Zeise: Welcome my friends and let’s have a great stat
Zeise: Oops I mean let’s have a good chat!!!
D from Chi-Town: Who would have thought 10 years ago that was the last time Ben and Rodgers would ever be in a Superbowl again!
Zeise: That is a great point. If you could have found a bookie to give you odds that neither would ever return to a Super Bowl you would be rich. It just goes to show that it is really difficult to get there. Both have had a few teams that were probably good enough and just couldn’t get over the top
Dirk: Obviously, the Pirates will be in the market for an inexpensive free agent or two. Do you think it is worthwhile pursuing Lonnie Chisenhall?
Zeise: Ha ha ha ha ha ha. Now that’s funny. Lonnie Chisenhall was like a unicorn, we were pretty much resigned to believing he actually exists
DM: How long can the Washington Football team go before picking a new name? The longer it goes, the more it looks like DSnyder is mocking the NFL.
Zeise: Why do they have to pick a name? It seems fine to me
Bobby's Lane: I'm completely with you when you say the best thing for the Steelers would be to move on from Ben Rothlisberger now. If somehow they do, is there anyone out there they realistically could replace him with that might get them to as many wins as he might?
Zeise: i know this is going to be met with scorn but hear me out - Mason Rudolph. If the Steelers beef up their run game and run the ball more and use more play action passing - with that defense why can’t they win a bunch of games. The offense would become more efficient with running the ball and big passing plays
Les: Hello, what would be the first 3 moves you would do this offseason if you were general manager of the Steelers?
Zeise: Get a left tackle, ask Ben Roethlisberger to retire and make a decision on Dupree
The Parrot: I know the plan is for Gregory Polanco to start the season in right field and hope he shows enough life that they can trade him for someone and that makes sense given how bad they're likely to be. But if he's as bad as he was last year and they can't unload him, do they leave him there all season blocking the next guy or do they eventually give up and take the lumps?
Zeise: They are paying him $11 million. He isn’t sitting no matter how bad he is. And any general manager that takes that contract off the Pirates hands better have his own contract secure because Polanco is the kind of player that gets GMs fired
Carl in Carrick: Have you heard if there is much interest from other teams in Feiler? If he stays with the Steelers, I hope he can return to right tackle. Thanks Paul.
Zeise: I think the plan is to bring him back as a valuable depth player that can play multiple positions. They have two right tackles already
Zeise: fire away more questions
Amanda: You and Walls are terrible. If I was producing your show I'd get rid of all the dumb beer taps and cancel both of you. My husband could do a better job than you two bums.
Zeise: It is Walsh. Rich Walsh. Get it right. And your husband sounded drunk last week when he called in!!!
TPHunter: Paul, I was addicted the sugar rush Rutherford provided as the Penguins GM. You never knew when the next "big move" was coming. Are we going to be bored to death with Hextall and Burkle?
Zeise: It will be different but not boring. The Pens always make bold moves and always have. The ownership wants to win and win with Crosby so they will make moves
TPHunter: Tell Amanda I've got a ton of Blue Moon leftover since the Super Bowl party broke up early from boredom. I guess even Mahomes can only do so much behind a bad offensive line, huh?
Zeise: Well here is the thing - Mahomes also was compromised and couldn’t move like he can. If he was healthy he would have had a chance to make things happen but he was slowed and slowed ain’t good when you are running for your life. And I’ll pass the Blue Moon to Amanda!
Donna: Hi Paul, do you think Alford will be healthy enough to possibly start in centerfield? Thanks.
Zeise: He is healthy and ready to compete. And that position is wide open so according to Jason Mackey, if he hits he will absolutely be in that mix to start
Carl in Carrick: Sorry Paul, I meant to say I hope to see Feiler at guard instead of right tackle...my bad. Do you think Beachum can still play if the Steelers bring him in as free agent?
Zeise: He isn’t that old but what are they bringing him in for? If he is a depth guy he would be fine. Feiler wasn’t good enough at guard to be the starter again
TPHunter: Paul, good point about Mahomes mobility, but Devin White seemed to have the entire field covered and if he didn't Lavonte David did. And what's with Jason Pierre-Paul? I thought the fountain of youth was in St. Augustine, not Tampa!
Zeise: The Bucs defensive line was incredible that night but they were playing against a JV offensive line and that helped
TPHunter: Any chance the Panthers can ring enough bells to make their way into the NCAA tournament, or is the NIT the best hope?
Zeise: It is going to be tough because the ACC isn’t strong enough to carry bubble teams across the finish line there just aren’t a lot of great wins out there for them
Darnell: Hey Paul, when you mention the Pens ownership making bold moves, does that include the trading of Letang and Malkin if they don’t play up to their expectations?
