Dave Bryan, Editor, Steelers Depot

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First, can you tell readers about Steelers Depot and what you have in store for 2014?

It’s draft season right now and that means we are currently hard at work breaking down several draft eligible players. We are watching as much tape as possible and writing up player profiles complete with videos and animated gifs that highlight the strengths and weakness of each. We also plan to have several draft experts on The Terrible Podcast leading up to the draft to discuss players that the Steelers may or may not have interest in drafting. In addition to all of that, we will also have plenty of mock drafts from myself and several of my writers along the way.

Leading up to the start of free agency and OTA sessions, we have several series planned. Some of these are already well underway as we not only take a look back at the 2013 season, but also what we think will happen during free agency and beyond. As usual, the site will always be up-to-date with whatever topical Steelers news is taking place. Once training camp gets underway, we will have our usual daily updates as the 2014 season draws closer. In season, we will provide our usual in-game and post-game analysis complete with stats and animated gifs.

From your point of view, what’s to blame for the running game issues. Is it scheme, play-calling, OL play or RB play?

I really think that it was a combination of several things. For starters, the Steelers were without the services of Le’Veon Bell, Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth to start the season in addition to losing Maurkice Pouncey just eight plays into the opener. In addition, the offensive line took forever to gel and the outside zone scheme we expected to see more of with then-new offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr. was quickly abandoned for whatever reasons.

I’m not one that easily points to play-calling and I really don’t think that was as big of issue as most do. More than anything else, the tape shows that execution was lacking when it came to the running game during the first half of the season. Once the offensive line shuffling settled down in the second half of the season and Spaeth finally returned to action, the arrow really started to point up. Bell looked like he adjusted to the speed of the game and the execution at all five spots on the line improved as well. The success that the running game had down the stretch was certainly encouraging and there is no reason to think that it won’t take a giant step forward in 2014.

You’ve analyzed Jarvis Jones’ play over his rookie season. What does he need to do to improve, especially as a pass rusher, and do you think he has the capacity to do so?

Jones played exactly like I thought he would during his rookie season. I broke him down extensively following the draft and it was easy to see that he lacked strength and a pass rush repertoire when it came to counter moves. While he had nice sack stats at Georgia, they were mostly a result of him beating lesser competition to the edge as there weren’t a lot of instances him beating tackles with a bull-rush or dip and bend.

As the season progressed, Jones looked a lot more comfortable in the Dick LeBeau scheme and that is encouraging. Moving forward, however, he must get stronger and work on developing his counter moves in order to increase his pass rushing effectiveness, which was pretty much non-existent in 2013.

While not great against the run to start with, Jones really improved in that area late in the season. Getting stronger should help with is ability to hold the edge and he should only get better when it comes to reading his keys and reacting quicker.

Jones has a lot of upside, but we have to see it on tape before we get too excited about his future. He has a lot of work to do during the offseason and judging by his post-season comments, he knows it. His progress will be easy to see as early as training camp and the preseason.

From your analysis, were the run defense issues a matter of NT play, LB play or scheme? How do you see this being rectified in 2014?

While most everybody is trying to point the finger at nose tackle Steve McLendon as the reason why the run defense suffered in 2013, I don’t. In fact, the Steelers run defense was pretty good against runs scored as going right up the middle when McLendon was on the field, outside of about six or seven explosive plays of twenty yards or more. I dedicated a post to that very topic that you can read here.

The poor tackling in the secondary surely did not help out, nor did the constant shuffling of the buck linebacker position. Like it or not, I really believe that the Steelers missed Larry Foote when it came to their run defense. Losing him in the season opener resulted in Vince Williams having to learn on the job. In addition, Troy Polamalu was used quite a bit at inside linebacker and that’s something that hasn’t happened since early on in his career. In addition to Williams and Polamalu having to play inside, Kion Wilson and Terence Garvin also took snaps alongside Lawrence Timmons. Yes, there were still some issues along the defensive line throughout the season and they aren’t totally off the hook.

The run defense uncharacteristically allowed seven runs of 20 yards or more in 2013 and five of those went for 40 yards or more. Runs that long will easily ruin an average and usually result in points for an opponent as well.

What do you attribute the second-half of the season’s offense success to? What did they do to improve?

As I mentioned in an earlier answer, getting the offensive line settled down and bodies back healthy certainly didn’t hurt things. In addition to that, the use of the no-huddle combined with a more rhythmic, quick passing game helped tremendously. By using more no-huddle, Ben Roethlisberger was able to get a good pre-snap read of the defense and personnel that was on the field and check to another play when the need presented itself.

In addition to the above, the running game improved and Bell also became more and more involved in the passing game. At times, the offense would even use an empty set with Bell lined up outside as a receiver in order to try to take advantage of personnel mismatches.

Keeping Roethlisberger properly protected also played a big role in the offense being able to move the ball better. Kelvin Beachum really was one of the best left tackles in the league over the course of the final seven games of the season when it came to pass blocking efficiency. When times called for it, Roethlisberger was able to extend plays and there’s no question that he’s the best in the league at doing just that.

Another major factor was that red zone production got a lot better down the stretch. In the last six games the offense was 14-of-20 (70%) inside the red zone when came to scoring touchdowns.

With today’s offense-oriented NFL, in your opinion, should the Steelers’ defense be looking more aggressively for the turnover rather than playing a more conservative style of defense?

When it comes to the Steelers defense and turnovers, it all starts with an effective pass rush and stopping the run on early downs. In my opinion, the personnel hasn’t carried out the scheme well over the course of the last three seasons when it comes to doing both of those primary things effectively.

Keeping opposing quarterbacks in predictable situations when it comes to down and distance is a must and having a lead in the fourth quarter also helps in that area.

As far as playing more press versus off coverage, I think you might see a little more of that next season, but not as much as many fans will want. The Steelers generally draft cornerbacks that tackle well as opposed to those that are effective playing man. Why? Well, in order to get a big, physical corner that plays man well, you have to draft them in earlier rounds.

LeBeau’s defense is simple, but mighty effective when the personnel execute it correctly and don’t try to do too much. Stop the run, tackle the catch, don’t get beat deep and get after the passer effectively. Everyone will agree that they failed miserably at all four of those phases last season.

The draft is still a good deal away, but who would you like to see the Steelers draft in the first few rounds that will realistically be there?

I hate to focus in on just one player. Yes, I do mock drafts, but they’re more of an exercise as opposed to me wanting one specific player. I will say, however, that I do not believe that the Steelers will draft a tackle early and I won’t be surprised if they don’t draft an offensive lineman at all. As far as the first round goes, I think the Steelers will draft either a wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker, defensive end or tight end. Yes, it’s that wide open as there are so many needs.

It’s so hard to predict who will fail to 15 as we sit here in January, however, if either Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack or Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins slip, either would be hard to pass up. Picking at 15 should afford the Steelers the opportunity to really go best player available at one of those five positions I listed above.

What free agents do you think the Steelers could and should realistically look at signing this offseason?

Based on their salary cap situation and history, I think that it will be another quiet offseason for the Steelers when it comes to signing outside free agents. As usual, the priority will be re-signing their own free agents that they wish to retain. This includes Jason Worilds, Jerricho Cotchery, Ziggy Hood, Al Woods, Fernando Velasco and Cody Wallace to name a few and the priority will likely be in the order that I listed them or very close to it.

Outside of their own free agents, I don’t expect any big names to be signed. If Ryan Clark and Will Allen are not re-signed, I could see them perhaps looking to see if a free agent free safety type can be added for depth, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for that to happen. In addition, I could perhaps see a back-up running back added to compete for a roster spot and maybe a journeyman offensive lineman to add competition. Any other free agents that they might add will be for the minimum with no guarantee they will make it out of training camp.

Was Worilds really that much better than Woodley when Woodley was healthy? Why/why not? How do you see that playing out?

It seems like so long ago that Woodley had five sacks through the first six games. In addition, he was effectively providing pressure in those first six games as well. Once he suffered his first calf injury against the Buffalo Bills, you kind of knew at that point that he would have problems overcoming it. Was he good at rushing the passer during that six game span? I thought so. Was he the 2009 version of LaMarr Woodley during those six games? No.

As for Worilds, he’s always been better on the left side as opposed to the right. In addition, he appears to have finally mastered that spin move of his and developed a few more subtle counter moves on top of it. It probably didn’t hurt that it was a contract-year for him as well.

Worilds really got into a groove as the starter once Woodley went down and the numbers back it up. Was his best better than Woodley’s best in 2013? I would have to say, yes.

While many believe that releasing Woodley during the offseason should be a priority if Worilds is re-signed, I currently believe that there is a pretty good chance that both will be retained if at all possible. Woodley needs to heed the advice of Ike Taylor and train with Tom Shaw down in Florida during the offseason. He needs to learn how to run, and how to properly strengthen those hamstrings and calves of his. If he does that, I believe that he still has another productive season or two in him. If he doesn’t, well, there is no reason to think that he will be able to make it through another season without missing games.

Will I be shocked if Woodley is cut loose at some point during the offseason? No, but you have to remember that the Steelers would have zero depth at the outside linebacker position should that happen. Chris Carter certainly won’t be the answer to the depth issues and while they might draft an outside linebacker in May, it would be asking a lot for that player to contribute a much during his rookie season.

