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      Bad year for Pittsburgh sports

      May 13, 2010 /

      Let’s recap 2010 for the Pittsburgh faithful:

      – Ben Roethlisberger is accused of sexually assaulting a woman…for the second time in less than a year. His six-game (which might be reduced to four games) suspension leaves the Steelers with Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon as their starting quarterback to start the 2010 season.

      – While nobody expects anything from them anyway, the Pirates, although currently not in last place, are six games below .500 and on pace to finish in the NL Central cellar once again this season (although not if the Astros can help it).

      – The defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins were shocked by the Canadiens Wednesday night in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals – on their home ice, no less. What’s worse is that the game was damn near over with 3:30 left in the second period as Montreal somewhat cruised to a 5-2 victory. The Habs have become a great story, but the Pittsburgh faithful can’t be too thrilled that the Pens lost to a less superior team. (I know, I know – “on any given day.”)

      – Pittsburgh doesn’t have a NBA team, but if they did, I’m convinced that they would be facing elimination right now in the playoffs. Either that, or gearing up for the NBA Draft Lottery.

      The Sporting News made Pittsburgh No. 1 for its annual “Best Sports Cities” rankings in October last year. I’m thinking “The Steel City” won’t take home the honors this year.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB, NFL, NHL

      Is this a make or break year for Matt Forte?

      May 13, 2010 /

      After Matt Forte racked up 1,715 total yards and 12 touchdowns his rookie year in 2008, the Bears felt as though they had a star in the making. He drew comparisons to Edgerrin James, given the backs’ similarities in balance, body control and burst.

      But then something happened in Forte’s second year. His play dramatically fell off and while some like to chalk it up to a sophomore slump, the issues were deeper than that. The offensive line struggled to open holes for him and somewhere along the way he lost his confidence. He also had his knee scoped after the season, which might suggest that he played hurt too. It wasn’t just one thing that affected his play – it was a culmination of factors that limited him to fewer than 1,000 rushing yards and only four total touchdowns.

      Whether Forte is due for a bounce back campaign or not, there will be one significant change this year than there was in 2009. And he goes by the name of Chester Taylor. The Bears didn’t have an answer for a slumping Forte last year, but this season Taylor is ready and willing to take over at the drop of a hat. The former Viking isn’t a one-man wrecking crew, but he has proven to be an effective back over his career and won’t hesitate to seize the moment if Forte struggles.

      While suggesting that this is a make or break year for Forte is a bit extreme (after all, he’s only in his third year), he now has competition for touches. And maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe the presence of Taylor will help Forte stay fresh throughout the season and instill some of that confidence that he lost in ’09.

      Of course, no matter who runs the ball, the offensive line must do a better jump opening up holes. There’s reason to believe that the Bears’ O-line will be just as bad as it was last year, as GM Jerry Angelo did nothing to address the massive issue in the offseason. The additions of Taylor, defensive end Julius Peppers and safety Chris Harris certainly make this team better, but sliding Frank Omiyale from guard to right tackle doesn’t constitute fixing the offensive line. So it’ll be interesting to see if Forte can build off the success he had in his rookie year, or if the Bears’ running game will once again fall apart at the feet of their offensive line.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, NFL

      Hockey teams get to finish game 11 years later thanks to Gatorade

      May 13, 2010 /

      Gatorade put on a cool event in Detroit last weekend when they reunited members from the Trenton and Detroit Catholic Central schools in order to finish a 1999 game that ended in a 4-4 tie. Hockey legends Gordie Howe, Scotty Bowman and Brendan Shanahan all participated in the REPLAY.

      This time around, Trenton knocked off their counterparts, 4-2.

      For the honorary coaches it was a game of former player versus coach with Shanahan squaring-off against Bowman. Despite winning three championships while in Detroit, the two put those memories aside to focus on their teams.

      “We have a lot of fond memories of our time together in Detroit, and we are two very competitive people so it was great to coach against each other,” said Brendan Shanahan. “When Gatorade contacted me about REPLAY, I was already excited because of what the program does for these guys. Then I found out Scotty Bowman would be on the other bench and I knew it was something I couldn’t pass up. I’m going to end my coaching career one and zero.”

      Gatorade REPLAY re-stages classic games between some of the nation’s biggest high school sports rivalries. After a successful REPLAY Season One featuring the 1993 Easton Area and Phillipsburg high school football teams, a call for Season Two entries was made causing Trenton’s Kurt LaTarte to nominate his team’s rivalry with CC.

      “That year Trenton and CC were at the top of the rankings, and despite winning the state championship that year CC was 25-1-1 with their only loss and only tie all season to us,” said LaTarte. “I knew this was an awesome opportunity to get the teams together and close this chapter. Seeing how this came together it was definitely worth every ounce of sweat.”

      Read more about the event and check out photos here.

      External Sports, General Sports, High School Sports

      Someone please buy LeBron a dictionary

      May 13, 2010 /

      Last year, after losing to the Orlando Magic, LeBron served up this gem when asked why he didn’t shake hands with the Magic:

      “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.”

      Um, LeBron, I hate to burst your bubble, but that’s exactly what being a poor sport means.

      On Wednesday, when asked if he was disappointed in his brutal performance in Game 5, he said the this:

      “Me? Personally?” he said. “Nah, I’m not disappointed. I’m never disappointed in my play. I feel like I could do more, but I’m not disappointed at all.”

      Sorry to pull the dictionary out here, but this is what Merriam-Webster has to say about the word disappoint.

      to fail to meet the expectation or hope of

      In other words, if you think you could do more, then you failed to meet your own expectations, and you are therefore disappointed.

      Now, no one says that you have to wallow in that disappointment, but it doesn’t change the fact that you are at some point disappointed with your own play. LeBron said himself that he is never disappointed in his own play. That’s impossible.

      This reminds me of that line from “The Princess Bride,” when Inigo Montoya is talking to Vizzini and the latter says his favorite word: “Inconceivable!”

      Montoya’s response?


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, Humor, NBA

      Ricky Rubio highlights from Euroleague semis [video]

      May 12, 2010 /

      Wondering how Ricky Rubio is doing over in Spain? Well, his team (Barcelona) won the Euroleague title. Here is a crude mash up of his highlights for the semifinal game, where had 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. He had a hand in 41% of his team’s points.

      He looks a little stronger — let’s not forget that he’s still only 19 years old — and has the same court vision and ball handling that had scouts drooling over his skill set last summer.

      He reminds me of a young Jason Kidd — a floor leader with an improving jumper. Kidd is quite a bit stronger and is a better rebounder, but the similarities are there.

      Rubio has stated that he’s going to play in Europe for another season and then come over to the NBA. Only time will tell if he ends up playing for the team (T-Wolves) that drafted him.

      External Sports, Fantasy Basketball, NBA Draft, Video

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