Author: pittsburghsportsdailybulletin

First, Cleveland has had it’s best start in years – what’s behind the turnaround most from your standpoint?

They have been playing much better now. They had the talent last year too, but this year the whole is greater than the sum of their parts and they have some great parts. A lot of credit goes to Stefanski and the team culture he’s created. Players are buying into it.

The stars – Baker, Myles, Ward, Landry and OBJ – they are focused on the team. They aren’t looking ahead – they didn’t look past the Colts even though they had the Steelers up next. They took care of business.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Jeff Risdon of the Browns Wire”

First, tell me how you and the company got started in this business!

It started with my boss, CEO Ty Ballou – he had an extensive career in the food industry – first with Jolly Rancher as an executive then took over Clark Candy, if you remember who they were. After the Penguins won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the 90’s the got permission to license the Penguins logo on on the candy bars and they sold like crazy.

After that, he saw he was on to something and launched a peanut butter brand with Jaromir Jagr and that sold well. After that he launched Geronimo Salsa and worked with Mario Lemieux on some things.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Troy Witt, Director of Marketing, PLB Sports & Entertainment”

First, let us know what you’ve been doing with yourself since your time in the NFL?

Really, just raising my kids. I have two older daughters and a son – so just being a father.

How difficult was the post-NFL adjustment for you?

There are some gray areas. No bad thoughts or anything but I’m dealing with some concussion issues I can; get much into. My family keeps me going – I don’t have any big plans but I’m happy with my family life now.

I was born and raised in the inner city of Miami – it was one of the roughest neighborhoods in the country. I had two brothers who were in and out of jail and watched aunts and uncles shooting drugs. Literally watching them. I’m not trying to say it was brutal, but I saw things a kid shouldn’t have to see in my own family. Those things helped me to say I would mold myself into a better person than what I saw. I had cousins in the NFL Hall of Fame – it was a sports family. And in our neighborhood – that’s what you had-  sports and family. There were good things there too – it takes a village to raise kids in that environment and I had that for me. I guess the bad stuff gets the glory when people talk about the inner city but there was good there too.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Safety Earl Little”

First, do you think last week’s win makes a big difference for the Eagles confidence as they head into the Steelers game this weekend?

Absolutely. Watching Carson Wentz for five years now, he thrives on confidence. The first three weeks he was brutal. But seeing guys like Fulgham getting involved and getting back into a groove definitely helps him.

Now, I wouldn’t say it makes them overly confident. It was one win and against a beat-up 49ers team, so you take it with a grain of salt. But it definitely helps.

Continue reading “Exclusive: Matt Lupi of the Philadelphia Sports Station Network”

First – the Eagles are obviously very banged up. What worries you most about the shape they are in right now?

I think the offensive line is the biggest worry. They will likely be staring four backups on the offensive line, depending on how Lane Johnson is doing. He’s been in and out of the lineup with a nagging ankle injury.

They have a rookie fourth round pick playing right tackle and Matt Pryor at right guard who they don’t like but have to play. They signed a veteran guard – Jamon Brown – off of the Bears practice squad so maybe we see him. They have an All-Pro center but he’s banged up, and at left tackle they are playing a guy who started his first game ever – not just NFL – first ever football game – last week. He played pretty well versus the 49’ers, but he played a game of football until 2018.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation”