PNC Park A Football Stadium?

It is a given Between Mid-August 2011 and January, 2012 that the Pittsburgh Steelers will play a minimum of ten games at Heinz Field(Pending on the the Lock-out)and the Pittsburgh Panthers have an 8 game schedule for the 2011 football season. So that comes to a total of 18 games on the turf at Heinz Field. The surface was re-sodded 2 additional times this past football season. Once after the WPIAL Championships and once after the Winter Classic. How about this for a future venue for the WPIAL Games. Consider using PNC Park for the WPIAL Championship Games and the City League Championship Game only if PNC Park can be conducive to holding a regulation football field inside the Park. This past football season, Wrigley Field was host to the Illinois vs Northwestern football game. Problem here was they only had room for use of one end zone. But Yankee Stadium was large enough to hold 2 football games including the Army vs Notre Dame Game and the Pinstripe Bowl during the Christmas Holidays. Four high school games in 12 hours can really tear up the grass surface of any field, especially Heinz Field. It is an important part of the High School season to play the Championships at Heinz Field. Just my opinion, it also would be nice to play the Championships at PNC Park. PNC Park has a beautiful surface, it can hold 35,000 or more easily, and there is ample parking around the stadium and in the downtown areas. There should be no conflict for the WPIAL if the Steelers or Pitt had games scheduled on or around the Thanksgiving weekend when the WPIAL plays its Championship Games. Plus, the PIAA may consider playing the State Championship football games at PNC Park. Until next time, hopefully we can save our rock salt until next winter.

It's not Over

So you think football season is over. Yes, the regular season and the playoffs are completed but now the fun part begins. Here comes the NFL Combine, the Pro Days of each individual school, and finally after all the analysis is finished, the all important NFL draft in late April. The NFL Draft will be held even if there is a lock-out. How important is the NFL Draft? It is not easy to figure out. The fans in these parts do not have to travel very far to figure this out. Last April, the Steelers number 1 selection from U. of Florida was Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey was so good that he was inserted into the starting line-up immediately and he even made the Pro Bowl. And look at the book-end wide outs in Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown how they were cogs in the Steeler passing game and what a future these 2 have in the Steelers passing game. With the Steelers getting back their offensive linemen in tackles Max Starks and Willie Colon and Big Ben always staying healthy, the Steelers can get back to the Super Bowl again. Talking about the Super Bowl, lots of credit has to be given to the Packers Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is fast becoming one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL if not the best right now. There is such a fine line in the NFL, if the Tampa Bay Bucs had beaten the Detroit Lions at home during Week 15 of the season, the Green Bay Packers may not have been in the playoffs. This is unreal football fans. The NFL Draft is not only very important but it is fun to watch if you are a draftnik. Until next time, Think Spring.

Excitement at 6:30 tonight

This could be an outstanding Super Bowl tonight with 2 teams that are peaking at the right time. Losing Maurkice Pouncey could hurt the Steelers somewhat but Coach Sean Kugler has the ability to get his offensive linemen ready for every game. Center Doug Legursky and Big Ben must make every snap from center perfect. I think this could be a Time of Possession Game. Versus the Jets 2 weeks ago, the Steelers held the ball for over 9 minutes during the first drive freezing the Jets offense. The Steelers need to freeze the Packers high powered offense. An important cog in the Steelers offense goes to 1 unheralded guy and another solid player. The veteran solid player is TE Heath Miller. Miller blocked like there was no tomorrow vs the Jets. He can help Flozell Adams handle talented Clay Matthews plus he is a key receiver in the Steelers passing game. The unheralded player is #85 TE/HB David Johnson. Many Steeler fans do not know who David Johnson is but this guy can really block. He lines up at TE, he lines up in the backfield, and of some occasions he goes in motion. During some plays vs. the Jets and during the season, he led Mendenhall through the hole. At times, he engulfed NYJet linebackers. Johnson is tough, strong, and a good athlete. Offensive Co-ordinatior Bruce Arians knows how to utilize David Johnson in the Steelers offense. 6 out of 7 experts on a panel from the network picked Green Bay to win the game. Only Keyshawn Johnson chose the Steelers If the Steelers run the football well vs the Packers Defense, and Big Ben takes care of the ball, and the Steelers defense plays their normal solid game, they can win their 7th Super Bowl. Enjoy the game everyone, it will be exciting.