Tomlin to give commencement at William & Mary

Transcription

1 Tomlin to give commencement at William & Mary Page 1 of 1 Tomlin to give commencement at William & Mary Friday, March 14, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who is accustomed to standing before his team and delivering a speech, has a bigger and even more daunting task this time. Tomlin has been chosen to deliver the commencement address at his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, on May 11. He also will receive an honory doctorate of humane letters during the commencement ceremony, along with Rabbi David Ellenson. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will also be in attendance and deliver welcoming remarks. Tomlin, 35, was a wide receiver at William & Mary, which is located in Williamsburg, Va. First published on March 14, 2008 at 2:08 pm

2 Center Hartwig, safety Nickey visit Steelers - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 1 Center Hartwig, safety Nickey visit Steelers By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, March 14, 2008 The Steelers entertained two more free agents today, center Justin Hartwig and safety Donnie Nickey. Hartwig, 29, started 15 games at center for the Carolina Panthers last season. He signed a five-year, $17 million free-agent deal two years ago but missed most of 2006 with a groin injury. He was expected to contend for a starting guard position next season before being released. Nickey, 27, made six career starts in five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He had nine tackles and one sack in John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

3 Tomlin to give William & Mary commencement speech - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 1 Tomlin to give William & Mary commencement speech By The Tribune-Review Friday, March 14, 2008 Mike Tomlin will give the commencement address at his alma mater. Tomlin, who is in his second year as the Steelers' coach, will be the keynote speaker at the College of William and Mary's graduation ceremony on May 11. Tomlin graduated from William and Mary in 1995 with a degree in sociology. A three-year starter at wide receiver for the football team, Tomlin still holds the school record for yards per catch (20.2) in a season. He led the Steelers to a 10-6 record and an AFC North title in his first season as a head coach. "As a young alumnus whose accomplishments belie his age, Mike Tomlin offers an inspiring example for our new graduates, and we look forward to hearing from him," W. Taylor Reveley III, interim president of William and Mary, said in a release. "We're thrilled to welcome Coach Tomlin back to his alma mater. The Tribune-Review can be reached at or. Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

4 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 1 Print Page MONDAY MARCH 17, 2008 :: Last modified: Saturday, March 15, :27 AM EDT Tomlin will speak to grads at alma mater By The Associated Press WILLIAMSBURG, Va. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will speak to graduates during the College of William and Mary s commencement. The school said Friday that retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O Connor also will attend the May 11 ceremony and give welcoming remarks. O Connor is William and Mary s chancellor. Tomlin is a member of the school s class of 1995 and was a three-year starter at wide receiver for William and Mary. Tomlin will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters during the ceremony, as will Rabbi David Ellenson, president of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and a member of William and Mary s class of Also, two free agents will meet with the Steelers coaching staff Friday: Donnie Nickey, a backup S with Tennessee, and C Justin Hartwig, who started 15 games for Carolina.

5 The Daily News - News - 03/14/ Local politicians find way to honor Myron Page 1 of 1 03/14/2008 Local politicians find way to honor Myron By PATRICK CLOONAN, Daily News Staff Writer The three U.S. House members representing most Allegheny County residents have introduced a resolution honoring the late Myron Cope. Cope died Feb. 27, two years after he retired from a 35-year tenure as color commentator for the Pittsburgh Steelers radio network. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, in whose district Cope lived, introduced House of Representatives Resolution 1033 along with U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, and Jason Altmire, D-Bradford Woods. Advertisement "Myron Cope was a true Pittsburgh institution," Doyle said. "Everyone knew him, and everyone loved him. He'll be deeply missed." "His voice and personality helped create the Steelers aura," Murphy said. "Without Myron Cope the 'Immaculate Reception' would just be another great catch in football history, and there would be no 'Terrible Towel.'" "When I was growing up, a Steelers game wasn't a true Steelers game unless Myron Cope was there to give the play by play," Altmire said. "This Congressional Resolution salutes Myron Cope not only for his talent, but also for his legacy of service, which left an enduring mark on Pittsburgh." The resolution notes Cope's dedication to his severely autistic son Daniel, a fact probably not lost on Doyle as co-chair of a Congressional coalition for autism research and education. To read this and all the stories in today's Daily News, eligible subscribers can register for our New Electronic Edition. The Daily News 2008