Zeise: I don’t know about that. I would definitely field offers for them. But management doesn’t seem to want to move them and that’s all that counts
TPHunter: The consensus is for the Steelers to take a RB or OL in some order of the first couple of rounds. What is the next priority after that? I really think this team needs a new Heath Miller clone.
Zeise: Absolutely tight end, offensive line and running back. Those are three immediate upgrades
TPHunter: I get the frustration Pens have for the inconsistent play of Malkin and Letang over the past few years, but some of the criticism they receive seems over the top, even for pro players. Those guys have been spectacular players for the Penguins and I hope they are recognized for that as their time in Pittsburgh comes to a close. They were/are a huge part of a golden hockey era.
Zeise: True but he hasn’t been engaged this year and as a result he hasn’t been good. He needs to play better
Chris: Is Mason Martin possibly being considered as Moran’s backup at first base?
Zeise: Not yet he is a minor leaguer. It will be a great season if he makes AAA as a regular by the end of the season. Mackey said he isn’t ready for MLB yet
Dennis: With the Penguins scoring problems, do you think Tanev would be a good fit on either of the top 2 lines?
Zeise: His speed is something else and I’m am amazed how many plays he makes just by getting to pucks. He is probably in the right place though. I don’t know who you replace to move him up
TPHunter: The Penguins look like a playoff bubble team to me this season. Either just making the No. 4 seed or barely missing. Will the new GMs be able to do anything to give them better odds of making it, or do these guys just have to play better?
Zeise: It is hard to imagine they have the cap room and pieces to make any bold moves at the deadline. They don’t have much in the way of assets to make a big move
Guest: Paul, I believe the Pirates could set a record for fewest runs scored in a season this year. Which nickname do you like better, The Slumber Company, or No Punch Just Judy?
Zeise: I fear you may be right and I love the Slumber Company!
Chris: You should offer to take Amanda and her husband out for pizza, you and Rich. Maybe then she wouldn't be so annoying.
Zeise: Only if it is at a place like Monte Cellos or Bados where they serve cocktails too!!
The Eman: Who do you think is the best football player to ever come out of SW PA? I go with Montana with Dorsett a close second.
Zeise: I’ll go outside the box - how about Aaron Donald. He is gonna be in that discussion
Former GMJR: Paulie, will any of Pittsburgh's famed sports journalists get the real scoop on my departure? You got any leading theories yourself? Was my issue with Morehouse or the Big Guy?
Zeise: This will be interesting because you know it will come out. The best part of the story is that the guys in town who are experts on the Pens had completely different stories as to why it happened. That tells me nobody really knows. But Jim Rutherford will eventually talk and we will find out the story
Zeise: He thinks through better scouting and drafting infomatics and analytics and “insert cool sounding trending baseball word of the year” he can. But he can’t. He needs to spend more money to have a chance
eem4p: Paul, the biggest impediments to success this year seem to be a willingness to stick to basics, defend, block shots, make the simple playa, not over pass, and shoot the puck on the net while screening in front. Basic hockey. And yet, with a two time stanley cup winning coach, the pens can't (won't) do that, seemingly led by Letang and Malkin in this out of mind set. Can the team win with them still here and can it tune in the coach to make these basic and winning plays?
Zeise: That’s a great question. This team wants to play like it is 2016 but it isn’t. And I think as long as the trio of stars is still who the team is built on they aren’t likely to do something different any time soon
DJ: Paulie, you seem to like golf, so me and my former BFF Brooks are in a cage match. Who is coming out alive (and with all the women)?
Zeise: Brooks is a beast, he is beating anyone on tour in a cage match!
Zeise: He has a very good contract for three years so I can’t imagine he would be in danger until after next season at the earliest
Frank89: Thoughts on Cherington's direction and prospect returns so far in the blowup? I myself think its the only logical route to take. Couldnt complain so far.
Zeise: I agree Frank. I can’t criticize what Cherrington has done. Blowing it up and starting over is the way to go
Bunny Lebowski: Any word on Devin Bush's recovery? We've heard crickets since he injured his knee.
Zeise: I am sure he is on track and recovering fine. The Steelers doctors and training staff are excellent so he is in good hands
Tom G: Assuming the Steelers do not resign Shuster and Conner,where do you see them ending up?
Zeise: JuJu Smith-Schuster will end up in a big market like New York, Los Angeles or a place that’s high profile like Las Vegas. Conner, to whoever offers him a contract
Ideas Man: Do you think Pitt has a chance at all at the tournament ?
