Bleacher Report - Articles by Rob Smeltzer

Time to Set Your College Football Viewing Schedule

Rob Smeltzer — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:33:16 -0400

It's never too soon to start looking at the upcoming college football season.

So with less than two months to go until the first game kicks off in the 2009 season, let's take a look at some of the big games around the country.

A good number of games for the first few weeks of the season have already been slotted by the networks and the viewing landscape is beginning to take shape.

In the last few seasons, the trend has been towards most of the big games starting in the 3:30 or 8:00 p.m. time slots. It seems that universities and networks are shying away from the noon kickoffs in the eastern time zone, making it harder to fill a full day with quality matchups.

If you're anything like me, you take a good look at the schedule each week and get upset when two intriguing games are being played at the same time, or even worse, on the same network.

All of the times and networks listed are subject to change, but this has been the information handed out by the networks and universities thus far.

Break out your calendar and let's start setting our viewing guide.

Sept. 3

The season kicks off on a Thursday night, which will most likely be a little anti-climatic. Sure, it's a great way to start off Labor Day Weekend, but most people won't make it through a good Oregon/Boise State matchup.

North Texas at Ball State kicks off first, but I'm holding out for South Carolina and NC State.

South Carolina at NC State: 7 p.m., ESPN

Oregon at Boise State: 10:15 p.m., ESPN

Sept. 5

Saturday gives us our first full slate of games topped by Georgia visiting Oklahoma State. This will be a great road test for Mark Richt, taking on Zac Robinson and Dez Bryant.

My advice is to start the day with a local game of interest and then settle in for Georgia/Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. Keep the remote handy with an interesting Illinois/Missouri game on at the same time.

Then, catch a little of BYU at Oklahoma before switching over to watch Alabama take on Virginia Tech. If this game becomes a blowout, switch over early to see Maryland visit Cal which starts just before another interesting night game of LSU at Washington.

Georgia at Oklahoma State: 3:30 p.m., ABC

Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis): 3:30, ESPN

BYU vs. Oklahoma: 7 p.m., ESPN

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (in Atlanta): 8 p.m., ABC

Maryland at California: 10 p.m., ESPN2

LSU at Washington: 10:30 p.m., ESPN

Sept. 7

Labor Day gives us two interesting matchups that might be worth putting on while you're outside at a pool, or enjoying the air conditioning inside. Both should prove worthy of your time.

Cincinnati at Rutgers: 4 p.m., ESPN

Miami at Florida State: 8 p.m., ESPN

Sept. 10

The second weekend kicks off with a good ACC matchup. I don't know about you, but I'm extremely curious to see year two of the Tech offense and the triple option.

Clemson at Georgia Tech: 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Sept. 12

This Saturday hosts the number-one matchup of the preseason. Sure there will be lots of critical conference showdowns that develop as the year progresses, but USC at Ohio State is the grand-daddy of non-conference matchups whether it's played in the Rose Bowl or not.

Kudos to both schools for scheduling the tough opponent and giving college football fans what they deserve: meaningful football in September.

The day doesn't have much leading up to the big clash, but whet your appetite with Notre Dame at Michigan, UCLA at Tennessee, Iowa at Iowa State, and Stanford at Wake Forest.

Iowa at Iowa State: Noon, FSN

Stanford at Wake Forest: Noon, Raycom/ESPN GamePlan

Notre Dame at Michigan: 3:30 p.m., ABC

UCLA at Tennessee: 4 p.m., ESPN

USC at Ohio State: 8 p.m., ESPN

Purdue at Oregon: 10:15 p.m., FSN

Sept 17

The Thursday night ACC matchup is again very watchable at Georgia Tech has to travel to Miami.

Georgia Tech at Miami: 7:30, ESPN

Sept 19

This week looks to be a little more balanced with some quality games from start to finish.

Again, the noon timeslot will be filled with local matchups and the normal cupcakes, but Boston College at Clemson could be worth watching.

Don't sleep on the East Carolina/North Carolina game. We all remember how East Carolina started last season.

Then, Tennessee at Florida will be the game of the day, and Michigan State at Notre Dame should be worth flipping to during commercials.

Finish off the day with West Virginia at Auburn in a rare non-conference matchup, and Kansas State at UCLA which will carry into the a.m.

Boston College at Clemson: Noon, Raycom/ESPN GamePlan

East Carolina at North Carolina: Noon, ESPN or ESPN2

Michigan State at Notre Dame: 3:30 p.m., NBC

Tennessee at Florida: 3:30 p.m., CBS

West Virginia at Auburn: 7:45 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2

Kansas State at UCLA: 10:15 p.m., FSN

That's how the first three weekends of the season shake out. Hats off to the teams that scheduled interesting opponents in September and especially to those who are treating us to the rare, tough non-conference matchup.

Pittsburgh Steelers Get Cap Relief: Max Starks Gets Four-Year Deal

Rob Smeltzer — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:51:24 -0400

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Tuesday that they have signed starting left tackle Max Starks to a four-year deal that will free up some salary cap room for the team going forward.

Entering the offseason, the Steelers slapped the franchise tag on Starks ensuring that they would bring back a starter with some experience at a critical position. While Starks signed the franchise tender guaranteed to bring him $8.45 million in 2009, both he and the team were looking for a long-term solution.

Last season, the front office slapped the transition tag on Starks, bringing with it a one-year deal worth $6.9 million. However, the coaching staff didn't seem to be in agreement with his value as he started the season as a backup to Marvel Smith.

With Marvel Smith now in San Fransisco, and Starks having started the final 11 games, as well as the playoffs, the Steelers are showing a lot of faith in his abilities. The 27-year-old is now signed through the 2012 season and will look to solidify the left side of the line.

After signing his new contract, Starks was quoted as saying, "We now have guys you know are going to be here and you can count on, the guys who are rocks on the line. I am happy to hopefully be one of those rocks and not a pebble on that line."

At 6'8" and 345 pounds, a pebble he is not. The Steelers obviously are hoping that he can fit the bill as a boulder at the left tackle spot, keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright and cutting down on the number of hits he takes.

This move will also free up cap space for the team this year and over the next few seasons. Full financial details of the deal were not released, but it is believed that Starks will receive a signing bonus spread out over the length of the contract that will be slightly larger than the $8.45 million he was guaranteed under the franchise tag.

By lowering his annual salary, and only having to absorb a portion of the signing bonus this year, the Steelers will now have some breathing room to look at signing some other players who have the potential of becoming free agents at the end of 2009.

Several key members of the team are entering the final year of their contracts, and the Steelers have maintained that their top priority this offseason is signing their own players.

Perhaps the next move for the team will be to restructure a deal with Casey Hampton who is the rock in the middle of their 3-4 defense. Hampton has voiced his desire to remain with the Steelers and is open to signing a contract that will allow him to retire as a Steeler.

While the team is taking a risk with Starks by locking into his level of play, they are also solidifying the rest of their team by freeing up the money to keep the Super Bowl Championship-roster together beyond the 2009 season.

Questions for a Super Bowl MVP

Rob Smeltzer — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:58:42 -0400

"I'm going to Disney World!" Those are the words every player in the Super Bowl wants to be yelling as the confetti floats down from the rafters. It means they were just named the Most Valuable Player.

In Super Bowl XLIII, that honor belonged to Santonio Holmes. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver had a great game, a brilliant final drive, and a heart-stopping touchdown catch to cap it off.

In the past, some have questioned his character and motivation. However, in the playoffs, he took his game to a new level and showed that he could be the spark the offense needed.

My interview with Holmes leading into the 2009 season would be filled with reflection on a great year and insight on the year to come.

Having played second fiddle to Hines Ward in the past, not many focused on Holmes and might not know as much about him as a person. Now, having hit the spotlight, it's time that everyone sees the man under the helmet.

The following questions are designed to gain a general understanding of life on and off the field. Who is Santonio Holmes the football player? Who is Santonio Holmes when he's not making one of the most spectacular plays in Super Bowl history?

First of all, congratulations on a fantastic season. In your oppinion, what sticks out as the main attribute that led Steelers to the championship last season?

This is just a general question to recap last year and set the table for questions about the team going into this season.

Follow up: How does it feel to be only the sixth wide receiver to win the Super Bowl MVP Award, joining the likes of Jerry Rice and Steelers great Lynn Swann?

Just asking some easy ice-breaker type questions to get him relaxed and settle into the conversation.

What was your offseason like this year as opposed to previous seasons?

