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Paul Zeise's sports chat: 03.05.20
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Zeise
12:01
OK let’s get started with this week’s chats!!!
Doug from Raleigh
12:01
Are you doing a Steelers mock draft, as seemingly is required of PG sports writers,  and how do you think they will go with that 49th pick? Thanks.
Zeise
12:05
I will not be doing a mock draft. If I covered football I guess I would do one but I don’t have any desire to figure out who each team will pick in the 48 spots leading up to the Steelers pick!!
Skinny Dug
12:05
Are the STeelers really THAT confident in their backup QBs (and Big Ben's health), or is it just an issue that there isn't money left to bring in a veteran backup, even a lower-priced one?
Zeise
12:09
A combination of both. They know they don’t really have the money to sign a backup they will legitimately be a starter. And they have invested a fairy high pick in Mason Rudolph and believe he can develop into a good QB. The major point of it all is they don’t think they can sign a veteran at the price they can afford to pay who will be better than Rudolph
Retire21
12:09
I know I’m a dreamer but of DUQ could really keep it going, could it be invited to the Big East where all the other big Catholics schools reside?
Zeise
12:11
Well they would need to show a consistency they haven’t shown yet. I believe they have begun to show they are committed to winning and that is a key. The thing is this was an excellent Big East market before when pitt was in it and so maybe, and especially with a new building, Duquesne would be attractive if the BIg East was looking to be expand. The Dukes would bring a market the league doesn’t have right now
Retire21
12:12
Something I didn’t see mentioned in the debate on Pitt building a new stadium is that training and playing where the Steelers are often is mentioned as a recruiting advantage. What does Elijah say about that and if I may ask what is he  doing?
Zeise
12:15
I think it is a little overrated as a recruiting tool because the two teams are for the most part separated. I liken it to chicken soup - you know when you have a cold people say “eat chicken soup” — well it probably doesn’t help with your cold but it can’t hurt, right? Elijah is doing very well putting his dual degree accounting/finance to good use as he works for a commercial finance company. He always thought it was cool to train at the same place the Steelers train but after a while the novelty wore off because of it you get so focused on your day to day stuff
lturk
12:16
Which player(s) from Pitt's Basketball starting lineup will be subs next year?  Or on another team possibly?
Zeise
12:17
I don’t like the question because it is asking me to speculate as to who is leaving and who is staying. I will say this team needs a true point guard and doesn’t have one so it is entirely possible that a guy like Xavier Johnson will see his role change completely next year.
Blackhawk Bob
12:17
How many current players do you think will be leaving the Pitt basketball team over the off season
Zeise
12:19
Again, without getting into names. Pitt basketball is in the growing pains portion of rebuilding. They are losing a lot of games too. That means there will be some change in the off-season no doubt. I’m not sure who but some players will either leave or maybe asked to find a different home. And with the new transfer rules who knows what it will look like. My guess is that there will be maybe three or four players who move on from this team
section 115
12:20
good day, you stated a while back the Pats (cheater nation) was the best of all time, then I read that they were as equal as the Strows for the hall of cheating shame ?  What gives?  free pass?
Zeise
12:21
Nobody gets a free pass but I think the Patriots didn’t win because they cheated. They found an edge and exploited it and it definitely helped them but that’s not why they got to nine Super Bowls in 18 years or whatever it was
Retire21
12:22
Have you been to RMU’s new arena?  Very nice. Maybe helping them have a great season. Can’t wait for Duquesne’s. Sorry for all the w’s. I am waiting in a long line for a Real ID card...p.i,t.a.!!!
Zeise
12:28
Robert Morris built a beautiful new facility. I love it and it is perfect for that school. It is the right size and it gives them a chance to compete for recruits
Matt from LA
12:28
As a journalist, when and where do you draw the line between objectivity/credibility and just being a "PR" voice for the team that you happen to cover? In other words, when does journalistic integrity trump keeping the teams and its players "happy" and lines of communication open?
Amanda
12:28
I called and spoke to you and Rich the other night and mentioned about how the bar was a bad look. You then joked about getting a Heineken. You should be ashamed of yourself, encouraging that sort of bad behavior.