6 Steelers check out 2 more free agents Page 1 of 1 Steelers check out 2 more free agents Saturday, March 15, 2008 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Carolina Panthers thought center Justin Hartwig would help bolster their offensive line when they signed him to a five-year, $17 million contract as an unrestricted free agent two years ago. But, after two seasons as a starter, Hartwig was released earlier this week as part of a shakeup on the Panthers' offensive line. Yesterday, he surfaced at the Steelers' South Side facility, meeting with the coaching staff as a possible solution to some of the problems on their offensive line. Hartwig, 29, was joined on the South Side by free-agent safety Donnie Nickey, a backup for five seasons with the Tennessee Titans who is considered a special-teams standout. Nickey, an Akron, Ohio, native who played at Ohio State, once angered Titans quarterback Vince Young because he hit his teammates too hard in practice. Hartwig and Nickey bring to eight the number of free agents who have visited the Steelers since the free-agency period began two weeks ago. Two players -- running back Mewelde Moore and linebacker Keyaron Fox -- have been signed. But, with the team unhappy with the performance of center Sean Mahan last season, Hartwig (6-4, 312) could be another. He was one of several starters released by the Panthers, along with running back DeShaun Foster, guard Mike Wahle and linebacker Dan Morgan, following a 7-9 season. Meantime, coach Mike Tomlin, who is accustomed to standing before his team and delivering a speech, has been chosen to deliver the commencement address at his alma mater, the College of William & Mary, May 11. He will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters at the commencement ceremony, along with Rabbi David Ellenson. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will also be in attendance and deliver welcoming remarks. Tomlin, 35, was a wide receiver when he played at William & Mary, which is located in Williamsburg, Va. Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com or First published on March 15, 2008 at 12:00 am

7 Harris: McFadden wants to make Steelers pay - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 McFadden wants to make Steelers pay By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, March 15, 2008 Cornerback Bryant McFadden was the Steelers' second-round draft pick in McFadden is entering the final year of his contract and has retained the one and only Drew Rosenhaus to broker a new deal. Be afraid Steelers fans, be very afraid. McFadden's agent change is one of the most important developments facing the Steelers this offseason. Rosenhaus is a squeaky wheel among NFL agents. He has a track record for bringing attention to himself and securing big money for his clients. What does McFadden's hiring Rosenhaus have to do with the Steelers? Well, McFadden's signability could impact how the Steelers approach next month's draft. If the Steelers plan to re-sign McFadden prior to the start of next season, they won't be forced to select a cornerback early in the draft. If, on the other hand, the Steelers don't plan to re-sign McFadden before the start of next season -- remember, the club traditionally doesn't negotiate in season -- expect them to draft a cornerback relatively early, perhaps on the first day. Among current Steelers cornerbacks, Ike Taylor, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003, is signed through Deshea Townsend, the other starting corner, is signed through 2009, when he will be 34. The other corners include William Gay, a fifth-round pick last year, and Anthony Madison, who signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in Ricardo Colclough, the team's second-round pick in 2004, was released last season, creating a vacancy at corner. Changing agents is all well and good, but not even Rosenhaus can make the Steelers budge if the team doesn't believe that McFadden can beat out Townsend, who was a fourth-round pick in McFadden was taken in the second round for a reason. The Steelers reward

8 Harris: McFadden wants to make Steelers pay - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 their players financially for their performance. They drafted McFadden believing he would become a starter. The only players the Steelers pay on potential are their draft picks. McFadden has appeared in 41 regular-season games with 10 starts. He has five career interceptions, including a 50-yard return for a touchdown against San Francisco last season. McFadden's biggest problem in 2007 was not staying on the field. He missed three games because of a high ankle sprain, allowing Gay to receive valuable playing time at nickel back. Hiring a new agent is one way for McFadden to get the new contract he's seeking. The best way is for McFadden to become the Steelers' starting right corner in John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

