OPINION —
I HAVE BEEN waiting anxiously by the phone. Since the Steelers were down to Charlie Batch at quarterback, I figured they would be looking for another senior citizen as a back-up.
If I’m not mistaken, Charlie is about my age — I’ll be 65 on Monday. Although I’m not sure if he’s in better shape or not since he was banged up earlier in the year. So wouldn’t it be logical that Pittsburgh would seek another graybeard as back-up. After all, the team practiced all week with their new slow-motion offense.
OK, what I’m trying to say is this. If the Browns can’t beat the Steelers this week, shame on them!
First Ben Roethlisberger suffered some bizarre rib injury that I’ve been informed must come when your wife is about to have a baby. Then Byron Leftwich suffered rib injuries during the game against Baltimore, but coach Mike Tomlin must have thought that even with bad ribs he was still better than Batch so he left him in the game.
So what do the Steelers do to “improve” the team. They go out and sign Plaxico Burress. That’s right, that same Plaxico Burress who has been trouble ever since he first came into the league with Pittsburgh.
While he once had great talent, he also had great baggage. Now the talent isn’t what it was, but the baggage ... It used to be that Burress was known for shooting off his mouth. Then in New York he shot off his leg.
Obviously the Steelers couldn’t find any better wide receiver when they searched a bunch of prisons, so they picked up Burress.
OK, what I’m trying to say is this. If the Browns can’t beat the Steelers this week, shame on them!
Cleveland is close to becoming a winning team. They just don’t know how to finish off games. Last week against Dallas was an example after they led 13-0 at halftime, but then lost in OT.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is really not that good. Roethlisberger has been the key to close wins for the Steelers this season. And they are terrible on the road, going 1-3 this year.
Some people have wanted me to apply the “Lynbo Curse” by picking Pittsburgh to win. But I won’t resort to those tactics this week. Besides, I don’t believe in jinxes. I wore No. 13 my entire sports career.
The Browns are ready to turn the corner and this should be the week they do it. Look for a 50-0 Browns victory. (Just kidding, make that 20-17.)
OK, what I’m trying to say is this: If the Browns can’t beat the Steelers this week, shame on them!
Last week my picks went 12-1 for a season mark of 91-57. Following are the rest of this week’s predictions (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Cincy (-71⁄2) over Oakland
Arizona (-3) over St. Louis
Green Bay (plus 21⁄2) over NY Giants
Tampa Bay (even) over Atlanta
Baltimore (-2) over San Diego
Denver (-10) over Kansas City
Miami (plus 3) over Seattle
Buffalo (plus 3) over Indy
Tennessee (-3) over Jacksonville
Minnesota (no line) over Chicago
Philly (no line) over Carolina
Sports
SPORTVIEW: If the Browns can't beat the Steelers today, shame on them
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Hickory softball ousted by Warren; Reynolds, Sharpsville games postponed
Three District 10 semifinal playoff softball games were on the schedule Thursday, but only one was played due to the scattered storms that passed through western Pa.
Hickory suffered a 10-0, 6-inning loss to Warren in a D-10 Class AAA game at Allegheny College in Meadville. That game had a rain delay, but was able to be completed. The Reynolds vs. Saegertown game at Allegheny College and the Sharpsville vs. Iroquois game at Penn State-Behrend in Erie were postponed. -
Playoffs: GC, Hounds win; Reynolds, Sharpsville softball advance
The District 10 playoffs kicked off on Tuesday for 4 area baseball teams and 5 softball squads.
In Class A softball, Reynolds edged West Middlesex, 5-4, in an 8-inning thriller while Sharpsville ousted Rocky Grove, 5-0. In Class AA, Northwestern beat Wilmington, 9-5, and Harbor Creek defeated Mercer, 4-3. -
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. - More Sports Headlines
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Hickory softball ousted by Warren; Reynolds, Sharpsville games postponed
