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Head coach, Pat Narduzzi, gives instruction and talks to his team and other coaches during Pitt football practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.
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Paul Zeise's sports chat transcript: 08.04.22

Vanessa Abbitt/Post-Gazette

Paul Zeise's sports chat transcript: 08.04.22


Zeise: Let’s get started

The Real TP Hunter: Hi Paul. If the published figures are correct, it looks like the Diontae Johnson deal is a win for the Steelers at an average of about $13 million per for three years. I am surprised he settled for so much less than the current market would dictate.
Zeise: I don’t get it but he got a lot guaranteed and he is still going to be young enough to cash in on his next deal. The Steelers got what they wanted - lock him up but not for too many years

Guest: paul, i think your think the nfl shouldn't appeal watson's suspension, exactly what does a player have to do to get a year or more suspension? ben got a slap on he wrist for manhandling 2 women, this guy had 24 women complaints , whats the deal paul?
Zeise: There is a lot of due process that the union will surely exploit. It is headed to court

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The Real TP Hunter: How hard will Goodell come down on Watson now that the arbitration process is over? You indicated you were fine with the six games the judge recommended earlier this week.
Zeise: Sounds like he wants a year, counseling and a big fine

David Bednar  of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on July 12, 2022 in Miami, Florida.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: Why moving David Bednar and Bryan Reynolds would be right for Pirates

The Real TP Hunter: Do you think the Pirates would have moved Bednar at the trade deadline if he was healthy?
Zeise: No it doesn’t sound like they had any desire too

The Real TP Hunter: Are the NFL teams are going to wear the Great Gazoo helmets during the first two preseason games, or do they just wear them in practice through the first two preseason games?
Zeise: Just in camp to minimize hits to head

Krugerrand: Paul, are you only going to answer the easy questions today until you get your new contract signed?
Zeise: What new contract

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Hal: Why u starting so damn late brah? Have some respect for others for a change Zeisse.
Zeise: Better late than never. And now you just wasted your question on a silly insult and misspelled my name, brah!!

Amanda: Good afternoon Mr. Zeise. You see what happened to that Brittany Grinder ? That's why I consume alcohol or anything else. It's the work of the Devil !!
Zeise: Griner

TheyHaveitmade: When a player is injured do they still get their full salary? Do the teams pay it or do they have insurance policies?
Zeise: Yes and yes

Bubby Brister: Hey hows come I ain't in no Steelers Hall of Fame ? Do y'all know how difficult it was to play at Three Rivers during those years. Especially when the wind would come off the lake in Winter. I deserve to be there dagnabbit
Zeise: There are a lot of players ahead of you, sir

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during the NFL football team's training camp July 27 in Berea, Ohio.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: NFL should not appeal the Deshaun Watson ruling

J$Money: According to reports out of Chicago, the Bears are looking to trade offensive tackle Teven Jenkins. He has not practiced yet and is said to have maturity issues along with having had back surgery last year. If the Steelers were interested in trading for him, could the Bears give them permission to speak to him prior to a trade or is that not allowed?
Zeise: A lot of times the team will ask the agent to work out a trade. That is permissible.

Steeltown: Paul, what do you think of Najee’s vision? Seems like he runs to the traffic rather than hitting the holes. I love his toughness, but question his decision making once he gets the ball in his hands. What say you?
Zeise: I think he is really good at running the football. He certainly doesn’t make a lot of people miss but he is really good at running through contact

Dead Lines: I just saw that Britney Griner got a nine year sentence. What's your take on that situation? How long do you think she'll serve?
Zeise: Probably less. It all depends on how much negotiating the White House wants to do with Putin to get a deal done

John in SC: DJ’s deal was actually a 2 yr deal as he was already under contract for 2022, although he did get a raise this also. Am I mistaken?
Zeise: He is gonna make like $39 million over the next three seasons

Matt Canada: You don't think they'd fire me in Training Camp do you ?
Zeise: Why would they do that? What have you done?

