Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Puck Daddy chats with Penguins' Evgeni Malkin about Ovechkin hit, HBO '24/7', the Winter Classic and the holidays
By Dmitry Chesnokov
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/
Fri Dec 24 12:02pm EST
Evgeni Malkin is playing his best hockey of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, with 10 points in his last five games. He had an assist and nearly scored on a penalty shot last night against the Washington Capitals.
That's on the ice. Off the ice, fans are seeing a different side of Geno via HBO's "24/7" series, including how his teammates interact with him (like Pascal Dupuis' profane greeting to him in the first episode).
I spoke with Geno Thursday night about the HBO series, the rivalry with the Capitals, his health, the Winter Classic, the holidays and Sidney Crosby's season.
Q. There is always a lot of hype surrounding games between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. But I can't remember one game between the teams that actually disappointed.
Yes, you're right. Our games are always interesting and this one wasn't an exception. I am sure fans loved this one. It was very intense. Although there were a lot of penalties; the Capitals had a couple of 5-on-3 chances, but we had a lot of opportunities at even strength. Both goaltenders played really well and didn't disappoint. The overtime, the shootout - fans must have loved this game!
In the very beginning of the game Alex Ovechkin put a hit on you. Just like good old times when you were feuding.
[Smiling] I was lucky that it was only my shoulder. I couldn't see Alex coming because I was battling against another player, trying to get away from him. I was just coming from around the net and Alex came down hard on me. Once again, lucky for me it was just my shoulder.
Did you feel it was just a game moment? A lot of people, I am sure, will start saying that there must be some bad blood between you two again.
Yes, I think so. I think Alex tried to fire up the crowd. And the crowd got really lively right away. Maybe they were a bit sleepy before the hit. I think I should have expected something like that. Maybe I just forgot the kind of a "machine" he is and that his hits are an every shift occurrence.
I think both teams realized after that that it was time to score some goals after that. We, the Penguins, came here to win. So it was a wake-up call for us too that it was time to go ahead. It's great that it happened in the beginning of the game. And it's great, I think, that we were able to score first.
How have you been feeling lately? Have you fully recovered from your injury? The last few games showed you're back to what you do best.
Of course I feel better. I also feel a lot more confident skating now that my knee hasn't let me down. That injury came at a bad time. But I had some days off, there will be a couple of days off now ahead of us, which is good for me. I can't say that I feel 100 percent healthy, but I am at about 90percent now, which makes me really happy. I am very happy about my game tonight: I felt a lot more confident playing around the boards, some close battles. Of course, there is always something to work on. But I am quite happy now.
There have been some experiments with you playing center, then on the wing. What position are you more comfortable in?
Of course I am more comfortable as a center. And tonight we were shorthanded a lot, which gave a lot of playing time at center. I don't kill penalties, I just sit on the bench. And then Sid, who also doesn't kill penalties, and I come out together because Dupuis, who plays on the wing with Sid, gets tired after playing shorthanded, and I play on the wing.
You always say that you love playing with Sid on the same line. How easy is it to play with him?
Of course it's easy. We understand each other like no other. He can keep the puck so well, we pass to each other knowing where we are. Tonight we spent a lot of time on the power play in the Capitals' zone, because we ‘feel' each other, we open up and know how to keep the puck in certain moments. Max Talbot and [Matt] Cooke try to play a little simpler, but Sid is a lot more confident as a player. He can always give a great pass. Of course it's so easy to play with him.
The most common criticism about your play at center is that you can be a liability on face-offs.
Of course I heard, it was the case. But I work a lot on my face offs at practice and now I win a lot of them. We played against Phoenix not long ago and we even scored off of a face off. I work on it a lot. I think my stats are now a lot better than what they were last year. Sometimes, when it doesn't come out right, I switch places with Talbot who takes face offs. Unfortunately, [faceoffs] don't always come out right.
Sid and I work together at practices, we all learn a lot from him. You look at the way he works on his weaknesses, and everyone tries just as hard to work on theirs. I wouldn't say that I got 50 percent better at it than before, but maybe 10 percent or so. I will just keep working, keep improving. Sid helps a lot by giving me advice. It's always good because look at how difficult it is to play against him."
With HBO now around there was a lot of attention to this game against the Capitals.
Yes, I don't even understand it. Because it's just another regular season game and there is so much hype surrounding it. But it was great at the same time with a sold out arena and a play-off-like atmosphere. Everyone was wearing their red jerseys here. People are now very serious about supporting the Capitals. And it's a great thing.
Did you watch the first two episodes of HBO's Road to the Winter Classic?
I watched the first one, but I didn't have time to watch the second episode.
Great. Now tell me about something everyone wants to know. What was that Dupuis' 'F--k you, Geno' all about when he said ‘Hi, guys' to everyone else?
[Laughing] I don't know. Maybe I looked at him the wrong way before. Maybe something happened earlier...
I think you were peacefully eating or something...
I think I was changing. Or maybe I was eating. I just don't know why he said it. Maybe he just acted for the cameras? [smiling] I don't know.
Why didn't you say anything in reply?
I did! But for some reason it wasn't shown. In English. Those kind of words can be said in English.
New Year's Day, the biggest holiday in Russia, is just around the corner and it's Christmas Day tomorrow. Do you have a holiday story you could share with our readers?
To be honest, I don't have any holiday stories. All my holiday stories are World Junior Championships and such. They always take place around this time of the year. I spent some of those years playing in tournaments in Canada, USA. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to share. I am really looking forward to this year, though. This is the first time in a few years that I will spend the holidays at home with my friends who will come over. We'll sit down together and celebrate.
Can't celebrate too hard though because you have a game on the 1st of January.
Yeah, but I also heard that there's rain in the forecast. And I heard that if there's rain the game will be postponed [smiling]. And if it does rain and the game will indeed be postponed, then there will be a chance to really celebrate [the New Year's].
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/
Fri Dec 24 12:02pm EST
Evgeni Malkin is playing his best hockey of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, with 10 points in his last five games. He had an assist and nearly scored on a penalty shot last night against the Washington Capitals.
That's on the ice. Off the ice, fans are seeing a different side of Geno via HBO's "24/7" series, including how his teammates interact with him (like Pascal Dupuis' profane greeting to him in the first episode).
I spoke with Geno Thursday night about the HBO series, the rivalry with the Capitals, his health, the Winter Classic, the holidays and Sidney Crosby's season.
Q. There is always a lot of hype surrounding games between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins. But I can't remember one game between the teams that actually disappointed.
Yes, you're right. Our games are always interesting and this one wasn't an exception. I am sure fans loved this one. It was very intense. Although there were a lot of penalties; the Capitals had a couple of 5-on-3 chances, but we had a lot of opportunities at even strength. Both goaltenders played really well and didn't disappoint. The overtime, the shootout - fans must have loved this game!
In the very beginning of the game Alex Ovechkin put a hit on you. Just like good old times when you were feuding.
[Smiling] I was lucky that it was only my shoulder. I couldn't see Alex coming because I was battling against another player, trying to get away from him. I was just coming from around the net and Alex came down hard on me. Once again, lucky for me it was just my shoulder.
Did you feel it was just a game moment? A lot of people, I am sure, will start saying that there must be some bad blood between you two again.
Yes, I think so. I think Alex tried to fire up the crowd. And the crowd got really lively right away. Maybe they were a bit sleepy before the hit. I think I should have expected something like that. Maybe I just forgot the kind of a "machine" he is and that his hits are an every shift occurrence.
I think both teams realized after that that it was time to score some goals after that. We, the Penguins, came here to win. So it was a wake-up call for us too that it was time to go ahead. It's great that it happened in the beginning of the game. And it's great, I think, that we were able to score first.
How have you been feeling lately? Have you fully recovered from your injury? The last few games showed you're back to what you do best.
Of course I feel better. I also feel a lot more confident skating now that my knee hasn't let me down. That injury came at a bad time. But I had some days off, there will be a couple of days off now ahead of us, which is good for me. I can't say that I feel 100 percent healthy, but I am at about 90percent now, which makes me really happy. I am very happy about my game tonight: I felt a lot more confident playing around the boards, some close battles. Of course, there is always something to work on. But I am quite happy now.
There have been some experiments with you playing center, then on the wing. What position are you more comfortable in?
Of course I am more comfortable as a center. And tonight we were shorthanded a lot, which gave a lot of playing time at center. I don't kill penalties, I just sit on the bench. And then Sid, who also doesn't kill penalties, and I come out together because Dupuis, who plays on the wing with Sid, gets tired after playing shorthanded, and I play on the wing.
You always say that you love playing with Sid on the same line. How easy is it to play with him?
Of course it's easy. We understand each other like no other. He can keep the puck so well, we pass to each other knowing where we are. Tonight we spent a lot of time on the power play in the Capitals' zone, because we ‘feel' each other, we open up and know how to keep the puck in certain moments. Max Talbot and [Matt] Cooke try to play a little simpler, but Sid is a lot more confident as a player. He can always give a great pass. Of course it's so easy to play with him.
The most common criticism about your play at center is that you can be a liability on face-offs.
Of course I heard, it was the case. But I work a lot on my face offs at practice and now I win a lot of them. We played against Phoenix not long ago and we even scored off of a face off. I work on it a lot. I think my stats are now a lot better than what they were last year. Sometimes, when it doesn't come out right, I switch places with Talbot who takes face offs. Unfortunately, [faceoffs] don't always come out right.
Sid and I work together at practices, we all learn a lot from him. You look at the way he works on his weaknesses, and everyone tries just as hard to work on theirs. I wouldn't say that I got 50 percent better at it than before, but maybe 10 percent or so. I will just keep working, keep improving. Sid helps a lot by giving me advice. It's always good because look at how difficult it is to play against him."
With HBO now around there was a lot of attention to this game against the Capitals.Yes, I don't even understand it. Because it's just another regular season game and there is so much hype surrounding it. But it was great at the same time with a sold out arena and a play-off-like atmosphere. Everyone was wearing their red jerseys here. People are now very serious about supporting the Capitals. And it's a great thing.
Did you watch the first two episodes of HBO's Road to the Winter Classic?
I watched the first one, but I didn't have time to watch the second episode.
Great. Now tell me about something everyone wants to know. What was that Dupuis' 'F--k you, Geno' all about when he said ‘Hi, guys' to everyone else?
[Laughing] I don't know. Maybe I looked at him the wrong way before. Maybe something happened earlier...
I think you were peacefully eating or something...
I think I was changing. Or maybe I was eating. I just don't know why he said it. Maybe he just acted for the cameras? [smiling] I don't know.
Why didn't you say anything in reply?
I did! But for some reason it wasn't shown. In English. Those kind of words can be said in English.
New Year's Day, the biggest holiday in Russia, is just around the corner and it's Christmas Day tomorrow. Do you have a holiday story you could share with our readers?
To be honest, I don't have any holiday stories. All my holiday stories are World Junior Championships and such. They always take place around this time of the year. I spent some of those years playing in tournaments in Canada, USA. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to share. I am really looking forward to this year, though. This is the first time in a few years that I will spend the holidays at home with my friends who will come over. We'll sit down together and celebrate.
Can't celebrate too hard though because you have a game on the 1st of January.
Yeah, but I also heard that there's rain in the forecast. And I heard that if there's rain the game will be postponed [smiling]. And if it does rain and the game will indeed be postponed, then there will be a chance to really celebrate [the New Year's].
Sunday, December 26, 2010
10 years ago, Lemieux super in comeback
By Kevin Gorman, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
With a spotlight shining a 66 on the Civic Arena roof, Gotham signaled for its superhero. Mario Lemieux answered it by making the most spectacular comeback in sports history to play once again for the Penguins.
There were Batman references aplenty on that December night 10 years ago tomorrow, when a 35-year-old Lemieux became the first player-owner in modern-day professional sports and did so in dominant fashion.
Super Mario wore a suit by day and a cape by night.
"It never happened before, never will again," said Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan, recalling that Dec. 27, 2000, game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "It had to take a unique set of circumstances for it to happen."
What made it so improbable wasn't just that Lemieux returned at midseason, but he did so in a shroud of secrecy. He trained with former teammate Jay Caufield for a month before his intention was revealed, keeping it top secret at the dawn of the instantaneous news cycle.
Lemieux's comeback became one of the first major sports stories to break on the Internet, as Kevin Allen posted it on USA Today's website the morning of Dec. 7. Nowadays, in the never-ending rush to be first, it probably would have appeared as a rumor on a social network site or sports blog.
"It was an incredibly big story, as you can imagine," Allen said. "It would be completely different now. Somebody would have Twittered it."
To Allen, what was lost was Lemieux's reason for coming back.
To the cynical, it was for financial reasons. To the sentimental, Lemieux wanted his son, Austin, 4 at the time, to see him play.
Then there was this: Mario missed the game he loved.
"It really flew in the face of the thought that Mario was not passionate about the game," Allen said. "You don't do the things Mario did unless you loved the game, unless you loved Pittsburgh."
Already inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Lemieux insisted that the Penguins lower his retired No. 66 from the rafters, and an awe-struck Austin watched the pregame ceremony with his mouth agape.
Then, in his first game since April 11, 1997, Lemieux assisted on a Jaromir Jagr goal 33 seconds into the first period. Lemieux added a goal and assist in the 5-0 victory, on his way to 16 points in his first six games and an astounding 35 goals and 76 points in 43 games.
"I do remember how much fun it was in the press box," Allen said. "We all looked at each other like, 'This is so Mario.' It was fun to be there, to witness it and chronicle it. This was a guy who didn't love the spotlight, but nobody seized the spotlight like Mario did."
The spotlight will shine on No. 66 once again Friday, when Lemieux will play in the Winter Classic alumni game at Heinz Field.
Don't call it a comeback, but don't be surprised if you see Super Mario wearing the cape one more time.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
With a spotlight shining a 66 on the Civic Arena roof, Gotham signaled for its superhero. Mario Lemieux answered it by making the most spectacular comeback in sports history to play once again for the Penguins.
There were Batman references aplenty on that December night 10 years ago tomorrow, when a 35-year-old Lemieux became the first player-owner in modern-day professional sports and did so in dominant fashion.
Super Mario wore a suit by day and a cape by night.
"It never happened before, never will again," said Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan, recalling that Dec. 27, 2000, game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "It had to take a unique set of circumstances for it to happen."
What made it so improbable wasn't just that Lemieux returned at midseason, but he did so in a shroud of secrecy. He trained with former teammate Jay Caufield for a month before his intention was revealed, keeping it top secret at the dawn of the instantaneous news cycle.
Lemieux's comeback became one of the first major sports stories to break on the Internet, as Kevin Allen posted it on USA Today's website the morning of Dec. 7. Nowadays, in the never-ending rush to be first, it probably would have appeared as a rumor on a social network site or sports blog.
"It was an incredibly big story, as you can imagine," Allen said. "It would be completely different now. Somebody would have Twittered it."
To Allen, what was lost was Lemieux's reason for coming back.To the cynical, it was for financial reasons. To the sentimental, Lemieux wanted his son, Austin, 4 at the time, to see him play.