9 Steelers using free agency for special teams - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers using free agency to shore up special teams By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, March 15, 2008 The Steelers continue to address coach Mike Tomlin's promise to improve their special teams. They signed running back Mewelde Moore, who also returns punts, along with linebacker Keyaron Fox, another special teams standout. On Friday, the Steelers met with free-agent safety Donnie Nickey, a top special teams performer with the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers also entertained free-agent offensive lineman Justin Hartwig, who started 15 games at center for the Carolina Panthers in Earlier in the week, the Steelers missed out on free-agent offensive lineman Rex Hadnot, who signed with Cleveland. Nickey, 27, has six career starts in five seasons. "We're looking at an opportunity where Donnie gets to not only continue to showcase what he has to offer on special teams, but also have a chance to play on defense,'' said Jeffrey Chilcoat, who represents Nickey. "Among most of the coaches Donnie is thought of as a terrific special teams player. I would assume that factors heavily in their thought process to help shore up special teams.'' Nickey, an Akron native who attended Ohio State, is probably best known for his altercation with quarterback Vince Young during Tennessee's 2007 training camp. Young took exception to a hit Nickey delivered to tight end Courtney Roby. When Nickey put his hand on Young's chest, Young threw a punch that glanced off Nickey's helmet. "I do know (Tennessee) wants him back. But I think Donnie's pretty open at this point,'' Chilcoat said. The Steelers are also trying to upgrade their offensive line. Hartwig, 29, signed a five-year, $17 million free-agent contract two years ago. He was released Tuesday after declining Carolina's offer to switch to starting guard because it would have forced him to play out of position. Hartwig, Tennessee's sixth-round draft pick in 2002, would more than likely offer the Steelers depth behind starting center Sean Mahan, or he could push

10 Steelers using free agency for special teams - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 Mahan for playing time. Note: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will speak to graduates during the College of William and Mary's commencement on May 11. Tomlin, a 1995 W&M grad, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters during the ceremony. John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

11 Harris: Steelers' Max protection - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers' Max protection By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, March 17, 2008 The NFL salary cap is at an all-time high. Teams are spending money like they're playing Monopoly. Free-agent offensive tackles, especially those bearing Super Bowl rings, are supposedly in huge demand. So why is Max Starks still without a new contract? And why does it seem like the Steelers know something that the rest of us don't? Starks appeared to be in line for a significant pay increase when the Steelers made him a transition free agent at a cost of $6.9 million in If Starks finds a buyer, it forces the Steelers to ante up nearly $7 million if they want to keep him, or lose him without compensation. The Steelers, who have legitimate offensive line concerns, gambled teams wouldn't be beating down Starks' door. Turns out, the Steelers were right. Remind me to ask Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert to select my lottery numbers the next time I see him. Unless some team has a change of heart and lavishes major dollars on Starks, he'll have to play on the Steelers' terms, or not play at all next season. So far, so good for the Steelers -- and still no offers that we know of for Starks. Hard to figure how the Steelers knew how the free-agent market would play out, especially the market for offensive linemen in a league desperate for tackles -- particulary tackles who have started in a Super Bowl. At 26, Starks is still relatively young. He was the starting right tackle in According to the Steelers media guide, he threw a key block during Willie Parker's record 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL. Starks was the starting right tackle for 14 games in Depending on who

12 Harris: Steelers' Max protection - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 you ask, he missed the last two games either because of a knee injury, or because the Steelers wanted to take a look at rookie Willie Colon, a fourthround draft pick. Apparently, the new coach saw the same thing the old coach did, because Colon was the starting right tackle in 2007, with Starks backing him up. Starks moved over and displayed versatility at left tackle when he filled in for injured starter Marvel Smith late in the season. Starks, though, hurt his knee in the final regular-season game at Baltimore. Little-used Trai Essex replaced Starks in the playoff game against Jacksonville. Since the season ended, Starks has been rehabilitating his knee and waiting for the phone to ring with good news. Any day now, Starks may land the big contract that could finally force the Steelers' hand. Yeah, and cigarettes don't cause cancer, either. John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

