Our unborn baby, apparently practicing her/his bicycle kicks, woke my wife up Friday night, so, like any supportive (or light sleeping) husband, I also woke up. While lying in bed, I decided to try and bore my my wife back to sleep with an update on the recent Jay Cutler, Josh McDaniels, and Matt Cassel man-love triangle. While explaining it, I created an analogy to summarize my take on the situation in terms she'd appreciate, i.e. Leonardo DiCaprio's love life.
Leo has clearly led a charmed life, making great movies (and a ton of cash) at a young age and spending significant time dating Gisele during the height of her supermodel-ness. Similarly, McDaniels has had nothing but success in his short coaching career in New England, riding Tom Brady's (ironically, Gisele in this analogy) coattails to three championships.
As we all know, Leo and Gisele eventually broke up, and he began dating a relatively unknown, yet very impressive Bar Refaeli. Equally, when McDaniels lost Brady, a unknown young QB, Matt Cassel, stepped in and played impressively.
Now, for the sake of argument, lets say Leo and Bar break up, and Leo begins dating Brooklyn Decker (Cutler here), an established, yet still up and coming supermodel not yet on the level of Gisele, Marissa Miller (Big Ben...unconventional but a physical phenomenon and reigning champion), Heidi Klum (Peyton Manning...overexposed yet still a legend), Alessandra Ambrosio (Drew Brees...overshadowed but highly "productive"), or Adriana Lima (Phillip Rivers...sort of crazy).
In this fake scenario, by all accounts, Leo should be thrilled. He's dating a gorgeous blond that still has years of supermodel upside. The guys out there dating Elle McPherson (Brett Favre...past his prime), Naomi Campbell (Donavon McNabb...sensitive and unpredictable), or Kate Moss (Eli Manning...vastly overrated) would love to have Decker and her considerable upside. But Leo just can't get Bar off his mind and keeps going on and on about her to anyone that will listen. Then one day, behind Brooklyn's back, Leo attempts to get back together with Bar right before she starts dating George Clooney (the Chiefs). But he's too late, and Clooney seals the deal with a trip to Mexico (most "experts" feel it would take at least a trip to Greece to woo Bar, but Clooney is in tight with Bar's modeling agency).
To add insult to injury, Bar's modeling agency (the Patriots) leak word of Leo's actions to the press (my theory on how the Cassel to the Broncos story got out). Now, Brooklyn gets pretty ticked off, even though Leo half-heartedly assures her that he "wants to make it work," it's too late and the damage is done. Brooklyn forces his hand, and he has to break up with her. Now he's stuck degrading himself to the actress circuit and chosing between Paris Hilton (Chris Simms...living off the family name), Hillary Swank (Kyle Orton...is he good or not), and Amanda Bynes (Mark Sanchez...lots of potential but unproven), while all along he had a sure thing in Brooklyn Decker.
Who knows, actresses may be great companions, but they're no supermodels.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Media Archive: Bob Smizik's Take on FSN "Gratitude" toward McClatchy
The first in what TYKM hope will be a regular look back at various media reports on relevant topics. This particular article, written by Bob Smizik, appeared in the July, 21, 2006 online edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and addresses the inspiration for our blog title. Enjoy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Air with Bob Smizik: FSN's praise of McClatchy a bit too much
Friday, July 21, 2006
Regional sports networks such as FSN Pittsburgh walk a fine journalistic line with some of the teams they cover.
On one hand, such networks make a legitimate effort to honestly cover the teams whose games they carry, which, in the case of FSN, are the Pirates and Penguins. Toward that end, they hire qualified journalists who work hard to deliver balanced news.
At the same time, though, regional sports networks are important partners of the teams they cover. Without the Pirates and the Penguins, in all likelihood, there would be no FSN. It's important to FSN that those teams do well.
Likewise, those teams need the revenue they receive from FSN.
For FSN, it's a balancing act that requires constant fine tuning. Unfortunately, FSN lost its balance this week with its brief but gushing post-All-Star Game tribute to Kevin McClatchy that regularly appeared between innings of its coverage of Pirates games.
As a screen shows a shot of PNC Park, an announcer says, "An All Star thanks to the Pirates and Kevin McClatchy." As PNC fades, the screen shows, "Thank You Kevin McClatchy."
A bit much.
It's true McClatchy lobbied hard to get the game. And, once it was awarded the Pirates and the city carried out a near-flawless presentation. But overlooked in the thank you was the fact the game never would have been awarded to the Pirates, just 12 years after it previously had hosted it, if McClatchy's mismanagement of the franchise hadn't demanded it.
The only reason the Pirates got the All-Star Game was because the franchise was in a desperate -- and that's not too strong of a word -- need of a pick-me-up. The All-Star Game was a life preserver for the Pirates. But they weren't accidentally thrown overboard into the rough seas of competitive baseball. They got where they are -- the team with the worst record in the National League and with one of the most hopeless futures in MLB -- with mismanagement to the highest degree.
