Steelers vs. Ravens Preview

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that will have significant implications in the AFC North.

The Ravens beat the Steelers 26-6 early this season.
Both teams sit at 5-3.

The Steelers are coming off, one could argue, their best game in the last three years. A 51 point performance from the offense and a career game from Ben Roethlisberger has Pittsburgh feeling pretty good about its football team.

The Ravens, meanwhile, are playing confident football of their own this year. Joe Flacco has been able to develop connections with new WR Steve Smith as well as his go to's in Torrey Smith and Dennis Pitta. Their defense has proven to be a force this year as well. With veteran Terrell Suggs anchoring the middle along with Haloti Ngata, their defense is as formidable as ever.

The Steelers, with questions still surrounding their defense, need this win Sunday night. It would improve their record to 6-3 and have upcoming games against the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans. The Steelers could easily find themselves at 8-3 heading into Thanksgiving. The win would give them room to work within the division as well, as they have already split the series with Cleveland and a season split with Baltimore is the best option at this point.

RUNDOWN

Kickoff: 8:30 PM
TV: NBC
Odds: Baltimore (-1)

What's Wrong With Pitt Football?

After another loss for the Pitt Panthers, another proverbial nail has been placed in coffin for another season. It looks like Pitt will finish with a 6-6 or 7-5 season, records that have become the standard of mediocrity for the Pitt program.

So, why is the Pitt program stuck in mediocrity? The obvious answer is that they are just not good enough. But, that reason is never enough to satisfy the masses. People want to know who's responsible for the team's inability to show ability.

Wannstedt went 42-31 in 6 seasons as HC.
The Panthers are 19-20 since his firing.

For me, it all started back in 2010 whenever Dave Wannstedt was forced to resign. It was only 2 seasons earlier, Wannstedt led the Panthers into the top 10 and had them threatening for a Big East title. They finished with a 10 win season, the first time since 1982. In fact, Pitt gave Wannstedt a 2 year extension to run through 2014. Little did they know, the Pitt Football program would go through three head coaches in that short time.

The Wannstedt resignation was the biggest blow to the Panther program. He was a local guy, who was able to recruit, and was the first coach to get the Panthers into the top 10 for the first time in 25 years. The suits and higher ups in the Pitt Athletic Department believed there was more on the horizon for Pitt Football. Meanwhile, no other coach had put Pitt in the top 10 since legendary Johnny Majors did it.

So, out went Wannstedt and Athletic Director Steve Pederson hired Miami (OHIO) head coach Mike Haywood. The media responded questionably to Haywood's first press conference. The players were even more lukewarm. He was hired on December 16, 2010 and by January 1, 2011 he was fired. He was arrested for domestic violence.This was the beginning of head coach turmoil for the Pitt program.

Pitt announced the hiring of the good ole southern boy, Todd Graham as their head coach on January 2011. He promised to make Pitt Football, "High Octane," and then they went 6-6.

By December 14, 2011 Todd Graham had accepted the offer to become Arizona State's new head football coach. In less than a year, the Panthers would be looking for their third head coach.

Then on December 22, 2011 the Panthers hired Paul Chryst from Wisconsin. Now, in his third year at Pitt, the Panthers appear to going for another six or seven win season.

Stuck in mediocrity.

At least this is better than what Wannstedt would have done. I mean this guy couldn't win the big game!

At least we were talking about playing in big games with Wannstedt. But, personally, I'm looking forward to another trip to the BBVA-ABC Care Care Pizza Compass Bowl.

What Does a Russell Martin Contract Mean?

Russell Martin. Defensive Wizard, Club House Leader, Heartbeat of Pirates. He's also a pending free agent. Most think he'll only see PNC Park in a visitors uniform in the future. I side with most. People will be quick to blame ownership. "Spend Nutting, Get Nutting." I believe was a sign once. But, in this instance, is it OK to spend nutting?

Russell Martin batted .291 with 11 home runs in 2014.

Yes, you're right. I would be insane to think Russell Martin would not help the 2015 Pirates. But, would Russell Martin help the 2018 Pirates. That may be the real question. If the Pirates were to resign Martin, he would probably run the Bucs at least four years and 60 million. That's a big chunk of change, especially for a catcher.

Martin would be 36 years old for the 2018 season. That's an old catcher, it's also an expensive catcher. $15 million committed to a catcher who's 36 is a risky investment for a small market team. That's money that could be committed to a starting pitcher. Money that could be committed to Neil Walker.

