SB Nation Pittsburgh: All Posts by Pat Johnstonhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2013-01-06T17:47:48-05:00https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/authors/pat-johnston/rss2013-01-06T17:47:48-05:002013-01-06T17:47:48-05:00Bill O'Brien stays at Penn State: blogger reaction
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<figcaption>Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien has spurned offers to remain in the college ranks. Our Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries reacted to the news.</p> <p>After completing his first season at Penn State with a record of 8-4 despite an 0-2 start to the 2012 season, Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien received plenty of interest from the NFL where he used to be a coordinator. O'Brien ultimately decided to reject the NFL head coaching offers to stay with the Nittany Lions.</p>
<p>Our Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/1/6/3843428/bill-obrien-penn-state-joe-paterno-one-year-later" target="_blank">said about the situation with their team's head coach</a>:</p>
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<p>A year and a brief flirtation with the NFL later, and Penn State is solidly behind their head ball coach. He has said all of the right things, done most of the right things, and carried himself like a true Penn State man.</p>
<p>Will he be here for 40 years? No, and how long he will be here will always be questioned, especially when NFL teams come calling. But the first year was going to be the hardest, and Bill O'Brien made it a little easier for Penn State.</p>
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<p>It has been a full 365 days since O'Brien was announced as the head coach at Penn State. Since then, O'Brien has been selected as the AT&T ESPN Coach of the Year and the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the job he did in his first year with the program and also in his first year as a head coach. Nobody knows how long O'Brien will stay at Penn State, but he did get off to a good start, all things considered.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2013/1/6/3843814/penn-state-football-bill-obrienPat Johnston2012-12-30T20:08:39-05:002012-12-30T20:08:39-05:00Redskins-Cowboys to determine final playoff spot
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington</figcaption>
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<p>The NFL Playoff picture is nearly settled. The AFC seeds have all been secured while the Redskins and Cowboys will play on Sunday night to determine the last seed in the NFC.</p> <p>The 2013 NFL Playoff picture just became a lot clearer after the Sunday afternoon games.</p>
<p>The AFC seeding has been completely set with the seeding below:</p>
<p>1. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Broncos</a></p>
<p>2. <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a></p>
<p>3. <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a></p>
<p>4. <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a></p>
<p>5. <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a></p>
<p>6. <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a></p>
<p>The Bengals will play on the road versus the Texans in one Wild Card game while the Ravens host the Colts in the second Wild Card game.</p>
<p>On the NFC side of the bracket, things are nearly settled after the Vikings defeated the Packers, 37-34, on Sunday.</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a></p>
<p>2. <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a></p>
<p>3. <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a></p>
<p>4. TBD winner of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Redskins</a>-<a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a></p>
<p>5. <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a></p>
<p>6. <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Vikings</a></p>
<p>The Vikings will have to play the Packers once again in the Wild Card round. Unlike Week 17, the game will be at Lambeau Field. The Seahawks will play on the road against the winner of the Redskins-Cowboys game on Sunday Night Football.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/30/3819432/2013-nfl-playoff-picture-scenariosPat Johnston2012-12-30T19:16:46-05:002012-12-30T19:16:46-05:00Steelers safety Ryan Clark in hospital
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<figcaption>Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers safety Ryan Clark is in the hospital after Pittsburgh's game against the Browns.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> safety <span>Ryan Clark</span> wound up in the hospital following Sunday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>. The game, which the Steelers won 24-10, was the final one of the 2012 one for Pittsburgh, who missed the playoffs.</p>
<p>Clark <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRClark25/status/285510880681152513" target="_blank">said via Twitter</a>, "Figures I's put myself in the hospital after the last game!" He also tweeted a picture of himself <a href="http://instagram.com/p/T4OG9vvWAb/" target="_blank">in a hospital gown</a>. Neither Clark nor the team specified what his injury is. Clark did not appear on the Steelers' injury report during the week.</p>
<p>Clark was very active in the game, making nine combined tackles (six solo) and one tackle for loss. He did not leave the game early and his last tackle occurred just after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Clark was not selected to go to the 2013 Pro Bowl despite making 102 combined tackles and two interceptions this season. Clark also forced two fumbles.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/30/3819316/steelers-ryan-clark-injury-brownsPat Johnston2012-12-24T08:01:32-05:002012-12-24T08:01:32-05:00Bengals vs. Steelers: Steelers blogger reaction