That doesn't deserve thanks, not even from an important corporate partner.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Air with Bob Smizik: FSN's praise of McClatchy a bit too much
Friday, July 21, 2006
Regional sports networks such as FSN Pittsburgh walk a fine journalistic line with some of the teams they cover.
On one hand, such networks make a legitimate effort to honestly cover the teams whose games they carry, which, in the case of FSN, are the Pirates and Penguins. Toward that end, they hire qualified journalists who work hard to deliver balanced news.
At the same time, though, regional sports networks are important partners of the teams they cover. Without the Pirates and the Penguins, in all likelihood, there would be no FSN. It's important to FSN that those teams do well.
Likewise, those teams need the revenue they receive from FSN.
For FSN, it's a balancing act that requires constant fine tuning. Unfortunately, FSN lost its balance this week with its brief but gushing post-All-Star Game tribute to Kevin McClatchy that regularly appeared between innings of its coverage of Pirates games.
As a screen shows a shot of PNC Park, an announcer says, "An All Star thanks to the Pirates and Kevin McClatchy." As PNC fades, the screen shows, "Thank You Kevin McClatchy."
A bit much.
It's true McClatchy lobbied hard to get the game. And, once it was awarded the Pirates and the city carried out a near-flawless presentation. But overlooked in the thank you was the fact the game never would have been awarded to the Pirates, just 12 years after it previously had hosted it, if McClatchy's mismanagement of the franchise hadn't demanded it.
The only reason the Pirates got the All-Star Game was because the franchise was in a desperate -- and that's not too strong of a word -- need of a pick-me-up. The All-Star Game was a life preserver for the Pirates. But they weren't accidentally thrown overboard into the rough seas of competitive baseball. They got where they are -- the team with the worst record in the National League and with one of the most hopeless futures in MLB -- with mismanagement to the highest degree.
That doesn't deserve thanks, not even from an important corporate partner.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Picking Last and It Feels So Good!
Logic would say you never want to be last at anything. Last in line. Last place. Last call. The word “last” just feels so negative and depressing. Well, I’m here to say, I hope the Steelers have the last pick at the NFL Draft every year! As an added bonus this year, the league decided to handicap them even more by screwing them out of their rightful 3rd round compensatory pick for losing Alan Faneca in free agency. Instead, they were awarded a pick at the tail end of the ever-glamorous 5th round. I guess it just wasn’t fair to give Day 1 wonderchild Kevin Colbert even more ammo to reload the Steeler juggernaut. The league is onto his spotty day 2 record apparently. That’s another post for another day.
The Steelers have 9 picks coming into this year’s draft, and I see them coming out of it with 1-2 OL, 2-3 DL, 1 WR, 1-2 DBs, and 1 LB. Onto the draft preview (order based on my personal preference).
1st round: Hakeem Nicks (WR – UNC), Tyson Jackson (DE – LSU), Vontae Davis (CB – Illinois), Alex Mack (C – Cal), or Max Unger (OL – Oregon)
Comment: Now, every yinzer that reads this pick is going to say the same thing here. “Why in the world do yinz have the Stillers pickin’ another WR when thez gotz so many needs at RB?” (Inside joke between Georgie and me). Here is my argument for this pick: I’ve seen Nicks play. End of discussion. Seriously. The guy is big, physical, and quick, and he has amazing hands. He immediately provides the Steelers with an heir apparent to Hines Ward, and he serves as an insurance policy in case Santonio Holmes demands a big payday in 2010 or Limas Sweed does not pan out. NOTE: I am a very big Sweed supporter, so I do not foresee scenario #2. Face it Yinzer Nation, the Steelers are now a passing team centered around an elite QB. They need 3-4 strong WRs to be effective.
Now, I do buy into the argument that any WR the team drafts should bring some return skills to the table, and Nicks does not fit this description. So, with that in mind, Tyson Jackson and Vontae Davis are my other two ideal 1st round picks. Jackson is a perfect fit as a 3-4 DE from a size/speed standpoint and Davis is a big and physical CB that would bring depth and youth to the defensive backfield. If either of these players is available at #32, they would be very good value picks.
Finally, we come to the most likely 1st round scenario, center Alex Mack from Cal. Justin Hartwig is over 30 and not the long-term solution at the position, and the Steelers have historically built their OL around a stalwart in the middle (Mansfield, Webby, Dirt, Hartings). Mack is a strong and powerful center that appears worthy of the position’s legacy in Pittsburgh.
All of the players profiled here are considered by most draft experts to fall anywhere in the 15-30 range. In light of that, I’ll add Max Unger as a possibility, since he should be there at 32. He is a talented and versatile offensive lineman that can play any of the 5 positions on the line, making him a great fit with Coach T’s mantra of “positional flexibility.”
