Nothing Special

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls can’t let it go. The Special Teams.

How the hell can you commit SIX (!) penalties on Special Teams in one game? Those six penalties included two holding calls on one kickoff return (hey, we’re halfway to Browns Territory there), and two other penalties by first-round draft choice Lawrence Timmons.

In all, the Steelers allowed a whopping 101 yards on five punt returns, including the backbreaking 73-yard burn by Steve Breaston. Two other punts were kicked out of bounds, thankfully.

For all the talk about the Ken Whisenhunt/Russ Grimm factor, for our money, the Kevin Spencer/Bob Ligashesky factor was at least as important. Again, for all the emphasis the Steelers put on Special Teams during the preseason, they should never commit six penalties on Special Teams in one game – let alone allow a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Frankly, the penalties bother Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls more than Breaston’s touchdown. Guys like Breaston and Devin Hester will do that. But the penalties … that’s something your guys can control.

Bob Ligashesky, this one’s on you.

Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review …

The ineligible downfield penalty on fullback Carey Davis which necessitated a re-punt that resulted in WR Steve Breaston's tie-breaking, 73-yard return for a touchdown was one of six called against the Steelers' special teams.

Too many yellow flags vs. Arizona

Quarter	Player	Special teams play	Infraction/Penalty
Second	LB Lawrence Timmons	Punt	Player out of bounds/ 5 yards
Fourth	LB LaMarr Woodley	Punt Return	Holding/10 yards
Fourth	Davis	Ineligible Downfield	Re-punt/Return for TD
Fourth	TE Jerame Tuman	Kickoff Return	Holding/10 yards
Fourth	FS Anthony Smith	Kickoff Return	Holding/Declined
Fourth	Timmons	Onside Kick	Offside/5 yards

---------------------------

The Steelers had better fix their Special Teams, or it’s going to be a long season. They may even end up hearing something like ...

"We have four fouls on the offense: Illegal formation, offense,
No. 56. That penalty is declined. Holding, No. 90, that penalty is declined. Holding, No. 35, that penalty will be enforced, 10 yards from the end of the kick. We had an ineligible player downfield on the kick, that penalty is declined."
-- Official announcing the four penalties the Browns committed on their first punt to the Steelers in the 2007 season opener in Cleveland.

At the Quarter-Pole Already

Idle thoughts at the quarter-pole of the NFL season …

· Okay, so the Steelers are 3-1 at the quarter-pole. Not bad, but … they’d better beat the Seahawks on Sunday to carry a 4-1 record heading into the bye week. Losing two straight going into the bye would leave a leave a very bad taste and provoke a whole lot of questioning and self-doubt throughout the two-week layover – especially because the rest of the schedule gets tougher from here on out.

· Having said that, it sure is fun to watch the Bengals and Ravens implode so early in the season. Nice little tête-a-tête last night between Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, eh?

· On the flip side, it’s worrisome to see the Patriots, Colts and Cowboys playing at a level so far above that of other teams. It’s a long season, but we’re a quarter of the way through already, and those three teams show no sign of slowing down.

· In baseball, Pirates’ manager Jim Tracy apparently is twisting in the wind, as new management decides whether to fire him or retain his services for the third year of his three-year contract.

If fired, the Pirates would pay off the approximately $1 million in salary they owe him, based on terms of the contract. With the Pirates, it seems, money is always a factor.

In some ways, Jim Tracy doesn’t seem like a bad guy, or even a bad manager (sometimes), notwithstanding 95-loss and 94-loss seasons in 2006 and 2007, respectively. On the other hand, his hiring by Dave Littlefield absolutely reeked of cronyism, as did his attachment to former Dodgers like Cesar Izturis, Jose Hernandez, Matt Kata, etc., etc. Worse, his questionable ability to evaluate talent – Joe Randa over Freddy Sanchez? – mirrored that of Dave Littlefield. Worse still, he demonstrated stubborn pettiness that seemed of a personal nature, both in Los Angeles in his well-publicized dispute with then-general manager Paul DePodesta, and in Pittsburgh with certain players. The capper came at the end of the season, with the paternity-leave fiasco with Jack Wilson and Solomon Torres. Tracy’s insistence that Wilson and Torres return early to the team, for no reason that makes sense, will leave a lingering aftertaste, and not a good one.

Our hunch is that management will ask Tracy to shake up his coaching staff. He will refuse, of course, and thus be fired.

Excerpts From MJD’s Monday Smorgasbord

Over on Deadspin, MJD’s Smorgasbord contains the following nuggets culled from his watching the Steelers-Cardinals game, among others. It’s recommended reading, and too good not to share … so here are excerpts from MJD’s Smorgasbord, via Deadspin:

