Another NFL SideLine Hit

Surprise, surprise another NFL sideline hit, this one seems a little more thought out then the now famous Jets trip.

Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ads to Steal the Show.

The most discussed topic leading up to the Super Bowl might not have anything to do with the Saints or Colts. Former Florida Quarterback and potential NFL Draft Pick Tim Tebow is scheduled to appear in two pro-life commercials during the game. It’s not known what the contents of the commercials are, but they are paid for by Focus on the Family and said to celebrate life. Abortion groups are trying to pull the ad from CBS. The back story is Tebow was born in the Philippines, his mother a Christian missionary was urged to have an abortion. I wonder how Tebow will use his platform as a Pro and will he be outspoken. Also will he have an effect on how other athletes use their public presence?

Tim might remind people there are more important things in life than football games. I have a feeling we'll see a lot of anti Tebow stories over the next few weeks.

2010 Sports Predictions

It’s time again for my world famous sports predictions for coming year. Of my 2009 predictions some were on target, and some were close and some, well they just didn’t happen. For 2010 my visions are cloudy, but the Oracle of the Allegheny will be on the mark with these predictions.

England will win the World Cup.

I know England never does well at the World Cup, but this year the draw is set up perfectly for them. They have a fairly easy road to the Final.

Carolina Kostner will win Gold in Figure Skating

She’ll get good karma since she interviewed with us.



Sidney Crosby will be at the center of controversy in Vancouver.

I don’t know what yet, but something is will happen

No Undeafeated Teams from non-BCS Conferences.

2009 was the year of the little guy, next year their will be no surprise runs for the likes of TCU, Boise, etc.

Paula Creamer will win 2010 US Women’s Open at Oakmont

I might even go to see it live.

Tiger Woods will play in 2010

He’ll be back for better or worse.



Victoria Azarenka will become the top tennis star in the world.

Simple as that.

Bob Nutting will Sale the Pirates.

If only one of these predictions comes true, pray that it’s this one.



Lions make the NFL Playoffs

Correct, that’s the Detroit Lions, by the time the calendar flips to 2011, the Lions will have a playoff birth wrapped up.

Happy New Year from RizzoSports.com

Undefeated NFL Team?

Will this be the year we finally see an undefeated NFL team? Right now Indianapolis and New Orleans are both 13-0. The fact that there are two undefeated teams should help each team by spreading out the pressure.

New Orleans only has one tough game until the playoffs and that is next week, at home against Dallas. Indianapolis has to play at Jacksonville this Thursday, which could be tough. Both are dome teams, but that actually might help them, since they would have home field in the playoffs. If they can get through the regular season, they won’t have to worry about bad weather causing problems for them.

We learned with New England a couple of years ago, unless both teams meet in the Super Bowl as undefeateds, nothing is for certain.

Detorit Lions on the Rise?

I’m not saying tomorrow's Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay will be close, but after a decade of losing the Lions look headed in the right direction. A lot will depend on QB Matt Statfford, who is doubtful for tomorrow’s game. Quarterback is by the most important position and Detroit will not have a wining season until they have an above average QB. The reason to optimistic is they drafted much better this year without Matt Millen in charge. Rookie Brandon Pettigrew ultimately might turn into the NFL’s best TE. Their second and third round picks are actually 2nd and 3rd on the team in tackles. Second year player Calvin Johnson looks like a top WR. If the Lions can get two impact defensive players in next year’s draft, add another in free agency, then maybe you’ll see them on TV more than once a year.

Steelers Super Bowl Six Pack Commercial

Pittsburgh Steelers Win Super Bowl 43 !!!



The guys from the Davison Video Department sent this short Steeler video.

Looking ahead to a 7th Steelers Super Bowl Ring.

Is this the start of a new Steelers Dystansy

I know the Steelers have yet to win their 6th Super Bowl ring, but with all the media coverage, I decided to do something different and look at the Steelers chances for a Super Bowl return. As long they can make the playoffs, they'll have a good chance to reach a Super Bowl. As long as Ben is playing at QB, they’ll be a playoff team. In theory the offense should improve next season, Holmes, Sweed, and Washington all 25 and younger should have their good years ahead of them. RB should be set with Parker & Mendenhall. Also TE is young and good, with Miller, and Spaeth. The key to the Steelers over the next five years, will be the level Hampton(31), Keisel(30), and Smith(32) can play at. They should be able to find a long term Farrior replacement, and if Troy can stay healthy, there could be more rings on the way. The secondary should have 5 good years in them, easy. They also have a young coach, in Mike Tomlin, who should only get better as well. The key to the Steelers franchise has always been a solid front office, and ownership group. Their drafting has been good, and they always seem to find an impact player, thus even more help could be on the way.

