Despite Win, Problems lay ahead for Steelers

I still cannot believe the Steelers won last night. Big Ben used a little more of his magic and Mewelde Moore came up HUGE for the Steelers. I thought he was a great pickup when they signed him and it definitely showed.

Especially considering the Steelers got disasterous news last night. As most of you know, Willie Parker did not play last night and is most likely out until Week 7, the week after their bye week. Well, rookie Rashard Mendenhall started in his place. And did fine. However, the Steelers learned late last night that Mendenhall - who suffered a shoulder injury in I believe the 3rd quarter - is out for the season.

Not only that, but their sarting right guard Kendall Simmons suffered an achilles tendon tear and is also out for the season. Darnell Stapelton replaced Simmons, but I think the Steelers will move Willie Colon to RG (from RT) and place Trai Essex at RT (or just use Essex as RG). Either way, it's another blow to a team that is already without probowlers Willie Parker and Casey Hampton and starting DE Brett Keisel (to go along with injuries to starting punter Daniel Sepulveda, backup quarterback Charlie Batch, and backup linebackers Mike Humpal and Arnold Harrison).

The slew of injuries strikes an enormous blow into the Steelers' chances at winning the division not only because numerous key players are out, but also because the Ravens looked that good. With the injuries comes opportunity, however.

3rd down back Mewelde Moore is now more of an option on downs other than 3rd down. The Steelers can also bring running back Gary Russell off of the practice squad to handle the load. Russell, the former University of Minnesota back, is one player a lot of Steelers' fans like and many will be happy to see him get a chance. I think he can do fine for the timebeing, but the team should also check out the waiver wire to see who is available.

One name is Shaun Alexander. He hasn't been good since his record-breaking season, but the Steelers need someone who can carry the ball forward and not turn it over. I think he is at least worth a look. They also now need to find a replacement for Simmons, and I believe the most likely scenario is for them to call up left tackle Jeremy Parquet, who is a massive 6'6", 321 pounds.

The Steelers face a good Jacksonville team on a short week, so it will be interesting to see how they play. The Jaguars usually have their number and with all the injuries and the soreness that is lingering from last night's slughfest, I'm not sure the Steelers can pull it off. They're literally going to be limping into the bye week.

And while the win against Baltimore was huge, it is also bittersweet because the team (most notably the offense) is now weaker than it was beforehand and will have a tougher time stringing together victories.

They are who we thought they were

Steelers 23, Ravens 20.

A bit disappointing for me, obviously, but I can tell you that this was a great game to watch, and I wasn't even too upset after it. This game reaffirmed a couple things I already knew about both teams.

1. The Steelers have offensive line troubles. They could not really run the ball at all, and Big Ben was being pressured all game. He did not get sacked that many times, though, which leads us to ...

2. I am willing to admit it. Big Ben is a very good NFL quarterback. His ability to maintain contact and still make a play is phenomenal, and he really showed it tonight. He won the game with his toughness. And because they won the game, I will say what I've said before ...

3. The Steelers are the class of the AFC North. They will most likely win the division this year. But because the Ravens gave them such a game ...

4. It may not be the Ravens season this year, but as a fan, I love the direction this franchise is heading. We are not that old on defense. Lewis, Reed, and Pryce are all old, but we have pieces behind all of them that can step in. And as far as the offense goes, its so young its amazing they're doing anything right now. The Ravens need some receivers, but other than that, they will be fine. I can say this confidently because ...

5. Joe Flacco is a rookie, but he will be good in this league. He showed he was a rookie in fumbling a snap, and fumbling on two sacks tonight. The Ravens told you he was a rookie when they didn't decide to go get a score when they got the ball back with 1:40. But the truth of the matter is that Flacco played better tonight than almost anyone expected him to. He made some very clutch throws, and showed he could find the open man. He lacks some pocket presence, but there are many NFL veterans who still struggle with that. I have been on several message boards and I can tell you that the Steelers are worried.