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<figcaption>Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain reacts to Sunday's loss which eliminated Pittsburgh from playoff contention.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> were defeated by the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, 13-10, on Sunday and were eliminated from playoff contention. Our Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/12/23/3798910/steelers-bengals-recap-week-16-playoff-picture-eliminated-loss-ben-roethlisberger">reacted to the loss</a>. The blame fell mostly on quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> who finished the game 14-of-28 passing for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.</p>
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<p>Last week it was a forced throw on the sideline in overtime, this time, Roethlisberger's errant pass and poor decision of throwing into two deep safeties burned the Steelers, who played perhaps their best defensive football game of the year.</p>
<p>The Steelers (7-8) are eliminated from the playoffs with the loss, one season after finishing 12-4, and having started 6-3 this year.</p>
<p>Injuries drug this team down, but the final game was decided by the poor play of Roethlisberger in particular, as well as some highly questionable coaching decisions.</p>
<p>The Steelers held the ball on fourth down with under two minutes to play. Staring at a 53-yard field goal, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin elected to kick anyway. Heinz Field has seen six successful field goals of more than 50 yards in its 11-year history.</p>
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<p><span>Shaun Suisham's</span> attempt came up short and after a Bengals punt, the Steelers had the ball, 44 seconds and two timeouts left. Roethlisberger threw an interception at the Cincinnati 44-yard line which was returned by <span>Reggie Nelson</span> to the Pittsburgh 46-yard line with 14 seconds remaining. A pass to <span>A.J. Green</span> on the next play set up <span>Josh Brown's</span> game-winning 43-yard field goal.</p>
<p>Roethlisberger threw at least one interception in each of the last three weeks after returning from injury. The Steelers are now out of the playoffs but still have one game remaining against the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a> before their season ends.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/24/3799600/steelers-vs-bengals-week-16Pat Johnston2012-12-16T18:52:18-05:002012-12-16T18:52:18-05:00Steelers, Cowboys tied at 17 after three quarters
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<p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> are tied with the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Cowboys</a>, 17-17, after three quarters of play at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday.</p>
<p>The teams went into halftime tied at 10-10 and remain tied after trading touchdowns in the third quarter. The Steelers responded quickly after Dallas took the lead on a <span>Dez Bryant</span> 24-yard touchdown catch with 6:03 remaining. Pittsburgh needed just 1:47 and three plays to go 60 yards and tie the game with a <span>Jonathan Dwyer</span> touchdown run from 1 yard out.</p>
<p>Both <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> and <span>Tony Romo</span> have more than 240 yards passing in the game. Roethlisberger is 15 of 28 in the game for 243 yards and a touchdown. Romo has 268 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-27 passing. <span>DeMarco Murray</span> has 76 yards on 12 carries for the Cowboys while the Steelers have 62 rushing yards as a team through three quarters.</p>
<p>The Steelers have the ball and were driving as the third quarter came to a close.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/16/3774380/steelers-vs-cowboys-third-quarter-scorePat Johnston2012-12-16T18:27:02-05:002012-12-16T18:27:02-05:003-Star Alex Officer commits to Pitt
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Three-star offensive lineman Alex Officer has committed to Pitt for the 2013 class.</p> <p>Alex Officer, a consensus three-star offensive lineman from New York's Eastridge Senior High School (Rochester), has <a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/2012/12/16/3773978/alex-officer-pitt-panthers-recruiting-new-york-paul-chryst-offensive-line-dorian-johnson" target="_blank">committed to the Pitt Panthers</a> for the 2013 recruiting class. Officer chose the Panthers with a verbal commitment on Dec. 15 over offers from Boston College, Louisville, Purdue, Rutgers and Syracuse. His official visit to Pitt took place on Dec. 7.</p>
<p>Officer, listed at 6'4" and between 285 and 310 pounds, depending on the scouting service, is the fourth lineman in the 2013 class, joining Dorian Johnson (the No. 2 ranked offensive tackle in the country), Carson Baker and Aaron Reese. The Pitt 2013 class now has 20 commitments for head coach Paul Chryst, 14 of whom are rated three-star or better recruits.</p>
<p>Here are some video highlights of Officer's 2012 season for Eastridge. In addition to paving the way for Eastridge's rushing attack, Officer also spent time on the defensive line for the Lancers, making 60 tackles and three sacks:</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sEeVL9Lb0lA" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/16/3774110/pitt-football-recruiting-alex-officer-commitsPat Johnston2012-12-16T18:02:23-05:002012-12-16T18:02:23-05:00Steelers, Cowboys tied at halftime, 10-10
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>, 10-10, at halftime on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.</p>
<p>The Cowboys scored the first 10 points of the game before a <span>Shaun Suisham</span> 32-yard field goal in the second quarter broke the ice for the Steelers. Dallas could have potentially had a lead at the half but running back <span>DeMarco Murray</span> lost a fumble in the Pittsburgh red zone late in the first quarter. Dallas got a 50-yard field goal from <span>Dan Bailey</span> and a 17-yard touchdown reception from <span>Jason Witten</span> through the first two quarters.</p>
