm of the cheerleaders to the syncopation of the band to the rowdiness of the kids— drives the heightened excitement in stands. The tireless volunteers, the hard-working administrators, the dedicated coaches – everything comes together to make high school football the spectacle we all appreciate. CoGo’s is back supporting their communities with the High School Feature Matchup every Friday night this season. U.S. Steel returns to honor the neighborhoods throughout the Mon-Valley with the Game of the Week. Look for previews, highlights and photos in your monthly PSR, our digital version and our website at www.pittsburghsportsreport.com. Coverage starts this month. And if you’re not a fan, that’s fine too – you probably don’t understand what all the excitement is about. If you are, however, then you certainly don’t need me to explain this to you. The hair on the back of your neck is explanation enough.
Contents
September 2014 Vol. 19, No.8
DEPARTMENTS
PSR FOCUS 6 PURE STEEL Steelers Defense Around The NFL Steelers Preview AFC North Power Ratings
13 ON CAMPUS Pitt Basketball High School Football Recruiting Robert Morris Hockey
20 NORTH SHORE NOTES Russell Martin Playoff Questions.
NFL PREVIEW
22 BLUE LINES Pens New Additions Sam Lafferty
www.pittsburghsportsreport.com
3
UP CLOSE WITH PSR ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick
4
EDITOR’S DESK High school football is back
PHOTO CREDITS Charles LeClaire 1, 7b, 7c, 9c, 9d, 11a, 12b, 22a Justin Berl - 3, 6, 7a, 9b, 18, 21, 24a Mark Alberti - 10, 12d, 14 Vincent Pugliese - 11b, 11c Ronald Vezzani Jr - 15 Nick Susnjer - 16 Aaron Doster - 20 ESPN Images - 4; AP Photo/Keith Srakocic - 7a; Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports - 8a; Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports - 8b; AP Photo/Ted S. Warren - 9a; AP Photo/Jack Dempsey - 12a; Christian Petersen/Getty Images - 12c; Jim Brown/USA TODAY Sports - 13; Bruce Bennett/Getty Images - 22b, 22e; Doug Pensinger/Getty Images - 22c; Getty Images - 22d; AP Photo/Tony Avelar - 22f; Mid-State Mustangs - 24b
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BEAT WRITERS Nate Barnes, Ryan Bertonaschi, Matthew Jacobs, Anthony Jaskulski, John Krysinsky, Alex Nseir, Joel Peretic, Connor Whooley
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrew Choynowski, Sam Fatula, Steve Flinn, Chris Galiszewski, Kurt Hackimer, Anthnony Mendicino, Mallory Merda, Alissa Persichetti, Mark Powell, Shana Rose, Erika Schneider, Alex Stumpf, Jeremy Tepper, Ken Torgent
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CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHERS Charles LeClaire, Justin Berl
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Alberti, Aaron Doster, William McBride, Michael Migliore, Kris Mellinger, Vincent Pugliese, Nick Susnjer, Ronald Vezzani Jr.
Pittsburgh Sports Report is published 12 times annually by Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc. a Pennsylvania business corporation, Norwin Professional Building, 40 Lincoln Way, Suite 301, Irwin PA 15642-1887. 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. 2014 Pittsburgh Sports Report, Inc.”).
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 3
PSR INTERVIEW
UP CLOSE LOUIS RIDDICK ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick spent 12 years as an NFL scout and personnel director with the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. The Quakertown, PA, native and Pitt graduate played six seasons as a defensive back in the NFL with the Falcons, Browns and
Raiders. Drafted in the ninth-round by the 49ers in 1991, Riddick played 94 games in the league and recorded an interception in a 1994 Browns playoff win over the Patriots. He joined ESPN last year. Riddick spoke with PSR Editor Tony DeFazio last month.
“The Steelers are rebuilding, especially on that side of the football because they had older guys and they were getting exposed as an old football team.” - Louis Riddick The average age was way up there. DeFazio: You were a ninth-round draft
pick, yet you played for six seasons in the NFL. How much did your knowledge of the game contribute to you sticking around as long as you did? Riddick: For someone who comes in at that level, so to speak, someone whose primary role is that of a role player, you wind up having to be very smart and have great retentive ability because you simply don't get as many reps as other players who got drafted in front of you. So you better be able to make the most of limited opportunities, which means you need to recall a lot of information and then be able to act on it once you get your shot. I was able to do that once I got my shot. TD: Did the fact that you had to possess
those skills as a player translate to your being able to recognize those intangibles in other players? LR: Absolutely. A large part of scouting, and what separates scouts from one another, is that ability to recognize those intangibles. It sounds easy but it is something that really is hard to pick up on truthfully and sort through what is BS and what is pure. When you're talking to a kid and you really start to pick up on things in a one on one conversation, and then when you see it on film you are
able to better recognize when a kid is displaying that kind of competitiveness. You can find out if that's the kind of player you really want on your team. At the same time, when a player takes a play off, or if he doesn't look as competitive or as explosive as he does during other parts of the game, you also have to be able to understand that these aren't John Madden controllers out there, this isn't a video game, this is real life football. So you've got to be able to really get to the essence of, and get to the core, of what football is all about. I think I was able to do that because I’ve been at the bottom, playing for my life in the NFL, and I've been at the top, playing in a playoff game and getting an interception off of Drew Bledsoe. So I know what it's like I've been through the whole spectrum, and I think that served me well. TD: Are the Steelers still rebuilding? LR: Obviously they needed to have an
infusion of youth and speed on the defensive side of the ball, so if you want to call it rebuilding, you can call it that. They're not going to want to say that, but just look at all the new players. I mean they went out and drafted a specific body type, a specific skill set, Stephon Tuitt is a phenomenal athlete.
4 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 AUGUST 2014
Ryan Shazier is a phenomenal athlete. In free agency they went out and signed Mike Mitchell from Carolina; he's a phenomenal athlete. So yeah, you can say they're rebuilding, especially on that side of the football because they had older guys and they were getting exposed as an old football team. The average age was way up there. TD: What is it that Dick LeBeau does
that has made his defense is so good for so long? LR: All the people that I've talked to who have either been close to Dick or believe in Dick say the same thing. Yeah, he's a brilliant tactician, but the thing with Dick is the players adore him. They will find a way, if it's humanly possible, to get that stop on 3rd and 3. For him and for one another. He makes them be accountable to one another, because not only does he have their complete trust, he makes them trust each other. Be accountable to one another.
It's a very unique relationship that he built with the players that come through that organization. You can see it when he coaches them. Look at him on the sidelines. It is very much predicated on respect, and that goes a long way. A long, long way. When you have that kind of respect from the players… if he told them all to line up, one by one in a straight line, one behind the other because that would be the best defense in short yardage situation, they would do it. That's the kind of complete trust they have in him and that he has in them, and that goes a long way, man. Relationships are what make the league go around. Relationships are what make the best teams the best teams.
