3 Rivers Rundown 3.1.15: Back To The Past Thru Our Future

By @Kratoslives

Ok the season is over. Combine has come and gone. It is time to get back to our past. So with that said, it's time to do the unmentionable: cut Troy Polamalu. I know what I'm saying is crazy to some, but it is time. So with a heavy heart and leap of faith, we move on. Thank You Troy, we love you. However, we must address our past so that means one more year for James Harrison and Brett Keisel who showed they have one left in them.   

Now for Shamarko Thomas and Mike Mitchell it's time to shine and take over the middle of the secondary. Ok here is where it gets scary CB we must strike gold in this draft. We also need a serious NT, we must clog up the middle. Mike Tomlin, yes you, I'm calling you out on this one. I need to see the coach from his second year at the helm. That man could get a rabbit to kill a rattle snake with a feather. That coach is really needed because we must also go young on D. Bye Ike Taylor. You're killing us by getting beat across the middle, and Cortez Allen....man up. 

To the coordinators Todd Haley and Keith Butler, mainly Keith, you must breathe new life into the defense. Todd, stay in Ben's head the passing game was spectacular last year. Mike Munchak, no words are needed. Our O-Line is in great hands. Now for the players themselves, you must lose this friendly attitude. Other than Cam Heyward the intensity level has to go up. Believe it or not, if you play more violent the refs will let that be your style of play. 

Mr. Kevin Colbert it's time to get your draft picks back in order. You must strike oil with this 2015 draft class. If not, I'll lead the parade for your resignation and it will be messy. These things must be accomplished because truthfully last year we should've been 8-8. We truly lucked out in a couple of those games. Guess what Pittsburgh? Your the team to beat this year when it comes to the AFC. With only two pieces really needed on the offense, tight end and running back, we will be one of the most feared units. 

As far as the AFC North goes, we will be in a fight again for the title with the Bengals and Ravens waiting on us to stumble because of the schedule. Sorry Cleveland, but you're not going to be a factor this year. So with zeal and hesitation I push forward looking for great things for our team. Including sliding down to Canton to watch "The Bus" Jerome Bettis go into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. April 30th, I also will be crashing another draft party representing the Black & Yellow. Time to get ready folks! So let's meet again maybe in a month, talking more Steelers football. 

3 Rivers Rundown 1.13.15: A New Era In Pittsburgh #Steelers

By @Kratoslives

With the resignation of Dick Lebeau, in Pittsburgh we are ushering in a new era. The burning question on everyone's lips is what kind era?

Considering that only Big Ben and Heath Miller will be the only players on the Steelers with Super Bowl rings, what will the new look Steelers resemble, and will these new Steelers produce rings? Why would I say rings? Easy answer, because wins are expected. The serious question is will  Tomlin and Colbert produce rings? With Ben entering his NFL interlectual prime with superior young talent (Brown, Bell, Bryant, and young improving O-Line), it is now time to produce with no excuses except for the defensive secondary.

The defensive side of the ball will improve drastically with the removal of certain players (Cam Thomas, Ike Taylor, sorry I love you but Troy Polamalu). These moves must be made to force proper growth on the defense. But the most glaring need was for Dick Lebeau to leave. It's hard say this about a legend on and off the field, but it's time. Everyone in the AFC North has moved on from their past, which has allowed them to grow including the Browns.

So with Lebeau's departure who will the Steelers look to succeed him? Keith Butler, the linebackers coach, or bring in someone like they did with Todd Haley. If I may suggest, Kevin Green, who like Haley, is tied to our past. Who ever comes in, they have a daunting task of improving upon Lebeau's record of 2 rings and a keen eye for untapped potential. I like Howard Jones, who I personally watched play all 4yrs in college, thanks to him and my daughter both playing sports for Shepherd University in West Virginia. So with the best wishes I say, fairwell to Mr. Lebeau and hello to our new future.

3 Rivers Rundown With Jaison (@Kratoslives)

A Tale Of 2 Teams (Fighting For Control)
By @Kratoslives

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers starring Big Ben, Antonio "Wiggle" Brown, Heath Miller, Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant and guest starring Le'Veon Bell. This is the new air force just ask the Colts secondary, which is now part of the NFL's record breaking game, even though they weren't too happy with their part in it.

Now hold on, this is about 2 teams as I stated in my title. Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers starring Le'Veon Bell, LeGarette Blount, Will Johnson & Dri Archer, guest starring Big Ben. This unit will haunt "River Boat" Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers front seven for a long time. Bell & Blount may still be running wild in their minds. I know the fans won't forget them no time soon.

