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RANDOM THOUGHTS: It's time for the Steelers, Faneca to part ways
By Corey J. Corbin
Allied News Sports Editor
AS YOU PROBABLY noticed, Alan Faneca was at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory mini-camp this past weekend.
By late Friday morning, the 6-time Pro-Bowl guard had made it known he wouldn’t return to the ‘Burgh until training camp in July and couldn’t foresee himself being a Steeler at this point in 2008.
I have one thing to say to Kevin Colbert: ‘Trade him!’
Get whatever you can out of him. It’s better than letting him walk and receiving absolutely nothing in return. Placing the franchise tag on him won’t do anything but create an offseason full of drama and name-calling.
It’s not like the Steelers don’t have talent at guard with Kendall Simmons, Chris Kemoeatu and free-agent signee Sean Mahan.
We all know how the Steelers operate, which means they will allow Faneca to play out his contract and then sign with another team next March.
? On the other hand, the Steelers need to change modus operendi when it comes to the contract status of All-Pro strong safety Troy Polamalu, who is entering the final year of his contract. The Steelers still haven’t come to terms with Polamalu. What are they thinking? Polamalu is arguably the best safety in the league and they’re not willing to pay him?
I have a tip for Colbert and the Rooneys — use the money you’ll save from not paying Faneca next year and give it to your all-world safety.
Next to Hines Ward and Ben Roethlisberger, Polamalu is the most recognized Steeler. As Rod Coleman would have said in Jerry Maguire, ‘Show Him the Money!!!!!’
? In other Steelers’ news, they signed Kevan Barlow to a free-agent pact last week.
I have mixed reactions about the signing. At first, I really didn’t like the signing, because he hasn’t played overly well the past two or three years, but then there’s the Jerome Bettis factor.
Barlow, who rushed for 1,024 yards in 2003 as a 49er, has seen his rushing average dip from a 5.1 average in 2003 to 2.8 this past season with the J-E-T-S. “The Bus” also saw his numbers plummet over his final few seasons with St. Louis before coming to the Steelers. We all know how that acquisition turned out.
I’m not saying Barlow will become the next Jerome Bettis. What I am saying is let’s watch the battle between Barlow and Najeh Davenport play out down in Latrobe this summer. Although, I give the edge to Barlow, because he’s a better receiver out of the backfield and he picks up the blitz better than Davenport.
No matter which big back wins the right to back up ‘Fast Willie’ Parker, it should be fun to watch.
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COLLEGIATE NOTEBOOK: Woods has banner year throwing shot
KRISTY WOODS of the University of Buffalo boasted a banner 2010 season for the Bulls’ track & field team.
The former Grove City High standout and multiple PIAA placewinner and gold-medalist improved as the season progressed in Mid-American Conference, NCAA and ultimately, national-caliber competition.
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Landino, Gramley qualify for Kings finals
Hickory High student-athlete Olivia Landino and Sharon resident Brendan Gramley have qualified for the annual Kings Family Restaurants/Tri-State PGA’s Junior golf tourney player of the year championships.
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AUTO RACING NOTEBOOK: Mike Lutz is chip off the old (engine) block
A FEW WEEKS ago I wrote about racing legend Lou Blaney and his sons, Dave and Dale, who followed him into the sport.
Another local legend is Andy Lutz — and his son is also making his mark on area dirt tracks. Mike Lutz, 40, who was born in Hermitage and currently lives in Mercer, has been around racing his whole life and has racked up 87 career wins in 24 years of racing. -
Grove City Senior LL All-Stars earn berth in state tourney
Grove City Senior Division Little League All-Stars are headed back to the state championships for the second straight year.
The locals scored 10 runs in the 4th inning and went on to defeat Woodland Hills, 13-9, in the Section 2 title game Sunday at Grove City.
The state senior tournament is being held for a 35th straight year in Emporium. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Grove City will play Section 1 winner DuBois. -
Outdoors: Paddling into the Allegheny River headwind
The deep gorge of the Middle Allegheny River evolved from glacial action thousands of years ago, but Mother Nature still plays tricks out there today. Such as the surprising and powerful upstream headwinds that five of us encountered last Saturday in Warren County during a 10-mile float for smallmouth bass.
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SPORTVIEW: Greenville B&I Day features long-drive event as part of 60th anniversary
THE USUAL COMMENT about golf is: “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Then again there are those who drive for show and dough.
And local golf fans will have a chance to see them up close and personal on Aug. 2 during the 1st Northwest Pennsylvania Long Drive Classic which marks the 60th anniversary of Greenville Business & Industry Day.
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Donofrio heads up Kennedy Catholic football
Rumors circulating about Kennedy Catholic High not being able to field a football team this fall are unfounded.
“This is not only about a program, but for the school to have a strong football program so that everybody in the whole school will have pride in that football program,” explained new head coach Archie Donofrio. -
Little League All-Star action
Sharpsville All-Stars will open play in the Section Senior/Junior (14-under) tournament in Swissvale today.
In Major Division (11-12) sectional action recently, Hermitage was eliminated by two close losses, falling to Bullskin Township, 7-6, and West Point-Greensburg, 2-1.
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Necastro golf event will continue 1 more year for the kids
THEY SAY that “All good things must come to an end.” Even so the annual Nicky Necastro Memorial Fund Golf Tournament.
Tony Necastro, who founded the benefit event in behalf of his late wife Nicky 14 years ago, made a sad announcement at the conclusion of this year’s tourney at Avalon Golf and Country Club’s Squaw Creek layout Friday: “One more time!” -
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK: Cleveland fans need to realize about LeGone: It's not a tragedy!
FANS of the Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams need to put their love of the sport back into perspective.
There was far too much hoopla this week over the announcement by LeBron James that he is leaving the Cavs to play for the Miami Heat.
Understandably, Youngs-town-area TV stations interviewed fans after LeBron’s hour-long special on ESPN Thursday night.
One woman actually shed tears.
Another fan said it was “the worst thing that ever happened” in his life.
Really? I’m glad he’s never been injured or ill or jobless or hungry or grieved for a loved one. - More Sports Headlines
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