One last 1st round note. I recently read a column by Mike Lombardi on National Football Post in which he stated that he did not feel Ray Maualuga, the all-world ILB from USC, was a 1st round pick. Now, Lombardi, as a former GM, is a trained expert and not just some middle-aged hack writer, so he should know what he's talking about. If for some reason Maualuga is sitting on the board at 32, everything you’ve read in the preceding paragraphs goes out the window. It's a no-brainer. The guy is a Ray Lewis-type talent at a position where the Steelers can never be deep enough. Yinzer Nation would whine and moan for the next ten years about selecting a 2nd 1st round LB in 3 years, but given James Farrior’s age and Maualuga’s singular talent, this pick just makes sense. I in no way, shape, or form expect him to be available at 32 though. Moving on…
2nd round: Sean Smith (CB – Utah), Duke Robinson (OG - Oklahoma), Ron Brace (DT – Boston College), or Herman Johnson (OG – LSU)
Comments: Sean Smith probably will not last until pick 64, so he may even be a round one option. He would be a great fit in the Steelers defensive backfield given his size (6'3", 210), athleticism (check this out), and versatility (there's that word again). DeShea Townsend is entering his 12 season, Ryan Clark is a free agent after the 2009 season, and Big Play Willie Gay is still relatively unproven. Smith would help alleviate all three of those concerns.
Anyone that watched the record-setting Oklahoma offense last year knows that Sam Bradford never got touched and DeMarco Murray seemingly always had room to run. Their offensive line, including massive guard Duke Robinson, was a large reason why. Robinson's size and reach make him a possibility at RT as well, allowing the Steelers to move Willie Colon inside where he belongs.
Ron Brace provides a succession plan for Casey Hampton and his pending free agency. Herman Johnson (6'7", 370+) earned his nickname "House" and is a high character guy who would be an absolute road grader in the running game.
3rd round: Marcus Freeman (LB – Ohio State), Derrick Williams (WR - PSU), Fili Moala (DT – USC), or Mitch King (DT – Iowa)
Comments: I want to focus on two players here: Marcus Freeman and Derrick Williams. While spending his college career overshadowed by teammate James Laurinaitis, Freeman always seemed to be around the ball in the OSU games I watched. He has the flexibility to play inside or outside, which is critical given James Harrison's contract situation, Larry Foote's 2010 free agency, and James Farrior's age.
Derrick Williams...DWill...Mr. #1 Recruit...I want to take this opportunity to personally apologize for spending the first three years of your college career as your biggest critic. Your senior year proved to me that any underperformance problems were strictly Morelli and Jay Paterno related. Williams possesses some key traits that make him an extremely attractive pick: fantastic hands, quickness, precise route-running, and, most importantly, big play ability in the return game. I would have knocked anyone out two years ago if they suggested DWill as a Steeler Day 1 pick, now I would applaud it.
Both King and Moala are undersized defensive tackles that are ideally suited to slide outside as 3-4 defensive ends.
4th round: Phil Loadholt (OT – Oklahoma), Brian Robiskie (WR – Ohio State), Juaquin Iglesias (WR – Oklahoma), or Victor Harris (CB – Virginia Tech)
Comments: Please see Duke Robinson above to understand Loadholt's appeal. Victor Harris is another CB option from a quality program, ditto for Juaquin Iglesias at WR/KR. That leaves Brian Robiskie for further analysis. Robiskie's numbers belie his abilities in my mind, given Ohio State's spotty QB play during his career. As you would expect from a coach's son, he's a smart, precise route runner with reliable hands. Similar to Nicks, I could see him as a suitable successor to Hines Ward in 2 years, serving as Ben's 3rd down security blanket. Robiskie has run well during his draft preparation, and he has 10 year pro written all over him.
5th round (a): Frank Summers (RB – UNLV), AQ Shipley (C – PSU), or Terrence Taylor (DT – Michigan)
Comments: Although I am baffled by Yinzer Nation's seemingly endless cry for RB help during this offseason, I have seen one mid-round RB/FB, Frank Summers, who would be a strong addition. I had not heard of this 250 bruiser until I read this article, but he could be another multi-faceted weapon for the Steeler offense. He adds a strong short-yardage presence to an already diverse backfield of FWP, Mendenhall, and Mewelde Moore.
AQ Shipley recently visited the Steelers facilities, signaling an interest in the Moon Township native. He's an intelligent and strong (33 reps at 225 lbs) option at center if the earlier rounds do not fall into place.
Terrence Taylor, another Big Ten product (shocking, I know), is a mid-round option at defensive tackle. This draft seems to really have a lot of quality depth at the key OL and DL positions, which should allow the team to focus on impact players on Day 1, regardless of position.
