Does Pitt have a case for Running Back U?
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 17, 2019
Former Pitt running back Qadree Ollison recently asserted his case for Pitt as the premier producer of backfield talent.
Take 5: Contract conversations headline April’s introduction
By Staff
April 4, 2019
From NFL contract negotiations to March Madness to the beginning of the MLB regular season: the first week of April provides action from all around the sports world. Russell WIlson demands an extension while Ronald Acuna cashes in. While Carsen Edwards was lighting up the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA made billions off the labor of student athletes. And the AAF collapses after a promising start.
Panthers show off at Pitt’s NFL Pro Day
By Sami Abu-Obaid, Staff Writer
March 21, 2019
Pitt held its annual Pro Day on Wednesday to give seniors who weren’t invited to the NFL Combine a chance to perform in front of NFL Scouts.
Take 5: Baseball is Boomin’
By Staff
March 20, 2019
The largest contract in baseball history lasted 20 days before it was beaten out by the largest contract in baseball and American sports history. So who got the better deal, the Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper or the Los Angeles Angels and Mike Trout?
The Pitt News NFL Mock Draft 2.0
By Adin Link, Staff Writer
March 8, 2019
With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, it’s time to re-evaluate our first mock draft based on all that has taken place over the past month.
Takeaways from NFL Scouting Combine
By Andrew Kelly, Staff Writer
March 6, 2019
With the NFL Combine complete, it’s time to look at the standouts, draft implications and how Pitt’s lone representative fared against the competition.
Early look at the NFL Combine
By Adin Link, Staff Writer
February 28, 2019
his weekend will be make it or break it for 337 NFL prospects. Teams will find out who can perform under pressure and make it in the NFL.
Take 5: WWZD: What Will Zion Do
By Pitt News Staff
February 28, 2019
No one knows for sure what any athletes’ futures hold, but people can speculate. Morant will make it, Zion should come back, the Phillies should walk away from Bryce and Murray needs to throw.
Take 5: Brown, Boban, Bryce
By The Pitt News Staff
February 15, 2019
Brown formally announced he wants out of Pittsburgh, several trades shook up the NBA landscape and MLB superstars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are playing hard to get in the offseason.
Q&A: Pitt grad Randy Lieberman prepares to host Super Bowl LIII
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 31, 2019
In the lead-up to this year’s Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams, former Pitt News sports writer Randy Lieberman reached out to us to provide an up-close angle at the event.
Super Bowl Scoop: Covering America’s Greatest Spectacle from the beat writers who’ve been there
By Ben Bobeck, For The Pitt News
January 30, 2019
If it weren’t for journalists, most people would have no idea what’s going on at the Super Bowl. But while they’re bringing you the news, their jobs aren’t always easy. The Pitt News spoke with some journalists to find out the scoop on covering the Super Bowl.
What are the odds: Don’t bet against Brees, Brady in championship weekend
By Colin Martin, Staff Writer
January 18, 2019
It's tough to bet against two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Drew Brees in Tom Brady — so don't do it.
What are the odds: Bet on Foles, Rivers in NFL playoffs
By Colin Martin, Staff Writer
January 11, 2019
When it comes to the NFL playoffs, Nick Foles has proven that you should never bet against him.
What are the Odds: Pittsburgh wins in Oakland, Army beats Navy
By Colin Martin, Staff Writer
December 7, 2018
Another weekend, another opportunity to make some money. After going 2-4 last week, our in-house betting expert is looking to redeem himself with picks in the NFL, NBA and NCAA.
Take 5: Kyler, KD, Cardinals
By The Pitt News Staff
December 6, 2018
Our Pitt News Sports staff had some things to rant about this week, from Pittsburgh figures who irk them to who should be taking home hardware during awards season.
Waiver Wire: It’s crunch time
By Adin Link, Staff Writer
November 27, 2018
It’s the most important time of the year, fantasy football playoff time. To ensure you have who you need to make it in your fantasy football playoffs, check out Waiver Wire Weekly.
Waiver Wire Weekly: Countdown to Fantasy Playoffs
By Adin Link, Staff Writer
November 13, 2018
With Fantasy Football Playoffs right around the corner, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have the best players. Rashaad Penny and Jeff Heuerman both had their best games last week and are looking like two players you will want to have if you want to finish out the season strong. You can read more about what players to take here.