Then there was this: Mario missed the game he loved.
"It really flew in the face of the thought that Mario was not passionate about the game," Allen said. "You don't do the things Mario did unless you loved the game, unless you loved Pittsburgh."
Already inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Lemieux insisted that the Penguins lower his retired No. 66 from the rafters, and an awe-struck Austin watched the pregame ceremony with his mouth agape.
Then, in his first game since April 11, 1997, Lemieux assisted on a Jaromir Jagr goal 33 seconds into the first period. Lemieux added a goal and assist in the 5-0 victory, on his way to 16 points in his first six games and an astounding 35 goals and 76 points in 43 games.
"I do remember how much fun it was in the press box," Allen said. "We all looked at each other like, 'This is so Mario.' It was fun to be there, to witness it and chronicle it. This was a guy who didn't love the spotlight, but nobody seized the spotlight like Mario did."
The spotlight will shine on No. 66 once again Friday, when Lemieux will play in the Winter Classic alumni game at Heinz Field.
Don't call it a comeback, but don't be surprised if you see Super Mario wearing the cape one more time.
Steelers' Ward has secured place in football history
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The individual accomplishments are as staggering as his blocks.
Hines Ward has scored more touchdowns — 83 — than any Steeler not named Franco Harris, holds almost every notable franchise receiving record and is 10th on the NFL's all-time receiving list with 11,657 yards.
What has cemented his legacy, at least in his eyes: He has won two Super Bowls and has a chance to add a third ring with the Steelers (11-4) on track for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.
"That's what changed me," Ward said of winning. "I remember when I was young, I always used to complain because I thought stats were what made somebody because that's what everybody looked at."
Ward is on pace for his worst statistical season since 2000, but he was hardly complaining after a recent practice. The 13-year veteran flashed the smile that has infuriated opponents and fans alike, as he recalled a blocking drill at the University of Georgia.
A running back had to run between two cones that were several yards apart — and past a defender in that space. The drill called for receivers to dislodge a defender from an imaginary line of scrimmage or lock down one who had gotten a running start at the running back. If the defender even touched the running back, he won.
The collisions were so violent that former Georgia receivers coach Darryl Drake said, "You probably couldn't do those kinds of drills today, but that's kind of what we did. Hines just absolutely loved that drill."
Looking back, Drake sees a deeper sense of purpose in those drills for Ward, something beyond just showing that he was a tough guy, as New York Jets coach Rex Ryan admiringly — and more bluntly — referred to Ward as recently.
"His No. 1 goal was to be able to have a chance to provide for his mother," said Drake, who recruited Ward to Georgia and is now the Chicago Bears' receivers coach. "He was obsessed with success for one reason, and that's so he could make a better life for her."
Breaking the mold
Twelve receivers were selected before Ward in the 1998 NFL Draft. That is still a point of contention with him.
Ward slipped to the end of the third round because of questions about his left knee — he has no ACL — and his inexperience at receiver. Ward has outperformed nearly every receiver in his class.
He has more receiving yards in six different seasons than the four players taken ahead of him in the third round have combined — in their careers. His four Pro Bowl appearances are four more than any receiver drafted ahead of him not named Randy Moss.
Moss and Ward are two of the top players from a class that included Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, and they couldn't be more different physically.
The 6-foot-4 Moss is rangy with blinding speed and superior leaping ability. He is a dream receiver, at least from the neck down. Ward has a thick neck and torso that call to mind a fullback or linebacker. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has long endured jokes that he could be timed in the 40-yard dash with a sundial.
"He's the worst-built receiver in the league," Steelers free safety Ryan Clark said with a smile. "He's just a guy that will block his butt off to the whistle, that spends extra time studying defenses and learning coverages."
Ward showed plenty of football acumen at Georgia. He shuttled among quarterback, running back and receiver his first two seasons before settling in at receiver.
"He's one of the top three smartest players at any position I've ever (coached)," said Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Ward's position coach from 2004-06. "He knows what his body can do. He knows what the defense is trying to do, and he can take his offense and beat you. That's what separates him."
So does his physicality.
Ward may be the best blocking receiver in NFL history, and he boasts a collection of made-for-YouTube hits — which hasn't always endeared him to opponents, particularly in Baltimore.
"We tried to knock his head off, and he was trying to knock our head off," said Ryan, the Ravens' defensive coordinator before taking the Jets' head job. "That is who he is, and that is who he will always be. I remember (cornerback) Samari Rolle tried to tackle him once, and he knocked him out. It was like, 'Wow.' "
Ward has never apologized for his style of play. That has made him beloved in a city that lost its steel mills long ago but never its blue-collar sensibilities.
"A lot of (receivers) are just fast and use their speed," he said. "I like to think of myself as a football player."
The sacrifices of a mother
Ward has spent his career trying to disprove his doubters — real or perceived. But that's only half of his story. He also has been driven to show his mother that she raised him right.
Young Ward prepared airline meals, cleaned hotel rooms and worked nights as a convenience store cashier to provide for her only son. The sacrifices his mother, a native of South Korea, made impressed upon Ward the importance of fulfilling what he considered his end of the deal.
"I could have skipped class and gone down the wrong street, but I knew my mom was working her tail off providing for me, and I wanted to be able to repay her," said Ward, who grew up in suburban Atlanta. "I was being teased, guys calling me nerds or 'You're a sellout.' I didn't really care for that. I just wanted to get to the next level and play football."
He could have gone to just about any school, as Drake learned one night when he showed up for Ward's high school basketball game and spied Notre Dame's Lou Holtz and Florida State's Bobby Bowden in the stands. Ward opted to stay close to home, and his exploits at Georgia are legendary. He thew for a Peach Bowl-record 413 yards — with a badly sprained right wrist — and left the school trailing only Herschel Walker in all-purpose yards.
Ward also graduated in 3 1/2 years, becoming the first member of his family to earn a degree. That is the accomplishment, he said, that his mother is most proud of.
"I was scared of failure, and I always wanted to be successful," said Ward, who has a degree in economics. "Not just for my mom's approval but just myself in general. That's all the motivation I need."
Will the Hall call?
Ward, 34, has found extra incentive from perceived slights throughout the years, namely the Steelers using three first-round picks on receivers since 1999.
"Still to this day, I feel like I've got to climb over Mt. Everest just to solidify that I'm pretty good wide receiver," Ward said. "Even if I do, there's still the (perception) of, 'Is he one of the elite guys in the league?' Or 'Is he still a top-tier wideout in the league?' "
The larger question of Ward's place in NFL history ultimately will be decided by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. His eligibility clock for Canton starts ticking when he retires — whether that is after this season, after 2013 when his contract expires or somewhere in between.
It has become increasingly difficult for receivers to gain entrance into football's most exclusive club. Cris Carter is a prime example.
Carter, third on the NFL's all-time list in receptions and fourth in touchdown catches, has been passed over three times in large part because voters have cast a wary eye on numbers posted during a pass-happy era.
If that hurts Ward when he becomes eligible, his blocking might make him stand out on the ballot. So would a third Super Bowl title. Ward said last spring he would retire if the Steelers win the Super Bowl this season.
When he does leave, he will do so with no regrets.
"Everything I got to this point, I worked my (behind) off to get," Ward said. "I wouldn't ask for it any other way because nothing was ever given to me.
"I've earned everything."
Sounding off
Steelers receiver Hines Ward weighs in on ...
• His longevity:
"I didn't expect myself to be playing this long, maybe five years. I started off behind the 8 ball. I was a special teams guy. Once I got my opportunity, I (never looked back). Then, they started drafting guys, and it didn't bother me because it wasn't what other guys were going to do. It was all about me. If I started messing up, then that's on me."
• Lasting until the final pick of the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft:
"I think (Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady said it best. Still to this day he always plays with a chip on his shoulder because of all the teams that passed him over. You're always going to have that feeling."
• Not putting up big numbers this season like Bengals receiver Terrell Owens:
"T.O.'s having a great year, but they're losing. For me, I'd rather be winning and, when my number's called, help make plays for our team. I'm all about success. I want to win."
• His approach to the game:
"I keep lobbying Coach (Dick) LeBeau to let me get in the game and blitz a little bit. I've always had that defensive mentality playing offense."
High praise
What others are saying about Ward:
• "To put up the numbers he put up here, especially when we were truly a run-first offense, it's pretty incredible, given that they've also drafted four or five first-round receivers, and he's still the only one here." — Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu
• "I could talk all day about the effort, the will to win, his determination and his toughness. But we've been seeing that for 15 years or however long he's been playing. He's a warrior." — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
• "I remember my first meeting, he helped me organize my folder. Something that small meant a lot. It showed me how to organize my plays, how to study, what to write down." — Steelers rookie receiver Antonio Brown
• "I remember our first scrimmage, we were scrimmaging the Redskins, and I got into a scuffle with a linebacker, and he was the first guy to jump into the fight. I could tell right then that this dude is a warrior." — Former Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who was in the same draft class as Ward
• "Probably the best free safety I had ever seen. He would just absolutely kill you." — Chicago Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake on his recruitment of Ward when Drake was at Georgia
• "He always has to play with that chip on his shoulder, practice with that chip on his shoulder. I always love it when he's real edgy because I know he's ready to play." — Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians
Hidden gem
Twelve receivers were selected before Ward in the 1998 NFL Draft. A look at how their careers have played out:
Player, Selecting team, G, Rec. Yds., Avg., TD
First round
• Kevin Dyson, Titans, 59, 178, 2,325, 13.1, 18,
• Randy Moss, Vikings, 200, 953, 14,840, 15.6, 153
Second round
• Jerome Pathon, Colts, 101, 260, 3,350, 12.9, 15
• Jacquez Green, Buccaneers, 66, 162, 2,311, 14.3, 7
• Patrick Johnson, Ravens, 70, 84, 1,286, 15.3, 10
• Germane Crowell, Lions, 54, 184, 2,722, 14.8, 16
• Tony Simmons, Patriots, 49, 58, 998, 17.2, 6
• Joe Jurevicius, Giants, 133, 323, 4,119, 12.8, 29
Third round
• Brian Alford, Giants, 4, 2, 18, 9.0, 1
• E.G. Green, Colts, 29, 54, 665, 12.3, 2
• Jammi German, Falcons, 35, 20, 294, 14.7, 2
• Larry Shannon, Dolphins, 2, 0, 0, 0
• Hines Ward, Steelers, 201, 949, 11,657, 12.3, 82
Chart toppers
A look at the top five receivers, statistically, in Steelers history:
Player, Years, G, Rec. Yds., Avg., TD
• Hines Ward, 1998-present, 201, 949, 11,657, 12.3, 82
• John Stallworth, 1974-87, 165, 537, 8,723, 16.2, 63
• Louis Lipps, 1984-91, 108, 358, 6,018, 16.8, 39
• Lynn Swann, 1974-82, 115, 336, 5,462, 16.3, 51
• Elbie Nickel, 1947-57, 131, 329, 5,133, 15.6, 37
Photo credits: Associated Press, Getty Images
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The individual accomplishments are as staggering as his blocks.
Hines Ward has scored more touchdowns — 83 — than any Steeler not named Franco Harris, holds almost every notable franchise receiving record and is 10th on the NFL's all-time receiving list with 11,657 yards.
What has cemented his legacy, at least in his eyes: He has won two Super Bowls and has a chance to add a third ring with the Steelers (11-4) on track for a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.
"That's what changed me," Ward said of winning. "I remember when I was young, I always used to complain because I thought stats were what made somebody because that's what everybody looked at."
Ward is on pace for his worst statistical season since 2000, but he was hardly complaining after a recent practice. The 13-year veteran flashed the smile that has infuriated opponents and fans alike, as he recalled a blocking drill at the University of Georgia.
A running back had to run between two cones that were several yards apart — and past a defender in that space. The drill called for receivers to dislodge a defender from an imaginary line of scrimmage or lock down one who had gotten a running start at the running back. If the defender even touched the running back, he won.
The collisions were so violent that former Georgia receivers coach Darryl Drake said, "You probably couldn't do those kinds of drills today, but that's kind of what we did. Hines just absolutely loved that drill."
Looking back, Drake sees a deeper sense of purpose in those drills for Ward, something beyond just showing that he was a tough guy, as New York Jets coach Rex Ryan admiringly — and more bluntly — referred to Ward as recently.
"His No. 1 goal was to be able to have a chance to provide for his mother," said Drake, who recruited Ward to Georgia and is now the Chicago Bears' receivers coach. "He was obsessed with success for one reason, and that's so he could make a better life for her."
Breaking the mold
Twelve receivers were selected before Ward in the 1998 NFL Draft. That is still a point of contention with him.
Ward slipped to the end of the third round because of questions about his left knee — he has no ACL — and his inexperience at receiver. Ward has outperformed nearly every receiver in his class.
He has more receiving yards in six different seasons than the four players taken ahead of him in the third round have combined — in their careers. His four Pro Bowl appearances are four more than any receiver drafted ahead of him not named Randy Moss.
Moss and Ward are two of the top players from a class that included Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, and they couldn't be more different physically.
The 6-foot-4 Moss is rangy with blinding speed and superior leaping ability. He is a dream receiver, at least from the neck down. Ward has a thick neck and torso that call to mind a fullback or linebacker. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has long endured jokes that he could be timed in the 40-yard dash with a sundial.
"He's the worst-built receiver in the league," Steelers free safety Ryan Clark said with a smile. "He's just a guy that will block his butt off to the whistle, that spends extra time studying defenses and learning coverages."
Ward showed plenty of football acumen at Georgia. He shuttled among quarterback, running back and receiver his first two seasons before settling in at receiver.
"He's one of the top three smartest players at any position I've ever (coached)," said Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, Ward's position coach from 2004-06. "He knows what his body can do. He knows what the defense is trying to do, and he can take his offense and beat you. That's what separates him."
So does his physicality.
Ward may be the best blocking receiver in NFL history, and he boasts a collection of made-for-YouTube hits — which hasn't always endeared him to opponents, particularly in Baltimore.
"We tried to knock his head off, and he was trying to knock our head off," said Ryan, the Ravens' defensive coordinator before taking the Jets' head job. "That is who he is, and that is who he will always be. I remember (cornerback) Samari Rolle tried to tackle him once, and he knocked him out. It was like, 'Wow.' "
Ward has never apologized for his style of play. That has made him beloved in a city that lost its steel mills long ago but never its blue-collar sensibilities.
"A lot of (receivers) are just fast and use their speed," he said. "I like to think of myself as a football player."
The sacrifices of a mother
Ward has spent his career trying to disprove his doubters — real or perceived. But that's only half of his story. He also has been driven to show his mother that she raised him right.
Young Ward prepared airline meals, cleaned hotel rooms and worked nights as a convenience store cashier to provide for her only son. The sacrifices his mother, a native of South Korea, made impressed upon Ward the importance of fulfilling what he considered his end of the deal.
"I could have skipped class and gone down the wrong street, but I knew my mom was working her tail off providing for me, and I wanted to be able to repay her," said Ward, who grew up in suburban Atlanta. "I was being teased, guys calling me nerds or 'You're a sellout.' I didn't really care for that. I just wanted to get to the next level and play football."
