The Sports Monitor

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had better teams lose to the Oakland Raiders, so it should come as no surprise that this one lost Sunday. What was surprising was the first play for Oakland. I'm not sure I can remember nearly an entire defense going for a fake by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Just like that, a 93-yard TD. The longest ever by a QB. Game over. Yeah, I know the Steelers had their chances. If Shaun Suisham doesn't miss two field goals then they might even win that game. The first play set the tone. This season is over. Hopefully, that game was the bottom. Up next, a test against the Patriots.

The Pirates' first playoff appearance in more than 20 years brought back memories from their last run in the early 1990s. I was lucky to attend college in Pittsburgh then, so I was in the middle of all the activity in the playoffs. I even attended playoff games in 1991 and '92. I also remember heading out to Point State Park and listen to the reaction to the crowd and the play-by-play on the radio. I also miss hearing Lanny Frattare. But it's a new generation and finally a team fit for playing in a jewel of a ballpark at PNC Park. Have any memories you'd like to share? Let's go Bucs.