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Younger. Faster. Better? BY RYAN BERTONASCHI
The Steelers traditional powerhouse defense has set a yearly standard for fans and pundits for decades, but it’s no secret that the aging Pittsburgh defense had a rocky 2013 season. The brigade posted mediocre to lousy numbers in all areas, and against the rush, the Steelers struggled mightily, giving up 116 yards per game and 4.3 yards per rush – most by a Steelers team since 1999. Such stats lit a firecracker under the rear ends of the team’s front office following season’s end, setting in motion a dramatic youth movement during the offseason. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert drafted two defensive players renowned for their speed and athleticism with his team’s first two selections: inside linebacker Ryan Shazier and defensive end Stephon Tuitt. Fifth-year speedster Mike Mitchell was also pulled in by Colbert from the Carolina Panthers to work alongside Troy Polamalu at safety. All three are projected to see significant time at their respective positions after the losses of defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Al Woods, outside linebacker Lamarr Woodley 34-year-old safety Ryan Clark in free agency. All three entered the final preseason game listed as starters on
Safety Mike Mitchell was brought in from Carolina to add speed to the back end of the defense.
the depth chart. Which begs the question: will the dramatic turnover from the old and wise to the 20-something and fast make the Steelers defense better? Steelers coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the role of speed, saying his young guys will have to put their minds to work and learn the system quickly, joking that since they no longer have to worry about collegelevel classwork, rookies can dedi-
cate more time to the playbook. “Speed is speed. A good defense is really predicated on being where it is you’re supposed to be and good tackling. So, speed is an awesome asset, but it’s not going to be the defining asset for us. It’s going to be our ability to play collectively, smart, be where it is we’re supposed to be and be a good tackling group,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, we have some young people who are capable of in-
fusing some speed into the unit, but we’re not going to hang our hats on that, and we’re not going to talk too much about it. It seems like too much has been talked about it already. It’s football, not a track meet.” Defensive end Cam Heyward will likely line up opposite Tuitt. Like Tomlin, Heyward was hesitant to STEELERS, PAGE 7
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SPEEDY ADDITIONS Playoff Stats Mike Mitchell, FS (6-0, 210) 40-yard dash: 4.39
Mitchell will be asked to use his speed in Pittsburgh’s secondary this year as he plays alongside Troy Polamalu, who has lost a step but can be utilized a little differently with Mitchell’s speed on the back end. Ryan Shazier, OLB (6-1, 237) 40-yard dash: 4.36
STEELERS, from PAGE 6 buy into the concept that speed will guarantee improvement, warning that Dick LeBeau’s patented defense takes time to master. “Nobody picks up the 3-4 and just instantly gets it. But I have a lot of faith and confidence in the guys we have,” Heyward, a fourthyear player who recently moved into Brett Kiesel’s former right defensive end spot of eight years, said. If preseason football is any indication to what lay ahead, perhaps the new Steelers starters should take Tomlin’s advice and spend more time studying the system. In a preseason game against the Bills, the Steelers could not contain Buffalo’s backfield, which put together seven runs of five-plus yards on 18 carries in the first half.
And in the previous week, Giants backs compiled 171 yards on just 31 carries for a 5.5 yards per carry average. “It didn’t look like we were coming off enough blocks consistently enough to shut down their running game,” a frustrated Tomlin said after the Steelers defense was gashed in a preseason loss at Philadelphia. Tomlin admitted there will be challenges to getting his young squad up to speed. “We have some youth in some areas and their needs are different than veteran players ,” he said. “So our job is to provide them with an atmosphere that is conducive to them learning, improving and preparing and that’s what we intend to do. It may be a little different in some instance than it is in the past.”
There have, however, been spurts of hope from the defense. A great deal of speed and length was on display by Shazier against the Bills, when he made plays from sideline to sideline, collecting eight tackles and an interception. Tuitt recorded eight tackles in their first three preseason games despite limited action. Veteran Ike Taylor brushed off the lack of defensive production thus far. He shared optimism, implying that last year’s porous defense is bound to naturally heal with reconstruction. “It’s another day, another dollar,” Taylor said. “The 2013 season has passed. The 2014 season is here.”
Undersized for a middle linebacker, Shazier is a different mold who can provide the Steelers with an inside pass-rushing presence and will also be asked to drop into coverage. Dri Archer, RB (5-8, 173) 40-yard dash: 4.26
Archer, who can play both running back and receiver, was disappointed to run a 4.26 at the NFL Combine. He had hoped to run sub 4.2. That speed will also be deployed in the return game. Compiled by Andrew Choynoski
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PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 7
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Around the NFL 2014
BY CHRIS GALISZEWSKI
Rookie QB’s: Who Will See the Field? Three quarterbacks were drafted in the first round: Blake Bortles (Jacksonville), Johnny Manziel (Cleveland) and Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota). All three went to teams that do not have solidified No. 1 quarterbacks. Each player brings his own unique style to the game, but will any of them see action early, if at all this season, other than in an injury situation? It has already been said in Cleveland that Brian Hoyer will get the starting job as Manziel is still having issues with the playbook. It’s likely that Chad Henne and Matt Cassel will get the starts over Bortles and Bridgewater respectively, but as history has shown, both the Jaguars and Vikings have had their share of quarterbacking issues. With that in mind, look for a possible change with either team should things not start off too well. The same can be said for Cleveland and Manziel. For now, however, the days of throwing rookie NFL quarterbacks to the wolves may be over.
How will Former Penn State Coach Bill O’Brien Fair? Though no stranger to the NFL, O’Brien has a difficult task in his first year as the head coach of the Houston Texans, who finished 2-14 one season ago. O’Brien has success in New England under Bill Belichick, but he also had Tom Brady under center. He doesn’t have anything remotely comparable in Houston, as the starting quarterback position is apparently going to Ryan Fitzpatrick. O’Brien’s time at Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, however, has proven that he can
thrive under pressure and work with limited options. First-overall draft pick Jadaveon Clowney has shown that he can make an impact working alongside J.J. Watt and should improve a defense that gave up 26.8 points per game in 2013. Expectations may not be high for O’Brien and the Texans, but in an AFC South division without much promise, 2014 could see Houston rise from the ashes.
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Can Seattle Repeat? The Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII in convincing fashion over the Denver Broncos, 43-8. Pete Carroll’s squad proved that defense can still win championships, as the Hawks allowed only 14.4 points per game in the regular season, best in the league. More than that, the No. 1 defense in the NFL jumped all over Peyton Manning and the No. 1 offense in league history when it counted most. With the majority of the key elements relatively intact, the Seahawks have the weaponry to repeat in 2014. Running back Marshawn Lynch’s future was in question with a brief eight-day holdout, but he received his monetary wish and reported to practice. Quarterback Russell Wilson will look to build off of his 26 touchdown, 9 interception performance from a year ago. The battle begins within the NFC West, where the San Francisco 49ers aim to seek revenge on a controversial end to their season a year ago at the hands of the Seahawks.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Bounce Back Year? Pittsburgh has finished 8-8 the past two seasons, narrowly missing the playoffs in 2013. When Steeler fans look back on last season, the only thing that matters is the record. A third straight .500 or worse season would be cause for a lot of unrest around the fan base. Heading into the 2014 campaign, the Steelers have received quite the makeover. There are plenty of new faces on offense as well as defense. Veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to lead a no-huddle offensive attack and propel the Steelers into league supremacy again. With what should be a balanced run game led by second-year man Le’veon Bell, and a defense anchored by veterans Lawrence Timmons and Troy Polamalu, mediocre should not be a word featured in the vocabulary of the Steelers. With age being an issue the past few years, there are now only five players over 30 on the active roster.
