AFC Playoff Picture Raises Interesting Questions

Well it's that time of year. The best of the best (I say that with reservations), are set to play starting this Saturday to earn a trip to cold, snowy Indianapolis in early February for Super Bowl XLVI.

The AFC welcomes back three teams from last years playoffs, and three new teams, which includes one franchise that is getting its first taste of the postseason. Looking at the field in the AFC, there are few things to ponder about the six teams in the running for the Lombardi trophy.

1) New England Patriots: Let's face it, a year without the Patriots in the playoffs is like a Christmas without a tree. It doesn't seem right. Of course, Tom Brady leads the Pariots offense into the playoffs, while him and his offense have to carry the defense on their backs. No doubt the offense is potent, but the defense flat out stinks. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has been a beast the entire season for New England. As of now, the Patriots are a clear favorite, as always. But could a team like Pittsburgh knock them off after the bye week? Let's not forget the Divisional game against the Jets last year. Don't worry Bill, Rex is watching from home this year.

2) Baltimore Ravens: Where do I start with the Ravens? Great at home, bad on the road against sub-par teams. Best thing that happened for Baltimore was beating the Steelers both times this year. The football universe will show that the two teams will most likely meet at some point. The Ravens are dangerous at home and are vulnerable on the road (except Pittsburgh apparently). Lewis and Suggs lead the defense, which is one reason why the Ravens are where they are and Flacco has played well, but still needs to prove himself in the playoffs. If Baltimore and New England meet in the AFC Championship, you would have to believe New England has the advantage. If Baltimore gets lucky and is home for the AFC title game against Pittsburgh or whoever, put your money on Baltimore.

3) Houston Texans: Welcome to the postseason Houston! A favorite at the beginning of the season to win in a weak AFC South, the Texans have had their high and low moments this season. The lowest being losing Matt Schaub to injury and losing their last three games of the regular season, but we all knew they would be the #3 seed regardless of how they finished after clinching the division. The lack of a quarterback could mean an early exit for the Texans against Cincinnati this Saturday in Houston. If anything, they only make it to the divisional round.

4) Denver Broncos: Where's the Tylenol?! I guess it wouldn't be fair to start talking about the Broncos without mentioning Tim Tebow. Yes, he pulled out some magical comebacks at the end of most of the games during their 6 game winning streak, but "Tebow Time" took a backseat to the New England Patriots on December 19th and lead to Denver losing their final three games. Only in the AFC West can you lose three straight and still win the division. Thank the Broncos defense and kicker Matt Prater for keeping them in the playoff picure. Of course, Tebow worked the little magic he's had this year, but he'll need a lot more with Pittsburgh coming to town. Tim Tebow, have you met James Harrison. Denver deserves to be out after the Wild Card game. But the dreaded "Tebow Time" could strike if the Steelers let Denver stay in the game.

5) Pittsburgh Steelers: For as many times Baltimore shot itself in the foot, Pittsburgh did so themselves. Losing twice to the Ravens didn't help their cause and when opportunity showed itself as an early Christmas gift for the Steelers in San Francisco following a Ravens loss to the Chargers, Pittsburgh wasted it. Of course the Steelers have dealt with once again a thin offensive line, an injured quarterback and now their number one running back out with an ACL injury. As it has been over the past few years, the Steelers rely on Roethlisberger to carry the offense. With all the injuries Big Ben has sustained in his career, a high ankle sprain injury couldn't stop him from playing against the 49ers. The result was bad, but you see the toughness of Roethlisberger. The Steelers defense is aging, but they have been able to stay #1 overall in the NFL. Troy Polamalu will be a key asset as the playoffs begin. James Harrison can make Tebow's day a nightmare if his offensive lineman can't contain him. Steelers should be favorites to knock out the Broncos. But keep in mind the NFC Wild Card game with 7-9 NFC West Champion Seahawks shocked the defending Super Bowl Champion Saints. So be on your toes Pittsburgh. Crazier things have happened.