This is designed mostly to let him talk about his life away from football.

Follow Up: Did you get to enjoy a trip to Disney World with your family?

Holmes is the father of three and this would be a nice chance to get him to talk about more about the family.

How long did you get to celebrate last season?

Again, this is a chance to let Holmes talk about how he spends his life off the field.

Follow Up: Have you had more requests for your time in the community with your increased popularity?

Every football player deserves a stage to let people know how they help out in the community. It's far more enjoyable to root for a person when you know about the different charities and community events they are involved in.

I hear more and more that the NFL's offseason gets shorter and shorter every year. Mentally, have you already started the 2009 season or is that something that will happen closer to training camp?

I want to start getting into the upcoming season and find out when he will switch gears himself and start putting last season behind him.

Follow Up: Do you find yourself eager to get back at it with the team, or is it a little disappointing that you don't get more time off for yourself and your family?

Not that I want him to pick between his team or his family, but more to find out his motivation level. He's never been viewed as a workaholic, but that could just be a perception.

Do you approach training camp any differently now that you're seen as one of the veterans and team leaders?

Again, this is just to gauge how he views himself and his role on the team. With Hines Ward signing an extension, will he see himself as a leader of the wide receivers?

Follow Up: What kind of relationship have you had with Hines Ward since he has been a mainstay on the wide receiver corps since you've been drafted? Do you find yourself in a mentor role with younger players like Limas Sweed and Mike Wallace?

A lot of focus will be on replacing Nate Washinton's production from the number three wide receiver position. Not only will this tell us if Holmes actively seeks out a mentor role on the team, but will tell us which younger players are seeking out the veteran advice.

People always talk about the Super Bowl Champions as having a bull's eye on their back. Is there anything different about the team's mentality knowing that every team is gunning for you?

Kind of a standard question, but it will be interesting to see how he looks at the upcoming pressure.

Follow Up: How about you personally? Do you think that teams will defend you differently after your performance in the Super Bowl and playoffs?

It will be interesting to see how he views himself as far as his standing within the league. Wide receivers are known for being ego-centric and will Holmes be focused on being an elite receiver or about the team's overall success?

What steps do you see the offense making this year? Are there any areas of focus?

With the coaching staff in tact from last season, what will be the area of focus for improvement? Will Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians look to expand the passing game or bring back some more of the run?

Follow Up: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

If he does spout off any numbers, it will be interesting to see what kind of yardage and touchdown numbers he's in search of. There's always the chance he would resort to the standard "as long as the team wins" answer.

With the Steelers finishing the season visiting the Miami Dolphins, will it be another home-coming of sorts for you? Do you still have ties to the Belle Glades area?

Holmes grew up in Belle Glades, Florida. An town in southern Florida that is a poor sugar cane farming community. The area has produced an incredible amount of NFL talent for its small size. This could lead to a number of tangents.

Follow Up: The high school you played for has an annual rivalry game against nearby Pahokee called the "Muck Bowl." Do you have any great "Muck Bowl" memories for us?

It will be fun to hear him speak about his past and some fond memories of growing up. The communities in this area are known for being violent and tough. Holmes even admitted to selling drugs as a kid, so it would be nice to give him the platform to speak about the area.

During Super Bowl week, you let it be known that while you were growing up, you sold drugs and lived in an area where that was the norm. How do you reflect on those times now and the decisions you've made in the past?

With the issues in his past, Holmes is an interesting person to see how he's made changes in his life.

Follow Up: What is your message today for kids who look up to you and how you've made your success?

Again, this is a platform for Holmes to talk about his role in the community. It will provide a good way to wrap up the interview on a positive note.

This will provide an all-around knowledge of Santonio Holmes: past, present, and future. While, there would most likely be several tangents resulting from his answers, this base would be a good jumping off point.

These questions could build a well-rounded feature article that could give readers a good understanding of him as a person and a football player.

High Character Men Making The Calls For The Pittsburgh Steelers

Rob Smeltzer — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:33:38 -0400

The Pittsburgh Steelers have achieved their on-field success with a number of key components. Today, we take a look at the coaching staff that led them to their record sixth Super Bowl championship, which returns intact.

The franchise has one of the most enviable track records when it comes to head coaches, and Mike Tomlin has started his tenure with the look that he will continue the trend.

Heading into his third season as the Steelers head coach, Tomlin will be looking to avoid a letdown following a Super Bowl victory like the one that characterized the 2006 season.

Tomlin is key to orchestrating the coaching staff as a whole and making sure that all the parts are working together. Many teams get caught up with x's and o's gurus when they pick a head coach. However, the one key component they fail to evaluate is leadership.

Mike Tomlin is the epitome of leadership. After he was hired, he retained key pieces of the coaching staff that helped make a smooth transition and ensured his future success.

His main role is to keep the team focused and motivated. His calm and cool demeanor can come across almost as being soft, until you see him get riled up and jump into a players face.

Many on the team have stated that he earned the team's respect very quickly after the team passed on any internal candidates to replace former coach Bill Cowher. The two couldn't have more different styles, but yet they achieve the same goal.

Cowher wanted to be in his players' faces and was known to get into screaming fits, even at the punter. While Tomlin gets his fair share of face time with each player, he does so in a more relaxed and mentor-like style most of the time.

Many around football appreciate the football acumen that Tomlin possesses. Having started his football career as a wide receiver for William and Mary, he turned to coaching right out of the gate.

Starting as a wide receivers coach at Virginia Military Institute, he quickly learned that by being a wide receiver he was intimately familiar with the best ways to stop one. With that knowledge, he quickly became a hot commodity as a defensive backs coach.

The improvement in the Steelers secondary can be easily seen with the play of Ike Taylor and the recently departed Bryant McFadden. In only two seasons, Tomlin was able to harness the best of each of these players and turn them into one of the league's best tandems.

Late-round pick William Gay has made excellent strides under Tomlin's tutelage and looks to compete for a starting position this season.

Tomlin has also made good decisions regarding his coaching staff, retaining two of the most respected men in football to help him run 2008's number one defense, Assistant Coach/Defensive Line Coach John Mitchell and Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau.

John Mitchell has been with the Steelers on the defensive side of the ball for 15 years, making him the longest tenured coach with the team. A former All-American defensive end for Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, Mitchell was the first African-American player for the Crimson Tide.

Breaking the color barrier again in 1990, he was the first African-American defensive coordinator in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Having coached under greats like Paul "Bear" Bryant and Lou Holtz to start his career, Mitchell has become a great developer of talent.

He has been in charge of the defensive line during the rise of current players Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith, and also tutored reserve players like Brett Keisel and Chris Hoke into very valuable contributors (even a starter in the case of Keisel).

With the exception of Hampton, the Steelers have rarely used high draft picks on defensive linemen, yet with Mitchell's help, the unit has thrived in the 3-4 scheme.

Defensive Coordinator, Dick LeBeau, is known league wide as a guru of confusing opposing defenses. Lebeau is the architect of the famed zone blitz scheme that Pittsburgh has utilized for more than a decade.

Spending 14 years in the NFL as a player and another 36 as a coach has taught him so many things about football, he could probably never teach anyone all of it.

It's the wealth of knowledge and unparallelled creativity of his 71-year-old mind that makes him stand apart from the rest.

He was recently noted to have dreamed up a new defensive scheme one night in bed and jotted it down for his players to try out the next day at practice. Truly a person who does eat, sleep, and breathe football.

"We expect stuff like that from Coach LeBeau," Linebacker James Farrior said.

Perhaps one of the greatest unseen, little-known traditions in football is Coach LeBeau's annual reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas to his defense. It sounds cheesey, but the way the players talk about it, you have to be curious.

The players say his ability to turn an innocent children's story into a motivating, touching moment is something they never expected. It's become tradition now, and every season the players embrace the ritual just like they embrace the coach they call "Dad."

During the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, the players each bought $300 throwback Dick LeBeau jerseys to lobby voters for his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame as a player.

The players have become to trust him for his strategies of maximizing talent and covering up gambles. Each player knows that following the lead of LeBeau can mean big things for your career.

Staying with Coach LeBeau when Mike Tomlin took over as head coach were Linebackers Coach Keith Butler and Defensive Backs Coach Ray Horton. Horton was promoted from an assistant defensive backs coach position when Tomlin took over.