Are the Bengals Ready to Join the Big Boys? The Bengals have made the playoffs three years in a row. The Bengals have lost their first playoff game for the past three seasons. Both of those statements are true, and while Marvin Lewis has dragged Cincinnati from the depths of the NFL to the top of the AFC North, there is a still a stigma that the Bengals are the little brothers to the Big Boy Ravens and Steelers. While the only AFC North squad to make the playoffs last season was the Bengals, the fact remains that Baltimore and Pittsburgh are satisfied only by Super Bowl championships—and have the hardware to back it up—while the Bengals are still celebrating regular season wins. The Cincinnati defense, running game and receiving corps appear to be operating at an elite level, leaving quarterback Andy Dalton to answer the questions that Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco have already answered. Until further notice, Big Ben’s 10-4 postseason record and Flacco’s 9-4 mark stand in sharp contrast to Dalton’s 0-3 record.
Kicking the Habit The NFL experimented with a 32yard extra point this exhibition season after the competition committee deemed the chip-shot PAT too easy. The experiment only lasted through the first two games of the preseason, but it’s far from over. NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said a change might be coming to the extra point rule by next season. Through two weeks of the preseason, eight PAT attempts have been missed. During the 2013 regular season, when the ball was placed at the 2-yard line, kickers converted on 99.6 percent of those attempts. "I think we're going to gather all the information we can from this experiment,” Blandino said on the Dan Patrick Show. "I'm sure some teams will propose some things but I do anticipate this play is going to change.” The competition committee will likely revisit the issue next year during the league’s annual meetings.
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The Glass Ceiling The Steelers are Retooled and Ready to Break Through BY SAM FATULA
Many fans seem to already have the 2014 Steelers figured out. The popular notion is that the offense could potentially be one of the most explosive ones fans have seen in the last handful of years, but the questions ultimately center around concerns about the sole constant that has won the Steelers six Super Bowl rings. This isn’t the same Steelers defense of the past few years, however. There are many fresh faces from the trenches to the linebackers to the secondary, all trying to adjust to the highly complex 3-4 defense of Dick LeBeau. Head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledges the that many young players will be expected to contribute immediately. “The guys that play and play significantly for us will be guys that are capable of helping us win,” Tomlin said. “Some of those guys happen to be rookies and to this point maybe some of those guys appear to be those types of people, (so) then we’ll play them. It’s just that simple.” One rookie who will be a part of the starting defense this season is firstround draft pick from Ohio State, linebacker Ryan Shazier. Despite suffering a slight knee injury that forced the rookie to miss first preseason game against the New York Giants, Shazier came back against Buffalo the next week and put up a team-high 11 tackles
and an interception. Second round pick, Notre Dame defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, is also a likely candidate play a lot of snaps on the defensive line in his rookie season. The recent re-signing of Brett Keisel provides plenty of insurance—and a potential mentor—for Tuitt. Having Keisel back not only brings his understanding of the defense, but returns a key veteran leader to the otherwise young line. Nevertheless, Tomlin has still liked what he’s seen of Tuitt this preseason. “He’s (Tuitt) a hard, willing worker,” Tomlin said. He’s highly conditioned and that’s a great place to start for a young guy.” Mike Mitchell’s addition to the secondary gives the team an influx of speed on the back end, but cornerback remains a potential weak link. Offensively, Ben Roethlisberger is coming off of the best statistical season of his career and there is high potential for a repeat year, if not an improvement. For this to happen, the offensive line desperately needs to remain healthy, which has clearly been one of the biggest issues for the team in general. “I don’t want to jinx anybody because I want them to stay healthy, that’s first and foremost,” Roethlisberger joked half-heartedly. “But they’re playing well and they have cohesiveness as a unit and it’s something special.” Not only would durability insure the
success of Roethlisberger, but for the running game as well, which was a nonfactor earlier in the season last year. Le’Veon Bell will be the feature running back, but will have much more support from offseason acquisition LaGarrette Blount. Blount, who is typically used as a power back, can relieve Bell on tough goal line situations and take a considerable amount of snaps as well. “He (Blount) works hard, he’s a competitor, and he’s a football lover,” Tomlin said of Blount. “Good attributes.” The availability of both Blount and Bell for the season opener is potentially up in the air after the pair’s arrest for possessing marijuana late last month. Wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller will be favorite targets for Roethlisberger as usual, and the addition of veteran Lance Moore
should help in the slot. The Steelers also expect to see results from secondyear man Marcus Wheaton and rookie Martavis Bryant. With Bryant’s speed and size, he could be a dangerous option in the red zone. Roethlisberger tries not to overplay expectations, though. “I’m not going to jump on any bandwagon yet,” Roethlisberger said. “But he does some good things.” Coaches are also excited for the debut of ex-Kent State star Dri Archer and his 4.2 40-yard dash. Archer can help in the running game, in the slot in the passing game, and as a returner. Overall, the Steelers have the necessary tools to not only make the playoffs, but seriously contend for a deep run. The overhaul is complete. Whether it’s successful or not remains to be seen.
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Behind Enemy Lines
Cincinnati Bengals The defending AFC North champs signed QB Andy Dalton to a six-year extension worth $96 million, though just two years and $25 million are guaranteed. It’s a safe deal for the Bengals, who don’t seem convinced that Dalton is a long-term answer. Dalton is surrounded by a talented young group that includes WR’s A.J. Green and Marvin Jones, RB’s Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill and TE’s Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifort. The core of the defense remains intact with the exception of DE Michael Johnson, who was signed by Tampa Bay. Although Johnson will be missed as a premier run-stopper the Bengals, are confident Margus Hunt or rookie and Pittsburgh native Will Clarke will be able to step up. Wallace Gilberry and Carlos Dunlap bookend NT Geno Atkins, and LB’s Vontaze Burfict and Rey Maualuga key a fearsome front seven. Corner Darqueze Dennard was a good attention to the back end. Reason to Believe: The duo of Dalton and Green have never missed the playoffs, they’ve bolstered the run game and back it all with a top-tier defense. Reason to Doubt: Dalton has never won a playoff game, struggling badly in his three losses. Until Dalton raises his play, he’ll remain the little brother to Super Bowl champions Roethlisberger and Flacco.