6) Cincinnati Bengals: Be honest, after Carson Palmer opted out of Cincy and Ochocinco and Owens left, it seemed like "doom and gloom" for Bengals fans. Some even gave up their season tickets they were that disgusted. With a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton, nobody expected a winning year or even in the playoff run. But Dalton stood strong along with rookie wide receiver AJ Green, the Bengals are looking at a bright future. Even if they don't beat Houston, it was an unexpected season for this club after all their key players left. Can they beat Houston? I think they can, but don't expect an upset win over the Patriots in Foxboro.  

Winter Classic Still Strong After Five Years

The 5th Annual Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic could not have been better. Two division rivals, both sitting one and two in the Atlantic Division standings, playing to the final whistle in front of over 47,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park.

The National Hockey League's outdoor gala had less problems with mother nature in Philadelphia than they did last year in Pittsburgh. With the game being scheduled a day later due to the NFL games, it gave the ice crew some time to keep the ice playable with mild temperatures and fear of rain in the forecast. Of course the league moved the game back two hours, with temperatures dropping later into the afternoon. Luckily not dealing a repeat of 2011, with heavy rain and temperatures in the 50's. 

The spectacle of the game was as big as it has been in the past. Most in part to the Flyers and Rangers fans who keep it alive. Let's face it, the Winter Classic is a hot event that two of the 30 teams in the NHL hope to hold on New Years Day (or weekend). The 2nd annual alumni game bringing back some of the greats of Philadelphia and New York's hockey past had the Phillies ballpark filled to capacity on New Years Eve. Be honest, if you're a Flyers fan, you were somewhat excited to see Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros skate together.

The drama leading up to the game heightens every year. The biggest concern is the weather on the day of the event. While many hope for snow and temperatures in the mid 30's (the ideal weather for the ice that was seen at the inaugural event in Buffalo), people in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh can tell you snow is not always in the forecast for the first day in January. The Pittsburgh Classic was the first one challenged by mother nature. Heavy rains and almost 60 degree weather threatened the game, with many hoping the game could continue. The game was moved to 8pm that night, creating a more dramatic atmosphere, and had Penguin and Capital fans sitting in rain during the third period. For the league, they were lucky to pull the game off that night.

Add HBO's "24/7" series into the equation and you have hockey drama at its most realistic and finest. How many teams let you into their locker room and their inner circle for a month? Especially two clubs like the Flyers and Rangers who are in the middle of an Atlantic Division dogfight with each other and the rest of their division. You see all of it, obscenities and all (especially former Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau). This will make you want to get HBO if you don't subscribe currently.   

Now, onto the game. A first period filled with physical play that anyone would expect from two teams that have dropped the gloves in the first minute of their first two meetings this season. The Flyers got the home crowd going with Brayden Schenn getting his first NHL goal on a rebound. How excited would you be to score your first goal in the pros in front of 47,000 plus people at the age of 20? Schenn got to do it. Claude Giroux gave the Flyers some insurance with a goal set up by a breakout by Scott Hartnell to Maxime Talbot, who played in his third Winter Classic this afternoon, making it 2-0 Philadelphia.

While we are on the topic of former Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Rupp, who had a fight in the 2011 Winter Classic, scored quickly and saluted the Flyer faithful, making it 2-1. If you were in line for hot chocolate and not in your seat for the beginning of the third, the game changed quickly. Rupp scored again and then Brad Richards, another Ranger pickup during the offseason, gave New York the lead within the first 6 minutes of the period. The last five minutes of the game had people glued to the TV. With minor penalties setting up a 4 on 4 situation, it created open ice and an opportunity for the Flyers to pull Babrovsky and try to tie the game. A penalty shot opportunity gave the Flyers a golden opportunity with less than 20 seconds left in the game. Briere went one on one with Henrik Lundqvist, who was a wall toward the end of the game and denied Briere on the penalty shot.

A tough one to swallow for the people of Philadelphia and a reason to celebrate for the Ranger faithful, both teams and their fans should take time to reflect on the experience, especially those who were lucky enough to get tickets. It's an event that someone like myself remembers when the game was held at Heinz Field. Despite the rain and the delayed start, it had all the elements of a memorable day. There was at least some flurries toward the end of the second period.