All said the Steelers could make the Super Bowl and annual event over the next five year.

Steelers are one step closer to another Super Bowl.

Everything is setting up perfectly for the Steelers after a playoff win against San Diego. The Steelers will be at home when they take on Baltimore next week. All the key players for Pittsburgh are healthy. Including Willie Parker, who could and should be the difference. The Steelers’ defense is so good the offense doesn’t have to press or worry, because they know the game won’t get away. While people may say it’s tough to beat a team three times in a row, there is reason why the Ravens haven’t beaten the Steelers. There is still hope for an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl, as Philadelphia is alive in the NFC. So Sunday night at 6:30 it will be the Steelers vs. the Ravens with the winner going to the Super Bowl.

Steelers Look to Advance to AFC Championship Game.

The big sports story this weekend will be the Steelers hosting the Changers in the NFL Playoffs. If all things were equal the Steelers would have an advantage over San Diego Sunday, simply because of the weather conditions. With Tomlinson injured, it’s doubtful the Changers will be very effective offensively. Fourteen points will probably be enough for the Steelers. It might be interesting but I fully expect the Steelers to win, as they’re eying a Super Bowl.

I also wanted to clarify a point from yesterday’s column, where I said, Freeport and Ford City were scheduled to play Thursday night. The game was actually played on Wednesday night with Ford City squeaking out a 40-39 win. The FC Boys have another critical match-up tonight at Burrell.

Also the Kittanning Boys are now 6-6 overall and in a playoff hunt.

Steelers Season Recap

The Steelers finished the regular season with a 12-4 record. As most of us know, they’ll receive the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs and have an opening round bye. The main story heading into the playoffs will be Ben Roethlisberger and his concussion. A lot of people are really upset about him being in the line-up to begin with. Should he not play and the Steelers lose in two weeks, I don’t even want to think about what Steelers fans will do.

As for the overall season, you have to give Mike Tomlin and the Steelers credit. To go 12-4 with
their schedule was pretty impressive. A positive out of yesterday’s game, is that Willie Parker looks like he’s getting back to 100%. Hines Ward also finished with his first 1,000 yard receiving
season. The Steelers finish the year with the best overall defense and look ready to make a run to the Super Bowl

Hugo Bezdek

Only Man To Be NFL Head CoachAnd MLB Manager Check this resume’ for a man who wasn’t even born in this country. Major League Baseball Scout, Pittsburgh Pirates. Major League Baseball Manager, Pittsburgh Pirates. NFL Head Football Coach, Cleveland Rams. College Football Head Coach, 124-54-16 record. Member of the College Football Hall Of Fame.

His name is Hugo Bezdek and he holds the distinction of being the only man ever to have served as both manager of a MLB team and head coach in the NFL. Bezdek, a native of Prague/Czech Republic, played fullback at the University of Chicago for Amos Alonzo Stagg and was third team All-America in 1905. He also played second base on the college baseball team.

As a college football coach, he had two undefeated seasons and a Rose Bowl victory. His players looked forward to game competition, considering his practice sessions a lot tougher. Bezdek was 68 when he passed away in 1952. I’ll bet you never even heard his name mentioned before reading this article.

I pulled this article from Bob Tatran's site www.dribblebob.com - There are many great stories like this one and strongly incourage you to check them out.

Steelers Now Clear AFC Super Bowl Favorites.

The Pittsburgh Steelers led by their defense are now clear favorites to reach the Super Bowl. The Steelers are on a four game wining streak, after Sunday home win against Dallas. If they can win in Baltimore this weekend they’ll basically lock up a first round bye. The following week they play a very interesting game on the road against Tennessee. Despite they’re good record Pittsburgh’s defense should be able to control the Titans. The Steelers still could lock up home field if they can win out, and Indianapolis defeats Tennessee on the final weekend. Regardless, with the defensive play this strong, the Steelers seem headed to another Super Bowl.

What’s going to happen to the Steelers?

Many Steelers fans are asking about the direction this team is headed. On the field the Steelers have fallen to 6-3 and are now tied with Baltimore in the division. The Steelers hope Willie Parker, will be back, and can help lead them to victory against a San Diego team fighting for a playoff spot. Off the field, an ownership shake up looks immanent, this could have major
implications down the road. Even if it looks very likely someone in the Rooney family will have majority control. What happens with the Steelers on and off the field over the next few weeks will be very interesting.

Pittsburgh Steelers for Sale?

