You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.26.22
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
11:26
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly sports chat. Thanks so much for stopping by. Gonna try to keep it a little more even across all sports this week, as Pirates seemed to dominate the conversation last week. As always, we'll get started at noon.
12:02
And away we go ...
Steeltown
12:02
Jason, Any idea if the Steelers have reached out to Eric Fisher’s agent?
Jason Mackey
12:03
Do not, Steeltown. However, I will say this: Given what we saw against the Jaguars, they have to be concerned, right? And at this point, it would be the time to make some calls. JC Tretter. Andrew Whitworth. Andre Krimm (Necessary Roughness), Louie Lastick (Remember the Titans). I don't care. Gotta find some help.
Steeltown
12:03
Jason, Given that Pickett was a 5 year player at Pitt and is already 25, I say lets roll with him now. What say you?
Jason Mackey
12:05
I wanna feel that way. But I disagree with you for two reasons. And I don't think it'll be long until Kenny takes over. 1. I wouldn't throw him to the wolves behind this offensive line. 2. I want to make the best decision for Kenny. Meaning if I force it and it goes poorly, why did I do that? I'd rather wait and wait and wait ... until I look like an absolute moron for waiting any more.
Doug Frobel Fan Club
12:05
I need a scorecard for all the recent changes in the PG Sports section! I'm happy to see your talents are being utilized in other areas. Two non-Pirates question for you. First, where do see college football conference realignment in three years and in ten years? Do you think we're headed to 40 or so teams (i.e. the Big Ten and the SEC) that decide to separate from the other 90 schools and stage their own playoff? Second, if Duquesne were to beat Florida State tomorrow, would that be the greatest upset in Pittsburgh sports history?
Jason Mackey
12:07
It's been a lot. Thank you for your patience. I went from Pirates to senior sports writer. Noah Hiles and Chris Carter hired for Pitt, taking over for Craig Meyer and Johnny McGonigal. The great Ryan Winn now running this team after Lydia Craver resigned. Any questions, always available at jmackey@post-gazette.com. ... Will tackle the second part first: I have a hard time saying in history; however, I'm 38, and I would have a hard time coming up with a better one. I don't think it will happen -- talking Duquesne beating Florida State -- but it would be incredible.
12:09
As for realignment, I don't see how to gigantic conference could work or would work, though I do see. something with four 16-team conferences -- maybe Big Ten, SEC and sort the non-defectors among the Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC. Do a 16-team playoff. And, yeah, create some separation from the rest. Maybe have a 64 and 32 roundabout?
Prince Bob
12:10
You mentioned hoping for more questions about sports other than baseball so here's one about a sport I bet no one ever asks about. I know you do a bit of running,I don't know how much or if you race. But do you ever follow the sport, i.e., track and field, road racing,etc.,as a spectator, on TV or in person. Why or why not? I ask because spectator interest in these sports is pretty low despite having huge participant numbers. More US high school kids are on track teams than are on any other teams and there are literally tens of millions of adults who do some running. Recreational golfers and tennis players mostly all follow "their" sports professionally but few runners do.
Jason Mackey
12:11
That's interesting, Gunner. I do not follow running, although I love to run. I actually like it for meditative reasons as much as physical health. It keeps me right in the head, honestly. That said, I don't derive nearly as much enjoyment from watching it. I'm sure hardcore runners might say that about football or hockey.
Prince Bob
12:11
Now back to the Pirates, who do you think is the Opening Day starting line up next year and what will it be at mid season? And what about the starting rotation? I know you think they SHOULD bring in help (totally agree) but does that mean you think they will?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Dear Lord. You want me to list 23 players? Not sure about that. There are other questions here. I'll go opening day lineup in 2023 -- and ask Starkey, I hate these. They're ridiculous. So much can happen between now and then. Note: not a batting order: 3B Hayes, SS Cruz, 2B Bae or Castillo, 1B Chavis, C R. Perez, LF Swaggerty, CF Reynolds, RF Suwinski.
Rotation would be something like: Ro, Keller, Bru, Wilson, FA signing ... maybe Yajure, should sign 1-2 more FAs. In other words, not nearly deep enough.
Prince Bob
12:13
And I've really enjoyed the "Ten Thoughts" columns.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Thank you for that.
ev
12:13
Good Morning Jason, Back in the early 90s, Bill Cowher cut a first round draft pick, Huey Richardson.  I don't buy the argument that we traded up, have $ invested, development, etc. on reasons not to cut Devin Bush. If he can't play, they should move on.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I see what you're saying. Here's how I come down on Bush: This is it. He's fortunate they're not deep at the position; otherwise, yeah, I would cut him. But right now, with what little else they have, this is his Bud Dupree year to prove himself. I'll hear Flores out and wait until the regular season. Based on what I've seen so far, however, it ain't great.