Rest assured, the Steelers have a big decision ahead of them and it starts with getting Worilds locked up prior to the start of free agency. If that happens and Woodley is still on the team come the start of the new league year in March, I think it will be a sign that they intend on keeping him around at least another season. In other words, I think we will have a definitive answer as to the status of both within seven weeks from right now.

Does this team need a new OT? Or do you think Beachum and Gilbert are solid enough? And what are your thoughts on Mike Adams in 2014?

I did not think that Beachum had the ability to play left tackle in the NFL and so far he has proved me wrong. As I mentioned in an earlier answer, he really played well in the second half of the season, and especially when it came to protecting the blindside of Roethlisberger. After studying the tape from those games and knowing how dedicated Beachum is to his craft, I have now changed my tune. I do believe that he should be considered the starting left tackle moving forward and he will be hard to beat out for the position. At the very least, he’s earned the opportunity to call the job his for a while.

As for Gilbert, his career thus far can be best described as very inconsistent and that inconsistency can be seen from one play to the next during some games. For an offensive lineman that has already played just over 2,100 snaps at one position in the NFL, he has not lived up to being a second-round selection.

With the above being said, I still believe that Gilbert has not reached his upside as a right tackle. I think he remains very technically flawed and don’t believe that he has committed himself to being in the best physical shape. He can be a mauler in the run game when he wants to be and we’ve seen that. 2014 is a contract year for Gilbert and a lot will be expected from him.

As for Adams, I am on record as saying that I didn’t like the pick from day one. In my opinion, he is soft and not yet comfortable in his own skin. He has all of the tools needed to be a quality starting tackle in the league, but those tools are all scattered about and never used all at one time.

During Adams’ rookie season, he showed some promise as a run blocker on the right side, but when asked to start the 2013 season as the left tackle, he played like an undrafted free agent that was in over his head. Like Gilbert, he needs to dedicate himself more to his craft and perhaps new offensive line coach Mike Munchak can fix his footwork and hand usage problems. Regardless of how good of coach that Munchak is, Adams has to want it for himself and right now I see that as the biggest obstacle that he has to overcome.

Where do you see Shamarko Thomas and Markus Wheaton fitting in this upcoming season?

Both Thomas and Wheaton were able to get valuable playing time early on in the 2013 as rookies, but injuries quickly caused both to fall back in their development. Once recovered from his broken finger, Wheaton really didn’t have a chance to show what he has because of the players that were ahead of him on the depth chart. Wheaton comes off as a very smart kid and I believe that a full offseason of OTAs and mini camps will put him right where he needs to be. More than anything else, he just needs to stay healthy. He has all of the tools needed to succeed in the Steelers offensive system.

With Thomas, I see him more as a strong safety than I do I free safety. While he did play 193 snaps on defense as a rookie, he didn’t play a single snap after suffering his ankle injury way back in Week 10. While on the field, he looked unsure of his assignments several times, so he still has a lot to learn.

It will be interesting to see how 2014 plays out for Thomas as it looks like Polamalu will indeed be back. Do the Steelers think that the Syracuse product can step right in and fill Clark’s shoes at free safety? I’m willing to bet they don’t. If not, Thomas’ second season could consist of him mainly playing a lot in the slot as a dimeback in sub-packages while he is further groomed to eventually take over for Polamalu. We just haven’t seen enough him on Sunday’s to know what he is or isn’t. We do know that he is a big hitter and that’s about it. We still have a lot to find out about him and it will be interesting to read about his offseason development. What happens during free agency should also provide us some clues as to what the Steelers have planned for him in 2014 as well. He is a good special teams player, so at least we can count on that for now.

What do you think Mike Munchak’s hire will mean for this OL/offense?

The Steelers really did good by hiring Munchak and it will be hard to find anyone that will argue against that. I firmly believe that his primary focus will be to develop Adams, Gilbert and Beachum for starters. Let’s face it, they have two second-round draft picks tied up in those three players and are not getting the proper return on the investment.

In addition to those three players, Munchak ought to love being able to work with Pouncey and David DeCastro. DeCastro is a technician just like Munchak was during his playing days and I fully expect the Stanford product to be the best right guard in the league next season.

Munchak is fully versed in both the inside and outside zone schemes, so you can expect that it will be taught correctly right from the start. He is stickler for proper footwork and spacing, so this young unit has a lot of hard work ahead them.

During his time as the Titans offensive line coach, Munchak had some very good offensive lines that produced several 1,000-yard rushers. Le’Veon Bell’s running style closely resembles that of Eddie George, so you can’t help but get excited about having Munchak on board coaching the offensive line that will block for him. One thing is for certain, this offensive should be able to run first next season and pass second. Like everyone else, I am very excited about this hire.

Any last thoughts for readers?

As many already know, I am a very polarizing individual and that’s because I am mania bipolar. This causes me to be very abrasive on Twitter and as a result I often offend people easily. In other words, don’t take things that I say personally and I invite you to learn more about that disorder and how to deal with those that have it. I also have obsessive compulsive and sleep disorders in addition to being bipolar, but have learned how to channel all of this into working tirelessly on my site and I hope that it shows. I have some great writers that contribute to the site daily and we work around the clock seven days a week to be as compressive as possible. Our podcast will be entering its fifth season in 2014 and you can download it on iTunes or hear it on Steelers Nation Radio. During the offseason, David Todd and I do two shows a week and once the season starts we bump that up to three a week.

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Tim Williams, Editor, Pirates Prospects

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First, can you let readers know about Pirates Prospects – and what they should expect in terms of coverage and new features in 2014?

Pirates Prospects has been covering the Pirates for five years, with a focus on the minor league system. The past year has been exciting in that regard because we’re now starting to see top prospects arriving in Pittsburgh and helping the Pirates to become contenders. The 2014 season will see two big arrivals in Gregory Polanco and Jameson Taillon. We will be providing daily updates for both players during their time in Triple-A, along with live reports on those two and every other player in the system. I don’t know yet what kind of new features we will have, but we will continue our usual coverage of every level of the system, including the majors.

What do you say to those that feel so much went right for the Pirates last season – banner seasons from Alvarez, McCutchen, Liraiano, etc. –  that duplicating the team’s success of last season seems unlikely?

When it comes to young players like Alvarez and McCutchen, I don’t buy into the theory that a good season can only be a career year. A lot of people said that McCutchen wouldn’t repeat his 2012 season in 2013, and the Pirates would struggle as a result. McCutchen actually had a better season in 2013. Does that mean I expect him to match his 2013 numbers, or improve on them? No. But I don’t think it’s a given that all of the players who had good seasons last year will see their numbers decline this year. A lot of the projection systems that have come out are giving favorable numbers to the top performers in 2013, which is an encouraging sign that says the numbers for these players won’t decline.

First base is still a bit of a hole for this team, especially with Jones’ departure. How do you see that position shaking out, ultimately, and can Andrew Lambo become a big part if the solution?

I think Andrew Lambo can be a short-term solution. It’s definitely not as comfortable of a situation as adding a “name” player at first base. But Lambo combined for 33 home runs last year in his age 24 season. The Pirates are always going to be a team that has to give chances to guys like him with those types of numbers. It looks like they’ll be going with Lambo and Gaby Sanchez in a platoon, with Chris McGuiness as a Plan B to Lambo. Long-term, I think that Josh Bell could be the answer at first base. He still needs to realize his potential with the bat, but once that happens, he could arrive in the majors quickly, after getting some work at first base.

How much does this team lean on statistical analysis compared to other MLB teams? And how exactly does it do so, from your perspective?

I’m not sure how they compare to other teams. I know the Pirates do rely on stats in a big way, and you can see that on the field. Last year the defensive shifts were a big part of the success the team had, and those shifts were largely due to the stats department. The fact that they have an entire department for statistical analysis shows that this is a big part of their decision making process.

Are fans and the media too unappreciative of the job Mercer has done at SS. He seems to be a solid player there and a position that’s not easy to fill. Thoughts?

I don’t know if anyone is being unappreciative of Mercer. If anything, I think that people don’t realize just how thin shortstop is across the league. That’s not just in the majors, but in the minors. It’s hard to find a shortstop who can hit and play good defense. Most teams are choosing between a guy who can do one of those things. Mercer doesn’t bring a lot to the table defensively, but he does have a good bat for the position. His defensive skills are also good enough that he won’t be a liability at the position. I don’t think he’s the long-term solution, but I do think that a lot of teams would like to have a guy like him as a short-term solution.

Is the media overhyping OF Polanco and his potential impact for this team when he joins the roster this season? And when do you expect that to happen?

I view Polanco’s arrival in the same way that I viewed Andrew McCutchen’s arrival back in 2009. He’s a potential impact player who could immediately start to produce when he arrives in the majors. A big difference between the two is that McCutchen was a first round pick and spent many years as the top prospect in the system. Polanco was signed for $150,000 and has only been a top prospect for the last two seasons. So people were anticipating McCutchen’s debut for a lot longer. If you look at where they both were right before arriving in the majors, you’ll see that they both profiled as potential impact guys. I think Polanco could arrive in mid-June.

The front office has placed a great deal of emphasis on defense – seemingly more so than most other teams do. Is that accurate, first of all, and is that due to the stadium dynamics or other issues?