5th round (b): Maurice Evans (DE – PSU), Fenuki Tupou (OT – Oregon), Dannell Ellerbe (LB – Georgia), or Kyle Moore (DE – USC)
Comments: Let me first briefly comment on Tupou, Ellerbe, and Moore, all of whom are here based on position/need. They were all multi-year starters at big time college programs, and it seems logical to take this type of player in the middle rounds.
I want to now present a case for Maurice Evans, with a brief disclaimer. As a PSU alum, I have seen Evans a lot, so I am probably not a 100% objective evaluator. That aside, the guy is an athletic defensive end that probably has room to add 10-15 pounds of muscle, putting him in the ideal 3-4 range of 290. This pick, if by some crazy chance it happens, could be one of the best Day 2 picks of the Colbert era. I feel that strongly about this kid. He's gotten a very bad rap for what was essentially pretty harmless charge (possession of a small amount of wacky tobaccy), and once he got into JoePa's doghouse, his season was essentially finished. The emergence of Aaron Maybin during Evans' 3 game suspension only expedited his fate. As a Penn Stater, I 100% agreed with JoePa's decision to suspend him in light of the program's recent high-profile issues, but it does not change the fact that the guy can flat out play. Under Coach T's tutelage and guidance, the sky could be the limit. The problem is, some other smart team will probably have this same realization before the end of round 5.
Late Round Flyers: Jorvorskie Lane (FB - Texas A&M), Alex Boone (OT – Ohio State), Chase Daniel (QB - Missouri)
The Steelers have 9 picks coming into this year’s draft, and I see them coming out of it with 1-2 OL, 2-3 DL, 1 WR, 1-2 DBs, and 1 LB. Onto the draft preview (order based on my personal preference).
1st round: Hakeem Nicks (WR – UNC), Tyson Jackson (DE – LSU), Vontae Davis (CB – Illinois), Alex Mack (C – Cal), or Max Unger (OL – Oregon)
Comment: Now, every yinzer that reads this pick is going to say the same thing here. “Why in the world do yinz have the Stillers pickin’ another WR when thez gotz so many needs at RB?” (Inside joke between Georgie and me). Here is my argument for this pick: I’ve seen Nicks play. End of discussion. Seriously. The guy is big, physical, and quick, and he has amazing hands. He immediately provides the Steelers with an heir apparent to Hines Ward, and he serves as an insurance policy in case Santonio Holmes demands a big payday in 2010 or Limas Sweed does not pan out. NOTE: I am a very big Sweed supporter, so I do not foresee scenario #2. Face it Yinzer Nation, the Steelers are now a passing team centered around an elite QB. They need 3-4 strong WRs to be effective.
Now, I do buy into the argument that any WR the team drafts should bring some return skills to the table, and Nicks does not fit this description. So, with that in mind, Tyson Jackson and Vontae Davis are my other two ideal 1st round picks. Jackson is a perfect fit as a 3-4 DE from a size/speed standpoint and Davis is a big and physical CB that would bring depth and youth to the defensive backfield. If either of these players is available at #32, they would be very good value picks.
Finally, we come to the most likely 1st round scenario, center Alex Mack from Cal. Justin Hartwig is over 30 and not the long-term solution at the position, and the Steelers have historically built their OL around a stalwart in the middle (Mansfield, Webby, Dirt, Hartings). Mack is a strong and powerful center that appears worthy of the position’s legacy in Pittsburgh.
All of the players profiled here are considered by most draft experts to fall anywhere in the 15-30 range. In light of that, I’ll add Max Unger as a possibility, since he should be there at 32. He is a talented and versatile offensive lineman that can play any of the 5 positions on the line, making him a great fit with Coach T’s mantra of “positional flexibility.”
One last 1st round note. I recently read a column by Mike Lombardi on National Football Post in which he stated that he did not feel Ray Maualuga, the all-world ILB from USC, was a 1st round pick. Now, Lombardi, as a former GM, is a trained expert and not just some middle-aged hack writer, so he should know what he's talking about. If for some reason Maualuga is sitting on the board at 32, everything you’ve read in the preceding paragraphs goes out the window. It's a no-brainer. The guy is a Ray Lewis-type talent at a position where the Steelers can never be deep enough. Yinzer Nation would whine and moan for the next ten years about selecting a 2nd 1st round LB in 3 years, but given James Farrior’s age and Maualuga’s singular talent, this pick just makes sense. I in no way, shape, or form expect him to be available at 32 though. Moving on…
2nd round: Sean Smith (CB – Utah), Duke Robinson (OG - Oklahoma), Ron Brace (DT – Boston College), or Herman Johnson (OG – LSU)
Comments: Sean Smith probably will not last until pick 64, so he may even be a round one option. He would be a great fit in the Steelers defensive backfield given his size (6'3", 210), athleticism (check this out), and versatility (there's that word again). DeShea Townsend is entering his 12 season, Ryan Clark is a free agent after the 2009 season, and Big Play Willie Gay is still relatively unproven. Smith would help alleviate all three of those concerns.