In conclusion, the Steelers won a game that they were expected to - and deserved to - win. It will be interesting to see how both teams do on their short week against tough opponents.

Just when you thought they couldn't do it again...

The Mets did. The lost to the Marlins today, 4-2, clinching their 2nd straight September collapse.

At the beginning of the month, they had a 2 game lead on the Phillies in the NL East (last year they had a 3 game lead). On September 15th, they had a mere half-game lead on the Phillies (last year they had a 4.5 game lead).

So this year's "collapse" wasn't as big as last season's, but regardless it makes me smile to see that team fall apart again in September. What makes it even sweeter is the fact that the Nationals helped the Brewers and Phillies out, stealing a couple games from the Mets throughout the month. And, despite the Nats' last-place finish (and 1st overall pick) that was also clinched today, it is a good day.

Enjoy your playoff berth, Milwaukee.

If Cleveland can't win today, do we see Quinn?

Sitting here watching the Browns-Bengals game, it is obvious how terrible both of these teams are.

Without Carson Palmer the Bengals manage to be even worse than usual. One their first drive (a three and out; they lead the league in that category), starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (who you may remember threw for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2005 to bring the Rams back against the Texans), missed an open reciever (T.J. Hous-your-mama) on 3rd down. The Harvard grad...well, I just feel bad for him.

Oh, and they just punted again.

The Browns, on the other hand, still find ways to be inept. They're up 3-0 and just punted again...if they don't win, do we see Anderson replaced? I doubt Crennel would replace his QB mid-game, but will Quinn be the starter next week if Anderson plays poorly, even if they win? Cleveland fans want Quinn and it doesn't make any sense to run Anderson out there if they're already out of the playoff race.

And the Browns just copied the Dolphins' wildcat formation and got stuffed for a 2 yard loss. In another game (Jacksonville vs. Texans), the Dolphins' play was run and resulted in a 60 yard touchdown run.

Maybe the Browns really are cursed. Geez.

Maryland 20, Clemson 17

So many things to say I don't even know where to start. Listen to the show on Wednesday when we will cover this entire thing in much more depth, but some quick hitters from the game:

First and foremost, the MD defense deserves this game ball, and if I had to pick a player it would probably be Alex Wujciak. To hold the offense that ran all over them in the first half to 0 points in the second half is absolutely unreal. Phenomenal. 

I've already said it, but what a microcosm of our entire season. Hopefully, the rest of the season will be more like the second half.

Props to Chris Turner on the final drive. He had a rough game, but threw two perfect balls to complete third and longs and made sure Clemson did not get the ball back.

Were it not for the MTST debacle, MD would be 5-0 with two wins over top 25 teams. That would probably put us in the top 15. As it is, I would not be surprised if we sneaked into the top 25 this week. We got a few votes last week, and I'm very interested to see how many teams around the 20-25 range have two victories over top-25 teams already.

Once again, congratulations to the Terps. 

False Starts

If we lose this game, it will be because of the five false starts we've accumulated. At least 3 have been costly - one cost you a touchdown, and one took us back from a 3rd and 3 to a 3rd and 8 - but Turner got us it anyway. Huge completion. 3:12 left.

MD Football is bipolar

MD up 20-17 with 10:25 left in the 4th.

How much have we talked about the schizophrenic MD football team? (You know, how they lose to Middle Tennessee State and then beat Cal) We have a microcosm of their entire season so far in this one game alone. We couldn't have played worse in the first half. This half, the D is filling the holes and runs are going for 2 and 3 that went for 8 and 9 in the first half. Turner's finding a rhythm. We have all the momentum right now.

Heyward-Bey

17-13 Clemson, 7:30 left in the 3rd.

After a half in which Maryland played, according to Friedgen, "the worst they could possibly have played," they're right back in it. The D hasn't given up any points on the past three or four drives; they're looking a lot more confident. We still have a quarter and a half left of football, but there are reasons to be optimistic. 

