A New Era of Pirates Baseball

Those Battlin' Buc's

  The energy is different, the names of both the coaches and players have changed and so has the attitude of these 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates.  After nearly a generation in which the organization had to continually dig itself out of  poor personnel decisions, cheap ownership, poor coaching and false promises to it's fans, the Pirates seem to be poised to make a move into the middle. The crowded ranks of MLB's average teams. All that said, I remain cautiously optimistic and remind myself that it is only May. But, I still can't resist the visions of fighting for a playoff spot in late August and September.  
  These Bucco's have a certain energy surrounding them, an aura so to speak. They are winning the games they used to lose and getting the breaks. No matter what sport, all teams that try to break through to that next level go through it. In football, it's a team like Tampa Bay or Arizona finally going to a Super Bowl. In basketball, it was like the Chicago Bull's landing Michael Jordan and growing with him. And in Hockey it was like our beloved Penguins drafting Mario Lemieux to completely change the culture of a futile franchise. An example of this sports karma, so to speak, went on display last night during Jose Tabata's "catch" in the eighth inning against the Dodgers. If it's ruled a trap, the Pirates probably don't win the game against the troubled Dodgers. The Dodgers are going through ownership troubles of their own and MLB has taken over operations of the team. That hasn't even happened here. But, that's sports and one could say the Pirates and the Dodgers have changed spots in the landscape of MLB. 
  We've seen special teams and seasons before in Pittsburgh where things just seemed to the right way. It's the "benefit-of-the-doubt" factor that teams must earn . For example, the Steelers's phantom touchdown against Miami last season that gave the Steelers a one-point win on the road.That Miami win became a even bigger win at the end of the season when it came to playoff seeding.  Big Ben's QB sneak that was ruled a touchdown in Super Bowl XL. And, Sidney Crosby leaving game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals with an injury, with his team down 1-0 to the defending champion Red Wings, only to watch his Penguins pullout a 2-1 win and capture the cup. 
  These Pirates have this type energy and momentum going for them. An energy that won't come  from opening up a checkbook.  A much needed change for a team that has had the grayest of clouds hanging overhead on the sunniest summer of days. I don't see this team playing for just a .500 record. This team wants to win. The Battlin' Bucs have as many wins as the Rangers and the Giants to tie last year's World Series teams with 18 wins. Remain in third pace behind perennial division leader St. Louis and last year's upstart Cincinnati Reds. The Buc's won the series against both teams earlier in the season. But as all Pirates fans know the true test will come against Milwaukee. The Pirates will travel to brew-town after they wrap-up this series against L.A. I like this series for the Buc's for a number of reasons. But, the main one is that it's on the road where the Pirates are 11-8 this season.       

2011 1st round NFL Draft Results and Commentary

 Ahh what a spectacle it was,  players huggin' it out with the mighty commish; just like the "olde" days when owners and players had the common goal of winning on Sundays and not in the court room. But last night was a cause to celebrate and not to alienate these freshly minted millionaires into an exclusive fraternity known as the NFL. NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell looked uncomfortable when he stood fornt and center as all the Boo Birds chanted "We want football". The Commish responed with an "I hear ya!" over and over. Can someone please tell Goodell that redheads don't tan, we burn. He needs to give the tanning booth a rest and get back to the bargaining table. The 26th pick went all over the place in this year's draft. Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City to Baltimore. Overall it was an exciting

 No. 1, Carolina Panthers- Cameron Newton (QB)- Auburn, Well Rivera is on the clock with this choice. Either toward respectability or to unemployment. He should have waited to hire an offensive coordinator. Hopefully, Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski won't ruin him and helps build- up the confidence of Newton by playing to his strengths first instead of jamming things down his throat right away. All the while, this pick becomes a waste and the Ron Rivera era begins with extreme scrutiny if after a year of professional football under his belt, last years second round pick Casey Clausen out-performs Newton in training camp and ends up becoming the opening day starter? This pick clearly speaks of Rivera's opinion of Clausen and potentially Rivera's eye for talent.


No. 2, Denver Broncos- Von Miller (LB)- Texas A&M, After not one, but two less than stellar first round picks last year, both on offense, the Broncos really needed to address the defense. Miller needs to start right away for the Broncos and become a force from the beginning. Interesting that they do go defense with Bronco great John Elway in his "special advisory role." Great pick in a wide-open mediocre AFC West. Could this be a special draft for the lowly Bronco's? Miller's ever-running motor and relentless pursuit of the QB will put quarterbacks on notice for years to come. Hey, he could always play safety!



