JotCast | Paul Zeise's sports chat: 04.30.20

Paul Zeise's sports chat: 04.30.20

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12:50

Do you really think it's fair to call 6th and 7th round picks busts? They're not expected to make the team. If they even become backups, they're exceeded expectations.

Paul

12:50

If a guy gets drafted and doesn’t make the team, yes he is a bust

Jacque Strap

12:50

Projections being what they are, could you see Highsmith having a similar path as Joey Porter? Smaller school, similar body types and skill sets from what I can tell.

Paul

12:51

He is going to be either a star or a player who always leaves us wanting more from him and wondering why he never turned into a star

Eli

12:51

I was hoping Dane Jackson would have been drafted earlier than the 7th round, but Buffalo may have found a steal. Any thoughts as to a player who was drafted way too high and one who was undervalued? Thank you.

Paul

12:54

I thought Dane Jackson should have gone much earlier and I will say the same thing about the kid from New Castle - Geno Stone. The Ravens got a really good football player in the 7th round. As for overvalued - I think the two quarterbacks - Tua and Justin Herbert going 5th and 6th was insanity. I’ll be shocked if either is a star in the NFL

Questfor7

12:55

Kind of sick hearing how everyone is unhappy with Anthony Macfarland Jr pick. People are comparing him to Archer and Rainey. Both of those guys were 5’8” 180lbs. This guy is closer to Kamara’s size (5’9” 210). We had no one who could take it to the house prior to this pick. I actually think he could develop in to a startling 3 down back. What are you thoughts on AM Jr?

Paul

12:58

The issue most people have is they could have had Dobbins or Cam Akers if they wanted a running back. I have no issues with the pick except I don’t think he is a 3-down back and they could use a 3-down back

1:00

I know the Steelers say they aren't looking for an experienced backup, but would they consider signing someone cut by another team that would be an upgrade from Lynch and Hodges, not that it would be hard to do that.

Paul

1:02

Maybe but I think that they want to make it clear to everyone - including Mason Rudolph - that Mason Rudolph is their backup. And so they aren’t gonna sign anyone any time soon. Maybe at the end of training camp they cut Lynch and Hodges and grab someone who was cut elsewhere to be their third string guy but that’s about it

1:02

How has McCullers stayed so long?

Paul

1:02

He is the perfect reserve - he is a big body, can do his job adequately, keeps himself in shape, does what he is asked and doesn’t cost a lot of money. Those kinds of guys hang around forever

1:03

Is Wisiewski the backup center?

Paul

1:03

No, he is likely gonna be a starter at guard

Zack

1:03

Paul, thanks for the chats. It seems that Pitt’s football and basketball recruiting programs are really starting to turn the corner competing with and getting quality players. I hope Pitt will be able to retain those responsible. Your thoughts?

Paul

1:04

Well the good news is both Pat Narduzzi and Jeff Capel are signed for a long time. I don’t think either is going anywhere any time soon, either. This could be an era where Pitt finally figures it out and has some sustained success in two sports

1:04

The Steelers like their RBs to be able to pass protect. Isn't that a glaring weakness with McFarland?

Paul

1:05

And that is why he isn’t a 3-down back and why he is going to be more of a gimmick player - and I don’t mean that in a negative - where he is used in special formations and situations

Buzzard Bill

1:05

A second question, Paul. 10 WRs were picked before Claypool. What do those teams know about Claypool that the Steelers don't? I think that his reported speed might not be accurate, and that at maybe 4.6 he is just an average WR. Also, with his weight he could begin to slow down sooner as he ages than other WRs who are at their peak when 28-29 years old. Your thoughts?

Paul

1:07

It may be that other teams liked other guys more. I don’t know what his speed is but when I watch film he seems to be blowing by everyone so I would hope it is accurate. I also think he will be more of a hybrid tight end player so a little weight isn’t bad

Tom in Dallas

1:08

What are the best things that have come out of this virus? My son says his marriage is better than ever. I'm getting a lot of chores done around the house and my wife is happy not to hear: honey, it's Penguins playoff hockey, I have to watch the game....