These four men are in charge of running the defense and game-planning for a new offense each week. A lot will be riding on their shoulders entering the 2009 season, as they will enter the season carrying the tag of the league's number one defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Steelers have another disciple of the Paul "Bear" Bryant coaching tree in Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians. A former quarterback at Virginia Tech, Arians was promoted from wide receivers coach when Tomlin was put in charge.

In the past, he worked with a young Peyton Manning, helping him pass Johnny Unitas' record for touchdown passes in a season. This is exactly the same record that he would later help Ben Roethlisberger break, bettering Terry Bradshaw's mark with 32 in 2007.

When it comes to the offensive game plan and play calling, Arians is the man in charge. Arians has led the adaptation of the Steelers from a grind-it-out running team, to a balanced attack that will take advantage of a team through the air or on the ground.

Arians' promotion into the offensive coordinator position in Tomlin's first year helped solidify the chemistry for Ben Roethlisberger during the staff turnover. Roethlisberger has been very vocal on his support of Arians and the duo have produced exceptional results.

During his tenure with the Steelers, Arians has also been vital to the development of Hines Ward, and now Santonio Holmes.

By utilizing the strengths of the players, Arians has helped the Steelers create a balanced attack with Ward and Holmes on the outside and Roethlisberger finding the open man—even if it does take a little longer than it's drawn up.

Much of the remaining offensive staff was brought in with Mike Tomlin in his first season.

Larry Zierlein was brought in to run the offensive line and has been making progress developing a relatively young group of players. His players met the call last season when a rash of injuries along the line could have meant doom for the team.

Ken Anderson, long remembered for his great play as a quarterback for the Bengals, is in charge of the quarterbacks. This season, he is saddled with helping Roethlisberger develop further and turning second-year pro Dennis Dixon into a reliable backup.

Runnning Backs Coach Kirby Wilson has been a large contributor to the success Willie Parker has had over the last two seasons, and will now have a first-round pick, Rashard Mendenhall, at his disposal.

Along with Zierlein, Anderson, and Wislon, Randy Fichtner was brought in with the then-first-year head coach. Richtner is responsible for the development of the wide receivers and their preparations each week.

The big goal for this season at wideout will be to find a replacement for Nate Washington's production. A lot will be made of Fichtner's progress with second-year receiver Limas Sweed.

The offensive coaching staff is rounded out with a hold-over from the previous staff with Tight Ends Coach James Daniel. He, along with the rest of the offensive group, work together under Arians to scour endless hours of tape on their offense and opposing defenses.

Their goal each week is to put the right tools at Arians' disposal each week in terms of schemes, players, and plays.

The special teams units are run by Bob Ligashesky who has had previous stints with the St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. Also going into his third year, hired when Mike Tomlin took over, Ligashesky previously held a position with the University of Pittsburgh.

This season, he will work with his assistant, Amos Jones, to improve upon the Steelers ailing return game while improving the punting unit with the return of Daniel Sepulveda.

Working with all the units is Conditioning Coordinator Garrett Giemont. He has specialized in training and conditioning for over 26 years in the NFL. Another of Tomlin's hires, he has brought a vast improvement to the teams' training regimen and injury prevention.

The Steelers were criticized for being a little archaic in their training programs before Giemont, but may have now found the system that works best for everyone.

Overall, it's the teamwork between the players and the coaches, the mutual respect for each other, that has led the Steelers to success. The respect has been earned both in the trenches and in the meeting rooms, creating the cohesion necessary to win championships.

It's debatable whether a coaching staff or the players are more important to an organization's success. However, the facts go to prove that the Steelers have all the right pieces in place, on the field, and off.

Is the "Steelers Way" Still a Smash-Mouth Rushing Attack?

Rob Smeltzer — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:54:34 -0400

For all of you who are trying to figure out the photo, that is Byron "Bam" Morris of course. Perhaps, the most fitting name for a running back on a smash-mouth offense.

Throughout franchise history, fans in Pittsburgh have prided themselves on being blue-collar people who rooted for a blue-collar team. By having a stout defense and a bruising rushing attack.

For years, the team trotted out running back after running back who personified the "Steeler way". Bam Morris went from being a relatively obscure third round pick, to averaging 4.0 yards per carry and tallying 16 touchdowns in two seasons in black and gold.

The most recent installment, Jerome Bettis, paved the way with over 10,000 yards in 10 seasons with the Steelers. Did he mark the end of the beloved tradition of a grind it out rushing attach as he passed the torch to Willie Parker?

It is the search for an offensive identity that will dictate the changes we see from offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. For several seasons, we have seen the team lose its effectiveness running the ball and last season may be the catalyst for a re-dedication to the run game.

For only the second time this decade, the Steelers were under the NFL average for total rushing yards. The team managed only 3.67 yards per carry, and were even worse on first down with 3.56 yards per carry.

The coaching staff must find a way to gain yardage on first down to alleviate the ensuing pressure on second and long. The team was faced with more 2nd and greater than 10 yards to go, than in any of the previous 5 seasons.

Even when the team decided to pass on first down, they only averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, the third lowest total this decade. With both the run and pass struggling, it's easy to see how the offense was unable to move the ball for long stretches of games.

Look for the offense to return to its creative side that thrived under Ken Whisnehunt and utilize the big body of last season's first round pick, Rashard Mendenhall. If the Steelers can use their run game to establish four to five yards on first down, then the playbook completely opens up for ensuing plays.

When they do decide to pass on first down, look for play-action passes as well as the wrinkle plays that are designed to keep the defense off balance. The success of the offense will be dependent upon keeping the down and distance manageable.

By moving the chains methodically down the field, the defense will not be put in difficult positions with bad field position or little rest between drives. This is the strategy that went out the window the past few seasons, and the result has kept Ben Roethlisberger improvising on the run and the defense in the shadows of their own goalposts.

Perhaps the biggest change for the offense will be the fact that there will be no major personnel changes. Bruce Arians will be in his second season as offensive coordinator and the offense will not have a transition to worry about.

Other than Mendenhall returning from injury, the base offense will look very much the same. Mendenhall may not start over Willie Parker, but he will get the bulk of the carries by season's end.

With Parker entering the final year of his contract, the Steelers will get Mendenhall ready to carry the reigns by himself in 2010. With a slew of players becoming unrestricted free agents after 2009, the team will look to utilize the money tied up in their former first round pick and cut ties with Parker.

Mendenhall will also be running behind an offensive line that will have another year of cohesion. A unit that didn't play badly down the stretch, and is for the most part on the young side, will get the chance to work on their chemistry through training camp.

Expect to see this season's second draft pick (the Steelers first pick in the third round), Kraig Urbik, on the field a lot by December. There may even be a lot of talk of him beating out right guard Darnell Stapleton from the start. Urbik has a lot of versatility, playing both guard and tackle in college, and the Steelers have mentioned trying him out at center.

The additions of Urbik and Mendenhall will give the Steelers a chance to return to that workman-like offense that Pittsburgh has grown to embrace. Expect the team to use these players as they did with Alan Faneca and Jerome Bettis. Urbik is a big, strong guard with the ability to pull on the counter, while Mendenhall is a big running back with the ability to run over or through you.

The playbook for 2009 may look a lot like the one used in 2004. That was Ben Roethlisberger's first season and the team went to the AFC Championship game with a regular season record of 15-1. Imagine the success that could be achieved if they could execute the same game plan and plays with an experienced, two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback at the helm.

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers Primed for a Fall

Rob Smeltzer — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:03:22 -0400

It's hard to argue with success. Two Super Bowls in four years has done two things for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

First, it has made the fan base giddy and celebratory like it's the late '70s.

Second, it has made every fan hungry for more.

The overwhelming sentiment is that the organization is one of the best in sports and there's no need to question their methods because they get the job done. However, in a sport where parity is the goal, is it reasonable for fans to expect more of the same?

The NFL is built to be full of teams going 8-8, with a few different teams jumping up to a higher level each year. The structure of the salary cap and the importance of the draft have helped the NFL achieve what few other leagues have.

Football is the most balanced of professional sports as success is set to be cyclical. So the question is: If the league is set to make you fail after success, how do you overcome the system?

Reaching the playoffs in twelve of the last seventeen seasons is a tremendous accomplishment for the franchise, subjecting their fans to very few down seasons. The main reason for their success is touted to be their approach to personnel.

The Steelers never make a big splash in free agency, signing very few stars from other teams. Rather they tend to sign role players and backups. The vast majority of their starters come from their drafts.

