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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 12.26.24
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Sid
12:14
There's a lot of talk about RSNs and how teams like Yankees/Cubs/Dodgers are good, but small-market teams aren't. How secure are the Pirates with SNP, and what would happen if it fell through?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I don't expect the Pirates to be long-term with  SNP. I expect, when the next CBA is up for them to move to MLB's in-house model.
Greg Brown
12:15
Will I call a Pirates World Series game before I retire?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I sure hope so, Brownie. You deserve it my man.
Sam
12:15
Is pedigree so important in sports that despite Jaylen Warren performing better than Najee Harris when he’s in there, Harris’ next contract was thought of as “too expensive” to be worth extending, but Warren is considered a no brainer signing this offseason?  I know if you try bell cow status with a guy Warren’s size he’s liable to wear down, but if you did one of those blind resume graphics or simply watch how dangerous each one looks with the ball, you’d probably answer that Warren is worth more money.  Just because he went to Alabama and was a #1 pick.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yeah, it has something to do with it, I'm sure. I think that's true at all levels. To be fair, he's also proven a lot more than Warren has. Jaylen Warren doesn't have four 1,000-yard seasons. Or one. But I agree with you: He's probably the better fit for the Steelers' offense right now.
JR IN ATL
12:16
Hey Jason, do you think Tomlin's coaching tree has basically no branches because he feels threatened by coaches that might perform better than him as coordinators. I still think Flores would have been a much better coordinator than Austin, and we already had him in the building.
Jason Mackey
12:17
Could be that. I'd also argue that he hasn't done a very good job hiring assistants. He might not have been threatened by Matt Canada. Matt Canada simply wasn't very good. It's probably a combination of both. But it is crazy how it has zero branches.
Gary
12:17
Why do they only throw to Pickens along the sidelines?  How about the middle of the field, WR screens, Reverse?  With his speed and strength, I feel they are not tapping into all of his skills. Totally predictable like the rest of the offensive game plan.
Jason Mackey
12:18
I agree they could go over the middle more. But (1) he's an outside receiver. He's also more likely to get man-to-man coverage that way, and that works to Pickens' benefit. When you consider the quarterback, Russ is short. It's not the easiest thing for him to see some of those routes.
The truth
12:18
Was Arthur Smith an overrated hire? He obviously couldn’t be worse than Canada, but he seems really middle of the road to me. He doesn’t seem to scheme guys open, is always changing personnel, and is is very predictable at times. The offense only took off once Russ was named starter, and lately it’s still very mediocre. Yesterday was an offensive coaching clinic by KC, and it looks like Smith isn’t anywhere close to that.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Yeah, I think that's fair. I don't think Arthur Smith has been a disaster by any stretch. But I also don't think he has delivered on the considerable excitement that surrounded his hire. I think he's been merely OK.
Jason
12:19
I’m not sure why people are down on Wilson so much. The lack of a legit #2 WR and the horrible play of the OL should fall on Omar and the coaches not on Wilson. Yes he has had a few bad turnovers but besides him not sliding on the fumble last week the man is under pressure almost everytime he drops back to pass.
Jason Mackey
12:19
A fair, balanced way of looking at it. There's a lot at play here.
The Dude
12:19
Tomlin promised changes, since it certainly makes no sense to continue the way things are going. What changes do you expect to see for the Bengals game, and will any of them help?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Sadly, he has promised them before -- and then done nothing. I'm not expecting a ton to change. There's only so much he can do. Maybe a little more man coverage? They didn't do a good job in zone.
Nate
12:20
Jason, friends of mine are all on the "Fire Tomlin" bandwagon. As someone who believes he is a top 5 coach in the league, my bigger concern is we don't have a franchise QB. You could have the greatest coach in the history of football but no QB makes it impossible to win the big one. Why does no one seem to realize this?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I think people are aware you need a good quarterback to win. I also think people are frustrated with Tomlin and want to see the Steelers win a playoff game. Both can be true.
Draft Milroe
12:21
Let's do the damn thing! Draft Milroe, sign Russ for 3 years, first year guaranteed, then let Milroe play when he is ready. I am sick of this not having a franchise QB thing!
Jason Mackey
12:21
To each their own. If I bring Russ back, I'd probably use my draft resources differently. They need receivers. They're also thin at DL and DB.
Kyser Sozay
12:21
If it turns out the Steelers go to Houston, then I would contend that things didn’t turn out all that badly. Agree?
Jason Mackey
12:22
If they go there and win ...
Shane in Colrain
12:22
Did you see Pickens taking his helmet off after plays in the 4th quarter and screaming at the sidelines? Surprised he wasn't penalized. He should be benched by Tomlin for that since they were 3 scores down. Send a message. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I saw it. You think Tomlin is suddenly gonna lose his you know what over that? I didn't love it, but benching Pickens only hurts the Steelers. Part of the problem they have with him. He's also done far worse that went unpunished.
Shane in Colrain
12:23
Sam Darnald or Russell Wilson for QB next year?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I'd want to know the prices for each.
WTF
12:23
Please explain how Nutting can have one of the greatest arms of all time, yet not expand payroll while he's here? I am not asking for us to have a payroll of 200 million but to have Skenes here for 5 more years and not having a payroll eclipse 100 million is beyond baffling.
Jason Mackey
12:23
I don't have a good answer for you. I'm with you. If now isn't the time to increase payroll, when is? I do think it'll go up some -- like $5 million -- but they should spend more.
Tim Imperial
12:23
The offensive line has been a huge disappointment in pass pro, I say fire the o-line coach!!!
Jason Mackey
12:24
They have two rookies and a sophomore starting. Three guys are out for the season with injuries. I agree it has ben bad, but I'm not sure the OL coach needs fired.
Shane in Colrain
12:24
Baltimore cycles through OCs and DCs every couple of years with success. Why can't the Steelers find a guy who can be successful?
Jason Mackey
12:25
More questions than my wife today, Shane. I don't know. But you bring up a good point. Other NFL teams seems to be able to do that fairly routinely. In Smith's defense, though, he's drawing up an offense for a group without a WR2. That's not his faut.
Shane in Colrain
12:25
The best gift you got yesterday was...?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Really, my wife and kids. But in terms of actual gifts, probably a T-shirt from my wife that says Lange, Prince & Cope, honoring the legendary announcers.
Shane in Colrain
12:26
At least the Chiefs didn't score over 30 point. Silver lining?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Oh, yeah. Surprised that wasn't a headline.
The truth
12:26
George Pickens has the skills to warrant a huge deal, but he seems
Jason Mackey
12:26
I would pay Pickens.
Jules Winfield
12:26
I know folks are down on Russ at this point, but who you gonna get that’s better? Assuming he can be had for between 15 and 20 million for a couple of years, he seems a better choice than Fields or some others. Right or wrong?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I would take Russ over Fields, yes. I don't know what Darnold would want. But, yeah, if you can make it work financially, it probably does make the most sense to keep Russ.
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