Baltimore Ravens
BY ANDREW CHOYNOWSKI
Cleveland Browns
Coming off a disappointing 8-8 campaign, the Ravens must improve to stay relevant in the AFC North. The offense added veteran WR Steve Smith, who will line up across from deep-threat Torrey Smith. TE Dennis Pitta is healthy after missing the entire 2013 season and will be complimented by former Houston Texan Owen Daniels, giving Joe Flacco two above average receivers at the position. RB Ray Rice is suspended for the first two games of the season, but backup Bernard Pierce looks more than ready to carry the load in Gary Kubiak’s zoneblocking offensive scheme. The offensive line still has questions, but with Eugene Monroe protecting Flacco’s blind side there is increased comfort. Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams and Chris Canty anchor a formidable d-line. LB’s C.J. Mosley, Daryl Smith, Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs, even at 32, are downright fearsome. The front seven should provide a boost to a secondary that relies on CB’s Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith. Reason to Believe: The defense didn’t drop off after losing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed after the 2012 Super Bowl season, and they are still strong. Reason to Doubt: Ray Rice has been steadily declining and his two-game suspension and ensuing controversy won’t help him bounce back.
The Browns limped to a 4-12 finish in 2013 and found themselves in the AFC North cellar. Again. Drafting quarterback Johnny Manziel with the 22nd overall pick instantly vaulted the Browns into the spotlight, but they haven’t exactly handled the hype very well. Brian Hoyer beat out Johnny Football to win the starting job, at least to being the season. Whoever does win the job will be hard pressed to string wins together. Cleveland’s premier receiver, Josh Gordon, was handed a year-long suspension for marijuana use. Expect defenses will stack the box against Browns free-agent signee Ben Tate and force their unproven passing game to make plays. With all the hoopla surrounding Gordon and Manziel, a pretty good defense is often overlooked. LB Paul Kruger was a great addition a year ago and CB Justin Gilbert of Oklahoma State widely considered the best corner in the draft. Gilbert should pair with Joe Haden to shut down a lot of receivers. Reason to Believe: The defense is good and getting better, led by a lockdown tandem at corner with Gilbert and Haden. And it seems foolish to think that Manziel won’t dazzle at least a few times. Reason to Doubt: Losing Josh Gordon is a significant blow to a team without a lot of weapons and major questions at quarterback..
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PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH SPORTS SPORTS REPORT REPORT • SEPTEMBER • MAY 2014 11 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • AUGUST
Compiled by Chris Galiszewski
NFL POWER RATINGS 1-Denver Broncos: Demarcus
11-Indianapolis Colts: A safe bet
Ware and Aqib Talib, and the return of Von Miller, combine with the offense to make them the team to beat.
to win the AFC South with a healthy Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks teaming with Andrew Luck.
2-Seattle Seahawks: History says
12-Kansas City Chiefs: They went
they won’t repeat, but there are only a handful of teams that have the firepower to stop Seattle.
on an impressive run under Andy Reid last season only to fold in the playoffs. They have to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
3-San Francisco 49ers: Still the
13-San Diego Chargers: Phillip
Seahawk’s biggest threat in the NFC. Will Colin Kaepernick continue to develop? Can their defense remain focused through potential distractions?
Rivers appears to be back to his old self, and second year receiver Keenan Allen is coming off a huge year.
4-New England Patriots: Tom
14-Baltimore Ravens: The defense
Brady and Bill Belichick make them a top 5 team. The D and the health of Rob Gronkowski are ultimate keys.
still has the pieces in place to give opposing offensive coordinators fits. Will Joe Flacco mesh with new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak?
5-Green Bay Packers: Eddie Lacy
15-Chicago Bears: Brandon Mar-
is legit, Jordy Nelson is a stud, and Randall Cobb is going into a contract year. And Aaron Rodgers is the QB.
shall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte should put up points. Will it be enough to overcome a the defense?
6-New Orleans Saints: Drew
16-Pittsburgh Steelers: They fin-
Brees always has the Saints in the conversation. Brees and tight end Jimmy Graham are a downright scary one-two punch.
ished strong last year and followed by completely rebuilding their defense. They lost a lot of key pieces, however.
7-Arizona Cardinals: They were
17-New York Giants: Eli Manning
the best team not to make the postseason last year at 10-6 and they play in the NFL’s toughest division.
threw 27 INTs and 18 TDs last year. The last time he had such a bad season the Giants bounced back to win the Super Bowl.
8-Philadelphia Eagles: Chip Kelly
18-St. Louis Rams: The defense
has adjusted to the NFL. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles make up what might be the fastest backfield in the league.
could be one of the league’s best. The injury to Sam Bradford, however, is a huge blow for this team.
9-Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are a chore for any defensive coordinator to stop. The defense has them poised to take the next step.
10-Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White and Julio Jones are one of the best tandems in the league and need Matt Ryan to have a major bounce-back season.
19-Detroit Lions: Any team with Calvin Johnson is going to score, especially when a cannon like Matt Stafford is throwing. The secondary is a concern.
20-Carolina Panthers: The defense should still be pretty good, but they lost too many pieces on offense. QB Cam Newton can only do so much by himself.
21-Miami Dolphins: Improving but not better than the Patriots, Miami will be hard pressed to secure a Wild Card spot.
22-Washington Redskins: Pierre Garcon is a force and RGIII claims to be healthy. They also have a shiny new toy in Desean Jackson.
23-New York Jets: Rex Ryan claims this is a playoff team, but this wouldn’t be the first time he wrote a check he can’t cash.
24-Minnesota Vikings: They’ve got a good o-line, a future Hall of Famer in Adrian Peterson and a young stud in Cordarelle Patterson.
25-Jacksonville Jaguars: Coach Gus Bradley says Blake Bortles will spend the year on the bench, but how long will he really stay there?
26-Cleveland Browns: Even if Johnny Manziel eventually gains the starting job, it may not matter with Josh Gordon suspended for the year.
27-Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo says he’s healthy but how long will that last? The defense is awful and Jason Garrett is coaching for his job.
28-Tennessee Titans: Ken Whisenhunt says he’s a Jake Locker supporter. Give it until Week 6 before he’s singing a different tune.
29-Buffalo Bills: This roster could surprise people, but it may take two years. EJ Manuel and Sammy Watkins just need some time.
30-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This is an evaluation year for Lovie Smith; if there’s a coach that can turn this franchise around, it’s him.
31-Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien took on a big project. They have pieces in place on defense with J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Now they just need a quarterback.