Just like the stats question, I can’t really speak to the strategies of other teams. But I would agree that the Pirates place a big emphasis on defense. I think that the stadium dynamics create a need for a good defensive outfield. You pretty much need two center fielders due to the spacious left field at PNC. However, the infield has the same dimensions in every park, and the Pirates have placed a big emphasis on infield defense. They signed Clint Barmes for two years, then brought him back. They’ve signed a lot of guys off the bench who have no value other than defense. Then there’s the defensive shifts and the focus on ground ball heavy pitchers. Add in the focus throughout the entire system on catcher defense and pitch framing and you can see that they’re placing a big focus on defense all over the field.

Will Taillon, as you’ve written, be this season’ s Cole? Can he contribute that much to this team this season?

As far as a top young pitcher who could arrive in mid-June and provide a boost to the rotation, I think Taillon is comparable. Cole came up and had immediate success, and looked like an ace by September. I think Taillon could have the immediate success, but expecting him to reach his upside by the end of the year might be a bit much. If the Pirates only get “Gerrit Cole June-August” numbers from Taillon, that would be a good thing.

This front office has invested a good deal in international talent/players. Why has it done so and how successful has this approach been, to date?

The approach is just starting to show success, which makes sense as they didn’t really start investing until 2008/2009. Last year Starling Marte made an impact in the majors. Gregory Polanco is next. Alen Hanson won’t be too far behind. They also added Dominican left-hander Joely Rodriguez to the 40-man roster this off-season, and have Colombian outfielder Harold Ramirez breaking into the top ten prospects this year. I think a big part of the success hasn’t been the spending, as much as the scouting in areas where teams don’t usually scout for players. That is why four of the five players I just mentioned received $150,000 or less when they signed. As for why they’re taking this approach, all you have to do is look at the production from Marte, and imagine the future production from Polanco to answer that question. Those two cost a combined $235,000 to sign, and could make up two-thirds of the best outfield in baseball over the next several years.

Many look at the teams’ poor performances as an excuse for the team’s solid drafts, as they were able to pick high up in the draft. But you’ve shown that many of their big successes were not top picks. Can you shed more light/detail on this?

The Pirates have the top farm system this year, but it’s not a product of high draft picks. In the top ten, they have some first round picks (Jameson Taillon, Austin Meadows, and Reese McGuire). They have just as many picks after the first round (Tyler Glasnow, Nick Kingham, Josh Bell). They also have several international prospects in the group (Gregory Polanco, Alen Hanson, Luis Heredia, Harold Ramirez). If you take away the first round picks, they still have a lot of impact talent. Gregory Polanco, Tyler Glasnow, and Alen Hanson would be top five prospects in almost any system, and could challenge for the top spot in most systems (especially Polanco). Guys like Kingham and McGuire aren’t top five prospects in the system, but would be top five prospects in a lot of other systems. The Pirates are getting talent from all avenues. It’s not just first round picks.

What will surprise fans most about this upcoming season do you think, and why?

After the 2013 season, I don’t think it will be as surprising if the team contends in 2014. But there have been some feelings that the 2013 season was a fluke and they could revert back to losing in 2014. Or there have been feelings that they didn’t “act like a contender” this off-season and didn’t spend the money needed to contend. I see this team as a group that could make the playoffs once again. It’s basically the same team, minus A.J. Burnett, and plus an extra half a season of Gerrit Cole, Charlie Morton, and an extra month of Francisco Liriano. Add the mid-season arrivals of Taillon and Polanco, and this team can definitely contend. Anyone expecting the Pirates to go back to losing might end up surprised.

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Interview with Pensburgh Editor Jim Rixner

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First, can you let readers know a bit about Pensburgh and what they should expect to see from your coverage over in 2014?

Hi everyone, thanks for having me over, you can find us at pensburgh.com where we have analysis and thoughts on all the news and happenings around the Pittsburgh Penguins. We’ll have statistical analysis and also add context with what our writers see and how events that unfold today will affect the Pens in the future. We also have game-threads and recaps where our community of Pens fans love to chime in and talk all things hockey and the Pens!

It seems like the use on data and statistical analysis of NHL players and teams has increased in terms of media and fan interest. Why do you suppose this has happened and how    has the  Penguins front  office used these analysis in their decision making, do you think?

Every team closely guards with metrics they use to analyze players, but the Penguins definitely do consider these things in their acquisitions- use of advanced stats was cited in the decision to acquire James Neal. But, then again, the Pens also traded 2 second round picks for Douglas Murray, who’s been one of the worst players in the league in possession-based and shot-based stats, so I wouldn’t say their every decision is ruled by pure analytics.

I think the rise of advanced stats happened in hockey for the same reasons it happened in baseball or any other sport- technology has advanced to the point where a lot more data is tracked these days. Naturally teams can use this data to attempt to gain an advantage over conventional wisdom by trying to add more context to players and attempt to project how they can get more value or better performance by using new tools and measures that just weren’t available years ago.

Of course there’s the usual trade talk that accompanies injuries. Who do you see the team realistically targeting and who are the candidates to be traded?

The natural fit would be Matt Moulson- he’s a goal scoring 1st line winger who played very well with John Tavares with the Islanders and would be a natural to replace the injured Pascal Dupuis. The problem will be that Moulson is going to be among the best available “rental” player options and with that comes a high price to pay in a trade. Will the Pens want to trade even more picks/prospects again this year? It looks like a guy like Simon Despres could be on the outs, but it’s hard to see the Pens trading away any bluechip prospects or any roster players.

How surprising has Zatkoffs play been to you – and are they leaning too heavily on Fleury? Any fear of burnout?

Zatkoff has been solid as a backup, he’s settled in and gives the team a chance to win when he gets thrown out there, and that’s all you can ask of a backup.

Fleury’s played 60+ games five times in his career- he’s been a very steady and capable regular season goaltender to handle a big workload and perform generally pretty well. He’s been around seemingly forever, but is still only 29 years old and in tremendous shape, I don’t fear too much of a burn out- top goalies love to play in every game and while they have leaned heavily on Fleury, he’s shown so far that he can handle it.

Now, whether that will translate into playing even at a decent level in the playoffs is a whole different issue. I don’t truly think it matters if Fleury plays a lot in the season or a little for his post-season performance. He’s still got to make saves in April no matter how many games he played earlier in the year.

Lots of excitement over the Olympics. But with so many Penguins making Olympic teams (seven?) – should fans be more worried about the effect it will have on the team long term this season?

It’s a valid concern, especially considering all the injuries the Pens have had to deal with and the fact the Pens have some older Olympians (Orpik, Martin, Kunitz and Jokinen are all 30+ years old). But, also, we can remember that just about every other top player in the league is also going to the Olympics, so every team really has the worry of how their top couple players will be late in the year. I’d like to think that for most, the thrill of wearing their country’s jersey and getting to represent them on such a big stage will provide enough of a lift to get them through it and back.

Another season with a crazy number of injuries. What do you attribute this team’s success to that they can so readily overcome all is these injuries? The system? Bylsma? Better prospect depth?

I think a lot goes to Bylsma and his staff. The Pens have one of the best power play’s in the league and one of the best penalty kill units too, despite frequently having to rotate a lot of personnel on those units. The coaches have done a great job in plugging in players and getting results.

You also have to look at the constants, guys who have played in every game. Sidney Crosby is far and away the best player in the world and he’s helped Chris Kunitz to the top of the league’s scorers as well. Fleury’s played a ton and he’s provided very even and solid efforts for the most part. Matt Niskanen has played every game and has had a terrific season. The Pens have had to deal with their injuries- including some to top players- but they’ve been fortunate that some of their best and most consistent players have been able to stay in the lineup all season.

Is Bylsma too slow to play his younger talent?

Bylsma had no choice but to play a lot of guys with all the injuries in some cases. Also, the Penguins have a teenaged defenseman in Olli Maatta, that’s almost unheard of. I don’t always agree with Bylsma’s every personnel decision, but it’s hard to argue with his record and the job he’s done putting the best team out there. Performance matters and some of the guys who haven’t performed or progressed as much as the coaches have hoped for aren’t going to stay in the lineup every night.

Bylsma has tried to play guys like Beau Bennett and Jayson Megna, and both have looked good when they’ve been able to stay healthy. If a young player performs and plays well (again, think Olli Maatta) the door is open for him to become as big a part of the team as he can handle.

Another subject that has come up is the quality of the CONSOL arena ice. Is this a big concern and what’s being done to correct the issue?

It’s a big concern and I don’t really know what they can do, aside from keeping to work at it. With all the different non-hockey events that arena hosts, the ice isn’t going to be ideal. In a perfect world, it would just be a hockey facility, no monster trucks or circuses or concerts to disrupt the ice surface and building. But of course that’s not feasible, so the best they can do is keep trying to work at it. Consol has great technology in-place, and ice quality is definitely a topic from Mario Lemieux on down through the Pens management that they know they want to keep as high as possible.

The play of the Metropolitan division has been less than stellar. Any thoughts on how this will affect the team’s ability to adjust to higher quality opponents?

Outside of Boston, nothing in the East is really too special on paper. But, playoff series aren’t played on paper and many times #7 and #8 teams can win a couple rounds of the playoffs. Especially with heated rivals like Philly and Washington- two teams that always rise their intensity and compete level to give Pittsburgh their best.

The Penguins really shouldn’t lose to a division team this year, but in the NHL playoffs surprises can happen when the right mix of emotion, momentum and a hot goalie come into play, so I don’t think it’ll be a cakewalk either. I’m not too concerned about the Pens not getting enough high quality opponents, they’ll have rival teams that will really test and push them early in the playoffs and if they make it late, they’ll be facing higher quality opponents just like any other season.

