The Scoop
What's Really Going On?
Compiled by Tony DeFazio and Jim Lachimia

Welcome to the NFL

Steelers' safety Anthony Smith had a solid rookie season and was coming on fairly well earlier this year. But when he opened his mouth and guaranteed a win over the Patriots in December, well, things changed. Smith had his worst game of the season in the loss to New England, twice getting burned deep on big plays that ultimately put the game out of reach for the Steelers. It wasn't his getting beat that was reason for concern-Randy Moss makes NFL defensive backs look silly every Sunday-but it was the fact that he made mental errors on both plays. It happened again the following week against Jacksonville, and NFL safeties simply cannot get burned three times in a two week period. Welcome to the NFL, son. Now take a seat for a bit and watch how it's done.

Stick To It

Pirates' owner Bob Nutting is a straight-laced businessman and one of the things he didn't care for about the Dave Littlefield administration was that the plan changed too often. The handling of promising slugger Ryan Doumit is a case in point. He's a catcher. He's a first baseman. No wait, we'll try him in right field. Maybe that will work. The boss has made it clear he wants new GM Neal Huntington to carefully formulate a plan, and stick to that plan.