Small market teams can't be wrong when issuing big contracts. They hamper future decisions. Dedicating money towards players who can't play result in a restricted use of team payroll.

So, I'd love to see Russell Martin in a Pirates uniform. I'd also love to look at the crystal ball and see if he would be worth it four years from now.

Extra Link: Charlie Wilmouth of MLBTradeRumors wrote a great look at the Pirates Offsesson. Pirates Offseason Lookout

Colts vs. Steelers Preview

The Steelers are coming off of a big win against the Houston Texans. Granted, one could argue the Steelers looked bad for 50 minutes of the game, but they had a stunning three minutes of football that propelled them to victory. So, how do they size up against a top tier Indianapolis Colts?

Luck has the Colts on a 5 game winning streak
after losing the first two of the year.

Andrew Luck has quickly proven himself to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, which spells disaster for the Steelers defense. So far, the Steelers have been able to avoid supreme quarterbacks. (Hoyer, Flacco, Newton, Glennon, Bortles, Fitzpatrick) What's scary is Hoyer, Flacco, and Glennon torched the Steelers secondary. Badly. Add in the fact that Luck has thrown for over 2,300 yards, 19 TDs (only 4 shy of his seasonal record)
, and over 100 QB rating this year and it could result in a career day for Luck.

The Steelers aren't a push over though; not by any means. They are 4-3 and the offense has looked good at times, despite the controversy surrounds the play calling. With Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers QB, anything is possible.

The Colts are the favorite to win, sitting around three point favorites. Which indicates the times the Steelers are going through. Very rarely were the Steelers ever the underdog at home. It's reached that point though this year. No one can trust this Steelers team; they could very easily lose by 14 and win by 14.

Either way, this is game two of the Steelers three game home stand. They are off to a 1-0 start. They need to make it 2-0 on Sunday.

Kickoff: 4:25
Heinz Field
TV: CBS

Colts favorite by 3.

Sorry Colbert, But its Time to Go

A loss to the Cleveland Browns, albeit a quality Browns team, is emblematic of a throng of problems for the Steelers organization. Despite the media critics and Snoop Dogg (does it have two g's?) the problem is not Todd Haley. The problem is not an aging Dick LeBeau. The problem is not Mike Tomlin. It's the players. A sheer lack of talent and depth is the reason the Steelers sit at .500 and have now for the past two years.

Kevin Colbert was named the first Steelers GM in 2010 after
spending 10 years as Director of Football Operations

To me, that starts at the top of the football operations food chain. Kevin Colbert, who has helped assembled two Super Bowl championship teams and another one team to make it to the Super Bowl, has dropped the ball. Kind of like Limas Sweed. One of many failed draft picks.

Colbert longed served the Steelers as the director of football operations since 2000. In 2010, the Steelers gave him the keys to the car, naming him the first GM in Steelers history. With that came the responsibility of player transactions and acquisitions. Since he was given that title, the Steelers have yet to return to the Super Bowl, as well back-to-back years without a playoff appearance.

Now, I'm not expecting every draft to be like 1974. But, I'd like a few players to stick around for awhile. No one from the 2008 and 2009 teams are a Pittsburgh Steeler anymore. In 2008, the Steelers went skill player heavy. Rashard Mendenhall (retired to write) Limas Sweed (couldn't catch a cold) Tony Hills, Dennis Dixon, Ryan Mundy. Marginal at best. Sure, Mendenahll was a decent running back. But was that really first round draft pick impact- of course not.

2009 produced better players. However, the mistakes in the first two rounds are notable. Ziggy Hood and Kraig Urbik. A defensive end and an offensive lineman. The Steelers did draft Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis in the following rounds. Above average wide receiver and corner back. However, those two both dawn different jerseys.

Despite being contributors, from 2008-2014, none of the first round draft picks have become stand out players save for Maurkice Pouncey. Cam Heyward has played better of late, but Jones lacked "splash plays" in his first year. Ryan Shazier was injured early in his first season. DeCastro, has been alright up front. His most notable deed was taking out Pouncey for all of 2013 after tearing his own ACL in 2012.