Paul

1:09

I’m not a pie in the sky guy - domestic violence is up, suicides are up, the economy is blowing up, businesses are going under, people are dying, we are more divided as a country than ever, we have no sports, people are declaring bankruptcy. There ain’t anything good that has come out of this crap. Not a thing.

Donna

1:09

Hi Mr. Z. Do you think Kevin Colbert will leave when Big Ben and Pouncey retire in a couple of years? If so, your guess as to who will take his place?

Paul

1:13

It seems clear they are grooming Brandon Hunt to be the next GM although there are also two Rooney’s on staff that could be the guy as well. Colbert has a few more years but I think he would like to retire while he is still young enough to enjoy life after football a bit so I don’t anticipate him being the GM five years from now

Tom in Dallas

1:13

How will this virus impact how you do your job once sports resume? Will you ease back to business as usual, or do you expect some permanent long term changes?

Paul

1:14

The only change I could see is how much access and how interviews are conducted. Teams are always looking for ways to limit access and well, now they have a built in excuse. I hope that’s not the case but I fear it probably will be

1:15

As shared by many, getting Dotson in the 4th round was a bit lucky. I guess the fact that the rest of the league determined that he wasn't worthy to be invited to the combine may turn out to be the best case scenario for both him and the Steelers. What do you think are the chances that he starts at Guard as a rookie?

Paul

1:17

I think it would be asking a lot for him to jump into the starting lineup his first year. He seems like he could be a guy who is in the starting lineup for 8-10 years. I love that pick he seems like he will be a really good player for a long time

Happy Day

1:17

So Paul if MLB goes with a 100 game season, with the 10 team divisions with the Pirates in with the Yankees and Red Sox's and AL and NL East, think they win more then 15 games tops ?

Paul

1:19

I actually think the shorter season could benefit them. In smaller sample sizes teams with less talent could catch lightning in the bottle and get hot. I would say they would win about 40-42 games

Gino

1:19

Any takeaways from the virtual draft-positive or negative?

Paul

1:20

I actually liked it more - though I could have lived without all the pandering PSAs and musical stuff. But I liked the way it went off, liked the more personal touch of the coaches at their houses and loved not having fans cheering and booing every pick

John Strange

1:20

Big Ben scorched the Patriots for 3 points in the opener against the Patriots last year. Are fans wearing Steeler goggles about his future play?

Paul

1:22

Well he had an elbow injury at that point. If he is healthy he will be an upgrade over last year. I don’t know that he will be as good as he was five years ago but I do think he can play at a reasonably high level

RJT

1:22

Paul your article about the Steelers overrated ability to draft receivers is ludicrous. You include 6th and 7th round picks. Some of those guys don’t even make it out of camp. The Steelers have done well drafting receivers early. You also left off the first 10 years of Colbert in the front office....

Paul

1:25

Oh my bad, I didn’t realize 6th and 7th rounders didn’t count. Of course, the entire reason people gave them their reputation was they got Antonio Brown in the 6th. Give me a break. I looked at 15 receivers they drafted. Was Limas Sweed a late pick? Was Sammie Coates a late pick? Was Marcus Wheaton a late pick? Get out of here with that. And Colberts first ten years weren’t part of the discussion since he wasn’t working with Tomlin and he is now.

A guy named Ray

1:25

Do you think the Steelers have any interest in former Chiefs punter Colquitt?

Paul

1:25

I don’t know but if they don’t they should. They need a punter

Dennis

1:25

If you were Aaron Rogers would you buy your one way ticket to Las Vegas or wait till 2022

Paul

1:27

I would wait until after this season and then force them to trade me. That will give Vegas one more year to build the offense a little more so it is ready to roll when he gets there

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