Some sporting thoughts before sunrise …
>> The chat is today at 1 p.m. Bring your tired, your high-ankle-sprained, your fractured-footed, your Twitter-challenged, and let’s have at it.
>> The Penguins looked a ton more competitive last night in D.C., and it still resulted in nothing more than an egg against Tomas Vokoun. Awfully hard to knock a team after they played that hard.
But …
Take a look at these conference standings. It’s easy to say the Penguins are in the thick of things on the eighth-place bubble. But where it gets a little scary is when you look at the teams just ahead of and just behind them. Out of the 6-7-8 teams, the only one I could see nose-diving is Toronto. Out of the 10-11 teams, I could see Winnipeg falling off, but I also could see a talented Buffalo team taking off.
If the Penguins make it, they’re going to need to go on a nice run at some point fairly soon. Beating the Florida teams would be a swell start.
>> Wasn’t able to catch Pitt hoops while on assignment in Denver, but I watched last night against Rutgers and … wow, seriously?
Twelve field goals?
Thirty-nine points?
At home?
Against Rutgers?
And Nasir Robinson doesn’t get his first bucket until midway through the second half?
It’s not a suspicion anymore: This Pitt team is terrible.
>> Ike Taylor appeared on his self-named show on our TribLIVE Radio yesterday, and he didn’t come close to taking the heat off Ryan Mundy despite being given a chance in the interview by host John Harris.
Mundy and Dick LeBeau share some blame, but Taylor was beaten on the coverage, then missed the tackle. It happens, and I’m not suggesting he does something weird like apologize. (In fact, as our Mark Kaboly researched, he actually had a very good overall year.) But he first let Mundy stand there in Denver and field all the questions, and now has blown another chance to take Mundy off the hook.
I was also looking for some reason or someone to blame last night, but the Pens played their hearts out and came up empty. That has to hurt. I’m becoming resigned to the fact that this team will not make the playoffs this season. If they do, I’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Is it just a coincidence, or does the Pens rash of injuries and nose dive in the standings have something to do with Crosby looking close to returning to action?
JAL’s What You Do With What You’ve Got Morning Links
GENERAL DAILY UPDATED BASEBALL SITES
1- MLB Transactions
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions
2-MLB Trade Rumors-Pirates
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/pittsburgh_pirates/
3- 2011-12 Pirates Prospects Off-Season Calendar
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2011/10/2011-12-pirates-prospects-off-season-calendar.html
4 Pirate Offseason Stats
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=pit
5 Yahoo Free Agent Tracker
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AvN8KLXkNW0TcRjzSCagLIMBbgM6?slug=jp-passan_ultimate_free_agent_tracker_baseball_110211
6 Pirates Prospects Offseason Tracker
http://www.piratesprospects.com/offseason
7 Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 Spring Training Tracker
http://www.piratesprospects.com/st2012
PIRATE BLOGS
8—Pirates Prospects
Minor League Depth — Pitching, Part 1 (Upper Level Starters)
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/minor-league-depth-pitching-part-1-upper-level-starters.html
Report: Pirates Sign Doug Slaten
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/pirates-sign-doug-slaten.html
Winter League Playoffs 1/11 — Gimenez Gives Aragua A Win
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/winter-league-playoffs-111-gimenez-gives-aragua-a-win.html
9 Rumbunter
The Pittsburgh Pirates System Stacks Up Well Against Houston Astros
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/11/the-pittsburgh-pirates-system-stacks-up-well-against-houston-astros/
Pittsburgh Pirates Potential Stars Outweigh Cubs System Devoid of Superstars
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/12/pittsburgh-pirates-potential-stars-outweigh-cubs-system-devoid-of-superstars/
Mathematically Generated Pirates 2012 Lineup
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/11/mathematically-generated-pirates-2012-lineup/
10 WHY GAVS
What does Brad Lincoln bring to the table for 2012?