32-Oakland Raiders: The Frankenstein of the NFL They’re hoping for a short-term answer but they still have long-term problems.
www.eqt.com 12 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014
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Pitt Newcomers Cameron Johnson, G, 6-7, 185 Moon Township, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
In a year, Johnson transformed himself from mid-major guard prospect to major conference player, due mostly to a growth spurt. From his junior to senior year, he went from 6-2 to 6-7, sparking Pitt’s interest, and eventually earning an offer following a summer workout. Already an excellent shooter, Johnson is able to take and make an even higher percentage of jump shots with the ability to shoot over most defenders. Along with his shooting, Johnson is a quality ball handler and passer who can play both the 2 and 3. At a mere 185 pounds, Johnson needs to fill out his frame. He’d benefit from a redshirt year, but due to his tremendous shooting ability, Johnson might force himself into a specialized role off the bench. BY JEREMY TEPPER
Though not highly-ranked, Jamie Dixon added a recruiting class that fills a variety of needs. With an excellent shot blocker, two quality scorers, and a skilled forward, Dixon may have put together a group of players that will outperform their rankings. Tyrone Haughton, C, 6-9, 220 Miami, Fla./Iowa Western C.C./Dr. Krop H.S.
Last season, one of Pitt’s main weaknesses was its lack of a shot blocker. Haughton fills that void. With a long wingspan and excellent leaping ability, Haughton thrives at blocking and altering shots. Originally from Florida, Haughton spent his past two years at Iowa Western Community College. While there,
Haughton broke the school’s career shot-block record with 185. His second season was a standout, when he blocked 112 shots, 12 coming in a single game. Along with his shot blocking, Haughton is a quality rebounder, where he uses his wingspan and athleticism to his advantage. On the offensive end, Haughton is unrefined. Due to his defensive ability alone, Haughton will likely see double-digit minutes at the center spot. SHELDON JETER, F, 6-8, 226 Beaver Falls, Pa./Vanderbilt/Beaver Falls H.S.
A Beaver Falls native, Jeter originally played at Vanderbilt for his freshman year. With a desire to play closer to home, Jeter committed to Pitt but spent the past year at Polk
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State Junior College in Winter Haven, Fla when Vandy coach Kevin Stallings refused to sign off on his transfer. Jeter only participated in practices and non-game activities to preserve a year of eligibility. In his lone year at Vanderbilt, Jeter averaged 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from 3-point range. At 6-8 and 225 pounds, Jeter has the ability to play both forward spots. A strong leaper, Jeter also possesses a solid 3-point shot and driving ability. Due to his toughness and athleticism, Jeter is able rebound and defend against post players despite weighing less than most of them. With key major conference experience, Jeter could see 20-30 minutes combined at both forward spots.
Ryan Luther, F, 6-9, 215 Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton H.S.
The all time leading scorer at Hampton, Luther brings wide skill set to the table. At 6-9 and 215 pounds, Luther has the ability to play both forward positions, though he’ll likely play almost exclusively at power forward as a stretch four. Luther is a capable 3-point shooter with the ability to stretch the oppositions’ defense. If his defender closes out, he is able to take straight drives to the hoop and finish. Along with his perimeter skills, Luther has a decent variety of post moves and is a quality interior passer. With the need to bulk up and improve his defense and rebounding, Luther will in all likelihood redshirt.
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 13
From the Valley The Mon-Valley has put plenty of athletes on Division 1 football teams over the years, including several of whom made it to the NFL. There are a few Mon-Valley natives playing D-1 ball this season. Tyler Boyd, Pitt, SO, WR, Clairton Dorian Johnson, Pitt, SO, OL, Belle Vernon Jaquaun Davidson, Pitt, FR, WR, Elizabeth Forward *Titus Howard, Pitt, SO, CB, Clairton Kevin Weatherspoon, Pitt, SR, WR, Clairton Terrish Webb, Pitt, SO, DB, Clairton Chase Winovich, Michigan, FR, LB, Thomas Jefferson
*Howard is suspended for the 2014 season but remains a member of the team Tyler Boyd
Upcoming Games Friday Aug. 29 McKeesport 37 - Connellsville 6
Friday Sept. 19 Hollidaysburg at Belle Vernon
Friday Oct. 10 Uniontown at Thomas Jefferson
Friday Sept. 5 McGuffey at Charleroi
Friday Sept. 26 Uniontown at Elizabeth Forward
REGIONAL Friday Oct. 17 HIGH SCHOOL Clairton at Monessen
Friday Sept. 12 Knoch at Ringgold
Friday Oct. 3 Jeannette at Clairton
Friday Oct. 24 Penn Hills at Woodland Hills
FOOTBALL
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Catch the best high school action across the Mon-Val-
well as providing pregame coverage and postgame
ley with the US Steel High School Football Game of the
highlights. See the highlights every weekend at
Week. For the second consecutive year, US Steel makes
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a generous monetary donation to the host teams, as
14 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014
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WPIAL Top Recruits
“They’re some of the best in the field — and they help keep us on it.” — Neil Walker
There’s nothing like being on a great team.
Sterling Jenkins, OL, 6’8” 308
Pittsburgh/Baldwin PENN STATE Jordan Whitehead, DB, 5’10” 165
Monaca/Central Valley Alex Paulina, OL, 6’3” 280 Canons-
burg/Canon McMillan PITT BRETT BRUMBAUGH, QB, 6’4” 195
McDonald/South Fayette Bowers, TE, 6’4” 244 Kittanning/Kittanning PITT Tre Tipton, ATH, 6’0” 160 Spring Church/Apollo Ridge PITT John Petrishen, DB, 6’2” 197 Pittsburgh/Central Catholic Brett Zanotto, LB, 6’0” 215 Murrysville/Franklin Regional MARYLAND Tony Pilato, OL, 6’7” 290 Greensburg/Hempfield Area PITT Patrick Anderson, WR, 6’3” 220 Aliquippa/Aliquippa Nick
Arthur Thompkins, RB, 5’9” 173 Pitts-
burgh/Woodland Hills TOLEDO Jackson, ATH, 6’0” 170 Coraopolis/Quaker Valley PITT Connor Slomka, RB, 6’0” 210 Gibsonia/Pine Richland Tyler Hudanick, OL, 6’5” 290 Harmony/Seneca Valley Niko Yaramus, OL, 6’3” 282 Moon Township/Moon Ryan Podgorski, OL, 6’5” 265 South Park/South Park Marshall Robinson, DT, 6’4” 336 Mars/Mars Cory Owen, QB, 6’2” 195 McMurray/Peters Township Danzell McKinley-Lewis, WR, 5’11” 175 Pittsburgh/Seton La Salle Ben DiNucci, QB, 6’3” 198 Gibsonia/Pine Richland Dane
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We’re proud to take the field with Neil Walker as the OfficialMedical Provider of the Pittsburgh Pirates. All year long, we’ll be there with the best in sports medicine care — including physical therapy, speed and agility training, surgery and rehab, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, concussion prevention and more. All from doctors and specialists who utilize the most modern techniques, treatments and technology. We’re there for the Pirates, and we’re here for you, too. With the same nationally renowned care that’s designed to keep you at the top of your game.