• "And speaking of wonderful people ... fuck you, Joey Porter. Guaranteeing a win against the Raiders, and then getting pushed around all day by Justin Fargas and five oafs in front of him ... it just couldn't happen to a better guy. Please feel free to shut the fuck up for the rest of your career now."
• "In fact, there should be consequences for something like that. If you guarantee a win, and then don't back it up, particularly against the Raiders ... the NFL should step in and do something. Mandatory retirement seems appropriate ... perhaps he could be fined his entire yearly salary. Or maybe Roger Goodell could just implement some kind of new punishment, where players aren't allowed to speak for weeks at a time ... I'd like that."
• "Steelers/Cardinals is underway ... and for the second week in a row, I get to see Ben Roethlisberger attempt to block someone. It's just sick-looking ... he ends up laying face down on the grass, the defender untouched ... I really wish I didn't have to see that. It feels like I just walked in on Betty White taking a shit."
• "Santonio Holmes just scored because he can run faster than any of the people assigned to stop him from scoring ... Large Benjamin just heaved one up, Santonio ran under it, and got there before anyone else ... 42-yard TD and a 7-0 lead for the Steelers."
• "Kurt Warner's finally entered the game for the Cardinals ... and he's putting a drive together, and the Cardinals are about this thing. Warner finishes it off with a short pass to a fellow named Urban, who sort of catches it, and sort of doesn't ... On the 40-yard-line, I tend to think that one's ruled an incompletion. The only reason he gets away with it here is that a "football move" is not required once you're in the endzone."
• "Steve Breaston is finally going to take one of these ridiculous, booming Daniel Sepulveda punts to the house ... and the Cardinals lead the Steelers 14-7 in the fourth quarter. This is rather amazing."
• "While we're back on the subject of Santonio ... Dan Dierdorf just called him "San Antonio" Holmes. Somewhere at home, Santonio's mom is watching and thinking to herself, "HA! I finally got someone. Now go do your homework, Langeles and Nork."

That’s Spesh-i-al

Ironic, isn’t it, given all the attention on Special Teams during the pre-season, that the Steelers’ special teams play on Sunday, well, wasn’t so special? Special Teams gaffes on consecutive plays early in the fourth quarter were pivotal.

After the Steelers’ Carey Davis was flagged for leaving too early on a Daniel Sepulveda punt early in the fourth quarter, the Arizona Cardinals’ Steve Breaston, formerly of the University of Michigan and Pittsburgh’s Woodland Hills High School, blazed through coverage for a 73-yard punt-return touchdown.

Davis’s penalty was one of way too many penalties – a total 11 for 73 yards, with a whopping six penalties on special teams alone.

Worse, with Hines Ward out, the Cardinals’ defense showed little respect for the Steelers’ passing game and stacked up against the run, limiting Willie Parker to just 37 yards on 19 carries.

With no running game to support him, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled in the second half, throwing two interceptions while completing just 9-of-21 passes for 124 yards and one late touchdown.

And, if Breaston’s touchdown wasn’t the pivotal play in the game, then Roethlisberger’s third-quarter interception in the end zone was. Following James Harrison’s fumble recovery that gave the Steelers first and goal at the four yard line, Roethlisberger, on a third-and-goal play from the two yard line, inexplicably threw into triple coverage and was picked off by safety Adrian Wilson. The interception breathed new life into the Cardinals and shifted momentum for good.

“This loss is on me,” Roethlisberger said. “I can't throw a pick in the end zone. The defense gives you an opportunity, and you throw it away. It's disappointing. It's frustrating. You feel like you let guys down.”

Maybe.

Roethlsiberger seemed off his game, especially in the second half, but he didn’t get much help from his receivers, except for Santonio Holmes, who had six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Cedric Wilson and Nate Washington seemingly ran the wrong routes all day, and Washington had at least a couple drops. It also didn’t help that the offensive line struggled to protect Roethlisberger, who took four sacks and was harassed repeatedly.

But if Roethlisberger’s end-zone interception shifted momentum in the Cardinals’ favor, Breaston’s subsequent punt return for a touchdown sealed the win. It was spe-cial.

We’re off to see the Wizard …

All this talk of wizardry confuses Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls. First off, Ken Whisenhunt, “The Wiz,” claims to have nothing especially tricky up his sleeve this weekend for his Arizona Cardinals’ matchup against the Steelers.

“I don't have any feelings,” Whisenhunt said.

Uh-huh. Shurrre.

Also in Arizona, assistant head coach Russ Grimm, a/k/a Karl Rove, says of his being passed over for Pittsburgh’s head coaching job, “If you put your neck out there sometimes, it's not always going to turn out the way you wanted. I wouldn't say it's a disappointment.”

Yeah, right.

Meanwhile, in talking about the Steelers’ defensive coordinator, Steelers linebacker Larry Foote, notes, “Dick LeBeau’s the wizard of defense, everybody knows that.”

So, then: Who will the more dazzling, wizardry wizard, Whisenunt or LeBeau?

Our crystal ball is cloudy, but our Magic 8 Ball says LeBeau’s Minions will baffle and bewitch Whisenhunt's Whizzes, including the beatific Kurt Warner, who shalll be stifled (hopefully) in his attempt to reincarnate himself as no-huddle mastermind and league MVP candidate, yet again.

In any case, the Steelers’ visit to University of Phoenix Stadium this weekend may be only the first of their two trips to Arizona this season.

The other is Feb. 3, date of Super Bowl XLII.

Uncle Sam Wants ... Sen. Larry Craig?

So I’m at the Pirates game last night (great catches by outfielders Nyjer Morgan and Nate McLouth by the way).

I go to the men’s room to do my business. Standing there, staring blankly at the ad poster above the urinal, I notice a business card inserted in the lower left corner of the poster frame. Looking more closely, I see it’s a business card for a recruiter from the U.S. Army National Guard. I’m thinking, “So this is what it’s come to in the world of recruiting for the armed forces: Trolling men’s rooms in public venues, sticking business cards in ad posters to solicit recruits.”

