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Paul Zeise's sports chat: 03.18.21
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Zeise
12:11
OK sorry about that had to finish an important phone call but let’s get started, no more delay!
Mo Nongahela
12:11
Hi Paul!  Looks like the Pens might need a centreman.  Do you try to make it with McCann and Lafferty filling in, or do you look to trade a D-man for a veteran bottom six center?
Zeise
12:12
I think they have to go get a center. We don’t know much about Malkin’s injury and that position was thin to begin with.
Guest
12:12
Paul - With Aluala gone and Williams cut, and safeties that are not good tacklers and take bad angles, the Steelers look to be weak and vulnerable to the run down the middle of the field?  Can that be addressed in some fashion?  Thanks.
Zeise
12:18
Yes they will need to sign or draft someone at both nose tackle and inside linebacker. The loss of Hilton is one that will really sting
21-58-66
12:18
Paul - Lots of wide receivers and running backs still available out there in FA....what do you think that portends for JuJu and Connor?  Thanks.
Zeise
12:20
It is rather simple - wide receivers and running backs are not valued as free agents. Teams believe they can draft them on get them cheap later in free agency. Conner and Smith-Schuster are not elite players so they will get signed it just might take a little time and they might not get as much as they want
Mo Nongahela
12:20
Who will be the Steelers' starting center by mid-season -  Finney, Hassenaeur, a free-agent veteran not yet signed, or a draft pick?
Zeise
12:20
I actually think Finney
Hank
12:21
It appears JuJu is overpricing himself. JuJu current Hines Ward, any chance for Steelers?
Zeise
12:21
His price would have to drop considerably for the Steelers to sign him. They are already tight and they are apparently still trying to sign Villanueva
Guest
12:22
In watching the Pens victory over Boston I had the impression that Boston had the better of the play and had twice as many shots as the Pens.  Yet we won! How would you describe the Pens style of play? In the two Cup years it was clearly speed.  What is it now?
Zeise
12:22
I don’t think much has changed they are still a really built on skill and speed
Hank
12:22
Phillip Lindsey cut loose by Broncos. Good back for 2 back system. Steelers need to make move on him and still draft 1st round back, Your thoughts?
Zeise
12:23
I don’t think the Steelers need to go first round with a back. They could sign a guy like Lindsey and draft a 2nd-round running back
Alex
12:23
Hi Alex, Without combine, what would be the Steelers' recipe for nailing this year's draft which is becoming so important with several FA departures?
Zeise
12:24
The Pro Days are huge and so is the scouts ability to break down film. That is what is usually important in a normal year anyway
Buzzard Bill
12:24
Hey Paul, how was the NFL turnout for yesterday's Pitt Pro Day?  Was it well attended by the NFL scouts? Based on what was reported, Twyman was a beast, and Ford may have hurt his chances to be picked high in the draft.
Zeise
12:27
It sounded like it was very well attended and it should have been, Pitt has about 7 draftable players. Yes Twyman doing 40 reps in the 225 pound bench is absurd and Ford running 4.9 is not gonna help him that is for sure!
Utah Jim
12:27
If Colbert retires next season after Ben goes, do you think Tomlin will stick around with a new GM and QB?
Zeise
12:27
Yes because the new GM is already in the organization as it is likely to be Brandon Hunt
Utah Jim
12:27
Any news on Malkin's injury?
Zeise
12:28
Sounds like at the very least he is out for tonight. He wasn’t at the morning skate
Joe
12:28
Are the Pens out of this thing with both Blueger and Malkin out for what looks like weeks? Should the front office make a trade for a center?
Zeise
12:30
They aren’t out of it and there is nothing to suggest Malkin is out long term. I do think they need to trade for a center. And as I type that Mike Sullivan said Malkin is “continuing to be evaluated and will have more information tomorrow...” So that’s not ideal
Jeff
12:30
Thanks for the chats Paul.  The inconstancy with NHL refs is glaring.  How does Tanev get a 5 minute major for a hit 12 feet from the boards but Wilson doesnt even get a penalty for his hit?  Back when there was only one ref I can understand they cant see everything but with 2 it is unacceptable
Zeise
12:31
I don’t have a problem with the refs  being overly careful with those kinds of hits. I think it is important that they err on the side of caution even if it means they make a mistake like that
Ben
12:31
What do you see the Steelers doing at wide receiver? They seemed to have missed out on a couple of inexpensive but good veterans like AJ Green and the guy from Buffalo
Zeise
12:31
There are a lot of guys on the market. My guess is they will with an inexpensive veteran and draft one in the third or fourth round
Carl in Carrick
12:32
Hi Paul...is it me or do the Steelers seem to be enamored with Villanueva?  If so, do you know why?  I
Zeise
12:32
Enamored is a strong word. I think they are just looking at their tackle options and think if they can make a deal with him he is better than what is available to them.
MD
12:33
Is it ridiculous that the NFL keeps the compensatory pick awarding process so opaque?  Another year, another free third rounder for the Ravens while the Steelers get one less pick than projected.  Is Al Riveron making these decisions?
Zeise
12:34
There is actually a very definite formula for it. I just don’t know what that is!
Donna
12:34
Hi Paul.  I don’t understand why the hit on Malkin was not a penalty as I don’t think the puck was not near him compared to where it was when Taney was penalized.  Your thoughts?
Zeise
12:35
The hit on Malkin was clean. I thought Tanevs hit was clean but I can see what they were looking at. He did get a long head start on that one
The Booth
12:37
What's the point of having broadcasters at places other than arenas now? Is it just virtue signaling? I get that you want to keep crowd sizes down. But two people? If you're televising you've already got an array of cameramen and technicians at the sight.
Zeise
12:39
I think the idea is to cut down on the number of people in the travel party. Of course I’m not sure why they couldn’t just fly commercial by themselves other than money. Most home announcers are in the building, though
MD
12:40
With all of the talk of whether or not the Steelers should go all-in or build for the future, isn't it obvious that they have been going all-in and are now suffering the consequences?  Look at how many players have cap hits that are close to twice their actual salaries.  That is all from pushing the cap charge back in prior years.
Zeise
12:41
The big issue is they went all in with salaries and didn’t win anything. That’s the issue. Had they pushed all this money back and causes this kind of an issue but won a Super Bowl nobody would care
That they can’t sign guys. But they have three playoff wins since 2010 and they are in this spot
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