Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

First off, what do you see as potential surprises for Steelers fans about this Ravens team coming into of this matchup?

Offensively, this Ravens team hasn’t sorted out it’s identity yet this year. They’ve been trying to throw deep more than last year – they still rely on the run offense but they’ve bene throwing deep more and despite Jackson saying he worked on this a lot in the offseason, it hasn’t been working.

There have been more mental errors by Jackson this year. I think because of that Baltimore gets back to trying to pound the ball more this week against Pittsburgh. I think they try to grind down the clock and keep the Steelers offense on the sidelines. I can see them trying to throw a lot early over the linebackers to the tight ends in the seam, and maybe hit Marquis Brown on some slants and see if he can break one with the Steelers loading the box.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Ravens Wire’s Matt Stevens”

So – what’s behind the big start for the Titans – what’s been the biggest factor driving the success of the team?

First you have to say Ryan Tannehill. He’s proven that last year wasn’t a fluke. He’s playing at an MVP caliber right now – he’s the biggest reason they are 5-0.

Of course Derrick Henry too – he had a huge game last week with over 200 yards rushing and took over. But Tannehill is on the top of the list.

What’s changed for him?

It’s a better system for him. It’s a run-first offense. They throw quite a bit but it fits into his strengths, with play-action to Henry. The system has elevated his game – it’s just been a great fit for him.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Mike Mortaitis of The Titans Wire”

So what are you doing now – projects etc.?

Now I have my own blog at https://vitostellino.com/   I occasionally write about whatever interests me – no regular schedule. And during the season I’ll write about my observations before and after games. I still stay involved.

Tony Dungy bemoaned writers not getting the chance to sit down with players anymore and to get to know them -do you agree?

There’s so much more media now. Now it’s all about press conferences. There’s no chance for one-on-one with players. We used to be able to go into the locker rooms and get to know players and talk to them one-on-one. Now key players are held back for press conferences. It’s hard to do any follow-up questions. That’s the biggest change. It’s more difficult to do your job.

Continue reading “Exclusive with Hall of Fame Sportswriter Vito Stellino”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How difficult was the post-NFL adjustment for you?

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

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

Continue reading “Exclusive with Former Browns Safety Earl Little”