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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 01.09.25
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Jason Mackey
11:41
Hey everyone. Thanks for finding my sports chat. Enjoyed the mailbag last week but also this. Do me a favor, let me know what you think. All chats? Half and half? All mailbags (probably not)? Just kind of playing with that a little. Anyway, we'll get going in about 20 minutes. You know the drill.
12:01
And away we go ...
The Dude
12:01
Surely Omar and Andy aren’t going to stay in Pittsburgh watching Tomlin make a mess of their efforts, are they? Do you see them putting any pressure on Art to make a move, or will they be heading out of town?
Jason Mackey
12:03
"Their efforts?" This seems a little misdirected. Tomlin isn't without blame. Obviously. That would be crazy. But what about Omar not having a legit WR2? Or the defensive depth. Blame Tomlin all you want. It's fair. You can also blame the players and GM. I don't see Tomlin, Khan or Weidl going anywhere.
Cullen
12:03
What was the point of 3 years of $40m payrolls if were just going to go after cheap free agents like Verdugo and Grichuk? I get that the players have to want to come here but come on, the Tyler O'Neil contract wasn't out of the Pirates range and that is the tier we should be shopping in at this point of the rebuild. They could have absolutely overspent to get a guy who will make a difference here. Instead it feels like we've been sold another lie and are just going to waste our window going after reclamation projects and hoping they hit.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I get it, but if you're Tyler O'Neill, where you gonna pick to play, Pittsburgh or Baltimore? That's not defending anything. It's just reality. They have to pay more to get those guys, and the Pirates don't pay more for anything. They think they can do it with a payroll that doesn't get too high or low. Can they? I don't know. Guardians can. Rays can. But they've made smarter decisions. I agree that payroll is important. But it's not everything.
Cullen
12:05
If the team isn't going to spend any real money on Free Agents would it be crazy to hope that we see some extensions instead? Is Cruz asking for above Reynolds money or could something closer to Chourio/Michael Harris II (with less years) work? I know you said the sides weren't particularly close but with Cruz moving to CF and the huge potential there, now could be the time to really make a goodwill effort.
Jason Mackey
12:07
They could, sure. But again, this never got off the ground. Also, if I'm Cruz, I'd probably bet on myself at this point. What if he figures out CF, showing his arm and athleticism, and builds on what he did last season at the plate? That's gonna be worth a lot of money. I wouldn't sign anything now.
Cullen
12:07
Has Peggy's glove progresses enough that he is the future at SS? If he can get his bat to league average and be a Jeremy Pena type that would be huge for this team.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Cullen, more questions than my wife today ... I don't see that. He's progressed, sure. But I would worry we'd be back in Cruz defensive territory over 162 ... without the bat to balance the scales. I like Peguero more as a 2B.
J D
12:08
Jason, do the Steelers come out throwing the ball on first downs or do they come out run, run, incomplete, punt!
Jason Mackey
12:08
I'd just get it over with and punt on second down.
(Kidding. Yes, I think they will adjust and come out throwing some.)
J D
12:08
Jason, do you think that Fields should be used on selected plays to open-up the offense mostly for his running but also for throwing a few passes?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Oh, absolutely. I've been squawking about this all week. They should use him as a runner, a quarterback, a wide receiver, a decoy, anything. Get SUPER creative with it. Or, if the offense stinks early, I wouldn't be afraid to give him an entire series and see what happens. They should be married to nothing at this point.
Sam
12:09
Hi Jason.  Greater frustration surrounding our teams:  the Steelers inability to start, be aggressive, and take a lead OR the Penguins inability to finish and hold a lead?
Jason Mackey
12:10
The Steelers, easily. Seems the Penguins stuff has almost become expected or just sort of eye-roll-y at this point.
Mr Ed
12:10
Are there still legit relief pitchers and a RFer available through free agency for the Pirates to acquire who can measurably move the needle or will it need to be through a trade at this point? I am beginning to believe it’s not Nutting holding back the spending but Cherington, who strikes me as having the “smartest guy in the room” syndrome and relishes trying to win with a low payroll. Too often for my taste he makes references to “in a market like Pittsburgh”.
Jason Mackey
12:12
I think there are guys out there who will help the team. Caleb Ferguson, for example. They just signed him, before you asked this question. I like the deal. But it isn't going to move the needle. I don't know anyone who WANTS to win with a small payroll. It's always easier to spend. I think Ben is indeed a smart guy. Now, has he made the best moves thus far? No, of course not. He's also fairly typical in personality, temperament and background for a modern baseball GM. The issue is more that not enough of his moves have worked out as intended.
Guest
12:12
Hi Jason, Happy New Year! For some inexplicable reason I can see Penn State winning tonight.  Am I right or will Drew Allar continue to play Small in Big games? Is he just not as good as people claim he is?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Sounds like a column I just read ... or wrote. Yeah, I can see Penn State winning. I think Allar is a big reason why they do tonight, too. ... He's still developing. He shows signs. Then there's inconsistency. That's OK. It's in there. Need to remember that college juniors -- despite NIL and the craziness of college sports these days -- sometimes do need that time to learn stuff.