Zeise: No as I wrote before it is gonna be tough because the ACC is weak and there aren’t a ton of wins out there for them to bolster their resume
Who Dat ?: Better at tackling ? The Steelers secondary or that Mom in Texas who tackled the peeper ?
Zeise: That Texas mom
Zeise: She squared that guy up and decleated him!
The Eman: Good call on Donald!
Zeise: He is gonna be in that conversation when he is done
Guest: paul, is this truly pitts best chance to win 10 games with the qb coming back and some high recruits coming in? i think if the "O" line is strong they could have a big year, if not, narduzzi time is up at pitt ?
Zeise: Look with their schedule, what they have coming back, how weak the Coastal Division is - they BETTER win a lot of games
David: Paul if Pitt has another mediocre season like 6-6 or worse will Narduzzi be out or will he be coaching for his job in 2022?
Zeise: It would be a hard conversation to have but at that point Heather Lyke and company might have to make a difficult decision
Retire21: Paul....seems to me a head football coach is much more like a baseball manager as opposed to the other two major sports. They can't possibly be "coaching" 53 guys.....shouldn't football coaches...like soccer and rugby guys, called "managers?"
Zeise: I mean, when you put it that way
Retire21: I hear ads on your show for golf courses open. It drives me crazy to see the ever present snow. Please tell them to take a break?
Zeise: Golf courses are open all winter long. Small print (weather permitting) I love it, I’ve been out a few times recently
Spike: Favourite Girl Scout Cookie ?
Zeise: Thin mints
Retire21: I agree with your take on the anthem. Heck, you never ever hear it on broadcasts of football. But looks like Cuban got his hand slapped?
Zeise: The NBA is a corporation and understands it isn’t good for business to irritate a large portion of your fan base
David: Why were you off last Saturday on the Sports Call?
Zeise: I’m allowed to have days off!
Zeise: I’ll be off this Saturday too!
Roger Maris: Why in your opinion does Art Rooney continue to keep Mike Tomlin as Head Coach? Seems to me that when you do that, you are resigned to just competing and NOT winning it all. What say you?
Zeise: That’s a great point. But again it is hard to fire a guy after a 12-win season. At somw
Zeise: At some point three playoff wins in ten years has to be a factor. I would bring him back but wouldn’t extend him
Thinning the Herd: Why do they say that Tomlin won with Cowher's players but nobody says Sullivan won with Byslma's or Therrian's players ?
Zeise: I have no idea. I would say it is a silly concept. And Sullivan did make some real changes to the roster that first year and changed the team
Jeff: Thanks for the chats Z. What are Pens options at goalie? What trade options are out there?
Zeise: Well the problem Is they can’t really make a big move. They have no picks few prospects and not a lot of cap space. So they are like stuck with these two until the end of the season
eem4p: Tristan Jarry looks awful. He doesnt play the puck like last year, so that takes away his best asset, his stick, he is always too deep in the net...the announcers say that on every goal, and he won't poke check, which takes his second best weapon away. Is this bad coaching, more conservative coaching, a lack of understanding of what makes him successful, or just another indicator of the very bad defensive awareness in front of him?
Zeise: A little of everything - but it starts with Jarry. He has played terribly so far and they have no chance if he doesn’t improve
eem4p: What is the story with Mike Matheson and Cody Ceci? Besides Letang, they have the least defensive awareness, spacing, or capability to be in proper defensive position and move anyone out in front of the net. Can they be salvaged? Should they be?
Zeise: We love to praise Rutherford for the good acquisitions he has made. But he made a number of bad ones, especially recently
Guest: Good Afternoon Paul, appreciate the chats. Question, PO Joseph certainly appears to be the real deal. As a guy who is looking at needing a new sweater can you tell me if #73 is his number of choice or was that a training camp number that he was assigned?
Zeise: I’m gonna do that thing journalists aren’t ever supposed to do - I don’t know. But I’ll find out for you and tune into to next weeks chat for the answer
Donna: Paul, you seem to enjoy working solo on your radio show . Is there anyone local you would like to work with? Thanks.
Zeise: I think Julius Page, Paul Alexander or Dorin Dickerson would be fun and our shows would always be entertaining
Amanda: Why are you so mean? My husband called you 20 years ago in your office because you didn't respond to an email. He asked you about it and you blew up at him. No wonder you promote drinking.
Zeise: Amanda is having a bad day.
Zeise: OK thanks for all the great questions and we will do it next week, lord willing and the creek don’t rise, of course....
First Published: February 11, 2021, 4:44 p.m.