#(cincinnati is 40% Black for context)

[seven-saffodils]

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[emblem-333]

The Third Bronze Medal Game

Super Bowl VII

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Dallas Cowboys

What changes: Don Shula does not give the reins back to Bob Griese and sticks with Earl Morrall. The Dolphins offense continues to struggle against the Steel Curtain and fall 17-10, thus ending their perfect season. Another alternative for Pittsburgh is what-if Terry Bradshaw wasn’t knocked out of the game with a concussion?

For Dallas, Tom Landry turns away from Roger Staubach after his heroics versus the 49ers erased a fifteen-point deficit. Craig Morton held the job as starter even after the ‘71 Super Bowl season because he didn’t break away from the designed plays. Roger was a loose cannon and at times could not be trusted. In his two games against division rival Washington, Morton compiled a respectable for the time, 21 of 44 passing, 235 yards, two touchdowns and the same number of interceptions, and a rushing touchdown. Dallas also averaged 27 points in two games against the NFC’s best defense.

The Morton-Staubach controversy is one of those quandaries at the time you could’ve seen yourself on either side. With the hindsight of history, Staubach obviously is far and away the superior option. Except, even after his Super Bowl winning stint as Dallas’ starter, the reliability of Morton, the known quantity enticed Landry more than the high ceiling of Staubach. Morton was a carbon copy of previous Cowboys great Don Meredith. No really! Look at their statistical outputs:

Craig Morton ‘69, ‘70, ‘72

(Morton started just four games in 1971 before Staubach usurped him)

Win/Loss: 28-9-1

Yards: 6,834

TDs: 51

INTs: 42

Cmp%: 53.07%

Attempts: 846

Completions: 449

Don Meredith ‘66-‘68

Win/Loss: 27-9-1

Yards: 7,139

TDs: 61

INTs: 40

Cmp%: 52.4

Attempts: 908

Completions: 476

In ‘71, the ten-games Staubach spent as starter he threw the ball just 211 times. His throws were brilliant, long range and electrifying contrasted with the methodic Morton. But to put into context how little trust Landry had in Staubach, Colin Kaepernick in the 7 regular season games he took over for Alex Smith in 2012 he attempted 218 passes.

The Cowboys never fancied themselves a team who did their damage in the air anyhow. The speedy backfield tandem of Calvin Hill (1,400) and Walt Garrison (1,174) accumulated 2,574 yards from scrimmage combined. More yards than Miami’s Larry Csonka (1,165) and Mercury Morris (1,168) mark of 2,333.

Staubach laid the biggest - maybe his only - egg of his career against Washington in the NFC Title Game. George Allen’s “Over The Hill Gang” mercilessly punished Roger sacking him three times, Dallas offense completing just 8 first downs. Washington would go on to be Miami’s final victim in their 17-0 season in the subsequent Super Bowl.

Dallas arguably, with Morton win against Washington and we have a rematch of the previous year’s championship game. Staubach needed the setbacks of ‘72 and ‘73 as learning curves. Morton, however, was already experienced enough.

For Pittsburgh, it was the first year of the Steel Curtain reshaping the identity the Steelers had of being a bunch of bottom-dwellers. Chuck Noll was hired in 1969 the Steelers from their inception in 1933 up until that point made the playoffs just once, in 1947. Noll inherits the worst team in the NFL. Many fans wanted a quarterback heading into the ‘69 draft where Pittsburgh occupied the fourth pick. Cincinnati product Greg Cook was tagged by many as a Steeler in waiting. Instead, Noll opted not for a quick fix and selected linebacker from North Texas Joe Greene. Fans were irate. Greg Cook is a story for another day. For the sake of brevity, Cook was described by Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh as the greatest quarterback he’s ever seen. This is the man who worked with Joe Montana. Cook dazzled in his rookie campaign leading the NFL in passing. Playing the second half of the ‘69 season with a partially torn rotator cuff, Cook only played one more game after his rookie year before Paul Brown told him to “get on with your life.” Perhaps if Kansas City Chiefs defenseman Jim Lynch hadn’t tackled Cook his bust would be in Canton, Ohio today.

