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Paul Zeise's sports chat: 03.04.21
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Zeise
12:05
OK let’s get started!
V. Fontaine
12:05
I'm usually not an optimist but I think the Pirates will not lose 100 games. In fact, I think there's a chance they can avoid 90 losses. I base that on rebound seasons from Polanco and Reynolds, Hayes and Keller continue to get better, and playing good defense. I think they'll struggle to score runs at times with little in the way of power hitters and the rotation will falter at times. But I don't see this as 100 loss team. How misplaced is my optimism?
Zeise
12:06
Gregory Polanco, I have to see it to believe it, Reynolds will help I’m sure but this team does not have enough legitimate Major League talent. I see 100 losses
One and done?
12:07
I follow college basketball fairly closely but not intently. This season I've wondered about the One and Done thing. Three schools that I associate with using it, Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas, all have questionable chances of getting into the Tournament. Recent champions like Virginia and Villanova keep players around for multiple years. Am I just missing other places that are succeeding with one year guys?
Zeise
12:09
I think the model of building an entire program one-and-done. They are still the best players but they are freshmen and they are playing against juniors and seniors. It is difficult to turn over the roster every year and have success as well
Donna
12:12
Hi Paul.  I’ve heard that Rooney, Colbert and Tomlin were/are not in agreement as to whether Ben should play for the Steelers this upcoming season.  Have you heard the same and if this is true, do you think this will cause any problems within the organization?  Thanks!
Zeise
12:13
Yes I don’t think they were all completely in agreement on Roethlisberger but that’s not unusual - there are always q
12:14
going to be these disagreements but at the end of the day they will get on the same page because they all want the same thing in the end. I know this is impossible to believe these days - but reasonable minds can disagree and still work together
Jimmy
12:15
Hi Paul  Do you think a revamped o line, an upgrade at running back, and a few tweeks to the defense could be a playoff team with MR at QB.  If so, why wait another year with Ben ?
Zeise
12:16
Yes, I do. I think a really focused on the run game with a quarterback like Rudolph who likes to throw the ball down the field has a chance to be very successful
Amanda
12:16
You and Walls are the 2 worst. You think promoting drinking on a sports show is okay? Shame on you and my husband can't stand you either.
Zeise
12:16
Have another beer!!!
John
12:17
Why you keep givin Capel a pass? No recruits lined up for next season plus all the turmoil in the program has this Panther fan worried. This is not what I expected in year 3 of Jeff Capel.
Zeise
12:18
How am I giving him a pass? He is trying to build a program and build it out of the ashes and in the ACC. It is going to take a little time. That’s reality, that is where I dwell
Lee Mazilli
12:19
Seems like the Pirates are moving in a good direction, and have some good prospects, players in the fold.  How many rebuilding years before we can contend ?
Zeise
12:23
At least three. I would say this team won’t be ready to be a contender until 2024. I know that is a long time but that’s what it will take
Darnell
12:23
Hey Paul.  Any chance the Steelers sign Feiler to play right tackle or is he all but gone?  Thanks.
Zeise
12:23
No. If he signs it will be as a guard. They already have two right tackles
V. Fontaine
12:26
Do you see the Steelers signing Minkah Fitzpatrick to a long term deal? Obviously, they'll pick up his fifth year option next season. But what about after that? Assuming Watt gets a deal in the $25MM to $30MM per year range, are the Steelers going to want to pay another defensive player between $15MM to $20MM per year?
Zeise
12:27
I think so that is why the brought him here. They seem to have a priority on both him and T.J. Watt gettint long term deals and so it will happen
Gino
12:27
Paul, is there a player who is “ under the radar “ that you would like to see the Steelers draft?
Zeise
12:31
Khalil Herbert, running back, Virginia Tech
Bruce
12:31
You think HC Jeff Capel makes any changes to his staff? I think having your own brother on the staff is not a good idea, especially since we are still a bottom feeder after three seasons.
Zeise
12:31
It would surprise me. He believes in what they are doing. Be a little patient let’s watch it play out
TPHunter
12:32
Hi Paul. The more the NHL season progresses, the more ridiculous this temporary divisional arrangement seems. I get that they couldn't play a full schedule, and that the Canadian teams had to be separated. But if you are going to play a three-game series like Pitt-Philly this week, why couldn't teams travel anywhere and do that? This format is like a six-month Stanley Cup playoff for the eastern teams.
Zeise
12:33
I think it is all silly so I’m probably not the person to ask. Apparently going to Columbus and Detroit is dangerous for the Pens but going to Philly and D.C. is not 🤦🏾‍♂️
TPHunter
12:33
Do you think having fans in the stands helped the Penguins on Tuesday? They seemed to play with a lot of energy.
Zeise
12:33
It was a nice boost but no, they won because they played well
Carl
12:33
Thanks for the chats Paul.  It seems like the transfer portal is having some profound  changes on college sports.  I understand the equity issues, but is it in everyone's best interest to allow (sometimes spoiled) 18 to 20 year olds to make these decisions so casually.  Without knowing the facts surrounding  the Pitt BB transfers, I tend to sympathize with COach Capel who is a class act and is having his reputatio  damaged.
Zeise
12:37
Well this is kind of society - commitment and sticking things out and working for things are no longer valued at all. And that’s why we see this kind of stuff. The age of 4-year players staying and being developed is coming to an end
Kip
12:38
Did you see that column with the interview of Travis Williams? He sounded exactly like Frank Coonelly defending Nutting at all costs. This sorry organization is now claiming Bob will spend money when necessary but what does that mean Paul? Payroll is $40 million this year so 5 years later it will be at $85 million and they'll then claim they have really increased payroll? You can already see where this is going. I've had enough of this garbage!
Zeise
12:39
Well what is Travis Williams supposed to say “my boss, the guy who pays me, is a cheap skate and doesn’t care about winning....” Again, we won’t know if he is indeed changed and looking to win until it comes time to spend money and win games
TPHunter
12:39
Which side to you take: (a) The Pirates play before dismally small crowds all year, even if capacity gets near normal later in the year, or (b) attendance surpasses all expectations? I'm going (b).
Zeise
12:40
I don’t anticipate large crowds at PNC Park unless there is a special promotion
Chris
12:40
Hi Paul, what seems to be the problem with the negotiations between Ben and the Steelers?  Thank you!
Zeise
12:40
I don’t know there is a problem they are just trying to get it right. I don’t anticipate it won’t get done
Carl in Carrick
12:41
Paul, are the any lesser or second tier free agents the Steelers might be interested in?
Zeise
12:42
I’ll answer it like this - if you listen to NFL insiders there are going to be a ton of players cut next week so they will have all kinds of players to choose from
Optimistic?
12:43
I'm with you in thinking the Steelers will never get back to the Super Bowl with Ben Rothlisberger at quarterback. But since it's happening I wonder where you'd rate him among NFL starters now. No longer top 5 I'd think. Top 10? Top half? How would you compare him to Manning's last season, or to Neil O'Donnell's Super Bowl year,i.e, could they put a team around him that runs and defends really well? And if the Steelers really don't see Rudolph as their future, and there's no strong indication they do, how far behind does having Ben as 2021 quarterback leave them in finding his replacement versus having Rudolph if neither will be quarterback in 2022?
Zeise
12:43
He is a top 15 quarterback. He is not as good as Neil O’Donnell’s best years
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