Barfjob At the Barn - Power vs Talons - Game Recap

Only way to describe this one.

PREGAME:

Bob Pompeani nails it, pronouncing Talons correctly twice in the opening few seconds of the broadcast. Cleveland got a huge win over the Chicago Rush, making it critical for the Power to get the job done in order to keep pace in the division.

Pomp tells us that Matt Bassuener will start in place of Bobby Reid. Gee, who all but overtly suggested that in our game preview? A running quarterback won't get it done in the AFL.

The coin toss is won by Tulsa, who will kick it away.

FIRST QUARTER

Bubba introduces the starting lineups, the special teams take the field, and we're off. The lower level seems pretty sporadically filled at the Consol Energy Center, but it's a loud and enthusiastic crowd as always.

Opening kick is taken by Eddie Thompson out to about the 19, and immediately there is laundry.

Illegal block in the back against Carlos Campbell.

We're in business. Ugh.

McCabe time. Let's see if he can put together a complete game.

First play is a dumpoff to Jason Willis for a first down. Very good patience shown by big Kev. David Ball is starting at WR. Where the hell is Mike Washington? Let's see how much the suspension of Lonnell DeWalt affects the game as it goes on.

McCabe finds Ball on first down and moves the sticks again. Absolutely wide open. McCabe then takes a shot at the endzone and JC Neal just barely gets a hand on it, tipping it away from Willis. He was open. Fantastic play by Neal makes up for the lapse in the Talons secondary on the earlier play which left Ball wide open.

LETS GO POWER chant breaks out.

McCabe finds Eddie Thompson down at the four. McCabe isn't looking for anyone but the guy being covered by JC Neal. I don't know a lot about him, but I'm assuming Neal is a joke.

McCabe then hits Ball directly in the chest. He might as well have hit him in the Balls. He drops it in the endzone. Huge early 4th down.

McCabe floats one for Thompson. Picked off in the endzone by Jamar Ransom. NOT GOOD. Talons take over on the touchback with 11:50 remaining in the 1st.

Copeland, Hunt, and McBroom start at receiver for Tulsa. No Rodney White... Yet.

Bassuener's first throw is a little tight on the wall and falls safely to the turf. He then looks to the same side and finds McBroom. What the hell kind of a name is McBroom? He must be half witch. First down Talons.

Bassuener then dumps one to Copeland who is introduced to Josh Lay - hard hit into the boards. Ensuing play, Bassuener takes off and picks up another first down before being stopped by Tyrell Herbert.

Woof compares Reid being the best running quarterback in the AFL to being the tallest person in a midget contest. WTF?

After an incomplete pass in the endzone, Bassuener dumps it off to Jordan Bedore for a short gain. 3rd and 6 deep in Power territory. This is where the defense shines. The count and the snap - FALSE START, TULSA. Make it a 3rd and 11.

Bassuener then finds Al Hunt over the middle where he's wrapped up by Tyrell Herbert, but has enough for the first down after battling off the tackle.

Inside the four, they go with the run. Jordan Bedore up the middle and down to about the one inch line.

Pomp makes a huge announcement -- Sarah Marince performing live on April 16 at the Jacksonville game.

What a babe.

Tulsa goes left again, as Bobby Reid checks into the game. Stuffed by Josh Lay and Terrell. On 3rd down, they go to Ransom, again stopped short. 4th and goal at the inch line. Reid always a threat to keep it down here.

He keeps and Reid scores. 5:27 remaining.

Talons 7
Power 0

Bongarra kicks it away, fielded by Thompson on the wall in his own endzone and spins out to the ten yard line where the Bolts take over.

First play, McCabe goes deep. THERE'S JOYSTICK!! Wide open! Overthrown. Good God is it awesome to see Mike Washington back, even if McCabe is throwing it 50 yards over his head.

Following that play, a false start on Jason Willis. NOT A GOOD START.

3:45 left and a 2nd and 15 for the Big Kev Machine.

Another deep ball, David Ball has a defender hanging all over him the whole way down the sideline -- no flag. 3rd and 15 for the Power.

McCabe then hit as he threw. Some asshole in a Lynn Swann jersey in the front row drops it. That's why you're in the stands, dick. You'll never get a sweet nickname like Joystick.

4th and 15, Paul Edinger coming on to attempt the field goal (read: punt) from his own goal line. Two minutes left in what has been a low scoring game thus far. Snap is high, Edingers kick is.... Short... Fielded in the endzone by Varner who returns it to the 15 yardline. Gary Butler on the tackle. Wow, that kick was JUST short, maybe 3 or 4 more feet and he would've had it.

Talons take over leading 7-0. Under 2 remain in the quarter.

Bassuener back in the game, hits on a short screen, then finds McBroom along the wall. Makes the catch for a first down, but not before Carlos Campbell takes his head off into the wall.

Another handoff. This might be the lowest-scoring AFL game of the modern era. Bedore good for two yards. Bassuener then finds hunt on the underneath route for another first down inside the Pittsburgh 15. That's the end of the first quarter.