Greene is the first player drafted in the formation of the Steel Curtain. Mel Blount, Mike Wagner, and Jack Ham followed. In 1972, only Miami’s “No Name Defense” held opponents to fewer points and by the slim margin of 4. The Steelers created an aura of being a team of destiny after their miraculous last play victory over the Oakland Raiders, dubbed “The Immaculate Reception.” Heading into the forth and final period, the Steelers lead Miami 10-7 and were a quarter away from the Super Bowl. Bradshaw had left the contest giving control to Terry Hanratty, he completed and attempted the same as Bradshaw, 5 of 10, but for fewer yards, 57 to the Blond Bomber’s 80. Bradshaw did throw a touchdown, though he also tossed two interceptions. Hanratty put Pittsburgh’s kicker Roy Gerela had his attempt blocked, the score stayed 14-10.

Shula pulled the struggling Morrall and Griese lead the Dolphins downfield, thanks to a 52-yard completion to deep threat Paul Warfield set the stage for one of Jim Kiick’s touchdowns putting them back in the driver's seat. Bradshaw heroically returned in an attempt to resurface the fledgling Steelers. Down 21-10, Bradshaw completed four consecutive passes for 71-yards, hitting Al Young (who doesn’t have a Wikipedia page) for the touchdown. The ensuing Dolphins possession ended in a punt. Life was back in the Three Rivers crowd. Perhaps they really are a team of destiny.

Turns out, there’s no such thing. Bradshaw threw back to back costly interceptions icing the game for Miami.

The loss wouldn’t be the only thing weighing heavily in the hearts of Steelers fans. Later that day, Pirates all-time great Roberto Clemente in the prime of his life and career perished in a plain crash in route to Nicaragua. Through all the despair hope remained on the horizon. But outside of 1976, I’d say this is the one Pittsburgh fans who were fortunate to live through their era of dominance wish they hadn’t left on the table.

So what-if they haven’t? What-if we had a Steelers vs Cowboys Super Bowl three-years before we actually got it?

The makeup of both these teams are different, for one. There is no Lynn Swann or John Stallworth to throw to. Ron Shanklin was Pittsburgh’s leading receiver with 38 catches. Frank Lewis lead the wideouts in touchdowns with 5. Though unglamorous, the Steelers offense got the job done thanks to thousand yard rusher rookie Franco Harris.

The Cowboys most prominent receivers were their aforementioned running backs. Ron Sellers lead the wideouts with 37 receptions. Veteran stalwart Mike Ditka was at the end of his rope and only caught 17. 1972 was his final year in the NFL.

Dallas on defense were lead by Pro Bowlers Bob Lilly, Mel Renfro, and free safety Cornell Green. These two teams met earlier in the season back in October, a game Dallas won 17-13 thanks to Landry’s trickery. Calvin Hill threw to Sellers for a 55-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score. The Steelers offense did much of nothing that day. Excluding the 55-yard play, the Cowboys didn’t do much better.

The contest starts slowly, as expected. Neither defense budges one iota. Flashbacks to Super Bowl V replay in Landry’s mind as he watches Morton wear black and gold. The Cowboys offensive line can’t maintain themselves in the face of the Steel Curtain. The Cowboys are scoreless at the end of the first half of play.

Pittsburgh fares better. Bradshaw marches his team up the field twice for two Gerela short range field goals and right before the end of the first half, Harris punches it in from the 5-yard line to give his team a commanding 13-0 lead. Landry contemplates handing the reins back to Staubach. His stinginess wins out this time and he sticks with Morton.

His faith in his quarterback is rewarded when Morton hits Sellers for a 15-yard pass to give the Cowboys six-points. After a Steelers three-and-out, Morton picks up right where he left off. On a 3rd & 10 at the Steelers 38, Morton hits the aging Ditka for a 13-yard gain. Two plays later, riding high off the momentum, Morton again Hits Sellers for surrounded by Steeler defenders for a 14-yard gain. Hill accepts the handoff a play later in red zone territory and passes the goal line. A Toni Fritsch extra-point gives Dallas their first lead 14-13.

In desperate need of answers the Steelers are left puzzled as another three-and-out gives the ball right back to the surging Cowboys who waste no time in trying to deliver the decisive blow. The red hot Morton manages to hit Sellers for 22-yards positioning Dallas well in Pittsburgh territory. At the Steelers 15, it was all or nothing at this point for both sides. Landry knew the next few play calls would define this game. Garrison is stuffed on back to back rushes, and Morton finds little options rolling out before being tackled for a gain of just two. Fritsch manages to extend Dallas’ lead 17-13 meaning Pittsburgh would have to drive the length of the field in order to squeak out a win.