He could have gone to just about any school, as Drake learned one night when he showed up for Ward's high school basketball game and spied Notre Dame's Lou Holtz and Florida State's Bobby Bowden in the stands. Ward opted to stay close to home, and his exploits at Georgia are legendary. He thew for a Peach Bowl-record 413 yards — with a badly sprained right wrist — and left the school trailing only Herschel Walker in all-purpose yards.
Ward also graduated in 3 1/2 years, becoming the first member of his family to earn a degree. That is the accomplishment, he said, that his mother is most proud of.
"I was scared of failure, and I always wanted to be successful," said Ward, who has a degree in economics. "Not just for my mom's approval but just myself in general. That's all the motivation I need."
Will the Hall call?Ward, 34, has found extra incentive from perceived slights throughout the years, namely the Steelers using three first-round picks on receivers since 1999.
"Still to this day, I feel like I've got to climb over Mt. Everest just to solidify that I'm pretty good wide receiver," Ward said. "Even if I do, there's still the (perception) of, 'Is he one of the elite guys in the league?' Or 'Is he still a top-tier wideout in the league?' "
The larger question of Ward's place in NFL history ultimately will be decided by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. His eligibility clock for Canton starts ticking when he retires — whether that is after this season, after 2013 when his contract expires or somewhere in between.
It has become increasingly difficult for receivers to gain entrance into football's most exclusive club. Cris Carter is a prime example.
Carter, third on the NFL's all-time list in receptions and fourth in touchdown catches, has been passed over three times in large part because voters have cast a wary eye on numbers posted during a pass-happy era.
If that hurts Ward when he becomes eligible, his blocking might make him stand out on the ballot. So would a third Super Bowl title. Ward said last spring he would retire if the Steelers win the Super Bowl this season.
When he does leave, he will do so with no regrets.
"Everything I got to this point, I worked my (behind) off to get," Ward said. "I wouldn't ask for it any other way because nothing was ever given to me.
"I've earned everything."
Sounding off
Steelers receiver Hines Ward weighs in on ...
• His longevity:
"I didn't expect myself to be playing this long, maybe five years. I started off behind the 8 ball. I was a special teams guy. Once I got my opportunity, I (never looked back). Then, they started drafting guys, and it didn't bother me because it wasn't what other guys were going to do. It was all about me. If I started messing up, then that's on me."
• Lasting until the final pick of the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft:
"I think (Patriots quarterback) Tom Brady said it best. Still to this day he always plays with a chip on his shoulder because of all the teams that passed him over. You're always going to have that feeling."
• Not putting up big numbers this season like Bengals receiver Terrell Owens:
"T.O.'s having a great year, but they're losing. For me, I'd rather be winning and, when my number's called, help make plays for our team. I'm all about success. I want to win."
• His approach to the game:
"I keep lobbying Coach (Dick) LeBeau to let me get in the game and blitz a little bit. I've always had that defensive mentality playing offense."
High praise
What others are saying about Ward:
• "To put up the numbers he put up here, especially when we were truly a run-first offense, it's pretty incredible, given that they've also drafted four or five first-round receivers, and he's still the only one here." — Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu
• "I could talk all day about the effort, the will to win, his determination and his toughness. But we've been seeing that for 15 years or however long he's been playing. He's a warrior." — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
• "I remember my first meeting, he helped me organize my folder. Something that small meant a lot. It showed me how to organize my plays, how to study, what to write down." — Steelers rookie receiver Antonio Brown
• "I remember our first scrimmage, we were scrimmaging the Redskins, and I got into a scuffle with a linebacker, and he was the first guy to jump into the fight. I could tell right then that this dude is a warrior." — Former Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who was in the same draft class as Ward
• "Probably the best free safety I had ever seen. He would just absolutely kill you." — Chicago Bears receivers coach Darryl Drake on his recruitment of Ward when Drake was at Georgia
• "He always has to play with that chip on his shoulder, practice with that chip on his shoulder. I always love it when he's real edgy because I know he's ready to play." — Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians
Hidden gem
Twelve receivers were selected before Ward in the 1998 NFL Draft. A look at how their careers have played out:
Player, Selecting team, G, Rec. Yds., Avg., TD
First round
• Kevin Dyson, Titans, 59, 178, 2,325, 13.1, 18,
• Randy Moss, Vikings, 200, 953, 14,840, 15.6, 153
Second round
• Jerome Pathon, Colts, 101, 260, 3,350, 12.9, 15
• Jacquez Green, Buccaneers, 66, 162, 2,311, 14.3, 7
• Patrick Johnson, Ravens, 70, 84, 1,286, 15.3, 10
• Germane Crowell, Lions, 54, 184, 2,722, 14.8, 16
• Tony Simmons, Patriots, 49, 58, 998, 17.2, 6
• Joe Jurevicius, Giants, 133, 323, 4,119, 12.8, 29
Third round
• Brian Alford, Giants, 4, 2, 18, 9.0, 1
• E.G. Green, Colts, 29, 54, 665, 12.3, 2
• Jammi German, Falcons, 35, 20, 294, 14.7, 2
• Larry Shannon, Dolphins, 2, 0, 0, 0
• Hines Ward, Steelers, 201, 949, 11,657, 12.3, 82
Chart toppers
A look at the top five receivers, statistically, in Steelers history:
Player, Years, G, Rec. Yds., Avg., TD
• Hines Ward, 1998-present, 201, 949, 11,657, 12.3, 82
• John Stallworth, 1974-87, 165, 537, 8,723, 16.2, 63
• Louis Lipps, 1984-91, 108, 358, 6,018, 16.8, 39
• Lynn Swann, 1974-82, 115, 336, 5,462, 16.3, 51
• Elbie Nickel, 1947-57, 131, 329, 5,133, 15.6, 37
Photo credits: Associated Press, Getty Images
Who are the 10 greatest Steelers?
Written by Bob Smizik
http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010 12:10 AM
The NFL Network presented its 10 greatest Steelers on a Christmas Eve show that had two omissions that were not just glaring but enormously glaring.
One was somewhat understandable, the other beyond comprehension.
The show counted down from 10, and after it named Rod Woodson as No 4, I was surprised to realize either Franco Harris or Terry Bradshaw would be excluded because I felt strongly Joe Greene and Jack Ham, as yet not named, definitely would be among the first three.
To my astonishment, it was Ham who was left of the list completely. The man considered upon his retirement as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, outside linebacker in NFL history was absent
Bah! Humbug!
A top ten all-time list of Steelers without Jack Ham isn’t worth anything.
And the same goes for the omission of defensive tackle Ernie Stautner. Maybe I missed something and the list was only for the past 50 years. But Stautner, who retired in 1963, cannot be absent from any list of the Steelers greatest players.
He is the only player in franchise history to have his number -- 70 -- retired. I might understand a fan-based poll omitting Stautner, but not an entity with the supposed heft and knowledge of the NFL Network.
At least the show tried to explain the absence of Ham -- not as many Pro Bowl appearances as Jack Lambert -- but I heard no mention of why Stautner was excluded.
Here’s the NFL Network list.
1. Joe Greene
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. Franco Harris
4. Rod Woodson
5. Jack Lambert
6. Mel Blount
7. Troy Polamalu
8. Hines Ward
9. Lynn Swann
10. Jerome Bettis
There is no right or wrong list. Twenty different people would probably come up with 20 different lists. It’s entirely subjective and no one is dead wrong. Aside from the omissions of Ham and Stautner, I have only one strong disagreement with the NFL Network list.
I don’t believe Swann belongs. I know all about his Super Bowl catches. If the list were of the greatest Super Bowl receivers, he’d be near the top, if not at it. But the Super Bowl was a small fraction of his career. He never had a 1,000-yard season. He’s fourth on the team’s all-time receiving list, seven ahead of Elbie Nickel.
Swann was a great player, not a top ten Steeler great.
Here’s the Bob Smizik list.
1. Joe Greene.
2. Rod Woodson
3. Jack Ham
4. Mel Blount
5. Ernie Stautner
6. Jack Lambert
7. Franco Harris
8. Terry Bradshaw
9. Hines Ward
10 Jerome Bettis
Honorable mentions: Mike Webster, John Stallworth, Polamalu, Swann.
My list is based on many factors: Historical standing at their position; contributions to the Steelers; statistics, gut feeling from listening to, reading about and watching the team for more than 60 years.
As always, your comments and your lists are welcome.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll post my list again in case you missed it earlier:
1. Joe Greene - An utterly dominant defensive player and a two-time Defensive POY...his number 75 should also be officially retired.
2. Jack Ham - A tremendous linebacker in every facet of the position...one of the two best outside linebackers in NFL history.
3. Jack Lambert - A truly menacing figure but also one of the three or four best middle linebackers of all time. He could do it all.
4. Mel Blount - A true game-changer and a Defensive POY.
5. Ernie Stautner - An NFL legend who helped established Pittsburgh as a team no one had fun playing against. The Steelers may have lost the game but they were going to give their opponent a beating.
6. Terry Bradshaw - Comparing passing statistics from the 70s to current numbers is a waste of time. Bradshaw is one of the great quarterbacks of all time...a league MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
7. Franco Harris - His 'Immaculate Reception' gave the Steelers their first playoff win...ever.
8. Rod Woodson - One of the great all-around defensive players in Steelers history.
9. Troy Polamalu - See 'Rod Woodson'. He has already piled up some of the most memorable defensive plays in team history.
10. Hines Ward - I don't think Ward is a better receiver than Swann or Stallworth but he's a Super Bowl MVP and a physical tone-setter on a two-time Super Bowl winning team.
http://communityvoices.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/bob-smiziks-blog
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Sunday, December 26, 2010 12:10 AM
The NFL Network presented its 10 greatest Steelers on a Christmas Eve show that had two omissions that were not just glaring but enormously glaring.One was somewhat understandable, the other beyond comprehension.
The show counted down from 10, and after it named Rod Woodson as No 4, I was surprised to realize either Franco Harris or Terry Bradshaw would be excluded because I felt strongly Joe Greene and Jack Ham, as yet not named, definitely would be among the first three.
To my astonishment, it was Ham who was left of the list completely. The man considered upon his retirement as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, outside linebacker in NFL history was absent
Bah! Humbug!
A top ten all-time list of Steelers without Jack Ham isn’t worth anything.
And the same goes for the omission of defensive tackle Ernie Stautner. Maybe I missed something and the list was only for the past 50 years. But Stautner, who retired in 1963, cannot be absent from any list of the Steelers greatest players.
He is the only player in franchise history to have his number -- 70 -- retired. I might understand a fan-based poll omitting Stautner, but not an entity with the supposed heft and knowledge of the NFL Network.
At least the show tried to explain the absence of Ham -- not as many Pro Bowl appearances as Jack Lambert -- but I heard no mention of why Stautner was excluded.
Here’s the NFL Network list.
1. Joe Greene
2. Terry Bradshaw
3. Franco Harris
4. Rod Woodson
5. Jack Lambert
6. Mel Blount
7. Troy Polamalu
8. Hines Ward
9. Lynn Swann
10. Jerome Bettis
There is no right or wrong list. Twenty different people would probably come up with 20 different lists. It’s entirely subjective and no one is dead wrong. Aside from the omissions of Ham and Stautner, I have only one strong disagreement with the NFL Network list.I don’t believe Swann belongs. I know all about his Super Bowl catches. If the list were of the greatest Super Bowl receivers, he’d be near the top, if not at it. But the Super Bowl was a small fraction of his career. He never had a 1,000-yard season. He’s fourth on the team’s all-time receiving list, seven ahead of Elbie Nickel.
Swann was a great player, not a top ten Steeler great.
Here’s the Bob Smizik list.
1. Joe Greene.
2. Rod Woodson
3. Jack Ham
4. Mel Blount
5. Ernie Stautner
6. Jack Lambert
7. Franco Harris
8. Terry Bradshaw
9. Hines Ward
10 Jerome Bettis
Honorable mentions: Mike Webster, John Stallworth, Polamalu, Swann.
My list is based on many factors: Historical standing at their position; contributions to the Steelers; statistics, gut feeling from listening to, reading about and watching the team for more than 60 years.
As always, your comments and your lists are welcome.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll post my list again in case you missed it earlier:
1. Joe Greene - An utterly dominant defensive player and a two-time Defensive POY...his number 75 should also be officially retired.
2. Jack Ham - A tremendous linebacker in every facet of the position...one of the two best outside linebackers in NFL history.
3. Jack Lambert - A truly menacing figure but also one of the three or four best middle linebackers of all time. He could do it all.
4. Mel Blount - A true game-changer and a Defensive POY.
5. Ernie Stautner - An NFL legend who helped established Pittsburgh as a team no one had fun playing against. The Steelers may have lost the game but they were going to give their opponent a beating.
6. Terry Bradshaw - Comparing passing statistics from the 70s to current numbers is a waste of time. Bradshaw is one of the great quarterbacks of all time...a league MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
7. Franco Harris - His 'Immaculate Reception' gave the Steelers their first playoff win...ever.
8. Rod Woodson - One of the great all-around defensive players in Steelers history.
9. Troy Polamalu - See 'Rod Woodson'. He has already piled up some of the most memorable defensive plays in team history.
10. Hines Ward - I don't think Ward is a better receiver than Swann or Stallworth but he's a Super Bowl MVP and a physical tone-setter on a two-time Super Bowl winning team.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Yes, Carolina is that bad
Friday, December 24, 2010
By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by Nic Harris #59 of the Carolina Panthers before scoring a touchdown during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Given barely half a week to dream up reasons to fret about a confrontation with the Carolina Panthers, the Murphy's Law apostles in the Steelers congregation were forced toward some unorthodox reasoning.
On any given Thursday ...
Didn't sound quite right.
On any given Christmas Eve Eve ...
Didn't make much sense.
But by halftime of the event itself, even the All-Pro fretters had to settle for a new but very genuine NFL axiom: Nothing brightens the holiday season like a visit from wretched Carolina.
Seriously, amid all the manic last minute hustle and bustle -- especially the bustle -- what better Christmas gift for a football team with serious postseason plans than a relaxing massage from the only team in the league without a road victory?
Yes Virginia, it turns out that John Fox's team wasn't 2-12 for nothing. Even Mike Tomlin, who stretched credulity with some early week theory that because the Panthers were younger than his Steelers the short week would be a distinct advantage for the visitors, had to be impressed with how truly dreadful the opposition was.
"It depended on how they played it," Tomlin said when asked if he expected gigantic chunks of yardage to be so available in the Carolina defense. "We knew they'd potentially stack the line because they play some five down [lineman] personnel groups, and when that happened guys got open and Ben [Roethlisberger] distributed the ball."
Roethlisberger connected 22 times in 32 throws to eight targets, none so consistently spectacular as the still-blossoming Mike Wallace, whose four catches accounted for 104 yards and a touchdown.
"He did some different things tonight, like on the deep ball, he came back to it," said a well-pleased Steelers' quarterback with his second-year wideout. "I'd been on him to do that. Sometimes speed guys can't make that play, but he did tonight."