http://whygavs.com/pittsburgh-pirates/january-2012/what-does-brad-lincoln-bring-to-the-table-for-2012.html
7 Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 Spring Training Tracker
http://www.piratesprospects.com/st2012
PIRATE BLOGS
8—Pirates Prospects
Minor League Depth — Pitching, Part 1 (Upper Level Starters)
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/minor-league-depth-pitching-part-1-upper-level-starters.html
Report: Pirates Sign Doug Slaten
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/pirates-sign-doug-slaten.html
Winter League Playoffs 1/11 — Gimenez Gives Aragua A Win
http://www.piratesprospects.com/2012/01/winter-league-playoffs-111-gimenez-gives-aragua-a-win.html
9 Rumbunter
The Pittsburgh Pirates System Stacks Up Well Against Houston Astros
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/11/the-pittsburgh-pirates-system-stacks-up-well-against-houston-astros/
Pittsburgh Pirates Potential Stars Outweigh Cubs System Devoid of Superstars
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/12/pittsburgh-pirates-potential-stars-outweigh-cubs-system-devoid-of-superstars/
Mathematically Generated Pirates 2012 Lineup
http://rumbunter.com/2012/01/11/mathematically-generated-pirates-2012-lineup/
10 WHY GAVS
What does Brad Lincoln bring to the table for 2012?
http://whygavs.com/pittsburgh-pirates/january-2012/what-does-brad-lincoln-bring-to-the-table-for-2012.html
NEWSPAPERS and MAGAZINES
11 SF Chronicle
Late-bloomer Vogelsong gets deal
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/01/11/SPDB1MOFUI.DTL
12 Fort Worth Star Telegram
Steroids cast shadow on baseball’s Class of 2013
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/11/3653626/steroids-cast-shadow-on-baseballs.html
13 Rockford Register Star
Cubs’ Theo Epstein says Matt Garza trade talk overblown
http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x1112928903/Cubs-Theo-Epstein-says-Garza-trade-talk-overblown
14 Washington Post
Will: The Little League All Stars who were never beaten
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cannon-street-all-stars-reminding-america-how-far-weve-come/2012/01/10/gIQA6rlwrP_story.html
15 Seattle Post Intelligencer
Report: Prince Fielder not likely to sign with Nationals
http://blog.seattlepi.com/baseball/2012/01/11/report-prince-fielder-not-likely-to-sign-with-nationals/
SPORTS WEBSITES
16 Fangraphs
Aging Strikeouts: You’ll Never Be This Good Again
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/youll-never-be-as-good-again/
17 CBS Sports
Selig will leave baseball admired because he refuses to leave baseball
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/16836502/selig-will-leave-baseball-admired-because-he-refuses-to-leave-baseball
18 Yahoo Sports
Happy Birthday Boy! Max Carey would be 122
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/happy-birthday-boy-max-carey-122-191328873.html
19 PBC Site
Pirates bring lefty Slaten in on Minors contract
http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120111&content_id=26315230&vkey=news_pit&c_id=pit
Steelers Blogs
-Behind the Steel Curtain
BTSC Steelers Six Pack: Last Stages of Grieving Edition
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/1/11/2700438/steelers-news-hines-ward-tim-tebow-pittsburgh-mayor
Five Burning Questions: Steelers ‘Down But Not Defeated’ Edition
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/1/11/2698506/steelers-broncos-wild-card-2012-off-season-5-burning-questions
An Homage to the 2011 Pittsburgh Steelers
http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/1/11/2699284/an-homage-to-the-2011-pittsburgh-steelers
-Steelers Depot
10 Players Sure to be Released or Restructured
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/01/2012-steelers-salary-cap-10-players-sure-to-be-released-or-restructured/
-Steelers Gab
Ward Open to Taking a Pay Cut to Stay with the Steelers in 2012
http://www.steelersgab.com/2012/01/11/ward-open-to-taking-a-pay-cut-to-stay-with-the-steelers-in-2012/
Pitt Blogs
Pitt Blather
Rutgers, Zone and Something
http://www.pittblather.com/2012/01/11/rutgers-zone-and-something/
Cardiac Hill
Fail To Pitt: Panthers Basketball Season Dying A Slow, Uncomfortable Death
http://www.cardiachill.com/2012/1/11/2701074/pitt-vs-rutgers-score-pittsburgh-panthers-khem-birch-unlv-jamie-dixon-scarlet-knights
Paul Chryst’s Wisconsin East Continues With Joe Rudolph
http://www.cardiachill.com/2012/1/10/2695759/paul-chrysts-wisconsin-east-continues-with-joe-rudolph
WVU Blogs
Metro News
Gold And Blue Now: Thursday
http://www.wvmetronews.com/wvu.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=50273
WV Illustrated
REPORT: DeForest Set to Join WVU Staff
http://www.wvillustrated.com/story/16502409/report-deforest-set-to-join-wvu-staff
PENGUIN BLOGS
—Pensburgh
Pens Can’t Score, Can’t Win. Fall To Capitals 1-0
http://www.pensburgh.com/2012/1/11/2701315/pens-cant-score-cant-win-fall-to-capitals-1-0
I’m in the camp that thinks we won’t see Sid until next year. If he is only going to be “skating on his own” on this trip, he’s still a long, long way from rejoining this team.
