You would think that the Pittsburgh Pirates would get a break in the 2012 schedule after how well they played for most of 2011. That they would not have to prove that last year was a fluke and that they may have caught some teams off guard and playing with ‘smoke and mirrors’ as they say. Well, that’s what we get for thinking because the ones responsible for the schedule are the primary suspects for giving the Pirates one of the toughest opening schedules in Major League Baseball. 

Yes, it’s true that it’s based on the previous season’s record, but who said these teams were going to get worse?? The Pirates opened the season at home vs. the Philadelphia Phillies, who won 102 games last year and they lost the opening game 2-1. (Okay, it was against pitcher Roy Haliaday) but they then beat the Phillies in the next two games to finish the homestand 2-1, and it looked like 2011 did start rubbing off. And then they traveled to the west coast to play the Los Angeles Dodgers, who did not make the playoffs last year, but finished with an 82-79 record and have Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw and MVP candidate Matt Kemp on their team, plus, they were finally rid of the Frank McCourt drama, the owner was in a bitter divorce with his wife, who also served as one of the executives. The team was finally sold to an ownership group led by Hall of Fame NBA man Magic Johnson, and they celebrated by sweeping the Pirates in 3 straight games. The Pirates actually held their own vs. Kershaw in the Dodgers home opener, but they could only get one run. Kevin Correia only surrendered a run, but it was unfortunate that relief pitcher Jason Grilli gave up the other run as the Dodgers won 2-1. In the second game, shortstop Clint Barmes gave the Pirates an early 1-0 lead as he hit his first home run with his new team, but once again they could not score any more runs but the Dodgers scored 2 runs on poor Erik Berdard who had another good start. The Dodgers then scored two more runs of the relief pitchers as they won 4-1. And in game 3, the Dodgers jumped on starter Jeff Karstens for 3 runs, and withheld a Pirates comeback as they completed the sweep 3-2. The problem with the Pirates in this series? Decent pitching, but no hitting. (Oh, the Dodgers are now 9-1)

The Pirates then moved onto San Francisco to face the 2011 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants who finished 86-76 in second place in the National League West Division. Like the Pirates, they specialize in ‘small ball’ not having a true slugger since Barry Bonds left in 2007, but unlike the Pirates, they got the job done the past few years with excellent pitching led by two time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, who just signed a huge contract before the start of the ’12 season.  Cain was the pitcher in the opening game, and he promptly beat pitcher James McDonald and the Pirates 5-0 on a one hitter that saw McDonald get the Pirates only hit. Game two saw pitcher Charlie Morton and the Pirates jump on Barry Zito and the Dodgers early, but like the Penguins has played of late, the Pirates could not hold the lead. The Giants scored 3 runs (all off Morton) for a 3-2 lead. That loss put the Pirates in a place that they (unfortunately) know all too well, last place in the National League Central Division. But on Sunday, the Pirates played like they were tired of losing, and promptly scored runs against former Pirate Ryan Vogelsong and beat the Giants 4-1. Correia led the way for his first win. First baseman Garrett Jones hit his first home run of the season. 

Pirates’ player of the week: Pitcher Kevin Correia-With the hitting trying to find themselves, the pitching gets all of the credit for keeping the Pirates in games. Correia, who finished 2011 as the Pirates best pitcher and an All-Star, finished last week giving up only 2 runs in 2 starts and was the only Pirate starting pitcher to get a win. For the season, he’s 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. "That's how I've got to do it," Correia said as he spoke to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Michael Sanserino. "I have to be ahead and put guys in situations where they need to swing at a pitch rather than just stand up there and take some balls."

This week, Pirates will complete their road trip as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks who are 6-3 and trail the Dodgers in the National League West. Led by first year manager Kirk Gibson, Arizona finished 2011 with a 94-68 record and champs of the National League West. All-Stars outfielder Justin Upton and pitchers Ian Kennedy and J.J Putz make up this great team as they send pitchers Joe Saunders (0-0), Kennedy(2-0) and Daniel Hudson (1-0) vs. Berdard (0-2), Karstens (0-1) and McDonald (0-1) before returning home to face the defending World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pirates have to somehow find a way to provide run support for this pitching staff that is currently 5th best in all of baseball with a 2.57 ERA. Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen the $51 dollar million man, is hitting .333, but has only one RBI. It’s obvious that he needs to produce more. Barmes, Jones, third baseman Pedro Alvarez and catcher Mike McKendry have the teams’ only home runs, but the Pirates are hitting an awful .188 which is the lowest in the National League (30th in all of baseball) with all of their struggles, the Pirates are only 3-6, and some good hitting can get them on the right track. Arizona would be a good place to start.