Last season alone, only three starters (James Farrior, Justin Hartwig, and Ryan Clark) were not either a Steelers draft pick or undrafted free agent brought in as a rookie.

That's a staggering figure when you think of how many seasons it takes to build a complete roster. So one could assume that by examining the Steelers recent crops of new players, you can predict future success.

It's no secret that one goal for the 2009 Steelers will be to keep the quarterback upright. The team gave up 49 quarterback sacks in 2008, only better than the Lions, 49ers, and Bengals. Some of the blame goes to the quarterback, but some also goes to the offensive line.

Ben Roethlisberger's tendency to hold the ball and try to make plays well after he should have released the ball creates situations that not all offensive lines have to deal with. However, some of those situations are caused by the offensive line in the first place.

So by looking at the past few years of draft picks, we need to see if any players are ready to contribute. The past few drafts have netted Tony Hills, Cameron Stephenson, Bo Lacy, and Marvin Phillip.

Hills will be entering his second year, but not many are speaking of high expectations yet. Stephenson, Lacy, and Phillip are not even on the roster. The other offensive line draft picks include Trai Essex, Willie Colon, Max Starks, and Chris Kemoeatu.

This is the foundation of the line that everyone likes to beat up and say is the weak spot on the team.

So, will this core of players get better with time and improve with more chemistry playing together? Or will they continue to disappoint, with no quality reserves ready to step up? Will this year's draft picks, Kraig Urbik or A.Q. Shipley, step up and make a contribution?

The other area of concern is the age along the defensive line. All of the teams starters and primary backups along the defensive line are reaching the end of their careers and the team needs depth for future starters or injury replacements.

Certainly, the first round selection this year of Evander "Ziggy" Hood can ease some fears. It looks like he may learn the ropes at defensive end in the 3-4, as he played primarily defensive tackle in college.

The Steelers have a horrible track record with selecting defensive linemen in the recent past. Picks like Ryan McBean, Orien Harris, Shaun Nua, and Eric Taylor have failed to pan out and there hasn't been an influx of talent to make up for the misses.

While many of these were late round picks, the team still needs to find quality players along both lines in order to keep its success rolling. It seems that the team as a whole may have peaked last season.

The growth of the offensive line will certainly be the deciding factor, but if any starters are struggling anywhere on the team, the cupboards may be bare of replacements.

The Steelers have done a masterful job of working the system and building successful products on the field, but it would be easy to see tougher days ahead. The NFL makes sure that continued success is an aberration and not the norm. Can the Steelers be the exception?

Steel Foundations of Steelers Fans

Rob Smeltzer — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:53:36 -0400

Everyone has a story that led them to be a fan of their favorite team. Some are created out of loyalty to a certain player or city/state. Some are due to geographic reasons or being able to see every game of the local team. Perhaps the majority of us can trace our allegiance back to our family.

That is how my story begins with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Being the son of a steelworker, who was the son of a steelworker, it just seems fitting. When I was old enough to ask these important questions, I remember saying, "Dad, why do we root for the Steelers if we live closer to Philadelphia?"

The stern response was, "I work in a steel mill, who else would I root for?" It was a blunt response that really didn't need any more clarification. It was a question from a 5-year-old that got a response a 5-year-old wouldn't question.

I never questioned our fanhood from that day forward.

I was brought up a Steelers fan from day one. The baby pictures hanging in my parents' houses to this day have me in my little Steelers outfit holding a plastic football.

When I was old enough to play catch in the front yard with my dad, I was Louis Lipps going long. It's all of these memories that you get growing up that turn the choice of which team to root for into a foregone conclusion.

Of course, there were many things that have cemented my dedication to the team over the course of my life. Once you start unconditionally following a team, your allegiance starts to grow exponentially. It starts to be a part of the fabric of your life.

When my wife and I were pondering the question of whether to move to Michigan, my first demand was, "I need to order the NFL Sunday Ticket if we do." She said yes, and hasn't questioned my loyalty since.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have the Steelers to follow through the year. It's just been part of my life as long as I can remember.

A number of Steelers fans probably have a similar story, and perhaps this is what makes Steelers nation so strong. Maybe that's why we've been able to turn two recent Super Bowls into virtual home games.

When you're in Pittsburgh on a fall Sunday, you see it everywhere. You wake up and the neighbors have a couple kids running around the yard in their jerseys. You go out to breakfast and the waitresses have on jerseys. Whether it's a player from this year, or 1978, it doesn't matter: It's black and gold.

When you're in "Steelers Country," people are always talking football. High school, college, or pro, it doesn't matter. Football rules the area, and that makes the Steelers the talk of any bar, restaurant, coffee shop, or anywhere else people gather.

The Steelers have always embodied that often overused cliche of a blue collar town. The fierce, attacking defense, the pound-it-out running game, the hard-nosed coach, have all worked to help the city embrace its franchise.

This is a city that developed the Primanti Brothers sandwich shop, serving coleslaw and fries right on the sandwich to help people eat a whole meal on their short break from the factory. It seems history has led the team and city hand-in-hand.

Then, the great day came when I had a son of my own. He had a Terrible Toddler Towel before he was born. We dressed him in all sorts of Steelers clothes on game days. I'm doing my best to start him out on the same path my dad started me on.

One day when he asks why we're Steelers fans, maybe I'll direct him to his grandfather, so he only has to ask once. The funny part is that the Steelers won the first Super Bowl of my life and the first Super Bowl of my son's.

Maybe we were born to be Steelers fans.

What Pittsburgh Steelers Fans Need To Know About the NFL Draft

Rob Smeltzer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:52:01 -0400

As we approach the NFL Draft, which is set to take place on April 25 and 26, every person seems to have a different view of how their favorite team should or will spend their first draft pick.

This is no different for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh off their victory in Super Bowl XLIII.

Some would think that winning a Super Bowl would buy the front office some time to sit back and allow their team to enjoy its success, but that's not how it works in the NFL.

What was once considered the offseason is now just a series of events that link us from one season to the next.

The draft is the pinnacle event of the Steelers' offseason. As they proved this year, they don't like to get wrapped up in bidding for free agents and bringing in high-profile veterans. Instead, they have used free agency as a supplement to the draft, filling holes and depth issues with quality players who have a lot left in the tank.

In fact, the Steelers did not sign one free agent from outside of their own players. They took this time to re-sign their own players, specifically along the offensive line. Some view this unit to be among the team's biggest needs. However, the Steelers have the mindset that giving the same five starters a chance to get more playing time together could be all that is needed.

Whether you agree with this method or not, that looks to be the direction the Steelers want to go. They won't put themselves in a spot where they have to draft an offensive lineman. In fact, for several years, they have aspired to be in a position to use the "draft the best player available" method.

Although it is too soon to tell, this method may have paid dividends for them in the 2008 draft, when they bagged running back Richard Mendenhall and wide receiver Limas Sweed in the first two rounds. These were both positions that weren't seen as a weakness on the team, but the franchise was able to draft two players that they saw as a great value.

So heading into the 2009 draft, the Steelers will most likely be in the same position. We'll break down some positions that the team could definitely use some depth and youth, but don't be surprised to see them go in a completely different direction.

Need No. 1: Offensive Line

The team will most likely add one if not two players to provide some depth and competition along the offensive line. Several of their returning players will be free agents within the next two years, and they need to find replacements to groom.

The team's philosophy has always been to replace departing starters with players they've groomed to take over. Last year's draft netted Tony Hills, who may or may not be an option in the future.

While their current two-deep along the line isn't necessarily old, not everyone is sold on the overall talent it possesses. Expect to see them grab an interior lineman at some point. This draft is said to be very deep at this position. They'll be focusing on a mauler who can move people around in the run game and bring back a little of the Steelers ground attack.

Need No. 2: Defensive Line

This would be a move strictly for depth and to find a starter for the future. The top five players on the defensive line depth chart are over 30, and that could spell a problem with injuries.

The defensive line is the building block of a 3-4 defense, and is often overlooked because of the lack of big plays. The nose tackle and defensive ends have to eat up blockers and create a push, so the linebackers are free to meet the ball carrier one-on-one.

With more teams switching to the 3-4 alignment, don't expect for the Steelers to find as many gems in the late rounds as they previously did. The five-technique ends and big anchor tackles will be highly sought-after.

While this may not be a first-round priority, they will definitely look to draft one player, if not two, so they can get them ready to replace the aging veterans.

Need No. 3: Defensive Back

With the departure of Bryan McFadden, the Steelers will most likely add a draft pick to challenge William Gay and DeShea Townsend for the starting and nickel roles.