Anyone that watched the record-setting Oklahoma offense last year knows that Sam Bradford never got touched and DeMarco Murray seemingly always had room to run. Their offensive line, including massive guard Duke Robinson, was a large reason why. Robinson's size and reach make him a possibility at RT as well, allowing the Steelers to move Willie Colon inside where he belongs.
Ron Brace provides a succession plan for Casey Hampton and his pending free agency. Herman Johnson (6'7", 370+) earned his nickname "House" and is a high character guy who would be an absolute road grader in the running game.
3rd round: Marcus Freeman (LB – Ohio State), Derrick Williams (WR - PSU), Fili Moala (DT – USC), or Mitch King (DT – Iowa)
Comments: I want to focus on two players here: Marcus Freeman and Derrick Williams. While spending his college career overshadowed by teammate James Laurinaitis, Freeman always seemed to be around the ball in the OSU games I watched. He has the flexibility to play inside or outside, which is critical given James Harrison's contract situation, Larry Foote's 2010 free agency, and James Farrior's age.
Derrick Williams...DWill...Mr. #1 Recruit...I want to take this opportunity to personally apologize for spending the first three years of your college career as your biggest critic. Your senior year proved to me that any underperformance problems were strictly Morelli and Jay Paterno related. Williams possesses some key traits that make him an extremely attractive pick: fantastic hands, quickness, precise route-running, and, most importantly, big play ability in the return game. I would have knocked anyone out two years ago if they suggested DWill as a Steeler Day 1 pick, now I would applaud it.
Both King and Moala are undersized defensive tackles that are ideally suited to slide outside as 3-4 defensive ends.
4th round: Phil Loadholt (OT – Oklahoma), Brian Robiskie (WR – Ohio State), Juaquin Iglesias (WR – Oklahoma), or Victor Harris (CB – Virginia Tech)
Comments: Please see Duke Robinson above to understand Loadholt's appeal. Victor Harris is another CB option from a quality program, ditto for Juaquin Iglesias at WR/KR. That leaves Brian Robiskie for further analysis. Robiskie's numbers belie his abilities in my mind, given Ohio State's spotty QB play during his career. As you would expect from a coach's son, he's a smart, precise route runner with reliable hands. Similar to Nicks, I could see him as a suitable successor to Hines Ward in 2 years, serving as Ben's 3rd down security blanket. Robiskie has run well during his draft preparation, and he has 10 year pro written all over him.
5th round (a): Frank Summers (RB – UNLV), AQ Shipley (C – PSU), or Terrence Taylor (DT – Michigan)
Comments: Although I am baffled by Yinzer Nation's seemingly endless cry for RB help during this offseason, I have seen one mid-round RB/FB, Frank Summers, who would be a strong addition. I had not heard of this 250 bruiser until I read this article, but he could be another multi-faceted weapon for the Steeler offense. He adds a strong short-yardage presence to an already diverse backfield of FWP, Mendenhall, and Mewelde Moore.
AQ Shipley recently visited the Steelers facilities, signaling an interest in the Moon Township native. He's an intelligent and strong (33 reps at 225 lbs) option at center if the earlier rounds do not fall into place.
Terrence Taylor, another Big Ten product (shocking, I know), is a mid-round option at defensive tackle. This draft seems to really have a lot of quality depth at the key OL and DL positions, which should allow the team to focus on impact players on Day 1, regardless of position.
5th round (b): Maurice Evans (DE – PSU), Fenuki Tupou (OT – Oregon), Dannell Ellerbe (LB – Georgia), or Kyle Moore (DE – USC)
Comments: Let me first briefly comment on Tupou, Ellerbe, and Moore, all of whom are here based on position/need. They were all multi-year starters at big time college programs, and it seems logical to take this type of player in the middle rounds.
I want to now present a case for Maurice Evans, with a brief disclaimer. As a PSU alum, I have seen Evans a lot, so I am probably not a 100% objective evaluator. That aside, the guy is an athletic defensive end that probably has room to add 10-15 pounds of muscle, putting him in the ideal 3-4 range of 290. This pick, if by some crazy chance it happens, could be one of the best Day 2 picks of the Colbert era. I feel that strongly about this kid. He's gotten a very bad rap for what was essentially pretty harmless charge (possession of a small amount of wacky tobaccy), and once he got into JoePa's doghouse, his season was essentially finished. The emergence of Aaron Maybin during Evans' 3 game suspension only expedited his fate. As a Penn Stater, I 100% agreed with JoePa's decision to suspend him in light of the program's recent high-profile issues, but it does not change the fact that the guy can flat out play. Under Coach T's tutelage and guidance, the sky could be the limit. The problem is, some other smart team will probably have this same realization before the end of round 5.