The Wall Street Journal is reporting the Pittsburgh Steelers are secretly being shopped around. Due to a Rooney family feud, the famous family owners of the Steelers might be looking to sell.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121546397767833575.html

NFL Draft: Maria Sharapova is on teams radar.

Tennis phenom Maria Sharapova might have a future in the NFL as the league's first female athlete.


Sharapova who has just about accomplished everything she can on the tennis court, might have another sport in her future. People forget Sharapova is only 20 years old, and this is first year she could eligible for the draft. Physically she has all the tools, at 6'2 with a great arm. Since her 110mph+ serve motion is virtually identical to throwing a football. She has been working with a QB coach and can easily throw a NFL football 55 yards. While her arm strength might be only average at best by NFL standards, one scout said her intelligence is superior to any QB in this year's draft class. A Dolphins scout said "She reads routs better 50% of the current starters in the NFL"



A lot to teams are interested in drafting her, just to acquire her image rights, regardless of if she works out as a player. Obviously one of the most popular athlete in the world, NFL teams would stand to make millions just with a small portion of her image rights.

While most NFL teams are only looking at her strictly as a quarterback, sources also say Matt Millen and the Lions are considering her as a receiver.



We'll see if a team makes an late round gamble on her in the draft...

Big Ben: Pittsburgh's 1st $100m Sports Figure

Big Ben got the big bucks - over $100 million for an 8 year contract extension.

Myron Cope Passes

Myron Cope, Pittsburgh most famous sports caster has passed away today.

http://kdka.com/steelers/Myron.Cope.dies.2.663862.html

Cope is most famous for inventing the terrible towel and for his voice covering Steeler football games. He started out as a sports journalis in Erie PA before moving to Pittsburgh. He has written books, and at one time hosted a very popular sports talk radio show in Pittsburgh.

Patriots cheated in every game since 2000

According to these widely reported details from the meeting between Arlen Specter and the NFL:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9pfCVi7MZaIaiOa9GuXY20jXKKwD8UPPRDO0

"Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal; Goodell said he did not concur." If Belichick thought that, then there is no reason to believe he wouldn't have taped every team he played against.

Alan Faneca

by: Brian Stevens

What are the Steelers going to do when Alan Faneca finally leaves to find his big "pay day"?? He is the anchor of the offensive line, a leader on the team, and well know around the league. But did his value drop this season after the Steelers gave up 47 sacks this season and 93 sacks in the last two seasons? Most Pittsburghers bashed Fanea last year after he announced he was going to move on after the '07 season. In my mind the team will be better off. I strongly believe Faneca brought down the chemistry of the O-Line. Many professional players allow money to distract them from playing to their full potential. Alan felt insulted and underappreciated here in Pittsburgh. Which wasn't the case. The Steelers drafted Faneca in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft ahead of Jerome Pathon, Patrick Surtain, and Joe Jurevicius and several rounds ahead of guys like Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Birk, Jeremiah Trotter, and Az-Zahir Hakim to name a few. The bottom line is the Steelers know talent. The draft, the shape it, they release it. Many guys have hit their peak in Pittsburgh and washout in other cities. Its a real shame that money has sculpted the NFL into the business it is today, but that's our world. Money first, toys second, women third and loyalty forth. We have so many past Steelers legends living here in Pittsburgh. They started their careers here and ended their careers here. They are looked at like gods!! People line up for hours to meet them. And then there's guys like Antwaan Randle El who break our hearts. People like Alan Faneca who strongly believes he's worth more than he is. The Steelers need his knowledge, his experience and his leadership and he's going to walk away for a few extra dollars. What happened to pride??

Brian Stevens, Pittsburgh, PA

Now that Eli has led the Giants to the Super Bowl, is top of 04' QB class?

Eli Manning has led the NY Giants to the Super Bowl, but would you rate him as the top quarterback of the 2004 NFL Draft. To an extent Eli, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger, will always be linked. So far it seems all 3 players ended up in the right city and situation. Who would rate as the top QB of 2004 NFL Draft?



Big Ben has aready won a Super Bowl, Phillip Rivers has been to an AFC Championship game and at times looked great. Now Eli seems to coming into his own.

Who is the best Quarterback of the 2004 NFL Draft Class?

• 
  
  Eli Manning


• 
  
  Big Ben


• 
  
  Philip Rivers

view results

Eli Manning - (76-64)
Rating: 73.4
Passing Yards: 11,385
TD-INT: 77-64

Ben Roethlisberger
Rating: 92.5
Passing Yards: 11,673
TD-INT: 84-54

Philip Rivers
Rating: 86.6
Passing Yards: 6,688
TD-INT: 44-25


Image source: AP Photo/David Duprey