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PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 15
Attention Deficit
Recruiting often creates distractions for the top players BY JEREMY TEPPER
Bill Cherpak misses the way it used to be. Back in the 1980’s, when the current Thomas Jefferson High School coach was a player at Steel Valley, the recruiting process wasn’t publicized. It was low-key compared to the present. “When I was getting recruited the rules were much different. There were no early offers,” said Cherpak, who went on to play at offensive line Pitt. “You didn’t really get recruited until after your senior season, and it was only a three month period.” Mike Bosnic, Washington’s head coach and former recruit in the 90’s, added similar sentiments. “When I was in high school, your
senior year was your most important year. Your chances of getting a scholarship offer weighed heavily on how you performed your senior year,” said Bosnic, an Albert Gallatin alumnus who played tight end and offensive tackle at Pitt. “Now a lot of the big schools seem to have a lot of their recruiting done before your senior year.” Today’s more drawn-out—and far more publicized—recruiting process can cause players to lose focus on school and even games. “It’s so blown out of proportion, and these kids’ heads blow up and it becomes about them and not the team,” Cherpak said. Cherpak, who has seen dozens of his players earn football scholarships, admits that not all players let the
16 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 AUGUST 2014
process go to their heads. However, he acknowledges that any player getting recruited is diverted by it to some extent. “It’s a distraction, there’s no doubt,” Cherpak said. “When there’s so much going on and these kids are dealing with endless text messages and emails and tweets, it creates some issues.” Coaches can, however, use the recruiting process in a positive way. “It can be a motivational tool, but you can’t get carried away with it,” Bosnic said. “You don’t want that player to be focused so much on recruiting that it becomes a negative thing to where they’re nervous or too focused on recruiting,” Bosnic said. “You want them to live their lives and be a kid and enjoy the process of
playing high school football and being a student athlete.” If used properly, the process should be a positive on the football field. Bosnic cited Jaylin Kelly and Bryan Thomas—Bosnic players who earned scholarships to Youngstown State after their senior seasons—as examples. “When a kid goes into a senior year and has a scholarship on the line, it’s never in my experience a negative thing,” Bosnic said. “It’s just allowed that individual to put everything on the line and play harder and focus more.” Besides the players, the recruiting process can weigh heavily on a coach. As coach, they’re responsible for fielding most initial and some secondary calls from schools and sending out tape to gain exposure for their players. “Any coach that really cares will try to get the maximum amount of opportunities that you can get for their players,” Bosnic said. In the case of a nationally recruited player like Baldwin senior offensive lineman and Penn State commit Sterling Jenkins, “40, 50 new people” a week are reaching out to them,” according to Baldwin head coach Pete Wagner. Although the recruiting process can get overwhelming at times, it’s better than the alternative, Jenkins said. “At times it got a little hectic. But it’s a good problem to have,” Jenkins said. “It’s better that than not having anybody call you during contact periods or not having any schools looking at you.”
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Coaching Changes Twenty-two WPIAL football teams will have new coaches pacing the sidelines this season, including a few that will be square off in the CoGo's Feature Matchup this season. Ambridge Dan Bradley (previously at Sto-Rox)
Deer Lakes Steve Sciullo (most recently an assistant at
replaced Neil Tkatch Belle Vernon Matt Humbert (previously at Ringgold) replaced Aaron Krepps Bentworth Ron Skiles (at Bentworth 1980-88 and 2003-06) replaced Bob Niziol Butler Rob Densmore (previously an assistant at Pine-Richland and Freedom) replaced Clyde Conti Carlynton Mauro Monz (most recently assistant at Youngstown State) replaced Terry George Charleroi Donnie Militzer (previously at Gateway) replaced Ed Jenkins Clairton Wayne Wade (previously an assistant at Clairton) replaced Tom Nola
Hampton) replaced T.J. Wiley Derry Tim Sweeney (most recently an assistant at
Derry) replaced Al Gaiardo Gateway Tom Nola (previously at Clairton)
replaced Donnie Militzer Keystone Oaks Greg Perry (previously at Seton-
LaSalle) replaced Matt Taylor Latrobe Jason Marucco (previously an assistant at Mt. Pleasant) replaced Ray Reitz Laurel Brian Cooper (most recently at Shenango) replaced Pat Cuba Northgate T.J. Wiley (previously at Deer Lakes) replaced Todd Hazlett
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Norwin Dave Brozeski (longtime Norwin
assistant) replaced Art Tragesser Perry Ken Wright (previously at Langley) replaced
Bill Gallagher Ringgold Nick Milchovich (previously at California, Charleroi and Peters Township) replaced Matt Humbert Riverview Jason Cappa (previously an assistant at Riverview) replaced Todd Massack Seton-La Salle Damon Rosol (formerly offensive coordinator at Montour) replaced Greg Perry Shaler Jon LeDonne (most recently an assistant at Gateway) replaced Chris Siegle Sto-Rox Jason Ruscitto (previously at Sto-Rox from 2004-09) replaced Dan Bradley Valley Muzzy Colosimo (formerly of Greensburg Central Catholic) replaced Chad Walsh
Schedule 8-29 Quaker Valley at Keystone Oaks 9-5 Knoch at Greensburg Salem 9-12 Western Beaver at Char-Houston
H.
L S. F OOTBA
L
9-19 Indiana at Franklin Regional
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9-26 Mount Pleasant at Washington
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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 photo crew documents the highlights online after the games.
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10-3 Gateway at Mars 10-10 Carlynton at South Park 10-17 Plum at Penn Trafford 10-24 Bethel Park at Baldwin
Catch the highlights at www.cogos.com
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 17
What’s Next?
RMU Hockey Looks to the Future BY ALEX STUMPF
After completing the 2013-14 regular season with a record of 14-16-5, the Robert Morris University men’s hockey team came into the Atlantic Hockey Association Playoff Tournament as an underdog. But the team came together and won six out of their seven playoff games to capture the tournament and earn their first berth to the NCAA National Tournament. “We take a lot of pride in the fact that we continue to do well. We continue to have good seasons,” head coach Derek Schooley said. “For the previous three years, we had good
seasons and not so good playoffs. This season, we had an average season and good playoffs.” Despite last year’s success, Schooley says that there is still more work to be done to make RMU a national contender. Robert Morris is the secondyoungest program in Division I hockey. While last year’s squad was the first to advance past the AHA playoffs, they have been making strides throughout their 10-year history, including four straight seasons where they finished with at least a .500 record. Because of this, Schooley believes that people are starting to take notice.