Accepting the ball with 6:18 left, the Steelers again go three-and-out. Angst defines the best of the Steeler sideline. On forth & 12 the length is too long to contemplate going for it. Noll elects to punt in hopes Dallas fails to both take time off the clock and score. Garrison gets the ball and runs up for twelve-yards near midfield. The Cowboys look ready to silence every demon they’ve ever conjured through past playoff failures. Instead, they come right back. Morton’s intended pass to Sellers is picked off by defensive end Dwight White, and just like that, the Steelers get the ball back with prime field position to boot.

Marching to Dallas’ fifteen, the pocket collapses on Bradshaw forcing him to scramble. He scurries for the score diving at the last second before Super Bowl V MVP Chuck Howley could stop him. The Steelers regain the lead for which they wouldn’t relinquish this time and capture their first world title.

2nd

PIT - Roy Gerela FG 37 yd

PIT - Roy Gerela FG 38 yd

PIT - Franco Harris 5-yd run TD

3rd

DAL - Ron Sellers 14 yd pass from Morton TD

4th

DAL - Calvin Hill 4 yd run TD

DAL - Toni Fritsch FG 32 yd

PIT - Bradshaw 15 yd run TD

Pittsburgh 20-17

Morton - 16-26, 176 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT

Bradshaw - 15-20, 186 yds, 1 rush TD *Super Bowl MVP*

Pittsburgh: 286 total yards

Dallas: 283 total yards

In what would turn out to be Morton’s last stand as QB for the Lone Star team, Landry learned to make his peace with the rowdy Staubach and gave him full autonomy of the offense the following season and wouldn’t live to regret it. Meanwhile, jubilation overcomes the Steelers who scurry on the field embracing any person within arms reach. From the laughingstock of the NFL to becoming the envy of all, Pittsburgh overcame all of the odds mounting three straight come from behind victories en route to their championship.

[circlebeam4-blog]

NFL notebook: Month after hiring, Schiano quits as Pats' DC

Greg Schiano, hired last month as the New England Patriots defensive coordinator, stepped down Thursday, the team announced.

"This is not the result of any one event, but rather a realization that I need to spend more time on my faith and family," Schiano said in a statement. "I don't want to look back years from now and wish I had done things differently. Therefore, I am taking time away from the game to recalibrate my priorities."

Schiano, a longtime ally of Belichick, was hired Feb. 6 to replace Brian Flores, the Patriots' defensive play-caller who left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Schiano, 52, was most recently the defensive coordinator at Ohio State. He was 11-21 in two seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach in 2012 and 2013 before being fired. Schiano was 68-67 in 11 seasons as the head coach at Rutgers (2001-2011). Belichick's son, Steve Belichick, was a long snapper at Rutgers.

--The Philadelphia Eagles acquired running back Jordan Howard from the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round draft pick in 2020.

The pick could be upgraded to a fifth-rounder next season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who did not specify the parameters for the higher selection. The Eagles confirmed the deal on their website.

Howard, 24, rushed for 3,370 yards and 24 touchdowns in three seasons with Chicago. The former fifth-round pick out of Indiana also caught 72 passes for 568 yards and a score.

--The Oakland Raiders continued their offseason acquisitions, agreeing to deals with running back Isaiah Crowell and linebacker Brandon Marshall.

Crowell, who became the odd man out with the New York Jets when the team signed Le'Veon Bell, agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Raiders, ESPN's Adam Schefter said.

The Denver Broncos released Marshall earlier this month to cut $4.84 million from the salary cap. While the Raiders had not yet confirmed the signing, Marshall, 29, shared a photo of himself dressed in the silver and black on social media. His contract is for one year and worth as much as $4.1 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

--Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver, considered a potential top-five selection in the draft, who skipped some on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, likely helped solidify his high draft stock at the Cougars' pro day.

His official numbers were 4.73 seconds for the 40-yard dash, 4.22 seconds for the short shuttle and 7.15 seconds for the 3-cone drill.