The general direction of things seemed all but predetermined after only two possessions.
Carolina, struggling to average barely a touchdown a week through this miserable season, held the ball for the game's first 7 minutes, during which it gained a tepid 42 yards before punting at the Steelers 32.
Facing fourth-and-5 then, with a 2-12 team, on Dec. 23, in a scoreless game, Fox just couldn't risk turning the ball over on downs. Not here. Not now. So he punted to the end zone, winning a crucial 12 yards on a night when field position would mean absolutely nothing.
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers dives after making a catch in front of Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
It took the Steelers two plays to outgain Carolina's 7-minute first possession, a 35-yard run by Rashard Mendenhall and a 15-yard pass to Wallace. Roethlisberger's 20-yard completion to the de-concussed Heath Miller pushed the ball to the 11, and only Fox's successful challenge flag on an 8-yard Roethlisberger-to-Emmanuel Sanders pass prevented a touchdown on the Steelers' first possession. But already, the rout was on.
Roethlisberger found Wallace isolated on Carolina linebacker Nic Harris and side-armed a nifty slant pass to him that Wallace took 43 yards for the score that made it 10-0 as the second quarter got legs.
Before it ended, there'd be another fistful of gross chunkage carved from the Carolina defense. Sanders caught a 35-yarder from Roethlisberger, Miller a 19-yarder, and Wallace made a great catch along the left sideline for 40 yards on the Steelers' last possession before intermission.
"They did some different things," Roethlisberger said, "some single-high and then a lot of cover-2, which kind of gave us the middle and we got some good matchups."
All that cooked up as a 17-point second quarter, which wasn't terribly surprising given the nature of second quarters around here this fall. After Thursday night, the Steelers have outscored the opposition in the second quarter, 131-39.
Part of the squawking story line for the next 10 days, of course, is the dubious debate over whether the Steelers' burst of big-play offense is a function of actual improvement or the happy holiday happenstance of having Carolina near the tail end of the schedule.
Before Thursday night, the Steelers hadn't managed two rushing touchdowns or two passing touchdowns in the same game since Nov. 21. Roethlisberger produced his first 300 yard-plus passing performance against Carolina since he whipped the offense up and down the field for 387 yards against a disinterested New England defense the night Tom Brady massacred this team.
Even with the accumulated evidence of whatever Jan. 2 brings from Cleveland in the regular-season finale, the Steelers will likely go into the playoffs with a lot more offensive questions than defensive issues, which are frankly very scarce.
There won't be much wrong with a 12-4 record and a No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, if that's how it washes out, but a two-game winning streak against the Panthers and the Browns isn't a terribly reliable projector of a team's postseason profile.
By mid-January, maybe these Panthers won't seem like such a wonderful gift after all.
Sorry, all sales final.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113238-150.stm#ixzz192e2vijw
By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by Nic Harris #59 of the Carolina Panthers before scoring a touchdown during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)Given barely half a week to dream up reasons to fret about a confrontation with the Carolina Panthers, the Murphy's Law apostles in the Steelers congregation were forced toward some unorthodox reasoning.
On any given Thursday ...
Didn't sound quite right.
On any given Christmas Eve Eve ...
Didn't make much sense.
But by halftime of the event itself, even the All-Pro fretters had to settle for a new but very genuine NFL axiom: Nothing brightens the holiday season like a visit from wretched Carolina.
Seriously, amid all the manic last minute hustle and bustle -- especially the bustle -- what better Christmas gift for a football team with serious postseason plans than a relaxing massage from the only team in the league without a road victory?
Yes Virginia, it turns out that John Fox's team wasn't 2-12 for nothing. Even Mike Tomlin, who stretched credulity with some early week theory that because the Panthers were younger than his Steelers the short week would be a distinct advantage for the visitors, had to be impressed with how truly dreadful the opposition was.
"It depended on how they played it," Tomlin said when asked if he expected gigantic chunks of yardage to be so available in the Carolina defense. "We knew they'd potentially stack the line because they play some five down [lineman] personnel groups, and when that happened guys got open and Ben [Roethlisberger] distributed the ball."
Roethlisberger connected 22 times in 32 throws to eight targets, none so consistently spectacular as the still-blossoming Mike Wallace, whose four catches accounted for 104 yards and a touchdown.
"He did some different things tonight, like on the deep ball, he came back to it," said a well-pleased Steelers' quarterback with his second-year wideout. "I'd been on him to do that. Sometimes speed guys can't make that play, but he did tonight."
The general direction of things seemed all but predetermined after only two possessions.
Carolina, struggling to average barely a touchdown a week through this miserable season, held the ball for the game's first 7 minutes, during which it gained a tepid 42 yards before punting at the Steelers 32.
Facing fourth-and-5 then, with a 2-12 team, on Dec. 23, in a scoreless game, Fox just couldn't risk turning the ball over on downs. Not here. Not now. So he punted to the end zone, winning a crucial 12 yards on a night when field position would mean absolutely nothing.
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Heath Miller #83 of the Pittsburgh Steelers dives after making a catch in front of Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)It took the Steelers two plays to outgain Carolina's 7-minute first possession, a 35-yard run by Rashard Mendenhall and a 15-yard pass to Wallace. Roethlisberger's 20-yard completion to the de-concussed Heath Miller pushed the ball to the 11, and only Fox's successful challenge flag on an 8-yard Roethlisberger-to-Emmanuel Sanders pass prevented a touchdown on the Steelers' first possession. But already, the rout was on.
Roethlisberger found Wallace isolated on Carolina linebacker Nic Harris and side-armed a nifty slant pass to him that Wallace took 43 yards for the score that made it 10-0 as the second quarter got legs.
Before it ended, there'd be another fistful of gross chunkage carved from the Carolina defense. Sanders caught a 35-yarder from Roethlisberger, Miller a 19-yarder, and Wallace made a great catch along the left sideline for 40 yards on the Steelers' last possession before intermission.
"They did some different things," Roethlisberger said, "some single-high and then a lot of cover-2, which kind of gave us the middle and we got some good matchups."
All that cooked up as a 17-point second quarter, which wasn't terribly surprising given the nature of second quarters around here this fall. After Thursday night, the Steelers have outscored the opposition in the second quarter, 131-39.
Part of the squawking story line for the next 10 days, of course, is the dubious debate over whether the Steelers' burst of big-play offense is a function of actual improvement or the happy holiday happenstance of having Carolina near the tail end of the schedule.
Before Thursday night, the Steelers hadn't managed two rushing touchdowns or two passing touchdowns in the same game since Nov. 21. Roethlisberger produced his first 300 yard-plus passing performance against Carolina since he whipped the offense up and down the field for 387 yards against a disinterested New England defense the night Tom Brady massacred this team.
Even with the accumulated evidence of whatever Jan. 2 brings from Cleveland in the regular-season finale, the Steelers will likely go into the playoffs with a lot more offensive questions than defensive issues, which are frankly very scarce.
There won't be much wrong with a 12-4 record and a No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, if that's how it washes out, but a two-game winning streak against the Panthers and the Browns isn't a terribly reliable projector of a team's postseason profile.
By mid-January, maybe these Panthers won't seem like such a wonderful gift after all.
Sorry, all sales final.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113238-150.stm#ixzz192e2vijw
Carolina overmatched vs. Steelers' defense
Friday, December 24, 2010
By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers' Nick Eason (93) and Ziggy Hood (96) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. The Steelers won 27-3. (AP)
Surely, there have been bigger mismatches in Steelers history than their defense against the Carolina Panthers offense Thursday night at Heinz Field.
I'll be darned if I can think of one.
The two teams could play until next Christmas Eve and the Panthers wouldn't score a touchdown.
The Steelers didn't even need safety Troy Polamalu to win, 27-3, at cold, damp Heinz Field. The only points the defense allowed came after the Panthers took possession at the Steelers 23 after a fourth-quarter punt. The defense deserved a shutout.
"If only our special teams had helped us out just a little bit ... " linebacker James Farrior said, grinning.
Not that anyone would have bragged all that much about a shutout.
"They were 2-12 for a reason," safety Ryan Clark said of the Panthers.
A couple of reasons, actually.
Carolina's offense ranks last in the NFL in points scored, passing yards and total yards. Its rookie quarterback is -- how can I say this politely -- pathetic. Jimmy Clausen wasn't very good at Notre Dame.
Not to be critical.
"A rookie quarterback against coach LeBeau? That's not a matchup at all," Clark said of Clausen trying to solve Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's defense.
The Panthers' only chance was to run the football. I didn't say it was a big chance; the Steelers rank No. 1 in the league against the rush. But it was their only chance.
Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart had a couple of nice runs early for 12 and 7 yards. That helped Carolina keep the ball on the game's opening drive for more than seven minutes. But the Panthers self-destructed, as they so often do, taking consecutive false-start penalties on the Steelers 35 and 40. They ended up punting from the 32.
The Steelers took a 3-0 lead on their first drive.
I swear, it felt like the game was over.
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pumps up the crowd during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
The Panthers did make it to the Steelers 29 on their next possession before they were turned away by the ageless Farrior. OK, he'll be 36 Jan. 6. But he's playing like he's 26. On third-and-2, running back Mike Goodson took the snap in the Panthers' version of the wildcat and was thrown for a 3-yard loss by Farrior. On fourth-and-5, Clausen was sacked for a 4-yard loss by Farrior.
"Not bad for an old guy," Farrior said, grinning again.
Funny thing is Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had talked before the game about the Panthers being the younger team and having an advantage in a short week. He made it clear afterward that he wouldn't trade Farrior for any of Carolina's young guys.
"He's the unquestioned leader of our football team," Tomlin said. "He does it all for us -- inside the white lines and outside the white lines. He's a professional. He's a competitor. He's a leader and they follow."
Not long after Farrior shut down the Panthers' second drive, the Steelers took a 10-0 lead.
Now the game really was over.
Let me count the ways Clausen was tormented:
Cornerback Bryant McFadden intercepted one of his passes.
Farrior, linebacker James Harrison and defensive ends Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood sacked him.
The defense held him to 10 completions in 23 attempts for 72 yards.
It sent him home with a 33.2 passer rating.
It held his offense to 119 yards.
Merry Christmas!
Make no mistake, it will be a great holiday for the Steelers. They get the weekend off to spend with their families. They might even find a little time Sunday to watch some football and root for the Cleveland Browns to beat the Baltimore Ravens on the Lake Erie shore. That would clinch the AFC North Division championship for the Steelers and assure them of the No. 2 seed for the AFC playoffs.
"That would be huge," nose tackle Casey Hampton said. "It gets you one step closer to the Super Bowl. You only have to win two games to get there, not three."
A Browns win against the Ravens would be nice, but the Steelers probably shouldn't count on it. The division race figures to come down to their game Jan. 2 in Cleveland. Win it and they accomplish all of their regular-season goals.
By then, Polamalu's calf injury might be well enough for him to play.
I'm thinking the Steelers will need him.
This I know:
The Browns will put up much more of a fight than the Panthers.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113242-87.stm#ixzz192c5Tx3T
By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers' Nick Eason (93) and Ziggy Hood (96) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. The Steelers won 27-3. (AP)Surely, there have been bigger mismatches in Steelers history than their defense against the Carolina Panthers offense Thursday night at Heinz Field.
I'll be darned if I can think of one.
The two teams could play until next Christmas Eve and the Panthers wouldn't score a touchdown.
The Steelers didn't even need safety Troy Polamalu to win, 27-3, at cold, damp Heinz Field. The only points the defense allowed came after the Panthers took possession at the Steelers 23 after a fourth-quarter punt. The defense deserved a shutout.
"If only our special teams had helped us out just a little bit ... " linebacker James Farrior said, grinning.
Not that anyone would have bragged all that much about a shutout.
"They were 2-12 for a reason," safety Ryan Clark said of the Panthers.
A couple of reasons, actually.
Carolina's offense ranks last in the NFL in points scored, passing yards and total yards. Its rookie quarterback is -- how can I say this politely -- pathetic. Jimmy Clausen wasn't very good at Notre Dame.
Not to be critical.
"A rookie quarterback against coach LeBeau? That's not a matchup at all," Clark said of Clausen trying to solve Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's defense.
The Panthers' only chance was to run the football. I didn't say it was a big chance; the Steelers rank No. 1 in the league against the rush. But it was their only chance.
Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart had a couple of nice runs early for 12 and 7 yards. That helped Carolina keep the ball on the game's opening drive for more than seven minutes. But the Panthers self-destructed, as they so often do, taking consecutive false-start penalties on the Steelers 35 and 40. They ended up punting from the 32.
The Steelers took a 3-0 lead on their first drive.
I swear, it felt like the game was over.
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pumps up the crowd during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)The Panthers did make it to the Steelers 29 on their next possession before they were turned away by the ageless Farrior. OK, he'll be 36 Jan. 6. But he's playing like he's 26. On third-and-2, running back Mike Goodson took the snap in the Panthers' version of the wildcat and was thrown for a 3-yard loss by Farrior. On fourth-and-5, Clausen was sacked for a 4-yard loss by Farrior.
"Not bad for an old guy," Farrior said, grinning again.
Funny thing is Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had talked before the game about the Panthers being the younger team and having an advantage in a short week. He made it clear afterward that he wouldn't trade Farrior for any of Carolina's young guys.
"He's the unquestioned leader of our football team," Tomlin said. "He does it all for us -- inside the white lines and outside the white lines. He's a professional. He's a competitor. He's a leader and they follow."
Not long after Farrior shut down the Panthers' second drive, the Steelers took a 10-0 lead.
Now the game really was over.
Let me count the ways Clausen was tormented:
Cornerback Bryant McFadden intercepted one of his passes.
Farrior, linebacker James Harrison and defensive ends Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood sacked him.
The defense held him to 10 completions in 23 attempts for 72 yards.
It sent him home with a 33.2 passer rating.
It held his offense to 119 yards.
Merry Christmas!
Make no mistake, it will be a great holiday for the Steelers. They get the weekend off to spend with their families. They might even find a little time Sunday to watch some football and root for the Cleveland Browns to beat the Baltimore Ravens on the Lake Erie shore. That would clinch the AFC North Division championship for the Steelers and assure them of the No. 2 seed for the AFC playoffs.
"That would be huge," nose tackle Casey Hampton said. "It gets you one step closer to the Super Bowl. You only have to win two games to get there, not three."
A Browns win against the Ravens would be nice, but the Steelers probably shouldn't count on it. The division race figures to come down to their game Jan. 2 in Cleveland. Win it and they accomplish all of their regular-season goals.
By then, Polamalu's calf injury might be well enough for him to play.
I'm thinking the Steelers will need him.
This I know:
The Browns will put up much more of a fight than the Panthers.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com. Ron Cook can be heard on the "Vinnie and Cook" show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10358/1113242-87.stm#ixzz192c5Tx3T
Dominant Steelers show no mercy to Carolina
By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Friday, December 24, 2010
A wall of Steelers defenders stuffs Carolina running back Mike Goodson during the second quarter of their 27-3 win at Heinz Field. (Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review)
The Steelers didn't mess around with Carolina.