Notes: The Pirates and the Giants did their part by honoring the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier by having all players on both teams wear his #42 for the game.

Please e-mail me at ray@uranmediatoday.com

Follow me at urbanmediaRay on twitter

Pirate Update:Pirates' struggles accompany them to ArizonaBy Tom Singer / MLB.com PHOENIX -- Neither snow nor rain may stop mailmen, but neither heat nor dry air could move Pirates hitters.

The climate changed, but the Bucs still aren't running a temperature at bat, returning to their shell after scoring a first-inning run and dropping Monday night's series opener to the D-backs, 5-1, before 17,366 in Chase Field.

This one was a little more difficult for Clint Hurdle to explain, or to digest. The Pirates manager wasn't breaking any news in proclaiming Chase Field "one of the greatest places in the big leagues" for hitters. And the Arizona lefty on the mound -- Joe Saunders -- is respected. But he is not Cliff Lee or Clayton Kershaw.http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/mlb/gameday 

"I thought we'd be able to throw more at him," Hurdle said after another six-hit slumber -- half of it in the first. "[Saunders] did move the ball around, but we had pitches to hit, and we didn't hit them."

The Pittsburgh Steelers continued their sudden free-agent spending when they retained two critical backup offensive linemen. Doug Legursky and Trai Essex, agreed to one year deals with the team on Thursday. These complete three straight signings that began with the Steelers signing tight end Leonard Pope from the Kansas City Chiefs, a move that reunited him with new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, and their biggest signing of the free agent period: wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery.

Legursky was a restricted free agent who was offered a 1 year tender by the Steelers, made the decision to get it signed. He has been with the Steelers since 2009 when he served as backup center and goal-line fullback. In 2010, he continued in that role, and also filled in at guard when several linemen were hurt, and was the starting center in Super Bowl 45 when pro bowl rookie Maurkise Pouncey was injured. In 2011, he was very busy: Starting at guard, then filling in at center once again when Pouncey was injured. He was the starting center in their wild-card playoff loss vs. Denver. So it’s no question that Legursky plays a critical role on an offensive line that desperately needs help. “I’m excited to announce I will remain a Pittsburgh Steeler next yr!” Legursky wrote on Twitter.

Essex has been with the team since 2005, and has proven to be one of the team’s most trusted and reliable backups. In ’05, he filled in at tackle for an injured Marvell Smith for several games, earned a super bowl ring that year and in 2008, and started 2009 and 2010 before injuries sat him down. He can play all 5 positions on the line (tackle, guard, and center) and had a chance to play center for the first time in his career when (ironically) Legursky went down (filling in for Pouncey) vs. the St. Louis Rams. In their 27-0 thumping of the Rams, Essex filled in admirably at center helping the team rush for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns. For his efforts, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave Essex the game ball, and spoke about his excellent play in his weekly news conference. Essex was an unrestricted free-agent at the time of his signing. Essex announced on twitter that he is ‘ecstatic’ to be back with the Steelers.

Notes: In preparation for the NFL draft, the Steelers have also entertained several draft prospects. Alabama inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who’s listed in several mock drafts that he will be the Steelers first overall pick met with them on the South Side Thursday along with Oregon running back LaMichael James, Oregon tight end David Paulson and Midwestern State offensive lineman Amini Silatolu. Hightower could fill a huge hole at inside linebacker for the Steelers with their release of James Farrior, and James is a speed back who was a 2011 Heisman Trophy candidate.