Initial reports are that the coaching staff likes William Gay and that is part of the reason they felt McFadden wasn't worth locking into a big contract. I'd expect to see a healthy competition in training camp to land the starting gig opposite Ike Taylor.

The safety positions aren't a major concern, but the team could look for a player to compete at free safety. Troy Polamalu has secured his spot at strong safety, possibly for life—but Ryan Clark, while showing the willingness to lay down the big hit, hasn't shown the coverage skills and raw speed the team hopes to get from its free safety.

Expect the Steelers to draft someone to bring depth to the secondary on the first day. Reports have this draft class listed as light on corners and with very little depth.

The following list of players represents potential first- and second round targets based off player reports and draft grades. But as last year taught us, the draft never seems to go as "mocked."

Alex Mack, C - California

Mack is probably the top interior lineman in this year's draft. He demonstrates agility, strength, and intelligence. He could come in and compete for a starting job with Sean Mahan right off the bat.

I'd be a little surprised with this pick in the first round, only because there are a lot of prospects that can be had in the later rounds.

Max Unger, C - Oregon

Unger is right up there with Mack, depending on who you ask. While seen as more of a finesse blocker, he may be more of a fit for a zone-blocking scheme.

Other Centers Of Note:

Eric Wood of Louisville and Antione Caldwell from Alabama are seen as two excellent players who may be available around the end of round two.

Also, worth noting, the Steelers brought in A.Q. Shipley from Penn State for a pre-draft visit. While he's seen as a late round pick, he could represent that late draft value teams are looking for.

Also in for a visit was LSU guard Herman Johnson. He's obviously not a center prospect, but would fill the need of an interior lineman.

Phil Loadholt, OT - Oklahoma

Loadholt was also in town to visit with the front office. He's a powerful blocker who is seen as a right tackle in the NFL. He was a little rocky in his performance at the Senior Bowl, but has been said to look good in workout since.

At 6'8" and 332 lbs., he definitely has the frame to play the tackle spot, the only question is his agility.

William Beatty, OT - UConn

Beatty is someone who could be around the end of round one as long as we don't see the same rush on tackles as in last year's draft.

He's seen more as a true left-tackle prospect, with a great first step to cut off the speed rushers. He would look mighty good protecting the backside of Roethlisberger.

Tyson Jackson, DE - LSU

Jackson is probably someone they'd have to reach for in round one. While not the pass-rushing end coveted at the top of the first round, Jackson bring a solid frame and lots of strength. He has the versatility to add some bulk and anchor an end spot in a 3-4.

Fili Moala, DT - USC

Moala, who played tackle in college, could make a smooth transition to 3-4 end. He's a big, long-armed player who can eat up space and hold the point of attack.

Worth noting—he was on the South Side to meet with the Steelers recently.

Jarron Gilbert, DT - San Jose State

Gilbert is rising up draft rankings, and has moved into a spot where he'll probably be a late first- or early second-round pick.

He has been classified as a football player. As simple as that sounds, it might be one of the best complements out there. It certainly is what Steelers fans look for in their players.

He has the intelligence, length, and drive to succeed at any spot on the defensive line. While he's on the smaller side to anchor the 3-4, he could add some size to be the eventual replacement for Hampton, or work on his technique and play on the outside.

Sean Smith, CB - Utah

This is my personal pick for the player to be chosen in round one, if still available. Smith might end up being the best defensive back out of this class.

Scouts seem to be mixed on his value, putting him anywhere from second among defensive back, to being a late second round pick. What I see is the size, speed, and toughness to play corner and the smarts to move to free safety if needed.

A former high-school running back, he passed up several bigger colleges to have the chance to play running back or wide receiver. His desire to get on the field led him to make the move to corner and he's never looked back.

With his experience on the offensive side of the ball, he understands the game, and can make things happen with the ball in his hands.

Darius Butler, CB - UConn

Butler has a good chance to be available at the end of round one. He is a tough corner who loves to play against the run.

He has skills that could be tailored to fit a zone or man scheme—which may make him attractive to the Steelers. Don't forget that Mike Tomlin has a Tampa-2 background, and could start to add some of those looks to the defense.

Also worth noting, with Tomlin's experience as a defensive backs coach, he could look for lateround sleepers who he can mold into a future contributor. The difference he's made in Talyor's, McFadden's, and Gay's abilities is already visible.

One final caveat

Don't be surprised to see the Steelers jump on a wide receiver falling in round one or two. They need to replace some deep speed lost with the departure of Nate Washington, and could really use the help that speed could provide in the return game.

Michigan Football Rumor: Nick Sheridan Breaks His Leg

Rob Smeltzer — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:45:36 -0400

An unconfirmed report has leaked that Michigan's returning quarterback Nick Sheridan has broken his leg at the spring practices.

While I'm sure most Wolverine fans think this is no big loss with freshman Tate Forcier in the fold this year, losing a returning upperclassman at a position of need is a big deal. Sheridan has experience running Rich Rodriguez's spread attack, and that carries value.

Now if Forcier happens to get hurt or not make the progress the Wolverines are looking for, they might not have another option. It's only March and the season is still months away, but breaking a leg and taking rehab time will put a damper on Sheridan's growth this offseason.

Also, another rumor floating around the Big House is that backup quarterback David Cone may have broken his hand. Talk about a thin position heading into the fall practices.

The Wolverines may be looking at focusing a little more time on Justin Feagin at quarterback now that he will get ample reps in practice. Also, if Forcier fails to make progress by the April 11 spring game, look for an instant impact out of Denard Robinson, who is said to be shifty on his feet but raw at the finer points of quarterbacking.

This may just add to all the questions being asked as the team heads into Season Two of the Rich Rodriguez era.

The Shift in Value of High Picks in the NFL Draft

Rob Smeltzer — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:00:52 -0400

Gone are the days when running backs, wide receivers, and to some extent, quarterbacks ruled the first round of the NFL draft.

It has become clear over the past few NFL drafts that the balance of power is shifting to positions that were once deemed for role players.

The draw of picking offensive and defensive linemen has become overwhelming for teams looking to rebuild at the top of the draft and throughout the first round.

It used to be considered the sexy pick to go after the positions that would provide fans with excitement on any given play, and to bring it players that would sell tickets and make highlights.

Now the balance is shifting to building a team in the trenches and hitting on late sleepers in the previously sexy positions.

Consider the following statistics:

From 2000 to 2005, teams selected (on average) 4.7 players at the positions of QB, RB, or WR in the first ten picks of the draft. During that same time, 10.7 players were taken in the first round at these positions.
From 2006 to 2008, teams selected (on average) 3.0 players from the same positions in the top 10 and 8.3 players in the first round.

That means that NFL teams are 17 percent less likely to make a selection on one of these skill positions in the top-10, and 24 percent less likely to pick them in the first round when compared to previous years.

The wide receiver pick may have taken the biggest hit in value. In the 2006 draft, the Steelers traded up to take Santonio Holmes as the first wide receiver off the board with the No. 25 pick.

In the 2008 draft, no wide receiver was taken until the second pick in the second round, or No. 33 overall.

This shift in drafting strategy could have many contributing factors, but mainly teams are focusing on player value and how they can help the team immediately.

The sexy picks from previous drafts are now the picks that are seen as high bust potential. If you make a mistake with a top-10 pick, you have doomed your franchise.

Many of the offensive and defensive linemen are now seen as the safe pick, thus resulting in more coaches and general managers keeping their jobs.

This is the exact situation that the Detroit Lions are staring at with the first overall choice in this year's draft. Just ask them how it affects a franchise when you miss on a QB at the top of the draft (*cough* Joey Harrington *cough*).

For a first time GM and head coach, Martin Mayhew and Jim Schwartz cannot afford to have that pick not pan out. Therefore, history is telling us that they are more likely to lean towards players like Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe, or Aaron Curry.

With most front offices recycling the same, "We'll take the best player available," mantra, only few teams are following this philosophy.

Team needs are always figured into a draft pick, no matter how much teams deny it. I think the Pittsburgh Steelers always announce their intentions the way teams should approach the draft.

Going into the 2008 draft, the word out of the front office was, "We'll take the best player available in the first round who is not a quarterback or tight end."

Having used first round picks on players that have panned out recently dictated that they could not use a first round pick on either of these positions, no matter how well the prospect was graded.