Many have mixed thoughts on Kris Letang. What are your thoughts on the defenseman? Is he a luxury this team doesn’t need considering the way he turns over the puck- and should be traded- or too unique a talent to let go?

When a defenseman plays 26-28 minutes a night and handles the puck as much as Letang, he’s going to have turnovers, there’s no way around it. The mistakes he makes are mostly mental, physically he’s one of the best athletes and skaters in the league. I definitely think the Pens should hang on to him at this point. His salary isn’t as high as people think in the new age of the rising salary cap (seriously- watch when PK Subban gets a new contract).

Letang has bumps in the road and is far from a perfect player, but he’s also a unique talent that is capable of adding a lot to the team and isn’t the type of player that a team trades away and ends up being better for doing so.

What’s the biggest difference between this Penguins team and the one last year that struggled in the playoffs?

That’s a good question, and the answer is they’re not much different. The hope is that getting Rob Scuderi back will stabilize Kris Letang’s play and that would be a boost. Goaltending in the playoffs is a huge question mark. Depth wise, the Pens are worse off in personnel (with Matt Cooke, Tyler Kennedy, Brenden Morrow, Jarome Iginla all gone) and Dupuis out too is a big blow.

The organization, by keeping Bylsma and not making any huge trades, likes the core they have in place. Last year with Tuukka Rask playing red hot and only giving up 2 goals in 4 games to the Pens probably won’t happen again, at least they hope.

Any last thoughts for readers?

The Pens have won 13 straight home games, Sidney Crosby is on a roll, it’s a fun time to be a Pens fan. Hopefully the Olympics will be exciting and we’ll see which Pens bring back medals and then it’ll be time to ramp it up for the playoffs again.

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Interview with Neal Coolong, Editor, Behind the Steel Curtain

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First, can you let us know what’s new at Behind the Steel Curtain and what we should expect in terms of coverage over the next few months?

You’ll probably read a bit on the draft. Replace “probably” with “will” and “a bit” with “a ton.” We’re really hoping to cover a wide range of draft news and info, including player breakdowns, mock drafts and coverage of all prominent All Star games.

Odds are outstanding I will be so burned out of the draft come May I’ll completely freak out any time anyone mentions Troy Edwards, but odds are good that would happen today anyway.

Along with that, we’ll run a few feature packages on upcoming roster decisions (there’s one underway now by our senior writer Dale Grdnic on a summary of each position and what we can expect in terms of additions and subtractions from those spots in 2014) and free agency. We’ll add in some current roster breakdowns in terms of performance this past season and any other news that may come up during the harrowing non-football time.

 An up and down season for this team, but one with more ups than downs the second half of the season, albeit too little too late for the playoffs. What do you attribute the second half turn around too, and is it sustainable going into next season?

I think the second half turnaround was really attributed to the one thing the team hasn’t had during its 16-16 slide over the last two years; continuity. They had almost the same offensive line starters over an extended period of time, and those starters all had some prior experience at their positions. That hasn’t really happened in the Todd Haley Era. The team also got the real benefits of the experienced gained by rookie running back Le’Veon Bell, as well as some cohesion between Haley and Ben Roethlisberger in terms of strategy.

It’s quick and easy to attribute it all to the No Huddle, but I think more than that, it worked because Roethlisberger used it within the structure of Haley’s offense. Quick passing, well-schemed runs and easy checkdowns have brought Roethlisberger to a level where he’s acting more like a CEO than a wild gunman – he’s taking gains, avoiding losses and the result of that was more points and fewer turnovers. Even in the games they lost over the last eight, they had a chance to win both of them at the very end.

Just imagine if Antonio Brown’s feet were a quarter of an inch narrower.

All of these things (except Brown’s feet) are sustainable heading into next season. The core group is intact – Roethlisberger, Brown, the offensive line (plus the return of Pouncey) and Bell. Add a healthy Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth to the mix (a vastly underrated aspect contributing to the team’s horrendous start).

The Steelers have had limited success as of late getting solid production from younger players. From you perspective, how much of this is an issue with the quality of the drafts versus player development?

We should establish expectations on these players before answering that question. If Ziggy Hood and/or Cameron Heyward were not perceived to be as good as Aaron Smith circa 2007, were they busts? Did they fail to develop? Jason Worilds’  lack of ability to play the run as well as James Harrison could, does that make the decision to draft him a bad one?

I think the perspective here is exactly the problem. The Steelers were an outstanding football team for a long time. Two Super Bowls, three AFC championships, a 15-1 season, never falling below .500. These aren’t traits of teams that struggle in terms of either drafting or player development. It just goes to show how hard it is to stay on top for an extended period of time.

That said, there are examples of missed picks littered around the draft histories of every team. It’s the ones who didn’t develop in concert with the ones who did but the team failed to re-sign. The Steelers of the mid-to-late 2000s didn’t really have that problem. They developed talent and they kept that talent. Perhaps history will show conclusively they kept a few players for a bit too long, and that caused a few younger players to leave via free agency (Keenan Lewis, Mike Wallace, etc.) because the cap space wasn’t available to make more competitive offers to them.

Maybe we’ll just see the team that’s been known for much of the salary cap era as being outstanding in the draft and outstanding in knowing when to pay a player and when to let him walk missed on a few picks and was off a bit in its timing with a few players.

But better late than never. Worilds and Heyward are both proving to be valuable investments that perhaps just needed a little more time to season and stay healthy in order to be productive. Cortez Allen could be a candidate for a leap like Worilds and Heyward had in 2013. Bell already looks to be a 1,500-yards from scrimmage kind of player. David DeCastro will be among the best interior offensive linemen in the game as early as next year.

Top to bottom, I think it’s just some slower development combined with unrealistic expectations of players coming in as good as the ones in the mid-2000s. If we didn’t know anything about the Steelers and had no emotional investment, we would think it’s a budding team with a younger roster than many might think. They very well could be a double-digit win team next year.

 What young players do you see really taking big steps next season, and why?

David DeCastro showed his promise has turned to expectation in 2014. Last season may have been his second in the NFL but it was his first full season, He’s only played 18 games, but in that time, we’ve seen plenty to suggest he’s going to be everything Steelers fans thought he would be when he fell in the 2012 NFL Draft. He plays with outstanding leverage and has a high level of athleticism. What I think will push him over the edge this year is he’s really going to come into his own physically. With a second training camp under his belt, not to mention another year in the Steelers’ weight training program, he’s going to add some pop to his pads and will become the level of guard Alan Faneca was in his time in Pittsburgh.

I’m also excited for Bell running behind DeCastro. Injuries held him back last year as well, and I think he was effective as an all-around offensive threat. I don’t think, however, he ran the ball particularly well. It was clear there were still some things he was figuring out even until the end, but this is a kid who had around 300 touches this season and fumbled once – in his first 100 yard game, a grind-it-out victory over the Green Bay Packers in what was easily Bell’s best game as a pro.

Keep an eye on Nik Embernate – an undrafted free agent from 2013 who suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. The team was high on him last year, and as this offensive line continues to improve (I know, right?? The line has IMPROVED), he could find himself pushing the bar to get on the field.

We know this offseason will being about a few changes in terms of veteran players let go. What players do you realistically see the Steelers parting ways with and who gets re-signed?

It’s a really interesting set of circumstances this offseason.

Extensions:

Ben Roethlisberger – Team needs a lower cap number for their franchise passer, and that passer would like some new money. Seems like the perfect match. Roethlisberger has the ability to help the team by signing a new deal, and the team has a chance to help the future of that team by giving him a bit more guaranteed money in exchange for smaller salaries over the next few years – not all that dissimilar to what Tom Brady did in New England. Will he? Will they? A lot of things hinge on that extension.

Troy Polamalu – He has zero chance of playing for his $10.88 million cap number in 2014. The team would cut him if he didn’t agree to a new deal, and only get hit for $2.6 million against the 2014 cap. A few more years, a few million more dollars, Polamalu stays where he belongs for the rest of his career, gets some new money out of it and the team drops his cap number maybe as much as $6 million in 2014.

On the Fence:

Jason Worilds – Really hard to see how this will work. To his credit, he absolutely blew up over the second half of the year, putting up pass rush statistics the Steelers haven’t seen since Harrison in his prime. On the downside, he’s been injured plenty often over the last few years, did not really come alive until the second half of this year – incidentally when he was going against some of the least talented right tackles in the NFL. What’s his price? It could be anywhere, really. The Steelers won’t match a franchise-level deal.

LaMarr Woodley – Worilds deal, in many ways, affects the future of Woodley. Constant injuries have held Woodley back, and without those, he was producing at a solid level. Solid isn’t what a team should get for the size of Woodley’s cap number in 2014. The team may make him a post-June 1 designation, taking something of a cap hit in 2014, but really taking a hit in 2015. They’d save money on the move (without factoring in replacement cost) in the upcoming season but really pay for it the following year. Woodley’s basically missing every other game at this point in his career, and it may just be time to move on.

Ike Taylor – One of a few players who had restructures done for the sake of clearing up cap space, he’s in a prime position for an extension. But does the team want to give him that extension? One of the aspects of the roster working in Taylor’s favor is they really aren’t deep at the position. A spot that used to have Taylor and Keenan Lewis with the rising Cortez Allen at the nickel spot is now down to 34-year-old Taylor, William Gay and Allen (the last two aren’t signed past 2014). Depth is at a premium here, but other moves the team may make can help create some cap space to bolster that depth, and have Taylor play through his current deal.

