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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 10.31.24
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Jason Mackey
11:27
Happy Halloween, everyone. It's chat day. Thanks for stopping by. You know the drill. You can leave your questions now. I'll be back at noon to answer them.
12:04
And away we go ...
Greg
12:04
Hi Jason, On Nov 17th, Ravens vs Steelers and Chiefs vs Bills. Surely the NFL would want to flex one of these games to Sunday night. Would the Steelers be out of the equation since they have a quick turnaround and play at Cleveland on Thursday Nov 21st  ? Thanks !
Jason Mackey
12:07
Good question, Greg. I was originally expecting this one to get flexed because of a lousy SNF game and the Chiefs-Bills game you mentioned. But you bring up an interesting point. I can't find anything online that says you can't; however, I can't say my knowledge on the topic is enough that I'm 100% confident in that answer. I'll keep looking & asking. Don't want this to hold up the rest.
Aces High
12:08
Seems like the Pens will be in full rebuild mode sooner than they thought. How long will it take Dubas to rebuild the team into a playoff contender again and do you have faith he can do so?
Jason Mackey
12:10
You're probably right on the first part, although I wouldn't expect them to make a decision that weighty based on 11 games. Especially not after Sid just re-upped. But, we're all watching the same product. It's not good right now. If I were running things, I would want to see how the Penguins looked with a new coach; it's one option to try before going nuclear, though it doesn't seem like something FSG wants to do. And, no. I don't have a ton of confidence in Dubas right now. Karlsson, Graves, Jarry ... the results so far have not been good. Hope I'm wrong.
Guest
12:10
Hey Jason.  Tomlin has seemingly been infatuated with running quarterbacks over pure passers.  He went after Vick, Fields, Dixon, Haskins, etc .  He made Mason #3 because Kenny and Mitch were more mobile.  Russ is showing what passers can do such as read defenses, spread out the ball, keep the defense honest, and just plain throw better.  Not to mention run first quarterbacks have never won a championship.  Do you think the success of Mason at the end of last year and Russ recently will make him realize his past flaws?  He doesn't seem to be one to learn from his mistakes.
Jason Mackey
12:12
Wouldn't be a chat without someone trying really hard to complain about Mike Tomlin, now would it? I'm not sure Russ has anything to do with the guys you mentioned. He's also not a running quarterback anymore. He can move some, has a good feel for the pocket, etc. I've been impressed with that. But more than anything related to his legs, Russ has made really good reads and clearly has enough arm left to make the throws. Not sure it's any more complicated than that.
Guest
12:12
Any thoughts on why Tomlin fails so often on first round picks?  He's drafted TJ, Cam, Pouncey and then a lot of average to less than average players.  Cowher drafted Ben, Troy, Heath, Hampton, Faneca, Santonio.  Colbert was with both guys so it's hard to blame him.  Does Tomlin have different criteria that just doesn't pan out?  Is he so stubborn he doesn't listen to others?  It's odd how often he fails compared to the past coaches.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Interesting question. I don't think it's a slam dunk, one being that much better or worse than another, but it is an interesting list.

Cowher: Searcy, Figures, Johnson, Bruener, Stephens, Scott, Faneca, Edwards, Burress, Hampton, Simmons, Polamalu, Roethlisberger, Miller, Holmes

Tomlin: Timmons, Mendenhall, Hood, Pouncey, Heyward, DeCastro, Jones, Shazier, Dupree, Burns, Edmunds, Bush, Harris, Pickett, Jones, Fautanu.

