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Paul Zeise's sports chat: 01.14.21
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Zeise
12:03
Ok a big day of Steelers news so let’s get started
Where’s My Clark Bar
12:03
E Malkin has been a great player and future HOF. Yes he still has gas in the tank, but I thought his play for the Penguins dipped 3 years ago. He is one I would
like to see moved...your thought?
Zeise
12:06
I agree. I think the Penguins have put themselves in a tough position for the future by not moving one of their big three for some younger players with upside. They wouldn’t be able to move Letang and of course they wouldn’t move on from Crosby. Malkin is a guy who could have brought a big return
Tim
12:06
Randy and Shaun gone....it's a start.  Do you think the next O-coordinator cones from the college ranks?
Zeise
12:07
No I don’t think so. I think it will be an experienced coordinator, especially if he is going to have to continue to work on Mason Rudolph. I will be shocked if it isn’t an NFL guy
Tim
12:08
Any chance the next O-coordinator hire is a 1 year audition for next head coach if the Tomlin failures persist?
Zeise
12:09
No if they move on from Tomlin they would move on from the entire  staff
Dan
12:09
No more Coach Randy - you think Ben jumps ship now?
Zeise
12:11
Again, you take away coach Randy and Maurkice Pouncey suddenly Ben’s future with the team becomes far more cloudy. Pouncey seems to be the big domino for Roethlisberger
Where’s My Clark Bar?
12:11
Paul, In your opinion does new OC force Ben into retirement? Glad the Steelers made this decision early so Ben and Pouncey can now take that into consideration and have months to decide.
Zeise
12:12
No not necessarily. Ben is all about Ben at this point so he will do what he thinks is best for him
AtlantaDan
12:13
I thought Randy Fichtner and Shaun Sarrett would go but was surprised DB coach Tom Bradley also got the ax.  Your thoughts on why Bradley was fired and if Fichtner going might give his supervisor Ben a nudge out the door?
Zeise
12:14
The safety play wasn’t as good as it needed to be and there probably was also needed some sort of scapegoat to fire from that side of the ball is why Bradley was let go
Tom in Dallas
12:16
Was last night's Pens game: first game of the season, road game, short camp, it's early...?  Or, this is who they are and it's going to be a 'long' short season of disappointments.?
Zeise
12:17
I would not read a single thing into the first, second or even fourth or fifth game of the NHL season. Teams need to get in game shape, figure out roles and timing and all that
Pete
12:17
Using yesterday's new conference do you think the assistants not being renewed is NOT Tomlins decision?
Zeise
12:20
I think he was told to make some changes and I’m quite sure Fichtner was the one move that everyone in the organization agreed had to happen
Bill in SF
12:20
Do you see anyone internally (I hope not!) who Tomlin might consider to step into the newly vacant OC, OL coach, and DB coach position
Zeise
12:21
I think Matt Canada is a candidate to be promoted to coordinator. I think they will go outside the organization for the other two
Tom in Dallas
12:21
The JuJu story early was good and fun: young kid, bike was stolen, lots of talent, always had a smile....  Fours years later, he created distractions during the season, gave the Browns some bulletin board quotes, and  most disturbing in all of it, he doesn't seem to understand the errors of his ways.  Is he going to get worse over time (like AB did), or is there a chance the vets/captains can get to him and help him mature?  The team is at the cross roads: sign him to a multiyear or let him walk.  Can Claypool and Johnson be a solid 1/2, Wash a 3, and draft 3rd rounder to compete with Wash a possible path forward?
Zeise
12:25
I don’t think they can keep JuJu because he costs too much money. The other stuff is just background noise. It shows a certain level of immaturity too. He needs to grow up but he is a good player. The big thing is he is gonna command more money than the Steelers can afford to pay
Bill in SF
12:26
Do you think there are coaches on staff who Tomlin might elevate into the OC, OL, and DB coaching slots, or will he really go outside the org?  Also, is he done or can we hope for a new special teams coordinator as well?
Zeise
12:26
Like i said I just don’t see it. I think he will go outside the organization for at least two of the three openings
Bill in SF
12:27
Does the fact that he's apparently keeping Butler mean Tomlin intends to stay as the
Zeise
12:28
Well obviously Butler is the coach that Tomlin works most closely with so firing him would be an indictment of Tomlin. So that’s probably why he is staying
coach 15
12:28
Knowing they can't FIX their issues in one season, knowing you can't cut &/or keep everyone (plus=NOT THE STEELER WAY), including coaches, & with holes needing filled, aging vets, no running game, cap issues,  & changing possible off/def schemes, wouldn't the most reasonable route be to sorta cut Haden, Pouncey, BB, DeCastro,  replace SOME coaches, lighten the financial load, & put a 2-3 year rebuilt plan in place, bc trying to keep the band together for 1-2 years, CAN NOT WORK, or am i completely off course?
Zeise
12:30
I agree if it was me - the old linemen, the old cowboy, the three old coordinators, the old corner, the fan favorite running back, the old tight end and the Tik Tok receiver would all be looking for work elsewhere and we would be working on rebuilding
Alan in Nashville
12:31
I’m a little disappointed that the Steelers are retaining Keith Butler but I’m glad to see that some of the dead wood is moving along. (Not to be insensitive) The one thing the the Steelers seemed to lag behind on is coordinators and coaches. I could only imagine this legendary franchise with young, fresh coordinators that are coveted by other teams like the old days!
Zeise
12:34
I think it will be hard to attract a defensive coordinator when everyone knows Tomlin will call defenses
The Eman
12:35
Paul - do you believe the Steelers lack veteran leadership in the locker room? Would the free agent signing of a mature, respected veteran like Larry Fitzgerald help? What a concept - score a touchdown and just give the ball to the ref rather than going into a choreographed dance routine.
Zeise
12:36
Can Heyward, Pouncey, DeCastro, Villanueva, Ben - I mean how many of these kinds of veteran leaders do you need? The big issue is Ben isn’t a great leader and the rest of those guys have never won anything.
Justin in cbus
12:37
Glad to see Fichtners gone.  I didnt mind Keith Butlers defense, especially considering 2 very significant injuries...but it seems as though swift changes are happening.  What do you see happening with our DC?
Zeise
12:37
They are working on a contract extension for him
The Dude
12:37
A good start on eliminating dead weight on coaching staff. Why isn’t Danny Smith on that list?
Zeise
12:37
I will be shocked if he isn’t gone at some point before next season. I think his units have been worse than Fichtners
TPhunter
12:38
Hi Paul. I completely agree with your column on the need for dramatic change for the Steelers. A question I asked earlier in the week to Ray was: Does Art II have the will to get this franchise out of its funk and make the Steelers the Steelers again? Ray thinks so. What say you?
Zeise
12:39
I don’t know. We have her
we have yet to see any evidence that he has the competence and stuff to take a team back to the top. He needs to be able to make tough decisions that might not be popular
booradley
12:41
Hi. I hope this doesn't result in an insult. Other issues aside, is there a way Ben can strengthen his arm and elbow in the offseason? Thank you.
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