Ziggy Hood – This depends solely on two things. Does Hood feel he can get more on the open market? Is he ok accepting what could end up being a one-year starting position while the team continues to develop younger options (it’s a good defensive line draft at the top, and the team has spoken highly of Brian Arnfelt and Nick Williams, not to mention having Al Woods on stand-by as well).

Cut:

Larry Foote – The Steelers have to like the idea of having another draft to help bolster some depth at inside linebacker, and for as badly as the team missed Foote in 2013, Vince Williams and/or another free agent for a few bucks cheaper than Foote’s scheduled to make is probably the right direction. This isn’t to say Williams is the unquestioned starter by any means, but Foote may just be making too much.

Not Resigned:

Brett Keisel – It will come down to Keisel or Hood, and maybe neither. It’s just tough to not let him test the market, and he’ll likely bring in an offer from another 3-4 team looking to bolster its defensive line with a proven winner and leader.

Ryan Clark – A dependable safety, Clark can probably make more than what the Steelers would be in the market to offer. He could also skip the head-rattling world of the NFL and head to the studio.

A little early for the draft, but who are some of the players from your perspective the team  should be targeting in the first few rounds, and why?

We’ve dipped into this quite a bit on the site, and haven’t made our way into the middle rounds just yet. Looking at realistic options for the No. 15 pick, I think Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt shows a lot of promise, and could be the versatile, multi-position three-down kind of player the defensive line could use. I was also very impressed with Minnesota’s Ra’Shede Hageman (to the point when he blows up at the Combine, we’ll see only single digits in front of his name in any mock draft).

C.J. Mosely also looks like an outstanding prospect. By the time the Combine and All Star games are over, I think you’ll start to hear people connecting Mike Evans to Pittsburgh (although I’m not sold on him being worth that pick). Ultimately, if you told me now I’d get a 5 percent stake in the team if I was right with my prediction today, I’d say NT Louis Nix from Notre Dame.

The team could use Steve McLendon in a similar fashion as I suggested Tuitt could, giving them some added athleticism and spontaneity among their front seven. Nix is a true nose tackle, and for as solid as McLendon has been, he isn’t. Nix fits a need, and considering the Steelers gave up a slew of big runs this past year (none of those came on third down, either, so the idea of Nix not being on the field much doesn’t really matter), it seems to fit player value as well as team need better than any others I could see falling to 15.

Likewise, any free agents in the Ryan Clark, Jame Farrior mode could you see the team realistically targeting this offseason to plug some holes on this roster?

The fun part about following the Steelers during free agency is we don’t know who the next Farrior and Clark are, so naturally, we assume that’s what we’ll get when they step on the field.

We will already get to see a fully healthy (knock on wood) Matt Spaeth, which we were sort of robbed of last year. That’s a plus right there. Otherwise, I am not entirely sure who, if anyone, they’d really target, but if they did, it would likely be because they were unable to keep one of their own free agents.

Hardest thing to predict…any Steelers movement in free agency.

A quick Word association game here. Give us the first 1-2 words that come to mind on these players:

Cortez Allen: Needs to rebound

Maurkice Pouncey: Contract year

Kelvin Beachum: Mike Adams?!?

Ike Taylor: Can’t catch

Cameron Heyward: Wreck-It

Jarvis Jones: Carbs are Good

Lamarr Woodley: No Harrison

Larry Foote: Steeler Forever

Mike Adams: New Coach

Terrence Garvin: Proved Nothing

Jerricho Cotchery: Thanks, Tannebaum!

As someone who follows this team daily, how have you Mike Tomlin improve most as a coach and what specifically does he do that most contributes to the team’s success? What does he need to improve on?

I think Mike Tomlin is honest with his players. You hear that in the voices of players, both current and former, who all seem to indicate there’s a strong level of respect for Tomlin and the way he approaches his work. Having that level of honesty in one’s communication and having the guts to stand behind it are vital components of leading in a group dynamic.

Most will rip Tomlin for a few in-game decisions over the years, and I’d struggle to find any coach who’s not guilty of that at various times. It’s an extremely complicated game, and you don’t necessarily have loads of time to react. I’m a hack writer with the ability to hit pause, rewind, watch again then write about what I just saw, and I still look over what I wrote in the past, wondering how I came up with that stupid of a conclusion.

The decision to go for the touchdown against the Packers was odd enough to me I wonder if Tomlin’s real intention was just to have Bell run square into the line and fall down. Tomlin’s explanation behind why he decided to try for a touchdown wasn’t exactly satisfying to me, and from what I saw, millions of others, but I appreciate the fact he holds himself accountable – even if he is defending questionable decisions no matter how ridiculous the decision seemed to be.

A general criticism now I think is how his team has started out slowly in each of the last three seasons – the worst being 2013. Oddly, the team started out on fire in 2010, when they were down their starting quarterback. One main goal Tomlin should have this offseason is preparing this team for the season, obviously, but they have to quietly talk about the importance of winning the opener, against whomever and wherever it will be held.

We’ve seen statistical/data analysis really increase in terms of how the media, fans, and front offices apply it to their respective sports – especially in baseball and hockey. Why do you think that’s been slower to occur with the NFL? And do you see that changing?

That’s an excellent question. I’ve wrestled around with this a bit in spare moments and in bouts of insomnia, but I’m not entirely sure how advanced statistics play a role in the NFL. At the same time, I couldn’t tell you how to interpret most advanced statistics in hockey either. But generally speaking, I see football as the most spontaneous game out of all of the major sports. In basketball, there are only 10 players on the court and the court is only so big. There are thousands of stats through which the shooting tendencies of a player or a team can be extrapolated.

Again, I’ll admit my ignorance, I just think the advanced statistical measurement of other sports works to a better degree than in the NFL, where everything teams are doing depends so much on what just happened. It’s all happening so fast, yet, there’s still roughly 30 seconds between what just happened and the next play. It creates a sense of chaos that’s both hard to ignore and hard to quantify at the same time.

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Dale Lolley on the Steelers

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First – in terms of be run defense issues. How much was Larry Foote missed and how much of it really was on the play at NT?

The Steelers missed Foote, especially early in the season. Vince Williams got better as the season went on, though the team used Terence Garvin late in the year in its sub packages as a coverage man. Many of the big runs allowed could not be directly attributed to the nose tackle position, but it was obvious in short-yardage situations that the Steelers were lacking there – as their 18 rushing touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry allowed would suggest.

How much conflict is there on player retention between coaches and the front office! We’ve heard this about Max Starks. Does that exist with current players and how is it handled?

There’s always going to be some give and take there. It’s not even close to what existed between Bill Cowher and Tom Donahoe, though. By the end of Donahoe’s tenure, the two barely spoke. The front office has the job of not only building the team, but looking down the road, as well, while the coaching staff is solely focused on the year at hand. Any time you have this kind of setup, there are going to be some disagreements about players.

On not getting the most out of many of the young players – is it about the draft or about player development? And if the latter, is that why the team is looking elsewhere now for an OL coach?

I  thought the Steelers got a lot of out their young players this season, more so than in previous years. Jarvis Jones, Le’Veon Bell and Vince Williams were starters. Many others made contributions throughout the season, though some, like Markus Wheaton and Shamarko Thomas, had their development slowed by injuries. That happens.

The inevitable Worilds an Woodley question. How do you think this gets resolved and what is the organizations viewpoint on both players right now?

I think there’s a 50-50 shot the Steelers find a way to keep both. The Steelers still feel LaMarr Woodley is a valuable player – when he plays. He might not be worth the current salary he makes, but having him on the roster makes them a better team. The organization has always been high on Jason Worilds’ ability. He just couldn’t get much of an opportunity to play because of who he was playing behind. But even in his limited playing time, they thought he could play.

Hardy Nickerson  – a former Steeler – was hired by Tampa Bay recently. What current/recently retired Steelers do you see getting into coaching?

I could see Ramon Foster getting into coaching when his career is done. Same goes for Larry Foote – if he doesn’t find his way into the media. Both are sharp guys who relate to people well.

The NFL changed so quickly to becoming a heavily offense oriented league. Were the Steelers to slow to adjust and “catch on”, or considering the cap situation and personnel, were these growing pains inevitable?

I don’t know that the Steelers were “slow” to catch on. I think they could see how things were moving. But because they had a number of veterans locked up long term, they were unable to adjust quickly. In the matter of one year, a player such as Ryan Clark were made half the player he was before because the big hits were legislated out of the game.

It’s early. But  in terms of the draft, if the Steelers had their way, what positions and players do you see them target in the first few rounds? Who would you like to see them target?

I would go for a wide receiver in the first round and then go heavy on the defensive side of the ball after that. Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans or even tight end Eric Ebron would make the Steelers offense dynamic. There are a ton of CB/S prospects in this draft that can be mined in rounds two or three along with defensive line help.

What younger players do you expect to step up and contribute more next season?

Jarvis Jones can obviously contribute more than he did as a rookie – if LaMarr Woodley isn’t retained. Even if Woodley stays, you could continue to see a three-man rotation at outside linebacker. Shamarko Thomas should get more work in the sub-packages as well. And Markus Wheaton should break out as a slot receiver.

Having been there since Tomlin’s first day, how have you seen him improve most as a coach and what specifically does he do that most contributes to the team’s success?