The Steelers are left scratching their head and wondering what has happened to the semi Steelers dynasty of the 2000s. In essence, it all starts at the top. And I mean the top- the people who watch the games from above the grass. Kevin Colbert, despite all he has given this organization, has to go. He has failed to turn around a team that should only have one down year. But, a myriad of poor contracts, poor draft picks, and poor play puts the Steelers in a position to ponder what his future should be.

"But, this is Mike Tomlin's fault. This is Todd Haley's fault, those are the guys who should be fired." Show me an instance where a poor football team fired its head coach and it led to productive rest of the season. It doesn't happen. Was it really Butch Davis, Romeo Crennel, Eric Mangini, Pat Shurmur, Rob Chudzinski's fault. Of course not. It was the fact that Derek Anderson the franchise quarterback for a few years.

Was it Bill Cowher's fault he didn't reach those Super Bowls in the early 2000s. No- his quarterback was Kordell Stewart. Personnel win championships. General Managers draft personnel. Sorry, Kevin Colbert. We appreciate what you did, but it's time to go.

Steelers at Browns Preview

Cleveland is the favorite heading into Sunday's Browns vs. Steelers game for the first time since home phones with cords still populated most American households. It's been a while, and for Pittsburgh, that's not a good thing.

Browns QB Brian Hoyer has fans believing
in the 2-2 Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is starved for an opportunity to beat up on their rival after being on the wrong side of the rivalry for the past decade and a half. The Steelers meanwhile, are 3-2, yet seem to have more concerns than positives. Questions have arisen about the playcalling abilities of Ben Roethlisberger as well as the leadership of head coach Mike Tomlin. A win in Cleveland would be a signature win for this Steelers squad (Imagine that, a Cleveland win being a Steeler signature win).

Brian Hoyer has played above and beyond expectations and the2-2  Browns look to take down the Steelers in what would be the biggest win for the Browns since 2002. It's a dangerous game for the Steelers, and the Browns have nothing to lose.

Cleveland, Ohio
Paul Brown Stadium
Kickoff: 1:00
TV: CBS

Thursday Night Football Has One Too Many Problems

When Thursday Night Football was conceived, fans were elated by the idea of watching the NFL on another weekday night. However, as the game has now been in place for quite some time, the games lack the quality NFL type quality. Through the 2014 season the final scores of the game have been:

Through five weeks, the losing teams have lost
by a combined 145 points on Thursday Night Football

Week 1: Seahawks 36 Packers 16

Week 2: Ravens 26 Steelers 6

Week 3: Falcons 56 Buccaneers 14

Week 4: Giants 45 Redskins 14

Week 5: Packers 42 Vikings 10

For you boys and girls keeping track at home, that's a 145 point difference. And in the 2014 season, the NFL decided to make these match-ups a "must watch." These teams are playing meaningful divisional games, yet they continue to massacres that make American Horror Story seem like a lighthearted romantic comedy. 

Thursday Night Football has never struck a cord with me anyways. It was created during the 2006 season and it was placed on the NFL Network. At the time, the NFL Network was quite a rarity in most US households- it was a part of a premiere cable package. Heck, at the time, ESPN was still considered a luxury, considering the "Bart Starr" era fans had yet to buy into the idea that TVs work without bunny ears. 

Then, for a reason I will never understand, network executives thought the voice of Thursday Night Football should be former Today Show host Bryant Gumbel. Sure, his brother Greg is a top notch play-by-play man. But, Bryant never resonated with the average football fan and it felt more like he was going to all of a sudden break out into a Today Show segment on healthy fall foods. 

He was replaced by Bob Papa (who?- exactly) and then eventually veteran Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock were paired together and at least some part of TNF seemed like it worked. But the matchups were never "must watch" TV. 

Then earlier this year, the NFL paired up with CBS to bring TNF to an even larger audience. CBS placed big time broadcasters Jim Nantz and Phil Simms on the games and the matchups had bigger implications than ever. Divisional rivals taking on each other in prime time. But, the curse of TNF continued on. Why? I have one opinion, one that has been echoed by players and media alike. NFL player aren't fully prepared on three days rest. It's that simple. 

These players can't be expected to be at 100 percent after playing 60 minutes only three days beforehand. No human body could recover from the physical impact in such a short time. It's too hard. 

TNF is another one of the NFL's ideas to try to make more money. Don't get me wrong, that has been a screaming success as the CBS deal went for $275 million. People are making money, but sometimes, not everything should be about the almighty dollar.