You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Paul Zeise's sports chat: 10.15.20
powered byJotCast
AvatarPost-Gazette sports
1:50
Paul has been having some internet issues this afternoon ... hopefully he can get back on soon and answer your questions! Apologies for the delay.
Zeise
2:35
OK. Sorry about these technical difficulties. All of your questions are ready to go and I will answer them all!
Prince Bob
2:36
Well, here are the actual questions: Do you think anyone really cares what the launch angle and exit velocity of a home run is? Does the "base cam" add anything at all to the viewing experience? I feel like we're being bombarded with useless information but maybe that's just me. And whatever became of Michael McHenry's time broadcasting Pirate games.
Zeise
2:42
The launch angle stuff is silly and is killing baseball. New age GMs and baseball people are enamored with it so guys now either strike out or hit homers. The exit velocity is another new age baseball thing that the analytics nerds love but I think is what it is. I don’t have an issue with people who track that stuff but it isn’t particularly interesting to me. Modern baseball is obsessed with these things though so it is helpful
Joe
2:42
paul, is this Pens team that Rutherford constructed any better overall than the team that just lost a 5-game series to Montreal and couldn’t score goals?
Zeise
2:43
I really don’t think so, it may even be weaker considering who they lost and what they replaced them with. I’m not a big fan if making moves and tinkering just to tinker
Yuri
2:43
Hello Paul.  Thank you for your article on Tunch Ilkin.  It was thoughtful and came from your heart.  I like to think you were speaking on behalf of all us who respect and admire Tunch for his faith and humbleness.  For anyone who has not read your article, it is definitely a must-read.   Well done Paul.
Zeise
2:44
Thanks. Tunch is a great man who has taken care of a lot of people and helped a lot of people on his life. He is really a good dude and has been dealt a tough hand. But he has a strong faith and that’s what will carry him through
Southside Jimmy
2:45
Hey Paul, do you think Pitt has a decent chance to get Derrick Davis or he leaning on going elsewhere?  Thanks.
Zeise
2:46
I’m not in the business of predicting where kids are going to end up. I’m just not good at it and they often change their mind or tell people what they think they want to hear
Jacque Strap
2:46
I know people/teams often come up with ridiculous sources of motivation, but Kareem Hunt talking about having Myles Garrett's back has to up there in terms of stupidity. No one in Pittsburgh will say anything, and Tomlin gave no credence to it, but do you think any Steelers will have a little extra pep based on this?
Zeise
2:47
I agree with you but it shows you the mentality of the two franchises. The Browns want to be the Steelers and never will be. The Browns talk a good game but the Steelers just worrying about playing football. And given Kareem Hunt’s history I’m not sure if he shouldn’t try and sit this one out
Donna
2:47
Hi Paul, have you heard anything new about Nike Sibande eligibility situation?
Zeise
2:48
Nope. They are working hard to try and get him eligible but so far it is still in the NCAA hands
Jock Sutherland
2:48
With NHL getting smaller TV money than other 3 major sports and so dependent on gate revenue for income it seems very likely the NHL season I’m is very much in jeopardy if crowds are not allowed back in arenas.  What odds do currently the NHL having a season this coming year?    I heard already have Jan 1 earliest start and have to be done by mid July due to NBC having summer Olympics.
Zeise
2:49
I do not see an NHL season starting until teams can have big crowds in their building again. Like right now we are talking about a max of 2000 fans at Pens games. There is no way they can operate like that
Tom in Dallas
2:50
Seems like scoring is up and penalties are down this year, most notably holding and pass interference.  Have you looked at the stats to confirm and are there any other trends this season across the league?
Zeise
2:50
Yes on both counts. And the NFL has said that they are allowing a little more leeway on holding calls and of course that has something to do with more scoring
Joe Panther Fan
2:51
If you were Heather, what would you do with the football coaching staff?