13 Steelers flexible with personnel decisions - Tribune-Review Page 1 of 3 Steelers flexible with personnel decisions By John Harris TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, March 16, 2008 Alan Faneca was 31 and seeking his third contract with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent. Two weeks ago, Faneca signed a landmark deal with the New York Jets. Joey Porter was approaching 30 and coming off two minor knee surgeries, not to mention being due a $1 million roster bonus entering the final year of his contract. Soon after the Steelers released him last March, Porter signed a fouryear deal with Miami. James Farrior turned 33 in January and is the Steelers' second-oldest player. He has one year remaining on his third contract and is coming off his best season since his Pro Bowl campaign in He has one year remaining on his current deal and is firmly entrenched at inside linebacker. While it's true the Steelers have an unwritten rule about not keeping some of their key veterans who are 30 and older, it's a rule that should be judged on a case-by-case basis. "Our philosophy is we're always going to try to keep our own players," Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said. "We always know where the (salary) cap is, and we are aware of what we can and can't do." For every Clark Haggans, a 31-year-old linebacker the Steelers allowed to become a free agent after the 2007 season, there's an Aaron Smith -- a defensive end who signed a $24.5 million extension last year prior to his 31st birthday. After winning Super Bowl XL, the Steelers didn't re-sign veteran defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen, who was 35. Another key veteran, running back Jerome Bettis, retired after the Super Bowl at 33. Bettis was replaced by Willie Parker, who was voted to the past two Pro Bowls. Brett Keisel stepped in for von Oelhoffen at right defensive end. James Harrison replaced Porter at right outside linebacker and was voted the team's most valuable player. "I don't necessarily agree that the Steelers don't want to keep older players," said agent Kenneth Zuckerman, who represents Steelers left tackle Marvel Smith. "I think they've done such a great job in the draft that they've been able to reload. If you bring somebody in new, someone has to go.

14 Steelers flexible with personnel decisions - Tribune-Review Page 2 of 3 "(Porter) went out and they had a younger guy at a much cheaper salary that was able to produce at that level. They've kept Hines Ward (who turned 32 on March 8 and has two years remaining on his third contract). They kept Jerome Bettis. They gave Aaron Smith a third deal." What's good for Farrior obviously wasn't good for Faneca or Porter, who wanted to finish their careers with the Steelers but left for big dollars. Farrior's contract was restructured to be more team-friendly, with a lower salary cap number in his final year. Compare Farrior's situation with Porter, who was scheduled to have the second-highest cap number on the team when he was released. Or with Harrison, who turns 30 in May and has an extremely team-friendly contract: $1.5 million in 2008 and $1.7 million in "I didn't get a contract, but at the same time I don't feel like they had enough money to spend on me," Porter told the Tribune-Review after his release. "It was about the Steelers coming to a reasonable number that they felt like giving me, and was I willing to take it." Farrior's situation is different. Nearing the end of his career, he's willing to play for less money to remain with the Steelers. The Steelers' working environment is unique in the NFL. Not only is the team successful on the field, but in an era when players are often released to create salary cap space, some players have an opportunity to finish their careers in Pittsburgh. "The Steelers put in the number of years on a contract that they reasonably expect a guy can play. Rarely do you see them eat three years of a contract because a guy got too old," said Pittsburgh-based agent Ralph Cindrich, who represents Farrior. "In the case of a guy like Farrior, instead of pumping up the last year (of his contract) like a lot of agents do to get a high average, we actually dropped James' (salary) last year some. So they're saying, 'We had good play out of him;' in fact, the Steelers are calling last season maybe his second-best year with them. They look at his cap number and see it went down from the previous season." Simply put, Farrior wanted to stay with the Steelers. So he made his contract more attractive to the team. Farrior led the Steelers in tackles last season, but how many other talented players are willing to accept less money to stay? "That was one of the reasons why James made the decision when he was in the last year of his contract," Cindrich said. "It's very difficult to find in the NFL a home where you're getting paid well, you wake up in the morning and you want to go to work and want to be with your teammates. In the long run, the dollars amount to more when you're with that type of organization versus playing five