Guest: Best pinch hitter of all time ? Burgess, Lynch, or Mota ? Isn't this a dying art with the DH ?
Zeise: Yes isn’t that crazy, the DH will make the pinch hitter an extinct species. That’s what the DH is going to do. There will still be pinch hitters but now you don’t need to use five of them to get through a game with all the pitching changes

kevin in Punxsy: The investigator who rendered the D Watson decision wrote numerous times that Mr. Watson had commited criminal acts. Starkey wrote that she made the case for the NFL. Your thoughts on this?
Zeise: She did but her conclusion of only six games completely contradicted her findings. So I have no idea what to think about it all. It just doesn’t seem like there is going to be a quick resolution to all of this

The Real TP Hunter: Aside from quarterback, what is the most important position battle happening at Pitt's fall practices?
Zeise: Definitely linebacker. They had a lot of attrition and brought in a few new linebackers. That group has a lot of potential but needs to have a great competition in camp so the best 5-6 linebackers emerge.

The Noog man: Who wins the transfer QB Bowl, pitt or wvu?
Zeise: Pitt is better and at home and more experienced and I think got the better of the two former USC quarterbacks. So as much as there will be hype for the game I think Pitt should win comfortably

dbirwin738: I don't understand why the pirates waited until after the deadline to DFA Tsutsugo. They must have really liked the translator, and wanted to keep his contributions to the team the last couple of weeks.
Zeise: Because they were hoping some GM from another team visited Amanda’s house for all liqoured up and then called Cherrington and offered him a trade

Dead Lines: Do you think Canada will ever stop requiring Covid vaccines for people entering the country or will the Blue Jays, Raptors, and hockey teams have eternal home field advantages because their opponents are missing players?
Zeise: At this point vaccine mandates are so pointless that Canadians get what they deserve for going along with that nonsense

Guest: Didn't your newspaper just report yesterday that Johnson and the Steelers were on a different planet or some such thing in negotiations? What happend there
Zeise: Not just our newspaper, a lot of people reported that. That tells me, you don’t ever want to play poker with Omar Khan because his poker face is incredible.

Steeltown: Paul, do you think the re-worked O-line will create an extra 1/2 second to allow our receivers to create some space? Their lack of pass pro seemed to be the problem with our wr’s getting separation.
Zeise: I would hope so. I think they have definitely upgraded center but they have a lot of work to do to prove they are a better unit

BC: Are you ready to pay Cruz yet? I think my novice eyes have seen enough to try to buy out a few arbitration years.
Zeise: It would all depend on his asking price and the number of years. I wouldn’t go 10 years with him so I might wait another year or two before I put together a deal

Guest: Will Pitt and Penn State ever meet in a bowl game ?
Zeise: Probably not. It just never seems like that will line up for it to happen. We may not see that game for a long, long time

kevin in Punxsy: Paul, the investigator also wrote that she was suspending him for six games, because the NFL/NFLPA document didn't address punishment for a serial sex offender, nor sentencing instructions. In other words, this women didn't have the guts to sentence DW to a year, as requested by the NFL.
Zeise: I think she picked a number that she knew Watson would accept. And she put the ball in the commissioner hands. The whole process is a farce

The Real TP Hunter: If you were inclined to, what is the best way to bet the Steelers this year? I'm not much of a gambler and I understand that there are about a half a million ways to bet these days. Just go with over/under wins?
Zeise: I think the easiest bet on the board is over 7 1/2 wins. There is no question in my mind the Steelers will win nine games minimum

Steeltown: Paul, Lovin this DJ deal. Seems we got a bargain, and 18 mil/season is good for him too. I love all the weapons on offense, now if one of these QB’s can grab hold of the job, I like this team. Your thoughts?
Zeise: It is a win-win for both sides. Johnson got a good deal and a good chunk of guaranteed money and can be a free agent in a few years. The Steelers keep him around for another two years but aren’t married to him for a long, long time

kevin in Punxsy: I hope that whatever the NFLPA got in exchange for allowing the NFL Commish to have the final word on player punishment was worth it.
Zeise: Yep. The NFLPA completely whiffed in the CBA negotiations by allowing the commissioner to have a chance to appeal any decision by the arbitrator