No. 3, Buffalo Bills- Marcell Dareus (DT)- Alabama, The Bills couldn't really go wrong as long as he is a starter right away. The  Bill's haven't had much sucess drafting defense in recent years and thought the pick would have been best suited for the offensive side of the ball- QB, WR or a play maker.Dareus needs to start week one and give the struggling Buffalo defense an identity..



No. 4, Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green (WR)- Georgia, With Carson Palmer's attitude toward never playing again for the Bengals again, the only pick here should have been a quarterback. But maybe Bengal brass feel like they can lure him back with a new toy. At worst, Carson's brother, Jordan, should have fun throwing the ball around with Green until a decent QB arrives. But, to Marvin Lewis' credit, this was the safest and smartest pick for a team struggling to change it's losing culture and drafting players with character issues.




No. 5, Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Peterson (CB)- LSU, A quarterback was the only answer here. Make Fitzgerald happy and get him someone who can get him the ball or he's gonna leave. Think he liked watching Anquan Boldin playing in late Januaury? While Wisenhunt may have caught lightening in a bottle his first year, we all know now that was because Kurt Warner could get the ball to the wide receivers which made the whole offense work. But, a shut-down corner is a premium in a pass happy league. Wisenhunt rolled the dice by not going QB here and will be first in line at the cafeteria on QB day when the league returns for business.



No. 6, Atlanta Falcons (from Cleveland)- Julio Jones (WR)- Alabama, Great pick that came at a high price.But, QB Matt Ryan is going to be picking secondaries apart with the weapons he has a wide receiver and at tight end. This pick immediately makes the Falcons the early NFC favorites going into the 2011 season.




No. 7, San Francisco- Aldon Smith (DE)- Missouri,  One would think that Harbaugh would go QB here and he will but not this year. His former pupil, Stanford QB Oliver Luck, will be on his board in next years draft. This is a good year for the 49ers to see who they have at QB i.e. Alex Smith and Troy Smith. The 49ers will also aggressively seek a veteran QB in free agency. Maybe Palmer? But after last years two first round choices going to the offensive line, The 49ers had to address the defense.





No. 8, Tennessee Titans- Jake Locker (QB)- Washington, It's official, the Vince Young era is over and it will be Kerry Collins' job, once again, to mentor a young QB. Touted as the anti-Vince Young, Locker is expected to be the QB the Titan's wished Young would have been. The much more mature Locker should become the QB nerd in a AFC South division where he'll be competing against Peyton Manning

No. 9, Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith (OT)- USC, Dallas QB Tony Romo has to be gushing like a little school boy over this one. Romo 's season ended early when a hit broke his collar bone. Smith is expected to be long-time tackle Flozell Adams' successor.






No. 10, Jacksonville Jaguars (from Washington)- Blaine Gabbert (QB)- Missouri, Jacksonville moves up and gets a much needed QB. In the long run, this pick will save Del Rio's job in Jacksonville if all goes well. However, Gabbert will have time to learn the position and eventually be Garrards replacement. It will be interesting to see how the Jag's move Gabbert along in the learning process. Gabbert is coming from a spread offense at Missouri. Hopefully he doesn't end up like Missouri's other stud QB Chase Daniel who's skills are having a hard time transferring over to the NFL.


  



No. 11, Houston Texans- J.J. Watt (DE)- Wisconsin, The Texans got their bookends on defense in former No.1 pick Mario Williams and now Watt. Great pick for a defense that had a hard time getting to the QB last year








No. 12, Minnesota Vikings- Christian Ponder (QB)- Florida State, After Minnesota lost Locker to Tennessee, there were reports the Vikings were looking to move down in the draft, instead, Minnesota took Ponder much in the way Pittsburgh took Roethlisberger when Rivers was taken by the Giants and eventually shipped off to San Diego for Eli. Great pick for the Vikings.




No. 13, Detroit Lions- Nick Fairly (DT)- Auburn, When a player like this falls in your lap the Lions did what any rebuilding team would do-take him! Couple this pick with last years No.1 pick Suh and the Lions are a serious contender in the now competitive NFC North for years to come. The Vikings' Ponder will get to meet Suh and Fairly in the backfield in coming years.



No. 14, St Louis Rams- Robert Quinn (DE), North Carolina, A player who didn't play college football in 2010 goes in the first round- this is the new NFL! Great pick for a defense in need of help on the defensive line. With Long and Laurenitis, the Rams are putting together the pieces to become a force upfront in an NFC West that has relatively inexperienced QB's around the division.



No. 15, Miami Dolphins- Mike Pouncey (C/G)- Florida, By drafting Pouncey this must mean the Dolphins are Giving QB Chad Henne another year to develop. If he's anything like his brother, Pouncey will become an immediate starter and longtime anchor for the Dolphin's offensive line for man years. Henne's needs to start taking reps with his new best friend ASAP.