So where will the NHL Winter Classic be held in 2013? Let the campaigning begin.

Talbot Deserves Cheers, Not Jeers From Penguin Fans

With the Philadelphia Flyers making their first trip to Pittsburgh this season, fans still remember that day in late June when fan favorite Maxime Talbot signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. While his departure from the Penguins was imminent, the idea that Talbot would sign with the cross-state rival Flyers had some questioning how he could do such a thing.

While it will pain many to see Talbot in orange and black at Consol Energy Center tomorrow night, there are a few reasons why fans should applaud him for what he did while he was a member of the Penguins.

His overall representation as a fan favorite. It's enough for people to point to Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin as their favorite player, but for others, Talbot stood out. I have always acknowledged that NHL players are some of the best athletes when it comes to fan relations. Talbot was a perfect example of that representation. A character in his own without trying to draw all the attention to himself. I said that Philadelphia was lucky to be getting a guy like Talbot. Who could forget his A&L Car Motor Sales commercials that had him getting "Superstar Treatment?" I can also say that my family adopted him as our favorite. His "Ice Time" program covers are still on the refrigerator. 

Another reason would be the on ice contributions that Talbot brought to the Penguins. Talbot was a great defensive forward and unsung hero in his time in Pittsburgh.

Wind the clock back to April 25, 2009. The Penguins are in a series clinching situation against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. The Flyers go up 3-0, and Tablot and Carcillo drop the gloves. While not a victory for Talbot, it was the spark the Penguins needed to come back and win the game 5-3. Go to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The story of how an unexpected player will rise and lead his team to victory in the deciding game. In that Stanley Cup clinching 2-1 victory, Talbot had both goals.

So for those of you who feel that these reasons still don't take away from the fact that he did take a contract with the Flyers, look at it this way. Talbot, unlike Jagr, who is expecting and will be booed by the Penguins crowd for the first time since May 4, 2008, is a young player who is still has a long career ahead of him. Talbot is 27, and wanted a long term contract from the Penguins, who didn't offer him one, and the Flyers did. He also left on better terms than Jagr did.

So if you are a Penguin fan and are going to the game tomorrow night, show your appreciation for Max Tablot. There is a lot more to him than the color of the jersey he wears. FYI: He's #27 now.

Who Is in Charge at Penn State?

The scandal at Penn State has many people not just looking at the former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky in this case, but at the Penn State administration as a whole. The term “chain of command” is a term used when trying to determine who is to blame for the lack of reporting the incidents involving Sandusky. When you look closer, you see how one activity at Penn State causes unbalance in the administration.   

The chain of command seems to break when dealing with Penn State football. While at most colleges, the AD has authority over the entire department. At Penn State, it would seem Paterno had more than most in his position.

When most people think of Penn State, they think two things. Joe Paterno, and football. There is no doubt that football is a power that can dictate many universities across the country. For Penn State, it has identified the college. Its value backs up the argument, as the football program is worth $99 million, the third highest in college football.

Paterno has the most wins of any Division I-A coach and two national championships. He has been a part of the coaching staff since 1950 and head coach since 1966. For any school, 46 years is a long time for one man to coach any team.

Paterno’s influence has gone beyond football. He has become a beloved “grandfather figure” amongst student and alumni, and has even donated money for the library and spiritual center, two other things that make him more of a hero in the eyes of Penn Staters. With that, Paterno has always given some the thought that he is above everyone else. A man who has been more of a figurehead than a coach over the past decade. Of course it may be we as fans that put coaches like Paterno on such a high pedestal.

Based on how the grand jury report described the incident, it seems obvious that there was no reporting to police by no one about the 2002 incident and even the 1998 incident seen by a custodian at Penn State. It makes you wonder just how important football is to the university. Maybe too much?