15 Steelers flexible with personnel decisions - Tribune-Review Page 3 of 3 years and taking a hit in free agency trying to get the big bucks, but not playing through the contract." John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

16 .: Print Version :. Page 1 of 2 Print Page MONDAY MARCH 17, 2008 :: Last modified: Monday, March 17, :08 AM EDT Madden Monday: Steelers no different than Bengals By Mark Madden, Times Sports Columnist Imagine the following scenario: four Mellon Bank executives are involved in domestic abuse cases. Women s rights groups and domestic abuse centers would picket. It would be the subject of endless media coverage. The response would be overwhelming. We d pick at it like a scab. Here s a scenario you don t have to imagine: Four current Steelers have been involved in domestic abuse cases, namely Santonio Holmes, Najeh Davenport, Cedrick Wilson and (most recently) James Harrison, who has admitted to striking his girlfriend. The response has been underwhelming. TV coverage has been minimal. The newspaper articles that did appear were mostly concerned with the possibility that the NFL might suspend Harrison, last year s team MVP. This is about wins and losses, after all. There s been no comment from the Steelers organization. They want this to go away. It will. But the stories are out there, mostly on the down-low. A previous girlfriend of one of the Steelers involved now dates a friend of a friend. When this Steeler s domestic abuse case became public knowledge, she broke down. Turns out this Steeler used to beat her, too. She didn t turn him in. Now she feels responsible for what s happened since. Bethany Wingerson works at Women s Place, which counsels victims of domestic abuse. Wingerson says her group has called the Steelers several times but received no response. Mark Pudlowski of the Domestic Abuse Counseling Center says his group which counsels and reforms abusers sees no need to contact the Steelers. The Steelers can call him. Maybe that s par for the course in this pursuit, but when something seems epidemic, being proactive makes sense. Make no mistake, this is epidemic. Steelers fans glory in knocking the Cincinnati Bengals for all their legal peccadilloes, but eight percent of the Steelers roster has been involved in domestic abuse. Yet few seem to care. There is zero public rancor. Making the situation more ironic is the club-fueled myth that the Steelers don t employ bad apples, they strive for a better class of people. There is no lower class of person than a domestic abuser. It makes you realize how mighty the Steelers really are. They may be the most powerful entity in Western Pennsylvania. No one wants to ruffle their feathers. If this were Mellon Bank, Federated Investors, Bayer or one of the other sports teams, it would be a feeding frenzy in the media. But no one especially the media wants to anger the Rooneys. If you re not embraced by the

17 .: Print Version :. Page 2 of 2 Steelers, what would you lead telecasts with during sweeps week? Actual news? Don t be silly. Shouldn t Sally Kalson, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette s designated feminist, be all over this in her column? I m more disappointed in the women s groups and the domestic abuse centers. It looks like the glory of football has skewed their priorities. So, what should the Steelers do? Nothing too complicated. Locker-room awareness generated by mandatory counseling for the entire team, suspension without pay for first-time offenders, and second-time offenders should be released regardless of how much they mean to the team. It should be made clear that employees will not get away with hitting women on the Rooney family s watch. Right now, that s not so clear. The Steelers should also make a forceful public statement condemning these instances of abuse, not just call them a personal concern for the player involved (as team spokesman Dave Lockett said in regard to Harrison). The club should also make substantial contributions to domestic abuse centers and use their considerable media influence to further the cause. What will the Steelers do? Nothing, of course. Why should they care if nobody else does?