What are the odds: Pitt will run over the Hokies
By Collin Martin, Staff Writer
November 9, 2018
A lot has happened in the NFL this past week. The LA Rams are no longer undefeated and are going up against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. The Dallas Cowboys got Amari Cooper, but the Eagles now have Golden Tate. If those have you asking who you should bet on this week, don’t worry, we have your answers here.
Take 5: NFL, Le’Veon Bell, Hue’s farewell
By The Pitt News Staff
November 1, 2018
This week’s Take 5 column features two Pittsburgh-centric football storylines, including the Panthers’ quest for an ACC Coastal title and the Steelers’ success without Le’Veon Bell. In other news, a dark-horse Cy Young candidate has emerged for the 2019 MLB season and the Browns are still the Browns.
Take 5: Los Angeles, Le’Veon, no LeBron
By The Pitt News staff
October 17, 2018
As the NFL season nears its halfway point, Los Angeles’ two teams seem to be destined for a cross-city clash, while the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell continues to divide public opinion.
Waiver Wire Weekly: Gabriel and Mack are best bets
By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 17, 2018
If you happen to own Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and James Conner, fear not — these players should be able to fill in admirably in the NFL’s Week 7.
Take 5: Fultz, Futility, Finance
By The Pitt News staff
October 11, 2018
The Pitt News staff takes a look at each of America's three ongoing professional sports, from Markelle Fultz' improvement to the Bengals' false hopes.
Column: Josh Gordon provides ‘Flash’ of inspiration
By Stephen Thompson, Staff Writer
October 10, 2018
Josh Gordon has received criticism for his inability to maintain an NFL roster spot, but his continuous effort to overcome personal demons is nothing short of admirable.
Waiver Wire Weekly: Clement, Coutee are top options
By Adin Link, Staff Writer
October 9, 2018
It's officially Week 6 of the NFL season, and for avid fantasy football fans, it means it is almost time to lock in those picks. From quarterbacks to wide receivers to running backs, it seems the best picks this week are Corey Clement of the Eagles and Keke Coutee of the Texans.
Take 5: Preseason, playoff, Jared Goff
By The Pitt News Staff
October 3, 2018
We’re at a crucial crossroads of America’s three major sports, with the NFL entering midseason form while the MLB playoffs and NBA preseason get underway. The Pitt News staff leaves none of these stones unturned as we take a look at storylines from the past week.
Take 5: Bills, Baker, Bell
By The Pitt News Staff
September 27, 2018
The NFL gave us a surplus of story lines in a wacky Week 3 with the Patriots struggling, the Browns finally winning and Le’Veon Bell continuing his holdout.
Take 5: Patriots, pass-rush, Patrick Mahomes
By The Pitt News Staff
September 19, 2018
In a week with an abundance of compelling NFL storylines, The Pitt News staff provides some insight on the top talking points.
Take 5: Cy Young, NFL youth
By The Pitt News Staff
September 12, 2018
From the first week of NFL action to the dog days of professional baseball, The Pitt News staff gives its takes on five hot topics in the world of sports.
Take 5: Bell, Beadle and Basketball
By The Pitt News Staff
August 30, 2018
From catsuits to contract holdouts, The Pitt News staff takes a look at the spiciest storylines from the past week.
Pitt Football gains 11 recruits
By Joanna Li | Senior Staff Writer
June 20, 2018
Entering June with zero commitments from the 2019 recruiting class, Pitt’s football team found itself stuck with a late start to its recruiting trail. But despite the slow start, the pace suddenly changed as the the count rocketed to 11 commits in just one weekend, with nine of those players verbally ...
7 Pitt players find NFL homes in free agent deals
By Hannah Schneider, Joanna Li, and Trent Leonard
April 29, 2018
Only three Panthers were selected in this year’s NFL draft, starting in round 2 with Brian O’Neill. After the Vikings picked O'Neill, Tampa Bay chose Jordan Whitehead in the fourth round. The Philadelphia Eagles then chose Avonte Maddox with the 125th overall pick. The seven Pitt players in the dr...
Tampa Bay selects Jordan Whitehead with the 117th overall pick in the NFL Draft
By Trent Leonard | Senior Staff Writer
April 28, 2018
Pitt football had its second player taken off the board— after offensive lineman Brian O’Neill— when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected safety Jordan Whitehead in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Despite dealing with two shortened seasons after an impressive first year, Whi...