The Real TP Hunter: I have a feeling the Oklahoma State kid is going to stick in the Steelers backfield. Do you like what you've seen from him in practice?
Zeise: I haven’t seen enough of practice to have a strong opinion on it

The Real TP Hunter: What does the linebacker situation look like to you, both inside and outside? Is the Robinson kid for real?
Zeise: I like all four of the starters. I think the depth on the inside is good, depth on the outside is thin

David Bednar: What more do I have to do to get out of here ? This is Baseball Afghanistan. Help me !!!
Zeise: You just keep pitching well and you will eventually pitch your way out of there!

The Real TP Hunter: I'm not sure what the purpose of the whole NFL arbitration process is if, at the end, Goodell can ignore the judge's decision and pretty much do whatever he wants. Is that really so much different from where the process was before?
Zeise: Because now someone else can handle all of the leg work in doing an investigation. And the Union now has an opinion written by an arbitrator hired by the league

The Real TP Hunter: For Pitt to play Penn State in a bowl game, it would have to be huge, as in a national semifinal, or really small, where the organizers are trying to fill the seats. Of course, an expanded playoff could change that.
Zeise: Penn State is going to fill seats regardless of who their opponent is

kevin in Punxsy: Why is it that HCMT has not had to answer for drafting a very small and short (by NFL standards) right guard in order to make him the CENTER for the NFL team with the most CENTERs in the HoF? Very dumb decision in my opinion.
Zeise: I think it was a very bad pick unless Greene becomes a good guard. But yes that seems like a swing and miss

The Real TP Hunter: Tiger doesn't need $700 million from the new golf league people. How thick is his checkbook?
Zeise: That’s chump change for him!

The Eman: Voting for Smokey Burgess as best Pirate pinch hitter ever.
reedboat: Speaking of pinch hitters: anyone remember Gates Brown? He was on a two-year tear at one time as I recall.
Zeise: We are going deep in the archives for pinch hitter names

Matt: Are you hearing anything with regards to Pitt looking to join another conference?
Zeise: Nah I think it will settle down until after the season. Then it could all go haywire!!

Dead Lines: Everyone had Ben Gamel packed up and on his way out of town. Are you surprised he's still here? Were there just no offers? Could it be that because none of the new outfield prospects have wowed anyone yet they might to try to re-sign him? He's not going to cost a fortune.
Zeise: The won’t re-sign him. I am shocked he didn’t get traded but then again, it is Ben Gamel so maybe we shouldn’t be shocked

Tom: 3 years, $39 Mil. Not bad eh?
Zeise: That is a very very good deal for the Steelers

Dead Lines: Since I brought up re-signing Pirate outfielders, do you have a feeling about whether Reynolds will be here after 2023?
Zeise: I can’t see that. It will cost $100 million plus to sign him and, well, you know…..

The Real TP Hunter: Based on the huge turnouts for practice, it appears that even with all of the recent playoff disappointments that the Steelers brand is as strong as ever. Do you think there has been a change in the fans' mindset in recent years where fans they are just happy to watch the Steelers play as opposed to watching them reach Super Bowls?
Zeise: Nah but I think the Steelers brand is incredible and there is a legion of loyal fans who love them

Treesmann: Paul thanks for the charts. I think the Johnson extension makes tons of sense. The Steelers now have him for the next 3 years at an affordable price. And if Pickens and Austin turn out to be the real deals and the Steelers want too trade Johnson after this year his trade value only increased with adding 2 years of contract control. Seems like a win win.
Zeise: Yep, as I said both sides win in this one, which is rarw
Zeise: Rare

kevin in Punxsy: Paul, what was the name of the Pirates player who signed just before the start of spring training in the 90's and after getting paid, retired to his boat which was docked in Bradenton harbor.
Zeise: I don’t recall - any help out there with this one?

