Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
SPORTVIEW: Schedule should help struggling Steelers bounce back in standings
By Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
THE PITTSBURGH Steelers are in trouble. It doesn’t take a genius to know that — in other words, even Steelers’ fans can realize it. But the schedule is kind the next couple of weeks, which should allow them to get a little bit healthier both in physical status and in league record.
Big Ben should be back from his concussion-like symptoms that created such a team furor last week. Hines Ward was way out of line in his comments, hinting that Roethlisberger should have lied about his headaches and played. But Ward apologized and they’ll get on.
Teammates are a lot like brothers. You can fight over something, but then forget about it. Well, eventually forget about it. Hines may not see too many passes coming his way today.
The loss to Baltimore was damaging last Sunday night, but young quarterback Dennis Dixon was impressive. Even though he threw a crucial interception, that loss had to be blamed on the defense that let the Ravens come back to tie the game.
The Steelers host Oakland today in what should be a piece of cake. The Raiders are an up-and-down team, but their ups usually come at home, not on the road.
Raiders’ quarterback Bruce Gradkowski returns to Pittsburgh where he was star at Seton-LaSalle High.
Local basketball fans may remember the epic game in the Farrell Dresch-McClusky championships game in the 2000-01 season when Gradkowski scored 32 points in an 84-81 overtime win over the host Steelers. Myron Lowe nailed 31 for Farrell in a real shootout.
Gradkowski won’t generate that many points against the Pittsburgh defense and the Steelers should roll against a poor Raider ‘D’. Even the “Lynbo Curse” isn’t strong enough to help Gradkowski as Pittsburgh will romp, 30-6.
After Oakland, the Steelers will face a putrid Browns team on Thursday night, so they can get hot before the final three games.
Meanwhile, the Browns have hardly anybody left from the team that opened training camp. Jamal Lewis, who was a bust anyway this year, safety Brodney Pool and Shaun Rogers are all done for the year — maybe forever.
Today Cleveland faces a rejuvenated San Diego team that has won six straight games. Well, make that seven straight as the Chargers rock the Brownies, 34-10, before booing Cleveland fans who have seen enough.
Last week my picks went 7-6 for a 95-76 season mark. Following are the rest of this week’s predictions (betting line in parentheses just for fun):
Seattle (-1) over San Francisco
New Orleans (-91/2) over Washington
NY Giants (even) over Dallas
Indy (-71/2) over Tennessee
Miami (plus 41/2) over New England
Baltimore (plus 21/2) over Green Bay
Denver (-4) over Kansas City
Jacksonville (even) over Houston
Minnesota (no line) over Arizona
Cincy (-13) over Detroit
Carolina (-6) over Tampa
Chicago (-9) over St. Louis
Atlanta (plus 3) over Philly
- Sports
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
