The Sports Monitor

Why are so many people defending the Pirates with their decision to pass on making a qualifying offer to A.J. Burnett in the offseason? I don't get it. And maybe it's not 'so many.' Maybe it just seems that way with members of the media defending the cheap regime of the Buccos. But, again, I don't get it. The Pirates could have offered Burnett $14.1 million. Burnett could have passed. Nothing lost there. In fact, the Pirates could have looked much better by saying we're trying to spend money. On top of that, the Pirates could have received draft-pick compensation if Burnett signed with another team. Another plus for the team. And, these days, $14.1 million for Burnett is the going price, or even a discount for pitchers with a low ERA (3.30 for Burnett) and a high strikeout total (more than 1 per inning). And don't tell me the rotation is strong without him. I don't see how you can be comfortable with Charlie Morton, Wandy Rodriguez and Ed...

There's been plenty of talk about the Seahawks' defense entering Super Bowl Week. In all the raving about their D, I haven't heard much talk about their light schedule. Of course the defense should have impressive numbers if they don't face teams with much of an offense. How did they stack up? You be the judge: Team, record, points scored rank Panthers, 12-4, 18th 49ers, 12-4, 11th Jaguars, 4-12, 32nd Texans, 2-14, 31st Colts, 11-5,14th (Loss) Titans, 7-9, 19th Cardinals, 10-6, 16th Rams, 7-9, 21st Bucs, 4-12, 30th Falcons, 4-12, 20th Vikings, 5-10-1, 14th Saints, 11-5, 10th 49ers, 12-4, 11th (Loss) Giants, 7-9, 28th Cardinals, 10-6, 16th (Loss) Rams, 7-9, 21st The Seahawks faced 11 teams ranked in the bottom half of NFL scoring, including the three worst scoring offenses in the NFL.  The highest offense, the Saints, ranked 10th. I generally take a top defense over a top offense in big games, but this Seahawks' defense isn't elite. ...

Pitt basketball fans had been waiting for Duke for years. And Monday night seemed like the best time to show the Blue Devils the Panthers were for real. Pitt was a team ascending. Duke was having an un-Duke-like season. Plus, the game was at the Pete. Everything was going in the Panthers' favor. Then they played the game. Duke handed Pitt a 15-point loss, 80-65. So much for this being a game Pitt would win. I've been of the opinion for more than a month now that Pitt was a Top 25 team. They slowly made it. They've played some good basketball. Maryland coach Mark Turgeon really added to the hype after Pitt beat them last week. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve been an assistant coach and a head coach for about 26 years, and I’m telling you, that’s one of the best teams I’ve ever coached agains. How they’re ranked 20th at 18-2 is an absolute joke. I think they’re a Top 5 team in this country, to come into this building and really control the game.”...

Bill O'Brien did a heck of a job under the circumstances at Penn State. He had to convince a lot of players to commit to the football program through some tough times. Now, he's bolting for the NFL. O'Brien is free to do what he wants in his profession. But I can't help but think O'Brien didn't follow his own advice. I think abandoning the program is too strong, but he didn't hold himself to the same standard that he pressured college students into staying.

I watched Sunday as things fell into place for the Steelers to make the playoffs. Then the refs blew it. Twice, in fact. They missed a call on an illegal formation in the Chargers-Chiefs game. If they make the call, the Chiefs get a chance to kick the winning field goal again. That seemed to be the big news. I didn't see a lot of news on the fumble. The refs mysteriously blew a whistle, to signal the end of the play, on a fake punt by the Chargers in overtime. The Chiefs, however, insist they forced a fumble and no whistle was blown. If the play would have stood, the Chiefs would have gotten the winning TD in OT. Oh, well. It's not sour grapes. The Steelers put themselves in that position by losing to teams they had no business losing to. Hopefully, they'll be able to retool in the offseason.