Tulsa 7
Pittsburgh 0

SECOND QUARTER

Tulsa starts at the Power 6. Bassuener keeps it, rolls right. Touchdown on the keeper. Consol Energy Center opens its roof and pukes onto Fifth Avenue.

Darius Robinson injured on the play. He's helped off on his own power. PAT is good.

Talons 14
Power 0

Eddie Thompson back deep once again. The Power need to get a score here. Thompson plays it off the net. Breaks out to the left. All the way to the Tulsa six yard line. That's huge.

McCabe throws a little quick dump to Thompson who runs right and then backwards for a loss of about seventy thousand yards. 2nd and goal at the 14.

McCabe then looks for Thompson again. Overthrown.

We're witnessing the complete undoing of a folk hero. McCabe falling apart before our eyes. 0 for his last 6 with a pick.

Tried and true, RUEEEEEEEEE.

McCabe with the quick out to Josh Rue who does it all himself. TOUCHDOWN POWER!

Edinger's PAT is good. We've got a whole new ballgame.

TULSA 14
POWER 7

Edinger's kick is off the net. Misplayed in the endzone by Christian Varner, dumped for the quick touchback. Momentum starting to swing. Remember the swing revival in the mid-late 90's? God was that fucking retarded. Brian Setzer my ass.

Bassuener goes deep on the first play of the drive and Carlos Campbell is all over it. No dice on the home run ball. The next throw goes into the front row. Again, a guy in the stands makes a fool of himself. Falls down. The guy in the row behind him makes the pick, but gives the ball back. He was sitting right next to the Lynn Swann guy. That section has the worst receiving corps ever.

Bassuener then with a quick out to Copeland, Josh Lay with the quick stop, but not before the first down with 9:30 left.

Bassuener throws a lateral behind the line, who knows who it was intended for. Chris Terrell got heavy pressure on Bassuener. Tulsa falls on it for a loss. 2nd and 14.

Bassuener's next throw is WAY behind McBroom and Josh Lay nearly picks it off. It's 3rd and long. Big 'Mo' continues in the direction of the Power.

Bassuener finds McBroom over the middle, Campbell makes the stop short of the first down, but there's a flag on the play. Chris Terrell lined up in the neutral zone. He's a little too hungry. 3rd and 9.

The throw is WELL short intended for McBroom, Carlos Campbell is there but not in position to pick it off. More pressure on Bassuener by the Power defense. Looking good even in the absense of Neil Purvis.

4th and 9, crowd goes nuts. Bassuener pressured heavily, flag down. Throw is tipped and PICKED OFF BY TYRELL HERBERT!

Call has got to be a hold here, right? Right.

Power take over with 6:56 left.

What have we got. Illegal defense, roughing the passer, and holding. Penalties offset. Replay the down. God damnit.

Definitely was a late hit there. Hawaii is Hawaii.

4th and 9 again... 6:47 left. Bassuener to throw, dumps one off, and I have no idea what it hit, maybe Tyrell Herbert, incomplete. Another flag down.

Illegal twist on Pittsburgh. Ugh.



Bassuener then scrambles for a gain of about eight, and the Talons are back in business with another long drive. 2nd and 2 coming up. Prime time to take a shot at the endzone.

Bassuener with a designed run, picks up the first down and a couple yards more down to the Power 15 yard line.

Not sure why Bobby Reid isn't playing. Bassuener is running just as much. I really disagree with the strategy. It's just not befitting of the sport.

Pass complete to Copeland. Hit by Campbell. FUMBLE. CARLOS CAMPBELL RECOVERS! Pittsburgh takes over!

First down, McCabe flushed out, scrambles for the first down, an apparent fumbel is called down. McCabe then finds Eddie Thompson for a gain of eight. More flags.

Let them play, bojo refs.

Eh, nevermind. Facemask against Tulsa. Half the distance. First down. McCabe is starting to cook. Finding that rhythm that he lost somewhere in the 2nd half of the Iowa game. Rue checks in. Gets the call, stuffed for a loss of one. 3:30 left.

McCabe looks for Mike Washington in the endzone on the fade route. Fade routes don't really work when there's a wall in the endzone. Incomplete.

On 3rd down, McCabe looks for Joystick again. Pass is broken up by JC Neal, but there's some more laundry down. Jason Willis exchanges words with a Tulsa DB. The officials needs to figure this garbage out. Two penalties. Pass interference against Neal. Half the distance, first down. After the play, Willis tacked with the personal foul. Either way, it's a Power first down with 2:34 remaining in the half.

Ball on the 13. McCabe dumps off to Joystick Washington who gets down to about the five yard line, where it's 2nd and goal.

There it is.

McCabe finds MIKE "JOYSTICK" WASHINGTON for the POWER TOUCHDOWN! The PAT ties it up.

POWER 14
TALONS 14

Edinger's kick, taken by Christian Varner who gets out to about the 7 and Jason Willis makes the stop. One minute warning.

Bassuener runs again on first down. Jesus. Why can't they stop that? Picks up a nice chunk of yardage, and Tulsa inexplicably allows 10 extra seconds to run off before calling time out. 2nd and 1.