Zeise
12:31
Matt: You should never become a PR arm for the team. You should always be fair and objective. Now when you are a beat reporter there is a fine line to toe and you have to be a little careful but you should never be overly positive just to buddy up to the people you are  covering. If you are fair they will respect you.
12:33
Amanda: What bad behavior are we promoting because the set of the Nightly Sports Call has a bar/man cave feel to it. You do understand Heineken sponsors the show right? It is their way of getting their brand publicity. We aren’t promoting anything evil
Alan in Nashville
12:34
Hi Paul...Question. You’ve been pretty outspoken about the extension for Ben being a mistake. Out of curiosity, what might Paul Zeise had done differently had you been in charge of the team? I’m not challenging you. I just don’t see that they had many other options, at least without hindsight. Thanks.
Zeise
12:40
Simple - I would have signed a Teddy Bridgewater type for a much less amount for two or three years and worked on finding the long-term replacement. And that would have included finding out what you have in Mason Rudolph. If you did that -  they wouldn’t be hamstrung with the cap, they could shore up other areas and the fact that they went 8-8 last year with horrendous quarterback play tells me if they had a guy like Bridgewater they would have won 10 or 11 games. Ben’s contract is way too much money for what he is at 38 years old
Pitt fan
12:41
Should I be less optimistic about Capel and his ability to coach well and turn around this basketball program? Second year of an epic collapse, he seems defensive at the podium and rarely praises his team, always another guy from another squad. It's like he rubs it in at his own players. I am starting to worry this guy might not be the answer. 8 losses in a row? Are you kidding me? Thoughts.
Zeise
12:43
A fair question. And here is another fair question - if Stallings were still around would he have won 6 ACC games this year? But all of that being said, the progress isn’t what it looked like it might be but he is fine. I think he has recruited wel and that is the best thing a Pitt can hold onto as hope that it will improve
Matt from LA
12:43
Your colleague reported that his optimism for a relatively successful (500 record) Pirate season is based in large (?) part on the comparison between this year's clubhouse atmosphere versus last year's.  That may be true, but I don't recall any of that negativity being reported last year regarding the players, coaches and manager?
Zeise
12:45
It was clear that Hurdles message had grown stale with some players and they tuned him out. But sometimes that is chicken vs the egg - I mean most losing teams have a bad atmosphere. I don’t buy the “new energy” and all that as a reason the team will exceed expectations. A new voice, new training and coaching methods, a new philosophy will have some impact but in that league you need players
Amanda
12:46
Guess you are gutless to answer my question. Coward! Coward! You and Rich should be ashamed of yourselves!
Zeise
12:47
Maybe you have a hard time reading but I did answer your question. A beer company sponsors us. Now please, take
your mess as you are starting to slobber on yourself
Questfor7
12:48
I really think the Steelers offense needs an injection of speed. Skill players that can take it to the house. Aside from DJ, the receivers had trouble getting separation. When Conner goes out, the Snell and Samuels seem slow and undynamic. I like WR Raegor with 2nd, RB Clyde Helaire in the 3rd and TE Albert O with first 4th. Thoughts?
Zeise
12:50
I agree which is why I say that it is not accurate to believe that just getting Ben back will solve all of their issues. They need more playmakers on offense beyond the QB
Gene
12:50
What do you think is the biggest need for the steelers to succeed in 2020?
Zeise
12:50
Online and tight end play needs to improve
Jack Schuster
12:50
I’m saying PNC and the baseball tourists I meet Are enabling Nutting to keep milking the cash cow. Without them I doubt the bucs draw a million. What is your opinion.
Zeise
12:51
There is some degree of truth in that but Nutting is profitable with the Pirates for a lot of reasons way beyond attendance
RPK
12:52
Pirates pitchers' ERAs are through the roof.  I know it's still spring training, but wow!  Is there hope?
Zeise
12:53
Yes I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If they are still getting lit up when the games begin then I would.
Skinny Dug
12:55
What is Amanda talking about?? Are you at a bar when you do your show?
RPK
12:55
Aren't there more deserving questions than Amanda's?
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