About Dejan Kovacevic

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Dejan Kovacevic, a lifelong Pittsburgher, is an award-winning sports columnist who has covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Pitt and, recently, his fourth Olympics in Sochi, Russia. For 2011, he was named one of the country's top four columnists by the AP Sports Editors. For 2012, he was named one of the country's top three columnists by the National Headliners. For 2013, he was named the state's top columnist by the Keystone Press Awards and top columnist in Western Pennsylvania by the Golden Quills.

Posts by Dejan Kovacevic:

News/views: Dixon seeks depth in tourney 12

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BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: Jamie Dixon, speaking just before boarding the Pitt bus that will eventually have the Panthers landing in Greensboro, N.C., for the ACC Tournament, said he aims to use more of his bench beginning with the Wednesday opener vs. North Carolina State.

Here’s part of our talk today outside the Petersen Events Center.

Views: He’s really got no choice, given that Pitt needs to beat N.C. State, then Duke, then probably Notre Dame, then probably Virginia to win the tournament. And in four consecutive days, no less. And if the Panthers don’t run the table, they have zero shot at the NCAAs.

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News/views: Steelers plan to release Keisel 27

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Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers

Brett Keisel and Cam Heyward talk on the sideline during the Dec. 21 win over the Chiefs. — GETTY

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: The Steelers plan to release Brett Keisel later today, the team just announced.

Views: No matter how much a follower of the franchise could have braced for such news, it still packs a punch, doesn’t it?

Under the circumstances, the team issued a statement from Kevin Colbert: “We have had conversations with Brett over the past couple of weeks during which we communicated our intentions to him. Brett has played a major role in our success during his 13 years in Pittsburgh. We appreciate his efforts and we are grateful for what he helped us accomplish, including two Super Bowl championships. We will always consider him an all-time Pittsburgh Steeler.”

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News/views: Steelers re-sign Moats, Spaeth 31

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BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: The Steelers just re-signed outside linebacker Arthur Moats to a three-year, $7.5 million contract, their first significant move in advance of NFL free agency tomorrow at 4 p.m. That breaks down to a $1.9 million signing bonus, plus salaries of $850,000, $2.5 million and $2.25 million.

Views: It’s a start, and a very team-friendly one at that. Also, it might be a sign of management’s willingness — or lack thereof — to bring back Jason Worilds. 

It’s funny, but for all the attention paid to the Worilds situation, Moats is quietly coming off a terrific season in which he produced four sacks, 23 tackles (17 solo), six quarterback hits, four tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

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Video podcast: Dixon, Dukes on ‘Showdown’ 1

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BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Here’s the opening segment of KDKA-TV’s ‘#1 Cochran Sports Showdown’ late Sunday night, this one on the Penguins’ California surge. Individually, here are parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, also covering Pitt and Duquesne basketball.

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News/views: ‘No update’ from Steelers on Troy 8

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BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: The Steelers just took the extraordinary step of issuing a statement on Troy Polamalu to say … um, nothing at all, really.

From Kevin Colbert: “At this time, we do not have an update on Troy Polamalu or his contract status. We will continue to communicate with Troy and his representatives regarding his future.”

Views: Nothing to overthink here. The front office is undoubtedly being bombarded by requests for information on the subject, and this is aimed at staving off at least some of those.

Good luck with that, gentlemen!

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Pirates 1, Twins 1, nine innings 2

by • Game previews • Tags:

Twins

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Getting ready for first pitch …

Game: Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins, exhibition, 1:05 p.m., McKechnie Field, Bradenton, Fla.

Pitchers: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Ricky Nolasco

Radio: 93.7 The Fan

Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Official game notes

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News/views: Pedro has hyperextended elbow 33

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Pittsburgh Pirates v Toronto Blue Jays

Pedro Alvarez drives a three-run home run six days ago vs. the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. — GETTY

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: Pedro Alvarez has a mildly hyperextended right elbow, the Pirates just announced, the result of a swing taken a few days ago. He’s expected to miss a few more Grapefruit League games but will participate in other work if it can occur without pain.

Views: This is the first real uh-oh moment of spring training. And if the team is fortunate, it will be nothing more than that.

Elbow injuries are uncommon in hitting. It’s the wrist or torso that’s usually at risk. So it’s hard to project where this might lead. If it ends up being anything more than what the Pirates currently hope, it could open up first base far more than expected, given that Corey Hart — Alvarez’s projected platoon mate — also is currently out with a foot injury. Look for Andrew Lambo to start getting a little more time at first right away.

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Monday planner: NFL hits open market 6

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BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

A look at the week ahead on the site …

• Monday: The NFL’s free agency opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday and, as such, it’s tough to set a hard plan because of the unpredictability of the process. All I can say is that I’ll have News/views as stuff happens all week, a full column if it’s significant to the Steelers. Also today, I’ll cover Pitt’s media availability before the team boards the bus for the ACC tournament.

• Tuesday: Tuesday 12 Qs occurs at 9 a.m., though you can submit entries beginning at 12:01 a.m. And again, the site will stay on top of NFL free agency all day.

dk_monday_planner

• Wednesday: The Morning Java video will go up first thing in the morning. At 5:30 p.m., I’ll make my weekly visit to the 105.9 the X studio to spar with Mark Madden.

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Column: Duquesne rots from the head down 69

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FullSizeRender

Micah Mason launches a first-half 3-pointer over the Davidson defense Saturday. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Dominique McKoy deserved better.

He’s Duquesne’s only basketball senior and a coach’s dream beyond the standard experience and leadership a senior should bring. He can’t run or jump or shoot with the biggest or the best, but he’s all heart and soul, a 6-foot-8 forward with bouncing dreadlocks and an exposed, chomped mouthguard who huffs and puffs his way to an extra half-inch each night.

Saturday night, the Dukes’ finale at the Palumbo Center, was no exception: He pushed and pounded his way to 15 points, eight in a frenzied opening five minutes, as well as eight rebounds. If anyone would be intimidated by facing Davidson, the Atlantic 10’s finest, it wouldn’t be No. 3.

“Domo,” his coach, Jim Ferry would say later, “was outstanding.”

Two hours later, the LED high overhead read as follows: Davidson 107, Duquesne 78

Immediately below, McKoy, emotion on the sleeve as always, was disconsolate as he’d begun to walk off, then halted at the 15-foot blue and red logo at center court. His head was buried in his right hand. The dreads, however slightly, trembled. And it wasn’t until a teammate offered a gentle nudge a few seconds later that he finally headed off.

This isn’t McKoy’s fault. Or any player’s fault.

The climb goes way, way up to sniff out this rot.

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Pirates 1, Blue Jays 0 16

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BlueJays

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

Getting ready for first pitch …

Game: Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays, exhibition, 1:05 p.m., Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Dunedin, Fla.

Pitchers: RHP Casey Sadler vs. RHP Aaron Sanchez

Radio: 93.7 The Fan

Online: Gameday / Multimedia / Official game notes

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