Minnesota Vikings pick Brian O’Neill 62nd overall in NFL Draft
By Trent Leonard | Senior Staff Writer
April 27, 2018
It took nearly two rounds, but the Pitt football team finally saw some recognition in the NFL Draft Friday night when the Minnesota Vikings selected offensive lineman Brian O’Neill with the 62nd overall pick. This is the culmination of a successful three-year career with the Panthers for O’Neill, whe...
Take five: Trades, tanks and take-backs
By The Pitt News Staff
February 8, 2018
Remember in elementary school when you would beg your friends to trade what with was in your lunchbox? We can all identify, and apparently so can every coach, owner and player in professional sports this week. Between hour-long hires and trading between sports, The Pitt News has you covered in thi...
Pitt professor’s model miscalculates Super Bowl prediction
By Michael Nitti | For the Pitt News
February 6, 2018
Pitt associate professor Konstantinos Pelechrinis predicted the Patriots would win the Super Bowl last week. Or, more accurately, his model did. Pelechrinis has been teaching at the School of Computing and Information at Pitt since 2010. He developed a model two years ago that’s meant to predi...
NFL: heighten safety or hamper the game
By Will Schulman | Columnist
January 31, 2018
Getting into formation with teammates, you stare across the field at the quarterback's eyes and hear him shout “Green 18” and “54’s the mike,” signaling players to move around the field. A few seconds later, a crisp “set...hike!” cuts through the noise — the game has begun. Now you...
Eagles blow out Vikings to earn franchise’s third trip to Super Bowl
By Sam Farmer | Los Angeles Times
January 22, 2018
The Philadelphia Eagles secured a Super Bowl rematch Sunday, and denied the Minnesota Vikings in their bid to make history. Led by quarterback Nick Foles and a smothering defense, the Eagles posted a 38-7 victory over Minnesota before a towel-swirling crowd so raucous at Lincoln Financial Field that...
Whitehead announces entry into NFL Draft
By Jordan Mondell | Assistant Sports Editor
December 11, 2017
Pitt football has lost yet another member of the squad to the NFL, as junior defensive back Jordan Whitehead declares for the 2018 draft. The Aliquippa native and former WPIAL player made his announcement Monday morning on Twitter. “After much thought and discussion with my family, I have decided to begin prepar...
Athletes, educators discuss activism in sports
By Brian Salvato | For The Pitt News
December 6, 2017
When former third-string Pitt kicker Ian Troost took a knee during the national anthem at the team’s Oct. 14 loss to NC State, his motivation was rooted in his background. “My reason, other than to highlight police brutality and social injustice in the United States, was because I came from a b...
Editorial: NFL player safety more important than politics
By The Pitt News Editorial Board
December 6, 2017
It seems like the National Football League won’t leave the headlines. The week 13 game Monday night between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals turned violent, resulting in a potentially life-altering spinal injury for Steelers’ linebacker Ryan Shazier and multiple players’ ejections...
Quadree Henderson to enter 2018 NFL Draft
By Mackenzie Rodrigues | Sports Editor
December 4, 2017
Pitt junior wide receiver and return specialist Quadree Henderson announced in a statement on Twitter that he will be leaving Pitt’s football team to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. “My lifelong goal has always been to play in the National Football League,” Henderson said Monday. “After speakin...
Trump’s NFL comments ignore players’ real concerns
By Will Schulman | For The Pitt News
October 6, 2017
After taking the gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter dash at the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos shocked the world — the two Olympians held up black gloved fists for the entire anthem. When Colin Kaepernick, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback, decided last year to kneel for th...
Gallery: Politicians, NFL players join family to remember Dan Rooney
By John Hamilton / Assistant News Editor
April 18, 2017
Friends, family, politicians, NFL owners and players remembered the life of Dan Rooney, the former Steelers chairman and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland who passed away Thursday at 84. The funeral was held Tuesday morning at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland. ...
Raiders relocate to plunder Vegas’ pockets
By Bayard Miller | Assistant Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
My dad became a Baltimore Colts fan when he was 5 years old because he liked the color blue. By the time he was in his 20s and living in Baltimore, he was a season ticket holder and a fanatic. But when the Colts left the city in 1984 — due to the State of Maryland refusing to pay for renovatio...
Bye bye, Boyd: Pitt receiver completes journey from Clairton to the NFL
By Ashwini Sivaganesh / Assistant Sports Editor
May 10, 2016
There were 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter on September 19, 2015, in Iowa City, Iowa, and the whole stadium knew where the ball was going. Pitt had the ball on second-and-goal from the eight-yard line, trailing the Iowa Hawkeyes by seven points. Quarterback Nathan Peterman was looking for an open rec...