While we are just at the beginning of this investigation, some feel that a cover-up has happened. Whether it was the administration protecting Paterno and the football program, or the police are keeping something under wraps, the power structure at Penn State is unstable. With former FBI Director Louis Freeh, who used to investigate the mafia, now heading the investigation into Penn State, it seems fitting for the somewhat “mob mentality” in State College. If anything, Penn State keeping quiet about this only hurt itself in the process. Cleaning out the entire current administration is the best move to make. Now that Joe Pa is no longer coach, it’s time to reconstruct the chain of command at Penn State, with football not influencing most of the activity in the administration.       

A Trip to Wrigley Field

There are places we hope to travel to in our lifetime. For an historian, the Pyramids or Stonehenge might be a destination. For sports fans, traveling to a place like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field and seeing a baseball game is one we all put on our bucket list. With the old stadiums like Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds have recently or have been gone for a long time, leaving only two relics of baseball's golden age to remain amongst the 21st Century architecture of stadiums today.

My dad and I have always wanted to visit Wrigley and Fenway for a baseball game. This summer, we thought we would mark one off the list. To see a stadium like Wrigley takes you back to a simpler time of the early days of baseball with only minor alterations for the new century. As Notre Dame football fans, we see Wrigley Field as another stadium in the Midwest that displays the traditional days of sports, like Notre Dame Stadium still does for college football. As a friend of mine said, "it's like you traveled back in time."

The area around the neighborhood of Wrigleyville seems to always be abuzz when the Cubs play a home game. Regardless of the sub-par season the team is having, attendance out-does other cities with winning ball clubs. To think it has been over a century since this team has won a World Series title and the Cubs still bring out the large numbers for their games.

The view of the old-time scoreboard and the ivy wall are even more amazing than when you see it on television. The rooftop seating is a unique feature you don't see in other cities. The sound of organ music is a far cry from the recorded music you hear in most ballparks today. It reminds me of the days when Pittsburgh's Vince Lascheid would play before Pirate games at Three Rivers Stadium. The flags to display the division standings of the National League remind you of a time when the National League was the only thing that mattered to Cubs fans before Interleague came into play.

There were many people like us from out of town that wanted to see one of baseball's remaining shrines to the old days. For most of us, we hope that Wrigley and Fenway remain forever and long after we're gone. To remind those of the future about the history of this century old game.

It Was Only Two Weeks Ago...

You ever find yourself saying "it seems like only yesterday" and then you go into your story. For me it only feels like yesterday that the Pittsburgh Pirates were above .500 and in first place in the National League Central. I wake up this morning to see the Pirates 10 games out of first, and in fourth place. As a Bucs fan, you have to be asking yourself "how the hell did this happen?!"

Since late June, the Pirates have found a way to compete with the rag-tag team they had. Especially with all the injuries and call ups that they have dealt with since June. There seemed to be a feeling that this would not only be the year that the Pirates not only got over .500, but they had a chance to compete with the Brewers and Cardinals for the division title. It brought out fans in record numbers and made people reformed baseball fans. To hear people telling Neil Walker that he and the team made them love baseball again had to be inspirational for a group of guys playing roulette and winning most of the night. It seems that they finally caught the bullet back during the 19 inning game against the Braves in the early morning of July 27th. Since then, the Pirates are 1-11 in their last 12 games. Going from 54-48 to 54-58 in 10 days. It's almost like we woke up from a beautiful dream and we are now dealing with a realistic nightmare.

OK. I know we weren't dreaming. But think about it. Last month, the Pirates had us all convinced they could could compete with their roster and the Steeler's season was in jeopardy with no CBA in the works. So with no football in the future, and the Bucs showing they could compete, you had to feel like you are dreaming. All you would need to top off that dream would be a NCAA title for both Pitt football and basketball.

Now with the NFL back at work, the normal script is back in action. Perhaps Christopher Nolan got his "Dark Knight Rises" script notes mixed with the normal script we have been used to for almost 20 years.

I hate talking like this, but this losing stream of 10 games is like getting punched in the face on regular daily basis. Especially when you get swept by the Cubs and Padres at home. With the implosion of the pitching staff and bullpen, it shows the harsh consquenses when you rely on your puffing to bail you out when your offense is struggling. At least Neil Huntington didn't give away the future when getting Ludwig and Lee.