Late Round Flyers: Jorvorskie Lane (FB - Texas A&M), Alex Boone (OT – Ohio State), Chase Daniel (QB - Missouri)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
In Full Bloom
As is typical with my long term memory (i.e. remembering useless sports info while forgetting important work related facts), I will never forget where I was when I found out that Marc-Andre Fleury (aka "the Flower") was drafted #1 by the Penguins in the 2003 NHL draft. I had just arrived at a friend's house in Brighton, MA to pick him up to play golf. His roommate was watching ESPN, and it was announced that the Pens had traded from #3 to #1 to draft Fleury. I had read a brief article that week comparing this 18 year-old phenom to fellow French-Canadian goaltending legends Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. Needless to say, I was intrigued by this potential franchise goalie.
Any respectable Pens fan knows how the next five years transpired. Fleury came to camp in August 2003 and performed so well in training camp that he forced GM Craig Patrick and coach Eddie Olyck to bring him to Pittsburgh to start the season. He set the league abuzz, until he was sent to the World Junior tournament in December and blew the tournament and his confidence in one dramatic week. Financial considerations forced the team to send him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton upon his return, where he again struggled in the playoffs. In typical “yinzer” fashion, the poor kid starts getting slammed back in Pittsburgh as a bust. Mind you, he was 19 years old and had played a collective 20 games in the NHL, but the always perceptive Pittsburgh media and astute fans were writing him off.
Because of the lost '04-'05 season, the fortuitous deliverance of Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft and the unceremonious ending to Le Manifique's career, Fleury's '05-'06 season is hazy to me. All I remember is that he continued to bounce between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh and played inconsistent hockey. The criticism often heard focused on his over-reliance on athleticism, instead of proper positioning, his poor stick-handling, and his struggles in big games. Again, the kid was barely able to drink legally in the States. Did not matter, he was a wasted pick. I'm sure Bob Smizik did a 3,000 word column discussing how Fleury was responsible for the financial ruin and imminent departure of the team.
'06-'07 was a great bounce back year for the Penguins organization, but in my mind, Fleury's strong season got lost in the Crosby/Malkin shuffle. He posted the organization’s second 40 win season and collected 5 shutouts. He certainly struggled during the five game first-round beatdown by the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs, but he was not alone in that department. Again, as a 22 year old at the game's toughest position, he helped lead a 47 point turnaround culminating in the team's first playoff birth in five seasons.
I'm rambling here, but all of this background brings us to my main point. Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup finals was one of the 4-5 most exciting Pittsburgh sporting events I have ever watched. And with all of the excitement and drama (Malone's return from a slap shot to a broken nose, Gonchar slamming his back saving a goal and returning to record the 2nd assist on Sykora's OT winner, Sykora telling NBC's Pierre McGuire that he was going to score the OT winner, Michel Theirren playing a "hunch" and inserting eventual goal-scorer Max Talbot as the 6th attacker at the end of regulation, Detroit almost winning it with a barrage during the last 34 seconds of regulation, Jarko "Pittsburgh's Favorite Player" Ruutu ringing the iron with a rocket in the 1st OT, etc) the thing that I was most excited about was the otherworldly performance turned in by the Flower.
To call his performance a "coming of age" doesn't do it justice. A 23 year old goalie made 55 saves in an elimination game on the road in the Stanley Cup finals. On national TV. Against a veteran laden juggernaut. And the numbers alone do not do justice to his performance. It was a thing of beauty. Among his 24 OT saves were some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. With the glove, with the skate, with the stick, with the blocker, on his back, on his stomach…you get the point. Even ever-sardonic Hockey Night in Canada analyst Don Cherry was practically beside himself with excitement on ESPN immediately after the game. He called Fleury's performance one of the best he's ever seen in his long career. This comment from the guy who used Mario Lemieux as a punching bag for years. Clearly not someone easily impressed.
It was gratifying as someone who believed in and defended this kid for 5 years to watch him stand on his head, put his team on his back, and refuse to lose that epic Game 5 in Detroit. Losing the Stanley Cup tonight was tough to take, but it is great to know as a Penguins fan that the team's young goalie has blossomed before our very eyes.
Any respectable Pens fan knows how the next five years transpired. Fleury came to camp in August 2003 and performed so well in training camp that he forced GM Craig Patrick and coach Eddie Olyck to bring him to Pittsburgh to start the season. He set the league abuzz, until he was sent to the World Junior tournament in December and blew the tournament and his confidence in one dramatic week. Financial considerations forced the team to send him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton upon his return, where he again struggled in the playoffs. In typical “yinzer” fashion, the poor kid starts getting slammed back in Pittsburgh as a bust. Mind you, he was 19 years old and had played a collective 20 games in the NHL, but the always perceptive Pittsburgh media and astute fans were writing him off.