Bassuener finds Brandon Copeland on the crossing route, stopped by Lay. That's a first down. Tulsa's coach flips out. The clock didn't stop... Or didn't start. Nobody has any clue exactly what happens. Another time out.

Bassuener finds Brandon Copeland for a first down, and the Talons are in business. 12 seconds left and a first down at the Power 10. Throw to the endzone is overthrown. Larico Stevenson with picture perfect blanket coverage. Six ticks left.

Bassuener pressured, hit, loose ball, flag down, horn sounds, and we've got another mess.

Holding on the Talons. Phew. That's the end of the first half.

POWER 14
TALONS 14

HALFTIME

Pomp interviews Chris Siegfried. Coach says the offense is off-balance and the penalties need to stop. Siegfried says that the surprise start of Bassuener hasn't caught them off guard. Power being outgained 144 to 91 in total yardage. Tulsa 31 offensive plays to Pittsburgh's 18. 40 rush yards for Tulsa to 14 for Pittsburgh. Lopsided, yes. The scoreboard, however, says it's a tie game.

THIRD QUARTER

Paul Edinger tees it up and we're underway in the 2nd half. Weird bounce is fielded by Varner and he is hit by Mike Washington and Lenny Wicks inside his own five. Good start.

Bassuener immediately goes back to Troy McBroom for a gain of 10 and a first down. Tulsa looking to strike early. Bassuener looks deep for Al Hunt and there's nobody even in the same zip code as that ball.

Again, Bassuener goes back to McBroom out to the Power 22. Ensuing play is another deep ball for McBroom, and again, Carlos Campbell is all over him. Incomplete.

Bassuener drops back to throw again and Gary F'n Butler is there for yet another sack. He's been huge game in and game out. Brings up a 3rd and 15 for Tulsa. Bassuener pressured, scrambles, and he once again gets acquainted with Gary Butler who drills him into the near wall. 4th and 11. Tulsa will go for it. Chris Terrell helps their cause by jumping offsides. 4th and 6.

Bassuener is hit as he throws, Terrance Carter gets there. Pass falls incomplete, and the Power take over with a chance to grab their first lead of the game. Another huge defensive stand lead by Gary Butler.

McCabe with 9:19 left drops back, dances around and throws the ball directly to Ransom. His second pick. Yuck.

Ransom is slow to get up. Looks like he's in a ton of pain. You never wish an injury on any athlete, and we hope it's minor, but it can only help that this guy is out of the game, at least for a little while. He's going to haunt Kevin McCabe's dreams for months.

McCabe 8/18 for 77 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT at this point. No rhythm.

LETS GO POWER chant breaks out. Bassuener scrambles and is hit by Tyrell Herbert and Gary Butler after a short gain. 3rd and 7 at the Power 10 yard line for Tulsa. Can the defense possibly make another miracle stop?

DE-FENSE chant takes over the Consol. An uneasy one. Bassuener pressured again, scrambles to his right and is forced into the wall by Gary Butler. Well short of the first down. 4th and 5 for Tulsa. Can't say enough about how clutch this defense has been.

Juan Bongarra comes out to try the field goal from the Power 14. The kick is good, and Tulsa regains the lead.

TULSA 17
PITTSBURGH 14

Thompson muffs the kick in the endzone, gets out to the ten, and fumbles. Dear lord. This defense has bailed the offense out time after time, and this is the way the offense and special teams repay them? Unbelievable. Tulsa takes over at the 13. The crowd gets restless.

Bassuener's throw over the middle is dropped by McBroom. Should've been a touchdown.

Bassuener has McBroom wide open in the endzone. It's getting ugly, because this offense has struggled all night.

TALONS 24
POWER 14

Bubba announces the attendance: Another solid crowd of 9,924. The only people who haven't showed up yet are the Power offensive unit.

So, a chance for redemption for Eddie Thompson. He gets out to the 7 yard line and is pile driven by Nikos Brown.

Good Christ.

Anthony Morelli checks in at QB, looking to spark the Power.

He looks left and finds Joystick Washington for a first down.

*Editorial Note* I'm having a horrific time cheering for a Penn State guy, but I'm trying my best.

Morelli then finds Jason Willis off to his left, another first down.

The buzz starts to come back into the crowd a little bit.

Morelli's first series really reminding me of McCabes first series so far. Safe, low-risk passes, and he's been efficient so far. 2:32 remaining and the Power driving methodically.

Morelli is 4 for 5 with 27 yards at this point. He then finds Mike Washington for another first down. 1:30 left in the 3rd. The Nitter is moving the ball.

Morelli looks for Willis in the endzone and Neal nearly picks it off. Good break. He was all over Jason on that play.

Morelli on 2nd and goal goes to the endzone. Picked off by Darian Williams.


The crowd begins a chant in support of Morelli.

WE ARE


THE WORST OFFENSE IN THE AFL!

Anyone miss Bernard Morris? Anyone wish the Roethlisberger article wasn't an April Fools joke?

Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love. Becoming a Power tradition. Time to turn it up, boys. Tulsa takes over at their own two. It was mini football night, as one fan, then two, then several more remind us. Game has to be stopped to clean up the mini footballs. The officials are clearly annoyed.