The Panthers didn't want any part of the Steelers.
The best way to put a bad team out of its misery is to beat it down early and often. That's what the Steelers did Thursday night on a cold and wintry night at Heinz Field because that's what good teams do.
The Steelers don't need help from anyone. They control their playoff destiny. If they defeat Cleveland in the final regular-season game, they'll be the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind New England. That means a bye and extra week of rest and recovery for safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith.
It was a strange week for the Steelers, who weren't in the best of moods after a tough home loss to the New York Jets.
The team's biggest challenge didn't come from Carolina; it came from their fourth-year coach.
Mike Tomlin called some of his players old. While it was a stale motivational ploy — a coach reaching deep into his bag of tricks to pump up self-motivated veterans who didn't need the kick in the pants — darned if it didn't work.
Tomlin has cornered the market on four-leaf clovers. He's been pushing the right buttons all season.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed the first four games because of a suspension, and the Steelers won.
Key players have been injured, and the Steelers keep winning.
Anyone detect a trend?
Tomlin doesn't have a "system" or call attention to himself, so he probably won't be in serious consideration for coach of the year accolades. But he deserves consideration because the Steelers weren't given much of a chance to win nine games at the start of the season much less 11 and possibly 12.
Of course, facing two-win Carolina helps when you're playing without Polamalu, Smith, Max Starks and Willie Colon, to name but four. But when you're hot, you're hot.
About the only thing the Steelers did wrong was fail to score after recovering a fumble on a kickoff return at the Carolina 28-yard line late in the first half. In the second half, the Steelers' biggest challenge was not losing interest.
Did we mention that Carolina has talent issues?
The Steelers were so much in control that they didn't need to resort to their shotgun spread attack that gave the offense life against the against the Jets and Cincinnati.
The shotgun spread is an interesting gadget. For a team like the Steelers, who struggle with pass protection, it forces the defense to account for four and five receivers with man coverage, reducing the number of players available to rush the quarterback.
The Steelers used the formation often against the Jets. As a result, Roethlisberger was relatively pressure-free.
The shotgun spread opened up the running game, as Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. Of course, the Steelers also learned a hard lesson when they ran a draw play from their 3-yard line and Mewelde Moore was tackled for a safety.
Tight end Heath Miller's return from post-concussion symptoms also reduced the need for four and five receivers against the Panthers. Miller had four receptions for 59 yards in the first half alone.
Roethlisberger and receiver Mike Wallace are developing a special chemistry. They connected on a 43-yard touchdown pass-and-run — emphasis on run — in the second quarter that featured Wallace covering the final 30 yards about as fast as a cheetah.
By halftime, Roethlisberger had completed 16 of 23 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. By comparison, Carolina managed only 84 total yards.
If the NFL had a mercy rule, they would have used it last night. The Panthers were out of their league.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Friday, December 24, 2010
A wall of Steelers defenders stuffs Carolina running back Mike Goodson during the second quarter of their 27-3 win at Heinz Field. (Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review)The Steelers didn't mess around with Carolina.
The Panthers didn't want any part of the Steelers.
The best way to put a bad team out of its misery is to beat it down early and often. That's what the Steelers did Thursday night on a cold and wintry night at Heinz Field because that's what good teams do.
The Steelers don't need help from anyone. They control their playoff destiny. If they defeat Cleveland in the final regular-season game, they'll be the No. 2 seed in the AFC behind New England. That means a bye and extra week of rest and recovery for safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith.
It was a strange week for the Steelers, who weren't in the best of moods after a tough home loss to the New York Jets.
The team's biggest challenge didn't come from Carolina; it came from their fourth-year coach.
Mike Tomlin called some of his players old. While it was a stale motivational ploy — a coach reaching deep into his bag of tricks to pump up self-motivated veterans who didn't need the kick in the pants — darned if it didn't work.
Tomlin has cornered the market on four-leaf clovers. He's been pushing the right buttons all season.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missed the first four games because of a suspension, and the Steelers won.
Key players have been injured, and the Steelers keep winning.
Anyone detect a trend?
Tomlin doesn't have a "system" or call attention to himself, so he probably won't be in serious consideration for coach of the year accolades. But he deserves consideration because the Steelers weren't given much of a chance to win nine games at the start of the season much less 11 and possibly 12.
Of course, facing two-win Carolina helps when you're playing without Polamalu, Smith, Max Starks and Willie Colon, to name but four. But when you're hot, you're hot.
About the only thing the Steelers did wrong was fail to score after recovering a fumble on a kickoff return at the Carolina 28-yard line late in the first half. In the second half, the Steelers' biggest challenge was not losing interest.
Did we mention that Carolina has talent issues?
The Steelers were so much in control that they didn't need to resort to their shotgun spread attack that gave the offense life against the against the Jets and Cincinnati.
The shotgun spread is an interesting gadget. For a team like the Steelers, who struggle with pass protection, it forces the defense to account for four and five receivers with man coverage, reducing the number of players available to rush the quarterback.
The Steelers used the formation often against the Jets. As a result, Roethlisberger was relatively pressure-free.
The shotgun spread opened up the running game, as Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. Of course, the Steelers also learned a hard lesson when they ran a draw play from their 3-yard line and Mewelde Moore was tackled for a safety.
Tight end Heath Miller's return from post-concussion symptoms also reduced the need for four and five receivers against the Panthers. Miller had four receptions for 59 yards in the first half alone.
Roethlisberger and receiver Mike Wallace are developing a special chemistry. They connected on a 43-yard touchdown pass-and-run — emphasis on run — in the second quarter that featured Wallace covering the final 30 yards about as fast as a cheetah.
By halftime, Roethlisberger had completed 16 of 23 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. By comparison, Carolina managed only 84 total yards.
If the NFL had a mercy rule, they would have used it last night. The Panthers were out of their league.
Picking the Steelers' top 10 a daunting task
By Mike Bires
Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com/sports.html
Friday December 24, 2010 07:34 AM
PITTSBURGH -- With so many legendary players in the franchise’s storied history, it’s very difficult to name “The Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers.” But that’s what the NFL Network will do tonight.
For the past three years, the NFL Network has produced a weekly “Top 10” documentary series that’s both educational and entertaining. Topics range from the top 10 passing combinations in NFL history to the top 10 linebacker corps ever to the top 10 shortest players.
This evening at 8 p.m., the NFL Network will present its list of the top 10 Steelers of all-time.
That’s a daunting task because there are no less than 12 inductees already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who spent most of their careers with the Steelers.
As part of its selection process, the NFL Network asked a number of media types who cover the Steelers _ your truly included _ to submit a top-10 Steelers list.
So without further adieu, here’s mine:
1. Joe Greene (1969-1981)
When the Steelers turned to Chuck Noll as coach in 1969, his first pick was a defensive tackle out of North Texas State hardly anyone heard of. “Who’s Joe Greene” was the headline in one of the Pittsburgh newspapers.
But Greene would go on to become perhaps the most dominant player of his era. He was the rock on which the Steelers built their dynasty of the 1970s. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and ’74. He played in 10 Pro Bowls, a franchise record. He also starred in a classic Coke commercial in 1979.
2. Jack Lambert (1974-84)
If Greene was the greatest player in Steelers’ history, Lambert may be the most favorite Steeler ever. Fans loved to cheer for the guy called “Count Dracula in Cleats.” He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive MVP in 1976. The Steelers’ defense in ’76 is regarded by many as the best defense in NFL history, and it was Lambert who was MVP of that defense.
3. Mel Blount (1970-1983)
Talk about a freak of nature. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Blount was huge for a cornerback. He was strong and tough, but also quick and fast. The NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, he was so dominating that the NFL had to change its rules on pass defense after the '77 season. Blount holds the franchise record for career interceptions with 57.
4. Rod Woodson (1987-96)
Woodson spent 17 seasons in the NFL but it was the 10 he spent with the Steelers that defined him. In 1994 when the NFL announced its 75th Anniversary Team, only five active players were on it. One of them was Woodson, a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.
5. Franco Harris (1972-83)
Talk about making an instant impact. After he was drafted with the 13th overall pick of the 1972 Draft, Harris earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In a year when the Steelers qualified for the NFL playoffs for the first time ever, Harris rushed for 1,055 yards. He also caught the “Immaculate Reception” in a 13-7 playoff win over the Oakland Raiders.
Harris ranks 12th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.
6. Ernie Stautner (1950-63)
Because it’s been 47 years since Stautner’s last game as a Steeler, a lot of fans don’t know much about him. But in his 14-year career, he played in nine Pro Bowls. That’s just one less than Greene’s 10. Stautner is also the only Steeler to have his number officially retired. He wore No. 70.
7. Ben Roethlisberger (2004-present)
Why Roethlisberger and not Terry Bradshaw?
That’s a tough call. After all, Bradshaw has four Super Bowl rings and an 8-2 record in AFC championship games and Super Bowls. But Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowl rings and he’s 4-1 in conference championship games and Super Bowls.
I just think Roethlisberger, who’s only 28, is a better overall QB that Bradshaw. In his career, Bradshaw threw 212 TD passes but also 210 interceptions. His career passer rating was 70.9. Roethlisberger has a much better TD to interception ratio _ 141 to 86 going into Thursday night's game against Carolina _ and a better career passer rating of 91.9 pass. By the time he’s done playing, Roethlisberger will hold virtually every team passing record.
8. Jack Ham (1971-1982)
Technically speaking, Ham may have been the most fundamentally sound linebacker the Steelers have ever had. At one point in his career, he earned Pro Bowl honors eight straight seasons (1973-80).
9. Troy Polamalu (2003-present)
Since the NFL first chose its Defensive Player of the Year in 1971, six times has a Steeler won the award. There’s a good chance Polamalu could be the seventh this year.
A strong safety who’s been to five Pro Bowls, Polamalu is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. Plus, he’s one of the most humble players to ever wear a Steelers’ uniform.
10. Hines Ward (1998-present)
Why Ward and not Lynn Swann and/or John Stallworth, who are both in the Hall of Fame?
Ward, who’s 34, is the Steelers’ all-time leading receiver. He has two Super Bowl rings. And he’s one of the best blocking wide receivers ever.
Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com
Here's my Top 10:
1. Joe Greene - An utterly dominant defensive player and a two-time Defensive POY...his number 75 should also be officially retired.
2. Jack Ham - A tremendous linebacker in every facet of the position...one of the two best outside linebackers in NFL history.
3. Jack Lambert - A truly menacing figure but also one of the three or four best middle linebackers of all time. He could do it all.
4. Mel Blount - A true game-changer and a Defensive POY.
5. Ernie Stautner - An NFL legend who helped established Pittsburgh as a team no one had fun playing against. The Steelers may have lost the game but they were going to give their opponent a beating.
6. Terry Bradshaw - Comparing passing statistics from the 70s to current numbers is a waste of time. Bradshaw is one of the great quarterbacks of all time...a league MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
7. Franco Harris - His 'Immaculate Reception' gave the Steelers their first playoff win...ever.
8. Rod Woodson - One of the great all-around defensive players in Steelers history.
9. Troy Polamalu - See 'Rod Woodson'. He has already piled up some of the most memorable defensive plays in team history.
10. Hines Ward - I don't think Ward is a better receiver than Swann or Stallworth but he's a Super Bowl MVP and a physical tone-setter on a two-time Super Bowl winning team.
Beaver County Times
http://www.timesonline.com/sports.html
Friday December 24, 2010 07:34 AM
PITTSBURGH -- With so many legendary players in the franchise’s storied history, it’s very difficult to name “The Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers.” But that’s what the NFL Network will do tonight.For the past three years, the NFL Network has produced a weekly “Top 10” documentary series that’s both educational and entertaining. Topics range from the top 10 passing combinations in NFL history to the top 10 linebacker corps ever to the top 10 shortest players.
This evening at 8 p.m., the NFL Network will present its list of the top 10 Steelers of all-time.
That’s a daunting task because there are no less than 12 inductees already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who spent most of their careers with the Steelers.
As part of its selection process, the NFL Network asked a number of media types who cover the Steelers _ your truly included _ to submit a top-10 Steelers list.
So without further adieu, here’s mine:
1. Joe Greene (1969-1981)
When the Steelers turned to Chuck Noll as coach in 1969, his first pick was a defensive tackle out of North Texas State hardly anyone heard of. “Who’s Joe Greene” was the headline in one of the Pittsburgh newspapers.
But Greene would go on to become perhaps the most dominant player of his era. He was the rock on which the Steelers built their dynasty of the 1970s. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and ’74. He played in 10 Pro Bowls, a franchise record. He also starred in a classic Coke commercial in 1979.
2. Jack Lambert (1974-84)
If Greene was the greatest player in Steelers’ history, Lambert may be the most favorite Steeler ever. Fans loved to cheer for the guy called “Count Dracula in Cleats.” He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive MVP in 1976. The Steelers’ defense in ’76 is regarded by many as the best defense in NFL history, and it was Lambert who was MVP of that defense.
3. Mel Blount (1970-1983)
Talk about a freak of nature. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Blount was huge for a cornerback. He was strong and tough, but also quick and fast. The NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, he was so dominating that the NFL had to change its rules on pass defense after the '77 season. Blount holds the franchise record for career interceptions with 57.
4. Rod Woodson (1987-96)
Woodson spent 17 seasons in the NFL but it was the 10 he spent with the Steelers that defined him. In 1994 when the NFL announced its 75th Anniversary Team, only five active players were on it. One of them was Woodson, a six-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.
5. Franco Harris (1972-83)
Talk about making an instant impact. After he was drafted with the 13th overall pick of the 1972 Draft, Harris earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. In a year when the Steelers qualified for the NFL playoffs for the first time ever, Harris rushed for 1,055 yards. He also caught the “Immaculate Reception” in a 13-7 playoff win over the Oakland Raiders.
Harris ranks 12th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.
6. Ernie Stautner (1950-63)Because it’s been 47 years since Stautner’s last game as a Steeler, a lot of fans don’t know much about him. But in his 14-year career, he played in nine Pro Bowls. That’s just one less than Greene’s 10. Stautner is also the only Steeler to have his number officially retired. He wore No. 70.
7. Ben Roethlisberger (2004-present)
Why Roethlisberger and not Terry Bradshaw?
That’s a tough call. After all, Bradshaw has four Super Bowl rings and an 8-2 record in AFC championship games and Super Bowls. But Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowl rings and he’s 4-1 in conference championship games and Super Bowls.
I just think Roethlisberger, who’s only 28, is a better overall QB that Bradshaw. In his career, Bradshaw threw 212 TD passes but also 210 interceptions. His career passer rating was 70.9. Roethlisberger has a much better TD to interception ratio _ 141 to 86 going into Thursday night's game against Carolina _ and a better career passer rating of 91.9 pass. By the time he’s done playing, Roethlisberger will hold virtually every team passing record.
8. Jack Ham (1971-1982)
Technically speaking, Ham may have been the most fundamentally sound linebacker the Steelers have ever had. At one point in his career, he earned Pro Bowl honors eight straight seasons (1973-80).