These 2 teams are fighting for control of the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base, and for control of the team itself. Which in turn is driving me and the rest of the fan base insane. I'm cracking up right now doing this article. Quit laughing I'm not kidding I'm going nuts about this. Don't believe, me check this out.

Week 1 vs the Browns, the first half was EUPHORIA! I'm jumping screaming and partying like a fool. Now something has happened during halftime to my emotions, 1000% pure DYSPHORIA, stunned silence. I'm searching for a boulder to hide under. How? Really, how could this have happened, I was on cloud nine 15 minutes ago. Could someone have kidnapped our entire offense during halftime. Is Ashton Kutcher shooting a new episode of Punked? That's it, both teams ran into the locker room and switched uniforms, but Ashton still hasn't showed his face pointing at hidden cameras.

Man I feel like I have a split personality, wait a minute that's it. The Pittsburgh Steelers has a split personality. One game they are running the ball down their opponents throats. The next game they are airing it out, too the point they need their own airport. But then it's the second game against the Brown's where nobody showed up except the Brown's. Now that we have found the problem may I make a suggestion, stop over thinking! Your putting yourself in the lost column when you over think.

Stick with what's working, if the passing game is working don't stop. Make them stop you, and if the running game is clicking then ride our horses. Just don't take your foot off your opponents neck until you see this on the game clock 00:00. Now that we have come to a understanding, Mike Tomlin here's my bill, $150. I take pay pal, checks, cash or tickets to a home game. Just remember don't let up on your opponent until the game is over. I'm going to check in on you.

Your buddy, Jaison from Warrensville Hts.

P.S. I now accept all major credit cards.

TV Tonight 10.16

By @neveRWilliams

NFL
Thursday Night Kickoff (CBS/NFL Network, 7:30 PM)
Jets @ Patriots (CBS/NFL Network, 8:25 PM)

MLB PLAYOFFS
Cardinals @ Giants, Game 5 (FOX Sports 1, 8 PM)

NHL
Bruins @ Canadiens (NHL Network, 7:30 PM)

NBA
Celtics @ 76ers (NBA TV, 7:30 PM)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Virginia Tech @ Pittsburgh (ESPN, 7:30 PM)

SOCCER
MLS: New England Revolution @ Houston Dynamo (ESPN 2, 8 PM)

===

The Biggest Loser (NBC, 8 PM)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC, 8 PM)
Bones (FOX, 8 PM)
The Vampire Diaries (The CW, 8 PM)

Bad Judge (NBC, 9 PM)
Scandal (ABC, 9 PM)
Gracepoint (FOX, 9 PM)
Reign (The CW, 9 PM)
A to Z (NBC, 9:30 PM)

Parenthood (NBC, 10 PM)
How To Get Away With Murder (ABC, 10 PM)
Ridiculousness (MTV, 10 PM)
Snack-Off (MTV, 10:30 PM)

Leadoff with Lee 5.10.14

-In Day 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns made three additions to the team. In the second round at pick 35, they selected offensive tackle Joel Bitonio from Nevada. Bitonio is 6'4", 302 pounds and is said to have a "mean and nasty" style of play. He may outplay Mitchell Schwartz and/or Jason Pinkston and take the starting spot. The third round seen the Browns selecting linebacker Chris Kirksey from Iowa. Kirksey is a hard hitter, but weighing in around 230 pounds some think that he may be able to play safety as well. Lastly on Friday, the Browns traded up into the late third round to pick up running back Terrence West at 30. From Towson, West may appear short in stature at only 5'9", 225 pounds, but makes up for it in speed and powerful running. Many say he comparable to Maurice Jones-Drew. Rounds 4-7 start at Noon today.

-Browns Wide Receiver Josh Gordon faces a 1 year suspension from the NFL after allegedly failing a drug test. The drug he supposedly tested positive for is marijuana. Gordon entered the league in the NFL substance abuse program for testing positive for weed, before being drafted in the supplemental draft, which put him in stage 1 of the program. Josh Gordon then tested positive for "purple drank", a drinkable codeine cough syrup mixture, but was only suspended for 2 games last season for the offense. Purple drank was not on the banned substance list at that point in time. Gordon led the NFL last season in receiving yards with 1,646 yards.

-Former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel has been named the new President of Youngstown State University. Tressel was the head football coach for the Penguins from 1985-2000 before leaving to become head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

-The Ohio State Buckeyes football team had 2 players go in the 1st round on Thursday. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected linebacker Ryan Shazier with the 15th overall pick and cornerback Bradley Roby going 31st to the Denver Broncos. On Friday, the San Francisco 49ers selected running back Carlos Hyde in the 2nd round with the 26th pick in the round and 57th overall.