I think this is a fair assessment on how most teams should look at their drafts. The trick is having the appropriate values on players, and knowing who will make the biggest impact with your team.

With that in mind, the following is a list of the top players in this year's draft, ranked according to perceived value.

B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

Raji looked like a man amongst boys during parts of his career at BC. He can plug up the middle of a defense in the NFL and, as Albert Haynesworth's deal just proved, those men are valuable.

Detroit should seriously consider him at No. 1 overall because he will instantly upgrade an entire run defense.

Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

Monroe is probably the most likely prospect to start at left tackle in the NFL for the next decade.

He is more polished and mature than his closest competition, and teams want a guy who will lead on the offensive line and in the weight room.

Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

Foot surgery aside, Crabtree proved to be the game-breaker that teams need to keep defenses off balance.

Even though he didn't run at the combine, game tape is all that's needed to prove his value. Too much stock is placed on combine numbers. Flat out, this guy can play.

He won't be Larry Fitzgerald, but he could be Torry Holt, and that's not too shabby.

Jason Smith, OT Baylor

Smith is a little more unrefined than most teams would like when picking in the top 5, but his value is immense.

A converted tight end, he has the agility and strength needed to protect the blind side. He's slightly below Monroe because he may need a bit of coaching to be trusted against the true NFL pass rushers.

He could learn on the right side for a year or two.

Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest

Curry could end up being the dominant defender in this draft, and is sure to be a little sexier than a lineman. But, he'll command a big payday for a player who may not be able to influence every play.

The middle linebackers who can truly dominate a game are very few and far between.

That being said, Curry has tremendous value at the top of this year's draft for many teams.

Breaking Down Super Bowl XLIII by the Matchups

Rob Smeltzer — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:44:30 -0500

A lot of people will break down every angle of the Super Bowl trying to figure out who has what advantage, but when it really comes down to it, the players either make the plays or make mistakes. Many games come down to a couple big plays that one team will make and/or the other team will not. This theory is more evident in the Super Bowl than other games because of how large the stage is. Think back about the recent Super Bowls and you can immediately think up defining moments. Last season, you can instantly picture Eli running for his life and just flicking the ball over the middle. I'm sure I wasn't alone when, as soon as the ball left his hand, I thought, "Oh no!" But Tyree comes down with the ball and the play was made. Three seasons ago, it was the Steelers who came out on the winning end with a trick play to have Antwan Randle El throwing the touchdown pass to Hines Ward and Willie Parker breaking his record setting 75-yard touchdown run. While the first play is more about making the play, the latter is about the defense making a small mistake. If you take a look at that play, the Seattle linebackers allowed themselves to be taken out of the play. Poor angles of pursuit and Alan Faneca taking on two defenders pulling from the left side made that play. How many times can we picture Adam Vinitieri hitting a game winning field goal, or Tom Brady leading a game winning drive? Even going back many years, I can still picture Jerry Rice pulling in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young in a rout over the Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX. Who hasn't seen replays upon replays of Lynn Swann making acrobatic catches and Jackie Smith becoming "The sickest man in America." I wasn't even alive for the event, but I can clearly picture Garo Yepremian trying to catch/throw that blocked field goal and having it taken out of his hands the other way for a touchdown. So as we continue to break down Super Bowl XLIII, let's take a look at the gamebreakers and how they'll matchup in this game.

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College Football 2009: A Great Season on Tap

Rob Smeltzer — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:23:58 -0500

Could one of the greatest college football seasons in recent memory be on tap for next year? You never know if the actual season will match up with all the hype, but next season is already looking exciting.

Colt McCoy back at Texas. Check. Sam Bradford back at Oklahoma. Check. Tim Tebow back at Florida. Check. All three Heisman finalists are returning. These are just a few of the great deal of top-flight athletes who passed up millions in the NFL in this year's draft just to give college football fans what they deserve: the best season possible.

Did they owe this to the college football fans? No. Anytime a person has the ability to make millions professionally, they shouldn't be criticized for taking it. In fact, who does the NFL think it is for telling people when they can turn professional?

However, it will be great for everyone to collectively accept this gift and watch the drama unfold week by week between now and next January. Taylor Mays returned to USC to lead a Trojans team that is sure to be ranked in the preseason top 10 with or without him. Brandon Spikes returned to lead a Florida defense that lost zero players from its two-deep.

Can you imagine a National Champion returning every defensive player and their quarterback, who happens to be the team's undisputed leader? Can you imagine that I could make a case that they won't win back-to-back titles? I can.

The SEC held up well this year in bowl games. They didn't dominate, but they can probably claim the reputation as the biggest and baddest of the conferences. It's easy to see Florida stumbling at some point during the season and losing to another Ole Miss or even an improved Tennessee, or anyone really.

You can't expect a team to go undefeated, but they will need to this year. It's easy to see either Texas or Oklahoma having an easier shot at going undefeated, and then there are the perennial powers of USC and Ohio State trying to maneuver their slate without a flaw.

If any of these teams manages to go the distance without a loss and Florida is sitting as the SEC champion with a 12-1 record, they probably won't play for the title.

This isn't to start a playoff debate; it's to show how stacked the season is going to be. I didn't even bring up growing programs like Utah, Boise State, TCU, or a Big East or ACC team. There will always be a couple teams that threaten to crash the party.

If you pair those surprises with the teams everyone expects to be standing at the end, this season could be nothing short of spectacular.

As always, there are storylines that will need to be played out in front of the national media. Will Rich Rodriguez make any progress at Michigan? Will Boston College firing Jeff Jagodzinski backfire? Will everyone take back everything bad they said about Auburn hiring Gene Chizik? Who will be this year's darling coach every other team wants? Will Turner Gill head for greener pastures if he can win another MAC title?

College football fans should rejoice and enjoy the season, as many young men made decisions to better the sport. Sam Bradford said that he saw no need to rush his college experience, and for this he should be commended.

Along with all the others who passed up millions in the NFL, he embraced the idea of team, loyalty, school spirit, and community. Those are the qualities that are lacking in professional sports and what gravitates spectators toward college athletics. These players are in it for what counts: the love of the game!

Is Boston College Underrated Annually?

Rob Smeltzer — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:34:13 -0500

College football's bowl season has lost some meaning over the past decade with corporate tie-in's and the new Championship Game format, but can it still tell us which teams/conferences are under or overrated?

I've heard many say that over the years Notre Dame is always overrated going into their bowl game matchup. This is usually supported with the argument that they get to play in bigger bowl games than they deserve and usually come out on the losing side. Notre Dame was finally able to break their nine-game losing streak in bowl games this season.

If this philosophy holds true, is the converse accurate? Would the team with the nation's longest active bowl game win streak be the most underrated?

The fans at Boston College would have you believe so. The Eagles currently boast the nation's best eight-game winning streak in bowl games. Does this mean they have deserved more?

Year in and year out, the Eagles put out a good, if not great, competitive team. They play hard-nosed football with a stingy defense and a solid running game.

This isn't the type of football that makes you the lead on highlight shows. Therefore, BC is often left out of the mix when people think of quality, Top 25 programs. However, let's take a look at the resume.

BC went 9-3 this year in the regular season, before dropping a rematch with Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game. In the previous four seasons, Boston College has had exactly three losses in each season. The 48 wins over the last five years makes BC a perennial power with still one game left this year.

There aren't a lot of schools out there that can boast 10 wins per season for half a decade. While this doesn't make BC the next USC or Texas, it does make them among the class of the ACC.

Could BC be a few seasons away from becoming the next elite program? Their current success can be attributed to intelligent coaching and recruiting. There are no top-10 recruiting classes for BC to build upon, just a solid foundation of taking fine student athletes that fit a system and develop into great teammates and competitors.

While they will need some stars to step up and lead the way (Matt Ryan), the team has proved they will always field a tough group of hard workers.

The question is whether or not BC has deserved better matchups during the past eight bowl seasons. While that is open for debate, I'd like to see some of the schools who are snubbed year after year get their shot.

I'd like to see Boise State play Michigan State on New Year's Day and TCU play Georgia on New Year's Day. Give some of these "non-elite" teams a chance to prove something.

The public deserves to see the games that will change perspectives. Who doesn't want another Boise State-Oklahoma matchup from 2007? I'd take a few Georgia-Hawaii 2008 clunkers every year to see one Boise State-Oklahoma caliber game.

Every year BC has to face off against an inferior opponent in their bowl game after an above average season. It's time to start rewarding programs like BC with marquee matchups even if they don't pull out the victory. At least we'll know if they are truly the nation's most underrated team.