18 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 AUGUST 2014
“They’ve been telling people for years that their goal is to get the NCAA tournament, and now they’ve done it. They’re not selling a concept, they’re selling reality,” RMU hockey announcer Mike Prisuta said. Robert Morris seems to be buying that reality, as Schooley’s contract was extended through the 2019-20 season back in July. Schooley has been the only head coach in program history, and he said he is excited about the future of his team, even if he thinks they are going to have a target on their back now. “I’ve always had great support from my athletic director,” Schooley said. “I believe they were very happy with
the direction the program is going, and I’m appreciative of the fact that they gave me an extension, but I don’t think that’s going to affect how we’re going to work, how we’re going to prepare and how we’re going to be ready for this year.” This year’s team features 19 returning players from last season’s squad, and of the 26 players on this year’s roster, only four are seniors. The potential is there for a holdover of players for 2015-16 as well. The team is still veteran-laden though, as there are 10 juniors on the roster to welcome in the eight new freshmen. “You’ve just got to keep doing the things you’ve been doing,” Schooley said. “Working extremely hard, keeping the guys on task and making sure we try to reach the goals of the program.” Prisuta believes that last year’s run and Schooley’s coaching style should also help recruiting. “The style of play, which is action up and down, is a style that I really think is appealing because it allows the players to showcase what they can do,” Prisuta said. “You combine that with the success they’ve had the past couple years, and they’re in a better position than they have ever been.” While last year’s success was genuinely meaningful for the program, Schooley knows that the Colonials have to turn the page and get ready for their October 4 opener, as well as future seasons. “I think you just need to keep moving forward,” Schooley said. “You can’t take away our championship, but we can’t look back on that and dwell on it. We have to look toward the future.”
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EX-BUCCO BACKSTOPS Former Pirates catchers in the majors. Ryan Doumit, Braves
Now playing leftfield for Atlanta, Doumit spent seven seasons with the Pirates. He had a career year in 2008, hitting .318 with 15 homers and 69 RBI. Had two solid seasons with the Twins in 2012-13 but it is struggling at the plate this season. Eric Fryer, Twins
After starting the season at Double-A, Fryer appeared in 10 games for the Pirates in 2012 when the team had a bevy of injuries at catcher. He played six games in 2012, mostly as an outfielder, before moving on to Minnesota. Erik Kratz, Royals
The eastern PA native appeared in nine games for Pittsburgh in 2010 before going to the Phillies, where he backed up Carlos Ruiz for two seasons. He played 34 games for Toronto this season before being picked up by Kansas City recently. Michael McKenry, Rockies
A fan favorite who played in 187 games in his three years with the Pirates (2011-13), the "Fort" is enjoying a fine season at the plate, boasting a .359 average in limited time as a reserve for the Rockies. David Ross, Red Sox
Ross played 40 games for Pittsburgh in 2005. He has spent time with six different clubs over his 13year career.
Retaining Russell BY KURT HACKIMER
There are not many people in Pittsburgh who will question Russell Martin’s importance to the Pirates. After anchoring a surprisingly effective Pirates pitching staff in 2013 and following with what has been an equally stellar offensive performance in 2014, the two-year $17 million contract he received before the 2013 season looks like a downright steal. “[Russell Martin] brings consistency and a sense of stability when he catches,” Pirates broadcaster and former pitcher Steve Blass said. “He has a good feel for all of the pitchers on the staff and he’s a rock for this baseball team.” Despite hitting just .226 in 2013, Martin posted 4.1 WAR, almost entirely because of his defense. And even though Martin is now in the midst of his best offensive campaign since he was a Dodger in 2008, whichever team signs Russell Martin will be signing him for his abilities behind the plate. “Having a great defensive catcher isn’t a necessity, but it can certainly be a boon to a team without a huge payroll,” Grantland writer and pitch framing aficionado Ben Lindbergh said. “Framing still seems to be a skill that the market undervalues, and Martin has been part of two competitive Pirates teams, so I don’t see any reason why Pittsburgh wouldn’t be interested in bringing him back.” It’s probably not going to come down to if the Pirates want Russell Martin – they do – but rather how much the
20 PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014
team is willing to pay him. While the lack of traditional statistics frequently lead to catchers being undervalued, the lack of legitimate starting catchers on this year’s free agent market will make Martin a hot commodity. Bucs Dugout blogger Charlie Wilmoth said that, based on the front office’s recent behavior, he doubts that the Pirates will be interested in paying market value for Martin’s services. “There are really no other starting catchers on the free agent market and that’s going to make him desirable for a bunch of teams,” Bucs Dugout blogger Charlie Wilmoth said. “Considering how they handled AJ Burnett, who was one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2013, it’s hard for me to see [the Pirates] making a three-year commitment of a similar amount of money to a guy who is getting older.” For the Pirates to resign Russell Martin, they are going to have to make a serious commitment both financially and in term. The Pirates likely won’t be able to coerce Martin into another team friendly two-year pact and Wilmoth predicts that Martin’s recent productivity will earn him a raise that will push his annual salary above $10 million, placing somewhere in between Carlos Ruiz’s 3-year, $26 million deal
and Brian McCann’s 5-year, $85 million contract. Wilmoth said that if the Pirates were to stretch the payroll and commit to Martin for three more seasons, it would represent a significant step toward making a serious run in the near future, even if the wear-and-tear of the catcher position catches up with Martin toward the end of the contract. “If the Pirates want to keep having these tiny payrolls, having someone making $10 or $15 million and not producing would be a real drag on the roster. But if they’re willing to have a $100 million payroll, then that risk becomes not such a big deal,” Wilmoth said. “If they’re not going to raise their payroll in 2015, when they could be very good, then I don’t know when they’re ever going to do that.”
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MLB Pennant Race BY SAM FATULA
The regular season is quickly coming to an end, and the race for spots in the postseason are as intense as ever. Whether you are following the Pirates in the competitive NL Central or any of the other exciting races, there are plenty of predictions, projections and questions remaining. 1. Can Andrew McCutchen lead the Pirates further this year than last season?
In reality, the Pirates can only go as far as McCutchen can take them. Last year, led by his MVP performance, the Pirates made the playoffs for the first time two decades and beat the Reds in a Wild Card matchup. This year, however, with McCutchen coming off a rib injury and Pedro Alvarez’s startling implosion, chances of a deeper run for the Pirates are slim. That doesn’t mean that the Pirates’ season is hopeless. If there’s anything that Clint’s Hurdle’s injury-ridden 2014 has proven, it’s that that perseverance is key, and ups-anddowns have been natural. 2. Will the newly acquired Oakland A’s rotation be enough to win in the playoffs?
As we entered September, the AL West is one of the best divisions in baseball, rooted in young talent. Recently, the Athletics have been overtaken by a hot LA Angels team pushing toward the best record in baseball. Despite their acquisitions of former Cubs ace Jeff Samardzija and Red Sox stud Jon Lester, getting through the American League will be tougher than previously thought.
3. Can Yasiel Puig maintain consistency in high pressure playoff situations?
Baseball’s veteran players have long understood the “unwritten rules” of behavior and humility that have long been a code of the game. Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig didn’t get the memo. He’s a very passionate player who allows his emotions to get the best of him at times. If the Dodgers want to contend for the World Series, Puig can’t let his temper and frustration overcome his passion to destroy competition single-handedly.
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He has all the talent in the world, and is at the center of what can be a devastating Dodgers offense. Will he and the Dodgers be able to he harness it when it matters most? 4. Will the Detroit Tigers disappoint again?
