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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 10.17.24
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Jason Mackey
12:49
A national championship? I don't know about that. Seems a little far-fetched. A Big Ten title or get to the CFB? That's a little more reasonable.
Unleash the Bearcats
12:49
St Vincent plays Westminster this weekend. Prepare to have your Titans crushed like bugs. Resistance is futile.
Jason Mackey
12:50
Ha! I'm actually going to be broadcasting the Westminster victory on Titan Radio 88.9 FM. Listen!
joeco
12:50
if those are the last 6 games that Fields starts...did he do enough to be number 2 next year?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Yeah, I'd say he did "enough." I don't think that's where it lands. But if that's what ultimately happened, I don't think the Steelers would have an issue with that. Nor should they.
Wayward
12:51
Jason, hearing anything related to the Bucs open positions?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Nope. Pretty quiet. As I would suspect this time of year. This is down time in MLB. I also think Bob is still going over things, which would delay the hiring of open positions.
Wayward
12:51
Jason, as a columnist have you ever received any responses from the respective groups you have written about?  If so, what does the tone tend to be?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Not a ton, honestly. Nothing more than I did as a beat guy. The group whose engagement has shot way up has been readers. (And I love you guys/girls for that.) Bunch more emails. Traffic has been solid. These things are getting participants. But not like the Pirates are calling me up and airing me out. They're focused on their own world and hopefully realize I'm doing my job.
Olivia
12:53
Jason, will my man and I be spending any off-season time hanging in the 'burgh? Or are there more glamorous places on our agenda?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Aren't you in school? Maybe January for PiratesFest? If not, would imagine we don't see yinz until April.
Slash Stewart
12:54
The Steelers should do what they did with me with Justin Fields
Jason Mackey
12:54
I'd be OK with a version of it. But I also don't want to get in a situation where Kyle Allen is starting late-season games.
OC
12:54
Jason, what's my plan for CF training this off-season?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Not a whole lot different. Train as you always do. Learn the nuance of CF: routes to balls, throwing to bases, etc.
Rutger
12:54
Jason, what was I sent down to work on, specifically?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Playing? Honestly, you might not be among the 12 best forwards at this point. Or at least not consistently. Need to play. Would imagine they sent him out with the instructions of developing an identity -- hard on pucks, part of the forecheck, physical, responsible defense, etc.
Harcum
12:55
Great chats Jason!  Do you know if any Pirates (such as  Cruz, Endy) are playing winter ball in the offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Don't know as of now, but I would doubt they do because of previous injuries. There will be a list. I just don't have it right now.
Guest
12:56
Hey Jason.  Is the hype over Fields a little blown out of proportion.  He seems to be exactly as advertised.  He's a great running athlete, but a very below average passer.  I've heard people say he reminds them of Lamar, and even heard one person say he has similarities to Ben.  I think he's a backup at best.  Could the praise be due to the expectations being low?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Umm, he's the quarterback. There's always going to be discussion. And, frankly, I do think Fields has done some stuff well. You don't have a 90-plus QBR by accident. Also not saying he's great. Just that there has been some legitimate good and also some bad. I don't know what he is at this point. Chicago stunk. We don't have a full picture here.
Guest
12:57
We all know Tomlin's flaws - clock management, challenges, slow starts, communication, discipline, and fundamentals just to name a few.  My concern is that he hasn't gotten better at any of these in the past decade.  Is it arrogance or stubbornness on his part?  Does he think his way is best and refuses to change?  Or does he just lack the know how?  Why do suppose the same areas don't improve year to year?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I'm not sure. I think if I knew Tomlin's true feelings on clock management, I'd probably sell them or try to reverse-engineer it. I would imagine there's some ego there. (Why not have a person or multiple people on your staff dedicated entirely to this?)
epiballo
12:59
“I don’t think I’ve played good enough if I’m being real with you. If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of, ‘Who should be playing and who shouldn’t?’ At the end of the day, we got a few wins. I’m glad about that, but there are areas I can be better at, and I’m going to continue to work on those.” - Justin Fields
Eyeballs
12:59
So the hockey world at least on Facebook is panicked because the WNBA got better ratings than the NHL. They're blaming Bettmann for it. Could it be that the NHL's marquee players have the personalities and charisma of a plain rice cake
Jason Mackey
1:01
Had not seen this, but you could be right. The WNBA has athletes, pace, drama, storylines, etc. NHL has athletes and pace, but it severely lacks the other two because everyone thinks it's more important to stifle personalities.
epiballo
12:59
Sent the Fields quote accidentally. Wanted to agree with you that he is a good kid and add that he is a team player, a real professional. Unlike a certain wide receiver I could mention.
Jason Mackey
1:00
Yeah, I guess Justin said that? Doesn't shock me. He's easy to like. I feel for him to a degree. But this is the business. Russ is gonna play. I think Fields would be wise to learn, stay positive and bide his time. He knows that.
Teresa
1:01
Hi Jason, two questions if I may:   First, is Hayes expected to be ready for opening day?  Secondly, as a newcomer to Pittsburgh, can you recommend some good pizza places/restaurants in the South Hills?   Thank you!
Jason Mackey
1:03
You ask a Pittsburgh pizza question, you can ask as many as you want, Teresa. Ha. With Hayes, yes, cautiously. It's gonna take some work, but they think they have a plan to get his back issues fixed by spring. We'll see. I have my doubts. ... South Hills pizza, gotta start with Fiori's. The best. Crust in Upper St. Clair is very good as well. Locally owned place. Sean Casey swears by Cucina Bella in Bridgeville. Have not been but have been meaning to. Venice on Route 51 is fairly solid. Favorite hoagie place is Danny's. If you've been, you know.
Henry
1:04
Jason, am I doing anything particular this off-season to fend off that 1A colossal bust narrative?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Obviously, yes. Does anyone here think Henry is gonna sit on his butt all winter? I'm also not in the Davis-is-a-bust camp. I wanna see him with a new hitting group in charge. I also want to see him shorten his swing. I really don't think he's come close to reaching his potential at the MLB level.
BC
1:05
Ballpark - how much does it take to buy an unproven Alabama freshman QB - $50k? Or was Eli just looking for a chance to start, and found a fit at Pitt? Little column A - little column B?
Jason Mackey
1:06
I couldn't begin to tell you that. Not my department. But I would have a tough time believing they're not related. Eli wants to play. Fair. Teams are gonna make it worth his while. Fair. Weigh all of that, the coaching, facilities, teammates, offenses, etc. But I can't give you a dollar amount because I don't know.
Unleash the Bearcats
1:06
Try not to cry into the microphone when we destroy you on Saturday. The St Vincent offense is as unstoppable as the Baldwin High School offense
Jason Mackey
1:06
I'll do my best. No crying in broadcasting.
Stash
1:06
Jason, so I'm watching PTI yesterday, and Tony K is actually going on and on about Coach T never having a losing record. And to think I thought TK was a decent journalist. Seriously, why cannot the national media grasp that it is not really a meaningful stat? Not even close, really. He must be paying people off.....
Jason Mackey
1:07
I don't know if I've ever seen something so different with coaches -- the narrative on Tomlin locally versus how it's viewed nationally. Not sure why it is, either.
Guest
1:07
Regarding Diontae Johnson, I believe there is a rule in place in the NFL that would not allow him to be dealt back to PIttsburgh.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Don't know if there is or isn't, but it's hard to see how it would matter.
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