It's certainly fair to give the edge to Cowher. Not sure why. Maybe Cowher going the safer route on some plays? I think the game was probably more consistently, whereas Tomlin has had to navigate more changes. Not making an excuse. Just an observation. There also doesn't have to be one common thread that fits through so many picks. They've just missed more under Tomlin than they did under Cowher.
Guest
12:21
What do you feel is the main reason for Broderick struggling?  I think the coaches messed with him.  We've seen the same with Green, Dotson, and Chuks.  All regressed in their sophomore year.  Is Tomlin just bad at coaching and teaching offensive lineman?
Jason Mackey
12:24
If you think Mike Tomlin is out there offering offensive line instruction, I'm afraid I have some bad news. He is not. Now, I do wonder if they're not playing Broderick out of position. I'd be curious to see what he looks like on the left side, but Dan Moore Jr. doesn't play the right. I think Jones' struggles have been a combination of things. Some presnap stuff could be mental -- thinking too much, not enough, etc. Maybe that's related to the position. Other times it has been sloppy play -- there's no excuse for that facemask call, for instance. Or the multiple holds. I also think you need to account for Broderick being young and unfinished product and probably trying a little too hard right now. It's the football equivalent of Oneil Cruz chasing breaking stuff out of the zone.
Bob D
12:24
Hey Jason...thanks for the chat.  Chicken or egg...Is Crosby's  play affecting the Penguins as a team, or is the teams poor play affecting Crosby's play?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I'm not as down on Crosby as others. Has he been his normal self? No. Of course not. But their  issues are so much bigger than Sid. Careless passes. Grade A chances allowed. Miscommunication in the defensive zone. So much stuff. Again, it's part of it. He can be better. But it's not all of it.
Mike from MD
12:26
I understand that it has only been 11 games, but if the Pens continue to look like the team that we have seen so far, what can anyone do to get out from under the contract of Jarry and Karlsson.  Even if they eat the salaries for both for the entire year for any team looking to acquire them, would they find any takers?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I can't imagine so, at least within a trade that makes any sense for the Penguins. What I mean: They would have to attach prospects to both to sweeten the deal, and the Penguins need those prospects. They're both difficult situations at the moment, which I why I think it's probably more likely they ride them out, unless they get a crazy offer.
PrinceBob
12:28
Do you have any idea how much companies pay for naming rights to a professional stadium or arena? Does it vary much from sport to sport?
Jason Mackey
12:30
It does. This is old, but it sheds some light on it, at least in the NFL: https://www.sportsbookreview.com/news/nfl-sponsorships/
12:32
I would say on the whole the NFL leads the way, followed by, in most cases, the NBA, MLB and NHL. Again, there are exceptions, obviously. Some shares spaces, too.
Richard Bazzy
12:33
Is it true that Joe Starkey has passed me as the weirdest person in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
12:33
No. Believe there's a statue of Joe under construction for that particular honor.
PrinceBob
12:33
Has it become too easy to make field goals in the NFL? Fifty yard kicks used to be fairly special but now they're almost routine. Do you think the league is okay with this, we're maybe seeing more scoring without necessarily increased offensive production.
Jason Mackey
12:34
I'm not sure why kicks are up. And, no. I'm not saying it's too easy to make a field goal because what does that mean? Field goals should contribute to overall scoring, and I don't think that has been out of whack this season. So, what's the problem? I just think it's a combo -- this isn't breaking Watergate -- of stronger legs, better tech, advanced training, more repeatable conditions, etc.
Wayward Jr
12:35
7.5 point underdogs sure seems high. Don’t think SMU is comfortably better than Pitt.
Jason Mackey
12:35
Agree 10,000%. Don't get that betting line. At all.
Hill Billgrove
12:35
Hi Jason. I feel Pitt hoops is going to be a borderline NCAA tournament team. What’s your take?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I'm right about there. I have questions about depth, transfers, if Pitt can be big and physical enough. I don't think the Panthers are going to be bad by any stretch. But, yeah, some questions to answer. I do think they get in.
Gone
12:36
Skenes and Reynolds are gonna look great in Yankee pinstripes next year. Agreed ?
Jason Mackey
12:37
No. They're under contract with the Pirates. Guessing you're just saying this to get mad about them.
Halloween
12:37
I hear the for Halloween the Pirates are going as a Major League franchise and Bob Nutting is going as an owner committed to winning. Pretty creative if you ask me
Jason Mackey
12:37
And this is the stuff they invite by not making more substantive changes after the season. I get it. Certainly don't disagree with fan frustration. Their posture screams complacence.
Seven
12:37
Hi Jason. Do you think Rutherford's decision to leave the Penquins as GM was because he was ready to move one of the big three and was vetoed by Mario?
Jason Mackey
12:40
I'm not sure, Seven. I can see why you would think that. I've thought that. I've asked Jim that question. He's never given a straight answer on or off the record. It may have had something to do with it, but my impression, what little we do know, was that there was more going into it than just sticking with those guys or going a different direction.
Cullen
12:41
There have been a few outlets that suggested the Red Sox and Pirates could be good trade partners based on their needs and positional depth areas. Wilyer Abreu's name was thrown around and was suggested Ashcraft ++ could get it done. If I'm BC I do that in a second, what do you think?
Jason Mackey
12:45
We're back into hypothetical trade season. Damn, I enjoyed the break. (I'm joking.) Are you saying Ashcraft plus two additional pieces? I don't think I would, honestly. I want all the pitching. I think you also run the risk of clogging important positions. I know people don't want to hear this, but Jack Suwinski was pretty solid in 2023. He may not suck with a new hitting group. But you need to allow him a place to play. Henry Davis was a 1-1 pick. Joey Bart is your catch. Henry may actually be good. But you have to allow him to play. I wouldn't give up pitching to do it. As far as adding bats, I'm in favor of spending a not-insignificant amount of money to get a legit, middle-of-the-order threat in here on a multi-year contract more so than I am Wilyer Abreu.
Seven
12:45
If I drop by the Mackey place tonite in my Jarry costume, complete with the mask, what do I get in my bag? Rocks?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Haha. How about I drop a couple of hockey pucks in there, try to build your confidence?
Bearcats
12:45
I see Westminster got lucky against St Vincent. They obviously cheated. (just kidding)
Jason Mackey
12:46
We're good, church-going kids. Presbyterian scholars. We would never cheat.
Ryan Graves
12:46
Am I the worst defenseman in Penguin history or in NHL history ? I can't figure it out.
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