You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's sports chat: 11.14.24
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
10:20
Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for finding my weekly sports chat. We're gonna start an hour earlier than usual; I'd like to get on the road to Columbus, as I'm bringing my family. So, fire away now. I'll be back at 11 to answer.
10:54
And away we go ...
Barry
10:54
Hi Jason. Do you have any reason to be optimistic that the Pirates will actually do business like a legit MLB team this offseason or will it just continue to be more of the same dumpster dives that we’ve grown accustomed to from Nutting and Cherrington?
Jason Mackey
10:58
Hi Barry. I'm gonna be careful answering this because people like to take it a certain way. But they spent $34 million this past offseason. That should be enough to affect SOME positive change. It was not. They spent it poorly. Do I think they can do a better job? Yes, absolutely. I also don't think it's just about the spending. Look at Cleveland. Look at Tampa and others. It's about doing things baseball-wide better than others. Again, not defending the problems. They have existed. But they're bigger than just spending more money.
Mr Ed
10:59
High danger scoring chances last night Pens had 18-6 edge, lose 3-2. Yes, they have problems and they are many. But in my opinion, their goalies get outplayed by opposition almost every game. I think goaltending to this point is one of their biggest shortcomings. Would you agree?  Ned’s a backup, Blomqvist isn’t fully ready yet, and where to even start with Jarry?
Jason Mackey
11:01
Yeah, I mean, I'm not gonna disagree with you. They have the fifth-worst save percentage in the NHL. That would indicate the goaltending isn't nearly good enough. I'd also say the play in front of those guys has contributed to the lousy numbers. It's never one thing.
John in SC
11:01
Thanks for the chats Jason. I have been a baseball fan, particularly a Pirates fan, all my life. Grew up with Clemente, Stargell, Mazeroski etc. But not anymore. Had no interest in watching this year’s WS. MLB desperately needs economic balance. Too much money involved for the owners to ever allow it. More importantly, I want to thank Nutting for turning me off. I will never see a championship in Pittsburgh again. I understand it’s impossible to spend like the NY or LA teams (see my first comment), but he has more interest in his pocketbook than winning. Scenes may be the best pitcher in baseball, but he is only a rental. Another Cole. Please tell me why I’m wrong!
Jason Mackey
11:03
Hi John. It's not really a chat if you don't ask a question, FWIW. I understand the frustration. I agree MLB needs better economic balance. Haven't exactly been shy about that take. You're full of it, though, in a way. If the Pirates are good next year, you'll get excited. And they might be. But again, I certainly understand the frustration over them now. It's warranted.
epiballo
11:03
Hi Jason! Appreciate the chats and articles. I was surprised the Pens traded Lars Eller (or anyone at this stage of the season). Why did they do this? Could it be the beginning of a slow-going rebuild?
Jason Mackey
11:04
I was, too. Where I've settled on it is this: They could sort of address the loss of Eller with others (Lizotte, Hayes, etc.) Not totally, but there's at least some depth. Might've also served as a kick in the butt to others -- "Look what
'll happen if you don't start playing better" -- while simultaneously accomplishing Dubas' big-picture goal of accumulating picks. That said, I don't like it and wish they had kept Eller. They're a worse team today than they were a couple days ago.
Greg in Greenville
11:05
Hi Jason Hope you and your family are well. Jason do you think Pitts problems on offense is due to Eli"s on going development or the offensive scheme is just not good enough, meaning once defenses figured it out Pitts just not adjusting?
Jason Mackey
11:06
Hi Greg. I don't think it's because Eli isn't good enough. Now, that's different than has he been good enough the past couple weeks. He hasn't been, and that has been part of the problem. He needs to play better. Kade Bell needs to do a better job helping him get into a rhythm. But I think we've seen enough out of Eli to know the tools are there. He needs to get more comfortable checking it down and do a better job finding a rhythm. Would help if the blocking was better, too.
epiballo
11:06
Will stopping/not stopping Derek Henry be the key to the outcome of the game? Over/under Derek Henry rushing for 63 yards and a score.
Jason Mackey
11:07
I'd take the over on that, FWIW. And, sure. That's a huge key. So is not letting Lamar beat them with his legs. Which is obviously WAAAAAY easier said than done. I think the Steelers will score points. Just tough to say how successful they're going to be at preventing them.
Cullen
11:07
What are your thoughts on the Pirates new hitting coach?
Jason Mackey
11:08
They needed a hitting coach. He is one. That's about the extent of it, honestly. We just don't know.  I'm fine with his background & pedigree and all that. People said nice things about Andy Haines when he was hired, too. The proof will be how much Hague can bring out of guys like Henry Davis and Jack Suwinski & whether he can steer the group away from the one-size-fits-all nonsense.