Please e-mail me at ray@urbanmediatoday.com

Follow me at urbanmediaRay on twitter

Steelers draft needs (part 1)

It’s that time of year again. The time that NFL teams prepare for their annual shopping trip to help build their teams. They call it the NFL Draft, and it will take place in 3 weeks from April 24-26. In spite of how user-friendly free agency is (and occasional trades) the draft is still the most essential way for teams to make themselves better.

Take for instance, the Pittsburgh Steelers who finished 12-4 for the third time in the last 4 years (all under coach Mike Tomlin) they have never been an active participant in free agency (hence, been labeled the term cheap) but the Steelers have been to places that other teams who have spent millions of dollars have not: To super bowls (3 in the last 7 years and won 2) so when a team has done that well, it’s probably wise not to question why they do things their way, but it’s okay to question what makes them so successful, which is easy: the Draft.

Even before free agency, the Steelers have built their teams by drafting them. Remember 1974 when the Steelers drafted 4 future hall of famers (Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, and Mike Webster) and drafted several other hall of famers before that (Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Ham and Franco Harris) and drafted two more hall of famers years after that period (Rod Woodson and Dermontti Dawson). Only Woodson and Dawson failed to earn super bowl rings with the Steelers (although Woodson earned one with the Baltimore Ravens) but like the other players drafted had been regular visitors to the Pro-Bro and selected to All-Pro teams. So in other words, the Steelers have successful in building their teams through the draft, because frankly they know what they’re doing.

In the past few years, they have drafted an all-pro center (Maurkise Pouncey) and two pro-bowl wide receivers (Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown) not to mention a pretty decent pro-bowl quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), a pro-bowl tight end (Heath Miller), a standout pro-bowl linebacker (LaMarr Woodley) and a hard hitting all-pro safety (Troy Polamalu) all have been to the super bowl, with Roethlisberger, Polamalu, Miller and Woodley earning rings.

So the proof is in the pudding: The Steelers know how to draft well, and are expecting to do the same when April 24 rolls around. So let’s take a look at the Steelers draft needs on offense:

1.      Quarterback-Of course there’s no real issue here. Roethlisberger is the franchise QB no questions asked.  But who are the backups? Veteran Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon are free agents, although they have decided to let Dixon walk, the Steelers may draft a QB in the later rounds (like 6th or 7th) for depth purposes (and bring back Batch or Leftwich) to be honest, if you think that signing former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith to a futures’ contract makes any difference, then you will be asked to turn in your NFL fan card.

2.      Running Back-Now this is a quagmire. Their starter Rashard Mendenhall tore his ACL in January, and is still recovering. That leaves Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay, Baron Batch. Batch missed the entire season due to injury, Dwyer missed part of the season due to injury. The odd man out is Mewelde Moore who is a free agent. Regardless of how much this has become a ‘passing league’ the Steelers still value their running game (just ask team president Art Rooney II) they may rely on Redman or if a very good running back is available at #24, they may pick him. And with new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, they may bring back a true blocking fullback or two. (Yay!)

3.      Wide Receiver/Tight End-As is was mentioned before, the Steelers success at this position has come through the draft and with the retirement of Hines Ward, why should that change for them? They currently have Wallace (who is a restricted free agent) Brown, Emmanuel Sanders (when he’s healthy). Veteran Jerricho Cotchery is a free agent and they released Arnaz Battle. The Steelers hope to eventually re-sign Cotchery this leaves them with only 3 WRs. If they find one or two (especially if can play special teams) in rounds 3-6, they will go for it.

As for Tight Ends, depth is the issue here. Of course, Miller is the starter and isn’t going anywhere, but who will back him up? David Johnson has been the H-Back/fullback for the past 2 seasons, and rookie Weslye Saunders will be suspended the first 4 games for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy. So they will need a true blocking/receiving tight end that may be available in rounds 2-5