I haven’t seen a lot of change from Mike. He still delegates well and allows his assistants to do their thing. He has learned to watch some of his statements. You won’t hear an “unleash Hell in December,” quote again anytime soon. That was thrown back in his face throughout the rest of that season.

What veteran players do you see being released this off season. And how hard is it for you as a reporter that gets close to these guys?

Foote and Woodley could both be released, but that’s about it. Ike Taylor could be asked to take a paycut. With so many unrestricted free agents, the Steelers are going to be signing more than they are releasing. As for getting to know some of these guys, it depends on the player. Some guys are pretty open with everyone. Others, not so much. Obviously, the longer they are around, the more you get to know them.

Make sure you visit Dale’s blog at //nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/

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Jim O’Brien: Steve Blass deserves the kind of season the Pirates are providing these days

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Steve Blass deserves the kind of season  the Pirates are providing these days

Pittsburgh sports author and Valley Mirror columnist Jim O’Brien

This has been the best of summers and the best of seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steve Blass.

During last Saturday’s game, Blass said to his sidekick Greg Brown during the telecast, “This is great.  This is even gooder than good.”

I had to smile.  I knew Blass knew there is no such word as “gooder,” but he simply wanted to emphasize his joy over the way the Pirates were playing and winning games.  I felt good for Steve Blass.  His vocabulary is full of positive words.

We share some bonds.  We are both 71, and we live a mile apart in Upper St. Clair, and we both love to talk about our two kids – David and Chris in his case – and our grandkids.  He frequently refers to his wife, Karen Lamb, whom he married in 1964, and I am guilty of the same with my wife Kathie.

I visited with Blass in the press box before last Sunday afternoon’s game with the Chicago Cubs, which the Pirates would win 2-1 to remain tied with the St. Louis Cardinals and 3 1/2 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central race.  As always, he was easy and casual company.  He wore a baseball cap so I was tipped off that this would be his day on the radio and he didn’t have to wear a tie to the ballpark.

They would be playing the San Diego Padres and the Reds in the remaining games on their home schedule, and then go to Chicago and Cincinnati to close out this season of all seasons.

This is the 30th season Blass has been in the broadcast booth for the Bucs.  He’s been there for 20 consecutive losing seasons prior to this one, a record in futility for major pro sports teams in North America.

They showed a fan in the stands with a sign that read: “LET’S GO, BUCKS!”  I told my wife that this was not a Pirates’ fan, but somebody who was jumping on the bandwagon and wanted to be seen on television.  You had to live in a cave the past 60 years to think they were the BUCKS and not the BUCS.

This is Pittsburgh and not Milwaukee, where the pro basketball team is called the Bucks.  There are a lot of people at PNC Park these days who just want to be part of the crowd, but it’s a great scene and great atmosphere anyhow.

Blass never complained about the 20 years of losing.  I knew he would say he enjoyed those 20 seasons, and that’s exactly what he said on Sunday.  “Hey, you’re still coming to the ballpark,” he said in the way of a Blass understatement.

“I love to drive here from my home, knowing I’m coming to the ballpark, knowing I’m going to be watching a baseball game.  I’m still living the dream.”

He also likes to say, “I’ve had a good life: one wife, one house and one team.”

He signed on with the Pirates out of high school in Connecticut in 1960, when the Pirates won the World Series thanks to Bill Mazeroski’s home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the seventh game at Forbes Field.

Maz and Blass are both familiar figures in the Steel Valley as they frequently are celebrity participants in the Homestead Lions Club Golf Outing at Westwood and Blass has been a regular at the annual Sports Night dinner at the Thompson Club in West Mifflin.

Blass was the recipient of the Bob Prince Award for media excellence along the way and he will be one of the winners of that award who will be honored at the club on Tuesday, October 8.  I was similarly honored years ago and plan to attend the dinner coordinated by fellow Valley Mirror columnist Darrell Hess.

Blass has known the best and the worst of Pirates seasons on a personal level.  He had a 10-year career as a pitcher for the Pirates and pitched two complete games in the 1971 World Series, giving up only seven hits and two runs in 18 innings while posting two victories.  Think about the enormity of that feat.  No one pitches complete games these days, let alone in a World Series.

Back in 2009, at a golf outing featuring former Pirates, Blass had two holes-in-one over 18 holes at the Greensburg Country Club.  The odds against doing that are infinitesimal.  And he didn’t do it playing with a cousin somewhere out in the Poconos.

Blass is a friend of professional golfer Jim Furyk and when he heard that Furyk had scored a 59 in the second round of the BMW Championship at Lake Forest, Illinois, Blass called Furyk and left a message congratulating him for being only the sixth golfer in PGA history to score that low.

Blass also mentioned that it was almost as terrific a feat as his two holes-in-one in the same round.

Furyk left a message for Blass that night saying while he never had two holes-in-one the same day he didn’t want to hear from Blass again until he had a 59 in a golf outing.

Blass enjoyed the exchange. On Saturday, Blass was mentioned in similar byplay by Ken Dryden, a Hall of Fame goalie with the Montreal Canadiens, who was in the stands at PNC Park.

During a televised interview with Robby Incmikoski, Dryden mentioned how he beat out Steve Blass by one vote for the Lifesaver Award in 1971.  Dryden won an expensive foreign sports car and Blass said he ended up with a record player.  “But it was a nice record player,” said Blass, “and I couldn’t pronounce the name of the car anyway.”

“Or spell it,” added Dryden, with a final dig.

Dryden had come from Toronto with his wife and had caught a baseball game in Cleveland, then Pittsburgh and would be going to Detroit.  “I’m a big baseball fan, and it’s a chance to see three contenders in one swoop,” said Dryden, whom I remembered as always being a cerebral and thoughtful interview when I covered the National Hockey League back in the ‘70s.  He’s like Blass in that regard, and was a reminder of how good some guys are in the business.

Blass has been with the Pirates for 54 years.  “I’ve run my race,” he said when we spoke last Sunday.  “I can stand back and be happy for these guys.

“I am happy for the fans —especially that core of 8,000 to 10,000 fans who stuck with the Pirates through the toughest of times – and I’m happy for the city.

“This was a baseball town before it was a football town or a hockey town.  Hey, I’m a fan of the Steelers and I’m a fan of the Penguins.  I pull for them, too.  People are up on the Pirates now and down on the Steelers.

“I see people in the super market and I tell them, ‘Stick with the Steelers; they are still our Pittsburgh Steelers.  You have to stay loyal.”

Blass has been loyal to the Pirates and they have been loyal to him.  “I’m a lifer,” he says proudly.  He has not traveled on the road with the team for the past nine seasons, but he attends many functions and luncheons and dinners and golf outings on behalf of the Bucs to promote the team while the Pirates are on the road.

Anyone who gets to play golf with Blass has a blast. He is a funny guy.  And a good contributor to the score for any foursome.

“My bucket list includes wanting to play golf with Jim Furyk in Jacksonville, where he lives, on the way to spring training this year.”  Blass goes to Bradenton, Florida at the beginning of each year and spends the winter there.

Turning to baseball, Blass said, “I’ve experienced the best and the worst seasons, I survived 1973 and that was no fun.”

That was the next to the last season for Blass as a pitcher for the Pirates.  He could no longer control his pitches and couldn’t find the plate.  His ratio of walks to strikeouts is the worst in the game since 1901.  His sudden loss of his ability to command his pitches became known in baseball as “the Steve Blass disease.”

That’s well behind him now.  “I love good pitching and we have some good pitchers,” said Blass.  “Our bullpen has been lights out most of the season.  I think Mark Melancon could give Andrew McCutcheon a run for MVP on this team.”

Melancon would go on that Sunday to pitch a perfect ninth inning and, for the second day in a row, preserve a one-run lead for his 16th save of the season. “I think Neal Huntington, our general manager, should be the executive of the year,” said Blass.  “That was a gutsy move in trading Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox; he’d been so great as a closer for us, and going with Jason Grilli and now Melancon in that role.  He got us the players we need for the stretch run.”

Blass believed that the Pirates would not be overmatched or overwhelmed if they met either the Cardinals or the Reds in the playoffs.  “They have shown they can play with these guys during the season,” he said.

“I tell these guys to make sure they don’t try to be better than they have been during the season.  I made that mistake in 1971. I thought I had to be better. You just have to be yourself and play the way you have played all year.

“I love seeing the young kids in the stands.  We’re going to make baseball fans out of these kids, and this is the first time in a long time we can say that.  I’m happy about that. I’m happy just to be able to come to the ballpark.

“I’m happy to be reminded of how great a game baseball is.”

During Saturday’s game, Blass quoted Roger Angell, one of the best authors ever on the subject of baseball. It goes like this:

“Since baseball time is measured only in outs, all you have to do is succeed utterly, keep hitting, keep the rally alive and you have defeated time.  You remain forever young.”

I asked Blass if he kept a note on that quote in the broadcast booth to pull out when he needed it.  He pointed to a mural on the wall nearby that contained the Angell quote.  “No, I memorized that.”  To prove it, Blass repeated the quote just for my sake.  And smiled like a student who knew the answer to the test question.

Angell had written a lengthy piece on Blass for The New Yorker when Blass was experiencing his control problems in 1973.

Blass said he had a good feeling that they could stay the course as far back as July 21 when the Pirates pulled out a victory on a Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati.  That feeling was reinforced when the Bucs bounced back from being swept in St. Louis to sweeping the Rangers in Texas that they could do it.