Zeise
2:52
I would wait until the end of the season to see how it turns out. But if we are talking 6-5, 5-6 something like that at the end I would have the discussion about changing coaching staff up a little bit.
Gino
2:52
Has presumptive Pirates’ first pick Kumar Rocker or his representative given any indication he is willing or not willing to sign if drafted?  Thanks.
Zeise
2:52
I think he will sign and the way the rules have changed for the draft the Pirates will be able to with him if they draft him. I don’t think that is gonna be an issue
Matt from LA
2:52
Although most will just conclude that it is "typical Pitt," after all of the hype and optimism, what a disappointing start to the Pitt season. I fear it may get even worse?
Zeise
2:54
Think of it this way - they have two losses already. They are facing games against Miami, ND, Clemson and Va Tech. And while FSU is awful they have to go down there so that could be tricky. They have to go 3-3 in those six games - assuming they beat Ga Tech - to get to 6-5. That’s a tough road ahead
Matt from LA
2:54
Regarding Pitt's ineptitude,Whipple and his offense have to go! There's no imagination or creativity to it! Not sure what his system is other than being very disjointed and non-productive?
Zeise
2:56
I kind of chuckle at the “Matt Canada wasn’t even that good” line considering the offense he ran and the Pitt offenses since. I also think the head coach holds the offense back a little because his philosophy is so defensive oriented
Matt from LA
2:56
I guest Tampa Ray's success is proof that the small market, low payroll limitation is not a legitimate excuse for the Pirates' ineptitude?
Zeise
2:58
Yes and here is why - they sell players, don’t spend a ton on payroll, cut costs and all the stuff the Pirates do. The difference? They have drafted better, developed better, traded better, scouted and identified prospects better
Cade in Carrick
2:58
Paul, do you think Pitt football will ever have a chance to become a perennial national contender or should we fans accept that Pitt will be an above average program at best?
Zeise
2:59
No there are some built in disadvantages for Pitt that will always make it difficult for them to be an elite program. But there are only a handful of elite programs out there. Pitt has a chance to compete for ACC titles regularly but it needs to learn how to consistently win winnable games
JOHN QV
3:00
Hello Paul. If Narduzzi finishes with 6 or more losses is it time for Pitt to cut bait and move on? Program is clearly not improving.
Zeise
3:01
As I have said - no it is gonna be starting over and Pitt shouldn’t start over. There are steps that can be taken to try and help a coach build on what he has built already and it is route far too many ADs are afraid to go so they just keep firing coaches and never get ahead
STEEL72
3:01
Do you expect the Steelers to use backfield help to control Myles? Perhaps Derek Watt?
Zeise
3:02
No I think they will do what they usually do - tight ends and quick passing game. And if they are gonna use guys in the backfield it will be one of the normal running backs
Tom in Dallas
3:02
The Steelers are where many of us expected they would be: 4-0 against lessor opponents.  The next three weeks should give us a better sense as to who this team really is, playing games against potential playoff teams: Browns, Titans and Ravens.  How do you think we will fair the next three games?
Zeise
3:03
I like their chances in all three games but it is tough to win that many games without stubbing your toe so I would say 2-1 and that gets them to 6-1 and they will then have to be taken seriously
Hank
3:04
Paul, who’s going to win the fight on Saturday...Lomachenko or Lopez?
Zeise
3:05
This Lopez hits the heck out of guys. I can’t recall a dude who is not a full blown heavyweight that knocks guys out with one punch. I’ll pick him for that reason, he hits so hard and can knock anyone out at any time
Jeff
3:05
Thanks for the chats Paul.  People need to get off this we could go 12-4.  We have played NO ONE and haven't dominated any of the 0 win teams we played.  Whereas yes good to be 4-0 but i don't see us splitting with Baltimore and eventually one of these so so teams will beat us.  Your thoughts?
Zeise
3:06
I said 8-8 or 9-7 max at the start. They may get to 10 wins but I just don’t see them getting to 12. I think they will finish second in the division
Load More Messages
Connecting…