I understand recruiting numbers are down, especially for African-Americans (arguably the backbone of the U.S. Army), but this is ridiculous.

Even more depressing: Has it really gotten this bad for Pirates’ fans? I mean, seriously, what desperate, disconsolate Buccos’ fan is going to be so forlorn by yet another 90-loss season to the point that you’re standing there, thinking, “All right, I’ve had enough of all this losing. I’m giving up on the Pirates and am going to sign up NOW to go to Iraq! Fallujah, here I come!!"

Seeing Red

Well, then, isn’t this NFL season shaping up to be an interesting one?

To tell the truth, Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls aren’t all that surprised to see what we consider the top four teams (Indianapolis, New England, Dallas and Pittsburgh) looking so good.

As the regular season approached, we became more and more upbeat about the Steelers and new coach Mike Tomlin, whom we like a lot. The team has looked terrific so far, albeit against three teams that most people would consider mediocre, at best. We remain optimistic that the Steelers will fare well, overall, the rest of the way.

What’s interesting to us is the sudden and precipitous decline in the performance of several teams we thought would be good: San Diego, Kansas City, New Orleans, Chicago, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Seattle … all have looked frayed at the edges and in varying states of disarray. Other teams (Jacksonville, Seattle, Miami, the Jets, St. Louis, Washington) already seem to be playing on the fringe of contention and appear like that’s exactly where they’ll stay.

And we’re okay with all of that.

As "they" say, one game at a time, and this week’s matchup takes the Steelers to the Arizona desert to meet the Cardinals. This matchup bears watching for several reasons:

• The Coaching Connection – We all know that storyline: Ken Whisenhunt and RussGrimm, top assistants on Bill Cowher’s staff in Pittsburgh, were widely considered to be front-runners to be named head coach. The Steelers hired Mike Tomlin – and we believe he was the right choice – and the Cardinals hired Whisenhunt and Grimm, as well as others with a Pittsburgh connection both on and off the field, including Kevin Spencer, special teams coach. Naturally, everybody wants to see how this will play out, and this Sunday’s game will be compelling to watch if for no other reason than the coaching dynamics.
• Yet there are other compelling reasons, and none more so than the Cardinals’ skill-position players. When Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls watched the Cardinals-49ers Monday night matchup to conclude the first week of the season, we became mildly concerned. The Cards have some elite skill-position players in wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald (former Pitt star), and running back Edgerrin James. Backup running backs Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington can provide a spark, too, as can wide receiver Bryant Johnson, a former number one draft pick from Penn State.
• At quarterback, an ineffective Matt Leinart was replaced last Sunday by Kurt Warner, who absolutely lit up the Baltimore Ravens. Warner completed 15 of 20 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, a 75 percent completion percentage and 150.0 QB rating. Anquan Boldin had 14 catches (!) for 183 yards (!!). All this came against the “vaunted” Ravens defense (chumps). We fully expect to see Warner replace Leinart, early, against the Steelers. The two-time NFL MVP has a quick release, veteran poise, and pinpoint accuracy when he’s on. This could be worrisome.
• On defense, the Cards play a four-three defense and, like the 49ers, have a corps of talented, athletic players, including several good cover guys in the secondary and fairly consistent pressure up the middle. Standouts include safeties Adrian Wilson and Terrance Holt; corners Rod Hood and Eric Green; and middle linebacker Gerald Hayes, formerly of the Pitt Panthers. Defensive ends Antonio Smith and Bertrand Berry are quick, active and aggressive -- but perhaps a little undersized. Still, getting Willie Parker outside on this group might be a bit of a challenge.
• We will watch another player with great interest. That would be kick returner/wide receiver Steve Breaston, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area and starred at Woodland Hills High School and the University of Michigan. The Cardinals drafted the speedy Breaston in hopes that he would become their version of the Bears’ electrifying return specialist, Devin Hester. Breaston has all the requisite skills, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed he doesn’t but a long return on Sunday.
• For what it’s worth, former Steelers with the Cardinals include Chukky Okobi, backup center; Sean Morey; backup wide receiver and special teams specialist; Rodney Bailey, backup defensive lineman; Tim Euhaus, third-team tight end; and Mike Barr, punter and holder on place kicks. Hmmm, supposedly one reason Bill Cowher didn't keep Barr on the roster for the 2006 season was a lack of confidence in Barr's holds on placekicks. Might there be a field goal blocked on Sunday?
  

Should be fun.

Addendum: Expect to See Warner Run the No-Huddle

By the way, when Warner enters the game on Sunday early in the second quarter (if not sooner), look for the Cardinals to go into full no-huddle mode immediately.

Whisenhunt will have a built-in excuse for the quick trigger: He can explain that the veteran Warner is more comfortable with the no-huddle; that he wanted to use the no-huddle to pressure the Steelers’ defense and disrupt situational substitutions; and that he wants Leinart to master the intricacies of the position before burdening him with the no-huddle.

This will happen, and it provides Whisenhunt with a convenient way to replace Leinart without “replacing” him.