For Better or Worse: Yankees Sign Mark Teixeira to Eight-Year, $180 Million Deal

Rob Smeltzer — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 05:46:50 -0500

The New York Yankees have signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million deal that made Teixeira the latest addition to Brian Cashman's Christmas shopping list. Of course, the real present can't be delivered until October, but Cashman hopes this appeases the Steinbrenners' for the time being.

With the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett to go along with Teixeira, it appears that the Yankees have filled the major holes with which they entered the offseason. The front office was set on shoring up their starting rotation, and after the departure of Jason Giambi, also had a hole to fill at first base.

On paper, it appears that the Yankees have filled their needs with the best possible players available, and perhaps the top three free agents overall.

You can never tell what moving to New York will do to a player, but if you go off of past results, the two new arms and one new bat will be welcome additions to the new $1.3 billion Yankee Stadium.

Sabathia has been argued by some to have been the most valuable player in the NL for the second half of the season. Winning 11 of his 17 starts, including seven complete games and three shutouts, Sabathia carried the Brewers into the postseason.

After addressing the starting rotation, the Yankees quietly looked in on the Teixeira free agency and made little noise at first. Once the Angels pulled out of negotiations and the Red Sox announced a stalemate in their talks, Cashman made a trip to visit Teixeira and his agent, Scott Boras. After upping the ante the Red Sox had laid out by $10 million, the Yankees had their first baseman.

Teixeira looks like a perfect fit for the Yankees, who were in desperate need of some offense last season. A career .290 hitter with over 100 RBI and 30 HRs in each of the last three seasons, he could be just what the new boss ordered. Projected to bat fourth behind A-Rod, the switch-hitter can provide some pop and should see some better pitches with quality hitters around him in the order.

With the short porch in right field, he may even see his home run numbers climb. The key for his development in this lineup will be the continued ability to drive the ball into the gaps, driving in runs, and putting himself in scoring position. The Yankees could welcome back the lost art of the rally.

In a rare turn of events, the Yankees appeared to swoop in and steal this signing instead of bullying others around by throwing bags of cash at free agents. Not that spending $180 million is a steal, but Teixeira is a great player and should prove to be worth the money.

Some have criticized the offseason spending spree of the Yankees as causing an unjust imbalance between the baseball "haves" and "have-nots." While a strong case can be made for that argument, it's easy to see why the Yankees do what they do.

Once, when George Steinbrenner was posed with the question of why he was against the salary cap, he simply said that he bought the Yankees because they were the Yankees. The revenue possibilities in New York were too great of an asset to consider buying any other team. If he wanted to buy a "small market" team, he could have, but he bought a team located in New York City.

It's hard to argue with that logic, as well. When someone spends more for a better product, they should expect better results (ie. championships). Why should he be penalized for owning a team that can generate more money if he puts out a great product/team?

It is worth noting that the Yankees are on pace to have a lower payroll in 2009 than 2008 after ridding themselves of some hefty contracts. The have added $48.3 million to their payroll after having $88.5 come off the books on expired contracts.

In the end, the Yankees ownership is not concerned for the well-being of the game of baseball. They are concerned about their team, their fans, and their championships.

They run their team the same way the average person runs their fantasy team or video game franchise. You play to win at all costs. You want the best team possible. You want that 27th championship!

NFL Draft: Early Prospect Analysis

Rob Smeltzer — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:23:09 -0500

As the college football season winds down and many NFL teams are starting to book tee times, it's only natural that the sports world starts thinking about the NFL Draft. As any Detroit Lions fan will tell you, "There's always next year."

Perhaps, the NFL has figured out something that every other sport has been after: parity. How else can you explain the 2008 Atlanta Falcons? It seems that every year teams shift from top to bottom and then back the next year.

There are only a couple franchises that win year in and year out and even they have the occasional down years.

The key to this parity is the draft. With one good year of drafting, a mediocre team can rise to the top and an awful team can become a playoff contender.

During a conversation heading into last year's draft, I told a friend that I wasn't high on Glenn Dorsey or Vernon Gholston, but I viewed Matt Ryan as the best player available.

I like Jake Long as a college player and an NFL fixture for a decade or more, and don't blame the Dolphins for using the No. 1 overall pick on him. But I don't know why everyone was eager to knock Ryan.

He had the size and strength that teams usually drool over and give away future picks to move up for. He did nothing but compete and win at Boston College with little talent at the skill positions around him. He finished his junior year playing on a broken foot and was the hands down leader of his team.

These are the qualities that I look for in a college prospect. I try not to fall for the workout warriors of the NFL combine. I don't care how fast a guy can run in shorts, and I don't care if he's 6'1" instead of 6'3".

People are too quick to look past the key point, "Can this guy get the job done?" Don't get me wrong, I thought Vince Young would transform the NFL, and that got me nowhere quick.

With that in mind, I've broken down some of the popular names in this year's draft class and how I think they'll fare as a pro. I've taken some liberties with juniors that may be leaving, and even threw in a couple comments about some who have said they will stay for their senior years.

Andre Smith, OT-Alabama

I've been impressed with him every time I've been able to see Alabama. The way the team can run to the left at will is beyond impressive in the SEC that brags about its athletic defensive linemen.

Smith stands 6'4", 330, which may make some teams think twice. The NFL front office types like the 6'6" or 6'7" left tackles, but this guy can flat out play. I'd take him No. 1 overall if I were the Lions.

Tim Tebow, QB-Florida

The early word is he will be back in Gainesville next season, which I believe is the correct move. Tebow is a great college QB, in fact, maybe one of the best. But I'm not sold on his NFL qualifications.

He definitely meets the requirements in terms of leadership and desire, but does he have the arm to be a pocket passer. He won't be able to push around NFL defenders like he does in college, so he may have to turn into a Steve Young type QB that can run when needed and be a weapon.

I think that another year of seasoning in college can only help his arm, and he has a chance to become the biggest college football icon of all time.

Michael Crabtree, WR-Texas Tech

I don't know if anyone doubts his talents or physical tools, but he is the definition of a premier WR. At 6'3", 214 lbs., he has the leaping ability and speed to win any battle for the ball. The ability to run the other routes will be what makes him an NFL great.

He'll catch the slant, the out, and then burn you with a double move or just run the fade and go up and get it. The play at the end of the Texas game just shows you he can't be stopped.

Matthew Stafford, QB-Georgia

I see a lot of reports linking him to the Lions at No. 1 overall. I think that would be a mistake. I don't see him as being the person to put a team on his back and change the franchise. He could be a serviceable QB in the NFL, but I just don't see anything to make me think he will be worthy of a top pick. Georgia was supposed to be loaded and fell off the map by the end of the year.

Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB-Ohio State

It's easy to knock a player for injury problems, but with Beanie's hard-nosed approach, it may be hard for him to shake that label. While he's definitely worth a first-day pick, I don't want to be the one to pull the trigger and take him.

He looked dynamic in so many games early in his career only to limp to the finish line. At the spot he'll likely be chosen in the draft, you want a player you know will be there for years to come.

I don't know if you get that with Beanie. Coming into this season, I would have said he would have an Adrian Peterson type impact, now I'm thinking more like Cedric Benson (hopefully without the off-field issues).

Rey Maualuga, LB-Southern Cal

I think Rey might be the impact player in year one for this draft class. Pete Carroll can coach and he's had linebackers flying over the field the past few seasons. Rey won the Bednarik Award and I think he'll be a quick study in the NFL. Think of what Patrick Willis did for the 49ers.

He's got a little more size than Willis and might be able to keep up in the speed department. If I were building a defense, I can think of a lot worse places to start.

Sam Bradford, QB-Oklahoma

Leave college now!!! This is a weak year for QBs, and Bradford's stock could not be higher. Don't risk an injury. Don't risk being the next Brian Brohm. If you're being talked about as a first half of the first round pick, go. Cash your paycheck and become a pretty good pro in the process.

Colt McCoy, QB-Texas

See above. This changes if anyone else leaves early, but if so many QBs are coming back, be the one to enter the draft.

Knowshon Moreno, RB-Georgia

I think he's the complete package. He's got the size, speed, and competitive edge that should take him a long way. I think he's every bit of the running back Ronnie Brown is and should be taken around the same spot in the draft.

In a decent offense, he can be the piece that completes the puzzle. While I would have liked to see him carry Georgia a little more, I think it was too easy for opponents to stack up against him and take their chances.