-The Indiana Pacers go up 2-1 in the series as the showed the Washington Wizards some magic last night winning 85-63, in the Eastern Conferece semis. Paul George had a game high of 23 points and 8 rebounds. On the defensive end, Roy Hibbert had 5 rebounds with 3 blocks on top of his 15 points. Washington's John Wall didn't help with 5 turnovers for the game and 6 points. Game 4 will be Sunday night in Washington.

-The late game seen the Los Angeles Clippers taking a 2-1 series lead, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-112. It was a very chippy game that seen a lot of shoving and even the bloodying of Blake Griffin's nose. Griffin however had a great game with 34 points. Chris Paul had 21 points and 16 assists, while Jamal Crawford added 20 off the bench. Kevin Durant led all scores with 36 but just wasn't enough to overcome the Clippers. Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka had 23 and 20 points, respectively. Game 4 will be Sunday afternoon in L.A.

-The Cleveland Indians beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-3 in Tampa yesterday. Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-4 with two runs scored. Mike Aviles was 1-3, but his one hit scored 3 RBIs with his homerun. Corey Kluber started and got the win for the Tribe. He improves back to .500 evening his record to 3-3. Kluber had 9 strikeouts! Can we say lights out?

Leadoff with Lee 4.27.14

-The Giants were just to big for the Indians. With a 3-0 lead headed into the 5th inning, San Francisco's bats became GIANTS literally. They scored four runs on four hits to go up 4-3. Michael Morse singled to start the rally. Brandon Crawford singled to right, then Brandon Hicks loaded the bases. Pinch hitter Gregor Blanco hit a single to make the score 3-1. Later, Hunter Pence hit a two run double to take the lead 4-3. Buster Posey came up in the sixth inning and hit a solo shot off of CC Lee. Tribe pitcher Zack McAllister started off strong, putting out 12 of his first 13 batters he saw. McAllister went 5 innings with 5 hits and 4 earned runs. On a bright note, he did strikeout 6. Cleveland and San Francisco finish the series tomorrow with Ryan Vogelsong (0-1 7.71 era) facing Cleveland's Danny Salazar(0-3 7.85 era). If Salazar doesn't have a quality start his next game, I expect him to be demoted to AAA.

-Vinsanity is back! Vince Carter hit a crazy 3 at the buzzer to get the victory for his Mavs against the Spurs. Dallas takes a 2-1 lead after a 109-108 victory at home. Dallas guard Monta Ellis tied his playoff career high with 29 points with a clutch 12 in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan had a team high of 22 points for the Spurs. Game 4 is Monday in Dallas at 9:30.

-The Indiana Pacers tied the series 2-2 with a 91-88 win over the Hawks. Paul George had a double-double, scoring 24 points to go along with his 10 rebounds. Paul Milsap went 3-6 from 3 point range and had 29 points, a playoff career high for Atlanta. Kyle Korver scored 15 points for the Hawks including 9 boards. This game shouldn't have been as close as it was. Atlanta shot a measly 35 percent versus Indiana. The Pacers will meet the Hawks again on Monday in Atlanta.

-Lebron James and the Heat took an overpowering 3-0 series lead with their 98-85 win over Charlotte. King James had team highs of 30 points with 10 rebounds. Dwyane Wade had a respectable 17 points for the Heat. Al Jefferson had the hot hand in the first quarter scoring 15 points, but only finished with 20 for the game. The "whiteout" by Charlotte's fans didn't do enough as it was more of a cry of "We Surrender". Miami looks to close out this series on Monday in Charlotte.

-Behind the strength of Reggie Jackson, not Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, BUT Reggie Jackson, the Oklahoma City Thunder held off the Memphis Grizzlies, 92-89 in overtime. It was the third straight overtime in this series. Jackson lead with 29 points, while Durant and Westbrook struggled but chipped in 15 points apiece. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 23 points and 11 rebounds. With the series tied, it now heads back to OKC Tuesday night for Game 5.

-At UFC 172, Jon "Bones" Jones defended his UFC light heavyweight title successfully for the 7th straight time, defeating Glover Teixera by decision after 5 rounds.

-The Columbus Blue Jackets fell 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pittsburgh takes a 3-2 series lead as the series heads back to Columbus on Monday. Game time is 7 PM.

-Sometime today I will drop a special piece about Bernie Kosar being taken off doing the Browns pre-season games.