Alex Smith is Having Nightmares This Week

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls have a feeling the Steelers’ defense is going to have another big game Sunday against the 49ers, who are undefeated after two narrow wins over St. Louis and Arizona. San Francisco’s young quarterback Alex Smith, a former Number One Overall Draft Choice out of the University of Utah, is in his third year as a starter, which makes him a veteran, but he is still the youngest starting quarterback in the NFL for the third straight season – and how is that even possible? Frankly, he hasn’t shown much in the NFL, although he and the Utah Utes did dismantle the Pitt Panthers in the Fiesta Bowl a few years ago – but the Steelers’ defense ain’t the Pitt Panthers’ defense. Thank God for that, a painful fact young Mr. Smith will discover soon enough.

Smith does have good mobility (he’ll need it!) and a decent passing touch, but he doesn’t have a big arm, his receivers are pedestrian, and the 49ers’ coaching staff have maintained a fairly conservative playbook (demonstrating what appears to be a lack of confidence in Smith).

A number of factors are likely to come into play on Sunday:

· The 49ers will be playing a second straight game on the road, following their win in St. Louis on Sunday. This time, they cross the country to the Eastern Time Zone.

· After playing in St. Louis and returning to San Francisco, the Niners’ Pro Bowl starting RB, Frank Gore, flew to Miami for his mother’s funeral (our condolences, by the way). He then flew back from Miami to San Francisco and was expected to return to practice on Thursday. He was accompanied by two teammates, left tackle Jonas Jennings and fullback Moran Norris, along with running backs coach Bishop Harris. Jennings was described as “exhausted” when he returned to San Francisco on Wednesday. This has to have been an emotional and draining week for all concerned, but Gore may play an inspired game fueled by adrenaline on Sunday. In any case, the majorly talented Gore, who had 1,595 yards rushing (!) last year, spearheads the 49ers’ offense.

· And it’s a good thing for them, because their receivers are average, at best. Arnaz Battle is Hines Ward Lite, and Darrell "Pushoff" Jackson, continues his history of erratic, sometimes effective play, plagued by periodic drops, including two long passes this season that have gone through Jackson's hands.

· The 49ers have yet to get the ball much to their talented young tight end, Vernon Davis (the number six overall draft pick in 2006), much to his chagrin (and he’s started to woof about it).

· As noted above, the offensive game plans have been conservative, and dapper head coach Mike Nolan has had to defend the play calling all week: “We don't have a creativity problem,” Nolan said. "We do shotgun, reverses, play-action passes, and we do a lot of things with formations. But when it's ineffective, then that's what you have to fix. Our inconsistencies really lie in the execution." Uh-huh.

· Which may happen (execution) to the Niners backfield on Sunday, if starting center Eric Heitmann can’t handle the Steelers’ monster All-Pro nose tackle Casey Hampton. Heitman (or anybody else) would have problems with Hampton even when healthy, but Heitman has been hobbled by a dodgy ankle. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “OL David Baas filled in at practice for Heitmann, the starting center who has endured two tough games already this season. Baas, the 49ers' backup at both guard positions, played center during his senior season at Michigan. He could be snapping to Alex Smith in games soon if Heitmann's injured ankle doesn't improve.” Oh-oh. Alex Smith should not be sleeping well this week.

· Having said that, the Niners do have some good players on their offensive line, including the stalwart veterans Jonas Jennings (tackle) and Larry Allen (guard) on the left side, and impressive rookie first-rounder Joe Staley at right tackle.

The 49ers’ problem is they just don’t have enough playmakers on offense.

In Their Defense

Expect Daniel Sepulveda to get several chances to punt because the 49ers’ defense is fairly good. They definitely have some intriguing talent. Rookie inside linebacker Patrick Willis is being hailed as the early front-runner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Free agent signee Tully Banta-Cain has demonstrable pass-rushing skills. The second of last year’s two number one picks, Manny Lawson, is a super-fast, super-freak of an athlete at outside linebacker/rush end. (*Thursday Afternoon Update: Lawson tore his ACL in practice on Wednesday and is done for the season.)

The secondary is talented and aggressive. It features shutdown cornerback Nate Clements, with Pitt’s Shauntae Spencer playing a key role at nickel back, and the rangy, physical Michael Lewis at strong safety. Also, 33-year-old cornerback Walt Harris had eight interceptions last year and went to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his 11-year NFL career.

Kicking It About

In a game of attrition and field position, then, punting could become a major factor. This makes for an interesting storyline, if only because of the off-season maneuvering whereby the Steelers made a contract offer to San Francisco punter Andy Lee, who punted for Pitt during his college career and was a restricted free agent following last season.

Lee initially accepted the Steelers offer, but the Niners matched or bettered it, thereby retaining the rights to keep Lee. Having failed in their attempt to woo the veteran left-footed Lee away from San Francisco, the Steelers traded up in the draft to select their own southpaw kicker, Daniel Sepulveda, with a fourth-round draft choice. We’re glad they did. We would rather have Sepulveda than Lee.

Of course, we may feel differently on Sunday, if the Niners manage to block a punt or two, God forbid, but Sepulveda has the stronger leg, more upside and counts less against the salary cap (San Francisco signed Lee to a six-year, $7.1 million contract, for cryin’ out loud).

