SB Nation Pittsburgh: All Posts by Peter Berkeshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2013-03-21T08:00:06-04:00https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/authors/peter-berkes/rss2013-03-21T08:00:06-04:002013-03-21T08:00:06-04:00Steelers take a wideout in latest mock draft
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Pittsburgh suddenly needs help at wide receiver, and they get it in a new mock draft that has them taking Tennessee product Cordarrelle Patterson.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> could use some help in multiple areas entering the 2013 NFL Draft. They need to get some youth into the mix on defense, but since the beginning of free agency, wide receiver has become a significant position of need.</p>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a target="new" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com">Behind the Steel Curtain</a>
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<p>With that in mind, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfldraftscout-DaneBrugler" target="_blank">CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler has the Steelers taking Tennessee wide receiver</a> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158468/cordarrelle-patterson">Cordarrelle Patterson</a> with in his latest mock draft. Patterson played only one season with the Volunteers, but showed the country that he's an incredibly athletic playmaker who can be a threat any time the ball is in his hands. Here's what Brugler had to say about Patterson:</p>
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<p>The Steelers need to get younger and faster on defense, but they also have a glaring need at wide receiver after losing <span>Mike Wallace</span> and the future of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/15999/emmanuel-sanders">Emmanuel Sanders</a> currently in restricted free agency limbo. Patterson is rough around the edges, but the athletic upside is undeniable.</p>
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<p>If Sanders leaves behind Wallace, Pittsburgh would have only three receivers on the roster with more than two years of NFL experience: <span>Antonio Brown</span>, <span>Jerricho Cotchery</span>, and <span>Plaxico Burress</span>. It's unlikely that the team would be happy to take that group into the regular season unchanged.</p>
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<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oSVjM-7Y6cc" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2013/3/21/4129724/nfl-mock-draft-2013-cordarrelle-patterson-steelersPeter Berkes2013-02-18T10:03:32-05:002013-02-18T10:03:32-05:00Steelers take defensive lineman in new mock draft
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Steelers need to get younger on defense, and that's just what they did in SB Nation's newest mock draft.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> need to bring in some young blood on defense, and that's just what they do in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/2/18/3999998/2013-nfl-mock-draft-combine-performances-could-push-players-up">SB Nation's newest mock draft</a>, selecting Alabama defensive tackle Jesse Williams.</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">Casey Hampton is set to enter free agency and at 35, his career may be at its end. Even if the Steelers bring him back on a one-year deal, upgrading the middle of their defense is a must. Williams may be coming off a knee injury, but it shouldn't negatively impact his future play. He's a powerhouse nose that can push the pocket or take up multiple blockers.</span></p>
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<p>Williams, an Australian, is still relatively new to football, so his potential for growth is higher than many other alternative selections. He didn't accumulate gaudy stats for Alabama, but did his job anchoring the middle of their defensive line and disrupting opponents' run games. With it looking likely that the Steelers will lose <span>Casey Hampton</span>, Williams could slot right into his position at nose tackle.</p>
<p>A pass rusher could be an option for the team at 17th overall, but most of the premier pass rushing options will likely be off the board by then.</p>
<p>For more information on Williams, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft/2013/1/2/3828110/jesse-williams-2013-nfl-draft-scouting-report" target="_blank">check out his SB Nation scouting report</a>. Last season, he had 37 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and one sack for the Crimson Tide.</p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2013/2/18/4000790/steelers-jesse-williams-nfl-mock-draft-2013Peter Berkes2012-12-08T10:42:23-05:002012-12-08T10:42:23-05:00Penn State takes on Army on Saturday afternoon
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<p>Penn State and Army will meet up on Saturday in State College, and the Nittany Lions will try to bounce back from a loss to La Salle on Wednesday.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions" class="sbn-auto-link">Penn St. Nittany Lions</a> will take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/army-black-knights" class="sbn-auto-link">Army Black Knights</a> on Saturday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Penn., and have a good chance to rebound from their tough loss to La Salle on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>The Nittany Lions have had a rough time since losing point guard <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99917/tim-frazier" class="sbn-auto-link">Tim Frazier</a> for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. The team is 2-2 in the four games without him, but the offense has struggled to find a rhythm without Frazier's steadying hand. The team may not be exceptionally talented, but they put in a huge amount of effort defensively and on the boards.</p>
<p>The Black Knights are no pushover, though. They're 4-3 to start the year, and are scoring over 75 points per game and grabbing over 40 rebounds per game.</p>
<p>Tipoff in State College is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen nationally on Big Ten Network.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/12/8/3743356/army-vs-penn-state-basketball-previewPeter Berkes2012-12-08T10:28:52-05:002012-12-08T10:28:52-05:00Sean Kugler leaving Steelers for UTEP
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kugler is reportedly the new head coach at his alma mater, UTEP. This will be Kugler's first head coaching job at any level.</p> <p>Sean Kugler is the new head coach of the UTEP Miners, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2012/12/8/3742588/sean-kugler-utep-head-coach">according to reports</a>. Kugler has been the offensive line coach for the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> since 2010, and reportedly beat out former <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a> defensive coordinator Juan Castillo for the position. It will be Kugler's first head coaching job at any level.</p>