It’s hard count out the Tigers when the postseason rolls around. They arguably have the best hitter in baseball in Miguel Cabrera, and an even better starting rotation than last year, though one factor has considerably changed
from the previous season is the oncedominant Justin Verlander. The Cy Young winner has had a miserable season for his standards. Minor injury-issues have plagued him for some time over the course of the season but have not closed the door on his starts. Despite Verlander’s troubles, the Tigers—now armed with ex-Rays ace David Price—are well-positioned to make another deep run.
PITTSBURGH SPORTS REPORT • SEPTEMBER 2014 21
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Meet The New Guys BY SAM FATULA
The upheaval of the Penguins organization was most violent at the top, as a new general manager and coaching staff were brought in. The roster saw several changes as well, however, with free agents Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen, Jossi Jokinen and others moving on, as well as James Neal leaving town in a trade. Here are the guys replacing those stalwarts on the roster: Blake Comeau, LW, 6’1”, 202 lbs.
After spending two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 28-year-old looks to fill a third or fourth line role, especially with the Penguins’ loss of Brian Gibbons in free agency. The 47th pick overall in the 2004 draft by the New York Islanders scored 16 points (5G-11A) last season in 61 games. He will likely be expected take on a leadership role in the locker room. Steve Downie, RW, 5’11”, 191 lbs.
Known for being an agitator, Downie has racked up 766 penalty minutes in 336 games over NFL seven seasons. With the loss of Tanner Glass during free agency, look for Downie to fill that role on the fourth line as an aggressor. Downie also has offensive potential, which the Pens will surely try to tap into after reuniting Downie with former head coach Rick Tocchet. Patric Hornqvist, RW, 6’00”, 188 lbs.
One of two Nashville Predators transferred over in the James Neal trade this offseason, Hornqvist brings a more balanced game to Pittsburgh. He man-
aged to put together an excellent season with offensively-challenged Nashville last year, recording 53 points in 76 games. If Pascal Dupuis comes back healthy, expect Hornqvist to be on a second line with Evgeni Malkin. Nick Spaling, C, 6’01”, 201 lbs.
Spaling, the other Predator in the Neal trade, played in 71 games and recorded 32 points. Given the fact that the Penguins just recently re-signed center Brandon Sutter to a contract extension, it puts Spaling in a tough spot. He has much more talent than your typical fourth liner, so he could make his debut as a winger this year. Christian Ehrhoff, D, 6’02”, 196 lbs.
The 32-year-old veteran Ehrhoff has spent 10 years in the NHL, with occasional stints in European leagues. Despite sometimes being injury prone, Ehrhoff’s 2013-14 campaign with the Buffalo Sabres was a pleasant surprise, playing nearly every regular season game (79) and racking up 27 assists. With the losses on the blue line, Ehrhoff should fill a much-needed veteran role. Thomas Greiss, G, 6’01”, 210 lbs.
Despite Jeff Zatkoff’s strong play behind Marc-Andre Fleury last season, the Penguins brought in the 28-year-old Greiss, who bring the experience and the solid career numbers needed to give Fleury more rest than he saw one season ago. Greiss’s arrival is also a significant boost to the team’s NHL-ready depth at the position should an injury arise.
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Home Schooled
IMPORTANT DATES
BY MALLORY MERDA
Thu Sep 18: NHL Training Camps
Open (Penguins opening day TBD) Sat Sep 13: Pens Rookie Tournament vs. Ottawa in London, Ontario Sun Sep 14: Pens Rookie Tournament vs. Chicago in London, Ontario Tue Sep 16: Pens Rookie Tournament vs. Toronto in London, Ontario Mon Sep 22: Preseason Hockey vs. Red Wings in Pittsburgh, 7 PM Tue Sep 23: Preseason Hockey vs. Blue Jackets at Columbus, 7 PM Thu Sep 25: Preseason Hockey vs. Wild in Pittsburgh, 7 PM Sat Sep 27: Preseason Hockey vs.Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh, 4 PM Mon Sep 29: Preseason Hockey vs. Wild in St. Paul, 8 PM Wed Oct 1: Preseason Hockey vs. Red Wings in Detrit, 8 PM Wed Oct 8: Opening Night in the NHL (Penguins do not play) Thu Oct 9: Regular Season Opener vs. Ducks in Pittsburgh, 7 PM
The Penguins didn’t have to go far when they added forward Sam Lafferty, a native of Hollidaysburg, PA, in the fourth-round of this year’s draft. Lafferty played in 25 games for Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, where he scored 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points. Dave Weaver, the head coach of the Mid-State Mustangs, Lafferty’s youth program, spoke of Lafferty’s potential. “I believe the Penguins can expect a very intelligent hockey player who is extremely determined to always improve his game,” said Weaver, who is also Lafferty’s step-father. “Sam brings a quiet confidence to every practice and every game he plays, and he has always has outworked his opponents. As he has moved up levels he has always risen to the occasion and after getting used to the speed of the next level, he has adjusted very well. If you look at his Deerfield stats, he increased every year he was there, with an impressive season his senior year with over 50 points.” Lafferty will spend the 2014-15 season with Nebraska’s Tri-City Storm in the United State Hockey League, the top junior hockey league in the country, before moving on to play at Brown University in 2015-16. Deerfield Academy head coach Brendan Creagh had good things to say about the young forward’s future. “His versatility is perhaps one of his greatest strengths [and he] is a talented young man with tremendous upside,” Creagh said. “If he continues to develop he has the potential to be a top two line
Pennsylvania Native Lafferty Begins Pens Career kind of player. He is also a tough, hardnosed player who could fill a fourth line grinder kind of role.” Creagh believes Lafferty’s lunch-box attitide will impress Penguins fans. “Sam's greatest strength is his work ethic,” said Creagh. “His off-ice training is second to none and he translates that preparation into intensity on the ice.” Assistant Deerfield coach Tim McVaugh says Lafferty translates those qualities onto the ice. “On the ice, his biggest strengths are his speed, hockey IQ, and work ethic. He is a student of the game who works his tail off every day to get better,” McVaugh said. “In a larger sense, his greatest attribute is his intelligence, humility, and subtle sense of humor.” McVaugh also said Lafferty has the ability to be a go-to goal scorer. “He has all the physical tools, but the biggest reasons why I think he can
make it in the NHL are his instincts and awareness around the net,” McVaugh said. “He has great balance and is always in a position to shoot the puck. He can score the highlight reel goal one shift, and then turn around and bury a garbage goal the next.” It may be a few seasons before Lafferty dons a Pens sweater, but for now the Pennsylvania native is content to be a building block for the Penguins future. “Meeting with (assistant general managers) Billy Guerin and Fitzy (Tom Fitzgerald), getting a plan in place and moving forward with things to work on,” Lafferty commented while participating in the team’s development camp earlier this summer. “It gave me a foundation that I can always turn to and keep in mind as I go to Tri-City next year.”
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