Prediction

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls will be surprised if the Niners get 200 yards of offense. We wouldn’t be surprised if San Francisco turns the ball over two or three times. And we expect the Steelers' defensive pressure to wear down the Niners, while the Steelers offense should be able to pop some big plays.

All in all, then, this could become a game of field position and turnovers. Which we expect the Steelers to win. Handily.

Footnote: After describing the 49ers' attack as conservative, tight end Vernon Davis almost laughed when asked whether such a plan would work Sunday against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers: "No way."

Well, at least we can agree on one thing.

49ERS	Rank	STEELERS	Rank
Total Offense	32	Total Offense	6
Passing Offense	31	Passing Offense	22
Rushing Offense	23	Rushing Offense	2
Total Defense	17	Total Defense	3
Run Defense	17	Run Defense	5
Pass Defense	17	Pass Defense	3
KOR Average	24	KOR Average	10
PR Average	12T	PR Average	24T
KO Coverage	5	KO Coverage	24
PR Coverage	4	PR Coverage	1

It’s Plain as Black and White

Apropos of nothing at all …

Ironic, isn’t it, the looming possibility of two families, the Bushes and Clintons, potentially controlling the White House for seven consecutive terms spanning 28 years (1989-2017)? … and how the Clintons were dogged by Whitewater, while the renegade security firm mercenary organization unregulated army security firm Blackwater USA is currently in the news during these waning days of the current Bush administration. Of course, things aren’t quite so black and white as all this, but still … can you say, "Plutocracy"?

What's in a name?

We’re baaaack ...

Let the games begin.

It’s Browns Week. ‘Nuff said. We’re ready.

Oh, and by the way, it’s the first game of the 2007-08 season. So, Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls have returned from our long somnambulance.

In case you were wondering, yes, we did consider renaming this blog. And, no, not to “Michael Vick’s Pit Bulls.” Smart ass. But Joey Porter is no longer with the Steelers, so he is essentially irrelevant. “Dead to us,” as the young Don Corleone might say to Fredo.

Anyway, for now, we’re keeping the name because: (1) We’re too lazy to change it; (2) We’re too lazy to change it; and (3) It has brand equity, believe it or not; i.e., a handful of people seem to like it, and others kindly provide links on their blogrolls.

So we’re keeping the name. For now.

This week, we will discuss some of the names the Steelers kept on their 53-man roster entering the season (subject to change of course).

Today’s subject: Kick Returner Allen Rossum.

The last-minute-trade of a conditional draft pick to acquire the 32-year-old Rossum was mystifying, if only because: (1) He’s old; (2) He can’t do anything except return kicks; and (3) The Steelers already have a handful of players who can return punts (Cedric Wilson and Santonio Homes) and kickoffs (Willie Reid, Najeh Davenport, Holmes and Wilson), while fulfilling other roles productively.

Willie Reid, apparently, is why Rossum is here. Or, to be more precise, Willie Reid’s lack of success as a kick returner is why Rossum is here.

Yet, if Rossum is here, why is Willie Reid still here? Potential, presumably, since he sure hasn’t shown much to indicate he will be either reliable or productive as a returner or receiver. Still, we wonder: How will Reid showcase his talents if Rossum is handling punts and kickoffs? We don’t have the answer, but it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Joey Porter's Pit Bulls just don’t want to see Rossum deployed in the secondary because ... as a cornerback, well, he ain’t.

This point was made rather emphatically in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discussing one of the key reasons Atlanta’s coaching staff deemed Rossum expendable:

“Rossum, meanwhile, had been demoted at cornerback behind rookies David Irons and Chris Houston and was solely a returner. This staff wants its role players to contribute in as many ways as possible.”

Just sayin’.

The Pirates: Playing the Patsy

Maddening. Stupefying. Dumbfounding. Confounding.

This is primarily a Steelers blog, but as an avid, lifelong Pirates fan, I just can’t let this latest bumbling tomfoolery of a Dave Littlefield trade-deadline transaction pass without comment.

Alrighty then, let’s get to it: Dave Littlefield, Pirates general manager, has added pitcher Matt Morris and his mind-boggling contract.

This exasperating move is so astonishing in its ineptitude, on so many levels, as to be downright stupefying.

Terms of Morris's staggering contract, as reported by Dejan Kovacevic today in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, are thus:

“Morris will take up roughly 20 percent of the Pirates' entire payroll, which now stands at $47.3 million without counting the $5.5 million in deferred money being paid to Jason Kendall.

“His salary this season is $10,037,283, breaking the previous franchise high of $8,833,333 for Brian Giles in 2003. Morris also is due $9.5 million next season, has a club option for $9 million in 2009 with a $1 million buyout and an unusual $2 million signing bonus that is due at the expiration of the contract.

His total guaranteed money, including the prorated $3.66 million salary for this season, is $15.7 million.”

This is exactly the kind of trade the Pirates shouldn't be making. How many times has this sort of thing happened during the past 8-10 years (under Bonifay and Littlefield alike)? … i.e., misguided spending; staggeringly bad baseball decisions; no plan, no vision, no clue. I've said it time and again, starting with Derek Bell and continuing right through Burnitz, Randa, Armas, et al, and now Morris, ad nauseaum: "I would rather take that money (starting with $9 million for Bell, etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseaum) and INVEST IT IN SCOUTING AND DEVELOPMENT!!!"