Bassuener throws over some bojo's head. Larico Stevenson on the coverage. End of the third quarter. Frustrated? You bet.

TALONS 24
POWER 14

FOURTH QUARTER

CW Brandi says to eat at Pizza Hut. I say meet me at my parents house for a hot makeout session. CW Brandi: "Nonplussed."

Bassuener finds Al Hunt. 9 yard gain. 3rd and 1. Absolutely need a turnover here, as the clock is ticking. Bassuener keeps and picks up the first down, another tackle by Gary Butler. 14 minutes left. Ugh. They've got to find a way to beat this joke of a team.

Deep ball. Campbell all over Al Hunt. Incomplete. Campbell is my defensive player of the game for Pittsburgh at this point. Brings up a 2nd and 10 for the Talons. Quick out to McBroom who is absolutely killed by Josh Lay. In a comparable American gridiron football league who will remain nameless forever on this blog, that's a 900 game suspension and a $650,000 fine for a helmet to helmet hit. Lay leaves the game with Brain Slushie Syndrome. Bassuener finds Copeland for 8 yards and another first down. Just a hair over 12 minutes remaining.

Where's that turnover?

Bassuener to the stocky receiver Al Hunt for another first down, inside the Power fifteen. Game over if they score here.

Handoff to Bedore, a gain of a few yards. Tick, tick, tick. 10:25 left.

Bassuener rolls right, takes a hit from Terrance Carter, and the Talons QB throws it to the Sparks outside of the right side of the endzone. Hannah - call me. <3.

Shit.

Bassuener finds Troy McBroom. That's his 2nd touchdown in addition to the earlier fumble recovery. We're boned. PAT is good. A few fans start pouring out.

TALONS 31
POWER 17

Power go completely insane. Pitch to Rue at their own five. Fumble. Talons recover. One way trip to suicide island. Absolutely no confidence in Anthony Morelli. 8 minutes left. Tulsa takes over, looking to deal the death blow. Reid checks in and walks into the endzone. I feel like walking into a freight train.

Tulsa 38
Pittsburgh 17

Ensuing drive, deep ball caught for the touchdown by Mike Washington. Fun fact: Pittsburgh's high motion man was offsides. Morelli's first AFL touchdown pass has still yet to happen. 6 minutes left.

A couple more little Morrelli dumpoffs, more penalties, whatever.

I miss Lonnell DeWalt and I wish someone would tell me when he's coming back.

Morelli finds Eddie Thompson. He's crushed. Helmet to helmet, again. Jesus. You may never see another hit harder than that in the entire rest of the AFL's existence. Another time out to tend to another head injury. Eddie Thompson joins the club with Josh Lay and Irv Washington. Thompson gets off the field on his own power.

Meanwhile, Morelli finds Jason Willis inside Tulsa territory with 4:30 left. The Power need to score. First downs are nice, but they don't stop the clock.

There it is.

Morelli with his first career AFL touchdown pass. It's Mike Washington, good for twenty four yards. Joystick with a tough catch up against the wall. Two point conversion attempt coming up.

Morelli floats one for David Ball, over his head, but he was interfered with. Half the distance. Come one guys, bury it. Make it interesting here.

Morelli keeps, stretches, and JUST BARELY gets it. Two pointer is good.

TULSA 38
POWER 22

PS, Morelli was down. Horrible call. One of many in this game.

Onside kick attempt is recovered by Shaw for Tulsa. Bassuener takes over at the Power ten. A pitch to Hunt keeps the clock moving. I have no idea how much time is left, because the CW's graphic disappeared. It's not much.

Ah, it's back. 2:30. Need a turnover worse than they need oxygen.

Bassuener pressured, throws it away. Flag down. Roughing the passer against Pittsburgh. The undisciplined, frustrated play continues.

First and goal. Bassuener keeps and gets down to the two. Siegfried calls a time out that you could hear from Mt. Washington. Terrance Carter on the tackle. 2:07 left. Reid checks back in, keeps, runs right, hit by Larico Stevenson gets a hat on it, and Reid FUMBLES. Tulsa recovers.

Another flag.

This game is a mess. Chop block on Tulsa.

1:45 left.

Bassuener back in, pressured, and finds Al Hunt for the Talons score. FML.

Tulsa 45
Pittsburgh 22

This is the most humiliating moment in the history of Pittsburgh sports.

ONE MINUTE WARNING

Who cares? What an empty feeling. This team is just decimated by injuries and suspensions at this point, and it's showing. It can only get worse. Eddie Thompson is back in the game, at least.

Morelli was buried inside his own five, about to get sacked, and somehow finds Eddie Thompson out to near midfield. 38 seconds left. The Power call their final time out.

Morelli is then sacked by Nikos Brown AKA his own left foot. 20 seconds left. It's academic at this point.

The Power will fall to 2-2 and lose pace with the Gladiators in the division. Let us never speak of this pukefest again.

FINAL SCORE
Tulsa 45
Pittsburgh 22

Players of the game:

- Offense -
Matt Basseuner, QB Tulsa
252 Yds Total Offense

- Defense -
Jamar Ransom, DB Tulsa
2 INT

No words. A week off to lick our wounds and recover. 4/16 vs Jacksonville at the Consol Energy Center.

