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Paul Zeise's sports chat: 02.18.21
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Zeise
12:05
Ok let’s get started!!!
V. Fontaine
12:05
If the Steelers were to release Ben Roethlisberger, do you think another team would want to sign him to be a starting QB?
Zeise
12:05
Yes because he still looked last year like he had something left to give. There are some teams with really bad quarterback situations
V. Fontaine
12:08
I'm intrigued by the new wide receivers coach Pitt hired. Did they hire him with an eye on him being Mark Whipple's successor after this season? It seems like he could bring a fresh approach to the offense.
Zeise
12:09
I don’t know about that but it seems like he has the pedigree and experience to be an offensive coordinator soon. It seems like a really good hirw
TPHunter
12:09
Hi Paul. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to read between the lines of Kevin Colbert's comments Wednesday about Ben's contract, does it? I think he is all but telling Ben to please call it a day so that the Steelers can begin piecing together their future.
Zeise
12:10
For the first time since the end of the season - I agree it seems like they would rather he moves on and save them the headache of trying to make his contract work. I think they also want to see what they have in Rudolph
TPHunter
12:11
Antwann Randle El took the receiver coach position with the Lions this week. His beautiful option TD pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL has to be in the top five of great Steelers pass plays in history, doesn't it?
Zeise
12:12
Wow obviously they won the game and that was a huge play so yes probably. I mean Swann had two, Stallworth had one, Holmes obviously had one - maybe that is top five
Orangeflamebulbs
12:12
Hey Paul,  Steelers management seems to be sending pretty strong signals to Ben that he should retire.  We've all read ARII and Colbert's comments to the media and Tomlin hired a OC that Ben probably doesn't approve of and is not a good fit with.  Pouncey has retired and Gerry Dulac has said that his sources have indicated that the Steelers want Ben to retire, but they want him to make that decision for them.  Given all of this, if Ben insists on playing in '21, would the Steelers release him or agree to let him play another season as a Steeler?
Zeise
12:13
I don’t think they will release him. I think if they want him to move on they will try and convince him to move on with dignity
Buzzard Bill
12:13
Hey Paul, is it fair to say that the Steelers will not release or trade Derek Watt until the J.J. Watt situation is resolved?  The J.J. Watt signing only works if they decide to keep Derek.  But Canada likes versatile fullbacks so Derek might actually play some in 2021 if he stays.
Zeise
12:14
I honestly do not think JJ Watt is a priority for the Steelers so no, I disagree. And given the change in offensive coordinators, a fullback like Derek Watt suddenly has value
david
12:14
Hello Paul, How should we interpret MT's comment to Zach Banner? Is he our LT, RT or just a fair shot at starting?
Zeise
12:15
Well according to Mark Kaboly Banner has been told he is the left tackle next year. I think that is a bold move because it seems like he is much better on the right side but he is an athletic dude with size so he can probably get it done
Treesmann
12:15
Paul if the Steelers lose Bud Juju and Connor to free agency that means we lost a first second and third rounders.  Assuming the Steelers only sign a mid level o lineman in free agency would the Steelers be looking at getting a couple of third round comp picks in 2022?  Or maybe a third and fourth?
Zeise
12:16
Yes I think they would get some comp picks but I don’t know exactly what it will look like until we see it play out some more
Daniel11
12:18
Decastro vs Hightower? Who would be your pick if you were pulling the trigger?
Zeise
12:18
The Steelers made the right choice in DeCastro
TPHunter
12:18
Will anyone in this town learn how to finish a sports season? Pitt hoops is drowning at the end of the season for the third year in a row. Last year, the Penguins rolled over after a good start even before the pandemic and we all know about the Steelers over the past four years. At least the Pirates start and finish the same way.
Zeise
12:19
You are right these late season collapses are frustrating. Pitt hoops needs to pull it together down the stretch
TPHunter
12:19
How long does the new Penguins GM tandem have to make a move, probably in goal, if they feel it is necessary? Hard to believe the season is 1/4 over already.
Zeise
12:21
They have until the trade deadline technically but if the goalie play doesn’t improve quickly they may have to make a move sooner than that
Craig
12:21
Paul are the Steelers expecting Ben to take a pay cut? If it was just a contract restructuring then there should  be no issues and it would be done by now. Thanks.
Zeise
12:25
I think they want him to restructure but they don’t want to do it in a way that pushes a lot of dead money down the road. And they may ask him to take a cut too
The Way the Wind Blows
12:25
Do you have any gut feeling about whether Ben Rothlisberger will be back next year? At the end of the season when he said he wanted to and didn't care about what he was paid I thought there'd be some back and forth but eventually it would get sorted out and he would be. Now it seems like things could really be going the other way. Any guesses?
Zeise
12:26
Like I said before I thought for sure he was coming back but now I’m not at all so sure. I was 99 percent he is coming back before now I would say it is more like 55-45
Y-Town Steeler
12:26
If it came down to signing Tyson Alualu and JJ Watt for the same money, who are you taking and why?
Zeise
12:30
This is not a serious question right? If that was the deal - you could choose Watt or Alualu for the same money you would be a fool to not sign Watt. And it is not even close or a question. Watt is actually even the younger of the two
Sunner in Orlando
12:31
Are the Steelers hesitating on signing Big Ben to a restructured contract or is Ben that is not on board yet? Either way, the Steelers can't do business with anyone else until this mess is resolved as the cap is now projected at 180 million.
Zeise
12:32
I think there is a little bit of feeling out on both sides going on here. I am interested in seeing how this gets resolved to be honest
rambler66
12:32
The Steelers maintain that they do not want to rebuild and wish to remain competitive every year. Does that not sound like a formula for mediocrity.
Zeise
12:33
In the short term, yes. But if they retool and reshape, it is only short term. They don’t want to go all the way to 2-14 or 1-15 while they rebuild
Bernard
12:34
If Ben retires, does that signal we will see more of a "rebuild" rather than "retool" or does the FO feel the team can contend with MR as starting QB?
Zeise
12:34
They seem to be really sold on Rudolph and I think want a chance to watch him play
Adam
12:35
Is there any realistic way the Pens can become a contender this year or do you think the focus should be on next year?
Rob H
12:35
Are we entering the Dark Ages of Pittsburgh sports?
Zeise
12:37
Sorry I hit the button twice - Adam I think a realistic look for the Pens would be to take a little longer approach to retooling around Sidney Crosby. I would try and trade Malkin and Letang but I understand the argument for why you would keep them.
12:38
as for the dark ages question / yes and no. I think we will go a few years without the Pens and Steelers being legitimate championship contenders but both organizations are really good and they will be back soon enough
roy
12:39
My draft strategy is to trade our 1st round pick for an early 2nd round pick and gain extra picks. The Steelers will have a depth issue so gain as many picks as possible. My early picks are 2nd round (Dickerson or Humphrey with 1st pick and Friermuth with 2nd pick), 3rd round OT Hudson. What do you think?
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