JotCast | Paul Zeise's sports chat: 02.20.20

Paul Zeise's sports chat: 02.20.20

Zeise

12:02

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside!!! Lets get started....

Steven

12:04

Paul, do you think that the new Manager with his interpersonal skills and the new Pitching coach with his analytics can coax more wins out of the Buccos than the previous group? And what happens if the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, and Brewers have those things AND better talent?

Zeise

12:06

I think a different voice and approach can be a positive thing. There probably will be a little spark but as you pointed out it is about talent. The cutting edge stuff is way overrated. It is about talent and the Pirates dont have enough of it.

GSMP

12:06

Your assessment of where Pitt hoops is after a season and a half under Coach Capel? Behind schedule, ahead of schedule or about right?

Zeise

12:08

I think it is on track. We have seen some good signs of improvement but there isnt nearly enough depth on the roster and he needs some help in other areas as well. It is a process, it takes time. He has done a good job so far and has them on their way back

Utah Jim

12:09

Is the Astros stealing signs much different than the Patriots taping opposing coaches’ signals? Why not the same level of outrage?

Zeise

12:11

Because MLB is horrendous at managing crisis and public relations. And the NFL is the master of spin. Thats really the difference. Roger Goodell has managed to spin it far better than Rob Manfred

GSMP

12:11

What exactly do those screaming for Rob Manfred to do something expect him to do beyond what he has already done to punish the Astros? Vacate the title? How does that punish them?

Zeise

12:15

I agree there isnt much of anything at all that he can do. He has screwed this up so badly his best course of action is to just shut up and issue a gag order for everyone else.

In search of 7

12:16

Thank you for the chat, Paul. I'm not in favor of expanding the NFL regular season to 17 games, but if it happens, would it be better for the extra game to be an out-of-conference contest? It would give the fans a better opportunity to see teams that rarely come to their stadium.

Zeise

12:20

That would the most fair thing to do - everyone gets an extra game against the other conference. And id take it one step further - make it so every year teams have the same rival from the other conference and in years when the two teams divisions play each other it is a home and home. So for instance, they declate the Steelers and Bears are “rivals” So they play every year at alternating sites. Then when the AFC North and NFC North play each other It is a home and home.

Johanna

12:20

We know still early And a lot of things can happen, however as of right now whIch team in entire league would you say is the biggest threat for The Penguins to not win it all, ?

Zeise

12:24

Tampa. The Lightning have a chip on their shoulder, they have depth, they have star power and they most importantly have a goalie who is capable of carrying a team in the playoffs. Tampa is the team i would say is the biggest and maybe only threat

Rick

12:24

I don't see the positives of Simon and ZAR. What am I missing?

Zeise

12:25

Well Simon has the right player - Sidney Crosby - in his corner. And you arent missing anything with Aston-Reese, he is a ham and egger

Showdog

12:25

Hi Paul. How many games do you think the Pirates will win this year,

Zeise

12:27

Where is everyone at, we have a half hour left start firing questions!!!

12:28

The Pirates will win 68 or so. Thats about it. I cant see them winning more than that because they arent talented enough and the baseball season is a grind and 162 games dont lie about who you are

Rick

12:30

I think boston is also a threat. Both are physical and both carry the puck into the offensive zone. They don't play dump and chase.

Zeise

12:32

Boston is tough. They are a threat but I think the Pens would handle them. It might take seven games but I think the Pens would wear them down and they would overwhelm them by the end of the series. The Caps would push them too.

Dennis

12:32

Do you think Dupree has really blossomed, or is he one of those guys who plays during a contract year?

Zeise

12:34

A little of both and i think the other thing is the Steelers did a better job of using him. We laughed when they switched sides with him and Watt but in the long run it looks lije ut was the right move to bring the best out of him.

Showdog

12:34

If you were the Steeler GM and could fit Bell under the cap would you trade for him?

Zeise

12:37

Yes provided the price of the trade wasn’t too steep. He is still better than anyone on the Steelers

Steven

12:37

Paul, I believe the Pens biggest threat in the East, especially if they pry Krieder from the Rangers, are the B's. No?

Zeise

12:38

Well as I said, I like the Pens chances to beat Boston. Im not as confident against Tampa. Both are great teams but Vasilevskiy gives Tampa the edge in my book

ALB

12:39

Do you see this Rudolph/Garrett thinggoay or will it be a big thing next season?

Zeise

12:41

I don’t think it will be a real big thing until the week Cleveland comes to Heinz Field to play the Steelers. That could be fun. I think it will start to die down though as people have basically settled in on who they choose to believe and i dont anticipate any new evidence coming out.

Dudley

12:41

Paul - what chances do you give the Pitt football team of winning 10 games next year and winning the coastal? They seem to have the bulk of the team back with another year under Whipple.

Zeise

12:41

I think 10-2 should be a minumu expectation for them. Next year should be tge

12:43

I think next year should be the year it all comes together. I would think 10-2 should be the minimum in terms of expectations. If it doesnt happen next year then you can start asking some questions

Matt from LA

12:43

Are the NCAA violations against Pitt anything to worry about?

Zeise

12:44

No I just read them and they look silly to me. It seems like minor stuff

Dennis

12:44

What is your favorite quote/line from a Pittsburgh athlete or coach?

Zeise

12:45

“Notre Dame fans are mad at me because i swore on national TV. They should have been mad at me for throwing five touchdowns against their team.” — Tyler Palko

Matt from LA

12:45

Do you honestly think that only the Astros were stealing signs? Just them and no other MLB team?

Zeise

12:46

No and nobody else Believes that, either, they just got caught.

Johanna

12:46

can we expect another penguin trade before deadline or they are done for now?

Zeise

12:47

Yes. Jim Rutherford said he is looking to make one more deal