No, they keep plowing millions upon millions of dollars into broken-down, over-the-hill veterans too numerous to recount. Does Littlefield really believe this kind of short-sighted, short-term move will save his job? Matt Morris? At this point of his career?? For the salary he's making??? Ugh.

There is nothing creative, helpful or productive about this transaction.

By the way, minutes after the deal was consummated yesterday, Littlefield was interviewed on the Bendel & Benz radio show on 970-AM. His exact words, verbatim:

“We’re pleased with where we’re at.”

Okay, "where we're at," then, if you please? Last place; 15 years of losing. And counting. That’s “where we’re at.”

The View From the Other Side

San Francisco Giants fans and media are chortling and hoo-hooing about this deal. They couldn't wait to ride Morris out of town, and they still can't believe they found a willing sucker to play the patsy.

They are downright gleeful and incredulous that the Giants didn't have to assume even part, let alone all of, Morris's contract.

Check out the write-up and reader comments in the excellent blog, McCovey Chronicles, and also the mainstream coverage at sfgate.com.

It's tragicomic reading for Pirates’ fans.

And, we can only hold our collective breath and cringe in anticipatory “hope” that the players to be named later in both the Cesar Izturis and Matt Morris deals won’t turn into productive major leaguers for the Cubs and Giants, respectively. That would be insult upon injury because, Lord knows, we don’t have enough of those types of players on our major-league club.

I'm going to the Pirates' game tonight … and it’s just, well, sad, that this proud franchise has been reduced to this state of pathos.*

*State of Pathos: Exhibit A – Catcher Ronny Paulino’s ineptitude on consecutive plays last night, failing to catch a foul pop-up (albeit with an apparently wicked spin) and failing to catch Jack Wilson’s perfect relay throw that would have cut down a lumbering Scott Rolen at the plate (albeit with a tough short-hop). Both plays may have been deceptively tough, but they have to be made, if you have the talent, will and gumption to compete in the major leagues. If not, well, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 2007 Pittsburgh Pirates.**

Other viewpoints:

ESPN’s Jayson Stark:

“The Giants' brass was sitting around its suite Tuesday morning, bemoaning the fact that it had no decent deals cooking whatsoever. And then, out of the blue, it happened. The Pirates called. And wanted Matt Morris. His 7.94 ERA since mid-June? Not a problem. That $9.5 million he's owed next year (counting his 2009 buyout)? Not a problem. And so they swooped in and finished off a deal for Morris minutes before the deadline -- for a legit prospect (Rajai Davis), a second prospect to be chosen from an agreed-upon list and absolutely zero money changing hands. Well, it didn't take long. For the next two hours, after people around baseball learned of this deal, they couldn't stop calling, e-mailing and texting reactions that could probably be summed up with three succinct words: WHAT THE BX!GRZFDQ!!!!! Don't get us wrong here. We love Matt Morris. Terrific guy. Has had a wonderful career. Should be a fine mentor to those young Pirates starters. But the Giants were just about begging teams to take Morris and offering to chomp big chunks of his money if they had to. Then this team going nowhere dropped out of the sky and took the man and the money. What a country. “That move,” said one incredulous front-office man, “is so far out of left field, it's in the Monongahela.”

Henry Schulman, San Francisco Chronicle:

“Morris' tone in a phone interview made it clear he was not happy with the deal, but he held his tongue lest he insult his employer for the next 14 months - the 42-62 Pirates, who have not had a winning season since Barry Bonds left as a free agent in 1992.”

“Maybe if he pitched better there would have been different circumstances for him or the organization as far as the deal," said Giants general manager Brian Sabean, who said the Giants would have tried to trade Morris even if he were winning.

“To turn the page the way we're doing things, we're going to need as much flexibility as we can get next year,” Sabean said. "Unfortunately, in Matt's situation, he became the odd man out.”

Shedding Morris' salary means as much or more than the players the team got in return. Nevertheless, in Rajai Davis, the Giants add a needed element in their organization, a young outfielder with speed.

John Perotto, Beaver County Times:

“Every non-contender in baseball, except one, was looking to deal high-salaried players for youngsters Tuesday as the non-waiver trading deadline came and went.

“That exception was the Pittsburgh Pirates, who traded for a pitcher with $15.7 million left on his contract despite being on their way to a 15th straight losing season.”

SI.com:

“The Pittsburgh Pirates got pitcher Matt Morris from San Francisco on Tuesday, an uncommon deal for a high-priced player by an out-of-contention team at the trading deadline ... Normally, teams not in the race don't look to add an aging and expensive starter such as Morris.”

Tim Kawakami, San Jose Mercury News:

“Morris was pitching horrendously – no shock to this raging skeptic, since I suggested that the Giants should've traded him months ago.”

Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports:

Losers:

1. Pirates

“The idea of adding veteran right-hander Matt Morris to lead a young rotation isn't ridiculous. But has anyone with the Pirates seen Morris pitch lately?

“Over his last eight starts he has allowed almost two hits per inning, his ERA rising from 2.56 to 4.35. Morris, who turns 33 on Aug. 9, is one of the game's great competitors, but his successful opening to the season now looks like an aberration.

“No low-revenue team can afford a No. 5 starter earning $9.5 million, and that description could very well fit Morris next season. GM Dave Littlefield just keeps digging himself a bigger hole.”