"If I am Too Loud, You Are Too Old" - The Redemption of Bubba

Under The Gun: Bubba vs The World

The rush a fan gets when the home team takes the field for a game is like nothing else. An indescribable experience that gets the adrenaline flowing and causes grown men to cheer for guys half their age. The trademark intro music blares, fireworks go off, people are dancing, screaming, spilling their beer. It's a rite of passage passed down from father to son since the days of the Roman Colosseum.

The experience transcends all sports. Each individual league has their own traditions and customs. In baseball, it's the introduction of each individual player on opening day. In hockey, the lights come down and hard rock blasts through the PA system. The referees come out first, usually to a chorus of boos. The visiting team follows suit. As the music builds to a crescendo, the home team finally takes the ice as the announcer declares them YOUR team.

Even nontraditional sports, such as professional wrestling, use the introductions as a way of storytelling, a way to build up anticipation. Who doesn't remember the feeling you got just knowing that in about five seconds, the Ultimate Warrior's music was going to hit and beat you over the head with power chords and a driving beat as your favorite roided up maniac went full bore to the ring, Gorilla Monsoon criticizing him for using up all of his energy before the bell even rang.

It's the same for Arena Football, a sport which brings to the table a completely different breed of the mix between sports and entertainment spectacle. Fireworks, dancers, hard rock, and the public address announcer introducing your team.

In Pittsburgh, where the Power are only four weeks old, the man introducing the team is no stranger to any of this action. He is known simply as Bubba - kind of a Pittsburgh version of a Jack-of-All-Trades who was made most famous by his run as a co-host of the popular morning show on now-defunct B94 FM.

Bubba is extraordinarily popular with the young adult demographic. He helped to usher in the teen pop of the early 90's to the Steel City through his gig as the voice of top 40 active pop and pop culture shenanigans on WBZZ. A lot of older radio listeners, the Howard Stern and 'DVE crowd, in particular, didn't exactly flock to 93.7 on their radio dial. It goes without question that Bubba was off their radar, sort of written off instantaneously with the brand of bubble gum pop that his radio home was churning out.

Far be it from Bubba to care, though.

He's always been a guy who does his own thing. Bubba, a fan of pro wrestling, used his local fame to find work as a grappler with several organizations in the mid to late 90's. It was his first of many explorations of his personal interest.

"My first match ever in the WWF was a tag team match. Me and Yokozuna versus the British Bulldog and Owen Hart. Sadly I am the only person from that match that is still alive," Bubba recalled.

"I have wrestled everyone from Mick Foley to Shane Douglas to many many more over the years."

Not one to stop at chasing one dream, he's also in the bar business. Bubba is a proprietor of the popular local Mullens chain. There's one on the South Side and one on the North Shore. You can find the Power hosting post-game parties there with regularity.

Today, the survivors of Bubba's morning team at the ill-fated B94 co-host a morning show on Pittsburgh's Star 100.7, the bastard lovechild of the old Variety 96 and B94. He's still pulling goofy stunts and still spinning mostly pop music. It's easy to see why a large segment of the younger, hipper Pittsburgh crowd would hate him... Or at least like him, but only ironically.

Love him or hate him, Bubba's career path lead to another unique opportunity earlier this year, when, Michael Gorham, Chief Operating Officer of the fledgling Pittsburgh Power Arena Football League franchise came calling.

"[He] called me and asked me if I wanted to audition and interview for the position. They approached me. I have zero idea [how they chose me]. I am just very happy and fortunate that they did."

Shortly after starting his stint as the arena voice of the Power, Bubba began to, for better or worse, build up his own style and personality.

He's had a love of the sport since the AFL on NBC era, and tries to incorporate what he learned and loves of the game into the gameday product.

"The thing that I love about Arena football is the speed of the game. I have been a fan of Arena football for years. I used to watch the games on Sundays on NBC. The wide receivers have some much speed and skill and the QB's have such a fast release, that skill level is awesome," he noted.

Speed, speed, speed. It's what everybody first notices about arena football. Given that, Bubba says he's tried to incorporate a high-energy approach to his announcing style. He makes no qualms that some of the things that he says are unrehearsed, including his infamous player nicknames.

"They were not planned. They just sort of came out.....I want Pittsburgh Power football to be a fun fan participation sport. So if they love the names, or hate the names, at least they are participating. There are more to come, and the number one question I get is about Mike 'The Joystick' Washington - What does the nickname mean? He plays like a video game receiver, it's like he is controlled with an old school Atari Joystick."

Not everybody who attends Power games wants to accept that this is a professional or even entertaining practice. One only has to read the comments on this blog to see that Bubba has been receiving a lot of fan criticism for his overzealous style. In fact, one of the regular posters on BoltsBurgh, "The Voice" (aka Dom Errico, who has been pimping an upcoming Pittsburgh Power talk segment on TribLive Online Radio), has often times challenged Bubba's status as public address announcer for his favorite team. Bubba pulled no punches when answering the criticism.