Malcom Jenkins, CB-Ohio State

At 6'1", 202 lbs, Jenkins has the size needed to be a premier shutdown corner in the NFL. With more than adequate speed, he'll be starting in year one and a major player by year two.

If he would have come out last year, he would have been a top 15 pick and should fall into that same range this year. He could move up into the top five to eight picks with a fast 40 at the combine.

Sleeper Alert: Shonn Greene, RB-Iowa

While everyone is aware of Greene's season, rushing for 100 yards in every game, few think he'll be a top-caliber pro. With great size to be a between the tackles runner (5'11", 235), he can contribute right away in short yardage and goal-line situations.

He won't break a lot of long runs with 4.54 speed, but he'll get you the yards you need. He was the bright spot on a run-of-the-mill Iowa team, and helped them get to a New Year's Day Bowl.

Deep Sleeper: Todd Boeckman, QB-Ohio State

While I don't see a trend of backup college quarterbacks being drafted, what exactly did Boeckman do to be benched? He led a team that was seriously over-matched, and without their best player, into Southern Cal against a team that has man-handled almost everyone on their schedule.

Boeckman has great size at 6'5" and a huge arm. He ran a spread passing offense in 2007 that was very impressive. In a class that might be short on top prospects, depending on junior decisions, Boeckman may be a late round gem. He can make the read and make the throw.

That's what being a quarterback is all about.

Sports Travel: College Football Must Sees

Rob Smeltzer — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:57:09 -0500

College football has a tradition that no other North American sport can boast. Travel. College football fans are more prone to pack up the tailgating supplies and head to an opposing venue than any other fan. That's why I felt it was important to compose a list of the best places for any fan to visit. There's something electric in the air for any college football weekend, but even more so when you pick your travel destination for the year and prepare for new experiences. For those of us who can't afford to travel whenever we get the whim, planning out trips is critical to our year. Perhaps you have the ability to take one trip per year, making the decisions even more important so that you can visit everywhere on your list before it's too late. I consider myself to be a fan of the sport of college football over any specific team which makes my vantage point unique. I enjoy the traditions of all schools and make sure to take in as much of the atmosphere as possible. To truly enjoy a college football roadtrip, try visiting as a fan of the home team. Don't make a trip to Alabama as an Auburn fan and expect to have the best experience possible. While I'm sure the Tide fans would be respectful, think how much more exciting it would be to join in the cheers and walk through the parking lot with people shouting "Roll Tide" in your direction. If you do make the trip as an opposing fan, try to mingle with the home fans. I've done this on several occasions, and I've been sure to be welcoming to any fans visiting my tailgate. I always see it as something to take pride in when someone spends their hard earned dollars to make the trip to my home stadium. Located near Ann Arbor, Michigan, I find myself at a lot of Michigan home games and have become a fan over the years. I've spent a lot of Saturday mornings and afternoons hanging out with fans from Iowa, Utah, Miami (OH), and Appalachian State. On the other hand, I've traveled to Clemson, Notre Dame, Boston College, and Penn State, and enjoyed the hospitality of the tailgaters. The people and places are what college football is all about. Whether its based off of tradition, local cuisine, campus events, game atmosphere, or anything else, these locations (in no particular order) have all made the cut as places I would like to experience. Let me know some that I may have to consider adding.

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Is the BCS Really That Bad?

Rob Smeltzer — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:04:51 -0500

Let's flash back to the days that surely Coach Paterno would remember. A day when bowl games were strictly aligned with conferences and the national champion came down to a vote without any checks and balances. A day when a team could go undefeated, be voted as No. 1, and never play a team ranked in the Top 10.

Luckily for us, those days are behind us. Now we at least get to see the No. 1 and No. 2 teams face off to end the season. There isn't much debate over whether the current BCS model is superior to the past. Many can acknowledge that today college football crowns a much more deserving champion than in the past.

However, the debate arises when people speculate over the future playoff possibilities. The majority of the talk is centered around a playoff being the be-all-end-all solution. This is where I beg to differ.

I feel that college football crowns the truest champion of any other sport in America. The grueling regular season, the conference championship games, and the non-conference scheduling all make college football the most competitive and demanding sport.

Let's take examples from around sports, and you can decide for yourself which teams really earned their title.

In 2007, the New England Patriots ran a perfect record for the entire regular season and through the playoffs up until the Super Bowl. While there is something to be said for losing to a team head-to-head, I can't help but feel they were the best team last year and they proved it.

However, the New York Giants limped through the regular season in comparison. Qualifying as a wild card team with a 10-6 record. While that's nothing to be disappointed in, whom would you rather crown the champion for the 2007 season? The 18-1 Patriots or the 14-6 Giants.

When looking at NCAA basketball, you can take almost any year as an example. Very rarely does a team go through the regular season as being ranked No. 1 and make a run all the way through the tournament. It happens, but more often than not, a team that I would rank in the No. 4-10 range wins the tournament.

If we were to incorporate some type of playoff system this season for college football, most everyone would include USC and Ohio State. Let's say they don't meet in the tournament, but USC loses in the Final Four to Florida and Ohio State were to get hot in the tournament and run the table.

Who would you want as your national champion? USC and Ohio State would have two losses each and USC blew the doors off Ohio State earlier in the year.

The debate would still exist. Creating a playoff system wouldn't eliminate the debate, it would just create a different one. And don't tell me that there wouldn't be teams feeling left out of an eight- or 16-team field. We have to listen to ESPN interview coaches who were left out of a 65-team basketball field, who feel they have a right to be there.

We shouldn't be crowning the team who's hottest at the end of the year. We should be saluting a year's worth of work, effort, and dedication. The real champions are those who show up game in and game out, and win without excuses. I'd say that the BCS delivers this team more accurately than any other system in any other sport.

Big "Time" Ben Roethlisberger

Rob Smeltzer — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:04:17 -0500

This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans in a matchup that will be a large step for both teams in securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Anyone who has followed the NFL this year can tell you this game will be a defensive slugfest. In fact, it won't be surprising if there isn't an offensive touchdown scored in the game.

The Titans defense has been able to dominate this season by holding opponents to only 187.6 YPG through the air and 93.4 YPG on the ground. Both of these stats are good enough to rank in the top ten in the league. Most of the publicity this year has gone to Defensive MVP candidate Albert Haynesworth. The monster in the middle of the defensive line has been almost immovable and at times has taken over games.

However, it’s easy to overlook their complete shutdown corner, Cortland Finnegan. He’s one of the league’s best and can eliminate the top receiver of almost any team. With five interceptions on the season, he trails only Troy Polamalu for the league lead. The good news for the Steelers is that Tennessee will be without Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch this week.

The one offensive difference maker for the Steelers this year has been Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers fifth-year quarterback has made his living off of coming through in the clutch and making the unorthodox play look routine. The offensive line had taken some heat for not creating a steady rushing game and failing to keep Roethlisberger upright, but the blame doesn’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the big men.

Ben has a habit of holding the ball for an eternity, trying to extend each play and make something out of nothing. He does seem to have a knack for making these plays this year, just like in 2005 when he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory.

Throughout this season, Ben has battled injuries that have limited his passing accuracy and strength. At times, it seemed as though the play calling was affected by his limitations and probably cost the team the game against the Colts. There was not a pass attempt over 10 yards in the entire second half of the game and the Colts crept up their coverage to force key interceptions. However, when healthy, Ben looks to have that little bit of moxie that helps him make the big play when needed.

The Titans come into the game struggling slightly. It’s hard to fault a team that started the season with ten straight wins, but going 2-2 in their last four has left people questioning if they can rediscover that magic. Even with Pittsburgh’s staunch run defense, Tennessee should find its best success running LenDale White inside. This seems to be the one area that teams have found a little running room against the vaunted 3-4 scheme.

Look for Collins to look to his safety valves with Dick LeBeau throwing every blitz at him. Chris Johnson could excel in this role similarly to the way the Cowboys used Tashard Choice a few weeks back.

On the other side of the ball, look for the Steelers to push the run and the underneath passing to control the clock and not make any mistakes. The depleted defensive line of the Titans may have trouble keeping pressure on Big Ben the whole game as his scrambling and large frame could wear down the pass rush over four quarters.

Look for the Steelers to take a fourth quarter lead on a Roethlisberger to Heath Miller touchdown and let their defense close it out on the road to take a huge step toward the home field advantage that looked unattainable a few weeks ago.