All of that is because of the reverse to Heyward-Bey which went for 75, which I think has worked every single time this year. How good is he?

Awful

Halftime, and Clemson leads 17-6. 

They say that if you win the turnover battle, especially being +3, you will win the game.

Of course, they also say that if you're being outgained 3 to 1 and on pace to give up 400 yards rushing, you're going to lose, too.

Positive things that make me think the second half will be better.

Offense: It can't get worse. Heyward-Bey has dropped two balls, and Turner's been able to complete a mere 3 passes to his wide receivers.

Defense: They started to pick it up at the end of the second quarter. They finally started filling the creases. 

Here's hoping it will get better. You know Ralph's laying into them in the locker room right now. A big play on offense will turn this game around as long as the D brings the pressure. 

Penalties

Two false starts inside the 5 yard line. A holding play 5 yards downfield that negated a run for a first down. And wow, Turner just took a shot.

After the brilliant play by Moten, we're held to 3 again. You have to get in the endzone. 

10-6 Clemson.

MD vs. Clemson, part 1

At the end of the first quarter: Clemson 10, Maryland 0.

But Maryland has the ball on about the one-foot line so that should change the next play.

Maryland's defensive front should be ashamed of themselves. They are being blasted off the line of scrimmage every play, usually by a good three or four yards. This is letting Davis and Spiller to get downfield where they have options aplenty to cut. This of course sets up the playaction brilliantly.

I give credit to Clemson's secondary as well. They are blanketing our talented group of receivers, hanging tough even on the check-down routes.

And as I'm typing this, we get a false start on the one to nullify a TD and we have to settle for a FG. That was huge.

Big Weekend

On a weekend in college park that is officially signaling the arrival of autumn - it's supposed to rain all three days - you couldn't ask for too much more from the sporting community to entertain you as you're stuck indoors. Aforementioned playoff races are heating up in baseball, both in the AL Central and NL East/Wild Card, so look for that all weekend long.

If you're in College Park tonight, suck it up and get to Ludwig Field. The game between Number 1 Wake Forest and Number 2 Maryland Terrapins starts at 8 tonight. I know a few friends and I are getting there at 6:30 and are still concerned we might not get prime seating. Tyler will be in the press box for this one; look for his blog later tonight about it.

Saturday marks Maryland's first marquee matchup of the year: a dreaded trip to Death Valley to take on Clemson. Heather Dinich, who I had the pleasure of meeting last year for a pre-game broadcast about Terrapins football, is the full-time ACC football blogger for ESPN.com. She is predicting a Maryland upset. Let's hope. Kickoff is scheduled for noon. Around the rest of the country, you have three prime time match-ups of ranked teams playing each other. All four of Maryland's other ACC Atlantic opponents have non-conference games. 

Outside of the big game of the day in Washington at Dallas, Sunday looks pretty dull by comparison to how it has been the past few weeks. When SI.com's most watchable games of the weekend features a Gus Frerotte vs. Kerry Collins showdown at number 3, you know it's time to start looking forward to MNF.

And what a game it will be. But more on that later. I will be doing some live game commentary during the Clemson game tomorrow, so if you have any questions or anything of the sort during the game, leave a comment. Have a good weekend guys. 

The most important game of Thursday Night

As Tony mentioned earlier, Thursday night was a great night for sports. The #1 college football team lost and there were two walk-offs in an already crazy baseball playoff race.

What was missing in both Tony's recap of last night and the major sports outlets' recaps was the most important game of all: a preseason game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals.

At first glance, the game seems meaningless.

To steal an overly used line by Lee Corso: not so fast my friend. The game was big for two reasons: 1) it was the first home game for the Caps since the awful game 7 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, and 2) it was our first look at most of the Caps' roster.

Carolina dressed a roster full of players who will be in the minor leagues and it was a game the Caps should have won, but regardless, it was important to see how the players played. And, despite a slow start and a lackluster effort overall, they rallied in the 3rd period and scored 5 goals to win the game (they're now 2-0, with 2 wins against the Hurricanes).