With several laughs peppered in, Bubba obviously doesn't take the armchair announcers too seriously, stating, "It is very simple. I want Pittsburgh Power Football to be fun. The feedback that I have received has been 98% positive, that people love it. They want more of it. It seems like the people that don't like it are old! If I am too loud, you are too old!" Bubba sprinkled in another laugh for good measure. "I can tell you this: Lynn Swann LOVES it and so do the Shaners. Mr. Swann has asked me to even turn it up a bit more."

In his normal humorous, pull no punches, yet laid back style, Bubba addressed the situation with Mr. Errico, who has challenged Bubba to a "Voice-Off" to determine who really is the best fit to be the Power's PA announcer.

"As for the the guy that hates me, he has sent me e-mails, he has sent the radio station e-mails, the Pittsburgh Power e-mails. I even told him, 'I am not sure that this the track I would take to try and get my foot in the door', but then again I am not him. If this is what he wants to do....he should probably learn humility first. I have a horrible voice, I have a stammering problem, so beating me in a voice off would not be hard!"

Still, we pushed harder to see if any kind of adjustments were forthcoming in light of such harsh criticism. Bubba says, "I will let the crowd drive me."

Bubba also reiterates that the gameday presentation you're getting is neither spoon-fed nor scripted, but 100% Bubba.

"The commercials come from the team, but the rest is all me. I am always open to discussions, although I know the ownership is happy with my direction."

The controversial voice of the Power also touched on several other tidbits, including the commitment of the Swann group to Pittsburgh for the long term. He says the team is here to stay, and he's on board for as long as they'll let him.

"I am a Pittsburgh sports fan: Pirates, Penguins and [expletive omitted]. The Power is just the next logical step in that progression. They are great for different reasons. I really love this team and this organization and am so excited about the buzz they are creating."

No matter what you think of Bubba, which aspect of his career formed your opinion of him, or whether you've never even noticed him, you have to respect him. He's come full circle, from borderline local teen idol to just a voice in the background on the very frequency that made him famous (B94, after several format changes, eventually became 93.7 The Fan, the radio home of the Power), but never compromised doing things his way. Like him or not, Bubba is a part of the Power.

Bubba has also offered an invitation for an open dialogue with any reader of BoltsBurgh Blog, so feel free to post any followup questions in the comments. You can check him out on the Star 100.7 Morning show every weekday. You can also compare Bubba's work to Dom Errico's by checking out Dominic's site.

Roethlisberger Signs With Power

After the offensive meltdown last week against the Milwaukee Mustangs, the Power have cut Anthony Morelli and gone out and signed a promissing young quarterback who will start tomorrow against the Tulsa Talons.

Pretty sure you're not going to believe this, but the superstar QB was confirmed and spotted at the Power's practice facility earlier today, speaking to team owner Lynn Swann.

"Really, it's a matter of staying in football shape. With the lockout looming, a lot of guys were looking for a way to stay competitive. I'm a competitor," Roethlisberger stated in a press release.

It goes without saying that this is the biggest coup in AFL history. Roethlisberger has had a sparkling career with the Pittsburgh [expletive deleted], winning two Super [Expletive Deleted] before the age of thirty.

Like many other players who are jumping ship, Roethlisberger knows that there is a distinct risk of career-threatning injury.

"For my entire career, I've faced adversity. I've had a motorcycle accident. Off-the-field type stuff. Anything can happen. I could break my leg in the weight room. The risk is less than the potential reward of bringing a professional football championship to the city of Pittsburgh once and for all."

On the topic of why he chose to play for the Power, he said, "Lynn Swann is just a natural connection for me. We've both won [Expletive Deleted] with the Pittsburgh [expletive deleted], so we already had an existing relationship."

Outside of Pittsburgh, the Arena Football League was buzzing about the startling signing of the wunderkind quarterback, who last played for Miami of Ohio.

"Look, I understand that Lynn Swann is a billionaire playboy, but there's no reason to rub it in the face of the league like this. It's a disgrace," stated one poster on the ArenaFan message boards.

So it may be, but it can only be beneficial for Pittsburgh Power fans.





PS. Please make note of today's date and the first letter of each paragraph in this article.

GAME PREVIEW - WEEK 4 - POWER vs TALONS

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Friday, April 1, 2011
7:30 PM
TV: CW 19 and NiftyTV
Radio: 93.7 The Fan
Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA

The Talons are one of the biggest jokes of the entire AFL thus far in the 2011 campaign. After a disasterous offseason which saw almost the entire team roster turn over, Tulsa has limped out of the gates to an 0-3 start. Last week, in one of the most humiliating defeats in Arena Ball history, the Talons dropped a 69-20 decision which saw them get completely shut out in the first half. It was 42-0 at one point. Really bad.

The Tulsa World newspaper ran a tell-tale article on the sad state of the franchise on Wednesday that would make even the most aggressive AFL apologist cringe. Tulsa co-owner Paul Ross waxed poetic on how difficult it is to keep AF1 caliber players in such a market. The whole thing smells bush league.

