You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's sports chat: 10.17.24
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
12:24
I get what you're saying, but what did they lie about with Rowdy? Or are you referencing my column about how they said they know contracts but clearly don't? It's not a good look. And, hey, maybe they did know and decided to wait until an hour before because they IKF would say he'd rather sit. If so, that's not very nice.
demosthenes98
12:24
What will be the bigger clown show at PNC Park in 2025--the Savannah Bananas, or the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Good one. Honestly, I know probably don't want to hear this, but the Pirates aren't screwed. They should have won 83-84 games this year. That would have been fine. Now, I don't like them running it back with largely the same group. But they have some solid starting pitching, enough bats to build around, some pieces in the bullpen. They could still be decent. Not a clown show.
demosthenes98
12:25
There was a story in the PG last week with the headline "A guide for the Pirates' 2024-25 offseason: Important dates, players to watch." Given that those dates don't include the day on which the team will be sold, isn't the statement that there are any important dates for the Pirates this offseason more of an opinion than a fact?
Jason Mackey
12:26
We get it. You're mad. Just pushing it through because I answer every (respectful) question, and I'm gonna hold true to that. No issues with Noah's coverage. He did a great job, and you should read it.
demosthenes98
12:26
Did the Pirates' spring training facilities suffer any damage from Hurricane Milton? I know there was an article in the PG last week about this, but its only source was Pirates management, who, as we know, are not a reliable source of information about the Pirates.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Minor damage. Was not that bad relatively-speaking. They will be fully operable in time for spring training.
Gene
12:27
I understand Roman Wilson being hurt all of camp and into the start of the season but not being able to get a helmet until last week is puzzling to me. You’re thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
12:28
No, you're thoughts.
Just kidding. I was a little puzzled myself. Not like he's being squeezed out by four more talented guys. I think he needs to earn his chances, sure. But would like to see the Steelers give him more runway. Maybe it was just a slower build, not wanting to put too much on his plate? Weird how slow this has been for someone who I think has been pretty solid at a position of need.
12:35
Sorry, yinz. In the office. Boss stopped by with questions. Anybody had that experience before?
Joe Willie
12:35
Hey Jason love reading your columns you’re a busy man. College sports are being ruined by lack of any kind of cap on NIL money and the seemingly endless money that can be thrown at athletes at some universities   Do you see the NCAA finding a solution in the near future to level the playing field
Jason Mackey
12:36
Hey Joe. thank you. Appreciate the kind words. I sort of agree with you. I don't love the lack of amateurism. But saying they're completely ruined ... there are some TV ratings and $$$ that will disagree with you.
12:37
I do think the NCAA will fix it. It feels fluid. Especially with revenue sharing coming down the pike. I can't imagine the NCAA thinks what is happening now should be permanent.
epiballo
12:37
Hi Jason! Thanks for the chats! Given the Steelers' offseason, are you surprised that Khan has not pulled off a trade to address the need for WR2?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Very much so. They're checking on EVERYONE. Yet we're not seeing any movement? I get Davante. I think he just wanted to play with Aaron Rodgers again. But Omari Cooper was surprising. I still think they do something. They need to.
Ben
12:38
Hey Jason - Tomlin starting Wilson would be a great move. If Wilson plays well using the whole playbook, it’s a win. If Wilson plays badly using the whole playbook, you know to focus on fields now, his real potential ceiling, and the decision of whether you need to trade into the top 5 for next year (a win of sorts). If Tomlin refuses to let Wilson use the full field, then you know the issue is with the coach and that he isn’t likely the guy to develop your next qb because he isn’t adapting to his players but rather just doing the same thing over and over to the same result (not necessarily a win, but at least we’ll know…). Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I agree with you, Ben. You brought Russ here to play. So, sooner or later, you have to play him. II don't hate what Fields did. Maybe he has a future here. But I wanna see with Russ. I also might go back to Fields, though I think the better outcome would be Wilson giving the passing game a dimension it has lacked.
epiballo
12:39
Does getting pulled (again) after giving up too many goals early signal him losing the starting goalie role for the Pens? I hear about defensive lapses as the cause, but your goalie should be able to bail out the D men at times. Blomqvist stopped three one-on-one shots last night!