It’s tough watching these guys right now, but after the wonderful past five years those guys have provided us fans, guess we have to just endure the rest of this season if they end up not being able to turn things around. I could see it going either way, but no matter what I’ll be along for the ride.
Dejan……In his article, Ike clearly states that Lebeau called a 10 man front and that ‘he rolled with it’. I would say that is taking Mundy off the hook. I would think he’d have to BLAME Mundy first to even HAVE to take him off the hook.
I have no problem with Ike. Without him, we’re not even IN the playoffs. And, even IF Mundy was out of position, which Ike doesn’t even allude to, it happens. Players make mistakes, just like bloggers, columnists, etc.
Foo
……..
Gonna be some interesting signings/releases, etc, on the Steelers.
Also gonna be lots of hand wringing amongst the fandom.
Wringing Foo
Dejan,
Good Morning. Sidney Crosby is scheduled to skate by himself. Whoop-dee-doo. Excuse me while I contain my excitement. Obviously this is a PR response to recent clamouring for answers. This whole situation has grown tiresome and old, even aside from the fact that the team is struggling right now. Just let fans and media know whats going on! I’m not sure why this is such a secret. For a team that over the course of the past few years has been Public Relations dynamo, they are really goofing this thing up.
I’m speechless about the Pitt Panthers “basketball” “team”. Being an out-of-towner I have’nt been able to see a lot of the games, but it’s obvious that there is not a captain or leader on this team. One would have thought Gibbs or Robinson would be that, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Dixon deserves better, but at the same time these are the types of players he recruits. Aside from Adams next year, he usually picks from the nobody’s and leftovers that he can fit into his mold. I do think he’s a good coach and hope he sticks around for the long haul.
I really liked #10 (WHYGAVS) and hope Lincoln gets a shot. I feel Correia should be the ‘old’ Karsten, aka, swingman.
Foo
.
The Steelers Depot link is a great article on who is costing what on the Steelers and who might go.
FOo
You cant be surprised that Taylor didnt come to Mundy’s defense, This is the same guy that had a Steeler official stand “guard” over his him to keep media after Sundays game while Mundy stood a few feet away and answered the media.
Pitt basketball – where’s all the talk about Dixon being a good coach now. The guy never has been a good bench coach – never a great game planner – now the players are under-performing and the ship is sinking fast and it doesnt appear that the head coach will be providing a solution.
DK: I was among those being “guarded,” and I was the last to ask if Ike might change his mind.
Welcome back JAL
Andrew…your first paragraph? Exactly!!!
Dejan—In response to your headline question, apparently NOT. The hubby and I are in Pittsburgh sports withdrawal right now. Just can’t watch the Pens struggle after the Steelers’ disaster, and, wow, how do we look forward to the decades-long-losing Pirates?? I’m so depressed!
DK: Rent “Office Space.” Best movie ever. Depression cured, Karen!
January 12
37 days until Pirate Spring Training
There’s nothin’ like a good-ol’ Florida road trip that makes an injured player suddenly ready to rejoin his team.
Oops… that’s not fair…
Good news for Steelers fans. Only three more years on Ike Taylor’s contract. H should produce about two interceptions and three tackles during that time. Somewhere, Mel Blount sits just shaking his head.
Pens are not getting to the front of the net. No traffic in front of the other teams goalie. Very reminiscent of the TB playoff series last year. Grind away on the boards but generate no real scoring chances as a result of puck possession.
Pretty fair work by MAF last night, but once again, he gave up a crucial goal at the worst possible time. To Jason Chimera. He was left out to dry by both Malkin and Michalek, but the shot was unscreened. No move, just an open shot. By Jason Chimera.