“Just be yourself.  That’s good enough,” he said.  “Clint Hurdle has done a fine job of keeping everyone involved and giving everyone a chance to contribute.  That’s a real juggling act.  This is an exciting time to be a Bucs fan.  I’m enjoying the ride.”

 

Jim O’Brien has a new book “Chuck Noll – A Winning Way” available at his website.  www:jimobriensportsauthor.com or by Googling Pittsburgh sports author Jim O’Brien.

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Jim O’Brien: Attorney Garry Nelson still a formidable court figure

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Jim O’Brien: Attorney Garry Nelson still a formidable court figure

Jim O’Brien’s column on Garry Nelson For The Valley Mirror

Garry Nelson stood tall, and patiently, at a doorway in the lobby of the Allegheny County Jail, waiting to be admitted to confer with one of his clients earlier this month.

Nelson, at age 63 and 6-feet 10-inches tall, may be the tallest defense attorney in town.  A guard recognized him and asked, “You’re one of the twins, aren’t you?

Nelson nodded and said, “You’re too young to remember us.”  And the guard said, “No, I saw you guys play.  You were good.”

Garry and his brother Barry joined 6-10 Gary Majors to form a fearsome frontline for Duquesne at the outset of the ‘70s.  “We had the tallest team in NCAA Division I,” recalled Nelson.  They were a tough threesome under the boards.

During the Nelsons’ three varsity seasons, the Dukes were 21-5, 17-7 and 21-4, nationally ranked and played in the NIT and NCAA tournaments.

The Nelson Twins both credit their coach at Duquesne University, John “Red” Manning for much of their success as collegiate basketball players.

Manning was a smart guard on Chick Davies’ teams at Homestead High before he moved on to play ball at Duquesne University.  Under Davies, the Homestead Steelers won a WPIAL and PIAA basketball championship in 1950.  He had been a successful basketball coach before he came to Homestead when he served at DuquesneUniversity.

Manning would be an important figure in DuquesneUniversity basketball for 33 years. His record from 1958 to 1974 was 247-138.  He was a no-nonsense kind of coach, sometimes too grim for his own good.

He was furious when he found out that Barry Nelson had wrestled a bear at the West Penn Sportsmen’s Show at the Civic Arena,   That was in late February, 1970, in the middle of a basketball season.  It was an Alaskan Brown Bear named Gentlemen Ben.  It stood 7-feet 10-inches on its hind legs and weight 675 pounds.

Barry used some of the same moves he called upon to defend against Big Bob Lanier, a brawny 6-11 center from St. Bonaventure University.  Roy McHugh, a sports columnist at The Pittsburgh Press at the time, was disappointed that Barry did not use a full-Nelson or a half-Nelson to subdue Gentleman Ben, but he did wear the bear out before he jumped on its back and pinned the bear, and picked up perhaps $50 in prize money.

Manning put the Dukes through a demanding practice at their next session to show them his unhappiness with their off-the-court shenanigans.

But Garry Nelson also remembers that the Dukes were the most popular sports team in town during his days on The Bluff.

“In our senior season (1970-71), we were upset by Pitt in the Steel Bowl, and then won 15 straight games,” Nelson said.  “That loss to Pitt still haunts me.”

When knowledgeable Duquesne fans reflect on the team’s storied history, they think of Chuck Cooper, Dick and Dave Ricketts, Sihugo Green, Willie Somerset, Norm Nixon, Billy Zopf and Mickey Davis, who all played pro ball.

And they remember the Nelson Twins.  They came from FoxChapelHigh School, but that was a bit misleading.  They grew up in Blawnox, a blue-collar community along the Allegheny River, that just happened to be in the FoxChapelSchool District.  Fox Chapel was a cut above Blawnox on the society scene.

They grew up in the shadow of The Workhouse, which was a penal institution where men who committed lesser crimes were locked up.  “Those short-term inmates worked farm fields on a hill above the Workhouse,” recalled Garry Nelson.  “We’d get chased when we played ball in those fields.”

The workhouse was closed in 1971 when the Nelsons were seniors at Duquesne, and was developed into the RIDCIndustrial Park.  “I definitely think there should still be a place like the Workhouse for petty criminals,” Nelson said.

He’s among the Duquesne alumni who think that building a jail below The Bluff and the DuquesneUniversity campus and the Eastern entryway to downtown was some kind of cruel joke perpetrated by the City Fathers, probably Pitt grads.  Of course, the old jail building still stands at the base of the other side of the campus.

He reported that his brother Barry is now living in Plano, Tex., “still working on his hand speed, foot speed and his flexibility to improve his squash game.”  Barry is in sales division of Hewlett-Packard.

Both had brief flings at playing pro ball, but were among the late cuts.  Garry had tryouts with the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA and the Buffalo Braves of the NBA, and ended up playing in the Eastern Basketball League and in Italy for a few years.  Barry played a year for Milwaukee Bucks and played three years in Paris.

Their dad was a teamster and Garry got into the trucking business with Eazor Express, and driving a truck and then as a manager for McClean Trucking Co. at their terminal in Winston-Salem, N.C., and returned to Pittsburgh with Roadway Express.

He decided he wanted to do something different with his life, and entered Duquesne LawS chool.  “I started with three children under three and ended with four under five-years old in my third semester,” he said.  Garry graduated from Duquesne’s Law School in 1982.

He began by trying cases as a prosecutor in Robert Colville’s district attorney’s office, trying 62 juries-to-verdict in two years.  He then joined Grogan, Graffam, McGinley and Lucchino, a law firm at Gateway Three, and continued trying cases.  Now he’s on his own.

“It’s a competitive business,” he said.  “There’s a scoreboard.  You want to win for you and your client.  You have to be well prepared when you go to court, just like when you went onto a basketball court.

“I think that athletics in general helps with teamwork and competition which prepares one for business,” he continued.  “Our coaches at Duquesne, Red Manning, Al Bailey and John Cinicola, made sure that we were prepared for the season.

“Our father was a hard-working Dane from South Dakota, and he instilled a great work ethic in us, and a consideration for other people and honesty.  Our mother was Pittsburgh Irish with a great sense of humor and the ability to work through tough times.”

Asked what he does best to be successful these days, he said, “I return my phone calls and I do not procrastinate.”

Jim O’Brien has written 24 books in his “Pittsburgh Proud” series.  His website is www.jimobriensportsauthor.com and his e-mail address is jimmyo64@gmail.com

 

 

 

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Jim O’Brien: Former Pittsburgh Steeler Larry Brown builds winning teams at Applebee’s

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Jim O’Brien: Former Pittsburgh Steeler Larry Brown builds winning teams at Applebee’s

Pittsburgh sports author and Valley Mirror columnist Jim O’Brien

Larry Brown was checking out Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in West Mifflin late last month.  It’s one of 13 Applebee’s restaurants he’s responsible for as an owner and officer in a chain linked with Apple American which has over 60 restaurants nationally, based out of San Francisco.

He had called me on the telephone a week earlier while visiting Applebee’s in Monaca, which was closed at the time for renovations. Brown makes the rounds, making sure all is going well and that Applebee’s is at its best.

Brown is a good example of a former Steeler or Pittsburgh pro athlete who went to work – in the real world – as soon as he retired as a player and has made a successful transition to what Chuck Noll always called “your life’s work.”

This was the morning of Friday, June 21, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.  “All days are long if you don’t love what you’re doing,” said Brown.  “I love what I’m doing.”

Brown has been in the operations end of the restaurant business since 1984, his last season with the Steelers, when he and former teammate J.T. Thomas hooked up with a Burger King outlet and then eventually got involved as owners of several Applebee’s throughout Western Pennsylvania.

He works out of an office in Penn Center East, Wilkins Township.   J.T. Thomas is no longer associated with the company.  He last owned a restaurant – Red Hot & Blue Southern Grill — on The Waterfront in Homestead, but closed it last June..

“The restaurant business is a demanding, highly-competitive business,” said Brown.  “People have a lot of options.  We want to treat our customers the right way, and make it compelling for them to come back to our restaurants.

“Chuck Noll had a saying I am sure you are familiar with: Whatever It Takes.  That’s what I tell our people over and over.  We have to do whatever it takes to do it right, and offer the best dining experience possible.  It also takes teamwork.  I know how valuable it is to create an environment — a culture — that our employees and our customers enjoy.  Some people just endure in the restaurant business.  It’s better if you have a true passion for it.  We are in the service business.  We want to have a winning team.”

Like many of his former teammates, Brown draws upon those experiences to make points with his employees.

“I use the philosophy and mindset every day in business,” continued.  “The sports analogies are always good.  They are a simple way to convey complex perspectives that aren’t always clear otherwise. People get them.

“It’s also highly competitive, like athletics.  You have to overcome adversity.  It teaches you to deal with those kinds of things.  To have the attitude to do whatever it takes to get things done.  You can’t make excuses, just like in the NFL.  If you do, you lose your job.  You can’t find reasons to fail. You can’t accept failure – you’ve got to make your own success to keep your job.”

Brown said he has tried to create the same kind of environment that breeds success in sports in his restaurant ventures.

“You want to provide an opportunity for people to be working for a good purpose, for them and for us.   You’re looking for good people.  Some people just don’t get it and they’re never going to get it.  It takes a special person to handle the rigors of running a restaurant.”

