Sports category, Page 1502
Tim Benz: Unless Steelers have a better option, don’t give in to Melvin Ingram’s trade request
I apologize. You’ve read this Steelers column from me before. I first wrote it on Aug. 9. Three days earlier, ESPN reports surfaced stating that wide receiver James Washington had asked for a trade. My belief back then was that the Steelers shouldn’t acquiesce to Washington’s request because he’s a...
The 2 biggest issues facing the Steelers coming out of the bye and heading into Cleveland
There are plenty of areas where the Steelers can improve coming out of their bye week as they head into a crucial game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Let’s pick two. One on offense. One on defense. One — theoretically — is fixable. The other? I’m not so sure....
Pirates A to Z: Recurrent injury spoiled Steven Brault’s season, clouds future as a starter
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z: An alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Miguel Yajure. Player: Steven Brault Position: Pitcher Throws: Left Bats: Left Age: 29 Height: 6-foot Weight: 195 pounds 2021 MLB statistics: Brault was 0-3 with...
Pitt Take 5: Panthers hope to end touchdown drought against Miami
Let’s get the obvious facts out in the open immediately. Although it’s true Pitt takes a three-game losing streak against Miami into its game Saturday at Heinz Field, those three games have nothing to do with what will happen after someone’s toe hits the football at noon. For the record,...
5 things to watch in Week 9: Winner-takes-all matchups in 2 WPIAL conferences
Serra Catholic hasn’t celebrated a conference title since 2007, and the 14 seasons since included some lean years for the Eagles. The team went winless in 2012 and endured one-win seasons in 2013 and ’14. Yet, with the program turned around in coach Jose Regus’ fifth season, Serra Catholic is...
Analysis: By his own admission, Penguins forward Jake Guentzel needs to produce moreVideo
Empty thoughts on the Penguins’ 4-0 loss to the Flames: It’s become fashionable to joke that the Penguins have been dressing a lineup worthy of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. After all, there are a handful of players on the Penguins’ roster who have more career games in...
Packers edge Cardinals after Kyler Murray throws late interceptionVideo
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and the Green Bay Packers knocked off the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals 24-21 after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception on Thursday night. The Cardinals looked like they were going to rally to win their eighth straight game but...
Penguins’ power play falters in 1st shutout loss to Flames since 1982
Entering Thursday’s home game against the Calgary Flames, Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith had a vantage point few others could boast of in observing his team’s success. The end of the bench where the gate is. Before Thursday, DeSmith had played in only one of a possible six games through the...
NFL enhances Rooney Rule to help interviewing processVideo
The NFL has instituted some policy changes to the Rooney Rule designed to further enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring practices. The rule has been expanded to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for general manager/executive of football operations positions and all coordinator roles. Beforehand,...
Reasons abound for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ strugglesVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Turn on the TV or listen to talk radio, and just about everyone has an opinion on why Patrick Mahomes is playing so poorly. He’s a sleep-deprived new dad who spent too much time doing commercials and endorsements in the offseason. He was galivanting around the...
Ravens have stayed the course despite their injury problemsVideo
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — When the Baltimore Ravens lost running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to preseason knee injuries, it felt like a crisis, and the team’s health concerns have not exactly gone away since then. Through it all, the Ravens have kept winning. “I just think our guys,...
Jose Altuve packs punch for Astros as drama-free World Series shifts to AtlantaVideo
ATLANTA — His day on the diamond almost done, Jose Altuve walked over to a clutch of Astros fans clustered behind the netting down the right-field line at Minute Maid Park. For five minutes, he autographed World Series programs, No. 27 jerseys and other items, many of them for kids....
Pitt’s Izzy Abanikanda, Jordan Addison gametime decisions; TE Gavin Bartholomew could play bigger role
Sometimes, first impressions can be misleading, but that wasn’t the case last year when Pat Narduzzi was recruiting tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Before Bartholomew even said a word on their first zoom call, Narduzzi liked what he saw. “The very first thing that impressed me about him was he had...
Penn State’s James Franklin wants to see more physical play from offensive line
UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State had seven chances to push the ball in from the 3-yard line in last week’s nine-overtime loss to Illinois, and the Nittany Lions converted just once during the 2-point conversion shootout. Penn State attempted a number of different ways to reach the end zone —...
With Anthony McFarland, Zach Banner off IR, Steelers’ Matt Canada weighs their usage
Zach Banner and Anthony McFarland each figure to be part of the gameday roster this week for the first time this season. But what will their roles be within the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns? Offensive coordinator Matt Canada shed little light on the coaching...
Browns’ Baker Mayfield practices again, still unclear if he faces SteelersVideo
BEREA, Ohio — Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced for the second straight day — and tested his injured shoulder while wearing pads and a new harness — as he tries to get ready to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mayfield sat out last week’s win over Denver with...
Pirates GM: Looking outside for hitting coach, internally for 3B coach, Triple-A manager
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Thursday that the club is identifying candidates outside the organization for a new hitting coach but is first looking internally to fill their major league third base coach and Triple-A manager openings. Cherington said he is in the process of seeking permission from...
Melvin Ingram, Eric Ebron limited at Steelers practice
Amid reports he is unhappy with his role on the team, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram was a limited participant at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday. Ingram was listed on the injury report with a groin injury for the second consecutive day. Ingram was not cited by coach Mike Tomlin as dealing...
Big Ten preview: A showdown in Michigan tops loaded slateVideo
Game of the week No. 6 Michigan at No. 8 Michigan State It’s the first time since 1964 that these teams have met when both are in the top 10. Both are 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten, and the winner remains at least tied for first in...
Pirates C Jacob Stallings, SS Kevin Newman, CF Bryan Reynolds named Gold Glove finalists
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings, shortstop Kevin Newman and center fielder Bryan Reynolds were announced as Gold Glove finalists Thursday by Rawlings, which sponsors the fielding award. The player who is perhaps the Pirates’ best defender didn’t make the cut, however, as Ke’Bryan Hayes missed the minimum innings requirement because...
Gannon, Shippensburg ranked atop PSAC women’s basketball preseason poll
Defending conference champion Gannon and Shippensburg are the favorites to win titles in the Pennsylvania State Athetic Conference West and East divisions, according to preseason coaches polls. Gannon went 13-1 in a season shortened by the covid pandemic, a year after the Golden Knights finished 25-6. Gannon returns key players...
Shippensburg, IUP tabbed as favorites in PSAC men’s basketball preseason poll
After averaging 77.6 points and going 24-7 last season, including an 18-4 mark in conference, the Shippensburg men’s basketball team is expected to repeat in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division. IUP, meantime, is the favorite to win the West Division. Shippensburg brings back three starters, including grad student...
Run defense expects to be tested often when Steelers face top-ranked Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers used the bye week to identify the reason they had a season-high 14 missed tackles in their most recent game. They are using this week of practice to make fundamental adjustments as they prepare to face the NFL’s most prolific rushing offense. They will use their game...
Lack of interceptions ‘doesn’t really eat’ at Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
As a two-time, first-team All-Pro free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick is counted upon to make big plays in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. It hasn’t happened yet this season. Playing on a defense that has recorded just two interceptions — only two NFL teams have fewer — Fitzpatrick is searching for his...
Penguins forward Sidney Crosby remains sidelined
Penguins forward Sidney Crosby will not play in Thursday’s home game against the Calgary Flames. Coach Mike Sullivan announced Crosby’s status following an optional morning skate at PPG Paints Arena. Crosby remains sidelined as he recovers from offseason surgery to a chronically injured left wrist. That surgery took place on...