The Real TP Hunter: Who is your favorite NFL Hall of Fame inductee from the 2022 class?
Zeise: Well I’m a Florida State fan so how can I not pick Leroy Butler!

kevin in Punxsy: Paul, I think that Bryan Reynolds will look really good in "Pinstripes" in 2024. What say you?
Zeise: I don’t think they need outfield help do they? They can’t sign every guy right?

PF: who wins the afc north this year?
Zeise: The Bengals. They got better in the offseason and now have a winning culture

DJR: Derek Bell- operation shutdown
Zeise: Operation shutdown I think was basically him saying he wasn’t gonna try because he didn’t like his contract. Correct me if I’m wrong but I seem to remember that was the gist of it

John in SC: Paul, I don’t get the Pirates drafting all these SS so early. I understand having depth but you can’t play them all. Personally, I’d rather see Cruz play 1B. Power corner, long reach, great arm for relay throws. Or do they plan on using these players down the road for trading for more prospects?
Zeise: It is a great point. But you just keep drafting good players and hope you can fit them all in

Guest: Derek Bell...a real pirate. Steals money and lives on a boat
Tom: The way contracts blow up and outdo each other, why would you want a long term deal if you are young and good? Think how crappy a contract would look if a WR signed a 6 year deal 3 years ago. You would have looked good then but be making chump change compared to guys now.
Zeise: Yea, that is why this is a win win. Both sides benefit - unless Johnson gets hurt or underperforms

DJR: He wanted to start period.
Dead Lines: If the Pirates aren't going to spend to keep Reynolds, how does he leave? Do they eventually trade him? Or do they go through the charade of "trying" to negotiate a long term deal, "fail," and lose him to free agency?
Zeise: I think they will trade him this offseason

Guest: Operation shutdown was in reference to his thinking spring training was for getting in shape not auditioning for a starting position...at least for him.
Zeise: Oh that’s right - now it is all coming back. That’s why we chat so you all can bring information to the table as well!

Scott from Listie: Paul- who has the better football program right now…Pitt or PSU
Zeise: Pitt is a better team. Program is a different discussion and a complicated one.

kevin in Punxsy: Another tidbit re: D Watson's sentence. The NFL stated they wanted at least one year and $8 M fines, but Godell told people he would be OK with 12 games and a $5 M fine.
Zeise: That’s what they should go for then. Watson’s group might go for that and be done with it

The Real TP Hunter: Wasn't it Butler who carried the ball in FSU's legendary Puntrooski against Clemson back in the '80s?
Zeise: Yes sir!!!

Stuck-in-Philly: Wow - the same people's questions are being answered over and over and over again . . . .
Zeise: I answer them In order and don’t look at who asks them

Guest: I'm not sure Pitt is a better team than Penn State without Pickett
Zeise: I do. I think they are deeper and more experienced and still better at QB

Big$ErnieHeartnerMIA: Paul, do you think Spillane is consistently discounted because of his race and subsequent lack of athletic ability? Everything from camp indicates he is (again) outplaying Bush.
Zeise: He got labeled a step slow and that’s a hard label to shed. I think he also struggles in pass coverage so he is pigeon holed as one dimensional

kevin in Punxsy: Oh, yeah, I forgot this little tidbit: the NFLPA cannot go to court, because the courts have ruled for years that if a CBA is in place the parties must settle between themselves with no court intervention.
Zeise: We shall see.

Big$ErnieHeartnerMIA: What do the Steelers do if they enter next year's draft after a terrible season, with terrible QB play, and several very high caliber quarterbacks available? I feel like that's cumming.
Zeise: They pick a quarterback and try again! That’s what they should do at least
Zeise: OK sorry for the late start but it has been fun! Let’s do it again next week

First Published: August 4, 2022, 4:44 p.m.

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