Guest
12:14
Will anything significant happen when the Steelers end the season on a 5 game losing streak or will EVERYONE just say that it is not acceptable (whatever that means) and let it go at that? BTW "acceptable" means you have a choice to NOT accept it, as in "This pasta is not al dente send it back!" The Steelers have NO CHOICE but to accept their 5 game losing streak.
Jason Mackey
12:14
I get your point. I think if they lose, there will be significant roster upheaval. But if you're asking about Tomlin or Arthur Smith, I can't see that happening. Maybe Teryl Austin, though I doubt that makes everyone feel better.
Guest
12:15
It seems like a no brainer to me, let Pickens play next year with a 100 million dollar stake for his next contract.  If he's still a petulant child, there's no fixing him.  If he plays for the contract, we got a nice deal for a rookie contract and let him walk.  What would you do and what do you think the Steeler's will do?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I like your idea. And I've thought about this. Seems the common narrative is that they have to extend him or he'll cause problems. No, they don't. If he causes problems, it's going to diminish his value to other teams. Use that as leverage. I would probably ultimately extend George. I think he's an incredible player. But I'm OK with your approach.
Guest
12:16
When the Steelers finish the season on a 5 game. losing streak and despite the Steelers having ZERO playoff wins in 8 years and 3 in the past 14 will the national media ever tire of Tomlin's affectatious gibberish and banging the drum for him as Coach of the Year?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Oh, man. We have a national media reference. Eager for the local media or the laptop local media to get involved. If we can get the words "coaching malpractice" and a reference to winning a Super Bowl with Cowher's players, we could have Tomlin Bingo!
12:18
Nobody is banging that drum, the difference between 10-3 and 10-7. Yes, he's perceived differently nationally and locally. It's also possible for him to be a really good coach and for things to have run their course here, which we'd all have a better sense for than national types.
putinbatch
12:18
when was the last time Darnell Washington was thrown a catchable ball? The guy is huge and I don't think I've ever seen him drop a decent pass. & I know Freirmuth has redeemed himself somewhat but do you think he's really being utilized maximally? What happened to having an OC who can use tight ends? It is SOOO frustrating considering the haplessness of our offense. thank you
Jason Mackey
12:19
I don't think they're doing enough to utilize Pat Freiermuth. That's easy. I can't remember specifically on Darnell Washington. Seems one time in the past couple games he had a chance but couldn't come down with it. Either way, I get your point. They haven't done that enough, absolutely. It's been one of many disappointments for the offense.
Drunk uncle
12:19
hey jaymack i know you like a good bourbon, what other adult beverages you like. If I see you at the many establishments I frequent in s. Hills I’ll buy you one
Jason Mackey
12:20
Ha. I have a wife and two kids and I work a lot. If I'm imbibing, it's usually in a small pocket, in my family room. Big on bourbon, yes. Currently working on some Buffalo Trace that I got for Christmas. Beer of all types. Don't get much more complicated than that.
PrinceBob
12:20
Semi belated Happy New Year. A few weeks ago I asked if you thought working under a new AD meant that Pat Narduzzi's job was much less secure. You thought he was okay. But I'm going to ask the same thing again in the wake of a six game losing streak with the last loss coming to a MAC team? I'll guess he's still sort of okay because after all this season was an improvement over the previous year and I think, correct me if I'm wrong, he's got a fairly hefty buy out.
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yeah, he does. It's not cheap. And given the balancing of everything Allen Greene will have to do, I wouldn't be surprised if they try to pretend there was progress made on this front and maybe wait another year. Would cost a lot to make that move right now. Not saying it's not deserved. More that I think I'd maybe save money, pour it into NIL, bring who they're bringing back and see if they can win with a pretty solid QB-RB duo.
PrinceBob
12:22
What do you think of Cam Newton's idea that the Steelers should let Russell Wilson go after this season and commit fully to Justin Fields who Newton seems to think could be very good?
Jason Mackey
12:22
It depends on what Wilson wants. If he's at $30 million, absolutely. If Russ will play for $15-$20 million, I think he might be a better option. I'm not against it. But I would really like to have the final bit of info that the close to the season will supply.
PrinceBob
12:23
Do you think Penn State basketball gets into the Tournament this year? Does Pitt? Duquesne?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I think Pitt will. Not as sure on the other two. Duquesne would have to win the A-10. At this point, wouldn't rule out Penn State. But a long way to go.
PrinceBob
12:24
How long do you think the Pirates will keep Skenes? If he's anywhere close to being the pitcher he appears to be when he's eligible for arbitration he's going to get a container shipload of money each year. Yes, it will be just a short term thing but it's hard for me to believe they'll give him what he's worth when they weigh that against the army of prospects he'd bring.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I think they'll keep him up until the middle of his final season. Whatever they have to pay in the interim, it's huge value. I mean, unless we're in for some unprecedented arbitration awarding, but even still, it's worth it. They're not going to keep him. I don't see how that would happen. Which means you have to get something for him.
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