Jason Mackey
12:41
I don't know. Sorry for the crap answer, but I don't think they do, either. Here's what I mean: So much changes so fast in the NHL (and all sports leagues). They don't need an answer that's long-term/black & white/crystal clear. They need to figure out Friday. Right now, Jarry is unplayable. Needs to be Ned or Blomqvist. And I might lean Ned because he's being paid like an NHLer and has been working toward this return. I'd also understand if you go Joel. But it can't be Jarry. Then you figure it out after that.
epiballo
12:41
Any chance the Bucs resign Chapman? He was entertaining to watch, and I love the stare down after a K and the look on the faces of batters' who get blown away by 100+ fastballs!
Jason Mackey
12:42
Can't imagine so. Chapman should have better offers. Pirates over paid by a bunch last year. Didn't work out. Wasn't Chapman's fault, but I just can't see them wanting to run it back.
Bad Goalie
12:42
Tristen Jarry has the goalie version of Steve Blass Disease. Agreed ?
Jason Mackey
12:42
No.
Khan Man
12:42
I have no idea what I'm doing in regards to Wide Receivers do I ?
Jason Mackey
12:42
I wouldn't say that. But I understand fans wanting to see action. Especially with quality options going to other teams.
Guest
12:43
I usually roll my eyes when Ben speaks, broken foot, etc.  I did so when he said "I drew up plays in the dirt".  However, could he have been accurate?  That the play book and play calls were so atrocious, that he sometimes just made up his own plays.  Seeing this offense and coaching staff the last few years, I'm starting to believe him.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I would absolutely trust Ben with diagramming plays. I wish he did it more. But if you look at Chris Carter's analysis yesterday on Fields, it's not the plays. It's his execution of them and missing reads. Maybe some of that is on the play-calling or play-design. But not all of it.
BC
12:44
Any word on the Pitt AD search, names, or a timeline even?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Been fairly quiet. They're using a search firm. Have not heard any names. Would imagine it doesn't take too much longer. Never got the sense that this was something that would drag on.
Leaving town
12:44
If the SEA pushes Nutting to spend more on payroll he'll move them. MLB doesn't want them in Pittsburgh if given the option of a team in Charlotte or Nashville they'd pick one of those two. And we know Nutting doesn't care about this city. Pittsburgh is also a dying market. They're as good as gone in 2030
Jason Mackey
12:45
I don't think they're as good as gone. But I agree with your points about the SEA and leverage. It's a tough line to walk. The SEA wanting to see the Pirates win is fine. But if they essentially kick them out, they would be kicking them out of Pittsburgh, IMO.
Mountain Gus
12:45
If the Steelers kept Mason Rudolph, but still signed Justin Fields,  and both are haelthy, who starts?  One is a pocket QB, the other a runner.  Kind of opposites.
Jason Mackey
12:46
If it was Rudolph executing the offense like he did at the end of last season -- and not previously -- and this first stretch of Fields, Rudolph easily.
Cosmo Kramer
12:46
Hello Jason, Omar was getting a ton of credit and was given the name Kahn artist. After this off season of leaving the WR room a mess, and his 2 first round OL draft picks underperforming or injured and out for the season, how much more leeway should he be given. Should the Steelers and fans be worried they were conned?
Jason Mackey
12:47
No. Why are we holding Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier getting hurt against the GM? That doesn't make sense. I don't love what he's done with the wide receivers. That's fair. But they're also 4-2, and the trade deadline hasn't passed. What if they do something or land someone? We'll have a different opinion. I think you're being a little hard on Omar.
He still stinks
12:47
Ryan Graves still plays hockey like Ryan Seacrest plays hockey
Jason Mackey
12:48
I didn't know Ryan Seacrest plays hockey, but I've been putting off the Seacrest biography I have on my desk.
James Franklin
12:48
I'm good for a loss to Ohio State and maybe another right ?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Yes. I'd agree with that. Don't want to. Would love to see Penn State topple Ohio State. But I'm not sure I see it happening, especially because I don't think Ohio State is gonna be a two-loss team ... like, ever.
James F
12:49
Jason, am I good enough of a tactician/game day coach to win the big one?
Connecting…