No. 16, Washington Redskins (from Jacksonville)- Ryan Kerrigan (LB)- Purdue, With a reputation as a hard worker, Kerrigan will be expected to become the leader of an underachieving defense. By not drafting a QB, this could be a silent vote of confidence for Donovan McNabb to start at QB in 2011?



No. 17, New England Patriots- Nate Solder (OT)- Colorado, This should give Brady some peace of mind while the Patriots work out the free agent contracts on their offensive line.A solid pick considering offensive tackles have been going quicker than the Patriots defensive needs. With the 28th pick I would expect the Patriots to go defense.







No. 18, San Diego Chargers- Corey Liuget (DT)- Illinois, After last years less than spectacular pick in running back Ryan Matthews, the Chargers, and especially  head coach Norv Turner, really need this pick to produce. Turner's job depends on it. This pick addresses a need on horrible special teams unit and provide a presence on defense the Chargers haven't had since Shawne Merriman's first few seasons.







No. 19, New York Giants- Prince Amukamara (CB), Nebraska, A solid choice in a division with some speedy wide receivers.Amukamara will need to adjust his technique to live up to his draft spot. Overall, a surprise pick by Coughlin who seems to always pick a stud out of Boston College when his former school produces first round talent.





No. 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Adrian Clayborn (DE)- Iowa, A monster on the D-line, Clayborne should be the final piece to the Buc's defensive puzzle. Tampa Bay put the NFC South offensive coordinators on notice with this pick. Couple this pick with last year's No. 1 in Gerald McCoy and the Buccaneers will be giving







Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City)- Phil Taylor (DT)- Baylor (via Penn State), Don't look now but the "Clev Brownies" are putting together a team. With a couple of unforeseen trades that increased their number of draft choices in both 2011 and 2012, the Browns have lined themselves up for a memorable draft class. Could this be the draft that makes them competitive in the AFC North? Not sure why the Browns didn't go after Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers but Holmgren seems to know what he's doing.





No. 22, Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Castonzo (OT), Boston College, As long as the Colt's can keep Manning up-right, they'll have a chance and they know it!









No. 23, Philadelphia Eagles- Danny Watkins (OT)- Baylor, The Eagles go out and get Vick a 26-year-old rookie to protect him. Sounds good on paper, but wait util he has to try and run block for the running quarterback.







No. 24, New Orleans Saints- Cameron Jordan (DE), California, The Saints plug in an opening day starter with Jordan. Surprised the Saints didn't take a running back here after last season's lack of depth at the position in 2010. Saint running backs had a hard time staying healthy last year. Look for the saints to address this need in the second round. With the exception of Alabama's Mark Ingram, the talent at running back this year belongs in the second round.





No. 25, Seattle Seahawks- James Carpenter (OL), Alabama, A surpirse pick for Pete Carroll who is need of QB Matt Hasselbeck's heir apparent. Maybe Hasselbeck can stay healthy with a little added protection. Is Charlie Whitehurst the answer?


No. 26, Kansas City Chiefs- Johnathan Baldwin (WR)- Pittsburgh, A tall receiver who can get down the field in a hurry. Had a poor senior year due to a freshman QB at Pitt. Could have come out last year and been drafted higher. A great tool for K.C. QB Matt Cassell.




No. 27, Baltimore Ravens (passed on 26th pick, slid to 27th; 27th pick from Cleveland who traded with Atlanta for No. 6 overall)- Jimmy Smith (CB), Colorado, Solid pick and a great fit for defense who had a hard time stopping the big play down the field last season.




No. 28, (from New England)- Mark Ingram (RB)- Alabama, The Saints moved back into the first round to draft the highest rated running back and Heisman Trophy winner. Ingram should give the Saints the every-down back they thought they were getting with Reggie Bush. The pick should send a message to Bush to put his house up for sale. The Saints are playing with house money for rest of the 2011 draft. All the teams in the NFC South have really had a solid first round.





No. 29, Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi (OT), Wisconsin, No excuse for Cutler now, as the the Bears go and address their OL needs. Whoever starts at QB for the Bears in the future will benefit from this pick. The Bears OL got QB's knoked out of games left and right last season.




No. 30, New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson (DT), Temple, The Jets boost a DL that gave up a lot of short distance first downs last season.





No. 31, Pittsburgh Steelers- Cameron Heyward (DE), Ohio State, A surprise pick for a team in need of OL and who's secondary got scalped by Green Bay's Rodgers.  








No. 32, Green Bay Packers- Derek Sherrod (OT), Mississppi State, The Packers sure up their protection for their franchise QB Aaron Rodgers.