For context, Oliver's short shuttle was 0.02 seconds faster than the time posted at the 2018 combine by running back Saquan Barkley, who went on to become the second pick in the draft and rush for 1,307 yards as a rookie for the New York Giants.

--Andy Dalton has started all but eight games at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in the past eight seasons, but the team is taking a wait-and-see approach about its future at the position.

Dalton did miss the final five games of last season because of torn thumb ligaments. Owner Mike Brown told the Cincinnati Enquirer that there will be no offseason talk of a contract extension with the 31-year-old Dalton, who is signed through 2020.

"I think it's a good year for (Dalton) to show like he can, like we think he will. After he re-establishes himself, we would want to get together with him and see if we can extend it," Brown said. Dalton is set to make $16 million this season in the second-to-last year of a six-year deal.

--The Dallas Cowboys finalized a long-rumored trade for defensive end Robert Quinn, sending a 2020 sixth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins, the Cowboys announced.

The Dolphins, seeking salary-cap relief, have been shopping Quinn for a trade, allowing him to visit other teams. He reportedly met with the Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.

--The Carolina Panthers and running back Cameron Artis-Payne agreed on a one-year deal to bring the 2015 draft pick back to Charlotte for the 2019 season.

Artis-Payne played just 48 offensive snaps last season, rushing for 69 yards and a score in nine games.

--Field Level Media

Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-notebook-month-hiring-schiano-quits-pats-dc-041647511--nfl.html?src=rss

[jscottscales]

Overnight Health Care: Four cities sue Trump claiming ObamaCare 'sabotage'

Welcome to another soggy Thursday edition of Overnight Health Care.

Today, the Trump administration said it would continue a program that gives funding to Planned Parenthood, cities are suing the Trump administration over its "sabotage" of the health law, and we take a look at the liberal group bankrolling Medicaid expansion ballot measures in red states.

But we'll start with a lawsuit...

Four cities sue Trump saying ObamaCare 'sabotage' violates Constitution

Four cities (Columbus, Cincinnati, Chicago and Baltimore) are opening up a new front in the Democratic fight against President TrumpDonald John TrumpPro-Trump pastor: Trump is 'the most pro-black' president I've ever seenTrump renews calls for interview with Mueller: reportCNN's Acosta: Hannity is 'injecting poison into the nation's political bloodstream'MORE's "sabotage" of ObamaCare.

Democrats have already made this a key part of their message for the midterms, but now there is a legal front too.

Details of the case: The cities say Trump's actions violate the Constitution's provision that the president "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed."

Trump's actions that the lawsuit point to include expanding insurance options that do not comply with the health-care law's rules, cutting funding for outreach to help people sign up for coverage, and shortening the sign-up period for ObamaCare.

Word of caution: Cases on this constitutional provision face a tough road because the president has considerable discretion.

Read more here.

The Trump administration will continue funding Planned Parenthood through a national family planning program, despite calls from Republicans to exclude it from the grants.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday announced the 96 organizations across the U.S. that would receive Title X family planning grants, including 13 Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Most of the organizations that will receive funding also participated in the program last year, though 12 new grantees were added, HHS said. The recipients should be receiving the grants no later than Sept. 1.

Why it matters: The administration is facing considerable pressure from Republicans and anti-abortion groups to cut off Title X funds to Planned Parenthood. But HHS is limited in what it can do until it finalizes a rule that would dramatically change the Title X program and give it more power to steer grants away from Planned Parenthood.

Context: Planned Parenthood plays a big role in Title X, serving 40 percent of patients that get care through the program.

Read more about the grants here.

Meet the group funding the fight to expand Medicaid in red states

Voters in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah may have the chance to do something their state lawmakers would not: expand Medicaid to thousands of residents.

After years of being told "no" by GOP-controlled state legislatures, health-care advocacy groups have spent much of 2018 leading campaigns to put the question on the ballot before voters in November.

Behind the scenes, those groups have been aided by The Fairness Project, a Washington-based organization that has become the primary funder of these ballot-initiative campaigns, spending close to $5 million in five states over the past year.

"In so many places throughout the country, you have activists and also people who are impacted, folks who are desperate for health care, who just feel so disempowered because they go to their legislators and they hear 'no' over and over and over again," said Jonathan Schleifer, executive director of The Fairness Project.