Because of the lost '04-'05 season, the fortuitous deliverance of Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft and the unceremonious ending to Le Manifique's career, Fleury's '05-'06 season is hazy to me. All I remember is that he continued to bounce between Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh and played inconsistent hockey. The criticism often heard focused on his over-reliance on athleticism, instead of proper positioning, his poor stick-handling, and his struggles in big games. Again, the kid was barely able to drink legally in the States. Did not matter, he was a wasted pick. I'm sure Bob Smizik did a 3,000 word column discussing how Fleury was responsible for the financial ruin and imminent departure of the team.
'06-'07 was a great bounce back year for the Penguins organization, but in my mind, Fleury's strong season got lost in the Crosby/Malkin shuffle. He posted the organization’s second 40 win season and collected 5 shutouts. He certainly struggled during the five game first-round beatdown by the Ottawa Senators in the playoffs, but he was not alone in that department. Again, as a 22 year old at the game's toughest position, he helped lead a 47 point turnaround culminating in the team's first playoff birth in five seasons.
I'm rambling here, but all of this background brings us to my main point. Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup finals was one of the 4-5 most exciting Pittsburgh sporting events I have ever watched. And with all of the excitement and drama (Malone's return from a slap shot to a broken nose, Gonchar slamming his back saving a goal and returning to record the 2nd assist on Sykora's OT winner, Sykora telling NBC's Pierre McGuire that he was going to score the OT winner, Michel Theirren playing a "hunch" and inserting eventual goal-scorer Max Talbot as the 6th attacker at the end of regulation, Detroit almost winning it with a barrage during the last 34 seconds of regulation, Jarko "Pittsburgh's Favorite Player" Ruutu ringing the iron with a rocket in the 1st OT, etc) the thing that I was most excited about was the otherworldly performance turned in by the Flower.
To call his performance a "coming of age" doesn't do it justice. A 23 year old goalie made 55 saves in an elimination game on the road in the Stanley Cup finals. On national TV. Against a veteran laden juggernaut. And the numbers alone do not do justice to his performance. It was a thing of beauty. Among his 24 OT saves were some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. With the glove, with the skate, with the stick, with the blocker, on his back, on his stomach…you get the point. Even ever-sardonic Hockey Night in Canada analyst Don Cherry was practically beside himself with excitement on ESPN immediately after the game. He called Fleury's performance one of the best he's ever seen in his long career. This comment from the guy who used Mario Lemieux as a punching bag for years. Clearly not someone easily impressed.
It was gratifying as someone who believed in and defended this kid for 5 years to watch him stand on his head, put his team on his back, and refuse to lose that epic Game 5 in Detroit. Losing the Stanley Cup tonight was tough to take, but it is great to know as a Penguins fan that the team's young goalie has blossomed before our very eyes.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Game 4 and the Infamous 5 on 3
As a sports fan, there are certain moments that are etched in your brain for all time. If you're lucky, more of them are glorious than infamous. In honor the Penguins' woeful 5 on 3 power play late in their Game 4 loss in the Stanley Cup finals, here are the most crushing moments that stick out to me in my twenty-five or so years of rooting for the Pittsburgh sports franchises:
-1985 AFC Conference Championship - based on that fact that I was eight years old, I don't remember much about the game, but I distinctly remember this game being the first time I felt the letdown of a big lose.
-1992 NLCS, Game 7 - Stan Belinda, Barry Bonds, and Francisco Cabrera are usually discussed in reference to this game, but the play that sticks out for me was Jose "Chico" Lind booting an easy ground ball with no outs in the bottom of the 9th. Jim Leyland proceeds to pull Doug Drabek, giving way to Belinda and history. I will go to my grave contending that Drabek would have finished the game and the Pirates would have won the World Series if the usually reliable Lind does not boot that ball.
-1993 Patrick Division Finals, Game 7 - I walked around in a daze for weeks after Ray Ferraro found Dave Volek in OT to end the dream of a Pens three-peat. That 1993 team was by far the best of the 1990's dynasty, but it could not overcome the fatigue of their record season-ending streak.
-1995 AFC Conference Championship - the sight of Alfred Pupunu streaking past Tim McKyer still haunts my dreams.
-Super Bowl XXX (1996) - it's funny, the moment that stands out for me in this game Levon Kirkland's huge sack on 3rd down to take the Cowboys out of field goal range late in the fourth quarter. That play should have set up the Steelers to run the ball right down the 'Boys throats (Bam Morris was fantastic in the 2nd half) for a four minute drive to seal the victory. Instead, Bill Cowher and Ron Erhardt decide to get cute and go five wide, thus Neil O'Donnell's place in Pittsburgh sports infamy.
-1998 AFC Conference Championship - the sight of Bill Romanowski mocking Kordell Stewart after his end zone interception right before halftime always brings back that nauseous feeling.
-2000 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4 - Keith Primeau, five overtimes, enough said.