4.      Offensive Line-Okay now we’re talking. The Steelers have truly had their issues at offensive line the past few years and for them to win another super bowl, (plus protect their QB and open holes for the running game) it would help if they would really pay attention to fixing it. The standout is Pouncey, who drafted in 2010 and has made the past two pro-bowls. The only downside to him is injury. The others? Well, that’s why we’re having this conversation. 2011 rookie Marcus Gilbert looks to be a lock at one of the tackle positions, but it’s not certain who will be at the other. Jonathan Scott could not block a two month old, so they brought back veteran Max Starks who did an excellent job before getting hurt in the playoff game vs. Denver. He too, is a free agent. Then there’s Willie Colon who was hurt in 2010, then signed a 5 year deal with the Steelers and was lost for the 2011 season due to another injury. He takes a pay cut but is he ready? Then there are the guards, Chris Keomeatu bone-headed plays and big contract escorted him out the door, and Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster are the only ones left. Legursky is good enough to start and veteran Trai Essex could be an excellent back-up to Pouncey at center so if the Steelers were smart, they should draft another tackle if he’s available in the second round (as a potential starter) draft one in rounds 3-7 to build depth. They may do the same with the guard position if one is available in the early rounds, but they will probably add one or two in later rounds for depth.

Notes: In the ensuing weeks, I will also write about the University of Pittsburgh’s NFL Draft prospects and their chances at getting drafted.

Please e-mail me at ray@urbanmediatoday.com

Follow me at urbanmediaRay on twitter

This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.

Major league baseball home openers are always special. It’s a tradition that goes back hundreds of years and you can tell the teams love it. A fresh start for each team a new outlook for the fans who attend, and the stadiums are always sold out. Plus it’s a sign that winter is truly over, and warm weather is here. (Well, at least in most cities) But for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Haliaday, it’s just business as usual.

The Phillies ace truly lived up to his name by pitching another masterpiece in a 1-0 victory vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates in front of a sold-out PNC Park. Haliaday gave up two hits, (All in the first inning) in 8 innings. Newly acquired relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon pitched the 9th inning and got his first save with his new team. 

 

As Haliaday mastered the Pirates bats to the point that they fell asleep, Pirates starter Erik Bedard also did a masterful job, making his new team look good for making him the opening day starter. He was truly in a pitcher’s duel with Haliaday, keeping the Phillies scoreless until he gave up a run in the seventh inning as a result of a sacrifice fly by catcher Carlos Ruiz, who also led with 3 hits. The rest of the Phillies bats were as quiet as the Pirates. But it was obviously all the run support that arguable the best pitcher in the National League needed.

The Pirates on the other hand, did try to make something out of those two hits, leadoff hitter Alex Pressley greeted Hailiaday with a single, followed by a single by right fielder Jose Tabata. With two runners on, the $51 million dollar centerfielder Andrew McCutchen came to the plate, and promptly ended any high expectations when the centerfielder grounded into a double play. Although Pressley went to third, second baseman Neil Walker could not get him home as he fled out deep to left field. Unfortunately, that was it for the Pirates.

Pirates relief pitchers Chris Resop and Juan Cruz kept the Phillies from doing more damage and giving the Pirates and the fans hope that like the start of last season, they have the makings of a solid pitching staff. Now as far as the offense, they have a lot of work to do and hopefully they will rebound when they resume the series on Saturday. The good news is that it’s still early, and it’s going to fall on McCutchen to set the tone for the offense.

Notes: This opening day loss was the first in 5 years for the Pirates. Haliaday made his 10th   straight opening day start.

Please e-mail me at ray@urbanmediatoday.com

Follow me at urbanmediaRay on twitter   

Spring Football Insider: Day 12 
The Panthers practiced at Heinz Field on Thursday morning.
Pitt Spring Drills — Day 12 Practice Notebook & Quote Sheet

A Visit to Heinz: It was a day for baseball on Pittsburgh’s North Shore as the Pirates opened their 2012 season against the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park. A few hours prior to the opening pitch, footballs were flying just a few blocks away at Heinz Field, where Coach Paul Chryst held Pitt’s Thursday spring practice. 

The Panthers worked out for more than two hours in full gear on Heinz Field’s freshly lined grass surface, which looked fit for a fairway wedge at Augusta this morning. Pitt now has two practices plus the April 14 Blue-Gold Scrimmage remaining this spring.