<p>Kugler played at UTEP from 1984-1988, and spent eight seasons as an assistant coach there from 1993-2000. He's also spent time as an assistant for the <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a>, <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a>, and Boise State Broncos.</p>
<p>Kugler is taking over in El Paso for Mike Price, who retired after 31 years of coaching. Price put together a record of 48-61 during his nine seasons in charge of the Miners, including a roundly disappointing 3-9 season in 2012. UTEP allowed 30 sacks in 12 games this past year, so Kugler's offensive line expertise will be needed to help turn things around at his alma mater.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/12/8/3743326/sean-kugler-utep-steelersPeter Berkes2012-09-26T15:06:41-04:002012-09-26T15:06:41-04:00Paul Jones uncertain on status with PSU team
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<p>A report<a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/9/26/3411628/penn-state-football-paul-jones/in/3176655"> Wednesday morning </a>indicated that quarterback/tight end <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114108/paul-jones#stories_tab">Paul Jones</a> was no longer with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/penn-st-nittany-lions" class="sbn-auto-link">Penn State Nittany Lions</a> football team. Jones was reached on campus Wednesday afternoon by The Daily Collegian and said <a target="_blank" href="http://www.collegian.psu.edu/blogs/footblog/2012/09/26/paul_jones_status_in_question.aspx">he didn't know where he stood regarding his place on the team</a>.</p>
<p>Starting quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt McGloin</a> said that Jones was not at practice on Tuesday, and wasn't aware of Jones' status with the team and coaching staff.</p>
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<p><span style="line-height: 9px;">"Whether he comes back or whether he decides to leave, I wish him the best of luck," McGloin said.</span></p>
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<p>Jones arrived in State College two years ago with a lot of hype, but academic issues prevented him from competing right away. After losing the battle for the starting quarterback job to McGloin in the spring, Jones had been moved to tight end by the coaching staff to better use his athleticism. He made his debut at tight end against Navy, catching one pass for 7 yards, but did not record a catch the next week against Temple.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/9/26/3412958/paul-jones-penn-state-matt-mcgloinPeter Berkes2012-09-26T14:41:40-04:002012-09-26T14:41:40-04:00Steelers' Mundy fined $21K for hit on Heyward-Bey
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<p>According to <a href="https://twitter.com/RichieWalsh/status/251009066044899328" target="_blank">a tweet from Rich Walsh of WPXI NBC Pittsburgh</a>, <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> safety <span>Ryan Mundy</span> has been fined $21,000 by the NFL for his hit on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Raiders</a> WR Darius Heyward-Bey during Pittsburgh's 34-31 loss to Oakland on Sunday. Some suspected that Mundy would be suspended as a result of the hit, but the fine is the only form of discipline handed out by the league as a result of the play.</p>
<p>Heyward-Bey suffered a concussion and strained neck as a result of the hit, and was knocked unconscious for 10 minutes before being revived and taken to the hospital. Mundy's hit did not draw a penalty flag from the replacement officials working the game. Take a look again:</p>
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<p>There's no timetable yet for Heyward-Bey's return. Mundy commented after the game that he did not intentionally lead with his head on the hit, and expressed remorse that he injured Heyward-Bey on the hit.</p>
<p>According to Walsh, Mundy will appeal the fine.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/9/26/3412752/ryan-mundy-darrius-heyward-bey-steelersPeter Berkes2012-09-22T17:12:41-04:002012-09-22T17:12:41-04:00Temple Vs. Penn State Score: Nittany Lions Lead 14-3 At Halftime
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<p>The Penn State Nittany Lions lead the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/temple-owls" class="sbn-auto-link">Temple Owls</a> 7-3 at halftime. The Penn State offense has 270 total yards and has been able to move the ball effectively, but mistakes have prevented them from really turning those yards into points.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51488/matthew-mcgloin" class="sbn-auto-link">Matt McGloin</a> went 14-22 for 213 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the air, and added another rushing touchdown right before halftime. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/51495/michael-zordich" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Michael Zordich</a>, pressed into heavier action due to injuries, has 60 yards on 11 carries. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142582/allen-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Allen Robinson</a> caught another touchdown, and seven other receivers have gotten into the action with a catch.</p>
<p>Temple's offense has struggled to the tune of 96 total yards in the first half. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/84447/chris-coyer" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Coyer</a> is 5-9 for only 39 yards, and has been sacked twice. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/49314/montel-harris" class="sbn-auto-link">Montel Harris</a> has 24 rushing yards on 10 carries, and Coyer has 20 yards as well.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Nittany Lions football, visit <a href="http://blackshoediaries.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries</a>, plus <a href="http://offtackleempire.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire</a>, <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a> and <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Philly</a>. </i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For more on Temple football, visit <a href="http://philly.sbnation.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Philly</a> and <a href="http://bigeastcoastbias.com/" style="color: #000000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;">Big East Coast Bias</a>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/penn-st-nittany-lions/2012/9/22/3374190/penn-state-temple-2012-score-resultsPeter Berkes