OPINION —
BROWNS WIN, Steelers lose. All is right with the world.
OK, it’s only preseason and I don’t expect to see the same kind of results too many times during the regular season. And in reality, during preseason games only the results of the starters are important to watch.
How the starters play gives you some sense of how the team will do in the regular season. Once the reserves start playing, it’s time for the fans to head for the exits. Some of subs/scrubs won’t even be on the squad once the real season opens.
Of course with the Browns, there are a lot of young guys so it will take more than one preseason game to evaluate the talent. For example, quarterback Brandon Weeden didn’t spark thoughts of Bernie Kosar.
The first round draft pick who is supposed to lead Cleveland to glory was not too good, to put it kindly. He threw an interception, lost a fumble and was only 3 for 9 passing. Welcome to the NFL, Weeden!
However, the Browns injury curse also continues. Rookie running back Trent Richardson had knee surgery. What a surprise that any Cleveland star player would get hurt early in the season. It only happens every single year.
But even worse — outstanding defensive back Joe Haden is facing a 4-game suspension for violating the league drug policy. Come on, man. How stupid do you have to be to use drugs when you know how much testing goes on?
And speaking of injuries, it was a shame that Farrell native Mike Adams had a chance to start in the preseason game for the Steelers only to leave with an injured knee. Hopefully, that won’t be a recurring problem. Mike has a lot of family and friends here in the Shenango Valley pulling for him.
The Steelers got off to a sad start for many of the Black and Gold faithful. Sad in that the season starts without Hines Ward on the roster. Hines was a great example of what a player should be like and was truly a class act. He’ll be missed
ä What happened to the Cleveland Indians? They turned into the 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Last year, the Pirates played well in the first half of the season and collapsed after the All-Star break. This year it’s the Indians duplicating that pathetic slump.
At least this year’s Buccos are hanging tough and still have a shot at making the playoffs if they can catch the Reds.
The Tribe needs to bring up some young people and dump players like Travis Hafner (.239), Jack Hannahan (.231) Casey Kotchman (.226), and Shelley Duncan (.219) who can’t even bat their weight.
And the Cleveland pitching, what appeared to be their strong point at the start of the season, is also horrendous. During a recent 11-game losing streak, they allowed 5 runs or more in every game — only the 4th team in history to accomplish that ignoble feat.
Sports
SPORTVIEW: Life is good: Browns win; Steelers lose!
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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
