Pittsburg, PA

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Explains Why He Benched Broderick Jones

Published

2 months ago

September 16, 2024

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Explains Why He Benched Broderick Jones

While Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was pleased with his team’s winning effort against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, he made it clear that they can’t continue to play an undisciplined brand of football moving forward.

During his postgame press conference, Tomlin stated that the Steelers’ offense in particular cannot keep committing penalties due to their detrimental nature in terms of building up drives and putting up points on the board.

“You can’t produce or sustain drives being penalized the way that we were, so we’ve got some work ahead of us there, among other things” Tomlin said. “Just from a knee jerk reaction standpoint though, that was the most troublesome component of the game.”

Pittsburgh committed nine accepted infractions for a total of 78 yards in its 13-6 victory over Denver, six of which came on the offensive end and wiped out several chunk plays that otherwise may have changed the outlook of the game.

For example, Van Jefferson was called for a pick play and tagged with an offensive pass interference in the end zone with seconds remaining in the first half, which negated a George Pickens touchdown.

Broderick Jones played just 11 snaps at right tackle all game, yet was hit with three penalties on a single drive. The most consequential of those calls came when he held Jonathan Cooper as Justin Fields rolled to his right and hit Pickens for a 51-yard catch down the sideline, which was brought back as a result.

Jones was already on his way to Tomlin’s doghouse before his lack of awareness was on full display in Denver, as rookie first-round pick Troy Fautanu seemingly usurped him for the starting right tackle job his return from an MCL sprain.

Still, Jones was set to rotate with Fautanu on Sunday and could’ve used that opportunity to show why he was a first-round pick a year ago. Instead, his propensity for committing penalties may have cost him in the long run.

When asked if he pulled Jones due to his lack of discipline, Tomlin provided an answer that offered all of the necessary insight without saying too much.

“You got it,” Tomlin exclaimed.

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Pittsburg, PA

Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

Published

6 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.

Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.

John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.

In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.

The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.

Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.

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Pirates Prospect Wins Bronze Medal With Team USA

Published

14 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pirates Prospect Wins Bronze Medal With Team USA

A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.

Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.

Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.

Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.

Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.

Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.

Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.

Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates

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Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night kicks off the holiday season

Published

22 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night kicks off the holiday season

02:46

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.

Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.

The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.

“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.

She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.

“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”

Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.

“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”

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