========================

**Here's John Perrotto's account of "The Paulino Sequence" in last night's game:

"With the score tied 2-2, two outs and a runner on first base in the sixth inning, the St. Louis Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick lofted a high pop fly toward the screen behind home plate. Catcher Ronny Paulino drifted back toward the ball then watched as it landed two feet away from him.

"Ludwick then ripped the next pitch to the center-field fence and Scott Rolen scored the go-ahead run when Paulino, who may have the most famous hands of stone since Roberto Duran, dropped shortstop Jack Wilson's perfect on-target relay throw.

"For good measure, after being booed off the field at the end of the top of the sixth, Paulino lined the first pitch in the bottom of the inning into the gap in left-center but was robbed on a diving catch made by none other than Ludwick, the left fielder.

"Thus, the Pirates fell to an abysmal 2-14 since the All-Star break and 20 games under .500 at 42-62."

We're Back!

Hey! It’s football season again! Well, training camp, anyway, and that’s good enough to awake from our off-season slumber and shake off the bad taste left by the Pirates, moribund and lifeless as they are.

Anyway, lots to talk about, but we’ll start slow.

How about that Lawrence Timmons?!* Nice first-round draft pick, huh?

Here’s an idea: Why don’t we just move our new punter, Daniel Sepulveda, to Timmons’ slot at linebacker? Hell, Sepulveda is bigger and faster than Timmons, he’s played a little linebacker, and he’s healthy, too! What a great idea!! That way, we could reward the Irish kid, punter Mike Barr, for his persistence in showing up four straight camps and continuing to boom the ball.

Is it too early to label Timmons a bust? Of course it is, but not here!

====================================

*As noted in the May 1 draft-analysis entry:

“Aside from being small, slow, raw and inexperienced, and having Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, what’s not to like?

“As noted in this space before the draft, we would have preferred to see the Steelers draft Purdue’s Anthony Spencer, so it will be interesting to see how their respective careers play out. For us, Timmons will always be measured against Spencer and Jarvis Moss (who went just two picks later), as well as two linebackers who went in last year’s draft: Ernie Sims, his predecessor at Florida State, who went number nine overall to Detroit and led the team in tackles his rookie year; and Camerion Wimbley, who went number 13 overall last year and has the look of a mainstay on the Browns’ defense for many years to come.

Second Round: While we are less than enthralled with the Timmons selection, we are very happy that the Steelers were able to add Lamarr Woodley, DE/LB, Michigan, with their second pick. As noted here before the draft – again – we were hoping Woodley, 6-1-1/2, 266, would end up in black and gold … but we figured he’d be gone by pick number 46 overall, so we’re thrilled the Steelers had the good sense to pick him when he was still there. He won the Lombardi Award, the Hendricks Award, and more. He’s a winner, and we expect the Steelers to use him initially in a three-point stance to RUSH THE PASSER off the left edge. Excellent pick.”

**Addendum: Before the draft, we were looking at Spencer’s incredible stats from college and thinking, “Sheesh, if this guy finished second for the Hendricks Award, who the hell finished first?” It was Woodley, of course, and we couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t rated higher. We concluded it was his flat-out 40 time. Still, the guy’s a football player and, already, media pundits are saying, “Hey, now it looks like Woodley should have been the number one pick and Timmons a number two.”

And you would’ve been happy with that.

Also, and only because we like to say, "Told ya so!", here's an excerpt from a post we published before the draft :

"We also like (a lot) Lamarr Woodley (6’2, 270), the majorly accomplished defensive end/linebacker from Michigan, but he almost certainly will be selected before the Steelers’ second-round pick."

Reality check: It’s only the first week of training camp, for crying out loud.

But still.

Running for Cover

To anybody who has been paying attention, it’s clear the Steelers plan to add some fresh wrinkles to the offense under new head coach Mike Tomlin and new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. More spread formations, crisper rhythm all around, greater use of the (gasp!) tight ends, more swing passes, quicker breaks, etcetera.

All long overdue and, hopefully, these changes will help the Steelers offense open lanes while shoring up their weaknesses (pass protection) and optimizing their strengths (getting Fast Willie Parker out in space, as in, open field, and moving the chains with quick-hit passes to receivers, including tight ends).

We keep hearing coaches and players use the term, “less predictable” in reference to the offense, and that should be a good thing.

All well and good, indeed. Especially if Fast Willie Parker maintains the blessed good health he enjoyed throughout last season … if, however, he goes down, God forbid, what then?

It’s a fair question not only because of who the Steelers may have available to step in, but also because of what type of backs they are likely to have. If FWP goes down, will that force a return to the kind of crimped, between-the-tackles inside running game we’ve grown so accustomed to around here?

After all, in their quest to find a big back to complement FWP, the Steelers have quietly stockpiled a bevy of fairly big backs. Nobody quite as big or as productive as Jerome Bettis — who is? … he was one of a kind — then again, nobody as fast as Fast Willie Parker, either, but who is?

Najeh Davenport (250 lbs.), John Kuhn (255), Kevan Barlow (235), Carey Davis (235), Paul Mosley (235),Verron Haynes (225): All these guys are between-the-tackles types, and all are at least 235 pounds, with the exception of Haynes, who’s never been a burner in any case.

