Saturday, 1:00 a.m.
Q: I just finished reading an article in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune concerning the student-athlete cheating scandal at Florida State University. The Appeals Court in Florida ruled the investigation can go public. To many, the scandal would be a shock, but to those of us who know college sports, especially football, know this to be true at many universities. The findings in the investigation are sad, more than interesting. Young people being "prostituted" for the good of a university sports program. Plus, a slap in the face to every person who worked hard to earn their college degree. One would hope this was an isolated incident, but know that it encompasses just about every major and mid-level college sports program. Young men and woman that have absolutely no business being in an institution of higher learning are both victim and perpetrator.. Much can be learned from this investigation, but most likely it will be swept under the carpet.
I often wonder how many athletes playing pro sports have actually graduated from their respective universities. Probably less than 15 percent. For every one of us who put so much effort, time, and money into earning our diploma, there are thousands of "Dexter Manley's" coursing the locker rooms of university sports plants. Most of my adult life was that of an academic guidance counselor, so I know all too well the struggles of the "educationally challenged" student. Shame on universities for not having a backbone to stand up against this outrageous conduct. I take comfort in knowing that most students attending colleges and universities are there for the right reason.
David Fazzone
Bob Smizik: A couple of decades ago the college gave up any pretext of having admission standards for athletes in general and football and basketball players in particular. It was a sad day as far as I’m concerned but I don’t think most people care. They look upon college athletics as a form of entertainment and a chance for their school to gain renown. Few are concerned about the cost of that renown.
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Q: Don't forget the Penguins were out of the playoff picture last year until Sergei Gonchar returned and sparked the team. Did his return have a bigger impact than coach Michel Therrien’s departure? We'll never know, but the Pens are not a better team with Gonchar out of the lineup. This injury will help keep Gonchar fresher for the playoff push, but they have to make the playoffs for it to matter.
Carl Palitti
Bob Smizik: First of all, I never suggested the Penguins are a better team with Gonchar out of the lineup. I said they could benefit in the long run by his absence because he'll be fresher when the games really count.
Also, the Penguins were not out of the playoff picture when Gonchar returned. Although they were in 10th place, they were very much in the picture. No question, the return of Gonchar helped the team advance to the playoffs. But who’s to say the fact he had fresh legs was not instrumental in that help.
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Q: C'mon Bob, the Patriots won three Super Bowls in four years without a running game. The Steelers won the Super Bowl without a running game last year. The Steelers are spreading the ball around just like the Pats. We'll see.
Peter David
Bob Smizik: The Patriots were seventh in the NFL in rushing in 2004 and 13th in 2001. I would not call that being ``without a running game.'' That said, of course, a superior passing offense can win the Super Bowl. Ben Roethlisberger is good enough to get the Steelers to the Super Bowl with the power of his arm. But it’s better to be balanced.
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Q: Living here in Raleigh N.C. and being a huge Steeler fan, I can't seem to find any true info on Limas Sweed and his relation with the Steelers. Is he that bad to be deactivated all the time and given little chance? Is the word in Pittsburgh he will be gone? Or is it because Mike Wallace has played much better. Second-round pick and not dressing is not a good sign.
Fred Taylor
Bob Smizik: I think the Sweed situation is pretty much what you see. On a team with five wide receivers, he is fourth or fifth. As such, he sometimes does not dress. He was given a chance earlier in the season and did not take advantage of it. The emergence of Wallace certainly makes Sweed expendable. But the Steelers believe he has talent and aren’t ready to give up on him. But if he does not show improvement in the 2010 training camp his job is in jeopardy.
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Q: Has anyone taken note of the fact that Tennessee has not won a game since stomping on the Terrible Towel last December? I think Myron has cursed them from above.
Greg Miller
Bob Smizik: I’m sure Myron Cope is chuckling over the fact the Titans’ ``sacrilege'' has come back to haunt them in the extreme.
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Q: Do you think the Pirates' situations looks even worse playing in a town with the Steelers and Penguins. I realize the Pens have had their problems over the years, but currently does it magnify just how inept the baseball team is when you have two solid franchises in the same city.
Steve Voyak
Bob Smizik: The Pirates don’t need any help in looking bad. They’ve kind of cornered the market in that field. Still, the success of the Penguins and Steelers only accentuates their incompetence. The fact the Penguins have rebuilt so quickly and so successfully makes the 17 years of Pirates futility look even worse.
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Q: Is Tim McCarver watching the same game as the we are? And why does Joe Buck think every night is the greatest game? It seems as if these guys have been doing the ACLC and World Series forever and it is almost unwatchable at this point!
Jack Chren
Bob Smizik: It’s all a matter of taste, Jack. I happen to think Buck and McCarver, who are doing the ALCS and will do the World Series, are as good as it gets and vastly superior to the TBS crew of Chip Carey, Ron Darling and Buck Martinez. Darling is good, Martinez is OK but Carey is a lightweight.
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Q: I just noticed that Pitt does not end its season with West Virginia this year, but rather against Cincinnati. Granted, if things go as hoped, that could be a great game featuring two top 10 teams playing for the Big East title. But how did the Cincinnati game get placed after the WVU game? Is this a one-time occurrence?
Mike Viola
Bob Smizik: I don't believe Pitt-WVU is in concrete as far as being the final game of the season. This is the fourth time in six years Pitt has played a conference game after West Virginia. I think the idea is for Pitt and WVU to play on the Thanksgiving weekend. Now that there is a 12th game, it pushes the schedule into December.
Posted
Oct 24 2009, 01:00 AM
by
Bob Smizik