9. Troy Polamalu (2003-present)
Since the NFL first chose its Defensive Player of the Year in 1971, six times has a Steeler won the award. There’s a good chance Polamalu could be the seventh this year.
A strong safety who’s been to five Pro Bowls, Polamalu is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. Plus, he’s one of the most humble players to ever wear a Steelers’ uniform.
10. Hines Ward (1998-present)
Why Ward and not Lynn Swann and/or John Stallworth, who are both in the Hall of Fame?
Ward, who’s 34, is the Steelers’ all-time leading receiver. He has two Super Bowl rings. And he’s one of the best blocking wide receivers ever.
Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.com
Here's my Top 10:
1. Joe Greene - An utterly dominant defensive player and a two-time Defensive POY...his number 75 should also be officially retired.
2. Jack Ham - A tremendous linebacker in every facet of the position...one of the two best outside linebackers in NFL history.
3. Jack Lambert - A truly menacing figure but also one of the three or four best middle linebackers of all time. He could do it all.
4. Mel Blount - A true game-changer and a Defensive POY.
5. Ernie Stautner - An NFL legend who helped established Pittsburgh as a team no one had fun playing against. The Steelers may have lost the game but they were going to give their opponent a beating.
6. Terry Bradshaw - Comparing passing statistics from the 70s to current numbers is a waste of time. Bradshaw is one of the great quarterbacks of all time...a league MVP and a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
7. Franco Harris - His 'Immaculate Reception' gave the Steelers their first playoff win...ever.
8. Rod Woodson - One of the great all-around defensive players in Steelers history.
9. Troy Polamalu - See 'Rod Woodson'. He has already piled up some of the most memorable defensive plays in team history.
10. Hines Ward - I don't think Ward is a better receiver than Swann or Stallworth but he's a Super Bowl MVP and a physical tone-setter on a two-time Super Bowl winning team.
There is joy for Panthers fans in hope for the future
By Tom Sorensen
The Charlotte Observer
http://www.charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
704.358.5119
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH The Carolina Panthers have been playing football since 1995. In how many of those games do you think they've had the better quarterback?
They didn't Thursday at Heinz Field and, of course, they weren't going to. The Steelers won with embarrassing ease, beating the Panthers 27-3.
The three came with 8 minutes, 32 seconds remaining and sliced Pittsburgh's lead to 24. The NFL Network televised the game. It made you wonder what the NFL has against the NFL Network.
Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger was as good as he had to be. He found receivers, found room to move, found opportunities to exploit the Carolina defense. He hit 22 of 32 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie Jimmy Clausen began well for the Panthers, throwing careful passes and leading them into Pittsburgh territory on his first two drives.
On the first drive he was four of five for 27 yards. On the second he was two of two for 21.
He has not been heard from since. The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled Clausen up, and the longer the game went the more insignificant he became.
Maybe he'll emerge. I've been writing since training camp that he would. Perhaps I was wrong.
Look at the NFC South. New Orleans has a franchise quarterback in the great Drew Brees. Atlanta has an exceptional young franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan. Tampa Bay appears to have a young franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman.
Every time the Panthers play their NFC South brethren, they have to be better at several other positions to compensate for the mismatch at quarterback.
The only good part of 2010 for Carolina is 2011. Unless Denver snakes down and steals the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Panthers will own it. And if Stanford redshirt sophomore Andrew Luck turns professional the Panthers have the opportunity, for the first time in history, to take a franchise quarterback of their very own.
I've talked to two people who know Luck. One knows him from afar, from the bleachers and tape. One has worked with him.
They share a trait. They talk about Luck the way a proud parent talks about a son.
No, talk is the wrong word. They gush. They cite Luck's arm strength, intelligence, toughness and his quick decisions. They say he seamlessly processes information and rapidly assesses options. They say he is willing and able to make tough throws.
And in his spare time, he walks old ladies all the way across the street.
Why do teams such as New England and Indianapolis avoid slumps? Because a superior quarterback can lift and guide and inspire them.
It is difficult to conceive, frankly, of the Panthers having a special quarterback. They've had gritty quarterbacks and passionate quarterbacks.
But they have never had a quarterback who would cause a defensive coordinator to see Carolina on the schedule and think, "Oh, no, we have to go against him."
Such a player is not in their DNA.
The Panthers, however, are the worst team in the NFL. And the currency of the downtrodden is hope. Because if you don't think you're going to improve, what keeps you going?
What keeps the Panthers going is 2011. This season is nothing more than what you have to go through to get there.
tsorensen@charlotteobserver.com
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/24/1932713/there-is-joy-for-panthers-fans.html#ixzz192QDSE8p
The Charlotte Observer
http://www.charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
704.358.5119
PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked by Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH The Carolina Panthers have been playing football since 1995. In how many of those games do you think they've had the better quarterback?
They didn't Thursday at Heinz Field and, of course, they weren't going to. The Steelers won with embarrassing ease, beating the Panthers 27-3.
The three came with 8 minutes, 32 seconds remaining and sliced Pittsburgh's lead to 24. The NFL Network televised the game. It made you wonder what the NFL has against the NFL Network.
Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger was as good as he had to be. He found receivers, found room to move, found opportunities to exploit the Carolina defense. He hit 22 of 32 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie Jimmy Clausen began well for the Panthers, throwing careful passes and leading them into Pittsburgh territory on his first two drives.
On the first drive he was four of five for 27 yards. On the second he was two of two for 21.
He has not been heard from since. The Pittsburgh Steelers rolled Clausen up, and the longer the game went the more insignificant he became.
Maybe he'll emerge. I've been writing since training camp that he would. Perhaps I was wrong.
Look at the NFC South. New Orleans has a franchise quarterback in the great Drew Brees. Atlanta has an exceptional young franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan. Tampa Bay appears to have a young franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman.
Every time the Panthers play their NFC South brethren, they have to be better at several other positions to compensate for the mismatch at quarterback.
The only good part of 2010 for Carolina is 2011. Unless Denver snakes down and steals the No. 1 pick in the draft, the Panthers will own it. And if Stanford redshirt sophomore Andrew Luck turns professional the Panthers have the opportunity, for the first time in history, to take a franchise quarterback of their very own.
I've talked to two people who know Luck. One knows him from afar, from the bleachers and tape. One has worked with him.
They share a trait. They talk about Luck the way a proud parent talks about a son.
No, talk is the wrong word. They gush. They cite Luck's arm strength, intelligence, toughness and his quick decisions. They say he seamlessly processes information and rapidly assesses options. They say he is willing and able to make tough throws.
And in his spare time, he walks old ladies all the way across the street.
Why do teams such as New England and Indianapolis avoid slumps? Because a superior quarterback can lift and guide and inspire them.
It is difficult to conceive, frankly, of the Panthers having a special quarterback. They've had gritty quarterbacks and passionate quarterbacks.
But they have never had a quarterback who would cause a defensive coordinator to see Carolina on the schedule and think, "Oh, no, we have to go against him."
Such a player is not in their DNA.
The Panthers, however, are the worst team in the NFL. And the currency of the downtrodden is hope. Because if you don't think you're going to improve, what keeps you going?
What keeps the Panthers going is 2011. This season is nothing more than what you have to go through to get there.
tsorensen@charlotteobserver.com
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/24/1932713/there-is-joy-for-panthers-fans.html#ixzz192QDSE8p
Pens' win over Caps builds anticipation
By Scott Burnside
Cross Checks Blog
http://espn.go.com/nhl/
December, 23, 2010 Dec 2311:16PM ET
Cross Checks Blog
http://espn.go.com/nhl/
December, 23, 2010 Dec 2311:16PM ET
Pittsburgh Penguins' Pascal Dupuis (9) scores the winning goal against Washington Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth during a shootout of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, in Washington. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. (AP)
We get that folks not connected to either the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Washington Capitals often grow tired of the bright light that shines on both these teams.
But for anyone who caught even five minutes of Thursday's terrific tilt between the Pens and Caps, the first of four meetings between the two post-lockout rivals and a nice lead-in to the Winter Classic (set for Jan. 1 in Pittsburgh), well, now you know why it is so.
Pascal Dupuis scored in the seventh round of the shootout to give the Penguins a 3-2 victory, but, and pardon the cliche here, it truly was hard to find any losers after this one.
Here are five things plus a bonus one that make us salivate a little at the prospect of next week's match at Heinz Field.
The Captains
Part 1
Sidney Crosby scored the game's opening goal, his league-leading 29th, and no, it's not too much of a stretch to ask out loud: 50 in 50? Crosby added an assist on the Pens' second goal, 17 seconds into the third period, with a great one-handed effort that led to Chris Kunitz's goal. Crosby, who now has points in 23 straight games, led all Penguin forwards with 24:54 in ice time. Only Nicklas Backstrom of the Caps had more among forwards (25:11).
Part 2
Alex Ovechkin was once again without a goal, his eighth straight outing without tickling the twine, but make no mistake, Ovechkin was a presence in this game. He leveled countryman Evgeni Malkin early and had five total shots on goal. He continues to get looks but seems to be simply on the wrong side of the luck coin right now. To whit, seven minutes into the third period with the Caps trailing by one, Ovechkin stepped into the clear, but just as he was about to make a move on Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury, the puck was dislodged from his stick by defenseman Brooks Orpik. Ovechkin did score in the shootout, but there is no question he needs to marry his effort with his customary production if the Caps are going to truly pull out of their recent funk.
The Mike Green Show
Yes, the Pens won for the 15th time in 17 games Thursday, but there wasn't a better skater on the ice on this night than the oft-criticized Washington defenseman. With Tom Poti sidelined after taking a high stick early in the first period, Green saw his ice time jump to a season-high 34:03. He scored for the first time in 15 games when he blasted a shot home at the end of a long 5-on-3 to tie the score at 1. He had not scored since Nov. 14. The two-time Norris Trophy nominee also looked to have scored in overtime, making a dandy move around Fleury, who somehow got his trapper on the puck before it crossed the line. Or at least Fleury managed to cover the puck so no one really knew whether it went over the line, but it's been that kind of season for Green. Still, on this night, Green had six shots on goal to lead the Caps and provided reason for optimism that maybe the worst is behind the smooth-skating defender.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Mike Green #52 of the Washington Capitals battles for the puck against Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Flower Power
Gee, it seems like a long time ago that Marc-Andre Fleury stunk, doesn't it? With Thursday's win, Fleury now has victories in 14 of his past 15 games. Not sure whether there's one stop that sticks out, but that's likely because there were so many of them. The Caps outshot the Pens 25-12 through the first two periods, and Fleury was solid in denying all the Caps' big guns, especially when the teams were playing at even strength. And this coming off a surprise appearance in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Florida in Pittsburgh when backup Brent Johnson was injured. Fleury's play Thursday reminded us of his play in Game 7 of the playoffs two seasons ago, when he stoned Ovechkin early on and the Pens went on to rout the Caps en route to a Stanley Cup championship.
The Other Guy
Speaking of goaltenders, Thursday was a bit of a litmus test for young Michal Neuvirth, the Caps' rookie netminder, who started the season on fire, went cold and now has reasserted himself as the No. 1 netminder in the nation's capital. After the Penguins took a 2-1 lead early in the third, Neuvirth was solid in holding the fort through a series of minor penalties by his teammates. The Pens outshot the Caps 11-5 in the final frame, and Neuvirth turned away the final 10 shots he faced in regulation along with four more in overtime and five of seven shootout attempts. He also denied Malkin on a penalty shot early in the second period. There was lots of buzz about the Caps being interested in Evgeni Nabokov now that the longtime San Jose netminder is a free agent, but Neuvirth's play of late should help calm the fretful waters for at least the time being.
The Weird and the Wacky
Kudos to the Caps' fans for creating a playoff-like atmosphere at Verizon Center, and credit both teams for providing lots of interesting moments to send us into the Christmas break.
Like Matt Cooke somehow managing to be whistled for a delay of game penalty for shooting the puck over the glass at the opposite end of the rink while killing a penalty. The miscue -- we defy anyone else to make that shot on purpose -- gave the Caps an extended 5-on-3 that led to their first goal of the game.
Then there was veteran forward Mike Knuble, so vocal during the second installment of HBO's "24/7" television series on the two teams, chugging down the ice while killing a penalty in the third period and somehow getting in the clear and then, in spite of being hooked by Alex Goligoski, tucking the puck between Fleury's pads for the tying goal. There is talking the talk, and then there is walking the walk.
All in all, this game was all about the walk regardless of the talk.
Capitals vs. Penguins provides high drama in December
By John Feinstein
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Friday, December 24, 2010; 12:10 AM
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins brings the puck in on net against Karl Alzner #27 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Shortly before the start of the third period of Thursday night's mini-classic between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Caps General Manager George McPhee walked out of the box he sits in when his team is playing, looking like a man in need of a good night's sleep. Someone asked him how he was feeling.
McPhee smiled wanly. "Stressed," he answered.
An hour later, just before the Penguins' Pascal Dupuis beat Michal Neuvirth in the seventh round of the shootout, McPhee and most of the 18,398 in Verizon Center likely felt even more stressed. With most of the hockey world currently focused on these two teams and their respective cities, Dupuis's shot gave the Penguins a 3-2 victory in about as dramatic a December hockey game as you are likely to see anytime, anywhere.
"Hell of a hockey game," Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau said with a shrug as he walked out of his locker room.
It was every bit of that. With all the attention focused on the Capitals and Penguins in the run-up to the Winter Classic, this game had a playoff feel right from the start. Both teams have been living with HBO cameras and crews for its "24/7" series the last several weeks and that added to the tension that always exists when these teams are in the same building.
"It's something that's built over time," said Sidney Crosby, who was involved in both Penguins' goals and has scored at least one point in 23 straight games. "I think we just bring out the best in each other. We had the [seven-game] playoff series a couple of years ago and now this so it just seems to keep getting better."
Because of the Caps' stunning loss to Montreal in last spring's playoffs, it is easy to forget they dominated the Penguins last season, going 4-0 - one of the wins in overtime; another in a shootout. But they never got a chance to beat them when it mattered, and, even though the Penguins also lost a seven-game series to Montreal, they still have the Stanley Cup they won two years ago to prove in the eyes of most in the hockey world that they are the superior team.
Add that to the fact that Crosby, who is still only 23, is playing the best hockey of his career - he now has 29 goals and 60 points through 36 games - while Alex Ovechkin has struggled (12 goals, 39 points) and one can understand why the Penguins are again considered the team to beat in the NHL's Eastern Conference, even if they did come to Washington trailing the resurgent Philadelphia Flyers by a point in the standings.
"They're good, they have good players," Ovechkin said matter of factly. "They're going to take their chances. We have to take ours, too."
More than anything, the chances not taken were what haunted the Caps on Thursday night. Regular-season overtimes, played four-on-four are fun to watch and so are shootouts, but they prove little. The teams played 60 minutes to a tie in a building that was electric from the beginning and, if this was April or May, might still be playing in overtime.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save during the shootout against Mathieu Perreault #85 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Neuvirth was good but Marc-Andre Fleury was better. The Caps easily could have had two, three or even four first period goals if Fleury hadn't been brilliant, especially when his teammates kept taking foolish penalties.