James F
11:08
Jason, can you report back next week on the vibe of a city with a big-time collegiate program, vs. one perennially stuck in near-do well status?
Jason Mackey
11:09
I think you've been to Columbus, Jim. Seeing a first-round matchup with Ole Miss. I also think you could win that game.
Stash
11:09
Jason, would you agree that Zanesville Ohio has much more to offer than your average yinzer realizes? Have you checked out The Cracker Barrel? It's their fanciest option, and it's fantastic!
Jason Mackey
11:10
I have not, sorry. But, yes. Zanesville, Ohio doesn't get nearly enough credit. Pottery capital of the world, right? One of many things I learned from Ed Bouchette.
wiscoken
11:11
Hi Jason - lifelong Penguin fan now living out of state.  Really struggling to find many positives as we look at the current situation. Coming into season, it seemed that our best case (and frankly the strategy) was to field a team that could compete for post season play, and possibly provide some 1st round playoff excitement, while at the same time making a handful of select moves that hopefully better position us longer term. It's a tough point in time that we knew this was coming and it's a real challenging strategy to pull off, as it's really easy to find yourself caught between both objectives.  I fear that is where we have landed, do you feel the same? Are there any material green shoots for real optimism as we look at the current?
Jason Mackey
11:12
I do think this is where the Penguins are at, yes. Caught in the middle. Retooling on the fly. Hoping to get in and get hot. And it's tough. If you're asking for reasons to be optimistic right now, I'm not sure I can offer a ton. They've shown little ability to play winning hockey consistently. The best direction is probably a rebuild. Until they change my mind, that's where I'm at with it.
Stash
11:13
Jason, how was Sam Poulin's skill set so misjudged that every team in the league passed on him? I mean even Henry Davis would solicit some level of interest. I know, apples and cantaloupes, but still.
Jason Mackey
11:14
Yeah, I'm not sure I'm comfortable comparing Henry Davis and Sam Poulin. Different sports, different scenarios. Not everything is comparable. But Poulin is still relatively young -- 23. His opportunities to this point have been minimal. I'm not sure we should have a definitive opinion formed at this point.
Wayward
11:14
Jason, what's your take on the 2 new Buc coaches?
Jason Mackey
11:15
Talked about Hague before. I really like Strom. He has a great reputation. Should be excellent with usage patterns, attack plans, pitch development, a bunch of stuff. I'd also value his input on tipping pitches, which the Pirates did last season. He strikes me a lot as Dewey Robinson -- smart guy, able to straddle the old and new schools. I think Strom is the more notable hire, honestly.
Stash
11:15
Jason, is it possible that Sean Payton is both a great coach and an arrogant jerk? I prefer the arrogant jerk narrative.
Jason Mackey
11:16
I think that's probably possible for a lot of NFL head coaches. But yeah.
34russellhof
11:16
If Sullivan would insist that the Penguins play a trapping style instead of the speed style that worked in the long ago past, do you think Crosby, Malkin. Letang and company would listen?
Jason Mackey
11:17
This is a great question. Probably not, honestly. Assuming you're talking like super scaled back and conservative. Now, I do think there's a lot of usable space between that and what they're doing now. They could stand to take a more conservative approach, for sure.
Caitlin
11:17
Jason, seeing as how I almost decapitated some unsuspecting golf fans, please let Starkey know that it's a hard game, and there is nothing wrong with hitting the lanes instead.
Jason Mackey
11:17
Will do. Not sure I'm gonna be able to convince Starkey not to golf, though.
Wayward
11:17
Jason, I am sure you will get this question or a version of it a lot but what's next for the Pens?
Jason Mackey
11:20
Ha. Yeah, have gotten this a bit. I don't know. Does anyone? This weekend will tell us a lot. I think Jarry plays. Does he stink or have a good one? Anybody's guess. They obviously don't want to blow it up, go nuclear, etc. But if this continues much longer, I don't see how they DON'T make a change, pardon the double negative. Jim Rutherford fired Mike Johnston in mid-December. That's always something I keep in mind. So, there's a month, tops, to find consistency. And probably, realistically, less.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
11:20
Don't the Pens need to know what they have in Jarry and should maybe start giving him some playing time. Maybe on the back-to-back this weekend?
Jason Mackey
11:20
Yeah, he'll play Friday in Columbus. Avoid the home crowd turning on him.
A Rod
11:20
Jason, this is what the end looks like for me, correct? And would it all have turned out differently if Mike ran down the correct freaking seam?
Jason Mackey
11:21
Yeah, probably time to hang 'em up. Great career, though.
Timothy
11:21
Hi Jason, with the Lars Eller trade, do you see the Penguins making any significant trades in the near future?  Thanks.
Load More Messages
Connecting…