SouthernYinzer
12:15
Hi Jason. Thanks for the chats. Any word if the Penguins are looking for a better solution for their goaltender? It seems like they haven’t had anyone who is dependable for an entire season, including playoffs since Flower. Also, how many seasons do you think our core players, including Crosby and Malkin, have left?
Jason Mackey
12:17
They solidified their goaltending by bringing Casey DeSmith back. They also have Dustin Tokarski. It would be really odd for them to sign someone else at this point. Barring injury or (really) poor performance, this is how they'll roll. ... Malkin probably three solid ones, then a quick taper. Sid, I don't know. I could easily see him playing into his mid-40s if he wanted to. I think Letang ... about what matches with his contract (six more).
John in SC
12:19
Good morning Jason. I simply don’t understand, and have become quite disappointed with, this organization. Nothing against the players themselves because I do believe they want to be successful.
But why is Cruz playing in Pgh? I’m tired of hearing how hard he hits the ball (if and when he does). How many of his 10 HR are solo, how many runners has he left on base? He strikes out 40% of the time and almost 60% against LH. Yes he has potential but you don’t learn and develop those skills at ML level.
Jason Mackey
12:21
You're welcome to feel how you want, John. However, I disagree with you. Given how little they have at the position, I'm perfectly fine with that happening here. I look at it the opposite way: If has those skills, why not refine them now? I'd like to take a look at Bae at some point. But again, there's more than enough room to both things given how much their roster has underperfomed.
epiballo
12:22
All the fans clamoring for the Steelers to quickly sign Fetter before the Cowboys do ... and then he retired! Ha! Guess that shows what these would-be GMs know! You get all the questions; did you get a good laugh over that one?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I'm assuming you're talking about Tretter? I don't know a Fetter. I thought it was a normal question.
Jacque Strap
12:23
Hi Jason, have always enjoyed your stuff. Have you experienced any issues/challenges in your new role with people thinking "oh he's just a Pirates guy". You obviously have knowledge and credibility outside of that, so if that perception exists all you can do is keep working to change it?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't know if it's someone questioning my ability. It's a blessing and a curse. I think I was good at building a brand. Yinz know that I cared -- because I did. I'm eternally grateful that you trusted me for stuff. I think I did a good job. But as I found on Pens, it takes some time to break that mold, which is OK. On this side, we call it a brand. But it's a compliment to the writer. I am trying to branch out, though, which requires some intentionality.
Mulcahey
12:25
Jason, you did not agree with the word "regression" regarding Pirates top prospect's 2022, but even a wildly optimistic type like yourself has to admit that this year was a significant step backward. Davis, NG, the latest first base power prospect....zilch, nada, nothing positive.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I think we're splitting hairs here. You can say those guys haven't gotten better. That's fair. Regression means they got worse. I don't totally agree with that, no. Has it been a disappointing year for that group? Absolutely. They'd be the first to tell you that.
Marcus
12:26
With your new role, are there going to be some stadiums/cities you’ll be going to that you’ve never been before? If so, what’re you most looking forward to?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Oh, man, Marcus. I hope so. Seriously. I love the travel/adventure aspect of this job. I miss it some, honestly. Not sure if I will be traveling for Steelers. I hope so. It's still TBD. Might travel for some feature stuff. ... But new cities, probably not. Did an NHL lap, have been to 20 or so in MLB and about 15 in football. Might get to the Big House or some good CFB venues. That's the most exciting for me.
doyle37
12:27
Will the Steelers use the fullback more to counteract a poor OLine ?
Jason Mackey
12:28
This isn't a bad idea, Doyle, although it requires more than just deciding to use it. It also handicaps the Steelers personnel-wise because it takes a WR off the field. Lastly, my preferred solution would be finding better offensive linemen. Somewhere. Anywhere.
Direstraits
12:28
How much of the current state of the O-line can be directly attributed to Colbert/Tomlin mostly ignoring the deficiencies. Shouldn’t some one at least be held accountable?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Someone certainly should. I forget who made this point, but it's a good one: There's not a first-rounder in the bunch. Look at where they were drafted. Bunch of seconds and thirds. I wish -- and this is probably both of them, to be honest -- there were more draft resources poured into this group.
Troy Leyland
12:30
How many games will the Steelers win (2022) and the Pirates lose (in 2023)?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I think the Steelers win 9 games. ... I say the Pirates lose 90 in 2023. A 10-win improvement over how they'll fair this season.
epiballo
12:30
Of the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, who next gets a parade in downtown Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I think the Penguins will end the Crosby/Malkin/Letang Era with one more Cup.
Yuri
12:31
Hello Jason.  Have you heard if Oneil Cruz or any other Pirates will be playing winter ball?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:31
Have not, Yuri, aside from Roberto Perez. I'd expect to hear news on that in the coming weeks.
Load More Messages
Connecting…