"We should have won the game the first five minutes," Ovechkin said. "The chances were there."
They were there at least in part because of Ovechkin, who rammed cleanly into his old pal Evgeni Malkin before the game was a minute old. A few seconds later Malkin, whose hockey IQ doesn't always match his physical ability, took Ovechkin down with the Penguins in control of the puck in the Caps zone and got caught. Before the period was over, the Caps had directed eight power play shots at Fleury who stopped them all. The only goal of the period came on a gorgeous pass from Kris Letang to Crosby, who was parked on Neuvirth's doorstep and redirected the puck with a wrist flick so quick it was almost invisible.
"Ovie came out flying," said Mike Green, who finally broke his five-week goal scoring drought in the second period. "He really got us going with a couple of hits and gave us some momentum. But if you don't get that first goal, you lose the momentum. Then you have to work like crazy to get it back."
Green's goal at 13:43 of the second came just as a 5-on-3 power play that the Caps had for 1:51 ended. To say the natives were restless at that point is a vast understatement. At one point Ovechkin completely missed the net from in close and Green had the puck skip over his stick as he tried to close for a shot. The faithful were clearly losing faith: some boos could be heard. When Green finally beat Fleury over his left shoulder from point blank range, he didn't even raise his arms in celebration. He just exhaled.
So did everyone else in red - on the ice, on the bench and in the stands. That made it 1-1 but Chris Kunitz made it 2-1 Pittsburgh, 17 seconds into the third when Neuvirth couldn't handle what looked like a fairly harmless Crosby backhand and left it sitting in front of the net. But Mike Knuble got the score tied again shorthanded when Alex Goligoski turned the puck over - perhaps the only mistake the Penguins made in the third period after they had often been sloppy the first two periods.
"Fleury won the game for them," Green said, accurately. "There were some shots I'm not sure he saw, but he reacted. He's so quick sometimes it's unbelievable."
When Ovechkin was asked if Fleury had been the difference he shrugged. "He was good," he said. "I thought we played great tonight. Game's over now."
The game's over but the story isn't close to being told between these two teams. They will continue to share the national spotlight between now and New Year's Day - on HBO and then on NBC. Right now, the Penguins are the hot team. Crosby is the hot player and Fleury the hot goalie. Earlier in the season it wasn't that way. Fleury and the Penguins were the ones who were struggling.
"People were really on Fleury," said Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. "They were saying he was awful. I didn't think he was awful. I thought we were awful."
The Caps were pretty bad for a while - losing eight straight games before winning two in a row before Thursday. That appears to be behind them. Still, they need Ovechkin to be Ovechkin again soon. Crosby and the Penguins walked out with a win Thursday, but they knew it hadn't been easy and the team they faced isn't going to go away anytime soon or be discouraged by one shootout loss.
They will meet again outdoors in eight days. They are likely to meet again indoors when the weather is considerably warmer. Thursday night was great theater. But the curtain is still a long way from falling on what promises to be a long-running show.
For more from the author, visit his blog at http://www.feinsteinonthebrink.com/.
The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Friday, December 24, 2010; 12:10 AM
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins brings the puck in on net against Karl Alzner #27 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)Shortly before the start of the third period of Thursday night's mini-classic between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Caps General Manager George McPhee walked out of the box he sits in when his team is playing, looking like a man in need of a good night's sleep. Someone asked him how he was feeling.
McPhee smiled wanly. "Stressed," he answered.
An hour later, just before the Penguins' Pascal Dupuis beat Michal Neuvirth in the seventh round of the shootout, McPhee and most of the 18,398 in Verizon Center likely felt even more stressed. With most of the hockey world currently focused on these two teams and their respective cities, Dupuis's shot gave the Penguins a 3-2 victory in about as dramatic a December hockey game as you are likely to see anytime, anywhere.
"Hell of a hockey game," Caps Coach Bruce Boudreau said with a shrug as he walked out of his locker room.
It was every bit of that. With all the attention focused on the Capitals and Penguins in the run-up to the Winter Classic, this game had a playoff feel right from the start. Both teams have been living with HBO cameras and crews for its "24/7" series the last several weeks and that added to the tension that always exists when these teams are in the same building.
"It's something that's built over time," said Sidney Crosby, who was involved in both Penguins' goals and has scored at least one point in 23 straight games. "I think we just bring out the best in each other. We had the [seven-game] playoff series a couple of years ago and now this so it just seems to keep getting better."
Because of the Caps' stunning loss to Montreal in last spring's playoffs, it is easy to forget they dominated the Penguins last season, going 4-0 - one of the wins in overtime; another in a shootout. But they never got a chance to beat them when it mattered, and, even though the Penguins also lost a seven-game series to Montreal, they still have the Stanley Cup they won two years ago to prove in the eyes of most in the hockey world that they are the superior team.
Add that to the fact that Crosby, who is still only 23, is playing the best hockey of his career - he now has 29 goals and 60 points through 36 games - while Alex Ovechkin has struggled (12 goals, 39 points) and one can understand why the Penguins are again considered the team to beat in the NHL's Eastern Conference, even if they did come to Washington trailing the resurgent Philadelphia Flyers by a point in the standings.
"They're good, they have good players," Ovechkin said matter of factly. "They're going to take their chances. We have to take ours, too."
More than anything, the chances not taken were what haunted the Caps on Thursday night. Regular-season overtimes, played four-on-four are fun to watch and so are shootouts, but they prove little. The teams played 60 minutes to a tie in a building that was electric from the beginning and, if this was April or May, might still be playing in overtime.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save during the shootout against Mathieu Perreault #85 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on December 23, 2010 in Washington DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)Neuvirth was good but Marc-Andre Fleury was better. The Caps easily could have had two, three or even four first period goals if Fleury hadn't been brilliant, especially when his teammates kept taking foolish penalties.
"We should have won the game the first five minutes," Ovechkin said. "The chances were there."
They were there at least in part because of Ovechkin, who rammed cleanly into his old pal Evgeni Malkin before the game was a minute old. A few seconds later Malkin, whose hockey IQ doesn't always match his physical ability, took Ovechkin down with the Penguins in control of the puck in the Caps zone and got caught. Before the period was over, the Caps had directed eight power play shots at Fleury who stopped them all. The only goal of the period came on a gorgeous pass from Kris Letang to Crosby, who was parked on Neuvirth's doorstep and redirected the puck with a wrist flick so quick it was almost invisible.
"Ovie came out flying," said Mike Green, who finally broke his five-week goal scoring drought in the second period. "He really got us going with a couple of hits and gave us some momentum. But if you don't get that first goal, you lose the momentum. Then you have to work like crazy to get it back."
Green's goal at 13:43 of the second came just as a 5-on-3 power play that the Caps had for 1:51 ended. To say the natives were restless at that point is a vast understatement. At one point Ovechkin completely missed the net from in close and Green had the puck skip over his stick as he tried to close for a shot. The faithful were clearly losing faith: some boos could be heard. When Green finally beat Fleury over his left shoulder from point blank range, he didn't even raise his arms in celebration. He just exhaled.
So did everyone else in red - on the ice, on the bench and in the stands. That made it 1-1 but Chris Kunitz made it 2-1 Pittsburgh, 17 seconds into the third when Neuvirth couldn't handle what looked like a fairly harmless Crosby backhand and left it sitting in front of the net. But Mike Knuble got the score tied again shorthanded when Alex Goligoski turned the puck over - perhaps the only mistake the Penguins made in the third period after they had often been sloppy the first two periods.
"Fleury won the game for them," Green said, accurately. "There were some shots I'm not sure he saw, but he reacted. He's so quick sometimes it's unbelievable."
When Ovechkin was asked if Fleury had been the difference he shrugged. "He was good," he said. "I thought we played great tonight. Game's over now."
The game's over but the story isn't close to being told between these two teams. They will continue to share the national spotlight between now and New Year's Day - on HBO and then on NBC. Right now, the Penguins are the hot team. Crosby is the hot player and Fleury the hot goalie. Earlier in the season it wasn't that way. Fleury and the Penguins were the ones who were struggling.
"People were really on Fleury," said Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. "They were saying he was awful. I didn't think he was awful. I thought we were awful."
The Caps were pretty bad for a while - losing eight straight games before winning two in a row before Thursday. That appears to be behind them. Still, they need Ovechkin to be Ovechkin again soon. Crosby and the Penguins walked out with a win Thursday, but they knew it hadn't been easy and the team they faced isn't going to go away anytime soon or be discouraged by one shootout loss.
They will meet again outdoors in eight days. They are likely to meet again indoors when the weather is considerably warmer. Thursday night was great theater. But the curtain is still a long way from falling on what promises to be a long-running show.
For more from the author, visit his blog at http://www.feinsteinonthebrink.com/.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What If Bert Blyleven Had Won Game 2 of the 1979 World Series?
Written by Pat Lackey, 21 December 2010
Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke?
http://whygavs.com/
With the deadline for the 10+ year members of the BBWAA to submit their Hall of Fame ballots looming, the final round of the Great Internet Bert Blyleven Debate is heating up. If you need refreshing, Blyleven received 17.5% of the vote on his first Hall of Fame ballot in 1998, but slowly over the earlier part of this decade a few sabermetricians (spearheaded by Rich Lederer) pointed out how strong his Hall of Fame case is and he's slowly gathered support to the point that he missed the Hall by just four ballots last year.[1]
Besides being a great argument for why the Hall of Fame requires players to be retired for five years before being eligible for the ballot and then leaves players on for so long (you sometimes have to remove yourself from anything to truly understand it and baseball playing careers are no different), Blyleven's candidacy has been a point of debate online the past few years between those making the case for him and the older school journalists who don't like Blyleven's poor win percentage or the fact that Blyleven "wasn't the ace" on the World Series winner that he pitched for in his prime, the 1979 Pirates.
As a result there's been a counter-movement to get Jack Morris votes, based on Morris's brilliant Game 7 of the 1991 World Series and intangible things like him being the "ace" of a few World Series winners or explaining away his high career ERA as "pitching to the scoreboard."[2] I don't really want to debate the merits of Blyleven vs. Morris (other people do that just fine), but seeing Blyleven get knocked for his performance in the 1979 World Series always kind of bugs me.
Blyleven pitched the penultimate game of the regular season in 1979, on September 29th. The Pirates began the NLCS that year against the Cincinnati Reds just three days later, on October 2nd. Candelaria started Game 1 against the Reds and won, which meant there was little reason to use Blyleven on three days rest in Game 2, which Jim Bibby started. Blyleven started Game 3 on the 4th and threw a complete game to close out the series against the Reds and send the Pirates to the World Series.
The World Series didn't start until six days later (October 10), and it was a bit of an oddity in that the first five games were played without an off-day. It wasn't uncommon for a team to use their best starter on three days rest so that they could make three starts back then, but without the off-day between games 2 and 3 that was more or less an impossibility in the '79 Series. Mike Flanagan (265 2/3 IP and the 1979 Cy Young winner in the AL) didn't make three starts for the Orioles. This schedule caused Tanner to out-manage himself a bit at the beginning of the Series. Instead of going with the fully-rested Candelaria or Blyleven in Game 1, he went with one of the unsung heroes of the 1971 World Series, Bruce Kison, who hadn't pitched since the last day of the regular season. That let him line up Blyleven for Game 2 and then Game 6 and Candelaria for Games 3 and 7, with both of their second starts coming on short rest.
Many of you are probably familiar with the way the Series played out, but for the younger set (myself included) or those in need of a refresher, Kison got rocked in Game 1, which forced Game 5 starter Jim Rooker to pitch in long relief. Blyleven started Game 2, pitched well, was lifted after six for a pinch-hitter in a 2-2 game, and the Pirates won with a run in the ninth. Candelaria got rocked in Game 3, the Pirates' bullpen imploded in Game 4, Rooker was forced to start Game 5 on what amounted to short rest and left after five with the Pirates down 1-0; Blyleven came in on two days rest and pitched four scoreless to get the win. Candelaria threw a gem in Game 6, and Jim Bibby and the bullpen held the Orioles to one run in Game 7 to help Stargell and the offense to the Series win.
After the season ended, the Pittsburgh Press ran a story about the differences between Tanner and Blyleven (Blyleven hated that Tanner wouldn't let him finish games, as was the general practice at the time) and how they'd made up during the Series and, in discussing Blyleven's relief appearance in Game 5 Tanner says, "We were in a situation where we couldn't go anywhere but home. So we used Blyleven."[3] If Sparky Anderson had said that about Jack Morris in 1984, it would be the rallying cry for his Hall of Fame candidacy. But Tanner said it about Blyleven, and no one remembers it at all(including myself; I had no idea it existed until I came across it via BBTF user Guapo in the BBTF discussion thread for Heyman's ballot, which is what got me started on this post)
So let's go back into the Series and tweak one small detail to form my hypothesis statement. Instead of drawing a pinch-hit walk for Blyleven in the top of the seventh of Game 2, Mike Easler singles and Bill Madlock scores from second base.[4] The Pirates go up 3-2 in the seventh instead of the ninth. They still win the game and the arc of the series remains unaffected except that Blyleven gets the win in Game 2. Doesn't this change the narrative entirely? After Game 5, isn't he the pitcher that single-handedly kept the Pirates in the World Series up to that point? Remember: just because we don't value wins as much in 2010 doesn't mean that wins weren't valued in 1979 and because wins were important then, they shape how the Series is remembered.
Blyleven's postseason numbers in 1979 were sparkling; he allowed three earned runs in 19 innings over the NLCS and World Series, he gave up just 16 hits and walked three batters, and struck out 13 (1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP). The weird lay of the Series that year and Tanner's decision to go with Kison instead of him or Candelaria in Game 1 kept him from a signature start in the last two games, though, and without a win in Game 2 he's just a guy that pitched ten strong innings in the first five games and got a win, then got buried underneath the rest of the Pirates' dramatic comeback. A win in Game 2, though, makes him the only pitcher with two wins that World Series and I think that there's a good chance that he's remembered as the guy that both kept the Pirates in the World Series and helped start the dramatic comeback instead of one of the cogs in the machine that pushed it along. And you know what? If that were the case, I'd bet he'd already be in the Hall of Fame.
I'm not challenging those that remember the 1979 World Series and don't remember Blyleven as playing a big role. I'm not blaming the media that covered the team for portraying his contribution unfairly. But sometimes small changes make big differences, and I can't help but wonder what effect something that was almost completely out of Blyleven's control might be having on the pitcher's entire legacy here.