On the field, the Talons seem to be playing a different sport than the rest of the league. QB Bobby Reid is a shining example of this. In a pass-first sport, Reid's stats stand out in a nauseating and disturbing manner. 499 Passing Yds - 6 TD to 5 INT- a QB rating in the low 60's. His rushing stats, 18 carries for 206 yards and 7 TD.

It's all well and good to have a running QB in gridiron football, but one has to wonder why a franchise would take such a leap of faith on a system which is a proven loser in a league that lives and dies by the deep ball.

The Talons have tried to shore up their offense, bringing in WR Rodney White from San Jose this week. White has had a few really solid seasons in the AFL, putting up more than a thousand yards a couple of times with the SaberCats, where he's spent his entire arena ball career.

However, what good is it, if you have a quarterback who can't throw?

Meanwhile, the Power are facing some adversity of their own, as WR Lonnell DeWalt is serving a league suspension for unspecified violations. Attempts to contact the league and the Power front office for comment were met with radio silence. This is a massive loss for an offense that absolutely fell apart in the 2nd half on Monday against Milwaukee.

QB Kevin McCabe showed signs that he was human for the first time, throwing three picks, including one that went for a Mustangs TD out of their own endzone. Mike Washington randomly didn't show up for the game. Irv Campbell remains on IR with the conscussion. It will be up to Jerome Mathis, Eddie Thompson, and Jason Willis to put big Kev up on their backs and carry him to a good performance this week if Joystick decides to no-show again. We're really hoping that this is not the case. Again, information is sometimes dicey in the AFL, and we have absolutely no idea why Washington was inactive against Milwaukee.

It's been a tenuous time for the entire league, with attendance dipping, players randomly disappearing and showing up elsewhere, and traditionally powerful teams falling off the face of the planet (Read: Tampa Bay Storm)... Here's hoping a return to the friendly confines of a packed Consol Energy Center is good for what ails the league.

Also, make sure everyone sends a friendly reminder to @KDPomp on Twitter that it's the TALONS, not the TALLOONS. What a professional.

Pomp's daughter is an astrobabe. All is forgiven.

PREDICTIONS:
For every Power game we cover here on the BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG, our three contributing editors will pass along their expert picks for the game, along with the key to victory. We call these our BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG KEYS TO VICTORY! There are three of them. One each.

- Perry -
In spite of the 2nd half meltdown against Milwaukee, I think Kevin McCabe will be just fine this week. I think his confidence comes back and his receivers pick up the load against a very weak opponent. Power get the victory much more comfortably than Monday.

Power 49
Tallons 21

- Pro -
"Talons" sounds like some bojo dek team at Bill's that have their own jerseys but only score 6 goals all season. One of their players probably has highlights in his hair.

Power 76
Talons 17

- Schwartz -
Seems like a good week to win 94-14.

Power 94
Talons 14

KEYS TO VICTORY:

1) Receivers need to pick up McCabe's confidence.
2) Frosted tips.
3) Score 94 points. Give up 14.

Implosion, Redemption - Power vs Mustangs - The Aftermath

Implosions. A collection of some of the greatest ever captured on film. None, however, rival the one that the Pittsburgh Power offense suffered through on Monday night at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

Maybe it's a sign that we're not as strong as we once thought. Maybe it's the injury bug biting at an inopportune time. Or, maybe, just maybe, it's a sign that the Pittsburgh Power are a team of destiny.

A pathetic crowd of 3,253 sporadically filled small portions of the lower level of the home of the Milwaukee Mustangs, as they stormed onto the field, fired up to take on their divisional rivals from Pittsburgh. Ten seconds later, they were losing 21-0. It was to be an epic beatdown the likes of which have never been seen. The brave souls who did turn out would "Rue" the day they heard the name Kevin McCabe.

Mustangs quarterback Eric Ward, constantly chased by a swarm of white jerseys, barely able to keep himself above water, fumbled and stumbled and ate turf, all the while throwing balls straight up in the air, hoping that Jesus would descend from the heavens to catch a touchdown.

Head coach Bob Landsee took another route, somewhere around the midpoint of the first quarter. He could be seen practicing Satanic rites on the Milwaukee bench. Anything, he hoped, to spark his misfit team of pathetic losers to a victory.

It all seemed to be for naught, as the Power, like nihilistic touchdown machines continued to steamroll the competition.

For as pumped up and ready to play as the Mustangs look as they took the field, it was akin to making it to the bathroom only to piss all over the floor.

It was all Power.

All the time.

However, by halftime, with the Power leading 35-20, somewhere in between the divine and the devlish, something took hold. In the guise of Antoine Burns, Dwayne Eley Jr., and perennial all-arena Damian Harrell, quarterback Ward finally found the angel he was praying so hard for, and that his coach was defending so hard against. That angel was backup quarterback RJ Archer. RJ would certainly prove to be the Archer-Angel of Arena Football on this fateful night.

Replacing Ward, Archer quickly found Harrell for a score. The defense suddenly came alive. The previously robotic football warrior-prince Kevin McCabe began to show signs of weakness. An interception return from his own endzone. Suddenly, things were looking bleak for the Pittsburgh squad.