A couple notes:

1. Alexander Ovechkin had 2 goals and an assist. The reigning MVP looked better than ever. On one play in the first period, he skated in, unleashed a cannon of a wrist shot which knocked the goaltender's helmet clear off and, while the play came to a stop, knocked an approaching player right off of his skates.
2. Prospect Chris Bourque had a goal and an assist in 15:24 of playing time, a great game by a player fighting for a chance to make the opening night roster. Despite his small stature - he's listed as 5'7" - he plays with a mean streak and was all over the ice.
3. Goaltender Michal Neuvirth, who looks no older than 14 years old (he's 20), was beaten early by two powerplay goals but settled down and ended up with 24 saves on 26 shots. Not too shabby in 40 minutes of work. Fellow prospect Daren Machesney had 3 saves in the 3rd period and got the win as the Caps scored 5 goals in that stanza.
4. Michael Nylander and Chris Clark looked great coming off of injuries. If you haven't been following the Caps, I'll fill you in: early last season, Nylander torn his rotator cuff but played through it. He eventually couldn't bear it and was shelved for the rest of the year after 40 games. Clark pulled his groin and recovered but aggrivated it in his first game back. He never recovored. Last night, Nylander scored 2 goals and Clark had 2 assists. The Caps made their run without them; with them in the lineup they become much, much better.
5. The attendance was listed 13, 266 people. Not all 13,000 were present, but the stands were much more populated than in recent years. Tickets this year will be much, much harder to come by.

Hockey is finally back in DC.

Follow-up to before ...

And shame on me for failing to mention the Twins who got a walk-off win themselves in the 10th to put them a half game above the White Sox. The Twins finish off with the Royals, so they shouldn't give anything up. The thing about baseball that gets me: 162 games a year. And one hit in one inning will probably push the White Sox out of the playoffs and the Twins in. 

Something for your viewing pleasure ...

I've been following football for about 10 years now. I've seen some crazy feats of athleticism. This might be the craziest.

What a great night

As Scott Van Pelt put it ever so simply, "What a great night in sports." It really was. Of course, the marquee story is USC - who has looked absolutely unbeatable thus far - losing at Oregon State. Yes, the same Oregon State that played Maryland in a bowl game last year. All you can really say about this is going back to conference rivalries. Oregon State plays USC almost every year. They know they can play with them. It's a confidence thing that rivalries give you. USC is still the best team in the country and, in my opinion, will win the national championship. But they won't do it undefeated.

And then there was baseball. It seems like someone does actually want to make the National League playoffs. Both the Mets and the Brewers - two teams fighting for their playoff lives - got walk-off hits (a shot down the line by Reyes for the Mets and a grand slam by Braun for Milwaukee) to put their teams one step closer to the postseason. At the end of the night, the Phillies cling onto a one-game lead over the Mets. The Mets and Brewers are tied for the wild card. If you're at all interested in baseball, stay tuned this weekend; it should be fun to watch.

Welcome to TnT Sports

Greetings, all! This is Tyler Radecki, co-host of WMUCsports.com's TnT Sports. To introduce myself, I am a freshman journalism major at the University of Maryland. I am a Washington Capitals and Nationals fan, as well as a hardcore Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Oh, and, of course, a huge Maryland Terps fan.

This blog will be dedicated to providing the readers with comments and analysis on the world of sports from both Tony and myself. Bookmark this page because the sports talk both here and on the show is unparalleled!

Reminder: the show itself is broadcast on wmucsports.com every Wednesday from 4-5 PM. To listen, just go to the website and click listen live! If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail either me or Tony at our respective e-mails, tradecki@umd.edu (Tyler) or aherman@umd.edu (Tony). You can also join our Facebook group, which can be found here: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33204873981



Our first show is in a couple of hours, so I hope you all will tune in!