http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columnists/ Sports columnist Ron Cook en-us Copyright 2009, post-gazette.com. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:44:13 -0500 15 http://www.post-gazette.com/includes/2007design/images/150x30pg_now_logo.gif http://www.post-gazette.com/ 144 39 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09326/1015433-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml You wonder what they talked about during the long, hot summer nights, the two roommates, alone in their South Side apartment. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:52:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09324/1014930-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Some days, you walk into Giant Eagle and want to shout to the world: "I'm here!" Other days ... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09322/1014269-143.stm?cmpid=cook.xml It seems a lot of people are unhappy about the goings on in Happy Valley these days. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:46:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09321/1014080-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Nothing had changed by the Mourning After. "We're still looking up," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said. At the first-place Cincinnati Bengals. It seems so strange. The Bengals? Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:31:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09320/1013824-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml The Steelers' collective psyche after a day when their offense did nothing, their defense couldn't make a late stand and their special teams were absolutely atrocious in a brutal home loss to a Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:41:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09319/1013361-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml CINCINNATI -- You think you're surprised that Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is the fifth-longest-tenured head coach in the NFL? Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09318/1013519-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml The big winners last night were the No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats, who stayed unbeaten; the Big East Conference, which kept its hopes alive for a national championship; Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:17:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09317/1013141-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml CINCINNATI -- On the morning of Oct. 8, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer kissed the love of his life goodbye and went to work. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09315/1012412-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Wasn't the point of not dressing safety Ryan Clark for the Steelers-Denver Broncos game Monday night to protect him from exerting himself in the mile-high altitude of Invesco Field? Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09314/1012228-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml You went to the bathroom last night immediately after Denver linebacker Robert Ayers picked up a fumble by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and rumbled 54 yards for a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 10-7 lead early in the third quarter. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:18:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09313/1011915-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Ben Roethlisberger took a well-traveled road to the top of the Steelers' pay scale. Although it's always easier for a guy who's drafted high in the first round, he has been terrific. Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09312/1011777-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor looked like a million bucks in his crisp gray pinstripe suit when he met his family and friends from Jeannette outside the locker room last night after the biggest victory of his football life. "My mom bought it for me. I make it look good, don't I?" the kid said with an enormous grin. Sun, 8 Nov 2009 01:01:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09310/1011280-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml It's so easy to sit back and criticize, to second-guess, to say that Penn State linebacker Sean Lee made a costly mistake by not leaving for the NFL after his terrific junior season in 2007. Fri, 6 Nov 2009 00:29:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09307/1010366-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Kyle Orton might not be John Elway, but he's playing great football and doesn't make huge mistakes. Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09306/1010182-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml You didn't think the Baltimore Ravens were just going to go away, did you? I mean, really? Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:23:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09305/1009628-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml You can say just about anything to Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, probably the nicest, most revered man in the NFL. Sun, 1 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09303/1009409-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml It's easy to say Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is a jerk, has been a jerk since he left Penn State and always will be a jerk. Who will argue with that? Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:10:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09301/1008808-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Ordinarily, I believe that an NFL player should never miss a game for any reason other than an injury or a life-threatening situation at home. The impending birth of a child? Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:45:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09300/1008563-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml They said Steelers rookie wide receiver Mike Wallace could run fast, but this is ridiculous. This kid has run from a dismal past to a bright future so quickly that it almost defies belief. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09299/1008375-66.stm?cmpid=cook.xml Funny thing is Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley actually thought he would escape ridicule from his teammates yesterday after toting the football 77 yards in what seemed like 2 1/2 minutes to at touchdown. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:48:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09298/1008199-233.stm?cmpid=cook.xml With nearly 100 percent of the precincts having reported, this column is prepared to project a winner in the race between Pitt and Cincinnati to finish first in the Big East Conference. ... Sports commentary by Ron Cook Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09296/1007716-87.stm?cmpid=cook.xml In no particular order, Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti credits coach Dave Wannstedt, quarterback Bill Stull, running back Dion Lewis, tight end Dorin Dickerson, the other playmakers, Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400