Super Bowl 50 a disappointing product from start to finish
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
February 8, 2016
As I sat sprawled in a chair, watching Cam Newton get slaughtered by a vicious Denver defense and a lifeless Peyton Manning loft the ball in the air with less velocity than a granny-style free throw, one thought constantly pervaded my mind. Man, this is so boring. The 2016 Super Bowl was an old-fashioned defens...
Fixing the NFL’s Pro Bowl Problem
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 25, 2016
It’s that time of year again. That time when the biggest stars in the National Football League face off against one another, playing in one ultimate contest where pride and respect are on the line. Just kidding. The 2016 NFL Pro Bowl kicks off this Sunday in Hawaii and, quite frankly, is perhaps t...
Burfict problematic, not the problem in NFL’s roughness epidemic
By Dan Sostek / Sports Editor
January 11, 2016
Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones signed, sealed and delivered a playoff victory to the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday. Thanks to the two Cincinnati Bengals’ defenders’ personal foul calls against them on an incomplete pass that saw Burfict drill star Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in ...
NFL coaches not given enough of a chance to succeed
By Chris Puzia / Assistant Sports Editor
January 7, 2016
With a resumé that included “firewood cutter” and “doormat salesman” and peaked at “NFL defensive line coach,” Jim Tomsula didn’t seem like your prototypical head coaching candidate. Following the departure of Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers hired and fired Tomsula after he led the talent-depr...
Pitt grads build big league careers in media relations
By Jessie Wallace / Staff Writer
September 11, 2015
Over the years, the football world has recognized Pitt as a sure-fire producer of NFL talent, with stars like Dan Marino, Larry Fitzgerald and LeSean McCoy all making names for themselves in the league. Unknown to most, however, is that Pitt’s pipeline to the NFL features more alumni than just players. The...
Minnesota Vikings draft T.J. Clemmings
By Stephen Caruso / Contributing Editor
May 2, 2015
The Minnesota Vikings selected former Pitt offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings with the 110thoverall pick in the NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon. Clemmings’ fourth round pick follows up the selections of former Pitt players Aaron Donald, Tom Savage and Devin Street in last year's NFL Draft. After starting his ...
Athlete sees benefit of sex on the field
By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor
February 13, 2015
Prince Amukamara is getting action in more places than on the football field, and one of his teammates is making sure everybody knows it.The 2011 draft pick and New York Giants cornerback had not initially performed up to his first-round draft choice billing due to injuries and poor performance. But h...
Panthers in the NFL win postseason awards
By Chris Puzia / Sports Editor
January 31, 2015
Arizona Cardinals and former Pitt wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald won the inaugural Art Rooney award on Saturday night. St. Louis Rams rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald won the Associated Press defensive rookie of the year award as well.Fitzgerald's award recognizes a player who demonstrates qualities of ...
‘I’m just playing so I won’t get fined:’ Super Bowl predictions
By Alex Wise / Staff Writer
January 28, 2015
I’ve never been good at traditional predictions — you know, the probable winner and the score and all that basic stuff. But I did predict before the World Cup that Luis Suarez would bite somebody, which gives me the credibility and the confidence to make some more bold guesses as to what will happ...
‘Deflategate:’ Did Brady and the Patriots break the rules?
By Alex Wise / Staff Writer
January 21, 2015
Of all the things I expected to hear incessantly in the weeks leading up to a New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl – “Tom Brady’s experience,” “Bill Belichick,” “Legion of Boom” – I can’t say I imagined the level of football inflation to haunt my eardrums. But, here ...
Lynch’s postgame ‘answers’ receive media criticism
By Imaz Athar / Staff Writer
January 21, 2015
You may have seen one of the postgame interviews with the eloquent Marshawn Lynch. If you didn’t, don’t worry. It was over before it even started.“Yeah,” said Lynch, a running back, regarding the performance of the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line after a win against the Arizona Cardinals. “Yeah,” Lynch said again when ano...
Should Aaron Donald be the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year?
By Alex Fischbein and Brandon Duerr / The Pitt News Staff
January 12, 2015
Former Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald entered the 2014 NFL Draft to a litany of questions about whether his 6-foot-1-inch, 285-pound frame could make the adjustment from college to the NFL. The skepticism soon vanished as Donald thrived for the St. Louis Rams, compiling nine sacks and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as a ...