<p><span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> made the Cowboys pay late in the first half when he bought time and found <span>Heath Miller</span> for the tying score with 34 seconds remaining in the half. The 30-yard touchdown reception capped a seven-play, 73-yard drive. Pittsburgh had 124 yards for the half before the drive.</p>
<p>Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger was 13-for-25 in the first half for 163 yards and a touchdown. Dallas' <span>Tony Romo</span> was 12-of-17 for 158 yards and a touchdown. Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray led all rushers with 62 yards on nine carries. The Steelers managed just 34 rushing yards on nine first-half carries. Miller led all receivers with 85 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/16/3774176/steelers-vs-cowboys-halftime-scorePat Johnston2012-12-02T18:50:05-05:002012-12-02T18:50:05-05:00Mountaineers to face Orange in Pinstripe Bowl
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Old Big East foes West Virginia and Syracuse will reportedly meet in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/west-virginia-mountaineers" class="sbn-auto-link">West Virginia Mountaineers</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JennMenendez/status/275378919979499521">have reportedly learned </a>that they will play in the Pinstripe Bowl this postseason. The Mountaineers' opponent will be a familiar one, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/syracuse-orange" class="sbn-auto-link">Syracuse Orange</a> from the conference West Virginia just left and the Orange are soon to leave, the Big East.</p>
<p>The game, which is played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, will feature the Orange for the second time in three seasons, while the Mountaineers will be making their first appearance in the game as a representative of the Big 12 Conference. Syracuse won the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl over Iowa State, 36-34, in 2010.</p>
<p>West Virginia finished its first Big 12 season at 7-5 and the Orange finished their season with the same record. The bowl game will be a rematch of the final Big East meeting between the teams, a shocking 49-23 victory for the Orange in the Carrier Dome for the first time in a decade. Syracuse also defeated West Virginia in the 2010 Big East meeting which snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Mountaineers.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719412/new-era-pinstripe-bowl-west-virginia-vs-syracuse-projectionsPat Johnston2012-12-02T18:05:12-05:002012-12-02T18:05:12-05:00What Colts win means for Steelers playoff picture
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Colts' win on Sunday means the Steelers won't be allowed many mistakes in trying to secure a playoff spot.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>' Wild Card hopes became a little less certain during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>' game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> on Sunday when <span>Andrew Luck</span> led the Colts on a dramatic game-winning drive.</p>
<p>The Colts are now 8-4 and got closer to cementing a playoff spot. The Steelers (6-5) had been doing their best to keep pace with the Colts but have dropped their last two games after winning four straight games. Pittsburgh also trails the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> at halftime on Sunday, 13-6. With the Colts getting closer to securing a playoff spot, the Steelers will have to hold off other AFC teams in the hunt for what might end up being the last Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>If the NFL playoffs had started on Sunday, both the Colts and Steelers would have been Wild Card teams. The Steelers and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> were both 6-5 entering Sunday's action but the Steelers held the tiebreaker over AFC North rivals Cincinnati. The Bengals currently trail the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>, 13-10, at halftime.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719226/nfl-playoff-scenarios-colts-steelersPat Johnston2012-11-25T20:13:59-05:002012-11-25T20:13:59-05:00Weeden suffers concussion vs. Steelers
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<figcaption>Matt Sullivan</figcaption>
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<p>Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden reportedly suffered a concussion in Cleveland's win over the Steelers on Sunday.</p> <p><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Browns</a> rookie quarterback <span>Brandon Weeden</span> <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/11/25/browns-brandon-weeden-concussion.ap/index.html">reportedly suffered a concussion</a> in the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>' 20-14 loss to Cleveland on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.</p>
<p>Weeden was injured during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Weeden's concussion may have come when he banged his head against the leg of teammate Joe Thomas while attempting to throw a pass. Weeden was replaced for the final two series of the game by backup quarterback <span>Colt McCoy</span>. McCoy suffered a concussion in his previous game against the Steelers in Week 14 of 2011.</p>
<p>McCoy did not attempt a pass in the game as the Browns used run plays to bleed the clock. Weeden's day finished 17-of-26 for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception, which was returned 53 yards for a touchdown by Steelers linebacker <span>Lawrence Timmons</span>. Weeden was also sacked four times during the game. After the game, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur confirmed that Weeden was being treated for a concussion.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/11/25/3690736/brandon-weeden-concussion-browns-steelersPat Johnston