SIDE NOTE: I wrote this article on my iPhone while in the car going to Chicago. Currently passing Cleveland.

Four Days in Atlanta We Won't Forget

As I begin to write this post, the Pirates are in Philadelphia down by 7 after the Phillies went up 8-0 in the first two innings, lighting up starting pitcher Charlie Morton like the liberty bell in the outfield at Citizens Bank Park. While the Phillies series is a different story, let's return to the four days in Atlanta. If the Pirates wanted to leave any town any sooner, it had to be Atlanta.

A week that started with a two hour rain delay during a national television broadcast on ESPN Monday Night Baseball, and resulted in a win before the clock struck midnight. The next day, the weather was better, but dark clouds soon formed as the game went into extra innings. A late night affair that became the longest game in the history of both teams, and ended in the ugliest way possible. It was already enough the Pirates has no runs in the last 18 innings of that game, but umpire Jerry Meals, who became a top trend on Twitter and also received a special tagged trend #jerrymealssaysitssafe, which I and many had fun with, made one of the worst calls in the history of baseball, making Jim Joyce's safe call to ruin a no-hitter in Detroit look bleak to Meals' blunder in the 19 inning marathon.

While I and the rest of the baseball loving world blasted Jerry Meals on television, radio and social media sites, the Pirates went back to work to stay close with Milwaukee and St. Louis in the NL Central. Much to our dismay, the game went into extra innings once again. Upon this, I tweeted Pittsburgh sports columnist and 93.7 The Fan's Joe Starkey jokingly asking him the name of the home plate umpire that night, which he retweeted. Of course, the game didn't go any longer as the Braves made the bottom of the 10th batting practice working with Leroux on the mound and Joel Hanrahan for the second straight night not being used in key situations. I guess you could say that Sid Bream was laughing wherever he is now.

Although the Bucs couldn't win the rubber match the night before, the Pirates got help from Andrew McCutchen and saw Kevin Correia beat Derek Lowe in the pitching match-up, while picking up an RBI early in the game.

After that recap, we can now look at what we learned from our long visit in the deep South.

1) Lyle Overbay is Useless: For all the free passes Overbay has received by many in the media, his performance finally made people realize that he flat out sucks. 1 for 8 in the 19 inning game on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning made you react to him stepping up to the plate like you would a pitcher (NL fans only feel this, sorry AL fans).

2) Pedro was Average: Wasn't expecting the world from Alvarez, but he did OK. Good defense, despite the routine ground-out that ended in a ground-rule double. He came up big in different situations. The Bucs need more from him if they wanna stay toward the top of the Central.

3) Is Steve Pierce Even There? Pierce has been as productive as Lyle Overbay. Not much of a comment, but many would take him over Overbay at first in a heart beat.

4) Daniel McCutchen: The 6th starter?: OK, I know he won't be the 6th pitcher in the rotation the Pirates would add, but his 5+ innings in extra's on Tuesday was impressive. It took Jerry Meals to spoil the effort. May I add that he lasted as long as James McDonald and Charlie Morton have in their past few starts.



5) THE PIRATES NEED A BAT!: This road trip is a challenge for this team. What seems to be a bigger challenge is the Pirates front office having to actually make a move and pick up a hitter to spark a Pirates offense that is more cold than warm. The only thing standing between GM Neil Huntington and a trade to keep the Pirates relevant through September is the black sheep of Pittsburgh sports, Bob Nutting. This would be a great moment for the C. Montgomery Burns of Pittsburgh to share his wealth with the fan base by picking up a bat in exchange for some measly prospects. God forbid, we give away a prospect. If the Pirates do, they only risk having a more productive offense. Then again, that's my opinion, and I don't work the books for the Pirates. If the Pirates make a move by Sunday, get a player like Derek Lee and make a run at the division title but come up a game or two short, I think Pirates fans would be content with that. But I think everyone would like that division title to go along with a winning season, which is what we've really wanted for 18 years.