An analysis of what makes a quarterback ‘elite’
By Imaz Athar / Staff Writer
January 6, 2015
Turn on ESPN, or any similar sports channel, and you’ll hear an NFL analyst say it: “You need an elite quarterback to succeed in the National Football League.”Upon hearing it, you’ll nod your head, and you’ll say to yourself, “Yeah, that makes sense. You do need an elite quarterback to win games...
Some NFL penalties better left uncalled
By Alex Wise / Staff Writer
October 29, 2014
Well, the National Football League has done it once again. The league has found yet another way to make watching its product absolutely intolerable.As if watching a professional football game wasn’t an hours-long commitment already — and as if watching my horrendous fantasy team collapse week in a...
Fan confessional: The struggles of inconsistency
By Imaz Athar / Staff Writer
October 28, 2014
I used to be a Cincinnati Bengals fan. Before Steelers supporters hunt me down, let me explain why I stopped being a fan. It happened during the 2005 NFL playoffs.For much of my early childhood, I lived in a small town in New Mexico, which didn’t have a professional football team, and I didn’t kno...
NFL lacks firmness in handing out suspensions
By Alex Wise / Staff Writer
October 22, 2014
And the NFL’s hot streak continues!According to multiple recent media reports, the National Football League sources have confirmed that suspended 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith could have his ban cut by at least one game for “good behavior.”I’m glad to hear that the NFL’s qualifications for “...
Donald earning more playing time with Rams
By Alex Fischbein / for The Pitt News
October 14, 2014
Pitt’s name has stayed relevant in the football world beyond college for a number of years now. NFL fans have seen Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, Mike Ditka and Larry Fitzgerald — just to name a few — enjoy a great deal of success at the professional level. Now, it’s the latest Pitt player’s turn to...
Dallas Cowboys benefitting from parity in NFL
By Imaz Athar / Staff Writer
October 2, 2014
The boys are back. The Dallas Cowboys, that is.Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys decimated the New Orleans Saints’ defense on Sunday night. Perfect passes, powerful rushes and strong protection carried the 3-1 Cowboys to a lopsided 38-17 victory in what was expected to be a close game.In th...
Pitt in the NFL: McCoy disappears in Eagles’ first loss
By Jack DeMarco / Staff Writer
September 29, 2014
Many ex-Panthers in the NFL were just spectators this past Sunday. Jabaal Sheard, K’Waun Williams, Larry Fitzgerald and this year’s first round pick Aaron Donald, were on teams with assigned bye weeks and did not play Sunday. But the few Pitt players who took the field might as well have had bye ...
Lasting change will result from collective boycott of NFL
By Mark Powell / Staff Writer
September 18, 2014
I grew up a die-hard NFL fan. I knew every statistic, and I collected football cards from the age of six until I was 12. I had Pittsburgh Steelers posters all over my room.As young fans, we all notice the bright lights and hard-hitting action. As we get older, we drop everything to watch “our team...
Fitzgerald regains form, McCoy solid again in NFL
By Jack DeMarco / Staff Writer
September 16, 2014
While some former Pitt stars like Larry Fitzgerald got back on track Sunday, others, like Aaron Donald, regressed slightly after excellent week-one performances.After a dismal outing in the season opener, Larry Fitzgerald improved dramatically for the Arizona Cardinals Sunday. The 11th year wide r...
Former Pitt teammates reunited in NFL
By Dan Sostek / Staff Writer
September 12, 2014
Jabaal Sheard has had his fair share of memorable NFL experiences in his four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He has been named to the All-Rookie team, sacked Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks and recorded 22 sacks in 46 career games from the 2011 season until now.Still, there is one aspect of being in the...
Donald shines, Street makes first catch in NFL debuts
By Jack DeMarco / Staff Writer
September 9, 2014
To no one’s surprise, workhorse and defensive superstar Aaron Donald led the pack of Panthers in the NFL with a strong opening day performance. Just as Donald dominated the trenches for the Pitt defense a year ago, he showed up in convincing fashion for the struggling St. Louis Rams in his debut....
New NFL domestic violence penalties may still not be enough
By Dan Sostek / Staff Writer
September 2, 2014
While most of the country views football as its prized national pastime, the National Football League has its problems. The one at the forefront of national conversation recently is player health and safety as well as how the sport’s inherent risk of concussions is destroying retired — and some ...