The only exception to the between-the-tackles model would be undrafted free agent rookie Gary Russell, who is listed at 5’11”, 215 pounds, and is evidently a slasher. We don’t know yet what we have in him. But if Fast Willie Parker goes down for the season this weekend in minicamp, Russell would be the closest thing to him in terms of approximate physical stature and, possibly, running style.

So, we’re just asking.

And that brings us to the subject of Kevan Barlow (pictured above). Our reaction to his signing? Eh. We’ll see. Does he bring anything that you’re not getting already from Najeh Davenport, who performed well last year, or John Kuhn, who looked good in training camp last year and could play on all special teams? Hard to say. Will Barlow even be willing to play special teams? … and we’re not even talking about returning kickoffs? Will he make a block or bust a wedge? Has he ever?

Again, just asking.

Willie Reid, if he makes the team, presumably will take over the primary kickoff return duties from Davenport. But Davenport actually did pretty well in that role last year, and he showed he could catch the ball out of the backfield. He did everything he was asked to do.
So has Verron Haynes, who has always excelled on special teams and in the role of the third-down back, as a blocker, runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield, but his health presently makes him a question mark.

Bottom line: We’re not as excited about Barlow as some people. At least he gives them an option at running back, and he’s signed at a cut-rate price. He was a star at Peabody, at Pitt and in the NFL with the 49ers, so he’s worth a look. We just wonder if he has anything left – and, if his skills have diminished as a running back, well … he’s not likely to give you what you need from your third running back on all the various special teams.

Tag! You’re it!

Silence.

After all the hysterical pre-draft trade speculation, nobody’s talking about Alan Faneca. The Steelers’ front office is silent. The Faneca camp is silent. Even the grubby mainstream media is silent.

Not Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls.

Hey! Somebody’s got to say it!

What?

The Steelers plan to franchise-tag his ass.

What’s that mean?

Along with Minnesota’s Steve Hutchinson, Faneca is one of the two best guards in football. Faneca’s contract expires after the coming season, so before the April 28 draft most people assumed one of three things would occur: (1) The Steelers would sign him to a lucrative five-year extension with a signing bonus in the very posh neighborhood of $50 million, a bar set by the recent contracts given to Faneca’s legitamate peer, Hutchinson, and Eric Steinbach, a journeyman who’s never been All-Pro; (2) Trade Faneca for a high-round draft pick, with Arizona discussed as the logical destination because of Faneca’s pronounced affection for former Steelers’ assistant coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, now in charge in the desert; or (3) let him play out his contract and become a free agent following the coming season.

The fourth option that nobody has discussed in public (that we’ve heard) is The Frachise Tag. In the murky world of Salary Cap Management, players generally hate the franchise tag, and franchises (the Steelers in particular) are loathe to use it. They’re allowed to tag one player per year at a league-average top-five salary for the position.

The club is in control, however, and if ever a situation called for using the franchise tag, this is it.

Joey Porter’s Pit Bulls are not cap experts, so feel free to correct us. But, as we understand it, the franchise tag stipulates that the club pay Faneca at the equivalent average of a top-five player at his position – without a signing bonus. Franchising Faneca would put his salary for the 2008-09 season at about $9.55 million -- a one-year commitment that is fair, which is what the Steelers ostensibly are all about. Unfortunately for Faneca – and we should all be so unfortunate to be in a position to receive a one-year salary of about $9-10 million – this represents getting cock-blocked. He’s at an age – in his prime – where he should expect to cash in on a five-year deal at market price: about $50 million guaranteed, with a base salary starting at $7 million and escalating to about $11.5 million over the length of the contract, with the understanding that he’ll never see the back-ended last two years. That’s why, for the player and agent, it’s so important to nail down that guaranteed money in a signing bonus. That’s cash, baby, and money talks.

And bullshit walks.

If the Steelers have proven anything over the years, it’s that they have little patience for bullshit. And if Faneca thought he was going to push his leverage as a pending free agent, that’s bullshit. He can miss voluntary workouts and min-camp. He can talk sweet nothings about his fondness for Whisenhunt and Grimm. He can pout and bemoan the “direction” the Steelers are taking with new coach Mike Tomlin.

But the Steelers won’t be strong-armed. Faneca’s been a great player for them over the years, and a model citizen. He and his wife have done a lot of good work for charities (including The Epilepsy Foundation, among others) in the community. He’s kept a low profile, never gotten in trouble and appears to be destined for the Hall of Fame. He’s earned his right to a big payday.

He’ll get it, eventually. Not here, though, not unless you count $10 million as a “big payday.” I do, and you do. But that’s beside the point.

Next January, the Steelers will franchise Faneca’s ass and effectively cock-block him for another year. They can keep doing this, by the way, for another two years beyond that. He’s not going anywhere. The Steelers have to negotiate long-term contracts with two other elite players, Ben Roethlisgberger and Troy Polamulu. In the meantime, they can hold their cards close to the vest. You can’t give huge signing bonuses to everybody – so they'll assess their options with Roethlisberger and Polamulu, and wait on Faneca. If his play declines or he gets injured, God forbid, they'll let him walk.

He knows it, his agent knows it, and the Steelers know it.

At the moment, however, to Faneca they are saying, effectively, “Tag! You’re it!”