Commentary
It’s hard to see how closed drills will help Pitt PITTSBURGH-Pitt coach Walt Harris has closed practices to the media this week in advance of Saturday’s game at West Virginia.
The media ought to thank him.
Closed practices scratch one item from the things to do list. Since no one is getting in, there’s little concern about the competition gaining an edge.
Does it help the Panthers? It’s hard to see how that might happen since the sports information office is apparently still making players available for media interviews.
How is it a “distraction” (Harris’ term) to have a few people standing on the sideline, watching a mundane practice session? Do the players even notice reporters scattered among the trainers and equipment helpers?
There’s little concern about strategy getting out. There is a long-standing agreement that media types won’t report specific plays that are being practiced.
A few years ago, Steelers coach Bill Cowher got upset about something and decided to close practices when the team was still at Three Rivers Stadium.
It was hardest on the United Parcel Service drivers, who used to stop for lunch at the Home Plate Cafe on the stadium’s third level.
They were in the habit of taking their trays out to the baseball press box and watching the Steelers practice as they ate lunch.
The crackdown was so widespread that the doors were locked and the UPS drivers had to stay inside with a couple of televisions for entertainment. Security guards were posted to make sure no one came through the back door and had a view of the field for even a second.
The Steelers didn’t win the Super Bowl that year so the effect of the closed practice was probably negligible.
Usually selectively closing practices means a coach is either peevish or paranoid.
Or sometimes both.
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Deshea Townsend had a strong game at cornerback for the Steelers on Sunday and was a major upgrade over the struggling Dewayne Washington.
But don’t forget that Townsend had plenty of help.
The Steelers had a consistently strong pass rush and Arizona quarterback Jeff Blake rarely had much time to throw the ball deep.
In past years Blake has tortured the Steelers with his ability to throw long.
Blake mostly attempted short passes because he didn’t have the time to do much else.
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No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Steelers are in for some big changes this offseason.
One they might consider is trading Plaxico Burress. Four years into his career, Burress is still amazingly inconsistent, a player whose concentration and dedication seems to vary from game to game.
Burress still has the potential to be a dominant player, which is why other teams would be very interested in him. Given the number of positions the Steelers need to improve, they could sacrifice Burress for the right deal and let someone else deal with his immaturity.
There also seems to be little doubt the Steelers will pursue a young quarterback.
Some reports have them chasing Drew Henson, a failed baseball player whose NFL rights are owned by Houston.
But how about Tim Couch, who has been squeezed out of the starting spot in Cleveland by Kelly Holcomb?
Couch has talent and, unlike Henson, has NFL experience.
The Browns will look to move him and the Steelers should explore the possibility of getting him.
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Mario Lemieux has missed the past three Penguins games with a hip injury and expects to miss the next three.
This is a preview of what the Penguins might look like when Lemieux’s career finally ends.
It’s pretty scary.
Sports correspondent John Mehno can be reached at: begin johnmehno@lycos.com