“There’s nothin’ like a good-ol’ Florida road trip that makes an injured player suddenly ready to rejoin his team.
Oops… that’s not fair…” yeah, its stupid
Where is Tyler Kennedy? He needs to step up. I think it takes someone like this to help right this ship to “get by” team gets back to strength.
DK: He isn’t scoring, but at least he isn’t showing any grit, either.
Dude rips a slap shot top shelf, corner from inside the circles and its a referendum on MAF?
Wow.
Interesting story from San Jose Mercury News
Was Tim Tebow’s game-winning touchdown pass for Denver Broncos an illegal play?
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_19706529
The Pirates signed lefty reliever Doug Slaten to a minor league deal.
I love Fleury apologists. Wow.
Dave g
Yes, brief story on Slaten signing in link 8
CWalton_67
January 12th, 2012 – 12:46 pm Good news for Steelers fans. Only three more years on Ike Taylor’s contract. He should produce about two interceptions and three tackles during that time. Somewhere, Mel Blount sits just shaking his head.
Really CWalton?? Would it be safe to assume you didn’t watch any of their games this season? If you’d have you would have seen Ike Taylor have a tremendous season. One bad game doesn’t take away from the fact that he is the Number 1 cornerback, on the Number 1 pass defense, who regularly covered the opponents Number 1 receiver.
I feel foolish sometimes when I am surprised by Pittsburgh sports fans. Here I am surprised again.
Dejan’s Chat contained a couple references to Dan Bylsma being fired because of Penguins (substitutes) being so dismal recently.
People here are dumping on Jamie Dixon after Pitt has first down season in his 8 years.
Earlier this week and continuing until now folks are calling for the heads of Dick Lebeau and Bruce Arians on a silver platter. And save room on that silver platter for the head of Mike Tomlin.
I understand the “what have you done for me lately” mentality, but dear gussy . . . . .
By the way, in reference to your Wakeup Call title——I had a date last night: didn’t score!
JAL,
#27 Gerry Dulac discussed that yesterday at the big newspaper on the other side of the river. I think Trib did too.
JAL: Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey, (JAL) would have been better!!
Yes, G2M2S…and those same fans will be hurt, shocked and angry when a player or coach bolts for more money.
For yinzer sports fans, in terms of watching winners and all-time great players, the past six years of Pittsburgh sports have been topped only by the last half of the 70s, and now three weeks of hard losses are upon us and it’s, “Loyalty? What loyalty? These millionaires are disposable parts, they’re of no use to the team anymore, send ‘em packing, hire new coaches, the goalie stinks…”
But Jagr’s a fickle, disloyal jerk for taking an extra mil or two. Hilarious double standard.
With snow blustering about me reminding me of the savage return of winter, there is Dejan’s weekly chat piercing through the doldrums like a sun kissed summer day.
Very interesting chat today. Dejan’s referencing of the significance of the Sid Bream play is right on point. I think it is Beloit College that every autumn lists the cultural, political and societal realities of the incoming freshman class. It makes those of us who were freshmen many years ago feel very old. As a Pirate fan it is hard to imagine that anyone under the age of 28, or even older, has no inkling of what a spiritually deflating moment that was. I remember sitting in my apartment in East Lansing realizing that an era was over. Everybody knew Bonds and Drabek were gone. The image of Andy Van Slyke in the outfield remains as vivid an image as anything in my sports memory. I couldn’t even watch the MLB Network’s showing of it last year. To this day, it is the only time my mother has called me to ask if I was doing all right after the end of a sporting event.
It hurt at the time but I could not imagine that the franchise might be irretrievably broken after it.
Lucky me, I’ve been suffering through migraines for 3 days so I haven’t had to watch much of the Penguins and Panthers or read articles about how certain athletes in this town think they are put off being held accountable.
If it is so hard, imagine if they were in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas or Los Angeles…. those guys would come running back so quick.
DK: Your hypothesis that a larger market means a meaner set of sports writers has some rather large holes in it. I can cite many smaller ones where it’s very aggressive (Cincinnati is a great one), and many larger ones where they aren’t (L.A. and Dallas actually stand out). For the most part, Pittsburgh is about in the middle.