-2002 AFC Conference Championship - Stewart usually gets the lion's share of the ridicule for this game, and rightfully so, but if Troy "the Bust" Edwards doesn't run out of bounds on Josh Miller's 70+ yard punt, the Steelers face the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.
-2005 AFC Conference Championship - sensing a painful trend? Ugh. Two moments stand out from this horror show. First, watching Rodney Harrison very…slowly…return a Ben Roethlisberger interception 87 yards for a touchdown was a kick in the shin. Second, the one guy that perpetually drove me insane during his career, Plaxico Burress, drops a gimme touchdown to pull within seven in the fourth quarter. Fitting ending to his Steeler career.
Shockingly, there is only one Pirates moment here…
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Mario and the Media
The Penguins 2008 Stanley Cup playoff run has been fun to watch, and the level of national media coverage is encouraging as a hockey fan. The one thing that blows my mind though is what seems like a vendetta against the team by Scott Burnside of ESPN.com. He has consistently gone out of his way to either criticize some perceived shortcomings or downplay their accomplishments by pointing out the injury problems of their competition. Apparently teams cannot win without their injured stars, just look at the Pens when Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury were out...wait, strike that. Anyway, the guy has stolen Bob Smizik's Debbie Downer role for weeks, yet this week he managed to top himself. He wrote a column blasting Pens owner, greatest all-time greatest player, 2 time Cup hoister, 3 time franchise savior, etc, Mario Lemieux for what Burnside perceived to be a lack of visibility during the playoffs. Burnside contends that Lemieux only cooperates with the media when it convenient to him, citing his previous efforts to secure a new arena and his involvement in the 2002 Winter Olympics as examples.
I'm not sure what audience Burnside intends to appease, but I just don't see the purpose of ripping an icon during the team's return to glory. And to suggest that Lemieux is some self-serving manipulator of the media is absurd in this instance. He has clearly stated that he does not want to take attention and focus off of the team's success, and he's smart enough to realize his stepping into spotlight would steal attention from Crosby and the rest of this series' young stars. He understands the significance to the city, team, and league of continuing the national drumbeat for the new NHL, and he knows that Crosby is the face of that movement.
Of course, not to be outdone, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's ever cheery Ron Cook concurred with Burnside in his column today. The funny part is, Cook managed to squeeze in his praise for Burnside in a column about Crosby's superstar effort in Game 3. Good to see Cook knows how to stay on point. Again, I just can't understand taking pot shots at a guy that has saved the franchise on THREE separate occasions. Has he historically been surly with the media? Sure. Was his interest in ownership of the team largely based on his vested financial stake? Without a doubt. Did he use the media (and some other cities) as an instrument for gaining a new arena deal? Thank goodness yes. Is any of this relevant during what should be a fun, entertaining, and galvanizing playoff run that the city and region can rally around? Absolutely not.
It's good to see that petty media grudges never die...
I'm not sure what audience Burnside intends to appease, but I just don't see the purpose of ripping an icon during the team's return to glory. And to suggest that Lemieux is some self-serving manipulator of the media is absurd in this instance. He has clearly stated that he does not want to take attention and focus off of the team's success, and he's smart enough to realize his stepping into spotlight would steal attention from Crosby and the rest of this series' young stars. He understands the significance to the city, team, and league of continuing the national drumbeat for the new NHL, and he knows that Crosby is the face of that movement.
Of course, not to be outdone, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's ever cheery Ron Cook concurred with Burnside in his column today. The funny part is, Cook managed to squeeze in his praise for Burnside in a column about Crosby's superstar effort in Game 3. Good to see Cook knows how to stay on point. Again, I just can't understand taking pot shots at a guy that has saved the franchise on THREE separate occasions. Has he historically been surly with the media? Sure. Was his interest in ownership of the team largely based on his vested financial stake? Without a doubt. Did he use the media (and some other cities) as an instrument for gaining a new arena deal? Thank goodness yes. Is any of this relevant during what should be a fun, entertaining, and galvanizing playoff run that the city and region can rally around? Absolutely not.
It's good to see that petty media grudges never die...
Late to the blog game...
Welcome to "Thank You Kevin McClatchy!" and thank you, the reader, for taking some time out to explore our new endeavor. As natives of Western Pennsylvania transplanted in the Boston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles areas during the past eight years, we wanted a forum to express our views on the goings-on of our favorite sports teams back in Pittsburgh. Frankly, it can be lonely following the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates (ugh) without fellow fans around, and we hope this blog will give us an outlet to connect with others in the same boat. It also gives us a chance to comment on the constantly changing (and often negative) opinions of Pittsburgh's local sports reporters and commentators. Long entrenched newspaper writers such Ed Bouchette, Joe Starkey, Bob Smizik, Ron Cook, and Mike Prisuta shape a lot of the coverage we are able to read via the internet in our distant locations, so it is only right that we keep them honest. We only hope our day jobs do not keep us from regularly contributing new and insightful commentary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)