Links:
[1] http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2005/12/the_hall_of_fam.php
[2] http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_heyman/12/20/hall.blyleven/index.html
[3] http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2IdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KFwEAAAAIBAJ&dq=bert%20blyleven&pg=7071,1281012
[4] http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197910110.shtml
Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke?
http://whygavs.com/
With the deadline for the 10+ year members of the BBWAA to submit their Hall of Fame ballots looming, the final round of the Great Internet Bert Blyleven Debate is heating up. If you need refreshing, Blyleven received 17.5% of the vote on his first Hall of Fame ballot in 1998, but slowly over the earlier part of this decade a few sabermetricians (spearheaded by Rich Lederer) pointed out how strong his Hall of Fame case is and he's slowly gathered support to the point that he missed the Hall by just four ballots last year.[1]Besides being a great argument for why the Hall of Fame requires players to be retired for five years before being eligible for the ballot and then leaves players on for so long (you sometimes have to remove yourself from anything to truly understand it and baseball playing careers are no different), Blyleven's candidacy has been a point of debate online the past few years between those making the case for him and the older school journalists who don't like Blyleven's poor win percentage or the fact that Blyleven "wasn't the ace" on the World Series winner that he pitched for in his prime, the 1979 Pirates.
As a result there's been a counter-movement to get Jack Morris votes, based on Morris's brilliant Game 7 of the 1991 World Series and intangible things like him being the "ace" of a few World Series winners or explaining away his high career ERA as "pitching to the scoreboard."[2] I don't really want to debate the merits of Blyleven vs. Morris (other people do that just fine), but seeing Blyleven get knocked for his performance in the 1979 World Series always kind of bugs me.
Blyleven pitched the penultimate game of the regular season in 1979, on September 29th. The Pirates began the NLCS that year against the Cincinnati Reds just three days later, on October 2nd. Candelaria started Game 1 against the Reds and won, which meant there was little reason to use Blyleven on three days rest in Game 2, which Jim Bibby started. Blyleven started Game 3 on the 4th and threw a complete game to close out the series against the Reds and send the Pirates to the World Series.
The World Series didn't start until six days later (October 10), and it was a bit of an oddity in that the first five games were played without an off-day. It wasn't uncommon for a team to use their best starter on three days rest so that they could make three starts back then, but without the off-day between games 2 and 3 that was more or less an impossibility in the '79 Series. Mike Flanagan (265 2/3 IP and the 1979 Cy Young winner in the AL) didn't make three starts for the Orioles. This schedule caused Tanner to out-manage himself a bit at the beginning of the Series. Instead of going with the fully-rested Candelaria or Blyleven in Game 1, he went with one of the unsung heroes of the 1971 World Series, Bruce Kison, who hadn't pitched since the last day of the regular season. That let him line up Blyleven for Game 2 and then Game 6 and Candelaria for Games 3 and 7, with both of their second starts coming on short rest.
Many of you are probably familiar with the way the Series played out, but for the younger set (myself included) or those in need of a refresher, Kison got rocked in Game 1, which forced Game 5 starter Jim Rooker to pitch in long relief. Blyleven started Game 2, pitched well, was lifted after six for a pinch-hitter in a 2-2 game, and the Pirates won with a run in the ninth. Candelaria got rocked in Game 3, the Pirates' bullpen imploded in Game 4, Rooker was forced to start Game 5 on what amounted to short rest and left after five with the Pirates down 1-0; Blyleven came in on two days rest and pitched four scoreless to get the win. Candelaria threw a gem in Game 6, and Jim Bibby and the bullpen held the Orioles to one run in Game 7 to help Stargell and the offense to the Series win.
After the season ended, the Pittsburgh Press ran a story about the differences between Tanner and Blyleven (Blyleven hated that Tanner wouldn't let him finish games, as was the general practice at the time) and how they'd made up during the Series and, in discussing Blyleven's relief appearance in Game 5 Tanner says, "We were in a situation where we couldn't go anywhere but home. So we used Blyleven."[3] If Sparky Anderson had said that about Jack Morris in 1984, it would be the rallying cry for his Hall of Fame candidacy. But Tanner said it about Blyleven, and no one remembers it at all(including myself; I had no idea it existed until I came across it via BBTF user Guapo in the BBTF discussion thread for Heyman's ballot, which is what got me started on this post)
So let's go back into the Series and tweak one small detail to form my hypothesis statement. Instead of drawing a pinch-hit walk for Blyleven in the top of the seventh of Game 2, Mike Easler singles and Bill Madlock scores from second base.[4] The Pirates go up 3-2 in the seventh instead of the ninth. They still win the game and the arc of the series remains unaffected except that Blyleven gets the win in Game 2. Doesn't this change the narrative entirely? After Game 5, isn't he the pitcher that single-handedly kept the Pirates in the World Series up to that point? Remember: just because we don't value wins as much in 2010 doesn't mean that wins weren't valued in 1979 and because wins were important then, they shape how the Series is remembered.
Blyleven's postseason numbers in 1979 were sparkling; he allowed three earned runs in 19 innings over the NLCS and World Series, he gave up just 16 hits and walked three batters, and struck out 13 (1.42 ERA, 1.00 WHIP). The weird lay of the Series that year and Tanner's decision to go with Kison instead of him or Candelaria in Game 1 kept him from a signature start in the last two games, though, and without a win in Game 2 he's just a guy that pitched ten strong innings in the first five games and got a win, then got buried underneath the rest of the Pirates' dramatic comeback. A win in Game 2, though, makes him the only pitcher with two wins that World Series and I think that there's a good chance that he's remembered as the guy that both kept the Pirates in the World Series and helped start the dramatic comeback instead of one of the cogs in the machine that pushed it along. And you know what? If that were the case, I'd bet he'd already be in the Hall of Fame.
I'm not challenging those that remember the 1979 World Series and don't remember Blyleven as playing a big role. I'm not blaming the media that covered the team for portraying his contribution unfairly. But sometimes small changes make big differences, and I can't help but wonder what effect something that was almost completely out of Blyleven's control might be having on the pitcher's entire legacy here.
Links:
[1] http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2005/12/the_hall_of_fam.php
[2] http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_heyman/12/20/hall.blyleven/index.html
[3] http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2IdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KFwEAAAAIBAJ&dq=bert%20blyleven&pg=7071,1281012
[4] http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL197910110.shtml
Penguins' Malkin emerging in more ways than one
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin has 30 points in 29 games this season.
For a long time, people have been watching forward Evgeni Malkin and waiting. He finally is making it worth their while.
He is busting out all over with goals and guffaws, assists and antics.
It is a twofold spectacle as he suddenly has regained his elite touch on the ice, with five goals, three assists over the past three games, and has started to flash more of the personality those around him have promised was there behind the scenes.
"He wants to win real bad. He's passionate," linemate and former road roommate Max Talbot said after practice Tuesday at Consol Energy Center.
The problem was, Malkin has not been fully healthy for much of the time since he won the NHL scoring title with 113 points in 2008-09 and collected the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup at the end of that season.
He had a lingering shoulder problem, and perhaps other issues, last season, and has been bothered by a sore knee this season.
Malkin said at the start of this month that while he wanted to score more, adding that he was happy with his game overall and felt it was getting better. Then, he aggravated his knee in a Dec. 2 game against Atlanta.
Since subsequently taking four games off to rest the knee, Malkin has been scorching the past three games. In addition to his eight points, he has 19 shots and a basketful of the highly skilled moves that pushed him to elite status over his first three NHL seasons.
Malkin tied a career high with five points Monday in a 6-1 win against Phoenix, and, afterward, teammate Sidney Crosby -- who extended his points streak to 21 games and leads the NHL with 57 points -- said he was just trying to keep up with Malkin.
"The game was going to a different level for him," coach Dan Bylsma said of Malkin. "To have Sidney Crosby shake his head a little bit and say, 'Wow,' is a unique thing."
With 30 points in 29 games going into a home game tonight against Florida, Malkin, 24, quickly has gotten back above a point-a-game pace, although he is not yet in the stratosphere he reached two seasons ago.
Along with the one-timers and wristers have come a stream of good-natured shots he has been taking at teammates, reporters and others off the ice.
"I've probably been telling you for a long time you're going to see [his personality] emerge, and we continue to see it all the time -- playing well or not playing well, injured or not injured," Bylsma said.
Sunday, while a couple of media types were interviewing winger Chris Kunitz about his chances of returning the next night after missing two games because of injury, Malkin interrupted from the next stall.
"He'll play. It's no secret," Malkin pronounced, and then continued to badger Kunitz to be forthcoming on his intention to play, noting that the team had lost the two games Kunitz missed after a 12-game winning streak, the same two games where Malkin started scoring again but couldn't lift his team to victory.
By the end of it, Kunitz was wearing a big smile and a crimson blush.
Told that Malkin was taking it upon himself to announce team news, Bylsma laughed.
"It's nice to see [Malkin] come out of his shell," Bylsma said. "Sometimes, you look for a guy to open up, and then you want him to shut his mouth afterward."
Kunitz figures the language barrier -- Malkin, who is Russian, for a long time was reluctant to speak English unless he was in a comfortable setting, such as around his teammates --likely led to those outside the team viewing Malkin as more reticent than he is.
"We enjoy playing with him, and we enjoy his character," Kunitz said. "Anytime [Malkin] is around, we know he likes to play jokes, likes to talk and 'chirp' guys just like anyone else."
The further unveiling of Malkin's personality could come in the next couple of episodes of HBO's "24/7" documentary involving the Penguins and Washington Capitals. He is drawing attention with his play, and Monday wore a microphone during a game for the first time.
"You're going to see that he's not so shy," Talbot said. "He's a smart guy, a funny guy. He's great to be around."
Malkin was asked if he is OK with his lighter side being exposed.
"Of course. It's not a big secret," he said. "I'm a good guy. I try to speak with my teammates, joke. It's a young team, and everyone like jokes."
Almost as much as they like goals and assists.
For much more on the Penguins, read the Pens Plus blog with Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson at www.post-gazette.com/plus. Shelly Anderson: shanderson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1721.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10356/1112525-61.stm#ixzz18qPwL9JE
Today
Game: Florida Panthers vs. Penguins, 7:08 p.m. today, Consol Energy Center.
TV, Radio, Internet: FSN Pittsburgh, WXDX-FM (105.9), www.penguins.nhl.com.
Probable goaltenders: Marc Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Tomas Vokoun for the Panthers.
Penguins: Are 6-1 vs. Southeast Division. ... Led NHL in penalty killing (88.2 percent) before games Tuesday. ... Among best in league in goals allowed, 2.32 per game.
Panthers: Are 3-3 vs. Atlantic Division. ... Have worst road power play in NHL (8.1 percent). ... Are least-penalized club, eight minutes per game.
Of note: From the symmetry department, Penguins C Sidney Crosby has 21 goals and 21 assists in his 21-game points streak.
By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
Gene J. Puskar/Associated PressPenguins forward Evgeni Malkin has 30 points in 29 games this season.
For a long time, people have been watching forward Evgeni Malkin and waiting. He finally is making it worth their while.
He is busting out all over with goals and guffaws, assists and antics.
It is a twofold spectacle as he suddenly has regained his elite touch on the ice, with five goals, three assists over the past three games, and has started to flash more of the personality those around him have promised was there behind the scenes.
"He wants to win real bad. He's passionate," linemate and former road roommate Max Talbot said after practice Tuesday at Consol Energy Center.
The problem was, Malkin has not been fully healthy for much of the time since he won the NHL scoring title with 113 points in 2008-09 and collected the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup at the end of that season.
He had a lingering shoulder problem, and perhaps other issues, last season, and has been bothered by a sore knee this season.
Malkin said at the start of this month that while he wanted to score more, adding that he was happy with his game overall and felt it was getting better. Then, he aggravated his knee in a Dec. 2 game against Atlanta.
Since subsequently taking four games off to rest the knee, Malkin has been scorching the past three games. In addition to his eight points, he has 19 shots and a basketful of the highly skilled moves that pushed him to elite status over his first three NHL seasons.
Malkin tied a career high with five points Monday in a 6-1 win against Phoenix, and, afterward, teammate Sidney Crosby -- who extended his points streak to 21 games and leads the NHL with 57 points -- said he was just trying to keep up with Malkin.
"The game was going to a different level for him," coach Dan Bylsma said of Malkin. "To have Sidney Crosby shake his head a little bit and say, 'Wow,' is a unique thing."
With 30 points in 29 games going into a home game tonight against Florida, Malkin, 24, quickly has gotten back above a point-a-game pace, although he is not yet in the stratosphere he reached two seasons ago.
Along with the one-timers and wristers have come a stream of good-natured shots he has been taking at teammates, reporters and others off the ice.
"I've probably been telling you for a long time you're going to see [his personality] emerge, and we continue to see it all the time -- playing well or not playing well, injured or not injured," Bylsma said.
Sunday, while a couple of media types were interviewing winger Chris Kunitz about his chances of returning the next night after missing two games because of injury, Malkin interrupted from the next stall.
"He'll play. It's no secret," Malkin pronounced, and then continued to badger Kunitz to be forthcoming on his intention to play, noting that the team had lost the two games Kunitz missed after a 12-game winning streak, the same two games where Malkin started scoring again but couldn't lift his team to victory.
By the end of it, Kunitz was wearing a big smile and a crimson blush.
Told that Malkin was taking it upon himself to announce team news, Bylsma laughed.
"It's nice to see [Malkin] come out of his shell," Bylsma said. "Sometimes, you look for a guy to open up, and then you want him to shut his mouth afterward."
Kunitz figures the language barrier -- Malkin, who is Russian, for a long time was reluctant to speak English unless he was in a comfortable setting, such as around his teammates --likely led to those outside the team viewing Malkin as more reticent than he is.
"We enjoy playing with him, and we enjoy his character," Kunitz said. "Anytime [Malkin] is around, we know he likes to play jokes, likes to talk and 'chirp' guys just like anyone else."
The further unveiling of Malkin's personality could come in the next couple of episodes of HBO's "24/7" documentary involving the Penguins and Washington Capitals. He is drawing attention with his play, and Monday wore a microphone during a game for the first time.
"You're going to see that he's not so shy," Talbot said. "He's a smart guy, a funny guy. He's great to be around."
Malkin was asked if he is OK with his lighter side being exposed.
"Of course. It's not a big secret," he said. "I'm a good guy. I try to speak with my teammates, joke. It's a young team, and everyone like jokes."
Almost as much as they like goals and assists.
For much more on the Penguins, read the Pens Plus blog with Dave Molinari and Shelly Anderson at www.post-gazette.com/plus. Shelly Anderson: shanderson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1721.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10356/1112525-61.stm#ixzz18qPwL9JE
Today
Game: Florida Panthers vs. Penguins, 7:08 p.m. today, Consol Energy Center.
TV, Radio, Internet: FSN Pittsburgh, WXDX-FM (105.9), www.penguins.nhl.com.
Probable goaltenders: Marc Andre Fleury for the Penguins. Tomas Vokoun for the Panthers.
Penguins: Are 6-1 vs. Southeast Division. ... Led NHL in penalty killing (88.2 percent) before games Tuesday. ... Among best in league in goals allowed, 2.32 per game.
Panthers: Are 3-3 vs. Atlantic Division. ... Have worst road power play in NHL (8.1 percent). ... Are least-penalized club, eight minutes per game.
Of note: From the symmetry department, Penguins C Sidney Crosby has 21 goals and 21 assists in his 21-game points streak.
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