Mason Memories: The Panthers were shuttled to Heinz Field on three buses, which parked inside the stadium behind the north end zone. Players walked onto the field through the unfamiliar visitors entrance. Junior linebacker Dan Mason remarked he hadn’t walked through the visiting team tunnel since his sophomore year at Penn Hills High, when the Indians faced Upper St. Clair in the 2006 WPIAL Class AAAA championship game.
Loud and Clear: Dan Mason continues to show remarkable physical form after sitting out last season while recovering from a serious 2010 knee injury. During an inside run drill Mason made two shattering hits that echoed around Heinz Field and drew hoots and hollers from his teammates.

Going Deep: Senior quarterback Tino Sunseri lofted a beautiful 70-yard scoring pass to senior receiver Cameron Saddler. Sunseri hit Saddler in stride on a deep post route to the 15-yard line. The diminutive wideout then made a nice spin move to elude a tackler’s grasp and slip into the end zone. "Tino launched that pass," Saddler said. "It went like 55 yards in the air."

Tough Little Guy: Cameron Saddler absorbed a crushing hit over the middle from sophomore safety Ray Vinopalthat broke up a pass. Perhaps motivated by the celebratory cheers of the defense, the 5-foot-8 Saddler popped up immediately and patted the helmet of every defender he came across on his way back to the huddle.  

Donald Devastates: Given his high level of play this spring, Aaron Donald figures to be one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in all of college football this year. Coming off an All-Big East season in 2011, the junior defensive tackle has been an interior terror in scrimmages thus far.

During 11-on-11 work Donald made the following sequence of plays: a “strip sack” where he recovered his own forced fumble inside the offense’s 15-yard line, another quarterback sack for a six-yard loss and, finally, a batted down pass on third down.

A second team All-American by FoxSports.com last year, Donald could be poised for more national accolades this season.

Like We Drew it Up: Sophomore tight end Drew Carswell was a practice standout today, totaling six touchdown catches during Pitt’s scrimmage and 7-on-7 red zone periods. The highlight was a 42-yard reception off play action when Tino Sunseri hit Carswell on a wheel route down the sideline.

An all-state wide receiver at Sto-Rox, Carswell transitioned to tight end last year and totaled 13 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. He is excited about the heavy usage of tight ends in Coach Paul Chryst’s system.

“I love this offense,” Carswell said. “Every day, every play there are opportunities for us.”

Pick Six: Sophomore linebacker Eric Williams stepped in front of a receiver to make an interception and, while following an escort of fellow defenders, returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.

Asked what he saw when he jumped the route, Williams replied, “The end zone.”

Williams was limited to just three games last year due to injuries. This spring he has established himself as a strong contender for the starting assignment at Sam linebacker. 

Old School: Two former high school teammates, quarterback Mark Myers and tight end Brendan Carozzoni, connected on a 15-yard touchdown pass during today’s scrimmage. The pair starred together at St. Ignatius High in Cleveland, helping their team to the 2008 Ohio Division I championship. Myers and Carozzoni enter their sophomore seasons at Pitt after lettering as reserves last year.

Two other former high school teammates made a different kind of connection earlier in the day. Sophomore receiver Brandon Ifill got his hands on a slant pass but was separated from the ball by sophomore cornerback Cullen Christian. Both are products of nearby Penn Hills and helped the Indians to the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs each season of their varsity careers.

Hendricks Healthy: Junior safety Jason Hendricks looks good as new after missing the final six games of the 2011 season with a shoulder injury. Hendricks made the first interception of Thursday’s practice when he tracked down an overthrown deep pass down the right sideline.

Revenge for Rackard: Junior E.J.Banks, who recently moved to tailback, made a nifty move in the hole to shake junior linebacker Emanuel Rackard and pick up a 15-yard gain. Rackard gained a measure of revenge a few plays later when he met Banks hard at the line, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the defense. 

Visiting VIPs: Visitors to the Pitt practice facility today included four high school head coaches: Mark Lyons (Central Valley), Jeff Weachter (Bishop McDevitt), Matt Ortega (Coatesville Area) and Mark Washington (Moon Area). Also on hand was former Pitt offensive line standout Dean Caliguire, who was a fourth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. Additionally, the “Voice of the Panthers” Bill Hillgrove bussed down to Heinz Field with the team and took in practice.   

Next Up: Pitt will hold its 13th spring practice on Tuesday, April 10, at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.