Suddenly, it was 49-41. Then 49-47. Then the Mustangs, with their last gasping breath for life, called a quarterback keeper - The arena football league's dance of champions is sometimes met with some missteps - But on this night, the defense pulled out all the stops and Milwaukee was left to ponder what would be if they had just pushed for ONE... MORE... YARD.

FINAL SCORE
PITTSBURGH POWER 49
MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS 47

Player of the Game:
Offense: Josh Rue - 6 Car - 28 Yds - 2 TD
Defense: Gary Butler - 3 Tackles - 3 Assists - 1 TFL for -12 Yds - 1 Forced Fumble - 2 Fumble Recoveries

Saturday vs Tulsa.
Do work.

Power vs Mustangs - LiveBlog - 7PM

We'll be liveblogging the game right here via this here CoverItLive app starting sometime around 7PM. Kickoff is slated for 7:30. Watch the game with us on NiftyTV. If you can't stream video for some reason, listen live on 93.7 The Fan.

Quick note - Irv Campbell has been placed on IR with concussion-like symptoms -- That's the reason that David Ball has been activated for tonight's game.

Sidebar: Shoutout to THE Katie O'Malley of Pens TV and Inside Penguins Hockey. Every time you tweet us, our hearts melt. <3

Anyways, check back in at 7PM to join us for the liveblog! If it doesn't work, as always, you can leave your thoughts on the game in the comments.

GAME PREVIEW - WEEK 3 - POWER VS MUSTANGS

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Monday, March 28, 2011
7:30 PM
TV:
Radio: 93.7 The Fan
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Power gear up for their first ever road test this week, travelling to the Bradley Center to take on a team, who, after making the second round of the playoffs last year, is coming out of the gates flat to start out the 2011 campaign.

The Power, used to playing in front of the largest crowds in the AFL, will have to contend with what will probably be a quiet, pre-season like atmosphere. The Mustangs only drew about 3,000 fans for their first game against Chicago, a 49-41 loss.

Perhaps it's for the best, as the Mustangs don't seem to play well in front of large audiences. In the second week, they travelled to Arizona to take on the Rattlers in front of over 9,000, where they were obliterated, 62-31.

The Mustangs are lead by QB Eric Ward out of Richmond, who through two weeks has amassed 475 yards passing and 6 touchdowns to go along with 3 interceptions.

They've got a trifecta of productive receivers in Damian Harrell, Antoine Burns, and Brent Holmes, combining for the bulk of the Milwaukee offense as well as all six of Ward's TD passes. Since 2001 when he was battery mates with local product Chad Salisbury for the Toronto Phantoms (Frazier HS, University of Buffalo), Harrell has amassed over 1,000 yards receiving in each consecutive season.

In spite of the 0-2 record, the Mustangs sit around the middle of the pack in almost every statistical category.

Power coach Chris Siegfried and the team got some bad press this week, when the Trib decided to, inexplicably, run a story about the HC's wife's legal problems. Good God, selling fake weed? Really?

On the field for the Power, the key is whether Kevin McCabe can continue his phenomenal start -- after replacing the injured Bernard Morris last week, McCabe was fantastic in leading the Power to a convincing 58-28 win over the Iowa Goggles.

McCabe is backed up by a bevy of fine receivers, as well as a secondary that really shut down Brad Banks and the Iowa attack in the second half last week, lead by Lenny Wicks and Josh Lay. McCabe's primary targets, as always, will be Mike "Joystick" Washington, Jason Willis, and Lonnell DeWalt. After returning from injury last week, Jerome Mathis and Irv Campbell started to show some signs of life as well. Toss in folk hero Josh Rue, and the Power have a ton of weapons on offense that can hurt you. They've also activated WR David Ball #82 for this weeks game. No word on who will be benched or why.

The Mustangs really are an enigma, having given Chicago, who is tearing the league apart currently, a very close game before getting completely crushed by the Rattlers. As was previously stated, the only real reason we can come up with is that they enjoy playing at home in front of practically no fans. If this were a home game for the Power, it would be an easy call. The Consol Energy Center would have a big crowd, it would be loud, and Milwaukee would simply collapse. However, it's in the Bradley center, there will be 2,000 people there, and the Mustangs will have their home field advantage. Scary stuff.

PREDICTIONS:
For every Power game we cover here on the BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG, our three contributing editors will pass along their expert picks for the game, along with the key to victory. We call these our BOLTSBURGH POWER BLOG KEYS TO VICTORY! There are three of them. One each.

- Perry -
Kevin McCabe is emerging as one of the top QB's in the entire AFL. Milwaukee has the home field "advantage", but the Power's secondary is finally stepping up. If they can shut down Harrell, they can put up enough points to let the defense carry them to their first road win.

Power 56
Mustangs 31

- Pro -

If you wouldn't have had that half case of Old Milwaukee, you would've finished high school and wouldn't be paying child support right now. Milwaukee vomits on their own shoes and the Power win.

Power 62
Mustangs 41

- Schwartz -
Seems like a good week to lose 71-70.

Mustangs 71
Power 70

KEYS TO VICTORY:

1) Power secondary need to shut down a potent Milwaukee receiving corps.
2) Don't vomit on your shoes.
3) Lose