Why it matters: The number of states that haven't expanded Medicaid is slowly shrinking. Currently, 33 states, and D.C., have expanded Medicaid. Maine expanded via voter referendum last year, and Virginia expanded this summer.

Read more here.

Senate Dems will force vote to block non-ObamaCare plans

Top Senate Democrats said they are planning to force a vote on a measure that would overturn the Trump administration's rule expanding access to cheap, controversial insurance plans.

The resolution of disapproval will be introduced by Sen. Tammy BaldwinTammy Suzanne BaldwinElection Countdown: Trump jumps into Ohio special election fight | What to watch in Tennessee primaries | Koch network freezes out Republicans who crossed them | Dead heat in Texas, Nevada Senate races | How celebs are getting into the midtermsGOP Senate candidate backs Trump tariffs: Status quo 'is not free trade'Labor wish list bills bring progressive platform into viewMORE (D-Wis.). Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerOvernight Health Care: Trump officials move to expand non-ObamaCare plans | GOP fails to block DC individual mandate | Ebola returns to CongoAnti-Israel, pro-BDS candidates are the future in a radicalized Democratic PartyIs Trump colluding with Democrats?MORE (D-N.Y.) said he thinks there will be unanimous support among Democrats once the resolution is introduced.

The resolution aims to overturn the Trump administration's new rule that expands access to non-ObamaCare insurance plans.

The details: The administration touts these plans because they offer lower premiums for healthy people, but the plans don't need to follow ObamaCare rules, meaning they can charge people with preexisting conditions higher premiums and leave out coverage of certain health services.

The politics: The idea is pure messaging; Schumer wants to get Republicans on the record of voting against protecting pre-existing conditions. But the maneuver is one they had relative success with earlier this year involving net neutrality.

Express Scripts pushes back on criticism of pharmacy benefit managers

Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which negotiate with drug companies over prices, is trying to get its side of the story out as it faces attacks from the administration and pharmaceutical companies who deride them as "middlemen."

Dr. Steve Miller, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at Express Scripts, told reporters Thursday that the drug pricing problem lies with drug companies themselves.

"If they want to lower the price of a drug that's fully within their power; they can do it anytime they want," he said.

He pushed back on the idea the Trump administration has explored of eliminating rebates -- discounts that drug companies give to PBMs -- in favor of a simpler system.

Miller said rebates keep drug prices down. "If rebates just go away it's probably a big gift to pharma," he said.   

Trump calls for food stamp work requirements in farm bill

President Trump on Thursday urged House and Senate lawmakers to adopt strict work requirements for food stamps when they craft a merged farm bill.

"When the House and Senate meet on the very important Farm Bill – we love our farmers - hopefully they will be able to leave the WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD STAMPS PROVISION that the House approved," Trump tweeted. "Senate should go to 51 votes!"

State of play: Both the House and Senate passed their respective farm bills in June. However, the House bill imposes new work requirements on the food stamp program and tightens overall eligibility on who can qualify for the federal assistance.

Trump factor: House Republicans have insisted they will fight for their version of the legislation, and Trump's explicit support for work requirements could complicate an already fraught process when the two chambers formally meet in the fall to merge their respective bills. Read more here.

Thursday roundup:

A new study reveals that the rate of opioid prescriptions in the country has not significantly declined for many patients over the past decade.

Another study, from the Brookings Institute, found ObamaCare premiums would likely be decreasing next year if the Trump administration and congressional Republicans had left the law alone.

The Washington Post reports that Maryland state Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch will push to have abortion rights enshrined in the state's constitution.

What we're reading

Allergan sues Pfizer over costs of opioid litigation (Reuters)

FDA did not intervene to curb risky fentanyl prescriptions (The New York Times)

Lack of dental coverage hampers Medicaid recipients, suit says (The New York Times)

State by state

Nevada GOP senator's health care views heat up tough race (AP)

Overturning Roe v. Wade wouldn't end abortion fight in California (Sacramento Bee)

Tennessee Dem gubernatorial candidate: Failure to expand Medicaid is state's 'greatest moral failure' (Jackson Sun)

From The Hill's opinion page

Palliative care for the living -- more education is needed

Comprehensive health care must include mental substance abuse treatments 

Source

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/overnights/400164-overnight-health-care-four-cities-sue-trump-saying-obamacare