Greg Kiniry, the general manager at Applebee’s Lebanon Church Road location, said, “I’ve worked with Larry Brown for 15 years and I love working for him.  I’m proud to say our restaurant is the most successful one in the chain. We want to keep it that way.”

 

My wife Kathie and I stopped at Applebee’s Restaurant on Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin on the way home from KennywoodPark last month.  We had our granddaughters, Margaret, 9, and Susannah, 5, with us.  The place was packed.

I like the atmosphere at Applebee’s because there’s always lots to look at on the walls.  They are filled with nostalgic stuff, artwork, photos and all sorts of interesting artifacts from the entertainment and sports world, with pictures and pennants of the local teams, right down to the local high schools.

They have a new menu and some new features and it’s not hard to find something to like, no matter your age.

Larry Brown says the people who are employed in those restaurants must add their skills and smiles to create an even more appealing atmosphere and dining experience.

“You’re never off duty,” said Brown.  “You be the change you want to see.  You be the one who sets the example.  When you’re a leader everyone is watching you to see what you’re doing.  It’s more important what you do than what you tell them to do.

“You can take a manager from one store and send him or her to another store.  If he or she is mediocre at one store he or she will be mediocre at another store.  If he and she is outstanding at one store he or she will be outstanding at another store.  It matters who is managing the store.

“Everyone in our organization has read the book Winning With Accountability: The Secret Language of High-Performing Organizations, by Henry J. Evans.  It is must reading.”

“It’s hard to understand the phenomenon of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the ‘70s.   What I’m doing today – and in life – is better because I was surrounded by so many good people and we learned from each other.  We benefited from the company we were keeping.”

Brown participated as one of the alumni at the Steelers’ Fantasy Camp that was conducted at Chuck Noll Field at St.  Vincent College in Latrobe a few weeks earlier, the last weekend in May, 2013.

“I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in with that,” said Brown, “but it worked out fine.  I wasn’t sure how to intellectually examine what was going on there, but there were people from all over the world who came to be with us.  Mature people.  Why would they want to do this?  They wanted to go through real football drills.

“They wanted to experience something similar to what we experienced.  They just wanted to tap in on what we did, and to be with us again.  The fans were so much a part of what we accomplished.  It was great to see some of them again.  I admire them for that.”

Jim O’Brien’s latest book in his Pittsburgh Proud series is “Immaculate Reflections.”  His website is www.jimobriensportsauthor.com and his e-mail address is jimmyo64@gmail.com

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Jim O’Brien: Vince Scorsone came out of McKeesport to be a big success in sports and business

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By Jim O’Brien From Pittsburgh Business Times

 Vince Scorsone came out of McKeesport to be a big success in sports and business

The Vince Scorsone story is a classic tale of how someone transformed early success in football into greater success in the business world.

Scorsone first gained notice as an outstanding lineman at McKeesport High School and then the University of Pittsburgh in the early ‘50s.  He went to work at Alcoa in 1960 after a two-year stint in the military service as a first lieutenant in Korea and a year of pro football with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, and began a 34-year career at Alcoa.  He held many management positions as he climbed the corporate ladder at the Fortune 500 aluminum company.

He was the executive vice president when he retired in 1994, and served as chairman’s counsel from 1991 to 1994.  He and his wife Jan lived on Grandview Avenue on Mt. Washington, but moved to the San Diego area in 2006.

At Alcoa, Scorsone served as the right hand man to the president and CEO, C. Fred Fetterolf, small in stature next to the powerfully-built Scorsone, but someone who had lettered in three sports – football, basketball and as the No. 1 golfer on the links team – at Grove City College (’52) and could appreciate a true student-athlete in his administration.

Scorsone credited his high school football coach, the legendary “Duke” Weigle, for setting him on the right course.  “I ran into Coach Weigle the summer (1953) before I started at Pitt, and he asked me what I was going to major in at Pitt.  I told him physical education.  ‘I want to be a coach like you,’ I said.  And he wagged his head and said, ‘No, you don’t.  You major in business and you’ll do much better in life.’ In those days, you listened to your high school coach and I went out to Pitt the next day and changed my major.

“My story is more a story about Duke Weigle than Vince Scorsone,” continued Scorsone.  His son, Grant Scorsone, says his dad, whom he regards as his personal hero, is a humble man.

There is an annual dinner held in McKeesport to pay tribute to the late Coach Weigle, and Scorsone attended many of these dinners.  “Duke was a larger than life figure to his players,” said Scorsone in a letter he sent me on April 30, 2013, “and, as you know, he tried to steer his players in the right direction to have the best possible future for them.  I am sure most of his players were as awestruck as I was about him.”

Scorsone first shared that story with me over 30 years ago, when he had an office in Alcoa’s headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh, and it has stayed with me.  We reconnected a month ago over the telephone at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, a gated community just north of San Diego.

“That exchange with Coach Weigle probably took all of 20 seconds,” said Scorsone, “but it changed my life.  I have always been grateful to him.”

When I mentioned Vince Scorsone’s name to George Smith, who is coming back to coach the football team at McKeesport High School, he nodded that he knew him well.  “I met him a few times at those dinners that are held in Coach Weigle’s honor,” said Smith.  “Duke Weigle was my coach, too, and I thought the world of him.  He set the bar high for all of us high school coaches.”

I have always been impressed with Smith when I heard him speak about his kids and his program at McKeesport High.  After a three-year hiatus, he is back to coach the team this coming fall.  McKeesport is lucky to have him.

I heard Smith say something else that has stayed with me when he was honored recently at two different functions on a Saturday at the start of this month.   “I don’t have a lot of confidence,” he said, “and I rely on my wife (Michelle) and my coaching staff to support me, and keep me on course.

Smith is the kind of high school football coach who makes a difference in young lives, on and off the field.

Scorsone listened to his superiors along the way at Alcoa, as well, and never said “no” when asked to take on a new assignment, no matter where it sent him and his family.

“I did the job, wherever I went,” he said.  “I had respect for management people and they were great molders of my ability.  I was willing to transfer and that resulted in us moving 13 times in my first 22 years with the company.  I never told the company ‘no’ when they asked me to go somewhere else.  I knew it would pay off.

“I knew what was going on in the plants.  I was well served by my business background. My wife said to me one day, ‘Please don’t come home and ask me to move to Brazil.’  But I did exactly that a year or so later.  I took on a billion dollar project in the Amazon.  We lived in Sao Paolo, and had it nice, and she was happy there as well.”

There was hesitation in his voice as Scorsone spoke on the telephone.  I’d just spoken on the phone with an old friend from Long Island who had the same hitch in his voice.  My buddy told me he had suffered a stroke four months earlier.  That wasn’t the case with Scorsone.  He said he had been dealing with Parkinson’s Disease, thus the quiver in his voice.  It hurt to hear such proud men struggling in their speech in both cases.

“I have all the money and free time, but I can’t play golf or do much else,” said Scorsone.  “I’ll be in a wheel chair before long.”

His son Grant, who lives in Bethel Park, sent me an e-mail on Monday, May 13, telling me that he had spoken to his mother and she expected her husband to die that evening.  Vince Scorsone died Wednesday morning, May 15, a week before he turned 78.  That’s why this is personal; this never happened before with someone I was interviewing.

“The Lord         has called for another angel,” wrote Grant Scorsone in his e-mail message.  “Today looks like No. 64 is starting his final game on earth.  You actually gave Dad an honor by reaching out to him regarding the PBT article.  He was delighted by your request.”

In between those two e-mails from Scorsone’s son, I attended the viewing of Munhall’s Hall of Fame football star Jack Butler at the Freyvogel Funeral Home in Oakland.

It was all a little too much in the way of mortality reminders in one three-day stretch.

I attended Scorone’s funeral service, a celebration of his life, at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.  I saw many of his former teammates from the Pitt teams that played in the Sugar Bowl and the Gator Bowl in the ‘50s, including Dick Bowen, who grew up and starred in football at Duquesne High, but has lived most of his adult life in McKeesport’s White Oak community.

I had a chance to connect once again with Scorsone’s teammates from that era.  There was Ambrose “Bugs” Bagamery, who was on Bowen’s coaching staff with the Pittsburgh Valley Ironmen, Charles L. “Corky” Cost of Cost Construction in Wilkinsburg, Dr. Darrell Lewis, also from Wilkinsburg, Bob Rosborough from Donora.

There were pictures of Scorsone with his Pitt team, and there were Western Union wires that had been sent to him back in 1957 from the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers asking if was interested in playing pro football.

He was drafted by the Washington Redskins, but entered the military service upon graduation.  He later played one season with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League in 1959.

The Pitt teammates told good stories about Scorsone and talked of what a tremendous leader and friend he had been, how generous he was with so many good causes.  He made good money at Alcoa, and he shared it with Pitt where he endowed scholarships, and with worthy causes here as well.

His four grandsons all spoke of the special relationship they enjoyed with their “Papa,” and that was good to hear.  There was an American flag in his coffin, and there was a military observance at his service where the flag was folded by two honor guards and presented to his wife Janet.  That is always a moving ceremony.

Vince Scorsone was buried on his birthday, May 21.  He would have been 78.  He missed Memorial Day, a day when he always felt a special sense of pride for serving in the U.S. Army as an officer in Korea after the Korean Conflict.  Vince Scorsone was always the good soldier and it, indeed, paid off.

Jim O’Brien has written 21 books on Pittsburgh sports achievement in his series.  Check his website at www.jimobriensportsauthor.com for details.

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